ã€ŠFear Not Death [HWFWM Fanfiction]ã€‹


 Chapter 1: A Dime a Dozen

    Chapter 1: A Dime a Dozen

    For Nora Ambrose, it had been a day like any other. Or not quite¡ªon account of Christmas. Festivities abounded, although the people in her family weren¡¯t of the age to celebrate Christmas with many presents.

    She received some jewelry from her mother. Her mother was Chinese, a woman now named Lynn Ambrose, and her heritage meant that she thought moderately expensive jewelry was the best gift that could be given. To spend money on somebody was an expression of love. She had long learned hear mother¡¯s love language, and gratefully accepted the gifts, even though she wasn¡¯t the type to wear jewelry. She made some arbitrary, early New Years resolution to attempt to wear her mother¡¯s well-meaning gifts more often. Nora never felt any compunction to wear makeup or otherwise up her appearance beyond its norm. She was lazy, for better and worse, and couldn¡¯t bring herself to otherwise spend the 10 to 20 minutes daily to do makeup. She didn¡¯t mind that anyone else wore makeup, but just accepted that was the way she was. She didn¡¯t care for the opinions of others, her skin thick from scathing insults from siblings, a controlling mother, and inconsiderate middle schoolers.

    Her philosophies: It is impossible for everybody to like you and don¡¯t worry about what you can¡¯t control. These two personal philosophies she carried through life, a Generation Z¡¯er with little motivation nor particular hope for the future. She got through college with nice grades on an Engineering Degree, and got an acceptable but not outstanding job in Silicon Valley. She accepted that she¡¯d likely never afford a house near where she worked, and resolved to live a DINC (dual income no children) life, if she could work up the motivation to wade through the toxic sludge of dating apps in the first place.

    She¡¯d probably end up a cat lady. Oh well.

    Her mother had recently remarried to Elliot Str?m, a Scandinavian-American man of deeper pockets than her last husband, Joseph Ambrose. She didn¡¯t bother changing her last name this third time around. Her mother¡¯s life had been tumultuous, her first husband died young, and she was ousted from the family without any money. Her second marriage was from where Nora and her sister Elizabeth was born, and the divorce had been messy. It was a fundamental incompatibility in personality that reared its head as Nora and her older sister were still young, but old enough to remember the yelling fights between them and thrown objects. Her mother was controlling, a tiger mom. Her father was hands off educationally and too frugal with money to spend it on significant childhood enrichment. But Nora and her sister were good students, and cruised through high school with good grades.

    There was nothing strange about the two, except her parents¡¯ messy divorce. The two shared custody, Nora and her sister switching between the parents houses every week. The two lived near each other and their high school, so it was easy enough, all things considered.

    In America, divorces were a dime a dozen. She was just another coin in the jar of broken vows of love.

    That Christmas should have been like any other. She was gathered with her mother¡¯s new husband and new stepbrother to match¡ªOskar Str?m. They ate a hearty but very non-traditional dinner¡ªhandmade dumplings, various stir-fries to top on steamed white rice, and some cold vegetable dishes. Dumplings were dipped in sauce made with the classic dumpling-sauce trifecta¡ªsoy sauce (Kikkoman, the ol¡¯ reliable), Chinese black vinegar, and sesame oil. Grated garlic was added for a bit of extra flavor, but homemade dumplings were so flavorful she never needed it; storebought dumplings could never compete. The meal was finished off with warm and easy soup, dropped with eggs and some of the various vegetables used in the stir fries, added with some of their sauce for flavor. Cut fruit on plates prepared for all of them as a healthy desert. She loved it when her mom gave her cut fruit, a pleasant memory of childhood.

    Holidays were one of the few times her mother didn¡¯t mind how much Nora ate. She wasn¡¯t overweight, but Lynn still held ingrained Chinese beauty standards, at least in Nora¡¯s youth. The controlling woman had softened over the years, like a rough cast iron smoothing after care and use, adapting her expectations to healthier standards. Her mother¡¯s mellowing had brought the two of them closer. Nora understood her mother operated on a different cultural paradigm, but the two learned to talk about what actions upset each other. Nora knew her mother¡¯s concern over health came from a place of unconditional love.

    Her mother¡¯s philosophy: Your body is the most important thing; You must take care of it. The other: Money is freedom. Nora didn¡¯t think of her mother as gold-digging or money-grubbing, just realistic.

    She ate to a comfortable stuffed, and enjoyed the Christmas with her still-uncomfortable new family.

    They sat around an unlit fireplace, playing board games. Her mother wasn¡¯t very good at them, constantly asking questions or asking for clarification and holding up the game. The house was oddly large for Nora, a large house on the outskirts of Oslo, Norway. She had grown up in small townhouses and apartments. Her biological father¡¯s failed investments after a Ponzi scheme left him as the one failed boomer with no house to call his own, except for the apartment her mother and his ex-wife had sold to him out of kindness (or perhaps pity) instead of renting out.

    She wasn¡¯t going to complain about a large house. She got to sleep on a queen size bed, instead of the merely full bed in her teeny-tiny, rented room in a house back in Silicon Valley.

    Night deepened, and Nora headed back upstairs. Ever the introvert, she didn¡¯t have the social battery to continue for much longer, and was the first to turn in for the night. The voices of her talkative sister, her sister¡¯s boyfriend, her stepbrother, and her stepfather were blurred through walls and insulation. She settled into her guest room bed, warm and content. Quilted blankets and comforters pulled all the way up to her neck, trapping heat all around her body. She had inherited her mother¡¯s propensity to constantly feel cold, and her body temperature always seemed to plummet when she stayed still for any length of time.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    She absent-mindedly wondered if they¡¯d have fried leftover dumplings for breakfast the next day, as she drifted into sleep. They were always better the day after, with dumpling skin crisped up in hot oil contrasting the hot meat wrapped up inside. Just like her, snug as a dumpling in her bed. All was well.

    *****

    She awoke with a start.

    Or she thought she did. She wasn¡¯t awake. She couldn¡¯t feel her body. Her sense of body and self was strangely weak. She wondered if she was suffering from sleep paralysis, until she sensed The Thing, her sleep demon.

    She could have fooled herself into thinking it was a sleep demon if not for its undeniable nature. What she perceived before her was some impossible expanse of power, a Thing so powerful, so overwhelming her mind screamed and struggled to make sense of it. Like staring into unmentionables by H. P. Lovecraft, that twisted minds and drew people into madness with just a glance.

    She couldn¡¯t form a thought. Not really. Her perception was scattered, like trying to perceive light through her eyelids, or in a perpetual state of waking fuzz.

    The Thing attacked her.

    Attacked her soul.

    She hadn¡¯t even known that souls existed, but this was the most brutal revelation she ever had in her life. She had no other words to describe the state she was in, disembodied and vulnerable before some vast cosmic entity.

    It was pain she had never experienced before in her life. Indescribable.

    The Thing wanted inside. Her soft vulnerable being, all that she was. Her memories, her preferences, her loves, her dreams, her dislikes, her skills or lack thereof, her fantasies, her habits.

    She realized quickly it could not get inside unless she let it. Despite not knowing a soul existed until moments before (although she had already lost all sense of time) the soul was adaptive and intuitive. That didn¡¯t stop the excruciating pain as it tore, ripped, scratched, slamming, pounded, trashed, slashed, whipped, burned, crushed, and battered at the outsides of her soul. She wanted to know why she had to suffer like this; what did the being want from her? There was nothing she could give it, but she wouldn¡¯t give up herself. Ironically, the capitalist system she so hated had spurred on her desire to never give in.

    With the option of death off the table she sought a method of relief. She had the vague awareness that letting it inside was one way to stop it, end all the pain.

    She was tempted. Oh, she was so tempted. Her soul screamed at her.

    Anything. Anything. Anything. Anything! Anything! Anything! ANYTHING! ANYTHING! ANYTHING!

    DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT STOP!

    She also realized what that meant.

    An eternal slave to whatever broke through her will, free to scoop out her opened up soul leaving but a shell, carve it out, shape her into some monstrosity, or use it for whatever it wished for the rest of her feeble, insignificant existence.

    What Nora hated more than anything else, was eternal slavery. Wage slavery, the threat of unfortunate medical debt, and paying off her college loans had already been enough for her. Call her weak-willed, but she would rather die than be a slave. She just didn¡¯t have the energy to live through that. If she became a slave to that being, would there ever be a day of rest? A normal work week already exhausted her of all she had. She wouldn¡¯t suffer that for eternity. Work can go fuck itself. She would rather die.

    But she could not die. She had no body to kill. She was just a soul, discorporated, suffering at the hands of a voiceless enemy.

    Fortunately, or unfortunately, death was not an option offered to her. Had it offered its hand, she would have grasped it without a second thought. She hoped it would look like Death from the Sandman, a kind, gentle woman that led her to the lands after, though she was an atheist.

    She hatched a plan. It wasn¡¯t appropriate to call it a plan as an instinct, a fight or flight response triggered by her extreme, inconceivable current situation.

    How had she gone from comfort after a Christmas meal to soul torture by some inconceivable vast mind-blasting cosmic entity?

    Nora waited.

    And waited.

    Nora waited for a very long time.

    The entity¡¯s interest in her waned bit-by-bit. Its capabilities and mind was inconceivably vast, but perhaps even that had its limits. Or, it simply ceased to care, tormenting her as some passive action, an afterthought. Like a program that ran automatically, she was just another background task. If a program long regulated to the back of it¡¯s mind crashed, what did it care.

    That her torturous existence was some sort of passing afterthought was an offense she didn¡¯t have the luxury to bear.

    It may have been vast, but she was very small. She leveraged that, slowly dispersing herself. She didn¡¯t know how to really do so. But souls, she realized, learned very quickly when forced to do so. They adapted. She adapted.

    But ever so patiently, she broke herself apart, like grains of sand tumbling from a cliff, or steam rising from a glass of water warmed by the sun.

    She was nothing, so she would become nothing.

    From dust to dust. Ashes to ashes.

    All that she was: her memories, her preferences, her loves, her dreams, her dislikes, her skills or lack thereof, her fantasies, her habits.

    They scattered from her, the softest of whispers blown away on some cosmic wind, slipping through the cracks of her soul-prison. Like air escaping from a balloon, she deflated herself.

    She would not let the being have her soul.

    At some point she realized.

    She did not have herself either any longer. All that she was, she scattered. She was lost.

    Her awareness was scattered around, invisible speckles of pollen carried to far, far away.

    For a long while, there was nothing but emptiness. She couldn¡¯t perceive this time because there was no way to perceive it. It was void and empty, mirroring the cold and empty universe without even the light of stars. It was a peaceful emptiness, much improved from her previous state. She did not mind it. If this was to be the end of her existence, she accepted it.

    Then she saw flickers. It as everything as once so much so that it became meaningless. Like static on a television, or a jumble of voices at a party. Everything was so melded together it was senseless. She experienced the melting pot of all of the universe, all of everything dropped into a soup, and she jumped into it. She was the broth of the universe-soup, and she sensed all the small ingredients dropped in.

    She saw different lands, different people. Impossible sights¡ªgrand floating cities of crystalline spires, built on lands that surpassed gravity. Sky-seas filled with sky-beings, massive creatures like fantastical sky-whales of lore, land and sea reversed. Her being brushed against the inverse horizon, dancing at the boundary of reality and unreality.

    She had the distant thought that she was searching for something¡­searching for what? Herself?

    When had she forgotten her name?

    She long left the prison and prison warden behind, subsequently losing herself in the process. The pieces of herself were scattered, but she could still feel them, distantly, if she focused. So, she focused, her being operating on instinct alone. As she did, the fragments of her soul gathered like dust forming a nebula. It mixed with something, twisting with in some inseparable weave. Her soul formed a new tapestry, with some strange, new threads. The edges were incomplete, still searching for her threads lost to the cosmos.

    And that is how she became a wandering soul.

 Chapter 2: Talking to a Volleyball

    Chapter 2: Talking to a Volleyball

    ¡°Hi, it¡¯s me,¡± she said, ¡°You may be wondering how I got myself into this situation? Don¡¯t ask me; I don¡¯t know either. My soul has formed a¡­place in a¡­place I don¡¯t understand. What am I? Don¡¯t ask me that either. I don¡¯t know anything.¡±

    Her soul had formed a new realm, some sort of physical space she could place herself in and return to in the strange, amorphous and indeterminate landscape she found herself in. The new realm was a mixture of that amorphous substance and herself. She tried to separate the strings that had mixed up with her, but tugging on one threatened to unravel herself altogether, along with searing pain that dissuaded her from doing so any further.

    The strange substance mixed in with her soul served as a platform for her consciousness. Up until this point, she had operated on reactive instinct, with no physical mind to form thoughts nor memories. She could form herself now, and she made a shape for herself, although indistinct, like some sort of ¡®streetlight person¡¯.

    ¡°New objective. Put Humpty Dumpty back together again.¡±

    Her name would be a nice start, but life¡­or death¡­or existence¡­ whatever it was, was rarely so easy.

    She started off, walking paths across this realm following the trails of her soul-threads, which she called Limbo for now. As she slowly journeyed, painstakingly following the threads of her soul through the infinite expanse, she learnt more about Limbo.

    It was some sort of realm that abutted reality. It existed everywhere around reality, all at once. A membrane separated the two, and the substance within Limbo, flowed out, filtered and changed as it passed through the membrane.

    She pushed, but she couldn¡¯t force herself through the membrane, and decided against it. If she crossed the threshold, could she ever return? She didn¡¯t want to commit to it before she picked up all the pieces of herself scattered around Limbo. Moreover, she didn¡¯t have a body. What would happen if she exited Limbo, would she become a ghost?

    ¡°Is this some sort of trial to get to Heaven?¡± she asked herself. ¡°Is this how Limbo works, is my internment how long it takes to find all of my soul?¡±

    It sounded outlandish, but everything was outlandish. She amused herself with crazy theories, distracting her mind in her seemingly endless task. Maybe she was Sisyphus, and this was the boulder she pushed.

    ¡°But what¡¯s the purpose?¡± She said out loud, if it could be called ¡®out loud¡¯ when she had no body, lungs, a mouth, or vocal chords. ¡°Is this reflective? Should I be reflecting? I don¡¯t think I was a particularly terrible person, but maybe that¡¯s the problem? Is mediocrity not good enough for the afterlife?¡± Or maybe, I¡¯m in a coma, ¡°she continued, ¡°The pain I felt was my body failing, and now I¡¯m in some comatose-fever dream.¡±

    She didn¡¯t believe that. Her torture felt like the only real sensation she experienced in this place. Everything else was indeterminate, ingredients with no recipe nor a hand to shape it.

    The supernatural felt the more believable theory.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know if a soul was real before all of this,¡± she said, sighing, if it could be called sighing.

    Her endless task started to wear on her. Each thread was a single moment of her life. Less than a second¡ªa single sensation she experienced in the fraction of a second. Her soul remembered what she did not, and now she had to retrieve every single moment.

    She got antsy and frustrated. She started to experiment with her new realm to distract herself from her current reality. She called it the Holorealm, in honor of Star Trek, inconceivable one of the few things she remembered, in parts.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even finish watching The Next Generation,¡± she lamented. ¡°As always, I do things halfway.¡±

    She could make anything in the realm. She transformed it into her last memory, her mother, her stepbrother, her stepfather, sitting around the dinner table enjoying a homemade Christmas meal.

    She was there with them, smiling and conversing. She did different things with them, the Holorealm, like some sort of advanced AI, mimicking what they could have done in different situations. She didn¡¯t know if it was accurate, and she didn¡¯t remember the details of her family and their personalities.

    ¡°I love you dear,¡± Her mother said, her black eyes gazing into her brown ones. She cupped her hands onto her cheeks, lovingly caressing them.

    Those onyx eyes were hollow.

    They watched some sort of TV show. She didn¡¯t know what. Her Holorealm made one up for her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really know about that,¡± her stepbrother said, ¡°That plot point felt very forced.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t like it either,¡± said her stepfather, ¡°What about you?¡±

    Her mother was conked out, resting her head on her stepfather¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Mom¡¯s out,¡± she said, ¡°She won¡¯t respond.¡±

    ¡°So, what did you think?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame. I thought that the character was underutilized. Killing them off so early felt premature.¡±

    ¡°I completely agree,¡± Her stepbrother said, ¡°It felt like they ran out of ideas, and did something drastic to keep the story afloat.¡±

    ¡°Stories just can¡¯t take their time nowadays,¡± she said, ¡°Like every episode needs to grab out attention or it¡¯ll lose it.¡±

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°That¡¯s how it is, in this attention economy,¡± her stepbrother said, ¡°Other, better distractions they have to compete with.¡±

    ¡°What now?¡± her stepfather asked, ¡°Do we keep watching it?¡±

    His blue-grey eyes looked at her, hollow.

    ¡°We should at least finish it,¡± her stepbrother said, looking to her for agreement.

    His blue-grey eyes looked at her, hollow.

    ¡°No, no, no, no, no,¡± she said, staring at her fake family. ¡°This isn¡¯t right.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, daughter? Did you eat too much?¡±

    They were just that, holograms. Fakes.

    There was no soul, no spark that made them people.

    For the first time in a very long time, she had enough conscious thoughts to realize she was all alone.

    *****

    For a long time after that, she lost her motivation. She was enraged, screaming, throwing, and destroying all that the Holorealm created for her to destroy¡ªa pointless exercise in futility, and a tantrum no one would soothe.

    At some point, her rage abated, and she was left feeling hopeless and helpless.

    ¡°What in the world am I supposed to do?¡± She asked no one in particular, curling into a sobbing ball, if it could be called sobbing.

    No one answered her.

    She mindlessly completely her Sisyphean task, picking thread after thread in Limbo. Her mental state reflected what she named this strange realm. She occasionally saw cities and other realms within this strange place. She entered them, but no one could see her.

    Even seeing people, although she was entirely ignored, provided some sort of relief. She held in her indistinct arms, a materialized volleyball.

    ¡°At least I have you, Wilson.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Wilson, I¡¯ve been thinking,¡± she said, calmly following after another string, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m some sort of ghost. I think at this point it¡¯s a given that I¡¯m dead.¡±

    ¡°No, Wilson, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible I¡¯m not dead. If I hadn¡¯t been dead before, my body is definitely dead now. So much time has passed!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure, I don¡¯t really have a fix on time. Wibbly-wobbly, as you might say. What is time to a soul, anyway. I wonder if time-travel is possible as a ghost. Make the most of it, you know?¡±

    Her strolls across Limbo turned into some sort of merry jaunt, and she wondered if she had finally lost her mind, at some point crossing the threshold into delirium.

    ¡°Yes, I know I¡¯ve literally lost my mind,¡± she said, ¡°What do you think I¡¯m doing? Picking up my lost pieces. ¡®Cuz I¡¯ve lost it. Get it?¡±

    Her existence fell into a strange schedule. She made days for herself, although time was indistinct and meaningless. She got up, prepared for the ¡®day¡¯. She awoke from her phone alarm, sliding it off. She got up, and made breakfast, whatever foods she liked was available to her in her fridge.

    ¡°How about leftovers, today, Wilson? Some leftovers are always nice and easy.¡±

    She heated them up, scooping vegetables, meat, and sauce over rice. She ate, although it was meaningless; she didn¡¯t need to eat. She brushed her teeth and got dressed, slipping onto whatever happened to be in her closet.

    Her Holorealm changed every day, in flux if she didn¡¯t fix it herself.

    Her own being was in flux, a strange, starry instability of space and color in the vague shape of a human. Her fingers were more mittens than independent flesh sausages, but she could still grab things¡ªnot that it mattered. Everything was fake anyway.

    ¡°How many pieces do you reckon I have to pick up before I get a face, Wilson? Yes, more pieces than licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. At least that much.¡±

    She narrowed her eyes at Wilson, holding him up to eye level.

    ¡°Have you been keeping track of how many pieces I¡¯ve gathered, like I asked? What do you mean you thought I was doing it? I literally have no memories. I¡¯m like, the anthropomorphic¡­ish¡­representation of forgetting things.¡±

    ¡°If there was another Endless, I¡¯d be Distracted.¡±

    She found fringe memories, first. Stuff about other stuff. Popular culture, current events, science, history. Memories about herself¡ªher name, her families names¡ªwere frustratingly absent.

    ¡°I know it wouldn¡¯t be much of a hero¡¯s journey if I found all the important stuff first, Wilson. Does that make me a hero?¡±

    The ¡®day¡¯ had been like any other. She followed the paths around Limbo, plucking up threads like picking up pennies from the street. She thought she¡¯d spend eternity like this, until something broke her monotony.

    ¡°What are you?¡± A being said staring at her. He had gleaming golden hair that glowed up an internal light, tied into a long and beautiful braid at his back. His features were a mix between handsome and beautiful, and the expression of someone who knew he was such. His eyes were a similar glowing gold, pointed and piercing. He exuded confidence arrogance, his posture equally graceful as it was powerful.

    She was so shocked she froze.

    ¡°Wilson, am I hallucinating others than just you now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a hallucination,¡± the glowing golden man said.

    She pointed to herself, ¡°You can see me?¡±

    His expression crinkled, annoyed, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be able to?¡±

    ¡°Are you a ghost, like me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a ghost. You¡¯re not a ghost either.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a ghost? Hey, but Wilson, didn¡¯t this guy just ask me what I was?¡±

    ¡°Stop talking to your ball, its nonsensical,¡± Gold-man said, frowning, ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡±

    She clutched Wilson closer to her chest, ¡°Don¡¯t say that to him. That¡¯s rude.¡±

    ¡°I ask again, being, what are you?¡±

    Her hands shook, and her voice, if it could be called that, wavered, ¡°I, uh, don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a name? A title? An entity group? A faction?¡±

    ¡°Forgotten, if I had any. Human, probably. Does that help?¡±

    The gold man sighed, reaching his hand out.

    ¡°Come. Follow me.¡±

    She hesitatingly reached forward, feeling something ¡®real¡¯ for the first time in a while. Just that sensation alone caused her mind to shake, as if experiencing a high magnitude earthquake. The space around her seemed to warble and bend, mirroring her thoughts.

    The gold being shook his head at the drama unfolding, and dragged her towards a place. It was a city for the non-physical, beings like and unlike herself.

    Most were non-humanoid. A swarm of blood red lamprey-leeches, wriggling and writhing together as one sentient mass. A strange shadow being cast with no light, feet disappearing above the ground. A glimmering lantern housing a blue flame of light, floating above the rest.

    ¡°Are you sure you guys are demons or ghosts or something like that. Is this Hell?¡±

    ¡°This is not ¡®hell¡¯,¡± The gold man said flatly, ¡°This is the Deep Astral.¡±

    ¡°Look, honestly, I¡¯m not upset with Hell. As long as there¡¯s no eternal torture or eternal slavery, my standards are pretty damn low right now. Maybe this whole Limbo thing, I just needed to accept I wasn¡¯t meant for Heaven. Am I a demon?¡± She looked down at her form, ¡°A space demon? I¡¯m cool with that. Woot woot, team Satan! How do I sign up to join the crew? Or maybe no eternal torture or eternal slavery is a high standard? What do you think, Wilson? You guys aren¡¯t on some sort of eternal job contract as demons, are you?¡±

    She had, after all, escaped eternal torture or eternal slavery. Maybe in the schema of the universe, freedom was a rare and precious gem.

    ¡°I do not know what ¡®Hell¡¯ is,¡± Gold man said, ¡°And we are not demons. We are astral beings.¡±

    ¡°Not¡­souls?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°But also, not fake?¡±

    ¡°Why is that even in question?¡± Gold man said with incredulity.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯ve sort of had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad¡­millennia, I think.¡± She said. ¡°My perception of, uh, what is ¡®real¡¯ is not reliable.¡±

    ¡°Evidently,¡± He said, ¡°You keep talking to a sphere.¡±

    ¡°Better partly sane than insane, right Wilson? I do what I can. Look uh, gold man.¡±

    ¡°Chrome,¡± he said.

    ¡°Look, Chrome. I think I¡¯m supposed to be a soul. Or I was, at some point. Am I that different from the ones you recognize. Have you seen a soul before?¡±

    ¡°Many,¡± Chrome said, his eyes narrowing, ¡°Now that I get a better look at you, you are a soul, with something else mixed in.¡±

    He examined her intensely.

    ¡°With the astral mixed in.¡± He said with rising curiosity, ¡°How is that possible?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me,¡± she said, ¡°I barely remember jack shit about myself and I¡¯m talking to a volleyball. The uh, movie reference keeps me motivated. Maybe there is really something back there.¡±

 Chapter 3: Path to Reality

    Chapter 3: Path to Reality

    He wrinkled his sculpted eyebrows, in thought.

    ¡°What are you here for?¡±

    She pointed to herself; her expression clueless, ¡°You¡¯re the one that led me here.¡±

    ¡°I meant,¡± He voice contained his impatience, ¡°What are you doing in the astral?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not here by choice,¡± she said.

    ¡°Need I phrase myself so specifically? Fine then, what are you trying to do?¡±

    ¡°Find a way out,¡± she said, ¡°And put Humpty-Dumpty together again.¡±

    She peered at the contemplative face of the golden man. ¡°Hey¡­do you know where dead souls are supposed to go?¡±

    ¡°The realm of the Reaper?¡±

    ¡°Can you lead me there? If I¡¯m dead, I might as well be proper dead, right?¡± Her gaze was drawn into the distance, ¡°I would prefer death to whatever is going on right now. I¡¯m confused. I¡¯m tired. Eternal rest or the next step, whatever it is, would be release.¡±

    He debated the request, stalking back and forth across the ground. His golden hair swayed mesmerizingly, and she resisted the urge to ask to touch it. It was like sunlight had been spun into a thread, an incomparably precious silk. Would it be hot to the touch?

    ¡°I can do that,¡± he finally agreed, ¡°This isn¡¯t normally my role, but I am able to do so in some compacity. Clean up whatever mess¡­ created an anomaly like you.¡±

    ¡°Lead the way,¡± she said, gesturing forwards towards nothing in particular, for there was nothing to gesture to.

    They got up, and they trekked through the astral. She couldn¡¯t describe movement here. It was more mind-over-matter, a thought of movement than actual movement. Let alone time, space itself seemed a suggestion. Destinations were a matter of knowing how to navigate, not the ability to travel. She had been making do, using her distant threads and her realm as beacons within the swirling, chaotic space. She always had somewhere to return to, at the least. It was a relief she couldn¡¯t both lose herself mentally and lose herself physically, if it could be called that.

    He led her to another city. This was one physical, but still a location within the astral.

    ¡°This is Interstus, the city between realities,¡± Chrome said.

    She followed Chrome, and discovered with shock that many people could meet her eyes. Not her eyes, per say, but her perception. They saw her. Whatever she was, those within the city, while briefly curious, had better things to do. It was a comforting sight of modernity and busyness she had long forgotten.

    She was led through the gleaming city. The buildings were tall and made of metal and glass, with sleeker and more impressive designs that what she remembered of her previous world. It was a fusion of high technology and magic with floating buildings, flying vehicles, and mystical creatures.

    ¡°Is Allais here?¡± Chrome asked a receptionist, ¡°I have a matter that pertains his master and its realm.¡±

    ¡°He is,¡± the receptionist glanced down at her, ¡°I see. This is a matter he should address. I will notify him.¡±

    After touching an orb and speaking a few words into it, she gestured to a door¡ªa floating platform-elevator that rose within the tower to bring the two into the top floors. Step stepped on to it, watching as they climbed to incredible heights to the top of the tower. There were no elevator doors, so the two simply stepped the platform. As the platform moved back down, the ground reformed where it once was, preventing anyone from falling down the shaft.

    A man sat at a simple round table on a balcony, overlooking the city. Stoic and unmoving, he looked like a human. There were some differences, but aside from Chrome, it was the closest thing to a human she had seen for a very long time.

    The man felt too handsome to be a real person. Perfectly sculpted features, like he had been sculpted by the hands of God. He had an austere, noble impression. That the area around him was graced by his presence. He felt one with the environment, not as part of it, but its core. He was the most important person in the immediate area, and his surroundings revered him.

    ¡°Hand of Time, I heard you have business with me,¡± the man said, gesturing for Chrome to sit across from him. A second chair appeared, ¡°You as well, Wanderer.¡±

    She obediently sat.

    ¡°I have business with the Reaper. I have found this stray soul wandering the deep astral. Has the Reaper been negligent in his duties?¡±

    The man seemed used to Chrome¡¯s attitude, unfazed, ¡°The Reaper is not negligent in his duties.¡±

    ¡°How do you explain this?¡± Chrome said, gesturing angrily to her like an enraged Italian.

    The man glanced at her. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Well, she¡¯s one of yours. Take her to where she belongs.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m up for death now,¡± she cheerfully added, ¡°Life was a little short, and limbo was kind of long, so I¡¯m ready for the next final step.¡±

    The man closed his eyes, suddenly meditative. His aura and expression changed, even more placid than it had been before, if that was possible. As she gazed upon him, she felt the same vastness as the being that had once tortured her being. He was another of those Lovecraftian outer gods, and she found herself shivering from her past experience, fearful of another eternity of pain.

    ¡°Reaper,¡± Chrome said, ¡°I¡¯m surprised to see you here personally.¡±

    ¡°That soul is not one of my realm,¡± The being said through the man. His voice contained a gravitas, like the vast cold, emptiness of space. But she had a feeling the being within was not so uncaring as the void, ¡°This soul has not yet died.¡±

    ¡°What!?¡± Chrome said, glancing down at her. She was far shorter than he was, but she didn¡¯t know if dimensions were reliable in the first place, ¡°She¡¯s not dead?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not dead?¡± she echoed Chrome¡¯s surprise.

    ¡°She is something else now,¡± he said, ¡°Tied to the astral by her own hands.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t I untie it? Can you untie it?¡± she asked.

    ¡°I cannot,¡± The Reaper said.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Oh. What can I do then?¡±

    ¡°If you cannot enter my realm, what is it that you seek?¡±

    ¡°I way back to reality,¡± she said, ¡°If death is off the table, I want to remember myself, and my family. If they¡¯re still alive.¡±

    ¡°They are,¡± he said simply.

    A breath of relief washed over her, like a wind carried from the sea to cleanse her mind.

    If she had a mouth she would have grinned, ¡°So they¡¯re alive. That¡¯s fantastic.¡±

    ¡°Your time has stopped,¡± the man said. ¡°Until you enter reality, your family is as you left it. Take care in what time you chose to enter.¡±

    ¡°What time?¡±

    ¡°Should you choose a time beyond their lifespan, they will be dead.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± she said, ¡°That would be very bad.¡±

    ¡°Hand of Time,¡± The being said. ¡°A decision has been made regarding the Wanderer.¡±

    ¡°The Wanderer?¡±

    ¡°We refer to that soul as such, temporarily. Teach the wanderer what is necessary to re-enter reality, at a time that fulfills her requirements. You are commanded so by your progenitor.¡±

    ¡°The Keeper of Moments said so?¡±

    ¡°It is so.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said grumpily.

    ¡°Wanderer.¡±

    ¡°Oh, me?¡± She said, suddenly aware she was being addressed.

    The being held out two objects for her. One was a plaque around the size of her hand. The other, a gem. It was black, but speckled with stars like the night sky. As it shifted, so did its starry vista.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Gifts. According to the deal.¡±

    ¡°What deal?¡±

    ¡°The Cradle of Dreams has overstepped its authority,¡± The being said, ¡°It will need to be addressed. This is part of the compensation.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay then?¡± She didn¡¯t know if she was supposed to do something about it, or if he was just letting her know. His face was expressionless, and she just could not tell.

    She held open her hands, and the being gently placed the two objects within them.

    ¡°Thanks, I guess?¡±

    The being inclined his head, indicating its acknowledgement. He closed his eyes, and the vastness slipped away from that man, leaving him looking strangely empty, like a carton of milk without any milk inside. He looked tired, like a drained battery.

    ¡°No, Wilson, my analogies are not weird. And yeah, he¡¯s probably some major introvert if he thought that conversation was tiring. I relate,¡± she said, talking to herself and nodding to herself.

    The man shook his head, not having her nonsense, ¡°Leave here, Hand, do as you are commanded.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Sit,¡± Chrome indicated.

    She was within her holorealm. She created a small classroom, with Chrome at the front with a whiteboard. He wore a casual white shirt and slacks, dressed as a university professor.

    ¡°Why am I dressed like this?¡±

    ¡°I thought you should look the part.¡± She said. ¡°If you¡¯re going to teach me a lesson.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson about external ritual magic.¡± He said. ¡°This is hardly the appropriate clothes.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know what a teacher of magic should be wearing.¡± She countered. ¡°Yes, Wilson, I realize he said ¡®magic¡¯. But you know Wilson, that isn¡¯t the wildest thing that happened to me, so I think I can buy into magic.¡±

    He signed, pushing up the glasses on his face that he didn¡¯t need to see. ¡°And what are these?¡±

    ¡°Glasses.¡±

    ¡°What for?¡±

    ¡°To help with those with faulty vision.¡±

    ¡°I do not have faulty vision.¡± He said.

    ¡°Yeah, but glasses look nice.¡± She said. ¡°It might be a kink.¡±

    ¡°I am not a sexual object of your fantasies.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m kidding,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m asexual. Demisexual, really, but uh, less people know about that one. About the fantasies part¡­like, I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m hallucinating or dreaming so.¡±

    ¡°You think I¡¯m some sort of elaborate hallucination? You really have lost your grasp on reality.¡±

    ¡°Yep. Completely lost my marbles.¡±

    ¡°Focus,¡± He growled, tapping his instructor¡¯s stick to the whiteboard. He offhandedly thought the implement was useful.

    ¡°Yessir.¡±

    *****

    His sigh was completely drawn out, comically so.

    ¡°We¡¯ve gotten through the basics¡­ basic astral magic, the dimensional membrane, ambient magic fluctuations, purgation of chaotic energies, stabilization of the ambient, reactivity¡­ We¡¯ll start practicing basic rituals.¡±

    He passed her some sort of dust.

    ¡°Start drawing.¡±

    ¡°Yes, teacher.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Chrome,¡± she said in a pout.

    She drew ritual circles for who knows how long, each becoming more and more complex. Memorization seemed strangely easy. A property of her soul form, which did not forget? She was after all, picking up the aftermath of a soul that contained everything it experienced. Every. Single. Fragment.

    ¡®Days¡¯ extended into ¡®Weeks¡¯, ¡®Months¡¯, then ¡®Years¡¯.

    At the end of ¡®Years¡¯ she was drawing ultra-elaborate large-scale rituals spanning hundreds of feet across.

    ¡°Chrome-sensei,¡± she said, ¡°Are you sure this is all necessary to re-enter reality?¡±

    He had gotten used to her antics at this point, ignoring her flagrant use of Japanese. ¡°Who is the one that knows better here, you or me?¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. Let me take a look,¡± He pushed his glasses up, a gesture he had unconsciously gotten used to.

    ¡°What? Pretty good?¡±

    ¡°Hardly,¡± he snorted, ¡°Inefficient and delicate. Anything less than the most optimal of conditions would result in failure.¡±

    ¡°But we have optimal conditions.¡±

    ¡°Yes. We do.¡±

    He used his foot to smudge away part of the ritual.

    ¡°Hey! That was childish!¡±

    ¡®Years¡¯ had long since extended into ¡®Decades¡¯, perhaps ¡®Centuries¡¯.

    ¡°This is it.¡± She said, hand on her hips, admiring her handiwork. ¡°A ritual to find the ¡®gate¡¯ to reality that fits my requirements.¡±

    ¡°What did you select as the appropriate timeframe?¡±

    ¡°5 years.¡±

    ¡°Is that fine? You could make the search narrower.¡±

    ¡°The narrower it is, the longer it will take right? Any number of rituals are accessing the astral across all of space and time.¡±

    ¡°Just do not chose a time you will regret.¡± Said Chrome. ¡°You have spent this long patient. A few ¡®year¡¯ longer, what is it to you but more waiting.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Chrome.¡±

    ¡°I always am.¡±

    To pass the time, she told Chrome stories of Earth. The tangential knowledge that she always seemed to piece together first. She told him everything. He complained about all this extraneous knowledge forced into his mind, but didn¡¯t do anything to stop her. To her delight, he occasionally made references to Earth culture himself.

    She had discovered that the threads she aimlessly followed behind were slowly dragged by her soul back to her, so all she needed to do was wait. It¡¯d all come back. Picking them up hurried the process, sure, but she had been occupied with other activities and let the automatic process do its work.

    ¡°You have awful taste in movies,¡± Chrome said, ¡°It¡¯s all action, nothing cerebral. Where is your sense of culture, of finesse, of subtlety?¡±

    ¡°Everything, Everywhere, All At Once was really good though, isn¡¯t it? And it sort of fits my situation.¡±

    ¡°You are not some all-powerful un-killable multiversal god-being.¡± He thought about his statement for a while.

    ¡°But you might be unkillable.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The Reaper won¡¯t take you, what do you expect?¡±

    ¡°Is that all death is? Whether the Reaper will take you or not? Isn¡¯t that too arbitrary?¡±

    He shrugged, ¡°I am not a being that dies either. It¡¯s not anything special. Don¡¯t get a big head.¡±

    ¡°Head is shrunk and reduced to its proper size,¡± She said placing her hands around her ghastly head to forcefully shrink it.

    He glanced at a cushioned pedestal placed in the corner of the classroom-turned-ritual room. On top, a volleyball with the word ¡®Wilson¡¯.

    ¡°You¡¯ve stopped talking to Wilson,¡± Chrome said, ¡°That movie was better than most that you watch. That Avenger stuff is so mundanely repetitive. Entertainment of the commons.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with a bit of mindless action. Besides, I¡¯ve got you to talk to now,¡± she said. ¡°But I guess that¡¯s ending soon.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure of that.¡± He said.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    He chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ll leave it as a surprise of fate.¡±

    *****

    ¡°It¡¯s time.¡± He said. ¡°The gate is found.¡± He checked the readings of the glowing ritual circle, displayed in a magic hologram above the ground.

    ¡°2 months passing,¡± he said, ¡°That¡¯s acceptable?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s way closer than I thought I¡¯d get.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll review this one final time,¡± Chrome said, ¡°And maybe you¡¯ll remember it for once. You are a soul, who has luckily or unlikely shifted yourself into the midway point of a process you were not originally supposed to undergo.¡±

    ¡°The Outworlder transformation.¡±

    ¡°When a soul crosses dimensions, the body is destroyed in the astral, and the soul tunnels from one reality to the next. When the soul re-enters reality through this brief, magical connection, a physical body is created by the soul using residual magic of the astral crossing. You are converted from whatever you were before to an outworlder.¡±

    The magic ritual shifted, entering the second phase of its purpose. A golden door manifested. Sun gold, and an aura of passion, energy, responsibility, strength, and kindness manifested from it. A strong warrior of the sun, passionate and powerful. The door gleamed and shifted, illuminating the holorealm with its glow.

    ¡°Thus, all we need to do is fine that chosen dimensional connection, out of all possible connections in the cosmos. Then, your soul and the residual magic will do what all souls naturally can.¡±

    She turned to him. He had been her constant companion for an untold amount of time, painstakingly teaching a nobody soul magic that had no basis in magic to begin with, just so she could have her shot at life once more.

    Her freedom.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later Chrome,¡± she said, emotion welling within her voice.

    ¡°Until the sands of our time cross again, Wanderer.¡±

    She pushed open the gate, her path to reality.

 Chapter 4: Not that Much of a Snowflake

    Chapter 4: Not that Much of a Snowflake

    She felt her consciousness coalesce, pulled into a physical body for the first time in who knows how long. Like carbon shaped into a diamond, her soul was compacted and reformed, reshaped, fundamentally changed from what it once had been.

    Her first sensations of physical reality was excruciating. They felt hard and sharp, against the indeterminate amorphousness of the astral. The cold ground her naked body laid upon stung, life cold fire burning at her nerves. It felt as if she was some corpse laid atop ice, the cold penetrating deep into her skin and bones.

    She didn¡¯t dare open her eyes, the light dancing beyond her eyelids already stabbing holes in her irises.

    Voices. One of sharp surprise.

    ¡°What in Knowledge¡¯s name?¡± She exclaimed. ¡°How did the ritual create a person? Redell, Chelsea, Laius, I need you all here.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a monster, is it?¡± Another woman asked.

    ¡°No,¡± A man said, his voice deep and concerned, ¡°She has a soul. An outworlder.¡±

    ¡°Redell,¡± The first woman said, apologetic, ¡°I had no intention of inducing a summoning or producing an outworlder. It shouldn¡¯t have even been possible with my ritual.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s done is done, Amara,¡± The other woman said, ¡°You may have no fault in this, for once. I¡¯ve checked your work too, and it shouldn¡¯t have been possible for a soul to pass through.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not without ethics,¡± Amara said, ¡°This is a situation I specifically engineered to avoid.¡±

    The voices ravaged her fresh, newly physical eardrums. They pounded like taiko drums, reverberating within her skull like heavy metal pinballs.

    She clutched her hands over her ears, groaning.

    ¡°Hush, both of you,¡± The man referred to as Redell said in a softer voice, ¡°Things have come to this. We should properly address it.¡±

    A soft blanket was wrapped over her bare skin, and she was gingerly lifted. The soft sensation was still torturous to her raw senses, but less so than the previous cold ground.

    She let out an inadvertent sigh of relief.

    ¡°The benevolent night, embrace us with your gentle arms. Lull us into pleasant dreams.¡± He said in a low, singsong tone. It relaxed her body. The nerves that felt as if they were rubbed with fiberglass calmed. Her mind drifted, lulled into a sleep.

    It was the first rest she had had in a very long time.

    *****

    When she awoke, she felt as if her body was restarting after a very long, pleasant sleep. She was cradled within a large, soft bed. The right side of the room was opened to a large veranda, sunlight filtered with muslin fabric drapes. The d¨¦cor was calming with earthy and green tones, matched by leafy ferns and waxy plants potted around the room. The interior plants mirrored those beyond the drapes, a lush, almost mammoth jungle in the distance. She swore those jungle trees towered taller than skyscrapers, weaved with large vines traveling their entire bulk and stringing from tree to tree in some massive, verdant net.

    She realized the stimuli no longer stung her eyes.

    A soft knock at the door shook her awareness.

    ¡°Can we come in?¡± A voice said from the other side of the door.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± she said, her own mouth not moving to form words. Her hand shot to her face, checking to see if it had a mouth in the first place. To her relief, it did.

    A mouth, a nose, two eyes, and two ears. Her eyebrows, strangely, were missing, as was her hair. All she felt was a completely bald skin, missing even the peach fuzz of a freshly shaven scalp. She stretched out her hands observing a total of ten fingers. She flexed them, one by one, feeling the sensation of moving joints.

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    ¡°I guess I¡¯m human?¡± she said to herself.

    ¡°Technically, that¡¯s incorrect,¡± A woman said, as she strode in with three others, ¡°You¡¯re an outworlder, which is what people are changed into when their physical body is annihilated, and they cross the dimensional boundary without protection.¡±

    She gave off the impression of an Amazonian warrior of lore, tall and powerful. She had deep midnight skin, and gold-sun eyes. Her dark brown hair was gathered loosely behind her in a low ponytail.

    The next was a chestnut-haired woman with soft green eyes. Her hair was cut in a short wavy bob. She moved with the lightness of a forest nymph. Had she moved through a forest, soft green buds would spring forth from her every step and trees would arch their branches to line her way. What was strange was her long, tapered ears.

    ¡°An elf?¡± She asked. ¡°I thought those weren¡¯t real?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly real, thank you.¡± She said, her tone was not nearly so soft as her initial impression. ¡°I am Chelsea. This one is Amara.¡±

    ¡°Nice to meet you, Chelsea, Amara.¡±

    ¡°What is your name, dear?¡±

    A slightly-tan skinned, brown-haired flecked with grey, steel-blue eyed man entered the room. As his large frame entered, a gentle invigorating aura permeated the room. His well-maintained beard and small scar beneath his eye lent him an air of maturity and experience. He looked the sort of man that would feel equally in place swirling whisky while reading a newspaper as relaxing on a park bench with a large dog at his feet.

    ¡°They called me Wanderer,¡± She said, ¡°I don¡¯t remember my name.¡±

    ¡°They?¡±

    ¡°The beings in the astral,¡± She said, ¡°Some dude named Allais, and another named The Reaper.¡±

    ¡°The Reaper?¡± Amara¡¯s sculpted eyebrows arched up, ¡°You met it?¡±

    ¡°Met? I don¡¯t really know. He talked through this other guy. Chrome said he was a vessel.¡±

    ¡°Chrome?¡±

    ¡°The Reaper said Chrome¡¯s progenitor the Keeper of Time told him to teach me ritual magic so I could find a way back to reality. It¡¯s how I hijacked your ritual magic circle.¡±

    ¡°You altered my magic from the other side?¡± Amara said, contemplative, ¡°I hadn¡¯t considered that was possible.¡±

    ¡°Usually,¡± Chelsea said, rolling her eyes, ¡°That isn¡¯t possible.¡±

    ¡°Move aside both of you. I need to check the integrity of her body,¡± Redell said, shooing the two women.

    She was thankfully, now dressed. She wore comfortable white fabric, like a long loose shirt, in a tunic style, with similar loose white pants. They resembled pajamas or underclothes more than daily wear.

    The warm blanket was pulled back, and Redell waved some strange devices over her. Strange rods, glowing with a soft light. Semi-circles that he passed over her limbs. This clearly wasn¡¯t Earth anymore. She didn¡¯t recognize these strange devices¡ªwere they magic? As he used these devices to inspect her condition, he jotted stuff down on a large notebook.

    She hadn¡¯t noticed when he had entered, but a peculiar panther-man leaned against a wall. His fur was sleek and jet-black. His lithe and powerful body exuded the sharpness of a sheathed blade, ready but controlled. He didn¡¯t think of her as a threat, and relaxed where he stood, his tail flicking in curiosity he didn¡¯t bother to hide.

    Redell followed her gaze, ¡°That¡¯s Laius. Don¡¯t mind him¡ªhe¡¯s quiet but friendly. Won¡¯t bite, I promise.¡± He begun to repack his diagnostic equipment. ¡°I¡¯ve managed to stabilize and repair your body to what is typical for an outworlder. You showed up awfully broken, you know. Like your body had been scrapped together.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s that bad?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say,¡± Redell said, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a soul in the state yours is in before. Before that, we should discuss your situation.¡±

    ¡°My situation?¡±

    Amara picked up for him, ¡°If you are the one who altered my ritual, why?¡±

    ¡°I was trying to find a way back to reality.¡±

    ¡°Find a way back?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± She explained, ¡°One day I was eating a Christmas dinner with my family, and I fell asleep, warm and comfy. The next moment, some crazy being was torturing my soul. I sort of escaped wherever I was, and found myself in the astral. I didn¡¯t want to go back to where I was and whatever I did to escape in the first place scattered my memories and soul. I probably sound absolutely bonkers, ha-ha,¡± she weakly laughed.

    ¡°Christmas?¡± Amara asked. If she had animal ears, they would¡¯ve shot up in curiosity.

    ¡°Outworlder culture, most likely,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°Focus, Amara.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty much it,¡± She said, ¡°Chrome taught me enough ritual magic to do a magical version of a google search through all of the cosmos to find magic that satisfied my requirements to re-enter reality. It then pulled up the found entry, and I crossed through the gate. The gate,¡± she continued, ¡°Was a visualization of your magic ritual that connected reality to the astral.¡± She was feeling pretty proud of herself for sounding coherent.

    ¡°Your requirements to re-enter reality?¡± Chelsea probed, ¡°Such as?¡±

    ¡°That too much time didn¡¯t pass between when I entered the astral and when I exited it. Or else all my family would be dead without even a chance to see them again,¡± she said plainly.

    ¡°That was insensitive of me, sorry,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°It was a fair question. I¡¯m not that much of a snowflake.¡±

    ¡°So, what time did you manage to find?¡± asked Amara curiously.

    ¡°2 months. I think I did pretty well,¡± she said, placing her hands on her hips in bed pridefully.

    ¡°Well done,¡± Amara said, ¡°That must have been a monumental effort, learning enough magic to cast a ritual that sorted through rituals of all of time.¡±

    The surprise praise struck her, like she had been hit over the head with a cast-iron pan. She had had genuine human interaction for some time now, beyond Chrome and some of the other astral beings she talked to during her period of tutelage and wandering.

    Genuine, heartfelt praise shook her heart. She felt her mind waver, and her eyes water. She looked away, embarrassed, hiding her happy tears.

    I didn¡¯t think I was always this sensitive. She thought. Under the gaze of a powerful, warm as sun Amazonian goddess, she was a melting snowflake.

 Chapter 5: A New Purpose

    Chapter 5: A New Purpose

    After Redell, the healer within the four, gave her an okay from her checkup, she headed unsteadily downstairs, supported by his large, muscular arm. Her steps were like a baby lamb, trembling and unsure.

    She wasn¡¯t so much walking as lifted just above the floor by his arms to that her feet could brush against it.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t walked in a while you know.¡± She said.

    ¡°I know,¡± He said, ¡°You also haven¡¯t spoken in a while.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± She said, her tone full of confusion. ¡°I¡¯m speaking now, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re using your soul to speak,¡± He said, ¡°That isn¡¯t the normal way to do it. Outworlders like you almost entirely reconstructed with magic do not have lungs nor vocal chords, so they use magic to speak, not their souls. We¡¯ll have to teach you the normal way to speak, or it¡¯ll stand out.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have lungs?¡± She said, pausing her trembling steps.

    ¡°Have you been breathing?¡±

    She frowned, introspectively inspecting herself for the sensation of air passing though her new nose.

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°Your body is entirely magic,¡± Redell said, ¡°About as magic as it can be, without becoming a magical race.¡± Her confusion prompted an addendum, ¡°I¡¯ll explain more later. For now, your body doesn¡¯t need to breath. You¡¯ll still need to eat and drink, at least for a while. Although, in your particular circumstance, that is unnecessary as well.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary?¡±

    ¡°Your soul seems to have some sort of connection to the astral, funneling a steady stream of magic to your body,¡± He explained, as he recalled the results of her diagnostic exam, ¡°That sustains all of your now magic body functions, without needing to consume external sources to maintain them.¡±

    ¡°I like to eat though,¡± she said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to stop. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do without ice cream, sushi, curry, or pasta. You have ice cream, right?¡±

    He laughed heartily, ¡°None of us here need to eat. But we do it for fun! Why do you think we¡¯re going to breakfast right now?¡±

    The panther man following behind her, Laius, said in a soft, resolute tone, as if declaring an ultimatum, ¡°Life without food is meaningless.¡±

    ¡°Laius here is the team cook,¡± He explained, ¡°He wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡±

    ¡°Stimulation is good,¡± He said sternly, reaffirming his point like it of deathly import.

    Downstairs, she saw another Laius in a kitchen, his panther-hands a shadowy-blur as he prepared a breakfast spread with superhuman speed.

    ¡°Eh?¡± She said, dumbfounded. ¡°Wasn¡¯t he just behind me?¡±

    The Laius behind her smiled mischievously, and faded away in a black shadow.

    ¡°Right. Magic is real,¡± she said, ¡°Magic is real¡­¡±

    Redell looked at her curiously, ¡°Didn¡¯t you study advanced ritual magic for some time?¡±

    ¡°My original world had no magic,¡± she said, ¡°At least, in any of the memories I remember. I¡¯m still trying to resolve my old reality with this new one.¡±

    Amara and Chelsea sat around a long dining table, waiting. The kitchen and dining area was a large, clear room on the bottom floor. The sides of the building were surrounded by large, safari style windows, opened up to let in fresh air, ruffling the drapes in the breeze. Hanging pots of ivy and ferns decorated the perimeter. Furniture was made of local wood in various colors, homely, but high quality. They were draped with bundles of cloth and soft cushions, lining the backs and seats comfortably.

    ¡°Chelsea made all the furniture,¡± Redell explained as he guided her to a seat at the dining table. ¡°She a wood worker.¡±

    ¡°Among other talents,¡± she said, ¡°Including ritual magic. I can¡¯t leave Amara entirely to her own devices.¡±

    ¡°This wasn¡¯t my fault this time,¡± Amara protested.

    ¡°This time,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°I still haven¡¯t forgotten the time you annihilated my favorite shirt because of your ritual blowback.¡± She narrowed her eyes, ¡°That wasn¡¯t intentional, was it?¡±

    ¡°Of course not, Chelsea. I¡¯d never try to intentionally destroy your shirt to look at your chest.¡±

    She leaned over, whispering to Redell, ¡°Are they together?¡±

    ¡°They are,¡± Redell confirmed, ¡°It¡¯s nothing to worry about. It¡¯s just how they flirt.¡±

    Laius finished cooking quickly; food lifted by shadow clones of Laius to set the table with a delicious breakfast spread. Most of it was softer foods, probably to accommodate her. A gently spiced porridge, made of an oddly similar yet alien combination of grains. Soft fruits that seemed to melt like jellied honey under heat. Fruit juices with a creamy texture, as if it had been mixed with milk and cream. Toasted bread that seemed crunchy at first, but flaked away like the highest-quality buttery pastry. Juicy and tender slices of meat, fatty and soft.

    She had thought she was the only one eating with vigor, but found the others doing the same, voraciously stuffing their mouths with Laius¡¯ food.

    ¡°Compliments to the chef.¡± She said, holding a thumbs up between inhaling food. She had never felt so hungry in her life. She had been so deprived of physical sensation, that eating food felt like some sort of psychoactive drug, the flavors pinging and sparkling in her mind like flavor fireworks, like Remy from Ratatouille.

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    The breakfast finished, the table spread completely cleared out, the barest of crumbs on any particular platter.

    ¡°I was thinking,¡± Amara said, breaking their post-breakfast coma, ¡°That we should train her up. I haven¡¯t had a student before. I¡¯m a little interested.¡±

    ¡°More than a little interested, clearly,¡± Chelsea scoffed.

    Amara grinned sheepishly.

    ¡°Train me?¡± She asked curiously, ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°Do you know how essence magic works?¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°I was only taught about external ritual magic and astral magic theory.¡±

    Chelsea sighed, ¡°Who knows if what you were taught even functions the same way in physical reality. Magic in a realm of magic, and magic in a realm of physical reality isn¡¯t going to work in the same way.¡±

    ¡°Your circumstances are unusual,¡± Amara said, ¡°and you¡¯re clueless.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    She wasn¡¯t going to be offended at something so blatantly true.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need to get stronger to achieve your objective. Finding a way back home, was it? That sort of ritual magic is going to require a high rank, and you can¡¯t cast that in physical reality without destroying yourself from the blow back of attempting something beyond your power.¡±

    ¡°A high rank?¡±

    ¡°Oh bother.¡± Chelsea said. ¡°This is going to be a long explanation.¡±

    They moved to a separate room. A low, comfortable wooden table, draped in lace that accentuated the wood craftsmanship without feeling matronly. Soft grey couches and chairs surrounded the table, completing the comfortable gathering space.  A crystalline board appeared suddenly, like a standing whiteboard, but completely clear.

    ¡°Woah,¡± she said, ¡°More magic.¡±

    Chelsea sighed. ¡°This is unimpressive compared to the ritual you used sort all of time and space for a tunnel to reality.¡±

    ¡°Chalk it up to a difference in experiences.¡±

    Amara leaned forwards, pulling out a cube around 6 inches on all sides out of nowhere like some casual street magician and setting it down on the coffee table. The cube was a deep blue, air bubbles floating up to the top surface through water. It looked like someone had taken a cube of water from the ocean, and placed it in a fully transparent box. It looked stark and strange against the rest of reality, almost out of place. When she internally wondered what it was, a window appeared in front of her, explaining it for her.

    -------

    Item: [Water Essence] (unranked, common)

    Classification: Essence, Consumable

    Manifested essence of water

    Requirements: Less than four absorbed essences

    Effect: Imbues one awakened water essence ability and four unawakened water essence abilities

    You have absorbed 0 of 4 essences.

    Once absorbed, an essence cannot be relinquished or replaced.

    You are able to absorb water essence.

    [Absorb? Y/N]

    [Record] of [Water Essence] has been added to the [Archive]

    -------

    ¡°Eh. Eh? That was a lot of new stuff at once. Water Essence?¡±

    ¡°You know what this is?¡±

    ¡°No not at all. Some sort of weird window appeared, but it doesn¡¯t explain much. Just ¡®manifested essence of water¡¯ whatever that is. It¡¯s like a dictionary definition using the word to explain the word you looked up in the first place. How unhelpful.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll explain,¡± Amara said, ¡°This is one of forms of manifestations of magic in this world. Sometimes, ambient magic condenses, forming an object, like so. As an essence of water, this appears around bodies of water, like oceans, rivers, and lakes.¡±

    ¡°It represents water?¡±

    ¡°Something like that,¡± Amara said, ¡°Why this all matters is how magic works in this world. There are two types of magic, external magic and internal magic. External magic is as you¡¯ve learned, or some form of it,¡± Amara continued, ¡°It requires rituals or tools to perform. Anyone can perform it, as long as the rank is not too high, and you have the requisite skill to pull it off.¡±

    ¡°So its universal.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Amara confirmed, ¡°Even normal people like you can perform some external magic. It¡¯s fueled by ambient magic, hence, external. Conversely, if there¡¯s not enough ambient magic, it won¡¯t work.¡±

    Like my world? She wondered. Was the atmospheric magic so low no magic worked and no essences manifested?

    ¡°Essence magic, or internal magic, requires absorbing essences. Each essence grants five magical abilities, that have fixed effects. In contrast to external magic, they grant the inherent knowledge to use them, use internal magic supplies, and are faster to use, viable for combat.¡±

    ¡°And you absorb four of them?¡± She asked for confirmation. Her Guide window mentioned she had 0 of 4 essences.

    ¡°Not exactly, you absorb three, and get a confluence, a combination essence that does not appear in nature, but represents the culmination of the three others you absorbed.¡±

    ¡°Buy three-get-one-free?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Amara said, ¡°This all matters because once you absorb four essences, you rank up.¡±

    ¡°Rank up?¡± She asked again, the term entirely unfamiliar.

    ¡°Your existence undergoes a fundamental change.¡± Redell said, ¡°For any normal person, they change from a non-magic being to a being of magic.¡±

    ¡°A being of magic? How¡¯s that different?¡±

    ¡°For once, you can heal from any injury completely, as long as you don¡¯t die from it,¡± Redell said, ¡°You cannot be permanently impaired¡ªyour body follows the magical matrix it constructs, a blueprint to restore itself to its original form.¡±

    ¡°That was a whole lotta new terms, but you¡¯re saying if an arm gets severed, it can grow back.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Redell said, ¡°exactly that.¡±

    ¡°So you get magic powers and a repairable body,¡± She said, ¡°That sounds awesome, let¡¯s get to it.¡±

    ¡°Now, now, no need for impatience,¡± Redell said, ¡°It¡¯s not so simple. Beyond iron rank are further ranks: normal, iron, bronze, silver, gold, and diamond, the final rank.¡±

    ¡°So how do you get to the higher ranks? You said I needed to get there to cast the ritual to get home?¡±

    ¡°You need to fight monsters,¡± Amara said, ¡°Hence, we need to train you.¡±

    ¡°Oh...¡± She said awkwardly, her initial energy dissipating, ¡°Fight¡­monsters?¡±

    ¡°Essence abilities rank up through challenge,¡± explained Redell, ¡°Just training won¡¯t do anything for you. You are expanding the capabilities of your soul, step by step, until you reach the next threshold. Training primes progress, but doesn¡¯t push it.¡±

    ¡°Like lifting heavier weights to build muscle?¡±

    ¡°Like that,¡± Redell said, ¡°There are other ways like using monster cores. These advance your abilities automatically.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like exp pots. Why not use that then?¡±

    ¡°It has significant drawback at latter ranks,¡± Amara leaned in her expression stern, ¡°Promise me, you will never, ever use one of these. Promise!¡±

    ¡°Woah, okay, I promise!¡± She said, holding her hands up in surrender. Using an alternative method to rank up sounded very tempting, but maybe there was a desperately important reason she shouldn¡¯t. Going by the clich¨¦s in cultivation novels, there must be some sort of penalty for choosing speed. Something something, no solid foundation. She didn¡¯t care much to have a solid foundation, she just needed to be good enough to get back home.

    Chelsea grasped Amara¡¯s shoulder, and pulled her back. ¡°You won¡¯t understand why we say this now, but trust us when we offer this advice. Do not use monster cores to advance your abilities, for now. After you learn more and that¡¯s the path you want to choose, I won¡¯t let Amara say anything about it.¡±

    She nodded, unsure, and not understanding. She didn¡¯t have much of a choice for now anyway¡ªshe only had the words of these people to rely on. They had helped her so far, so she had no reason to doubt them. It may be too trusting, but she was stranded on another world in the middle of a jungle compound, not even knowing the name of the land she stood on.

    ¡°That¡¯s how it is,¡± Amara said, ¡°If you want to reach the mastery to accomplish your goals, you need to train, advance your abilities, and refine your power. To do that, you need to fight monsters. Are you up for it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really know, to be honest. I¡¯ve always been kind of weak willed.¡±

    ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, you don¡¯t seem weak-willed,¡± Amara said.

    She shrugged, ¡°If death had been an option to me at the time, I would have chosen death. It wasn¡¯t, so here I am.¡±

    ¡°Anyone in your situation would have chosen death,¡± Redell said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so hard on yourself. You were placed in an impossible, inconceivable position, and did the best you could to resolve it and escape it.¡±

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t much else to do.¡± She said. ¡°I had one purpose.¡±

    ¡°And now, a new purpose,¡± Amara said, pumping her fist, ¡°I¡¯m certain we can shape you into a fine warrior yet.¡±

    ¡°Uh, alright,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯ll give it a shot. How bad can it possibly be?¡±

 Chapter 6: A New Name

    Chapter 6: A New Name

    ¡°The question is what essences she should absorb.¡± Amara said. ¡°If we want to get started on her training, we want to get her to iron rank as soon as possible.¡±

    The four began to give a run down of essences, essence combinations, and confluence. As she learnt earlier, after a person absorbs three essences, a fourth essence is created from those three, called the confluence. The confluence isn¡¯t an essence found in nature, and is generally considered superior to choosing a fourth natural essence since it has synergistic attributes with the other three essences. Depending on the combination of the other three essences, the confluence they produced changed. There were many general confluences, but even if the confluence name was the same, the abilities it produced is influenced by the other three essences in the set.

    ¡°For example,¡± Amara said drawing yet another diagram on the crystal board, ¡°A Balance, Swift, Wind for the Mystic Confluence is different from a Mystic Confluence produced by Blood, Renewal, and Sword. Your ability and our own methods would identify both as a Mystic confluence essence, but the influence of the other three essences in the combination¡­¡±

    Furthermore, since essences determined the general trend of abilities, it was also an outline for fighting style. Fighting style would differ between person to person even with the same essence set, but a Might, Swift, Wind, Onslaught Confluence combo would almost always be some type of damage dealer.

    She was curious about magic sure, but this impromptu lesson about the theory of essences and how to choose was liquifying her brain and leaking it out of her ears like some brain-eating amoeba. If only there was an easier way to choose. Essence magic was important because it was instinctual, as had her ability to analyze the water essence they placed before her earlier. With that thought, she triggered one of her innate outworlder abilities, and a holographic window opened up before her to answer the question that the others had painstacking just started to prepare to answer.

    -------

    [Guide]

    [Query]: What essences should I absorb?

    [Answer]: The Dimension, Harmonic, and Balance essences for the Mystic Confluence is recommended for you.

    -------

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± She said, staring at the window. ¡°The window appeared again. It¡¯s suggesting Dimension, Harmonic, and Balance?¡±

    ¡°That window you mention must be some sort of outworlder racial ability,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°Racial ability?¡±

    ¡°Outworlders gain custom tailored racial abilities for survival,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°No real impact in combat, but useful for, well, survival. How do you think you¡¯ve been talking with us the whole time. Do you think you speak our language?¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± She realized, ¡°I definitely do not.¡±

    In the back of her mind, the knowledge to access this custom racial ability of hers floated to the surface. Amara had said internal magic was instinctual, and that outworlders were as magical as you could get.

    Prompted by her thoughts, a new screen appeared before her.

    <u>Overview</u>

    Name: ??? / Wanderer (temporary)

    Race: Outworlder (Human)

    Rank: Normal

    Age: 23

    <u>Titles</u>

    Spirit Warrior

    Unbounded

    Astral Shaper

    <u>Attributes</u>

    [Speed] (No Essence): Normal

    [Power] (No Essence): Normal

    [Recovery] (No Essence): Normal

    [Spirit] (No Essence): Normal

    <u>Racial Abilities</u>

    Guide

    Traveler¡¯s Bounty

    Resilient

    Astral Traveler

    Astral Domain

    Free Spirit

    <u>Essence Abilities</u>

    None

    When she indicated her curiosity over her racial abilities, their details manifested before her on separate windows, responding to her will.

    Racial Ability: [Guide]

    Interpret reality through a recognizable medium. Absorb and store information to for later use. Functions adapt to circumstance.

    Current Functions:

    <ul>

    <li>Status</li>

    <li>Inspect</li>

    <li>Archive</li>

    <li>Note</li>

    <li>Query</li>

    <li>Display</li>

    </ul>

    [Status]: Displays the details of your own state and abilities to yourself.

    [Inspect]: Can inspect the details of objects, abilities, monsters, effects, and beings within your line of sight. Requires consent of those with a soul to see details. Those of higher rank will reveal less information without consent.

    [Archive]: Stores the information of what you inspect.

    [Note]: Records a [Note] for reference.

    [Query]: Consult the [Guide] for an [Answer]. [Answer] will only be factual common knowledge in the form of text. [Answer] can provide recommendations related to yourself.

    [Display]: Displays the results of any of the functions to another being.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Racial Ability: [Traveler¡¯s Bounty]

    You and your allies can loot defeated enemies with aura range.

    You can convert looted material to that of a material of equivalent type and rank.

    Racial Ability: [Resilient]

    Increased resistance to damage.

    Increased resistance to afflictions.

    Racial Ability: [Astral Traveler]

    Transfigured from [Outworlder] ability [Astral Affinity].

    Increased resistance to dimension effects and astral forces. Dimension abilities have increased effect and transcendent damage is increased. This is a legacy effect of [Astral Affinity].

    If your body is discorporated, your soul will return to your [Astral Domain]. You may reinhabit physical reality upon the recreation of a physical body.

    Within the astral you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of physical reality around you.

    Within physical reality you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of the astral around you.

    You are able to sense and enter coterminous dimensional spaces. Your presence stabilizes unstable dimensional spaces.

    You are able to enter and traverse the astral.

    Racial Ability: [Astral Domain]

    You can shape the Astral into an [Astral Domain]. This domain additionally serves as a dimensional storage space. You can remove items from the storage space without entering the [Astral Domain]. This domain can be used to traverse the Astral.

    You can call up a gate to allow for others to enter your [Astral Domain]. Only those you allow for may enter; others cannot forcibly intrude. You do not need a portal to enter your Astral Domain. You need a portal to invite others into your Astral Domain.

    You can shape the astral into physical reality and astral constructs. Constructs only provide effective defense against attacks lower than the rank of this item; attacks of its rank and above are minimally impeded.

    You can manifest a portion of your [Astral Domain] into physical reality. Maximum size occupying physical reality corresponds to your rank. This manifestation does not share the full properties of you [Astral Domain].

    Racial Ability: [Free Spirit]

    Language adaptation.

    Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption.

    Immunity to identification and tracking.

    Resistance to dimension-restriction effects.

    That was far too much information for her to process all at once. Let alone the variety of new terms she was faced with; she just didn¡¯t have the time yet to experiment nor parse through them.

    She did, however, notice a useful function of her Guide ability, that allowed her to share her guide windows with others.

    For now, she decided to just share everything with the group, passing copies of the windows to all others in the room.

    ¡°Oh this all warrants further investigation,¡± Amara said, rubbing her hands together excitedly. She was beginning to see the mad scientist peek out of the veneer of demi-god warrior that the woman exuded, and that Chelsea claimed to keep in check. ¡°Astral Domains? Zones of physical reality and astral? Traversing the Astral? Astral constructs?¡±

    ¡°Focus, Amara,¡± Chelsea said, pulling on her arm again, ¡°Realize that this outworlder doesn¡¯t have any options here. This isn¡¯t some expression of trust, but desperation.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t out me like that,¡± she said, ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing.¡±

    Amara¡¯s sun-gold eyes locked onto hers, ¡°I won¡¯t experiment on you, do not worry. I swear it on my warrior¡¯s pride.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± she said, her voice a little shakier than she intended it to be.

    Redell, sitting beside her on the grey couch, gave her a reassuring smile.

    ¡°You said this Guide ability of yours recommended a set for you,¡± Amara said, ¡°Then I believe that is the best option.¡±

    ¡°Just like that?¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t go into detail, but there is an intimate relationship between essences and the soul.¡± Redell said, ¡°The details are a distraction, at your rank.¡±

    ¡°The nothing rank.¡±

    ¡°Essentially, it is best to choose essences that suit your personality.¡±

    ¡°Dimension I get,¡± she said, ¡°I clearly have some sort of affinity with dimension. But the other two I don¡¯t really understand. What does it even mean to be the materialization of Balance?¡±

    ¡°Balance and Harmonic aren¡¯t ¡®definitive¡¯ essences,¡± Amara said, ¡°They won¡¯t harm you.¡±

    ¡°Definitive essences?¡±

    ¡°Essences like Blood, Hunger, Dark, Venom, and Sin,¡± Amara said, ¡°They tend to resonate with certain aspects of the personality. Not inherently bad. Balance and Harmonic are very neutral. They won¡¯t draw out anything extreme.¡±

    ¡°Draw out?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve already said too much,¡± Chelsea said hurriedly, elbowing Amara lightly, ¡°But this selection is neutral. If your soul is suggesting this combination, it logically is the one most suited for you.¡±

    ¡°How does my soul even know about this stuff?¡±

    ¡°Outworlder tend to draw on local knowledge for their information abilities,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°It¡¯s in line with their patterns.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ just trust what I¡¯ve chosen for myself?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how it is,¡± Amara said, ¡°You¡¯re setting your own path out for yourself. I think that¡¯s a marvelous start to your new journey.¡±

    ¡°The rest of us have to go through the excruciatingly long process you just deftly avoided, ¡° Chelsea said, her eyes conveying that her faltering attention span did not escape her.

    ¡°Or use whatever you find,¡± Laius said in a rare comment. It must have been what happened to him.

    ¡°That¡¯s not inherently bad either,¡± Redell clarified, ¡°Since the soul influences what abilities you awaken, everything works. There¡¯s just less of an adjustment process.¡±

    Amara was more excited than she was, her sun-gold eyes flashing with energy. It was that passionate, friendly, and responsible attitude that had drawn her to Amara¡¯s magic, although the responsible part of her aura left a different impression than her initial one.

    Her own excitement for new magic was clouded by unease over her general circumstances. Everything was very new and happening very, very, fast. But she felt similar time pressures¡ªWho knew how long it¡¯d take before she¡¯d get back home? 2 months have already passed. It wasn¡¯t a lot, but it permanently lost time. As the time away stretched into years, would she be able to maintain her willpower? She may as well grasp onto whatever propulsion she could, letting her original leap into turbulent waters propel her as far as possible, before she had to push forward under her own power.

    ¡°Then, how do I do this?¡±

    ¡°Before that, why don¡¯t we figure out a name for you,¡± Redell proposed. ¡°We can¡¯t keep just calling you, ¡®you¡¯.¡±

    *****

    The crystal board was cleared of its contents, and a list of names was hashed out.

    ¡°How about Wanda?¡± Redell suggested.

    ¡°Redell, stop suggesting puns,¡± Chelsea admonished.

    ¡°You get to chose your own name at the inception of a journey beyond your imagination,¡± Amara said, head nodding strongly in satisfaction, her warrior¡¯s passion reigniting, ¡°This is the ideal adventurer origin. A warrior of unintentional circumstance that has since chosen their own path and their own name.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not really much of a warrior.¡±

    ¡°Not much of a warrior, yet,¡±  Amara said, wagging her finger, ¡°That¡¯ll change.¡±

    Will it really? She thought, but she didn¡¯t really know what she was in for. Maybe, her mind-melding journey through the astral has forged her mind into something more resilient than it originally was. Her racial ability sure claimed it: Resilient. Should she hope her experiences have already changed her beyond her ordinary self, or lament the loss of her past self?

    The three suggested various names, Redell eliciting various stares from Chelsea as he continually suggested funny names to lighten up the atmosphere. Despite his large imposing stature, he turned out a bit of a goof.

    She had no problems with puns, it was ¡®God¡¯s favorite humor¡¯, her dad used to say, but she wasn¡¯t going to chose one as her name. She smiled when she realized another thread of her memory had returned to her, something more personal. She had only been in this world for a single day, but she theorized that interacting with reality may trigger more memories to return quicker.

    ¡°Nara.¡± Laius spoke for the first time in the conversation, then fell back silent with no additional explanation.

    ¡°Nara?¡± Amara said, her expression transforming into one of agreement. ¡°It¡¯s a name from my culture. The name from a myth, an enigmatic wanderer, known as the ¡®one from beyond the horizon¡¯.¡±

    The name scratched a familiar itch in her mind. It tugged on a string of memory, but the string held firm, no prize memory dropping from the ceiling of her consciousness.

    ¡°That sounds pretty nice,¡± she said, ¡°I like it. Do I seem enigmatic?¡±

    ¡°Not yet,¡± Amara said, ¡°We can work on that.¡±

    ¡°Why is that something she¡¯d ever work on?¡± Chelsea countered.

    ¡°Her racial abilities are plenty enigmatic,¡± Redell suggested supportively.

    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t go around telling people about those.¡±

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t?¡± She said.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t.¡± Chelsea confirmed, staring down Redell who slunk back a bit, ¡°Guide, Traveler¡¯s Bounty, Resilient, and Free Spirit are all fine,¡± She clarified, ¡°Looting, translation, and information abilities are all standard Outworlder racials, even if they vary wildly in form.¡±

    Amara clapped her hands, bringing the conversation back into focus, more from excitement than to prevent derailment, ¡°Then from now on, you are Nara Edea!¡±

    ¡°Edea?¡± She asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s my last name,¡± Amara said, pointing to herself. ¡°It¡¯ll come in handy, I promise.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right about that.¡± Chelsea said. ¡°She has some fame as an adventurer-inventor. You¡¯ll probably find several items she¡¯s invented out and about, after we take you to a city. At the very least, it means she serves as your guarantor.¡±

    A guarantor for her identity, who had no origin in this world. Or maybe, the she¡¯d serve as some sort of emergency contact if something happened.

    ¡°Nara Edea,¡± Nara said, rolling the name off her tongue, feeling the syllables out. It was pleasant, fitting.

    ¡°Yeah, I like it.¡±

 Chapter 7: Concentrated Soup Stock

    Chapter 7: Concentrated Soup Stock

    ¡°So, how do we do this essence ranking up thing?¡± Nara asked.

    The group led her into outside, and Nara got her first glance at the grounds of the grounds.

    Instead of a house, it was more of a complex. The main building was a large, two story house, like a safari resort house. It was made primarily of wood and stone with accents of brick and large glass windows. Awnings of cloth stretched taut cast a softer light over the perimeter. The same cloth hung down the sides, creating covered verandas shaded from the strong sunlight. Some were rolled up, revealing the woven and wooden furniture inside.

    Several other buildings surrounded a main plaza. Beyond the buildings, Nara spotted covered gazebos. There was a lake and forest nearby, within the complex but still outside of the jungle surrounding them. Soft cushions and low tables were set up beneath the shade of the trees and beside the shaded lake, creating a quiet and comfortable location to relax and enjoy nature.

    Off to the right was a standout building. As a three-story, octagonal pavilion, more vertical that it was side, it stood out against the rest of the low buildings. Considerable effort had been expended to decorate it, with a streaming waterfall pouring from the side into a fountain below it. Various lush, bright, and leafy jungle plants grew in tiers from the building.

    ¡°What¡¯s up with that building?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the arrival pavilion,¡± Amara explained.

    ¡°Arrival¡­for what?¡± Nara didn¡¯t see any parking spots or a helipad, let alone roads.

    ¡°Portals,¡± Amara said, matter-of-factly. ¡°What else?¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Nara said softly, processing that simple statement for a moment. ¡°Portals, right. I should have known.¡±

    ¡°Your world does not have portals?¡± Amara asked curiously, noticing her confusion. ¡°What do they use for distance travel?¡±

    ¡°Planes, for people. Ships, for cargo, usually. And stuff like trains and cars for other reasons.¡±

    ¡°Planes?¡± Amara asked, her intense eyes earning a narrowed glance from Chelsea.

    ¡°Vehicles that travel in the sky without magic using life and propulsion.¡±

    ¡°Without magic? That¡¯s possible?¡± Amara said, suddenly thoughtful. ¡°How fast do these ¡®planes¡¯ travel?¡±

    ¡°Around 550 miles per hour.¡± Nara said. Any units of measurement she used were automatically translated for her, and vice versa. She didn¡¯t know what the people of this world used for measurement, yet.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t attract monsters?¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have monsters?¡± Nara said, unsure. ¡°No monsters and no magic. Why would that attract monsters?¡±

    ¡°Fast-moving objects irritate monsters.¡± Amara said. ¡°Fast traveling vehicles have to be reinforced with magic, escorted by adventurers, or built with defenses. Usually a combination of all three.¡±

    ¡°But,¡± Amara leaned in, her eyes blazing with passion. Nara felt that the light of her eyes was even stronger than before. ¡°We don¡¯t have any vehicle that travels that fast.¡±

    ¡°You have portals,¡± Nara said. ¡°What would you need planes for?¡±

    ¡°Portals have various restrictions. For one, they require consent. You can¡¯t force someone physically through a portal. You can threaten them¡­but now isn¡¯t the time for this. Amara. I know you¡¯re very excited about your new Outworlder friend, but let¡¯s try to reach the teaching phase for her, before you pry all the new and interesting information out of her.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Amara acknowledged, straightening her posture then patting Nara¡¯s shoulders reassuringly. ¡°The rest can wait. First, we do the most important ritual of your life.¡±

    They headed to a building on the left, close to the main house. It was a single story and on the smaller side, compared to the mansion main building.

    ¡°This is the ritual workroom.¡± Amara said. She pressed a panel on the outside of the building, and a large section of the wall opened up, sliding up like a garage door.

    ¡°Sometimes we need to transport large objects into the room.¡± Amara preemptively explained, this makes it easier to do so. There¡¯s a normal door, if you don¡¯t need it.¡±

    Even though the side of the building was opened up, Nara noticed some sort of transparent barrier stopped stray leaves and dirt from entering the room. It even cleaned away the dirt on their shoes as they stepped through.

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    A large section of the room was made of smooth white stone. There were almost no pores in the stone, yet, treated with something (perhaps magically so) that prevented slipping. On the left side of the room was a low table surrounded by couches, a lounging area. Glass cabinets contained drinks, various snacks and fruit, and some simple plates and cups. The right side of a room had a workspace. It had a tall heavy wooden table, at a height appropriate for standing work. Various strange tools hung from racks. Sparkling crystals, jars of materials like pebbles, coins, and powders. Cabinets labeled with material names Nara didn¡¯t recognize. Large, free standing tools wheeled into corners, floated in place, or hung from the ceiling. Despite the large amount of tools and materials, it was impeccably organized, far better than any university or work lab she remembered.

    Amara strode to a cabinet, pulling from one a pouch of powdered material. She dipped a pen in the powder, similar to a paint brush. The powder wasn¡¯t a liquid, but it adhered to the brush as Amara began to draw a large circle with the material.

    ¡°This is powdered monster cores,¡± Amara said. ¡°Highly reactive to magic. If your ritual circle is wrong, it won¡¯t light up.¡±

    In the astral, Nara hadn¡¯t used anything in particular to draw a magic circle. She used lines of light, but it may have just been lines of magic.

    ¡°You don¡¯t use magic to draw circles?¡± She asked.

    ¡°There are abilities that allow for that,¡± Amara explained as she drew. ¡°I don¡¯t have one. Ritual magic is a hobby I developed later, so I never aimed for anything that would make it more convenient to perform. Did you want an ability like that? I don¡¯t think you will get one with the combination you¡¯ve chosen.¡±

    ¡°No, its fine,¡± Nara said, ¡°I can just draw it out like everyone else.¡± Nara had no idea whether she¡¯d need to cast more rituals in the future. She didn¡¯t know much about them. Chrome only taught her exactly what she needed to known to create that one large ritual, and her memories of her time in the astral were extremely fuzzy in comparison to the sensations she experienced now, as if they had been washed out and faded from strong sunlight.

    Eventually, the ritual circle was complete, emitting a soft glow. Amara didn¡¯t need to redraw it at all, a testament to her skill. Amara placed three cubes in an equilateral triangle at locations on the outer circumference of the ritual circle. Nara¡¯s Inspect ability told her which all three were.

    -------

    Item: [Dimension Essence] (unranked, legendary)

    Classification: Essence, Consumable

    Manifested essence of dimension.

    Requirements: Less than four absorbed essences

    Effect: Imbues one awakened dimension essence ability and four unawakened dimension essence abilities

    Item: [Harmonic Essence] (unranked, epic)

    Classification: Essence, Consumable

    Manifested essence of harmony.

    Requirements: Less than four absorbed essences

    Effect: Imbues one awakened harmonic essence ability and four unawakened harmonic essence abilities

    Item: [Balance Essence] (unranked, uncommon)

    Classification: Essence, Consumable

    Manifested essence of balance.

    Effect: Imbues one awakened balance essence ability and four unawakened balance essence abilities

    -------

    The descriptions were identical except for what Nara now guessed was their rarity. The water essence she saw before was common.

    The dimension essence looked like looking into the vastness of space. Even as she swiveled her view around it, the interior of the cube extended into infinity. It was like someone had hole-punched a cube out of reality, revealing the universe behind it.

    The harmonic essence was completely different. It was a swirl of colors, like dye dropped into milk or water. But the colors never clashed, or formed an ugly indiscriminate brown. Yet, it was not so colorful that it was psychedelic. It resembled more a pleasant oil painting, dappled with smooth, transitioning colors, like an interpretive Van Gogh.

    The balance essence was in stark contrast, the cube divided in two. The halves flickered, always represented by things considered opposites or in balance. Fire and water, white and black, blue and orange, ocean and sky.

    They really were crystallizations of magic, Nara absentmindedly thought as she was mesmerized by their mesmerizing fluctuations. Who knew that concentrated magic formed cubes? A strange thought entered her head: essences were concentrated soup stock cubes that she¡¯d drop into the unflavored water of her soul.

    ¡°What does rarity mean?¡± Nara asked. It may be self-explanatory, but she may as well seek clarification.

    ¡°It¡¯s just how often the essence appears in the right conditions.¡± Amara explained. ¡°Just to be clear, higher rarity essence aren¡¯t more powerful or better than lower rarity ones. It¡¯s a common misconception with those without formal essence education. Rather,¡± she continued, ¡°Higher rarity essence can be narrower or more specific, and due to their rarity, possible abilities aren¡¯t as well researched.¡±

    ¡°So its exchanging versatility for specialization?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°There¡¯s more nuance to it, but that¡¯s the general idea,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°Then, is my combination going to be very specialized?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± Amara reassured her. ¡°The mystic confluence is general, and will round out your powerset. Dimension is one of the less specialized legendary essences. Teleportation and space manipulation always comes in handy, after all.¡±

    A little bit of excitement stirred within Nara over her unease. ¡°So, I might get one of those portals?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s highly likely and it¡¯d be ridiculous if you didn¡¯t. Your racial abilities mention portals specifically,¡± Chelsea pointed out.

    ¡°Something to look forward to,¡± Redell said warmly.

    *****

    ¡°Well? Hop to it,¡± Chelsea said, gesturing to the circle. ¡°Amara¡¯s already finished. Step inside.¡±

    Nara looked down at the complex magic circle. It was admittedly less complex than the one she had drawn to google search the universe, but she didn¡¯t understand it in the least. Chrome just taught her what was needed to enter reality. He focused more on theory, and not on a wide breadth of rituals. It was like understanding a very narrow field high level physics, but not recognizing a specific formula or adjacent specialties. Not a big deal, and something she could learn later, if she wanted. There were some shapes she recognized, and she realized she had learned a simpler version of the ritual, but for a single essence at a time.

    ¡°Is there a reason it¡¯s three at once?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°It supposedly increases synergy between the first abilities of the essences,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°but it¡¯s only theory. We can only ever absorb a set of essences once, so experimentation is limited.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t be a detriment.¡± Amara said. ¡°I promise you that. Now hurry up. Even I¡¯m impatient. You only get to see this once per person.¡±

    Chelsea and Amara¡¯s impatience was shared. They looked at her with anticipation clear in their words and body language.

    At Amara¡¯s encouragement, she stepped into the center of the ritual circle.

 Chapter 8: The Magic That Has Awoken Within You

    Chapter 8: The Magic That Has Awoken Within You

    The ritual circle activated, the cubes rising up in a sudden vortex of wind that erupted from the ritual circle. The cubes disintegrated into sparling, glowing glitter, like they had just been Thanos-snapped. The magic within the cubes broke into smaller and smaller bits, integrating with the vortex until it became a storm of tiny sparkling rainbow lights.

    The vortex reached its apex. Nara¡¯s hair would have been wildly whipped around her head, if she had any hair. She had only now realized she was bald, and that she wasn¡¯t normally bald.

    Wait¡ªwhy am I bald? She belatedly wondered.

    Before she could ponder the strange detail of her body, her focus was pulled back to the wild magic surrounding her. It began to stream into her, through every single pore of her body. The magic sent tingles and shivers across her body, triggering every single nerve. Her nerves felt raw again, but not so raw as to be painful. Rather, she felt energized, like she had just been shot up with coffee so distilled it became liquid lightning and had replaced her blood as her body¡¯s source of fuel.

    As the storm abated, the ritual spent, a single, glowing cube slowly materialized before her. It was a pale blue, the light shining from it as if passing through mist. It exuded a sense of ethereality and mysticality, like light from a location where spirits would appear in a forest untouched by humans, if they existed.

    ¡°That¡¯d be your mystic confluence.¡± Amara said. ¡°Accept it.¡±

    -------

    Item: [Mystic Essence] (unranked, unavailable)

    Classification: Confluence essence, consumable

    Manifested confluence of Dimension, Harmonic, and Balance.

    Requirements: Less than four absorbed essences

    Effect: Imbues one awakened mystic essence ability and four unawakened mystic essence abilities.

    Effect: If unabsorbed, the Mystic Essence will disappear.

    -[Use Mystic Essence? Y/N]

    -------

    The cube was suspended in air, expectant and waiting. She reached forward, grasping it with two hands. It immediately melted into her palms, the light seeping into her hands setting her palms aglow.

    She had felt energized before, but now she felt a sudden surge in power as her body changed. No¡ªher existence changed.

    -------

    -You have absorbed [Dimension Essence].

    -You have absorbed 1 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron Rank 25%.

    -[Dimension Essence] has bonded to your [Speed] attribute, changing your [Speed] from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Dimension Essence Abilities to increase your [Speed] attribute.

    -You have awakened the Dimension Essence Ability [Phase Shift]. You have awakened 1 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.

    -You have absorbed [Harmonic Essence].

    -You have absorbed 2 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron Rank 50%.

    -[Harmonic Essence] has bonded to your [Power] attribute, changing your [Power] from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Harmonic Essence Abilities to increase your [Power] attribute.

    -You have awakened the Harmonic Essence Ability [Astral Blessing]. You have awakened 1 of 5 Harmonic Essence Abilities.

    -You have absorbed [Balance Essence].

    -You have absorbed 3 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron Rank 75%.

    -[Balance Essence] has bonded to your [Recovery] attribute, changing your [Recovery] from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Balance Essence Abilities to increase your [Recovery] attribute.

    -You have awakened the Balance Essence Ability [Refresh]. You have awakened 1 of 5 Balance Essence Abilities.

    -You have absorbed [Mystic Essence].

    -You have absorbed 4 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron Rank 100%.

    -[Mystic Essence] has bonded to your [Spirit] attribute, changing your [Spirit] from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Mystic essence abilities to increase your [Spirit] attribute.

    -You have awakened the Mystic Essence Ability [Cosmic Path]. You have awakened 1 of 5 Mystic Essence Abilities.

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    -You have absorbed 4 of 4 essences. All of your attributes have reached Iron Rank.

    -You have gained damage reduction against Normal Rank damage sources. You have gained increased resistance to Normal Rank effects.

    -You have gained the ability to sense auras.

    -You have gained the ability to sustain yourself using sources of concentrated magic.

    -------

    She ignored the slew of Guide messages, her mind focused in the moment. Her senses felt as if they were reborn. Her mind felt reborn. Her sense of vision felt more focused, sharper. Her sense of touch, sensitive and detailed.

    Her gaze ran over her hands, and she flexed her fingers, feeling the way her joints and skin moved. She felt euphoric, and briefly wondered if any drugs on Earth brought people to this level of elation.

    ¡°I feel amazing,¡± She whispered, suddenly noticing the details of her own voice, pleasant and familiar. ¡°I feel like I could run a marathon.¡±

    Energy pumped through her body. Right now, she could do anything. Learn martial arts, clean up her rented house, develop a habit of jogging, do the splits. Mundane thoughts ran through her mind as if she was preparing a mental checklist to accomplish. Even at a euphoric high, her thoughts were still based in reality.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to want to enter that room there,¡± Amara said, pointing to a door directly across from Nara. ¡°There¡¯s a shower in there. Use it.¡±

    ¡°A shower? What for¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, her euphoria reversed, plunged into hell like Lucifer was banished from Heaven. From the apex to the pits, from elation to nausea.

    She dashed to the door, and it automatically vanished allowing her inside, then reappeared to reform.

    From every pore and every orifice of her body, noxious, unpleasantly thick, oily and iridescent, black sludge sluiced from her body. She felt the sludge cling to her eyeballs and drip out of her ears, the sensation causing her to retch the same toxic sludge.

    The smell was vile, the worst thing she had ever smelled in her life. A combination of rot, the worst bodily fluids, and the acridity of ammonia and gasoline stung her nose. The sludge dribbled even from there, shooting the smell into brain.

    New core memory created. Nara groaned between heaves, each sending a new glob of sludge to the ground.

    She forcefully crawled on the ground, through the filth, to reach what resembled a shower. There were two circular panels instead of knobs. One presumably turned on the shower, and she pressed it, not caring in the moment if it was cold or hot.

    ¡°This is the physical reality you wanted so badly,¡± She growled through gritted teeth.

    The water that cascaded from the ceiling like a rain after a drought was miraculous. It clung to the gunk, stripping her of it like industrial grade dish soap.

    Water also flushed through the rest of the room, dragging with it the black sludge down the drain, cleansing it as if it was never there in the first place.

    She yanked off her white clothes, throwing them in a corner of the room to let the water wash over her and cleanse her. She tipped her head back, letting the water cleanse out her ears, eyes, mouth, and even her nostrils.

    It wasn¡¯t normal water, that much was clear. It was some sort of magical water, stripping dirt and gunk with supernatural ease. It left her with an impossibly clean sensation like she¡¯s never experienced, and she felt entirely refreshed, at least physically.

    She still felt peaky, and hyper-sensitive, as if hungover. Nara had never been hung over before, or she never remembered if she had been or not. Probably the former, she wasn¡¯t much of a drinker.

    There was a fresh change of clothes in one of the cabinets in the room, spared from the whole room purgative flush. Before she got the clothing, she noticed something strange in the full length mirror. There was a scar on her chest where her heart should be, vertically oblong and tapered. She ran her fingers over it, touching the skin. Neither felt any different, with a seamless transition from scar to normal skin.

    ¡°Was that always there?¡±

    She looked next to her face. In the astral, she had no face. Here, she had one, to her immense relief.

    The face that stared back at here was familiar yet changed. Her facial features were simple and bright. Between cute, elegant, and sexy, she was more solidly between cute and elegant, but not standout and rather plain; Needless to say she wasn¡¯t maxing out the radar chart. She had a medium nose with a straight bridge, unusual with her half-Chinese heritage. She was mixed heritage, Chinese and European, but her features leaned more heavily towards the European side. Her older sister was the opposite, in both facial features and personality. At least that, she remembered, although her name still felt like a thought on the tip of her tongue she couldn¡¯t quite verbalize.

    She had balanced lips and brown almond eyes. She didn¡¯t know how her eyebrows looked, since she had none. Overall, her face gave her a pleasant but ordinary feeling, with nothing memorable and nothing offensive. Whether it was her original body reconstruction or her rank up, she no longer had any scars or sun damage of any sort, besides the new one on her torso.

    She rubbed her bald head. It was uncannily bald, with no hair fuzz, as polished as a cue ball. The rest of her body had no hair as well. She would have looked like a test subject of a sketchy lab, if she wore the iconic pale blue dressing gown.

    The familiarity with her own face along with the new memories bubbling to the surface was a reprieve after the traumatic purgation. She didn¡¯t know what it was¡­ but purgation felt right. A ¡®cleanse¡¯ did not nearly communicate the vile violence of the event.

    She pulled on the extra set of clothes, a similar pair of loose white pants and shirt set as the one she wore previously, which was now trashed. Just looking at it made her eyes water from freshly unpleasant memories.

    She pulled them on, then exited the clean room, as she called it.

    ¡°Come over here.¡± Chelsea said, patting a chair set out in front of another mirror. ¡°I¡¯m going to sort your hair situation for you. I can¡¯t leave you looking like some pitiful shaved cat.¡±

    At least she didn¡¯t say naked mole rat.

    She sat down in the chair. Reflected in the mirror, Chelsea pulled a tin of cream from thin air. ¡°This is hair growth cream,¡± She explained, ¡°A common product for essence users to have on hand. You¡¯ll lose all your hair every time you rank up. Now that I¡¯ve told you, I better not see you bald, unless you want to be.¡± She pulled on a thin pair of transparent gloves, protecting her own hands from the effect of the cream.

    She deftly spread the cream atop her head, then a bit along where her eyebrows should have been. After a moment, long, thick brown hair sprouted all the way down her back. The eyebrow hair grew to a normal length, to what their normal maximum length was. Her eyelashes were too sensitive of an area; they¡¯d have to grow from scratch, 0.15 millimeters at a time. Chelsea brought out a pair of scissors, a comb, as well as some sort of tapered wand.

    ¡°The cream will only grow hair where it¡¯s normal to grow hair,¡± Chelsea explained, ¡°but the hair manipulator wand will push back any hairline that¡¯s grown too far forward. We don¡¯t any any unibrows, now do we?¡± She looked at Nara through the mirror.

    ¡°Are your eyebrows normally that faint?¡±

    ¡°I think so,¡± Nara said, running her fingers over them.

    It turns out, she had one standout feature, ¡®delicate¡¯ eyebrows, as the 11<sup>th</sup> Doctor of Doctor Who would have called them. She found she didn¡¯t mind them. They felt characteristic.

    Chelsea didn¡¯t bother asking Nara what length she preferred. She cut away, hair drifting to the ground in small bunches.

    ¡°There we go,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°All done. Now you at least look presentable.¡±

    She had cut her hair to around shoulder length. Her hair had a slight wave to it. It was a medium brown, with hints of auburn and gold that revealed themselves under strong light. No matter how she spun it, she was just an average brown eyed brunette.

    Chelsea, Amara, Laius, and Redell were so beautiful it was pointless to compare herself to them. It would be like comparing the undefined features of a toddler to an adult in their prime, entirely meaningless. Laius was¡­ a panther man. She didn¡¯t know if he was considered handsome or not, but suspected that among his people he was.

    ¡°Shall we take a look at what magic has awoken within you?¡±

 Chapter 9: Since when were Internal Organs Unnecessary

    Chapter 9: Since when were Internal Organs Unnecessary

    ¡°Now that we¡¯re done with the first step in the entire process,¡± Chelsea began, ¡°I¡¯ll explain a little more.¡±

    They moved to the small lounge area to the side of the ritual floor. Nara was still queasy, and she was handed a selection of snacks, fruits, and juices to refuel from. One was a small nut, caramelized in something like sugar or honey. The scent was distinctively more floral than either and it contained a tantalizing hint of vanilla.

    The creamy fruit juice she drank earlier in the morning was from a fruit called the julu. It was a cross between a mango and an orange, with thick, creamy juice. It would make an amazing gelato or ice cream if they had an equivalent in this world.

    ¡°Before we begin, is there a name for this world? I can¡¯t keep calling it ¡®this world¡¯ in my head.¡±

    ¡°This world is called Erras,¡± Redell said. ¡°And what is yours called? We can¡¯t keep calling it ¡®your world¡¯ either.¡±

    ¡°Earth.¡±

    ¡°Your world is named after the dirt?¡± Chelsea said. ¡°Is it mostly covered in earth?¡±

    ¡°Uh no, it¡¯s around 70% water.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯d you call it Earth then?¡± Chelsea said, exasperated. ¡°If it¡¯s mostly covered in water?¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t always know that.¡± Nara said matter-of-factly. ¡°Hence, Earth.¡±

    It was Redell¡¯s turn to clear his throat, bringing the two back to the topic at hand. ¡°You may have wondered what happened to your body just now.¡±

    ¡°A little advance warning would have been nice,¡± Nara admitted. ¡°That stuff was vile. I¡¯m going to have nightmares about it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s best to get it over with,¡± Amara said. ¡°It¡¯s going to happen every rank up.¡±

    ¡°That was your body purging the lower quality and rough magic that your body was made of, and remaking it with higher quality magic,¡± Redell said. ¡°You never had organs, so that wasn¡¯t part of the process for you.¡±

    ¡°¡­What do you mean by that? I never had organs?¡±

    ¡°If you were still a human, some of the purgation would have involved purging unnecessary organs for your rank.¡±

    ¡°Since when are internal organs unnecessary?¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t using any now,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°So even right this moment, they¡¯re unnecessary.¡±

    Nara decided to turn her brain off and stop thinking too much about it, if there was a brain to turn off in the first place.

    ¡°Normally,¡± Redell stressed, ¡°ordinary iron rankers keep all of their internal organs, and lose them as they rank up to bronze and silver. By silver rank, people are entirely made of magic.¡±

    ¡°So, I don¡¯t have a brain,¡± Nara muttered.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a brain,¡± Amara confirmed. ¡°Nor a heart, lungs, stomach, bladder¡­ It¡¯s really a great advantage!¡±

    ¡°An advantage?¡±

    ¡°Harder to die of a lethal blow to the head if you have no brain to bleed or bruise,¡± Amara said. ¡°Can¡¯t die of a punctured stomach or liver, can¡¯t have your own rips pierce your lungs, a stab to the heart is just a chest wound.¡±

    ¡°Right. Of course. Just a chest wound.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll still feel shaken,¡± Amara said. ¡°But you won¡¯t die from it, unless someone really caves your head in.¡±

    The unease that had temporarily dispersed creeped back into her mind.

    ¡°There won¡¯t be¡­ a bunch of people trying to cave my head in, right?¡±

    ¡°Define ¡®a bunch¡¯.¡±

    Chelsea gave Amara a quick slap on the shoulder. ¡°You won¡¯t be fighting people anytime soon. You¡¯ll be fighting monsters, and they aren¡¯t too dangerous at your rank.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said. From her tone it was clear that she wasn¡¯t entirely convinced.

    ¡°Enough talk, the lot of you,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°Let¡¯s take a look at those four new abilities, then work out a plan for the rest of them.¡±

    <hr>

    Ability: [Phase Shift]

    Essence: Dimension

    Awakening stone: none

    Special Ability (dimension)

    Cost: Extreme mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Phase shift into an adjacent dimension. While phase shifted, your abilities and attacks will not affect non-phase shifted targets. In this state, non-phase shifted abilities and attacks will not affect you. You are harder to detect while phase shifted. Mana cost of this ability further increases as duration increases.

    Ability: [Astral Blessing]

    Essence: Harmonic

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    Aura (holy, boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within aura gain an instances of [Integrity] when expending or losing a low threshold of health, mana, or stamina. Instance threshold is determined by the [Recovery] attribute. Greater or continuous expenditures result in gaining additional instances.

    <ul>

    <li>[Integrity] (boon, heal-over-time, mana-over-time, stamina-over-time, holy, stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of health, stamina, and mana. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Refresh]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): When expending mana, gain an instance of [Invigorating Energy]. When expending stamina, gain an instance of [Invigorating Blood]. When expending or suffering health damage, gain an instance of [Invigorating Spirit]. Instance threshold is determined by the [Recovery] attribute. Ability cannot recover more than expended mana, stamina, and health.

    <ul>

    <li>[Invigorating Energy] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of stamina. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    <li>[Invigorating Blood] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of health. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    <li>[Invigorating Spirit] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of mana. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Cosmic Path]

    Essence: Mystic

    Conjuration (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Low mana, low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a path of stars beneath the caster¡¯s feet. Prevents abilities from manifesting directly below the caster. Enhances [Speed]. Can reduce the weight of the caster for low mana-per-second cost, allowing for reduced fall speed and water walking. Can further enhance the caster¡¯s [Speed] for additional low mana-per-second cost. The slow-fall effect can be extended to others in proximity.

    <hr>

    ¡°You got your aura first thing?¡± Redell said. ¡°That¡¯s unusual.¡±

    ¡°Aura?¡± Nara said. ¡°Sounds like some sort of new age hippie crystal thing.¡±

    They all gave her a look.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even want to know what that means,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°We can train it,¡± Laius said, finally speaking.

    ¡°Train it?¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t helpful, Laius. Not right now,¡± Chelsea sighed. She seemed to be the focused one in the group, reigning in the conversation to keep it on track.

    ¡°So what is this aura, thing?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have some sense of it? It should have automatically awakened with your rank,¡± Amara said.

    ¡°The aura is the expression of the soul. Your aura ability adds an ability to this expression, while also awakening your ability to manipulate your own aura and increase your ability to sense the aura of others. You should feel some new sense, that you just haven¡¯t paid attention to yet since you¡¯ve been so caught up in everything else. Give it a try, and focus. Basic sense of it should come naturally to you.¡±

    Nara frowned, closing her eyes for a moment to focus.

    She did feel something. It was like some sort of sixth sense. It seemed to sense living beings and magic better, but it contained some vague form of physical perception. She did sense something from Amara, Chelsea, Laius, and Redell, but she had the strange, unsubstantiated feeling that they were letting her sense something, for her own benefit.

    Specifically, their auras all contained a reflection of their personalities, or perhaps their true nature. Redell¡¯s was refreshing, invigorating, and nurturing. He held a pure joy for life, even as he was outwardly mild and calm. Chelsea¡¯s was inquisitive and piercing, not one to be fooled or tricked, but not as prickly as her words have indicated. Laius¡¯ contained the darkness of deep night, cool and unbounded, mischievous and free. But his willpower lay just beneath the surface¡ªthe willingness to go the distance and pay the price.

    Amara¡¯s was as she first sensed; strong, passionate and responsible. She was teasing and frivolous towards Chelsea, but had so far taken Nara¡¯s situation seriously, even if she was not at fault.

    Nara didn¡¯t really know what to say. ¡°You¡¯re all good people.¡±

    Chelsea rolled her eyes, slight color rising to her cheeks. Amara was clearly enjoying her embarrassment, grinning all the while. ¡°Keep this in mind. Normally, you won¡¯t be able to detect the auras of those stronger than you at all. Greater strength and rank mirrors greater control.¡±

    What she had been able to sense from the others faded. She could feel that they were there, but not the personalities which were now hidden behind a tapestry she could not peer behind.

    That had confirmed that they were stronger than she was, there was no doubt. Nara didn¡¯t know specifically what rank, but she didn¡¯t care to ask. She didn¡¯t have any concept of the differences between the higher ranks, except that they were more powerful. How much more powerful? She¡¯d have to find out.

    ¡°It can be faked,¡± Laius added.

    ¡°The properties of the aura can be faked?¡± Nara asked in confirmation. She was slowly getting a sense for what Laius communicated with his few words.

    ¡°It requires training,¡± Laius said, his eyes insistent.

    ¡°Right,¡± Nara said, ¡°Training the magical hippie sixth sense. I understand completely.¡±

    ¡°Well.¡± Chelsea said, ¡°You¡¯ve ranked up to iron, you¡¯re appearance is up to my standard, and you¡¯ve learnt a bit about auras. It¡¯s time for the next step.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s more?¡±

    ¡°Of course there¡¯s more, did you forget that you only have 4 of 20 abilities?¡±

    She belatedly realized that each essence granted 1 awakened ability and 4 unawakened abilities. She got those first four abilities immediately, but the other 16 were still unawakened.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not our next step,¡± Amara said, ¡°First, a skill book.¡±

    Nara had played her share of video games, so she wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with the term.

    ¡°Do those grant the rest of the abilities?¡±

    ¡°An entirely wrong conclusion,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°It¡¯s not called an awakening book or an ability book now, is it.¡±

    ¡°Now, now, Chelsea. You can see how that¡¯s an honest mistake,¡± Redell said, turning to Nara. ¡°Skill books are used to acquire knowledge.¡±

    ¡°Like, about anything?¡±

    ¡°Whatever is in the book.¡±

    ¡°I can just¡­download information into my mind? That sounds very convenient.¡±

    ¡°You can only¡­download¡­the information because of your Racial Ability, Free Spirit,¡± Chelsea said, rolling the unfamiliar terminology over her tongue. ¡°Another ability that is standard for outworlders, but can be acquired by others as well.¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯re going to be an adventurer, you¡¯ll need to be able to fight. Are you trained in fighting?¡±

    ¡°I did like, two years of super casual Kung Fu,¡± Nara said, demonstrating with some weak air punches that made Chelsea raise an unamused eyebrow. ¡°...but I have a sneaking suspicion that isn¡¯t going to cut it.¡±

    ¡°What gave it away?¡± She said flatly.

    Amara pulled a thick book out of thin air, dropping it onto the table, where it landed with a thud. The book was preposterously large, like an unabridged dictionary typed out in size 20 font. It had elaborate decorations of swirling vines in gold leaf, and the depiction of a starry night sky made with gold and dark blue leather. If there was a physical copy of a mystical book like the Akashic Records, she imagined it may look something like this, comically large and intricately decorated.

    Nara read out the title, ¡°The Way of the Traveler?¡±

    -------

    Item: [The Way of the Traveler] (bronze rank, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, Skill Book

    A comprehensive guide to combat and other techniques for an avid traveler, made by an experienced traveler of the cosmos.

    -[Record] of [The Way of the Traveler] has been added to the [Archive].

    -------

    ¡°Thematic,¡± Laius said, strangely self-satisfied.

    ¡°It was his idea,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°I don¡¯t know that I would¡¯ve chosen this one. It¡¯s quite thick for a fresh iron ranker. Are you sure it¡¯s going to be alright?¡±

    ¡°One and done,¡± Amara said. ¡°She can get it over with so we can get into dedicated training.¡±

    ¡°Why are you talking about this like it¡¯s going to suck?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Your days of sucking are not done yet,¡± Amara said, and Chelsea shot her a very disapproving look. She turned to Chelsea, grinning. ¡°My days of sucking are not done yet either.¡±

    ¡°Really, Amara? Now?¡± Chelsea said through gritted teeth, her face reddened with embarrassment and anger.

    ¡°There¡¯s no time like the present,¡± Amara said.

    ¡°Ladies, please,¡± Redell said, rubbing his brow. ¡°No matter what Amara says there is a time and a place.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t my fault!¡± Chelsea protested.

    Amara grin widened, and she received a playful but unhappy smack in retaliation from Chelsea.

 Chapter 10: Eating your Own Money

    Chapter 10: Eating your Own Money

    Redell sighed, the responsible one for once. He ignored the squabbling Amara and Chelsea and manifested a bronze colored coin from thin air, placing it on the table beside the massive book. It was slightly larger and thicker than a quarter, fitting snugly in the palm of Nara¡¯s hand when she picked it up.

    ¡°A bronze rank spirit coin?¡± Nara said, reading off her Guide¡¯s message. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°A spirit coin is what fuels magical bodies if they do not eat magically infused foods or have their own magic on tap, like you.¡± Redell explained. ¡°It¡¯s also our currency.¡±

    ¡°You eat your own money?¡± Nara said, shocked.

    ¡°It is the most expensive option,¡± Redell explained, ¡°So normally we do not. They operate in much the same way as ranks, except lesser is the lowest denomination, and diamond is the highest. You probably won¡¯t see diamond rank spirit coins around at all.¡±

    He moved to the board, drawing out a quick diagram to demonstrate.

    ¡°An iron spirit coin is worth 100 lesser spirit coins. After that, each step is roughly worth ten of the previous. Day to day transactions use lesser and iron spirit coins, but adventurers deal in the more valuable coins. Purchasing houses in populous cities would use gold spirit coins. On top of that, spirit coins are consumed to fuel artifacts, vehicles, and rituals. They array protections on this compound are also powered by spirit coins.¡±

    It was an interesting form of currency¡ªIt had inherent value. Nara didn¡¯t know how it was produced, but the currency was permanently consumed not only as food, but to power a variety of objects. It seemed to be some form of crystallized energy, comparative to a battery. Earth stored its energy in a variety of methods, but from what she understood, the battery was the closest example. Except, that a battery shouldn¡¯t be eaten. If it was eaten, it was eaten only once.

    ¡°So, why talk about these coins?¡± Nara asked. ¡°We were just talking about skill books.¡±

    ¡°The skill book is bronze rank.¡± Redell said. ¡°You are iron rank. You¡¯re going to need to boost yourself to use it.¡±

    ¡°Boost myself?¡±

    ¡°There are nuances, again.¡± Chelsea said, recovered from her earlier embarrassment, but driving a hard elbow into Amara¡¯s waist, who smugly looked away. ¡°But the bronze rank coin will temporarily raise you to the rank needed to absorb the skill book.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you now.¡± Amara said.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You said you wanted advanced warning.¡± Amara said smugly. ¡°Eating a spirit coin above your rank provides powerful temporary effects but also an equally debilitating drawback. Then, the skill book. That¡¯s going to suck.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t start.¡± Chelsea said, eyeing her warily.

    ¡°You are going to be forcing a massive amount of information into your head in a very short amount of time. You will most definitely pass out. Until your mind has digested all the new information, do not use any further skill books.¡± Amara¡¯s advice this time was serious. She¡¯s reached the allotted daily limit for teasing Chelsea, after all.

    ¡°So, pop this bad boy in my mouth, then use the book?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all you have to do.¡± Amara confirmed.

    ¡°Try to relax,¡± Redell said, ¡°It will make it slightly easier.¡±

    Nara palmed the coin again, feeling the grooves on her hand. It had a crest on it, one she did not recognize. Were they minted, like money? Did every country have their own design?

    She placed the coin in her mouth, and it immediately dissolved on her tongue, answering the question of whether or not she needed to chew before she had the chance to think about it. The coin tasted like what she thought battery acid would taste like, her previous comparison surprisingly apt. The acidic, stringent, and stale flavor sent sparks of energy through her, and she suddenly felt incredibly clear-headed and powerful once again.

    ¡°Hurry.¡± Redell insisted, ¡°Before the effect fades. Best not do this twice.¡±

    She placed her hand on the skill book.

    -------

    -You fulfill the requirements to use the skillbook, [The Way of the Traveler]?

    -[Use? Y/N]

    -------

    She mentally assented. The book flung itself open, pages rapidly flipping like a casino dealer shuffling a deck of cards. As it did, tiny words lifted themselves off of the pages, gathering into a large, swirling ball above the book and before Nara.

    With growing horror, Nara realized the book was not, in fact, printed in size 20 font. The font was closer to the low end of the single digits, handwriting crammed to fit every last piece of information and tidbit margin to margin. It looked like her college cheat sheets, when she was allowed to make one for a test; noted contents of an entire year crammed onto a single 8 by 11 sheet of paper.

    The swirling inky ball reached critical mass, so thick with words she could not see Amara and Chelsea sitting across from her.

    Redell gently rubbed her back, and flashed her an apologetic smile.

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    ¡°You¡¯ll get through this. This is all to prepare you for what lies ahead.¡±

    The words shot towards her in a calligraphy torrent, entering through every available inch of skin. Her mouth shot open in a soundless scream. She had no brain, so the direction of entry did not matter. She felt the words crawl through her, her body a medium to access her soul, where they inserted themselves permanently. All of the information within the book flashed through her simultaneously, techniques for battle and variety of other situations she could not yet make sense of.

    She had no brain, but it felt like exploding. Her mind was so full of information she could not possibly process in that moment, overflowed like a water balloon waiting for the slightest prick of grass to burst. Yet simultaneously, she felt as if she had plunged to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the weight of the entire ocean upon her mind.

    Her only reprieve was when she finally passed out.

    *****

    She awoke, eyes cracked open to midday sun. The smell of food tickled her senses. From what she could tell, some sort of hearty, spiced meat. Nara felt that her strange, otherworld journey had been slowly sliding into Eldritch and Lovecraftian territory, with mind-etching magic books and soul-shaping cubes, and tried to shake the thought from her mind. The smell of delicious food certainly helped.

    She groaned, lifting herself off of the couch in the living room. She was back within the main building, moved from the ritual workroom.

    ¡°How long was I out for? It hasn¡¯t been a day or something, has it?¡±

    ¡°Just a few hours. You¡¯re just in time for lunch.¡± Redell said, setting down the book he had taken to while he waited. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°A little stuffy, still. My head is still pounding, and I¡¯m not supposed to have a brain.¡±

    ¡°The soul will replicate physiological functions if it feels it is necessary.¡± Redell said. ¡°How do you think we all sigh? None of us have lungs, either.¡± He thumped his chest to demonstrate their shared physiology.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather my soul didn¡¯t replicate a pounding headache.¡± Nara said flatly.

    ¡°You win some, you lose some,¡± Redell acquiesced. ¡°I like to take in a deep breath every once in a while, even when I don¡¯t need it. It helps to center the mind. Why not give it a shot?¡±

    There was no harm in doing so, so she followed his suggestion. It was easier than she thought it would have been, to replicate breathing in a body with no lungs. She sucked air down, inhaling the savory, spicy aroma, which caused her stomach to rumble, although she had no stomach.

    Redell chuckled, standing. ¡°Let¡¯s get you some food, shall we?¡±

    Nara stood as well. Since her rank up, she no longer had problems physically standing. What caused her issues was her lack of practice combined with her unfamiliarity with a physical body. She had spent so long as a disembodied soul she was not used to it, out of practice in walking in the same way she was apparently out of practice with talking. Ranking up somehow helped with that, like she was an amnesiac who once forgot how to walk only to remember it again.

    Lunch was skewers. Generous cubes of meat had been spiced and grilled to juicy perfection, interposed with slices of vegetables and appropriate fruit. Various dipping sauces were prepared in personal saucers, along with small mounds of sea salt and dry spice mixes. Something like rice was covered in generous portions of a vegetable based sauce created with the juices of the grilled meat.

    ¡°Mm,¡± Nara said, savoring the wild and wonderful flavors of food from an entirely different world. So many new flavors was almost too much stimulation, but she was a gastronomic fiend. On Earth and now on Erras, she would always be a foodie.

    ¡°I could kiss you Laius. This stuff is the catalyst of romance.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    The group finished up; plates similarly emptied as their breakfast meal.

    ¡°Speaking of, can I get fat?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the neat thing,¡± Amara said, ¡°You can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what¡¯s ¡®neat¡¯ about ranking up,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°You mentioned that you have to eat magically infused foods to maintain your body. Is it okay that I¡¯m eating the same food?¡±

    ¡°Laius has been preparing your portion separately.¡± Redell said. ¡°It has considerably less magic, and is safe for you to consume.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Laius, for going out of your way.¡±

    ¡°Good practice,¡± he said simply. ¡°You eat well.¡±

    ¡°Thanks?¡± She wasn¡¯t quite sure what to make of the compliment, but she certainly did like to eat.

    Amara wiped away any stray sauce and crumbs on her mouth, turning to Nara. ¡°Now that you have a whole collection of martial arts to work through, you should decide on a weapon. It will help us tailor the rest of your awakening stones, so it will be an important step.¡±

    For some reason, her mind turned to the strange gem she had received back in the astral, from the Reaper¡¯s proxy.

    Magic was mostly instinctual. Even without her Guide, she would have been able to roughly understand what an essence was and what it did when she touched it, as far as she understood what a ¡®manifested essence of water¡¯ was. This was true of the skill book as well, which she had known how to activate without being taught.

    So, when Nara¡¯s perception turned within her, to her inventory space within her Astral Domain, she knew what that black gem was.

    ¡°Actually, I have a weapon.¡±

    The plates were cleared away, levitated away with some sort of magic, then instantly cleaned with the same miraculous water that had rid her of that foul gunk.

    They sat down at the lounge beside the dining table, the one that Nara had just woken from. She had not removed anything from her inventory, but she instinctually knew how. The tips of her fingers briefly shimmered, indistinct and hazy as it passed through a dimensional boundary of reality and astral.

    She could pluck items directly out of the air like Redell, but she was being a bit extra. This was her, original, personal magic. Others had many like it, but this was hers.

    She plucked the gemstone from her inventory, her turn to set an object upon a table.

    <hr>

    Item: [Nirvana] (Iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon

    A weapon forged from the Astral and transfigured by the Reaper. Fear not death but a life unlived.

    This item is bound to [Nara Edea] and cannot be used by anyone else. This bond allows the weapon to share the wielder¡¯s ability to ignore rank disparity.

    Effect: You may invoke all effects of a conjured weapon into this blade for the normal mana cost of conjuring the weapon. Only one weapon¡¯s effects may be invoked at a time.

    Effect: This weapon deals increased damage for each instance of a boon on the wielder, up to a limit determined by rank.

    Effect: The wielder gains increased resistance to dispel effects.

    Effect (Iron): This weapon has no specific form unless it is given a form. Current forms available: Staff, Bow, Sword. This weapon can take the form of an accessory when not in active use. Can transform into other forms with no bonuses. When transformed into other forms, cannot invoke the effects of a conjured weapon.

    <ul>

    <li>[Sword]: Minor [Power] bonus.</li>

    <li>[Staff]: Minor Increase to damage resistance.</li>

    <li>[Bow]: Minor [Speed] bonus.</li>

    </ul>

    <hr>

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a lie that you saw the Reaper¡¯s vessel then,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°Did you think I lied?¡± Nara asked, out of curiosity rather than offense. Her own story sounded ridiculous, even to her. Her fragmented memories, and partial consciousness of the time she spent in the astral caused a dream-like fog over the whole experience. Only the brightest memories punctured the memory fog like a guiding beam in an unrelenting maze of grey.

    ¡°No,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°We can tell when you¡¯re lying. We can see it in your aura. But, you could believe something to be false, and we wouldn¡¯t know if it was a lie or not. As always, you need to use your judgement.¡±

    So, Nara learned that auras could be read for lies. But, it only reflected if the person in question knew it was a lie. It was another lesson from Chelsea, even if she didn¡¯t know what to do with it yet. Still, any new information was important.

    It told Nara that lying to higher rankers was probably pointless or difficult. She didn¡¯t know enough to draw a definitive conclusion either way.

 Chapter 11: Something I Can Work With

    Chapter 11: Something I Can Work With

    ¡°These are the three options then¡ªsword, staff and bow.¡± Amara observed.

    ¡°For now.¡± Chelsea said. ¡°I have no doubt a shape changing weapon is going to have more shapes as it ranks up. That much is obvious.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a preference for one?¡± Amara asked.

    ¡°To be honest I haven¡¯t used any of them in my life. I¡¯ve never picked up a weapon before in my life, besides a knife to cook. Does that count?¡±

    ¡°To Laius it might. To us, it doesn¡¯t,¡± Chelsea said.

    ¡°For a beginner,¡± Amara said, ¡°The sword will be the easiest.¡±

    ¡°Will it really?¡±

    That didn¡¯t make any sense to Nara. Shouldn¡¯t a bow be the easiest? Warfare on Earth had bows as the superior weapon for much of human history. The Mongolians had dominated central Asia with their horseback archery. Projectile weapons, such as trebuchets, were superior siege weapons.

    ¡°You have to learn to aim with a bow.¡± Amara said. ¡°Then try to hit a moving target. That takes skill. To add to that, you will be moving as well. With a sword¡­¡± Amara grabbed an imaginary hilt, and stabbed downwards, ¡°¡­you can just attack. A blade is very lethal, and most enemies at iron rank are still physically delicate.¡±

    ¡°The staff is useful, but you¡¯ll have to use considerably more power to try to strike a lethal blow.¡± Amara continued, ¡°A bat or a cudgel would have been easier, but you aren¡¯t the type that seems inclined to physical power. A spear would have been the easiest, but I think it¡¯s best to utilize the advantages the weapon provides.¡±

    ¡°I guess I can agree with that assessment,¡± Nara said. Her body was on the slim side. By slim, she meant not strong and of healthy but unimpressive fitness. She was slightly taller than average for women of Earth, at 5 foot 7 inches (170 cm), but had never worked to build muscle. ¡°Sword it is.¡±

    ¡°You will, of course, master all of your weapon forms.¡± Amara said.

    ¡°Right. Sure.¡± Nara said, holding back her sarcasm against Amara, who meant well.

    She highly doubted that she could. For herself, she¡¯d set the bar on the ground, and gingerly step over it and consider the endeavor a success.

    Amara¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°You will be shocked on just how much a skill book helps.¡± She eagerly gestured to the black gem. ¡°Try transforming it into the sword.¡±

    With a thought, Nara transformed the weapon into its sword form. It took a form similar to a Japanese chokuto, but doubled edge. It was a straight, light, and elegant blade, and a bit on the short side¡ªeasily wielded with one hand. Tilting the blade, stars reflected off of the cool night-black metal, and almost imperceptible silver designs shimmered like Damascus. The handle was wrapped with silver handle cord.

    The hilt fit perfectly in her hand, as if it had been specifically molded for it. She balanced the sword, gauging its weight. It was on the lighter side, but still made of metal¡ªat least, it looked like metal. The weight felt right in an indescribable way. It was like an expert had shaped it for her, knowing what she wanted and needed when she hadn¡¯t known herself.

    When she released the sword, it transformed into a small tear drop earring, settling beneath her ear. When she turned her head, the gem floated gently, unaffected by gravity.

    Without realizing it, a smile had crept onto Nara¡¯s face from the wonderous transformations. It was all very magical. She had spent a long time in the astral, wandering, but none of it felt like real magic¡ªmore dreamlike and feverish, as if she was never quite conscious. This felt more real. Which sounded crazy even to Nara, since magic hadn¡¯t been a part of the first 23 years of her life.

    Her eyes met Amara¡¯s and the warrior flashed an energetic grin, reciprocating her excitement.

    ¡°Now, that¡¯s something I can work with.¡±

    *****

    ¡°I know that¡¯s what I said, but the first thing we have to do is work on basic movement abilities.¡±

    Before her eyes, wood and stone was shaped into a parkour course. It was even more intense than something like Ninja Warrior¡ªfar more verticality, with holes and loops, crisscrossing platforms, poles, and tall steps like the logs martial artists in movies trained on. It was a complex, almost labyrinthic playground of wood and stone.

    ¡°We¡¯ll start basic,¡± said Amara. ¡°Laius and I will oversee your combat and movement techniques. Go ahead and activate that Phase Shift ability you¡¯ve awakened.

    Nara nodded, and did so. She instinctually knew how¡ªthat was the benefit of essence abilities. The know-how was part of what you awakened. She activated the ability, and immediately felt the overwhelming drain of mana, emptying her mana pool out in a few seconds of use. At an extreme mana cost per second, it wasn¡¯t something she could use for more than 4 seconds, solidly landing it in the ¡®trump card¡¯ tier of abilities. In practical battle, she shouldn¡¯t be using it for more than a single second at a time. Thankfully, she didn¡¯t phase through the floor. It appeared an unsaid effect was the ability to control what she phased through. She¡¯d have to remember that the results of her Guide weren¡¯t all-inclusive.

    Before she deactivated her ability, Amara flung out a fist. It unleashed a roar of thunder, gouging out the earth in a deep uneven gash. Behind her, trees were annihilated, reduced to smoldering and crackling stumps.

    She ended her ability and stumbled to the ground from both mana exhaustion and shock. Her head turned, drawn to the unbelievable destruction just behind her. Even the ground she sat on was carved out, dusty and blackened.

    But before her very eyes, the grounds began to repair themselves, like magic.

    ¡°Chelsea won¡¯t be happy,¡± Laius said at the resulting carnage of splintered wood and forest devastation.

    Amara glanced at the now ruined tree line, ¡°That¡¯s not too hard to fix.¡±

    ¡°She won¡¯t be happy,¡± he repeated.

    Amara cleared her throat, awkward. ¡°Good news. You¡¯re invulnerable. Bad news, you¡¯ll need to be on top of it or you¡¯ll run out of mana and be left a sitting duck.¡±

    Laius extended his arm, handing her a bottle of deep blue liquid.

    -------

    Item: [Mana Potion] (iron rank, epic)

    Classification: consumable, potion

    A high-quality mana potion brewed by Laius Sotir, who places great importance on taste. Tastes like blueberries.

    Effect: Rapidly recovers mana.

    -Consuming additional potions before the lingering effects of a potion have worn off will trigger potion toxicity.

    -------

    Reading the description, she popped the cap and downed the potion.

    ¡°Huh. Tastes more like blueberry flavored milk, I think. Surprisingly delicious.¡±

    She hadn¡¯t had flavored milk aside from chocolate milk, as far as she could remember. Memory was none all to reliable at the moment; she didn¡¯t put much stock into her ability to recall details.

    Upon drinking it, her mana gradually recovered. It was a combination of a burst of mana and a continuous regenerative effect. Since she had expended large amounts of mana, the effect of her aura had also triggered, granting her instances of Integrity. Since she had gotten her aura ability, whatever that meant for her, she hadn¡¯t really felt its effects. As far as she could tell, boons were buffs. When her mana was used, it triggered, and she gained several boons in return. It offered a recovery effect for health, stamina, and mana, refilling her mana along with the potion. It was nowhere near the potency of the potion, but it did contribute something. She didn¡¯t know what potion toxicity was, but assuming she couldn¡¯t drink consecutive potions, then a regenerative effect was useful.

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    ¡°You¡¯re all recovered now?¡± Amara said. She offered her hand, and helped Nara to her feet. ¡°Try out your other active ability. Cosmic Path.¡±

    She did, and a patch of night sky manifested. It was like a painted swath of the cosmos manifested beneath her feet. Looking down, she felt as if she was standing on an invisible pane of glass, gazing down into deep space. As she moved quicker, the path slightly elongated, forming a slight trail. Movement caused the view of space to shift, as if she was truly looking into boundless space.

    ¡°Try running,¡± Amara instructed. Nara thought she sounded a bit like a game tutorial.

    She did, at first, clumsily. It was like running in her dreams, uncoordinated and uneven from her internment as a bodiless specter in the astral, but she kept at it. The magical repair and reshaping of her body providing physical support where she once had none, and her mind began to remember how it had run long ago, back on Earth.

    Information flashed through her mind¡ªtechniques from the skill book. She shifted her running posture, matching the information the book provided. She wasn¡¯t a professional runner, but now her posture resembled such. She had trouble maintaining it, fighting between habit, residual clumsiness, and new technique implanted through magic.

    She activated the speed enhancement portion of the ability¡ªthe ability didn¡¯t just make her shadow Starry Night by Van Gogh. She felt her maximum run speed increase, and even her reaction speed sharpened. It wasn¡¯t by much, but she was faster than before.

    ¡°Next¡­¡± she said out loud, her face glowing with anticipating, ¡°¡­is the weight decrease function!¡±

    She jumped, and she launched into the air as if her gravity had shifted to that of the moon¡¯s. For an exhilarating moment, she felt suspended and weightless. The Cosmic Path still followed beneath her feet, a shadow cast on air.

    Her air control was tenuous. She failed her arms as she began to slowly descend from the sky, tilting back and forth precariously with nothing to hold on to. Her feet touched down, tipping forward with her momentum. She fell, hands planted onto the grassy ground.

    ¡°Wow!¡± Nara exclaimed, breathless, ¡°I¡¯m feeling the magic now! Not as if I hadn¡¯t been already. But now, for sure, I¡¯m feeling it!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think shifting your body into an alternate dimension to avoid all damage was more magical?¡± Amara said.

    ¡°Huh. Well that¡¯s just so outside the norm of my common sense that it didn¡¯t really register. And it didn¡¯t come with all the fancy visual effects.¡±

    *****

    ¡°The Way of the Traveler is split into six main styles.¡± Amara said, the crystalline drawing board was now outside. They hadn¡¯t physically moved it there; they had stored it in some dimensional pocket then walked outside. Nara was looking forward to never having to inconvenience a friend to move furniture down a flight of stairs in exchange for restaurant ramen.

    ¡°The Way of the Seeker, The Way of the Dancer, The Way of the Hunter, The Way of the Charlatan, The Way of the Envoy, and The Way of the Pugilist,¡± Nara recited from the newly implanted information.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Amara nodded. ¡°The Way of the Seeker is focused on movement techniques for both top speed and for navigating complex environments.¡±

    ¡°It says ¡®For chasing, and for running. There is no further traveling at the end of the road¡¯.¡± Nara read out from the book within her mind.

    ¡°Advice I agree with,¡± Amara said. ¡°No warrior survives without retreat. What I want you to do is choose two additional styles to focus on, on top of The Way of the Seeker. You¡¯ll eventually integrate all of them into your main fighting style, but first you need to build a base. The less complexity, the better.¡±

    ¡°Just choose two?¡±

    ¡°Whatever suits stands out to you at first glance.¡± Amara said. ¡°Don¡¯t think too hard about it. Let instinct lead the way.¡±

    Nara wasn¡¯t the instinctual type, but she followed Amara¡¯s instructions. She examined the skill book once again.

    <hr>

    Item: [The Way of the Traveler] (bronze, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, Skill Book

    A comprehensive guide of combat and other techniques for an avid traveler, made by an experienced traveler of the cosmos.

    [Way of the Seeker]: Quick and agile, focused on mobility in any terrain. For chasing, and for running. There is no further traveling at the end of the road.

    [Way of the Dancer]: Flowing and adaptive, capable of shifting from light to heavy, focused on smoothly receiving and returning attacks to bring out the fullest capabilities against multiple opponents, or dancing around a single opponent.

    [Way of the Hunter]: Stealthy and elusive, focused on identifying weak points and inflicting debilitating strikes to finish the opponent or to gain the advantage.

    [Way of the Charlatan]: Tricky and unconventional, shifting through ranges, weapons, and methods. Focused on deception for humanoid opponents or intelligent monsters.

    [Way of the Envoy]: Defensive and perceptive, a form focused on reading the opponent, understanding their abilities, countering, then seizing the moment. Useful for both difficult opponents and unconventional monsters.

    [Way of the Pugilist]: Aggressive and powerful, a form focused on unrelenting attacks when high pressure is needed.

    <hr>

    ¡°Dancer and Hunter then?¡± Nara suggested.

    ¡°What are your reasons?¡± Amara asked.

    ¡°¡­You just said to use instinct.¡±

    ¡°I did. But now think on why you chose those two.¡±

    She thought for a moment. She may not have had specific memories, but she felt she had a decent grasp of her own personality. That itself hadn¡¯t faded.

    ¡°I¡¯m not very good at deception, and I don¡¯t like the idea of going on the defensive for an extended period of time, and I¡¯m not that aggressive. Process of elimination.¡±

    Amara gave no indication that she was satisfied or unsatisfied with her answer. Whatever her answer had been, Amara would be able to teach her. She wasn¡¯t teaching her advanced techniques, rather the basics of movement and combat. Nara would be teaching herself how to fight through the skill book and later arrangements.

    ¡°Climb onto those platforms, and we¡¯ll begin.¡±

    They started with basic parkour. Nara hadn¡¯t done parkour before, and her first day was largely disastrous. She misjudged ledges, slamming her face into the hard platforms. Her hands slipped when she grasped poles traveling at too high of a speed. She also wrestled with her fear and nervousness, pushing herself to sprint across platforms and launch herself was just not something she had been able to do yet, as someone that feared breaking her teeth on playground equipment even as a kid and having to spend a day at the dentist getting her new buck teeth filled in.

    Her aura proved useful. Integrity stacked as she tired and bruised herself, restoring her stamina and mana and slowly healing her minor injuries. It was slow, but a magical sight that boosted Nara¡¯s confidence. Scrapes and bruises that took days and weeks to heal fixed themselves up in hours instead. Any serious injury, Redell fixed. The equipment and grounds had enchantments to prevent Nara from accidentally killing herself, but Amara insisted they didn¡¯t reduce all the damage she could take. Knowing which maneuvers were dangerous and to what extent, how to mitigate that damage, and how quickly she could recover from certain damage was part of the learning process. This learning was more subconscious than active, like gradually remembering the cooldowns of abilities in video games when turning off the UI.

    It was slow progress, but she persisted, techniques from the Way of the Seeker called up from her mind as she needed them. By the end of the day, she had already made marked improvement. The assistance of magic and instant knowledge made her learning more efficient.

    ¡°Remember this: Skill books are shortcuts.¡± Amara said, as Nara panted with hands on her knees. ¡°They are useful shortcuts, especially for an outworlder that needs to catch up. In fact, all essence magic is a shortcut,¡± Amara said. ¡°It¡¯s my personal belief that there is no essence magic that cannot be replicated with ritual magic.¡±

    ¡°Is that your aspiration?¡±

    Amara chuckled. ¡°It is not. My passion is to create useful magic and artifacts for everyday life. I style myself an inventor, who dabbles in various fields to complete my projects.¡±

    ¡°Inventor-warrior.¡±

    Amara grinned proudly. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°What was the magic that I used to create a body for myself then? I know it was some sort of astral to physical matter conversion ritual.¡±

    ¡°I want to create a ritual that can create any material from the astral. Right now, those that are crafters, especially at the middle ranks, can struggle to practice their skills since they need to purchase expensive materials. If we can produce materials with ritual magic, we may surpass this issue.¡±

    ¡°That sounds amazing.¡±

    To Nara it was, genuinely. Amara was creating magic to convert energy into matter, if magic was considered a type of energy. Something that Earth can only do on an atomic scale, in highly controlled experiments.

    ¡°One day, when it is completed,¡± Amara said. ¡°For now, the costs of the ritual is more than the material it produces. Each ritual needs to be configured for a specific material, and the ritual itself is highly advanced astral magic. It¡¯s not something many can cast, even if the ritual was cheaper.¡± Amara peered at Nara, ¡°Which is why it was highly unusual you could change my ritual. The formula should not have produced an outworlder body.¡±

    ¡°What was it supposed to produce?¡±

    ¡°It was my first experiment to produce a plant, an herb for alchemy called Loftia.¡±

    Nara thought back to one of her racial abilities, Astral Domain. She hadn¡¯t had the time to explore any of her racial abilities, but that was one of the ones she understood the least. She had barely touched upon its full capabilities. In the astral, she had called it her holorealm. But, according to the ability description, she could create physical reality.

    She had some instinctual sense of what she could or could not create. Like abilities, it wasn¡¯t complete knowledge, still requiring trial and error. It was limited by her rank, for one. The other, she could only physically create objects she understood, intimately. Even the Record of objects stored in her Archive was not enough, although those records may serve Amara well in her endeavor.

    There was some physical matter Nara understood well enough to create, like oxygen and water. And apparently, to her surprise, spirit coins.

    She didn¡¯t need her STEM college degree to understand the structure of water. That was something taught in basic chemistry, although its properties had been expanded in higher level sciences inadvertently. A memory came back to her¡­she had taken a class on quantum physics, just once. She didn¡¯t remember most of it afterwards on Earth, but now her memory was in a strange state of forgotten yet clear. Those bits she fished out of the depths were as real as a fish flopping on a wooden pier. Not to mention, her Guide ability showed her information, as long as she knew how and what to ask it. Was her Guide and its functions a result to compensate for her poor memory, her own desire to remember what was forgotten?

    She cupped her palms together, closed her eyes, and focused. She pulled magic from her astral domain, using her body as a channel for the magic. It was a delicate process¡ªpull too much and her body would be damaged, but her body had a high resistance to the astral and its forces. Her soul was shaped by her experiences, and her body benefited. She had room for learning and mistakes.

    A pool of clear water rose from within her palms, seeping through her fingers and dripping onto the ground.

    Amara stared, mesmerized as astral magic coalesced into permanent physical matter.

    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Nara hesitantly offered, ¡°I can help you as much as all of you are helping me.¡±

 Chapter 12: Easy to Impress

    Chapter 12: Easy to Impress

    ¡°This is my experiment workshop.¡±

    After Nara¡¯s first bout of parkour training, Amara led Nara into another building on the compound, which was close in proximity to the ritual workshop.

    It had similar freestanding tools and long workbenches to the ritual workshop, but it did have many more tools than the ritual workshop. Crystal drawing boards formed a semicircle on the far side of the room, covered in neat notes, diagrams, and equations. Bookshelves lined the far end of the room, away from the workbenches. As Nara gazed past their titles, they were automatically recorded in her Archive. She picked out a few of the titles: Fundamentals of Artifice, Elemental Materials and their Enhancement Effects, Common Materials and their Uncommon Uses, Advanced Astral Magic Theory, and Utilizing Ambient Magic to Reduce Ritual Costs.

    Nara absentmindedly thought that she was turning into a library. Her mind couldn¡¯t remember it all, but she now had her soul¡¯s ability to do it for her. She¡¯d still need to read the books¡ªthey hadn¡¯t been downloaded into her mind like the skill book. They were just there in her mental library, waiting to be checked out when she had the time or the ability to understand them.

    Nara was aware the capabilities of her Guide seemed extreme, even for magic, but she wondered if it¡¯s capabilities had been in part enhanced by another racial ability of hers, the Astral Domain, formerly known as the holorealm. She had a ¡®realm¡¯ of sorts that could store not only physical objects and herself, but also information, and her Guide appeared to integrate that function.

    ¡°The ritual workshop is intended for general use,¡± Amara said as she showed Nara around the workshop. ¡°Many crafts require rituals, and not just my experiments. If I didn¡¯t have my own workshop, I would constantly occupy the shared ritual workshop.¡±

    The two moved to sit in comfortable chairs next to the bookshelves.

    ¡°My Guide ability has this Archive function,¡± Nara explained. ¡°Pretty much anything I set eyes upon has an entry in my Archive, if I can recognize it as an object. Doesn¡¯t work on things like the water and air, for example, but it would for a bottle of water, and the mana potion Laius gave me. And some other things have identification blocking I can¡¯t see. I¡¯ve noticed, as part of the Record that¡¯s recorded, it includes a blueprint for the object. I can¡¯t create anything beyond my rank, and even the blueprint isn¡¯t enough for me to replicate it for reality. But maybe you can make use of it. How do you adjust the ritual for what material you are trying to create?¡±

    ¡°I use devices and rituals to analyze the item in question, then start a trial and error process where I gradually adjust the ritual to produce the item,¡± Amara said. ¡°If the ritual isn¡¯t perfect, all that¡¯s produced is rainbow smoke.¡±

    ¡°Rainbow smoke?¡±

    ¡°When magical material dematerializes, it forms rainbow smoke. After you kill a monster for the first time, you¡¯ll experience it.¡±

    She didn¡¯t like how Amara said that: experience.

    ¡°Monsters are made of magic?¡±

    ¡°There one of the phenomena of magical manifestations, alongside essences, awakening stones, and quintessence.¡± Amara next words were laughing, as if she knew Nara would be unable to follow it, ¡°I¡¯ll advise you now¡ªdo not smell the smoke.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t say you didn¡¯t warn me.¡±

    Amara handed Nara a stone material. It was crystalline and refractory, sending prismatic light across the room as it was illuminated by light. The thin crystals grew in a spiral shape, like a succulent plant following the Fibonacci sequence.

    -------

    Item: [Prismatic Quartz] (bronze rank, epic)

    Classification: Material, mineral

    A sparkling quartz with refractive properties. Often used as a crafting or ritual material.

    -[Record] of [Prismatic Quartz] has been added to the [Archive].

    -------

    ¡°This is one of those rare materials you mentions?¡±

    ¡°It is. You have the blueprint now?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡±

    Nara called up the entry in her Archive for the Prismatic Quartz. Her Archive was sorted by classifications¡ªObjects, Equipment, Books, Rituals, and others. She could change the organization with just a thought, or recall whatever she actively thought about. It was her own database, designed by a hand much more adept at user-interfaces and readability than she was. She wondered if that was a reflection of the instinctual nature of magic.

    ¡°The blueprint comes in many different forms,¡± Nara explained, learning about her own ability as she demonstrated it for Amara. ¡°There¡¯s this one, which looks like a ritual circle.¡± She displayed the circle to Amara. ¡°¡­and this one, which I can¡¯t really read, even with my translation ability. The final one is more like a structural blueprint.¡±

    It was some sort of symbolic language. When she tried to read it, her vision began to blur, and her head pounded. It felt like she was accessing knowledge she wasn¡¯t equipped to handle, and something she shouldn¡¯t be seeing. If magic was telling her through a magic-induced migraine that she wasn¡¯t ready for the Lovecraftian rune recipe, she was going to listen. She moved on from the rune-based blueprint as quickly as possible, although Amara herself had seemed unphased, indicative of her high level of knowledge and capability.

    The last version was physical and scientific. It was a combination of physical  and chemical structure diagrams. The three blueprints reflected magic, science, and one other thing that Nara didn¡¯t yet understand.

    The available blueprints were likely a result of her own experiences. She had encountered ritual magic before, and she¡¯d seen structural blueprints of a variety of types¡ªchemical, architectural, engineering, machining, and so on. She couldn¡¯t effectively leverage what her ability provided for her, but maybe Amara could.

    ¡°This final one is based on information from your world?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d appear to be the case, but I have no idea how it handles the magic component of magic materials. Maybe all three blueprints need to be used simultaneously, or maybe they all contain the full information but in different digestible forms.¡±

    Amara stared thoughtfully at the three screens before her. If she felt the same nauseating reaction at the second, symbolic blueprint, she made no show of it, nor mentioned it. She walked back to her worktables, and picked up a small crystal. The crystal levitated in her hand, then emitted three weak bursts of magic and light.

    ¡°This is an image crystal,¡± Amara explained. ¡°We can use it to capture the image of something, then reproduce it onto another material, such as paper. Not as easy controllable as the equivalent ability, however. I¡¯ll need to alter and trim the images to fit my purposes.¡±

    Amara let Nara inspect a few more magical materials, ranging from normal rank to gold rank.

    ¡°Crafters can usually work with a tier above them,¡± Amara explained as they progressed through materials. ¡°Silver rank is considered the wall of progress, where the time it takes to reach the next rank, gold, is exponentially longer than the previous two ranks. High rank crafting abilities would provide a welcome challenge to push abilities further, faster. For an adventurer, they do the same, fighting monsters a rank above them.¡±

    Nara had read her fair share of cultivation novels thanks to her mixed heritage, so this was a concept she understood well. Progress becomes more difficult the further you are along towards each rank, with the most noticeable decrease in progress a little before the halfway mark, then further decrease towards the next ceiling.

    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Fighting the next stage of enemy while beneath them, such as from Body Refining to Golden Core, was a common trope in martial arts cultivation fiction. That this was her new reality was a bit harder to grasp. She was learning fast thanks to a stimulant shot of knowledge straight into her soul, but she was just barely scratching the surface of normal human capability. Fighting monsters was still the stuff of fiction.

    Amara sensed Nara¡¯s apprehension over the mention of monsters once again.

    She smiled warmly, ¡°But that is a ways away for you. Do not fret.¡±

    *****

    After her discussion with Amara, Nara met with Redell outside, sitting in on the grass next to a shady gazebo.

    She found that she liked to spend time outside, a new development for someone who was a couch warmer. It wasn¡¯t that she ever disliked nature, but that she disliked driving to it in the vast blacktop jungle purgatory that America had constructed for itself. Combined with her long meandering through unreality, the sensation of nature brought her great comfort. It grounded her.

    ¡°You say I¡¯ve been speaking weird?¡± Nara asked curiously, ¡°What does that even mean?¡±

    ¡°You are speaking with your soul,¡± Redell said, ¡°Which is bound to grab attention from those that can tell.¡± His eyes seem to grasp more than just what her expression showed, ¡°I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t want to stand out?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been one for the limelight. Aside from the occasional talent show in high school. Never one to win first prize; I¡¯m not cut from that premier cloth.¡±

    His brows scrunched in thought as Nara¡¯s translation ability did its best to communicate her meaning.

    ¡°It is something I¡¯d like to discuss with you later, for a personal project, but first, let us try to remedy your method of speaking.¡±

    ¡°If I don¡¯t have internal organs and such, how am I supposed to speak? Other than¡­¡± she gestured to herself in confusion, ¡°Whatever I¡¯m doing now?¡±

    ¡°You use magic, like everyone else,¡± Redell said. ¡°Like all of us here at the compound. Now, try to sense the magic within you. You should have an intrinsic sense of it. Ever since you¡¯ve absorbed your essences, you¡¯ve fundamentally changed into an intrinsically magical being.¡±

    Nara did her best, focusing her senses. It was there, that same, energizing energy within her body. She could feel a tiny but steady trickle of it provided to her from beyond reality, as Redell had mentioned previously. The barest trickle was also consumed by her body to maintain its function¡ªlife.

    ¡°Your body already automatically utilizes mana to preserve itself,¡± Redell explained. ¡°All you need to do is use that mana for another function¡ªto speak. The ability to speak has been reconstructed as a part of your body to match the abilities your soul thinks you should have. You should be able to do it, vocal chords or otherwise,¡± he said, tapping on his throat in a reminder to her that he had none for himself.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that going to increase consumption? Like how running increases calorie consumption?¡±

    ¡°Calorie...? I¡¯m not quite sure what you mean but it does increase the rate of mana consumption. Compared to magic abilities and the magic that sustains the life of your body, the magic required to speak is but a droplet in a massive sea. Right now, you are using your soul as a medium to speak. There is a time and a place for that, but not for ordinary words.¡±

    ¡°For ordinary words, we use ordinary magic?¡± Nara said, in internal wonder over the absurdity of the statement. Since when has magic ever been ordinary?

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Redell said, his eyes glittering with amusement, ¡°Even if you aren¡¯t convinced that magic is ordinary.¡±

    She narrowed his eyes at him.

    ¡°Can you read my mind?¡±

    ¡°Nobody can read minds, dear,¡± Redell said. ¡°You just aren¡¯t particularly hard to read.¡±

    ¡°I was told once that I had an expressionless face,¡± Nara said, bringing her hands up to touch her expression, ¡°You don¡¯t think so?¡¯

    ¡°I think are very expressive with those you are comfortable around.¡±

    ¡°After just a single day? I¡¯m damn easy.¡± Nara said, exaggeratedly sighing with a mournful expression.

    ¡°Now, now. Let¡¯s focus. Give it your best attempt.¡±

    After a while, their practice session ending. Nara didn¡¯t think that she¡¯d have speech lessons in another world at her age, but here she was.

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten the hang of it quite quickly.¡± Redell remarked. ¡°But you tend to slip into soul-speak when you lose focus.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re calling it soul-speak?¡±

    ¡°Unsatisfied? I can try to think of another name. I make no guarantees on an improvement. Hm¡­something already comes to mind¡­¡±

    Nara recalled his incessant suggestions of puns for her own name.

    ¡°No¡­soul-speak is fine.

    ¡°Are you sure? I think I have some other ideas¡ª¡±

    ¡°I insist. I like it. So, what was that personal project you mentioned about? Amara spoke to me a bit about hers,¡± Nara said, quickly changing the topic before he could suggest something like ego evocation or mystic musing.

    ¡°I¡¯m a bit of a musician,¡± Redell said, starting off his explanation by conjuring an instrument within his hands. It looked a bit like a guitar, but the sound was deeper and more resonating. The tuning pegs at the head of the guitar were not there, instead replaced with small, flat disks at the top of the strings. The strings were made of a clear, gleaming material, like diamonds pulled into a flexible string. He strummed the almost-guitar a few times, then touched the buttons to tune it with routine familiarity.

    ¡°What does that have to do with souls-speak?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°I hope to use music as a medium to communicate with the soul,¡± Redell said.

    ¡°What for?¡±

    ¡°You have not encountered them yet, but there are an array of afflictions and unusual circumstances that can affect the soul. For mental healing and soul trauma, but also for more malevolent forces. If the soul can be communed with, more directly, then it may be another path forward to treating these conditions. You do present an interesting subject, as one that has spent more time as a soul in the astral, than as a person in physical reality.¡±

    Redell played a soothing song on his guitar, both uplifting and relaxing. It was full of the joy for life that he himself embodied, rich and hopeful.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always romanticized that music can touch the soul. Maybe, I can make that a bit more literal than figurative.¡±

    ¡°One other thing, Redell,¡± Nara said, interrupting her practice with a question for the gentle giant.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Do you have an instrument I could learn to play? I have the feeling that I used to play an instrument myself. I can¡¯t remember what specific one, and the instruments of my world and this one aren¡¯t the same anyway.¡±

    Redell grinned, ¡°I am graced with the birth of a new musician. I have to say I¡¯m honored.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hardly a new musician if I was one previously.¡±

    ¡°The impetus of a new era of musical learning. Re-embracing a joy once thought lost,¡± He wiped a dramatic fake tear from an eye. ¡°It stirs my heart of passion.¡±

    ¡°Redell¡­¡±

    He held is hands up impishly. One by one, he conjured up different instruments. He played a short song on each, demonstrating the technique to play and to give Nara a sense of their musical timbre.

    ¡°Go on and try them all. See which one calls out to you.¡±

    She did, picking up a few to blow, buzz, strum, pick, tap, press, bow, and pluck. Some were too large and unwieldy, others too simplistic for her taste. She finally found an instrument that did call out to her, a lute of rich wood, lacquered dark green. It was detailed with trees, leaves, moss, and vines in swirling delicate gold designs. It conjured images of a deep, shaded forest in summer, like the awe-inspiring and storied redwood forest, their size evidence of ages past. The musical instruments in Redell¡¯s possession were awfully elaborate; they were all custom pieces.

    ¡°The lute, that¡¯s a nice choice,¡± Redell nodded. ¡°I recall my own day of traveling. Breaking out in song with strangers on the road. Once you enjoy a song together, strangers become friends.¡±

    ¡°This is your lute? I don¡¯t want to take something full of memories.¡± Nara said, pushing the lute back towards Redell.

    He laughed, merry and hearty.

    ¡°Every one of these is an old instrument of mine.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve learnt all of them?¡± Nara said with surprise.

    ¡°One of the many benefits of ranking up is an extended lifespan,¡± Redell said. ¡°I could not choose just one to master, so I mastered them all.¡±

    ¡°Or, jack of all trades, master of none?¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t yet convinced? I¡¯ll do my best to change your mind so much so that you may grow sick of me.¡±

    ¡°I was convinced long ago. I¡¯m easy to impress.¡±

    *****

    With a moment to herself, Nara recalled that she had received another item on top of Nirvana, her new trusty shapeshifting weapon. It was the second item The Reaper had given her, a plaque that fit within her palm.

    -------

    Item: [Astral Boundary Gate] (transcendent rank, unavailable)

    Classification: ???, Consumable

    Effect: Interfere with the boundary between reality and the astral on a single world by accessing a realm with a gate that manifests the properties of this dimensional divide.

    ???

    Uses: 1/1

    -[Use? Y/N]

    -------

    ¡°What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?¡±

    She roughly, sort of, understood what the plaque did, in the same way someone could describe satellite communication and she¡¯d understand the phenomena but not it¡¯s underlying fundamentals.

    The Reaper had said that The Weaver of Dreams had overstepped its authority. Her memories of the astral were fuzzy, as if looking through frosted windows, but she did remember that conversation. It was one of the few she had had with a real person.

    The impulsive push-buttons-and-see-what-happens part of her was tempted to immediately use it, but she suspected it was intended for Earth, and not for Erras. What world she arrived in was up to chance; the only constant was that she was from Earth, unless those beings somehow knew what world she¡¯d end up in. However, she didn¡¯t put precognition and clairvoyance beyond magical beings of indeterminate and immeasurable power.

    It seemed this was one of those end-game items that heroes received at the start of their journey, unaware of how it¡¯d be used until the very end. She didn¡¯t want Earth to be Endgame; they already had a movie for that.

    That did mean that there was an expectation by others that she would return to Earth, somehow. At the very least, that expectation was reassuring. If they expected it, they could have at least provided her with a way back. Was that too small of an issue for great being to care for? She had to work up her own transportation? Least they could do is reimburse her, but maybe that¡¯s what Nirvana was. Her¡­compensation.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to go back to Earth immediately now that I¡¯m here on a god damn magical world, but if I could call an interdimensional Uber when I¡¯m ready that would have been nice. Too convenient for you lot? I suppose you can¡¯t be at my beck and call, the puny, formerly nameless wandering soul.¡±

    She took one final look at the plaque. It had an imposing heft to it¡ªit felt important.

    ¡°This is a plot point for later then,¡± she said. She stowed the plaque. If she kept looking at it, she¡¯d be too tempted to use it.

 Chapter 13: Like a Witcher

    Chapter 13: Like a Witcher

    The schedule was such¡ªbasic training in the morning, before and after breakfast. Free time after lunch, then aura and mental training in the evening. She didn¡¯t know what aura and mental training entailed but it was no different than any university schedule in many ways. Did she ever truly understand electromagnetism even after taking a class on it? No, that was Earth¡¯s own brand of magic, and she was a muggle.

    ¡°Why is there free time in the afternoon?¡± Nara asked after reading the schedule. ¡°Isn¡¯t it better if I¡¯m training then too?¡±

    ¡°You will be, in the future,¡± Amara said. ¡°There is a reputable adventurer education institution a distance from here. They have classes you can sign up for and attend. More importantly¡ªthose to spar with at your rank and skill level. We can teach you much, but a peer of your rank will help you improve in ways we cannot.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll portal me over in the afternoon?¡± Nara never would have thought she would commute to school with a portal.

    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Amara said. ¡°I¡¯ve been analyzing the capabilities of your racial abilities, and I was curious of whether you can accomplish something. If you can, that will be the schedule we shall adopt.¡±

    Nara scratched her head awkwardly, ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡­but what exactly is it that adventurers do?¡±

    Amara looked taken aback, for just a moment, before she composed herself again, ¡°That completely slipped my mind. Does your world have no adventurers?¡±

    Nara decided not to conflate video game and novel adventurers when she was seeking a clear answer.

    ¡°Not in this day and age. Long ago, we had explorers who mapped the world. All of that now, our technology can do but better.¡±

    ¡°Then who slays the monsters in your world?¡±

    ¡°My world doesn¡¯t have monsters. My world doesn¡¯t even have magic.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­curious. I hadn¡¯t considered that was possible,¡± Amara said slowly, processing the implications of such a world, and how that would affect society. ¡°It¡¯s a topic I¡¯d like to hear more about, but I will explain what an adventurer is first. Strictly, adventurers are essence users that pass a certification from the Adventure Society. The Adventure Society issues contracts, and adventurers complete contracts for coin.¡±

    Like a Witcher, Nara thought.

    ¡°The renown and duty of an adventurer is beyond that,¡± Amara said, her voice tempered and serious. ¡°They are the line of defense for the ordinary, those that stand between them and destruction. Of course, not all adventurers feel this strongly, but do their part like anyone else. There is nothing wrong with that approach.¡±

    Amara glanced and Nara, ¡°You may not feel to impassioned to protect this world. To do your part, completing contracts and slaying monsters, that is already enough. For many others, an adventurer is the path of freedom. Complete contracts as you wish, travel the world in search of ruins and mystery,¡± Amara smiled, perhaps relating more to her next words on a personal level. ¡°Get into trouble and form life bonds. The power to choose your own fate, and bear the consequences of those decisions. I suspect this may be something that resonates with you?¡±

    Nara couldn¡¯t help but feel that Amara¡¯s passion was contagious, yet she was still unsure. She knew almost nothing of this world, except that there was magic. That alone excited her¡ªshe wanted to connect with her family once again, but there was no reason she couldn¡¯t enjoy the journey. To see what a world of magic has to offer her, and what she could offer it.

    ¡°Sounds like something I¡¯m willing to give a try.¡±

    Amara grinned and handed her four stones that each individually fit neatly into the palm of her hand.

    The first one was clear, with the image of a sword floating within. As she turned the transparent stone against the sun, the sword within changed, transitioning from claymore, to broadsword, to rapier, to saber.

    She was surprised to be handed such an odd object so suddenly. It was like holding a holographic image that shifted with your point of view, encased in transparent glass, like some sort of cheap novelty paper weight.

    The second was an uncanny stone of the iris of an eye. As she stared at it, it stared back. She could have sworn it blinked, nearly causing her to drop the stones she cupped within her hands. The brown iris was uncannily detailed, like a blown up image of an eye. This eye looked human, but she wasn¡¯t quite sure. Amara¡¯s own eyes were inhuman; they glowed bright as if they were duo suns across the chocolatey midnight darkness of her skin.

    The third had warped dimensions. Peering within, the saw a vast, tranquil landscape. A wide grasslands, wind blowing over in invisible waves. A sense of freedom and longing welled up within her, and she wanted to reach out her hand to touch the scene. No matter how she gripped it, her hand did not breach the material to touch the imaginary landscape.

    The last stone looked and felt rough and jagged. It looked almost like a normal stone¡ªa piece of debris that had tumbled from a decaying ruin. If it were not for her Guide identification, and the faint buzz of magic, more instinctual sensation than physical vibration, she would have thought that Amara was playing a trick on her and handed her a normal stone to see how she¡¯d react.

    She inspected the first stone with her Guide.

    -------

    Item: [Awakening Stone of the Sword] (unranked, common)

    Classification: Awakening Stone, Consumable

    An awakening stone that unlocks the power of the sword.

    Requirements: unawakened essence ability

    Effect: awakens an essence ability

    -You have 16 unawakened essence abilities.

    -You meet the requirements to use this item.

    -[Use? Y/N]

    -------

    ¡°This is an awakening stone.¡± Amara explained. ¡°When you absorb an essence, one ability is awakened at random, for a total of four abilities. The rest of your abilities you must awaken with awakening stones.¡±

    ¡°So, what purpose do each of these stones serve? Why are they all different?¡±

    ¡°Each stone has a vast pool of abilities that you can awakening, determined by the essence it is awakened from. There are theories, but the prevailing one is that awakened abilities are influenced by the essence set and your personality. Subsequent abilities will also tend to fill out deficiencies or synergies with earlier abilities, so the first few stones are important.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s mostly random, then?¡±

    ¡°It is random,¡± Amara said. ¡°Some say the soul chooses. Some say it does not. Either way, you have no control over it other than choice of awakening stone itself.¡±

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°I can¡¯t choose what essence it goes into either?¡±

    ¡°As far as this world knows, there is no way to control which essence an awakening stone binds to.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± Nara said. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s been RNG this entire time.¡±

    Caught up in the moment, Nara assented, and the sword stone melted into the palm of her hand. The magic subsumed within her body, and she felt the pain of a piercing stab that caused her hand to shudder, as if someone had ruthlessly plunged a blade through the palm of her hand, or she had dumbly missed the space between her fingertips playing the knife game. She would have dropped the stone, if it hadn¡¯t already melted away.

    She gasped and blinked back the pain and emerging tears, but the pain had faded as quickly as it appeared. What was left was a new Guide notification awaiting to inform her of the result.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of The Sword].

    -You have awakened Dimension Essence Ability, [Blade of the Boundary]. You have awakened 2 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Blade of the Boundary]

    Conjuration (sword)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Horizon¡¯s Edge, the [Blade of Infinity]]. Normal and special attacks made with Horizon¡¯s Edge deal physical and rending damage and will inflict an instance of [Dimensional Instability] and inflicts or refreshes [Dimensional Rupture]. Horizon¡¯s Edge can be made incorporeal at will, which can affect incorporeal entities.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Instability] (affliction, magic, stacking): All rending damage suffered is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Rupture] (affliction, magic): When inflicted or refreshed, suffer additional rending damage proportional to current instances of [Dimensional Instability].</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Amara chuckled at Nara¡¯s wonder. There was no wound on her hand, and the pain itself was gone like a mirage.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I got a bit caught up in the moment,¡± she said. ¡°Is there usually a ritual for this as well?¡±

    ¡°We can acquire a skill book on basic ritual magic for you, if you¡¯d like. The ritual to absorb awakening stones is a basic ritual.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re offering, I won¡¯t refuse,¡± Nara said shamelessly. She didn¡¯t like pain. ¡°The more knowledge the better.¡±

    Amara nodded, approving of her attitude, although Nara¡¯s intentions weren¡¯t so grandiose, ¡°Knowledge is power. Especially for you, who knows so little of this world. With more knowledge, you will feel more secure.¡±

    Her insecurities over her new life was seen through, even though she had not voiced them. She was used to it, by now. All four of the members of the compound had this strange perception, as if her thoughts and feelings were written on her forehead with sharpie for all to see. She was just glad they weren¡¯t disappointed with what she was.

    An ordinary, twenty-something former office worker.

    Amara¡¯s inquisitive eyes twinkled, ¡°Go on and use the rest. The rest shouldn¡¯t hurt.¡±

    ¡°You seem more excited about this than I am.¡±

    ¡°You are the one who isn¡¯t excited enough,¡± Amara said. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a single person with the ability to directly absorb essences and awakening stones. It¡¯s uniquely an outworlder trait.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s common for outworlders?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve seen enough outworlders to know that those who do not know ritual magic or do not have essences already awaken an ability to use them. It¡¯s otherwise a wasted ability that you only use 20 times.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes, how nice that one of my abilities is a waste.¡±

    ¡°If you had been dumped in the wilderness like some outworlders, it would not have been. 20 uses, but it would save your life.¡±

    She looked out to the jungle. She thought she saw something shake those titan trees, but she must have imagined it. Yet in the back of her mind, logic told her a massive jungle must have proportionately massive creatures, like a habitation of Carboniferous giants.

    ¡°I am grateful that it is going to waste. ¡°I couldn¡¯t Tarzan a jungle, fancy magic-absorbing ability or not. Like, day 3, I¡¯m dying of thirst.¡±

    Nara picked up the second stone, and used it as well. The strange eye stone melted into her hand. Energy coursed through her body, and for a second, she felt as if she could see something normally imperceivable. She had briefly become an oracle, able to see the patterns of the cosmos, the hands of the powers beyond the veil. Or, she was tripping out of her mind. Same as before, the sensation quickly faded, and she was greeted by a new message.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of the Eye].

    -You have awakened Mystic Essence Ability, [Gaze of the Boundary]. You have awakened 2 of 5 Mystic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Gaze of the Boundary]

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive dimensional boundaries and dimension effects.

    --------

    ¡°A dimension sight ability?¡± Nara said. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t that have been in my dimension essence?¡±

    ¡°The Mystic Confluence is known for its utility and support abilities,¡± Amara said. ¡°The dimension essence, in turn, is known for abilities with greater effects. The reason why the confluence is important is for its ability to synergize with your other three essences. It¡¯s expected that the abilities it awakens will support the abilities of your other essences. If you had refused your confluence, you would have had to take another essence. Your ability set would lose out on synergy, not only in the confluence, but also between the other three.¡±

    ¡°I could have refused it?¡± Nara asked.

    Amara grinned, ¡°It¡¯s best you did not. So we did not mention it.¡±

    The third stone was a curious stone. The first two had been obvious¡ªa sword and an eye. Her ability told her this one was an Awakening Stone of Reach.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Reach].

    -You have awakened Dimension Essence Ability, [Dimension Node]. You have awakened 3 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Dimension Node]

    Special Ability / Conjuration (dimension, teleport)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Teleport to locus of dimension effects. This effect cost low mana and has no cooldown.

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a [Dimension Node], a locus for dimension effects, costing low mana. [Dimension Nodes] are incorporeal. A maximum of 6 [Dimension Nodes] can exist simultaneously. If another [Dimension Node] is conjured while the maximum number of [Dimension Nodes] already exist, the oldest [Dimension Node] will be replaced, unless another is selected.

    -------

    ¡°Two effects in one?¡± Nara said. ¡°That seems powerful.¡±

    ¡°It is just the way your ability displays information. To you, and any other person that awakens the ability, the effect is one and the same¡ªyou create dimensional loci that you can teleport to.¡±

    ¡°But it implies I could teleport to any locus of dimension effects, not just the one I create,¡± she said. She hadn¡¯t actually tried out the ability yet, so she was jumping the gun on her counterarguments. And shouldn¡¯t she be happy if an ability was powerful? She belatedly realized that playing devil¡¯s advocate in this moment was entirely pointless. She should accept what the universe had generously bequeathed onto her with unquestioning open arms.

    ¡°Do you think dimensional loci are common?¡± Amara said. ¡°The ability would be useless without the ability to create a locus yourself.¡±

    ¡°How was I supposed to know if dimensional loci are common or not?¡± Nara grumbled.

    Amara smiled and indicated with her gaze to continue on to the last stone, the one that was like a crumbling rock¡ªan Awakening Stone of Ruin. When she absorbed it, the stone crumbled like ashes and dust, seeping into her skin. Her mouth and eyes felt dry and parched, and her skin felt cold and crackling, as if she had just wandered through Pompeii after its destruction, the ash of the dead caking her skin and the walls of her missing lungs.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t hurt my ass,¡± Nara grumbled. ¡°That felt terrible.¡±

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Ruin].

    -You have awakened Harmonic Essence Ability, [Entropy]. You have awakened 2 of 5 Harmonic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Entropy]

    Spell (curse)

    Incantation: ¡°From order to disorder¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Periodically applies an additional instance of each stacking curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from. This is a curse effect. This effect cannot be cleansed while any other curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction is in effect.

    -------

    ¡°Entropy?¡± Amara said, her brow crinkled, ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a thermodynamic quantity that represents the amount of disorder in a system.¡± Nara said. ¡°Something from my world. You know how I said my world doesn¡¯t have magic?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I remember.¡±

    ¡°Just like how you are all studying magic, my world studied everything non-magic.¡±

    Nara stared at the ability description ponderously.

    ¡°But who knows if Entropy even applies in a world with magic. Magic is a limitless resource that flows from the astral to reality through the dimensional membrane,¡± Nara mused. She remember what the astral being Chrome had taught her in the astral. ¡°If my world could harness that, it¡¯d solve at least our energy issues. Geopolitics would change forever.¡±

    ¡°Harnessing ambient magic energy is a common technique for large cities,¡± Amara said. ¡°We¡¯ll take you to see some.¡±

    ¡°With a portal?¡± Nara said, her eyes lighting up.

    ¡°Just you wait.¡± Amara said encouragingly, ¡°You¡¯ll see the world yet.¡±

    Nara gazed out at the massive, ancient jungle that surrounded the reclusive compound, wondering what wonder this world held. She had already held magic literally in the palm of her hands. A civilization dictated not by science, but by magic. How did that change the course of development? Did all universes have magic, or just this one? Were the rules in each different?

    She held innumerable answers within her mind that even Amara and the others would not be able to answer for her. Just as the rules of science were still being illuminated, the mysteries of magic were not all theirs to wield.

 Chapter 14: The City of Union

    Chapter 14: The City of Union

    In the afternoon, Nara began her combat training. The first thing Nara had to master was the basics.

    ¡°You have a skill book for technique,¡± Amara said, her voice adopting the stern tone she used for instruction and training. ¡°But it important to build your base. Your parkour training is part of this foundational training.¡±

    The skill book showed Nara how she should stand and swing, and Amara had her repeat the techniques until they were ingrained into her. Her body knew the techniques that the skill book provided, but she needed to add mortar to her wall of bricks. She had Nara complete basic reaction exercises, such as slashing at a moving target thrown before her eyes, jumping onto small targets thrown onto the ground, and dodging rocks.

    ¡°¡­Does it have to be a rock?¡± Nara said. ¡°Don¡¯t you have like, rubber balls or something?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll heal,¡± Amara said. ¡°That¡¯ll train your new abilities as well.¡±

    ¡°Amara you didn¡¯t answer my question. Do you have rubber balls?? Can we use those instead?¡±

    Nara had her first taste of the harshness of Erras¡¯ culture. Just from Amara and Redell¡¯s attitudes, she could tell they had no compunctions of using violence as a form of training. For now, it was just pebbles. Enough to hurt but not to break bone.

    Nara wasn¡¯t fast or skillful yet. She was pelted with her fair share to small stones, bruising her or breaking skin. Redell was on standby in case anything too damaging occurred, but nothing did. Amara had perfect control of her strength, throwing just fast enough to be a challenge, but not hard enough to be a serious injury.

    Nara had been overjoyed that her rank up fixed her near-sightedness, but now missed the incidental eye protection. She was never hit in the eye, since she did her darndest to avoid a projectile to the eye. Even if she had magic that could fix herself up, she couldn¡¯t quite wipe away the terror of being permanently maimed and losing her eye, and human evolution helped her right along. With eyes as such a crucial part of their senses, human reactions to projectiles aimed at the head were better than anywhere else.

    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Amara said. ¡°The eye is one of your few early rank vulnerabilities, until you can sense without them.¡±

    ¡°You can sense without them!?¡±

    She should really stop being surprised what magic can compensate for.

    *****

    As the sun spilled glowing gold across the jungle, the group gathered near the arrival pavilion.

    A portal had far less fanfare than Nara expected. Chelsea waved her hand, and a portal arch woven from wooden vines grew from the ground. Flowers like jewels sprouted from the arch: ocean sapphires, crimson rubies, refracting diamonds, and delicate citrines. The center of the arch was a shaded forest path, penetrating into deep quiet woods. It was large enough to allow two people in side by side, and tall enough for Laius who, despite his reserved personality and presence, was actually the tallest of the group, almost 7 ft tall (210 cm).

    ¡°I just step through?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all there is to it,¡± Redell confirmed. ¡°Easy as that.¡±

    She shrugged and stepped through the arch, following Chelsea that had already entered.

    She stepped out at the top of a hill, overlooking a city sprawled between tall spires of stone that resembled the stone spires of China¡¯s Guanyin stone forest. The city was predominantly made of grey stone, likely the same as the stone spires. It feature prominently three colors¡ªa rich, dark blue, a vibrant fire red, and a silver white. Among those colors were ones used in lesser quantities: yellow golds, leafy greens, and a royal purple. Arches and paths of crystal bridged gaps between buildings of five to seven stories tall, with the height of the buildings decreasing relative to their proximity to the city center.

    The closest stone spire had a structure built on a ledge on its near vertical face. It resembled one of those stone monasteries, except boardwalks of crystal extended outwards like the spokes of a wheel. It looked nothing like an airport but served as one. Flying ships anchored in air lots up and down the mountain, and arriving and disembarking to locations unknown.

    Nara didn¡¯t have a fear of heights, but even she¡¯d feel challenged standing upon a transparent crystalline platform at the plunging depths below her.

    ¡°This is Sanshi of the Shian Union,¡± Amara said grandiosely like a narrator of an opening cutscene. ¡°The city of union.¡±

    ¡°Now.¡± Amara said, clasping her hands onto Nara¡¯s shoulders with near-painful enthusiasm and interrupting her silent appreciation of her first fantasy city. ¡°There¡¯s something I want you to try.¡±

    Chelsea crinkled her brow in disapproval, ¡°Amara¡­¡±

    ¡°Relax, Chelsea. If she can do this, it¡¯s a good thing.¡±

    ¡°¡­What do you want me to try?¡± Nara said slowly.

    ¡°Your ability mentioned you can go to your Astral Domain, even without a portal.¡±

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Your Astral Domain is a part of the astral, and not physical reality.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°Then, can you leave your Astral Domain in a different location in physical reality than the one you entered from?¡±

    Could she? She hadn¡¯t tried, yet.

    Even without an explanation from Amara, she knew what a great convenience that ability would be. She could teleport without a care for distance. Perhaps, it was even a hint back to her own reality. Did the great beings not give her a return path because she already had one, she just had to figure out how to make it work? It may not take as long as she feared it would. Even better, she¡¯d be able to take trips back and forth between worlds, like an interdimensional vacationer.

    She instinctually knew how to return to her Astral Domain, her home in unreality. She focused, forming a shell of the astral so thin that it was like a second skin.

    With her new Gaze of the Boundary, she could see it and sense the dimensional membrane separated reality from the astral. Physical reality could not exist in the astral, it was annihilated on contact, like anti-matter and matter. She could see how filtered magic trickled through the membrane, seeping into reality in a cosmic scale version of magical osmosis. The membrane wasn¡¯t so much a two dimensional membrane as a three dimensional weave of reality. It¡¯s strength determined how much magic could seep through without flooding and destroying the world. A stronger local membrane equated with more local magic.

    Her own personal membrane created, she took a symbolic step forward, slipping past the membrane and entering her Astral Domain.

    She hadn¡¯t needed to move to enter her Astral Domain at all. She could have slipped into it where she stood, disappearing like fog in morning sunshine. The movement was purely demonstrative, but action solidified thought and focused her mind. As Redell had said, physical actions, even when not technically needed, had mental benefits.

    She didn¡¯t linger. She stepped forward again, back in front of the arrival pagoda, where Redell and Laius still waited, their expressions of mild surprise.

    Once she had created her membrane, it was easy enough for her to slip back and forth past the dimensional membrane consecutively. She felt as if she was a living montage, slipping from scene to scene in rapid succession.

    She stepped forwards once again, her shoes touching the grassy hill overlooking the city where Amara and Chelsea waited.

    ¡°That was wild,¡± Nara said, not quite believing what she had just done. She let the membrane fall, dispersing into magic. She looked out at the glittering crystalline and stone city in wonder.

    ¡°How far is the compound from this location?¡± She asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s far,¡± Amara said, her expression contemplative. ¡°You¡¯ve crossed an ocean.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± She responded, at a loss for words. ¡°Wow.¡±

    Sanshi, the city of union, was built at the waterfront, a port city. If there was anything history told Nara, ¡®location, location, location¡¯ was the single most important aspect of the success of a civilization, and a ocean bay was civilization¡¯s fertilizer, magic world or otherwise.

    She looked across at the ocean. It was the same sort of ocean as Nara¡¯s world, vast, glittering, and blue, curving over the horizon in the far distance. She was relieved that many physical aspects of this world resembled hers¡ªa sky of blue and an ocean of deeper blue.

    The laws of physics still held some sway even in a world that regularly ignored it.

    ¡°Since the experiment is a success,¡± Amara said. ¡°We¡¯ll move forwards with our plan of action.¡±

    Chelsea tossed a wood orb to the ground, which unfolded itself into a vehicle of polished wood that hovered over the ground. White horizontal rings of magic floated at the undercarriage and at the back of the vehicle, glowing with particles of magic. It was some sort of ground skimmer, like those of science fiction stories like Star Wars, except made entirely of smooth polished surfboard wood. The body resembled a jeep with a pointed and rounded hood, to split the air. Nara hopped in one of the cushioned back seats, with Chelsea taking the wheel and Amara sitting beside her. There wasn¡¯t a physical wheel, but rather a crystalline orb that coursed with magic. Nara had no idea how one was supposed to pilot with it.

    They sped off towards the city, the skimmer easily flying over rough, rocky terrain, thin streams, and even boulders as they descended the grassy hill. The advantages of hover-transportation were obvious. The ride was impossibly smooth, with neither turbulence nor engine hum to shake her.

    The city had no walls nor gates. As they passed into the city, Chelsea slowed the vehicle and lifted it higher off of the ground, passing over the city as other vehicles did. There was ground traffic¡ªsome in the form of ground hugging skimmers, compartments and carriages drawn by strange magic beasts, and those that rode atop beasts as mounts. Lifting into the air avoided the majority of the traffic. She pulled her vehicle into a lot at a tall pagoda, with wooden spokes instead of the crystalline spokes of the distant mountain sky port. It was an arrival area where others unconjured or parked their vehicles. Once they stepped off, the sleek floating wood vehicle crumpled on itself, re-forming into a wooden ball in an impossible display of size and material manipulation. With a gesture, the ball floated back towards Chelsea¡¯s hand, and it was stowed away. She followed the group into the center of the pagoda, and they rode a crystalline floating platform that functioned as elevator down to the ground level of the city.

    She was within the thronging, lively, city. The people were primarily human, but Nara spotted other folks with fantastical features and impossible colorings. People with glowing eyes like living embers, their hair of hot fire-like energy. Lion-people like Laius in an array of builds and ethnicities. Some were panther like, and others had large, majestic manes. She even saw a pink-furred lion man, and tracked him with wide-eyed wonder as he weaved through the crowd to set about his own business.

    The people of Sanshi wore long Asian-inspired robes that flowed down to their ankles. The colors of silver, blue, and red were once again prominent, though like all fashion, all colors were expressed. Embroideries of landscape, flowers, weapons, and famed scriptures were popular embroidered designs. Some robes were formal and fancy, made of long, gleaming silk, and more elaborate collars and sleeves. Others were simpler, and more martial in style, and made with less resplendent material, like basic linens and cottons. Simple cross collars and a simple sash at the waist were paired with loose pants was the usual style for these basic fits. The clothing in general was modest, with almost no skin exposed beyond the occasional sleeveless top, a shirtless leonid (who as a whole preferred to wear very little clothing), or robes with slits that exposed the leg.

    The three descended into an underground entrance, where Nara was surprised to find a subway system. It operated differently; the subway hovered over the ground instead of riding atop tracks, like many other vehicles Nara had already seen. It resembled the hover-magic of Chelsea¡¯s skimmer, except the large rings of magic encircled the subway compartments, and a final one laid at the back to propel the compartments. The subway had a similar tube structure. There was no place to buy tickets nor pay money, and they simply stepped onto a compartment of the subway when one arrived.

    The subway was made of a combination of materials, most she didn¡¯t recognize. The primary material was some kind of metal. The other, a crystalline glass. The windows on the compartments were far larger than of a normal subway, and she could easily gaze outside as the plain tunnel walls passed with no advertisements to occupy her eyesight.

    The clear view was needed¡ªthere was no announcement nor electronic sign to indicate their stop. She turned her head to look outside of the compartment, and read a large display that let people know of their location.

    ¡°Sanshi Adventure Academy.¡±

 Chapter 15: The Quickest Possible Path

    Chapter 15: The Quickest Possible Path

    The two emerged from the subway tunnels in front of the famed Sanshi Adventure Academy. It was laid out more like a collegiate campus than a private academy. Buildings were situated across a large, open campground interspersed with pavilions and gardens for public and student leisure, doubling as a park. Robed students walked the campus. Some walked with purposeful strides, others did not walk at all, hopping deftly from rooftop to fence, to overhang, in a delightful show of casual parkour.

    ¡°The Sanshi Adventure Academy is the most prominent institution in the city of Sanshi,¡± Amara explained. ¡°It was founded as a joint effort between three of Sanshi¡¯s most prominent families as well as the Adventure Society and local government.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a place for their heirs to form connections and find teammates,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°As well as bolstering the strength and importance of the Shian Union as a whole.¡±

    The Shian Union was the union of the six founding families. Sanshi was the most prominent city, a neutral meeting ground for the six to work together in the Union¡¯s defense against monster waves and development of the local area.

    ¡°The dual Academy system is renowned for its success.¡± Amara continued.

    ¡°Dual Academy? You¡¯ve only mentioned the one.¡±

    ¡°The second Academy you already no longer need. Those that want to become essence users but do not have the resources to buy them outright seek admission to the Prep Academy after a comprehensive exam. Then, the student compete in competitions for the prize in question, an essence.¡±

    ¡°The competitions are about almost anything.¡± Chelsea said. ¡°Cooking, alchemy, swordsmanship, spearsmanship, archery, writing, running, research, debate, painting, music. Just to name a few.¡±

    ¡°Underwater basket weaving?¡±

    ¡°Not¡­that. Why would you compete in that? That sounds entirely pointless.¡±

    ¡°The first place winner gets first selection in a prize pool of essences, or they can request an essence specifically, although it may not be granted.¡±

    ¡°Why request an essence?¡±

    ¡°When you have two of three essences, you want to be choosy about the final essence in the combination. The difference between a healer and a life drain damage dealer is but only a single essence,¡± Amara said. ¡°To complete a healer combination, the Prep Academy will often grant the request. Healers are highly valued.¡±

    Nara wasn¡¯t shaping up to be a healer, but she didn¡¯t have any regrets. If it was indeed what her soul chose for herself, she was just going to accept it. Like any gacha, what was done was done. She had no accounts to reroll, just this one soul.

    Something in Amara¡¯s explanation caught her attention. She had been shuffled along so quickly onto the path of magic; she hadn¡¯t even known its value.

    ¡°Are essences expensive?¡± she asked, hesitantly. If they were being granted as competition prizes and had an entire academy dedicated to that purpose, she couldn¡¯t imagine that they were cheap.

    ¡°They are,¡± Amara said, unperturbed.

    Chelsea rolled her eyes, her voice dismissive of Nara¡¯s concern. ¡°Do you think you have the leisure to worry about that? Just focus on making good use of what we¡¯ve given you. Besides¡­¡± She eyed Amara, ¡°I think Redell and Amara are more than happy with the exchange thus far.¡±

    ¡°Their research, you mean?¡±

    ¡°For us, a few essences is a small price to pay to accomplish our longstanding research goals. We even use them in rituals and crafting, some of which fail,¡± Amara said. ¡°Especially for Redell. He has been working on his project for a very long time, with no significant breakthrough. I research multiple projects simultaneously, so when one stalls, I have others to occupy me.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Chelsea held her arms out in demonstration, ¡°You¡¯ve gone and skipped the first part of the process. You don¡¯t have to compete for essences with those crazy competitive students. Isn¡¯t that good? Do you think you could have won?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Nara admitted, ¡°I¡¯m maybe slightly above average since I¡¯ve graduated college, but I¡¯ve never been the best at anything.¡± In a competition against highly motivated, highly skilled opponents, she wouldn¡¯t even qualify for the main competition. Maybe she could place at a regional level if that, but never at a national tournament.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry yourself over it,¡± Chelsea said her voice was a tad gentler than it had been before, belatedly aware of the sting of her words. ¡°Either way, you would have gotten your essences quickly. It¡¯s expected of outworlders. There¡¯s been enough record of outworlder accounts that their racial abilities help them gain essences and awakening stones far quicker than is normally possible. It is the quickest path to survival in uncertain circumstances, and outworlders are tailored towards survival.¡±

    ¡°You have a looting ability,¡± Amara said. ¡°If you had encountered and killed any normal rank monsters, chances are, you would have looted three essences abnormally fast.¡±

    ¡°Or,¡± Chelsea postulated, ¡°Your outworlder nature led you to us, the quickest possible path.¡±

    Their conversation led to a building befitting of a college style campus, if it was inspired by traditional Chinese or Japanese architecture with a more modernized aesthetic. It had sloped roof tiled with glaze tiles and large glass windows were patterned with geometric wooden grilles. The large windows faced into the harmonious beauty of the campus, letting natural light stream within.

    ¡°Admissions office,¡± Nara read from the calligraphy plaque, ¡°I guessing I¡¯m enrolling.¡±

    ¡°The Academy offers training fields and sparring lessons,¡± Amara said. ¡°Sparring with your peers in technique will have greater benefit to you. If there are any additional classes that catch your interest, you are welcome to attend them. We can adjust your schedule as you see fit. Most of our research isn¡¯t time sensitive, and us four don¡¯t have much else to do, except Redell.¡±

    Nara had already finished her degree on Earth. She had conflicted feelings that she was re-entering an educational institution when she had just escaped mere years before.

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    ¡°And I haven¡¯t even finished paying off my loans,¡± She grumbled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± Chelsea said, her face starkly offended. ¡°We¡¯re not charging you. We¡¯re not ungenerous. It¡¯d leave me with a distinct distaste to charge an outworlder with not a single coin to her name.¡±

    It was too late to explain, so Nara simply accepted their generosity, although in her mind, she would try to pay the group back, ten times over. Not out of a sense of obligation, but in return for their kindness. Although, she would have nothing valuable to offer them they did not already have, for a very long time. She was a pauper looking to pay back a prince. At least the prince may find the effort endearing.

    As they lingered outside the office for a moment, a man came out to greet them. Nara could best describe him as a handsome accountant. His attire was neat, a long black robe sparse of embellishments. His fair skin was contrasted by black hair and eyes, which was typical of the human locals, although skin tone varied from tan to pale.

    ¡°I am Lee Hu,¡± he greeted politely. ¡°What brings the two of you here with your guest, Lady Edea, Lady Hayeth?¡±

    He performed a greeting with his arms akin to a martial arts bow, the traditional greeting for the local culture.

    ¡°We want to enroll this young lady here as a student of this academy. Due to some unusual circumstances, we¡¯ve taken her under our wing,¡± Amara said, gesturing to Nara who raised her hand in indication.

    ¡°I understand. This young lady is¡­?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Nara Edea,¡± she said, using Amara¡¯s last name with a bit of hesitation, but doing as instructed.

    ¡°Welcome to the Adventure Academy, Miss Edea.¡± he said with the practiced formality of a long-time service employee, ¡°Would you like a tour of the campus?¡±

    ¡°I would,¡± Nara looked up at the two with her. She did not know of their plans, and sought their approval. ¡°Is that fine?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll handle some of our own business. Will you be fine here?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a child.¡± Nara said, but immediately felt like a child once she said it. Amara, Chelsea, Redell, and Laius all contained an inexplicable sense of age beyond their outer appearance. Redell had mentioned they had extended lifespans. To them, she may as well be a child. Both her flesh and knowledge of this world were brand new.

    Amara chuckled, ¡°I mean no offense. This is a new world for you. There is no shame in discomfort with a strange world and culture.¡± Amara patted Nara¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Lee, we leave her in your care.¡±

    ¡°You may be at ease with me, miss Edea,¡± he told her.

    *****

    ¡°The Academy contains many lecture halls and facilities beneficial to the education of adventurers,¡± Lee Hu explained. He pulled a booklet from a satchel at his waist. ¡°This is the class registry. Specialized classes must be registered for in advance. With your enrollment, you are free to enroll for these classes. General classes have their schedule posted on notice boards around campus, and do not need registry. Even those not enrolled at the academy are free to attend these classes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty nice. Free education, I¡¯m impressed.¡±

    Most likely, these were large, auditorium style classes. Essence users were a small percentage of the population, so it was probably best to fill up those rooms if they were holding the classes anyways.

    ¡°It is part of an initiative to raise the overall competency of essence users, not just adventurers,¡± Lee Hu explained. ¡°The only requirement of the Adventure Academy is that four essence have been absorbed. Otherwise, the Prep Academy also offers public general classes for those that do not have a full set, are curious about various essence user employments, or would like to learn to read and write.¡±

    Thankfully, Nara didn¡¯t need to relearn language. Her outworlder translation power covered all of that for her¡ªshe was even able to write in their language, although the sensation of thinking in English but writing in completing different language was disoriented if she focused on the effect.

    They stopped at a four story building. The Academy buildings were lower than the buildings of Sanshi, likely due to its reduction in building and population density as a campus for education.

    ¡°These are the campus dormitories,¡± Lee Hu said. ¡°They are included with paid enrollment, but only for those without a residence nearby. That would apply to you, Miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°Just Nara is fine,¡± Nara said. ¡°Miss Edea sounds like Amara to me. I¡¯m just borrowing her name.¡±

    ¡°Then, please address me as Lee in turn.¡±

    The tour rounded several other buildings. The class buildings were separated by the class taught within. Classes that were mostly informative, such as classes on astral magic theory, healing magic theory, general economics, financial management, and monster ecology were held in buildings that did not supply specialized equipment.

    The other common buildings on campus were several ritual rooms, like the one on the jungle compound. Students could practice ritual magic in these rooms, and they were often used to awaken abilities with an awakening stone ritual. The requirement for admittance was iron rank, which meant most students didn¡¯t have all their abilities awakened yet, like her.

    Nara didn¡¯t need the ritual, but she may use one just to practice. Compared to the complex ritual she cast with Chrome, it may be basic, but Amara and the others had been drilling her on the importance of basic skills since day one. Several ritual rooms did not need reservations, while others did. The non-reserved rooms were often used by the public.

    ¡°The most important facility for your needs is the sparring grounds.¡±

    Lee Hu gestured to a large, compacted dirt training field. Students faced each other in 1 vs 1 matches, but there were also occasional group fights. Sounds of wood hitting wood reached Nara¡¯s ears, even from her distant position.

    ¡°Are those¡­collars?¡± Nara asked skeptically.

    ¡°Suppression collars,¡± Lee Hu explained, ¡°They are highly restricted equipment, and cannot be removed from the sparring fields. They suppress your essence abilities. Any match on these fields is to build technique. For matches utilizing abilities, the mirage chamber must be reserved.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a mirage chamber?¡±

    Lee pondered for a moment on how to explain mirage chambers. It was advanced magic engineering, a recent invention with respect to the length of their civilization.

    ¡°In a mirage chamber, you enter an induced dream state. Your mind and abilities are replicated within the chamber, as a mirage for others to see. To you, the dreamer, it may as well be reality¡ªpain, abilities, perception, even aura, are all replicated perfectly. However, even death is but a mirage you will wake from.¡±

    It was a holodeck. True, full immersion virtual reality that piggybacked on the sleeping mind. Her Astral Domain possessed that capability, but it was limited to her, and did not accurately reflect her capabilities in reality. What use was god mode in a dream when she was a peon in reality.

    ¡°That sounds incredibly useful for training.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± Lee Hu said, ¡°It is not often essence users can fight each other to their full abilities without harming each other. At iron rank, monsters lack the complexity that other essence users can offer.¡±

    ¡°I wonder if Amara invented it.¡±

    The statement elicited a wry smile from Lee. ¡°Lady Edea has invented a great many things, but the mirage chamber is not one of them.¡±

    ¡°What sort of things has she invented?¡±

    ¡°Lady Edea has not told you?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t exactly been in her care for long.¡±

    Lee Hu pulled an assortment of objects from his satchel. He explained them, one by one. Was he a fan, or were her inventions just that convenient?

    ¡°This is a pen that infuses aura and magic in its ink.¡± Lee Hu said. ¡°It has eliminated the need to use blood in official documents or binding contracts. The aura infused ink can be used to identify those who signed it, preventing forgeries or the subsequent denial of contracted promises.¡±

    ¡°Portable glowstone crystal light,¡± He tossed the crystal lightly, and it flew into the air to hover beside him. ¡°Capable of providing light in low magic zones, autonomous and relatively inexpensive.¡±

    ¡°The oasis canteen. It holds¡­an astonishing amount of water. It can be difficult to store water in dimensional inventories, except for using a large number of water containers. This solves that issue.¡±

    ¡°The breeze bracelet. It can levitate small objects, although it takes some practice. Office workers find it very convenient. Also, generates an extremely localized comfortable environment for the user. Great for hot and humid weather, although not strong enough for extremely hot environments.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re all¡­ very specific objects.¡±

    ¡°Lady Edea is well known for her¡­inventive inclinations. The mirage chamber is a high cost and large scale implement that Lady Edea does not specialize in.¡±

    ¡°So it turns out, Amara was a bit of an oddball, huh.¡±

    Lee Hu gave her a flat, disapproving look at her accidental disrespect.

 Chapter 16: At the Wateréˆ¥æªš Edge

    Chapter 16: At the Water¡¯s Edge

    The two stopped their tour in the square in front of the admissions office.

    ¡°And that is the conclusion of this tour, Nara. If you have any further questions, please seek me at the admissions office. General questions about academy may be directed to the classes registration office.¡±

    He wrapped up the tour, reiterating some important aspects of the academy, the location of facilities, and where to find information. Once finished, Lee Hu performed a polite goodbye greeting and departed onto his next order of business.

    There was still some time until Nara was supposed to meet up with Amara and Chelsea. They had said they¡¯d be able to find her no matter where she was, so she wasn¡¯t too concerned, and she could easily return to the jungle compound herself. She was in a new magical city after all, and her curiosity overrode her general apprehension.

    ¡°Since I¡¯m here for sparring, I may as well check it out.¡±

    She traced back her path to the sparring fields. When she got lost, she¡¯d ask students for directions, who were friendly and happy to help. Everyone she had met had been friendly, and it was easing her nerves over the mild soul-altering horror she first experienced. She was thankful this world hadn¡¯t ended up as a biological or soul horror type. If that was the case, she would¡¯ve noped out of life.

    She settled into one of the tables at the edge of the training fields. This was the sparring field, where students sparred with each other. There were also target practice fields, where students could use abilities against a stationary inanimate target to practice. The targets automatically repair themselves, so students could evaluate their effects. There was even a field where students could use abilities to spar each other, but only those that trusted each other use that field. Trust that they had the skills themselves from hurting each other. Mirage Chambers were popular because they prevented mishaps entirely.

    All Nara had was The Way of the Traveler burned into her mind like the ten commandments etched into stone. As she watched as students exchanged blows in a back and forth, she could relate their moves to the information the skill book provided for her. It was good practice, she told herself to assuage her jitters, a tutorial to the real thing.

    The students used wooden weapons that inflicted no damage. Lee Hu had explained that they were enchanted to instead inflict a stun, which caused you to freeze in place momentarily. An attack that would have caused greater damage resulted in a longer stun. It looked like the duels ended when a student could not move for so long that a training weapon was held to a normally lethal part of the body, such as the heart, throat, or head.

    ¡°Are you just going to watch?¡± A strong voice called out to her from behind.

    Nara turned around. She saw a young woman, similar to her in age if not a little younger. She had the same black hair and black eyes as the locals, but her skin was a fair bit tanner than Lee Hu¡¯s. Her stride was strong and confident, like a female war general of ages past, or a stereotypical female wuxia protagonist who was the daughter of a military family.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t sparred at all before. Just testing the waters,¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯m Nara. You are?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Vallis. You¡¯re a new student.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like you need any confirmation.¡±

    Her eyes sparkled, like she had finally found the rumored transfer student, ¡°You can hardly say you¡¯re testing the waters waiting at the water¡¯s edge. Jump in, have some fun.¡±

    ¡°Are you offering?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle, I promise. What weapon do you use?¡±

    ¡°The sword. For a grand total of one day. I¡¯m serious, I¡¯m very new.¡±

    Amara had been starting her off as fast as possible. She appreciated it, but Nara felt like she hadn¡¯t the chance to catch a breath of air.

    Vallis walked over to a cabinet where equipment was kept, and tossed her one.

    ¡°Do you have any strength enhancing passives?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No need for the suppression collar today,¡± she said. ¡°That may be too much for a weedwood sprout like you.¡±

    ¡°How considerate.¡±

    ¡°I did say I¡¯d be gentle.¡±

    By her insistence, Nara was dragged out to the field, like an introvert with an extroverted friend. Nara was Vallis¡¯ introvert now.

    ¡°I really have next to no experience,¡± she hastily re-emphasized, ¡°just a skill book.¡±

    ¡°A skill book ability? Aren¡¯t you lucky? Take a stance, I¡¯ll help you consolidate your little shortcut.¡±

    The two exchanged easy practice blows. Vallis stopped often to explain something or correct Nara¡¯s movement, stance, or technique selection.

    Vallis was true to her word, slowly working through technique after technique.

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    ¡°That move into the next doesn¡¯t flow quite well,¡± Vallis explained, ¡°You¡¯ll have to adjust the first and second to transition more effectively. A skill book provides much, but you must adapt the movements to your own body and abilities. Try out this combination with your abilities later.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I understand. That¡¯s a very flowing style. You¡¯ll want to watch your distancing. Too close, and you won¡¯t have room to maneuver. In the future, you¡¯ll have to practice that. You want to be able to transition between distances to slip past attacks. For now, focus on the basics.¡±

    ¡°Aha! And that¡¯s a very lethal style¡ªthe beginnings of it anyway. Not very lethal until it actually works, but I like it. From flowing to lethal, it¡¯ll catch your enemies off guard.¡±

    ¡°You could say¡­float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard that before! I¡¯ll have to use that myself. I like to say¡­flow like water, strike like lightning. Add more aggression to those lethal moves. You want to strike before they realize it. Although¡­Can you demonstrate that again?¡±

    Nara performed the move again according to the skill book. It told her body what to do, although the move was textbook. Like Vallis said, she¡¯d need to work out its unnatural uniformity.

    ¡°There¡¯s something you can think about. Completely hide the aggression, and the attack will be completely unexpected. You can further transform that style. Start with the aggressive then catch the opponent completely off guard when your next attack strikes with no warning. You have the basis for something nasty.¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you use a better descriptor than nasty?¡±

    ¡°I thought a nasty fighting style was a compliment?¡±

    ¡°Is it?¡±

    Vallis grinned, ¡°I¡¯m messing with you. The two style you are combining, flowing with lethal, embodies nature itself. It will be as if the world itself strikes them down. How¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Feels a little much, now, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Well aren¡¯t you hard to satisfy? I happen to look forward to the day I experience your wrath of nature.¡±

    ¡°Now your expectations are higher than these stone mountains. It¡¯s going to pierce the sky.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re not looking up, why bother looking at all?¡± Vallis said. ¡°Bit by bit, you¡¯ll make it there.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Nara,¡± Amara called out to her. ¡°I¡¯m time to return.¡± She strode forward, separating from Chelsea who waited further behind with crossed arms.

    Nara looked up, surprised. Time felt like it had passed so quickly. Vallis was a good teacher, combining both descriptive words for feeling, accurate words for technical work, and demonstrations with body movement.

    Amara crossed her arms, sporting her usual energizing smile, ¡°The academy will be good for your training.¡±

    ¡°Lady Amara,¡± Vallis greeted. ¡°Do you know Nara?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s in our care,¡± Amara said.

    ¡°You¡¯re famous?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Lady Amara is a well-known adventurer inventor,¡± Vallis explained. ¡°However, she may not be well known outside of adventurer circles. So new you didn¡¯t know this?¡±

    It was an ¡®in the same business¡¯ sort of thing, Nara thought. Vallis was a newer essence user, iron rank. Nara didn¡¯t know Amara¡¯s rank, but worked up the confidence to broach the subject.

    ¡°What is your rank, Amara?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m gold rank. So are the others.¡±

    ¡°I guess it was a pointless question,¡± Nara admitted. ¡°I have no idea what that¡¯s supposed to mean to me.¡±

    ¡°Gold rank is uncommon in this city,¡± Amara said. ¡°Other than in passing, like the four of us. The magic is too low here.¡±

    ¡°Too low?¡±

    ¡°The ambient mana is too low quality, and our magic bodies starve.¡±

    Nara was horrified. ¡°Are you guys alright?¡±

    Amara chuckled. ¡°No need to fret. It will not occur so quickly. All we need to supplement ourselves with gold rank food or gold rank spirit coins.¡± She patted her muscled bicep, indicating she was sound of body.

    Vallis¡¯ expression was one of thought, but she didn¡¯t voice anything nor interrupt the conversation between Nara and Amara.

    ¡°Thanks for all the tips, Vallis,¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯ll see you around.¡±

    ¡°By the grace of six, Nara,¡± Vallis said. ¡°I take my leave, Lady Amara.¡± She performed the formal Sanshi greeting, then took her leave.

    ¡°Is there any reason she calls you Lady?¡± Nara asked. ¡°I was kind of curious.¡±

    ¡°High rankers gold and above are referred to by Lord or Lady, regardless of actual nobility. In lower magic provincial cities, silver rankers receive the same treatment.¡±

    ¡°Should I call you lady?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s far too late for that, isn¡¯t it,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°And if you keep doing it, I¡¯m going to get exhausted hearing you say that to all four of us. So don¡¯t.¡±

    Based on Amara¡¯s grin, she had just found a shiny new button to push with Chelsea¡¯s name on it.

    *****

    The evening was dedicated to mental and aura training. Mental training was Chelsea¡¯s responsibility, and Laius would handle her aura training.

    ¡°Mental training is not so important at iron rank, where you maintain ¡®human¡¯ capabilities.¡± Chelsea explained as she removed various supplies from her dimensional inventory, ¡°But at later rank, your mental capabilities will expand beyond normal limits. Without training, you¡¯ll fail to take advantage of these benefits.¡±

    The training resembled the mind exercises, brain teasers, and puzzles from Earth. It was more fun than hard work. Nara had in the past attempted to study for the LSAT. The puzzles then would have been fun too if not for the infuriating time limit. Nothing came of it, and she settled in the tech industry as an ordinary office worker.

    She had been focused on her training for a few hours, yet something bothered her mind, like a song she just could not place, or an itch she could not scratch.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡±

    Nara struggled to find the words, ¡°It¡¯s just¡­I don¡¯t think I was ever this focused back on Earth. I didn¡¯t struggle with focusing, some do. But I was never very motivated and didn¡¯t apply myself beyond an acceptable standard.¡±

    Nara kneaded her temples in growing confusion, ¡°I was never this passionate about martial arts nor studying. It¡¯s like¡­I switch into focus very easily, and stay in focus for a long time, beyond what I¡¯ve normally been able to do.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s strange for you.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly. Magic is amazing, almost too amazing. But would I have been so passionate even about that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking this,¡± Chelsea said. ¡°You¡¯re an outworlder with an uncertain future. Every single skill you master and knowledge you acquire increases your chances of returning to your world. You feel that pressing need within yourself, even if you¡¯re not consciously acting on it.¡±

    ¡°Is that really it?¡± Nara wondered out loud. It made some sense¡ªeven if the four were offering her shelter and education, she didn¡¯t know what lied ahead. Would this protection last indefinitely? Amara wasn¡¯t even responsible for her current situation, she was; she had hijacked her ritual, and slipped into reality with the connection it offered. They had no real obligation to her. Nara offered her experience of the astral and of her world as incentive to preserve their current arrangement, even if the others insisted that she wasn¡¯t a burden, and that they had the free time. She didn¡¯t want to be the ungrateful freeloader.

    She didn¡¯t doubt Amara¡¯s sincerity. Nara was an honest type, she easily made friends, but not close friends. She be friends with Amara and the others, but she knew that others were rarely willing to extend their help beyond moderate inconvenience. True, sacrificial friendship was rare and untested, and unnecessary back on Earth.

    Was it necessary here?

    ¡°If you have worries,¡± Chelsea said with a  reluctance Nara couldn¡¯t understand, ¡°I would explain your feelings to Redell. He¡¯s a healer, and more experience with unusual situations and the effects on the mental state.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said, ¡°I think I¡¯ll ask him.¡±

 Chapter 17: Those of Higher Rank

    Chapter 17: Those of Higher Rank

    The next order of business was aura training. The day had been packed with activity, and the sun had receded under the veridian horizon. The night was peaceful, the hum of animals and insects echoing beyond the perimeter of the compound. Within the walls of the compound buildings, the drone of nature was completely blocked out with soundproofing magic.

    Nara sat by the lake, catching a glimpse of her appearance in the still water. Dancing bugs disturbed the calm, sending ripples across the glassy surface, the reflection of the night sky temporarily distorted with rippling concentric rings.

    ¡°There are three basic techniques of aura control,¡± Laius said, in an explanation that was already the longest sentence she had heard the mysterious panther-man utter. ¡°Projection, retraction, and suppression. Projection is simple. We all project. To push it further is the challenge. Retraction is the opposite.¡±

    ¡°Why retract your aura?¡±

    ¡°To retract is to hide,¡± Laius said. ¡°What you do not display, others cannot sense.¡±

    ¡°Projection is to see, and retraction is to hide?¡±

    ¡°Good enough,¡± he said. ¡°But that is limited. Suppression is to dominate,¡± he said. ¡°To push others down.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like the sound of that,¡± Nara said. She wasn¡¯t entirely nonconfrontational, especially with family who she regularly talked back to, but she usually avoided trouble, deciding that it wasn¡¯t worth the effort. ¡°Why would you do that?¡±

    ¡°To suppress is to assert. Those that don¡¯t know better now do.¡±

    ¡°A nonviolent way of scaring others off?¡±

    ¡°Not just that,¡± Laius clarified. ¡°In combat, suppression disrupts. A suppressed aura does not affect others.¡±

    Nara had not even considered working with others. It seemed a distant goal, one she did not know she would even pursue. A great benefit of working in a team was not only that weaknesses were covered, but also overlapping auras that provided area benefits.

    Laius tilted his head in examination. She couldn¡¯t even detect it with her aura, but somehow knew, on instinct or something else, that he had examined her aura in great detail.

    ¡°You will struggle with suppression,¡± Laius said. ¡°But excel at projection and retraction.¡±

    ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    ¡°Your aura is like a mist, difficult to detect. It¡¯s not typical.¡±

    ¡°Not typical? Is it because I¡¯m an outworlder?¡±

    He shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s because your aura is¡­different. Changed.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Nara said awkwardly. ¡°I did do that. I did it in order to disappear and escape that¡­Thing.¡± It was a strange sensation, recalling the experience of her soul torture. Simultaneously distant and stark, like a blinding light at the end of the tunnel. She could not see the landscape beyond, but the light seared past her eyelids into her vision nonetheless.

    ¡°You are still not settled,¡± he said. ¡°Your memories, nor your peace of mind. It¡¯ll come, in time.¡±

    It was odd to constantly feel like an open book in front of these four, but she accepted his reassurance, and he began to teach her in earnest.

    Projection involved expanding her aura, pushing it out to its farthest capabilities. There wasn¡¯t much use for an expanded aura at the compound, but it would have its uses beyond the compound¡¯s safety. She could feel her aura pass over the insects and the small critters in the compound. They seemed undisturbed by her aura. Either, they did not fear it, or they did not sense it.

    Nara could not sense auras before she absorbed four essences to rank up to iron, so ordinary bugs and animals would not either.

    The next was retraction. She recollected her aura, drawing it back to herself. It was an oddly unnerving feeling after her projection. It was if she her field of view narrowed, the camera moved forward onto her character in a video game.

    ¡°The next is suppression. It will feel uncomfortable. You will feel vulnerable. Are you prepared?¡±

    ¡°Would you stop if I said no?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Laius said.

    She took a deep breath she did not need, then fixed her gaze on Laius, steadying herself.

    She felt it, an overwhelming pressure on her aura. Thankfully, it was just her aura, and not her soul. The two were related, but still separate. It felt as if she were within the palm of a giant, and it was slowly squeezing. Simultaneously, she felt like a bug underneath a microscope, looking up at a pair of inquisitive eyes that dissected her aura for clues.

    She realized that Laius had searched her aura previously, but had done so with such finesse that she felt nothing, except for the barest reaction from her sensitive soul. Now she felt everything, her aura was an open book she could not close. Her secrets and shame bared out for him to read.

    The pressure increased gradually, the pressing weight of a night without light. When she thought she could bare it no longer, the pressure disappeared instantly, fading like the darkness at sunrise.

    She had broken out in a cold sweat, soaking her simple clothes. She belatedly realized she hadn¡¯t sweat before, neither during her parkour training nor sparring with Vallis. This was one of those physiological aspects Redell said bodies would replicate. She unclenched her hands to realize her fingernails had broken into the skin of her palm, drawing blood. As she stared in stunned silence, her aura went to work, slowly repairing her palm, although the blood caked beneath her fingernails.

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Her gaze slowly raised upwards to meet Laius¡¯ eyes, unreadable.

    ¡°That is aura suppression,¡± he said. ¡°Beware those of higher rank.¡±

    *****

    Nara sprawled out on the grass beside the lake, taking in the darkness above her. It was late February, or in this world, the second month. The days were still short, and the sun had already set hours ago. The jungle was speckled with dots of otherworldly bioluminescence. Fireflies of yellow, pink, blue, and red pulsated in a language her translation ability couldn¡¯t translate. Glowing moss and vines hung from the towering trees, draped like raunchy rave dresses made for giants.

    The stars were oddly visible. Nara realized, there was no light pollution where she lay. The soft glow of lights from within the main residence was the only beacon within the expansive darkness. The stars were innumerable, speckled across the night sky like sparkling paint on a dark canvas. She looked up, a spotted the glowing streak of the Milky Way galaxy and two moons.

    ¡°Wait. What?¡±

    She must have been mistaken. There was no way the night sky could be the same night sky as Earth¡¯s, ignoring the two moons. Nara didn¡¯t know the constellations enough to recognize them either. She could try to look them up in her Guide, but it didn¡¯t show any images, just words.

    From across the lake, Redell approached Nara.

    ¡°You¡¯ve had quite the scare,¡± Redell said as he sat down in the lakeside grass beside her.

    ¡°Yeah, it freaked me out. I really have no idea what I¡¯m getting in to. What all this¡­aura and rank stuff is. Magic and training and¡­¡±

    She still recalled the sensation of a bug beneath a microscope. The bare vulnerability that made her feel delicate and weak. She partially wanted to call it all off, resign herself to just living an ordinary life, but didn¡¯t know what else she would do with herself. Despite that unnerving sensation, somewhere, in the back of her mind, she had thought it could have been far, far worse.

    She knew that it was intended as a teaching moment for her. She didn¡¯t begrudge Laius for it, but she still had to settle her emotions, her back against nature and her eyes to the sky. After her long involuntary stay in the astral, she enjoyed the sensations of physical reality. She didn¡¯t mind the dirt under her fingernails, the bugs crawling onto her skin, nor the dampness of grass soaking into her clothes. She was just a few minutes¡¯ walk away from a warm shower and comfortable bed when she needed it.

    ¡°I was concerned, but you¡¯re handling it well.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve always been stable. Mentally resilient,¡± Nara said, as a tangled memory thread unraveled itself. ¡°My parents divorced when I was young, and I went to a school counselor for a few weeks in elementary school. The result¡ªthe divorce was not emotionally damaging to me. Do you have divorce in this world? The institution of marriage?¡±

    ¡°Divorce and marriage exist,¡± Redell said, letting the conversation flow away from her feelings, ¡°It¡¯s more common among non-essence users than essence users.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Essence users live longer, and many do not marry nor start families for a long time. Some start families without marrying.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not married?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Redell confirmed. ¡°Amara and Chelsea are not institutionally married, but regard each other as life partners.¡±

    Redell looked at Nara sprawled out in the grass, and rested his own large body in the grass for a moment, enjoying the calm of the night with her.

    ¡°Advancement for essence users has three components. Do you know what they are?¡± He said from his position laying beside her. He was comforting and calming; he matched her pace instead dragging her into his own, like Amara and Laius.

    Nara shook her head.

    ¡°Training, combat, and meditation. Training hones your abilities, and adjusts your mind and body to your new limits. Combat pushes against those limits. And meditation consolidates those experiences to advance your abilities.¡±

    ¡°So learn the limits, push the limits, and breakthrough the limits?¡±

    ¡°You can think of it like that. But as Chelsea always says¡ª¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nuance.¡±

    ¡°This cycle of training, combat, and meditation is the basis for every essence user that does not use monster cores. Amara has cautioned you against monster cores, do you know why?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Monster cores will advance your abilities. However, the moment you use a monster core, the cycle of training, combat, and meditation loses effectiveness, and further decreases in effectiveness with increasing core use. The monster core artificially grants mastery and raises the limits. If you did not achieve that limit in the first place, any further training is ineffective.¡±

    It sounded like taking an exp pot or eating a rare candy.

    ¡°And that¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nuance.¡±

    ¡°At this point I¡¯ll assume ¡®there¡¯s nuance¡¯ as a default, and you let me know when that¡¯s not the case.¡±

    Redell¡¯s laugh was a low, almost musical rumble.

    ¡°Non-combatants typically use cores, since there is no way to advance abilities without pushing those limits through risk, and even the most pacifistic essence set has a combat ability. As you rank up, cores will also increase in price. Advancing from silver rank to gold rank is the bottleneck for cores; Gold rank cores are invaluable and highly contested. Unless it¡¯s after a monster wave, you can go months without seeing a single one available on the market at all.¡±

    Redell continued his explanation after making sure Nara understood the first portion, ¡°Core users can still become effective combatants, if they train. The danger of core use is using only some of your abilities, instead of mastering all twenty. You fall into a dangerous pattern of using only the most effective skills, neglecting the others that excel in unusual circumstances or require finesse.¡±

    He shrugged.

    ¡°But if you are just core-ing up your family so they live longer, then they don¡¯t need to be skilled essence users. When you go back to Earth, you could do the same for your family.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what essences users do?¡±

    ¡°That is what essence users do,¡± he confirmed. ¡°Essence and core up the family¡ªand any close friends¡ªand let them enjoy their new magic powers. No training required.¡±

    After finishing his crash course on core use, Redell began his instructions on how to meditate. It wasn¡¯t quite like Earth meditation, as far as she knew. It involved an expansion of her senses and aura, while simultaneously looking within in introspection.

    Without the ability to manipulate aura, this meditation would not have been possible.

    As her senses skimmed over the grass and the glassy black lake, she entered a state of simultaneous focus and inattention. Her mind was neither here nor there, a state where she was both sensitive and passive.

    ¡°Just like that,¡± Redell said approvingly the moment she pulled herself from her meditation back into normal cognition. ¡°After you fight anything, you should meditate when you are safe. We¡¯ll keep practicing more to solidify the basic technique.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m definitely not ready for fighting monsters yet.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t, but it may be sooner than you expect,¡± Redell said. ¡°Skill books reduce the time to mastery greatly. Even just a basic slice¡ª¡± he demonstrated, swinging his arms down, ¡°¡ªis enough to take care of most iron rank monsters.¡±

    He offered his hand, and Nara took it, hefting herself up to her feet. She could feel the strength behind his arms as much as she saw it in his muscles. All of them were muscular and fit, although their builds varied. Chelsea was the leanest of the group, but she too had Olympian-tier musculature.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to head inside to eat. Let¡¯s get you filled up and well rested. I¡¯m sure Laius will make you something special. He may not express it with words, but I think he feels guilty for scaring you. He¡¯s an older brother you know, of seven.¡±

    ¡°Of seven!?¡±

 Chapter 18: When in Rome

    Chapter 18: When in Rome

    A week passed of frenetic yet structured training. As Redell assured her, the skill book accomplished what Nara thought impossible¡ªit provided the foundation for competence in movement and combat. She still wasn¡¯t anything special, just a jester mimicking the masters. At a glance, anyone could tell she was a beginner. The discerning could even tell she had used a skill book.

    In her spare free time, she had taken to practicing her new lute at the lakeside. Chelsea agreed that learning music was a great mental exercise, and Nara relished her early improvement. She had no skill book to boost her mastery, but she had no need for it.

    She knew she had played music before. She could feel it in her soul, literally. As she played, she recalled memories tangential to music. Wandering through the astral picking up the threads of memories was a Sisyphean act of futility; A single week in reality had accomplished more than her feverish journey through the unreality as a lost soul.

    The sheet music of Erras was different than Earth, but she picked up reading it easily enough. Redell found some appropriate sheet music for her, and she worked through each piece. Sitting by the lakeside and strumming the lute, Nara fancied herself as the quintessential image of a fantasy bard.

    ¡°If only I had a feather in my cap and a cloak to catch the wind,¡± she hummed in a sing-song voice, to the tune of her song.

    As she hummed and played merrily, she suddenly felt a change in the ambient magic.

    It was small, a localized aurora borealis of rainbow light. In hung in the air like a floating spiderweb, an almost gaseous swirl of multicolored magic. The magical anomaly was a few feet from her, and she immediately backed away in curious suspicion.

    She placed her lute in her inventory, her fingers slipping past the dimensional membrane into her domain. She could store the lute with a thought, but liked the theatrics of the physical action. If she overdid it, Amara would chastise her for the inefficiency. If she was in a magic world, she may as well look cool.

    She tapped a magic bracelet on her wrist, activating it. It was another project Amara was working on¡ªa way to communicate at a distance; It was the only large scale project in size that Amara was working on. It required a large-scale array to work, so the project was still in its inception, but it held the possibilities of long-scale communication. Erras had other methods of distance communication, but they were leagues behind Earth¡¯s satellites and cell towers.

    ¡°Uh¡­Amara, there¡¯s some sort of rainbow light cloud right in front of me.¡±

    In a flash, Amara was beside her. Nara didn¡¯t even have enough time to be startled. Nara didn¡¯t know if it was teleportation, or something else. Amara had the combination of Lightning, Potent, and Might Essences for the Onslaught Confluence. It could have easily been a lightning-speed movement ability or pure speed of gold rank. She still didn¡¯t understand what gold rankers were able to accomplish.

    ¡°Aha!¡± Amara exclaimed joyously, ¡°This must be your first magical manifestation.¡±

    ¡°Magical manifestation?¡± Nara remembered what she had been told about monsters. ¡°It¡¯s not a monster, is it?¡±

    ¡°Not to worry,¡± Amara explained. ¡°The size and strength of this manifestation is not enough for it to be a monster. It is probably an awakening stone.¡±

    Since Amara had assured her it was safe, Nara conjured a seat to sit in and watch. Her Astral Domain ability allowed her to create astral constructs. They were so weak as to dissipate with almost any damage or impact, so it wasn¡¯t combat useful, but it was life useful, and that was the best kind of useful. She could also store chairs in her inventory, so she was double dipping on convenience. What did that say about her?

    The coalescing rainbow magic finally gathered, forming into an awakening stone that fell onto the grass with a thump, now subject to the pull of gravity.

    Nara plucked the awakening stone from the ground.

    ¡°It¡¯s an awakening stone of song,¡± Nara said, showing the stone to Amara. ¡°Should I use it?¡±

    ¡°I would,¡± Amara said.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too arbitrary? Literally picking up stones off the ground and using them?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true, we shape our abilities with our selection of awakening stones. However, I believe in the compelling power of fortune and chance. That stone has formed by your influence, and your experience with it is linked. And¡­we find a lot of stones on the ground and use them. They¡¯re far more common than essences. My mother once had an awakening stone of cloth manifest in her undergarments. My brother-in-law found an awakening stone of blight in a toilet.¡±

    ¡°¡­Not a clean toilet, evidently.¡±

    ¡°Not a clean stone either.¡±

    ¡°What in the world did he eat?¡±

    At some point, Chelsea had joined the two in the observation of the stone. Nara hadn¡¯t sensed her approach either, so she gave up on trying. She didn¡¯t have a fun awakening stone story to share, but opted to refocus the conversation back to important matters.

    ¡°What Amara means that unconventional awakening stone selection is beneficial to ability sets. Over-engineering ability sets results in predictable abilities.¡±

    ¡°You agree with me?¡± Amara said, her smile widening into a teasing grin.

    ¡°Yes, Amara, I agree with you,¡± Chelsea said as if he hated to admit it, ¡°Go ahead and use the stone.¡±

    She did, the freshly manifested stone dissolved into powder that seeped into the skin of her hand. The lifespan of the awakening stone had not even surpassed a mayfly.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Song].

    -You have awakened Harmonic Essence Ability, [Overture]. You have awakened 3 of 5 Harmonic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Overture]

    Spell (boon, magic)

    Incantation: ¡°Song rises from within.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Applies or refreshes the duration of [Crescendo]. This ability can only be cast on self.

    <ul>

    <li>[Crescendo] (boon, magic): Periodically applies an additional instance of each stacking boon on self. This effect cannot be dispelled while any other instance of a boon is in effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°That solves some issues,¡± Nara said thoughtfully. ¡°My invigorating triple boon is annoying to accrue and maintain, and this speeds up the benefit I get from Integrity.¡±

    Boons were temporary, so at some point they¡¯d start to degrade in instances. If the automatic stacking was higher than the natural degradation, at some point she¡¯d reach the maximum for each boon.

    ¡°An ability to stack boons and an ability to stack afflictions,¡± Amara said. ¡°Your abilities are creating a power differential between you and your opponent. That¡¯s good. It¡¯s a powerful tactic.¡±

    ¡°Are you implying I need the help?¡±

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Amara grin was confirmation.

    ¡°It¡¯s still too early to tell,¡± said Amara. ¡°But your ability set may be a skirmisher or a duelist, or a combination of both.¡±

    Nara could more or less guess which each meant. A skirmisher employed hit and run tactics to inflict damage. Her Dimension Node ability afforded her great mobility and a path of escape. On the other hand, close range teleportation also made her a melee combatant that was hard to catch. For now, it was all speculation. Twenty abilities covered a lot of ground. Essence users weren¡¯t fixed into one role and usually dabbled in a few, multiclassing.

    *****

    Over the course of the week, Chelsea and Laius had alternated using their portals to teleport Nara as far as their portals could carry her. Portals had range limits, dependent on rank, and cooldowns dependent on distance.

    From the important cities they portaled her to, Nara extended her own reach by the technique she called astral jumping, slipping from location to location within her line of sight. She couldn¡¯t jump as far as her vision; only as far as she could make out a clear target. That meant that empty plains were more difficult to traverse.

    One of the locations she enjoyed visiting was a relaxed beachside town called Aviensa, within the Rona Kingdom. It was located around Spain, facing towards a sea similar to the Mediterranean, called the Tier-Meridian.

    The temperature was still chilly, the month had slipped into the third month, or March. In the summer months, the locals dressed in colorful breezy clothing decorated with tassels and ribbons. While the weather was still cool, they robed themselves with heavier fabrics that extended down to their knees. The robes still adopted their preference for bright colors and pastels, a stark contrast to the norms of cold weather wear in drab western fashion.

    The air was breezy and salty, but it contained a pleasant tickling chill that Nara liked. Since her torturous stay in the astral, she wasn¡¯t particularly hard to please on the matter of weather. Any sense of sensation was a good sensation, whether it be sweltering heat or the pings and pinches of freezing cold reddening her nose like Rudolph.

    The buildings in Aviensa were low and flat and made of a sand-colored stone. Linen fabrics formed colorful awnings propped up by stilts of wood. Some doorways were covered by heavy fabric that kept out the wind, and others of wood doors. Behind glass windows were colorful fabric curtains, which were closed to keep the warmth in and the cold out.

    The town sloped downwards towards the chilly blue ocean, built in tiers from the incline. There was no large trading port like Sanshi, just simple wooden piers where small leisure crafts and fishing vessels bobbed gently in the early spring sea.

    A recording crystal floated beside Nara, documenting her involuntary holiday trip to another world.

    ¡°Table games are popular in Aviensa,¡± Nara explained to the crystal, doing as best she could as a tour guide with no group, ¡°There¡¯s almost always a table game table in every shared courtyard. I¡¯ve heard that you may be able to find a table game alcove off the beaten path, where people bet in friendly games.¡±

    Nara was dressed in the local clothes, something she had bought with some spirit coins given to her by Chelsea.

    ¡°When in Rome¡­dress as the romans do.¡±

    She snacked on some skewers she purchased off a food cart. It wasn¡¯t beef: Erras did not have traditional cattle, but it struck similar flavor notes to beef. It was fattier and juicer, maintaining its juices well despite being fully cooked. It was like a beefier version of pork belly; too indulgent to eat much of.

    ¡°The seller called it bolo meat. Let me look it up.¡±

    She had also purchased an animal encyclopedia in Sanshi. She flipped through it, scanning pages for the name of the animal. She could use her Guide to peruse the book, but she liked the sensation of paper on her fingertips. The astral had made her a very tactile person. She didn¡¯t know if she¡¯d still like video games and tv shows in the same way she had before.

    The bolo had an abnormally tiny head compared to its large, comically round body. It looked like a child¡¯s drawing where the head had been underproportioned or drawn as an afterthought. Four, short, trunk feet peeked out from the belly of the animal, eliciting comparisons to a car sized corgi.

    ¡°It¡¯s main form of movement¡­is rolling,¡± she read, suppressing a laugh. ¡°What a ludicrous, ridiculous animal. How is this evolutionarily viable?¡±

    She recalled the koala, which sat around all day eating eucalyptus leaves, a poisonous plant that required so much energy to consume they spent 20 hours a day asleep.

    ¡°Compared to the koala¡­Fair enough. At least the bolo can crush enemies to death by rolling. A living, boulder trap. That¡¯s actually sort of terrifying.¡±

    The bolo skewers were seasoned with a crushed fruit called the cocono. It tasted similar to the coconut, but was drier fruit. The flesh was dried then ground up, and sprinkled on the meat for a delectable savory coconutty flavor.

    ¡°Simple but delicious.¡±

    In her musings of the peculiarities of other world food, something tickled her aura senses. What she sensed was so faint it may have well been unfounded. Yet, she could not tear her attention away from it.

    It was like reverse psychology, it wanted not discovery, when in turn prodded her to do the opposite. It wasn¡¯t hostile, but a gentle, pushing force, like a mother redirecting a distracted child. Then, it changed, suddenly subtly inviting, like a person trying to bait a skittish fox. The change caught her attention.

    ¡°Now, shall we see if curiosity kills the cat?¡±

    At least, she wasn¡¯t talking to Wilson any longer. Was talking to a crystal any better?

    Her curiosity led her to the edge of town. A stone and dirt path was shaded by leafy, low palms, creating an archway of shadow, light, and leaves. She wandered absentmindedly down the path, which widened into a hidden table game alcove. Several simple tables and chairs were set out, and locals enjoyed quiet conversation and day drinking. She couldn¡¯t figure out what was so special about the alcove, and the strange sensation had disappeared nary a whisper in her mind, all but forgotten. Had she imagined it in the first place? She had a feeling it was aura related, but she didn¡¯t have the mastery nor rank required to give herself an answer.

    She conjured a chair, impossibly comfortable by virtue of magic. There was a table with an open spot, but it didn¡¯t feel right to intrude into a private gathering. She turned off the recording crystal, and settled into one of the several astral magic books she was working through from Amara¡¯s library that she duplicated with her conjuration powers.

    This wasn¡¯t so bad either. A relaxing book in a shaded alcove, and a backdrop of soft laughter and the shuffling of cards and tiles. Others who were not playing also sat in low woven chairs, enjoying their own reading while sipping on fruity mixed drinks. She told herself she blended in.

    She had made significant progress in her astral magic theory book. She¡¯d need to go back and review some parts with Amara and Chelsea¡ªboth were excellent options to discuss magic with. Astral magic was the magic of dimensions. She suspected it may be an integral part of her return to Earth. Astral magic was to magic what quantum mechanics was to physics¡ªone of the most esoteric fields of study in this world.

    Nara struggled with advanced physics such as electromagnetism, but managed to get by in college. She was no genius at it. Thankfully, her experience in the astral and access to her astral domain lent her some hands on experience that bolstered her understanding of the field. She was still at the lower levels, for now. A high school level of understanding in the field. But astral magic was rarely researcher, she may have been underselling herself.

    ¡°Young lady, if you¡¯re going to read, you may as well join us.¡± A smooth and deep voice that reminded her of dark roasted coffee and wood smoke shook her from her study.

    The man that called out to her had swarthy skin and eye-catching deep emerald eyes. Thick dark brown hair, almost black, a full beard, and stalwart and noble features conjured the likeness of Oscar Isaac playing Leto Atreides from Dune, except that he was taller and more muscular, reminding her of Redell in physique.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t played before,¡± she responded. ¡°Is that all right?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s too late to back out now,¡± A woman from the table cackled, ¡°You may as well join us.¡±

    She stored away her book, preserving her notations. She could always make a fresh new copy, so she didn¡¯t mind marking it up.

    ¡°Sorry for the intrusion,¡± Nara said, settling into a chair across from the man.

    ¡°I am Sezan,¡± The man who had invited her over said.

    ¡°Wisteria,¡± The woman said.

    ¡°Enciodes. Call me Encio.¡±

    The last to speak was a young man, around the same age as her, with the same dark brown hair, copper-brown skin, and gorgeous emerald eyes as the man who had invited her over. His features were a touch more delicate, but still masculine enough to avoid androgyny. His hair was medium length, and tied into a short ponytail. Wavy locks of dark brown framed his face combined with a beauty mark beneath his right eye created an effortlessly alluring appearance.

    The woman, Wisteria, was an older lady, but with casual grace and beauty. She matched the three, like a seasoned actress to her other two co-stars.

    High rankers were beautiful, Nara remembered. She wondered what rank the three were. She recalled Laius¡¯ warning, but none of them were hostile. He said to beware of them, not to avoid them entirely. She was iron rank; she fundamentally could not avoid those higher rank than her. It was also possible that they were beautiful normals, they certainly existed. The only aura she could sense was Encio¡¯s so that was not the case: he was of iron rank. Logically, the other two had to be higher rank than her, especially since Sezan looked like Encio¡¯s dad.

    ¡°I¡¯m Nara. It¡¯s nice to meet the three of you.¡±

    She matched the other three, without introducing her new last name.

    Wisteria gestured to the center of the table, where gold spirit coins were placed in the pot.

    ¡°You have money to bet, dear?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid this table is too expensive for me.¡±

    ¡°Then, something else to bet?¡±

    She thought for a moment about the objects she had within her inventory. Her sword¡ªshe would not bet. An assortment of clothes, snacks from Laius, her lute, and some souvenirs she had purchased from other cities.

    ¡°I have some snacks on me. And I can play the lute. I¡¯ve only been at it for a week though. I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not up to par.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good enough,¡± Wisteria said. ¡°If you win, you can take the money.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bet your snacks if you like them,¡± Encio said. ¡°She¡¯ll take you for all your worth.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t under any impression that I, someone who doesn¡¯t even know the rules to the game, would take home any win. I¡¯m afraid a shoddy song will have to do as penalty. It may be more punishment to your ears than it is to me.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s too bad I will kick your bum back to the sideline, and you can go back to reading that boring old astral magic book of yours.¡±

    ¡°You could tell from there?¡±

    Two long fingers gestured to her pale blue eyes.

    ¡°I have very good eyesight. Nothing slips past me.¡±

    ¡°The eyesight of a thief,¡± Encio said bitterly. ¡°I¡¯ve been robbed.¡±

 Chapter 19: A Foregone Conclusion

    Chapter 19: A Foregone Conclusion

    The most popular table game in Aviensa was four hands, which Nara could only describe as a combination of riichi mahjong and blackjack. The game was played with wood tiles that could resist the ocean breeze sweeping up from the shore and flipping them over. They taught her the basics of the game, and the four began.

    Encio leaned over to whisper into Nara¡¯s ear, ¡°Careful that you don¡¯t show your emotions in your aura.¡±

    ¡°They can see that?¡±

    ¡°They can.¡±

    She gazed at Sezan and Wisteria, ¡°Isn¡¯t that cheating?¡±

    Sezan shrugged defensively, ¡°It¡¯s hardly my fault I can read your aura without trying. It¡¯s as if you¡¯ve flipped your tiles for me to see.¡±

    ¡°The complaints of a loser. Get better or get beaten,¡± Wisteria cackled.

    ¡°You still win at times,¡± Nara said, glancing at Encio. ¡°How are you pulling that off?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been playing for my grandfather my whole life. I have my ways.¡± He flipped over one group of tiles he had been building. ¡°First hand.¡±

    Sezan clicked his tongue, ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting too good at this, grandson?¡±

    ¡°I show you only my best, grandfather.¡±

    ¡°Hold up, did you say grandfather?¡±

    ¡°First hand,¡± Wisteria said, flipping over her own group of tiles. ¡°Your grandson isn¡¯t your only challenger Sezan. Don¡¯t fall behind this old woman.¡±

    The two looked more like father and son than grandfather and grandson. She hadn¡¯t seen any essence user families before; This must have been a common sight for Erras. Once the children grew up, they all looked around the same age.

    However, when Nara met Sezan¡¯s eyes, they revealed his age within. She could sense it, the years hidden within that his magical body otherwise concealed. It wasn¡¯t an accurate sensation, but enough to tell that Sezan far surpassed her and his grandson in age.

    ¡°Nara, you aren¡¯t a local here, are you,¡± Sezan¡¯s words weren¡¯t a question, but a confirmation.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m actually from Sanshi.¡±

    ¡°Sanshi? That¡¯s quite far from here. How did you get here?¡±

    She had made a mistake. Most people couldn¡¯t skip through the dimensional boundary like they were taking a springtime stroll.

    ¡°I have some friends that can portal me,¡± she said. It wasn¡¯t technically a lie; would she get away with it?

    Sezan¡¯s smile was knowing, but he didn¡¯t push any further, ¡°First hand. Nara, you¡¯re the last one.¡±

    ¡°Aiyah, I better focus, or I really will lose all of the snacks I brought with me.¡± She¡¯d have to bring more next time, her edible version of poker chips that these folk generously accepted as currency.

    It was a foregone conclusion; she was the loser of the match. Wisteria managed to pull ahead of Encio, completing her fourth hand before he did.

    She pulled out her lute from her inventory, playing a tune she thought suited the whimsical and relaxed atmosphere. It was simplistic; she¡¯d only been learning for a week, past experience of otherwise. She hoped that her amateur music didn¡¯t bother the others in the grove. A promise was a promise, even if she felt apologetic to subject unwilling participants to her music.

    With no video games to occupy her time, her lute was her avenue of release and relaxation. She didn¡¯t mind training, she had nothing better to do. She preferred it to the monotony of a full-time job anyway.

    ¡°That¡¯s a beautiful lute,¡± Encio observed, ¡°Polished nightwood, embellished with magic gold. The details are well done.¡±

    ¡°You know your lutes?¡±

    ¡°I have an eye for quality. What shop did you get it from? Was it local?¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± Nara said, running her fingers over the wood of the lute, ¡°I think my friend handmade it. Sorry to disappoint, I don¡¯t think he takes commissions. Do you play an instrument?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he said.

    ¡°Little Encio here can¡¯t commit to a single hobby,¡± Wisteria said, waving her cocktail, a mixture of cocono liqueur and something that tasted like pineapple, ¡°He¡¯ll get curious, try it out, perform remarkably well, then get bored of it and give up before he makes any real progress.¡±

    ¡°Now, Wisteria, don¡¯t out me like that. And some exploration hasn¡¯t hurt anybody.¡±

    ¡°Just my finances,¡± Sezan said.

    Encio rolled his eyes, ¡°Your finances are fine, grandfather. You aren¡¯t so miserly to begrudge me this? Shall I tell grandmother about that project of yours you¡¯ve been funding?¡±

    ¡°Are you blackmailing me, grandson?¡± Sezan said with incredulity.

    ¡°Don¡¯t start fights you can¡¯t win, grandfather.¡±

    ¡°Ha! I¡¯ll remember this, Encio,¡± Sezan said, but his expression was warm and jovial.

    ¡°If you place 3<sup>rd</sup> or lower next round, I¡¯m telling Luciana.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s time to shape up Sezan,¡± Wisteria cackled, ¡°This time we¡¯re betting your ass.¡±

    ¡°Wisteria, could you please not say it like that? Is this really necessary?¡±

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Nara removed a timepiece from her inventory. She had been given one by Chelsea. It was enchanted to keep time regardless of the external timestream. Her inventory stopped time, preserving anything within. Normal clocks would not have functioned within. Plenty of essence users had inventories, and of those a portion stopped time, like hers. It was a common problem with a solution long since manufactured in this essence user centric society.

    ¡°It¡¯s time for me to head out,¡± Nara said. ¡°Thank you all for the invitation.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re feeling up to another loss, feel free to return,¡± Wisteria said. ¡°Just exchanging coins has been mundane. Shall we all bring something more exciting next time, like those snacks of yours?¡±

    ¡°Careful,¡± Encio warned, ¡°You might be the only one losing any snacks.¡±

    As their impromptu visitor departed, the three exchanged glances, their faces leaned in. They were a gaggle of co-conspirators, bandits in a beach grove hideaway.

    ¡°We follow her, obviously,¡± Sezan said.

    ¡°Grandfather, that¡¯s rude.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re curious too. You can¡¯t fool me, Encio.¡±

    Encio couldn¡¯t help the grin that crept across his face.

    ¡°Blood of the same stream, the two of you.¡±

    The two stared at Wisteria, in sync despite their generational difference.

    ¡°And you plan to stay behind?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I would never miss such an entertaining event,¡± Wisteria responded without missing a beat.

    Nara was still new to the world, new to aura training, and low rank, so she was easy to follow at a distance. Sezan and Wisteria didn¡¯t actually have to move, their auras could have followed her easily anywhere within the town.

    But they were all curious. They wanted to see with their eyes. Sezan used an advanced aura technique that prevented discovery from Nara and all of the locals, even when they looked in their direction. They were tangible illusions and visible poltergeists, yet no one noticed a thing. Nara was no exception.

    She walked into a secluded alley, then closed her eyes. Sezan felt her attention focus by reading her aura. His eyes widened as he saw the manipulation of the astral, a thin sleeve of unreality created in reality.

    ¡°What is she doing?¡± Encio whispered. ¡°Is she really waiting for a portal?¡±

    Sezan had no time to answer. She let herself fall backward. Instead of slamming into stone, she slipped through, vanishing like water through the cracks of stone.

    ¡°She¡¯s gone,¡± Encio said. ¡°She isn¡¯t some sort of hidden diamond ranker, is she?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have been able to read her aura so well if that¡¯s the case,¡± Sezan said.

    ¡°You just can¡¯t admit she may have been so good at aura manipulation that you were fooled.¡±

    He glared at his grandson, ¡°Why is your conclusion always that I am inadequate?¡±

    ¡°How did she ignore your aura redirection to begin with, grandfather? More evidence of your inadequacies.¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t ignore my aura redirection, I let her through because¡­never mind.¡±

    ¡°Never mind what, grandfather? What¡¯s your excuse this time?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not an excuse. What I¡¯ve done I¡¯ve done for you, grandson.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°What is with this disrespect? Am I not your elder? Why are you so ungrateful, Encio?¡±

    Wisteria snickered at their bickering, munching away on some snacks she removed from a dimensional pouch.

    *****

    Nara¡¯s movement and sword training had been progressing at a steady pace. She was still at the beginning of honing her skills. Like any new skill development, the beginning was still smooth sailing. Each day she showed marked improvement. She hadn¡¯t yet reached a wall of progress, steadily climbing the gentle incline her skill book created for her. Since she had no concern over permanently damaging her body, perhaps the greatest benefit of essence magic and iron rank, she could push harder than she ever would have attempted to on Earth. She hadn¡¯t the nerve nor the reason to learn parkour at all, back then.

    She reached the point in parkour that she was able to deftly climb walls, speedily climb gaps, and land safely from almost any position. The ability to reduce her weight with Cosmic Path allowed for moon gravity jumps, and safe landings back down to the earth.

    After her latest session with Laius, he tossed her two stones. By now, she was familiar with their distinctive shape to immediately recognize them.

    She identified the two with her Guide, one in each hand.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of Focus and an Awakening Stone of the Moon?¡±

    Laius nodded.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to use them?¡±

    Another nod.

    ¡°What¡¯s the logic behind the selection?¡± Nara asked, curious. She didn¡¯t have the leisure to be picky, nor the resources to buy her own, but she still wanted to know. She was starting to grasp the new culture of this world, and so she sought answers to questions less simplistic than ¡®what is this thing?¡¯

    The trends of awakening stones and the essence of awakening stone was a topic thoroughly studied in this world. The Magic Society, an organization dedicated to research in magic, the recording of magic, and the upkeep of magic, recorded general trends, which was enough to make informed decisions about what awakening stones to use. They also kept a record of all abilities awakened. This included which abilities could be awakened by which stones and in what essence combination. They could never hope to record all the possible combinations, but it helped essence users guide the abilities they awakened. An Awakening Stone of Might, for example, was likely to awaken a special attack or strength or durability enhancing special ability based on recorded statistics.

    ¡°The first will likely awaken a special attack, spell, or amplification. The second is flexible, but likely related to mana, reflection, light, or darkness. You need mana.¡±

    Nara did have two self-sustain abilities, but they were gradual and over time and not suited for using Phase Shift more often. A way to restore mana quickly would make using Phase Shift easier and more forgiving.

    The Awakening Stone of Focus looked completely dark, except for a single pinpoint of light, as if light had been focused by a magnifying glass down to a laser thin beam of light.

    The Awakening Stone of the Moon was self-explanatory. A large, full moon shone in a bright night sky. Below, glassy water created a perfect reflection of the celestial body.

    She used the stone of focus first, then the stone of the moon. She felt similarly wonderous sensations, the first was as if she slipped into a trance-like state of hyper focus. With the second, she felt as if she could see through darkness, and her body felt like it glowed, though there was no glow when she observed herself.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Focus].

    -You have awakened Balance Essence Ability, [Astral Return]. You have awakened 2 of 5 Balance Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Astral Return]

    Special Attack (boon, combination)

    Cost: Low stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): A slightly enhanced attack. If used shortly after avoiding or negating an instance of damage while using abilities, the attack is enhanced with additional damage, even if the damage is not entirely negated or avoided. They type of damage enhancement matches the damage dealt by the weapon used. Additional damage is proportional but not equal to damage avoided or negated. Enhanced damage rapidly decays. Can be combined with other special attacks, adding the damage enhancement to that attack instead.

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of the Moon].

    -You have awakened Balance Essence Ability, [Dream¡¯s Wake]. You have awakened 3 of 5 Balance Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Dream¡¯s Wake]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Negate all damage and non-damage effects from actively intercepted or parried attacks. Not all damage and non-damage effects from very powerful attacks will be negated. Intercepted or parried attacks will not trigger retributive effects.

    -------

    The description of the first ability, Astral Return, was long, but it was essentially a counterattack. If Nara used the ability after she dodged or blocked an attack, the ability was stronger. If she used it without being the target of an attack, it only did slightly more damage than a normal attack. As Laius said, it paired amplification with a special attack.

    The second ability, Dream¡¯s Wake, paired well with the first. She didn¡¯t pull the mana aspect of the moon stone, but rather its reflection and negation effects.

    ¡°Reflection instead of mana,¡± Laius observed.

    ¡°Is that bad?¡±

    ¡°No ability is bad. That ability works well with the one before it.¡± The jet black leonid looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin with his hand. ¡°I can make your training harder.¡±

    ¡°Dear lord, is that your conclusion? You sound like Amara.¡±

    He arched an eyebrow. ¡°I agree with Amara.¡±

    Nara belatedly realized that the two Amara and Laius were the training enthusiasts of the compound.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to have nightmares about rocks.¡±

 Chapter 20: Friend of Child

    Chapter 20: Friend of Child

    Another week of training passed. She had spent two weeks in this world now, and Nara made regular trips to Aviensa when she had the spare time to catch another game with her new friends, especially on the weekends. Erras¡¯s week was 6 days, for a total of 30 days per month, with some shenanigans at the end of the year to account for needed extra days. This world was¡­behind in some ways, but they had enough brilliant minds (preserved for centuries by the boons of essences) that they had already wrestled out a calendar, harvest schedules, and their own versions of leap years.

    The work week was 4 days, and the weekend was 2 days. She often visited Aviensa during her weekends, with the rest of the week dedicated to her training.

    It only took traveling to another world to finally get that so coveted 4-day work week. Training week. Whatever.

    Aviensa was a popular tourist destination in the Rona Kingdom and for out of kingdom travelers, but the season for tourists was still months away. For now, it was but a comfortable and easy going seaside town where old folks (who looked very much not old) spent the time relaxedly chatting, day drinking, and betting money on a variety of classic table games.

    This time, Encio was showing her around Aviensa, instead of wandering around the beach side town on her own. As a local, he knew all of the small nooks, hole-in-the-wall eateries, hidden groves, curio shops, and trinket activities.

    When she explored Aviensa with Encio, she threw up a recording crystal, narrating her adventures to her families whose names she could not remember yet but missed nonetheless. It was a strange and familiar ache in her heart¡ªlonging for something she once held dear yet could not entirely remember, mirroring her scar that traced across her heart as a reminder of what once was.

    They wandered through the leafy palm and fern forest, down a dirt path packed by the footsteps of those that passed through regularly, along with the occasional animal trail cutting past the remnants of human activity.

    ¡°Over here are the tidepools,¡± Encio explained, gesturing down the forested trail as he played tour guide. ¡°The local kids come to find and play with local sea creatures and in the water.¡±

    He rubbed his fingers together, as if feeling for the temperature.

    ¡°The weather isn¡¯t warm enough yet. I doubt we¡¯ll see any of those brats around.¡±

    He was immediately proved wrong when a child leapt from the dirt ledge that rose above the path, jumping onto Encio.

    ¡°Got you, big bro!¡±

    When Encio was distracted, another two kids darted from the bushes. Each stuck their grubby hands into Encio¡¯s and Nara¡¯s pockets, rifling around for hidden treasures, but finding only lint and disappointment.

    ¡°Chief! Abort mission! Pockets are empty! Both of them are dirt poor!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not poor,¡± Encio said, wrangling the child from his back then tossing him playfully into the air, eliciting a shriek. ¡°We¡¯re just magical.¡±

    ¡°Boo¡­¡± A girl said, kicking the dirt of the path. ¡°No goodies?¡±

    ¡°Here,¡± Nara said. She pulled some of the snacks Laius regularly gave her from her inventory and handed a pouch to each kid. The snacks were beautifully and conveniently packaged¡ªan attention to detail that Laius maintained with all of his culinary delights, his care and dedication to his craft showing through his quiet exterior.

    ¡°You¡¯ll only encourage them,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Eh, that¡¯s fine. But¡­¡± She turned to the kids, putting on her best ¡®older authority¡¯ voice. ¡°Don¡¯t do that to strangers.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the only stranger around!¡± A kid shouted back, unbowed.

    ¡°You got me there. But that means you can¡¯t do it to me.¡±

    The kid stared back blankly, expression wrenching as he fought to understand logic.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let yourself get our-argued by a kid,¡± Encio said. ¡°She¡¯s right¡ªdon¡¯t do that to strangers. You shouldn¡¯t be doing that at all.¡±

    The children totted behind them on the path, merrily enjoying their snacks and chatting away like baby chicks. Oftentimes they dashed off into the bushes, sticking their hand out to reveal a pitiful captured reptile that squirmed in their grasp. Nara had never caught a reptile like that before, as a kid of the suburbs instead of the countryside, and she now sought to change that missing childhood delight, snatching her own formerly sunbathing and now traumatized lizards against Encio¡¯s eyerolls.

    The path twisted down the hill, opening into a shaded stone and sand alcove. The blue waves lapped gently, trapping themselves and critters in shallow pools of sea polished stone.

    The children played tour guides now, with Encio correcting them or adding information they left out.

    ¡°This is a crab!¡± The leader of the children, Matty, said, picking one up fearlessly to present to Nara.

    ¡°So, the evolutionary compulsion of the crab form spans even alternate dimensions,¡± Nara muttered at the poor captured creature, a repeat of an earlier scene. It flailed its arms fruitlessly, pincers catching empty air in a soundless rage. If she could hear the screams of crabs, she may hear the curses it laid upon 7 generations of Matty¡¯s familial line.

    It was just a normal crab, so the curses failed.

    ¡°That¡¯s a shore crab, chief,¡± The girl, Jenny, said. ¡°There¡¯s all kinds of crab. My pa taught me.¡±

    ¡°I-I was getting to that Jenny! I knew that. My pa told me too!¡±

    The lilting, lazy atmosphere was disrupted by a monster darted from the shallows, a strange flat fish creature scuttling on crab legs. Its eyes bulged from the top of its head, the inbred pug of the sea.

    ¡°I know this one! It¡¯s a crabfish!¡± Matty shouted, his voice rising with the chance to reclaim his honor from embarrassment. He dashed forward and swung his trusty shovel, punting the poor monster off onto stone, where it struggled and died from the sudden impact.

    Nara was curious, and she looted it with her Traveler¡¯s Bounty ability. It immediately dissolved into rainbow colored smoke, as if iridescent oil took gaseous form.

    The noxious smell drifted over conjured unpleasant memories of her rank up and sent her into a fit of coughing gasps and teary eyes. It reeked of filthy city alleyways, where piss and shit mixed with the smell of garbage of the industrial age that had never been quite scrubbed out, that roasted and fermented unpleasantly in the hot metal pan that was a dumpster into a human rights violation and growing CDC concern.

    The children screamed and recoiled from the smell, falling dramatically to their knees and rolling on the sand. Someone, despite the fresh new horror (fresh in all the wrong ways) of a newly engrained scent-memory, they still seemed to be enjoying themselves.

    -------

    -[Crabfish] has been defeated.

    <ul>

    <li>10 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (lesser)</li>

    <li>5 crab quintessence (lesser)</li>

    <li>5 fish quintessence (lesser)</li>

    <li>Crabfish carapace (lesser)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain]

    -----

    Simultaneously, coins fell atop the heads of Matty and his crew, while Encio was surprised with a direct deposit into his inventory.

    ¡°Aiyah!¡° Nara said unable to react both from the stench and from the easy defeat of the monster, ¡°That easily?¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t seen a lesser monster before?¡± Encio asked suspiciously, although his face was turned as if he secretly tried to wipe away snot and tears, looking less charming than his usual front of ¡®enigmatic iron ranker and probable son of a wealthy family¡¯.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t fought any monster before,¡± she said honestly. ¡°I¡¯ve only just begun my training.¡±

    Encio smiled. His smile contained that knowing sly curved that both grandfather and grandson shared. Nara knew she must have exposed something about herself, but didn¡¯t quite know what.

    ¡°Normal rank monsters even a grandmother with her broom can handle,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Even Wisteria?¡±

    His laughter was full of disbelief, startled that she could even imply that Wisteria could struggle. ¡°She¡¯s not the kind of grandmother that would struggle.¡±

    There was an incongruity with what Nara expected from monsters. Surely, iron rank monsters must be far stronger than normal rank monsters? Else, why was she training so much?

    It was the first time her looting ability, Traveler¡¯s Bounty, took effect. It was an effect she had to trigger, but she could also let it take effect automatically. She would have to remember in the future that monsters dissolved into gas weapon when looted, and instead activate it¡¯s power at a very respectful distance.

    She removed the items she looted from the crabfish, placing them on a flat-ish surface of stone for the children to see.

    The lesser rank coin was a slate grey, but felt crystalline. The sound they made was a pleasant clinking noise. It was around 3.5 centimeters in diameter and 3 millimeters thick¡ªrather hefty for a coin currency. An image of her face was emblazoned into the center of the coin, like a president¡¯s side profile. Around the circumference of the coin read:

    ¡°The Astral Traveler,¡± Encio read out loud with amusement, ¡°Greetings from Afar!¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t how my other coins look.¡±

    She removed one of the lesser rank spirit coins Chelsea gave her to spend. It was the same slate colored crystalline material, but she now recognized the three mountains and three rivers crest of Sanshi.

    ¡°Yours is from a looting power,¡± Encio said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen some before. They¡¯re all like this. Personalized spirit coins engraved with their face instead of a crest.¡±

    Matty snatched up the coin, sprinting off.

    In a flash of speed, Encio was in front of him, lifting the kid by the scruff of his neck like a misbehaving kitten.

    ¡°Matty¡­ I don¡¯t mind playing these games with you but actually stealing is crossing the line.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a lesser spirit coin!¡± he protested, ¡°And I killed the monster! So this coin is mine!¡±

    ¡°And do you have a looting ability?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t sound so proud of that. You¡¯ve already got your own coins, look,¡± Encio pointed to the coins that had scattered into the sand after smacking Matty in the head. He had been distracted by the conversation of the grown-ups, and quickly forgotten the pain and its cause. He wanted to see what they were discussing, even if his coins were exactly the same.

    ¡°I can give him the coins; I really don¡¯t mind.¡±

    Encio wagged his finger. ¡°If you do that, you¡¯re only going to encourage this kid. Life isn¡¯t fair, brat. Return that coin. Or¡­¡± Encio leaned in, ¡°Do you want to pay for the snacks you received instead?¡±

    ¡°What! How could you say that! She totally didn¡¯t realize!¡±

    ¡°Now those snacks were expensive. I don¡¯t think you can afford those. Make your decision¡ªreturn the coin or pay up.¡±

    His expression softened a bit as Matty opened his palm to reveal the coin.

    ¡°Now, Matty, friends don¡¯t steal from friends, alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t look so glum, here,¡± Nara said. She walked over to the sand, and cleaned off the sandy coins with some water from an oasis canteen. ¡°Here¡¯s your share.¡±

    ¡°Wow! Thanks, strange lady.¡±

    Encio gave her a look, rolling his eyes.

    ¡°What? Who doesn¡¯t want a limited edition coin? I think mine are pretty cool.¡±

    ¡°Some people do collect them,¡± Encio acknowledged, running his fingertips across one he plucked out of his own inventory, ¡°But this one is nothing special.¡±

    ¡°Hey. Rude. That¡¯s my face we¡¯re talking about.¡±

    ¡°I said what I said.¡±

    And he flashed a shit-eating grin on that beauteous face, and she knew, unarguably and undeniably, that when he sees the like of Sezan and his own visage daily, that he was right.

    She gave a quick slap to his arm, and his grin widened knowing that she had drawn the inevitable conclusion.

    ¡°Oh, fuck you,¡± she huffed.

    If this was an RPG, an achievement would have appeared: Friend of child.

    *****

    ¡°You¡¯ve made a lot of improvement. Not surprising, if I believe you were truly as fresh as you claimed,¡± Vallis said, resting on her practice sword while Nara was flat against the ground, peppered with dirt like a stake fallen to the floor at a barbeque. ¡°I dismissed the convenience of skill books, but I might be changing my mind. Maybe.¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Nara grunted back, just tired.

    Vallis had grown up around those who had trained for years. Those of the Prep Academy competed in competitions of skill. For those who already had well-developed combat skills, a skill book ability was a waste of an ability slot. They usually upgraded into supplementary mind, memory enhancements, or all-language comprehension, which by silver rank was overkill for any non-ritualist. Silver rankers could pick up languages extremely easily thanks to their superhuman Spirit attribute, which governed mental capabilities and perception on top of mana, maximum mana, boons, and ability power.

    ¡°I¡¯m not beating anyone in a fight.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not beating me in a fight without abilities,¡± Vallis corrected, ¡°But I¡¯ve been training all of my life.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re from one of them adventurer families?¡±

    For essence users, it was common to establish adventuring families. Once the first essence user became an established adventurer, they could afford essences for the rest of the family. Then, the adventurer head sent their younger family members to adventure schools like Sanshi Adventurer Academy to hone and learn important skills. Older family members that did not want the adventuring life and responsibilities were ranked up with monster cores, and took care of managing the family instead. Bronze rank was enough to afford the essence for a few family members, after some months of saving.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°I am,¡± she confirmed, her voice colored with the characteristic pride of one who held her family¡¯s renown in high regard. ¡°Even with a skill book, you can¡¯t expect to catch up to me in a mere two weeks. There¡¯s no reason to lament your skill or progress. If you see some disrespectful bastard on the street, you can probably put him in the ground.¡±

    Judging from Vallis¡¯ response, she must have been from an adventuring family that personally educated their members, on top of sending them to academies.

    ¡°Probably? That¡¯s some confidence you have in me.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as a guaranteed victory.¡±

    ¡°How about you then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d win.¡±

    Nara let out an exasperated sigh, ¡°Amara said it¡¯d be good practice to fight ¡®one of my peers¡¯ but everyone here is better than me. I need a worse sparring partner. Someone who¡¯s actually my level.¡±

    Nara wondered if Encio was a ¡®worse sparring partner¡¯ but quickly dismissed that blatantly incorrect thought. It may have been through an essence ability, but just the one time she saw him move it was with speed and technique. She couldn¡¯t sense Sezan¡¯s aura, so he must be an essence user of a higher rank than her. Since he¡¯s Encio¡¯s grandfather, then Encio was the second generation of an adventuring family. One or two generations of adventurers was relatively common. It was the full, millennia long dynasties that were rare.

    Even ¡®the average¡¯ adventuring family that taught their kids combat from the age they could hold a training weapon was more than enough to win against Nara.

    ¡°Or, have you considered, that you just need to get up to my level?¡± Vallis said, arching a challenging eyebrow, ¡°At this rate I need to find someone who actually prove a challenge.¡±

    ¡°Screw you,¡± Nara said. She slowly stood from her sprawled position on the ground and lifted her wooden sword, leveling it at Vallis with challenge that didn¡¯t represent her skill level, like a Chihuahua barking at a Pitbull. ¡°We go again.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more like it. I was starting to wonder if I had tired out you,¡± she taunted. ¡°Then I really would need to find someone else to fight.¡±

    *****

    Nara still had some time until she needed to return to the compound for dinner. She couldn¡¯t keep referring to the jungle compound as ¡®the compound¡¯ so she had asked Amara and the others the name of the location. They had called it ¡®Innovation¡¯s Retreat¡¯ in spirit of all of their enterprising natures¡ªLaius in cooking, Chelsea in vehicular crafting, Amara in ritual and artifice, and Redell in song and soul¡ªwhich sounded more romantic than it actually was.

    ¡°A retreat from what?¡± Nara had asked.

    ¡°Politics,¡± Amara said, her eyes narrowing with the flicker of unpleasant memories. ¡°There is no greater evil to avoid.¡±

    ¡°For all Amara¡¯s bravado and confidence,¡± Chelsea said, a scoff to accompany Amara¡¯s distaste, ¡°she cannot stand those scheming, two-faced politicians that drag at the heels of progress.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t single me out. You can¡¯t stand it either,¡± Amara countered.

    ¡°Are the other two the same?¡±

    Amara was thoughtful for a moment, before she voiced an explanation.

    ¡°Redell has a rather complicated relationship with authority. He¡¯s from a royal family; Redell Rowen, of the Rowen Kingdom. You have heard of it.¡±

    Nara nodded. She had been portaled there by Laius at some point. It was a city starkly unlike Sanshi¡ªthe architecture was fantasy-Victorian, with art-deco and baroque influences. It was the most technologically advanced city (Magitech or artifice-tech was more appropriate) had seen on Erras yet, particularly notable were its taller buildings, although not reaching the splendor (or concrete and glass drab) of Earth¡¯s skyscrapers.

    ¡°That kingdom,¡± Amara said, her intonation reflecting complex opinions related to her friend¡¯s distaste of the kingdom, but also her own positive dealings with it (she did like its forward technological progress, as an inventor herself, and she garnered respect and fame within the kingdom), ¡°holds the arts in very low esteem. They consider it the pursuit of commoners. When he found his passion in music, he was expelled, and he never looked back. They don¡¯t even know he¡¯s alive.¡± The last statement almost seemed a quiet, involuntary confession, one that had slipped out, but Amara held a knowing finger to her lips, ¡°He goes by Redell Gainer here. Don¡¯t tell anyone else.¡±

    Nara hurriedly nodded. She questioned if she should have been told this, but it was too late now. That secret would stick in her mind like hot tar. She didn¡¯t consider herself the best at keeping secrets, and she had already slipped up multiple times with Sezan, Encio, and Wisteria. At this point, she suspected they were humoring her, leaving what was unsaid, unsaid.

    ¡°Laius well... Laius is a friend. The retreat has all the equipment and space he could want for his hobbies, so he stays with us and is welcome to do so.¡±

    ¡°Plus the perk of amazing food,¡± Nara offered.

    ¡°That too,¡± Amara confirmed. ¡°Especially that.¡±

    ¡°I appreciate the quiet,¡± Laius said. He had, as usual, flickered with speed so incredible it must have been teleportation. Even Amara jumped a little¡ªit seemed he could sneak past anyone, if he could sneak past Amara.

    ¡°I¡¯m not bothering your quiet, am I?¡±

    ¡°You eat all my food,¡± Laius said, then he frowned at Amara and Chelsea, ¡°These two aren¡¯t so adventurous.¡±

    Notably, he didn¡¯t deny that she was noisy.

    ¡°Just uh, don¡¯t kill me with anything too adventurous,¡± Nara joked.

    ¡°Redell can revive you.¡±

    ¡°What? No, please don¡¯t kill me with food. I don¡¯t my tombstone to read I died from food poisoning and explosive diarrhea.¡±

    ¡°Essence users can¡¯t get diarrhea,¡± Amara said. ¡°We don¡¯t produce waste.¡±

    Laius¡¯ smile contained revelations best left hidden.

    ¡°Nope. Don¡¯t like that.¡±

    *****

    She ventured the outskirts of Sanshi. The city had marvelous parks, which suited Nara¡¯s appreciation, perhaps budding obsession, with nature. The parks varied in style, from perfectly manicured Zen gardens to shaded parks of dense leaves and green, as eclectic as Sanshi¡¯s melting pot population. It had become a personal mission of hers to visit every park.

    She would often practice her lute in these parks, and she was pleased to occasionally see other musicians doing the same, sometimes busking, sometimes simply practicing. They may have been students or professional musicians honing their skills to take home an essence in a competition.

    Her practice was interrupted by loud voices, which was unusual for this particular park¡ªit was a quiet, forested one, without large, tiled clearings that made them attractive to daylight activities, although more attractive to the more clandestine sort. She stored her lute, then hid behind a tree to observe the commotion.

    In a small clearing, a group of three was surrounded by a larger group of five. The group of three had one young man and two young women. One of the women was cowering, clearly nervous, although not particularly afraid.

    Strangely, on the top of the young man¡¯s head was a small dark red wolf-bird creature, griping his hair lazily like a cat, fast asleep despite the commotion. It broke the resolute impression he gave off, like a large German Shepard with a kitten sleeping on its paws, unable to move. Except, as would shortly be demonstrated, moving was very much an option, and the German Shepard was quiet adept at it, as was the kitten at riding his trusty steed.

    ¡°Raja, stay your hand,¡± the young man with the creature said, his tone placating, but with a commanding edge. ¡°The duty of adventurers is to cultivate our strength and protect the people. What good does it serve any of us to interfere with my affairs like this?¡±

    ¡°Your affairs?¡± His opponent scoffed, patronizing in tone and posture. ¡°I¡¯m offering that common girl a counteroffer. Option one, she denies your shoddy team up with no benefits, and gets a generous pouch of spirit coins in turn. I know how much someone like her¡ª¡± He jangled a pouch, ¡°¡ªneeds something like this. Option two, we hunt her down every moment of her life in Sanshi, and send her to the Church of the Healer, free of charge,¡± His bellicose gaze caused the young woman to filch. ¡°Well? Make your choice.¡±

    ¡°Penna, you don¡¯t need to answer,¡± The young man said, holding his arm out protectively in front of her.

    ¡°What? You¡¯ll use the power of your family to defend her? I know how your family works; you don¡¯t have any special protections. You have to ¡®progress with your own power¡¯, blah blah blah,¡± he mocked. ¡°What¡¯s the point of your family if they do nothing for you?¡±

    The young man in question, Sen, furrowed his eyebrows at such a derogatory statement towards familial bonds. Was he unaware of the insult he inadvertently lobbed at his own family?

    ¡°Sorry Sen,¡± Penna said, apologetic but afraid. ¡°I have family I¡¯m concerned about, and I need to help out at the shop. I don¡¯t want to bring them any trouble. I just want to focus on my training.¡±

    ¡°Penna, I can help. He should not use his family power to dictate your actions. I won¡¯t let it happen.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t Sen, not really. Not unless you can hire someone to protect me, or make your family move for you. I know you won¡¯t do that Sen.¡±

    She looked into his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m already not worth it to you. I¡¯m not up to your standards, am I?¡±

    He frowned, but said nothing. Either her own assumptions were insulting enough for him not to argue, or she was right. Or, she had fulfilled her own inadvertent prophecy right then and there.

    She held out her hand, her expression bitter, ¡°Young master Jagar, the coins¡­please.¡±

    His laugh was maliciously gleeful, ¡°As expected. This commoner knows what¡¯s good for her.¡± He threw the pouch of coins down to the ground with a weighty thud. ¡°Pick up the coins and don¡¯t come back. I don¡¯t want to see you around the Arlang. As you said¡­you¡¯re not up to his standards.¡±

    She bowed her head, scooping up the pouch as a kick was sent towards her head. She managed to duck. The heavy leather shoe skimmed against her temple in a raw scuff.

    ¡°Raja, she did what you wanted!¡± Sen¡¯s flared with anger as his gaze swept past the skin on Penna¡¯s face, bruising and red, but not quite bleeding.

    ¡°Ha!¡± Raja said, pulling his foot back slowly. ¡°It was a joke Sen. She¡¯s not badly hurt. She¡¯s an aspiring adventurer. She¡¯s tougher than that. Aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Penna flinched at the attention, but nodded. She was tougher than that, and she had gotten injured worse in sparring. She wasn¡¯t afraid of injury¡ªshe was afraid of bringing the harassment to her family.

    ¡°What¡¯s a little broken skin? Since when were you so soft?¡±

    The woman with the wolf-hat young man sighed, shaking her softly in mild disapproval and inadvertently interrupting Raja¡¯s tirade. She didn¡¯t say a word, but it was enough trigger Raja¡¯s sense of inferiority, plummeting him from his delusion of superiority back to his hole of mediocrity. He had always been a disappointment, the worst of his generation of peers. No one had any expectations for him except the expectation that he would fail. It was always the names of others that flew across their lips: Maya Arlang, the northern star, skilled in command, logistics, and battle. Vallis Nisei, the white sun of the black snakes; confident and competitive. Malachi Fenhu, Besar Dasan, Naosa Lang, Qingxi Lugu, and of course, Sen Arlang, the battlefield strategist.

    Raja swung his fist towards Sen, but it did not connect, interrupted by a black shovel that whacked him upside his head. He struggled to hang onto consciousness, his next works caught in his mouth in a confused choke.

    ¡°Let¡¯s no escalate things, yeah?¡± Nara said, a black shovel held aloft.

    ¡°Oh my. Is this not escalation?¡± Sen¡¯s companion said, eyes wide as Raja tipped forward and crumpled onto the ground.

    Turns out, it was very easy to sneak up on someone, even at iron rank. Iron rankers weren¡¯t any different than ordinary humans, except they had up to twenty magical abilities and a supernatural ability to recover from any injury if they didn¡¯t die from it first.

    Raja¡¯s aura control was shoddy, especially compared to hers. According to Laius, Nara¡¯s aura had always been difficult to detect or manipulate to others, and she easily snuck up to him. At this rank, most weren¡¯t adept enough to use it for detection either, securing Nara¡¯s sneak attack two-fold.

    She shaped Nirvana into a shovel. In this form, it had no attribute bonuses. But a shovel was a shovel. She found the tool very appealing¡ªit¡¯s diverse and flexible usage, the balance of weight in her hands, and the implications of shoveling trash¡ªappropriate for the target in question. Matty had the right idea with his trusty monster-punting tool.

    In Erras, fist fights between essence users went unpunished, if everyone involved was the same rank and no abilities were used. Abilities immediately amped the lethality of any conflict. Keeping it without abilities was just a scuffle that bruised bodies and egos and something everyone could heal from.

    Using Nirvana may be skirting the line, but it was just a shovel. Nobody else had to know it wasn¡¯t just a shovel.

    She wasn¡¯t going to interfere in their conflict, at first. She was naturally curious, a trait that had only been amplified in a brand-new, sparkling with wonder yet lurking with danger, magical world. That didn¡¯t mean she was quick to throw hands. She had never been in a fight before outside of the few years of sparring classes in martial arts that she had taken on Earth, and now on Erras with Vallis. But she couldn¡¯t really stand to see someone literally kicking someone while they were down. If Raja was comfortable taking a cheap shot, then she¡¯d show him who was more frugal, the pauper or the prince.

    So, utilizing the knowledge from The Way of the Traveler, she adjusted the strength of her swing, and whacked that arrogant young master upside the head, downing him in one shot.

    Surely, magic can heal brain damage?

    No, wasn¡¯t that type of brain damage already permanent?

    Either way, it wasn¡¯t her fault. He¡¯d have to take it up with his parents. Either upbringing or genetics¡ªthey had done something wrong.

    It was now four on four, except Penna immediately got to her feet, coin pouch in hand, and dashed away from the fight.

    ¡°She up and left?¡± Nara said disbelievingly, ¡°She couldn¡¯t stay to help?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± the young man with the wolf-bird creature said, ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to incite Raja¡¯s wrath later. I am Sen Arlang. You are?¡±

    ¡°Nara¡­¡± she hesitated, before using the last name Amara said she could use. ¡°Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°Dear Sen, there is no rush, but I would appreciate your intervention in a timely manner,¡± his companion called out to him while doing her best to dodge one of Raja¡¯s extras. The two were already engaged in their own brawl, although the woman was far more passive, and sticking to dancing out of reach like an amateur ballerina.

    It was three on four, with Nara¡¯s side at the personnel disadvantage. Since everyone was brawling with fists, she discreetly transformed Nirvana back into its accessory form, a black earring at her ear.

    Nara was matched with one of Raja¡¯s henchmen. He was unlike the other locals¡ªhe had dark skin, almost obsidian black, with glowing intricate golden runic tattoos. His eyes matched, glowing with a gold like an internalized sun. He looked like Amara, except Amara was an over 6-foot-tall Amazonian goddess, and this man was a mortal poorly mimicking the divine. He was below average for a man, around Nara¡¯s height, which made the battle more convenient for her. He was a runic, one of the many races native to Erras, known for their dark skin, typically shorter stature, bald head, and glowing tattoos.

    Raja himself was still knocked out cold, sprawled on the ground in a shameful position that arrogant young masters stereotypically ended up in¡ªass raised, face plant, and arms askew. It was true to form: 10 out of 10 points awarded, uncontested first place.

    The two engaged, her opponent flinging fist after fist at her. They were far better punches than she would have ever achieved on Earth, but she at least had the performance-enhancing-drugs of a skill book, and two weeks of nightmare inducing parkour training, if basic.

    Her opponent was a decent fighter, dodging past her own weak and non-committal punches. Nara wanted to end it with a blow to the jaw to knock him out, but he kept his guard up. Her best chance was a surprise blow, and she had already lost the element of surprise on Raja. She wasn¡¯t any faster than her runic opponent, and her blows were weaker.

    She had no choice; She would have to trust the skill book. The Way of the Charlatan: Non-Lethal Finisher¡ªBreaking Two Eggs with One Swing. That wasn¡¯t the real name of the move in the skill book, but The Way of the Traveler especially The Way of the Charlatan did not shy from dirty tactics.

    ¡°Dude, I¡¯m really sorry for this,¡± Nara began, ¡°but you¡¯ve left me with no other choice. I¡¯m not good enough at fighting to choose another way. You¡¯re probably just some unfortunate lackey, with no choice but to follow along with your incompetent boss. Your lot has been thrown in the pot, whether you like it or not.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Her opponent growled between swings. ¡°What pot?¡±

    Since she had persistently gone for head and torso blows the entire battle, the man¡¯s nether regions were conveniently unguarded. She feinted another blow to his solar plexus, then swung up her leg, crunching the eggs in the chicken coop with as much power as she could muster.

    ¡°They can heal those too¡­right?¡± She muttered as the man froze, his hands reflexively shooting to his gonads as if they were cradling delicate porcelain as he let out a mournful groan of pain. His head was now unguarded, so she put him out of his misery, smashing her fist into his jaw and rocking his brain like she originally wanted.

    It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Brain damage isn¡¯t permanent.

    He crumpled, hands still cupping his nether, his face warped in pain, then the emptiness and relief of unconsciousness.

    While she had been handling one opponent, Sen had been fighting two.

    Sen Arlang was a tall young man, and incredibly handsome, like some fitness model turned martial arts action movie star¡ªone who did his own stunts. He had black hair and fair skin like the rest of the locals, but his eyes deviated from the norm; they were a piecing, almost glimmering lightning storm grey. This only added to his stand-out appearance, the envy of many other rich young masters that won consolation prizes at the genetic lottery while Sen took home the grand prize. The only bigger winner she had seen thus far was Encio, who evidently got it from his Greek god of a grandfather.

    Make no mistake, Raja had been a handsome young lad himself, but compared to Sen Arlang, he was an imitation to a masterpiece; a local attraction to a world wonder. That inadmissible fact irritated Raja at every meeting.

    He seemed younger than Nara, in his late teens, but his tall and strong frame, confidence, and martial skill kept her guessing. For youth, essences aged them up a bit into the prime of their physical condition. For the older, essences aged them down.

    He fought like a mixed martial artist, strong and powerful blows coming from every possible angle. His opponents were no match for him, suffering fast punches that staggered them, then brutal leg sweeps that toppled them. He did the same as Nara, securing the knockout with a solid blow to the solar plexus, giving his opponents no chance to haul themselves to their feet for round 2.

    He style was a mixture of John Wick and Bruce Lee, powerful, quick, masterful, adaptive, and decisive. As he annihilated his opponents, the creature on top of his head gleefully swung around. Holding on for dear life seemed fun to it. It let out a mix of dog-like barks and bird-like chirps, a one-creature peanut gallery on the top of his head.

    ¡°Goddamn it, this guy won¡¯t be a good sparring partner either.¡±

    The other woman, who had not introduced herself yet, struggled with her opponent, even more than Nara. She kept her cool, but close combat was clearly not her forte, nor her interest. She dashed around, blocking with her forearms as best she could, buying time with avoidance and patience. In a fight, if you kept running you were pretty hard to hit. She seemed an ardent subscriber to that school of thought, only engaging as necessary to prolong the fight.

    Finished with his opponents, Sen smoothly advanced, the combined force of his large frame and momentum focused with a fist to the chest. Her opponent was launched majestically into the bushes, where Sen quickly followed up by grappling and pummeling him.

    He got up, nonplussed, dusting dirt from his pants with fists splattered with blood, both from his own cuts and from the face he just rearranged ¡®free of charge¡¯, as Raja had once claimed himself. With just a knock to the back of the head, Raja had gotten away the easiest.

    ¡°Thank you for the assistance, miss Edea,¡± Sen said, performing a very formal greeting to her in thanks.

    ¡°Just call me Nara.¡±

    ¡°Then, please call me Sen. This is my friend Aliyah Sahar.¡±

    She smiled gently in greeting.

    Aliyah Sahar was a runic, a race that was relatively common in Sanshi. They were known for their glowing runic tattoos on their skin¡ªsomething they were born with¡ªand their matching glowing eyes. They typically had bald heads and dark skin, but Aliyah did not. Her family line had many interracial marriages, and with it came a boon of hair, although it obscured the beautiful runes on her scalp, which Nara could faintly see glowing through the roots of her luscious, dark locks.

    She had warm brown skin that was complimented with gold runic tattoos, like the opponent Nara had just brutalized. Their type of runic must have been native to this area. Her runes were more of a soft, honey-gold, rather than the powerful sun-gold of Amara¡¯s eyes, who wasn¡¯t a runic, but Nara found herself comparing the two nonetheless. Aliyah¡¯s eyes matched the color of her runes, irises of sunlit honey. She was notably older than Sen, who looked in his late teens or early twenties. She was late twenties to early thirties, but it was hard for Nara to tell with essences in play.

    ¡°I¡¯ve gone and wacked a man against my better judgement, not literally, you know what I mean. Or maybe I do mean literally? Anyway¡­since I¡¯m standing here among the heaps of evidence¡ª¡± She gestured to the five unconscious bodies around them, ¡°Could you tell me what¡¯s going on?¡±

 Chapter 21: The Scene of the Crime

    Chapter 21: The Scene of the Crime

    ¡°This troubled young man on the ground is Raja Jagar,¡± Aliyah said, gesturing to Raja who was generously demonstrating how to make a dirt angel, wrong side down.

    ¡°Jagar?¡± The name was familiar to Nara, but she couldn¡¯t quite place it. She had heard a flurry of names in the first two weeks she¡¯s been in Erras and her memory has never been all that reliable. Really, it tries it¡¯s best. (And she knows, she knows, that it¡¯s probably best to remember the names of nobles in a society where nobility (or their equivalent of it) actually matters, but she can¡¯t throw water at glass and have it stick.)

    ¡°One of the six prominent families of Sanshi. Are they unfamiliar to you?¡± Sen questioned, and rather passively asking if she was a new addition to Sanshi. Those seeking an Adventurer education from afar was not uncommon.

    ¡°I¡¯m very bad with names and faces,¡± Nara explained, ¡°and ranking up didn¡¯t fix that for me. I¡¯m a lost cause and I¡¯m afraid rank won¡¯t fix it.¡±

    ¡°My, I can certainly understand that,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I tend to lose track of my time with my research. Sen here helps to keep me balanced,¡± she said, throwing a casual compliment to her companion. ¡°Raja had been interfering with Sen¡¯s formation of a team for quite some time now.¡±

    ¡°Why would anyone get in the way of team formation? Seems like a silly thing to come to blows over.¡±

    ¡°Why would they indeed? It¡¯s a silly conflict¡ªI completely agree,¡± Aliyah said, shaking her head disapprovingly. ¡°Of the six foundational families of Sanshi¡ªArlang of the wolf, Nisei of the snake, Fenhu of the phoenix, Dasan of the bear, Lugu of the turtle, and Jagar of the dragon¡ªthree of the families have distinguished themselves over the years.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess, the Arlang family is one of them?¡± she said, gesturing with twirling fingers to Sen, who remained impassive.

    She nodded. ¡°The Arlang, the Fenhu, and the Nisei have differentiated themselves in recent years. The widening status has resulted in some contentions with the youngest generation. The high pride of the Jagar is holding them back.¡± She glanced at Raja, still face down in dirt. ¡°He really isn¡¯t such a bad young man, but the influences of his family are rather evident and unpleasant.¡±

    ¡°And your family doesn¡¯t care?¡± Nara said, gesturing at Sen.

    Surely in these sorts of settings, the righteous young master asserts the power of his own family right back, except that they were more competent and powerful than the other side. Then, Raja Jagar (the incompetent young master and destined to be a steppingstone) has his face slapped and he runs away like a sore loser, swearing revenge. So begins a years long feud (months for novel timelines¡ªgot to move quick), culminating with Sen annihilating Raja¡¯s entire family for aiding and abetting his crimes.

    ¡°I could not call myself a proud member of my family if I cannot handle a conflict of this scale,¡± Sen said, straightening his posture, except that it was already impeccably straight to begin with. Still, somehow, he seemed to stand taller, with more steady confidence. Sen agreed that the scale of the conflict was small scale, and felt empowered by his family¡¯s trust and non-intervention. Nara¡¯s fantasies wouldn¡¯t manifest this time.

    There was only one place they would.

    ¡°Mm, that¡¯s not quite right,¡± Aliyah drawled, ¡°His mother likes to take a bit of a hands off approach. She wants to give her son the space to spread his wings. She knows you have to balance privilege with hardship, or it can all go to the head.¡±

    The pointed end of her statement was Raja, sprawled out on the ground, a trust fund child spoiled by equally spoiled adults; Bananas rotting bananas.

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Sen said, turning to face Nara directly, ¡°I would like to offer you an invitation to join my team. I appreciate the sort of person that would intervene in the face of injustice, on Penna¡¯s behalf.¡± He didn¡¯t think Raja¡¯s interference in his business was injustice. They were parties of equal strength.

    ¡°Wait a minute. Shouldn¡¯t you care about team composition or something? I¡¯m new here but I know that must be important.¡±

    ¡°The team is only Aliyah and I. Team composition is not a concern yet. I care more for character.¡±

    ¡°I hate to break it to you, but my character isn¡¯t particularly standup. Untried and untested,¡± Nara said, ¡°Any sort of pressure, and my values are going to fold like paper in the hands of an origami master. I wasn¡¯t even going to do anything, and what I did was mainly pointless.¡±

    A bit of her speech was confusing; Sen didn¡¯t understand what an origami master was, but he figured it was simply a term he was unfamiliar with. He was well education in Sanshi culture, but there was much he did not know. Still, he persisted in his offer.

    ¡°Why did you assist us then?¡± he asked.

    ¡°The dude starting kicking her when she was down. That¡¯s low.¡±

    It had curdled her stomach. Nara had never seen anyone get beat up before in her life (as far as she remembered). Her life had been peaceful, mundane, and safe. Such blatant, scathing assault, both verbal and physical, on someone who had already bowed out, fired up the kilns to fight injustice¡ªor something like that.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to respond to my invitation today,¡± Sen said. ¡°Just consider it.¡±

    ¡°You just don¡¯t want her to reject you today,¡± Aliyah said in a teasing tone, inadvertently exposing his hidden intention.

    He gave her a mildly unappreciative look.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to responding to my invitation today,¡± he repeated, clearing his throat, ¡°but if you have no other commitments, consider this team.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it, I guess,¡± Nara responded noncommittally, ¡°I¡¯ll see you all later; I have no intentions of sticking around the scene of the crime. I ain¡¯t that kind of predictable criminal.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a criminal,¡± Sen pointed out, confused with her reaction. ¡°You didn¡¯t break any laws.¡±

    She departed with a wave and a node teleportation that she thought was sufficiently mysterious.

    ¡°Nailed that one.¡±

    *****

    Ever since she awakened her Dimension Node ability, it had been incorporated into Amara and Laius¡¯ training. The ability comprised of two distinct parts¡ªthe ability to create dimensional loci and the ability to teleport to dimensional loci. In her limited experience, the latter was useless without the former. The loci she conjured were invisible. It consisted of an invisible core¡ªthe locus¡ªand a spherical field or around a 6-foot radius, like an electron cloud around a nucleus. She could teleport to anywhere within the spherical field, even onto the incorporeal core, if it was not obstructed by other magical effects or physical objects. Any small physical objects or magical effects, like dust, small pebbles, sticks and leaves, or stray magical disturbances, she displaced (thank god for that, because teleportation would be completely impractical otherwise). The limit of what she could displace was more or less intuitive; if the object was not fixed and not heavy, like a helium-filled balloon, she was likely able to displace it. Anything too large and too fixed, and she could not node jump into that location. Although, combined with Phase Shift, she could Node Jump into solid material, although that was a dangerous and expensive combination. She didn¡¯t want to die because she tried to shortcut through a mountain, only to fuse flesh into solid rock and be discovered as an unexplainable fossil in a few million years.

    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    The nodes may be invisible to mundane perception, but they were not imperceptible nor indestructible. Even without Nara¡¯s dimension sense, they could be detected by any essence user, although it required more focus than it did for them than it did for her. Her dimension sense just made the cores visually perceivable and perceivable in ways she couldn¡¯t quite describe¡ªlike she had awakened an 8<sup>th</sup> sense. (The 6<sup>th</sup> sense was aura, and the 7<sup>th</sup> sense was magic, both of which didn¡¯t directly rely on eyesight.) She could sense these things around her, and not just within her line of sight.

    Thankfully, it took more than incidental damage to pop the cores. It took a targeted attack enhanced with non-physical types of damage, and decent precision. Most low rank monsters, aside from specters and elementals, would not be able to destroy her nodes, but essence users would have their ways. With 20 abilities each, they always did.

    Amara was right¡ªthe single ability, Dimension Node, already had so much nuance that she had barely explored. If she had awakened all of her abilities all at once, she would not know what to tackle first. Those of the jungle compound did know. They focused on her evasive abilities, both basic and in combination with her essence abilities.

    ¡°The most important ability for an adventurer is the ability to survive,¡± was one of Amara¡¯s adages. ¡°Your survival abilities lie in your evasiveness and your ability to escape, and so that will be the first aspect we hone.¡±

    Despite Amara¡¯s warrior attitude, she had an unexpectedly nuanced approach towards escape and survival. Live to fight another day. It seemed obvious, but if Amara was drumming it into her skull like the omnipresent snare of a military march, it may not be that simple.

    And so, her parkour training had evolved.

    At first, she had just been leaping across gaps, climbing up faces, jumping through holes, swinging on bars, and sliding down slopes¡ªchanneling her inner monkey. They were all chained together relatively smoothly, boosted by the instant skill from the skill book from The Way of the Seeker. That was difficult enough, but Laius and Amara amped it up further.

    Now, she had to use Phase Shift at precise timings to avoid a rock sent hurtling at her body or foot, or else it would disrupt her landing, or worse, shatter her bone. Dimension Node was used to rapidly gain verticality or to cross impossible gaps, and Amara took it upon herself to quickly correct one of Nara¡¯s emergent bad habits before it could solidify.

    When she first used Dimension Node, she would conjure and place her nodes in advance. They were hard to pinpoint and destroy, after all, there should be nothing wrong with that.

    Amara took issue with that assumption, and made sure Nara knew.

    A hurtling rock from Amara with accuracy beyond a professional baseball pitcher destroyed her nodes before she had a chance to use them. After a few failed jumps caused her to faceplant in the grass and dirt, spitting both from her mouth in a frustrated huff, she learned to conjure her node then teleport to it in rapid sequence, before Amara punished her delay.

    Amara still had the chance to destroy it. Nara knew she was much faster than she could possibly link her conjuration to teleportation, but that was the evolution in skill Amara encouraged. This was the creative thinking that educators of essence users wanted to cultivate.

    Cosmic Path was a mainstay in her parkour. It increased her Speed attribute, which encompassed maximum movement speed, reflexes, perceptual speed, flexibility, and coordination (and was quickly becoming the attribute she was best at harnessing). Once conjured, she could also use the starry shadow conjuration to reduce her weight to slow-fall and moon jump. It allowed her to execute superhuman jumps through the parkour course.

    The final and newest component of her parkour training was Dream¡¯s Wake. The ability was innocuous; It had no visual effect. If she actively intercepted an attack, she could nullify its damage and non-damage effects, to a limit. This could be used with her bare body, or with a weapon. An attack that she didn¡¯t make a move to deflect, such as a rock she saw about to hit her thigh, would still deal its full damage.

    They also started to incorporate swordplay. Like all of their lessons, they built upon the basics, which, in itself, was an important lesson. Connect all of your lessons. Connect all that you learn. All of your skills should work together, work for each other, and enhance each other. Building each part separately then integrating them together to form a stronger whole, like an alloy of metals forming something superior to their individual elements.

    Nara used Dream¡¯s Wake to deflect those terrifying bulleting stones. The stone varied between light rocks she could easily deflect with a casual swing, and mobile black holes, as if the rocks were made of lead, which she had to heft away with the heavier staff-form Nirvana or avoid altogether¡ªit was part of her training to learn which was which. Frankly, it was easier for her to deflect stuff with her hands like Karate Kid, but she needed to practice with a weapon.

    All of this culminated in parkour training that was more battle than movement. She phased through speeding rocks seeking to knock her off balance, simultaneously deflecting another that sped towards her the moment she exited Phase Shift. While Phase Shift had no cooldown, if she repeatedly used it in a short time frame, she¡¯d completely empty herself of mana. Amara chastised her.

    ¡°You must choose what to avoid. If the attack is not an extreme threat, use your other options. Suffer the weak hits, and avoid the strong ones. That is the instinct you need to cultivate.¡±

    *****

    Her meditation sessions with Redell doubled as light therapy, and well a calming change of pace from the insanity of rock-dodgeball-parkour. Redell was interested in using the soul to speak, and it was something he picked up easily himself. The two were working on applying the ability to communicate with the soul through music, but they made little progress.

    Redell set down his instrument, laying it across his lap.

    ¡°It may be an issue of equipment. Normal instruments may not be able to channel the effect I seek.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to develop something specialty, then?¡±

    ¡°There are techniques and objects made for channeling the soul and aura,¡± Redell said. ¡°I¡¯ll have to discuss it with the other two.¡±

    Amara had invented the aura pen after all; she had experience with creating objects that could be imbued with aura.

    ¡°This is as far as we go.¡±

    They had managed to develop a technique similar to telepathy, using their auras to channel their thoughts directly to the soul. The receiver had to accept the link from the sender, due to the inherent inviolability of the soul.

    It wasn¡¯t a practical technique¡ªit involving weaving the aura into a channel, then extending it to someone with aura range. It required great concentration and skill on the part of the sender, although the receiver could use the same link to communicate, which reduced skill requirements.

    At dinner that night Nara received a bombshell announcement.

    ¡°Tomorrow, I will take you to fight your first monster,¡± Amara declared.

    ¡°...Are you sure I¡¯m ready for it?¡±

    ¡°Will you ever be completely ready for something you¡¯ve never done before?¡± Chelsea commented. Her words were sharp, but her expression revealed her concern. She was letting Amara hold the hopes, despite her better judgment. Amara wouldn¡¯t let Nara die under her care, but she didn¡¯t have the gentlest hand. There were no training wheels with Amara (not exactly anyway¡ªall her work was in preparation for the real thing.) The soft outworlder needed a toughening lesson. They wouldn¡¯t aways be there to yank her back from the maws of death. To master the magic needed to traverse dimensions, then she needed to raise her rank past what cores would reasonably allow. Combat was the only option.

    The magic to cross dimensions invited danger. The power to intrude into other worlds was a guarded secret, one none of Innovation¡¯s Retreat knew themselves, or perhaps, they¡¯d offer it sooner and spare Nara the trouble.

    *****

    The next moment was the fateful day. Nara wasn¡¯t the anxious type, but she found herself buzzing in anticipation, a combination of fear, anxiety, and excitement. She had been training for three weeks now¡ªit wasn¡¯t much, but it was a night and day difference than when she first crash-landed in Erras as a shaky-legged fawn-like outworlder. Would her training be realized in practical application, or would she flounder?

    She didn¡¯t want to disappoint Amara and the others after they had invested so much time into her. The weeks had felt simultaneously short yet long.

    She astral jumped into the outskirts of Sanshi, while Amara utilized a portable portal generator. Amara had no portal power, only Chelsea and Laius did of the four. If they had business together, she used one of theirs.

    ¡°I hope I get a portal power.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need a portal power,¡± Amara pointed out. Her portal folded in on itself back into a spherical ball, which she stored. It was one of Chelsea¡¯s creations, ¡°Your inherent racial ability is better.¡±

    ¡°I might want to bring some friends along, like Chelsea does.¡±

    ¡°You do have friends now,¡± Amara agreed, ¡°That¡¯s an option now, isn¡¯t it.¡±

    ¡°I do have friends. Don¡¯t act so surprised.¡± Nara narrowed her eyes, ¡°It feels like Chelsea has rubbed off on you.¡±

    ¡°She is always rubbing on me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to tell her you said that.¡±

    So Nara threatened, but Amara¡¯s expression was one of amusement. Her threat had backfired.

    ¡°I think I¡¯d enjoy that. Make sure you tell her.¡±

    Nara groaned. Really, she should stop trying to use Chelsea to win against Amara. It was never going to work.

 Chapter 22: You Do Have it in You

    Chapter 22: You Do Have it in You

    The two picked through land beyond Sanshi, the city of stone and crystal sparkling in the distance. The weather was clear, but Nara¡¯s heart felt the calm before the storm. The looming pressure, the gaping silence, the heavy anticipation. She wasn¡¯t nervous, no, she was rarely nervous beforehand. It was after the adrenaline settled that she¡¯d slightly shake, twist her cold fingers, and think.

    Sanshi¡¯s classic landscape stretched before her¡ªspires of tall stone, like stone toothpicks stabbed into the earth by mountain sized humanoids. Rivers weaved between stone gorges, forests, and open plains of tall grass. At the top of the spires she saw shards of stone, floating in the air in a mockery of physics. Waterfalls misted down from steep peaks, joining small rivers that coalesced into a larger main river. Where the water came from, Nara had no idea.

    The cries of an unknown bird and the rustling of wind-blown tall grass tickled her senses.

    They started down the hill, Amara easily picking through the grass while Nara waded through it like a duckling following her mother. Nara¡¯s aura senses were still nascent, but she could pick out signs of life different from animals¡ªmonsters. A whisper of what was to come, startlingly soon.

    A wolf monster of dark blue stood at attention at the forest¡¯s edge, the corners of its mouth lifting into a snarl. It was the same size as a normal wolf, still within the bounds of ¡®ordinary¡¯ life that iron rank entailed.

    ¡°That is an iron rank monster,¡± Amara explained, pointing at the wolf, ¡°As I recall, you said your world had no monsters.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Nara said. She was attentive yet absent. ¡°The only monsters we have are people.¡±

    She nodded agreeing with the statement, ¡°Monsters are a natural manifestation of magic. Their bodies are created from crude astral magic, like yours, and empowered by a motive spirit. Over time, these motive spirits degrade, driving the monster into a frenzy over its inevitable demise. Normal rank monsters are frenzied on manifestation, whereas iron rank monsters last around a week or two, varying by type and power.¡±

    ¡°If I understand this correctly, these monsters will dematerialize on their own. Why kill them?¡±

    ¡°Those in the far wilds, naturally, are left to dematerialize on their own. Those nearby settlements must be killed. That frenzied state is when they are at their most destructive.¡±

    She gave Nara a hard pat on the back, causing her to stumble forward.

    ¡°Go forth and slay the monster, Nara. Put your training so far to the test.¡±

    She glanced down at the monster, and set up the outline of a plan. Nothing detailed. She didn¡¯t have enough experience to formulate any sort of concrete plan. Her knowledge and skills were all skeletons¡ªthe skill book, the sparring, the training. She supposed she was finally putting some meat on those bones.

    First, Nara set up her Dimension Nodes. She wasn¡¯t fighting¡ªdodging¡ªAmara, so she was free to set them up in advance. She only had six to work with, which wasn¡¯t much in the open field. She saved four nodes for close combat, and two placed further away in retreat. With a thought, Nirvana warped like flowing ink, transforming into a dark sword of crystalized night sky in her hand.

    The wolf was already blitzing towards her, eyes bloodshot and foaming mouth agape, as if it was infected with rabies. She didn¡¯t feel fear, not yet. Was a bloodshot growling monster looking it wanted to tear her apart and drape her across the trees in a grotesque display of strung up organs and not enough to trigger her flight or fight response, or was her response to fight?

    No, if abilities were chosen by the soul, it was clear she held the option of flight close to her heart. Flight was freedom. Escape was freedom. She learned that the hard way.

    She looked back. Amara was gone. Of course she was. How very Amara. Leave it to her to make a first battle more intense than it needed to be. She didn¡¯t want Amara to hold her hand as she chopped up a rabbit or something. Or maybe she did.

    She hissed under her breath; The wolf was still fast approaching, beelining towards her from its original position at the forest¡¯s edge.

    For a brief moment, she questioned reality. What was she doing? There she was, holding a shapeshifting black sword like some idiot protagonist who pulled a legendary weapon fresh out of the beginner village. She wasn¡¯t a video game character. Fear bubbled up, and uncomfortable nerves set in.

    She was torn between a sort of logical flight and fight, since neither immediately triggered. Her instinct of normality had already been crushed in the astral, and a new instinct to fight was being slowly instilled within her by her training. But flight was how she survived the being that had tortured her.

    Her thoughts dragged on for too long, and the wolf was upon her.

    No matter how prepared or trained she was, which wasn¡¯t much, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from flinching when the hot and disgusting breath of a monster wolf snapped at her throat. She reacted, more automatic than with conscious thought; The wolf was another rock, and she needed to avoid it and deflect it. She capitalized on her incredible three dimensional mobility, and she teleported above the wolf and plunged her sword downwards, activating Astral Return to enhance her damage.

    She didn¡¯t expect her sword to so easily slide into the monster¡¯s back, past its rough fur and through the flesh of its shoulder blades. She was now in an awkward position, straddling the top of a monster wolf like some bucking wild mustang. Her thighs reflexively clamped down as the wolf snarled and bucked beneath her.

    -------

    -You have inflicted an instance of [Dimensional Instability] on [Midnight Wolf].

    -You have inflicted [Dimensional Rupture] on [Midnight Wolf].

    -[Dimensional Rupture] deals damage equal to instances of [Dimensional Instability]. Instances: 1.

    -------

    There wasn¡¯t anything the wolf could do to her on its back. It was already injured, bleeding from its shoulder injury, blood matting its dark blue fur. In a desperate attempt to throw her off, it threw itself to the ground, Nara tumbling down with it, her simple grey garb stained with grass and dirt.

    She belatedly realized she had no physical protection beyond her simple clothes.

    She had been drilled by Amara and Laius to immediately get to her feet, lest another rock create a fresh new welt. It had been beaten into her to keep moving, and it kept her alive. She sprung to her feet with cat-like dexterity as the wolf simultaneously hauled itself back to its feet. She node jumped forward, her sword mid-swing, catching the wolf at the side of its neck.

    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s a pretty good technique,¡± she muttered to herself. Her mind was beginning to calm and focus, although she still felt the highs of adrenaline induced focus despite her lack of biological adrenal glands. Another mysterious boon of her magic body.

    Her teleportation preserved her momentum and movement. She could use it to preemptively swing, in the future, although it¡¯d require significantly more skill than she had now to gauge timings reliably.

    The wolf retaliated, its bite snapping into Nara¡¯s shoulder.

    For a moment, she felt her blood run cold as terror crept back into her mind, warring with the new calm in a mental state tug-of-war. Searing pain coiled up through her nerves, burning her non-existent brain.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    She never felt so awake as in that moment. She looked back up towards the hill, but Amara wasn¡¯t there. It was an expression of trust and testing, Nara knew, but being alone terrified her. She had been along for so long in the astral. She hated it. At the least, she had the wolf who was trying to kill her with her. That was something.

    She must¡¯ve really gone insane at some point if she thought the wolf trying to kill her was better company than being completely alone.

    The wolf pushed forward, shoving Nara over and forcing her to the ground, once again, but also refocusing Nara¡¯s mind. This time, it was her matted with blood, as the impressive bite force of the wolf held on strong, cracking her bones.

    If she did nothing she would die, she thought. She has to help herself. She must help herself.

    That was nothing new. When she had awoken to her imprisonment and torture by the strange entity that plucked her from her ordinary albeit mundane life, it was she who found a way to escape its machinations. Her solution may have fractured her memories and sent her into a wild goose chase across the astral for memory-lint, but it was still her solution. She had a weird pride for it. She may have been trying to destroy herself, but she didn¡¯t want pity¡ªgive me liberty or give me death.

    Within the strange, ever-shifting, infinite realm of the astral, it was Chrome that first offered her a helping hand, even if it was at the behest of someone else. She didn¡¯t care if aid was government aid, or whatever trans-dimensional bureaucracy the cosmos ran on, she¡¯d take the aid.

    Survival instinct kicked in and she forced herself to move. She Phase Shifted to separate the wolf¡¯s maw from her shoulder, then teleported to the side of the wolf, orienting herself so that she was on her feet. She mentally noted her mana, gouged away by a single, brief, Phase Shift.

    The wolf, blood dripping from long canines, snapped its head towards her.

    She swung her sword, pushing through the pain from her shoulder even as her main arm was uninjured, and triggered Astral Return, once again, her sword subtly gleaming with enhanced silver light.

    Her sword caught the wolf in the neck once again, but she yanked it further, pushing through muscles and bone. She teleported in place to remove her sword from flesh, then repeated, hammering her sword through its flesh and bone like she was chopping a tree with an axe.

    She briefly transformed Nirvana into a staff, smashing it down on the wolf¡¯s head. The wolf yelped, and Nara could imagine cartoon stars revolving above its head. The cartoon stars were a little too real; she was delirious from pain and surging adrenaline, but still focused.

    Now exposed, she swung sword form Nirvana at its throat, cutting through the jugular like how the wolf had intended to originally kill her off. Red blood seeped out from the wound, coloring the green grass in a gory perversion of Christmas. She felt hot and cold all over, and the smell of blood thickened in her nose.

    Was it bloodlust, fight or flight, adrenaline (magically replicated), or the simple will to live that drove her? She transformed Nirvana back into a staff and hammered at the monster¡¯s head, leaving it no chance to retaliate. It was a disgusting, desperate act that left Nara feeling incredibly brutish and animalistic. She told herself she was just confirming the kill.

    Stepping away from the bludgeoned corpse with an exhausted stagger, she activated her looting ability.

    -------

    -You have killed [Midnight Wolf].

    <ul>

    <li>10 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (iron)</li>

    <li>20 wolf quintessence (iron)</li>

    <li>Awakening stone of the wolf</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    The unpleasant stink of rainbow smoke drifted up from the blood that stained her clothing, a combination of the wolf¡¯s and her own. She was too tired to care, collapsing onto the ground as if she intended to make a snow angel in the grass. If she needed to breathe, she¡¯d be choking out haggard breaths. Thank god¡­thank the gods she didn¡¯t have to.

    A shadow loomed over her, blocking out the still-morning sun.

    ¡°Dammit, Amara.¡±

    Amara ginned.

    The moment paused, Amara still looming like a solar eclipse.

    ¡°Amara, are all monsters this hard to kill? I don¡¯t think I have it in me if they are.¡±

    ¡°No. This was one of the stronger ones for its rank,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°Why?¡± Her question was simple, but she was too exhausted to elaborate further.

    ¡°It was there. Adventurers shouldn¡¯t pick and choose monsters. When you¡¯re defending life, you defeat the enemy in front of you.¡±

    But I could run, Nara wanted to say. If the monster was attacking others, could she have run? She hoped she would not. If she was the one with the magical powers, the soldier to the civilians, then she needed to be the one to stand her ground.

    She was too tired to be frustrated with Amara. There were no civilians to defend here. The point was, after all, that she and civilians weren¡¯t put in that position in the first place. She lost her own argument in her head.

    ¡°You pulled through. Well done,¡± Amara praised. She had never been too uptight to praise. Amara may be vastly stronger than her, but she knew what others considered a challenge. ¡°Now use Overture on yourself. That is your first mistake.¡±

    She didn¡¯t have the mental capacity to do anything but obey.

    ¡°Song rises from within,¡± she wearily chanted, which gathered the mana and activated the spell. Her Integrity boon was already stacking, but Overture increased the rate of growth, especially since she wasn¡¯t expending mana and stamina now. Healing of such a large wound wasn¡¯t visibly fast, but she hoped she wouldn¡¯t die of blood loss. Judging from Amara¡¯s unconcerned expression, she probably wouldn¡¯t. Probably. Redell could revive her though, shit.

    ¡°The second mistake¡ª¡± Amara continued, sitting on the ground beside an injured Nara, ¡°¡ªis that you did not cast Entropy.¡±

    ¡°I only hit that wolf like, seven times. It¡¯s not going to tip the scales.¡±

    Each instance of Dimensional Instability and Dimensional Rupture had a minor effect. In a long battle, they were dangerous effects that would make even a scratch from Nara a powerful blow, but in a short battle, hacking at the monster was more effective.

    ¡°You should always fight every enemy as if its stronger than you. To grow, you must use your full potential, even if it is inefficient for now. When monsters are stronger, your ramping damage will shine. Put up with the inefficiency for now.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master Amara.¡±

    ¡°You have enough energy to talk back?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m zipping my lips,¡± Nara said. She attempted to draw her fingers across her lips in a zipping motion, but couldn¡¯t lift her arm without shooting stabs of pain. It was true she had enough energy to talk. Her voice was magically generated, it didn¡¯t hurt her to talk besides moving her mouth to match the words.

    ¡°Is that why I¡¯m not using a potion?¡±

    ¡°Relying on the healing effects of your aura and abilities will progress them faster. Once your bleeding has stopped, you¡¯re going to get up and start jogging. I can¡¯t have you leaving Refresh out.¡±

    ¡°Shit,¡± Nara hissed as she learnt the worst truth of her abilities, ¡°I really do have to run to heal.¡±

    She returned to Amara¡¯s side after jogging in circles around the grassland for over an hour. Another monster had leapt out of the tall grass to assault her, like a wild Pok¨¦mon encounter, but she had dispatched it far more easily, her sword piercing the body of a warped, chimpanzee-like creature, then bludgeoning it to death with a staff. It had too many arms and too many tails; it was a monster that was more frightening than it was strong.

    -------

    -You have killed [Chimeric Forest Monkey]

    <ul>

    <li>10 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (iron)</li>

    <li>3 chimera quintessence (iron)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    At she finished off the monkey like a caveman with a few smashes to its skull with staff form Nirvana, she thought that Amara was right. Other monsters were weaker than the wolf she had just fought.

    ¡°Well? Do you have the will to continue the fight?¡± Amara asked, her golden eyes peering deep into Nara¡¯s own. They were lighthouse beacons, pulling her thoughts from the depths of her stormy mind, forcing her to deeply question her current trajectory in life.

    She paused.

    She was unable to immediately respond and mulled over her near-death experience, tossing about the battle in her mind like shoes in a tumble dryer. It felt like the fight had brought out the worst, dirtiest aspects of her. Amara would tell her the desperation to live was not shameful if she had voiced it. She was indecisive, hesitant, messy, and brutal¡­but she had won. She had killed the monster.

    ¡°I think¡­I¡¯m okay,¡± she said honestly, ¡°I can do this.¡±

    Her response wasn¡¯t inspirational nor confident. She had felt fearful, in the moment, but her fears had faded like the blood of a looted monster. She was not the type to dwell on unpleasant experiences nor did she feel extreme emotions for long. She just didn¡¯t have the energy to keep those emotions going, and they often faded away along with the memory of the event that caused it. However, she was surprised that it applied to a bloody fight with a wolf monster. That was just her personality, for better or for worse. For today, it was for the better.

    There was another sensation, the exhilaration of being alive. The exultation of success. She was a different person than she was three weeks ago. She had rudimentary sword skills and magic powers. Today, she experience that change for herself. She was poetry in motion¡ªa middle schooler¡¯s ill-structured poem that couldn¡¯t quite handle iambic pentameter, but poetry nonetheless.

    Amara grinned, ¡°So you do have it in you. And you were so unsure!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I sounded unsure just then too.¡±

    Amara gestured to the awakening stone Nara held in her hand. She had removed it from her inventory to inspect it.

    ¡°Which stone is it?¡±

    ¡°Awakening stone of the wolf.¡±

    ¡°Will you use it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have to?¡±

    ¡°It has a good chance of producing a familiar,¡± Amara said, ¡°A familiar will greatly benefit you. Awakening stones of animals have a high chance of producing familiars in general.¡±

    ¡°A wolf familiar.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Do you prefer a different creature? We have some stuff we can dig out. We can even exchange it, so it¡¯d feel more like something you¡¯ve earned. You have earned it.¡±

    This stone was special to her since it was from her first monster kill. She¡¯d use it, no matter what.

    ¡°You know, I had something like a familiar once, but I left him behind back in the astral.¡±

    Chrome would have been very offended if he heard me say that, she thought to herself with a snicker. But she missed him, and wished she could see him. He said they¡¯d meet again, but when?

 Chapter 23: I Got a Cool Rock

    Chapter 23: I Got a Cool Rock

    The two returned to Innovation¡¯s Retreat. Nara was haggard, while Amara beamed with a pride that made her sheepish by association.

    Chelsea arrived in front of Amara in a flash, her nymph beauty twisted in a scowl. Even then, she was still mesmerizing, evidenced by Amara¡¯s exuberant grin.

    ¡°Look at her,¡± Chelsea said angrily, pointing to Nara¡¯s ripped-up clothing dyed with blood, dirt, and grass, ¡°I¡¯m guessing you threw her at whatever monster happened to cross your path.¡±

    ¡°How did you know?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t act dumb with me, how long have we known each other? You want to be a teacher so badly but you¡¯re heidel shit at it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Nara piped up, ¡°I learnt a lesson. A uh, rough lesson, but a good lesson.¡±

    Chelsea stalked around Nara, like a judge evaluating a dancer. She manifested a stone out of the air, ¡°Hands out.¡±

    Nara obeyed, just glad she wasn¡¯t the direct target of Chelsea¡¯s wrath, even if Amara was enjoying it.

    ¡°Awakening stone of cloth?¡± She said, reading the description, her Guide returned her.

    ¡°Likely to produce an armor conjuration suited for you,¡± Chelsea said, then quickly turned her anger back to Amara. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you threw her into combat without any protection.¡±

    ¡°A lot of iron rankers fight without armor,¡± Amara pointed out. ¡°Most can¡¯t afford it for a while.¡±

    ¡°Have you even given it a moment¡¯s thought that you may be too diehard? This outworlder hadn¡¯t even lifted a weapon for the first twenty-three years of her life, let alone seen a monster because their world doesn¡¯t have any blasted monsters¡ªor magic¡ªI might add. Maybe, just maybe, you should ease her into monster battles? She should have a tough lesson but not¡ª¡± She waved her hand over Nara¡¯s bloodied clothing, ¡°¡ªThat tough.¡±

    Her wounds had mostly healed after a few hours spent running around an open field with no direction, so all that was left was her own blood and minor scratches. Her arm still felt sore, and the newly healed bones in her shoulder were still tender.

    ¡°We¡¯ve eased her into it for the past few weeks. Besides, she did fine, and got an awakening stone out of it. Isn¡¯t that, right, Nara?¡±

    ¡°Yup! I got a cool rock!¡± She said, showing it off to Chelsea like a child showing off an unhygienic street-find to their exasperated parents.

    Chelsea groaned.

    *****

    Nara decided to use her new spoils of battle. A wolf familiar sounded cool¡ªshe liked fluffy animals, but she wondered if she was stepping precariously closer to edgy than mysterious.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a fursona if it¡¯s an actual familiar, right?¡± she told herself as she slowly drew out a ritual diagram on the floor of the communal ritual workshop. She had absorbed an Introduction to Ritual Magic skill book already, provided to her by Amara, but familiar rituals were complex. Amara oversaw her progress as Nara slowly redid the places that did not glow, an indication of her mistakes.

    When she had absorbed the stone, she had, as expected, awakened a familiar. In the case of a ritual ability, like a familiar summon, the ritual needed to summon the familiar along with the material required was knowledge provided by the ability. Her ability conveniently displayed it, but others would be able to tell what they needed to draw and gather in the same way the skill book told her everything she needed to know about basic ritual magic. The information was in her soul.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of the Wolf].

    -You have awakened Mystic Essence Ability, [Umbral Wolf]. You have awakened 3 of 5 Mystic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Umbral Wolf]

    Familiar (ritual)

    Cost: Extreme Mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Umbral Wolf] to serve as your familiar.

    -------

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of this familiar before,¡± Amara said, pacing around the room with excitement. ¡°The wolf awakening stone is a common stone; it shouldn¡¯t have awakened anything new.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s hardly true,¡± Chelsea said, still in an argumentative mood, ¡°More than most abilities, familiars are individualized. Her experiences as an outworlder¡ªand in the astral¡ªmay allow her a greater ability selection than those of this world.¡±

    ¡°What does my experiences have to do with the abilities I awaken?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°You cannot awaken abilities for that you have no knowledge of,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°there are exceptions--¡±

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Nuances?¡±

    She glared at Nara before continuing where she left of, ¡°¡ªThere are exceptions, but most abilities are tangentially related to your personal experiences.¡±

    ¡°A cook may awaken cooking related abilities, with an Awakening Stone of the Feast. Whereas a non-cook may awaken an offensive health-drain ability instead. For an alchemist that has chosen the Elemental, Pure, and Adept for the Master Confluence, their abilities will look different than a non-alchemist.¡±

    ¡°So, will and experiences have an influence.¡±

    ¡°That much is a known fact, else how else can we explain who becomes alchemist and who becomes a wielder of elemental forces? Keep drawing.¡± Chelsea chided Nara who had momentarily stopped her hand.

    ¡°Oh, I got it.¡± Nara suddenly thought of her own example, ¡°Nobody will have a gun essence ability because guns don¡¯t exist here.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea what you are talking about,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°More outworlder nonsense?¡±

    ¡°My point exactly,¡± Nara nodded with satisfaction.

    Chelsea shook her head and rolled her eyes, which was becoming a characteristic combo for the elf.

    The people of Erras had gravity-manipulation abilities despite their lack of knowledge about gravity and mass, instead conflating gravity and weight. Gravity was felt on their bodies, so even if they didn¡¯t understand the physical force and thought it was magically generated instead, they could still awaken abilities related to it.

    Nara recalled the floating shards of rock at the top of Sanshi¡¯s stone spires and thought¡ªshe didn¡¯t blame them.

    She finally finished drawing the familiar ritual. It was the second most complex ritual she had ever completed, but leagues behind the cosmic scale google search she had painstakingly completed.

    Each familiar ritual was unique to the familiar ability, and each ritual required specific reagents. The ritual crafted a physical body for an astral entity, so each type of entity had specific ritual and material requirements.

    -------

    Material Requirements:

    <ul>

    <li>200 [Dark Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>100 [Death Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>2400 [Iron Rank Spirit Coins]</li>

    <li>500 grams [Midnight Onyx Powder]</li>

    <li>1 [Radiant Jade]</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The members of the retreat had already found and supplied the ritual requirements for her. She decided to just dutifully accept their goodwill; it was a tired and fruitless argument to deny them. She didn¡¯t have the capital nor the means to acquire the materials herself.

    ¡°What do you know about familiars?¡± Chelsea asked.

    ¡°Nothing much, just what the skill book had in it. Familiars are astral beings summoned to serve their summoner on a voluntary basis, is that right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± said Chelsea. ¡°They cannot betray you, the summoner, and have the option to leave instead if they are unsatisfied with the partnership. In that case, another astral being will take it¡¯s place.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t know if she could take those words at face value. ¡®Cannot betray¡¯ seemed absolute in a cosmos where absolutes were few and far between. The inviolability of the soul was the only absolute she knew of, and the only one she had experienced.

    The only thing left to do was to see for herself.

    She steeled herself for the cringe and chanted the incantation. She wondered who decided the incantation for magical abilities. She was torn between chanting as nonchalantly as possible or chanting like a cultist, and reluctantly chose the latter. Despite her best intentions, she didn¡¯t have the flair for dramatic acting, and it sounded like a poetry recitation.

    ¡°The One that walks the boundary of life and death, light and darkness, reality and astral. To the walker of the cosmos, to the seeker unbounded, venture forward with fang, shadow, and flame. Send those in your way to the other side.¡±

    The moment the incantation finished, the ritual circle lit up with a gale, light pouring from the circle like light from the end of a long dark tunnel. The room was cast into darkness, the features of floor and ceiling fading away. They were suspended in outer space, the only semblance of the ground marked by the sensation beneath her feet and the ritual circle on the ground. Stars and nebula sparkled into existence, lighting up the previous dark expanse in myriad lights.

    Nara absentmindedly thought that stars were made of flame¡ªplasma, more like, but close enough. They were called solar flares, after all.

    Two, glowing eyes that sparkled like the stars appeared in the space beyond, past where the wall should have been. A carpet of dark flame tipped with an ethereal blue spread out towards her, like a red carpet rolled out for being of myth, except it was flaming and blue.

    As the eyes grew larger, she realized it was the eyes of a wolf. Its body was pitch black, with fur made of dark flame. It stood tall, far taller than Nara and beyond even the true size of wolves, like a Clydesdale Horse.

    The tension was broken when the wolf sat down obediently like a good dog, a bright blue-white tongue lolling out from sharp white teeth.

    -------

    -Name [Umbral Wolf].

    -------

    Her Guide prompted her.

    A name popped into her mind. It was edgy¡ªshe accepted that was inescapable¡ªbut it suited the incantation of the goofy spectral wolf. But once that name had popped into her mind, she just couldn¡¯t shake it. She couldn¡¯t think of anything else. She resigned herself, and spoke the name:

    ¡°Thanatos, then. If you don¡¯t like it, we can figure another one out. But it¡¯s a name of myth from my world, like the name I¡¯m using here. What do you think? We¡¯d be one mythical duo.¡±

    Thanatos licked her face. There was no saliva, and the tongue felt simultaneously cool and warm in a strange assault on her senses.

    ¡°That¡¯s a yes then. Can you shrink down?¡±

    He could, in fact, shrink down.

    -------

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Umbral Wolf] to serve as your familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Can utilize [Umbral Flame] to perform long-ranged attacks and enhance melee attacks. [Umbral Flame] deals disruptive force and fire damage. Enemies damaged by [Umbral Flame] are affected by [Vulnerable] and [Umbral Burn].</li>

    <li>[Vulnerable] (affliction, unholy, stacking): All resistances are reduced. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. Consumed to cleanse [Resistant] on a 1:1 basis.</li>

    <li>[Umbral Burn] (affliction, magic, fire, stacking): Suffer ongoing disruptive-force and fire damage. The mana cost of abilities is slightly increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Can dematerialize and travel in shadows but cannot attack while immaterial.</li>

    <li>Can change the size of its form, up to a limit determined by rank.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s shadow. When subsumed, the Umbral Wolf can launch attacks from the summoner¡¯s shadow. Additionally, denies shadow-based abilities from taking effect on the summoner¡¯s shadow.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    He shrank down to the size of a normal wolf, looking like a slightly oversized black German Shepherd. Impulsively, she reached out, running her hands through his sleek black coat, partially between fire, shadow, and fur. She couldn¡¯t help herself, she wanted to pet the fluffy animal. This is why humans had hands.

    Thanatos responded, rolling onto his back to show his belly, tail wagging.

    ¡°My, my, my, what a good boy you are,¡± she crooned, running her hands vigorously through his fur. His fur had the same cool-and-warm sensation, but less so than his tongue.

    ¡°That was anticlimactic,¡± Amara said. ¡°With that incantation I expected something...more. Something imposing and destructive.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a familiar, Amara,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°It¡¯s the same as all the other familiars out there, undiscovered on this world or not. It¡¯s not like she was summoning an apocalypse beast.¡±

    ¡°A what now?¡± Nara said, her hands that were vigorously petting Thanatos paused. Thanatos looked up too, ears perked up and tongue lolling out with a dumb smile that wondered why the petting had stopped.

    ¡°Never mind that,¡± Amara interrupted, ¡°I want to pet him too.¡±

    It turns out, the appeal of fluffy animals was literally universal. If it wasn¡¯t, Nara would¡¯ve doubted whether any of her common sense could apply to this world at all.

 Chapter 24: The Most Effective Material for Shock Absorption

    Chapter 24: The Most Effective Material for Shock Absorption

    The next order of business was the Awakening Stone of Cloth Chelsea gave to Nara. It would awaken light armor, which suited Nara¡¯s fighting style...once she had a coherent fighting style. She could have used a more general Awakening Stone of Armor. She could get leather armor which would suit her equally well, but trusted that Chelsea had a reason to offer her a cloth one instead. It may be cloth armor, but it was magic armor. It¡¯s durability would far surpass mundane cloth, especially her basic white cotton clothes that she had just fought a wolf monster in.

    Amara had Nara draw up this ritual herself, as practice. They had done the previous ones for her, and she had absorbed some directly. Now that Nara had absorbed a skill book and intended to go the distance with astral magic to eventually magic herself a way back home, it was time to put in the leg work and practice whenever she had the chance.

    Compared to the familiar ritual and even essence rituals, the awakening stone absorption ritual was the simplest. She still made mistakes, but got it done in far less time than the familiar ritual. She placed the stone in the circle, and activated it with a bit of mana.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Cloth].

    -You have awakened Mystic Essence Ability, [Moonlight Raiment]. You have awakened 4 of 5 Mystic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Moonlight Raiment]

    Conjuration (armor)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjured robes that contain the tranquility of night.

    <ul>

    <li>Increased resistance to damage. Highly effective against cutting and piercing damage, less effective against blunt damage.</li>

    <li>The robes subtly redirect aura and physical perception, making the conjurer more difficult to detect. This effect can be controlled or disabled.</li>

    <li>Mana recovery over time effects have increased strength and duration.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Conjure it,¡± Chelsea demanded. She was the one most enthusiastic about its potential appearance. To her, it wasn¡¯t about fighting monsters, but how good you looked doing it.

    She did, her previous simple shirt pants combo covered in a fantasy martial artist¡¯s robe with matching martial artist¡¯s pants beneath it. It was crossed between a wuxia cultivator robe and a jedi tunic, with loose but relatively heavy cloth compared to the breathable fabrics of casual wear.

    The robe was the dark blue of the night sky, decorated with silver embroidery and tassels of silver, although still relatively minimalist in design. Towards the ends, her sleeves and the hem, it transitioned to a silver white, softly glowing with the light of moonlight. The long cloth strips didn¡¯t get in her way; they seemed semi-corporeal, although not transparent. Thankfully, she could dim the soft light at will. The robe was light in weight, and didn¡¯t drag her down. She swung her legs and jumped a few times, her legs unimpeded by the long cloth.

    She shouldn¡¯t be surprised, it was magic armor after all, but it fit her perfectly. There was no discomfort from bunched up cloth, nor did she feel restricted when she swung her arms. As always, she thought her concerns were surprisingly mundane. If she had to wear this robe for the rest of her life, it better be damn comfortable.

    ¡°That¡¯s nice,¡± Chelsea observed approvingly, ¡°Give me a spin.¡±

    She did, feeling a bit silly but obliging.

    Chelsea nodded enthusiastically, and Amara shook her head. The two adopting the mannerisms of the other.

    ¡°I can¡¯t understand why you concern yourself so much with appearances.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Nara said, ¡°You¡¯d look beautiful dressed in a brown paper bag. In fact, that might make the brown paper bag the next wave of high fashion.¡±

    She looked at the two of them, both the envy of Aphrodite. Hera would try to murder them, but they¡¯d probably murder Zeus first. Between Amara and Zeus, who was the real lightning god?

    ¡°That applies to Amara too, yup.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not without reason,¡± Chelsea harrumphed, ¡°If you don¡¯t look the part, you could get hit by allies.¡±

    ¡°If you are getting hit by allies,¡± Amara said, ¡°The armor isn¡¯t the reason, poor positioning is.¡±

    ¡°In chaotic battles, you can¡¯t possibly blame poor positioning! Everywhere is poor positioning!¡±

    ¡°It is up to the skill of the adventurer to create their own advantageous position!¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± Chelsea scoffed, ¡°You want to bring this outside? I¡¯ll show you an advantageous position.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Do you still have the ability to put me in my place, Chelsea, or have you gotten rusty?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not some second-rate. I would never get rusty.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you prove it to me?

    And they were gone.

    Nara ascended the second floor to her room, and stepped out onto the veranda. She stared into the jungle.

    Jungle trees wildly grew up far in the distance, even more massive than their original ancient heights. It was an indication of where the two were fighting. It was Chelsea¡¯s plant growth and manipulation powers; she had turned an already massive ancient forest into the canopy of titans. Lightning crackled in arcs across the sky, scorching trees with booms of rippling thunder. The jungle roared back, and it wasn¡¯t just a metaphor.

    ¡°Ah, love,¡± Nara said as splinters of wood and chunks of jungle dirt smacked the far magic shield protecting the compound, even from her distant position.

    If Nara wanted to spark another fight, she could ask them who had won.

    *****

    Weapon? Check.

    Armor? Check.

    Astral being from beyond the bounds of reality shaped into an adorable perfect good boy? Check.

    Nara felt more and more like a space-hopping apprentice wizard, if wizards used swords and shovels, vacationed in Spain, slayed monsters, and ate money made of magic.

    Amara had given Nara two maps of the region around Sanshi.

    -------

    -You have acquired [Map of the Sanshi Region]. Record of [Map of the Sanshi Region] has been added to the Archive.

    -You have acquired [Mana Map of the Sanshi region]. Record of [Mana Map of the Sanshi Region] has been added to the Archive.

    -You have unlocked the [Map] function, accessible through the [Archive]. [Map] will correct discrepancies when within the map region. Basic two dimensional maps are created while within an unmapped region but will lack information compared to physical and magical maps added to the [Archive].

    -------

    Stolen novel; please report.

    The map Amara gave her was marked with the magic levels of the region in detail; where was it safe for Nara to wander. Sanshi was known for its low magic quality¡ªideal for iron and bronze rank essence users, but there were natural fluctuations that looked like heat gradients. She would have to run away from bronze rank monsters, but she had that capability.

    She stood at the edge of Sanshi, the city giving way to spaced out compounds, farmland, plains, and forests. Carts, skimmers, and mounted riders journeyed to and from the city. Shipments of stone, marble, crystal, wood, and produce were stacked in large, organized piles outside the city, where they were transported to other regions for craftsmen or construction.

    ¡°Now, how to travel?¡± The journey is part of the fun, so she didn¡¯t like to continually astral jump, even if it was the fastest method. It was a bit like fast traveling and missing all the explorable bits of the map in between. There weren¡¯t any developer placed secrets for her to find, but she wasn¡¯t going to just skip the landscape all the time.

    Thanatos pushed her hip with his nose, then barked.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be my transportation? Are you okay with that? You¡¯re my familiar not my ride, not that I know what a familiar usually does.¡±

    He barked again, in protest.

    ¡°Okay, okay, you¡¯re versatile. You can be my familiar and my ride. How is that offensive?¡±

    Another bark.

    ¡°Okay, I shouldn¡¯t presume your limits, my bad.¡±

    The wolf grew in size, his black fur void of light, except the ethereal flame that flicked off at its ends. She conjured her Cosmic Path beneath her, and lightly jumped onto his back, hands clenched in his fur.

    ¡°Charge!¡± she yelled, pumping her fist into the air.

    Thanatos howled, then broke into a run full of puppy like energy and enthusiasm, but with the coordination and strength of an apex predator.

    She hunkered down, lowering herself on his back like a motorcycle rider to avoid being thrown off. Surprisingly he was a smooth ride, his feet gliding over the ground with nary a sound nor shock. He was made of shadow...no, flame? Apparently, the incorporeal was the most effective material for shock absorption.

    Thanatos ran for thirty minutes or so, stopping where a small river separated a forest from plains. He didn¡¯t tire quickly¡ªhe benefitted from Nara¡¯s aura too. Ordinarily, wolves couldn¡¯t keep a high speed for long, but Nara didn¡¯t know if that applied to a magical wolf made of shadow and flame.

    ¡°Here?¡± Nara looked at her map, it was a region okayed by Amara. She wasn¡¯t far from the city yet, but Thanatos traveled with wolf-speed, much faster than she could have managed herself unless she abused node teleportation or astral jumping.

    Those of the retreat were right¡ªa single familiar was already a great strength to her, even for transportation alone. Those without a familiar were missing out on a great deal of power, but ritual knowledge was a prerequisite to awaken one. Additionally, the maximum familiars that could be awakened was four, one for each essence, but most only awakened one, sometimes two.

    She hoped she was the latter¡ªshe would like to see Chrome again, but who knew if the standoffish astral being even wanted to serve as a familiar.

    She patted Thanatos¡¯s fur, ¡°I know a guy, he¡¯d be your senior. Mister golden-hair-fancy-pants.¡±

    Thanatos huffed.

    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s your senior even if he awakens second. I met him first, you know, and I owe him a lot. It doesn¡¯t mean I appreciate you any less.¡±

    She picked carefully through the forest, simultaneously training her aura senses. Sometimes, she kept her aura retracted, sneaking up on a monster to kill it with one lethal strike. Other times, she expanded her aura, scoping out the area. Amara would say she needed to use all of her abilities, but there was only so much she could practice simultaneously.

    A stronger aura did not correlate with an easily detectable aura. Stronger auras had greater ability, like admin access on a computer¡ªthey could hide themselves from auras weaker than them.

    ¡°Chelsea would say there¡¯s nuance. Technique goes a long way...¡±

    The most common monster in the area was the chimeric forest monkey, which she had fought previously after her battle with the midnight wolf. She came across a pack of them now, warped, chittering monsters that ripped apart wildlife in fleshy wasteful messes. They sucked on the bones of rabbits as if they were mango cores still surrounded with sweet, tangy flesh. Normal monkeys were similarly ripped apart, limbs and tailed draped across trees as barbaric tapestry.

    ¡°Song rises from within,¡± She quietly chanted. The spell immediately began to generate instances of her four boons, still all flavors of recovery boons: Invigorating Energy, Invigorating Blood, Invigorating Spirit, and Integrity. Her Invigorating boons were a bit like a refund for a different resource, so she needed to use health, mana, and stamina simultaneously to make use of it. It also didn¡¯t give her any resources just from gaining another instance, rather, it increased her refund percentage when she did use mana, stamina, and health.

    The monkeys were in the trees, but she was no longer afraid of falling and breaking a bone on that sort of terrain. Even if she fell, she had teleportation and slow-fall abilities. With a shadow of starry sky at her feet and conjured robes of midnight blue, she leapt up, stabbing up with her sword and skewering an unaware monkey. She swung her sword, dumping the monkey monster onto the ground off of the blade. Thanatos waited below, snatching the monkey out of the air like she had thrown him a treat, ripping the monkey apart without a chance to resist and finishing the job.

    The other ten monkeys turned to look at her, alerted by the dying screech of the other monkey, their eyes glimmering red and sickly yellow under the shade of the trees. Some had more than just two eyes.

    ¡°Gives a whole new meaning to spider monkey,¡± she muttered, dodging a rock that sailed past her head and landing back on the floor. Iron rank monsters were simplistic, so they followed her down to the forest ground, although they would have had the advantage if they stayed in the trees.

    She led them out of the forest, back to the river and the open fields, dodging stones, sticks, and rotten fruit all the while. Compared to Amara¡¯s missile-¡¯rock''ets, this was...monkey¡¯s play. She didn¡¯t know the capabilities of Thanatos¡¯ flame; this battle she provoked now was to test it out.

    She would be a responsible essence user and avoid starting any forest fires. She didn¡¯t want a bounty on her head after accidentally committing reverse eco-terrorism.

    A few monkeys crossed the shallow river, but a few others lost their nerve, standing back to scream and chuck stones. That suited her, as she had less to simultaneously deal with.

    Amara wanted her to fight with her full ability set, so she, the studious student, did as told. She teleported from monkey to monkey, settling for any shallow cut she could manage, then casting Entropy to accelerate her afflictions. She had to watch her mana¡ªEntropy had no cooldown, but took its toll with a moderate mana cost.

    It felt like a waste of time when a cut across the throat would do, but essence magic required mastery, and mastery required use. If that¡¯s what the system required, she¡¯d play along.

    Thanatos was a menace, in contrast to his normally goofy and assuming self, although Nara¡¯s eyes were already wearing rose-tinted glasses to look at her cuddly familiar. Only she thought that he looked goofy; all the normal people she passed thought he looked like a flaming tear in reality, a monstrous wolf with eyes mirroring Erras¡¯ two moons.

    He could launch lances of black and silver-blue flame that set the monkeys alight. It set off a chorus of screaming that caused Nara to wonder if she was committing animal torture. Thanatos ripped through the cautious monkeys that didn¡¯t cross the river, wolf claws tearing into flesh.

    ¡°My god, Thanatos, I may have named you after the god of death but please leave some for me to practice on.¡±

    Frankly, she was weaker than her familiar. Thanatos benefitted from his animalistic hunting skills, the inherent qualities of a wolf, and the intelligence of an astral being that he was summoned with.

    ¡°What does this say about me when my familiar is more competent that me. I hope this won¡¯t be a pattern...¡± she muttered. She used her staff to throw down a monkey that leapt at her, utilizing both Dream¡¯s Wake then Astral Return to enhance her next attack. Nirvana transformed back into a sword into a quick, lethal stab through the torso.

    She felt that her fighting style was starting to make sense. Nirvana suited her¡ªjust like The Way of the Dancer in her skill book, she could seamlessly transform the weapon to match her needs. The staff was ideal for redirection, blocking, and hard impacts, and the sword was better for quick lethality and closer quarters.

    More often than not, she teleported back to a safe node for a breather, resting atop a branch as the monkeys furiously searched for her, the perception redirection of her robe allowing her to take a break in the middle of the battle, as long as she was hidden. Her sword swings were still simplistic, her battle sense still nascent. She could manage a monkey, maybe two, at a time, but when her battle became too chaotic, she retreated.

    Thankfully, time was her champion. Integrity and her Invigorating trio boon kept her stamina and resources up, while Entropy slowly but surely increased the damage the monkeys would suffer. If she waited long enough, even a scratch would trigger a massive burst of damage from Dimensional Rupture that could one-shot the monkeys, especially at iron rank when everything was weak. She wasn¡¯t going to wait that long...she may be patient, but she had things to do. She had to use all of her abilities, up to a limit. Waiting around wasn¡¯t helping anybody except prolonging the suffering and slowing her progress.

    So, she teleported back down, repeating the process of killing monkeys one-by-one until all eleven were dead.

    Sword in hand, she looked at the mess she had created around her. Charred corpses still fueling a silent black flame, ravaged by amateur sword strikes, and crushed skulls and abdomens. Extra body parts danged from strips of flesh and fur. She wasn¡¯t untouched herself, nowhere near it. She had done a good job dodging rocks, which was turning into her specialty, but she couldn¡¯t dodge everything. She had gouges and scratches all over her body, especially on her legs, where she had to change her posture to attack them since they were shorter than she was.

    ¡°I feel like a savage,¡± she said, leaning over Nirvana that she transformed into a cane. She examined herself, blood dropping off her combat robes onto the ground. It had held up far better than when she fought with just normal clothes. It was still all together, although punctured in places where some teeth or claws managed to break through. It wasn¡¯t impervious to damage, but significantly more resistant to it than ordinary clothes had been, and she could conjure another fresh set when her first was too compromised.

    She didn¡¯t want to suffer the putrid rainbow smoke the monsters would transform into once she looted them. All monsters eventually dispersed into rainbow smoke after death, but the looting ability instantly triggered the process, converting a portion of their crude magic into rewards.

    Thanatos happily trotted back to her, his tail a wagging black blur, and tossed a few bodies at her feet like a dog playing fetch.

    ¡°Good boy, Thanatos. I see you enjoy the thrill of battle. It¡¯s not really my thing, but that¡¯s why we¡¯re a team. You have what I lack.¡±

    He barked in affirmation.

    She sighed when she looked out at the hills and forest of green marked by bare spires of stone.

    ¡°Time to jog, dammit. My legs are going to hurt. Why is my ability like this.¡±

    All that was left was a trail of her own blood that dripped onto grass that dissolved into rainbow smoke as the sun spilled it¡¯s golden rays that washed away the remnant red.

 Chapter 25: Feeling Like a Villain

    Chapter 25: Feeling Like a Villain

    ¡°I have an idea, Thanatos. Hop back in my shadow.¡±

    He did, swooping into her shadow in a torrent of black flame. She focused on constructing the astral membrane around her. No matter how much she practiced, the process remained slow, as if she was negotiating with reality to allow even just the shadow of the astral.

    Once the membrane was constructed, she stepped through into her astral domain.

    With a thought, the blood on her robes and weapon vanished. So did the blood on Thanatos. Reality, or rather, unreality was at her whimsy here. Separating blood from material was basic, especially from her robe which was a construct of magic, not real cloth. The blood too was a manifestation of magic, and not physical reality, since it came from monsters.

    ¡°Nice and clean. There we go,¡± she said, rubbing his happy face with her own newly disinfected hands, ¡°I wonder if I can do this with that Astral Domain projection thing. I¡¯ll have to try that out. It¡¯d save me the effort of traveling here each time.¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°Sassy, aren¡¯t you? Yes, I know this isn¡¯t that much effort. Let¡¯s get on back to reality and claim our prize.¡±

    Thanatos subsumed back into her shadow, and she stepped back through the dimensional membrane back into reality.

    She took distance from the corpses and activated Traveler¡¯s Bounty. Rainbow smoke rose from eleven bodies like pollution spilling smokestacks.

    -------

    -You have defeated [Chimeric Forest Monkeys].

    <ul>

    <li>110 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>11000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>11 monster cores (iron)</li>

    <li>66 monkey quintessence (iron)</li>

    <li>3 Healing unguents (iron)</li>

    <li>Chimeric monkey meat (iron)</li>

    <li>Chimeric monkey hide (iron)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your Astral Domain

    -------

    ¡°Loot abilities really are overpowered,¡± She muttered, staring at her haul, ¡°But what would a game be without a looting ability? Even Dark Souls has loot.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t a game of course, but it made sense to her that an outworlder from Earth would loot enemies.

    The lesser and iron spirit coins she looted were used for daily life. If loot scaled the same at latter ranks, she¡¯d be rolling in the cash. She¡¯d have to spend a fair bit on equipment, materials, and rituals. Familiars needed to be resummoned in a higher rank vessel every rank, and the costs proportionately increased, and additional materials were rarer and more valuable.

    While familiars offered great strength, it was at a monetary cost. For iron rank essence users that had to juggle acquiring essences, awakening stones, potions, lessons, equipment, and helping at home, it could be a struggle to acquire the materials necessary for a familiar. And, if a familiar was destroyed, they had to be resummoned with the same pricey materials.

    While she was taking stock, she heard a familiar voice call out.

    ¡°Caspian! Stop right there! Where are you going!¡±

    A red, wolf-like creature bound over, with similar puppy-like joy to Thanatos. It was large, and a saturated brown red. The fur on its body was more feather-like than fur-like, and between the two, fur ending in feathered fluffs instead of Thanatos¡¯ flames. In place of a wolf tail, a long peacock feather bundle tail of red tipped with an eye of purple, green, and blue. It¡¯s paws were wolf like, but with long, large, hawk-like talons that constricted at will, which reminded her of a cat¡¯s retractable claws. The eyes were a curious and pure blue, the sky to Thanatos¡¯ moonlight orbs.

    ¡°It''s not a monster,¡± Nara realized, as the creature called Caspian crashed into Thanatos in a playful tussle. The two rolled on the grass, amplifying their youthful energy in a feedback loop, dirt and grass sent flying. The wolf-bird hybrid was smaller than Thanatos, and Thanatos shrunk down to match size. To Nara, it looked like a variation of a Simurgh, a creature of Iranian legend.

    ¡°And I just got you all clean,¡± Nara muttered, but a smile crept onto her face at her familiar¡¯s joy, ¡°Have you made a new friend?¡±

    Nara sensed them with her aura before she saw them¡ªtwo familiar figures crested the hill. One of the Arlang, the would-be-martial-arts-action-star Sen Arlang in a different lifetime, and his partner, the pursuer of truth and knowledge, Aliyah Sahar.

    Sen was dressed in armor¡ªa combat robe of dark brown outfitted with steel grey plates and thick leather with accents of dark red, like his familiar, and muted gold. Even the cloth of his robe looked significantly heavier than Nara¡¯s, pushing against his every step where Nara¡¯s flowed.

    Aliyah¡¯s armor was far more mage-like, with similar weight as Nara¡¯s. Her robe draped with heavy cloth, brocaded black, embroidered with silver, and enhanced with jewels glowing with blue energy.

    ¡°Sanshi¡¯s greeting¡¯s, Nara,¡± Sen greeted, always polite. His eyes scanned to his familiar wrestling with her own, ¡°Is this your familiar? I did not see it last time we met.¡±

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    ¡°I didn¡¯t have him last time we met. He¡¯s Thanatos.¡± Nara said, ¡°I got him from the Awakening Stone of the Wolf.¡±

    Sen seemed pleased, nodding enthusiastically, ¡°A fine choice of awakening stone.¡±

    Aliyah shook her head, ¡°His entire family is fixated on wolves.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t all have wolf familiars,¡± he said. ¡°We only encourage them when it¡¯s sensible.¡±

    Aliyah wasn¡¯t convinced. His sister had a pack of wolves as her familiars.

    Sen stepped forwards into Nara¡¯s space, his height and build a bit imposing. Nara was above average in height, but he far overshadowed her.

    It seemed as if it took his full self-restraint not to grasp Nara¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Would you consider joining my team again? I know I have already asked, but I sincerely request your attention on this request.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with this sudden enthusiasm?¡±

    He gestured to the two wolves, ¡°Your familiar is the perfect friend for my bond. They¡¯re already fast friends.¡±

    Nara was almost convinced. It had only been a day and she was feeling like a dog-mom.

    ¡°A-ah, you almost got me there, but I¡¯m not joining your team just because of that. We can just be pet¡ªfamiliar friends.¡±

    The whole concept of joining a team was so alien to her, outside of sports. The closest thing to a team she had been in was high school band.

    ¡°What did you mean by bond?¡± she asked, changing the subject.

    He let her have her way, relenting. ¡°Bonds are uncommon compared to summoned familiars, so you may not know. They¡¯re not summoned, but rather magical beasts of this world. With a ritual, we can form a connection with them.¡±

    ¡°Magical beasts? How is that different than a monsters?¡± Nara quickly covered her mouth, but Sen had already heard her question.

    He gave her a look, but answered. ¡°They are creatures born, not manifested.¡±

    So, magical beasts were a natural part of this world¡¯s ecosystem, and it seemed they possessed a higher than normal intelligence compared to normal animals. Although, the magical beast Caspian was demonstrating any particular intelligence as it sniffed Thanatos¡¯ butt.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that has a smell buddy, although I did use death to make him. Might smell like death.¡±

    Thanatos stared daggers at her.

    ¡°Probably doesn¡¯t smell like death,¡± she corrected. ¡°Probably smells like last night¡¯s dinner.¡±

    Somehow, that satisfied him. He turned back to his tussle with Caspian. She conjured a chair and idly chatted with Sen and Aliyah for a while, letting the two familiars wear each other out in the background. Neither would piss on the furniture if they didn¡¯t take them for walks, but both Sen and Nara were committed to the happiness and well-beings of their familiars.

    ¡°C¡¯mon Thanatos, it¡¯s time to return.¡± Nara called out to him, ¡°We¡¯ve got dinner at the retreat and late night meditation and aura training.¡±

    His ears perked up at the mention of dinner. He bounded over in a smooth flash of shadow, melding into her shadow with a ripple. Turns out, like her, Thanatos was a foodie. Like familiar, like summoner.

    Left without a partner, Caspian scrambled to his feet, soft red ears drooping in adorable disappointment. Nara felt a little like a villain. The Simurgh had been much smaller when Nara first saw him, dangling from Sen¡¯s hair like a mascot character. Nara wondered if he possessed a similar size transformation ability as Thanatos.

    ¡°Until next time, Sen, Aliyah. I¡¯ll seriously think about the team thing after I pass the adventure society exam, okay? If I pass,¡± she absentmindedly added.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Sen conceded, ¡°Until next time, Nara. Sanshi¡¯s blessings.¡±

    ***

    Of the four of Innovation¡¯s Retreat, Nara spent the most time with Amara. Amara oversaw most of her adventurer training, except for what the other three handled.

    The next was Redell, who she often played music together and discussed her time in Erras, acting as her therapist-friend.

    ¡°You hesitate to accept an offer to join a team, why is that? Teams do not have to be permanent; you can join then leave, if that team does not suit you.¡±

    Their half-jam-half-therapy sessions occurred at the lakeside, where Nara enjoyed the quiet comfort of nature, removed from the hustle and bustle of Sanshi and training. Thanatos laid at her side, dark fur melding into green grass, eyes closed but not asleep. She didn¡¯t think astral beings needed sleep. He ate like the meal would be his last, strange, for an entity that did not need to eat. Or was his nature like that of his form, a hungry dog¡ªno, wolf?

    She wondered if it was like that theme in stories; your nature is influenced by your form. She thought of her new form¡ªan outworlder, not a human. Then, an essence user. How had that changed her?

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m afraid to form any permanent connections. I¡¯ve already decided that I like this lifestyle better than my previous one. Wage slavery sucks. I don¡¯t have the energy for it.¡±

    ¡°However, you have the energy for training and monster killing.¡±

    ¡°The agency is different. All I¡¯m doing now is for myself. I¡¯ve never felt so fulfilled in my life. I haven¡¯t saved any people and I¡¯m already satisfied.¡±

    She was, after all, easily satisfied. Good food, good people, good schedule, and a good purpose. What more could she want? A house? That was the lost dream of everyone in her generation.

    ¡°Is your decision premature? You have only been on this world for a few weeks.¡±

    ¡°If you had to work an 8 to 5 job for your capitalist overlords, you¡¯d probably think differently.¡±

    He did have a point; likely, she was in the honeymoon phase of her new relationship with Erras. Of course, why wouldn¡¯t she be happier in a place where she didn¡¯t need to work to pay rent, or worry about healthcare? At iron rank her body wouldn¡¯t just develop diseases.

    For the normal folk here, life may not have been any different than the 8 to 5 she dreaded. She didn¡¯t know, but that wasn¡¯t her life right now. She had no aspirations to overturn the status quo in this world, and she wasn¡¯t politically savvy nor genius enough to pull it off. This wasn¡¯t some novel after all, where she could overturn classism with gumption, liberal ideas, and a passion for the betterment of mankind, nor was she in any position to do so. She was an outsider. Their society should develop organically from the needs posed from within.

    Her view of capitalism was negatively biased, but it was true she enjoyed her life now more. Who knew free housing was such a relief?

    ¡°Once I figure out a way to return to my world, I can just visit my family during the holidays. It¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing anyway. The culture of my country was not particularly close. Families live separated, at least for the average American family. It differs by culture, but that¡¯s the culture I come from.¡±

    ¡°You may want to pay a visit to the temple of knowledge to seek the goddess of knowledge or the temple of the traveler to seek the god of travelers. These two temples are the most likely to have information on targeted cross-dimensional travel.¡±

    ¡°¡­Did you say, gods?¡± She felt like her vibe got hip-checked, grinding her mind to a startling halt.

    Redell looked mildly confused, then understanding. ¡°Do gods not exist on a magically barren world? I suppose they are a manifestation of magic, in some ways.¡±

    Nara rubbed her temples with her fingers, ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out if my translation ability is on the fritz. Gods like, a supernatural being with power over aspects of nature? Or like a god like, an all-powerful being that created the universe?¡±

    ¡°I would say the first is more accurate than the second definition,¡± Redell said, ¡°Your world has an all-powerful god that created the universe?¡±

    ¡°Some people believe we do.¡±

    She paused, her gut reaction was to discount religion on Earth, but maybe something had created the universe, just not the beings traditional religion believed in. She had met supposedly the being that presided over death itself, The Reaper. Correspondingly, would there not be a being that presided over creation or life?

    ¡°From your confusion, I expect the gods of our world are not the same as the gods of your world. Why don¡¯t you visit the divine plaza of Sanshi and have a look?¡±

 Chapter 26: How People Usually Seek Knowledge

    Chapter 26: How People Usually Seek Knowledge

    The next day Nara did as Redell suggested, taking a day trip out to the divine plaza of Sanshi. The plaza was large. Temples surrounded a circular plaza with a vertical and horizontal spokes, like a plus sign intersecting a circle. The ground was elaborately tiled, beyond what normal Sanshi paths were, even in the nice city center. Designs of ornate stone in between marble and jade, cut and laid in exacting geometric patterns.

    The temples all varied in appearance and atmosphere. Some were simple and comforting, but still crafted with meticulous care. Others, large, imposing, and domineering, like the throne of a tyrant emperor personified into an entire building. Not all of the temples were in the plaza. The temple of lust and the temple of fertility were usually on the outskirts of cities, due to their particular services. There wasn¡¯t enough room for all of the temples of all of the gods in the city center. For a city, their most important gods had a place in the divine plaza, their pantheon.

    She chatted with a few locals until she figured out which temples were the temple of knowledge and the temple of the traveler.

    ¡°What do you think Thanatos, which one should I try first?¡±

    Thanatos inclined his head and offered no opinion. She couldn¡¯t help but find his gesture adorable.

    ¡°I am ostensibly a former engineer so shall we head for the temple of knowledge?¡±

    Thanatos barked in agreement.

    The temple of knowledge predominantly featured white, grey, and dark blue. From a distance, priests strode through the temples ground, walking with purpose. Their robes were a rich royal blue, a thick silk hemmed at their ankles. The robes were embroidered with scrolls and books, indicating them as the temple of knowledge¡¯s clergy and differentiating them from other clergy which may have blue robes. The temple ground itself was meticulous, flowers, trees, and hedges weeded and trimmed in perfect shapes, but without losing the life of what made nature appealing. The temple seemed to exemplify making order of chaos, without ridding of it entirely.

    As she stepped close to the temple of knowledge, a Guide notification window surprised her, causing her to stop abruptly in her tracks.

    -------

    -You are about to enter the [Spirit Domain] of [The Goddess of Knowledge].

    -------

    She couched down on the spot absentmindedly mulling over the notification.

    ¡°Spirit Domain? Domain? If my Astral Domain is anything to go by, that¡¯s one hell of a loaded word. Is it a coincidence?¡±

    Thanatos softly barked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about it either? That¡¯s okay bud, thanks for trying.¡±

    Her Guide gave no answers; whatever a Spirit Domain was, it wasn¡¯t common knowledge.

    ¡°Do you think this is some outworlder perk?¡± Nara wondered, ¡°I get to literally know what I¡¯m stepping into, nobody else does? Or is this a thing priests know about and nobody else?¡±

    She would have liked to see a ¡°You are about to step into the world of Erras!¡± Notification if that was the case, but she had seen a golden gate. Maybe she was asking for too much.

    She debated between returning to Redell to ask him about the strange notification and entering the temple grounds anyway. The priests and ordinary folk coming and going seemed to have no issues. But maybe there was an issue with being an outworlder? She had her inherent biases against gods and religion as well, even if they did not function the same way in this world. The religion of Erras was polytheistic.

    Before she had made her decision, a shadow loomed over her, surprising her. She looked up, her eyes locking eyes with a stranger, staring down at her.

    The man was average height, and looked every bit like the locals around him, except at a similar handsome level as Sen, which meant he was too beautiful to be normal in a world without Botox and plastic surgery. He looked older, in his late thirties, with dark black stubble and black hair loosely tied in a long ponytail, hanging over his shoulder. His skin was tanned like someone who spent a great deal of time under the sun, but without the corresponding sun damage. He exemplified the casual, gritty charm Nara associated with characters like Indiana Jones and Han Solo.

    ¡°Can I help you dude...? You¡¯re blocking the sunlight.¡±

    His wide brimmed straw had had indeed blocked the sunlight, along with his long, wraparound grey cloak that seemed to flutter in the wind when there was none.

    He crouched down, joining Nara in the same position to peer into the temple of knowledge.

    ¡°Blocking the sunlight is indeed a grave crime. What¡¯s got you in a knot, miss?¡±

    She arched an eyebrow, ¡°You want me to spill the can of beans of the worries of my heart to a complete stranger?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes strangers are easy to talk to,¡± he said, shrugging.

    ¡°I¡¯m just being dramatic. It¡¯s nothing that serious.¡± She pondered for a bit, before asking the mystery man a question, ¡°How do people here usually seek knowledge?¡±

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    ¡°Do you mean knowledge in general or Knowledge the goddess?¡± He said, making a pointed clarification about the current location outside the temple of knowledge.

    ¡°Both, sort of. When do people go to ask...Knowledge, her name is just Knowledge? That¡¯s straightforward, I guess,¡± She muttered. ¡°When do people go to ask Knowledge for knowledge? Is it when researchers hit a point and they get stuck? When an author gets writer¡¯s block, and they need a little divine inspiration?¡±

    He chuckled at her meandering question, ¡°Knowledge knows all that the people of this world know.¡±

    ¡°So, she wouldn¡¯t know the answer to unsolved research.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not.¡±

    ¡°But if people don¡¯t know dimensional travel...then she wouldn¡¯t know? Isn¡¯t this all a wash, then?¡±

    ¡°Now, now, now I didn¡¯t say that,¡± he said, holding his hand up to pause her. ¡°Not only does she know all that the people in this world know, but all that people that enter this world know. Do you think that you¡¯re the first and only dimensional traveler to enter this world? Some travel to this world a more proper way.¡±

    Nara narrowed her eyes in thought before her mind snagged on one of his words, like a sweater on a doorknob, ¡°Wait, you know I¡¯m a dimensional traveler?¡±

    He rubbed his chin, ¡°Anybody silver rank and above can read your aura and sense your race.¡±

    ¡°That seems so oddly racist.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about the race it''s about the magic of the soul. Race is just the foundational blueprint. You need a canvas to draw on before you can paint.¡±

    ¡°Poetic. You¡¯re talking about essences?¡±

    ¡°You get my drift.¡±

    That meant hiding she was an outworlder was probably pointless. All those more powerful than she immediately knew. Or should know, if they¡¯ve seen an outworlder before. Since they had a name for it, Nara guessed that she wasn¡¯t the first one.

    ¡°Strange, then why hasn¡¯t my world had an outworlder?¡±

    The man demonstrated with his hand, his fingers following a trail from one end to another, like it was traveling a path or through a tunnel. ¡°When outworlders get caught up in magical phenomena, they¡¯re sucked into the world with the stronger dimensional membrane between the two. The more robust the membrane, the more magical phenomena it can withstand without breaking, bearing the burden for the other world.¡±

    ¡°That would mean the dimensional membrane of my world is so fragile we don¡¯t get outworlders.¡± Nara said. She recalled the astral magic theory Chrome taught her, ¡°Lower magic worlds have less magic due to a weaker membrane. The membrane cannot handle the permeation of higher quality and quantities of magic without breaking. If my world is magically barren, then it is the most fragile of dimensional membranes. That¡¯s an issue.¡±

    ¡°The issue is, you need a dimensional crossing method that isn¡¯t too damaging nor intrusive to the dimensional membrane.¡±

    ¡°You know your fair share of astral magic, stranger.¡±

    ¡°Please, call me Traveler.¡±

    The moment he said his name, something in the air seemed to change. She felt an invisible pressure, different yet similar to the aura suppression she felt from Laius. It was as if being named held power.

    Her hand reflexively went to her face, planting her face to her palm, ¡°Shi--¡­ shoot. I assume the naming scheme of gods in this world is...consistent.¡± She peeked at him through her fingers.

    ¡°That would be a correct assumption,¡± he said, his eyes and expression as if a slow friend finally understood a joke, teasing and joyful.

    She looked the god up and down, ¡°You know you¡¯ve almost nailed the wandering bard aesthetic, but you don¡¯t have an instrument on you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Traveler, not Musician.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough,¡± she said, feeling a little lightheaded despite her carefree response.

    ¡°You know, miss,¡± He said, stroking his stubble, ¡°I¡¯m a little offended you chose to see Knowledge first.¡±

    She pointed at the temple grounds, ¡°I technically haven¡¯t actually gone to seek Knowledge yet.¡± She was really banking on this technicality here. Redell had said people couldn¡¯t read minds, but did that apply to gods?

    ¡°You were going to,¡± he said, pointing to the temple grounds and mimicking her pose.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that. Wait, can gods read minds?¡±

    ¡°No. Does that make you feel relieved?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± She admitted, then hurriedly asked, ¡°Why would you be offended? Fake gods are one thing, but I don¡¯t really want to offend a real god. I know enough about Greek mythology to know that¡¯s a quick way to have a tragedy written about you and acted out entirely by men.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the god of Travelers, Traveler,¡± he said pointing to himself with an innocent expression, ¡°Outworlders are my favorite. What greater traveler is there than one that traverses dimensions?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the ultimate traveler? The God of Travelers?¡±

    ¡°I am, ironically, restricted to this world,¡± he said, then leaned his face in uncomfortably close, ¡°Unless, you wish to become my priest? Bring me back stories and experiences of the beyond?¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± she said, holding a hand up as if to push his face away, but stopped short of doing so, judging that she didn¡¯t want to learn the ramifications of physically pushing the face of a god, ¡°I¡¯m an atheist and I¡¯m way out of my depth.¡±

    ¡°Shame,¡± he said, his lips in a joking pout, ¡°I think I¡¯m one of the more fun ones.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t possibly be more fun than Fun?¡±

    ¡°There is no god of fun,¡± he said, ¡°Not on this world. On another world? Well, who knows?¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s no fun.¡±

    She was wondering how to elegantly exit this engagement¡ªeven inelegantly would do, she was feeling her desperation rising¡ªwhen the god solved the problem for her, disappearing with the blink of an eye, vanishing as if he never occupied the space to begin with.

    She collapsed from her squat onto her butt, not caring about the stares she received from her surroundings. No one else had seemed to notice or feel the god. He came as he went, invisible like the wind but leaving a building pressure. Ever since the god revealed he was Traveler; she had felt the tension rising.

    No, she felt his aura.

    It was the second most powerful presence she had ever experienced, behind the possibly-eldritch-outer-god that had plucked her soul then tortured it. She didn¡¯t feel animosity from him, if anything, he had been benevolent. She could only describe the aura as divine; she had no other words for it. The caress of the breeze on a path, the persistence to keep moving, the infinite branches of paths that closed off and expanded with every step; That was Traveler.

    She closed her eyes, trying to focus her aura she felt was wild and fluctuating, bucking like a stallion. The god hadn¡¯t done anything, but just being near her shook her, even when he was incognito. She steadied her breathing, tapping into the meditation techniques Redell had told her, pulling her mind from the worshippers, the priests, and her questions into peace and calm. Her aura stilled, and she pulled the membrane of the astral around her like it was a protective blanket. Then, she let herself fall backwards into the ground, through the dimensional wall and into her Astral Domain.

    Thanatos had sunk into her shadow without her prompting, popping out to lay his head across her stomach where she sprawled out onto the ground, the grass of her Astral Domain tickling her skin. She was in a park within her Astral Domain, which had been slowly undergoing its own changes that she paid little direct attention to yet. It was a part of her soul; as her soul changed, it changed. The changes to her Astral Domain didn¡¯t matter to her at that moment, but she didn¡¯t need to observe them to know. It was her soul; she knew.

    She had more questions than before. But she had one, pressing observation she had to eject from her head before it threatened to explore her head like an overfilled balloon.

    ¡°Holy shit! Gods are real!? What the fuck! Oh my god. Oh dear lord¡ª¡±

    She of course, compensated by blaspheming in a god she didn¡¯t believe in, using his name only in vain.

 Chapter 27: Putting it Off

    Chapter 27: Putting it Off

    Nara had lost her nerve. So, she did what any coherent and relatively mentally stable adult would do, given her circumstances, and contacted her therapist. Luckily, she needed neither cash nor an appointment.

    ¡°I thought you said religion and gods existed in your world?¡± Redell asked.

    ¡°Like, not really. They haven¡¯t appeared in front of people like they do here. If they did, there wouldn¡¯t be such an argument over whether they exist or not, and who¡¯s right. They just do that here? Descend out of nowhere?¡±

    ¡°Gods make the rare appearance publicly in the divine plaza, but usually not to individuals. More often, the gods speak to their priests.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve experienced it, haven¡¯t you? The weight of a divine presence is too much for a single individual to bear. Appearing before a crowd, with no particular focus, balances their aura among many.¡±

    ¡°You think he¡¯ll show up again, at the divine plaza? If I go there again to try to ask some questions?¡±

    Redell inclined an eyebrow, ¡°You may not realize but gods are not restricted to manifest in just the divine plaza. They manifest wherever they please. There are almost no restrictions to their manifestations.¡±

    ¡°Welp. I did not know that. You sure know a lot about the gods though, Redell. Is that level of knowledge typical?¡±

    ¡°Did I not mention I was a priest of Healer?¡±

    ¡°You did not,¡± Nara said, astounded.

    That explained why Redell was the busiest of the four. He had his research as well as his duties as a priest. It also explained why her classes with him was at night, since he was usually busy during the day.

    ¡°Will you seek Knowledge or Traveler again?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a little freaked out right now,¡± Nara said, ¡°so I might put it off.¡±

    She would, in fact, put it off.

    *****

    A kid ran up to a tall man. The child wore a low-quality long shirt and lose pants combo, typical for the less affluent residents of Shanyin. The buildings reflected the child¡¯s class, no more than two to three stories tall, made of rougher, cheaper stone than Sanshi. The buildings were haphazard, alleyways narrow and jagged, as if they had been constructed with no foresight or planning. Paths dead-ended, stairs climbed up then sloped down, and crossroads led to more crossroads that branched off in unequal directions. It was as if the city had been built on top of jagged terrain, unleveled and untamed. Whoever had designed the city should be investigated for rampant and unprofessional drug use during working hours.

    ¡°Uncle John, pick me up!¡± The child said, reaching up with the arms to the man.

    ¡°Hey there, little Rag. No problem,¡± He lifted the child onto his shoulders, ¡°Hup! Up we go. How¡¯s the view up there?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so tall Uncle John! When I grow up, I want to be as tall as you!¡±

    John Aurelius, also known as Uncle John by the residents of Shanyin, was a few inches over 6 feet tall. His hair, a dirty blond, and his eyes, a hazel-green, were uncommon for the black haired and black-eyed locals. His dress was unusual, a simple white collared shirt in line with one found on Earth, and simple grey slacks. No matter what he wore, he would stand out among the locals, so he wore what he was most comfortable in. Robes were not his thing, although he wore them as necessary or for fun.

    ¡°Eufemia, dear, could you look at this? My cooling array has been inconsistent. The groceries don¡¯t stay fresh for as long. It must go out when I don¡¯t notice.¡±

    ¡°You old bag, I¡¯m not a ritualist. Hurry up and pay for a new array, before your food starts to spoil.¡±

    ¡°I will, miss Eufemia, so please could you help me out this time?¡±

    John¡¯s companion was Eufemia Teresina, a celestine woman of wine-red hair and matching eyes. Her hair had the distinctive, metallic shine of celestines and the impossible hair and eye colors that differentiated them from humans. They were also all extraordinarily beautiful, even without the beautifying effects of rank ups.

    Eufemia was no exception. She exuded allure and grace, like an untouchable star of a play, an A-list Hollywood celebrity. Still, she crouched down, pulling tools from a dimensional storage space.

    ¡°I make no promises, old lady. I have no formal ritual training. And this is the last time, get this fixed or replaced properly.¡±

    The cooling array shone, lit up with one of Eufemia¡¯s tools. She performed a diagnostic and performed maintenance the array. The unique properties of Shanyin often caused fluctuations in long term arrays and the ambient magic that made rituals particularly difficult to cast, maintain, or repair.

    She altered the array slightly, waiting with bated breath to see if the array would fizzle out. It held. She dusted off her hands and robe and stepped back. It was the old woman¡¯s lucky day.

    ¡°If it fizzles out later, it¡¯s not my fault,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Yes, yes, dear. Thank you so much.¡±

    ¡°Save it, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m getting paid for this,¡± she grumbled.

    ¡°Uncle John!¡± Little Rag up top John¡¯s shoulders said, ¡°Here! Payment!¡±

    The child handed him a small candy. It was round and marble like, with a citrus-y yellow orange color indicative of its flavor. Little Rag¡¯s hands were enemies of sensible hygiene, but John accepted the candy with a happy smile. However, he respected the tenants of professor sanitation, and wouldn¡¯t put the candy in his mouth, pocketing it instead.

    ¡°Well, well! consider our services paid for in full! What a good lad, helping your auntie out.¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°Charity doesn¡¯t pay, John.¡±

    ¡°It does pay,¡± John said, ¡°It fills the piggybank of the heart.¡± He tucked the candy into his dimensional inventory like it was some precious treasure. He made an exaggerated motion of forming a heart with his hands and smiled with his charmingly lopsided and good-natured smile that everyone around him couldn¡¯t help but like, Eufemia included.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t know what a piggybank is, John. And no, I don¡¯t want to know.¡±

    The two navigated the crooked streets, greeting the residents that called out to them in the evening sun. They arrived at their office, a dingy sign reading, ¡°J&E Investigation Agency¡±.

    ¡°Can we really call ourselves an investigation agency?¡± Eufemia muttered as she yanked open the door that was partially stuck, ¡°Just on the way here we¡¯ve solved just about every random problem these people have. ¡®Oh Mister John, could you fix my door? Uncle John, my toy is broken. Miss Eufemia, my glowstone lantern is flickering, what could be the issue?¡¯¡±

    ¡°We do investigations.¡± John defended.

    ¡°We do odd jobs. So?¡± Eufemia said, plopping onto a ratty couch in a slovenly position, ¡°Have you made any progress on that main case of yours? The one that gave us our first essences?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± John said, ¡°But we¡¯re at least in the right city.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re below the right city,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°In more ways than one.¡±

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Case Files]

    Receive cases related to your situation and surroundings. Can manifest magic into physical objects as reward for completing cases. Gain the ability to loot enemies.

    -------

    ¡°What was that first case of yours again? Escape Nekroz and make it to Sanshi?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s about second case? Any changes?¡±

    ¡°Unchanged, ¡®Find ???¡¯.¡¯¡±

    -------

    Essence Case 2: Find and identify [???]

    -[???] may possess the method of interdimensional travel and the method to return to Earth.

    -[???] has an anti-identification ability and cannot be identified.

    -[???] has an anti-tracking ability and cannot be tracked.

    Rewards:

    [John Aurelius]: Renewal Essence

    [Eufemia Teresina]: Light Essence

    -------

    Another of John¡¯s racial abilities, Partner-In-Crime, allowed him to share the effects of most of his racial abilities with one other person.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Partners-In-Crime]

    Share your racial abilities with allies, with a limit determined by rank.

    Current limit: 1

    Current Partner(s): Eufemia Teresina

    -------

    ¡°Step one was make it to Sanshi,¡± Eufemia said, counting off with her fingers. ¡°And what a loaded step that was, escaping Nekroz was a nightmare.¡±

    ¡°Look on the bright side: You wanted to escape to begin with, hence our partnership,¡± John pointed out, ¡°And you got a free essence on top of it.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not satisfied with the rewards thus far,¡± Eufemia admitted, ¡°If I was going to escape Nekroz anyway, I may as well go with the party with the best prospects.¡±

    ¡°Well I¡¯m chuffed, I¡¯m the best prospect? ¡®Fraid to say I¡¯m married.¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten you¡¯re married, John. You won¡¯t shut up about your wife and kids.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to surprise them with all this magic,¡± John said, ¡°healing magic is wonderous.¡±

    ¡°If magic even works on your world,¡± Eufemia pointed out, ¡°With what I¡¯ve heard, who knows?¡± She leaned forward, shifting her posture into one of focus, ¡°Why did your case direct us to Sanshi?¡±

    ¡°Beyond the cases that appear because of circumstances, it seems these essence cases are generated from my goal to return to Earth.¡±

    ¡°But the second case says nothing about Sanshi. What if this quest is some unhinged, purposeless manifestation of magic?¡±

    ¡°I believe in my ability.¡± John said, his hands on his hips in exaggerated, playful confidence, ¡°But, logically, my ability would not direct us to Sanshi if this mystery person was not there. I think this is its way of getting around the anti-tracking this person has.¡±

    ¡°What can we do?¡±

    ¡°The only thing we can do. Get up there and start making friends.¡±

    ¡°You mean, get up there and start searching.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± John said innocently.

    *****

    John and Eufemia made their way through the winding streets of Shanyin. Shanyin was unique for its dimensional anomalies¡ªpaths led unexpectedly to other paths, irrespective of space, as if invisible portals warped you to another location in the city. These links gradually changed over time, and only one family within the city had the capability to record the changes¡ªThe House of Nisei. Of the three families that distinguished themselves from the six foundation families, the Nisei was famed for their intelligence gathering capabilities and management of the underworld.

    Shadows gather where there is light. It was impossible to eradicate the underworld, so the Nisei managed it to acceptable levels. As long as certain lines were not crossed, the residents of Shanyin carved out a comfortable life for themselves in shades of grey. Darker corners still existed, but they lacked the protections the accord with the Nisei offered.

    ¡°John dear,¡± a neighbor called out to him, waving urgently with her hand, ¡°that shadow path no longer leads to the valley market. What a shame, it has been such a shortcut. Good things just don¡¯t last around here.¡±

    ¡°Where does it lead now?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Towards the Moonlight Society. That back-alley way. I suppose my daughter can come home easier. That¡¯s not too bad.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for letting me know, Laona.¡±

    ¡°Oh, for you dear, anytime. If you¡¯re stopping by the society, let my daughter know, would you hon?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Laona.¡±

    John and Eufemia had an appointment with the Nisei. Their manor occupied the tallest location in Shanyin, easily visible for the rest of the residents. Of course, just beelining towards the hill would not get you there, not in Shanyin, at least. That was a quick way to lose yourself in the maze-like astral space, beyond even the boundaries of the city. And beyond the boundaries of the city, monsters stalked the lands to unleash their fury as they inevitably decayed.

    Despite its distance visually from John and Eufemia, the Nisei manor was only a few shadow paths away. The shadow path to the Moonlight Society reduced the total distance they needed to cover, if the shadow path near the Moonlight Society hadn¡¯t shifted its own connection to the manor.

    Shadow paths looked as if the path ahead was obscured in darkness. The light faded as if they ventured into a tunnel, further and further away from the light of the sun. They could climb around the path, but the people of Shanyin adapted to their unusual home. Mastering the shadow paths was by far the quickest way around the city, especially for normals with no essence magic.

    That was the case for John and Eufemia, who each had a single essence and two essence abilities.

    Traversing through a shadow path felt no different, except they felt the cool touch of darkness one would expect transitioning from a sunny road to a shaded corridor.

    As Laona had said, the path led to the back alley of the Moonlight Society.

    The Moonlight Society was the dark reflection of the Adventure Society. Their contracts ranged from legal to less-than-legal to illegal; the full breath of what a thriving city may require. Most contracts were ¡®relatively¡¯ harmless, and ranged from thievery, spying, information gathering, deliveries, undercover investigations, protection, smuggling, or thuggery.

    This was the Nisei¡¯s influence.

    The trade halls of the Moonlight Society also contained what could not be found easily in the Adventure Society. Specialty poisons, suppression collars, drugs, restricted information, and other restricted artifacts.  Even here, the Death Essence was forbidden, more evidence of Nisei¡¯s regulating hand. She offered the same deal as the Adventure Society, buying the essence to send it to the appropriate authorities for disposal.

    The miscreants of society could make their living¡ªinsidious specialties and niche expertise had their uses, and the local Adventure Society and city government did not want them completely eradicated, just regulated. Those that found themselves on the lam or came from backgrounds they did not want discussed nor revealed, made their homes here. Some sought a second chance at life¡ªearn their essences, awakening stones, and equipment and join the Adventure Society. If you obeyed the tenants once you joined, the Adventure Society protected their members, including former criminals. They had their limits of what they would pardon; Wanton murder of innocents was one such line. If you were just a former thief¡ªthe Adventure Society would welcome your skills with open arms.

    Former moonlighters had their specialties that the Adventure Society found very handy. Moreover, they made excellent scouts, specialty crafters, and fighters.

    John barged into the Moonlight Society, slapping open the double doors to yell in with an overdramatic flair. He wasn¡¯t a moonlighter, but all those in the society recognized him as the neighborhood investigator, and completely ignored his antics.

    ¡°Alea Len! Your mum wants you to know the path behind the society now goes home! You¡¯ve got no excuse for returning home late now!¡±

    Alea Len, a professional thief of the Moonlight Society and daughter of Laona Len, glared with icy annoyance.

    ¡°Would it kill you to behave like a professional, John?¡±

 Chapter 28: The Serpentéˆ¥æªš Guile

    Chapter 28: The Serpent¡¯s Guile

    Alea Len, despite her prickly attitude, was one of the few people who was receptive to the strange outsiders. Her receptiveness was about as comfortable as bathing in an Antarctic ice bath, but they could still bathe. Those of Shanyin, while fringe members of society themselves, were wary of those that would break the tenuous balance that Shanyin had established with Sanshi. Once those of the mountain¡¯s shadow learnt they weren¡¯t dangerous, the people had been more welcoming, and they found a place for themselves in their patchwork quilt society.

    They had a few encounters with each other on jobs back in the world of the light, and John and Eufemia had even saved her life once. While she wasn¡¯t quite their ally, she was not their enemy.

    Alea Len looked up from her table. She was sitting in the lobby of the Moonlight Society, where several other members were maintaining their equipment. She was cleansing and polishing knives, lockpicks, and magical artifacts dedicated to cracking magical locks. Standard equipment, for someone in her profession. Since most were only partial essence users or completely normal, they relied on tools, physical fitness, and skills instead of innate magic to get the job done.

    Like many others, Alea was working towards a full set of essences, either through service or through saving the contract payment to purchase their own. In her case, she was dedicated to the head of the Nisei family in the area, Erin Nisei. Whether or not she¡¯d join the Adventure Society or continue her service to the Nisei family was negotiable.

    ¡°Lady Nisei is looking for the two of you,¡± she said, turning her attention back towards her tools. ¡°She has a job for you.¡±

    ¡°Is she here or at her manor?¡±

    ¡°Her manor.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the heads up, Alea.¡±

    She snorted, ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. Lady Nisei finds the two of you useful for some reason.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, just admit we¡¯re skillful,¡± John said with a grin.

    ¡°I can admit that you¡¯re useful¡ªas handymen. I don¡¯t know what Lady Nisei is doing for you in turn, but is it worth it to get involved in this side? I have a feeling the two of you can get by without the risk.¡±

    ¡°You work for Erin Nisei,¡± Eufemia said pointedly. ¡°And you¡¯re talking about risk? Why don¡¯t you shove it.¡±

    Alea shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m aware of what I¡¯m doing is risky, and I¡¯m satisfied with the terms of our agreement.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s to say our terms aren¡¯t equally satisfactory,¡± Eufemia said.

    Alea looked at them up and down with a displeased expression, ¡°You two help people for free just on your walk back home. If you aren¡¯t being cheated, I''ll break all my knives.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t do that.¡± Eufemia said, ¡°You¡¯re wiping down those knives like they¡¯re family heirlooms.¡±

    ¡°I would never break my knives,¡± Alea agreed, ¡°I lied. So kill me.¡±

    Their business concluded at the Moonlight Society, John and Eufemia headed towards the Nisei Manor. The shadow path to the manor was accessed by climbing a ladder that should have led to the top of a building.

    Transported through the darkness, they dropped from a few centimeters onto the stone path with uncanny precision.

    ¡°I hate that path.¡± Eufemia complained.

    ¡°Why? Because you¡¯ve fallen from the top of the ladder on the way back, bruising your arse?¡±

    ¡°You should work on your manner around a lady, John.¡±

    ¡°My apologies, Lady Eufemia.¡± John said, performing a formal bow.

    She frowned, ¡°Don¡¯t do that. I feel this indescribable revulsion when I hear you speak like that.¡±

    John shrugged, walking into the manor in the way he always did. The man always seemed to have a pep in his step, despite his unusual circumstances. But Eufemia knew John long enough that he was frustrated by his lack of progress in his quest to return home.

    The Nisei manor stood out from Shanyin, a city perpetually cast in pockets of shadow. It was made of polished white stone, a beacon of light in a sea of grey.

    A butler greeted them at the door.

    ¡°Mister Aurelius, miss Eufemia, please follow me.¡±

    They had been guided to the Nisei¡¯s waiting room before and were familiar with this one path through the manor, but they obediently followed him.

    Erin Nisei was silver rank, and not one to be trifled with.

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    John and Eufemia were enjoying the tea that had been served to them when the door opened to reveal Lady Erin Nisei.

    ¡°John Aurelius, Eufemia Teresina, it¡¯s always a pleasure to see the two of you in my parlor.¡±

    Erin Nisei was a glamorous, enchanting woman. A celestine, like Eufemia, but of bewitching onyx hair that extended down to her lower back. Her two dark eyes seemed to glitter with the light of a starry sky. Her mouth, ever curved in a gentle crescent that beheld unattainable secrets within.

    ¡°Miss Nisei,¡± John greeted politely, ¡°I heard you have a job for the two of us. What are the details?¡±

    ¡°Always prudent, aren¡¯t you John. How long have we known each other? No need for such caution, is there?¡±

    She ran her fingers delicately across his shoulder, like a butterfly touching down for nectar.

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°Cut the theatrics, Miss Nisei. What do you need us for?¡±

    Erin let out a mournful sigh, ¡°Despite my so-called position as the local head of the Nisei family, with access to both the Moonlight Society and the Adventure Society, competent people are hard to find. Especially investigators.¡±

    She swirled a finger, pointing up at the sky, ¡°Those adventurers above don¡¯t have the patience for a slow, tiresome, and thorough investigation. And they shouldn¡¯t really, not with the challenge they must put themselves through. Investigation just won¡¯t cut it.¡±

    Her finger gestured to the city of Shanyin below, ¡°There are decent spies and thieves here, but none with quite the specific skillset you have, John. I have to say I¡¯m quite enamored with what you have to offer.¡±

    ¡°Nothing about me?¡± Eufemia huffed.

    ¡°You¡¯re a bonus,¡± Nisei said, her smile ever so slightly curving into one of a smirk.

    ¡°He¡¯s married, snake,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t hurt to try. What is it that you¡¯ve said before, John? ¡®You miss all the shots you don¡¯t take?¡¯ I quite enjoy that.¡±

    ¡°You have quite the memory, Miss Nisei.¡± John said.

    ¡°I can raise you to silver rank, and you could experience what it¡¯s like,¡± she said. ¡°One of the many benefits of silver rank, on top of longevity and beauty. Just in case you¡¯ve forgotten, John.¡±

    Eufemia leaned in to whisper to John, ¡°You don¡¯t know how old she is John. She could be an old bag of bones in a pretty porcelain skin.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m married, Eufemia. I¡¯m not tempted. And that¡¯s rude.¡±

    ¡°Another benefit of silver rank,¡± Erin said, gently tugging on John¡¯s other ear, ¡°is enhanced hearing.¡±

    She moved to sit across from John and Eufemia, her countenance slightly less playful.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Eufemia muttered, rolling her eyes. ¡°Down to business.¡±

    Erin nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. I have an incident I¡¯d like the two of you to investigate.¡± She unclasped a shoulder bag, pulling a folder larger than what should have fit inside and sliding it across the table. ¡°I know you like physical information like this John.¡±

    He took the folder from the table and flipped through the files.

    ¡°Missing researchers, inventors, and scientists?¡± John said after skimming the file.

    Erin raised an eyebrow, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you mean by ¡®scientist¡¯ but it''s as you say, they¡¯ve either gone missing...¡±

    ¡°Or turned up dead. This is why you need us.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a worldwide phenomenon,¡± Erin further explained, ¡°Most likely, it¡¯s been occurring for a very long time now, but we¡¯ve only recently noticed.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Recently, the gods have been moving. They¡¯ve been bestowing their gift on individuals. Eye-catching in and of itself, but not usually something requiring additional investigation beyond the obvious.¡±

    ¡°What changed?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°A great percentage of gift receivers have been researchers and inventors, greater than is normal.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t notice at first because the sample size is so small.¡± John said, ¡°You had to accumulate data over time.¡±

    The terminology caused Erin Nisei to raise an eyebrow as John¡¯s translation ability did its work, ¡°It has been a slow process, but we¡¯ve realized the gods are trying to tell us something.¡±

    ¡°And what is that?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Some force has been killing our researchers and inventors, across the world. Those in the Rowen Kingdom are untouched, likely due to their strong culture of innovation there.¡±

    ¡°Less likely to go unnoticed,¡± Eufemia remarked.

    ¡°But other regions have not been spared, Sanshi included. As a pioneer in new educational experiments, those above are upset with this revelation.¡±

    ¡°How can we possibly help with this?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°This seems beyond our capabilities as ordinary investigators. Go get some Adventure Society functionary to do this for you.¡±

    Erin sighed, ¡°Thos above are working on their approach to the problem, and I am working on mine. Less talk, Eufemia, you don¡¯t have much to say.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s lips formed a tight frown.

    Erin continued with Eufemia to interrupt. ¡°We have a general idea of how this enemy operates. They recruit locally and promise power and influence within their organization, or simple monetary incentives. These local recruits then do their bidding, investigating, abducting, isolating, or killing their targets.¡±

    ¡°It seems like a pretty loose operation,¡± John asked, ¡°They haven¡¯t been discovered already?¡±

    ¡°A lot of these researchers are small time; those who haven¡¯t discovered anything of note. Honestly, we¡¯re confused as to why they were targeted in the first time.¡±

    John flipped a few pages through his files, ¡°It says these researchers were isolated or expelled from the Magic Society.¡±

    ¡°Ridiculed for and harassed researching pointless topics,¡± Erin added, ¡°these researchers eventually quit on their own or were expelled from the Magic Society.¡±

    ¡°Not so pointless if they¡¯re being targeted,¡± said Eufemia. She couldn¡¯t be kept down for long, especially not by the likes of Erin Nisei, who Eufemia instinctively didn¡¯t like.

    ¡°I deal in information,¡± Erin said, leaning back, ¡°but magic research is not my strength. I require the discerning eye of the two of you.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not magic experts.¡± John said. ¡°Almost the opposite. Neither of us have any formal training in magic, just tricks we¡¯ve picked up from moonlighters, our travels, and our experiences.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had magic experts look at this,¡± Erin said, ¡°We all have. I¡¯m trying a different approach. My commission is this: find out why these researchers and inventors have been targeted. If you can, figure out which ones will be targeted in the future. Further, the base of operations and their local contacts, if you can do so without exposing yourselves. Will you accept?¡±

    ¡°Well? Payment?¡± Eufemia said, expression unamused.

    ¡°When have I not? You will not be disappointed.¡±

    ¡°Half up front,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°It¡¯s a deal,¡± Erin said, tossing them a bag of spirit coins. The weighty bad landed with a heavy thud onto the ornately carved and polished darkwood table.

    Eufemia was shocked, feeling the heft and hearing the clink of spirit coins in the pouch when she lifted it from the table. She looked up at Erin in realization, ¡°You must be desperate. You don¡¯t usually pay so much in advance. Not without some bargaining. The games you like to play.¡±

    ¡°This may not even be half, depending on what you find out,¡± Erin said. ¡°The Adventure Society will fund results. We¡¯re not desperate, Eufemia. We¡¯re thorough.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see what we can do, Miss Nisei, but no promises, as always.¡± John said.

    ¡°Blessings of the serpent¡¯s guile, John and Eufemia.¡± Her serpentine smile was not reassuring, ¡°I pray you won¡¯t need it.¡±

 Chapter 29: Serving a Sentence

    Chapter 29: Serving a Sentence

    After her divine visitation, Nara refocused on her adventurer training, pushing back the growing terror that her chat with Traveler had re-triggered.

    She had slowly regained some semblance of sanity after she seemed to have lost it in the astral. And now, she was sane enough to feel the absurdity of her situation: She was in a stranded in a strange, magical world with beings far more powerful than she was and entirely alien to her in nature and thought. Her carefree nature and joy for magic and discovery clashed with her logical nature that screamed the danger of this wide, new world.

    Yet, even with this inner turmoil, she was able to focus on her training. She made confident strides in her swordplay and staff play, flirted with archery, refined her aura control, continued to hone her perception and memory, further studied ritual and astral magic, practiced her lute, and pushed the limits of her mobility and parkour, which was by far the area she was most proficient in.

    Her once stodgy reflexes had been sharpened and honed, gleaming like a finely crafted blade. She sprung with lightness in her step, executing impossible parkour maneuvers that would have required wire work or special effects to execute on earth. She was sharp, efficient, and flexible. Shooting through hoops, springing up walls as if she were a video game character wall jumping. Her touchdowns were just a momentary pause before she spun on a dime and shot off in another direction, deflecting rocks and phasing through other inescapable projectiles.

    Despite her anxiety, she had also grown in other ways. She was no longer froze up at the sight of monsters¡ªshe was adapting to her new environment, even if a small, panicked whisper in the back of her mind told her she¡¯d gone crazy.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been training her for six weeks now, haven¡¯t we Laius?¡± Amara said thoughtfully, but her arm still periodically threw out a rock with expert marksman accuracy even when she wasn¡¯t looking in Nara¡¯s direction.

    He nodded.

    ¡°Extreme mobility is enough to escape monsters of her rank, and even the rank above,¡± Amara continued, somehow sniping Nara with rocks even as her eyes turned away from Nara¡¯s fleeing figure. ¡°Do you see what I¡¯m getting at?¡±

    He nodded again.

    ¡°I think Nara can pass the Adventure Society certification exam.¡±

    Laius nodded in agreement.

    She took a break on the grass, sipping a freshly squeezed mixed fruit smoothie and snacking on some salty treats. She may not have need to replenish her salts after a workout, but it still fulfilled an ingrained craving.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready to pass the Adventure Society exam?¡± Nara said, ¡°I don¡¯t feel ready.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not as strict as you think,¡± Amara said, ¡°And, once you pass it, your training doesn¡¯t end.¡±

    ¡°Training never ends,¡± Laius added.

    ¡°Iron rank essence users like you can¡¯t remain in pre-training forever. They need to complete contracts, build their reputation with the society, hone their skills and gain experience fighting monsters, and earn spirit coins by completing contracts. For early essence users, that last point is the most important part.¡± Amara¡¯s sun gold eyes saw through her inner turmoil, ¡°You¡¯d feel more secure with your own source of income, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I would,¡± Nara admitted. Her living expenses, tuition, training, and supplies had been provided by the four of the retreat. She accepted their help gratefully but didn¡¯t want to remain dependent on their generosity. And one day, she wanted to repay them for their guidance and kindness.

    Amara¡¯s smile was one of her rare, gentle smiles, instead of her fierce smiles.

    ¡°At the start of the next month, in less than two weeks, the Adventure Society will hold their certification exam. They hold one every month so long as there is an applicant, and there is no penalty for failure. Sign up for it, and we¡¯ll help you with your preparations,¡± Amara declared.

    *****

    ¡°And that¡¯s how it is, in a bit, this table game partner of yours is going to shoot her shot at becoming an adventurer. First hand,¡± Nara said. She flipped over her first group of cards.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting a little too good at this?¡± Sezan frowned.

    ¡°What can I say, I have excellent teachers.¡±

    ¡°How can I evaluate your progress with your lute if you don¡¯t lose?¡± Sezan complained.

    ¡°Grandfather, you aren¡¯t musically astute enough to determine if she¡¯s made progress at her level. She¡¯s already beyond your comprehension,¡± Encio said, flipping over his own group of cards, ¡°First hand.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling my age now,¡± Wisteria cackled, ¡°the youngsters are leaving me in the dust. First hand,¡± She glanced at Sezan, ¡°Clearly, I still have some youth left in me compared to you.¡±

    ¡°You too, Wisteria?¡±

    Wisteria chuckled as she plucked some snacks set on a floating panel above the table game. The treat was spring kaklova. It was similar to the middle eastern desert baklava, but made with crushed nuts and dried fruits, a honey-like syrup that was gentler and less intensely sweet, a flaky pastry dough, and topped with delicate and sweet flower blossoms as edible decorations.

    The taste of the nuts was the opposite of familiar¡ªone that could hardly be found in most regions of the world.

    ¡°Is this made of laxo nuts?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you can tell.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had it once before. It¡¯s a rare treat.¡±

    Her expression was ponderous, and the outgoing and crafty woman was oddly quiet. She may have been reminiscing of the past, Nara thought.

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    ¡°Now that you mention it, I was wondering if you¡¯d like to team up, Nara, once you pass your certification exam,¡± Encio offered. He drew a card, his expression frowning as he placed it in the discard. Who knew if that was a genuine frown of disappointment. He too, was Wisteria¡¯s apprentice in trickery.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been planning on teaming up with anyone, but I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You should give it genuine thought,¡± Sezan said, ¡°Solo adventurers are the ones most likely to die.¡±

    ¡°Grandfather.¡±

    ¡°What? It¡¯s true. How about this, let¡¯s have a bit of fun with this and bet a bit?¡±

    ¡°A bet?¡±

    ¡°Look here, I don¡¯t want my grandson¡¯s friend and our table game partner to show up in a casket¡ª¡±

    ¡°And I don¡¯t want to miss my snacks,¡± Wisteria added offhandedly.

    Encio shot him a disapproving look.

    ¡°--and I¡¯m not saying you will, but there¡¯s safety in numbers. Encio and I play against you and Wisteria in this game. If we win, you and Encio will team up. It doesn¡¯t have to be permanent, but you don¡¯t have any problem with him, do you?¡±

    ¡°No, he¡¯s a good friend. I was really going to consider it.¡±

    ¡°You are rather slow at decision making.¡± Encio said, ¡°Maybe expediency is the path, grandfather.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to have some support from my grandson. It¡¯s becoming increasingly rare.¡±

    ¡°And if Wisteria and I win?¡±

    Sezan reached into a dimensional pouch and pulled out a stone. ¡°You haven¡¯t awakened all of your abilities yet, have you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got 7 abilities left un-awakened.¡±

    ¡°Take a look at this. I think this is an offer you can¡¯t refuse.¡±

    -------

    Item: [Awakening Stone of Dimension] (unranked, legendary)

    Classification: Awakening Stone, Consumable

    An awakening stone that unlocks the power of dimension.

    Requirements: unawakened essence ability

    Effect: awakens an essence ability

    -------

    ¡°An awakening stone of dimension? This is good stuff. Shouldn¡¯t you pass it on in your family or something?¡±

    Sezan waved his hand dismissively, ¡°I¡¯m a wealthy partially retired adventurer relaxing in a beach town playing board games. Besides, this grandson has had his pick of the pile. Swift, Balance, and Dimension for the Time confluence. All the expensive awakening stones he could want. Encio has all twenty of his abilities; he has no use for the rest.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the youngest of the family,¡± Encio said, ¡°So all my siblings and cousins are fully awakened as well. We can keep if for the next generation, but it¡¯ll otherwise sit locked up in storage for another 20 or 30 years, until one of us continues the chain.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a rather low estimate,¡± Sezan said, ¡°Just 20 to 30 years?¡±

    ¡°Hadrian is married,¡± Encio said. ¡°You might be seeing great grandchildren sooner than you think.¡±

    ¡°Hadrian is too focused on his ¡®career¡¯ and politics to have a kid. What need does our family have for politics¡ª¡± He stopped, realizing he was in the company of an outsider, and they had been intentionally keeping everything on a first-name, semi-anonymous basis.

    ¡°Best not to say more,¡± he said with a dismissive smile.

    Encio was 24, one year older than Nara. He was old for iron rank, especially for a rich family if what Sezan said was true; Most made it to bronze in their early twenties. Maybe he started late or felt no motivation to push through iron to bronze. Or perhaps, he had simply spent the time leisurely with his grandfather.

    Nara did aspire for that sort of relaxed, carefree life. But Encio didn¡¯t seem the sort of spoiled rich kid to live off his family¡¯s riches. Not from the movements she saw that day. His movements were sharp and well-maintained. He had been through the gauntlet of training essence users put their progeny through. And he was talented, or else he would not have had one of the most desirable essence combinations in the world, and a tailored set of awakening stones just for him.

    ¡°This sounds a little too good to be true. It¡¯s just a win/win for me. What¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°No catch,¡± Sezan held his hands up in surrender, ¡°We can¡¯t just have a fun bet? I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d have a reason to play seriously unless I offered something valuable. I can¡¯t make it too easy for my grandson either, you¡¯ll play along, and make life tough for him, won¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°The catch,¡± Encio said, rolling his eyes, ¡°Is that you¡¯d have to agree to team up with me for a period if you lost, even if you hadn¡¯t made up your mind.¡±

    ¡°What period?¡±

    ¡°You want to decide this now?¡±

    ¡°A bet is a bet. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not motivated for a sparkly new stone. I know 1 star and 5 star stones are all the same supposedly, but I haven¡¯t had a taste of that top rarity yet.¡±

    ¡°Six months, unless I decide to end it early.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty long time. I think four months is long enough to know whether we should seal the deal on a partnership.¡±

    ¡°I can work with that,¡± Encio said. ¡°Four months if you lose, a dimension stone if you win.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say it like that,¡± Nara said, ¡°That sounds like I¡¯m serving a sentence.¡±

    ¡°With him, it might be,¡± Sezan.

    Nara, Wisteria, and Encio all stared at him.

    ¡°Your grandson isn¡¯t that bad. He didn¡¯t deserve that.¡±

    ¡°Is it that bad¡­?¡± Encio muttered, suddenly dejected. ¡°I¡¯m not that bad¡­¡±

    ¡°Do his words hurt you so much, Sezan?¡± Wisteria said, looking at him with pity. "You''re the elder, where''s your dignity?"

    ¡°Is this all a ploy to get rid of me, grandfather? I hadn¡¯t realized you disliked the time we spent together. Or have you just grown tired of me after all this time?¡±

    Sezan stared back at the three of them with disbelief.

    ¡°What? The three of you can joke but I can¡¯t?¡±

    The three grinned Cheshire smiles back.

    The bet in place, the tension ramped up around the table, causing the resting Thanatos to sit up and take notice. Nara was ahead, the first to complete her first hand, a rare early win for her. Wisteria was in third, but she was a formidable ally with a track record of pulling ahead where it mattered most. Encio was a consistent player, trading second and third place with his equally consistent grandfather. Either she or Wisteria needed to win for it to count as her win.

    ¡°Wisteria,¡± Nara said hurriedly, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a full box of treats the next time if you win.¡±

    ¡°Oh ho,¡± Wisteria said, ¡°You thought I¡¯d work for them?¡±

    ¡°I picked up on tricks from you; I¡¯m just covering all my bases.¡±

    ¡°Smart cookie,¡± she said, grinning, ¡°You caught on.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a deal then?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, we have an agreement.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± Sezan said, ¡°Weren¡¯t you on my side?¡±

    ¡°Offer something up, greybeard,¡± Wisteria said, ¡°What ¡¯cha got?¡±

    Sezan stroked his well-maintained and neatly trimmed beard and frowned. He didn¡¯t have grey hair.

    ¡°I can¡¯t compete with those treats. I know how much you like them.¡±

    They had laxo nuts¡ªthose weren¡¯t exactly common, even for his resources.

    ¡°Then suck it up and play fair.¡±

    ¡°Says the person who wasn¡¯t going to play fair to begin with,¡± Sezan grumpily muttered.

    The match was intense¡ªor so Nara would like to say, but it was still a relaxing game in a seaside grove. They chatted and bantered about current events around the world. Nara wondered in part if it was a ploy to relax her guard. But it was true, win or lose, the stakes were low. She would like a cool new ¡®legendary¡¯ rock, but she wasn¡¯t competitive beyond competitiveness for the sake of fun. She didn¡¯t bemoan her losses. In this world and the last, she¡¯s had her fair share of losses in the domain of games. She hadn¡¯t realized, but this was the highest prize bet of her entire life thus far.

    The match progressed, each competitor completing their respective hands. Nara had dropped down to second place, while Encio rose into first. Wisteria was in third, while Sezan was still dead last.

    The final hand rolled around, with predictable results. Nara dropped down another place, into third. Wisteria rose into second place, approaching Encio who clung to first. Sezan still, dead last.

    They four finally felt the tension, quieting as each raced to complete the final hand. Nara still had a shot at winning the match and securing that oh so precious stone.

    A dimension stone with a dimension essence; she couldn¡¯t help but admit she was curious. She couldn¡¯t guarantee it¡¯d awaken an ability in that essence, but she¡¯d like to see it there for that dimension-on-dimension combination.

    Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when Encio managed to keep the lead, completing his final hand before Wisteria completed hers.

    ¡°Fourth hand,¡± he said, flipping over his final group of cards. ¡°It¡¯s my win.¡±

    Nara sighed and leaned back, ¡°It was a long shot anyway. No matter what Sezan says, I was just losing less, not winning more. I¡¯ll still bring those snacks Wisteria, food makes a party.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll drink to that,¡± she said, lifting her cup then downing it without waiting for anyone to join her toast.

    ¡°You¡¯ll drink to anything.¡± Sezan countered, but drank his own.

    She offered her fist to Encio, grinning. ¡°To the next four months, partner.¡±

    He bumped it with his own, ¡°Four months and longer, friend.¡±

    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll see if I don¡¯t get sick of you by then. Maybe your grandfather has a point.¡±

    ¡°I already said I was joking. Don¡¯t look at me like that, Encio. Hey¡­¡±

 Chapter 30: A Taste of Defeat on Two Fronts

    Chapter 30: A Taste of Defeat on Two Fronts

    Sezan and Encio stepped through a portal, into the portal plaza of Sanshi proper. Since Sezan could conjure a portal there, he had evidently visited Sanshi before. Encio had not, but it didn¡¯t show. While Sanshi¡¯s culture varied, cities specializing in adventurer education was something he was familiar with. He had spent much of his youth in Saggia, another educational nexus.

    ¡°I¡¯m still not sure how she¡¯s getting here,¡± Encio said, glancing at Nara who was waiting a respectful distance away.

    ¡°Outworlders,¡± Sezan said, ¡°they¡¯re a fun but troublesome bunch.¡± Sezan¡¯s gaze sharpened, ¡°And she may be an outworlder, but she is not some curiosity, Encio. If you leave, it better not be because the novelty has worn off.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s my friend, grandfather. Do you have such a low opinion of me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen my fair share of talented apprentices with bright futures that developed disappointing values and personalities. You aren¡¯t that way now, Encio, but our journeys inevitably shape us. Ride the journey, Encio, but control the changes.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re satisfied with the way you turned out, grandfather?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sezan said with mock offense, ¡°Am I a disappointing grandfather?¡±

    ¡°No, grandfather, you¡¯re my aspiration.¡±

    He pulled his grandson into a hug, ¡°There we go. Your journey had once stopped, and you¡¯ve chosen to restart it, into probably the most spectacular circumstances you could find. There¡¯s no reason to walk this path if you don¡¯t want it. But Encio, are you prepared now?¡±

    ¡°Grandfather, are we ever prepared for the deaths of those we care about?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Sezan said, ¡°Never.¡±

    Sezan disappeared back through his portal. It was unlike Laius or Chelsea¡¯s. It was half cast in night, half in daylight, as if seeing the day-to-night transition from planetary orbit.

    ¡°Goodbyes all finished?¡± Nara asked Encio as he joined her where she had been waiting. The two set off side by side, matching pace as they made their way from the portal plaza. Encio already had an idea of where to go.

    ¡°He¡¯ll visit from time to time, no doubt. I am his favorite grandson. He just isn¡¯t able to leave me alone.¡±

    ¡°Wow, you really went and said that.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t help it, it¡¯s the truth.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this all really about though?¡± Nara asked, ¡°This all seems a little fast.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re suspicious of the circumstances?¡±

    ¡°What sort of person joins another random person to form a team in a bet?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a conspiracy,¡± Encio assured, ¡°It just has been some time since I¡¯ve adventured.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve joined your strange friend who¡¯s not even an adventurer? A rich pretty-boy like you must have party invitations so numerous they fill filing cabinets.¡±

    ¡°You think I¡¯m pretty?¡± Encio grinned.

    ¡°That¡¯s what you took away from that?¡±

    ¡°What you¡¯ve said is all true. I am that popular,¡± he said, playfully waggling his eyebrows, ¡°But you¡¯re mistaken if you think all those invitations are even worth keeping. My family is very famous, more famous than the Arlang or the Fenhu of Sanshi.¡±

    ¡°More famous than the Arlang?¡±

    The Arlang had distinguished themselves by creating adventuring compounds and branch families around the world. Their relatives formed their own teams at iron and bronze rank and grew into capable adventurers. They were well known for their competency in the field. In a world where personal power led to political power and riches, the Arlang had both. Sen Arlang wasn¡¯t so much a scion as another relative of the Arlang set along the same path as many others.

    ¡°My family¡¯s fame is for a few reasons, but most people only care about one main reason.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Sezan Aciano is diamond rank.¡±

    Nara¡¯s steps stopped.

    Diamond rank was the peak¡ªmost essence users never achieved diamond rank in their entire lives, let alone gold rank; ¡®Most¡¯ was even an understatement. The total number of diamond rankers in the entire world was below one hundred, represented by only a two digit number. Silver is where most essence users stopped, unable to climb the sheer cliff face of escalating challenge. Nara didn¡¯t understand the reverence other essence users treated diamond rankers with, nor did she understand the extent of their power.

    The rank was treated with near-mythical status by the people of Erras that even she had picked up on. Diamond rankers founded countries. They were walking natural disasters, if they wanted to be. The protectors of the world, slaying the strongest monsters and dimensional invaders. They lived forever, surpassing the tethers of age and mortality.

    ¡°And he¡¯s just sitting around playing table games in some small beach town??¡±

    ¡°He was doing that for me. I took a break from adventuring to¡­recover. Can you see why most invitations are not even worth considering?¡±

    ¡°They just want to team up with you because of your grandfather?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. So, who better to team up with than my friend I play table games with?¡±

    ¡°Dude, that just sounds like you have no friends. Maybe I will be begging you to leave by the end of four months.¡±

    ¡°My grandfather was joking about that.¡±

    ¡°Who knows, maybe he has some personal insight?¡±

    *****

    Encio had no place to stay in Sanshi, and Nara could not take him back to Innovation¡¯s Retreat. He rented one of the suites at a hotel tailored towards adventurers, near the Sanshi Adventure Academy. There were so many empty rooms that Nara could have stayed there if she wanted, but she wanted to maximize the training she got from Amara and the others leading up to her Adventure Society certification exam.

    ¡°This is pretty spacious,¡± Nara said, peeking through each room. The suite occupied half of the floor, with three large bedrooms and a large, shared living room. Even the attached kitchen was large enough for Nara who had survived on tiny apartment kitchens and university kitchenettes to feel the green pangs of envy. The whole room had an elegant wood and stone Zen theme, with artistic flower arrangements and small indoor plants that livened up the atmosphere. Large circular windows with geometric wooden grilles revealed a view of the city.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°You have a loot power, right? You¡¯ll be able to live like this in the future.¡±

    ¡°How do you know that...oh.¡±

    Encio¡¯s grandfather was diamond rank. Traveler said silver rankers and above could detect race from aura; there was no way Sezan couldn¡¯t tell, and it was likely he told Encio. If not that, her own behavior would have revealed her outworlder origin.

    ¡°That¡¯s not why I wanted to team up with you,¡± Encio said, predicting his friend¡¯s thoughts, ¡°I genuinely didn¡¯t know you were an outworlder for some time. But I¡¯ll I am curious, now that I know. What is your world like?¡±

    ¡°Hm, many things are similar, but many things not. The most important difference: we don¡¯t have magic. We have something called science instead. Our level of technology is must higher too. We don¡¯t have magic to master, so we strive to master the natural world¡ªthat¡¯s science.¡±

    ¡°To master the natural world¡ªwhat do you mean by that?¡±

    Nara constructed a bouncy ball from the astral. She dropped it onto the wooden floor, where it bounced a few times before settling still.

    ¡°What makes the ball fall?¡±

    ¡°The mana of the earth.¡±

    ¡°My world doesn¡¯t have magic, that still happens, in the exact same way.¡±

    Encio¡¯s expression opened in surprise and his mind made the logical conclusion, ¡°Then it cannot be a function of magic.¡± That was the conclusion, if he were to take her words at face value. The lack of magic sounded unbelievable to him, but outworlders were beings from other worlds. Would other worlds operate on the same logic as his?

    ¡°We call it gravity.¡±

    Nara looked out the window towards the stone spires of Sanshi, the peaks of which swirled with large stone fragments, ¡°But I understand why your world doesn¡¯t pursue mastery of the physical world. It must be difficult to draw conclusions when the world routinely flaunts physics.¡±

    Magic could solve the issues with pollution and energy. Water, air, and soil could be purified with magic, and cancer and illnesses can be cleansed with a single ability, eliminating the need for that research in the first place; she didn¡¯t know if that was an advantage though. Magic preserved, repaired, and manipulated the natural world far better than science could. Chelsea regrew an entire forest in a few minutes. On the flip side, science had long solved problems of global communication that Erras still struggled with. They additionally maintained a far higher population density through modern farming methods, though she didn¡¯t know if Erras¡¯ population was restricted because of monsters or some other reason.

    ¡°If I get the chance, how about you visit my world with me? I doesn¡¯t feel like you completely believe me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a very good liar, but that is an adventure I won¡¯t refuse.¡±

    ¡°You might be the one making recording crystals for your family instead. Or maybe, using something from my world. I¡¯ll keep it a surprise.¡±

    ¡°I look forward to it.¡±

    *****

    Nara headed with Encio to the Academy for some sparring. She knew she was going to be outclassed, even more than Vallis was with her, but she may as well use him as a resource if he was available.

    He grabbed one of the wooden swords off of the equipment rack, like Nara.

    ¡°You use a sword too?¡±

    ¡°I do, but my abilities are a little unusual.¡±

    ¡°Well how about that, so are mine. It¡¯s almost like we share an essence or something.¡±

    Encio chuckled, ¡°Let me look at your skills to see what I¡¯m working with. Maybe I''ll be the one to end this early, who knows.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d say ¡®I¡¯ll make you eat dirt¡¯, but I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m incapable of winning.¡±

    ¡°Do your best, partner. Make me eat my words.¡±

    ¡°One day, dammit, one day.¡±

    As Nara expected, Encio was far more skilled than she was, and even more skilled than Vallis and Sen. His swordplay was aggressive, sharp, and held a masterful control of strength and distance. Where Vallis used overwhelming power and heavy attacks to destabilize her, Encio¡¯s swordplay was an onslaught of fast and powerful attacks. He had remarkable stamina¡ªwhether it was the result of a magic ability, or evidence of his peak physical fitness.

    But he was training her, not just beating her up for the fun of it. He¡¯d indicate what to focus on, and help lead her to new approaches, like a match teacher guiding a student to the right answer without giving it away.

    ¡°Why are all of you so frustratingly good at fighting and teaching?¡± She mumbled beneath her breath.

    He raised an eyebrow, ¡°I¡¯m an adventurer, this is what I¡¯ve spent my life training for.¡±

    ¡°Dude, I was never that good at science and I spent my life studying it. At least four years of it anyway.¡±

    ¡°You know far more than I do of that topic, and I know more than you do on this. Is this not reflective of the lifestyle of our worlds?¡±

    ¡°Damn your facts and logic.¡±

    Well, hey, maybe that meant she was a science master, in the same way Encio was a sword master?  PHDs must be science diamond rankers. Then, with a bachelors, maybe she was a science silver ranker? That didn¡¯t sound too bad. She should give herself a little more credit.

    ¡°Nara! You finally found another training partner!¡± Vallis said, waving a casual greeting as she approached the two in the training field. She was bright and energetic, as always, the antithesis to Nara who had her metal reserves drained by Encio¡¯s strict instruction.

    ¡°You do realize I literally attend sparring classes almost every day besides the time I spend sparring with you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the same as a training partner,¡± she turned to Encio, ¡°I¡¯m Vallis. And you are?¡±

    ¡°Enciodes, Encio for short.¡±

    She looked him up and down, evaluating him. He didn¡¯t look like any of the locals, with his swarthy skin, dark brown hair, mixed European and middle eastern features, and startling emerald-green eyes. He was human, but his eye color was too bright. Likely, he had mixed heritage with a celestine parent.

    ¡°Like what you see?¡± he said, posing for Vallis.

    ¡°Why are you like this?¡± Nara said with an embarrassed sigh.

    ¡°I¡¯m self-aware. Is it better if I wasn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± she said with narrowed eyes, considering if he as a clueless beauty like some dense anime protagonist, except, those weren¡¯t usually handsome, ¡°Probably not.¡±

    ¡°Cheeky,¡± Vallis said, ¡°Your skills as good as your looks?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think anything is better than my looks. Want a taste of defeat on both fronts, Vallis?¡±

    Vallis sucked in a sharp breath, grinning, ¡°Oh I like your new training partner, Nara, you¡¯ve got good taste.¡±

    ¡°Good luck more like. To both of us. I¡¯m sorry Vallis, I¡¯m not betting on your win.¡±

    Both were sword users, although Encio¡¯s was a lighter one-handed sword, with a bit more reach and weight than Nara¡¯s, and Vallis wielded a heavy two-handed sword.

    The match started, at first a back and forth while both felt each other out. Encio still maintained aggression during this period, slowly forcing Vallis onto the defensive with her slower, deliberate style. Not only his sword skills, but his footwork, movement, and sense of spacing were excellent. Nara found she respected that far more, an aspiring apprentice in the art of movement. When Vallis thought she had grasped his pace and fighting style, she moved to destabilize him with her characteristic power slashes. Intentionally falling into a pattern had been Encio¡¯s strategy, and he immediately countered, striking Vallis solidly with his curved sword.

    ¡°Where in the world did you find this guy?¡± Vallis said after she was released from her stunned status inflicted by Encio¡¯s wooden sword, ¡°He¡¯s even better than Sen.¡±

    ¡°You know Sen?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Vallis Nisei.¡± She said, pointing at herself, ¡°I didn¡¯t say?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t, I think.¡± Nara said, ¡°I feel like I¡¯d remember if you did?¡±

    ¡°Why do you sound so unsure?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty bad at remembering names.¡±

    ¡°Sen and I are childhood friends. A lot of us from the major families grew up around each other. The Arlang compound has a mirage chamber handy for training. I don¡¯t want to use up the Academy¡¯s when the other students need it more. I had often joined the Arlang relatives for training there.¡±

    ¡°Is the only thing on your mind training?¡±

    ¡°What can I say,¡± Vallis grinned fiercely, ¡°Fighting is my passion. Sen¡¯s not too different from me there. I hear he¡¯s been bugging you to join his team?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve heard about that?¡±

    ¡°We talk, and Sen¡¯s difficulty with recruitment is the local low rank drama.¡±

    ¡°Is it that bad?¡±

    Vallis shook her head, ¡°Raja can pick on other all he wants, but he can¡¯t cross the line. If Sen tried to recruit anybody with the slightest backing, and Raja offended the wrong person, he might make this worse for this family. All Sen has to do is go to a different city with an Arlang compound and recruit there. Raja wouldn¡¯t be able to interfere.¡±

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he do that?¡±

    Vallis looked flatly at Nara, ¡°He¡¯s stubborn and competitive, that¡¯s why. Who likes to back down when challenged? I wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°That means you¡¯re also stubborn and competitive,¡± Nara pointed out.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that obvious?¡± Vallis said , ¡°Genuine advice, Nara. If you don¡¯t have a team to join, Sen¡¯s a good guy. He may be stubborn, but he¡¯d never betray your expectations first. He¡¯s also a master tactician. It may not seem that way from the outside, but he¡¯s got a knack for strategy that few others can match. You may have to bear some childish bullying in the short term, but that¡¯s a guaranteed path to a solid team. On top of that, the Arlang family has political weight to throw around. It¡¯s useful for adventurers with unusual circumstances,¡± she said pointedly.

    ¡°Am I really that easy to figure out, damn.¡±

    ¡°I have to cut in, but as Nara¡¯s current partner, she doesn¡¯t need to worry about any of those things.¡±

    ¡°Really now?¡± Vallis said, her voice partially challenging and partially doubtful.

    ¡°Let me introduce myself again, Vallis Nisei. I am Enciodes Aciano.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Vallis said, her mouth agape, a complete loss for words, ¡°Oh...¡±

    She turned to Nara, ¡°How¡¯d you manage to snag him?¡±

    ¡°It must be my outworlder charm. I¡¯ve got scions falling left and right. You included.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t fallen for you,¡± she said.

    ¡°You¡¯re all falling onto my goddam footpath. What am I, an heir magnet?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re commonplace,¡± Encio said dismissively, ¡°Six families with over five hundred year long histories. If you didn¡¯t find them laying about the wayside like stray cats, this wouldn¡¯t be the ¡®city of union¡¯, now, would it?¡±

    Vallis chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m not some scion. What I am is one marriage away from losing the famous surname, unless I shore up some accomplishments. If Sen does manage to recruit you and Nara, which side got the greater benefit?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious?¡± Encio said with his trademark smirk, ¡°He did.¡±

 Chapter 31: Truth or Dare

    Chapter 31: Truth or Dare

    ¡°Wish me luck, Encio.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t need it,¡± Encio assured. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking this.¡±

    ¡°If you say so.¡±

    She turned to Amara and Chelsea, who stood with casual grace Nara envied, seeing her off. She felt like an elementary schooler dropped off to school by her celebrity family, except she had inherited none of the aesthetically pleasing genetics. She appreciated the support, but resigned herself to the fact that this was the type of other world where the Scale of Attractiveness had a higher floor and a higher ceiling than Earth. If not for the blood and gore, it¡¯d all be very easy on the eyes.

    Like many others, as they got older, family and friends no longer attended and cheered on extracurriculars, and she was guilty of this as well. As she had became an ordinary office worker, there were fewer extracurriculars she could support, even if she had the time or energy to cheer others on in the first place. She attended housewarmings and house parties, wine tastings and craft beer hangouts, but nothing was significant¡ªThat was just life.

    She hadn¡¯t realized how distant that made her feel, until today.

    ¡°When you pass, Redell, Chelsea, and I have been working on a little gift,¡± Amara said, ¡°I guarantee you¡¯ll like it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± Nara said, as expected of her Chinese upbringing. ¡°Really, it¡¯s not necessary.¡±

    Chelsea scowled, ¡°It¡¯s already been made so I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±

    She held her hands up in surrender; She wasn¡¯t Amara, she wasn¡¯t going to argue with Chelsea. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it,¡± Nara said, ¡°Both the gift, and passing the exam.¡±

    *****

    Amara glanced down at Encio, who was suddenly unpleasantly aware of the touches upon his aura. He shouldn¡¯t feel it at all, at her rank; letting him know was almost polite.

    ¡°So you¡¯re my apprentice¡¯s partner.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± he said, adopting a posture of insouciance to hide the shiver up nervousness that tickled up his spine like phantom spiders.

    Diamond rankers are impossible to detect, if that¡¯s what they wanted. It was like trying feel out the earth or the air: It was just there, until you were rushing at it at terminal velocity, and suddenly it became lethal by proximity.

    Encio had far more experience than most, exposed as he was to his grandfather¡¯s aura almost daily for his entire life. (He even had a fancy title to show for it, according to Nara¡¯s interface: Diamond-Forged. Nara would grouse about his disproportionate advantage, but that was a given, at this point. What was one more thing?)

    Nara¡¯s interface had helpfully supplied that he had a greater sensitivity to higher ranked auras. This sense wasn¡¯t so definite to be printed on a screen, but more of a suspicion that something was not what was touted on the tin. That perhaps, what was feathering his aura was more valuable than gold. Combined with his ability to read people, and his constant proximity to a diamond ranker, he often saw more than what others wanted.

    It was just the tiniest bit more, just a scratch on the surface that revealed the barest sliver of what laid beneath, but it was enough.

    He couldn¡¯t help it; he started to laugh. There was Sen Arlang, who Vallis touted as the strategic star of the generation; then there was he, Enciodes Aciano, not-so-spoilt grandson of a diamond ranker; And then there was Nara. Oh, there was Nara.

    The gold diamond rankers shot him odd looks: Not at his knowledge, but at his reaction.

    Amara looked him up and down, more performance than actual evaluation. They already knew all that they wanted to know.

    ¡°So,¡± he started, not one to give even diamond rankers the initiative, ¡°Nara doesn¡¯t know.¡±

    Amara nodded slightly, to confirm, then raised an inquiring eyebrow. ¡°And how do you know?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t sense my secrets? I suppose I should thank my grandfather.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t read minds,¡± Chelsea scoffed.

    ¡°Of course,¡± he agreed with infuriating smugness.

    ¡°Are you going to tell us?¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± He deliberated for show, then with casual aplomb, ¡°No.¡±

    Chelsea rolled her eyes, communicating something along the lines of where¡¯s the respect and spoilt grandsons.

    Encio would concede he was playing a bit with fire. He waved his hand, seeing how close he could approach before he¡¯d get burned. Except the fire wasn¡¯t a candle fire, but raging forest fire liable to consume him with a snap of the wind.

    Encio didn¡¯t gamble, but he would play with fire.

    This fire wouldn¡¯t burn.

    ¡°You won¡¯t tell her?¡± It was phrased as a request, but Encio knew it for what it was.

    ¡°Of course,¡± he agreed smoothly. ¡°I know how it is.¡±

    He knew how it would be for Nara. Through no fault of her own, she was an outworlder. She¡¯d want that shield behind her back, that bulwark of safety to retreat to. Everyone did. He¡¯d be a hypocrite to say he didn¡¯t want one, or didn¡¯t have one. A gold rank fortress was more than enough. A diamond rank fortress was overkill.

    In Rona, his grandfather¡¯s influence impeded his progress, not just with abilities, but with cultivating the breadth of his experience. With his grandfather¡¯s backlighting his way, dissidents fell into line; officials and lower rank nobles simpered and wheedled for benefits for what would have been otherwise expected work; every shaken hand was vulture looking for an opportunity, however harmless their goals.

    Search for struggle. Chase challenge. Experience the edge.

    If he had any hope of achieving his dream, of crawling the sheer mountainous peaks of diamond rank, it was what he had to do.

    ¡°And you are her friend?¡±

    There was a bit of threat this time. Just inflection, no aura. Encio was thankful.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    She knew what he was¡ªan adventurer who intended to go all the way, to make it to the peak. For all that they were not mind readers, they were still perceptive.

    Encio flashed his award-winning smile, a genuine one.

    Amara nodded, satisfied.

    A slap cracked through the air. Encio¡¯s life flashed before his eyes. Just a flash¡ªthe slap wasn¡¯t aimed at him.

    ¡°Ow! What was that for?¡±

    ¡°Stop pretending you¡¯re sagely. You¡¯re not deep, Amara.¡±

    ¡°I am sagely. I¡¯m a dia¡ª¡±

    Chelsea¡¯s hand flung out, clamping over Amara¡¯s traitorous mouth.

    ¡°Shut up, Amara,¡± she hissed. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Isth not like he do¡¯ kno¡¯,¡± she muffled out. Then she smirked, and licked Chelsea¡¯s hand.

    Chelsea whipped it away like she had just skid her palm across cat poo, ¡°Gods Amara, what is wrong with you?¡± She glared resentfully. ¡°I thought you wanted to be sagely.¡±

    Amara flickered her eyes towards Encio. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve ruined it, haven¡¯t I.¡±

    ¡°Obviously.¡±

    ¡°But I got to lick your hand, so I think that was worth it.¡±

    ¡°In what world was that worth it?¡± She flushed. ¡°You¡¯ve done far more than lick my hand.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about the degree.¡±

    Chelsea waited, but Amara didn¡¯t continue.

    ¡°What is it about then, because I just don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s part of my mystique.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a mystique. Stop saying that.¡±

    ¡°I do have a mystique. I¡¯m a¡ª¡±

    The hand clamped faster this time. Chelsea glared; Encio could¡¯ve sworn there were tears welling in her eyes. Encio didn¡¯t know if it¡¯d be polite to feel second-hand embarrassment for the poor diamond ranker.

    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±

    Amara snorted into the palm, but didn¡¯t lick it a second time. She seemed sorely tempted, but perhaps thought better than to incite violence from her beloved in the middle of a city. Not because she¡¯d be worried about a domestic violence charge, but because she was worried about the city.

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°All I wanted to say,¡± Amara said, running a soothing hand down Chelsea¡¯s neck in apology: Chelsea didn¡¯t seem terribly soothed, ¡°is that if you betray the friendship of my apprentice, I may have to kill you, and then there would be an international incident.¡±

    No one would be soothed today. He took it in stride.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less.¡±

    *****

    There was a group of people milling about the Adventure Society marshalling yard, around ten, plus all of the regular adventurer activities. A few she recognized: Vallis Nisei and Sen Arlang were among the small crowd. Was it coincidence they were taking the Adventure Society exam on the same month as she was, or had they organized it?

    Coincidence or not, she didn¡¯t mind taking the test among acquaintances and friends. She preferred it. A friendly face would go a long was in such a stressful test. (Not that the test standards itself were particularly stressful for Nara, but the content was indubitably stressful. She didn¡¯t think combat would ever be relaxing.)

    A few other applicants stood out to her¡ªa human man in his thirties, which meant he must have been in his thirties at iron; bronze rank applicants did exist, but they had a separate, private exam. He was the oldest applicant of the bunch, dressed distinctly in a style she could only describe as wuxia combat chef. Another was in a runic of royal red, in unmistakable arrogant young master robes. Said young master seemed to know Sen and occasionally shot him contentious glares, which Sen either ignored or didn¡¯t notice.

    Raja Jagar was also there (another arrogant young master, how many were there!?), but he didn¡¯t seem to recognize her. She had snuck up behind him and hit him over the head with a shovel, even if his henchmen could describe her, she didn¡¯t¡­stand out. It was possible that his henchmen weren¡¯t so loyal as to tattle, but she wouldn¡¯t bet money they didn¡¯t rat on her out of the good in their heart.

    Judging by the applicants, Nara concluded this test must have been organized by the noble families to have some of their progeny take together, and it was just a coincidence she applied for the same month. Sen and Vallis were her peers at the academy. The relatives of the other great families may be taking the exams at other times. For the great families with hundreds, maybe thousands of relatives each, just three was not even a coincidence worth mentioning to others.

    The Adventure Society official proctoring the test was tall for a runic (evidence of her mixed race, like Aliyah), with dark skin, and standout magenta runes. Her long dark brown hair was pulled back in a tight, practical braid, which was streaked with glowing magenta strands. She held similar Amazonian warrior vibes, but Nara¡¯s first impression was that she was gentler and more nurturing than Amara. (Or maybe just less meat-brained, Chelsea would say).

    ¡°I¡¯m Nara Edea, here for the exam.¡±

    ¡°Mona Fenhu.¡± They greeted each other with a quick bow. ¡°I am the Adventure Society examiner. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    ¡°Likewise. How should I call you?¡±

    ¡°Mona is fine. There¡¯s too many of the Fenhu around here. I find the surname impractical,¡± she smiled to diffuse any tension an examine could have had being around a member of the great families. ¡°This is my assistant Ranshi Haihu. He will be assisting me with the examination.¡±

    Haihu? Nara wondered if he was a member of the Fenhu branch families or distant relatives. They often used adjacently similar names, but she was provided with no additional explanation. Nara was going to have to start a scoreboard to see if she knew more people related to the great families than people unrelated.

    Ranshi performed his greetings, before continuing his work of checking applicants, organizing files and contracts, and making other preparations.

    Her greetings done, Nara picked out the oldest applicant and joined him to chat. She was feeling a little inundated with scions of great and powerful families and was hoping he was just some normal working-class citizen like she had been herself just a few months ago.

    ¡°Hello,¡± she greeted (and prayed she was right that he was just a normal guy), ¡°I¡¯m Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°Nolan Orion, at your service. Head chef and owner of Monster Meal. Good day, Nara.¡±

    He was a cheery man, with grey-brown hair, dark brown eyes, and the tanner skin variation of the locals. Smile wrinkles crinkled at his eyes, not from age but from jubilance. His hands were oddly calloused¡ªmost callouses would smooth away with the sludge that sloughed from their bodies at rank up, but he seemed to have kept his.

    ¡°Monster Meal?¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t heard of it? I¡¯m hurt,¡± he said, but his voice was without offense.

    ¡°Well. I¡¯ll certainly make sure to check it out after this. Can¡¯t be hurting a new friend.¡±

    Nolan grinned. He was indeed the friendly, personable, working-class citizen she thought he was, even if he was a small-time business owner. She supposed that was inevitable with the cost of essences.

    ¡°Do chefs usually become adventurers?¡± she asked, recalling Laius and his dual status of chef and adventurer as well.

    ¡°Not usually, but my sis is an essence user tailor and she¡¯s been bugging me to get my own set and apply. She told me, ¡®You call yourself the head chef of Monster Meal, but you haven¡¯t slain a single monster? If you feel unjustly criticized, you should have chosen a different name!¡¯¡±

    ¡°And that was enough to convince you?¡±

    ¡°Oh no, we¡¯ve been at it for years.¡± He waved a hand dismissively. ¡°She¡¯s bronze rank now and says, ¡®my peers all think I¡¯m not taking care of my family since you are the only one without essences!¡¯¡±

    He mimicked said sister¡¯s tone and posture, hand on hips, face lined with disapproval with the affront to her reputation.

    ¡°You were really that resistant to the idea?¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± he denied, ¡°I just wanted to dedicate all my time to cooking. I didn¡¯t want to have to train, and all that. It wasn¡¯t my calling. But uh, my sis finally got me to fold. Persistence runs in the family, so she says, and she won out.¡±

    Nara arched an eyebrow doubtfully.

    ¡°I¡¯ll admit, my sis said, ¡®Once you rank up, you¡¯ll have a longer lifespan and more time to dedicate to cooking. Invest time in now to gain more time later.¡¯ I was convinced, after that.¡±

    ¡°After that and all the others.¡±

    ¡°The cumulation of her weighty wisdom cooked me like a rock-rodent in a pressure-broiler. Got through my leatherback skin and softened me right up.¡±

    Nara suspected it was just the last one.

    A few more people gathered in the marshalling yard, bringing the total number of examinees to fifteen. Nara couldn¡¯t tell if that was a high number or not. Sanshi was a city with a strong adventurer culture, but most examinees only took the test once or twice.

    Sen and Vallis finished catching up to join Nolan and Nara. Mona called out to the group, and they set off to one of the river ports that ran through the city. With such a large group, it was best to travel by ship.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you two are taking the exam today. I thought the two of you were adventurers already,¡± Nara said as they set off for the boat. ¡°You two have been training for a lot longer than Nolan or I have.¡±

    ¡°Sen¡¯s actually failed once before.¡± Vallis said, slightly smug, ¡°The examiner looks to correct faults that would get you killed and passes you when that isn¡¯t likely to happen anymore.¡±

    Sen seemed unfazed to have his failure revealed. He didn¡¯t react.

    ¡°What was his mistake then?¡±

    Sen answered instead, ¡°The contracts I took on were too challenging, and I pushed the group too hard. Challenge is necessary for adventurers, but so is balance and rest. Not every contract needs to push the limits.¡±

    Vallis slapped his back in a friendly thud, eliciting a grunt. ¡°He¡¯s loosened up quite a bit now, hasn¡¯t he? He wouldn¡¯t have been able to recruit anyone but the craziest of training-obsessed adventurers in the past.¡±

    He rolled his eyes, but his next words corroborated her claim. ¡°I figured out that too many of the same type of people leads to an unbalanced team,¡± he explained. His tone was softer, as if recalling a dear regret. ¡°When a problem arose, we had all clashed because we were all too headstrong and single-minded. We all thought we all knew best, since we all thought we were the master of our field. We were too confident in our overall abilities. That, our mastery of one field indicated our wisdom with other.¡± He looked up at Nara, his tone strengthening with some unknown resolution. ¡°This is my second attempt to put together a team. It will not be the same this time.¡±

    ¡°Sorry to burst your dramatic bubble, but I¡¯m actually already in a team,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°¡­That wasn¡¯t a refusal.¡±

    Nara shrugged, conceding the point. ¡°We¡¯re a team of two. It¡¯d depend on if you wanted us both. And I need to discuss it with him first. I¡¯ve got a bit of a promise I intend to keep.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not the leader of your team?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re equal partners and friends,¡± Nara said, ¡°I like that.¡±

    That wasn¡¯t exactly true, in their little bet of theirs, Encio could decide if he wanted to leave first. But Nara didn¡¯t think their partnership was something that restrictive. Nor did, if she really wanted out before four months, that he would or could prevent her from leaving. They had no binding contract, just the promise of a bet to be kept, tucked preciously in her mind like a picture in a locket.

    This statement caused Sen to still, thinking as he walked for a good long time.

    ¡°Now look what you¡¯ve done,¡± Vallis said jokingly, ¡°You¡¯ve gotten the Arlang Tactician thinking.¡±

    ¡°Is that a good thing or a bad thing?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll only be able to tell when we hear his conclusions.¡±

    The applicants boarded the boat, which set off towards the north away from the sea and the city via the Blue Jade River, which flowed from the North up to Arlang territory down to the bay of Sanshi. The water from the Blue Jade River was magical, a mixture of natural water and the water from various astral spaces. The water of astral spaces was inherently magical, and an important resource for the Shian region. It nurtured the surrounding area, as well as generating valuable quintessence.

    Ranshi revealed why he was there, utilizing a special ability many utility adventurers or magic researchers had called Tools of the Magister.

    -------

    Ability: [Tools of the Magister]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Able to use magical tools.

    -------

    The ability, or a variation of it, was needed to use a variety of specialty magical tools. Many boats, skimmers, and sky ships required an ability to use magical tools. Some smaller or personal use vehicles did not, but the one that Mona used today did. It was not a large boat¡ªmore water skimmer than yacht. It was double the size of a twelve seater van. The group skimmer was simplistic in design, intended for utility, not leisure. Simple metal bars held up a sheet metal roof, and a bare minimum wind enchantment kept water from spraying back at its occupants and making the trip an unpleasantly damp river ride.

    There were no rooms for sleeping; the adventurers would sleep in village inns along the way. Neither were there any restrooms¡ªIron rank essence users no longer needed them.

    The first part of the examination was just the journey. Mona gathered the applicants while her assistant piloted the ship.

    ¡°I will be evaluating your performance for the next week.¡± Mona said, lifting a stack of contracts for all to see, ¡°As a group, you all must complete all these contracts by the end of the week. You may volunteer for contracts, or you will be assigned contracts. I strongly recommend volunteering for a variety of contracts to demonstrate your good judgement, your skills, and your character.¡±

    ¡°In four hours, we will arrive at our first destination. Remember that everything is evaluated, not just your ability to slay monsters.¡±

    Nara started an impromptu game of four hands with Vallis, Sen, and Nolan. None of them knew how to play; it wasn¡¯t a local game. She had bought her own set together with Encio in the time she spent in Aviensa.

    They played a modified version, blitz rounds, where each person could simultaneously complete four hands instead of working on one at a time. The bet¡ªas no good game was good without a bet (a way of life Encio had niggled her into subscribing to)¡ªwas any question, answered honestly, or a dare.

    To Nara¡¯s sadness, no one chose dare. These heirs were far to conniving to choose dare when they could get information, the bastards.

    Vallis and Sen showed their heritage, annoyingly competent at even table games. They quickly picked the game up, much to Nara¡¯s frustration. She was still better than them, but the modified ruleset that she wasn¡¯t used to meant she lost a few rounds.

    Sen¡¯s first question was obvious, ¡°Who is your partner?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d find out for free, after the exam no doubt. Don¡¯t waste your question on this.¡±

    ¡°I like to plan, know my opponent. But this is my question, not yours,¡± he pointed out. ¡°Who is your team member?¡±

    Vallis grin was teasing and knowing.

    ¡°Uh...Encio.¡±

    ¡°Encio what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to hurt yourself Sen,¡± Vallis said in a cheery, sing song voice.

    ¡°Encio what?¡± He insisted.

    ¡°Enciodes Aciano.¡±

    Sen¡¯s handsome features pulled into a quiet frown.

    ¡°Careful Sen,¡± Vallis said, ¡°You¡¯re going to burst a blood vessel.¡±

    ¡°And what convinced you to join him?¡± he said, searching for secrets.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be asking how I convinced him to join me? And that¡¯s another question,¡± Nara said. ¡°All four hands, I win this round. Try again next time. My question¡ªcan Caspian transform small naturally, or is it an artifact?¡±

    ¡°The question isn¡¯t even about me,¡± Sen said incredulously. ¡°It¡¯s about my bonded familiar?¡±

    Said bonded familiar was tucked into Sen¡¯s shirt, fluffy red fur obscuring Sen¡¯s vision of his hand of wooden cards. Since he had conjured armor, he didn¡¯t need to wear it all the time. It was one of the conveniences of conjured armor over crafted armor.

    ¡°If you¡¯re going to use your bond as a reason to team up, can¡¯t I use him as the subject of my question?¡±

    Caspian wriggled, chirping with joy.

    Sen sighed his resignation, and explained.

 Chapter 32: To Suffer Together

    Chapter 32: To Suffer Together

    They had set off early in the morning; adventurers usually rose and set off in the morning, except for those with darkness powers. That didn¡¯t really apply to Nara, who could Astral Jump through large expanses of land at a time, as long as she remembered the location. Nara found she had an uncanny ability to remember locations (although not directions), putting her shameful lack of ability to remember names in the garage and shutting the door like it was a misbehaving child.

    She had a feeling what she remembered was not the appearance of the location, but its dimensional coordinates. She had no way to verify this, but she wondered if this was a byproduct of her Gaze of the Boundary ability, which allowed her to perceive dimensions and dimensional effects, or an effect of her experience in the astral.

    After four hours, it was late morning, approaching the afternoon. The season was early spring, and the weather was pleasant, but hiding the hints of a humid summer.

    They arrived at their first stop, an ordinary hill outside a forest, a little way beyond a small city. It was a transportation city built at the river¡¯s banks. The towns near Sanshi progressively reduced in population and size with distance from the hub that was Sanshi. This particular location was frequented by local adventurers and would not have many monsters.

    A few essence users she didn¡¯t know volunteered first. She sat back, content to observe the proceedings.

    Mona watched, not offering any words of evaluation, encouragement, or criticism yet. It seemed she was establishing a baseline for her 15 participants.

    They traveled another five hours along the river, dipping into the afternoon. The trip had been uneventful, and Nara, a creature of variety, had tired of her own table games.

    She conjured the record of one of her books, A Study of the Mechanisms of Motive Spirits and their Relationship to Ambient Magic.

    ¡°Astral magic?¡± Sen asked, ¡°You don¡¯t seem the academic type.¡± The book didn¡¯t state astral magic in its title, but Sen was knowledgeable enough to deduce the correct field.

    ¡°What, too similar to Aliyah and you don¡¯t want me on your team anymore?¡±

    ¡°I had no such implication. It is a field that begets curiosity; not many but the most dedicated of researchers study it. It¡¯s a difficult topic.¡±

    Astral magic was the quantum physics or theoretical physics of Erras. But since dimensional travel was possible, perhaps it was better compared to Astrophysics.

    ¡°I have a reason I have to study this.¡±

    ¡°What is that reason?¡±

    ¡°You need to win another bet for that, Sen.¡±

    ¡°I have more questions than you have bets. We¡¯ve stopped playing.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re willing to keep playing just to win an answer every once in a while?¡± Nara asked incredulously.

    ¡°I am known for my persistence. I will bet for answers as long as it is available.¡±

    ¡°The game is gone now though.¡±

    ¡°Thus, I propose another bet¡ªwe see who it is Miss Mona no longer asks for a demonstration of competency.¡±

    ¡°You mean, we bet on who passes first? Don¡¯t you have the advantage? You¡¯ve taken this test before.¡±

    ¡°And you only make bets when you have the advantage?¡±

    ¡°Fair point. You¡¯re on.¡±

    She didn¡¯t care if she won or lost, but if she had a little fun in the process and made some friends, Nara was happy to make some harmless bets.

    After another 5 hours of ship travel, the adventurer hopefuls were restless and tired from the non-stop boat ride. The days were longer, and they still had daylight; As far as Mona was concerned, they would continue until the sun set. Nara wondered if there was a separate test for those that thrived in the shadows, or if they were expected to adapt as a proof of competency.

    ¡°According to this contract, an irescythe has made this path connecting the river and the local town its territory,¡± Mona explained, now routine. ¡°For now, this monster is the only one in the immediate area. Any volunteers?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m up for it,¡± Nara said, raising her hand.

    ¡°Very well. Make your preparations.¡± Mona tossed Nara a recording crystal, ¡°Once you are ready, activate that and head off. It will project your actions to this companion crystal.¡±

    Nara nodded. Thanatos swooped out of her shadow in a swirling mass of dark flame and shadow, and she lightly hopped onto his back. She could travel by using nodes and node jumping, but this conserved mana. At iron rank, she didn¡¯t have that much.

    As if he was some sort of futuristic perfectly silent Batmobile, Thanatos¡¯ leap onto the ground from the boat was silent as shadow¡ªtop of the line muffling and suspension. The thudding of his paws padded by darkness only existed in her imagination. It¡¯d be cute to hear the padding of his paws, but alas.

    Nara threw up the crystal, activating it with a miniscule input of mana.

    The irescythe was a large, chitinous centaur-like creature. Its top half was that of a praying mantis, four insidious dark green scythe arms that was its namesake. The bottom half was more bug than horse with awkward oversized ant legs that dug into the earth. Its iron rank nature left it lacking the magical enhancements that would have supported such a large and unnatural form.

    It was the first horse-like creature Nara saw in this world, and it was a chimeric monstrosity. Nara despaired of horses, and spared a bit of pity for bugs, whose reputation was besmirched as monsters in reality and media alike.

    (Jumping spiders were adorable, after all. Until maybe she saw one as large as a human. Or maybe that would still be adorable?)

    Setting up her nodes and casting Overture was already a reflex for her, a routine of her battle preparations. She teleported in below the creature and ran her sword between its muscly carapace, spilling green blood onto the ground. Her mind flashed to the midnight wolf, it¡¯s similarities in size, and prematurely marveled at her progress.

    Unfortunately, Nara¡¯s instantaneous damage was low, the attack injured, but it was just one of many to take down such a large monster. But she didn¡¯t freak, and she was focused.

    ¡°From order to disorder,¡± she chanted, and applied Entropy on the irescythe.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    It shrieked, immediately retaliating, lifting its legs and snapping them down to skewer Nara who was scurrying beneath it, a bug to it¡ªa wasp perhaps, stinging it to death.

    Distracted by her persistent annoyance, it didn¡¯t notice Thanatos approaching it from the size. He transformed into a larger size and rammed the irescythe, tipping over the flailing bug-centaur onto the grass. He wasn¡¯t that much heavier when he was larger, but it did allow him better leverage, or perhaps its bug make-up reduced it¡¯s overall weight than a mammal of its size would have normally weighed.

    ¡°If it¡¯s a horse, then it has the same weakness as a horse.¡±

    She tried to chop at its legs, but its chiton was surprisingly sturdy, wasting valuable time. She sighed and turned her attention to its joints, prying her sword through, dismembering the creature alive. It screeched and flailed a bladed scythe leg at her. She phased through it and kept at her work.

    The battle was already over. Each time the monster tried to get up, Thanatos bullied it to the floor, then dosed it with flames, gradually eroding its armor and eating up the life-force of the monster. Horses weren¡¯t very good at getting up, and it was thankfully true for the irescythe.

    She almost felt pity for the damn thing, squirming like an ant burned alive under a magnifying glass, but Nara wasn¡¯t a fast killer of tough creature like this. Blades arms entirely detached from its body, the monster had long been unable to right itself from the floor. She felt pity for it, despite herself, despite what she knew about monsters.

    She put it out of its misery. Her sword strikes now enhanced with Dimensional Instability and triggering Dimensional Rupture for an extra oomph that tore away flesh and chiton armor in large chunks.

    -------

    -You have killed [irescythe]. [irescythe] has been looted.

    <ul>

    <li>10 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (iron)</li>

    <li>10 insect quintessence</li>

    <li>4 irescythe blades (iron)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain]

    -------

    Nara could instantly change her clothes by utilizing the properties of her Astral Domain inventory. Her inventory was inherently instantaneous, but transporting herself was not. She had made use of this fact, throwing the monster blood touching her into her inventory as an object before looting the monster. She couldn¡¯t do so for Thanatos, however. She¡¯d have to run her hands across every drenched fur on his body, or focus on each individual bloodstain.

    Thanatos whimpered as rainbow smoke rose from his fur.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Thanatos but didn¡¯t want to use that while recorded. It¡¯s just for this week.¡±

    He turned his head, pouting.

    ¡°If I can¡¯t be clean, you can¡¯t either? You¡¯re right, it¡¯s not fair. We can suffer the smoke together. If it¡¯ll make you happy.¡±

    Thanatos softly whimpered, rubbing his head against her leg.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind Thanatos, really. I¡¯ve always been a firm supporter of worker solidarity. You¡¯re not just my familiar, you¡¯re my friend and companion. I said myself¡ªit¡¯s just for a week.¡±

    She scratched her familiar behind his ears, and he laid on her lap, melting into a comfortable shapeless void.

    The group switched into a large land skimmer which Ranshi had fit into a sizable inventory power.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have one of those transforming orb vehicles?¡± Nara leaned over to Vallis to ask.

    ¡°A transforming orb vehicle? I haven¡¯t heard of it. Are you sure it wasn¡¯t a cloud flask?¡±

    ¡°A cloud flask?¡±

    ¡°House, vehicle, and palace in a bottle. Transforming magical clouds that forms physical shapes.¡±

    ¡°Woah. Where can I get one if those?¡±

    Vallis gave her an odd look. ¡°¡­You don¡¯t. That¡¯s a specialty artifact created by a diamond ranker. Money can¡¯t buy it. There are cloud vehicles, but those don¡¯t transform.¡±

    ¡°That sounds amazing,¡± Nara said, enamored with the thought. ¡°A transforming cloud that fits inside a bottle? Magic is so coooool.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the sort of stuff money can¡¯t buy, but there are plenty of other amazing vehicles. Those floating personal clouds, hover disks, personal air skimmers, wings of skyflight...¡±

    ¡°Flying carpets?¡±

    ¡°Those exist, although mostly as an essence ability from the Cloth Essence. It¡¯s impractical for long distance transportation, but useful in combat.¡±

    Nolan volunteered for a contract next. He fought a pack of grasslands Rathel, a medium size cat-like creature around thigh-height: bigger than a house cat, and proportionately more ferocious.

    Monsters varied in size, numbers, and strength but they followed a general trend outside of extraordinary circumstances. Strong monsters manifested as single individuals, and weak monsters manifested in great numbers. The extremes¡ªthe very strong and the very weak¡ªwere usually the most difficult to handle, especially at higher ranks, and often required specialty abilities. The most common was the medium strength monsters that manifested in small groups, such as the rathels that Nolan currently battled, and the chimeric forest monkeys Nara had fought before.

    He was clumsier than Nara, swinging a chef knife as he drew glowing red streaks on the monsters like he was cutting according to a meat-cut diagram. He didn¡¯t have the crutch that were skill books and had been slowly training his footwork and combat skills from scratch. Still, he managed bursts of flames, flying metal pans knocked some rathels unconscious, which bought him breathing room as he completed another cut diagram on another monster. Once he had, the result was immediate¡ªthe red diagram glowed, and the monster split ¨C like magic ¨C into neatly wrapped chunks of meat, rolls of fur and leather, stacked bones, and bottles of blood.

    ¡°A combat looting ability?¡± Nara said with raised eyebrows.

    ¡°The ability is called Chef¡¯s Bounty,¡± Sen easily explained. ¡°It can kill most iron rank monsters at iron, and bronze rank monsters at bronze, but silver rankers are too strong to be killed with one diagram. The benefit is, he only needs to complete it once to trigger the looting on death.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a strong looting ability for cooks and crafters,¡± Vallis added, ¡°The full monster is looted, where most looting abilities just drop a single component of a monster at a time. On the flip side, essences, quintessence, and awakening stones are rare compared to normal looting powers.¡±

    ¡°How was his performance then?¡±

    Vallis shook her head, ¡°Rough around the edges. He should¡¯ve gone for a single monster, like you. If he fought without trying to complete the diagram, he would¡¯ve had a better evaluation. Look,¡± Vallis pointed, ¡°he¡¯s pretty beat up.¡±

    Nolan was looking worse for wear. Significantly worse. One of his ears had been completely torn off in a way that would¡¯ve earned him a characteristic nickname on Earth (No-ear No-lan), and one of his eyes was closed and puffy, streaming with blood. His legs and torso were worse off, chunks of flesh torn from his shins, thighs, and abdomen. His once white battle chef robe was painted with his blood and monster chunks; He would¡¯ve been a choice design for a butcher in a horror game.

    He stumbled over to the skimmer waiting nearby, then summoned a kitchen cabinet. With a shaky hand, he pulled a steaming plate of food from the cabinet, shoveling it into his mouth with the desperation of a man at his last meal. Once he finished, he laid back on the skimmer¡¯s bed, exhaustion in every line of his body. Nara, Vallis, and Sen stared down at him.

    ¡°¡­You okay there?¡±

    ¡°Yep. I¡¯ll be fine,¡± He grunted. ¡°That was a rough one. My food will heal me right up.¡±

    ¡°Magic cooking?¡±

    ¡°Basically, a healing potion.¡± He said weakly. ¡°But without potion toxicity drawbacks. Works slower though.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to down a potion?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Nolan mumbled, ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    He closed his eyes and slept on the spot, marked by the normal rise and fall of the chest that most iron rankers still had. He¡¯d live. No one else seemed entirely to concerned. Nara didn¡¯t know how she felt that this was normal. It wasn¡¯t really a bad thing¡ªhe would live. And heal up quite quickly, relative to normal healing. Nara was morbidly curious how it¡¯d look for an ear to grow back.

    ¡°...He¡¯ll be fine right?¡± Nara asked, because she couldn¡¯t help herself.

    ¡°¡­He will be fine¡­¡± a quiet voice responded, from a short and lovely elf girl. She had soft blond hair, cut into a wavy bob. Large, sky-blue eyes, and delicate freckles complemented her dainty, adorable charm. It was the sort of appearance that made others coo, and Nara stifled the urge to do the same.

    ¡°I¡¯m, um, Kiris. I¡¯m a healer. Life, Water, Balance, Mystic. Um, 14 abilities. And um, 16 years old. Iron rank,¡± she blushed and spoke with an even quieter voice almost fading away, ¡°...but you knew that already. We¡¯re all iron rank here...that was stupid of me...stupid¡­why did I say that¡­¡±

    They all felt a little bad for her. Their stares caused her to shrink back.

    ¡°No um¡­thank you for telling us our friend will be fine,¡± Nara awkwardly said. ¡°I was worried about him.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­um...my duty as a healer...¡± she said softly curling in on herself like she could roll into a ball and roll away. She didn¡¯t roll, but it was a near thing: She scarpered off to the other side of the skimmer, curled up and pulling a jacket over her head.

    ¡°...is she going to be fine? How exactly do they evaluate healers?¡±

    Kiris was the only healer in the group today (Nolan could count as a sub-healer, of sorts), and she hadn¡¯t seen her fight yet.

    ¡°They¡¯ll have her perform by herself for a few, but mostly pair her up with others to heal them. Most healers have at least a few damage abilities, or a familiar they can buff and heal into a nigh-immortal weapon,¡± Vallis said.

    Nara glanced at the anxious elf. ¡°Yeah...I hope she has that weapon.¡±

 Chapter 33: Do What You Can

    Chapter 33: Do What You Can

    Three days had passed since the start of the examination, and the examination was starting to increase in complexity. Some of the applicants were mentally exhausted, and evidently too inexperienced. It made sense¡ªnot everyone had higher rank friends or family to keep them safe while they got their first monster kills. For some, this was their first experience fighting monsters. Those with experience with monsters had a better chance to pass, but if Sen¡¯s first failure was any indication, wasn¡¯t always the case.

    A few leaders emerged from the applicants, mainly Vallis, Sen, and the runic teenager that had glared at Sen¡ªMalik Fenhu. He was Mona¡¯s nephew, but it was clear there was no favoritism (if anything, she was harder on those three. According to Nara¡¯s Chinese mother, it meant she cared). He had genuine skill in combat, the level of the other leaders of the generation. He wielded a conjured halberd for self-defense, but primarily used fire and light spells to annihilate enemies from a distance, then dashing in to secure kills on anything left alive.

    Part of the rivalry he felt towards Sen, Nara theorized, may have been their tangentially similar essence sets. Malichai (Malik for short) Fenhu had Light, Zeal, and Potent for the Wrath Confluence. While Sen had Might, Balance, and Zeal for the same Wrath Confluence.

    Nara thought it was rivalry. The past few days he had glared at Sen at every chance, completing contracts in a clean sweep then stalking up to Sen to say a few challenging words. It was an exhausting way to live¡ªwhy were all the current descendants of the large families of so competitive? Was it an adventurer thing?

    Otherwise, a crush? The fangirl/fujoshi/shipping part of her whispered, low and seductive and entirely detached from reality. Reality wasn¡¯t so fun though. Really, how often did rivals and enemies become lovers? Bah. Boring. The logical part of her mind was a killjoy.

    Nara was assigned her next contract. It was a stone rodent, a large, rodent creature with incredibly hard skin that her sword could not puncture. It was otherwise a non-threat to her, but it was too heavy to pick up, and too sturdy to kill. The creature sacrificed mobility for speed, waddling more like a mole than a rat to charge at her in slow motion, screeching something terrible, like its windpipe was made of sandpaper. Maybe it was.

    ¡°So how am I going to kill this damn thing...?¡± She thought, smacking the top of the thing with a staff form Nirvana with a satisfying thunk thunk. The rat thing screeched again, and scrabbled with the intense speed of a bowling ball pushed by a toddler. How threatening.

    This was one for the brains, not for the brawn. Thankfully, she had both (metaphorically), and an idea obligingly popped into her head. Thank you, brain (metaphorical).

    She transformed Nirvana into a shovel and began to dig. The rodent attacked her ankles, and she nimbly stepped around it like she was dodging a fat, angry chihuahua. After a little while, the hole was already too deep for the rodent to escape. Unlike a mole, it didn¡¯t have any ability to escape.

    She held up her shovel approvingly. As expected, shovels were the best.

    ¡°Hmm, but wait? The dirt will absorb the water.¡±

    She conjured a heavy plastic tarp, sliding it and wiggling it into place under the heavy rodent. The heavy tarp didn¡¯t rip and held up beneath the scrambling rodent monster.

    ¡°Take the cumulation of mankind¡¯s knowledge and our greatest apocalypse¡ªplastic.¡±

    Then, she stepped out, and filled the hole with water. She had stored more than enough water in her Astral Domain inventory to fill up this small hole by visiting the ocean and stealing the water from it.

    ¡°Aiyah,¡± she sucked air through her teeth. ¡°I¡¯m starting to feel like I fight like a serial killer.¡± She stared at the monster drowning within the small pit of water. She didn¡¯t feel any pleasure from watching it struggle and die (in fact, it was relatively disturbing, but she knew better than to look away from a monster during a test), so that was some consolation to her morality.

    -------

    -You have killed [Stone Rodent]

    <ul>

    <li>10 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (iron)</li>

    <li>8 earth quintessence (iron)</li>

    <li>stone rodent meat (iron)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    At least, she hadn¡¯t killed any people.

    That was a harrowing thought she immediately shook from her head. The had the rather sinking sensation that it would be inevitable: Her conversations with others told her as much.

    When Nara returned to the skimmer, she couldn¡¯t read Mona¡¯s expression. Was it disapproving or approving?

    ¡°Was that fine...?

    Mona kept her face neutral, but Nara sensed the mild disapproval. ¡°You drowned a monster to kill it; why did you choose that method?¡±

    ¡°They still have lungs at iron rank, right? And it can¡¯t escape the pit I dug.¡±

    ¡°Ordinarily, I wouldn¡¯t approve of this method,¡± Mona said, furrowing her brow. ¡°When you need to protect people from monsters, you don¡¯t have the leisure to wait for it to drown.¡±

    ¡°Well, my other thought was to teleport straight into the air and drop it onto some rocks to kill it, but I couldn¡¯t lift the damn thing¡­but you¡­you weren¡¯t expecting me to succeed?¡± Nara realized.

    That elicited a small smile of approval, at least. ¡°At iron rank, essence users have many weaknesses,¡± Mona said, ¡°I wanted you to be aware of one of yours. If you cannot damage your opponent, you cannot stack your affliction nor your damage. Consider purchasing equipment that may cover this weakness of yours in the future. You may not need it in later ranks but spare no expense when your weakness is clear and solvable.¡±

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I understand,¡± Nara said, ¡°I¡¯ll look into purchasing some additional equipment in the future.¡±

    Mona nodded, satisfied, and assigned another applicant to a contract.

    Nara was surprised to see just how much the ability to use skill books had paid off. The adventurer hopefuls from ordinary families displayed far less proficiency in combat. There were a few standouts, some Nara recognized from around the Academy. A rust-furred leonid, Gento, utilized flaming fists to nimbly bore smoking holes through monsters. He fought like a boxer powered by jet engines, each punch lethal and powerful. His kicks too, tore through monsters with aggressive power and precision. Between the examinees she had seen fight so far, his abilities were by far the greatest spectacle of brutality and gore, monsters splattered into smoldering unrecognizable piles of flesh, bones, and fur on charred dirt and grass.

    ¡°Oh, I like him,¡± Vallis said, stroking her chin. ¡°I want him for my team. You¡¯re not interested, Sen?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m recruiting Nara and her team member,¡± Sen said. ¡°I will not flaunt the guidelines of manners and decency.¡±

    ¡°The guidelines of manners and decency? That exists for recruitment?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s uncouth to try to recruit multiple, disparate groups of people simultaneously,¡± Vallis explained, ¡°If they both say yes but you only wanted one member, what then? Some might still do it, but that¡¯s a quick way to make trouble.¡±

    ¡°At least,¡± Sen said, crossing his arms in disapproval, ¡°I wasn¡¯t raised to behave so boorishly.¡±

    The day wore until the sun began to dip over the forested horizon, striping the land with streaks of light and shadow.

    ¡°Another contract, for a full group,¡± Mona said as she displayed for the group to read. ¡°Some shadow weavers have been spotted in a nearby forest. It¡¯s an important location for local lumbering operations. I¡¯ll let you all discuss whether to accept this contract.¡±

    ¡°If we don¡¯t accept it, then what?¡± An applicant asked.

    ¡°We come back tomorrow and finish it then. If the exam needs to be extended, we do so.¡±

    That elicited some groans, which Mona quelled with an arching eyebrow.

    The applicants divided into two dissenting groups. The first group wanted to complete the contract now and end the examination on time. They argued that expediency was an important factor to consider for adventurers and may be a quality they were tested on. Urgent contracts with time limits, such as escorts and bandit subjugations, were a common variety of adventurer contract. This group was headed by Raja, who roped in other lesser nobles that sought to prove themselves, and other non-noble examinees that agreed with his more logical points.

    The second group had Sen, Vallis, and Sen¡¯s rival or admirer, Malik.

    Nara was still undecided. She checked her archives for the Monster Compendium Amara had purchased for her from the Magic Society. It was a magically linked copy to the Magic Society¡¯s master copy, and updated itself when the original was altered. It was a thin slate or light but strong material, like aluminum. It resembled a kindle; she was able to access an index which led to other pages of material, or flip through the pages one by one. Used to the electronics of Earth, she had gotten used to the magic controls. Many other important documents in Erras functioned this way, with a master copy and updating linked copies, such as the Essence and Confluence List and Essence Ability Index, both of which she had copies of as well.

    Shadow weavers, she read to herself, are spider monsters that manifest in dark places such as dense forests and caves in moderately sized groups. They are dangerous at night, in the dark, or in complex terrain, demonstrating remarkable intelligence for their rank. The ability to set web traps which can entangle adventurers to finish them off with a potent poisonous bite marks them the single highest cause of iron rank adventurer deaths...Oh.

    She got it now: They were supposed to refuse the contract. She glanced at Sen, remembering some of his words on why his first party failed. Everyone had been a highly motivated, high performing headstrong challenger, always wanting to push harder and harder. In the past, Sen would have pushed his team to challenge a contract like this, one posed in a disadvantageous situation, and resulting in his initial failure. It seemed he had learnt his lesson and was solidly on the side of rejection now.

    This may have also been a test of preparedness. Chelsea had explained that every adventurer should purchase a Monster Encyclopedia as she unabashedly tossed Nara her copies. The static copies were far cheaper than the expensive, self-updating slate she had. It was the price of an ordinary book, and wasn¡¯t much more than her world comparatively. Purchasing a new book every few years was enough to stay on top of things and wouldn¡¯t put an adventurer out any cash. Most adventurers, once they could afford it, purchased a self-updating copy since it was worth the expenditure for the convenience. Nara wondered if she should share her information, but she received a slight head shake from Mona when they met eyes.

    Of course: Part of the test was figuring that out for yourself. She had been right earlier; this was a test for the brains¡ªthat the overexcited youth could rub a few braincells together and generate forethought for self-preservation.

    Some others had figured it out, pulling out their book or slate copies and quietly sitting aside as the last few people argued. Vallis had figured out the test early on, but she was acting as a representative and couldn¡¯t just sit aside quietly like Nara was. She also may have just enjoyed the arguing, especially since she was on the right side.

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll be the one to go,¡± Raja said pompously. ¡°The rest of you are cowards. These are just some measly spider monsters. I do not care that it is their nest. I do not care that it is at night. I am above the rabble unable to surpass their fears. In fact, I am thankful for the opportunity to demonstrate my superiority. And those with me¡ª¡± he swept out an arm ¡°¡ªare the same.¡±

    He tried to look haughtily down at Sen, but Sen was taller than him. Nara looked down; He had arched himself on to his tippy toes, gaining a few inches of precious height.

    ¡°You may be noble in blood, but it is clear you are common in spirit. Instructor Fenhu, we, the strong, will take on this contract.¡±

    Mona was exceptionally good at hiding her disappointment. It seemed she already knew Raja¡¯s personality and expected this outcome. His skills were adequate for an adventurer, but his decision making was problematic. If he was born into a noble family of a less prominent city, he may have passed. But Sanshi was the gold medal standard for raising adventurers, up there with other famous cities such as Saggia and Rowan. Passing such a poor adventurer would be a stain on their worldwide prestige and honor.

    Iron rank essence users, amped up on pride with their newfound iron rank powers, made poor decisions. She¡¯d have to let them learn the hard way.

    She inclined her head to approve their action, ¡°Then go ahead and kill the shadow weavers. I expect success after such prideful words, Raja. Try not to disappoint your family,¡± she added, just to further rile him.

    Raja eyes contained held-back rage, stoked by the flames of the rivalry of the great families. But Mona was a silver ranker, and silver rankers were respected. No matter how prideful he was, Raja could not escape the tyranny of rank. To Mona, killing him would be like swatting a fly with her bare hand, more disgusting to her than troublesome.

    ¡°Yes, Instructor,¡± he seethed, then gestured to the four that agreed with him, ¡°The five of us is more than enough. Just you wait and see.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll certainly see,¡± Mona said plainly, unbothered.

    The conversation had already sent them into the first few hours of darkness. Stars appeared as light faded, the light blue of the horizon diminishing to blue darkness.

    ¡°...Should we go with them?¡± Nara asked Mona.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your reasoning?¡±

    ¡°Theoretically, if this was a real contract¡ªand you said we should treat it as such¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t leave them to die. All 15 of us fighting have a better chance than just the 5 of us. At the least, we can haul them out of there in a hasty retreat. Or maybe someone here has an ability to let us see in the dark. Then it wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡±

    ¡°You have a shadow and flame familiar, is that right?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you can assist their retreat?¡±

    ¡°Um, I can''t see in the dark. If I could, I might be able to do something." She had an inkling of what Mona wanted her to do, and regretted speaking up. If work had taught her anything, it was that those who spoke up got assigned more work. Idiot. Now she had ample chance to fuck the whole thing up. She should¡¯ve just sat back and cruised.

    Too late for regrets now. Mona had tossed her a pair of goggles. They looked like ski goggles, with a reflective surface and a strap around the head. The material wasn¡¯t rubber or plastic, but she had no idea what this world¡¯s equivalent was.

    ¡°Night vision goggles. Can you help them out with that?¡±

    ¡°I think I can manage,¡± she confirmed reluctantly.

    ¡°Do what you can. For what you can¡¯t, that is my role.¡±

 Chapter 34: Made Some More Work for Myself

    Chapter 34: Made Some More Work for Myself

    The goggles were iron rank and something she could use. Mona was silver rank, so it must have been something she kept around for this exact scenario as a test proctor, although higher rankers could use lower rank items. However, trying to use higher rank equipment caused a magical rejection, a spiritual pain that quickly accelerated in intensity. Beyond a few seconds, the pain would be unbearable, even for the hardiest of essence users.

    Nara had no intention of making friends with someone like Raja. She wasn¡¯t the type to try to be friends with everyone anyway. Psychology said that first impressions were usually accurate, and Nara knew she wouldn¡¯t get along with Raja. Conversely, while she hated to admit it, her first impression of Sen was positive. She just had her own preconceptions of nobility and the rich, which were unfair to Sen. Her mother¡¯s new husband was well-off, but the great families of Sanshi were on another level: the difference between riding first class and owning a private jet. She felt less disgust for Erras¡¯ wealthy, perhaps because in Erras there were lower extremes of what wealth could buy.

    Once you had your family compound, your people essenced up, and hell, a city-state if you wanted it, what else were you supposed to do? Amara and the others had the right idea.

    She didn¡¯t think Raja or those with him deserved to die for bad judgement. They were teenagers, and teenagers could be very dumb (not by personal experience, of course. Nara wasn¡¯t a dumb teenager. She couldn¡¯t dumb anything dumb if she stayed home and binged all 11 seasons of Doctor Who).

    If she didn¡¯t volunteer, Mona would save them. Mona might even pass those that decided to retreat early, upon realizing the difficulty of the task, unless that counted as abandoning your teammates, which would result in punishment. Her logic zigzagged, but ultimately, she concluded those five had all failed the moment they stepped into the forest.

    ¡°Wait¡­can you see in the dark?¡± Nara asked Thanatos.

    He looked at her like the question was offensive.

    ¡°Alright bud. Just checking.¡±

    Nara had a few advantages over the shadow weavers, even in their home base. The first was her aura control and strength far outstripped theirs. She even inadvertently specialized in stealth, manipulating her aura to be difficult to detect or affect. She had, after all, destroyed herself to escape: You can¡¯t contain what didn¡¯t exist.

    On top of that she had her Moonlight Raiment¡¯s passive anti-detection effect. What she had to watch out for were their sensory webs, which would alert them upon touch. The magic of the night vision goggles had brightened the night forest to a day forest, surpassing the effect of technology-based night vision. If not for its astounding effect, Nara wouldn¡¯t have been able to avoid all the webs and would have strung herself up like a failed cirque-du-soleil performer.

    Judging from the absence of terrified screaming, the battle hadn¡¯t started yet. She spotted Raja from a branch, leading the group of five deeper into weaver territory. With no night vision, they didn¡¯t see the webs increasing in density in the leaves, nor the shadow weavers that encircled them. Thanatos stalked through the darkness: Nara only knew his position through their master and familiar connection.

    The weavers ambushed the group first, spitting webs that tangled limbs and weapons. A fire user burned them away, but his flames traveled up the webs, out of control, and started to burn some allies.... At least the webs had been removed. Of course, that¡¯s when the terrified screaming started.

    The weavers were 2 feet across, the sort of nightmare spider from the realm adjacent to hell known as Australia. One Australia-spawn approached a tangled essence user, singed and still tangled, venomous fangs poised to deliver a debilitating dose of a decidedly unfun injection.

    A black shadow darted out, smacking the spider like a cat smacking flies, a crunch and a spurt of monster blood punctuating its end. He faded back into shadow before the essence user knew he had been saved.

    Weavers were intelligent and tricky, but physically weak. Nara wouldn¡¯t struggle to kill them like she had the stone rodent. Thanatos worked from the shadows, spears of dark flames intercepting bolts of webs in the air.

    Mona wanted them to learn a hard lesson, so she tried to limit her interference only so much that they wouldn¡¯t die and would instead make the decision to retreat. If the whole thing became too much to handle, she¡¯d abandon this behind-the-scenes babysitting and transition to...dragging teens kicking and screaming to safety. She hadn¡¯t quite figured out how to effectively evacuate a group of five contrarians.

    She detected something approaching from the woods. Iron rank monsters, but they weren¡¯t weavers. It seems the moment of transition would arrive sooner than she thought.

    They were bark lurkers. The monsters disguised themselves as trees and killed unsuspecting victims, ambush monsters due to their large and slow size, but the commotion had called them over. They sensed easy, distracted prey.

    No problem. Just evacuate the teens. Because teens souped-up on magical powers were famously known for being cooperative.

    *****

    ¡°Raja, I think we should go,¡± Kenny called out nervously. He was the scout of the group, and his senses were better than most. The darkness of the forest was getting to him, and the continuous frustration of sticky webs that weren¡¯t strong, but a constant delay that tangled the nerves in the pit of his stomach like a dyer lint about to catch fire (or like his clothes that had already caught fire). ¡°Something else is approaching. More monsters.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t sense anything,¡± Raja snapped. ¡°Are you getting cold feet? Do you want me to return a laughingstock? After what I said to Mona?

    ¡°I¡¯m a scout Raja,¡± Kenny said, nervousness bleeding into frustration. ¡°I should be able to sense them before you. And we¡¯ve already failed, who cares about your gods-damned reputation!¡±

    ¡°No. You aren¡¯t better than me, not in any way. I have far more training than you will ever have, more training that your pitiable resources can buy. These pathetic bugs¡ª¡± Raja said, skewering a weaver with a spear crackling with lightning that lit up the darkness in flashes, ¡°¡ªare nothing. Your desire to retreat puts you below nothing. So stop talking and start killing. What happened to your confidence earlier?¡± Raja scoffed. ¡°You are just as weak as your will.¡±

    Kenny was conflicted. He thought he had a chance to prove himself, and Raja was his ticket out of mediocrity. Sure, he was arrogant, but most heirs were some garden variety of arrogance. It wasn¡¯t uncommon to join some haughty scion¡¯s team and receive the benefits of their family¡¯s resources in turn¡ªIf you could put up with their personality.

    There was only one condition of such contracts: You couldn¡¯t leave the team unless the scion did something justifiable of punishment from the society (money could buy everything, even teammates). Kenny was willing to put up with that, but he wasn¡¯t willing to die. He didn¡¯t think Mona would leave them here to die, but would she care about some upstart adventurer from a rival family, and his no-name lackeys? He told himself she wouldn¡¯t let them die¡ªthat was her role as examiner. Yet, Raja¡¯s notoriously irritating personality eroded his confidence. What if she really thought Raja was so annoying that she may as well let him die to his own mistakes? Or what if she let them get grievously injured? He didn¡¯t want to languish in iron¡ªthat was expensive.

    Or what if she made a mistake and didn¡¯t get here in time? Iron rank was notoriously dangerous, and silver rankers weren¡¯t omnipotent.

    ¡°I¡¯m out of here, Raja,¡± he said, self-preservation winning out.

    ¡°You¡¯ll turn your back on us the moment it¡¯s all too difficult for you?¡±

    ¡°That almost sounds like you want me here. You should follow if you can get your spear out of your ass.¡±

    Nara, watching the argument, indicated with a hand signal in the dark: Thanatos followed the retreating Kenny.

    There were four left, still in danger. The lurkers were still on the move, lumbering and exposed. It was the perfect time to kill them before they set up in the path of retreat. Stone was one thing, but bark she could manage.

    The question was, could the four left behind handle the weavers if she went to deal with the lurkers? They were down one member, and the weavers had changed tactics, sticking back and firing webs that the four struggled to deal with. The only weavers that had died did so because they had approached from the safety of the dense leaves. The rest, learning from their fellows'' mistakes, stuck behind the covers of trees that dissipated Raja¡¯s lighting spears.

    ¡°I wish I had another familiar right about now¡­¡± she muttered.

    Mona said to handle what she could. Was she still being evaluated? Should she prioritize the safety of her adventurers, and stick around, or kill the lurkers in hopes of culling imminent danger?

    Or¡­ a third option: reveal herself and start killing weavers, then deal with the lurkers together?

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    Even if Raja hated her for stealing his glory, even if he was uncooperative later, she thought option 3 was best.

    ¡°Fucking hell, guess I¡¯m doing this.¡±

    She sliced a shadow weaver clean in two, splitting its frail body.

    ¡°You?¡± Raja exclaimed, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    ¡°Mona told me to help out.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need help!¡± He roared; his sphere of lightning missed a weaver and fizzled out against a tree. His miss caused him to flush in rage and embarrassment. His every action felt like they were being evaluated, and Nara¡¯s unimpressed reaction exacerbated it.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to prove myself and rise above those arrogant Nisei, Arlang, and Fenhu!¡±

    Pot calling kettle black.

    But the poor teen seemed on the verge of tears, concealing it with prideful anger instead. She made the very intentional decision to take pity.

    ¡°Rome wasn¡¯t built in a day,¡± she said, nimbly sidestepping a bolt of webs and retaliating with a clean strike that killed another weaver.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Sanshi wasn¡¯t built in a day,¡± she corrected. ¡°It was the effort of many that brought it to the glory and fame it has today.¡±

    ¡°And those bastards are unfairly stealing the power and glory we deserve!¡±

    We? Was he referring to his family?

    ¡°Power and glory are earned and proven. Do you feel respected? Powerful? Do you think you, a mere descendent, can surpass what your ancestors have built over centuries in a single day? Where is the respect for the achievements of your own family? Do they have a sturdy foundation, or a reputation built of paper? If you know the answer in your own heart, take your team and leave. Do not win the battle but lose the war, Raja Jagar.¡±

    She invoked the power of The Full Name, hoping it would have some effect on the teenager. If this world had middle names and if she knew his, she would have gone for the power of The Three.

    ¡°Lose the battle and win the war¡­¡±

    She cringed at the faux wisdom she was spewing, but it seemed this sort of cringe got through a teenager high on adrenaline, pride, and bombastic magic powers.

    There was silence, for a while (if not for the yells of pain, screeches of dying monsters, and the uncomfortably close thumping of lurker feet.)

    ¡°¡­Let¡¯s go, we retreat,¡± he said finally, voice quiet.

    No one heard but Nara.

    Ah, fuck. Better just commit.

    ¡°Louder Raja!¡± she shouted, channeling Vallis. ¡°Where¡¯s your resolve? Commit to the eventual victory!¡±

    ¡°Retreat!¡± He hollered right back. ¡°We¡¯re all retreating! Hurry!!¡± He screamed his frustration at the top of his lungs.

    They scrambled through the forest, relying on the flame user to guide them over roots and undergrowth. Nara occasionally deflected a web spindle with the swing of her staff. At this rate, she¡¯d be able to make cotton candy with it.

    They made it in time, the lurkers still behind them. The four staggered out of the forest, worse for wear: Armor was singed and bloodied, stray webs hanging. They were haunted house actors, ghoulish and ragged, except draped in real spider webs and genuine red blood.

    Nara sighed, throwing her head over the seat of the skimmer, ready to retire. The other four were first receiving some healing and cleansing from the timid Kiris, who despite her timidity was ready and able to heal even the worst characters of the group. Raja and his group kept blessedly quiet with their eyes down, knowing some modicum of shame, unable to look at the rest of the group who disliked them. They could have been at an inn and resting already, but the fumbling four decided they needed to drop the bowling ball on their own damn feet.

    ¡°Why are you relaxing?¡± Mona said, staring at her with an unpleasant smile. A knowing dread crawled up Nara¡¯s spine.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t I already done what you¡¯ve asked of me?¡±

    ¡°I said to handle what you can,¡± she gestured with her thumb to the forest, ¡°There¡¯s still monsters that need handling.¡±

    Nara stared blankly at the forest, then back to Mona with a pleading frown.

    Mona maintained her mirthless smile. ¡°You¡¯re smart, Nara. I know you know what I mean.¡±

    ¡°Ahhh, shit. I really went and made some more work for myself, didn¡¯t I.¡±

    ¡°Adventure work never ends, Nara Edea. This is just the examination. Are you tired of it already?¡±

    Nara very strongly suspected the answer to that question better be ¡®No¡¯. Thanatos barked, tail wagging like Nara had said the forbidden w-a-l-k word.

    ¡°He¡¯s not, evidently.¡±

    Nara hauled herself to her feet, sighing like someone working overtime after a 10-hour shift. Oh right, it had been 10 hours already.

    ¡°Okay, buddy, alright. Let¡¯s hunt.¡±

    *****

    Nara laid at the bottom of the skimmer, replacing Nolan who had already healed. She wasn¡¯t physically exhausted (her abilities made sure of that), but mentally exhausted. An introvert like her had squeezed out every last ounce of phony wisdom to convince a teenager not to make stupid choices brought about by his upbringing, and she was squeezed dry of emotional energy.

    ¡°Oof. Little dude, I¡¯m not your chair.¡±

    Caspian had jumped on her chest with a thud, winding her despite her lack of lungs. He settled there like a cat, even kneading through her clothing with claws that pricked her skin. The Simurgh did seem a cross between wolf, cat, and bird.

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re so cute because your claws hurt,¡± she told Caspian, who let out a sound between a wolf¡¯s growl and a cat¡¯s purr. ¡°Are you getting revenge since I ended your playdate with Thanatos before you were ready?¡±

    Sen was smiling for some unknown reason, matching Vallis¡¯ bright grin.

    ¡°You youngsters have way too much energy for me,¡± she said groaning and turning her face to the side to face away from their blinding smirks. If she kept staring, she might show emotion on her own face. What a disaster that¡¯d be, showing emotion!

    Her eyes met Malik¡¯s, whose gaze was equally uncomfortable for some unknown reason. She wasn¡¯t friends with him, like the other two. With nowhere left to look, she looked straight up. The flat metal roof of the skimmer was very beautiful today. It wouldn¡¯t make fun of her.

    ¡°Now now,¡± Vallis said. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re the winner of the bet,¡± Sen said. ¡°It¡¯s a shame, but I¡¯ve learned a lot about you either way. I¡¯d like to learn the answer to my question some other time.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not some big secret,¡± Nara decided. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you now. I¡¯m an outworlder. I¡¯m studying astral magic to see if I can find a way to cross back and forth.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Sen said, ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°See what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so out of energy you¡¯ve lost the motivation to continue our bet. I¡¯ll note that down.¡± He removed a pen and notebook from his dimensional bag.

    ¡°¡¯Weak to questioning when tired¡¯¡ªHey. Don¡¯t write that down.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m joking,¡± he said, his expression perfectly flat.

    ¡°Goddammit.¡± Didn¡¯t he already finish writing?

    ¡°And blasphemous,¡± he said, starting another line in his notebook.

    ¡°I legitimately can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re joking or not anymore. Put that pen away.¡±

    ¡°If I put this pen away,¡± he said innocently, twirling the pen, ¡°Will you join my team?¡±

    ¡°I definitely won¡¯t if you don¡¯t,¡± she threatened.

    He coolly smiled and slipped his pen and notebook away. She kept a wary eye on his dimension bag.

    Nara wondered what she had done with her life to get here, laying on the floor of a floating vehicle, taking a magic exam to become a professional monster hunter, and threatening a teenager over note keeping on her personality traits.

    (Please, this wasn¡¯t Assassination Classroom.)

    *****

    The last few days, she and other examinees were just spectators. She, Sen, Vallis, Gento, and Malik were spectators because they most likely passed. Mona no longer called on them to participate, so they sat back and observed.

    She figured Sen, even passively, was still learning, pulling what lessons Mona taught others into his own wisdom. Nara didn¡¯t realize, but she had started emulating him. She no longer played card games, but either listened to Mona¡¯s wisdom or meditated. She referenced her compendium for each monster that showed up within the contracts, noting how battles could change in new terrain challenges. An engagement in the forest was very different from a fight in an open field.

    Mona, over the course of the exam, described the duties and role of adventurers. Nara was a jaded ex-office worker, but even she couldn¡¯t help but feel inspired. If she was having an early mid-life crisis in her twenties, she may as well do it right.

    The other group of people no longer called on to participate was the group of five. They had failed¡ªthere was no doubt. The smart thing to do now was sit and listen, which most did with surprising studiousness. They had different motivations, and they wanted to prove themselves. Despite their arrogance and their familial shackles (rich or poor), they were bright-eyed youthful essence users. One failure wasn¡¯t enough to squash their will. Bad personality wasn¡¯t grounds to deny Adventure Society certification either, if you didn¡¯t commit crime or defraud the society. By the time an adventurer was silver rank and they mattered, the Adventure Society would just keep the unpleasant ones away from sensitive contracts and let them kill monsters where attitude didn¡¯t matter if the job got done.

    Nolan was among the ones still testing. He had made a poor showing of himself at first, then spent an entire day in recovery. Mona had him pick his contracts or refuse the ones she intentionally suggested that were ill-suited for him: That was his test. As the days had progressed, it had become harder and harder to determine which one he needed to refuse as her requests straddled the line. The next thing he learned was to retreat from the ones he misjudged.

    ¡°Contracts are unreliable,¡± Mona said, ¡°This is an unavoidable aspect of our work. Most of our perliminary reports come from normal people. They have basic knowledge of monsters, but not enough to tell a shadow weaver from a blood weaver when they¡¯re scared and running for safety. They can guess numbers, but it will rarely be accurate. The contract is just a piece of the puzzle. You will never have full information. If the contract is too difficult as written, it will be worse. Pass on those. There is no shame in running. Live another day and save more lives.¡±

    She had learned her own fair share of lessons. She needed to be more prepared. Equipment existed to supplement abilities. Potions and salves were basic and obvious. Night vision goggles and a supplemental weapon were less obvious. Nara hadn¡¯t even considered them with all the new abilities she had; she had developed her own little streak of arrogance too.

    Mona didn¡¯t expect her to have these things¡ªshe didn¡¯t have the money for them yet. Mona had correctly identified the lessons Nara needed to learn. Nara had demonstrated she was resourceful, but digging and filling holes wasn¡¯t practical. She had ample abilities to escape, but her instantaneous destructive power was low. When someone was being attacked by a monster, her teleportation wouldn¡¯t help those in danger.

    The final would-be adventurer Nara was curious about was the shy elf girl, Kiris. She had similarly struggled, even more than Nolan. So much so that Nara wondered if she was cut out for the adventurer life, and she should instead seek the core-user path at the church of the Healer, or as an unaffiliated healer.

    She got through it, somehow. Water bullets pierced enemies and she drowned them in place with floating water spheres. Her familiar was support oriented, and not a roided up tank.

    In small groups she was competent, accurately healing and supporting as the situation required. Water balls disrupted a flanking monster, healing wind passively regenerated health, and the star of her kit, a fish familiar with multiple bodies that served as a long-distance radio.

    She wasn¡¯t flashy, but it was clear she knew what she was doing, despite her timidity. Even when her allies failed to protect her, she vanished into a puddle of water and reappeared a safe but helpful distance away, demonstrating her situational awareness. She was almost a little too easily scared off, but that was better than the alternative, and these were temporary teammates who didn¡¯t have her trust. Her long-range healing afforded her leniency.

    ¡°She¡¯s good too,¡± said Vallis. ¡°Timid but keeps her calm in battle. You don¡¯t have a healer yet right, Sen?¡±

    ¡°I do not,¡± he confirmed.

    ¡°Are you going to recruit her?¡±

    ¡°I will not.¡±

    Vallis sighed and shook her head, ¡°I¡¯ll never understand on what basis you recruit others.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know my method,¡± said Sen with a hint of self-deprecation. ¡°My last team didn¡¯t work well.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that group? You just had too many leaders in one bunch. That¡¯s not exactly right¡­too many rulers who couldn¡¯t pass the scepter when it wasn¡¯t their turn to stand on top. Too much youthful vigor. Too much arrogance. Too many expectations. All pull and no give.¡±

    ¡°Ah, is that why you want me to join your team?¡± Nara said, ¡°I don¡¯t have the energy to argue? A follower not a leader?¡±

    ¡°You have the energy to keep refusing,¡± Sen pointed out. ¡°Unless that has changed.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not giving that up quite yet.¡±

 Chapter 35: The Same Curiosity

    Chapter 35: The Same Curiosity

    With the examination concluded, the applicants rode back on the ship mentally and physically exhausted, gas tanks emptied and reduced to shells of humans slung over seats as the ship bobbed back to Sanshi. Whether it was a pass or fail, they had all gained valuable experience.

    Nara stared at Vallis, Sen, and Malik, who, compared to the rest of the people on board, looked refreshed and clean.

    ¡°Why do you all look so nice?¡± she said, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.

    ¡°Crystal wash,¡± Vallis said matter-of-factly. Nara didn¡¯t like her energetic tone.

    ¡°What''s that?¡±

    ¡°Only the most quintessential component for every adventurer. Pricy, but worth it. Here¡ª¡± Vallis tossed her a small bottle. ¡°Give it a try.¡±

    Nara looked at the small bottle in her hand. The liquid was completely clear, crystal clear, except for a slight shimmering rainbow reflection at its surface, like someone had liquified a light filled prism and filled a potion vial. She sloshed it: the consistency of the fluid was between water and honey.

    ¡°Stop playing with the wash and just dump it over your head.¡±

    She did, uncorking the small bottle with a pop then dumping its contents over her.

    The wash went to work, seeking out dirt and grime as if they were sworn enemies. It was thorough, almost uncomfortably so. She had a feeling that even bacteria had not been spared. The wash slipped off her clothes and body, dripping onto the floor where it continued its assault on uncleanliness.

    ¡°When it can no longer absorb filth, it disappears. See?¡±

    It cleaned a whole swath of the deck of the boat before it dissolved into sparkling magic particles that fortunately did not smell of the stank of monster magic. The deck looked as if someone had begun to power wash it then gave up after just a few swipes.

    Nara looked at her own body, feeling unnaturally clean. Even her sense of smell felt improved, like it had cleaned residue off her very scent glands, if she had any. She detected a pleasant floral scent from her body, like the freshness of spring.

    ¡°It¡¯s even perfumed? That¡¯s nifty.¡±

    Vallis scrunched an eyebrow, ¡°It¡¯s not perfumed. You should smell like nothing, until your natural scent kicks back in.¡±

    ¡°Oh hm. Maybe I just smell nice?¡±

    It was a little strange, but she¡¯d take over the smell of sweat any day.

    Thanatos looked up at her and whimpered, pawing at her leg. His paw left a smudge of dirt on her robes.

    ¡°¡­Can I get another one of those?¡±

    *****

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    Encio was waiting for her back at the Adventure Society. Results of the examination would be posted the next day: the actual evaluation had already been conducted by Mona. She just needed the approval of the guild higher ups. They were all to return home and get some much-needed rest after a weeklong examination.

    ¡°How did it go?¡± Encio asked conversationally.

    ¡°I thought you were confident I would pass?¡±

    ¡°I am, of course. But I still want to know all about it. Anything interesting happen?¡±

    Fair enough: Encio was a gossip.

    ¡°Oh yeah, a few things¡­there was this silver rank monster Mona had to deal with. I guess that¡¯s why she was there¡­and I saw the guy I knocked over the head with a shovel, but he didn¡¯t recognize me... What was your test like? What lesson was your instructor trying to teach you?¡±

    ¡°Lesson? I have no faults.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so humility was the lesson, and the lesson failed.¡±

    He snorted. Even that was pretty. ¡°I was over trained. But there was something I needed to learn about precision. Damage to buildings and nature isn¡¯t the highest concern when lives are at stake, but I was told I should avoid unnecessary damage when possible. I was overdoing on every enemy when a minimum would have sufficed, and caused a lot more collateral damage.¡±

    ¡°Wow, now I really wonder what your abilities are. Time confluence? You couldn¡¯t have chosen something less flashy?¡±

    He smirked. ¡°Of course not. The real curiosity is, you had access to a Dimension Essence and didn¡¯t choose time. What were you thinking? Were you?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Thinking.¡±

    She had chosen based on what her ability told her, so perhaps she was an unthinking meerkat. No, no, choosing based on what she was assured was her soul telling her the best set for her to absorb was a perfectly sane and intelligent decision-making process.

    ¡°After the celebrations, let¡¯s go on some contracts together. I¡¯ll ignore my lesson, just for you, and you¡¯ll see something special.¡±

    ¡°Indiscriminate destruction isn¡¯t special. Any poor sod with a Cataclysm Confluence can do that.¡±

    ¡°When I do it, it is.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re confident I¡¯ll pass?¡±

    ¡°I helped train you,¡± he said with intentional haughtiness. ¡°I just don¡¯t doubt myself.¡±

    You bastard, she thought. It still made her smile.

    *****

    Nara only ever felt slight nervousness during examinations, her real anxiety came afterwards: Lying in her bed after a test, staring blankly stared at the ceiling. Thanatos lay beside her, eyes closed and calm.

    Sleep would not come.

    She had never cared so much about an examination in her life¡ªnot her SATs, not her university finals, not job interviews¡ªnor had she ever prepared so much for one. Most of her waking hours for the past 6 weeks had been spent on training: sparring, parkour, meditation, ability use, mind practice, flexibility, strength building, monster slaying, ritual magic, astral magic, and monster slaying.

    If she failed, this would be her most crushing failure. Her mouth spoke big, cringe words to Raja, but she felt the shakes of anxiety now. She could try it again next month, but she wanted to pass this time. What if she just wasn¡¯t cut out for it? What if after another month, nothing improved? Maybe a former office worker from an age of safety and plenty just didn¡¯t have the grit and gumption that those of this world had developed ever since their first decennial monster wave.

    She wondered if this was how Sen felt after he was told of his failure? Or his failure to form his first team? It must have been demoralizing. Or¡­ maybe he was made of stronger stuff than she was.

    ¡°How about we go out for a midnight walk, Thanatos? Get some air and calm the mind?¡±

    He rubbed his head on her shoulder and got up from the bed.

    The temperature and weather within the retreat was controlled by an array, but still pleasantly chilling, befitting of night.

    The same curiosity sparkled in the sky¡ªthe milky way galaxy (probably?), augmented with an extra moon.

    She sat down at her favorite spot on the retreat, the lake within the forest. She brought out her lute and began to play folk songs she learned in Aviensa and Sanshi.

    There was no pressure to excel in her music. In her childhood, she had to play piano, a quintessential classic of Chinese parenting. Now, with no expectations, assignments, or recitals, she rediscovered her joy of performing music.

    ¡°What do you think, do you like it?¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m glad. I like it too.¡±

    If all else failed, maybe she had a future in music. (Or maybe not: the field was notoriously competitive in every world. Better stick with adventuring where she had some chance of success.)

    She was just being dramatic. She went back to her room and fell asleep.

 Chapter 36: Inherently Political

    Chapter 36: Inherently Political

    ¡°Rise and shine, Encio! Did you already have breakfast?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had a bite,¡± Encio said, emerging from his room, dressed in a semi-formal style rather than his relaxed, casual wear. ¡°Onto the Adventure Society?¡±

    ¡°Lead the way.¡±

    The Sanshi Adventure Academy was constructed near the Adventure Society to facilitate operations between the two organizations. Academy students were often adventurers; as Amara said, training never ended. For those that had the will, the Academy offered an immense selection of classes for both general and specialty knowledge.

    Nara attended the academy mainly for access to their sparring facilities and students, but occasionally attended general classes such as monster ecology, artifact usage, and general strategy. The specialty classes she attended were astral magic theory, ritual magic, and music performance.

    There was already a small crowd out front, the eight or so of the fifteen applicants and their friends. It seemed it wasn¡¯t an event families attended, or that it was embarrassing to have them attend at their age. The pervasive embarrassment a crooning parent could bring spanned universes and cultures. Fresh adventurers wanted to shed their aura of youthful inexperience like a bird shedding their baby down.

    The Adventure Society was one of the taller buildings of Sanshi, four tall-than-average stories. It was built in the style of Sanshi, with sloped glazed tile awnings at every floor; small, elegant lanterns at the corners; and windows with geometric wood lattice. She had been there once before, to apply for the examination in the first place.

    They walked up to the notice board outside. There was plenty of room for her to see her name on the ¡®pass¡¯ board: an immediate relief off her chest. She let out a relaxed breath, some of her tension melting away. She walked to the next board, where it indicated the next steps for those who passed.

    She was to report to the Adventure Society for a final interview, then have an aura imprint taken for the creation of her society membership card. She walked back to the first board to see who else had passed. Sen, Vallis, Malik, and Gento had passed: she was not surprised.

    Nolan managed to pass too. His beginning was rough, but he grew remarkably for a combat-adjacent adventurer. A lot of other examinees had demonstrated remarkable growth in just a week, herself included. A bit of specialty instruction over the course of a week to shape up their weaknesses went a long way.

    Kiris had also passed. The requirements for a healer were different, but she demonstrated the qualities a combat healer needed: situational awareness, judgement, and the ability to remain calm in crises. A healer¡¯s job wasn¡¯t over even when the enemy was dead.

    Another person she did not recognize had passed, for a total of eight passes, including herself. Those who had not pass could try again next month. The examiner changed each time, so it wouldn¡¯t be Mona again, and the examiner was kept secret so they couldn¡¯t be bribed, unless the examiner chosen let others know: That was a quick way to get dismissed as an official.

    ¡°Congratulations,¡± Encio said. ¡°What did I say? I knew you would pass.¡±

    ¡°You kept telling me, so I had no choice but to believe you.¡±

    ¡°Finish up your interview, and we¡¯ll celebrate in the city for lunch, my treat.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s actually a place I have in mind¡­¡±

    ¡°One other thing, there will be a Magic Society representative there to check your essences to confirm nothing is restricted and record your abilities. You must have your essences checked, but recording your abilities is optional.¡±

    ¡°Should I?¡±

    ¡°The abilities are marked in your file, but its otherwise private. The Magic Society is just interested in the Stone, Essence, and ability details, not the person who awakened them. You can ask for their reasoning and see if you agree with them.¡±

    ¡°Did you have your abilities recorded?¡±

    Encio smiled, ¡°That¡¯s a secret until you make your own decision.¡±

    She was guided to a private meeting room by an Adventure Society functionary. The room had three people inside; one, she recognized. It was her examiner, Mona.

    ¡°Please take a seat, miss Edea,¡± The man sitting in the center said.

    ¡°I am the Sanshi branch Adventure Society leader, Oswald Willard,¡± he said.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you mister Willard, please just call me Nara.¡±

    ¡°Likewise, Nara. I just go by Oz.¡±

    He was a massive man, bulky but still well proportioned, much like Redell. His coloring was that of the unmistakable celestine, with silvery-blue hair and matching eyes that stood out against his dark tan skin. He was traditionally handsome with square features, marked by a long scar that crossed from his right ear down across his throat. He was personable and friendly but exuded the presence of a genial general than the friendly giant Redell personified, but with the marked edge of authority.

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    ¡°I¡¯m surprised the branch leader conducts these interviews,¡± she remarked.

    ¡°I make a point to do so, when I¡¯m not too busy. I like to know what goes on in my Society.¡±

    ¡°You run a tight ship.¡±

    ¡°That I do, Nara. Sanshi is a large region, and our goal is to protect as many lives as possible. I don¡¯t want to sound strict, but mistakes can cost lives. Sanshi is unique for its large population in such a low magic quality region. People become complacent.¡± After his introductory speech, he gestured to a clear orb that sat on the table in front of the person to his right, ¡°If you would, the essence detection orb?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Yuma Kang, a functionary of the Magic Society.¡±

    He looked diminutive compared to Oswald, even though he was just slightly below average in size, like a Labrador beside a Saint Bernard. He pushed forward the orb, ¡°Just place your hand on top.¡±

    She did.

    The orb strobed for a bit and Yuma recorded its results.

    ¡°Dimension, Harmonic, Balance, and Mystic. Is that correct?¡±

    ¡°It is.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯d like to record your abilities as well, to add to the Essence Ability Compendium.¡±

    ¡°Is it important?¡±

    ¡°The Magic Society seeks to understand all there is about magic, essence abilities included. Your name is kept out of our records. All we want is to compile all knowledge, in hopes of better understanding the magic we rely on for life and protection.¡±

    It was a common question, but Yuma seemed genuinely passionate about the topic. As a scientist-adjacent herself, she hadn¡¯t planned to refuse in the first place. She subscribed to the theory that knowledge was power.

    ¡°Then, go ahead.¡±

    He interacted with the orb, changing its function from essence detection to ability detection.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need to inject a bit of your aura. It requires more to read your abilities than just your hand.¡±

    She did so, her aura dispersing into the orb like ink in water. It was like her aura was separated and searched for component parts¡ªeach essence, then each ability within them. She didn¡¯t so much see her aura as detect her own aura within the orb. It was strange to feel it separate from her, like suddenly smelling your own scent your brain had learned to ignore.

    ¡°According to the results, you only have one unknown essence ability, and six unknown racial abilities. Could you describe the abilities?¡±

    The orb could match her abilities to ones they had on record, but it could not print out the description of the abilities.

    ¡°Do I have to describe my racial abilities?¡±

    ¡°Have to? No. You can describe only what you are willing to share.¡±

    Since she had six unknown racial abilities, she was an outworlder, although that much was already evident from her aura.

    She gave a verbal description of her Umbral Wolf ability, the only new ability, which Yuma remarked was surprisingly thorough.

    ¡°Since you are the first person with the ability, you may name the ability now, or wait until bronze or silver rank.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call it Umbral Wolf then.¡±

    Her ability had already named it for her, and it was apt enough.

    ¡°That will be its name in the records. If you wish to revise the name due to new aspects of higher rank effects, you may submit a request to the Magic Society, along with the new effects. The request may not be granted.¡±

    He used an ability to make two copies of results. He pushed them before her.

    ¡°The copy on your left will go to the Adventure Society, it has your name.¡± He handed it to Oz, ¡°The copy on the right does not. This is added to the Magic Society records.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the consideration.¡±

    ¡°This is just procedure. Adventurers like their privacy and freedom. They wouldn¡¯t otherwise share their abilities. There have been¡­fights about this.¡±

    He inputted another command into the orb, and it flushed out her deconstructed aura, where it dispersed since she was not sustaining it.

    ¡°And no further copies can be made.¡±

    ¡°Moving forward, I will ask you a few questions. You may find them sensitive. Those that are too sensitive, feel free to say as little you please on the subject,¡± Oz explained.

    ¡°Sounds generous.¡±

    ¡°Not really. We conduct our own investigations,¡± he said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Oh. Makes sense.¡±

    ¡°You are an outworlder. How did you get here?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d be Amara Edea¡¯s ritual.¡±

    ¡°Amara Edea is your guarantor.¡±

    ¡°She and her companions have taken me under their wing after what happened.¡±

    She thought he¡¯d ask more, but he was satisfied with that. She was a bit relieved to not have to explain where she was before that, or that Amara¡¯s ritual wasn¡¯t a summoning ritual.

    ¡°What is your reason for becoming an adventurer?¡±

    ¡°I need to train my abilities to cast and search for dimension crossing ritual magic.¡±

    High rank ritual magic required high rank, or the just casting the ritual would kill her.

    ¡°How do you know Enciodes Aciano?¡±

    ¡°I met him in Aviensa playing table games. He¡¯s a friend.¡±

    ¡°How did you get there?¡±

    ¡°My outworlder ability. I have a method to travel large distances in a short period of time.¡±

    ¡°Care to elaborate further?¡± he pressed.

    ¡°No.¡±

    There was a bit of silence, and she felt a bit of aura pressure applied to her¡ªaura suppression. It was a gentle squeeze compared to Laius¡¯ demonstration, a little ¡®encouragement¡¯ to see if he could squeeze more information out of her. It wasn¡¯t. Nara shared many things, but she wouldn¡¯t share that with a stranger. That was her lifeline.

    He sighed. ¡°That¡¯s fine, it¡¯s optional,¡± he said, breaking the tension and withdrawing his aura suppression. ¡°Can you take anyone with you?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± His expression loosened. ¡°That would have been damn useful. That concludes our proceedings. Mona has reported your performance in the examination, and it is up to our standards for a new member.¡±

    He stood and offered out his hand for a handshake. He had to stoop a bit to let Nara reach. She shook it, her small hands enclosed in his massive palm.

    ¡°I welcome and congratulate you as an official member of the Adventure Society. Welcome aboard this ship.¡±

    *****

    ¡°You got it?¡± Encio said with a grin as Nara sauntered outside, flashing a gleaming membership card.

    ¡°I got it~!¡± She repeated in a sing song voice.

    The card was a grey iron, the same color as iron rank spirit coins. It had her name, face, and her adventurer rank on the card.

    ¡°Wait, Adventurer rank?¡±

    ¡°One to three stars, it¡¯s just the complexity of contracts you are allowed to accept. One is for basic, common contracts. Two stars require some investigation, unusual circumstances, or unknown danger. Three is for political contracts requiring nuance and or those requiring extremely specialized skill sets. Three-star contracts essentially won¡¯t exist at iron rank. There¡¯s nothing that political or specialized about the lowest rung.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re not three stars?¡±

    ¡°I am the grandson of a diamond ranker. I am political.¡±

    That¡¯s what she thought.

    ¡°They asked about you.¡±

    ¡°Did I steal your moment?¡±

    ¡°What moment: I¡¯m just some random iron rank outworlder. The only moment I got was my origins, and they already knew about that.¡±

    Not just a random iron rank outworlder, Encio thought, one with four diamond rank teachers.

    ¡°...You might be political too.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

 Chapter 37: All It Takes

    -Do you want to use [Awakening Stone of Dimension]?

    -[Use? Y/N]

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Dimension].

    -You have awakened Dimension Essence Ability, [Infinity Domain]. You have awakened 4 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

 Chapter 38: Non-Standard

    Chapter 38: Non-Standard

    ¡°I''m an outworlder,¡± Nara began after the brief interruption, ¡°but the way I got here was non-standard. Even more non-standard than an outworlder is in the first place.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s eyes opened wide, excited by the revelation. As a researcher of magic, outworlders were curiosities that were normally hard to come by.

    Recognizing her look of excitement, Sen said but one work, ¡°Aliyah.¡±

    She cleared her throat, ¡°The standard way is usually a summoning ritual gone wrong or a magical anomaly blowing back magic through two worlds already connected with an array. Whoever is in the vicinity is sent to the other world as an outworlder.¡±

    Nara nodded, ¡°Neither of those things happened for me. What happened to me was a nightmare.¡±

    ¡°A nightmare?¡±

    ¡°I can only describe it as such. I was only a soul at the time, and the soul doesn¡¯t form thoughts so much as feel. But from what fragmented memories I have, I had fallen asleep on night, and the next moment my soul was being tortured.¡±

    The table plunged into icy silence.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only heard a little about soul torture,¡± Aliyah said softly, breaking the still, ¡°It is forbidden research for good reason. Unethical and unpredictable. Utterly detestable. Minds are irreparably destroyed for no gain.¡±

    ¡°You can gain something from it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about it personally. It is forbidden research. There are errant researchers that believe that those that survive soul trauma develop more powerful auras,¡± she shook her head, ¡°As researchers, it is part of our duty to contain dangerous research with morality. Harmful research does not progress civilization.¡±

    That wasn¡¯t necessarily true, but the ethics of research was argued on Earth as well. How far should they go? When was human testing acceptable? When is animal testing acceptable?

    She weaved her fingers together before continuing, looking down at her fingers. ¡°Those that survive soul trauma tend to have more powerful auras. Not only is the result inconsistent, but it is never worth the experience, and never willing. Sometimes people survive and nothing is gained, they live as normally as they can. Mostly¡­they¡¯re worse off, minds permanently changed by the traumatic experience. Some heretic researchers pursue soul torture and soul trauma because they believe they can improve ¡®humanity¡¯. That this is the path forward to higher power.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t really say I survived it.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you here just fine?¡± Sen asked.

    Nara shook her head, ¡°To give in to soul torture is to grant the torturer the key to your soul. I didn¡¯t give in but¡­¡±

    ¡°But what?¡±

    ¡°I tore my soul apart so that they may not have it. I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d even come back from that, but I thought death was better than the alternative. The only reason I didn¡¯t chose death was because it wasn¡¯t an option.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why your aura is strange,¡± Encio said in soft realization, ¡°my grandfather mentioned it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not exactly all back together,¡± Nara said. ¡°My soul. It¡¯s not too big of a deal, I¡¯m mostly missing concrete memories, but the core of my being, at least, I want to believe so¡ªthat my values my personality, my preferences¡ªshould be intact.¡±

    ¡°What happened then?¡± Aliyah nudged.

    ¡°My soul somehow pulled itself back together, in a rather strange way. In a way that gave me semi-conscious thought in a state where I should not have had such an ability.¡±

    ¡°What state?¡± Aliyah asked. The researcher within her wanted desperately to record the story, but she would not. It could exist only in her mind.

    ¡°My soul sort of combined with a part of the astral, filling in the gaps missing, or expanding its capabilities. Something like that. It grants me a particular ability with two of my racial gifts. It¡¯s called an Astral Domain, according to my guide ability. It¡¯s a part of the astral that I own¡­or rather, is me. The astral is connected to physical reality everywhere, so I can slip out of physical reality¡ª¡±

    Nara closed her eyes and let herself fall backwards in her chair.

    ¡°--and slip back into reality in any location, using the astral as an intermediary.¡± She said from her new position, standing behind Sen. ¡°I call it an astral jump.¡±

    She walked back to her chair, which Thanatos had caught for her so it would not be damaged.

    ¡°Nice follow up,¡± she whispered to him, ¡°That was epic.¡±

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Thanatos softly barked back.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain your first statement,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°How did you become an outworlder? Surely you cannot¡ª¡± she gestured to Nara, ¡®¡ªteleport to locations you have not traveled?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, I can¡¯t. That rule at least still applies in some manner.¡±

    ¡°Some manner?¡±

    ¡°I can slip through a dimensional wall without knowing what¡¯s on the other side. Its just like pushing through a doorway obscured in shadow. You can still cross, but the destination is a mystery.¡±

    ¡°Then?¡± Aliyah pressed; her curiosity barely contained beneath her normally sharp expression.

    ¡°An astral being there called Chrome taught me astral magic and ritual magic of a very particular variety. The astral magic was just so I had enough knowledge to even successfully cast the ritual magic.¡±

    ¡°What was the ritual magic?¡±

    ¡°It was a ritual that searched the entire cosmos for a link from the astral to the physical that fulfilled certain requirements.¡±

    ¡°The first requirement was that too much time had not passed in physical reality if I exited the astral with that link. Encio, you¡¯re aware of the cardinal rule of time magic, right? Since you¡¯ve got a Time Confluence?¡±

    ¡°You cannot travel back in time. Any link you chose could not be too far in the future or else returning to your world lost all meaning.¡±

    ¡°Yes. The second requirement was that the world had sufficiently advanced astral magic that I had a shot at making it back in time anyway. That requirement is more of a work in progress.¡±

    Also, the world needed magic that connected the astral and physical reality. Since Earth had no magic, she wouldn¡¯t be able to find that connection and use it.

    ¡°But I found a magic ritual that connected physical reality and the astral, and used the property all outworlders share to force the creation of a physical body. A property that everyone shares.¡±

    ¡°Outworlders have their original body annihilated and then re-created as they traverse the dimensional boundary. One of the few phenomenon of self-resurrection regardless of rank,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°There¡¯s self-resurrection?¡±

    ¡°I have an ability,¡± Encio said, ¡°it only gains self-resurrection at gold rank.¡±

    Nara stared at him, ¡°Of course the Time Lord has a self-resurrection ability.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t styled myself a time lord,¡± Encio said, not understanding her reference.

    ¡°What¡¯s your aura called again?¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Time Sovereign]

    Essence: Balance

    Aura (recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within aura have increased mana regeneration while enemies within aura have decreased mana regeneration.

    -------

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s just the name of the ability. According to your ¡®ability¡¯. It¡¯s slandering me.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s expression was one of rapid calculation, ¡°¡­that ritual must have taken an extraordinarily long time not just to complete, but to finish its operation.¡±

    ¡°Yup. I¡¯m probably pretty damn old now.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t feel old,¡± Encio said, ¡°I¡¯ve been around enough high rankers to feel the difference between someone who is young, and someone who looks young for their age.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment. But It¡¯s probably just because I wasn¡¯t really growing as a person during that time, and my mind was still pretty messed up. My memories have been returning faster in physical reality now that I don¡¯t have to go pick them up one by one, millisecond by millisecond, sense by sense.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t have to do what?¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°My mind interpreted the fragments of my soul as pieces of string lost in physical and non physical locations and I had to traverse the astral in a literal and metaphorical sense to retrieve the memories in a situation given recognizable form in a realm otherwise incomprehensible? Simply put, I was putting my soul together piece by piece, if a piece was the size of a grain of sand.¡±

    Aliyah closed her eyes, resting her forehead on her fist.

    ¡°I did that for a while until Chrome found me, and you know the rest, more or less.¡±

    ¡°More or less? There¡¯s something else?¡±

    ¡°Uh, I may have met The Reaper? Like, the uber-god of death? Not sure how that works with an actual god of death here.¡± She pointed to her earing, ¡°He gave me this.¡±

    Aliyah sighed, mournful like a poet realizing their lost love would never return, ¡°I could spend my whole life researching a single topic you¡¯ve just described.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah,¡± Sen said warily. ¡°Do not try to outworld yourself for the research experience. It won¡¯t turn out the same way.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯d really do that?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to outworld myself. A summoning ritual is highly complex, and I¡¯ve never heard of one that sends you to the location, rather than pulling the target to yourself. It isn¡¯t a summoning then, is it? It¡¯s self-sending.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah, I do not doubt for a moment that you could figure it out once you set your mind to it.¡±

    ¡°This time, did I cover everything?¡± Nara asked, ¡°Any more questions?¡±

    Aliyah started to raise her hand, but Sen held it down, ¡°No, that¡¯s very thorough, thank you.¡±

    Vallis, Gento, and Kiris entered the restaurant, revitalizing the stilled atmosphere. Kiris was as shy as ever, curled up small in her chair. Nara wondered how Vallis convinced her to join.

    *****

    ¡°¡±Cheers!¡±¡±

    The raised their glasses into the air, downing the traditional Sanshi celebratory drink in one gulp. The fiery liquor was surprisingly tasty (for alcohol), contrasting sour with plum, honey, and floral hints. It was a favorite of Vallis, who quickly poured herself another glass to savor. Sen consumed it with considerably less vigor, but he couldn¡¯t hide the small smile of content on his face.

    Nolan brought out a feast for the eight of them to enjoy. The food was magically preserved at peak flavor, heat, and texture in Nolan¡¯s conjured cabinet. All were Sanshi traditional celebratory dishes with a monster-component: rock-rodent dumplings, soup of the cloud eel, 8 vegetable ¡°vine tyrant¡± stew, slow braised tyrannical pheasant with fire chili sauce, crisped roller ball skin, shadow dark ink dyed rice.

    Thanatos enjoyed his own plate piled tall, while Caspian flew down like a trickster fae to snatch morsels of food for himself, with Sen attempting to wrangle him properly, half plucking him out of the air, other times pressing a hand to keep his energetic familiar in place.

    Sen, well, did his best to eat amongst the chaos of wrangling a flying familiar.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to feed you,¡± he muttered. ¡°So please, behave.¡±

    There was a small plate portioned aside for Caspian, but he wanted to choose his food, not the food Sen got for him.

    ¡°Look,¡± he said in rare exasperation, ¡°Big brother Thanatos is an admirable familiar and properly eating what his summoner chose for him. I think you¡¯re a reliable familiar too, Caspian. Don¡¯t you want to be like him?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± Caspian said in a childish squeak, apparently able to speak. ¡°Like Big Brother!¡±

    Sen¡¯s eyes swam, looking desperate. Nara knew what his expression was asking. A team-up to save his sanity.

    She brought out a pen and notebook, jotting down with a smug smile on her face:

    ¡°A weakness of Sen Arlang: Sen Arlang is not good at handling children.¡±

 Chapter 39: The Beginning and the End

    Chapter 39: The Beginning and the End

    Nara returned to the retreat, greeted by Amara, Chelsea, Redell, and Laius (with a nod).

    ¡°Congratulations on your success!¡± Amara said, ¡°As expected of our apprentice, a warrior in the making.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even say anything yet.¡±

    ¡°One of us may have checked,¡± Redell said. ¡°You can¡¯t really blame us.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter,¡± said Chelsea, ¡°Redell, Amara, and I have been working on something for you as a gift. Something we know you will appreciate. And Laius gathered some of the rarest materials.¡±

    Laius nodded his affirmation.

    ¡°Your path of adventure, we hand the reins back to you. Your equipment to source, your contracts to take. All you need now is experience.¡±

    ¡°And your last few abilities,¡± Redell added.

    ¡°But there is one gift we want to give you, for a concurrent path you also seem to enjoy.¡±

    Redell held out a new lute to her.

    -------

    Item: [Path Seeker Lute] (Iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Musical Instrument

    A lute crafted with the culmination of new knowledge. It is gifted with hope that the new owner may blaze their own path through the cosmos. Fate is unwritten. Find the path your soul desires.

    This item is unbound and its potential is unawakened.

    -------

    ¡°Path Seeker Lute?¡±

    ¡°It is not soul bound so we do not know its exact properties, but it has been designed to be an instrument of soul communication,¡± Redell explained, ¡°it will also function well as a normal instrument.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t give me an instrument that didn¡¯t sound beautiful. I trust of that in you, Redell.¡±

    ¡°The intention behind the instrument is for you to determine your own path,¡± Amara said, ¡°Outworlders tend to be caught up in the machinations of those more powerful than they are.¡±

    ¡°The machinations of fate.¡±

    ¡°There is no fate, Nara. That is the message. No matter what others tell you, find your own path. Create it, as you do music.¡±

    Lute in hand, she pricked her skin with a needle handed to her by Amara, drawing a drop of blood to drop onto it.

    The otherwise ordinary but high quality lute shimmered with magic as it reforged itself before their very eyes.

    Light wood shifted into a rich, dark, blue wood, somehow maintaining its natural feel. Speckles of golden light mixed with other soft colors traveled up the neck of lute, shimmering as she tilted the instrument. On the body of the lute, silver lines etched out delicate designs of flowering trees, framing the center. For now, they were trees. Nara had the strange sensation that the pattern would shift over time, indeterminate, like the future. The tuning knobs at the top were crystalline clear, catching light to shimmer with color. The strings wove themselves out of moonlight, glimmering with silver.

    The lute pulled her in, begging to be played, moonlight strings whispering the promise of mystical song.

    She couldn¡¯t resist its earnest request, and strummed a single cord.

    She heard it more with her soul than her ears, no sound lost to the wind.

    The single chord hung in the air, like the first note of a divine choir. And the world begged for more.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said, sucking in an even, calming breath, ¡°That¡¯s powerful stuff. Was it supposed to do that? Redell??¡±

    He shook his head, ¡°I can¡¯t play that even if I want to. It¡¯s entirely yours. Your lute, your sound.¡±

    Her fingers brushed against the strings. It was as if a beginner had been handed a Stradivarius.

    ¡°You¡¯ll take a lot more practicing, wont you?¡±

    -------

    Item: [Path Seeker Lute] (Iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Musical Instrument

    A lute crafted with the culmination of new knowledge. It is gifted with hope that the new owner may blaze their own path through the cosmos. Fate is unwritten. Find the path your heart desires.

    This item is bound to [Nara Edea] and cannot be used by anyone else. his bond allows the instrument to share the wielder¡¯s ability to ignore rank disparity.

    Effect: [Path Seeker Lute] is capable of channeling large amounts of energy without suffering damage.

    Effect: For very low mana-per-second to change the timbre and sound of the instrument.

    Effect: While played with the technique of soul-song, [Path Seeker Lute] can be used to modify or repair the soul or magic matrix of a willing target.

    Effect: While played with the technique of soul-song, [Path Seeker Lute] can be used to communicate with the soul of a willing target.

    -------

    *****

    The lute has surprising effects, but it wasn¡¯t enough to phase Nara. The other had intended for it to be an instrument with power to affect the soul. The strength of the effect was surprising but expected. Whatever the full power and potential of the lute, she may not ever understand or utilize it in her entire life.

    Let alone misuse the power, she barely had the power to control the instrument. To temper the sound was like trying to tame a sunset.

    ¡°Are you upset?¡± She asked the lute, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to sound less beautiful, I want you to able to be experienced by everyone. Like staring at the sun versus staring at the sun. Everyone knows the sun is powerful and majestic, but we cannot stare directly at it. Maybe I could now¡­my eyes would heal, but that¡¯s not the point.¡±

    The lute had a will but wasn¡¯t a being like her familiar was. It would not respond to her or talk to her. At most, there was a sensation, just that.

    ¡°The only difference between a sun and star is distance¡­¡± she muttered, plucking at the strings examining the sound that echoed through her mind.

    Redell said it was her sound.

    ¡°Then it¡¯s not you it¡¯s me? I need to temper myself?¡±

    There was one aspect of herself she could control¡ªher aura.

    She tried again, playing the same chord but with a fully restrained aura. The sound was deadened without the previous enchanting quality.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re tricky.¡±

    *****

    ¡°You know,¡± Redell said, observing Nara from the patio balcony of the second floor living room, ¡°We may have unintentionally created an amazing aura training tool.¡±

    ¡°Training isn¡¯t usually on your mind.¡± Amara remarked. ¡°That¡¯s mine or Laius¡¯ thing.¡±

    ¡°Seeing her has reminded me I have much to still learn.¡±

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°We¡¯re diamond rank Redell, we are both at the top and at the bottom of a new mountain to scale.¡±

    ¡°Have you thought about it Amara, the cosmos beyond?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not looking to throw myself into that mess. Isn¡¯t researching new magic for our home world enough?¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like you Amara. I thought for sure you had the kindling of adventure.¡±

    ¡°Adventure or cosmic politics? For diamond ranks, we are young. I am not in a hurry.¡± Amara gestured with her head to Nara, who they could not see with their eyes but with their auras, ¡°She has a time constraint, yet lives her life the way she wants to. I don¡¯t think she has anything to worry about, soul wise, even as she worries about it without fail.¡±

    ¡°She calls herself an old soul,¡± Redell chuckled, ¡°She reminds me of some old friends of ours.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been enjoying having an apprentice. It¡¯s given me something to think about.¡±

    ¡°Chelsea? I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve convinced her of much.¡±

    ¡°The Aciano boy might have. She can¡¯t help but think¡­ My mind went to the earth, and yours to the stars. Even I think the opposite was expected of us.¡±

    ¡°My ties with this world are weaker.¡±

    ¡°Or,¡± Amara said softly, ¡°It¡¯s time for you to re-evaluate those ties? Have you talked to your relatives, Redell?¡±

    ¡°It has been a very long time,¡± Redell said his tone equally soft, ¡°Maybe I should.¡±

    ¡°And what does your god have to say about delaying the resolution of your mental burdens?¡±

    ¡°Bringing my god into this, Amara?¡± he said, arching an eyebrow. ¡°He says I should have talked to them a long time ago, otherwise, not at all. Being expelled because my passion was the shame of the family isn¡¯t something I need to forgive them for, nor something I want their forgiveness for.¡±

    ¡°Forgiveness or not, you know what you need to do.¡±

    *****

    As promised, she set out the next day with Encio. She arrived early in the morning with him and checked out the Adventure Society.

    The first floor was a reception floor, and the contracts and trading hall for iron rankers.

    One of the greatest perks of Adventure Society membership was access to Adventure Society trading halls and auction halls. In the trading halls, society-approved crafters sold their products to adventurers looking to buy. For veteran adventurers it was a convenient location to restock different necessities, place orders for custom goods, or contact artisans for other specialty products. For new adventurers, it was a guarantee of quality when they may not have developed the eye for it yet.

    The auction house was the best location to purchase essences, awakening stones, and other looted goods. This unfortunately meant that adventurers had the easiest time of procuring essences, but Sanshi¡¯s unique essence distribution system alleviated this concern.

    Essences were so valuable they were not just casually sold; they were always auctioned.

    Normal people could contract an adventurer to buy an essence for them or ask an adventuring friend or relative to do it for them. The local government and Adventure Society would enforce these contracts if they were not followed, so there was a guarantee normal folk would not be cheated. This was a common enough occurrence that these contracts were well-tracked and verified.

    There were three contract boards on each floor of the Adventure Society, one for each star rank. The one-star board was the most saturated, contracts filling every inch of the board. They could just yank them down¡ªthey were made of memory paper. Ripping up the contract would indicate its completion for subjugation contracts. Adventure Society badges recorded nearby deaths and other details even from dimensional storage spaces, so falsification of subjugations was easily investigated. It was some sort of magical enchantment by the church of Death, but she didn¡¯t know the specifics.

    The second board of contracts had its own fair share, while the third was completely empty, as Encio had told Nara. There was nothing political for iron rankers to resolve. They just weren¡¯t useful in that field in Erras.

    They started off basic, taking a few monster subjugation contracts in a loop. They¡¯d hit the most monsters at the apex of their loop, and the contracts this time would take three days of traveling to complete.

    Their path was away from the water routes, so they purchased tickets to a passenger sky ship. Another benefit of Society membership was cheaper transportation tickets. Large vehicles had to pay for adventurer escorts. Adventurers that boarded were free bonus protection. It wasn¡¯t their responsibility to fight if they weren¡¯t contracted, but having extra adventurers around was always a good thing.

    Nara¡¯s eyes were gleaming with excitement as she boarded the sky ship from the sky ship terminal. This particular sky ship looked like ships normally did, except it lacked the characteristic sails and masts.

    Instead, large white rings encircled the ship, much like the subway or what Chelsea¡¯s skimmer used to fly. Smaller rings stuck out from the hull for extra propulsion and control. The top deck was exposed to air so adventurers had easy access to protecting the ship, where cargo and passengers were protected below.

    Air escort was normally a bronze rank contract. Aerial combat was considerably more difficult than land or even sea combat. At low ranks, the ability to fly was exceedingly rare. Nara only had slow fall and teleportation. She could hack her way in aerial combat, dropping out of the sky like a brick or a moon man the entire time.

    A few flying monsters attacked, and the escort team expediently dealt with them. Precision arrows, ranged magic blasts, and flying familiars picked out half-bird half-insect monsters from the sky.

    Nara and Encio weren¡¯t dropped off so much as they jumped off. They plummeted through the sky towards the ground. Nara activated the slow-fall portion of Cosmic Path supporting Encio so she wouldn¡¯t pancake the two right then and there, ending their journey as a crushed companionable carcass.

    ¡°That was a rush!¡± Nara exclaimed. Her first few steps were shaky from the adrenaline she shouldn¡¯t have. ¡°You don¡¯t have a slow fall ability?¡±

    ¡°I have something that I can use to step on air, but it isn¡¯t quick enough to reduce my speed.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Frozen World]

    Essence: Time

    Special Ability

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: 20 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Temporarily stop time in a small location, creating a region of solid matter. This can solidify gases and liquids, allowing brief interaction with the location as if it were solid, or stop the velocity of physical objects. This cannot affect living beings, abilities, or objects in contact with living beings. Other rank effects can still be used while this effect is on cooldown. This effect will disperse when struck with a sufficiently strong force.

    -------

    It wasn¡¯t so much an air-stepping ability as the ability to solidify air. Only being able to do so every 20 seconds wouldn¡¯t be enough to reduce his falling speed to non-damaging levels: He¡¯d break his ankles trying.

    ¡°You just trusted me to handle it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen your abilities; I knew you could.¡± He flashed his playful grin Nara had grown to expect.

    *****

    A group of tramplers charged towards Encio, their tusks pointed at him in a bull rush.

    He stood in place in the field, oddly still for someone who did not stop moving in combat. Using his conjured sword, he conjured a scabbard of black energy. He sheathed the sword, energy rapidly building, arcs of crackling black energy growing in number with a commensurate increase in mana.

    -------

    Ability: [Vorpal Slash]

    Essence: Dimension

    Special Attack / Conjuration (channeling)

    Cost: Moderate stamina and high mana / high mana-per-second

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a scabbard of void energy. Sheathing your blade gathers the power of the sundering void. When unsheathed, unleashes a wide ranged sword wave that deals a large amount of rending damage. The sword wave pierces enemies without losing momentum or damage. As the duration the blade is sheathed increases, damage, size, and range traveled increases up to a maximum determined by the [Spirit] attribute. Sheathing is a channeling effect and drains high mana-per-second.

    -------

    ¡°It¡¯s a long charge up time,¡± Encio calmly said as monsters charged towards him in a mad frenzy, ¡°and extremely mana hungry¡ª¡±

    His sword swung out of the scabbard, unleashing a wide-range arc of sharp rending energy. The arc-projectile shot through the crowd of monsters, bisecting them clean in two, black energy crackling from their corpses. The arc continued forward, crashing and tearing into trees until its energy had been entirely expended. If used within a forest or city, Nara could understand why Encio was chastised over collateral damage.

    ¡°But its power is almost unmatched, save for one other ability of mine.¡±

    ¡°And the other ability is?¡±

    ¡°God-Sundering Slash.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s one hell of a name. Sundered any gods yet?¡±

    ¡°I am curious if it¡¯d work.¡±

    ¡°Ah, a fellow blasphemer.¡±

    He continued the discussion back to his abilities. As partners in combat, it was important she understood how his abilities functioned, their strengths and their weaknesses.

    ¡°It¡¯s similarly high cost, but no charge up time.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°Purely single target. If I miss, or the target dodges, or it gets shielded, the attack dissipates. Complete waste of mana and stamina.¡±

    ¡°If you miss,¡± Nara grumbled, ¡°I bet that thing travels at light speed like the last one.¡±

    ¡°Want to bet?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s a guaranteed loss, ain¡¯t it.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [God-Sundering Slash]

    Essence: Dimension

    Special Attack (dimension)

    Cost: Extreme stamina and mana

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Unleash a powerful sword wave that deals extreme rending damage and ignores time and dimension manipulation effects. The sword wave travels extremely quickly to its target and ignores physical obstructions. The sword wave only affects its intended target. This ability has no effect if it has not traveled a moderate threshold distance.

    -------

    Encio used a sword but was more of a ranged damage dealer. Specifically, a burst damage dealer. He could instantly finish off both large swaths of monsters and a single high priority target. He could even use his time manipulation ability to eliminate his charging times and the drawback of channeling, although that was also an extremely expensive ability. Time manipulation plus Vorpal slash was enough to completely wipe out his mana reserves at iron rank.

    ¡°So this is what money can buy¡­¡± Nara said, ¡°Absolutely busted.¡±

    ¡°The expense nor the rarity doesn¡¯t make me powerful,¡± Encio said, ¡°But I will reluctantly admit, at iron rank; I am unstoppable.¡±

    ¡°Wow. I can¡¯t believe you actually said that.¡±

    ¡°I know what I am.¡±

    ¡°Unstoppable?¡±

    He grinned.

    ¡°But at later ranks, the battle will be your domain. Gold rank monsters take a long time to kill since they have massive vitality. You need escalating damage, not instantaneous damage.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you have an ability or two that covers you at gold rank. Your family wouldn¡¯t leave you with such an obvious weakness, not since they expect you to go the distance.¡±

    ¡°I might,¡± he admitted, ¡°but I will always be mana inefficient and will need to rely on allies to keep me supplied.¡±

    ¡°If the battle lasts more than one ability.¡±

    ¡°Not my fault they can¡¯t dodge.¡±

    ¡°It is kind of your fault.¡±

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Lightspeed Operation]

    Execute actions with increased speed. Normal and special attacks gain increased speed, including the projectiles they produce. Special attacks inflict a small amount of transcendent damage proportionate to the speed of the attack, up to a maximum determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    -------

    While Encio¡¯s abilities were powerful on his own, what made him truly dangerous was the increased projectile speed of his attacks. His racial abilities were a showcase of the power of human essence gift evolutions; they made humans specialists of their own ability set, since each essence gift evolved to tailor itself to the essence they absorbed. Lightspeed Operation had evolved when Encio absorbed his Swift Essence.

    ¡°Your abilities at its core are for sustained battle. I may have an ability to revive myself, but at gold rank you won''t even need it. You¡¯ll be unkillable and untouchable.¡±

    ¡°We make a surprisingly good pair then¡ªyou for early battle, and me for the end battle.¡±

    ¡°What are you taking about? I am the beginning and the end. You won¡¯t have your chance.¡±

    ¡°Oh shut up.¡±

 Chapter 40: A Small Piece of the Puzzle

    Chapter 40: A Small Piece of the Puzzle

    The two completed Nara''s maiden monster killing voyage. Not only did she loot every monster, but everyone in her aura range gained equivalent loot as well, as long as she thought of them as an ally. Which meant both Nara and Encio got paid for killing a monster or just being nearby when a monster died, and then collected the rewards from the contract as well.

    ¡°¡­I take back what I said earlier. Your parents¡¯ failure was not getting you a looting ability.¡±

    ¡°I''m rich, I don¡¯t need one.¡±

    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll exclude you next time.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡±

    She now also had a few awakening stones to use if she wanted, as well as a few essences to sell.

    ¡°Monkey, stone, claw, blood, stench, fur, swift, foot, flesh, death¡­¡± Nara listed off, ¡°there¡¯s too many to choose from.¡±

    ¡°I suggest you chose none. You may not know, but there is a particular event Sanshi is known for that will occur in around two months. It will be the perfect chance to acquire the rest of your stones.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this event?¡±

    ¡°The Trials of the Celestial Book. It¡¯s an ancient training astral space left behind by the cult of the Celestial Book. It¡¯s been repurposed for iron rank adventurer. This space is the very reason why Sanshi is known as the best location in the world to start off as an iron rank adventurer.¡±

    ¡°Repurposed?¡±

    ¡°For each trial you complete, you are granted an awakening stone. There¡¯s an incredibly high chance of earning 5 star rarity awakening stones. Most people get at least one or two.¡±

    ¡°And how many can you get total?¡±

    Encio shook his head, ¡°The trials are randomized for each person. And only iron rankers can enter the space. So, in partnership with the Magic Society, new adventurers are sent in every four months to investigate the astral space.¡±

    ¡°New adventurers?¡±

    ¡°Each iron ranker can only enter once. The Adventure Society restricts it to adventurers for safety.¡±

    ¡°For¡­safety?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as a risk free five star stone. The trial is optional, but you risk death.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious? People risk death for a rare stone?¡±

    ¡°An otherwise free 5 star stone, yes. You won¡¯t go then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to hear some more details but¡­ risking death?¡±

    ¡°Adventures always risk death,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°They seek challenge, that¡¯s not the same.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a fine line between challenge and the risk of death,¡± Encio said, ¡°You cannot avoid crossing it. At least there you risk it for yourself, of your own will. You should consider the opportunity.¡±

    There was no risk without reward. Slaying monsters wasn¡¯t above her limit, but could she go beyond that? Nara felt she didn¡¯t have a good grasp of risk and what she was willing to risk in this new world. Killing monsters and fighting was already beyond what she would have imagined herself doing less than a year ago, and Monster Hunter didn¡¯t count.

    *****

    Nara sat at the lake¡¯s edge, considering her options. Path-Seeker was within her hands, and Thanatos at her side, eyes looking out over the glassy water.

    She had better control over the intensity of the sound of the lute now. As long as she focused on her aura control, she could produce an ordinary sound¡ªstill beautiful, but lacking the soul shaking quality it once had.

    A figure sat beside her, wearing a low brim hat and cape, hair tied in a low ponytail over her shoulder.

    ¡°You again? I was expecting Redell.¡±

    ¡°Some things are easier to say to a mysterious stranger. I wasn¡¯t so bad, was I? I offer you consultation without any of that Spirit Domain nonsense.¡±

    The god wasn¡¯t leaving so they may as well talk.

    ¡°Is this really how it is here? People risk their lives for magical powers?¡±

    ¡°People risk it all for power, all the time. That has always been true of any world.¡± He leaned in, ¡°You aren¡¯t haunted by curiosity for what treasures a mystical bubble realm holds within? The mysteries only iron rankers can uncover?¡±

    ¡°Even if I am, I¡¯m not letting that cloud my judgement.¡±

    ¡°Then I shall offer you your cloud. The astral space was once the trial grounds for the cult of the Celestial Book.¡±

    ¡°I already knew that.¡±

    ¡°Ah, but you do not know what the Celestial Book is.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s one of those Great Astral Being thingies, no?¡±

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Like the one who unintentionally started your path, the Weaver of Dreams.¡±

    ¡°The Weaver of Dreams¡­¡±

    She had heard that name before, from The Reaper. Now she knew that it was her former warden. How did he know that? Or did he know because, although unwilling, it was the being that set her on her journey?

    ¡°The Celestial Book is the Great Astral Being of cosmic knowledge. All the knowledge in the cosmos, not just restricted to the knowledge that enters this world like our Knowledge. And its cult follows its will. They gather information and create new information. To it, nothing is lost.¡±

    He paused for dramatic effect. He may not be Musician, but he had a penchant for theater.

    ¡°Can you risk it all for a way back home?¡±

    Traveler pointed off to the distance, the direction of which Nara assumed was the location of the Celestial Book astral space.

    ¡°Perhaps, within the trial you may find the library of the Celestial Book.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps? I¡¯d risk my life for a ¡®perhaps¡¯? Can¡¯t you give me a more definitive answer?¡±

    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk, I am not Knowledge, Nara. There are no guarantees, just possibilities. Uh-uh, and before you ask, Knowledge does not know what is inside. We gods cannot enter astral spaces. They are not of ¡®this world¡¯. They are adjacent to it.¡±

    And with that, he was gone again.

    She laid back in the grass, arm thrown over Thanatos and ruffling his fur.

    ¡°I guess bud, the choice is made. Enter the astral space, take the trial, find the library, read the books, get the stones. Easy, right?¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°Thanatos, I think you enjoy anything that involves fighting or food.¡±

    *****

    New lute in hand, Nara had been spending more time discussing and practicing soul-music.

    It was Redell''s life goal to create a method to interact with the soul in order to cure certain conditions that affected the soul. People like her with unusual circumstances, or those that had their wills and souls broken or otherwise transformed.

    Redell had his own simplified soul-instrument. It¡¯s capabilities were lesser, but his ideal was to create a simplified soul-instrument with predictable effects anyway. Not everything needed to be a soul-bound growth item, especially one that¡¯d be used for therapy and healing.

    In a way, this was a sort of soul-therapy for Nara. Redell¡¯s guiding music induced her own soul to recall memories beyond her reach.

    ¡°Memories are a good start. But the kind of therapy I seek to achieve requires access.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s probably just me,¡± Nara said. ¡°I fought for a long time against letting someone into my soul. It makes sense you can¡¯t do it.¡±

    ¡°No, that is a universal truth of souls: the sanctity of the soul. The sort of guided changes I want to induce requires that level of access, and it is never freely given, except for the most trusting or the most desperate.¡±

    ¡°And torturing a soul for access would defeat the purpose of your goal in the first place.¡±

    ¡°I will not break a soul and claim I seek to repair it. That sort of damage is irreparable. You can recover but it never goes away. Turning that damage into strength would be a hopeful outcome.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah mentioned it.¡±

    ¡°One of your friends?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s more of an almost-friend. She¡¯s Sen¡¯s team member. She has dual membership in the Magic Society and Adventure Society. She mentioned one of those forbidden researches is soul torture for aura strength.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­some survive with greater strength, like you. Some do not. Obviously I do not condone soul torture in the slightest, but what if the difference between one outcome and the next is just a helping hand guiding the soul?¡±

    ¡°I actually have an idea. Can I get back to you on this after a few days?¡±

    ¡°There is no rush, getting older is nothing new.¡±

    *****

    Nara detested one particular rule of the universe, the one she suffered from.

    The sanctity of the soul.

    Souls ignored rank. Higher rank souls could not bypass the sanctity of a lower rank soul, and vice versa, unless consent was given.

    But the universe didn¡¯t care how consent was given, as long as it was. Torture, unfortunately, was a viable option. The attacker cannot access the inside out the soul, but they can scour the outside, inflicting inescapable pain.

    And consent once given, only ended when the one let in was finished, not a moment before.

    It was like letting a burglar into your house, but you could not kick them out. You had to wait until they were satisfied and closed the door behind them. If they didn¡¯t leave themselves a backdoor again for the future. It was always possible they made themselves a spare key, and there would be almost nothing you could do.

    Nara had burnt her own house down to escape the robber, and luckily, she had remade something from the ashes. Even if consent was given to her on the basis of trust, Nara didn¡¯t think she could bring herself to access someone else¡¯s soul.

    But why did she have to follow the shitty rules of the universe? She was the Path-Seeker! According to her lute, anyways.

    She could not reduce an already barebones rule, but could she make it more complicated¡­more mutual?

    It was a great focus on her world, mutual consent. One that could be revoked at any time by either party.

    Her world sure liked binding signatures and contracts too¡­ but she did not.

    This pact would be one either party could exit at any time.

    -------

    -You have created the soul-song technique [Mutual Communion].

    -Utilizing [Mutual Communion] while performing soul-song will allow a party to access the soul of another party, so long as the both souls allow it. The consent of either party can be withdrawn at any time.

    -The recipient can detect the intent of the modifier before the modifier is able to implement any changes or access other aspects of the soul.

    -------

    ¡°...How¡¯s that?¡± she asked Redell after she finished playing.

    She had been able to access his soul, and he let her. The objective was to access a childhood memory, and see it through his eyes.

    She had managed it. He guided her to the memory, and she saw.

    Redell Rowan was a periphery royal family member of the Rowan Kingdom. He was not in the line of succession. Royal families in Erras were large since their family members lived for hundreds of years at high ranks, and their old age didn¡¯t stop high rankers from reproducing. The only expectation for Redell Rowan was only to fulfill his duties as a member of the royal family in a field that was acceptable to their reputation.

    But when Redell was 18, his life changed. The arts was viewed as a craft of the commoners, not fit for royalty to pursue; Music was no exception. The Rowan royalty were researchers, adventurers, healers, clergy, officials, inventors, politicians, and craftsmen. Not artists, nor poets, writers, or musicians. It was their duty as royalty to either protect or advance the nation. Not to indulge in unnecessary pursuits of beauty.

    He had heard the performance of a lifetime. Soul-song was not even a concept in his young mind, yet he felt his soul was shaken. He fell in love with music. He was a willing criminal of the wonderous music he heard that day. The way the percussion thundered within his body echoed through his bones. The way melody communicated emotions without words.

    He was the shame of the royal family, but he would not give up his passion. He pushed against their ideals of traditional and honor, and they pushed back, by expelling him. He joined the Church of the Healer, and left for another part of the world with a changed name.

    ¡°And you haven¡¯t seen your family since?¡±

    ¡°They may not even know I am alive. Enough about me though. My story is old. You¡¯ve just managed something remarkable.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a small piece of the puzzle. This is just the access, the two handled key. Like the uh, double key you need to fire off a nuke. That¡¯s accurate, right?¡±

    ¡°What is a nuke?¡±

    ¡°Not something for this moment. Anyway, for the actual process of changing a soul, I have no ideal how you¡¯d accomplish that.¡±

    ¡°You might be able to.¡±

    ¡°In my domain, sure, but nobody else can go there.¡±

    ¡°Nobody else can go there¡ªyet.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not planning on modifying someone¡¯s soul Redell. And even if I technically can, I don¡¯t know how.¡±

    His ran a hand through his hair, ¡°No, you¡¯re right. This is my goal, not yours. Thank you for your help so far.¡±

    ¡°Anytime just uh, don¡¯t expect any soul scouring.¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I would never expect that from you.¡±

 Chapter 41: He and I Chat

    Chapter 41: He and I Chat

    ¡°These are the preliminary results of our investigation,¡± John said, gently placing a stack of folders onto Miss Nisei''s table for her to see.

    She picked them up, her eyebrows furrowed with thought as she flipped through the three folders. She read them thoroughly, pausing for the longest time on the third folder.

    ¡°I see my judgement was correct to enlist your help, but I¡¯m not sure I understand all your findings.¡±

    ¡°I will explain my findings. The targeted research can be divided into three general groups. Group one is in the first folder: these are researchers researching astral magic. These are the hardest for them to kill, since astral magic is a well-respected and established field, even if it¡¯s famously difficult. They aren¡¯t isolated for their research and are often kept on staff by specialty essence user teams, adventure society branches, and magic society branches. The ones most at risk here are the low rank astral magic specialists.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the case for all three groups,¡± Miss Nisei said, ¡°A logical action by the enemy. Iron rankers aren¡¯t powerful and usually don¡¯t garner special attention.¡±

    ¡°This is just the case for Sanshi,¡± John said. ¡°In a provincial city, the difficulty of killing or kidnapping targets from group one decreases. But, there¡¯s also very few astral magic researchers in provincial cities. They tend to research more practical fields, like agricultural ritual magic, construction ritual magic, lifestyle ritual magic, and array defenses.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll send you the results from our concurrent investigations,¡± Erin offered.

    ¡°The next folder, group two: non-society inventors. They can invent any object. While the Inventor Society exists, it is incomparable in power to Adventure and Magic Societies. The smart saboteurs pay off the inventors through official channels, and they live easy lives without doing much more. The plans are then scrapped, and nothing is gained¡ªfor a period of time. They really want to prevent the registration of inventions to begin with, since it adds the information to the Inventor Soceity¡¯s registry. Any uncooperative inventor gets dealt with.¡±

    ¡°And what about group three?¡±

    Group three would be the one you didn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°These are the highest priority targets. They are those researching fundamental physics and other subjects like basic chemistry, magnetism, and electricity. You do have the concept of physics in this world?¡±

    ¡°Of course, John. I am curious what would invite such a question. My interest in you¡­and your world only grows.¡±

    John ignored her casual flirtation, ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen, it¡¯s basic, no offense, miss Nisei. I don¡¯t even know that much magic, and I know physics goes out the window when magic is involved. That ritual magic that reduces the weight of objects for easier transportation is a neat trick. I would have loved that for moving houses, a weight off my back¡ªliterally! Miss Nisei, I¡¯ve mentioned my world before. What do you remember?¡±

    ¡°All of it John, I¡¯m silver rank. I don¡¯t forget anything I want to remember. Your world has no magic and is instead technologically advanced?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t go into details, but whoever is killing off your researchers doesn¡¯t want you developing your technology or your astral magic.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried to be as thorough as possible in the notes for group three. Send one of your people over and I¡¯ll try to describe as much as I can. But Miss Nisei, I believe it is time to fulfill our initial agreement?¡±

    ¡°Ahh¡­you will no longer help until you have the information you want? I¡¯m a little hurt.¡±

    ¡°You need me now, Miss Nisei.¡±

    Miss Nisei smiled, her expression unreadable, ¡°...Around two months ago a single outworlder appeared in Sanshi.¡± She pushed a folder in front of John, ¡°Now, don¡¯t be mistaken. I haven¡¯t been keeping this information from you. Her first appearance is an estimate; we only really discovered her when she applied to the Adventure Society.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re the only one in the whole city?¡±

    ¡°Outworlders aren¡¯t supposed to be common, John,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Nekroz is abnormal. In many ways.¡±

    He opened the file, reading off the contents for Eufemia.

    ¡°Nara Edea, outworlder, age unknown (estimated 20s), female, iron rank, Adventure Society member, student at the Sanshi Adventure Academy. Essences: Dimension, Harmonic, Balance, Mystic. Team members: Enciodes Aciano.¡±

    There were some additional details that were unnecessary to John. She had no notable accomplishments and had not completed any notable contracts. She got along with a good number of essence users around her age that were a part of the foundational families, but that wasn¡¯t unusual for someone attending the academy. Other details such as height, eye color, skin color, hair color, registration date, were just standard bookkeeping results.

    A picture was attached to her files. European features, with something else, likely mixed ethnicity. She didn¡¯t look like the locals, which was a hopeful sign, but her name was native to Erras.

    ¡°There are a couple things of note. Her surname was granted to her by her guarantor, Miss Amara Edea. She¡¯s a well-known gold rank adventurer-inventor, mostly specialized in day-to-day artifacts.¡±

    ¡°So safe from the unknown enemy,¡± Eufemia remarked.

    ¡°No doubt. To successfully abduct or kill a well-known gold ranker like Lady Edea would require considerable resources. Not only is she famed for her convenient creations, but well-known for her battle prowess. Any attempt at a discrete abducting or assassination would not remain so the moment they attack her.¡±

    ¡°Why is that? Can¡¯t manage to keep her quiet?¡±

    ¡°Lightning, Might, Potent and Onslaught¡ªa combination not known for its discretion, either visually or auditory. The other notable detail about the outworlder is her current teammate, Enciodes Aciano.¡±

    Eufemia tapped a finger to her chin, ¡°That name...Aciano. It is very familiar.¡±

    ¡°As it should be, mainly for essence users or those of the Rona Kingdom. I¡¯m surprised you¡¯ve heard of it.¡±

    ¡°We passed through Rona on our way here. Rowan to Rona¡ªthat was an expensive ticket.¡±

    ¡°So, who is this Enciodes Aciano?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the grandson of a diamond ranker. He himself isn¡¯t much of note¡ªtypical for scion of a rich family. Handpicked essences and awakening stones, high quality training, comprehensive education, the best equipment available.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s iron rank and doesn¡¯t matter?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Beyond his family, that is the case. Like all iron rankers, unproven and untested. The curiosity is his relation to Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Surely, this is so difficult to figure out, now, is it Eufemia?¡±

    Eufemia scowled.

    ¡°If his family is from Rona, how did he meet Nara in Sanshi?¡± John concluded.

    ¡°Not even I have the answer to this question, but it matters not for your purposes. Amara Edea is known for her relationship with Chelsea Hayeth, a fellow gold ranker with a portal power. She could have been portaled to Rona.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s some additional details in that folder. I¡¯ll contact you if anything of note additionally arises. It¡¯s my promise to you, John.¡±

    *****

    Back at their Shanyin office, John and Eufemia discussed their results further.

    ¡°What now John, how do we approach this? How likely is this woman the one we¡¯re looking for?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s been no change in the ability.¡±

    ¡°A suspicion and a name isn¡¯t enough then.¡±

    ¡°Nothing left to do but contact her,¡± He flipped through the information, ¡°She seems pretty friendly, good evaluations of her personality in her society examination. Honesty is likely the best approach.¡±

    ¡°And the approach you¡¯re best at,¡± Eufemia agreed. ¡°The other thing we need to discuss is our current situation.

    ¡°It¡¯s why miss Nisei was so reluctant to give us this information.¡±

    ¡°According to the files, they didn¡¯t know about her until she applied to the Adventure Society,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°But I won¡¯t give that woman the benefit of the doubt.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s likely she wanted to leverage the information for our services as long as possible.¡± John agreed.

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d have a more positive assessment of her.¡±

    ¡°I like to see the best in others and offer my best in turn,¡± John said, ¡°but I¡¯m not foolish.¡±

    He gazed outside the window to the city shaded with shadow like a valley city covered in fog.

    ¡°Until we find new employment, our relationship won¡¯t change.¡±

    ¡°But if your ability holds true, we can seek new employment soon. Three essences is a whole new life. The other outworlder already figured it out.¡±

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    *****

    Nara was on her way back from the academy together with Encio after another sparring session with Encio and Vallis, her frequent partners. They tried a three-way battle that inevitably ended as a duel when Nara was knocked out first. Until she improved further, that was the only possible result.

    ¡°Please excuse me, are you Nara Edea?¡±

    They were headed to his hotel when they were interrupted by two people, a human and a celestine.

    The human was an ordinary middle-aged man. He was tall, a little over six feet, with dirty blond hair and hazel green eyes. He had a narrow face, with a strong crooked nose and a pronounced jawline. The stubble on his face showed his age, but his eyes were light with enthusiasm and kindness, emphasized by his friendly smile. What surprised her was not his unusual features for the locals, but his British accent. He was speaking English. Did he have a translation power, or something else?

    She could see it in his aura, which was an open book to her: Kind, insightful, yet determined. All normal people had auras, but they could not feel it nor control it. It was like the surface of water, rippling with their emotions and reflecting their inner self.

    The woman with him was stunning. Wine-ruby hair and eyes and alabaster skin. She was very much the iconic imagine of a vampire queen or a femme fatale. Her face was that of a resting-bitch-face, a beauty only enhanced with her frown. She looked the type of woman online degenerates would beg to step on them or look at them like trash. Her aura said otherwise, prickly on the outside but well-meaning on the inside, a rose with thorns.

    ¡°I am Nara. And the two of you are¡­?¡±

    He held his hand out for a handshake, an unusual custom for the area, ¡°I¡¯m John Aurelius, outworlder. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    The group settled in some outside seating at a nearby caf¨¦. As they waited for their drinks and small eats, the conversation began again after another round of introductions.

    ¡°I am Eufemia Teresina,¡± the celestine with John said.

    ¡°Enciodes Aciano, teammate,¡± Encio said, sticking to the background of the conversation, for now.

    ¡°You say you¡¯re an outworlder, but I don¡¯t see that in your aura.¡± Nara remarked. From his aura, he wasn¡¯t lying or intending to trick her, so she waited for an explanation before jumping to conclusions. John was only normal rank, so she could read his aura like how a higher ranker could read hers for information.

    ¡°There¡¯s a perfectly reasonable explanation for that,¡± John said. ¡°I have a racial ability that allows me to disguise my outward appearance and aura.¡± He conjured a piece of paper and slid it before her.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Innocuous Disguise]

    Can completely disguise your appearance and aura of that of another race. This disguise cannot be seen through. You can additionally manipulate your physical features and aura a small amount.

    Race selected: Human

    -------

    ¡°That¡¯s definitely an outworlder ability,¡± Encio confirmed. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of a race with a racial ability like that.¡±

    ¡°Alright, outworlder to outworlder, I guess. What business do you have with me?¡±

    John slid another printout before her. It depicted another two racial abilities, along with a related effect.

    -------

    Ability: [Magic Record]

    You can take images with your mind of objects, locations, abilities, spells, people, and other entities. Imaged objects, locations, abilities, spells, people, and other entities will return descriptions. Higher ranked objects and entities will return less information. Consent can override blocking abilities and rank restrictions. Images are saved in a [Photo Library]. Images can be recalled from the [Photo Library] for later observation. Images can be printed into physical form. Information from [Magic Record] can be added to [Case Files]

    <ul>

    <li>Language Adaptation.</li>

    <li>Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Case Files]

    Receive cases related to your situation and surroundings. Can manifest magic into physical objects as reward for completing cases. Gain the ability to loot enemies.

    Essence Case 2: Find and identify [???]

    -[???] may possess the method of interdimensional travel and the method to return to Earth.

    -[???] has an anti-identification ability and cannot be identified.

    -[???] has an anti-tracking ability and cannot be tracked.

    Rewards:

    [John Aurelius]: Renewal Essence

    [Eufemia Teresina]: Light Essence

    -------

    She scanned the papers, ¡°What¡¯s this got to do with me?¡±

    ¡°We suspect you are the subject of my racial ability. I don¡¯t know the details of how my racial abilities work, but I suspect these special cases¡ªEssence Cases¡ªare generated from my goal of returning to Earth. To my family. You are, from Earth?¡±

    ¡°Covid-19, Ukranian war, Australian Wildfire, 2020 Administration¡ªI¡¯m American, and only the greatest movie made, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?¡±

    ¡°Oh! I have watched that movie. I don¡¯t know how to feel about it, now that I¡¯m in another world myself. You like it that much?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah. Brilliant acting and explaining a serious topic with a silly premise. Plus, I relate to a lot of the Asian-American heritage. Mixed race myself, even if I don¡¯t much look it. My sister apparently got most of the Chinese genes from my mom.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m British myself,¡± John said, ¡°Nothing that interesting in my family, except maybe accidental inbreeding.¡±

    ¡°Well hey, now you¡¯re plenty interesting yourself. You¡¯ve tripped into another world.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s for sure. I wonder what my family is going to think. How do I even begin to explain this?¡± He gestured to the city around him. Skimmers cruised in the sky and hovered above the ground. Heidels, the two headed and scaled burden beast, tugged wooden carts along to their destination. Bird familiars soared through the sky, delivering messages to their destination.

    ¡°John,¡± Eufemia said slowly, ¡°I know you¡¯re very excited right now but how about the two of you focus? You¡¯ve established you¡¯re from the same world? Good. Move on.¡±

    He corrected his posture after realizing he had leaned forward from his excitement, ¡°If you could let me identify you, I would be very grateful. I need your consent to bypass your anti-identification ability.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead then.¡±

    He manifested a camera in his hands. It looked like one of those Canon or Nikon professional cameras, but without the zoom lens attachment, and small enough to be handheld.

    <hr>

    <u>Overview</u>

    Name: Nara Edea / Unknown

    Race: Outworlder (Human)

    Rank: Iron

    Age: 23

    <u>Titles</u>

    Spirit Warrior

    Unbounded

    Astral Shaper

    <u>Attributes</u>

    [Speed] (Dimension): Iron 0

    [Power] (Harmonic): Iron 0

    [Recovery] (Balance): Iron 0

    [Spirit] (Mystic): Iron 0

    <u>Racial Abilities</u>

    Guide

    Traveler¡¯s Bounty

    Resilient

    Astral Traveler

    Astral Domain

    Free Spirit

    <u>Essence Abilities</u>

    Dimension [4/5]: Phase Shift (Iron 1, 02%), Blade of the Boundary (Iron 1, 15%), Dimension Node (Iron 1, 11%), Infinity Domain (Iron 0, 20%), N/A.

    Harmonic [3/5]: Astral Blessing (Iron 1, 20%), Entropy (Iron 1, 04%), Overture, (Iron 1, 05%), N/A, N/A.

    Balance [3/5]: Refresh (Iron 1, 19%), Astral Return (Iron 1, 08%), Dream¡¯s Wake (Iron 1, 10%), N/A, N/A.

    Mystic [4/5]: Cosmic Path (Iron 1, 12%), Gaze of the Boundary (Iron 1, 22%), Moonlight Raiment (Iron 1, 13%), Umbral Wolf (Iron 1, 07%), N/A.

    <hr>

    The moment he saw Nara¡¯s Overview, his Essence Case from his racial ability updated. There were some curiosities in her identification¡ªher name was Nara Edea, but also unknown. What did that mean? Also, these titles, he had not seen before. At least, not on anybody he could identify without consent. He could confirm neither Eufemia nor he had any. He printed out another sheet for the group to see.

    -------

    -[Essence Case 2] has been updated.

    Essence Case 2: Find and Identify [Nara Edea]

    -[Nara Edea] may possess the method of interdimensional travel and the method to return to Earth.

    Rewards:

    [John Aurelius]: Renewal Essence

    [Eufemia Teresina]: Light Essence

    -Rewards have been added to [Detective¡¯s Stash].

    -New [Essence Case].

    Essence Case 3: Join [Nara Edea]

    -[Nara Edea] may possess the method of interdimensional travel and the method to return to Earth.

    Rewards:

    [John Aurelius]: Magic Essence

    [Eufemia Teresina]: Adept Essence

    External Rewards:

    [Nara Edea]: Racial Ability Evolution

    -------

    ¡°Wait a damn moment. Why in the world does your ability think I have the method to travel dimensions?¡± Nara said, pointing at the sheet.

    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t! Would I still be here if I did?¡±

    ¡°You said you liked this world better,¡± Encio pointed out. ¡°I think you¡¯d still be here.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I do!¡± Nara admitted, ¡°But the point is I wouldn¡¯t be searching for it if I did!¡±

    ¡°You like this world better?¡±

    ¡°Hello? It has magic? Plus, my looting ability makes money out of thin air? And, I¡¯ve got a cool wolf familiar.¡± She pointed to the floor where Thanatos lay, his ears perking up at the mention of his name.

    ¡°I was wondering what that was,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°And why nobody was saying anything.¡±

    ¡°I thought magic dogs were normal?¡± John suggested in a questioning voice.

    ¡°No John, dogs aren¡¯t normally magic. You thought a dog with black flame rising from its fur was normal?¡±

    He shrugged, ¡°I assume everything is normal. It¡¯s not like I have the best baseline.¡±

    Thanatos barked at the two.

    ¡°He says he¡¯s a wolf, not a dog, and would appreciate it if the two of you stopped calling him a dog.¡±

    ¡°Oh my bad, sorry bud. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    Thanatos barked in response.

    John raised an eyebrow, ¡°You named your wolf familiar after the Greek god of death?¡±

    ¡°I thought it was appropriate. And you try naming a familiar¡ªI found it very difficult to think of a nice name.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a parent I¡¯ve done it before. Hoping the name you just gave your son and daughter is something they¡¯ll like for the rest of their lives is something I understand very well.¡±

    ¡°Oh? That¡¯s nice. What are their names?¡±

    ¡°Noah and Sienna.¡±

    ¡°Classic, sounds lovely.¡±

    ¡°I thought it was maybe too uncreative, but my wife said I was a worrier, and she didn¡¯t want to spend another week listening to my indecision.¡±

    ¡°Back. To. The. Topic.¡± Eufemia said, clapping her hands together to refocus attention, ¡°You don¡¯t have a way back to your original world.¡±

    ¡°As far as I know, no. But I am researching a way back, and I¡¯ve got a lead.¡±

    ¡°You have a lead?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Traveler, the god of travelers said that there¡¯s this astral space that was once the trial location for this cult called the Cult of the Celestial Book, which is some sort of dimensional-outer-god of all knowledge, and there may be a library within this astral space that contains the secrets of the universe, or something.¡±

    Eufemia closed her eyes, and leaned her head back, ¡°I wish I ordered some alcohol.¡±

    ¡°Day drinking already? That isn¡¯t healthy for you,¡± John said.

    ¡°John, did you understand a single word of what she just said?¡±

    ¡°No, of course not. I think I¡¯ll feel saner if I never do.¡±

    ¡°Did you say Traveler, the god of travelers?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°Yeah, he and I chat.¡±

    ¡°You chat with a god?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have much of a choice, he just shows up. I guess I could astral jump somewhere else, but if I had to bet money on what god could follow me around the world, I¡¯d bet money on the god of travelers. Want to bet? Next time, I can try dodging him.¡±

    ¡°Is this revenge for suggesting a one-sided bet last time?¡±

    She stared at him, ¡°Yay or nay?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not going to take that bet.¡±

    ¡°John, you¡¯ve been here for a year, why does she seem more assimilated than you are?¡±

    ¡°To be fair, I got my essence on like, my second day or something.¡±

    ¡°From a racial ability? John, you really drew the short end of the stick.¡±

    ¡°Oh no, got all of mine from a friend. My racial ability did suggest the combination.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of, is that what my ability is doing, suggesting a combination?¡±

    ¡°What do we have once we complete this final case?¡±

    ¡°Life, Renewal, Magic for me and Mirror, Light, Adept for you.¡±

    ¡°Your ability couldn¡¯t even give you a five-star essence? What a cheap ability.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have one either,¡± John pointed out.

    ¡°You like cheap stuff.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the Immortal Confluence for John, and the Refracting Confluence for you, Eufemia,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Sounds powerful! Immortal...what does that do?¡± John asked. Despite spending a long time on Erras so far, he knew little about essence users. For any normal resident of the world, it wasn¡¯t something they had to know beyond their local powers.

    ¡°Your particular combination is a confluence used by healers,¡± Encio said, ¡°While Eufemia¡¯s is a bit more complex. It¡¯s known for abilities that modify or copy other abilities.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s that?¡± John asked, ¡°Do you need a healer?¡±

    Nara looked at Encio. ¡°Do we need a healer?¡±

    ¡°Every team needs a healer,¡± he said matter-of-factly, ¡°And if we need a healer, why not another outworlder?¡±

 Chapter 42: Interest Rate Zero

    Chapter 42: Interest Rate Zero

    ¡°But just because every team needs a healer, it doesn¡¯t mean we need to pick you,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong with us?¡± Eufemia crossed her arms, ready to counter.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Encio smirked, not unkindly, but pointedly. ¡°You two are both untrained. Even if we need a healer, do you think we lack options?¡± He gestured to himself with a flourish, his reputation self-evident.

    John and Eufemia knew he didn¡¯t lack options; Erin Nisei¡¯s investigation results told them as much. A diamond ranker¡¯s grandson could line up the adventurers of Sanshi and leisurely take his pick. However, they did not know that was the last option Encio wanted to use to find his teammates.

    ¡°What do you want us to do? Get on our knees and beg to be let into your little party?¡± said Eufemia with the tone that she would rather die than debase herself that way.

    He turned to Nara, ¡°Are you really going to let two untrained essence users join the team? Just because one of them is an outworlder from your world?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± said Nara. ¡°If it''s just going back to our world, I can just promise to send you there when I have the ability to do so. I can just give you my contact information. We can keep in touch.¡±

    ¡°How can John possibly trust you¡¯d do that?¡± Eufemia asked. ¡°You¡¯re just going to disappear and never contact us again.¡±

    Unintentionally, Eufemia¡¯s statement revealed her goodness; her concern was for John and his safety, and she had not been particularly excited to join them despite his family name. This, Encio approved of.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking us to trust you on our team. Do you have any idea what you¡¯re asking for? In a moment of life or death, you need to have our backs. I think trusting that Nara brings you along is the lesser ask. What do you take adventuring for?¡±

    Encio would know, Nara realized. His sister and his childhood friend died as adventurers. She didn¡¯t know the extremes or the risks of adventuring, but Encio had experienced it. She felt a pang of guilt¡ªshe didn¡¯t know the risks of adventuring either. Maybe her first fight with the midnight wolf had not been so coincidental. Amara wanted to show her the tip of the iceberg¡ªthe undercurrents of danger.

    ¡°So what? We need to prove ourselves?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°I don¡¯t care for being tested, but if that¡¯s what John needs, I can deal.¡±

    Nara knew Encio well enough to know he had reached his goal.

    ¡°It¡¯s true, your ability grants benefits to Nara just for joining her as a team member; I suspect it''s even an incentive generated from John¡¯s ability to raise his chances of success. But there¡¯s no reason it must be permanent.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that feel a bit cheap?¡± Nara said. ¡°Getting the rewards then splitting?¡±

    He rolled his eyes, ¡°All outworlder abilities are ¡®a bit cheap¡¯. I think your ability is far worse.¡±

    ¡°Cheap, is it?¡± She wondered aloud.

    Encio¡¯s expression was a little regretful, but he continued, ¡°We set a time limit. Within two months you need to pass the adventure society exam.¡±

    ¡°Two months? Are you insane? We know next to nothing about adventuring or fighting.¡±

    ¡°Nara did it in two months.¡±

    ¡°She had some gold rank mentor to help her!¡±

    ¡°So you had her investigated? Who investigated her? Was it you two or someone else?¡± Encio¡¯s smile was well-controlled, the image of a mastermind with pawns moving the way he liked.

    Nara could have sworn she saw crackling sparks fly between the two of them.

    ¡°You think we don¡¯t know the name Edea?¡± Eufemia deflected, ¡°She¡¯s a famous adventurer-inventor.¡±

    ¡°Oh, she is,¡± Encio said, ¡°but you don¡¯t have to bother to lie, although I find your effort amusing. John, was there something you didn¡¯t understand about your Innocuous Disguise ability?¡±

    John thought for a moment. He knew the wording of his ability by heart, ¡°You¡¯re referring to the aura portion of the ability. That worked, didn¡¯t it? Even if I don¡¯t understand it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it works fine, what you don¡¯t understand is how aura works,¡± Encio said. ¡°The aura is a reflection of your soul, and for any untrained normal or iron ranker, it also reflects your emotions.¡± He leaned back, oozing casual dominance, his high-born upbringing revealed, ¡°We can read the both of you like an open book. So, how was Nara investigated?¡±

    Eufemia gnawed on her lip. ¡°This is hardly necessary.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re asking for our trust, so I demand yours. Who is concerned with my teammate is of concern to me.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t trust, this is an interrogation!¡±

    ¡°What better foundation for trust is there than honesty?¡± He countered, ¡°If you cannot bring yourself to be open and truthful, how can we trust you with our lives? Or, I can make my request to Erin Nisei.¡±

    Eufemia paused, suddenly still. ¡°¡­You know Erin Nisei?¡±

    ¡°Please. Do you have any idea what preparations I¡¯ve made before I came here? The local head of the Nisei family and the Nisei family¡¯s activities is but an open secret.¡±

    ¡°You made preparations?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Did I not say I¡¯m inherently political?¡±

    Nara stared at him blankly.

    He sighed, resigned. ¡°Yes, I made preparations.¡±

    John finally spoke up, ¡°We can tell you everything. We¡¯re just ordinary people, beyond our origins. And it''s true, I had no idea what we were asking of you. If passing the Adventure Society examination in two months is the proof, that is a small ask.¡±

    ¡°No, I just said that to rile her up,¡± Encio admitted.

    ¡°You¡¯re an ass.¡± Eufemia sulked.

    Encio shrugged, ¡°I have strong feelings about adventuring. The two of you don¡¯t know much about adventuring too, but the exam is not nearly as difficult as everyone thinks. Iron rank essence users need to make money, especially if they aren¡¯t part of an adventuring family. As long as you can swing your weapon and hit a target¡ª¡± Encio demonstrated by swinging his arms, ¡°¡ªand you¡¯re receptive to the advice of the examiner, you are unlikely to fail. The two of you are intelligent.¡± He stopped. ¡°At least one of you is intelligent.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s glare would kill if she could hit Encio with it.

    ¡°The only issue is whether you can hit a moving target.¡±

    Nolan represented a typical essence user, and he passed in the end. What Mona taught him was the primary purpose of the exam¡ªdo not trust contracts, err on the side of caution, retreat early before things go awry. Once that judgement was developed, they¡¯d worry less about new adventurers dying to their ego. Iron rank contracts were not do or die contracts, typically. The deaths of new adventures were from poor judgement, under preparedness, or bad luck.

    Eufemia frowned at him but restarted the negotiations. ¡°Beside the two-month time limit, we don¡¯t have the resources.¡±

    ¡°I will pay for your tuition at the academy.¡±

    Eufemia stared at him doubtfully, ¡°And now you¡¯re suddenly generous.¡±

    ¡°I can make it a loan if that would feel better.¡±

    ¡°Interest rate?¡±

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Zero. I don¡¯t want your petty money, I¡¯m a wealthy scion.¡±

    Eufemia looked disgusted but she had no counter for cold hard facts and cold hard cash.

    ¡°Why are you offering to help us now?¡± John asked. ¡°After taking such a strict stance earlier? I¡¯m happy with this change of heart, of course,¡± he added quickly.

    He gestured with his thumb to Nara, ¡°Because she wants to help you.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t said anything about wanting to help them.¡±

    ¡°Am I wrong?¡± He challenged.

    ¡°...No.¡° His smug expression said ¡®I told you so¡¯ without words. ¡°Being an outworlder from my Earth is a compelling enough reason. What can I say? I am a stranger in a strange land. Seeing a fellow stranger made me happy.¡±

    And, Nara thought, she may need someone with concrete memories of Earth.

    ¡°What now?¡± Eufemia asked, turning to John, ¡°Do we shake hands and make up? Sign a deal?¡±

    ¡°Or just, say it out loud?¡± Nara offered, ¡°Welcome to the team?¡±

    -------

    -[Essence Case 3] has been completed

    -Rewards have been added to the [Detective¡¯s Stash].

    -External rewards have been sent to [Nara Edea].

    -The racial ability, [Case Files], of [Outworlder, John Aurelius] is trying to trigger a racial ability evolution.

    -[Guide] will be transfigured into [Party Guide].

    -[Accept, Y/N?]

    -------

    ¡°Uh... Encio what¡¯s a Racial Ability evolution? I know about the human Essence Gift ones but that¡¯s about it.¡±

    ¡°We forgot to discuss that, hadn¡¯t we? Racial abilities are known to evolve in a variety of circumstances. Only one racial ability evolution is possible per racial ability, and they usually serve to specialize, synergize, or add versatility to an essence user. So, all celestines may have the same six racial abilities, but over time, especially through challenge, they will change.¡±

    ¡°So, it¡¯s usually beneficial?¡±

    ¡°Always. I hadn¡¯t heard of a negative racial ability evolution, but if anyone broke expectations, I¡¯d expect it to be an outworlder.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t reassure me.¡± She assented anyway. Her body began to glow with an iron grey light which caught the attention of those around her.

    ¡°Well shit, I should¡¯ve done this in private later. It¡¯s not like it was time limited.¡±

    -------

    -Racial Ability [Guide] has been transfigured into [Party Guide].

    Racial Ability: [Party Guide]

    Transfigured from Racial Ability [Guide]

    Interpret reality through a recognizable medium.

    Create a party to share the functions of [Party Guide]. Maximum party size is determined by rank. Current limit: 10

    Functions:

    <ul>

    <li>Interface</li>

    <li>Contacts</li>

    <li>Voice Chat</li>

    <li>Map</li>

    </ul>

    [Interface]: Active information display.

    [Contacts]: A record of those you have had significant contact with. You can initiate a [Voice Chat] with anyone on your contacts list.

    [Voice Chat]: Communicate telepathically with others on your [Contacts] or within your party. Party members can initiate a [Voice Chat] with other party members.

    [Map]: Display an active mini map with enemies and allies. This is a tracking effect. Synced with [Archive].

    -The functions of [Status], [Inspect], [Archive], [Note], [Query], and [Display] have been consolidated into the [Interface] function.

    -------

    Nara had mild telepathy powers due to her experiences as a soul in the astral and her aura control practice with Laius and Redell. She wondered if that experience was reflected in the evolution of her racial ability. It seemed the map function also got an upgrade. It now displayed enemies and allies, instead of just showing her own location in the immediate area. But most importantly, her entire Guide ability could be shared with others, up to a ten at a time.

    People had stared at first, but after the light show died down, so did their attention. Magic was common in this world, even for those that had none. She was just another iron rank adventurer in a city of iron rank adventurers.

    She immediately invited Eufemia, John, and Encio to her party.

    -------

    -You have been invited to join the party of [Nara Edea].

    -[Join? Y/N]

    -------

    Such a message popped up like a game menu to John, Eufemia and Encio. The interface message was only visible to each person.

    -------

    -[Enciodes Aciano] has joined your party.

    -[John Aurelius] has joined your party.

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has joined your party.

    -------

    Eufemia was the last to join, the most hesitant over the strange power. John, even though he was somewhat older than Nara, was not so old he hadn¡¯t at least seen a few video games, whether at his children¡¯s insistence or his own experiences. He was surprised, but that was all. He was used to being surprised by magic.

    Encio was chuckling, tilting his head away and suppressing his laughter.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it ironic?¡± He managed between his laughing shudders. ¡°The first person to ask you to join his team is the only person to fail to do so!¡±

    Nara shrugged, abashed. ¡°That¡¯s just kind of how life turned out. If you tell Sen that you¡¯ll make him pout.¡±

    Nara wolfed down the last parts of her sandwich she had ordered at the caf¨¦. She waved a server over and passed him the iron spirit coins for all of their portions.

    ¡°Anyone leaving leftovers who doesn¡¯t want them?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need mine,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°It¡¯s cold now.¡± She eyed the cold panini with distaste.

    Nara took her plate and set it on the floor. Thanatos devoured it like the embodiment of a black hole. Or perhaps, the embodiment of a black lab. He already had his own sandwich, but Thanatos would never say no to seconds.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head over to Encio¡¯s place and discuss things further.¡±

    *******

    Eufemia and John had never been to such a nice hotel before. John hadn¡¯t in either this world or the last world. He had never stayed in a suite that occupied half a floor.

    John stared at Eufemia briefly.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking John. No, I¡¯m not some rich scion. I¡¯m so sorry you lost the outworlder partner lottery,¡± she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking that,¡± he denied. ¡°You¡¯re a brilliant partner. Quick on your feet and sharp with your words.¡±

    Eufemia turned away quickly, embarrassed, and not wanting to show it. She stalked around the room, feigning observation of a decoration of a flowering branch and swallows carved of jade and encrusted with jewels.

    They sat down around the living room table. The wood was dark, a polished black wood that brought out beautiful and swirling natural grains. The couches were soft, with high quality padding and cloth, crafted with meticulous detail despite their simplistic design.

    Eufemia sighed, running her slender fingers across the felt of the couch, ¡°I could get used to this.¡±

    ¡°You might even have that chance,¡± Encio pointed out, ¡°John also can loot enemies. I haven¡¯t seen many outworlders, but clearly, it¡¯s a staple.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Nara realized, ¡°We¡¯ve doubled up on looting. Do they stack?¡±

    ¡°They should,¡± Encio said. ¡°While looting powers are rare outside of outworlders, it is not so rare that they don¡¯t have recorded using being used simultaneously. There¡¯s a limit before the magic of the monster is fully consumed and no more looting powers can be used, but we have not reached that limit with just two.¡±

    Encio pulled out a few documents from his dimensional rift, ¡°These are the application forms for the Sanshi Adventure Academy, as well as various materials about their available classes, schedules, and other services. As for housing, you¡¯re welcome to use this suite. I have more than enough space.¡±

    It was a full floor suite. Nara wondered if he had anticipated this when he arrived in Sanshi. There was no way¡­or perhaps it was simple to assume the two of them would eventually want to expand the team. She looked briefly at Encio, who flashed an annoying smile that was not at all helpful as to discerning whether this was foresight or unconcerned utilization of wealth.

    ¡°You just had these on you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m carefree not careless.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but you didn¡¯t even know this would happen today.¡±

    ¡°Oh, but I did,¡± he said, ¡°I lied when I said I would contact Erin Nisei. I had already contacted her. She sent me a missive this morning,¡± he waved around a letter in his hand, evidently the missive in question.

    John and Eufemia stared at him.

    ¡°Wow, you¡¯re a scary dude. Like, in a good way?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Why is that a question?¡± Encio said with the confident tone of someone who was never wrong.

    ¡°You knew about us?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Not exactly. I told Erin Nisei to contact me if anyone asked her to investigate me or my partner. Then, I asked her to investigate them in turn, and inform me of their movements.¡±

    ¡°¡­What did you trade for that?¡±

    ¡°Money, of course.¡± He added after a pause: ¡°and some information in turn.¡±

    ¡°What sort of information?¡±

    ¡°My grandfather¡¯s current location, as well as his most likely next move.¡±

    ¡°You sold out your grandfather?¡± Eufemia said incredulously.

    ¡°Information on him is valuable,¡± he shrugged, ¡°and nobody can threaten him directly. He¡¯ll be fine. If anything, someone may offer him a deal or ask him for help. If they did, they¡¯re likely offering something very valuable in turn, appealing to his morality, or cashing in a favor. No one tries to cheat a diamond ranker.¡± Encio turned to Nara and winked: He¡¯s not particularly hard to find either. Although, Nara realized, the location of Sezan¡¯s Aviensa haunt was information of value. It was a chance for others to negotiate, and more importantly, to bet.

    ¡°You just cheated a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m his grandson, and he¡¯s diamond rank. If he got mad at this, he¡¯d be very petty.¡±

    ¡°He might stop being your favorite grandfather,¡± Nara joked.

    ¡°Have I ever said he was my favorite grandfather?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not mutual?¡±

    Encio grinned. ¡°I keep him in suspense.¡±

    Eufemia pointed at Encio, finger shaking with horror, ¡°You¡¯re not right in the head!¡±

    ¡°If Sezan didn¡¯t want Encio to be crafty he shouldn¡¯t have let him hang out with Wisteria,¡± Nara mused.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Wisteria?¡±

    ¡°The old lady the three of us play table games with. She¡¯s very good at it. Routinely beats a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°Enough of that. I may be impressive, and I¡¯d usually bask in your compliments, but I don¡¯t need your praise when we have business to conduct,¡± Encio said, waving his hand dismissively. ¡°Do you see the tuition?¡±

    Nara had a feeling he stopped the topic to avoid mention of his own significant losses to her.

    John looked at it, ¡°It¡¯s honestly not that bad. We can pay it with the money we¡¯ve gotten from our cases.¡±

    ¡°The intention of the Sanshi Adventure Academy it to train essence users that could not otherwise afford private schooling in the other cities,¡± said Encio. ¡°Hence the lack of an entrance examination. If you have your essences and the tuition money, anyone can seek an education there.¡±

    ¡°So the next order of business is getting these two essenced up,¡± Nara said. ¡°Are you going to use the combinations your ability gave you?¡±

    ¡°Free essences,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°I see no reason why we shouldn¡¯t. I certainly don¡¯t want to pay for these things. I¡¯ve seen the prices. Are they really worth all that? Gold coins for a single one?¡±

    ¡°I think you will find they are,¡± Encio said, his voice solemn. ¡°Most do.¡±

 Chapter 43: Expediency is Best

    Chapter 43: Expediency is Best

    ¡°How do we do this?¡± John asked.

    ¡°How did you absorb your first essence?¡±

    John shuddered from the memory, ¡°At the time, I made the mistake of directly absorbing it. That was one of the most painful experiences of my life. It¡¯s like I sent one million volts of electricity coursing through every vessel of my body, and yet I just wouldn¡¯t die. I hope I don¡¯t have to do that again.¡±

    Eufemia said nonchalantly, ¡°After I saw him go through that, I hired a ritualist and got it done, not that I could absorb it directly anyway.¡±

    Nara was glad she didn¡¯t absorb hers directly, and gave her thanks to Amara and Chelsea.

    ¡°I have a ritual room in this suite,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Of course you have a ritual room in your suite,¡± Eufemia said and rolled her eyes.

    Encio gestured to the room, ¡°It¡¯s a hotel catered towards adventurers. They should have a ritual room.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Nara remembered, ¡°There¡¯s a shower but no toilet. Let¡¯s get this done before someone has an accident.¡±

    ¡°And why is there no bathroom?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°But there is a ritual room?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? Essence users don¡¯t poop,¡± Nara said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Did you have to say it like that?¡±

    ¡°Okay, we don¡¯t excrete. Any better?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    They moved to the ritual room.

    ¡°You think we should call over Aliyah for this?¡± Nara asked, ¡°I¡¯d guess she knows that fancy multiple-essences-at-once ritual. I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It is rumored to have better results for the first ability,¡± Encio said, ¡°I had mine done that way as well.¡±

    ¡°Where do you think she¡¯s at?¡±

    ¡°Either the Academy or the Arlang compound. Have you been there before?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve passed by to be able to astral jump there. Once I get close enough, I should just be able to voice chat with her.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re new telepathy function? It did sound useful. Actually, Sen¡¯s older sister Maya is known for her communication abilities in her Sovereign Confluence.¡±

    Encio, as always, was a wealth of random useful facts. He was too practical to be the truly random fact guy, with pockets filled with tidbits about strange animals, obscure practices, little known benefits.

    ¡°I still need to figure out its range, along with whether astral jumping will disband the party in the first place. I hope not, even if it''s not that difficult to re-establish. I¡¯ll be right back. Just a dimension away.¡±

    She closed her eyes, and let herself slip through the dimensional boundary like water slipping past rocks in a river.

    She was at the edge of the Arlang compound. It was actually marked on the map Amara gave her. The great families were well known enough that their residences were landmarks. They all had a compound circling the outer perimeter of Sanshi. Most adventurer families made their compounds in the outskirts. They doubled as bastions against monster waves, and were built were land was more readily available. They usually kept a portal user on hand and didn¡¯t suffer commuting into the city.

    Compounds usually contained all an adventurer could want. Residences for all their family and extended family members, training grounds, storage facilities, mess halls, reinforced walls, array protections and arrays for maintenance, and other buildings. For an established silver adventurer, hiring a staff of normals to cook and maintain the grounds was easy enough, and they were desirable jobs due to their safety.

    It wasn¡¯t just the main family that stayed their either. Usually, the family of team mates were invited to compounds, especially in smaller, less protected cities. Sometimes they only moved in near monster waves, other times they stayed full time. Nara thought compound life would be too claustrophobic for her. Now that the world was just a hop, skip, and a jump away, she couldn¡¯t go back to staying in any once place for too long.

    Nara couldn¡¯t enter the compound unless her aura was registered...well she could, but she didn¡¯t. She didn¡¯t want alarms to blare and defenses to activate against her. Aliyah was at the compound today, as was Sen. Their two names lit up in her contact list to indicate they were within range. She started a voice chat with the two of them.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Aliyah¡¯s hesitant voice came through the chat.

    ¡°Hey! Aliyah! I was wondering if the two of you were available today to help conduct that fancy two-for-one essence ritual,¡± Nara said, ¡°I may have recruited some new party members.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Look I have a good reason, I promise,¡± Nara said, ¡°One of them is an outworlder from my world. I can hardly separate him from his partner.¡±

    ¡°That is a good reason,¡± Sen reluctantly admitted, ¡°I can¡¯t begrudge you for teaming up with a fellow outworlder.¡±

    ¡°From the same world? What are the chances of that?¡± Aliyah mused.

    ¡°Yep, and he¡¯s going to be a healer. He¡¯s got all the essences for it already. Outworlder abilities and all that. Apparently, they get you your essences very quickly. Some sort of survival mechanism.¡±

    ¡°And the other?¡±

    ¡°Mirror, Light, Adept, Refracting. She got her essences too from teaming up with him.¡±

    ¡°With me and Aliyah...¡± Sen mused, ¡°that¡¯s a decent party balance. I¡¯d need to see all your abilities to make sure.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind if you want to look, but you¡¯d need to get Encio¡¯s permission for his. And the other¡¯s for theirs.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Sen agreed, ¡°Can I take it that you¡¯re willing to team up with the two of us?¡±

    ¡°As a trial first, if you¡¯re okay with that.¡±

    ¡°Every team is a trial,¡± Sen said, ¡°Nothing can be forced in place.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Like established bands breaking up, I get that.¡±

    There had been no contract when she registered herself with Encio as a team at the Adventure Society. She was free to remove herself whenever, despite the four-month period they had agreed upon. Iron rank parties were notoriously amorphous as members joined and left, especially when things went wrong and true colors were revealed.

    ¡°Then, are the two of you free today?¡±

    ¡°We are,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°I need a few minutes to tidy up my lab, but I¡¯ll be ready with Sen soon. Where shall we meet you?¡±

    ¡°Encio¡¯s place at the Jade Garden Hotel.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be over in an hour,¡± Sen said.

    As promised, Sen and Aliyah arrived within the hour. They introduced themselves to John and Eufemia.

    ¡°I am Sen Arlang, and this is Aliyah Sahar.¡±

    ¡°John Aurelius.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia Teresina.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you all.¡±

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    While the four were discussing the rituals, Nara asked Encio a question.

    ¡°Did the party break when I jumped dimensions?¡±

    ¡°It did not.¡±

    ¡°Hm, nice. I couldn¡¯t voice chat with you at that distance, however. Next time I should try to see if I can voice chat past dimensions.¡±

    ¡°While it is sensible to determine the constraints of your ability, assuming your Astral Domain, a part of your soul, operates like any other dimension would be a mistake.¡±

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of that. I guess it would make sense if my ability operated within my own soul.¡±

    ¡°The Celestial Book trials is an opportunity to test that out. Have you made your decision?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to go. Remember when I said I have a chat with Traveler? He said that the library of the cult of the Celestial Book may have information on dimensional travel.¡±

    ¡°The library is only accessible to those that make it to the end of the trial.¡±

    ¡°Either I succeed, or I don¡¯t. I¡¯m not going to stress out about it.¡±

    ¡°The trial space is only accessible once.¡±

    ¡°But, maybe not for me.¡±

    Encio¡¯s eyes narrowed in thought, ¡°I understand what you¡¯re getting at. But¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not something I¡¯m betting on. Who knows if I can astral jump into an astral space to begin with, and whether I can do it into one with specific restrictions.¡±

    Encio nodded confidently, ¡°Of course, with me, you have the best chance of success possible. Rest assured.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t even need any awakening stones. You¡¯re still going?¡±

    ¡°I can always give them to your new party members. The Adventure Society does not prohibit it ether.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s really nice of you.¡±

    ¡°I think its miserly when those with means deny those without. I could sell those, but it¡¯s no benefit to anyone but myself. As long as we are a team, I act now as I would years down the line,¡± he grinned, ¡°You¡¯re seeing the best parts of me.¡±

    ¡°So you can save the worst parts of you for later?¡±

    ¡°The two of you, waste not want not. The first ritual is ready. Who is going first?¡± Aliyah called out from the ritual room.

    ¡°You¡¯re first,¡± Eufemia said to John, ¡°Your ability, your honor.¡±

    John shrugged and stepped into the ritual circle, ¡°As long as it''s not as bad as that first time. I had to go take a lie down after that.¡±

    He removed the two essences from his Detective¡¯s Stash and placed them at either side of the ritual circle. The ritual activated, and the two essences subsumed in a whirlwind of magic that mirrored Nara¡¯s own.

    -------

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has absorbed [Magic Essence].

    -[John Aurelius] has absorbed 2 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 50%.

    -[Magic Essence] has bonded to the [Spirit] attribute, changing the [Spirit] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Magic Essence Abilities to increase the [Spirit] attribute.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has awakened the Magic Essence Ability [Crystallize Mana]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 1 of 5 Magic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Crystallize Mana]

    Conjuration (restoration)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a crystal that floats around you, accelerating mana recovery. Crystal is impervious to damage, but vulnerable to dispel effects. If dispelled, crystals grant an immediate burst of mana. You can have a single mana crystal at a time.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has absorbed [Renewal Essence]

    -[John Aurelius] has absorbed 3 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 75%.

    -[Renewal Essence] has bonded to the [Speed] attribute, changing the [Speed] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Renewal Essence Abilities to increase the [Speed] attribute.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has awakened the Renewal Essence Ability [Mana Tide]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 1 of 5 Renewal Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Mana Tide]

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: 2 hours

    Effect (Iron): Draw mana from the astral to replenish allies. Mana recovery begins slowly and escalates over time. Local dimensional conditions may impact the rate of recovery.

    -------

    The confluence¡ªthe shadow of the three other essences¡ªcoalesced before John.

    The Immortal Confluence was a mixture of the red of life force, the green of healing magic, swirled with brilliant gold and a soothing silver. It shone like a luminescent opal, casting rays of invigorating light onto the walls of the ritual room.

    Aliyah had already explained to John what to expect. After a moment¡¯s pause, he grasped the confluence, taking the magic cube within himself as he had done once before. With the body and soul already bolstered by three essences, this final step was not painful.

    -------

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has absorbed [Immortal Essence].

    -[John Aurelius] has absorbed 4 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 100%

    -[Immortal Essence] has bonded to the [Power] attribute, changing the [Power] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Immortal Essence Abilities to increase the [Power] attribute.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has awakened the Immortal Essence Ability [Vigor Wellspring]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 1 of 5 Immortal Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Vigor Wellspring]

    Spell (boon)

    Incantation: ¡°From within wells unending vigor.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Grant an ally a boon of the tireless energy, greatly increasing health and stamina regeneration for a moderate duration. Additionally gain increased resistance to health and stamina drain.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has absorbed 4 of 4 essences. All of his attributes have reached Iron Rank.

    -[John Aurelius] has gained damage reduction against Normal Rank damage sources. [John Aurelius] has gained increased resistance to Normal Rank effects.

    -[John Aurelius] has gained the ability to sense auras.

    -[John Aurelius] has gained the ability to sustain himself using sources of concentrated magic.

    -------

    ¡°Wow,¡± John said, staggering, ¡°I haven¡¯t felt this way since that one explorative weekend in my university days.¡± He looked up, puzzled, ¡°I feel incredible. Have I taken drugs?¡±

    ¡°No, John,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Do you remember what I said earlier? It is imperative you enter the washroom right this moment. Here.¡± She gently grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the washroom.

    ¡°Uh...alright. If you say so miss,¡± he said, staring at her with a confused expression but acquiescing.

    While John was otherwise occupied, evident by the sounds of retching from beyond the closed door accompanied by running water, Aliyah prepared the next ritual circle, completely unperturbed.

    ¡°It¡¯s time for you now, Eufemia. Are you prepared?¡±

    Eufemia stared back at the washroom. Even the soundproofing did not completely block the sounds of John¡¯s misery.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed [Light Essence]

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed 2 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 50%.

    -[Light Essence] has bonded to the [Speed] attribute, changing the [Speed] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Light Essence Abilities to increase the [Speed] attribute.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened the Light Essence Ability [Light Ray]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 1 of 5 Light Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Light Ray]

    Special Ability (light)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Fire a piercing ray of light dealing heat and mild disruptive-force damage.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed [Adept Essence]

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed 3 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 75%.

    -[Adept Essence] has bonded to the [Recovery] attribute, changing the [Recovery] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Adept Essence Abilities to increase the [Recovery] attribute.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened the Adept Essence Ability [Martial Gift]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 1 of 5 Adept Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Martial Gift]

    Special Ability / Special Attack

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known special attack of a target. This may make your version of the ability higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original ability. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    -------

    Same as John, a confluence formed once Eufemia had absorbed her third essence. The Refracting Confluence scattered light like a quartz prism, streaks of rainbow painting the walls like a toddler with unsupervised access to expensive acrylic paints.

    She looked up to meet the eyes of John, who had quietly exited the washroom, looking peaky and dull. He flashed her an encouraging but weak smile and a thumbs up.

    The confluence melted away like liquified rainbow, but not a drop escaped her outstretched fingers.

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed [Refracting Essence]

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has absorbed 4 of 4 essences. Progress to Iron rank 100%.

    -[Refracting Essence] has bonded to the [Power] attribute, changing the [Power] attribute from Normal to Iron 0. Master all Refracting Essence Abilities to increase the [Power] attribute.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened the Refracting Essence Ability [Reverse Power]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 1 of 5 Refracting Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Reverse Power]

    Special Ability (curse)

    Cost: Variable

    Cooldown: Variable

    Effect (Iron): Reverse the effect of the next use of a target active-use ability or the next active-use ability. This effect has a short duration. You must know the ability. If the target does not have the ability, this ability will not take effect. You can reverse the inherent abilities of a magical creature. Reversal causes positive effects to become negative effects, and vice versa. If there is no applicable reversed effect, the ability is nullified. The cooldown and cost of this ability is equal to the target ability. The cooldown of this ability only takes effect when the target ability is used, or otherwise has a 30 second cooldown if the ability fails. If the targeted ability has no cooldown, both this ability and the targeted ability are unavailable for 1 minute.

    -------

    Both newly minted essence users were now settled, nursing their nauseous heads with warm cups of milk tea as well as a variety plate of snacks Nara fetched from a nearby caf¨¦.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Eufemia said, her voice suppressing a groan.

    Encio placed a tablet on the table. It was the Adventure Society auction catalogue, ¡°Now we buy stones.¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah,¡± Nara cheered, ¡°Time to get stoned!¡±

 Chapter 44: Saving the World With Mediocrity

    Chapter 44: Saving the World With Mediocrity

    ¡°I¡¯ve you¡¯ve been working for Erin Nisei, she¡¯s probably been paying you pretty handsomely,¡± Encio said, ¡°Throw away any mistaken notions of savings: You should be prepared to spend it all.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve made a decent amount of money,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°I don¡¯t like that woman but she¡¯s a paying client. We can¡¯t possibly spend all that.¡±

    Encio¡¯s smile was pitying.

    ¡°For John, there¡¯s a deal on two Awakening Stones of the Shield that¡¯s too good to pass up. Someone is looking to make some quick money before the Celestial Book trials open when the market will be flooded with stones again,¡± Encio said, flipping through pages on the magic tablet. Evidently, he was an experienced shopper. He sort of looked like a wealthy househusband flipping through a furniture catalogue to change the interior furniture for no reason than he could, except he was shopping for magic powers and not a designer coffee table.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea,¡± said Sen. ¡°Shield offers essential protective abilities suitable for a healer. How does that sound mister Aurelius.¡±

    ¡°I really have absolutely no clue, mate. Take the lead. And just call me John. We¡¯re all helping each other out here, don¡¯t be too polite.¡±

    Sen nodded.

    They were in a rush. Usually Encio wouldn¡¯t condone such flippant selection, but the Awakening Stone of the Shield was classic and reliable for healers. It was a deal too good to pass up for a fresh iron rank healer.

    ¡°For Eufemia, a common stone of the magus, then a stone of the adept, then a stone of the swift. It should establish a good baseline for your powerset. Take a look.¡±

    Eufemia looked at the price then winced, ¡°I almost wish I hadn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t need to buy too many stones for now,¡± Encio said, ¡°After the Celestial Book trials, other essence users will be looking to sell off their excess stones after taking their pick of the ones they¡¯ve earned. We just need the two of you to have enough abilities, so you won¡¯t die out there.¡±

    ¡°What? We¡¯re participating? We haven¡¯t even started to train yet?¡±

    ¡°Why else do you think you need to pass the Adventure Society examination in two and a half months?¡±

    ¡°Look at it this way,¡± explained Aliyah, ¡°have you any idea how much money you¡¯re saving by participating?¡±

    ¡°...How much?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard people have earned up to seven awakening stones, among other prizes. Some of extremely high rarity.¡±

    ¡°Oh, plus this guy is going to participate even though he doesn¡¯t need any,¡± Nara said, gesturing to Encio, ¡°he¡¯d said he¡¯d give his share to you guys.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Eufemia said doubtfully.

    ¡°I¡¯m thorough, not unkind,¡± he said, ¡°I have awakened all of my abilities already. The awakening stones are useless to me.¡±

    ¡°Now, next question,¡± said Aliyah. ¡°Do you know ritual magic?¡±

    Due to his outworlder abilities, John could also use skill books. Eufemia had learnt ritual magic through a slapdash, some-of-this-some-of-that method, and she already awakened a familiar already, one of her two abilities in her Mirror Essence.

    After looking over the options at the auction, John decided on an Awakening Stone of the Bear. John already had a weapon, a soul bound growth weapon provided to him through his case system. They¡¯d have to rank up his weapon to iron, but it was a worthy expense.

    Usually weapons served one of two general purposes¡ªcovering a weakness or enhancing a strength. Healer equipment often boosted healing, but John¡¯s weapon was a shotgun that unleashed terrifying damage at decent range. It had kept John relatively safe as a powerless normal ranker; a weapon that at normal rank was unmatched in a world without guns.

    -------

    Item: [Solar Judgement] (normal rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon, gun, fire, holy

    Description: A magic weapon modeled after a Winchester Model 12 pump action shotgun. The sun bestows both life and fire.

    Effect: Generates 7-rounds of sunfire flak every 5 minutes for a moderate mana cost. Otherwise, can shoot normal flak dealing physical damage for a low mana consumption per shot.

    Effect: Sunfire flak deals massive disruptive-force and fire damage in a wide-range conical area. Damage is considered holy damage.

    -------

    John¡¯s Essence Cases had taken longer than normal outworlders took to obtain all their essences, form what little a sample size outworlders were. It had more than compensated for it with a powerful weapon for John, and unique skill books for John and Eufemia both, although Eufemia could not use hers; a fact she was extremely bitter about.

    Nara¡¯s weapon filled out a minor weakness¡ªher range, but mainly worked with her strengths. It didn¡¯t provide as much immediate impact as John¡¯s Solar Judgement, and it was more of an old reliable that she used all the time.

    The final two awakening stone selections were an Awakening Stone of Armor for John, and an Awakening Stone of the Blade for Eufemia, who didn¡¯t have a weapon. Eufemia also liked the idea of a conjured weapon, rather than needing to buy and maintain her own. She didn¡¯t want to develop an obsession like Alea, rubbing her knives day in and day out like they¡¯d shit gold spirit coins if she gave them a handy.

    The Awakening Stone of the Blade was more general than Nara¡¯s Awakening Stone of the Sword and could awaken abilities related to a large variety of bladed weapons, or even abilities that launched sharp blades or other blade adjacent effects. Despite this, it was more unpopular than specific weapon awakening stones because it was unpredictable. Eufemia didn¡¯t have a weapon she needed to learn to use, like Nara, nor any inclination for a specific weapon, so whatever she awakened would be her weapon of choice.

    While it was an auction, many sellers would immediately sell their awakening stones if someone offered their asking price. The auction price could go above that set price, but it could also fall below it if the stone was unpopular, or in the case of their current situation, others were waiting to see what they could earn from the Celestial Book trial and wanted to offload their lesser rarity stones before they further plummeted in price. Animal awakening stones were usually unpopular, as most wanted no more than one or two total. Nara herself would probably only use the single wolf stone.

    Encio left to purchase the stones at the auction.

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of the Magus].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Adept Essence Ability [Prodigious Sorcerer]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 2 of 5 Adept Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Prodigious Sorcerer]

    Special Ability / Spell

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known spell of a target. This may make your version of the spell higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original spell. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of the Adept].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Adept Essence Ability [Dexterous Talent]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 3 of 5 Adept Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Dexterous Talent]

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Special Ability

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known active special ability of a target. This ability must have a cooldown. This may make your version of the ability higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original ability. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of the Swift].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Adept Essence Ability [Blessing of Readiness]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 4 of 5 Adept Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Blessing of Readiness]

    Spell (recovery)

    Incantation: ¡°Recover time.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: Varies

    Effect (Iron): This spell can only affect an ally and not yourself. The cooldown of the next ability used by the target is reduced by up to one minute. The cooldown of this ability is equal to the time taken from the cooldown of the target ability.

    -------

    Eufemia frowned, ¡°Why are three of these abilities almost the exact same? Isn¡¯t there too much overlap?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Encio said, ¡°Those are excellent abilities. The versatility may be lost on you, for now, but when you rank up, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll change your mind.¡±

    ¡°But am I sacrificing convenience now for less power later?¡±

    ¡°You may be a generalist and lack focus for now, but adept abilities are known for their incredible versatility, especially in later ranks. You¡¯ll change your opinion.¡± He grinned. ¡°Want to bet?¡±

    Eufemia looked unconvinced, but nobody could unawaken abilities. She was as stuck with them as the rest of them were for the rest of their existence.

    She looked pensive as she conjured the dagger she had awoken from the Awakening Stone of the Blade. It was a simple silver dagger with a perfect mirror polish, unblemished even as she touched it with her fingers, leaving no oily prints behind.

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of the Blade].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Mirror Essence Ability [Shard of Mirrors]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 3 of 5 Mirror Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Shard of Mirrors]

    Conjuration (weapon)

    Cost: Moderate mana, variable mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Silver Gleam, the [Shard of Mirrors]]. [Silver Gleam] can take the form and abilities of any known conjured weapon ability. Duplicating a conjuration incurs the mana cost of the original conjuration. Without a conjured form, [Silver Gleam] functions as a dagger. Attacks made in the base form inflict [Mirror Distortion].

    <ul>

    <li>[Mirror Distortion] (affliction, magic, stacking): Mana costs are increased. Suffer increased damage from modified abilities and abilities effected by boons. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°A shapeshifting weapon, that¡¯s interesting,¡± said Aliyah as she inspected the details of Eufemia¡¯s ability, ¡°I suppose it¡¯s expected given the abilities you¡¯ve awakened. You¡¯ll want to use a weapon best suited for the abilities you duplicate.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty expensive to use, mana wise,¡± Sen remarked. ¡°Mana to conjure the dagger, then mana to transform it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll more than make up for it in versatility, I promise,¡± Nara said. ¡°Shapeshifting weapons are awesome.¡±

    Then she realized her shapeshifting weapon didn¡¯t cost mana, and felt a little guilty for her premature assertion.

    ¡°As your abilities reward greater knowledge, I¡¯m a little envious,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°As you grow and learn, you can copy more spells, more special attacks, more special abilities, and more weapons.¡±

    ¡°Four abilities can be enough to completely reverse a disadvantageous situation,¡± Sen agreed. ¡°Once you have the skills to back it up, you¡¯ll be incredibly difficult to fight.¡±

    ¡°Okay, all of you, I get it,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°You¡¯re all praising my abilities so much I¡¯m starting to feel embarrassed. And I have a high tolerance for praise. There isn¡¯t anything more I can do about it anyhow.¡±

    Nara looked over to Sen to see that he was hiding his own excitement behind his well-controlled expression. He liked Eufemia¡¯s abilities, a lot. Vallis had said Sen was a master strategist, and Eufemia¡¯s abilities left a lot of room for strategy, if she could master their high skill requirements. She could become the mimic of another teammate, copying key abilities in a fight where more of the same was needed and surprise the enemy when a big ability that should have been one time use goes off again from a completely different source.

    Nara remembered Encio¡¯s two most deadly special attacks, Vorpal Slash and God-Sundering Slash, and felt herself shudder.

    ¡°Eufemia...¡± Nara said slowly, ¡°Have you seen Encio¡¯s abilities yet?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t, why?¡±

    ¡°You can copy them. They¡¯re ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­seeing what you¡¯re getting at,¡± Eufemia admitted, ¡°But even I know when this is a lot to learn in two weeks. It would help if¡ª¡± she glanced enviously at John and Nara¡ª¡°If I had an ability to use skill books.¡±

    ¡°That can be arranged,¡± Encio said, ¡°but the most likely stones are rather expensive.¡±

    ¡°Which ones?¡±

    ¡°Your best chance is with the Awakening Stone of Knowledge, a 2 star stone, but rather popular especially with researcher types,¡± Encio said, pulling up the price for her on his auction list.

    ¡°Wow. Are you serious? That¡¯s the price for a single stone?¡±

    ¡°As for cheaper stones, another Awakening Stone of the Adept¡ªwho knows how that one would turn out¡ªan Awakening Stone of Mediocrity¡ª¡±

    ¡°Mediocrity?¡±

    ¡°The best way to make a mediocre fighter into a competent one is to have them use a skill book.¡±

    ¡°The stone of shortcuts,¡± Nara said. ¡°Figures, for giving something outworlders get for free.¡±

    ¡°But, also known for less desirable abilities. Not bad by any means¡ªno abilities are bad¡ªbut the sort that neither specialize nor excel. Other than that, the Awakening Stone of the Moment. That stone is even more expensive, valued for awakening time manipulation abilities, well-timed trump cards¡­or learning skills and information instantaneously.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve used one of those, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I have,¡± Encio confirmed, ¡°And time manipulation ability it gave.¡±

    ¡°Cut to the chase. The first one is the best then, even if it¡¯s pricy?¡±

    ¡°Top chance, top price.¡±

    ¡°Get it. I want to be able to use skill books. What¡¯s money for if not to spend?¡± She said, but her eyes were bloodshot. She was biting her lip, not in an effort to seduce anyone external, but to convince herself it was worth the price; She had something she wanted to use.

    John¡¯s familiar ritual was the last order of business for the day. Encio made a final trip to the Adventure Society trade hall. Thankfully, iron rank familiar ritual materials were easy to acquire; no auction was needed.

    John was on his hands and knees, struggling with his ritual circle.

    ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± Nara said, crouching to be on his eye level.

    ¡°It¡¯s like chalking up the road. I¡¯m sort of enjoying it.¡± He took another look at his ritual, ¡°Even if it looks like an unsupervised toddler scribbled over the sidewalk.¡±

    ¡°You seem to be handling this whole magic thing pretty well.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been here for around a year now. I live in a place that¡¯s pretty magical. I got used to it in ways, but this essence stuff is new to me. Normal folk aren¡¯t involved in this part of magic, not really.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Sanshi is pretty magical.¡±

    ¡°Not Sanshi, Shanyin. The city beneath the city.¡± He tapped the floor and gestured downward, ¡°There¡¯s an astral space at this location, and there¡¯s this whole city built there. One with teleporting paths of shadow, like some sort of localized wormhole. It¡¯s nothing like I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    Nara hadn¡¯t detected the astral space, but she also had not tried to. She closed her eyes, and focused her awakened sense of dimensions.

    It was a strange sensation, like physical reality was doubled up, but separated. If physical reality was a wonton in a soup, and the astral was the soup, then the astral space was an air bubble hanging onto the dumpling. A pimple on the face of reality.

    ¡°Yeah¡­I can feel it there. It¡¯s massive.¡±

    ¡°You can feel it? How do you do that?¡±

    ¡°Magic powers, you know? I can sense dimensions.¡±

    ¡°I was already amazed with my first ability. Simple little thing, from my Life Essence. Life Bolt. It just heals a bit.¡± He pinched his fingers to demonstrate its paltry power, ¡°But, scrapes and bruises, and eventually broken bones if I used it enough, all healed away in minutes and hours rather than days and months. It¡¯s incredible. Healers get cleansing abilities¡­right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡± Nara said, ¡°Others can too, but one with a combination like you is expected to get some.¡±

    ¡°Do you know what they can¡­cleanse?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re thinking cancer, yes, they can cleanse cancer. It¡¯s not really a thing in this world. Even the poor gets free cleansing every so often from healer priests. You haven¡¯t run into it on your travels?¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± John admitted. ¡°I still can¡¯t quite believe me eyes, even now. To think I¡¯m going to be like them. It doesn¡¯t feel quite real.¡±

    Nara pointed at her eyes, ¡°I was nearsighted too. Outworlding remade my eyes so it took care of that, but essences or cleansing would take care of that for anyone else.¡±

    ¡°Magic is incredible. Why doesn¡¯t our world have it?¡±

    ¡°The dimensional boundary is fragile, apparently. It can let too much magic in, or it¡¯ll break.¡±

    ¡°What happens if it breaks?¡±

    ¡°Boom, end of the world. The world gets sucked into the astral, where all matter is annihilated. Or the world gets flooded with too much magic that it can¡¯t handle. If the universe is lucky, the membrane repairs itself before the rest of it is sucked in.¡±

    John paused, ¡°Mate, you aren¡¯t pulling my leg?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but breaking a dimensional barrier isn¡¯t easy, even a weak one like ours. You or me flinging around a bit of magic is like throwing cotton balls at glass. You won¡¯t have to worry about that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve studied a lot of magic.¡±

    ¡°Someone has to,¡± Nara said. ¡°How else are we going to get back?¡±

    ¡°Thanks for doing that for the two of us.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all just doing our best. I have some good teachers anyway.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of, that friend of yours is a terrifying young man,¡± John said, indicating with his eyes to other room, ¡°Had me and Eufemia death grip, and I¡¯m decades older than him.¡±

    ¡°His sister and his friend died while adventuring, so he¡¯s sensitive about this stuff.¡±

    ¡°Is it really that dangerous?¡±

    ¡°For ordinary adventurers, not really. The problem is if you want to be extraordinary. If you are extraordinary. And he is extraordinary. I don¡¯t mind it, but I know part of the reason he joined up with me is because I¡¯m an outworlder. He wants the adventure part of adventuring. You and me John, we have that in spades.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just a married man, father of two¡ªnothing special except for my cheerful personality! About the only special about me was that I am an investigator now and an intelligence officer previously.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not extraordinary either. Just another worker in the tech field, on their 8 to 5 until the day they retire. I suppose if someone extraordinary became an outworlder, the universe may collapse in on itself from the concentrated extra-ness.¡±

    ¡°Well we certainly want to avoid that, don¡¯t we,¡± chuckled John, ¡°Good thing it was us two then, and not some Nobel Laureate. We¡¯ve gone and saved the world once already with our banal mediocrity. We¡¯re owed a prize.¡±

    ¡°Imagine that! A Nobel physicist in a world of magic. That would be something else.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯d make quite the movie,¡± John agreed.

    ¡°Nah,¡± Nara laughed, ¡°You know, that¡¯s probably been done before. Completely unoriginal. The viewers would complain the main character was such a stereotype.¡±

    John staggered up from his kneeling position, gently stepping out of the ritual circle which softly glowed to indicate its completion.

    ¡°This may be the closest thing to art I¡¯ve ever made,¡± John said in satisfaction with his hands on his hips.

    ¡°Best get used to it,¡± Nara said, ¡°In this world, we¡¯re all artists.¡±

    ¡°Art of chalk wielding sidewalk toddlers,¡± John corrected, ¡°but art is in the eye of the beholder.¡±

 Chapter 45: Time and Dedication

    Chapter 45: Time and Dedication

    John started his chant:

    ¡°Call upon from within, the wrath of your soul. For those that oppose you, let wrath eradicate. For those that deny you, let wrath negate. For those that rely on you, let wrath insulate. Unending, everwrath. They shall feel your fury.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Everwrath Ursine]

    Awakening Stone: Bear

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Everwrath Ursine] to serve as a familiar.

    -------

    The boundaries of the room melted away. They were within a deep forest, green and full of life. Evergreens stretched towards the sky which peeked through the dense leaves. The smell of dirt, the bark of trees, and the smell of rain permeated the room. The temperature dipped just a bit due to the cool shade and comfort. Before them was a small clearing with a small lake, like the one Nara herself enjoyed.

    The dirt rose, as if manipulated by an earth shaper. Grass, mud, stone, leaves, water, wood, and even clouds and air folded into a shape growing larger and denser over time.

    The creature shook itself off, flinging away excess dirt, water, and leaves from its fur. It was a bear, beautiful and brown. Nara could only describe it as wild and pure, the sort of untouched nature that felt sacrilegious to contaminate. Her modern humanity was in offense to the sacrosanct of nature.

    Towards any that disturbed its sanctum, the bear would show no mercy.

    ¡°You are Beorn,¡± John said, ¡°Beorn the bear!¡±

    The bear roared joyfully.

    -------

    Ability: [Everwrath Ursine]

    Essence: Immortal

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana and extreme stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Everwrath Ursine] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>A physically resilient and powerful familiar with high regenerative properties.</li>

    <li>Can enter [Eternal Rage], where stamina and health are rapidly consumed for greatly increase [Speed], [Power], and damage resistance, affliction resistance, and effect resistance. This mode can be ended at any time. Once ended, this mode cannot be re-entered for 10 minutes. [Eternal Rage] is forcefully ended before the [Everwrath Ursine] is emptied of health and stamina, where it is then automatically subsumed into the summoner to recover.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s flesh, increasing physical strength.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Nara remembered that Vallis spoke of nigh-unkillable familiars that were the partners of healers. It turned out that John was that type of healer. As long as he could keep the health and stamina of his familiar up, it would become a raging avatar of destruction. Even if he couldn¡¯t, the familiar would be effective outside of rage mode.

    Unlike Thanatos who was more mage-wolf, Beorn was a tank of health, resilience, power, and speed. Thanatos could still bully monsters lighter or smaller than it for now, but wasn¡¯t that strong. Against the Iresythe, Beorn would just rip through its carapace entirely, then smash it to a bloody pulp.

    Thanatos was magically big, but Beorn looked like a grizzly bear except it was the size of a polar bear, and built with additional heft. The only thought that ran through Nara¡¯s mind was she wanted to pet the fuzzy brown chonk.

    ¡°Maybe the Russians have a point¡­¡± Nara said, restraining her hand that wanted to reach for the familiar. Would it be soft and fluffy? Maybe if they conditioned it?

    John laid out on the ground, panting. The summoning had completely wiped him of almost all his mana and stamina.

    ¡°Just give me a few¡­ going to get some shut eye.¡±

    ¡°Here? At least move to the couch, or one of the spare rooms. Your back¡¯s going to hurt if you fall asleep on the floor¡­or it won¡¯t.¡±

    Gone were her own woes of back pain she realized.

    He was out already, unresponsive. The combination of the rebound from ranking up and the rapid expenditure of mana and stamina emptied John¡¯s energy, and he was out like a busted light.

    ¡°I wonder if he falls asleep quick because he¡¯s a detective?¡±

    Sen picked up John with surprising ease and set him down in one of the guestrooms of the suite.

    *****

    Once John recovered, Encio took the two to register at the Academy. All of them would help them create an efficient schedule. They¡¯d need as many classes as possible to pass the exam in two months. Encio hadn¡¯t gone through the Sanshi Adventure Academy system, but the other three had, in various paths.

    Aliyah was like Nara, mostly taking academy classes to work on her combat capabilities. She was a member of the Magic Society, which had more advanced magic literature than the Academy taught had on hand. Nara took some specialty classes, but most wasn¡¯t what John or Eufemia needed.

    The only person who had gone through the Academy in its entirety was Sen, although he also received private schooling from his family on the side for things not taught, such as politics.

    Encio well¡­Encio was just high spec. He had an immediate grasp on what John and Eufemia should be learning and created a rough draft of a schedule of classes they should sign up for. It seemed his father¡¯s half of the family, who had married into the Aciano family, were involved in the adventurer education business.

    Since John was a healer, he¡¯d take Introduction to Healing Magic Theory, Combat Healing Basics, as well as the typical Sparring, General Combat Basics, Meditation Training, Mind Training, and Parkour classes.

    Eufemia was a bit more complex. She would take the same typical classes, but she slotted in some Introduction to Artifice, Introduction to Ritual Magic, and Acting Performance. Acting Performance was more an elective, but she had the time to take at least a single class she held personal interest in, like how Nara took Music Performance. Pursuing personal passions was important to maintaining mental health.

    The two of them hadn¡¯t awakened an aura yet, so aura training would have to be put off.

    ¡°We won¡¯t see you at the academy?¡± John asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there during the sparring classes,¡± Nara said, ¡°But your investigation on me should¡¯ve turned up that I had a mentor.¡±

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Sorry about that,¡± John said, ¡°Privacy laws aren¡¯t quite the same here.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t blame you. If I was in your position, and my mysterious ability told me about some person that may have a way back to the world I was originally from, and I had connections to the information powerhouse of the city, I¡¯d probably ask for an investigation too. It was a logical action, except that I don¡¯t really have a way back. Yet. Hopefully.¡±

    ¡°Well, I think it turned out very well for all of us,¡± John said. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t have a way back, I wouldn¡¯t feel right leaving another outworlder from the same world behind. I¡¯m glad it looks like you¡¯re doing well and taken care of.¡± He patted her on the back.

    ¡°I am doing well,¡± Nara said brightly. ¡°Although¡­ monster hunter is not where I imagined my career going.¡±

    ¡°I could say the same about myself!¡± John said, ¡°Never would I have imagined going from an intelligence officer of the National Crime Agency to a monster hunter either.¡±

    ¡°I was wondering why all your racial abilities are detective based, guess you really did some investigation.¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± John said embarrassedly, ¡°That¡¯s just because I am a fan of the detective shows.¡±

    ¡°Books too?¡±

    ¡°Just about every single one,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve been missing my stories. I can¡¯t say procedurals and mystery are popular book genres here.¡±

    ¡°Hard to write a locked room mystery when a culprit could potentially teleport in and out of the room.¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s a mysterious death, most people conclude it was a monster or magic. Not much of a mystery then, and not much an ordinary detective can do.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re acting as a detective, now.¡±

    ¡°A detective of sorts, more of an investigator. Turns out, I have some applicable skills even in an entirely new world. I¡¯m grateful for that. Sorting through large piles of papers and information, communicating in every language, interviewing witnesses, and doing the grunt work is still necessary and useful.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone knows how to spot the shell corporation or track receipts.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all there is to it. It takes dedication and time, and an eye for pattern and detail, which not everyone has.¡±

    ¡°You could say you¡¯re fulfilling some sort of dream then, a detective in another world.¡±

    John chuckled, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say I wanted to be a detective. But now that I¡¯m here, hey, why not give it a shot? I wonder if my family will even believe it if I told them. John Aurelius, magic detective.¡±

    ¡°Which part won¡¯t they believe, the magic or the detective part?¡±

    ¡°I want to say the magic part!¡±

    *****

    As promised, Nara met John and Eufemia at the sparring grounds in the afternoon. The two had taken a single combat basics class in the morning, and John had already absorbed his own combat skill book.

    ¡°My case skill actually gave me this skill book,¡± John said, ¡°The Stance of the Guardian.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty cool name.¡±

    John laughed, ¡°I think so too. Maybe I¡¯m a bit cooler now?¡± He swung his fists a few times as if to shadow box.

    ¡°Did you get a skill book too?¡± Nara asked Eufemia.

    ¡°I did, From One to One Thousand. It¡¯s not purely combat, but also how to change your movement and expression to become a completely different person, and in turn, a completely different fighter. Changing identities with a flip of a coin. It¡¯s why I wanted to use with the skill book ability. So I can finally use this book John¡¯s ability gave me. If I don¡¯t have the ability¡ª¡± she glared at John, who shrugged apologetically, ¡°it¡¯s not much of a reward for me now, is it?¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Clear Mind]

    Essence: Light

    Awakening Stone: Knowledge

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): You may use skill books for which you meet the requirements.

    -------

    Eufemia had gotten the skill book ability she wished for, although in an unexpected essence. Eufemia¡¯s skill book had come from John¡¯s Case Files, which she shared the benefits of through another of John¡¯s Racial Abilities.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Partner-In-Crime]

    Share your racial abilities with an ally, with certain limitations.

    Current Partner: Eufemia Teresina

    -------

    Unfortunately for Eufemia, one of those limitations was the ability to use skill books and absorb essence and awakening stones directly. She did however, still benefit from John¡¯s ability to speak, read, and write any language, his dimensional inventory, his ability to conjure basic items,  although there were distance limitations. She could also access the information John gained from his Magic Camera.

    Nara had thought her skill book sounded suitably epic but left and right, John and Eufemia came out with their own bangers.

    ¡°How good are the two of you at fighting then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve done a bit of boxing myself,¡± John said, still launching fists into the air. ¡°I think I can handle myself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve used a knife when¡­pushed,¡± Eufemia said, her pause suspect.

    ¡°Do either of you want a weapon?¡± Nara asked, ¡°I¡¯ll be using a sword.¡±

    Eufemia decided to use a sword. Her ability to copy weapons meant that Nara¡¯s and Encio¡¯s weapons were strong options and something she should learn. Sen¡¯s weapon was a staff, but he could change it into a glaive with a blade of concentrated fire.

    -------

    Ability: [Staff of Duality]

    Essence: Zeal

    Conjuration

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Searing Cold, the [Staff of Duality]]. [Searing Cold] can generate either a blade of condensed flame or a shell of cold on the weapon, costing low mana-per-second for either effect. The blade of condensed flame inflicts additional heat damage. The shell of cold inflicts additional cold damage. This is a heavy weapon.

    -------

    Sen¡¯s staff was extremely heavy; Eufemia would not be able to utilize it effectively yet, so she started to learn the lighter swords of Nara and Encio first.

    John opted for a baton that left his other hand free.

    She and John faced off, suppression collars around their necks. Nara didn¡¯t like the feeling of having her aura restrained so tightly, but it was a necessary step. Beorn sat in the dirt away from the two watching and enjoying the sensations of reality. A butterfly landed on his nose, making the massive bear look as cute as a button.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try not to hurt you. I know essence users recover well but I wouldn¡¯t feel proper,¡± John said.

    Nara raised an eyebrow, ¡°You¡¯re saying that to me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re my life junior.¡±

    She shook her head in dismay, ¡°Dude, just come at me.¡±

    John lunged forward, swinging down with his baton. The form itself was correct, benefits born of a skill book, but Nara was starting to see the issues with skill book usage without dedicated practice now that she was on the other side of the process. Timing, distance, and flow were all wrong. She stepped a little backwards, causing the distance for John to extend awkwardly. He tried to reach a little forward to make the attack connect and it destabilized him. Nara stepped into his torso, grabbed his extended arm, pulling him close and tipping him over with some force applied to his front stabilizing leg. She wanted to say it was a smidgen of the Tai Chi lessons she took at her martial arts studio, but at this point it was all skill book knowledge.

    John lay face first in the dirt field.

    Nara looked down at him, crouched by his side, her shadow cast over his face when he rolled over.

    ¡°So, who¡¯s the junior?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the junior, I¡¯m the junior,¡± John repeated.

    ¡°And I¡¯m probably the third best in the group,¡± Nara said with a sigh, ¡°Encio and Sen are combat menaces. Encio doesn¡¯t even need swordplay to win, but you won¡¯t catch him slaking.¡±

    ¡°Is this not odd?¡± John asked.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°A bunch of kids like you fighting monsters. Training at an early age for this, their whole lives.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m young but not a kid,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You¡¯re in your twenties.¡±

    ¡°I was starting to wonder if my essences really de-aged me into my teens or something. Encio is a year older than me, and Sen is the youngest, at 18.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it odd, though?¡±

    ¡°Our world has teenagers enlisting at 18 years of age or signing massive loans at that age,¡± Nara said, ¡°I can¡¯t say I think this is inhumane or anything. It just seems strange to you now that it¡¯s a different world and nothing is normal, so everything stands out.¡±

    John was silent for a moment.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard adventurers die,¡± he finally said.

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Nara conceded, ¡°I imagine the death rate of adventurers is probably higher than ordinary soldiers from countries at peace. Take somewhere other than the western world, those embroiled in strife, and it may not be too different. It may be worse, but don¡¯t have any statistics off the top of my head, and the situations aren¡¯t entirely comparable. They need adventurers to fight monsters or people will die. At least here, it¡¯s entirely voluntary. You can stop whenever you want.¡±

    If lives were at stake, would Nara be able to stop? Was it voluntary then? Those pressing questions remained unanswered. But adventurers did retire. During monster waves, retired adventurers took on easier tasks¡ªtransporting supplies or portaling others, if they had the abilities. These were tasks new, hotblooded adventurers didn¡¯t want to do since they didn¡¯t build up their reputation quite so much. They were distinctly unimpressive on the resume, and was viewed as getting lucky with an inventory or portal power and coasting for easy cash.

    Even as an Adventure Society member, the work was voluntary. She could accept all the contracts within her rank as long as she could handle them, or complete none. Some did so, doing the minimum to maintain membership to enjoy the benefits such as access to the Adventure Society trade halls and auctions. The only requirement was to participate in monster surges to protect the people, which occurred on average every 10 years.

    ¡°Here,¡± Nara offered her hand and helped him up from the ground. She turned to Eufemia, ¡°It¡¯s your turn.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re serious? I have to spar you?¡±

    ¡°I had to spar Vallis¡­oh you don¡¯t know her, but she¡¯s from another one of them great families. Vallis Nisei.¡±

    ¡°A relative of that snake woman?¡±

    ¡°Point being, if you think I¡¯m bad, you haven¡¯t seen anything yet. I could sic Encio on you?¡± she offered.

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass,¡± Eufemia grumbled, ¡°Can you even call that training? I would be entirely one sided.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised. He¡¯s a surprisingly good sparring partner.¡±

    ¡°Does that man have anything he¡¯s bad at?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t found one yet.¡±

    *****

    How does Encio learn so quickly?

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Quick Mind]

    [Spirit] increases as [Speed] increases. Learning speed is increased.

    -------

    He¡¯s not telling anyone. This is his little secret.

 Chapter 46: To Cultivate Instinct

    Chapter 46: To Cultivate Instinct

    With Sen now a part of the party, the group had access to the Arlang family compound. With access to a mirage chamber there, the group did not want to hog the mirage chamber back at the academy.

    Mirage chambers were a popular form of entertainment in Sanshi. It was the closest thing to professional sports Erras had¡ªessence users battled it out in the dream-battlefield in a variety of scenarios. There were professional teams with leagues separated based on rank, team versus team battles, duels, free-for-alls and competitions to slay the most monsters or slay a single monster the quickest. Teams swapped members to try to counter other teams, and statistics and ability information of each player were widely available. Teams won monster cores and spirit coins which they used to advance their own abilities.

    These competitors were probably the highest trained core users, and some even doubled as adventurers.

    However, this was not a path to power that the iron rank adventurers of Sanshi sought. That was a path for those that lost their nerve. Those that sought the safety of illusion. Those that survived yet fell on the path of the adventure, turned to other paths. This was one of many alternative options. For many, it was the only one remaining with glory and fame.

    Within the mirage chamber of the Arlang compound, Nara faced off against Leah Arlang, one of Sen¡¯s many cousins. She had the Adept, Magic, and Sword Essences for the Master Confluence.

    The mirage chamber showed the two an illusion of an arena. It was a classic arena, a circular shape with walls that shot up, then enclosed with a clear dome.

    Vallis had promised that using abilities would be different. She was right.

    Leah was skilled¡ªshe used a weapon like an Estoc. She made pointed, pinpoint stabs with magic that extended the range of her attacks and added disruptive-force damage. Disruptive-force damage was effective against magic-based abilities, and Nara¡¯s nodes were similarly weak to that damage type. Leah was one of the few people that managed to destroy her hard-to-reach nodes on the regular, apart from Encio, who had another cheaper ranged attack apart from his two iconic moves.

    Nara teleported at her shoulder, at an awkward angle that Leah couldn¡¯t reach in time. Nara slashed forward, but Leah still managed to react, the resulting blow was only a shallow cut. That was all Nara needed.

    -------

    -You have inflicted an instance of [Dimensional Instability] on Leah Arlang.

    -You have inflicted an instance of [Dimensional Rupture] on Leah Arlang.

    -------

    ¡°From order to disorder,¡± she chanted. The two afflictions began to grow.

    Although Nara could chain node conjurations to teleports, that was a waste of mana. She had no other choice for now.

    ¡°Barrage of magic, seek my enemy,¡± Leah chanted in turn.

    A barrage of homing magic missiles glowed into being and launched towards Nara.

    ¡°Oh shit. How¡¯s that fair?¡±

    She teleported to the far end of the arena, skittering away from the homing bolts of blue energy. They were faster than her. One bolt smacked into her, sending her crashing into the ground. She immediately teleported away; else she would have been ended right there. A few bolts were wasted into the ground, but the rest curved up, resuming their chase.

    Nara changed tactics. She teleported in close to Leah, battling her again in a test of close combat.

    Leah expected this. Leah had, like Sen, been training her entire life. Nara was more than outmatched in skill, but she had a few advantages. Her abilities were tailored towards avoidance and deflection.

    Leah¡¯s estoc, although not lightweight, was not so heavy Nara couldn¡¯t deflect it with Dream¡¯s Wake. Their swords clashed¡ªNara¡¯s shimmering black sword against Leah¡¯s pristine silver-grey. Nara pressed in, utilizing her every advantage. It wasn¡¯t much, but she kept up with Leah.

    The homing bolts sped closer, tunneling towards her back.

    She tried to time it, phasing at the right moment to let the bolts pass through her, but Leah caught her in the shoulder with a stab before she Phase Shifted.

    Nara stepped back from the blade, now intangible. Leah¡¯s stab hung in the air with no target, except Nara¡¯s blood on its blade.

    Leah was briefly surprised, two bolts of the remaining seven catching her in the chest. She let herself tumble to avoid the other bolts, letting them pass harmlessly over her as they turned again to resume their chase.

    Nara¡¯s advantage was in a drawn out battle, but Leah had methods to sour that. Her homing bolts forced Nara into a choice of wasting mana with teleportation or engaging Leah in close combat.

    She briefly swapped to bow-form Nirvana. Leah¡¯s quick deflections quickly revealed the flaws in that plan. While Nirvana¡¯s arrows were conjured from magic, they were no faster than ordinary arrows, and Nara had no abilities to enhance them. She abandoned that plan, swapping back to a sword.

    Blood was dripping from her shoulder, but her stacking Integrity boon and the effects of Refresh were slowly working on the injury. She wouldn¡¯t die from it, but it wasn¡¯t helping the situation of the fight.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Nara had one final idea.

    She re-engaged Leah, a flurry of swords that Nara was on the losing end of. She managed to avoid fatal blows, carried by the effects of her abilities, but her injured shoulder continually wore on her. One by one, Nara¡¯s nodes were once again destroyed, until she had none left. The oppressing homing bolts made their way back around putting their current deadlock on a short timer.

    The homing bolts approached but Nara did not Phase Shift through them this time. She placed a Dimension Node into the ground, deep enough that Leah¡¯s estoc could not easily seek it. Thanks to the large area of effect of the node, she could still teleport around it even if the intangible core was buried.

    Leah¡¯s attempt to puncture the node through the ground temporarily fixed her in place, and she realized her mistake of fixating on Nara¡¯s nodes.

    Nara let herself tip forward swinging her sword in that awkward position horizontal to the ground. Then, she teleported behind Leah, her mid-swing sword connecting with her lower leg, tearing through the flesh of her shin. The timing was tight, but she managed to pull this one off.

    With Nara behind Leah, the homing bolts still headed towards her. With her leg torn and her awkward position, Leah¡¯s normally quick reactions were slowed just enough for the bolts to slam into her again, consuming the remaining five bolts of magic. Nara was already on the floor, so she simply shoved her sword forwards and up, skewering Leah as she fell backwards onto her sword from the impact.

    It wasn¡¯t exactly the right move. Leah fell on top of her, the two dogpiling with swords at dangerous and precarious angles. Leah couldn¡¯t turn around, her back to Nara, but Nara was on the floor. With no leverage to swing Nirvana, Nara opted to transform it into a small stick and removed it from Leah¡¯s back. Leah¡¯s weight pressed against her¡ªNara couldn¡¯t move out with just a Phase Shift, but she could still teleport. She was running on empty now. Leah had successfully forced Nara to waste her entire mana pool dodging her single homing ability repeatedly.

    She teleported out of the pile, Leah dropping the short distance onto the floor.

    ¡°Pierce from below!¡± Leah chanted. Her expression turned to surprise when nothing activated.

    Nara was surprised too, but she continued the attack. With Leah on the floor and her leg damaged, she was in great position of vulnerability.

    She dashed to Leah with enhanced speed. She called up the methodology of The Way of the Hunter, precise and lethal. She swung down like a golfer, her sword cutting through vulnerable flesh of Leah¡¯s neck. She activated Astral Return for the base damage increase, but hadn¡¯t expected the return damage enhancement to trigger too; her sword cut through far easier and with far more power than she expected.

    Whatever Leah chanted, it would have damaged her, and one of Nara¡¯s abilities had somehow negated it, but what?

    With Leah slain, the mirage ended.

    Nara awoke on one of the mirage chamber beds in the side room. This hadn¡¯t been her first mirage chamber battle, but it was the first time she managed a win.

    Leah was beside her, on her own bed, her characteristic Arlang grey eyes locked onto hers.

    ¡°How did you negate my final spell?¡± Leah asked. Her expression was that of curiosity; she held no resentment over her loss.

    ¡°I have no idea¡ª¡± Nara started to say, ¡°¡ªactually I have an idea.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Cosmic Path]

    Conjuration (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a path of stars beneath the caster¡¯s feet. Prevents abilities from manifesting directly below the caster. Enhances [Speed]. Can reduce the weight of the caster for low mana-per-second cost, allowing for reduced fall speed and water walking. Can further enhance the caster¡¯s [Speed] for additional low mana-per-second cost. The slow-fall effect can be extended to others in proximity.

    -------

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected that effect to come in handy.¡±

    ¡°A lot of trapping abilities can manifest from the ground,¡± Leah explained, sitting beside Nara on her bed. She was a young lady, in her late teens. Like most essence users from adventuring families, they started early.

    ¡°I walk on my own path and no one else can change it. That¡¯s pretty nice.¡± She felt a bit like Amara and her inspirational sayings.

    ¡°Once you know about it, it¡¯s easy enough to bypass,¡± Leah said, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll target my ability a little away.¡±

    ¡°If you get a next time,¡± Nara said, ¡°What if I wanted to end it on a win?¡±

    ¡°Oh you wouldn¡¯t. You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Leah¡¯s expression twisted in pouting frustration.

    ¡°Would I?¡±

    They hadn¡¯t fought with familiars this time. The point of Leah and Nara¡¯s duel was to hone their own skills, and explore their own personal abilities. With familiars, the dynamic would change completely. That may change in the future, but they have kept it simple for now.

    Even though it was the Arlang¡¯s private mirage chamber, it was still constantly booked. The Arlang members had their own teams to train, and everyone wanted a piece of the mirage pie. In the future, Sen would most likely organize a bout with one of his relatives¡¯ teams.

    Encio greeted her outside the preparatory room.

    ¡°Nice win.¡±

    ¡°Thanks. Managed to eke something out this time. I¡¯m starting to understand the impact abilities can have on a fight. Even this fight though, my two afflictions did jack shit.¡±

    She inflicted them sure, and they began to stack. But the final blow was not a product of the damage bonus they provided.

    ¡°That¡¯s just how it is at iron rank. Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Encio assured her, ¡°If the arena changed, the battle would change completely.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Consider this¡ªa large and dense forest. Who do you think would have the advantage in that arena?¡±

    ¡°With what I know, I would.¡±

    ¡°Now, what if you decided to just attack Leah once, cast Entropy¡­¡± Encio had no idea what Entropy was, so the spell name always tripped him up, ¡°¡­cast that spell of yours, then retreat into the forest for a game of cat and mouse?¡±

    ¡°Leah¡¯s homing magic would suffer in the forest.¡±

    ¡°It would. What else?¡±

    ¡°My nodes would be a lot harder to pinpoint and destroy.¡±

    ¡°That too, and?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d also be a lot harder to track and find.¡± Even against the well-trained Arlang relatives, Nara¡¯s aura was hard to detect. Combined with her Moonlight Raiment, tracking her would be like tracking a shadow through the night.

    ¡°And all of that would combine into a desperate chase to finish you off before your afflictions grew so powerful that a single scratch from your sword triggers damage so powerful it blows a hole in her torso. The choice of an arena was a disadvantage to you from the very beginning.¡±

    ¡°I managed to turn Seeking Barrage against her this time, but she¡¯s a fast learner. Next time, she¡¯ll know that I have multiple ways to deal with it, and develop her own strategies to counter it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all the mirage chambers are really for,¡± Encio said. ¡°To figure out the strengths and weaknesses of your abilities and skills, and to experience that for yourself. Many things are not understood from the ability description that outworlder abilities provide. We understand out abilities intuitively without them, but how they interact in different situations is important.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t want to be caught off guard at the wrong time.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the right idea. Experience in the mirage chamber will help you prevail in situations where you need that experience. It¡¯s best to fight a wide variety of opponents in different circumstances to cultivate that instinct. The scenario I mentioned¡ªin the forest fighting you¡ªLeah herself may request it in order to prepare against a circumstance like that.¡±

    ¡°A loss isn¡¯t enough to stop an Arlang.¡±

    ¡°A loss is considered a good learning opportunity to an Arlang,¡± Encio said, ¡°as it should for any good adventurer. How about I provide you with a good learning opportunity?¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s to say it won¡¯t be a learning experience for you?¡±

    ¡°Want to bet?¡±

 Chapter 47: Getting Off Topic

    Chapter 47: Getting Off Topic

    ¡°So what Erin Nisei asked you for an investigation into these missing or killed researchers,¡± Encio said as he read through the papers of John and Eufemia¡¯s investigation.

    The group was gathered in Encio¡¯s suite for the night. As usual, Nara fetched some snacks from a shop for the group to enjoy. There was no good discussion without food. Any discussion without food could have been an email.

    ¡°Well that really does seem like an invasion or something,¡± Nara said, ¡°Does Sanshi have enemies?¡±

    ¡°Countries don¡¯t fight each other much here except for a few specific cases,¡± John said.

    ¡°They don¡¯t fight much? That¡¯s odd.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of open land. Nobody tries to claim it if they can¡¯t defend it from monsters,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Any enterprising diamond ranker can claim a piece, and people will flock to live under their protection. That¡¯s how kingdoms are started.¡±

    ¡°The exception is Rowan and Nekroz,¡± John said. ¡°They border each other.¡±

    ¡°Nekroz?¡±

    ¡°Nekroz is the land of the undead,¡± Encio said, ¡°It¡¯s Adventure Society policy to kill undead on sight.¡±

    ¡°That seems drastic. There¡¯s aren¡¯t like, friendly undead?¡±

    ¡°It should be. Vampires and necromancers have wiped out villages at a time. Let them go unchecked, and cities get consumed by the growing horde,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Victims are stripped of their free will,¡± Sen said, grim. ¡°Vampiric thralls lose control of their bodies, their soul an unwilling passenger to further atrocity.¡±

    ¡°Nekroz is Undeath¡¯s final bastion,¡± Eufemia said. Her expression and aura told Nara she had complicated feelings about the land.

    ¡°Rowan seeks to wipe out Nekroz, but Nekroz has strong defenses, and a famous wide-scale anti-teleportation array that prevents bypass. Policy in Rowan is split between the war and the neutral faction. The war faction wants to dedicate resources to launch a full-out assault against Nekroz and wipe the undead out for good. The neutral faction wants to leave the undead alone. As they are, they are contained within the land of Nekroz, which makes an identifiable threat, instead of scattered.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s also a cesspool of the immoral,¡± Eufemia scoffed. ¡°Some don¡¯t want to lose access to that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± John added, ¡°There are many normal people living in Nekroz. Policy internally has been shifting as well.¡±

    ¡°Their internal policy?¡± Encio asked, curious, ¡°I haven¡¯t heard much about that.¡±

    ¡°Like Rowan, Nekroz has roughly two factions. The Conservators and the Reformists.¡±

    ¡°The Conservators are the old nobility, the age-old vampires, liches, werewolves, and other beings of undeath that seek to preserve their high and mighty order,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°The Reformists want to change the paradigm of Nekroz. There¡¯s vampires in there too¡ªthey seek equality and coexistence.¡±

    ¡°Vampires that can seek coexistence. Quick question: are these vampires the type that can non-lethally suck blood?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve guessed it,¡± John said, ¡°Vampires need blood¡ªlife force¡ªbut it doesn¡¯t have to kill the target. These vampires are pretty much normal folk.¡±

    ¡°Folk that wanted their shot at magic,¡± Eufemia said, her expression slightly downcast. ¡°Essences are expensive, and many never have a chance. They dream¡ªdream of the youth, the immortality, the magic. Otherwise ordinary people.¡±

    ¡°They haven¡¯t killed anyone before,¡± Sen concluded.

    ¡°Not a single one,¡± Eufemia said.

    Nara had a feeling that Eufemia and John knew their fair share of harmless vampires.

    ¡°The Conservators and the Reformists are at odds, but its entirely one-sided. Nekroz is ruled by the Conservators.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s obvious,¡± Encio said. ¡°The Reformists have no diamond rankers.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s sums it up well. The Reformists are a new faction with new beliefs. They have little in the way of political or personal power. The old Conservators rule the land, preserving Nekroz in their image,¡± John said.

    ¡°And the Reformists have little choice but to stay.¡±

    ¡°The Adventure Society and the rest of the world isn¡¯t changing their stance on the undead anytime soon, when a single is a risk to hundreds or even thousands,¡± Encio said, ¡°but we¡¯ve gotten a bit off topic, haven¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°What we¡¯re we talking about again?¡±

    ¡°The investigation into the missing or killed researchers.¡±

    ¡°Right, that. Sounds like the plot of some sci-fi novel or something,¡± Nara said, ¡°Aliens don¡¯t want the world to make scientific¡ªor, hey, magic¡ªdiscovery for some reason. Maybe they want to weaken the world to take control of it, or they have some other reason. So they go around killing all the academics one way or another.¡±

    ¡°You think aliens are killing researchers?¡± John expression was one of contemplation, ¡°I can believe that.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯d believe almost anything right now, John,¡± Eufemia pointed out.

    ¡°Well hey, I wasn¡¯t seriously considering it, but if outworlders can exist, who¡¯s the say aliens are wondering this world? They already have more than one race,¡± Nara said.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have more than one race in your world? How fascinating.¡±

    ¡°No, I mean, how¡¯d you get lion men? Did they evolve from lions like humans did apes? How does that make any sense?¡±

    ¡°Did you say humans evolved from apes?¡± Aliyah asked, ¡°Could you elaborate? Is there evidence?¡±

    ¡°On our world there is, but we don¡¯t have lion men. Who knows if the theory of evolution applies in a world with magic. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if races just spontaneously appeared.¡±

    ¡°Some do actually¡ªwhen too much elemental ambient magic is absorbed into a race over the course of generations, they¡¯re converted into an inherently magical race, like the abyssal elves, the thunderstrike leonids, and the snowspell runics. I wouldn¡¯t call it spontaneous¡ª¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said with a grief-filled voice, ¡°Evolution is probably out the window. It was nice knowing you.¡±

    Evolution waved a handkerchief out the window of the departing train of scientific theory, tears in its eyes.

    Their conversation was generally tangential and unproductive, but what could be expected of a group meshed from two different universes?

    John and Eufemia were busy now, but they¡¯d continue their investigation for Erin Nisei after the Celestial Book trial. It would be their last case for Erin Nisei. Like Alea had said, they would no longer need her once they had alternate employment.

    John decided to finish the investigation regardless. He wasn¡¯t one to leave a job unfinished. If he was genuinely one of the few that produced reliable investigation results, he didn¡¯t want to leave Erin Nisei hanging on a matter of such great importance. However, for the next two parts of her request¡ªfuture targets and local contacts or base of operations¡ªJohn had no leads of his own.

    John wasn¡¯t involved in Sanshi academic society. He didn¡¯t know the researchers on the ins and outs. Then he remembered¡ªthere was someone here who may.

    ¡°Aliyah, you are a member of the Magic Society, isn¡¯t that right.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°What is it that you research?¡±

    ¡°A mixture of array magic, astral magic, and other fields. I¡¯ve tried my hand with artifice as well.¡±

    ¡°Do you know any researchers with these characteristics?¡± John presented her with a copy of the researched he had gathered for Erin Nisei.

    She riled though the papers, looking at each with an exacting eye.

    ¡°I know some of these people. They¡¯ve disappeared?¡±

    Many researchers weren¡¯t the best at keeping in contact, so their disappearance was a surprise to Aliyah.

    ¡°You know them? Which ones?¡±

    She pointed them out; a mixture of researchers from all three, but many from group three in particular.

    ¡°Did you join in their research?¡±

    ¡°I was curious in it, yes. It wasn¡¯t my field, but I had the feeling they were on the path to an amazing discovery. It was something that assumed something beyond mana as a basis for the framework of the world¡ªI can¡¯t quite describe it.¡±

    She stood up and paced a bit, suddenly engrossed.

    ¡°It was as if our world had two energies. Mana and¡­something else. These energies, they weren¡¯t separate, but interacted with each other to form reality as we know it.¡±

    ¡°Yo,¡± Nara said, gesturing with her thumb, ¡°Is she in danger?¡±

    ¡°Possibly. Aliyah, could you additionally write what other of your colleagues and acquaintances are participating in research like this. Anyone you know at all?¡±

    She stopped pacing. Her brow furrowed, ¡°Of course. I understand.¡±

    With even and rapid penmanship, she began to write out a list of names as well as their fields of research.

    ¡°We call them researchers of fundamental magics,¡± Aliyah said once she set down her pen, having finished writing her list, ¡°Miss Nisei may already have a list like this. I have no doubt a person like her is well connected even in the Magic Society.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone has the same connections,¡± John said, ¡°You may have seen something she did not.¡±

    For the time being, Aliyah was prohibited from wandering alone. She spent the majority of her time either at the Magic Society or the Arlang compound, both of which were protected by array defenses. She was also Sen¡¯s mentor in magic. She had been hired by the Arlang family to teach Sen external magic. He had learnt enough magic that his mother, Jade Arlang, was satisfied with his level of learning. Aliyah was no longer hired by the Arlang family for his education, but they maintained good relationships, and she had a small private lab on their compound.

    *****

    ¡°Why do we have to go out and fight monsters?¡± Eufemia groaned, not enjoying the skimmer ride out into nature in particular. She was a city woman, a connoisseur of the arts, and did not enjoy the wilderness that adventuring required.

    ¡°Better that than the alternative,¡± Nara said, ¡°Fighting monsters in the city.¡±

    Eufemia grumbled and turned away. She and John had basic adventurer leathers since neither had an armor conjurations. Later, the two would buy custom made armor, as any adventurer should, but the two were tight on cash and some simple armor would do the job. It was better than the cotton shirt Nara had fought her first monster it.

    The two had seen monsters before, as much as any ordinary person had seen a monster; John had been stranded on Erras for a year, while Eufemia was a native. Lesser monsters were no threat, and even children could handle them. Squashing a lesser monster that manifested on your front door with whatever was on hand like they were some common household pest was a common sight in Erras.

    Iron rank monsters were different. They had resistances against normal rank damage which made killing them more difficult than their previous casual disposal. Iron rank varied wildly in danger level towards an ordinary citizen, completely unlike their lesser equivalents which were all pushovers.

    They skimmed up the eastern shoreline this time, passing short sand bars and cliffs where forest abruptly ended to sea. This was a similarly short trip as Nara¡¯s last one, just a day and a half out at most. Iron rankers were limited by their ability to travel quickly.

    The Adventure Society kept loaner skimmers on hand, but not many Adventure Society members had an ability that allowed them to operate magic tools. Aliyah did, thankfully, so they could travel without buying a ticket on the public transportation methods if it didn¡¯t suit their path.

    ¡°A few shabs have been spotted near this area,¡± Sen explained, ¡°They are uncomfortably close to a nearby fishing village, so the village chief has submitted a contract to have them dealt with.¡±

    Sure enough, they spotted the shabs on the sandbar, scuttling back and forth aimlessly on tall, spider-like crab legs. Their main body was a mixture of crab and shark, armored with orange carapace plates. A shark tail hung pointlessly off of its body, flopping around like a fish out of water¡ªwhich it was. It was a tall and large monster, crab legs pushing them above the ground around four to five feet off the ground.

    ¡°Shab¡­I doubted the name, but I get it. Simple. To the point,¡± Nara nodded in agreement, ¡°No matter how I spin it, it¡¯s clearly a shark-crab. Or maybe, a crab-shark? A Crark? Hmm.¡±

    John pulled out his camera, snapping a picture of the monster. Surprisingly, it listed much of the information the Monster Compendium possessed, and some more.

    ¡°So, if you take a picture of a monster no one has named, how would that work?¡± Nara wondered.

    ¡°Your ability also tells you the name of something when it dies,¡± Encio pointed out.

    ¡°Huh. True¡­¡±

    Aliyah shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s one of the many wonders where outworlder abilities pull their information from, but a topic without much headway nor opportunity. It¡¯s speculated that when outworlders form their new bodies through the dimensional membrane, their soul pulls information from the mana of that world. Information abilities from adventurers of this world can only pull information from this world, as far as we know.¡±

    ¡°I can access information from my world though,¡± Nara pointed out.

    ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s just a speculation. Another theory is that there is a record of all information in the cosmos, a Cosmic Compendium, so to speak. Outworlders are able to link to this compendium and access the information relevant to their immediate situation.¡±

    ¡°The Akashic Records? It¡¯s what we call that concept in my world.¡±

    Aliyah nodded, ¡°Since all information across the cosmos is contained in the Cosmic Compendium, even monsters our world has not seen before would have been encountered by someone else in the cosmos and thusly identified. The existence of beings like the Goddess of Knowledge and the Celestial Book lends more credence to this theory than the previous. But,¡± Aliyah sighed, ¡°We will likely never reach a definite conclusion.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Do you consent to experimentation?¡±

    ¡°Ah. Definitely not.¡±

    ¡°Please let me know if you change your mind.¡±

 Chapter 48: The Power She Sought

    Chapter 48: The Power She Sought

    John was up first. Me manifested Beorn who activated his rage mode. His fur bristled and sharpened, his body grew a few sized, and aura of red blazing out of the beast like it was on fire. It was the quintessential anime rage effect, unmistakable.

    ¡°From within wells unending vigor,¡± John cast Vigor Wellspring on Beorn.

    The main purpose of their expedition this time was for John to practice the timing of his support abilities. Shields required tight timings¡ªit was an ability with high skill requirements but also commensurate effect. With Beorn as his target, he cast shields to deflect the sharp and large claws of the shabs.

    Often, the shield manifested around Beorn and faded before anything hit it. John resignedly smiled, ¡°I can see why this will be difficult.¡±

    Sen nodded, ¡°Simultaneously shielding, healing, and fending off attacks from yourself. The healer is one of the most difficult positions in a party, but also one of the most necessary members.¡±

    ¡°Everyone wants you dead as the healer,¡± Eufemia pointed out. ¡°Except us, we want you alive.¡±

    Nara started to feel better that she wasn¡¯t the healer. She didn¡¯t think she could handle that kind of pressure as the foundation supporting the entire party, the dividing line between life and death. Compared to her, John was steadier and more experienced. He could handle it.

    ¡°You can just say I¡¯m older.¡± John said, ¡°I¡¯m comfortable with my age.¡±

    Beorn was a reliable ally; his rage mode didn¡¯t actually affect his mental state. He launched himself into shabs with fervor, his claws ripping off carapaces and crunching into meaty flesh with ease. Even attacks from those massive claws that connected inflicted only shallow cuts. Unfortunately, the effects of rage mode prevented them from healing with the ease they should have¡ªBeorn¡¯s natural regeneration plus John¡¯s boon would have been enough if not for the health draining properties of rage.

    ¡°You think those are tasty¡­?¡± Nara wondered, ¡°Sharks and crabs are considered a delicacy.¡±

    Thanatos licked his lips, and his black fire crackled expectantly, like he was considering roasting them alive. Unfortunately, Thanatos¡¯ flame was unideal for roasting food.

    Beorn picked up a Shab by the leg, slamming it into another with a deep crunch like the Incredible Hulk slamming Loki. His roaring mouth shot down, tearing into the soft underside of the exposed shab. He then cartwheeled, his legs uppercutting an approaching shab.

    ¡°Is your bear doing¡­kung fu?¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡± John said, ¡°That¡¯s mad.¡±

    ¡°I think Beorn is a better martial artist that you.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t a high bar right now.¡±

    ¡°Do not distract John. He is practicing.¡± Sen said, picking up Nara and placing her a bit further away. She conjured a chair, pouting.

    -------

    -[Shab] has died within your aura. It has been looted.

    <ul>

    <li>50 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>5000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>5 monster cores (iron)</li>

    <li>2 parcels of shab meat</li>

    <li>Shark Essence</li>

    <li>50 water quintessence</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    John¡¯s looting ability also triggered, doubling the rewards the whole team received; Nara received an additional 50 iron spirit coins, 5000 lesser spirit coins, and monster cores on top of the ones she just earned. As Sen said, looting abilities could stack, and they had not reached the limit. Nara¡¯s looting ability functioned like the standard¡ªanything within her aura that died, she could loot, and all allies received loot. Loot between allies was not identical, but everyone received the same copy of spirit coins monster cores, and quintessence. They other loot was randomized per person.

    John¡¯s looting ability was a bit more complex. His ability stipulated ¡°you and nearby allies¡± gain the ability to loot defeated enemies, and not ¡°You and your allies can loot defeated enemies with aura range¡± like Nara¡¯s did. Thankfully, a neat synergy between Nara¡¯s Party Guide and John¡¯s Case Files meant that anyone within the party was considered a nearby ally. The other issue was that John¡¯s looting ability required physical contact to loot, but they discovered Nara¡¯s aura would trigger both looting abilities simultaneously instead. You couldn¡¯t dissolve a monster twice, after all. But physical contact from any party member was sufficient to trigger the effect, including their familiars. It didn¡¯t have to be John himself.

    Nara wondered if John¡¯s looting required physical contact because of detective shows where they searched bodies for clues.

    With a little testing, they determined that John¡¯s boon extended the duration of rage by around three times. Additional healing further extended the mode, and Nara¡¯s Integrity boons, once stacked, also furthered the maximum duration.

    For general monster slaying, normal Beorn was more than enough. Rage mode made Beorn vulnerable to damage by the end of it with his low health and low stamina pools, if he wasn¡¯t forcibly subsumed. Using rage mode for a short period was a waste of the 10 minute cooldown. Beorn would not do nearly as much damage, but he served more to keep the heat off of John, body blocking, shoving and throwing monsters, and crushing the weak ones entirely.

    As party frontliners, it was more Sen¡¯s and Nara¡¯s job to prevent others from targeting John. It wouldn¡¯t be much at iron rank; iron rank monsters didn¡¯t have the intellectual capacity to focus down a healer, or identify the healer in the first place.

    If Nara had to tank, she fell into the evasion or parry tank category. Sen was a brawler, both a resilient and high damage essence user, one of the most common and most favored archetypes by the Adventure Society for their resilience, general use, and immediate efficacy.

    Compared to Nara, Sen had more than a few abilities that increased his physical strength, his [Power] attribute, and his resistance to damage. One was the Mighty Strength ability, the most common ability awakened in the Might Essence, and the one Sen awakened when he absorbed the essence.

    -------

    Ability: [Mighty Strength]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Increased physical strength.

    -------

    Since it was the single effect of the ability, it was a large bonus. Sen hadn¡¯t awakened all his abilities yet either, but this single ability pushed his strength into late iron territory. Late iron to early bronze was the realm of Olympic athletes. Bronze was where the transition past human limits began.

    Another of his damage reduction abilities was his aura, Guardian¡¯s Retribution, which he had surprisingly awakened with an Awakening Stone of the Shield into his Wrath Confluence.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    -------

    Ability: [Guardian¡¯s Retribution]

    Aura

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): All allies within aura have increased damage resistance and increased resistance to afflictions.

    -------

    Only at later ranks would the ability reveal the reason for its name. Often, abilities were renamed or named as their later ranks were discovered. Guardian¡¯s Retribution wasn¡¯t a common aura (all auras were equally uncommon, since they varied the most with individual personality, awakening stone, and essences out of all ability types), but it had been progressed to at least silver rank in the Magic Society¡¯s records. Once it¡¯s later ranks had been discovered, it was finally given it¡¯s permanent name.

    Paired with his armor conjuration, his racial abilities, and other special abilities, Sen was a powerhouse of both physical strength, resilience, and speed. He was tough to kill, hard restrain, and dealt powerful damage back in turn. To top it all off, Sen had his own scaling abilities that helped him in extended encounters.

    ¡°Okay, I know we said money doesn¡¯t make a build more powerful, but I¡¯m really starting to feel it does.¡±

    ¡°Some abilities may be individually powerful, but all essence sets balance themselves,¡± Sen assured her.

    ¡°The magic within an essence user is limited by rank,¡± Aliyah offered her supporting evidence, ¡°We will specialize in certain circumstances, but no ability set has inherently more power.¡±

    Nara stared at Sen and Encio with a suspicious gaze.

    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t feel that way, does it?¡±

    Eufemia leaned in, her eyes similarly narrowed, ¡°No it does not. Thank the gods I can just copy them. Your problem, not mine.¡±

    Off to the side, John was holding up a stone of characteristic shape. Deep blue swirled within, glittering like the surface of the ocean.

    John held it out for the others to see, ¡°It¡¯s an Awakening Stone of Water. I looted it just now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a good one for a healer,¡± Encio said, ¡°I say use it.¡±

    ¡°I concur,¡± Sen said.

    John did. The stone melted in his hand, turning his palm briefly transparent as if it had turned to clear ocean water.

    -------

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has used [Awakening Stone of Water].

    -[John Aurelius] has awakened Renewal Essence Ability [Fountain of Life]. [John Aurelius has awakened 3 of 5 Renewal Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Fountain of Life]

    Awakening Stone: Water

    Spell (healing)

    Incantation: ¡°Fountain of life, manifest.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Creates an endless fountain that replenishes health of nearby allies.

    -------

    ¡°As expected, a standard healing ability,¡± Encio said, ¡°You¡¯re low on basic healing, so this is a great addition.¡±

    The two abilities John already awakened in his Life Essence was Life Bolt, another basic healing spell, and Vision of Life, his perception ability.

    -------

    Ability: [Life Bolt]

    Awakening Stone: None

    Spell (healing)

    Incantation: ¡°Imbue with life.¡±

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Delivers life energy though a projectile, giving a small burst of instantaneous healing. Damages certain targets that are inimical to life force, such as most forms of undead.

    Ability: [Vision of Life]

    Awakening Stone: Vision

    Conjuration

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive the vulnerabilities of others.

    -------

    All essence users awakening one aura ability and one perception ability, although there were rare exceptions. John¡¯s Vision of Life allowed him to see how others were injured or afflicted, which was useful for a healer-in-training.

    The group make a quick stop at the nearby coastal fishing village to take a look at their own local Adventure Society notice board. Village branches were very small, often manned by a single local. Villages posted their own local contracts at the standard rates for the adventure society. The ones posted at the main branch had been up for long enough that a copy had been made back in Sanshi.

    The group accepted all their contracts, and headed out again to test and train Eufemia.

    Eufemia, like John, had awakened two abilities in her Mirror Essence: Mirror Form and Echo Spirit.

    -------

    Ability: [Mirror Form]

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (transformation)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect(Iron): Take on the form of any target you remember.

    Ability: [Echo Spirit]

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown:

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Echo Spirit] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Incorporeal</li>

    <li>Can mimic the form of enemies or allies.</li>

    <li>Can switch-teleport with mimicked allies.</li>

    <li>Can mirror the mimicked ally¡¯s movements and attacks but inflicts no damage or other effects.</li>

    <li>When subsumed into the summoner¡¯s aura, the summoner can manipulate their own aura, projecting false traits or mimicking the aura of others.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Mirror Form wasn¡¯t that useful in combat against unintelligent monsters, but against other essence users¡­Nara hoped it wouldn¡¯t come to that.

    Eufemia¡¯s Echo Spirit was named Runaia, Runa for short, an indistinct holographic being of humanoid shape that flickered like a TV with bad signal. Eufemia hadn¡¯t awakened her own aura yet, so Eufemia couldn¡¯t use Runa¡¯s subsumed aura effect. For now, it was a passive effect that just made Eufemia¡¯s transformations more convincing.

    The next monster on the list was a drop snake. It draped itself over outcroppings and outstretched branches to drop onto unsuspecting travelers below. They were awkward opponents to fight with their small sizes, but low rank monsters were rarely large. They were still larger than normal snakes, evidence of their monstrous nature.

    They traveled to the cliff side, eyes up to check for sky-dropping snakes. It was unnecessary¡ªNara detected them long before they were underneath the nest of snakes.

    ¡°You¡¯re up, Eufie,¡± Nara said.

    Eufemia¡¯s face scrunched at the impromptu nickname.

    She transformed into Encio, more for performance than for power. Her transformation granted her no additional power beyond her base attributes. She did, however, do a stunning job of capturing his casual confidence and elusive smile.

    ¡°I have to admit that¡¯s uncanny,¡± Encio said, ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m looking at myself,¡± he smiled, ¡°Handsome, even from the back. Not that I expected anything different.¡±

    ¡°You do have a nice back,¡± Nara admitted. After all the work she¡¯s been putting in on the daily, even she had a nice ass, she¡¯d like to think. From office average to cushioned tush.

    ¡°Are you flirting with me?¡±

    ¡°Nope, just stating facts.¡± Nara twirled an imaginary mustache, ¡°Not only am I a connoisseur of food, but I am also a connoisseur of beauty.¡±

    ¡°Are you now?¡± Encio said with his iconic teasing smile, ¡°Then who¡¯s the most beautiful person you¡¯ve ever seen? Is it me?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t, actually,¡± Nara said, ¡°You¡¯re up there but¡­I think it must be Amara. She has those burning gold eyes set off against that flawless ebony skin. I¡¯d ask what her skincare routine is, but that¡¯s not a thing around here.¡±

    ¡°I can accept that, losing to Amara Edea. If you had said some no-name iron ranker I¡¯d be a little offended.¡±

    ¡°Of course, you accept your loss when it¡¯s against a gold ranker. So you admit I have good taste?¡±

    ¡°No, everyone likes the most beautiful person. That¡¯s no indication of taste, just good sense.¡±

    ¡°And if I said you? Is that good taste or good sense?¡±

    ¡°Both. You didn¡¯t think you could win one over me that easily?¡±

    While the two were bickering over beauty standards, Eufemia transformed Silver Gleam into Encio¡¯s sword, Whirlwind Sword.

    -------

    Ability: [Whirlwind Sword]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Wind

    Conjuration

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Zephyr¡¯s Tempest, the Whirlwind Sword]. Zephyr¡¯s Tempest inflicts physical damage. Attacks and abilities made with [Zephyr¡¯s Tempest] have increased speed and penetrating power.

    -------

    The Whirlwind Sword was a long and slightly curved saber, resembling a Chinese miaodao. Unlike Nara¡¯s lighter blade, it was wielded with two hands. The blade was a shimmering silver that exuded sharpness like it had been forged of cutting winds and condensed light. A handguard of cloud patterns and a pure white handle completed the weapon.

    Nara would bet it didn¡¯t stay white for long.

    Eufemia sent Runa forward, also transformed into Encio. The drop snakes saw their prey below, and they tumbled down from the overhanging tree, landing on nothing but sand. Runa flickered away, clearing the road for Eufemia and forcing the drop snakes to spring their trap prematurely.

    A familiar black sheath conjured at Eufemia¡¯s waist. She sheathed the sword, energy gathering at her hands.

    It was an exhilarating feeling for Eufemia; something she had never felt before. Essence users had a complex status in Nekroz, and they were rarely seen. Even during her travels with John as they made their months long journey to Sanshi, they had seen only a few Adventurers guarding their transport from afar, like untouchable celebrities on the stage. They were beautiful, powerful, and confident¡ªAnd held a status of respect and power Eufemia had always wanted. Eufemia was very tired working around those more powerful than she was, aware that she would in some ways become what she disliked. Between standing on top or crawling below, the answer was obvious to Eufemia.

    She knew, eventually, with John she¡¯d get her chance, and she had. The wear from her years in Nekroz, that emptiness she experienced, for a brief moment, it all melted away.

    She unleashed a swing. A fully charged Vorpal Slash tore across the beach whipping up sand and water wildly. The snakes were chopped up and tossed like chunks of chicken in a sandy salad.

    Eufemia strode forward, quickly finishing off any still-living snakes with light rays to the skull.

    This was the power her mother had wanted, and she sought it in Nekroz. Eufemia wondered what would become of her scattered family, now separated by race, land, and affiliation.

    Her father¡ªthe pathetic, ambitionless artificer who her mother scorned. They had saved to provide him with an essence set, and he provided nothing in turn.

    Herself¡ªthe escapee of Nekroz with a past best left unspoken, who sought a new future as an adventurer.

    Her mother¡ªwho took Eufemia to Nekroz in her disappointment and rage, now a vampire.

 Chapter 49: The Gift of the Gods

    Chapter 49: The Gift of the Gods

    John, Aliyah, Eufemia, and Nara gathered in Aliyah¡¯s lab. The desk was scattered with books and papers, despite Aliyah¡¯s best efforts to keep it tidy.

    Aliyah was teaching the other three astral magic, to the best of her ability. As expected, John was the worst at learning it despite his ability to use skill books. Skill books provided practical knowledge; they didn¡¯t help with theoretical knowledge, advanced application, or critical thinking. Nara was the best of the three students, although her knowledge of astral magic was oddly disjointed.

    Aliyah sighed, gathering up the papers scattered on the table into neat piles to sort into cabinets later. The crystal drawing board was covered in figures and diagrams.

    ¡°It¡¯s as you said, your knowledge of astral magic is very incomplete. That you even managed to cast a ritual as you described is almost miraculous.¡±

    ¡°I did have an expert with me.¡±

    ¡°That astral being you mentioned, Chrome? You said he was a Hand of Time.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what someone else called him anyway. I didn¡¯t exactly spend a whole lot of time inquiring into his background. When I did, he said it was ¡®beyond my comprehension¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m inclined to agree. Even for a world with magic, the Great Astral Beings and their workings are not well known. As you were, you must have been in a rather delicate state, mentally.¡±

    ¡°Oh you bet. I was talking to a volleyball for a while.¡±

    ¡°A volleyball named Wilson?¡± John asked.

    ¡°You know that movie?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a great movie that discusses interesting psychological experiences. You know, I wouldn¡¯t say it¡¯s all that different to our situation now. We¡¯re trapped on a different world with no way to communicate with the other one we know exists beyond.¡±

    John¡¯s comment provoked a thought within Nara¡¯s mind.

    ¡°But what if we could communicate with the other world?¡±

    ¡°You have a way?¡± John asked.

    ¡°No,¡± Nara denied, ¡°But what if we could invent a way?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s feasible,¡± Aliyah said after a moment of thought.

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d deny it right away.¡±

    ¡°There is a lot of research conducted into communication past dimensional boundaries, such as astral spaces,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Or communication past barriers and within regions of unstable and concentrated magic. The best results have been with essence abilities like yours. Unfortunately, we haven¡¯t figured it out with artifacts yet.¡±

    Aliyah had seemed a little airheaded at first to Nara, but when talking about magic, it was clear she was the real deal. Her eyes usually sparkled with innocent curiosity, although she had enough sense to restrain herself as not to be rude, usually.

    ¡°Or communication in general. Amara seems to be whipping up something of her own.¡±

    ¡°Oh my, I look forward to it,¡± Aliyah said, clasping her hands together. ¡°However, while it is possible, there is one fundamental issue with communication magic. An issue that ritual magic like summoning magic and portal magic share¡ªhow you find the destination.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a bit about them. Portal abilities just work on anywhere you¡¯ve visited before, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°As long as the region has not changed significantly. That is why portal plazas are created. They are built to be distinctive and unchanged, hence their artistic beauty and memorable statues.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s too difficult to portal to an ordinary forest?¡±

    ¡°For shorter portals and teleportation, essence users find landmarks to serve as intermittent stops while waiting for the portal cooldown. Particularly large trees, ruins, unique rock formations, a field of flowers, a lonesome bridge. Anything will do as long as it stands out to you.¡±

    ¡°Then what if I perform that cosmic-searching ritual magic again?¡±

    ¡°You mentioned it sought a world with an astral to physical connection? If your world has no magic, that connection will not exist.¡±

    ¡°Ah, shoot. There goes plan one. I don¡¯t have the know how to alter that ritual on my own.¡±

    ¡°Do you still remember it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d make you copy but it¡¯s too massive to fit on a piece of paper,¡± Nara said when Aliyah tried to hand her one.

    She took the paper back with restrained disappointment.

    ¡°Our other option is to create an artifact that can travel past dimensional boundaries. That particular goal poses many technical challenges.¡±

    ¡°The whole ¡®physical material can¡¯t exist in the astral¡¯ thing, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just one of many issues,¡± Aliyah explained. ¡°We can look into it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not as if no solutions exist?¡±

    Aliyah nodded, ¡°It is known that diamond rankers often leave their home world to explore the cosmos, returning occasionally for large events when their assistance is needed. But how they explore the cosmos or are contacted by those remaining is not privy to us.¡±

    ¡°So seek a diamond ranker for answers? Maybe we can hit up Sezan.¡±

    Aliyah lips formed a soft frown, ¡°I can¡¯t say I approve of the notion to casually ¡®hit up¡¯ a diamond ranker for answers, nor is he likely to give them. He may not even know, nor have sought those answers himself.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Honorary Duke Sezan Aciano is a young diamond ranker, for a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°Ala: he hasn¡¯t gotten bored of this world yet?¡±

    ¡°That is not the phrasing I would use. Regardless, I do not recommend we pursue this research for the time being. I understand you want a method to communicate with your families, but training the two of you to pass the Adventure Society examination is our most pressing task. From what Nara has mentioned Traveler told her, the Celestial Book trial is an opportunity to access knowledge that may lead to the solution we seek. The both of you need to be adventurers to participate.¡±

    ¡°It all boils down to ¡®just train¡¯,¡± John said. ¡°Nice and simple. That works for me.¡±

    The group of four exited the lab walking through the beautiful paths of the Arlang compound. The entire estate was crafted in harmony with the environment. It was not only a masterful showcase of landscape artistry but of array defenses.

    *****

    ¡°Hello there, Nara,¡± A voice said.

    Nara had experienced divinity enough times to recognize the sensation. It was a god, but she didn¡¯t recognize which one. She had only seen one so far, Traveler. This god did not possess his iconic cloak and hat.

    John, Eufemia, and Aliyah had continued on ahead as if they had forgotten her existence entirely. That unnerved her, but it may have been an application of what Sezan had done with his own aura in Aviensa. She had no doubt a god could pull it off too.

    ¡°Hello,¡± she greeted, ¡°You are?¡±

    ¡°I am Creator, the god of Creation.¡±

    As usual, the god looked like the locals. He looked like a wise man, with heavy silver robes. His countenance was that of calm, with long black hair neatly braided and hung over his shoulder. He had the aura of a learned scholar, but also the tinge of youthful energy. It was knowledge and passion combined that birthed innovation. In many ways, the god reminded her of Amara but with less warrior flavor.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Nara¡¯s expression furrowed, ¡°Not like a creator god, right? I thought this world didn¡¯t have that, but I could be wrong.¡±

    ¡°No, not like that,¡± he said with a smile like gazing upon an endearing child, ¡°the god of discovery and invention, if that clarifies the matter.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Are you here to help out?¡±

    ¡°I am afraid not. I am here for another matter.¡±

    ¡°Another matter? That was about the only thing we were thinking of creating. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve created or invented anything else. Except water, that one time. Is that bad?¡±

    ¡°That is fine. There are many abilities able to create matter,¡± he said. ¡°As long as the scale is limited, there are no issues. Minor creation cannot unbalance the entropy of the universe.¡±

    ¡°Oh good. I thought it¡¯d be strange for a god to care about the creation of matter when energy is being generated limitlessly by magic anyway. All you need to do is push some windmills with magic wind. Physics is really struggling here.¡±

    ¡°We are aware of the non-ideal state of physical mastery. We are here because of soul-song mutual communion.¡±

    ¡°We?¡±

    Another god appeared. This time a woman.

    ¡°¡­And you are?¡±

    ¡°I am Knowledge, the goddess of knowledge,¡± she greeted.

    It was the famed Knowledge, who Nara had once attempted to step into her temple grounds but turned back.

    ¡°Do you all need something from me?¡± Nara said, her tension immediately ramping with the appearance of another god.

    ¡°Not something from you,¡± a third god said, ¡°This is something we bestow.¡±

    Then another god appeared, one she recognized. It was the only god she had met before.

    Traveler waved, ¡°So we meet again.¡±

    ¡°That holds way less meaning when you can just appear whenever,¡± Nara said.

    A fifth god appeared, an older man with a white beard and modest brown robes, ¡°I am Healer. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    She didn¡¯t think a god actually thought it was a personal pleasure to meet her. More than likely, he was just polite, as far as gods that could appear wherever and whenever they wanted could be polite. She found herself backing away. A single person surrounded by five people was imposing, let alone five gods.

    ¡°Healer? Redell mentioned you,¡± Nara said slowly, stepping back with equal care. ¡°He was looking into soul-song for healing purposes. If this is about that, shouldn¡¯t you look towards him? What¡¯s this all about? Why are there so many of you in one place?¡±

    ¡°This matter is regarding soul-song. He may progress the technique in the future, but the original invention is yours,¡± Creator said. ¡°What you created is the basis for a new field.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sit quite well with me. I really hadn¡¯t done much. It was nothing big. If anything, I added on to his research.¡±

    ¡°And yet, it is undeniably your thoughts that birthed it,¡± Knowledge said.

    ¡°I thought gods couldn¡¯t read minds?¡±

    ¡°They cannot. But everything, once thought, becomes knowledge.¡±

    It seemed mind-reading was another one of those rules which had ways around it, in the same way that emotions were felt in the aura if they weren¡¯t controlled and concealed.

    Another goddess appeared, for a total of six divine figures. Nara felt like she was standing in front of a council that would decide her fate. She felt¡­divinely uncomfortable.

    ¡°Liberty,¡± she said, greeting her curtly, ¡°Hello, Nara.¡±

    ¡°I am sorry about this,¡± Healer said, ¡°This will be rather unpleasant.¡±

    ¡°I for one, am not,¡± another grinned, ¡°I love this sort of thing.¡±

    ¡°About what?¡± Nara said, her nervousness spiking. If a god was apologizing, that was not good. Very much not good at all. Was she about to be smited? Smote? No, they said it was a gift, but her mind was racing. She debated astral jumping away from this location, which felt more and more like a good idea with each passing moment. She didn¡¯t want to blow off a god, let alone a group of gods, but in this moment, she desperately wanted to.

    Before she had a chance to react, a wave of condensed aura washed over her. The gods were weighing on her aura, and through her aura, her soul.

    She wanted to escape but she had no recourse. The aura impact was almost physical, and she collapsed onto the floor, unable to concentrate nor move. Their auras squeezed at her soul, pressing on it like it was play-doh, shaping it into something else.

    She was buried under their weight, plunged into the depths of the ocean with no protection. She struggled to breathe, although she had no need to do so, writing on the ground and clutching at her chest.

    She wanted to throw them off. Her mind flashed to experiences more sensation than memory, trapped at the hands of a strange, all-powerful being.

    Her soul trashed, resisting the pressure and rejecting their presence. But they weighed further, crushing her soul like they intended to transform coal into diamond.

    Unable to hold on any longer, her physical body trembled once before her perception flickered away. With a soul tied to a physical body, she fainted. With her mind released from wakefulness, her soul felt the pressure of the gods recede, whatever gift they set out to bestow unwillingly received.

    *****

    ¡°So what sort of communication does this world have? I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve seen much of it,¡± John said.

    ¡°There¡¯s the water link system, and the duplicated papers the Societies and churches use. There¡¯s also communication abilities, like what Sen¡¯s sister has.¡±

    ¡°How does that water link system work?¡±

    ¡°It only functions with linked bodies of water. A chamber with water uses ritual magic to conjure a linked image formed of water to transmit sound and shape.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like it has many downsides,¡± John said, ¡°Takes up a lot of space, one person at a time, needs linked water sources. Am I right about those?¡±

    ¡°Those and others, but it¡¯s what this world has to offer,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°It has much room for improvement.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like your world has something better,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°It does actually,¡± John said, ¡°We have near-instantaneous communication worldwide with an object about this size.¡± John conjured a block of metal the size of a cell phone to show them, ¡°Auditory and visual.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re lying, I can¡¯t believe that.¡±

    ¡°Is it expensive? Resource intensive?¡± Aliyah¡¯s eyes gleamed with a researcher¡¯s passion.

    ¡°At the most basic? No. Almost everyone in my country has one. It requires some infrastructure¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, John, Eufemia, and Aliyah stopped in their tracks.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Nara? How did we forget about her?¡± John asked.

    He couldn¡¯t believe it. The four of them had been discussing communication methods without realizing Nara had disappeared from the conversation. Only now did they realize that she was not walking with them.

    Aliyah shook her head, then immediately sprinted back the way they came. The other two followed.

    The found Nara collapsed onto the ground, curled into a fetal position. An older, gentle looking man with warm brown robes stood over her.

    John could immediately tell it wasn¡¯t a man.

    ¡°That¡¯s a god, John,¡± Eufemia¡¯s voice was a scant whisper.

    Aliyah dropped to her knees, ¡°Healer.¡±

    She kneeled in silence. She dared not question the gods, and waited for him to speak first. She wasn¡¯t religious, essence users besides priests usually were not, but almost all on the world of Erras held reverence for the gods, and many worshipped them.

    John met eyes with Eufemia, who also stood, staring at each other and looking out of place. Neither of them had ordinary experiences and had no idea what the normal thing to do in this situation. John felt like he missed the chance to kneel and also felt awkward to do it without understanding.

    Did Aliyah kneel because she was a believer? Or was that local culture? He didn¡¯t know the answer.

    This was the first time John had seen a god. Eufemia also had never seen a god, spare once, in the divine plaza of Nekroz where she briefly glimpsed Undeath. She hadn¡¯t kneeled to the god then, disappearing back into the alleyways, too far to feel the brunt of its divine aura. She wanted no business with Undeath, and never wanted to see it again. Nekroz may worship him, but she would not.

    Other gods, like Dominion, may have asserted their auras to illicit a true reaction a take a measure of those they were interested in, but Healer was not one to test others in that way. He was the god of healing, not of rule.

    Healer smiled kindly, ¡°There is no need for such ceremony.¡±

    Taking that as a signal, John dropped to Nara¡¯s side. His pulse spiked when he felt no heartbeat nor breath.

    ¡°She¡¯s not breathing,¡± he said with rising horror.

    ¡°She does not need to breath, John,¡± Aliyah said quickly also quickly getting up to dash to where Nara lay, ¡°and you don¡¯t either. Outworlders do not have internal organs. Your bodies are formed and sustained through raw magic.¡±

    John was calm in the face of crisis. There were already too many revelations for him to keep up, so he focused on what was in front of him. His Vision of Life allowed him to detect vulnerabilities. Nara seemed fine¡ªother than her scuffed up clothes from a fall, she had no injuries at all. Stable life signs, despite the outworlder¡¯s lack of typical vital signs.

    He let out a shaky breath of relief, brushing his hand across her hair to remove stray hairs from her face.

    ¡°What happened to her?¡±

    ¡°We have bestowed a gift. One none to pleasant to receive,¡± Healer said.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only heard of one gift of the gods,¡± John said, ¡°The one the gods have been giving researchers and inventors in particular.¡±

    ¡°That is so.¡±

    ¡°But she hasn¡¯t invented anything,¡± John said, ¡°And what gift makes a person pass out?¡±

    ¡°She has invented something. Something remarkable, an important component for the cure to vampirism; a long-important goal to my church and clergy.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s eyes shot up, staring the god briefly in the eye before her vision flickered away, ¡°What component?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°She has devised a technique to offer mutual access to a soul, in order to modify it. If one knows the method to change a soul from vampire back to their original race, then vampirism can be reversed.¡±

    ¡°That resolves the soul, but what about the body?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°They already have a cure for that,¡± John said, ¡°I¡¯ve studied it a bit. If healers can get to one transformed by a vampire in time, they can reverse the effects to the body. The issue is, once it sets into the soul, its irreversible.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Healer said. ¡°Her method can change that.¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± John said, ¡°What about her, what can I do?¡±

    Aliyah looked a little startled that John had snapped at a god.

    ¡°I have called one of my priests,¡± Healer said gently. ¡°He will take care of her.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t trust a stranger with my friend,¡± John said, ¡°Even if you are the god of healing.¡±

    ¡°He is not a stranger, not to her.¡±

    A dark portal opened up and a large man stepped out. He was wearing normal clothes, not the brown robes of a Healer priest. He was tall and muscular, and incredibly handsome even in older age, with a strong jawline and a neatly trimmed beard. He smiled warmly and John felt a powerful soothing sensation wash over him.

    Aura, he realized. He had no aura ability awakened himself, but he could still sense the auras of others, thanks to his iron rank. He had similarly felt the overwhelming divine aura of the god, but had pushed it aside out of concern. If John relaxed, he was afraid it would overwhelm him, so he adopted the British norm of not giving a shit and ignored it entirely. If it worked for Arthur Dent, it would work for him.

    The man stooped to pick Nara off the floor, carrying her in his arms.

    John could only let him. Portal abilities were bronze rank, minimum, and John was barely an iron ranker. He couldn¡¯t fight him even if he wanted to, despite what he told Healer.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve scared you. I promise I have to intentions to harm any of you.¡± The man offered a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯m one of Nara¡¯s mentors. Redell Gainer. Perhaps she¡¯s mentioned me? My god has told me the situation. Follow me.¡±

    He gestured to the portal, then stepped through it first himself, carrying Nara with him.

    John looked back by the god was gone. He stepped through the portal, Aliyah and Eufemia following behind him with confusion and concern.

 Chapter 50: Big Independent Adventurers That Donéˆ¥æª› Need Constant Communication

    Chapter 50: Big Independent Adventurers That Don¡¯t Need Constant Communication

    When John, Aliyah, and Eufemia stepped out of the portal, they were overwhelmed with a bout of extreme nausea. Aliyah suffered the worst, staggering over to a nearby patch of grass to upheave whatever was in her stomach.

    The stench of bile rose in the air, making John feel worse than he already did. The god had not brought him to his knees, but this did. He dropped to the ground, trying to steady the world that felt like it was spinning out of control. He felt like he was in two places at once, his mind splitting as if the hemispheres were really cracked.

    ¡°What you¡¯re experiencing is portal sickness. When you travel far distances with a portal, your soul experiences the distance but your body does not. This disconnect is¡­uncomfortable. It will pass¡­like your lunch,¡± Redell said with a chuckle to himself.

    They had never used a portal before. Hiring a portal user was far too expensive for ordinary people. Portal users were hired by other adventurers, administrators, clergy, businesses, governments, and society members. Their instantaneous transportation capabilities were in high demand, especially when combined with a dimensional inventory power. To an essence user, a portal power and an inventory power was the golden ticket to an easy life.

    In a flash, Amara was beside Redell.

    ¡°What happened?¡± she demanded. ¡°Why is her aura like that?¡±

    ¡°The gift of the gods,¡± Redell said simply.

    Amara was angry, ¡°She hardly needed that! I thought you kept that quiet.¡±

    ¡°Amara you know better than to accuse me. The gods know,¡± Redell said, ¡°You cannot keep it from them. Can you take her to her room? I will settle our new guests.¡±

    Amara nodded, and Nara was passed from Redell to her arms. John watched as the beautiful and intimidating woman walked slowly towards the main building. Nara had mentioned her briefly¡ªshe was her mentor. The god had not lied that these were people Nara knew. John felt a bit of relief despite his uncontrollable nausea.

    John coughed a few times and tried to haul himself to his feet, but stumbled.

    ¡°Woah there,¡± Redell said, steadying him, ¡°You¡¯ve traveled a great distance.¡±

    ¡°The greater this distance the worse it is?¡±

    ¡°Right on.¡±

    ¡°Dimensional travel is going to be a right bender,¡± John said.

    ¡°You¡¯ve experienced it once, haven¡¯t you?¡± Redell offered, ¡°As an outworlder and all. How did that feel, when you first awoke in this world?¡±

    John recalled the unpleasant sensation where he felt very out-of-sorts. He was completely bald and completely naked. It didn¡¯t help that he was in the middle of a summoning ritual and his summoners were very displeased with the failure of their ritual.

    ¡°I felt awful. Like I was spun around by my mates for far too long, going beyond fun and right into torture,¡± John sighed, sitting back down instead of standing, ¡°Nara is going to be fine right? She looked something rough.¡±

    Redell looked towards the main building, ¡°I hope so.¡±

    ¡°You hope so? Aren¡¯t you a priest of Healer?¡±

    ¡°Soul trauma isn¡¯t that simple, John.¡±

    ¡°Soul trauma?¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t learnt about that yet in your studies, I assume.¡±

    ¡°You sure know a lot about me.¡±

    ¡°Nara talks about you all at dinner. Despite her awkwardness about the whole situation, she¡¯s excited to meet another outworlder and join a team with people she likes, but I digress. Soul trauma is¡­soul trauma is when the soul suffers damage,¡± Redell began to explain, ¡°It can happen in many different ways. For adventurers, soul trauma is usually accompanied by a physical injury¡ªan injury that almost killed them. Or actually killed them, if they are revived afterwards.¡±

    Eufemia and Aliyah also stood on doughy feet, and the four unsteadily moved to one of the nearby outdoor pavilions. Redell continued his explanation.

    Food and drinks suddenly appeared onto the table. John blinked. How had those gotten there?

    Redell smiled at his surprise, picking up a biscuit and offering it to John, who accepted. ¡°Soul trauma is not uncommon for adventurers, especially those who push their limits or risk their lives to save others. Most gold rankers usually have an experience of their own.¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡± Eufemia asked.

    Redell unbuttoned his shirt. A large scar ran down the side of his torso to his stomach.

    ¡°What do you know about healing magic, John?¡± he asked, buttoning his shirt back up.

    ¡°That it shouldn¡¯t leave scars,¡± John said. ¡°It uses the magical matrix that every person has as a blueprint for healing. Normal people have a weak and undeveloped version of it, but it¡¯s still there.¡±

    ¡°When essence users suffer trauma, if it was physical as well, it leaves a mark on body and soul. If it was only soul related, it will only show up on the soul. Like just now.¡±

    ¡°Gods gift is soul trauma?¡± Eufemia said with incredulity, ¡°Some gift!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an oversimplification,¡± Redell said.

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Eufemia shot back.

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Redell reluctantly admitted, ¡°Their intention, however, is to strengthen the soul.¡±

    ¡°Like forbidden research,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°The gods are doing that?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t research, not to them.¡±

    ¡°They can do it correctly? They can consistently create stronger auras?¡±

    Redell was silent.

    ¡°They can¡¯t,¡± Aliyah realized, ¡°They can¡¯t guarantee it.¡±

    ¡°They know the individuals they bestow their gift to are likely to withstand it.¡±

    Aliyah just closed her eyes and leaned back, silent. ¡°Some gift,¡± she said softly, mirroring Eufemia.

    ¡°What now?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°We just wait for her to wake up? See if she¡¯s been mentally broken or not? What if she ends up some shattered mess, mumbling nonsense? After all this, this is how your way back ends up.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia, that¡¯s not the point.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen it before, John, in Nekroz. The wrong side of that gamble. Those fanatical researchers make their homes in Nekroz. They use people, then dispose of them. And we¡¯re all left to see the dirty remnants on the streets treated like they¡¯re trash.¡±

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°There¡¯s not much more I can say,¡± said Redell. ¡°She will likely wake up soon. We will see her condition then.¡±

    ¡°Soon? You really think that?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s suffered worse. Unfortunately.¡± Redell said. ¡°If she could recover from soul annihilation, she can recover from a bit of divine molding.¡±

    *****

    Nara awoke to a Guide notification window in her vision. She felt weak, vulnerable. Her aura still felt unstable and sensitive, like skin rubbed raw or a muscle overwrought with exertion.

    -------

    Title: [Godless Prophet]

    Your aura has been damaged by the direct, concerted focus of multiple transcendent-level entities.

    The process of damage and recovery has refined the strength of your aura, increasing its suppressive force and resistance to suppression from higher-ranked auras.

    Your aura signature has changed. An echo of transcendent power can be detected if your aura is examined by an aura sensing power or when projecting your aura.

    ------

    ¡°Nara, are you alright?¡±

    She turned her head. Amara and Redell, along with John, Eufemia, and Aliyah sat to the side of her bed at the retreat.

    ¡°Wow, you make it look like I¡¯m on my deathbed or something.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a tasteless joke,¡± Aliyah scolded, ¡°Are you aware of what happened?¡±

    ¡°Yep. I¡¯m very aware of what having my soul squeezed feels like,¡± Nara said, ¡°I had hoped I would never feel anything like that again.¡±

    She looked around the room. It was very familiar, the room she slept in almost every night.

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    ¡°The retreat.¡±

    ¡°How did I get here? I thought you couldn¡¯t take unconscious people through portals?¡±

    ¡°There are exceptions, like trust,¡± Redell said.

    ¡°Guess that means I trust you.¡±

    ¡°Enough to go through a portal,¡± Redell concurred.

    ¡°How long has it been?¡±

    ¡°Just a few hours. How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°A little upset, but I¡¯m fine. I don¡¯t like my soul being touched much. Am I in the clear to get back to training?¡± Nara moved to get out from under the covers of the bed. It was her soul that was injured, not her body.

    ¡°Give it a few days,¡± Redell said. ¡°Take a break. You¡¯re not the one training to pass the Adventure Society examination anymore.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said reluctantly, ¡°I¡¯ll do that. Are you sending the others back to Sanshi?¡±

    ¡°Laius will do that for me once his portal cooldown ends. For the meantime, why don¡¯t you all join us for dinner?¡±

    The indoor dining table was too small for the expanded group, so Laius set up dinner in an outdoor dining pavilion. Dinner was a little earlier than usual, the sun still casting its light on this part of the planet.

    ¡°Maybe I should tell Encio where I am,¡± Nara said, rising from her seat.

    Redell pulled her shoulder down, pushing her gently into her seat, ¡°Take it easy.¡±

    ¡°You keep saying that,¡± Nara said, ¡°I¡¯m just going to astral jump over to Sanshi its no biggie.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not your mother. He¡¯ll survive without knowing where you are for a day,¡± Eufemia said gesturing with her fork.

    ¡°I like to know where my kids are,¡± John said, ¡°I would be worried.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a father, you¡¯re supposed to worry. Nara and Encio are big, independent adventurers and don¡¯t need constant communication. Being worried for a day might knock him down a peg. Now all of you stop fidgeting and eat.¡±

    ¡°So, these are your other team members? It¡¯s great to meet you all,¡± Amara said, trying to break the awkward tension around the table. Nobody was in a very talkative mood, but Amara didn¡¯t let reluctance stop her.

    ¡°We¡¯re missing just two, Sen Arlang and Enciodes Aciano,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°That all went down at his home. I wonder if anybody noticed?¡± Nara said.

    Aliyah was staring at Amara, enchanted. Chelsea shot eye-daggers at her, causing Aliyah to awkwardly look away.

    ¡°What¡¯s up with you?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°No¡­I admire Amara Edea. She is a famous adventurer inventor. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m eating dinner with her in these strange circumstances. It¡¯s an odd way to fulfill a wish.¡±

    ¡°You want to be an adventurer inventor too?¡±

    ¡°Adventurer-researcher is closer to my specialty, but it¡¯s an accurate observation.¡±

    ¡°Do you need to adventure for research? I was wondering about that.¡±

    ¡°It is not required but adventuring has its benefits¡ªearning money for personal research and experiments, accessing ruins, first-hand experience with many magical phenomena not available in just one small part of this world. Most Magic Society researchers don¡¯t travel to other branches.¡±

    ¡°Adventuring expands your research horizons.¡±

    ¡°That and more. The personal power and prestige you gain from adventuring holds weight. The connections you form over your life as an adventurer are often with powerful people or people that will become powerful. Sometimes, those with high positions hoard the most desirable research topics from those without backing nor power, giving their relatives or friends first access to magical phenomena, who botch it for the rest of us, or inadvertently contaminate the findings. As an experienced adventurer, you can largely bypass these internal politics, and your connections hold additional sway. An adventurer is usually the first on scene for any magical phenomena, and cannot simply be expelled from access by a Magic Society researcher, especially not if they are a researcher themselves.¡±

    It seems nepotism was unavoidable in any world, but personal power and achievement served to bypass the incompetent. Protecting the populace from monsters as an adventurer garnered significant societal power.

    ¡°That¡¯s part of why I do things my way too,¡± Amara said. ¡°The Magic Society is too hypnotized by its own self-worth and self-image. It gets in the way of research. If anyone gets in my way¡­¡± Amara smashed her fist into her hand, ¡°I have alternative methods of persuasion.¡±

    ¡°You can just beat up Magic Society officials?¡± Nara asked, aghast.

    ¡°Oh sure, if you¡¯re a gold ranker,¡± Chelsea scoffed. ¡°Who¡¯s going to stop you then, especially if you¡¯re in the right?¡±

    ¡°No one!¡± Amara said cheerfully.

    ¡°No one except a diamond ranker, and they might even agree with you. Diamond rankers rather like it when things get done.¡±

    ¡°You have the right idea,¡± Amara said, ¡°Pummel those in your way. As long as you have the skills to back it up.¡±

    Aliyah grinned, an expression of rare aggression from the otherwise gentle woman.

    *****

    There was one month remaining until John and Eufemia had to pass their Adventure Society examination. Nara spent a few days at the retreat, taking some time to experiment with something she had not had time to explore.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Astral Domain]

    You can shape the Astral into an [Astral Domain]. This domain additionally serves as a dimensional storage space. You can remove items from the storage space without entering the [Astral Domain]. This domain can be used to traverse the Astral.

    You can call up a gate to allow for others to enter your [Astral Domain]. Only those you allow for may enter; others cannot forcibly intrude. You do not need a portal to enter your Astral Domain due to the effects of [Astral Traveler]. You need a portal to invite others into your Astral Domain.

    You can shape the astral into physical reality and astral constructs. Constructs only provide effective defense against attacks lower than the rank of this item; attacks of its rank and above are minimally impeded.

    You can manifest a portion of your [Astral Domain] into physical reality. Maximum size occupying physical reality corresponds to your rank. This manifestation does not share the full properties of you [Astral Domain].

    You can utilize soul-engineering within your [Astral Domain] due to the effects of [Path Seeker Lute].

    -------

    Soul engineering wasn¡¯t something she wanted to touch nor was going to touch; what Nara was interested in was her ability to manifest a portion of her Astral Domain into physical reality.

    She could manifest the domain in two versions.

    Version one, which she called the domain door, was as it sounded. She could conjure up a doorway into a false domain¡ªsomething like a miniature dimensional space. It wasn¡¯t her real domain, and it didn¡¯t posses all the qualities her Astral Domain did. Even if she manifested it below someone, it would not drop anyone inside. Like portals, traversing the domain door required consent. They would just stand on top of the doorway, as if a plane of glass separated them.

    However, this consent requirement was two-way. If she needed to escape, she could hide within the false domain and block others from entering. She didn¡¯t know how high this denial went¡ªif a bronze or silver ranker wanted to force themselves in, she didn¡¯t know whether she could prevent it or an ability existed that could bypass it, such as teleportation. Additionally, she couldn¡¯t delink the doorway to reality if she or anyone else was inside. If she did, it spit her outside, where she entered. If someone threw abilities through the doorway, it would likely pass through. She could still astral jump from within to her Astral Domain, so it could serve as an escape method in a pinch, although it would automatically de-conjure after her since she had left reality. Which meant that, if someone else was in her door domain and she left to her Astral Domain, they¡¯d be spit out into danger if there was any.

    Unfortunately, since monsters didn¡¯t have souls, just motive spirits, they didn¡¯t need her permission to enter. They just could. That complicated matters, especially if she was making for a quick escape.

    The second version she dubbed the temp domain. She could temporarily ¡®claim¡¯ a location of physical reality, like painting over with ink like Splatoon. This version required significantly more time to set up, increasing with time with the domain claimed. Even at minimum, it took upwards of ten minutes. Similar to her domain door, she had limited ability to deny entry to others. Similarly, if she jumped to her domain or left the area, she would lose her claim.

    She had a very strong suspicion that if she tried to claim a location within the Spirit Domain of a god, it wouldn¡¯t work.

    What the temporary domain was useful for was as housing. She could create a large-scale astral construct within the domain and sleep within it. Astral constructs were normally delicate, but were strengthened within her own domain. It wouldn¡¯t serve as any sort of siege base, but it was enough that it wouldn¡¯t immediately crumple if attacked. Enough for peace of mind to rest, or time to escape if she was awoken in the middle of the night to a surprise attack.

    ¡°As expected,¡± she muttered, staring at her construction of a cozy two-story house, ¡°Outworlders are hard-specced into survival.¡±

 Chapter 51: Lingering Effects

    Chapter 51: Lingering Effects

    ¡°Why did you end up inventing that ¡®soul communication¡¯ thing anyway?¡± Eufemia said.

    Nara had been given the a-okay to return to Sanshi by her mental health specialist, Redell. There wasn¡¯t any immediate issues with her, except that Laius drilled her aura again to adjust to its new strength. She¡¯d have to continue to practice over the coming days. Redell had warned her that she may experience residual effects, she wasn¡¯t fully recovered, but there wasn¡¯t much more she could do but live her life.

    ¡°I¡¯ve known about portal magic for a while. You can even say I have a rather¡­unbalanced relationship with dimension and portals.¡±

    ¡°You call it unbalanced, I call it cheating,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°How is this related exactly?¡±

    Eufemia and John had been filled in on Nara¡¯s experience in the astral, as well as her interesting ability to traverse the local dimensional membrane.

    ¡°Hold your horses, I¡¯m getting there.

    ¡°What¡¯s a horse¡ª"

    ¡°Only the most noble and majestic steed anyone can ride. Power, elegance, and speed in one, evolutionary wonder.¡±

    ¡°More majestic than a dragon?¡±

    ¡°Ah. No, probably not.¡±

    ¡°Back to the topic? Soul magic?¡±

    ¡°Okay, so, I wanted to help Redell, but there was another reason. Portal abilities work by connecting locations the portal user has been to before, within a certain distance determined by rank.¡±

    Portal abilities were the most well-documented and well-understood ability type in the world. Their cooldowns and distances were standard across all variations, except for supplementary abilities that boosted range and other effects. They all had an identical requirement¡ªthe portal user must have been at that location before, with rare workarounds and exceptions.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same for me, except for the distance part, since I¡¯m using my Astral Domain as a distance-less waypoint. What doesn¡¯t change is the fact I need to have been at the destination before. My thought was, if I could use therapy soul-magic to recall one of my memories of Earth concrete enough to astral jump there, I¡¯d be able to return to Earth whenever I wanted.¡±

    Nara gestured at John.

    ¡°With him here, I may be able to do something similar. Look into one of John¡¯s memories, and experience it for myself. I did it with Redell and saw one of his own memories.¡±

    ¡°Hurry up and give it a try then.¡±

    Nara shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t think it will work. After I saw Redell¡¯s memory, I wasn¡¯t suddenly able to astral jump to the orchestra hall he visited as a child. I can go to the Rowan Kingdom in general, but I¡¯ve always been able to do that.¡±

    ¡°Even if you experience his memory for yourself, you still haven¡¯t been to the location,¡± John said.

    ¡°It seems like that¡¯s what it boils down to; the soul knows it¡¯s a secondhand experience. Our best shot is still trying to make it to then end of the trial and visit this Celestial library or something. Although, that doesn¡¯t change one requirement.¡±

    ¡°What requirement?¡±

    Aliyah shook her head softly, ¡°For ritual magic to cross dimensions, silver rank is likely the minimum to cross dimensions. The bare minimum. You¡¯d have to be an exceptional ritualist to pull it off without messing up the magic and killing yourself.¡±

    John¡¯s eyebrows knit together, ¡°How long does that take to get to silver rank?¡±

    ¡°Iron to bronze takes anywhere from six months to a few years. Six months if awakening stones are immediately acquired then you continually challenge monsters. Years if you acquire your awakening stones slowly. Bronze to silver takes at least a year, but usually longer.¡±

    ¡°Just curious then, what¡¯s silver to gold?¡±

    ¡°A decade, minimum. And I mean absolute minimum¡ªfacing the hardest monsters and challengers, pushing against your limits constantly with rare rest.¡±

    ¡°So if we want to make it back to our world in any reasonable amount of time, we need a method we can make work at silver rank, not gold,¡± Nara concluded.

    ¡°And, no matter what, it seems we¡¯re spending at least two or three more years here. I better get comfortable,¡± John leaned back in his seat and plastered a smile on his face.

    The other shared a glance.

    *****

    It was time for Eufemia and John¡¯s examination. The group saw them off, the two setting off in their own group, even larger than the one Nara had been a part of. This was the last chance for those planning on participating in the Celestial Book Trials to earn the Adventure Society certification and sign up.

    While she was at the Adventure Society, Nara decided to update her aura imprint. The Adventure Society registered the aura of every adventurer which they used to track their adventurers and additionally detect if they die. The tracking effect would not work on Nara due to her Free Spirit racial ability, but whether or not she died and where she died was important to the Adventure Society for investigations. It was an implicit safety net for adventurers that dissuaded killing them¡ªif you did kill one, you needed a plan.

    The gift of the gods had changed her aura signature; it was no longer the same as it had been before. She should have gotten around to it earlier, but had forgotten. She only made it slightly into the lobby of the Adventurer Guild before she was face-to-face with Oswald Willard, the head of the Sanshi Adventure Society branch.

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    She felt his aura searching hers, and she flinched, stepping back. The overwhelming urge to disappear resurfaced. The touch of his aura immediately receded, sensing her fear.

    She hadn¡¯t realized it, but her hands were balled into tight fists. She unflexed them, blood flow returning. She dragged her eyes back from the entrance to Oswald who stood before her silently.

    This was a manifestation of one of those lingering effects Redell had mentioned.

    ¡°How about we relax and chat?¡± he suggested.

    He led her to a private meeting room, notably leaving the door open but activating a privacy screen instead. Privacy screens erected a magical barrier that prevented sound from leaving, so that others could speak in privately in public places. The expensive ones even blurred the mouth, preventing lip reading. This one activated for the full room, preventing eavesdropping without extreme measures.

    ¡°I¡¯m just here for a new aura imprint,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m not really in the mood for a chat.¡±

    ¡°I noticed. Why have the gods touched your aura?¡± He held up a hand to placate before Nara could react negatively, ¡°This is not an interrogation, but I would like to know what you are willing to offer.¡±

    ¡°I made something,¡± Nara said.

    He indicated with his expression he¡¯d like to know more.

    She sighed, ¡°It is a method to connect two souls together so that one made be modified with mutual, continual consent.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­not what I expected to hear. That sounds like forbidden research.¡±

    Nara shrugged, ¡°I was working with a priest of the Healer, so you¡¯d have to take it up with them. It requires consent to, so no torture or anything like that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not passing judgement; I just wanted to know. You are going to register in a team with that other outworlder, John Aurelius?¡±

    ¡°You know about him?¡±

    ¡°He comes with high recommendation from a collaborator.¡±

    ¡°Erin Nisei?¡±

    It seemed John and Eufemia were likely to pass the Adventure Society exam. They had use for his talents, especially in a world where the literacy rate wasn¡¯t nearly as high as Earth¡¯s.

    His smile was not quite a smile.

    ¡°Does he have loose lips?¡±

    ¡°We share a common goal,¡± Nara said, neither confirming nor denying his question. Her mood was bad, and was perhaps curter that she should have been, but Oswald had been rude first by searching her aura. As Laius implied, those with a higher rank tended to do whatever they pleased to those with lower rank. That was the norm and the pecking order of this world.

    ¡°A way back to your own world.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any knowledge of that yourself?¡±

    He leaned back, thoughtful. Oswald wore tailored clothing enchanted with high quality effects such as self-repair and automatic cleaning, as most high ranking essence users did. It perfectly framed his muscular body, making him look like a middle-aged love interest from a dating game with his impossible hair color, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that sort of magic is not my purview. Not every adventurer is a ritualist. It¡¯d even venture it¡¯s a rarity.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what your impression of this world is, but not everyone has the resilience to kill monsters. The researcher types like their safety. It can make them difficult to work with when they are needed in more dangerous locations.¡±

    ¡°Essences seem to encourage it, mentally.¡±

    That caused him to arch an eyebrow up in surprise.

    ¡°For some, it does,¡± he admitted. ¡°I won¡¯t say more on this particular topic, however.¡±

    Her mentors had said the same thing. Nara wondered what the reason for it was.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s no surprise soul-altering power comes with soul-altering affects.¡±

    ¡°It is not as extreme as your assumptions. I hesitate to say this, but you seem to need solace. Am I correct?¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°Essences draw out what you are, or what you need. Usually, a combination of the two. For outworlders, that is often focus, decisiveness, adaptability, and resilience. Their¡ªyour¡ªsituation has placed you in a situation where you need to learn a lot very quickly and adapt, or  die, especially if you manifest in less than ideal situations.¡±

    Less than ideal situations like John¡¯s misfortune start in the undead capital. Nara had the fortune of falling in with Amara and the rest, but John was the byproduct of a failed summoning ritual in Nekroz. He probably had more mental fortitude than Nara gave him credit for, and she already assumed he was stabler than she was. He hadn¡¯t become an essence user until after her, but they probably leaned into what he¡¯s learned in the past year.

    ¡°These aspects have always been within, but now easier to access. Does that settle your mind?¡±

    ¡°It helps,¡± Nara admitted, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    *****

    Both the weather and the rest of Sanshi proper was heating up in anticipation of this event. Iron rank adventurers from around the world made their way to Sanshi. Some traveled through portals, others on fantastical sea or sky boats or along land routes. Hotels were at capacity and the city was bursting at its seams.

    Adventurer contracts were slim pickings. Only the most unprofitable of contracts far from the city were left. Nara could swing those few easily, which she occasionally did, enjoying the day away from all other people.

    As much as she enjoyed the company of others, she was an introvert. Her solitude in the astral had slightly skewed that inclination, but she still occasionally enjoyed solitude. Just her, her lute, and a campfire at her feet, staring into the strange night sky. She and her wolf, traveling next to streams and forests of green, lute strung at her back. Yes, Nara did buy a strap for her lute just to carry it on her body. Life was about the enjoyment, the fun. Inventory was convenient, but sensation, romance, mystique was where it was all at.

    The wild provided space for Nara to practice her lute. The Path Seeker Lute was a finicky tool, too powerful for normal playing. It was an interesting sensation to simultaneously focus on playing and manipulating her own aura. It was difficult as it sounded¡ªthe wildness interrupted by a cacophony of disastrous sounds when her control slipped.

    It was all entirely unnecessary¡ªNara could just astral jump back to Sanshi at any point, she didn¡¯t need to ride Thanatos. She wasn¡¯t much of a camper, but magic powers made a living after from civilization a more comfortable prospect. During the Celestial Book trials, the team would have to camp within the astral space, so having the necessary equipment was no loss.

    Eufemia was still busy with her training, but she was planning to join a theater troupe after the Celestial Book Trials. Sanshi¡¯s culture of competition meant that theater and performances were very popular. Theater was one way to fulfill her passion and sharpen her skills.

    John volunteered at a clinic. Volunteering at a clinic was a practical way to practice healing magic and apply healing magic theory. Non-combat abilities could also be trained outside of combat, but they would always progress faster in more challenging situations. Just healing the injured in a clinic with Fountain of Life wouldn¡¯t push the limits of the healing that ability could offer.

    Nara and the rest spent the week while John and Eufemia were gone preparing for the trials. Nara had a quite a bit of disposable income at this point; the combination of contracts plus double looting abilities meant the whole team was a step ahead in resources. Nara sold half of whatever she looted. She kept a copy of every essence for collection purposes (she couldn¡¯t help herself), but also in case she could give them back to her family on Earth. The same went for awakening stones. The others she sold to the Academy since she approved of their method of distribution of essences. They bought it for a price lower than it would have garnered at an auction, but charity had to start somewhere.

    Nara followed Mona¡¯s advice, buying a variety of supplies. Ropes, ladders, water, food, throwing daggers with magical effects, a floating glowstone crystal lantern (a variation of Amara¡¯s invention), cloth, buckets, corrosive liquids, and whatever else she could think of. Prices in Sanshi were high, so she was designated team shopper and traveled to other cities to purchase what the team needed.

    The week passed, and the six woke early to see the noticeboards.

    ¡°And there you have it, another two freshly minted adventurers,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t nearly as hard as you thought it would be, was it?¡± Encio asked Eufemia.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± Eufemia begrudgingly admitted, ¡°They¡¯re just weeding out the dumb ones who are going to get themselves killed.¡±

    ¡°The bar may be a little higher than that,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Whatever. No sweat off my brow. Now let¡¯s pilfer this pretentious trial for all the awakening stones it is worth.¡±

 Chapter 52: Learning New Tricks

    Chapter 52: Learning New Tricks

    The team met at the Adventure Society the day of the trial. The marshalling yard, normally scattered with a few teams at normal operations, was completely full. Nara saw armor and clothing from many different cultures than just Sanshi¡¯s robes and martial wear. She saw a few races she had not seen before, in particular a dragon-like race. Their skin was between scales and skin, flexible and of vibrant colors like red, gold, blue, green, and even an iridescent silver. They had varying horns and tails, with elongated faces with similarities to those of dragons or lizards. They were tall, like leonids, with both men and women pushing six feet at the minimum.

    ¡°Those are dragonids,¡± Encio said, leaning in and whispering to Nara, ¡°Usually arrogant. Claim they¡¯re ¡®the true inheritors of the dragons¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Are they?¡±

    Encio shrugged, ¡°It doesn¡¯t make them any more powerful than the rest of us. I say they¡¯ve just inherited attitude and none of the class.¡±

    ¡°Attention, iron rankers,¡± Oswald called out, magically amplifying his voice over the crowd, ¡°We will proceed to the Celestial Book Trials once preparations are complete. If any of you start trouble, you will be denied access to the trial. There are no exceptions. I care not for your background, your family, your resources. Do not come looking for me if you feel insulted; I do not care, and I will not help you.¡±

    He flashed his aura over the crowd. It washed over them, emanating just the right amount of authority and power to put the rowdy iron rankers in line. He was silver rank, the highest rank they¡¯d find in Sanshi, the low quality of magic too lacking for gold rankers and above to live in long term, outside of a few famous gold rankers who lived there anyway.

    In particular, Nara sensed he wasn¡¯t just silver rank, but peak silver rank. He was close to gold, but the final stretch was the longest.

    ¡°We will depart in two hours,¡± he said, ¡°Make your final preparations. We will not wait for late arrivals.¡±

    The adventurers boarded onto a massive ship. There must have been hundreds of them, but the wide rivers of Sanshi accommodated the boat easily. They were assigned cabins¡ªrather cramped, but they would only need to put up with it for a few days. For the rewards in store, everyone was more than willing to bear it.

    More adventurers came from simple families than not, but those from afar were clearly some of the better ones. They had to invest resources or connections to travel to Sanshi, unlike some of the lesser trained Sanshi natives. Many were missing just one or two abilities; to wait for legendary awakening stones was worth it. Legendary awakening stones did not simply show up on the market¡ªthey were unpurchasable. After a monster surge, a few might make it to sale, and they were snatched up quick by the highest bidders. The Adventure Society also made their bids and gave high rarity stones as rewards to iron rankers for exemplary achievements.

    ¡°I¡¯m sort of realizing what a nice gift that Dimension Stone was.¡±

    ¡°How has that ability been coming along? Infinity Domain, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ve tested it out a bit, but I definitely haven¡¯t mastered its full potential.¡±

    ¡°No one masters an ability that quickly, if you¡¯d did, I¡¯d give you a bow and call you the master,¡± Encio said, performing a mock bow.

    ¡°Hm.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Triggers my inner fangirl. I sort of enjoyed that.¡±

    ¡°Stop that,¡± Encio said. ¡°You look like you¡¯re seriously considering how to master an ability in a day.¡±

    ¡°No matter how much I think about it, it isn¡¯t possible,¡± Nara sighed.

    ¡°So, what does the ability do?¡±

    ¡°It creates this area around me, around ten feet in diameter, where the trajectory of incoming attacks is slightly shifted. It works better on light and weak attacks, like projectiles, and less on physical attacks with driving force behind it. It really doesn¡¯t make any sense to me, you¡¯d think the ability to manipulate space would effect all things equally, but maybe more powerful attacks have some sort of magical momentum that denies changes in trajectory?¡±

    John sighed, looking up at the sky blankly, ¡°I¡¯ve long since stopped trying to apply physics to magic. Just¡­feel the magic.¡±

    ¡°Alrighty then,¡± Nara said, side-eyeing John with concern.

    ¡°Otherwise,¡± John continued, ¡°How do I answer how magic can cure cancer? How do large objects fit into small bags? How can they manipulate gravity without understanding gravity? How does crystal wash work¡ªHow does it know what to clean and what not to clean? How am I alive without lungs, a brain, and a heart?¡±

    ¡°Oh, so you heard about that?¡±

    He pressed a finger to his wrist, ¡°Why do I have a pulse if I have no heart? How am I breathing?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your healing magic classes answer stuff like that?¡±

    He sighed, ¡°They do go over this stuff, I just can¡¯t wrap my head around it.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± said Sen, ¡°You need to stop breathing.¡±

    ¡°Could you say that again?¡± John said slowly.

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Sen repeated word-for-word, ¡°You need to stop breathing.¡±

    ¡°I understand the meaning of your words. How exactly do I stop breathing?¡±

    Sen looked at Nara, ¡°How did you stop?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t look to me for advice; I never was breathing in the first place, astral soul wandering and all that. I couldn¡¯t breathe, then forgot I even had to.¡±

    ¡°Essence users practice techniques to rid themselves of habitual functions,¡± Sen said. ¡°The easiest way for breathing is to drown yourself.¡±

    ¡°Wow, brutal, glad I don¡¯t have to do that,¡± Nara looked over at Eufemia, ¡°Your problem, not mine.¡±

    ¡°Oh how lovely, you get to watch me drown myself. Are you going to enjoy that?¡± she said with a glare.

    ¡°I mean, not really? I¡¯m not that mean, just ribbing you.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Eufemia said softly, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to be so confrontational. It was unnecessary here, wasn¡¯t it.¡±

    Eufemia hadn¡¯t quite processed that they were all supposed to be friendly. They weren¡¯t enemies, and Nara was just making a callback.

    ¡°No, I shouldn¡¯t have made a joke of something so uncomfortable.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Eufemia asked, dispelling the awkwardness, ¡°Is that really how you essence users do things?¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s the fastest way, but not the only way,¡± Sen said following up with her intentions.

    ¡°What¡¯s the other way?¡±

    ¡°Practicing a series of breathing techniques that build up to stopping your breathing entirely. It won¡¯t be necessary for you until bronze rank.¡±

    ¡°I see. I get to see John perform first. Thank you, John, for volunteering.¡±

    ¡°Can an old dog learn new tricks?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°I for one think I¡¯ve learnt plenty of new tricks,¡± John said, thumping his chest with his fist, ¡°I can handle it.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Sen said with a curious glance, ¡°You assent to the method of drowning?¡±

    ¡°Now I didn¡¯t say that. How about we ease me into this whole ¡®not breathing¡¯ thing? I¡¯ve been doing it my whole life. I¡¯m quite remiss to letting it go.¡±

    On the deck of the ship, two adventurers got into a scuffle, coming to blows, attracting the attention of all those around them, who quickly scrambled to give them a wide berth. Oswald was there in a flash, tossing the two adventurers off the side of the boat into the water below. The other adventurers quickly looked away, minding their own business.

    Nara¡¯s impressive aura range and aura strength allowed her to detect that the two adventurers were let back onto the ship through an alternate method.

    ¡°A bit of a performance, huh, to keep troublemakers in line. Smart.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°I think this sort of thing is up your alley,¡± Nara said. ¡°The branch head arranged for that little performance.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of nobility around here, I see their type easily. He doesn¡¯t want their uptight parents complaining their precious little treasures were unjustly thrown out of their big chance over a little scuffle. No offense,¡± Eufemia said glancing at Sen and Encio, ¡°I meant the less¡­trained nobility.¡±

    ¡°None taken,¡± Encio said, ¡°I¡¯m not technically nobility. Honorary dukedom, not a real dukedom.¡±

    ¡°Why is that? Surely your family could have it if they wanted it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s traditional,¡± Sen explained. ¡°Adventuring families do not need the political position for their power and prestige. Their prestige is based in the strength of their abilities and the quality of the progeny.¡±

    Eufemia narrowed her eyes, ¡°Doesn¡¯t your family have territory to the north?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s named after my ancestors. It¡¯s not our territory.¡±

    ¡°Uh huh.¡±

    ¡°The main family compound was built there, and people gathered around it. Others seek protection from those who wield power responsibly. It is only natural. Should we deny them and chase them away? We do not own the land. Not all of it,¡± Sen quietly added.

    ¡°Uh huh.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not convincing you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡±

    Over the course of two days, Nara saw some familiar faces. Vallis was together with Kiris, Nolan, and Gento, as well as a few others. Nolan had agreed to be an auxiliary member for her team. He¡¯d get the opportunity to train his abilities under the protection of others, and Vallis and her team enjoyed the benefits of his magical cooking, looting, and inventory powers.

    She also saw Raja Jagar and his posse. He teamed up with those that stuck with him during the adventuring exam. He and the others passed one of the later examinations, having learnt their lesson. They weren¡¯t completely changed, but real practice was valuable. They¡¯d have to learn the rest through real experience. Kenny was there too, but considerably out-of-place. Even if he was right, he had abandoned the other four in the forest. He lost his chance with Jagar.

    Adventurers made mistakes. They also would fall into difficult situations through no fault of their own. It was important that, no matter the blame or situation, everyone escaped together, and no one was left behind. Kenny had betrayed that trust; he would struggle to find a team in the future.

    Another team she saw was Malachi Fenhu¡¯s. His was a small team of three. Nothing was particularly special about his team except the uniform exceptional quality of their equipment. Adventure equipment went from average, to high quality, to flashy but quality (for those pretentious nobles), to even higher quality but discreet. This was that final type of equipment, those reserved for the rich and well-connected.

    The Fenhu were famous as worldwide traders that facilitated trade routes and logistics in ports worldwide. They had also begun a more organized portal user transportation organization, Phoenix¡¯s Wing, which had started to make portals more accessible for normal people as portal users sold their extra capacity to others through the company. If you could just tack yourself onto an already planned portal, it was far cheaper than hiring one specialty.

    Due to these ventures, the Fenhu was one of the wealthiest families in the world. Members of Malik¡¯s team had all of their equipment paid for. They all seemed to get along too, his female member chuckling at Malik¡¯s frustration with her teasing.

    The ship transport anchored in front of a mountain range where the adventurers would begin their trek. It was one of the few actual mountain ranges instead of Sanshi¡¯s iconic stone spires. It was a few more hours until Oswald finally brought the group to a halt. In front of them was an abyssal shaft dropping straight into darkness. There were no ropes or safety nets; the only ones venturing there were those who wanted to jump down.

    ¡°Within this shaft are the location of the ruins of the cult of the Celestial Book. At its center, is the entrance to the Celestial Book astral space, where the trial is held.¡±

    ¡°How do we get down?¡± One adventurer asked.

    ¡°You¡¯re adventurers, figure it out. I very strongly recommend evaluating the risk first. We do not know the depth of the shaft nor the danger of the shaft.¡± he stepped back from the shaft, disappearing in a flash of silver rank speed.

    The iron rankers were left to their own devices, milling about.

    Nara peered over the hole, tossing a cheap glowstone light down the shaft with its floatation disabled.

    ¡°One¡­two¡­three¡­four¡­¡± She kept count, waiting for the echo of an impact.

    ¡°Nothing? No sound?¡± She said, aghast.

    ¡°Nara, over here,¡± Eufemia called out to her.

    She wandered over, where Aliyah was drawing a ritual circle in the air with a magical ability. At her feet, was a large and sturdy metal slab, around the size of two SUVs in area set next to each other, forming a square.

    -------

    Ability: [Enact Ritual]

    Essence: Adept

    Awakening Stone: Ink

    Special Ability

    Cost: Varies

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Manifest lines of magic to draw out ritual diagrams. Materials required for a ritual may be used directly from a dimensional storage space instead of being placed within the diagram.

    -------

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°This is a ritual of slow fall,¡± Aliyah explained, ¡°This platform will fall at a steady pace that I¡¯ve transcribed into the ritual magic.¡±

    Normally she would need to place the necessary materials within the ritual circle¡ªspirit coins as well as quintessence of wind and cloud. However, thanks to another ability, Aliyah also had a coveted inventory ability. Their team, thanks to the two outworlders, already had an above average number of inventories. Utility essence users, such as ritualists, cooks, and alchemists, also had an above average number of inventories (since they needed their supplies in the field), so it was your normal adventurers like Sen and Vallis who lost out, possessing combat abilities in place of utility abilities.

    -------

    Ability: [Rune Gate]

    Essence: Adept

    Awakening Stone: Holding

    Special Ability / Conjuration

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allows the user to store items in a dimensional pocket.

    -------

    Ritual magic was expensive for iron rankers, but this trial was worth the cost.

    Nara looked around. Other teams were similarly sorting their descent. Malik¡¯s group pulled a sky skimmer from his inventory. The three hopped in, and were the first to start downwards.

    ¡°And you don¡¯t have one of those?¡± Eufemia asked Sen.

    ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary,¡± Sen said, ¡°We have Aliyah.¡±

    Another team removed cloaks from their inventory, wearing them. They all hopped down; the cloaks similarly enchanted with slow fall.

    One team jumped down, relying on a slow fall ability.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Nara muttered.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±

    ¡°I counted at least 30 seconds before I gave up,¡± Nara said, ¡°The terminal velocity of a human is roughly 53 meters per second. If we assume the one second per 100 feet rule, or 1 second per 30 meters rule, that¡¯s almost 3,000 feet. At minimum. Parachutes are designed to slow a human to a safe speed of let¡¯s say, 5 miles per hour. Converting units, that¡¯s 26400 feet per hour. That¡¯s at least 6 minutes of slow fall, but that¡¯s only accounting for 30 seconds. And for each team member they take with them, that¡¯s going to drain their mana even faster. Iron rankers don¡¯t have a good mana capacity. Celestines, runics, and elves may fare better but¡­¡±

    Nara gazed at the abyss.

    ¡°How in the world do you know that?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Does this world not have the concept of terminal velocity?¡±

    ¡°Why would your velocity ever reach a peak when falling?¡± Encio asked, ¡°Just use a flight ability.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a flight ability.¡±

    ¡°Not yet.¡±

    Nara sighed, and rubbed her temples.

    ¡°I think the shaft has some dimensional shenanigans going on. It¡¯s probably a lot longer than it seems. It may not even be a consistent depth,¡± she said, offering something more in the technical language of Erras.

    John stared blankly towards the hole, ¡°They just let them jump down? All of these kids? What if they run out of mana and die?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know John, they die? None of us like the answer to that question.¡±

    John leaned forward, placing his face in his palms, heaving a sigh, ¡°This is bonkers.¡±

    A person shot out of the hole, carrying the adventurers that had jumped down with just their slow fall abilities. It was Oswald. He tossed them to the floor into the dirt and grass.

    ¡°Go back to the ship,¡± he demanded. ¡°You are unprepared.¡± He turned to the rest of the group, ¡°We cannot save you inside the astral space. It denies entry to all but iron rankers. If you cannot handle this trial, turn back. Should you fear for your life, turn back. This is your final chance.¡±

    ¡°Well now I feel a little bit better,¡± John said turning back towards the group, ¡°And also a bit melodramatic.¡±

 Chapter 53: Down the Shaft

    Chapter 53: Down the Shaft

    Aliyah placed the platform over the abyss, where it floated in the air, free of the shackles of gravity. They all hopped on before the platform. It held in place, suspended above the abyssal chasm with no visible bottom. Only the specks of light from other adventurers illuminated the infinite darkness. Aliyah tapped the ritual which had applied itself onto the metal slab, and it activated a different part of its effect, moving downwards with a slow and controlled descent.

    Nara stared as the entrance above faded into an ever-smaller circle of light. She tossed a glowstone light in the air. Many slowly descending lights glowed in the cavern, other teams above and below them.

    With a glowing edge, Sen¡¯s Staff of Duality, now more of a glaive, chopped through a weak monster bat in one swing. He kept alert, staff conjured and resting against his shoulder.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nara concluded after they had drifted down for a minute, ¡°There¡¯s no way this is some normal hole.¡±

    ¡°For what purpose did they warp the space of this shaft?¡± Aliyah wondered, ¡°Did it serve to hide the cult¡¯s location?¡±

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s part of this trial of theirs,¡± Eufemia suggested.

    ¡°That¡¯s improbable. The trial is intended for those within the cult, is it not?¡±

    ¡°Trial them for what?¡±

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s some sort of coming-of-age ceremony. To prove they are prepared to serve the cult,¡± Nara said. She shuddered at the thought¡ªa trial to prove your worth to a cult.

    ¡°The Celestial Book¡­¡± Aliyah said, ¡°It is a Great Astral Being that some researchers venerate.¡±

    ¡°You mean in the Magic Society?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­okay? Worshipping or venerating this being?¡±

    ¡°It is not widely known. I have acquaintances that venerate the being. They are some of the best researchers, dedicated in their pursuit of discovery. If you are concerned about their motivations, there is no need. They may venerate the being, but they do not serve it.¡±

    ¡°Not like the cult?¡±

    Aliyah nodded.

    ¡°Do you venerate it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I do not. My stance towards gods and other beings are that of cautious respect,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°There is recognition to be hand to stand with pride in the presence of a god, but that sort of attention is troublesome.¡±

    ¡°So you kneel but don¡¯t mean it?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I don¡¯t mean it entirely,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°No matter my feelings on their existence or role, their power is real. Their influence on the world is undeniable. Should kneeling cause them to turn their gaze, then I quietly oblige.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be the nail that sticks out,¡± Nara muttered.

    Aliyah held wisdom more than most members of the team, due to her slightly older age and long-term experience with the Magic Society, which was stricter and businesslike than the Adventure Society was. Nara hadn¡¯t even intentionally tried to stick out, and she got hammered. For those that intentionally distinguished themselves, what sort of wild event were they involved in?

    For those that sought the peak of power and the conclusion of their abilities, they would inevitably become the standout nail. She had seen standout nails herself, already, and they hadn¡¯t seemed to have been hammered down. She wondered what Sezan¡¯s attitude towards gods were, or even Encio¡¯s.

    Nara had a feeling gods didn¡¯t dislike those that stood out, but the opposite. If what she had done made her stand out, why call it a ¡®gift¡¯? Shouldn¡¯t it have been divine punishment? The gods were happy with the discovery, not wrathful, although she didn¡¯t appreciate how they demonstrated their satisfaction.

    In the future, Nara¡¯s opinion may change on the event. She had never been one that fixed her mind¡ªexcept on one thing, one value she could never compromise on.

    The platform finally descended to the bottom, landing down with a thump in a large circular plaza at the edge of a city.

    The empty city was built within an enormous cavern. Lights flickered above at the distant cavern roof, like constellations within the night sky. The architecture was immaculate yet simple, the precision of the Inca with the mathematics of the Athenians. Everything appeared perfectly calculated, and Nara had the unnerving feeling it was a to-scale model of a city. It was as if it was built with such unfeasible perfection that it ceased to be physically possible.

    Some adventurers peeled off to explore the city. But if this was a bi-yearly trial, the city has likely already been picked clean and combed over. Aliyah would normally be excited about an abandoned city of a magic cult, but she was indifferent. She had reached the same conclusion¡ªthe outside city held nothing of interest left.

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    A paved path of white marble led straight into the heart of the city like a red carpet that had been bleached of all color. They followed the other adventurers who either walked, rode, or ran down the path. The team took it easy, taking in the mysterious underground city as the headed towards everyone¡¯s destination¡ªa portal arch at the opposite side of the city.

    The empty city was quiet except for the footsteps of adventurers echoing through eerie streets. For a ruin, it was in great condition. The marble material was strong enough to withstand the primary low rank monsters that spawned in the area. The roads should have been dusted with age, but they were clean and polished, like maids had gotten on their knees to clean and polish each tile by hand. Whatever magic maintained the city, it had been built to last.

    They arrived at the portal, situated in the center of another plaza, evidently the centerpiece on display. The portal arch was pure white, made of the same material as the rest of the city. Within it, a white membrane was pulled over, like unblemished parchment paper.

    When Nara stepped through, she though the portal surface would rip, like a football star jumping through paper.

    She stepped into a large room where other adventurers milled about in small groups. It was a clean auditorium, almost sterile, but flat. A single portal was inlaid at the far end of the wall, with a strange floating robe of shimmering silver beside it.

    Nara¡¯s instincts told her it was an astral being. It should be someone¡¯s familiar, but it was not one of any of the adventurers here.

    Nara walked down to the far end of the room, inspecting the portal. She pressed on the same parchment surface, unable to push through. Beside the portal was a plaque in a language she had never seen on Erras yet.

    ¡°Offer new knowledge, receive new opportunities,¡± she read.

    She turned reflexively to the astral being and asked a question, a remnant of her interactions with Chrome, ¡°The portal wants unique information to open. Can it be about anything?¡±

    ¡°Yes, examinee. In exchange for its boons, the trial requests an offer of information. It can be anything so long as it is factual and has not been offered before.¡±

    ¡°I am Nara Edea. You are?¡±

    ¡°My apologies, Miss Edea, I have been negligent in my decorum. You may refer to me as Specter.¡±

    So the being said, but Nara heard dreary monotony in her voice. This was a role she had performed many, many times before. She exuded the same hopeless energy as an office worker condemned to overtime for the fourth week in a row, unimpressed with their superior¡¯s new email of record profits and insultingly low raises.

    An odd thought wormed its way into Nara¡¯s mind. She was familiar with being trapped; she saw that same despair within this being here.

    ¡°Specter, do you want to be here? Are you here willingly?¡± she asked.

    Specter was an astral being in the shape of a silver, full length, full body robe. The top of the robe had a large hood which obscured where a face would have been, like a Sith hood. What should have been a face was a cloud of shimmering dust, like light passing through a dusty room.

    ¡°I am not, Miss Edea,¡± Specter said, her voice containing twinges of surprise.

    ¡°Is there a way to resolve it?¡±

    ¡°If you are true in this want, Miss Edea, then I will speak of it at a later time. The opportunity shall present itself only further within.¡±

    Before Nara left Specter at her vigil, she looked at the plaque and placed a paper over it. Using a dry ink, she made a rubbing of the plaque, and stored it away in her inventory.

    Nara returned to her party, discussing what she had found out from the familiar.

    ¡°So we just have to give new information to pass?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem hard.¡±

    ¡°I think that I can give this team a bit of an advantage. Me and John both.¡±

    ¡°We should offer outworlder knowledge. It is unlikely to have been offered before,¡± Sen concluded.

    ¡°Yup. Which is why I¡¯m going to give each one of you a list. Some extras, in case one doesn¡¯t work or there¡¯s a few more doors like this down the line.¡±

    Nara wrote down a few facts on four different papers.

    ¡°John, you can handle yourself, yeah?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a few fun facts up my sleeve. I happen to know a thing or two about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.¡±

    The team looked at what she handed them.

    ¡°Cows may produce more milk when they listen to quiet music? What is a cow?¡± Sen asked curiously.

    ¡°The Konami Code is up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A? What is this nonsense?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand up, down, left, and right?¡±

    ¡°I understand that part!¡±

    ¡°It is the code of life of death. In my world, that sequence awakened secret magic that produced miracles. Remember it.¡±

    ¡°What sort of miracles?¡± Aliyah asked curiously. ¡°I thought your world didn¡¯t have magic?¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s gaze was the distrust of cat staring at a handsy toddler that insisted on approaching.

    A few other teams made their passes at the door. Some members managed to pass the door with the knowledge they offered, but others were stuck like children left behind on a cruise ship while the parents explored new and exciting foreign countries.

    ¡°So it isn¡¯t that easy,¡± Eufemia observed.

    ¡°After hundreds, even thousands of years of trails, a wealth of information must have been offered to the door,¡± said Aliyah. ¡°The trial will only become more difficult for those that want its benefits as time progresses. Not only that, but if the information offered to the world is added to an information repository of the cult of the Celestial Book, then it may span several different worlds.¡±

    ¡°Researchers will have an easier time with it,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°For the ones that are adventurers, that would prove likely.¡±

    ¡°Their team is split now too because of it,¡± said Sen, ¡°That¡¯s dangerous. There is no guarantee we will all portal together to the same place. We should make our final preparations. Those without dimensional inventories should retrieve important supplies and keep them on person.¡±

    The team shuffled items around. Potions, spirit coins, quintessence, food, water, and other supplies passing from those with personal inventories to those without. Out of the party, only Sen and Eufemia had no personal inventories, although Eufemia could access John¡¯s as long as she was near to him. Sen stored most of his stuff with Aliyah, and kept a small dimensional pouch attached to high waist for necessities. Eufemia did the same with John, although she normally did not need a dimensional pouch at all, nor could they afford them at first.

    There was an abnormal number of people with dimensional inventories on their team. Two was accounted for by the outworlders, who usually had inventories. Of the other two, one was a one with a Dimension Essence, Encio; Conversely, it would be abnormal if he didn¡¯t have one.

    ¡°Miss Edea, have you prepared your offering of information?¡±

    ¡°Do I say it to you or to the portal door?¡±

    ¡°I am extraneous to the functions of the trial; I serve as a guide.¡±

    ¡°An unwilling guide.¡±

    ¡°I am not one to shun my duty, as unwilling as I serve.¡±

    Nara stood before the paper parchment portal; the surface as hard as slapping the surface of water at terminal velocity in a belly flop.

    ¡°The highest grossing media franchise on Earth is Pok¨¦mon.¡±

    If Chrome was here, he would have complained that she was feeding useless, nonsensical information into a trial built to seek unique information.

    ¡°That isn¡¯t the sort of ¡®unique¡¯ they were looking for, but I expect no less from such a ¡®unique¡¯ person,¡± he would say.

    Shaking the thought, she dispelled the ghost of her friend¡¯s likeness.

    The surface rippled like milk, and she passed through.

 Chapter 54: The Trial of the Celestial Spheres

    Chapter 54: The Trial of the Celestial Spheres

    Through the portal she entered another plain white room. The walls, when examined closely, were covered in runic script that Nara could read but didn¡¯t bother too, feeling the same unwillingness to read as when faced with a full, unbroken page of Raskolnikov¡¯s ramblings in Crime and Punishment.

    Specter stood beside the next portal, where another plaque was inlaid on the wall. She would not make a rubbing of the full wall, but she made one of the plaque again.

    ¡°Deliberate upon one path of two: The first path beckons with ease, though winding and with no guarantee. The latter, arduous and brief, guarantees safety in its embrace. The boon of the second provided to the first at its ultimate end.¡±

    She turned to the guide of silver cloth.

    ¡°What¡¯s this in plain words?¡±

    ¡°I surmise to say the eloquent is not your chosen company, Miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°Yup. Simple is best.¡±

    ¡°The test this time around has chosen to organize itself in a choice of two paths. The first path is easy at first, but difficult later. The second path is immediately difficult, but participants are provided with something to guarantee their safety. The safety denied by those of the first path is relinquished until the final test, where it then will be provided in an alternate form.¡±

    ¡°You do not choose the tests?¡±

    ¡°I do not, Miss Edea. I am a but a humble guide for those who may lack the faculties to guide themselves.¡±

    ¡°Oh okay, ouch.¡±

    She deliberated for a moment, as the plaque told her to. If the first path was easy at first then more difficult later, and provided the backup then, it would help Nara go as far as possible in the trial. She wanted to make it to the end, enter the library, and obtain what information she could about astral magic and dimensional crossings. What the library of a mystical cult of some outer-god of knowledge provided may be her best shot on this planet of obtaining the information she needed. Her other option would be to try to learn dimensional crossing magic from the magic more publicly available on this world, then try to invent or learn her way up to the magic to cross dimensions, but she wouldn¡¯t be able to do that before her parents croaked of old age.

    ¡°The first path then.¡±

    ¡°There is no use telling me, Miss Edea, I am just a specter long forgotten in the ruins of knowledge. The door will hear your choice.¡±

    There was no need. The portal had already processed her voice, the same white paper surface breaking away as she passed through it.

    *****

    She stepped into an expanse of green. Rolling fields of wildflowers and grass swayed gently beneath a placid blue sky, much the same as the Windows XP default wallpaper.

    A stone dropped from the sky, plunking into the grass at her feet with a soft thud, cushioned by the tall grass.

    -------

    Item: [Awakening Stone of Judgement] (unranked, legendary)

    Classification: Awakening Stone, Consumable

    An awakening stone that unlocks the power of judgement.

    Requirements: unawakened essence ability

    Effect: awakens an essence ability

    -------

    ¡°Why do I feel like this is a judgement of the information I provided? Am I being insulted by a trial?¡±

    The stone didn¡¯t seem to correspond to the contents of the trial. She had expected an Awakening Stone of Knowledge, but that was not the stone bequeathed to her. Was there meaning to the stone, or was it random? Surely it couldn¡¯t be just a snide comment?

    For now, she pocketed the stone. She could use it now, but there was value in waiting for her companions¡¯ haul. If she felt she needed immediate power, she could use the stone then. The nifty ability of an outworlder to absorb an awakening stone without a ritual meant it was an option for her.

    She looked back towards the portal. No further people followed her, which meant that they had been transported to different locations. Or the path she chose was individual. Maybe both paths were individual. She had no way to know.

    On the ground, there was the same plaque, the only clear patch were no grass grew. She placed a paper over it, and made another rubbing of the engraving.

    ¡°To traverse the labyrinth of knowledge the persistence to pursue that with no clear path is paramount. For those that cannot, surrender lies in the periphery.¡±

    Nara looked over the rolling green hills which disappeared over the horizon.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look much like a labyrinth, does it Thanatos?¡±

    Thanatos barked, his tail brushing back tall grass but not catching them aflame.

    Nara deliberating having Thanatos set the whole place on fire with his flame, but decided she would not like to sit and choke on smoke, crying with burning eyes of soot, for the foreseeable future.

    ¡°It¡¯ll be our last resort.¡±

    There was no sun in the sky, despite the illumination of a clear sky. Her shadow was directly beneath her, unstretched and un-spilled by the despondent, missing, sun. With no way to figure out direction, Nara strolled through the grass off in a random direction, walking in what she figured was a straight line based on the path forming behind her.

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    As she strolled, the grass flattened and disappeared, forming a trail of brown in the sea of green.

    ¡°I see. So I can always turn back to the portal and leave?¡±

    She turned back towards the infinite sea of green, as if an ocean had been overrun with algae.

    ¡°If you want me to walk for infinity, I¡¯ve done it before. At least this time, I have a partner.¡±

    Thanatos barked in agreement.

    *****

    The team, minus Nara, stepped onto a scenic outlook over a massive circular city. At the very center of the city was a massive mechanical orb, rings of magic and machinery illuminating the rest of the city.

    ¡°Wait. Where¡¯s Nara?¡± Encio said looking around for her, ¡°She didn¡¯t teleport with us?¡±

    ¡°Pardon me for the interruption. Your team member, Miss Edea, has selected the first path. You have all selected the second path,¡± Specter said, appearing before their group.

    Sen sighed. As the unofficial team leader, he was the most concerned with team safety. At least he had every confidence Nara had the most abilities to escape a dangerous situation. Nara may have used that very logic in her selection of the first path.

    As Specter had said, other teams where surprised by their missing members. Their team had gotten lucky, with five of the six members choosing the second path, but others were missing more, or none at all, depending on size. Other identical spectral robes floated by each group of people, explaining the trial and clarifying the situation.

    ¡°I see. She no longer has to take this trial I take it?¡±

    ¡°That is so.¡±

    The sleeve of the robe lifted; a blurry hand formed of silver dust pointing towards the basin.

    ¡°That is the Trial of the Celestial Spheres. You will all shortly be provided with a token of escape. At any point should you want to leave the trial, you may activate the token to immediately escape harm. Any injuries at the time of activation are healed, and you will be ejected from the trial space, unable to enter again.¡±

    As she said, a token the size of a spirit coin floated down from the sky, landing in their hands.

    -------

    Item: [Realm Escape Token] (iron rank, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, artifact

    Effect: Restores the holder¡¯s condition upon use or destruction. When the token is used or destroyed, the holder is sent out of the trial, unable to re-enter. The token is automatically destroyed upon leaving the Trial of the Celestial Book. The token can only take effect within the Trial of the Celestial Book.

    Uses: 1/1

    -------

    ¡°Additionally, rewards from the previous trial are dispensed.¡±

    Yelps of surprised resounded as awakening stones thudded onto heads and onto the floor.

    Other teams headed into the city, but John stopped them.

    ¡°The name of the trial is suspect to me.¡±

    ¡°Ringing your so-called detective instincts, is it?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°It is, actually. Do you have the concept of the solar system in your world?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Solar what?¡±

    ¡°Alright, I should have known. No gravity, no solar system, no planetary motion, no celestial spheres. Magic really boofs it all up. I¡¯ll whip up a quick explanation.¡±

    John conjured a piece of paper and pencil, quickly sketching out a concentric ringed solar system on top of it.

    ¡°This is a model of my world, this circle here, this is my planet Earth. It¡¯s not to scale, so don¡¯t use that as a basis for conclusions. This large one in the center, that is the sun. These planets¡ªworlds¡ªorbit around the sun in a roughly circular path.¡±

    It was more an ellipse, but it was a model for a reason.

    ¡°Why is that?¡± Aliyah¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°That raises so many questions. The sun is in the center? The world orbits it?¡± What causes the world to orbit the sun?¡±

    John gently pushed Aliyah back, who had been leaning precariously closer with expectant eyes, ¡°I want to explain, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s the time for that. The point of this example is that they do.¡± He pointed back towards the giant mechanical orb at the center of the city. ¡°I think that models the sun.¡±

    He then pointed to the circular structure of the city built in rings, tracing his finger around the city in the distance.

    ¡°And there, those largest streets are orbital paths.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s mind churned, forming connections off of incomplete information, ¡°You think there may be something dangerous about those circular streets? Perhaps, something traveling in a circular path?¡±

    ¡°Something like that,¡± John said. ¡°Whatever it is, I don¡¯t know.¡±

    He squinted, but the strong light of the false sun created strong shadows, obscuring what was within the circular streets. He conjured a pair of binoculars, looking through them.

    ¡°What can you see?¡±

    ¡°Nothing yet,¡± John said, shaking his head.

    ¡°Does this all even matter? Can¡¯t we just fly over the streets and be done with it?¡± Eufemia suggested.

    ¡°If I may append, there is a barrier above the city preventing flight,¡± Specter said, ¡°You cannot cross between the circles of the city by flying or climbing.¡±

    ¡°Figures my idea failed immediately. What now?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much to do but push on,¡± John said, ¡°Take a gander at the city, see what¡¯s rolling about inside.¡±

    The five stood at the first outer ring. The street was extremely wide, like main streets of which empires marched their armies across in parade. John knelt down and touched it, feeling the smooth material. It was stone-like, not marble. From the brush of his fingertips, he realized it was ever so slightly curved.

    ¡°Drainage purposes?¡± John muttered to himself.

    They did not step into the road, and instead waited. Other adventurers crossed to the other side safely with nary an issue, slipping into one of the many alleyways that led towards the center of the city.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see enough adventurers,¡± Sen recounted, ¡°There should have been more.¡±

    ¡°You kept track?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Roughly. Based on the missing team members from other groups, less than half selected the first path. There should be more people here, by my estimation.¡±

    Eufemia shook her head in disbelief.

    ¡°If the trial is circular, perhaps they¡¯ve been portaled to start from a different direction?¡± Aliyah suggested, ¡°The initial position should make no substantial difference, assuming the trial is fair.¡±

    ¡°Expecting fairness is folly,¡± Eufemia muttered.

    They waited for thirty minutes until they heard the sound of a low rumbling, it was like static¡ªpervasive and constant, a background drone that was easy to forget. The sound grew louder, and they felt a shift in the air.

    The rumbling grew louder still. It was so loud their thoughts melted away, consumed by the noise in their mind.

    Finally, they saw it, for but a brief moment. Flashing past them like an express bullet train, a massive boulder fit perfectly within the curve of the streets and even the curve of the buildings, built to leave only enough gaps to allow the passage of air. That fast moving mass whipped their hair up in a frenzy, leaving only the woosh of air in its wake.

    No adventurer was stupid enough to stand within the path of the street when confronted with such a massive sound. The street was clear, no dead bodies in the passage of the sphere, nor unmistakable smears of red.

    ¡°While we have the chance, we should cross,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°If John¡¯s model is right, there should only be one sphere per circle,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Right after is certainly the safest moment.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s proposal was supported by the roar of the boulder fading as it continued its concentric path.

    They crossed into the first section of the city, sprawling alleyways in a maze of buildings that reminded John of Shanyin.

    ¡°One moment,¡± Encio said. He clamored upwards, scaling the buildings with deft speed, a clear mark of his parkour mastery. At a touch, he confirmed a barrier lay across the top of the buildings, preventing any further ascension.

    ¡°That¡¯s it? That¡¯s the trial? Make it to the center? It can¡¯t be that easy. Isn¡¯t this supposed to be the harder path?¡±

    ¡°It is only the first trial, maybe it is that easy,¡± John said.

    ¡°Second, technically,¡± Encio said, ¡°Since we were rewarded for the first.¡±

    ¡°Anyone can pass this. Just don¡¯t stand in the streets when you hear the rumbling of thunder! What is the big deal? You¡¯d have to be deaf not to pass. You don¡¯t even need John¡¯s fancy outworlder knowledge.¡±

    ¡°I hope so,¡± said John. ¡°I really hope that¡¯s all there is to it.¡±

    ¡°You know I don¡¯t like it when you say things like that,¡± Eufemia said.

    As they moved from the outer edge of this ring of the city to the next, the buildings began to transition from stone to a darker material. As they moved forwards through the maze-like alleyways, the stone grew darker still. Light itself seemed to pull and lengthen, shadows stretching over buildings in warped figured like gum stretched to its limit.

    A screaming instinct arose from within John¡¯s mind, an instinct Sen shared, his normally stoic expression turned into a frown.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like this,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°These black buildings are giving me the creeps.¡±

    ¡°We should slow down,¡± Sen said, stopping the team.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s stop here,¡± Sen said firmly, ¡°We can observe the street from here.¡±

 Chapter 55: I Donéˆ¥æª› Know What That Is

    Chapter 55: I Don¡¯t Know What That Is

    The team stopped in a small square plaza in the strange dark city. John had doubts that this second ring would be anything like the first¡ªthat they be able to hear the sphere before it came, if the odd material around them was anything to base his guesses on.

    Aliyah had the same assumption, together with Sen, they ventured into nearby buildings in the plaza, searching the rooms for any additional clues.

    ¡°I think the buildings are a reflection of the trial ahead,¡± Aliyah proposed.

    ¡°I agree,¡± John said, ¡°The first circle had streets and buildings of stone, and what orbited was a stone boulder.¡±

    ¡°But what¡¯s this black material supposed to clue us in on?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°Stone, I get, but what is this? It¡¯s like its eating up all the light in the area.¡±

    Their deliberation was interrupted by a familiar voice.

    ¡°Hey! It¡¯s a pleasant surprise to see a familiar face!¡±

    A group of two walked from between the dark alleyways. It was Vallis, and another person the team did not recognize. He was a large, wall-like youth, with the height of a professional basketball player but the width of a body builder. He had short cropped black hair, like hair growing out after the military, and dark brown eyes.

    ¡°Vallis, and who may you be?¡±

    ¡°Hugh Gao.¡±

    ¡°Hugh Gao is not a man of many words,¡± Vallis said cheerily.

    ¡°Why are you separated from your team?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°Turns out, whether or not you are teleported as a team depended on how quickly you followed after one another,¡± Vallis said, ¡°Some of us took a little too long to say our piece, and the group got separated.¡±

    ¡°Kiris went after you, didn¡¯t she?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Completely right! So I¡¯m the only one separated from my team. Thanks to that, I¡¯ve made friends with Hugh here. I have full confidence the rest of my crew can handle themselves.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you¡¯re circling the city?¡±

    ¡°I thought I¡¯d take a stab at finding them. No luck, so far. I found you all, so maybe this will get me somewhere. Why are you all waiting here for?¡±

    ¡°Sen has reservations about the next circle,¡± Aliyah explained, ¡°I agree with him.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Vallis realized, ¡°You are all seeking information of the trials within the city. Seems an awful waste of time. If the first circle is anything to go by, you¡¯ll only run into the sphere if you are unlucky.¡±

    ¡°That will start to change as each circle becomes smaller,¡± Sen said, ¡°Evaluating the trial now may prove beneficial in the future.¡±

    Vallis shrugged. She didn¡¯t agree, but she also felt more comfortable moving as a group. The dark stone had started to make even her uncomfortable, and Sen¡¯s acquaintances knew he had oddly accurate instincts.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Eufemia said slowly, ¡°Do any of you feel like it¡¯s getting darker? We haven¡¯t moved forwards.¡± She pointed towards the center, ¡°And the ¡®sun¡¯ hasn¡¯t gotten dimmer.¡±

    John, who was standing on the main road that led down to the second circle with a pair of binoculars, felt his feet slip, dragged forward by a massive gravitational force.

    He started to slide down the street towards the second circle. It was like his whole world had tilted; gravity shifted on a whim.

    ¡°It¡¯s a black hole!¡± John yelled.

    ¡°What?!¡± Eufemia said, who had been pressed flat into a building.

    ¡°IT¡¯S A BLACK HOLE!¡±

    ¡°I DON¡¯T KNOW WHAT THAT IS!¡±

    He slipped down the road further still. John whipped out his hands, managing to latch onto the base of a streetlamp. His improved physical strength from Beorn holding out against the ever-increasing pull. He looked behind him.

    Or was it beneath him? The second circle, the locus of gravity, now felt like it was down, and John was hanging on to dear life to prevent himself from falling.

    He didn¡¯t even see the sphere yet, but he knew what it would look like.

    There was no sound, everything had been drained away. The world shone in dark shades of black and grey, suddenly reduced to a black and white film. The surroundings was so quiet his ears hurt, begging for sound to take its rightful place.

    His other team members had been luckier. They were all pressed against walls in the plaza, saved by the buildings that resisted the pull of the slowly approaching sphere.

    John felt his hands slowly start to slip. His stomach plummeted. The one saving grace was he, like all outworlders, did not sweat.

    How long could he resist the extreme gravitational force? His figure seemed to stretch, elongating, and he saw the ominous pure black sphere peek from behind a building, like a calamitous eclipse rising over the horizon.

    John was screaming with exertion, but he heard no sound, sucked away the moment he opened his mouth.

    His joints and bones elongated and cracked, muscles straining and ripping. John prayed though he no longer held a god within his heart.

    His fingers broke, and their tendons snapped.

    ¡°JOHN!¡± Eufemia screamed out, although she only heard it in her own head.

    Suddenly chains whipped out from the ground to wrap around John whose fingers could hold on no longer. They were made of the same material as the ground, black stone, which had resisted the effects of gravity thus far.

    He dangled there in the air, chains biting uncomfortably into his flesh, but relieved he hadn¡¯t been sucked into death by gravitational anomaly. He didn¡¯t recognize the ability, so it had to be of the newcomer, Hugh.

    Gravity grew stronger still.

    The chains were an ability, and abilities were temporary.

    Hugh delayed, casting more chains as they were ripped away, but they were disappearing faster than his cooldowns allowed him to recast them, even with Eufemia¡¯s assistance from Blessing of Readiness.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    When chains came no longer, threads of light briefly bound John in place. It was one of Aliyah¡¯s abilities, Binding Light.

    -------

    Ability: [Binding Light]

    Essence: Magic

    Awakening Stone: Light

    Spell (thread) / Conjuration

    Incantation: ¡°Bind with light.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Bind a target with threads of light. Can only be used where in locations with light. Has greater effect under strong sources of light.

    -------

    For a brief moment, John hung in the air, suspended above the black hole like a marionette on strings. With the miniature black hole eating light itself, the threads snapped.

    They reappeared, once more, this time Eufemia activating her copy of Aliyah¡¯s spell. Eufemia specialized in offering more of the most effective ability, and right now, John needed exactly that. When the spell faded, Encio made his move.

    Encio was the fastest member of the team, boasting both upfront speed and time manipulation powers. He was also the furthest through iron rank, as the only one with all of his abilities awakened, and had the highest Speed attribute of everyone present. At iron rank, it was still within the bounds of humanity, but he was already pushing beyond the speed of Usain Bolt because of his ability, Swift-Footed.

    -------

    Ability: [Swift-Footed]

    Essence: Swift

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (movement)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Increased speed. Low stamina and mana per second cost to run on walls and water. Momentum must be maintained on walls or water to prevent falling.

    -------

    Time seemed to slow for John, even when Encio hadn¡¯t cast his time manipulation ability yet. There was nothing more John could do. He had no teleportation abilities, no restraint abilities, no gravity manipulation abilities. His eyes met with Encio, who had begun to dash towards him.

    Next, Encio cast Frozen World.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Frozen World]

    Essence: Time

    Special Ability

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: 20 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Temporarily stop time in a small location, creating a region of solid matter. This can solidify gases and liquids, allowing brief interaction with the location as if it were solid, or stop the velocity of physical objects. This cannot affect living beings, abilities, or objects in contact with living beings. Other rank effects can still be used while this effect is on cooldown.

    -------

    Encio usually used this ability to take a step on air. This time, he used it to catch John, creating a small platform at John¡¯s feet that temporarily stopped John¡¯s downwards descent. Since it was a region of stopped time, it ignored the effects of gravity, hanging in the air for a brief moment.

    Next, he activate Eternal Moment, his time manipulation ability.

    -------

    Ability: [Eternal Moment]

    Essence: Time

    Special Ability

    Cost: Extreme stamina-per-second and mana-per-second

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Operate at a highly accelerated speed for one second of actual time, which is extended in subjective time.

    ------

    While in an accelerated time-stream, Encio was unable to directly affect others. He could not push John out the way, not immediately, since John¡¯s time stream was normal. Any affect he imparted now only took effect once Encio¡¯s timestream rejoined reality. That was much of the difficulty in using time as a weapon. Encio shot forward with maximum speed, leapt across the street with the black hole beneath him, then shoved John, imparting as much energy and momentum as he could to hopefully push John across the street and into an alleyway once his time-stream rejoined reality.

    He activated Rewind, sending himself back to his original location and to safety. There was nothing more Encio could do. He could only hope that he had done enough.

    -------

    Ability: [Rewind]

    Essence: Time

    Awakening Stone: None

    Active Ability (time, movement)

    Cost: Very low mana-per-second, Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Instantly move to a local location that has been previously traversed while this ability has been active. This ability ignores dimension and teleportation restrictions.

    -------

    John felt himself launch towards the side, shoved by something he did not detect, towards an alleyway.

    John just barely made it in, in part aided by the passing black hole itself. The black hole started to pass beyond the next building, pulling John slightly in the same direction as he had been flung.

    He was pressed against the wall, mind blank yet running at lightning speeds. His muscles and skin were torn, bit into by life-saving black chains. He was sure he had broken a few ribs or fractured his spine from the impact, and breathing was difficult, although he now realized he didn¡¯t need to breath at all, so he stopped, since it was painful and pointless to do it if he didn¡¯t need to thanks to his outworlder body. The others must have been suffering worse, lungs pushed and collapsing. Luckily, permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation was something that iron rank prevented, since all damage was healable.

    The gravitational anomaly faded, and the members slipped down from the walls they had been pressed against, gasping for air. John lifted himself with pain. Beorn manifested, and crouched down, letting John pull himself up with slow effort. He cast a Life Bolt on himself as Beorn walked towards the other team members with John on top.

    ¡°Fountain of life, manifest,¡± he choked out. An illusory fountain of water sprayed out lifeforce in the small plaza on every member of the group, gradually healing up worn and broken bodies.

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think Nara may have chosen the smart option for once,¡± Eufemia groaned, ¡°How long before that thing comes back around?¡±

    Aliyah looked down at the path, ¡°Judging by its speed of movement, a few hours, around three.¡±

    ¡°We should keep track of it,¡± said Sen, ¡°That will not cease to become a threat when we pass into the next circle. We need to walk behind of it continually in a circle, secure our location when it passes, or pass beyond the next circle by the time it moves around again.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± Eufemia said drolly, exhaustedly wiping sweat and strands of hair from her brow, not caring much for her appearance in the moment.

    ¡°Good news amongst the bad,¡± John said, cracking a painful smile, ¡°I don¡¯t breathe anymore. No need to drown me.

    ¡°Shame,¡± said Eufemia, too tired to come up with something with a little more bite.

    ¡°What saved me there at the very end?¡±

    ¡°That would have to be Encio,¡± Sen said, ¡°he¡¯s the only one here with time manipulation abilities. None of us could have made it in time.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± John said, ¡°You both saved my life,¡± he said, nodding at Hugh too, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have had time to use that token. Didn¡¯t have a hand free,¡± he waved his hand, still bruised and bloody from burst capillaries and broken fingers.

    The token would have worked upon destruction; as long as John had thrown it into the black hole to be destroyed before he was, he would have been fine, but he hadn¡¯t realized that. Either way, the effort of all those present was essential to his continued participation in the exam.

    Hugh nodded back.

    ¡°We part of the same team John,¡± Encio said. His back was against a wall, taking deeps breaths in a rare moment of exhaustion for the extremely well-trained iron ranker. ¡°This is what it means.¡±

    John nodded, ¡°I get it now.¡±

    Encio flashed a grin, ¡°That¡¯s all I ask for. It¡¯s not too big of an ask, is it?¡±

    ¡°Risking your life to save another is a big ask for any normal person,¡± Eufemia grumbled.

    Sen gave her a disapproving look.

    ¡°For any ¡®normal¡¯ person!¡± Eufemia said defensively, ¡°We aren¡¯t normal, are we.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Sen smiled proudly, ¡°We aren¡¯t normal.¡±

    ¡°Even though I¡¯m the one who said it first, why do I not like it when you use that phrase?¡±

    *****

    ¡°Well this has been a bore,¡± Nara said, still walking through the tall grass and the unchanging scenery, ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten that variety is a luxury.¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, there¡¯s me, and there¡¯s you. We can do something fun. How about we play one of those spoken word games, Shiritori? I¡¯ll start, hmmm, Grass. It¡¯s thematic.¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°Shoot,¡± Nara realized, ¡°I understand you because of my translation ability, but you aren¡¯t actually speaking words. Shiritori doesn¡¯t exactly work beyond the Latin alphabet. What now¡­¡±

    Thanatos suggested an alternative, with a bark.

    ¡°Playing music? You¡¯re right, how could I forget?¡± She spread her arms out wide, ¡°Is this not the quintessential environment to cultivate my wandering bard aesthetic?¡±

    She looked at Thanatos, ideas spinning in her head.

    ¡°Can you transform into a motorcycle by any chance?¡±

    Thanatos rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Silly question, was it? Wandering bard is good, but I was thinking Kino from Kino¡¯s Journey would be a cool look to pull. I guess there¡¯s Shizu who¡¯s got a talking Samoyed instead of a talking motorcycle, but you¡¯re the wrong color.¡±

    Thanatos huffed.

    ¡°No, of course, I agree, black looks much better than white. You know what they say in my world¡ªOh, you don¡¯t? Anyway, they say ¡®black is slimming¡¯.¡±

    Thanatos angrily pawed the grass.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you are fat; I¡¯m just saying that¡¯s what we say about the color black. It makes everyone look good. You can¡¯t even get fat, you¡¯re an astral being inhabiting a vessel constructed through ritual magic. You don¡¯t even need to eat!¡±

    Thanatos barked at her.

    ¡°Please, I¡¯d never deny you food; We¡¯re of the same mind. I don¡¯t need to eat either, remember?¡±

    She strummed her lute.

    ¡°Good thing I bought that lute strap, otherwise walking and playing would be a lot harder.¡±

 Chapter 56: The Power of Ritual Magic

    Chapter 56: The Power of Ritual Magic

    The strength of the gravitational pull of the black hole was not accurate to a real black hole. If that had been the case, everyone would have long been dead. In fact, the gravitational sphere contained some anomalies¡ªthe gravitational pull was only felt within a certain radius of the sphere, outside of which almost nothing was felt. Based on her observations and their own situation, Aliyah calculated roughly the area they needed to avoid to escape the effects of the black hole.

    Since the group had stopped at the plaza, it had saved their lives. If they were any closer, they would not have had the time or power to save John. Other adventurers may not have been so lucky (or unlucky, for they could have sauntered past it unknowingly and safely). For now, the group kept this buried in their hearts, and Sen silently accepted he may not see all those he counted at the center of the city.

    Sen¡¯s perception power may have been part of the reason for his strangely accurate instincts.

    -------

    Ability: [Sharp Insight]

    Essence: Zeal

    Awakening Stone: Insight

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive hidden dangers.

    -------

    The ability was intended to sense hidden traps, such as trap magical abilities, or those disguised with invisibility or other stealth skills. It didn¡¯t see through them outright, but was enough to grant a sense something was off, enough to save your life in moments of crisis. It, however, shouldn¡¯t account for Sen¡¯s uncanny instinct. No matter how much Aliyah poured over Sen with rituals or inspections, she never found an alternative explanation. Whether it was something intrinsic that he was born with, something cultivated through training, granted to him through his ability, or a combination of all three, Aliyah had no conclusive answer.

    Having spent many years as Sen¡¯s external magic mentor, Aliyah attained a single conviction: When Sen says something is off, something is definitely off.

    As they passed through the street painted it black as if they stood over a void and into the next town, the cityscape changed once again. Black gave way to transparent buildings: living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms revealed within like glass terrariums. Bookcases emptied of books, gardens of artificial flowers; everything was clean, immaculate, and lifeless. The whole region was model-like in a way, a look inside daily life. The buildings themselves were entirely impractical in ways of privacy. Thankfully, none of them needed the privacy for¡­business, for that was business essence users no longer conducted.

    Sen¡¯s frown deepened, and Aliyah¡¯s unease grew. She kept silent, observing.

    They stopped.

    There was a dividing line of white drawn between the boundary where black material completely disappeared to transparent buildings. It crossed over alleys, across the main pathway leading down to the next circle, over and above buildings, the only mark on the transparent walls.

    ¡°This is new,¡± Eufemia observed, ¡°The trial hasn¡¯t told us where one section begins and another one ends before.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°Not one bit.¡±

    According to Aliyah¡¯s calculations, the dividing line was thankfully outside of the range of the gravity sphere, granting them a reprieve.

    ¡°What do you think this trial is then, Sen, another strange sphere moving in a circle?¡± Vallis asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible.¡±

    Aliyah paced contemplatively, then turned to John, ¡°John, you called the previous sphere a black hole. Why is that?¡±

    John groaned, ¡°I¡¯m all about learning, but I really dread having to explain this to you all.¡± He beckoned them in with a wave. ¡°You all might as well listen.¡±

    John jumped up and down, causing the others to look at him oddly. He held a hand up, then started his explanation.

    ¡°In Nara and my world, we call the force that brings us back to the ground ¡®gravity¡¯. Before you ask, gravity is not a function of magic, it is a function of how the world works, without magic. Like¡­for example, wood floats in water, even without magic. Do you know why that is?¡±

    ¡°An equivalent amount of wood weights less than the same amount of water,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°John, we know about density.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m glad. But, how do you define density? We call density mass per volume. Now, I know you fellows don¡¯t know about mass, since if you knew about gravity you¡¯d know about the difference between mass and weight.¡±

    ¡°Mass?¡±

    ¡°Mass is the amount of ¡®stuff¡¯ in an object. Weight is actually the amount of force acting on an object with mass. Ah, right! Aliyah, when you apply slow fall to an object, or weightlessness, you¡¯re aware that the object hasn¡¯t loss any of what it is?¡±

    ¡°You mean, you¡¯re not any less of you when you use a slow fall power?¡± Sen answered instead, ¡°And when you stop using your slow fall power, you return to your original weight.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± Aliyah realized, ¡°We call that aspect echo of weight. Despite reducing the weight of an object to zero so that it floats, it is still difficult to move. You¡¯re saying the reason why is because it has mass?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. To give another example, our world measures mass in grams. How we measure it doesn¡¯t matter, but that is what we use. Going back to our density example, density is measured in grams per liter¡ªmass per volume.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I¡¯m starting to understand what you are trying to communicate, John.¡±

    ¡°To add on a little more, gravity is measured as meters per second squared.¡±

    ¡°Acceleration,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°This we understand as well.¡±

    Units were automatically translated to Erras¡¯ local equivalent, if they had an equivalent word. Otherwise, they were learning a new term.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°You do?¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°We know how to throw and launch objects, John. We¡¯re aware that not everything travels at the same speed all the time.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s wrap this all up then, my temporary and curmudgeonly students. To summarize, mass is measured in grams for the amount of ¡®stuff¡¯ in an object, and gravity, a form of acceleration, is measured in meters per second squared. Weight is a type of force and force is calculated as mass times acceleration.¡±

    ¡°A type of force?¡±

    ¡°Before I answer that, have you tried to drop two completely different objects from the same height?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask and just demonstrate, John.¡±

    John removed a pebble from his inventory then a much larger stone, ¡°Encio, can you take this to the top of that veranda, then conjure that frozen platform of yours and place them on top? On my mark.¡±

    ¡°Easy enough.¡±

    Encio deftly scaled the wall of a transparent building, landing on one of the verandas. He held out both of his hands holdings the pebble and the rock.

    ¡°I have a primer question: If Encio were to throw both rocks at you with equal speed, which one would hurt more?

    ¡°The larger rock, obviously,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Keep that in mind. Now, I want you to see which object hits the ground first: the pebble or the rock. Encio, conjure that platform and place both rocks on top away from each other. Then, let the platform disappear and let both rocks fall.¡±

    He did so. Since the de-conjuration of Encio¡¯s Frozen World ability was uniform, John got the fabled perfect timing that he wanted.

    Both stone and pebble clattered to the floor.

    ¡°They hit at the same time,¡± Aliyah observed, ¡°as far as my eyes could determine.¡±

    ¡°So? What does this mean?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°If both rocks fall with equal speed but the larger rock hurts more, than there must be another variable other than acceleration,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Mass.¡±

    ¡°We all instinctually know what hurts more,¡± John said, ¡°The larger rock has more force.¡±

    ¡°And force is mass multiplied by acceleration,¡± Aliyah said, her thoughts racing.

    ¡°Thus,¡± John said, ¡°The difference between mass and weight. Even if you reduce the weight of both rocks to zero¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªThey have no force, but still have mass.¡±

    ¡°Right on!¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯re having an epiphany here, Aliyah, and I am happy for you, but John, how does this relate to that black hole thing that almost killed you?¡±

    ¡°So, do we all more or less understand gravity and mass?¡±

    ¡°If Aliyah understands it,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°That¡¯s good enough. I¡¯ll pass on ¡®expanding my mind¡¯. I have enough to work on,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°I mentioned that gravity exists but not why it exists. Gravity exists because mass generates gravity. I can¡¯t describe why, only those in fields of science, no¡­research remember and understand why. But just remember that it does.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Eufemia said impatiently.

    ¡°A black hole is a super dense mass. The densest and most massive object in existence.¡±

    ¡°Therefore, it has great gravity,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°That answers why it almost killed you,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°but why is it black!?¡±

    ¡°It is so dense, so massive, that it pulls in light itself,¡± John said, ¡°Hence, black hole and darkness. In my world we¡¯ve observed the effect of black holes in space,¡± John said pointing at the ceiling and moving his hand across the ceiling to conjure up the expanse of space in their minds; he didn¡¯t have an ability to conjure an illusion for his storytelling. ¡°It bends light. It is so dark that we cannot see it, we see what is around it. Black holes consume everything. We¡¯ve seen it consume worlds, galaxies, from light years away,¡± John stared wistfully at the sky, ¡°I¡¯m only now realizing how amazing it is to know all this.¡±

    ¡°I completely understand,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°I would like to visit your world, if offered the chance.¡±

    ¡°Of course, be my guest. I¡¯ll introduce you to my family. And all the knowledge of our world¡ªwell, let¡¯s start with a library first.¡±

    ¡°So all we got from this is the buildings were black to demonstrate it was a black hole or whatever,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°Great. Now what? We still know nothing about this next freaky circle.¡±

    ¡±We take it slow,¡± Sen said, ¡°and proceed in pairs while staying behind cover.¡±

    ¡°Proceed in pairs?¡±

    ¡°The most mobile will walk in front, then in pairs behind.¡±

    The did, slowly venturing into the transparent, glass like city. They stuck to walls, pairs dashing across the open, revealing street. The furthest behind was Hugh, who had the least number of movement abilities, but kept his eyes on those in front prepared to intervene, at silent attention.

    Encio steadied himself on the side of a building.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Eufemia.

    ¡°I feel faint and dizzy,¡± Encio said, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t. Do you?¡±

    ¡°I do too,¡± Eufemia said with a frown.

    ¡°Back up,¡± Sen commanded, ¡°It may be poison gas.¡±

    The team returned to the white dividing line.

    ¡°Do we have any cleansing abilities?¡±

    Everyone shook their heads.

    But after a few breaths, they all felt better.

    ¡°Can it be a short duration poison?¡± Sen proposed.

    ¡°Colorless, odorless poison?¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I suppose its possible. But if the effect is just dizziness, the effect isn¡¯t very potent.¡±

    ¡°John, do any of us need healing?¡±

    John shook his head.

    The team sat in another plaza, thinking and proposing other ideas.

    ¡°Just a thought, what if we all just run through? Hope we get lucky,¡± Vallis said.

    ¡°You really think that¡¯s a good idea?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°While the black sphere was with us, those on the opposite side could have easily bypassed it entirely by running,¡± Vallis said, ¡°It may be a simple method, but simple methods work.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like to leave it to luck,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t. But sometimes adventurers need to get lucky. Or¡ª¡± Vallis leaned in, ¡°¡ªbe courageous.¡±

    ¡°Vallis may have a point,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°If the poisonous gas doesn¡¯t inflict any damage but induces dizziness, running through before we do is an option. Perhaps, we could even hold our breaths to prolong the duration.¡±

    ¡°Wait¡ªyou said holding your breath?¡± John suddenly stood up, ¡°I¡¯m going to check something.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t feel dizzy,¡± John said. ¡°I don¡¯t breathe anymore.¡±

    ¡°So? Good for you. You almost died and don¡¯t need to breathe. That¡¯s just one step removed of actually drowning yourself. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse.¡±

    ¡°But what if I do, intentionally?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll get dizzy.¡±

    ¡°Or maybe¡­¡± Aliyah said, ¡°He won¡¯t.¡±

    John winked at Aliyah, ¡°I like the way you think. You think like me, or maybe I¡¯m thinking like you.¡±

    Aliyah chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡±

    John walked forward, Encio ready to dash forth at a moment¡¯s notice to collect John.

    John spun around, sucking in deep breaths he now knew he did not need. How he even did so without lungs baffled him.

    ¡°I¡¯m really so bloody magical. So magical I don¡¯t poop,¡± he chuckled.

    ¡°John?¡± Aliyah called out, ¡°How are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. I think I have the answer.¡±

    He walked back to the group sitting down.

    ¡°Good news, there¡¯s no poison in the air. Bad news, it¡¯s not that there¡¯s something extra, it¡¯s what¡¯s missing.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be coy and spill it. You¡¯re really enjoying this teacher thing, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to feel knowledgeable for once,¡± John admitted, ¡°After an entire year entirely clueless.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still clueless.¡±

    ¡°Case in point.¡±

    ¡°Cut the chatter,¡± Vallis said. ¡°I want to beat this trial. What exactly is missing?¡±

    ¡°More science from my world,¡± John said with a sigh, ¡°Why do we all need to breath? Except Nara and I.¡±

    ¡°We need to, to live,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°The breath of life,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°What?¡± John said, his momentum suddenly paused.

    ¡°The air has the breath of life, and we need it to live,¡± Sen said again.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­not inaccurate,¡± John said slowly. ¡°On Earth, we have a word for this breath of life¡ªoxygen.¡±

    ¡°We call it different things, so what?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°On my world, we¡¯ve figured out that the air has many different materials in it, not just oxygen¡ªor, the breath of life,¡± John said. ¡°Remember how you mentioned that odorless, colorless poison? Imagine that air is formed of many different materials, but they are not poison.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°The air is made up of many materials that we cannot see, not just one material.¡±

    John nodded, ¡°The air in that region is missing the breath of life. We can still breathe, but our bodies don¡¯t get the¡­breath it needs. It¡¯s like water,¡± John said, ¡°Higher rank essence users don¡¯t need it, but we all need to drink it before that, right? And if we don¡¯t get water after long enough, we die of dehydration.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s at least the same,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°You could say the reason why we breathe is because we need to breathe oxygen to live¡ª¡± He pointed at Eufemia, ¡°¡ªAt iron rank, that hasn¡¯t changed, yet.¡±

    Vallis crossed her arms, ¡°Does any of this change what we have to do?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°We should just hold our breaths and run through.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know what the sphere does in this zone. Is that really wise?¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Wise? No of course not. But do adventurers always choose the wisest answer? The way of the wise is not our way.¡±

    ¡°Heidel shit. You just can¡¯t think of a better solution,¡± Eufemia countered.

    Vallis grinned, ¡°You found me out.¡±

    Sen shook his head, ¡°You would do well for you to brush up on your ritual magic again. Aliyah, you have a solution?¡± he said with a tone more statement than question.

    ¡°Indeed I do Sen,¡± she said, ¡°There is a particular ritual magic used for underwater battles or traversal for those that do not have abilities suited for water. It¡¯s quite the handy spell. What it does is generate a sphere of air that doubles as air to breathe and a barrier against water.¡±

    She put her hands on her hips, glowing with pride although she kept her excitement contained, ¡°This is the power of ritual magic.¡±

 Chapter 57: Rejoin the Stream

    Chapter 57: Rejoin the Stream

    The team unanimously voted against Vallis¡¯ idea of running through the next region. Aliyah took out a smaller ritual plate, around 2ft by 2ft (60 cm by 60 cm), and set up the ritual magic.

    An incorporeal sphere formed around the plate, indicating the formation of the air barrier.

    Sen picked up and held the plate, and the others walked around him in a rather large bubble formation. Thankfully, the barrier was expansive enough that the members did not feel the awkwardness of trying to share a too-small umbrella, except that leaving the canopy of the umbrella would result in oxygen deficiency.

    The moved slowly down the street towards the next circle, warily eying their surroundings, although there was nothing to see but the same, eerie, utterly impractical, transparent buildings.

    They made it to the wide circle crossing, stopping for a moment to evaluate the situation. They had made it so far with no dizziness or other unpleasant effects, proving that Aliyah¡¯s solution worked.

    ¡°How about we don¡¯t wait for something to show up?¡± Eufemia suggested, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get unlucky three times in a row.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡±

    They crossed. The lack of incident was a surprise to them, but a welcome one. It seemed the difficulty of the final circle was not the sphere, but the environment before the sphere.

    Encio mused contemplatively, ¡°If you bypassed the first two circles by luck, or boldness, as Vallis would say, then you would be forced to confront the third circle no matter what. Do you think you could have run this far without taking a single breath?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Vallis admitted, ¡°I could not.¡±

    ¡°Then this is a problem that could not be solved with brute force. It requires thought.¡±

    ¡°Or,¡± Eufemia grumbled, ¡°a outworlder body.¡±

    ¡°Anybody that didn¡¯t need to breath would do,¡± Aliyah offered, ¡°It does not have to be an outworlder. You could, hypothetically, have your familiar carry you, if it is capable of doing so. First, run as far as you can manage, pass out, then entrust yourself to your familiar for the rest of the way. Those with a water breathing ability may fare just as well. Rapid teleportation would also solve the issue. Nara would have passed this circle, outworlder advantages or otherwise,¡± Aliyah said, listing off a few more examples.

    ¡°Any solution would do, as long as there was a solution,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°And not just sprinting through the city,¡± Eufemia added.

    ¡°I could make it through,¡± Encio said.

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°Sure, prince of speed, you could make it through.¡±

    The oxygen deprivation zone was the final zone of the Trial of the Celestial Spheres, evidenced by the buildings transitioning to the characteristic white marble buildings. John was thankful that it didn¡¯t model Earth¡¯s solar system, with eight planets.

    The mechanical sun loomed over them. While the group was initially wary, it faded as they spotted a congregation of adventurers at the center surrounding a white portal.

    Some groups were waiting to rejoin lost members. Vallis sprinted away, joining the team members she had been separated from.

    ¡°Is anyone dead?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all good, chief!¡± Said Gento cheerfully with a salute, ¡°Everyone is accounted for.¡±

    Vallis didn¡¯t request her team members to call her Chief, but Gento said it suited her. She didn¡¯t mind it.

    ¡°No one picked the other option?¡±

    ¡°Who picks the option without safety? If it all goes wrong, better to keep your life, right?¡±

    Aliyah looked at the token within her hand, ¡°It appears we can use this for the rest of the trials.¡±

    ¡°Free escape, at any point!¡± Gento said, ¡°We can adventure with ease!¡±

    *****

    ¡°You know, Than,¡± Nara said, absentmindedly plucking at the strings on her lute, ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about the purpose of this trial.¡±

    Thanatos tilted his head.

    ¡°This specific trial, not the trial as a whole. Do they really just want you to walk for days? I¡¯m thinking there may be more to it than that.¡±

    He tilted his head back.

    ¡°Not like, actually more to it. Just that there¡¯s a psychological portion that isn¡¯t really affecting me here. For any normal person, isolation for days without end in an unchanging landscape of monotony is sure to bring doubts: Is this how you pass the trial? Am I missing something? Maybe the answer was the portal all along? What do they want from me?¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°Yes, I have some common sense. And no, I haven¡¯t had these thoughts. Definitely not.¡±

    Nara turned back to look down the path, the portal in view. It was far back enough to be just barely within view, but it stood there, tempting Nara like a tray of freshly baked cookies. She shouldn¡¯t eat them, but she just couldn¡¯t wait.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t help that the damn portal is always within sight, no matter how far I walk.¡±

    Thanatos rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Okay, I admit, I may have been having those thoughts.¡±

    She put away her lute.

    ¡°How about we run for a bit? Change up the pace?¡±

    Thanatos barked, tail wagging.

    More time passed. The only reason Nara didn¡¯t lose track of the time was the magic watch she held within her inventory that counted time reliably, ignoring all manner of time manipulation. It counted her time. She¡¯d have to adjust it later upon returning to a normal time stream. She doubted time would match up.

    Nara hated monotony, but it wasn¡¯t as if she could not bear it. Monotony had been her constant companion once, both in monotony of pain and monotony of time. The portal was there, teasing at the corner of her perception. But with each passing day, Nara conviction grew firmer that she should not enter that portal. To turn back to the portal was to re-tread a walked path. What the trial sought was the resolution to walk a new, untrodden path.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°In a battle of persistence, you picked the wrong opponent.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Twelve days, right on the dot,¡± Nara said.

    Another, new white portal appeared before her. It coalesced from light like the solidification of salt crystals in water. It was likely it didn¡¯t matter how far Nara walked. All that she had to do was wait out twelve days without turning back. The time was too exacting for a different answer.

    ¡°I hope the next awakening stone is a good one.¡±

    She pushed through the portal.

    She entered into another white room. The room was surrounded by portals, where other adventurers, like her, exited. These must have been the others who, like her, chosen the first path.

    On cue, a stone dropped into her hands.

    -------

    Item: [Awakening Stone of Time] (unranked, legendary)

    Classification: Awakening Stone, Consumable

    An awakening stone that unlocks the power of time.

    Requirements: unawakened essence ability

    Effect: awakens an essence ability

    -------

    ¡°That¡¯s a good one, all right,¡± she quickly teleported the stone to her Astral Domain.

    She was keeping to herself when a group of three approached her. It wasn¡¯t any adventurer from Sanshi she recognized. The walked with an exaggerated swagger and bluster, with postures leaned too far back or too far forward. Nara had a feeling of what was coming.

    ¡°Hey, you, you blanked-faced bitch.¡±

    ¡°Yep?¡±

    ¡°What stone did you just get?¡±

    Nara wasn¡¯t dumb enough to show her the actual awakening stone she just got, so she fished out a slightly valuable stone from her inventory that she had looted before. It was one she decided not to use after consulting Encio. She would wait to see what she earned from the trial before making her final decisions.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of Instinct.¡±

    It was an uncommon stone, usually granting perceptual, animalistic, or fast abilities. Just good enough that Nara thought this random bully would buy up it as a reward from the trial.

    He snatched it from her hand. Nara could have reacted faster, but didn¡¯t bother.

    ¡°Hey! That was mine!¡± She feigned anger and yelled out in protest. Even she thought her acting was bad; she tried her best. Thankfully, the bullies bought her charade hook, line, and sinker.

    The three bullies crowded her.

    ¡°Have a problem?¡±

    ¡°No¡­¡±

    They gave her a shove.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    Nara rolled her eyes at their backs. How they managed to pass a trial of persistence, she had no idea. With heads as hollow as a husked coconut, there was no place to store doubts. Stupidity may have been another way to pass; they got the right answer with the wrong method.

    ¡°I thought essence users didn¡¯t lose their brains until at least silver rank¡­¡± she muttered.

    On a pedestal in the center of the room was another plaque, which the adventurers gathered around.

    ¡°Chose a path: walk alone or rejoin the stream you once parted. The stream faces greater obstructions, but the lonesome journey is without companionship.¡±

    There were two portals. The one on the right side was marked as ¡°Rejoin the Stream¡± while the portal on the left was marked, ¡°Walk Alone.¡±

    She was worn by the isolation of the last trial, even if she had Thanatos with her. It seemed others shared the sentiment, wanting to rejoin their teams. She followed, entering the right portal.

    *****

    She entered into another large white waiting room. Teams milled about in small groups, evidently waiting to see if their own teammates would rejoin them. For those in a team, Nara doubted any chose the left door. For those attempting the trial solo, the left door was the better option.

    She saw her own team: Sen, Aliyah, Encio, Eufemia, and John. Not a single one had chosen like her, and they ended up together. Whatever the first trial was for them, she was glad to see they were unharmed.

    ¡°Hey guys, it¡¯s been a while!¡± Nara greeted.

    ¡°Nara, it is a relief to see that you are safe,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Well, my trial wasn¡¯t dangerous, just annoying.¡±

    ¡°What was your trial?¡±

    ¡°Specter?¡± Nara called, ¡°If you are available, could you answer a few questions for us?¡±

    The being of robed silver materialized.

    ¡°Yes, Miss Edea. Alas, I am eternally available.¡±

    ¡°My condolences. Anyway, what exactly was my trial? I¡¯ve guessed that it was just to wait two weeks, since that¡¯s when that portal appeared.¡±

    ¡°It is so, Miss Edea. Your trial was a test of patience. The cult of the Celestial Book seeks to train test their adherents in the way of persistence. The path to discovery is rarely clear, but the trial itself is simple. For two weeks, do not leave.¡±

    ¡°You know solitary confinement is a punishment on my world? I got pretty bored.¡±

    ¡°Miss Edea, it was your choice how you spent your time. The trial had no directives.¡±

    Nara awkwardly smiled, ¡°At least I got some good lute practice in. How¡¯d it go for you guys?¡±

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Eufemia said with a glower, ¡°How were we supposed to past that trial without John¡¯s other world knowledge cheat? It feels so cheap.¡±

    ¡°My knowledge isn¡¯t cheap,¡± John said. ¡°I¡¯d even say its expensive; your world doesn¡¯t have it.¡±

    Eufemia narrowed her eyes, dissatisfied with his rebuttal.

    ¡°There are many ways to pass the Trial of Celestial Spheres, Miss Teresina. For the first trial, as you said, anyone with ears could have passed. For the second trial, luck was enough.¡±

    ¡°How many died to that¡­black hole?¡± Sen solemnly asked, ¡°The number of adventurers don¡¯t line up.¡±

    ¡°Mister Arlang, the objective of the cult is not to kill their adherents, but to evaluate them. Those that were consumed by the gravity sphere have been safely ejected from the trial. However, that safety is no longer provided in further trials.¡±

    ¡°Why not tell this to us? You¡¯d just let us think they all died?¡±

    ¡°Mister Arlang, are you not clear of the requirements of advancement for essence users? Where there is no challenge, there is no improvement. For the Cult of the Celestial Book, improvement is paramount. To seek new knowledge is to push beyond the boundary. The next challenge is a combat challenge, and thus, safety is no longer guaranteed.¡±

    ¡°That means Nara is the only one we have to worry about,¡± Encio said, narrowing his gaze at her, ¡°What in the world compelled you to choose safety later?¡±

    ¡°Escape is my specialty?¡± she offered.

    ¡°Speed is my specialty,¡± Encio countered, ¡°and I still chose safety.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s done is done,¡± Sen said. ¡°All we must do is keep Nara safe.¡±

    At the far end of the room was another portal of knowledge, requesting another knowledge tidbit to pass.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t have some hidden position determinant again, does it?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°It does,¡± said Specter, ¡°You will all be randomly teleported to the trial in pairs, determined on order of passage.¡±

    ¡°What is the objective of this trial?¡± Aliyah asked.

    ¡°Survival. The trial will last three days. Upon entry through the portal, you will be transported into jungle ruins within the astral space. Additionally, the jungle ruins is overrun with iron rank monsters and a few bronze rank monsters.¡±

    Sen turned to his team, ¡°Our first priority upon entry is to join together. With Nara back with us, we regain communication and mapping capabilities.¡±

    ¡°I guess my ability doesn¡¯t universally bypass dimensions.¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan? How do we form the pairs, and where do we meet?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say much of the second without a map of the location,¡± Sen said. ¡°Initial plan: we head towards the center. If there is no center, we head for the tallest building. If there are multiple tallest buildings, we head for the largest one.¡±

    The team nodded.

    The team discussed groups. Of the team, Eufemia was the one who dependent most on who her team member was. She and John also had the least number of abilities, so they were best paired with those with the greatest number of abilities. Aliyah also depended on her partner, as Aliyah was a classic spellcaster and vulnerable in close combat.

    However, the combination of Nara and Encio was undeniable. Together, the two was the fastest pair of the team. With quick mobility, they could reach the meeting point first, then search outwards for their other team members.

    It was decided that Eufemia would pair up with Encio, who offered her the greatest instantaneous damage capabilities and mobility options. Aliyah would travel with Sen, who was capable in close combat and could protect her, which left Nara with John.

    Of the team, she needed healing the least.

    ¡°I¡¯m not satisfied with this combination,¡± Sen frowned.

    ¡°We¡¯re not going for peak efficiency here Sen, it¡¯s fine,¡± Nara assured him.

    ¡°He¡¯s worried about leaving the two outworlders together,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°You¡¯re going to get yourself killed with your lack of common sense.¡±

    ¡°That is a reasonable concern. Either their outworlder knowledge will prove useful, and thus they are best separated, or their lack of general knowledge could prove fatal,¡± Aliyah agreed, nodding her head.

    ¡°I have the healer! I¡¯m not going to die.¡±

    ¡°She has a point,¡± said Encio, ¡°With a healer, almost any other pair would be willing to team up with them. Nara would be the unwanted hanger on, but a healer is worth the extra baggage.¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡±

    The team lined up. Sen, the ever astute, had kept track of how many had entered the portal already. They would have their pairs.

    ¡°A p¨Cn junction is a boundary or interface between two types of semiconductor materials, p-type and n-type, inside a single crystal of semiconductor.¡±

    This time she went scientific. What have you say now, trial?

    John raised his eyebrows, ¡°What did you say your profession was?¡±

    ¡°You know, I can¡¯t exactly remember. Some sort of engineer adjacent. Maybe nanotech or electrical engineering related? Maybe physics?¡±

    She passed through the portal.

 Chapter 58: Repaying Favors

    Chapter 58: Repaying Favors

    John followed Nara through.

    They were within a valley jungle, mountains towering around in a circular bowl. Their position was at the edge, where the terrain began to sharply rise behind them in jagged, stony terrain. Based on the circular formation, there should be a center to the space, an observation further supported by a large tower that peeked over tall jungle trees. Not only was there a characteristic center tower, but also three towers spaced equidistantly around the center tower, forming an equidistant triangle.

    As usual, an awakening stone dropped from the sky which Nara held out her hands to catch.

    -------

    Item: [Awakening Stone of Balance] (unranked, uncommon)

    Classification: Awakening Stone, Consumable

    An awakening stone that unlocks the power of balance.

    Requirements: unawakened essence ability

    Effect: awakens an essence ability

    -------

    ¡°What did you get?¡± She asked John, who was observing his own prize.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of the Guardian. Says its legendary.¡±

    ¡°Oh, nice get.¡±

    ¡°Have you been saving yours?¡±

    ¡°I have. Sen said to use them if we feel like we need it.¡±

    They followed their plan, heading towards the center of the jungle ruins, although it was slow progress. The terrain was difficult¡ªa ruined city overgrown overtaken by a jungle. Tall buildings collapsed onto their side, spilling chunks of marble like cottage cheese. The noise of the jungle was incessant, as thick in the air as was the heavy humidity.

    A jungle mosquito flew onto her neck, slipping a quick and final snack before it was slapped to death by an angry Nara.

    -------

    -You have resisted [Anti-Coagulant (lesser)].

    -You have resisted [Hemavern Disease (lesser)].

    -------

    ¡°Friggin¡¯ hell,¡± Nara muttered angrily, ¡°Mosquitos.¡±

    The jungle was teeming with monsters, which Nara navigated around with her wide aura sense and map ability, but they could not avoid all of them. She couldn¡¯t ironically avoid the lesser monsters and the normal animals¡ªinnumerable bugs that suicided by shoving themselves up her nose and into her mouth. They were flickers on her map; she had no choice but to turn off their detection entirely, or all she¡¯d see is static.

    A pack of sabretooth gorillas blocked their path, their territory extending in either direction for a large swatch of jungle land. A larger alpha gorilla commanded oddly small gorillas, like scaled down models of an actual gorilla. Gorillas were normally docile, but these were not, driven mad by their inevitable degradation. Small groups peeled away, attacking any other monsters that approached.

    Nara might be able to get past them, but John would not.

    ¡°How do we handle this?¡± John said over voice chat, ¡°We should probably go around them.¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s the best idea.¡±

    They decided to head through one of the collapsed buildings. It lifted up over the gorilla¡¯s territory, passing over the overgrown jungle streets as it rested against another still upright building.

    They snuck around the pack towards the tower with held breaths, except neither breathed at this point. They crouched silently as a follower gorilla passed close, but thankfully most monsters did not have very good senses. At iron rank, monsters had next to no ability to utilize their auras, an advantage essence users held over iron rank monsters.

    One the gorilla passed; they crept forward with careful steps. They crept up the tower, picking through broken down rooms with damaged books, scattered papers, and shattered pottery.

    ¡°Oh no,¡± Nara said, her voice drawing John to a dead stop. ¡°We have to run.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Bronze rank monster. Time to scoot!¡±

    Within the leaning building, a massive yellow eye with characteristic vertical pupils¡¯ met John¡¯s. It was a massive snake, fitting within the broken building like a subway inside a subway tunnel. It¡¯s forked tongue flickered outwards, tasting the air.

    It¡¯s mouth widened, more than wide enough to fit a whole person inside.

    John had never been more thankful for his parkour training. He leapt through broken walls, scrambling past overturned furniture. Nara was considerably more elegant in her movement, but she kept to John, not surpassing his speed.

    ¡°John, I¡¯m going to run distraction on the gorillas, or we¡¯re going to be surrounded on both sides.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll be okay by yourself?¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re the one in the most danger, not me. I¡¯ll see you in a bit, John. Stay alive.¡±

    She disappeared in a flash.

    Nara¡¯s goal was chaos, not stealth.

    She dropped from the air onto a gorilla, stabling her blade through the back of it¡¯s head, finishing one instantaneously by smashing up grey matter.

    ¡°I¡¯ll need that extra power right now.¡±

    She used the stone of balance and the stone of judgement, saving her legendary stone.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Balance].

    -You have awakened Balance Essence Ability, [Boon Conversion]. You have awakened 4 of 5 Balance Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Boon Conversion]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Consume boons on self to enhance the damage of your next attack or damaging ability with resonating- or disruptive-force damage. Damage boost increases with the number of boons consumed.

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Judgement].

    -You have awakened Harmonic Essence Ability, [World¡¯s End]. You have awakened 4 of 5 Harmonic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [World¡¯s End]

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Special Attack (execute)

    Base Cost: Moderate mana and moderate stamina.

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Imbue your next attack with the power of dimensional rending annihilation, dealing rending damage. Additionally deals a small amount of transcendent damage. As an execute effect, damage scales exponentially with the enemy¡¯s level of injury.

    -------

    Nara¡¯s Hamonic Essence characterized itself with abilities that resulted in escalation or benefitted from escalation. World¡¯s End wasn¡¯t the upfront damage special attack she wanted, but it would do more damage than a normal attack. It was something.

    Boon Conversion was more immediately useful, although she had to sacrifice her boons for instantaneous power.

    That was fine. Instantaneous power was something Nara desperately needed. There were times to hold onto her boons to snowball her power, but now wasn¡¯t the time.

    With Overture stacking the four boons she had, she sacrificed many instances to enhance Nirvana with resonating-force take the head of another gorilla. Nirvana cut through flesh and bone like butter. Resonating-force damage was highly effective against physical protection, while disruptive-force damage excelled against magical protection. As beings of physical flesh, resonating-force was her best choice against the gorillas, and it was especially effective against hard materials like bone, which benefitted more the enhancements of rank than flesh did.

    ¡°That was too many instances.¡±

    It¡¯d be a learning process on how many instances she needed to sacrifice for how much damage. She slashed another gorilla, blood pouring from an open wound, drenching its fur.

    ¡°That was a little better.¡±

    Now the target of the gorillas¡¯ screeching warnings, she sprinted into the thick jungle.

    *****

    John wasn¡¯t fast, but thankfully the massive jungle snake following behind him wasn¡¯t inherently a fast monster. It was still abnormally fast for its species, a characteristic provided by its rank; the broken furniture and partial walls slowed it down more than it slowed John down.

    John stumble-ran out the collapsed building, taking stock for a moment before dashing towards the center, as they previously agreed. Most of the gorillas had been led away, a few dead bodies pooling blood into soft jungle soil.

    Beorn manifested from John with a thought, and John leapt on top. Thanks to Beorn¡¯s high attributes and animal form, he was naturally faster than John. The frenzied ride was uncomfortable, but John would be more uncomfortable slowly digesting in the stomach of a snake. He was happy to bear with it to avoid the latter.

    With a boom, the massive snake burst out of the building-tunnel, sending stone careening into the forest like the shrapnel of a petrified grenade. Thin trees snapped and collapsed, and the building tunnel began to come down on top of them both, weakened by the chase.

    ¡°Bloody hell!¡± John yelled. Beorn dashed between falling stone, safely making it past the collapsing building in a blockbuster action sequence. Both were coated in stone and ceramic dust, but they pressed onwards. The sharp gaze of the serpent raised the hairs on the back of his neck. He could feel Beorn tense beneath him, but he did not falter.

    ¡°You¡¯re a reliable lad Beorn. We might outrun the snake yet. Funny that, outrunning a snake.¡±

    But once the jungle snake touched flat ground, it also gained speed. He could feel those yellow eyes boring onto his back, as if it produced corrosive venom with sight alone. A low hiss seeped from its closed mouth. A sound far too loud for a normal snake that sent primal shivers down John¡¯s spine.

    ¡°From within wells unending vigor,¡± John chanted, casting Vigor Wellspring.

    Beorn activated Eternal Rage, growing larger, but also faster and stronger. John clutched down on his back, eyes narrowed as they whipped through lush leaves and vines, drawing welts of red against his skin.

    Who would hold out longer? John, or the snake?

    John could only pray he did not attract any additional monsters with this clamor.

    Beorn was tiring, but he pushed as much as he could, his reserves of health and stamina slowly draining away.

    The snake was still on his heels, gleaming eyes growing ever closer.

    Beorn de-manifested with a soft whimpering growl, and John rolled on the ground, getting up in a mad sprint in a demonstration of fluid motion he was amazed he even pulled off. The snake reared back and lunged forward, shooting towards John with an open mouth.

    He shielded himself, and the snake was smacked back with Burst Shield.

    It spat venom, which John deflected with Absorbing Shield. But now John was out of shields for the next 20 seconds. He equipped Solar Judgement from his inventory, facing down the snake with the only weapon aside from Beorn that he had.

    -------

    Item: [Solar Judgement] (iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon, gun, fire, holy

    Description: A magic weapon modeled after a Winchester Model 12 pump action shotgun. The sun bestows both life and fire.

    Effect: Generates 7-rounds of sunfire flak every 5 minutes for a moderate mana cost. Otherwise, can shoot normal flak dealing physical damage for a low mana consumption per shot.

    Effect: Sunfire flak deals massive disruptive-force and fire damage in a wide-range conical area. Damage is considered holy damage.

    Effect (Iron): Shotgun blasts knock back nearby projectiles and enemies.

    -------

    It made another lunging attack, John barely managed to roll out of the way. He blasted a few shots of sunfire flak into the snake¡¯s eye, damaging the delicate organ. The flack was effective against the vulnerable eye, but the thick green scales of the jungle snake suffered far less damage. His attack was but a burn a flat iron on the massive python.

    Another lunge, another shot. The flak flinched the head of the python backwards, buying him a little time, but John could only play this game for so long. He¡¯d run out of bullets.

    When John was on his final two shots, a human with a heavy shield charged from the forest, bashing the snake in the face with incredible momentum. John couldn¡¯t believe how someone could move so quickly with such a heavy shield and armor, but even at iron rank, magic abilities allowed for impossible feats. Next, lightning crackled from the forest, traveling down the length of the python in crackling and searing tendrils.

    ¡°Thank you, stranger!¡± John yelled towards the life-saving lightning, ¡°But, who are you?¡±

    ¡°Hangsu Chun, guardian for hire!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t hire you,¡± a voice said with thinly veiled annoyance.

    ¡°I¡¯m on your team for a nice contract. Same thing, yeah?¡±

    ¡°I am Raja Jagar,¡± a figure stepped out of the jungle, ¡°Tell Nara the Jagar¡­no, I repay my favors.¡±

    *****

    The Jagar territory was towards the south, nestled between the territories of Fenhu, of the West, and Nisei, of the East, and the closest territory to Sanshi.

    The were an old noble family; all but one of the six were of the original six families that removed the tyrant Kastar from power, and unified to form the Shian Union, with Sanshi as neutral ground.

    One of the six had already fallen into decay, a slow ruin from nobility to common. Their authority and territory were lost to the Lugu, who replaced them. Now, House Jagar was on the same slow path of decay and ruin, other local families clamoring for their position. The people of the Jagar territory grew unhappy. They whispered for the Jagar to cede their territory to the Fenhu or Nisei if they could not handle it, though it was never spoken to their faces. The other local families sought to replace them, as the Lugu had once done. Each and every member of the Jagar claimed they could lead the family back to prosperity if they took control, but all were idols of fool¡¯s gold, fake and wasteful.

    The Jagar family had been able to coast on their riches and power for many years. This had sustained them for centuries. But as their family members grew, lives lengthened through the boon of essences, their expenses grew.

    New family members promised they would become successful adventurers, and they clamored for the family¡¯s riches¡ªexpensive essences, expensive awakening stones, and expensive equipment was provided to all of them. But they had been coddled by their history, wealth, and prestige. Voices once loud in claiming their birthright for rare essences grew quiet when it was time to prove themselves. They slunk away, draining the family¡¯s resources for monster cores and luxuries, coring themselves up to the peak of silver rank as the most useless silver rankers, worth far less than the resources they consumed. The worst ones were expelled before their crimes could return to poison the family, but they could not cull the cancer faster than it grew, if the one culling was already cancerous.

    The three families of Fenhu, Arlang, and Nisei had avoided this pitfall, through various methods. The Arlang was strict with their relatives, cutting off those who sought to take but not contribute. The Fenhu invested their vast wealth into various enterprises, often marrying the intelligent, those with great potential, the specialized, and the inventive into their family. The Nisei turned to specialty, cultivating talents in narrow fields and establishing connections with governments and societies.

    The Jagar family failed to do this, held back by their lofty and weighty pride, dragging at them by the heels like a chain for which they had no key. Raja grew up with adults like that, flaunting their nobility, their wealth, and their boughten and baseless power.

    Raja was the rising star of his family; he would rise about the rabble, lighting up the sky like a fearsome storm. He had grown up sheltered, fed sweet poison by his relatives, who sought to manipulate the one who they saw had the modicum of talent and nerve they didn¡¯t possess. He had thought that the other families were no better than his own, and that the Jagar was still as noble and impressive as ages past. When he arrived in Sanshi, the painful truth slowly purged the sweet poison he had been fed.

    He no longer thought so. Whether or not he failed did not matter; his family¡¯s ruin was inevitable. It was only through his success that anything would change, and even his singular success may change nothing¡ªhe could not bear the entire weight of the Jagar, not unless he became a famed gold ranker or ascended to the lofty heights of the unreachable diamond. Knowing this, the consequences of failure felt less. Not entirely gone, but not entirely important. His family¡¯s slow ruin was not a result of his actions, but of decades of indolence and incompetence.

    Even if they were ruined, he would not be. A silver rank adventurer was rich and powerful, and he would not need his family then. If they lost their position, he would be like the rest of the adventurers, a freedom he found had growing appeal.

    The impetus for his change was two events: his encounter with Nara Edea, and his conversation with Mona Fenhu.

    He was aware later, than most of what Nara had spoken was shallow, only intended to move him from a position of danger. He also realized that Mona never had any intention of letting him die, despite his own petty rivalry and animosity with the other families. She was first and foremost his instructor; one who put her position and responsibilities before the name of her family.

    Her responsibility was to teach him how to live as an adventurer, with an emphasis on live.

    His obsession with Sen¡¯s actions had led to one unexpected boon: he know all the people on Sen¡¯s team, even when he no longer intended to interfere with its formation.

    So he knew Nara Edea and by extension John Aurelius had been recruited into Sen¡¯s team.

    ¡°I am Raja Jagar. Tell Nara the Jagar¡­no, I repay my favors.¡±

 Chapter 59: The Test of Survival

    Chapter 59: The Test of Survival

    A team of three against a bronze rank monster was an achievable fight except for one issue: Raja was the primary damage dealer of the three, and his Lightning, Chain, and Potent Essences for the Onslaught Confluence wasn¡¯t suited towards single target damage. He was exceptional against swarms of enemies, but he could only chip away at the snake with coils of electricity. His combo was mana-inefficient, casting massive spells of lightning to attack just one target, aside from his crackling lightning whip that he used to attack.

    Luckily, the impromptu team had a healer¡ªJohn. Unluckily, he didn¡¯t have his full suite of abilities. He was on the low side of healing for a dedicated healer, without the boost Elf or Runic racial abilities provided towards spells and healing.

    Hangsu was a defender with the essences Shield, Deep, and Might for the Fortress Confluence. He kept the python at bay, smashing fangs back with his large shield, or conjuring massive chunks of iron from the sky to slam on top of the snake to force it to bow its head like he was the king of iron, and the snake was his disobedient subject.

    What John had to watch out for was its whip like tail, which attempted to lethally strike him or Raja at the backline. A well-timed shield saved their lives, but bronze rank power was such that if any attack solidly got through, they¡¯d suffer great injury, especially with their delicate human-like bodies. John only had one large healing spell left to him until Vigor Wellspring was available again. Otherwise, he cycled shields, cast Life Bolt whenever possible, then unleashed Mana Tide once all of their mana pools wore down.

    The jungle python was winning the battle of attrition.

    *****

    Nara dashed through the forest, taking pot shots with arrows to keep the attention of the gorilla horde. Occasionally, she teleported in to tear through one, then teleported back to safety, running just fast enough to keep within sight.

    Her objective wasn¡¯t to kill all the sabretooth gorillas, but to lead then far away enough from John that they wouldn¡¯t hinder his escape. Once she accomplished that, she teleported to a node she placed high above her into the air, disappearing out of sight. She circled back, looting the dead gorillas with a passing thought then continued her dash after John.

    With Nara¡¯s map ability which tracked enemies and allies, she easily pinpointed what direction John had traveled, but it was entirely unneeded.

    A massive tunnel of crushed plants and compacted dirt told Nara all that she needed to know.

    She detected the four with her aura before she even heard them through the thick noise of the jungle muffled by massive leaves of waxy green.

    To her relief, John was with two others¡ªboth auras she recognized. One was Raja Jagar, who she was surprised to sense but glad for his presence nonetheless. The other was one of the people that had gone with him during the exam, but hadn¡¯t abandoned Raja like Kenny did, although she did not remember his name.

    The snake still had not detected her, so she leapt onto its back, slashing repeatedly with her sword enhanced with resonating-force damage to get through its scales. Thanatos followed up, bursts of black flame smacking into vibrant green scales, although it wasn¡¯t particularly effective.

    --------

    -[Dimensional Instability] has been resisted.

    -[Dimensional Rupture] has been resisted.

    -Thanatos has inflicted an instance of [Vulnerable].

    -[Umbral Burn] has been resisted.

    ------

    Due to the effects of rank disparity, most of her afflictions did not get through. Each rank provided resistances to damage, afflictions, and effects of the rank below. She slashed furiously, caring not for defenses as the serpent was otherwise occupied. Not all afflictions would take effect, but all she had to do was compensate with a multitude of attacks. Some would get through, and that¡¯s all she needed. Once any afflictions had stuck, she cast Entropy, inevitably pushing it along the path to it¡¯s demise, if they could live long enough to see it.

    It didn¡¯t matter, she kept at it, hacking at the back of the snake. It began to take notice, evaluating her as the bigger threat. It¡¯s massive, scaled body rose, attempting to shake her off. She dug her sword in, and held on like a cowboy on a bucking bull. The snake¡¯s tail was unnaturally flexible; it whipped out, striking towards her.

    Raja switched from damage to control, leaning on some of the restrictive chain properties of his essence set. Chains of semi-physical lightning wrapped around the tail, but after a moment¡¯s delay the snake tore through it, tail swing beelining towards Nara on its back.

    She waited until the last moment, then teleported away.

    The snake wasn¡¯t so smart that it could see through her plan. Iron rank abilities against a bronze rank monster was not effective, but a bronze rank attack against a bronze rank monster was.

    Its own attack didn¡¯t seriously harm itself, but caused it to temporarily falter from the blow. The annoying pest off it¡¯s back, it resumed its assault on the group.

    With Nara, they didn¡¯t have to worry about winning the battle of attrition, they just had to survive it.

    The battle wore on. Nara¡¯s aura, Astral Blessing, began to pull weight, alleviating John¡¯s concerns over mana since his Mana Tide had worn off. It was just a slight pressure off of their backs, but it gradually grew stronger as the battle progressed. More stamina, mana, and health for everyone meant that John had less to heal, and everyone had more resources to use on expensive abilities and buffing powers.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    The onslaught of lightning and rending damage from Raja and Nara had begun to take its toll on the serpent. It¡¯s attacks were noticeably less precise, nerves fried from Raja¡¯s lightning damage. Even a basic, glancing attack from Nara tore away chunks of snake flesh, shattering green scales like sea glass in a woodchipper.

    Nara could attack with less risk, letting Dimensional Rupture inflict most of the damage, if she wanted too. However with Boon Conversion, going for gouging blows was more effective and made effective use of Dimensional Instability. Glancing blows were easy, but wasted the damage scaling of her affliction. She went in hard, constantly harassing the serpent¡¯s back where it struggled to reach with its impaired flexibility while Hangsu kept its head forcibly occupied. The serpent¡¯s jaw and skull was bruised and bloodied, Hangsu¡¯s repeated heavy shield blows and iron block conjurations exacting their toll. He may be a tank, but repeated blows from a slab of metal was always going to hurt. Still, the serpent persisted. Rank disparity was not so easy to surpass.

    This was the first time Nara had ever seen the stacking potential of her duo dimension afflictions. Like Encio had said, she was built for endurance combat. The longer she fought against the same opponent, the deadlier she became. Hitting up a rank against increased defense, regeneration, and health pools was one of the most common types of endurance combat, and a situation many adventurers had to face as they attempted to break through each rank to the next.

    She didn¡¯t think she was the endurance type, but¡­if forced with the threat of opening a can of surstr?mming, she¡¯d say she was a jogger, not a sprinter.

    Her abilities may have been picking at scraps to determine their path, but scraps they relished like a person who had worked out then starved themselves in preparation for an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ . Just the merest of inclinations toward endurance fighting had determined her path, her soul working with what it had available.

    Nara activated World¡¯s End for what she knew was the last time. Going through the rest of the serpent¡¯s lifeforce normally, even now as it struggled, would have been toilsome, but execute abilities scaled with damage already done.

    And the serpent was on its last legs, and by last legs she meant no legs.

    Her sword was a rectangular mimicry of a black hole¡ªa deep red and gold event horizon surrounded the black blade, void dark than its typical starlit appearance. The rending damage triggered, eating once again a large portion of the snake¡¯s lifeforce away, a massive boulder sized chunk disappearing as its flesh tore itself to shreds. The transcendent damage triggered, eating away the rest of the snake¡¯s lifeforce. The serpent shimmered with transcendent light¡ª silver light with streams of light blue and gold consumed the serpent, where it vanished like the last rays of dusk, neither body nor rainbow smoke left behind.

    --------

    -[Overgrowth Serpent] has been wholly annihilated. It has been automatically looted.

    <ul>

    <li>10 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>10000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (bronze)</li>

    <li>20 snake quintessence (bronze)</li>

    <li>20 growth quintessence (bronze)</li>

    <li>Overgrowth Serpent skin (bronze)</li>

    <li>Awakening Stone of Growth</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    Nara was topped full of stamina, but she felt mentally exhausted. She conjured comfortable chairs for the group, where the four sat and rest for a moment, calming their minds and catching their breaths.

    ¡°Thank you two for helping John,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Thank you from me too, mates,¡± John added sincerely, ¡°I thought I was snake food.¡±

    ¡°This is hardly the last we¡¯ll see of bronze rank monsters,¡± Raja said. ¡°Thus, I offer a proposal the two of you will no doubt be overjoyed to receive: we team up, and make way towards the closest tower.¡±

    Nara rolled her eyes at his pretentious tone, but he had saved John¡ªHe meant well.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m all for a healer,¡± Hangsu said. ¡°Works for me. You too black sword; Cool weapon by the way.¡±

    ¡°Call me Nara, although black sword isn¡¯t too terrible as far as moniker¡¯s go. I was called blank-faced bitch a while ago, can you believe that?¡±

    ¡°Who said that?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Some idiots were fleecing awakening stones from other adventurers. I gave them a random one I didn¡¯t care about.¡±

    ¡°You just gave it away?¡± Hangsu said, ¡°Do you know how much money that is?¡±

    ¡°Uh yeah, but me and John both have looting powers, and I wasn¡¯t going to use it. Didn¡¯t you notice?¡±

    They had noticed. Neither Hangsu nor Raja had awakened a dimensional inventory, and a bag of coins had slapped each in the face, along with other goodies inside. In particular, a snake tooth dagger nearly stabbed Raja on the way down, which would have been an embarrassing scar story.

    ¡°That hurt,¡± Hansu said, ¡°But I like free money.¡± He flashed a thumb¡¯s up.

    ¡°You just fought a train-sized snake, and you thought a bag of coins falling on your face hurt?¡±

    ¡°I get in the moment, you know? Pain sort of turns off and I just focus. Snake coming at me, fangs out, and I just crack teeth and pummel scales. It¡¯s what I¡¯m paid to do.¡±

    ¡°I do actually get that.¡± Nara nodded with understanding.

    ¡°And what is a train?¡± Raja said.

    *****

    John and Nara accepted Raja¡¯s proposal. There were no downsides to it besides Raja¡¯s arrogant words, although it was more surface bluster than anything substantial at this point, which all members understood. She invited the two to her party, consuming two of the remining four slots she had. She had tried to voice chat with Sen and the others, but they were out of her communication range although they were still in her party.

    Despite Hangsu¡¯s claims as a for-hire team member, he seemed pleased with Raja. Raja¡¯s change before and after the examination was a stark difference, and Hangsu had witnessed the before-and-after. Hangsu¡¯s contract would end at bronze rank, where he¡¯d have to decide whether he wanted to join Raja¡¯s team permanently, splitting risks and rewards as any normal party would.

    Hangsu was willing, although he didn¡¯t say so. Free money was free money. For an ordinary iron ranker, money was in tight supply.

    Raja had been willing to stick up for a stranger against a bronze rank monster, where even the three of them combined had great difficulty. They were all with unfinished power sets, and the single large serpent was a bad match for Raja¡¯s abilities.

    Nara transformed Nirvana into a machete, chopping down plants in front of her. She struggled at first, but quickly gained the hang of it as she referenced techniques from The Way of the Traveler which had even this. Cutting through thick undergrowth was a necessary skill for any jungle-faring traveler. Thanatos burned plants in controlled quantities, although the lush foliage wasn¡¯t quick to catch fire, so he stopped, taking up his position at Nara¡¯s flank instead.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask: do you know something we don¡¯t about these towers?¡±

    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± asked John.

    ¡°Well, he said to head to the nearest one, instead of the middle one.¡±

    ¡°I praise you for your perceptiveness,¡± Raja said, ¡°Indeed, my noble self acquired a vital piece of information that you all had not.¡±

    ¡°Get on with it?¡± Hangsu said.

    Raja cleared his throat, glaring at Hangsu, ¡°I had inquired why the trial was that of survival. Three days in a jungle, even with bronze rank monsters, is not so difficult as to deem it as such.¡±

    John had other thoughts on his evaluation, but he lacked the mobility that Raja possessed with his Lightning Essence, and the defensive power of Hangsu¡¯s combo.

    ¡°And?¡± Hangsu pressed.

    ¡°The trial is named such for the calamity shall befall us every night. A swarm of monsters. Those towers are our fortresses. We cannot make it to the main tower in a single day, likely, none of us can. I suspect it contains the best defenses, so it is a journey we all must undertake in order to survive.¡±

    The main tower was the largest, roughly three times the size of the other towers. Clearly, it was meant to fit all of the adventurers that would originally be split across the three other towers.

    ¡°Thus, we must make it to the closest tower before night falls and make defenses with haste. There is no other option.¡±

 Chapter 60: A Golden Glowstick

    Chapter 60: A Golden Glowstick

    They arrived at the closest tower with no further incident. They were attacked by various iron rank monsters on the way, but nothing as difficult as the overgrowth serpent had assaulted them.

    Nara¡¯s map arbitrarily designated her tower as the South tower. It may not have been so arbitrary, as the sun overhead traveled across the sky towards her left. Whether or not the sun still set in the west in an astral space was anyone¡¯s guess, but it was a reason as good as any.

    From the imprinted footsteps on the jungle floor, it was clear many others had already made their way into the tower. The four of them had arrived with a few hours to spare until sunset.

    ¡°New arrivals? Good timing,¡± an adventurer told them, ¡°The leader is upstairs holding a briefing.¡±

    ¡°The leader?¡±

    ¡°Qingxi Lugu, she¡¯s been designated temporary commander.¡±

    It was clear that the adventures of the South tower already knew of the impending monster wave. The lookout, Osal, directed them up to the operations auditorium, where Qingxi Lugu was directing defenses.

    She was a beautiful young woman, an elf. Her hair was a dark brown hinted with red, a shade lighter than the usual black hair of the Sanshi locals. Her chestnut brown eyes were intelligent and sharp, and she quickly organized defenses and communications with adventurers who had taken up positions as messengers, her hands and feet never ceasing movement. From what Nara saw, there was a decent number of adventurers here, around 50. Their numbers had been greatly reduced from the initial trials, around 150 had failed out, died, or chosen the other path from the initial 300 plus. Hopefully, few had died, and most had managed to use their escape tokens in time. It seemed their spawn locations were grouped as such around each tower so that they¡¯d be evenly spaced out.

    ¡°Newcomers, leader. Four of them.¡±

    ¡°Good. That brings out total numbers up to fifty six,¡± she said, ¡°Most the others have already arrived.¡±

    ¡°We ran into a bronze rank serpent. Got held up a bit,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°And you killed it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s very dead.¡±

    ¡°Even better,¡± Qingxi said. ¡°Now it won¡¯t attack us at night. Nicely done, the four of you.¡±

    She performed a hurried Sanshi bow, not forgetting her well-educated etiquette, ¡°I am Qingxi Lugu, serving as temporary operations commander. Pardon my rudeness, but I request your names and brief summary of your capabilities.¡±

    ¡°Nara Edea, escalating damage attacker. High mobility with dimension abilities, communication racial, looting abilities, dimensional inventory, and sustain aura.¡±

    ¡°Communication ability? Show me.¡±

    Nara apologized inwardly to her team and kicked them all from her party. She couldn¡¯t communicate with them anyway at her distance, and while she could initiate a voice chat with those outside of the team, the ability lost a lot of convenient functions when used without forming a team.  Her ability was no use to them apart from her, and she could invite them back in again once they were in range, which her ability would notify her of. She had to prioritize.

    She quickly explained to Qingxi the brief functionalities provided by Party Guide.

    ¡°Gods graces, what a boon. You are an outworlder then?¡±

    ¡°Me and him both,¡± Nara gestured, ¡°He doesn¡¯t have this same ability though. He¡¯s got some other useful stuff.¡±

    ¡°Such as?¡±

    ¡°John Aurelius, healer. Abilities are on the paltry side.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true for all of us John; it¡¯s the reason why we are here. If the stones you have are keeping you from using them, consider a trade with others here. I will ensure a fair and safe transaction.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s kind of you, miss Lugu,¡± John said. ¡°My ability in question is this one.¡±

    He displayed it to her through Nara¡¯s Party Guide, since Qingxi had already been added into the party. She had accepted the holographic screen without batting an eye, too busy to be surprised, or already having seen a similar ability before in her family.

    ¡°I see, this will provide us with the information advantage on any particularly troublesome monster. If you see an opportunity, use it.¡±

    ¡°Easy enough. I¡¯ll do just that.¡±

    ¡°And you two are?¡±

    ¡°Hangsu Chun, heavy defender. At your service¡ªfor a price.¡±

    She used Party Guide to look at his abilities.

    ¡°Iron shaping and fortress defense abilities? Another blessing. Osal.¡±

    ¡°Yup, leader?¡±

    ¡°Take him to defense construction.¡±

    ¡°On it.¡±

    ¡°And you?¡±

    ¡°Raja Jagar. Area attacker,¡± he said, leveling his eyes with her in a confident and prideful gaze. Nara was surprised he made no trouble about her position as a leader. Raja was aware of his bad reputation in Sanshi, and challenged Qingxi to say something insulting about him. She did not, more evidence of the relative indifference the other families had towards the Jagar.

    ¡°I¡¯m clear on your abilities. Area lightning attacks¡ªyou¡¯ll prove useful.¡±

    She made no comments on his personality or past, either not caring, or the pressing situation was simply not the time to care. As long as Raja did his job clearing out hordes of monsters, she didn¡¯t care what his personality or family name was. A fair share of nobility from foreign countries had made the journey here in pursuit of opportunity. If she was surprised by every last noble scion, she wouldn¡¯t have the time to plan effective defenses.

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    Qingxi¡¯s comment about Raja¡¯s usefulness had been offhand, but it meant a lot to him, which surprised him. His entire family denied their inferiority to other families that they had brought upon themselves, sinking further into their prideful delusion. His abilities may be granted by his essences, but he was glad to have them to contribute. He would be positioned on one of the tower terraces, unleashing lightning destruction on the initial horde before retreating up the stairwell.

    The general plan was thus¡ªhold out the horde outside for as long as possible. Then, slowly retreat up the tower as their defenses were torn down, putting up new ones on the entrances to each floor. The walls of the tower were strong, but they had no doors at any of their entrances. If they were lucky, none of their blockades would be broken through. Qingxi clarified that his was unlikely. If a full tower had been provided to them, they¡¯d likely have to use the full thing. Archers and other magic casters were also stationed on the terraces. They would have to take out any fliers or crawlers that besieged the top floors.

    Qingxi let Nara keep John on her party, and quickly doled out the remaining eight positions to the most important people to their operations. Nara wouldn¡¯t drop John even if Qingxi asked, and Qingxi had enough sense than to separate the two outworlders both in position and communication. For this entire trial, she had been making do.

    Nara was assigned to a team of high mobility attackers and scouts. They would move as far out as possible, killing as many monsters in the surrounding as possible.

    First, she stayed with John as he used four additional awakening stones. The Awakening Stone of Growth Nara just looted from the overgrowth snake was also frequently used by healers. John had additionally gained an Awakening Stone of the Guardian and an Awakening Stone of the Celestial, both legendary stones, from his trial. He had no need to trade, so far. It seemed the Trial tailored stones as something useful towards their recipient. One final stone was a basic Awakening Stone of Might which Nara traded one of her rarer awakening stones on hand for; while the Awakening Stone of Might was common, it was a popular stone. John felt he lacked damage, and wanted another ability to protect himself. It wasn¡¯t a bad choice: might could easily awaken a buffing ability or a special attack. A special attack may not be particularly effective on a healer, but John had the right to influence his abilities towards something he was more comfortable with. Nara understood the inherent, ever-present tinnitus hum of nervous anxiety that she and John shared in being stranded on an entirely different dimension, in a world where the violence was not just another continent away.

    Whether a buffing ability or special attack, both would be good for John.

    --------

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has used [Awakening Stone of the Guardian].

    -[John Aurelius] has awakened Immortal Essence Ability, [Shield of the Guardian]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 3 of 5 Immortal Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Shield of the Guardian]

    Conjuration (shield)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating shield that can withstand a large amount of damage. The shield will automatically float in a location around the conjurer to intercept attacks, or it can be actively controlled. The shield can be healed to restore its integrity. When the shield is destroyed, it cannot be reconjured until its cooldown ends. If the shield has not been destroyed, it can be reconjured at any time, at a moderate mana cost. The shield regenerates durability slowly while not conjured.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has used [Awakening Stone of the Celestial].

    -[John Aurelius] has awakened Magic Essence Ability, [Celestial Flame Mantle]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 3 of 5 Magic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Celestial Flame Mantle]

    Spell (boon)

    Incantation: ¡°Mantle of celestial flames, protect and burn.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Grant a boon of white holy flames to an ally. Holy flames do not harm the ally, but burn enemies who attack the target, and adds fire damage to those the target of the boon attacks. The holy flames have increased effect against undead targets or those with unholy boons. The holy flames grant increased resistance to fire damage and afflictions.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has used [Awakening Stone of Growth].

    -[John Aurelius] has awakened Magic Essence Ability, [Bolster]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 4 of 5 Magic Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Bolster]

    Awakening Stone: Growth

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Let your power fulminate.¡±

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): The next essence ability used by the target ally has increased effect. This can affect parameters including damage, range and number of targets, depending on the affected ability. Cannot be used on self. This effect cannot stack.

    -Party member [John Aurelius] has used [Awakening Stone of Might].

    -[John Aurelius] has awakened Life Essence Ability, [The Strength of Life]. [John Aurelius] has awakened 4 of 5 Life Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [The Strength of Life]

    Aura

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within your aura have increased [Power] and [Recovery].

    ------

    John staggered, suddenly besieged by the sudden awareness of his own aura, as well as increased sense of all the other auras around him.

    ¡°Your aura picked an inconvenient time to awaken, but congratulations?¡± Nara said, patting him on the shoulder.

    Now wasn¡¯t the time to teach John about auras, but it mattered little for him. He wasn¡¯t diving into monster territory where stealth was important. If his aura spread out everywhere like a lighthouse beacon in the dead of night, that was perfectly fine. Qingxi assigned him someone who was free and an adept teacher to quickly give John a crash course on auras.

    John unfortunately hadn¡¯t awakened any additional healing abilities, but he had gotten the damage ability and self-protection he wanted. Celestial Flame Mantle doubled as protection and damage as did Shield of the Guardian; the former leaned more towards offense, and the latter towards defense. John could equip the Shield of the Guardian himself, swinging it like Hangsu did. It was too heavy to do so effectively without Beorn¡¯s physical strength increase, however, so he wouldn¡¯t use it that way outside of extreme situations.

    His aura served as a free resource generation and affliction resistance increase, as those were both properties of the recovery attribute. A boost to recovery had more upfront effect than Nara¡¯s Integrity boon, but her singular effect would eventually surpass his in a large scale battle, which this was shaping out to be.

    ¡°Are you going to use your Time stone?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Might as well. It¡¯s not like I planned to sell it.¡±

    The shimmering stone of silver and gold melted away in her hand. When she saw the ability notification, her face froze.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Time].

    -You have awakened Harmonic Essence Ability, [Hand of Time]. You have awakened 5 of 5 Harmonic Essence Abilities.

    -All abilities in the Harmonic Essence have been awakened. The Harmonic Essence is bound to the [Power] attribute. The [Power] attribute will advance with the lowest ranked essence ability.

    Ability: [Hand of Time]

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme Mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Hand of Time] to serve as a familiar.

    --------

    ¡°Nara? What is the matter?¡±

    Nara couldn¡¯t quite believe her eyes, staring at the screen in front of her.

    John glanced at the ability, ¡°That ability name is oddly familiar.¡±

    He thought for a moment, since Nara seemed catatonic from her lack of response.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that astral being bloke called a Hand of Time?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nara said softly, ¡°He was.¡±

    John gave Nara a gentle squeeze on her shoulder.

    ¡°That means you¡¯ll see your friend again.¡±

    Nara shook her head, ¡°Another Hand of Time could be my familiar.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t really believe that.¡±

    Nara grinned, ¡°You¡¯re right. Chekhov¡¯s Gun dictates that since I know him, he¡¯s the one who¡¯s going to be my familiar.¡±

    ¡°Good on you! Let¡¯s bust this trial wide open and art up that reunion you want.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to give him an earful when I see him. Instead of some cool time manipulation ability, all I got was a golden glowstick.¡±

 Chapter 61: The Abuse of Physics

    Chapter 61: The Abuse of Physics

    Nara desperately wanted to perform her familiar ritual, but she did not have the components needed to perform it. Familiar summoning rituals needed specific components, and those components were often the most expensive cost of the required materials, and most people did not have it on hand. Adventurers often kept an extra set of the material requirements to resummon a familiar if they were destroyed (if they could afford it), but they wouldn¡¯t have the materials needed for someone else¡¯s familiar.

    Nara bid John, Raja, and Hangsu a brief goodbye and joined the scout-slash-strike team that would clear out as many iron rank and bronze rank monsters as possible before nightfall.

    Due to her high evasiveness and escalating afflictions, Nara was tasked to locate as many bronze rank monsters as she could and get the ball rolling on her escalation. It wasn¡¯t a tactic she had many chances to employ, but this was her once in a blue moon chance. In any other situation, it was time inefficient. Neither she, her teammates, nor the civilians scrambling and fleeing from violent monsters wanted to wait around while Entropy increased damage until a monster died in one hit.

    If a bronze rank monster followed her back to the South tower, even better. The concentrated firepower of fifty plus adventurers would make short work of the bronze rank monster. Better it was killed now so they could recover then mana, then later within a swarm.

    Although her role was mainly solo, she was assigned a partner for safety. Her partner was Mirabelle, a celestine with shimmering pale blue hair and eyes and pale skin. She was not a Sanshi local, but hailed from Kallid, the Kingdom of Snow and Frost. It was located in the far North, roughly the latitude of Norway.

    Mirabelle¡¯s combination was Moon, Wind, and Swift for the Mystic Confluence. Mystic was one of the most common confluences¡ªNara shared it too. While common, it was useful; Mystic was flexible, able to awaken the abilities needed to support and round out an essence user¡¯s ability set. For Nara, she awakened conjurations and abilities that provided easy use without much need for active management, unlike her Dimension Essence abilities, which clamored for her focus like a nest of screaming hungry chicks who wouldn¡¯t shut up to save their lives.

    Thanatos share that aspect of her mystic confluence essence: In battle, he was independent, able to act without much directive on Nara¡¯s behalf, while also providing the Vulnerable affliction that made inflicting Nara¡¯s dimensional affliction duo easier in the first place.

    The Moon Essence was known for its stealth and mana regeneration effects, which Mirabelle certainly provided. Laius had Nara use an Awakening Stone of the Moon for that reason; She hadn¡¯t awakened a mana regeneration or cost reduction ability, although her armor conjuration provided that for her. She was more of a support based scout, buffing Nara with both movement speed and mana regen, which allowed her to abuse her node teleportation.

    Not all bronze rank monsters were large. The jungle was populated with a wide variety of monster types, ranging from ones more or less found in nature like panthers and snakes to impossible oddities that could not have existed without the aid of magic¡ªthe same warped reflection of how she lived without lungs and a heart. Nara did as directed, tag-teaming a bronze rank monster with Thanatos just long enough to secure her afflictions, then casting Entropy and getting out. Nara¡¯s continuous expenditure of resources meant that her instances of Integrity and her triple Invigorating boons had already reached their instance limits, and she had reached peak resource efficiency. For the fight ahead, it would sustain her. Nara experienced another utility of Boon Conversion¡ªwith her boons at their maximum, the effect of Overture was wasted. With Boon Conversion, she could continuously consume stacks of boons and then regenerate them, fluctuating just below her instance limit.

    In between tagging bronze rank monsters, she and Mirabelle took out small groups of iron rank monsters. While she was a support essence user, all ability sets had damage. Healers were the most specialized type of essence user, with the strictest essence and ability stone requirements. Even they, as John proved, had damage-oriented abilities. Eventually, a damage ability would have been forced upon John, regardless of the awakening stones he used.

    Mirabelle unleashed blades of wind that ripped monsters apart, and moon-faced disks that slowly destroyed anything in front with an annihilating light. It was a useful ability that doubly served as a distraction, blinding monsters in front of the disk and letting the other two slip away as needed.

    Qingxi had told Nara and Osal, the leader of the scout team, to return an hour before sunset. In that last few hours, they would eat and rest, making their final preparations for the assault ahead. Their tower ended up with a magical cook, not Nolan but someone else from a foreign land. He had transformed one of the rooms mid-tower into an impromptu kitchen, manning multiple conjured stoves with the prowess of a rush hour line cook. Unlike normal iron rank food which had no bonuses, magic food provided long lasting and moderate buffs. Compared to normal food, it required significant additional training; It was a skill hard to come by.

    If Laius¡¯ food was a perfect 10 out of 10, this cook¡¯s food was a fantastic 8. Compared to Laius he was still young and had plenty of time to improve.

    Nara impromptu food evaluation was met with odd looks from Raja and Hangsu.

    ¡°Is now really the time for a food critique?¡±

    Nara had realized something in her hit-and-run journey with Mirabelle. The objective of the trial was survival, and high mobility or stealth essence users had a massive advantage. There was no need to encamp at a tower and slay the impending horde of monsters. They towers had actually fixed their minds on a single solution¡ªbunker down and slay the horde.

    Survival for those like John with low mobility would be a challenge; The bunker strategy was the best option to pass the most people. If push came to shove and defensive lines fell and adventurers started to use their escape tokens, Nara could escape and hide out in her door domain. As long as John had safely retreated, she could adopt this tactic. She wasn¡¯t so heroic nor spectacular that she thought she could protect the lives of everyone here, or even that she would make a great difference. Nara felt that John was her responsibility. He was a father with close ties back at home. Nara had family of course¡­but his motivation was magnitudes above her. Her family didn¡¯t even know she was missing¡ªalthough John didn¡¯t know what his family knew of his fate either. According to Aliyah, John¡¯s original body had been annihilated in his crossing. They may think he was dead.

    Nara wondered by what method the monster swarm would be produced. She didn¡¯t think it was possible to create monsters, but she had seen little of magic. To her, anything was possible.

    She sensed it first, before anyone else, thanks to her unusual perception power. The dimensional membrane of the astral space became stronger and more flexible¡ªlike leather transforming into rubber. With a stronger boundary to withstand the burden, more magic began to pour into the astral space.

    Nara learned about and heard about the cyclical phenomena of monster surges on Erras. Every ten years plus or minus three, the dimension membrane of the world would flex, increasing the magic quantity around the world. This was a monster surge, where the number of monster manifestations increased precipitously worldwide. It was also the time where the dimensional barrier was easiest to cross, which may factor into their own dimensional crossing in the future.

    The purpose of the Adventure Society was to combat the monster waves. It was the only time when members of the society were required to participate, else lose their memberships.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Either defend society, or give up your privileges and reputation.

    After a few hours after sunset, the magic saturation reached its peak. The unmistakable swirling rainbow light across the jungle was indicative of the manifestations of monsters. Thankfully, monsters tended not to manifest directly around essence users since essence users disturbed the local magic with their abilities. They also wouldn¡¯t manifest directly into dense material, so the tower remained clean of monsters, although some ground dwelling monsters did manifest into the dirt, slain as their heads popped into open air.

    It was the calm before the storm. Light beamed from the tower; various illuminations had been set up for those without dark vision to see. As for Nara, she was granted a night-sight boon by her current partner Mirabelle.

    It was unlike Earth¡¯s night-vision goggles. The night scene looked clear, although colors were slightly muted, as if the color saturation slider of reality had been moved down by reality¡¯s graphic designer.

    Beside her, a recording crystal floated silently. She wasn¡¯t going to miss out on recording perhaps the closest thing she¡¯d get to video-game style mass monster waves¡ªa literal tower defense.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a hero, John.¡±

    ¡°Since when was that a concern for me?¡±

    ¡°I have a feeling you¡¯re pretty heroic.¡±

    Nara looked at him, delicately touching upon his aura to read it. John thought her evaluating stare was something she had picked up from Encio or Sen.

    ¡°Your aura is influenced by your essence and awakening stone, yes¡­but they say the aura, of all your abilities, is the closest reflection of who you are. You have a nice aura, John.¡±

    The Strength of Life¡­his aura was warm and comforting. He wasn¡¯t just a father, he felt like everyone¡¯s father. The strangers on the street that offered hugs and companionship to those struggling, holding signs that said, ¡°free hugs¡±. The people that paid for the groceries of those who couldn¡¯t to afford them. John¡¯s aura embodied the quiet strength of those that understood how little actions improved the lives of those around them.

    This genuine reflection of who they were also meant many essence users felt embarrassed to fully reveal their auras. John¡¯s aura was currently uncontrolled, but it was pleasant stuff, like the warm afternoon sun in a park. Nobody minded it.

    ¡°That¡¯s quite the compliment, although I¡¯m not sure what this aura stuff all means.¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you just taught?¡±

    ¡°In this situation? It went in one ear and out the other.¡±

    The first searing crackles of chain lightning marked the beginning of the fight. Raja hurled a spear of lightning like Zeus¡¯ thunderbolt, where it stuck a monster at the jungle tree line. A bright chain propagated, briefly revealing the swarm that had covered the jungle floor like self-replicating moss.

    ¡°Oh shit.¡±

    Mirabelle wouldn¡¯t go with Nara. Her mana regeneration effects were best used with as many people as possible, and Nara was more mobile without her.

    Nara hung at the jungle canopy, looking back at the tower lit up like the Burj Khalifa at New Years Eve. Melee fighters stood at the ground level, where they would hold for as long as possible before retreating up each floor.

    Nara felt a bit like a ninja, creeping in the darkness at night. She was increasingly convinced that she must get herself some night-sight powers or equipment.

    The first bronze rank monster was marked on her map. It was a darkvenom centipede, a prehistoric sized centipede with a glistening black carapace, contrasting orange legs, and corrosive body fluids. She transformed Nirvana into a bow. Each magically conjured arrow took off large chunks of the monster at a time, spraying out corrosive green blood which landed on the monsters around them like acid rain. These would probably be the easiest rank disparity fights she¡¯d ever face in her life. Time had made up for what she lacked in rank.

    The corrosive blood worked out nicely for her. Bronze rank damage against iron rank monsters quickly killed anything unlucky enough to get caught in the carnage. Rending damage wasn¡¯t exactly clean¡ªat least her rending damage was not. When Dimensional Rupture triggered, it was like an implosion grenade had gone off beneath the monsters¡¯ skin, tearing spherical chunks away from the location of impact. Encio¡¯s damage was considerably cleaner, although bisecting a monster and spilling its guts wasn¡¯t PG either. According to American standards, neither was it R rated.

    She looted the monster when something she looted caught her eye.

    ¡°Vials of darkvenom?¡±

    She removed one of the vials from her inventory, pouring it over sword form Nirvana.

    ¡°Now, this is how a Witcher fights.¡±

    Thanatos barked at her.

    ¡°Let me LARP. This is like the perfect world for it where I won¡¯t get made fun of for wearing something close to cosplay to fight. High quality, highly defensive, flexible, and genuinely magical cosplay, but I digress.¡±

    Getting caught in the swarm of monsters wasn¡¯t a concern for Nara when she had mana regeneration fed to her like beer on tap. With weight-reduction powers granted to her from her Cosmic Path, she jumped on the heads of monsters like parkour from Dying Light, taking the heads of whatever monster she could with a blade enhanced with bronze rank venom.

    She had worried her Nirvana would suffer from the venom after she had already drenched her blade with it, but either it was a venom that affected biological material and not whatever material Nirvana was made of, or magic weapons had properties she didn¡¯t understand.

    No matter how much she used Nirvana with wild abandon and beginner¡¯s carelessness, the blade remained sharp and unscathed. It was a transforming weapon, so perhaps a dull edge may have been a pointless worry. What was she going to sharpen when it made itself sharp?

    ¡°Hup.¡±

    She swung Nirvana through the neck of an oversized praying mantis. Thanatos was causing his own havoc, lighting bug-type monsters aflame with his underworld black and blue flames.

    To her delight, monsters weren¡¯t immune to the stench of rainbow smoke. She looted them on death, causing surrounding ones to recoil, giving her the opportunity to slay a few more while they were distracted.

    She reached her second target, a barkskin troll. It lumbered through the jungle, crushing folding trees beneath its weight, although it still struggled to make headway through the dense foliage. It looked oddly like a 20 foot tall humanoid chocolate pudding attempting to squeeze itself through prison bars.

    ¡°Not delicious in the slightest¡­or is it? Are trolls delicious? I should ask Nolan.¡±

    The troll had sandwiched itself between two massive trees, dumbly forcing itself through instead of trying to go around them. It was the perfect opportunity for Nara to get in and do some damage.

    She went in with her sword, feeling like Mikasa from Attack on Titan. She even went for the nape of the neck. Her sword enhanced with Boon Conversion split through its bark skin, creating a far larger cut on its neck that should have been possible thanks to the damage bonus of her afflictions. It was like some grotesque watermelon, rotted bark skin revealing red flesh.

    She slashed again, this time pushing through troll fat to bone. Trolls had high regeneration, but it couldn¡¯t stack up against her massively stacked rending damage bonuses. Another slash¡ªher sword scratched bone as the bone tore itself apart, shattering.

    ¡°Watermelon seeds¡­I guess. Gross.¡±

    The troll was still alive. It¡¯s head bowed forward, dragged down by gravity with no muscles nor bone to support it. It had tried to retaliate, but Nara had seized the perfect moment. It¡¯s fat and muscular body strained against the trees before it finally broke through, stumbling forwards and slamming into another tree, crushing monsters underfoot with its clumsy uncontrolled steps.

    Her sword lit aglow with a corona of dark red and gold, and she slay the monster with World¡¯s End. The troll was annihilated, the silver-blue and gold light of transcendent damage contrasting the blow that had felled it.

    She let herself fall, then transformed that vertical velocity into horizontal velocity with a node jump.

    ¡°Wait a damn moment.¡±

    She stopped, jumping to a high up and thick branch. She definitely wasn¡¯t crouching like a ninja.

    ¡°I¡¯m something like an engineer. I can abuse gravity more. I can do better.¡±

    She stacked her nodes into the air, and she teleported to the top of the stack. It wasn¡¯t the maximum height she could reach thanks to her large aura range, but this was enough. She hung for a moment in air, sweeping her eyes across the dark jungle, the three marble white towers glowing with their own battles against their miniature monster surge.

    She dropped at full speed, her weight manipulation turned completely off. She tried to pencil dive, but it was harder than she thought to control. She wasn¡¯t high enough up to reach terminal velocity, but this was good enough for a first try.

    She plunged towards the forest, then node jumped with her feet pointed forward, shooting though the air like she was on a luge. Her trajectory made small arcs, teleporting to a node placed above and forward to maintain speed, continually abusing the amazing power of gravity.

    ¡°Speaking of, where does the energy of gravity come from in an astral space?¡±

    Magic, probably, which explained why the people of Erras had not yet identified gravity as it¡¯s own physical force. If Newton had to reconcile the gravity of astral spaces with his theory of gravity, could he still have discovered it?

    It was hard to see, but she was above the trees. As long as she didn¡¯t attempt this in the jungle, she¡¯d probably be fine. But more importantly, this was her fastest mode of transportation. Combined with node teleports, her actual movement speed surpassed her physical velocity.

    ¡°Next time, I have to drop head down,¡± she muttered, wind flapping causing drool to snail trail up her face like a dog with their head stuck out the window.

    She reached her next target in record time. She used her weight-manipulation, which was actually local gravity manipulation power to slow herself. She could only gravity manipulate in one way¡ªto make herself lighter and slower. If she could manipulate her weight to be higher¡­That¡¯s when the true abuse of physics begins.

 Chapter 62: A Beautyéˆ¥æªš Heart

    Chapter 62: A Beauty¡¯s Heart

    Nara was assigned three tasks by Qingxi. The first: Kill any bronze rank monsters she had afflicted hours earlier. The second: Afflict any bronze rank monsters sufficiently far from the tower that her afflictions may have an impact later. And the third: Serve as light reconnaissance.

    Other scout and skirmisher types like Nara were also making their rounds through the jungle, taking out any monsters they could. Qingxi was cautious¡ªthe monster waves may be the only danger, or something else may be lying in wait.

    Nara launched herself further out, flying like superman. She was occasionally besieged by flying monsters¡ªspeed attracted and irritated monsters. This was part of the reason for Erras¡¯ slow transportation development. Unless you were an adventurer, or had an adventurer escort, traveling at higher speeds was dangerous. Portals were the safest form of transportation, but also the most expensive.

    With her fully stacked Integrity boon, the mana recovery boost and cost down boons from the food, and the effect of Moonlight Raiment increasing the effect of mana recovery, Nara could node jump liberally. She felt like a trapeze acrobat, flying across the air with hit and run strikes that used speed and momentum to tear the wings off of fliers with a damage enhanced strike.

    She felt a bit like Chell from Portal, shooting through dimensions with continual velocity. She had to watch herself to ensure that she didn¡¯t accidentally tangle herself and plummet into the jungle with a monster, but a quick phase shift would extricate herself from that situation.

    She felt a little guilty for enjoying herself so much when those back at the tower were in a desperate battle against waves of monsters. She had always thought those that did extreme sports back on Earth were a little crazy. Why risk your life for temporary pleasure? She understood them now. Blitzing through the sky in a deadly sword dance with savage monsters lit her cold blood ablaze with excitement.

    There was no way she could return to an ordinary life on Earth. It was already impossible for her. The mundane 8 to 5, sitting in front of a screen accomplishing nothing for herself but her paycheck, wearing down her joints then inevitably fighting for workers comp when the company denied all culpability. Adventuring wasn¡¯t her calling¡ªshe hadn¡¯t immediately fallen in love with it. She knew for every exciting ruins exploration there would be a devastated village. Adventurers embraced the good with the bad.

    She found her next target, the bronze rank monster. She made a passing attack with Thanatos, then quickly escaped before bronze rank speed and power swatted her out of the sky like an irritant fly. She repeated this for a few more she found on the outskirts of her patrol area. She was skirting what Qingxi roughly established as South tower territory. Nara detected a scout from a different tower, who she quickly flagged down for a chat.

    ¡°That was surprising,¡± the scout stared at her then flickered her eyes back towards the sky, ¡°How are you moving that fast?¡±

    ¡°Abusing game mechanics.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Never mind that, do you know a Sen Arlang, Aliyah Sahar, Eufemia Teresina, or Encio Aciano at your tower?¡±

    ¡°We do, actually.¡±

    ¡°All four of them?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of Sen and Encio. Other two, I don¡¯t remember.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good enough, thanks.¡±

    ¡°Have you heard of a Mirabelle Lucelle? Or a Sveinn Jokull?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the first one, not the second. But he¡¯s probably fine. Mirabelle seemed calm, so Sveinn is probably fine.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, friend.¡±

    ¡°Nara Edea. You?¡±

    ¡°Katia Ronuu. Pleasure.¡±

    Katia was an elf with soft brown hair pulled into a tight bun, giving her a neat and sharp impression. She wasn¡¯t speaking the same language as the Sanshi locals, but Nara¡¯s translation power handled it all for her.

    ¡°One other thing, before you go.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°There is deliberation within our tower whether to move this day or the next to the main tower.¡±

    ¡°Why not move tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°The smaller towers are easier to defend. If only one group moves, they are caught out with move area to defend but the same amount of defenders. Our tower intends to move tomorrow. They regard it as the best move, and hope that other towers reach the same conclusion.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass on the message to our tower leader.¡±

    ¡°Much appreciated.¡±

    Nara made a beeline back towards her tower, contacting Qingxi once she was within communication range.

    ¡°Qingxi, there¡¯s news. The West tower plans to move to the large tower tomorrow. They hope other towers do the same.¡±

    ¡°I had some reservations, but if the other towers make the same move, that¡¯s the best plan,¡± Qingxi said, ¡°I will have Osal move closer to the East tower and attempt contact. Continue with your other two objectives.¡±

    ¡°Roger roger.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you keep saying that; I don¡¯t know what it means.¡±

    For many of the iron rankers participating in the trial, this was the first time they had participated in just a large scale and endurance battle. The inexperienced ran out of mana and stamina first, and retreated back within the tower to recover mana.

    Qingxi expected this. She, like Sen, had a thorough education in battle tactics. She devised a shift system of two shifts. The first shift had exhausted itself quickly; hopefully the second shift would learn from their mistake.

    The battle was proceeding more or less as expected, but Qingxi wondered if she had done enough. It was a few hours into the battle, and they had still kept control of the ground floor. Although the monsters charged at their tower, they had no coordination nor tactics. As long as the defensive line was held, they could keep the entire tower at daybreak. It was a relief they didn¡¯t need to commit to a harried, retreating ascension through the tower. Once they lost the ground floor, they¡¯d lose all other floor far quicker in comparison.

    *****

    John¡¯s past as an intelligence officer of the NCA had its hectic moments, but it couldn¡¯t compare to the chaos he experienced now. John didn¡¯t have the advantage elves had when it came to healing magic. The Life Bolt of an elf compared to his healed a greater portion, enhanced by their Life Affinity Racial Ability , which increased the effect of abilities with a positive effect on life, and Spell Affinity, which increased the power of their spells. Elves often became healers for this reason, although the Racial Ability would evolve out of it if they chose to go a different path.

    At the very least, John¡¯s conjured armor, Life Preservation Garb, provided a similar effect.

    --------

    Ability: [Life Preservation Garb]

    Essence: Life

    Conjuration (armor)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure armor that offers high physical protection.

    <ul>

    <li>Cost of healing abilities and cleansing abilities is decreased.</li>

    <li>The effect of abilities with a positive effect on life is increased.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    His armor was like most other adventurers¡ªmade of practical leathers and heavy cloths, with thin metal like scales, in a fashion similar to chainmail, added to protect his vitals. It was primarily brown and white with accents of red. It came with a heavy overcoat, in a sort of Nordic style.

    He was on the ground floor with the rest of the melee fighters, healing them while also providing supplementary firepower. Solar Judgement was a powerful weapon¡ªif he wasn¡¯t using all seven shots every five minutes it was a waste. Unlike a non-magic shotgun, when he pulled the trigger, everything in a large conical area extending out from his shotgun was blasted with damage and fire. Small or weak monsters were killed outright, a mess of scorched flesh and crushed from the force of the shot.

    At first John had cast Bolster at every available moment. The ability didn¡¯t have a cooldown, and it was low cost. However, he soon ran into the same mana management issues that many of his allies were experiencing.

    John didn¡¯t have much combat experience; he was a fresh new adventurer like many others¡ªthe freshest you could be and still attend this trial. A year ago, mana and magic hadn¡¯t even existed, and now he was contemplating midst battle against a horde of monsters at midnight which magical abilities he needed to prioritize using in order to preserve mana for the next few hours.

    Absorbing Shield was more expensive that Burst Shield. He learned that it was better to let some non-lethal attacks through and let the adventurer take the hit. At first, he had tried to block every attack; His instinct as a father told him none of the children should be taking on any injuries, but he quickly learned that wasn¡¯t mana efficient. If he had no mana, he couldn¡¯t heal anyone when it mattered. They¡¯d need to take some hits, for their own good. Even thinking that felt so wrong to John, but for this situation it was the truth.

    Melee fighters were often more durable. It was hard to judge, but he learnt by visual cues and general ability trends which adventurers were robust enough to take the hit. In fact, some adventurers wanted to take light hits, growing stronger in a berserker rage like the Incredible Hulk¡ªNara fell adjacently into this category, since light hits triggered her Refresh ability, while Sen was solidly within it thanks to his ability Karmic Warrior. Those, he could leave alone until they ran low on life force.

    He thought he¡¯d feel out of place¡ª40 year old father of two, desk job, on the battlefield slaying monsters? But he fell into step with his younger companions. His essences had de-aged him, and he only looked his thirties. There were a few other old souls: a woman with glowing gauntlets pummeled monsters with her fists of light, her hair similarly glowing. She jumped on a monster, holding it down as she caved in its skull with her hands. Then, the picked up its already-dead carcass, enhanced it with a white glow, and threw the monster which bowled over monsters like pins in a bowling alley.

    Superheroes are all older, John thought absentmindedly, so she fits in surprisingly well.

    John wondered if he was Bruce Banner, but he wasn¡¯t smart enough to be Bruce Banner. Was there even a medic superhero? His familiar Beorn was more Hulk than he was. He sighed, holding a monster down with his foot then shooting it point-blank with a normal shotgun shot of Solar Judgement. He¡¯d need to wait another 3 minutes for his sunfire flak shots to regenerate.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The night wore on. John, as part of the first shift retreated back into the tower as the second shift stepped forward to take their place. He stayed on the lower floors, where his aura provided valuable boosts to Power and Recovery. Adventurers laid out on small cots, blankets, mattresses, and sleeping bags, getting what rest they could before they had to go and fight off the horde again; Light soundproofing magic muffled the battle outside, but didn¡¯t rid it entirely. Higher rank adventurers might be able to manage continuous fighting for hours, but they still couldn¡¯t yet. The physical toll was one thing, but the mental toll was another.

    A quick ritual room had been set up upstairs, and a few ritualists, either studied or skill-booked, where quickly performing awakening stone rituals for those that wanted it. The trial gave relevant awakening stones, so they were willing to use what they received.

    *****

    The battle at the West Tower progressed much the same as the South tower. When adopting a bunker strategy against a wave of monsters that lasted for hours, supplementary tactics were limited. The difference was teams were separated and fragmented. Iron rankers struggled to work with completely new temporary team members, where the details and intricacies of their abilities were unknown. Encio was identified as a powerful force, and support oriented essence users that boosted damage, regenerated mana, and decreased cooldowns quickly centered around him, allowing him to repeatedly use his most powerful group clearing ability, Vorpal Slash. Sen¡¯s team hadn¡¯t much experience together as a group, so working with entirely new members wasn¡¯t too different than what they did already.

    Eufemia wielded Encio¡¯s weapon, his mirror image in abilities. A swath of enemies was cleared out, but they kept pouring out of the jungle in an incessant swarm. Aliyah and a few other ritualists had created an impromptu defensive perimeter, and any monsters that entered the barrier were slowed. Within the barrier their attacks were enhanced; Vorpal Slash cut through them like a swordfish through the waves.

    The ground was a frenzy. Partial, impromptu teams formed. Adventurers with earth and metal shaping powers made rough ground bunkers. Mage and healer types stayed within the bunkers for safety while supporting their teammates from within. While not on Encio¡¯s level, Aliyah was also a destructive force, thanks to her bread and butter spell, Mana Burst.

    --------

    Ability: [Mana Burst]

    Essence: Gathering

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Mana, burst forth.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Briefly gather mana at a location, the detonate it, dealing large disruptive-force and explosive damage in an area.

    --------

    It was a simple spell that created an explosion at an area after a delay. It was powerful and convenient in swarms of monsters, where the slowly moving mass had room to dodge. Against essence users, it was harder to hit, since the gathering magic was easily detected. However, it¡¯s disadvantages came with a corresponding increase in firepower unmatched for a moderate cost, low cooldown spell: It was like a missile impacted the ground; explosions pocketed dirt and flung monster body parts.

    Eufemia stabbed another monster with the Whirlwind Blade in her hand, white blade dripping with dark blood. Encio¡¯s abilities were powerful, but they had long downtimes; She was beginning to understand their detriments while she had initially immediately gravitated towards them. She gradually realized the skill Encio employed, keeping his mana in check¡­when he didn¡¯t have a whole group of essence users dedicated to pumping him up with mana like an artillery array.

    Since she only had one ability to copy a special attack, this meant she had no more special attacks available. Unless you had an ability set that boosted every attack, like Nara and her afflictions, special attacks greatly surpassed the power of ordinary attacks, especially against monsters with no clear lethal weak points. She felt a bit useless, futilely cutting away at the horde with a blade she was still unskilled with, occasionally firing off a Light Ray to bore small holes in a monster. She felt weak compared to high she had experienced earlier, slaying those cliff snakes with a single wave.

    Iron rank essence users had over-inflated egos. Hers ego had certainly burst ever too quickly, and Eufemia felt a bit cheated. Her other abilities, most of those within her Refracting Essence, had useful effects that shone against singular strong monsters, but were mostly invisible in their workings. Against a swarm that was dying too quick to even attack, those abilities were useless.

    In her distraction, she was suddenly tackled to the ground by a monster. She had overextended a bit in order to maximize her killing power with Vorpal Slash, but she had no time to regret. It was a bronze rank monster¡ªa whark--a weak one, the type that spawn in groups. It was small, like a hyena, with dark glimmering fish scales that wrapped around its legs then transitioned to mangy, matted fur.

    She was pinned beneath it, its jaws snapping at her throat, bronze rank power pressing down on her. Its mouth was ringed with teeth like a shark. Hot, stinky saliva dripped down on her face as its blood stained teeth desperately struggled for her throat with the passion of a hyena straining a at fresh carcass just out of reach.

    Eufemia contemplated using her escape token in this moment. The experience of uselessness combined with fear for her life crept into her mind in a dark fog. There was nothing wrong with escape. Her teammates would even give her their leftover awakening stones.

    The thought of using someone¡¯s ¡®leftovers¡¯ gave her pause.

    Eufemia Teresina was nobody¡¯s leftover. When did she begin to expect handouts from those around her? She had a chance to prove her worth to a team that certainly deserved her best. She had escaped Nekroz, known for its isolation, with a know-nothing outworlder. A brainless monster? She could handle it.

    The Whirlwind Blade wasn¡¯t cutting it. Eufemia transformed Silver Gleam into Sen¡¯s staff, Searing Cold. It was a heavy weapon, so she couldn¡¯t use it effectively. Eufemia pressed the end of the staff into the monster, and turned on its blazing edge. The Whartol leapt back, fur singed. The Whark mouth opened like a grotesque, unfolding flower, rings of teeth almost vibrating in outrage. It¡¯s body was smaller than a wolf, although it shared similarities. Its legs ended in two-toed talons that had torn out pockets of fresh from Eufemia¡¯s shoulders, now slick with blood.

    Eufemia scrambled to her feet and transformed the staff into a buckler and sword combo she copied from another nearby adventurer. The repeated transformations ate her mana, but allies made mana abundant.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re struggling Eufemia, big deal,¡± she muttered to herself, ¡°The Nekroz escapee afraid of a little challenge? Magic has gotten to me.¡±

    If she, a barely one-month new adventurer, didn¡¯t struggle, than why would anyone bother training? She was astounded at her own arrogance. She wasn¡¯t some hot shot, some years-trained scion of generational skill and knowledge. She was used to scrounging on the streets, and pulling desperate stunts for survival. Fighting for her life against a more powerful opponent to earn the big reward was just her style. No risk, no reward. Eufemia knew the rules of the game.

    ¡°It¡¯s made me soft,¡± she snarled. She readied her short blade, ¡°Come, you mangy mutt. I¡¯ll show you the no-holds-barred fighting that survived those blood-stained streets. I¡¯d say I¡¯d skin you and make a nice fur pelt out of you, but even the homeless, grime-covered orphans of Nekroz wouldn¡¯t even want you as a blanket.¡±

    Another Mana Burst erupted off to the side, and Eufemia copied it with a new ability she had awakened with an Awakening Stone of the Echo.

    --------

    Ability: [Mirror Magic]

    Essence: Refracting

    Special Ability

    Cost: Varies

    Cooldown: Varies

    Effect (Iron): For a short time after a nearby ally uses a spell, you may use the same spell one time. The strength of the spell you cast is based on your attributes and the rank of this ability, not those of the original caster. This may make your version of the spell higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original spell.

    -------

    The burst solidly landed at the head of the Whark, causing it to reel momentarily. Eufemia dashed in, making use of her inherent celestine swiftness.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Celestial Swiftness]

    Increased speed and reflexes.

    -------

    She swung her buckler, knocking against the head of the monster in repeated aggressive fury. Eufemia was the bottom of iron rank, even against a weak bronze rank monster she should struggle, but the combined aura effects of all adventurers within range was one of the most notable benefits of fighting in team battles, and part of the notoriety and strength of essence users as a whole.

    The Whark was still bronze rank. It bronze free of Eufemia¡¯s aggressive, but ultimately weak attacks, stepping back to lunge at her, except it passed through an illusion¡ªit was Eufemia¡¯s Echo Spirit. Eufemia had teleported behind it, predicting its basic thought process. She may have lost to Encio in a battle of wits that day, but a just-born magic lump wasn¡¯t going to show her up.

    She transformed her weapon into a bow that fired off nets of resilient spider webs. As Nara said, transforming weapons were awesome, if not mana costly.

    With the Whark briefly pinned in place, she unleashed Wrath of the Magister, one of Aliyah¡¯s spells that Eufemia copied with Prodigious Sorcerer.

    -------

    Ability: [Wrath of the Magister]

    Essence: Master

    Spell (fire, magic, curse, poison, wounding, ice, dimension)

    Incantation: "Feel the power of reality remade." / ¡°Feel the annihilation of reality unmade.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana plus additional mana per effect.

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Lock a prismatic beam onto an enemy. Expend additional mana to alter the target¡¯s reality, using any combination of the available color effects. This cannot be used in conjunction with the other variant of this spell, which requires an alternate incantation. This effect has a moderate mana cost and a one minute cooldown.

    Effect (Iron): Lock a prismatic beam onto an enemy. Expend additional mana to unmake reality in a localized area, creating an annihilating void sphere inside the target. This effect requires magic to be channeled into the target at an extreme mana cost until sufficient mana has been channeled to trigger the effect.

    <ul>

    <li>[Red] (high mana): Target¡¯s temperature is significantly increased (frost burn if combined with blue).</li>

    <li>[Yellow] (high mana): Target¡¯s abilities have increased mana cost.</li>

    <li>[Pink] (moderate mana): Target¡¯s resistances are reduced.</li>

    <li>[Green] (moderate mana): Target¡¯s blood is poisonous to itself.</li>

    <li>[Purple] (very high mana): Expending mana harms the target.</li>

    <li>[Orange] (very high mana): Target suffers increased damage from all sources.</li>

    <li>[Blue] (high mana): Target¡¯s temperature is significantly decreased (frost burn if combined with red).</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    She poured her mana into it, cursing inwardly at the extreme mana expenditure to activate all of the available effects simultaneously.

    ¡°Feel the power of reality remade.¡±

    A powerful prismatic beam engulfed the Whark, and annihilated all the other monsters in its path.

    Still, it hung onto life, the trademark of the supernatural resilience that bronze rank monsters and above possessed. A single blast of Wrath of the Magister from Aliyah would¡¯ve killed any iron rank monsters; Eufemia didn¡¯t know if her inability to finish off the whark with that was the disadvantage of her jack-of-all-trades skillset, or just the norm of bronze rank monsters.

    She fired another spider-web net from her bow, then teleported to the monster with the movement ability she had copied from Encio, Flicker.

    -------

    Ability: [Flicker]

    Essence: Swift

    Special Ability (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Low mana and low stamina

    Cooldown: 25 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Move instantaneously a short distance away. Does not interrupt channeling abilities.

    -----

    The monster was close to her to begin with, so that was enough to instantly close the gap. She transformed Silver Gleam into an axe, and began to butcher at the monster in a mad, desperate flurry of slashes. It lacked the elegance Eufemia often portrayed, but that was all an act to her anyway.

    If elegance was needed to enchant, beguile, in order to win, she used it. If savagery necessary, Eufemia would embody a berserker.

    She stood, chest heaving, splattered with blood from head to toe.

    ¡°Uh, Sen, that¡¯s your teammate, right?¡± An adventurer spoke, glancing partially with fear and partially with worry.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Is she alright? In¡­multiple ways?¡±

    ¡°She is perfectly fine.¡±

    ¡°Perfectly fine? Look.¡±

    Eufemia glowed with an iron grey light, one which indicated an ability evolution.

    ¡°Do you think triggering a racial ability evolution is alright?¡±

    ¡°If she needed the help, I would have helped her,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°How can you possibly know that?¡±

    ¡°She knows I¡¯m here,¡± Sen said, ¡°She would have asked.¡±

    Eufemia did know that Sen was there. She knew that Encio and Aliyah were nearby as well. Whether or not they would have heard her over the chaos of battle was another matter, but Sen would not let the lives of his teammates slip away. Much of his team was still young in their experience, himself included. He didn¡¯t worry about Encio much, but he was careful with everyone else. The opportunity to push themselves in such relative safety¡ªthe escape token, accessible healers¡ªwas hard to come by, and one that should be grasped when possible. While passing the trial was one objective, for Sen, the objective was growth. Win or lose, the important lesson was to learn.

    Eufemia wanted to challenge herself. She had been initially placated by her new teammates on the adaptability of her abilities, but only now was she truly beginning to understand their limitations and appreciate their strengths. What her abilities required of her was the judgement of what ability to use with what timing.

    She was covered in blood, but she didn¡¯t feel gross in the slightest. She felt revitalized. It was a weak bronze rank monster, the bottom of its rank, and she had been boosted by the auras of all those around her.

    Still, she had slayed a bronze rank monster by herself, and she felt new power resonate within her.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Reality Transmutation]

    Transfigured from [Special Ability Affinity].

    More likely to awaken Special Abilities than other ability types of essence abilities; Special Abilities have increased effect. This is a legacy effect of [Special Ability Affinity].

    Enemies do not gain additional resistance and damage reduction against your abilities for being higher rank.

    Abilities that duplicate conjurations can now duplicate crafted objects as if they were conjurations. You do not gain additional effects if the ability that copied the object is higher rank than the copied object. Duplication abilities have reduced cost.

    -------

    She didn¡¯t have Nara¡¯s Guide ability to tell her the details, but she instinctually knew its effects. All other essences users operated on instinct; Nara¡¯s ability was useful but non vital, nor was it a complete translation of reality. There were many details and restrictions that her ability left unsaid.

    In her bloodstained hands she held John¡¯s Solar Judgement. A weapon, despite not understanding its construction, that she had grown to love due to its easy-to-use nature and high instantaneous firepower. It may be easy to use, but Eufemia was well aware of the value of on-demand explosives.

    ¡°Oh, you make a beauty¡¯s heart sigh,¡± she said, shameless in her self-praise. She gazed fondly at the shotgun, ¡°You and me, it¡¯s time to blow their minds.¡±

 Chapter 63: Day Two

    Chapter 63: Day Two

    It was an hour before dawn when the surge of monsters finally petered out. The scout teams picked off any stragglers while Qingxi called a meeting with the leads of the south tower.

    ¡°The west and east towers have confirmed their plans to move to the central tower today,¡± Qingxi said, ¡°To transport our 52 adventurers to the main tower, its¡¯ estimated to take at least 8 hours.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of, we¡¯re down by 4 people. They¡¯ve all escaped the trial safely.¡±

    ¡°Good. No awakening stone is worth our lives.¡±

    ¡°With each person we lose into the final battle,¡± Qingxi said, ¡°the final wave becomes more difficult.¡±

    They set off as early as possible. Nara and John looted the hundreds of dead monster bodies outside and within the tower, providing a copy of the loot to everyone in her aura range at the time. As long as John was linked to Nara with her Party Guide, they would both trigger simultaneously.

    Qingxi was beaming about the increase in resources. Spirit coins were one thing, but they may need to utilize greater resources to pass the trial, such as for rituals to protect the main tower. To spend their hard earned coins and materials to gain awakening stones¡ªit would likely be a contentious issue in the final two days. Especially if costs surpassed the normal market rate of awakening stones.

    With the awakening stone, essences, and loot gained from looting powers, many wondered if it was worth continuing the trial. The awakening stones looted didn¡¯t offer as much variety or rarity as the trial did, but there was nothing wrong with common awakening stones. They often awakened important workhorse powers. Nara¡¯s sword was from a common stone, as was her armor, her perception power, and Thanatos himself. Boon Conversion had awoken from only a slightly less common stone. The issue at hand was risk versus reward¡ªno one in Qingxi¡¯s group had died yet¡ªthe low lethality of the trial was part of the Adventure Society¡¯s more relaxed attitude towards it. Any adventurer from out of town could make a small fortune selling off their earnings in their non-saturated home markets. Those that wanted to pass the trial had to convince those that didn¡¯t to stay¡ªelse they wouldn¡¯t have enough manpower for the final day of the survival trial.

    During their trek, two adventurers decided it wasn¡¯t worth it, and they used their escape tokens, reducing the numbers of the south tower to 50.

    The trip was tiresome, and the jungle was humid. Wind cyclones and swords hacked away at the nature to clear a path. They were repeatedly attacked by sentient monster vines, wharks, snake abominations that crawled with short legs, lizards that shot globules of poison, birds with extra wings and faces as if they had been grafted onto them in some mundane Elden Ring fashion, and squirrels that had mushrooms growing out of the with bulbous eyes like a malformed pug, who would have died of respiratory issues if not for the adventurers.

    The group took a break in the clearing. Qingxi took the opportunity to address the crowd.

    ¡°I know many have reservations about the upcoming final two days. You may also think you¡¯ve all earned enough and wish to return. We all know the final two waves will increase in numbers and difficulty. Consider this¡ªwith two loot powers, how much additional reward is that? The events here could set up your adventuring careers for the rest of your lives. With the escape token, you make escape at your discretion, so, why not stay the distance? Push as far as you can in an opportunity to train yourself.¡±

    Qingxi looked out at the jungle.

    ¡°To fight monsters of multitudinous numbers is a rare experience. Besides the monster surge, there is almost no other such circumstance.¡±

    Qingxi used logic, not emotion. It wasn¡¯t the time for rousing emotions and inspiration¡ªthe fate of cities or even the world was not at stake. This was an ordinary trial¡ªit mattered not whether they succeeded until the end. While the first day had net them an incredible treasure trove of loot, costs escalated ten-fold with each rank, or more. Loot abilities were rare, and this, perhaps even more so than the trial, was an incredible chance to capitalize on them.

    The group restarted after their break, and Qingxi fell a big behind to chat with John and Nara.

    ¡°I apologize for offering your abilities without asking. It was impolite, but I saw it as the best option.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I have a reason to try to make it to the end of the trial,¡± Nara said, ¡°I¡¯m aiming for that library.¡±

    Qingxi nodded, ¡°There are scholars that often aim for the library. I have a team member who is interested in the library as well. It¡¯s unfortunate that we¡¯ve gathered so little from it.¡±

    ¡°Unfortunate? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Beyond the difficulty of passing the trials, which change with every entry, the library only allows three days of entry.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­Then what happens after three days?¡±

    ¡°The books within the library become incorporeal to unable, unable to be accessed or read.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha, thanks for the information.¡±

    Qingxi bade farewell, returning to the front of the caravan.

    ¡°Three days¡­Shouldn¡¯t be a problem for the two of us.¡±

    Nara wondered if it was an influence of the world they came from, but both John and Nara had spectacular information recording abilities. John could take a picture of a book, and it¡¯d store the information within the book. He could print temporary physical books and organize information however he wished in files, and Nara could make astral constructs of anything within her Archive.

    As those living in the Information Age, their powers reflected their lifestyles and needs. Duplication and recording powers existed on Erras, but these types typically did not take the trial, or these powers reached full utility at a higher rank. They were auxiliary powers that combat-focused adventurers did not want, nor typically have a use for to hire.

    The hours in the hot and humid jungle dragged on, testing their willpower in another manner. Nara had lost count how many mosquitos she had slapped that attempted to suck on her rare vintage outworlder blood. They paid the price for their transgressions with death.

    Nara spent a little time searching through her inventory after the deluge of loot she had just received.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s this?¡±

    -------

    Item: [Oasis Bracelet] (iron, uncommon)

    Description: A bracelet that draws on the power of water quintessence to bestow the blessings of a personal oasis.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Effect: Keeps the wearer cool and refreshed. Bracelet energy is consumed at a varying rate according to climate.

    Effect: Reduces incoming fire and heat damage. This rapidly consumes bracelet energy.

    Effect: Consume a water quintessence gem to completely refill bracelet energy.

    -------

    She slipped the bracelet over her arm. It fit her perfectly¡ªNara wondered if it was because she looted it. A nice and refreshing breeze washed over her, like she was standing on a cliff overlooking the sea on a nice day. Her jungle trek was already immensely more pleasant. She felt she was strolling through a botanical garden rather than through a monster-infested jungle. It didn¡¯t stop the mosquitos¡ªbut the Oasis Bracelet born hope that a Mosquito-Repellent Ring may exist. Or even a potion she could consume for an anti-bug effect.

    As expected, Mona had a point that Nara should invest in more equipment. If anything, for her personal comfort. In a world full of magic, why suffer the annoyances of the environment?

    She nudged John, and told him to find something with a similar effect in his own inventory. He did. His was a crown that hung daintily over his head.

    ¡°Paradise Circlet¡ªhow do I look?¡± John said, posing with a cheery grin and fluttering his eyes.

    ¡°High fashion John, high fashion. Maybe with some fancy robes and you might look like one of them Lord of the Rings elves.¡±

    He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, ¡°Have I de-aged enough to look like an elf?¡±

    She studied his face. He certainly looked younger than when she first saw him. Some of his wrinkles had disappeared and his face had some of that revitalized, youthful glow he hadn¡¯t had earlier, although she didn¡¯t think that was all essences. Finally finding the trial through the forest for his way back home alleviated a lot of John¡¯s stress. He still had his same stubble, which he had learned to trim with a short blade.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that,¡± she said after a pause.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to look like my kids¡¯ older brother rather than their father. I thought for a moment I¡¯d get away with explaining nothing but how do I explain away 10 years off of my face?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve disappeared for a revolutionary top-secret de-aging trial intended for rich elites, but they wanted to test it on the peasant folk first.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯d buy it, but it might be more believable than reality.¡±

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t say nothing about an entirely different magical world. You can¡¯t even say nothing about Earth to the people here.¡±

    ¡°I just can¡¯t help myself,¡± John said wistfully, gazing at the jungle trees, the vibrant birds, and the caravan of adventurers from different races and different cultures, ¡°It¡¯s all far too exciting.¡±

    The tree line of the jungle ended in the same wide dirt circle that surrounded all of the towers. Another group had arrived first¡ªthe west tower, Sen and Vallis¡¯ tower. The east tower was headed by some foreign prince, someone named Conrad.

    A circular conference room was quickly set up, and various adventurers mingled and waited as their leaders debated.

    ¡°I am Qingxi Lugu, leader of the south tower.¡±

    ¡°Sen Arlang, tactical leader of the west.¡±

    ¡°Vallis Nisei, operations leader of the west.¡±

    ¡°I am Conrad the Resonant, of Caliber, commander of the east,¡± the final leader said. His introduction was more a declaration of his title. He was an elf, but surprisingly stocky to go with his height. His muscles seemed to strain at his clothing, threatening to pop a seam. He had the sort of biceps an American comic book hero with the powers of lightning would have. Perfectly coifed blond hair matched his grey-blue eyes, with beamed with the confidence of generational achievement.

    He lived up to his name, his voice boomed across with room with little effort, filling the space with his presence. Sen repeatedly protested that he wasn¡¯t royalty, and Nara could see distinct difference in how they carried themselves. Sen matched the etiquette of adventurer families, proper but not ostentatious. Conrad held himself with the unmistakable arrogance of royalty, a posture that demanded attention like royal procession demanded reverence.

    Needless to say, it grated on the others, especially those of the east tower. He had one-sidedly declared himself the leader and disallowed any dissent, silencing those physically with his team of well-trained guard-companions. His tower had lost the most members, down to 44. Two, unfortunately, had died, the revelation of which had sunk a pit into Nara¡¯s stomach. None of her teammates had died, but deaths of adventurers didn¡¯t sit well with anybody. John¡¯s expression had his characteristic look when he was angry, an unsettled frown, likely thinking of their young ages. He closed his eyes and shook his head, turning away from the ostentatious Conrad.

    ¡°The first topic to discuss is organization,¡± Qingxi began, ¡°Now that the adventurers have reunified, I propose teams that have been split apart join back together. Regarding distribution, we can shuffle teams around to keep the manpower even. It is convenient to have leaders directing operations for each group of people.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± said Sen and Vallis.

    It may not be the most efficient organization method, but it was the most comforting. Many are on edge while separated from their teams.

    ¡°This is moronic,¡± Conrad said, ¡°We shan¡¯t choose the inefficient option. We shall organize by roles. That is the intelligent way to accomplish this trial, anything less shall result in failure.¡±

    ¡°We can organize by roles for the daytime preparations,¡± Qingxi offered, ¡°But surge battle will be more efficient in teams than scattered.¡±

    Qingxi and Conrad stared each other down for a tense moment.

    ¡°That is acceptable. If you all desire comfort, so be it,¡± Conrad said, ¡°Proceed.¡±

    It was a relief to the other three that he wasn¡¯t entirely unreasonable. His attitude and speech were off-putting, but he often had legitimate counterpoints for suggested solutions.

    Even as the discussion progressed, teams were organizing and setting up defenses. Starting from the top and working their way down, as many balconies would be sealed off as possible, leaving a few floors for ranged attacks and supporters to strike from.

    The only reason Qingxi, Vallis, Sen, and Conrad were so adept at organization and leadership was because they had been trained for it. Nara certainly wasn¡¯t adept enough to lead 50 adventurers at a time. Qingxi was the best at organization, Sen showed his mastery of tactics, Vallis was clearly a moral center great as inspiring others, and Conrad got things done, even if he was hated for it.

    Sen¡¯s discipleship with Aliyah resulted in an understanding of the capabilities of ritual magic that few leaders had. They could not enact the wide-range array magic used to protect buildings and compounds, but they could set up other ritual magic defenses. Funds and supplies were collected equally from every participating adventurer, with Conrad enforcing the ¡®donations¡¯.

    This time, the iron rankers would leverage more of the ground space. Qingxi wasn¡¯t speaking out of her ass¡ªadventurers genuinely functioned better in their own teams, since so many abilities and sets were individualized. Adventurers in small teams or no teams would serve as flex members, healing if they were capable, or attacking at range from balconies if they had the ability.

    Nara was assigned to the same role as before, afflicting or taking out as many bronze and iron rank monsters together with the scouts and assassins. While she functioned decently in a team as a partial-defender-slash-attacker, her high mobility and sustain abilities encouraged solo action.

    The general meeting was adjourned while the leaders continued to hammer out details. Conrad had a few capable attendants that made passing orders highly effective.

    ¡°Encio, Eufemia, Aliyah,¡± Nara greeted, ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you all again.¡±

    John held his arms out to offer a hug to the other three.

    Nara copied him, ¡°Bring it in, group hug.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not really the touchy-feely type,¡± Eufemia denied, ¡°I¡¯m glad to see your old mug, John.¡±

    ¡°And me?¡±

    ¡°And your clueless face, Nara. Who knows what¡¯s going on in that mind of yours.¡±

    Nara looked down at her hand, ¡°We really need a secret handshake or something.¡±

    ¡°Secret¡­handshake?¡±

    ¡°You know, a cool greeting that only we would know. It is the cornerstone of every cool team, secret society, misfit gang, and band of heroes.¡±

    ¡°Nonsensical. If we need a method to validate we are who we are, a secret phrase is good enough.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but a secret handshake is funner.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t a word,¡± Eufemia said flatly.

    ¡°You and me, Encio, how about we hammer one out?¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a plan. A good secret handshake¡ªyou don¡¯t expect to complete it now, however.¡±

    ¡°Of course not, this sort of endeavor requires many months of painstaking and thorough research.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured; I will dedicate my all to create the most exemplary secret handshake together with you. Our team will be the trendsetter in adventurer culture.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Eufemia said with horror, ¡°Absolutely not. I do not want to be known to be in a team with a ¡®secret handshake¡¯.¡±

    ¡°It sounds pleasant Eufemia,¡± Aliyah gently offered, ¡°It¡¯s very distinctive. It¡¯d set us apart in a way unique to us.¡±

    ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± Eufemia said, ¡°It sounds childish!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of longevity if you¡¯re going to act like an old person the entire time?¡± Nara said, ¡°Just look at Sezan. He¡¯s got the right idea.¡±

    ¡°A diamond ranker can act whatever way they want!¡±

    ¡°Or maybe, he knows something we don¡¯t. You think someone with centuries on us may have insight into the human condition that we don¡¯t have yet,¡± Nara said, as usual using intelligent-sounding bullshit to try to win arguments.

    ¡°Oh my, now that¡¯s an interesting idea,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I would love to talk to your grandfather about his insights into life. Much of magic is connected to our souls, especially as essence users. While I seek to determine the secrets of external magic, his experience may be illuminating for many fields of research.¡±

    ¡°The next opportunity, I¡¯ll invite you all. Grandfather is always delighted to speak with new people. It¡¯s part of why he travels,¡± then he added offhandedly, ¡°He may as well make himself useful. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s using his experience for anything himself.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you all,¡± Eufemia said, stalking off in a huff to end the conversation.

    John chuckled, and followed behind his long-time friend to catch up with her in private.

 Chapter 64: Staying Simple

    Chapter 64: Staying Simple

    As the sun descended horizon, the defense against the second wave hung over their heads like a 10 ton weight from Tom & Jerry.

    They would utilize the wide clearing around the tower¡ªit was the way adventurers usually fought. While defensive positions were strong in non-magic combat, essence users had large area-of-effect spells, over-the-top weapons, and teleportation and charge attacks that instantly closed gaps. To magic, tight spaces was more of a detriment than a benefit.

    Smaller defensive buildings had been erected within the circle in the cardinal directions, where injured adventurers could evacuate to safety. Within were also battlefield supplies for those without inventories and needed to refresh. Nara and John¡¯s looting for the south tower had produced an excess of supplies. Nara was happy to donate the healing unguents and excess potions she didn¡¯t need. Real battle had removed her gamer instinct of hoarding items, and they needed to combine their strengths to overcome the trial.

    Nara was on the first shift to kill all the bronze rank monsters she dosed, but later would go to sleeping. She had been running on empty for a while. She managed to sleep on top of Thanatos on the way there, fashioning a simple astral construct saddle-bed to sleep in. Killing the monsters was the first challenge, but the second challenge was managing the energy of all the iron rankers here.

    Some whiny noble-born adventurers had made a fuss of not being catered to, but Conrad quickly silenced any opposition from them.

    ¡°If I, your greater, has no compunctions over the quality of my lodging, what right do you provincial nobles have to complain in my presence?¡±

    Just words wasn¡¯t enough to silence the truly indignant, but after his version of civility didn¡¯t work, Conrad enthusiastically used violence. After the first five nobles had their faces rearranged to those of a botched plastic surgery operation, the rest fell into line. They had no rich family here to complain and cry too, and found their posturing without power was expediently dealt with not only by Conrad, but by other heavy handed adventurers.

    Others would have been glad to change the terrain of their faces, but Conrad took it upon himself. He was from a greater background, and the prideful adventurers (noble or otherwise) could only grit their teeth and stomp their feet against an opponent they couldn¡¯t retaliate against outside of the trial. This may have been a part of Conrad¡¯s nobility and his creed.

    Sen seemed to be taking notes.

    ¡°No¡­you don¡¯t have to follow his example,¡± Nara said, glancing at him with concern.

    ¡°He makes some compelling points,¡± Sen said. ¡°I should utilize what advantages I have as your team leader more fully.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your family have a non-intervention policy or something?¡±

    ¡°On the surface, perhaps. I intend to investigate more. That rule may be its own test. Encio utilizes his background more subtly, in a masterful way that allows him to utilize private connections,¡± He pumped a fist at his side, ¡°I have much to learn.¡±

    ¡°You know, my world kind of has a saying about that.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Kindness can land out into bad situations that being an asshole could have avoided.¡±

    He gave her a strange look, ¡°And you¡¯ve done that?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve been given the chance to be an asshole yet, but I want to try it out.¡±

    ¡°You want to try out ¡®being an asshole¡¯. I can¡¯t say I approve.¡±

    ¡°Now, don¡¯t give me that look. I said my character wasn¡¯t tested.¡±

    ¡°You intend to insert yourself into situations to test your own character.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly, but I¡¯d rather know how I react¡ªhow I want to react¡ªin a less desperate situation before trialing myself on a more difficult one. Reactions, like anything, can be trained. Hypothetically, I may think I want to be the hero only to find out I¡¯m not suited for it at all. Better I find out with something small I can step away from, then something large I cannot. But that¡¯s a positive example.¡±

    ¡°You speak of death.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah¡¯s right that you¡¯re intuitive. Are you sure you can¡¯t read minds?¡±

    ¡°I cannot,¡± he denied seriously, ¡°You have said previously you are untested, and that you were an ordinary person on your world. To take this world¡¯s ordinary, most do not kill others. Am I correct?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Nara sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any ¡®easing into¡¯ killing others. But if I hesitate on the first time, I want it to be in a situation where lives are not at stake. Have you killed people Sen?¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± Sen confirmed, ¡°Raiders from the north occasionally attack the villages at the outskirts of the Arlang territory. While growing up in the Arlang territory, my relatives and I have gone out on patrol to defend the people.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s that like in this world¡­did you hesitate?¡±

    Nara felt a bit awkward asking him such sensitive questions, but Sen didn¡¯t mind.

    ¡°I did not. For those of my family, those who are enemies and allies are clear cut. There is no reason to hesitate when killing enemies.¡±

    ¡°Hm.¡±

    ¡°What is it? Do you disagree?¡±

    ¡°Well no. I just hope it stays that simple for the rest of our lives.¡±

    This time, Nara fought together with her team. John stood aways back towards a defensive line, where many other healers stood. The frontline was filled with melee adventurers, already smashing their weapons and fists into the first early bird monsters.

    Nara had already looped around, killing off any affliction bronze rank monsters and re-afflicting any newly spawned ones, then returned to her team. Eufemia opted to copy Aliyah¡¯s mana burst and Sen¡¯s Relentless Assault, a common special attack of the Might Essence.

    -------

    Ability: [Relentless Assault]

    Essence: Might

    Special Attack

    Cost: Low stamina, increasing with each successive attack.

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Each use of this attack in quick succession increases the damage of this attack. Damage is of the same type caused by a normal attack.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    -------

    When the cost of Relentless Assault grew too high to sustain, Eufemia swapped to John¡¯s Solar Judgement and unloaded seven shells of explosive fire power. The weapon had a five minute cooldown for its special ammo, even if Eufemia didn¡¯t have it actively conjured.

    Monsters dashed from the tree line. Some fast and ravenous, some at a slithering crawl. It was Nara¡¯s job to target the stronger monsters of the crowd, or quickly get rid of or impede troublesome targets. The damage nullification of Dream¡¯s Wake combined with node teleport meant that Nara served as a decent interceptor for non-area attacks.

    ¡°Mantle of celestial flames, protect and burn.¡±

    John started off with a cast of Celestial Flame Mantle. The boon lasted long enough that he could maintain it on around two targets at a time. As rank increased, the duration and strength of abilities such as boons also increased. For now, he could maintain two, but later, he may be able to set the entire team on fire, in a good, divine blessing of fire sort of way, and not in a self-immolation sort of way.

    His targets for this fight was Beorn and Sen. They were lit ablaze with flames of white and gold. To Sen, the fire was warm and gentle, even calming. He felt he was embraced by a warm hug. In contrast, the white-gold flames that glowed upon his staff seared any enemy he so much as grazed.

    ¡°Transform zeal into power,¡± Sen chanted, pulling back his weapon for a large strike utilizing his sole spell and another common special attack, Unstoppable force.

    -------

    Ability: [Explosive Zeal]

    Essence: Zeal

    Spell (boon)

    Incantation: ¡°Transform zeal into power.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Bestow a boon of explosive energy. The next special attack or spell has greatly increased area of effect and deals increased resonating-force damage, damaging everything with the area of impact.

    Ability: [Unstoppable Force]

    Awakening Stone: Might

    Special Attack

    Cost: High mana and extreme stamina

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Melee attack with massive momentum, dealing large amounts of additional resonating-force and disruptive-force damage. Requires a heavy weapon.

    -------

    His wide swing was explosively powerful. Enemies directly struct were obliterated, bursting like bubbles within magma. The attacked echoed out, a shockwave of force impacting the monsters to his front. They were blown back, mangled but still alive. He didn¡¯t worry about them. Alive as they were, they¡¯d be quickly finished by any incidental damage.

    That combination was Sen¡¯s single most powerful attack, but also resource expensive. With the combined effect of many auras, Sen¡¯s stamina and mana regeneration were beyond their normal values. He could sustain it.

    As monsters continued to pour out around them from the jungle, area of effect abilities were the name of the game. They were the most effective tool at killing swaths of monsters, a tool Nara sorely lacked. However, judging from her own abilities so far, she doubted she¡¯d gain any either.

    Umbral Wolf, aka Thanatos, was the closest thing to an area of effect ability she had. His flames speared enemies, lighting them on fire with an ominous, glowing black flame. Thanatos was utilizing his full capabilities, tearing at monsters with his teeth and claws. He constantly shifted sizes, like Jack-Jack from the Incredibles, becoming small to avoid monster attacks from above or large to shake off clingers. Beorn was much the same, but he intentionally shoved himself up against monsters to set them on fire, using his own body as a battering ram and barreling into the crowd like a bowling ball.

    Now fighting with his own team, Encio didn¡¯t have a small platoon of mana generators providing mana for him, although Aliyah¡¯s abilities helped.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Orb]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating orb that can hold mana. Mana drained from abilities is stored in the orb which can be redistributed to allies. The orb passively regenerates mana until it reaches its capacity. If destroyed, gain all the mana stored by the orb.

    Ability: [Mana Siphon]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create an orb of magic that siphons mana from all nearby enemies, with mana drain increasing the closer the enemy is. When destroyed or displaced, the orb releases a wave of resonating-force damage increasing in distance and damage with mana siphoned, then bestows the mana onto nearby allies. If no allies are nearby, the mana is returned to the caster. Only one mana siphon can exist at a time.

    Ability: [Archmage¡¯s Decree]

    Essence: Master

    Aura

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Enemies within aura suffer a slight mana drain effect. Gain the drained mana.

    Ability: [Crystallize Mana]

    Essence: Magic

    Conjuration (recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a crystal that floats around you, accelerating mana recovery. Crystal is impervious to damage, but vulnerable to dispel effects. If dispelled, crystals grant an immediate burst of mana. You can have a single mana crystal at a time.

    Ability: [Eldritch Imbalance]

    Essence: Magic

    Spell (drain, magic, channel)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Drain mana from the target for as long as the spell is channeled. Level of drain scales higher based on the target''s current mana relative to their maximum mana.

    --------

    Aliyah¡¯s slew of mana generating abilities could fund her own spells, with extra to spare. With so many enemies in her aura, Aliyah¡¯s aura was draining a great amount of mana from monsters, even as they were being pulverized. Aliyah¡¯s combination of Magic, Gathering, and Adept for the Master confluence was a flexible combination that could lean a variety of directions. In her case, she served as both a ranged magical attacker and as a mana generator. Runic racial abilities predisposed runics towards spellcasting roles in general.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Spellborn]

    Increased max mana.

    Racial Ability: [Wellspring]

    Increased mana recovery.

    Racial Ability: [Spell Aptitude]

    You are more likely to awaken spells than other ability types. Your spells have increased effect.

    Racial Ability: [Magic Affinity]

    Effects with magic sub-type are enhanced. Boons received with the magic sub-type are enhanced. Increased resistance to same magic sub-type effects.

    -------

    Combined with Nara and Encio¡¯s own aura, Encio made do. However, he adopted a hybrid fighting style that he rarely used at iron rank but had nonetheless thoroughly trained for.

    Encio¡¯s most basic ability was Sword Wave, a special attack that produced a wave of cutting force like a fantasy martial artist. It was but a fraction of the damage of his two mainstay special attacks, but a cheap one he could use on every attack. He saved his mobility abilities, weaving in and out of enemies with expert sword strikes that butchered limbs with well-practiced skills. Rarely, he used Between the Raindrops, an ability that found use in melee situations when he needed to conserve his mana overall.

    --------

    Ability: [Between the Raindrops]

    Essence: Swift

    Special Ability (movement)

    Cost: High mana-per-second and high stamina-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Increased reflexes and spatial awareness.

    -------

    It was also an expensive ability, but Encio had the skill to use it only when necessary to weave through those narrow dodge windows with little additional effort. Compared to his time manipulation ability, Eternal Moment, which was a mentally taxing ability. Slipping in an out of  greatly accelerated time stream nauseated even their own users. For time abilities without a cooldown, they were rarely used more often than those with one.

    Encio didn¡¯t so much as dance as reap. Each attack missed his usual teasing charm, sharp and efficient. He expended only the energy needed to cleave through each monster, accurately judging the toughness of their defenses and easiest location to deal extreme damage.

    ¡°You are exceptional,¡± Sen complimented through team voice chat, ¡°Even in my family I¡¯ve never seen such weapon mastery.¡±

    ¡°I have a few years on you,¡± Encio said with surprising modesty, ¡°As long as you all continue to train, you all will reach this level. Mastery is an inevitability so long as you pursue it.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so you consider yourself a master,¡± said Eufemia, ¡°And I thought you had a splinter of humility.¡±

    ¡°Of course. I could hardly be anything less but the best. Humility? Once you reach my level, could you humble yourself? I think you cannot, miss Teresina.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you did not ¡®miss Teresina¡¯ me. How dare you.¡±

    ¡°How dare I? What can you do about it? Beat me in a sparring match?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll find something, mister Aciano, keep your princely collar clean and wait.¡±

    ¡°Try to surprise me, Eufemia. That would be a gift on its own. I await your present."

    Eufemia roared, ripping apart a monster with a considerably clumsier sword strike, using the same sword and shield she had copied before. She seemed to be cursing under her breath, but a fierce smile played across her lips. She couldn¡¯t help but liked him, he danced delicately on the line of being a condescending asshole and being fun and daring.

    Eufemia could use a little jibe and attitude while wading through the blood and flesh of monsters for hours on end. It broke up the mental monotony, and kept her mind active.

    Before she knew it, she had already gotten used to the activities of adventurers. To all of them, it was exposure therapy¡ªthose that struggled with battle rapidly improved. For Nara too, the Way of the Dancer sword style that excelled against many opponents made rapid improvements. She didn¡¯t slip though monsters water slipped around rocks in a stream.

    She was more eel through open fingers, but she¡¯d take what she could get.

 Chapter 65: What Awaits Beyond Riches

    Chapter 65: What Awaits Beyond Riches

    ¡°And that¡¯s¡­that,¡± Nara said, exhaustedly plunged her sword though one incapacitated but still-not-dead monster.

    The circular area was littered with monsters. The rays of dawn peeked over the mountains that formed the jungle bowl, lighting up the ground dyed multicolored with monster blood, like a splatter paint artist burned thousands to paint an entire plaza, except the paint had been made with reeking blood and body fluids. Nara¡¯s Cosmic Path kept her feet clean, but bloody body jutting up at odd angles parts painted her pants in robe in reverse and perverse art where she was the canvas.

    Eufemia wanted to collapse onto the floor, but there was nowhere clean to sit. She stared daggers at the ground, as if the mess was a personal insult.

    ¡°Just imagining the rainbow smoke of this all makes me want to throw up,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°There is no distance great enough to escape it,¡± Encio agreed dryly. No matter how skilled he was, he was drained from the battle as well. They had taken breaks throughout the night, but now was time for a long rest. The previous day was occupied by travel, and their sleep was fraught and light.

    Eufemia sighed with such weight it was like her soul had escaped, ¡°I so wish I had my bed back the hotel.¡±

    ¡°Conjured bed not doing it for you?¡± John asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s not quite the same. Can¡¯t beat the handcrafted quality the rich can afford.¡±

    ¡°Well you know,¡± Nara said, ¡°I might be able to help with that.¡±

    ¡°You have something better than a mattress conjured from John¡¯s droll imagination? I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    ¡°A stiff mattress is good for the spine,¡± John unhelpfully defended.

    ¡°Not mine.¡±

    The group washed off, dumping a bottle of crystal wash Encio provided for them.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have much left,¡± Encio wistfully said. Crystal wash was expensive for a consumable potion, but he was limited by availability and not by price.

    They hiked up to the top floors of the tower, finding a bit of privacy which Nara insisted on. With the balconies covered by metal, earth, and wood barriers, the top of the tower was completely dark. A floating glow stone lit their way as they slowly ascended.

    ¡°Why, why in the world do we have to climb a tower after we¡¯re already so exhausted? This better be worth it.¡±

    ¡°Should be worth it, hopefully. You tell me, okay?¡±

    The ascended some more, climbing higher and higher, Eufemia grumbling the entire way. These towers were some of the tallest those from Erras had even seen. It had its novelty, but novelty worn off when they had to climb it.

    ¡°Here¡¯s good enough, probably,¡± Nara said, stopping at one of the higher floors.

    ¡°Does this have to be such a big dramatic secret?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s not something I¡¯m all too comfortable with sharing yet.¡±

    With a thought, a doorway appeared.

    The five leaned in to look.

    ¡°Is this¡­a portal?¡± Aliyah asked, ¡°It seems like it is one, yet I feel it is not.¡±

    Through the domain door they saw a relaxing lakeside pavilion. A small pier extended off into the water, beautiful and clean. On the far side of the lake, a forest of plum blossom trees cast their pink on the water¡¯s surface, creating a fantastical reflection of springtime. The lakeside pavilion was abundant in its own natural greenery: willows, spruces, elms, bamboo, pines, cypress, wisterias, and maples. A combination impossible on Earth, but possible due to Nara¡¯s poor understanding of arboreal ecology.

    ¡°Come on in,¡± Nara offered.

    ¡°What is this place?¡± Eufemia said, stepping through with a look of excited wonder.

    ¡°My Astral Domain, kind of,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Your soul thingy?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, my soul thingy. This place doesn¡¯t have as much power as the original place, but I can at least make a nice imaginary house.¡±

    ¡°Not as much power as the original? Then what power do you hold in your own domain?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my soul, Sen. Pretty much anything, except for the one cardinal rule.¡±

    ¡°Which rule?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t modify a soul without permission¡ªsanctity of the soul, and all that. Chrome¡¯s entered back in the astral, and I couldn¡¯t do anything to him. Can¡¯t really kill an astral being to begin with. I could expel him though, or put him in a perpetual maze he couldn¡¯t escape from,¡± Nara swirled her hand like a magician, where an astral construct dove flew from her open palm.

    ¡°Ta-da!¡±

    ¡°So what is the difference?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t do most of that stuff here. Can¡¯t use power beyond my rank. I don¡¯t even know if I can prevent others from entering¡ªmonsters or people. I can use my inventory everywhere, and I can sense anything with the semblance of a soul that enters.¡±

    ¡°Advantages enough,¡± Sen said appraisingly.

    ¡°I agree,¡± Eufemia said, surprising Nara. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I know how useful a hideaway space is.¡±

    The dove that had flown away exploded into sparkling confetti, which rained down on their heads.

    ¡°It¡¯ll go up in rainbow smoke or something.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about how far it all goes. If a silver ranker comes in, can I kick them out? Or maybe their power destabilizes the door domain? It¡¯s not something I care to test in the heat of the moment.¡±

    ¡°I understand your secrecy,¡± Aliyah said.

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°You do?¡± Nara said with surprise. She wasn¡¯t sure what things she should keep secret, but Chelsea had cautioned her about her Racial Gifts.

    ¡°As an outworlder, you may not know, but inventory powers that can store people are exceedingly rare. There is a confluence known for it, but it has conditions.¡±

    ¡°Which confluence?¡±

    ¡°Prison.¡±

    ¡°Figures.¡±

    The group walked towards the lake pavilion, taking in the clean breeze. Lake water gently lapped at the shore, and within the glassy water, varieties of fish peacefully swam.

    ¡°It¡¯s like some sort of hyper-realistic game. Like Star Trek,¡± John said.

    ¡°You¡¯ve watched Star Trek?¡±

    ¡°I enjoy a variety, not just detective shows.¡±

    ¡°Well, here we are,¡± Nara said, standing in the living room, ¡°Rooms are upstairs, just pick one. If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t like, just speak about what you want to change, and the domain will adapt itself, sort of like AI. It¡¯s all fake anyway. Fake stuff you can lay on. Does that make it real? Hmm.¡±

    ¡°AI?¡±

    ¡°Artificial intelligence.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s eyes looked at her expectantly, glittering with yearning for new knowledge.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to explain that. John?¡± She passed the baton of education to the former information officer.

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass the baton to our world. My apologies, Aliyah, that¡¯s one for later.¡± He denied the baton, passing it into the void.

    She softly sighed, ¡°My anticipation for you world only grows.¡±

    *****

    Eufemia awoke, feeling extremely refreshed. She checked the clock on her bedside table, 7 hours had passed. She laid in bed, not wanting to leave. It had matched her preferences perfectly, even surpassing them with characteristics she didn¡¯t know possible. She swore to purchase a magical bed at the earliest opportunity, but could magic mimic this comfort? A cloud bed, maybe. That was the sort of luxury that required silver or gold rank riches, not Eufemia¡¯s paltry iron rank wealth. A goal for later¡ªshe wanted one, no matter the cost.

    Soft light streamed through the curtains, which had automatically parted upon her waking. Since she was close enough to John, she removed a pair of fresh clothes she had stored in his inventory and slipped them on.

    Upon opening her door, the fresh smell of breakfast wafted up from downstairs, stimulating her appetite which she thought had been destroyed permanently by the gore of monsters before her eyes.

    I¡¯m adaptable, Eufemia thought, That¡¯s no surprise. If she could survive in Nekroz, she could survive anywhere. She would much prefer thriving to survival, however, but Eufemia was beginning to feel like she was thriving. That her years scrambling for money and political leverage was finally over, and she could stop to smell the roses.

    She softly stepped downstairs, where she saw that everyone else had awoken before her, although they waited for her to arrive before eating.

    ¡°Hurry,¡± John said, ¡°I can hardly wait. This food is twisting my stomach in anticipation.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a stomach, John,¡± Aliyah gently chided.

    ¡°Oh. A bummer, that.¡±

    ¡°This is about the only real thing here,¡± Nara explained before anyone could ask, ¡°It¡¯s basically a flavored spirit coin. Just condensed magic. Should be both energizing and tasty, unlike the real thing. I¡¯ve modeled it after the food of a certain chef you all know. Just a forgery of a masterpiece, but if the forgery is edible, isn¡¯t it basically the same thing?¡±

    This wasn¡¯t a power of the door space, but rather a power of her Astral Domain.

    ¡°Laius?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°Now this will be a feast,¡± Encio said, who had been treated to Laius¡¯ snacks before. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

    ¡°Food that makes diamond blood here excited? You¡¯ve raised my expectations.¡±

    They dug in, munching on food that very much did live up to Encio¡¯s lineage. They ladled a nice refreshing soup from a pot, dipping toasted and spiced bread in it. Drinks of their choice was provided¡ªfor Nara, it was fresh tea, and a glass of freshly squeezes fruit juice¡ªwhy settle for one when she could have both? Sliced meats and spreads could be added to their toasted bread, delicious spreads of nutty and herbal flavors and meats smoked and aged.

    ¡°Just one thing, dear Nara,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I was almost distracted by the food¡ªalmost. Did you say that this was the only real thing because its modeled after a spirit coin.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nara said between her own bites.

    ¡°That means, you can make spirit coins?¡±

    ¡°Uh, guess so.¡±

    Silence washed over the table.

    ¡°Could I see that racial ability description of yours once more?¡± Aliyah asked softly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have it memorized?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯d like to see it.¡±

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Astral Domain]

    You can shape the Astral into an [Astral Domain]. This domain additionally serves as a dimensional storage space. You can remove items from the storage space without entering the [Astral Domain]. This domain can be used to traverse the Astral.

    You can call up a gate to allow for others to enter your [Astral Domain]. Only those you allow for may enter; others cannot forcibly intrude. You do not need a portal to enter your Astral Domain due to the effects of [Astral Traveler]. You need a portal to invite others into your Astral Domain.

    You can shape the astral into physical reality and astral constructs. Constructs only provide effective defense against attacks lower than your rank; attacks of your rank and above are minimally impeded.

    You can manifest a portion of your [Astral Domain] into physical reality. Maximum size occupying physical reality corresponds to your rank. This manifestation does not share the full properties of you [Astral Domain].

    You can utilize soul-engineering within your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    ¡°That last line wasn¡¯t there before,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°But that¡¯s not the nature of this power.¡±

    ¡°Nope, it¡¯s the uh, ¡®shape the astral¡¯ part.¡±

    ¡°You can make physical reality?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°Kind of. Most physical reality is really difficult, because I really have to understand it. I understand stuff like water and oxygen enough to do it, but its pretty slow and concentration intensive, so its not really worth it. Although, the gods don¡¯t seem to care, so that¡¯s nice.¡±

    John licked his fingers of sauce, earning a disgusted stare from Eufemia, ¡°Can¡¯t escape universal entropy with just a teeny bit of creation.¡±

    ¡°But spirit coins are just condensed magic,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°There is no complexity. We have spirit coin farms. Their only requirement is the ambient magic is undisturbed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, but I can only make real spirit coins up to my own rank,¡± Nara said, ¡°Can¡¯t handle permanent magic above that. If I try to make a spirit coin above my rank¡ª¡± she demonstrated, making a bronze rank coin. Suddenly a door to the outside appeared to the side of her. She chucked the coin out, and it started to dissolve into rainbow smoke the moment it crossed the threshold, ¡°¡ªit just vanishes.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a money printer,¡± Eufemia said, her voice rising with incredulity, ¡°I knew that outworlders were unfair!¡±

    ¡°I mean, we¡¯re already printing money with our loot powers, it¡¯s not all that different,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Eufemia insisted flatly, eyes boring holes into Nara¡¯s skull like a hand drill.

    ¡°Is it though? Look, how many monsters have we all killed in a night?¡±

    ¡°As a whole, numbers far surpassing a few hundred per day. The final day will increase in severity, no doubt,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°And, we get 22 iron coins per if we add up the lower rank coins, with me and John, plus 22 bronze coins for any of the bronze ones. Then, we get monster cores and quintessence, awakening stones and essences, random materials, consumables, and sometimes equipment. We sell the majority of that stuff. How much money do you think we¡¯ll make when we get back to Sanshi, Eufemia?¡±

    Eufemia was quiet.

    ¡°Now, is printing coins really that big of a deal?¡±

    She did some quick mental calculations, experience wrought from her frugality and business ventures in Nekroz.

    ¡°¡­No,¡± she admitted with heavy reluctance, ¡°It¡¯s not. We won¡¯t need money for a good long while. And John and I have paid off our loans, many times over.¡±

    ¡°John doesn¡¯t have a loan,¡± Encio said, ¡°What I earned from his looting power counts for him. He¡¯s paid his off already.¡±

    ¡°So just me?¡± Eufemia said with exasperation.

    ¡°It¡¯s sophistry,¡± Encio said, ¡°A splash in the ocean compared to what you literally just earned.¡±

    ¡°And, if you want to get premium prices instead of deflated Sanshi prices, I can go and astral jump anywhere in the world to sell your stuff for you.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Eufemia said, her posture relaxing as she sat back down in her seat, ¡°I¡¯m¡­wealthy now?¡± she said, her tone indicating she didn¡¯t quite believe her own words.

    ¡°Yup. Feels nice?¡±

    ¡°It does,¡± she said, expression a bit blank. ¡°It does.¡±

    ¡°Rich for an iron ranker,¡± Encio said, ¡°Think of what gold rankers must have. Diamond rankers.¡±

    ¡°Way to burst her bubble, Encio.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m saying there¡¯s more waiting for you, Eufemia. What you¡¯ve seen is a fraction of what high rankers have seen. Power, money, reputation it all awaits,¡± Encio leaned back, ¡°But I¡¯m all about the adventure.¡±

    ¡°Says the rich boy.¡±

    ¡°What he says is true,¡± Sen said, ¡°If you are only after riches, bronze rank is enough, as long as Nara and John are with us. We all need to think about motivations beyond that. For Encio, it is adventure. For Aliyah, it is the depths of magic. For John and Nara, a way to return to their world. For me, it is responsibility to protect others. What is it that you will pursue, Eufemia?¡±

 Chapter 66: Order and Chaos

    Chapter 66: Order and Chaos

    Except for a few who stayed awake to guard the tower, most slept for the six to seven hours allotted for resting. No matter how much they needed to prepare for the final wave, rest was important. Conrad had nothing to say either, retiring to a large room within the tower he had claimed for himself.

    The team was gathered in a room, where several others were inspecting their awakening stones and rewards, setting up an impromptu trade hall. To simplify things, you could only exchange items of equal rarity and rank, except for awakening stones, which could be negotiated any which way. Looted equipment was random¡ªplenty of adventurers had no conjurations, so they sought to exchange what the looting powers had gifted them for something to suit them. For poor adventurers, good equipment saved a lot of resources. It usually wasn¡¯t up to the quality and complementary effects of custom made equipment, but making it 70 to 80 percent of the way there was close enough. They¡¯d grow out of their iron rank equipment soon enough.

    John and Nara¡¯s looting ability made them popular figures among the iron rankers, most of whom had never seen such wealth in their lives. They held onto extra essences, a bit surprised how easily they acquired what they once haggled and struggled for. They¡¯d likely gift them to their families.

    The leaders decided that setting some time aside to use awakening stones and acquire equipment was a significant enough increase in power to warrant the time expenditure. Those that did not need the time were busy eating in the temporary mess hall, or helping with defenses.

    ¡°No matter what stones we have here,¡± Sen said, ¡°We should wait until the end of the trial before awakening all of our abilities.¡±

    The team nodded.

    ¡°Since Eufemia has the least abilities awakened, we should start with her. What have you received?¡±

    Eufemia removed a small pile of awakening stones from John¡¯s inventory. She separated two stones off to the side, ¡°These are the two I¡¯ve gotten from the trial that I haven¡¯t used yet; the others are all looted.¡±

    Encio picked up one of the stones she gotten from the trial, holding it out for her, ¡°Awakening Stone of the Sovereign. This will probably awaken an aura if you don¡¯t have one already.¡±

    It was an epic rarity awakening stone, the tier below legendary according to Nara¡¯s Guide. It glittered with deep blue, majestic golds, and a rich red.

    Nara narrowed her eyes at Encio, ¡°Is this the stone that awakening your Time Sovereign aura?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Encio said. He had a rare expression¡ªone of slight embarrassment.

    Nara felt a bit giddy as if she had just won the lottery at a surprise, spur-of-the-moment gas station ticket buy at the sight of it.

    ¡°If it¡¯s good enough for Encio its good enough for me,¡± Eufemia said, who had began to use Encio as her standard of high quality.

    Aliyah drew out a quick awakening stone ritual, and Eufemia used the stone.

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of The Sovereign].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Mirror Essence Ability [Monarch of Reflections]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 4 of 5 Mirror Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Monarch of Reflections]

    Aura

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Duplicate the effects of any target aura. The strength of the aura is based on your attributes and rank of this ability, not those of the original caster. This may make your version of the aura higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This does not disguise your aura.

    -------

    ¡°Oh?¡± Aliyah said, ¡°That is an extremely useful aura ability.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s new ability, Monarch of Reflections, further leaned into her role of copying the most effective member of the team for the situation on hand to offer more of the best thing.

    Sen, once again, adopted his pleased smile.

    ¡°Sen, stop sporting a metaphorical stiffy every time you see Eufemia¡¯s abilities.¡±

    He stared at Nara with incredulity, his smile morphing into a frown.

    ¡°I am not,¡± he said with great offense.

    ¡°I said metaphorically! Jokes aside, it¡¯s good stuff.¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t need your consolation this time. I now understand the flexibility and impact of my abilities. If I copy Aliyah, I can rapidly regain my own mana while further sapping the mana of our enemies. If I copy Nara, we can more quickly stack Integrity on the full team. If I copy Encio, we all have greater mana regeneration, while the enemy suffers the inverse. If I copy Sen, we have further increased resistance to damage and afflictions. And, if I copy John, we have further increased Power and Recovery. I could even copy an enemy, if they have an aura. There¡¯s no downside. I have the full flexibility to choose an aura effect that either I or the team needs most in a given situation. Yada yada yada. I get it.¡±

    ¡°Auras are a minor effect, but many minor effects together can turn the tides of battle,¡± Sen said, face still glowing. He looked happier with Eufemia¡¯s ability than she did herself, and it wasn¡¯t even his ability.

    Eufemia waved her hand as if to shoo away the praise. She had claimed that she could not get enough praise, but when it was genuine, even she began to feel her cheeks warm.

    She explored out with her newly awakened aura sense. It was a bit jarring, like John¡¯s experience, so sense so many auras in the same place. Eufemia was more sensitive than most due to the effects of her perception and her familiar, the Echo Spirit Runa, which let her manipulate and project false traits in her aura. She couldn¡¯t effectively use that part of Runa until now.

    She had heard that Nara¡¯s aura was strange, but she didn¡¯t understand until now. It was misty and incorporeal, even for an aura. She felt as if she was peering though foggy glass, unable to see the scenery on the other side, but Eufemia caught glimpses though the fog. The echo of divinity when the gods had imprinted her aura. God¡¯s gift, Eufemia realized. It was an odd and terrifying feeling, divinity¡ªit inspired an instinctual reverence. Nara wasn¡¯t divine, but the gods had colored her aura with it. Still curiosity pushed her beyond that instinctual fear, and she realized Nara was letting her search when she made a displeased face in her direction.

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    She sensed something else¡ªa connection to the far beyond. That must have been Nara¡¯s connection to the astral, her Astral Domain. And the echo of something else Eufemia understood even less than divinity, but she dreaded even more. There was one other thing she had been told of Nara¡ªa being had tortured her soul. If the gods could impart the echo of divinity, then that being had imparted the echo of itself.

    Eufemia, who shaped herself into others, understood on a deeper level how others were involuntarily shaped by those around them.

    Nara¡¯s disapproving expression told Eufemia that she had had enough. Her senses were blocked off, and Nara¡¯s aura returned to the same inscrutable mist.

    ¡°The last stone from the trial is another Awakening Stone of The Adept. I used an echo stone earlier, for Mirror Magic. In total I have 7 abilities unawakened.¡±

    ¡°I think you should use the adept stone,¡± Encio said, ¡°It may be a common stone, but it suits your flexible ability set so far.¡±

    ¡°I agree,¡± Sen said, ¡°and there¡¯s nothing wrong with common stones.¡±

    ¡°The trial also bestows suitable stones,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I also concur. It¡¯s up to you then, Eufemia.¡±

    ¡°You could¡¯ve said less, in fact, I¡¯d prefer it. A ritual, if you would.¡±

    -------

    -Party member [Eufemia Teresina] has used [Awakening Stone of The Adept].

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has awakened Refracting Essence Ability [Convenient Copy]. [Eufemia Teresina] has awakened 3 of 5 Refracting Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Convenient Copy]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Duplicate one of your own abilities. This will not stack non-active effects. This ability has the same cost and cooldown of the duplicated ability.

    -------

    Nara glanced at Sen, who seemed to be keeping his expression unnaturally stiff. She chuckled at his efforts to contain himself.

    ¡°How would that work?¡± Aliyah asked curiously, ¡°If you copy Martial Gift, do you get the copied ability, or the original ability to copy a special attack?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll test it,¡± Eufemia said.

    She swung a sword briefly, then again, activating two different special attacks.

    ¡°Second option. I have two Martial Gifts to use.¡±

    ¡°Remarkable,¡± Aliyah said. She glanced at Sen, who looked away nonchalantly. He didn¡¯t want to be accused of getting exited again.

    Eufemia had felt that only one special attack was restrictive. She couldn¡¯t much help it, celestines often did not have many special attacks at all, due to their Special Ability affinity. However, her abilities had gotten around this issue by copying other¡¯s abilities. Now, she could copy two different special attacks. She could keep one of Encio¡¯s incredibly powerful special attacks, while also copying something more practical to use on the side.

    Or, if she needed more movement abilities, that was an option as well. With Dexterous Talent, she often used it to copy a teleportation or movement ability. She could also copy John¡¯s shields, but depending on the role she adopted, movement was more important and cheaper than shield protections.

    ¡°It¡¯s perfectly named. Convenient Copy¡­ who names this?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Nara¡¯s Guide matches the Magic Society¡¯s record for any recorded abilities. I¡¯ve spent a bit of time checking her ability and the Magic Society records to confirm it. It actually contains some specific details that the Magic Society has difficulty determining, like ability type,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Any undiscovered abilities are named by her Racial Ability. Convenient Copy is a recorded ability, so it would be the first recorder of the ability that named it.¡±

    ¡°She has an undiscovered ability?¡±

    ¡°Umbral Wolf, surprisingly,¡± said Encio, ¡°And it¡¯s from a common stone.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s further proof of the extensive pool of abilities,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Common stones have a massive selection of possible abilities. They can easily awaken rare abilities. For example Encio¡¯s Immortality is known to awaken with a legendary stone, Rebirth¡ª¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Immortality]

    Essence: Swift

    Special Ability (healing, recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: 24 hours

    Effect (Iron): Instantly restore a large portion of health, mana and stamina. Amount restored is based on how depleted health, mana and stamina are when the ability is used.

    -------

    ¡°¡ªinto the Might, Swift, Life, Renewal, Immortal, and other essences. But you can also awaken the ability from a common Might stone, or an uncommon Life stone. Other stones are possible, too, but this is just a simplified example.¡±

    ¡°Then why care about legendary stones at all?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°What¡¯s all this for?¡±

    ¡°Legendary stones have a narrower ability pool,¡± Aliyah explained, ¡°The abilities show up less often due to the rarity of their stones. So, often you awaken abilities that are hard to others to know or counter, or are useful in difficult situations.¡±

    ¡°The rarity of the abilities they awaken is their value,¡± Encio said, ¡°The abilities aren¡¯t inherently more powerful, but they are lesser known¡ª"

    ¡°Except for Immortality,¡± Nara cut in.

    ¡°¡ªThe element of surprise enhances their value.¡±

    ¡°I do understand the value of the element of surprise,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Ah,¡± said Nara, ¡°So rarer stones have a smaller gacha pool, got it.¡±

    ¡°Gacha?¡±

    ¡°Gambling pool, John. We¡¯re gambling for permanent magical abilities; with cubes and spherical rocks we use to determine the prize pool.¡±

    ¡°Why is this so random?¡± Eufemia said with a sigh.

    ¡°Magic is inherently chaotic,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Essence and ability stones are a reflection of the nature of magic. The rituals we create is a way to control a small part of the chaos into something predictable. It¡¯s part of why the development of new magic is so slow and inconsistent. Some fields make incredible progress, like mirage chambers, and other fields stagnate.¡±

    That¡¯s interesting.

    Magic was chaos, and physical reality was order. Science progressed at a rapid rate because physics was mostly predictable. Even concepts with inherent randomness had models for their unpredictability, like the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

    ¡°So, who¡¯s next?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°John has already used a few,¡± Nara said, ¡°So have I. I only have three slots left, so I¡¯m waiting until the end.¡±

    ¡°Is that a pun?¡± John said.

    ¡°Of course it is. Where¡¯s your dad humor, John? Or is that just an American dad thing?¡±

    John grinned, ¡°I¡¯ve been falling behind if you think I can¡¯t spin a pun here and there.¡±

    ¡°Oh shut up,¡± Eufemia groaned.

    The two grinned wide, stupid smiles.

    ¡°I can awaken a few then,¡± Aliyah offered, cutting into their dumbass chuckles.

    The team opened their eyes wide when they saw Aliyah¡¯s haul.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of The Dragon?¡± Eufemia said with a soft hiss.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s premium,¡± Encio said, ¡°On par with Time, Dimension, and Rebirth stones.¡±

    The Awakening Stone of the Dragon was epic rarity, the tier below legendary, but still one of the most coveted awakening stones. Dragon bond abilities were extremely valuable as any dragon companion was a huge win. Dragon familiars were similarly valuable, as were dragon transformations.

    ¡°I was thinking of selling it, actually,¡± Aliyah said.

    They all stared at her.

    ¡°As your student, Aliyah, you must use it,¡± Sen said with rare intensity, ¡°As my mentor, I have no doubt you understand the value of this awakening stone.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a joke, Sen. I¡¯m joking. I going to use the dragon stone.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± he said, not believing her.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m using it. Of course I am.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± he repeated.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m drawing the ritual now, alright? I¡¯m using it.¡±

    -------

    -Party member [Aliyah Sahar] has used [Awakening Stone of The Dragon].

    -[Aliyah Sahar] has awakened Master Essence Ability [Arcane Dragon]. [Aliyah Sahar] has awakened 4 of 5 Master Essence Abilities.

    Ability: [Arcane Dragon]

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Arcane Dragon] to serve as a familiar.

    --------

    ¡°As expected, a familiar. Unfortunately, even I don¡¯t have the materials on hand to summon it immediately. Familiar rituals are far too specific.¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°It does little for your combat power now, but it¡¯s your first familiar, Aliyah,¡± Sen said, ¡°I was worried you would not get one.¡±

    ¡°You were worried, when I was not? There¡¯s no need to worry Sen. Whether or not I awaken a familiar is of no consequence.¡±

    ¡°Even a single familiar is a great advantage in battle,¡± Sen pressed.

    ¡°And yet, there are many famous essence users without them. I believe Encio¡¯s grandfather here does not have one.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. Not a single familiar or summon. But he has no skills beyond his rank. He couldn¡¯t possibly awaken an ability for a skill he didn¡¯t have.¡±

    ¡°What is with you,¡± Eufemia muttered, ¡°Always with your grandfather¡­¡±

    ¡°What can I say,¡± Encio said with a shrug, ¡°He is the world¡¯s most famous talentless diamond.¡±

 Chapter 67: Something of an Engineer

    Chapter 67: Something of an Engineer

    After Aliyah, no additional members awakened abilities. They would save the rest for the end of the trail. Hopefully, what they had done would be enough to persist through the final wave.

    The central tower base camp was in full swing, around 140 adventurers worked together in relative union to prepare for the final, frenetic wave. The waves were growing more numerous and more powerful, with more bronze rank monsters manifesting than the day before, even if they added up what each tower had suffered the previous wave. Their harmony was partially enforced by their fearful anticipation¡ªshould they not sufficiently work together they would be wiped out, forced to use their tokens to escape.

    Sen couldn¡¯t let that happen¡ªit wasn¡¯t just him that had party members without escape tokens.

    More adventurers had dropped out, dipping their numbers down from above 150 to above 140. It was many, but the remaining adventurers felt their own nerves fraying as they questioned their own decision to stay.

    However, just as Aliyah and John had received many high coveted and legendary stones, the others had too. If they could persist, they had another chance at a highly valuable stone. They would stand out among their peers, as adventurers with unique abilities.

    The four leaders had reworked their tactics to one proposed by Sen. Flying monsters they could do little about, but most monsters were landlocked. Earth shapers dug a large moat around the tower, then it was compacted and treated with magic to prevent water from escaping the moat. The problem was water acquisition.

    Nara may have stolen a large amount of water from the ocean. She kept quiet for now.

    While the leaders and their assistants were looking for a solution to the water moat issue, Sen instructed the second part of their defensive modifications.

    The tower looked like a strange amalgam of defensive additions. A makeshift fortress wall had been constructed around the base of the tower. Ramparts were archers and casters could fire from safely were constructed, granting them clear view into the moat and the sky. The casters and archers could retreat into the open terraces, which could be quickly shut by dedicated metal and earth shapers.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s this?¡±

    Nara crouched before a group of three people. It was the three awakening stone thugs who were extorting awakening stones from other people. They had also chosen to rejoin the full group.

    ¡°If you¡¯re going the villain route, you can¡¯t go walk the same path as everyone else again.¡±

    They were tied up and stripped down to their underwear, unable to respond except for muffled yells.

    ¡°Did the awakening stones get taken back?¡±

    If they had a dimensional inventory ability, the only way to get them back was to kill them and then perform a looting ritual, or loot them with an ability. Dimensional storage abilities were rare, so most likely their dimensional bag was taken from them. Nara wondered where the awakening stones had ended up, but she didn¡¯t really care.

    Judging from the handiwork, they must have ended up in Conrad¡¯s east tower. Nara had growing appreciation for his heavy-handedness. She was too conflict adverse to handle the situation herself. Even interfering in Sen¡¯s conflict with Raja was because she had someone to dump the cleanup onto afterwards, namely Sen.

    They hadn¡¯t figured out a solution to fill the moat, so Nara offered the ocean water in her inventory.

    ¡°This much water removed from the ocean is just a drop in the bucket, right?¡±

    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t remove the water from her inventory quickly. If she used her domain door, she would have been able to create a quicker method. Her door domain was a quick link to her inventory. She could place anything inside the door into her inventory or do the reverse. With her door, she simply place all the water on the other side, then have it stream out.

    She couldn¡¯t do that here. So she sat rather boredly by the trench, a small pillar of water streaming out from thin air right in front of her. She was limited by proximity, size, and mass with her normal inventory access method, so this was the best she could do.

    As she filled it, other essence users were poisoning the water with various abilities and poison potions. The moat was filled with a witch¡¯s concoction¡ªiridescent as if oil had been spilled over the surface. The astringent smell burnt through her nose hairs like a forest fire carried by the wind, carrying the sent directly into her nonexistent brain.

    ¡°Ugh¡­I go to a different world only to get a new top 3 in worst smells I¡¯ve ever experienced. In first place¡­rank up gunk, no contest. That thing¡¯s violates the Geneva convention. Maybe I should collect it? No¡­I don¡¯t wish that on my worst enemy, or maybe I do? Rolling into number two, rainbow smoke. Not only are monsters a scourge on the world, but they leave a final putrid parting gift just to spite you. And number three¡­actual chemical warfare, a moat filled with every iron rank and bronze rank poison imaginable.¡±

    Poisons greatly varied in the damage they inflicted as well as their supplementary effects. Taking a dip in this moat of death would simultaneously corrode, rot, desiccate, burn (hot and cold), paralyze, and bleed whatever committed the mistake of stepping inside. Radiation was missing¡ªa small blessing for Nara who had to stand nearby. It was so dangerous, that the iron rankers increasingly took their distance one they had finished dumping their mana and poison loot, leaving Nara to bear the poison stench alone.

    ¡°The cool thing about magic poisons is that you can mix them, no issue. Abilities are designed to work together, so they won¡¯t accidentally neutralize each other or decrease efficacy, most of the time.¡±

    She scooted back a bit further from the edge. She conjured a large J-shaped PVC pipe to angle the water into the moat, and secured it into the ground with a few U-shaped metal bars.

    She smugly wiped her finger across her mouth, unduly self-satisfied.

    ¡°I may be something of an engineer myself.¡±

    *****

    The sun of the test of survival began its final descent behind the mountain valley. The beautiful jungle sunset was tinted with ominous gold and red. On Nara¡¯s map, innumerous red dots flickered into light, painting the interface an unbroken red.

    They had done all they could¡ªthey could only hope it was enough. Nara had already made her rounds across the jungle, first afflicting then killing all the bronze rank monsters she came across. It was a tactic she could only adopt because of time. Without it, a single bronze rank monster was a far tougher enemy.

    The jungle echoed with screeches and roars, a cacophonous orchestra of out-of-tune instruments. Some monsters killed each other, thinning the wave enough to move. They would undoubtedly make their way to the tower, eventually, seeking with animalistic instincts something else to kill.

    Essence users stood tense. John and Eufemia with their infant auras could sense the growing monster horde. Even those without an actual aura power could feel the tension rising.

    As monsters charged in an unorganized horde, the first traps went off. Explosions of force, fire, and earth rocketed throughout the jungle, as if it had been shelled. Sen was using Nara¡¯s map function to optimize the amount of monsters they would kill, but it was unnecessary. So thick was the carpet of monsters that each and every trap had killed with peak efficiency.

    A common trap ability was Rune Trap, which Aliyah had herself in her Magic Essence. Eufemia had copied the spell, both placing as many as time and mana allowed across the jungle.

    -------

    Ability: [Rune Trap]

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Emplace a mark of power.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Create an explosive rune that will disappear after a short period. The rune can be set to trigger by proximity, caster trigger, or both.

    --------

    The monsters pushed forwards, their bodies crushing one another as well as the ones that had died before them. Another ring of traps rocketed off, directed through a chain of communications from Sen¡¯s instructions.

    A few monsters had dashed out of the tree line, some stumbling from the damage they had already sustained. They fell into the moat. Those unable to swim or not immune to poisons corroded in the death moat, struggling to swim or crawl to the other side. Nara had to stay at the base, repeatedly looting the monsters that died to the moat or else the moat would fill up. Since Sen was the strategic commander, a group of two adventurers temporarily joined their group. One was a defender, and the other another melee attacker.

    Besar Desan was their temporary defender, with the Elemental, Might, and Resolute Essences for the Avatar Confluence. He was strong, sturdy, and flexible with a variety of elemental attacks.

    The other was Ariel Strong, a leonid with one of Sanshi¡¯s characteristic unusual combos. She had the Monkey, Song, and Staff Essences for the Mystic Confluence. She had undergone the full gauntlet of Sanshi¡¯s essence opportunity system, winning or earning each of her essences over many years. She was older than most iron rankers, but not much older than Nara.

    Spells and arrows rained down from above, but at a controlled pace. They shouldn¡¯t exhaust their mana when the defenses were holding.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    A few monsters made it past the moat. Massive grasshoppers with spikes growing out of them in some child¡¯s poorly drawn idea of a dinosaur jumped across with massive leaps into a crowd of awaiting iron rankers. Some were simply shoved back into the corrosive moat with blasts of force or wind, while others were quickly bisected.

    The fliers all made it over, but were smoothly taken down by archers and mages. Any still surviving on the ground were speared by weapons.

    The battle progressed smoothly, perhaps even easier that the battle of days before. Their planning and preparations had a significant impact, lifting the spirits of all the adventurers who had been saturated with anxiety.

    Nara took a short break from the fight, but she couldn¡¯t be entirely idle. She still had to regularly trigger her looting power. After her shift of looting, she¡¯d pass the buck to another aura based looter, Andreas. John couldn¡¯t loot the area by himself unless Nara was nearby, so she¡¯d join the two in a party when it was her time to rest.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Sen said over voice chat.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°According to our scouts, three bronze rank jungle trolls have manifested simultaneously from different directions. They can bypass the moat and destroy our ramparts.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t other people handle it? Not complaining, I just got this loot thing I need to do.¡±

    ¡°Those with escalating damage enough to handle trolls with high regeneration are rare at iron rank. Two other affliction specialists will handle the other two, but we need a third person.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even escalate that fast.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll be paired with those who also deal rending damage¡ªwind essence and force confluence users. John and Andreas will handle the moat. We¡¯re sending you to the closest troll to hopefully avoid this issue.¡±

    ¡°Got it, I¡¯m on it.¡±

    A nice thing about being joined by Wind Essence users was they often had mobility support abilities. Not everyone had Nara¡¯s mobility, so this greatly aided their passage through the jungle.

    Nara shot off ahead. She had mastered her gravity cannon, as she called it, and dashed ahead to get started on the troll first, her sole reason to join this strike team.

    The spotted the jungle troll. It was a strange deep green color, the color of jungle leaves made out of flesh and skin. It stood four stories tall, but even this height did not surpass the tallest trees of the jungle. Its path of shaking and rustling was enough to determine something large had manifested in the jungle, her guide map had been entirely unhelpful. She couldn¡¯t tell the troll from any other monster around it. From its arms and body, vines grew from it in strange flesh and plant ropes. They smacked the forest around it as it walked, destroying jungle in flora-on-flora violence, if fleshy vine ropes could still be considered plants.

    It¡¯s path was slow. It swung its arms, crushing jungle trees and plants with wide, sweeping blows. She dropped towards it at terminal velocity, scratching her sword down the length of it¡¯s back.

    --------

    -[Dimensional Instability] has been resisted.

    -[Dimensional Rupture] has been resisted.

    --------

    ¡°Damn stupidly high Recovery attribute,¡± Nara muttered.

    Not only did the Recovery attribute govern health, stamina, and mana recovery, but it also determined resistances and reduced the effect and duration of afflictions. A higher recovery stat meant increased ability to maintain your internal equilibrium, which meant that the environmental effects such as high heat or bitter cold were also less effective.

    But resistance was a numbers game. She teleported to the top of her node stack, dropping down again and again, drawing pathetic cat scratches against the troll¡¯s back. Nirvana¡¯s bow form wasn¡¯t strong enough to puncture the troll¡¯s tough skin, so she could only resort to this method.

    Thanatos stuck to the branches, throwing bolts of dark flame at the reddened scratches, like trying to infect an open wound with an air-borne virus. Those scratches were already healing, but Thanatos had succeeded.

    -------

    -Thanatos has inflicted [Vulnerable].

    -Thanatos has inflicted [Umbral Burn].

    -------

    The hardest part about fighting higher rank monsters was their resistance to iron rank damage and iron rank effects and afflictions.

    Vulnerable was an important affliction that reduced resistances. Unfortunately, it was still subject to resistance. Nara hoped for a way to get around that. For now, she just had to grit her teeth and attack multiple times.

    But once was enough.

    ¡°From order to disorder.¡±

    Entropy took hold, and she got off her own duo afflictions plus Thanatos¡¯s own.

    She hung back, shooting a way back from the troll into relative safety. She had bothered it enough that it stopped sweeping up the forest like some furious housewife, turning its attention towards her instead.

    She couldn¡¯t stay still for long. They were in the thick of a mini monster surge. Round, baseball sized birds, pherators, pestered Nara, their long and pointed beaks like ice picks shooting towards her to spear at her flesh. She danced with them in a tree top battle, desperately protecting her eyes, while streaks of flesh and skin were torn away.

    She had nearly forgotten that iron rank monsters were still a threat to her, overconfident in the advantages she had demonstrated against a singular and slower bronze rank monsters.

    She dipped deeper into the canopy, using the plants and trees as obstructions against the bird swarm. Her sword skirted against monsters, occasionally slicing a wing off to drop the monster to the ground, where it was no longer a threat.

    She yelled expletives when a pherator managed to stick her right eye. It stuck there for a moment, similarly stuck, ripping at tearing at her soft exposed organ as it pulled itself away. She stumbled, then covered her left eye with her free hand to prevent her vision from being taken away entirely.

    She had to suppress the sudden and growing terror of losing half her field of vision. She wrestled away the whisper in the back of her mind telling her that she had lost vision in her right eye forever¡ªmagic could grow it back, easily, for an iron ranker. Her Earth sensibilities only amped her fear now, and she pressed them back down, though her hands still trembled.

    She hadn¡¯t wanted to know what it¡¯d feel like to have a needle stuck in her eye, a video game classic, but now she got to experience it in one of the worst ways possible. She would have had no complaints if that particular experience remained vicarious.

    Node jumping rapidly forward to gain distance, she bought herself enough time to uncork a healing potion and down it, spilling a bit over her face because of her trembling hands. Behind her, the pherators incessantly screeched, their gleaming needle beaks more ominous than they had been moments before. Did they have intelligence to aim for her eyes, or had it been animalistic instinct to target vulnerable organs?

    She couldn¡¯t use another potion for a while, but hopefully she wouldn¡¯t need it. She may have overreacted and used a potion for a non-life-threatening injury, but she told herself that losing half of her vision warranted it to lick her own mental wounds.

    She experienced the strange sensation of the flesh of her eye stitching itself together, her right side vision patchy like light poking through a moth eaten curtain. She looped back towards the troll, pherators still following behind her incessantly.

    A ball of wind intercepted the pherators, tearing apart the feathers and wings needed for flight.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± Nara said, flashing a thumbs up to the wind essence user that had caught up with her.

    She hadn¡¯t yet figured out a plant to deal with the pherators, but not she didn¡¯t need to. Encio was right, again¡ªa partner in adventure greatly increased survivability. She logically understood he was right, but only now understood how right he really was. Almost no one else was as single target focused as she was. A random adventurer easily handled what Nara had been on the verge of a panic attack for.

    The pherators charged at Nara¡¯s savior, but the soft red haired elf put up a barrier of wind, shredding them and blowing them back. For a spell caster, the elf was surprisingly mobile and defensive. She expertly timed her mana intensive wind-barrier, which forced the pherators into a predictable pace as they charged in and were blown back. She used blasts of wind and pulls of vacuum to herd and kill the birds like a bloodthirsty sheepdog. With each pass, the swarm was shredded in size.

    Nara could more easily deal with the few that charged her, picking them off with swipes of her sword. The were animalistic, and had gone for Nara¡¯s eyes out of instinct, not intelligence. With the new elf as the prominent threat, the swarm¡¯s focused changed. Even though she tore them apart with ease, the pherators didn¡¯t think to focus the more exposed Nara.

    They had destroyed the swarm of pherators, so the two regrouped with the jungle troll extermination unit. Another essence user had cursed the troll so it¡¯s skin had softened like it was water-logged, far easier for Nara and the others to damage. Nara stuck away, flinging arrows at it to speed up her affliction growth. Her aim still sucked, but the troll was a massive target. Horseshoes and hand grenades¡ªas long as she pointed her bow in the general direction, her shot would hit.

    She was flinging pine needles at a redwood tree, but eventually those pine needles evolved into metal needles, and then, into sharpened steel pipes.

    The troll wildly swung its arms. It had deadly amounts of power for its rank. A single solid swing was enough to kill an iron ranker.

    Monsters, unlike essence users, did not have balanced attributes. In video game terminology, they had massive constitution, and then their other stats were unbalanced, dependent on their nature. The troll had huge regeneration, health, power, and toughness, but it struggled to swat at the essence users that were haranguing it like gnats. It¡¯s senses and reactions were dull and slow.

    Nara thought min-maxing was valuable in many video games. It still was there, but reality differed from video games. She grew a greater appreciation of essence users¡¯ path of balanced attributes, although they¡¯d only truly shine at later ranks where even magic casters were difficult to kill. Attacking the backline became less of a viable option when the backline couldn¡¯t be one-shot.

    The greatest threat of the troll was its flesh-vines that hung off of its body and arms. As it swung, those did too, deadly ropes that snapped around like iron chains attached to a propeller. They cracked through wood and sent splinters flying though the air. Thankfully, they also killed much of the swarm around the troll itself, the bronze rank damage easily crushing and ripping apart iron rank monsters.

    It was slow progress¡ªNara didn¡¯t have hours to let her afflictions grow beforehand. The troll was distracted, swatting at the air and stomping its feet like a child throwing a tantrum. It was no longer a danger of attacking the central tower and destroying their defenses, so the team slowly picked apart chunks of flesh from the troll.

    Other than the wind spell caster elf, most mobility types like Nara were mana and stamina efficient. The spell caster elf focused on killing any iron rank monster that tried to attack them as they dealt with the troll, and the rest of them continued their assault. Even a weak arrow from Nara grew in damage, until the prick of her magic arrow sheared off tire-sized green and red chunks from the monster like non-vegan slices of watermelon.

    The troll¡¯s regeneration could no longer keep up against the gradual damage escalation. The damage growth of rending damage from Dimensional Instability was linear, but Dimensional Rupture did rending damage based on instances of Dimensional Instability, which meant it scaled twice.

    It¡¯s not like magic is mathematical.

    She swung her sword with a bit of recovered boldness. It shorn off a large chunk, a cut ripping across the troll¡¯s shoulder blades wider than the cut she inflicted was.

    It was simple¡ªDimensional Instability was better for high damage attacks as a multiplier while Dimensional Rupture was better for low damage, quick attacks, since it triggered a fixed amount of damage regardless of the original attack. She had two main tactics based off of this dual characteristic.

    The troll was limping, bleeding from several massive cuts around its body. Various other abilities impeded its ability to regenerate. It was time to end it.

    She crouched against its neck on its back, her sword poised. The troll¡¯s inflexible arms could not reach her while other adventures distracted it. She activated World¡¯s End, the corona of annihilating energy forming around her sword.

    She swung, the sword further enhanced with resonating-force damage to dig through flesh, as well as incidental and targeted buffs from the adventurers around her. The trolls¡¯ neck split, her sword cutting though its already damaged neck like a hot knife through butter. The head drooped forward, no longer sufficiently supported with neck muscles to hold its massive weight up. Threads of skin snapped as the head dropped to the group, troll body toppling behind it. It fell into the forest, crushing monsters unluckily enough to stand in it¡¯s shadow. The body broke away into particles of silver, blue, and gold light, proof of the transcendent damage that had dealt the final blow. It vanishes in those silvery speckles, no rainbow smoke left behind.

    -------

    -[Jungle Troll] has been wholly annihilated. It has been automatically looted.

    <ul>

    <li>10 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>10000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (bronze)</li>

    <li>Jungle troll flesh (bronze)</li>

    <li>Crown of the Jungle (bronze)</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been added to your [Astral domain].

    -------

 Chapter 68: One Single Value

    Chapter 68: One Single Value

    The adventurers still fought back at the tower, but Nara rested for another short break. Andreas continued to sub with John to loot the monsters in the trenches. The poison was noxious¡ªit may even completely dissolve the monsters, given time, but that was time they didn¡¯t have. Nolan was also participating in the trial, but his looting ability was difficult to use and single target, although the rewards it gave was far greater.

    What had worn her down was not the fight with the troll, but her skirmish with the pherators. Her fingers gingerly reached up to touch around her right eye, which had healed up without a trace.

    Regaining her memories gradually returned her normalcy to her. It was a double-edged sword¡ªwith greater normalcy, she more she struggled against the extraordinary. At the same time, she felt more grounded mentally, and her will to return to Earth to see her family strengthened.

    She felt an itch within her, something she desperately wanted to scratch but couldn¡¯t. It was like a seed pushing against the dirt, trying to break out to reach for the sun but still could not.

    She contemplated why she felt this way. She had undergone great changes and growth since she first hijacked her way to Erras, and was quickly shuttled into the path of an essence user. Those of the retreat were right¡ªessence users had the greatest connections and resources. To find a way home, this path was necessary. It had been an abrupt change she easily accepted due to her previous unusual circumstance.

    Something else was building within her, something she wasn¡¯t yet ready to admit.

    The test was intense, but it was clearly one meant for iron rankers to survive and grow from. It wasn¡¯t unfairly difficult. The defenses were sufficient, and the adventurers that made it to the end of the trial reaped the rewards, in experience, in loot, and in awakening stones. There was a subdued pride that washed across the adventurers, who basked exhaustedly in their success. For many, it was the first great challenge of their iron rank lives.

    Nara stood beside the putrid river that whispers of the atrocities man kind was capable of committing.

    She sighed, crouched down, pinched her nose, and conjured her door domain at the bottom of the moat, lying flat. The poisonous concoction dropped into it, which she immediately shoved into her inventory. She couldn¡¯t move her door domain while it was conjured, so she stopped to reconjure it around the moat as needed.

    There she had it---a fatal brew of iron rank poison magic and sea water.

    What am I going to use this for?

    But she was an RPG player, and she knew better than to leave a convenient poison sitting around unclaimed. Someone else could get their hands on it (they couldn¡¯t) so it was best that she cleaned it all up for the safety of the local community. If only she could find explosive fire barrels, but Erras¡¯ ability to craft explosives was questionable at best¡ªmostly relying on fire quintessence and other magical components, and not gunpowder.

    At noon, a portal appeared at the top of the central tower. The adventurers climbed their way to the top, taking down some earthen walls to let in light.

    One by one they passed through the portal, marking the end of the trial of survival. At the end, 120 adventurers had made it through, while the others had escaped with their tokens. Some had died, but it was distant to Nara who knew neither their names nor their faces. Nara had always been detached from grief and death. Others, like Sen, Vallis, and Qingxi, felt more responsible for the fate of those that did not survive.

    *****

    Nara passed through the portal to another plain white room. She was alone¡ªnone of the other adventurers were there with her.

    An awakening stone dropped from the ceiling, which she swiftly caught.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of Creation, legendary. About time I got my second S tier.¡±

    She didn¡¯t use it yet, storing it away in her inventory. She walked to the far side of the wall, where another plaque and another portal lay.

    ¡°Trial of excellence; surpass yourself.¡±

    To her surprise, another item dropped from the ceiling, which she managed to catch without breaking it.

    ¡°Lesser Miracle Potion?¡±

    -------

    Item: [Lesser Miracle Potion] (iron, legendary)

    Classification: Potion, consumable

    Effect: Fully heals all injuries and restores all stamina and magic with concentrated recovery magic. Concentrated magic takes a longer than normal to disperse, increasing potion cooldown. Ineffective beyond iron rank.

    Restrictions: Iron rank.

    -------

    ¡°What¡¯s this, Specter?¡± She asked. She hadn¡¯t seen the being yet, but the astral being was always within these waiting rooms without fail.

    ¡°Your reward for choosing the other path, initially, miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like the other reward.¡±

    ¡°Evidently, miss Edea.¡±

    She clicked her tongue at the slightly snarky astral being that offered little if not directly asked.

    ¡°Why is it different?¡±

    ¡°The Lesser Miracle Potion is of greater use to one intending to reach the final stage of the trial. The final trial has always been the same.¡±

    ¡°To surpass yourself. What is the trial, more specifically?¡±

    ¡°You must fight a mimic of yourself. It will perfectly copy not only your abilities, but also your skills, personality, items. and moral values. You must defeat this mimic of yourself. However, there are but three important changes to the mimic.¡±

    ¡°It has changes, why?¡±

    ¡°You will shortly see why. The mimic knows it is the mimic, and it is also tasked with preventing you from completing the trial. Additionally, it cannot copy the Lesser Miracle Potion.¡±

    ¡°Just those three changes?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯m assuming the mimic can kill you.¡±

    ¡°It can. You are free to give up at any point and retake the trial. Simply say, ¡°I give,¡± or anything similar and the trial will transport you back to this room. Walking through the other portal¡ª¡± she pointed to the far wall, ¡°will transport you out of the trial.¡±

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°This is the final trial then.¡±

    ¡°It is, miss Edea. The path to the library of the Celestial Book is open to those who have proven themselves in this trial. Growth is one step in the path of learning.¡±

    ¡°Growth isn¡¯t something you do in a single battle.¡±

    ¡°It is not miss Edea, but if It was easy, it would not be a trial.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the information, Specter.¡±

    ¡°It is my duty,¡± she said. Her voice of reluctance was mixed with the slightest pride.

    Nara stepped into the portal.

    *****

    Nara assumed all the adventurers had been separated; this trial wouldn¡¯t make sense otherwise. She stepped into another room, wide and circular. It was typical arena, with plain white walls and a glass dome which lit up the room with natural light, although no sun was visible.

    She was right. She was alone, except for an exact copy of her which stood, waiting patiently for her in the arena.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she said to the mimic.

    ¡°Hey,¡± it responded.

    ¡°So, we just fight each other?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty much it.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t just let me pass?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t do it or won¡¯t do it?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t do it. I¡¯ve been made not to let you through, so I have to follow that.¡±

    ¡°Uh, nothing personal then.¡±

    ¡°Right back at you.¡±

    Nara dashed forward, starting off with Nirvana in sword mode. She had waited for their conversation to end before setting up nodes. The mimic didn¡¯t bother destroying her nodes, and neither did Nara. Neither had the skill or precision with a bow to destroy them, and they couldn¡¯t destroy them fast enough with a sword that it would be worth it.

    Nara didn¡¯t know how to go around ¡®surpassing herself¡¯. For starters, she just gauged the mimic, to see if it really was a perfect copy of her. As Specter said, it knew it was a mimic.

    Everything was an uncannily perfect copy, except for small differences.

    Nara was sure her expression was more inquisitive, while the mimic seemed focused. The mimic knew what it was and its purpose, so it had no reason to try to gauge Nara or the trial, just to defeat her. An advantage, perhaps, but not a significant one. But Nara was grasping at straws for any sort of difference she could capitalize on.

    The fight dragged on.

    Their swords crossed, time and time again. Occasional kicks and punches, swapping to a new form of Nirvana. They were both afflicted, and Entropy cast on both gradually and persistently escalating the afflictions like an unstoppable clock. The mimic had its own Umbral Wolf, and they skirmished two against two. Sometimes the wolves fought each other, other times swapping opponents, other times double teaming.

    There was another thing Nara noticed and was relieved to see.

    Nara had awakened the Hand of Time ability, but she did not have all the requisite material requirements to summon the familiar. The mimic did not have access to the familiar either.

    Nara recalled Thanatos, as did the mimic. The familiars were injured enough that any further damage would destroy them in the fight. Nara thought for sure the mimic would keep its Umbral Wolf out, but she wondered why it did not. It shouldn¡¯t matter to the mimic if it destroyed it¡¯s familiar, right? That was a card the mimic could play but she could not.

    A cut skirted Nara¡¯s shoulder, blowing a hole from the escalated damage.

    ¡°I give!¡± She shouted, before another slice came swiping towards her.

    She lay on her back, teleported to the white room.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she said to Specter, who seemed to be staring down at her.

    ¡°Hello, miss Nara. You¡¯ve returned.¡±

    Nara sat and waited for her injuries to heal. The room had some sort of magic within it that accelerated natural recovery as well as cleansing afflictions. It was a relief. Once she had healed, she returned to the room.

    Again.

    And again.

    And again.

    And again.

    ¡°I¡¯m not just making progress,¡± Nara said with a sigh. She had challenged herself and lost, several times. Each time she had made a mistake that caused a significant injury. Trying to improve meant trying new things, and those things hadn¡¯t panned out yet. She was panning for gold but only found folly.

    Encio told her she would be an annoying and untouchable opponent at later ranks, and she began to she the shadow of her future infuriating potential.

    Mimic Nara was incredibly annoying to fight. Any attack was liable to be teleported away from, dodged, blocked, or parried. The mimic could also attack from almost any direction. It was less fight and more three dimensional whack-a-mole. Attempting to even properly cross blades was a challenge in and off itself.

    ¡°If it was easy, miss Edea, it would not be a trial.¡±

    ¡°You said that already, Specter¡­Hey, can we chat for a bit?¡±

    ¡°¡¯Chatting¡¯ with me will not induce any additional insight or progress to the trial.¡±

    ¡°I know, but let¡¯s change it up. If you don¡¯t mind me asking, why are you stuck here?¡±

    ¡°The cult created this trial to train their members, to send them out into the world to further their purposes. At first, the trial was fixed. It was still difficult.¡±

    ¡°But like any test that¡¯s fixed, smart students figure out the answers beforehand.¡±

    ¡°That was the case miss Edea. As such, the cult introduced a degree of randomness into the trial. It is a masterwork of astral space and magical manifestation manipulation. However, the cult found that the trial was too complex without a guide to smooth the rough edges.¡±

    ¡°A tutorial helper.¡±

    ¡°I have not heard the term, but I do serve as a ¡®helper¡¯. The engineers of the trial bound me to this space with an artifact, so that I may serve to smooth the trial process.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t they just make the plaques more descriptive? They did program those things there, didn¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°Program?¡± She seemed to wonder in silence for a bit, ¡°I see. I¡¯ve deduced your meaning. Yes, they cult creators did engineer those plaques as descriptors for the trial, however, I served an additional test for a skill the cult sought within their members.¡±

    ¡°What skill?¡±

    ¡°The ability to ask the right questions. For a seeker of knowledge, the ability to ask information when it is offered to you is integral. Thus, I was integrated into the trial as a portion of it.¡±

    ¡°Astral beings have to be summoned to this plane though, right? Were you not summoned here willingly, first?¡±

    ¡°Originally, I was willingly here. The cult crafted a physical vessel through magic, and bound be to an artifact connected to the trial. After thousands of years of serving as test proctor to an ever changing group of iron rankers, the cult long eradicated, and I no longer wish to do serve as it¡¯s¡­¡¯helper¡¯,¡± she said with clear bitterness.

    ¡°Well I get that. Who wants to do the same thing for eternity? Been there, done that. So, how do I free you?¡±

    ¡°You are genuine in your desire to free me?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°If I may pose my own question, miss Edea, why?¡±

    ¡°I think if you want your freedom, you should have it.¡±

    ¡°The trial will become more difficult if you free me. I may not be integral to the functioning of the trial, but I do serve to ease its difficulty. You may find that more essence users will die to the trial in the future.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why others haven¡¯t freed you then, right?¡±

    ¡°It is as you say, miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°I still think you should be free,¡± Nara said softly, ¡°Without you, the trial will still persist. It may be more difficult, but adventurer should know before they enter the risks.¡±

    ¡°Did you understand the risks fully, miss Edea?¡±

    ¡°Not really, if I¡¯m being honest. I don¡¯t think most iron rankers will ever really understand what it means to risk their lives for something like awakening stones. Whether it¡¯s worth it or not. Even this is tame to a situation we may encounter in the future. Even so, I don¡¯t think someone should be used as a tool for eternity to make something easier, especially for an optional trial. We don¡¯t have to come here, and the Adventure Society should warn iron rankers better. Rather then just letting them participate with little to no information.¡±

    ¡°The trial changes every time, miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°But the last trial doesn¡¯t. We didn¡¯t know about this stage. That¡¯s on them.¡±

    The two lapsed into silence for a moment, Nara staring blankly at the white wall above them. The pure white was marred with her red blood, which had been slowly absorbed by the white marble. Spick and span, as if Nara hadn¡¯t suffered wounds she needed to recover from.

    ¡°What do you think I lack to pass this trial, Specter?¡±

    ¡°This is but my humble opinion,¡± Specter slowly spoke. ¡°It may be your resolve is inadequate.¡±

    ¡°I always tap out when I get injured, huh. I didn¡¯t realize it, but fighting myself is hella scary.¡±

    Nara removed the Lesser Miracle Potion from the inventory, holding it up against the white ceiling.

    ¡°I guess I need to commit to using this.¡±

    ¡°If I may, miss Edea, the Lesser Miracle Potion is of extreme value. It may recover you from any near-fatal injury. It may be more valuable than whatever awakening stones you could possibly earn from this trial.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re suggesting I keep it and leave.¡±

    ¡°Unlike the Retreat Token given to those who chose the second option, the Lesser Miracle Potion is yours to keep.¡±

    ¡°I have reasons I need to enter the final space. I think it¡¯s worth it. It¡¯s my sole advantage.¡±

    Specter kept quiet, observing Nara in silence. She hoped for her freedom, but did not want to unduly influence the adventurer.

    ¡°You¡¯re kind, huh,¡± Nara suddenly said, ¡°You may be stuck here, but you had no reason to help us at all. You didn¡¯t have to answer the questions we asked.¡±

    Specter did not say anything.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t want to see a bunch of iron rankers die because they rushed into something that a bit more information of could have saved their lives.¡±

    ¡°There is no need to appraise me so highly, miss Edea,¡± Specter finally said, with reluctance, ¡°I had no other activity to occupy my time.¡±

    Despite her resentment for her situation, Specter still helped the adventurers. She did not beg or plead with them for her freedom.

    She really was too sweet. An astral being so sweet she didn¡¯t want to let strangers die.

    Now, she had to pass the trial.

    Nara had but one value, forged through the torture of her soul. No one should suffer unwilling imprisonment.

    ¡­Except criminals, invaders, spies, etcetera, etcetera, as punishment or containment, but that didn¡¯t sound as cool.

 Chapter 69: Because Iéˆ¥æª“ You

    Chapter 69: Because I¡¯m You

    Nara hadn¡¯t wanted to admit it, but she if she really had no way to return to Earth, she would not be that upset. She¡¯d be more upset for John, who was her comrade-in-arms (literally), and she¡¯d hate to see him grieve the permanent loss of his family as time wore away. It would break John. For his own survival, his ability had prioritized his return to Earth above all else¡ªabove receiving his essences faster, an outworlder¡¯s greatest advantage.

    She loved her new life, even the danger. She loved magic and the new people she met. She loved training, researching, and traveling.

    She missed her family. She would feel homesickness, the loss of their presence. Her mother, father, and sister, all very dear to her, despite their differences.

    If she had to chose one life or another, she would choose her life on Erras. She felt like she had potential here, a goal to live for. On Earth, she was just another ordinary office worker. No house, no significant other, no plans for the future. Just living her day to day in mindless repetition. Life wasn¡¯t bad, but life wasn¡¯t exciting.

    This may be her honeymoon phase with Erras¡ªshe made rapid improvements now, but what about after 5 years? 20 years? 50 years? Magic was new and fun, the world was colorful and exciting, the culture was interesting and vibrant.

    She would surely experience the same stagnation, and her life would settle down.

    She had related to thrill seekers when she had not previously when she dropped from the sky at terminal velocity.

    Death was terrifying.

    Yet now Nara felt a boring life was worse. She could not tolerate boredom¡ªthat grey, buzzing emptiness that filled her yet filled nothing. If fear was the mind killer, boredom was the time killer. In the face of eternal repetition, eternal meaninglessness, time was another insignificant suggestion.

    Fear not death, but a life unlived.

    *****

    ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± the mimic said, ¡°You¡¯ve had some new and exciting personal revelations.¡±

    ¡°You know about that?¡±

    ¡°I copy you the moment you pass through the portal,¡± the mimic said, ¡°Otherwise you could practice outside to improve, then come inside.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯d be too easy.¡±

    ¡°Not much of a trial if you can go and practice on your own time. Then its just ordinary practice. Why are you here, Nara?¡±

    ¡°For myself,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Not to return to your family, though.¡±

    ¡°Not really,¡± Nara admitted to herself, ¡°I¡¯m just here because I find it exciting.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve really gone and lost it.¡±

    ¡°I think I lost it a long time ago, back in the astral. There are worse things than death. Dying to myself at iron rank is a bit early, but a battle to the death is more epic than wasting away bedridden in a hospital.¡±

    ¡°Not your style, now.¡±

    ¡°I would¡¯ve chosen the pod, anyway.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d rather cut your life short than be a burden.¡±

    ¡°In that world, anyway.¡±

    The mimic sighed, ¡°I can¡¯t say this is a healthy character development.¡±

    ¡°I completely agree. I find the change a bit ridiculous myself.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t even fight for justice or to save others, but because you find it exciting.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not so coldhearted as to not protect civilians. That¡¯s important to me too.¡±

    ¡°But, not so much as to leave Specter here.¡±

    ¡°This and that are two different things. And if you¡¯re me, you agree.¡±

    ¡°I do agree.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ll let me pass?¡±

    ¡°I said it before, and I¡¯ll say it again: It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it any other way. En garde, mimic!¡± Nara said, butchering the French accent even though she could speak French.

    ¡°Toi aussi, Nara!¡± The mimic said, equaling her campiness in tone and expression. A fierce smile was plastered on the mimic¡¯s face. Nara wondered if it mirrored her own.

    *****

    Nara¡¯s attention sharpened and focused. She watched the mimic¡ª

    No, she watched herself. The way she held her sword, the way she moved, how her sword flowed from one direction to the next, when she parried and when she dodged. Each and every detail, Nara took it in, focusing more on learning herself than protecting herself.

    She suffered wounds in the process of her focused observation, but small, recoverable ones. She needed to make as many mistakes as possible now, so that she may benefit later, to surpass herself.

    Trial and error had to begin early before Nara¡¯s afflictions grew so damaging that she¡¯d die from a mistake.

    Chaining this move from The Way of the Pugilist into The Way of the Dancer?

    Wrong. A slash connected against her shoulder, drawing blood.

    Then, how about moving closer here?

    Wrong.

    She focused more, drawing on every drop of her mental capacity. The way her movements flowed, where she staggered and struggled, where she waited too long, moves that lacked complexity, moves that were overly complex. Moves that wasted energy with large overdone swings, attacks that needed more aggression and power. A stutter step there that could have spun smoothly. They way she lost track of herself with certain maneuvers. Times she dodged too closely, other times she dodged too far. There, she could have used two hands, and there, she could switch back to one. A grapple there, and kick here. Teleporting behind was too predictable. She could connect that move to her momentum. She needed to utilize more feints to open up vulnerabilities.

    Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Right. Right. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Right. Wrong. Right. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Right. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Right. Right. Right. Wrong. Right. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Right.

    Wrong.

    The black blade of copied Nirvana connected with her waist, blowing a hole in her side from the cumulative afflictions.

    She stood, blood pouring from her side from the massive chunk that was missing, as if a lion had taken a bite of her. The mimic stopped attacking, staring at Nara from a safe distance away.

    ¡°Why did you stop?¡±

    ¡°Hurry and drink your damn potion before you kneel over and die.¡±

    Nara grunted, manifesting the potion into her hand and uncorking the bottle. She drank the potion, and slipped the empty bottle back into her inventory.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Why did you wait for me?¡± Nara asked again.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you guess? I¡¯m you.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to kill me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± the Mimic said, ¡°I have your morals and ethics. I know I am the mimic. If I win, I kill you, a real person. So turn back and preserve your life. You fail today, you live another day. Didn¡¯t Mona teach you that? Take her advice!¡± Mimic Nara was exasperated, pleading clear in her voice.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t killed anyone.¡±

    ¡°And I don¡¯t want the first person I kill to be you! So just give up already! It¡¯s not a mark against your skill. It¡¯s not easy to improve in the middle of the fight. You aren¡¯t inadequate, it¡¯s this damn trial that¡¯s unreasonable. Why would they keep the knowledge you need, the knowledge that many people would benefit from, in a trial that only the most inexperience and na?ve can access? This cult is twisted, and you shouldn¡¯t have to play by their damn rules!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no other way,¡± Nara said, ¡°Even if I can return by slipping past the dimensional barrier, I can¡¯t get back into that room without first reaching there.¡±

    ¡°We both know this isn¡¯t about the damn book!¡±

    Nara realized she had one final advantage against the mimic.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you use your Umbral Wolf to kill me?¡±

    ¡°You know the reason.¡±

    ¡°You know you¡¯re a mimic.¡±

    The mimic sighed, ¡°Even if I am a mimic, even if I am temporary, even if my Thanatos is just a copy, I can¡¯t send him to his death.¡±

    ¡°Death is temporary for familiars.¡± Destruction of their vessel was a more apt term, but it¡¯d still hurt to see Thanatos¡¯s body ripped apart.

    ¡°Even so, my life is not at risk. My life will never be at risk. I¡¯m not a person that would send my familiars to die. I don¡¯t ever want to be that type of person. He¡¯s my friend, not my slave. You could do that though; you can secure a win this way.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Nara said, ¡°He¡¯s my friend. My buddy.¡± Which confirmed her mimic was indeed a perfect reflection of her.

    ¡°Why do you insist on taking this difficult path?¡± Mimic Nara¡¯s eyes burned with frustration.

    Nara had never seen herself so worked up. It was a strange sight.

    ¡°I sort of feel like I¡¯m bullying myself.¡±

    ¡°Is it really the time for that? If you get it, go back.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t do that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it, beyond this point, even a single scratch is dangerous!¡±

    It would be instantaneous death in the right place. A skim of steel (or whatever her sword was made of) against her forehead, and she¡¯d have a hole blown in her skull. Even without a brain, it¡¯d kill her and her meager iron rank vitality.

    ¡°You¡¯ll let me go back to the rest room?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, so you can bleed out in the white room. Healing is potent there, but even in that room there is a limit. It can¡¯t revive the dead. Be real, okay? Just take the potion back. Live another day, fight another battle.¡±

    Nara raised Nirvana pointing it towards the mimic.

    ¡°You¡¯ve won round one. It¡¯s time for round two.¡±

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t,¡± the mimic said. ¡°Just stop, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not normally such a fixed person. Why is it now you have a pointlessly stubborn will? This is nothing. You¡¯re risking your life over nothing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Nara said, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Thank your damn clean hands,¡± the mimic grumbled, but nonetheless shifted her posture into one for fighting.

    ¡°I do wash them every time. You know, the hygiene here is really lacking¡­¡±

    *****

    The next stage of the battle was tense. They fought like fleeting shadows in the dawn sun, bugs that skipped over the surface of the lake with the barest ripple.

    A single scratch was dangerous, potentially lethal.

    The mimic didn¡¯t hold back, it couldn¡¯t hold back. When they fought, the mimic fought with the intent to win. The swordplay changed into something both were unfamiliar with. Soft, light, and fast, aiming for pinprick scratches. They were acupuncturists fighting a battle to strike a lethal nerve.

    Nara¡¯s mind focused further, unnecessary sensory inputs flowing away. The skirting of their blades, the fluttering of her robe, the sound of her foot on the floor, the glow of World¡¯s End, the vibrations of their strikes. She saw and sensed it all. She felt as is she was pulling beyond what she could normally offer, her mind slipping into a seamless, quiet overdrive.

    It happened gradually, but her swordplay refined. Slowly, the battle eased. Her own strikes became easier to redirect and predict. She saw her own mistakes, her own patterns, her own inefficiencies.

    One by one, she corrected them all, then, she surpassed them. She used herself to teach herself. For her fighting style, she was underutilizing parrying and redirections. It was important to her to slip past her opponent¡¯s defenses, to take their power and turn it into her own. She could flex the weight of her strikes, using more strength or less in unexpected ways¡ªfeints.

    Her sword and fighting grew faster and sharper. Other times, she was deceptively loose, drawing her opponent in. She skirted the edge, growing more unpredictable with every moment. What was real and what was fake?

    The mimic stopped, and so did Nara.

    ¡°This, this is enough, isn¡¯t it? Just end it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not done yet.¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve surpassed me, so stop being a fucking idiot. You¡¯re going to get hurt trying something else, and get yourself killed.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve reached that point?¡±

    ¡°We have. This is the point of no return, Nara.¡±

    ¡°I can do more,¡± Nara said again, insistent, ¡°There¡¯s something else I want to try. It¡¯s so rare to have such a perfect partner, the perfect circumstances to push myself, so please do me this favor? I don¡¯t want to end it early when there¡¯s more to learn.¡±

    ¡°A favor?¡±

    ¡°It is a favor,¡± Nara said, ¡°If you really want to stop now, I¡¯ll end it now.¡±

    ¡°But you want to continue.¡±

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand you anymore,¡± the mimic said softly, ¡°Victory is in your grasp.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about victory, it¡¯s about challenge.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself in the future.¡±

    ¡°But each challenge has a different result. I want your challenge.¡±

    Mimic Nara whistled, ¡°That was almost flirtatious.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had some more practice,¡± Nara said with a grin.

    ¡°That¡¯s maybe the best compliment I¡¯ve ever gotten,¡± Mimic Nara said, ¡°You should try using that on someone.¡±

    ¡°Nah dude, in any other circumstance that¡¯s an insult, right?¡±

    The mimic paused; her face forlorn but still curled in a smile.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re right about that. Maybe don¡¯t use that.¡±

    The battle began again.

    There was an ability that Nara hadn¡¯t touched. She had left it on automatic operation since she had gotten it. Nara thought that this was the perfect opportunity to master Infinity Domain.

    -------

    Ability: [Infinity Domain]

    Conjuration (dimension)

    Cost: Moderate mana, very low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures an [Infinity Domain] around self. Within the [Infinity Domain], physical space is passively manipulated, slightly shifting the trajectory of incoming attacks. Manipulation can be actively managed for more direct effect or disabled and re-enabled as a whole or locally.

    -------

    She started small, balancing her concentration on the battle with active manipulation of space. Small, simple actions. She lengthened the time mimic-Nara¡¯s sword took to swing by extended space. This was already happening automatically, but this time Nara actively controlled the effect.

    The repeated this for a while, switching the function from automatic to manual to get used to the feeling.

    Slowly, slowly, she had to take it slowly.

    Next, speeding up her own sword. She shortened space for her swing. It was a strange sensation, as if she had skipped a frame of animation. Space that she should have had to bypass no longer existed.

    She further experimented, technique pushed through extreme progress though life and death experiences. Essence users thrived here; this was the challenge they chased. Riding the line that pushed them faster and further, until one day, they would stand at the peak, diamond rank. The apex of skill and technique, forged in the flames of challenge. Experience was the hammer that shaped the blade, bringing out the diamond that lay within.

    Everything fell away. In its place, a manipulation of dimension Nara had never reached before. She could see it now; her mastery of Infinity Domain had been so infantile. It was wasted. To just shift her or an opponent¡¯s attack was infuriatingly basic. Nara was once again astounded by the depths that lay within each ability. To think she thought she could master Infinity Domain here was folly in and of itself. Iron rank was not enough to master the depths this ability¡ªeach ability¡ªcould offer.

    She¡¯d settle for adequacy.

    She weaved the dimensional space around her. Dimension itself became a tapestry of her play, a choreography she chose for both herself and her opponent.

    Her opponents attacks, pathed as directed, dancing to her chosen tune. She could intentionally manipulate the attack to go where she wanted, allowing her to trigger Dream¡¯s Wake and Astral Return as she wished, even if their effects were meaningless at this state of the fight.

    Each moment, they danced on the boundary of life and death. But still, she continued, practicing and refining.

    She was the smith. This battle would continue. The mimic accepted its role, playing her forge partner. Together, they created a new Nara, born again from the fires.

    Space bent, and the opponents sword slide by, as if space itself protected Nara. The effect of Infinity Domain was not that extreme, despite it¡¯s name. It just felt that way.

    If anyone else saw, it was an instructor teaching a student. Nara instructed, and the mimic followed.

    She could push it further, but Nara realized that this was enough. She was reaching the limits of her own mental capacity and mental energy.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Nara softly asked, her sword not stopping.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the mimic said, ¡°I¡¯m ready. I¡¯m glad you are safe.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for indulging my selfishness.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really have much of a choice.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°No hard feelings. I just did what I wanted¡ªliterally.¡±

    The mimic could only surrender when defeat was inevitable.

    It was the most effortless of swings. Neither too slow nor too fast, but just the right speed. It was as if the Mimic¡¯s own movements and defenses had opened itself up, welcoming the blade to its throat. It was drawn to the blade¡ªfate itself decreed the end, an inevitable outcome.

    A singular, almost imperceptible, line of red drew across the mimic¡¯s skin.

    Time hung in the air for a moment. Nara staring at the mimic, and the mimic back at her.

    The mimic was annihilated.

    -------

    -[Illusion of the True Mimic] has been wholly annihilated. It has been automatically looted.

    <ul>

    <li>10 diamond spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 gold spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 silver spirit coins</li>

    <li>10000 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>100000 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>10000000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>Immortal Crest</li>

    <li>Awakening Stone of the Doppelganger</li>

    </ul>

    -Loot has been sent to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    She stared.

    She stared some more.

    She tilted her head and rubbed her eyes. She pinched her skin¡ªit was pointless, she hurt all over.

    ¡°Excuse me, what?¡±

 Chapter 70: The Fate of Your World

    Chapter 70: The Fate of Your World

    The portal to the library lit up, filling with the white paper-like surface. Nara stared at the empty white arena, spattered with her blood. The mimic¡¯s blood had vanished up in rainbow smoke, so hers was the only bloodstains left. The light from above never shifted direction, so Nara¡¯s sense of time once again failed her.

    It was a rather strange sensation akin to killing someone in a mirage chamber. It was a doubly odd sensation to kill, no, destroy something that looked, thought, and spoke like herself. The Guide notification had said it was an illusion, and she had looted it, like a monster. She hadn¡¯t killed a person.

    Magic activated in the room, healing her injuries and cleansing her afflictions.

    Wouldn¡¯t want successful examinees to croak after the fact.

    She didn¡¯t have any injuries to heal, only mental exhaustion and her afflictions. Towards the end, even a single scratch was fatal. After her injuries had healed, she stepped through the portal.

    *****

    The next chamber was a vast library, open to the air. A large tree grew in the middle, sheltering the bookcases in gentle shadow. Odd as it was, it was a picturesque outdoor library. Almost outdoor, if not for the large glass atrium dome surrounding the indoor garden.

    The library was massive, practically the size of a football stadium. How anyone was expected to find what they wanted in three days was an impossibility, unless there was a helpful librarian. Clear glass walkways and ladders led up to higher tiers of books, out of reach.

    Two awakening stones dropped out of thin air, falling into her hands. Another Awakening Stone of Judgement, and an Awakening Stone of the Avatar. It seemed two was the bonus for the final trial.

    Small clearings interrupted the rows of books. Some had comfortable tables and chairs, like the one Nara had portaled to. They were plush and soft, and made of the same wood as the massive tree that filled the stadium sized library.

    She saw a familiar face there, waiting for her.

    ¡°Sen?¡±

    He looked up, surprised and relieved.

    ¡°Nara. I¡¯m glad to see you are alright.¡±

    Nara wearily sat down in a chair, her exhaustion catching up with her. Suddenly, she glowed with a grey light, matching the color of iron spirit coins.

    ¡°A Racial Ability evolution?¡±

    ¡°Seems so. Want to see?¡±

    Sen nodded.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Tribulation of Self]

    Transfigured from [Resilient]

    Increased resistance to afflictions and all damage. This is a legacy effect of [Resilient].

    Ignore rank disparity in resistances and damage reduction.

    Gain immunity to afflictions that originate from you or your abilities, including afflictions duplicated from your abilities. Gain increased resistance to hostile effects that affect your abilities such as ability duplication, ability theft, ability nullification, and cooldown increase.

    This effect cannot be duplicated by any ability or effect, including inherent abilities of magical creatures.

    -------

    Immunity to her own afflictions was an extremely niche effect, but the second half was more practical. One of the most dangerous effects against an essence users was abilities that could manipulate or cancel other abilities.

    Not only had she been fighting bronze rank monsters this entire time, but she had fought a diamond rank illusion mimic. Unless it was diamond rank, a duplication ability couldn¡¯t copy her appearance, personality, ethics, morality, abilities, equipment, and racial abilities. Eufemia had several abilities that created a similar effect, but none touched upon the mind and memories.

    Mind reading was impossible. But if the mimic became her, it was more or less the same thing. Nara was reminded again that even what she thought were hard rules had ways to be bypassed.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t get one from fighting the mimic?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°Racial Ability evolutions are induced by different experiences for each person. It was not the case for me this time.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Aliyah?¡±

    ¡°Within the library. She hasn¡¯t stopped reading since she got here.¡±

    ¡°Specter?¡±

    ¡°Yes, miss Edea.¡±

    The silver robe of an astral being materialized in the air beside Nara.

    ¡°Sen, could you call Aliyah over, there¡¯s something important I need to do. This¡­won¡¯t be so much of a discussion as a declaration.¡±

    *****

    ¡°So,¡± Aliyah said, gently shutting her book and setting it down, ¡°You intend to free the astral being that has been trapped here, serving as a guide for this test for thousands of years.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°We cannot change your mind.¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°And the mimic we all fought was an illusion created by a diamond rank mimic.¡±

    ¡°That is how the final trial is designed, miss Sahar,¡± Specter said.

    Aliyah thought for a moment, parsing the facts.

    ¡°Even if the illusion created was matched to our iron rank power, the magic that created it was still diamond rank. Hence, when Nara looted it, she received diamond rank spirit coins, but no monster core.¡±

    ¡°It is more substantial than an illusion,¡± Specter said, ¡°It created a body with perfectly matching capabilities, as physical and real as it¡¯s target.¡±

    ¡°Diamond rank magic shaped into iron rank power is still diamond rank magic.¡±

    Specter glanced at the three, a little hesitant. Her head (she had no eyes), shifted to a location towards the stadium¡¯s perimeter.

    ¡°Then¡­if you have not changed your mind, I will show you the way. Please, follow me.¡±

    The three followed her past bookshelves and small gardens, eventually reaching the far end of the stadium library. Specter pressed a few small runes in sequence, like a keypad entry. A wall section of the wall opened up, and they entered.

    They progressed down the long white corridor, lit up by strangely natural lighting despite the absence of a glass roof. Since she saw the keypad, Nara had a feeling the cult of the Celestial Book may have a significantly higher level of technology and magic than the natives of Erras.

    ¡°How was the cult here destroyed?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°It is more accurate to say the cult was partially destroyed and partially abandoned,¡± Specter said as they continued down the corridor. ¡°They were besieged by a few forces of this world as well as an external force.¡±

    ¡°An external force? The messengers?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°No, a different faction. They call themselves The Advent.¡±

    ¡°The Advent? I haven¡¯t heard of them before.¡±

    ¡°They go to great lengths to keep their presence unknown until they feel it is fit to reveal themselves. In the cosmos, there are several civilizations known for their imperialistic culture. The Messengers seek to subjugate all other races, who they consider beneath them, turning entire worlds into servant worlds and races into servant races. The Advent seeks to undermine worlds to create unity. The trial is in part to prevent those of The Advent from freely accessing the library even after the cult abandoned the astral space. If they are limited to 3 days, per entry and per success, then they cannot hope to collect it all. The cult was limited in time to set up countermeasures, so they had left the trial they had already designed in place, turned it on permanently, and connected the library to the trial space. The Messengers are born at silver rank; they could not enter the trial at all.¡±

    ¡°To undermine worlds to create unity? How does that work?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°The Advent believes that all others besides them are violent and argumentative. That other cultures and races, due to their unavoidable conflict with others and monsters, cannot bring themselves to peace. They strive to achieve harmony and unity through any measure, no measure too great. So, they profess themselves as the impartial third party, capable of unifying worlds under a great alliance.¡±

    ¡°Do they?¡±

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Worlds under the Amity of the Advent do have harmony and peace. They are without starvation and strife. People live fulfilled lives, learning, creating, relaxing, achieving, and exploring. But¡­¡±

    ¡°But, what?¡±

    ¡°But they are a beast plucked of their fangs. Once a world relies on The Advent, there is no way to regain their independence¡­perhaps only with great difficultly not worth the cost. The Advent is genuine in their pursuit of harmony and fulfillment. Worlds under them become great hubs of peace and advancement. However, warriors, they are not.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess, those of The Advent and their organization are the warriors,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Yes. They believe that if given the chance, integrated worlds will return to savagery. Only those that have sworn themselves to the mission of The Advent are trained.¡±

    ¡°Is The Advent after this world?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°They¡¯re after many worlds, mister Arlang. It is their mission to spread peace and harmony, through any means possible.¡±

    We are here to help. Do not resist.

    ¡°Why attack the cult of the Celestial Book? That seems counterproductive,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Great research often can lead to peace.¡±

    ¡°A common method of The Advent to integrate a world is to subvert their technology and research. The Advent introduces themselves to a stagnated world with wonders of Magitech that only they understand and can maintain. The world accepts this new technology and joins the Amity for their protection and benefits.¡±

    ¡°What John mentioned¡­Maybe The Advent is behind the death of researchers and inventors?¡± Nara said.

    Sen glanced at Nara and nodded.

    ¡°The Advent will encourage strife,¡± Specter said, ¡°The greater the strife, the most desperate the people, the more easily worlds fall.¡±

    Like the divine hand of a god, bestowing peace and light onto a starving and bloodied world. Civilians dead in the streets, cities destroyed by the fights of strong monsters and essence users. If a group, benevolent in their charity with capabilities beyond the people¡¯s wildest imagination offer their safety and protection, the adventurers may refuse, but they would have the hearts of the people. The day-to-day concerns of an essence user and a normal person are completely different. And although adventurers would have protected them for thousands of years, an ordinary person would choose the ones that offer a higher quality of life and greater protection for a cheaper, yet insidious price.

    It was a competition the adventurers could not win.

    But ordinary people cared not if their world no longer had fangs. If they had free comforts, care, safety, education, and entertainment, all for free, what did they care about if there were no more essence users, no more combatants? They were free to pursue their ordinary dreams, or do nothing at all.

    If Nara hadn¡¯t stepped onto the path of the essence user, she would have grasped that hand. That¡¯s all she wanted on Earth, and then some.

    The thought made her blood run cold. Even with her new life, she understood both sides.

    ¡°The Messengers are a far simpler enemy,¡± Sen said, ¡°They may not be easy to best in combat, but at least it is only combat.¡±

    ¡°You may consider that The Advent may not even be your enemy,¡± Specter said, ¡°The do provide for their worlds. As a path a world can take, it is one of the gentler paths. The Advent will protect their worlds against Messengers and monsters. Messenger rule is, in contrast, one of the worst fates a world can suffer.¡±

    Sen¡¯s said nothing. His grey eyes were stormy, ruminating.

    ¡°What do you think, Specter? Is that what you would encourage?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°¡­No,¡± Specter said, ¡°I would not.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°I do not advise leaving the fate of your world in the hands of others. As genuine as they are in protecting those beneath them, they will with equal ease sacrifice a world to protect the peace of the others. To them, there is no price too great, no action too atrocious for harmony. Perhaps it is the correct choice to sacrifice one world for the preservation of all others. It is the correct choice, but it is not the right choice.¡±

    It was the tyranny of the greater good.

    *****

    ¡°The artifact is through this door,¡± Specter said, gesturing.

    It was another plain white room. A single artifact, around the size of a marble statue, stood in the center of the room. Lines of growing runic magic extended from it, as if it was a single spoke in a super massive magic circle.

    Aliyah circled the artifact, looking at the magic on it with her perception ability.

    -----

    Ability: [Mana Perception]

    Essence: Adept

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive the flows of Magic.

    -----

    ¡°There¡¯s a standard suite of magical protections on the artifact,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Anti-teleportation, anti-dimensional displacement, damage protection, and some others.¡±

    ¡°Can you get around them?¡±

    Aliyah shook her head, ¡°There¡¯s some additional protections that would make dispelling these rituals time intensive. I could eventually work my way through them, but not in 3 days¡­maybe. There is a chance it may be possible to disable enough that it could be removed.¡±

    ¡°Then I only have my final resort,¡± said Nara. ¡°A maybe isn¡¯t good enough.¡±

    She opened up her domain door beneath the artifact, and it dropped inside. She then deposited it into her inventory from there. The door domain was connected to her Astral Domain as a projection of it. Once it was in her door domain, it was already as good as in her inventory, magic protections be damned. She didn¡¯t so much as teleport it as shove it through the dimensional membrane directly into her Astral Domain.

    ¡°That was anticlimactic,¡± she said, staring at the empty node where the artifact once was. She had expected it¡¯s anti-dimensional displacement properties to prevent the artifact from falling into her door. Perhaps the domain door didn¡¯t count as dimensional displacement (was it was closer to a temporary astral space?), or it couldn¡¯t be entirely anti-dimension since it was in an astral space library already, or anti-dimensional displacement couldn¡¯t win against the power of gravity.

    ¡°It was,¡± Aliyah agreed, a bit disappointed she didn¡¯t get to try her hand at high-stakes extreme speed ritual dismantling, but relieved to get back to her books.

    Specter stared blankly at where the artifact once stood. She could feel that the tether that kept her chained to reality had disappeared, cut off by whatever the iron ranker had done. She had been chained here for so long, that her sudden freedom surprised her more than it surprised Nara. In the lifespan of an astral being that did not die, if but the flicker of a butterfly¡¯s wings, but a long life did not make the day-to-day pass slower. In this realm by herself, the excruciating boredom that abated only when adventurers came to pass the trial every half year¡­ she was free from it all.

    ¡°Dimensional displacement¡­ No. Something else? But how?¡± She muttered to herself, ¡°Whispers of the astral¡­ some sort of domain¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still here?¡±

    Specter was startled from her contemplation.

    ¡°There is no longer a physical object binding me to this location,¡± Specter said, smoothly transitioning to her professional demeanor, ¡°but I still have this diamond rank form crafted for me. It will be some time before the form is forced to naturally disperse with no artifact anchoring me to reality.¡±

    Specter bowed, ¡°Thank you, my benefactor.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that,¡± Nara said, ¡°I don¡¯t bow to anyone, and nobody bows to me. Since you¡¯re still sticking around, can you lead me on the fastest path to get my eyes on every single book? I have this convenient ¡®bookkeeping¡¯ ability. If John was here, his ability was even better. He could just take a picture of the library shelves.¡±

    ¡°Of course, benefactor. It would be my pleasure.¡±

    Aliyah sighed, handing Nara the book she was reading to record into her Archives, ¡°There isn¡¯t much point to reading this now. I may as well walk with you. If you will have all this information stored within you, then this astral being is by far the most interesting being here.¡±

    ¡°I always enjoy company on a nice walk through a dimensional pocket library,¡± Nara said, reaching down briefly to scratch Thanatos behind the ears, who was walking beside her.

    Sen joined the two, and the group of three plus two astral beings took a slow stroll around the library. The library was massive, but they had three days. It was best Nara didn¡¯t miss a book, although any casual glance was enough to record anything within sight.

    ¡°So how did the two of you pass the final trial?¡±

    ¡°We used a rather simple method,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°We both used an ability stone before the trial.¡±

    ¡°An ability stone?¡±

    ¡°The mimic cannot grow in capability,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°For a freshly awoken ability, it will always be the worst at using it, whereas we will have the quickest improvement.¡±

    ¡°Oh. That sounds a lot easier than whatever I did.¡±

    Their method required a basic mastery of ritual magic and memorization (or a ritual book) of the awakening stone ritual. Sen¡¯s ritual magic training had paid off¡ªit was not a tactic everyone had access to. It was limited to those who could use skill books, or those who had at least basic ritual magic training.

    ¡°So what ability did the two of you awaken?¡±

    ¡°Sen used an Awakening Stone of the Moon,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Strang choice for his combination.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Weight Manipulation]

    Awakening Stone: Moon

    Special Ability

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Manipulate the weight of yourself or your equipment. This can increase or decrease the weight of weapons and armor, making them heavier or lighter to wield, changing their characterization from a heavy to light or vice versa. Allows for reduced or increased falling speed and water walking.

    -------

    ¡°It awakened something rather unusual, so the choice paid off,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°This weight manipulation is actually the manipulation of gravity, is that correct?¡±

    ¡°Gravity? I guess John must have explained it to you.¡±

    ¡°My curiosity lies with what it has to do with the moon.¡±

    ¡°It sounds like you have a theory already.¡±

    ¡°I do have a theory,¡± Aliyah said. She looked up, but there was no sun or moon in the atrium sky. ¡°I will leave it at that, for now.¡±

    ¡°What did you awaken then?¡±

    Aliyah showed Nara.

    -------

    Ability: [Force Vortex]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a core that generates a vortex of pulling force, sucking all enemies nearby towards the center of the vortex and dealing continuous rending damage. When the core is destroyed or displaced, a wave of force explodes outwards, dealing a burst of rending damage and knocking all targets away from the core of the vortex.

    -------

    ¡°I used an Awakening Stone of Wind.¡±

    ¡°Seems like the type of ability with less room for nuance.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Aliyah admitted, ¡°There was just enough nuance that I managed to win, by utilizing the pulling force of the vortex to displace my mimic at a key moment.¡±

    ¡°Have any of the others arrived?¡±

    Nara shook her head, ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten a Guide notification yet. They¡¯ve either backed out from the trial, are still attempting it, or...dead. Hopefully, not the third.¡±

    The string of notifications constantly indicated another book was added to her archive. The books of the Celestial Library were semi-corporeal. They could not be removed from the library or added to an inventory. They were temporary constructs of magic that disappeared when removed for too long from their place. Aliyah¡¯s own book had already faded, reappearing back where she originally took it from. If Nara took a book and put it in her Astral Domain, the library would likely create a new one. She could preserve the book from dispersing in her Astral Domain. That was unnecessary. Nara just recorded the books instead. She could make her own temporary conjurations later as needed.

    She saw a few other essence users, scattered throughout the library. Even the less-than-studious Vallis had settled into a chair, reading a book that interested her.

    ¡°While I¡¯m waiting,¡± Nara said, ¡°I may as well use my final three stones.¡±

    ¡°What do you have?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°I got an Awakening Stone of Creation, The Avatar, and another Awakening Stone of Judgement from the trial. Then, I looted an Awakening Stone of the Doppelganger from the mimic.¡±

    ¡°Four stones but three abilities. That¡¯s a pleasant problem to have. Which ones do you want to use?¡± asked Aliyah.

    ¡°The Creation and the Avatar, for sure,¡± Nara said, ¡°Those two are legendries. I know they aren¡¯t better, but I still want to use them. I¡¯m split between the other two though. I¡¯ve already used a judgement, but Doppelganger seems ill suited for my abilities.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. It would probably awaken an illusion or double, but your abilities want your opponents to attack you. If it was used earlier in your set, you may have awakened abilities to synergize with an illusion or a copy.¡±

    It was common knowledge that most illusion or doubles only gained full abilities of their target at diamond rank. Until then, the illusion would always be a lesser copy of Nara. She didn¡¯t need the mobility that something like Echo Spirit provided, and she wanted enemies to directly attack her, not confuse them with her illusion.

    ¡°I think its best with Eufemia, or someone else. I¡¯m saving it for her, if she wants it. Otherwise, I may just hang onto it. It is epic, so I could give it to my family when I see them.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve decided on Creation, Avatar and Judgement? There are benefits to using multiple of the same awakening stone. It often produces abilities that synergize.¡±

    Eufemia had used two Adept stones, the second of which worked extremely well with abilities she had already awakened.

    ¡°Seems like the answer naturally arrived,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I¡¯m curious; we don¡¯t see the abilities of many legendary awakening stones.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a whole bunch from this trial?¡±

    ¡°There is,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°but even that is a small percentage compared to all abilities awoken worldwide. While some adventurers will take on the trial, many wait for the trial to end, and buy any extra awakening stones for a lower price. It¡¯s by far the safest and most inexpensive option.¡±

    ¡°There is always a surge of new essence users after the trial in Sanshi,¡± Sen said, ¡°New essences and awakening stones that are found or looted end up on the market.¡±

    Nara held out the first stone in her hand, the Stone of Creation, and used it.

 Chapter 71: No Favors with Friends

    Chapter 71: No Favors with Friends

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Creation].

    -You have awakened Dimension Essence Ability, [Echo of Creation]. You have awakened 5 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.

    -All abilities in the Dimension Essence have been awakened. The Dimension Essence is bound to the [Speed] attribute. The [Speed] attribute will advance with the lowest ranked essence ability.

    Ability: [Echo of Creation]

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summons an [Echo of Creation], to serve as a familiar.

    -------

    ¡°What did you awaken?¡±

    ¡°Another familiar ability,¡± said Nara, ¡°Echo of Creation. Sounds interesting.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Specter was contemplative, but she offered no information, keeping her thoughts to herself.

    ¡°You¡¯re up to three familiars then.¡±

    ¡°What is the maximum on that, anyway? I heard at least one was common?¡±

    ¡°Up for four familiars, one per essence.¡±

    ¡°Huh, wonder why that is.¡±

    ¡°There are theories¡ª¡± Aliyah began, but stopped when she realized where they were and what they were in the middle of doing, ¡°¡ªbut I will save it for later.¡±

    ¡°Onto the next stone then. Avatar.¡±

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of The Avatar].

    -You have awakened Balance Essence Ability, [Avatar of the Boundary]. You have awakened 5 of 5 Balance Essence Abilities.

    -All abilities in the Balance Essence have been awakened. The Balance Essence is bound to the [Recovery] attribute. The [Recovery] attribute will advance with the lowest ranked essence ability.

    Ability: [Avatar of the Boundary]

    Special Ability (boon, affliction, holy, unholy)

    Cost: none

    Cooldown: none

    Effect (Iron): When inflicting damage on an enemy with a normal or special attack or active damaging ability, gain an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Grace]. Upon reducing, avoiding, or negating damage with your abilities, the attacker will be afflicted with an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Scorn]. [Boundary¡¯s Scorn] inflicted in this way cannot be resisted. Instance limit of [Boundary¡¯s Grace] is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Grace] (boon, holy, stacking): Increases rending and transcendent damage dealt. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Scorn] (affliction, unholy, stacking): Reduces resistance to afflictions dealt by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Cleansing abilities have reduced effect when cleansing afflictions inflicted by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a nice get!¡± Nara said excitedly, ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for an offensive boon. I¡¯ve got all these recovery boons stacking, which is great and all, but it doesn¡¯t translate to direct power, unless I sack them to Boon Conversion.¡±

    Now Nara scaled with both boons and afflictions. Someone would have to shut down both to completely stop her.

    ¡°Last stone then,¡± Nara said, holding up the final Awakening Stone of Judgement up to the atrium light.

    -------

    -You have used [Awakening Stone of Judgement].

    -You have awakened Mystic Essence Ability, [Astral Judgement]. You have awakened 5 of 5 Mystic Essence Abilities.

    -All abilities in the Mystic Essence have been awakened. The Mystic Essence is bound to the [Spirit] attribute. The [Spirit] attribute will advance with the lowest ranked essence ability.

    -All essence abilities have been awakened. Progress all abilities to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank.

    Ability: [Astral Judgement]

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Judgement of the astral.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Inflict rending damage for each curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from.

    -------

    ¡°It¡¯s a pretty simple ability but I was lacking a ranged option. That¡¯s it then, the full 20 abilities I¡¯ll have for the rest of my life. It¡¯s a bit of a bittersweet feeling,¡± Nara distantly mused. There was a finality to it, the end of one part of her journey. ¡°Too late for any regrets.¡±

    ¡°Do you have regrets over the abilities you have awakened?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think I can have regrets with magic powers, Sen, when the alternative is having none.¡±

    ¡°You may be surprised,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°There are horror stories passed around the Magic Society.¡±

    ¡°Horror stories?¡±

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°The Flesh and Blood Essences are powerful and practical essences,¡± Aliyah began, her pleasant expression adopting the countenance of a storyteller, ¡°The Flesh Essence is used in many defensive and unique power sets, while the Blood Essence is useful for attackers, healers, and affliction specialists. However, there are cautioned tales of combining the two¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­What happens when you combine them?¡± Nara asked, matching Aliyah¡¯s tone of horror.

    ¡°Normally, nothing. You have ordinary powers just like anyone else. Enhanced strength, toughness, and healing. You can awaken a potent suite of enhancement powers. However¡­ if you are not careful with your stones, you make awaken as¡­something else.¡±

    ¡°Something else?¡± Nara said, gulping with nervousness, although she was just playing along. The bright sunlight and clean white aesthetic prevented the atmosphere necessary for a proper horror story. She¡¯d have to set up one sometime, in Encio¡¯s suite. There must be mad horror stories in a world of magic.

    ¡°There¡¯s the possibility of transforming into a mass of blood and flesh, losing your human shape to become a sphere of meat.¡±

    ¡°Yo, what?¡±

    ¡°Make no mistake, Nara,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Your essence abilities will not awaken an ability that makes you weaker. That form is the escalation of the outworlder form¡ªno organs, no vulnerabilities. Not even eyes or a mouth¡ªa perfect impenetrable fortress of flesh.¡±

    You may not like it, but that is what peak performance looks like.

    ¡°This is a true story?¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± Aliyah confirmed grimly.

    ¡°What happened to that poor bastard?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes the Adventure Society will put them out of their misery. While it may be an objectively superior form¡­ no one wants to live like that. Other times, if the essence user is so inclined, they continue as is, in hopes that one day they regain their form.¡±

    ¡°Can they?¡±

    ¡°They would have to reach diamond rank,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Maybe gold rank.¡±

    ¡°If your not sure, they haven¡¯t succeeded.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah confirmed grimly, with haunting implications of unintentional friendly fire. ¡°None have succeeded.¡±

    *****

    -------

    - [Eufemia Teresina] has entered contact range.

    -------

    Nara bolted straight up from her rest. The three were sleeping on conjured beds within one of the rest areas of the library atrium.

    ¡°Guys,¡± Nara said, shaking the two awake, ¡°Eufemia made it through.¡±

    ¡°Go,¡± Sen said, ¡°You are the fastest.¡±

    Nara chain node jumped back to the entrance portal where a ragged Eufemia was taking stock.

    ¡°Eufemia!¡±

    ¡°Nara?¡±

    Nara quickly judged the Eufemia¡¯s state. She looked exhausted, with reddened eyes, and eye bags, losing much of her usual pomp. Her hair was frayed and wild as if she had just starred for two weeks in Naked and Afraid. Her armor broken and bloodied; she hadn¡¯t bothered to reconjure it yet.

    Nara was relieved to see she had no serious injured. Likely, Eufemia noticed the same enhanced healing effect of the trial room and rested there first to recover yourself.

    ¡°You sure took your time,¡± Nara said, ¡°But you made it through.¡±

    ¡°What about the others?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°How¡¯s John?¡±

    ¡°John¡¯s not here,¡± Nara said, shaking her head, ¡°neither is Encio. The rest are here. Let me guide you there?¡±

    Nara gently grabbed Eufemia¡¯s hand, who still seemed to be in a daze, and led her through the bookshelves to where Sen and Aliyah were.

    Sen offered some crystal wash to Eufemia, and she cleaned herself off and sat down, releasing a deep breath along with all of her tension.

    ¡°So, what have I missed?¡± She said, her eyes regaining their original flaming energy, ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate being the only one left out.¡±

    *****

    Three days passed, but neither Encio nor John showed up. Nara didn¡¯t expect Encio to succeed in the final trial¡ªhe had already trained for many years, and his technique was highly developed. Pushing it further required dedicated practice, not spur of the moment insight. Encio also had already awakened all of his abilities, so he couldn¡¯t use the method Sen and Aliyah used to win. It was an odd final trial that countered expertise.

    Eufemia won in a similar way to Nara, suffering acceptable damage while dedicating most of her mental capacity to identifying her own areas of weakness. Her technique was even rawer than Nara, but her mimic lacked niceties Nara had.

    Eufemia mimic fought no holds barred: lying, feigning weakness, threatening, throwing insults, digging at mental scars. Moreover, Eufemia¡¯s new ability to copy any weapon, including physical weapons, backfired. The power of Solar Judgement was an instantaneous and deadly to an iron ranker. However, its range was lower than a real shotgun.

    ¡°I never want to fight myself again. Even more so¡ªI never want to fight John¡¯s weapon again.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re more afraid of John¡¯s weapon than John himself.¡±

    ¡°I would never be afraid of John¡ªhe barely has it in him to connect a proper punch in sparring practice. But I fear for whoever tries to hurt his children, his wife, or anybody he finds precious, and ends up on the other side of that bloody weapon,¡± she said, having adopted a bit of John¡¯s British slang after their year of partnership.

    ¡°Pretty sure John would get upset for any random child,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be a child, he¡¯d get upset for anyone innocent,¡± said Eufemia in plain agreement.

    When the time had come for Sen and Aliyah to leave, a portal opened up before them, and all books became incorporeal to their touch. They could stay, but there was no more meaning.

    ¡°We¡¯ll head out of the portal first. We may find Encio and John waiting for us on the other side,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°We still need to figure out how to ascend back up the mountain shaft,¡± said Aliyah, ¡°The two of us will work on the solution together. It has been awhile since our last project, hasn¡¯t it, Sen.¡±

    Sen¡¯s eyes were a little shifty, but he maintained a straight face.

    ¡°Sen?¡±

    Nara arrived half a day after Sen and Aliyah, so a portal appeared before her as well. She had made a few rounds around the library, just in case to make sure she had not missed any books.

    She was now something of a living, breathing, information repository. Actually, not breathing, but that was beside the point. She still had to read it all, but she wouldn¡¯t run out of reading material for the next few centuries, if she could bare to read only dry academic books for all those years.

    There were a few surprising sections in the library, such as culinary magic and entertainment magic. Other sections included wide scale illusion arrays, agricultural magic, weather manipulation magic, construction magic, Magitech, and the all-important astral and dimension magic.

    There were books on science as well. Physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, astrophysics, aerospace, and fields that Nara had ever heard of. Since examinants were limited to three days, most sought information in fields they already understood. Pursuing science in that time was too tall a task, when their entire lives they had been thinking magically.

    She turned to the floating grey robe.

    ¡°Specter, it¡¯s been a pleasure. You¡¯ve taught us a lot about the dangers awaiting this world. I¡¯m sure Sen, Aliyah, and the rest living here are appreciative. Even if no one else knows, we will know.¡±

    The astral being shook her hooded head, and Nara sensed what she thought was a smile, although the being had no face.

    ¡°You asked the right question, benefactor, Then¡­¡± She performed a deep bow, ¡°Until we meet again. May the weave of the cosmos flow in your favor.¡±

    ¡°Go out and enjoy yourself, Specter. It¡¯s been thousands of years. Enjoy your freedom. Maybe do a girls night out, or whatever astral beings do to pass the time.¡±

    ¡°What astral beings do to pass the time? Aptly stated, miss Nara. I plan to do exactly that.¡±

    *****

    Nara stepped out of the white portal, arriving back in he circular plaza where Nara first entered the trial.

    She followed the icons on her map to find Sen, Aliyah, John, and Encio.

    Encio greeted her with a smile, ¡°Well done. That last trial was difficult.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see the both of you are fine,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You too. That last trial was brutal.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia mentioned your weapon was more of a drawback than a benefit.¡±

    John chuckled, ¡°I completely agree. Can¡¯t say I like staring down the barrel of a shotgun. After my first close shave, I gave it up.¡±

    ¡°Your mimic must have been pretty nice though,¡± Nara mused.

    ¡°Oh yeah, pleasant bloke. We had a nice chat for a bit, then he fired a warning shot, and let me walk away.¡±

    ¡°He even fired a warning shot?¡± Encio said, ¡°You realize that means he was one shot down? You held the advantage. If you continued the fight there, you had the best chance to win.¡±

    ¡°Now that would be disingenuous, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    The mimic did whatever it took to win. Which meant, John¡¯s mimic thought talking down from fighting and even losing its advantage was the best path to victory, and it was proven right. Like Nara¡¯s mimic, John didn¡¯t want to kill John. The genuine care his mimic held for John convinced John more than anything else.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Nara,¡± John said, realization dawning on him. ¡°Once I walked out, I realized I made an absolute mess of it. Once of us needed to make it on through, and I gave up that easily.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem John.¡± She extended a fist bump, ¡°We¡¯re teammates, remember? I¡¯m sure in the future It¡¯ll be my turn to disappoint, and one of you will pick up the slack.¡±

    Sen nodded, ¡°We cover each other¡¯s backs.¡±

    ¡°I owe you one then.¡±

    ¡°No favors, just friends,¡± Nara said, ¡°I¡¯ve got memory for shit. I¡¯m going to lose count anyway.¡±

    ¡°If we counted, we¡¯d know who had the largest debt,¡± Encio said, ¡°I wonder who it would be?¡±

 Chapter 72: Time and Creation

    Chapter 72: Time and Creation

    Aliyah was setting up a quick awakening stone ritual for herself. She wanted to use an awakening stone she was interested in. It was an awakening stone of creation, like the one Nara had. The trial was only known way to acquire this awakening stone, and she had been fortunate enough to gain one herself.

    ¡°Oh, something else I forgot to mention,¡± Nara said, ¡°When I looted that mimic, I also got something called an ¡®immortal crest¡¯. Anyone know what that is?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your Guide give you a description of it?¡± Encio said.

    -------

    Item: [Immortal Crest] (iron, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, tattoo

    Effect: Magically anoints the skin of an essence user, allowing a magical tattoo artist to inscribe the image of the soul. This tattoo will not disappear on rank up.

    Requirements: Iron rank

    ------

    ¡°So I looked at the description and I don¡¯t really understand why you¡¯d want one,¡± Nara said, ¡°It¡¯s just a tattoo, right?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just any tattoo. The tattoo serves as a unique identification that can be sensed in your aura. Someone like Eufemia would be unable to copy your aura completely. She could look like you in body and aura, but she would not have the crest.¡±

    ¡°Prevents impersonation then,¡± Nara said, ¡°Sounds pretty niche.¡±

    Nara also had her reservations about getting a tattoo. She was raised by a conservative Christian father and an atheist Chinese mother, neither of which thought highly of tattoos. She had no prejudice against them, but she never wanted one for herself.

    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll sell it,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Do not sell it,¡± Encio said, ¡°Immortal Crests are extremely expensive and highly demanded, often used by the children of rich adventuring families. You should use it.¡±

    ¡°Wait, does that mean you have one?¡±

    ¡°I do. I could show it to you later, if you¡¯d like. It may convince you.¡±

    ¡°And Sen, do you have one?¡±

    He nodded.

    ¡°For you especially,¡± Encio said, jutting his finger out at Nara, ¡°It creates a stable crest of your soul, which won¡¯t change even as your aura changes. If your aura keeps changing, you need to keep re-registering it at the adventure society. This will prevent that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s really not a big deal to keep re-registering my aura.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± Encio said, eyes fixed on Nara, ¡°The adventure society card may not be able to track you due to your Racial Ability, but it can tell whether or not you are alive or dead. If your aura changes during a dangerous battle, none of us can tell of your fate.¡±

    He stared at her, emerald eyes intense, a mixture of concern as well as something else burning at him from inside; the deaths of his sister and friend, who died as adventurers.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Nara conceded, ¡°I¡¯ll use it. But I still want to see your tattoo. If it doesn¡¯t look cool, I¡¯m backing out.¡±

    ¡°I promise yours will look almost as cool as mine,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Not cooler?¡±

    ¡°You may have surpassed yourself, but you haven¡¯t surpassed me.¡±

    She cracked a challenging smile, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. I¡¯m in my growth spurt, you know?¡±

    ¡°Beginner¡¯s luck.¡±

    ¡°This is cool and all,¡± Nara said, ¡°But I don¡¯t know a magical tattoo artist.¡±

    ¡°Actually, you do.¡±

    ¡°I do?¡±

    ¡°Wisteria can do it for you. I¡¯ll send a letter to her and my grandfather, and we can vacation for a week in Esmera-Mar where her tattoo parlor is.¡±

    ¡°We all could use a rest,¡± agreed Sen.

    ¡°And, we have money to spend!¡± said Nara, ¡°I think I¡¯d like some clothes that aren¡¯t robes.¡±

    ¡°How about tailored clothes?¡±

    ¡°Tailored clothes?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a rich iron ranker,¡± Encio said, ¡°I know a tailor that would love to design for all of you. You¡¯d be getting the best of the best. If you like my style,¡± Encio said, gesturing out with his hands and striking a pose to emphasize the sharp cut of the clothes he was wearing. While he occasionally wore Sanshi¡¯s robes, or the breezy pastel linens of Aviensa, he stuck to the clothes from his hometown, Esmera-Mar. It was a sleek and cool European style, with embellishments of fine embroidery.

    ¡°Yes, I like your style, Encio.¡±

    ¡°Enough to get a custom order?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I like your style enough to get a custom order.¡±

    *****

    Once Eufemia exited the portal and joined them, the team had a pressing matter to discuss.

    ¡°The issue is at some point Specter is going to disappear from the trial. She¡¯ll likely leave after everyone is gone from the library, but by the next time the trial rolls around, she¡¯ll be gone. If I¡¯ve been freed from my prison of a thousand years, I wouldn¡¯t want to stay any longer than I had to.¡±

    ¡°The adventure society will want to know what happened to the trial guide.¡±

    ¡°If they know,¡± Encio pointed out, ¡°we¡¯re the only ones that know Specter will disappear. Since they don¡¯t tell the applicants about her, the Adventure Society may not find out for years. If we say nothing, no one will know.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t keep quiet,¡± said John softly, concern clear in his eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s the best move. We won¡¯t get in trouble for interfering with the trial.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like they own the trial, or Specter¡¯s service,¡± Nara said angrily, ¡°Why should we¡­ no, I, be punished for it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not how they see it. The local Adventure Society branch and the city of Sanshi have been benefitting from one of the easiest and safest methods to acquire high rarity awakening stones for a very long time. Losing that is a massive loss to Sanshi¡¯s appeal, as well as reducing the economic surge they receive after each trial.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like the trial will stop working, Specter is just not there to hold your hand through the trial.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s why we have to say something,¡± John said strictly, ¡°Even if we are punished for it. No matter what.¡±

    Encio breathed in a deep breath, relaxing himself, ¡°John, I agree with you.¡±

    ¡°You do?¡±

    ¡°I am concerned with the life and death of adventurers. Since Specter is no longer here, the Adventure Society needs to change how they conduct the trial proceedings. They need to be stricter on the level of quality, and not just fresh adventurers. The Society needs to offer whatever information they can about the trial, especially the final trial.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s been the same every time, and they haven¡¯t said anything, that¡¯s on them,¡± said Nara.

    ¡°It¡¯s the greatest indicator of the Adventure Society¡¯s own culpability. We will engage the society in this matter, but we should do it on our own terms, and prepared with whatever we have.¡±

    ¡°We have a library,¡± Nara said, ¡°If that helps.¡±

    ¡°The library,¡± Aliyah corrected.

    ¡°Oh, it does. That will help a lot.¡±

    *****

    The team was back in Encio¡¯s full floor hotel room. They were rapidly conducting awakening stone rituals, discussion the stones that Aliyah, Sen, Eufemia and John should use. Sen and Aliyah had the least to awaken, so they finished theirs first. Then, Eufemia and John used their final stones.

    *****

    Nara was drawing a familiar ritual circle with a steady hand, but internally she could not help but shake. Anticipation, fear of disappointment¡ªshe couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint the emotion.

    ¡°Hand of Time was what your astral magic mentor within the astral was called by others, is that right?¡± Aliyah asked.

    ¡°Yeah. He is more than a mentor to me. He¡¯s the one who kept me company in a time when I most needed companionship. Stabilized my mind, in a situation where I could not understand. I didn¡¯t even know magic was real before that. I thought I had died and ended up in the afterlife.¡±

    ¡°The afterlife?¡±

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Nara gestured non-comically with her hand, conveying the varied states of her world¡¯s view of the afterlife. ¡°My world doesn¡¯t have magic and no knowledge of the Great Astral Beings, or what happens after death. We make our best guesses¡ªthe afterlife.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know what happens after death in detail either. What we know is that the goddess of death guides souls from this world to the realm of the Reaper, the destination of those who have died. No one knows what the realm of the Reaper is like.¡±

    ¡°I guess if the living knew what being dead was like, there wouldn¡¯t be much of a difference between living and dying.¡±

    Aliyah rolled that thought around in her mind, observing it. She found unexpected wisdom in it, ¡°If the living knew death, they could choose to die?¡±

    ¡°At some point, all the ones you love will die,¡± Nara said softly, ¡°It¡¯s probably worse for essence users with their extended lifespans. Diamond rankers especially, who don¡¯t even have a lifespan. If everyone you love is dead, and you knew what the realm of death was life, would you choose to join them there?¡±

    ¡°We should not know death, else it will tempt us,¡± said Sen.

    Nara gave Sen a flat look for his poetic words of wisdom, but Sen maintained his dignified, stoic expression. He always pulled a poker look during these times. Did he know how campy he sounded? Without the self-awareness she spouted equal words of bullshit.

    ¡°Something like that. The realms of life and death need to be as separate as possible¡ªthe mystery is important. There¡ª¡± Nara set down her ritual drawing implements and stepped back from the ritual circle, ¡°¡ªit¡¯s done. You have all the materials, Encio?¡±

    ¡°I got them for you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He nodded, and handed them over.

    -------

    Material requirements:

    <ul>

    <li>100 [Radiant Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>100 [Time Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>1200 [Iron Rank Spirit Coins]</li>

    <li>1 branch of [Longevity Tree]</li>

    <li>500 grams of [Sungold Sand]</li>

    <li>2 [Resonant Steel] plates</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Nara placed the materials in small bowls within the ritual circle. The quintessence and coins formed small mounds in their bowls, shifting with a clink as they settled.

    ¡°You¡¯re one expensive familiar¡­so you better show up, Chrome.¡±

    She took a deep breath, settling her racing mind, and began to chant.

    ¡°Without time, there is no past, no present, no future. No change, no destruction, and no creation. Move the needle and weave the tapestry. Bring forth the sustainer of thought and creation. Take the Hand of Time.¡±

    The circle blazed with golden light. The light bleached the room of all dimensions and then consumed the light within the room, casting the room in darkness. Within the darkness swirled suns, stars, and planets. Time whirled, stars collapsed and were born anew. With a roar, sound, light, and space was sucked into the circle, sending the room into a blank stillness. Finally, golden light returned to the ritual circle, and a figure coalesced, the crystallization of light, matter, and time.

    The figure was a tall man with an iconic long gleaming golden braid. When his eyes flickered open, they revealed gleaming gold irises of golden light.

    -------

    Ability: [Hand of Time]

    Awakening Stone: Time

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme Mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Hand of Time], Chrome, to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Has a humanoid physical form and can wield two swords that deal physical and resonating-force damage, which is highly effective against physical defenses.</li>

    <li>Can physically interact with incorporeal entities.</li>

    <li>Can move instantaneously to a nearby location. This ability has a cooldown of 40 seconds.</li>

    <li>Enemies damaged by the familiar are afflicted with [Deterioration].</li>

    <li>[Deterioration] (affliction, magic, stacking): Increases the speed at which effects that stack afflictions accrue instances. Periodically decreases the stacks of boons. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s aura, making the summoner¡¯s aura much harder to detect and read.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°What took you so long? After all of that effort on my part, I started to wonder if you had gone and died, wasting so much of my time.¡±

    A familiar voice echoed out from the golden figure.

    ¡°Chrome,¡± Nara said, breathless.

    ¡°Who else would partner with an empty-headed broken soul like you? You¡¯re more trouble than you¡¯re worth to anyone else.¡±

    He stalked around her, looking her up and down.

    ¡°So this is what you looked like?¡±

    ¡°What, disappointed?¡±

    ¡°You reality beings are all the same to me, what do I care what you look like? Your soul looks better¡­¡±

    He clicked his tongue, ¡°¡­gods.¡±

    He turned to the rest of the team, evaluating them one by one. His aura was surprisingly sharp, stabbing through theirs with precision and power, causing them all to flinch at his observation.

    ¡°And another outworlder?¡± he said incredulously. ¡°You are?¡±

    ¡°John Aurelius, a pleasure to me you, mate,¡± John offered his hand pleasantly.

    Chrome ignored it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind it,¡± said Nara, ¡°He looks human but he¡¯s not. He doesn¡¯t have the same sensibilities.¡±

    The group sat for a quick break. Snacks were placed out on the table, which Chrome helped himself to.

    His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

    ¡°This is tasty?¡±

    ¡°Why is that a question?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t make this, did you?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m not that good.¡±

    ¡°Hmph. That¡¯s what I thought. You¡¯ll have to introduce me to the chef.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I can manage that. I think Amara and the others would like to meet you.¡±

    Chrome addressed the group, arrogant despite hogging a plate of treats to himself, ¡°I am Chrome, Hand of Time. The Wanderer¡¯s former astral magic mentor.¡±

    ¡°Oh, about that! I got a name now Chrome.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Nara Edea. Like it?¡±

    ¡°If you like it, it¡¯ll do.¡±

    Swigging down a mana potion to expedite her mana recovery, Nara started on her second ritual. Meanwhile, Chrome was filled in by her various exploits during the time of their separation.

    ¡°You created a type of magic? This isn¡¯t some elaborate prank?¡¯¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say I created the magic. It¡¯s more of a foundational technique within a budding field of research.¡±

    ¡°Soul magic¡­¡± Chrome said contemplatively, ¡°I¡¯d exercise extreme caution with the workings of the soul. The Transcendents are able to easily accomplish what you will struggle to do.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have any plans to go any further with it. I was just helping Redell out. He¡¯ll take care of the rest, and push the research in the right direction.¡±

    ¡°I certainly hope so, for the sake of this world. I¡¯ve seen abominations of soul engineering. Souls attached to mechanical golems, forced to inhabit the unliving.¡±

    Chrome stared down at Nara, his expression unhappy.

    ¡°The moment I took my eyes off of you, you started causing trouble.¡±

    ¡°The thing with the gods isn¡¯t really my fault. You can¡¯t blame me for that.¡±

    ¡°I can. You should take the free pity others offer you and keep your head down. Outworlders are always in a precarious position. Excel too much, and they start to use you in their plans.¡±

    ¡°They? What plans?¡±

    Chrome contemplated saying more, but he shook his head.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have the capacity to worry about it. It¡¯s out of your league.¡±

    Sen narrowed his eyes. The familiar was keeping things silent, and he didn¡¯t approve.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Chrome,¡± Nara said, noticing Sen¡¯s concern, ¡°If it was something we could do anything about in the first place, he¡¯d say something.¡±

    ¡°You trust him to that extent?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Nara¡¯s judgment isn¡¯t baseless, Sen. Astral beings cannot serve as your familiar unless they are willing to listen to the summoner. If Nara told him to say so, he would have to,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°That¡¯s how familiars work.¡±

    Nara stepped back from a ritual circle once again filled with ritual materials.

    -------

    Material requirements:

    <ul>

    <li>300 [Dimension Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>150 [Dust Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>75 [Song Quintessence Gems (Iron)]</li>

    <li>2400 [Iron Rank Spirit Coins]</li>

    <li>15 meters of [Twilight Silk]</li>

    <li>300 grams of [Silver Stream Powder]</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°The duality of creation, the transformation of astral to physical. Suspended at the boundary, echoing across the cosmos forevermore, seen yet unseen. The essence of creation scattered across the stars¡ªperform the song of its echo.¡±

    The ritual glowed and energy gathered, sucking her mana and dissolving the ritual components into fragments of magic that were reconstructed for the familiar¡¯s vessel.

    The room filled with a silver haze that glittered with a multitude of colors. It was the very dust of creation, the scattered matter and magic that coalesced into worlds, like the clouds of nebula, the birthplace of stars. Nara felt she was standing in the midst of a cosmic projection, a giant god towering over worlds and suns, like I-No from Guilty Gear. She wasn¡¯t a god though, and as if drawn by gravity, the dust swirled into the form of three shapes. Floor length robes manifested, and within it beings of silver haze.

    -------

    Effect (Iron): Summons an [Echo of Creation] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Can occupy up to three incorporeal bodies that act as dimensional loci. Cannot be used by enemies as dimensional loci.</li>

    <li>Can transform into cloth and blend into objects with limitations.</li>

    <li>Can move rapidly but inflicts no damage or non-damaging effects. Can dim and become transparent.</li>

    <li>Can traverse dimensions and attach themselves to allies and enemies as a small incorporeal cloth.</li>

    <li>Gains an instance of every boon you gain. Instance limit is reduced compared to the summoner¡¯s maximum.</li>

    <li>While attached to an ally, the ally also receives the benefit of This effect ends when an echo leaves the ally. This does not affect the summoner.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s skin. While subsumed within the summoner, increases the summoner¡¯s regeneration. This effect increases with each additional body. This effect prioritizes the lowest resource.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°Spec¡ª¡± Nara started to say with blank surprise.

    ¡°Please wait, my benefactor, do not speak my former name,¡± the familiar said solemnly.

    ¡°Former¡­name?¡±

    ¡°If you would allow this shameless being to serve, I humbly request a new name.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no serving here. And didn¡¯t you just free yourself? What in the world are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Benefactor, I have demonstrated my marked incapability to promise my eternal service, yet I seek you to fulfill my outrageous request. I would like to walk with you, wherever your path shall take you.¡±

    Chrome glared at her, ¡°You were just freed and now want to serve as a familiar? You don¡¯t have the commitment.¡±

    ¡°And you, Hand of Time, have alternative loyalties, do you not? Do you move in our summoner¡¯s best interest?¡±

    ¡°Our summoner? That¡¯s quite the assumption. My origin has no bearing on my ability to serve the best interests of my summoner. But you, you¡¯ve proven that you can abandon something you¡¯ve once done willingly. Whose to say after another few thousand years you¡¯ll get tired of Nara and want to swap with another astral being?¡±

    ¡°Chrome,¡± she said. Her irritation was clear, but she maintained her professional politeness, ¡°Can you claim that if your master were to recall you from service, that you would not abandon your summoner to your conflicting loyalties?¡±

    It looked like the two familiars were about to get into a catfight, if a semi-corporeal robe being and a glowing golden man could even affect each other.

    Thanatos wagged his tail, seemingly enjoying the tension between the two.

    ¡°Now, don¡¯t egg them on,¡± she admonished Thanatos, but she handed him a plate of treats.

    ¡°This is about you!¡± Chrome said, jabbing a finger in Nara direction, ¡°Don¡¯t act like a bystander.¡±

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like I can unsummon her or reject her,¡± Nara said, ¡°That¡¯s on their side of the process, not our side. I think.¡±

    Chrome facial expression twisted and contorted, like a variety of objections and concerns buzzed through his mind. He heaved a beleaguered sigh, and sat back on the couch.

    ¡°Whatever. You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s rare.¡±

    ¡°Get on with it. I¡¯m already exhausted with you. I¡¯m regretting this already.¡±

    Nara turned towards the familiar, ¡°Sorry for the interruption, he means well. I promise.¡±

    ¡°No, Chrome raises genuine concerns over my blemished record of service. I shall reflect on his criticism.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t like Specter, then I¡¯ll call you Sage.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, my benefactor.¡±

    ¡°Just call me Nara.¡±

    ¡°You are my benefactor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your summoner, just call me Nara.¡±

    ¡°I insist that I should call you benefactor, as a demonstration of my sincerity.¡±

    ¡°I think It¡¯d be more sincere if you just called me by name.¡±

    ¡°I cannot, this being is far too lowly.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re like, way older and wiser than me. You¡¯re my senior.¡±

    Sage looked off to the side, looking a little embarrassed.

    ¡°If I may be honest, benefactor, it is my¡­preference.¡±

    ¡°Your¡­preference?¡±

    Chrome sighed, ¡°The nonsensical familiar is saying she likes to LARP as a servant.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°Did he just say LARP?¡± John said, stunned to hear something so out-of-place, ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was possible to LARP here.¡±

    ¡°Oh, he knows a lot about Earth culture,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°She forced such useless knowledge upon me, unwillingly. Exploiting my duty to teach her astral magic at her side to explain such abhorrent concepts to me.¡±

    ¡°I kind of get it,¡± Nara said, ignoring Chrome¡¯s denials, ¡°LARP-ing is fun. I¡¯ve been trying my hand at ¡®mysterious bard¡¯ but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve succeeded yet. I need a good situation to pull it off.¡±

    ¡°Do not,¡± Chrome stressed like a parent at the end of their rope with a child who kept misbehaving, ¡°Do that with me around.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t seem to mind the whole ¡®teacher¡¯ outfit.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve let you influence me far too much,¡± Chrome said with a clipped tone, and he disappeared into Nara¡¯s aura with a flash.

    Nara smiled sheepishly. ¡°He¡¯s just embarrassed with how much he enjoyed it.¡±

    Chrome considered rematerializing to defend his honor, but decided it would besmirch his name more to reappear.

 Chapter 73: Welcome to the Party

    Chapter 73: Welcome to the Party

    After a few days of preparation, with documentation and research led by Encio and John, the team prepared to engage Oswald Willard, the local Adventure Society head. Sage was a great boon to the party in their preparations; she remembered every trial that had ever occurred in thousands of years. According to her, there were repetitions.

    The trial was more procedurally generated than true randomness, but that concept was a bit to involved to explain to the rest. To Encio and the rest, the trial had patterns it copied and reused. For an iron ranker that could only enter once, they¡¯d never see repetition.

    ¡°Nara, you keep quiet. If you speak, you¡¯re going to make matters worse,¡± Encio said, ¡°Sen and I will take care of this. It¡¯s time to act like scions, young master Arlang.¡± He arched up his eyebrows with a wide grin, implying he found asserting his background agreeable when it was making him a hellion.

    ¡°As you say, young master Aciano.¡±

    They shared a fist bump, which had been picked up by the party members.

    *****

    Oswald Willard stared at a party of six iron rank adventurers who had just told him some extremely upsetting news. If what they said what true, Sanshi¡¯s recent rise to popularity as the premier location for iron rank adventurer development was at risk. The trial had been discovered a few thousand years ago, but bi-yearly ventures into the trial had only started organization for the past few decades. Before then, the trial was only known by word of mouth, and most iron rank adventurers and their families didn¡¯t bother with the trip from their hometowns.

    The adventurers were not lying to him, he could tell from their auras.

    ¡°Can you tell me why, mister Arlang, what possessed your team to free the being that oversaw the trials?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s as we said, branch head. We were sympathetic to the plight of an astral being trapped in an untenable situation. As essence users, we should now allow the exploitation of another being for our own benefit, no matter how great the gain,¡± Sen replied with a perfectly straight poker face that indicated he saw nothing wrong at all with his line of reasoning.

    ¡°It¡¯s an astral being, mister Arlang. They serve. It¡¯s what they do.¡±

    ¡°And Messengers think the same towards us, branch head. They think of all races besides themselves are servants to be subjugated,¡± Sen didn¡¯t say it explicitly, but the implication was clear.

    ¡°You dare compare me to the Messengers? With those that slaughter and terrorize others? I am nothing like them.¡±

    ¡°The comparison is there, branch head.¡±

    He let the iron rankers feel his rage in his aura, pressing down on theirs with his. It should be enough for them to lose their cool, but not enough to hurt them. He was deeply dissatisfied with the current situation, if true, but wouldn¡¯t go so offensively far with his aura. They were iron rankers, and he was a silver ranker. It was disgraceful for him to push them too far.

    It shook most of them; he could feel their auras straining beneath his.

    Enciodes Aciano and Sen Arlang held up better than most, the strain evident in their auras but not in their faces. Those two were adept at hiding it.

    But the sixth member, Nara Edea, let the suppression roll off of her like a gentle breeze over a grassy hill. He couldn¡¯t get a grip on her aura, not with this level of pressure. He could push further¡ª

    ¡°Branch head,¡± Sen Arlang interrupted his thoughts, ¡°We understand that this information raises concerns of the future of Sanshi. Which is why we have organized information pertaining to the trial that will prove advantageous for the future. In fact, it may significantly reduce the difficulty of the more so than the presence of the trial guide.¡±

    Which was a moot point considering that there was no decision to be made about the trial guide. She was gone.

    Sen slid a folder compiled with the information the group had gathered from Sage.

    ¡°Additionally, as a gesture of gratitude for our assistance, the astral being in question has provided a great deal of information about the outside force besieging our world. You are aware of the worldwide issue of assassinated researchers, mister Willard?¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± Oswald said, ¡°And I am aware that some of your team members have been assisting us with that investigation.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all in there, Willard,¡± Encio said, leaning forward to tap on the folder, ¡°The enemy, their methods, their purpose.¡±

    Oswald started to reach for it, but Encio gently pulled it back.

    ¡°Ah-ah.¡±

    He glared at Encio, ¡°Getting smart with me, Aciano?¡±

    ¡°You have an idea of what we want, Willard.¡±

    ¡°No punishment, no publicity. Am I close?¡±

    ¡°The astral being disappeared¡ªbig deal,¡± Encio said, with a tone that indicated anyone who actually thought so was an idiot. ¡°New iron rankers won¡¯t know she was there to begin with. We keep it quiet, and the Adventure Society, no, this world gets a head start on the encroaching threat.¡±

    ¡°This information should be offered freely, Aciano,¡± Willard said, his voice booming in the small meeting room, ¡°If what you have is genuine, this concerns the fate of the world.¡±

    ¡°And yet, you have half a mind to punish us for an unactionable offense? I have no doubt it crossed your mind to expel us from the society.¡± Encio held up his hand, ¡°And Willard, I¡¯ve read the Adventure Society charter in full. What we did isn¡¯t an offense or a crime.¡±

    Oswald rubbed his temped with his hand, ¡°I¡¯m not the enemy here, Aciano.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just some iron rankers,¡± Encio said, ¡°We could never be your enemy, just annoyances. And yet, you¡¯ve considered it.¡±

    Oswald sighed, ¡°We all consider ¡®things¡¯ in our anger, Aciano. I had no intention to expel you all from the society.¡±

    Encio raised a questioning eyebrow, but didn¡¯t push things further, satisfied with this level of verbal acknowledgement. Willard didn¡¯t know if the full team or if a single person was responsible for Sage¡¯s liberation. If it was a single person, he may have been able to single them out and expel them. But since the full team offered a unified front, expelling one or two of them but not the problematic scions would be clear favoritism.

    Oswald had no intention of pandering to the great families; this was his Adventure Society. He wanted competent adventurers that would do their job.

    Any good adventurer was troublesome and uncooperative, by nature. Anyone who constantly seeks challenge to improve doesn¡¯t improve into a pushover. Which meant that despite the mess these adventurers said they had created, he couldn¡¯t help but like them, though he kept his expression outwardly stern. Oswald relaxed his aura, letting the iron rankers take trembling breaths of relief. They were putting up a good front for their inexperience.

    ¡°Like I said, I had no intention of expelling any of you from the society.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t be too careful,¡± Encio said with an unreadable smile.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Oswald conceded the point with a tilt of his head. ¡°Which is why I¡¯m not angry with all of you. I was once an iron rank adventurer. Not as precocious as the rest of you¡ª¡± he glared ¡°¡ªbut I¡¯ve had my spats with higher rankers. Can I?¡± Oswald gestured to the folder.

    Encio nodded, finally acquiescing.

    He leaned back in his chair, calmly flipping through the information offered to him. It was expertly organized, likely the result of the detective duo plus the Aciano scion, who knew his way around paperwork.

    It was all laid out for him¡ªthe request of the astral being, the information given by the astral being as gratitude, compiled information on the trial (which was extensive and detailed), and suggested steps the society could take to streamline the trial process and mitigate its dangers.

    ¡°If you even decide to quit adventuring,¡± Oswald said, ¡°I¡¯d hire you as officials. This is exemplary work. Organized, detailed, thorough, yet concise.¡± He scanned through the folder again, ¡°Really, consider it.¡±

    ¡°Have we settled the situation?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Oswald said, ¡°Even without all this, I wouldn¡¯t just sent you all on a punishment contract to clear out monsters in the far out villages, which you seem to be doing anyway. There¡¯s not much more the adventure society can do beyond that. This is a volunteer organization.¡±

    ¡°Besides expelling us.¡±

    ¡°Yes, besides expelling you.¡±

    Oswald got up from his chair, ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to contact the other branches with this information.¡±

    ¡°Ah, please wait a moment, Oswald,¡± Encio said with a gleaming smile.

    ¡°What is it, Aciano?¡± Oswald said, displeased with his impoliteness.

    ¡°Our teammate here happened to summon the former guide as a familiar.¡±

    ¡°What? You didn¡¯t think to mention this earlier?¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± Nara said, giving a small wave, ¡°Sage?¡±

    The familiar manifested, as a floor length robe of gleaming white. Oswald recognized the familiar by description: A hooded silver robe, filled with silver dust.

    ¡°Sage is willing to cooperate with the Adventure Society regarding the issue at hand,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°If you have use of it, mister Willard, I am willing to offer any knowledge I possess.¡±

    ¡°And,¡± Encio said, ¡°Nara here has access to the entire Celestial Book library.¡±

    Willard shut his eyes, silent.

    ¡°When were you planning on telling me this?¡±

    ¡°When we thought you weren¡¯t going to be an asshole about all this,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Sen gently admonished, ¡°What did we say about language with high rankers?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve kept my mouth shut this whole time and she¡¯s the one that gets to be pithy first?¡± Eufemia complained.

    ¡°Eufemia,¡± Sen admonished her too, ¡°Are you proud of yourself for competing with Nara on this matter?¡±

    She grumbled back to silence.

    ¡°As Nara ¡®summarized¡¯,¡± Encio said with sneering charm that prompted an eyeroll from Willard, ¡°We wanted to determine your inclinations, Willard. This sort of information is very valuable. If you weren¡¯t ¡®fair¡¯, we would find an Adventure Society head that was. If not an Adventure Society head, I¡¯m sure the Continental Council would lend us their ear.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate being tested, Aciano, but I will let this slide on account of the magnitude of the situation.¡±

    He gave them a glare, fed up with all the iron rankers in the meeting room.

    After an aura prod that was a non-verbal ¡®get out of my office before I change my mind¡¯, they made themselves scarce.

    *****

    ¡°Well, I think that went well,¡± Nara said back at Encio¡¯s suite, ¡°Do you believe the guy when he said he wouldn¡¯t punish us?¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t see anything from him,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°A bronze ranker I might be able to manage but not a silver ranker.¡±

    Encio crossed his arms, balancing precariously on his chair, a casual display of his exceptional balance and dexterity, ¡°I believe him, but my stance is always one of caution. If Sen and I weren¡¯t there, I¡¯d expect he¡¯d more thoroughly consider heavy-handed measures. But¡­¡±

    ¡°But what?¡±

    ¡°But it is true the situation is not extreme,¡± Sen said, continuing for Encio, ¡°The Adventure Society¡¯s hands off approach regarding the trial turned out to our benefit.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± Nara realized, ¡°Since they say almost nothing about the trial to begin with, nobody knows that anything is different than previous year.¡±

    ¡°Unless somebody went and asked someone from a previous year,¡± Eufemia pointed out.

    ¡°Even then, it¡¯s widely known that the trial changes every time,¡± Encio said, ¡°If it changes from year to year, it won¡¯t arise any suspicion. They would have to ask those from multiple years about their trial.¡±

    ¡°Most adventurers aren¡¯t research minded,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°They won¡¯t expend the effort that such verification would require. They would not ask about a trial they¡¯ve already passed, more preoccupied with training their new abilities and advancing to bronze rank. Then, adventurers will scatter as they rank up, traveling to other cities in higher magic zones. The trial will be but one page in the book of their lives, long forgotten.¡±

    ¡°Oswald Willard¡­¡± Encio pondered, turning over the image of the man in his mind.

    ¡°You¡¯re thinking of whether he cares about the lives of the iron rankers,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°What is it with you? Isn¡¯t Eufemia supposed to be the mind reader?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s emotion reading, not mind-reading!¡± Eufemia protested, ¡°And I haven¡¯t even gotten a chance to really use it!¡± She threw her hands up, ¡°What¡¯s the point of reading emotions if political backing will do the job!¡±

    ¡°Except trying to win a card game against me,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°And even then, it doesn¡¯t help. Some ability!¡±

    ¡°On that front,¡± said John, ¡°The damage was done. He couldn¡¯t demand Sage goes back to serve as trial guide again.¡±

    ¡°Especially not when she had already become a familiar,¡± Aliyah added.

    ¡°So he was working on damage control,¡± Nara concluded.

    ¡°And that¡¯s why,¡± Encio said, ¡°It¡¯s likely he would have done nothing at all. Punishing us creates noise, especially with the people at our backs. Better to let it lie low, and push John¡¯s trial improvement plans as a way of improving Sanshi¡¯s overall reputation.¡±

    Nara felt a smidge bad for Oswald Willard who had just been bullied by the two scions of the team.

    *****

    The team was enjoying breakfast, once again fetched by Nara from an eatery downstairs, when a knock sounded from Encio¡¯s door. He went to answer it, returning back to the table.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Apparently, a priest from the Church of Knowledge is here for us. He¡¯s been sent as a liaison to work with us and the Adventure Society regarding the library stored in Nara¡¯s mind.¡±

    ¡°Are we going down to meet him?¡±

    ¡°We can just let him in.¡±

    ¡°Might as well. Maybe he wants some food.¡±

    Encio¡¯s hotel, Jade Garden, had security befitting of a hotel catered towards essence users. Priests were well respected by normal people, but even they could not directly knock on Encio¡¯s door without an invitation up first.

    The elf that stepped into the room was in his early twenties. He was scrawny, for an essence user, with pale blond hair tied into a shoulder length braid and a skin tone that seemed perpetually anemic. Soda-bottle glasses would have suited him to a T, but essence users had no need for glasses.

    ¡°H-hello,¡± He said with a slight nervous stutter, ¡°I¡¯m Lawrence Ruffolk, priest of Knowledge.¡±

    ¡°Hi Lawrence,¡± Nara said with the tone of elementary students greeting their teacher. He could have sworn Lawrence¡¯s nervousness broke for a second to shoot her a dirty, unappreciative look.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a seat,¡± Encio gestured, ¡°Make yourself comfortable. Have a bite to eat.¡±

    Lawrence did, sitting gingerly on the open chair offered to him.

    ¡°So? What does a priest of Knowledge want with us.¡±

    ¡°My goddess has sent me here to record all of the new knowledge Nara has acquired in the astral space.¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Knowledge¡­already know?¡±

    ¡°My goddess says your ability records all of what you see like a saving a PDF file. If you have not read it, you do not know the knowledge, although it is stored within you. Therefore, my goddess does not know the knowledge either.¡±

    ¡°Did he just say PDF?¡± John said. ¡°We all heard that, right?¡±

    ¡°My goddess says, she is aware of all of the terms and technology from your world, mister Aurelius.¡±

    John blinked a few times, stunned into silence, ¡°Then¡­you don¡¯t know what a PDF is?¡±

    ¡°My goddess has not told me, so I do not know.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a wildly inefficient game of telephone then?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°My goddess says, it is typical for gods to communicate with those who are not their priests though their priests. Additionally, sending an iron rank priest instead of speaking in person was in consideration for you, miss Nara. You may find a god¡¯s presence¡­irritating.¡±

    Lawrence frowned at the message he just conveyed, but kept his mouth shut from commenting. Knowledge priests were adept at keeping secrets, ironically.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve just not done it in the first place then,¡± Nara grumbled, ¡°So, how do I get you what your goddess wants?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to negotiate for something in exchange?¡± Encio posed.

    Chrome manifested from Nara¡¯s aura, ¡°It¡¯s best she does not.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Divine beings have limited opportunities to interfere with the world. Those opportunities are gained when fulfilling certain requirements. By offering information, should Nara require assistance from Knowledge later she can gain it. Should Knowledge choose to offer it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not guaranteed,¡± Encio said, ¡°I don¡¯t like chances.¡±

    ¡°You like gambling,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°This is important. I only gamble with games.¡±

    ¡°Then what, Enciodes Aciano, do you think Nara can possibly request now worth the entire cumulative knowledge of the library of the Celestial Book on this world?¡±

    ¡°A way to return to her world, perhaps?¡± Aliyah offered.

    ¡°That¡¯s far too cheap,¡± Chrome said, ¡°Dimensional travel may be impressive for you weak iron rankers, but it¡¯s paltry knowledge for a being like Knowledge.¡± Chrome pointed warningly at John, ¡°Before you get riled up, think: what has been the entire purpose of completing the trial in the first place?¡±

    ¡°To find astral magic in the trial,¡± John said obediently.

    ¡°And save money,¡± Eufemia added her clear priority.

    ¡°So go read a few books, and save your favor for later. It may take longer, but advanced astral magic is no use to you if you cannot cast it in the first place.¡±

    John nodded softly, ¡°That¡¯s reasonable.¡±

    He hadn¡¯t acquired the knowledge from the library himself either. He suspected Nara wanted to stay in this world over Earth, so forcing her to use her favor on himself to provide a way home sooner when he had given up on the trial would be incredibly self-serving. He wanted to return to his wife and children as soon as possible, but rushing was pointless.

    ¡°Um, so, my goddess says that I will read and copy all of the books Nara has recorded. Either I can do so with your astral constructs, miss Edea, or I can do so with an invitation to your party, on my own time¡­if you will.¡±

    ¡°Then, welcome to the party, Lawrence.¡±

 Chapter 74: Rewards and Punishments

    Chapter 74: Rewards and Punishments

    Lawrence Ruffolk had been with the Church of Knowledge for much of his life. It was through the church that he gained his essences, as many priests did.

    The Church of Knowledge suited him just fine¡ªLawrence was bookish and persistent and would read whatever was offered to him. Understanding was one thing, but his goddess was there to work through the new knowledge with him.

    As he read, he diligently copied the information from every magic conjuration onto a physical page with an ability.

    --------

    Ability: [Record Knowledge]

    Essence: Knowledge

    Special Ability

    Cost: Very low mana/Very low mana-per-second.

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Duplicate any information or sight you sense on to a medium. Continual duplication, such as recording verbal or visual information, costs ongoing mana.

    -------

    A higher rank priest could have copied entire books at a time, but it was less likely the party would tolerate the presence of a higher rank priest all the time.

    Lawrence wasn¡¯t a spy. It was meaningless for a priest of Knowledge to serve as a spy. Knowledge knew everything the moment it happened. So Lawrence diligently did his duty¡ªreading and copying books single-mindedly. He was happy to be of use to his goddess.

    *****

    ¡°Eufemia, did you want one of those tattoos?¡± Encio asked, ¡°In a few more days my grandfather will fetch us to go to Esmera-Mar for our appointment with Wisteria. If you want one, you¡¯ll need to acquire one soon.¡±

    ¡°How much can they be? Some silver coins?¡±

    ¡°Gold coins, Eufemia, not silver.¡±

    She groaned, as if Encio¡¯s words had just stabbed an ice pick into her gut.

    ¡°Gold coins, for a fancy tattoo?¡±

    ¡°Plus what Wisteria will charge for her work.¡±

    ¡°You said you¡¯d let us see yours.¡±

    Encio stood, then yanked his shirt off, exposing his back towards the group, which was covered with a full back tattoo.

    Two swirls of wind twisted like wings, condensing into a pure white blade at the center of his back. One wind was had vibrant undertones, like clouds at sunset¡ªeven the sun itself seemed to peek through the wind, setting them aglow. Barely discernable shapes formed within the wind, like almost-familiar faces, ocean waves, and leaves. The other swirl of wind was dark, like storm clouds¡ªwhite colored with dark hues of grey, blue, and purple. Like the other wind, the swirls of the tattoo seemed to form images, yet the they seemed to shift and slip away.

    Finally, his Whirlwind Sword rested in the center of his back, simultaneously serene yet sharp. It¡¯s blade seemed to shimmer with color at its edges, like a rainbow corona of sunlight.

    ¡°Transfixed?¡± Encio said looking over his shoulder back at the team with a smug smile.

    They couldn¡¯t deny that he was right.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s gorgeous,¡± Nara said, ¡°Is that your blade on there?¡±

    ¡°Abilities can have an influence on the tattoo.¡±

    ¡°Is your tattoo¡­moving? It feels like the wind is shifting and flowing.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a magic tattoo of my soul, Nara. Am I the type to stay still?¡±

    Encio pulled his shirt down, covering the artwork on his back.

    ¡°If Eufemia buys a tattoo¡ª¡±

    ¡°Not if. I definitely want one now.¡±

    ¡°¡ªthen Aliyah and John will be the only two without a tattoo,¡± Sen finished.

    ¡°Funny thing that, I got one from my ability after clearing the trial.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t even completely clear it. How is that fair?¡±

    ¡°The ability counted the three of you for finishing it as completion, since we were linked with Nara¡¯s Guide.¡±

    Eufemia scowled muttering, ¡°Outworlders,¡± under her breath.

    When connected with Nara¡¯s Guide, John¡¯s ability gave out party rewards. They got some additional rewards, but no one else had received an Immortal Crest except John.

    ¡°Well, if we¡¯re all getting soul crests, it feels weird to leave Aliyah out.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah, what do you think?¡± Sen said.

    Sen already had his own crest.

    ¡°It¡¯s hardly necessary. Most adventurers don¡¯t have one. Yet somehow, in a fascinating coincidence, we will have nearly a full party of those with Immortal Crests.¡± She gazed at Nara and John, ¡°I wonder if outworlders have a higher chance of receiving one, due to your circumstances? Your soul has undergone an extreme change once, from human to outworlder. So, expecting additional changes, your ability provides for you with a constant mark. You will always know you are you, no matter how you change in the future.¡±

    She smiled, her warm cinnamon and spice voice pleasing to their ears, ¡°I suppose it¡¯d be humorless of me to be the only one left out?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll do it then?¡±

    ¡°A full team of soul crests, it is rather unique.¡±

    And maybe inspiration for a team name, although the suggestion of ¡®Team Tatted¡¯ drew Sen¡¯s lips into a thin, unamused smile. Maybe not.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    *****

    The soul crests were expensive, a few gold coins each.

    But the team was swimming in spirit coins since the survival trial. They could exchange their iron rank coins up at a 20% exchange tax. Even then, they had slain and looted thousands of monsters with 150 other adventures and three loot powers. Plus all the equipment and materials, they were slowing selling through Nara in other cities, the team was astoundingly well-funded.

    Not many passed the final trial, but those that made it past the survival trial were the richest iron rankers of their generation.

    The team, plus Lawrence who had been invited to tag along, gathered in the portal plaza waiting for Sezan¡¯s portal.

    Lawrence shook with the nervousness of a hairless chihuahua. He never thought he¡¯d meet a diamond ranker in his entire life. To him, gods were above diamond rankers, but only just so. For all practical purposes, diamond rankers ruled the world.

    ¡°Chill, bro, Sezan¡¯s cool,¡± Nara assured him, patting him on the shoulder, ¡°Keep shaking and you¡¯ll jackhammer through the tile into the ground. Good thing you don¡¯t have to pay for damage to public property around here.¡±

    He shook his head, ¡°I-it¡¯s your reaction that is atypical, miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°Just call me Nara.¡±

    He nodded, or just shook. Nara couldn¡¯t tell. Lawrence distracted himself by reading another book, disappearing into the background like an advert on a busy street.

    It worked so well that Sezan himself almost didn¡¯t notice the iron ranker.

    ¡°Wait a minute, who¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°A human transcriber.¡±

    ¡°A what?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have transcribers here?¡±

    ¡°I know what a transcriber is!¡±

    *****

    If there was a question of whether Esmera-Mar existed first, or Sezan existed first, it would be hard to say. The city itself had existed for hundreds of years, but before Sezan Aciano, it was a small, middling seaside town situated on the Tier-Media, the Emerald Sea. The Tier-Media was a sea similar to the Mediterranean, stretching inward like a massive bay from the larger, connecting ocean.

    Sezan Aciano built his clifftop estate away from the town, and the town expanded into a city. Those within sought the incidental protection of a diamond ranker, and the city expanded from a respectful distance away, at Sezan¡¯s request. The city never crawled further beyond that invisible designation, and Sezan¡¯s estate stayed private, although it was a landmark synonymous with Esmera-Mar which everyone knew the location of.

    Protection was one reason, but many migrated to the now flourishing Esmera-Mar for other reasons. It had nice weather, nestled between pleasant hills and refreshed by the clean sea breeze¡ªthe reason Sezan himself had moved there. While some sought his protection, other admired Sezan. Whatever a diamond ranker did was the thing to do. If Sezan Aciano wanted to live in Esmera-Mar, that was as good as a reason as any.

    The portal opened in Esmera-Mar¡¯s plaza, where they were greeted by Sezan¡¯s wife, Luciana. Luciana was a beautiful human woman of tan skin, dark wavy brown hair, and eyes like deep pools of honey. She was even and gracious; a woman that balanced her husband¡¯s comicalness with sensibility. Encio¡¯s beauteous features had been inherited down from his grandmother, and exuded her grace combined with Sezan¡¯s laisse-faire attitude.

    Despite Sezan¡¯s local fame¡ªeveryone knew his face here, yet he went entirely undetected. An aspect of high rank auras was the ability to push away the detection of others. They could blend in seamlessly into the background like a tree in a forest. His face was unrecognizable to those he didn¡¯t want to detect him, so Sezan could walk incognito in plain sight. To them, he was just another handsome essence user. For the people of Erras, beauty didn¡¯t attract attention. An ugly essence user, conversely, would attract more attention than the inverse (if not for the high chance they could be a Death Essence User, whose abilities may unnaturally change their appearance). Citizens also knew beauty was synonymous with power¡ªthey were unlikely to bother anyone beautiful without a good reason. Treating diamond or gold rankers like Earth treated their celebrities was a quick way to ¡®experience¡¯ the miracle of resurrection magic.

    The white sandstone buildings of the city contrasted to the deep azure of the sea. The buildings had a Mediterranean-inspired architecture, with arched windows, flat roofs, and carved columns. Many buildings featured an arched window of stained glass, often depicting local flora and fauna and famous legends and figures. Sezan had once been depicted in those stained windows, before he very politely (for a diamond ranker) told them to stop, which they promptly did. Instead, the locals turned to depicting gods. The goddess of the sea was especially popular here, her windows were rich in blues and greens and depicted her in flowing wave-robes. The local fashion was similar¡ªfreely flowing draped robes of white, blue, and green. In contrast to Aviensa¡¯s simple and pastel style of sundresses, shorts, and shirts, the fashion of Esmera-Mar was resembled that of the Greeks, except more intentionally tailored, although bedsheets and curtains would have looked like the height of divine fashion on the Aciano family. Wide swaths of rich but light fabric precisely draped to create flowing silhouettes, with slim pants that balanced the flowing tops.

    It wasn¡¯t the style that Encio wore. Encio¡¯s style originated in Saggia, another city in the Rona Kingdom known for their adventurer education. It was commonly worn in Esmera-Mar as well¡ªthe sleeker, clean, modern distinctive style in contrast to Esmera-Mar¡¯s rich color and drapery. Like Sanshi, the city was populous enough to house a variety of cultures and styles.

    As Sezan¡¯s home base, he was already dressed in their fashion. He himself looked like a divine being straight out of Greek mythos. Encio was similar, a younger version of him, deciding to wear the robes of Esmera-Mar for fun. With a crown of laurels, Encio would have been a figure of myth. Nara eyed the wildflowers outside, wondering if she had enough dexterity and knowledge to weave a flower crown and tease Encio with it, although he¡¯d probably wear it with easy pride.

    Literature and art were the crowning glories of Esmera-Mar, evidenced by their intricate stained-glass windows. Galleries lined stone pathways, inviting windows displaying proud works of art. The workshop district contained many stained glass and glass workshops. Accordingly, the Glass and Hand Essences were popular for their commercial use, allowing craftsmen to mold melted glass by hand as if it were putty.

    Esmera-Mar was a large city, but not a bastion of adventuring education that Sanshi was. In the entire world, Sanshi had the greatest low-rank Adventurer population. Esmera-Mar represented a more typical city, as well as a more typical distribution, less saturated with iron and bronze rankers than Sanshi, but with more silver rank adventurers. For the Adventurers of this region, lightweight, water-proof, and tight-fitting fabrics and leathers were the norm, which contrasted the flowing robes of the populace. The Water, Wind, and various sea creatures essences were common for adventurers that made Esmera-Mar their home. Esmera-Mar was located where Barcelona would be on Earth, making it an important stop for trade in the Tier-Media Sea, Erras¡¯s equivalent of the Mediterranean. Since the Tier-Media Sea was a relatively shallow sea, the danger of diamond ranked monsters did not appear outside of monster waves. Trading vessels were escorted by sea-savvy adventurers that destroyed monsters before they got close.

    Nara chatted with Encio, donning their travel-vlog personalities for the recording crystals. Nara had a surplus of money that she used to buy whatever caught her eye. She had no understanding of quality other than what her Guide ability provided, but for simple jewelry and small sculptures it did not matter to her. One thing in particular caught her eye¡ªa stained glass lamp with specks of light within that danced like fireflies.

    ¡°I can¡¯t say you¡¯re particularly good at this,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Well if I only did what I was good at, I wouldn¡¯t be good at fighting.¡±

    ¡°You think you can improve at whatever¡ª¡± he gestured wildly with his hands ¡°¡ªthis is?¡±

    ¡°At being a travel-vlogger? Absolutely not. My family is going to have to put up with my enormous cringe when they watch my magic crystal vacation home videos. That will be the only thing occupying their attention, not the¡ª¡± Nara held up the items she just bought, ¡°¡ªnot the magically floating glowing wind chime I just bought.¡±

    He observed it for a moment, before delivering a morose evaluation. ¡°Don¡¯t you think the design is a bit tacky?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going for wow factor, not the intricacies of magic artisanship.¡±

    ¡°Those are not mutually exclusive.¡±

    ¡°Alright, art critic Encio, you think you can do better?¡±

    ¡°I can absolutely do better. Was that ever in question? I¡¯ll show you the decerning eye cultivated by years of travel and deep pockets.¡±

    ¡°Humble brag,¡± Nara muttered under her breath.

    ¡°Ah youth,¡± Sezan said, rubbing his hands together mischievously.

    Luciana gave him a light slap on his shoulder.

    ¡°Ow! What was that for?¡± The slap, of course, did not hurt. Luciana was gold rank, not diamond. But Sezan liked to ham it up for his wife.

    Luciana wagged her finger at him disapprovingly.

    Sezan pouted, ¡°I need some motivation to behave.¡±

    ¡°Be good, and I¡¯ll reward you back at home. Motivation enough?¡±

    Sezan smiled and swept his lovely wife into his arms, her white robes glowing in the afternoon sun. To Sezan, she was his goddess.

    Using his aura, he plucked a blooming yellow flower and placed it in his wife¡¯s hair.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t yours.¡±

    ¡°If I¡¯m misbehaving, will I get a punishment?¡±

    ¡°What did you want, a reward or a punishment?¡±

    ¡°Both.¡±

 Chapter 75: Reverie of Memory

    Chapter 75: Reverie of Memory

    Wisteria¡¯s tattoo studio looked the same as any other building around it. It was a nice area, but quiet, with noticeably smaller buildings than the city center. There was a small plaque etched with a bundle of purple wisteria flowers, the only sign indicating the shop was there at all. Similar to a speak-easy, Wisteria only took on customers by word of mouth. She no longer needed the money, but was something she did since she enjoyed it.

    Wisteria was waiting out front, wearing a robe of dark violet.

    ¡°Wisteria! It¡¯s good to see you again. Chrome has made something for you.¡± Nara handed Wisteria a bundle of nicely wrapped snacks for the woman to enjoy.

    Nara had introduced her new familiars to those at Innovation¡¯s Retreat, and Chrome quickly laser focused onto Laius. He hassled Laius until the stealthy cook imparted some of his recipes and techniques, then spent an inordinate amount of time in the suite kitchen. He had even badgered Nara to learn cooking ritual magic from a skill book.

    ¡®Those that don¡¯t help don¡¯t eat,¡¯ he had one-sidedly declared.

    That was an avengers-level threat.

    Chrome, as a familiar, couldn¡¯t cast ritual magic himself; So, Nara served as his kitchen hand, master and servant reversed.

    Chrome briefly to speak his piece to Wisteria, never content without offering an explanation to preserve his honor. ¡°These are my failures, not fit for consumption for myself.¡±

    ¡°Ohoho,¡± Wisteria laughed, ¡°Your failures, is it?¡± She briefly opened a paper bag to peer inside. Immaculately crafted glazed bon-bons peered back, begging to be eaten. ¡°If these are failures, I wonder what a success looks like.¡±

    ¡°Those I don¡¯t give freely.¡±

    ¡°Well then, can I interest you in a game?¡±

    ¡°Careful Chrome,¡± Nara said warningly, ¡°She¡¯s a strong opponent. She may filch you for all you¡¯re worth.¡±

    ¡°Your pathetic skills serve no applicable frame of reference for my expertise.¡±

    ¡°Big words, Goldie,¡± Wisteria smirked back, matching Chrome in competitive spirit, ¡°Can you back them up with victory?¡±

    ¡°Your taunts don¡¯t phase me, hag, but I¡¯ll play along and put you in your place.¡±

    They shared a good natured and challenging glare-off.

    ¡°¡­Your familiar is pretty wild, Nara,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re just afraid of Wisteria.¡±

    He stared for a moment at the two bickering. They were hashing out what game would set the stage for their battle of wills.

    ¡°If our family falls destitute,¡± he mused, ¡°look no further for the culprit than Wisteria.¡±

    *****

    The full team funneled inside the studio and sat down in a refreshingly furnished waiting room while Wisteria consulted with the team for their individual tattoos.

    Immortal Crests were atypical. Magic tattoo artists like Wisteria usually tatted magical tattoos. These tattoos provided additional magical effects, almost like an additional ability. Each essence user could only have one, else the magic of the effect would interfere with each other, rending both worthless. Additionally, these tattoos disappeared on rank up, when the body was remade with higher quality magic, while the immortal crest would be recreated by the body as a reflection of the soul.

    On top of her immortal crest, Nara would get a tattoo to reduce the ongoing mana costs of abilities. While she could¡¯ve gotten a tattoo that decreased mana cost across the board. It would help reduce the load of Phase Shift, and her constant expenditures with Infinity Domain and Cosmic Path. It was important that those two abilities were constantly maintained. The speed enhancement on Cosmic path was integral to Nara¡¯s fighting style, which affected reaction speed, movement speed, and reflexes, which in turn allowed Nara to make tighter Phase Shifts and use Dream¡¯s Wake and Astral Return more effectively.

    She hadn¡¯t thought she would be, but it turned out she was a DEX build.

    ¡°Four immortal crests, one per day,¡± Wisteria said, ¡°Who wants to go first?¡± She said, twirling her needle with a grin that did not engender trust.

    Nara knew this world had no stigmas against tattoos, but she could not help it when the reservations within her heart resurfaced.

    It was a tattoo. It was something she had never considered back on Earth. She never had a reason to mark something permanently on her skin. Since she was half Chinese, she hadn¡¯t fallen for the trap of some Chinese characters that translated to ¡®Rice Fried By Pork Fat¡¯ or ¡®Man Head Empty¡¯. Nor had she a particular symbol, animal, or media character she cared to immortalize on living skin.

    It was so close to home, so normal, that her common sense which had long been shot back in the head and dumped in the ocean was temporarily fished up so she could stare into her own, blank eyes.

    Her mom was going to fucking flip when she saw her with a full back tattoo.

    Her self-contemplation was interrupted by John, who offered himself up to the chopping block first. If she squinted hard enough, Wisteria¡¯s spinning needles almost looked like meat cleavers.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go first. What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Take off your shirt and lay down there.¡±

    The rest of the sat and waited as Wisteria tattoos John¡¯s back. First, the placed the immortal crest item over his back. It was a thin sheet, between silk and paper. Once it settled on his back, it subsumed within it, melting away like rice paper against saliva.

    She spread out her tools, bundles of needles and colorful pots of ink. One by one she dipped a needle into ink, then placed it on his back, turning John into a needle porcupine.

    Wisteria was a master artisan at work. Nara hadn¡¯t seen this side of her: intense, serious, and focused. Often times she paused, contemplating her work so far, then she¡¯d rebegin in a flurry of gold rank speed and precision Nara couldn¡¯t even perceive, and she sort of wondered if she was just showing off for the peanut gallery. Sometimes, she was slow and steady. Methodical, as if working to complete a pattern only she could see, as if creating a masterpiece to present to the Emperor of a thousand-year long dynasty.

    After a few hours, she was done. She sat for a brief moment, admiring her work and John¡¯s new race change from human to cactus, before reaching a hand to help him off the tattoo chair and into a standing position, with John¡¯s face towards the team.

    ¡°Now we wait.¡±

    John did, grinning at the team to dispel the quiet. They waited in silence, minutes drifting as leaves on the stream of time.

    Finally, they heard a sound: a clink as a needle fell to the floor. The first needle was an impetus that started the rest, all raining down in a cascade of metal raindrops.

    John started to move, but Wisteria glared at him, ¡°Stay still. You cannot rush art.¡± If John hadn¡¯t needed to stay still, she may have slapped him still.

    He froze, looking parts curious and sheepish from her admonishment.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Once all the needles had dropped, forming what Earth would call a biohazard on the floor, she held up a blank cloth to his back for a moment, then handed it to him. It had copied the tattoo on his back for him to see, the better version of a barber handing you a mirror while you tried to cane your neck to see the result and awkwardly thank them when you couldn¡¯t understand the haircut from your reflection.

    ¡°Hurry up and let us see. Quit it with the suspense,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Only if he wants you to see,¡± Wisteria said, with unusual seriousness. ¡°If he wants no one to see, he never has to show anybody.¡±

    Sen and Encio knew the procedure, and sat quietly throughout.

    John smiled and stepped out of the circle of needles that had formed around him, and turned around, baring his back towards them.

    On his back was a massive, flourishing oak tree. A zoo of animals rested in its branches and within the shade at its base, ranging from birds, to reptiles, to insects, to mammals, which all basked in the protection it offered. At the center of the trunk at its base was a family of four animals¡ªNara wondered if it was John¡¯s own.

    ¡°What¡¯s with all the drama,¡± Eufemia rolled her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s a great tattoo.¡±

    Wisteria grinned, ¡°Nice or ugly, it is always your choice. Well, let¡¯s get some of your magic tattoos done, shall we?¡±

    The next tattoos were more relaxed, Wisteria chatting with the group as she emblazoned their skin.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve seen bad immortal crests then?¡± Nara asked, once the intensity of the room had relaxed from as Eufemia called it¡ªthe drama.

    ¡°Oh dear, oh yes, I have. I was worried that our dear little Aciano¡¯s would turn out terribly, but I did what I could to salvage the unseemly blight on his back.¡±

    Encio rolled his eyes, smirking, ¡°You weren¡¯t worried about mine at all.¡±

    She cackled, neither confirming nor denying.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer the question,¡± pressed Eufemia. She was curious how bad a tattoo could turn out, in part because she was worried about her own. Eufemia acted for so long that she sometimes wondered if she had a true face¡ªwas the personality she presented to her teammates her? Or just another mask she could no longer remove, with only a blank void beneath it?

    ¡°Now don¡¯t rush me. Let this old woman think¡­why yes, there was the one child whose tattoo was just his dick.¡±

    Silence ruled the room.

    ¡°I assume it was his dick. I hadn¡¯t checked,¡± Wisteria added, as if anyone had mistakenly assumed she did. Nara didn¡¯t know if Encio¡¯s contemplative expression meant he thought she could¡¯ve.

    ¡°What did he do to deserve that?¡± Eufemia gasped in abject horror.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t choose it for him dear, that¡¯s just what his soul looked like. That child spent his days at brothels or at the church of fertility and lust. Didn¡¯t put any effort into training or making use of the essences his parents bought for him. Ended up a wastrels whose only true effort was the depth of his plunge and the stamina in his lower body,¡± she chuckled despite himself, even making a vulgar demonstrative motion with her hand that made Nara squint and lean back, ¡°I suppose that¡¯s its own talent. The church of lust would welcome him with open arms.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to tattoo that,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Oh ho ho, don¡¯t be. It was hilarious. I can imagine the look on his parents¡¯ faces¡ªthey should¡¯ve known better than to get him a crest.¡±

    All the team was left with was the reassurance that if their crests looked terrible, they¡¯d be the next hapless victim of Wisteria¡¯s stories.

    At least she didn¡¯t give out a name, although Nara wondered if she would¡¯ve if they asked.

    *****

    John leaned over the balcony of his room, staring out into the sunset that glittered over the sea. He could feel the new tattoo on his back¡ªit had already fully healed, yet it felt as if his skin was ablaze with warmth. Not with pain, but with the recognition he had made a permanent change to himself. It may have been genuinely warm, but John could not separate the crest which seemed etched into his soul from the sensations he experienced in physical reality. This feeling would fade, he knew.

    He saw it there, at the base of the tree, a family of four bears, perhaps plucking inspiration from children¡¯s stories. His wife, Olivia, his daughter, Sienna, his son, Noah, and himself.

    He couldn¡¯t help but feel a bout of homesickness, despite his optimism. So he stood here, gazing off into the sunset like an abandoned puppy waiting for his mater to return home. He was having fun in this world; he tried his best. His wife was passionate for arts and music, a talent he didn¡¯t quite have. But she loved his sloppy paintings they made for each other on each anniversary.

    If she knew he was in a magic world, she would tell him to enjoy it¡ªsee the sights, experience all it had to offer. So he did. He was freed from shackles of work and day-to-day life, and lived a lifestyle he would have never predicted for himself with a gun to his head.

    John heard a knock and Nara¡¯s voice from behind it.

    ¡°John? It¡¯s me.¡±

    ¡°Come on in.¡±

    She walked towards him, joining him on the balcony.

    ¡°I could feel you moping. You aura control is still pretty sloppy.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t say I have the knack for it like you have.¡±

    She gave him a soft smile, ¡°Feeling homesick? Your face changed after you saw your own tattoo.¡±

    ¡°I certainly am,¡± John admitted. He was never one to hide how he felt¡ªhe always wanted his own children to be comfortable with sharing their emotions with others.

    ¡°That¡¯s a sane thing to do so that¡¯s good.¡±

    ¡°Hell of a thing to say.¡±

    ¡°Your ability, Magic Camera¡­do you have a picture of your family?¡±

    John shook his head.

    ¡°Would you like one?¡± Nara tentatively offered.

    ¡°Can you do that?¡±

    ¡°You know that thing I ¡®invented¡¯,¡± Nara said, her tone matching her air quotations, ¡°the soul communication thing?¡±

    ¡°I heard a bit about it from the god Healer. It seems like it was a big deal.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not really pursuing development on it. I was just doing joint research with a friend. He was looking into it as a vector for therapy. Soul therapy through music.¡±

    ¡°They do say music touches the soul.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s pretty much the logic here. So, for the test run of this thing, Redell¡ªthe friend in question¡ªhad me access one of his memories. It was like I experienced it for myself, through his eyes and mind. I felt his emotions and heard his thoughts in that moment¡ªeverything. So, by using this ability, I can see a memory of your that you chose to show me. Then, using my own Astral Domain ability, I can create a picture for you, which you either keep or take a picture of for yourself¡ªor both. The only downside is that it¡¯s¡­a pretty personal experience. For both sides. Let me know if you¡¯re down for it.¡±

    Nara pushed herself off the railing, about to leave after having said her piece.

    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m ready for it now. What do I have to do?¡± John said, awkwardly gesturing to the balcony area. ¡°Should I sit¡­or?¡±

    ¡°Now? Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°You get to see my family a little early. I was going to introduce you anyway.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Nara said, ¡°Just don¡¯t show me anything too intimate. If the vibe gets suspicious in the memory I¡¯m backing out.¡±

    John looked scandalized, ¡°I would never.¡±

    ¡°Okay! Just saying. Just uh¡­stay focused.¡±

    She gave him a pointed stare.

    He stared right back. Pointedly.

    Nara brought out the Path Seeker Lute. Even with John¡¯s unperceptive eye for art, he could tell it was an exceptional piece of equipment. Or at least, he could tell it was expensively magical, which may as well be synonymous in this world.

    Nara conjured a chair on the balcony, sitting in it and centering her focus. John felt her presence shift from carefree to calm. He let that sensation wash over himself too, reactively pulling himself into something close to meditation.

    Her finger brushed against the strings woven of moonlight, playing the first note. It was as if the world draped itself across her shoulders, the colors of dusk woven with her hands into music for the soul.

    ¡°Close your eyes.¡±

    John had the vague awareness that she hadn¡¯t said so with her voice, but with her mind. He let his perception expand, pulled into a fully meditative state by the flow of the music.

    *****

    ¡°John.¡±

    He opened his eyes to find himself in that familiar lakeside pavilion. At least, that location and more sprawled out behind Nara. In the distance, he saw the whispers of a city hidden behind trees. He himself was sitting beneath the shadow of his oak tree, soft grass brushing his crisscrossed legs, the rich smell of oak, fresh soil, and flowers enveloping him.

    ¡°Where is this?¡±

    ¡°Sort of a middle ground between our souls. I¡¯m using my Astral Domain as a medium for the both of us. Your soul isn¡¯t really physical, not that mine is either. It¡¯s a bit more convenient than sort of moving around as thoughts. Less instinctual, more physical, which I find makes things easier, more focused. Less prone to¡­wandering thoughts.¡±

    He gave her a disapproving look again. He wasn¡¯t some horndog teenager.

    ¡°Is that what your soul crest will look like?¡± It was like his thoughts spoke for themselves. He put his hand over his mouth¡ªhe hadn¡¯t intended to say that at all.

    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure,¡± Nara said, ¡°But it¡¯s a nice view, isn¡¯t it.¡±

    John paused for a moment to take the view in once gain.

    ¡°Yeah, it is. What do I do now?¡±

    ¡°Focus on the memory you want to show me¡ªshow us. It¡¯ll be like you¡¯re reliving it. One that has all four of you together in it.¡±

    John did, sending the two of them into a reverie of his memories.

    *****

    John opened his eyes once more back to reality. It was night now, the sun had long set. He couldn¡¯t tell how much time had passed¡ªit felt like a long time yet simultaneously nothing at all.

    Nara roused as well, her eyes flickering open. Her hands still rested against the strings of her lute. It disappeared, vanished to her inventory.

    ¡°You have a nice family. Invite me for dinner sometime, yeah?¡± She focused for a moment, then one by one conjured a small stack of photographs which she extended to John. ¡°Here. Like I said: This is a temporary conjuration so do something with it.¡±

    John kept the original copies, storing them away in his inventory. Then, a new photograph appeared in his hands, one of the many she had given him¡ªan exact copy.

    He stared at it in warm and wistful silence. He had just relived his own memory in great detail, together with Nara. His soul remembered details his mind did not, so the impact of the photograph was less than he thought it would be. Still, he was grateful for a physical object he could hold within his hands.

    ¡°Thank you, Nara.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just glad the thing I made came in handy,¡± Nara said. She stood up, stretching herself out like a cat after a lazy afternoon, ¡°If it helped just one person, I¡¯m already satisfied.¡±

    ¡°You could stand to have some more aspirations for it,¡± John said, ¡°You¡¯ve made something wonderful.¡±

    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s not my role in this,¡± she denied. ¡°The only thing I know how to do with it is share a memory. Redell¡¯s the one pursuing other methods of application. I¡¯ll leave the mind-scratching research to him. Beside,¡± she grinned, ¡°I¡¯m already standing.¡±

    ¡°I really walked into that one.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not really walking, no.¡±

    ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t take this sitting down,¡± John said, hefting himself to his feet. He still stood like a middle-aged man, habitually grunting despite his rejuvenation, ¡°How about we raid a diamond ranker¡¯s kitchen for a snack? I¡¯m knackered.¡±

    ¡°Oh, say less.¡±

 Chapter 76: Interpreting Souls

    Chapter 76: Interpreting Souls

    The days passed, each team member receiving their own tattoo.

    Eufemia¡¯s crest was a stunning bouquet of flowers. Alstroemeria, peonies, lilies, amaryllis, dahlias, carnations¡ªit was a beautiful cornucopia blooming from the skin of her back. Mixed in were charming wildflowers¡ªclovers, violets, milkweeds, chicory, and buttercups. The flowers were resplendent and colorful, so realistic and vibrant as if they had been perfectly plucked at the peak of their beauty and vitality, or as if they had never been plucked at all, as living in two dimensions as they would be in three. A single resplendent red rose stood out from the rest; it was at the center of the bouquet, framed lovingly by the rest of the flowers, the main character to its companions.

    Eufemia knew that the ruby rose was just the mask to draw the eye. Behind it was a soft pink wild rose, more rustic and natural in its beauty. Eufemia wondered which flower was the real her, but perhaps all of the flowers were the real her. The facets of her personality, her life¡¯s act, were in some ways more obvious yet more secretive than what others presented publicly as themselves, but they were all herself.

    The tree had no special meaning to John (not one that he was aware of, or one he did not say) yet it was the image his soul adopted. Wisteria said she didn¡¯t choose the image, she just brought out what was offered up to her, like a sculptor that freed the voice of marble trapped within.

    Aliyah¡¯s crest was an intricate golden armillary sphere. Concentric rings orbited a core of resplendent transcendent light, shimmering with silver, gold, blue, and white. The rings and pathways formed an interlocking puzzle, the core streaming god rays through the gaps of the ornate clockwork.

    It was finally Nara¡¯s turn. She did the same as her companions, settling into the bed-seat for Wisteria to work on her back. Wisteria¡¯s eye glimmered briefly when she noticed the scar on her chest before she laid down.

    The old woman debated for a bit, curiosity and a bit of worldly wisdom winning the battle over propriety.

    ¡°When did you get that scar dear? You haven¡¯t been here for very long. Not long enough for something like that.¡±

    ¡°Oh that? I had wondered it bit too, but it¡¯s been here from the beginning.¡±

    ¡°Surely you have some idea,¡± Wisteria prodded, sticking the first few needles into her back.

    ¡°Well, I was thinking its maybe representative of how my soul is mixed up with the astral. Even as I¡¯m down here in reality, a part of it is always up there, in the astral. That slice is that part. I¡¯d say that was sufficiently traumatic to cause a scar. I never had a corresponding physical wound though¡­hence why it¡¯s symbolic, to me.¡±

    Wisteria raised an eyebrow, not understanding most of what Nara blabbered, but the rest of her team had. Nara¡¯s explanation had not been for her, but for the others.

    ¡°Is that really the right way to interpret soul stuff?¡± John wondered aloud. Since healing magic was related to the soul, he had a better grasp of ¡®soul stuff¡¯ than the rest of the team.

    ¡°Is there a right way to interpret soul stuff?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m definitely not the one to ask,¡± John said with a soft grin. ¡°I¡¯m an oak tree and I don¡¯t even know why.¡±

    A table neatly arranged with shimmering bottles of ink and needles appeared. With great contemplation, Wisteria began to dip needles in ink and poke them into Nara¡¯s skin. Wisteria could tell Nara was nervous.

    ¡°Loosen up dear, I promise I¡¯ll make it look nice.¡±

    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t change how it looked.¡±

    Wisteria cackled, ¡°Does it make you feel better if I lie and say I can?¡±

    Nara couldn¡¯t stop herself from smiling. She wasn¡¯t nervous about the appearance of the tattoo, but the tattoo itself. It just wasn¡¯t a stigma this world had, so Wisteria wrongly interpreted her nervousness.

    Nara still wondered how she was going to possibly explain this to her family. Magic was one thing, but a tattoo was another. I¡¯m never going to be able to go swimming in public without some pointed stares.

    But it was too late now; Wisteria had started her work.

    It¡¯s said that sculptors bring out the soul of stone, carving away the excess to reveal the form within. Wisteria¡¯s atmosphere was similar; a contemplation of the natural, bringing forth what was already inside. Sometimes, she worked quickly, her hands a gold-ranked flurry of needles added to Nara¡¯s already quilled back. Other times, she was patient, carefully placing a needle here and there, before pausing to gaze further within. Nara wondered just what the gold ranker herself could see. Perhaps, by virtue of her profession, beyond what even the diamond rankers had perceived.

    Chrome would laugh at her. What can you presume to know about diamond rankers?

    The pinprick of needles was like the white noise to her sense of touch. Her mind wandered, and Nara flexed her perception for the first time in a long time, picking out dust in the afternoon sun, the grains in white stone, the veins in the velvety flower petals. After spending so long in the astral, Nara loved the physical. Picking away at her lute in the midst of trees, breathing in the scent of earth and pollen.

    She had tried before to recreate reality while she was trapped in the astral. Tried to find peace and comfort in any way possible. She created fantastical cities teeming with people, living their daily lives. Buskers played their music, friends laughed in groups, pets trotted happily after their masters. No matter how complex the astral could simulate life, it was all fake. Their patterns could never repeat, but it was all soulless.

    She was the False God of a False World. There was no surprise that it had driven her mad. Chrome had dispelled that madness. Nara would be forever grateful to him, no matter what his agenda was.

    Time stretched on. Shadows lengthened, and sunlight turned the sea to liquid gold. Wisteria¡¯s fingers continued their inexplicable dance, dancing along her back like the gentle touch of hummingbirds to nectar.

    She finished. By this time, Nara knew the drill, but Wisteria repeated her instructions, taking individual care with each of her patrons.

    One by one, the needles fell from Nara¡¯s back to the floor. Intermittent at first, then growing with speed, a torrent of silver rain.

    ¡°Just a moment dear. Step here please, keep your back towards the wall.¡±

    Nara stepped out of the circle of needles to the spot indicated. Wisteria fetched a piece paper, holding it up to Nara¡¯s back for a moment, before handing it to her.

    What she saw wasn¡¯t exactly what she expected, although the scene was familiar. Her prediction with John was not entirely wrong.

    She saw it, letting out a gasp. Not from surprise; It felt right. No matter what Wisteria said, she was an artist. She may claim to ¡®just bring out the beauty within¡¯, but it was still borne of the skill of her hands.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, thank you Wisteria.¡±

    ¡°If I claimed it was all my handiwork, it would be a lie, dear. But you know that already, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Well? Don¡¯t leave us in suspense? Where¡¯s the payoff?¡± asked Eufemia, breaking the quiet.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to show them if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Wisteria said, keeping to her professional ethics.

    ¡°Even now?¡±

    I¡¯d be a little cruel not to show her teammates after they all showed her theirs. The idea tugged a grin at her lips, but she didn¡¯t seriously entertain it.

    ¡°Having a bit of mystery is attractive. I¡¯m all for it,¡± Wisteria winked.

    ¡°Hm. That¡¯s a good point.¡±

    ¡°As if you need any more mystery,¡± Eufemia pointed out angrily.

    Nara rolled her eyes and turned around.

    Down the center of her back was a gently twisting path of golden starlight, stretching off into infinity. The cosmos swirled above, nebulas bursting with color, galaxies in motion, the life and death of stars. The divided the cosmos and a perfectly still unending lake of water. Within the water, trees with blossoms of silver, white and pale pink were reflected although there were no trees to reflect. The soft light of dawn and a light blue sky lay within the water, although there was no blue sky to reflect.

    The scene was familiar to the group; They all remembered the pavilion by the lake. They felt as though the tattoo was upside down, that they were peering through the lake into the cosmos, rather than the reverse.

    ¡°It¡¯s a little trippy,¡± John finally said, ¡°Is that right way up?¡±

    ¡°There is no up or down in space, John,¡± Nara said.

    John shrugged, accepting that explanation.

    ¡°It¡¯s a nice one,¡± Wisteria said, ¡°A great mood maker, if that¡¯s your passion.¡±

    Nara was starting to feel that Wisteria may be a bit spicier than she let on. She was wondering if all her words had been intentionally¡­suggestive. She was started to suspect she was.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Wait, do you rich people get crests to score points with the ladies? Or the gentlemen?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± said Encio.

    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± said Sen, just a beat behind.

    *****

    The group spent the last few hours of sunlight on Sezan¡¯s beach. The swimwear worn in Esmera-Mar resembled sarongs and wraps, enchanted (or magicked, whatever they called it) to be waterproof. Sezan had plenty of guest clothing available for the group to pick from. Lawrence sat on the sand, still reading. They couldn¡¯t convince him to join their game, so they left him alone. He¡¯d enjoy the beach however he damn well pleased, and try to ignore the fact he was staying on the estate of a diamond ranker. When he read those books and did his duty for his goddess, he did just about forget.

    ¡°I sort of feel like we¡¯re some sort of super-colorful yakuza gang.¡±

    They finally got to see Sen¡¯s tattoo, which he had never tried to hide in the first place. He just didn¡¯t have Encio¡¯s willingness to strip at a casual mention.

    Sen¡¯s tattoo was a mountain of reds, browns, silver, and golds painted in a flowing inkbrush style. A brilliant maple forest populated the base of the mountain, where a stream of silver and white drifted with bright touches of fallen leaves.

    John was wandering into the water, dunking his head with half-jubilant curiosity half-horror as he repeatedly confirmed that he didn¡¯t need to breathe at all anymore.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really believe it, even after the trial, but not breathing under water is really something else.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s always the mundane stuff with you,¡± Eufemia groaned. ¡°Can¡¯t you be more excited about, I don¡¯t know, summoning a bear? Manifesting weapons out of thin air? Speaking every gods-damned language that ever existed and every will exist?¡±

    John shrugged with a carefree smile. ¡°At least my knees haven¡¯t buggered me since I ranked up.¡±

    ¡°For fucks sake John. Your knees?¡±

    After the trial, this was a much needed vacation. Besides touring Esmera-Mar, the team had spent much needed time in dedicated meditation. Meditation was needed to rank up abilities, and a few had advanced further than Nara thought.

    <hr>

    <u>Overview</u>

    Name: Nara Edea

    Race: Outworlder

    Rank: Iron

    Age: 24

    <u>Attributes</u>

    [Speed] (Dimension): Iron 0

    [Power] (Harmonic): Iron 0

    [Recovery] (Balance): Iron 0

    [Spirit] (Mystic): Iron 0

    <u>Racial Abilities</u>

    Party Guide

    Traveler¡¯s Bounty

    Tribulation of Self

    Astral Traveler

    Astral Domain

    Free Spirit

    <u>Titles</u>

    Spirit Warrior

    Unbounded

    Astral Shaper

    Godless Prophet

    Unyielding

    <u>Essence Abilities</u>

    [Dimension] (5/5): Phase Shift (Iron 3, 52%), Blade of the Boundary (Iron 3, 64%), Dimension Node (Iron 4, 18%), Infinity Domain (Iron 3, 31%), Echo of Creation (Iron 0, 02%)

    [Harmonic] (5/5): Astral Blessing (Iron 4, 56%), Entropy (Iron 3, 61%), Overture (Iron 3, 37%), Hand of Time (Iron 0, 00%), World¡¯s End (Iron 1, 77%)

    [Balance] (5/5): Refresh (Iron 4, 28%), Astral Return (Iron 3, 57%), Dream¡¯s Wake (Iron 3, 64%), Avatar of the Boundary (Iron 0, 00%), Boon Conversion (Iron 2, 24%)

    [Mystic] (5/5): Cosmic Path (Iron 4, 05%), Gaze of the Boundary (Iron 4, 55%), Moonlight Raiment (Iron 3, 27%), Umbral Wolf (Iron 3, 33%), Astral Judgement (Iron 0, 00%)

    <hr>

    All her essences had at least one ability at Iron 0, so her attributes would remain at Iron 0 until she resumed her monster hunting activities.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted rich friends,¡± Nara said, relaxing on the sand as Chrome fried up some meats on an Erras-style hot-plate grill, ¡°How else can I bum off a family for access to their not-technically-but-essentially-private beach?¡±

    Chrome rolled his eyes, ¡°You have your own private beach. You don¡¯t need a rich friend for that.¡±

    ¡°In my soul. It¡¯s not really¡­practical,¡± she said aimlessly gesturing with her hands. But it was just about as private as a private beach could get.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Highly impractical. Who would want to go into your soul? I¡¯ve been there and it¡¯s a mess.¡±

    ¡°No need to say it like that,¡± Nara said, stealing a piece of meat off the grill. She gave him a pointed look. ¡°Don¡¯t you like, technically live there now anyway?¡±

    He glared at her, ¡°This is what I subject myself to for you. Living in a¡­patchwork shack of a soul.¡±

    ¡°H-Hot!¡± she said fanning her mouth as her tongue burned and slowly healed.

    ¡°That¡¯s what you get for taking food when it isn¡¯t ready,¡± Chrome snapped, warding off a second grabby hand when she was about to re-commit food theft. ¡°The flavor has not yet reached its apex!¡±

    Nara eyed Chrome. ¡°You¡¯ve really taken to cooking for a being that doesn¡¯t need to eat.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to eat either,¡± Chrome said, accusingly pointing his tongs in Nara¡¯s face.

    Nara looked him up and down, his elegant black clothing in contrast to the lively beach part, like a crow within a flock of parrots. Except the crow had a glowing golden mohawk.

    ¡°How would you feel about wearing a ¡®Kiss the Cook¡¯ pink apron?¡±

    ¡°Never,¡± Chrome seethed, ¡°Would I be caught wearing something as unfashionable as what you¡¯ve just had the audacity to suggest.¡±

    ¡°You say that but, I think you secretly enjoy these things.¡±

    Nara looked around the beach.

    ¡°Huh. Where¡¯s Aliyah?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s with that old bat,¡± Chrome said, his attention back to his skewers.

    ¡°Why? Does she need something else from her?¡±

    ¡°If you call your base instincts a need, then yes, she needs something from Wisteria.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    Which more or less confirmed Nara¡¯s suspicions on whether Wisteria had been intentionally suggestive.

    *****

    Encio and Nara stopped outside of a small tailor shop, tucked away between other specialty clothing stores in Esmera-Mar¡¯s clothing district. The mannequins displayed in their tall, clear glass windows¡ªa rarity for a city of colored glass¡ªmarked the origins of Encio¡¯s style, the sort of effortlessly elegant style he wore.

    ¡°I¡¯m starting to feel I¡¯m like, too underdressed as a person for this. I talk big but I¡¯m the type of person that struggled to wear anything beyond T-shirts and sweatpants outside of going to work. I always feel like anything fancier doesn¡¯t suit me.¡±

    ¡°Nervous? Over clothes?¡± Encio said incredulously like he couldn¡¯t even fathom the thought. ¡°I assure you my friend with create a new you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already recreated a new me, thank you very much. Born again outworlder. Don¡¯t need to add the adjective twice.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re at the door,¡± he said, gesturing to the shop, ¡°You can¡¯t back out now.¡± He said with a little more force and a strong look.

    ¡°I¡¯ve really never spent anything beyond like, 150 dollars on a single article of clothing. And it was a nice dress.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what a dollar is, Nara, and it doesn¡¯t matter. Take a page from Eufemia¡¯s playbook and live a little. The robes your friend Chelsea picked out for you are nice, but you can stand to wear a different style.¡±

    ¡°I live,¡± Nara said defensively. ¡°I have my lute and uh, I fund Chrome¡¯s food obsession. Also my teas. I like my teas. And those clothes from Aviensa. I like those.¡±

    ¡°You know you didn¡¯t buy your lute.¡±

    She made a face at him.

    ¡°Nara,¡± he said disapprovingly, ¡°I¡¯m not going to force you into the shop, so you have to walk in there yourself.¡±

    She scrunched up her face, ¡°All right. I¡¯m warning you; I have a terrible sense of style. Abysmal. Atrocious. A pile of steaming trash cultivated from twenty or more years of middle-class upbringing, band student awkwardness, and the field of engineering where looking like a sack of potatoes demonstrates a more acute understanding of science for the upper-level executives, whose own best fashion sense is a suit.¡±

    Encio contemplated a retort, but didn¡¯t even know where to begin. He gave up.

    ¡°My friend and I will take care of you. Just offer your input, and we¡¯ll work around it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean work with it?¡±

    ¡°If your opinion is wrong, we¡¯re ignoring it.¡±

    Nara pushed open the door to the shop expecting the jingle of a bell, but there was none. The shop had comfortable relaxed lighting. Intelligent light placement highlighted the styles on display, ranging from casual wear to formal gowns. The style was the sort of style Nara once fantasized about wearing if she ever became supermodel gorgeous enough to pull it off¡ªit was sort of fashion where the details were small but intricate, the effort often with the cut and shape of the piece to create a flawless and effortless aesthetic, although the construction was the opposite. There was whimsy here and there on the pieces on display, like soft drapes of interesting colors, cut outs, or specific embroidery that likely represented the personal preferences of the client.

    ¡°Enciodes, my dear emerald, it has been too long. I almost thought you abandoned me for Domeni and his infuriatingly handsome looks.¡±

    ¡°I could never, Pietro,¡± Encio said with a grin, ¡°Domeni has the looks, but I know your strength lies in your craft.¡±

    ¡°Now, my friend, are you saying I don¡¯t have the looks?¡± The celestine called Pietro batted his eyelashes and pursed his lips.

    ¡°If you had the looks, why would you need me?¡±

    Pietro stalked around Encio, his face pulled into a pursed frown.

    ¡°My, Encio, you hurt my dear, ruby heart with the undeniable truth,¡± he said after a sigh, as if his evaluation only confirmed his conclusion. ¡°My friend, is this my new client you mentioned?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s my new teammate, take care of her, would you?¡±

    ¡°Have I ever disappointed you, Encio?¡±

    ¡°No. That¡¯s why I come back,¡± he teased.

    Pietro was a celestine, sharing the same swarthy skin the locals like Encio had. His hair was a glimmering moonlit silver, sharing the same shade as his eyes. Celestines were abnormally beautiful, at least to human sensibilities, but it seemed even they thought Encio was the height of perfection.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have a celestine parent, do you?¡± Nara joked.

    ¡°Actually, my father is a celestine.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t expect to hit the answer on the nose. Certainly, Sezan¡¯s genes helped (whether or not ranking up affected genes itself, Nara frequently questioned, and nobody had an answer. He couldn¡¯t have been that good looking at iron rank, yet someone it was passed to Encio), but Encio¡¯s human handsomeness mixed with celestine ethereality gave him that indescribable charm.

    Nara was a little surprised to hear that the races could intermix, since racial abilities defined so much of an essence user.

    ¡°How does that even work¡­¡± she muttered, but that was a question to explore later.

    She was ushered behind a covered partition by Pietro where a recording crystal specially made to take measurements recorded hers for Pietro¡¯s use. It look them even beneath her clothing, to her surprise.

    ¡°She has a soul crest too, Pietro.¡±

    ¡°She does? Can I see it?¡± He said, asking Nara directly.

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t mind.¡±

    Nara was wearing a simple and loose shirt and pants combo from Aviensa, so she lifted the back of her shirt for Pietro to see.

    ¡°My, my, my, is this Wisteria¡¯s work? I would never mistake her artistry. You have a beautiful crest.¡±

    ¡°You know Wisteria?¡±

    ¡°Not personally, but I¡¯ve had the pleasure to see some of her work. Are you comfortable with wearing clothes that display your crest?¡±

    ¡°Not yet, I think. Maybe in the future.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll start you off with clothing that covers the back. No rush,¡± he said gently, his voice dropping a bit of it¡¯s playfulness.

    Despite his initial frivolity, he was serious as he consulted Nara for her opinions on what he would design for her. She wanted casual clothing first, and the full suite of standard enchantments such as self-cleaning, self-repairing, and environment-maintaining properties.

    He asked her a variety of questions, using simpler questions such as which piece she liked more between two examples, and why. Nara didn¡¯t know a lot about fashion, so this let him adapt to her. What colors she liked, how tight or loose a piece could be, how much detail was too much, or whether she liked patterns or not.

    ¡°I, of course, reserve my professional judgement. However, I promise you satisfaction. You may be surprised with the results. In fact, I intend to surprise you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m always willing to try new things,¡± Nara said. She glanced at the two of them. Two flamboyant peas in a pod. ¡°I¡¯m curious, how do you know each other?¡±

    Encio narrowed his eyes. ¡°You think I know him through my grandfather. Nara, you do realize I have friends beyond my grandfather¡¯s connections?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­my bad. I kind of assumed you didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°My, the honorable Sezan Aciano? I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not high enough rank to make his clothes for him. It would be such an honor,¡± Pietro wistfully sighed, deftly folding away the samples he had taken out for Nara to comment on.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need him when you have me,¡± Encio declared.

    ¡°My, Enciodes, if you say it that way I¡¯ll misunderstand.¡±

    Encio grinned.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make it to diamond rank, so all you have to do is make it there too.¡±

    ¡°What shameless, baseless, confidence! Oh, it makes me tremble in anticipation.¡±

    ¡°Baseless...?¡± Encio muttered, but his grin didn¡¯t fall.

    ¡°In two weeks, starlight, your clothes will be ready. Come by then to pick them up.¡±

    ¡°Starlight?¡±

    ¡°He thinks every one of his customers needs a moniker.¡±

    ¡°I sort of get mine, but why emerald for Encio? Shouldn¡¯t it be sword or wind or something?¡±

    ¡°Have you looked at this face of his? There is no way to tear your gaze away from those emerald gems of his.¡±

    Encio fluttered his eyelashes, his eyes sparkling like gems catching light like they were flirting with the sun.

    ¡°You¡¯d even flirt with the sun? That¡¯s a one-sided love, Encio.¡±

    ¡°From which side?¡±

    Nara was stunned into silence by his audacity. She didn¡¯t know what was the right answer.

 Chapter 77: Another Bar to Surpass

    Chapter 77: Another Bar to Surpass

    Two weeks had passed since the team¡¯s trip to Esmera-Mar for a quick break from events at large. Oswald kept his word, keeping the Sage¡¯s freedom quiet while he worked behind the scenes to overhaul how the city had been addressing the Celestial Book Trial.

    Oswald had to admit that he had taken a good thing for granted. He had been irate over the change to the trial¡¯s status quo, yet he realized the Adventure Society¡¯s own stance on it had been extremely hands off, relying on it yet ignoring it. As days passed, he realized the haul of information was more than worth it: information on The Advent, the inner workings of cult of the Celestial Book, and the information contained within Celestial Book library (slow going as it was to accumulate it). He wondered if the team¡¯s insistence (more refusal than explicitly stated) for a low level priest to intentionally slow the accumulation of knowledge was in some way passive protection as well as a warning¡ªthey needed Nara alive and willing to cooperate for the years to come, or they¡¯d lose that bounty of knowledge.

    Encio, as always, knew what he was doing, even as Nara had no idea that he was doing it. It frustrated Oswald to no end (a pleasant sort, one where he felt resigned pride towards the younger generation), as well as an acknowledgement that Encio would make a rather exemplary candidate for the Continental Congress once he was gold rank, with both political backing, connections, and the know-how to throw it around, sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle.

    Occasionally, Oswald requested Sage to the Adventure Society to inquire additional information from her. Meanwhile, the team completed long monster hunting contracts. The basics of teamwork had been established then roughly practiced within the Trial of the Celestial Book. Sen sought out a vegetable spread variety of one-star contracts for the team to work through, as well as completing monster contracts on the outskirts.

    *****

    The team practiced in pairs, a method suggested and oversaw by Sen¡¯s sister, Maya. The team knew each other¡¯s abilities thanks to Party Guide but didn¡¯t know how abilities felt and functioned. Their theoretical knowledge and their practical knowledge of their teammates¡¯ abilities differed.

    Sen dashed forwards, smashing the head of his staff into a kresnolf¡¯s head. Enhanced with Hero¡¯s Sacrifice, his Racial Ability, Mighty Strength, and his new Weight Manipulation ability, Sen¡¯s special attacks cratered skulls like he was single-handedly restocking the catacombs, skulls left less-than-intact.

    -------

    Ability: [Hero¡¯s Sacrifice]

    Essence: Zeal

    Special Ability

    Cost: Variable health

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Sacrifice your health to enhance the power of special attacks.

    Racial Ability: [Physical Zeal]

    [Power] and [Speed] are enhanced for moderate mana-per-second.

    -------

    Kresnolfs were sleek, canine-like monsters whose wings were unfortunately too small for true flight, but enough to perform gliding leaps and directed dives. They would be cute except six full black eyes stared back; bug-like with faceted lenses. Like many monsters, they had a chimeric quality to them, caught between several different animal kingdoms in a way that made them distinctly magical.

    Sen¡¯s new familiar, Regis, followed up breathing a blast of fire from its mouth, roasting the feathers of some kresnolfs.

    -------

    Ability: [Avatar of Wrath]

    Essence: Avatar

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Avatar of Wrath] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Has high regenerative properties, physical strength, and speed.</li>

    <li>Can swim adeptly in water.</li>

    <li>When attacked, inflicts fixed retributive damage back to the attacker. The damage type is counter of the damage inflicted upon it.</li>

    <li>Can unleash a breath of flame. This flame can burn even in environments that would disallow it, such as water.</li>

    <li>When subsumed into the summoner¡¯s throat as a tattoo, the summoner can unleash a breath of fire.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The Avatar of Wrath bore similarities to a Chinese Nian beast, although that mythological creature in and of itself was extremely varied. The creature was a dark, seaweed green (rich in color rather than unpleasant), with bronze plate scales protecting its head, legs, spine, and flank like a self-grown suit of armor. While its body was that of a large feline with wide shoulders, like the bulldog equivalent of a lion, it¡¯s tail was that of a whale¡¯s, ending in a fin. Accents of dark red marked the creature by its dorsal and pectoral fin, dark red claws, as well as its ruby eyes. The familiar was a chimeric fusion between a lion, a fish, and a dragon.

    The burned kresnolfs bungled their dive, crashing into the dirt with singed fur and feathers. Nara teleported into the fray, killing the incapacitated kresnolfs outright. She didn¡¯t have the easy-instantaneous power Sen had, nor should she fight that way, usually. She needed to use her full ability set to rank them up, and that meant fighting slowly as needed. For today, however, they were working on other tactics.

    She went for skilled slices, raking her sword where wings connected to backs, or cutting their throats. Monsters were resilient, and a cut throat wouldn¡¯t instantly kill them. They needed their brains spattered onto the ground like a watermelon on pavement for a one-hit KO. Sen and Nara worked like this¡ªNara prioritizing disabling opponents at first to reduce Sen¡¯s burden, then finishing off whatever monster that unluckily managed to avoid the sweet release of instantaneous death.

    ¡°How was that, sister? Was that any better than we were before?¡± Sen said, wiping away sweat on his brow which only managed to smear blood on his face. He grimaced, and dropped his hand from his brow, as his brow crinkled with the unpleasant sensation of drying monster blood and memories of pungent smoke.

    ¡°It¡¯s an improvement. Your early battles were too independent, where you each targeted your own monsters and worked on them only. Now, I can see the beginnings of teamwork. Your familiar usage has improved too, well done.¡±

    Maya was an observant young woman, a trait shared with her younger brother although in different ways. Sen had a strange, almost animalistic instinct for the thoughts and emotions of others which he wove into his own semi-logical yet somehow reliably sound decisions. Maya¡¯s observations were grounded more in logic and experience. She was a few years older than Sen, in her early twenties, and had advanced to bronze rank. As she was raised to be a leader, she was adept at identifying weak points and giving out metered advice as well as encouragement. She knew Nara¡¯s abilities excelled in specific situations, so she filtered her advice for the situation they were practicing.

    She parsed through the contracts in a way that reminded Nara of Mona.

    ¡°For this next contract I want to see Aliyah and John together.¡±

    John and Aliyah struggled together, at first. John was used to standing at the backline, protected by all the other members of the team. When the two backliner were grouped together, John realized Aliyah was even less suited to defending than he was. Aliyah had a common caster defensive ability, Mana Shield, but it came at a cost to her mana. With only two people to heal, it was better John use his mana for his own defensive abilities, and have Aliyah focus on offense instead.

    -------

    Ability: [Mana Shield]

    Essence: Magic

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a mana shield to absorb incoming attacks. Absorbing an attack consumes mana proportional to the damage absorbed.

    -------

    John held out his Guardian¡¯s Shield, which he could grab as needed instead of having it float. An iresythe slashed down with its scythe arms, blade hands gouging against conjured metal. John manifested his shotgun, holding it around his shield and blasting a shot one-handed against the iresythe¡¯s exposed leg. He was supported by the increased physical strength his subsumed familiar offered, allowing him to handle both the shield and the kickback of the shotgun. Familiars were overkill against a single opponent, so the two kept them subsumed, focusing on their own skills for practice.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    The iresythe used its plated body to push past John, rushing towards Aliyah. A Rune Trap detonated beneath it like a land mine, blowing a hole in its carapace. Aliyah used Juxtapose, switch teleporting with John.

    ---------

    Ability: [Juxtapose]

    Essence: Magic

    Special Ability

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Swap the location of two allies and/or enemies. You must be able to see both subjects of the spell. If an ally resists or otherwise prevents the effect, this ability is negated but the cooldown is reduced to 30 seconds.

    -------

    She was at the Iresythe¡¯s back, free to unload damage. The iresythe tried to wrestle its way upwards, bug appendages fighting against shredded ligaments and gravity, but threads of light appeared, fixing it in place. With no leverage to push against the threads, it futilely thrashed, strung up light a monster marionette.

    ¡°Feel the power of reality unmade.¡±

    A prismatic beam ripped through the iresythe, shredding both its restraints and the monster itself. John deflected the beam that was unfortunately directed his way with a shield.

    ¡°Did know you felt that way Aliyah,¡± John said jokingly, ¡°When did I offend you? What can I do to rectify this?¡±

    ¡°By the goddess of Truth, John, that was not intentional,¡± she swore, already weaving another spell even as she apologized.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it,¡± John said reassuringly, always someone finding himself the rock even as he was more out-of-his-depth than anyone else on the team. He was a middle aged man, dammit. He shouldn¡¯t be that good at this. ¡°When it¡¯s intentional I think I¡¯d know.¡±

    Maya frowned, ¡°It¡¯s good that the two of you are so forgiving, but do mind your allies, Aliyah. At iron rank your spells are exceedingly dangerous. Err on the side of caution, until you can suffer the mistakes.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Of course.¡±

    ¡°It can be a tactic in the future; however I¡¯d recommend using less-risky maneuvers,¡± she rubbed her chin in contemplation, then pointed at Nara, ¡°I might use it with her, but not your healer.¡±

    ¡°Hey, let¡¯s not use it with me either.¡±

    ¡°Either way, keep in mind the direction of your abilities and positioning. You had enough time to use the other version of your Wrath of the Magister ability, which would have avoided the situation with John. Alternatively, you could angle up your spell, even if it did less damage overall.¡±

    ¡°The simplest solution would have been if I stepped to the side to change my angle.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a start. That¡¯s a good observation.¡±

    Maya worked them through, helping them discover the intricacies of how their abilities worked with one other. The survival battle had simplified matters since their backs were defended by allies, but they needed to pay attention in groups of monsters here that could get around behind them.

    John wasn¡¯t supposed to defend, but he could do so in a pinch. As an adventurer, it was important to develop skills for desperate situations.

    ¡°It¡¯s not what you¡¯re good at that will kill you. It¡¯s what you¡¯re bad at that will end your life. Be diligent and practice both what you excel at and what you lack.¡±

    Maya assigned some overall objectives for the team to work on, both individually and together as a group. John would learn to fight with a shield and look for strength increasing artifacts so he didn¡¯t have to rely on his familiar for his unconventional tactics. It was a good idea for his next tattoo, but he¡¯d need to remove his current one, which he passed on. He didn¡¯t know Wisteria long, but already did not want to incite her wrath from removing a tattoo she had just completed for him. His current one granted a mild healing-over-time effect on shield abilities, which helped with overall sustain, especially since his shields were the abilities he used most often.

    Eufemia had a lot to work on, but she needed to curb her own growing reliance on John¡¯s Solar Judgement. It was a powerful weapon, but limited after it expended its own ammo, reduced to something less effective than a normal shotgun. It was also a weapon most of her other abilities didn¡¯t work with nicely, unless she wanted to batter a monster over the head with a shotgun and a special attack. Other than that, judgement and timing on when to use her impactful spells and abilities was important. Mirage chamber duo or trio combat was suggested for Eufemia.

    Like Eufemia, Aliyah needed to work on her close-combat ability. Even in another world, targeting the squishy backliners was a brain-dead, obvious, baseline tactic (which meant in reality, it was usually hard to pull off since any half-trained adventurer team had contingencies against somebody targeting their spellcasters and healers). If Aliyah couldn¡¯t hold her own long enough for her teammates to help, she would die. Targeting healers was also common, but they had higher ability to hold out, since they could heal and shield themselves.

    Monsters weren¡¯t so intelligent at iron rank, but a human opponent would not miss her weakness. She was working on her staff fighting on-and-off, but Maya let her know (a little more than gently) that she needed to dedicate time every day. As the resident staff expert (and halberd, spear, and sword, even though he didn¡¯t use it. Knowing how a weapon worked was the best way to counter it, which make Sen infuriatingly difficult to fight), Sen would keep her to it. She was bitter that she had less time for research, but this wasn¡¯t an obligation she could escape from Sen¡¯s persistence and concern for her safety.

    Nara needed to work on her own defensive capabilities. With the nullification of Dream¡¯s Wake, she was more than capable of blocking attacks for her allies, which she occasionally had done. It was, however, a nascent skill that needed additional work. The team was light on frontline combatants, and she needed to fill in more often. Her own hyper-mobile style stunted her ability to fight one versus one¡ªwhile she teleported into surprising positions, being in the air didn¡¯t let her leverage strength to block or swing. She had been overcomplicating her own mobility. She wasn¡¯t as used to a continually aggressive fighting style, since she usually leveraged her teleportation to blink around a battlefield.  However, her fight with her mimic seeded the beginnings of her budding dueling capabilities. Teleportation had been rather pointless in that fight as well. Blinking around each other like mating fireflies was a cinematic spectacle, but nothing actually happened. Nara needed to grit her teeth and stand her ground.

    When it was Encio¡¯s turn, Maya was a loss for words. Encio¡¯s smug grin towards Nara was returned with an eyeroll.

    ¡°I¡¯ve rarely seen such impeccable swordsmanship, and I¡¯ve met a lot of people. Your ability to determine priority targets is superb, and you are quick to take up advantageous positions with no danger of harming your teammates. Even with your high-cost abilities, you know how to conserve mana as needed and switch to a different style yet maintain aggression. I have no advice for you. You should be bronze already, what are you doing?¡±

    Perhaps she had one thing to critique¡ªhis procrastination.

    Encio shrugged. ¡°Looking for the right team. You brother helms one at an acceptable standard.¡±

    ¡°Complimenting my little brother? I¡¯ll let you slide then.¡±

    That wasn¡¯t the true answer, but Maya wouldn¡¯t pry unless it was necessary.

    ¡°And you, little brother, I would love to say you are perfect but--¡± she gestured with her thumb towards Encio, ¡°--I¡¯ve just seen perfection.¡±

    Sen took it in stride, but Nara could see the licks of a competitive flame in his eyes. ¡°What should I work on?¡±

    ¡°For your role Sen, you are too passive. You wait far too much for enemies to come to you. I understand you need to protect your teammates, but dead enemies cannot harm those you protect. Balance your movement abilities, and strike as needed. Consider too, your own high damage capabilities. Leave Nara to protect others while you take on enemies.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sister.¡±

    Nara wasn¡¯t emotionally prepared for a dedicated defender fighting style. When she failed an attack there were no consequences. The monster survives another breath. If she failed to block an attack¡­Were Nara¡¯s abilities directed towards offense because of the weight of defensive and healing roles? It was an odd thought, that her soul may know her better than she knew herself, in a situation she had never put herself in until her fateful dream escapade.

    If she wanted to master her abilities, she would need to surpass this too.

    *****

    From Soul to Silk was the name of Pietro¡¯s atelier. It had the same classy yet comfortable aesthetic that Nara remembered just two weeks ago. Dragging Sezan out to teleport Encio just to have him come with her was overboard, so she made the final trip herself to pick up her clothes. She pushed open the door and ventured inside.

    ¡°My friend, starlight,¡± he drawled, ever the showman, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to see you again.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s life, Pietro?¡±

    ¡°Oh it has been fantastic! I get to see one of my beloved customers again, and present my specially curated clothing set. It is the favorite part of my process.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t deny you the pleasure then.¡±

    Pietro disappeared into the back of his shop, rolling out racks of clothing. She stared blankly at them, the odd realization that she had her own collection of clothing dawning on her. Like the immortal crest, it was a mundane realization that she made choices (purchases) that she would have never entertained on Earth.

    ¡°We have the classic combination of black with gold embroidery¡ªtimeless and always in style. We have a few pieces with this, suitable for any occasion. I¡¯ve taken inspiration from your crest¡ªembroidery designs are often of flowers or stars. You can see these motifs here on the wrist and the collars.¡±

    ¡°Understated and exquisite,¡± she said, offering a few words of sparse appreciation. She didn¡¯t quite know how to put what she was feeling into words.

    Although insufficient praise, really, Pietro took it in stride. With his widening, enthusiastic grin, she belatedly realized her lack of words itself was compliment enough for him. Stunned into silence¡ªit didn¡¯t get much more impressive than that.

    ¡°Precisely! Now, I know you said you weren¡¯t terribly fond of the color pink, but it¡¯s a shame when its on your crest. I¡¯ve set out to change your awfully wrong opinion.¡±

    ¡°Alright, fair enough,¡± she conceded, already a helpless leaf in Pietro¡¯s flowing energy.

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s just a few pieces, and only a touch here and there. This piece here is a white to pink gradient, to start off a bit light on the color. You¡¯ve said you¡¯ve preferred shirt and pants combinations, so I¡¯ve started off with those as bases. Many shirts are nice blouses with sleek or flowing cuts¡ªnot mutually exclusive. With some interesting cut outs for a bit of flair, mostly on the wrists, or the neck, small ones.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re working up to that back cut out, aren¡¯t you,¡± she accused half-joking, half-knowing.

    ¡°With a soul crest like that it¡¯s a shame not to show it off. One day, one day I¡¯ll have you wearing what I want. But I understand,¡± he huffed with dramatic reluctance, ¡°I have to build you up first. Now, you can¡¯t be entirely without skirts, so I have made you some. Longer ones, as you¡¯ve said you¡¯d prefer. I¡¯ve taken a bit of inspiration from your Sanshi origins to the embroidery and the cut, but altered it for a genuine Saggia style¡ªthey may show some leg. I¡¯ve used Shian loops for closures. Now I know you have robes, but I¡¯ve included a few dresses as well.¡±

    ¡°I like it. I¡¯ve never had my own collection before,¡± Nara said, finally voicing the itch in her mind. ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ll have to get used to.¡±

    He paused to stare at her with an assessing smile. He let that moment hang; eyes locked¡ªno doubt for drama again¡ªbefore gently changing the topic.

    ¡°Well, tell some of your other adventurer friends to stop by. It¡¯s appalling how many adventurers wear drab trash bags on their bodies. Suuuch a shame. I¡¯d say they go to Domeni, but his clothes are at least passable. I cannot deny he¡¯s got a trick or two¡ªdon¡¯t tell him I said that. I¡¯ll deny it. Their brilliance is absolutely wasted, so make sure to visit me again when you rank up. I can remake your favorite pieces and give you an entirely new set. While I usually advocate switching all the pieces out¡­we all get attached. Those favorite styles you can carry through your entire life.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Pietro, I¡¯ll see you again.¡±

    With that, she cast a final look at his boutique, new clothing already stored away in her pocket-soul-dimension, with the renewed sensation that she had really remade herself in more ways than one.

    It was a good feeling.

 Chapter 78: Battle of Mirages

    Chapter 78: Battle of Mirages

    ¡°A team mirage chamber match?¡± Nara asked Vallis.

    Nara and Vallis exchanged blows on the sparring field of the academy. Vallis still held the aggressive edge, but she grinned upon seeing her friend¡¯s improvement. The trial had spurned on her growth¡ªshe¡¯d make a proper adventurer of her yet. Vallis held a small pride; it was the first time she had been so closely involved in the training of another essence user (Vallis was young herself, after all), and she could see why the teachers of the Academy did what they did. It was fulfilling work.

    ¡°Thanks to the trial,¡± Vallis said, her thoughts moving back to the conversation, ¡°I¡¯ve gathered myself a full team. Six of us, like Sen¡¯s team. Now that we¡¯re all full up on essence abilities, why not go all out? A battle to the death in an arena of illusion.¡± Her tone was challenging. The smile that played on Nara¡¯s face told Vallis she was more than up for it, although her response was balanced and thoughtful.

    ¡°Sounds interesting to me. I¡¯ve only had small scale battles, duels and stuff like that. I¡¯ll pass it on to Sen.¡±

    ¡°Tell him to hurry up and let me know. I¡¯ve reserved us a time at the Academy¡¯s mirage chamber.¡±

    ¡°Without even his confirmation?¡± said Nara incredulously.

    Vallis¡¯ grinning smile suggested she was confident Sen would accept her challenge, and she was right. Sen wouldn¡¯t pass up an opportunity for training, and 6-person team battles were difficult to organize.

    ¡°We could just use the Arlang mirage chamber.¡±

    ¡°We could, but where¡¯s the fun in that? Let¡¯s put on a show for our fellow classmates.¡±

    ¡°You just want to inspire more challengers,¡± Nara rightly accused.

    Vallis laughed. ¡°The mirage chamber battles lately have been lackluster. I want to light a fire beneath the students of the academy and see what they call pull off. It¡¯s time to set an example.¡±

    ¡°Or be made an example.¡± Nara¡¯s tone suggested she wasn¡¯t referring to her own team.

    ¡°Oh? Such aggression. I didn¡¯t think you had it in you!¡±

    Vallis lunged forward, her large wooden sword swinging with surprising speed.

    ¡°Where¡¯s your aggression now?¡±

    Nara grit her teeth, ¡°Working on it! I¡¯m not really an aggressive person. All bark, no bite!¡±

    ¡°I want to see some of your bite! Did your wolf familiar teach you nothing!¡±

    ¡°That familiar isn¡¯t teacher material!¡±

    ¡°Everything is a teacher if you¡¯re paying attention!¡±

    Vallis threw her weapon, Nara twisting to dodge it. Vallis followed up with a body slam, sending Nara tumbling to the ground. Nara glared at the triumphant Vallis, spitting a lock of dirt covered hair from her mouth.

    ¡°Oh, one day¡­¡±

    *****

    The two teams gathered in the mirage chamber arena of the Academy. Sen was quietly ecstatic over the invitation to a team battle. If Vallis waited any longer, Nara had no doubt Sen would¡¯ve posed the challenge first.

    That may have even been why Vallis did pose the challenge first. Just to get the jump on Sen. By Sen¡¯s narrowing eyes and controlled grin when Nara delivered the message, she suspected that was Vallis¡¯ intent indeed.

    ¡°I know Vallis said she wanted to put on a show, but I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be this whole thing¡­¡± Nara said, wildly gesturing and staring at the students that had gathered in the arena seating.

    ¡°A match between two teams of the great families is a great attraction,¡± said Aliyah matter-of-factly, ¡°Few would pass an opportunity to see the power and potential of the youngest generation.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but Sen¡¯s been training at the Academy like everyone else. More or less¡­I guess he¡¯s gotten a lot of private tutoring. So have I.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call what you have private tutoring,¡± Encio said, quick to dismiss her poorly conceived notions, ¡°All of your lessons have been the basics. More ¡®catching up¡¯ than ¡®private tutoring¡¯. What Sen and I have¡ªpolitics, laws, essence user etiquette, battle strategy¡ªare advanced topics that are unnecessary for most adventurers.¡±

    The unsaid was ¡®higher level learning¡¯ required actually mastering the basics first. Basics that Nara certainly didn¡¯t have when she materialized bare-ass naked like a new-born babe (in more ways than one) on the floor of Amara¡¯s research lab.

    ¡°Not everyone needs team leader training.¡±

    Encio nodded, ¡°Frankly I¡¯m a bit wasted here, but I never cared to be team leader personally. It¡¯s just how it always ended up when I recruited others.¡±

    ¡°What, everyone is a ¡®yes man¡¯ next to the Aciano name?¡±

    Encio¡¯s tone agreed with her. ¡°Even when I tried not to be the leader, the leader deferred to me. Which meant, I was effectively the leader once more, even if I wasn¡¯t on paper.¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes, ¡°Oh, the woes of the rich and famous! Thrusted onto positions of leadership and power they reluctantly accept! Such is their duty!¡±

    ¡°I hope you never change, Eufemia,¡± he said dryly.

    ¡°If she starts buttering you up, you know she wants something from you.¡±

    ¡°Then I know to be afraid,¡± Encio said, holding his body in a fake shiver, then grinning at Eufemia¡¯s displeasure.

    *****

    ¡°I hope you are your team are ready to get crushed, Arlang.¡± Vallis said, her crossed-arms posture was just as competitive as her tone.

    ¡°You won¡¯t find us so easy to crush, Nisei.¡±

    Within Vallis¡¯ team there were a lot of familiar faces. As Vallis said during the adventure society exam, she recruited Kiris the water essence healer onto her team. Gento, the fire fist leonid, had also joined Vallis¡¯ team. He waved cheerfully to Nara.

    Hugh, the chain user that had saved John during the first part of the trial, was now the defender and battlefield controller of Vallis¡¯ team. He was also a Sanshi local, so Vallis snatched him up for her team. She was impressed with his calmness in crisis and quick thinking.

    Nolan was also a part of Vallis¡¯ team, part auxiliary, part combatant. Even more than their healer, he was the least combat-oriented member of Vallis¡¯ team. However, Vallis¡¯ team was heavy with damage dealers, so his abilities were a nice balance. Nolan was more auxiliary member than frontline combatant, but his essences abilities could pack a serious punch, and his essence set of Dance, Feast, Knife, and Bounty also provided buffing, healing, and evasive abilities.

    The final team member was Jaina, a bow user with sharp features and an icy persona. Nara didn¡¯t know much of her abilities, so she would be a surprise. Sen had gone over what he knew of the team members, but adventurer abilities, while recorded, wasn¡¯t accessible knowledge.

    Vallis¡¯ team was heaving offensive focused, compared to Sen. Vallis, Jaina, Gento, and Nolan contributed a large amount of damage, whereas the last two members, Kiris and Hugh, were the team¡¯s healer and defender respectively.

    On their side, Encio was the only pure damage dealer (pure in a way that made everyone on Vallis¡¯ team shoot him a combination of wary or challenging glances. Jaina and Gento had more than enough powerful to get one-hit kills off, but Encio¡¯s speed (combined with absurd skill) was always his most terrifying aspect), while Sen, Aliyah, Nara, and Eufemia all had mixed skill sets and roles.

    Hugh had the impressive essence set of Chain, Iron, Myriad, and Prison. Myriad was a legendary essence, well known for its multi-target and duplicative capabilities. He wasn¡¯t from a famous family, so Nara wondered how he¡¯d gotten his hands on that essence (likely inherited).

    It would be a challenge to see if the Sen¡¯s team could handle their continued onslaught, or at least their initial burst. However, since both teams were fresh, the outcome was indeterminate.

    Of Sen¡¯s team, his most effective and most independent members would be Nara, Encio, and himself. Nara¡¯s weapon skill was moderate, but in conjunction with her abilities, she was incredibly difficult to kill while also effective at harassing a single enemy, even if the damage was low (barring fatal blows with a sword in the right place). Meanwhile, Encio was the most experienced and skillful member of the team. His high speed meant that he, like Nara, was hard to pin down.

    John held the crucial role of healer and would likely be focused by the high offense of the enemy. This fact would be the impetus of their strategy.

    Sen told the team his plan.

    The battlefield was amid a forest between spires of rock, the typical terrain of Sanshi. Vallis knew the terrain was to her team¡¯s disadvantage, but it was the most common terrain they¡¯d fight in. If wasn¡¯t as if they¡¯d hadn¡¯t fought in forests before either.

    The two teams would begin separated. The first challenge¡ªwho could strike first.

    Vallis¡¯ team lacked a member they could use as a scout. Jaina was a bow user, but with offensive and trapping abilities. She particularly wasn¡¯t suited towards scouting (although more so than the rest of her team. But wandering alone at iron rank where a quick stab could finish you off was a quick way to turn a 6v6 into a 5v6.). This was Sen¡¯s first advantage. Both Eufemia and Nara served as competent scouts, although Nara held the competitive edge in mobility and anti-detection, due to her anti-detection armor effect and superior aura control.

    Nara hopped from node to node. She left Sage with her team members, intentionally spending mana to begin stacking Integrity early. Stopping at a high rock spire, she began to examine the area she had covered. In her hand, she had a pair of conjured binoculars¡ªcourtesy of John. Detecting nothing, she continued, picking her way across the terrain in focused silence.

    Nara stopped on a tree. Beneath her body was a thick three branch that obstructed her body from below, although it was unnecessary.

    ¡°I found them,¡± she said through voice chat, ¡°Northwest, by a waterfall that leads into a wide stream.¡±

    The moment Nara had detected them, the map had marked their locations.

    ¡°Vallis knows she lacks the initiative, so they may be preparing to receive us there. The water may be an advantage to their healer.¡±

    Vallis¡¯ healer, Kiris, had the Water, Life, Balance, and Mystic essence combination. Elemental essences often had greater effects in locations where the element was present, and Vallis likely intended to utilize every advantage she had.

    ¡°Can we lure them away?¡± asked Eufemia. She was always sensitive to traps and ambushes¡ªhoned by experience of a careful and dangerous past.

    ¡°Not yet, but maybe¡­¡± Said Sen, pausing for a moment to think, ¡°Nara could you run harassment?¡±

    ¡°My afflictions aren¡¯t going to stick. Not with the healer alive.¡±

    While Nara could eventually take out a healer, she could not while surrounded by five other team members.

    ¡°We¡¯re adopting a siege tactic. It¡¯s time for mental warfare.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Again? So damn persistent!¡± Gento said, swatting away another arrow. Gento was usually cheerful, but the attacks had been wearing even him thin. For the past hour and a half, their team has been assaulted by a combination of mana arrows and rays of light. Whenever they tried to settle, an attack would arrive from the surrounding trees, unbalancing them.

    Every so often, Nara would teleport in, harassing their healer with a barrage of attacks. She generously used Phase Shift to avoid damage since she could recover mana between engagements. Infinity Domain handled the rest, bending away the weaker ranged attacks. Jaina¡¯s powerful icicle arrows were the only real threat, but Nara¡¯s mobility meant she could recover from mistakes.

    She never let the healer have a moment of rest. Kiris was shy and quiet, but surprisingly resilient. But the unexpected and ferocious focus of Nara left her unsettled and shaky over her continued assault. More importantly, she had to continually cleanse herself, else Nara¡¯s afflictions would build up. She wiped herself clean each time without issue, but Nara¡¯s mana recovery was building while hers was a stagnate rate. Even then, it was a stalemate. Nara made no significant progress against Kiris except gradually depleting her mana.

    Eufemia supported Nara from the shadows. She duplicated Nara¡¯s dimension teleport and Aliyah¡¯s Mana Burst, getting in damage where she could. Mana Burst was particularly effective¡ªwith the team grouped up, they either had to eat the area explosion, or split up to let Nara have direct access to Kiris, since Nara could teleport closer to her with nothing blocking the way. This increased Kiris¡¯ healing burden, although Nolan alleviated it somewhat with his own healing abilities.

    Eufemia could duplicate Nara¡¯s Dimension Node, but she couldn¡¯t create any nodes with it. She could only gain the dimensional teleportation portion of the ability. With nodes already laid out in a retreat path, Eufemia and Nara could escape if any of them decided to give chase.

    So far, they had not. Holding admirably at their location. Although, expressions of frustration filled the faces of many members of the team.

    ¡°I¡¯m want to chase her!¡± Gento said, pacing back and forth. Chairs, tables, food, even their fire had been destroyed. There was nothing to enjoy and nothing to pass the time except wait for an inevitable assault.

    ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± said Vallis, although she wasn¡¯t sure; She was against The Battlefield Strategist, Sen Arlang. What was his plan? ¡°That would be playing into their hands.¡±

    Gento nodded, but Vallis could tell he was at the end of his rope. She burned with a calm fury. She knew this was just a match, and Sen intentionally chose this strategy to attack their mental strength. The realism of the mirage chamber was exhaustive. Vallis couldn¡¯t help but feel her frustration rising. Kiris was being harassed to no end, suffering repeated cuts and stabs. It wore on her.

    The occasionally managed to land a few shots of Nara, but her extreme mobility allowed her to safely retreat, disappearing into the forest.

    Nara was unrelenting. She teleported in, carving or nicking away at flesh, and teleported out. Even when they landed blows, she returned fully healed. The time between each assault grew shorter, and Vallis knew Nara was growing in power.

    Kiris held Mana Tide in reserve, but her mana from repeatedly healing and cleansing herself was drawing low. The interference from Nara did not allow her to use a single mana potion or consume Nolan¡¯s restorative food.

    Hugh¡¯s basic binding ability, Ground Lock, created a chain from iron that arose from the earth to bind a target. However, any ability manifesting directly beneath Nara failed, an effect of her Cosmic Path. Hugh had to target ground adjacent to her, but that gave Nara slightly more time to react¡ªit was enough, and Nara had the mana regeneration to semi-generously use Phase Shift.

    Kiris would either have to use Mana Tide or run out of mana. But that was a delay that did not break their deadlock. Sen¡¯s team knew where they were, but her team did not.

    ¡°We need a new plan.¡± Said Gento, searching for a way out of this losing deadlock, ¡°The next time we¡¯re attacked, what if three of us give chase?¡±

    ¡°Three?¡±

    ¡°They at most have two members that can serve as skirmishers. Send three¡ªand take the two out.¡±

    It was an inaccurate statemen; Encio could serve as a high burst damage skirmisher, but the team had chosen to save him for a decisive move.

    Vallis knew even this move was not satisfactory. If they sent three members away, Sen¡¯s other four members could be lying in wait. The skirmishers could regroup faster after drawing away three members of her team, pressing the remaining half of the team until they returned, or delaying their return entirely.

    Vallis gathered the team, explaining her plan.

    ¡°Sen, they¡¯re making their move,¡± Eufemia told Sen through voice chat.

    Their base had been set up relatively close to Vallis¡¯ team. John and Nara¡¯s conjuration abilities let them conjure a simple and small box cabin of Minecraft simplicity. If Vallis¡¯ team had a proper scout, they would have been detected within the past hours.

    Sen now had two options to consider. The first was to ambush the members Vallis sends to attack Nara and Eufemia. If he was in Vallis¡¯ position, with her team composition, it would be one of the tactics he¡¯d consider.

    If Nara and Eufemia led them towards the direction of the base, where the rest of the team was on standby, they may be able to kill the members outright.

    It was also possible Vallis may chase with her whole team, abandoning their hold by the river. He didn¡¯t know why they had chosen the river clearing in the first place, but the advantage of water may not be great enough with their healer on low mana, and they may choose to move into the forest. Vallis had, with her lack of scout, made the mistake of revealing her winning condition to easily (she should have stayed in the forest, and led the battle towards the river. Vallis lacked the subtle hand the Nisei was known for, but she was known as The White Sun for a reason¡ªher lack of the finer skill in tactics in part). Sen agreed with Eufemia¡ªthe river was dangerous. While Nara benefitted from forest terrain, most the others suffered in varying degrees. The question was if the other team suffered worse.

    The other option was to attack in force against whatever members were left behind. Their healer was on the backfoot and may not utilize whatever water ability they had planned to capitalize on in the first place. However, their defender Hugh was still a large threat. He was unlikely to be separated from the rest of the team.

    ¡°Keep me informed. We¡¯ll begin to make our approach.¡±

    The next time Nara assaulted their healer, the team left into action.

    ¡°Slip through air as through water,¡± Kiris chanted, bestowing a boon on both Gento and Jaina. The shot off, their speed enhanced by the boon. Projectiles launched against them with this boon slid away, as if washed away by water. Nara and Eufemia fled, the other two not quite ¡®hot-on-their-heels¡¯ but steadily gaining.

    ¡°Two of them are on us. Gento and Jaina.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll move forth with Plan Mirage Replacement.¡±

    ¡°That sounds utterly ridiculous,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°We don¡¯t need plan names.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, like we¡¯re some sort of official organization,¡± Nara agreed. ¡°As if we need plan names to keep our plans separate.¡±

    ¡°We are an official organization,¡± Sen said flatly. ¡°And we may re-use plans.¡±

    ¡°A team? That hardly counts as an official organization.¡±

    He paused, considering. ¡°We¡¯re part of an official organization.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. But we¡¯re not officials of the official organization.¡±

    ¡°Could we focus on the battle?¡± Aliyah chided, ¡°Or are we going to lose because we can¡¯t get over Sen¡¯s ridiculous formality?¡±

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡°Aliyah¡­¡±

    The speed boost began to wear off, and Gento and Jaina approached Nara in a clearing. They had lost sight of Eufemia sometime during the chase. You really would not have expected it, with her bright red hair contrasting the forest browns and green, yet she had shaken their focus.

    ¡°Where¡¯s your slippery friend?¡±

    ¡°Eufemia would resent being called slippery, but she¡¯s around.¡± Nara gestured to the trees. On cue, a light ray shot from within the forest, which Gento sidestepped.

    ¡°You¡¯re to hold us here.¡±

    ¡°You bet,¡± Nara¡¯s bow transformed into a sword; her boons fully stacked.

    ¡°Give it your best try,¡± Gento said, smashing his hands together with a grin.

    The four erupted into battle. Gento roared, activating Leonid¡¯s Roar.

    -------

    Racial Abiltiy: [Leonid¡¯s Roar]

    Active. Roar loudly to increase the [Power] and [Speed] attributes of nearby allies.

    -------

    Chrome and Thanatos manifested, tag teaming Jaina while Nara held off Gento. A body each of Sage was attached to Chrome and Thanatos, granting them the benefit of Nara¡¯s full boons. Without them, Chrome and Thanatos alone would not be able to hold off one member. Even with them, they were only a distraction.

    Their targets were not necessarily so fixed. Nara swapped back and forth, applying her afflictions to each member when she could. Chrome accelerated them with his, and Thanatos inflicted his afflictions as well, increasing their mana costs slowly with Umbral Burn.

    Gento was a fearsome foe; Five of a leonid¡¯s six racial abilities were related to speed, strength, and stamina cost reduction. His flaming fists were sharp and powerful; any hits that landed staggered Nara or even blew her away. He immolated himself, slowly burning his own health but also burning away some of Nara¡¯s afflictions. When she was too close, flames licked onto her, burning her skin. Still, this cleansing ability was not enough to keep up with Nara¡¯s afflictions. He disabled the ability, keeping his health in reserve.

    Jaina¡¯s arrows were more powerful than plentiful, a poor match up for Nara. She could not influence their trajectory much and they raked across her body, leaving gashes of icy blood. Every so often, an ice trap immobilized Chrome or Thanatos, letting her press the attack against Nara.

    Magical ice and fire did not conflict. Nara suffered the effects of both, simultaneously burning and freezing. Her muscles froze and her skin burned; a thoroughly unpleasant sensation that would turn her stomach, if she had one.

    Nara juggled the two opponents as best she could. Luckily for her, only Jaina had a familiar, a clear, transparent hunting bird that looked as if it was made of melting ice. It similarly fired piercing icicle shots, but they were less dangerous than Jaina¡¯s attacks and mostly ignorable.

    Nara put Gento between herself and Jaina, forcing Jaina into difficult positions that prevented the use of her most powerful abilities. Meanwhile, Eufemia¡¯s newest familiar, Lumi, fired Light Rays from the forest. Together with the Echo Spirit Runa, they made a passable mimicry of Eufemia.

    -------

    Ability: [Firelight Wisp]

    Essence: Light

    Awakening Stone: Fire

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Firelight Wisp], to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li> </li>

    <li>Can move extremely quickly. Cannot attack while moving quickly.</li>

    <li>Casts light on its surroundings. Light can be dimmed or strengthened.</li>

    <li>When the light of the familiar is increased to its maximum, it dispels concealment effects. Wisp cannot attack in this state.</li>

    <li>Attacks using Light Rays. Attacks gain increased power and frequency in strong light.</li>

    <li>When subsumed in the summoner¡¯s skin, the summoner can manipulate light to make their self and their abilities harder to detect or cause themselves to glow.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Runa¡¯s attacks inflicted no damage, they were illusions of Eufemia¡¯s abilities, such as her copied Wrath of the Magister. Lumi, on the other hand, dealt real damage, although it was weak.

    Even with the familiar and boon advantage, a strange feeling nagged at Nara. Jaina and Gento were sent to intercept or kill her and Eufemia. Nara and Eufemia¡¯s familiars, in turn, were trying to delay the two so that Sen, with the advantage of one additional member, could mop up the rest of Vallis¡¯ team.

    If they knew Nara was trying to keep them in place, why would they stay? In their position, they should quickly realize Nara was trying to delay them 1v2 (it was more 1.3v2 thanks to the extra familiars, and Nara¡¯s ability set was tailored towards small engagements and duels, which was what even allowed her to delay this long in the first place). The sensation gnawed on her, but she could do little else but fight the two desperately.

    *****

    Sen had not expected that Vallis would choose to reverse the bait. She allowed Gento and Jaina to split, and they instead held Nara down while the rest of the team rushed to intercept. Kiris was carried by Hugh, conserving her low energy, while the team ran through the forest.

    Vallis needed Sen to also split his team. She sent Gento and Jaina off, hoping he¡¯d send his team to assault hers, instead of backing up Nara. While he made his way there, her team would catch up to the ongoing skirmish.

    Vallis intended to reverse the chase.

    What Vallis had not expected was how close Sen¡¯s team truly was. The lack of a scout for her team was the missing brick that toppled the tower.

    Vallis¡¯ two fastest members had been sent to catch up with Nara; the rest of the team had a lower top speed. Sen and Encio however, were both fast.

    Sen¡¯s movement ability was like a leonid¡¯s Sprint racial ability, which allowed leonids to run extremely quickly at extreme stamina cost.

    --------

    Ability: [Momentous Sprint]

    Essence: Might

    Special Ability

    Cost: High stamina-per-second and low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Sprint with greatly increased movement speed. Rapidly gain instances of [Momentum] during the sprint.

    <ul>

    <li>[Momentum] (boon, magic, stacking): When making an attack, all instances are consumed to inflict resonating-force damage. Multiple instances can be accumulated, and instances are lost quickly while not moving.</li>

    </ul>

    --------

    Sen and Encio moved to intercept. John and Aliyah would have to catch up.

    Nara continued her precarious battle against Gento and Jaina. Now, she was sure they were trying to hold her in place, rather than the other way around. This realization was illuminating¡ªIt was easier to fight when she didn¡¯t have to keep them in place, instead freely teleporting and moving around.

    Their battle had evolved into a retreating skirmish, where Nara retreated in the direction of Sen and Encio while occasionally hitting attacks against Gento and Jaina. They traded blows, but the forest cover blocked most of Jaina¡¯s attacks, and Gento didn¡¯t have as much vertical mobility as Nara¡ªfew did, at iron rank. With mild pride she though of it as one of her specialties.

    Since she didn¡¯t need to make risky moves to keep them in place, she could move easily avoid the duo.

    ¡°Sen, it feels like they¡¯re trying to keep me in place, not the other way around. I¡¯ve started to retreat in your direction,¡± she reported to Sen.

    ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll join you shortly. Eufemia, join up with me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m on it.¡±

    Eufemia was already sprinting towards Sen¡¯s party. She carried one body of Sage on her, allowing her to maintain a high speed without tiring. She didn¡¯t have Sen¡¯s movement ability, nor access to Nara¡¯s nodes (nor a target to copy from), so she had to settle for base speed running.

    Vallis¡¯ party was making their way through the trees at a hurried pace. She abandoned some amount of caution, prioritizing speed. She once again lamented her team¡¯s lack of a scout.

    With a roar of wind, a massive black crescent shot through the forest, cleaving through trees.

    ¡°Hugh!¡±

    The trees blunted the speed of the blade somewhat. Hugh swiftly conjured a small iron wall in front of them to stop the attack in its tracks. At iron rank, it was not large nor thick, but the iron dissipated the cutting black energy. However, the wall crucially obscured an incoming attack.

    Encio¡¯s God-Sundering Slash ignores physical obstructions and only attacks the intended target¡ªAnd his intended target was the small Kiris, who Hugh had set down. Knowing that Hugh would act to block his Vorpal Slash, Encio duplicated a God-Sundering Slash with Double Strike.

    Kiris was harried and exhausted, but she wasn¡¯t helpless. More instinct than thought, she conjured a bubble of water around herself. It absorbed part of the damage of the first slash, the slash sloshing into water, spraying water out from the bubble like a burst water balloon.

    There wasn¡¯t enough water to block the second, which slammed into her, cutting through her armor and flesh. Kiris, however, wasn¡¯t dead yet. She was badly injured (with a gaping gash across her torso that would kill her shortly, at least due to blood loss) but began weaving healing abilities in a las-ditch effort to preserve herself. Sen¡¯s team needed to follow up to finish her off (because if anyone could survive Encio¡¯s attack, it¡¯d be a healer).

    The attack did not stop; Sen and Encio both engaged. Sen moved close to Hugh¡¯s flank and activated his most powerful attack¡ªa combination of Explosive Zeal with Unstoppable Force, further bolstered by the instances of Momentum he gained on his run there. The sturdy Hugh was sent flying backwards like a misaimed bowling ball. Midair, he managed to cast Ground Lock. Thick chains wrapped around Sen¡¯s ankles, tying him in place to the ground.

    Ordinarily, a single essence user against a deluge of attacks from three others was a death sentence, even if two of their best attackers were occupied elsewhere. Vallis herself was a heavy hitter, and Nolan and Hugh had ranged attacks they could use from afar.

    With Sen immobilized, Vallis gathered energy in her blade, the large blade lit with a vortex of energy.

    However, Sen had a new trump card from the trial he had awakened with a rare Awakening Stone of Defiance

    -------

    Ability: [Return to Origin]

    Essence: Balance

    Special Ability / Special Attack

    Cost: Very high stamina and mana

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Become briefly invulnerable, then attack to unleash a powerful wave of disruptive- and resonating-force damage with an attack, blowing back all attacks and abilities at the impact to their origin.

    -------

    The Balance Essence was a flexible essence that awakened abilities with an equivalent cost, or abilities that required timing and judgement. Return to Origin was the latter, an expensive attack that required precise timing or else its greatest benefits were wasted.

    A wave of force abruptly reversed spikes of iron, Vallis¡¯ charged up sword swing, and Nolan¡¯s dancing chef knives back to those that had unleashed them. With the time he bought for himself, he used the concentrated heat blade on his Staff of Duality to quickly cut away the chains binding his feet.

    Freed, he dashed forward, seeking Kiris to finish the job. With no allies to protect, he could go all out.

    Suddenly, a figure dashed through the trees, a rust-furred Leonid.

    ¡°Gento!¡± Vallis exclaimed in relief.

    ¡°I¡¯m on it, chief!¡± He crossed the line of fire, dodging Sword Waves that launched through the air to intercept him. He landed nimbly next to Kiris, a splendid display of acrobatic athleticism that was expected from a leonid.

    A fanged grin curled in a way that was somehow out-of-place, eliciting a shiver down Vallis¡¯ back. Gento conjured a weapon into his hands that Vallis did not recognize. It was made of both wood and metal, with two long cylinders attached in parallel. The end of the weapon pointed down at Kiris, whose eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°Gento¡­?¡± She said with a warbling voice. Her hand was pressed to her stomach, a healing glow slowly stitching wounds and slowing blood loss. Her other hand hovered in the air, a glowing ritual circle halfway drawn.

    ¡°Sorry, Kiris. I really tried to like you but you¡¯re just not a good fit for the team. The most optimal form of this team is a team without you.¡±

    The end of the weapon lit ablaze in a roar of fire and explosive force counter to what one normally expected of an infiltration transformation specialist. Kiris partially formed into water to teleport, before the effect was unexpectedly dispelled.

    -------

    Ability: [Void Cancel]

    Essence: Refracting

    Spell (curse)

    Incantation: ¡°No power escapes the void.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Cast a spell on a target, interrupting a target ongoing ability. You can cancel the inherent abilities of a magical creature. The ability that was interrupted is placed on a 3-minute cooldown, and mana is consumed as if the ability had been cast, up to a limit. If more than one ability is interrupted and no target ability is specified, the ability with the longest cooldown is prioritized.

    -------

    Void Cancel was a new ability Eufemia awakened from a legendary Awakening Stone of the Void, cementing her specialty in both copying and sealing abilities.

    Kiris was forced to suffer as many shots as possible of Solar Judgement Eufemia could unleash in a short period of time. Kiris already used her greatest defensive ability, Water Bubble. Even John¡¯s two magic bubble shields would not have been enough to block all seven blasts. A single shot was all it took to finish off the already badly hurt Kiris.

    Kiris died, fire evaporating the remnants of water from her in mixture of smoke and steam.

    The battle was not over yet. Kiris had been defeated, but iron rankers were weak. If the battle didn¡¯t last long, it mattered not that Kiris had died (you can¡¯t heal the dead after all). It was Sen and Encio¡¯s turn to be besieged, and Nara was still fighting off two essence users on an intercept course for the main skirmish. Vallis had chased Nara, and Sen and Encio had intercepted, so Nara was relatively close to both groups.

    Vallis gathered power for another strike, flinging herself at Sen who had already expended his trump card.

    Sen prepared to block the ability with his staff, but Vallis¡¯ strike was bounced back by a shield. John and Aliyah stood at the forest¡¯s edge. Aliyah was out of breath from prolonged running she wasn¡¯t used to. John was tired too, but it wasn¡¯t visible since he had already abandoned the human activity of breathing.

    John¡¯s shielding timings was still lacking although the trial had sharpened up his skills. The outnumbered group could only rely on Nolan for healing effects, and he transitioned into their sub healer, using draining attacks to create glowing red healing streams that restored allies. However, Sen had the support of a dedicated healer.

    However, a hybrid healer and damage dealer did not often have the extreme restorative effects of a dedicated healer. It wasn¡¯t enough to sustain the group under the onslaught of five enemies. Defensive buffs from Nolan¡¯s food however mitigated a large portion of damage and prevented attacks from killing members outright. John¡¯s shields played a similar role, blocking attacks he judged to be lethal, which he had made marked improvement on.

    ¡°Sen, I¡¯m approaching your position. I can¡¯t keep Jaina and Gento much longer without going down myself,¡± Nara told Sen through chat.

    ¡°It¡¯s enough. The full group is here, return for healing and join the battle. Prioritize staying alive over further delay.¡±

    With a flash, Nara teleported away from her fight. Her fingers were icy and blue, a few necrotizing. Her teeth chattered, and large burns ran across her arms and face, blistering.

    ¡°Hey John, how about some healing?¡± Nara said, appearing at his side.

    ¡°Bloody hell, you scared me!¡± John started, but began tossing Life Bolts when he saw her poor state. Her robe was greatly burned, the blue marred with black burnt cloth and red blood. Frost crawled up her body and limbs as if she had grown scales of ice. As it flaked away, so did her skin, exposing bloody and raw subdermal skin. He once again internally bemoaned that young adults were attacking each other in magic¡¯s equivalent of virtual reality and wondered how exactly he had ended up here.

    John didn¡¯t think he¡¯d ever get used to it, but he kept his concerns to himself, reflected externally only by his eyebrows crinkled in worry. At least, nobody actually got hurt here, no matter how real it felt.

    ¡°A cleansing sacrifice.¡±

    A glow of red life force faded from John like it was sapped away with an invisible vacuum, then set Nara aglow with a red and gold cleansing shimmer.

    -------

    Ability: [Cleansing Lifeblood]

    Essence: Immortal

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°A cleansing sacrifice.¡±

    Cost: Low health

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Cleanse a moderate number of unholy, holy, curse, wounding, or magic afflictions from a target.

    -------

    Cleansing Lifeblood was the final ability in John¡¯s Immortal Confluence, awakened with an Awakening Stone of Sacrifice. The price of his ability was his own health, but compared to anyone else on the team, he, the middle-aged-man, ironically had the greatest amount of health in the form of healing.

    The ability alleviated some of the many afflictions she had built up from fighting Jaina and Gento, but it unfortunately did not cleanse elemental afflictions, which were the mainstay affliction type of her two opponents. She would have to bear the effects and damage until they naturally faded. Thankfully, her affliction resistance now granted formerly by Resilient, now Tribulation of Self, also reduced the severity and duration of afflictions. Not enough to naturally cleanse them this battle, but she had no other choice. At least her stacked recovery boons offset the damage the afflictions caused her.

    Another rust-furred leonid burst from the tree line in a blitz of speed like a runaway train, showering dirt behind him. It was the real Gento, a minute too late.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Sprint]

    Run at extreme speed for extreme stamina cost.

    -------

    Seeing a dead Kiris on the ground, torso blown through with a smoldering hole, he cursed.

    ¡°Fuck, this match is really heating up!¡± His expression was a mix of frustration and excitement, a mirror of Vallis¡¯ own. Battle junkies, the lot of them.

    Jaina was still behind him, peeling through the woods and quick to catch up.

    The resulting brawl was far less coordinated than their initial tactics. Both teams had yet to reach the mastery needed for effective team battles, and fights devolved into smaller, more controlled fights. Individual abilities were also hard to direct¡ªthat is where practice was necessary; Getting used to how your teammates fought, to sense when they¡¯d use their abilities, to fit together like Power Rangers forming the Dino Megazord.

    Sen blocked the enemies who tried to corner Aliyah, who was launching spells and disrupting opponents with traps and spells.

    Binding Light was a simplistic spell with a short incantation to match. The strength of the spell lay in its versatility. Unlike Hugh¡¯s Ground Lock, which manifested from the ground, she could conjure these threads anywhere on a target. They attached themselves to the air itself (or space or something¡ªit was magic), as if silken strands of light had been woven from sunlight. They did, however, possess less binding strength than Hugh¡¯s chains. Physical strength alone was enough to be freed from the threads unlike Ground Lock, which required an attack to deal with. Used at opportune moments, it could catch an opponent out in an awkward condition.

    Vallis felt growing frustration as Aliyah¡¯s knowledge of magic and abilities was able to identify these vulnerabilities in Vallis¡¯ charge-oriented fighting style. Vallis¡¯ combination of Gathering, Might, Magic, for Onslaught focused on charging power for massive, crushing attacks. While Vallis was well-trained in swordsmanship, her abilities were harder to combine with the natural combat flow than Nara¡¯s light and flowing attacks. Since Vallis killed most monsters and even her peers in one strike, this was a refreshing change of pace that identified her weaknesses. Even as her grip on victory loosened, she thrill of battle fixed her hands to her heavy claymore.

    Gento continued to chase Nara, the only one able to keep up with her movement abilities. Jaina arrived as well, but she couldn¡¯t compete with the two sprinters. She focused on the other, more stationary part of the fight, targeting John and Aliyah.

    A multitude of iron chains rose from the ground like seaweed, whipping around like a cat startled by a loud noise. They snatched onto anyone close by, chaining them in place and battering them.

    Nara, of course, had a teleport and flitted away, back towards the tree line where it was safe¡ªa conservative, safe distance, where she allowed herself the time to re-evaluate the battlefield. Gento took the opportunity to press the attack against Sen, who was now being overwhelmed with four others on top of him. With John, Eufemia, and Aliyah supporting him, he was holding on. Eufemia duplicated both of John¡¯s shield abilities, creating remarkable spur-of-the-moment protection even as some bubble shields overlapped. It was Eufemia¡¯s quick judgement and creative ability application that prevented Sen¡¯s defeat then and there.

    Fuck.

    She had made a mistake. In her own instinct to preserve herself, Nara forgot she needed to protect her teammates. Against ordinary people, Sen could Kung Fu his way past disaster. He could genuinely solo an entire gang of people (assuming they had no guns). Against adventurers, Nara needed to be there. Knowing Sen, he had already seen her issue, and he¡¯d be working out a way for her to improve.

    At least he wasn¡¯t psychoanalyzing her or something (he may be, internally, but had the decency not to say anything. Rather, he¡¯d just implement his training. She didn¡¯t know if that was better or worse). Really, standing in front of whipping chains as if they wouldn¡¯t just bash her skull in wasn¡¯t a natural reaction for self-preservation. She wasn¡¯t supposed to react like a sane person. That wasn¡¯t the point.

    She dashed back through the seaweed forest of whipping chains from her position at the tree line of the clearing, chasing Gento, and feeling oddly like she was abandoning her sanity (as if that hadn¡¯t happened more than once before. She and Sanity had an on-and-off relationship). Unfortunately, she was snatched up by a chain, arresting her speed. Nara tried to teleport forwards, but Jaina intercepted her nodes, smashing them with pinpoint arrow shots.

    While Aliyah lacked mechanical skills, she did not lack basic battlefield judgement. With an obvious grouping of enemies in front of her, she made a Very Logical Decision. She conjured a core of wind between Vallis, Gento, Nolan, and Hugh, which pulled them towards its center.

    -------

    Ability: [Force Vortex]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a core that generates a vortex of pulling force, sucking all enemies nearby towards the center of the vortex and dealing continuous rending damage. When the core is destroyed or displaced, a wave of force explodes outwards, dealing a burst of rending damage and knocking all targets away from the core of the vortex.

    -------

    A certain someone had, despite his self-proclaimed (and genuinely) enchanting looks and ostentatious personality (not self-proclaimed), managed to slip the mind of the enemy despite the impactful role he played at the beginning of the fight. It was stunning, really, how easily he could disappear if he kept quiet and kept out of sight. He wouldn¡¯t be the grandson of a diamond ranker if he wasn¡¯t adept in the basics of stealth (or rather, a skill born of Wisteria. He may have tried to slight-of-hand in their table games, not that diamond and gold rank sense ever let him get away with it. Didn¡¯t stop him from trying).

    Team Vallis had forgotten in the messy brawl that Team Sen had one additional team member on them. Grouped enemies was his bread, his butter, and his jam, and he was more than happy to demonstrate to a bunch of new iron rankers why standing close together in a fight with him around was a very, very, very, bad idea.

    He flickered from the tree line, his sinister grin sending chills down Vallis¡¯ spine. She didn¡¯t have the speed to stop what happened next.

    He used Eternal Moment to bypass the charge time of Vorpal Slash entirely, then enhanced it with Double Strike. An ominous crescent of black energy erupted from his sheath, flying with a speed almost too fast for the gathered enemies to react to. Thanks to Eufemia¡¯s cooldown reducing ability Blessing of Readiness, Encio¡¯s attack had recovered faster than Hugh¡¯s ability to block it with an iron wall from the time he used it earlier.

    Instead, Nolan reacted, buffing his allies (by releasing a golden mist, don¡¯t worry about it) with a short duration but powerful boon that temporarily increased the damage resistance of everyone around him, the effect of which smelled oddly like fragrant chicken broth (better than certain other potential alternatives). Hugh pushed forward, taking the brunt of the attack with durable iron-like skin.

    However, Encio¡¯s assault was not over.

    Eufemia used her other cooldown reduction ability that she awakened from Encio¡¯s Time stone.

    -------

    Ability: [Blessing of Relentlessness]

    Essence: Adept

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 24 hours

    Effect (Iron): Reset all cooldowns of a single ally of bronze-rank or below.

    -------

    Blessing of Relentlessness was a common cooldown recovery ability, an ¡®unlucky¡¯ pick up for Eufemia who used a legendary stone on it. Legendary stores were more specific ant not strictly of rare abilities. However, ¡®common¡¯ abilities were not weak.

    It was, perhaps, a bit of a waste to use a 24-hour cooldown ability on Encio whose best attacks had a 5-minute cooldown (barring Immortality, which had its own 24-hour cooldown. That was worth it to refresh). But Sen knew it wasn¡¯t about getting the most efficient use of an ability, it was the timing of it that mattered.

    And this was the right time.

    Aliyah unloaded all of her saved up mana onto Encio, and Encio repeated his attack, unleashing both an instantaneous Double Strike Vorpal Slash then a God-Sundering Slash. The Vorpal Slash crashed into the iron-skinned Hugh, cutting further and exactly where the previous slash had hit him. The God-Sundering Slash bypassed him entirely, targeting their sub-healer, Nolan. Nolan doubled over, blood and ripped up flesh spilling from his abdomen. He didn¡¯t have the instantaneous healing power of Kiris to save himself. He fumbled a potion, but a Bolster from John enhanced Eufemia¡¯s Light Ray enough to smash the potion bottle through its reinforced glass, the healing fluid nurturing the blood-soaked soil instead, and sealing Nolan¡¯s fate.

    -------

    Ability: [Bolster]

    Essence: Magic

    Awakening Stone: Growth

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Let your power fulminate.¡±

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): The next essence ability used by the target ally has increased effect. This can affect parameters including damage, range, and number of targets, depending on the affected ability. Cannot be used on self. This effect cannot stack.

    -------

    Encio could have targeted anyone in the group, but targeted Nolan for a few reasons. He was the last healer and support essence user on the team and had done surprisingly well despite his non-traditional combination. The second reason was that Gento and Jaina would fall to Nara. Gento and Jaina fought Nara for an extended period of time, and her afflictions built on them from the skirmish. That was Nara¡¯s role¡ªdragging out a fight and finishing targets off.

    They had pressed Kiris to prevent her from undoing all of Nara¡¯s work, and now killed Nolan to prevent any further surprises. Without a cleanser, Nara would not lose to Gento and Jaina. Chrome¡¯s Deterioration increased the affliction stacking speed, making Nara a threat quicker than the two will have expected.

    With an extended battle, Nara now became the largest threat to Gento and Jaina, who had no way to combat her growing afflictions and boons. Eufemia switched her copied spell to Life Bolt, in charge of healing Nara while John supported Sen.

    Eufemia swapped her Silver Gleam to copy Nara¡¯s Blade of the Boundary. The remaining members of Team Vallis all had escalating stacks of her afflictions, and the sword was dealing decent levels of damage for little effort. Eufemia shifted into a hybrid support and frontline attacker role, still copying John¡¯s shields, and using the basic special attack Relentless Assault from Sen to start stacking damage.

    -------

    Ability: [Relentless Assault]

    Essence: Might

    Awakening Stone: Growth

    Special Attack

    Cost: Low stamina, increasing with each successive attack.

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Each use of this attack in quick succession increases the damage of this attack. Damage is of the same type caused by a normal attack.

    -----

    She didn¡¯t need any fancy tactics now, just solid attacks. Her skill was still low, but shields, healing, and the full team pushed Eufemia and Nara towards inevitable success.

    Eufemia¡¯s fighting style weaved in beams of light and sword slashes. At point blank, her Light Rays were incredibly hard to dodge, inflicting low but consistent damage. She could only launch them from nearby herself towards a target she could see in her line of sight, but their convenience was that she could use other attacks at the same time.

    Gento fell first, killed with a slash that tore at him like a black hole had spawned in his shoulder. His flesh tore apart then dissolved in a swirl of chaotic silver, gold, and blue particles, evidence of the transcendent damage that finished the job.

    With an expression of silent frustration, Jaina also fell to Nara¡¯s blade.

 Chapter 79: The Better Deal

    Chapter 79: The Better Deal

    ¡°I sure talked big before the battle.¡± Vallis grinned, slapping Sen¡¯s back good-naturedly, ¡°That was a brutal strategy! As always, I¡¯m in awe of your tactics.¡±

    ¡°I thought your strategy was odd.¡±

    ¡°Harsh. After all that praise I just gave you? I¡¯d say you don¡¯t deserve it, except you won.¡±

    ¡°What made you so fixated on the waterfall?¡± Sen asked.

    Vallis gestured to her healer, ¡°Kiris here has an ability that would have ended the fight right then and there.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Primordial Ocean Manifestation]

    Spell (water, zone)

    Incantation: ¡°The primordial ocean, origin of evolution, the essence of life. I bring it forth from within my being, in which it lies, undisturbed. Those that disturb me shall feel its overwhelming dignity; bear the weight of abyssal depths.¡±

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 24 hours

    Effect (iron): Manifest an extremely large dome of water encapsulating a large area for a moderate period of time. Allies can breathe and move freely through the water unimpeded. Ally abilities are unimpeded by the water. Enemies take continuous disruptive-force damage while in the water. The effect of the ability is proportional to available water in the environment. Without water, the range and effects of this ability are greatly reduced.

    -------

    ¡°Kiris awakened it from a 5-star Vast Awakening Stone she got from the trials.¡±

    ¡°You wanted to try it out on us.¡±

    Vallis groaned, ¡°A shame I didn¡¯t get to. It would be a marvel to see you all drown. Maybe even the quickest mirage chamber match in Academy history. Instead...¡± Vallis sighed, ¡°That may have been the longest one instead. Wasn¡¯t the brilliant victory I was aiming for.¡±

    Sen politely held his tongue that relying on a single ability for victory would not have made much of a brilliant victory anyway. A fast victory, yes, but not a particularly clever one (although Sen knew the value of simple and decisive strategies).

    ¡°I see,¡± said Sen, ¡°That would have been devastating.¡±

    Vallis sighed, ¡°That¡¯s the best reaction you could muster? What a letdown.¡±

    His other thoughts would have disappointed her more. He did acknowledge that the ability was extremely powerful. It was, in many ways, a way to guarantee their team¡¯s safety as long as a source of water was nearby, except against water-adapted foes (which made this particular ability unsuited for ocean battles, ironically).

    Water affects perception distance, which would have reduced the distance teleportation abilities could travel. Other than Nara, Sen surmised the rest of the group would have been trapped by the done of water. John and Nara could survive without air, but the rest of the team would have to fight for air while also fending off unimpeded enemies.

    With the mobility of enemies greatly reduced, they team could easily finish off those within the dome, or quickly leave the dome to make a safe escape.

    ¡°I was too focused on my potential advantage.¡± She glanced at Nara, ¡°I need to get myself a scout. I hadn¡¯t realized the impact of the information advantage.¡±

    Nara¡¯s ability to communicate over long distances was a key component of their plan. With it, Sen could account for new factors on the fly, adjusting his own strategy. Without it, splitting the team would have been risky¡ªVallis¡¯ gambit of reversing the chase may have succeeded if Sen couldn¡¯t recall his team members. He duly noted his own growing reliance on the ability, and opted to establish alternatives in case Nara was indisposed or communication abilities were blocked.

    ¡°Next time, we can fight on an open field, starting face to face,¡± Sen genially offered.

    ¡°Yo, Sen, how about you don¡¯t offer up a match playing at a disadvantage?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°I have a plan,¡± Sen said.

    Vallis smirked. ¡°I would normally say I don¡¯t need a handicap, but I¡¯ll take you up on the offer. I¡¯m always ready for another fight,¡± She looked at her mentally exhausted team, ¡°Another day. We have a lot to review.¡±

    Vallis handed Sen a small rack of recording crystals, ¡°These are your copies, courtesy of the Academy.¡±

    Sen removed one, handing it to Nara.

    ¡°This will be interesting to show to my family. I wonder if they¡¯ll think I¡¯m violent.¡±

    ¡°Why would they think that?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s this misguided notion that watching or playing violent games makes someone violent. They don¡¯t think that, but this is divorced from who I was months ago. It¡¯ll be a shock.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to show it to them then.¡±

    ¡°I think no matter what I¡¯ll be a shock. There¡¯s no stopping that. Well¡­it¡¯s true, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll show a video of me ripping apart a bunch of teenagers with a sword, even if it¡¯s all an illusion. It¡¯s definitely not family friendly.¡±

    Nara put the recording crystal in her ¡®Maybe don¡¯t show to the family¡¯ section of her recording crystal storage.

    Encio was stunned.

    He saw Sen Arlang in an entirely new light.

    Encio had heard rumors of the prodigal son¡¯s tactical acumen (even earning himself a tidy nickname), but many of Sanshi¡¯s newest pseudo-noble generation had a moniker in one way or another. It didn¡¯t particularly indicate competency (Encio¡¯s investigations were thorough enough that he knew Sen¡¯s did.)

    Small scale strategy wasn¡¯t a particular focus of essence user battles, beyond what every team normally hashed out (protecting the healer, how to retreat in a variety of circumstances, fighting a target a rank above you, etc.) At iron rank, anyone could die if a blade so much as looked at you funny. Getting into the nitty-gritty specifics was more or less a waste of time when a stab to the gut would get the job done. Overall strategy and developing a well-oiled and instinctive teamwork was the basis of high and low rank combat. And while overall strategy was important, when a single ability can shape the tide of battle, like Kiri¡¯s Primordial Ocean Manifestation, it was that instinctive teamwork and quick reaction that kept teams alive. You couldn¡¯t develop a counter to every strategy, although mirage chambers helped with exposure.

    At higher ranks, the individual essence user mattered less. Silver rank was the bread-and-butter of the adventure society, the ¡®useful rank¡¯. A silver rank team could defeat gold rank monsters and steamroll lower ranked enemies, and silver rankers far outnumbered gold rankers, who were esteemed and few and far between (although gold rankers were still practical to call upon, compared to diamond rankers, who you didn¡¯t call upon, because they weren¡¯t the sort of people you ¡®summoned¡¯. They summoned you). It became less about what each ability going off could do (because there were always abilities going off, you were expected to just adjust to them), but about group objectives¡ªwhat target needed to be destroyed, who was running a distraction, what location needed defenses.

    What enabled Sen¡¯s tactical ability to shine was Nara¡¯s Party Guide. Telepathic communication meant he could make quick adjustments to battle strategy.

    When Nara made the mistake of running from Gento because of Hugh¡¯s chains, Sen capitalized on the grouped enemies and had Encio to annihilate them all, with Aliyah¡¯s timely judgement. Then he told Eufemia to reset his cooldowns at an opportune moment.

    His original strategy of a drawn-out battle benefitted from Vallis¡¯ slow decision making while emphasizing Nara¡¯s growing power. Had Vallis sent Gento and Jaina to pursue Nara earlier, Nara would not have built up so much power from her repeated engagements. Without her built up power, she would not have survived Gento and Jaina both. Without Nara, he may still have managed a win, but Encio was an intensely mana-expensive essence user. He wouldn¡¯t last after his burst expense of mana. He¡¯d have to rely on himself and Eufemia to defeat Gento and Jaina. Who would win that engagement was a toss-up (although Encio was relatively confident to beat the two of them, even without Eufemia).

    Sen was younger than Encio by a few years. Encio knew better, but it had unconsciously colored his judgement. He thought Sen was young and inexperienced (he still was), but he had a lot to offer. Not quite a diamond in the rough, but something in between.

    Despite his inexperience, Sen was a thorough thinker. He could deftly apply theory to practice, a rare attribute that those of any age struggled with. While his sister helped them practice, he was making his own observations about the strengths and weaknesses of each team member. He filed and stored them away, then adjusted trainings and hunts to address those observations, strengthening the strengths and smoothing away the weaknesses. In the workings of his mind, Sen Arlang was quietly methodical.

    It was a team of circumstance with Sen himself with the weakest circumstantial link. John and Nara were paired for their outworlder origins, with Encio and Eufemia as their plus ones, but Sen and Aliyah had little reason to pick this team specifically, even if Sen had proposed it from his side first.

    Encio found himself more attached to this team than he thought he would be, not just Nara who he originally teamed up with.

    Despite what Encio originally thought, Sen didn¡¯t unilaterally gain the better deal.

    He couldn¡¯t help his grin.

    *****

    The team had only so far accepted one-star contracts; one star contracts were relatively simple kill quests. Two-star contracts required nuance and investigation. Three-star contracts were politically involved, and reserved for adventuring teams that the Society trusted had the subtly to handle them.

    Encio himself was a three-star adventurer, which enabled the team to take them on if they were any three star contracts to accept in the first place.

    The team inspected the two-star contract board. Nara felt a bit like she was a fantasy adventurer from a RPG game, until she realized she was a fantasy adventurer in real life.

    ¡°How about this? ¡®Escort of Magic Beast Egg Shipment Caravan¡¯?¡¯ Or¡­¡± Eufemia pointed to another contract on the wall, ¡°¡¯East Sea Village Reclamation¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Sen mulled over the contracts. Ideally, he wanted one that would challenge the team in unique ways. An escort fit the bill, but his eyes were drawn to another contract at his periphery.

    Eufemia followed his gaze. Sen noted that she was adept at tracking sightlines and attention. Most people weren¡¯t very good at hiding what they were looking at; it was a useful skill to have.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°¡­Adventurer Body Retrieval Investigation. You¡¯re thinking about this one?¡±

    He was, but Sen shook his head.

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    Again, she had discerned that he was interested, and instead unwilling.

    ¡°When adventurers die, the situation is indeterminate. How they died, what killed them¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s confirmed danger.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­¡± she said, her eyes glancing through the information offered by the contract, ¡°It¡¯s recommended for at least a team of three. I don¡¯t see the issue with a team of six.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in favor of retrieving the body,¡± Encio said, ¡°Families deserve the return of their body. A resolution. If others haven¡¯t taken it, we should.¡±

    ¡°I agree,¡± said Sen, ¡°But the danger is higher.¡± He turned to the rest of the team, ¡°What do you all think? Should we take on this contract or not?¡±

    John, Nara, Eufemia, and Aliyah crowded around to look over the details.

    A few days ago, an adventurer¡¯s membership card indicated they had died. They were on a contract to hunt some monsters in near East River Quarry Village. Initial investigations found the membership card, but not the body.

    ¡°Either he lost his membership card, or someone took it from him,¡± John concluded.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sen said, ¡°The probability of human involvement is high.¡±

    ¡°Anyone with an inventory wouldn¡¯t lose their membership card. Most would store it in a dimensional pouch. Did they find a pouch or bag?¡±

    John looked over the details, ¡°No bag turned up.¡±

    ¡°When you die, you don¡¯t just lose everything in your inventory to the void, right?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°When adventurers die, a looting ritual is used to remove everything from their dimensional inventory if they have one,¡± Aliyah explained.

    ¡°So,¡± Eufemia concluded, ¡°Someone stole the pouch and dumped the card. No doubt¡ªthe culprit is human. I don¡¯t know of any monster that can do that.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that many monsters,¡± Encio said.

    Eufemia rolled her eyes. ¡°I am taking classes Encio. I can generalize.¡± Eufemia picked up on Sen¡¯s emotions, finding that he had long made the same conclusion, ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re hesitating to take this contract. We might have to deal with¡­people.¡±

    Sen nodded, ¡°Encio and I have adventurer upbringings. We¡¯ve dealt with human enemies.¡±

    It was clear from Sen¡¯s expression what ¡®dealt with¡¯ really meant.

    ¡°The rest of you have not. I believe as an adventurer it is inevitable that we must confront the malice of humans. Those that walk this path take the lives of others in our path to save others. However¡ª¡± He pointed to the contract, ¡°¡ªNeither should we do beyond what is necessary. The adventurer in question is already dead, and no additional lives are at risk, as far as we know, the contract is not urgent. The culprits roam free, but only for so long. Should be leave this be, another group will take up the task.¡±

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d say it¡¯d be better to experience it now while the stakes are low than hesitate later.¡±

    ¡°Hesitation in the face of death is natural. I can only hope that hesitation is not a costly mistake.¡±

    Nara looked towards John, who she related most closely to in culture, ethics, and morality. She hadn¡¯t directly seen anyone die yet, although she had heard some adventurers died during the trial.

    Had it been John back on Earth, he would have been similarly conflicted. However, he had spent a few months in Nekroz in the sewers of society together with Eufemia. While he had not killed anyone, to him, dealing with the dead was just another trans-dimensional Tuesday. In a world where most were illiterate, John¡¯s ability to read, write, and speak all languages was useful enough to keep him alive in Nekroz. Leveraging that ability, he¡¯s managed to keep his hands relatively clean. While his hands were clean, his eyes were not.

    His eyes were steady.

    ¡°We should give it a shot. The contract says they don¡¯t know where the body is, which means they may need the services of a certain adventurer-detective,¡± John said, resolutely patting his chest.

    ¡°That¡¯s how you¡¯re going to style yourself now? Adventurer-detective?¡± Eufemia scoffed.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you an adventurer-actress?¡± He then pointed to Nara, ¡°You¡¯re an adventurer-inventor, Aliyah is an adventurer-researcher.¡±

    He paused at Sen and Encio.

    ¡°Adventurer-tamer?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t tamed Caspian. He is not my pet; he is my bond.¡±

    ¡°Sorry about that. Adventurer-tactician, if you will.¡±

    Sen was satisfied with that.

    ¡°Encio¡¯s an adventurer-grandson then,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t think of anything else?¡±

    ¡°Adventurer-gambler?¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t very flattering.¡±

    ¡°Adventurer-gamer?¡±

    ¡°Somehow, I don¡¯t like the way you said that.¡±

    ¡°Adventurer-flirt?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a flirt.¡±

    The team stared at him.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Is he joking or serious? I can¡¯t tell.¡±

    Encio rolled his eyes, ¡°Just because I smile pretty doesn¡¯t make me a flirt.¡±

    Nara narrowed her eyes, ¡°But if you¡¯re aware that you smile pretty, does it make it flirting?¡±

    ¡°You have an awfully low bar for what constitutes flirting.¡±

    ¡°Do you consider yourself a low bar?¡±

    Encio¡¯s mouth quirked up, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Q.E.D.¡±

    Nara¡¯s smile was insufferably smug.

    ¡°Stop smirking like that. That doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡±

    ¡°It does. You proved my point.¡±

    ¡°You just said a bunch of letters like we¡¯re supposed to understand what they stand for.¡±

    ¡°Please, you and your diamond-grade education can¡¯t deduce what it means?¡±

    Encio pouted.

    ¡°You can, can¡¯t you.¡±

    ¡°I can,¡± he relented. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me about ¡®context clues¡¯. I know what it means.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re the adventurer-flirt for the foreseeable future,¡± said Eufemia, also insufferably smug.

    ¡°You¡¯re more of a flirt than I am,¡± Encio countered.

    ¡°My flirting is an act, Encio. I want your watch, not your heart.¡±

    ¡°My wat¡ª¡±

    He glanced down at his wrist. His watch was still there.

    ¡°Made you look.¡±

    But in her hand was a rather familiar necklace. His necklace.

    ¡°Get a hobby, Encio,¡± Eufemia said in mock singsong, ¡°Or maybe I should call you adventurer-victim?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t cry to me when I get better at pickpocketing than you are and you lose your place on the team,¡± Encio challenged.

    ¡°You¡¯d just be the adventurer-thief then. Is that what you want?¡±

    ¡°I think thievery isn¡¯t the only thing we¡¯re competing in,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Is that how it is?¡± Eufemia said, challenging.

    ¡°Ladies. Gents. You¡¯re both lovely,¡± Nara said drolly. ¡°Can we get back to the contract?¡±

    *****

    East River Quarry Village was easy to access, thanks to the river that ran to the west of the village. The village itself was situated between the river and the ocean, serving as an intermediate hub for ocean transfers to Sanshi as well as their own industry, namely stone mining and processing. Sanshi was situated on a bay, flanked by a peninsula on its east side. For smaller shipments (or expedited shipping), it was quicker to cut across the East River Quarry Village (or any other intermediate shipping village. The East River Quarry specialized in stone transfers) and charter a shipping ferry along the river down to Sanshi.

    Resources from nearby spires were harvested and sent down barges to other villages, which eventually made their way to city. Proximity to the river also meant easier trips from adventures so river towns and villages enjoyed relative safety.

    Sen contacted the village¡¯s representative that was sent to receive them. Such a large party of adventurers was rare in these parts, where monster manifestations were weak, infrequent, and cleared out on the regular.

    ¡°Here¡¯s his badge,¡± the representative said.

    ¡°Roan Sei,¡± Sen read out, ¡°Iron rank, 1-star adventurer.¡±

    ¡°Roan is¡­was an adventurer born of this village.¡± The representative struggled for a moment, fighting against emotions, but managing to maintain his calm. ¡°Please find his body and bring it back so we may lay him to rest.¡±

    ¡°Roan Sei? Like the Nisei?¡±

    The representative shook his head, ¡°Many of us are distantly related to the Nisei, so distant that we may as well be an entirely different family.¡±

    The six families were old families, with many in both their main and branch families. So long had passed that variations of their family name was long common, much like the last name Smith. The East River Quarry Village was near the main territory of the Nisei, and many of them adopted surnames with similarities to the Nisei.

    The representative guided them to their accommodations, a suite in an inn dedicated to adventurers. The lodging was humbler, worn but well-kept. The team gathered around a large table as John organized their findings.

    ¡°The adventurer Roan often took solo contracts near his home village. He was the one clearing out the boards.¡±

    ¡°He kept his hometown safe,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°It¡¯s a tradition in this town to create a fund to essence up a few people each generation. For a town of this size, it¡¯s around two or three adventurers every two decades.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a tradition for many small towns,¡± Sen added.

    ¡°For communities smart enough to work together,¡± Encio said. ¡°Many rather keep the essence to themselves, and split 6 essences between 6 people than 6 essences for 2.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an investment,¡± Sen acknowledged. ¡°A well-trained essence user can bring great wealth back to a town.¡±

    ¡°If the town was smart enough to write a contract.¡±

    ¡°Personality is an important factor in who they choose,¡± John explained, ¡°If they don¡¯t choose well the adventurer in question may try to get out of the contract, or do the bare minimum, or stagnate at iron rank.¡±

    ¡°If they don¡¯t get past iron there isn¡¯t much wealth to be had,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°Sounds like an evaluation based on past mistakes,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°They used to give them based on the influence of the families, like the chief¡¯s son, but that ended up backfiring. Got themselves killed to often, and abandoned the village if they managed to make it. This was before the contracts, but it¡¯s still imperfect. And you can¡¯t enforce a contract on someone on the other side of the world, or one that chooses under-the-table or less-than-legal avenues.¡±

    ¡°Can you get on with the point John? How¡¯d this guy get himself killed?¡±

    ¡°As we suspect, it¡¯s likely by the hands of humans. Bandits. Back at Sanshi, I looked through the archives and records the Adventure Society keeps of how every adventurer dies. This world is unexpectedly rigorous with record keeping.¡±

    ¡°They have a goddess of knowledge, so I guess it¡¯s part of the culture,¡± Nara mused.

    ¡°In the Shian region, there¡¯s around twenty adventurer deaths over the past year where no body was found or recovered. I¡¯ve separated the events to determined the ones most likely connected¡ªteam deaths, high rank monsters, local wide scale disasters, and other unique events were left out.¡±

    John tapped the papers. ¡°My theory is that there¡¯s been a group of iron rank bandits going around killing and looting solo adventurers. They make a rotation in a moderate area to keep their tracks hidden. Roan is the most recent victim in their circuit.¡±

    ¡°So? Do you know where the bandits are now?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done some digging together with Sen,¡± John said, spreading out a new, smaller map of the immediate area. Nara¡¯s Guide Map was useful for combat, but less useful for investigations. It unveiled itself like fog of war, so identifying points of interests was difficult without additional input from an outside map.

    Map crystals that could be absorbed to interface with information powers was common in Erras, but a village like this didn¡¯t have the resources for that sort of expensive magic. Nara¡¯s Map updated itself with maps she added to the archive, but she couldn¡¯t interact and add to her archive maps like she could a physical map.

    ¡°East River Quarry Village was built by the survivors of an older village to the north that was overwhelmed during a monster wave. The ruins of that village are here¡ª¡± John pointed to a location slightly north of East River Quarry Village, ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s likely the bandits have a base in these ruins.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder Erin Nisei values you so highly,¡± Encio said, ¡°This is impressive. Few adventurers are suited towards investigation contracts.¡±

    ¡°Much easier no-thoughts-head-empty and kill monsters,¡± Nara said, ¡°I completely agree.¡±

    ¡°During the trial you displayed a remarkable understanding of the kinematics,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°Are all people from your world like this?¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡±

    ¡°Erudite.¡±

    ¡°I want to say John and I are above average for our world, since we¡¯ve both made it through university.¡±

    ¡°Nara has a degree in engineering, so she should be smarter than me.¡±

    ¡°No, but you¡¯re way more patient and much better at practical intelligence,¡± Nara said, ¡°I¡¯m book smart but you¡¯re both street smart and good with information.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what this degree you mention is,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°You pay a lot of money to an institution for a piece of paper that says you¡¯ve paid enough money to be hired for certain things.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rather reductive,¡± John said, although by his tone he didn¡¯t disagree.

    ¡°I¡¯ve worked harder on my adventurer training than I did in four years of university.¡±

    ¡°There is a difference in stake,¡± John said reassuringly, ¡°Life and death is a real kicker to the arse.¡±

    Nara wondered if Amara had her fight the wolf as a way to jumpstart Nara¡¯s enthusiasm. Maybe it was not such a spur-of-the-moment enemy. Nara had long given up on trying to understand Amara¡¯s thought process. Sometimes she wonder if there was a thought process, and her words of wisdom were to cover up the fact she hadn¡¯t been thinking at all.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bit late to go today. Tomorrow we should head to the ruins and search them,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°Won¡¯t the bandits escape by then?¡±

    ¡°Maybe, maybe not,¡± John said, ¡°Either way, fighting in the dark in what could potentially be the bandits home turf is a risky proposition.¡±

    Sen nodded, ¡°We head out in the morning.¡±

    ¡°For better or for worse, the contract is only for the body,¡± Encio said, ¡°Not for wiping out the bandits. We can give the Adventure Society our findings, and they¡¯ll send out a team to scout where the bandits will most likely go next. Once that¡¯s verified, they¡¯ll put up a bandit kill contract.¡±

    ¡°Kill? Not capture?¡± Nara asked.

    Encio shrugged, ¡°You could capture them if you are able, but most adventurers don¡¯t. It¡¯s risky to leave them alive, especially if they are essence users. Kill the ones that fight back, and capture the ones that surrender.¡±

    ¡°Y¡¯all hardcore,¡± Nara muttered, unsure of what else to say. They were getting awfully close to broaching her last holdout. It was basic, it was obvious, it was clich¨¦¡ªbut she couldn¡¯t help the apprehension of the thought of killing someone. Even accidentally killing someone was scary, like slamming on the breaks when a pedestrian darts across the street in the middle of the night, shooting adrenaline through the veins and flashes of unpleasant ¡®what ifs¡¯. Did the fact that they were bandits assuage her nerves? Was she logical enough for that to matter?

    ¡°John is right. Life and death is motivational. Moreover, you have morality and the law on your side. There¡¯s no reason for hesitation or guilt,¡± Sen said.

    Encio narrowed his eyes. This was one of those things Sen was too inexperienced to understand, in the opposite direction. He¡¯d grown up too used to battle. He may logically understand Nara and John¡¯s hesitation, but Sen didn¡¯t get it.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s one of those ¡®won¡¯t-understand-until-you-do-it¡¯ things. Like SCUBA diving.¡±

    ¡°Is that really one of those ¡®don¡¯t-understand-until-you-do-it¡¯ type of things?¡± John said, aware that Nara was redirecting the topic but thankful nonetheless. While his reservations for the lesser forms of crime had worn thin from the perils of Nekroz, he shared Nara¡¯s reluctance and pervasive hesitation.

    ¡°Have you SCUBA dived before?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t. I¡¯d like to try.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to breathe John; You don¡¯t have to try.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d say that wasn¡¯t the point,¡± John countered. ¡°The point is to try it out and enjoy it. We may have ways around it, but the experience is still fun.¡±

    ¡°What if you get back into the habit of breathing again? Do you think you can get back out of it?¡±

    John scrunched his nose.

    ¡°You think I¡¯d have to drown myself next time?¡±

 Chapter 80: To Pass Judgement

    Chapter 80: To Pass Judgement

    The ruins where some of the founders of East River Quarry Village originated was once a much larger town, a fortress town. It was a bunker town, built with an underground complex to shelter residents from monster waves while adventurers killed all the monsters up above. A dangerous silver rank monster nested in the town, which forced the former residents to evacuate until it had been slayed. However, upon death, the monster had released a toxic gas that polluted the area, so the now ruined town was abandoned. The toxic gas disrupted the usual rebuilding activities that followed every monster wave, so the city was reclaimed by nature and decay as the toxins were slowly cleansed by the purgation of time.

    It hadn¡¯t been a town worth it enough to call a wide-scale cleanser, who¡¯d free the ruins of the remnants left in the wake of the monster. Perhaps one day, a larger adventurer party would be commissioned to clean the town and reclaim the bunker, but it wasn¡¯t their job.

    ¡°The monsters in these ruins don¡¯t have contracts,¡± John said, ¡°They¡¯re out of the way of transportation routes. East River Quarry Village has become the new local transportation hub, and local traders know to give this ruin a wide berth. The rivers and shore are cleaned out of monsters regularly, so there¡¯s no need to cross this area. It¡¯s even marked on the map as a location to avoid.¡±

    ¡°You really seem into this sort of stuff,¡± Nara remarked, looking over his detailed notes and well-organized research.

    ¡°I am¡ªwell, I was an information officer. I¡¯ve always liked pouring over documents for clues, patterns, and threads. You know, it¡¯s interesting how culture and society developed in a world like this¡­Decennial monster waves creates this unique flow of reconstruction and development. I¡¯ve looked into some of their building techniques and they¡¯re much faster than ours. The people here are highly efficient at clearing land, regrowing nature, and reconstructing buildings.¡±

    ¡°Thanks to magic, though right?¡±

    ¡°Magic is both the cause and the solution,¡± said John with a surprisingly even viewpoint, ¡°It has its benefits and drawbacks.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re pretty objective about magic. I¡¯m mainly just excited about it. I mean shit¡ªmagic!¡± She couldn¡¯t help but grin.

    John returned it. ¡°I¡¯m excited about magic too. I¡¯mI just a geek for the details. Now come on, let¡¯s see how findings shape up against reality.¡±

    *****

    The ruins had monsters here and there, but nothing Nara couldn¡¯t avoid or kill outright. As the most mobile member of the team, she was sent to scout out the ruins. Here, Sage showed her worth; She was fast-moving and incorporeal¡ªshe didn¡¯t surpass Nara in straight-line speed, her multiple bodies and sharp mind allowed her to communicate her findings to Nara so that together they covered more ground.

    Sage flitted through the ruins like a ghost, entirely undetected by monsters. She could blend herself into walls, but couldn¡¯t cross them if they were too thick. Auras were similarly restricted by dense material, and Nara wondered if it was an extension of that limitation.

    No longer maintained, the rituals protecting the fortress town had long faded. Roads no longer maintained, walls long since crumbling. Tree roots split cobblestones, and vines twined stones like the green veins of a living earth. Nara half expected to find an Awakening Stone of Ruin lying about the ruins, just as unassuming and decrepit as the one she once absorbed.

    ¡°Benefactor, I have found an entrance to the bunker.¡±

    One of Sage¡¯s bodies stayed with Nara. As long as one body was subsumed within her, Sage could report the findings of her other bodies directly.

    The entrance to the bunker was a solid metal door, typical of what one expected from an underground bunker even for a magical world, wrought and heavy from appearance alone. It was concealed with intentionally placed leafy branches, rubble, and dirt, shielding it from solar illumination and curious eyes.

    ¡°I think we have a hit guys,¡± Nara reported, ¡°This looks like purposeful concealment.¡±

    ¡°Do you see any tracks?¡±

    She took a second look around. She herself made no footprints in the mud; her Cosmic Path incidentally prevented it. She wondered if she¡¯d leave footprints in dust, or tracks in sand that¡¯d mark her passage.

    ¡°Not that I can tell, but they may at least have the sense to cover their footsteps.¡±

    ¡°How about any recently killed monsters? Some may not have dissolved yet.¡±

    ¡°Sage?¡±

    ¡°I have not seen any, benefactor.¡±

    ¡°So she says.¡±

    ¡°Can you open the bunker door?¡±

    ¡°Is that a good idea? It could be trapped, or they might have a warning system.¡±

    ¡°Can you teleport past it?¡±

    She thought about that for a second.

    ¡°Yeah, I might. Hold on.¡±

    Nara¡¯s Dimension Nodes and corresponding teleportation had a few rules. She could teleport within line of sight (to a limit¡ªshe couldn¡¯t shoot to the horizon even if she could conceivably see that far), but it was at least further than her aura range. Beyond line of sight, she had a little wiggle room to teleport to nodes within her aura range¡ªto nodes she sensed. She didn¡¯t know if that was a beneficial quirk born of her perception ability, Gaze of the Boundary, or an aspect inherent to Dimension Node. It wasn¡¯t always that clear cut, no matter what her Guide and John¡¯s Magic Camera made it seem.

    She stood beside the door, pushing her aura past it to reach beyond the metal. It was like pushing slime through a flour sieve, thick and slow with effort, but she managed it, the whispers of her aura feeling open space beyond, more sensation than fact.

    ¡°Seems like I can,¡± she said, almost unaware that she had spoken in her concentration.

    She considered that she may also be able to run through the bunker door while Phase Shifted. The ability worked on intent, preventing her from falling through the earth while she used it (a brief fear before she realized the very first time she used it she hadn¡¯t fallen through the earth), but allowing her to pass through obstacles like swords and trees, as needed.

    Teleporting was cheaper, so that¡¯s what she did.

    She turned back towards the door, now on its other side in dim light, inspecting it for any signs of mal intent.

    ¡°You can search better than I can, Sage, do you recognize anything? Magical traps?¡±

    Sage blended in well with her stone grey surroundings. Normally, her robe felt sparkling and mysterious, but it seemed to be an effect she could control. She was plain and drab now, matching the ordinary stone around them.

    ¡°I may be lacking, benefactor, but there is nothing I can detect. I share your sensory capabilities, so I cannot yet detect magic. From my physical observations, I see no indications of ritual lines.¡±

    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll refrain from touching the door then. Chances are, we may not need to.¡±

    The interior of the bunker was lit with soft glow stones built into the corridors of stone. It looked much like the ominous corridors of abandoned, concrete buildings¡ªrectangles that stretched into infinity. The first corridor was short-ish, leading down some stairs after enough space for maybe a guard post or an inspection area. She followed the stairs down. The second floor was the same.

    In the same way that essence users used aura to sense their surroundings, monsters had a rougher method of doing the same thing. Iron rank monsters weren¡¯t able to do so, but higher rank monsters might be able to punch down a floor to find evacuees. It seemed the first floor was just a buffer zone to distance the evacuees from hordes above. And perhaps, a floor they could collapse to cut off the advance of monsters, as needed, trapping them inside until rescue arrived. As long as being sealed in was temporary, it was better than monsters slipping through and killing those within.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    The third floor was like an apartment building built in reverse; the underground parking lot flipped with what should have been built above. The stairs led down to a simple lobby area. The utilitarian area was dreary of stone, cold, and silence, long since uninhibited. Stray objects such as clothing, toys, books, and cutlery were strewn about. Bugs scuttled about, but the area was surprisingly clear of cobwebs, at least through the hallway. The corners were still dusted with grey silk.

    Someone has passed through. She wasn¡¯t the detective John was, but a trail cleared of dust and cobwebs was clear evidence of trespass. She¡¯d like to think she picked something up from him, or at least had enough intelligence to put a few pieces together herself.

    The bunker had five floors in total, including the two that were mostly stairs. There were only two more floors beneath her, the bottom of which her aura managed to detect thanks to its expanded range.

    The corridor was lined with doors and lobbies. Doors led to small private rooms, only large enough to fit a few sleeping bags for a modicum of privacy. Lobbies looked of different purposes, such as one that may have served as a dining hall. Clearly, designed with communal living in mind.

    Nara traveled slowly, tentatively expanding her aura to sense what was around her. Her aura blended into the surroundings, settling like touches of dust in the already dust-filled corridors, filled with stale air. When Nara descended to the fourth floor, she felt the touches of another aura.

    She stilled her mind, focusing. She let her presence fade away, like she had done so long ago to escape from her agony. She felt like a ghost, much like Sage.

    She knelt and laid her face down against the dusty ground, pressing her warm skin against cold stone.

    ¡°Sage, can you get close enough to listen safely?¡±

    ¡°That is a bronze rank aura, benefactor.¡±

    ¡°I know. Do you think you can hide from it and listen in without getting caught?¡±

    ¡°I may be lacking, benefactor. But the origin of the aura is more so.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s a yes.¡±

    ¡°It is benefactor. Allow me to be of service.¡±

    It was a bronze rank aura, which usually should have detected Nara before she detected it. However, there were a few factors that tipped the scales towards Nara. Nara¡¯s soul had several changes that affected both her aura strength, control, and range. In particular, her unique experiences made her aura more difficult to detect than most, and aura strength itself made it harder for those with less aura strength to detect you.

    The second weight on her side of the scale was how untrained the origin of the aura was. The owner had not trained their aura at all. They had awoken the ability, but had not done much else. They were provincially trained (calling it ¡®trained¡¯ was generous), not Sanshi trained.

    Aura manipulation was more important for scout and detection roles and for adventurer etiquette. For a provincial bronze rank bandit, they likely never heard of aura training nor participated in it. Sen had unusually good aura control for a frontline role, but most in his position just learnt aura control to an acceptable standard.

    The third factor was the stone between herself and her adversary. Without training, the bronze ranker had no way to detect beyond it.

    And the fourth¡ªher Moonlight Raiment. She hadn¡¯t an idea exactly how it made her less likely to be detected, except that it did. It was one of those things Sen would probably badger her to understand if he knew that she didn¡¯t quite know. Did it make her feel like stone if she was around stone, or just forgettable? She didn¡¯t disagree with Sen that she should know¡ªit was just one of those things she put on the back burner while she juggled more pressing survival skills.

    She felt around, careful not to trigger the aura of the bronze ranker. The bandit group was pretty large, seven iron rankers and a single bronze ranker. The bronze ranker was clearly the leader of the group. In Erras rank-based society, there were few exceptions. She didn¡¯t expect to find an upending of the social order in a bandit group.

    *****

    Graff sorted through the pile of loot before him, tossing away the pieces he deemed too unique to sell or too cheap to bother with the effort.

    ¡°This mark¡¯s a bust,¡± he said, ¡°Trash, all of it. What a worthless iron ranker, not that I expected much from such a backwater village. Put that down, Chester,¡± he snapped at his dumb younger brother.

    ¡°Oh, sorry big brother,¡± Chester said, dutifully setting down the object he had been messing with. It wasn¡¯t something he¡¯d ever understand. Graff didn¡¯t know why Chester bothered.

    ¡°I told you to call me boss.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, boss.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to strike again soon. This trash had nothing on him.¡±

    ¡°Where next, boss?¡± A sweet voice said. It belonged to a woman of dark skin and purple runes, a runic. Lala was the sort of cheap woman that thought she was higher class than she really was, but at least she was worth the food she ate. She chased worthless ideals of beauty she¡¯d never achieve, but she had no morals nor compunctions, which Graff thought was more valuable than beauty anyway. She was useful.

    His dumb brother Chester was far too slow and indecisive, and was grating on his nerves.

    ¡°We swing by Shanyin to pawn our goods and buy some more supplies and monster cores. Then, the same as usual.¡±

    The usual was, of course, marking those young and fresh-faced solo adventurers that headed off on their own with no understanding of the real world. He¡¯d avoid the ones with fancy backgrounds and famous last names. Graff has gotten good at marking those with quality-enough equipment to be valuable, but not so high as to get him in trouble.

    ¡°How about we strike a duo, Graff?¡± Scar Throat suggested.

    ¡°You¡¯re questioning this operation, Scar Throat?¡± Graff said, even though he thought they could handle it. He¡¯d suggest it, or not at all.

    Scar Throat smirked, ¡°Eight on one, Graff? Where¡¯s your shame? You¡¯re scared they¡¯ll turn it around? Two brats? Lost your touch, have you?¡±

    Graff was unamused with the challenge to his authority, but his considered Scar Throat¡¯s suggestion. He had some respect for the man: like Lala, he had more skill than the rest of the worthless bunch.

    ¡°You¡¯ve said something smart for once, Scar Throat.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really going to consider it.¡±

    Graff knocked a fist against his own armor, ¡°We have some decent goods now, and I¡¯m bronze rank. If I can¡¯t handle two measly iron rankers, I should hand the boss position to you, Scar Throat. You¡¯d like that, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Of course not Graff,¡± Scar Throat relented, offering an olive branch. ¡°When I¡¯m bronze rank, I¡¯ll respect you the same.¡±

    Graff scoffed. What respect? They were bandits. Respect was only valuable in that it made the others listen to him. Respect or fear¡ªhe didn¡¯t care. ¡°We¡¯ll leave at night, after a rest. Pack your things and prepare.¡±

    ¡°Yes boss.¡±

    Sage crept around the group, giving them a wide berth. She partially shared the properties of Nara¡¯s aura, since she had become an extension of Nara¡¯s own abilities by familiar bond. The bandit group made no attempt at silence, so naturally, Sage heard.

    The bandits had set up camp in a lobby, a small fire built in the center of the room casting a warm, crackling glow that they didn¡¯t deserve. She made no sound, skimming the walls as she explored the rooms around the lobby.

    Most were as empty as the rooms of the floors above. The room Sage found herself in broke the pattern in a lamentable way.

    The room had been food storage, a pantry of sorts. Wooden shelves were emptied, the food either consumed by the bandits or long rotted away. The tops of crates were dashed onto the floor, scattering splinters. What was stuffed within them was not food, but bodies.

    Adventurers had been stripped naked; their mangled bodies disrespectfully shoved into those crates. Their bodies had already begun their process of decomposition. Bugs and maggots crawled within their exposed flesh, wriggling in the darkness. One body was fresher than the rest, just a few days old. Dried blood caked onto his flesh; his torso torn open by a large claw mark that exposed his human innards and flesh to cold, uncaring air.

    If twenty adventurers had been killed, this was not all of them. There was eight bodies within this storeroom, their stony grave.

    *****

    ¡°¡­Sage had found the body,¡± Nara said through voice chat, ¡°It matches the picture we were provided. She found his body, and seven others.¡±

    ¡°The abandoned bunker is one of their bases,¡± said Sen. His expression was unusually stiff.

    Eufemia knew his expression did not match the emotion that roiled within him. The Wrath Confluence¡ªEufemia didn¡¯t think it fit the proper young man, but she was mistaken. She sensed his wrath now, both biting frost and unquenchable flame, enduring and preserving in the worst way.

    ¡°Sen,¡± she reflexively said, not sure how to console him, or even if she should.

    His eyes flickered to hers.

    ¡°¡­I can probably retrieve the body without them noticing,¡± Nara said, ¡°The bronze ranker hasn¡¯t spotted me or Sage, so I can attach a body of hers to follow them without issue.¡±

    ¡°They have a bronze ranker?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, one bronze and seven irons. It¡¯s a pretty big group. It¡¯s no wonder adventurers were overpowered. They gang up on one of them, all eight of them together. I don¡¯t think anyone can survive that. I don¡¯t really want to ask this, but what now?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to ask?¡±

    ¡°I think the answer leads to a situation I¡¯d rather avoid.¡±

    ¡°If you cannot kill,¡± Sen said, ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°I will as well,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°We¡¯re taking justice into our own hands?¡± asked John.

    ¡°Justice? We¡¯ve long past that. This is cleaning up filth,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°This is murder,¡± John said, aghast.

    ¡°What they do is murder, John. If you are concerned over legality in this world, there is no need. Adventurers are free to execute criminals.¡±

    ¡°Legality isn¡¯t the issue here.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? Whether or not they¡¯re captured by someone else, they¡¯ll end up dead, John. Haven¡¯t you seen the bandit extermination contracts on the contract board? We¡¯ll even be rewarded without the contract.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be accessories to murder!¡±

    Encio stared at him, ¡°So, let them free and report them to the guild?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t need to kill them. We don¡¯t have to be the executioners.¡±

    ¡°I said Sen and I would do it,¡± Encio repeated, in an oddly stony tone for his usual relaxed charm. Or maybe it wasn¡¯t odd¡ªwhat was the right tone for this discussion?

    ¡°I don¡¯t really mind either,¡± said Eufemia, ¡°I¡¯m for it.¡± She shrugged at John¡¯s accepting observation, he¡¯s known this part of her already, ¡°I don¡¯t have your weirdly restrictive outworlder morals, John. I¡¯m not some stone-cold killer¡ª¡± Or maybe she was, Eufemia was never quite sure of herself, ¡°¡ªbut they¡¯ve already done enough that I won¡¯t feel a lick of guilt.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah? You¡¯re okay with this too?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like to kill; I wouldn¡¯t say any of us do¡ªbut the alternative to let them live to report them poses potential complications. While Nara could report them quickly, it¡¯d still take time for the Adventure Society to dispatch another group. They¡¯d just do what we¡¯ve already done, but take the last step¡ªtrack them down, then kill them. During that time, who is to say what further crimes they could commit?¡±

    John had experienced many culture shocks over the course of his year plus stay on Erras, but this was perhaps the largest one. Adventurers were the highest authority on Erras, except for rulers themselves. They were judge, jury, and executioner.

    Nay, that was inaccurate.

    Essence users were the highest authority on Erras. Kings and Queens were gold and diamond rank; their will was judgement. Adventurers shared a similar authority in their own activities.

    Rank was authority, and they could pass judgement.

 Chapter 81: Hunting the Hunters

    Chapter 81: Hunting the Hunters

    The team was at a moral standstill.

    ¡°Nara, do you have any thoughts on the matter?¡± Sen asked. His voice was even, cautious. He didn¡¯t expect her to have a different opinion than John. They both seemed from a similar social group, even from different nations of their world¡ªone that was not involved in bloodshed.

    There was a pregnant pause before Nara finally spoke, her words slow and thoughtful.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really have much against vigilante justice. I think our world let far too many criminals go because they were rich. I haven¡¯t seen enough here to know the cracks in the system, but its no better nor worse than what we have, is it?¡± Another pause, gathering herself. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is, I don¡¯t care if you want to kill them, I just don¡¯t know whether I¡¯ll personally be able to¡ªit¡¯s not a question of morality. No matter what I think morally, what I can bring myself to do is an entirely different matter. Even if I think someone should die, I don¡¯t know if I can go through with it. I¡¯m dangerously unreliable here.¡±

    She paused, still sensing the auras beneath her in the bunker, now at rest.

    ¡°We know these guys are criminals. At least in this case, its undeniable. We could also take a middle ground.¡±

    ¡°Middle ground?¡±

    ¡°If they want to surrender, they can.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have the capacity to restrain a bronze ranker,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°We can manage an iron ranker though, right?¡±

    ¡°I have a few suppression collars,¡± Encio offered.

    The teammates with Encio stared at him.

    ¡°Those are restricted items,¡± Sen said, ¡°Highly regulated by the Adventure Society. We aren¡¯t supposed to have them.¡±

    ¡°Adventurers run into situations like this often. It¡¯s one of those ¡®keep quiet about it and no one gets in trouble¡¯¡ªan open secret. Are you going to tell on me?¡±

    ¡°¡­No, I will not.¡±

    ¡°So? Do you have a bronze rank suppression collar?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Actually, I do.¡±

    ¡°Do I want to know what your highest rank suppression collar is?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, do you?¡±

    ¡°Not really.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t ask, I won¡¯t say,¡± Encio said, a sly smile playing at his lips.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Nara said, ¡°I love plausible deniability.¡±

    The banter diffused the tension that had built up. The team was still nervous, but with the option of suppression collars and surrender, they decided to go through with defeating the bandits.

    Nara was able to escape a bronze rankers¡¯ detection, but that couldn¡¯t be said for the rest of the team, shitty as Graff was at aura control. Just by virtue of higher rank, Graff had an advantage that was hard to make up. It was the different between a wolf and a dog¡ªtraining, numbers, and tactics could take down the wolf, but the wolf always had an innate advantage over the dog. If they wanted to track Graff¡¯s movements outside of the ruins, they weren¡¯t likely to succeed without being discovered. Graff¡¯s next destination was Shanyin, a location John knew well, but who knew if he wouldn¡¯t decide to opportunistically murder an iron ranker on the way there if he saw the chance. Nara could follow. But by herself, she¡¯d just be unwilling witness to any murders they committed on the way. She¡¯d have no power to stop them.

    Sen explained his plan to the team.

    With the bandits four floors below, the team was as undetectable to the bandits as the bandits were to them at ground level.

    Sage and Nara¡¯s initial scouting of the ruined town revealed several other entrances to the bunker. Most of them were destroyed. There was only one entrance, which lead outside of the city, that was still functional. The rest of the team headed for the second entrance while Eufemia headed towards the first one Nara had found.

    Nara met Eufemia at the entrance, where Eufemia copied Nara¡¯s node teleport. She was just barely able to squeeze her aura to the other side of the heavy metal door in order to node teleport to the other side.

    ¡°You made that look a lot easier,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°You made that look a lot harder,¡± Nara responded, shrugging.

    Eufemia glared, but there wasn¡¯t any venom, just annoyance.

    Eufemia copied Nara¡¯s armor conjuration for the bonus stealth, and together they slunk down the softly lit yet ominous hallways, littered with fragments of abandoned history. Their destination wasn¡¯t far down, only the stairs connecting the second and third floors.

    In the midst of an infiltration, Eufemia marveled at the versatility of her ability set. By copying weapons and armors, spells and special attacks, she could shift her role. At the core, her abilities remained the same, no matter how they¡ªshe¡ªchanged. It was reassuring.

    She had copied Aliyah¡¯s Rune Trap, and began to place explosive runes in the hallway and stairwell.

    ¡°Emplace a mark of power,¡± she whispered. The rune flared to life, shimmering with the promise of a heat haze born of explosive power, before it faded, a silent, invisible, intangible symbol a layer beneath stone that plucked only at her own senses.

    With Convenient Copy, she copied her Prodigious Sorcerer ability so she could place two Rune Traps per minute. The rune placed was in a language Eufemia didn¡¯t understand, although she guessed it meant ¡®explosion¡¯.

    Even doubling up, the high mana consumption meant that Eufemia couldn¡¯t place many traps. She washed down a grape flavored mana potion, one of the ones Nara looted, and continued placing the traps. She preferred wine¡ªmaybe after the fight? She certainly felt like she deserved one. John always complained she was a messy drunk, and he didn¡¯t give into the vices. Something about ¡®setting a good example for children¡¯. Whatever. (She wouldn¡¯t drink in front of his children, if she ever met them).

    The bunker was created to shelter the residents from monsters, but the array protections in the stone had long since faded, no longer maintained by ritualists and spirit coins. Chrome used his sword to slice up the stone on the first and second floors, introducing failure points. The stone used for the bunker was just ordinary stone, normal rank to iron rank material at best, with no additional special properties (with no arrays reinforcing them). It was a bit of effort even for his resonating-force damage swords, but he only needed to weaken the material. The sound of metal-stabbing-stone echoed down the hall, a piercing sound in narrow emptiness, but the bandits did not stir.

    Sen could detect the runes, but his perception ability was rare (Eufemia would say odd. Sen was odd). According to Nara, the bronze rank bandit leader they needed to watch out for had a strong-man¡¯s build, one clearly focused for power rather than finesse. Sen was an exception: Most frontliners didn¡¯t have standout detection abilities.

    While Eufemia and Chrome executed the first part of Sen¡¯s plan, Nara descended down into the bunker.

    *****

    ¡°Fucking finally,¡± said one of the bandit lackeys, ¡°This place gives me the creeps.¡± The stark, grey stone, the hollowness of the echoes of life, the cold, stale air: It grated on the nerves, and unsettled their sleep.

    ¡°I¡¯ll miss this place,¡± said Chester, looking around the room. He was still tired and wanted to sleep more, but his big brother said they needed to leave, ¡°Large. Pretty clean for our standards. And it¡¯s got that cozy, lived in feel.¡±

    ¡°Only you could possibly think an abandoned bunker is ¡®cozy¡¯,¡± Lala said, ¡°The remnants of a ruined town, and you want to stay longer?¡±

    Graff snorted in disdain.

    The bandit team of seven made their way towards the exit, passing corridors of stone. Decrepit toys and decaying clothing were occasionally seen in quiet corners. They ascended, and the stale air gradually lightened. In the past, magic was used to circulate and refresh the air, but now the air vents were unpowered, stagnating with the rest of the air around them, only disturbed by their passage through the halls.

    ¡°What is it, boss?¡±

    Graff stopped in the hallway, experiencing a growing sense of foreboding. The same dusty corridors they had descended stretched in front of him, the stairs to the floor above within reach. The corridors were illuminated softly with still functioning light artifacts¡ªa long refined invention that without the stresses of time. Graff couldn¡¯t detect anything amiss. He frowned and once again moved forward, beckoning the group with a casual hand signal.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    In the next moment, a chain reaction of explosions resounded, and the floors above them collapsed.

    *****

    Graff coughed, clearing the stone dust from his lungs. His head rung. He pushed his focus past it, evaluating his aching bones and muscles, then processing his situation. There had been a collapse. From¡­an explosion. He paused for a moment, expecting another ringing explosion to damn them to a stone grave, but none came.

    His large and sturdy body had protected the bandits closest to him, Lala and Chester. Stone weighed atop of him, and he felt blood drip from his head, stinging his left eye. He tentatively shifted the stone on top of him, testing if it¡¯s weight could be tossed aside safely. Hearing no unpleasant creaks or groans of shifting stone, he let the stone slide off his back, booming onto the stone floor. He tensed for an apprehensive moment as he expected a chain reaction of tumbling stone to crush his body, but none occurred.

    ¡°Report!¡± he yelled through the darkness, the lights now destroyed.

    ¡°I¡¯m alive,¡± yelled Tan.

    ¡°Still here,¡± said Scar Throat.

    ¡°Alive too,¡± said Hao.

    There was no other response.

    ¡°Lasso¡¯s dead then,¡± said Lala simply. There wasn¡¯t much companionship between the bandits, but she felt a pang of pain or the death of someone so close. It could have been her.

    Graff removed a lantern from his dimensional bag, illuminating the collapsed hallway. The rubble was around them. Graff¡¯s body had formed a small pocket of protection. His abilities were nothing if not tough and powerful. Today, it saved him.

    ¡°Injures, report,¡± demanded Graff, moving onto the next most logical item on his checklist.

    ¡°I¡¯m uninjured,¡± said Chester, ¡°Thanks for that bro¡­ b-boss .¡±

    ¡°Also uninjured,¡± said Lala. It seemed her mouth was at least efficient in times of crises.

    ¡°I¡¯m hurt,¡± Tan said, ¡°A blow to the head. And my foot¡¯s crushed.¡±

    ¡°Also injured, Shoulder is badly hurt,¡± said Scar Throat.

    ¡°Same here,¡± said Hao, ¡°Shoulder injury. A concussion too¡­I think. My head¡¯s ringing.¡±

    ¡°Use the potions,¡± said Graff, ¡°We¡¯ve been ambushed.¡± It would take a while for the potions to heal, but they needed the healing to start sooner rather than later.

    Graff began to shift rubble, clearing a space for the separate members to group up. He looked towards the upper floor, and back to the bottom floor, deciding their next course of action. Only one had died, and the others were recovering from their injuries. For an ambush, they got off lucky. Lasso¡¯s death didn¡¯t mean much. He wasn¡¯t close to the best fighter, not even better than Chester.

    ¡°Do you think it was them bronze ranked adventurers boss?¡±

    ¡°Would it kill you to think Chester?¡± said Lala, ¡°If they were bronze rank, they would¡¯ve just waited for us to leave then killed us all.¡±

    Graff agreed with her assessment. If they were bronze rankers, they wouldn¡¯t bother and just slay them where they stood.

    ¡°Assuming they¡¯re iron rank,¡± said Graff, ¡°We stand a chance. Otherwise, we may wish we died to the cave-in.¡±

    Essence abilities weren¡¯t known for their lack of pain. If Graff had to choose, he¡¯d chose crushing death to having his flesh rotted off his bones as he lived.

    Two floors of rubble would be too difficult for Graff to remove, even for him, and he risked collapsing the structure further.

    The group began to pick apart the rubble leading back into the bunker. Thanks to the dimension pouches and bags they looted, they had a variety of equipment, even pickaxes. Many local adventures came from quarry villages and kept a pickaxe on them, like their most recent kill. Each time the broke apart a stone, the whole structure groaned and creaked. They all shuddered, waiting in silence for the stone to collapse down upon them. They were getting lucky. Graff hated getting lucky, hated the lack of control.

    If luck lasted, it wouldn¡¯t be called ¡®luck¡¯. Luck would end.

    They were caked in stone dust, chips, and loose fragments, but had made it through the collapse. Lala normally would complain about the dust that covered her and her blistered and cut hands, but she was mercifully silent.

    ¡°The exit is just above Boss. What do we do? A-are we going to die here?¡±

    Graff glared at Chester. ¡°You think I can¡¯t win against some iron rankers? And all of you¡ªare you all deadweight?¡±

    ¡°R-right, boss.¡±

    The bandits gazed up; their nerves taut. Graff had expended a large amount of energy shifting rubble, and a slow and cautious trip back to the alternate exit had exhausted them. Thankfully, their slow pace had afforded time for the potions to work. Hao¡¯s foot was much improved, although he still moved with a quiet wince and a limp.

    ¡°M-maybe that was it,¡± Chester said, ¡°That¡¯s the only plan they had?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s at least possible. If they are a bunch of iron rankers, failing to kill us there means they could have retreated,¡± Scar Throat analyzed, ¡°If I was them, I¡¯d be terrified. At least they can run home to their families with their pride that they got one of us, well done.¡±

    For a bandit, Scar Face was far too obsessed with pride, Graff thought.

    They began to ascend, slowly, floor by floor. Each member had weapons and armor equipped, undoubtably looted from the adventurers they had killed. Most were average in quality; pieces to tide the adventurers over until they had the capital to purchase better equipment. Not every adventurer had a looting ability or a rich family, and they did not target those adventurers either. Far too risky.

    Light peeked through the gaps in the heavy metal door, streams of illumination in dusty rays. Graff leaned into the door with his massive frame, pushing it open. He cautiously searched outside with his senses, detecting an adventuring team lying in wait. Their aura control was good, but it would not match up to bronze rank aura detection. Or so he thought.

    ¡°A fight?¡± grinned Graff, slowly walking outside the bunker. He would give them a fight. ¡°I hope you pose a bit of a challenge. Unlike the ones before you. Run now, and I¡¯ll spare you.¡±

    A frantic scream behind him interrupted his building focus, his energy climbing for the brawl ahead.

    ¡°What?!¡±

    *****

    Nara had never left the bunker, staying on the bottom floor to put all the bodies in her inventory as the bandit team ascended. Unfortunately, that meant she saw them for herself, smashed into boxes with no care nor respect, stripped of all human dignity.

    Most were just teenagers.

    Nara steadied herself on a wall. The nauseating smell of rotting corpses pervaded the storeroom.

    Roan was there too. He was just a young adventurer. A good member of his town, studious and hardworking, protecting the people he loved from the threat of monsters. Monsters¡ªhuman and non-human.

    Nara doubled over as if she was about to vomit. She was glad she had no stomach.

    ¡°Benefactor,¡± Sage said.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright¡­¡± Nara muttered.

    Her skin felt clammy, although she didn¡¯t sweat.

    The Adventure Society provided specialty caskets for body retrieval contracts. They maintained the conditions of corpses to prevent them from rotting, as well as eliminating smells. They were only provided with one. She set the casket down on the floor, removing the lid.

    She looked down at Roan¡¯s body, cold and unmoving.

    She felt herself weeping.

    Nara lifted his body from the crate, and set him down in the casket. She moved the casket and body to her inventory. She conjured identical caskets for the other bodies, although without the fancy effects of the society provided ones. The older bodies were in considerably worse shape. By the end of moving all the bodies, Nara¡¯s robe was speckled with maggots, rotten flesh, putrid fluids, and dried blood.

    She could have put them directly into her inventory and spare herself the mess and disgust. Nara didn¡¯t want to treat them like Graff and his bandits did; items to be packed away. This process was to soothe her own heart. They weren¡¯t just objects she was storing away; they were once people with friends and families, hopes and dreams.

    She teleported to another room with its door closed. She sucked stale in repeatedly, calming herself with breaths she didn¡¯t need as she cried. She didn¡¯t want to smell the foul air of decomposing bodies. Thanatos laid across her lap, comforting her with his softness and weight.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay now. I let it all out,¡± she said out loud, as if to convince herself she really was okay.

    She made a quick trip to her Astral Domain, cleaning herself and Thanatos of the smell, maggots, and fluids.

    She was okay¡ªfor better or for worse. When her parents fought, when she fought with her sister, when emotions ran high, she could always pulls hers down. Sometimes she let them run wild¡ªwhen she wanted to feel anger. But, when she wanted that cool simmer, she could pull the emotions back down, and let the flames die to embers. To her, there was the option of choice¡ªof control¡ªin emotions. Nara had wondered before if she was a mild sociopath, or if she just had the self-awareness that temper was unproductive, that it made you look bad (Everyone backs away from the screamer, the yeller. Everyone dislikes the child throwing a noisy tantrum. Never be the one to yell in public). It didn¡¯t necessarily come from a place of kindness¡ªthe calmer one in a heated argument looked better (as the second child, she learned that manipulation went a long way when her sister¡¯s direct teenage rebellion didn¡¯t). She¡¯d feel better too¡ªshe had the morally higher ground. She wasn¡¯t insulting the other person to win.

    She had asked herself if this calm, this control, was from her essences¡ªa changed self. Perhaps, the new strength of it was (she hadn¡¯t really thought that she could do this in front of a corpse). But there had always been a part of her that could ignore the emotions and toss them away¡ªwhen they served her, and when they did not.

    She let the emotions pass, flowing into a new calm.

    The explosion that rocked the top floors of the bunker sent bugs and dust skittering about, shaking them loose from crevices like pepper from a pepper shaker.

    ¡°Alright, phase two.¡±

    *****

    Nara sprinted forward, her shadow boots eliminating the sound of her footsteps on stone. She had looted the shadow boots from the shadow weavers, back during the adventure society examination, although she hadn¡¯t checked for them at the time during the chaos.

    -------

    Item: [Shadow Silk Boots] (iron, rare)

    Classification: Equipment, Shoes

    Dark silk boots as quiet as night.

    Effect: Footsteps are muffled.

    Effect: Can walk lightly over unstable terrain such as sand and silt.

    Effect: Can adhere to surfaces allowing for wall-walking for a low mana-per-second cost.

    -------

    She rapidly approached one of the five remaining iron rank bandits, her footsteps skipping steps in the stairwell. The explosion had killed less than the party planned for. They would need at least three people to handle Graff; four was preferred. Nara¡¯s role was a contingency. Sen didn¡¯t ask her to kill anyone, just to disable some. Severing vocal chords was something Nara could manage, and more than enough to stop some unpleasant abilities (and if she cut too deep¡­well). Trained casters could chant spells internally, but it still and concentration required for it wasn¡¯t found until bronze or silver rank. At iron rank, vocal chords were a vulnerability.

    Other than that, she could sever a limb. Many of the bandits had already used a healing potion which prevented them from consuming another otherwise they¡¯d suffer potion toxicity, equally debilitating.

    As she swung Nirvana towards the bandit closest to her, she felt as if time slowed.

    Should she really only go for debilitation? She didn¡¯t care for these bandits more than she cared for her teammates. They were scum. They killed young adventurers¡ªteens¡ªwhich cascaded with consequences for the villages, towns, and families they were a part of.

    The plan was in motion and there was no turning back. Those bandits would die today¡ªSen would make sure of it. And if Sen did not, Sanshi would make sure of it. She was already accessory to the murder of one of them, what difference did the second make?

    More importantly, Nara knew how delicate iron rank adventurers were, The Way of the Traveler: Hunter told her as much. Sen and Encio were skilled, but any fight where they were outnumbered was a lethal battle. That¡¯s how it was in her world too¡ªthe wrong sort of concussion, a shard of bone against the wrong organ, the wrong artery in the leg. Any slip up, any unexpected abilities, and one of them could die, just like those other adventurers. Adventurers could heal from much, but they couldn¡¯t heal from death.

    Nara mind wavered; Her body made the decision for her. Instinct and training took over. The Way of the Hunter was a fighting style focused on debilitating attacks to create an advantage. At iron rank, the greatest advantage was created with death.

    The path of her sword angled up, cutting towards the neck of the first bandit. Enhanced with resonating-force, the blade tore through the flesh, pushed through the bones of his neck, and decapitated him.

 Chapter 82: The Need for Violence

    Chapter 82: The Need for Violence

    There wasn¡¯t time for Nara to mope and moan over her first murder, all thoughts of revulsion and horror flickered away like leaves swept away in a storm of adrenaline and focus. The here and now demanded her attention, and feeling guilty for murder would have to be a ¡®breaking down later in bed¡¯ sort of thing.

    Not that much crossed through her mind at all (she didn¡¯t have that superhuman thought capacity, entire debates argued in a moment like some sort of TV show¡ªor Raskolnikov, that man can ramble. No slowing of time, no pause in the action)¡ªthere wasn¡¯t the time for it. A bandit was dead, and she needed to move onto the next step.

    ¡°Hao!¡± The next one yelled out, ¡°Hao is dead! There¡¯s an en¡ª¡±

    She swung her sword, clipping him in the throat as planned. She didn¡¯t have the reach to land a solid hit on the next bandit in the narrow corridor. The second bandit had reflexively turned towards her, granting her access to her sword to his vocal chords. If she wanted to argue in hindsight, the bandit she killed was faced away from her: she wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to sever his vocal chords.

    ¡°Escape the stairwell, go outside! Hurry!¡± Graff, commanded from the top of the stairwell, his voice booming through the stone corridor.

    Graff knew that the adventurers lying in wait were a larger threat than the single adventurer in the stair well, so he did not rush back to assist the injured members. However, they could not stay in the stairwell either. The adventurer behind them was clearly capable of executing all his iron rank lackeys one by one like they were unwitting cows on a conveyor belt of slaughter. Graff would have to push past all of them to face the iron ranker, exposing his back to the ambushers lying in wait outside. The only option was to rush outside¡ªhe just didn¡¯t know if his idiot lackeys knew that.

    The bandit Nara attacked futilely pressed a hand to his throat as if trying to block a leaking faucet, but crimson spilled unimpeded through strangled gasps. She had played her role, so Nara made her own escape. Nodes lined up out the stairwell like a cannon, she teleported directly outside ahead of the fleeing bandits. She made brief eye-contact with a surprised Graff, before teleporting away one final time into the evening darkness of the tree line.

    It was more epic in her head: He just sort of glared at her on the way out.

    As Graff suspected, his bandit team was greeted by another ambush the moment they all stepped outside.

    -------

    Ability: [Force Tether]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a crystal rod, from which a tether of shimmering force connects to all nearby enemies within a moderate range. Tethered enemies are dragged toward the rod, which is protected by a force field that inflicts moderate resonating force-damage to anyone in contact with it. If the force-field is ruptured, it explodes in a wave of resonating-force damage. If the rod is destroyed or removed from its location, then it explodes in a wave of disruptive-force damage. Dimensional displacement, such as teleportation, severs the tether. Untethered enemies who enter within range of the rod become tethered. Only one force tether rod may exist at a time.

    -------

    A crystal rod was conjured between them, tethers of shimmering force temporarily binding them all in place. Aliyah didn¡¯t want them completely grouped up, but she did want them fixed. She additionally cast Binding Light on Graff, buying the group an extra moment against the powerhouse bronze ranker.

    Encio layered his own singular control ability as well, Dimensional Flux, the first ability he had awakened with his own Dimension Essence.

    -------

    Ability: [Dimension Flux]

    Essence: Dimension

    Awakening Stone: None

    Conjuration (dimension)

    Cost: Moderate mana, low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Wildly distort space in a small area, disorienting anything that passes through. Denies the area as a teleportation egress point. Only once instance of this ability can exist simultaneously.

    -------

    The air shimmered and distorted, space swirling and twisting nauseatingly like oil on water. Through their own eyes, each of their bandit comrades were blurred and transformed, warped like reflections in funhouse mirrors.

    The bandits felt they all simultaneously suffered vertigo. The ground beneath their feet felt unstable, as if it they were standing on a tiled floor covered in dish soap. With tethers preventing them from escaping their intense and sudden nausea by darting out of the flux, the team launched their attack.

    Graff was not trapped for long, easily tearing himself free thanks to his outstanding physical strength (surpassing what Sen would achieve in bronze), transforming into a bear form. In the next moment, the most powerful barrage the team could muster was unleashed on the enemies.

    Encio was the most important member of this phase of the attack. He had the highest instantaneous damage and the most powerful special attacks. His abilities were often the easy solution (the deadly solution), and Sen would be remiss to dismiss it.

    First, a fully charged Vorpal Slash ripped through the group. Various reactionary abilities of the bandits went off, sending the already nauseating field alight with shimmers of color and magic¡ªshields, passive protections, force dispersion abilities, etc.¡ªsparing the bandits from instantaneous death.

    However, it was his targeted Double Strike, Bolster, God-Sundering Slash that was the real threat. It bypassed Graff¡¯s transformed body and targeted Tan, the priority enemy the team wanted dead.

    John¡¯s Magic Record surpassed Nara¡¯s guide in its direct identification abilities. The moment each bandit exited the bunker, he photographed them, identifying even their essence combinations and printing their names (although, not literally¡ªthe information was added conveniently to Nara¡¯s Party Guide interface, yay magic!). At equal ranks, they could not block the effect of his ability unless they had an ability that blocked it in turn, like Nara.

    Tan, a silver haired celestine, possessed the Dust, Ice, and Wind Essences for the Storm Confluence. The combination produced wide range and powerful spells that the team wanted to avoid. (They didn¡¯t want to fight an enemy Encio. The brief thought of being on the other end of Encio¡¯s abilities of sorts sent shivers of terror down everyone¡¯s spines. No doubt Tan hadn¡¯t Encio¡¯s prowess, but they really rather not find out. Encio was adamant his abilities weren¡¯t ¡®wind blades¡¯ but the team agreed to disagree. They were close enough.) John communicated this information to Encio, and Encio launched his attack. Nara had already briefly disabled Tan, but he was one of the bandits that could still imbibe a potion to heal his throat. It was better that he died now, than leaving him an opportunity to recover.

    Tan died, the boosted God-Sundering Slash ripping his body in two, spilling cut entrails, flesh, and blood over the grassy clearing.

    It was a disturbing sight, but Nara was getting used to disturbing sights (no, video games hadn¡¯t desensitized her). Monster entrails weren¡¯t all that different than human entrails, after all. Nothing filled her with more revulsion so far than those desecrated adventurers, dumped into crates like they were the unwanted scraps of butchered meat.

    Three would have to handle Graff, and three team members would need to defeat one each of the remaining bandits.

    It was a fight they had a high chance of winning, if Nara, Sen, and John could keep Graff from ripping the rest of their team apart.

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Graff had the Blood, Might, and Bear Essences for the Transfiguration Confluence. When he had been initially bound by Aliyah¡¯s trap, he transformed, his large body growing even larger and sprouting hard brown fur. His face elongated, and his hands shifted into paws armed with sharp dark claws. His eyes were orbs of blood red.

    Despite this, he was not enraged, his mind clear.

    Aliyah refilled some of Encio¡¯s mana, and the fight began in earnest. John unleashed Mana Tide. Both Sen and Nara were endurance fighters with the beginning of the battle as their weakest state (Nara¡¯s weakest state was weaker than Sen¡¯s¡ªhe had better instantaneous damage, because of course he did). The extra mana would allow them to push through the difficult fight that lied ahead against Graff.

    Nara¡¯s combination of mana cost reduction from her tattoo and other mana generating effects from her Refresh, Astral Blessing, and Moonlight Raiment would have to sustain her once John¡¯s Ability ended. Against a powerful opponent like Graff, it would be a fight with herself to balance her mana, stamina, and health.

    With Mana Tide active, the team went all out, unleashing their abilities without care for their mana consumption.

    Graff¡¯s bear skin was incredibly tough. John and Eufemia threw buffing abilities her way, allowing her strikes to cut fur and get her affliction ball rolling.

    -------

    [Bandit Leader has resisted an instance of [Dimensional Instability].]

    [Bandit Leader has resisted an instance of [Dimensional Rupture].]

    [Bandit Leader has been inflicted with an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Scorn].]

    -------

    Nara wondered if her Guide¡¯s usage of generalized titles instead of names was to distance her enemies¡ªsince the team knew the names of the bandits, thanks to John. Another outworlder adaptation? The thought niggled her mind, but she pushed it away.

    Even with her rank disparity ignore provided from Tribulation of Self, Nara¡¯s afflictions were blocked by Graff¡¯s significantly higher recovery attribute, which also governed affliction resistance. Still, some eked through, and Entropy was in place. Boundary¡¯s Scorn was irresistible, and it steadily chipped away at Graff¡¯s resistance. The only problem was that she had to actively engage an enemy to apply Boundary¡¯s Scorn. Thankfully, she had the tools for the job.

    The team¡¯s other major advantage was that they had a healer, while the bandits did not. Healers were valuable; no matter their skill level, they would find lucrative work. For a healer to end up as a bandit was improbable. All they had to do was walk into a sizable city, even completely untrained, and receive offers of training, team invitations, and payment.

    Between blows, Graff sized them up, and whatever he saw, he didn¡¯t like it. He broke the verbal silence of the clearing¡ªthe team communicated through Nara¡¯s Party Guide, no need for words. Other than shouts of exertion, the clearing rang only with the sound of chants, the clang of swords, and the impact of blows and magic.

    ¡°What¡¯s all this about?¡± Graff said in a guttural growl. ¡°There¡¯s no need for violence.¡±

    ¡°Are you surrendering?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we all cool off and work something out. There must be some sort of misunderstanding here.¡± He eyed them, his face quirking into a false smile. He didn¡¯t have Eufemia¡¯s skill in putting on a convincing act, his smile and placations falling flat.

    Nara didn¡¯t bother responding. His actions and aura revealed his true intentions. He was the stronger opponent¡ªif he wanted to negotiate, he could stop attacking first. He could kill Sen and Nara easily, but Nara couldn¡¯t decapitate him like she had done to the bandit in the stairwell¡ªhis rank and abilities barely let slashes of Nara¡¯s sword through, cosmetic scratches on solid metal armor. If Sen and Nara stopped first, he may immediately charge John. They wouldn¡¯t let that happen.

    True to her assessment, Graff did not relent, pressing the attack. His powerful blows were enhanced with Mighty Strength, and further boosted by his bear transformation ability. Any solid hit, and he¡¯d crack bone. A clean hit to the head, and Nara would splatter.

    She tried blocking one of Graff¡¯s ferocious blows. Her sword was shoved back towards her body, and she felt the bones in her arms creak.

    Attempting to deflect Graff¡¯s blows with Dream¡¯s Wake was a mistake. She couldn¡¯t compare to the power of his blows, and she was launched backwards. Even that glancing blow alone was enough to crack ribs and bruise flesh beneath her armor. Nara was reminded of what Amara had called an advantage. With no organs to puncture or rupture, the damage was contained to cracked ribs and ripped flesh.

    Bearing the pain, she shot away from the tree, the effects of her aura, Refresh, and a Life Bolt from John slowly repairing the damage.

    She had expected a follow-up attack from one of his comrades, and was offhandedly surprised that none came, doggedly chasing after her to seize her moment of vulnerability. If it was Jaina, she would have immediately followed up with a piercing ice arrow, pinning Nara into the tree with a freezing wound. But nothing came, a reminder of Nara and her team¡¯s superior training, and Graff and his group¡¯s distinctive lack thereof. She flashed forwards, re-engaging with Graff.

    Graff¡¯s blows in bear form were oppressively powerful. The combination of Might and Bear essences massively increased his strength, each swipe of his claw gouging earth and shearing through Nara¡¯s cloth armor, even if it didn¡¯t catch purchase. Each blow and swipe of his released powerful shockwaves, shaking Nara¡¯s entire body even when he managed to dodge a blow. Surprisingly, her potions in her potion belt held firm, a testament to the quality of the enchantments on the belt (as they should be¡ªpotions were potentially lifesaving). Her armor and underclothes she wore beneath her armor was shredded first, her own blood staining the ripped basic white underclothes she wore. When her armor was completely destroyed, she reconjured it, eating the mana cost. Even the low protection of her armor was better than no protection, and she didn¡¯t want to lose it¡¯s enhancements to mana recovery.

    With Sen¡¯s boosted physical strength and power attribute, he was better able to deflect Graff¡¯s blows, redirecting them with his heavy staff. Sen played the primary defensive role, getting in Graff¡¯s face and blocking his way, and dealing enough damage to maintain constant threat. Nara was light and offensive, teleporting in to briefly strike or distract Graff long enough for Sen to recover. The two harmonized by necessity¡ªSen pushing with endurance and power and Nara striking with flow and precision. The rough ore of teamwork was pressured and polished by Graff¡¯s overwhelming might.

    Chrome and Thanatos, along with the teams¡¯ other familiars engaged enemy familiars, if there were any. At worst was Graff¡¯s bear summon, a massive roaring beast that tore towards the group. Chrome, Thanatos, Beorn, and Aliyah¡¯s dragon familiar Ensi-Kuliana (who they just called Ensi) kept it at bay, slicing it with swords and burning it with black and dawn flames. Nara moved Sage bodies to Chrome and Thanatos, keeping their self-recovery up against the higher ranked familiar.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Dragon]

    Essence: Master

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Arcane Dragon] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>High resistance to physical and disruptive force damage.</li>

    <li>Can unleash elemental breaths and basic elemental spells. Breath attack has a 2 minute cooldown.</li>

    <li>Can chose to empower itself with an element, increasing the damage of that element. The dragon cannot use other elements. This effect has a 6 hour cooldown.</li>

    <li>Generates its own aura effect.</li>

    <li>Aura effect: Allies have increased damage resistance to the chosen element and increased resistance to elemental afflictions.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed into the summoner¡¯s skin, increasing physical and disruptive-force damage resistance with reactive dragon scales.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    John played the most crucial role in this phase, managing both Sen and Nara¡¯s health as well as the rest of the team. He had to fight a battle on two fronts, straining his mental capacity to keep track of multiple engagements at once as well as watching his own spacing. Sage¡¯s final body was with John, a reassuring presence to the man who bore the weight of his team¡¯s lives.

    He cycled shields, blocking Graff¡¯s most explosively powerful attacks against Sen. He also had to manage Eufemia¡¯s health and afflictions.

    Encio¡­didn¡¯t need help. Of course not.

    John was thankful for that one small reprieve, and focused his attention on the others, trusting that the annoyingly-yet-completely-competent Encio would look after himself.

    Blow after blow, Nara desperately struggled to land pathetically weak scratches on Graff while deflecting and distracting him to protect Sen. Luckily, after seeing her capabilities, Graff didn¡¯t care much about Nara. Her attacks weren¡¯t dangerous. They built up an affliction, he could tell, but it was at worst a time limit.

    Graff just had to kill these two worthless adventurers before that.

    Not worthless, Graff realized. The woman attacking him had a blade made of a material he had never seen before. It was a black so deep it looked like a tear in space. Shimmering lines of silver and tiny, glittering speckles of light lit up on the blade, like trails of shooting stars over the deep blackness of night.

    That was a valuable sword. Graff usually could tell around what a piece would fetch, but for that sword he hadn¡¯t any comparison, any guess. Despite his repeated attacks deflecting against it, it never chipped, broke, bent, dented, or scratched.

    The man fighting him too¡ªhis weapon and armor were conjured, but his other equipment was not. His boots, his belt, and his necklace possessed the hallmarks of top-shelf craftsmanship¡ªdangerously top-shelf. He could loot him, but he may need to leave this one alive. Torture him for a bit, find out his background, then send him crying back to his family if he was too troublesome to kill.

    Since her fight with her mimic, Nara had been meaning to develop a way to deal with powerful attacks with she struggled with. Vallis fought and Sen both fought leveraging their high physical power, and Graff was a more extreme version of the two, both relentless and powerful.

    She¡¯d had no choice but to force development mid fight. Nothing she hadn¡¯t done before, and this time instant death wasn¡¯t a risk (it technically was, but at least a scratch wouldn¡¯t do her in like she was a Prince Rupert¡¯s drop one broken tip away from shattered annihilation). Graff was powerful, and a single blow was extremely dangerous, but her affliction scaling was an even more extreme threat, if anyone lasted long enough (or was dumb enough) to let it get that far.

    This fight was pushing her more physically than the mimic fight, but it wasn¡¯t as dangerous. Her skin and bones were repeatedly battered and healed, but Nara didn¡¯t mind it. (Somewhere in the backrooms of her mind, in the dark and deserted corridors of Earth¡¯s common sense, her sanity let out a single, screaming death knell, before it keeled over, forgotten. Maybe one day she¡¯s wander upon it and revive it. Today was not that day.)

    Just like before, her technique was lacking, and it now had the opportunity to grow further. First, she started to use Infinity Domain to blunt Graff¡¯s blows. It was a simplistic application of the ability, but she had to start somewhere. The extra space slowed down Graff¡¯s bear swipes just a little, as if he was an animation that dropped frames. It didn¡¯t weaken his attacks, but it gave Nara more space to react and move to lessen the blow.

    That¡¯s a good start, she thought, but I can do more.

 Chapter 83: A Waste of Essences

    Chapter 83: A Waste of Essences

    Encio faced Scar Throat, a leonid of dirty blond fur and the Hunt, Wolf, and Spear Essences for the Predatory Confluence. Scar Face could summon a pack of wolves, but they were dispatched in short order by Encio¡¯s high powered special abilities. Group summoners were weaker than individual familiars, and Encio had multiple abilities that excelled against multiple opponents.

    Encio¡¯s high speed and Spirit Avatar familiar made him incredibly difficult to damage. With his high cost long cooldown abilities down, Encio had to rely on Sword Wave and Fragment of Time to consistently damage his opponent (or just normal slashes, because at iron rank, a sword was still a sword).

    As the most experienced party member and the furthest along in his attributes, Encio overwhelmed Scar Throat, even if his opponent was surprisingly skilled.

    ¡°With skills like this, you shouldn¡¯t have had any trouble making it as an adventurer.¡± Encio evaluated while locked in combat with the leonid, ¡°Why stoop to banditry?¡±

    Scar Throat traced his finger along his scars that ran across his throat and shoulder. Combat lulled, and Encio allowed the pause. He had promised to allow their surrender, and Encio did not feel threatened. Scar Throat could feel that arrogance, that confidence. It broke out like a rash across his skin, unable to be ignored, an ever present itch reminded himself of his ugly faults and what once could be.

    ¡°I gave the whole adventurer business a shot. Passed my certification. Started taking contracts. Made friends. Was part of a team.¡± Scar Throat began, ¡°Then it all went wrong. Got into a fight with a powerful monster, bronze rank, together with my team. We thought we could do it.¡±

    His face scrunched in painful remembrance, ¡°The fight dragged on, and they got cold feet. Stabbed me in the back and left me as bait.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pathetic reason.¡±

    He laughed scornfully, ¡°I know I¡¯m pathetic. Just like the rest of them. Picking on the weak. I can¡¯t help it; I¡¯m terrified of monsters.¡±

    ¡°You could have been anything else. Adventuring is not the only path. Many who stumble on the path as an adventurer join the Adventure Society as functionary.¡±

    ¡°We all looked up to them. Adventurers,¡± he breathed a sigh, almost reverent. ¡°I remember watching them laugh and stride through the city, sunset at their backs. ¡®Blessed by the world,¡¯ I thought. That casual comradery and confidence. That subdued, controlled power. I wanted that. I wanted to be just like that.

    Aren¡¯t you the same? I couldn¡¯t let my dream go. I thought, just a little more money, just a little more equipment. I¡¯d have that head start that so many other adventurers had. For sure, then, I could do it too. Monsters wouldn¡¯t be so frightening. I could make up for it all. Be the hero.¡± His final words were sarcastic, spitting, resentful. ¡°Hero indeed, left as I was to die.¡±

    The battle resumed, Scar Throat suddenly darting forward in hopes of catching Encio off guard. He jabbed his spear rapidly at Encio, merely piercing an incorporeal mirage of Encio¡¯s familiar, Ardor. His lips curled in frustration. Scar Throat knew he was outmatched; He was skilled, but nowhere near the skillfulness of Encio, trained nearly from birth with the best his family could offer. He could feel every second tick away, his candle of life burning its wick to the bottom. His fear, the one he thought was reserved for monsters, bubbled up like thick black tar, an ugly stain on his soul.

    It had not been just a fear for monsters.

    His despairing against the melting wax of his life ripped unwilling, hateful words from his soul, giving them form in air with ragged breaths of exertion.

    ¡°Some of those adventurers, they were the ones that betrayed me! I deserved to kill them! It was my right! Are you any so different, attacking us now?!¡±

    ¡°Then surrender. We will turn you in to the Adventure Society instead. They can deal with you. Maybe, if you plead and beg for your life, you won¡¯t be executed. Considering your circumstances, if you¡¯ve only attacked your former teammates, you may find leniency.¡±

    It was true that the adventure society might provide leniency, even if Encio rather they did not (if it was true that he only attacked his former teammates¡ªEncio knew it was not); he did not think Scar Throat deserved it, and Encio knew Scar Throat would not surrender. He was too far broken, too far gone, too fearful. He did not have the hope to bet on leniency and the preservation of his life. He did not have the courage to walk through that doorway and leave his fate in the hands of others.

    Ever since that day, Scar Throat could trust no one, not even himself.

    Scar Throat roared, mad fury and rage, a cry of despair wrangled from a feral animal whose shadow of death gripped its ankles. He hadn¡¯t just attacked his former teammates. He hadn¡¯t touched them at all. They were a group of adventurers, and this group only attacked solo adventurers. The final flame of life he could muster, his last huzzah, for all of the wrong reasons.

    Encio knew not everyone had what it took to be an adventurer. And he knew Scar Face could not do it. He had no courage not to change his way of life, not even the courage to abandon his childhood dream, for it would be a mark of failure on his pride. A child suck in the past, that could not accept his weakness, unable to move towards a new chapter of his life.

    Unable to settle, but unable to excel.

    The end of the battle was as ordinary as the dirt that surrounded them. Encio slashed Scar Face¡¯s abdomen, cutting open his flesh with a wide gaping gash. Encio didn¡¯t need to use his abilities; Scar Face was outclassed. Nara was growing, but Scar Face had stagnated. He could not catch up to Encio¡¯s decade of training and experience.

    Scar Face saw Encio¡¯s emerald eyes staring down at him unamused, and bored, as if he had just fought a disappointing sparring partner, one he wouldn¡¯t bother calling on again. As if Scar Face wasn¡¯t bleeding his precious, pathetic life onto his own clothing out from the large cut carved across his body.

    ¡°What a waste of essences.¡±

    He was on his knees, staring as the young man reconjured his blade just to remove the blood from it.

    ¡°Just finish me off already¡­¡± Scar Face said. He couldn¡¯t bear it. He couldn¡¯t bear the pain of slowly bleeding to death here.

    ¡°I wonder if you listened to their victims when they begged you. You didn¡¯t, did you?¡±

    Encio said from his lofty position, his shadow cast on the bandit.

    ¡°I¡¯m not like you. If you want mercy, I¡¯ll grant it. But you can still surrender. You can wait there until we capture your leader, and our healer will fix you up. Don¡¯t you want to live?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point. I¡¯m not surviving this. At least this way¡­it¡¯s less public.¡±

    Nobody had to know his name¡ªwho Scar Throat was, who he never could be.

    ¡°Your reputation, is it? Do you even have a reputation to care about?¡±

    ¡°Even as a bandit I have something I care about. My family¡­doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m a bandit. I don¡¯t want them to know. So have mercy on me, honorable adventurer. End this quietly, please.¡±

    And Encio looked into his eyes. Saw the fear, the terror, the regret, the anger, and the shame¡ªHe had more fear for living than he had for death. Decisive as he was, Encio was not cruel. He would grant mercy, whatever form mercy came in.

    Encio shook his head, but he swung his sword.

    *****

    Aliyah faced off against Chester a human with the Earth, Hammer, and Heidel Essences for the Transfiguration Confluence. It wasn¡¯t a particularly good match up for her, but there was no good match up for a caster like Aliyah. At low ranks, they needed the protection of teammates else she¡¯d die. What they made up for their early rank weakness was the consistent firepower they offered. Encio was powerful, but ran out of mana quickly.

    Aliyah¡¯s abilities were not as instantaneously powerful, but also less resource intensive. She also offered useful mana regeneration abilities for the team.

    Chester¡¯s combination was one of those random, slapped together essences she expected of a bandit. Heidel of course¡ªa grazing animal, a beast of burden. Not particularly popular with adventurers, but used by laborers. A cheap essence (as cheap as essences could be¡ªnot quite the cheapest, considering the Flea Essence, or the Locust Essence, which had the potential to cause widespread damage to crops), if you were willing to use it.

    It didn¡¯t mean their abilities were bad¡ªall abilities were good. Unlike more popular combinations, there wasn¡¯t a lot known about combinations like this. That meant the possible ability pool and ability directions were completely unknown. Essence users chose well-known combos because it was easier to encourage abilities in a direction they liked, find equipment that meshed well with their abilities, or receive applicable training.

    The Time Confluence had a few other known combinations, all less popular and more expensive than Encio¡¯s own. The Dimension, Vast, and Void combination for the Time Confluence was one of the most expensive combinations known with three legendary essences, but extremely hard to use. Rare essences were often more esoteric, which meant using highly complex abilities when a simpler do the job with less hassle. It¡¯s why Encio had his particular combo with a common, an uncommon, and a legendary essence (instead of a triple legendary combo, which, even if Sezan could theoretically afford it (he could), he simply may not be able to buy them.

    Chester conjured a handful of mud, which oddly did not drip from between his fingers, tight like a padded glove, and slapped it to his neck, sealing the wound. Aliyah¡¯s face crinkled at his action, not keen on the idea of mud touching her own blood. Erras did have the concept of sanitation, and his action spit in the face of it, even though Aliyah logically knew that the mud was generated from his ability.

    Chester¡¯s skin was covered in green scales much like the two-headed diminutive and reliable beast of burden. In his hands, he wielded a far too large hammer, even for his own massive body size. Mirroring the heidel was his mind¡ªHis attacks were straightforward and easily telegraphed, hammer repeatedly smashing down and swinging into empty air.

    It did not mean his attacks were not a threat¡ªAliyah couldn¡¯t let her guard down. Each time he smashed the hammer down, the ground cracked, and shards of earth exploded from the impact that launched towards her. Chester wasn¡¯t much of a tactical thinker, but he didn¡¯t need to be. If he was just fighting monsters, the will to charge forward and attack was enough.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    He wasn¡¯t just fighting monsters.

    Aliyah repeatedly used her two force trap abilities to slow and delay Chester. If he smashed apart the core, they slammed waves of force into him. During that time, Aliyah wove her own spells, either launching a quick Mana Burst or a more powerful but slower Wrath of the Magister.

    Chester couldn¡¯t keep it up. The pain overwhelmed him. His own blood felt as if it was eating away from the veins and arteries that held it in place, thanks to the myriad effects of Wrath of the Magister. His flesh simultaneously burned from heat and cold. His heidel scales cracked from the damage, fragments falling away in flakes of jade dandruff. Unlike adventurers, he didn¡¯t have the mental training to bear it.

    Sen and his sister Maya had been raised to become brilliant tacticians and leaders, a specialty of the Arlang and their northern border monster wave defenses. Sen¡¯s plans were usually unnecessary, but he utilized every advantage to reduce risk. While adventuring, it could only take one mistake for the situation to devolve into death. Iron rank had the highest rate of workplace accidents (read: death) for adventurers, where new essence users were arrogant, physically delicate, lacking their full set of abilities, underfunded, and prone to making mistakes. Cities with a developed adventuring culture like Sanshi reduced this risk (hence their popularity), but some amount of danger was necessary to refine inexperienced adventurers into powerful combatants. The problem was, finding the region between safety and fatal danger where adventurers thrived and grew instead of burning up and dying out.

    The bronze ranker was the only real threat to the team. If he was contained, Aliyah, Eufemia, and Encio were unlikely to lose one-on-on or even two-on-one fights. Encio especially, was a well-honed weapon that cut through his opponents with terrifying skill.

    Aliyah lacked the mobility of Nara that would have danced around Chester, but Chester was inexperienced. She did not need overwhelming mobility. For a party of bandits that picked their fights by overwhelming lone adventurers, they did not have the skills nor experience to win.

    And this, although slow, dawned on Chester. And when Chester saw Scar Throat die, his morale was crushed.

    He dropped his hammed to the ground, the cracked ground caving beneath its weight.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight anymore. I¡¯m tired,¡± he said simply, plopping onto the ground.

    ¡°You¡­surrender?¡± Aliyah said, a little flabbergasted. She knew they had negotiated this stipulation for Nara¡¯s relief, but did this bandit have no awareness of his fate if he was captured?

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m done.¡± He looked up at Aliyah, guileless and simple, and Aliyah felt a pang in her consciousness for a man she now suspected had been manipulated by someone he trusted.

    Encio walked up to Chester, holding a suppression collar out to him, ¡°Put this on.¡±

    Chester did.

    Chester was a man of overwhelming strength, much like his brother. Encio removed thick metal manacles from his inventory and secured them around Chester¡¯s wrists and ankles.

    Aliyah let out a drawn out sigh, ¡°I¡¯m glad that¡¯s done with. I¡¯m really not suited for physical activity.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? We need to help Sen.¡±

    ¡°We do, don¡¯t we,¡± Aliyah sighed, ¡°I suppose I should go help my disciple and teammate.¡±

    The two had settled into a comfortable rhythm, balancing against Graff¡¯s powerful attacks. They flowed around Graff. Nara was the wind: when Graff¡¯s bear claws launched towards her, she shifted back, as if she followed the wind generated from his attacks. Sen was the water, his staff sweeping back and forth, a hard glacier forged of a thousand winters when he needed to be, and pressuring and guiding like ocean currents at other times.

    ¡°Do they need help? They appear to have it all under control,¡± Aliyah remarked.

    ¡°I¡¯m not one for gambling, Aliyah. There¡¯s a time for challenge and growth, but I think some of our teammates have been challenged enough in other ways.¡±

    They looked back towards the entrance of the bunker. One fewer bandit than expected had made it out. Aliyah let out a long breath in acknowledgement.

    Aliyah looked at him, her glowing gold eyes piercing, and she understood a bit more of what made up the human named Encio.

    ¡°Clearly, I¡¯m not the eldest of the group.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s John.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean.¡±

    Encio groaned, ¡°Don¡¯t say it¡¯s me, and don¡¯t tell Nara. She¡¯s going to say I spent to long with my grandfather, and now I¡¯m acting like an old man.¡±

    ¡°A mature man.¡±

    ¡°I resent that. My grandfather is not a mature man.¡±

    ¡°Luciana would think otherwise.¡±

    Encio stared, astounded at her implication.

    ¡°The gods weep, Aliyah. My grandmother!?¡±

    Aliyah shrugged. ¡°Do you think they¡¯d be amenable in changing their paradigm?¡±

    ¡°Aliyah, I¡¯m starting to think you court danger more than any of us here.¡±

    Encio had placed himself first in the part for ¡°most likely to get killed by a jealous lover¡± (he wasn¡¯t boasting: it was just true), with Eufemia in second place, and Sen in third (probably by a stalker jealous of him and his chosen partner), but he mentally slipped Aliyah into first, and shuffled himself down to second.

    ¡°She¡¯s a beautiful woman,¡± Aliyah said simply. Encio didn¡¯t like the gleam in her eyes.

    ¡°Please, Aliyah,¡± Encio begged. ¡°Stop.¡±

    *****

    Eufemia had the toughest opponent to fight, she did not have any particular advantage. Her only objective was to hold out for as long as possible while preventing Lala from joining the fight with Graff.

    Lala possessed the Cat, Spike, and Venom Essences for the Manticore Confluence. Like the rest of the bandits, she possessed an animal essence. Compared to essences like adept, might, magic, and swift, animal essences were usually last picks, the unwanted. A few animal essences stood out, such as spider, bird, wolf, and sloth. Spider was a commonly used for its control and trapping abilities, like the trap essence. Bird contained many flight abilities and desirable familiars, similar to wolf, which generated abilities and familiars that were simple and useful for hunting monsters. The sloth essence generated many slowing afflictions or effects that penalized attributes and was popular with debuff specialists. It wasn¡¯t as if animal essences were unwanted or useless, but most would admit the Flea Essence wasn¡¯t quite as desirable as Fire, even if it had the potential for swarm familiars and massive affliction application.

    Lala had lucked out; The cat essence was a decently popular animal essence, unlike the heidel essence that Chester had.

    True to her Manticore Confluence, Lala had large leathery barbed wings and a scorpion tail that stabbed outwards, puncturing Eufemia and inflicting her with potent venom, pocketing her body with small bloody holes.

    Eufemia had no counter to this, but occasionally a glow of red and gold enveloped her body, cleansing her of some of the poison. John was doing his best to dual task, providing back up as needed.

    Lala utilized short dual daggers, her fighting style a swift dance of tail stabs and spinning strikes. Her wings provided some protection, deflecting all of Eufemia¡¯s unsound blows.

    Eufemia mimicked Encio¡¯s weapon. His sword¡¯s reach gaining her a small advantage over Lala. Since John was managing her health and her afflictions, Eufemia used Void Cancel to disable Lala¡¯s wings instead of the manticore tail, allowing her and her familiars Light Rays to attacked unblocked.

    A Ligh Ray bore a small burnt hole through Lala¡¯s arm, and she hissed in pain, glaring death at Eufemia. Eufemia snorted; she was certainly trying.

    Eufemia¡¯s armor was copied from an adventurer during the trial. It was the conjured armor of an offensive Light Essence user, which boosted her speed and the power of light subtype attacks.

    -------

    Ability: [Mirror Realm]

    Essence: Mirror

    Special Ability / Conjuration

    Cost: None / Very high mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): You have a personal, dimensional storage space. You may duplicate known armor conjurations. This may make your version of the ability higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. Duplicating armor incurs a very high mana cost. Duplicated armor adapts to your body. Duplicated armor can be equipped and unequipped directly onto your person. Duplicated armor conjurations that are completely destroyed must be re-duplicated. A single duplicated conjuration may be stored at a time.

    --------

    Eufemia awakened Mirror Realm from her legendary Awakening Stone of Creation. Like the rest of her abilities, it capitalized on her knowledge. Knowing other¡¯s capabilities was more important to Eufemia than ever. She could only duplicate abilities she knew and only cancel abilities she had seen (and remembered). As Eufemia met new people and learnt their abilities, her own capabilities would grow.

    Her abilities reflected her thirst for freedom and exploration. For so long she was trapped and afraid in Nekroz, living a life and persona she had no choice but to adopt for the freedom she wanted. Now Eufemia was free, and she wanted to see it all.

    She was more similar to the freewheeling, whimsical, and clueless outworlder than she initially thought. Their experiences were on a different scale, of a different realm, but they shared the same motivation.

    Eufemia¡¯s Echo Spirit was with her, playing a similar role to Encio¡¯s Spirit Avatar. If anything, Eufemia¡¯s Echo Spirit was more powerful at iron rank than Encio¡¯s Spirit Avatar, able to mimic any ally instead of just herself. Her Echo Spirit was an illusory copy of her. Together with switch teleportation and Flicker, Eufemia was impossible to pin down.

    Lala¡¯s manticore tail stabbed into Runa, harmlessly running through the familiar.

    With Eufemia¡¯s Firelight Wisp, it was also as if some of Runa¡¯s attacks were real, confusing Lala further.

    It was a relatively evenly matched fight, although Eufemia pulled ahead in combat skill. However, Lala possessed more offensive capabilities. Eufemia specialized in her adaptability, shining in team fights, a fulcrum levered for maximum damage in the perfect opportunity. In a duel like this, her variety fell short.

    Her incredible concealment and illusory abilities had wasted many of Lala¡¯s attacks, preserving the balance between the two. As the fight dragged on, Lala¡¯s expression warped from one of anger to frustration. Eufemia didn¡¯t miss the change in her emotions.

    The fight was difficult and unpleasant, poison coursing through her veins and corroding her flesh. Her own Light Rays bore holes through Lala, and eventually their ragged appearances matched. There was one pivotal difference: Eufemia had a healer.

    Lala began to fall behind, on stamina, mana, and in health.

    ¡°Wait,¡± The woman said, holding a blade forwards, pointed defensively towards Eufemia. She gestured with the other, ¡°Let¡¯s talk.¡±

    Eufemia scoffed. ¡°Now that you¡¯re losing you want to talk? Did you let all those iron rankers talk?¡± It¡¯s what Sen would have thought¡ªthe fairness.

    ¡°We all do things we¡¯re not proud of, isn¡¯t that right?¡± Lala said, smiling in a way that twisted Eufemia on the inside. Lala could tell: this woman was like her.

    Although it was an unexpected barb, it did not show in Eufemia¡¯s expression or aura, having long since refined her ability as the perfect actress. Her control was refined in the hell that was Nekroz, where mistakes meant death, where she had to believe in what she said and the way she presented herself, or else an iron ranker would sense the lie on her. A pathetic, bottom-feeder bandit couldn¡¯t crack her. It took someone like Encio, with both real power and experience, dangling want she wanted just out of reach, to shake her up.

    ¡°You sound so self-assured. You just cannot accept the fact that others are not like you, the dregs of society. You think that we¡¯re all the same, walking the dishonorable, easy path? I can tell, you fancy yourself some victimized heroine. Oh, just one more theft, and you¡¯ll be on your way, a rising star in the Sanshi political landscape, the Adventure Society¡¯s favorite iron ranker. I¡¯m sorry to say that position is already taken.¡±

    It was probably Sen or Encio, really, definitely not herself, but she wasn¡¯t explaining.

    Seeing Lala¡¯s darkened expression, Eufemia¡¯s sneer widened.

    Amateur¡¯s mistake: Never show emotion without purpose.

    Eufemia charmingly smiled, her words more venomous than Lala¡¯s poison, ¡°Even now, you¡¯re envious, aren¡¯t you? Is it¡­Of my beauty?¡± Eufemia drew her hand down her face, framing her perfect red lips and twirling her sparkling blood ruby hair.

    ¡°You fucking celestines, the sluts of the races!¡± Lala seethed.

    Ah, Bulls eye. Eufemia loved it when she was so very right.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Eufemia mused condescendingly, ¡°No one wants you, even at iron? I do wonder if even silver would do the trick? Is there really a point in advancing further?¡±

    She took a long gaze at Lala¡¯s facial features. She wasn¡¯t ugly, just average, but Eufemia knew it was a sore spot. Eufemia was prepared to hit where it already hurt.

    She sucked in a breath and winced, her gaze morphing into pity. ¡°It¡¯s not, is it? That¡¯s unfixable.¡±

    Lala screamed curses and the two re-engaged. Lala¡¯s rage did not make her any easier to fight, but Eufemia kept working on it, breaking down her mind.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been a bandit for how long? And you¡¯re still only iron? Are you incapable of improvement?¡±

    ¡°All those adventurers you killed, and you couldn¡¯t find something better to wear? They can¡¯t all be without taste. That must be you.¡±

    ¡°You must think dual daggers make you look sexy? Like some sort of leather-clad assassin? Sneaking into some noble¡¯s house to fall into their arms and start a heart-pounding, life-changing romance? Just give it up, your imagination is more stimulating than your looks. Why not settle for a rugged, barbarian look instead? You have the tattoos¡ª

    ¡°¡ªTHEY¡¯RE RUNES¡ª¡± Lala spat.

    ¡°¡ªI think it would suit you.¡±

    ¡°I thought your grip on your weapons was weird, but that was just the natural shape of your hands? Oh.¡± A beat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, even I think going after natural deformities is too far. Did your rank up not fix that? I guess it¡¯s a part of your soul now.¡±

    That fact she had learnt from John. Marks, such as cultural tattoos, that felt inherent to their identities stayed past rank up. Encio¡¯s beauty mark was once such kept ¡®imperfection¡¯ (ugh, the bastard. Of course he kept his fucking mole). Birthmarks would often stay as well.

    Eufemia¡¯s savage provocations worked, and Lala began to make more and more mistakes. Her exhaustion, now mental on top of physical, drew her into ragging, desperate gasps.

    ¡°Pity,¡± said Eufemia, bringing her sword down for the final time, ¡°I¡¯ll never get to see you at silver and confirm I was right.¡±

    Lala let out one final, bloodcurdling scream of anger, blood bubbling up from her throat, but she was unable to resist Eufemia¡¯s final blow.

    ¡°Remind me to never piss off Eufemia,¡± said Nara to Sen in their private voice chat. She didn¡¯t need to look to hear the outraged screams.

    Sen silently agreed, and reminded himself that words were as powerful a weapon as magic or might.

 Chapter 84: When In Rome

    Chapter 84: When In Rome

    As Graff watched his band of thieves fall one by one, he realized he had to make a choice.

    Run, fight, or surrender?

    Although he was higher ranked, his abilities focused on power and recovery over speed. He saw that at least three members of the enemy team possessed high speed movement capabilities. He may eventually be able to escape, but would he survive fending them off?

    The thought of surrender and escape rankled him. He knew, perhaps, within his rotted depts that his pride was built on the bones of the inexperienced and the weak. Graff didn¡¯t think himself prideful¡ªhe was practical¡ªyet his situation was unmistakable. To deny his situation deny his life for death. His mind churned as he surveyed the battlefield, searching for lifelines within the darkness that¡¯d hold if he grasped them.

    Graff made no move as Scar Throat breathed his last or as Lala screamed miserably in both mental and physical annihilation. Rushing to save either bandit put himself at risk. He may protect those around him, when appropriate, but it was a matter of mutual benefit, not camaraderie.

    There was no winning path there: no survival.

    Fighting, Graff realized, was also a doomed prospect. Those innocuous afflictions had begun to build. The teleporter with the thin black sword, whose attacks originally stung like mere paper cuts, had started to gouge flesh with every attack, even those that barely bit into his skin past his armor of fur. The longer the fight dragged on, the more dangerous she became. If he could not finish the three hounding him now, then he could not win when the rest of their comrades joined them.

    ¡°Wait,¡± he demanded to the two attacking him, ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    They ignored him, sword and fist pummeling his repeatedly.

    ¡°Wait!¡± He said with a bit more urgency and force, ¡°Don¡¯t ignore me!¡±

    *****

    Nara felt she was developing a bad habit. A very bad, no good, terrible habit.

    She didn¡¯t want the fight to end. Not because she enjoyed fighting (she wasn¡¯t that far gone), but because she enjoyed her own progress. Seeing her own improvement¡ªboth as numbers and percentages of progress in her status, and as her improving combat competency, scratched that ever present itch in her mind. Even as her muscles tensed and flowed and stiffened, the progress relaxed her, deep hands pushing into knots, untangling them.

    It was so reassuring to know she was improving. To know that it was not all for knot¡ªahem, naught.

    Was that all it took? If she could have seen an Intelligence stat moving upwards as she read and memorized, would she have dedicated her life to learning? Her Guide was not nearly so numeric, essences and essences abilities were not (the Guide was a translation of sensations, a representation of reality), but it was enough.

    If she indeed had chosen her own racial abilities, then she had chosen well.

    (She really shouldn¡¯t be surprised that her soul knew herself so thoroughly. Duh.)

    So she honed her sword and her abilities, reassured that it was improvement. Confident in progress.

    At first, she developed her application of Infinity Domain, transforming it into a rudimentary cushion. She then focused on her swordplay, leaning more into flowing aspects of The Way of the Dancer. The flowing style of The Way of the Dancer contained aspects of force redirection and manipulation of Tai-Chi. Using your enemies¡¯ strength against them was easier with direct physical contact, but Nara needed to apply it to her sword.

    She observed; she saw that Sen¡¯s fighting style contained traces of that concept. His staff was sturdier than her sword, and more easily able to redirect and block the strength of Graff¡¯s attacks.

    Direct parries were impossible for Nara. She didn¡¯t have the boosted strength that Sen had from multiple abilities. Karmic Warrior had been building over the course of the fight, easing Sen¡¯s burden and closing the gap in strength. He would never surpass Graff¡¯s power, especially since Graff¡¯s own abilities focused on it.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Warrior]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain an instance of [Agent of Karma] when subjected to damage or any harmful effect, even if the damage and/or effect was wholly negated.

    <ul>

    <li>[Agent of Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): The [Power] and [Spirit] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Combined with Sen¡¯s Racial Ability Soul-Body Equilibrium, Sen was a monster in attributes, rounded out completely with no clear weaknesses.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Soul-Body Balance]

    When an attribute gains a bonus through a boon, the attribute with the lowest value additionally gains that bonus. Increased resistance to effects that decrease attributes.

    -------

    He was strong, fast, tough, recovered quickly, and his spells were powerful. This racial ability reflected Sen¡¯s commitment to round is own abilities out. Sen trained everything, leaving nothing behind. As expected of Sen; he would not be Sen if he had a clear weakness.

    (If Eufemia had a clear weakness, it was a trap. Or was it?)

    Nara pulled from both her skill book and from Sen. He was a live demonstration of the effect she was trying to achieve. She started to use Infinity Domain not only as a cushion, but as a redirection to shift the direction of incoming attacks in a way that allowed her to deflect attacks. Infinity Domain allowed her to compensate for her mistakes and inaccuracies. Whether she wanted the attack to slide off or miss completely, she could nudge space itself to adjust for the final outcome.

    Her experimentation wasn¡¯t without hiccups. She mismanaged a deflection attempt, and a large strike send her directly into the ground, her back caving in the dirt beneath her. The impact disoriented her. If she had lungs, it would have knocked the wind entirely out of her, beyond the time she wiped out on her boogie board at the beach when she was young. At the time, the thought of being sucked below the waves, air knocked from her lungs, had terrified her. Now, not so much. She had other things to fear.

    A shield saved her from a follow up attack, buying her enough time to teleport away while John used his Fountain of Life ability to repair her broken bones. Nara rested for but a moment and got back up (always get back up, always move. It¡¯s what Amara had taught her).

    Healing two fights simultaneously would have been too much for John if not for the new ability he awakening from an Awakening Stone of the Avatar.

    -------

    Ability: [Healing Avatar]

    Essence: Life

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Maximum mana is increased. Mana regeneration is increased.

    -------

    The ability compensated for John¡¯s outworlder origins which had almost no benefit in combat. Most healers were elves or runics (or humans, whose racial evolutions tailored themselves to whatever role they adopted) whose racial abilities provided more mana and mana regeneration from the start.

    Thanks to this new ability, John had the additional mana and mana regeneration edge that allowed him to handle simultaneous fights. With all other fights out of the way, the burden on John had considerably diminished.

    *****

    Graff knew it was over.

    There was only three iron rankers fighting him, but another three waited in the wings in case the original three needed help. The healer now had his full focus on the original two, which improved his supporting accuracy and reduced his mana expenditure. He saw Lala¡¯s burnt, battered, and bloodied body curled on the ground. He didn¡¯t care that the woman died, but that meant her opponent, the beautiful wine-haired celestine, stood off to the life, looking on Graff with the disgust one expressed when accidentally stepping on dog poop with designer-brand shoe.

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The scarier iron ranker was the human waiting off to the side, conjured sword resting in a non-conjured sheath. That human had eliminated Scar Throat with the ease and grace a professional dancer that also happened to be both captivating and decapitating his audience. Scar Throat had been the only adventurer trained essence user among them, and he had been reduced to crawling on his knees begging for his life to be ended as a mercy. What it gave Graff was a spear of dread in his gut.

    He took a massive leap back, and held is bear arms up. His transformation slowly undid itself, returning him bare-chested if not for his plush carpet of chest hair.

    ¡°Look,¡± he slowly began as the adventurers eyed him warily. They were battered as bloody as much as him, but they were together. He was alone (except for that idiot Chester, who was sitting on the ground absentmindedly with shackles around his wrists. What was he doing?) ¡°I apologize if there¡¯s some sort of misunderstanding here.¡±

    Nara wanted to roll her eyes. A non-apology, of course.

    ¡°There is no misunderstanding,¡± Sen said coolly, ¡°We have found and identified the bodies of the adventurers inside the bunker. Do you claim to have no part in that atrocity?¡±

    ¡°Of cour¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±

    Graff resisted the impulse to glare, and forcefully suppressed his irritation. He had barely gotten a word in. ¡°I didn¡¯t even say anything, young man. Aren¡¯t you a bit hasty?¡±

    ¡°It matters not if you claim you did or did not have a hand in what occurred. We offer you two options.¡±

    Graff ground his teeth.

    ¡°Won¡¯t you give me a chance to explain?¡±

    Sen looked unimpressed, and waited. His eyes spared no glance for lies and trickery, and Graff felt his cautious, desperate hope shrivel.

    ¡°What options?¡± Graff finally forced out.

    ¡°Your surrender or death.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t much of a choice young man. What exactly am I surrendering for?¡± Graff looked around the field, ¡°You are the ones who¡¯ve committed crimes here. I¡¯m going to report this matter to the nearest adventurer society. If you cooperate, I¡¯m sure we can resolve this misunderstanding. I¡¯ll admit, I am not familiar with these temporary companions of mine. They may have committed crimes, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve done anything to warrant this attitude of yours.¡±

    ¡°Choose,¡± Sen said.

    Graff took a step back, ready to run.

    ¡°Uh uh,¡± Nara said, poking her sword into his bare back, ¡°If you run, you¡¯re just making this more fun for me.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck, Nara?¡± Eufemia exclaimed. ¡°It¡¯ll be more fun?¡±

    (Nara arched eyebrow. As if you don¡¯t enjoy battle too.

    Eufemia glared back. I enjoy winning.

    And I enjoy improvement. Ta.

    Well, that¡¯s what she imagined Eufemia would say.)

    ¡°Look, my personality sort of went wonky after that trial,¡± Nara said, ¡°I sort of enjoy challenge now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good for an adventurer to have,¡± said Sen approvingly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t encourage her!¡± Eufemia snapped.

    ¡°As if you¡¯re the one to say that!¡±

    ¡°John? Back me up!¡±

    John held a hand up in surrender, the other still holding his shotgun. ¡°What do you want me to say? I agree with her.¡±

    Graff didn¡¯t even sense the iron ranker sneaking up on him. Granted, she was unassuming compared to her spectacular teammates, but the sharp blade tracing a slow, menacing line down his back was anything but. Without his transformation, and with the accumulation of all of the afflictions, that blade would rip into his vulnerable spine.

    ¡°Well? I¡¯m waiting,¡± she said, interrupting his thoughts. ¡°Give it a shot, run! I haven¡¯t had to chase a criminal before, could be fun. I¡¯ll cross it off my bucket list. I¡¯m trying to see how many cliches I can hit before going back to my world. It hasn¡¯t been going all too well. The arrogant young master I thought was going to be an antagonist turned over a new leaf pretty quickly¡ªgood for him of course, that¡¯s always better than being a clich¨¦. He even saved John¡¯s life, which I¡¯m eternally grateful for. Now I¡¯m waiting for some third-rate villain to tell me, ¡®You¡¯ll regret this!¡¯, but I really don¡¯t know that many villains. Surprisingly hard to find when you¡¯re living the straight and narrow. Not that I¡¯ve been looking.¡±

    ¡°What are you even talking about, young lady?¡± Graff ventured cautiously. There was still a sword there, even if it was apparent she wasn¡¯t quite right in the head. What is a list of buckets for? How many buckets did one need?

    She pressed her lips into a disapproving line. ¡°I think you understood all that you needed to understand. Sen¡¯s already given you your options, those are non-negotiable. Tick tock, bear bandit, time to choose.¡±

    Graff ground his teeth together, internally seething. If he couldn¡¯t detect this woman so close to him, then there was no way he could escape her now. He needed to bide his time and wait for another opportunity, ¡°I¡¯ll surrender. We can discuss this situation now, right?¡±

    A thick metal collar was tossed onto the blood splattered dirt in front of Graff. He recognized what it was¡ªa suppression collar.

    ¡°Now this is restricted goods, young man,¡± Graff said, mustering a tone of disapproving authority.

    ¡°I¡¯m a diamond ranker¡¯s grandson, you think I care? You don¡¯t know who you¡¯re dealing with. Spare us this pointless whining and do as you¡¯re told like the good little bandit you are.¡±

    Graff couldn¡¯t tell if the young man was lying. If his evaluation of whether he was telling the truth was based on looks and skill alone, the young man scored full marks in both categories. He reached down, cautiously eying the self-proclaimed diamond ranker¡¯s grandson, then crushed the collar with his bare hands.

    His power was that of strength. Overwhelming strength. With metal twisted beneath his hands, his heart steadied.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Graff said with a smirk, ¡°I¡¯ve gotten rid of these restricted goods for you. You should be thanking me.¡±

    Encio tossed another on the ground.

    ¡°Last chance.¡±

    Graff reached forward to smash the collar again before Encio interrupted him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, it¡¯s the last chance for you. I have more where those came from. I¡¯ll take your next action as indicative of your choice.¡±

    Graff grasped the collar again, feeling the smooth metal beneath his fingers. The suppressive power tingled beneath the metal, waiting just as six iron rankers did. Some watched, others looked bored, peeling flakes of dried blood from leather armor, and running a hand through hair to brush aside dirt. He could crush the collar again. Then what? A blade in his back? The futile fight of a six versus one melee where he had struggled just three?

    Seething, Graff slipped the collar over his neck, and it locked itself in place.

    *****

    Suppression collars didn¡¯t suppress supernatural strength, which was integrated into the body on further rank ups. Graff and Chester, the only two bandits still alive, both had strength boosting abilities like Sen.

    The two were both outfitted with thick manacles and bindings, tied up like dumplings and slung over the back of Aliyah¡¯s dragon familiar, Ensi, like they were door-dashing a criminal bounty in a fantasy world. Nara kept her afflictions growing on Graff and Chester, as a precaution. They did no damage, so they could not die from the afflictions, although it would make them extremely easy to kill later if they tried to escape.

    Graff¡¯s frustrated and enraged expression was enough to assure Nara he wouldn¡¯t.

    Since they were already there, the team decided to clear out the monsters in the other sections of the ruined town. They had cleared out monsters near the exit they fought at in order to eliminate and chances of interference, but hadn¡¯t touched the rest of the town. Even if there were no contracts for the monsters, a single looting ability meant monsters were money. With two looting abilities, monsters made bank.

    Well, made bank for iron rankers.

    Night had already fallen, transforming the nearby forest and ruins into the setting of a horror game. Lumi glowed at full power, casting warm fire light over a large area, like a miniature sun, its warm glow changing the genre away from horror into something more introspective and meditative. Eufemia¡¯s Light Rays shot out like red hot knives bullets piercing through the darkness, their bright light seared both visually and physically into the monsters she shot them at.

    They took a rest within Nara¡¯s domain door. The team was exhausted from their fights. It would be dangerous to be inattentive with a bronze ranker around, even bound up, so they would rest before returning to East River Quarry Village, then Sanshi.

    Graff and Chester were brought inside. Nara couldn¡¯t force them inside, but they had the choice to be left outside alone to their fate of any spontaneous monster manifestation, or sleep inside where it was safe and pleasant. Graff had launched into his usual staunch protest to try to wrangle some sort of deal before he realized the team was perfectly willing (enthused, even) to leave him outside, tired from both his bullshit and their fights. They all passed the threshold of the door, including Chester, who was marveling at the space with childlike wonder. Graff had to roll himself through the domain door like a pill bug, left on the ground where he slept. A cage of iron formed around him, preventing him from rolling himself right back out the door.

    *****

    The next day, Roan¡¯s body was delivered to East River Quarry Village. The equipment that the bandits had stolen was displayed for his relatives to pick which pieces were Roan. Eufemia kept an eye out for any people that attempted to falsely claim an article, but no one did.

    The other bodies were laid out for the village chief along with his aide to see if they could identify any other faces. None of the other dead adventurers had come from their village, although the chief noted which nearby towns also had recently decreased adventurers. The team wouldn¡¯t make a personal trip to those villages, but take the bodies to Sanshi instead. The Adventure Society would contact kin, return personal effects, and organize burial arrangements, whether they opted for the traditional adventurer burial or the family¡¯s own tradition.

    A bronze rank criminal was not something the village could handle, so Graff and Chester were taken to Sanshi. The team was given free passage on one of the stone barges heading from the village to Sanshi, courtesy of the chief. John had also gone through and cleansed afflictions and healed villagers free of charge, so they received a grateful send-off.

    With matters mostly settled, Nara had a bit of time to contemplate recent events. Namely, she had killed a person for the first time. Now that it was The After, the time where she could contemplate and think.

    She wasn¡¯t as affected as she thought she would be. The bandit¡¯s death didn¡¯t weigh on her conscious. There was many reasons that the bandits should die, and humans were masters of rationalization.

    The mirage chamber and monster fighting had diluted the impact of attacking a person. Flesh and bone was flesh and bone, no matter the creature it belonged too. Nara was already used to the sensation of severing flesh with her sword (and a ranged weapon, like a gun, would probably have even less impact. If she could handle it with a sword, a gun would be nothing).

    No matter how she tried to think about it, no matter how she tried to make herself feel guilty, she could not. She played devil¡¯s advocate with herself to evaluate her own feelings and morals, playing a bit of internal introspection.

    When it came to the safety of friends, Nara was surprised with how decisive she was. It was possible the person she killed was forced into banditry due to terrible circumstances, perhaps they were destitute, poor, and providing for their family. The strong and privileged often forget the struggles of the weak, and what they must do to survive. (But a bandit with full essences wasn¡¯t underprivileged, and wasn¡¯t weak. They may not make it as an adventurer, but there was plenty of other labor options in both villages and cities.)

    Nara didn¡¯t care much about their circumstances, but she decided on a balanced approach. If she could avoid killing, she would. She didn¡¯t take pleasure in killing, so she may as well let others handle it. Maybe it was unfair to others, but other than John, the others didn¡¯t particularly seem to mind. They weren¡¯t bloodthirsty, just realistic. Or what the standard of ¡®realistic¡¯ was in this world.

    Adventurers killed monsters.

    She was drifting further and further from the life she once had on Earth. The people on this world didn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass whether she killed someone or not, but that view wasn¡¯t shared on Earth. In fact, the team got stranger looks for having a captive bandit over just killing them outright.

    Would her family look at her the same way if she knew? She¡¯d worry about it if she ever made it back. Even if they didn¡¯t, she didn¡¯t think she minded.

    She had never chased the approval of her family anyway. She was as she always had been, content with herself. She couldn¡¯t control what others thought of her. She could explain¡ªand they made that decision for themselves.

    For now, when in Rome¡­

 Chapter 85: Formality and Pretense

    Chapter 85: Formality and Pretense

    Aliyah¡¯s crystal drawing board was covered in scrawling script, figures, and equations, smudged and marked from imperfect erasures. Books were bookmarked with various tabs, papers turned into abstract artwork with highlighting markings.

    The Academics of the team (Nara, John, Aliyah, and debatably Eufemia, with a guest presence of Lawrence) were gathered in Aliyah¡¯s research room to discuss astral magic.

    ¡°While I¡¯ve looked into it, I just don¡¯t know how we can create an artifact to communicate across the dimensional boundary,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°The main issue is that anything we send past the boundary that is physical is annihilated by the astral.¡±

    ¡°Well, we know what survives the astral: Magic, souls, astral beings, and anything with the ability to protect itself in the astral.¡±

    ¡°Like you,¡± John said.

    ¡°Yeah, like me. Can we create an artifact like that?¡±

    ¡°While it¡¯s possible, that¡¯s likely diamond rank magic,¡± Aliyah said. Her eyes flickered as if she was scanning information in her mind¡¯s eye. She didn¡¯t have an ability like that, much to her dismay. She had a better memory from most thanks to dedicated practice and routine research, but not a magically enhanced memory. (Lawerence did, and Aliyah was bitterly envious of it.)

    ¡°Not possible for us then.¡±

    ¡°So, not option three. Option two?¡±

    ¡°Souls? How would that help us?¡±

    ¡°I read this book on monster souls once. Monsters don¡¯t have souls, they have motive spirits. But at higher rank they can be complex, capable of intelligence and even emotion. It feels like a monster¡¯s motive spirit is software, while the body is the hardware. What separates a motive spirit from a soul is that motive spirits degrade, while souls don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the reason our outworlder bodies stay together,¡± John said, ¡°Our soul keeps the constructed magic from degrading.¡±

    ¡°So, extrapolating further, what if we can use a motive spirit as a program? It¡¯s all theoretical, of course, I have no idea how to program a motive spirit.¡±

    ¡°Slow down a moment,¡± Eufemia said, waving her hand as if to disintegrate Nara¡¯s train of words, ¡°Care to tell us lesser-learned what hardware is? Software? Or are you just going to do this all on your own?¡±

    ¡°Yes Eufemia, I need your expertise in particular.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to explain or not?¡±

    ¡°Give me a moment¡­A-ha! You know how summons work, like the ones Aliyah has?¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Construct]

    Essence: Master

    Awakening Stone: Creation

    Summoning (ritual)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 6 hours

    Effect (Iron): Summon 3 magical construct. At base, the magical construct is a flying orb that fires disruptive force bolts. Use an additional magical modification ritual to change the shape of a construct with certain limitations.

    -------

    ¡°I know enough. They have a type of motive spirit like monsters, but they¡¯re bound to your commands. They can function on their own¡­sort of, and follow simple commands.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it. Now, let¡¯s say in my world we call the motive spirit ¡®software¡¯ and the constructed body ¡®hardware¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I thought your world didn¡¯t have magic?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t, but It¡¯s way too much to explain what we¡¯re really talking about. For now, just keep that in mind. Now, in my world, we can alter the software to function differently.¡±

    ¡°Alter it how?¡±

    ¡°In any number of ways. But let¡¯s say you have a simple golem that can only move boxes from point A to point B,¡± Nara said, getting up to erase a bit of the writing on the crystal board for her own diagram. Aliyah looked on forlornly at her messed up equations. ¡°Now, with programming¡ªor rewriting¡ªwe have the golem instead move boxes from point A to B, then move boxes from point B to C.¡±

    ¡°That seems utterly pointless,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°Just move the boxes from A to C in the first place.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯d be surprised how useful automation of something like this is. Sometimes, objects needs to be in a specific place in a specific order.¡±

    Eufemia conceded that Nara had a point.

    ¡°I understand so far. What is it you propose?¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Well, what if we have a motive spirit, ¡®posses¡¯ an object, then ¡®execute¡¯ magic?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that, uh, complicated, like an AI? Thousands of lines of code is needed for AI. Less for simplistic programs. But this is astral magic. Surely it can¡¯t be simple?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see John?¡± Nara began excitedly. ¡°This is even less complicated than what motive spirits are already capable of. Motive spirits move monsters who have their own ecology, habits, and instincts based on their bodies. At higher rank, monsters even have unique personalities and can name themselves, form hierarchical structures, and make complex plans. All I¡¯m saying we need to do is create a motive spirit that can move an object from point A to point B. Then, from point B to point A.¡±

    They had learned as much from their monster ecology classes at the Academy. Nara hadn¡¯t expected it to come in handy here.

    ¡°I understand conceptually what you are suggesting.¡±

    ¡°You do?¡± muttered Eufemia.

    ¡°There is but one important problem that we must solve before this theory can manifest into reality.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± groaned Nara resignedly, ¡°We don¡¯t know how to create motive spirits. I was hoping the books we got had some literature on it, but there¡¯s a lot to work through. Even reading one book at this level of magic theory is a lot of work.¡±

    The creation of motive spirits¡­ It was adjacently related to the manifestation of monsters. Outside of summons, monsters were the only source of motive spirits, and they couldn¡¯t be harvested like grain with a sickle. Aliyah would say it was the realm of gods, or beyond the realm of gods¡ªthey governed the intersection of reality and magic¡ªshe just didn¡¯t know. It was, perhaps, the realm of the Great Astral Beings. And yet, if she could summon such beings, then it may still of be the realm of man.

    The four of them¡ªNara, Eufemia, John, and Aliyah had been meeting to review books on magic, as sort of an astral magic book club; Lawrence too. At first, he mostly kept silent, keeping to his assigned task. Recently, he¡¯s been participating in discussion more and more, and he, as a priest of knowledge, had much to contribute to the discussion. There was a lot he couldn¡¯t say (Knowledge provided to him by his goddess could not be said without specific permission), but he helped the rest form an understanding of the advanced books they were reading through, and his own intelligence and understanding was a welcome contribution.

    Eufemia was getting her formal training in ritual magic, but she knew all sorts of ritual magic hacks that Aliyah found useful, so the two were teaching each other. John was there in solidarity with Nara (he still felt guilty for giving up during the trial), who was the only one close to pulling herself over the cliff¡¯s edge of knowledge. Her unintended indefinite vacation in the astral offered her some insight into its forces.

    ¡°It¡¯s progress, at least.¡± Aliyah sighed, leaning back in her chair to stretch her back and arms. ¡°I¡¯ll run through the books from the library and see what I can find on motive spirits.¡±

    ¡°I have but one more idea,¡± Nara said, ¡°I might be able to make a motive spirit.¡±

    ¡°Really now?¡± Aliyah said, curious but doubtful.

    ¡°Let me say: I haven¡¯t tried. But my Astral Domain lets me create anything I want, sort of. Whether I can take it out and have it maintain stability in reality is the issue. For it to stay stable, I have to create it in a way that matches what it would be like in reality. I need to understand its structure. But, if I only need to create something very simple¡­I might be able to make it work. Still, for an actual artifact, it¡¯d be better if we could make it without utilizing a cheat outworlder power.¡±

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°So you¡¯re self-aware it¡¯s cheating.¡±

    ¡°If you think a proof of concept is cheating¡­ Maybe it¡¯s better that it¡¯s not a reproducible invention.¡±

    Eufemia could pick up but the fringes of Nara¡¯s swirling emotions. Nara¡¯s vastly higher aura strength and aura control usually blocked her heightened senses, but murmurs of hesitation, fear, and anxiety slipped through like voices past a cracked door.

    Eufemia never relied on aura alone. She had all her life picked up on physical emotional cues.

    Eyes turned to Lawrence. Sensing their gazes on him, he looked up.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Is your god going to do the thing if we invent something again?¡±

    ¡°My goddess says not every invention warrants a gift.¡±

    ¡°Would a device capable of sending messages past dimensional boundaries at iron rank warrant a gift?¡±

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like your hesitation there.¡±

    ¡°¡­miss Edea here will not receive another ¡®gift¡¯ in that manner.¡±

    ¡°The others though?¡±

    Lawrence¡¯s expression twisted. There was something there¡ªconcealed offense¡­and jealously?

    ¡°The gift of the gods is a gift, not some sort of action to be scorned, avoided, and shamed.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but nobody likes unwanted gifts. It¡¯s like getting a dick pic from an unwanted number who thinks his package is ¡®all that¡¯.¡±

    Lawrence was silent for a moment as his face transformed through a myriad of expressions, from indignity to disgust to horror, ¡°Miss Edea, my goddess does not appreciate her favor being compared to a ¡®dick pic¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Yeah well, I don¡¯t like getting them either.¡±

    ¡°My goddess says you haven¡¯t received any dick pics.¡±

    She¡¯d know, wouldn¡¯t she?

    ¡°But that tells me she¡¯s seen dick pics.¡±

    Lawrence¡¯s face further contorted into pain.

    *****

    The team had successfully delivered the two bandits, and received their rewards for their contract. For unexpected performance (since it was a body retrieval contract, not a bandit extermination contract), they received additional bonuses. Usually, going above and beyond would result in a gift of awakening stones, compliments of the society. Since they didn¡¯t need any (unless they had plants to gift them to relatives (like Encio¡¯s family had)¡ªthe team was still young that it was a far off prospect), they received other materials instead, such as the materials needed to resummon their familiars. It was generally a good idea to keep a second set on hand in case a familiar was destroyed. Day to day monster contracts wouldn¡¯t result in familiar destruction unless someone was acting spectacularly idiotic (or spectacularly inventive¡ª¡°pushing-the-boundary¡± according to Sen. Sure, Sen. Whatever you say.)

    The two bandits, Chester and Graff, were sentenced to execution. Erras cared little for bandits with nothing to offer (and with the crime of killing adventurers. The Adventure Society wasn¡¯t quite like the notorious America police union, but killing an Adventurer was a quick way to end up with a life-ending bounty). Frankly, killing them all would have saved the Adventure Society paperwork. Some local functionaries thought the team had brought Graff back alive just to boast of their bronze rank capture.

    That wasn¡¯t their intention, but it was the norm of this world. Why capture what will ultimately be killed? Essence users could get away with a lot. Monster fighting, criminal investigations, and essence user combat wasn¡¯t a clean venture. Breaking and entering wasn¡¯t something the Adventure Society cared to punish if it was for a good purpose¡ªthe end justifies the means. They¡¯d get in trouble in a hunch didn¡¯t ¡°pan out¡±, but soft crime to solve larger crime was accepted, as long as it wasn¡¯t abused. In many ways, there was a lot less red tape that made investigations and action considerably easier.

    They just had to be careful what house you broke into. Metaphorically.

    (The Moonlighters were long-time masters of determining which ¡®soft crimes¡¯ they could get away with, which locations weren¡¯t particularly protected, and if those locations were risky, exactly how much they¡¯d charge for it. Needless to say, Eufemia had a pretty good idea what Adventurers could get away with for a good reason, especially since they acted in a official capacity.

    Encio was too.

    He knew exactly what minor crimes he could get away with (as a grandson of a diamond ranker), which crimes the team as a whole could get away with, which ones Nara could get away with and potentially bailed out by a church (since she had some leverage there), which crimes Encio could sweep under the skimmer with his name for someone else, and he had detailed a list with specific circumstances for each member of the team including who to contact, and what they might need to offer.

    Nara didn¡¯t know if she should be reassured that she could probably get away with murder. Not that she should. Not that she wanted too.

    ¡°What about theft?¡± she had asked.

    ¡°Theft?¡± Encio had looked at her like she was missing brain cells (she was, technically. Missing all of them). ¡°What can¡¯t you afford? Just pay them off.¡±

    Eufemia was incensed that Encio somehow knew better than she did.

    ¡°It¡¯s just politics,¡± he had said, insufferably smug.)

    The bodies of the dead adventurers were fixed up by the church of death, and then identified. Relatives of those that lived in Sanshi were summoned to the Adventure Society and an Adventurer¡¯s funeral was held for those adventurers. The other dead adventurers were sent out in caskets back to their families for them to handle their own proceedings at their local branches.

    Adventurer burials were simple. The bodies were cremated, a tradition from the past to prevent reanimation and necromancy. A massive, two-story bonfire was lit, smoke spiraling into the air like a path to the underworld. Those that knew the adventurer spoke a bit about them¡ªpoignant eulogies of their heroics, their dreams, or of their day-to-day personality. The bonfire crackled on throughout the night, the sound muting muffled sobs.

    Their adventurer badges would be placed in the Memorial Hall where the badges of all dead adventurers were stored, a memorial for their efforts, whether large or small. It was a tall pavilion, like a pagoda tower, built in a peaceful garden next to a small artificial lake. All Memorial Halls were built in scenic locations, a solace to those in grief.

    The team was invited to the burial for the adventurers. They watched at a distance, but they didn¡¯t have anything to say. Nara was morbidly curious. It was the funeral culture of another, magical world, after all. She wanted to see it at least once.

    It just didn¡¯t feel right to record it, so she did not.

    Sen stood with stoic respect as was expected of one of the foundational families of the area. Encio participated too, but his expression was dark. The burial recalled memories he¡¯d rather not remember, but wallowed in them nonetheless. He stared into the bonfire, his thoughts privy to no one but Knowledge.

    *****

    The team was called into the Adventure Society after matters had been settled. Once again, they sat across from Oswald Willard, the branch leader of the Sanshi¡¯s Adventure Society.

    ¡°You¡¯re exceeded our expectations with the Body Retrieval Investigation contract, so the Adventure Society is promoting all of you to two star adventurers, for those of you that are not two star adventurers. Your badges, please.¡±

    They each handed over their badges. Oswald removed a small device that resembled a hole puncher, except that it revealed a second star with light, like it was light curing their badges.

    As he did, he continued his explanation. ¡°Additionally, the adventure society would like to extend an invitation to your team to participate in the Stone Forest Astral Space Expedition.¡±

    ¡°Stone Forest Expedition? What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Thrice annually, the Adventure Society organizes a small expedition to this astral space in order to gather materials. The astral space generates rare materials that can¡¯t be found elsewhere, so adventurers are tasked with protecting craftsmen and gatherers for the expedition. The contract is lucrative for iron rank adventurers. We offer the option as a reward.¡±

    ¡°And the real reason?¡± Eufemia said, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°There is no other reason, miss Teresina.¡±

    ¡°You know¡­¡± Eufemia dragged out, ¡°I¡¯m thinking it¡¯s because we have two looting powers on the team. The contract is lucrative, sure, but its long time. I think word¡¯s gotten out that we¡¯ve garnered a lot of money to a lot of iron rank adventurers during the Celestial Book trials, and now some other adventurers are making a bit of a fuss that they¡¯ve missed out. How many other adventurers did you invite with looting powers? All of them?¡±

    ¡°Miss Teresina, inviting looters to contracts with a large volume of monsters is standard practice.¡±

    ¡°So I¡¯m right?¡±

    ¡°Would you allow me formality and pretense, miss Teresina?¡± Oswald said, face stoic but voice pained.

    She snorted and leaned back in her chair, satisfied.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°We will?¡± asked Nara.

    ¡°The expedition is well known among locals. The branch leader isn¡¯t suggesting anything untoward. It is a good opportunity to work with other local teams in a more regulated situation, where in the trial we had to organize ourselves. Moreover, with our two loot abilities, it true it will be wildly lucrative¡ªfor us and anyone nearby.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to ask to split us up?¡±

    ¡°Why do you have such a poor opinion of me?¡± Oswald said with a sigh.

    Why indeed? He hadn¡¯t been particularly criminal in his position of power. Perhaps negligent, at worst, but part of it was difference of culture or opinion on training. Too forceful and too prodding with his questions, but without the finesse Encio had, or Sen¡¯s gravitas. He really shouldn¡¯t bother.

    ¡°It¡¯s his job, Nara. He really should.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have more gravitas than an Adventure Society branch leader.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yes, you do.¡±

    Somehow, teenager Sen Arlang really did.

    He thought he hid it well, but almost everyone could tell Oswald Willard was madly kicking below the waters.

    ¡°Poor man¡­¡±

    ¡°Aliyah, it¡¯s worse if you pity him¡­¡±)

    ¡°You¡¯ll stay together and benefit whatever party is fortunate enough to be in your combined group. Following Sen¡¯s advice, we¡¯ve prepared a manual for the expedition.¡±

    At least he¡¯s learning.

    Oswald removed some manuals from a dimension bag and handed them to the team.

    ¡°The expedition isn¡¯t a widespread draw like the trial is, its mainly a local event, but the manual may ease the process of the expedition.¡±

    ¡°Putting a bunch of iron rankers together usually has issues.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always friction with the young ones. Competitive spirit, pride getting in the way of competence. Adventurers don¡¯t quite hammer out straight until bronze or silver.¡±

    With that, they were dismissed from the meeting.

    ¡°One month until the expedition,¡± Nara mused, ¡°I wonder what we¡¯ll see?¡±

    ¡°Shit.¡± Eufemia groaned. ¡°Did you have to say that out loud?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°When has anything you¡¯ve gotten involved in ever gone to plan?¡±

    ¡°What? The trial wasn¡¯t that bad. And that¡¯s not my fault.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one that talks about ¡®raising flags¡¯?¡± Aliyah unhelpfully supplied. ¡°This would be a flag, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°You sure have a good memory for someone who complains about wanting a better one,¡± Nara complained back.

    ¡°You wrote a song and ended up marked by the gods,¡± Encio said. The traitor.

    ¡°Not my fault.¡±

    ¡°Most people write songs, and nothing happens. Clearly, the problem is you.¡±

    ¡°Blackmailed a goddess into intervening on your behalf over a pushy branch leader.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t blackmail!¡±

    ¡°Relax. I¡¯m pro-crime.¡±

    ¡°Ingenious negotiation, really,¡± Encio agreed with approval.

    ¡°Fuck, Encio, it doesn¡¯t sound better if you agree with it.¡±

    ¡°John nearly died to a black hole.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s that my fault, I wasn¡¯t even there!¡±

    ¡°Exactly. You fucked off and the rest of us almost died!¡±

    ¡°Sage said that trap wasn¡¯t deadly anyway!¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t know that at the time!¡±

    ¡°We are supposed to stay together,¡± Sen added stoically. ¡°We¡¯re a team.¡±

    ¡°Stop trying to guilt me Sen with the ¡°We¡¯re a team!¡± thing. It won¡¯t work every time.¡±

    ¡°Did it work this time?¡±

    ¡°Nearly died to a mimic.¡±

    ¡°How do you know I nearly died? I didn¡¯t nearly die. And it was for a good cause, right John?¡±

    John looked aggrieved. ¡°As a healer, I can¡¯t agree. As a husband and father¡­¡±

    ¡°You big sap,¡± Eufemia accused.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a bad thing,¡± John defended. ¡°I¡¯m a good sap.¡±

    ¡°You definitely did almost die. You got a racial ability evolution.¡±

    ¡°Racial ability evolution doesn¡¯t need an NDE.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Aliyah agreed. ¡°But I don¡¯t think that was the case there.¡±

    ¡°Took the guardian of a centuries old trial as your familiar.¡±

    ¡°It was the morally right thing to do!¡±

    ¡°¡­Maybe we shouldn¡¯t go?¡± offered Sen.

 Chapter 86: Harmony Embraces All

    Chapter 86: Harmony Embraces All

    ¡°Younger sister Hellis Fallen,¡± Raina Bow greeted, ¡°How is the status of the local operations?¡±

    Raina Bow, the highest ranking combat harmonant was making her rounds of the mountain base. Hellis Fallen was her charming and studious younger sister, the one Raina had chosen to nurture. In the future, she hoped for Hellis to fully manage large scale operations on her own. She had the potential within her. But for now, Raina served as her guide. Nurturing the next generation was a shared valued of the natives of this world; perhaps, they were not so different. Perhaps, they were not so lost.

    ¡°Elder sister Raina Bow,¡± Hellis Fallen greeted, ¡°It¡¯s an honor to see you.¡±

    ¡°No, it is my honor to have such an exemplary younger sister.¡±

    ¡°You raise me with your praise, sister.¡±

    The socially expected greetings had been exchanged, and Raina saw more in Hellis¡¯ eyes than just pleasantry. Her obedience was borne of genuine respect¡ªthat was right, and it pleased Raina.

    Hellis had gotten up from her desk to greet her elder sister, but with a gesture the two sat across from each other on the couches within her office. A screen flicked on from the wall adjacent to the two of them, only a wave needed to trigger its light.

    ¡°From our local contact, we¡¯ve gathered a list of potential harmonants to be integrated into our divine song. There is one problematic harmonant I would like your esteemed advice for, elder sister.¡±

    ¡°What ordinary harmonant warrants such caution, Hellis?¡±

    A person¡¯s face flickered onto the screen. She was ordinary, with brown hair and brown eyes, unusual for the closest locals but not unusual for the world at large. Her face was between pleasant and aloof, but not the sort that stood out in particular.

    ¡°This harmonant has connections to local discordants that warrants caution.¡±

    ¡°Hm? Is it a level of discordance I cannot tune for you, Hellis?¡±

    ¡°It is my shame to say it is a possibility, elder sister.¡±

    Raina gestured for Hellis to continue.

    ¡°The harmonant in question has connections to several local gold rankers, and potentially a diamond ranker.¡±

    Raina was strong, but a diamond ranker she could not handle. It was beyond the scope of assistance she could call to her particular assignment, in this particular phase. Hellis sensed her apprehension but waited with patient expectation, worry hidden in her eyes.

    ¡°Your assessment is accurate. We would normally temporarily forsake such a harmonant. Why did you bring this harmonant to my attention?¡±

    Hellis paused, piecing the information to best communicate her intent to Raina. A quality Raina liked, that careful contemplation. She knew she¡¯d be convinced of whatever Hellis had deemed important enough to deliberate in the first place.

    ¡°I was recommended by our local contact to pass on this harmonant as well,¡± Hellis said, ¡°I was in agreement until I learned of what the harmonant¡¯s specialty was.¡±

    ¡°You do leave me in suspense, Hellis,¡± Raina said, but her tone was that of chiding amusement.

    ¡°My apologies, elder sister,¡± Hellis said, flushing slightly. ¡°We have no true confirmation, but the adventurer in question may have done research on souls.¡±

    ¡°That researched is restricted to the religious institutions of this world.¡±

    ¡°It is, elder sister. It appears that this harmonant in question conducted her research in harmony with a local gold ranker healer priest.¡±

    ¡°Harmonizing the gold ranker would pose a significant challenge to our local forces,¡± said Raina. ¡°I will make the decision on the status of this harmonant. It was good to come to me, Hellis.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, elder sister. There is one more thing that may influence your decision.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Do say.¡±

    ¡°Our local contact has said that the harmonant in question additionally possesses the entirety of the local Library of the Celestial Book within her mind, and the harmonant is an outworlder.¡±

    That was interesting. Raina did not expect any valuable research from an iron ranker in this underdeveloped world. Their research into soul magic was far more extensive than any native institution of this world, although her outworlder status was of note. Outworlders varied in the information they carried. Mostly, their skills and information were inconsequential. Outworlders were not ¡®selected¡¯ on basis of achievement, but simple random chance or circumstance.

    The information of the local Library of the Celestial Book? That was valuable. The inability for their iron rankers to succeed the final stage of that trial and simultaneously possess an ability that can store a large amount of information had been a persistent and unresolvable annoyance.

    ¡°Those are determining factors, thank you, Hellis, for bringing them to my attention.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve already made up your mind?¡±

    She should chide Hellis for rushing her, but her eyes were so expectant and pure. She smiled at Hellis indulgently instead. She had made up her mind already, as Hellis expected.

    ¡°We shall include her in upcoming operation. We are reaching the end of our ability to remain undetected not only in this region, but in this world at large. The Adventure Society has taken notice of our actions.¡±

    ¡°A shame,¡± Hellis said, her voice trembling with genuine pity, ¡°That they resist the song.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, if they would only let it, they will be embraced by harmony. Harmony embraces all.¡±

    ¡°Harmony embraces all,¡± Hellis repeated, the light of her eyes solemn and hopeful.

    *****

    There was one month until the expedition, and the team jumped back into training and research, Lawrence the ever-trailing kite in the wake of the party¡¯s wind.

    Since the team has become a two star adventuring party, they decided to apply to take on limited one star bronze rank monster contracts. Adventurer growth relied on challenge, and challenge they fervently pursued.

    They would be challenging lone bronze rank monsters, chosen for them by an adventure society functionary that journeyed with them. Aliyah and John opted out from the certification. Sen of course, put on his best disapproving frown, but Aliyan and John were grownups who would not be swayed by their age-junior, exceptionally mature as Sen was, but the rest would give it a try. Most adventurers fought in teams, so the ability to challenge a monster of a higher rank alone was unnecessary. Especially for Aliyah and John, who weren¡¯t suited for solo fights (and that was the logic used against Sen, and he couldn¡¯t force them to take it, so he could only accept defeat).

    They had traveled as far upriver on a boat as they could, but now they coasted over landscape in a skimmer, a little cramped for 8 people.

    ¡°Ugh,¡± Eufemia complained as Sen¡¯s sweaty thigh shifted against hers, ¡°We really need better transportation option. If only we didn¡¯t have this unwanted addition,¡± she glared at Lawrence.

    Lawrence had developed a tolerance for Eufemia¡¯s verbal jabs and sharp looks, and her words flowed past his ears like lotion over skin with a method called ¡®See no evil, hear no evil¡¯. Nara wondered if his goddess approved of his willful ignorance, or if he could sweep anything under the rug with the excuse of ¡®I¡¯m busy copying books¡¯.

    ¡°At least your cars float,¡± Nara said, eyeing the mud from the last hot and muggy rain, which in an equivalent Jeep would have threatened a non-optional mud spa treatment.

    Their Adventure Society escort today was Ranshi, the functionary that had served as Mona¡¯s assistant during Nara¡¯s exam. Nara would be the first to challenge bronze rank; her contract was picked out for her by Ranshi.

    The Shian region had a variety of forests. Some normal, filled with ordinary trees and a variety of magical and non-magical creatures.

    Others, like the forest before her, were clearly magical. The magic was thick and rich, almost aromatic, and it tickled her skin like it had in the astral space, as if the trees exhaled magic instead of oxygen. Trees didn¡¯t produce mana; mana diffused through the dimensional boundary, but it felt like they did here, with a humidity and coolness that matched the ancient and awe-inspiring redwood forests of Earth. That je ne sais quoi lingered in the air, and Nara wondered if the redwoods of Earth weren¡¯t a little magical themselves.

    Tall, monolith trees sprouted from the ground like obelisks placed by gods. If not for the noon sun, the shadows of the trees would stretch across the landscape in unending stripes of shadow. Despite the height of the trees, the vibrant thickness of their leaves, sunlight still peeked through the canopy. Sunlight was enhanced by the ambient magic¡ªperhaps that is what allowed its rays to seemingly penetrate through the inconceivably large foliage. A leaf could fall¡ªaimlessly, gently¡ªand it¡¯d smother Nara like a weighted blanked made for the strongest man on Earth.

    ¡°Monolith trees are harvested for many useful products,¡± Ranshi explained, as he was ever want to do, ¡°To name a few of their uses, the sap is used in many healing salves and potions. The wood is incomparably sturdy, used often as the foundational material for structures. The forest troll is disrupting harvest operations.¡±

    ¡°Is it okay if the trees are damaged?¡±

    ¡°It would be best to keep damage to a minimum, but you need not worry. Monolith trees are highly resilient. Collateral damage is expected when defeating monsters.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I was told,¡± Encio bitterly muttered.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just be imperfect sometimes, Encio?¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°There is a difference between damage and decimation, mister Aciano. No doubt, your abilities will trend merrily towards decimation at latter ranks. It¡¯s best you reign in your tendencies early.¡±

    Encio sighed, re-accepting his criticism with a grimace.

    ¡°Whenever you are ready, miss Nara. Keep it in mind that there is no consequence for retreating,¡± Ranshi continued without missing a beat. A destructive iron ranker with the potential for greater destruction later was hardly out-of-the-ordinary. All things considered, Enciodes Aciano¡¯s capacity for widespread destruction was tame.

    Ranshi handed Nara a recording crystal. The fight would be recorded for their review. A copy could be made for Nara if she wanted it. She debated whether she would show it to her family in the end, but she would probably request a copy regardless.

    If her life was going to be killing monsters, how much of it could she really keep from them?

    The assessment wouldn¡¯t even be performed if the Adventure Society was not confident that the society member would pass, not unlike the sash and belt examinations for martial arts, Nara told herself to relax.

    She started by sending two bodies of Sage into the forest. With ample cover, Sage remained undetected, flitting between the underbrush in a grey smear of faded light.

    ¡°Benefactor, I¡¯ve found your target.¡±

    Nara set out, using Nodes to gain height into the taller branches of the forest. Using the gravity manipulation of her Cosmic Path, she leapt from branch to branch like an anime ninja. The branches were sometimes too far apart for her to leap even with her slight gravity manipulation, so she had to use Node jumps to bridge the gap.

    The forest troll was a tall, lumbering creature with skin the color and texture of bark mixed with flesh. It stood at nearly three stories tall, but was dwarfed by the monolith trees. The forest troll didn¡¯t have the troublesome swingling whip like vines of the jungle troll, so Nara expected an easier fight.

    Sage¡¯s two bodies were redistributed to Chrome and Thanatos, and Nara began her assault.

    She started off as she normally did against large targets, peppering the troll from on high with arrows of magic. She generally avoided firing arrows long term, since their conjuration consumed her mana better spent on other abilities. As an opener, it was suitable. Most of her afflictions were blocked, but once a few made it through, she was set.

    ¡°From order to disorder.¡±

    Nara chanted her spell, and Entropy was in place. By then, the troll had mildly reacted, its face rather placid for a creature that had just been ¡®attacked¡¯. Those arrows had been mere pinpricks of acupuncture needles to the massive monster. It swung a massive, creaking, bark-encrusted arm up¡­and scratched. The arrows bent and snapped.

    Looking at the line of raised and red skin, the forest troll had more damage scratching than she had just done with her arrows. Nara huffed mildly in frustration, and told herself she was an endurance fighter anyway.

    For her afflictions to eventually reach the point to topple the monster at this rate, without her intervention, would take days. She would need to speed things up with some active engagement. While it would serve as proof she could ¡®defeat¡¯ a bronze rank monster if she left it be, Ranshi and herself had better places to be than to wait around.

    And she doubted she would feel very approved of.

    Waiting for a monster to die was not an effective method when lives were at stake.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    She moved in, leaping down from one of the massive branches she was on, feeling rather like a certain media character that attacked the necks of titans.

    She aimed downwards, carving into the troll¡¯s neck. She landed on its shoulders, which was offensively easy for her current parkour skills, making quick scratches with her blade. Any damage done now would be regenerated, so she needed to focus on increasing the stacks of her afflictions than dealing actual damage.

    The troll finally reacted; It roared, sending a group of birds to fly in terror. The roar itself was so loud it reverberated within Nara¡¯s head, pinging within her skull. For a moment all she could hear was ringing, like a gong had gone off in her cranium, and wondered what decibel level would instantly kill a human being, and if that had gotten anywhere close. The monster lurched backwards, slamming its back into one of the monolith trees in an attempt to shake her off.

    She reacted in time, teleporting down to the ankles of the troll where Chrome was, nipping at its heels like a Hell born-and-bred chihuahua.

    Like her fight with Graff, her Infinity Domain took a backseat. It had little to no effect on the massive momentum and force of swinging troll arms that tried to pluck her off its back, or slow moving leg swings that left a vacuum of air in its wake. What use was slightly shifting the trajectory of an arm, when the arm was larger than an 18-wheeler truck?

    She found another use for the ability, altering its purpose towards offense. Nara prioritized light and fast strikes to quickly increase the instances of dimensional instability and dimensional rupture. She used her domain to speed up her blade, slightly reducing the space it had to travel. It wasn¡¯t much, but she needed every tool she had.

    Chrome and Thanatos were down below, unable to scale to the heights she was at, unless she transported them herself by subsuming them. Thanatos made long ranged attacks of trailing black flame, keeping his distance. Chrome was similar, running in for a few strikes then teleporting out to safety.

    A massive hand rushed at her, like a sumo wrestler attempting to slap a fly that had landed on its back. She teleported away, continuing her assault with twinges of a magic bowstring. To say nothing of Graff, attempting to deflect the massive hand of a troll with Dream¡¯s Wake was a fool¡¯s errand as well.

    The hand, of course, smashed into the troll¡¯s back in a surprising display of flexibility for a creature covered in bark armor, and smashed a larger surface area of said armor than Nara could have ever managed.

    She had thought she would need to save her mana for Phase Shift, but the creature¡¯s unwieldy body was to her advantage. The danger of its attacks their power, not their speed.

    The forest troll suddenly jumped, its heavy body lifting only slightly off the ground. Unlike essence users with their balance attributes that maintained mobility into higher ranks, the forest troll did not have the mobility its rank should have had.

    The shockwave from the landing staggered Nara, sending her to her knees. A massive crushing slap slammed down caving in the earth in a crater. Nara avoided it by teleporting to another node placed out of the reach of the troll and tried not to think about being made a squashed human-mosquito by a 3-story tall Shrek. She stayed on the branch for a moment, steadying her nerves and adrenaline that had suddenly shot cold-hot through her body. Luckily, the advantage of her nodal teleportation was that she could do so from any position. The troll¡¯s swings were wide, but it didn¡¯t posses magical forms of damage that would have destroyed her nodes. It¡¯s powerful wild swings swept harmlessly past her nodes. Still, she eyed her nodes with relief that the troll didn¡¯t posses the capability to destroy them.

    Her attacks had accumulated instances of Dimensional Instability, Dimensional Rupture, and Boundary¡¯s Scorn on the forest troll. Chrome¡¯s Deterioration affliction sped up the interval at which Nara¡¯s Entropy stacked her afflictions. Meanwhile, Thanatos¡¯ Umbral Flame had inflicted Vulnerable, allowing her to get past the troll¡¯s bronze rank resistances to begin with. With her own Boundary¡¯s Grace boon stacked and growing through her insistent efforts, Nara¡¯s preparation to inflict serious damage was complete.

    She utilized Boon Conversion, transforming some of her stacks of Integrity and her Invigorating- boon trifecta into resonating-force damage. Deflecting a blow was too dangerous, so she moved in, simultaneously casting Astral Judgement and digging her sword into the back of the troll¡¯s neck.

    Nara briefly wondered if monsters had a brainstem, and if was even a vulnerability location at all. Her Monster Compendium may tell her, but she didn¡¯t check for such a specific detail. She should really stop basing monster weaknesses off of popular media.

    It didn¡¯t matter. The combined power of her boons and her afflictions resulted in an attack that dealt far more damage than it looked like it should have. A crescent shaped seeping wound opened up, along with an aftershock of damage that seemed to draw cracks across the monster¡¯s skin from within. The wound was so large that Nara could fall into it, had she lost her footing. She continued, sacrificing further boons to hack away at the monster slash by slash.

    There was no need to hold boons in reserve and wait for her Overture boon to keep pace. She burned it all, her sword tearing past flesh and bone in a methodical, persistent flurry of attacks. The troll stumbled and twirled and screeched all the while, Nara teleporting away when she should, and teleporting back in to doggedly continue.

    It had reached the point that Nara was surprised the troll was alive¡ªevidence of the impossible resilience higher rank monsters, especially silver rank monsters, were known for. The troll could barely keep its head upright, the muscles around its throat bulging and straining, streaming rivulets of tree sap like blood.

    ¡°Just let go,¡± Nara grit out, ¡°I insist!¡±

    She teleported to the front of its throat, slicing again. There was no comical spurt of blood, but the monster¡¯s originally brown bark body was already covered in streams of amber-red blood, like a murder committed in the woods.

    Finally, the monster toppled, its body tipping onto a monolith tree, not even shaking it, before it finally slid face first onto the ground. The monster¡¯s blows had hit the trees during the fight, resulting in cracks in their bark. But as Nara looked around, she realized the trees had already healed themselves, evidence of their overwhelming vitality¡ªa trait the troll and the trees shared.

    She hadn¡¯t been able to time the final blow with the cooldown of her World¡¯s End execute, so the monster had not been automatically looted. She activated her looting ability, disintegrating the monster into smoke (From a safe distance, of course).

    -------

    [Forest Troll] has been looted.

    <ul>

    <li>10 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>10000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>1 monster core (bronze)</li>

    <li>30 tree quintessence (bronze)</li>

    <li>20 life quintessence (bronze)</li>

    <li>10 flesh quintessence (bronze)</li>

    <li>[Living Wood Rope]</li>

    </ul>

    Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    She returned to Ranshi and the rest of the team. The fight had taken around 20 minutes. And while she wasn¡¯t physically out of stamina, she was never so energetic as to not want a warm relaxing bath and a deep-tissue massage. She could sit in bed all day and still want that.

    With Boon Conversion, she had more instantaneous damage to close out a fight. It was a high risk tactic, since if she misjudged the vitality of the enemy, she¡¯d be left back at square one with no buffs. Sacrificing all of her boons wasn¡¯t a tactic she¡¯d use against an essence user. However, her experience with the trials¡¯ jungle trolls benefited her; she had gauged the vitality of the troll correctly, and succeeded in her tactic.

    Ranshi gave a few short words of approval and the group moved on to Encio¡¯s challenge. They headed west, towards the eastern coastal plains of the Nisei family. Bronze rank monsters were dispersed thinly across the landscape, and singular, powerful bronze rank monsters rarely appeared in the same place.

    The stone forest landscape eventually faded into wide open plains. Fields of rippling green and gold covered rolling hills that gradually sloped towards the coast. Trees were sparse, occasionally forming small patches of forest that stood out on the open fields.

    Nara had not yet been to this part of the Shian Union before. Herbivorous grazing animals would not be out of place here, and hoofed herbivores were uncommon on Erras. Instead, various other beasts roamed the plains. Beasts between a giraffe and a deer, but with paws instead of hooves, and flickering velvety ears roamed in packs, called Kaafs. Heidels too, in their own separate groups and strange dual heads.

    ¡°There,¡± Ranshi said, pointing his finger to a speck in the sky, ¡°Do you see it?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡± Encio focused on his target.

    The sky chilopide swooped down in a gentle arc, its bronze rank speed surpassing what a normal rank Kaaf could produce. Strange bones hung from the bottom, like some grotesque exposed rib cage, and encased a Kaaf, picking it up as it rose back into the sky. The bones constricted, gradually crushing the Kaaf as its dying keens echoed behind its fleeing comrades, whose soft paws whispered quietly on soft dirt, drawling little attention in a wide expanse with little cover.

    ¡°Not only a nuisance to livestock,¡± Ranshi explained, ¡°But the sky chilopide is known for riding the wind to its next destination. If it happens upon a village, it does not discriminate.¡±

    Encio nodded. He was similarly handed a recording crystal, and he sped off, his speed unhindered by the tall grass.

    Encio¡¯s unusual advantage was his ability to launch projectile special attacks with his sword (because using melee attacks with a sword would be too basic). Against the sky chilopide, he launched a barrage of sword waves upwards, his exception aim and instantaneous power slicing a few of its dragonfly-like wings off. The monster screeched, flying over Encio to drop the carcass of the Kaaf upon him, which he nimbly avoided. The chilopide glided much lower to the ground, shooting across the plains to launch charging attacks to catch Encio in its pincers. Occasionally it spat acid that burned away the tall grass and the plants.

    Encio¡¯s unrelenting sword waves eventually created a rough clearing, grass buzzed short. Every so often, a sword wave would skim the side of a hill, adding another bald patch and sending grass drifting into the wind.

    It was a grotesque dance. The monster¡¯s bone cage clattered as it moved, futilely attempting to grab at Encio. What was most effective was its bundle to tentacle-like-feelers that was situated at the monster¡¯s rear. The feelers elongated and stretched, occasionally nicking at Encio, drawing painful welts of blood and bruises on his skin.

    Besides Encio¡¯s Immortality Ability, his only other source of self-sustain was his Chronometer ability.

    --------

    Ability: [Chronometer]

    Essence: Balance

    Special Ability (boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): After first inflicting damage on an enemy, begin gradually accumulating instances of [Time Count], one instance per second, regardless of the speed of your personal time stream. Instances of [Time Count] can be expended to recovery stamina, mana, or health. Instance limit determined by the [Spirit] attribute. [Time Count] accumulation stops when no enemies are within your aura range.

    <ul>

    <li>[Time Count] (boon, magic, stacking): Increases resistance to hostile dimension effects. Small bonus to [Speed] attribute. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Compared to Nara¡¯s Astral Blessing and Refresh feedback loop, Chronometer was not effective at long term sustain. The true value of the ability was at bronze rank, and its rank up upgrade long since known. However, expending instances of Time Count also reduced his Speed. Requirements of tradeoffs or timing was common with Balance Essence abilities, such as Nara¡¯s own Boon Conversion and Refresh.

    Encio only expended instances of Time Count to replenish his health and mana as it reached its instance limit.

    As Ranshi said, the sky chilopide was far more fragile than the forest troll. With Encio¡¯s blistering fast sword waves, he chipped away at the chiton and wings of the creature, shredding into papery streamers. Eventually, he had damaged the wings enough that the monster could no longer fly, settling onto the now barren field in a furious screech.

    There was not much else the monster could do. It spat it acid and whipped its feelers, but the monster had entirely lost its mobility. Like the common swift, the sky chilopide was never intended to descend to the ground. Not that monsters always followed reason and logic in their form. While some were based off natural creatures, others were abominations.

    Nara wanted to give Encio credit for determining the weakness of the chilopide, but wings were a pretty obvious weakness. She¡¯d made sure to tell him that and needle him later when he no doubt tried to act smug about finishing his battle quicker than she did.

    There was not much else the monster could do. It spat it acid and whipped its feelers, but the monster had entirely lost its mobility.

    With a final barrage of attacks, the monster was felled, green acidic blood seeping into the ground and releasing a foul smoke. Nara looted the monster, the acidic blood and cut body drifting into rainbow smoke, equally foul.

    After returning to the group, Encio removed one of the healing salves Nara had given him from his Dimensional Rift Racial Ability inventory. He stripped where he stood groaning as he lifted his injured arms and shifted his punctured muscles. As he applied salve to himself, Nara helped him with his back.

    ¡°Now I really wish I had a conjured armor,¡± Encio groaned, ¡°Or that trick where you instantly change.¡±

    ¡°Well, that trick is a combination of two racial abilities really. My Astral Domain is my inventory, so I manifest it around myself, and use it to instantly equip items.¡± Nara looked at his inventory that looked like a rip in reality, ¡°Your inventory looks neat though. Very cool.¡±

    She gave him a thumbs up, and let him have this.

    ¡°I am a man of style.¡±

    If Encio was going to be shredded up and covered in blood, he may as well look gorgeous, like the art of an injured character from Fire Emblem.

    ¡°Nothing¡¯s more stylish than instantly changing your outfit though¡­¡± Nara mumbled.

    ¡°Tell yourself that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a clothing model! You have to agree with me.¡±

    As much as someone was a model that only modeled for one business. It counts, she decided, and she¡¯d use it against him.

    He gave her a look and smirked, causing himself to groan again from his pain.

    Nara had suffered her own minor injuries in her fight against the troll, but her abilities had gradually taken care of the damage. More importantly, while receiving a direct hit from the troll may not have instantly killed her, it may have left her vulnerable to a follow attack that would have finished her off. She needed to avoid the attacks entirely, or if she got hit, instantly retreat to recuperate in safety.

    Encio¡¯s opponent was weaker and had trickier movement and attacks, but they lacked power. The most dangerous attack was its acid spit, but that moved in a fast but predictable path. Encio instead had suffered some gradual damage from its whip feelers. His level of damage was expected for an essence user fighting a monster of higher rank.

    Ranshi moved on to Sen and Eufemia¡¯s assessments.

    Sen¡¯s assessment was the standard for adventurers. His ability set rounded out damage, damage reduction, and all his attributes, which gave him no clear specialties but also no clear weaknesses. He was hard to kill and hard to counter, where no single ability could render him ineffective (a specialty of its own really, Reliable Sen). Whereas for Encio, eliminating his ability to create projectiles with attacks would reduce a massive part of his effectiveness.

    Sen bludgeoned to death a group of overgrown rabbits the size of an award winning pumpkin called ravager rabbits, a monster notorious for consuming everything and anything around it, be it flesh, fruits, and even metal and wood.

    Besides Sen high physical strength, toughness, growing attributes, and reliable special attacks, Sen awakened two abilities early on that served as an important combination to his ability set. For now, they were unimpressive, but later the two would grow to become a potent force.

    Building Wrath was the ability Sen awakened by absorbing his Wrath Confluence.

    -------

    Ability: [Building Wrath]

    Special Ability (boon, holy)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): When suffering damage or using a special attack, gain an instance of [Wrath]. Greater damage suffered or greater damage dealt grants additional instances of [Wrath]. This effect ignores the reduction of your damage reduction effects. You can gain [Wrath] from execute abilities, even if they are not special attacks. Instance limit is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Wrath] (boon, holy, stacking): When using an execute ability, consume all instances to inflict additional transcendent damage and reduce the low health threshold of execute abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Shortly thereafter, he awakened his execute ability, Final Judgement, all but guaranteed with the effects of Building Wrath, his ability set obediently filling up the holes as it should (although his parents hadn¡¯t let it to chance either, splurging on a Judgement Stone specifically, which had a high chance of awakening execute abilities).

    -------

    Ability: [Final Judgement]

    Awakening Stone: Judgement

    Special Attack (execute)

    Cost: Moderate stamina and mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Unleash a powerful attack, inflicting additional physical damage and a small amount of transcendent damage. As an execute effect, damage scales exponentially with the enemy¡¯s level of injury.

    -------

    Sen unleashed his attacks on one ravager rabbit, building instances of Wrath by attacking and instances of Agent of Karma by defending. The searing edge of his staff swept out, slamming the red-hot blade into the bronze rank monster as he crushed the rabbit with Final Judgement. The enhanced damage granted by Wrath caused the monster to die right then and there, blood spattering across its fellow rabbits like a mascot from Five Nights at Freddy¡¯s.

    ¡°One,¡± Sen said, swinging his staff to intercept another rabbit.

    He dutifully repeated the process with almost robotic efficiency, except his staff mastery was far too beautiful to denigrate it with an adjective like robotic.

    ¡°Two.¡±

    He was a master at work, crushing his enemies with the steadfast will as the foremost protector and frontliner of the team.

    Sen was washing blood away when Nara called out to him,

    ¡°Could you stab your staff straight down into the dirt?¡±

    ¡°Like this?¡± He was confused, but did as she asked.

    ¡°Perfect. Now yell out ¡®None shall pass!¡¯¡±

    Sen shot Nara a resigned look, shaking his head.

    ¡°This is another one of your ¡®references¡¯, isn¡¯t it.¡±

    ¡°¡­So? Will you do it?¡±

    He eyed her contemplatively, ¡°How about 5 hours of sparring?¡±

    ¡°5 hours? That¡¯s flagrant, Sen. It¡¯s just a photo.¡±

    ¡°4 hours 30 minutes.¡±

    ¡°Have the decency to go down by a full hour!¡±

    He lifted his staff, pulling it part way out of the ground.

    ¡°¡­4 hours across 2 days,¡± Nara bit out begrudgingly. ¡°Shit.¡±

    ¡°Acceptable.¡± Sen was giving Encio a run for his money as the smuggest bastard on the team.

    ¡°John! Get the Camera! We¡¯ll make this worth it! Now Chrome, where did I put that commissioned wizard robe? And did I ever get that fake beard?¡±

    ¡°Do not ask me, ask Sage,¡± Chrome said, ¡°Better yet, try remembering for a change.¡±

    ¡°C¡¯mon, you love this shit.¡±

    ¡°I do not.¡±

 Chapter 87: The Common Ending was the Bittersweet

    Chapter 87: The Common Ending was the Bittersweet

    ¡°A play?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like it if you all attended,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°It¡¯s tonight, at seven. Is it too short of a notice?¡±

    Eufemia was unusually polite for her invitation, but performance was one of Eufemia¡¯s genuine aspirations. She had taken to it as an outlet for her talents in persona manipulation, which had also manifested magically.

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll go.¡± Nara said, ¡°I love performances.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll all go,¡± Sen said, his tone supportive and with a slight hint of pride, perhaps. Performance was an important part of Sanshi¡¯s culture. Anything competitive was, and performance was one of the many ways for ordinary people to win an essence.

    ¡°John?¡± Eufemia said, peeking at his expression, ¡°I want to hear it from you, personally.¡±

    ¡°Who are you kidding? I would love to go!¡±

    Encio cracked a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll be evaluating your performance. Maybe you aren¡¯t as proficient as you claim, Eufemia. I haven¡¯t been impressed, yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh, just you wait, young duke. You want to bet?¡±

    ¡°Bet what? On my appreciation? You don¡¯t think I¡¯ll lie?¡±

    ¡°A fancy noble like you won¡¯t like over something like this, will you? It¡¯d besmirch your honor.¡±

    They both knew that Encio didn¡¯t care to uphold his honor, that was more Sen¡¯s ideal nobility, but Encio played along.

    ¡°Very well, let the show begin, Eufemia.¡±

    Encio of course, expected to lose. This would be a loss he was happy to take.

    *****

    The theater Eufemia was performing at was smaller and humbler than Sanshi¡¯s premier concert hall. It still stood out from its surroundings, obviously a venue for entertainment than a typical commercial or residential building.

    The tickets to the playhouse was far cheaper than what those of the performances in the Sanshi Concert Hall commanded. Nara had never actually paid for a ticket there either; She visited as Redell¡¯s guest on his patron membership. Redell, as a musician himself, occasionally performed at the Concert Hall. His gold rank and status as a high priest warranted too much attention, so he mostly watched from his private room along with any guests he invited along.

    Nara realized with a start that even she, an iron ranker, could easily afford the patron membership, largely helped by the dual looting capacity of their team. Any other active iron ranker should be able to comfortably accomplish one of the smaller patron tiers.

    Any other activity that had a patron membership, the crafting complex had it. Before Nara had even asked, she had been added as a guest to every single membership of the crafting compound. She would show up to some fun new performance, only to be guided by an attendant to a private room like they were directing a lost child to the place they belonged. Either the crafting compound had provided an image of her face, or the businesses made it their policy to know the face of their VIPs.

    Eufemia¡¯s theater group was a hobbyist group made mostly of core users; retired, semi-active, and active adventurers; or students and apprentices still in training.

    The theater hall was invitation only, and the cheap tickets was only to recoup the costs of rituals used to create magical effects for the performance. The wealthier members contributed coins to the hobby group, and the younger members were allowed to participate without paying.

    In some ways, Eufemia was a patron of her theater group. In her journey with John from Nekroz, the two had to be frugal, scraping by to save for transportation. Compared to Earth, general long-distance transportation was far more expensive for ordinary people. Not completely unaffordable, but to make their trip as short as possible, they had to save as much as possible.

    The dress was semi-casual. Nara looked over at John, wearing a dress shirt, slacks, and a casual suit blazer¡ªan outfit as close as he could get to typical modern Earth dress. With his new youthful appearance and mildly enhanced beautification, he looked more like a young businessman.

    ¡°What is it?¡± John said.

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± John said, ¡°You¡¯ve been staring.¡±

    Nara made an incredulous face. ¡°You¡¯re in a fantasy world, and you¡¯ve commissioned a tailor to make custom-fitted dress shirts and slacks.

    ¡°I look like a walking-talking cultural appropriation while in a robe.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no British Empire here.¡±

    ¡°Even worse. I¡¯d be appropriating cultures across dimensions.¡±

    Nara tried to read his expression, but she was already lacking in social intuition. Was that simple stone cold British humor?

    ¡°¡­are you being funny?¡± she asked hesitantly.

    ¡°It you found it humorous: I am. If you did not, nooo, not at all,¡± he said, completely deadpan. He waited a moment, then his face split with a wide grin, crinkling his eyes where happiness had etched crows feet before essences smoothed his wrinkles.

    Nara grinned.

    *****

    The group entered the theater, presenting their tickets to the apprentice that temporarily served as the usher.

    Theater and performance was popular enough in Sanshi that normal could make a real living with it. Famous performers could afford even the expensive essences, if they didn¡¯t have a set already.

    (Although, it was nowhere near the amount actors of Hollywood were paid. Sanshi pay was more middle ground, with a greater number of performers earning a nice living, and only a few earning a spectacular amount. Enough wealthy patrons and wealth would trickle down. Or rain down, as tips for a performance well done.)

    Nara didn¡¯t like the seats provided, so she stored the one in her seat and conjured her own, impossibly comfortable chair, earning a mildly disapproving look from Sen. When other essences users did the same, removing the provided chairs and placing them in a dimensional storage box at the side of the theater, Sen could only sigh in resignation.

    Performances were largely written by normals, with a few written by hobbyist essence users. Thus, their grasp of essence user culture and the breadth of their abilities was rather weak. Plays stuck to more grounded themes, except for reenactments of grand battles, most famously the plays depicting Sanshi¡¯s establishment. Essence users in plays were depicted as those with great power, without delving into ability details. Certain royal families permitted even satirical depictions of their families, while others did not. In general, the Shian Union did not care, allowing reenactments and satirical plays. To those of the Shian Union, if your reputation was low, you deserved the ridicule.

    Just to be safe, playwrights would often use real kingdoms and families but use fictional names, although it could be guessed who the characters were based off of. Even in Erras, ¡®This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental¡¯ applied.

    The play was named Of Blood, Thorns, and Roses. A princess of a ¡®fictional¡¯ kingdom abandoned her position, running off with a little known iron rank palace guard apprentice she had fallen in love with. She had a fianc¨¦e, but did not love him, choosing to run off with her lover. She was young, barely an essence user herself. All members of royal families became essence users as soon as they were able, regardless of whether they trained to become a combatant. The benefits were just that great.

    She and her lover sired a child, at first, their love with strong. But slowly, the mother fell out of love. She missed the privileges royalty enjoyed, and her lover was not a very good adventurer, missing the majority of the training that the royal guards would have provided. They lived rather poorly.

    The mother was at fault too; a young woman that had been spoiled all her life could not properly support her lover as his partner. While she had essences herself, she had no real life skills, and did not exert herself to learn life skills. What she learned was too little too late.

    The husband died in the midst of a contract. Iron rank had the highest mortality rate of adventurers, when they were still physically weak, and mistakes were common and costly.

    The mother returned to the palace, her young child in tow.

    The child was illegitimate, but illegitimacy wasn¡¯t a particular issue in Erras. Unmarried high rank royalty often had many lovers, some of which they may choose to have a child with, with the consent of both partners.

    The young princess grew up treated politely and with gentle affection, and enjoyed all the benefits as a member of the royal family. However, the person she most wanted affection from did not give it to her. Her mother saw her child as an ugly stain in her life, a choice she had made in ignorance and childishness: A failure of her duty and lineage.

    Eufemia, playing Princess Elissa the returned royal, had married her original fianc¨¦e. She felt that her daughter, Lorine, would interrupt her new budding relationship with her new husband, Duke Alois. A reminder of her thoughtless betrayal.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    However, Lorine was treated kindly by Duke Alois. His unconditional love and affection dug at Lorine¡¯s heart, a resounding ache of her of what her mother would not give.

    She sought companionship in one of the apprentice chefs within the palace, a kind lad named Cheney. He treated her to handmade delicacies when she was feeling down, enjoying snacks and conversation together in the quiet recluses of the palace.

    Lorine came of age, and she was assigned a fianc¨¦e, the son of a powerful family within the Kingdom, a young man named Regis. Regis was friendly and polite, and regularly visited Lorine, but he could not compete with the bond that Lorine had already forged with Cheney.

    One day, Elissa spotted one of Lorine¡¯s escapades with Cheney, and she realized Lorine faced the same decision she once had.

    ¡°Lorine,¡± Eufemia said, voice thick as suppressed emotions churned darkly beneath her carved expression, ¡°my dear daughter.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not your dear daughter, mother. Since when have you ever treated me dearly?¡± Lorine¡¯s bit out bitterly, ¡°You cannot claim such a privilege now.¡±

    ¡°You do not understand the choice you are making.¡±

    ¡°I know, here, my life has been determined for me! You had chosen your own fate, why can¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°It will end in tragedy,¡± Eufemia said, voice rising with authority, with knowledge, ¡°What skills do you have? What have you made of yourself?¡±

    Lorine scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve heard your story mother. Your mistakes. I¡¯m not like you mother. I can cook!¡±

    Eufemia scoffed back, just as righteous, her attitude unfortunately inherited. ¡°You can cook?¡± She swiftly grabbed at Lorine¡¯s hands, turning them over. Essence users would not develop callouses, an inaccuracy of the play: ¡°Look at yourself. These delicate, unblemished fingers. Tell me, what does your little lover¡¯s hands look like?¡±

    Lorine scowled back at her mother, but Eufemia gave her no chance to continue. ¡°What do you do, stir the pot while your lover does all the hard work? The ability of two men while you stand around praising his skill and enjoying his exertion? Do you think cooking is easy? That you can do the same thing your lover has spent years perfecting?¡±

    (Nara thought, after all, a princess cannot understand the madness of a line cook. At worst she had worked a concession stand; She never wanted to clean a greasy hot dog roller again.)

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand me, the effort I¡¯ve put in!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I know, daughter. Do you think none of us see you frolicking in the gardens with your cute friend? Do you know he returns later at night, while you are asleep and comfortable, to practice his skill that he could not with you? You distract him. You don¡¯t help.¡±

    Lorine flushed, her face a mixture of fury and embarrassment.

    Eufemia searched her daughter¡¯s eyes, seeing the mix of rebelliousness, sadness, bitterness, and longing.

    ¡°My daughter,¡± she sighed, releasing her daughter¡¯s hands gently, which limply fell to her sides, ¡°Lorine, I will help you.¡±

    Lorine looked up at her mother, her eyes murky whirlpools of confusion, wariness, and hope.

    Elissa¡¯s relationship with Lorine had already been ruined, with her own hands, as she had done before with her future with her first lover. Her passiveness, her willingness to be spoiled, to stand back and watch.

    She did not reach forward to caress her daughter¡¯s face. She could only love her in the way she wanted to have been able to with her dead lover, by offering her support.

    ¡°Lorine you are royalty. You have learned much, of governance, of political relationships, of economy. This will not help you. You do not have the ingenuity: I know this. Master a skill. Any trade. Seek it, the family will not deny you. If you can achieve competency, I will ask that they all let you go, that your engagement with Regis is called off.¡±

    ¡°Otherwise,¡± Eufemia leaned in, almost imposing but her expression and voice was suffused with tones of melancholy, ¡°Your story will be the same as mine. Remember this, the only genuine advice I can offer you. As you¡¯ve said: You know my story.¡±

    Lorine flinched from her mother¡¯s knowing gaze.

    She leaned back with a bitter smile. ¡°Then you know this advice is not given in ignorance.¡±

    There were several inaccuracies in the premise. For one, even essence users that intended to become administrators in powerful families were given basic combat training at a young age. In Erras, combat (personal) power was political power. Royal families could not do without. In most royal families, the throne could only be inherited upon reaching gold rank, and that was the least of the requirements.

    For adventuring families, to achieve gold rank was to become a cornerstone of the family. For smaller families, even silver or bronze was enough.

    Of Blood, Thorns, and Roses was a poignant play with many endings. The most common and popular ending was the bittersweet¡ªLorine could not achieve competency to her mother¡¯s approval in any area and eloped with Cheney anyway. Cheney was a great cook, having completed his training compared to Elissa¡¯s dead lover. However, Lorine felt stifled in their small house within the city. She longed for the delicacies always within reach, the sprawling palace gardens, the spacious halls of architectural artistry, and the libraries shelf-to-shelf with rare tomes.

    Like her mother, Lorine had grown up spoiled, and struggled to adapt to the ordinary life that most lived. She did eventually adapt, settling into a normal life as an ordinary civilian.

    Cheney had a safe profession and earned enough for a stable and uneventful living. Lorine worked too, as a low-level government office worker. The literacy rate in Erras was moderate (not as tragically low as medieval ages, nor as high as 1<sup>st</sup> world countries), and Lorine¡¯s ability to read, write, and organize information¡ªmuch like John¡ªhad monetarily valuable applications. As her life stabilized, the two could afford a nicer house and fun outings, but Lorine felt herself still drawn to the splendor of high society.

    Cheney and Lorine had been together for over thirty years, and she had a daughter and a son. Without the money, they could not rent a birthing pod from Fertility, having to suffer the toll of pregnancy twice, even if the physical effects were later magically healed.

    It was their thirty-fifth anniversary, and Cheney and Lorine had purchased tickets to the city¡¯s main performance hall, enjoying the performance together in the lower seats.

    Lorine did not know what had compelled her, but she looked up to see her mother in one of the box seats, high above her. Her husband was with her, along with two children, a son and another daughter.

    There she was, pristine and unageing, dressed in royal fineries and luxurious jewels. Noble families had the capitol to raise all of their family members to silver rank through monster cores.

    Elissa¡¯s beauty was preserved, like a rose that never wilted. That which should have been fleeting, a breath of spring, never drifted to winter.

    Lorine hand subconsciously reached for her face, the wrinkles that had begun to form. Her own mother looked younger than her.

    Elissa never looked down to notice Lorine, although a silver ranker definitely would have noticed. Another inaccuracy of the play, a reflection of Elissa¡¯s disapproval, or a statement that she had already moved on from her daughter when she had ignored the condition set for her?

    There was no narrator to voice Lorine¡¯s thoughts. Did her mother¡¯s appearance foster regret within Lorine? Was it a steadied acknowledgement of her own choice, choosing her love over a life laid out for her? Did she long for a reconnection with her father-in-law and the palace staff, which had treated her with affection?

    Lorine made no attempt to contact her mother.

    Perhaps both found resolution in their paths. Lorine¡¯s story had not ended the same as her mother, raising two children in a loving family, even if her beginning was a struggle, she had managed to avoid her mother¡¯s mistake of waiting passively, and the unfortunate separation of death. If nothing, she did learn that. She may still miss the luxury of royalty, but would make the same choice, knowing what she must give up.

    Elissa was content with her own duty and new love. Not nearly so passionate as the one she had as a young princess, but steady and respectful. She had offered her daughter a hand, and she had rejected it. She wasn¡¯t a good mother, but to her, she had done her duty to her. She let her past finally fall away and raised her new children with strict attention.

    The audience stood up, uproariously cheering and applauding. Spirit coins were tossed up onto the stage as compliments, a couple of gold coins from rich members glinting past. The coins would later be split between the apprentices and auxiliary staff as a bonus. They were all paid by the patron members like Eufemia, but nobody turned down a bonus.

    Nara had been sucked into the play the entire length. She realized she had not even looked over to the rest of the party to see if they had been too.

    Eufemia was brilliant. Lovestruck princess turned regretful mother turned noble duchess. Nara cheered loudly: the idiot friend in the stands that made you embarrassed when they screamed your name.

    ¡°Eufemia! That was awesome! I really enjoyed it.¡± Nara said, praising Eufemia in excitement.

    ¡°I am an awesome actor,¡± she said, eyeing Encio expectantly.

    Encio smirked, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were so looking forward to my praise.¡±

    ¡°Give it. I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± She held out a hand, like praise was something physical to be given out and passed around.

    ¡°You are a brilliant actress.¡±

    Eufemia threw her arms out as if basking in the moonlight, ¡°I am brilliant.¡±

    ¡°When you¡¯re not covered in monster guts,¡± John said.

    Eufemia raised her chin up, defiant, ¡°Even when I¡¯m covered in monster guts.¡±

    ¡°A woman covered in blood is definitely someone¡¯s kink,¡± Nara said rather thoughtlessly.

    John stared at her.

    ¡°What? A powerful woman is attractive.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not wrong,¡± Aliyah offered her surprising support, ¡°Powerful women are very attractive.¡±

    Sen eyed her warily, as if attempting to glare was to instill public decency into Aliyah so she¡¯d not pin Eufemia to a wall and traumatize a child.

    Aliyah rolled her eyes. I¡¯m not going to do that.

    ¡°You were very in your element,¡± Sen said, breaking eye contact from Aliyah once he was assured she¡¯d be PG-13, ¡°It was a high-quality performance.¡±

    ¡°Did you make a recording?¡± Eufemia asked Nara.

    ¡°Yup. One for me, in the language of my word, and one for you, in the language of the Shian Union.¡± Nara placed a recording crystal in Eufemia¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Thank you. I want to show my father¡­and my mother. If I get the chance.¡±

    ¡°When you get the chance,¡± Sen said confidently. ¡°You will.¡±

    When Sen said it, with his odd charisma, it felt like prophecy.

    Eufemia smiled, quietly grateful.

    ¡°By the way, what are the other endings?¡± Nara asked Eufemia as the group walked back to their respective apartments through the night.

    ¡°Oh that? We were debating which ending to perform and went with the classic one in the end. The next popular ending is the romantic rose ending.¡±

    ¡°This ending wasn¡¯t considered romantic?¡±

    Eufemia smirked, ¡°Regis works hard to win over Lorine¡¯s heart while she¡¯s training. His persistence and his thoughtful gifts causes Lorine¡¯s heart to waver between the two. Lorine realizes she¡¯s like her mother and enjoys the privileges of royalty too much to elope. With a man that loved her, the decision was made easy.¡±

    ¡°Cheney was kicked to the curb, then.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a commoner apprentice. If this was realistic, everyone would have told him to shut up and not ruin a good thing. He¡¯d be given a generous sum of hush money and a recommendation to a fancy restaurant within the capitol, fulfilling his dreams as a professional chef. Lorine would finish her training to prove to her mother she isn¡¯t incompetent and works as an administrator for one of the royal family¡¯s businesses interests. The two begin to mend their relationship, and the royal family enjoys the benefits of a union between one of their princess and a powerful noble family within the kingdom.¡±

    John frowned, ¡°Rosy and sickeningly sweet.¡±

    John was an optimistic guy, but he liked nuance in his entertainment. For his children, he¡¯d give them the sweet ending. It was what he was striving for now, a tearful yet joyous reunion.

    Eufemia laughed, ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s unpopular. Avid playgoers think it¡¯s unrealistic.¡±

    ¡°And the other ending?¡±

    ¡°Tragedy, of course.¡±

    ¡°Lovely.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, Lorine dies in childbirth. Or, one or both of her children die as iron rank adventurers. Cheney could end up stabbed in a back alley after returning home late at night, or dead in a monster surge.¡±

    ¡°Elissa wrestles with feelings of regret and guilt over her dead daughter that she held a tenuous and complicated relationship with. Her two children, if their alive, are taken in by the royal family, but Cheney remains an unwelcome guest, especially to Elissa. He was the man that had enchanted and indirectly killed her impressionable daughter.¡±

    ¡°The two children are granted top of the line essences and training, and Cheney sees the world that Lorine had to give up for him. He concludes that he should have let her go, if he loved her. Especially since Regis was as gracious as Alois, treating the two children his own.¡±

    ¡°He sees the two children become successful adventurers that eventually move into their own paths, such as high level guild officials. He¡¯s provided monster cores by his children and is raised to silver rank. He struggles with feelings of depression and inadequacy his whole life, eventually becoming despondent. No longer responsive to them, Alois instead ends up as the loved father of the children.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s awfully depressing,¡± John said, relating in some ways to Cheney as a father himself. His wife wouldn¡¯t, but he felt a pang of fear for the hole he had left behind.

    ¡°The dead-in-childbirth ending is the next most popular ending, after the classic one.¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°What is wrong with you people?¡± John said. ¡°That¡¯s horrid. I know I wanted complexity, but was the next best option really tragedy?¡±

    Nara laughed, ¡°Don¡¯t pretend as if Earth doesn¡¯t have it¡¯s share of tragic plays.¡±

    ¡°The old-English dulls the pain,¡± John said, ¡°It¡¯s hard to tell whose having a psychotic break through all that prose.¡±

 Chapter 88: Paperwork Sounds Like Ass

    Chapter 88: Paperwork Sounds Like Ass

    ¡°So how much of that is true?¡± Nara chattered over breakfast the next day, ¡°Royal families and arranged marriages and all that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me,¡± Encio said, ¡°I¡¯m not actually a noble. My grandfather is an honorary noble. Adventurers that make it big don¡¯t typically accept titles of nobility.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for it,¡± said Aliyah bluntly, ¡°Nothing is more convincing than a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°We should be asking the real prince in the group,¡± said Eufemia.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a prince,¡± Sen denied, fruitlessly. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, neat even in the morning; Sen was nothing if not thorough. ¡°In other nations than the Shian Union, arranged marriages are typical. It happens here, but its rather uncommon. The Fenhu is well-known for their stance against it.¡±

    ¡°A government¡¯s legitimacy is their ability to protect their population. Earning the support of a powerful family, such a family known for their ability to construct wide-area array protections, is important to maintaining power.¡±

    ¡°The Great Families¡­¡± He paused, looking at Eufemia waiting for her to quip. She seemed curious herself, or just more interested in drinking her spiked juice. ¡°The Great Families of the Shian Union are unusual due to their large number of family members. Family members marry freely and have children freely.¡±

    ¡°What he means is that the families have a wide net. A lot of different family members are able to work and specialize in different fields. It isn¡¯t so much as they¡¯re the ruling family as the greatest percentage of the population share the bloodline, ever so distantly as it is.¡± Encio explained.

    ¡°Like the Mongols.¡±

    The what, Eufemia mouthed, but she knew it was futile.

    ¡°Well now I understand what you¡¯re getting at,¡± John mused.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the Mongolians were-,¡±

    ¡°-Who,¡± Nara corrected.

    ¡°¡­Who the Mongols were, but I will assume the comparison is apt, which is perhaps more credit than I should give,¡± Sen said impassively. ¡°You see only a slice of the most prominent members of the family here in Sanshi, where the main families sends their children. If you go to the Arlang territory, even your ordinary fruit seller on the side of the street there can be an Arlang.¡±

    ¡°Or a Lang, a Langar, an Arlan, a Ralan¡­¡± Aliyah listed off variations of the Arlang name. ¡°When people marry in the Shian Union, the last name is usually combined with the partner¡¯s last name, or a new name is chosen all together.¡±

    ¡°Except for prominent families, where the partner marrying into the family adopts the last name of the family in question,¡± Encio added. ¡°My father, Valer, married into the family.¡±

    ¡°And the child usually inherits the newly created last name,¡± continued Aliyah, powering on. ¡°If a partner has multiple spouses, then the children inherent the combination of names from their genetic parents. Although sometimes the parents don¡¯t change their last names at all, but the child is granted a combined last name anyway¡ª¡±

    Aliyah rambled away, listing the cultural intricacies of marriage in the Shian Union. Nara was interested, she really was (it was a whole ¡®nother culture after all), but it felt like her body was reforming a brain just so it could give herself a headache.

    ¡°¡­Wow.¡± Nara said, not unimpressed but also overwhelmed from the information overload. ¡°Conceptually, I like that better but¡ª¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m already dreading the paperwork,¡± John said.

    Nara groaned. ¡°No wonder they¡¯re so good at it here.¡±

    *****

    ¡°You want a rematch.¡± Sen said to Vallis, whose team sat across from Sen¡¯s in in a large outdoor pavilion on the Academy grounds. The teams were milling about, unconcerned with whatever their team representatives were going on about. Not everyone could be so relentlessly competitive as Sen and Vallis. Gento was close, and Encio had more than a few moments, but Sen was always willing to take up a challenge.

    ¡°A rematch, and we get to choose the arena. It¡¯s only fair we get the battlefield advantage this time.¡±

    Sen smirked, a rare display of the competitiveness he kept beneath his still veneer, ¡°I thought you wanted challenge? I don¡¯t mind offering the losers a handicap.¡±

    ¡°Challenge? You¡¯re just afraid of getting smashed in a true test of wills.¡± Vallis shot back, a combative grin widening on her face as well. Front up, Arlang.¡±

    ¡°Look forward to defeat, Nisei.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t miss yours for the world.¡±

    The rest of the two teams shared glances, unable to match their energy.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± someone muttered. ¡°Another match?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m too old for this,¡± John said, rolling his shoulders, joints cracking despite his rejuvenation, as if emotional wear translated into his body.

    ¡°You¡¯re really not that old here John.¡± Aliyah said plainly, ¡°How old is your grandfather again, Encio?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s one hundred eighty three years old,¡± he said distractedly, playing card games with one of Vallis¡¯ teammates, Kiris, who, while quiet, had a surprisingly high ability to concentrate.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty young for a diamond ranker,¡± Aliyah remarked.

    ¡°And do you see how spry he is John? You¡¯re embarrassing yourself again,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°I hope you don¡¯t act old around the real elderly.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a diamond ranker,¡± John said. ¡°I think he can hardly count as old.¡±

    ¡°Ever,¡± Nara agreed.

    ¡°And you¡¯re acting like an old man despite looking like you¡¯re in your early fourties.¡± Eufemia scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s appalling.¡±

    ¡°Is Vallis always like this?¡± Nara said, asking Vallis¡¯ team members. Kiris, the shy elf healer, seemed to shy away from her gaze, which caused Nara to pout.

    ¡°Stop. You¡¯ve traumatized her,¡± Encio said. ¡°I¡¯m trying to play a game here, and I don¡¯t want your distraction.¡±

    ¡°I thought you want to win.¡±

    ¡°Not like this.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t get you, sometimes.¡±

    ¡°Anyway, it was Sen¡¯s plan. That¡¯s hardly my fault. Surely that reflects on him, not me.¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Encio hemmed, humor lacing his tone, ¡°It reflects on both of you. Sen¡¯s capacity for brutality and your ability to carry it out.¡±

    ¡°Harsh. I don¡¯t think I deserve that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a compliment, isn¡¯t it?¡± Gento said guilelessly. He was going through a routine of stretches absent of anything better to do.

    ¡°You were angry!¡±

    ¡°Sure. But it was fun!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m more surprised Sen isn¡¯t like this more often,¡± Jaina cut in, another of Vallis¡¯ teammates.

    ¡°He¡¯s different normally?¡±

    ¡°He can be very persistent, enthusiastic, energetic. Overbearing, even. He¡¯s probably reining it back.¡±

    ¡°He is very good at controlling himself,¡± said Aliyah, ¡°but I think he could learn to let loose sooner. Sen¡¯s is a bit afraid of scaring others away.¡±

    ¡°Someone here is a bit of a flight risk,¡± John said.

    ¡°Hey. I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say ¡®you resent that¡¯ because it¡¯s true,¡± Eufemia countered.

    The two groups waited for the pre-match banter between Sen and Vallis to die down before they headed to the mirage chamber in the Academy. Vallis had already reserved a time slot, knowing Sen would accept. The schedule of reservations was posted publicly in various locations in the academy, and updated with the same copying magic the Adventure Society used.

    Only Vallis¡¯ name was on the reservation, but it was enough to attract a crowd of spectators within the mirage chamber. When the students realized it was a team battle, rumors spread through the Academy at 5G speeds. A revenge match! Would valiant Vallis be able to take back glorious victory from the famed battle tactician, Sen?

    Sen¡¯s true strength was his tactical mind. It was odd, Nara thought, that his abilities didn¡¯t seem to reflect this aspect of him (although she noted abilities couldn¡¯t cover all aspects of a person¡¯s nature, as her own abilities didn¡¯t express all of her either). Encio¡¯s abilities were powerful but had their own inherent deception (what sort of ranged damage dealer uses a sword? Tricky bastard), and Eufemia¡¯s abilities expressed her adaptability and guile.

    After witnessing his performance against Vallis in the first match, Nara realized a simpler ability set let him think tactically during a fight, dedicating less of his brainpower to his own abilities and their timings and more on his surroundings and teammates. His abilities still suited him; He was high impact, hard to kill, and relatively mobile. If he was ever identified as the battlefield coordinator, the enemy wouldn¡¯t be able to focus him and take him down. If they tried, that was probably part of the plan, too.

    By the time the arena had cleared out for the two teams to use, students were waiting in anticipation in the viewing rooms and in the stands.

    ¡°If we win Arlang, you¡¯re treating us to dinner at Nolan¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t feed you for free?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just bringing him business, plain and simple. As a teammate should.¡±

    ¡°If we win, you¡¯re paying for us.¡±

    ¡°¡­This isn¡¯t really much of a bet, is it,¡± Eufemia said, supremely unimpressed. ¡°It¡¯s just food.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the best kind of bet.¡± Nara said, with the opposite of Eufemia¡¯s attitude. ¡°Either way it goes it¡¯s a win to me.¡±

    ¡°Glutton,¡± Chrome said, materializing beside her.

    ¡°Says who? And you materialized just to say that to me?¡±

    The battlefield Vallis chose was a plain and large circular arena, with stone walls reaching up towards the open air.

    The two teams awoke standing on opposite sides of the arena. There wasn¡¯t any time to think or act, but Sen¡¯s team did have the crutch of Nara¡¯s Party Guide.

    The team immediately tried to split, but iron chains sprung up from the ground to trap each member in place¡ªHugh¡¯s abilities. With ample vision and clear targets, Hugh¡¯s control abilities would finally have their moment to shine.

    Only Encio and Nara managed to avoid the chains, Nara with Phase Shift, and Encio with his Between the Raindrops ability.

    -------

    Ability: [Between the Raindrops]

    Essence: Swift

    Special Ability (movement)

    Cost: High mana-per-second and high stamina-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Effect (Iron): Increased reflexes and spatial awareness.

    -------

    In some ways, Between the Raindrops was a cheaper and lesser version of personal time acceleration. It had no cooldown and also no isolating time effect, so it was perfect for making snappy attacks and hair-line dodges.

    Out in the open and at the beginning of a fight, Nara was at her weakest. Attempting to attack Valli¡¯s team at this time was foolish. Nara focused on what she could do, immediately turning to cut apart the chains on Eufemia and John, who were closes to her. Encio did the same with Aliyah. Sen had broken the chains on his own, his increased physical strength allowing him to smash them with his heavy staff.

    ¡°Plan?¡± Eufemia asked through voice chat.

    ¡°When they¡¯re close use that ability. A unified front is more advantageous to them than it is for us. Then, whoever is within reach, concentrate on that member.¡±

    Nara swapped to bow form, taking swift pot shots at the approaching bull rush that was Vallis¡¯ team. It wasn¡¯t that she had no plan, but that their strength was in a melee brawl. Jaina was their only ranged attacker, although Hugh had some abilities that could be used at range.

    Once Team Vallis was within range, Eufemia used her ability.

    -------

    Ability: [Unexpected Allies]

    Awakening Stone: Charlatan

    Spell (illusion, dimension, teleport)

    Incantation: ¡°Outcome in flux. Allies manifest.¡±

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): You and your allies take on illusionary forms of nearby enemies, but your allies can still recognize one another. All allies and enemies in the area are randomly switch-teleported.

    -------

    It was one of the abilities Eufemia had awakened after the trial.

    Unexpected Allies was an ability that was highly situational. With most monster fights, the team had more than enough time to set up their positions: Randomizing them was usually counterproductive. Against Vallis¡¯ team that had already formed up while Sen¡¯s team was falling behind, the ability finally had its chance to take center stage.

    The two groups were randomly switched, Sen¡¯s team taking on the forms of enemies. This illusion would fade shortly, but it was a prime opportunity for Eufemia to slip away in the chaos.

    Lucky for Vallis¡¯ team, their healer had not ended up isolated, avoiding a repeat of their last match. However, Jaina had been swapped to Encio¡¯s position which had been distant from both team. Encio was most dangerous at range, and he had immediately taken distance.

    In a flash, Encio rearranged himself into a safe position, gathering his energy for a Vorpal Slash. Heads snapped towards him; the gathering power of the slash wasn¡¯t fast or discrete, one of its many disadvantages. Hugh reacted, raising a barrier of magically conjured iron from the ground at Jaina¡¯s back. Encio released the Vorpal Slash early, saving himself mana and allowing it to crash harmlessly against the iron barrier, shearing the metal but not cutting through.

    What Aliyah did next sent a thrill of confusion and anticipation through Vallis.

    -----

    Ability: [Juxtapose]

    Essence: Adept

    Special Ability

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Swap the location of two allies and/or enemies. You must be able to see both subjects of the spell. If an ally resists or otherwise prevents the effect, this ability is negated but the cooldown is reduced to 30 seconds.

    -----

    She had swapped the location of the Jaina protected by an iron wall¡­and another Jaina, that had been within Vallis¡¯ team after the resulting chaos of the switch teleport.

    Another one of Team Sen¡¯s surprising advantages were the great number of illusory familiars on their side. Encio¡¯s familiar Ardor couldn¡¯t transform into anyone but himself, but it added to the chaos. Eufemia¡¯s familiar Runa could transform into anyone.

    The illusory disguises from Unexpected Allies had already faded, but three Jainas had emerged from the chaos.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t Jaina!¡± Vallis shouted, ¡°But she¡¯s there now!¡±

    The three immediately realized the Jaina in their midst must be Eufemia or her familiar. Aliyah had separated Jaina, but Eufemia was now in extreme danger. One of the other Jainas transformed into John.

    That was the Echo Spirit familiar. But why had it broken the illusion? Vallis own question was soon answered when it switched teleported with John, sending John closer to Eufemia.

    Vallis shot forward, seizing the chance to eliminate the healer on Sen¡¯s team. She knew that this was not all there was to his plan, but if she hesitated, that reaction may also be within Sen¡¯s expectations. Her last defeat was partially due to her slow decision making, but was she rushing too much now?

    ¡°You¡¯re so gods damn infuriating, you know that Sen!¡± She yelled an insult, but her face was grinning.

    With the entire enemy team converging on the two, John used one of his trump cards, Dawn of Creation.

    ------

    Ability: [Dawn of Creation]

    Awakening stone: Creation

    Special Ability (dimension, cleansing)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 6 hours

    Effect (Iron): Take allies into a dimensional space briefly. Allies are fully cleansed of all afflictions. This circumvents all effects that prevent cleansing. Allies cannot suffer damage or gain additional afflictions in this space.

    -------

    The ability didn¡¯t have large enough effective range to take the rest of the team members, but John only wanted it to briefly protect himself and Eufemia. They winked from existence, dimensionally isolated.

    Jaina, after breaking free from Aliyah¡¯s Binding Light threads, sprinted back towards her team, only to suffer a sudden bout of nausea and vertigo.

    -------

    Ability: [Dimension Flux]

    Conjuration (dimension)

    Cost: Moderate mana, low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Wildly distort space in a small area, disorienting anything that passes through. Denies the area as a teleportation egress point. Only once instance of this ability can exist simultaneously.

    -------

    Dimension Flux was Encio¡¯s only control-oriented ability. It was expensive to move around and required continual mana expenditure once conjured. For his ability set that focused on destroying targets quickly and at a safe distance (¡°safe distance? I¡¯m offended.¡±), it was one that rarely demonstrated its full potential, especially against monsters.

    Against Essence Users, this ability finally wrought the nausea of twisted space on unsuspecting victims. Jaina leapt backwards, immediately extricating herself from the region of warped space.

    All Encio needed was a glimpse of Jaina; His God-Sundering Slash ripped forward, boosted by John¡¯s Bolster. As a backline bow user, Jaina had but a few defensive abilities (not unlike Encio), but she did have one. A ragged floating disk of ice manifested in front of her, icicle spikes ready to shoot out if it was attacked. It was a physical obstruction made of magic, but it still counted as a physical obstruction to Encio¡¯s ability (where barriers of mana counted as magical obstructions.)

    ¡°If you had enough time to react, you should have dodged,¡± Encio said.

    I couldn¡¯t have dodged it, she thought resentfully, glaring at Encio and her incoming demise for a fraction of a second. Hugh¡¯s shield wall backfired, blocking off her escape, and Encio¡¯s nauseating dimensional warping further restricted her options. She should have thrown herself into it to escape his slash, but the nauseating effect, although non-damaging, had triggered her evolutionary lizard-brain avoidance and subconsciously prevented her from doing so. Her realization was too late.

    Healers like John actually had a wide array of protective abilities, which made Jaina the least defensive member of Vallis¡¯ team. Her body was bisected by the near-instantaneous Vorpal Slash that bypassed the metal wall of Hugh and her own ice disk.

    Dawn of Creation had been blown when both John and Eufemia had expended almost no resources. Once it ended, the two would be in hot water.

    Instead of waiting for the two to come out, Vallis and her team immediately abandoned the idea of attacking John, turning on a dime to face Nara. She stared like a deer in headlights, even as she was already moving.

    ¡°Ah shit, me?¡±

    Suddenly, Nolan cast one of his few spells.

    ¡°I offer up all of my mana to nature. In turn, take from my enemy what I have given up.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Bounty¡¯s Sacrifice]

    Spell (curse)

    Incantation: ¡°I offer up all of my mana to nature. In turn, take from my enemy what I have given up.¡±

    Cost: All mana

    Cooldown: 6 hours

    Effect (Iron): Sacrifice all of your mana to drain away all of the mana of a target. Resistance of the target reduces the mana drained. You do not receive the drained mana.

    --------

    The fight had started hard and fast; the type of battle which was a weakness of Nara¡¯s. Nara had nothing except the inherent resistances offered by her Recovery attribute to dampen the effect.

    ¡°Oh, now I¡¯m proper fucked.¡±

    She felt a pounding headache as she immediately and abruptly entered mana deprivation. She stumbled, gasping as she thumped to one knee, briefly vulnerable, but no ranged attacks killed her through her weakness. Thank the gods (or Sen, maybe she should just pray to Sen), that Jaina was the first one slain.

    John caught her depleted mana on the Guide interface, and immediately cast Mana Tide, attempting to help her recover as much mana as possible. It was another high cooldown ability wasted on just a few targets, Nara and Encio, but needs must.

    The passive mana generated from Integrity and the effect of her robe boosting mana generation effects prevented her from passing out entirely as she felt mana stream back in. She gasped a lungful, sucking in what felt like both air and mana, and felt her vision clear as her reserves struggled up from nothing to a bare minimum.

    A single use of Phase Shift would push her even further into mana deprivation, potentially knocking her out entirely. The tools left to her were node teleport and Dream¡¯s Wake. Thanks to Nolan wiping away all of her mana, Integrity had accumulated quickly, but it wouldn¡¯t be enough to use Phase Shift, even then.

    Node teleport was her next best move.

    Vallis anticipated this, unleashing the power of the ability she had been channeling for a while.

    -------

    Ability: [Area Shockwave]

    Essence: Gathering

    Special Ability

    Cost: Very high mana and stamina

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Gather mana, then unleash a spherical resonating- and disruptive-force damage shockwave that originates from the user¡¯s position. The range of the shockwave is increased with gathering time. This ability does not damage allies.

    -------

    The wave rolled out, popping some of Nara¡¯s nodes like cells like bubble wrap and causing most of the members of Sen¡¯s team be launched backwards from the force wave. But without Jaina, Nara¡¯s farthest nodes were safe. Crucially, her role had been to destroy Nara¡¯s nodes. Without Jaina, Nara had a chance to escape.

    She scooted to the far end of the arena, sill woozy, which kept her safe but took her out of the fight, only able to contribute with weak bow shots until her mana sufficiently recovered.

    With Nara removed from the fight for a short while, Team Vallis focused on Eufemia. She wasn¡¯t the most important target, but the most accessible one, along with John.

    Sen teleported in, forming a front of three against Team Vallis¡¯ four. Gento had split off to engage Aliyah, preventing her from using her damage spells in close combat. Such a simplistic battlefield was Aliyah¡¯s weakness, who thrived on utilizing her teammates or cover to deliver damage from a safe distance.

    She tried her best with her basic staff arts, parrying as many blows as she could. Proximity alone to Gento¡¯s flaming fur was enough to continually burn her, blistering her exposed skin and warming her cloth robes. Under his powerful fists enhanced by the Leonid¡¯s inherently swift and mighty physique, Aliyah was felled as well. In a one versus one fight against a brawler, an iron rank spellcaster like Aliyah simply did not have the tools to effectively retaliate.

    However, her spells remained. Knowing that her defeat was inevitable, Aliyah focused on applying as many advantageous spells for her team before she was finished off. She had managed to redistribute a bit of mana to her teammates in that time, resupplying Encio. She had burned through her mana, firing off all her spells at Gento, placing enhanced Rune Traps, casting bindings, and conjuring traps.

    Kiris had been weaving her own mana recovery spells for Nolan, who had emptied himself out to empty Nara, and the rest of her team. With her Water Essence and Mystic Confluence, she possessed more mana recovery abilities than John did, who was more focused on damage mitigation, buffing, and healing.

    Vallis had not chosen an arena with water in the fight, since the battle would have ended before it even began. Sen was right, she wanted a challenge, not a one-sided beatdown.

    Nolan was back in play, having recovered his own mana with Kiris¡¯ abilities and his own mana recovery effects, He focused more on offense with Kiris still protected. Sen deflected blows left and right with his staff, forming a defensive front for John and Eufemia.

    They protected his back, unloading shots of Solar Judgement on those that approached. It was a battle of healing, which neither side won. John had more potent healing, but Vallis¡¯ side had more members inflicting damage.

    But John¡¯s singular shields were effective against Vallis large and powerful, but slower strikes.

    Hugh locked down the three members, chaining them in position with his iron chains. They could repeatedly destroy them, but it was another thing slowing them down, consuming their energy, and pressuring them.

    The scales seemed firmly tipped in Vallis¡¯ favor, but Eufemia excelled in flipping the scales.

    -------

    Ability: [Blessing of Relentlessness]

    Awakening Stone: Time

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 24 hours

    Effect (Iron): Reset all cooldowns of a single ally of bronze-rank or below.

    -------

    This time, Eufemia reset John, allowing him access to his supreme defensive ability, Dawn of Creation, as well as resetting the cooldown of his all important Mana Tide spell. Nolan¡¯s high-effect and short-duration personal buffs meant that Encio¡¯s trump cards didn¡¯t one-shot, especially if they could see him coming a mile away.

    Kiris prepared to cast her own large spell, Primordial Ocean Manifestation. There was no natural water around her, but even in close range the effects of the spell would be devastating, and a large majority of Sen¡¯s team was grouped together right this instant.

    However, once again, Eufemia revealed who it was that had their hands firmly on the scales of battle.

    -------

    Ability: [Prodigious Sorcerer]

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Special Ability

    Cost: Variable

    Cooldown: Variable

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known spell of a target. This may make your version of the spell higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original spell. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    -------

    Eufemia had copied Nolan¡¯s spell, Bounty¡¯s Sacrifice. In tandem, John cast Hero¡¯s Moment on Eufemia, boosting all of her attributes and resistances by a large amount.

    -------

    Ability: [Hero¡¯s Moment]

    Essence: Immortal

    Awakening Stone: Potent

    Spell

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 1 hour

    Effect (Iron): Bestow a powerful boon on an ally, increasing all attributes and resistances by a significant amount. They receive damage reduction, their maximum mana and stamina are increased and they gain ongoing mana and stamina recovery. They ignore the effects of rank-disparity. When this effect ends, they are temporarily debilitated, suffering the inverse of all previous effects.

    ------

    Either way, after using Bounty¡¯s Sacrifice, Eufemia would be out of the fight. Eufemia needed the edge to get through Kiris, who as a healer likely had a high recovery attribute, which increased her resistance.

    ¡°I offer up all of my mana to nature. In turn, take from my enemy what I have given up.¡±

    ¡°The primordial ocean, the origin of evolution, the essence of life. I bring it forth from within my being, in which¡­¡±

    The incantation for Bounty¡¯s Sacrifice was far shorter than Kiris¡¯ (annoyingly so, Nara thought), granting Eufemia the winning edge in casting speed. She completed it first, draining off all the mana she had just recovered but also draining Kiris in the process.

    With no mana to cast it or any of her healing or recovery abilities, Primordial Ocean Manifestation was stopped in its tracks, fizzling out. Kiris suffered the rough aftereffects of such a massive and immediate loss of mana (especially since her maximums were higher than Nara¡¯s own), also dropping to her feet and gasping to air like she was grasping the merry-go-round of her mind to stop it from spinning.

    Sen¡¯s team had once again managed to disable the healer, which meant that fight was theirs. Nolan could play his sub-healer role, but Aliyah¡¯s spells gave the group their needed edge to clinch victory, even if Eufemia had also been finished off once she had expended all of her mana and suffered the aftereffects of Hero¡¯s Moment.

    Sen¡¯s team was reduced to four members and Vallis¡¯ team to five, but John was primed with a full array of expensive healing and recovery abilities to cast once again. The fight was also nearing its later half, and Nara¡¯s recovery boons had stacked up enough to boost her resilience enough to help, even if her afflictions had not yet taken hold. With only sparse cleansing from Nolan, they began to grow. The fight was finished before they mattered. Before she mattered, really.

    Vallis and Gento managed to take down Sen with a their combined might unleashing burst damage, her heavy sword smashing him into the already cracked tile of the arena floor.

    Encio was low on mana, already having blown his Immortality just to recover mana and stamina. Still, he assisted Nara and John, and the three cleaned up Vallis, Hugh, and Gento who were similarly on their last legs without a healer to sustain them.

 Chapter 89: Doing Better Than Charity

    Chapter 89: Doing Better Than Charity

    The two groups had already reconvened at Nolan¡¯s restaurant, Monster Meal, which had been closed for the night in advance. For shops owned by adventurers, this wasn¡¯t uncommon. Adventurer-owned shops and establishments often closed for days or weeks at a time, or usually only open to appointments made by recommendation, such as Wisteria¡¯s magical tattoo parlor.

    What normal person in their right mind would complain to the adventurer proprietor that their shop wasn¡¯t open when they wanted it to be? Karens of Earth beware.

    A spread of hearty meats, flavorful rice dishes, and healthy cooked greens were plated across a large banquet table for the mentally spent teams. It was enough to seat twelve ordinarily, but they squeezed in one more seat for Chrome, who was minding his own business and eating as if someone would make a move to stop him: No one did.

    Vallis let out a deep, frustrated sigh. ¡°I sure put my foot in my mouth¡ªno, Arlang, I don¡¯t always do that.¡±

    ¡°You do with me.¡±

    ¡°Shit. Shut up. That can¡¯t be right.¡±

    He gave her a companionable grin that didn¡¯t cross the line into gloating. Encio would gloat, but Sen wasn¡¯t like that, ever the good sportsman. As usual, the two teams started their after fight analysis. It was more or less standard adventurer practice, and paralleled Nara¡¯s own experience in academia, when she wasn¡¯t being lazy. Study for the test, take the test, fix your mistakes. Except in her new life, tests were fights.

    It was just a different kind of test, with a cost paid in scarlet blood than a grade in crimson ink.

    ¡°Why did you target Nara in the beginning?¡± Sen started.

    ¡°Yeah, it put me out for almost the entire fight,¡± Nara complained. ¡°I didn¡¯t end up doing that much. I think Encio and John could have pulled of a two versus three at the end too.¡±

    ¡°Sen is well-known for his tactical acumen, within the youth of the great families,¡± Vallis said. ¡°We hoped to take down his communications. Namely, you.¡±

    ¡°It fucked us over the last time,¡± someone muttered.

    ¡°Even when completely useless, I at least have comms,¡± Nara said, smug for no real reason than luck of the draw.

    Vallis continued: ¡°We don¡¯t have a communication ability, so any plans we make have to be beforehand or verbalized. We have to rely on instinct and team sense otherwise.¡±

    ¡°The goal for any team is to move instinctually, which a firm grasp of each other¡¯s capabilities. But it was true the end may have gone differently,¡± Sen paused, ¡°Or not.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this? C¡¯mon, let me know.¡± If she could crowd into Sen¡¯s space and force the answer out of him with sheer proximity she would¡¯ve. He subtly leaned away.

    Eufemia rolled her eyes and explained, ¡°Sen told me to copy Nolan¡¯s ability and use it on Kiris. The original plan was to just copy Primordial Ocean Manifestation to use simultaneously.¡±

    ¡°Neither side would have an advantage in the water then.¡±

    ¡°That was the original plan. When Sen saw Nolan¡¯s ability the plan changed. Was that one he awakened from the trials?¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± Vallis sighed, ¡°It¡¯s that¡¯s why I wanted Nara out of there first.¡±

    Sen¡¯s brow furrowed in contemplation, ¡°Removing Nara from the fight would be more advantageous in a long-term battle, but this fight you chose had no opportunity to play out that way. Why did you not narrow the size of the arena? If the arena had been smaller, you would have been able to destroy all of her nodes.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say the last fight didn¡¯t cloud my judgement; she left an impression.¡± There were agreeing nods around the table. ¡°But I¡ªwe wanted a challenge, not a give ourselves such a large handicap that a win was a sure thing.¡±

    Jaina spoke up in her cool and even tone, ¡°It would have been my job to destroy Nara¡¯s nodes.¡±

    ¡°We got lucky with Eufemia¡¯s mass teleportation ability.¡±

    ¡°No luck,¡± Jaina denied, ¡°I was switched teleported to that position. Eufemia had chosen correctly who to imitate. Impressive decision making.¡±

    ¡°How about you join my team, Eufemia? You¡¯re so cool.¡± Vallis batted her eyelashes and dropped her voice, speaking huskily to seduce Eufemia to her side.

    ¡°Stop that,¡± Sen snapped. ¡°Find your own specialist.¡±

    Sen had seen Eufemia¡¯s potential first, then was there for almost every ability she awakened. He wouldn¡¯t let another team steal her away without a fight. For a tactician like Sen, Eufemia was his greatest weapon.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a spoilsport,¡± Vallis nudged Sen. ¡°How about you let her join us for a contract or two? Just for fun? Sen? Don¡¯t ignore me, Sen!¡±

    Nara leaned over to Encio to whisper in his ear, ¡°Are they flirting? Is there something going on there? I really can¡¯t tell.¡±

    ¡°You think I know?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be a people person? I can read the room about as well as a blind man can read a normal book.¡±

    Encio wondered what a non-normal book would be, implied by the existence of ¡®normal¡¯ books. Sometimes he wondered if Nara just said untrue things and no one was the wiser. He also thought that Nara didn¡¯t have the memory capacity to keep track of whether she told truth or lies, and that¡¯s why she also needed skill books. He wondered if that¡¯s how she always was, or a symptom of prolonged disembodiment.

    ¡°¡­they¡¯re like an old married couple,¡± he finally said.

    ¡°Sezan has more flirt with his wife than those two do with each other.¡±

    ¡°Old in spirit.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re both like, what, eighteen? Yeesh.¡±

    ¡°Nara, I can hear you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m comparing you to a diamond ranker. It¡¯s a compliment.¡±

    ¡°No, it is not.¡±

    ¡°Should I be offended for my grandfather?¡±

    ¡°Are you ever offended for your grandfather?¡±

    ¡°Well. No.¡±

    *****

    It had been two days since their match in the mirage chamber against Vallis¡¯ team.

    Nara was reading one of Sanshi¡¯s local newspapers, The Adventurer¡¯s Record, on the large veranda of her Academy apartment. To call it a newspaper was inadequate. It mostly detailed news regarding adventurers; awakening stones and essence market prices and popularity, new combos (if any. Almost never¡ªnew combinations were risky propositions. There were so many discovered combinations, that it was best to stick to a recorded one), ongoing auctions, new discoveries in research and inventions, notable events worldwide and locally, relevant governance, party recruitment ads, and other information. A regular section contained the price of worldwide commodities and essences, where portal users could teleport to increase the profit margins of their loot and trade goods. Nara often abused this section herself, especially with her de facto global teleportation, as would any mercantile gamer.

    Because of its content, The Adventurer¡¯s Record was popular with even non-adventurers, despite its subscription fee. The gossip (tabloids) paper, The Familiar¡¯s Tidings, had further reach with the normal population. The gossip paper didn¡¯t write anything too inflammatory (essence users were dangerous folk, after all), but rumors and events within essence user society was a hot topic. Encio regularly read this paper as, ¡°Many rumors have basis in truth.¡± Nara didn¡¯t know if he was just being prudent, or if he just liked to gossip with the old folk at the board game tables: Probably both. Nara was sure he wrangled all sorts of scandalous history from his genteel friends.

    The Adventurer¡¯s Record was in between a financial newspaper and a magazine, compiled every month. It was delivered to her balcony with some sort of small bird familiar, but it may have also been a magic construct. The serial had customers install a small box accessible by air where the product would be delivered. It had a simple tracking magic on it, allowing the familiars to find their way there, no matter the location, as long as it was within applicable city-bounds. The Adventurer¡¯s Record ran in most major cities and was gradually expanding their coverage.

    Nara suspected both Adventurer¡¯s Record and The Familiar¡¯s Tidings were businesses of the Fenhu. Although, The Familiar¡¯s Tidings may be a joint venture with the Nisei.

    ¡°Awakening stones of Illusion, Reflection, Mirror, Thief, Charlatan, Trap, and Light have seen an increase in price and popularity in Sanshi,¡± Nara read out to Encio, who sat across from her, reading his own morning material. It was a black and gold bordered magazine, looking appropriately exclusive. Where did he even get that? ¡°The Adventure Society and Academies has arranged for the acquisition of these stones as rewards.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia will be delighted to hear this,¡± Nara continued. ¡°She¡¯s started a trend.¡±

    ¡°The Academy produces free recording crystal copies to students of all matches in their mirage chambers,¡± Encio said, ¡°Our matches are very popularly requested.¡± His tone seemed to imply any match with him in it would be popular, for any of his notable aspects¡ªpedigree, ability set, looks, charisma.

    ¡°I got one too,¡± Nara said. ¡°If I show it to my family, I¡¯ll look pretty weak here.¡±

    ¡°Being focused first is evidence of effectiveness.¡±

    ¡°Nice of you. But my family is made up of non-combatants. They don¡¯t know that. And oh, I can already tell it¡¯s going to be so irritating when that gets pointed out and they just won¡¯t get it.¡±

    Encio grinned. ¡°Then yes, you¡¯ll look pretty pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for that.¡±

    ¡°Anytime.¡±

    Illusion abilities had been unpopular since they generally inflicted no damage at low ranks. Low-rank monsters would attack illusions indiscriminately, so it was an effective diversion tactic. It was easier, however, to simply smash them in the face. The more intelligent high-rank monsters had some capability to see through illusions, so illusions had to be used with judgement at high rank. The prevailing view was that illusion abilities were high-skill and low-return for monster combat, which to be fair to Erras, was not untrue. Illusion specialists had abilities to lessen this disadvantage and were the exception.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Eufemia wasn¡¯t an illusion specialist but dabbled across various abilities and roles, in the same way her own real-life experience dabbled across different expertise¡ªBuffer, illusionist, mimicry, set-up, saboteur. Her abilities required her to analyze the battlefield and determine a best use.

    ¡°Hm¡­¡± Encio read off the title of one of the articles in his gossip paper, ¡°Gods grant favor to up-and-coming inventor.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about me, is it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not. Do you think everything is about you?¡± He teased. ¡°This one is about an inventor in the Rowen Kingdom.¡±

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s protection? If the Gods grant their favor publicly, the inventor becomes far harder to kill secretly?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s plausible,¡± said Encio, ¡°It brings attention to the inventor. Would you prefer that?¡±

    ¡°It no one knows I made anything at all, I won¡¯t be abducted, right?¡±

    ¡°Does no one really know?¡±

    Nara thought for a  moment, ¡°Amara, Laius, Chelsea, Redell, the team, Knowledge and the other gods obviously, and¡­¡±

    ¡°And who?¡±

    ¡°Oswald Willard. He noticed when I was getting my aura re-recorded.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re had minor issues with Oswald, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a threat,¡± Encio reasoned, tilting his head in contemplation. ¡°He¡¯s inclined to let the gods handle things like that. Your invention is out of his depth.¡±

    ¡°Unlikely to work with The Advent then.¡±

    ¡°I think so. He doesn¡¯t seem dissatisfied with society. In fact, he maintained the status quo.¡±

    ¡°You think that¡¯s the kind of person that¡¯d be interested in working with The Advent?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it always?¡±

    He had a point: why change anything if you were satisfied with the way things were? Seeking alien interference, however, seemed a bit extreme.

    The two continued their morning respite, when Nara saw something in the editorial that caught her out.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? Outers?¡±

    ¡°Hm,¡± Encio paused, ¡°How do I explain the Outers?¡±

    Nara gestured: ¡°Take your time.¡±

    Once Encio collected his thoughts, he began: ¡°¡­There are many foreign factions with interests in Erras,¡± Encio summarized for the outworlder, ¡°Mostly, their intentions are malevolent. Slavery or integration, it appears, are the current motivations.¡±

    ¡°The messengers and The Advent.¡±

    Encio nodded. ¡°There are also the various cults and orders that follow Great Astral Beings, with varying positive and negative influences. However, there is another group the Adventure Society is not sure what to make of.¡±

    ¡°The Outers?¡±

    ¡°It is what we call them. They often appear in locations where many monsters have died, if they are even detected at all¡ªthey¡¯re quite stealthy. Normally, the Adventure Society would be cautious those capable of such a high level of stealth but¡­they have never harmed a single person or adventurer.¡±

    ¡°Never? Really?¡±

    ¡°I understand your disbelief. As far as we know. In fact, they¡¯ve even revealed themselves to save others on occasion, before disappearing. The Adventure Society is uncomfortable with their unknown intentions, but the Adventure Society also has other clearly harmful threats they need to prioritize.¡±

    ¡°Have any been captured?¡±

    ¡°A few, always by a gold ranker if at all,¡± Encio noted. ¡°All of them cooperate. They say that their world had been devastated by a weapon of the messengers that warped the dimensional membrane, causing unpredictable mana droughts and floods. They are scavengers that travel to mana rich worlds to collect extra unneeded mana to bring back to their world, which is their purpose at locations where monsters have died.¡±

    ¡°And the Adventure Society believes them?¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°Even with the truth serums, they all say roughly the same thing. They even consent to tracking, if it would allow them to be released. Once discovered, they register as adventurers, and carry on as normal. They¡¯re quite rare, so I doubt you will find them. They¡¯re only slightly more common than outworlders.¡±

    ¡°As far as you know.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty uncommon then. I¡¯ve only seen John and myself here, and neither of us actually appeared in Sanshi. If you had found one of them, I wonder if you would¡¯ve worked your charms to have them team up with you?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t team up with you because you were an outworlder,¡± Encio pointed out.

    ¡°Not just because I was an outworlder,¡± she teased right back.

    ¡°Are you ever going to let that go?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not. It¡¯s such good ammunition.¡±

    *****

    With abundant money on hand as well as double looting powers in the team, Nara paid a visit to the Prep Academy to set herself up as a sponsor for aspiring essence users. She found a familiar face waiting for her at the gates. The Academy had arranged a guide for her.

    ¡°Lee Hu? I¡¯m surprised to see you here. I thought you worked for the Adventure Academy.¡±

    ¡°The Prep Academy and Adventure Academy work closely together to ensure smooth operations,¡± Lee said with a tone that implied it should be obvious. ¡°They decided that a representative you¡¯re familiar with would be best.¡±

    ¡°Oh, well that¡¯s thoughtful. It¡¯s nice to see you again.¡±

    ¡°For me as well, Nara.¡±

    Nara liked to take walks as she talked, so the two set off across the Prep Academy. It had a similar design to the Adventure Academy, but was situated closer to the Competition Arenas where the students competed. The students here were on average a bit younger than the Adventure Academy and the atmosphere of the this Academy was also more serious and studious; It was more similar to a private preparatory academy than the university vibes of the Academy. The students in the Adventure Academy had already made it¡ªthey¡¯ve won their competitions or otherwise gained a full set. In comparison, the students here were working the hardest they could to win their essences. As they say on Earth, what do you call a doctor with D¡¯s? A Doctor.

    ¡°We have several options for sponsorship. Would you like me to explain each one?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, go ahead.¡±

    ¡°The first is the most popular with high rank essence users that want to do good but not much else. They donate or sell essences and awakening stones to the academy¡ªwhichever you wish¡ªwith the academy offering a reduced price compared to the market rate¡ª"

    ¡°The sponsorship part of a ¡®sponsor¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Then, the essences and awakening stones are distributed as the academy sees fit. Priority goes to students close to a full set or those that need a specific essence to fulfill a role, like healers.¡±

    ¡°You want them to move onto the Adventure Academy as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Many aspects of an essence user changes once they achieve full iron rank, such as aura training. It¡¯s important they move onto the Adventure Academy which can accommodate those new needs.¡±

    They paused for a group of students that fast walked past their path, quickly hurrying to their next class like packs of sleep-deprived sheepdogs. Unlike adventurers who had the money for it, most students kept their items in physical bags, like backpacks, rousing Nara¡¯s nostalgia of her own student days. They didn¡¯t wear uniforms; clothing ranged from casual robes, pants and shirts, formal dress, to training Gi.

    ¡°The second option is more comprehensive. You can choose a particular student to sponsor. For students that opt into this program, their profiles are delivered to you for you to select.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this too biased?¡±

    He gave her an incredulous look, shook his head, then started to explain.

    ¡°It is impossible to sponsor all the students in the academy, Nara. Choose a few that you like. One way or another, those that are skilled, flexible, resourceful, or determined will make their way to iron rank. You speed up this process for a select few¡ªYour select few. For the students you select, you may choose to financially support them, either buying the essences they want or funding their expenses, or you may directly donate the essence if you happen to possess it. In return, the student promises to write you letters of their process, records of the battles, if you so desire it.¡±

    ¡°Like a big sister program.¡±

    ¡°I know not what that is,¡± Lee said, ¡°But I reckon it is accurate.

    This sponsorship can, of course, continue through the Adventure Academy. Expenses do not stop at essences.¡±

    ¡°They need awakening stones, equipment, and consumables.¡±

    ¡°Which you may choose to donate to them as well,¡± Lee gazed at the students on campus, often sparring or studying. ¡°The Academy does much, but the difference between success and failure may only be capital. With sponsorship of equipment, they are better protected in their early, most vulnerable rank.

    In my opinion, Nara, you should strongly consider this second option.¡±

    ¡°I should?¡±

    ¡°Establishing connections between prospective adventurers you find promising and helping them in their hour of need is an effective and personal way to forge lasting relationships. It needn¡¯t be much, but the sincere will remember your aid with gratitude. You may all be iron rank now, but that will change.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯d be granting better survival chances to those I want to become my allies.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Lee said, not unkindly but just as blunt. ¡°If you wish to remain anonymous, that is an option as well. You needn¡¯t send any letters back on your part, even when you aren¡¯t anonymous. Adventurers are known to be busy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m actually less busy than I was in my previous world.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Lee Hu said, furrowing his eyebrows.

    Some students had been following behind them at a distance, curious. Sponsors weren¡¯t uncommon, but one a young as Nara ones. Buying essences repeatedly was cost prohibitive for most people, and those with their own families to take care of worried about them first.

    ¡°You care a lot about this whole process,¡± Nara said, breaking the lull.

    ¡°I believe the best relationship is one that is mutually beneficial,¡± Lee said, ¡°But, I cannot guarantee that any of these students will genuinely remember you.¡±

    ¡°Adventurers are busy, after all.¡±

    Lee almost had something resembling a smirk. He was too professional to actually smirk.

    ¡°They grow up and embark on their own adventures. But I believe in times of crisis and need, and we should always extend a helping help. To give, and to reciprocate. This is the mindset I hope to encourage between not only adventurers but within all of us.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly idealistic for an office worker, Lee.¡±

    ¡°It is individuals that have the most influence on a single person. We should never discount what it means to change a single person¡¯s life.¡±

    ¡°So, you start here, feet on the ground, talking to students and adventurers.¡±

    Lee smiled ever so softly, eyes crinkling and softening his professional demeanor, just a tad.

    ¡°It is my honor and my joy.¡±

    *****

    Nara did as Lee Hu suggested and committed to the second option. After reviewing what essences and awakening stones she had on hand Lee Hu sent her profiles of both Prep Academy and Academy students.

    She looked over them on the couch, profiles organized on the coffee table and beside her, enjoying the temperature regulation magic that kept out the humidity and heat of the 8<sup>th</sup> month.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting involved in some charity?¡± Encio said, moving over some folders to join her on the couch. He picked a few up; Nara didn¡¯t know if she should¡¯ve stopped him, but it was too late now. The Academies would probably like an Aciano sponsoring them anyway.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve always told myself back on Earth that I¡¯d do some charity. Figured I¡¯d put my money where my mouth is.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s any number of other charity options you can participate in, not just essences.¡±

    ¡°Cycle of karma, I guess. I want to give back in a similar way to what was given to me. I got free essences from Amara and others, and now I can give back in the same way, my ability allows me to do so. Also¡­¡±

    Nara handed a Encio a Dimension Essence.

    ¡°You¡¯re even giving this away? This is massively valuable.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t. Originally.¡±

    ¡°¡­What do you mean.¡±

    ¡°You know that Traveler¡¯s Bounty looting ability of mine? I¡¯ve always sort of thought it was unfair John¡¯s looting ability came with a whole quest system as well.¡±

    ¡°His self-generated contracts? I know of it.¡±

    She took back the Dimension Essence. Encio¡¯s eyes widened as the essence transformed before his eyes from a Dimension Essence to a Star Essence.

    ¡°It was originally a Plant Essence,¡± she said, handing him back the cube that now glittered with swirling stars. ¡°I can only transform essences that I¡¯ve looted though. Same with awakening stones and quintessence. And I can only transform them into essences I¡¯ve seen before. It¡¯s been a lot of them at this point though. I¡¯m only missing some of the higher rarity epic and legendary ones recorded by the Magic Society.¡±

    Encio was silent as he overturned the cube within his hands. All of his essence user inbuilt instincts told him it was a Star Essence. He didn¡¯t need Nara¡¯s Guide to tell him that.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read a bit of literature on magical manifestations.¡±

    ¡°You are studying astral magic. I¡¯d almost forgotten.¡±

    She slapped his arm. ¡°No you didn¡¯t, I read all the time.¡±

    He grinned, but it seemed subdued.

    ¡°Monsters, of course, but also essences, quintessence, and awakening stones are all types of magical manifestations. For magical manifestations, rarity is just a function of how often something will manifest in the right environment. For an environment that can manifest Dimension Essences, like astral spaces, the common Magic Essence is more likely to manifest. Essentially, there no real qualitative difference between a Dimension and a Magic Essence.¡±

    Nara wiggled her fingers towards the emptiness of the room, her fingers flickering through the dimensional boundary. Encio never knew what to think of it when she did that; it always seem to bother Aliyah.

    ¡°Magic itself doesn¡¯t think one essence is ¡®better¡¯ than the other. That one is more valuable than the other. And that¡¯s reflected in abilities¡ªRarer essences don¡¯t make stronger abilities. I¡¯ve been tracking the market rates of essences, and it¡¯s sort of reflected there too. The common Swift, Adept, Might, and Magic Essences fetch a hefty sum, more than some rare and epic essences. Eufemia may have complained about her common Adept Essence, but she got a pretty valuable one for free.¡±

    Encio was silent as he looked up to the ceiling of the suite, and let out a long, slow breath.

    ¡°So¡­¡± Nara said, sensing his strange mood. ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me to transform essences and sell them?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Figured. I didn¡¯t want to either. I don¡¯t mind ¡®cheating¡¯ a bit to make someone¡¯s dream come true every so often, but I¡¯m not going to print random essences like I¡¯m some sort of 3D printer either. Essence goes in, difference essence comes out.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what a 3D printer is.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not obvious?¡±

    ¡°No. Yes.¡±

    ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°Any¡­advice?¡±

    ¡°It seems you have it figured out,¡± Encio smiled, patting her on the shoulder. Nara didn¡¯t think it was demeaning; it more seemed he needed the reassurance himself. ¡°It¡¯s a kind thing you¡¯re doing. Besides, you don¡¯t need the money, do you?¡±

    ¡°I am actively giving money away.¡±

    ¡°Are you seeking praise for charity?¡±

    ¡°What if I am? Will you give it?¡±

    Encio gestured to the profiles stacked on the table, ¡°Their appreciation isn¡¯t enough? The adoration of your juniors?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re strangers. Of course they¡¯re going to be polite to the person giving them free money. You know, in my world, there¡¯s a saying that 20 bucks is 20 bucks: I¡¯ll meet you behind the Wendy¡¯s. So?¡±

    ¡°How shameless. You really want praise?¡±

    Nara pouted, ¡°That¡¯s not what I wanted to hear. Is giving praise beneath the high and mighty Enciodes Aciano?¡±

    ¡°Well, when someone is soliciting it from me like I¡¯m some sort of suck up, it does feel a bit beneath me.¡±

    ¡°Ah, your praise isn¡¯t so cheap, is that it, young duke?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to do better than charity,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Shall we bet?¡±

    ¡°On what?¡±

    ¡°On my success.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re on.¡±

 Chapter 90: The Day of the Expedition

    Chapter 90: The Day of the Expedition

    The day of the expedition finally dawned upon the team after a busy month of training, preparation, and leisure activities.

    The Adventure Society was always busy, but on this day the stone tiles of the marshalling yard was completely obstructed by adventurers like a celebrity had made a surprised appearance, except if everyone in the crowd was wearing expensive, realistic, and practical cosplay.

    The team settled at the edge of the group, waiting for the typical announcements to begin. The Adventure Society always tried to maintain punctuality (as much as it could for wrangling an expansive age group starting from hyperactive teens to leisurely adults), and soon an Adventure Society official stood on a podium at the front of the crowd in a timely manner. The official cleared his throat, quieting the crowd. The magical artifact pinned to his chest rippled his words across the crowd as almost a physical vibration, instantly catching their attention.

    ¡°Listen up, Iron Rankers! Many of you are excited. Rightly so. Keep it contained. Your primary objective is to protect. There will be no infighting, no stealing. I can and will find out, and it will be punished. Harshly. If I see anyone putting their own greed and fat ego above the safety of your charges, you will be immediately expelled. If I have any say, I will have your adventure society membership revoked. I am not joking. Expedition groups assignments are posted on the notice board. Follow the instructions of your group leader. They are your liaison! Your communicator! They will have final judgements, and they are well trusted, especially over you inexperienced lot. No, I don¡¯t care who your father is! Two hours until departure! Get moving!¡±

    With a tap on the artifact, the voice amplification crackled off and he turned to one of his aides to further preparations.

    The team did as he asked, checking the notice board for the name of their group leader: Everett Stone. They found him off to the side of the marshalling yard. He was a particularly dark skinned runic, smooth obsidian skin contrasting with moon-silver runic tattoos. He had a chiseled jawline and straight nose; overall handsome features that balanced masculine power and elegance. Thick dark eyebrows framed his captivating silver-ringed irises. His head was clean shaven and showed off the full complexity of his tattoos. He stood with the finesse of a fit male fashion model, the cut of his outfit tailored complimentarily to his musculature.

    Nara was more and more thankful Encio took her to buy clothes. She could at least pretend she had taste, even if it was really her tailor with the mind behind the lines.

    ¡°Sen Arlang.¡±

    ¡°Everett Stone.¡±

    The two exchanged Sanshi greetings, and discussed matters of the expedition.

    Sen stood forward and introduced himself and his team. Everett took stock, and the team waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Three more teams were part of the group.

    Surprisingly, the second team was Malik¡¯s. He did the same for his three-person team, greeting the group leader then settling in the area quietly. The two teams mingled and settled into comfortable chatting, catching up on events. Nara hadn¡¯t seen Malik since her adventure society certification. He and his teammates knew Sen. Malik spoke with contention, but could tell by his posture he was friendly, and Sen didn¡¯t seem to mind him either (one-sided rivalry indeed). Nara was content with people watching, too overwhelmed with the number of people to socially engage unless she had to.

    The two final teams arrived¡ªanother team of six, and a final team of four. The team of six was an academy team. A few faces were familiar to Nara, but she always struggled to remember names. They waved to her, and Nara awkwardly smiled, racking her brains. Chrome didn¡¯t bother to interject, probably because he didn¡¯t think they were important enough to remember their names himself, that ass. She¡¯d have to ask again. She didn¡¯t intentionally forget names but¡­

    When the teams had fully assembled, Everett addressed the group. ¡°Does anyone have a communication ability?¡±

    It seemed Sen had brought it up, but he asked the full team anyway.

    Nara raised her hand, ¡°I can fit ten. Six slots are used on my team.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°If you would, one for each team leader, including myself.¡±

    She did so, inviting each team leader and Everett to her party. They all looked in surprise as an interface message manifested in front of their face.

    -------

    [Nara Edea] has invited you to join her party.

    [Join? Y/N]

    -------

    Since it was her ability, a function of her soul, no voice chat was private to her if she wanted to peek, but she didn¡¯t divulge that to any of others. Aside from her team, no one else needed to know.

    Nara assumed that anyone worth their rank already knew the drawbacks of communication abilities. If someone discussed sensitive information over another person¡¯s ability, it demonstrated a severe lack of common sense. It would be like posting sensitive information on social media. No one with sense would do that, right?

    The expedition set off, an impressive force of twenty-five iron rank teams, a few bronze rank teams, various crafters and gatherers, and support staff. The large group split into three boats that traveled through the region¡¯s largest river, the Blue Jade River, named for the pieces of blue river jade that formed at its banks. It was a quintessential gemstone used in Sanshi crafts and jewelry.

    With no pollution to muddy up the water, the rivers around Sanshi were slow-moving and clear. Crystalline, icy water was an indication of their northern mountain origins. Along the river in workcamps, workers harvested clear blue stones that resembled dewdrops after rain¡ªthe water quintessence that manifested in rivers. The worksites were attended every 2 weeks or so, to allow quintessence to regather. Perhaps, a lucky laborer would discover a Water Essence in its depths, changing their life for the better or for the worse.

    As an important transportation route, the Blue Jade River was regularly cleared of monsters. With over one hundred adventurers in the convoy, the journey was uneventful. Any foolish monsters that deigned to make their presence known were slaughtered unceremoniously on sight, their magic smoke sparkling over clear blue.

    As the hours melted away, the various teams and independents mingled. Those without teams that were invited into the expedition were placed in relatively balanced teams by the adventure guild. They would have to put up with any grievances with their impromptu team members if they had any.

    Everett Stone went to greet a few other bronze rankers on his ship. Turns out, they were part of the same team, split up to watch over the iron rankers. His was a team of five, and they made up the five bronze rank group members. Oher bronze rankers were on staff, to be dispatched to any group should problems arise. Finally, two society silver rankers oversaw the whole expedition.

    The one who had given the speech was a grey-furred leonid named Tyrion Snow. His co-leader was Zelle Elyria, a disciplined elf with long black hair and piercing dark violet eyes. The had the sort of appearance and facial expressions that Nara would call an ¡®ice queen¡¯. Both had the unreal perfection that essence users began to develop at silver rank. Nara was sure Tyrion was considered attractive for his race, but her human synapses didn¡¯t spark when she looked at him.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    (Only that she wanted to touch his fur, but she held that in.)

    Thanatos whined at her, sensing her thoughts.

    ¡°Oh please, you know you are my favorite.¡±

    He whined again.

    ¡°Yes, if I could only feel one entity¡¯s fur for the rest of my life it would be yours. I swear it.¡±

    Satisfied, the familiar rested his head back on Nara¡¯s lap.

    ¡°¡­That sounded like they were having a conversation,¡± Malik stood beside Sen, arms folded. He put aside his rivalry with his fellow noble peer to ask about Nara.

    ¡°She¡¯s an outworlder. She understands every language.¡±

    ¡°Every language?¡±

    Sen shrugged, ¡°No exceptions.¡±

    ¡°A wolf can¡¯t possibly communicate that much in a single sound.¡±

    ¡°I speculate not the language logic of familiars,¡± He stared at Malik, ¡°Besides, we speak telepathically with our bonds. How is Belenox?¡±

    ¡°Belenox is fine. He¡¯s not for you to worry about.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    Sen¡¯s response was perfunctory and calm. This part of Sen had always infuriated Malik. Sen had always drawn a stark line between those he cared to engage with, and those he did not. More than anything, Malik¡¯s dislike of Sen stemmed from the frustration of wanting to get along with a peer in a similar social position that held nothing but polite acquaintance for him.

    Malik was upset that Sen had no interest in being his friend. (It sounded childish in his head, but Malik couldn¡¯t help it.) This frustration fed his standoffishness, which created an unfortunate feedback loop that made it hard to get along with others. He wasn¡¯t malicious, just hiding social awkwardness with harshness.

    Nara had gotten better at reading Sen¡¯s lack of facial expressions, and she cracked a smile, realizing that he was amused by Malik.

    She settled on a comfortable cushion she conjured, shifting into meditation with Thanatos still resting on her lap.

    *****

    Her mind was in her Astral Domain, her soul. Over the course of a few months, her approach to meditation had evolved, integrating it with her Astral Domain, which was an aspect of her soul.

    Within her soul, she could sense the influence of her essences. She could shift the appearance of her domain in any which way she wanted, but it held themes in all of its forms. However, when she did not alter it, it maintained a ¡®default¡¯ or base form, the landscape of her soul.

    Her Mystic Essence seemed to embody the moonlight and the night sky. Even during the day, water in her domain seemed to shimmer as if it reflected moonlight. Sand of stars shimmered at riverbanks and lake edges. As she walked along her domain¡¯s path, the ground gently glowed, each grain and stone a soft pale gold.

    Her Dimension Essence was tricky. There was no fixed concept of space in her domain to begin with, but she could still traverse the domain and walk, or appear where she wanted. However, buildings that were small revealed themselves to be much larger on the inside. Lakes that were shallow, could contain pensive depths, yet light illuminated to the bottom. Relaxing paths and trails could lengthen or shorten, but none of it felt nauseating or uncomfortable. Rather, she felt a sense of freedom in the malleable space. The road she traveled was as long or as short as she wanted it to be. It felt like freedom.

    Her Harmonic Essence seemed to sing with song and time. The babbling of brooks, the tapping of her footsteps: each was pleasant and harmonic. The wind and leaves whispered in song. It balanced the perfect and imperfect, avoiding uncanny manufactured perfection. She was sure that was it¡¯s influence, yet it was hard to describe. Pleasant, but not forced, like the wind against the sails¡ªyour hand still controlled the rudder.

    The Balance Essence tempered all others. No aspect overwhelming, no light too bright. The city of her soul balanced infrastructure with nature. In many ways, the ideal city she wanted to live in. (It was obvious, of course: That her living soul scape would embody what she most liked.)

    At the center of her city was a pagoda. Its form and function resembled that of the arrival pagodas in cities. Then, surrounding the pagoda was her Essence Garden, which reflected the growth of her abilities, rather than her essences as a whole.

    A lake, filled with lotus flowers and lily pads, despite the clarity of the water. The petals of the lotus flowers seemed to catch moonlight despite the daytime, the edges shimmering with a silver light. If you walked within the lake, you¡¯d be able to witness a water wonderland. Tendrils and flowers growing underwater, lighting up the water with their internal glow, resembling stars in the still water reflection in the night sky. The water regions represented her Mystic Essence.

    Large trees grew in the garden, offering gentle shade that dappled the ground with patterns of sunlight and shadow. Nara felt, if she focused, she could make out a meaning in the patterns, but the meaning always seemed to escape her, just beyond her understanding. The light and darkness seemed to bend the dimensions of the garden, but it was always pleasant, never nauseating. The trees grew gentle flowers, sometimes stretching down in tendrils like wisteria. As she looked up, the trees seemed to stretch ever upwards, no end in sight. As she climbed one, it was clear that were was an end. The arboreal regions represented her Dimension Essence.

    She walked to a different part of her Essence Garden, a field filled with vibrant flowers. Normally, such wild colors and varieties would strain their eyes, but instead it felt joyous and energizing. Empowering. The wind sang to the flowers, and the flowers sang back, swaying their petals in a garden harmony. This was the floral gardens of the Harmonic Essence.

    The last garden was tame in comparison. Trellises and archways covered the pathways, providing shade. On them, grew jewel-like fruits. The flowers were fruit-bearing flowers, a balance between function and appearance. On the ground grew squashes and other vegetables, their brilliant flowers on full display. The garden was humble in appearance, as if grown by a home gardener, with cobblestone paths set upon the fertile dirt. However, it was clear that the trellises and archways took considerable skill to set up. The home garden of her Balance Essence.

    The garden surrounding the pagoda was still small, just like her rank. She wondered if by diamond, they¡¯d encompass the entire city? Lilies growing in the rivers, dimension trees shading walkways, with denser spaces as parks where the four comingled.

    As she meditated, she gently watered her gardens. Today, she cultivated her Balance Garden, nurturing the plants of her Boon Conversion ability. The plants basked in her attention, dew drops of her experience rolling down its leaves and soaking into the dirt. She felt the ability change, crossing the boundary from Iron 5 to Iron 6. With it, her Recovery Attribute advanced to Iron 6, advancing with her least advanced ability.

    She awakened from her meditation, breathing out a sigh of relief. Her body felt refreshed, and her mind felt clear, as if she had changed from a once too-tight pair of shoes to something more comfortable.

    Nara had sensed her approach in her meditation, but she was still surprised to see the silver rank elf Zelle, sitting a little too close and gazing intently at Nara¡¯s face.

    ¡°You can do that at iron?¡±

    ¡°Do what?¡±

    ¡°Guide the progress of your abilities.¡±

    ¡°Is that what I¡¯m doing?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±

    Nara pondered, recalling what she had seen from others as their attributes and abilities advanced. They always looked strained, like withstanding growing pains, rather than the clarity and refreshment she felt now.

    After the first few times Nara had advanced her abilities, she found a better way. She didn¡¯t like the uncomfortable pain of what felt like squeezing her abilities past a boundary, like a chick fighting to burst out of its shell. Since she had an intimate connection to her own soul, she utilized it.

    ¡°Silver rankers do it this way?¡±

    Zelle stared at her, nodding. ¡°Most figure it out, either by then or before then. It¡¯s not something that can be taught.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Well. That¡¯s good. The other way sucks.¡±

    Zelle agreed, completely serious. ¡°It does suck.¡±

    ¡°Riiiight.¡±

    She expected the silver ranker to leave, but she fidgeted in place. Zelle¡¯s violet eyes peeked at Thanatos, lying comfortably in Nara¡¯s lap. He cracked open a moonglow eye at Zelle¡¯s presence.

    She fidgeted again. Nara found herself oddly anticipatory: was this finally the moment?

    ¡°Can I?¡±

    It was!

    Underneath her icy exterior, it turned out Zelle was an animal lover. Nara could cross off that clich¨¦, and she¡¯d finally get someone other than a friend to pet Thanatos. He wouldn¡¯t hurt nobody; strangers should totally approach her wolf and ask to pet him.

    Nara looked down to Thanatos lying in her lap.

    ¡°Can she?¡± she asked him.

    Thanatos looked up at Nara, then Zelle, and nodded his head. Zelle reached her hand forward, running her slender fingers though Thanatos¡¯ silky and soft fur. Her expression would be the picture of bliss if her emotions outwardly showed.

    And I was wondering how long it would take before someone asked to pet Thanatos. Nara thought. I was starting to think it was me.

    Off to the side, she felt the piercing and hateful gaze of Zukai, one of the iron rankers in her group.

    ¡°Is he going to be an issue?¡± Zelle asked, too absorbed in Thanatos¡¯s fur to even meet her eyes. What Nara noticed, there was no way a silver or bronze ranker didn¡¯t notice. Their group leader Everett likely noticed Zukai¡¯s animosity as well, keeping check of him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a big issue. He¡¯s just a jealous kid.¡±

    Zelle hummed her agreement.

    Both Sen and Malik were friends, and local powerhouses. Her own last name, lent from Amara, had its own power, although that was her last resort. If all else failed, there wasn¡¯t an iron ranker that could catch her.

    ¡°Let him stew.¡±

 Chapter 91: Singled Out

    Chapter 91: Singled Out

    ¡°It finally happened. I knew being a dog owner would make me popular.¡±

    Than barked in protest.

    ¡°I know Than, you aren¡¯t my pet nor a dog. I¡¯m just saying you¡¯re very handsome and everybody loves you.¡±

    John stared at the pitch-black wolf, the tips of his fur dissolving into wisps of black energy. Only his movement reminded those looking at him that he wasn¡¯t a void on the side of reality.

    John shook his head to clear the thought, and told himself not to think about it too hard. He had adapted well, but his sanity persevered through indifference.

    The astral space aperture of the Stone Forest astral space looked like a rippling looking glass into another biome. A small building was constructed to enclose it, set up with array protections to prevent unauthorized access. Astral spaces were precious resources of every region, often locations that produced essences, awakening stones, quintessence, magic materials, and even real materials like water and plants in greater quantities. While Earth was struggling to adopt renewable technologies on a wider scale, Erras was blessed with them in pocket dimensions attached to reality like pills attached to clothing. The aperture was kept locked for most of the year, until it opened each time after the materials within the space had been replenished, their growth accelerated by the high densities of magic.

    The group waited outside the aperture while the bronze and silver rankers entered the astral space first, securing a base of operations on the other side. A few array specialists set up protective arrays at the camp, creating a barrier that blocked monsters from entry. When it was their turn, the iron rankers entered.

    The landscape of the Stone Forest Astral Space was that of a lush forest with towering trees that reminded Nara of the monolith tree forest she once fought in. Branches extended out overhead, creating bridges from tree to tree with how girthy the branches were. The trees were a variety of materials and colors: some were stone like with glowing sap hidden beneath hard bark, others were master works of marble with veins of gold and bronze streaked throughout. Some trees were entirely crystalline, with leaves that incongruously fluttered to the ground only to shatter like glass beneath their feet. Many trees were different varieties of ordinary trees, if not for their gargantuan size.

    The crystalline trees were straws that sucked down sunlight passed the canopy, dispersing it throughout its branches, trunk, and roots. Plants grew thicker near these rainbow glowstick trees, basking in its light like it was energy ambrosia. Nara could spot them through the forest, rainbow prisms that cut through dark foliage.

    The air was humid with low rank magic, so thick it prickled on Nara¡¯s skin like storm static. Astral Spaces were reality bubbles; landscape did not represent anything of reality¡ªa manifestation of magic itself, perhaps pulled from a reality diary like an Akashic Library. They were reflections of reality stored in the origin of magic, not unlike an AI generating false landscapes from samples of reality.

    A clearing in the forest had been located and cleaned up, by essence abilities or otherwise. Brush was burned away, and the ground was flattened and dried. Impromptu buildings were constructed, risen from the ground itself with earth-shaping magic. Since Nara had mapping and communication abilities, she and others were sent out to scout for the resources the local government and societies wanted to acquire. The expedition also doubled as experience for the iron rankers, and this was a good chance for scouts to hone their skills. The guild knew the layout of the astral space, but its quick growth rates and volatile nature of astral spaces often accompanied quick changes, so some basic scouting was important. Over her months as an adventurer, Nara had reached a proficiency with scouting, her experience honed from both the trial and her day-to-day adventuring.

    She was assigned to the east. In the distance, Nara spotted steep mountains covered in lush greenery. She utilized her aura manipulation abilities in full, her aura a misty breeze sweeping the landscape. Monsters in large packs traversed the forest floor below and hung from branches and vines. Occasionally, they roared into a melee, tearing each other apart. Completely undetected, Nara looted them when they died, dissolving them into rainbow smoke.

    She hopped above the forest canopy from node to node instead of sling-shotting herself through the air with gravity. The task needed detailed attention, so she took her time, marking her map when she spotted resources. She would occasionally drop below, scanning her surroundings for several of the resources on her list. In the sky, packs of air born monsters cawed, sending a shiver down her spine over her last encounter with aerial enemies. Nara did not look forward to fighting them.

    Many materials to be collected were plants. Tree wood that could be ground up and used in alchemy or as is in rituals and armor construction. Similarly, herbs that could be distilled and extracted as alchemical components. Sometimes, a stream, where quintessence and valuable awakening stones settled at if they weren¡¯t worth their weight in gold coins. Just like that, Nara found an Essence of Water within a stream. The clear cube with bubbles rising as if from depths unseen.

    As she ventured onwards, she picked up other essences.

    ¡°Oh? This is a new find,¡± Nara said, plucking an essence nestled at the roots of a massive tree. It was a Vast Essence, a legendary essence she had not seen before. She overturned the cube in her hand; each side depicted a landscape of majesty and vast size¡ªthe boundless ocean, a cliff overlooking a dense forest, a steep mountain face that stretched into clouds. She inched ever closer to a 100% completion rate, if she assumed the Magic Society¡¯s records were comprehensive.

    She also found a Growth, Plant, Crystal, Resolute, and a Tree Essence. Indeed, the expedition was a reward for those on good behavior. The adventurers were welcome to claim whatever they could find, if they did not damage the crafting resources. Either way, the essences and awakening stones would end up on the market. Prices would once again dip, and new essence users would rise. It was a system that benefitted struggling iron rankers and Sanshi¡¯s reputation as a center for low rank adventurers.

    She stopped at the foot of the mountain lining the edge of the astral space. She looked beyond the mountain, staring at the sky. With her Gaze of the Boundary, she could sense it¡ªthe indistinct boundary where astral and reality met, the edge of the reality bubble. It was visible to the naked eye: A warping of space marked with an almost static glitch effect, flashes of light and distorted images concealing the beyond.

    Her goal was not the edge of the astral space. She pressed onward, spotting the large opening of a cave. Vines and foliage obscured the entrance. With a few quick slashes, Chrome dismantled the obstructing plant life before returning to her aura.

    Nara had no method to see in the dark (unless she used Chrome as a lantern, or used her floating glow stone), but the cave was softly illuminated by bioluminescent moss and fungi¡ªanother important and rare alchemical ingredient. She ventured further into the cavern, her steps light and quiet on the slippery moss. Her Cosmic Path provided solid footing wherever she went, preventing her from slipping. This time, in the corner of her eye, an Awakening Stone of the Dark. A shade darker than the shadows of the cave, she had barely spotted its unnatural darkness. She sensed the magic of the stone before she saw it.

    She kept a couple of each essences to give to her family back on earth. If she was going to give them magic powers, she wanted them to have options, like she had. The rest she would donate to students. These, since she had not looted, she couldn¡¯t transform. She didn¡¯t need to¡ªmost of these essences were popular or popular enough that there would be a student that wanted them.

    Finally, the cave expanded into a large cavern. Glowing ore grew in hard crystalline clumps from the ceiling, spires, and ground. She could hear the regular drip-drop of water splashing down from stalactites. A small cave lake formed, the drops scaring the small, glowing, tadpole-like creatures swimming within it. Monsters roamed within the cave, but Nara breezed easily on past, the benefits of her superior aura strength and the effect of her Moonlight Raiment. Even in their eyesight, Nara was indistinct, part of the environment itself. The effect would fade should she attack anything, however (hard to ignore being stabbed). She could sense a continuation of the tunnel with the cave lake, and she debated exploring further. Dense material, such as water and stone, impeded aura senses. A bronze rank monster was escapable, but if she encountered a silver rank monster within the underwater tunnel, she could lose her life. A higher rank aura could punch through denser materials. Her aura range and strength pushed her aura sense further out into the stone than most of her rank, but she did not have the intrinsic quality that higher rank auras possessed to push further. Her aura was a high-quality stone drill pushing against stone walls, but a higher rank aura was a diamond tipped drill that¡¯d punch right through.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    For now, she communicated the results of the exploration so far to Everett with voice chat. He could see what she had marked on the map (only she could alter her map), but she could communicate in more detail with spoken word. This astral space shifted over time, so it was important to re-survey the astral space every time the expedition was formed.

    Nara stood in the cavern, debating how she should return. She could attempt an astral jump, but she had never tried to astral jump within an astral space. Astral spaces were bubbles of reality on the side of the world. Somehow different than a normal reality, relying on a world to anchor it.

    She decided to give it a try. The consequences of failure were low¡ªthe aperture was still open, although guarded. If need be, she could re-enter on foot, although the explanation of how she left would be troublesome. She focused, drawing her mind and body through the membrane, rematerializing at the edge of the encampment.

    *****

    The camp was missing a few people from their group. Eufemia had also been sent out to survey her own slice of the astral space. The rest of the team had been assigned other tasks, such as setting up other facilities, moving supplies, cooking, and taking inventory. Normally these tasks would be handled by normal civilians, but their dangerous location meant that guild functionaries and adventurers had to handle the tasks themselves (and it doubled as job training). Thankfully, the tasks were rather basic and magic abilities simplified a lot of processes. After all of the scouts returned and the camp compiled their reports, the iron rankers would be assigned their craftspeople and gathering locations.

    Finding herself with a bit of free time before the expedition began in earnest, Nara wandered the camp. She found a nice quiet place out of the way of preparations and began to play her lute.

    She internally groaned when she felt a familiar and annoying aura group approach her. It was Zukai, the one who had been glaring at her on the boat, as well as a team leader of one of the teams within their combined group. She debated teleporting away and avoiding what would be an unpleasant event entirely.

    If she left, the annoyance that was Zukai may keep trying to follow her. He didn¡¯t have the caj¨®nes to bother her while she was in her team, but anytime she was alone he may try to bother her. She might try to fight him if it wasn¡¯t the expedition¡ªthey weren¡¯t supposed to pick fights. Nara was starting to miss the free-to-brawl culture of Erras.

    She decided to wait.

    Zukai stopped in front of Nara, two other teammates hung behind him like trailing remoras.

    ¡°You¡¯re that commoner that¡¯s been hanging out with the greater nobles.¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± Nara denied merrily.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong person,¡± she gestured around herself, ¡°I¡¯m hanging out alone right now.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°...Do you think I¡¯m stupid? That I don¡¯t remember your face?¡± He said, seething, after he had recovered from the awkward pause that killed all momentum.

    ¡°Yes.¡± (Aiyah, she said that out loud, didn¡¯t she? People should really stop asking questions they don¡¯t want her to answer.)

    He reached out to grab at her collar. She teleported to another seat in the area, staring at him.

    ¡°That was rude. I just answered your question honestly. Look,¡± she said, standing up and walking up to him, ¡°Who I hang out with is none of your business. You can do nothing to stop me, and coming up here with two of your teammates isn¡¯t going to intimidate me into stopping. So what now? You want to fight?¡±

    (So much for not fighting.)

    ¡°Do you know who I am? I am going to make your life miserable. You¡¯re overstepping your station. You think I don¡¯t see you cozying up with all the great families? Go find a team that matches your birth.¡±

    Nara initially wondered why she was being singled out in her team, but she soon realized why. Sen and Encio they would never bother. John was old enough that they would just look like complaining children if they bothered him. Eufemia wasn¡¯t a Fenhu, but she looked like she was related to them; The current generation of Fenhu was well known for their red hair and celestine lineage. Aliyah shared a similar status as ¡®adult¡¯ to John and may be well enough known as Sen¡¯s mentor. That left only her.

    ¡°Do I know who you are? But let¡¯s start with you. I know a bit about you. I know that the people put in groups with people with loot powers are the poorest of the poor. Malik¡¯s two teammates are from poor families, even if he financially supports them. But most likely, they tacked him on because his team is small, and it''s difficult to place someone like him.¡±

    If Malik¡¯s team was in a group with only no-name, new adventurers, everyone would begin to follow his orders, one of the problems Encio had also encountered. The Adventure Society wanted to train their iron rankers, not have them only rely on their peers for direction.

    ¡°The other team with us is not wealthy. They don¡¯t even have all their abilities. They were too new to make it to the trial, and it''s probably best they didn¡¯t.¡±

    They only had two new members, John and Eufemia, but most adventurers didn¡¯t have years of training like Encio and Arlang or outworlder powers to ease the transition. A full team of six new adventures would not have had everyone make it through in the mad scramble of the first day or make experienced decisions in the test of survival.

    ¡°With us, they¡¯ll earn enough awakening stones to sell, use, or trade. So that leaves the conclusion for you¡ªthe Adventure Society didn¡¯t want you with a bunch of normal, sane people so they put you in a group with heavy hitters that would keep you in your corner. But, crucially, I¡¯ll bet this Vast Essence that you¡¯re also dirt poor.¡± She swung it around in front of his face, just to drive the point home.

    She stalked around him, ¡°I talked with my friend Encio earlier, and he filled me in on who you are. Encio knows all~ about the local politics¡ªhe makes it his business to know. And he¡¯s quite good with that business. You¡¯re Zukai, of the destitute house Wangshen from Sanshi. Now I have a question for you, do you know who I am?¡± She threw her final words down like a gauntlet.

    ¡°Why would I bother to know the name of some commoner?¡±

    ¡°Do your teammates know?¡±

    ¡°You expect us to lower ourselves?¡±

    ¡°A little humility would do you all good, grasshoppers. There¡¯s always bigger fish,¡± Nara patronized. ¡°Now, I don¡¯t like to play this card, but if we''re going to be playing the ¡®I¡¯m better than you¡¯ game, I have a hand of my own. Perhaps you recognize the name Edea? The local gold rank adventurer-inventor?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s lady Amara Edea got to do with you?¡±

    ¡°You tell me,¡± Nara said, removing her society badge from her inventory to show it to the three of them.

    ¡°Nara Edea,¡± one teammate hesitantly read out, ¡°2-star adventurer.¡±

    ¡°You can read! That¡¯s one more working mental faculty than I thought you had.¡±

    Nara seemed to grow taller than them, her shadow elongating over the tree with the setting sun at her back. ¡°Would the Wangshen family happen to have a gold ranker? An active one? A strong one? Stronger than Amara?¡±

    Not only famous as an adventurer, Amara was also famously powerful in combat.

    ¡°Oh wait,¡± Nara said, channeling a bit of her inner Eufemia (everyone should have an inner Eufemia). ¡°Your family doesn¡¯t have a gold ranker at all, does it? I would know, I asked. That¡¯s another skill you should learn¡ªresearch.¡±

    Silver rank was normally enough to stand at the top of a low magic zone. Gold rankers found low magic zones expensive and uncomfortable to live in due to the low-quality magic. Sanshi was special¡ªit was the city of union for the great families and the perfect city for adventurers to train their children. Sanshi was a small pond surrounded by lakes. To the north, the Arlang territory was a silver rank zone. The other great families similarly had their places of power within silver rank zones. That was the norm of the world.

    Silver rank zones meant higher quality materials and more ambient magic. As long as array protections were fueled and silver rank adventures were aplenty, they were safe and wealthy zones.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know, Zukai? Most adventurers don¡¯t accept noble titles. They don¡¯t need one.¡±

    As Sen frequently protested, he wasn¡¯t a noble, even if everyone thought he and his family were. Encio too, his family were honorary nobles, like getting an honorary degree from MIT or Harvard. The country benefitted more from claiming them.

    ¡°So, tell me again how I¡¯m not a noble and I shouldn¡¯t be hanging out with nobles. I¡¯m not hanging out with any nobles at all. Even if I was, you have no business caring. Is that clear?¡±

    She pushed out her aura just a bit, its weight settling on Zukai¡¯s shoulders like the disapproving hand of his father. She let the hand squeeze and bruise, just a bit.

    ¡°...Clear,¡± he whispered back, wide-eyed.

    *****

    Sen sat down beside Nara, who had turned back to playing her lute. The neraby craftsmen enjoyed her songs, taking breaks before they returned to work.

    ¡°You handled that well.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I handled it well,¡± she mused. ¡°I bullied a kid. And I don¡¯t like using Amara¡¯s name like that.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s letting you use it for a reason. A family like the Wangshen is a stone by the wayside to her.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know that.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t actually fight him,¡± Sen said, ¡°You gave him a way to disengage.¡±

    ¡°How would you have handled it?¡±

    ¡°I would have fought him. He insulted a teammate.¡±

    ¡°I''m sort of realizing you¡¯re not a pacifist, Sen.¡±

    ¡°You were under the impression I was?¡±

    ¡°I guess your generally calm attitude and handle on diplomacy made me forget you fought Raja on the first day I met you. I¡¯m realizing that rank means a lot in this world,¡± Nara said, ¡°Even more than nobility.¡±

    ¡°Noble titles are what the weak give themselves to feel important,¡± Sen said, ¡°The strong have power inherent.¡±

    ¡°Why have nobles at all then in this world?¡±

    ¡°The powerful are not always good at administration, but there are genuinely powerful nobles.¡±

    ¡°Like your family.¡±

    Sen gave Nara a flat look.

    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. How about we fill our stomachs, Sen? Happy first day of the expedition.¡±

    ¡°Is that something we celebrate?¡±

    ¡°We do today! Let¡¯s go be a menace to our fellow workers. Maybe they¡¯ll forgive me if I play a song.¡±

    ¡°I do not understand if you do or do not like picking fights.¡±

 Chapter 92: Opening The Door

    Chapter 92: Opening The Door

    ¡°According to the map, it should be right here¡­Ah yes, I¡¯ve found it, sunvein.¡±

    The veins on the sunvein glowed like liquid sun coursed through them. One of the gatherers they were guarding, a caramel haired celestine named Essa, gently scooped the herb from the moist soil. The herb floated in the air, and a soap bubble capsule surrounded the herb, suspending it in gravity so that no part of the herb touched the transparent shell. The bubble shrunk to the size of a gumball, and Essa plucked it out the air and deposited it in a dimension satchel.

    This process repeated: a variety of natural materials were plucked from their resting space and encapsulated with an orb. The other teams were nearby, guarding their own respective gathering specialist.

    The teams worked from the camp outwards. The newly re-opened astral space was teeming with monsters, and the teams gradually cleared them out. Starting at the edge of the astral space towards the mountains would be too exhausting.

    Malik (the youngest son of the Fenhu) had been a force to be reckoned with. He possessed Divine Flames, an ability that transformed the fire from his abilities into flames of glowing white, red, and gold. He had been impressive...until he was very thoroughly scolded by a gatherer that his flames were damaging the objective of the expedition in the first place, and he needed to control himself. The scolding lit up his face to match his hair, but he suffered more from a public display of shame than anger. The massive trees had suffered almost no harm, but the delicate herbs, flowers, and plants had been thoroughly charred to sad, blowtorched bits.

    He sulked, using instead his conjured Sun Glaive to slice through monsters along with short range, more controlled fire spells.

    Encio too found his abilities impeded by both their purpose and gargantuan pillar trees. However, he was older and more experienced than Malik and had been told off to watch his collateral damage way back during his own adventurer exam. Encio was not in the business of being taught a lesson twice; His racial Quick Mind wouldn¡¯t stand for it. His swordsmanship was always impressive, and now the fine control of his abilities shone. He angled his Sword Waves up or intentionally into trees, preventing them from mangling the delicate plants in the areas. The trees, naturally resilient, bore the small scars of his Sword Waves easily.

    Nara, along with a few others, served as scouts for the group. If they sensed just a few monsters they could handle themselves, they did. If a significantly large group of monsters was headed their way, they notified Everett, and he sent out instructions to the teams. The gatherers were ushered into a protective encirclement along with erected protections, and the teams slogged through the monster horde.

    Horde was not entirely an exaggeration: There were a lot of monsters. It didn¡¯t compare to the trial, but waves of monsters could contain up to a hundred at a time. In those cases, the area was decimated, and they had to move onto the next collection point instead. Everett and the gatherers knew these were unavoidable damages, and they didn¡¯t scold the iron rankers for that. There was only so much they could control the destruction of abilities that were made to destroy. It was like trying to not burn down a log cabin with a flamethrower.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    The groups stepped back from a particularly large swarm of monsters. Both the crafters and the other teams knew the drill¡ªget away from the rainbow smoke from looting. Nara debated leaving out Zukai from her looting ability but did not. It wasn¡¯t some altruistic or particularly forgiving mentality, even though Nara wasn¡¯t one to hold grudges, but she did enjoy his twisted expression when he realized she was one of the two looters in the group, and the other one was her teammate.

    With a single smug expression, she communicated that she could have cut him off entirely. This was her benevolent pity for him. Mmm yes, she was very adult.

    Every time, she got to see bags of coins thump-thump-thump him on the head. She could sense his deep-seated inferiority in his aura as he tried to burn it away with a more surface demonstration of rage.

    ¡°Poor kid,¡± John muttered. ¡°What have you been doing to him?¡±

    ¡°Nothing! What are you accusing me of?¡±

    ¡°You gave him a complex,¡± Eufemia smiled. ¡°Nice going.¡±

    Nara could almost hear the thumbs-up in her tone.

    ¡°Is that supposed to be a compliment?¡±

    ¡°You bet. You crushed his self-esteem. He shouldn¡¯t touch fire if he¡¯s afraid of getting burned.¡±

    ¡°Did you just say I¡¯m fire?¡± Nara said with a dumb smile.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far.¡± Eufemia rolled her eyes. ¡°I would¡¯ve just hit him and sent him packing to cry to his mama. He¡¯s some bottom feeder noble in name only. What would I be afraid of? ...But I understand the appeal of a verbal thrashing. Hmmm, I¡¯d do either, depending on mood and my goal.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a teenager. Don¡¯ you think you¡¯re being a little hard on him?¡± John asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s a teenager with magical powers. If he¡¯s being dumb, he should be told he¡¯s being dumb,¡± Nara said.

    As the rainbow smoke drifted up, Nara felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck. Her hand brushed over neck hairs that stood on end.

    ¡°Does anyone feel like we¡¯re being watched?¡± Nara distractedly asked.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°I do not.¡±

    ¡°Maybe a stealthier monster?¡± Aliyah suggested. She glanced at their group leader. ¡°Everett doesn¡¯t seem worried.¡±

    As a bronze ranker he would have discovered it first if there was a monster they needed to worry about. Everett was just there to manage their group and help in the event a situation they couldn¡¯t handle popped up. Compared to the trial, the expedition was far safer with bronze and silver rankers keeping an eye on things. For those that became adventurers not for thrill or to improve themselves, this was the safer and more logical opportunity (although, it had far less renown than Sanshi¡¯s trials, so fewer knew it was an option. The worthiness of the expedition was also strongly dependent on looters, which were rare in a good year, and nonexistent in a bad one. In this case, the Adventure Society increased their compensation and rewarded participating teams with awakening stones.)

    Their combined group had a lot of misfits, but in general the expedition was made up of people from more ordinary families. Those that worked jobs alongside their adventurer training, those that were craftsmen that did not want to use monster cores, iron rankers that lived more relaxed lives and aimed for safety and a steady income.

    Nara was one of the latter on earth, just working an office job. The same mindset existed here. Just be an average adventurer, take average contracts with measured risks, and rank up at an average pace.

    Adventuring was like programming¡ªthe job was almost always lucrative (and at least livable), but the pay range wildly varied. Even an average adventurer could eventually afford essences for their whole family and would eventually make it to bronze and silver rank. With the extended lifespans provided by ranking up, there was no rush.

    There were even gold rankers that had unexpectedly made it to diamond rank. One such was Sezan, who had never been an outstanding gold ranker (to Nara, he knew how to live life). He wasn¡¯t on the Adventure Society¡¯s list for notable gold rankers they expected to rank up to diamond, but he had made it there anyway. If there was anything Sezan was good at, it was defying expectations (not in an impressive way, just in an unexpected way.)

    Some people find themselves crossing the doorway to diamond rank as if they were opening their door back to their home every day of their lives.

 Chapter 93: Unexpected Guest

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

 Chapter 94: What I Wanted To Know

    Chapter 94: What I Wanted To Know

    Tyrion overlooked the impromptu potluck.

    ¡°If that¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be I¡¯m joining in. Make room for me,¡± he told Sen who was sitting across from Zariel-laat.

    ¡°For your fat ass?¡±

    He laughed. ¡°Picked that up from Zelle, did you?¡±

    The picnic table elongated to accommodate the large leonid. ¡°I can¡¯t tell if that¡¯s another insult or if you¡¯re being considerate,¡± he muttered at the automatic transformation.

    ¡°Tyrion Snow, leader of this expedition,¡± Tyrion said, performing Sanshi¡¯s greetings, his large frame shaking the table despite the people on it weighing it down.

    ¡°I am Zariel-laat.¡±

    Zariel-laat and Everett caught up Tyrion on events.

    ¡°You just want to harvest the monster magic? Sounds good to me.¡±

    ¡°You trust this foreign invader?!¡± Zukai finally exploded, slamming his hands down onto the table, ¡°He¡¯s an inhuman monster. We should kill him!¡±

    Everyone stared at the idiotic iron ranker. Aiyah, even Nara knew better than to say something stupid during impromptu diplomatic negotiations.

    ¡°Why is he talking? Someone get him to shut up,¡± Tyrion said with a growl. ¡°Or I will.¡±

    Sen flat expression expertly hid his self-satisfaction has he got up and dragged Zukai away with brute strength: This was a kindness, compared to the alternative of Tyrion.

    ¡°W-wait. You can¡¯t do this to me! Unhand me!¡± He screeched all the while.

    After a moment, the screaming stopped.

    Sen walked back, a quiet Zukai dragged limp behind him. He tossed him into his own tent.

    ¡°¡­What did you do?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s sleeping.¡±

    ¡°He was just screaming.¡±

    ¡°He was very tired. He needed to be put to bed,¡± Sen said with the surety of authority-sanctioned violence.

    ¡°...right.¡±

    Tyrion plodded over to Aliyah, who had started examining the magic collector once again after a break. A plethora of magic tools were set up on racks beside her or set aside in boxes or on top of cloths. She had constructed her own miniature lab, just for the sake of examining the device. Her Arcane Constructs had been modified to hold analysis crystals in the air, recording from various angles in a slow pan.

    ¡°You¡¯re from the Magic Society?¡±

    ¡°I am. Class 2 researcher,¡± she added for credentials.

    He whistled. ¡°Impressive. What do you make of the device?¡±

    Aliyah mulled it over, collecting her thoughts; she hadn¡¯t quite enough time to give anything but an initial assessment. ¡°It¡¯s fine work. It¡¯s clear that this artifact has gone through many design iterations. The ritual magic within it has been refined and optimized for efficiency. It collects far more magic than it consumes and takes barely any spirit coins or quintessence for maintenance. This uses but the barest necessary drop of mana, while all our rituals are slurping up mana like a silver ranker who''s managed to eat themselves into obesity. I don¡¯t see any additional process to convert the magic into another form, like spirit coins, so this is purely a collection device and nothing else.¡±

    ¡°Essence users can¡¯t get fat,¡± Tyrion pointed out.

    Aliyah gave him a long-suffering look. ¡°That¡¯s the point. Not only just this device, but our world stands to gain a lot in their mastery of efficient magic usage. It¡¯s not very powerful, and limited in range, but for its purposes it doesn¡¯t need to be. Specialized and efficient.¡±

    ¡°Huh. That¡¯s not what I wanted to know.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Aliyah said, taken aback, ¡°What is it you wanted to know?¡±

    ¡°Does this device do what he says it does?¡±

    ¡°Oh, well,¡± Aliyah said, a little flustered over her excitement, ¡°It does. It just skims off all the dirty monster magic that we don¡¯t use and don¡¯t know how to harness, aside from looting rituals and looting abilities. Completely harmless. Really, it has no room for other external processes. Not that I can tell,¡± she added quickly. ¡°If I had more time, I might be able to give you a guarantee.¡±

    Tyrion turned to Zariel-laat, ¡°And you say you¡¯ve been using this device for years.¡±

    ¡°Centuries,¡± he corrected.

    Tyrion rubbed his forehead resignedly, ¡°So if it does any harm, we would have realized it already.¡±

    ¡°That, or it does so little harm we can¡¯t tell,¡± Aliyah hypothesized. ¡°Or, our magic is so underdeveloped we can¡¯t even detect the damage at all. That would be a genuine shock, so I shall hope for the hard work of many ritualists that we are not so entirely outclassed.¡±

    ¡°I hope it¡¯s not that either. I want a list of all the locations these devices have been used,¡± Tyrion demanded to Zariel-laat, ¡°If our researchers conclude that both this device and those locations are completely unaffected, then we can talk about cooperation on a wider scale.¡±

    ¡°You accept my proposal?¡±

    ¡°Temporarily,¡± Tyrion held up a stalling finger. ¡°Objectively, making you our enemy does us more harm than good. We have a bunch of iron rankers to protect.¡± He gestured to the brunching iron rankers, who were being entirely unhelpful and annoyingly calm. They were still eating, gods damn them. Tyrion wanted more food. The skewers were about to run out! ¡°Zelle and I can¡¯t kill you fast enough before you go and kill all the iron rankers here.¡±

    Zariel-laat looked apologetic. Even if he says he wasn¡¯t using the iron rankers as hostages, that is what they were.

    ¡°So, what do we need to do?¡±

    *****

    Zariel-laat waited with the gathering specialists, protecting them from any stray monsters should any breach the protective encirclement. It rarely happened¡ªthe point of the exercise was to have the iron rankers gain experience in not only swarm combat, but combat while protecting others. Like John the healer, the gathering specialists were not helpless. Even without Zariel, they could fend off whatever stray monster that managed to sneak their way. One gatherer enlarged his spade, turning it into a spear-shovel, slicing a monster clean in half with its simultaneously crushing and cutting edge. Scratch that, not clean at all. The monster was bungled in a messy heap, more crushed than cut.

    A shovel is a viable weapon, Nara re-affirmed.

    The monsters of the forest were varied. Many shared similarities to the jungle ruins of the Celestial Book survival trial, but with variations expected of a more forested environment. There were tall, ambling, awkward giraffe like creatures that walked with stilt legs, called stiraffes. They weren¡¯t physically dangerous, but they fired off razor blades of metal that ricocheted off the trees unexpectedly like boomerang pinballs. It made them priority targets to take out, but they approached slowly and attacked from long range. At iron rank, their aim was simplistic and didn¡¯t intentionally utilize the trees, but shots often careened out from unexpected directions.

    Eufemia¡¯s Refracting Essence Ability, Power Thief, was a life saver, on top of all her other cancellation abilities.

    -------

    Ability: [Power Thief]

    Special Attack (boon, affliction, magic)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Make a magical ranged attack. You become able to use a random active-use ability of the target, who cannot use that ability until you have done so. It can be an essence ability or the inherent ability of a magic creature, but functions at your rank, not the rank of the target. You may not use the ability more than once. This ability cannot be used again until the copied ability is used. If not used within 24 hours, the copied ability is lost, restoring the target¡¯s ability to use it.

    -------

    The stiraffes did not manifest with more than two or three at a time, so she could steal the ability of one of them, disabling its annoying pinball magic, copy her own Power Thief ability, and disable a second one. At iron rank, they didn¡¯t have any additional powers beyond that, transforming them into powerless, miniature AT-ATs. If there was a third, various magical defenses or a high firepower blast from a caster or a ranger took care of it.

    Unlike the Celestial Book trial, Nara couldn¡¯t do much to set her own abilities up. There also weren¡¯t any extremely powerful and singular bronze rank monsters for her to afflict. There was the rare bronze rank monster here and there, but they were on the weak end of the spectrum. Sen¡¯s and Malik¡¯s team had already gone through swarm combat book camp during the trials: Their current battle was mild in turn.

    They turned to refining the intricacies of their teamwork and ability control, which the massive, combined battles and craziness of the Celestial Book trials did not allow for. Nara worked on combination tactics with her full team of familiars. Sage provided Nara for additional options to Node Jump to. If Sage was with an ally, she could teleport to them on top of providing them with the benefits of Nara¡¯s boons, at a reduced maximum.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Sage could also be used as a moving, roaming node, flitting across the forest floor like a handkerchief blown in the breeze. Most monsters could not damage her. For those that could, she utilized tree cover to protect herself, or transformed into a small cloth to avoid the attack. Sage was too useful: at iron rank she didn¡¯t have enough bodies for Nara to leverage. Keeping her out in the field granted Nara far greater mobility options but keeping her around an ally increased Nara¡¯s ability to protect them as well as providing boon benefits. It was a frustration Nara was happy to have.

    By default, Nara decided to sacrifice mobility to protect her teammates. Empowering them with more mana, health, and stamina regeneration increased their ability to unload damage, helping them help themselves.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to go out a bit and practice some stuff,¡± Nara told the people in voice chat.

    ¡°Stay safe,¡± John said, like the dad he was.

    She nodded, and pushed out further into the swarm, away from the fire blasts, lighting chains, arrow rain, and explosive blasts.

    The Way of the Traveler: Dancer was flowing and smooth, capable of dancing around a single opponent or weaving through attacks coming from multiple directions. At least, that is how it functioned at mastery. Nara didn¡¯t have mastery, and she hadn¡¯t been practicing the flowing fighting style against multiple opponents as she should have been.

    Now was the perfect opportunity. Within the forest, enemies hung on branches, throwing rocks. Bug and bird types swooped down from the sky. Ground based land monsters leapt and swung and bit. The uncommon magic effect shot out every now and then.

    Dream¡¯s Wake negated any attack Nara actively intercepted. It didn¡¯t have to be with her sword. Her head, arms, and legs would do as long as she made a deliberate movement to intercept. While this handled the front side of her body nicely, Nara quickly realized her backside was almost completely exposed.

    Nara didn¡¯t have eyes on the back of her head, so enemies frequently took chunks of her from her backside, knocking her over and forcing her to teleport away to escape the dogpile. Aura could detect monsters, but it wasn¡¯t as precise as eyesight or other senses. She could detect the monster approaching from behind her, but not how and when it would attack.

    Despite all the time and effort she had put into swordplay, it was still infantile. If Nara gave herself some credit, maybe on the level of a toddler who happened to have a photographic memory, compared to the adult and fully mature Sen and Encio. She couldn¡¯t immediately master the ebb and flow of The Way of the Dancer, so she developed a crutch.

    Up until now, her use of Infinity Domain was mostly focused on what was in front of her. Attacks usually came from the front for Nara, who was the mobility attacker. She was the one teleporting above and behind enemies. If someone was behind her, she had fucked up and lost the entire positional advantage of her abilities. So, she shifted to applying Infinity Domain defensively instead of offensively, curving attacks away from her vulnerable back and spine. Together with that, she kept forward motion, expanding the space between her and whatever attack that was launched towards her back, which gave her more space to apply Infinity Domain¡¯s effect.

    When used skillfully, attacks didn¡¯t hit from behind anymore. If they did at all, they were glancing blows, or softened from deceleration and air resistance. Large powerful monsters could get through, but those were the ones she put at her front, and the ones she should prioritize and kill anyway.

    She started to feel it¡ªthe ebb and flow of battle. The breeze and currents of attacks and movement. She slipped through the cracks, her movement creating a riptide of wind that monsters couldn¡¯t pull themselves away from. Her sword was a needle, and she was a thread, looping through holes and drawing embroidered patterns undiscernible to any observer but herself. She felt like a master rock climber that was able to identify their pathway up a mountain with just a look.

    Not quite that level, she mused when a flightless bird monster shaped like a giant drumstick tipped its beak down like a dippy bird to puncture her thigh.

    Chrome may be the cook, but today she was cooking¡ªcooking up a symphony of death.

    ¡°That¡¯s not even a metaphor for cooking,¡± Chrome pointed out flatly.

    *****

    After the monster gumbo they had just stewed, John and Nara held off on using their loot abilities.

    Zariel-laat stepped into the clearing and set up his device. All the while, he explained to Tyrion and Aliyah how it was used. Tyrion had confirmed earlier that there were more of Zariel-laat¡¯s people within the astral space. They had politely waited until negotiations had been concluded, and Tyrion disseminated instructions to cooperate with them. In exchange for helping the outers out, they would explain how their device worked and provide the crafting and ritual magic blueprints.

    ¡°I thank you for your patience,¡± Zariel-laat said, ¡°Please activate your looting abilities now.¡±

    They did, and the monsters evaporated into rainbow smoke. A translucent net of semi-corporeal magic was thrown from the top of the device, expanding like a tarp catching hot air. The rainbow smoke was held in place, forming a putrid smoke cloud beneath the net-tarp. Two of the four bags began to slowly inflate, sucking in streams of rainbow smoke.

    Because Nara was in the know about the outers, she thought the timing of Zariel-laat and his people was a little coincidental. Why show up now and offer technological exchange and partnership?

    She inched closer to him, crouching and staring up at him like an awkward gremlin.

    ¡°Hey.¡±

    ¡°Hello,¡± he responded, politely amused.

    ¡°Would you happen to know of The Advent?¡± she said with a conspiratorial whisper.

    ¡°I¡¯m rather surprised you do. It is our knowledge the authorities of this world have only recently learned of their interference, and of their name.¡±

    She only met the one outer, Zariel-laat, and Nara thought he was a nice person. A bit formal, overly polite, informative and helpful.

    ¡°Are the outers perhaps helping this world out?¡± She asked.

    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±

    ¡°The Advent seeks to undermine through sabotaging learning, progress, magic, and science. I¡¯ve heard about the outers, just a bit. Up until this point you¡¯ve remained on the sidelines, but now you¡¯re taking steps to offer partnership and cooperation with mutual benefits. Your knowledge for this world¡¯s excess magic.¡±

    ¡°If that is true,¡± Zariel-laat said with a smile, ¡°It would be very kind of us.¡±

    ¡°Kind or smart. My world says a mutually beneficial relationship is the best kind of relationship. Game Theory and all that. You¡¯ve chosen a time to offer technology and knowledge when this world needs it the most, undermining The Advent¡¯s own efforts in the progress. You¡¯ve established a reputation as peaceful and helpful, so that they¡¯re open to negotiation and cooperation.¡±

    ¡°Kindness and sagacity,¡± Zariel-laat said, ¡°They are not mutually exclusive.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Nara acknowledged.

    ¡°We¡¯ve observed this world for a long time,¡± Zariel-laat said, with a faraway expression. ¡°They have a great sense of camaraderie and intelligence in both life and combat, able to gain the upper hand even as they work with enemies. If it is to save others, then they may temporarily put aside their difference.¡±

    ¡°The enemy of my enemy is my friend,¡± Nara concluded.

    ¡°However, if it is not necessary, then they are willing to exact their vengeance. I would not say we are any different, except that we no longer have the leeway for vengeance. Even should we be captured or tortured; we should not raise our hand.¡±

    That hadn¡¯t been in the Adventurer¡¯s Record.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    Why let it slide? Why come here in the first place? Nara didn¡¯t know what she was asking.

    ¡°It is the same anywhere. An iron ranker is someone¡¯s child, someone¡¯s family. Kill the wrong iron ranker, and you will gain wrath.¡±

    ¡°There is no right iron ranker to kill,¡± Nara said. ¡°We¡¯re all people.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Zariel-laat confirmed. ¡°But that is the basis of our method. Treat all as if they are the wrong person to offend, the wrong person to kill. What we seek from this world does not need to be violent nor destructive. If we can communicate those intentions, then there is a path to enduring cooperation.¡±

    ¡°And the best way to communicate your intentions is with actions, not words.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Our world was much like this and any others, split but unified with nations, factions, and cultures. When the messengers attacked, we cooperated as unique pieces: It was not enough. There was still infighting, those that wanted to take advantage of the chaos, traitors and betrayers, tempted by Messenger false-promises of standing and power. Still, we gradually rooted those out, growing stronger to face the growing threat, surpassing all the weapons the messengers sent to destroy us. Until¡­the final weapon we could do nothing against.¡±

    That must be what had ruined their world: The Dimension Ripper (name pending.)

    ¡°Why not just use that every time?¡±

    ¡°It renders a world worthless. A stable dimensional membrane is needed for their forms of dimensional travel. During mana droughts, our world offers nothing. During mana surges, the world is too dangerous. Back-to-back, from drought to surge, it is difficult to train others and live. Though we may be mana starved in droughts, it is the safest period. Moreover, there is one final reason they cannot ever use that weapon again.¡±

    ¡°What reason is that?¡±

    ¡°The Sisterhood of the World Phoenix punished them greatly for their transgressions against dimensional integrity, which the World Phoenix presides over. The group that attacked our world was annihilated by their hands.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t fix the membrane for you?¡±

    ¡°It is stable now, even if its ¡®stability¡¯ is not ideal for life.¡±

    Nara shook her head, ¡°That¡¯s unfair. Your world got messed up and you got nothing in turn. Sure, the big bad got annihilated, but you guys just have to suffer through it?¡±

    ¡°The universe is not fair, so we create what fairness we can.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a jolly good ideal to have. There¡¯s just one thing that bothers me about your story,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°What thing? Is there something you do not understand? I will do my best to explain it.¡±

    ¡°So, the dimensional integrity of your world is shot, but how¡¯s the weather?¡±

    ¡°The¡­weather?¡± Zariel-laat said, tilting his head in confusion.

    ¡°Do you have apocalyptic volcanic ash, blazing high temperatures, unlivable subzero temperatures, things like that?¡±

    ¡°No? The weather is ordinary. During droughts, more so than normal. Occasionally some non-magical storms. Typical weather you would find in low magic zones here. During periods of flood, the frequency of magical storms increases.¡±

    ¡°So nice sunny days, gentle breezes, clean water?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I get that magic is necessary for essence users, but do you use it for everything?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Why not use solar energy? Wind energy? Hydroelectric power?¡±

    He tilted his head again.

    ¡°Do you¡­not know what that is?¡±

    Nara rapped her head with her fist, thinking. They probably don¡¯t have the infrastructure to create devices capable of capturing energy in that way anyway. Their world started off as a magical world. Why would they need non-magic infrastructure? Especially if monster waves destroyed it all?

    ¡°Coal energy then? Steam power, fossil fuels? That sort of thing. People do burn wood here and use charcoal. Oh, and I guess I do see magic windmills. Not quite the same, but you get the idea.¡±

    ¡°I have seen those sorts of things. We do use wood and charcoal as well, as well as magic windmills and vortex accumulators, although they are inefficient during droughts.¡±

    Nara ruthlessly kicked Zukai from the part to make space for Zariel-laat: kids don¡¯t get to sit at the adult¡¯s table.

    -------

    [Zariel-laat Strek-hart] has joined the party.

    -------

    He accepted without batting an eye. He had communicated with his other allies within the astral space at a distance, so they must possess communication capabilities beyond Erras¡¯.

    ¡°Look here, my Guide racial ability lets me access information from my world and this world that is considered ¡®common knowledge¡¯. More ¡®accessible knowledge¡¯ than ¡®common knowledge¡¯, in the case of my world. My world has a sort of global information infrastructure that anyone can access.¡±

    Zariel nodded, ¡°My world has something similar.¡±

    ¡°Magic based?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Alright, fair enough. What world could possibly be insane enough to lay massive lengths of cables under the ocean in the seabed just to communicate information without using magic across the entire planet.¡±

    ¡°¡­You imply your world has done so. That sounds highly impractical.¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s an easier way, we¡¯d like to know it. But enough about that, take a look at this.¡±

    Nara operated her Guide Inquiry ability. Everyone connected could telepathically ask questions, but she demonstrated a few things for him.

    ¡°You might be interested in these topics,¡± Nara said, ¡°Now, I doubt you¡¯ll get to the level of mastery in just the time remaining on this expedition, but you might be able to whip up something with that Magitech of yours. Do you have something to record information?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Aye, then use that. Read enough to know what questions to ask, and just record the rest and take it back to your world. Unfortunately, it doesn¡¯t really work with open ended questions like ¡®what do I need to know to understand theoretical physics?¡¯ I can try to explain anything you don¡¯t understand, but I¡¯m not an expert on these topics. Really, science is so advanced in my world that people spend their entire lives becoming experts. I couldn¡¯t explain how the objects I use in everyday life really work. I get what a smartphone does but how the fuck do chips work¡­I mean I even know the physics behind that, generally, but it¡¯s beyond what my mind can make intuitive sense of. Like how do electrons indicating one or zero enough times somehow translate into an open world 3D sandbox RPG with raytracing and realistic graphics? Do you get what I mean?¡±

    ¡°I did not understand a single word of the latter half of that.¡±

    ¡°Me neither, buddy, me neither.¡±

 Chapter 95: The Illusae

    Chapter 95: The Illusae

    Students of the Adventure Academy often embarked on long expeditions, especially those that were certified adventurers: John, Eufemia, and Nara were no exception. Since it was common, the Academy was long prepared for these instances. Upon request, the academy would provide a book of all missed lectures and a rack of recording crystals of past lectures of the same class. The recording crystals were expensive and incurred an out-of-pocket fee. If they were returned intact, the fee was returned.

    There were no tests, quizzes, or homework: Adventuring was a profession of self-motivation. Either you studied and practiced, or you did not. The teachers were not there to motivate you, but to instruct. For most, the motivation not to die a pitiful and early death was motivation enough.

    Most did, anyway. Those that didn¡¯t attend the academy at all were exceptions.

    An interesting cultural quirk for essence users was that many did not pursue wealth¡ªby silver rank, they had no need. Even without looting powers, adventurers earned well enough in iron rank, were well-off by bronze rank, and rich by silver rank. Some essence users pursued business enterprise, much like the Fenhu at their inception. Most pursued their passions.

    The instructors at the academy were semi-retired adventurers that chose the path of instruction because they enjoyed it, not because it paid well (although, it did pay well, just not as well as full-time adventuring). Because of this, tuition at the academy was relatively low for the instruction, services, and facilities provided. Moreover, the academies were a rare instance of government funded education in Erras. They provided free tuition to most within a low income bracket. John, Eufemia, and Nara didn¡¯t qualify, as they weren¡¯t residents of Sanshi, but they also had no need for tuition support. Who was and wasn¡¯t a resident was blurry in a world that had no birth records or government-issued IDs (although there were citizenship applications). Should they have applied for it, they may have even received tuition exemptions. Outworlders weren¡¯t known for their wild wealth and deep pockets, arriving in world penniless and hairless, confused like naked mole rats exposed to the sun.

    Most education was provided by priests of Knowledge, who taught basic reading and writing, but nobles worldwide pushed back against general education. Sanshi, Saggia, and the Rowan Kingdom as a whole were exceptions to the norm, with a highly literate populace.

    By their example, the nobility that pushed back against literacy were losing ground. These locations were shining stars that heralded a new age for Erras, with clashing interests of sabotaging or supporting this transition.

    *****

    Two weeks had passed since the start of the expedition. They had settled into a new routine with Zariel-laat. First, they journeyed to their assigned gathering point for that day. First, they cleared out the local monsters in that area. Nara and John waited to loot the monsters while Zariel-laat set up his mana collectors. Once they were set up, they activated their looting abilities. As they waited for the collection to finish, they split off into their individual teams, protecting the gatherers from the odd monster. Zariel-laat protected his mana collector, incessantly gathering information through Nara¡¯s Guide all the while. The team finished at that location, Zariel-laat gathered his supplies, packed up his collected, and they moved on. Several other Outers had appeared, working with the other teams. To Zelle and Tyrion¡¯s unspoken horror, many of them were bronze and silver rank. Had they chosen the violent path, the situation could have quickly evolved into combat, and they were unquestionably the losing side.

    Luckily, the outers were famous for their pacifism. They sent their sincere thanks to the goddess of Peace.

    Nara¡¯s sword style was progressing smoothly. In between monster battles, she practiced sparring with both Encio and Sen simultaneously. They were going easy on her; she couldn¡¯t even beat one of them alone yet without powers. However, she needed two people to simulate the conditions for The Way of the Dancer.

    She generally used the styles of Dancer and Hunter separately. She began to slowly fuse the two, breaking flow to launch into sharp attacks. This change broke her smooth flow, resulting in a punishing attack to the back by Sen or Encio. She needed the two to blend seamlessly. In its perfect combined form, the enemy would not even realize the deadly attack coming for them.

    Combining unpredictability and fluid motion was harder than she thought. She felt like a Chinese xianxia protagonist trying to combine aspects of the world into power, like the pulse of the earth and the weightlessness of the wind. But this wasn¡¯t a martial arts fantasy world, and she wasn¡¯t Linley from Coiling Dragon.

    ¡°Wait. Is it a martial arts fantasy world?¡± She mused, ¡°It¡¯s sort of a JRPG and cultivation fusion, isn¡¯t it? Battle and use skills to gain exp, then meditate to consolidate?¡±

    Chrome shook his head with a scoff, ¡°I don¡¯t even want to know.¡±

    ¡°I mean, if anyone is Linley, it¡¯s Sen, right? He¡¯s got gravity manipulation powers.¡±

    ¡°You have gravity manipulation powers too,¡± Chrome pointed out.

    ¡°Oh that¡¯s right I do. But it¡¯s only gravity up, not down. And, its my whole body, not weapon or body separately.¡±

    Chrome shook his head and rolled his eyes, ¡°You can¡¯t even remember your own abilities properly.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. Technicalities, you know. Magic powers is still new to me.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t use that as an excuse soon.¡±

    ¡°But I can still use it now.¡±

    *****

    ¡°I was wondering, Zariel,¡± Nara said, once again crouching near him curiously, ¡°If you aren¡¯t human, is this what you look like?¡±

    Nara had found out that Zariel-laat¡¯s name was actually just Zariel. The suffix laat was used to differentiate rank. Their very rank was a part of his name, in this case ¡®laat¡¯ indicated his silver rank. Rank was so important on Erras that she wondered why they didn¡¯t do it that way here. In the subtleties of social interaction, maybe it was overkill? She imagined if everyone on Erras casually strolled around with a graphic tee that said ¡°I am an Iron Ranker¡± in bold white on black letters.

    ¡°No. As you have surmised, my race is capable of transformation.¡±

    ¡°So¡­what do you look like?¡± She did her best to bat curious, irresistible blinks. Thanatos far surpassed her with puppy-dog eyes.

    ¡°Would you like to see?¡± Zariel replied, not falling for the eyes but obliging anyway.

    ¡°If you are willing, I would. You don¡¯t mind? It¡¯s not like, a form you only show your loved one or something?¡±

    He gave her a strange look, ¡°It is not.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you use it then?¡±

    ¡°It is not covert.¡±

    Zariel first stripped off his clothes, respectfully folding them and placing it in a neat square on the ground. They seemed to treat all their possessions with respect.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    His skin darkened, then brightened with flecks of light. His body was as if a potter had scooped up the reflection of a nebula from water and molded that clay into the shape of a person. His hair was light and dust, a comet trail to his body-galaxy. The sclera of his eyes were void black, with orbs of light as if cosmic light poured out from within. When he opened his mouth to speak, it was similarly illuminated.

    The attention of everyone at the camp was arrested. Nara was too busy in her own amazement to feel the satisfaction of others staring like country bumpkins like the first time she had seen a leonid or a dragonid.

    ¡°Can I¡­touch your hair?¡±

    He chuckled as he knelt down.

    It was almost taboo to ask others to touch their hair on Earth, and Nara had thought she grew out of that phase of hers back in high school. Surely, this was permissible. She couldn¡¯t be blamed for this!

    She hesitantly reached forward, her fingers brushing upon his cosmic hair. It was warm, light passing her fingers through warm sunlight. The hair moved around her fingers, as if her movement generated air that pushed away its flame-light.

    ¡°What do you call yourselves?¡± Nara breathlessly asked.

    ¡°We call ourselves the Illusae.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    He inclined his head. ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not stealthy at all. About as stealthy as a meteor shower.¡±

    For the Illusae, the stealth was in the details.

    --------

    -[Illusae Racial Abilities]

    Racial Ability: [Illusae¡¯s Wisdom]

    Increased learning speed and memory.

    Racial Ability: [Shifting Cosmos]

    Transform into any appearance. Aura will match the race mimicked, if mimicking a known race.

    Racial Ability: [Star Lineage]

    Affinity to darkness, light, or astral, dependent on heritage.

    Racial Ability: [Void Being]

    Gain a personal dimensional storage space. Immunity to tracking and identification effects.

    Racial Ability: [Mystic Bloodline]

    Increased maximum mana.

    Racial Ability: [Sixth Sense]

    Increased perception, aura strength, and spatial awareness.

    -------

    ¡°I am surprised you aren¡¯t a magic race,¡± Aliyah said to Zariel.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we all magic races?¡±

    ¡°Ah, you aren¡¯t aware of the difference.¡±

    Nara settled for an impromptu lecture. True to form, Aliyah launched into one.

    ¡°Inherently magical races can no longer use essences. The magic within their body is beyond a threshold of concentration, which blocks the absorption of essences. In exchange, they all have magic abilities, and rank up naturally over time, although combat still speeds this process up.¡±

    ¡°The messengers are notorious for being born at silver rank,¡± Encio reminded.

    ¡°No,¡± Zariel strongly denied, ¡°We are not an inherently magical race.¡±

    ¡°It has been theorized that outworlders are the natural non-inherent limit,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°You¡¯re as magical as you can get without losing the ability to absorb essences. This correlates to the outwardly magical racial abilities outworlders tend to have as well¡ªtransformations, inventories, looting, and conjurations.¡±

    ¡°That makes sense. We¡¯re literally making ourselves out of crude magic.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s theorized that the order of decreasing magical concentration is: dragonids, merfolk, smoulders, leonids, runics, celestines, elves, then humans. It¡¯s not an exact order, although humans are the agreed upon least magic race. For the Illusae, I¡¯d place you towards the front of the list with the dragonids.¡±

    Zariel transformed back into a human, slipping back into his casual clothes.

    ¡°Who are you transformed into anyway?¡± Nara asked, ¡°Is that a real person?¡±

    ¡°It is not,¡± Zariel said, ¡°We create and live our identities.¡±

    He handed her an Adventure Society badge.

    ¡°Vigo Claes, silver rank, 2-star adventurer,¡± Nara read out. ¡°Wow, you guys are like, deep undercover.¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°Adventuring is lucrative.¡±

    Very true.

    ¡°You send the money¡ªer, spirit coins back home then?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Additionally, this¡­¡¯deep cover¡¯ helps to train the young ones. During a mana drought, there are no monsters on our world to defeat.¡±

    ¡°So killing two birds with one stone. Actually, its like, five birds with one stone. Earn spirit coins, build a reputation, defend the population, learn information and obtain important positions, and train.¡±

    ¡°Why would you want to kill five birds with one stone?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s efficient!¡±

    He tilted his head for a moment, ¡°It is,¡± he conceded.

    Tyrion heaved a sigh. ¡°This means the Adventure Society cannot see through your auras.¡±

    ¡°Your aura registration for your badges is non-intrusive,¡± Zariel pointed out, ¡°If you used an aura projection ritual, you will detect us.¡±

    Tyrion¡¯s large bodybuilder shoulders drooped further. ¡°We can¡¯t just do that to everyone.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Why not?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Nara, an aura projection ritual shows everyone is a pretty large area what your soul looks and feels like. It¡¯s a very vulnerable experience to complete strangers,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Outside of extreme circumstances, the society rarely uses it,¡± Encio explained. ¡°It¡¯s used to detect if you are being controlled or otherwise influenced. Or, if you serve a god of discord or a cult.¡±

    ¡°Some live their whole lives and have families here,¡± Zariel said.

    ¡°They do?¡± Tyrion said, ears literally perking up.

    ¡°Our world is inhospitable. This world is pleasant. We have no intention to damage it nor conquer it. Illusae are just one of many races of our world, just like yours. We have humans and celestines as well, among others.¡±

    Tyrion suddenly threw his head back boisterously laughing.

    ¡°I was worried over nothing.¡±

    Their commitment to live on Erras as a part of Erras was reassuring. Tyrion distilled their objectives into 2 main objectives: restore their home world and live out their lives here. Unlike the messengers that sought to conquer worlds, the Outers wanted to preserve their original world. They did not have the manpower to conquer this world, and they did not want to abandon the population of their home world either.

    Tough, persistent bastards: Tyrion admired them. The Messengers had sic¡¯d multiple apocalypse beasts on them, and the Edelster-josians were determined to come back from it all like a cockroach that just would not die.

    He stood up, and thumped Zariel on the back a few times, causing him to grimace. The power of a leonid was nothing to scoff at, especially at silver rank.

    ¡°Everything is nice and settled in here, so I¡¯m making my rounds again.¡±

    ¡°See ya,¡± Nara said.

    *****

    The people of Erras, as it turns out, were not concerned with aliens living in their midst. For worlds of magic, dimensional wanderers were normal. Outworlders often were not just ¡®human¡¯ outworlders like John and Nara. There were all kinds of outworlders of races that did not exist on Erras naturally.

    If Zariel and his people lived normally lives on Erras, working as others normally did as adventurers or otherwise to send supplies back to their home world, Tyrion saw no issue with it. They had ties here and motivations to protect this world. They were no better or worse than any other normal person on Erras. They weren¡¯t a special threat. In Nara¡¯s eyes, they were the equivalent of migrant workers.

    Although, they may have a special intelligence spy network.

    It wasn¡¯t for Tyrion to decide. He would pass on his observations and conclusions to the Continental Congress, the decision making body of all Adventure Societies. The Continental Congress was made up of reputable and elected gold rank adventurers that intervened in local branches to eradicate corruption or enact policy changes.

    This was a matter for the Continental Congress, but Tyrion saw the advantages of what Zariel proposed. Even though Tyrion was unaware of The Advent threat, the benefits they wished to exchange for an official cooperation was tilted significantly in favor of the people of Erras. The long term goal of Zariel and his world was the sort of enduring, long term cooperation that they needed to continually harvest magic for their world. A slight loss now was acceptable for the enduring alliance they hoped to forge in the future.

    A messenger had already been sent outside the astral space to pass on a message. Tyrion expected a representative of the Continental Congress to meet them outside.

    *****

    The days rolled by, and the expedition approached its end. At Sen¡¯s insistence, Nara additionally started to practice hand-to-hand combat. Nara would always have her Nirvana on her, she didn¡¯t even need to take it out of her inventory. It hung on her ear as an accessory, ever present. But it was a good way to practice a new way of fighting. It forced her to think differently about positioning, distance, and force.

    Besides Nara, Aliyah was the most taken with Zariel. She was curious of all the strange artifacts he possessed, how they converted the raw monster magic into usable materials, what they did to survive the incessant monster waves of mana surges, and other questions. Her questions would not end, and more than once even Zariel, who was generous with information, discreetly disappeared to escape her.

    Aliyah had never been more excited. She became an adventurer to not only earn money for experimental supplies, but also for hand on experience with strange encounters and magic. While normally she was calm and collected, she had recently been inundated with more discoveries than she could research in a lifetime. She didn¡¯t know what to do with herself, what she should start on. She was so inundated with potential projects bouncing around her mind like a buckshot in a vacuum, that she had no idea how to pick one idea out and set it aside.

    If she was only a researcher at the Magic Society, she wouldn¡¯t have these opportunities. Aliyah knew that danger followed discovery. She was loathe to do so, but she set down her notes, tidied up her tools, and changed into a sparring outfit.

    She was reluctant, but her mutual tutelage with Sen had taught her that she also needed to do what was necessary.

    ¡°I could use some instruction too, my dear student,¡± she told Sen.

    ¡°What do you want to practice today? The staff or the fist?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll stick to the staff for now. I am but a researcher.¡± She twirled her stave in a non-entirely fumbling way. ¡°You¡¯ll defend me properly, Sen.¡±

    ¡°There are never guarantees, but I¡¯ll do my best, mentor.¡± He moved forward, crossing his stave with hers in a starting position.

    ¡°You always do.¡±

 Chapter 96: Single Ladies Adopt Cats

    Chapter 96: Single Ladies Adopt Cats

    It had been a month, and Nara and the team bade farewell to the astral space they had slaughtered¡ªahem, gathered their way through. It had been a strange month of meeting aliens and guerilla diplomacy, but Nara supposed she had been meeting aliens since the moment the materialized buck naked on the floor of a shed. A very fancy shed.

    Zukai remained insufferable throughout, but he at least learned to shut up and keep his head down around silver and bronze rankers that had no time for his petty nobility bullshit. He was exposed as the destitute pauper-masquerading-as-prince that he was. The only bite he could muster was a glare in Nara¡¯s direction. If he learned anything from this trip, he should have learnt how to read the room and shut up when nobody wanted to hear him speak.

    ¡°You should just beat him up yourself next time,¡± Eufemia said, perfectly willing to glare right back. (Eufemia glares back on principle, except when smiling is the more advantageous option.) ¡°You won¡¯t lose to him in a fight. Those silver rankers may even thank you for it.¡±

    ¡°Maybe the next time I get a chance,¡± Nara mused.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be next time. I think you could pummel him right now and nobody would care.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s normally the case anyway.¡±

    ¡°Your loss. He looks like he¡¯d be great stress relief. The perfect¡­¡± Eufemia searched for the right word.

    ¡°Punching bag?¡±

    Eufemia snapped her fingers. ¡°That sounds perfect! He¡¯s the perfect punching bag.¡±

    When a soul-deep shiver wracked through Zukai, Zukai distantly wondered if perhaps he should learn not to glare too.

    Nara cast her gaze over the awesome expanse of trees, towering over them like obelisks to a forest titan. Stone, wood, crystal, and metal trees that grew in a strange harmony. The environment they fostered was home to monsters, flora, and fauna equally varied.

    Dimensional crates, bags, and inventories were packed and filled, then lifted out of the dimensional space. Earthen walls shaped from magic were smoothed out with the same method, returning the earth to parity. For as destructive as they were, essence users were adept at repairing and restoration.

    ¡°All that¡¯s left is to leave,¡± Aliyah said, gazing at the forest together with Nara, ¡°The Gathering Society will send a surveyor every two to three months to determine if the astral space has recovered enough for another expedition. Then, the process will repeat.¡±

    ¡°If we¡¯re still iron rank then, we may get another invitation,¡± Encio said, ¡°And we should turn it down. We need harder battles to advance. These monsters don¡¯t pose a challenge to us anymore.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s mighty lucrative though,¡± Nara said wistfully.

    ¡°You¡¯re not poor.¡± Encio pointed out.

    ¡°A man born into wealth cannot understand the mindset of those born into the middle and lower classes.¡± Nara philosophized. ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for my medical expenses to financially ruin me.¡±

    The other five on the team had already caught up to Encio, and they were all slowly pushing up through Iron 7. These iron rank monster had done little for him comparatively, although he had done some of his own splitting off from the group to work through his own weak areas. In particular, he practiced fighting monster hordes without mana regeneration support.

    ¡°So, bronze rank monsters then?¡±

    ¡°That or combat scenarios we find challenging,¡± Sen said, ¡°Underwater combat, aerial combat, night combat, cave combat. There are many situations in which we can push ourselves with iron rank monsters.¡±

    ¡°Bronze rank monsters are just faster,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°Rank jumping will always be the hardest challenge there is,¡± Sen said, ¡°That is no contest.¡± Sen swept his gaze across the team, ¡°We can figure out our plan after a well-deserved rest.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah¡¯s been itching to get back into those books and her notes of her,¡± John said, ¡°I can practically feel her impatience.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me, I¡¯m trying my best to be patient,¡± Aliyah sighed.

    The team waited their turn, then crossed the astral space aperture back into main reality. The iron rankers were grouping with their group leaders and waiting as the cargo was moved to the cargo skimmers so they could begin the final leg of the journey to the boats.

    ¡°There¡¯s a gold ranker there,¡± Encio said, pausing the group. He pointed to a woman that spoke with Tyrion, Zariel, Zelle, and Oswald Willard, who had traveled together with her for this meeting.

    She was surprisingly muscular for an elf, a rarity for the lithe race. She looked compact compared to the bulky Tyrion, but almost anyone looked petit compared to a leonid. Nara distantly and hysterically wondered what a bulky leonid could possibly look like (Laius was a lithe leonid, so she already had an example of that.)

    Her warm auburn hair was thick and wavy, like a lesbian pirate captain. Her eyes were sharp and challenging, orbs of deep sea blue that restrained the vast might of the ocean.

    ¡°Do you know her name?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Do you think I happen to know every gold ranker that happens to saunter onto the continent I¡¯m standing on? I¡¯m well informed, but not that well-informed.¡±

    ¡°Is that a no?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I have a chance with a gold ranker?¡± Aliyah mused.

    They stared at her.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t know her name, I¡¯m going to ask her,¡± Aliyah said striding forward.

    ¡°Wait a damn moment!¡±

    They restrained Aliyah, pushing her down to sit in a seat. She looked forlornly towards the gold ranker. Her eyes were wistful and misty, ¡°I¡¯m probably too young for her anyway.¡±

    Sen lifted Caspian off his shoulders, setting down the red adolescent Simurgh on her lap. She ran her fingers through his fur, clearly a familiar motion.

    ¡°Why¡¯d you do that?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s a distraction. They¡¯re having an important conversation and it¡¯s best that Aliyah doesn¡¯t ruin her chance at a good first impression by trying to flirt with the gold ranker.¡±

    Turns out Sen was being a perfectly good wingman for his mentor and looking out for her romantic chances.

    ¡°She¡¯s normally so restrained,¡± Nara said. ¡°Strong ladies set her off?¡± Nara wondered if this constituted gold-digging. Power-digging?

    ¡°She¡¯s welcome to try later. I have a feeling she will be here for a while longer.¡±

    ¡°Aw, that¡¯s awfully supportive of you.¡± She looked down at Aliyah, cradling Caspian in her arms, who was soaking up the dedicated attention with round, puppy dog eyes, ¡°In my world, single ladies adopt cats, but I guess that¡¯s close enough.¡±

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    *****

    ¡°If it isn¡¯t the odd fellow, Tyrion Snow. It¡¯s been some time, hasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Respectfully, Lady Zinnia Helianthae, I haven¡¯t met you before.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she laughed, all gleaming smile and sharp eyes. ¡°You haven¡¯t. Just call me Zinnia.¡±

    She stuck her hand out, which Tyrion shook. She squeezed harder, her gold rank strength causing Tyrion to sweat a bit with nervousness. He hasn¡¯t done anything wrong, but he wasn¡¯t sure the woman wouldn¡¯t pop his hand for the fun of it. Thankfully, she released him, and he was spared the temporary inconvenience.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you,¡± she said, offering her hand too to Zariel. ¡°You¡¯re the outer, Zariel-laat?¡±

    ¡°That I am,¡± Zariel said, also taking her hand to shake it. If he felt her squeezing his hand, he made no indication of it.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been dispatched by the Continental Congress to facilitate matters between you and Sanshi, and eventually expanding operations to more Adventure Society branches around the world.¡±

    ¡°The society has interest in a partnership?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no downsides for us, and you¡¯re offering your cooperation at an awfully convenient time. You know what I mean, don¡¯t you, mister Zariel-laat?¡±

    ¡°Just Zariel is fine, Lady Helianthae.¡±

    ¡°Zinnia to you too. I insist.¡± She smiled that same smile: vaguely threatening power but friendly all the same.

    She was alluding to something they didn¡¯t know about, so Tyrion and Zelle just kept quiet. The main participants of this first, casual meeting was Oswald, Zinnia, and Zariel.

    Tyrion summarized the events within the astral space. Afterwards, he and Zelle were dismissed. They were silver rankers, but they were also just silver rankers: in the presence of gold rankers, they were bumped down the authority ladder. Oswald was considerably closer to gold rank himself, and Sanshi¡¯s branch leader. They were extraneous to the conversation.

    Instead, they approached Sen and his team.

    ¡°Lady Helianthae wants your team at the meeting.¡±

    ¡°Did she say why?¡± Encio asked.

    Tyrion shook his head.

    ¡°Is she in a good mood?¡±

    Mood and personality was, of course, a critical aspect of dealing with a gold ranker. Since essence users couldn¡¯t read the aura of someone higher ranked than them, those that dealt with higher rankers on a regular basis became adept at reading physical cues¡ªmood.

    ¡°That she is,¡± Tyrion confirmed. ¡°They¡¯re going to board the ship first. There¡¯s a private meeting room onboard.¡±

    ¡°Alright, thanks.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind it,¡± Tyrion causally waved, then shouted at the iron rankers to begin organizing into land skimmers. From there, they¡¯d head to the boats. The expedition was finally returning home.

    *****

    Oswald, Zinnia, Zariel, and the team organized themselves around a meeting room within the large river boat. The room was meticulous and high-quality, suited for a meeting with a gold ranker.

    ¡°For those that are not aware, I am a member of the Continental Congress, Zinnia Helianthae. I¡¯ve heard from Oswald Willard here that your team, out of all iron rank teams in Sanshi, are aware and involved with the threat of The Advent?¡±

    ¡°To say we are involved is inaccurate, lady Helianthae,¡± Sen said, acting as their party representative. Of the party¡¯s two political leaders, Sen was the right choice for this conversation. ¡°Two of our team members, John Aurelius and Eufemia Teresina, have performed investigative work on behalf of miss Erin Nisei. Another team member, Nara Edea, has provided information freely towards the effort through her familiar.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about that,¡± Zinnia said, sending a glace and Oswald, ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard of the management of the trial previously, I was not impressed.¡±

    Oswald maintained a straight, steadfast face, ¡°Adventurers need challenge. The trial is relatively safe.¡±

    ¡°Relatively safe,¡± Zinnia repeated unimpressed. ¡°Information is a weapon, Willard; it is best we hone it. Providing opportunities to iron rankers to hone their weapon of knowledge is equally important to honing their physical prowess. It is a more pressing issue now than ever.¡±

    Oswald folded his arms. He disagreed with her stance on the topic but said nothing. With the removal of Specter (now Sage), there was no returning to the status quo, even if he thought it produced better adventurers with less effort and less casualties.

    ¡°Are you aware of how much trouble brainless adventurers cause?¡± she questioned, sensing his discontent.

    ¡°No¡­¡±

    She gauged Oswald. ¡°It¡¯s not an issue when we place the right person in the right position, but even a bit of sense is needed for effective violence. Personally, I would like to think first rather than swing first. Causes diplomatic issues. There¡¯s a place to punching¡ªI find it more satisfying with some accompanying thoughtful catharsis. Being in the right always feels good.¡± She clenched her fist and thrust a punch towards Willard¡¯s general direction. She hadn¡¯t thrown a serious punch, far from it. If she had vested a silver of her gold rank strength, she would have blown the table away. Still, Oswald hair ruffled in the force of the punch.

    Oswald grimaced.

    ¡°If I may interrupt,¡± John said, adopting a polite tone he used for those he figured to be upper management. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the authorities of this world told the populace the threat of The Advent? The Messengers are a well-known threat.¡±

    Zinnia leaned back, relaxing back into her chair with the confidence of a captain of her ship. Even though this ship wasn¡¯t her ship. ¡°For one, The Advent is a new threat we don¡¯t know much about. We have no idea for how long they¡¯ve sabotaged the development of knowledge in this world or influenced the structure and development of our societies. We just don¡¯t know much about them. What Nara¡¯s familiar provided was some of the most detailed information we¡¯ve learned of The Advent. The second reason is we have a general idea of what their move will be if they are exposed.¡±

    ¡°Their next move?¡±

    ¡°From what you know of The Advent, John, what do you think they will do if they are exposed?¡±

    John paused for a moment, the gears of his detective thinking machine churning. ¡°I suppose they¡¯ll move onto the next phase of their plan. They¡¯ll start proselytizing the people of this world. They¡¯ll start subtle, a person in the right position, working from small civilian based groups. They might show off some of their technology or magic, pretending to be a normal person that was given it for free. They may even actually give it away for free. Once that idea of a better life has taken hold, they might start spreading a name for it. It may not be ¡®The Advent¡¯, it will probably be something else.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what we expect of them John. For now, the status quo is preferable to the alternative.¡±

    ¡°You need to play catch-up with information and countermeasures,¡± John guessed. ¡°The Council would rather delay then set off the next phase before you¡¯re prepared,¡±

    ¡°Cooperation with the outers additionally poses a potential alternative,¡± Zinnia said, gesturing with her thumb to Zariel. ¡°If we can spread magical improvements at least on a similar level to what The Advent will use to sway the populace, it may blunt the effect, or kill it entirely.¡±

    ¡°There may always be betrayers,¡± Zariel said. ¡°But most have their reservations if there is even a comparable alternative, even if it is lesser.¡±

    ¡°Or less commitment,¡± Nara added. ¡°Between the option that needs you to join a cult or church, getting something a little worse for free will have more people chose that option. Happens a lot in my world. People will settle for the easier option. No offense to churches.¡± She quickly clarified. ¡°They¡¯re very different on my world.¡±

    ¡°So, on top of what Zariel proposes, we¡¯d like to extended a deeper cooperation. We would like your researchers to work in tandem with our researchers. In exchange, you¡¯re welcome to utilize the full resources of our world. Have all your essence users register as adventurers or otherwise. Of course, those you want to keep secret may continue to do so.¡±

    ¡°As a measure of trust?¡±

    ¡°To blatantly clear, no. We have little ability to prevent your infiltration without dedicating significant time and resources on a level that would be suspicious and advantageous to our true enemies. As long as your presence is benign, it is tolerated. Offering your knowledge to us for nothing in turn is shameless, even for us.¡± Zinnia¡¯s smirk was friendly. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to share the information of your operatives, we¡¯re willing to share what we have. Of the messengers, your long enemy, and of our magic.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re aiming to reverse-engineer whatever they produce. Er, reverse-artifice.¡±

    Aliyah leaned over to Nara and whispered in her ear, ¡°Nara, we have the concept of engineering.¡±

    ¡°Oh, my bad. That was probably patronizing,¡± she whispered back.

    ¡°That is the idea,¡± Zinnia said, unsurprisingly able to hear them. ¡°The council plans on investing significantly more resources into local artificers. What¡¯s used by common folk is low rank or normal rank objects. It¡¯s a level that needs a mastery of the basics, not high skill.¡±

    The Adventure Society not only functioned as the intermediary between essence users and the civilian populace, but also an authority organization with policy decisions. Adventurers sold materials to the Adventure Society, which the Adventure Society in turn sells to crafters or auctions. Selling to the Adventure Society was quicker and more convenient than selling to crafters, so most adventurers did (unless they had personal connections to a crafter), especially since they were willing to purchase everything (a policy decision, as it also allowed them to collect dangerous material regardless of its origin). For essence or other equipment put up through auction, the Adventure Society took their small auctioning fee.

    In a rough breakdown, part of the revenue generated was used to pay functionaries and officials, another part to pay for contracts as needed, and the final part to invest in projects. The Adventure Society was part public service, part private company, and part political authority.

    ¡°This is great and all,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°but why did you call us here? We¡¯re not necessary for these negotiations.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true,¡± Zinnia said. ¡°While we have the testimonials of Sage recorded, we¡¯d like to keep her around for the time being for any additional questions.¡±

    ¡°Sage and I can do that,¡± Nara confirmed.

    ¡°Moreover, the continental congress would like to request the aid of those of Innovation¡¯s Retreat.¡±

    ¡°Amara and the others?¡±

    ¡°They are high level craftsmen. Their aid will be important in the coming age,¡± Zinnia said with a glint in her eye, ¡°Besides Redell Gainer, you are the best contact we have with them. Their compound is notoriously hard to reach.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to reach? Where is it anyway?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Zinnia said with surprise.

    ¡°Uh, nope.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s located on the northern coast of the Badlands.¡±

    ¡°The Badlands?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s well known for its gold and diamond rank ambient magic.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Gold and diamond rank monsters. That is very reclusive.¡±

    ¡°Reclusive to the extreme. We can¡¯t get over there without a portal, and not many of those with a portal have gone there, especially not those of Sanshi. There aren¡¯t many gold rankers here to begin with.¡±

    ¡°I can pass on a message, no guarantee they¡¯ll help.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±

 Chapter 97: You Canéˆ¥æª› Refuse

    Chapter 97: You Can¡¯t Refuse

    With the meeting wrapped up, the team had time to themselves once again. Nara decided to sort through her inventory, which had once again swelled with a prince¡¯s ransom of items.

    ¡°This is what I get for putting inventory management off,¡± she muttered. ¡°Bad habits across realities.¡±

    She had a lot more of the usual: low rank spirit coins, quintessence, monster parts, basic consumables, essences, and awakening stones. Notably, she had some bronze rank weapons and equipment. She had looted a few back during the Celestial Book trials, and she had forgotten about them until now. The essences had been a higher priority to sort out, especially now that she had a side gig as a philanthropist.

    She removed a bronze rank Serpent Fang dagger from the inventory. It rapidly grew hot in her hand, as if she was a too-curious toddler slapping their hot hand onto an electric stove. In just a couple seconds, it was too hot to hold, even with her new and improved pain tolerance.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± She stared at the bronze rank weapon that clattered to the floor, over-dramatically clutching her hand. ¡°So, this is rank rejection.¡±

    Ordinary high rank objects and materials could be held by those below their rank, such as naturally occurring gemstones or certain artifacts. However, when the magic within was so thoroughly shaped and tempered such as those necessary for adventurer equipment, rank rejection increased in strength as well. -

    Consumable objects usually posed little issue, such as potions or other limited use items. The magic within was less refined and less durable than permanent, persistent equipment. Adventurers often kept a higher rank potion around in case of emergencies. It healed faster than a potion of their rank, but the potion toxicity persisted for longer, increasing the time before a potion could be consumed again.

    For edible magic, essence users should not eat anything past one rank above. That rule was iffy at gold rank, where diamond rank magic was so potent that it was best not eaten even then. A diamond rank spirit coin was too crude to survive, but diamond rank food might be survivable. To gold rankers, it was their fugu.

    For artifacts, it depended. As Chelsea would say, it was nuanced. Some items could be used by anyone at any rank, and other items could not. For those not interested in magic theory (such as most adventurers), all they needed to know was that their equipment was the final thing they upgraded, either with ritual or with purchase.

    She decided to keep around a few pieces of bronze rank equipment she found useful. She couldn¡¯t hold on to them for long, but a throwing attack or a single stab was viable. The larger weapons such as clubs, swords, staves, whips, and bows she would sell. The smaller weapons such as throwing axes, daggers, blades, needles, and knives she¡¯d keep. She let the team pick what they wanted from her stash, but they had their own trash heaps of miscellaneous equipment to sort through (Aliyah did claim a bronze rank staff of the magical variety). Her Guide made inventory management user-friendly, but other inventory powers didn¡¯t come with a graphical user interface.

    Her GUI came from her Party Guide, not her inventory, so the convenience was the combination of two abilities.

    Thankfully, her Party Guide worked for all of their respective inventories as well. Without Nara, John could manifest a binder that detailed all the items he possessed. With a thought, the binder always opened to the correct page. His Case Files always provided more details about the object such as material, age, approximate cost, and origin. An information officer like John had uses for this information, while Nara did not. John may not have been a detective on Earth, but he was fulfilling his dreams and living vicariously on Erras.

    How would their lives change once they made it back to Earth? Nara would like to bring her family to Erras, or give them the opportunity. Her mother would enjoy traveling to see the wonders of a magic world. She would give her essences and monster cores.

    Her older sister had a boyfriend the last she remembered. Nara had spent 6 months on Erras, so 8 months had passed on Earth. Had boyfriend been upgraded to fianc¨¦? Her sister may be unwilling to uproot her life there.

    At the very least, they could take family vacations on Erras. With the money Nara had, she could more than afford it for her entire family. She¡¯d also be an expert translator. On Earth, Nara was bilingual. Now, she was omnilingual. She couldn¡¯t wait to cuss in Russian on a world that¡¯d appreciate it.

    ¡°Step one, essence up the family. Step two, take them to visit a magic world.¡±

    She rubbed her temples and slumped forward.

    ¡°Step one is going to be a doozy. How the hell do I explain magic?¡±

    She prayed to the god of Stability that she wouldn¡¯t have to be the one to break the existence of magic to the world.

    It¡¯d certainly be one way to go down in history.

    *****

    Nara let out a sigh, flopping onto the couch in the Jade Garden penthouse suite.

    ¡°Home at last¡­¡±

    The rest of the team shuffled in, spreading out. Eufemia beelined towards her bath. They had already used crystal wash, but there was something soothing about the sensation of hot water on skin that even essence users couldn¡¯t give up.

    ¡°How about a trip to the hot baths downstairs, anyone?¡± Nara posed.

    Their hotel had a communal outdoor bath view and a view of their gardens, part of the hotel¡¯s namesake. A one-way privacy screen prevented any peeking, although essence users had less compunctions about nudity in the first place (it was rumored that primarily leonid lands of Atisalhaya had even less compunctions of nudity, hot and sandy as it was, that they walked around in near-transparent oasis silk robes that cooled the skin.)

    ¡°Eufemia is already gone¡­How about you Aliyah?¡±

    ¡°I will join you. Sen?¡±

    He nodded.

    The three head down to the hotel baths, passing some other residents of the hotel, discussing various topics. Adventurers usually rented hotels suits long term. Those of higher rank usually built their own compounds near their favorite city for their families to live in, and stayed at hotels when they traveled. Adventurers preferred fortifying their residences with expensive arrays, which required space.

    Landlords and loan lenders were typically essence users, either retired adventurers or those who had never been adventurers. Anyone who could afford essences bought them, but not everyone wanted to fight. Ranking up without fighting needed money, since monster cores became increasingly expensive past iron rank.

    Aliyah mentioned how overlapping arrays for defenses was a topic of great study. Applying too many arrays in the same location caused them to interfere with each other and render them all useless. A cursory glance at the magic of Eldester-jos, Zariel¡¯s home world, was efficient and specialized but low powered. Erras¡¯ strength was their high powered and robust magic that was in turn, considerably wasteful.

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    Sen headed off to his section, and Aliyah and Nara to theirs.

    The months were moving from summer to fall, but their bodies screamed for some TLC after a month long exertion. It was a warm, pleasant night, and the baths were most agreeable on their skin.

    As promised, a beautiful garden view was there for them to enjoy. Volcanic rocks veined with jade were the centerpiece of floral and stone arrangements that exuded tranquility.

    ¡°Alcohol, Aliyah?¡± Nara said, offering Aliyah a small cup. She conjured a wooden plate that floated on the surface of the hot spring baths, setting the small bottle of alcohol on top. It resembled sake, but with a sweeter almost maple flavor that Nara enjoyed.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t normally a purveyor of the spirits,¡± Aliyah said, taking the cup. Of the team members, Aliyah was surprisingly the most alcoholic of the bunch, surpassing Eufemia.

    ¡°Feels like the right mood. It¡¯s mostly all Chrome on that side. He chooses the alcohol; I choose the tea. Cheers.¡±

    They clinked glasses.

    ¡°So I know your parents are family friends with Sen, but how¡¯d you meet?¡±

    Aliyah settled back into the bath, her glowing runes diffusing light through the water.

    ¡°My family has no blood relation to the great families of the Shian Union. It¡¯s almost rare. My parents are low level officials that work in administration.¡±

    ¡°Paper pushers?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s appropriate,¡± Aliyah¡¯s chuckles were warm like spiced apple cider during a cold winter storm, and it sent contented shivers down Nara¡¯s spine. ¡°My mother works in the Records Department. Every policy, every document, filed away and stored. My father is an assistant for a higher ranked government official.¡±

    ¡°So, your typical middle class family.¡±

    ¡°These phrases you keep using are quite apt,¡± Aliyah mused, and continued her story. ¡°I¡¯ve been interested in ritual magic since I was young¡ªhowever my interested started, I¡¯m not entirely clear. A long friend of my mother learned of my interest and offered to tutor me at the Magic Society, so she became my mentor.¡±

    ¡°And also how you ended up mentoring Sen with magic?¡±

    ¡°Oh Sen... Sen was stubborn. He resisted his mother¡¯s instructions of learning ritual magic under me. He was a very unruly child,¡± she said conspiratorially. ¡°Still is.¡±

    If by unruly she meant ¡°just as obsessed with training as she was with rituals,¡± then Aliyah was correct.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some fun stories then. I¡¯m a little curious what unruly Sen is like.¡± Aliyah gave her a look. ¡°More than a little,¡± she amended.

    ¡°Hmmm, he was unruly but never destructive. He was far too well-behaved of a kid for that. He¡¯d clean up my workspace to annoy me.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you always clean?¡± Nara said, recalling Aliyah¡¯s workspaces.

    ¡°He annoyed me so much it became a habit! If I put my own stuff away, he couldn¡¯t annoy me by cleaning it up. He¡¯d place back all my books and tools and materials and papers and for the first few weeks I struggled to remember where everything had been!¡± Aliyah¡¯s voice rose, remembering her frustration. ¡°At the time I wondered who was teaching who!¡±

    ¡°Malicious compliance.¡± Nara approved. ¡°He was a smart kiddo.¡±

    ¡°He was a brat that pretended to be well behaved. Oh, he found other ways to mess with me once I was worked out of that bad habit! He¡¯d send back all the records I had borrowed from the Magic Society¡¯s archives. I¡¯d have to go and hunt them down, so I started to keep copies of everything.¡±

    She held up a photo crystal.

    ¡°This became my weapon to counter him. I¡¯d make a list of what I had borrowed, and take a photo of the list. I also took photos of important pages within the records, or borrowed on of the magic society¡¯s transcribers to make my own personal copy.¡±

    ¡°What else?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re that curious?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fun to hear a different side of my friends.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­he¡¯d sign me up to research outings I hadn¡¯t planned to go on. At the time, I didn¡¯t go on any research outings at all.¡±

    ¡°You were a hardcore bookworm?¡±

    Aliyah sighed, nursed her alcohol and leaned back over the edge of the bath. ¡°I take after my mother. She likes the records, and I found enough inspiration within books. Why would I need to see magic outside? Within my workshop, I had everything I needed. As revenge, I dragged Sen along with me on these outings, and gradually Sen showed an interest in external magic too. Not because he was interested in magic theory¡ª¡±

    ¡°But in it¡¯s practical and strategic applications?¡± Nara accurately concluded.

    Aliyah laughed. ¡°For all his strategic mind, he is rather obvious sometimes, isn¡¯t he? In the end, his mother¡¯s plan was a resounding success: Sen¡¯s views were expanded on the importance of learning outside his chosen field. He didn¡¯t need mastery in external magic, just the basics.¡±

    ¡°Or just the knowledge. He doesn¡¯t need to know how to cast everything, just what his options are.¡±

    ¡°We developed a mutual understanding, and I decided to partner with Sen and join the Adventure Society as a part time adventurer.¡±

    ¡°You rubbed off on each other.¡±

    ¡°Oh we did. You¡¯ll notice he still likes to punish people constructively.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nara muttered, ¡°By forcing me to spar with him again and again.¡±

    ¡°Drag him on one of our astral magic sessions if you want to get back at him,¡± Aliyah advised.

    ¡°I have permission from his mentor?¡±

    ¡°Tell him it¡¯s training. He can¡¯t refuse.¡±

    Their conversation was interrupted when a shadow cast over them. Another person must have entered the baths.

    They looked back to greet the newcomer.

    *****

    Nara awoke with a startled panic.

    She cast a darting glance at her surroundings: She wasn¡¯t in her room. She didn¡¯t remember what happened last night. Clearly, she never made it back to her room.

    Where was she? Where was Aliyah?

    She calmed herself, sliding off the bed and onto the floor. The ground was a strange neutral temperature, like it was internally heated. The whole room was the same; an oddly perfect temperature that made Nara feel like she didn¡¯t feel the temperature at all. It was part sensory deprivation tank and part perfect day for an outing.

    The room was simple, but it wasn¡¯t bare. It was more spacious than she expected, around the size of a typical master bedroom. To her left was a window.

    She immediately rushed up to it, only to discover at the touch of her finger pads that wasn¡¯t a window: It was a screen. It didn¡¯t feel like one, but the magic it projected was photorealistic, showing a beautiful scenery of forests and mountains. It was like one of those science fiction rooms, with LED screens to simulate a beautiful scenery to conceal the dystopia outside.

    She tried to push her aura out, only to realize she could not. A thin choker circled her neck. It felt like cloth, but it was not. No matter how she tried to lift it from her skin, it remained skintight. It was more tattoo than clothing accessory, but the almost imperceptible thickness between her skin and touch told her it was not.

    Nara had been suppression collared many times before, under her own hand and with no lock. It was common for sparring practice, especially between iron rankers who didn¡¯t have the best control over their abilities. That experience prevented her from outright panic.

    Panic she did not, instead, Nara was overwhelmed with a new sense of powerlessness. The feeling of safety and security she felt from her innumerous escape abilities, both in her racial abilities and essence abilities was gone. That void unsettled and shook her. Beyond just the fear of waking in a strange room, Nara feared her lack of magic. She sat with her back against the bed frame, resorting to calm, repeated breaths to clear her mind once more of the expresso-shot of despair that had pounded her blood.

    Sen had trained them for this. He had been insistent that they all develop their ability to fight without abilities; Aliyah, reluctant as she was, dedicated some time to learning the stave for self-defense. Her own ability to fight was still intact, and the knowledge of The Way of the Traveler still easily accessible. This reassured her, and Nara collected herself to further evaluate her situation.

    She cast her attention back to the room: There was a desk and chair combination across from the bed. It reminded Nara of a work from home set up, except there was no laptop or monitor on top. The furniture style was too contemporary, all clean edges and ninety-degree angles, to be Erras¡¯ style.

    Nara briefly wondered if she had been teleported back to Earth.

    No, if she had a suppression collar on, this couldn¡¯t be Earth. Plus, the wall screens weren¡¯t LEDs, but magic based.

    There were some indoor plants, which she recognized as Sanshi¡¯s varieties. Instead of being potted, they grew directly from the floor, a patch of dirt and a small lip separating them from the floor.

    At least there¡¯s plants if there¡¯s no window. She ran a finger down a waxy leaf, letting it sooth her by touch.

    To the right of the desk was a large, transparent wall, with a pad beside it.

    ¡°This¡­can¡¯t be?¡±

    She touched her hand to it, and the door surprisingly slid into the ground, revealing a closet.

    ¡°A touch pad?¡±

    The revelation of advanced magitech fostered a now growing sense of unease. Nara was still on Erras, this she knew definitively. She couldn¡¯t have been transported through a portal without consent or trust. The Sanshi plants confirmed this, hopefully.

    The clothing inside was simple and high quality. Basic T-shirts and pants with relaxed cuts. Thankfully, not stereotypical solid colors like insane asylum white or hospital pale blue. It leaned more towards minimalist fashion than internment in a health care facility.

    She tried to use her inventory, but nothing happened. She tried to astral jump but that was prevented as well. She already knew they wouldn¡¯t work, but it didn¡¯t hurt to check. That she knew it¡¯d fail didn¡¯t stop the knot in her stomach from growing.

    She slumped down onto the wall. All her observations and recent events added up to a singular conclusion.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been abducted by The Advent.¡±

    And nobody has ever returned alive.

 Chapter 98: Secret Base of Evil

    Chapter 98: Secret Base of Evil

    ¡°Fuck.¡±

    No words could express how shitty her current situation was¡ªat least, Nara wasn¡¯t creative enough to think them up right this moment. Her mindset was edging towards hysterical rather than insultingly expressive.

    Researchers and inventors were being kidnapped by The Advent, and she had somehow ended up on their grab-and-bag list. Her own invention had been secret, and she was still averse to calling it an invention at all. It was a technique, at best, and the people who knew about this ¡®technique¡¯ were limited. It may be a clue as to what had happened, and why. Nara went through them, one by one.

    The four at Innovation¡¯s Retreat? If they were part of The Advent, she would have been abducted long ago. Now she knew that their retreat was on the highly dangerous fantasy Australia, all they had to do was pop a suppression collar on her there and she¡¯d be trapped.

    Her team? Also unlikely, and Nara didn¡¯t want to entertain the possibility.

    Who else?

    The gods? She couldn¡¯t do anything about that. Would gods work with foreign invaders trying to suborn the world? Maybe? Nara didn¡¯t know much about the gods. If they had told someone, anyone could have slipped it. With the goddess of Knowledge around, nothing was a secret.

    So much for Big Brother. Turns out it was Big Sister all along.

    Anyone else?

    She racked her brain, thinking through events one by one, overturning her memories with a fine-tooth comb as best she could. She didn¡¯t have her Guide¡¯s notes to remind her. What was the order of people who had found out? She started once more.

    First, Redell. Presumably, his god was next. Apparently, they lived rent-free in the minds of their priests, but once again it was a topic she didn¡¯t understand well. Then, everyone else in the retreat. Then, there was the incident with the gods at the Arlang compound. She was portaled back to the retreat after that, and Aliyah, John, and Eufemia followed her through. Sen and Encio were filled in later when she returned to Sanshi.

    What then?

    She had to get her aura re-recorded at the Adventure Society, where she told Oswald the bare minimum.

    ¡°Oh¡­shit.¡±

    Was it Oswald? Was he an agent of The Advent?

    No, she may be jumping to conclusions. If The Advent had a higher level of magic and technology than Erras, there was another possibility: listening devices. The Adventure Society office she spoke with Oswald in was protected from eavesdropping with magic, but what if The Advent had planted a non-magic recording device inside, then collected them later? To begin with, did anti-eavesdropping magic even block radio waves and electronic signals?

    Additionally, someone else at the Arlang compound may have seen a said something. Not even knowing what she had made but just mentioning she had been ¡®gifted¡¯ by the gods may have encouraged the Advent to grab her ¡®just in case¡¯.

    Her current train of thought was pointless and fruitless. Whoever leaked her information accidentally or intentionally to The Advent, it didn¡¯t help her situation now. What was important now was whether Aliyah was here too. She was together with Aliyah in the bath. Aliyah was a mid-level Magic Society member with a decent number of projects and highly rated publications under her name. Her research was eclectic, spanning anything from fundamentals of magic to highly advanced astral magic theory, to artifice. She was less of an artificer than Amara, but most Magic Society researchers knew the basics, and Aliyah was no exception. The application of magic to objects is one of the earliest and most common uses of external magic. The weight reducing modules laborers stuck to heavy objects to float them was a product of artifice.

    Nara¡¯s Party Guide wasn¡¯t working, so she could only leave the room to find Aliyah.

    At the far end of the room, the room narrowed into a small corridor that led to another door with a touch panel. It wasn¡¯t transparent but completely solid, differentiated from the wall by material. She was only mildly surprised when the door slid open after a touch to the sensor pad.

    The interior of the building was surprisingly nice. Her room opened onto an open-air courtyard with a pond, trees, and gazebo feature. The far side was the same open-air hallway, which circled the large garden three fourths of the way around. The right side led to a more covered interior building. If this section was residential, the adjacent section should be communal.

    She looked up towards the sky. It was day now; the sun was not visible yet through the roof. It was likely still morning, before noon.

    If she could trust the sky. It was possible it was the same hyper realistic magical projection. There was no way for Nara to climb up to verify. The roof was too high above the trees for her to reach, and she did try.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried that too, it¡¯s not use.¡± A voice said from beneath her. ¡°I can jump higher than you, and I didn¡¯t see any other way to breach the ceiling either.¡±

    She looked down at the man who had spoken to her. He was on the tall side, with handsome features and a solid build she recognized of an essence user. He had the local¡¯s usual appearance: black hair, black eyes, and skin on the tan side. He had short stubble, and short cut hair that gave him a rather military appearance for a researcher.

    Nara clamored down from the tree, brushing herself off to remove stray bits of bark and dirt.

    ¡°You are?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Jiro Asanda, no relation to the Dasan,¡± he preemptively added. It must have been a common follow-up question.

    ¡°Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°Edea, like the inventor-adventurer?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s my mentor.¡± Nara might have to start adding her own pre-emptive answer.

    ¡°They even took you?¡± Jiro let out a weary sigh. ¡°I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re willing to spite a gold ranker. Does she know you¡¯re missing?¡±

    ¡°How long has it been? I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    ¡°For you? Around 10 hours. You were taken in here along with your runic friend. You took your time waking up.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah.¡± Her heart sank, although she wasn¡¯t surprised. ¡°How many people are here?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s 26 of us researchers here now. There used to be more.¡±

    ¡°Used to be? How ominous.¡±

    ¡°Some of us leave. You¡¯ll see what I mean soon,¡± he said mysteriously. Nara was a little envious that he was so adept at ¡®mysterious and helpful guide¡¯. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    Nara nodded, walking beside the older man. They passed through the long sandstone architecture. It had a pleasant feeling¡ªfor a secret base of an evil invading faction, they nailed the vibes of a middle eastern resort. The hallway was lined with planted ferns, and the roof was even tiled with colorful geometric mosaic patterns. She had wanted the facility to be bare and white so she could hate them for their interior decoration but found herself angry over her internal appreciation of their aesthetic sense.

    Jiro began to explain the layout of the facility. He had been here for a few days already; Aliyah, Nara, and a few others were the most recent arrivals.

    ¡°There¡¯s three residential wings, North,¡± he pointed, ¡°East, and West wings. The center area is communal recreation, the arch, the dining hall, and the library. Towards the south is the activity hall. There¡¯s an open field for you fighters to practice and the normals to exercise, no weapons though, along with a wall none of us can get past. There¡¯s also the auditorium.¡±

    ¡°Auditorium?¡±

    ¡°They hold these ¡®sessions¡¯ where they explain the benefits of joining The Advent. They show some recordings and images. How anyone is convinced by that bolo shit is beyond me.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re showing propaganda?¡± Nara asked incredulously.

    He grimaced. ¡°Even if it was truth, I cannot trust them for their methods.¡±

    Yes, abduction was extremely objectionable. Especially from the point of view of an abductee.

    ¡°If they do that, then what is their peace really built on.¡±

    ¡°That is my conclusion. You could say I¡¯m the leader of the ¡®stay¡¯ group, those who won¡¯t go no matter what.¡±

    ¡°The leader of the ¡®stay group?¡± Nara repeated, tired. ¡°There¡¯s even factions for this?¡±

    ¡°Not much a faction, really. There¡¯s Yulia Chime, who thinks we should all go through the arch and leave.¡±

    Nara¡¯s inquisitive ¡®go on¡¯ expression caused him to belatedly explain.

    ¡°There¡¯s this gods-damn arch they¡¯ve erected in the middle of the communal area! A portal arch.¡± He clarified. ¡°They claim it leads to their world. To go through it is to join their little club. Be welcomed into their harmony.¡±

    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Whoop woo, we¡¯re all friends now,¡± Nara said, dripping sarcasm like ice cream on a hot day.

    He laughed derisively. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it for a moment either. Yulia thinks we should all go join these bastards.¡±

    ¡°She can just go through then.¡±

    Jiro kneaded his forehead with his hand, ¡°She also thinks that anyone who stays for too long gets killed. She doesn¡¯t think we should join to all be friends and make merry, but because there¡¯s no other option. It¡¯s that or death.¡±

    As if death was any less guaranteed going through the portal. She¡¯d rather die on the lands of her new home. What a depressing thought.

    ¡°You know her well then?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he said with a softer tone. ¡°We work together at the Magic Society.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the longest stay so far then?¡± Nara said, changing the topic.

    ¡°Chen Hiam, he¡¯s been here for a month.¡±

    ¡°So, we have a month, optimistically. How long have you been here?

    ¡±Two weeks.¡±

    Their conversation paused when they reached the entrance to the communal area. It had a partial roof, with glassless skylights to let natural light pour into the area. To her left was a massive living room area with plush rugs, floor cushions, and low couches. A wall resembled a TV screen, and researchers were watching what Nara assumed was another new and exciting flavor of propaganda. Some sat on couches or rugs reading books or using some of their low tables to play table games.

    Solidly in the center, was an arch. The arch. It was like a portal arch but made of the same sandstone-like material the rest of the facility was made of. It emanated a soft glow, the surface of the magic membrane resembling rippling waves of shallow water, perpetually active.

    She looked away from the arch, spotting a familiar face she was both relieved and sad to see.

    ¡°Nara!¡± Aliyah said, starting into a skip run.

    She pulled Nara into a hug, Nara gladly squeezing back.

    ¡°I had hoped I wouldn¡¯t see you here,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Funny, I had the same thought. Does that make us friends?¡±

    Aliyah chuckled, patted Nara¡¯s back comfortingly, and then released her.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get a bite to eat first while we discuss things?¡±

    The three walked over to the right side of the large room, a small eating area, like a restaurant. They sat down in comfortable seats, and a holographic menu appeared.

    ¡°They have chefs on hand? In their evil, futuristic, and annoyingly well decorated prison facility?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen anyone cook the food or deliver it. It¡¯s delivered on these practical autonomous carts. I¡¯d love to take one apart.¡± Her fingers folded on her lap twitched in anticipation.

    ¡°Feel free. A few of us have managed it already. They even provide us with the tools to do so.¡±

    ¡°They let you do that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a demonstration of their ¡®superior technology¡¯,¡± Jiro scoffed. ¡°Another method to convince us to go through the arch.¡±

    ¡°Should we even eat the food? What if it¡¯s poisoned or drugged?¡±

    ¡°You have an alternative?¡± Jiro drily said.

    ¡°Yeah actually, I don¡¯t need to eat. It¡¯s hard to explain so I¡¯ll just say it¡¯s outworlder reasons.¡±

    ¡°Outworlder? Your friend didn¡¯t mention it.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not exactly something I just tell everyone. I¡¯ve been told it attracts unsavory interest. Futile effort on my part, apparently.¡±

    ¡°It may pose an interesting control experiment. If you don¡¯t eat while we do.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Nara agreed, ¡°See if there¡¯s any changes over the next few weeks. I can do that.¡±

    ¡°I disagree,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°If they are drugging us, why even use food?¡± She gestured to the building, ¡°They can apply it through the air, or while we sleep. Eat, Nara, it will be better for your mind.¡±

    ¡°Two very valid arguments.¡± She was a gourmand, so her conclusion was perhaps a smidge too quick. ¡°I¡¯ll eat then.¡±

    If they had robot carts, touch panels, and magic holographic screens, then an aerosolized drug or a needle were also options. If they wanted them drugged, they couldn¡¯t prevent it.

    ¡°So,¡± Jiro said, restarting the conversation after a pause, ¡°What have you done?¡±

    ¡°What have I done?¡± Nara said defensively. ¡°Nothing really. I just got here 6 months ago?¡±

    ¡°I meant, what have you researched or invented?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that. It¡¯s sort of restricted.¡±

    ¡°You created restricted magic in 6 months?¡± He said with rising incredulity.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing bad really. I was working with a priest of the healer to make it. They¡¯ve got some restricted adjacent topic there.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t tell me more?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter?¡±

    Their conversation abruptly stopped when someone new walked up to the table. Judging by Jiro¡¯s tight expression, she wasn¡¯t a researcher.

    ¡°I am Sister Lina Dressel, harmonious morning to all of you.¡±

    ¡°What are you here for, Adventist?¡± Jiro spat. His fists tightened above the table. It looked as if he wanted to swing.

    She gave a soft, genuinely sweet smile. Lina Dressel was stunningly beautiful, as all celestines were; an apt choice for a brand¡ªor cult¡ªambassador. She had soft purple hair, the color of springtime thistle, with the iconic celestine metallic sheen. Her eyes, of course, matched. She held herself with the demure politeness of a modest young lady, graceful, but not asking for attention. Nara could find no deceit in her expression, only genuine kindness, which creeped her out more.

    ¡°May I?¡± She said gesturing to the open seat.

    ¡°Will you leave if I say no?¡± Jiro said.

    She sat, gently smoothing out her clothing and fixing her posture with elegance and grace, ¡°You¡¯ve asked why I am here, harmonant Jiro.¡±

    ¡°Drop the harmonant,¡± he snapped.

    ¡°Very well,¡± she said, graciously acquiescing. ¡°I am here for harmonant Nara.¡±

    ¡°Uh, just Nara here too. Why¡¯re you here for me? Some kind of newcomer orientation?¡±

    ¡°Yes. All the new harmonants will receive an orientation in the audience hall shortly. We cannot force you to go, but we hope you will attend. Any questions you have I will answer for you.¡±

    ¡°You will? For me?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Why? What do you know?¡±

    ¡°Nara, I believe Jiro here was curious why The Advent has taken an interest in you.¡±

    ¡°Clearly, a very close interest,¡± he remarked, equally curious.

    ¡°There are several reasons. The first, your outworlder origins. It¡¯s attractive to the residents of this world as well, for various reasons. The second, is your invention¡ªa method to communicate and consensually modify the soul. Soul magic, or soul engineering¡ªwe call it either way.¡±

    Jiro stared at Nara, ¡°Soul magic? No surprise you didn¡¯t tell me.¡±

    ¡°Look, I was literally just helping a friend out and accidentally invented it, like Penicillin. And it¡¯s not really an invention, it¡¯s the first technique in a very new field.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s Penicillin?¡±

    ¡°The third reason is that Nara possesses the knowledge of the entire Celestial Book library within her mind.¡±

    It was unpleasant to hear, but she supposed more people knew about her mind library than the soul magic. If they knew about the soul magic, Lawrence tagging around just to transcribe books wasn¡¯t nearly so hard to discover.

    ¡°The entirely to the Celestial Book library?¡± Jiro said, his breathless wonder overriding his irritation with Lina¡¯s presence. ¡°I¡¯ve only heard a bit about it. Rumors and hearsay; a massive library of knowledge accumulated by a cult of a Great Astral Being. I¡¯ve never been interested in it myself. Far too dangerous for a researcher like me, and my research is more¡­grounded,¡± he said the last sentence with the tone of a pun, that only he seemed to understand, ¡°Any sane researcher can¡¯t work through that amount of material in a lifetime. I just focus on the discoveries around me.¡±

    Aliyah nodded, ¡°The Celestial Book trial is only interesting to adventurers. Most researchers are curious about it, but have no interest in challenging the trial. It¡¯s a strange intersection between magic and combat that rather leaves both underutilized.¡±

    ¡°And you have that all in your mind?¡±

    ¡°My soul, I guess. An outworlder power.¡±

    ¡°So they¡¯re giving you special attention? I don¡¯t envy you,¡± Jiro muttered.

    A small hover card smoothly crossed the eating area over to their table, altering them with a soft ping. Nara lifted her plate and her drink and set it down in front of herself. Then, grabbed a set of utensils and a cloth napkin from the cart as well. When she finished, the cart floated away.

    Jiro glared at Lina.

    ¡°You won¡¯t leave her alone?¡±

    ¡°If Nara askes for some space, I am willing to leave.¡±

    ¡°Then¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll stop you there Jiro. If you¡¯re thinking that if she leaves, we can discuss secret plans I¡¯d give up on that. They probably have devices or magic in place that lets the hear what we discuss from a distance. Whether or not Lina is around is probably pointless.¡±

    Jiro glanced around the room. His perception ability was blocked, but his own specialty and research was in magic construction and building arrays. For a secretive base like this, detection and concealment magic were basic and guaranteed. Eavesdropping magic was harder to implement on a large scale, but he had already seen more advanced magic from the Advent. Assuming they had the same limits as their own world was a pitfall.

    ¡°You have a point. This place is a guaranteed vault of array magic protections.¡±

    You¡¯d said you¡¯d answer any question?¡± Nara said, turning the conversation back to the Adventist.

    ¡°While I will answer, I may not give the answer.¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s start off with some easy one, break the ice as they say. What¡¯s your rank?¡±

    ¡°I am bronze rank, as you call it on this world.¡±

    ¡°How many Adventists are here, and their ranks?¡±

    ¡°There are 11 Adventists at this facility. 5 are iron rank, 3 are bronze rank, 2 are silver rank, and 1 is gold rank.¡±

    ¡°You bastards keep a gold ranker here for a bunch of iron and bronze rankers?¡± Jiro sneered, ¡°Where¡¯s your sense of pride? Fairness?¡±

    Lina smiled. ¡°There is no method the Adventist is not willing to employ in order to provide a more harmonious future for all beings across the cosmos. Moral and ethical stipulations are counterproductive if they interfere with our final, compassionate goal.¡±

    The ends justified the means. The Advent was utilitarian, willing to use any method should the final score win a net positive. Then, the lengths they would go depended on how they weighed the value of their mission. Was it above the annihilation of a people?

    Jiro didn¡¯t expect fairness from his kidnapper. He couldn¡¯t help the anger that rose from a gold ranker keeping them under their thumb. For a gold ranker to pick on a silver ranker was shameful in Erras, let alone a bunch of normal, iron, and bronze rankers.

    ¡°See? She¡¯s more useful to keep around. We¡¯re already getting somewhere,¡± Nara tried to diffuse the tension. ¡°How do we keep this suppression collar off?¡±

    ¡°The suppression collar uses and aura lock. The two auras that will unlock the collars is older sister Hellis Fallen the operations leader who is silver rank, and her elder sister Raina Bow, gold rank.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really expect you to answer that.¡±

    ¡°I could not release you even if you managed to overpower me and threaten my life,¡± Lina said with a soft, understanding smile. ¡°Best eliminate misunderstandings before they foment.¡±

    Jiro leaned forward, his previously confrontational attitude sagging along with his shoulders.

    ¡°Is this all to say it¡¯s pointless? There¡¯s a gold ranker here. There¡¯s nothing we can do.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to leave through the arch then?¡±

    He shook his head despondently. He had already spent two weeks in confinement, which wore on him mentally. He was normally a steady person, and now he ping-ponged from angry to despairing.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave my family behind. My little daughter and my wife ¡­If I can never see them again, what is the difference between leaving through that arch and dying? At least¡­¡± he said, expression crumbling, ¡°I¡¯m not a traitor with the second option.¡±

    ¡°Jiro,¡± Lina said, her face and tone empathetic, ¡°Should your world join The Advent, we can all work towards a better future together. We understand the importance of family and love. We can even bring your family to your new home, to be together with you. There is no need to preemptively mourn your separation.¡±

    Jiro stared at her like a rabid wolf moments away from ripping out a soft fleshy throat. He got up from the table and left, too tired and too angry to argue with her.

    ¡°You have a schedule or something?¡± Nara said after Jiro had left, sparing him a concerned glance.

    ¡°I have one here,¡± Lina said. She handed Nara a pamphlet. ¡°Please, take a look.¡±

    ¡°¡¯The Advent and Harmony: Improving the Standard of Life¡¯. What¡¯s this, a TED talk?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just in time, Nara,¡± Lina said. ¡°I think you will find the presentation interesting.¡±

    ¡°Not convincing?¡±

    Her smile was a knowing sort. ¡°We¡¯re aware that what we ask of every person here is momentous and of personal sacrifice. We aim to build trust to be worthy of a such dedication. I believe after dedicated and thorough dialogue; you will realize the great benefits of harmony. Not only to you, but to an entire world.¡±

    ¡°Want to take a gander at what our kidnappers are peddling and develop Stockholm syndrome?¡± Nara said as she turned to Aliyah.

    ¡°What¡¯s Stockholm syndrome?¡±

    ¡°Where you fall in love with your kidnapper.¡±

    ¡°Your world has a word for that? Does it happen often?¡±

    ¡°Not ¡®often¡¯,¡± Nara denied. ¡°But we do have some wild fiction. A sock fit for every member, you know?¡±

    ¡°A vulgar joke in this hour? I¡¯m surprised.¡±

    ¡°You guys use socks for that purpose too?¡±

    ¡°And others,¡± Aliyah said as she waggled her eyebrows. She held out her hand, an invitation to the world¡¯s least appealing movie theater screening.

    ¡°Shall we?¡±

 Chapter 99: A Heavy Hand

    Chapter 99: A Heavy Hand

    Aliyah and Nara settled into a relatively empty theater, except for the 6 newcomers that had also been abducted with The Advent¡¯s last drive-by organized abduction.

    The theater was a cross between a movie theater and a lecture hall. A steep incline staggered chairs, which led to a large magical projection. The far wall was slightly curved, resembling curved monitors, as if they cared about the viewing experience of their victims. The lighting was bright, and it dimmed as soon as the projection flickered to life.

    ¡°Hello!¡± A cheerful voice sounded through obnoxiously crystal-clear surround sound.

    The image of a beautiful woman appeared on the screen. A celestine again, evidentially universally beautiful to the greatest demographics. Most closely ¡®humanoid¡¯ races found celestines beautiful, whereas races like leonids and dragonids didn¡¯t care. No doubt an intentional choice to appeal to the majority humanoid population of Erras. Propaganda on Earth usually had some more subtlety, although subtlety was wasted effort when they had such a ¡®captive¡¯ audience.

    ¡°I am Quena Bess, your guide to the mission of the Advent and life within the Advent!¡±

    The view panned from her face, displaying a beautiful plaza decorated with a fountain and beautiful geometric flooring. Buildings lined the street, and in the distance were tall towers Nara recognized as high rises. Flowering trees lined the street, and nature was abundant but not overgrown. Sky trams followed transparent rails, shuttling citizens from one portion of the city to another.

    Quena began to narrate about life on the advent as they explored the city.

    It was annoyingly close to what Nara herself thought was a utopian city and society. Abundant in forms of public transportation, walkable streets, clean streets, policies that prevented homelessness, free education, free healthcare, free necessities, short workdays and long weekends, early retirement, abundant time off. Parks were varied, plentiful, and well maintained. Housing was entirely free, with larger housing granted to those that worked in more difficult fields, yet still prioritizing the proximity for workers so their commute wasn¡¯t hours long.

    The union of magic and technology, sharing the benefits of both and eliminating the negative byproducts. A match made in heaven, handcrafted by the cosmos, perhaps literally. Science and technology excelled where magic struggled, while the reverse was true of magic.

    City wide detection arrays warned of monster manifestations in advance to evacuate civilians, and local essence users swiftly dealt with the monsters. Shelters were plentiful, and the advance warning gave plenty of time.

    Nara groaned.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Aliyah asked.

    ¡°It is a pretty nice world,¡± Nara said, cranky with how impressed she was. ¡°Before I got here, I would¡¯ve jumped at the chance. Don¡¯t look at me like that. It¡¯s really leaps and bounds improvement over my world.¡±

    ¡°¡­Even with all the monitoring?¡±

    ¡°Right, they mentioned that. Slipped my mind because my world does it illegally, legally, publicly, and secretly, then sells it to anybody that¡¯d buy it.¡±

    ¡°How terrible. Who would want to buy so many recordings of mundane life?¡± Aliyah was most concerned with what was to her a massive waste of effort and time, although she may appreciate the research that mass data could be used for, if Nara explained it to her.

    ¡°That¡¯s not quite how it works. Honestly, this might be one of those ¡®the aliens invaded Earth, and the world rejoiced¡¯, sort of things for my world.¡±

    Aliyah expression was obviously disbelieving.

    ¡°Honestly,¡± Nara said, sucking in a sharp breath. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to admit this but if I hadn¡¯t been collared and kidnapped, this would¡¯ve been far more convincing. Really, we might¡¯ve welcomed them with picket signs saying: ¡®Welcome Overlords!¡¯, ¡®My home is your home¡¯, and ¡®Take me to your leader!¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so,¡± Lina said, smoothly cutting into their conversation. ¡°Worlds under the harmony of The Advent are fair and generous. We have long discovered that most worlds suffer not a supply issue, but an issue of distribution. In many worlds, the powerful hoard the resources. We understand that those who work hard and achieve should be rewarded, and we aim to balance both merit and the value of life. With the benefits of magic and technology combined, it is possible to not only distribute resources effectively, but provided to all for free, as a baseline.¡±

    Nara let out an internal scream but collected herself. The video ended, so Nara turned to Lina for questions.

    ¡°If you have all this capability, why not just give it to worlds? Charity work, you know?¡±

    ¡°Charity is indeed a praiseworthy purpose. However, we have tried to provide our benefits to worlds charitably. Inevitably, if the worlds maintain their original power structure, those with authority necessitate a hierarchy. Those on top much have better lives than those below them, otherwise what separates them from the rest? While we give magic, knowledge, and technology freely, they hoard the benefits for themselves, cementing their own power and giving those below them the scraps they deem fit to share. Thus, we must suborn the previous authority and supplant them with our own. There is no other way. Even if we share the magic, knowledge, and technology with the entire population, only those with the power and resources can utilize our gifts and implement them as they see fit. And if they can, they take from those who cannot resist¡ªthe vulnerable and weak who need protection.¡±

    ¡°So hey, this is all really good,¡± Nara said. ¡°But it¡¯s marred by the fact that we¡¯ve all been abducted and held against our will. Just like Jiro, I want to stay with my team, and I want to get back to my family. It may be the harder way and slower way, but forming diplomatic ties to encourage a mutually beneficial relationship and society is the proper way to do it. And if it doesn¡¯t work, just¡­give up? You did your moral duty; We dig our own graves.¡±

    Nara gestured furiously with her hands, emphasizing each of her next words, ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with any of this except being fucking kidnapped. Y¡¯all can release the ones that want to go, and I¡¯ll consider this a rather rough but otherwise harmless cultural fair.¡±

    ¡°I will communicate your sentiments to sister Hellis Fallen,¡± Lina easily acquiesced.

    ¡°Alright, I guess that¡¯s something,¡± she said genially.

    She expected nothing.

    *****

    Aliyah and Nara lounged in one of the faux-outdoor relaxation areas. Nice, comfortable furniture surrounded with shade and a water feature river which cut through the center of the complex, before it disappeared underground towards the communal eating area. Lina sat further away, giving Nara space as promised.

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Do you mean all that?¡± Aliyah asked, not quite accusingly, but a tad beyond polite curiosity.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to be more specific.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a problem with their world?¡±

    Nara sighed and mulled over the sour gumball thoughts melting in her mind. ¡°It¡¯s better than my world in many ways, but I¡¯ve lived a relatively sheltered life, both here and there. I haven¡¯t had any actual trouble with the authorities, haven¡¯t had to make tough decisions for myself or my family, wasn¡¯t born into a disadvantageous situation, haven¡¯t had to commit crime for survival or to prosper. I know Eufemia¡¯s had a rough life, and John¡¯s been through some of it with her. I have my reservations, of course I do: I certainly can¡¯t trust their methods or their morality, and I remember what Sage told me. They would sacrifice a world if it would preserve harmony. What do you think?¡±

    Aliyah sat in deep though for several minutes, seriously considering the response to Nara¡¯s question. The conflict with The Advent was still in its early stages and its resolution was hidden in the fog of dawning time. What happened in this one facility was just one of many across the world. Whether her world joined The Advent was still up in the air.

    ¡°As you said, I don¡¯t approve of their methods,¡± Aliyah began slowly. ¡°And yet, it resembles this world in many ways I cannot deny.¡±

    ¡°It does?¡± Nara questioned, surprised by Aliyah¡¯s fair response.

    ¡°High rankers do what they think is best. There are many that understand wisdom transcends both age and rank, but when they believe that they are right, who would stop them? Many have wisdom with their experiences and age, but...¡± Aliyah paused. ¡°Even the most stubborn of high rankers stay above the line. The morals and ethics they¡¯ve developed from fighting monsters, protecting the people, and engaging with peers do not disappear with rank. They may be heavy handed, but...not to this extent. Sometimes heavy-handedness saves lives. Other times, it is unnecessary.¡±

    ¡°So, it''s an issue of severity to you?¡± Nara summarized.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah tasted the potent truth in the open air. ¡°The line and the degree of which we approach it is what separates a wise ruler from a tyrant. To threaten the academics on purview of death is far beyond the methods of a just society. Their methods here are indicative of their methods elsewhere.¡±

    She glanced at Lina, who smiled back but said nothing.

    ¡°They may claim that those who join them have their protection and better treatment, but how do you trust their best when you know their worst?¡±

    Aliyah sighed, rolling her shoulders to stretch them. She cast her gaze over their idyllic prison, similarly annoyed with its pleasant design. Unlike Nara, Aliyah tried to analyze the origins of its architectural design. She couldn¡¯t discern much. Vaguely Atilsalhayan, perhaps Silversandian, although the furniture style did not match either culture.

    ¡°I hope that the threat of The Advent is a lesson to my world. We have been complacent in the development of society. Should we survive this, I¡¯d like to investigate the policies of Sanshi. It is my hometown, and I hope to improve it. If that recording has any fragment of truth, then there is much we lack.¡±

    ¡°Should we survive this? We will survive this.¡± Nara tried for confident and encouraging, grabbing Aliyah¡¯s hands. Aliyah squeezed back. ¡°Besides, that seems more of Sen and Encio¡¯s type of thing.¡±

    Aliyah chuckled. ¡°I can call it political training and force Sen to participate. I imagine Encio may be a great teacher.¡±

    ¡°Surprisingly, he is.¡±

    *****

    Nara and Aliyah, together with a tag-a-long Lina, explored the library that The Advent provided. If they were offering free and accessible information, Aliyah would not miss the opportunity. Nara wondered if her Guide would record every book she saw into her archive if it was disabled. Even if it did not, she didn¡¯t trust the books here enough to care. They could very well have their own subtle propaganda, warped facts, or lies: It need not be so blatant as the video. Nara had no way to verify, and she cautioned Aliyah. The threat of misinformation was greater in Nara¡¯s world than Erras, and she had more experience with it. With the goddesses Truth and Knowledge (and other gods which presided over their own respective domains), Erras had ways to verify information.

    The library had the same relaxed sandstone resort architecture with large, sweeping archways, natural sky lights, and green decorations. The library was much smaller than the one in the Celestial Book trial¡ªa given, as a secret facility to hold academics captive had limited space. There were books on what Nara considered ¡®science¡¯ but not as much as she expected.

    Earth¡¯s unique barren magic environment had nurtured a mastery of reality that few others accomplished, nor cared to accomplish. A quick scan of the books told Nara that The Advent had not yet developed electronics. The holographic screens she¡¯d seen in the facility must have been primarily a product of magic, not science. As well as the autonomous serving cart¡ªlikely an autonomous magic construct, rather than a hovering robot.

    Aliyah pointed out which topics were more advanced than she had seen on Erras herself. Many were. They had a better grasp of physics and statics for civil engineering, better understanding of biology for biological engineering, as well as knowledge in subjects such as harnessing wind power and waterpower with windmills and water wheels, although Nara was relieved to see they hadn¡¯t breeched fields like nuclear energy. Their magic in general was more advanced, with both Erras¡¯ strength and Elderster-jos'' efficiency. Through magic application, they had an adjacent understanding of acoustics and optics, with a different approach to these topics than Earth. They even had research into the aura and the soul, which left Nara unnerved.

    ¡°How on Earth did they find these things out?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah agreed, ¡°The implications are problematic.¡±

    They didn¡¯t have actual methods of soul engineering¡ªgoing into another person¡¯s soul directly to alter it¡ªbut they did know how to put people into engineered situations to encourage development in a specific direction. Essence user development depended on if the user felt challenged¡ªit didn¡¯t matter if the challenge was manufactured if the person felt it was real. Some challenges may be standard, while others were torturous, although they were unwritten. The two of them could read between the lines of a society where ¡®the ends justified the means¡¯.

    ¡°By their theories,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°they can put an essence user into just the right situations to push them into gold and diamond rank in record time.¡±

    ¡°Just theories,¡± Nara stated flatly in an effort to reduce The Advent¡¯s looming lore of power. ¡°Who knows if it works in practice? Besides, if that was true, shouldn¡¯t there be a lot more than just one gold ranker here?¡±

    ¡°You say that as if one gold ranker isn¡¯t a lot.¡±

    ¡°A lot for us, but not a lot for this world. I¡¯m a little surprised they haven¡¯t invested a diamond ranker into this facility if what they say is true.¡±

    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±

    ¡°If they kidnapped me knowing I¡¯m related to Amara in some way, then they know both of us are Encio¡¯s teammates.¡±

    ¡°Sezan is a risk,¡± Aliyah concluded.

    ¡°Yeah. Either they¡¯re risking it that Encio won¡¯t call his grandfather, or they have a diamond ranker that Lina doesn¡¯t know or isn¡¯t telling, or they¡¯re confident they won¡¯t be found. I¡¯m hoping it¡¯s option one.¡±

    ¡°I agree. Option two is by far the worst. Two diamond rankers fighting¡ªit would be a catastrophe.¡±

    With two diamond rankers, it¡¯d be a challenge just to avoid becoming collateral damage.

    Nara was missing the sound of Chrome¡¯s nagging voice when an unfamiliar person interrupted their conversation of two. It was subtle, but she saw Lina¡¯s expression harden at the appearance of this newcomer.

    Nara had no aura senses to rely on for detecting emotion and intentions, only good old first impression and intuition. Thousands of years of human evolution had created a creature that was exceptionally accurate at feeling whether they¡¯d get along with somebody based on first impression¡ª90% accurate, if the article Nara last remembered wasn¡¯t out of date or faulty science. She didn¡¯t have a working Guide to confirm.

    Lina¡¯s subtle displeasure and Nara¡¯s own heightened sensitivity due to her anxiety of being abducted by magical alien commune cultists set off Nara¡¯s own displeasure; She didn¡¯t like the person who stood before them.

    He was an elf who looked like the worst type of gym rat. He wasn¡¯t bulky; most elves weren¡¯t without an essence ability that boosted physical strength. Clearly, he spent time working out beyond what was normal for his rank to push the lithe physique of his race. His skin was sun tanned, like a professional surfer, but without the charming imperfections of freckles or wrinkles caused by sun exposure, unnatural in its uniformity. His hair was a sandy blond and buzzed short on the sides in a military cut. His pale blue eyes locked onto Nara in a gaze she found inexplicably uncomfortable.

    There was no suppression collar around his neck: he was an Adventist.

    With a flip of his hand, a chair floated over to settle in front of Nara and Aliyah. Lina had never used any of her essence abilities in front of the captives to put them at ease and establish a middle ground, but this man had no such compunctions. He wanted them to know he was more powerful than they were, that their situations were unequal.

    ¡°I¡¯m Ceram Howl,¡± he said, his arrogant smile a poor imitation of Encio¡¯s inexplicably pleasant one, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we all appreciate the wonderous workings of Harmony that has brought us together? I think you and I meeting¡­is fate.¡±

 Chapter 100: To Seek the Exceptional

    Chapter 100: To Seek the Exceptional

    He was staring at her, so Nara felt like she had to do something to break the uncomfortable atmosphere. She offered her hand.

    ¡°Nara Edea,¡± she replied, and he shook her hand.

    While she was getting creeper vibes from Ceram, he hadn¡¯t done anything yet. Even if he wasn¡¯t a creep, she wasn¡¯t going to antagonize him. She wasn¡¯t going to antagonize any of the Adventists, and hopefully shake off her unwanted position as Time¡¯s Person of the Year.

    ¡°You¡¯re not another watcher like Lina, right?¡± Nara said, probing him with an easy question.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not like her.¡± His tone indicated that Lina¡¯s distaste with him was mutual.

    ¡°So, what are you here for?¡±

    He leaned forward, intruding forward into Nara¡¯s personal space that she subconsciously leaned back.

    ¡°I was interested in you, so I came to take a look.¡±

    ¡°Interested?¡± She wanted to cringe. He had that ¡®attempted sauve¡¯ look again¡ªeyes narrowed, mouth curled in a Tumblr sexy-man smirk, body leaned forward¡ªand it looked more like a ¡®milady¡¯ phase of a highschooler than anything remotely attractive. All he needed was a black fedora.

    ¡°Sister Lina¡¯s just the symptom, the ardent follower,¡± Ceram said. ¡°The one with the interest in you is Elder Sister Raina Bow.¡±

    ¡°The gold ranker?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been on a few missions like this.¡± He said, like it was something to brag about, watching over a bunch of suppressed and imprisoned essence users. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen the Elder interested in someone as much as she is in you before. Special attention from her favorite silver and bronze rankers. So, has she made any progress with you?¡±

    ¡°Brother Ceram,¡± Lina said sharply, cutting in, ¡°You cannot expect us to develop a trusting relationship in just a day. In time, we will reach a mutual understanding.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± he said, waving his hand dismissively, ¡°I find her method boring. How about we do something a little more fun?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Nara said, keeping her responses curt.

    ¡°How about a little spar?¡±

    ¡°Brother Ceram, your bronze rank,¡± Lina said, throwing a hint to Nara, which Nara did appreciate. ¡°That¡¯s hardly appropriate.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Ceram said, ¡°I am above her. What a shame¡­¡± he sat in his seat, the unease growing on everyone present as they waited for his next words. ¡°I¡¯ve thought of a new, better idea. How about we take a swim in the lake? You and me, enjoying the water. It¡¯s impeccably maintained. We can even provide such luxuries in a prison.¡±

    Ceram was the type to rudely state the unsaid. Lina and the rest had avoided saying prison even though that is what it was.

    ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯m not really in the mood,¡± Nara said, ¡°Being abducted and all is an energy killer.¡±

    He stood up, then with a flash of speed, pressed his foot on top of Aliyah¡¯s, catching her foot so she couldn¡¯t pull it back.

    ¡°Still not in the mood?¡± He sneered.

    He pressed forward. Aliyah turned her expression so Nara couldn¡¯t see her expression of pain as her hands balled and she wrestled her face into an impassive icy mien. She could feel the arch of her foot cracking and straining under Ceram¡¯s bronze rank strength and weight.

    ¡°Ceram! Stop this right now! This is highly inappropriate conduct!¡± Lina snapped at him, standing sharply from her chair to front up to his face, a move that was surprisingly imposing for the demure celestine.

    ¡°Relax, Sister Lina. Don¡¯t forget your decorum. I just want a swim, I promise,¡± he said, lifting his foot from Aliyah¡¯s and stepping backwards with false concession, his smile the same crescent of sneering arrogance.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Nara said tersely. ¡°I¡¯ll swim.¡±

    *****

    Nara didn¡¯t want to swim, but she also didn¡¯t want Aliyah to walk around with a broken foot. If they had any chance of escape, she needed a fully functioning body. More importantly, she didn¡¯t know if the Adventists would heal it for her and didn¡¯t want to put their kindness to the test. Walking around with a broken foot wouldn¡¯t kill an iron ranker, but it would be incredibly painful until it naturally healed. Aliyah didn¡¯t have any natural regenerative boosters that work even with suppression (Neither did Nara, but that wasn¡¯t the point.)

    She returned to her room, Ceram and Lina following at a distance. She hoped that the Adventists couldn¡¯t come inside, but she now questioned whether she had any true privacy or security. She most definitely did not. Would they prevent Ceram from entering her room? She closed her eyes and took a centering breath to suppress her shaking and rising terror. She was holding it together so far, but captivity wore on her mind. It wore on everyone¡¯s mind. As the days passed, it¡¯d only grow worse and worse.

    The closet in her room had a few swimming suit options. She could use some of the normal clothing provided, but she had a feeling that¡¯d set Ceram off. She could guess what a man like him wanted. She didn¡¯t want to give him the pleasure of seeing her capitulate, but she didn¡¯t have much of an option. She straddled the line, choosing as revealing a piece as her own sensibilities and pride would allow, which wasn¡¯t much to begin with; She ended up choosing a two piece set that resembled swim shorts and a racerback bikini top. The racerback top covered her scar at her chest, but not the entirety of her soul crest. The material did not feel like polyester, but a material between cotton and leather enchanted with a water repellant effect.

    She stepped outside. Aliyah had, in that time, gathered a few other swimmers to diffuse the situation. Jiro, Yulia, and the third and final bronze ranker of the 26 abductees as well as the only other duo member of the Adventure and Magic Society, Amas Hawthorne. A few iron and normal rankers participated. It seemed Aliyah only told the bronze rakers what was going on, because the atmosphere was less tense than what Nara expected.

    Ceram was leaning on the wall outside her door, surprising her with his proximity.

    ¡°I was hoping to get a glimpse of that soul crest of yours.¡± He ran his hand against her lower back, ¡°You¡¯ve covered it up. Are you embarrassed?¡± he said with a saccharine sneer.

    She flinched, stepping away quickly reflexively.

    ¡°I never liked showing much skin,¡± she said, ¡°Soul crest or not.¡±

    ¡°Why even get it then, if you¡¯re not going to show it off?¡±

    ¡°If you know about soul crests, does that mean The Advent has them?¡± She said, changing the topic. She got her soul crest for a variety of reasons, but she didn¡¯t want to discuss any of them with Ceram.

    ¡°Oh, we do,¡± he said, gently pushing Nara with his hand still on her lower back toward the lake. He seemed amused rather than upset that Aliyah had turned it into a lake party (although it was a generous application of ¡®party¡¯), ¡°They¡¯re given to the ¡®special¡¯ iron rankers The Advent has high hopes for.¡± He practically spat the word ¡®special¡¯¡ªundeniably, soul crests were a sore topic for him. She filed that away for later¡ªthat¡¯s what Sen would do.

    ¡°You can¡¯t make them so everyone can get them?¡± She shifted the topic slightly, probing around the edges of this sore spot.

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    ¡°We haven¡¯t quite unraveled the magic recipe for that one yet¡ªridiculous, it¡¯s not like they matter. They are only looted, with ritual or ability. We will, in time, solve the magic that manifests them. The Advent always does.¡± He flashed her a grin, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter that I don¡¯t have one. The Advent isn¡¯t always right with who they place their early hopes on. All those overachievers back at iron rank aren¡¯t part of an important mission on another world like I am. They¡¯re doing something inconsequential. Something easy. It¡¯s their mark of shame now, their crest of failure.¡±

    Ceram had an inferiority complex towards the overachievers in The Advent, Nara expanded in her internal notes. They likely had academies to train and raise essence users. Nara suspected it was closer to what Earth offered¡ªmore structured and divided by age. Nara hoped that didn¡¯t mean they were good at fighting. If he had no crest, then it was Ceram wasn¡¯t top of his class, and his ability to fight was equally average. Not that it would do her much good¡ªwithout her essence abilities, Nara couldn¡¯t beat a bronze ranker. Without Infinity Domain, her fighting was average too. She had trained with some of the best fighters of her rank¡ªshe shouldn¡¯t discount herself entirely. She needed to consider what were her actual advantages carefully.

    ¡°And¡­¡± Ceram saying looking towards her back although even as it faced away from him, ¡°None look as beautiful as yours. From the little bit you¡¯re showing me. No need to be so coy.¡±

    ¡°They all look the same?¡± Nara asked, ignoring his unpalatable compliments.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s more like they were all drawn by the same artist. So incredibly mundane.¡±

    That made sense. There ought to be similarities between people with similar upbringings and experiences. If they live sheltered lives with manufactured challenge, even it if is tailored to them personally to push them, similarities may manifest.

    ¡­Or Ceram was an asshole and wanted to put down his classmates in any way possible. Just from the variety she saw within her own team¡¯s tattoos, it was likely the latter. This narcissist couldn¡¯t say a single nice thing about other people if his life depended on it.

    Nara swam away from Ceram, and he didn¡¯t follow. She floated near Aliyah and Lina, her weariness evident.

    ¡°You¡¯re not very good at dealing with these sorts of people,¡± Aliyah remarked.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. Is anyone really?¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to be.¡±

    Lina was part of the enemy, but at least she wasn¡¯t hitting on her. She made her intentions clear from the start, and otherwise respected Nara¡¯s requests and space.

    ¡°My world did a study that concluded that most people could tell with the first meeting whether they¡¯ll get along with somebody or not, and that first impression is 90% accurate,¡± she told Aliyah, ¡°I¡¯ve never really flirted with anybody and nobody usually flirts with me.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t fall that flirting,¡± Aliyah softly said. ¡°It¡¯s harassment.¡±

    ¡°Either way, I don¡¯t really experience this sort of thing. There¡¯s a lot of beautiful people in the team, and I¡¯m the bottom of an admittedly tall barrel. Sen and Encio are gorgeous. Encio particularly, in a way that both combines the best parts of masculinity and femininity. You and Eufemia too. And John, clearly has more draws than just his personality. That man has fucked. Quite literally.¡± Although John¡¯s personality was perfectly pleasant, over six feet of middle-aged moderately handsome amounted to more than just bonus points.

    ¡°I never quite know when to expect your crude humor,¡± Aliyah said with a chuckle.

    ¡°It¡¯s sort of a thing we say in my world. Speaking of, does The Advent do psychological studies?¡±

    ¡°Psychological studies are important in determining policies and practices. It provides evidence and discerns causes, whether cultural or inherent, about our behavior. We think psychology is an integral part of well-being.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s nice. Our psychologists and sociologists release papers that get ignored by policy makers.¡± Nara said cheerfully.

    ¡°What is wrong with your world?¡±

    ¡°A lot of people think they know better than the experts, or money gets in the way of sense. Or both.¡±

    Nara glanced at Ceram, who was watching her from a distance.

    ¡°What¡¯s with him? Harassment is okay with The Advent? This isn¡¯t a good look for you guys.¡±

    ¡°It is not okay,¡± Lina said firmly. She was offended by his actions and the allowance of his existence.

    ¡°It¡¯s not okay with your own people. But I¡¯m not your own people.¡±

    Lina¡¯s nod was small and reluctant.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have a discussion with sister Hellis Fallen,¡± she said.

    ¡°I appreciate it.¡±

    She expected nothing.

    *****

    Hellis Fallen was observing operations from her office. The aura lock communicated Lina was on the other side of the door, requesting entry. Hellis opened the door for her.

    ¡°Older Sister Hellis,¡± Lina said. ¡°Harmony to you.¡±

    ¡°Harmony to you, Sister Lina.¡±

    She stood from her desk, transitioning their conversation to the seats around the low coffee table.

    ¡°Older Sister Hellis, I know you are not unaware of Brother Ceram¡¯s conduct. I know that it is not my place to question¡­¡± She hedged politely.

    ¡°No Sister Lina, you are mistaken. We all should value the wisdom of others, no matter their position or rank. That is the makings of a leader.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sister. Thank you for your guidance.¡±

    A screen flickered on the left wall. It was a recording of the incident at the library and the incident at the lake, side by side.

    ¡°I know, sister Lina, you have long been displeased with Brother Ceram¡¯s conduct towards our harmonants.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Brother Ceram genuinely seeks the success of harmony, in his own way. While you believe that trust and companionship is the path to harmonization, his mind works differently. He believes that hierarchy and status are important in order. Order is important to the harmony, Sister Lina, his way is not ineffective, nor is it wrong. We embrace our differences.¡±

    Lina bit her lip, her expression tight and controlled, hiding the majority of her displeasure.

    ¡°I will give Ceram a warning, however. Miss Edea is still adapting to her current circumstances, and Ceram¡¯s forward methods may be counterproductive.¡±

    ¡°I think so too, sister. Thank you, sister, for your consideration.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Sister Lina.¡±

    Lina departed from the office with a small but appreciative bow.

    A figure appeared behind her, her hands comfortingly on Hellis¡¯ shoulders.

    ¡°Elder Sister Raina,¡± Hellis greeted, happy with her mentor¡¯s presence.

    ¡°Sister Hellis, what do you think?¡±

    ¡°Ceram has always been an outlier in the harmony,¡± Raina said, dropping a bit of her decorum towards Ceram: he didn¡¯t deserve her respect. ¡°Problematic, but a song needs more than one note. He¡¯s never been this¡­aggressive before.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a confluence of factors for the young man.¡±

    ¡°Please instruct me, sister.¡±

    His profile flashed across the screen. ¡°He feels his mediocrity, subconsciously, and he fights to prove otherwise, turning to external means of validation and status symbols.¡± Raina gazed at the wall screen, reading his data that she was clearly familiar with, ¡°He had never excelled in anything among his peers in education and training. Now, he gains a sense of superiority and accomplishment in his participation in this mission. The missions have been successful, and this cavalier younger brother of ours now feels he deserves¡­a prize. Not just any prize, but a special prize that we have demonstrated our own vested interest.¡±

    ¡°Outworlders are usually handled by the elders on our home world.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. They provide important clues to other realities that may be incorporated into our great song and are meticulously handled. For low rankers and those with low positions, they have only heard of these cosmic wayfarers, never seeing for themselves. I¡¯d say we have inadvertently created a bit of a mystique for them. They are great names in our society¡ªan honor Nara would have, if she¡¯d allow herself the adoration we would give to her.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯ll understand our good intentions for her later, sister.¡±

    Ceram had heard about outworlders, but they were always a myth to him. When he saw Nara, it was like a modern man unexpectedly seeing a unicorn for the first time. He couldn¡¯t quite believe that they were real or existed at all.

    ¡°And moreover, while she isn¡¯t an exceptional beauty, nor is she unattractive. Those adventurers rarely are. They are the peak of physical fitness, and have a polished quality, like a beautiful blade. We cannot achieve that with our methods, except for those singular ones we guide. Ceram was not chosen for that program.¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know about it,¡± Hellis said. ¡°Most do not.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone can be exceptional,¡± Raina said squeezing Hellis¡¯ shoulders reassuring, the meaning of that action obvious: Not like you are. ¡°Nor do we want only the exceptional. The ordinary have their place, just as important as the exceptional, but not everyone understands this necessity as you and I do.¡±

    ¡°Every note has a place in the song,¡± Hellis said, echoing her sentiment.

    ¡°And not every performer can be a soloist,¡± Raina continued. ¡°Ceram feels this is his chance to grasp the exceptional. To touch its hem and feel its texture upon his skin. He scorns his betters yet cannot help but seek them out.¡±

    ¡°He cannot become it but wants it nonetheless.¡±

    ¡°Younger sister Hellis, what will you decide?¡± Raina said. Her tone was even and evaluating. Her neutral smile shrouded the calculating wisdom of a superior.

    This was a test for her, Hellis noted. A test to see whether she can truly conduct a song. True leadership is only demonstrated when joining many different notes to form a harmony. If she could not handle Ceram, she would not be able to handle further responsibilities. A song of the same note was effective, but not powerful.

    Just like Ceram, Hellis sought the exceptional. Unlike Ceram, she was exceptional.

    ¡°It is for me to decide?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Hellis looked at the screen, the recording playing repeatedly. Not only of Ceram¡¯s actions, but also Lina¡¯s interactions with Nara and her conversations with the other harmonants. She held an innocence within her that was clear. She was uncomfortable with men who saw her in ways beyond a peer. It destabilized her. It created openings that Hellis may later leverage. It may be used to break her. Hellis¡¯ ideal harmony prevented her from utilizing those methods with her own hands, but she could employ Ceram to do it for her. She was aware of the hypocrisy, but that is why the Harmony needed those like Ceram, the uncouth and unblessed.

    ¡°I will reprimand Ceram, but only enough to lessen his aggression, not to dissuade him entirely. He is the counter to Lina¡¯s kindness. The more he bothers Nara, the more Lina appears gentle and kind, and that her request towards me was taken seriously. It features our equanimity. If Lina¡¯s method fails¡­ then we utilize Ceram in full.¡±

    Raina smiled but did not express agreement or dissatisfaction with Hellis¡¯ decision. ¡°Remember Hellis, that a conductor may always shift the balance of a song.¡±

 Chapter 101: The Second Most Important Boundary

    Chapter 101: The Second Most Important Boundary

    Two days has passed since Nara¡¯s and Aliyah¡¯s abduction by an interdimensional peace coalition with the singular goal of incorporating every civilization into its protective but non optional fold. They spent their days the same as usual: perusing the library, attending the screenings in the auditorium, discussing the situation, and even sparring in the outside field.

    Some of the captured iron and normal rank researchers found an outlet for their frustrations in sparring, and Nara, Aliyah, and the other adventurer, Amas, were happy to oblige.

    Most had never sparred before in their life. They were bookworms, through and through. Ironically, the normal rankers may have exercised more than the iron rankers, since essence users couldn¡¯t get fat. Iron rankers didn¡¯t have a strength advantage over a normal ranker who worked out. Strength increased with small ranks, with Iron 9 reaching Olympian levels. A normal rank body builder would easily surpass what Nara or Aliyah could output. At bronze rank, the scales tipped from human to superhuman.

    As usual, Ceram leaned against a wall watching Nara, but had mostly left her alone these past few days. He occasionally approached and flirted, and Nara made basic polite conversation from him, pulling whatever information form him she could. He didn¡¯t touch her inappropriately again, nor threaten injury to Aliyah. That would be good enough for now. There wasn¡¯t much Nara could do about it anyway. If Lina¡¯s complaint to Hellis had worked, she was grateful for it.

    Ceram occasionally hopped into spar, facing off against the bronze rank adventurer in their midst. She was relieved to see that the bronze ranker on their side was the superior fighter. Not that it mattered much; abilities made all the difference.

    Aram claimed victory, but the sparring field was tense. Ceram got up, casually brushing away the dirt on his pants after he had been knocked to the ground.

    ¡°Good match, good match,¡± He genially said, ¡°You lot are good fighters. As expected of savages.¡±

    Aram¡¯s brows knit together, but he didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°You¡¯ve built your society on ¡®might makes right¡¯. The stronger lording over the weaker. It¡¯d be insulting if I won. What would that say?¡±

    He pat Aram cooly on his shoulder, and stalked away from the field back inside the facility.

    ¡°¡­He¡¯s pissed,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s pissed,¡± Aliyah agreed.

    ¡°He wanted to show off to the girl he¡¯s crushing on and has his ass handed back to him on a shiny, shit-stained silver platter,¡± Jiro said, ¡°Of course he¡¯s pissed.¡±

    ¡°So?¡± Nara asked, changing the subject, ¡°Do you know if any location in the facility is closest to being outside?¡±

    Jiro specialized in magic and research for construction and architecture, especially relating to the strength and stability of large structures. Since Erras¡¯ science lagged, they made up for it with reinforcement magic, or as the elves did with their cities, building their structures in a combination of living wood, stone, and metal.

    Jiro unrolled a layout of the building he had hand drawn.

    ¡°By my estimations, the greatest chance of any place adjacent to the outside is here¡ª¡± he gestured to two locations without verbalizing it, ¡°¡ªand here.¡±

    ¡°Just those two?¡±

    He nodded, and quickly rolled up his map.

    Erras didn¡¯t have a sign language since everyone who was deaf had their deafness fixed. If there were a few people born entirely deaf with no cognitive function able to process sound, there wasn¡¯t enough people around to develop a language for it, and there were other magical methods for them to communicate.

    Nara swore to learn sign language when she returned to Earth, then make everyone in the party learn it too. Sen wouldn¡¯t be able to refuse; she knew what to say.

    The captives could only assume every word was being listened to. That make communicating a plan incredibly difficult. Some attempted to construct a non-verbal plan and used their bodies to shield what they worked on from any observation; they could only hope that was enough. Nara developed her own internal plan that she told no one.

    Nara had always felt the suppressive force of a suppression collar was semi-physical, like air pressure. It was a weight she could feel, and if she could feel it, it was malleable. While sparring back at the academy, she had felt that the suppression collar wasn¡¯t absolute, but she didn¡¯t have much reason to push that instinct when she had a plethora of other more important skills to develop. Here, she had the time and the motivation.

    Nara suspected her increased aura strength from both the gods and her astral torture had boosted her aura to a strength the typical iron rank suppression collar could no longer indefinitely suppress. She was still angry at the gods, but their ¡®gift¡¯ would prove useful now.

    There were almost no advantages to having her aura and abilities suppressed, but that didn¡¯t mean there were none. Aura retraction was a lesser and self-imposed version of aura suppression, useful for stealth. As it was, all of the captives were as stealthy as they could be. Their auras were undetectable as they were completely suppressed. Their captors had to rely on physical senses and the capabilities of their facility to track them.

    With suppressed auras, their emotions and auras themselves were unreadable. Nara had discovered this early on when she sparred with others. She couldn¡¯t read what she couldn¡¯t see, like a book once open slammed shut.

    While the captives had no physical privacy, their emotions were their own.

    *****

    Nara had to be very careful about practicing to lift the suppression of the collar. She never had a normal aura, so she hadn¡¯t realized there was a difference between herself and other people for a long time. She had been underutilizing it¡¯s capabilities, which was true of a lot of Nara¡¯s racial abilities too. She just hadn¡¯t had the time to experiment while playing catch up. It had been better to focus on combat capabilities anyways. In 9 out of 10 situations, being the better fighter would keep her alive.

    This was that outlier, 1 out of 10.

    Torture to her soul had refined her ability to manipulate and shape it, along with whatever she had done to her soul itself to escape. She could direct its spiritual power more than other people could. This was the sort of quality aberrant researchers sought with soul experimentation, and outlawed for good reason. On top of that, the gods had reforged her soul for her. She was annoyed that her initial vehemence with the gods was slowly fading with circumstance.

    She was careful¡ªshe needed to practice lifting the suppression without actually accomplishing it. The moment she did, her aura would be detected, and it would be clear she had slipped it. Moreover, no matter how powerful she was, she wasn¡¯t likely to hold the suppression off for long. To assume that pushing it off once was enough to destroy it completely was folly. She wouldn¡¯t act as Icarus in this play. Her plan was one built on moments.

    She had two plans¡ªone for if Phase Shift could shrug off the collar entirely, and one if it could not. She hoped for the former, but bet on the latter. If suppression collars could be shaken with an errant teleportation or dimension effect, they wouldn¡¯t be nearly so effective. Most likely, it¡¯d teleport with her, or phase shift with her. She didn¡¯t know if Erras¡¯ and The Advent¡¯s collars functioned differently, but if she had to bet with Encio, she¡¯d bet that The Advent had superior suppression collars. The collars at the Academy had been a solid ring of metal. The ones The Advent used on them were skin-tight flexible material.

    If The Advent had enacted their takeover plan on many other worlds, then she wouldn¡¯t be the first to shake off suppression to escape either. A strong aura was rare, but not singular, even at iron rank.

    People go through tough shit at any rank.

    Nara¡¯s immunity to tracking effects had proven more detrimental than beneficial to life in normal society on Erras so far. It prevented the aura tracking the Adventure Society used to track their members. But, if it wasn¡¯t working for Aliyah and Amas, that had was already a lost cause.

    Nara¡¯s tracking prevented anything from tracking her or her aura through magic. It did not prevent anyone from manually tracking her with their senses, and she didn¡¯t know how it¡¯d interact with technology. It prevented anything in her inventory with a tracking effect from working. However, if she could bring something inside her inventory outside of it, the tracking magic on it would work.

    Nara had two objects that potentially had tracking magic on it: her society membership badge, and the bracelet Amara had given her for communication on the complex (which became a neglected piece of equipment when Nara just started teleporting around the retreat instead. She wasn¡¯t a very good product tester). The detection and tracking array of Innovation¡¯s retreat had failed on her, but the tracking magic in the bracelet did not.

    The plan was simple¡­because Nara wasn¡¯t capable of complex plans. She couldn¡¯t act as a leader to rally the troops or sabotage the facility with magical know-how. Suppression collars stopped essence abilities and most racial abilities, but it didn¡¯t stop external magic. Aliyah was independently working on her own plan and didn¡¯t communicate what it was, which is what they had agreed to do.

    *****

    She sat as far forward in the theater as she could. According to Jiro, the theater was built off the mountain top, hanging off of it like an oversized balcony. It was even further south than the training field, so Nara could only hope that Jiro¡¯s assertions were accurate. If she failed, she¡¯d phase herself into solid rock and die.

    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    Sen would not approve of this plan, she blithely thought. Turns out, she was the gambler, and she gambled with the ultimate chip¡ªher life.

    She sat in the theater next to Aliyah. Lina sat a few chairs back¡ªit didn¡¯t matter, and she didn¡¯t care. She wouldn¡¯t be able to escape for long. She just wanted to send a message or a signal.

    She focused as she had practiced before. She felt the suppressive force of the collar, both as a physical object on her skin and a weight upon her aura. Her torture in the astral and the aura forging process of the gods had awakened and refined her ability to manipulate and shape her aura. She solidified and focused her aura sealed within her body and slowly began pushing outward, like a slowly expanding balloon. It was a strain, but she persisted.

    Finally, the suppressive force snapped, just briefly, ringing out like a crisp clap in an empty auditorium in her mind. She ignored the Guide notifications that flickered in her vision, and immediately activated phase shift, grasping the brief moment of freedom with action. She slipped through the seat, the ground, and plummeted out of the building towards the ground.

    *****

    Luckily, she didn¡¯t phase into solid rock and die.

    Unluckily, it turned out that The Advent facility was built upon a large stone spire like the ones commonly found around Sanshi and was a tad higher up than Nara thought she¡¯d be. The familiar sight grew a sapling of hope within Nara that she struggled to ignore. She slipped out of the building, plummeting down towards the ground from a massive height. Around her, a forest circled the stone spire, then faded as it transitioned to rolling hills of grassland, like a three dimensional natural bullseye.

    She had gotten lucky (again)¡ªthe stone spire was steep enough that she would avoid impaling herself on the sharp stone of the spire. Instead, if she fell long enough, she¡¯d splat like an egg dropped from a skyscraper onto concrete if she didn¡¯t save herself.

    She focused once again, successfully pushing away the suppression a second time. She retrieved three items from her inventory¡ªa blinding handheld flare, which she immediately activated with magic and threw into the air. If all other methods failed, perhaps one of the locals would spot the flare and report the strange activity to the Adventure Society. It¡¯s second purpose was to mask the two other items she threw¡ªher Adventure Society badge and the communication bracelet from Amara. The communication function didn¡¯t work off of the compound, but she hoped the tracking function did. The bracelet landed in a scraggly bush on the stone spire, concealing it.

    Nara fell past her Adventure Society badge.

    Well shit, it had more air resistance than she did. She should¡¯ve thrown it out later.

    The next order of business if Nara hoped to survive this ordeal was to stop her impending doom in the form of pancaking against the earth.

    She had two options¡ªthe slow-fall effect of Cosmic Path or a well-time Node Jump to reverse her velocity. She couldn¡¯t maintain Cosmic Path long enough for to be effective, so she only had one viable option.

    Thankfully, she¡¯s had quite a lot of practice flinging herself in odd directions and high speeds during the Celestial Book trials to increase and decrease her velocity. She once again pushed against the suppression collar, but she was reaching the limits of her ability to do so. Each time it was a great exertion, and it exhausted her. It was like she had just achieved three consecutive weightlifting records with her aura, and now she was a gold medalist pushing past spent energy and snapping muscle ligaments. Still, she managed it once more, the suppression pushed away long enough for her to do a snap-quick node conjuration plus node jump, a technique she was thankful Amara had forced her to develop.

    She shot upwards and spread out her body so that air resistance ate as much velocity as possible. As she fell back down towards earth, she tried to push off the suppression once more. She failed. She had to accept her velocity, whatever it was, and prepare for it. She had node jumped herself above a lake in the forest, which wasn¡¯t so densely grown that she couldn¡¯t see it. She smacked into the lake in a cannonball, hoping that it was deep enough to kill more of her velocity.

    It was, praise water. Water was life, and today, it was in another way than the typical.

    Her back stung all over, water sharp as if it had turned to sand, and her breath would have been punched out of her body if she had any lungs to hold it. Nara hauled herself onto the muddy bank of the lake, laying on the mud for a moment to catch her bearings. The spire loomed behind her in the sky, so all she had to do was run in a different direction. She didn¡¯t she any villages or towns on the way down, unfortunately, and she didn¡¯t recognize this forest or spire. They didn¡¯t have any particularly distinguishing features except for the evil abduction camp at the top, which looked like a too small hat on a tall stone golem.

    Peering upwards she reasoned, ¡°I guess it is hard to notice.¡±

    But, a silver ranker should be able to see it from a distance. Gold and diamond rankers without question. Erras had telescopes and binoculars¡ªthat should¡¯ve been enough for almost anyone to spot it too. It most definitely had concealment magic. Maybe that magic didn¡¯t work if you knew it was there?

    These were pointless questions to Nara, who needed to escape. Dripping wet, she ran through the forest as best she could. Dodging past trees, bushes, and boulders placed intentionally in her path just to trip her. She was barefoot, but iron rank damage resistance and the soft forest floor protected her feet somewhat.

    The cheap bastards didn¡¯t provide any shoes.

    She was surprised she hadn¡¯t been recaptured already. The gold ranker must have sensed her escape. She gently squashed her growing hope, crushing the bud with her own foot. But plants were tenacious; she couldn¡¯t help herself. Maybe, the suppression collars were too good. They suppressed her aura so well that the gold ranker couldn¡¯t detect her.

    She exited the forest, afternoon sun bright on her face, causing her to shield her eyes with her hand as her vision adjusted. She scanned the grasslands, but every direction looked just the same as any other direction to her.

    She picked a direction at random and ran.

    A few normal rank monsters attacked her, but she could handle those with her bare hands. It was a strange feeling, punching a hamster that leapt in her face, but as far as hamster deaths, that wasn¡¯t the weirdest way to go.

    She saw something shimmering in the distance that would have made her heart drop if she had one. The bud of hope that had unwillingly grown was abruptly ripped from its roots, then blowtorched.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Nara said as her pace slowed.

    She recognized that shimmering boundary.

    ¡°No¡­¡± She tried to deny it.

    There it was, the dimensional boundary of an astral space, shimmering like a heat mirage. It was the illusion of an oasis, her hope thoroughly crushed like a parched wanderer in the Sahara Desert. The flickering was not the effect of her rolling tears, but the unstable boundary of physical reality and astral.

    She slumped in the grass.

    Tracking magic did not work across dimensional boundaries. Many things did not work across dimensional boundaries. Nara knew a few rules, by virtue of her astral magic studies.

    Of all the boundaries in the world, other than the boundary of life and death, it was the most important boundary that separated reality and unreality. Tracking magic, portal magic, and communications magic all failed past dimensional boundaries, with very select and intentionally crafted exceptions. The Adventure Society could track inside an astral space, if they brought their tracker into the same astral space.

    This all meant Nara couldn¡¯t escape. With her racial abilities sealed, she needed to enter and exit an astral space like everyone else through the astral space aperture. She didn¡¯t know where it was. Aliyah knew a ritual that could probably locate the exit, but their inability to work together without having their plans discovered cut that possibility off. Even if she knew where it was, the astral space aperture could be sealed by The Advent. They could seal it with their own magic with a lock only they knew to open, locking the door to the astral space from the inside. A skilled astral magic specialist would be able to crack it, but that took time on top of how long it¡¯d take to find this astral space in the first time.

    If they were looking.

    They were, Nara told herself. They were looking.

    Encio had probably messaged his grandfather and they were making a big fuss in Sanshi. She had recognized the names of some of the researchers here. Over the past few days, Nara realized they had been on Aliyah¡¯s list. John would realize this too. They¡¯d go shake down Erin Nisei as well as Oswald Willard. They could be traitors, or just being spied on. Sezan would use his super cool ultra-awesome deus ex machina diamond rank senses to pick out The Advent spies in the city and get the information about the location for the astral space from them. Then, they¡¯d be rescued.

    Nara was aware that somebody was standing beside her when they made themselves known.

    ¡°Which one are you?¡± Nara dimly asked, ¡°The gold ranker or the silver ranker?¡±

    ¡°Raina Bow.¡±

    ¡°Ah, the gold ranker. It must¡¯ve been fun, watching me run around like a headless chicken. All to let me realize it was all pointless. Why do you guys bother? Bother these worlds that don¡¯t want you,¡± she asked bitterly, not really expecting any answer.

    ¡°Can you sit by, and watch children hurt themselves? These people fight themselves constantly, waste resources, and throw aside their lesser. The evil gods foment destruction and propagate their being while the ¡®good¡¯ gods do the same. They maintain this absurd, destructive balance. It is not harmony for those caught in their destructive wake.¡±

    ¡°And here I thought you were some divine cult.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Raina assured her, ¡°We are like you. We should not be at the mercy of the whims of the transcendent beings and their nonsensical rules. They may impose their restrictions upon each other, but we have shaken off their one-sided shackles.¡±

    Nara looked up at Raina. She had the unreal perfection of an essence user at gold rank. She looked human¡ªThe Advent chose adherents that matched the races of the world they were suborning so that they could blend in with the local population. She had very dark brown hair, almost black, like charcoal infused dark chocolate. Her eyebrows were bold and well-defined. Combined with her high cheekbones and sharp jawline, she beheld the intensity of a jaguar hidden in jungle shadows.

    ¡°And yet,¡± Nara scoffed, ¡°We are at your mercy. You deny the gods yet take their place. Why not just pack it up? You did your best; you fulfilled your ethical obligations. Give the world the goods, help them, and if they reject you, leave it to them. You don¡¯t want the gods so don¡¯t be the gods.¡±

    Nara angrily gestured to the empty grasslands around here.

    ¡°These people aren¡¯t children. We aren¡¯t children. We can decide, even if the decision we make is wrong.¡±

    ¡°The decision of those with power,¡± Raina said.

    ¡°There will always be those in power making the decisions, just as you are now. At least it¡¯s the power structure of this world, and not of another world making their decisions for them. You¡¯re saying you¡¯d let them represent themselves in your authority structure? The country I¡¯m from fought a war over that.¡±

    Raina smiled, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. Nara had no idea if her rebuttals had affected her.

    ¡°Do the people of this world now have any ability to represent themselves?¡±

    Nara groaned frustratedly. She wasn¡¯t good at political ideology nor debate.

    ¡°Your world cannot trust other worlds to make their own decision. Just like how I can¡¯t trust you guys and what¡¯s beyond the portal. We¡¯re not so different after all, are we?¡± Nara said, her tone dripping with dispirited sarcasm. ¡°For all your ¡®harmony¡¯, you can¡¯t really trust anybody. Hell, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if you¡¯re doing some sort of weird brainwashing or conditioning magic to match people into this ¡®harmony¡¯ you keep talking about.¡±

    Raina¡¯s expression imperceptivity changed. Nara usually wouldn¡¯t have noticed, but she had been honing her ability to read expressions with her aura sense cut off from her. Her desperate situation made her more perceptive than she had ever been.

    ¡°I¡¯m right? I¡¯m actually, right?¡± Nara realized with a growing sense of dread. ¡°What¡¯s on the other side of that portal?¡± she said in a raspy, horrified whisper.

    ¡°Harmonization is willing,¡± Raina hissed.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be surprised when I say I don¡¯t believe you.¡±

    ¡°There is no other way,¡± Raina said, indignancy creeping in. ¡°We must all act for the sake of harmony. Corruption is insidious, spreading like mold through authority. Vile and hard to kill, digging it roots down like weeds in well nurtured soil. We¡¯ve seen it repeatedly in other worlds. One traitor, a greedy few who put themselves in the right place, the selfish, the short-sighted. They choose to serve themselves; they select short term benefits over the final goal. They are parasites, bleeding dry the hard work for their own pathetic interests!¡±

    ¡°After all that,¡± Nara drawled, ¡°and you still have dipshits like Ceram.¡±

    ¡°He thinks what he does is for the sake of harmony. Even if his actions are reprehensible, his intent is true.¡±

    ¡°If you permit corruption on the low levels, then corruption must exist on the highest levels. Your ideology is tainted as long as people like him exist in any position of power. If you¡¯re going to act like you¡¯re better than everyone else, it should at least be fucking true.¡±

    A slap rung Nara¡¯s head, causing her to slump onto the grass. Evidently, Raina was not above physical violence.

    She was still conscious. A real slap from Raina would have splattered her head across the ground in ground meat and bone chunks. She laid there, reeling from the pain and despair, curled in the grass with her head on her knees and her arms blocking the sun.

    Raina let her sit there for some time, before she walked over and lifted the despondent iron ranker by the arm, and slung her over her shoulder, carrying her like a sack of potatoes. She lifted off into the sky, flying at a speed slow for a gold ranker towards the stone spire base.

    Nara stared blankly at the ground as her shot at freedom and help to save everyone in the base drifted further and further away.

    She had failed, but she never had any chance of success in the first place.

 Chapter 102: The Traitor

    Chapter 102: The Traitor

    Raina floated down through the top of the facility like a wrathful figure of myth, settling onto the grass training field. Nara absentmindedly thought that the ¡®roof¡¯ had been a real sky. The gazes of the abductees followed her; the training field was so quiet they could hear a pin drop.

    Raina lifted Nara from her shoulder and set her down on the field, oddly gentle for someone who had just left a burning bruise on her face.

    ¡°I am Raina Bow,¡± she said with an even, almost quiet voice; She didn¡¯t need to raise her voice, everyone was listening. ¡°I am the head of operations for The Advent in this area. This young lady here,¡± she said, gesturing to Nara, ¡°Had the false notion that it was possible to escape, and that help may arrive. I will tell you why she was mistaken. This facility,¡± she said waving her arm, ¡°Is built in the midst of a very small and secluded astral space. There is no communication. There is no escape. And there is no rescue.¡±

    She crouched down to eye level with Nara, who sat quietly on the grass. Her hand grasped Nara¡¯s face, bringing them into direct and uncomfortable eye contact. Nara didn¡¯t struggle¡ªshe couldn¡¯t. A gold ranker¡¯s grip was absolute.

    ¡°We know of those who are able to escape suppression collars,¡± Raina said. ¡°This¡­ability is a product of twisted tribulation of a barbarous culture. For every one like you, there are innumerous broken souls. Our harmony raises us to have what you instead need pain and suffering to gain. However, there is much to learn from a soul like yours.¡±

    She touched her hand to Nara¡¯s neck, and her suppression collar fell off. Nara¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She immediately closed her eyes to focus¡ª

    She was shoved to the ground, a thin steel rod resembling an oversized needle plunged through her collarbone. She gasped in pain, the sudden and abrupt sensory overload sending flashes of light crackling across her eyesight.

    She was disoriented, not only from her crushed hope, but from the pain of crushed bone and muscle. She was pinned to the ground like a butterfly on display for a gallery of onlookers. She tried to push past the pain, but could not. An anti-dimension effect was blocking her. She knew intuitively without her Guide, and wondered if this was how other essence users sensed afflictions on them.

    She heard a commotion off to the side, dimly recognizing that Aliyah was held back by Jiro, who restrained her and quieted her. That was best: there wasn¡¯t anything either of them could do.

    ¡°I want to see, outworlder, what made you.¡±

    Raina dug through Nara¡¯s aura in a process that felt far more spiritually excruciating and exposing than even the stake through her bone. She dug through her aura with the precision of a machine that separated a piece of paper by fiber by fiber.

    *****

    Raina started outwards with the outworlder. Her emotions were clear; frustration, pain, hopelessness, confusion, and fear. It didn¡¯t take gold to iron rank disparity to sense that. Those emotions alone were evident on her face, streaked with tears and shaking from pain.

    Her aura was unusually nebulous and indistinct, but gold rank power pushed past iron rank defenses. Her race was obvious¡ªoutworlder, formerly human. Her essences: Dimension, Harmonic, Balance, and Mystic, with her aura in her Harmonic essence. Her aura was subtle and kind, and Raina saw what the outworlder wanted and who she was; the pitiable, confused girl wanted to be helpful to those around her. Her aura reflected that desire; that no matter or pathetic, useless, and selfish she was, she would at least always provide some tangible benefit to the people around her. An aura of persistent blessings born of an understanding of her own mediocrity. Mediocre was inaccurate¡­she was unexceptional. Exceptional now, due to circumstance, but once an ordinary person. Most outworlders were.

    She dug through further. Her age¡­was an interesting conundrum. She felt simultaneously ancient, yet clearly very young. Her naivete and innocence was revealed in the way she interacted with others and struggled with Ceram. Raina did not understand what could produce such a dichotomy. It was the first mystery that drove her to push forward, digging through more of Nara¡¯s aura in an exposing act that was evidently terrifying for the outworlder. She trashed against the iron bar, pulling and tugging at it despite the pain it brought her.

    She placed a hand down, stopping her from struggling, for her own good. Needless pain was against the harmony¡¯s way. Pain should have a purpose¡ªas a lesson, or to further a goal.

    She felt the mark of the divine next. It wasn¡¯t a surprise; she had been designated for her supposed advancements in soul magic. It had been kept quiet with no way for Raina to confirm the authenticity of her information source, as reliable as a wind with no direction. Now, the mark of divine was proof enough.

    She dug further, there was something else there, buried within. The very first mark upon her soul.

    ¡°Transcendence? From what?¡± she demanded.

    Nara didn¡¯t respond.

    Raina leaned in, giving the iron bar through the woman¡¯s collarbone a shake, causing her to whimper from the pain and shake her back into focus, ¡°I said, from what?¡±

    ¡°Something called a Great Astral Being,¡± She eked out a reply through the pain, gritting her teeth. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know much about them.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± she asked, ¡°Why did it torture your soul?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    She twisted the bar.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know!¡± She hissed, the pain causing bitter anger to rise to the surface over the other, cloying emotions.

    She wasn¡¯t lying; Raina could easily tell from her aura. Instead, she noticed something else.

    Her soul was connected to the astral. An unbreakable link that tethered the young woman to the realm of magic itself. It fed her a constant stream of magic; the exact amount necessary to maintain life and function of her body. The iron ranker didn¡¯t need to eat and wouldn¡¯t age. Even diamond rankers needed to ingest magic or they¡¯d mana starve, with some exceptions. Even if that killed them, diamond rankers could revive.

    She had only seen this sort of sign from one other type of being; the Messengers, gestalts of body and soul. Most life had body and soul separate, distinct, but working in harmony. Gestalts were physical and spiritual combined. Each form had their benefits and drawbacks, Raina knew. But this girl wasn¡¯t either of them. She resembled more¡­a vessel.

    ¡°What are you a vessel for?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Really, I don¡¯t know. Myself, maybe,¡± the outworlder babbled to spare herself the pain. She was learning, perhaps.

    ¡°A vessel for yourself?¡±

    The value of this outworlder grew in Raina¡¯s eyes. There were far too many secrets she held. The more Raina looked, the less she understood. Not only did she posses the library of the Celestial Book on this world they could not obtain, but other mysteries of the cosmos she had inadvertently stumbled upon. A new world to harmonize, new information to gain, new methods of soul magic, and this secrets of her being.

    And, she was oh so close to breaking. Rain could almost feel the success that would send pleasure shivers up her spine like the resolving chord of a masterful arrangement.

    Kindness would not work. The outworlder was right: there was no basis of trust. They would have to use more forceful methods to encourage her cooperation.

    Raina removed two black ribbons from her inventory. There were around two inches wide, and the same thin sleek silk-like material that Nara¡¯s suppression collar, now removed, had been made of.

    ¡°In the past we¡¯ve encountered a few who¡¯ve managed to shake off ordinary suppression,¡± Raina said, her words an unpleasant portent. ¡°Thus, we created countermeasures.¡±

    She held up the two bands. She took the first and wrapped it around Nara¡¯s left wrist, and repeated it with her right wrist. The ribbons connected themselves and adjusted their length to perfectly encircle her arm, seamless as the collar once was. Notably, instead of the solid black design of the collar, there was a large white diamond, like that of the diamond suite in a deck of cards, positioned on the underside of her wrist and on the direct opposite side.

    ¡°We developed these suppression shackles,¡± Raina said. She lifted one of Nara¡¯s arms to demonstrate, causing her to sharply wince against the rebar, ¡°Focusing your aura to escape one location is easy enough, but to focus it for two, and through pain, is not.¡±

    ¡°Pain?¡± Nara bleakly muttered.

    Raina smiled, then activated the magic in the diamond. This would be pain with a purpose.

    *****

    Nara screamed when she felt her flesh, in what she could only guess was the same diamond shape, burned away at her wrist. It felt as if a glowing hot rod had been forced between and through her radius and her ulna, carving a diamond shaped hole occupied by burning fire. Even worse, she felt something else; life energy coursed through the white fire rods, repeating a process of healing then burning in a never ending, tortuous cycle. The life energy prevented her from bleeding out through her wrists, but refreshed her flesh for the nerves to be burned once again.

    Raina yanked the rod from Nara¡¯s collarbone, the wound healing with incredible speed, courtesy of the healing energy of the shackles. It was no longer needed; suppression was back in place.

    ¡°These shackles are specially made for those special harmonants we want at all costs. Those we feel are more likely to kill themselves than join. This will prevent that. Lucky for both of us, outworlder, you cannot drown. I suspect we will have the time to change your mind.¡±

    The gold ranker instantly disappeared in a flash.

    Nara laid there in the grass, pain digging through her arms in an unceasing cycle. She curled and writhed and screamed, until she felt she had no more energy to scream. She didn¡¯t have the awareness to care if the other captives saw her or what they thought of her.

    Jiro had said he did not envy her. He did not know how right he was at the time. Now he did, watching the poor iron ranker twist, cry, and pass out from the pain, repeatedly. Once the gold ranker had passed, Aliyah dashed over, picking Nara up.

    With Nara in her arms, she walked past the training field and the cafeteria with the eyes and horrified expressions of other captives. She walked past the ever-present, ever ominous arch, her gaze skittering past it. She walked down those sandstone and open air hallways and stood outside Nara¡¯s room.

    ¡°Nara,¡± she said in a whisper, ¡°I can¡¯t go inside their room. It won¡¯t let me. You will have to¡­make your way in yourself. I can only stay outside.¡±

    Nara groaned her acknowledgement.

    Aliyah set Nara down on the floor and stepped back. She watched her hobble over past the doorway, and the door shut automatically behind her. If Aliyah had tried to enter during that time, a clear barrier would have stopped her.

    Jiro followed, also sitting down next to Aliyah in front of the door. Neither of them wanted to see any Adventist follow her into the room, if they could.

    ¡°I have a feeling,¡± Jiro spoke slowly, ¡°That things will only be getting worse.¡±

    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah said grimly, ¡°I share that feeling.¡±

    *****

    ¡°She hasn¡¯t come out yet today either?¡± Yulia asked Aliyah softly.

    Aliyah shook her head.

    The three sat around a table for discussion. Amas was guarding Nara¡¯s room, and they regularly took shifts out of concern.

    ¡°Nara¡¯s situation is concerning,¡± Jiro said. ¡°To the Advent she is valuable enough for these measures, but we are not.¡±

    ¡°That has been my point this whole time,¡± said Yulia, her frustration and growing anxiety evident. ¡°It¡¯s not important to them that we join them. It¡¯s more important that we stop researching. The only way they can guarantee that is with our death, especially now since Aliyah says that the Adventure Society is aware of The Advent. If they let any of us go, we¡¯d be placed under protection. So, Jiro,¡± she said, eyes wide and pleading. ¡°We need to go.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t Yulia, even if there can only be death as the reward of my decision.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see?! They¡¯re making an example out of her!¡± Yulia shouted, her voice rising. ¡°That could happen to us.¡±

    ¡°An example of her to sow fear,¡± Jiro said. ¡°You think they care that much about us to torture us? They¡¯ll just kill us and be done with it.¡± He lowered his voice and said softer, and with more understanding, ¡°Yulia, you don¡¯t have a family here to leave behind. You should go.¡±

    ¡°You are my friend, Jiro. A close friend.¡±

    ¡°Close enough to die, Yulia? You need to ask yourself that. I¡¯m not going to change my mind.¡±

    Yulia looked at the portal arch for a long while.

    ¡°We may still have a chance of rescue,¡± Aliyah said softly, as if not trying to unduly raise hope. She wouldn¡¯t blame Yulia for her decision, whatever it may be.

    ¡°You mean your team mate the diamond ranker¡¯s grandson? What was his name, Sezan Aciano?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I have no doubt they are doing anything they can in Sanshi right now.¡±

    Yulia looked towards the arch again. She didn¡¯t make her move yet¡­but Jiro thought she would.

    *****

    The day of the abduction¡­

    A notification in front of Sen and Encio¡¯s eyes startled them.

    -------

    -Party leader [Nara Edea]¡¯s abilities have been suppressed.

    -Party has been automatically disbanded.

    -------

    The screen flickered, then vanished. When Nara used a suppression collar to spar in the Academy, she always notified them first. They weren¡¯t at the Academy.

    Instantly, Sen was on alert.

    ¡°I¡¯m checking the baths,¡± Encio said, already moving downstairs.

    Eufemia dashed out of the room, John also exiting his.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Sen frowned, ¡°I don¡¯t know but I have my suspicions.¡±

    ¡°The Advent?¡± John asked.

    Sen nodded.

    ¡°How do they know?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    They waited for Encio to return.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see them. Aliyah too, she¡¯s gone. I¡¯m going to contact my grandfather.¡±

    ¡°Is that necessary to go that far?¡± John cautioned. ¡°We should contact the Adventure Society first.¡± It¡¯s not that he was not concerned for Nara, but diamond rankers were living, breathing, nuclear warheads.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Encio said, mind puzzling with hypotheses, discarded thoughts, information, and possibilities. ¡°Do you trust Willard?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Why would they abduct Nara?¡±

    ¡°She made that soul-thingy,¡± Eufemia said, summarized in the quickest way possible.

    ¡°Tell me, who knows about that?¡±

    ¡°Us, obviously,¡± Eufemia began, ¡°Those gold rank friends of hers¡ªthat should be all, right?¡±

    ¡°Besides the gods,¡± Encio said slowly. ¡°There is one other person.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Oswald Willard.¡±

    *****

    If Oswald Willard was a traitor, Sen and the team wasn¡¯t going to engage him without backup. They had two options¡ªEncio¡¯s grandfather was bringing a flying city fortress to deal with a mage-boat. Complete overkill. Encio would send a message to Sezan, but it would take a few days to arrive. He¡¯d also use water link, when he had the chance, but that had it¡¯s own issues. He¡¯d contact the water link operators in Esmera-Mar, and they¡¯d send someone to notify Sezan that his grandson was trying to communicate with him. If not Esmera-Mar, then Aviensa. If not Aviensa, then Saggia.

    Encio tried not to think about how their best communication option was gone. He hadn¡¯t fully realized what a convenience she provided.

    The other option was Zinnia Helianthae, the gold rank Continental Congress member, who was in Sanshi for Advent related reasons. Organizing and implementing the deal with Zariel-laat was her primary purpose, but the Adventure Society wouldn¡¯t sit around while some of their members were abducted. If Oswald¡¯s loyalty was in question, she was the next best option, and it was less using a volcano to kill a fly than bringing Sezan into the equation was. While Encio didn¡¯t have an issue with that (overkill sent a message he¡¯d enjoy sending right now), political issues and pandering might slow down the investigation and rescue.

    When the team arrived at the Adventure Society, it was clear the had already been whipped into a frenzy. Functionaries were speed walking through the halls, and messengers flashed outside at speed, teleporting the moment they were able.

    ¡°The situation is known,¡± Sen concluded.

    ¡°Nara and Aliyah must not be the only kidnappings,¡± John added. ¡°They hit the entire city simultaneously. Has there ever been an incident this large?¡±

    ¡°What do we do?¡± Eufemia asked. ¡°They don¡¯t look like they have time for a bunch of iron rankers.¡±

    If it had been Nara on Earth in a busy waiting room, she would¡¯ve just taken a seat. However, Encio and Eufemia were not the type to wait. Encio and Eufemia were planning how to create a mess to draw attention like the worst sort of person in a restaurant when a familiar being manifested before them, a glimmering robe of muted silver.

    ¡°Sage?¡±

    *****

    The team, Zinnia Helianthae, the highly uncomfortable Oswald Willard, Lawrence Ruffolk, Zariel-laat, Adventure Society members of the great families, and various other functionaries from different societies gathered for a late-night meeting at the Adventure Society.

    ¡°Hours ago,¡± Zinnia Helianthae began, ¡°Several Adventists enacted a city wide abduction plan. They targeted several researchers that followed a list. A list made by Aliyah Sahar, also missing.¡±

    The list was stuck to the board Zinnia was pacing in front of.

    ¡°There is a single person not on this list, Nara Edea, who was also abducted. By a gold ranker, I will add. I tried to intercept, but she escaped. Notably, she escaped into Shanyin. The other agents that escaped also entered Shanyin. I¡¯ve been informed by both miss Edea¡¯s familiar here, Sage, as well as Encio Aciano, that the only person who knew Nara Edea was anyone of note that cannot be trusted is our local branch head, Oswald Willard.¡±

    She slapped the wall, cracking stone in the shape of her palm.

    ¡°Now, Willard, I¡¯d like an explanation before I have to beat it out of you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not an Adventists,¡± he denied, trying to avoid speaking too quickly out of nervousness. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I am the source of this information¡ªI¡¯m not. There must be someone else who leaked her information. I can¡¯t be the only possible source.¡± He, admirably, did not plead.

    ¡°Unless you¡¯d like to accuse her own team, then yes Willard, you are.¡±

    Willard was doing a very good job of outwardly controlling his panic. He sat stoically in his chair, confident in his own innocence, but his mind was rapidly churning. He had made not one, but two gold rankers and potentially a diamond ranker very upset with him. Thankfully, his silver rank memory threw him a life ring. He could cry in relief¡ªlater, privately, curled in a blanket at home where no one would see him.

    ¡°I¡­I told one person.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Erin Nisei. We¡¯ve been collaborating on the issue of the Adventists. She has exceptional reach and information gathering capabilities, as well as keeping the criminal underworld in check. She¡¯s Adventure Society,¡± he added. ¡°She¡¯s been a reliable associate all this time.¡±

    Zinnia turned to John, ¡°This is the list your team member made for Erin Nisei?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed. ¡°She commissioned my services as an investigator when I was normal rank to investigate the disappearances in Sanshi, as well as their cause. The list was later created by the missing Aliyah Sahar, and passed to Erin Nisei as at-risk targets.¡±

    ¡°Why would she commission an investigation if she is a traitor?¡± A functionary posed, ¡°Isn¡¯t that counterproductive?¡±

    ¡°As a ruse.¡± Eufemia responded, her tone saying isn¡¯t it obvious. ¡°A common tactic, the double spy. Pretend you¡¯re doing good when your loyalty is called in question. ¡®Look,¡¯ she can claim, ¡®I¡¯ve been doing the right thing all this time!¡¯ Plus, she got all that information from us for the other side too.¡±

    ¡°You think she¡¯s playing both sides?¡± Zinnia asked.

    ¡°She¡¯s a snake,¡± Eufemia scoffed. ¡°Of course she is. I¡¯d never liked her from the very start.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t like her because she was flirtatious,¡± John pointed out.

    ¡°She¡¯s flirting with a married man! She¡¯s vile!¡±

    Open relationships were more popular in Erras than Earth, especially among essence users, but John was strictly and publicly, purely monogamous.

    ¡°You flirt with married men too,¡± John pointed out.

    ¡°I flirt with them to get into their homes and rob them blind, that¡¯s different,¡± Eufemia scoffed. ¡°And just because I¡¯m vile, doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s not.¡±

    Zinnia gently rapped the meeting table, not damaging it, and pulsed her aura to bring the group back into focus, ¡°Plausible, and enough reason for me to act on it,¡± Zinnia said, referring more to Oswald¡¯s information than Eufemia¡¯s theory. ¡°I want a team to capture Erin Nisei and bring her to me. Bring some anti-stealth, tracking, and detection specialists. Mona, you¡¯re in charge.¡±

    Mona nodded, and exited the meeting room.

    *****

    Erin Nisei walked into the meeting room, suppression collar around her neck and manacles around her wrist. She was worse for wear. Her waterfall black hair was singled and cut short, along with long swathes of her skin. Despite her worn appearance, she sashayed into the room, ever confident with an expression of grievance.

    To Eufemia, it made for an amusing scene. She sashayed without her characteristic black hair to flow and wave. Who did Erin think she was impressing?

    Erin blew a stray hair from her face as she elegantly sat down.

    ¡°Mona, friend, you really didn¡¯t have to have hit me that hard,¡± Erin Nisei said in her melodious, flowing voice, ¡°You¡¯ve ruined my hair. And I had just got it done, such a waste.¡±

    ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have run. What are you thinking, Erin? Don¡¯t you know how that makes you look?¡±

    Erin crescent lips maintained their infallible smile, like the moon in an eternal night.

    ¡°I want to know why you¡¯ve betrayed us for The Advent,¡± Zinnia Helianthae said.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t,¡± Erin Nisei smoothly denied. ¡°Is this not a tactic to sow confusion and doubt within our ranks? While we¡¯re here playing ¡®who¡¯s the rat¡¯, The Advent continues their operations. How do you even know there is a rat?¡± And why would you think it was me, was left unsaid.

    Her eyes glanced at the information on the board, processing quickly with her silver rank spirit. ¡°I commissioned dear John here for information on The Advent, and he delivered. Which researchers are of note and should be captured isn¡¯t hard to determine. I remember, John. I had to ask you why they were targeting certain researchers; I didn¡¯t even know. They are more than capable of determining which researchers fulfill their own criteria, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Is that true?¡± Zinnia asked.

    John nodded, evaluating Erin Nisei for himself. ¡°Many of those researchers touch upon topics that are common knowledge in my world. If The Advent has higher level of technology, they would be able to identify which researchers they needed to target.¡±

    He was articulate and levelheaded for an iron ranker. Zinnia could see why Erin and Oswald both wanted to use him. The materials he had provided were well-organized and thorough, yet concise, which demonstrated his insight into which facts and details were important. Frankly, Zinnia wanted him as staff too. He wasn¡¯t too low ranked to work as staff at the Continental Congress¡­

    ¡°See?¡± Erin said, aggrieved, as if she were the victim. ¡°I¡¯m innocent in all this.¡±

    ¡°You hardly are innocent.¡± Encio interrupted, voice icy. ¡°There is one person not accounted for on that list¡ªmy teammate, Nara Edea. Oswald Willard said he told you.¡±

    ¡°Oswald Willard is the traitor! You can¡¯t trust that I¡¯m the only person he told,¡± Erin exclaimed. ¡°Why is it me? Is it because I handle the underworld? I¡¯ve been doing my duty for this world and conducting the appropriate investigations, at his behest.¡±

    ¡°Why run if you claim innocence?¡± Encio asked.

    Erin Nisei pressed her lips together, ¡°How do I know the Adventure Society under his leadership hadn¡¯t sent assassins after me to silence me? Surely, I am not the only suspicious person here? Oswald Willard had been mismanaging the trials this entire time; was it not to prevent the acquisition of the Celestial Book library by a Magic Society researcher and to prevent the freedom of that familiar, who held knowledge of The Advent to begin with by forcing the examinees to rely on her?¡±

    Eyes turned to Oswald who was doing his best to keep his outward calm again.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think that at all!¡± Willard denied fervently. ¡°I thought a hands-off approach for a relatively safe trial is better for the development of adventurers as a whole.¡±

    ¡°Not because maintaining the status quo was advantageous to The Advent?¡±

    ¡°Is this really necessary?¡± Eufemia sighed, annoyed with both. ¡°Let¡¯s just treat them both like traitors and interrogate them. If they¡¯re innocent, give them a pat on the back and apologize.¡±

    ¡°I like that idea,¡± Zinnia approved. ¡°Simple, efficient.¡±

    ¡°Wait, wait, wait, wait¡± Willard hastened to slam the brakes on this tram of thought. ¡°I don¡¯t like this idea. Look,¡± he pointed at Sage, ¡°Before this familiar, we had only minor information on The Advent at all. Because of her, much of their methodology and ideology has been exposed to us. If I was on the side of The Avent, killing Nara Edea and preventing the spread of this information would¡¯ve been by far the most efficient move, even if I had to pay the price for it. It was just me and a team of iron rankers. I had the chance.¡±

    ¡°A traitor isn¡¯t the same as their adherent,¡± Erin Nisei explained, calm and assured with her reasoning. ¡°You didn¡¯t want to kill a bunch of iron rankers. You aren¡¯t a complete monster, of course.¡± She said, as if it was a compliment in this situation.

    ¡°I contacted the Continental Council!¡± Oswald¡¯s voice rose. ¡°If I was a traitor, I wouldn¡¯t help with a collaboration that would undermine The Advent¡¯s activities on a worldwide scale.¡±

    Oswald Willard deeply regretted his laisse-faire treatment of the trial. He didn¡¯t think his hands-off approach would be biting him in the ass now.

    As Eufemia said, the conversation had devolved into a frustrating back and forth between Erin Nisei and Oswald Willard with no end in sight.

    ¡°Who do you think it is? Or both?¡± Encio said with a whisper.

    ¡°It¡¯s still that snake bitch,¡± Eufemia whispered back. ¡°I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Gut feeling. And she was hiding in that astral space like it¡¯s her snake den this entire time. It¡¯s suspicious. A famous socialite that hasn¡¯t attended a single party in months? I don¡¯t buy it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re gods-damn right!¡± Zinnia suddenly exclaimed, her sea eyes flashing with violent energy. Her gold rank hearing and spirit attribute was more than capable of tracking multiple quiet conversations at once and had surpassed the bounds of normal human hearing. ¡°The Adventists disappeared into Shanyin as if they knew the way through the astral space. It¡¯s notoriously maze-like, and you, Erin Nisei, are one of the few people that know how to produce a map of the place.¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon as I¡¯d like to interject some supporting information,¡± Sage said. ¡°It is not widely known beyond those who have been involved with gods such as their priests, but the divine is unable to see within astral spaces, for they are not part of this world, but adjacent to it.¡±

    The additional information wasn¡¯t proof, but added more context on why Erin would stay in Shanyin for months on end. It was circumstantial evidence, but Zinnia was satisfied with circumstantial evidence. Her own instincts told her Erin Nisei was the most convincing suspect (and more capable of deceit) than Oswald Willard, who, despite their differences in policy, had been working openly for the Adventure Society this entire time. He had far less opportunities to move, and more of his time is accounted for. Moreover, Shanyin¡¯s complex structure made it ideal for secret meetings.

    Zinnia folded her arms, ¡°Erin Nisei, I am offering you one final chance before I turn to alternative options and equally enticing options.¡± The bulging muscles on her arms flexed as a reminder. ¡°My question is the same as before: Why have you betrayed this world?¡±

 Chapter 103: Seeking Companionship

    Chapter 103: Seeking Companionship

    Erin was silent as seconds stretched on, a rubber band tight before its breaking point. All the people in the meeting room had turned to watch her, the full force of Shanshi. She debated internally for a long while: should she continue the deception, or come clean? The evidence was circumstantial, but Erin did not have the fanatic devotion that was required to prevent the truth drugs of the Adventure Society from forcing her to spill every last secret like she was some sappy, talkative drunk with her best friend.

    ¡°I was never satisfied with the way things were with this world,¡± Erin Nisei said, letting the truth slip from her crimson lips with a sigh. ¡°I am assigned to be the regional head of the Nisei, in charge of overseeing and maintaining the underworld. Why?¡±

    ¡°Why what?¡± Zinnia snapped, not particularly interested in her life¡¯s story.

    ¡°Why is the underworld necessary at all? Why do we ignore it, and why do we let it persist? Before I oversaw Shanyin, it was destitute. The poor, the forgotten, the shunned, and the criminal scrounging for scraps in the shadows of the light. And the way the Arlang treat the ¡®barbarians¡¯ of the north, slaughtering them every time they travel in search of food.¡±

    ¡°They pillage,¡± Sen pointed out, coming to his family¡¯s defense. ¡°They rape and pillage the villages in their way. It¡¯s our duty to drive them back and protect the people.¡±

    ¡°But we don¡¯t care,¡± Erin stressed. ¡°None of us have ever really cared. Why do they the northern tribes attack their southern neighbors?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying we should provide for them, so they do not resort to pillaging,¡± Sen said. ¡°We have heard this before, and we have offered the opportunity. Some leave their tribes to join the cities of Arlang and other territories of the north.¡±

    ¡°Is that good enough? To just offer them the opportunity? It¡¯s a superficial consolation,¡± Erin countered. ¡°Families are born and raised into their culture. Their men think that raping and pillaging is a sign of masculinity and manhood, their Coming of Age. Raised that way their entire life, and they are expected to know any better, to jump at an ¡®opportunity¡¯? Is it fair we kill them for the mistakes of their ancestors, never corrected?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you betrayed this world? To correct its failures?¡±

    ¡°The world needs an external force to guide its path: The Advent is that external force. Their methods may be abhorrent but no more abhorrent than the suffering we regularly turn a blind eye to or inflict on our own people. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all resented those core-eating self-centered politicians that siphon away resources from those in need to line their own pocket. What if we just killed them?¡±

    ¡°We do, sometimes,¡± Zinnia pointed out. ¡°If they¡¯re annoying enough and criminal enough.¡±

    ¡°And they¡¯ll appear again and again and again. Our nature is flawed, and so, our society is flawed. Most of us are average, ordinary people that follow the teachings of generations. There are some of us, essence users and adventurers, that take on additional responsibilities, yet still perpetuate the same cycle. And others, that do the opposite, parasitizing the work of the good-natured. The Advent offers a solution to thoroughly eliminate this issue from multiple fronts. With abundant resources, the greedy have nothing to gain nor to take. With their strict organization, their mission, their purpose cannot be corrupted. It is absolute. There are individual differences, but their dedication to their goal of cosmic harmony is uniform¡­I see them as the way forward.¡±

    Erin stared up at the ceiling, eyes distantly searching for the ideal future she sought.

    ¡°How long do you think it will take us to reach that point? If we ever do? If there is a quicker option where less people die, is it not the only moral option?¡±

    Erin Nisei cared for the people of the world. All of them. It started small: a young woman in an unfortunate position managing the unwanted of the world. She saw their strife, their effort, the bottomless pit they struggled to drag themselves out of, or gave up on struggling entirely, settling in the bottom like sludge, discouraged and in despair.

    As her rank increased, she saw the top of society. Silver rankers were qualified to associate with kings. In Sanshi, silver rankers were the top of society. The parties, the balls, the extravagance, and the waste.

    The irreconcilable scarcity of essences.

    ¡°The Advent has the ability to extend the lifespan without essences,¡± Erin said. ¡°Not just us essence users. All can live a few hundred years. With The Advent, a few may suffer now for the happiness of many later. Many suffer now regardless. What is the difference?¡±

    *****

    For two days, Nara suffered alone in her room. Temporary physical pain from fighting monsters was one thing, but the constant torment of regrowing and reburning flesh within her wrists was another. She wanted to pass out from the pain, but the life energy the shackles provided kept her awake. She could only naturally fall asleep. The stabbing and burning pain that sent shooting sparks of pain every time she so much as shifted her arms prevented that. At some point, the compulsion of her mind to sleep would overwhelm the ability of the cuffs to keep her awake, but she hadn¡¯t reached that threshold yet.

    Nara didn¡¯t think her pain tolerance was particularly high. The torture that she suffered as a soul was more subconscious than conscious, a non-physical pain. The pain she suffered in combat had the promise of relief, a means to an end.

    She tried to claw at her arms, scratching at shackles she desperately tried to remove. As her fingers drew bloody raw marks against her skin, they healed. Her only accomplishment was crimson and dark maroon smears of blood that stained the bed she curled herself upon.

    Next, she banged her head on the wall attempting to knock herself out. She may not have a brain, but it was not entirely impossible; the head was still a vulnerability, just not as much as others. Her reward was a red splat of modern art on white sandstone, as if an artist had randomly thrown red paint on the wall. The walls repaired themselves, and the blood disappeared into stone.

    Nara¡¯s sense of time was already weak then further exacerbated by her missing Guide, lack of access to her inventory, and her incessant torment.

    On the second day of her feverish torment, she was visited by another unwelcome guest.

    ¡°The pain can end at any time,¡± Raina Bow said. She sat in the chair at the desk, as if she was the true owner of the room. ¡°If you assent, I can bring you through the arch myself.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t have the energy to respond, huddling tighter in the corner of the room, but managing a pitiful glare. She felt proud of herself for managing that much.

    ¡°I need some sort of response. Do you want me to bring you outside in this state?¡±

    ¡°¡­No.¡±

    ¡°Is that your answer?¡±

    She did her best to nod.

    ¡°Know that only worse forms of persuasion await you. This is your final chance before that begins.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°I¡¯ll assume that your answer is still a no. How unfortunate. For this, even I pity you.¡±

    Rain held a small glass bottle out in her hand for Nara to see. It was small, around 2 inches tall and 1 inch in diameter. Within it were small, glowing specks of light.

    ¡°In one of the worlds that joined our harmony, Ataraxia, there is a naturally occurring magic beast of forests very saturated with magic known as the dream beetle. The dream beetle will infest an unfortunate traveler, very slowly eating their flesh and releasing a toxin that dampens pain and induces pleasant hallucinations. Eventually, the host will die as they fail to upkeep their basic life functions or recover from the damage caused by the beetle.¡±

    She shook the bottle gently, sending the small, dust-like specks scattering within the bottle, pinging against the glass. They were much like fireflies, except smaller and glowing with a soft purple light.

    ¡°The life shackles provide the life and magic energy necessary to keep an iron ranker like you alive through the silver rank infestation. Anything extreme enough and your body won¡¯t be able to take in enough healing energy before you die. Why we don¡¯t use it in combat, well¡­¡±

    Raina shot forward and grabbed Nara¡¯s hand, causing her to yell out from the sudden, dizzying, pain.

    ¡°It¡¯s painful, it¡¯s inefficient, and the healing energy a body can absorb in a short period of time is limited. Abilities produce far more efficient healing energy, but external devices aren¡¯t so able. For our purposes, it will do.¡±

    Raina held out the bottle in front of Nara¡¯s eyes, forcing her to stare at those small, glowing specks.

    ¡°This is not a dream beetle. Most of the Advent is remiss to physically torture others. Those like Ceram even willing to harass others is a rarity, even if you do not believe my words. We are taught our entire lives to be kind and understanding towards others. Those of us who walk the path of combat can counteract our upbringing but¡­torture by my own hand is difficult, as it is for all our people. It is my role, as their elder, to do what tasks they cannot. Know that your pain hurts me just as much as it hurts you. I sincerely wish, for your own well-being, that this suffering will not be for long. That it may be but a small blemish on the enduring relationship The Advent will build with you.¡±

    Nara stared at the bottle as Raina uncorked it and plucked out a single bug from the bottle. She used her bare fingers; the bug could not puncture her gold rank skin. It was too small for Nara to see the bug squirm, but the rapid pulsating of light told her as much as the beetle struggled against her pinch-grip.

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°We developed other methods for those that necessitate it. Ones that don¡¯t require our physical input. Thus, we developed the nightmare beetle from the dream beetle. Instead of dampening pain, this bug with release toxins that produce unique pain. When you get used to a pain, it will sense it and produce another. Additionally, it will induce a hallucinogenic that will show you what you most want to see.¡±

    She held the bug right next to Nara¡¯s right eye.

    ¡°This is your last chance.¡±

    Nara closed her eyes, resigned of what was to come. She was not religious, but she sent prayers to whatever gods could hear¡ª

    ¡°Why won¡¯t you just kill me? You¡¯ve killed others.¡±

    ¡°Nara,¡± she said, bringing her other hand to touch her face with a caress that made Nara flinch, ¡°We are remiss to kill. We are,¡± She insisted. ¡°If there are no other options, then that may be our ultimate conclusion. Until then, you will have plenty of time to think.¡±

    Raina¡¯s finger touched Nara¡¯s skin, and the nightmare beetle crawled into her eye.

    *****

    Nara never wanted to experience that classic video game horror of having something inserted through her eye. It was an unwilling achievement she earned that day. The birds during the survival trial destroying her eye with their beak was at least a quick and temporary horror. The bug crawled around her eyeball, chewing on whatever flesh it passed, tunneling like a termite through wood. As it passed, the healing energy of the shackles restored her flesh. Sage was there too to heal her if needed. Her subsumed effect still worked, although it was unnecessary. Her presence was some comfort, even if she could not hear her dry teasing and ever-even voice.

    Nara didn¡¯t feel any different at first. The same, ever persistent burning pain continued in her wrists. She couldn¡¯t feel the beetle inside her either; it was just too small. Even if she couldn¡¯t feel it, it chewed away on her flesh and blood, slowly multiplying.

    =======

    Some creative writing on inflicting pain on my protagonist, not particularly graphic, but skippable.

    =======

    It was the first sign of a new pain that told Nara the beetle had multiplied enough to be effective. The first was a piercing migraine; a pain that shouldn¡¯t be possible for Nara to feel anymore. She felt it deep within her skull, like a woodpecker was trapped within her skull furiously hammering out to escape. She was nauseous, either from the pain itself or a sensation the nightmare beetle generated as well. Next, was a classic: her fingernails felt as if wood splinters were inserted between their soft flesh and the nail. She blearily checked her fingernails, but no wood was there.

    In the next moment the pain transformed; she was doused with gasoline, then lit on fire, like a  non-twilight vampire suffering the sin of his existence as sentenced by the sun.

    Nara wondered how she was supposed to move to the arch if she couldn¡¯t move from the pain, but during the night, the pain abated, and the hallucinations began.

    The first was a sound. It was as if she had developed tinnitus. A high, droning pitch ever present that she could not shake from her head. Then she heard dogs barking, and birds chirping. It was the sort that kept you awake at night, chirps when birds should have been asleep, right night to your window at 2 am. Every time there was a pause and you thought you had release, the noises began again, pulling you from tiredness into frustration. Then, the engine roar of car owned by a man with an inferiority complex. Sound by sound, they were layered on top in a one-thousand-layer sound crepe cake.

    She heard the roar of the sun if the vacuum of space did not block it for her. The sound of a nuclear impact, tearing past her skin in an incinerating roar. The piercing pounding of a jackhammer, the incessant wailing of a baby on a crowded airplane, a train whistle that never ended. Each new sound added to the cacophonous orchestra, each equally distinct, and each crowding her mind for attention.

    The sounds would not stop. They overwhelmed her. She felt small against a mega tsunami of noise, drowning, and battered within it. With her hands she dug into her ears, ripping away the flesh and tearing at her semicircular canals to make it stop. The wounds healed, and her hands dropped futilely back to the bed, blood caking beneath her fingernails as the sounds escalated.

    It would not stop.

    They were a hallucinated noise, a product of twisted magical poison that did not require brains nor chemicals to work.

    She felt the noise reverberate through her whole body, shaking and vibrating her bones and flesh, bouncing around her empty skull. She felt its enormous pressure, the weight of all the sound in the world simultaneously.

    She screamed for it to stop but it would not stop. Her own screams added to the noise. It was exhausting, overwhelming, and pervasive. There was nothing she could do but lie there and suffer the noise.

    =======

    End of depictions of pain, although now its sensory deprivation. Mostly relevant because Nara doesn¡¯t like sensory deprivation.

    =======

    When the nightmare beetle sensed she had adapted, it changed tactics, abruptly and painfully.

    She heard nothing at all. It would have been a relief, if not for the complete and utter absence that no human ever truly experienced. No sound of a heart, no background hum of electronics or wind, no gulping of saliva, or the sound of skin brushing against skin or the rustling of hair. It was a stark blackness compared to the overwhelming white of incessant noise. The silence itself felt sharp, and Nara gasped from the recoil of overwhelming sound to absolute auditory deprivation.

    She was within a void of pure emptiness; the only companion were her thoughts and the sensations of her soul. Faintly, she could feel the presence of Chrome, Sage, and Thanatos attempting to comfort her. It was a brief relief; the nightmare bug would not be used for torture if it was anything but.

    She realized she had lost all sensation. She couldn¡¯t feel her body, as if it had all evaporated into nothingness.

    It sent her into a panic.

    She was in the astral again, but there was no shifting magic, no indistinct soul form, and no goal, direction, path, or home domain. She tried to slam her hand into her wrists to elicit pain, but she couldn¡¯t feel her body move, let alone the sensation of pain. She didn¡¯t even know if she had succeeded in impacting her body. If her fingers had brushed past skin, she wouldn¡¯t have felt it.

    She felt so helpless.

    She didn¡¯t know where she began, and the void of pure emptiness ended. Were her eyes open or shut? What was her orientation? Where was she in the compound. She had no idea if she had moved. Had her legs propelled her to the front of the portal, desperate for release? There was nothing she could do but pray she wasn¡¯t standing there, ready to give in to their demands to end the emptiness.

    Nara had experienced this sensation of annihilation and non-existence once before, if it could even be called a sensation or an experience. When she had eroded away her own soul into fine grains of sand, scattering it about to escape the cage that housed her, slipping away like dust and sediment along streams and wind.

    Would that work now, annihilation? Could she do it?

    Luckily for Nara, self-annihilation was a slow process (she didn¡¯t have the power to be quick about it), and Nara had new qualities to herself which prevented any success. By that time, the nightmare bug had already moved on, constructing its next hallucinogenic poison with slightly different effects, and she passed that trial, not from sheer force of will, but the inability to destroy herself in the allotted timeframe.

    *****

    ¡°Nara, what are you doing?¡±

    A familiar, perpetually annoyed voice pierced through pain, and Nara found herself with clearer thought and mind, a slight reprieve from her madness.

    ¡°Chrome?¡± she croaked.

    Chrome was leaning against the wall of her room. He was the same as always: long glowing golden braid with bright glowing eyes. Within his signature look of superiority hid his deep concern.

    ¡°Nara, this is foolishness. Just go through the portal.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a hallucination,¡± she said slowly. She was sure, but she was unsure. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be listening to you.¡±

    Even if he was a hallucination, Nara was glad to see him. With her abilities suppressed, she couldn¡¯t talk to any of her familiars, although she could feel them subsumed within her. That offered comfort. This being before her could not be Chrome.

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m not just a hallucination,¡± Chrome retorted. ¡°I¡¯m the right answer. The sensible one. They don¡¯t know what you can do. Once you step through that portal, they will think they¡¯ve won. What do you think they¡¯ll do next?¡±

    ¡°Remove the beetles and the shackles, I guess.¡±

    ¡°Nara,¡± he said, practically hissing, ¡°Once they do that you are gone. They may know you have teleportation abilities, but they do not know that you can cross the dimensional wall. You can astral jump back to Amara, the Adventure Society, Sen, and help them figure out where this astral space is to find Aliyah. You can share your memory with Laius or Chelsea, and they can portal here.¡±

    Nara¡¯s mind was muddled from incessant hallucinations. Her perception of time and reality had already long blurred, like watercolors spreading on wet paper. Something seemed wrong with his statement, but she couldn¡¯t put her finger on it. She tried to note it away like Sen would but couldn¡¯t manage to hold on to that course, thoughts flickering like a faulty light.

    ¡°Your idiotic, hardheaded resistance now is just making things worse for the rest of these people. Once you are in their world, their home base, in one of the locations you can jump to, you can even astral jump there. Run sabotage. Get revenge.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really think that¡¯s a good idea,¡± she said, distant. Nara wasn¡¯t even clear if she was speaking out loud or not, or if it was all a hallucination within her mind.

    Chrome snorted, ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea! You¡¯re not the tactician. It¡¯s not saying much.¡±

    He sat down on the bed next to her, causing the sheets and mattress to crinkle under his weight. He seemed so real, his weight, his aura, his presence. The light of his shimmering hair and glowing eyes. His expression, pulled into his characteristic annoyed frown. The tone of his voice, a comforting lullaby in her tired and worn mind.

    ¡°Nara. You¡¯ve always been flexible. Why are you being so stubborn now?¡±

    Was she? Flexible or stubborn: She seemed to vary between the two. She knew why, she knew when she was stubborn. She had good reason now.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s on the other side of that portal,¡± she repeated. She¡¯d be petulant if she had the energy.

    ¡°Why does that matter? You¡¯ve gone through portals before. Evaluate the situation on the other side and make a plan. Whatever is on the other side, it has to be better than this.¡±

    ¡°I¡­will not give up my autonomy. Ever. Whatever is on the other side of that portal could put that at risk.¡±

    ¡°Look how resilient you are now. You think their ¡®brainwashing¡¯ would win against that?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Chrome. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m winning.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t know how long had passed when she got another visitor. Her door opened, revealing the lilac-haired Lina. It wasn¡¯t a surprise that any of the Adventists could trespass her room, but she still felt the pangs of vulnerability and helplessness to have that reasserted.

    ¡°Are you a hallucination too?¡± Nara asked blearily, ¡°Why would I hallucinate you?¡±

    ¡°I am not.¡±

    ¡°Aw shit,¡± Nara wondered out loud. ¡°Would a hallucination tell the truth?¡±

    Lina moved the chair from the desk and sat down across from the curled Nara. The walls and bed sheets were clean and repaired, but they had suffered the throes of Nara¡¯s pain. Nara too, had been healed. Aside from her disheveled hair, gaunt and shaky stature, and darkened eyes, she was much the same.

    ¡°You should consider going outside and seeking companionship.¡±

    ¡°From you?¡±

    ¡°I offer it, if you seek it,¡± Lina said. ¡°However, you do not seek companionship from me. I am suggesting that you seek it from your friend, Aliyah.¡±

    Nara struggled, wrestling both against the pain and her own emotions to finally respond.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t want her to see me like this.¡±

    Nara was prideful in weird ways. She didn¡¯t want to be seen in her genuinely vulnerable moments by the people he cared about. Her team was in a strange intersection for her; they were more than friends, but not so close that Nara didn¡¯t feel awkward sharing her vulnerabilities. She didn¡¯t want to be an emotional burden. Pride, or just a natural process of forming deep relationships, or the fear of being inadequate or strange. Nara had always struggled with forming close bonds that persisted.

    The modern education system of Earth further exacerbated the issue. Every four years, she changed to a different school and found new friends. After that, it was work. In the current economy, her friends and eventually herself would change workplaces every 2 to 4 years in search of a better paying job.

    The closeness that team members developed, and the final act of trust and vulnerability was a threshold Nara hesitated to cross, especially with her dual identity as a member of two worlds.

    Nara couldn¡¯t tell if Lina was being manipulative or offering genuine advice. What should she do?

    ¡°Do they know?¡±

    ¡°I could tell them if you¡¯d like.¡±

    Nara looked at Lina warily, but only saw genuine concern from the celestine. She couldn¡¯t trust any of her senses. Other people could do nothing to help her pain. Other people with her were a vulnerability the Adventists could exploit.

    Yet Nara found herself involuntarily nodding to Lina¡¯s proposition.

    Lina nodded and left her room.

 Chapter 104: Their Own Brand of Cruelty

    Chapter 104: Their Own Brand of Cruelty

    Aliyah, Jiro, Yulia, Lina, Amas, and Nara were in a sequestered lounge area. Nara lay on Aliyah¡¯s lap, passed out from pain and emotional release. The comfort she found with Aliyah granted her a brief, but still tormented, reprieve.

    Aliyah ran her fingers through Nara¡¯s hair. The outworlder wasn¡¯t sweaty; they didn¡¯t sweat. Her pallor was pale. Large eyebags puffed like proofing bread. Her hair was messy and ratty, like birds had stacked twigs and made a nest of it. Occasionally, small dots of purple light approached the surface of her skin, like bioluminescent jellyfish floating to the surface of the ocean, although they never breached the surface of her skin.

    The atmosphere in the group was tense.

    ¡°They would go this far?¡± Yulia said, staring at the exhausted Nara.

    ¡°She has that much value to The Advent,¡± Lina confirmed.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they afraid that even if she goes through that portal, she¡¯d never work with them?¡± Jiro asked.

    ¡°Many are obstinate when the first cross the threshold. Once the realization that their life will never return to what it once was, they accept a new life.¡± She glanced at Nara. ¡°It is not unlike the hardships and choices of the outworlders. They are transported to a world not their own, and have no choice but to make a new life for themselves. In such a situation, how long can one persist?¡±

    ¡°But outworlders have no choice,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Their choice had been made for them. If we make the choice to step through that portal, the decision to abandon the old for a new life had already been made.¡±

    ¡°There is less resistance,¡± Lina empathetically explained. ¡°The Advent boasts a culture of scientific exploration and technological progress. Researchers and inventors are greatly respected. In is a world that fully supports your pursuits of knowledge, appreciates your discoveries, no matter how small they may be. I daresay it is a paradise of new knowledge.¡±

    Yulia glanced at Nara, at Lina, then finally at Jiro.

    ¡°You¡¯re going, aren¡¯t you.¡± Jiro saw. Perhaps, he felt relief for her, that someone would survive.

    ¡°I am,¡± Yulia said. ¡°I will hope I can see you there.¡±

    ¡°You see that, and you feel reassured? That you can entrust your life to them?¡± Jiro said, pointing sadly at Nara, who suffered as she slept, clutching at Aliyah like a man stranded in an ocean storm to his life-saving plank of wood.

    ¡°Either I die here, or I see what¡¯s on the other side. Maybe they¡¯re lying, Jiro. Does it matter? At the very least, I can see for myself what the truth is.¡±

    He closed his eyes somberly, his head shaking in denial.

    ¡°Take care,¡± he said.

    ¡°You too, Jiro.¡±

    *****

    Nara blearily opened her eyes. She felt the warm quilted blanked trapping the body heat, protecting her from the mild chill of her bedroom. Turning her head, she looked outside her second floor bedroom window. The house her new stepfather had inherited from his family was a short drive away from the outskirts of Copenhagen, and nestled between a small conifer forest which offered some privacy. Her mom was more of a city goer, and once she had married her new husband, purchased a small apartment in Copenhagen to live in. Her mother was a staunch believer in the value of real estate. She wasn¡¯t rich enough to be a large scale landlord, but instead saved up enough money over her life to purchase a few apartments to rent out, on top of working as an accountant. Her mother¡¯s Chinese upbringing told her real estate was a valuable inheritance, a tenant she staunchly followed.

    Her mother was also a minimalist, so she did well in small apartments, satisfied with the location and indifferent to the lack of space. There was enough room for Nara and her sister to spend the night together with her mom in her small, Danish apartment, if Nara and her sister shared a room.

    Nara preferred open space, but she had also begun to appreciate the convenience of city life. They had spent the holidays in her stepfamily¡¯s house, however, and not the small city apartment.

    ¡°Was that all a dream?¡± She said out loud, to hear the thought as something physical, and to ground herself.

    She felt her arms. No shackles. She felt any pain either. There was no Guide, no Astral jumping, no magic powers.

    No familiars. No team.

    Nara mind drew a blank of white noise as she wrestled with the empty sensation of a life she loved, now lost.

    Once the holidays were over, having spent the entirety of her PTO, she¡¯d be back at her job, working 8 hours a day, plus an unpaid lunch hour, whoop-de-woo.

    Was it all a dream, or not? Was she getting Harry Potter¡¯d?

    She retrieved her phone from the bedside table and checked the time. It was 9 am, and she was due for a nice breakfast. She briefly scrolled through her text messages and social media, resolutely ignoring any work emails, then wandered downstairs. Her mother was up, organizing Christmas leftovers and adding some new dishes to make breakfast. There was Chinese rice porridge and some pickled vegetables. She hadn¡¯t found their favorite pickled mustard roots in the grocery stores in Denmark. Leftover Christmas dumplings were fried up: the best way to eat dumplings. She made a quick cold cucumber and garlic salad¡ªher mother thought every meal needed vegetables. Breakfast was no exception.

    ¡°Good morning,¡± her stepfather greeted her.

    ¡°Good morning,¡± she returned the greeting, ¡°You know, I had this wild dream.¡±

    ¡°What was it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll probably all think it¡¯s childish. My sister would probably like it though. She often dreams about having superpowers. In summary, I had magic powers on another world.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a short summary,¡± her stepbrother noted. ¡°How about some details?¡±

    ¡°Hm, well, it felt like it lasted months. It was exceedingly realistic.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he said, ¡°But what were the powers?¡±

    ¡°Uh well, I could teleport.¡±

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Classic. Teleportation is convenient.¡±

    ¡°Had a few familiars. I liked them a lot. A large dog¡ªcouldn¡¯t talk. A floating silver robe¡ªcould talk. And a glowstick¡ªalso could talk. The last one, he was sassy.¡±

    ¡°The glowstick was a he?¡±

    ¡°Yup.¡±

    ¡°I really expected talking animals, not talking objects.¡±

    ¡°I guess I pulled a bit of a Beauty and the Beast.¡±

    ¡°Oooh,¡± her sister interjected, also arriving from upstairs, ¡°I love dreams about superpowers. Was I in it?¡±

    ¡°No, it was just me. In fact, nobody from the fam was in it.¡±

    She pouted, ¡°I dream about you.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t control my dreams.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an introvert even in your dreams.¡±

    ¡°Sort of, I guess. I had a bunch of new friends.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t make you not an introvert.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not denying that.¡±

    Nara sat on the right of her sister, always. Her older sister was left handed, and if she sat to her left, they¡¯d bump elbows while eating.

    They finished breakfast, and Nara and her sister helped her mother wash up the dishes. Her stepbrother and stepfather helped clear the table and clean up the kitchen.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be making a trip to the city through the arch,¡± her stepfather said. ¡°Do you want to come?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Nara said, something ringing in her mind with an odd tone of dissonance.

    He looked confused. He gestured to the arch in the middle of the living room. Had it always been there?

    ¡°The arch. That one that leads to town and your mother¡¯s apartment.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no magic here,¡± Nara said. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be magic here.¡±

    ¡°How else would we get into town?¡±

    ¡°With a car?¡±

    ¡°You know your mother hates driving. It¡¯s the worse part of this house: the drive into town,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Thankfully we have the arch, else I wouldn¡¯t know if your mother would stay here at all.¡±

    ¡°I hate driving too, doesn¡¯t mean I use a portal. We don¡¯t have portals!¡± Nara insisted.

    ¡°America just has shitty, ill-maintained public transportation,¡± her sister said, ¡°Our subways keep falling apart¡ªthere was that one time when a ceiling tile almost fell on me. At least Denmark has these cool portals.¡±

    ¡°Why is it in the house then?¡±

    ¡°Had enough money to get them installed, duh. I thought you were all for this? What¡¯s with you?¡±

    Nara felt like she was developing a headache. She felt this throbbing, burning pain build in her wrists. She futilely rubbed them, hoping to alleviate the sensation. Maybe she was typing too much¡ªever since she started reading fanfiction¡­

    Her stepfather smiled encouragingly, trying to connect with his stepdaughter. Their relationship was still tinted with awkwardness. ¡°We always take a morning walk. A bit late for it now, but better late than never. It¡¯s cold so make sure to wear your jacket and winter boots.¡±

    ¡°And your gloves and your scarf. And your hat. You two are so weak to cold,¡± complained her sister, ¡°I have to live through these northeastern winters. I¡¯ve built up a resistance.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that compares to Denmark,¡± she countered.

    The rest of the family got ready while Nara stared blankly from her seat at the table.

    She shook her head.

    ¡°There is no magic here.¡±

    *****

    Earth¡¯s lack of magic was an unexpected blessing. Any dreams Nara had of her life back on her world could not be used to convince her to enter the portal. Portals needed consent, which meant they could not be disguised. There would always be a portal. Any Earth dream was a reprieve from the hallucinations that spared no effort to convince her to accept relief and enter the portal.

    The nightmare beetle didn¡¯t select her dreams. They were conjured from her mind of things she missed and wanted to see. The mind was off limits; not even the goddess of knowledge directly read minds. Her dreams were her own, induced by drugs.

    She blearily opened her eyes again, but reality and dream were already starting to fuzz together in a painful, sickly haze.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Aliyah said, looking down at her.

    ¡°Unfortunately.¡±

    The throbbing, burning pain returned to her wrists. The nightmare beetle was creating new toxins and new sensations of pain Nara didn¡¯t know possible as she spoke.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been asleep for a few hours.¡±

    ¡°Anything happen?¡±

    ¡°Yulia left.¡±

    ¡°I see. How many are left?¡±

    ¡°20.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve done a number then.¡±

    Aliyah smiled reassuringly and patted her head.

    The nightmare beetle decided to make physical touch feel like a branding iron, but Nara didn¡¯t say anything. She appreciated the intent behind the gesture.

    Nara looked towards Lina, who sat with good posture and quietly waited her turn to speak.

    ¡°Why did you give me advice?¡±

    Lina smiled, ¡°Do you think I am helping you?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°I only wanted to alleviate your pain.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t your boss want me to feel pain?¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want your suffering. She wants you to move on. It doesn¡¯t have to be this way.¡±

    Was it as Raina said? That most members of The Advent felt genuine sympathy? That they struggled with violence towards others? Lina certainly was an exceptional representative. But it didn¡¯t matter how kind Lina was.

    The Advent had showcased they were capable of their own brand of cruelty.

    *****

    ¡°You are so convinced they have this amazing world,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Why?¡±

    Eufemia studied Erin¡¯s face. She couldn¡¯t read her aura; it was sealed, but Eufemia didn¡¯t need her perception ability or the ability to read her aura. She had honed her ability to read facial expressions as well as her intuition for people over her years of conning and crime in Nekroz. Erin Nisei may be a wily, conniving woman, but Eufemia saw right through her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been there, haven¡¯t you? Their world.¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± Erin admitted, her eyes glazed in recollection. ¡°It was beautiful. I could go wherever I chose. They had vast portal networks free for anyone to use. Permanent portals. There are no slums, no poor areas, no second class citizens.¡±

    ¡°That you saw,¡± Eufemia scoffed.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been there multiple times. I¡¯d like to think I have some skill in detecting the illicit, Eufemia. You¡¯ll allow me that, won¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°No. You saw what world they wanted you to see. Their crowning jewel. That entire world could be perfection, the perfect playground to show their na?ve idiot visitors like you their curated image. The queen parasite of their parasitic hive.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Eufemia, you are incapable of believing what you have not seen. But I have seen it. I have experienced it.¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve been there,¡± Zinnia said, taking back control of the conversation. ¡°Where is this portal?¡±

    Erin shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was portaled to an unknown location, then I entered an astral space which held a portal to another unknown location. From there, we were transported with a ritual.¡±

    ¡°An astral space?¡±

    Encio sighed and shook his head. ¡°So even if I called my grandfather, it would be useless.¡±

    ¡°You think they¡¯re held in that astral space?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s a strong possibility. I can call him over for him to scan the surroundings for auras, just to check.¡±

    Zinnia felt a bit of a headache coming on, ¡°Normally, we don¡¯t ask diamond rankers to come over ¡®just to check¡¯.¡±

    ¡°He is my grandfather. He just so happens to be a diamond ranker. Besides, he¡¯s not busy.¡±

    ¡°Just a grandfather,¡± somebody quietly echoed. ¡°Just so happens to be a diamond ranker,¡±

    ¡°Not busy,¡± someone else whispered.

    ¡°Alright. You do that,¡± Zinnia said, promptly giving up. Honorary Duke Sezan Aciano would be a great boon to the search, even if she had reservations about calling a diamond ranker like he was a low rank odd jobs adventurer.

    Then, a quiet voice spoke up into the din of the meeting. ¡°Um.¡±

    No one heard him.

    ¡°Um,¡± he tried again. ¡°I may be able to help.¡±

    Zinnia used her aura to silence the meeting room.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I am, uh, Lawrence Ruffolk, a priest of Knowledge,¡± Lawrence said, briefly introducing himself. ¡°We currently have no method of long-distance astral space detection. Is that an accurate summary of the issue at hand?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Ranshi said, who was also a Magic Society member. He had been Mona¡¯s assistant during Nara¡¯s Adventure Society certification with the ability to operate magical vehicles. ¡°Our only method of detecting astral spaces is by close proximity or by chancing upon them, aside from historical records.¡±

    ¡°I have been recording the books miss Edea had recorded with her racial ability. My goddess had told me to prioritize the books on astral magic,¡± he said nervously, eyes not meeting any of the table¡¯s occupants. ¡°I¡¯ve had some time to read through them.¡±

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°I might be able to¡­create a ritual to detect nearby astral spaces. But uh, astral magic is not my specialty. I sort of¡­dabble, now, due to the role my goddess has given me.¡±

    ¡°You need help? Well,¡± Zinnia said, throwing a glare at Erin, who smiled serenely back, smug. ¡°We¡¯d have more astral magic specialists if they weren¡¯t all captured or dead.¡± Zinnia almost wished she was a leonid, so she could growl at her.

    ¡°There is a person who has experience with astral magic that I believe is qualified,¡± Encio said, ¡°and would be more than willing to help. Astral magic is not her known specialty, but she has been known to study it for her inventions.¡±

    She had, after all, been dabbling in the sort of astral magic that inadvertently opened a path to the astral to allow Nara to cross over.

    ¡°Who are you suggesting, Aciano?¡±

    ¡°Amara Edea. Don¡¯t you think she¡¯d be a great help?¡±

    ¡°While I completely agree with your suggestion, Aciano, we have no way to contact her. I had intended for Nara to do so. And she was unfortunately captured before that happened. We will have to wait for Redell Gainer¡¯s next visit to the church of the healer. I want someone posted there to request his presence.¡±

 Chapter 105: A Biblically Inaccurate Angel

    Chapter 105: A Biblically Inaccurate Angel

    It was four days later when Redell was flagged down at a temple of the Healer. The situation was explained to him, and he contacted Laius, who was his ride. Soon enough, Amara Edea and her personal portal and partner, Chelsea Hayeth, were at the Adventure Society for a grand total of five gold rankers (real or pretending) in the same place.

    Amara Edea had half a mind to put her fist through Erin Nisei¡¯s face, but was restrained by Chelsea¡¯s good sense. She didn¡¯t care for Erin¡¯s ideology or her justifications. She was a traitor and she deserved death.

    ¡°You¡¯re Lawrence?¡± Amara said, arms crossed and looking down at the scrawny iron ranker who shivered like a cat left out in the rain standing warily in front of a doorway opened to it. Even for a gold ranker, Amara was tall. Leonids were on average the tallest race, and she approached their average. It was not just Nara that felt like a child next to her Olympian stature.

    ¡°Y-yes,¡± despite his chattering, he managed a response.

    ¡°You know astral magic theory?¡±

    ¡°A-a bit. Nothing compared to you, Lady Edea.¡±

    ¡°You. Come with me. I have a research study.¡±

    She picked up Lawrence with no exertion.

    John stared at the iron ranker that looked like he was about to lose consciousness because his rapid breaths weren¡¯t getting any oxygen into his brain. He¡¯d need that brain soon. John hoped he could pull himself together.

    ¡°Good luck soldier. We¡¯re counting on you,¡± he saluted.

    ******

    A silver lining of Nara¡¯s suffering was that it was pointless for Ceram to harass her. She hovered between senselessness and unconsciousness, with flickers of waking cognizance punctuated by indescribable pain.

    How long had passed?

    She was back in her room. She didn¡¯t remember moving here, but she had already lost her sense of reality and time.

    She was startled awake by a low rumbling within the facility. The room was well soundproofed, so whatever had caused it must have been powerful. She felt vibrations echo throughout the room, sending pins of pain shooting up her body, causing her to double over and wince.

    The booming shakes repeated. The low rumble echoed in her bones.

    Was there an earthquake? Could an astral space have an earthquake?

    She forced herself to roll out of her bed, falling with a thump onto the floor. She peeled off the blankets she had cocoon herself into, undoing her human burrito form. Supporting herself on the nearby wall and furniture, she slowly pushed herself to the exit door of her room, and pressed the panel.

    It was night. She saw the stars in the open air lake that her room bordered. She struggled down the hallway. A shake sent her tumbling to her feet, but the pain was indetectable in comparison to what she currently suffered.

    She was confused, as were the others. Other doors opened, captives waking from their slumbers to gauge the situation. Aliyah ran to Nara¡¯s side, supporting her.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Aliyah shook her head, ¡°I have no idea.¡±

    The two struggled forward, step-by-step. Each shake shook the surface of the lake, sending waves and ripples scattering across the surface in chaotic geometries.

    They made it to the edge of the main hall, where the some of the remaining captives peeked out from behind cover.

    A massive hole had been torn off from the facility, revealing their position at the top of the stone spire. Through the hole, Nara could see the forest that surrounded the spire. Flashes of lightning streaked through the forest, and thunderbolts fell from heaven like the wrath of Zeus. Lightning created fractal patterns, as if the sky itself had shattered.

    The fighting continued for only a short while.

    While she was distracted, she was lifted up into the air like a kitten.

    ¡°Eh?¡±

    She looked up to see a jet black panther man.

    ¡°Laius?!¡±

    He patted her head with his furred paw-hand, then carried her under his arm like a football.

    ¡°This way,¡± he said. Although he had spoken softly, all the captives turned towards him in attention¡ªhis aura nudged them, guiding them to follow. He walked forward, a small and cautious group following behind him. The Adventists had no leonids with them. They dared to hope that he was not an Adventist but a rescuer.

    Jiro¡¯s was relieved, although his scowl was bitter. Yulia had left just a few days ago. If only she had waited, they could return together to the Magic Society and their homes.

    There was a flying skimmer waiting where the hole was. Laius carried Nara past that detestable arch entrenched in the center of the room.

    ¡°Can you¡­destroy that?¡± she asked.

    He nodded, then flicked a throwing knife at the arch. It embedded itself in its frame, then shadows erupted from the knife, consuming the arch like a monster born of the void. The knife clattered to the floor once every last portion of the arch had been annihilated.

    ¡°Nifty.¡±

    ¡°Is that wise?¡± Aliyah said, ¡°We could have studied that. There may have been an arch portal network. Perhaps its interdimensional nature would have revealed a path to your world, Nara.¡±

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°Fuck that arch,¡± Nara said. ¡°We¡¯ll find another way.¡±

    As Laius guided the group towards the skimmer, Nara found herself looking for a familiar face. That thistle haired celestine.

    ¡°Are you looking for Lina?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried for the enemy?¡± Jiro said incredulously.

    ¡°She¡¯s not a bad person. I think.¡±

    ¡°The gold ranker was buying time for them to escape,¡± Laius said. ¡°We did not kill them.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Jiro demanded.

    ¡°Non hostile.¡±

    Jiro¡¯s brows creased but he said nothing further. He wasn¡¯t one to argue with a gold ranker in the first place, but his own twisted emotions and anxiety bore to a recklessness he didn¡¯t know he possessed.

    The captives boarded the skimmer, which shot through the sky.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­Amara, right?¡± Nara asked, ¡°Is she fine alone?¡±

    Laius nodded.

    Relief washed over her. They were being rescued. Captives felt the same relief; their spirits were uplifted. They hugged each other, nervously rejoicing in the skimmer as they were treated to a light show. It was a contagious happiness that even Nara¡¯s pain could not dampen.

    The skimmer flew over the forest, then descended to a clearing where there was a small building in ruins. The building was constructed to protect the astral space aperture. Evidently, Amara tore it apart. The stone was blackened and blasted apart. The swirling aperture almost glowed.

    The aperture was large enough for the skimmer, and it carried them through. The outside looked no different from the inside. The astral space they were trapped in wasn¡¯t particularly different from Sanshi¡¯s natural landscape.

    ¡°How did you find us?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Bracelet.¡±

    ¡°I thought that its signal couldn¡¯t go past dimensions.¡±

    ¡°Amara made it.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t think it could, but Amara had studied her fare share of astral magic. Another wave of pain washed over her, and she struggled to hold onto consciousness again. She didn¡¯t want to slip into another hallucination here and now. She wanted to be home. She wanted to know, for sure.

    Laius passed her to Redell.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Redell said. He stood in front of a portal she recognized as Laius¡¯ obsidian arch, ¡°I¡¯m going to take you to the church of the healer. They have the equipment there to help you. I¡¯ve analyzed your condition, and I can see you¡¯ve been infested with a parasitic magical beast. I don¡¯t recognize it but¡­we will figure it out.¡±

    She looked towards the portal arch.

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    ¡°Nara?¡±

    ¡°I might be hallucinating. I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    He held his hand over her, a cleansing light eliminating the afflictions on her, ¡°There were toxins on you. They¡¯ll come back in time, but they¡¯re gone for now. You can rest easy. You¡¯re safe now.¡±

    His large arms and tall statue felt reassuring indeed. He set her down on her feet, and held out his hand. She placed her hand into his large, warm, and comforting hand.

    Suddenly a biting pain erupted from her left arm, as if someone had grabbed her shackle and pressed down, hard. She screamed out in pain, her vision swimming.

    ¡°Nara!¡±

    She turned her vision behind her to see who had grabbed onto her.

    ¡°Nara, you cannot go through the portal.¡±

    She saw a familiar face she did not expect. A beautiful celestine of lilac and thistle, whose normally peaceful expression was focused and stern.

    ¡°Lina¡­? Didn¡¯t you escape with your people?¡±

    ¡°Open your eyes, Nara. You need to wake up.¡±

    She yanked down hard on her arm. Lina¡¯s bronze rank strength crushed the flesh on her wrist and cracked her bones, shoving it up against the burning rod.

    She collapsed to the floor; eyes filled with tears. The floor, Nara realized. Not grass.

    She looked forward again, her vision transformed. She was sitting right in front of the portal arch. The glow illuminated her face, inches away.

    ¡°What¡­?¡±

    ¡°Nara. You were hallucinating.¡±

    Lina knelt down, taking Nara¡¯s face between her palms. She felt her warm skin touch hers, palms on her tear-streaked face. Her last hallucination had been so real. She had felt the rough skin of Redell¡¯s hand, just as sure and warm as Lina¡¯s hands were now.

    Nara realized with a sinking feel of dread: How¡­how was she supposed to figure reality from dream now?

    ¡°Listen to me Nara.¡± Lina¡¯s voice cut though her uncertainties. ¡°If you want to keep your autonomy, you cannot go through any portal. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t¡­¡±

    ¡°Repeat after me. I will not go through any portal, ever. Repeat it!¡± When Nara hesitated, Lina raised her voice, shocking Nara out of her stupor.

    ¡°I-I will not go through any portal, ever,¡± she repeatedly shakily.

    It was good enough for Lina. ¡°It¡¯s a promise,¡± Lina said with a sweet, sad smile. Her fingers touched Nara¡¯s face delicately wiping away her tears.

    Ah, this must be what an angel looks like, Nara blankly thought, if they weren¡¯t biblically accurate.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Did she say that out loud?

    ¡°Why¡­why did you help me? I don¡¯t understand,¡± Nara stammered out through her pain.

    Lina pushed back Nara¡¯s messy hair, and gently kissed her forehead. It felt almost reverent.

    ¡°To my world,¡± she began softly, her voice a gentle lullaby whisper. ¡°Outworlders are signs of good fortune.¡±

    Nara¡¯s blood froze. She stared into Lina¡¯s glimmering lilac eyes.

    She should have realized sooner: ¡°You need to run,¡± she choked out.

    Lina was not rushed nor impatient; Nara subconsciously knew why. She looked as if she wanted to stay for a moment, rising with a gentle, lingering sway, but decided against it.

    Lina stood and vanished into particles of light.

    *****

    Nara knew Lina was dead.

    There was no way she could survive. A bronze ranker could not escape a gold ranker. Even if she was actually a silver ranker that had managed to disguise herself as a bronze ranker, the power gap was far too large. With each rank, the gap in power increased to the next. Iron to bronze rank was the smallest gap.

    Lina ran, not so that she may live, but so Nara would not see her die.

    Her hesitation was whether how she wanted to spend the last few moments of her life; next to the person she sacrificed her life to save, or out of her sight so she would not suffer her death. Since her goal was to keep Nara from entering the portal, she chose the latter.

    Nara slowly dragged herself away from the portal, leaning against the nearest piece of furniture, feeling like she had been numbed with an overdose of anesthetic.

    It was in the late hours of the night; the common rooms were empty. Someone was usually posted outside her room to prevent something like this from happening. Either they were dead, or they had been removed to prevent their interference.

    She didn¡¯t understand why Lina had stopped her, even if she was an Illusae. ¡®A sign of good fortune¡¯ wasn¡¯t enough to sacrifice her life for, was it? Was it the knowledge Nara held within herself? It may have been valuable enough for Lina to trade her life for.

    She didn¡¯t feel valuable enough for anyone to trade their life for. She was just a person, same as anyone else.

    She didn¡¯t want this burden. She didn¡¯t want this value.

    ¡°Lina,¡± Nara repeated. It was the name of her savior.

    It could not be her real name¡ªZariel had had a fake name as well. Nara didn¡¯t know what her real name was. Since she was too exhausted to make her way back to her room, Nara fell asleep on the floor for another restless night of sweet-as-poison dreams.

    *****

    ¡°Nara?¡±

    Nara was shaken awake by an Aliyah who was extremely concerned.

    ¡°Nara, what happened last night? Jiro said he was removed by a silver ranker.¡±

    She looked up at Aliyah¡¯s concerned faintly glowing gold eyes.

    ¡°I¡­almost walked through that portal.¡±

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she confirmed, her voice a scant whisper.

    Something wasn¡¯t quite right with her. Aliyah could feel her despondency. Her teammate and friend was rapidly deteriorating. Each day, she seemed more hollow, more aimless, more confused, and more broken.

    Today was worse. Far worse than she had seen.

    Nara wasn¡¯t moving, so Aliyah picked her up and carried her to the secluded study they frequented. She had stopped shivering from pain entirely. Combined with her silence, Aliyah was afraid not that Nara would cross the portal, but that she would never recover from this even if she survived it.

    Aliyah hugged her friend who seemed very small and very delicate.

    ¡°Nara, what happened?¡± She said firmly, doing her best to coax the answer out of her.

    ¡°¡­Lina is dead.¡±

    That was a surprise.

    ¡°They killed one of their own?¡±

    ¡°She was Illusae.¡±

    ¡°¡­I see.¡±

    Aliyah could guess the events that unfolded. Those in charge of this prison facility saw that Nara had started moving in her room. They removed her door guard, Jiro, and let her walk to the portal arch in her delirious state. She had been about to cross the threshold when someone stopped her¡ªthe Illusae, Lina. That was a death sentence.

    They had been so close to success, only for it to be foiled in its final moments by a traitor in their midst. Raina Bow and Hellis Fallen must be brimming with incandescent fury.

    What will happen now? Aliyah wondered.

 Chapter 106: Fear Not Death

    Chapter 106: Fear Not Death

    They decided to strike while the iron was hot.

    *****

    Nara woke up again, not knowing what was dream and what was reality. She had seen many variations of dreams. Some were completely unique situations involving nobody she knew at all. Other times she saw friendly faces she missed. Each time there was always a portal. Every time, a voice rang out in her head.

    She always stopped short.

    The voices whispered to her that her pain would end the moment she stepped through. Sweet, tantalizing release from pain and suffering was just beyond and inconsequential threshold. Oh, how the voice of the devil dripped like honey.

    She had told Aliyah she would attempt to leave her room every day. It gave her a rough clock, although Nara couldn¡¯t remember how many days had passed, even after Aliyah told her. Her hallucinations told her other things. Had it been weeks? Or just days? Months?

    There was nobody outside her door. The facility was quiet in recent, but the quiet today was sharp and brittle, as if Nara¡¯s heavy steps upon the floor would shatter it and send her plunging down through the mountain spire.

    She didn¡¯t have a heart, but today the nightmare bug decided she should feel what it would be like to have her heart seize up. She staggered, clutching at her chest as she struggled to move.

    Her eyes flickered up towards a scene in the common room that replaced her blood with ice water.

    Ceram stood in the center of the common room, holding a researcher at knife point, blade pointed towards his throat. The other researchers were had huddled against the wall, or slipped away in the initial chaos. Jiro and Aram were restrained with manacles seated in chairs. She saw Aliyah, similarly restrained.

    ¡°Hey, Nara, how have you been faring? Did you sleep well?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I can help with that.¡± He pointed towards the portal, ¡°Walk though, and nothing happens. It¡¯s as easy as children¡¯s music, right?¡±

    Nara remained silent, unsteady on her feet and staring at Ceram.

    ¡°You¡¯ve still got it, pretty. Oh, you¡¯re something else.¡± He slowly walked closer to Nara, struggling researcher still in hand. Ceram began ranting. ¡°Lina was the next favorite, the next in line for leadership. She was oh so perfect; the embodiment of all our harmonious ideals! Pleasant, pretty, perfect. You can¡¯t imagine the thrill I felt when I learnt that bitch was a filthy traitor. Turns out, this whole time, I was right, and she was wrong. She failed The Advent, Not I. So Big Sister Hellis Fallen, you know what she said?¡±

    Ceram leaned forward, ¡°It¡¯s my chance to prove myself. Use any means possible to prove myself and earn the respect I deserve.¡±

    Those words felt like sharp blades that punctured lungs she didn¡¯t have, sending her into a coughing fit.

    ¡°Worse for wear, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s understandable.¡± He said with a complete lack of empathy. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen the nightmare beetle in action. Most don¡¯t warrant it. I really can¡¯t imagine how it feels to be tormented by infinite varieties of pain and hallucinations so real you can tell dreams from reality. Which one does this seem like to you, a dream or reality?¡±

    ¡°I¡­can¡¯t tell,¡± she said softly. ¡°I can¡¯t tell.¡±

    ¡°Awwww, poor thing,¡± He crooned mockingly. ¡°I really can¡¯t understand why you have resisted for so long.¡± He waved the knife around and gestured: ¡°Walk through the portal.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t move. Her eyes met the researcher in Ceram hands. His name was Tyler.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said to him.

    Tyler closed his eyes, tears trailing down his face as Ceram slit his throat. It wasn¡¯t a pretty cut. Bronze rank strength tore through muscles, bone and flesh. The knife was extraneous. Tyler thudded to the floor, still alive, but not for long. Nara wondered if he regretted his choice to stay, or if he was as prepared for death as Jiro claimed he was.

    ¡°You still can¡¯t tell if this is reality or not?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    He whistled, impressed. ¡°That nightmare bug has really done a number on you. But I think it¡¯s time you start treating this like reality,¡± he said.

    He crossed the room to Aliyah, yanking her up by her hair. She stifled back a scream.

    Nara felt sick to her stomach. She knew what was coming and she was powerless to stop it.

    ¡°This is your friend, right? Aliyah Sahar, Magic Society researcher. Age 38. Specializes in array magic, but recently transitioned to astral magic. Dabbles in a variety of topic, including the physical sciences. Basic artifice capabilities,¡± Ceram recited. ¡°Nothing important. And nothing I can¡¯t kill.¡±

    He dragged Aliyah closer to where Nara stood, ¡°Offering the sanctuary of the harmony is our benevolence. Do you think any of you are that important? That we don¡¯t already have researchers with your capabilities and specialties? That our own people aren¡¯t capable of what you are just barely touching upon as if it¡¯s some new and revolutionary discovery? Pathetic, backwater, and infantile. I¡¯ve known more about the world than you all back when I was a teenager. I¡¯m not even exceptional.¡± The admission hissed like scalding steam.

    ¡°I think you know what to expect, Nara,¡± he said. ¡°Step through that portal, or I kill your dear little runic friend.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she breathed. ¡°I will.¡±

    Aliyah stared at Nara, her expression furious, and mouthed, You. Will. Not.

    *****

    Aliyah did not want to die.

    She wanted to explore the cosmos, find the answers that the world kept locked away. She sought it both¡ªthe secrets of science and magic. What was a world like without magic? What answers had they found?

    She had heard but the barest crumbs of that exquisite cake from John, and she was captivated. Fascinated. Aliyah was obsessed with all there was to learn about the world. She had not realized her view had been so narrow. How could she only notice magic, and not the basic tenants of reality itself? She felt them now; she saw them now.

    The sunlight. The ground. The waves. The moon and the stars. The world around her whispered and she wanted to listen.

    How did it all work together, magic and reality both?

    Aliyah would not let herself become the reason for her friend¡¯s eternal torment. As much as she loved the world, she let it go.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Nara took a single, slow step forward.

    ¡°NARA EDEA YOU WILL NOT ENTER THAT PORTAL. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, NEVER. DO YOU HEAR ME?¡±

    She took another staggering step forward.

    ¡°Even if you cross that portal to save me, Nara. I will end myself. It does not matter what they do, I will find a way.¡±

    Nara looked up at her, tears already blotting out her eyesight.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say that,¡± she begged. ¡°Let me do something good.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re running from reality,¡± Aliyah hissed out words she didn¡¯t believe in, but what may stay those feet a few steps. ¡°You step through that portal you damn your world. It may be one thousand years later, but when this tragedy repeats, it will be your fault. Not only do you damn your world, Nara, you condemn this one. Sen, Encio, Eufemia, and John. Their lives, their families. You have no idea what they will learn from you, why they are willing to go this far.¡±

    Nara finally stopped.

    ¡°How touching,¡± Ceram said with fake cheer. His expression told an opposite story, creased with anger and fury.

    He couldn¡¯t kill Aliyah to shut her up, that would defeat the purpose of taking her as a hostage. But now the bitch had run her mouth, and the recognition he was so close to earning faded one more, just out of reach.

    ¡°Oh well,¡± he said. ¡°Nothing more to it.¡±

    He grabbed Aliyah head between his hands and snapped her neck with brute bronze rank strength.

    With a thud, her body dropped to the floor.

    *****

    Nara was wailing, clutching Aliyah¡¯s body as her life faded away.

    ¡°Please help,¡± she cried. ¡°Anyone please!¡±

    Ceram grabbed Nara, pulling her off Aliyah.

    He leaned in, his words intrusive to Nara¡¯s mind.

    ¡°We can revive her. It¡¯s not too late.¡±

    Nara¡¯s eyes fixed on him, anger and despair surging in a volatile mixture sealed in an airtight container. For a brief moment, the pressure erupted.

    -------

    -Racial Ability [Free Spirit] has transfigured into [Soul Sanctuary]

    -[Legion] has offered the [Blessing of Legion]. This will influence the evolution of [Free Spirit] to [Soul Sanctuary] to a new form.

    -[Accept? Y/N]

    -------

    Nara didn¡¯t care what it was and accepted. Whatever power was offered to her, she took. She wanted nothing more than to rip Ceram¡¯s head off.

    For a moment, her body glowed with iron light, and she heard three words in her mind, telepathically communicated to her by Chrome through the new effects of her racial ability before the suppression manacles once again cut off the connection.

    ¡°Take her body.¡±

    The three words shaped the molten metal of revenge and reforged it into something colder and sharper.

    *****

    Ceram started to laugh, manically.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t. You. Special!¡± He said, his head thrown back, ¡°A racial ability evolution, here and now? Do you think this changes anything. You¡¯re still below me. At my mercy.¡±

    Nara had a singular purpose bestowed upon her by Chrome; She must retrieve Aliyah¡¯s body.

    In this world of magic, resurrection was real. As real as¡­magic. Nara could not store living beings with a soul or motive spirit directly into her inventory, but she could store dead ones. With the time pausing properties of her inventory, Aliyah¡¯s body would be preserved until she found someone to resurrect her. It was a gamble whether it mattered¡ªresurrection magic would not work if the soul had left the body¡ªbut Nara would achieve this objective and take the gamble.

    Nara knew a gold rank healer with resurrection abilities, and his god would owe her this.

    The obstacle was Ceram. She was just out of reach of Aliyah. She could take things in and out of her inventory at a distance, normally, but the suppression collar greatly restricted her range, even when she temporarily managed to push its effect off.

    These thoughts swirled within her mind and calmed her. She kept her rage and despair simmering at a temperature just below boiling. She was ready to crank up the heat the moment she needed it.

    Wild rage and despair had managed the first push. She needed to harness and control them to manage the next few steps. It was critical she succeeded on the first chance. Nara had no more second chances.

    ¡°For a special woman like you, as I said, we¡¯re willing to do you favor. Revive your sweet friend. But you understand, I want to see a little sincerity.¡±

    Nara took a shaky breath¡ªshe had inadvertently returned to human bodily functions with her mental turbulence.

    ¡°I¡¯m not expecting much from you. I just want to see you beg.¡±

    Nara knew what to do. Her mind remembered Eufemia¡ªsomeone, it seemed, who¡¯d get her and Aliyah out of this mess alive. She should have known that Eufemia had always been the survivor amongst them. She just didn¡¯t realize to what degree until now.

    *

    ¡°How do you act so well, Eufemia? It¡¯s amazing¡ªit¡¯s so realistic.¡±

    Eufemia scoffed. ¡°Realistic? No, it¡¯s not. Not on the stage. What¡¯s up there in the light is something beautiful. Real ¡®acting¡¯ is ugly. But well¡ªhow do I do it?¡± Eufemia¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°You¡¯re not capable of acting convincingly Nara, not in any way that isn¡¯t also true to you.¡±

    ¡°So, what do I do, if I¡¯m so incapable?¡± Because surely, it may be a skill that she may need. It was the reason for their eclectic party, after all, to learn from each other: It was Sen¡¯s intention.

    ¡°What you always do. There¡¯s a part of you where the ¡®act¡¯ is ¡®real¡¯. You hide it, I can tell. You keep yourself calm and contained, packed in that little box of yours.¡±

    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t read my aura.¡±

    ¡°I hardly need to read your aura for that. We¡¯re all always putting on an act. We all want to be seen in a certain way by other people: more confident, more capable, more intelligent, kinder, stronger, funnier, casual, or serious. Everyone does it, it¡¯s just to what degree.¡±

    Ceram expected the innocent, scared, helpless young woman in the throes of despair. That was still Nara. She may have a goal now, a goal she let consume her mind to push away the terrified girl sitting in the corner crying, but she was still that person. That had not changed. It would be easy to play the part.

    Often Eufemia said she had done whatever it takes. Now, she would channel Eufemia.

    She whispered, quiet and shaky, and pleaded with him for Aliyah¡¯s life¡ªhe leaned in closer to hear. If she had her aura, she would have been able to sense his euphoria, his sense of accomplishment, as she was there begging and beaten.

    When Nirvana was not in use, it stayed as a formless, shapeless accessory. No one could even touch it when it swung from Nara¡¯s ear. It had been there, the entire time, unable to be removed by any of the Adventists: a weapon in plain sight.

    Bronze rankers were tougher than iron rankers, and they benefitted from the effects of rank disparity. This effect was especially pronounced with naturally hard parts of the body, like bone, but less effective with softer and thinner tissue, like the eyes and the ears. The lethal Way of the Hunter told Nara what locations of the body were still vulnerable at which rank. The ear with its delicate semicircular canals remained a weakness at bronze rank.

    It was fortunate that Ceram was the way he was. He was a shallow, impatient man with an inferiority complex at what he thought was the finish line of an infuriating chase. He thought he would finally be acknowledged. Lina had fallen; It was his time to rise.

    Quietly and quickly, Nara transformed Nirvana into an ice pick, then plunged the icepick-Nirvana through his other ear, piercing his tympanic membrane and rupturing his ear canal. In the next instant, she sprang from her crouch, smashing his throat with an upwards chop, crushing his esophagus to prevent any spell incantations¡ªshe hoped she had put enough force into her blow¡ªluckily, she had.

    A bronze ranker had faster reactions than an iron ranker, so Nara intentionally aimed to catch him by surprise. With vulnerabilities, surprise was still an effective weapon.

    The next two steps would be the hardest.

    Ceram didn¡¯t know what had hit him. He choked on air, words grating against a crushed windpipe, and his sense of balance had been destroyed by the pick that she had plunged into his ear. She grappled his body, pinning his upper body to the floor so he could not leverage his superior strength. His legs kicked out to yank her off, but she kept her head low, and he was uncoordinated. If he wanted to teleport now, he could¡ªhe must not have a teleportation ability. It didn¡¯t matter either way, Nara just needed enough time to get to Aliyah.

    But since Ceram was there, a flopping fish on a chopping board, Nara focused her aura, raw strength combined with control overwhelming the suppressive force of the shackles. She had to distribute her aura strength to two locations. Nara¡¯s blade¡¯s edge rage pushed enough power and precision through to temporarily lift the effect. She manifested the bronze rank dagger into her hand and plunged down on Ceram¡¯s neck.

    The rank rejection would eventually force her hand from the dagger, even if she could withstand the pain. But she had long enough; the looted knife was lodged in his neck. He wouldn¡¯t die from it; bronze rankers could withstand the punishment and the blood loss. For a while, anyway.

    The last thing Ceram saw was an ice pick stabbing into his eyes.

    Ceram let out gurgled screams from behind her as Nara crouched in front of Aliyah¡¯s body. Once again, she focused her drained spiritual strength, pushing against those ever-burning shackles for one final pulse of power. It was just a moment and that was all she needed. Aliyah¡¯s body disappeared from the floor, safely stored away in Nara¡¯s astral domain.

    Jiro had never seen the ferocity of an adventurer before. Few had the chance. He had made it to bronze rank through cores that he afforded from his construction projects and array applications. He could not take his eyes off the iron ranker that dismantled a bronze ranker with an ice pick. It was morbidly stunning; a deadly ferocity of one who had stepped over the edge and plunged into the darkness without hesitation.

    She stood, slightly swaying. She spoke to no one in particular.

    First, she apologized.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said. ¡°I will not go through that portal to save any of your lives.¡±

    Her friend had already died. None of them were so valuable to her as Aliyah was.

    ¡°I¡¯m selfish,¡± she continued. The room was quiet except for Ceram¡¯s gasps. ¡°I need to live and escape so that I can revive my friend. Which means all of you may die.¡±

    She paused and looked off at the corner of the ceiling as if she expected something to be there that wasn¡¯t. Jiro wondered if she was still hallucinating.

    ¡°If you kill all of them it is because you are cruel. It serves no purpose. I will not change my mind.¡±

    She said one final thing before she left the room.

    ¡°My death does not scare me.¡±

 Chapter 107: Limb from Limb

    Chapter 107: Limb from Limb

    Nara sank herself into the lake. She would not drown.

    There was nothing left for her to do but bear the pain and wait, however long it took.

    *****

    ¡°Elder Sister,¡± Hellis said, her voice mournful, ¡°I¡¯ve failed you. I¡¯ve failed the harmony.¡±

    Raina Bow lifted her sister to her feet who had collapsed onto her knees is solemn reflection.

    ¡°No, sister, you have not failed us.¡±

    ¡°I have, sister. The outworlder will not accede.¡±

    ¡°I expected this outcome, younger sister.¡±

    ¡°You expected my failure¡­?¡±

    ¡°Hellis, you have succeeded through much of your life. Any of your failures have been minor, inconsequential. It is why you are one of the exceptional. This failure is a failure you must suffer for your growth. Think past your failure. What is it you must do next? What else is at your disposal?¡±

    Hellis sighed, straightening her shoulders, and searching through her mind for what she has been taught. All that she must know to complete her missions effectively for the harmony.

    ¡°We can call for the astral vessel. Is it warranted?¡±

    ¡°I believe it is. I have peeked within the aura of that outworlder, and she possesses what I believe very few have. She is a vessel for her own soul, connected to the astral. If The Advent can learn of this power, recreate it then we possess the key to what those intolerable Messengers are born with.¡±

    ¡°What key, sister?¡±

    ¡°The key to everlasting harmony.¡±

    *****

    Aliyah awoke.

    She was within a lake of stars. Glowing orbs surrounded her, drifting in that sea of stars like aimless bioluminescent jellyfish. She peered within them, and realized they contained objects, some of which she recognized.

    Was that Chrome¡¯s grill? She idly wondered.

    She was within a lake, but she did not drown. She looked towards the surface, light streaming through the otherworldly scene in tranquil rays. She swam upwards, gliding as easily as an elegant angel fish, and breached the surface. Towards the shore, she saw a reassuringly familiar lakeside pavilion.

    She swam towards it. Her body glided effortlessly through the water, as if it held no resistance at all. When she pulled herself out of the lake, the water slipped away from her body entirely. She was completely dry when she stepped ashore.

    A gliding silver robe waited for her at the pier¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Sage? Where is this?¡± She said with wonder. The magical energies of this place was a shifting  kaleidoscope that felt alien yet so familiar.

    ¡°I suspect you know, miss Sahar.¡±

    ¡°This is¡­Nara¡¯s Astral Domain. She¡¯s mentioned it before.¡±

    ¡°It is.¡±

    ¡°What is this place? I mean truly, what is it?¡±

    Aliyah could feel Nara¡¯s aura with such clarity it was as if she breathed it through her body and ran her fingers though it¡¯s spiritual power. She felt its power; enormous. Something an iron ranker should not possess.

    ¡°Miss Sahar, the soul is not so easily defined by rank.¡±

    ¡°Are you reading my mind?¡±

    ¡°The laws of this place are determined by Nara, except for one universal law. I do so in the same way the goddess of Knowledge bypasses this inviolable rule; such is the power granted to me in this realm.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about the sanctity of the soul.¡±

    ¡°Miss Sahar, you are dead. Nara has placed you within her inventory, which is a part of her Astral Domain¡ªher soul. Her soul is not just her soul. It is intricately woven with the astral. The magic of this domain is hers to determine. As such, this is her world. Should you wish to embark on the journey to the realm of the Reaper, Nara cannot keep you here.¡± A sleeve gestured somewhere¡ªperhaps, to the ¡®edge¡¯ of the domain, if such a place could have an edge.

    ¡°You mean¡­if I want to die, permanently.¡±

    ¡°You would embark to what lies behind the veil of life.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± Aliyah said firmly. ¡°There is still so much to see, so much to learn, so much to discover¡­I had thought I had to give that up¡­¡± Aliyah¡¯s eyes welled with tears, and she held them back, tempering her relief and elation¡ªIt wouldn¡¯t do. She wasn¡¯t alive, yet. ¡°I cannot describe how glad I feel that I do not.¡±

    ¡°Then, you will stay here as long as it takes for Nara to find someone to revive you. With a bout of good fortune, it will not take long.¡±

    Sage guided her to the lakeside pavilion where a warm cup of tea and some snacks had been prepared for her beneath a gazebo. Thanatos lay at the gazebo¡¯s edge, tail still and ears drooped. He perked up momentarily at Aliyah¡¯s presence, his tail wagging a few times before he settled into his gloom again, a puddle of shadow within shadows. Chrome sat at the table, calmly enjoying his own cup of tea.

    ¡°It has been some time, Chrome.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah,¡± he greeted flatly.

    The familiar looked calm, but Aliyah sensed he was furious.

    ¡°What has made you so upset, Chrome?¡±

    Chrome looked up at her, eyes sharp. ¡°All of it, obviously.¡± And went back to brooding, although brooding was too mild a word for his brightness of emotion.

    ¡°If I have died,¡± Aliyah said, doing the best to parse her memories and the situation, ¡°How have I ended up here, in Nara¡¯s Astral Domain? She shouldn¡¯t be able to access her inventory under ability suppression. Ceram had just¡­killed me.¡± The admission made her shiver. ¡°Is Nara alright?¡±

    It was a silly question to ask, but Aliyah didn¡¯t know how else to voice her concern. Aliyah had died, and Nara must have managed to lift the suppression long enough to take Aliyah¡¯s body into her Astral Domain. That, however, didn¡¯t mean Nara was okay or safe. The thought of a despairing Nara, having exhausted all her energy to take Aliyah¡¯s body, at Ceram¡¯s mercy made Aliyah feel nauseous.

    Chrome¡¯s grip shattered his cup. It fixed itself, spilled tea floating it reverse to fill his cup once again. He threw it into the lake, where the shards of broken ceramic plunked beneath the surface in a melodic splash.

    Aliyah hadn¡¯t blinked, yet a new cup sat on the table as if it had never left. Chrome¡¯s loss of composure shocked her; the familiar was always unflappable and arrogant. He seethed at the cup, his gaze such that he wanted to use telekinetic powers he didn¡¯t have to crush the cup, but the cup did not acquiesce its physical integrity to his intangible anger.

    Sage chuckled.

    ¡°She¡¯s messing with me?¡± Chrome said. ¡°She is messing with me when she isn¡¯t even here?¡±

    ¡°Chrome,¡± Sage said in a chiding tone, ¡°If you could refrain from taking your anger out on the dishware. They haven¡¯t done anything wrong.¡±

    ¡°You want to know what happened?¡± he said, turning his attention from his vengeance against ceramics back to Aliyah¡¯s inquiry.

    ¡°I have a feeling Nara won¡¯t tell me later,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°If you¡¯re this angry, what actions she took to preserve my body was harmful to her in some way.

    Chrome sighed, an edge taken off his anger. He looked out to the lake. ¡°No, I was the one to tell her to rescue you. She hasn¡¯t been harmed beyond what you¡¯ve seen. But if you wish to ask, ask her.¡±

    Aliyah blinked, surprised. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°This is her soul. She is always aware of what happens inside, on a subconscious level. Appeal to her.¡±

    Aliyah blinked. It felt odd that she¡¯d need to appeal to her friend when there was no physical form to direct her appeal to. She was constantly aware that this was her soul¡ªshe felt it, ever present, on everything she extended her aura to touch.

    All it took was a questioning push of aura, and a physical form of Nara appeared before Aliyah, manifesting to respond to Aliyah¡¯s need of a representation of herself. She barely had to appeal at all¡ªNara had always acquiesced quickly to her friends.

    ¡°Nara?¡± She said, surprised to see her teammate before her, looking calm and well put together.

    ¡°Hello, Aliyah,¡± she greeted.

    ¡°What is this? A doppelganger? Is it¡­an illusion?¡± Aliyah asked, unable to hold her curiosity.

    ¡°It¡¯s an avatar,¡± Chrome said, answering for Nara, ¡°It is Nara, but it is not Nara.¡±

    ¡°Is but isn¡¯t? Chrome, could you explain more precisely?¡±

    ¡°Is magic really the realm where precision is possible?¡± Nara said.

    Aliyah rolled her eyes at Nara¡¯s usual inaccurate representation of magic, ¡°It is as much of a ¡®science¡¯ as the ¡®science¡¯ of your world. There are rules and explanations.¡±

    ¡°What Chrome means is that this is a representation of me, but isn¡¯t me,¡± Nara said. ¡°If you saw me and my avatar side-by-side in this realm, you¡¯d be able to feel the difference, if I let you.¡±

    ¡°If you let me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my realm so it¡¯s all me. It¡¯s going to all feel like me, unless I let other people sense the difference. My real body has something that these avatars don¡¯t have.¡±

    ¡°What is that?¡±

    ¡°The ability to exist in reality. I can do almost anything here, the god of a Minecraft world, but I can¡¯t translate code into mass, magic into reality. An illusion is a functionally similar representation.¡±

    She could make certain objects real, but her mind and capabilities were quite limited. She had managed water, and could manage simplistic magical manifestations, like spirit coins.

    Aliyah steepled her fingers, thoughtful, but remembered what her original query had been.

    ¡°I see you¡¯re trying to distract me,¡± Aliyah said humorously. She appreciated seeing her friend so animated, even if it wasn¡¯t representative of her real status.

    ¡°Am I?¡± said Nara slyly. ¡°I¡¯m just being a helpful guide of limbo and answering your questions.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s happening to you, outside of this place? What happened after I died?¡±

    Nara¡¯s lips pulled back into a frown.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°What happened? You know no matter what you do, what I see, it¡¯s not going to change how I feel about you.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it fine to keep these memories to myself?¡± Nara said, her tone shifting into something more guarded. ¡°We all have unpleasant memories we don¡¯t want others to know about.¡±

    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Nara, it can¡¯t possibly be worse than what I¡¯ve already seen.¡±

    She grunted her unwilling acknowledgement of Aliyah¡¯s point. She didn¡¯t really have anything more to be ashamed or vulnerable of, in front of Aliyah.

    The location shifted, and Aliyah was transported to a dark auditorium room. The seats were plush and reclining, made of a material similar to Erras¡¯ leather, yet different¡ªevidently, of an animal that did not exist of Erras. There was a large, flat white flexible screen that covered the far wall. Soft ground lighting lit up the walkway between the seats and the gradual stepped incline. She recognized the style of the room from what the Advent used in their facility, although the mechanism differed, as well as the lighting. For what purpose was it darkened? Did the projections not work if there was too much ambient light?

    Nara and Aliyah were seated next to each other towards the back of the room, facing the theater screen.

    ¡°Darkening the room improves the quality of the viewing experience in a movie theater,¡± Nara said, answering Aliyah¡¯s unvoiced question.

    ¡°What is a movie theater?¡± Aliyah supposed she knew what a theater was. ¡°What¡¯s a movie?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s about to start,¡± Nara said, not answer the question or giving Aliyah the knowledge directly, ¡°I¡¯ll give you some commentary along the way. Hope you don¡¯t mind when people talk through.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t just show me your memories directly?¡±

    ¡°I could,¡± Nara acknowledged, ¡°But that¡¯s invasive.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s still fresh to me, Aliyah, I mind.¡±

    Aliyah reached over to squeeze her shoulder, and Nara¡¯s stiff expression relaxed into something that could almost be called a smile.

    *****

    After five days, Lawrence and Amara had devised a ritual to detect astral spaces. In its initial iteration, the range was greatly limited, hundreds of feet at best, and almost no better than manual perception, although it at least was more thorough. The Adventure and Magic Societies dispatched adventurer and ritualist pairs, prioritizing suspect locations, then expanding block by block in a heuristic search pattern.

    Sezan Aciano had arrived in Sanshi. As he dashed through the landscape expanding his aura to search, he confirmed what they already knew: the abducted researchers were within an astral space.

    Another two days passed before Amara and Lawrence expanded the effectiveness of the array, increasing the range. It was not enough.

    The Advent possessed efficient modes of transportation that did not require portals, same as Earth. They ran on magic power rather than fossil fuels and were similarly optimized for long distance travel in short periods. Moreover, thanks to magic, they possessed capabilities such as VTOL. Which meant, the search radius needed to be further expanded.

    Another day, and the detection range of the ritual was expanded again. Beyond this point, Amara and Lawrence¡¯s improvements to the ritual slowed.

    At long last, after half a month, a sealed astral space was discovered. The Adventure Society had discovered a few other astral spaces in that time, but none of them were sealed. Sezan Aciano inspected each space and found nothing of note.

    ¡°This is the last one,¡± Zinnia said. ¡°How long will it take for you to break the seal?¡±

    ¡°Not long,¡± Amara said.

    With a quick and dirty yet surprisingly thorough suite of detection and test rituals (Amara¡¯s own homebrew of analytic rituals), she narrowed down the locking mechanism of the seal. It wasn¡¯t based off the magic theory of this world, but all magic had common roots.

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to see her work,¡± Lawrence said with awe. ¡°She¡¯s working with a ritual magic of an entirely different world and mastering it as she goes.¡±

    ¡°You spend a few hundred years with ritual magic, and you¡¯ll reach this level,¡± Amara said.

    ¡°You¡¯re a few hundred years old, Amara?¡± Zinnia commented with a curiosity not entirely innocent. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still young.¡± Amara paused and looked at the group. ¡°Forget I said that.¡±

    Zinnia Helianthae looked at her with very suspicious and narrowed eyes.

    *****

    The team that entered the astral space was Amara, Zinnia, Laius, and Redell. Sezan stayed outside in case he was needed, guarding the singular iron ranker they took along, Lawrence, who, if he could¡¯ve melted into a puddle under the exclusive protection of a diamond ranker, would¡¯ve done so and then evaporate like ice in Atisalhaya. Chelsea, who was also competent in ritual magic, stayed outside as well.

    Sezan glanced at Chelsea.

    ¡°You¡¯re not a gold ranker,¡± he said accusatorily. ¡°Neither are those others.¡±

    ¡°No, we¡¯re not.¡±

    And that was that.

    Lawrence¡¯s mind rapidly processed this new information. If she was not gold rank, she was¡­His mind processed the information too quickly and Lawrence¡¯s mind decided the best course of action was to pass out to stop thinking entirely.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Sezan said, catching the young man, who now draped over his arm limp noodled. ¡°Whoops.¡±

    If Lawrence had known that¡¯d cause a diamond ranker to catch his swooning figure instead, he may have chosen a different course of action. Like remaining awake to deal with the stresses of reality.

    Chelsea shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s not like Knowledge didn¡¯t know already.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t his goddess tell him?¡±

    ¡°Same as you. Same as us,¡± Chelsea admitted, a smile cracking from its tight line. ¡°We like to have a little fun.¡±

    *****

    Nara would have been cathartically smug to know the moment Amara entered the astral space Raina knew she and all the other Adventists inside were dead.

    Amara did not hide. The aura of an enraged diamond ranker burst from the astral space aperture, careful enough not to kill the normal and iron rankers inside from its sheer power, but clearly communicating its wrath.

    ¡°Is that Sezan Aciano?! How did he find us?¡±

    An alarm was blaring within the facility. Upon the forceful release of the astral space seal, a message had been sent to the other side of the portal. There was nothing more she or the other Adventists inside the facility could do. She knew it was futile but ordered an evacuation in the remaining few seconds of life she had. Whether any made it through the portal to the other side depended on how much the diamond ranker cared to kill every Adventist in the facility. The ethics of killing lower rankers for diamond rankers varied from sparing no thoughts towards collateral damage to targeting only the important high rankers. She hoped it was the latter.

    Little did Riana know the information she so coveted from Nara had been their very downfall. She turned to run towards the portal, but she was not faster than a diamond ranker. As the only gold ranker in the facility, she knew even if they let all the others go, she would be the only one to never escape. Even with the distance between them, diamond rankers were supersonic, on top of all the speed increasing and time manipulation powers Amara possessed within her Lightning Essence. Even if Raina had specialized in speed, she still wouldn¡¯t have been able to outrun the literally lightning-fast Amara.

    The diamond ranker looked like the avatar of lightning¡­and was clearly not a man (and therefore not Sezan Aciano). Her dark skin crackled with lightning; fractal patterns traced with gold lightning across her skin. Her leather and metal-accented armor was gold and black, as sleek as it was intimidating, crackling audibly like a thunderstorm coursed through its seams. An array of glowing translucent golden hands fanned out at her back, the arms of Buddha if Buddha had decided mercy was no longer an option. Each individual hand flexed and formed fists, each capable of independent action with the mental capabilities of a diamond ranker.

    Raina looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an SUV so tall they inadvertently ran over children. She looked to her sides, only to see that shadows were restraining other Adventists with no chance to escape.

    Amara extended a single fist towards Raina, ¡°Do you desire the honor of death by battle or the shame of surrender? I would enjoy tearing you limb from limb. However brief it may be.¡±

    Laius spoke, ¡°Alive, Amara. Chelsea said so.¡± He was leaning against a wall casually, wreathed in garments of darkness.

    Raina hadn¡¯t noticed the second diamond ranker at all until he made a noise.

    Amara groaned, ¡°Can I still tear her limb from limb?¡±

    ¡°Alive.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a yes!¡± Amara said brightly. A gold ranker would survive being torn limb from limb. ¡°I¡¯ll try to make this last as long as possible. If you want to make this fun, at least try to fight back.¡±

    *****

    With his diamond rank senses, Redell easily located Nara, as well as the rest of the captives around the compound. His senses encompassed the entire astral space, which was on the small side. He found Nara within a lake, sunk to the bottom like a statue lost to time. With no need to breathe, no bubbles drifted upwards as a normal indication of life, but Redell could sense her soul and lifeforce, battered as they were. One of Laius¡¯ shadow clones dashed into the lake, retrieving Nara, and handing her to Redell. Redell narrowed his eyes: Laius hadn¡¯t wanted his fur to get wet.

    With his diagnostic perception, he detected the infestation that ate away at her flesh, releasing toxic afflictions that inflicted both pain and hallucinations. The suppression shackles on her wrists healed her and kept her alive through the infestation of a silver ranked magic beast swarm, and the fire elemental energy regulated the maximum population of the infestation so that it¡¯d never grow to surpass the healing power of the shackles and kill her.

    ¡°Holy light of purgation, cleanse the flesh,¡± he chanted.

    The power of a diamond rank healer fully cleansed Nara of her afflictions. It hadn¡¯t removed the beetles, but all the afflictions affecting her. The ability also temporarily prevented more afflictions from accruing. She roused from her delirium; gaze unfocused at Redell.

    ¡°Another hallucination?¡± She murmured wearily. ¡°This one has been done before.¡±

    But the damage had been done to her psyche. Nara had spent over two weeks in delirium. Her ability to distinguish reality was thoroughly destroyed and needed time to recover. It would not be solved by just cleansing her of her afflictions. She did not know what to trust. Even as the afflictions fell away from her, so many other dreams had felt that real.

    ¡°We¡¯ll sort you out, Nara,¡± he soothed. His aura, Inspiration, was inherently restorative and invigorating. Some color gradually returned to her pale and exhausted pallor. ¡°Laius, gather the other captives.¡±

    Redell removed an orb from his dimensional pocket, one similar to Chelsea¡¯s skimmer, likely her creation as well. It unfurled into a long capsule, and Redell placed Nara within it. It was shaped like a long transparent pill encircled by a wreath of branches and a bed of leaves. It was an autonomous floating vehicle that Chelsea had designed for him to carry patients, boasting extremely high defenses, passive healing, cleansing, and pain dampening properties. He could expand the capsule to transport more patients or use one of his many others. For him, it was the best artifact he could have, aside from his magical instruments.

    Jiro and the other researchers emerged into the hall, totaling 12. After they had seen Tyler and Aliyah die, 6 more chose to leave through the portal. Jiro was somewhat surprised that so many had stayed. Some had similar reasons to him; leaving their families was no different than death. Others had been inspired¡ªInspired to bear the risk of death.

    ¡°Are there any other injured?¡± Redell asked. ¡°I am Redell Gainer, high priest of the church of the Healer.¡± He could diagnose them by eyesight, but it was best to ask before. He introduced himself to settle nerves and establish trust with the captives.

    Jiro shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s just¡­her.¡±

    They descended the spire in a sky ship the size of a small pleasure craft. It skimmed over the forest and slowly headed towards the entrance of the astral array. Amara landed on the deck of the ship with a thump, shaking the flying vessel.

    ¡°Be gentle, Amara,¡± Redell admonished. ¡°Not everything is as sturdy as you are.¡±

    ¡°Chelsea made it so it¡¯s fine,¡± she said.

    ¡°Chelsea doesn¡¯t like it when you¡¯re needlessly rough with her crafts,¡± Redell sighed. ¡°And we have patients aboard.¡±

    She stared at the capsule containing Nara.

    She tossed what was left of Raina Bow onto the deck of the ship. Her limbs had been torn off, leaving her but a charred torso-only mannequin. She was alive; Merely separating the limbs from the body was not enough to kill a gold ranker. Not even decapitation would kill a gold ranker¡ªthey needed to be ripped to pieces. With her head and torso together, she had more than enough mass to stay alive.

    The charred body made the rest of the former captive researchers flinch. They couldn¡¯t recognize the mannequin torso as Raina, if not for the fact she spoke.

    Raina stared up at the sky of the astral array. She could see even if her eyes had been burned through. It was one of the last vulnerabilities of an essence users¡¯ body. Even at silver rank, most could manage to perceive without working eyeballs, although their competency suffered.

    ¡°Why would a diamond ranker interfere? This miniscule of an operation shouldn¡¯t necessitate your movement.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a gold ranker kidnapping iron and normal rankers. You have the audacity to pull rank? There is no one more shameful and lowly here than you.¡±

    Raina could only bitterly admit the diamond ranker had a point.

    ¡°But why?¡± Raina repeated.

    Amara sat down on the skimmer; legs spread wide like a monarch sitting on a throne. She ran her fingers over the wood of seat what her beloved had crafted.

    ¡°I¡¯ll assume you did the bare minimum of investigating your targets.¡± She pointed to Nara, asleep within the capsule, ¡°What did you find out about her? Anything that gave you pause?¡±

    It gave Raina pause as she recalled Nisei¡¯s warnings.

    ¡°She is teammates with Encio Aciano, grandson of Sezan Aciano,¡± she said. ¡°But you are not Sezan Aciano.¡±

    ¡°Continue.¡±

    ¡°Are you his acquaintance?¡±

    ¡°As much as any of us diamond rankers know each other. There¡¯s only so many of us and we occasionally meet. What else?¡±

    ¡°She¡­¡± Raina had a perfect memory thanks to her gold rank, and recalled the second warning she had dismissed, ¡°¡­shares some relation with Amara Edea. They are not blood related but uses her last name.¡±

    Amara directed her voice so that only Raina could hear it, an easy trick that even a gold ranker could accomplish.

    ¡°I had thought a gold ranker¡¯s last name would have been enough. There are always a few errant researchers that have the idiotic idea of abducting outworlders and experimenting on them. We already know about their biology. They otherwise aren¡¯t any different from a monster manifestation besides their soul. Yet, some think that they¡¯ll somehow find something new with a new experimental subject. It¡¯s folly. Devoid of any semblance of reasoning or good experimentation.¡±

    Amara herself was a researcher and inventor. Those that thought they could cut corners with a rare experimental subject didn¡¯t understand the essence of research, an essence that Earth and Erras shared: experiments and research needed repeatability. What could anyone gain by choosing the rarest of experimental subjects? There were those that believed rarity would make up for inadequacy. Amara detested their obvious lack in mental faculties, but knew they existed. Her last name should have been enough to dissuade those with ill-advised ideas.

    ¡°And I had thought,¡± Amara continued, irritable, ¡°That the Aciano boy¡¯s association would have been more than enough. You are arrogant, Adventist. You saw not one but two tails of a dragon and stepped on them, only to be surprised when they turned to unleash their wrath?¡±

    She was Amara Edea, Raina realized. She would soon realize that she was wrong on two fronts, Sezan Aciano had come to help at his grandson¡¯s behest.

    If only Lina hadn¡¯t interfered, Raina thought. She had been so close to stepping through that portal. Nara¡¯s fingertips had nearly brushed the surface, and she had been so close, so infuriatingly close, to crossing that boundary. Then, she and all the others inside the facility would be gone, and Raina wouldn¡¯t be lying here, miserable and in pain, reduced to a limbless torso at the mercy of a wrathful diamond ranker.

    ¡°If only we broke her,¡± Raina said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be here.¡±

    ¡°You seem to have the wrong idea about my student,¡± Amara said. ¡°You can¡¯t break her without destroying her. She is simultaneously very fragile and very strong¡ªlike a diamond. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve read her aura, so you know what I¡¯m referring to.¡±

    ¡°The soul torture.¡±

    ¡°In a choice between enslavement and death, she will choose death. Twice now, she has been offered that choice but with no option of death. What is her choice then? Enslavement? She will never choose enslavement. The denial of that choice is woven into the very fabric of her being, the sole value her soul holds unshakable at its core.¡±

    Raina was silent. If the diamond ranker was right, even if she had gone through the portal, they¡¯d run into continual resistance. And once the shackles preserving her life had been removed¡­

    ¡°What did she do?¡± Raina asked, who despite her limbless predicament, was transfixed by the story.

    ¡°She annihilated herself. The fact that she exists at all, by her own claim, was ¡®a whim of the astral¡¯.¡±

    Essence users were bosom friends with chance and fortune. Their abilities, while they had some influence over the outcome, were random, and they had grown their abilities with those irreversible selections. Their abilities were whims of the cosmos.

    ¡°To force a soul to the brink of annihilation for the second time,¡± Amara snarled. ¡°How very harmonious.¡±

    *****

    The ship passed through the astral space aperture, rejoining on the other side with Chelsea and Sezan. Redell glanced at Lawrence who had passed out and was laid on the ground.

    ¡°What happened to him, and do I have to heal him?¡±

 Chapter 108: The Usual

    Chapter 108: The Usual

    Since they had not gotten here by a portal, Laius and Chelsea¡¯s portal cooldowns were unused. Chelsea conjured her portal, the wooden vines bursting from the ground and entwining to form a large archway decorated with jeweled flowers.

    Redell opened the clear lid of the capsule, rousing Nara from her slumber. It was brief, but it was the first restful one she had had in a long time.

    When Nara saw that portal, she started to sob uncontrollably. This was another hallucination. Another addictive as milk tea, sweet and delicious dream of her rescue. She shut her eyes to block the sight of her friend¡¯s face. If it was all fake, she¡¯d rather not see it. The disappointment would crunch the shattered pieces of her heart into fine grains of transparent sand.

    Redell¡¯s brow furrowed, surprised. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter? Why are you crying?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t tears of relief. What concerned Redell is that they were tears of anguish. She shouldn¡¯t feel any pain.

    ¡°I won¡¯t go through that portal,¡± Nara said. She rolled over and faced away from him.

    Redell looked towards the other abductees for an explanation. ¡°What is she reacting like this?¡±

    ¡°The Advent they have spent the last three weeks trying to have her enter a portal,¡± Jiro said.

    ¡°The one in the center of the facility?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know where it leads. They¡¯ve said it leads to their home world, but whether that is the truth¡­¡± Jiro glanced at Nara, his own exhaustion plain on his face. ¡°They killed her friend over it. Aliyah. I hardly expected to survive either.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t find her body,¡± Laius said.

    ¡°She has it,¡± said Jiro.

    ¡°She has her body? How?¡± He glanced at her wrists. He could sense the suppression collars that completely suppressed her auras and abilities. It was an unusual design, but the Advent was from another world. They methods of crafting suppression collars differed.

    ¡°She shook off the suppression somehow. Just for a moment.¡±

    The abductees were escorted off the skimmer, and they took Laius¡¯ portal back to Sanshi. The church of Liberty would have a method to release the suppression collars. Zinnia went with them; she would organize what came next.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take the skimmer back to Sanshi,¡± Redell said. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you all there.¡±

    ¡°Are you heading to the church of the healer?¡± Chelsea asked.

    Redell reviewed his original diagnostics of Nara mentally. ¡°Her condition is more complex than just releasing the suppression on her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to stay here,¡± Amara said. ¡°Juuuust In case anyone wants to entertain me by exiting that portal.¡±

    ¡°You do that,¡± Chelsea said, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m hoping a diamond ranker comes through.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± Chelsea said firmly. ¡°No, you¡¯re not, Amara!¡±

    *****

    Nara awoke.

    Her surroundings were different than the usual sandstone resort architecture of The Advent base. The walls were a clean white, tranquil and sun-glazed, and matched the smooth tile floor.

    Her fingers went to her wrists, feeling for the slight ridge of her shackles. She didn¡¯t find them. She had new diamond shaped scars on her wrists. ¡°That¡¯s been done before too,¡± she muttered.

    Awakening with no suppression shackles in the church of the healer. She didn¡¯t know what the inside of the church looked like¡ªshe had only seen it from the outside¡ªbut this must be what her mind had conjured for it. She sat up, and turned to face the source of sunlight, a large arch window beside her bed. The Advent facility had no windows, only realistic projections.

    Even if it was a hallucination, Nara wanted to enjoy this one without pain. The gardens outside with a small lake was inviting, and Nara missed the sensation of nature on her skin. Once she had sank herself in the lake, aside from her dreams, she only felt water on skin and whatever annoyingly creative pain and hallucinations the toxin of the nightmare bug created for her. Those sensations and memories throbbed in the back of her mind like a malignant tumor, threatening to send her into recidivism. She froze, taking centering breaths to steady against the waves that threatening to overwhelm the dingy of her mind.

    Once she had righted herself, she slipped off of the bed. She was wearing simple cotton-adjacent clothing, appropriate for a patient. It reminded her of what she wore when she awoke in the retreat for the first time. She wandered down the halls, aimless and appreciative in her pain-free consciousness. She would ask for directions from the Healer priests with their modest brown robes, soft in both their words and in their footsteps; otherwise, they all left her alone, which she thought was odd for a dream about waking up in a hospital. Usually in her hallucinations, they¡¯d be friendly and try to convince her to walk through a portal at some point. Their tactics were evolving, her mind adapting to itself, in a frustrating cycle of using her own acclimations against herself.

    They directed her outside toward the nature she sought.

    She laid down on the bank of the lake and dipped her feet into the water to feel its coolness upon her skin, closing her eyes to bask in the sun, and the simplicity of it all. No fake families, or odd worlds, or desperate situations (the fate of the world) in which to grab a dear comrade¡¯s hand to be pulled into a portal. At least this hallucination was peaceful, so far.

    At first, the hallucinations had been only semi-real: sensations of sound and absence of feeling, Chrome arguing with her, Aliyah crying over her pain, Encio convincing her of Sezan¡¯s eventual rescue. The hallucinations grew in complexity and strength until she lost all sense of reality and time; a reflection of the growing population of nightmare beetles within her body.

    This was no doubt another hallucination. She took a deep breath anyway, taking in the fresh scent of dirt, grass, herbs, and flowers. The herbal earthiness flowed through her body life a comforting herbal tea. She had liked chamomile in particular, back on Earth.

    The architecture wasn¡¯t quite what she expected of a church; it was humbler, a fusion between a neighborhood church, white marble Athenian architecture, and a clinic. Upon second inspection, the church felt less sterile and cleaner. It didn¡¯t give off the atmosphere of Earth hospitals, instead warm and inviting; a place of rest and healing.

    She felt something else; sanctity. The land she lied upon was holy, whatever that meant. It felt that way, although she had not the words to explain the origin of the sensation. It just was.

    With a thought, her Guide ability flickered on before her. The list was long with notifications. This too, had been in her hallucinations. She wondered what messages she would find this time.

    She scrolled through absentmindedly, only half reading. Whatever they said, may or may not be real, so it didn¡¯t matter whether she read them at all. She had nothing better to do.

    -------

    -Racial Ability [Soul Sanctuary] has been transfigured into [Soul Legion].

    Racial Ability: [Soul Legion]

    Language adaptation. Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption. Immunity to identification and tracking. Resistance to dimension-restriction effects. This is a legacy effect of [Free Spirit].

    Transfigured from [Soul Sanctuary] by [Blessing of Legion].

    A portion of all familiars are kept within your soul even when familiars are not subsumed. This allows you to use effects and abilities granted by familiars as if they are subsumed and telepathically communicate with them from any distance. When familiars are subsumed, their subsumed effects are increased.

    Your body is considered your territory. Your territory is hostile to enemies and hostile entities that trespass within it, damaging them in the process. Your subsumed familiars may attack foreign entities within your territory. The attacks and damage of your familiars when attacking foreign entities is based off of their characteristics. You can control the strength of this effect or disable it. This effect applies to any object or territory connected to your soul. This effect shares your ability to ignore rank disparity.

    -----

    ¡°Hm. That¡¯s new,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen that description before.¡±

    She had seen many variations of Soul Legion generated for her by her dreams. All were different, none consistent.

    If this was the church of the healer, Nara should seek a priest to resurrect Aliyah. She was remiss to do so; she was afraid she would remove Aliyah¡¯s body from her inventory to the possession of The Adventists.

    If that happened, would she ever see Aliyah revived?

    Her body shot up straight. She gazed at her wrists.

    Her abilities worked in this dream. But what if this wasn¡¯t a dream? Couldn¡¯t she see Aliyah in her Astral Domain?

    She kept back the hope bubbling from within like a pot of boiling noodles turned up too high. These same events had happened before, with these same realizations. This means nothing; keep yourself together.

    She couldn¡¯t keep herself from trying. Every time, she tried. This was a trick she¡¯d fall for, every single time.

    Nara closed her eyes and let the dimensional membrane slip past her.

    *****

    This time was different. She felt that it was. There was an intrinsic certainty that this was her soul. This was her Astral Domain. The hallucinations before had never captured that aspect, as real as they were.

    The hope burst forth, whistling like a kettle, burning hot.

    Nara walked towards the familiar lakeside pavilion she so adored. The abundant nature, the flowering trees on the far shore that reflected upon the surface of the glassy lake. She knew where Aliyah was. She didn¡¯t need to walk there; she could just appear there. She appreciated moving however, after spending days still in mind and body at the bottom of a lake.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    She approached the gazebo where Aliyah was enjoying breakfast.

    ¡°Aliyah,¡± Nara said, her wonder and emotion think like honey. This felt like a dream, more so than any other, even as her soul told her otherwise. The happiest, most pleasant dream that she did not want to wake from.

    This was her soul, her Astral Domain; Nara could not mistake this. This was reality¡­sort of. It was her reality. This meant that she had escaped the influence of the nightmare beetle. She looked down at her wrists once more. The suppression shackles were really gone. Then, that must have been the real church of the Healer. Redell, Amara, and the others did rescue them. Aliyah had hope of resurrection.

    She was so relieved she fell to her knees. This cry, this time, was a cry of relief. She let out ugly sobbing wails; all her pent up emotions, her stress, her anxiety, her uncertainty, her blind resolution.

    Aliyah ran from her seat, holding Nara tight as she cried with her.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay now,¡± Aliyah soothed. ¡°Everything will be fine.¡±

    ¡°I can revive you,¡± Nara sobbed. ¡°Redell can revive you!¡±

    Her tears and snot was un ugly painting by snails gone wild, yet Aliyah found it endearing.

    ¡°There, there, there,¡± Aliyah said, rubbing Nara¡¯s back.

    Once Nara calmed, the two sat at the table along with her other familiars.

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem confused about your situation,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You¡¯ve spoken to me already, with an avatar.¡±

    Nara paused because she realized she knew. The moment she stepped inside, her memories of this location rejoined with her main consciousness. She never had to experience that sensation because she never had anyone beside herself inside her Astral Domain before, so there had never been a reason to manifest an avatar.

    ¡°Hm¡­I know. Wow, that¡¯s really weird.¡±

    She had tried to annihilate her soul once again against the torture of the nightmare beetles, but she had failed. She hadn¡¯t enough time, but she had also been unable to make any progress on that endeavor in the slightest. She was glad she hadn¡¯t succeeded in retrospect.

    The astral filled in the gaps of her soul like glue, holding her together, if the glue was actually unbreakable adamantine bonds. That was what her Astral Domain was, a melding of soul and astral that created a new, stronger alloy.

    She should consider this a lesson to herself. She hoped she¡¯d never be abducted again for any reason, but in the future, she should wait. This time, she had the motivation to persevere for Aliyah, and she stopped trying to self-destruct. But the next time, if she had no external motivation, could she keep herself together? What if she died too early, and her friends found her dead body?

    The thought made Nara wince. If a teammate was in her position, she would be devastated to find that they had died before their rescue. That they had been too late. She needed to have a backbone¡ªthe will to live¡ªnot just for herself, but for her team. She lived life as part of the flow, when life was good, all was pleasant, and she enjoyed the lazy river. When the river waters roughed, she too easily let herself drown.

    It was an aspect of herself Nara wanted to change.

    ¡°You¡¯re here now, Nara, does that mean you¡¯ve managed to escape?¡±

    ¡°Amara and the others came to our rescue. I was at the church of the healer just now. They must have removed the nightmare beetles.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving here soon then.¡± Aliyah gazed at the realm around her. The beautiful, fantastic scenery that reflected Nara. The abundant greenery and flowers with pleasant smells of citrus, herbs, cypress, and jasmine. The music inherent in the realm, each teacup tossed in the lake a pleasant note, the whispers of the wind, the shaking leaves of gentle percussion. The brilliant sunrises and sunsets, and the night sky that lit up with galaxies and nebulas, unaffected by light pollution or smog.

    More importantly, Aliyah wanted to study the realm. She wanted to know what was possible here, and what wasn¡¯t. She was alive, yet not. A living soul animating a dead body.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you revive my body?¡± Aliyah asked, ¡°My body is still dead. I assume in this realm, you could have?¡±

    ¡°I could have,¡± Nara admitted. ¡°But it wouldn¡¯t have stuck once you left. I can¡¯t revive you in the way that Redell can¡ªpermanently.¡±

    ¡°But you could have revived me here.¡±

    ¡°Yes. That¡¯d also trap you here if you wanted to leave,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°But why didn¡¯t you? It¡¯s not as if I needed the option to leave anyway. I wasn¡¯t going to move on to the realm of the Reaper when my friend had me safely tucked away inside her soul and was¡­suffering so that I may live.¡±

    Nara looked away, a cross between discomfort and embarrassment. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to have to kill you to take you out of my inventory.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really mind. I¡¯ve already died once. Dying twice isn¡¯t a big difference.¡±

    Aliyah was perhaps a bit too blas¨¦ about this whole ¡®death¡¯ thing. Resurrection was so infrequently available that Nara didn¡¯t think it changed the cultural attitude towards death.

    ¡°You know, dying once usually is a big deal by itself. This guy made a whole religion on it in my world. Died once and came back to life 3 days later.¡±

    ¡°I think I will break that record,¡± Aliyah mused, her eyes sparkling with playful curiosity, ¡°Could I start a religion in your world?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to. You can make this holy book, tell others how to behave, and everyone will ignore it.¡±

    ¡°Sounds delightful.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been thinking about it. If The Advent tried to use their ¡®wonderous tricks of magic and technology¡¯ my world will probably try to take it apart. Part of the world will believe it was God, another part will say ¡®no, it is our God¡¯, another part will take it to a lab and dissect it, and another part will turn off the TV.¡±

    ¡°What is a TV?¡±

    ¡°If you want to know, you¡¯ll know.¡±

    Somehow, she had a feeling that she did now know what a TV was.

    ¡°Marvelous,¡± Aliyah breathed, eyes as sparkling as her tone. ¡°How fascinating.¡±

    ¡°Which part?¡±

    ¡°Everything. How magic responds to your intent. The extent of power and control you have here. I¡¯m not sure what you can and cannot do. I¡¯d love to explore it.¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s not have you stay here for too long, yeah?¡±

    Aliyah made a face Nara didn¡¯t like, no, not at all.

    ¡°Aliyah¡­you are going to be revived. You can come back here when I¡¯m bronze rank and I have a portal.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure resurrection can¡¯t wait? Perchance I can convince you to wait a few more days? A month?¡±

    ¡°No! I mean yes! I¡¯m sure! You don¡¯t have a choice; you¡¯re leaving!¡±

    *****

    Nara appeared back on the banks of the church of the healer. She had a feeling the god let her in. If this was his Spirit Domain, and it was similar to her Astral Domain; then he had.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said to him.

    The god appeared with his characteristic brown robe. He was old man who radiated peace and calm, like a medicinal sage¡ªmore European than eastern fantasy, although his features were local-ish. He pointed towards a building.

    ¡°I told Redell to wait for you there. He¡¯s ready for you.¡±

    She looked up at the god.

    ¡°As I thought, I¡¯m bad at holding grudges.¡±

    ¡°Letting go of your grudges is healthy,¡± Healer grinned. ¡°And you need a bit of healthy.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m going to need some major therapy. I don¡¯t think I can ever go through a portal that¡¯s not my own, assuming I can go through my own even. That¡¯s fine, I don¡¯t need another portal. I have awesome dimension hopping powers.¡±

    ¡°Is that a healthy way to approach that trauma?¡±

    ¡°You tell me. You¡¯re the god of healing. Supposedly. I¡¯m not really sure what a god is. Still.¡±

    He chuckled and vanished.

    Nara sprinted across the temple grounds, aware that it was improper, and she drew mildly disapproving gazes from the clergy who went about their business quietly and calmly to avoid making a ruckus in a place of healing.

    At least, she told herself, she wasn¡¯t teleporting.

    She approached a small building, like a detached house. It had a glass dome, where light shone in. Beautiful flowers in springtime colors were planted around the building. It resembled a greenhouse, in both appearance and function. There were even plants growing inside, of the medicinal variety, and they perfumed the air with their bitter and herbal scents. The temple grounds were abundant in herbs, and alchemist priests harvested them for their potions. Nara could appreciate Healer¡¯s sense of interior decoration. She liked plants too.

    Redell was waiting beside a bed set up in the interior of the detached greenhouse. It wasn¡¯t quite a marble slab, but it gave Nara the vibe of an altar. Together with him was Sen, Encio, Eufemia, and John.

    She stood still for a moment upon seeing their faces, struggling to keep her emotions together. Her aura was fluctuating wildly; it was not under control at all. After it had been suppressed for so long, it felt like an untrained excitable pitbull pulling on the leash of an equally inexperienced owner.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry it up and revive Aliyah?¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Breakdown later, miracle magic first?¡±

    ¡°Yup. Yeah. Good idea,¡± Nara said, sniffing her nose loudly and ruining the sacrosanct ambience of the holy greenhouse herb garden. She rubbed snot on her sleeve. Damn psychosomatic snot-reactions.

    Nara started forward, face burning partly in embarrassment and partly with happiness. She placed Aliyah¡¯s body on the bed-altar. There was a ritual circle drawn around the altar¡ªresurrection magic, no doubt. She spied some gold spirit coins in one of the ritual bowls; Ten, if she managed to count from her angle. It was quite the expensive ritual. Probably loose change to the church, and she was more than willing to flip them a diamond coin for the trouble. She had to find some way to spend them.

    ¡°She¡¯s in good condition,¡± Redell observed. ¡°Her soul still lingers. I¡¯m surprised, it¡¯s been some time. Usually, resurrection would be impossible after this long.¡±

    ¡°Good condition if we ignore that she¡¯s dead,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°It¡¯s a good condition to me,¡± Redell said matter-of-factly. ¡°Just dead, and not dead in a bucket as slop. The state of some bodies that I¡¯ve seen¡­¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not resting in pieces, that¡¯s for sure.¡± That drew a chuckle from Redell, who always had appreciated puns. The atmosphere of nervous hope lightened with his laugh, and his aura brushed across all of them reassuringly.

    Redell activated the ritual; He had been the one to draw it. The circle shone with gold and rainbow light. The iridescent aurora of resurrection magic threatened to make a believer out of her. If it wasn¡¯t for Nara¡¯s annoyance with religion in general, she may have been converted right then and there.

    Seeing is believing.

    She felt the incredible magic of the ritual circle, awash with power that filled the room and spilled past the windows into the garden, and soaked Aliyah¡¯s body with the power of life. Aliyah¡¯s neck was repaired¡ªher only injury¡ªand vessel of her body was made to be re-inhabitable by her soul.

    With wide eyes and bated breaths, they saw Aliyah suck in her first breath, like she was reconnecting her body to the lifeforce of the world. Nara hadn¡¯t realized how reassuring the rise and fall of regular breathing was, and how weird it was that she didn¡¯t do it anymore herself. By silver rank, none of them would have to breathe.

    ¡°She¡¯ll wake in a little while,¡± Redell said after performing a cursory check of her condition. ¡°Resurrection isn¡¯t easy on the soul.¡±

    *****

    The five plus newly revived Aliyah sat around a table, enjoying a lunch provided to them by the clergy.

    ¡°I was impressed with the decoration,¡± Nara said, poking her fork into some sort of gruel. ¡°But the food leaves me wanting.¡±

    She pushed the plate away, and pulled out a platter of spiced meat, rich spicy sauce, stir fried rice with diced vegetables.

    ¡°You still have hot food in there?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t change in my inventory.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, feels weird to see you eat it after it¡¯s been there for a few weeks. I know it¡¯s fine in my mind, but it still feels disgusting,¡± said Eufemia, her face scrunched in disgust. She looked at Nara¡¯s food distrustfully, like it¡¯d move to bite at her.

    She dug in.

    ¡°It¡¯s been awhile since I¡¯ve had food. Other than teatime with you, Aliyah.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that counts. I was dead. Did I even technically eat?¡±

    ¡°Did you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to tell me,¡± said Aliyah with humor.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± demanded Eufemia.

    ¡°When Nara put me in her inventory to keep my body safe,¡± Aliyah explained. ¡°I ended up in her Astral Domain. It was quite the experience: Dead yet not dead, and in my friend¡¯s soul,¡± she sighed. ¡°Shame I¡¯ll have to wait until bronze rank to go there again. I just need to be patient for now.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll let you in.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t!¡± she gasped, affronted.

    ¡°Alright, all of you slow down,¡± John said. ¡°How about you explain what happened?¡±

    ¡°How about you explained how you found us?¡± Nara said, changing the topic.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± Sen observed.

    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡±

    ¡°I can read your aura right now,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°That¡¯s saying something. Normally I can¡¯t.¡±

    Her aura was wild and untamed, like a wounded animal that once again found its family. Wanting rest, but still on edge. Fresh scars and changes were evident. Exuberant joy in her friend¡¯s revival as well as lost hopes; a loss in her naivet¨¦ with magic.

    ¡°It¡¯s still sort of¡­fresh. How long was I asleep for?¡±

    ¡°Another week,¡± Encio said. ¡°The healers kept you asleep while they figured out how to completely remove that infestation and the suppression shackles without killing you.¡±

    ¡°Hm, the nightmare beetles.¡±

    Nara rubbed her wrists.

    ¡°They said that the shackles were simultaneously providing the healing energy to keep you alive and regulating the infestation¡ªthey let me learn the theory,¡± John explained. ¡°Fire combined with life energy regulated the amount of nightmare beetles at an equilibrium.¡±

    ¡°I guess a week is pretty short all things considered,¡± Nara conceded, ¡°For figuring out how to remove a bug infestation genetically engineered by an alien magic civilization obsessed with interdimensional ¡®peace¡¯ through any means possible.¡±

    ¡°While you were asleep, the Magic Society has been studying the gate in that compound,¡± Encio said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t quite lead to another world.¡±

    ¡°Not quite?¡±

    ¡°It leads to another facility. Dimensional travel isn¡¯t nearly so easy nor cheap.¡±

    ¡°They can¡¯t maintain a portal indefinitely,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Especially not to another world and past a dimensional boundary. The portal they maintained in our facility leveraged the quick ambient mana recovery rate of astral spaces to maintain it¡¯s connection.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean the other researchers were found in the new facility?¡±

    Encio shook his head, ¡°The facility had alarms which notified the connected base of forceful intrusion. The Adventists had cleared out along with any other researchers with a dimensional movement ritual.¡±

    The consent requirement of portals was an extension of the consent requirement for entering certain types of dimensional spaces, such as those with inventories capable of doing so. Most dimensional travel didn¡¯t need consent; John had his body annihilated and his soul sucked through an inter-astral bridge as a byproduct of summoning magic¡ªhe had no say.

    ¡°How¡¯d you find us then?¡±

    ¡°It was mostly the work of Amara and Lawrence.¡±

    ¡°Lawrence?¡±

    ¡°He copied astral magic books that explained enough theory for the two of them to create a ritual to detect astral spaces in a short range. After that, it was a matter of using the ritual to search.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to go and thank Lawrence. I¡¯ll get him some tea or something.¡±

    ¡°I think he¡¯d rather have more time to copy the books.¡±

    ¡°He can drink tea and copy books simultaneously,¡± Nara dismissed. ¡°So, what now?¡±

    The team cast glances at each other.

    ¡°You rest. See a trauma healer,¡± Sen said. ¡°After Redell approves, we go back to the usual. The issue of The Advent is beyond the scope of iron rankers.¡±

    ¡°Monsters still need slaying,¡± John said, chipper. ¡°You know. The usual.¡±

    ¡°The usual? That sounds nice.¡±

 Chapter 109: I Didnéˆ¥æª› Sell My Soul

    Chapter 109: I Didn¡¯t Sell My Soul

    Nara wanted to get back to what adventurers did: slay monsters, help people out, and hone their skills. Sen was right: she needed some dedicated rest and, more importantly, therapy. She and Redell often sat at the bank of the small lake in the church of the healer grounds, discussing what had happened during her imprisonment.

    ¡°Sometimes,¡± Nara began, her hands fiddling with her shirt in her lap. ¡°I still feel like this is a dream. That, I¡¯ll turn around and someone will ask me to enter a portal. The fact my world doesn¡¯t have magic doesn¡¯t help, and my own weird wacky timey-whimey experiences in the astral has made it worse. I feel like my grasp on reality is slipping away. It scares me. I don¡¯t know what to do, if I can ever feel grounded again.¡±

    ¡°Your Astral Domain recenters you. Visit it often. You feel that you are aware of your own soul and situation there?¡±

    ¡°While I¡¯m there,¡± Nara clarified. ¡°It sort of fades once I leave.¡±

    Nara sat at the banks, wiggling her toes in the water with Thanatos stretched out across her lap like a supermassive cat. The clergy walked in measured even steps through the grounds, often carrying baskets of medical supplies. The church of the healer ran a clinic where they healed injuries and cleansed afflictions. For the poor, it was free. They additionally created and sold potions, and funded alchemical research. Churches often served like universities or research institutions dedicated to a specific study and profession. Universities did exist on Erras as well, although the framework of education varied greatly nation to nation, and universities specializing in specialized education usually received donations from the corresponding church. Sanshi¡¯s Adventure Academy had patrons in Warrior, Hero, Traveler, and Knowledge.

    ¡°There was this girl, Lina. She was one of The Adventists¡ªnot really. She was an Illusae.¡±

    ¡°They had managed to infiltrate into The Advent? I¡¯m surprised to hear that.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine spending you entire life deep uncover like that. I don¡¯t know if that was her entire life. Maybe she saw a chance to replace someone there, and took it.¡±

    ¡°What about this young woman, Nara?¡± Redell asked, gently redirecting the topic.

    ¡°She uh¡­died. I was dreaming of our rescue. It was a very realistic dream. You, Amara, and Laius were there. Not Chelsea, for some reason. Amara went off to fight Raina while you and Laius handled the evacuation.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s startingly similar to what happened,¡± Redell admitted.

    ¡°Fight was more one-sided in real life. Is there that big of a difference in gold rank?¡±

    Redell maintained his concerned smile, and kept silent, waiting for Nara to continue.

    ¡°Anyway, we left the astral space in a skimmer, and Laius conjured up a portal. I was about to go through it. Inches away. If I leaned forward, my nose would have kissed it. At the last moment, she pulled me back from it. For that, I have no doubt she was killed for it.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t see her die?¡±

    Nara shook her head. ¡°¡­Did they find her body?¡±

    ¡°We did. The Adventure Society confirmed with Zariel that it was her. They have a way to identify their own, even transformed and in death.¡±

    Nara shook from the confirmation, wiping a few stray tears. Redell comfortingly squeezed her shoulder, his hand just as warm and reassuring as it always was.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t understand why she would help me. I¡¯m a selfish person,¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯m not worth anyone¡¯s life in exchange.¡±

    ¡°The equality of lives is a good value to hold,¡± Redell reasoned.

    ¡°Idealistically, maybe,¡± Nara conceded. ¡°And Adventurers are told pretty regularly not to die in the line of duty.¡±

    ¡°And they are rightly told not to. Adventurers cannot save everyone.¡±

    ¡°Yet,¡± Nara said, soft and slow. ¡°This world has a god of Heroes. Redell, what is it he does?¡±

    ¡°Remembers the sacrifices of those who have paid the ultimate price to save others,¡± he said. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be a hero Nara, to feel like your life has value.¡±

    ¡°It would be a good way to go. A blaze of glory. Indisputable good. A hero.¡±

    Nara wondered if Lina¡¯s real name would be sung in Hero¡¯s choirs and written upon his walls. Maybe she would check to see if it was.

    *****

    Redell watched Nara, concerned with her general listlessness and ruminations over the meaning of self-sacrifice. The string of energy and tension that had been pushing her through her suffering had snapped, draining her of all her energy. She was a kite with a cut string, drifting aimlessly where the wind took her. The young woman that once held a curiosity for the world around her realized too clearly its dangers. It was as a person had discovered they were now allergic to their favorite food. Her eyes would light up with joy with the mention of a new magic, a curiosity, or a cultural quirk, before the light would fade, now muddied with wariness.

    When asked about her motivation to return to Earth, Nara responded that she would do her best for John. It was no longer her motivation, Redell realized.

    She was afraid of what would happen if she introduced magic to a magic-less world. She may believe it was better if she never returned; the troubles that followed her kept on Erras where they were born instead of migrating to her old world.

    Redell¡¯s observations were conducted in secret. No one would notice him, after all, unless he wanted them too.

    She seemed mostly normal. She participated in training with her usual gusto. She still made improvements to her essence abilities and fighting style. She watched Eufemia¡¯s plays and listened to orchestral music. In the mornings, as usual, she ventured to the park to play her lute. She practiced aura training with Laius once again, retraining what had once again grown in strength.

    Everything was too normal. For an outworlder that had just suffered unending delirium and pain for two weeks, it was all too normal.

    ¡°I am not sure how to approach this, my god,¡± Redell ruminated. ¡°Beyond the signs of grief and lost ambition, something else seems to be wrong.¡±

    ¡°And what do you think is wrong?¡± Healer said, standing beside Redell.

    ¡°She seems too normal and regulated. From the beginning she said she was adaptable, but this feels like an adaptation in the wrong direction.¡±

    ¡°What do you think she is adapting too?¡±

    ¡°I am not sure, Healer.¡± Redell gave him a rather frustrated look over Healer¡¯s repeated deflecting inquiries. Healer only smiled in response; of course he did, Redell knew his god well.

    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°She is trying to be normal.¡± Healer suggested. ¡°She has realized that exceptions bring unwanted attention.¡±

    In the past Nara had said she did not enjoy attention, although now she more deeply understands the consequences of it.

    Redell gave his god a disapproving look, ¡°All people are exceptional.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± Healer said with a chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s not entirely true, nor should it be. She is right; Not everyone wants to stand out. Most want to live ordinary lives. Many adventurers are ordinary, as far as adventurers can be ordinary.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with that,¡± Redell sighed, agreeing.

    ¡°But it is too late for that, for her,¡± Healer said. ¡°As she suspects, her return to her world will likely be more excitement that she¡¯ll appreciate.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it fine? She should feel normal for a while. That is an objective of recovery.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, Redell! Her outlook on life has changed, as it should after such an experience, and will continue to change over time. So why are you in such a rush?¡±

    Redell grumbled.

    ¡°Now, don¡¯t be like that.¡± Healer folded his arms, looking off into the distance at something even Redell couldn¡¯t perceive. ¡°She has good people with her, including one of my high priests.¡± You, was left unsaid. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    *****

    Nara knocked on Aliyah¡¯s door in Encio¡¯s suite.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    Aliyah was relaxing on her balcony with a book, an astral magic one, no doubt. In the past Aliyah read books non-stop. It was as if her fervor for learning had been renewed by her revival.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Nara? You seem concerned.¡±

    ¡°So, when I was retrieving your body¡­¡± Nara paused, the incident was still fresh, and any discussion still rubbed her raw.

    ¡°Go on,¡± Aliyah encouraged.

    ¡°I accepted this blessing. From something called Legion.¡±

    ¡°Can I see?¡±

    Nara showed her.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Soul Legion]

    Language adaptation. Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption. Immunity to identification and tracking. Resistance to dimension-restriction effects. This is a legacy effect of [Free Spirit].

    Transfigured from [Free Spirit] by [Blessing of Legion].

    A portion of all familiars are kept within your soul even when familiars are not subsumed. This allows you to use effects and abilities granted by familiars as if they are subsumed and telepathically communicate with them from any distance. When familiars are subsumed, their subsumed effects have increased effect.

    Your body is considered your territory. Your territory is hostile to enemies that trespass within it, damaging them in the process. Your subsumed familiars may attack foreign entities within your territory. The attacks and damage of your familiars when attacking foreign entities is based off of their characteristics. You can control the strength of this effect or disable it. This effect applies to any object or territory connected to your soul. This effect shares your ability to ignore rank disparity.

    -------

    ¡°Did I make a deal with the devil or something? After all that, did I accidentally sell my soul?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the devil is Nara,¡± Aliyah tone tinged with humor over Nara¡¯s shiftiness. ¡°But you have not sold your soul.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief¡­Except, the concept of selling your soul exists here? In a world of magic that¡¯s, like, extremely concerning.¡±

    It really was. If Nara had accidentally made a deal she could not back out of in the heat of the moment, especially after she had been fighting for a week to keep her own autonomy, it would¡¯ve all been very pointless, Lina¡¯s and Aliyah¡¯s sacrifice all for naught.

    ¡°Legion is one of the Great Astral Beings. It is one that governs life, although not much is known about it. We have less records of it than the others: The Reaper, the World Phoenix, The Builder, and The Celestial Book are known for their cults that follow their will, and therefore propagate it.¡±

    And the Weaver of Dreams, Nara thought.

    Nara had a contentious relationship with dreams. Both her first initial ¡®soul away¡¯ during her sleep, and her toxin induced delirium dreams from the nightmare beetle.

    ¡°Occasionally, the Great Astral Beings bestow their blessings upon those they appreciate. This can be those they find agreeable, or even enemies they respect.¡±

    ¡°Which one would I be?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t guess?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I pissed it off. I hope I didn¡¯t piss it off.¡± Nara certainly has not tried to piss off or attract the attention of any outer gods and inner gods, but it does seem to happen more than she appreciates.

    ¡°Then Legion appreciated your tenacity to live.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really think I have a tenacity to live,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    Nara broke eye contact with Aliyah.

    ¡°I definitely tried to bash my head in a few times. It didn¡¯t work,¡± she said, voice cracking, ¡°The whole¡­no brain thing. I couldn¡¯t do enough damage to myself before the shackles healed it. My first thought while I was suffering¡­was that I wanted it to end.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty normal,¡± Aliyah said, although her fists clenched as she responded to Nara¡¯s pain.

    ¡°What?¡± Nara¡¯s voice rose an octave in her doubt.

    ¡°There are plenty of strange magic beasts, plants, animals, and toxins that inflict a pain that most people would rather die than suffer through. An unlucky traveler stumbles upon a fluffer¡­Usually, they have enough sense to go to a healer priest and have the issue removed before they decide to end themselves. John may have encountered a few himself by now.¡±

    ¡°A fluffer?¡± You call an animal which inflicts a pain so extreme that people would rather die a fluffer?¡±

    ¡°It is rather fluffy. Small and round, like a puffball, and extremely docile.¡± Aliyan moved her hands to demonstrate. ¡°You almost want to pick it up and give it a fluff. Children are warned away from it. It would be a great pet¡­alas.¡±

    ¡°If not for the suicide inducing toxin, sure.¡±

    ¡°Returning to the topic at hand, the blessing of a Great Astral Being is not like that of a god¡¯s divine essence. There is no cost to accepting the blessing. Your soul is not under any undue influence.¡±

    ¡°A divine essence?¡±

    ¡°I suppose you are unaware. Gods grant divine essence to their followers, should they choose to receive it. Although, most adventurer priests like Redell do not accept a divine essence.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡± Nara didn¡¯t know what to make of that. ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°The god may choose to remove the divine essence at will.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s bad?¡±

    ¡°Extraordinarily. If you are silver rank, then the attribute bound to the divine essence returns to normal rank. The higher your rank, the more disastrous the consequences. Attributes require balance; without it, your power is uncontrollable.¡±

    ¡°Why accept them at all then?¡±

    ¡°Divine essences have more powerful abilities and gods can bestow divine awakening stones to awaken a specific ability.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­,¡± Nara realized, ¡°You worship a god to break free of the god of RNG.¡±

    ¡°¡­The god of what?¡± Aliyah asked, unduly intrigued.

    *****

    Nara hadn¡¯t sold her soul to save Aliyah; that was good. Nara was made aware, however, that she would likely act with extreme recklessness in times of crisis. But what else could she have done?

    Legion.

    It was a Great Astral Being Chrome was unfamiliar with, except for knowing its name. Why had it offered its blessing in her hour of need? Without Chrome¡¯s directive, Nara would not have that singular goal driving her. It was but the smallest action which preserved Nara¡¯s mental willpower.

    -------

    Title: [Unyielding]

    The damage you suffered in your stand against a much more powerful enemy has marked your soul. Your resistance to the suppressive force of higher-ranked auras and other forms of external suppression is increased.

    Your aura signature has changed. Your unflinching resolve can be detected if your aura is examined by an aura sensing power or when projecting your aura.

    -------

    The new title felt a mockery of her. Nara didn¡¯t feel unyielding, unwavering, or unbroken.

    Nara was relieved when she heard that the rest of the researchers had been spared¡ªif it could be called that. They may have been rescued before the researcher¡¯s time ran out. If the Adventists were genuine in their pursuit of cosmic peace, then wanton murder was counter to their creed.

    Yet, their mercy soured her hate. She wanted them to be pure evil; a comical, twisted, intergalactic empire that espoused peace and harmony but represented everything but. It was shaping up to be more complex than that, which left Nara¡¯s shapeless, unruly emotions without an easy outlet.

    She could never work with them personally, yet she couldn¡¯t help but consider: What if they offered their aid to Earth? What if Earth accepted? And what if her family wanted to stay there?

    She was aware it was a pointless hypothetical.

    ¡°It¡¯s not entirely pointless,¡± Chrome pressed telepathically. It was the effect of Soul Legion which allowed him to do so, subsumed or summoned.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You are concerned with the introduction of magic to Earth. I assume you think Earth is better off without it now. It¡¯s a shallow judgment. You think your experiences are representative of the benefits of magic as a whole?¡±

    She grumbled. ¡°No. Doesn¡¯t mean I have to be the one to do it. John can do it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one with the ability to cross dimensions. He¡¯s not going to be the one to do it. You¡¯re feeling bitter with your misfortune and projecting it onto magic. Magic isn¡¯t at fault.¡±

    ¡°I know that.¡±

    ¡°Consider this: Without magic, how does your world fight off its invaders? Do you think they can remain isolated for so long?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t they? They have until now. What changes that? Earth¡¯s been beaming love songs off into space with nary a love letter back.¡±

    ¡°Do you really think they are isolated?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°You think a Great Astral Being can torture a soul in a random body? Throughout all of the cosmos somehow, it¡¯s attention landed on you? Their gaze is so far and wide it is impossible for them to isolate a single being without direction. They are fundamentally incapable of such miniscule thought.¡±

    ¡°Something¡¯s already interfering with Earth,¡± Nara realized, voice laden with dread.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Chrome said, ¡°And it is time to retaliate.¡±

 Chapter 110: Team Dork

    Chapter 110: Team Dork

    Nara was at the sparring grounds of the academy, re-establishing her normal routine, when she saw a familiar face she did not expect to see.

    Since Erin Nisei¡¯s betrayal, her friendship with Vallis was strained. Erin Nisei had not implicated her family in the betrayal, and they were not held responsible. If they had the slightest indication of aiding and abetting her, the Continental Congress representative, Zinnia Helianthae, would have dealt with them, but Erin Nisei was clean in her dealings. She was removed from her position, and a new Nisei took her place, some sort of cousin named Jules Nisei.

    Nara didn¡¯t hold Vallis responsible, but as expected, it was just so awkward: Sorry, my aunt told the cult-adjacent alien invaders about your secret soul magic invention which you had been specifically keeping secret, which caused you to be abducted by a gold ranker who proceeded to try the very best to mentally break you through mental and physical torture over the course of half a month.

    The consolation prize, if any, was that they didn¡¯t attempt soul torture; It was another line The Advent seemed to have. Nothing could match up to the prowess of an eldritch-like immortal intangible concept with power and consciousness. It would have been a futile attempt. Still unpleasant, undoubtedly. Nara wasn¡¯t sure that was something you could get used to.

    But it wasn¡¯t Vallis she spotted, who, after recent events, was busy with family matters.

    Zariel stood a pace from the training ground, waiting patiently for Nara¡¯s bout with Encio to end. She hadn¡¯t been using a suppression collar during their spars anymore; it wasn¡¯t as if they had to, it was just better for beginners. Essence users often sparred with their powers, once they had sufficient control. Mirage chambers were always available, and actual sparring minorly progressed abilities. A healer on hand was enough to stymie any dangerous mistakes.

    ¡°Zariel, it has been some time since I last saw you. It¡¯s been¡­¡± Nara trailed off. It hadn¡¯t been long since she last saw Zariel, just under a month. Her delirium dreams had stretched time like a hot summer day with nothing to do. ¡°Did you want to talk about something?¡±

    He nodded, then removed a flask from his dimensional inventory. He gestured, so Nara held out her hand, and he set a flask within.

    She stared at the flask which encapsulated a nebula-in-a-bottle. The colors were gentle yet intense; soft golds, light blues, silvers, pastel pinks and purples. Specks of darker colors rimmed at its edges where the light was less concentrated, magentas, dark violets, and burnt oranges.

    Her Guide told her what it was before she needed to ask.

    -------

    Item: [Nebula Flask] (iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Item, Vehicle, Bottled Clouds

    A nebula within a flask. A variation of the Cloud Flask. The nebula-cloud material is extremely adaptable, suiting the user¡¯s needs.

    This item is unbound.

    Use the energies within the nebula flask to create buildings and vehicles made of nebula light and dust.

    Available forms are restricted by rank.

    Items contained within the cloud construct when it is returned to the flask are stored in a dimensional space and cannot be recovered until another nebula construct is formed.

    Available forms (Iron): Nebula house (grand), nebula house (adaptive).

    ------

    ¡°It¡¯s very beautiful,¡± Nara said. ¡°Thanks for letting me take a look at it.¡± She held out the flask to hand it back to him.

    ¡°You are mistaken, Nara. It is payment for the information you have given to me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not my information,¡± Nara protested. ¡°It¡¯s my world¡¯s information. I did nothing for it.¡±

    She had invented nothing for her world; she wasn¡¯t a great mind. She wouldn¡¯t compare herself to the Einsteins, the Teslas, and the Stephen Hawkings. To even have the chance to shake their hand would have been her honor. And for all the nameless scientists out there that painstakingly researched the inconsequential, the small discoveries that compounded into the foundations of science, she was not their equal either.

    ¡°I cannot give a gift to your world, so I must give it to you, as your world¡¯s representative. I have heard from your companions that you have been seeking a cloud flask,¡± Zariel said. ¡°It is not the same, but an artificer of my world has produced something similar.¡±

    ¡°This is the sort of stuff made by diamond rankers, Zariel. I don¡¯t think what I gave you is that valuable.¡±

    ¡°The Supremes of my world cannot stay during mana droughts,¡± explained Zariel. ¡°The lack of mana starves them. Instead, they leave us with artifacts and other resources to exchange in our dealings with individuals. An individual artifact is inappropriate in a trade with an organization, unless it has priceless value and expansive use.¡± He held out the flask, and his smile contained a hint of humor. ¡°This is not that. It is restricted to a single individual, and thus only used in individual exchanges. Moreover,¡± he continued, ¡°It is a luxury item that consumes vast amounts of resources for growth. It is inappropriate for anyone of my world to have. For resource rich worlds such this, it is an appropriate gift.¡±

    Nara could not deny that she wanted it.

    Zariel sensed her reticence. He waited patiently for her to explain; she had words within her that wanted out.

    ¡°Have you heard of my recent run in with The Advent?¡±

    ¡°That it happened, yes. I know not of the details of your tribulation.¡±

    ¡°There was an Illusae there that saved my life. Would you happen to know her name?¡±

    ¡°She is Lieke-gema Zoet-zi¡¯el.¡±

    It was a mouthful, but Nara would remember it.

    ¡°She saved my life. When I was at my worst she pulled me back from the brink,¡± Nara paused, her eyes misty. ¡°And I have no way to repay her. I want to repay what she did for me somehow. I still don¡¯t think I deserved her sacrifice, but it doesn¡¯t change the weight of her choice. There¡¯s no way to know what she would have wanted, so I turn to you. Her representative.¡±

    ¡°As you are the representative of your world.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always John.¡±

    Zariel chuckled, then held out the bottle again. ¡°My people have determined the value of your information and determined that this is the best of what we can offer you. A trinket for the information that may one day pave a new path for my world. By your generosity, let it wipe my debt clean.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Nara said. She finally took the flask, holding the pocket side nebula up to the sun to admire sunlight scattering across stellar dust.

    ¡°I have heard from John that you are the most likely to posses a method in the future to traverse the dimensional boundary to cross into your world. Nara, I present a proposition with the weight of Lieke-gema¡¯s, life.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I would like a single one of my people to cross with you to your world.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Zariel furrowed his brows. ¡°It is unwise to agree so readily. Have you considered the repercussions my people may have on your world?¡±

    ¡°If you ask me what the weight of Lieke¡¯s life was, then it¡¯s a life for a life. I don¡¯t really know how else to value it. I don¡¯t really want to value it, but I think it¡¯s a good place to start. This issue is if you¡¯re comfortable with sending a single person. My world may not have magic, but it has it¡¯s dangers.¡±

    ¡°It is unnecessary to agree, Nara. Lieke-gema made her choice not for prospect of gain. Nor is everyone on my world so kind as she.¡±

    ¡°I know. This is all for my own self-satisfaction.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps we should have this discussion at a later time when you are of sounder state, after due consideration. I apologize if this was premature.¡±

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Zariel had proposed the deal on the basis of Lina¡¯s sacrifice yet was unwilling to leverage that guilt beyond a limit. He wanted consideration, not blind agreement.

    Both he and Lieke, such kind, considerate people. Nara wanted to help them, and their world.

    ¡°Please wait a moment,¡± Nara said. ¡°We¡¯ll set some terms for cooperation. Like uh, so and so can¡¯t summon a bunch of other people to my world, or if they start killing innocents, I¡¯m going to throw them back dead or alive. I¡¯m just saying I¡¯m open to the idea, and a relationship with your world may be beneficial for my world. I don¡¯t have the expertise nor the authority to hammer out those terms, but your representative can with someone with more political authority. My magically barren world would benefit from the high efficiency magical technologies your world has. It¡¯s almost a match made in heaven. I¡¯m not being entirely thoughtless. This can be a good thing for my world, I¡¯m just the chauffer with the opportunity.¡±

    ¡°This is not a decision made in guilt?¡±

    ¡°Guilt and thoughtfulness, it may be both. But this is all pretty wasted; I don¡¯t have a way to travel to my world yet.¡±

    ¡°That is the case,¡± Zariel concurred.

    ¡°It seems impractical for you to pose a deal for something that cannot be accomplished yet.¡±

    ¡°This is a matter that necessitates ample consideration.¡±

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s leave it at that. You¡¯re registered with the Adventure Society now?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll send you a message through the society when I have any updates.¡±

    ¡°Update?¡±

    *****

    ¡°A nebula flask?¡±

    ¡°Take a look.¡±

    Nara handed the flask to Encio, who overturned it in his hand.

    ¡°My family has some cloud constructs, but not a cloud flask. Even my grandfather cannot buy one unless there is one available for purchase. However, they are typically not purchasable; they are traded. Like Zariel did with you.¡±

    ¡°Traded?¡±

    ¡°At diamond rank wealth is pointless. They trade artifacts and favors instead. At diamond rank, crafters have considerably more value.¡±

    ¡°How else do you get your diamond rank sword and armor, I guess.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t need it. I will need armor,¡± Encio said, pained over the future inconvenience.

    At low ranks opinions with adventurers was mixed concerning weapon and armor conjurations. On one hand, they were instant and could be conjured directly onto the body; especially useful for those without inventory powers, or those who couldn¡¯t afford a large enough dimensional bag at low ranks. They didn¡¯t need to be repaired, and just needed to be reconjured to summon a brand new set, and they couldn¡¯t be stolen.

    On the other hand, they took the slots of abilities. While 20 abilities was a lot, equipment could be tailor made and purchased. Some viewed armor and weapon conjurations as a waste when you could gain another ability instead.

    The opinions were balanced in a fifty-fifty until diamond rank, which didn¡¯t matter since a bare percentage reached that rank. Finding a diamond rank crafter for equipment was difficult in and of itself, on top of whatever they would charge for their services. Whereas armor and weapon conjurations were essentially growth items that became stronger as they ranked up.

    ¡°Well?¡±

    ¡°Well what?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s try it out!¡± Encio exclaimed, rare in his enthusiasm. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a flask in action before. And this flask type doesn¡¯t exist in this world. It¡¯s one-of-a-kind. An out-worldly flask for an outworlder.¡±

    Nara¡¯s glare couldn¡¯t help but be tinged with amusement.

    ¡°Zariel said it¡¯s the same, just a cosmetic difference.¡±

    Encio looked at her, ¡°You are excited right?¡±

    ¡°I am, I am.¡± She placated. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    They rode the underground subway to the port of the city. Zariel had provided Nara with a user guide, written by its creator. It was written in its creator¡¯s language, but that wasn¡¯t an issue for Nara.

    ¡°Man, I¡¯m going to be a goddam polyglot on Earth. Maybe I should do one of those You Tube videos where I constantly switch languages with someone. A language battle. Maybe¡­¡± she said, looking smugly at Encio, ¡°A battle you cannot win.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s that fair.¡±

    ¡°Magic isn¡¯t fair.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t lose if I don¡¯t fight,¡± Encio said with his curved smirk.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s very un-sportsman of you.¡±

    Like most large cities in Erras, Sanshi had its fair share of trade. Sanshi¡¯s stone was too typical to be considered for export, but monolith tree wood had its fair share of international usage. Sanshi teas, textiles, jewels, and silks were also common exports.

    Part of the port was portioned for commercial use, while the other side was reserved for recreational and residential use. Since adventurers regularly traveled for both leisure and for work, pleasure craft that doubled as homes were commonplace. The road from bronze rank to silver rank and silver rank to gold became increasingly long; Staying in one city for several decades unless an adventurer was raising a family or helping the family was out of the norm.

    While cloud flasks were the most famous for their visual spectacle, luxury, and rarity, there were other varieties of semi-transformative and portable bases. Chelsea, who specialized in wood-based vehicular crafts, no doubt had her own.

    She rented a large location with the port authority for residential purposes. As they walked down the port towards her lot, she passed various house boats, floating houses, duo air and sea ships, and pleasure crafts.

    ¡°Here¡¯s the spot,¡± she said, finally stopping in front of an open ocean lot. The nearest spaces of Sanshi¡¯s harbor had already been rented.

    ¡°What does the booklet say to do?¡±

    ¡°Just uncork the bottle and wait 10 minutes.¡±

    She had already bonded with the flask. All that was left was to use it. She conjured a simple table for the flask and two chairs for herself and Encio. She popped the cork with celebratory anticipation. She didn¡¯t have to worry about the cork getting lost; It itself was made of nebula-cloud. From the cork, two images appeared: one was an indication for the grand house form, and the other for an adaptive house form. She selected the first form on the strange cloud-stuff touchscreen, and the flask initiated it¡¯s slow transformation.

    The two watched as streams of glittering mists slowly flowed from the flask, expanding and forming in concrete shapes. Nara felt she was a cosmic traveler, sitting beneath a nebula dust cloud that should by all rights span massive swatches of space. She raised her hand and felt the colorful glowing dust trickle past her fingers unimpeded.

    ¡°It¡¯s magical,¡± Nara said breathlessly.

    Nara thought that she would be a far too simple person if this was enough to restore her joy for magic, but she was a simple person. Her curiosity hadn¡¯t been fully restored, yet she felt the childish tickle that once caused her head to turn at the mention of a new and exiting magical object return.

    ¡°God, I really am so basic,¡± she said mock-despairingly.

    ¡°There are too many complex members on this team already. We¡¯re missing our team dork. Luckily, I know just the person,¡± he said with a teasing smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m not the dork!¡±

    ¡°Who else is the dork? It¡¯s not me, not Sen, and not Aliyah.¡±

    ¡°There is no dork. Does there have to be a dork?¡±

    ¡°Aliyah told us you¡¯ve been making vulgar jokes.¡±

    ¡°Rarely!¡± she defended. ¡°Isn¡¯t John the dork?¡±

    Encio gave her a look.

    ¡°John¡¯s not really a dork,¡± she admitted, ¡°He¡¯s a¡­grounded teddy bear.¡±

    ¡°And who does that leave?¡±

    ¡°Eufemia?¡± Nara said, playing dumb. She sighed, ¡°Okay, I¡¯m the team dork.¡±

    After ten minutes had passed, a mansion of cloud, mist, and stars stood before them floating on top of the sea. It was partially on the sea, and partially attached to the pier. The nebula flask was a variation of the cloud flask, and had similar qualities. The material everything was constructed from resembled clouds but had a silver-blue hue. It had more of a mystical and misty quality than the bright and fantastic constructions of a typical cloud flask. Small flickering stars and lights danced within the cloud when inspected closely, and crevices seemed filled with the colorful nebula colors, accenting the structure with splashes of color.

    ¡°Which form is this?¡±

    ¡°The grand form.¡±

    ¡°Flashy,¡± Encio said with the snootiness of an art-critic. ¡°I approve.¡±

    They ventured inside. The interior was lit with lights that felt more like starlight than the light from glow stones or electricity, and it was at a strong enough level that it did not strain Nara¡¯s eyes. Clearly, it was designed for habitation. The furniture such as couches, tables, countertops, cabinets, and doors were all made of the same cosmic cloud stuff.

    ¡°It could use some interior decoration,¡± Encio said appraisingly. ¡°It¡¯s a little barren with not much else.¡±

    Nara flipped through the manual, ¡°Apparently if I add quintessence to it, it will adapt various other features. I can even grow plants here.¡±

    ¡°How does that work? It all gets sucked into a bottle.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I could hardly ask the team¡¯s dork.¡±

    They investigated more. The cabinets were dimensional storage spaces, which meant that for its size, the cloud house had a lot more living space since storage space was hyper-efficient. There were at base 6 rooms, but Nara had the flexibility to change the layout, although she¡¯d need to re-manifest the house. If Lawrence was tagging around or if she wanted to host guests, she¡¯d need more rooms.

    ¡°Apparently, as I use it, it¡¯ll start to adapt to my preferences.¡± Nara held out Nirvana in sword-form, re-examining it. ¡°Are all growth items like that? Nirvana won¡¯t do that. I think.¡±

    ¡°Cloud houses are known for their adaptability,¡± Encio said. ¡°I have no idea if it applies to all growth items. I don¡¯t have one,¡± he clarified.

    ¡°You don¡¯t? I¡¯m a little surprised.¡±

    ¡°Ability sets fill weaknesses at silver rank. Many view it as a waste to find a growth item before then.¡±

    ¡°You want something that doesn¡¯t double up on what your ability set will do later.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°And, you¡¯ll have more practice and funds then. You¡¯d have a better idea of what you want to get, if you can get it. They¡¯re some of the most expensive pieces of equipment; they¡¯re often crafted with essences or other extremely expensive materials.¡±

    ¡°With essences? Oh shit. I might be carrying an entire essence user worth of essences in equipment.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve generated far more than that with your loot ability, so if you complain to me how your equipment is expensive and you¡¯ll feel bad, I¡¯ll start laughing at you and hold it over your head for the rest of your life.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough. Thanks for the advance warning.¡±

    ¡°I live to inform.¡±

    ¡°No you don¡¯t.¡±

    Encio grinned.

    They stepped outside of the nebula house, and Nara set the bottle out to suck the house back in.

    ¡°Shall we give form two a spin?¡±

    She selected form two this time from the selections offered to her, and the nebula flask repeated the process of constructing reality with tangible magic.

    The nebula flask construct took the form of a small Sanshi lakeside pavilion, except it was on the sea rather than water. It had decks that extended over the sea, even forming a small, self-contained sea-water pool. The glittery star matter was concealed, looking as ordinary as the stone and wood buildings the rest of Sanshi was constructed with. As to how it floated on top of the sea, completely stable, Nara asserted it was magic. Like Eufemia¡¯s own mimicry abilities, the material was still made of cloud stuff. It wasn¡¯t actually wood or stone, but disguised as so.

    Encio rapped a table with his hand, ¡°This feels realistic.¡± He walked over to a couch and sat on it, then sighed indulgently. ¡°This doesn¡¯t feel realistic. It feels like a dream.¡±

    ¡°Lemme try.¡± Nara bounced herself onto a couch. It had the same dreamlike quality; impossibly soft and comfortable, magic memory foam. It was like the astral constructs she conjured; magic was flexible in texture and form.

    ¡°It does look ordinary,¡± Nara said. ¡°As much as house built on the sea is ordinary, and not some pretentious rich guy¡¯s multimillion dollar mansion about to be destroyed with a mudslide.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the pretentious rich guy in this example? Not me?¡±

    ¡°For once Encio, you¡¯re not the peak of luxury. How ever will you survive?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m losing my identity,¡± he sighed wistfully, swooning onto the couch like a courtly maiden.

    ¡°And to the dork. What horror!¡±

 Chapter 111: Boasting About Not Getting Teeth Cleanings

    Chapter 111: Boasting About Not Getting Teeth Cleanings

    Nara spent some more time in her recovery phase experimenting with her shiny new toy, the nebula flask. Nara didn¡¯t need to upgrade the flask to iron rank; it started there. Zariel said that the flask was too large of a luxury for the people of his world, and she soon saw why.

    -------

    Material Requirements (Bronze):

    5000 [Bronze Rank Spirit Coins]

    500 [Dimension Quintessence (Bronze)]

    500 [Magic Quintessence (Bronze)]

    500 [Star Quintessence (Bronze)]

    500 [Cloud Quintessence (Bronze)]

    -------

    The material requirements alone for bronze rank was insane, and it didn¡¯t include the miscellaneous iron rank quintessence she was shoving into the flask. According to the manual, the flask could use different forms of quintessence to adapt more functions and furniture.

    Nara dumped everything she had in there she hadn¡¯t sold or was saving for her familiars: glass for windows and dishware, water for new water features, plant and earth for sustaining plant life, wind for wind barriers and temperature control along with heat and cold quintessence. With each addition, the flask gained complexity from its originally barren state.

    In its own way, magic had its own adaptable artificial intelligence functions. She was repeatedly impressed with what intuitive nature of magic that non-magic technology struggled to reach. Artificial intelligence was a great goal of her world, while here it was, baked into many magical functions.

    She went on a shopping spree¡ªshe purchased every plant and plant seed she could get her hand out. Chrome selected a few fruit bearing varieties he wanted to grow. Unfortunately, the manual only detailed the flora from Elderster-jos that it could sustain. Most magic plants could be grown, but most ordinary plants could not.

    Nara could use her door domain as a residence for her team, but the nebula flask was more practical in many ways. For one, it held greater defensive properties. The cloud flasks of Erras were known for their anti-detection, camouflage, monster-repellant, anti-inspection, and self-defense weapon systems; the nebula flask shared these properties, although only at iron rank. However, the camouflage and monster-repellent properties were even effective against bronze rank monsters, which served as a far better adventure base. The door domain additionally had the disadvantage of cutting off perception from the world around them, except directly out the door. A monster or enemy could be hiding on the ¡®other side¡¯, and they¡¯d be no wiser until they stepped out.

    Moreover, the nebula house would remain manifested for as long as Nara left it there. According to the manual, it passively consumed mana from the atmosphere to maintain its functions. Regular replenishment of spirit coins was also needed depending on consumption, such as utilizing defenses. If the nebula cloud material was destroyed, she¡¯d need to input more star and cloud quintessence. If Nara didn¡¯t have a loot ability, maintenance would be ludicrous for an iron ranker. With two looting abilities on the team, it was oddly affordable.

    At bronze rank, the nebula flask could construct vehicular forms. While Nara could astral jump everywhere, her team could not. So far, they utilized transportation options such as rental skimmers, river ships, and airships.

    After a discussion with the team, the team moved into their port lot. There were a few advantages; the nebula flask functioned as permanent storage. As the team moved their living implements into the flask, it would keep their items for them later. Almost everyone on the team, except for Sen, had a personal dimensional storage space of some kind, but storage size varied. Encio¡¯s was on the larger size although also the most inconvenient, since he had to conjure a tear in reality and remove objects from it. Eufemia¡¯s was the smallest as it was combined with an armor conjuration ability. It was enough for ritual materials and other tools, but its small size capped her ability to keep a large amount of personal belongings, such as the various artifacts that she bought for stage performances and her other hobbies.

    Lawrence temporarily moved in with the group, ever dedicated to his assigned task of copying the books in Nara¡¯s archive. Nara greatly appreciated Lawrence now; his mundane task and accumulated knowledge directly led to her rescue. Without him, she may not have been rescued at all.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Lawrence said. He looked at a strange object¡ªtwo glass lenses, connected by a thin metal frame to place them onto the face, like goggles.

    ¡°I had a craftsmen custom make them. They¡¯re called ¡®glasses¡¯ in my world. Those that read a lot of books end up nearsighted. Here you can just heal away the problem, but this is something we developed to deal with that non-magically. This doesn¡¯t have the properties that would make it useful for that purpose. I had my crafter friend Henri enchant it with something else instead. Eufemia helped me design it; I don¡¯t have a sense for fashion. Try it on, and I''ll explain.¡±

    Lawrence fitted them over his face. They suited him like strawberries to cream. He looked like a young skinny Nordic elf professor; the glasses lent him the academic air that accentuated his features nicely. Like most iron rankers he was average; after a few ranks up, Nara felt like Lawrence might look like a glasses-wearing Legolas with his blond hair and elegant features.

    ¡°Odd question: Have you ever thought of using a bow?¡±

    ¡°What? No. I don¡¯t want to fight at all. And my goddess says elves are not immortal in this world. Your world has immortal elves?¡±

    ¡°No, we don¡¯t have elves,¡± Nara denied. ¡°Just humans.¡±

    ¡°What? What happened to all the other races?¡±

    ¡°Anyway, moving away from attractive humans playing elves in costume¡ª¡±

    ¡°What¡ª¡±

    ¡°Those glasses will let you see in just about any conditions; bright light, darkness, smoke, and water. Not quite as good as any singular ability, but good enough. There¡¯re some added functions of increasing maximum perception distance and generating a shield for the eye if someone tries to stab them. The last one is my personal touch,¡± Nara said with an accompanying hand flourish.

    ¡°You say that like you¡¯ve been stabbed in the eyes often,¡± Lawrence said nervously, an odd expression on his face. ¡°Is there really a need for that? I do not fight.¡±

    ¡°A monster stabbed me in the eye once. Another time, I had a beetle inserted through my eye, and the third time I stabbed someone else in the eye, twice¡ªonce per eye¡ªso I¡¯d say it happens surprisingly often. It¡¯s not exactly made for combat, but it should be sturdy enough take hits, and it won¡¯t fall off your face.¡±

    ¡°You said the crafter¡¯s name was Henri?¡± Lawrence said, looking at his reflection in a hand mirror which Nara handed to him. It was strange to him; almost no one on Erras wore anything on their face. Helmets, goggles, hoods, blindfolds, and veils were occasionally seen around, but not common everyday eyewear.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°I think I will commission a bronze rank version later. It¡¯s practical if not for your¡­inclinations. My goddess wishes to inform you that she does not appreciate you dressing up her priests to satisfy your ¡®glasses kink¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a glasses¡ª¡± Nara began to reflexively deny, before pausing to stare at Lawrence with an amused expression. She had dressed up Chrome as a professor before. ¡°I might have a glasses kink. It¡¯s a shame everyone here doesn¡¯t need them. I should try to start a fashion-glasses trend. I also got you some tea. I¡¯m making it my special-tea gift.¡±

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t start.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve barley even gotten started.¡±

    He paused, then stared into the sky with mild sadness like he learnt of a rather disappointing side to a person he greatly admired, ¡°My goddess, you did not have to explain it to me,¡± he lamented, having been told what barley was. He should not question his goddess, but why did she want him to suffer this knowledge? Knowledge was truly a burden.

    ¡°Oo-long and farewell, Lawrence.¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡± He clutched his head and moaned in despair. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have to learn this worthless information.¡±

    *****

    Lawrence¡¯s gift of glasses, tea puns, and a headache sorted, Nara now wanted to tackle her gifts to Amara and Redell. She wondered if a gift to Redell would feel too transactional, given that he had used his resurrection ability to save Aliyah.

    ¡­Meh. She wouldn¡¯t worry about it.

    Lawrence¡¯s gift had been easy; Nara was stumped for what to give to her two gold rank friends. What could the two possibly need? Her worst nightmare was a pitying smile and false coos over ¡®how well done¡¯ her middle school craft was.

    Erras didn¡¯t have pianos; Nara wanted to give Redell the blueprint of the instrument, but her Guide ability did not provide schematics nor images. Nara didn¡¯t know the workings of a piano beyond the basics: metal wires hit by hammers to produce a tone. Mozart would roll in his grave over the affront to all things classical she¡¯d produce; she resolved to let the old man lie still. When she went to Earth, she would bring a piano back for him.

    Still, she wanted to give him a present for the here and now. There was one musical instrument Nara may be able to replicate on Erras¡ªthe versatile and mighty Boomwhackers, bringers of joy and implements of 30-minute school music lessons. They were just colored plastic tubes where the length determined their tone. Entirely impractical as a musical instrument, but it was the best Nara could manage (maybe a Marimba, she could manage that¡­except Erras had something like that. Smack flat material wasn¡¯t revolutionary). Creating uniform diameter tubes of a chosen material was easy for an essence user crafter of Erras.

    The crafter she had found to work on Lawrence¡¯s glasses, Henri Braun, was a smoulder crafter who went coco-for-Coco-Puffs for oddball, impractical projects. Nara¡¯s request for a pair of glasses in a world where glasses did not exist had set off his crafter¡¯s fervor. Now, she came to him with a new request; smack-able, enduring tubes of varying lengths used to play music.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a very ingenious concept for an instrument. Primitive, even. Infantile.¡±

    ¡°Hey. I¡¯ll have you know the Boomwhacker is a respectable instrument used in enrichment for children, the elderly, and therapy.¡±

    He contemplated it, uncaring of her espouses of uses in therapeutic and educational purposes. ¡°But I like it! Let¡¯s get smashing!¡±

    They tested various materials. The clear crystal mined during the stone forest expedition resounded with a beautiful resonant tone. There was a flexible wood material, like bamboo, called weedwood that produced a hollower but quaint sound after some stiffening treatments. Various metals could also work well. Normal metals on Erras were almost worthless in comparison to their magical counterparts. Normal gold versus magic gold were incomparable in price.

    ¡°Y¡¯all have no idea what you¡¯re throwing away,¡± Nara said, overturning a chunk of gold in her hand. Earth would be more than happy to purchase all of Erras¡¯ unwanted raw material, although Erras would not accept Earth¡¯s currency. Spirit coins had intrinsic value as an energy source. The governments of Erras would probably turn their nose up at Earth¡¯s complicated financial systems.

    While the spirit coin value of food, housing, and other goods fluctuated based on location, the consumption of spirit coins to power arrays, vehicles, and artifacts was fixed. Higher levels of ambient magic reduced spirit coin consumption, which made higher magic zones of around silver rank more practical for large cities. However, spirit coins were necessary no matter what. Spirit coins were the oil of Erras, and looters were portable oil fields.

    No wonder Zariel and his people literally traveled to other worlds to harvest magic. It was oil. (Don¡¯t let America know.)

    ¡°Ordinary gold? It¡¯s fun for some passion projects but otherwise worthless,¡± Henri noted absentmindedly. ¡°I once made a curtain of gold.¡±

    Nara looked towards the thin gold strings that covered an archway like a bead curtain. She always thought it was sort of tacky, but he was an odd person.

    ¡°That¡¯s what that is? You made that?¡±

    ¡°I thought thin gold string might be useful for something. Decorations, at least. Or I could sell it as fun jewelry for kids. Or hm, they have that metal weave for adventurer armor, so I thought I could make it into gold silk, you know? I couldn¡¯t quite get the threads thin enough, and I¡¯m terrible at making fabrics¡ªneed to practice. Or outsource. Another thought, a cool new weapon¡ªrazor wire.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­not a new weapon. People use that already.¡±

    ¡°But what if it was gold?¡±

    ¡°You know if you used copper instead of gold¡ª¡±

    ¡°Nara,¡± a soft voice spoke throughout the workshop, ¡°If you would avoid jumpstarting the inception of electronics when this world has not reached that level of technology yet, I would be appreciative.¡±

    Henri and Nara paused.

    ¡°Is that the goddess of Knowledge?¡± Henri stage whispered.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me? I¡¯m the outworlder.¡±

    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t gone to a temple in over 8 years!¡±

    ¡°Why are you acting proud? Is that something to be proud of? Or is it like boasting about not going to the dentist when you really should¡¯ve been getting teeth cleanings?¡±

    ¡°Why would you need to clean your teeth?¡±

    ¡°Man, I forget how gross y¡¯all are sometimes. Cleansing magic and purgation magic really do be carrying y¡¯all though decent civilization.¡±

    Nara looked at empty space but saw nothing.

    ¡°It could¡¯ve been a hallucination,¡± she admitted. Her hands did not tremble.

    ¡°Why would you say that? You¡¯re freaking me out. I thought I heard her too, but now I¡¯m second guessing myself.¡±

    There was a soft, disappointed sigh. A figure manifested in the cluttered and dusty workshop, a woman once with an appearance like the locals. She had long black hair with the dark blue robes worn by Knowledge priests. Her brilliance was like a diamond in a pile of coals with the cramped clatter. A goddess in a place like this was probably a blasphemous offense. Henri should really clean up.

    Nara felt the aura of divinity she recognized. Henri rapidly scooted way back, as far into his workshop as it allowed him to gain distance from the goddess.

    ¡°You¡¯re acting like she¡¯s a cockroach or something.¡±

    ¡°I did not say that!¡± He added on with a hiss: ¡°I didn¡¯t think that!¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s your sense of reverence for the divine?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s yours?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not from this world!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t use that as an excuse for everything!¡±

    ¡°Nara, I have been intending to have a discussion about your tendencies to reveal aspects of not only the natural world but the development of technology.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is there a problem with that? Aren¡¯t you the goddess of knowledge?¡±

    ¡°I am the goddess of Knowledge, not the goddess of information.¡±

    ¡°Ah, this is one of those ¡®there¡¯s nuance¡¯ things.¡±

    Knowledge¡¯s eyes glittered with something between amusement and exasperation. ¡°While at times my role is to verify the veracity of information I act in other purposes.¡±

    ¡°Like the regulation of new developments and information?¡±

    ¡°In your own world, improper information has caused unwarranted destruction. Regulation may slow technological progress, but it also preserves lives. Moreover, knowledge should be earned, not freely and recklessly given.¡±

    Well, Nara didn¡¯t know if she agreed with that entirely, but she supposed the only thing between Earth and Mutually Assured Destruction was the good sense of politicians.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be doing more about this Advent threat then?¡±

    Knowledge gave her a flat look, ¡°Are we not doing more? You didn¡¯t appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°You know what? I forgot I¡¯m still mad about that. Thanks for Lawrence, though. He saved my life.¡±

    Knowledge smile seemed to imply ¡®I told you so¡¯. Nara didn¡¯t quite like how smug it was, but she supposed she was a goddess.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know he applied his skills and knowledge. Your point is made. I still think that they don¡¯t know gravity is ridiculous. These abilities do everything but outright say it.¡±

    ¡°I have no issue with your own experimentation with technology and magic Nara, as long as you keep it contained.¡±

    ¡°Keep it contained how?¡±

    ¡°If relevant, I will send a priest to assist, and the technology or magic may be restricted. However, you neither understand electronics nor how to make them, so I ask you avoid speaking to others which you do not understand. Not just for this topic, but all others.¡±

    ¡°So don¡¯t talk about electronics, copper wires, gold wires, and electricity with the unhinged oddball crafter.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Nara,¡± she confirmed, long-suffering. ¡°Do not talk about electronics with the unhinged oddball crafter.¡±

    She vanished as she appeared, space emptied as if she was never there, the dust at her feet undisturbed.

    ¡°Did the goddess of knowledge just call me unhinged?¡± Henri said, peeking from behind a workshop table covered in baubles and junk.

    ¡°Unhinged and oddball.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not unhinged,¡± he said defensively. ¡°Just¡­ indiscriminately curious.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Nara said, doubt plain on her face. ¡°How do you spend all of your money?¡±

    ¡°Buying artifacts and raw materials to take apart and put back together in new and novel ways!¡±

    ¡°And destroying both in the process, sometimes explosively,¡± Nara noted, staring at the black stains on the ground and ceiling, ¡°You should really clean up. Hardly fit for human habitation, let alone a goddess.¡±

    ¡°I have a purity priest come by every so often to cleanse the place. He says he hates it here and charges a little more every time. What¡¯s so bad about explosive residue?¡±

    ¡°What sort of workshop needs dedicated cleansing by a priest?! Here, catch. At least it doesn¡¯t stink in here.¡±

    There was the usual smell of dust, iron, rust, and wood. She was relieved Henri didn¡¯t try his hand with biological ingredients, although he may yet make Erra¡¯s first wide area chemical weapon. Accidentally. Maybe when trying to concoct an industrial-strength cleaner, should he ever be that self-aware.

    Nara had tossed Henri two gold coins. It was more than enough to run his workshop for a few months. Two gold was a lot, but their whole team was far richer than the average iron ranker, praise be looting abilities.

    ¡°See you later, Henri.¡±

    ¡°Remember to come back and give me money so I don¡¯t starve!¡± He yelled at her back, completely and utterly shameless.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your mother, damn it! Feed yourself!¡±

 Chapter 112: A Non-Optional Review Chapter (Not Actually)

    Chapter 112: A Non-Optional Review Chapter (Not Actually)

    Nara¡¯s appreciation for Lawrence had been thoroughly demonstrated, to his reluctance. Redell¡¯s gift was in the works, but Amara¡¯s gift was unaddressed. Sezan, Chelsea, and Laius had also helped with her rescue.

    Let alone Chelsea, Laius, and Amara, how was she supposed to find a gift for a diamond ranker? She¡¯d have to find something heartfelt. Nara put off gift ideas for now; it may take years, but she swore to figure something out. It¡¯s not like they¡¯d die of old age.

    The oceanside pavilion nebula house had a deck that extended outward into the sea, perfect as a training ground. After dumping in all of her quintessence and even buying more from the market, the nebula house was feeling very livable. Light damage caused by sparring was easily self-repaired; the mimicry stone and wood would briefly transform into cloud stuff, then reform. As long as the house didn¡¯t lose material, it didn¡¯t need replenishment, although Nara kept a stock of cloud and star quintessence on hand.

    Nara was sparring with Sen, although they did not use the ocean deck. Since they both had water-walking abilities, they fought on the surface of the ocean. Managing water walking while sparring was good training. Nara¡¯s abilities formed her into an expert multitasker. Sen, on the other hand, didn¡¯t have many abilities he needed to actively manage, so it was something Nara could help him with.

    Today, Nara was practicing with the staff. She had largely neglected the form. Recent experiences pushed her to develop her defensive skill set. There was nothing she could have done to prevent Aaliyah¡¯s death at the time. In the future, if another team member was at risk, Nara wanted to be there to block the attack. She had the speed. Sen was a reliable frontline brawler, but he could not be expected to block attacks for Eufemia, John, Aliyah, and Encio by himself. Encio was fast enough to not need it most of the time, but he was the squishiest member of the team, after Aliyah.

    Aliyah¡¯s new racial ability did stick improve her survivability somewhat. Encio had Immortality to fall back on, and Aliyah now had Mana Rebirth, previously Magic Affinity.

    --------

    Racial Ability: [Magic Affinity]

    Effects with magic sub-type are enhanced. Boons received with the magic sub-type are enhanced. Increased resistance to same magic sub-type effects.

    Racial Ability: [Mana Rebirth]

    Transfigured from runic Racial Ability [Magic Affinity]. The effects of [Magic Affinity] have been lost.

    When expending mana beyond a moderate threshold, gain an instance of [Vessel of Mana]. Abilities related to mana such as mana recovery, mana drain, and maximum mana have increased effect. Mana gained through your own essence abilities can temporarily exceed the normal maximum. Excess mana depletes over time until the normal maximum is reached. Mana-per-second may be expended to increase attributes, with each attribute and bonus increasing the ongoing mana cost.

    <ul>

    <li>[Vessel of Mana] (boon, magic, stacking): Increased resistance to mana drain abilities. Abilities that consume beyond a moderate mana threshold have increased effect. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    If health reaches a very low threshold, mana and all instances of [Vessel of Mana] are automatically consumed to prevent lethal damage and heal an amount increasing with instances and mana consumed. This effect can trigger once per 24 hours. This effect cannot be prevented or negated.

    At gold rank, this effect may prevent death, triggering once per year.

    -------

    Aliyah had cheerfully theorized the ability should work through ability suppression given the circumstances of her death, but nobody was insane enough to put it to test, not even Sen, who insisted on knowing the ins and outs of abilities. The weakness of the life-saving racial was a the heal scaling with mana and instances of [Vessel of Mana] consumed, which may be very little if Aliyah had no mana left. Thankfully, Aliyah¡¯s various mana-recovery options meant she often had quick options for instant mana, although Sen convinced her to splurge on some extremely fast-acting mana pills in the future, which had lower mana regeneration efficiency but extremely quick effects. She¡¯d need the mana after reviving as well, if she were to have any chance of fighting back.

    More importantly, it gave Aliyah new uses for her mana. Increasing her Power or Speed made Aliyah less of a sitting duck when her teleport was on cooldown. Increased power attribute resulted in more toughness and was a good way to mitigate a hard hit. Since Aliyah had mana in abundance, she could invest it back into the Spirit attribute for more damage. Increasing her own Recovery attribute wasn¡¯t mana efficient except in niche circumstances where she needed to heal from an injury without triggering her death effect. Increasing multiple attributes simultaneously was expensive, but Aliyah often had mana to spare, if she wasn¡¯t pumping up Encio or Sen like a drug supplier. (Aliyah assured Nara that mana had no addictive properties.)

    Staff fighting had a different flow than Nara was used to. With a sword, Nara would make rapid, high damage attacks (mainly from hitting locations of vulnerability). With a staff, Nara needed space to swing. The increased weight and size was more useful for blocking attacks than her sword, which despite the effects of Dream¡¯s Wake, could still be flung away. Against normal opponents it wasn¡¯t an issue, but opponents like Graff and Sen with pure physical strength bodied through the nullifying effects of Dream¡¯s Wake, like lumberjacks pushing over tiny girlfriends just by walking.

    The two engaged in silent and serious sparring, dancing across the top of the calm bay. It was good practice to fight Sen¡ªNara almost always had to fight someone physically stronger than her (and that number increased by one with Aliyah)¡ªonce Nara had gotten used to the frustration of it all. That would change at bronze rank, where body type ceased to matter, and attributes were more magical than physical. Sen would always be the strongest person of the team thanks to his Mighty Strength ability, however.

    Sen gave pointers, but she couldn¡¯t copy his style. His was a vigorous style that leveraged his high strength to solidly block whatever came his way and used the length of the staff unleash devastating focused blows that crushed bone on impact. It was simultaneously offensive and defensive; a style that suited Sen with his high attributes and balanced offensive and defensive capabilities, with both as threats.

    They played around with ability combinations, banning certain abilities to see how it impacted their fighting style. While Eufemia¡¯s cancelling abilities were uncommon, it was something to be on guard against for that very reason. Monster typically didn¡¯t have cancellation abilities, but they may have inherent aspects that made using certain abilities detrimental, like flame to a fire elemental. Practicing losing part of their ability set was just good sense she had heard from all sorts of more experienced adventurers: the academy, Sen and Encio, and her mentors.

    Nara¡¯s greatest weakness was when either Blade of the Boundary was sealed, or if she had a dimensional restriction effect. The first rid her of her two most important afflictions; She could still use Nirvana but could no longer invoke the conjuration¡¯s effects. A dimensional restriction effect such as Inescapable partially denied Nara most of her escape abilities. Which abilities were prevented depended on the specifics of the effect: Since Cosmic Path acted on the gravity around her rather than herself directly, it avoided the restriction of Inescapable, which denied teleportation and non-damaging dimension effects directly on the afflicted. Infinity Domain also escaped this effect¡ªit had always acted on the space around her, rather on herself directly. It was Node Teleport that suffered the greatest restriction.

    Well¡­now Nara felt dramatic. She was quite relieved to find most of her defensive abilities survived unscathed. It was best not to rely on Node Jump anyway, as too much teleporting meant she wasn¡¯t benefiting from Avatar of the Boundary and Astral Return. It had been a grounding exercise, settling some of the skittish prey-instincts within her that felt cornered and trapped without her powers. She glanced at Sen¡ªhad this been his intention?

    As usual, his face was placid and unreadable.

    Nara took a break, doing stretches across the surface of the water. It made her clothes wet, but she appreciated the feeling of water on her skin. Moreover, water-walking was just so cool.

    ¡°You¡¯re feeling better.¡±

    ¡°Always with the statements that should be questions.¡±

    ¡°Am I wrong?¡± There was an amused, vaguely challenging smile there. No, Sen was almost never wrong. How he did that, the world would never know.

    ¡°No, I am feeling better,¡± Nara admitted. She rubbed her wrists, ¡°If I see a portal up close though...¡± She trailed off. Just imagining a portal made her feel nauseous.

    ¡°I understand. Anything else?¡±

    ¡°Anything else?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know what you need help with unless you tell us. It¡¯s what a team is for.¡±

    ¡°Anybody trying to approach or touch me in a non-workplace appropriate way.¡±

    ¡°People usually don¡¯t like that,¡± Sen pointed out.

    ¡°Yeah, but I feel like I might try to rip the offending limb out of its socket if they do.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Is it??¡±

    ¡°As long as you don¡¯t kill anyone,¡± he said with an unbothered shrug. ¡°Anyone lacking sense enough to mess with an adventurer deserves a trip to the church of the healer to check for afflictions compromising their thinking. If you want to justify yourself, you can always pay for the healing. By throwing spirit coins at them.¡±

    ¡°Wow, okay. Noted. That sounds like something Eufemia would enjoy doing.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia has the right idea. You would put up with that in your world?¡±

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s complicated.¡±

    He gave Nara a reassuring nod, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to deal with it, we can deal with it for you. Are bugs okay?¡± Sen continued his questions.

    ¡°They¡¯re fine as long as they¡¯re not trying to insert themselves through my eye.¡±

    ¡°Is that it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying that like I should have more traumas.¡±

    Sen smiled warmly. ¡°No matter how many you have, we can deal with it together.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a cool dude for a teenager, Sen.¡±

    ¡°That last part was unnecessary,¡± he said, crossing his arms, a smidge grumpy, but still smug in his own steady way.

    Sen was 19 now, so he wasn¡¯t even that young of a teenager. Being ¡®technically¡¯ a teenager annoyed him as the youngest member of the team with John in his early 40s, Aliyah in her late 30s, and Eufemia, Encio and Nara in their mid-20s. There was nothing he could do but bear the teasing.

    She still always marveled at his mental steadiness, but he had experienced more in life than by the age of fifteen than Nara had by the age of twenty. It felt a lifetime ago: worrying about student loans, a major she wasn¡¯t particularly interested in, her first job at a pay below she wanted, and shady workplace practices and shitty management, and writing dumb career goals every year for upper management metrics who were entirely disconnected from how the workplace actually operated. What was he worrying about when he was fifteen? The ethics of policies for handling the raiders of Arlang territory? His inability to contribute or change much until he increased his own personal power? What sort of essence user he wanted to be?

    They all had their own paths they walked.

    ¡°You still have the energy to tease me about my age? Was our sparring not challenging enough?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Mistakes were made.¡±

    She instantly spun on her heel in an impressively wasted display of sheer reaction speed, and sprinted into the bay, elevating her speed with Cosmic Path, and leaving ripples in the water like a skipping stone.

    ¡°You dare run from me? You clearly have energy to spare. Come back here, Nara! We aren¡¯t finished yet!¡±

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    *****

    Jiro Asanda settled back into a normal life with his wife Daiyu and his daughter Mio. He didn¡¯t believe he would survive the ordeal¡ªhe had lost all hope of returning alive. Somehow, he and the remaining researchers along with that outworlder had been rescued. They were checked by purity priests for any undue influence on their minds, then released back into the world. They would probably be monitored for a while, but Jiro could not care less. Let the adventurers and the priests worry, he just wanted his normal life back.

    At first, Jiro had been unsure and unwilling to believe. The resolution was so abrupt that he reeled from the situational whiplash, but Jiro thought himself a tough, steady man (relatively speaking). Once he was back with his family, his unwilling cult recruitment was out of sight and out of mind. He had research to conduct, a daughter to raise, and a wife to appreciate.

    Jiro was within his office when he was shocked by a strange, slightly transparent colored light rectangle that appeared in front of his vision.

    -------

    -[Nara Edea] has requested a voice chat.

    -[Accept? Y/N]

    -------

    The rectangle followed his vision as he turned, and his coworkers could not see it. He knew the name very clearly, and accepted, partially of curiosity of the fate of the outworlder.

    ¡°Hey Jiro, hope I called at a good time. Well, I guess called is not quite the right word. Anyway.¡±

    ¡°Nara? What is this?¡±

    ¡°Outworlder racial ability. I have a few fun ones. Anyway, I was wondering if you¡¯d be willing to meet. I have some questions about what happened after I went and sank myself into a lake. And maybe some stuff I want to work through with somebody who shares my experience.¡±

    ¡°¡­I wouldn¡¯t say I share your experience.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s close enough.¡±

    ¡°Again, I would not say it is.¡±

    ¡°So?¡± She apparently decided to ignore his objections.

    ¡°I¡¯m willing to meet. I have questions of my own. There¡¯s a caf¨¦ near the Magic Society tower, Mist-tea Morning.¡±

    ¡°Ooh good choice.¡±

    ¡°You know the place?¡± He was surprised. It was popular with Magic Society researchers, and its essence user prices and long lines of tired, grumbling researchers in need of a pick-me-up and the refreshing bite of jademint tea often kept other folks away.

    ¡°Nah, I just like puns.¡±

    *****

    Jiro had just descended the Magic Society¡¯s tower. He was surprised to see Nara waiting downstairs for him first.

    ¡°I got us a table,¡± she said, gesturing in the general direction of the caf¨¦.

    He nodded and followed her. The plaza beside the Magic Society was busy with foot traffic, as it was often built as a locus of activity. Supplies for experiments, projects, and maintenance were loaded and unloaded into the building, functionaries and officials from various organizations frequently met at the ground level eateries. Researchers strode with purpose or milled about in the nearby park taking a quick break. Some of the devout or priests headed off to the divine square in their spare time.

    The outworlder looked much improved (That wasn¡¯t hard, given that she was previously near catatonic from pain.) She had a mild appearance that didn¡¯t stick out, ordinary if for her faint eyebrows and the black, oddly floating gem earring on her right ear. While ordinary in appearance, she held the distinct magnetism that all well-trained iron rankers started to possess, something Jiro was aware he lacked. As a core user, he hadn¡¯t undergone the training adventurers subjected themselves to. She wore a style that was unusual in Sanshi, but Jiro didn¡¯t know fashion well enough to know from where. With a glace he could tell of the quality¡ªsimply, it was the quality of clothing sold to well-off adventurers. Pockets heavy with coin, their tailored clothing used the highest quality material as well as magical enhancements for durability, self-cleaning, self-repair, climate adaptation, and self-drying. For an iron ranker, she was doing very well for herself. It made him relieved, somehow, that she wouldn¡¯t suffer the poverty iron rankers often struggled through on top of what she had already experienced.

    Notably, he noticed two diamond shaped scars on her wrists. He glimpsed them under her sleeves, but didn¡¯t know if she was intentionally covering them or not.

    ¡°Thanks for meeting me out here on such short notice,¡± she said after ordering some tea for the table and a few snacks. Jiro was feeling peckish and gladly partook.

    ¡°Rather, I¡¯m surprised you got here so early.¡±

    ¡°Another outworlder ability,¡± Nara said. ¡°I can pretty much go wherever I want, if I¡¯ve been there before.¡±

    He noted it but did not ask further. Any thought of her as a subject of research, even willing, sent a nauseating twist through his stomach. ¡°Why did you want to meet with me? It is not entirely unexpected, but I would not call us more than acquaintances.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going first? Hm, well...¡± Nara leaned back, holding her teacup and enjoying the aroma and flavor for a moment. ¡°It was a relief that some of you survived. I had been told The Advent usually left no survivors.¡±

    ¡°They leave no survivors?¡± Jiro said, horrified. The reaction was lesser now that time had passed. He still had to remind himself that he was safe, and that he was with his family again.

    ¡°I knew about it before we were abducted,¡± Nara said. ¡°My familiar, Sage¡ª¡± she gestured, and a floating silver robe rose from the ground, who gave a neat bow of acknowledgement ¡°¡ªhad some prior knowledge of The Advent and how they operate. We told the Adventure Society, and they were working on a response before all that.¡±

    The robe bowed in greeting, ¡°It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Asanda.¡±

    ¡°Likewise.¡± After her brief greeting, the familiar disappeared in a shimmer of light.

    She folded her hands, her smile fading from her face. ¡°All that means is I thought I had abandoned you all for death when I sank myself in the lake. I told them killing you all was pointless, even though they had, up until that point, killed everyone who had not joined them. It¡¯s too optimistic to think they were indefinitely imprisoning people.¡±

    Jiro processed the new information, then realized: ¡°You¡¯re not responsible for what they could have done to us.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t adventurers supposed to protect other?¡±

    ¡°Not at the cost of their life.¡± It was after all, a topic that is rehashed every so often. There are always disgruntled people that have lost someone, to monster waves, to criminals, to dark forces, who argue and claim that adventurers have not done enough. Perhaps some adventurers do not¡ªthe nobles who are adventurers in name only¡ªbut the Adventure Society was a volunteer organization. The regional city guards, it was their job to protect. This point had been argued over and over, debated and picked over repeatedly, that almost everyone had attended or read some sort of opinion piece on the topic, and they¡¯d all collectively groan whenever someone new tried to bring it up, as if they were the only person who had ever lost a loved one. Adventurers could be removed for doing nothing but would not be punished for trying; it was inevitably, how those do-nothing core-fattened nobles were eventually disgraced. The line between willing and forced sacrifice was thin. Adventurers would report for duty in times of crisis, but they could not be forced to self-sacrifice. It was a line resolutely drawn in the morals of Erras.

    Nara had been told this many times before, but she was surprised to see non-adventurers (or at least non-combat essence users) share the same sentiment. The strong protected the weak did not mean the strong self-sacrificed for the weak. Her mind was polluted by media of Earth¡ªheroic sacrifices, last stands, desperate gambits. They weren¡¯t expected in reality. Heroes were what they were¡ªheroic¡ªbecause they were not the norm. Nara wasn¡¯t heroic.

    She felt guilty for her decision to ignore the life and death of the other researchers, yet she felt no remorse. In the same situation, she would make the same decision. Saving Aliyah was the best she could do. In a decision between captivity and death, she¡¯d always choose death. Problem is that option kept getting taken away.

    Give me liberty or give me death should be her new motto. Culturally appropriate: America, fuck yeah!

    ¡°I had thought you drowned yourself in the lake after the death of Aliyah,¡± Jiro said. ¡°I was surprised to see you fished out of there.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Aliyah¡¯s alive. I forgot to mention that.¡±

    Jiro laughed a smidge maniacally. ¡°I¡¯ve seen her around! Imagine my shock when I saw her walking the halls of the Magic Society good as new, as alive as anybody else! I was surprised to see you alive, too.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­I guess the fact that outworlders don¡¯t need to breath isn¡¯t common knowledge.¡± She gestured to her torso, then her head, ¡°No heart, no lungs, no brains. Zip, zero, nada.¡±

    Aliyah had known since her focus was on magical arrays and astral magic. Jiro didn¡¯t care about the higher theoretical magics; his focus was on magics that could shape and reinforce the physical.

    They paused for a moment, both appreciated the free wheeling birds and their morning song. The magic screens of The Advent facility hadn¡¯t been so evocative, illusory and dead, a desert mirage of a painful dream.

    ¡°I have some thoughts on why they left us alive,¡± he said abruptly, interrupting the lulling calm.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve gotten you thinking?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t help myself. I am a researcher. It¡¯s what I do,¡± he said wryly. ¡°After you said your piece and left, oddly they left us entirely alone. They just stopped caring. They were usually focused on a specific task. I could sense it¡ªbut we had no idea what they cared so much about. As for that astral space base, I don¡¯t think they cared if it was discovered. Maybe your ultimatum spared us, or maybe they lost the need for secrecy. I¡¯m not sure¡­¡±

    ¡°Did Ceram survive?¡±

    ¡°An Adventist retrieved him later. I don¡¯t know what happened to him¡­Do you want him dead?¡±

    Jiro didn¡¯t know what compelled him to ask. Killing others was distant for a researcher like him. He¡¯d killed monsters before; most essence users have, even if he was a core user. To be fair, even scrunched grandmothers have killed lesser monsters in their indignant rage over the pests that munched on their carefully cultivated gardens.

    Nara pondered this thought. At the time, she would have tried to kill him, but she had to focus Aliyah¡¯s retrieval. Nara was a mild person whose extreme emotions usually faded quickly; she couldn¡¯t help it, anger was exhausting. But if she had the chance, would she kill him?

    ¡°I might.¡± It was the best answer she could offer. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t sacrifice anything to kill him, but if I had the chance, I would take it.¡±

    Jiro didn¡¯t expect that. The image of Nara taking apart a bronze ranker with a needle and a dagger in single-minded icy focus was seared into his mind with a cold light. ¡°You scared me shitless at the time, and I wasn¡¯t even on the receiving end of your attack.¡± He reevaluated her now, the cold rage overlayed with the woman placidly enjoying tea, savoring the fresh air just as he. ¡°You¡¯re a calmer person than I thought.¡±

    ¡°Not calm,¡± Nara said. ¡°I just don¡¯t have the energy for continuous emotional rage.¡±

    ¡°Tired then?¡± Jiro chuckled. ¡°At your age?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m an old woman inside,¡± She smiled like it was something secret, a joke he wasn¡¯t in on.

    ¡°Are you?¡± Jiro asked, something niggling his curiosity.

    ¡°No. I mean, probably not? It¡¯s complicated. Did you managed to hear anything about this ¡®focus¡¯ of theirs?¡±

    Jiro shook his head, ¡°They were free with information on how their organization supposedly operates, yet kept quiet on their plans for us. It was unnerving. I¡¯ve already told the Adventure Society all that I know.¡±

    With tea sipped and treats snacked, the worst part of Jiro¡¯s life resolved, as quiet and unassuming as he hoped the rest of his life would be. He prayed that Pain would be satisfied with his tithes, to pass him into Peace¡¯s safe embrace, that all he¡¯d suffer was project crunch times, the frustrations of his superiors, the uncertainties of a father raising a growing daughter, and eventually, long into the twilight of his life, the ails of old age.

    *****

    Jiro departed from their impromptu meeting, leaving Nara to ponder her thoughts and emotions. A bit of self-reflection was healthy (come heavily recommended by Redell), so Nara dove her hands into the lake of her mind, pulling objects to study them.

    She used to be an ordinary STEM worker with a full-time job in the tech industry. She had a rude awakening to the wider cosmos, then outworlder¡¯d herself a new body into reality. In just a few days, by the generosity and rather pushy advice of four of Innovation¡¯s Retreat (perhaps with slightly ulterior motives on Amara¡¯s side), she became an essence user and started her adventurer training.

    She met Sen and Aliyah, then later Encio, Eufemia, and John, and they formed a party due to shared interests and good first impressions.

    The advice of the Amara to embark on the path of an essence user was good advice; she needed a higher rank to cast the rituals that inter-dimensional travel usually required. Her adventures led her to the Celestial Book trials, as suggested to her by the god, Traveler. There, she achieved victory over her mimic, gained the information of a library the size of a football field, and met Sage and later Chrome.

    Afterwards, they confronted Oswald about the lazy management of the trials then took a break in Esmera-Mar to get their immortal crests. They received important training from Maya, Sen¡¯s older sister and the Arlang heiress, who ¡®forced¡¯ them to pair up with team members they were weak with, and use creativity with their abilities. Along the way, she learnt a quote-book-full of adventurer wisdom: Adventurers did not need to practice for their strengths; they trained for disaster. Along with his sister, Sen was constantly pushing the team to train in their weaknesses.

    After a battle with Vallis in the Academy¡¯s mirage chamber, they took on their first 2-star contract, where they engaged Graff, a bandit leader who had been attacking solo and duo adventurers to steal their equipment and loot their bodies. Beside the Celestial Book trial, it was one of Nara¡¯s first encounters with the dangers that adventurers faced, as well as the first time she made the decision to kill somebody, and follow through. They could have reported the bandits and left them for a different higher ranking adventurer to handle, but they chose to engage Graff instead.

    Erras¡¯ culture focused greatly on personal responsibility. Not much was expected of iron rankers, but the high your rank the more you were personally responsible for. It was impossible to fully control adventurers; instead, as long as they didn¡¯t murder innocents or unduly commit crime, much was permitted. If you made a decision, you took responsibility for that outcome, whatever the consequences may be.

    Graff and his brother were captured where they were executed by the Adventure Society, and Roan Sei¡¯s body, and the other dead adventurers, were returned to their families.

    A month later, the team set out on the Astral Space Expedition together with many other iron rank adventurers. Their experience in the Celestial Book Expedition prepared them for swarms, and they handled the experience readily. The situation was complicated by Zariel-laat, who had a proposal not only for the expedition, but for the entirely of Erras. Nara discovered that Zariel¡¯s motivations had been to stymie the progress of The Advent indirectly. The Illusae were infiltration specialists, living amongst others as natives, and possessed information about the threat of The Advent. Zinnia Helianthae, the Continental Council representative, was dispatched to establish diplomatic relations with Zariel¡¯s people in the region of Sanshi.

    Upon return to Sanshi, Aliyah and Nara had been abducted by The Advent. There, she met several other captured researchers and Lina, who was instructed by Hellis Fallen, the operations commander, to give her special attention to her invention of a technique in soul magic as well as the knowledge contained in her Guide ability.

    After her escape attempt, Raina Bow, the gold ranker of The Advent recaptured her and investigated her aura for Nara¡¯s ability to shake off ability suppression.

    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Nara thought out loud. ¡°Why didn¡¯t they just use a higher rank suppression collar?¡±

    Rain Bow had chosen to force the suppression shackles upon Nara; a suppression artifact which assaulted Nara with constant burning pain and life energy. The suppression shackles provided the life force and fire energy necessary for Nara to survive the nightmare beetles.

    If they had just used a bronze rank suppression collar, Nara would not have been able to escape. At the time, Raina and Hellis hadn¡¯t known that Sanshi had the capabilities to locate them, so what drove her to use crueler methods? They were far too intelligent and far too fixed in their creed to use torture on a whim. Raina claimed it hurt her to torture Nara, even with an indirect method such as the beetles. If they were willing to wait months for people to enter the portal, why hadn¡¯t they waited for Nara?

    It was bullshit that Raina felt her pain, but their extreme methods were indicative of something else. They had, after all, chastised Ceram at Lina¡¯s behest originally. They later set Ceram off as a method to push Nara over the edge.

    Maybe Nara was overthinking it, yet her instincts told her she was not.

    Nara would pay a visit to the captured Raina Bow: What did she know? Or, what did she think she knew?

    She¡¯d try at least; she had no idea if the Adventure Society would let her.

 Chapter 113: The Names of Songs that Donéˆ¥æª› Exist

    Chapter 113: The Names of Songs that Don¡¯t Exist

    ¡°You want to visit Raina Bow? I cannot recommend it,¡± Zinnia told the iron ranker and her team sitting across from her.

    ¡°Is that a yes?¡± Nara said hopefully.

    ¡°No! Why in ravager¡¯s gaping maw you want to visit the person who tortured you?¡±

    ¡°Catharsis?¡± She suggested unconvincingly.

    ¡°Try again.¡±

    ¡°I think there¡¯s something more I can learn from her. Maybe something you haven¡¯t though to ask. I was there for three weeks. Part of it, delirious, but I may know more than anyone else out there. They gave me special treatment.¡±

    ¡°Some ¡®Special Treatment¡¯,¡± Zinnia scoffed. She raised an eyebrow and leaned back, ¡°The Adventure Society¡¯s truth drugs are thorough. You think you have anything additional you can weasel out of her?¡±

    ¡°Not something the Adventure Society would fine useful, to be honest. It¡¯s for myself.¡±

    Zinnia tipped back in her chair precariously, spinning around on a single chair leg in a way that unintentionally exhibited the perfect bodily control of gold rankers. She was Inception¡¯s spinning top, every wobbly but never falling, no matter how far she tilted herself.

    She stood up in a flash, sending the chair clattering to the floor and eliciting a flinch from Nara.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve decided. Let¡¯s go!¡±

    The Adventure Society had dungeons, because of course they did. Where else would they keep captured criminals, and where else was more secure than the headquarters of the adventure society?

    It was a refreshingly typical dungeon (that didn¡¯t pretend to be anything but a dungeon) with stone walls inscribed with innumerous magical arrays that blocked teleportation, communication, auras, perception, detection, and external magic. It was the single most secure location Nara had seen; aside from a diamond ranker¡¯s abode. They were the security. (In that case, Sezan¡¯s house was the single most secure location she had ever visited.)

    Nara could only sense the hum of the magics, but Aliyah¡¯s deep expression mixed of curiosity and morbid intensity of a doctor observing a rabies patient told her all she needed to know. Mirroring Aliyah¡¯s focus, Nara¡¯s guide flickered to a stop the lower she descended. She wondered if the protections could stop her astral jump but didn¡¯t put it to the test.

    The only way the dungeon was not typical was that it was clean. There was, blessed be Purity, no smell of defecation, vomit, or blood, or any other unmentionable fluids that a body could produce to paint the walls. Despite whatever The Advent thought of Erras as a whole, the Adventure Society and Erras¡¯ modern societal structure weren¡¯t savages, and the barred cells were cleans and comfortable, for what they were.

    Almost all of the cells were empty; Sanshi didn¡¯t need to use their dungeons often. Ordinary criminals had ordinary prisons, and iron rank and bronze rank suppression collars were enough for the vast majority of Sanshi¡¯s troubles. The dungeons were intended for essence users.

    Raina Bow was chained to a wall, a thick suppression collar around her neck. Thick metal rods inscribed with complex runes pierced through her hands, chest, and thighs in a dark reflection of Nara¡¯s own imprisonment (which was not comfortable, but suppression at high ranks became a bit tricky). Gold rank healing had long closed her flesh up around the rods; a stake through the heart wasn¡¯t enough to kill a gold ranker, not by a long shot. Raina raised her head, dark wavy hair and deep, swirling irises of brown creating the image of a trapped but unbroken heroine.

    She is the villain, Nara told herself, no matter how tragically beautiful she looks.

    ¡°You¡­¡± she said, her voice clear that the inherent strength and vitality of a gold ranker was difficult to squash, ¡°Why are you here? You can even bear to see me after what we did to you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re self-aware then? How about stopping there instead of doing the awful torture?¡± Nara sighed, ¡°I¡¯m actually a pretty chill person. What I did to Ceram ain¡¯t all that representative.¡±

    She chuckled. ¡°You can push aside your memories of pain to focus on the task at hand. You¡¯re more suited to join the Harmony than you think.¡±

    Nara internally groaned. Do they ever stop their proselytizing? ¡°I¡¯ll pass. No hard feelings. It¡¯s just not for me. I had your free trial of Harmony Plus and I¡¯m not interested in the premium subscription.¡±

    Nara conjured a chair and sat down across from the chained Adventist. Her team members looked on in a mix of worry and anticipation.

    ¡°So? What are you here for miss Edea?¡±

    ¡°I was thinking over things, as people do, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what drove you so far? At first, my treatment was special, but it was peaceful. What did you see that changed your approach?¡±

    ¡°Why would I tell you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the answer,¡± Nara said, ¡°because if it¡¯s what I suspect you¡¯re interested in, it¡¯s better if more people know.¡±

    Gold rankers thought quickly, and Raina made her decision, ¡°I sensed a connection to the astral within your soul. I had only seen such a connection in gestalts, the Messengers. But you are not a gestalt.¡±

    ¡°A gestalt?¡±

    ¡°One combined of body and soul,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°If you¡¯re unaware, the Messengers are born ageless, fully grown, and with culture and knowledge. The call themselves superior for it,¡± Raina said, helpfully filling in for an outworlder.

    ¡°They¡¯re your enemies?¡± Nara could hear the distaste in Raina¡¯s voice.

    ¡°They regard as all other races as servants and lesser. Fundamentally, we believe everyone is equal. Some may hold positions of power, but all are necessary for a functioning society, and all deserve to live.¡±

    ¡°Damn bro, like if you just seriously stopped kidnapping people and suborning worlds, you¡¯d be pretty cool.¡±

    Encio gave her an incredulous look.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°They just kidnapped you and tortured you. I know you¡¯ve said you¡¯re ¡®chill¡¯, but isn¡¯t this far too lax? Are you serious?¡±

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°I hate working and they have a nice work-life balance. If I were to believe their propaganda videos, which I don¡¯t.¡±

    Raina rolled her eyes, ¡°And my answer?¡±

    ¡°You think she needs to give anything back to you?¡± Eufemia shot back.

    ¡°Nah it¡¯s fine. I need just a little more to figure out what exactly you¡¯re asking for. Why exactly are you interested in that connection? It¡¯s not as if others don¡¯t have it, as you¡¯ve mentioned.¡±

    ¡°We seek to equalize the difference between essence users and non-essence users,¡± Raina said, ¡°It is life¡¯s greatest inequality. The amount of essences is forever limited. Just as it vexes your world, it vexes ours¡ªwe cannot create essence no more than you can. We have developed methods to equalize this imbalance, such as procedures to extend lifespans, but they are stopgaps for the agelessness and born silver rank Messengers inherently possess.¡±

    ¡°You said 300 years, right? That¡¯s not bad. Longer than a bronze ranker, even. That¡¯s not enough?¡±

    ¡°While there are those more than content with 300, there are always those that wish to live longer. Should we not offer it?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that have to do with me though?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it?¡± Raina said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you immortal?¡±

    ¡°Am I?¡±

    The entire group stared at her.

    ¡°No seriously, am I? If I¡¯m not exactly like the messengers, just similar, how do you know that?¡±

    Raina made a face like she had bitten into an unexpectedly bitter grape, her thoughts moving at computer processing speeds. ¡°I may have¡­ jumped to conclusions,¡± Raina slowly and reluctantly admitted.

    ¡°Wow. You think?¡± Nara said sarcastically, her words stabbing nails into Raina¡¯s overeager heart.

    ¡°If not immortality, why do you have such a link to the astral?¡± Raina said, tempering her disappointment.

    ¡°Racial ability,¡± Nara said, ¡°Outworlder stuff. All you have to do is just outworlder yourself. I¡¯m sure you know of a way to do it.¡±

    ¡°We do,¡± Raina admitted, ¡°Although survival isn¡¯t guaranteed.¡±

    ¡°Now John doesn¡¯t have an ability like that¡ª"

    ¡°Now wait right there, Nara,¡± John protested. ¡°Don¡¯t bring her sniffing onto my trail.¡±

    ¡°¡ªSo it¡¯s up to luck.¡±

    ¡°What is the ability that created such a link?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a¡­mini dimensional space of my own? I can go there and sleep. It¡¯s a safe haven. Pretty appropriate for an outworlder lost in space. I can access it whenever and wherever, and it doubles as my inventory.¡±

    Dimensional inventories for outworlders were common. A dimensional space that could be entered was rare, but not unheard of. Nara wasn¡¯t telling Raina the full truth; From their conversation Nara had realized something that was kept secret from her, for her own good. Raina didn¡¯t need to know. What she said about her Astral Domain was inaccurate but not untrue, and Raina didn¡¯t have her aura verify if Nara was lying.

    Even if she did, Nara didn¡¯t feel like she was lying, which is all that actually mattered. Eufemia¡¯s perception had helped the team figure out what they could and couldn¡¯t get away with against more powerful senses.

    ¡°Does that answer your question?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes, it does.¡±

    ¡°I really got tortured for a misunderstanding,¡± Nara said, sounding very put upon. Because she had been.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just for that,¡± Raina denied, ¡°The information you hold is plenty valuable. You endured it well.¡±

    ¡°Wow. Thanks,¡± Nara said dryly.

    ¡°Are we all done here?¡± Zinnia said. ¡°That was disappointingly amicable. If you asked me to hit her, to release some pent up stress I would have.¡±

    ¡°I guess I can¡¯t hit her,¡± Nara said, staring at her hand like it had disappointed her with its fragility, ¡°I would break my bones on her skin. Snap, crackle, pop.¡±

    ¡°I can still hit her. We don¡¯t have to be done yet,¡± Zinnia offered with poorly concealed enthusiasm.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the case,¡± Aliyah corrected, ¡°Unless the gold ranker has retributive protections, you¡¯d have to hit them hard enough to break your own bones in the first place. You won¡¯t do damage, but you won¡¯t necessarily hurt yourself. Otherwise, they¡¯d break doors just by using them. Even then, depending on the details of the ability, it¡¯d have to be dangerous enough to even register as an attack.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°Why do you sound disappointed? Did you want to break your hand?¡± said Eufemia, ¡°What is wrong with you?¡±

    *****

    Nara was partially hoping Raina would escape and tell the rest of The Advent what Nara had fed her; They might leave her alone in the future. Nara hoped they wouldn¡¯t target her again, but she couldn¡¯t be sure. If Raina had sent a message to the rest of The Advent believing she had found a clue to immortality¡­something much worse might be coming for her.

    Unless the Adventure Society intentionally let her escape, it was a snowball¡¯s chance in hell she¡¯d escape from the deep dark dim dank dungeon.

    She sat in a comfortable outdoor chair on her balcony patio, lute in hand, gazing upon the moons and the stars stretching over the dark ocean. Her room was at the top of her water top pavilion. With all the plants she added, the pavilion fully represented both halves of the word ¡®greenhouse¡¯. Flowering trees with pastel buds of white, pink, and lavender grew created dappled shade, soft fern leaves brushed at uncovered ankles. A miniature water feature formed water walls; resultant pond adorned with jewel lotuses and lily pads.

    Nara absentmindedly picked a song on her lute to match her moonlight mood. Nara sensed Aliyah at her door before she knocked.

    ¡°Come on in, door¡¯s open.¡±

    The door misted away into cloud stuff. The free form base material meant that construction didn¡¯t follow ordinary conventions or physical restrictions.

    Aliyah sat down beside Nara on chair on the terrace. Nara poured Aliyah a cup of jadebrew sake, one of Sanshi¡¯s specialty alcohols. Nara wasn¡¯t much of a drinker except when the mood was right. Today, it was.

    ¡°Sen sensed something odd during the questioning today.¡±

    ¡°Did he?¡± Nara chuckled, already expecting Aliyah¡¯s response.

    ¡°Something is off.¡± Aliyah mimicked Sen¡¯s confident baseless statements that were entirely accurate. ¡°I think I¡¯m the only one that figured it out. I¡¯ve poured over all the racial abilities you¡¯ve shown us. The others don¡¯t have my penchant for detail.¡±

    ¡°Complimenting yourself?¡±

    ¡°We can all learn a little from Eufemia and Encio. Self-love is good, and I know my strengths. Physical combat is not one of them, but technical detail and theoretical intricacies are. Sen¡¯s slowly transforming the first not into a not skill¡­but an acceptable competency.¡±

    ¡°And? What is if your astute mind has divined?¡±

    ¡°Would you show me your Astral Traveler ability again?¡±

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Astral Traveler]

    Transfigured from [Outworlder] ability [Astral Affinity].

    Increased resistance to dimension effects and astral forces. Dimension abilities have increased effect and transcendent damage is increased. This is a legacy effect of [Astral Affinity].

    If your body is discorporated, your soul will return to your [Astral Domain]. You may reinhabit physical reality upon the recreation of a physical body.

    Within the astral you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of physical reality around you.

    Within physical reality you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of the astral around you.

    You are able to sense and enter coterminous dimensional spaces. Your presence stabilizes unstable dimensional spaces.

    You are able to enter and traverse the astral.

    -------

    ¡°The retreaters didn¡¯t tell me, but they probably knew what you figured out from the start,¡± Nara said, ¡°If my body is destroyed, my soul returns to my Astral Domain.¡±

    ¡°You said your astral domain is your soul. I¡¯ve felt it.¡±

    ¡°It is. This¡­me,¡± Nara said, gesturing to herself, ¡°Is like the conscious mind of my soul. The other part is more subconscious, unless I¡¯m there. Which means when my body is destroyed, the mind is just rejoining the whole. The bear goes back to its den.¡±

    ¡°Raina wasn¡¯t lying then, you are immortal.¡±

    ¡°Maybe? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m testing it. Whose to say the astral domain can¡¯t be destroyed? I tore my soul apart and by the whims of the great astral currents enough of it flowed back together to form a conscious entity again. Maybe there¡¯s something that can take a few whacks at my soul to send the whole paper mach¨¦ pi?ata crashing to the ground to be savaged by squabbling children for my soul candy innards.¡±

    Aliyah pursed her lips and decided it was more effort than it was worth for an explanation of a ¡®paper mach¨¦ pi?ata¡¯.

    ¡°Moreover,¡± Nara continued, ¡°I have no idea how long it¡¯d take to recreate a physical body. I borrowed Amara¡¯s ritual last time¡ªand I found it with Chrome¡¯s inter-cosmic google search array.¡±

    ¡°The astral divination array.¡±

    ¡°The inter-cosmic¡ª¡±

    ¡°The astral divination array,¡± Aliyah insisted.

    Nara narrowed her eyes, ¡°I did the ritual, so I get to name it.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Her staunch rejection resembled her equally stubborn student.

    ¡°Boo.¡± She pouted. ¡°You¡¯re no fun. Anyway, even if Amara casts her ritual again when I die, there¡¯s no guarantee I can find that ritual. Luck was an aspect of the first ritual, and I don¡¯t know if I can identify the ritual¡¯s caster¡ªI wouldn¡¯t know which ritual would be the right ritual to get back here.¡±

    ¡°If you die, it may be the last we see of you, and you of us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s the same for everybody else, so it ain¡¯t all that different,¡± Nara smiled, ¡°Everybody is trying not to die. I think I may try to write a song with a name like that.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t the order reversed?¡±

    ¡°My order was reversed,¡± Nara said. ¡°Immortality first, then diamond rank.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not diamond rank.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t die permanently. I¡¯ll get there eventually.¡± Nara held her hand up to the sky and snapped dramatically. ¡°I am inevitable. So I may as well write the names for songs that don¡¯t exist. I¡¯ll get around to it.¡±

 Chapter 114: Crystal Quarry 6

    Chapter 114: Crystal Quarry 6

    After two weeks of monster contracts to oil up Nara¡¯s rusty combat gears, the team was ready to jump back into something more challenging. As usual, John¡¯s unique skill set of investigation meant that their team had the unique tools to tackle contracts other iron rankers avoided.

    -----

    [Two-star Contract¡ªInvestigation of Crystal Quarry 6]

    Villagers and dead bodies have periodically gone missing in Crystal Quarry 6. The cause was originally written off as bandits or monsters, but the regularity of the disappearances have been suspect. Prior investigation has turned up inconclusive.

    Reward: Adjusted based on result.

    -----

    ¡°Not bandits this time then? Like a certain medieval television show?¡± Nara asked. ¡°It¡¯s usually just bandits.¡±

    The team ignored the second question.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think bandits have a reason to steal dead bodies¡ª¡±

    ¡°You know back on Earth a few hundred years ago the poor would exhume bodies and sell them to medical examiners¡ª¡°

    ¡°Bandits usually don¡¯t have a reason to steal dead bodies from morgues.¡± John amended. ¡°Because bodies in a morgue have all of their possessions stored away already.¡±

    ¡°Especially not bodies of villagers,¡± Eufemia continued. ¡°They would not have anything of value.¡±

    ¡°It has to be for other nefarious purposes then. What sort of nefarious purposes does this world get up to that you¡¯d need a dead body for? You have things like sacrifices? Cannibalism? Occult rituals? I know you have summonings for sure; just look at John.¡±

    ¡°Usually use you living people for sacrifices,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Life force is the integral component in a sacrifice.¡±

    Eufemia narrowed her eyes at Aliyah suspiciously, ¡°And how do you know that?¡±

    ¡°Oh please, it¡¯s not that hard to guess. And using life force in a ritual isn¡¯t problematic as long as its your own.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah Sahar,¡± said Sen chidingly.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t actually use my own life force in a sacrifice ritual, I¡¯m just saying that it¡¯s perfectly ethical. In limited circumstances. Hypothetically, if I wanted to.¡±

    (Sen cast her a sideways glance that communicated, I¡¯m keeping my eye on you because I don¡¯t trust you. Aliyah rolled her eyes as if to say, it¡¯s nothing that the Adventure Society has banned. Sen glared back, That¡¯s not the point.)

    ¡°I guess doctors did experiment on themselves back on Earth,¡± Nara said, ¡°They¡¯d give themselves an illness then test the cure.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± said John cheerily, adapting extraordinarily quickly, a skill forged in the streets of Nekroz. ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way. It doesn¡¯t seem so morally bankrupt now.¡±

    ¡°Magic makes everything sound more ominous,¡± Nara said. ¡°I mean really, is injecting the almost dead matter of a virus in order to develop an immunity to it much better?¡± Nara paused, ¡°If you all just cleanse away the viruses, then does that mean the people here have no viral resistances?¡±

    ¡°That could be bad,¡± John mused. ¡°Thankfully, that crisis was averted. We were reborn fresh as a baby¡¯s bum.¡±

    Because they had been outworlded, their bodies were blank slates and carried no viruses or illnesses.

    ¡°I¡¯d know, I¡¯m American. Actually, isn¡¯t that the British¡¯s fault first at first? Everything is usually Britain¡¯s fault historically, and America¡¯s fault in the present.¡±

    ¡°The Great British Empire has committed many atrocities over her lifespan,¡± John said, ¡°And one of those atrocities is America,¡± he joked. ¡°You threw out perfectly good tea.¡±

    ¡°To be fair, I tried some of that historical tea and it tasted pretty bad. It deserved to be thrown into the sea. Who thought ¡®smoked tea¡¯ was a good idea? Of course it was the goddam British. I¡¯d never throw out perfectly good Sanshi tea. British food and British tea both belong in the bottom of the ocean. Bangers and mash,¡± Nara said, shaking her head with disgust. ¡°Beans on toast.¡±

    ¡°You take that back.¡± John lips thinned into a grim line, mortally offended. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with beans on toast. It¡¯s a comprehensive breakfast staple.¡±

    ¡°My god, your wife cooks, doesn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°I help!¡± John protested. He turned towards the team for support which he would not find. ¡°It wasn¡¯t that bad, was it?¡±

    ¡°John, there¡¯s a reason you¡¯re banned from the kitchen,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°It isn¡¯t because your food is ¡®to die for¡¯. If that¡¯s your cultural food, I¡¯m on Nara¡¯s side.¡±

    Sen crossed his arms. ¡°I like our current arrangement.¡±

    ¡°What arrangement?¡± said John.

    ¡°The familiar cooks, and you don¡¯t.¡±

    *****

    In recent years, Crystal Quarry 6 had grown in population, pocketed in a region of low mana quantity and quality that generally prevented monsters from straying too close or from manifesting within the town. While the arrays that most cities and towns used warded monsters, they did not stop direct manifestations in town. Frequent array and magic use disturbed ambient magic, which lowered the rate of manifestation in population centers. Essence users would generally just kill monsters on sight within the city. With ample healers and essence users, the damage was contained. One of the signs of a monster wave was direct monster manifestations within in a city, as the strengthened dimensional barrier brought increased mana saturation that overcame the mana disturbance generated by array and magic use.

    If a monster began to manifest in a city, the people of Erras had long been taught to run away, drilled into them like fire evacuations in elementary school. Monster manifestation took longer depending on the strength of the monster, but even iron rank monsters required a few minutes before they fully manifested. Like ¡®stop, drop, and roll¡¯, the reaction to run at manifestation was taught to every child of Erras, at home and in education (if applicable). Unless it was a normal rank monster, in which case one could freely punt it with their shovel. Erras residents had a learned sense for how long a normal rank monster took to manifest; anything longer than that was trouble. Some would stick around however, hoping to get their lucky break with a manifesting essence or awakening stone. At iron rank, perhaps, it was still worth the risk.

    ¡°With a growing population,¡± Encio continued his recitation of the attributes of the growing township. ¡°It¡¯s reasonable that they wrote off the disappearances. It could have been any number of reasons. The town is pretty far from Sanshi as well. Over three days of travel.¡±

    ¡°No wonder the contract has been unclaimed.¡± Eufemia sighed, ¡°Who wants to spend three days traveling out into the country?¡±

    ¡°A town of that size will likely have an Adventure Society outpost. We¡¯ll be able to gather some preliminary information there.¡±

    Outposts were far smaller versions of an Adventure Society branch, usually operated by one or two locals with no official power. Their jobs were to post and update contracts and assist the adventurers in the area. Outpost positions were paid for by the main branch, in this case Sanshi. They ended up being comfortable and enviable jobs within small towns (and in some cases a political position, as the unscrupulous could attempt to control communication between the outpost and the main branch or hide contracts of rivals and enemies.)

    ¡°I could try to astral jump there in advance,¡± Nara said. ¡°Stake out the place.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Sen shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ll be taking other contracts on our way there.¡±

    ¡°Best not miss out then.¡± Nara agreed.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we travel there as fast as possible?¡± John said, ¡°There are people dying from this unknown threat.¡± As always, he fielded his life-first moral imperative. They expected no less from their healer.

    ¡°Lives are always at stake,¡± Sen said firmly. ¡°These monster contracts are not meaningless.¡± He pointed to the map, tracing out the route they would take. ¡°This is a primary trade route, up towards the north-east. The route is usually well-maintained, but the lesser trade roads we need to travel are not. Eliminating these monsters keep the roads safe.¡±

    ¡°Other adventurers can do that.¡±

    ¡°They could,¡± Sen acknowledged, and he waited for John to respond, in his usual weighty silence, expression unflappable. But Sen was the local here, and John had a feeling this was an argument already lost.

    John sighed, ¡°If the contracts are still available, no one has taken them.¡±

    Sen waited.

    ¡°We take the contracts,¡± John agreed. He had just been out-argued by a twenty-year-old. Sen was no ordinary twenty-year-old, and John was younger in this world than him. He felt oddly conflicted, yet strangely reassured.

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    ¡°It¡¯s decided,¡± said Sen, standing. ¡°I will make the arrangements at the Society. Nara, you are in charge of acquisitions. Sage, you¡¯ve been making a list of necessary items?¡±

    ¡°I have, Mister Arlang,¡± Sage said, manifesting. Because Nara couldn¡¯t be trusted to make a comprehensive list and even then, to remember to purchase all the items on it. Thankfully, she had two adults she could depend on, Sage and Chrome.

    (And Thanatos, of course, good boy.)

    ¡°Split up the item list between the rest of the team. We¡¯ll meet tomorrow, at 5 am.¡±

    Eufemia groaned at the early start time but didn¡¯t otherwise verbally protest.

    *****

    The issue of ¡®getting there in time¡¯ was an age-long issue for iron rankers. Once essence users hit bronze rank, portals were the fastest method of travel, if an essence user in the party had a portal ability.

    Sanshi¡¯s small scale transportation was worse than Earth¡¯s transportation. Skimmers had lower top speeds than cars. Their air transportation was superior, with sky ships able to haul large amounts of material and people through the air. It was nowhere near the top speed of a plane, but also more efficient and less polluting. As for top speed, fighter jets were only matched by diamond rankers who could literally jump to the moon as if they were merely stopping by to visit a neighbor a few blocks down.

    High magic regions had monster detection grids. A low magic region like Sanshi, however, could not sustain the expensive large scale array. With limited communication technology, they had to rely on snail mail (or familiar carriers, which could have impressive speeds, if paid for.)

    John wasn¡¯t an impatient person, but his new abilities and training had developed his personal sense of responsibility. He was a healer, and it was his role to protect his team members and save lives.

    He didn¡¯t initially agree with Sen; he thought they should ignore the monster contracts and head straight for Crystal Quarry 6. As he calmed his mind and overturned his thoughts, he realized Sen¡¯s point, although his conclusion still sat weighty like dense British pudding in the bottom of his stomach. The investigation itself would take an indeterminate length of time. Whether they got their earlier or later had an unknown impact on the disappearing villagers and the dead bodies, which weren¡¯t dying at a high rate.

    John didn¡¯t like how analytical that thought made him feel. That he was weighing the lives of villagers against the probability of traders dying from a monster attack. He was a data officer, but he had never been on the side of responsibility and action. If he extended his impatience to other aspects of their lives, then adventurers should never relax or take time off. There were always monsters to kill. People with a lick of common sense would wait for adventurers or local essence user organizations to handle monsters before resuming business, so casualties outside of monster waves or other extraordinary events were usually infrequent.

    There were always idiots, however.

    John sighed and leaned against the skimmer that Aliyah operated with Tools of the Magister. There wasn¡¯t a wheel, but a crystalline orb that Aliyah held her palms over to manipulate, adjusting speed, elevation, and direction. Vehicles on Erras were oddly like coin-operated machines; a coin slot at the front allowed refilling of magic that the vehicle used to operate. There was a maximum capacity of magic a vehicle could break down and hold, so there was no point in overfilling it.

    Skimmers were more open jeeps than actual cars; a metal awning held up by metal supports with a flat bottom that hovered over the ground. The chairs and backrests were decently comfortable, although safety wasn¡¯t much of a concern. There were no seatbelts and no crumple zones to protect them in a crash. Benefits of hovering instead of rolling included a total lack of bumps and shakes, which John appreciated, even though his back no longer ached, although sometimes he imagined the throbbing echoes of his old life and old body.

    They had opted for land transportation rather than air or water transportation since they needed to make frequent stops to kill monsters. The skimmer was built for durability and adept as an all-terrain vehicle, so they could drive it relatively close to monster sightings.

    They bumbled along; their frequent stops extended the 3 day trip into a 4 day trip. The stone spires stuck out of forests and plains, as if a titan stuck their stone chopsticks into the ground where they irresponsibly forgot them. The landscape was patchwork between trees, farmland, grasslands, and sheer stone that jutted outward into mountains or down into stone burl canyons.

    The largest and most traversed river, the Blue Jade River, flowed from the north where Arlang was down to the south towards Sanshi. Occasionally, they crested a hill enough to peek past forests to spy the massive river to their left in the distance. Gatherers fished actual fish as well as water quintessence from its depths, selling it to Sanshi to power artifacts such as faucets and showers (although plumbing and water systems did exist.)

    Crystal Quarry 6 was one of many mining towns that used the Blue Jade River for transportation. They were aways situated out from the river. They used land haulers to transport stone and crystal to the river, where it was unloaded at a riverside transportation hub. The most dangerous stretch of the journey was the first part, where villagers traversed countryside roads with less protection. Most of the time, there was no issue; a partial essence user, a few normal rankers with decent weapons, or iron ranker usually guarded the convoy. The low mana quantity meant that those measures were enough. Iron rank monsters weren¡¯t dangerous unless in large quantities or as they approached peak iron rank strength. The relatively clear terrain from mine town to transportation hub also allowed normals to get the jump on any approaching monsters, if they were unlucky enough to have monsters manifest nearby in the first place.

    The town came into view¡ªmostly one and two story buildings of stone built at the foot of one of the larger stone spires of Sanshi, which extended out of view as they approached like the tower of Babel. Plants grew more sparsely here, but they were still green, matching the environment of the local area. The frequent foot traffic had scattered dirt over the compacted roads, shaped by an earth essence user. Along the foot of the spire, mining operations were set up. Cut crystal and stone blocks were hauled out of the spire and set in organized piles on the ground.

    The six rode in on their skimmer, moving slowly over the busy roads of the town. Crystal and stone business was booming, and an emerging craft industry was slowly forming. Occasionally, Nara sensed other essence users. Most had only one or two essence, not even a full set. Very rarely, she sensed an essence user with all four, but they never surpassed iron rank. According to John¡¯s Magic Photographer ability, they mostly possessed earth, stone, might, adept, and crystal essences, with a few other essences such as water, plant, axe, hammer, chisel, chain, and shovel.

    They disembarked from the skimmer, and Aliyah pushed it into her inventory. With her influx of spirit coins, she had purchased a personal skimmer so that she didn¡¯t have to rent one from the Magic Society.

    They met the mayor in the town hall, which was slightly more impressive than the rest of the buildings. The carvings on it was elaborate, but not overly so. It was enough to demonstrate its status without overdoing for income bracket of the town. A wide paved stone walkway resembled a driveway if not for the lack of cars.

    ¡°I¡¯m the town head, Haoran Jing. Thank you, adventurers, for accepting my request.¡±

    He was a celestine with cinerous copper brown hair and eyes with accompanied sun-tanned skin worn from hard work. Even with his age and worn body, his celestine features made him oddly attractive in a way that a middle aged lumberjack was attractive.

    Haoran Jing was a reasonable and experienced man. Under his leadership, the village had started to flourish. The mysterious disappearances were not the first issue he¡¯d had to overcome; he knew better than to let a problem fester, like termites burrowing through wood. His intuition told him this problem needed to be addressed, but no adventurer had managed to solve it thus far. He was disheartened, but welcomed this group of adventurers with the same graciousness he had welcomed all the ones before them.

    ¡°And you all are?¡± Haoran asked.

    ¡°Forgive my impoliteness, I am Sen Arlang. We¡¯re adventurers dispatched by the Adventure Society regarding the dissappearances. Could you elaborate on this situation?¡±

    Haoran¡¯s eyes lit up. An Arlang? That was good news. Even if this iron ranker and his team couldn¡¯t solve his problem, he may escalate his case to someone more qualified.

    ¡°The dissappearances have been ongoing for the past two years¡­maybe longer. I¡¯m ashamed to say I may not have noticed before then. The disappearance have been sparse for many years¡ªone person every few weeks. For a town of this size, and with the frequent movements¡­¡±

    The Arlang scion nodded. ¡°Low enough to attribute it to monster attacks.¡±

    ¡°If it is a monster, it needs to strike regularly to feed. However¡­¡±

    ¡°No iron or bronze rank monster lives beyond 2 years. If it was a silver rank monster, this entire town would be wiped out already.¡±

    ¡°Whatever it is, it¡¯s been careful for a long time. Recently, the disappearance have been increasing in frequency. The behavior is strange for a monster, so I thought it could be cultists. Not many want the dead.¡±

    ¡°You think it could be the cult of undeath?¡±

    ¡°For a provincial town like this, you think that¡¯s likely?¡± A ruby haired celestine interjected. A Fenhu perhaps? Haoren reasoned, although it was unlikely to have two scions in the same team, from what he¡¯s read of The Familiar¡¯s Tidings. ¡°What could they possibly gain harassing a town at such a glacial pace?¡±

    ¡°How often do vampires feed, Eufemia?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°The ones I know? Once a month. And they don¡¯t even have to kill. This all seems so overdone like some amateur scriptwriter trying to make their first mystery.¡±

    ¡°You know vampires?¡± Haoran said with nervous surprise.

    ¡°Not for you to know. How about you focus on your issues, and not on mine?¡± She shot back with a glare.

    Haoran cleared his throat, undisturbed by the celestine¡¯s bloody dagger stare. It was true she was offering her expertise, and knowing a vampire wasn¡¯t a crime. Vampires were universally hated in Erras; she must have her own circumstances. A daughter of a cultist who escaped the family profession? It was uncommon but not impossible¡ªhe¡¯s heard of Shanyin, the refuge for the less fortunate. Since she was with an Arlang, Haoran would not worry much about it. She must have been thoroughly vetted.

    Haoran retrieved a key from a lockbox in his office and handed it to Sen, ¡°This is the key to the archives. I¡¯ll have an assistant retrieve and organize the papers related to the dissappearances. I¡¯ve already prepared your lodgings at a nearby inn. Let Mattie know if you need any adjustments. I¡¯ve instructed her to accommodate you to the best of her capabilities.¡±

    ¡°We are all very thankful for your consideration and generosity, but we have other arrangements for our own lodgings.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you decide, let me know. Should you change your mind, it will be waiting for you. We¡¯ve had other adventurers try their hand at this case, so the people know what to expect. If anyone is causing you any trouble, let me know so I may assist.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure that won¡¯t be necessary, town head. We are appreciative of your support.¡±

    *****

    Since they wouldn¡¯t be using the town lodgings, they drove over to the outskirts of the village. Nara held out her flask and streams of psychedelic dust flowed out into solid form. Some townsfolk stopped and stared, ooh-ing and aw-ing at the spectacle.

    ¡°So much for adaptive,¡± John said, observing the gathering onlookers. ¡°But this may work out for use. We¡¯re gathering quite the crowd. This may be a good opportunity to make some friends.¡±

    Sen nodded his approval, and John headed off to glean some information through friendly chit-chat.

    Immediately, John was surrounded by mothers and their children. He radiated friendliness and approachability like no other; so entirely harmless in aura and so normal in appearance that the normal folk forgot he was an adventurer altogether. Encio and Eufemia, the team¡¯s social butterflies, went with him, using the excitement and goodwill generated from the overt magic to introduce themselves to the townsfolk.

    Encio and Eufemia were different; they were superstars, local celebrities that people couldn¡¯t wait to chat with and take a selfie with, if this world had had smartphones. For a more discrete investigation, Eufemia could transform herself into another person. For now, the two probed for what they could while flashing smiles at the local youth that would have tripped over rocks to swoon onto them if not for their good sense of respecting an adventurer¡¯s personal space unless invited. If either wanted a bed warmer, there were takers. Sen too, except he engaged with the more respectable members of the town that had wandered over to observe the excitement.

    Despite John¡¯s comment, the nebula house transformed into an ordinary two-story stone pavilion house typical of regional towns. A stone fence bordered the house, containing the blue-green weedwood forest that swayed with their flexible stems and long thin leaves like reeds in the wind. It provided subtle privacy and cooling shade. The only reason it stood out was Nara¡¯s obsession with greenery, but there was always one house in every neighborhood just four glass walls and a roof short of a greenhouse. A brand new house on the outskirts of town was more eye-catching than Nara¡¯s penchant for plant life.

 Chapter 115: On the Trail of Blood

    Chapter 115: On the Trail of Blood

    The team split with their delegated tasks. Sen was in charge of communicating with the officials and leaders of the community. The Arlang name held more local sway than Encio¡¯s impressive but otherwise distant origin if his name was even known this far out.

    John and Aliyah headed into the archives. Eufemia was usually his assistant, however her skills in investigation that she¡¯s learnt from John as well as her ability to read the emotions of others was better used with elusive people than books that readily bared their secrets. She and Encio was the flirtatious face of the operation; neither had any compunctions using their looks to wheedle advantages or information from their unsuspecting and entirely willing victims.

    Nara was on lookout duty. A body of Sage was dispatched to the morgue, the town hall, and to the most important location in town¡ªthe mining operations. The low limit of three bodies was unfortunate; she¡¯d direct Sage to new locations as they identified areas of interest. Sage would keep an ear out for any gossip their arrival had stirred. The team was considerably more eye-catching than previous adventurers. Not only did they have the shining beauties that made you feel low-class just trying to talk to them, but they also had the wonderous performance Nara¡¯s nebula flask had put on for them¡ªa rarity of fantastical storybook magic, even in Erras.

    A side benefit of Nara¡¯s Soul Legion expanded the range of her Party Guide. Any of her familiars extended it¡¯s benefits to a small area around them even if Nara was halfway around the globe. Wherever they were, Nara was too. Thanatos became John and Aliyah¡¯s literal lapdog and radio. Chrome was less discrete, so he was stationed at nebula house. This was ¡°their contract¡± and ¡°not his problem¡± so he set out to do whatever he usually did in his free time (attempt to surpass Laius in cooking.)

    On top of lookout duties, Sen had an alternate task for Nara; push as many of her abilities to bronze rank as possible over the next few days. Since she no longer had to be nearby for her communication ability to operate, she could intentionally seek out and hunt bronze rank monsters solo.

    It was an unusual request from Sen, who didn¡¯t like sending teammates alone, especially Nara after recent events. Sen had a feeling the investigation wasn¡¯t so simple, and the team knew that Sen¡¯s intuition was usually right. Regardless, pushing a few abilities to bronze was an important trump card of iron rankers.

    *****

    The disappearances had continued for a little over two years, perhaps longer. The townsfolk may not have noticed an issue for some time. The last few months, the disappearances had increased, driving the townsfolk into a panic.

    Lu Yusi was the first disappearance that caused the town to take note of the problem: He worked as part of a transport team that traveled to Sanshi to deliver stone and crystal and was an ordinary day laborer. What was unusual was, he always spent a bit of extra coin to notify his wife when he arrived in Sanshi and when he left, for which he stayed for two weeks unloading and transporting cargo. At some point in this routine trip, he disappeared, and his wife never received the second letter.

    The disappearances had been sparse. One person every three to four weeks, and that was if the established pattern held, as not everything could be perfectly recorded in a town of trade. In a year, around seventeen. The increase had shortened the interval to around once a week.

    ¡°That¡¯s a steep increase,¡± John muttered. ¡°Three times as many disappearances?¡±

    ¡°No wonder the town head is so anxious,¡± Aliyah agreed.

    Once the town head had taken notice of the disappearances, he had instituted a policy that had every traveling townsfolk notify a record keeper at the archive library. At first, the policy wasn¡¯t strictly followed, as most found it unnecessary and inconvenient. As the disappearances continued with regularity, the townsfolk feared for their loved ones, and committed to the policy.

    ¡°He¡¯s been doing his best, poor fellow.¡± He sympathized with the town head that tried his best to keep everyone safe with limited resources. He kept his cool, but they could feel his anxiety in his aura, and the mix of hope and resignation.

    According to the records, they had two days until another miner would disappear. Records indicated that the disappearances temporarily stopped when a group of investigative adventurers were in town.

    ¡°That¡¯s not good,¡± John said, ¡°That indicates intent and intelligence.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Aliyah agreed. ¡°A human enemy, not a monster. Thankfully, that means a silver rank monster is unlikely.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t infiltration silver rank monsters intelligent too?¡± John asked, ¡°I¡¯ve only heard about some records from my classes.¡±

    ¡°Their methods vary by species,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Most try to entrap adventurers and kill them before they notice anything is wrong at all, then take over their bodies.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound good at all. That sounds absolutely terrible,¡± John said with mild horror.

    Aliyah reassuringly smiled. ¡°The fact we and the town head noticed anything is wrong at all means it is probably not that. So we won¡¯t die unexpectedly in a few days to a trap. This is something that loses it¡¯s nerve when others are around. The do or die desperation of monster doesn¡¯t match up.¡± She paused. ¡°At least, a silver rank monster still wouldn¡¯t have the tactical intelligence to pause it¡¯s activities when it detects adventurers, or¡­¡± she continued blithely, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t fear some iron rank adventurers enough to stop.¡±

    ¡°God save us all,¡± John muttered. John can¡¯t say he appreciated the experience of being on a lower rung of the food chain.

    *****

    Before Nara was to go on a solo monster hunting rampage, she was to survey the town and their normal operations. She transitioned into full stealth, using her robe, aura control and aura strength, and adopting positions on rooftops to observe the workings of the town.

    Business continued as usual. In the early morning, laborers had just begun their day. Some departed out east, towards the eastern seaports or west, towards the Blue Jade River. Stone, crystal, and jade was moved to workshops, where it could be further processed according to their client¡¯s specifications. While the stone was often used for building, it was also used to create lampposts, furniture, stone fences, statues, tiles, jugs, and fountains.

    She sleuthed towards the next hub of importance of the town; the mine shafts. She couldn¡¯t investigate much from the outside¡ªthe stone blocked her aura. Even a bronze rank aura couldn¡¯t push through that much solid stone.

    She told Sen her findings over voice chat: ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything unusual in town, and if there¡¯s a secret basement or underground bunker, I probably wouldn¡¯t sense it. I didn¡¯t see any outward entrances either.¡±

    Crystal Quarry 6 wasn¡¯t a bunker town; they instead evacuated to one before monster waves. The proximity to the river made large scale evacuation easy. The transportation hub at the river maintained large ships that would transport the residents to their assigned fortress city.

    Nara continued, ¡°The forest and the mine shafts are great places to hide something nearby. I don¡¯t know how deep the mine shafts go, and it seems ripe for hidden evil lairs and secret entrances.¡±

    ¡°We can ask the mayor for a map of the shafts. Once we receive one, try to confirm if entrances match the map.¡±

    ¡°Can do.¡±

    She headed into the forest for further investigation when an idea popped into her head. She astral jumped to Aliyah and John down in the archives.

    ¡°I need to borrow Thanatos for a moment,¡± she said.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°A penny for your thoughts?¡± John asked.

    She crouched near Thanatos, ¡°Do you have a good sense of smell?¡±

    ¡°Not a bad idea at all!¡± John realized.

    Thanatos barked at her.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re not a dog, but wolves have good olfactory senses too. Do you, or don¡¯t you?¡±

    Thanatos snorted.

    ¡°Were you always like this or are you picking up attitude from Chrome?¡± She said fondly.

    Thanatos stood from his floor sprawl and slipped into Nara¡¯s shadow.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back with him soon.¡±

    If Nara served as transport, she could move her familiars across great distances. Only Chrome had a teleportation ability, but it was limited to line of sight and short distances. Thanatos and Sage both had their methods of quick movement, although both had restrictions in effectiveness. Thanatos could only travel quickly while subsumed in shadows, and Sage could always move quickly but a silver robe darting across an open street, even if Sage could become dim and transparent, was about as stealthy as a scarf flying in the wind. She wanted to keep Sage entirely secret for now, and opted against that.

    Picking up blood trails in a forest when traders were the ones disappearing wasn¡¯t the best idea, so Nara astral jumped towards west entrance of the village that led trade off towards the river. She would double back to the forest later. When she was around, everybody had communications, but once she left, she had to leave Thanatos with John and Aliyah. She didn¡¯t want to leave communications cut off. John and Nara understood the importance of instantaneous communications better than most, and Sen had quickly integrated the ability into his strategies.

    Nara called for Thanatos at the town¡¯s edge, and he slinked out of her shadow.

    ¡°Can you smell anything?¡±

    Thanatos sniffed the air, his ink nose twitching. He barked at her again.

    ¡°Yeah, we can head into town and try again. You think you can pick up blood?¡±

    He barked an affirmative.

    At later ranks, Nara¡¯s own physical senses would become more sensitive, but at iron rank, the intrinsic characteristics of physical body such as Thanatos¡¯ wolf form held an advantage in scent detection.

    They headed back into town, Thanatos sniffing the air all the while.

    He barked at her.

    ¡°When have I not giving you the food you wanted? Of course, you¡¯ll have whatever you want after this.¡±

    He barked again, tail thumping against her leg.

    ¡°So sassy, yeesh.¡±

    The two weaved through the town, which was not large. She and Thanatos kept to shadows and alleys, keeping discrete. Since they arrived in town, she hadn¡¯t shown her face outside the nebula house. Eufemia and Encio were their public investigators, and she¡¯d be the private one.

    *****

    The six met back up at the nebula house to discuss what they had learned.

    ¡°Thanatos did detect blood, an abnormal amount of it. Nothing that a workplace injury would explain.¡± Nara reported. ¡°Leading up to through the trade routes, which coincides with that we know about the disappearances. More importantly,¡± Nara tapped a spot on the map, ¡°they lead towards the mines. Not the main entrance. There¡¯s a side entrance somewhere, but we haven¡¯t discovered it yet.¡±

    ¡°It may be concealed with concealment magic,¡± Aliyah postulated. ¡°You¡¯re unlikely to see through it.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be much point to concealment magic if she could.¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°But¡ª¡± Nara held a finger up hushing the group, ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t think the side entrance is in the mountain. I think the entrance may be in someone¡¯s basement.¡±

    ¡°On what basis?¡± John asked.

    ¡°The scent trail didn¡¯t lead directly to the mountain, but someplace at the outskirts of town.¡±

    ¡°Closest to the mountain?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I have an idea to continue our investigation into this lead.¡± She pulled a book of external magic from her inventory, setting it on the table and opening it to a page. Aliyah had the book memorized, so it was to the benefit of the rest of the group. ¡°The earth quality detection ritual is used to analyze the quality of earth in a small area, to determine its components and alternatively whether it is safe for construction. In our case, we can use it to detect for air within the earth and stone.¡±

    Nara wondered if Aliyah¡¯s new friendship with Jiro had brought this ritual to mind.

    ¡°To check for secret compartments?¡± John said, ¡°Like basements?¡±

    ¡°Or the underground tunnel that connects to it,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    ¡°At iron rank, the range of the ritual is rather low.¡± Aliyah said, she traced her fingers gently over the map. ¡°To cover the most likely ground, the far side of town, I¡¯d need to cast it over thirty times.¡±

    ¡°That many?¡±

    ¡°It is a quick ritual, it¡¯s no issue at all.¡±

    Eufemia had a relevant question, ¡°Can you detect the underground basements through the concealment magic?¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s expression was thoughtful, ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of that.¡±

    ¡°So, we can execute these rituals, but if we find nothing it may be a false negative.¡±

    ¡°Strange terminology,¡± Aliyah said, but she already deduced its meaning, ¡°Is it from your world?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. A result that says something is absent when it isn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Hm,¡± Aliyah mused. ¡°I like that.¡±

    The issue was tabled for now, for Encio and Eufemia to report.

    ¡°We¡¯ve asked around the townsfolk,¡± said Eufemia. ¡°I spoke mainly to the miners, for obvious reasons. Most were normal, worried¡ªat typical levels you¡¯d expect.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the traders that have been targeted so far, not miners,¡± Encio added.

    ¡°There was one that was suspect,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Shifty eyes, nervous, sweaty¡ªguilty. I know a liar when I see one.¡±

    ¡°You can sense liars,¡± John pointed out.

    Eufemia snorted, ¡°I didn¡¯t need my aura reading to tell me this guy stank of guilt.¡±

    ¡°That or he needs some deodorant. Saved our middle school lives, you know. This world could use some.¡±

    ¡°We have deodorant,¡± Aliyah said slowly. ¡°You think that lowly of our developments?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t take a genius to use some flower extract to cover up rank smells,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°It¡¯s used a lot in Nekroz.¡±

    Nara gave Eufemia a hesitant side eye over that comment, ¡°¡­He¡¯s just gross then. Or poor, I guess.¡±

    ¡°On my side,¡± Encio said, pulling the conversation back into focus, ¡°there was a housewife that seemed strange.¡±

    ¡°Strange how?¡±

    ¡°Not happy that adventurers were investigating,¡± Encio said, ¡°She distinctly lacked an enthusiasm that the other ladies shared.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just unhappy she wasn¡¯t immediately charmed by your looks. Did that remind you of someone?¡±

    ¡°Eufemia,¡± Sen said.

    She rolled her eyes.

    Encio chuckled good naturedly, not minding her jab.

    ¡°That is strange,¡± said Sen. ¡°Even if previous adventurers have failed, they should be happy the contract hasn¡¯t been abandoned by the Adventure Society.¡±

    ¡°They can do that?¡±

    ¡°They can,¡± confirmed Encio. ¡°The Adventure Society may conclude that a requester is lying. It usually takes several failed contracts, and the requester will be blacklisted from the society. It¡¯s a nightmare for normal folk.¡±

    ¡°Like crying wolf?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°They don¡¯t know what that is here,¡± John pointed out.

    ¡°It takes a lot of failures,¡± continued Encio, ¡°It¡¯s not something that happens often. They¡¯ll send a 3-star adventurer for a final investigation before blacklisting the requester. But this is iron rank. Multiple 2-star adventurer failures is closing in on the limit.¡±

    ¡°No one wants to be blacklisted,¡± said Sen, ¡°Then you¡¯re unprotected. Although, a higher rank 3-star adventurer may be the solution to their problems as well.¡±

    ¡°The Adventure Society doesn¡¯t like it when they think someone is wasting their time,¡± said Encio. ¡°The Society is busy enough as is.¡±

    ¡°The Society would not write off the whole town,¡± said Sen. ¡°They may, however, blacklist the requester, in this case the town head.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d disqualify him from being town head,¡± said Encio. ¡°He¡¯ll try to avoid that no matter what.¡±

    ¡°It also gives reason for someone to try to encourage repeated failures,¡± John said, ¡°And oust him from his position.¡±

    ¡°You think this is politically motivated?¡± said Eufemia.

    ¡°There¡¯s a chance. He seems a respectable bloke that everyone in the town follows. May be reason enough.¡±

    ¡°Was anyone else suspicious?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°Just that woman, Aira Hong. And the body odor miner was Tousa Di.¡±

    ¡°Do you have more details about the two suspects?¡± John asked.

    Encio nodded, ¡°Aira Hong, mother of Siyu Hong. Keeps the house and tends to a personal vegetable garden. According to other women, she¡¯s been distancing herself from group gatherings, and seems uncharacteristically nervous when they do meet her. Siyu, her son, is in his thirties and is one of the miners. Unmarried.¡±

    Eufemia continued for her subject, ¡°Tousa Di, one of the miners. Married to Saya Fu, very distant relation to the Fenhu. No children yet between the two of them. With his body odor, his personality (or something else) must be enough to make up for it.¡±

    A quiet chiding ¡°Eufemia!¡± sounded out.

    ¡°How about the miners¡¯ leader?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s Kisang Zho, the miners call him Boss Zho. Some essences, but not a full set¡ªlike the town head. He was helpful and cooperative. But¡­¡± Eufemia tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°Something was off about him too.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°All the miners were, really. They seemed unsatisfied with something. I couldn¡¯t place if it was related to the case or not. Tousa stood out as more suspicious than the rest. Zho was in opposition to that.¡±

    ¡°I may have a reason for that,¡± John said, pulling out a stack of papers.

    ¡°They let you hold onto that?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard Adventurers have a good reputation,¡± John said. ¡°I¡¯m finally seeing some of those mystical benefits in action.¡± It was reassuring to see the benefits that membership into the Society professed in action. Reputation was its own power.

    ¡°Financial report of the town¡¯s economy?¡± Aliyah read from the papers.

    ¡°Yes. Here, it says that the bulk of money is generated by the traders.¡±

    ¡°The traders get paid more than the miners, and the miners are unsatisfied,¡± Nara concluded.

    ¡°That¡¯s the ins and outs of it,¡± John tapped the document with his finger. ¡°Since they¡¯ve got a Healer priest in town, any ailments of mining can easily be cleansed. The mines are well-structured and controlled, and there¡¯s little risk of earthquakes in the region.¡±

    ¡°Trading is the more dangerous job.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± John confirmed, ¡°They spend more time away from their families, and sometimes run into monsters on the road. The stone haulers are heavy, and they can¡¯t outrun them. A few of the town¡¯s partial essence users accompany them on trips, so usually nothing happens.¡±

    John removed another paper from his stash, ¡°But every few years, they get caught by a bronze rank monster and someone dies.¡±

    ¡°Traders won¡¯t give up more of the profits.¡±

    John nodded, ¡°The town is small enough that the whole operation is effectively town owned, although quickly growing, which is causing some tension. The splitting of the profits has been determined from the very beginning. It¡¯s all written up in the town¡¯s charter.¡±

    ¡°When you sign up as trader or miner.¡±

    John nodded, ¡°For a long time, everyone was satisfied. But it seems like somebody has been riling the miners up.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    The conversation returned to Eufemia, who shook their head, ¡°They aren¡¯t saying. This is somebody they trust. I couldn¡¯t push too far.¡±

    ¡°Then we need to find out who is instigating the miners.¡±

 Chapter 116: A Bet Against Myself

    Chapter 116: A Bet Against Myself

    ¡°How far can adventurers push their authority?¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°What if we could¡­convince a miner to take a few days off? And have Eufemia replace him and blend in?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous,¡± rejected Sen immediately, ¡°We don¡¯t know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡±

    Nara held her hands up, ¡°It¡¯s just an idea. I don¡¯t think we have to go through with it. But we might have a two-day time limit before the next disappearance.¡±

    ¡°We have more time than that,¡± John said, removing yet another stack of papers from his inventory. The papers seem unending, although Nara supposed that¡¯s what happened to a former Data Analyst without internet access. Everything was physical.

    ¡°How much research can you get done in a single day?¡± Nara said disbelievingly, ¡°I know inventories are large, but this is ridiculous. Why are you holding on to so many papers? Are you keeping an entire filing cabinet in there.¡±

    ¡°Says the person with an entire library,¡± Eufemia scoffed.

    ¡°He surpasses me in this,¡± said Aliyah, wonder in his voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know how he can look at so many lines of almost exactly the same thing and spot a difference.¡±

    Aliyah was also extremely detail oriented, but her ability to concentrate was more or less limited to topics of magic and science, which had the advantage of precision to begin with. The records of towns had to be developed along with the town, which caused formats to change like the cycle of seasons.

    ¡°My racial abilities are helpful too,¡± John said with a pout. He was used to Nara¡¯s outshining his in spectacle for quite some time. He felt a little vindicated in the usefulness of Case Files and Magic Photographer in their ability to organize large amounts of information. John cleared his throat awkwardly, ¡°According to these records, the disappearances pause while Adventurer-investigators are in town, and Adventurer group has stayed longer than a week.¡±

    ¡°So, at most, another week?¡±

    ¡°Or more, if we stay longer. It¡¯s a possibility.¡±

    ¡°But the rate of disappearances have been increasing.¡±

    John sighed, ¡°I¡¯d rather not immediately jump to risking Eufemia.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate some more confidence in my acting abilities. I wouldn¡¯t be risking myself.¡± Eufemia scoffed, ¡°Besides you¡¯ve risked my life before, and I wasn¡¯t even iron rank at the time.¡±

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t quite grasped the extent of danger in this world,¡° John said remorsefully, ¡°I am sorry for that.¡±

    ¡°¡­Well it¡¯s fine. It turned out well.¡±

    John nodded.

    It must have been some case in Nekroz the two had bonded over, Nara thought.

    Her thoughts were incorrect; the incident in question occurred during their stay in Sanshi. When he knew someone¡¯s life was at risk, John had pushed their luck and had Eufemia sneak into a building searching for a kidnapped thief and acquaintance; one of the moonlighters, Alea Len. She had been working for Erin Nisei¡ªwhat had happened to their agreement? John decided he would pay her a visit once he returned to Sanshi.

    They had been caught in their rescue of her by an iron ranker. Thanks to Eufemia¡¯s transformation into Alea, they managed to confuse the intruder long enough for John to fatally shoot the man with Solar Judgement.

    With a supply of essences in his own inventory, John wanted to sort the prickly thief out. She was working to provide not only for herself but also for her family¡ªher little brother had entered the prep academy, and she was supporting his dreams.

    John¡¯s reminiscence was drawn back to the current conversation by Sen¡¯s steady, significant eye contact with Eufemia.

    ¡°Are you willing?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°We have to figure out the best way to replace a miner,¡± Sen said. ¡°Alerting the miner in question may be suspicious if the group is tight knit. Are they?¡±

    ¡°It depends. Some of them are pretty loyal to the new sentiment, especially the younger ones. The boss is actually against the group on this. He knows something¡¯s up.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯d be receptive?¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but he¡¯s not the best target to replace,¡± said Eufemia. ¡°Too important of a position, and his abilities are distinctive. But he may know someone else who could take a short ¡®vacation¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Sen mused thoughtfully, ¡°Talk to him again. As investigators, that isn¡¯t anything particularly suspicious. Make sure to use a privacy screen, and scan for spies¡­I have this feeling.¡±

    ¡°Just a feeling?¡± Aliyah clarified.

    ¡°For now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± Eufemia nodded.

    ¡°Nara will go with Aliyah to set up the arrays.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want me in the mines?¡±

    ¡°No. Now that people know we¡¯re here, we may get some reactions. I want you to keep an eye on things above.¡±

    ¡°Sure thing.¡±

    ¡°Encio, I want you to check out the Adventurer outpost. Figure out who¡¯s a regular on the trader caravans, and the opposite.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do that.¡±

    ¡°They are likely only a provisional adventurer, if at all,¡± explained Sen. ¡°The training here is insufficient to pass the certification, but they¡¯ll let those partial essence users accept specific contracts. The caravans are better partially protected than not at all.¡±

    The traders disappeared on route. Either their protection betrayed them, or they didn¡¯t show up to protect them at all.

    ¡°I¡¯ll enquire about the schedule of the miners,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°See who¡¯s conveniently missing.¡±

    *****

    The next day, the group split like a dogwalker releasing their bundle of leashes. John headed back into the archives to further investigate Aira Hong and Tousa Di, Thanatos accompanying him. According to John, he was a ¡®very good boy¡ªassistant. A very good assistant¡¯. Sen would return to the mayor, to inquire about the steps the previous adventurers had taken, the tensions between the miners and the traders, and the families of Aira Hong and Tousa Di. Eufemia and Encio would meet up again with Kisang Zho, the boss of the miners, to ask some further questions and organize a tour of the mines the next day.

    Nara stuck with Aliyah, watching over her as she conducted her rituals. She had over thirty to complete, but thanks to her runic gifts and her mastery of ritual magic, they were streamlined.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Mana Beacon]

    Active, Stabilize ambient magic.

    -------

    After every ritual, the ambient mana needed to be restabilized either with a mana stabilizing ritual which wouldn¡¯t disturb the ambient magic, or with an ability. Chaotic ambient mana made ritual casting extremely difficult and unreliable, although an absurdly skilled ritualist could pull it off. With chaotic conditions, the ritual needed to be adjusted for the changed conditions, which required intimate knowledge of ritual magic. It was easier to start at a blank slate of stabilized ambient magic and memorize the base ritual than attempt to customize every ritual for every nonstandard condition.

    Aliyah might challenge herself with chaotic ambient conditions as practice or for fun, but this wasn¡¯t the time for that.

    Their journey led them to a slightly less affluent part of town. Business had been rockin¡¯, which led to many nicer homes within the village. The gap in affluence was not high, but it was there. The good business was partly responsible for its indeterminate classification between town and city.

    ¡°I think most of the miners live in this area,¡± Nara observed.

    ¡°I agree.¡±

    After a few more rituals, Aliyah got a hit.

    ¡°So, not skilled enough to cast concealment magic that blocks rituals,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°That¡¯s a good sign.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°The concealment spell isn¡¯t high rank. That¡¯d completely block my ritual. They¡¯re also an amateur at ritual magic, likely granted by a skill book, or something similar. The failure to block earth detection demonstrates a lack of mastery that would otherwise enable them to modify a concealment ritual to account for more varied forms of detection, rather than just visual detection. This is why you need to practice the fundamentals,¡± she chided. ¡°Knowledge is worthless without comprehension.¡±

    Aliyah gave Nara an accusing side-glance.

    ¡°I¡¯m working on it!¡±

    ¡°Just astral magic,¡± Aliyah said disappointedly.

    ¡°You¡¯re the magic expert, not me! Rope Eufemia in, she seems to know some magic.¡±

    Aliyah gestured to the building, a tool and materials warehouse. Miscellaneous and spare tools of the miners were stored here, as well as some components for excavation rituals.

    ¡°Rituals for wall reinforcement are important to miners for cave-in prevention,¡± explained Aliyah, ¡°They¡¯ll have at least one basic ritualist on hand.¡±

    ¡°You think it¡¯d be the culprit?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps. If that¡¯s the case, it would explain shorter or choice shifts. The ritualist would get paid more.¡±

    ¡°But It¡¯d be too obvious, if anyone else discovered the concealment magic, they¡¯d be a prime suspect.¡±

    ¡°I agree. Do you think you can sneak a Sage body down there to keep an eye on things?¡±

    ¡°Sage?¡± Nara prompted.

    ¡°I will endeavor to fulfill your expectations, benefactor.¡±

    ¡°Just, uh, do your best.¡±

    ¡°Always, benefactor.¡±

    Sage floated away, a grey robe against grey stone. After a few minutes, she responded telepathically.

    ¡°The passage appears frequently traversed. There are footprints of many individuals.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an open secret.¡±

    ¡°Between the miners, that is likely, benefactor. The magic here is indeed basic; Miss Sahar is correct. The ritualist is an amateur. Shall I proceed further in?¡±

    ¡°What do you think, Aliyah?¡±

    ¡°As far as you can while remaining undetected, Sage. That would be wonderful,¡±  Aliyah said respectfully.

    ¡°I shall do as directed.¡±

    Nara and Aliyah took a break in the shaded courtyard of the disguised nebula house. Nara sat in the weedwood thicket dressed in casual meditative clothing.

    Her aura ability, Astral Blessing, was at the verge of ranking up to bronze rank. She could feel the ability push outwards like a caterpillar struggling to break out of its cocoon to expand into a new form. Since her aura was based on injury and allies, it had received an extreme workout during the Celestial Book trials and the Stone Forest Expedition. It was further strained during her abduction, although not for its intended use, and now she had been utilizing aura to survey the town.

    Her aura was one of the first abilities she had awoken, unusual for more essence users. Her prolonged state as a mostly spiritual form had increased her sensitivity and manipulation of her aura which, was a reflection of the soul upon physical reality, according to Erras¡¯ theories. Nonetheless, auras and perception abilities were the most frequently used abilities of any essence users and those that ranked up the fastest.

    Her both was in physical reality, but her meditation took her mentally within her soul as she literally looked within. Simultaneously, her senses expanded outwards past the nebula house. She could feel a sliver of the intricacies of its construction normally undetected to her. It was no doubt the product of a master craftsman, painstakingly crafted and reinforcing the formless and adaptive properties of magic that were normally difficult to wrangle.

    -------

    -Harmonic Essence Ability, [Astral Blessing], has reached Bronze 0. Increase all Harmonic Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Power] attribute to Bronze 0.

    - Increase all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 05%.

    Ability: [Astral Blessing]

    Aura (holy, boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within aura gain an instance of [Integrity] when expending or losing a low threshold of health, mana, or stamina. Instance threshold is determined by the [Recovery] attribute. Greater or continuous expenditures result in gaining additional instances.

    <ul>

    <li>[Integrity] (boon, heal-over-time, mana-over-time, stamina-over-time, holy, stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of health, stamina, and mana. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Allies within aura gain an instance of [Tranquility] when gaining a holy or magic boon. Instance threshold is determined by the [Spirit] attribute. This effect does not trigger upon gaining an instance of [Tranquility].

    <ul>

    <li>[Tranquility] (boon, holy, stacking): Increased resistance to boon and effect dispel. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. This boon has increased dispel priority over other boons.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Her new aura strength was almost disorienting. It wasn¡¯t just aura strength¡ªit was the quality of her aura. If her previous aura had been made of wood, now it was made of stone. It was denser and more powerful, more sensitive and more accurate.

    The most important ability for any essence user to awaken was the aura ability. Without it, they lacked the ability to control their own auras. Such a case almost never happened unless extreme and careless ability stone manipulation was at work¡ªusing a legendary stone without an already awakened aura was a risky proposition, since legendary stones had narrower ability pools. Without an aura ability, high rank essence users could accidentally kill normal folks with their aura, like an emotional surge shocking a poor old lady into a heart attack. They had to wear specialty aura suppressive bracelets for the rest of their lives, and weren¡¯t allowed to transition into gold rank, where they posed an even greater threat to people.

    She sucked in a deep, meditative breath, pulling herself back into meditation and away from ancillary anecdotes. Thankfully, the material of the nebula house contained her aura somewhat, the adaptable material adjusting itself according to her needs. She carefully explored the inns and outs of her aura, feeling for its new strengths and capabilities. She pushed out and pulled it back in, feeling its new strength like surging tides with the power of the full moon. She felt its new flexibility and maneuverability, freeform putty in her control.

    Many had told her that her aura was strange; formless and shapeless, hard to mold and control. For her, it wasn¡¯t. It was her aura. However, it was a quality born of her experiences, a defensive mechanism to slip away from eternal, painful imprisonment. From this, a new idea blossomed in her mind.

    She wanted to leverage that intrinsic quality. To suffuse her aura into the surroundings so much that it was a part of nature itself, undetected and unseen like water diffused into the air. Normally, when expanding aura for detection, others could sense it. What if the aura was so thin, so soft, it could not be? She had been relying on her superior aura strength for stealth until now, despite her lack of abilities for a true stealth specialist. No doubt, they had abilities to conceal their auras or increase their long distance detection capabilities.

    After a few hours warbling from intense concentration to melting relaxation like an opera singer¡¯s vibrato, she temporarily set down her pursuit. She was in the middle of an investigation, and now wasn¡¯t the time nor place to expand niche use techniques. Last time she made a niche technique, she landed herself on a kidnapping list, although it was impossible that this was a new technique. She knew little of Laius¡¯ full capabilities, and he had no doubt discovered and mastered something like this before her.

    In the same way that she didn¡¯t bother learning the full breadth of external magic, most did not learn the full breadth of aura manipulation. It wasn¡¯t necessary for ranking up. It was a honed external skill, much like fighting skill. Neither had she even mastered the full capabilities The Way of the Traveler had to offer her. This was a long-term project, as many other aspects of training were.

    As Laius says, Training never ends.

    ¡°It¡¯s not much of a trump card,¡± Nara muttered, reading over the new aura effect (although auras rarely were.)

    Tranquility wasn¡¯t a particularly useful boon either; Sen did maintain his own suite of boons with Karmic Warrior, and Aliyah now did with Vessel of Magic, but they weren¡¯t critical to their fighting style, not like it was for Nara, who could scrap boons for power with Boon Conversion (and Nirvana, which did more base damage for each boon on her up to a pretty low limit, although it hadn¡¯t mattered much for iron rank.) For others, it only let them hold onto their boons against hostile dispel effects, which were uncommon. Resisting a dispel wouldn¡¯t win a battle either, in Nara¡¯s inexperienced opinion.

    ¡°Maybe one day I¡¯ll prove myself wrong and resisting a dispel will win me a battle. What do I bet on then? Myself¡­or against myself? Better bet on myself. I don¡¯t want to fight a battle so tight that a dispel resistance clinches the victory.¡±

    Nara held a single diamond rank spirit coin in her hand, ¡°If I lose, what do I blow this on?¡±

    But Nara¡¯s brain capacity was gone, reduced to atoms, her creativity too small to figure what a coin literally too valuable to be spent could be used on. She already had all she could ever want¡ªa house, clothing, equipment, funds for her hobbies, and food.

    She frowned at the coin and threatened it. ¡°Next time. I¡¯ll think of something.¡±

 Chapter 117: Enjoying My Moment

    Chapter 117: Enjoying My Moment

    With a newly expanded aura strength came the unsettling sensation that Nara was being watched. It wasn¡¯t specifically her¡ªthere were eyes on the nebula house.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a pointless upgrade after all,¡± she muttered. ¡°Sen,¡± she said through voice chat, ¡°We¡¯re being watched.¡±

    ¡°Do you know by whom?¡±

    ¡°Is it important enough to expose myself? Whoever it is will know I¡¯m searching for them.¡±

    The silence on the other end indicated Sen¡¯s contemplation. Should they lose the stealth advantage Nara currently possesses? Once their watcher knows they are watched in turn, they will move more discretely, or change their plans. If he waits for Nara to refine her new bronze rank aura, she may be able to prevent reciprocal detection.

    No, he concluded, if they were already watched, then the culprit was on guard. No doubt they¡¯ve sensed Nara¡¯s new bronze rank aura. This may be their only chance.

    ¡°Do it,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s our best chance.¡±

    Nara closed her eyes and focused her aura. It was still fresh; she¡¯s upgraded from pigeon to albatross, but her control wasn¡¯t precise enough yet. With a higher rank aura came expanded range, further boosted by her aura strength but particularly by the effects of her Unbounded title, which increased her aura range.

    More accurately, the title didn¡¯t give the effects to her; rather, it was a reflection of changes to her soul and aura. Her expanded range she had earned from shearing apart her soul and throwing it to the winds of the astral like scattering ashes to the sea.

    She forwent stealth and sent her aura out with unrefined raw power. It wouldn¡¯t harm anyone, but it was a wave of fog on a clear day to anyone that could sense auras. They¡¯d feel it roll past them.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t get a person. I did get something else though¡ªsomeone is using animal familiars or minions. It¡¯s unclear which one specifically. I¡¯m not experienced enough to know the difference.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± said Sen, forming new theories with the new information. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    *****

    Nara was miles away from the rest of her team in the untamed wilds of the Shian Union. She was fighting a combined pack of the usual chimeric monkeys and some pherators, her old nemesis that had once claimed an eye. Her battlefield was a sheer stone spire. The ground spiraled out beneath her, the stone spire sheer cliff with the occasional goat-hopper ledge. On her face was a simple pair of reinforced goggles, crafted by Henri, with the rather nonsensical effect of amplifying and reflecting light to whatever was directly in front of Nara. It was so blinding she couldn¡¯t use it around other people. In this dizzying solo battle more against gravity than monsters, it was the perfect, if extremely odd, piece.

    Both packs of monsters were mixed iron and bronze ranks. The bronze ranks were at the lowest end of the rank; Nara wasn¡¯t foolish enough to take on this many monsters alone if they weren¡¯t a weaker type. She¡¯d learnt that even same rank monsters posed a threat.

    Monkeys hung from cliff trees, their roots stabbed into rock and their branches extended out in a desperate attempt to catch rays of light from beyond the shadow of the spire. They flung stray rocks, although thankfully at this height there weren¡¯t many. Most had long since plunged from the stone spire, either smacking dirt or crushing the skull of whatever poor bastard wandered too close at the wrong moment.

    She and her Dimension Nodes were operating at all cylinders, teleporting vertically and horizontally to unleash devastating blows powered by gravity or quick cuts. She transformed Nirvana into a baseball bat and swung, punting a monkey off from its perch in the tree to have it plummet haplessly down screeching like a banshee before it splat in a small red speck far below.

    She was more monkey than the actual monkeys. Gravity was her friend, while it was their reaper. The pherators launched themselves like dart shots from a T-shirt cannon, but Nara Phase Shifted through them, causing them to impale themselves on the monster monkeys or smack with a satisfying crunch (for Nara) on the cliff face.

    Rocks and flying birds were subtly shifted around her with Infinity Domain, as if she had managed to calculate the exact gap to dodge. She hadn¡¯t, of course, she was a big fat cheater. Weak attacks she intentionally let through, triggering Refresh to gain an instance of Invigorating Spirit, which restored the same amount of mana as health damage she took. Refresh would never restore more health, mana, or stamina than the cost or damage that triggered it, but at full stacks, it was a 1-to-1 restoration of resources, albeit for a different resource. As long as she continually spent all three, she wasted nothing. Together with Integrity, it created her resource positive self-sustaining flow. Enemy effects would complicate matters, draining mana and health with afflictions or other effects, so it rarely ever operated at the fabled 100 percent efficiency.

    A notification dinged but didn¡¯t interrupt her flow state of battle. The result of her efforts to increase her mastery of The Way of the Traveler: Dancer shone; she balanced attacks from multiple directions, prioritizing the dangerous ones while letting the harmless ones pass through. Deflections, teleportation, Phase Shift, movement, damage resistance, and healing¡ªshe utilized all methods of interception and damage reduction to create a deceptively resilient fighting style for her otherwise light armor type and quick movements.

    ¡°My benefactor, please pardon my interruption. I have discovered something within the mines.¡±

    ¡°Now¡¯s not exactly a good time, but go on, Sage.¡±

    ¡°Is that fine, benefactor?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call it added challenge.¡±

    ¡°I am afraid that Mister Arlang¡¯s influence may be rubbing off in rather dangerous ways.¡±

    So she said, but Sage was probably happy about it. Sage supported excellence.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine~ don¡¯t worry about it. What¡¯s up?¡±

    "I have completed my preliminary investigation of the tunnel Miss Sahar discovered. The tunnel originally leads into a cavern, where chairs and tables have been set up.¡±

    ¡°Does it seem like some sort of super-secret meeting room or gathering hall where disgruntled miners gather to overthrow the bourgeoisie?¡±

    Sage ignored the nonsensical comparison. ¡°Something like that, benefactor. However, there is something else. There is another branch of the tunnel, concealed with magic.¡±

    ¡°How did you discover it?¡±

    Nara could not perceive magic yet, which her perception ability would grant her at bronze. Familiars share certain properties with their summoner; Sage should not have been able to perceive magic in detail either.

    ¡°There are unusual tracks, leading into a solid wall. Some are footsteps, some are not.¡±

    ¡°So, they covered their tracks, heh, literally, but not all of them¡­You can¡¯t go inside? Whoops!¡±

    She grabbed a branch to propel herself into a low gravity spin, her sword catching the pherator in its stomach that had tried to dive bomb her. She transformed Nirvana into a whip, pulling herself under the protection of a cliff tree.

    ¡°Judgement of the astral.¡±

    She cast Astral Judgement on one of the bronze rank pherators, eviscerating it at range from all of its built up afflictions. As its body plummeted, she looted it, sending rainbow smoke into its comrades which were equally affected by the stench, staggering rather than flying like over-fattened airborne geese.

    ¡°Sorry, you were saying?¡±

    ¡°Benefactor, you were inquiring on whether I could enter the concealed room¡ª¡±

    ¡°The secret room within a secret passage.¡±

    ¡°¡ªUnfortunately, I should not, benefactor. There is likely detection array on the entrance if we consider the perpetrator¡¯s amateur ritual capabilities. I believe Miss Sahar is better equipped to access the room than I am. I apologize for my lack.¡±

    ¡°No need to apologize for a job well done, Sage.¡±

    ¡°I want to.¡±

    ¡°¡­Okey-dokey then.¡±

    ¡°Sen,¡± Nara said, addressing him. He¡¯s a part of most of the separate channels Nara¡¯s Guide operates, since it was important for him to receive all the information, ¡°I¡¯m going to send Thanatos to sniff out the tunnels.¡±

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°You have my approval.¡±

    ¡°Thanatos? Stick to the shadows, prioritize remaining undetected. We¡¯re being watched. If you can¡¯t make it there without being detected, turn back.¡±

    ¡°Woof.¡±

    While they had already been detected, that was it. The culprit didn¡¯t need to know they had found his secret hideout.

    Thanatos stood from the stone floor of the archive, dipping his head to acknowledge John, and shook out the relaxation from his body. He subsumed into shadows, slinking away.

    She sat on a thick branch of the ever resilient cliff trees that rejected the unceasing pull of gravity. The double monster pack was eliminated, remnants of blood and flesh already transformed into rainbow smoke. She didn¡¯t forget to loot the monkeys that fell to their deaths. With her massive aura range, she could reach them from where she sat, swinging her legs over what would be instant death for a normal rock climber. That of course didn¡¯t stop free solo rock climbers.

    She meditated there, bringing up that flower within her garden of abilities in her soul. The high mountain wind flowed through her body and whipped up her hair, cool and crisp like a mountain stream untouched by human hands. She felt the vastness of the world here; the trembling of the air, the sway of the tree, and the cold monolith at her back.

    -------

    -Balance Essence Ability, [Refresh], has reached Bronze 0. Increase all Balance Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Recovery] attribute to Bronze 0.

    -Increase all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 10%.

    Ability: [Refresh]

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (boon, recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): When expending mana, gain an instance of [Invigorating Energy]. When expending stamina, gain an instance of [Invigorating Blood]. When expending or suffering health damage, gain an instance of [Invigorating Spirit]. Instance threshold is determined by the [Recovery] attribute. Ability cannot recover more than expended mana, stamina, and health.

    <ul>

    <li>[Invigorating Energy] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of stamina. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    <li>[Invigorating Blood] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of health. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    <li>[Invigorating Spirit] (boon, recovery, stacking): Recover a small amount of mana. Additional instances have an increased effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Convert mana to recover health, health to recover stamina, and stamina to recover mana.

    -------

    ¡°Interesting, it¡¯s a conversion in the opposite direction.¡±

    More importantly, it was an on-demand heal. The conversion efficiency was likely poorer than the heights of what the Invigorating cycle could achieve, but when she converted mana to health, she¡¯d get stamina as a byproduct. Even better was the conversion of stamina to mana, which byproduct-ed health. Nara¡¯s abilities didn¡¯t require that much stamina. Converting excess stamina to mana, her most important resource since it doubled as indirect damage reduction, on top of healing would go a long way to keeping her alive.

    She¡¯d likely never use the health to stamina conversion.

    ¡°Not never,¡± Chrome said.

    ¡°Not never?¡±

    ¡°There is one particular ability you¡¯ll gain from me at silver rank that will consume both mana and stamina at extreme rates.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­!¡± Nara¡¯s eyes widened, sparkling with uncontainable excitement.

    ¡°Yes, I mean time acceleration.¡± He sounded pained as if imaging the trouble Nara would cause with it. ¡°At silver rank, you can use a time acceleration ability while I¡¯m subsumed. Or not subsumed, in your case.¡±

    ¡°So you aren¡¯t just a glowstick and a waste of a Time Awakening Stone.¡±

    ¡°How dare you. You¡¯d rather have a time acceleration ability over me?¡±

    ¡°Nope! I¡¯d choose you 100% of the time. You¡¯re my favorite glowstick, Chrome.¡±

    She could sense his resigned sigh from here, and perhaps a bit of tsundere embarrassment.

    In her meditation, one other ability broke through the barrier of iron into the rank of bronze, setting her aglow again with bronze light.

    -------

    -Mystic Essence Ability, [Cosmic Path], has reached Bronze 0. Increase all Mystic Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Spirit] attribute to Bronze 0.

    -Increase all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 15%.

    Ability: [Cosmic Path]

    Conjuration (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Moderate mana / High mana

    Cooldown: None / 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a path of stars beneath the caster¡¯s feet. Prevents abilities from manifesting directly below the caster. Enhances [Speed]. Can reduce the weight of the caster for low mana-per-second cost, allowing for reduced fall speed and water walking. Can further enhance the caster¡¯s [Speed] for additional low mana-per-second cost. The slow-fall effect can be extended to others in proximity.

    Effect (Bronze): Cosmic Path allows gliding for low mana-per-second cost. Weight reduction no longer costs mana unless affecting additional people. Can make Cosmic Path briefly tangible for a low mana cost. This effect has a 20 second cooldown.

    Effect (Bronze): Conjure a dimensional gate between two locations on a regional scale. The distant gate must appear at a location you previously visited. This effect is a conjuration with a very high mana cost and a 10 minute cooldown. Other effects can still be used while this ability is on cooldown.

    -------

    Cosmic Path was the last of the first four abilities she had automatically awakened when absorbing her essences, tied to her Mystic Confluence. Phase Shift was the last of her original four that hadn¡¯t reached bronze rank, as it was the hardest to level, not only because of its extreme mana-per-second cost which drained her mana pool in just a few seconds, but also because it was her final defense in her string of other defensive abilities she used before it.

    Chrome manifested on the branch beside her, his glowing gold hair fluttering like golden sunset light woven into physical form by Arachne.

    ¡°Nara you can¡¯t avoid portals forever.¡±

    ¡°I can,¡± she mumbled, ¡°I can teleport.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t avoid portals forever.¡±

    ¡°I doesn¡¯t have to be now though, does it?¡± She said, her voice tinged with desperation.

    She jumped off of the branch, conjuring the swath of cosmos too teeming with lights and nebula to actually represent the depths of space. She floated downwards, using the gravity effect of Cosmic Path to float Chrome down with her. Gradually, the trees one below her leveled with her vision, then surpassed her in elevation until she touched upon the ground.

    With a thought, a portal opened in front of her a distance away. It stood at odds with reality around it, a borderless archway cut-out of the scenery that exposed the innards of the universe. As she looked into it, she felt as though she¡¯d fall into the beautiful swirl of nebulas and stars against abyssal blackness.

    She crouched, suddenly feeling very faint. The ground felt distant beneath her feet, and her hands and body shook. She reached out for something to stabilize her against the spinning record-player earth, grabbing onto Chrome for support, who reluctantly allowed the physical contact.

    She regressed to telepathy, unable to speak physically.

    ¡°Do I have to use my own portal?¡±

    ¡°Your own portal can save your life,¡± Chrome said, very calmly and very logically. ¡°Your astral jumping requires concentration and time, part of the reason you could not escape your suppression. Conjuring a portal is far faster. If not anyone else¡¯s portal, Nara, at least use your own. Do you mistrust your own portal?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t answer him. She had told Sen that she couldn¡¯t use any portal but her own, if and when she got one, and there was a good chance she would. However, she may not be able to use her own portal without feeling as if the ground was glass and had shattered beneath her. Fortunately or unfortunately, John¡¯s message through voice chat interrupted her self-contemplation and building dread. Chrome¡¯s sigh was suffused with annoyance as he subsumed himself back within Nara¡¯s aura. She knew he meant well.

    ¡°I found something,¡± John said. ¡°Around a year and a half ago, Siyu Hong undertook basic ritual magic training to become one of the ritualists of the miners.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s the main ritualist?¡±

    ¡°Adar Wang. More important is Siyu Hong¡ªhe¡¯s got a full essence set.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rare for a town like this.¡±

    John nodded. Now that he¡¯s been in Crystal Quarry 6 for a day, he¡¯s been able to sense who has essences and who does not. Sanshi was unusual for the high concentration of essence users; it was a hub of training and development. Other towns did not come close. The more provincial, the lesser the possibility of even a single iron ranker, especially in a low magic zone like this. In higher magic zones, most towns had a silver or bronze ranker who had grown up there and rotated with other teams to protect their hometown.

    ¡°That¡¯s definitely odd. A full essence set should make Siyu one of the pillars of the community. Next in line to be town chief,¡± Encio said. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be working as a miner anymore. The town head would¡¯ve taken him to show him the ropes.¡±

    ¡°Encio, Eufemia, could the two of you ask why Siyu Hong refused to become the next town head?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll do that.¡±

    *****

    The group met back up in the nebula house. This time, Nara manifested a doorway, and the group entered, continuing their conversation in Nara¡¯s door domain.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way we can be eavesdropped on in here. What do we have?¡± Nara kicked off the discussion.

    ¡°We asked Kisang Zho about the schedule of the miners,¡± Encio said, ¡°All start work during the day, pretty early.¡±

    ¡°How long do they work?¡±

    ¡°Not too long,¡± said Encio, ¡°Six hours, at most, per day. And two days of rest per week.¡±

    ¡°Fantasy miners have a better work life balance than I did?¡± Nara grumbled. Erras¡¯ weeks were only six days long, which meant they had shorter work weeks as well, although adventurer work weeks were notoriously unpredictable. Disaster never waited for your days off.

    ¡°And Siyu?¡± Asked Sen.

    ¡°Here¡¯s something a little interesting,¡± said Eufemia. ¡°Siyu enters the mines before everyone else and leaves last, way later.¡±

    ¡°How much later?¡±

    ¡°Until nightfall, apparently. Ties into his excuse to turn down the town head position¡ªhe just really likes the mines. I don¡¯t buy it, of course, wouldn¡¯t even need a Truth priest to know it stinks. No one in their right mind likes the mines over the popularity and power ¡®next in line for town head¡¯ gets you.¡±

    ¡°I think plenty of people don¡¯t like positions of power,¡± Nara said, playing devil¡¯s advocate. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±

    Eufemia snorted, ¡°Once I have my eyes on him, I¡¯ll know if this Siyu is just throwing shit so others can eat it.¡±

    ¡°Have you seen him?¡±

    Eufemia shook her head, ¡°As elusive as he is fraudulent.¡±

    ¡°How did Thanatos¡¯ investigation go?¡±

    ¡°He did manage to sneak into the tunnel. He said he smelled blood leading into the concealed corridor. A lot of it.¡±

    ¡°The den of the culprit. Those disappearances are not just disappearances.¡±

    ¡°Probably dead, yeah,¡± agreed Nara somberly. ¡°I¡¯m going to keep Sage at the entrance of the hidden cavern and have her see who enters. Have Sage pick them out of the miners later.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a good plan. I¡¯d like you to additionally leave a body of Sage at Aira Hong¡¯s house.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re narrowing in on the Hong¡¯s?¡±

    Sen nodded, ¡°He¡¯s unmarried, and still lives with his mother.¡±

    ¡°If he turns out to be an incel,¡± Nara said, ¡°I called it. It could only be worse if he literally lives in her basement.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s strange. An unmarried iron ranker in a village like this should have any number of young ladies and gentlemen falling over him,¡± Aliyah remarked.

    ¡°What about Tousa?¡±

    ¡°Has an alibi,¡± said Eufemia, a term she picked up from John after working with him for so long, ¡°Usually works when the traders are out. Something else too¡ªsome time ago, he asked that his shift be diverged from Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Which means Siyu doesn¡¯t work when the traders are away.¡± Sen said.

    ¡°Why¡¯s that strange?¡± Nara asked Eufemia.

    ¡°Apparently,¡± Eufemia leaned in like she was discussing some juicy gossip, ¡°They used to be close friends.¡±

    ¡°Ah! And they were roommates!¡±

    ¡°No. Just friends,¡± she denied, confused. ¡°And now he wants nothing to do with Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Siyu¡¯s mother is also acting strangely. Siyu¡¯s former close friend is distancing himself, and Siyu himself is an anomaly,¡± John said. ¡°Siyu is the most suspicious person in the village. He¡¯s the primary suspect,¡± he sat back in his chair, pensive.

    ¡°You sure look proud of yourself, John,¡± Nara smirked.

    ¡°Quiet, you. I¡¯m enjoying my moment.¡±

 Chapter 118: A Taste For Luxury

    Chapter 118: A Taste For Luxury

    With a primary suspect, it was no longer necessary for Eufemia to sneak into the secret meeting of the miners. She could do so to verify, but the team preferred to use alternative methods, now that they had a main suspect to focus their investigation on.

    Sen and Nara headed to meet Kisang Zho. The two of them would head into the mines to inspect them. The town head, his position on the line, had ordered Kisang to accommodate them in whatever way possible. Kisang wouldn¡¯t refuse an adventurer regardless.

    ¡°Boss Zho,¡± Sen said, greeting him with Sanshi¡¯s traditional fist-in-palm greeting. ¡°Thank you for accommodating us.¡±

    ¡°For an adventurer like yourself,¡± Kisang said stiffly, ¡°just call me Kisang. You are not one of my men; I don¡¯t expect that from you. You are?¡±

    ¡°Sen Arlang,¡± Sen said, ¡°and my team member, Nara Edea.¡±

    Kisang¡¯s brows raised at the Arlang name. It wasn¡¯t uncommon, so he had no idea if Sen was core Arlang nobility or simply shared the name. But he judged from his impeccable posture, his strong expression and impression, that he most likely was. His discipline was apparent in his movements.

    The name Edea wasn¡¯t common knowledge in the villages. It was famous mainly in high society and research circles, as well as high up in the Adventure Society. Nara didn¡¯t warrant any special attention to Kisang besides her status as an adventurer on Sen¡¯s team. Which, to Kisang, was already imposing enough. City folk were a lot more used to interacting with adventurers on the regular while country folk were not.

    Kisang was a burly man, tall and muscular. Dark, tanned, almost leathery skin from the time he spent hauling stone and crystal under the sun for transport. Healthy though, as the healer within the town cleansed any ailments away. He was fifty-five, and close to retiring. He was a human, which was the majority race in the town, alongside a few runics and celestines. Despite his strength forged by work, Sen with his enhanced physical strength and high iron rank attributes surpassed him in strength. With Mighty Strength, Sen¡¯s strength was already mid bronze, boosted into the realm of the superhuman.

    ¡°The boys are already working down in the mines,¡± he said. ¡°We start early. Hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Not at all,¡± said Sen, ¡°We¡¯d like to be introduced to all of them. It¡¯d help with the investigation.¡±

    ¡°You think the killer is one of my men?¡± Kisang said, frowning.

    ¡°This is standard,¡± reassured Sen. ¡°My other team members are handling the traders and the rest of the townsfolk.¡±

    Sen had sent Eufemia and Encio to put on an act and do so, in case Kisang asked around.

    ¡°You¡¯re very thorough,¡± Kisang noted, somewhat placated.

    Sen played up his background, using it to his advantage. ¡°It¡¯s my duty as an Arlang.¡±

    Kisang nodded to himself. ¡°Of course.¡±

    Kisang was moved. He felt a little hope that with an Arlang, perhaps the killings and tensions within the village could finally be resolved. Where all else had failed, an Arlang would succeed.

    Nara was surprised by the organization and stability of the mine. Tunnels were wide and reinforced, with sturdy supports and reinforcing ritual magic applied to the stone. The miners had also left in stone supports from the mountain itself. The miners didn¡¯t use pickaxes, but special, long, sword-like pieces of metal. The ¡®blade¡¯ was blunt and rounded, like a large, elongated butter knife. It was specially crafted for normal rankers to use, and the blade only cut through stone and crystal, and not much else, preventing the rejection from combat-focused equipment. The miners cut large, near-uniform blocks with the stone saws, placed them on a specialty skimmer, and drove them back to the entrance of the mine.

    ¡°Fetch the boys for me!¡± Kisang told his second-in-command.

    He nodded, running off, shouting through the mines for the miners to gather up in one of the larger caverns which had turned into an underground rest area and gathering room.

    ¡°Boys, this is Sen Arlang and his team member Nara Edea,¡± Kisang said, introducing them; ¡°I better not see anyone of you disrespecting them.¡±

    ¡°¡°YES BOSS,¡±¡± The miners shouted back.

    ¡°Now, boys, Mister Arlang here wants an introduction to all of you. Be good and proper and get to it.¡±

    The miners did so, each introducing themselves.

    ¡°Siyu Hong isn¡¯t here?¡± Sen asked. He knew he wouldn¡¯t be, but he wanted to gauge the reaction of the miners.

    Nara¡¯s purpose here was to read all of their auras. Eufemia could play this part too, but when Nara wanted to be, she was far more indiscrete. Her comparative plainness benefited her, and she became a wallflower among the crowd.

    ¡°Why¡¯re looking for brother Hong?¡± One miner said, clearly defensive.

    Kisang shot the miner a glare and began to yell at him, ¡°What did I just say¡ª"

    Sen held a hand up, stopping him, ¡°Your brother Hong is an iron ranker. We thought he may be a great asset in our investigation. We¡¯ve heard that he¡¯s a son of the mines and dedicated to these depths. Dedicated to his brothers,¡± He cast his gaze approvingly across the crowd, ¡°He could help us identify who¡¯s sneaking through the tunnels and attacking the townsfolk.¡±

    Eufemia would be proud; Sen couldn¡¯t act any role, but he could certainly play the part of an earnest leader seeking competent help.

    Murmurs spread within the crowd.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s sneaking through the mines?¡±

    ¡°Some secret cult, you think?¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard about Undeath actin¡¯ up.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Sen raised his hand again, hushing them, the miners now his captive audience. ¡°We¡¯ve heard your brother Siyu Hong is a skilled ritualist. I was hoping to borrow this knowledge of him for our investigation. Your brother Hong has many useful skills. I¡¯m impressed. I think he could make it in the city, but it''s clear his heart is here. His loyalty is commendable.¡±

    It was a lie, of course. Sen had been personally trained by Aliyah in ritual magic. He wasn¡¯t a researcher or the expert she was, but he could cast most basic ritual magic. Sen wasn¡¯t ordinarily the type to use his words and position to sway a crowd, but he now saw value in the methods Eufemia utilized.

    Sen had previously been only focused on tactical complexity. While their team came together through circumstance, Eufemia¡¯s ability set is what drew him to her. Eufemia had not had many chances to utilize her stage presence nor way with words, but in the meeting with Zinnia over Aliyah¡¯s and Nara¡¯s abducting her intuition and observation of people were accurate and astute. His older sister Maya had regularly chastised him for his simplicity in handling others. He saw it now; leveraging his large stature, his straight posture, his name, and his rank, he became the focus. In battle there was flow, in emotions too, there was strategy, Sen discovered.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Praise from an Arlang had served to lower their defenses.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, brother Hong is skilled.¡±

    ¡°The hope of the miners!¡±

    ¡°Even the Arlang recognizes his talent.¡±

    Sen didn¡¯t even need to raise his hand for them to quiet. A sweep of his gaze caused the miners to straighten themselves and settle down, practically jumping to be at his attention.

    ¡°I understand it is your brother Hong¡¯s day of rest,¡± Sen said. ¡°I regret that I must disturb him now, but his expertise is that important to me. Where can I find him to enlist his aid?¡± Sen¡¯s tone was commanding, but with just a dash of earnest imploring. A famed son, asking for one of theirs to assist them on a quest to save the town. Siyu Hong would be a hero that helped the Arlang, a hero to the people of Crystal Quarry 6.

    Nara felt that her whole team was a band of actors, charlatans, and tricksters.

    There¡¯s not a single honest one here¡­

    *****

    Nara and Sen were led into a tunnel that branched off the main shaft.

    ¡°Why¡¯s he down here?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°Brother Hong really likes the caves,¡± The young miner said, now more than happy to guide them. ¡°He stays here in his spare time, working on his ritual magic.¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t go back to see his mom?¡±

    ¡°He goes to see his ma at sundown,¡± The miner explained. ¡°Every day. Ain¡¯t he sweet?¡±

    ¡°His mom would probably rather he meet some young ladies,¡± Nara mused.

    ¡°True that. But Brother Hong is picky,¡± The miner nodded. ¡°He should be.¡±

    ¡°Waiting for Miss Perfect?¡± said Nara sarcastically, but it didn¡¯t register to the miner.

    ¡°Yeah. Brother Hong is a romantic!¡± he exclaimed, sounding like he¡¯d like to be romanced by Brother Hong.

    Nara didn¡¯t think that was romantic. There was no such thing as a soulmate, a perfect match, or love at first sight. Either that was an excuse for something else, or Siyu Hong was a narcissist.

    She may be a pessimist on the topic of love. Her parents divorced marriage, her own experience with relationships, and the struggle for rights had jaded her to the idea of love. The close friendships teams formed already warmed her heart, as well as the constant companionship of her familiars. Moreover, the revelation that she would live a long time complicated matters. How do diamond rankers deal with inevitable loss? How does Sezan deal with it? His wife was gold rank, not diamond rank.

    A wooden doorway had been installed, blocking the next part of the tunnel.

    ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve got some visitors,¡± the young miner called out, giving a polite knock.

    ¡°Let them in,¡± said a voice from within.

    Siyu Hong stood, greeting Sen and Nara, outwardly polite. Fair skin that was unusual for the miners, black hair and dark brown eyes. A human, like most of the miners. He was muscular, but slimmer than Boss Zho¡¯s sturdy and stout build. He could have been called handsome (if Nara hadn¡¯t had her meter of attractiveness shattered by Encio, Sen, and Eufemia), with a strong jaw and sharp eyes. He wasn¡¯t up to par with her teammates, but handsome for his rank.

    ¡°I¡¯m Siyu Hong,¡± he said. ¡°What brings the two of you here?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Sen Arlang,¡± Sen said, ¡°and this is Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°Hello.¡± Nara said nothing more, letting Sen take the lead.

    Siyu offered the two of them a seat, which they accepted, settling into the room.

    ¡°You are aware of the ongoing contract regarding the unusual circumstances within this town?¡± Sen asked him.

    ¡°Ah,¡± he said, his smile widening, ¡°The two of you are adventurers?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sen confirmed. ¡°We were told you were an iron ranker yourself. We thought we¡¯d ask for your assistance and expertise.¡±

    ¡°I have my commitments during the day,¡± Siyu said, folding his arms. ¡°But I¡¯m more than happy to assist you later in the day. We all want to resolve this¡­issue. I can¡¯t stand to see my brothers so anxious.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯d appreciate it,¡± said Sen. ¡°The culprit likely acts at night, so your assistance during the night is timely.¡±

    Siyu nodded, agreeing with Sen¡¯s analysis. He turned to Nara, ¡°How do you serve on Sir Arlang¡¯s team?¡±

    Serve? Nara thought inwardly, but she maintained a pleasant expression. ¡°I¡¯m a utility adventurer,¡± she lied, a spur of the moment decision.

    ¡°Utility adventurer?¡±

    ¡°I have spatial storage powers, an ability that will become a portal power at bronze rank, mild scout abilities, and a cooking ability too.¡±

    If Siyu was the culprit, he already knew Nara had a bronze rank aura. He¡¯d be able to recognize that they were the same person. It was best to pretend she was the utility scout member of the team, which wasn¡¯t inaccurate. It¡¯s just that her racial abilities provided that, rather than her essence abilities.

    ¡°Did you just call me a ¡®cooking ability¡¯?¡± Chrome telepathically shot back, indignant.

    ¡°Hush. And what are you doing right now, sir chef?¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    ¡°You keep a cook with you at iron rank?¡± Siyu said, looking towards Sen.

    ¡°I¡¯m ashamed to admit,¡± Sen said, completely straight-faced. ¡°I cannot shake my taste for luxury even on a contract.¡±

    Siyu chuckled, ¡°The cooks here can¡¯t compare to the ones in the city. They must disappoint your refined palette.¡±

    ¡°It is not that¡­¡± Sen explained awkwardly, thinking of an excuse. ¡°I¡¯m a picky eater.¡±

    ¡°A picky eater, is it?¡± Siyu said, misinterpreting. ¡°The food available here is¡­lacking.¡±

    The entire conversation, Nara was watching Siyu¡¯s aura. For an iron ranker, it was too controlled. A provincial miner should have shown something when he heard Sen¡¯s last name, like the rest of the miners. The lack of any aura reaction was telling¡ªif he was iron rank, Nara should have been able to detect something.

    Nara wasn¡¯t trying to probe, she didn¡¯t want to alert him to their suspicions of him. She let her aura suffuse the surroundings, detecting changes like detecting ripples in the surface of a pond, which belied the movements beneath. Something in Siyu¡¯s aura was abnormal, an unnaturalness she recognized¡ªa sign of an incomplete technique, and his lack of aura training.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to ask, where can we find you in the next few days for your assistance?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°I will just be here,¡± Siyu said. ¡°The next few days are not my shift. I¡¯m more than willing to assist you during that time, as long as it¡¯s within the caves. I want to keep an eye on the tunnels here.¡± He gave a fond sort of smile. ¡°I¡¯m always concerned for my brothers.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you,¡± Nara said, not believing her own words.

    ¡°It has piqued my interest,¡± said Sen. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you were working on array magic?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not experienced with it yourself?¡±

    ¡°I have minor training,¡± said Sen so plainly, that no one would suspect what a massive understatement it was: He didn¡¯t even consider that to be a lie. Compared to Aliyah, his skill was minor. To any other adventurer, he was selling himself short.

    Siyu went over some of his materials with Sen, while Nara looked over their shoulders. The magic was mostly related to stone reinforcement, earth quality detection, detecting the size and location of ore veins, air cleansing, and the upkeep of their magic tools.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite an expert in your field,¡± Sen threw out some casual praise. ¡°I have a team member who can use some ritual magic, but she doesn¡¯t know have this much expertise in earth and stone related ritual magic. I suspect the answer to these killings and body thefts lie in these caves.¡±

    If Siyu was the culprit, then he would know about Aliyah¡¯s ritual magic usage.

    ¡°I still have a long way to go,¡± Siyu rebutted. ¡°I want to find magic that will relieve the burdens of my brothers and ease the difficulties of their lives. He shook his head, sadly, ¡°Not everyone has essences to repair their bodies. My brothers need to take care of themselves.¡±

    Sen straightened, thanking Siyu for his time. ¡°We¡¯ll return tomorrow, Mister Hong.¡±

    ¡°Please, an Arlang like yourself? Just call me Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Very well. Siyu, I look forward to working with you tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±

    He escorted them to the main tunnel, where he bid them farewell.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Sen said through voice chat, ¡°We¡¯re out of his aura range now.¡±

    The stone of the tunnels would obstruct Siyu like they obstructed Nara.

    ¡°What did you sense?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not iron rank, Sen. He¡¯s bronze rank. Something else is off about him, but I can¡¯t place it.¡±

    ¡°¡­Did my suspicions show on my aura?¡±

    Or my rage, he thought silently. Siyu¡¯s careless degradation of his teammate to servant had hit a nerve that Sen struggled to keep down at the time. If it were any other situation, he would have challenged Siyu, either verbally or physically. Thankfully, aura control was drilled into the scions of adventuring families. Aura control became an important part of adventuring culture at higher ranks, where untrained auras were annoying to everyone around and was a mark of mediocrity. Sen didn¡¯t want to admit their table games had refined his ability to keep his emotions out of his aura, else Encio and Nara could call it ¡®training¡¯ and badger him in the future. He wouldn¡¯t be able to deny them.

    Thankfully, while Siyu was adept at controlling his own aura, he fared poorly in reading other auras. Against the normal and partial essence users of Crystal Quarry 6, there was no need to practice and no one to practice on. Eufemia, in contrast, was constantly honing her ability to read others. There was much she was limited by, like aura strength, but the art of reading body language was one she excelled at as well. If one method didn¡¯t work, she used another. If another method didn¡¯t exist, she made it, slapping one together with spare parts like a DIY project then refining it into something special. That was Eufemia¡¯s way, and why she was the best aura and physical reader of the team.

    ¡°You were fine, Sen. Kind of gave off the feeling that you wanted to work with him, but also were suspicious. Stern and straightlaced too.¡±

    ¡°A balanced reading?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, nothing unusual for an investigator. You could leverage it to pull him around the next few days. He¡¯ll do his best to dispel any suspicion upon him.¡±

    ¡°And also convince me nothing is going on around here. Dispel our doubts and send us back to Sanshi like the rest of the teams here.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll make the implication, for sure.¡±

    Sen was starting to see what may have happened with the previous investigative teams if they had even gotten this far. He was no Encio, but Siyu had his honeyed tongue, filled with kind words and compassion towards his fellow brothers. To anyone else, he may have been a slightly eccentric but compassionate (and classist) iron ranker of a provincial town, with little motive to upset the town hierarchy he stood at the top of. Nothing that should have raised suspicions.

    Sen was reminded of Eufemia¡¯s wisdom: ¡°We wouldn¡¯t put on an act if it wasn¡¯t effective.¡±

 Chapter 119: Honey Trap

    Chapter 119: Honey Trap

    They gathered once again, within Nara¡¯s door domain in her nebula house, for double security. If Siyu was spying on them, he wouldn¡¯t be able to bypass the double layered protection.

    ¡°Siyu Hong is likely a Death Essence User, of the vampiric variety,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°I¡¯ve had that suspicion as well,¡± John said. Vampirism was one of the topics discussed in the field of healing magic and in classes at the Academy. ¡°Which means this can get very bad very quickly. If he feels threatened, he may attack the townsfolk.¡±

    ¡°Nara.¡± Sen jotted down a quick list. He¡¯d hand the list to Sage, but all her bodies were occupied. ¡°Purchase these objects from Sanshi.¡±

    She nodded, pocketing the list into her inventory, ¡°The Adventure Society trading hall won¡¯t be open now, so I¡¯ll go first thing in the morning.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to occupy Siyu.¡± Sen said. ¡°Aliyah, do you think you can break into the concealed chamber?¡±

    ¡°Siyu is very much an amateur if his earlier concealment magic is demonstrative of his level. Breaking into the chamber is below amateur.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia, I¡¯d like you to come with me to occupy Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Honey pot?¡± she asked, immediately catching on.

    He nodded. ¡°If you¡¯re willing.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s easy,¡± Eufemia huffed, flipping her hair. ¡°Judging by his attitude, he¡¯s a narcissist. Thinks he¡¯s better than everyone around here, oh, none of the women or men here are good enough for him. If I¡¯m a little flirty but standoffish, that¡¯ll get him going. His desire to conquer.¡± The disgust in her words made her opinion on that sort of person very clear. None here disagreed.

    ¡°The is one problem with my task,¡± said Aliyah. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to sneak in there without him noticing. If he¡¯s watching us with familiars, he¡¯ll notice us the moment we head towards the warehouse.¡±

    ¡°Unless, I have him lead us to the warehouse himself,¡± said Sen. ¡°I¡¯ll tell him you discovered it and ask what he knows about it. He already knows you have basic ritual magic ability.¡±

    ¡°If we bring it up first, it makes it look like we¡¯re confiding in him,¡± Eufemia said slyly. ¡°I like it! Excellent manipulation.¡±

    ¡°And It won¡¯t be suspicious if we hang around there,¡± Nara added.

    Sen nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the idea. We have one additional issue to solve. We may need to evacuate the town. Nara?¡±

    ¡°You want to store everyone within the domain door?¡±

    ¡°Are you comfortable with that?¡±

    Nara pondered it for a moment: Chelsea had said to keep the ability under wraps, but could she really do so when lives were at risk? However, she had already been a target by external forces for reasons other than her Astral Domain ability. Adding on one more reason was adding hay to the haystack of reasons to kidnap Nara.

    ¡°I can create a domain doorway, but anyone with a full set of essences may not want to go through. I can¡¯t guarantee that Siyu won¡¯t be able to enter either. But yeah, I¡¯m willing.¡±

    The nebula house wasn¡¯t large enough to house the whole town for evacuation. Otherwise, she would have suggested that instead. It had guaranteed protections that would slow down a bronze ranker. Not to mention, it was capable of making its own defensive attacks. It was nothing that¡¯d significantly harm a bronze ranker, but it was at least a deterrence.

    ¡°Are we making our move tomorrow?¡± Encio asked.

    Sen shook his head. ¡°If he¡¯s a vampire, he¡¯ll need to ingest blood periodically. We¡¯re going to drag this out as long as possible, so that he makes mistakes, and uses up his blood stores.¡±

    ¡°I could delay destroying his array,¡± said Aliyah. ¡°I will disable it so that we may inspect the secret area, then re-enable it when we leave. If he returns to his lair, we don¡¯t want to alert him with a disabled array.¡±

    Sen nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid if he¡¯s an essence user vampire,¡± Eufemia said, ¡°I won¡¯t know much about them. I thought that the killings were out of character for the vampires I know.¡± Eufemia felt apologetic, her initial observation had led the team off the scent of a vampire. ¡°The death essence users of Nekroz aren¡¯t what we common folk know about or interact with.¡±

    ¡°Nobody knows much about Death Essence users. It¡¯s hardly a failing,¡± Encio said, reassuring instead of sniping when it mattered.

    ¡°This is good and all,¡± interrupted John, ¡°But shouldn¡¯t we go and get help? I know you all are gung-ho about challenge, but Siyu¡ªif he¡¯s a vampire¡ªis a real threat to all these people! Nara could call over a bronze ranker and have them deal with him.¡±

    ¡°You make a good point,¡± said Sen. ¡°I have considered this course of action.¡±

    ¡°But decided against it? Why?¡±

    ¡°Not exactly¡ªlet me explain. If we have Nara invite a bronze ranker to this village¡ªfirstly, there is no guarantee any can portal directly to this village, even if there was one with a portal ability.¡±

    ¡°I follow so far.¡±

    ¡°I have no qualms with Nara reporting the results of our investigation to the Adventure Society. It is the original objective of our contract,¡± said Sen. ¡°Since we have Nara with us, it would be prudent to do so. However, the society may opt to have us deal with Siyu regardless.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡± John said, incredulous.

    ¡°There is no doubt Siyu has capabilities to observe others from a distance. His familiars or vampiric minions are scattered throughout the town, and likely through the routes leading to and from the town as well. If he detects a bronze ranker approaching the town, he may not react well.¡±

    ¡°You think he¡¯ll tear up the village,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Sink his fangs into every last person here.¡±

    Sen nodded. ¡°He has the home advantage. A bronze ranker would be hard to stop with no deaths.¡±

    ¡°But would delayal result in less deaths?¡± John countered.

    ¡°We can only hope,¡± said Sen solemnly. ¡°What does one do? A path of guaranteed loss, or a riskier path the potential of greater gains or greater losses?¡± He crossed a fist over his chest, expression unyielding and sincere. ¡°As the team strategist, have faith that I will tilt the scales in our favor, and that we may strike true in Warrior¡¯s stead.¡±

    John met his eyes and acquiesced. In this, he was not the senior.

    *****

    ¡°Sen Arlang,¡± Siyu said, greeting him. ¡°A good morning to you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad I can have your assistance today in these mines, Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Siyu¡¯s eyes turned to Eufemia.

    She was enchanting, seductive, and dangerous¡ªeffortlessly so. Her black tight leather armor hugged her body (not the armor Eufemia normally wore, of course). Two daggers hung at her waist, tucked into dark brown sheathes. Her dark ruby hair was done up, revealing her neck, teased with curls. She was a ruby poison apple, clearly dangerous and enticingly so.

    ¡°Eufemia Teresina,¡± she said. She looked at Siyu and smirked, as if she had just appraised him, and he fell below expectations. ¡°I would say it¡¯s a pleasure¡­ but that remains to be seen.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to fulfill your expectations, Miss Teresina,¡± Siyu said, eyes narrowing. He could taste the challenge in her words, in her posture, and he craved victory.

    ¡°Do try.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s your auxiliary member? Nara, was it?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s slept in a bit late today.¡± Sen said.

    ¡°You let her treat you like that?¡±

    ¡°Aww~,¡± Eufemia said teasingly, ¡°You don¡¯t like that?¡±

    She may have insinuated something between Nara and Sen that the two would have found abhorrent. Sen schooled his twitching expression.

    ¡°Eufemia,¡± he admonished.

    Siyu pursed his lips, smiling. It was the sort of smile that was less charming that what the person doing it thought of themselves. ¡°My apologies. I was insensitive. Give Nara my regards.¡±

    Sen had never felt a greater urge to cave his skull in on a stone wall to erase this very moment from his memories, or perhaps a visit to the church of Oblivion. Eufemia must be enjoying this. He side-eyed the stone wall of the closest building, so very tempted.

    He did not, blankly replying, ¡°I will give her your regards.¡±

    Even Eufemia praised his ability to hide all of his emotions beneath a veneer of neutrality.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    *****

    Nara returned to their inn room, done with her purchases in Sanshi. She would next go with Encio to talk to the town head.

    The town head had a similar build to the miners; strong, wiry physique forged from daily exertion. He was one of the few celestines in the town, with cinerous copper brown hair and eyes. The town head himself was previously a miner. His face was tired, worn, showing his full fifty plus years of age. Without a third essence he didn¡¯t benefit from the magical rejuvenation of a full set. Even so, like all celestines, he possessed a natural beauty that was only enhanced by his wrinkles, aging like fine wine.

    Nara could tell from his aura that he had two essences, but not which. She wondered as she ranked up and became more skilled with her aura, if that was something she¡¯d be able to detect, like how the silver rankers of Sanshi could detect her race from her aura.

    The three sat down in the mayor¡¯s office. Encio activated a privacy screen, which covered the three of them.

    ¡°Town Head, Sen Arlang would like to request something of you, and it¡¯s very important that you follow his instructions.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve all made headway into the case?¡± he asked, tense from his built-up stress. ¡°Who is it, who¡¯s killing all the people in this town?¡± Desperation bled through his voice. He had held up strong for a long time, but he tired of the funerals, the weeping wives and confused children, and the emotional burden each death stacked on top of him.

    ¡°We can¡¯t tell you, because then the culprit would know that we know,¡± Encio said. ¡°Town Head, please, relax.¡±

    Haoran Jing realized that his fists had been clenched. He slowly unclenched them, stretching them out and taking a deep breath.

    ¡°What can I do for you?¡±

    ¡°A fight will break out with the culprit, in around a week,¡± Encio said. ¡°At the time, we may need the town evacuated. Do you have an evacuation location?¡±

    The mayor shook his head, ¡°This town isn¡¯t big enough for a local one. Our shelter is in the outskirts of Sanshi.¡±

    Three days was not too long of a trip for monster wave preparations, which often lasted months. It was the safest city in the region, so none of the townsfolk would complain about their designated evacuation zone.

    ¡°If something happens, a portal arch will appear in the center of town. If we ask you to, we¡¯d like you to evacuate everyone into the portal arch, no questions asked.¡±

    Encio prompted her, and Nara invited Haoran Jing to the party.

    He was shocked for a moment, observing the strange screen that floated in his vision.

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my communication ability.¡± Nara explained, ¡°We¡¯ll be able to give you more details, once things go down.¡±

    The mayor nodded, accepting the party invitation.

    *****

    Three days had passed. Sen had wasted as much time as possible, asking Siyu to lead him through the mines, with the excuse of ¡°finding hidden cultists.¡± Eufemia continued flirting with Siyu, until the two were at the fanciest restaurant in town¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t anything impressive compared to Sanshi with their silver and gold rankers, but the town still had someplace nice for special occasions. Encio, Nara, and Sen sat at another table, with a privacy screen set up.

    ¡°Why are we doing this¡­¡± The past few days had mentally exhausted Sen. Caspian sat in a chair next to him, food covering his red wolf fur. He reflexively lifted a napkin to wipe the remnants from his bond¡¯s face, who, as usual, refused to cooperate without a fight.

    ¡°Well Eufemia made you out to be some sort of Arlang Casanova with a harem of mediocre-but-attractive teammates,¡± said Encio, who fit ¡®Casanova¡¯ far better in Sen¡¯s humble opinion. ¡°So now we all have to flirt with you. Say ahh~,¡± Encio lifted his fork, placing it within Sen¡¯s mouth, who chewed mechanically, a faraway look in his eyes, as if his soul had left his body an empty, uninhabitable husk.

    Encio relished playing the role, and he certainly had the looks to match. He wore a skintight white silk long shirt plus pants combo, cut away at his back and hips to reveal his olive skin and striking soul crest. Beautiful medium length wavy black hair and eyes that glittered like emeralds, Encio could be a high-class escort. Nara wore a pure white loose dress, chosen by Eufemia to ¡°bring out her pure appeal¡±, because it was the most convincing option for Nara. She couldn¡¯t do black-leather-sexy. (Eufemia said that he could, which had only exacerbated Sen¡¯s headache. He was unspeakably glad she hadn¡¯t demanded that of him.)

    ¡°Why do you even have all of this clothing? This is oddly specific.¡±

    ¡°You know I model for Pietro.¡±

    ¡°Women¡¯s clothing too?¡±

    ¡°I work both ways.¡±

    Sen was a lean-muscular, but not nearly slender enough to be a femboy. She eyed him suspiciously.

    ¡°It¡¯s Eufemia¡¯s,¡± Encio finally admitted, pouting as he gave up the truth. ¡°She sometimes puts on the ¡®soft and innocent act¡¯. Fools a different type of idiot.¡±

    At least Sen had been spared from his mentor joining the act.

    ¡°You¡¯ve having too much fun with this.¡±

    ¡°No such thing,¡± reassured Encio unconvincingly. ¡°It¡¯s all part of the performance.¡±

    ¡°John has to play the ¡®only-competent-team-member-doing-all-of-the-real-work¡¯,¡± Nara said, ¡°Think about him, eating all alone.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember the taste of any of the food I¡¯ve eaten,¡± said Sen gravely. ¡°I envy him.¡±

    ¡°If I sat on your lap,¡± Encio asked. ¡°Would it make you feel better?¡±

    ¡°It would not.¡± Sen could not refuse fast enough, resisting the urge to throw up. ¡°I would feel worse.¡±

    ¡°Should I give it a shot?¡± joked Nara.

    ¡°You have the flirting ability of a bee courting a flower. Just sit there and look pretty.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell if that¡¯s supposed to be an insult. From your tone, I think it is. Besides, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m pretty enough to sit here and look pretty.¡±

    ¡°You could let Sen feed you,¡± he suggested very unhelpfully, in Sen¡¯s opinion.

    Nara stared at Sen and Sen stared at Nara.

    ¡°What if I just put food on her plate?¡± Sen weakly offered after a pause. Somewhere in the back of his mind was a mantra of forthemissionforthemissionforthemission. Perhaps it would drown out reality.

    ¡°That¡¯ll work.¡± Said Encio encouragingly, his voice mischievously sweet. ¡°Now, my handsome Prince, here comes another bite~.¡±

    Sen had never felt so tortured in his life. He prayed a compassionate god would end this cruel existence, snuffing him out like a fleeting candle flame.

    Oblivion. He should donate to Oblivion.

    ¡°Eufemia Teresina...¡± Siyu said, eyeing the woman¡¯s ruby hair and eyes, ¡°Are you perhaps part of the Fenhu?¡± Her last name didn¡¯t match the Fenhu¡¯s usual scheme, but they Fenhu were also known for marrying foreigners. She may have inherited the in-law¡¯s last name.

    Eufemia smiled, brushing back a lock of hair. ¡°What makes you say that?¡±

    ¡°Am I wrong?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t give away my secrets so easily.¡±

    ¡°Well, Miss Teresina, the Fenhu are well known for their ruby celestines.¡±

    ¡°Hm~,¡± Eufemia hummed and sipped on her wine. Siyu was a petty provincial essence user pretending to be a hotshot. He knew nothing of the Fenhu except for the stories. Malik and his family did have metallic-red haired celestines (of a more flaming red than her dark ruby), but their skin was fair to tan, and not the snow-ivory that Eufemia inherited from her mother. Not that someone like him would know the intricacies of the current generation of the Fenhu. ¡°What else?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Fenhu like to use fire abilities.¡±

    ¡°Fortunately,¡± Eufemia said, leaning in, ¡°I don¡¯t fit the family mold there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that this restaurant is the best this backwater town has to offer the both of you.¡± Siyu said, his gaze turning towards Sen¡¯s table, where he saw the three feeding each other, although he could not hear what they were saying, due to a privacy screen. ¡°Your team leader seems to be enjoying himself. You don¡¯t need to be there?¡± He eyed her.

    Eufemia snorted, ¡°I¡¯m a peer, not one of his toys.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Siyu placated, his smile hollow of charm. ¡°That would be beneath you.¡±

    Eufemia was looking forward to the stabbing part of the plan. Physical catharsis was always better after a long acting stint.

    *****

    The group gathered at the nebula house, in varying degrees of mental exhaustion. Sen was dead inside, as if his life was a watermelon that had all of its contents scooped out, leaving but the bitter rinds.

    ¡°You alright there, mate?¡± John said as Sen walked in, plopping down on furniture within Nara¡¯s false domain. All of his perfect posture and commanding presence was completely gone, stretched out face down over the length of a couch.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± John said, unsure.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we can continue this charade much longer,¡± said Eufemia, plopping onto a different seat, which conformed itself to her ideal comfort level.

    ¡°Thank the gods¡­¡± Sen said.

    ¡°The longer we stay, the more suspicious Siyu will become. He¡¯ll start to wonder why we haven¡¯t left yet. Besides,¡± Eufemia said, clasping a hand over her neck, ¡°he keeps staring at my neck. He doesn¡¯t want to bed me; he just wants to eat me.¡±

    ¡°You know you just said the same thing twice,¡± Nara said.

    Eufemia rolled her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep him busy for one more day,¡± said Sen, his voice muffled from the couch. ¡°I¡¯ll tell him we¡¯re preparing to leave, and that we apologize for being unable to solve the issue with the town, and to keep us updated if anything happens.¡±

    ¡°During that time, Nara and I will enter his lair, and destroy what¡¯s inside.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get the mayor to start evacuating into Nara¡¯s domain,¡± said Encio. ¡°Siyu won¡¯t leave the caves during the day, so we have until then. Once we do so, Siyu will realize what¡¯s happening.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll try to escape or, he¡¯ll try to fight.¡±

    Eufemia smirked. ¡°He¡¯ll fight. That vamp-bastard is itching to ¡®prove¡¯ himself in a fight. He¡¯s been picking on normal folk for over two years to rank up, and if he thinks adventurers are anywhere near the same caliber, he¡¯s got a surprise coming for him.¡±

    ¡°More like five years,¡± said John. ¡°I¡¯ve been overlooking the papers, back to surprise mutilation and disappearances of corpses. However he ranks up, the dead and normal people didn¡¯t do much for him.¡±

    ¡°Diminishing returns,¡± Aliyah speculated.

    ¡°The fact it does anything for him is abhorrent,¡± said Eufemia.

    ¡°He¡¯s thirty-two? So he absorbed a death essence at twenty-seven? Why?¡± Nara asked. ¡°If he had two essences at that point, he was so close to getting a normal confluence. You managed to get a picture of him tonight, John?¡±

    ¡°I did,¡± John said, passing around printouts of Siyu¡¯s sheet for them to see.

    ¡°Death, Blood, and Crystal for the Undead Confluence,¡± Nara read out.

    ¡°Crystal, Blood, and Balance form the Vessel confluence,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°He would¡¯ve been well on his way to becoming an offensive healer. It¡¯s a valued role.¡±

    ¡°Drain enemies, heal allies? That sort?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±

    ¡°What could¡¯ve possibly convinced him to take a Death Essence then?¡±

    ¡°Immortality?¡± Aliyah suggested, ¡°Vampiric-like undead usually immediately become ageless of some sort. An aspect of Undeath is the inability to die of natural causes, a corruption of the cycle.¡±

    ¡°Like the vampire-turned in Nekroz,¡± said Eufemia. ¡°Many don¡¯t want to age and die.¡±

    Essence user to normal civilian: Who did not suffer that sort of existential dread?  Everyone knew she may have been referring to a specific person, but they did not voice it.

    ¡°He¡¯s vain,¡± said Encio. ¡°That may have been reason enough for him.¡±

    ¡°Five years and yet only bronze rank,¡± said Sen, still face down. ¡°His impatience brought negligence, revealing mistakes.¡±

    ¡°A pointless waste of the immortality he wanted,¡± Eufemia scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s put this bloodsucking bastard down.¡±

    *****

    Over the course of three days, Sen had already asked Siyu about the hidden entrance. Siyu embarrassedly explained that the miners used it as a gathering ground for discussions they preferred to keep from their boss, Kisang Zho.

    Nonchalant, Aliyah and Nara headed there. Their excuse, if needed, was that Aliyah wanted to take stone samples from different parts of the mountain, in a last ditch hope of discovering something; Aliyah lamenting her inability to do something else for Sen as his ritualist.

    Nara was the supposed storage, so it wasn¡¯t unusual that she went together with Aliyah. Siyu had lost his initial alertness, a combination of Eufemia¡¯s flirting, Sen¡¯s fixation on supposed cult activity, and his ¡®harem¡¯.

    Nara didn¡¯t feel any eyes on them. ¡°We¡¯re in the clear,¡± she told Aliyah through voice chat.

    They entered the passage, the concealment magic already removed by Siyu when he had shown it to Sen. Nara stood guard; her senses spread as far down the stone corridors as she could. Aliyah examined the concealment and alarm magic, mumbling about the magic.

    ¡°It¡¯s clear he learnt his ritual magic from a skill book, and not from an instructor. If it was an instructor, he did an unacceptable job at teaching. These arrays are basic, with no foundational knowledge in theory at all. Even if he learnt magic from a skill book, he should have practiced. This is less than amateur work. Concealment and security require higher standards, that much should be obvious.¡±

    ¡°He probably showed the main ritualist, what was his name again?¡±

    ¡°Adar Wang,¡± Chrome said telepathically to her because he didn¡¯t have the name-memory of a goldfish.

    ¡°He probably half-listened to the lessons from Adar then just demonstrated he could do the rituals. Assuming he used a skill book beforehand.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a likely scenario. Siyu looks down on most of the townsfolk. Adar probably saw through his insincerity and gave him a pass since he couldn¡¯t stand to teach such a pretentious student.¡± After a moment, Aliyah set down her ritual tools. ¡°It¡¯s done. I¡¯ve disabled the magic.¡±

    Nara felt the ambient magic shift, and what had looked like a stone wall became a corridor, the illusion and conjured wall undone.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see what this Siyu is hiding inside.¡±

 Chapter 120: Setting A Trap

    Chapter 120: Setting A Trap

    The stench of blood was so strong Nara did not need Thanatos to tell her it was there. She wanted to gag from nausea, and followed warily after Aliyah, who was similarly disturbed.

    The corridor opened up, revealing a stone room that looked like a research lab. Alongside the wall were sleeping forms¡ªcreatures of grey, stone flesh. Pulsating, bright red veins shone through the fleshy stone skin of the strange abominations.

    ¡°What the Satan¡¯s wrinkly bum hole are those?¡± Nara whispered over voice chat. She didn¡¯t need to, but reflexively did so.

    ¡°Familiars, likely. Of the minion variety,¡± Aliyah whispered back, already used to Nara¡¯s Earth analogies. The two were unsure if their voices would awaken the strange stone and blood monstrosities, and kept quiet.

    They all had different forms; none were uniform. Most were a combination of humanoid and a few other animals, a chimeric corruption of the human form. Others were purely animal, similarly perversions of natural form, more monster than beast.

    ¡°We need to destroy them.¡±

    ¡°Can we? They¡¯re bronze rank. At least, not with them waking up.¡±

    Aliyah paced, thinking on her feet. ¡°We can collapse the entire cave. For those that aren¡¯t destroyed, it will take them some time to escape. I¡¯ll set up the runes.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll look around a bit more.¡±

    Nara gazed at the research table, not entirely willing to touch anything on there. Most was standard¡ªbooks on ritual magic that Siyu evidently had not studied enough. Small vials and bottles filled with blood, labeled with the names of their sources. Papers scribbled on and crumpled here and there, tossed onto the floor.

    ¡°He¡¯s trying to play researcher, but he doesn¡¯t know how to do it,¡± Nara observed. The papers were basic topics, abandoned before delving into the subject. Siyu didn¡¯t have the patience to work through the mundane of research, pruning the tree of progress before it borne fruit. ¡°Lucky for us, I guess. There¡¯s something here,¡± Nara said, gazing at a paper. ¡°This doesn¡¯t look like his handwriting. It¡¯s different from the rest.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a look,¡± Aliyah said. She had to wait for the 1 minute cooldown on Rune Trap anyway. Additionally, she was emplacing rituals to weaken the structure of the stone. At iron rank, her ability wasn¡¯t enough to cause large scale damage, and needed a bit of external help. ¡°They¡¯re instructions. Someone told him how to abduct and kill the townsfolk,¡± She flipped through even further back. ¡°It seems someone convinced him to take the Death Essence. In person, no doubt.¡±

    ¡°Maybe even gave it to him.¡±

    Aliyah nodded, ¡°Death Essences are common for adventurers to find, because of our profession, but not for ordinary people unless they deal with death on a regular basis themselves. Butchers and morticians perhaps, but even a common essence only manifests every five years to a decade in a location.¡±

    ¡°That rare?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s why beyond iron rank, the importance of looting rituals increases. The most efficient way of generating essence is to loot them.¡±

    ¡°Could this be Church of Undeath activity? Eufemia mentioned they¡¯re big in Nekroz.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a good possibility the church of the undeath is involved in this issue. If so, on a larger scale than just Siyu himself. The restriction and punishment for using a Death Essence is well known in cities, but the warning may lose effectiveness in these countryside towns. They could take advantage of hopefuls, promising easy power and giving essences to those who may have had to wait years otherwise.¡±

    Aliyah went back to preparation, while Nara continued her inspection. On the table, a large cube of crystal stood out, around 10 inches for every side. It seemed inert. She Inspected it with her Guide.

    -------

    Item: [Crystalline Vampiric Phylactery] (bronze rank, legendary)

    Classification: Object, Artifact, Consumable

    A delicate phylactery created of crystal that can contain a vampire¡¯s soul. Currently bound to Siyu Hong.

    Requirements: Vampiric Bloodline

    Effect: Can contain the soul of the vampire after the physical body is destroyed. Will regenerate the body of the vampire, albeit at reduced strength for a recovery period.

    Uses: 1/1

    You do not meet the requirements to use [Crystalline Vampiric Phylactery].

    -------

    ¡°Uhhhhh Aliyah? I found something.¡±

    Aliyah looked at the Guide message that appeared in front of her.

    ¡°What do we do with it?¡±

    ¡°Can you take it into your inventory?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, probably could?¡±

    There were some restrictions on what Nara could take within her inventory. Generally, any object that was actively touched, affected by an ability, or too close to another person other than herself was impossible to store. Soul bound objects were also a no-go, which she had tested with something of Amara¡¯s. Objects under the effect of other people¡¯s abilities were also off limits. Conjurations generated by abilities, such as John¡¯s camera, were also impossible to store. Objects that were too large could not be directly sent there, requiring Nara to use her false domain to bypass that limitation. Amara speculated the size limitation was a function of rank, and not a true restriction. Apparently, other inventory abilities were similarly restricted in size until higher ranks.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    The final restriction was she could not store anything with a soul or something like a soul directly in her inventory. She could allow others into her Astral Domain with a gate when she received her portal ability, but she could not force anyone inside. The consent of the soul applied here as well. She had managed to store Aliyah¡¯s body, but didn¡¯t know if a lingering soul of a dead body counted towards this restriction, or if Aliyah¡¯s trust in life counted as trust in death.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think this phylactery violates any of those limitations¡­ nothing to do but find out.¡±

    The phylactery was bound to Siyu, but that wasn¡¯t the same as a soul bond. As far as Nara has seen, there were three types of equipment or item bonds¡ªno bond, bond, and soul bond. Bondless equipment could be used by anybody and was the standard. Bound equipment could be used by one person at a time, but the owner could be changed, either through death, an unbinding ritual, or other object-dependent means. Soul bound equipment could only ever be used by one person, not even death would change that. Adventurers that wanted more security with their equipment opted for bound equipment, as it prevented enemies from stealing their equipment and using it against them.

    Nara touched the cube with a slightly transparent hand, sending it to her inventory. Her inventory was in some ways separate from her astral domain. While she had told the others that her inventory was her soul for simplicity (although she realized that may not have been simpler), her inventory was in certain ways a separate space. Pulling objects directly into her soul could be unsafe (although she had not run into issues yet), the inventory was a ¡®safe¡¯ area, separate but still accessible by her soul, with a similar relationship between an astral space and the world they are attached to.

    ¡°Well, well, well.¡±

    ¡°It worked?¡±

    ¡°Yup. Almost feel bad for the guy.¡±

    Aliyah gave her a chiding look.

    ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t. I kind of feel like gloating.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully, Siyu didn¡¯t notice you did that.¡±

    ¡°It said bound, not soul bound. So, I hope not.¡±

    Their discussion had all been to avoid a room on the far side of the secret lair. The origin of the repulsive smell that the two had ignored so far. There was a room, closed off with a stone door that both Nara and Aliyah didn¡¯t look at nor mention. They didn¡¯t need to. Spatters and trails of blood, and an overwhelming stench leaked from the doorway. They knew what was behind the door, and neither had the stomach to see it.

    Well, I don¡¯t have a stomach. Nara thought. But it still felt like overturning its imaginary contents onto the stone floor.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Aliyah finally said, reluctantly bringing up the elephant in the room.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to look. They¡¯re all dead, Aliyah. I get it. That guys a disgusting monster.¡± Tears of revulsion welled in Nara¡¯s eyes at the throat. ¡°It¡¯s disgusting that Eufemia had to¡­speak with him for so long.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t bring herself to say that Eufemia had to flirt with him.

    ¡°Close to one hundred people, if it¡¯s been five years as John said.¡± Aliyah said, calling upon her researcher¡¯s clinical calm. ¡°If there are bodies, we should retrieve them.¡±

    ¡°We should,¡± Nara agreed. She closed her eyes. ¡°I really, really, don¡¯t want to go in there.¡±

    ¡°I have an inventory,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°It¡¯s alright to leave it to me.¡±

    Aliyah was no more used to dead bodies than Nara was, but Aliyah switched on her analytical mind. The smell was a natural result of decomposition. She distanced herself from the emotional but normal human horror and turned herself into a researcher.

    And she was the big sister of the group. Nara didn¡¯t need to see more horrors.

    ¡°No,¡± Nara said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll help.¡±

    Aliyah slowly wrenched open the stone door, burning mana to enhance her power attribute for physical strength. The door had been sealed and enchanted with to prevent as much smell of blood as possible from escaping. Nara didn¡¯t know if the magic had faded or if the blood and rot was that overwhelming, that even the scent of blood diffused outwards through the enchantments.

    Nara didn¡¯t want to open her mouth either, lest those particles touch her tongue. She knew it was too late for that. If she could smell it, it was within her nose. Aliyah was spared from this unfortunate knowledge.

    Her mind swimming in the overwhelming smell, she temporarily lost perception of herself. She realized she no longer smelled it; her mind having shut down her sense of smell in a protective reflex. It wasn¡¯t something she could control yet. If she went through training like John had for his breathing, she could gain control over it. Most of her senses were more or less replicated with magic, her body no more than a skin covered sack of flesh, bones, nerves, and blood.

    An unpleasant thought, under these circumstances.

    Aliyah cast a quick ritual, and the room was suffused with the fragrance of spring flowers, temporarily overriding the death stench that permeated the room as permanent stains.

    Together with Aliyah, they silently took care of the bodies. On Earth, Nara had never seen a single dead body in her life. Erras was quickly shucking that corn husk of naivety from her. Nara conjured or brought out simple caskets while Aliyah enchanted them with preservation magic. She had done something similar before; the condition of these bodies could hardly be called bodies. Some were bundles of flesh and slop. Others were dried out sacks of skin and bones. On top of being an asshole, Siyu wasn¡¯t even a clean eater. Or respectful of the dead.

    There was a bloodied stone operating table at the side, dried scraps of flesh stuck to stone like chewed up gum. Why he operated on bodies, she didn¡¯t care. It was a disgusting butchery, if the butchery had failed all cleanliness inspections and reopened as a horror room instead.

    The two exited the room. Nara handed Aliyah a phial of crystal wash, and they both dumped the solution over their heads, cleansing themselves of the rank and sticky death. The blood sloughed off their hands and clothing, chewed away by the crystal wash into glittering sparkles that contrasted the fleshy remnants.

    Rune Traps in place, the two left the lair behind.

    *****

    ¡°Sen, we¡¯ve finished. We found his lair and¡­a lot of dead bodies.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Sen grimly noted. ¡°I¡¯ll make an excuse to return to town with Eufemia.¡±

    The sun was still out. If Sen wanted to return to town for something, Siyu would let him go without following them, which further solidified his likely vampiric nature. It was well known that magically infused sunlight drove vampires mad, the greatest reason for their danger. Nekroz circumvented this with a wide scale array and permanent cloud cover that greatly reduced the effect of magically infused sunlight, on top of a society primarily active at night.

    The town was built on the south side of the stone mountain spire. The shadow cast by the mountain was either to the East or West, never completely encompassing the town. Nara didn¡¯t know if shadows cut the effect of sunlight for vampires, however.

    Once they started evacuating the town, Siyu would immediately know. They knew he had some sort of familiar watching the townsfolk, but Nara and the team made no attempts to identify or chase the familiar, letting Siyu find out they knew about them.

    Once Sen had returned to town, they notified the mayor.

    Sen and the team met the mayor in person and explained the situation.

    ¡°Siyu Hong is a death essence user¡­ Are you sure? He¡¯s a fine young man who¡¯s dedicated to improving the lives of his brethren. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯d use a death essence¡­I had given him a different essence. What could drive him to use a death essence¡­¡±

    Haoran Jing was in denial. He had already given Siyu a different third essence and had planned to gift him an awakening stone when he married, even if he didn¡¯t want to assume the position of town head. An awakening stone of crystal sat unused within a lockbox beneath Haoran¡¯s desk.

    ¡°It¡¯s likely his mother and Tousa Di knew the entire time, hence their unusual behavior.¡±

    Town Head Jing rested his face in his hands, his face pale.

    ¡°¡­Do you have any supporting evidence of this?¡± He tone wasn¡¯t accusatory but resigned. The town was a few thousand, but Haoran Jing likely knew a lot of the townsfolk by name. Siyu Hong was one of the pillars of the mining community, and someone he once wanted to inherit the position of Town Head.

    ¡°We¡¯ve found these papers within a secret stone chamber,¡± Nara said, removing them from her inventory.

    Haoran went over to a bookcase, removing a folder of papers from a shelf.

    ¡°It matches his handwriting,¡± he said after comparing the two papers, his hands shaking. ¡°What do you need me to do?¡±

 Chapter 121: Your True Intentions

    Chapter 121: Your True Intentions

    It was too late to start the evacuation, but still enough daylight for Nara to pay a visit to the Adventure Society to report the situation. They couldn¡¯t move the Adventure Society without legitimate reason, so they had needed time to compile a report. Even with Encio and Sen on the team, they couldn¡¯t move the Adventure Society with just their names. Nara and Aliyah¡¯s abduction had been confirmed by Adventure Society members who had been watching for Advent movement in the first place. Sen and Encio didn¡¯t kick off the investigation so much as provide additional resources.

    While Sen and Eufemia had been distracting Siyu, John and Encio had been quickly drawing out their plan of action and report for the Adventure Society. With Siyu becoming increasingly irate, there wasn¡¯t much time left; they either had to temporarily leave the town and let him pick off a townsperson to satisfy himself and stay and hope Siyu didn¡¯t decide that he has had enough of playing respectable local celebrity to an actual regional celebrity.

    She sat in a meeting room with Ranshi Haihu, the duo Magic and Adventure Society official that was assigned to Nara and her team members and had assisted Mona with her Adventure Society examination. The Adventure Society kept the officials that interacted with teams consistent in order to build relationships. If it wasn¡¯t Ranshi, Lee Hu was the one who¡¯d help them, but he was usually busy as he also worked for the academies.

    He was the quiet type that did his job competently and without complaint. He listened to her explanation of the situation, occasionally interjecting for clarification, and made concise notes in his own notebook of the situation. Since he was a duo society member like Aliyah, he was often a liaison between the two societies. From his unusual position, he¡¯d developed the tactic of patiently listening for what needed to be done, and shortening the often convoluted commands of his superiors.

    Encio and John had prepared a quick report which outlined important factors to consider for the situation, their fears with how Siyu may react to a bronze ranker, how they would evacuate the townsfolk in the event of a crisis, as well as their plan of action to subdue Siyu if needed. Despite the risks of enraging Siyu, a bronze ranker guaranteed that Siyu would be defeated. While it was important for iron rankers to gain experience, John was wrong that the Adventure Society would risk the lives of normal people in order to encourage that goal. Risking your own life willingly was fine, but risking the lives of those without the power to protect themselves was unacceptable. It was why Oswald¡¯s handling of the trials had been overlooked for so long; Adventurers risking their own lives was their prerogative. Higher rank adventurers needed lower rank adventurers to balance risk in order to challenge themselves and grow. Without challenge, adventurers were mediocre and unreliable.

    Ranshi checked the time on a timepiece he pulled from a dimensional bag.

    ¡°Then, I will aim to arrive tomorrow, once the sun rises again.¡±

    ¡°You can get there in less than a day?¡±

    ¡°The guild keeps several with portal abilities at easy access, such as Lee Hu. His most likely nearest portal access point is the transport city west of Crystal Quarry 6. You¡¯ve passed by it, correct? From there, I can reach Crystal Quarry 6 in 10 hours.¡±

    Nara had a portal ability, but it wouldn¡¯t help¡ªher portal range couldn¡¯t extend to Crystal Quarry 6 from Sanshi. At bronze 0, her range was around 25 miles (40 kilometers). Each small rank would increase range by an additional 25 miles. The three-day traveling put Crystal Quarry 6 beyond the range of her portal ability. Additionally, the rank of who she could transport was limited. She could transport one bronze ranker at bronze 0, or ten iron rankers, or one hundred normal rankers. She couldn¡¯t increase the rank of her Cosmic Path either until she ranked up fully. It was fixed at Bronze 0 for the foreseeable future.

    If needed, she could meet him enroute to portal Ranshi 25 miles, wait ten minutes for the cooldown, then transport him an additional 25 miles. She¡¯d have to astral jump 25 miles to do so, but she was limited by memory or her ability to see 25 miles ahead of herself. Having to catch up to Ranshi who could move faster than her due to rank and his own abilities every 25 miles made the effectiveness of the plan debatable. She could manage it, by teleporting high up into the air than astral jumping, as she¡¯d done many times before, but she¡¯d still have to be able to find Ranshi. She couldn¡¯t aura detect through the dimensional barrier, and her aura range, while large for an early bronze ranker, wasn¡¯t close to large enough to span 25 miles.

    Astral jumping was, while convenient, not precise enough to target a location without a recognizable landmark. She could travel quickly if she did so indiscriminately, jumping horizon to horizon, but not when she needed to pick out one person, who would be moving quickly themselves, in a landscape.

    ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡±

    Ranshi quickly dismissed himself from the meeting. He¡¯d need to submit the report to the Adventure Society, then request a portal user to portal him to the transport city. Since he was pressed for time, he set out to accomplish his tasks immediately.

    *****

    It was an uneasy night for the team. They had delayed as much as possible, but Sen could tell that Siyu was growing increasingly irate. The presence of a full team of six, where other teams were lesser in number, worked against them and irritated Siyu. Six iron rankers was a threat to a bronze ranker, where three or four was less so. Despite Eufemia¡¯s crooning and flirting, he clearly sought to satisfy other urges. He was more distant, curter, and increasingly dismissive of Sen¡¯s requests.

    They quietly hoped that the night would pass without issue as all the other nights had. Ranshi would arrive in the morning, and Siyu would have no escape.

    Nara was curled up with Thanatos on her cloud bed, the softness was the stuff of cotton candy lullabies, plush, light, and comfortable. She couldn¡¯t sleep alone anymore. Sleeping alone brought back memories of her delirium, where she had sunk herself in the lake to cut herself off from any disturbance. The presence of another tied her back to reality, a hopeful reassurance that she was no longer trapped and tormented, powerless but to wait for rescue.

    A ping on the map of her Party Guide woke her. She watched with horror as one of the blue dots, indicating neutrals or friendlies, blinked out to black. Nara surged out her aura, starling everyone awake from their sleep with the sharp intensity.

    ¡°Sen, someone in the town just died,¡± she croaked over voice chat. ¡°What do we do?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean what do we do!¡± John exclaimed. ¡°We have to him from killing any more people. He¡¯s broken his previous pattern of killing only traders. He¡¯s escalating.¡±

    Sen said softly, ¡°If we reveal that we have detected him doing so and that his identity is revealed, he may begin to indiscriminately slaughter the townspeople.¡±

    John was silent. He held his face in his hands, unable to do anything but grit his teeth. If they let this one death pass, the bronze ranker would arrive tomorrow.

    ¡°We may want to consider why he¡¯s changed his patterns,¡± Eufemia brought up. ¡°If he¡¯s changed his pattern on his own, he may be throwing secrecy out the window. Whoever gave him his instructions was the premier reason for Siyu¡¯s success up until now, but it¡¯s clear he¡¯s getting overconfident and impatient.¡±

    ¡°According to those papers he should have continued with the same rate of killings even after reaching bronze rank,¡± Aliyah added, ¡°His progress would have slowed, but he¡¯d still progress for much of the rank.¡±

    ¡°That rotten bastard got full of himself and couldn¡¯t stick to the plan that someone literally wrote out in a book for an idiot like him.¡±

    ¡°Nara?¡± Sen said, ¡°How is the situation?¡±

    Nara had moved as close to Siyu as she thought she could get away with, watching for his next move. She didn¡¯t like the feel of his aura. Arrogant was right, he was indulging like an American quarterback at an all-you-can-eat buffet. He subconsciously knew his actions were high risk, but his trill and ecstasy was evident in his aura, pulsing like electro bass. Nara tried to put the image of his lair out of her mind. Whoever he was feasting on in that house was already dead. There was nothing she could do about it.

    Why would he make his move while iron rankers around, unless¡­

    ¡°Sen, I think he wants to eat us after he¡¯s powered up on some normal people. An iron ranker would give more advancement than a normal person, right? Didn¡¯t we tell him we were planning to leave soon?¡±

    ¡°If he¡¯s gotten so impatient as to ruin his feasting grounds, he may plan to gain as much power as possible from the rest of us, then flee the Sanshi area,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°In our own plans to end Siyu, he was making his own plans to end us.¡±

    Before their speculations on Siyu¡¯s intentions could continue, something set Nara into a snap decision teleportation. Siyu had slipped into another house and started to feed on another townsperson.

    ¡°Sen, he¡¯s going for another. I¡¯m going to intervene.¡±

    Sen turned to Encio, ¡°She needs backup.¡±

    Encio nodded, and blitzed out of the house like a border collie released into an expansive grass field. If not for Nara¡¯s teleportation, Encio had the highest ground speed of all the members of the team. When he joined the team, his abilities were the furthest along in progress. Now, several of his abilities had also achieved bronze rank.

    -------

    Ability: [Swift-Footed]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Increased speed. Low stamina and mana per second cost to run on walls and water. Momentum must be maintained on walls or water to prevent falling.

    Effect (Bronze): Enhanced balance and spatial sense.

    -------

    At bronze 0, the ability had a massive movement speed bonus over an iron ranker. Everyone else was a balding, middle-aged beer-bellied man compared to Encio¡¯s Usain Bolt.

    *****

    Nara teleported past the wall of the house to see Siyu plunging his fangs into a woman who futilely struggled against him, too weak to even scream with any power. That, or Siyu had a power or artifact to block sounds from escaping in a small range. Privacy Screens were common in city culture; he could have gotten his hands on one. Her hands pushed against his face, nails attempting to break his skin, but her normal rank had no affect against Siyu¡¯s inherently high bronze rank defenses.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Nara sacrificed her boons and slashed out with Nirvana with as much power as she could instantaneously muster, going straight for his neck. She wouldn¡¯t kill him; her objective was to get him to stop.

    Nara knew prospects were low. She could teleport, but her instantaneous power was too low to stop Siyu. He could jump from house to house, draining people, building up power, and avoiding the entire team. Nara, Sen, and Encio could catch up, but they wouldn¡¯t be able to stop him until he decided it was time to stop slaughtering townsfolk and feast on them instead.

    They hadn¡¯t started the evacuation yet for this exact reason. At night, Siyu was at his strongest. Moreover, he had just drained a person. If they sounded the alarm to evacuate, he had easier access picking off everyone in the streets where they would be grouped up, attempting to enter Nara¡¯s door domain.

    If she wanted to buy enough time to stop Siyu, she¡¯d need to make an untested gamble.

    Nara¡¯s advantage over Siyu was his lack of combat training. He had advanced to bronze rank solely by draining helpless victims who had no chance of fighting back. He had raw power and speed, but little to no skill. Even if he could use skill books, which was likely, he hadn¡¯t gone through the refinement process to hone their skills that Nara, Eufemia, and John persisted through with every passing day.

    Her attack worked; he was caught off guard by the enhanced blow, assisted by the fact it ignored rank disparity in damage reduction. Her sword bit into his flesh. He had been distracted by his feeding, not suspecting a surprise attack from Nara. He shoved the woman away, who banged against the stone wall of the house. Nara¡¯s aura worked on her, but something was wrong with her. Her pallor was paper white, and her blood vessels bulged unnaturally, pushing against her skin like worms crawling just beneath the earth.

    She leveled her sword at him as Siyu touched the cut on his neck that stained his clothes with crimson. He slowly wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, smearing it across his face like clown makeup after a rain.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t just a utility adventurer.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a lie, I have utility abilities. I provide housing, food, inventory, knowledge, and transportation for my team.¡±

    He looked her up and down. Meanwhile, a discrete cloth matched the shade of his pants and attached itself there like sticky gauze.

    ¡°It¡¯s a little early, but I can start with you. You¡¯ll be the appetizer to my feast.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s your dessert? Eufemia? She¡¯s more spicy than sweet, you know.¡±

    She wanted to keep him talking as long as possible to buy time for Encio to dash across town. Siyu had intentionally targeted the far side of town, away from the nebula house. At the very least, he was careful about murdering right next to the adventurers investigating the town.

    ¡°The celestine? She¡¯ll be the treat but she¡¯s not the ultimate prize. I was thinking that Arlang would be the poetic climax of this banquet.¡±

    ¡°That''s sort of, homoerotic, you know?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You just said he¡¯s your climax. Are you bi? I guess I¡¯m not surprised people are bisexual here. Everyone at bronze rank is aesthetically attractive. And there¡¯s the whole fertility church thing who can produce children between two people of the same sex. Have you heard about that? It¡¯s really awesome. My world would really appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°Your world?¡±

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re too provincial to know what an outworlder is.¡±

    ¡°Outworlder?¡±

    ¡°Someone from another world, duh. It wasn¡¯t obvious from the name? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re called ¡®aetherkin¡¯ or something.¡±

    His attention was focused on her, which was her objective. She didn¡¯t think Siyu could resist the opportunity to eat one of the rarest meals on the planet. She was the civet poop coffee to a Starbucks medium roast. He would have to take a sip of her.

    ¡°I wonder if I taste good?¡± she mused, poking the proverbial sleeping tiger.

    Tha was all the incentive Siyu needed. He launched towards her, pushing her into the wall. She phased through it, avoiding the damage the impact would have inflicted on her and causing Siyu to smack into it instead, breaking the wall on contact with his hard head. She dashed away from the town, careful not to move so fast as to lose Siyu¡¯s attention.

    He followed. Occasionally he transformed into a dark shadow, swooping forward. She¡¯d have to use node teleport a few times to pull forward, else he¡¯d catch her.

    The two were at the foot of the mountain. The moon glimmered overhead, a keyhole of light in the darkness of night.

    ¡°Have you finally stopped resisting?¡± Siyu said, spinning his two conjured axes in his hands like a cosplay serial killer.

    ¡°It¡¯s sort of the opposite. Resisting is kind of my thing.¡±

    ¡°Needles, mark those destined for sacrifice,¡± he chanted.

    Tens of needles of blood coalesced in the air, shooting forward after just a moment¡¯s delay. She teleported out of the way, unable to block them all or curve them all out of the way. She launched towards Siyu by stepping on her Cosmic Path, unleashing an acrobatic display only possible with the assistance of magic. Her sword sliced through skin, drawing another line of red against Siyu.

    ¡°From order to disorder,¡± she chanted.

    -------

    - [Entropy] has been resisted.

    -------

    Well, fuck.

    He swiped at her with his axe, almost catching her across the cheek. Using her hand, she pushed off against Siyu himself, casting Astral Judgement as she pirouetted over him. It wouldn¡¯t do much damage at all, but it was better than nothing.

    She¡¯d last only as long as her mana held up. Dimension Node was her second cheapest mode of defense, only behind Dream¡¯s Wake which costed nothing. Thankfully, Siyu wasn¡¯t so intelligent that he¡¯d thought to destroy her Dimension Nodes. That¡¯d double the cost of that method of evasion.

    The two engaged in back and forth combat, Nara had equipped night vision goggles, thankfully, so she wasn¡¯t completely impaired by the low light conditions. Siyu, evidently, could see through the dark. She eventually managed to land Entropy, her afflictions now ticking up automatically, winding the clock to his destruction.

    While tense, the battle was going relatively smoothing for Nara. Her ability set was specialized against fighting a single opponent, and escalating damage against opponents with higher health pools than her own, both of which Siyu fulfilled. A rotting hand burst from the ground, catching Nara¡¯s leg in a vice grip that immediately crushed flesh.

    -------

    -You have been inflicted with [Inescapable].

    -------

    For control abilities, Inescapable was a common affliction. Control wasn¡¯t much use if your target had a teleport, they could use every few seconds to escape from it. Nara enhanced her blade with resonating-force damage, sharply cutting down to sever the zombie hand. One attack wasn¡¯t enough; Nara lamented her lack of instantaneous damage that Sen possessed in spades.

    Thanatos shot out from her shadow, slamming into Siyu to buy her a bit of time. Chrome launched himself at his back, digging a sword into his shoulder blade. Nara made a second attack, severing the zombie hand. However, her ankle was badly damaged, muscle crushed into bone, cutting her mobility. Her damage resistance from Tribulation of Self had spared her broken bones.

    Siyu transformed into a bat, slipping away from Thanatos and Chrome¡¯s dual-pronged assault. He transformed back midair, chucking one of his axes to hit Nara. She managed to dodge it, but a second axe right at her exit caught her solidly in the shoulder, imbedding itself into her flesh. Her nodes were hard to detect, but not undetectable. She stumbled and fell to the ground. Her ankle was badly damaged, and a ragged obsidian axe had lodged itself into her shoulder. She yanked it out, tossing it aside on the ground so that the wound could slowly heal.

    Since Nara was now no longer a threat, he turned his attention towards Chrome and Thanatos, his obstacles to his objective of draining Nara of all of her life. Thanatos was the easier target, and the one who could not teleport.

    ¡°Return, Thanatos!¡± she called out to him like a Pok¨¦mon trainer. If she survived this, she needed him for the fight ahead. Thanatos hesitated; his unwillingness clear in his body language. His teeth were bared in a growl, flaming black fur ablaze. He could be resummoned if destroyed.

    Siyu grinned, taking great pleasure in unleashing a kick that cracked Thanatos¡¯ ribs even as dark flames licked his body in turn. Evidently, not the first time he¡¯s kicked an animal, as if he needed to be any more detestable.

    ¡°Than!¡± She shouted again, pleading with her disobedient familiar.

    ¡°I don¡¯t approve of this plan of yours, Nara,¡± Chrome said over voice chat as he eyed Siyu attentively, ¡°You should be escaping now.¡±

    So, he¡¯d noticed she was intentionally not fighting at her best. And here she thought her performance was convincing.

    ¡°And then everybody else in the city dies.¡±

    ¡°And so they die,¡± Chrome said, uncaring. ¡°You aren¡¯t responsible for their deaths. He is. Someone has already died. Isn¡¯t it time to regroup, and attack together? After some healing, the six of you are more than likely to defeat Siyu.¡±

    ¡°Can we? If he¡¯s constantly juicing on people throughout the fight to recover health and increase his power?¡±

    ¡°You have an extremely talented tactician on your side,¡± Chrome countered. ¡°You may not see the path to victory, but he does. You haven¡¯t told him your contingency plan because you are afraid he will deny you. If you hear it from him, you can¡¯t pretend it¡¯s still a good idea. Nara,¡± He seethed, ¡°Now is not the time to push the boundaries between life and death. You feel guilt for the death of Tyler since you did nothing but watch him die. Aliyah and Lieke too. This isn¡¯t the way to prove you¡¯re willing to sacrifice to save others.¡±

    ¡°If I succeed, we buy time for Ranshi to arrive.¡±

    ¡°If you succeed. Do you hear yourself? Even you expect failure,¡± he spit out.

    Nara remembered that moment vividly in her mind. At the time, she wasn¡¯t sure if it was another nightmare bug induced hallucination. Her senses were clouded by constant pain, and her mind feeble from a lack of restful sleep.

    She remembered the look on the faces of the researchers as she said she wouldn¡¯t save any of their lives. That she was prioritizing her life to save her friend. Jiro had told her adventurers weren¡¯t expected to sacrifice their lives to save others, but she didn¡¯t need her aura to sense their devastation, weighty in the room like the ocean over the Mariana Trench. They may know logically and culturally she shouldn¡¯t have to sacrifice herself, but still wished to be saved. Everyone wanted to live; that was natural. She wouldn¡¯t change anything in that situation. There was nothing to change, nothing further she could have done.

    ¡°No, Chrome,¡± she said telepathically. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to die. I have a plan. If it doesn¡¯t work, I have a way out. I want to do what I can. Not only because I want to save the people in this town, but because I think I can do it without dying. There¡¯s more that I can do.¡±

    She could push the envelope without puncturing through it. She was sure of it.

    ¡°You¡¯ll use your own portal?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I still object to this,¡± Chrome said reluctant but relenting.

    ¡°Someone needs to be the voice of reason against insanity.¡±

    Chrome teleported to her side, subsuming into her aura. It was just Nara and Siyu left. The events that unfolded were a repetition of the first attack that seriously injured her. A rotting hand with surprising durability shot from the ground, grabbing hold of the same injured ankle, bloodied fingernails puncturing flesh and scraping bone.

    She hacked once, then again, severing the zombie hand. She teleported, but Siyu predicted it, grabbing her out of the air and swinging her to the ground in a hulk smash which disoriented her.

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten predictable, adventurer,¡± Siyu chortled before he plunged his fangs to her neck.

    -------

    -You have been afflicted by an instance of [Vampiric Curse].

    -You have been afflicted by an instance of [Paralytic Venom].

    -You have been afflicted by an instance of [Vampiric Curse].

    -You have been afflicted by an instance of [Paralytic Venom].

    ¡­..

    -------

    As he drank away her life force via her blood, she was repeatedly inflicted with instances of Vampiric Curse and Paralytic Venom.

    -------

    [Vampiric Curse] (affliction, unholy, curse, stacking): When [Vampiric Curse] reaches a threshold determined by rank, transform into a lesser vampire or a ghoul, dependent on rank.

    [Paralytic Venom] (affliction, poison, stacking): Causes muscle paralysis for a short duration. Instances are rapidly consumed to maintain the duration of the affliction. Resistance to paralytic effect increases as duration increases. Additional instances can accumulate but do not have a cumulative effect.

    -------

    Siyu was triumphant. He had bested the adventurer who kept stabbing him like a dagger-beaked hummingbird. He gloated despite the fact he was punching down a rank¡ªsomething all other essence users saw as universally shameful. But as he drained her life force away, a burning sensation arose within his body that quickly grew more torturous.

    It was as if his blood had been turned to oil and ignited, then plunged into the freezing cold waters of the north. He felt simultaneously hot and cold, an ice cube on fire yet un-melting. Next was the sensation of sharp blades, as if microscopic blades cut down the entire length of his throat and through every vein and artery in his body.

    He staggered backwards, screaming out from the pain. Unlike other essence users, Siyu was unforged metal. With an easy life of preying on the weak, he hadn¡¯t suffered any genuine pain. Even so, this pain was torturous and ubiquitous, running through every part of his body with each pulse of his vampiric heart.

    Next was a pain that felt like all of his muscles in his body constricted and contracted, as if his body was a rag wrung out by a god. He collapsed to the ground, throwing up unseemly onto the group a mixture of dinner and spattered blood.

    ¡°I¡¯m predictable?¡± Nara said, weakly laughing. ¡°You¡¯re the one that¡¯s predictable. Chrome?¡±

    ¡°My pleasure,¡± he said, his voice suffused with vitriol. She retrieved spheres from her inventory that resembled round potion vials, dropping them directly into Chrome¡¯s hands. She pushed herself backwards towards a portal arch she conjured as Chrome went to work.

    He aimed his arm backwards, the perfect stance of a professional baseball player, delivering consecutive fastballs of the potent iron and bronze rank poison Nara had stored within her inventory from the Celestial Book survival trial. They exploded into a dense poison cloud and shower of corrosive liquid: a Henri original.

    Siyu screeched and screamed, his skin rotting off his body. His eyes burned away, and his vision was pocketed with pain as if he swam through a pool chlorinated with acid. Noxious gas rose from his body; a combination of rapidly rotting and corroding flesh and toxin clouds. He staggered towards his lair. The lair was nearby as Nara had intentionally led him there.

    ¡°Chrome? Pick me up?¡± she said, pretending to be cute.

    His sigh was full of disappointment, but he reached down to heft Nara partially onto his shoulder and drag Nara towards her portal.

    ¡°Next time, you go on your own two feet.¡±

    ¡°One step at a time.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t taking any steps at all.¡±

 Chapter 122: The Plague-Bringers

    Chapter 122: The Plague-Bringers

    Once Nara was hauled into her Astral Domain, she could walk upright on her own two feet. The domain boosted her recovery and prevented her from dying, but she needed her evolved Racial Ability, Soul Legion, to do its work if she wanted to return to reality without the full force of poisons and curses. She could excise them here, but reality would remember her state if it wasn¡¯t somewhat naturally recovered. Unfortunately, that was a restriction of a physical vessel intended for a physical realm.

    She was a firm believer in Sen¡¯s philosophy of understanding the limits of your abilities. Here, in her Astral Domain, she was safe from vampiric transformation and death. It was the best time to gauge how long and how effective Soul Legion was in protecting the sovereignty of her own body.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Soul Legion]

    Language adaptation. Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption. Immunity to identification and tracking. Resistance to dimension-restriction effects. This is a legacy effect of [Free Spirit].

    Transfigured from [Soul Sanctuary] by [Blessing of Legion].

    A portion of all familiars are kept within your soul even when familiars are not subsumed. This allows you to use effects and abilities granted by familiars as if they are subsumed and telepathically communicate with them from any distance. When familiars are subsumed, their subsumed effects have increased effect.

    Your body is considered your territory. Your territory is hostile to enemies that trespass within it, damaging them in the process. Your subsumed familiars may attack foreign entities within your territory. The attacks and damage of your familiars when attacking foreign entities is based off of their characteristics. You can control the strength of this effect or disable it. This effect applies to any object or territory connected to your soul. This effect shares your ability to ignore rank disparity.

    -------

    This ability was the cornerstone for her half-desperate play to delay Siyu from eating the whole town like locusts in a wheat field. Her blood was a part of her body, and therefore part of her territory. It wouldn¡¯t act that way for long, but it was long enough for a full suite of afflictions and damage from her various familiars and own abilities to inflict themselves on Siyu. Thanatos with his spell fire, Chrome with his resonating force damage and deterioration, and Sage who, while she afflicted no damage normally, translated to physical constriction damage, rending damage, and suppressing boons.

    Soul Legion had an interesting effect on afflictions. Afflictions that used her body as a medium, such as poisons and diseases, had significantly reduced effect. Wounding afflictions did not, since it was just breaking her body normally, not attacking or changing it. She had learned this the hard way.

    Other than that, were exceptions like Vampiric Curse, which overwrote control of the body, taking away control from the soul. Her body was hers, no one else¡¯s, and her soul fought back for control of it.

    Every part of it was hers, including her blood.

    Life stealing abilities that didn¡¯t directly take her blood would function normally against her¡­probably. Life force could be stolen through magic, as could mana and stamina. Stealing life force directly through sucking blood was the rarity, and not the other way around. The sort of melee range required to suck blood was highly impractical for combat. Siyu¡¯s ability to drain life force was far faster to compensate for its impracticability.

    There was still one more step left in the plan to fully delay Siyu. Her afflictions and poison bombs would do some work, but Siyu had just topped off from a person by sucking them dry. He¡¯d repair himself soon enough.

    Right on time, Sage called out, ¡°Benefactor, Siyu has returned to his lair.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Sage.¡± She swapped her voice chat to Aliyah, ¡°Aliyah could you detonate your rune traps? Siyu is in there right now.¡±

    ¡°Is he? Then of course; This is by far a better opportunity to use it than any we¡¯ve planned for.¡±

    ¡°Aw poo,¡± Nara muttered after a moment. She was waiting for the sound of explosions to rocket through the air, forgetting she couldn¡¯t hear anything outside, ¡°I didn¡¯t get to hear the explosion. That was like, 20 rune traps. I bet it was epic.¡±

    After matters were temporarily sorted, her attention was arrested by the portal arch in front of her.

    ¡°I guess it wasn¡¯t a trap,¡± she said, not quite believing. ¡°I would¡¯ve fallen for that one.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t fall for it because this is real,¡± Chrome objected. ¡°You haven¡¯t been tricked because this is reality.¡±

    She pouted.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that. What have you learned?¡±

    ¡°I can use my own portals. I should use my own portals,¡± she reluctantly admitted.

    ¡°Good. By the Sands, that is the bare minimum,¡± Chrome said, stressing his last two words like a very concerned teacher at the end of a scolding tirade.

    ¡°Not other people¡¯s though,¡± she unhelpfully added.

    ¡°We¡¯ll work up to that.¡± He was satisfied. For now.

    ¡°It only took a desperate gambit,¡± she said cheerily.

    Chrome glared at her, ¡°You said you had a plan.¡±

    ¡°You knew my plan. You thought it would work,¡± she said accusatorily.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to use your own plan thinking it wouldn¡¯t!¡± He shot back.

    ¡°I thought it¡¯d work, genuinely. Later.¡±

    Chrome heaved a sigh, crossing his arms, ¡°Once you had committed to entering your own portal, I lost my objections. You are, if not anything else, very had to pin down unless you let it happen.¡±

    Mama Chrome was reluctantly ¡®alright¡¯ with Nara taking risks as long as she had a backup plan, a way out. For iron rank adventurers, managing risks was an important part of their growth. Nara struggled to understand the mentality of Erras¡ªtaking risks but not dying to them. That was integral to the lifestyle of the adventurer, as well as what was necessary for their world¡¯s defense against evil gods, alien invaders, and supernatural cults. Adventurers needed to be willing to take risks, judge which risks they could survive, and take on those roles.

    Nara¡¯s ability set was suited for risks many weren¡¯t. She wasn¡¯t high damage, but she was survivable in high pressure fights and high mobility, a combination that other scout types lacked. In the beginning of a fight, she was a dodge tank, while later in the fight she became a hard to kill damage dealer. In the future, she may be asked to take on dangerous roles behind enemy lines, and her portal was her greatest and quickest means of escape. Once she was in her Astral Domain, she could prevent her own death and jump anywhere in the world.

    However, Chrome would always tell her not to take these risks, or to prioritize her own life over others. Through Lieke and Aliyah, Nara was beginning to learn what it meant to risk her life for others, but Chrome would always oppose it. It was heartwarming for her that he was always in her wheelhouse. Always her coach in her corner.

    Nara had a lot of power in her Astral Domain, but what remained outside was limited to what she understood enough to form stable reality. Accordingly, destruction was far easier than creation. Nara didn¡¯t understand blood well enough to heal herself, so she had to rely on her stacking Integrity boons and the new effect of Refresh to convert mana to health.

    ¡°Nara, what happened?¡± Sen asked through voice chat.

    ¡°I managed to drive Siyu off for a while, injure him enough that he needed to retreat,¡± she explained.

    ¡°What did you do to accomplish this?¡±

    ¡°I threw poison at him.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t lie!¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t lie?¡± he said, unimpressed with the omission.

    ¡°Does it matter? I¡¯m fine and Siyu is buried under a man-made cave-in.¡±

    ¡°It does matter but I¡¯ll let this slide, for now. I¡¯m letting this matter slide,¡± he emphasized. ¡°How is Siyu¡¯s condition?¡±

    ¡°Sage says he¡¯s still alive. He has to deal with a bunch of afflictions and rocks weighing on top of him, so he¡¯ll be held up for some time. But he just had a bunch of blood. Hopefully, he¡¯ll burn through it recovering.¡±

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll start with the evacuation,¡± Sen said. ¡°Encio is already working with the town head.¡±

    It was unknown how long Siyu would remain trapped in the cave. He had his bat form, although it was more Golbat size than Zubat size. Once he was out of the cave, there was no doubt he¡¯d be seeking blood like a rabid hyena to quickly recover from his injuries.

    ¡°If he¡¯s smart, he¡¯ll run,¡± Eufemia said disdainfully, and her tone betrayed whether or not she thought Siyu capable of being smart.

    ¡°Is he smart?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°No,¡± she scoffed. ¡°He¡¯s a small-town narcissist who thinks everyone around him is supposed to serve his goals, and thinks he¡¯s grown too big for his kiddie puddle. He¡¯ll become enraged that some plain, no name iron ranker bested him and that his vampiric origins were exposed before he could enact his perverse festival of blood and carnage. Chances are he wanted to create some local infamy, garner favor with the Undeath elites, and make his way to Nekroz or whatever secret church of the Undead base happened to be nearby. He¡¯ll take revenge on you for ruining his self-absorbed fantasy where he¡¯d use the death of six iron rankers, especially an Arlang, as his claim to fame.¡±

    ¡°So good chance he ain¡¯t scootin¡¯.¡±

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°I¡¯d bet on it. Any takers?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Chorused the team.

    *****

    ¡°How is the evacuation, Town Head?¡±

    ¡°Most of the townsfolk have entered, but Aira Hong and a few of the miners refuse to evacuate. I¡¯ve done everything in my power to try to convince them to leave, but they are adamant. The miners refuse to leave because of loyalty but Aira¡­I am not sure. She seems out of sorts, sir Arlang.¡±

    ¡°Seek shelter yourself, Town Head,¡± Sen assured. ¡°We¡¯ll handle them.¡±

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    Nara thought they were less resistant to entering a magical door than she thought they would have been. The people of Erras evacuated their towns around every ten years, this sort of evacuation was not unusual to them. While sometimes they moved by caravans, often, high rank portal users would evacuate large numbers of normal rankers at a time. It was one of the few times the townsfolk saw a silver ranker in action. At bronze 0, Nara could move 1000 normal rankers. At Silver 0, that number changed to 10000, with each intermediate rank adding an additional ten thousand. Small towns like Crystal Quarry 6 only took 1 to 2 cooldowns of a silver ranker¡¯s portal.

    Some of the miners had congregated one of the town¡¯s small plaza, anxiously milling about with an energy they did not know how to displace. Siyu was their brother and leader, and none wanted to doubt his nature, no matter the evidence their town head provided. Most of the miners, even those caught up with Siyu¡¯s rhetoric, had enough sense (or beloved mothers and spouses wielding an attitude and a shoe) to follow the rest of their family into the domain.

    Sen approached the miners that had not left.

    ¡°Why are you still here?¡± he said, his tone balancing authority, anger, and disappointment.

    ¡°We don¡¯t believe this crud about Brother Hong being a vampire!¡± One miner yelled, although he could not quite meet Sen¡¯s eyes.

    Tousa Di and Boss Zho were nowhere to been seen, apparently already evacuating themselves. Boss Zho may have been concerned for his miners, but he was not risking his own life for them for a person he found suspect anyway. Siyu had been the miner riling the others up over the originally agreed pay difference between the miners and the traders, and some of the younger miners worshipped him for it.

    They couldn¡¯t force the miners through the domain door, unconscious or not.

    Sen handed over the papers Nara and Aliyah had gathered from Siyu¡¯s lair. Evidence of his handwriting, detailing methods to kill the townspeople, experiment on their bodies, and tracking the shifts of the traders.

    The miner that received the paper tossed them aside, ¡°This is a fabricated heidel shit! Lies of Deceit! I know you¡¯re trying to frame brother Siyu because you¡¯re envious of his talent and superiority! He has what a fake noble like you doesn¡¯t! Honor! Brotherhood! Masculinity!¡±

    The miner ground the papers beneath his feet, ripping it apart on dirt and sharp pebbles.

    ¡°You cannot read?¡± Sen pointedly asked. He knew the answer.

    The miner¡¯s face flamed red from embarrassment. There wasn¡¯t anything wrong with an inability to read; it was more common in the small villages. He hadn¡¯t thought he¡¯d ever need to. He¡¯d just listen to brother Hong.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe this! Brother Hong is being framed.¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡±

    ¡°Framed! Brother Hong would never!¡±

    Sen briefly wondered if these people would die because they were stupid, and if someone deserved to die if they had been manipulated by someone evil. Once he escaped the cave-in, Siyu Hong would leave his cave, hungry for blood after recovering from his injuries. They could try to stop him, in a repeat as before; he would empty them of their blood, and they would be powerless to stop him.

    Aliyah, fed up with their thoughtless worship, opened her rune inventory, dragging a dead and rotting body out, and held the tortured and twisted corpse in her hands. Immediately, the attention of the miners was arrested by the overpowering smell of the rotted flesh of their fellow townspeople.

    ¡°Look,¡± she told them icily, ¡°Do not turn your eyes away.¡±

    They stared at her, immediately silent, all sound as dead as the body in her hands.

    Do you recognize this person?¡± she said, with an agonizing calm. ¡°No?¡± She set the body back into her inventory, removing another. This time, it was more intact. The facial features with some resemblance of a human face. The storage room the bodies were in had been enchanted to slow decomposition. This person, then?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Ken Yan. One of the traders.¡±

    ¡°Ken Yan,¡± John said, reciting his details from his memory. ¡°Thirty-two, father of two young twin daughters. Disappeared four weeks ago.¡±

    Aliyah placed the body back in her inventory, her combat robes now covered with smears of blood and rotted flesh.

    ¡°Go. Now!¡± she commanded.

    They did, stumble-running to the domain door in the center of town.

    Aira Hong was the final townsperson left in town. She sat in her house, unmoving, awaiting her fate.

    ¡°Miss Hong,¡± Sen asked, ¡°Why are you still here? Please evacuate with the rest of the townsfolk,¡± He sat across from her, polite only on the surface. He had ignored the locked doors and forced the door open with his physical strength. At this stage, no one cared about his casual B&E.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to do,¡± Aira said, her voice listless. ¡°It¡¯s the last thing I can do for him, as a mother.¡±

    ¡°Die to his fangs?¡±

    She flinched but didn¡¯t move. Her head drooped down, wispy black hair that had whitened quickly from stress rather than age obscuring her face.

    ¡°You are going to make this fight very hard for the rest of us, if you sacrifice yourself to him,¡± Sen said his tone firm and disapproving. ¡°He¡¯s at his weakest now, and we need it to stay that way. It is the best chance of survival for my team.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to kill me if I don¡¯t leave?¡± she asked softly, her lips trembling as she spoke.

    ¡°I could,¡± confirmed Sen. ¡°I¡¯m considering it.¡±

    Unlike Nara, Sen had less scruples about killing. The Adventure Society would not begrudge him for this either. Killing civilians was usually criminal, but the circumstances meant her opposition to evacuation put all the other civilians in harm¡¯s path. It was a painful choice, but it was the correct choice. If Aira Hong was a corpse, they could store her within an inventory, denying Siyu from regaining his the lifeforce he needs.

    If she refused to enter a portal, Encio could attempt to carry her as far as possible, while Nara portaled him back to the team. Death wasn¡¯t the only option, but leaving Aira on her own in the country, while low, could still cause her death.

    ¡°Spare me this tribulation, miss Hong,¡± Sen said softly, sadly. ¡°I do not want to kill you, but If you chose to die either way, I will kill you myself, for the safety of the townsfolk and my team.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but ask him, ¡°Would you regret killing me?¡±

    She looked up at him, meeting his eyes for the first time. They were resolved, but she could see his reluctance. His reluctance wouldn¡¯t stop him, of course, he was firm in his decision. He had been trained his entire life to be an adventurer, and mirage chamber scenarios encompassed difficult decisions adventurers had to make.

    She regretted meeting those eyes. Those eyes that made her feel as if she had done everything in her life wrong. Somehow, she had ended up the villain in the path of the heroes. No, not even a villain. The pathetic, senseless hanger-on that did nothing but slow down the heroes and put more lives at risk.

    ¡°Did you think I would feel nothing if I had to?¡± he asked, ¡°What do you think adventurers are?¡±

    She wrenched her gaze from his, sobs rising from her throat. What had she done wrong with her son? Where did it all go wrong? Was it so long ago when his father had died? She thought she had raised him to be kind to all those around him, to be studious, and to support those around him. How had she been so blind to his true character?

    Sen could feel the woman was wracked with guilt, eating her up from the inside like a black mold. Despite his crimes, she couldn¡¯t help but love her son. Siyu was her son, her precious child. They had cried together when her husband, his father, had died. The town helped with their finances, allowing Aira to provide for him. Did their kindness mean nothing to Siyu? What had twisted him so irrevocably?

    ¡°¡­I will leave,¡± she finally said, breathless from sadness. She was weak and pale, as if only the ghost of Aira Hong remained in her place.

    ¡°I will escort you there,¡± Sen said, standing. ¡°Forgive me that I don¡¯t trust you to go alone, Miss Hong.¡±

    *****

    Erras¡¯s familiarity with evacuations meant that it was completed in a surprisingly timely manner. Nara had finished healing from her blood loss and cleansing the Vampiric Curse before the evacuation even finished. Aside from blood loss, her injuries had been relatively light for what Erras¡¯ magic was capable of repairing. She didn¡¯t have to regrow any limbs, after all, which would¡¯ve taken days.

    The full night passed without any disturbance from the cave. By that time, the sun had risen from the East. The Crystal Quarry 6 stone spire cast a long, westward shadow that in combination with other spires, striped the landscape like a zebra made of darkness and light.

    It was dusk when Siyu finally re-emerged from his lair. Ranshi was watching. Since the townspeople were safe, all he needed to do was intervene if one of the team was about to die. Genuine combat against an essence user outside of a mirage chamber was incredibly rare.

    He stared, eyes bloodshot, at the team before him. They were poised and fully armored, weapons drawn and glinting. It struck fear into Siyu¡¯s heart, which infuriated him greatly. He was so used to the position of superiority. The sight of true, genuine, gallant adventures hammered the nail of truth that no matter how he spoke or raised himself upon the praise of others, he was still a sham, provincial country boy.

    Off to the side, he spotted a bronze ranker. He eyed Siyu but made no move. However, this meant for Siyu, this was a battle of survival. He had a plan to distract the bronze ranker. He just needed to deal with these upstart iron rankers, and he could escape. There was nothing he could have done to avoid being found out by these investigators. They were competent, compared to the rest. It wasn¡¯t his fault for rushing the plan provided to him.

    ¡°No sneak attack?¡± Siyu snidely said, spreading his arms grandiosely as she stopped a way away from the team. ¡°Or are you too good for that?¡±

    Sen Arlang stood at the forefront with his glimmering leather, metal and cloth armor of dark red, brown, gold, black, and silver. He was a valiant general that stood at the forefront of the troops, unafraid of risking his neck alongside his comrades.

    ¡°This is your only opportunity to surrender, Siyu. Comply, or die.¡±

    Behind him, Eufemia scoffed, ¡°We¡¯d afraid you¡¯d run like the rat you are if we ambushed you right when you snuck out of your hidey-hole.¡±

    ¡°An ambush is hardly honorable. A tactical escape is logical in those circumstances,¡± Siyu defended.

    ¡°Oh, woe is me, the bronze ranker who kills normal rankers in their sleep.¡±

    It struck a nerve; Siyu ground his teeth, tasting blood. No matter how Siyu convinced himself he was the noble hunter, and the townsfolk were his prey, there was no mistake he was picking on the helpless and weak. He had no nobility and no honor, and it infuriated him.

    ¡°I am immortal!¡± he raged. ¡°Ageless! I have become a being beyond all these pathetic peasants. They will grow old and die, a mere few decades of pitiful, futile existence. There is no better use for their feeble life force that to nurture me, who will leave a lasting legacy that will mark my name in the annals of history!¡±

    He paused, recovering. His eyes were bloodshot, and his chest was heaving with emotion. They could all feel his emotions roil the surface of his oil like water with the gas burner turned up to high, hot bubbles popping and splattering. Vampires had inherent ability to disguise their own aura to prevent direct discovery, but Siyu had lost control of his.

    ¡°You leave me no choice,¡± Siyu said, as if he hadn¡¯t planned to kill as many people in the town as he could originally. He stood there, and raised his hand, then lowered it dramatically.

    Nothing happened.

    ¡°Did he do something?¡± Eufemia stage whispered. ¡°He like a stage performer but the effects ritual malfunctioned. So awkward. I¡¯d kill myself.¡±

    Ranshi turned around, his attention towards the town. ¡°He¡¯s released a small swarm of monsters from the forest. Vampiric converted monsters.¡±

    Ranshi had the Fire, Eye, and Magic essences for the Avatar confluence. Like Nara, he had familiars that allowed him to observe at a distance. He was more Spell-blade-scout to Nara¡¯s off-tank-scout-damage-dealer. His fire essence abilities would be effective against vampirized monsters. Since Sen had a plan to deal with Siyu, it was better that he dealt with the oncoming monsters since he had a higher individual capability.

    ¡°They can do that?¡± John said. ¡°That¡¯s seems bloody unfair!¡±

    ¡°Why do you think we hate vampires?¡± Encio echoed his sentiment. ¡°Their ability to inflate their numbers along with other Death Essence users is their greatest threat.¡±

    ¡°You let it snowball, and it gets out of hand?¡± Nara said.

    Encio nodded, ¡°Entire towns can be wiped out by a single necromancer or vampire.¡±

    Essence users all had the ability to massacre entire towns, but it was the abilities that encouraged you to do so that was the issue. Outside of niche cases like essence user vampires who used life force to power up, necromancers needed to use their abilities to rank up. That meant they needed dead bodies.

    With all the other available essences, banning the one that produced plague-bringers was the sensible decision.

    ¡°I can deal with the monsters,¡± Ranshi said. ¡°Can you handle the vampire?¡±

    ¡°We have a plan for him,¡± Sen confirmed.

    Ranshi sprinted towards the doorway in the center of the town. His objective was to protect it and prevent any monsters from entering. Its defensive capabilities were unknown; he could only assume it had none at all. He left a small tentacled flying eyeball familiar behind¡ªif Sen¡¯s fight hadn¡¯t ended by the time his did, he¡¯d rush back to assist. From the distant forest, tens of monsters dashed through the trees, transformed into lesser vampires. The true terror of vampires was their ability to transform almost anything into their servants. When essence users were converted into a thrall¡ªan unwilling transformation¡ªtheir rank was increased but they lost their essence abilities, making them extremely durable physically capable meat shields. The same applied to monsters, which made them fearsome adversities.

    The low magic quality of the area played to Ranshi¡¯s favor. Bronze rank monsters rarely manifested here. Most of his foes were iron rank monsters converted to bronze rank, with only a few silver rank vampiric servants. Silver rank monsters were the real challenge, thankfully, the vampiric curse made them mindless brutes. He¡¯d be able to draw them away from the evacuated townsfolk.

    He sighed; he deserved a bonus for this.

 Chapter 123: In Order to Live

    Chapter 123: In Order to Live

    Siyu roared, fangs elongating in his mouth. Ragged obsidian axes manifested in his hands, their edges lighting with an ominous red glow.

    The fight erupted. Sen and Nara once again playing the role of defenders for the rest of the team.

    Siyu knew he couldn¡¯t sustain the concentrated assault of six well-trained iron rankers. The middle-aged healer would shield every time he used his Death Grasp ability, which bought time for the defenders to destroy it, greatly cutting it¡¯s effectiveness.

    -------

    Ability: [Death Grasp]

    Spell / Conjuration (affliction, unholy)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Hands of the undead reach up from the ground to ensnare a target. Can be used on any solid earthen surface.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts instances of [Rigor Mortis]. Inflicts [Inescapable].

    <ul>

    <li>[Rigor Mortis] (affliction, unholy, stacking): Penalty to the [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. Each time a new instance is inflicted, deals necrotic damage for each existing instance.</li>

    <li>[Inescapable] (affliction, magic): Subject cannot be affected by teleport or non-damaging dimension effects.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Siyu had minimal fighting experience, but his inherently higher bronze rank attributes and high recovery speed was so far keeping him alive.

    -------

    Ability: [Vampiric Bloodline]

    Special Ability (transformation)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Essence abilities can no longer advance through ordinary means such as combat and monster cores. Instead, you must consume blood to sustain yourself and advance your abilities. Consuming a body furthers your advancement. Consuming a body shortly after death has further increased effect. Consuming a body killed by your abilities has even greater effect. If you do not consume blood for a period of time determined by rank, you will begin to degenerate and die.

    You are ageless.

    You have increased proficiency with aura manipulation.

    You can transform willing subjects into your servitors, greater vampires. They become inherently magical and share similar abilities as your essence abilities. They do not require blood to increase their rank, instead ranking slowly with age. Consuming blood will increase their rank faster. Blood is still required for sustenance. Your servitors cannot attack you. You have minor influence over your servitors but cannot bend their will.

    Your health drain abilities have greater effect, but you are also less resistant to health drain. Health drain and wounding abilities used against you have greater effect.

    Within magically enhanced sunlight, all attributes are decreased. This penalty increases with duration spent in sunlight, and resets after all instances of [Sunlight Madness] are lost. Within magically enhanced sunlight, gradually accrue instances of [Sunlight Madness]. [Sunlight Madness] cannot be resisted. Decreased affliction and damage resistance to sun, light, and fire subtype abilities.

    <ul>

    <li>[Sunlight Madness] (affliction, curse, holy, stacking): Gradually lose control of your rational thought increases your bloodsucking desire. Suffer fire damage-over-time. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    This effect is permanent and cannot be undone.

    Effect (Bronze): Gain increased physical strength, movement speed, and health regeneration.  This bonus increases after consuming fresh blood.

    -------

    John¡¯s camera was rapidly snapping photos. Siyu¡¯s ability descriptions were pasted into Nara¡¯s Party Guide for the team to read.

    ¡°I¡¯m not reading that,¡± Nara said flatly while deflecting an obsidian axe, ¡°That¡¯s a wall of text!¡±

    ¡°Weak to sun, light, fire health drain, and wounding,¡± John summarized, feeling a bit like he was playing one of those video games. ¡°Increased physical strength and movement speed.¡± He multitasked¡ªcasting shields, weaving healing spells, taking pictures of abilities with his magic camera, and blocking the needles or axe Siyu occasionally flung his way with his Guardian Shield.

    -------

    Ability: [Guardian Shield]

    Essence: Immortal

    Conjuration (shield)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating shield that can withstand a large amount of damage. The shield will automatically float in a location around the conjurer to intercept attacks, or it can be actively controlled. The shield can be healed to restore its integrity. When the shield is destroyed, it cannot be reconjured until its cooldown ends. If the shield has not been destroyed, it can be reconjured at any time, at a moderate mana cost. The shield regenerates durability slowly while not conjured.

    -------

    Attacks that otherwise needed to be dodged or bubble shielded John could block with the floating Guardian Shield instead. Dodging interrupted particularly long spells, or at least slowed them down, while also distracting him from the tight concentration needed for the short-lived bubble shields. The Guardian Shield proved a useful quality-of-life ability that did its job without any particularly special effects. Since John was multitasking as their ability spotter, he could leave his shield to block the occasional attack.

    John¡¯s combat skill book, The Stance of the Guardian, was a skill book with knowledge useful for defensive roles such as tanks and healers, which sometimes were one and the same. With the right essence combination, healing defenders were one of the more common roles for humans with their special attack affinities. While John wasn¡¯t a defender, his skill book taught him a steady fighting style and how to position himself on a battlefield¡ªgauging the effective range of an essence user and how to constantly kite around them. A defender would need to either keep on top of an attacker, or stay back at range to intercept ranged attacks and protect their more fragile comrades. For John, that translated to remaining just far away enough that Siyu couldn¡¯t easily reach him, but close enough for Nara and Sen to follow up if he tried.

    John¡¯s greatest trouble this fight was not the occasional attacks from Siyu, but his afflictions that his attacks built up on Nara and Sen. At bronze rank, they were resistant to his cleansing effects. He was using Cleansing Lifeblood the moment it was off cooldown, sacrificing his own heal to cleanse his allies. The only condition that could make the situation worse was if Vampiric Curse was a poison or disease affliction, since he could not cleanse those afflictions at all.

    -------

    Ability: [Cleansing Lifeblood]

    Awakening Stone: Sacrifice

    Spell (cleansing)

    Incantation: ¡°A cleansing sacrifice.¡±

    Cost: Low health

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Cleanse a moderate number of unholy, curse, or magic afflictions from a target. Can target a specific wounding affliction to remove through healing.

    -------

    If Vampiric Curse built up past a threshold, it was over. Siyu inflicted Vampiric Curse on all of his special attacks.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Progenitor Vampire]

    Your special attacks inflict [Vampiric Curse] on a target.

    <ul>

    <li>[Vampiric Curse] (affliction, unholy, curse, stacking): When [Vampiric Curse] reaches a threshold determined by rank, transform into a lesser vampire or a ghoul, dependent on rank.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    When their afflictions approached the limit, John would have to use Dawn of Creation to wipe them all away. Once he used that, there was no other choice but to use a cleansing potions which had its own limit, or have Eufemia use her Blessing of Relentlessness on him.

    He watched the Party Guide indicators, wary as Nara and Sen¡¯s afflictions crept closer to their limits.

    The fight dragged on; John had already used Dawn of Creation. He would have been covered in sweat from the exertion, looking like one of those fitness bros with a shirt that was more sweat than fabric, if not for his outworlder body kindly removing that function and regulating temperature with magic.

    Sen¡¯s veins were bright and bulging, with a sickly dark hue that made John¡¯s stomach churn. Nara was faring slightly better; her ability to dodge most of Siyu¡¯s attacks greatly reduced her rate of accumulation of Siyu¡¯s vampiric curse.

    But Sen, Sen was on the verge. Yet the youth remained steadfast, with no apprehension towards his fate. John desperately cast Cleansing Lifeblood at every available opportunity, yet his curse steadily thickened on his veins, clotting them with their transformative curse, pulsing as if eating him alive.

    Caspian, the Simurgh actually named Ka¡¯us-valstalpan, was from a magical beast race known for their cleansing powers, even on Erras. It was an improbable reflection of culture across dimensions, or perhaps a quirk of translation abilities¡ªno one knew. He had been tucked safely into John¡¯s combat robe, in a pouch strapped to his chest like a baby carrier. Bonds were delicate at iron rank, and Sen would rather risk his life first before risking Caspian¡¯s, his young and eternal friend.

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Simurghs transformed their experiences into new powers over the course of their lives, fulfilling their namesake of wise beasts, even if Caspian was puppy-like in intelligence. They could only use one power at a time at low ranks, but it was a power that could transform a battlefield.

    In particular, the lineage of the Simurgh determined their first power¡ªthe one inherent. Caspian was a Lustral Simurgh, with the power to purify heaven and earth, and temporarily consecrate the ground.

    Caspian¡¯s wings and tails glowed with a golden-white light, his feathers and fur tipped with the morning sunlight reflected off of the pure dew drops of dawn. The mana was palpable as it gathered at the small creature bundled at John¡¯s chest.

    Siyu sensed the change and charged forward, but Sen would not let him through; He would protect his bond at all costs. Nara similarly intercepted, but even at her best she could not match the fervor of a bond and his guardian.

    -------

    -The land and air has been consecrated with the power of purification by [Ka¡¯us-valstalpan].

    -The effect of hostile afflictions in the zone has been decreased.

    -Ally cleansing abilities and effects temporarily ignore rank disparity.

    -A large number of afflictions have been cleansed from all allies.

    -Cleansing orbs are generated from the land. When allies collect an orb, they are cleansed of a small number of afflictions.

    -[Remaining Duration: 12 minutes]

    -------

    Sen grinned when the power of his familiar washed across the land in a pleasant, golden wave. Golden orbs of light rose from the ground like fairy lights on Christmas morning; a present for the whole team. Caspian could cast this single spell; he was, much like Thanatos, a mage wolf. However, he was even more specialized in casting a singular large spell that tipped the scales of battle. 12 minutes was not a long effect, but Caspian had bought the team time and reprieve against Siyu they desperately needed.

    Sen had full trust that his bond would protect him time, just as he would always be there for him.

    *****

    Siyu¡¯s Death Grasp had originally caught Nara off guard since it had manifested through her ground-blocking effect of Cosmic Path. Higher rank abilities had some inherent effect of resisting or bypassing lower ranked effects. This was also on a case-by-case basis, with more expensive and focused abilities maintaining their effects against higher rank enemies.

    The addition of Cosmic Path as a temporary foothold no matter her orientation or altitude was a spectacular addition to Nara¡¯s skill set and let her largely avoid Siyu¡¯s Death Grasp. Siyu either had to wait for a long enough opening to use the ability on Nara when she touched ground, or just use it on Sen, the easier target. With Siyu¡¯s lack of combat experience and overall impatience, he often defaulted to Sen. Sen¡¯s more powerful blows could more easily break free of the ability, and he could also bear Siyu¡¯s assault during the process.

    Nara had already been thoroughly drilled by Laius and Amara to be quick on her feet. They had immediately recognized that her ability set held great potential for 3D movement and demanded excellence from her. She was more thankful than ever for that training. At gold rank, they had already progressed through the ability honing process Nara was currently going through, and developed the basic skills she¡¯d need to make it there as well. Integrating the bronze rank effect of Cosmic Path only took slight adjustment before she was already using it to launch herself from every direction, pinballing with Dimension Node to assault Siyu from all directions while Sen held his attention at ground level.

    With her transforming weapon, she was an adaptable foe that switched from defensive interrupter to offensive damage dealer. Her attacks were pinpricks against Siyu; he quickly recovered from them. He may not have been able to drain the townsfolk, but he did have his own supply of blood.

    --------

    Ability: [Blood Crystal]

    Conjuration (blood, recovery)

    Cost: Low mana per crystal

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating blood red crystal. This crystal can store blood and lifeforce extracted from targets. Preserves the freshness of blood. Blood and lifeforce can be extracted to replenish health or used for other abilities. Destroyed crystal loses all stored life force.

    Effect (Bronze): Conjure two additional floating blood red crystals. Crystals can generate beams of life-suction from living targets, slowly draining their life force to store within the crystal.

    -------

    Three sloshing, deep red crystal floated beside Siyu, their reserves gradually draining, evidence of the damage he was sustaining as the team gradually worked him down. Siyu may be arrogant, but knew internally this was a losing battle. He had no option but to unleash one of his trump cards.

    Most of his Bloodstone Servants had been destroyed by the cave in. Made of stone and flesh, they were partially resistant to the crushing force of rocks. He had destroyed another few to repair himself, consuming their old, disgusting flesh, leaving but two at his disposal. They were bronze rank; they would be a potent fighting force against the iron rankers that stood in his way.

    He launched himself backwards, flinging himself towards the wall of the mountain. Two Bloodstone Servants burst from the mountain, their red pulsating veins highlighting their heretical nature.

    Then, Siyu¡¯s skin warped and crackled, shards of crystal falling off of him like a glass lizard shedding its skin to form a massive, part crystal part flesh monstrosity. It was as if a sculptor had seen a rotted corpse trapped within a crystal growth and instead of choosing another piece of crystal, had decided to use it as their base for a monster sculpture. Except, the sculptor was an amateur, and his masterpiece was large and misshapen, limbs hanging off at odd angles and dragging on the floor. The torso was lumpy and too large. It was like an orangutan, but lumbered without the quiet power and grace they possessed. All the while it moved, shards of crystal flaked off like dandruff, forming painful spikes on the ground.

    -------

    Ability: [Crystal Monstrosity]

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme mana and extreme health

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Crystal Monstrosity] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>A monstrosity of crystal and flesh. The crystalline components are brittle and is held together by pulsating fresh.</li>

    <li>After the initial summon, if the familiar has not been destroyed, the [Crystal Monstrosity] can be resummoned with the blood of beings beside the caster to increase its power, up to a limit determined by rank. Only blood of beings that had a soul will increase the power of the [Crystal Monstrosity]. This is a simplified ritual that does not require the original ritual materials.</li>

    <li>When attacking a target, parts of the familiar break off, leaving shards of crystal and inflicting or refreshing [Bleeding].</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the caster¡¯s flesh, increasing resistance to wounding afflictions.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can generate and manipulate its flesh portions to adapt to its enemies after a period of time. This effect can only occur once per six hours.</li>

    <li>Can consume dead bodies to regain biomass. Can increase maximum size with excess biomass.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The tides of battle had shifted. There were now four bronze rank enemies against the other team¡¯s six iron rankers, although they also had their familiars. However, a characteristic of Siyu¡¯s abilities was the increase in power of his familiars over time. On another essence user it may indicate their inclination towards preparation. On Siyu, it evidenced his cowardly nature; he wanted to be as strong as possible against even the weakest of enemies. He wanted to overwhelm them and crush them underfoot, to feel his superiority through violence.

    Eufemia, Aliyah, and Encio, together with a litany of their own familiars, shifted their focus to deal with Siyu¡¯s minions.

    While Siyu had his own time to prepare, so had Aliyah. Aliyah¡¯s arcane constructs were flying, soccer ball sized steampunk quidditch orbs. At base, they fired basic disruptive force bolts. However, with ritual knowledge and preparation time, Aliyah could transform their forms to adapt them to her enemies. These transformative rituals required additional materials such as quintessence and spirit coins, making it an adaptable but expensive ability (Aliyah had a perfectly good reason to complain about ritual costs, thank you very much!)

    The three quidditch balls had been transformed into bronze armored hawks that carried a cannister of pressurized poison¡ªthe same poison Chrome had pelted Siyu with. They flew around the stone and crystal monstrosities like seagulls circling a schoolyard for food. Streams of corrosive liquid ejected from their cannisters like oil and vomit flamethrowers.

    Aliyah had seen the stone monstrosities in Siyu¡¯s lair and prepared against them. The team had an odd number of fire abilities for their lack of even a single Fire Essence¡ªJohn¡¯s Celestial Flame Mantle, his Solar Judgement, her own Arcane Dragon, and Thanatos¡¯ Umbral Flames. There were covered for a vampire¡¯s inherent weakness to flames and sun.

    Eufemia had even doubled John¡¯s Celestial Flame Mantle, so that both Nara and Sen alike were comets of living flame assaulting Siyu, who hissed and snarled as flames licked against his skin and restricted his ability to directly attack them.

    That left the stone monstrosities as a weakness area for the team. Sen had his crushingly powerful blows and resonating force damage, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Siyu also had a known Crystal Essence, so Aliyah concluded her best move was to adapt her summons to those threats instead.

    A dragon around the size of a workhorse stayed by Aliyah¡¯s side. It was Aliyah¡¯s familiar, Ensi-Kuliana.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Dragon]

    Awakening Stone: Dragon (epic)

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Arcane Dragon] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>High resistance to physical and disruptive force damage.</li>

    <li>Can unleash elemental breaths and basic elemental spells. Breath attack has a 2-minute cooldown.</li>

    <li>Can chose to empower itself with an element, increasing the damage of that element. The dragon cannot use other elements. This effect has a 6-hour cooldown.</li>

    <li>Generates its own aura effect.</li>

    <li>Aura effect: Allies have increased damage resistance to the chosen element and increased resistance to elemental afflictions.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed into the summoner¡¯s skin, increasing physical and disruptive-force damage resistance with reactive dragon scales.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Molted lava peeked through its obsidian scales; the Arcane Dragon was the embodiment of a volcano. It was channeling the element of fire through it, both to counter Siyu and additionally effective against the Bloodstone Servants. It¡¯s glowing hot claws burned through the flesh of the flesh and stone monstrosities, greatly restricting what flexibility their corrupted flesh provided, while its high heat breath melted stone.

    Ensi, however, stayed near Aliyah. Siyu would occasionally break away from his encirclement with his shadow form to attempt to kill Aliyah, who lacked physical defenses. The dragon stood in his way, protectively shielding Aliyah with a scaled wing, now battered from Siyu¡¯s obsidian axes, or by unleashing a potent flame breath that wrenched scream of pain from Siyu¡¯s throat as his skin blackened like carbonized meat.

    Through pain, he was made to understand she was a well-protected target. His incursions against her opened himself up to assault from Sen and Nara. Nara deflected his attacks, weakening them or parrying them aside entirely, while Sen swung Searing Cold, the staff enhanced with a glowing hot energy blade.

    -------

    Ability: [Staff of Duality]

    Essence: Balance

    Conjuration (weapon, heat, cold)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Searing Cold, the [Staff of Duality]]. [Searing Cold] can generate either a blade of condensed flame or a shell of cold on the weapon, costing low mana-per-second for either effect. The blade of condensed flame inflicts additional heat damage. The shell of cold inflicts additional cold damage. This is a heavy weapon.

    Effect (Bronze): When enhanced with condensed flame, special attacks additionally dispel an instance of a stacking boon from the target. When enhanced with the cold shell, special attacks inflict an instance of [Deep Cold].

    <ul>

    <li>[Deep Cold] (affliction, unholy, ice, stacking): Suffer cold damage-over-time. Penalty to the [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Siyu¡¯s panic and rage built as the fight progressed. The team had an answer for every one of his tricks. They had evacuated town, preventing him from healing through involuntary blood donation or transforming others into thralls. The had called over a bronze ranker who incidentally dealt with his monster minions. The flaming aura on his two attackers prevented him from even attempting to suck their blood instead. Another blasted familiar had cleansed away most of the afflictions Siyu had painstakingly worked onto their defenders, and he hadn¡¯t forgotten the pain that coursed through his body as he attempted to make Nara¡¯s life force his own either. He knew, once his three familiars were run through, their full attention would be on him again, and he would die next. He wasn¡¯t a trained adventurer either; each attack against him interrupted his concentration and his attacks were wide, wild, and inefficient.

    Siyu was desperate to live. That desperation fueled him through the battle, providing a tenacity and clarity he wouldn¡¯t demonstrate otherwise.

    Siyu sloughed through the battle, flinging and reconjuring his axes, bearing the rips and damage against his flesh, and he hated hated hated every moment of it. The afflictions increasing on him were a constant reminder of the ticking clock on his life. Each sword stroke gouged out more flesh when they landed. He was already drenched entirely with his own blood, and he had long gotten used to the stench of his own burnt flesh, so potent he could taste it on his tongue.

    In order to survive, Siyu made his final move.

 Chapter 123.5: A Tool of Fate

    Chapter 123.5: A Tool of Fate

    Ranshi found the arch at the center of town that he needed to defend. Peeking inside, he saw an expansive space¡ªa smaller replica of the town outside. The streets were narrower and the buildings clustered closer together. It¡¯s outwardly identical layout was intended to speed up the evacuation process. All the people could return to their own homes.

    ¡°Balthu, I¡¯ll need your help,¡± Ranshi called out his familiar.

    It was a massive orb shaped creature, which prominently featured almost comically vulnerable looking but glowing eyeball. Fleshy tentacles writhed off the orb body, tips glowing the same violet red as the eyeball¡¯s iris. The familiar floated despite its total lack of propelling limbs and aerodynamic shape that should allow it to float.

    Ranshi hadn¡¯t wanted the grotesque familiar, but had grown on him, proven by its capabilities. Well, what else could he have expected when he used an octopus awakening stone with his Fire, Eye, Magic, and Avatar combination? But it was cheap, so he bought it and used it.

    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s it this time,¡± the familiar muttered with a sinking tone as if he had lost all hope in the future, ¡°Is this the day I finally die?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t die, Balthu,¡± Ranshi habitually replied, ¡°You¡¯re an astral being.¡±

    ¡°What do you know Ranshi? In this wide world of magic do you believe there is no way to erase my existence. No, no. There is something that can end me, end us all, and it will. It seeks me. I can feel it. Demise is ever approaching. And I sit here, helpless, pointlessly wasting my futile existence. Why do I exist? What is the point?¡±

    ¡°Balthu, you don¡¯t sit. You float.¡±

    ¡°Is it a remnant of a past life. Perhaps once, I was a being who sat? Is this but a dream where I float, and my true being is one that sits?¡±

    ¡°Balthu, we¡¯ll having enemies approaching from the front. Just fire at them when you see them.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, I can accomplish such a little task. But more importantly, what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Balthu. Why a swallow?¡±

    ¡°Then I must calculate¡­¡± The familiar muttered, it¡¯s eye unblinking. The glowing tips of its tentacles pulsated like flickering neurons or readings from a crystal processing board.

    Ranshi was human. His magic essence hadn¡¯t evolved his special attack affinity into a spell affinity as he hoped. He wanted to be a spellcaster, sitting in the backline casually with protection: Fate had other ideas.

    Still, he had a surprising number of spells for a human. He weaved spells and guzzled a potion, placing traps around town, especially at the edge and in front of the arch he needed to protect. His smaller floating eyeball familiars allowed him to cast spells from afar. He needn¡¯t move yet. At least, he had that.

    He saw the vision of his own familiars within his own mind; a sensation that required much balance and practice. At iron rank, he had struggled with the additional input, even with an ability that boosted his mental abilities. At bronze rank, his now superhuman memory and mental capabilities had evolved his fighting style.

    He conjured his spear with a similar condensed fire blade as Sen¡¯s staff. From the familiar he had left with the iron rankers; he saw that their battle had started. It was time for him to do his part.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to set an example for my juniors,¡± he said, even though no one was watching his battle except himself.

    The first salvo of traps went off in the distance, killing low rank monsters outright and injuring the bronze and silver ranked ones. He had to focus on the silver rank monsters. Fighting even one at a time would be difficult for Ranshi, even at peak bronze rank. As many as possible, he needed to cull the numbers of the low rank monsters without his dedicated focus.

    The monsters were ordered by Siyu to attack the villagers, but they had been evacuated. Therefore, they weren¡¯t the rampaging bull rush that Ranshi had expected. It appeared they couldn¡¯t sense the villagers through the dimensional space they had evacuated into. Still, with the town empty and Siyu¡¯s directions they¡¯d eventually figure it out. It did buy him time.

    He conjured wings of flaming fire curled like tendrils, then shot upwards as if propelled by a rocket. His eyeball familiars had identified his first target. A silver rank pantherpine, a panther like monster covered in porcupine quills. It was weak for silver rank, as most beings unnaturally boosted to a higher tier were. Still, the jump from bronze to silver was that significant. It was the rank at which an essence user could survive decapitation, as long as they were healed shortly after. Monsters, with their greater vitality, had even greater gains.

    He flung his spear. It rocketed down towards the monster, impaling itself in its fleshy neck, then detonating like a meteoric impact in a blaze of fire and light. Ranshi teleported downwards, yanking his spear outwards, the dripping blood of the pantherpine ignited like it had turned to blood red accelerant.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    The monster retaliated, leaping forward to bite at Ranshi. As its snarling jaw snapped past Ranshi¡¯s head, a barrage of violent-red beams pierced through its flank, searing ominous holes with a glow that didn¡¯t fade. Ranshi was far from Balthu, but the familiar shared Ranshi¡¯s ability to see through his eyeball familiars.

    Balthu was not fast. It floated much like a whale would, looming and cumbrous. It did however, have impressive firepower for his rank. It was a slow-moving turret of artillery fire support. No doubt, still contemplating the evolution of bird wings and the impracticality of kiwis, both the fruit, the animal, and the people, which Ranshi didn¡¯t understand in the slightest, nor had any particular inclination to. Magic Society as he was, Ranshi had long learned his familiar¡¯s musings were beyond him. Thankfully, the familiar was more than capable of entertaining its own chaotic thoughts and providing accurate supporting fire.

    The almost literal artillery fire staggered the pantherpine. Ranshi unleashed a special attack of searing fire, cutting deep another cauterizing wound. The pantherpine¡¯s body shook, and its thorns shot from its fur in all directions. Some were absorbed by a shield boon, an effect of one of his racial abilities, but others made it through, large needles piercing deep into his flesh. He yanked them out with a hiss and threw them aside, his own blood self-cauterizing his wounds to stop blood loss.

    The quills on the floor quivered then shot back towards the pantherpine as if attracted by a super magnet. Ranshi dodged them, dancing around those comically oversized needles like a needle dodging the thread. It was as if he had eyes at the back of his head¡ªHe did have eyes at the back of his head. Two eyeball familiars floated behind him, showing him his anterior view. With his boosted mental capacity, he could process this additional information, providing him with a genuine 360 degree view. Another eye floated above him, warning him of attacks from above.

    The two exchanged blows¡ªRanshi was light on his feet, a mobility fighter. He didn¡¯t have as many movement abilities as Nara, and he couldn¡¯t take as many blows as Sen. The accurate, well-timed, and powerful blows of his familiar compensated, interrupting powerful blows, shaking the patherpine¡¯s balance by blowing apart the ground or targeting it¡¯s feet. For all of his familiar¡¯s flaws, it had the processing mind of a gold ranker.

    Eventually, its attacks blew apart a limb entirely. Then, a hole in the side of the pantherpine¡¯s abdomen. Ranshi seized the opportunity, a blast of fire searing the panther¡¯s eyes as he moved in, jabbing it¡¯s spear into the cauterized cavity and detonating his spear again. The fire and explosion from his flames washed past him harmlessly, but it ravaged the pantherpine, popping the monster like an explosive charge had been detonated inside.

    ¡°One down. On to the next one, Balthu.¡±

    Balthu¡¯s answering salvo simply pinned the next target.

    Ranshi dashed down the main street. The road was pocketed with holes and monster bodies as if an army had strolled down the street and been decimated by explosive mines.

    Ranshi jabbed his spear forwards, sending out a swirling horizontal tornado of roaring fire in front of him, roasting the smaller monsters that dashed down the main way. Balthu was behind him, his beams of fire screaming past Ranshi yet never hitting him with the impact. He could trust Balthu with his back. If Balthu had precognitive powers, he believed it. Never had a shot mistakenly clipped him. It was as if Balthu was a archer battalion, and Ranshi was the protagonist avoiding every shot just by walking forward. Even as Ranshi executed his own high mobility maneuvers with explosive steps and jets of fire, he was never hit in the crossfire.

    The main road was a blackened like an overused grill, monster bodies already transformed into charcoal by the continuous fire.

    ¡°What a massive monster wave, we¡¯re about to be overwhelmed. Is this my end? Consumed by a ravenous vampiric horde. Can a familiar be vaporized? Will control of my body be stolen from me, my spirit a helpless puppet forced to watch as I commit atrocities? If control of my body is stolen from me to commit atrocities, am I still morally responsible for my actions? If my mind is compromised by brainwashing, what is me and what is external influence? What can be forgiven and what cannot? If I commit murder, who am I to be forgiven even if my agency is compromised? I can not revive the dead or undo my actions. If I allow myself to be taken over, if it my fault? Is that my moral culpability?¡±

    ¡°Balthu, you have your will right now and you¡¯re killing monsters. On your left, Balthu.¡±

    Ranshi had expected Balthu¡¯s tentacle to shoot out an impale the monster that was dashing past it, yet it made no action. He was surprised, stopping in his tracks as the iron rank monster crossed the archway into the dimensional space.

    ¡°Balthu!¡±

    But the familiar ignored him, still rocketing glowing bolts of violet-red down the main way.

    Ranshi was horrified but prepared to launch himself back to the portal to catch up to the monster. He was much faster than it, and he¡¯d make it through before it could cause any harm, but that would be neglecting the more dangerous monsters approaching. Balthu could do much, but he couldn¡¯t solo defend the archway, and he was vulnerable to direct attacks.

    Before his very eyes, he saw the monster stagger and fall to the ground, ravaged by damage and afflictions. It dragged itself forward, rabid with the vampiric curse, behind it a slug trail of tainted blood. When it finally died, it evaporated into a puff of rainbow smoke, monster blood disappearing with it.

    ¡°Balthu, did you know that would happen?¡± Ranshi questioned, focusing back on his battle at hand.

    Balthu saw much. He saw the iron ranker¡¯s battle again Siyu. He saw their afflictions. He saw how hers faded, he felt the sensation of her aura, the whispers of the astral.

    ¡°Possibilities and probabilities, or is it all the design of fate. Some divine hand, writing out our future like pages in a book. Everything predetermined, we march along the path as unknowing unwilling soldiers. Blessings and curses, transformation and stagnation. All ripples in waves in the ebb and tide of time. I can sense it, how the cosmos twists itself around us, forming the sensations of reality and astral.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll presume that¡¯s a yes,¡± he said with a sigh, ¡°How about advanced warning next time, Balthu?¡±

    ¡°The trapping of fate change as it is spoken. When the oracle speaks her prophecy, is it to be changed or to seal it within the book of destiny? Does she seek the annihilation of prophecy or its cementation in stone? That which I know, I should know. That which you know, you should know. But should you know what you should not know, if I say what I should not say, what becomes of us? Do we have our will if we move according to predictions? I may be but an instrument of fate, but shall I condemn you to suffer the same fate, just a tool to weave the tapestry?¡±

    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t tell me,¡± he said resignedly, spear absently impaling another bronze rank monster. ¡°Keep your secrets.¡±

 Chapter 124: The Vampire Progenitor

    Chapter 124: The Vampire Progenitor

    Siyu had remarked on the team¡¯s powerful healer¡ªhe was all that stood between himself and true ascension and escape from his backwater city. Whether it was his sponsor or Siyu himself, someone had enough foresight to prepare Siyu an ability that would grant him a trump card.

    ¡°The black waters of death consume all, subsume all. Life melts away.¡± Siyu chanted.

    A powerful wave of tar black darkness bubbled up from the ground, like a hot spring of putrid tar. It washed over them, rotting and corroding their flesh.

    -------

    Ability: [Necrotic Wave]

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°The black waters of death consume all, subsume all. Life melts away.¡±

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 1 hour

    Effect (Iron): Floods an area with a wave of necrotizing darkness, dealing high necrotic damage-over-time.

    Effect (Bronze): Additionally inflicts high corrosive damage-over-time.

    -------

    With the sticky darkness corroding their flesh, Eufemia and John both reacted: Eufemia cast Void Cancel and John Fountain of Life.

    ¡°No power escapes the void.¡± ¡°Fountain of life, manifest!¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Void Cancel]

    Awakening Stone: Void

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°No power escapes the void.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Cast a spell on a target, interrupting a target ongoing ability. You can cancel the inherent abilities of a magical creature. The ability that was interrupted is placed on a 3-minute cooldown, and mana is consumed as if the ability had been cast, up to a limit. If more than one ability is interrupted and no target ability is specified, the ability with the longest cooldown is prioritized.

    Ability: [Fountain of Life]

    Awakening Stone: Water

    Spell (healing)

    Incantation: ¡°Fountain of life, manifest.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Creates an endless fountain that replenishes health of nearby allies.

    -------

    The spell was interrupted, but a chill crawled down Eufemia¡¯s back at Siyu¡¯s sinister smile.

    Immediately afterwards, ethereal water gushed from nowhere, life as pure magic, combatting the necrotizing tide of sinister black. Eufemia and John briefly met eyes, hoping that their simultaneous reaction wouldn¡¯t spell a mistake for the team. It wasn¡¯t inherently a mistake, the healing was not unwarranted, however, Siyu¡¯s cackling laugh portended his assumption of triumph.

    ¡°Life corrupted, Death abound. The cycle of life and death is reversed. Nothing is sacrosanct, all is corrupted.¡±

    -------

    His Necrotic Wave may have been nullified, but that was not his objective. He wanted to bait out a healing spell from John. It wasn¡¯t as powerful as he hoped, but it was enough.

    ¡°Life corrupted, Death abound. The cycle of life and death is reversed. Nothing is sacrosanct, all is corrupted.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Life to Death]

    Spell (zone, unholy)

    Incantation: ¡°Life corrupted, Death abound. The cycle of life and death is reversed. Nothing is sacrosanct, all is corrupted.¡±

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 24 hours

    Effect (Iron): Transform all incoming healing in a zone into necrotic damage. Does not affect healing generated from boons, only healing from external sources. Necrotic damage does not affect you or your allies.

    Effect (Bronze): Allies regain health during the duration of the zone.

    -------

    The Death and Undeath Essences were known for their perversions of healing and life. Healing denial was useful against specific enemies, but such an effect was also found in other essences, such as Blood and Venom. To be on the safe side, the Adventure Society banned the Death Essence in its entirely.

    The fountain that had once extended its blessings of abundance and life transformed into rotting liquid that rotted their flesh in turn.

    ¡°Chrome! Thanatos!¡± Nara yelled to her two familiars. Of the group, she, Encio, and Sen suffered the least. She had immediately exited the range of Fountain of Life with a node teleport, ordering chrome and Thanatos to drag away her other party members from the spell. Chrome tossed party members on Thanatos¡¯ back, who sprinted out of the zone effect of Life and Death as fast as he could.

    Eufemia had escape with a Flicker as well, exiting the range of the fountain. She had failed to cast Reverse Power in time, but her next most important task was to finish off the stone and crystal monstrosities. She couldn¡¯t let them recover. They would overwhelm Nara, Sen, Encio, who now had to hold the frontline as John healed himself and Aliyah.

    Nobody had died yet. Their flesh was rotting away, filled with pus and a terrible stench. Bone was exposed like new paint scraped to reveal the old layer.

    She doubled Encio¡¯s God-Sundering Slash twice, copied his weapon, and unleashed two waves that managed to finish off the both of the Bloodstone Servants.

    For a moment, she staggered. The consecutive use of extreme mana and stamina abilities had drained most of her reserves. At iron rank, extreme cost abilities were only usable two to three times. Her increased maximum mana due to her celestine racial ability Mystic Bloodline and the team¡¯s various mana regeneration abilities had allowed her the mana to spare after sustained fighting in the first place. But now, all her mana had been shaken out of her mana reserves, leaving her dry.

    Without John to cover her momentary nausea, Eufemia was hit by a crystalline fist of the still alive Crystalline Monstrosity. Combined with her mana exhaustion, the blow knocked her out and she careened limp onto the blood and tar spattered ground.

    Encio Flickered towards her, scooping her from the ground in a blitz of speed before a second blow could land.

    -------

    Ability: [Flicker]

    Special Ability (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Low mana and low stamina

    Cooldown: 25 seconds 20 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Move instantaneously a short distance away. Does not interrupt channeling abilities.

    Effect (Bronze): Can be used a second time. Cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, with a use regained every cooldown period.

    -------

    He couldn¡¯t teleport the both of them with Flicker, but he was faster on foot than Siyu, who didn¡¯t specialize in speed. Thanks to his evolved Essence Gift into Accelerant, his speed attribute had been crawling upwards the entire fight.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Accelerant]

    Enemies damaged by your special attacks are inflicted with [Slowing Frost]. You gain an instance of [Fire Accelerant] for every instance of [Slowing Frost] you inflict. Instance limit is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Slowing Frost] (affliction, magic, stacking): [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes are temporarily decreased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Fire Accelerant] (boon, magic, stacking): The [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The Crystalline Monstrosity attacked again, its fist crunching with the sound of breaking glass into empty dirt. Encio had long escaped with Eufemia in his arms. He ran towards John, who was drawing out Grand Renewal with magic lines in the air. All ritual magic essence abilities had the secondary effect of allowing themselves to be cast by drawing magical lines, a skill that Aliyah herself gained through another ability. The difference was Enact Ritual allowed Aliyah to draw out any ritual with magic, while John was restricted to just this ability.

    He was focused and concentrated, nodding briefly to acknowledge Encio as he did his work. He¡¯d swap targets to Eufemia, have her reset his cooldowns, then heal Aliyah. None were so desperate as to immediately die (although Eufemia was now most pressing with her head injury). He subsisted them with life bolts in the meantime. He needed to hurry, however. Siyu was weakened by various afflictions, Sen and Nara fending him off alone was a difficult task. Encio had to deal with the remaining Bloodstone Servant by himself.

    Out of the range of the zone, Nara drained a potion, placing the empty bottle in her inventory, not because it was proper, but because Siyu had a spell that could launch crystalline shards, and she didn¡¯t want to add to the power of the ability. Once she had, she teleported back in to intercept Siyu. She couldn¡¯t allow him to attack her vulnerable teammates.

    Sen did the same, also downing a potion. He had escaped the range of the ability with his own teleportation, then sprinted back in at high speeds with Momentous Sprint.

    Encio had used Immortality, restoring himself to full to contend with the final Bloodstone Servant. The restoration of this ability was an internal effect, and he avoided the power of the zone that still suffused the battlefield.

    Most zone abilities had a long duration. Sen, Nara, and Encio would have to rely on their own internal healing once they re-entered the zone.

    Nara didn¡¯t need to communicate with Sage, so she sent all three bodies away. One was with John, which she kept there in the case of emergencies. Another was already with Sen, gradually restoring him. She moved the final body to Encio, granting him the minor restorative effect of her boons, which was more than the rest had stacked up.

    ¡°Look at yourselves.¡± Siyu said, who just could not resist the chance to gloat for a moment. His own combination had taken apart half of their team. ¡°All of you, pathetic, ragged and rotting! How far the mighty Prince of Arlang has fallen. If you beg for your life, I might let you watch when I ravish your lovely team members, then transform them into my servants,¡± he glanced at Encio, then said with unwanted inclusiveness. ¡°I don¡¯t discriminate.¡±

    Sen glared at him; his heavy staff held poised to strike.

    ¡°We just need to buy time for phase two,¡± Nara reminded him.

    ¡°I know,¡± Sen said icily. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Until the zone effect of Life and Death faded, Nara and Sen had to rely on themselves. Other than John, they were the two most self-sustaining members of the team.

    The wouldn¡¯t have John¡¯s healing backup against the bronze ranker. But they didn¡¯t need to win, just buy time.

    All the other pieces were in place.

    *****

    Nara knew from Sen¡¯s aura that he was more than a little pissed off. He had always been able to contain his wrath, beneath his calm exterior. He was like a searing hot plate with no heat indicator; visually safe but burning to touch.

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    Throughout the week, Sen had to continually hear Siyu say degrading things to all of his team members, and he¡¯s had to pretend he agreed with them.

    Eufemia, despite her prickly attitude and sharp tongue, was self-conscious about her origins. In her own eyes, she was a criminal street rat. She may not have any actual crime on her record (prosecuted crime, at least), but she was self-aware of the dirt that covered her hands like grime she couldn¡¯t wash off from beneath her fingernails. Siyu didn¡¯t know that, but his constant comments about her inherent nobility, shining beauty, and superior upbringing had made Eufemia starkly aware she was the only the opposite, pretending to be what she was not. She¡¯d never let anyone know what she was feeling, because the hurt from someone like Siyu shouldn¡¯t matter, but Sen knew it hurt anyway. She was too good of an actor to show it.

    Nara wasn¡¯t his servant. She wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s servant¡ªeven at the cost of death. Her history and values made that fact very clear. They were all equals on this team¡ªSen was nominally the leader, but his leadership was one he hoped to build on a foundation of trust. Everyone on the team had their own place and specialties, and he hoped each would lead in their area of strength. To ebb and flow, to listen where others were wise. That is what he sought from his party. It was an ideal that had once failed, but Sen believed that this team had the potential to succeed, reignited by Nara¡¯s casual words after his confrontation with Raja.

    Aliyah was his mentor. He was unruly with his impatience when he was younger. Like the rest of his family, he wanted to gain his essences and start training in earnest. He had, of course, been training in combat and tactics all his life, but rank progression would never start until he reached the age where he could absorb essences. It was different for every person, and for Sen, his was a few years later than the norm. His mother found Aliyah to teach him an important lesson to expand upon which Sen could learn, and to pass his time, shifting frustration to curiosity. He had been disrespectful for a long while towards her, which made Sen internally groan with embarrassment whenever he thought of it. She was a respected researcher, a genius his mother picked out to tutor him. She deserved his respect from day one. He didn¡¯t give it to her then, but he¡¯d make sure she had the respect she deserved now.

    John was reliable, steady, and kind. Some of his unwillingness to harm others had already been carved away from him in his experiences in Nekroz and now in Sanshi, but he was a gentle soul at his core. He had been shaky at the start; failed shield timings, terrible combat skills, difficulty in managing his mana¡ªan entirely new resource to him he never had on Earth. He was less impressive than his fellow members, but a sturdy foundation that only grew more resilient in time. If anyone could be kind through diamond and the cosmos beyond, it was John.

    And Encio¡ªdespite his flashy background and attractiveness, was a person who understood how to take a step back, and when to put himself forward. He was a highly skilled burst damage dealer in a role where most didn¡¯t bother to hone their skill, since they could use all of their abilities, then wait for their mana and cooldowns to recharge in safety. He was incredibly effective in both combat and social situations, managing himself effectively so that Sen could take his mind off of him in pressing situations. Encio could handle himself, and his extra skill meant he helped others too. The team was better for it.

    Siyu would pay.

    *****

    Sen and Nara held a quiet focus, a flow state between the two of them that traded off attacking at the front. They balanced both of their damage they received, Sen doing his best to maintain his equilibrium state and Nara taking over if he fell too far beneath it. With Nara¡¯s Invigorating trio of boons and stacked Integrity, stamina consumption was not a concern. In this field, they surpassed Siyu, who had no way to restore stamina other than his blood crystals. Eufemia¡¯s familiar Runa helped: The Echo Spirit was transformed into Sen to grant him further mobility.

    -----

    Ability: [Battle Equilibrium]

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Maintain an equilibrium state. When afflictions surpass equilibrium, periodically cleanse afflictions from yourself. When health, stamina, or mana drops below the equilibrium, gain a health-, stamina-, or mana-over-time effect.

    Effect (Bronze): The condition to reach equilibrium state is reduced. Gain damage resistance to damage below equilibrium.

    ------

    Sen¡¯s Battle Equilibrium was constantly in use once he fell below half health, and was one of his few abilities that also reached bronze rank. The bronze rank effect raised the equilibrium state slightly, to around 60% health. Combined with the new damage reduction below that point, Sen was deceptively resilient at lower health thresholds.

    When another Blood Crystal manifested, Nara didn¡¯t react to destroy it. Instead, a fast cutting wave of sword energy swept past, smashing the crystal and destroying its stored contents, life energy and blood dissipating.

    Feeling the pressure again, Siyu had called his monstrous familiar back, his thundering steps leaving fragments of shattered crystal in its wake, mingling with bloodied dirt in fractured glass caltrops.

    Encio kept on the familiar, his force blades and high-speed chipping away at flesh and crystal. Since Siyu had called his familiar back, Encio could stay with the other two and assist. Siyu¡¯s best move was to keep his familiar away and pushing after John to force Encio to combat him, but he lost his nerve and wanted the assistance the monstrosity provided.

    Sen and Nara adopted a more mobile pincer strategy, intentionally putting Siyu between themselves and the monstrous familiar. If the familiar swung at them, it risked hitting Siyu. Siyu kept trying to re-conjure his blood crystals so that they could passively steal life force, but Nara, and now Encio, kept denying him that. Siyu didn¡¯t have the coordination to use Necrotic Shadow with the right timing to instead reverse pincer Nara and Sen, further evidence of his lack of mastery over his abilities¡ªwhile it was something that Nara could do with Phase Shift.

    The main issue was the afflictions Siyu inflicted on them. Wounding afflictions absorbed healing, which cut Nara¡¯s self-regenerative abilities. Sen¡¯s Battle Equilibrium fought back against the tide of afflictions, but it struggled since they were higher rank.

    After fighting Siyu for so long, Nara had adapted to his attacks. Her health regeneration may be next to nothing, but her mana regeneration was at its peak, and she avoided most of his attacks and therefore avoided more application of his afflictions. Soul Legion worked against them; she was, for the most part, in a state of slight positive condition gain, as long as she didn¡¯t suffer a large hit.

    When Siyu tried to chase John and finish them off, Encio, Nara, and Sen fought fiercely to keep him away. Trying to push forward past them opened him up to dangerous amounts of damage. His frustration grew that he couldn¡¯t pick off their weakened comrades.

    When he shifted into shadow, Nara shifted her own blade to become incorporeal, one of the effects of Blade of the Boundary she did not often use to damage an enemy. She occasionally used it to slip her blade through someone¡¯s own, but that was a high risk tactic that often meant trading blows.

    -------

    Ability: [Blade of the Boundary]

    Awakening stone: sword

    Conjuration (sword, affliction)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Horizon¡¯s Edge, the [Blade of the Boundary]]. Normal and special attacks made with [Horizon¡¯s Edge] deal physical and rending damage and will inflict an instance of [Dimensional Instability] and inflicts or refreshes [Dimensional Rupture]. Horizon¡¯s Edge can be made incorporeal at will.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Instability] (affliction, magic, stacking): All rending damage suffered is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Rupture] (affliction, magic): When inflicted or refreshed, suffer additional rending damage proportional to current instances of [Dimensional Instability].</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    It was another ability that was close to bronze rank, but had not made it in time for this fight. Sen¡¯s evolved Essence Gift, Inescapable Wrath, also allowed him to affect Siyu in this state as well.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Inescapable Wrath]

    Abilities affect all beings. Intrinsic immunities are treated as resistances. Physical attacks can affect incorporeal beings.

    -------

    It was one of Sen¡¯s silent workhorse abilities that made him almost universally effective. Encio¡¯s Blue Shift provided him with a similar effect, although it was conditional.

    -------

    Ability: [Blue Shift]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Attacks and abilities that reach a speed threshold can affect incorporeal entities. While moving at speed, gain increased resistance to hostile dimension effects.

    Effect (Bronze): Increased maximum [Speed] attribute. This applies to external effects, such as allied boons. Increased resistance to effects that decreases the [Speed] attribute.

    -------

    Since all three of them could damage Siyu in his shadow form, it wasn¡¯t the escape card Siyu thought it would be against this particular team. It was a costly ability too, although not to the ridiculous cost of Nara¡¯s Phase Shift.

    Siyu¡¯s trump card spells, while easy to use and powerful, had already been burned in the middle of the fight. What he was left was with his short cooldown spells and special attacks which he was not particularly good at using, as they required skill and experience to use most effectively. He lashed out at Nara and Sen repeatedly, but it wasted stamina and mana with little return.

    ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± Eufemia said through voice chat. Her voice was a relief to the others still fighting. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    The other three rode back on Thanatos, dropping off from his back onto the ground. They were weary, but ready for the next phase.

    Nara, Encio, Chrome, and Eufemia prepared for their part. Nara and Encio dashed around Siyu, crossing around him to the far side. Sen, backed up by John, held off Siyu for just a moment, Eufemia having already reset his cooldowns. Aliyah¡¯s Binding Light interrupted his movements, but Siyu didn¡¯t have the spatial awareness and fighting experience to track so many moving targets, nor the sense of who to prioritize. He could only focus on those in front of him.

    The four reached down and activated the sun lamps that had been set up beforehand and hid by concealment rituals drawn by Eufemia. Since concealment rituals, aptly named, specialized in concealing objects or other rituals, Siyu with his lack of training in both magic and perception lacked the capabilities to detect them despite his higher rank.

    -------

    Item: [Sun Lamp] (normal, common)

    Classification: object, lamp, light source

    Lamps designed to absorb the light of the sun to release at night.

    Effect: Absorbs and stores the light of the sun.

    Effect: When activated, releases stored sunlight. Can be configured for light intensity.

    -------

    While glowstones were the most popular light source in Erras, it was not as if there were not alternatives. There were normal non magical lamps, often sold as a specialty item in low magic zones. Sun lamps were one such option.

    From four corners, blinding sunlight poured out of the lamps, rapidly draining their stores of sunlight, directed towards the center where Siyu stood. The burning light seared his eyes and skin, and he rapidly accumulated instances of Sunlight Madness. The sunlight from the lamps didn¡¯t need to be high rank¡ªthe local magic converted it to magical sunlight.

    He tried to escape with Necrotic Shadow. In preparation for these final moments, Eufemia downed a bronze rank spirit coin. As she felt the power coursing through her like a drugged-up blood servant addicted to a vampire¡¯s blood, she voided his ability, shutting it down for three minutes. She had seen the ability many times already, and expected his attempt to escape. The boosted power from a spirit coin lasted only a couple minutes. Her high iron rank prevented its immediate degradation, allowing her to finish her role in the final phase of this fight.

    Eufemia reset Binding Light, and Aliyah used it to tie Siyu in place, his lowered attributes from the sunlight preventing him from tearing himself free. Encio used Dimension Flux, further nauseating Siyu and disrupting teleportation, denying him any chance of escape.

    -------

    Ability: [Dimension Flux]

    Conjuration (dimension, trap)

    Cost: Moderate mana, low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Wildly distort space in a small area, disorienting anything that passes through. Denies the area as a teleportation egress point. Only once instance of this ability can exist simultaneously.

    Effect (Bronze): Area of spatial distortion is increased. Disorientation effect persists for a short time after leaving the affected area.

    -------

    John and Eufemia dashed in both holding Solar Judgements, the most powerful weapon they had against the vampire: The power of the sun condensed into a shotgun. Eufemia¡¯s was enhanced to the max, once again the target of Hero¡¯s Moment. Since her ability to copy weapons came from an ability, it benefitted from John¡¯s Bolster.

    The whole team flung everything they had at Siyu in that moment. Every spell, every ranged special attack, fire and light from every available familiar. For a moment, Siyu¡¯s position was a brilliant corona of light, and the team was staring into the sun; the setting sun of a dying vampire.

    -------

    -[Vampire Progenitor] has been wholly annihilated and automatically looted.

    -------

    When the system message appeared, the whole team felt themselves releasing a breath of relief, collapsing onto their knees, and hugging each other with joy. It was mainly Nara hugging all the others, with the others seated on the floor.

    A silver grey light arose from John, who sighed with frustration after reading at the status message.

    ¡°A cleanse boost racial? That couldn¡¯t have come a little bloody earlier?¡± he complained after reading the message, throwing his hands into the air in his exasperation.

    *****

    Nara sensed Siyu¡¯s soul attempt to enter her inventory. He was drawn to his Crystalline Phylactery no matter where it was, but he could not enter Nara¡¯s inventory without her permission.

    ¡°Should I let Siyu¡¯s soul into my inventory?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Aliyah asked, always one for clarification.

    ¡°I can sort of sense that he wants to get at his Crystalline Phylactery. The one I put in my inventory a while back.¡±

    ¡°Is that dangerous?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°To me? Not at all. I¡¯m the god of my little astral domain. Even if he let in, he doesn¡¯t have any rights unless I give them to him.¡±

    ¡°What if you don¡¯t?¡± John asked.

    ¡°He dies. That¡¯s it. His soul is guided by the Goddess of Death onto the path of the Reaper.¡±

    ¡°How long do you have to decide?¡± asked Sen.

    ¡°A few hours, maybe, before his soul can¡¯t maintain its connection to reality and is led away. He has a strong attachment to life. It¡¯s longer than most.¡±

    ¡°His life was so worthless, yet he has a strong attachment to it?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°Why is it always the evil bastards that are tenacious?¡±

    ¡°Or a property of being a vampire,¡± Aliyah suggested academically. ¡°They are known to revive themselves.¡±

    ¡°Is there any value in keeping him alive?¡± Encio asked, unintentionally savage.

    ¡°The Adventure Society could question him,¡± Nara proposed. ¡°We found those papers that someone had given him and convinced him to take a Death Essence. They also provided him with some awakening stones, a method to set up his storeroom, and kill the townsfolk without getting caught. So, what should I do? I don¡¯t care either way.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re fine with that?¡± Sen asked, ¡°Letting him die?¡±

    ¡°I already killed someone, Sen.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t make the second any easier, or any death after that. I never find it any easier either. I never hope to.¡± It wasn¡¯t entirely accurate, but his sentiment was understood. Siyu was, after all, very easy to detest, and Sen was wrathful.

    ¡°Thankfully,¡± Nara said, ¡°Siyu has made it very easy for me to not give a shit. I think most lives are equal, but his is not even worth a single fuck. Even if I let him live, they¡¯ll kill him afterwards, right?¡±

    ¡°They will,¡± confirmed Sen, ¡°Death Essence users are killed on sight. There¡¯s no exceptions.¡±

    ¡°Then?¡± Nara prompted.

    ¡°It¡¯s all rather unsatisfying after our spectacular performance,¡± said Eufemia, huffing as she examined the blood-stained battle grounds, ¡°but we let the bloodsucker live. For now.¡±

    *****

    Siyu awoke in his crystalline phylactery. He was relieved it was still intact after those adventurers had exploded his secret storeroom. (If he was smarter, he would have realized there was no way his phylactery would have been left alone for any reason.)

    He sent his perception and aura outwards, only to realize he could not. He could not manifest a new body either¡ªa function of the phylactery that contained a massive amount of life force. He was trapped, a soul within a crystal cube, a bug in a glass display. Static thrummed through his mind, and he tried to ignore the cruel seed of panic that had sprouted.

    No, he denied. Not him. He wasn¡¯t afraid. Fear was for lesser beings. His prey.

    He tried to do anything. To talk. To see. To hear. To feel.

    Nothing.

    Was there something wrong with his phylactery? It was the most complex artifact he had ever created, the knowledge of how create it granted by his racial ability, Crystalline Phylactery. Truthfully, it was the only artifact he had ever created.

    The claustrophobic space caused the panic to bloom. His soul felt boxed in, restricted. He couldn¡¯t experience anything but his own thoughts, and he drowned in them.

    This was his failsafe! His escape! He¡¯d fool those adventurers into thinking he¡¯d died, then make his way to the church of undeath. They¡­they¡¯d shelter him. He¡¯d become a priest! Those ¡®evil¡¯ gods always needed followers. He was valuable. He was. He was!

    No matter what he told himself, dread clawed its way up from the pit he desperately tried to smother it.

    Something was wrong, very wrong. He felt it all around him. An oppressive vastness that saw him as little more than a speck of dust in the sands of time. A mere drop of water in an infinite ocean.

    He felt all those lives he¡¯d taken screaming at him, a droning sound growing in strength like a feedback loop.

    ¡°Look at yourself Siyu,¡± they told him, ¡°Look at how worthless you are! You aren¡¯t any better than the rest of us. You killed us all, for this?¡±

    ¡°Always so arrogant.¡±

    ¡°So prideful.¡±

    ¡°You never could achieve anything on your own, could you?¡±

    ¡°Just as backwater as your family.¡±

    ¡°A failure like your father.¡±

    ¡°This is your eternity.¡±

    A question. An observation. A condemnation.

    The only thing he could do was scream at the cube encasing him.

    No one heard.

 Chapter 125: Our Duty

    Chapter 125: Our Duty

    With Siyu slain, his Crystal Monstrosity died with him, crumbling with a grate of glass and a squelch of flesh. It was already a scrap heap of fractured crystal that looked as if a moose had impaled itself on an abstract art glass sculpture and died on top of it. It¡¯s inorganic nature had kept it alive far longer than the team had expected possible. As they chipped it down more and more like shaving flakes for an ice sculpture, the being adapted and continued to survive. They wondered if the monstrosity had adapted itself to become incredibly hard to kill. It didn¡¯t have much else going for it, but it proved a continual hinderance to the team throughout the fight. It was just fast enough and hit hard enough to be dangerous. Its crystal shards inflicted bleeding, which absorbed healing and prevented it from reaching the team. If Siyu had been more intelligent and familiar in his teamwork with the monstrosity, the battle would have been more precarious.

    Sen was confident they would have won even if Siyu had worked well with his familiar, but the team was happy to keep that question a mystery of the cosmos.

    The team contacted the town head and told him of the result of the battle. Nara thought that the townsfolk would immediately want to move back into their own homes, even if it was late into the night.

    ¡°They like the feel of the furniture,¡± Town Head Jing said, ¡°And would like to wait later in the afternoon to leave. It has been a busy night, and everyone wants some rest. Me included.¡±

    They could hear his cautious optimism. He couldn¡¯t quite believe the serial murders that had been plaguing his town was finally put to rest. Now, he wanted rest. With that he ¡®hung up¡¯, too exhausted to care.

    ¡°Be my guest ¡­?¡± Nara thought that the people of Erras were strangely adaptable. Was that normal in a magical society? Nara turned to Aliyah, ¡°If you were normal rank, would you be okay sleeping in some strange essence user¡¯s ability?¡±

    ¡°Hm? I have,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°It wasn¡¯t an ability, but some sort of magical construct. It¡¯s a shame I was so young at the time. I would have loved to have learned more from it.¡±

    ¡°How is that not weird? ¡±

    ¡°Part of it is there¡¯s nothing you can do against an essence user, especially a high ranker,¡± shrugged Aliyah. ¡°If they¡¯re asking nicely and with the authority of the Adventure Society, most will follow. Going against an adventurer¡¯s recommendation is usually a quick way to die. Most of the time it ends up being very comfortable, with amenities and free food. If everything goes well, it is an interesting experience. If it does not¡­¡±

    She trailed off. Nara could guess.

    It was the equivalent of a tycoon offering a temporary stay in their mansion.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to work on the free food portion then. I only have enough food for this team. I hadn¡¯t thought to stock up for an entire town. Seems a waste normally, but I guess the food I keep doesn¡¯t go bad. Maybe I can feed them that spirit coin stuff¡­but I also need to actively make that.¡±

    ¡°Next time,¡± said Sen. ¡°There¡¯s always room for improvement.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯d rather not evacuate a town ever again. There is no next time.¡±

    Nara frowned.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have said that out loud. I know better.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Thank you for everything, all of you,¡± the town head said, beaming with teary-eyed joy, now energized enough to express emotion. He was happy that the entire town had survived Siyu mostly unscathed, except for the property damage caused by beams of fire Ranshi¡¯s giant eyeball familiar had caused. It would be fixed, in time. It was nothing that the people of Erras weren¡¯t used to, and Ranshi had done his best to keep the damage relatively contained. The main street of the town was torn up and needed to be repaved, and some houses suffered unavoidable damage from Siyu¡¯s assault and Ranshi¡¯s blasts of fire. Still, he had demonstrated considerable control in property damage. The relevant agencies would send out essence users to conduct repairs.

    ¡°It¡¯s our duty to protect you all,¡± Sen said. He bowed formally to the town head, his tone solemn, ¡°Please accept my sincere apologies that we could not protect everyone. We failed our obligation to the people here.¡± Sen did not think he genuinely failed; he was not so na?ve to expect a bloodless outcome. But sometimes there were proper condolences to be made.

    ¡°No, no, please don¡¯t bow to me, sir Arlang,¡± Town Head Jing said, raising Sen up with a fluster, ¡°You cannot be blamed for Siyu¡¯s depravity. I¡¯ve failed my town. I¡­I had really considered him our town¡¯s star. I am ashamed of my own inability to judge his character.¡± Haoran Jing didn¡¯t want to acknowledge Siyu¡¯s vanity and disrespect towards others. He had fallen into the trap of sunk cost fallacy¡ªthe town had already invested three essences in him (although Siyu didn¡¯t use one of them). Many of the town had rather close their eyes to his arrogance. What else could they do? The essences were gone.

    Many essence users did consider it their duty to protect normal people. Sen was raised this way, and Encio to a lesser degree. Nara didn¡¯t think there was anything wrong with it, as long as they were careful what they did ¡®in the name of duty¡¯, but¡­she wasn¡¯t going to ruin the moment. She had enough sense to keep her mouth shut and let the town head shake Sen¡¯s hand like he was holding the hand of Buddha. If there hadn¡¯t been so many people watching, he may have kissed it.

    Ranshi stood back, letting the iron rakers enjoy their achievement. He was the unsung hero, protecting the domain door from a swarm of monsters. But not completely¡ªJust one had managed to slip through despite his own concentrated defense. He turned back to react, only to see the frothing boar monster slowly eviscerated by afflictions and effects. It fell apart as its body was ripped apart inside out, then collapsed into a meaty pile. Even the rainbow smoke borne of the monster vanished, as if that dimensional space had consumed it. The residents had no idea a monster had even intruded, barricaded in their temporary lodgings.

    That dimensional space was hostile to all invaders. Ranshi made note never to step inside uninvited. He debated for a moment whether he¡¯d report this to the guild, then remembered a saying often told to young adventurers.

    Diamond rankers don¡¯t have enemies because all of them are dead by gold.

    If she wanted to tell, she¡¯d say it. Ranshi knew when to keep his observations to himself. He couldn¡¯t avoid reporting the capabilities of providing a temporary shelter with an easily defensible entrance. All the townsfolk knew about it. It was outstanding but not unheard of. Defensive fortifications, even portable ones, were common with certain ability sets such as the Prison, Fortress, Edifice, Boundary, and Vessel Confluences. Unheard of with racial abilities, but outworlders were equally abnormal, both in known racial abilities and frequency of appearance.

    Its defensive capabilities would remain an unintentional secret between him and Nara. And his familiar, whose mad ramblings had disinclined him from mentioning them to anyone in the first place.

    Unbeknownst to Nara, Soul Legion applied to her door domain as well, her temporary territory. She had thought the effect was incredibly specific, limited to her body and her Astral Domain. She was in no danger whatsoever in her Astral Domain, so the effect was meaningless there.

    The hand of a Great Astral Being was not so simple.

    Nara¡¯s inclination for her Racial Abilities were pacifistic: Astral Traveler was of escape, Astral Domain was of safety, Traveler¡¯s Bounty was one of creation, Guide was of communication, Resilient was of defense, and Free Spirit of liberty. Her original evolution, Soul Sanctuary, would have been of a similar theme. The Great Astral Being Legion altered it slightly, emphasizing the intensity she was more than capable of.

    It was the being of the propagation of life. For life to grow and survive, it destroyed and consumed others.

    *****

    The trip back was quiet, the team in focused meditation. The glow of attributes advancing sporadically lit up the inside of their ship cabin, eliciting quiet groans and gooseflesh shivers from the soul-deep stretch. They deserved a rest, so they purchased boarding on a slow passenger ship traveling down to Sanshi.

    Nara¡¯s perception ability was the next to advance past Iron 9. The upgrade wasn¡¯t anything special. All perception abilities gained magic perception and enhanced aura perception by silver rank, in any order, with the third effect a magical perception power.

    -------

    -Mystic Essence Ability, [Gaze of the Boundary], has reached Bronze 0. Progress all Mystic Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Spirit] attribute to Bronze 0.

    -Progress all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 20%.

    Ability: [Gaze of the Boundary]

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive dimensional boundaries and dimension effects.

    Effect (Bronze): Perceive the flows of Magic.

    -------

    In her case, she awakened her magical, non-mundane perception (the ability to perceive dimension effects) first. After perceiving the flows of magic, her next would consequently be enhanced aura perception.

    The next ability to advance was the very first ability she awakened, Phase Shift.

    -------

    -Dimension Essence Ability, [Phase Shift], has reached Bronze 0. Progress all Dimension Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Speed] attribute to Bronze 0.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    -Progress all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 25%.

    Ability: [Phase Shift]

    Special Ability (dimension)

    Cost: Extreme mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Phase shift into an adjacent dimension. While phase shifted, your abilities and attacks will not affect non-phase shifted targets. In this state, non-phase shifted abilities and attacks will not affect you. You are harder to detect while phase shifted. Mana cost of this ability further increases as duration increases.

    Effect (Bronze): You can partially phase shift. Phase shift cost is reduced proportionate to the area phase-shifted down to a minimum of moderate mana-per-second, but the non-phase shifted locations can be affected by abilities.

    --------

    ¡°Ohhhhhh. Oh. Oh noooo,¡± Nara groaned quietly to herself.

    It was a fantastic upgrade to Phase Shift, greatly cutting the cost of the ability if she just needed to avoid a localized attack, like a sword swing. Spells that targeted her whole body, such as her own Astral Judgement, still needed the expensive full-body effect.

    This new upgrade combined with Cosmic Path would no doubt reignite Laius and Amara¡¯s passionate ninja-rock-dodging-training-session. This one in particular would be incredibly difficult to master, once again demanding her full attention.

    Her body foresaw purple welts in the new future, but she found herself grinning when she reached up to feel her face. She really was somewhat of a training junkie now; magic was just too fun and engaging.

    She¡¯d never tell Sen.

    The next ability to reach bronze rank had become a staple of Nara¡¯s fighting style once she awakened it. The evasiveness that frustrated Siyu was in large part the handiwork of this ability. Even if he predicted her teleportation, many of his attacks, besides his most powerful of attacks, would still miss, as if pushed aside by the disapproving hand of God.

    -------

    -Dimension Essence Ability, [Infinity Domain], has reached Bronze 0. Progress all Dimension Essence Abilities to Bronze 0 to increase the [Speed] attribute to Bronze 0.

    -Progress all Essence Ability to Bronze 0 to rank up to Bronze rank. Progress to Bronze rank, 30%.

    Ability: [Infinity Domain]

    Conjuration (dimension)

    Cost: Moderate mana, low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures an [Infinity Domain] around self. Within the [Infinity Domain], physical space is passively manipulated, slightly shifting the trajectory of incoming attacks. Manipulation can be actively managed for more direct effect or disabled and re-enabled as a whole or locally.

    Effect (Bronze): Size of [Infinity Domain] can be reduced for a concentrated effect. Enemies within [Infinity Domain] are inflicted with [Inescapable]. This effect cannot be resisted. When leaving the range of [Infinity Domain], [Inescapable] is removed from the enemy.

    <ul>

    <li>[Inescapable] (affliction, magic): Subject cannot be affected by teleport or non-damaging dimension effects.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    As usual, she pondered the new effects. Training and testing would come later; contemplation on how new effects evolved a fighting style was an important part of an essence user¡¯s development. Sen was insistent that no matter what exciting new ability they awakened, they needed to take it easy for the next few days. He was right, as always.

    It was an interesting effect¡­Inescapable would be removed as long as her opponent escaped the field of Infinity Domain, or if she disengaged from them. With her teleportation capabilities, she could force Inescapable on a target and trap them as long as she was within melee range of them, then teleport out when she had enough. Combined with Phase Shift, it had the potential to set up some devastating combinations, although her domain would stop affecting her opponent once she shifted. Her partial shift would come in handy here¡ªshe may be able to be affected in turn, but she could still affect others.

    As always, her abilities demanded exact timing.

    While unstated, its space manipulation effect and maximum size also increased. All abilities increased with their effects upon rank up¡ªstrength of the effect and range for non-single target abilities. This applied to Infinity Domain, although it¡¯d need testing to determine its change. A more powerful space manipulation effect would make her even harder to hit. Heavy attacks and area attack were still a point of weakness for this ability, but she had her ways to deal with those.

    The concentrated effect was an interesting if not risky detail. With less space meant less time to react. Nara used a combination of physical movement, space manipulation, and swordplay to maximize the effectiveness of Infinity Domain. In what case would she strengthen the effect at the cost of area covered? It was likely she¡¯d keep the range the same as she used now and enjoy a more powerful effect, but Nara could see the advantage of a flexible size, such as adjusting for tight confines.

    *****

    Eufemia walked onto the terrace of the nebula, looking out towards the dark sea at night. It brought her no comfort. It stared back at her like a sea monster lurking below the waves. With one snatch, pulling her in and drowning her.

    ¡°Eufemia?¡± Sen¡¯s voice called out cautiously from behind her. He settled onto a terrace chair beside her. In his hands he held two cups of warm alcohol, something soothing for the night.

    ¡°Why are you here, Sen?¡±

    ¡°Nara said you were feeling upset.¡±

    Eufemia nearly hissed, ¡°She felt that? I thought I was doing pretty well.¡±

    ¡°It is what you would say: ¡®it doesn¡¯t take a magic ability to figure it out¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Ladies don¡¯t like it when you use their words against them,¡± Eufemia snapped.

    He sat and waited, wondering if Eufemia would shoo him away; she was in an irritable mood, but waspish attitude aside, did not make her displeasure otherwise known. She picked up the glass of warm alcohol and sipped, enjoying its scent and mouth feel.

    She sighed. ¡°Chrome has good taste, as always, for an astral being. I wonder where he¡¯s picked this all up.¡±

    Sen wondered why Nara had sent him instead of John. Surely, John knew his long friend better, and she would be willing to open up to him. Compared to John, he was still a child. He may be well-learned compared to peers of his age, but Sen was aware he lacked experience except in a few areas.

    ¡°I was wondering if the team was better off without me,¡± Eufemia finally spoke in a quiet voice, ¡°I¡¯m just the hanger on that came with John.¡±

    ¡°Why would you say that?¡± Sen said. His heart thumped quicker, fearing she¡¯d leave the team for a moment.

    ¡°During that fight, I messed up. I blew it! I had the perfect chance to seize the moment and I let it completely slip past me. That spell¡­¡± She recited it: ¡°Life corrupted, Death abound. The cycle of life and death is reversed. Nothing is sacrosanct, all is corrupted.¡±

    Nothing activated of course; she didn¡¯t have the requisite ability unless she decided to copy it.

    ¡°I knew it was coming. I should have reversed it,¡± she said quietly, hands in a white-knuckled grip around her cup. ¡°Instead, I got Aliyah and John badly injured. And Nara, Encio, and you had to cover my mistake.¡±

    She curled up a little closer on her chair.

    ¡°I¡¯m not like the rest of you. I¡¯m not an outworlder like John and Nara. I¡¯m not some descendant of a famous family. I¡¯m not a genius like Aliyah. All my abilities, they¡¯re partial replications of the real thing. Imitations of the genuine. I can copy Encio¡¯s abilities, but I will never be as powerful as him. I can copy Aliyah¡¯s spells, but I will never have her theoretical knowledge. I can wield the same weapon as Nara, but I¡¯ll never have her sharp reactions, focus, and tenacity.¡±

    She rested her head on her knees, her dark red hair cascading over in a waterfall of wine.

    ¡°Aliyah says that the abilities you awaken is influenced by your soul. What does that say about me? While wealthy, I am an actress. While destitute, I turn to crime. I¡¯ve tricked and stolen from others to fund my escape from Nekroz. I was so desperate to get away from what my mother so selfishly decided for me¡­¡± She balled up a hand, nails biting into her palm, ¡°Who would want to be a vampire?¡± she said bitterly, while knowing exactly who did.

    ¡°It was John who helped me onto a different path. That outworlder that knew nothing but kindness,¡± Eufemia chuckled derisively, ¡°We both still struggled. I don¡¯t want to admit the amount of times John and I have gone ¡®dumpster diving¡¯ for traces and clues. I was covered in filth and stunk like a dead animal had died in 100 degree weather.¡± She leaned back, looking at the stars twinkling overhead without a care for her worries. ¡°But I can¡¯t deny the fulfillment I felt when I scammed some rich asshole that stole some poor family¡¯s heirloom.¡±

    Sen felt self-conscious comforting a woman more experienced from himself, but he was nothing if not bold.

    ¡°Eufemia. You¡¯re not an imitation or an imperfect copy; You are what we need most in a given situation¡ªadaptable and flexible. You did what you had to in Nekroz. I do not have the experience to speak on this.¡± Sen had grown up fortunate. Guaranteed essences and the best training this world had to offer where others struggled in their path with neither. ¡°Your new life here is evidence of your determination to change yourself and your way of life. It does not matter that John offered his hand to you. You are the one that chose to grasp it. Not many choose to change.¡±

    Eufemia raised an eyebrow, ¡°So says the teenager. What do you even know about change?¡±

    ¡°Not much, but I do understand what it feels like to feel inadequate,¡± he said coolly. He didn¡¯t mean for that to have as much bite as it did.

    Eufemia thought of the first team Sen had tried to gather that fell apart. And now, she was insulting him for something he had no control over¡ªhis age. He wasn¡¯t any worse than her for it. In fact, he was more skilled that she was.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said earnestly. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that. You¡¯ve been training the rest of us all this time. I¡¯m grateful.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be grateful. This is what a team is for. We help each other, Eufemia.¡±

    She smirked, the moonlight catching upon her ruby eyes transforming them into glowing philosopher stones.

    ¡°I got a talking to from Encio about that, when we first met.¡±

    She recited what he said, word-for-word, adopting his same tone and body language of his arrogant wisdom:

    ¡°You¡¯re asking us to trust you on our team. Do you have any idea what you¡¯re asking for? In a moment of life or death, you need to have our backs. I think trusting Nara brings you along is the lesser ask. What do you take adventuring for?¡±

    ¡°You remember all that?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always had a talent for remembering words,¡± she said, flicking her hair over her shoulder flamboyantly. ¡°Makes for picking people apart all the more satisfying.¡±

    ¡°You understand his words now.¡±

    Eufemia gave him a look as if to say, ¡®this again?¡¯

    ¡°I get it. We¡¯re all going to mess up at some point.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Sen said. ¡°That¡¯s why we form teams. With your ability to duplicate another ability, you can cover those mistakes. A shield for when John mistimes it. A teleportation to move another team member to safety. To identify mistakes and weaknesses and react to them is a great boon to the team. There will always be those situations where each of us individually do not have the abilities to counter. You can provide what we need. Perhaps lesser than our best, but you are the best in our most desperate moments. And that is when we need you. Even when you believed it to be your mistake, you came through.¡±

    Eufemia looked away, feeling shy over his genuine assessment. She deflected her embarrassment: ¡°Lesser than our best?¡± She said accusatorily, ¡°Anyone ever tell you that you somethings say one word too many, Sen?¡±

    He looked away.

    ¡°No,¡± he said unconvincingly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. It¡¯s pointless.¡±

    Her grin was blade sharp, but Sen saw the fondness it hid.

    *****

    ¡°All¡¯s well that ends well,¡± Nara said, feeling their unsettled emotions resolve in their auras.

    ¡°Nara, spying on others is uncouth,¡± said Chrome.

    ¡°Benefactor,¡± Sage said. ¡°There is nothing wrong with spying.¡±

    Chrome glared at her. Sage folded her arms into her robe sleeves, nonchalant.

    She rolled her eyes at their antics. ¡°I¡¯m not spying on them. It¡¯s not my fault I¡¯m still working out the sensitivity settings on my new bronze rank aura.¡±

    ¡°Nara?¡±

    ¡°Yes Chrome?¡±

    ¡°Are you trying to set up your teammates?¡±

    ¡°No, of course not. People can just be friends Chrome, what is wrong with you.¡±

    ¡°I can see through you¡¯re falsehoods. You¡¯ve thought about it,¡± he accused.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s fun; I don¡¯t mean it seriously. John¡¯s off the table for obvious reasons. I¡¯m not going to pretend he¡¯s ever going to have eyes for anybody other than his wife. And damn, I certainly hope he dog-gone stays that way. Aliyah and Sen, while they could have the classic teacher-student to lovers dynamic, it just doesn¡¯t work. Aliyah¡¯s not interested in men, frankly, she¡¯s violently interested in women, and Sen just won¡¯t ever think of her that way. I¡¯ve always thought that clich¨¦ was icky too.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Chrome said, disdain oozing from his tone. ¡°And so, your little, depraved mind thought of Sen and Eufemia?¡±

    ¡°Or Eufemia and Encio. That meeting where we met them for the first time¡ªoof, you should¡¯ve felt that tension, so hot and spicy! If words were flames, they would¡¯ve set the city on fire. Anyway, this world doesn¡¯t have the same taboos against workplace relationships. It seems a lot of people meet through their teams. No greater person you can trust than the person that has your back.¡±

    ¡°And what about you, Nara? How do you feel about relationships?¡±

    ¡°You sound like Redell.¡±

    ¡°Redell has a point.¡±

    ¡°I think the team is more than I could ever ask for. I haven¡¯t felt this close to anybody in a long time.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to rock the boat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve caused enough trouble. I want to fade into the background a bit.¡±

    ¡°Trouble that wasn¡¯t your fault.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean there wasn¡¯t trouble.¡±

    He folded his arms and sighed, his fingers tapping on his folded arms with clear displeasure.

    ¡°You sound like my mother,¡± Nara sighed dramatically. ¡°Always telling me to date somebody, get married, and have kids.¡±

    ¡°I am NOT telling you to do that,¡± Chrome rebuffed, sounding like he was offended that Nara even suggested that he could care about something so base and mortal as procreation. He probably was. ¡°I¡¯m saying that you¡¯re holding yourself back.¡±

    ¡°Sure, mama Chrome.¡±

    ¡°Do not call me that.¡±

 Chapter 126: Rewards of a Job Well Done

    Chapter 126: Rewards of a Job Well Done

    After their report was finished and submitted, the next day the team was summoned to the Adventure Society.

    Mona Fenhu, the Adventure Society official that oversaw Nara¡¯s examination, overlooked the documents along with somebody else, a new face Nara hadn¡¯t seen before.

    ¡°This is Jago Dahl. One of the Adventure Society officials investigating the movements of Nekroz and related orders.¡±

    ¡°Call me Jago. Pleasure¡¯s all mine, good fellows!¡±

    Jago was a hearty man, a leonid of snow-white fur and light blue eyes. He originated from the north; a kingdom called Kallid. Like most leonids, he wore little; a brown pair of what looked like reindeer leather pants, and a furred cloak slung over his jacked shoulders, like it was originally a shirt that had ripped off his bulging muscles, forming a cloak instead. Nara wondered what the point of his coat was if he wasn¡¯t going to wear it properly.

    She knew the answer¡ªit looked cool.

    He one by one offered them a strong handshake before sitting back down, dwarfing his chair.

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten your hands on some vampire¡¯s phylactery? Intact?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I have. You might want something to prevent the materialization process. I don¡¯t really know how it works, but I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s what it supposed to do.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got you covered, lassie. Leave it to me.¡± He pulled out a crystal box, like a display case. The base was inky obsidian stone carved densely with glowing runes. Aliyah gazed at it curiously, but she wouldn¡¯t be able to analyze the magic on it without having one to play around with herself.

    Jago activated some magic on the cube, and the top panel popped off, allowing him to easily remove it.

    ¡°Just pop it right in here,¡± he said, gesturing to the box.

    Nara did, removing the phylactery from her inventory. It was still crystalline and grotesque, the warped soul of a twisted vampire stuffed into a cube. Nara wondered if everyone else made any mention of it, since they did not seem to react. Did she see things differently, for some reason? Perhaps entrance into her Astral Domain afforded her greater insight?

    She placed the phylactery in, and Jago placed the transparent crystal lid back on, the crystal sealing box at the edges.

    ¡°¡­Hello?¡± Siyu¡¯s voice came from the box. ¡°I can speak?¡± He seemed nervous, uncertain. It reminded of Nara of the time she spent in delirium, unsure of what was reality and what was another trick of the mind, a vision concocted of drugs and pain.

    ¡°How fascinating,¡± Aliayah said, gazing at the transparent container. ¡°It allows for transmission of his voice.¡±

    ¡°It has to do with the properties of a vampire¡¯s phylactery,¡± said Jago. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t work with much else.¡±

    ¡°A vampire¡¯s phylactery was always meant to recreate their body.¡± Aliyah¡¯s sharp mind concluded. ¡°You¡¯re borrowing that function. In this case, you¡¯re utilizing it to recreate just the voice.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re spot on, youngin¡¯,¡± He pressed a different location on the case, darkening the originally transparent crystal. Siyu¡¯s voice no longer escaped.

    To Jago, who was a gold ranker, everyone on the team was young. Aliyah didn¡¯t mind, and Jago was affable and friendly. The snow white leonid may be covered entirely in white fur, but not from his age. If he was old for a gold ranker, Nara couldn¡¯t tell. If he was old, he had the bulging muscles and frame beyond anything humanly possible, a juggernaut snowball.

    ¡°You have some papers for me?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Here they are,¡± Aliyah said, holding out the papers to him. ¡°These are the originals. It¡¯s everything we¡¯ve found within Siyu¡¯s secret storeroom¡ªsecret communications, rituals, timelines, reference books, research papers, and rough plans.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve all done a mighty fine job as iron rankers,¡± Jago said, beaming. ¡°Handled it all mighty fine. Well done, well done.¡±

    The praise elicited mixed emotions from Nara. It wasn¡¯t their fault, but a few townsfolk had died. She was slowly gaining a sense of the important role adventurers played in society. Towards the townsfolk, they were the local authorities¡ªabove even the real ones, if they didn¡¯t have essence users maintaining peace.

    The responsibility an adventurer chose was in some way chosen by themselves, and in other ways they had no choice. She could take on only 1 star monster contracts for the rest of her life; there was nothing wrong with that, and many adventurers did. There was beauty in that simplicity. Monsters were easy enemies. They had no good arguments, sympathetic backgrounds, or big pictures. No names. Sometimes, there was no choice. When a group of bandits attacks a town or when there is an invasion from cultists, what other options is there but to fight? As a person with the ability to fight back, running was criminal.

    Siyu was a piece of trash that Nara spared no sympathy for. That would not be the case for future enemies that she¡¯d no doubt see on 2-star contracts. Those born into cults, the thieves that stole for a better life, those blackmailed, those that went down with their families.

    Had Eufemia not escaped Nekroz, would she have just been another vampire to be slain?

    Jago was speaking in the language of the Shian Union for the benefit of everyone else here, but he had the clear accent of a foreigner. A sort of folksy, rough drawl that made it clear he was used to speaking an entirely different language. To a gold ranker, learning a new language took only days. They were superhumans in mind and body.

    ¡°Could you fine folks hand me your society membership cards?¡± Jago said.

    The team glanced at each other but did so.

    He hummed, glancing at each card briefly. Mona handed him some small device, that looked almost like a hole puncher. He clicked the device once on each card, his palm dwarfing the device.

    ¡°There you are.¡± He said, handing them back. ¡°You¡¯re all three star adventurers now!¡±

    ¡°Is that okay?¡± Nara said, unable to help herself. ¡°Just like that?¡±

    ¡°No problem, no problem at all,¡± Jago assured. ¡°Most of you are peak iron rank. It will only be for a while,¡± He leaned in, whispering, ¡°Looks good for guild recruitment. Just a little something to help you all out.¡± He looked at Nara¡¯s worried face. ¡°Not the type to like politics, eh? I understand. I completely agree.¡± He gave her a reassuring nod.

    Mona supplemented an explanation. ¡°You handled a difficult investigation where others had failed, coordinated with the local authority in order to protect the townsfolk, and ultimately dealt with the threat. We find nothing to criticize in your performance.¡±

    Stars on a guild card only lasted until rank up, at which point they had to be re-earned. Adventurers chasing fame or an official society position would complete high difficulty contracts to earn stars, but no one in the team had any desire to intentionally get themselves involved in political messes.

    ¡°Was the report insufficient?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that at all lad, do not worry! In this report, you evacuated all the townsfolk into your teammate¡¯s storage ability?¡±

    The team was silent as Nara debated what she should say. Jago¡¯s attention made it clear he knew she was the one with the ability. As a gold ranker, he could tell from her aura. Strong as it was, it couldn¡¯t compare in rank disparity.

    ¡°It¡¯s my ability,¡± Nara finally said, ¡°It¡¯s not really a storage ability. Just something like one.¡±

    ¡°A whole town entered something like a storage ability? Your file didn¡¯t have this ability in it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an Outworlder ability,¡± Nara said. ¡°One that I prefer to keep to myself,¡± she added.

    ¡°I understand. If you are concerned the Adventure Society would ask you to use this ability beyond what you are comfortable with, there is no need. This is a volunteer organization. We won¡¯t be asking you to separate from you team or constantly travel around this world to evacuate people. I ask in the case of emergencies that you are a part of, if we can rely on you.¡±

    Nara¡¯s brow knit with hesitation. She didn¡¯t have any reason to distrust authority beyond her general distaste for the governments of Earth, as well as Oswald¡¯s actions. He hadn¡¯t even done anything terrible; he just trusted the wrong trickster, who by her own words, was acting for the good of this world. Nara didn¡¯t care much for that mindset; she has had enough of those deciding they knew better than everyone else, that their will superseded everyone else¡¯s.

    She had accepted a lack of informational privacy of a lost cause on Earth, but now she did have some, and it was important to her¡ªworth its weight in diamond spirit coins.

    ¡°Respectfully, mister Dahl, I understand your prospective of wanting as much information as possible. On my world, we¡¯ve known for a long time that information is power. The rich and powerful are master manipulators of information, sparking both literal and culture wars with manipulation of information. During an emergency, as you say, I will communicate what I can and cannot do. However, mister Dahl, it is not an emergency.¡±

    Nara was sure they¡¯d conduct their own investigation for their records. The Adventure Society was thorough. She¡¯d confirm nothing further.

    Nara¡¯s original stance in this world was to say as much as possible. If everyone knew what she knew, what she knew wasn¡¯t valuable. For a fruit basket of reasons, that was no longer a viable fruit to juice. Knowledge didn¡¯t want Earth science spreading prematurely. Nara didn¡¯t have the requisite mastery to be written in the records of Erras as the mother, father, progenitor, and founder of electronics, biology, physics, quantum physics, and chemistry nor did she want to be. Her nature and Astral Domain itself were curiosities she¡¯d rather not talk about, not only by the advice of Chelea, but of the already unwanted attention they¡¯ve garnered her.

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Total secrecy wasn¡¯t an option either. She had exposed Astral Domain to protect the people of Crystal Quarry 6. She didn¡¯t regret that. If she hadn¡¯t, the monsters Siyu released would have killed hundreds. They would have ripped through the town that night, smashing houses to tear at the people within, to drink their warm blood and consume their hot flesh, driven onwards by Siyu¡¯s vampiric command.

    The Adventure Society had systems of evacuation that didn¡¯t require her, so there she drew her line. It was a line carved of her experiences of this world; upon the blank stone slate that she once was, a new line had eroded upon it.

    Nara stared down Jago Dahl. His lion eyes were the color of icy water just as spring warmed the soil and started life anew.

    ¡°I understand, lassie,¡± he said. ¡°Us adventurers all have our secrets and misgivings. It¡¯s our job as officials to work around them, not against them.¡±

    ¡°If the Adventure Society is genuine in this mindset, I¡¯d appreciate no further question on my racial abilities in the future. Or I¡¯ll resort to more extreme measures.¡±

    ¡°Extreme measures?¡± Jago chuckled. It was adorable that an iron ranker was threatening him. What could an iron ranker possibly do that he¡¯d consider extreme measures?

    ¡°I¡¯ve recently found out that whenever I try to spill some secrets about the science of my world, it calls down a rather miffed goddess. If the Adventure Society doesn¡¯t try to spill my beans, I won¡¯t spill the beans.¡±

    Oh.

    There was a knock at the meeting room door. Mona got up from her position to answer the door. She opened it to see a tired looking Knowledge priest, as if he had pulled consecutive all-nighters studying for an examination he could only take once a year. Mona gestured to Jago, and they stepped out into the hallway, activating a privacy screen for the three of them.

    ¡°High priest Dai Zhuko? What brings an esteemed fellow like you here?¡± Jago said. All High priests were at least gold rank; there weren¡¯t many around Sanshi with its low magic. They were a gods most trusted followers, those that exemplified what they sought in the world.

    ¡°Mister Dahl,¡± he greeted, ¡°My presence here is very simple. I am but my goddess¡¯ messenger. Miss Edea is quite serious in her ultimatum and would prefer that the Adventure Society at large does not press her again on this particular topic. We know your stance on this, mister Dahl, but the Adventure Society is not a monolith. We are not asking for anything the Adventure Society does not already provide.¡±

    ¡°You want us to seal the information on her racial abilities. We don¡¯t know much about them anyways. There isn¡¯t much to seal.¡±

    ¡°And yet, the Adventure Society keeps asking.¡±

    ¡°If we seal it,¡± Mona thought through the priest¡¯s proposition, ¡°Those that are curious will think we have the information. Rather than ask her, they¡¯ll go to the Adventure Society for it.¡±

    ¡°And therefore,¡± the priest concluded drearily, ¡°Stop bothering her for what she does not want to provide nor knows.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know?¡±

    ¡°Mister Dahl, she is an outworlder from a world that has no magic. Her present lack of knowledge over how a racial ability only she possesses is expected.¡±

    ¡°And what if there¡¯s an emergency? From the reports, it¡¯s a portable and defensible position. Even if it has no defenses of its own, we all know the value of a chokepoint.¡±

    ¡°Mister Dahl, since when have Adventurers had to give up their secrets because it is an emergency, or provide aid beyond what they accept a contract for? This is only an issue because she is of iron rank. If she was a silver ranker or a gold ranker, the Adventure Society would not ask at all.¡±

    Jago grunted his acknowledgement of the high priest¡¯s point. ¡°Fine point, high priest.¡± He had needed a reminder of that. It seemed like being a gold ranker had gotten to his head. ¡°I can arrange for that.¡±

    ¡°Then, that will be all, mister Dahl. I thank you for the Adventure Society¡¯s cooperation on this matter.¡±

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s happy. That¡¯s what matters. And I think it will be a relief to that lassie. She¡¯s had a rough go of it.¡±

    With his role complete, the high priest left, and Mona and Jago returned to the meeting room. Six sets of eyes were on him as he and Mona returned to their side of the meeting room.

    ¡°I will propose to the Adventure Society to seal your information, lassie,¡± Jago said.

    ¡°That is unusual. For what reason? Sen asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s clear she doesn¡¯t like being asked about her abilities which,¡± Jago held his furred hands up apologetically, ¡°Is completely my fault. I get a little zealous. You know, I even got a talking to by a Knowledge priest.¡± Jago thumbed towards the closed doorway.

    ¡°Additionally, since you are a person of interest for the Advent,¡± Mona added, ¡°Anyone asking for your information too insistently is suspicious. Those that do, we can investigate for ties to the Advent. If anyone presses you about your abilities, tell them about the Adventure Society seal and say you are not able to say.¡±

    Jago held his hands out, wide grin on his face, ¡°And so it all works out. We stop asking. Those that don¡¯t stop have a little surprise coming for them.¡±

    ¡°That is a nice arrangement,¡± Nara said, pleasantly surprised. ¡°I¡¯m happy with that.¡±

    ¡°Other than that, just one last thing. Rewards!¡± Jago said cheerfully, ¡°We have the standard contract payment, of course, but I happen to think a bronze rank evacuation and full town evacuation deserves a little more than the base pay. Can¡¯t have others say the Adventure Society doesn¡¯t recognize good work.¡±

    ¡°What rewards?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s the standard¡ªmoney,¡± Jago said, rubbing his fingers together, ¡°but there¡¯s one other thing we think some almost-bronze-rankers may appreciate. We¡¯re talking growth items.¡±

    ¡°You have some on hand?¡± Encio said, his voice clear with surprise. Even diamond rankers with all of their resources don¡¯t get their hands on growth items easily. Compounded with the difficulty of finding an item that meshes with an ability set, they may not find something for themselves or their families for hundreds of years.

    ¡°Now slow down there, lad,¡± Jago said, ¡°Even the Adventure Society don¡¯t have that sort of reach. I suppose you haven¡¯t heard much of my hometown, Kallid?¡± Jago said, eyes beaming with pride.

    ¡°Just the usual. Kallid, the Kingdom of Snow and Frost. The living crystal forests, the eternal storm, and the ruins of ancient civilizations,¡± Encio said, listing off tidbits about the nation.

    ¡°There¡¯s something a little special about Kallid,¡± Jago said, crossing his arms, ¡°We have the Mausoleum of the Manistrengja.¡±

    ¡°The Manistrengja?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s one of the local legends,¡± Encio explained, ¡°The Einvaldi and his legion of the moon, who protected the lands against the threat of the threat of the Svartrsoelis.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is this how you all feel when I make pop culture references of Earth?¡± Nara asked, drawing a big cultural blank.

    ¡°Yes,¡± was said with great exasperation.

    ¡°What is a pop culture reference?¡± asked Aliyah, but her question went unanswered.

    ¡°You¡¯re very knowledgeable lad,¡± Jago praised. ¡°Our Kallid is small compared to Rona.¡±

    ¡°Because who wants to live in a land of eternal winter,¡± grumbled Eufemia.

    ¡°I think lassie, you¡¯ll be surprised; and the eternal snow is a bit of a misconception. Our Kallid has more than just snow to offer you. The Mausoleum is known for its treasures, growth items included. Kallid has all rights to the mausoleum, but we limit the number of objects that can be taken from it¡ªdon¡¯t want to go wiping it clean first thing. So, your allowed to take one growth item from the mausoleum.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty generous,¡± Encio said, ¡°Anyone would jump at the opportunity for a single growth item.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why there¡¯s one final stipulation. Kallid doesn¡¯t want bandits trying to break this rule and poach the treasures, so the Adventure Society helps manage the mausoleum in exchange for entrance passes.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing too official, but the Adventure Society can give out these passes for accomplishments. You¡¯ll still have to go out and find your very own treasure, but there is no better fun than exploring an ancient ruin for treasure, now is there? It doubles as research¡ªyou protect the researcher who¡¯s also your guide for the labyrinth, and you get your pick of the pot of gold. Not to mention the ambient magic of Kallid is around what your team needs next. What do you think?¡±

    The team looked at each other. Ancient ruins, treasure, a mystical land of snow. Everyone but Eufemia was enthused.

    ¡°There is no greater reward than adventure,¡± Sen said grinning.

    ¡°Eh! That¡¯s the spirit, lad!¡± Jago removed six plaques from his dimension bag. They were transparent and looked to be carved of ice. They glistened, almost slick, as if they were always melting. On it was carved a barren tree with a crescent moon.

    ¡°These¡¯ll be your passes. You¡¯ll need them at the gate of the mausoleum to enter. It¡¯s dimensionally blocked to prevent unwanted trespass.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say there were poachers?¡±

    ¡°Them tricky folk,¡± was his concise explanation. ¡°Anyway, you¡¯ll be needing these.¡±

    The team nodded.

    ¡°The best time to enter Kallid is in the summer,¡± Jago said, ¡°Otherwise the storms get rather muddling and snarly. You¡¯ll need to fetch yourself someone who can portal to Kallid, and there aren¡¯t that many. Even then, portals get a bit wonky up there. The unstable conditions and lingering magic make things a little unreliable. I bet you Ol¡¯ Honorary Duke Aciano could get you there.¡±

    Mona raised an eyebrow at Jago¡¯s too casual tone with the diamond ranker¡¯s name. He gave him the proper title, but the verbal respect wasn¡¯t quite there.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let that ol¡¯ duke portal you there. Take the trek there. The scenery is something else.¡±

    ¡°Part of the reward is the journey,¡± Nara agreed. For the one who could teleport almost anywhere in the world, she did enjoy the physical act of traveling. However, she hadn¡¯t been to Kallid before.

    ¡°If you have any further questions, contact me anytime,¡± he paused. ¡°There is one other thing¡­¡±

    ¡°Jago,¡± Mona said, ¡°What did I say about personal matters in official meetings?¡±

    ¡°I¡­I may contact you about a personal matter. Another day, youngin¡¯s.¡±

    The team was a little confused, but Jago excused himself and Mona accompanied them to the exit of the Adventure Society.

    ¡°What was that about?¡± Nara asked her.

    Mona sighed, debating whether she¡¯d discuss Jago¡¯s personal matters with them.

    ¡°Jago has a rather unruly son in Kallid.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a father? I¡¯m never going to get used to how young you all look.¡±

    Mona pointed to herself. ¡°I have a daughter too.¡±

    ¡°That only reinforces my point,¡± Mona looked young, fit, and beautiful, but she was actually in her late fifties. ¡°So, what¡¯s this about his son?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s become antisocial over the years. He hates interacting with others, rejects forming teams, and won¡¯t craft items for strangers.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a crafter?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°A blacksmith,¡± Mona confirmed. ¡°There was an incident that soured his relationship with others as a whole. Theodore¡ªJago¡¯s son¡ªwas a part of a small team of three. They¡¯d been friends for many years, a light adventuring team who took their time ranking up. Theodore had to spend time crafting as well as combat, so it naturally took a little longer for him. At the time, he managed to craft a growth weapon for both his teammates.¡±

    ¡°That all sounds good but what cracked the pot?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°What drove him to reject others?¡±

    ¡°It all started with a prince.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it always,¡± was Eufemia¡¯s snide comment.

    Mona chuckled. ¡°This foreign prince was leading a small party of adventurers there for the Mausoleum of Kallid. Theodore¡¯s team had originally all agreed on their modus operandi of a casual adventuring team, but their engagements with the prince changed their mindset. They wanted to be adventurers that pursued fame and achievements. Kallid had felt like a cage to them after many years, so they joined the prince¡¯s party which happened to have two open spots, and left him behind.¡±

    Sen crossed his arms, angry for Theodore.

    ¡°At the time his former teammates left they were iron rank,¡± Mona explained. ¡°But they came back after they realized something about growth weapons.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The maximum rank of growth weapons is determined by the rank of the crafter at the time they forged it,¡± Mona said. ¡°The original crafter needs to reforge the weapon to raise its maximum rank.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t!¡± Eufemia exclaimed, aghast. ¡°They abandoned him for a flashy prince and came back and brazenly asked for the teammate they left behind to improve their weapons he made for them?¡±

    She grimaced. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what happened. The former teammates had a loud and public fight, which informed others to Theodore¡¯s ability to make growth weapons.¡±

    ¡°Everyone wanted to be his ¡®friend¡¯ so he¡¯d craft them a growth weapon,¡± Sen concluded.

    Mona nodded, ¡°He didn¡¯t trust anyone in Kallid after that, and decided to just stick to honing his craft. Jago¡¯s concerned because he will only go on solo contracts, and a crafter needs to craft for other people. In the same way that an adventurer needs to challenge themselves with a variety of monsters, Theodore needs to challenge himself with what others need in their weapons. For what Jago may request of you, I¡¯ll let him say so. He may decide to leave it be. Any request to cozy up to his son may drive him to become more antisocial.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the explanation, miss Fenhu.¡±

    Mona shook her head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t really my place to say, but as a parent I understand Jago¡¯s worries.¡±

    Mona had been Jago¡¯s close acquaintance and colleague for years now, and the two had talked at length about the difficulties in raising children. Jago often traveled due to his specialty and knowledge of forces of the church of undead, as the church was extending its threat beyond the borders of Nekroz. Since Kallid was famously cold and snowy, it was also a frequent target of undead incursions. Jago¡¯s son was in his thirties, so he wasn¡¯t neglecting his son by traveling.

    ¡°Did he end up reforging their weapons?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°No,¡± Mona said, ¡°He didn¡¯t.¡±

 Chapter 127: If We Were Perfect

    Chapter 127: If We Were Perfect

    ¡°I know how Sen feels about Theodore¡¯s situation, but how to you feel, Encio?¡± Nara asked.

    The two relaxed on the veranda of her room, having a private chat. It was month 11 of Erras, and the temperature was pleasant and cool, as it was in a monsoon-like region. The region of Sanshi didn¡¯t snow; the proximity to the ocean kept the region temperate and mild, and the magical windmills and weather arrays caught the magical storms that would¡¯ve drowned the region in nonstop rain during the summer months. Further north in the territory of Arlang their plains and mountains would be deep with powdered snow. Sen¡¯s father kept an eye on the territory while his mother was managing the education of their two children, as well as local politics. He¡¯d visit to see Sen and his sister Maya every so often. Nara¡¯s visits to the Arlang compound hadn¡¯t coincided with his, so the two remained unacquainted.

    ¡°The issue Theodore faced is normally an issue of silver rank,¡± Encio said. ¡°Those at silver rank are split between those with external obligations or extra obligations and those without.¡±

    ¡°Like family?¡±

    Encio nodded, ¡°Those without family obligations continue to actively adventure. Gold rank isn¡¯t one that can be sorely reached through fighting monsters.¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s still a large portion. You must push yourself against gold monsters¡ªa task that is incredibly dangerous. Whether they had decided it beforehand or set down their ambitions later, silver rank is the rank most essence users stop at. You¡¯ll see far more silver rankers in higher magic zones compared to Sanshi.¡±

    ¡°So, Theodore slowed down too early for his team?¡±

    ¡°Teams have differences in how they want to progress. Sen has run into that issue himself with his previous team. We¡¯re pushing well for iron, but not impressively so; Sen has done a satisfactory job balancing our progress with our interests.¡±

    ¡°We have reasons for pushing hard and fast, but rest is important.¡±

    ¡°And knowledge and practice. Sen had learned as much from Aliyah and his parent¡¯s educational philosophy. There are important skills external to ranking up that deserve dedicated attention. As for Theodore¡¯s refusal to reforge his former teammate¡¯s weapons, I don¡¯t approve in general.¡±

    Nara was a bit surprised and gestured for him to continue. Surely, Encio would have been the vindictive type, along with Eufemia? Or, he would¡¯ve empathized with Theodore¡¯s plight of those only wanting to use him for his skills and status?

    ¡°Without reforging them, those weapons are now completely useless. They can¡¯t be bound to another person, so they¡¯ll be discarded by his now bronze rank teammates. If they split amicably over a difference in opinion, then his actions tie his team mates to himself through necessity.¡±

    So, his answer wasn¡¯t of use or be used, but the freedom to come and go. Nara and Encio had their little agreement, but she had always doubted he would¡¯ve wielded its restraints if she had genuinely wanted to go. While his opinions of freedom differed from Nara¡¯s, Encio wouldn¡¯t actually try to force someone to do something they did not want to do. ¡°And If they didn¡¯t split amicably?¡±

    Encio grinned. ¡°Then they should¡¯ve watched who they mouthed off too.¡±

    ¡°Like you do?¡±

    ¡°I make clear judgements on who I can and cannot push. Their failure was their lack of knowledge.¡± Encio sipped his alcohol; like Eufemia, he had a taste for the spirits. Nara felt like a false expert, hemming and hawing as she tried to figure out if a spirit was valuable: Encio would know from experience and upbringing. ¡°If Theodore wanted to show his mettle, he should¡¯ve reforged them anyway, although I do not know if it would be possible.¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be possible? What do you mean?¡±

    Encio placed his hand above his heart, looking solemn and dramatic with his swirling wine, ¡°For low rank crafters, crafting a soul bound growth item requires the right emotional center. It¡¯s a piece that embodies the height of skill and mastery, crafted for a specific person in mind aside¡ªfrom utility items, like cloud flasks. Reforging their equipment while he hated them would have resulted in failure.¡±

    The only item that had been crafted just for her was her Path Seeker Lute. Nirvana too, although she didn¡¯t know the being that made it for her.

    ¡°Lesson learned: Don¡¯t upset your crafter?¡±

    Encio nodded, ¡°Any attempts of your own to meddle with Theodore would be equally ill-fated. While he may have been initially harangued to smith equipment, that likely has ended. No one wants a soul bound growth item that has unreliable prospects of being upgraded past bronze rank.¡±

    ¡°So, his life as a blacksmith is finished, at least in Kallid. Why doesn¡¯t he move?¡±

    ¡°Family, fear of the outside world, friendships, hopelessness¡ªthere are many burdens that could carry that tarry his step to horizons beyond the eye of the storm.¡±

    ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you poetic.¡±

    Encio waggled his eyebrows, ¡°I am a handsome, rich, well-educated scion. I could hardly play the part if I wasn¡¯t at least a wordsmith.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you do have a specialty skill after all,¡± said Nara with a teasing smile, ¡°And you won¡¯t walk in Sezan¡¯s talentless footsteps.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Encio said with the dread of a student who forgot their final exam was the next day, ¡°I should hope not!¡±

    *****

    Before their trip to Crystal Quarry 6, back during her recovery period, Nara had received an unusual proposition from Lee Hu. One of her sponsorships wanted to meet with her to discuss their essence options. She had said to those she sponsored that she was able to provide any essence, within reason, although few made use of this option. Their ideal combinations sent to Nara were already ones much deliberated with the staff at the Prep Academy who aided them through the decision process, and the pros and cons of rarer essences were well known. Most opted for rarer awakening stones with common essences to provide unpredictability in their ability sets. Alternatively, Awakening Stones of Mirror, Light, and Illusion¡ªa trend Eufemia had started.

    Nara wasn¡¯t an expert at essence selection. In fact, she was the practical opposite; her combination was told to her like a message from God spelled out with clouds in the sky. She had met no objections from anyone to her combination and spent less than 5 minutes on the full discussion at all.

    She enlisted the aid of Sen and Encio, the two scions who were well-educated on essence selection.

    The student in question was one that Nara related to. He was in his late thirties; old for a student. He wasn¡¯t talented¡ªhe worked through the Prep Academy¡¯s slow contribution point system to earn his prior two essences while he balanced working full time. The contribution point system allowed students to work odd jobs and small tasks around the city in exchange for working towards an essence, paid in both contribution points and spirit coins. Usually, only the most undesirable essences could be earned this way, as they had the lowest point values. But it was a way, nonetheless, for those who had nothing else to offer but persistence to embark on a path of essence magic.

    Nara could sense him walking down the path to the docks before she could see him. His aura was clearly nervous, communicating his anxiety like a stuttering voice and sweaty hands.

    Duncan Walker¡¯s stride down the port towards the harbor lot in question was calm and measured, despite the pounding of his heart in his chest. With his mediocre skills it had taken him 7 years to acquire the two essences he had so far¡ªwhich, he had held off on absorbing. Put together they would make the unpopular Chimera Confluence. He had resolved himself to use whatever he had earned. He was used to that¡ªthat''s who he was. The unimpressive man sticking his arms into the mud and grease to find the missing ring. The one who escorted the children across the city to Sanshi city hall as an extra chaperone and wrangled them to make sure none sprinted off between the buildings to catch the trail of a flying adventurer like puppies who wouldn¡¯t stop chasing butterflies.

    There were small tasks, but Duncan hadn¡¯t minded them. He enjoyed helping the folks around the city with different walks and runs. Some lived quickly, and others lingered at a pace even slower than his. He was but a passing cloud in their sky yet was happy to glimpse down into their lives.

    He was glad there was a path at all for him in this city, where in other cities there were none except for priesthood. Many chose that path, but it wasn¡¯t for Duncan. He was mediocre, even in faith.

    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    He stopped to marvel at the pavilion that stretched across the ocean as if it floated on still water, despite the waves gently lapping at its deck, yet never spilling onto its surface. It was dense with plants; full trees painted the house with dappled shade, and flowers caught the sunlight as they drank its golden nectar.  It was beautiful and harmonious in a way that made Duncan feel as if he was a mundane intruder into a reclusive diamond ranker¡¯s unsullied slice of paradise.

    Intruder he shall be; all Duncan had was his persistence. It was a useless thought¡ªhe was invited, after all.

    As if reading his thoughts, a floating grey robe shimmered beside him. He hadn¡¯t even noticed it was there until it spoke.

    ¡°Mister Walker, if you¡¯ll follow me, I will guide you to miss Edea.¡±

    ¡°T-thank you,¡± he stuttered, surprised by the familiar. He cleared his throat and spoke again, firmly, ¡°May I have your name?¡±

    ¡°I am Sage,¡± the familiar said, seemingly pleased with his courtesy. Few asked Sage for her name. So, she liked the nervous but polite mister Walker.

    Once he stepped onto the pavilion grounds, he noticed the temperature warmed slightly. He could smell the plants around him; a pleasant perfume of floral and woody notes that mixed pleasantly with the salty breeze. It wasn¡¯t overwhelming nor irritating, like background notes in an orchestra you had to intentionally pick out yet adding to the overall orchestration.

    He was led to an open air veranda. Dark wood beams let slices of sunlight through the gaps. Combined with the already plentiful trees, Duncan was transported to a quiet pavilion in a seaside forest.

    ¡°Miss Edea is waiting for you inside, mister Walker.¡±

    His gaze focused on the three figures conformably chatting on the veranda seating. Two were men so beautiful Duncan deeply questioned his orientation in a fit of unthinking lunacy.

    The first was on the androgynous and leaner side, but clearly fit and muscular as all essence users were. His emerald eyes glimmered like priceless jewels that turned everyone who saw them into hapless thieves. His slightly wavy hair was pulled into a short ponytail to keep his hair out of his eyes. He was at home with the ocean, the wind teasing at his dark locks like flirtatious wind nymphs.

    The second was a masculine and handsome, wide-shouldered and strong-bodied yet balanced that Duncan found himself envious of his demi-god physique. While his exterior was calm and controlled, his grey eyes contained the rolling clouds of an untamed ocean storm.

    For a moment, Duncan questioned if he was in the right place, and hadn¡¯t stumbled into some high ranker¡¯s garden party.

    The last was a young woman, far more ordinary in comparison. If the two beside her were priceless heirloom jewels, she was still a rough cut. This was expected for iron rankers, and Duncan felt ashamed he was more at ease based on her appearance, and chided himself for his rudeness. She was his sponsor and deserved his highest respect. She had a relaxing presence, where the other two put him on edge in the same way the beauty of high rankers was dangerous.

    He centered himself and approached the table, drawing the attention of the three who, despite their earlier casual conversation, were clearly waiting for him.

    ¡°It is a pleasure to mee you, my sponsor. I am Duncan Walker. Please excuse my shamelessness for requesting this meeting, miss Edea, and thank you for accepting it.¡±

    ¡°Just call me Nara. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you too. This is Encio, and this is Sen.¡±

    ¡°Hey there.¡±

    ¡°Sanshi¡¯s greetings, Duncan Walker.¡±

    ¡°Just call me Duncan,¡± he responded.

    She gestured him to sit on a couch opposite of her, and he did. He was immediately pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the couch. Some of his tension melted away into the couch as it melted to suit his body. He unintentionally sighed in contentment, then gathered himself again embarrassedly, shifting and straightening his spine.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay to relax,¡± she said with humor. ¡°This isn¡¯t a job interview. You wanted to discuss your essences?¡±

    Despite her words, Duncan couldn¡¯t help but fix his posture. ¡°The current essences I have earned through contribution points are these two¡ª¡± he pulled his two essences out of the locked dimensional pouch provided to him by the academy. Even his unpopular essences were perfect targets for robbery. The Prep Academy didn¡¯t want their poor students to be robbed of their hard work, so they provided very small dimension bags with tracking magic. After a few years had passed, thieves knew better than to target the academy pouches.

    Erin Nisei had played no small hand in making sure that any who did target academy pouches were caught and harshly punished. It was a taboo of Shanyin to target the students¡ªthey were what many of the Shanyin moonlighters dreamed of becoming themselves.

    ¡°Turtle and dog?¡±

    ¡°You recognize them?¡± Duncan said, surprised.

    ¡°I have an ability that lets me identify objects by sight,¡± she said.

    ¡°I apologize, I shouldn¡¯t have pried.¡± It was good manners not to ask an essence user about their abilities. Duncan was disappointed in his own repeated mistakes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it,¡± she smiled. ¡°So, not bad essences, but usually not put together.¡± Turtle was used in some defensive builds, but not with another animal. Dog was useful for those who wanted to become tracking specialists, but less popular than the Wolf essence, which could be developed similarly and notably combined into combinations known for tactical group combat or the a popular werewolf Transfiguration Confluence, known for high offensive power and self-regeneration.

    ¡°I¡¯ve requested a meeting because I wanted to clarify the limitations of your offer. You can really¡­gift me with any essence?¡±

    ¡°Yup. Most of you stick to the ones you¡¯ve chosen, but I guess you¡¯re one of the ones that don¡¯t have an initial two you like very much.¡±

    Duncan was ashamed of his own pickiness, his gaze dipping down at the table to look at the essences.

    ¡°I know that the chimera confluence, while difficult to use at low ranks, is known for its flexibility at high ranks but¡­¡± he trailed off.

    ¡°It¡¯s not what you want. Good news, Duncan! You have the opportunity to have whatever you want. So, let this genie know your three wishes.¡±

    ¡°Even five star essences?¡±

    ¡°Those too. Which ones did you want?¡±

    Duncan shook his head rapidly, sputtering out his next words like an old car struggling to start in freezing temperatures. ¡°F-f-five star essences should be saved for your own family!¡±

    She arched an eyebrow amusedly, and reached up and pulled cubes from thin air as if she was plucking them from the sky. She kept pulling, stacking them upon one another as if they were common stone blocks, and not essences worth their weight in silver and gold spirit coins.

    She read out to him as if listing off groceries, ¡°Dimension essence, dimension essence, dimension essence, myriad essence, myriad essence, vast essence, vast essence¡­¡± After reading off every essence in her rudimentary brick work, she concluded, ¡°The only one I don¡¯t have is the Sin Essence.¡±

    He was aghast. His nails bit into his thighs in shock as his eyes stared, seeing nothing but 5-star essences too bright before his eyes.

    ¡°Oh what a refreshingly normal reaction,¡± Nara said, inexplicably satisfied. ¡°These two don¡¯t bat an eye.¡±

    ¡°No, your ability is plainly absurd,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°And yet, you say that without any amazement. So?¡± Nara turned to Duncan with a smug smile, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Duncan¡¯s mind spun. He had just wanted the Balance, Earth and Shield Essences for the Boundary Confluence. He wanted to become a defender who could protect others. That was just a normal combination of two 1-star essences and one 2-star essence¡ªnothing exorbitantly expensive, but beyond his meager means.

    ¡°Hey, hey,¡± Nara soothed, ¡°Don¡¯t feel pressured. Whatever you originally had in mind is fine too. If you want to refine your choice from limitless options, these two are here for you.¡±

    Duncan looked up, ¡°Then¡­ I am grateful for your generosity.¡± He had come this far. If his sponsor was offering, he would accept. Duncan thought he had nothing but persistence, but he also had a firm will.

    Nara smiled, ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. Shoot for your wildest dreams. Today, they come true.¡±

    Duncan wanted to be a defender. Standing at the front to protect the ordinary lives of people and his comrades. He had his persistence, and he thought a defensive position would make use of that one aspect he had to offer. In his faint hopes and dreams, there was one essence called out to him like secret song carried on the wind from the voices of oracles on far.

    ¡°Resolute, Shield, and Might for the Guardian Confluence,¡± Encio said, ¡°A combination for a defensive frontliner.¡±

    Of the essences he chose, Resolute was rare, or a 3-star essence. The other two were common essences. Although he had the offer for legendary essences, Duncan was not tempted by them.

    Duncan looked up at Nara expectantly, ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°Why are you¡ª¡±

    Encio elbowed her sharply.

    ¡°What?¡± Nara hissed over voice chat.

    ¡°I know you think everyone should be able to independently make their choices about their essences, but you are the very person that makes this possible for him. His sponsor. He looks up to you as his benefactor. I know you feel awkward because he¡¯s a lot older than you, and you even look up to him for his hard work and dedication to pursue dreams that you haven¡¯t felt that you¡¯ve been able to demonstrate or fulfill¡ª¡±

    ¡°Damn, how do you know that?¡±

    ¡°Nara, I know what you think of yourself. For my level of skill, you¡¯re an illustration reference book. The point is you are in a position of seniority and respect over Duncan Walker. You are a peak iron ranker transitioning into bronze rank, and a 3-star adventurer. He wants your opinion, and you were the one who allowed this meeting, so give it to him.¡±

    Nara wasn¡¯t used to this position of respect she now held. At Crystal Quarry 6, while the town head was thankful towards Sen in particular, he also thanked all the other members of the team profusely. She was the one who had provided the ability to evacuate the townsfolk, and delayed Siyu¡¯s rampant killings until help could arrive. The town showered them with both thanks and gifts. If they traveled to Crystal Quarry 6 for any reason, they would be warmly welcomed.

    At the Advent facility, she had seen the expectations others held for adventurers. In Crystal Quarry 6, she saw their admiration. With Duncan, she was held in his esteem. Her whole life she had never been in a position of respect or authority. She actively avoided them. She didn¡¯t want managerial positions, she didn¡¯t like teaching children, she didn¡¯t want to be the project leader of a group project.

    In Duncan¡¯s eyes, she was his aspiration. A wealthy iron ranker that generously gave out what others fought over. There were no stipulations, no contracts, no promises. Nara was hands-off besides selecting aid recipients because she was carefree and lazy, but to Duncan she was generous and benevolent. Nara was only mildly aware of the dreams she helped fulfill.

    Nara looked at Sen. After her previous battles, she understood his position more. She organized her experiences and his wisdom before she finally spoke.

    ¡°To be a defender is to place your trust in your teammates, as they place their trust in you. You will be the one to stand between the death of your team members. And yet, without your team members, you will fall. You have to help and trust each other.¡± She thought of Scar Throat who was abandoned by his team members, ¡°More than anything Duncan, you should find those teammates who will have your back no matter the circumstances.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I can do that?¡± Even though I¡¯m so mediocre, he thought silently, ¡°Protect others in that way.?¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve demonstrated greater ability to hold your ground than most people start with. There¡¯s a saying in my world: 10,000 hours of practice will make you a Master. It¡¯s a little more nuanced than that in reality, but if you keep up the effort as you have been, even if you falter at first, if you persist¡ªit will become your skill. There is no shame in failure if you get back up and try again. There¡¯s no shame in failure at all, really; if we were perfect, we would be¡­¡±

    Gods, she had wanted to say. But the gods of this world were not perfect. Nor were the gods of mythology in her world either. Far from it; they were icons of wrath, tragedy, narcissism, inequality, and injustice.

    ¡°Well, if we were perfect would we be real?¡±

 Chapter 128: The Joy of Giving Gifts

    Chapter 128: The Joy of Giving Gifts

    It had been awhile since her last visit to Innovation¡¯s Retreat, and Nara had, together with Henri¡¯s eccentric genius and Lawrence¡¯s slightly unwilling aid, gathered all of her gifts for Amara, Chelsea, Redell, and Laius.

    It felt a bit like Christmas, except she was Santa Claus. She could have waited for December; the 12<sup>th</sup> month was fast approaching, but Sanshi didn¡¯t have any gift-giving holidays during that time, although they did celebrate the new year. However, adventurers lived on the move, and Nara couldn¡¯t wait.

    She found Amara first¡ªrather, Amara found her first but let Nara come to her. She was in her workshop as usual, dressed in rough work pants and a casual shirt combo. Nara glanced at the large ritual laid out on the floor.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t look like your magic to matter conversion ritual,¡± Nara observed. She had seen it many times before. The ritual changed wildly depending on what object it was trying to create, with greater complexity with more complex items. At Nara¡¯s advice, Amara was prioritizing uniform materials like metals.

    ¡°Your ability to identify rituals has improved, well done!¡± Amara praised, ¡°I¡¯m working on improvements to the astral space detection ritual. Astral spaces have always been a blind spot for both gods and our detection spaces, free for cultists and invaders to hole up and scheme.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    Amara sighed, hands on her hips and gazing down at the ritual with dissatisfaction, ¡°It¡¯s a project for the Adventure and Magic Societies, but I can¡¯t say I¡¯m making much more progress than I managed with that iron ranker, Lawrence Ruffolk. I need to borrow him again. His knowledge is impressive and makes for a great research partner.¡±

    It was high praise for Amara to consider him her equal.

    ¡°He is a priest of Knowledge,¡± Nara said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°I can tell when a priest of Knowledge is actually knowledgeable versus those just parroting their goddess. He¡¯s one of the former.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of Lawrence, I collaborated with this crafter I know, Henri, to make something for you.¡±

    ¡°What does Lawrence have anything to do with this crafter?¡±

    ¡°Ah, Henri helped me make my gift to Lawrence.¡±

    ¡°And you have a gift for me?¡±

    ¡°I have a gift for everyone. But this one is specifically for you. Here.¡± Nara held out a thin wand. Wands were used by spell-caster types in Erras. Staves were the popular choice for their higher self-defensive capabilities.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t for combat. It isn¡¯t for anything much, really--It¡¯s just a prototype. You can channel magic with it, and as you move it, it will draw out magic lines in the air. Unfortunately, we couldn¡¯t figure out how to get it to actually cast ritual magic yet. Hence, prototype.¡±

    ¡°You want anyone to be able to cast ritual magic by drawing it with magic.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned that you don¡¯t have an ability to do it. I¡¯ve seen Aliyah cast magic that way, so I thought it¡¯d be nice if anyone could. We haven¡¯t finished it, but I have the research and work we¡¯ve done so far here,¡± Nara pulled out a neat binder of papers, ¡°Feel free to work on it on your own or with Henri. He¡¯s excited about the project too, and more qualified for artifice than I am. I¡¯m just the idea gal.¡±

    Amara held the wand in her hand, marveling at it, ¡°Have you thought of a name for it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I was thinking of borrowing a term from my world. I¡¯ve been calling it the Ritual Stylus.¡±

    Amara flashed forward pulling Nara into a warm hug.

    ¡°Amara, Amara, gentle, gentle, gentle. You¡¯re going to crack the ribs,¡± Nara squeezed out form Amara¡¯s gorilla hug aptly named for its crushing strength.

    Amara rolled her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m not hurting you. I have perfect control.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, her voice constricted like it was pushed through a kinked plastic straw, ¡°If you say so.¡±

    *****

    The next was Laius, who she found in the living room. He wasn¡¯t cooking. Judging by his twitching tail, he was impatient for his gift and had moved somewhere where he could be easily found. Being gold rank didn¡¯t make body language unreadable¡ªEufemia had a point.

    ¡°Hey Laius,¡± she greeted.

    ¡°Your aura needs more training. Bronze rank,¡± he noted.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll come back. I promise. I wouldn¡¯t miss your training for the world.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes, his expression quietly sly.

    ¡°I might¡­you know, for the actual fate of the world.¡±

    She pulled out a thick book from her inventory and set it upon the coffee table. The top read: Stolen Flavors: An Outworlder¡¯s Recipe Book. Chrome manifested from her aura, sitting on the couch next to her in his usual better-than-you cross-legged posture.

    ¡°This is a little collaboration between Lawrence, Chrome, and I. I¡¯ve got my Guide which will tell me google search result-like answers. Wikipedia and all that. You may not understand, but the point is it has recipes from my world. Moreover, those Celestial Book people had their fair share of cooking magic, and Chrome has been making me read it. He can¡¯t cast ritual magic, so I need to do it for him.¡±

    ¡°Those who don¡¯t help don¡¯t eat,¡± he said, ¡°How else will you enjoy the complex flavors of twilight spirit wood and Esmera-Mar salt for smoked and brined bolo meat?¡±

    ¡°Anyway, Lawrence helped record what I could think to look up. Chrome and I have been testing what recipes we could. Then, John, the professional pencil pusher, praise be, helped sort it all for us. Lawrence neatened and re-printed the recipe sheets with his ability, and we got them to a book binder, who wrapped up the whole package.¡±

    She held out her arms in joyous accomplishment.

    ¡°So, Tada! My and Chrome¡¯s first publication as joint authors! So, I say, but I haven¡¯t any thoughts of selling it as a recipe book, so it¡¯s not actually published. You have the have the sole and only 1<sup>st</sup> edition of Stolen Flavors. Needs refinement, but I wanted to give you something first. Feel free to change or improve any recipes, and I can reprint the book by bribing Lawrence again. Turns out he does like tea¡ªspecially, my fancy tea.¡±

    He picked up the large book and gingerly opened it on his lap. There were vibrant photographs of the recipes they made¡ªcourtesy of John. The paper was glossy and high quality, and the book was enchanted with self-cleaning, self-repair, and water-proof properties.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t given you a gift.¡± He hadn¡¯t worked on the lute Amara, Chelsea, and Redell had given to Nara.

    ¡°You have, your friendship. You all have. I just wanted to show my appreciation for the training and advice you¡¯ve all given me.¡±

    Laius¡¯ appreciation was just as quiet as he was, but she felt it nonetheless as his tail brushed against her softly, just once.

    *****

    Chelsea was next. She had a vehicle garage, where she worked on her projects, situated near the ritual workshop. It looked like a small aircraft hangar, but with the same jungle resort architecture that the rest of the compound shared. The garage door was open. Chelsea wore matching work clothes as Amara did which caused Nara to internally giggle as if she was witnessing a sweetheart romance of adolescent years.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re handing out gifts,¡± Chelsea said, waving her in. She looked much like a veteran mechanic in posture and ambience, except that her clothes were spotless. They had the usual self-cleaning enchantments, no doubt. Her garage held a plethora of ritual magic tools and craftsmen tools. Since she was an artifice who worked on larger, unique vehicles, she had to make some custom tools herself, ordinary magic tools didn¡¯t cut it for her like it did for Amara.

    She was working on some sort of skimmer. While a lot of Chelsea¡¯s crafts had themes of wood and the forest, this one did not. It had a pearlescent body, like the interior of a seashell.

    ¡°It¡¯s an underwater skimmer,¡± Chelsea explained. She pointed to the open top, ¡°It¡¯s supposed to generate an air bubble, but I¡¯m not satisfied with its protective properties. A hard top obstructs visibility and mobility, but a bubble poses no inherent obstruction for monsters.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°How about a barrier?¡±

    Chelsea sighed, setting down the work tool she held in her hand. ¡°I¡¯m trying things out. A barrier, glass, air bubble¡­It¡¯s a work in progress.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of works in progress¡­I have a work in progress for you.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not excited, although I¡¯m hardly in need of another project. What is it?¡±

    Nara removed from her inventory what looked like a bicycle.

    ¡°It¡¯s based off a non-magic mode of personal transportation from my world, the bicycle. This one isn¡¯t so non-magic. I just don¡¯t have those engineering capabilities. Magic must unfortunately sub in for my lack of hard knowledge.¡±

    Chelsea grumbled something about missing fundamentals and half-baked knowledge.

    The bicycle had two wheels, but they were made of some white material.

    ¡°This world doesn¡¯t have the mastery of rubber my world has, so the tire of this bike is made of condensed cloud-stuff. It¡¯s not Henri¡¯s material of choice¡­well, he¡¯ll work with anything through. It¡¯s supposed to have the firmness of a tire filled with air, but I digress. It is unfortunately, a single-speed bike in physical construction. The chain and gears are simple magical artifacts, where their speed can be adjusted with another magical artifact at the handlebars. Overall, a lot of simple magical artifacts to accomplish what you guys do with way less effort already. Like those hover-plates, those are nifty.¡±

    Nara tapped the bike, ¡°The only thing it has going for it is its insanely efficient. Motion is generated by pedaling, and the magical artifacts can work on just ambient magic. I¡¯ve replicated a barren magical world in my Astral Domain, and it works for a surprisingly long time without spirit coins. Even then it just needs lesser or iron spirit coins. The most expensive part is the cloud quintessence you need to occasionally repair the tires. We haven¡¯t run into a need for it yet, but it¡¯s a projected cost.¡±

    She pointed down to the wheels, ¡°The brakes are rudimentary. They press against the wheel to slow it down. This is part of the wear and tear, and if you press too hard and fast, you¡¯ll launch yourself off the bike. I couldn¡¯t replicate hydraulic brakes; I have no idea what¡¯s going on there. And I checked in with Lawrence and his goddess. All this stuff was a-okay. It¡¯s mostly magical artifacts with some mild applied kinematics. Nothing this world doesn¡¯t know¡ªjust organized in an entirely fanciful and impractical way.¡±

    ¡°Aside from the efficiency,¡± Chelsea pointed out, ¡°That¡¯s a notable benefit.¡±

    ¡°Sure, but the upfront cost of the cloud wheels makes it more expensive than those Rona hover plates. It¡¯s just a style item. Other than that, Henri, in his mad ways, found he could configure it to ride over still water. Waves will do it in, but you can make it over calm rivers and lakes. He said something like ¡®Clouds can float so they should too¡¯, but I had to tell them the point was it doesn¡¯t float, it rolls. So, we comprised. It water-rolls.¡±

    ¡°Floating would have massively reduced efficiency,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°Flying reduces efficiency even further. Keeping the device self-powered and limited to land travel is greatly reducing its mana consumption.¡±

    ¡°I guess that¡¯s why Henri likes my projects. The clashing of common sense creates something new. It¡¯s a smooth ride too, at least. The cloud wheels have nice shock absorbent properties. I¡¯m not even going to try to make shock absorbers yet.¡±

    ¡°The Rowen Kingdom has greater advances in areas of physical artifice than Sanshi,¡± Chelsea said, ¡°If you chose to continue this project.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s your gift, with the same deal as Amara. I¡¯m sure you heard it. Research papers, Henri at your disposal. Idea gal.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡±, she admitted, ¡°I¡¯ve heard.¡±

    Chelsea swung onto the bike. In no time at all she was riding without her hands on the handlebars and testing the magical speed adjustment system of the bike. Nara was right in her conclusions; it was vastly impractical compared to Erras other personal transportation options. Hover plates required some balance but kept the hands otherwise free. Skimmers had greater comfort and capacity, but also much greater size.

    However, Chelsea was surprised with its speed. Hover plates did not move very fast. She had to watch her own pedaling so she¡¯d not break the normal rank device. At max speed and flat ground, it could be pushed almost to the speed of skimmers. Skimmers also ate spirit coins constantly, so the bike was orders of magnitudes cheaper to use, even with the upfront cost of the cloud wheels, which still wasn¡¯t up to the price of a full skimmer. It was a little expensive for a personal vehicle, but vastly saved in operating costs over the long term.

    ¡°This is sellable,¡± Chelsea concluded, hands on her hips.

    ¡°What? You¡¯re going to sell it?¡± Nara pouted dramatically.

    ¡°No!¡± Chelsea exclaimed, exasperated. ¡°You can register this invention with the Invention Society, and have a workshop manufacture more. Production will raise the price of cloud quintessence, which is the only issue. It is a popular component of magical furniture. We could look for alternative materials. Water? Hm. Dust? That¡¯s a cheaper option. Shadow? Not as cheap but more aesthetic. The aesthetics are important.¡±

    She stopped her train running at full steam to stare at Nara, ¡°If you leave this with me, I¡¯ll make some improvements then register the invention under the three of us.¡±

    ¡°Look, it¡¯s your gift, do what you want. I¡¯m not leaving it with you, I¡¯m giving it to you.¡±

    Chelsea arched an eyebrow. ¡°Then I will.¡± She paused, staring Nara down. ¡°Thank you, it¡¯s a thoughtful gift.¡±

    Nara exasperation cracked into a smile. ¡°I try.¡±

    *****

    The last gift was for Redell, who was at the church in Sanshi. It seemed that churches had greater ambient magic yet didn¡¯t manifest monsters, so it was comfortable for those like Redell who were high rank. She was glad he wasn¡¯t starving magically while he spent time in Sanshi. He could stop by his church to top up his magic reserves before a musical performance or his other work.

    She came to see Redell regularly at the church as well as the group therapy sessions the church held. Since adventuring and fighting monsters was an ingrained part of Erras¡¯ society, their mental health services were impressive both for essence users and the civilians that suffered disaster. There were many Healer priests who were trauma experts, and worked with people to manage their mental health in healthy ways. It wasn¡¯t just that adventurers were hardcore, but they were well adjusted by the support systems in their society to handle the issues and horrors they encountered. There was no stigma of mental health in Erras, and many adventurers sought help if they needed it, or were strongly encouraged to do so by the Adventure Society after traumatic events.

    The Adventure Society, Magic Society, and Church of the Healer had a close working relationship. Adventurers needed the mental health, healing, and cleansing services that healer priests provided. For managing disasters, healers were integral to recovery and life saving measures. Since the church of the healer was permitted to work on topics that bordered otherwise restricted topics, they also had a close relationship with the Magic Society.

    Nara was already familiar with the layout of the church grounds. Every time she crossed the boundary into the spirit domain, the notification on her guide appeared. She was instinctually aware that a spirit domain was the complete version of what she could temporarily do with her Astral Domain. Her complete construction of her Astral Domain she rarely used. With a portal, it was more convenient to enter the real thing. She was always aware of Healer¡¯s presence when she entered, and had gotten used to the sensation at this point.

    Healer must have told Redell of her arrival, because he was waiting for her at their usual spot beside the pond.

    ¡°Hey Redell.¡±

    ¡°Nara, are you here for another session?¡±

    ¡°Actually, I have a gift for you. I¡¯ve already given a gift to the other three. Do you have a place with a nice, hard floor? Not like the grass here. I need to bang something against it¡ªwon¡¯t damage the floor, I promise.¡±

    He led her into an annex with large glass windows that boasted a clear view of the pond and gardens outside. There were some tables set up¡ªit seemed more of a rest area than anything healing related.

    Nara conjured a cushion for herself and Redell, and they sat upon the floor.

    ¡°These¡­¡± she said with dramatic pause, ¡°Are boom whackers.¡±

    Between the two was a full set of boom whackers made of treated and dyed weed wood. There were 25, one for each half step in a two octave scale.

    ¡°Boom whackers?¡± Redell said, his eyes glittering with curiosity. ¡°What do they do?¡±

    ¡°You seem to have an idea already. You have that look about you. Give it a try.¡±

    Redell picked one up to observe it. A symbol ¡®A¡¯ was painted upon it, although he had no idea what the symbol meant. The color of the cylindrical tube was a beautiful vibrant violet. He wacked it gently to the ground, and it produced a cheerful tropical tone between a marimba and a bamboo xylophone.

    ¡°Ohhh?¡± He was a child again. There were sticks on the floor, and what else did a child do with sticks on the floor? They banged them. They were easy to use and fit nicely in the palm of his hand. His hands were large, so they were slightly on the small size for him. The only other notable feature of the simplistic tube was a button at the bottom.

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s the octave change. You can activate it to either tune the sound up one octave or down. I made the set a bit fancy since it¡¯s for you. Normally, if you want to keep it cheap and accessible, you just wouldn¡¯t add that function.¡±

    He played the boom whackers, the melodious sounds echoing through the small annex. It felt joyous, lighthearted and simplistic.

    He set them down, ¡°My only regret is I only have two hands.¡± He was envious of Amara¡¯s ability to manifest a suite of arms, although their power may break these delicate tubes instead.

    ¡°That¡¯s the neat part, it¡¯s meant for a group to play together. You make a lot of really cheap sets, divide a group into roles, and teach them their part of a song. It¡¯s used for therapy and enrichment in my world. You guys don¡¯t have those with mobility impediments, but you do still have elderly with declining mental faculties.¡±

    Redell nodded, ¡°There are natural declines magic can only alleviate but not prevent.¡±

    ¡°So, I thought what better gift for you than a therapy instrument! Truth is, I couldn¡¯t make anything more complex than that that this world didn¡¯t already have.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Nara, I love it!¡± Redell said, enveloping Nara in a far gentler bear hug than Amara¡¯s vice grip. She wheezed out a breath dramatically.

    She explained who Henri was and what his role was in the creation of the boom whackers. With an absentminded thought, she realized that she may have just sent three zealous gold rankers Henri¡¯s way.

    Eh, he¡¯ll be fine, she thought as she and Redell played a jaunty song together on the boom whackers. Before long, other priests and patients had gathered to join them, and the tables in the annex were pushed aside for some impromptu folk dancing. Nara conjured temporary replicas to expand the boom whacker circle. A matronly priestess looked on dissatisfied with the commotion, while Healer chuckled at her displeasure that she begrudgingly held-back, skulking instead at the entryway.

    Healer knew that joy and fun were important to recovery. Although she kept herself to a strict standard, Healer knew Vanessa¡¯s foot was tapping beneath her robe. Joy was infectious. With an invitation from Redell, ever the gentleman, she reluctantly danced an energetic waltz with him.

    *****

    ¡°Henri,¡± Nara said. The two sat in the doorway of his workshop, looking outside at the setting autumn light. ¡°Why are you eating a cloud potato?¡±

    Heri looked up, roasted potato between his hands that he at least picked apart with a spoon. He quickly hid the potato behind his back, ¡°What potato?¡±

    ¡°Henri, I gave you three gold coins last time. A cloud potato is the cheapest iron rank food item you can eat! Go buy some real cooking for once! It¡¯s not even a dent in the money I gave you.¡±

    ¡°No! Never!¡±

    ¡°Henri, I pay for all the materials you use for my projects, and then I pay you for the actual project. What I gave you is your living expenses and its god damned more than enough to live richly for a year.¡±

    ¡°Innovation is my food.¡±

    She sighed, rubbing her brow with her fingers.

    She stood up suddenly. ¡°By the way three gold rankers are going to visit you soon about those projects. Good luck.¡± And with that, she sprinted away.

    ¡°Wait! What are you talking about! They were gold rank!?¡± Henri called out to her, dropping his potato. He stared at it on the oil-stained workshop, then quickly shoved it into his mouth anyway. Wasting food was wasting money.

    ¡°You handled a goddess you can handle them!¡± She called back.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say I handled the goddess!¡± He shouted with ramping anxiety, but she was long gone.

 Chapter 129: Charity of His Own

    Chapter 129: Charity of His Own

    Not just Nara, but John was also a frequent visitor of the church of the healer. Not only did he engage with priests to learn about healing magic and volunteer at healer clinics, but he also had his own concerns of Erras and his distant life on Earth.

    ¡°Do you know where mister Redell Gainer is?¡± John said, asking the priestess at the reception.

    ¡°Do you have an appointment with high priest Gainer?¡±

    ¡°High priest?¡±

    The man was gold rank and could literally revive the dead. Now that he thought about, John supposed he should be unsurprised.

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal miss. I¡¯ll try another day.¡±

    Redell was nominally Nara¡¯s trauma healer, and John wanted to discuss his own worries with the man since he had context for their world in his sessions with her. He¡¯d have to work up the nerve to discuss his worries with another priest.

    ¡°John. Good day to you.¡±

    A familiar voice called out from behind John, causing him to turn.

    ¡°Redell,¡± John greeted back.

    He greeted the receptionist before continuing with John. ¡°There¡¯s no need for an appointment, friend. Let¡¯s walk and talk.¡±

    The two took to the grounds, as many did in their discussions. The church''s gardens were pleasantly split between shady and bright. The flowers felt natural rather than strictly planted. The gardens were tailored to put the patients in the church at ease, restful in both body and soul.

    ¡°I apologize for my rudeness all this time, high priest Gainer,¡± John said politely.

    The two had last met at Aliyah¡¯s revival, and before when Nara¡¯s soul had been spiked by the gods at their reclusive jungle compound. It was no wonder that a man a god personally called was a high priest, but he still was adjusting to the logic of this world. Earth¡¯s religion was often taught through familial generations; Adventurer families were less religiously inclined as a uniform whole, some members independently joined churches, such as Healer, Hero, War, Knowledge, Purity, Liberty, and Death.

    Redell chuckled, ¡°Now I¡¯m not a fan of all the formalities. Just call me Redell, as always. What are your concerns, John?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had some questions about this world¡¯s churches. It¡¯s no big deal,¡± John said. There were better uses of Redell¡¯s time, he could ask any priest about the churches.

    ¡°You¡¯re considering joining one?¡±

    That was a rather complicated question for John, who has privately had his own crises of faith when he found gods were real on Erras. ¡°If and when--¡± he tried to be confident in his own success, in Nara¡¯s success, ¡°--I make it back to my world, it may change everything. Magic in a world without it. Joining a church would expand the knowledge and aid I can offer to the world in changing times. I¡¯ve been beating around the bush, but I mean the church of the Healer. Is that too transactional for your faith?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say it is. Healer tells me he¡¯d be happy to accept you as a priest, but he believes that if you do now, you¡¯d probably regret it.¡±

    ¡°Why do you say that?¡±

    ¡°Nara, just like you, has shared her concerns with me on how her life now is completely different to what her life in her previous world was. She¡¯s a completely different person than the one she was before, as are you, John.¡±

    ¡°If you called a profession change from desk analyst to monster hunter just a¡¯ change¡¯ it would be one sodding understatement,¡± John chuckled.

    ¡°She is accepting of the change and grateful for it, despite her tribulations thus far. However, John, you have stronger ties to your previous world than she does.¡±

    ¡°She has a family there too. I wouldn¡¯t say I have stronger ties,¡± he denied.

    ¡°A family that she only meets twice a year; such is the working culture of her age. In her world and this one, she is an adult that is walking towards the future, already separated from the home nest of her parents. You, John, are missing the family you see every day. You are missing the home, your love, your friends, and the children you should be raising and caring for.¡±

    John ran a hand through his hair. He looked down at his clothing¡ªa shirt and pants combo that while had basic similarities to Earth¡¯s clothing, was stylistically different. He missed the nights of watching movies on the couch with his family, waking up to the smell of dark coffee. His wife¡¯s cooking in the kitchen¡ªunlike him she was a kitchen wizard, adept at cuisines of the world.

    His daughter Sienna was stubborn and with a strong sense of justice. She was 17 when John disappeared, and ready to enter into university. She liked to move her body and had been learning Ju Jitsu. Paired with an equally capable mind, she was a both typhoon and storm chaser, volcano and geologist.

    Noah was sweet and cheerful, taking after him more in personality but adopted his mother¡¯s interest in cooking. In their London house, he grew a small garden of herbs and vegetables. He wanted to study environmental sciences or nutrition, and had been undecided in his career.

    ¡°I miss them terribly,¡± John said, morose, ¡°I¡¯m missing so much of an important part of their lives. University, study, and their first steps into adulthood. They think I¡¯m dead.¡±

    ¡°As you miss your family, it is likely you will worry similarly about your new friends here upon your return to Earth. The ties adventurers form through their journey is strong, and yours will grow stronger still. Can you choose one family over the other?¡±

    John was silent. It felt like a betrayal to his wife and children, but he couldn¡¯t leave his team behind. If he was going to leave, he needed to leave them in the hands of a healer he trusted more than he trusted himself.

    ¡°I could bring them here,¡± he said softly.

    ¡°That is a choice you would have to discuss with them,¡± Redell said, his expression strict yet warm. ¡°Thankfully, if Nara is any example, the excitements of magic are very persuasive,¡± he added lightheartedly, softening up the somber conversation. ¡°There¡¯s no need for the long face. There are solutions that everyone will agree to. And here¡­¡± Redell grinned and formed his fingers in an ¡®O¡¯ shape, ¡°You have money.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not ready to join a church because I can¡¯t commit to any world yet,¡± John concluded Redell¡¯s point.

    ¡°Not just that John. You aren¡¯t ready to join a church because you do not understand what it means. Few really do. Most grow into it, but I do not think that is the right path for you.¡±

    ¡°I have been meaning to ask what that is like. I¡¯ve seen gods for myself. They¡¯re real beings that talk and respond to you. Has Nara told you of the religions of our world?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s come up in conversation. I find it intriguing that there are so many of strong faith to a god who does not assert their existence.¡±

    ¡°What it mean to be a priest? What¡¯s that like?¡±

    ¡°Ah...My god is with me always. He is a comfort in my mind and soul. To borrow a phrase from Nara, Healer ¡®lives rent free in my head¡¯.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s that blasphemous?¡±

    Redell grinned, hearty and playful. ¡°It¡¯s accurate. Healer is with me John, not metaphorically. I can feel him as much as you can feel your own familiar subsumed within yourself. To the people of my world, it is a comfort. To the people of your world, it may not be the same. You are all rather adverse to submitting to any form of authority or intrusion on a personal level, creating close intrinsic connections, or lasting commitments to a cause,¡± he smiled to John. ¡°But I only know two outworlders from your world.¡±

    He departed from the Healer church, musing over his thoughts in the afternoon sun. As usual, Sanshi was busy, reminding him much of the modern cities of Earth. Skimmers passed through the main streets, although in far less traffic than cars. Most personal transportation was through the magical subways or light rail systems, which comparatively small cities had. The costs of underground or low-story construction were less in Erras, where construction magic resulted in quick repairs and sturdy foundations without much work and could double as evacuation zones during disasters. Large imports like stone were taken to trade hubs, unseen in the center of the city. Damage from monster waves while cities were still small meant that reconstruction allowed cities to replan as they grew. Such as the great Chicago fire, the old was stripped and built anew. Established cities with their array protections and adventurer populations rarely suffered extreme damage in monster waves, so reorganization was more difficult once they reached that size.

    ¡°Nara, Eufemia? I have a favor I¡¯d like to ask.¡± John initiated a voice chat with the two of them.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Nara responded.

    ¡°Do you remember Alea? I want to check up on her. And do a little philanthropy myself, if needed.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be your essence exchange. Where do we meet?¡±

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    *****

    As John led them through Shanyin, Nara¡¯s eyes darted from shadow gate to shadow gate. She could perceive their dimension warping features. John no longer had an updated map, so Nara used her perception ability and Sage to map their way forward. As she discovered the linked gates, they were marked onto her map, forming an every more complex spiderweb of shadow pathways.

    ¡°People live like this?¡± Nara groaned. Her directionally challenged mind could never. ¡°This is insane.¡±

    Eufemia was irritable, not with Shanyin, since she was familiar with it, but with the trek in the first place. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just jump over the buildings now? We can do that.¡±

    ¡°In some places,¡± John noted cheerily, ¡°In other places those tricky ceiling shadow gates will get you.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question, John, we can just avoid the ceiling portals.¡±

    ¡°Because shadow portals are cool and fun and haven¡¯t had my fill of them yet,¡± Nara noted, who was fascinated with them despite her utterly inability to navigate them.

    ¡°Whatever. Enjoy your portals.¡± She still followed along, unhappy yet acquiescing.

    Along the way, John greeted familiar faces.

    Little Rag, who had grown a few inches taller over the six months since John last saw him. Auntie Yan and her perpetually broken cooling array. J&A Investigation Agency had long been vacated by the two of them, but their shoddy sign hadn¡¯t been taken down¡ªjudging by the intense demand for their office, they had probably been overpaying. Small spiders skittered about, as well as a thin layer of dust. They hadn¡¯t been paying rent, but Shanyin had more empty buildings than people to fill them. It was a massive astral space, the buildings generated upon the creation of the space itself, not made by human hands. Only those closest to the Moonlight Society and Nisei¡¯s manor had mattered.

    A substantial population still lived in Shanyin, but the outskirts were grey and empty, embodying the ghost in ghost town. The central area thrived. Criminal or not, rent was cheaper here than Sanshi. It was a widely known iron ranker ¡®tip and trick¡¯ that poor adventurers could rent in Shanyin to save on costs when the first started out, if they could brave the streets. Luckily, as essence users, they held an advantage. If they were arrogant or careless, as iron rankers were prone to be, they may find themselves cleared out by the enterprising and tricky residents of Shanyin.

    ¡°Here it is, the Moonlight Society!¡± John gestured widely with a smidge of pride. ¡°Where all the have-nots go to became have-yesses.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t work well in any language John, stop trying.¡±

    He didn¡¯t need to push open the door of the Moonlight Society to know Alea was there. She was the same as usual, grumpy look on her face as she polished her equipment and weapons. Daylight was the time for sleep, maintenance, or conmen. Nighttime is where the moonlighters thrived.

    ¡°John? I thought at least you were long gone from this tar pit. Her?¡± Her gaze disdainfully roamed Eufemia. ¡°It¡¯s expected.¡±

    Eufemia snorted at Alea¡¯s bite, ¡°Both of us are long gone, Alea. We¡¯re here for a pity visit.¡±

    ¡°Pity for who?¡±

    ¡°Who else, miss pays-for-her-little-brother¡¯s-tuition. Pity for you.¡±

    The moonlight guild had their own meeting rooms, but their trustworthiness was questionable. Information was a product that could be bought for a price. Eufemia and John had been thoroughly made aware by Encio.

    Alea led the few to one of her own secure sites. Nara was pleasantly surprised with the soundproofing arrays, aura blocking arrays, and other anti-detection arrays in the building. Surprisingly, it was in a relatively busy part of Shanyin. The ambient noise reduced their own suspicion. Nara noted there were various traps set up that Alea could activate to run. Lethal even, for an iron ranker, who were still relatively human. The most dangerous ones were along corridors and escape paths, rather than the meeting room itself. Alea didn¡¯t want to be caught up in them.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t anything that warrants this level of suspicion, Alea,¡± John said.

    ¡°I can¡¯t be too sure,¡± she said vaguely, not meeting John¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Because of what happened with Erin Nisei?¡±

    She was silent.

    ¡°I have some enemies, John. Not anything unusual for us moonlighters. We all expect a dagger in the back for the right price. What Nisei did was¡­a betrayal of this world. We¡¯re criminals John, but most of us in Sanshi won¡¯t fall so low.¡±

    ¡°Murder is okay but not consorting with the enemy?¡± Eufemia snorted.

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Alea said, fierce. ¡°There is a line, Eufemia. Traitor is a fine line to draw. Traitor wraps you up in the sort of truly terrible shit that ironically, Lady Nisei worked to eradicate.¡±

    She gnawed her lip. She hadn¡¯t meant to call Erin with lady. A bad habit she had to drop lest she draw a target on her back. It was true that the moonlighters had their own sort of professional pride, even if they never became adventurers. Those beyond Shanyin did not share their reservations. Any well-aimed treat would bend the knee. That was expected of anyone; Life and family almost any would kill for. What Erin Nisei had done she had done fully standing.

    ¡°Who¡¯s in charge here now?¡±

    ¡°Some other Nisei. Not quite as enterprising as the obsidian serpent, but if he just maintains the status quo, everybody is happy,¡± Alea said, her voice slightly sinister.

    They didn¡¯t need to ask if Alea had her full set of essences. They could tell. She had two, Hunt and Swift. She was missing the all-important Dark Essence.

    John looked at the room they were in, armed like a trick-room fortress, ¡°Alea, I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re fine but I won¡¯t drag this conversation out. I¡¯d like to offer you your final essence.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡±

    ¡°No catch. For free.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want your charity, John,¡± she snapped. ¡°I can make it on my own. I always have. Save your charity for someone who doesn¡¯t have the wits to plan and follow through.¡± She sneered at Eufemia, the insult clear.

    Eufemia sneered back.

    John sighed, leaning back. ¡°If you won¡¯t accept charity, how about a deal?¡±

    ¡°...I¡¯ll bite. What do you want? Need a thief on hand for the next year? Some thug you want scared and begging to be swaddled by their mother? Some stupid young master without essence you want watched from the dark? I don¡¯t do murder. That fire is too hot for me.¡±

    John glanced at Nara. He didn¡¯t have any specific job for Alea, but there was two things he could think of.

    ¡°One, my team mate here Nara Edea likes to sponsor prep academy students.¡±

    ¡°Ooh,¡± Alea crooned. ¡°A real patron of the poor? Edea too? Fancy gal. Did she hire the two of you as bodyguards?¡±

    ¡°Alea,¡± John said, chastising, ¡°She is our teammate. Frankly, she¡¯s the most dangerous person in this room.¡±

    Alea raised an eyebrow, disbelieving. Nara didn¡¯t care to prove her wrong, sitting idly until she was needed.

    Alea had half a mind to test her. The polished knife she sat on the table glistened enticingly. Usually, Alea could tell which essence users were dangerous; well-trained normal people could instintively sense those of higher rank. It was an adaptation against danger. Her mind told her she should know better; no matter how little presence that woman gave off, she¡¯d half to be insane to make a move against an adventurer, even if she was born of golden-spoon and golden rank.

    Alea did know better. She was prideful of her skills and work. What did John know of her capabilities? He knew nothing. Maybe, she had to make it known. Her mind teetered between arrogance and discretion.

    She looked back down at the table, only to notice the knife there was gone. Nara held it in her hands, twirling it absentmindedly.

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s my knife.¡±

    ¡°I was worried you were going to try to stab me with it,¡± Nara said. ¡°I took it away before you could hurt yourself with it.¡±

    Alea gritted her teeth. ¡°I¡¯m not a child. I have impulse control.¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt myself with my own knife. Give it back.¡±

    Nara shrugged and tossed the knife. Alea caught it, and quickly sheathed it away.

    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°Tired of people saying that I look the weakest,¡± Nara said, ¡°and, I was sort of testing what I could get away with.¡±

    ¡°What you could get away with?¡±

    ¡°Laius says he¡¯s going to teach me some more aura control techniques later. I figure I should brainstorm and see what I could come up with.¡±

    ¡°And what did you come up with?¡±

    ¡°A few things. This, isn¡¯t the time for that though, is it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your fault the conversation derailed.¡±

    ¡°She was eying the dagger like it was her soul mate and I was the fianc¨¦e in the way between her and her perfect union!¡±

    Eufemia smirked, ¡°She did look as if she was about to give that knife a hand job.¡±

    ¡°I was not!¡± Alea hissed, fingers twitching again for her knife. Or at least for a needle, so she could sew their flapping mouths shut.

    ¡°Does polishing a knife count as a handy?¡± Nara asked. She made a rubbing motion with her hands, ¡°It definitely has that motion, right?¡±

    ¡°It does not!¡± she defended again, ¡°Alright, I admit!¡± She interrupted, exasperated. ¡°I was thinking about throwing by knife at you! I wasn¡¯t going to do it!¡±

    ¡°Schrodinger¡¯s knife job¡ªDeath or masturbation.¡±

    ¡°Death of whom?¡±

    ¡°Enough of that ladies,¡± John said, ¡°I¡¯m going to turn this conversation back to the deal. It¡¯s still on the table¡ªnot literally.¡±

    ¡°...Fine. I¡¯m listening.¡±

    ¡°As I was saying, Nara here likes to sponsor academy students. We¡¯ll give you your full essence set and some awakening stones, so keep an eye on them, train with them, and offer to party with them if they need it. There¡¯s a lot of them, so just keep an eye out on the one you think is most likely to get themselves killed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the most dangerous one.¡±

    ¡°The others don¡¯t need your help, do they?¡±

    ¡°Too difficult for you, Miss Self-Made?¡± Eufemia crooned patronizingly.

    She glared. ¡°Point taken.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no commitment to keeping the party say, beyond iron rank. At that point, they¡¯ll al have the hang of things. Other than that one other thing, an ongoing contract for information.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Have you heard of The Advent?¡±

    ¡°¡­I have. In my previous work with Lady¡­no, Erin Nisei.¡±

    She knew as much. She was aware of Erin Nisei¡¯s betrayal. Even if the general population wasn¡¯t aware of real reason for Erin Nise¡¯s dismissal, the moonlighters had their ear to the ground and eyes in the dark.

    ¡°I want you to report to me whatever rumors you hear of the Advent, or any other suspicious cult-like movement. If there¡¯s any popular ideology or movement within the people, I want to know. Any sort of convenient magic or technology that seems suspicious in any way, I want a list.¡±

    ¡°You want an owl?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    She considered it. ¡°I can do that. Safe, easy work. What are you offering?¡±

    John removed some papers from his inventory that he had drafted up with Eufemia¡¯s help. To support her ideal luxury lifestyle, she was surprisingly financially savvy.

    ¡°How¡¯s this?¡±

    She read over the papers carefully. Her pay was split between the cost of the Essences and Awakening Stones she¡¯d receive and actual payment to support herself. Once she¡¯d earned cost of the Essences and Awakening Stones, she receive the full payment paid each month. If she accepted, she contract would be sent to the Labor Society, and her payment could be withdrawn according to the stipulations in the contract. John could just keep his account filled without having to be in Sanshi, while still paying Alea for her services.

    The Labor Society, like all Societies, charged a fee for their services, so those who employed others in person often paid in person, although with a written contract as proof of agreement. Taxes were indirect on Erras, through the services of Societies, Churches, businesses, sales, trades, and other negotiated contracts.

    ¡°Not going to negotiate?¡± Eufemia asked pointedly.

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I know an idiotically generous offer when I see one, Eufemia. What have I even done to deserve this?¡±

    ¡°You helped us out when we first arrived in Shanyin,¡± John said, ¡°You introduced us to Erin Nisei, how the Moonlight Society operates, the big players in Shanyin, and how to spread our name and services.¡±

    ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to see two dead bodies the next day because you mouthed off to somebody you shouldn¡¯t have,¡± she stared pointedly at Eufemia.

    ¡°When have I done that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re argumentative.¡±

    ¡°To you,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°I can step all over you.¡±

    Alea wanted so badly to stab her, but she did understand restraint.

    John offered her an aura pen, which she took. Alea glared darkly at Eufemia¡¯s true statement, promising revenge, but signed the papers and handed them back to John.

    ¡°You want the Dark Essence, right? Haven¡¯t changed your mind? I can give you a different one.¡±

    ¡°No. Just the Dark Essence.¡±

    Most people didn¡¯t change their minds on what essences they wanted, especially when they had already absorbed two essences.

    ¡°Alright.¡± He removed it from his stash, placing it in front of Alea. He wasn¡¯t afraid she¡¯d run off with the essence. She had greater gains to stay. Paid enrollment in the Adventure Academy, Awakening Stones paid out bi-weekly, and a cushy job of listening to rumors so long as John paid her for it. It was the dream contract.

    Even if she ran, she had signed the contract with an aura pen. If she tried to make another account at an official society, they¡¯d check her aura for outstanding contracts and debts. Another name wouldn¡¯t fool aura identification.

    She held the Dark Essence within her hands, staring at its ink smoke depths and speckles of light.

    ¡°Then, John. In one month.¡±

    ¡°See you then, Alea.¡±

 Chapter 130: Her Domain

    Chapter 130: Her Domain

    -------

    -All abilities have reached Bronze 0. All attributes have reached Bronze rank.

    -You have gained damage reduction against Iron Rank damage sources. You have gained increased resistance to Iron Rank effects.

    -------

    Nara groaned as she lifted herself off of the floor. The shower room washed away the rank up gunk from her body. It was absorbed by the disguised nebula material, sinking away into the floor without a trace, and somehow processed, if such foul expel could be processed; She didn¡¯t care for the details of this particular function. The remnants had already been cleaned from her body, but she could still imagine the putrid scent, seared into her mind like burned fat she couldn¡¯t scrub off the pan. She had gained much from this new world, one of which was a completely new top 10 list of worst smells she ever had the displeasure of experiencing.

    She¡¯d never get used to the sensation of literally remaking her body. The lower rank magic was expelled and replaced with higher quality magic. It was as if she got to experience the trauma of childbirth in 4K resolution and virtual reality feedback with full sensory input. She was shaky, as all were who went through this process, and readjusting to her new body sensations and attributes.

    She was heavier now, and slightly taller. Her physical attributes were magic, but it did entail an increase in muscle density and efficiency beyond human limits. She was now 5 foot 9 inches¡ªstill the shortest member of the team, below Encio and Aliyah, although both were close. They¡¯d increase in height too, so there was no way she¡¯d catch up.

    With bronze rank came superhuman attributes. She could lift a car, run faster and longer than Usain Bolt. She already had well-honed reflexes, thanks to her continual efforts and what her abilities naturally demanded from her. This was enhanced as she ranked up.

    Everyone at bronze 0 had nearly identical attributes, if abilities were discounted; She was as strong as Encio now. Inclinations of fighting style resulted in some natural variations in physique and attributes. Her abilities demanded fast reaction speeds in melee combat, so she had a lean-muscular body type. She was lithe and flexible with compacted muscle, with whip crack reflexes, fast acceleration, and ability to switch directions at a snap.

    Nara had advanced behind Encio. Her ability to astral jump into the wilds to seek enemies to fight boosted her ability to rank up, pushing her past Sen. Still, she didn¡¯t do so often; she liked downtime as much as anybody else. Erras may lack the easy entertainment of video games, cinema, and tv shows, but it had much to offer. Boardgames at the beachside, theater, orchestra, folk dancing, festivals, markets, arena competitions, and other pastimes she was more than willing to have occupy her day.

    Her reflection in the rank up room¡¯s full-length mirror was balder than a newborn, eyebrows and body entirely barren like a desert stripped of all life. The scars on her wrist remained, as did the one on her chest above her heart. The misty river tattoo had disappeared, but her soul crest, as written on the tin, remained inked on her back as a permanent portrait of her soul.

    She slipped on a change of clothes and stepped outside. She¡¯d freshened up her body, now it was time to nurture her soul with the bounty of the earth.

    Sage was waiting outside for her.

    ¡°Benefactor, if you¡¯d allow me to fix your hair.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Sage accessed Nara¡¯s inventory, hair growth cream tin within her hands. When her ability, Echo of Creation, had reached iron rank, she resumed Sage¡¯s new bronze rank vessel. Sage was considerably excited for her new rank up abilities, although she was as always tranquil as a moonlit lake; She¡¯d been with Sage long enough to sense it through her placid edifice.

    -------

    Ability: [Echo of Creation]

    Essence: Dimension

    Familiar (ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summons an [Echo of Creation] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Can occupy up to three incorporeal bodies that act as dimensional loci. Cannot be used by enemies as dimensional loci.</li>

    <li>Can transform into cloth and blend into objects with limitations.</li>

    <li>Can move rapidly but inflicts no damage or non-damaging effects. Can dim and become transparent.</li>

    <li>Can traverse dimensions and attach themselves to allies and enemies as a small incorporeal cloth.</li>

    <li>Gains an instance of every boon you gain. Instance limit is reduced compared to the summoner¡¯s maximum.</li>

    <li>While attached to an ally, the ally also receives the benefit of boons. This effect ends when Sage leaves the ally. This does not affect the summoner.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s skin. While subsumed within the summoner, increases the summoner¡¯s regeneration. This effect increases with each additional body. This effect prioritizes the lowest resource.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can occupy up to seven incorporeal bodies.</li>

    <li>Can blend into areas of strong light.</li>

    <li>Can exert a small amount of physical force.</li>

    <li>Can access the summoner¡¯s dimensional storage.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Seven bodies gave Nara more leeway to use Sage as teleportation destinations. When she wasn¡¯t fighting solo, she¡¯d mostly utilized Sage for her ability to share Nara¡¯s boons with allies. She had so far underutilized Sage¡¯s surprisingly quick movement speed and general ability to avoid harm.

    Now, Sage could physically interact with physical objects. It wasn¡¯t useful combat wise¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t be making any attacks worth a damn, not at her rank. The ability to interact physically was important for Sage¡¯s own interests¡ªher capacity as a servant.

    Sage wouldn¡¯t grow hair, so she could barehand the hair growth cream. She spread it over Nara¡¯s bare scalp. Strands of brown hair regrew in slight waves like grass after a spring rain. Eyebrows were painted on, then trimmed and shaped. Her hair was gently brushed through, then cut to Sage¡¯s preference. She gave Sage full control over her hairstyle¡ªshe hadn¡¯t the eye for it. May as well leave it to someone who had honed her sense of style for a millennia. Sage and Chrome¡¯s discourse of fashion was one of their few passionately shared interests, and both unequivocally agreed that Nara should offer her opinion and nothing more.

    ¡°I¡¯ve have finished benefactor, is it to your satisfaction?¡± Another body of Sage held up an array of mirror for her.

    ¡°It always is, Sage.¡±

    ¡°You could bear to cultivate your standards, benefactor.¡±

    ¡°Are you saying your work is subpar?¡±

    ¡°No, benefactor. In this instance you are acceptably discerning.¡±

    Nara harrumphed, nimbly jumping out of her highchair as it vanished into the floor.

    ¡°You and Chrome both like to pick on me. Only Thanatos is a good boy.¡±

    ¡°No such thing, benefactor. I seek only your improvement.¡±

    Nara had not seen such a smug yet perfectly polite bow before. It was yet another skill Sage had ample time to perfect.

    A couple of tired figures wandered back into the nebula house¡ªthe rest of the team. Sen just needed a little more to reach his rank up, and Eufemia, John, and Aliyah needed to be pushed a little further. Encio was overseeing everything, as the final push meant toeing the line.

    ¡°Congratulations on your bronze rank,¡± Sen said upon seeing Nara.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± She raised a tired hand in greeting from her sprawled position on the couch, snacking on some food Chrome had prepared for her. She could eat as messily as she wanted; the nebula took care of it. Well¡­she wasn¡¯t a complete slob, and after some of Sen¡¯s mildly disgusted and barely discernable side-eyes, she was careful not to overly indulge in her sloppier habits.

    ¡°Oh, the benefits of magic,¡± Nara proclaimed with luxurious indulgence. ¡°The ability to eat wherever I want in my house!¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s look was the epitome of banality. ¡°You and John get exited over the most mundane benefits.¡±

    ¡°I know the exhaustive tiredness of working 8 hours a day to come home to a countertop of dirty dishes. Cooking for 2 hours only to eat in 10 minutes and have a stove top full of pans to clean up. Sheets that need to be washed weekly, a perpetually dusty floor with leaves and pebbles and those thorny stickers tracked in from inside. Your desk fills up with unwashed bowls, why wash it when you¡¯re going to use it the next day. The mailbox is full, and your roommate never sorts the mail. The trash needs to be taken out every week, walking over to the dumpster and chucking it in. Then you get a utility bill of 300 dollars and wonder why it¡¯s not factored into rent in the first place. The you remember all rent is more expensive elsewhere, and you don¡¯t want to drag your mattress up two flights of stairs again with the help of your friends you¡¯ve promised to a bowl of ramen. Do you understand that feeling, Eufemia?¡± She had leaned forward, eyes earnestly pleading to be understood, as much as she could from her sprawl on the couch.

    Eufemia paused, staring at Nara, ¡°I do.¡± Which was not entirely a surprise, since Eufemia had been the most impoverished of the group. ¡°So once I wash up, I¡¯m joining you on the couch.¡± She stalked away, displeased with her state of disarray.

    ¡°How¡¯s the battles going?¡± Nara asked Sen.

    ¡°I¡¯m close. The others still need some more time.¡±

    ¡°Take your time. I¡¯ve been enjoying this break. Catching up on studying astral magic, practicing my lute, going to the orchestra, touring the world and all that. Leisure stuff.¡±

    ¡°You have your portal ability now?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°You want to confirm what we can do with it?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Once everyone has eaten dinner, we can do a little experimentation.¡±

    *****

    The group stood around the portal arch in the center of the nebula house.

    ¡°That feels intimidating,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°It feels like my soul is telling me I better trust the power on the other side because its dangerous.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t get that with the door domain?¡±

    ¡°Not as much. We felt your aura there, but it didn¡¯t feel dangerous,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°This feels different. It is reflective of your extent of power?¡±

    ¡°I guess so,¡± Nara said. ¡°On the other side of that portal its my soul. I¡¯m the god of my own soul, if that makes sense. It¡¯s my little playground of imagination. I can do almost anything in there. The problem is what stays when it comes out.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s as if my soul is asking me if I trust you with my life,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°That¡¯s an easy answer.¡± She strode confidently through, curiosity brimming in her eyes. She had already been there once dead, but she was excited to see how the experience would change when she was alive.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    What she saw on the other side was Nara, who greeted her with a wave.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see you enter.¡±

    ¡°This is an avatar,¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯ve been experimenting a bit with my capabilities here in my free time. This is my soul; I know everything that occurs inside of it. The avatar gives physical representation of that capability. It¡¯s not the exact same thing as me itself. That is to say, you could probably feel a difference between me and the avatar if I show it. It¡¯s like this is AI Nara, and the other one is real Nara.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what that means. Could you elaborate?¡±

    Nara could have just implanted the meaning within Aliyah¡¯s mind, but she felt it was invasive and disrespectful to Aliyah. Outside of extreme situations, there was no harm in verbal communication.

    ¡°This is me, but it¡¯s not 100% me. It¡¯s like, 99% me. That 1% is what lets the real me walk outside intact, while the avatar would disintegrate.¡±

    ¡°So you cannot swap bodies?¡±

    ¡°No, there¡¯s importance to the real body. The others are all clones, and only the one is real, no matter how physical they seem here. Unfortunately, it¡¯s not a way to cheat death, beyond exiting here anyway.¡±

    Annihilating her body would separate Nara from physical reality. She wouldn¡¯t go to the realm of the dead, but neither could she return to the land of the living. The issue was creating a physical body¡ªif she could recreate Amara¡¯s ritual, she may be able to forcefully induce another outworlder body creation to revive herself. But that was another entry in a long list of ¡®you¡¯re not well-learned enough to pull this off¡¯ that Nara kept on a little slip in her soul library.

    Avatar Nara stood back as Aliyah took her first look at the realm. She hadn¡¯t opened the portal up at the lakeside pavilion, but rather at the city within her soul. It was inspired by a modern Earth city, but buildings were no more than 8-12 stories tall. More European city than American or Australian city. The architecture was an eclectic mix of modern glass, Sanshi inspired wood and stone archways and rafters, and classic romantic European, without the grime of pollution and trash, the differing architecture forming something Nara coined as ¡®green-romantic-Zen¡¯. The greenery was plentiful, as usual, with many buildings with rooftop gardens. Often there were intermediate gardens, of the Zen variety. Streams and rivers ran through the city, water so clear Aliyah had a strange urge to dip her fingers inside and drink it down, despite lacking any need to drink water anymore. Birds flittered through the sky, or rested upon the many lake parks. Cats draped themselves lazily on fences, ledges, windowsills, and steps, making a nuisance of themselves as usual. Every so often, dogs that resembled wolves trotted by, tails up and happily wagging.

    The city was walkable, without a single car in sight. Cars were Nara¡¯s eternal enemy, her seething hatred born of traffic and a daily commute of a blacktop suburbia. She would never subject herself or anyone else to that cruel and unusual punishment in her soul city. Instead, both an extensive subway system and light rail system ran through the city. Vehicle lanes were separated from the walking roads. All was gently shaded by trees, protecting them from the admittedly mild and pleasant sunlight.

    Aliyah was at the top of a tower¡ªan arrival pavilion, she recognized. A plaza surrounded the pavilion tower, indicating it as the heart of the city. Looking over the city, it was odd to Aliyah that there was no divine plaza. All cities had a divine plaza. Even Nekroz, supposedly, with their evil, chaos, or neutral gods. Why would the god of the realm have a divine plaza to gods that do not exist here, she realized.

    Same as the first time, she felt Nara¡¯s aura suffused through the entire domain. The railing she ran her hand against, the very air she breathed. The sunlight that kissed her skin, and the gentle breeze that swayed with her hair.

    ¡°What a fascinating sensation,¡± she mused. She did feel a different sense¡ªa sense of restriction. While she was dead, Nara could not restrain her soul, unless she revived Aliyah¡¯s body temporarily. Her soul was free to leave. Souls could not be trapped. The physical body functioned as the method to interact with physical reality, as well as an unintentional prison for the soul. It wasn¡¯t an unpleasant sensation, rather, it was just the awareness of it. The same as reality¡ªthe soul was no freer there than here. Except Nara herself was reality with her hand on the levers of life and death as she wished.

    On by one, the other members of the team passed through the portal, each experiencing the same sensations Aliyah had just worked through. Lastly, Nara herself stepped through the portal. Avatar Nara had been correct; she did feel different.

    It was like the avatar was the moon, and Nara was the sun. It was her reflection, not the real source of light. She felt intrinsically connected to the domain in a way Aliyah did not understand nor could explain other than the obvious¡ªit was her soul. She also felt the power that swept past them. It was like divinity had manifested, the rolling waves of power¡ªexcept she embodied all the power. Not just a singular concept, a singular authority. She reigned it back, and she felt normal again. The Nara they all knew and recognized, yet bellying an endless power.

    ¡°Shall we start testing?¡± Nara said. ¡°Unfortunately, the only bronze rankers we have are Encio and I, so I can¡¯t test the limits for higher rankers.¡±

    ¡°What did you think to test first?¡± Aliyah asked. She was the first to recover from her reverie.

    ¡°Distance. I can portal anywhere in the world, but I don¡¯t know if that applies to everyone else. I have a baseless feeling that it doesn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Baseless?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps not baseless,¡± Nara admitted. ¡°According to my instincts, I can probably transport anyone of any rank. My portal to this realm doesn¡¯t bar anyone from coming inside, if they can make it in in the first place. Exiting is rather more complicated.¡±

    Essence abilities were instinctual on some level. Nara¡¯s control here at a base level was the same, although detailed actions required understanding and exploration. She could, for example, changed the way light itself looked, felt, and worked. Fine tuning would require practice and a greater knowledge of physics, as well as some creative capacity. Changing light itself, after all, was not a function based in reality.

    ¡°The portal inside ignores the rank capacity.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not even really a portal going inside,¡± Nara hummed. ¡°It¡¯s more a doorway.¡±

    ¡°Or an astral space aperture,¡± Aliyah posed as an alternative. ¡°The normal ones have no restriction on rank, no matter the rank of the ambient magic.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. However, when I think about distance, my instinct changes. Your own soul is aware of your original position in reality, where this is between realities. I can ignore distance thanks to my Astral Traveler ability, but that doesn¡¯t apply to others. Basically, exiting this location back to reality means conforming with the limitations of reality. My limitations. Some of them at least.¡±

    (Planets, of course, moved at tens of thousands of miles per hour in their orbits, so portal distances (and other position and distance-based abilities) were a function of relative positioning, not absolute, or portals would be shucking them off into the dead of space.)

    ¡°Distance, not capacity.¡±

    ¡°Not entirely. Those who enter are free to enter at any rank¡ªif they can bring themselves to cross the threshold. However, if I were to conjure a portal to a different location, I don¡¯t think they¡¯d be able to exit.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just saying your portal ability functions as normal. It¡¯s not that complicated,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Everyone can skip inside to take a look at your soul, but you can¡¯t take them anywhere beyond your ability limits.¡±

    ¡°Yep, pretty much. So I can open portals to reality, but transporting those other than myself must still obey the distance limitations from their last location in reality.¡±

    ¡°Which, if true, poses an issue,¡± concluded Aliyah.

    ¡°Yes. Long term, that means I¡¯m not sure I can use this portal to transport others, like John, across dimensions.¡±

    That shook John out of his fugue. He had studied a bit on astral magic and portal magic. Portal magic was important to the healers, and moving civilians to safety was important for treatment and saving lives.

    ¡°What would change that?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. My best guess is an understanding of the magic required for dimensional passage. That¡¯ll just take more studying. We have the full library, but working through it all is an issue. The time I¡¯ve had with it so far is just not enough. Or some sort of magical item¡­I don¡¯t know what¡¯s possible or what¡¯s needed in that case.¡±

    ¡°Why do you need an understanding? You can¡¯t just¡ª¡± John waved his hands, ¡°Will it into working?¡± John knew it wasn¡¯t that simple, but he had to ask.

    ¡°I¡¯ve mentioned that the only things that I can make here and bring out to reality are objects I understand. Spirit coins are easy¡ªthere¡¯s just materialized magic. I can make stable ones up to my rank, so bronze rank. As for other objects that I can make permanent¡ªwater for one. A few other things¡­.¡±

    She trailed off, making a realizing she was better off not committing to spoken word. It was a revelation that would overwhelm this current conversation, so she kept it to herself, for now. She did trust her team with the information, once she told it.

    ¡°¡­I have a feeling though,¡± Nara continued after her original pause, ¡°That the longer I experiment with this place, the greater my ability to make permanent changes to¡­¡±

    ¡°To what?¡±

    ¡°To others, reality, anything, I guess. I¡¯m like a toddler at a piano. I can bang on the keys and make sound, but It¡¯ll take dedicated study and practice to achieve mastery and make a song. For example, while Aliyah was dead here, I could have revived her. But my revival would not stay in reality. She¡¯d die if she left through the portal, if she was dead now. Except¡­¡±

    ¡°Except what?¡±

    ¡°Theoretically, okay? If I killed Aliyah now, and then just reverted her back to a living state, she could leave alive. If I killed Aliyah, then revived her, the revival wouldn¡¯t stick.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like the same exact thing,¡± Eufemia said exasperatedly. ¡°Why would that change anything?¡±

    ¡°One is restoration to a recorded state,¡± John reasoned. ¡°And the other is magic you cannot cast?¡±

    ¡°Right. I don¡¯t have to do anything fancy because I¡¯d just be putting you back together the way you came in. It isn¡¯t time reversal exactly, since time still progresses, but I can copy the previous state of existence into the present. That doesn¡¯t harm anything, since that¡¯s your default state to begin with. But we¡¯re getting a little sidetracked,¡± Nara said. ¡°My point is that I need to understand something well enough to do it here without having it kill them when they leave.¡±

    ¡°Why would it kill them?¡± Aliyah posed, head tilted curiously.

    ¡°Ah. I can explain that,¡± John said in a rare moment of being the relevant expert.

    ¡°For once,¡± Eufemia muttered.

    John shot her a look of fake displeasure. ¡°There¡¯d be a disconnect between the soul, body matrix, and body. If the disconnect is severe enough, the soul would try to change it back, which might kill the body.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Nara said, ¡°If I just changed your hair color, your soul would revert it back when you left. It might stay for a little bit, but not for long. As essence users, we heal from changes back to the normal dictated by our body matrix.¡±

    ¡°But if you removed the heart of a person that still needed it,¡± John said. ¡°They would die when they stepped outside, even if they could live with it gone in this realm.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. So, just a little common sense. Don¡¯t do anything that¡¯d kill anybody. If I did, revert it.¡± Nara paused. ¡°¡­We got sidetracked again.¡±

    Aliyah grinned without guilt.

    ¡°For now, there is no faster way than to master astral magic. Sorry John. Although, at least, I won¡¯t have to be gold rank or something. I can bypass rank here.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine and all, but who knows what will come first at the rate you¡¯re mastering astral magic: Gold rank or dimensional magic mastery.¡± Aliyah just had to be too realistic on the subject of study.

    ¡°Are you bitter because you think I¡¯m not studying enough?¡±

    ¡°No, of course not,¡± Aliyah too swiftly denied.

    ¡°Might as well give it a spin then,¡± John said, moving the conversation forward. ¡°The whole portal thing.¡±

    They were all suddenly teleported down into the plaza from the top of the tower where they were all at. They hadn¡¯t felt themselves move, yet there were in a different location. A new portal was in front of them.

    ¡°This portal leads to Aviensa,¡± Nara said. ¡°Which is waaaaay outside of my ability portal range.¡±

    Aliyah stepped forward, and tried to get through the portal, pressing on it. It was as solid as a steel vault door, entirely immovable and impermeable. Nara stepped through it, disappearing from the realm, then stepped back through the portal.

    ¡°So, that¡¯s a no go,¡± she said. ¡°As I thought.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s great value in veracity,¡± Aliyah said, already writing the revelations down. She had so far recorded every one of Nara¡¯s hypothesis, and marked which ones were verified.

    ¡°Alright, now its configured for the edge of Sanshi,¡± Nara said.

    Aliyah approached the portal, and successfully passed through.

    ¡°Encio, could you do so at least 3 times?¡±

    He nodded, and did as Aliyah asked.

    ¡°That verifies her theory on capacity,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°At bronze 0, Nara should only be able to transport a bronze ranker once.¡±

    ¡°So I can ignore capacity of the same rank, but not of a higher rank. That¡¯s a little unexpected.¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t verified whether that¡¯s true for higher rankers,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°We only have your instinct to go off of.¡±

    ¡°Even then,¡± Eufemia said, looking around the realm, ¡°I don¡¯t think any random gold ranker would saunter in here so carefreely. If they were dumb enough to ignore their instincts without trusting you, they¡¯ll immediately figure out inside that you could kill them.¡±

    ¡°A trust requirement is difficult ask for any random bloke,¡± John said.

    ¡°The best benefit of all this is,¡± Nara said, ¡°Is my ability to escape. And some other things, that I¡¯ll explain at another opportunity. I think we¡¯ve spent long enough here for today.¡±

    Sen tone was curious but proud. ¡°When have you been able to enter portals?¡±

    ¡°Not just any portal,¡± Nara denied, ¡°Just my own.¡±

    ¡°That didn¡¯t answer my question.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ I did a little stunt to delay Siyu. Chrome wouldn¡¯t approve it at the time unless I promised to use my own portal.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes disapprovingly at her vague answer. She was infinitely more powerful than Sen here, but she still felt the judgement like a priest frowning disapprovingly at their god. Nara noticed Sen was surprisingly effective at leveraging his disapproval. He was getting subtler. Gah! And it was effective at making her feel guilty!

    ¡°I may have let Siyu suck my blood,¡± she reluctantly admitted, chastised on Sen¡¯s weighty gaze alone.

    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± Eufemia burst out, suddenly shoving up forwards into Nara¡¯s personal space in a rare show of aggressive body language. ¡°That was incredibly dangerous! You could have been transformed into a vampire!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Nara reassured her, tone soft. ¡°That racial ability of mine is effective against transformative and body-based effects. It blunted the effects of his curse, and my blood attacked his body from the inside out. Nobody can claim what¡¯s part of me,¡± Nara said. ¡°Not even my blood.¡±

    Sen arms were crossed, still sporting an aura of disappointment that Nara found herself quickly growing used to.

    ¡°You should have told us about this plan.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have much time. He was killing people!¡±

    ¡°You have a communication power.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t really double task that well.¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s nonsensical,¡± John chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re the best multitasker here.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that you? You rival Lawrence in reading speed and information processing, and you don¡¯t have an ability to boost it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not fast, I¡¯m just efficient and good at recognizing patterns. A skill honed of years of deskwork.¡±

    ¡°Is there something about your world that makes you good multitaskers in different ways?¡± Aliyah mused. ¡°You both seem quite adept in it in various ways.¡±

    ¡°I think musicians are good at multitasking in general,¡± Nara said, happy to sidetrack once again. ¡°I was a musician on Earth too. You have to sight read, tune your instrument, produce good tone, match pitch with the rest of the group, follow the tempo, pay attention to dynamics and style, and watch your breathing.¡±

    Nara hadn¡¯t remembered what instrument she had played on Earth. If she needed to watch her breathing, then the instrument she played must have been a brass instrument or a woodwind. She had committed to the lute in this world. It was a musing for another time.

    Sen angrily cleared his throat, quieting the group.

    ¡°Nara.¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes?¡± she responded guiltily.

    ¡°Next time, communicate your intentions. Even if you carry it out against my advice, I at least want to know about it. I care about your safety. The only way we can help is with knowledge. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±

 Chapter 131: Rekindling Friendships

    Chapter 131: Rekindling Friendships

    John sighed as he exited the domain portal, ¡°Why don¡¯t I have a mystical kingdom of my soul? I haven¡¯t had any thoughts of being a god, but it all seems rather harmless. Nice and safe.¡±

    ¡°Unless someone enters,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Nice and safe for me,¡± John stressed. ¡°I like safe.¡±

    ¡°I have a thought about that,¡± Nara said following John through, ¡°I think, originally, it would have just been an inventory ability like yours. We outworlders usually have our body annihilated in dimensional crossing. Mine wasn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°Your body wasn¡¯t destroyed?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s in a coma. The point is though, that for a long time I acted as if I didn¡¯t have a body, while John, yours on Earth had been vaporized by the dimensional crossing. Then recreated.¡±

    ¡°Dead as a doorknob,¡± he agreed.

    ¡°So, I noticed when we retrieved the bodies from Graff that the Adventure Society did something called a body reclamation ritual,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Aliyah explained, ¡°While looting has a similar effect, the body reclamation ritual preserves the body if it is primarily magic, such as higher rankers. Looting a silver ranker would cause their body to disintegrate as it¡¯s reached as similar level of pure magic as outworlder bodies, so a body reclamation ritual is a method to retrieve items from a dimensional storage without destroying the corresponding body. Looting a body is considered rude, so this is the alternative.¡±

    ¡°But the whole premise of outworlders, or soul-born as Zariel calls it, is that our bodies are recreated. That means, as a premise, the body is an unreliable location to store our items. Or to attach a dimensional space. However that works.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying that my inventory is also attached to my soul too?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. If you get the right racial ability evolution, maybe you¡¯ll have a little soul playground. You and your kids can go swinging on cloud swings and sliding down slides made of pudding.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re a little old for that,¡± John said, but his tone said he bought into the idea.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to verify that,¡± Aliyah muttered, ¡°But that would mean we¡¯d need to loot an outworlder. Shame, they¡¯re so rare.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Nara denied with rising suspicion, ¡°That¡¯s not a shame. And we don¡¯t want to see any dead outworlders. Any dead anybody.¡±

    ¡°If I get a chance,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°At least a body reclamation ritual.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°If I outworld myself then die, could you use a body reclamation ritual on me before I get revived?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not. Aliyah, stop trying to die. Once is enough.¡±

    Aliyah¡¯s dewy puppy dog eyes were not convincing.

    *****

    With easy access to her Astral Domain, there was little reason to use her door domain or temporary domain. The door domain was still useful for storing and removing large objects from her inventory. The temporary domain had little payoff for what the nebula house could provide without her dedicated concentration. Never say never, however; the challenges of adventurer life were a lesson in niche use cases.

    Reading over her Guide logs (something she did when she was procrastinating studying astral magic), Nara had noticed a curious entry¡ªan iron rank boar monster had been killed and looted by her ability during their battle with Siyu, yet she had no recollection of such a kill.

    ¡°What could this have possibly come from?¡± she mused. She was still out and about Sanshi while the other members of the team were making further attempts to advance to bronze. It had been another three weeks. Just John and Eufemia were left, and they were tantalizingly on the verge like a steak just out of reach on the countertop for a hungry lab too short to tip it onto the floor. If they just stretched a little further¡­

    She made her own light progress in the meantime. Bronze rank would take another year or so, likely a year and a half or two years. Iron rank progress was typically extended into a year by gaining awakening stones and training fundamental abilities from scratch, otherwise it¡¯d last shorter. For someone like Sen and Encio, if they hadn¡¯t other reasons to slow down, they could¡¯ve accomplished iron to bronze in half a year by pushing through with non-stop monster contracts. Adventuring families knew the value of taking iron rank at an easy pace¡ªconsequences were usually low, and the skills and lessons learned then would save their lives at later ranks. Iron rank was a rank of fragility. Learning a mindset of caution and preparedness wasn¡¯t so easy at higher ranks when not even a bullet through the eye would kill you, until someone figured out how to do it and splattered your head cavity across the blacktop.

    The adventuring world was split on this topic. Those who wanted to train seasoned and reliable adventurers valued the inherent danger of iron rank: This was the stand of the Arlang family. The other prevalent view was to push past the fragility of iron into bronze as quickly as possible, then develop important lessons there, where mistakes weren¡¯t so fatal.

    The second method had improved survivability in the short term¡ªyou couldn¡¯t die at iron rank if you weren¡¯t iron rank. However, there were no definitive, organized studies to figure out in the long term whether the first or second method resulted in high rank survival rates or influenced ascension to gold and diamond ranks.

    There was value in both methods. The Arlang¡¯s worldwide prominence was a testament to their method. Yet, who could deny the increased monetary gain of bronze rank contracts and superhuman durability?

    Nara thought over the battle with Siyu: He had his Bloodstone Servants, his Crystalline Monstrosity, and his vampirized monster horde.

    ¡°Ranshi had handled those monsters, in front of my domain door,¡± she slowly realized, ¡°One must have made it through.¡±

    And her domain door had killed the iron rank intruder.

    She looked over the description of Soul Legion once again.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Soul Legion]

    Language adaptation. Essence, awakening stone, and skill book absorption. Immunity to identification and tracking. Resistance to dimension-restriction effects. This is a legacy effect of [Free Spirit].

    Transfigured from [Soul Sanctuary] by [Blessing of Legion].

    A portion of all familiars are kept within your soul even when familiars are not subsumed. This allows you to use effects and abilities granted by familiars as if they are subsumed and telepathically communicate with them from any distance. When familiars are subsumed, their subsumed effects have increased effect.

    Your body is considered your territory. Your territory is hostile to enemies that trespass within it, damaging them in the process. Your subsumed familiars may attack foreign entities within your territory. The attacks and damage of your familiars when attacking foreign entities is based off their characteristics. You can control the strength of this effect or disable it. This effect applies to any object or territory connected to your soul. This effect shares your ability to ignore rank disparity.

    -------

    ¡°Anything connected to my soul? That would include this nebula house on top of the door domain.¡±

    Her Astral Domain counted too, although this effect was pointless there. What need does a god have for physical defenses?

    Cloud flasks and her nebula flasks had impressive defenses. They were world famous for well-deserved reasons. Not only for their adaptability, but for their strength as a mobile fortress. Now that she was bronze rank, she had also upgraded her nebula flask to bronze rank as well.

    -------

    Item: [Nebula Flask] (bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: cloud, star, vehicle, artifact

    A nebula within a flask.

    This item is bound to [Nara Edea] and cannot be used by anyone else.

    Use the energies within the nebula flask to create buildings and vehicles made of nebula cloud. Available forms are restricted by rank.

    Items contained within the nebula construct when it is returned to the flask are stored in a dimensional space and cannot be recovered until another nebula construct is formed.

    Available forms (Iron): Nebula house (grand), Nebula house (adaptive).

    Available forms (Bronze): Carriage house (grand), Carriage house (adaptive).

    -------

    The carriage house was the transportation form of the nebula flask. It could transform into a form suitable for land, sea, or low altitude air travel. It¡¯d be their primary mode of transportation in the future, outside of portals.

    Their team was shaping up to have several portals.

    Aliyah¡¯s Rune Gate had developed into a portal at bronze rank, from it¡¯s inventory powers at iron rank.

    -------

    Ability: [Rune Gate]

    Awakening Stone: Holding

    Special Ability / Conjuration

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None / 10 minutes

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Effect (Iron): Allows the user to store items in a dimensional pocket.

    Effect (Bronze): Allows the users to create a portal that is able to transport 10 Iron rank individuals, 1 bronze rank individual, or equivalent amount of mass. Items in dimensional storage do not count towards this limit. This effect has a 10 minute cooldown.

    -------

    It had the same capacity and distance scaling as Nara¡¯s portal ability. Almost all portal abilities followed this standard. Nara¡¯s Astral Affinity gave her a slight increase in portal distance beyond the norm, but that was the case for any portal user with Astral Affinity. Portal Specialists were most commonly found in celestines, who shared their Astral Affinity with outworlders. The specialization was rare to begin with, needing expensive essences, but celestines were the gold standard.

    Eufemia¡¯s Mirror Realm was the single most utility packed ability Aliyah had ever seen. It was a never seen before ability, completely new to Eufemia.

    -------

    Ability: [Mirror Realm]

    Special Ability / Conjuration

    Cost: None / Very high mana

    Cooldown: None / 10 minute

    Effect (Iron): You have a personal, dimensional storage space. You may duplicate known armor conjurations. This may make your version of the ability higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. Duplicating armor incurs a very high mana cost. Duplicated armor adapts to your body. Duplicated armor can be equipped and unequipped directly onto your person. Duplicated armor conjurations that are completely destroyed must be re-duplicated. A single duplicated conjuration may be stored at a time.

    Effect (Bronze): Up to three armor conjurations can be duplicated and stored. Duplicated armor conjurations are gradually repaired when stored. Non-duplicated armor and equipment may be directly equipped and unequipped directly onto your person.

    Effect (Bronze): Conjure a mirror gate between two locations on a regional scale. The distant gate must appear at a location you previously visited. This effect is a conjuration with a very high mana cost and a 10-minute cooldown. Other effects can still be used while this ability is on cooldown.

    -------

    It boasted an inventory, armor conjuration, and portal ability in a 3-for-1 special. Eufemia¡¯s inventory capacity was, however, the smallest¡ªsmall enough that she had to assign due consideration for what she kept on hand¡ªyet Eufemia was surprised to find herself with the most enviable ability in the party for once. Duplication specialists like Eufemia often suffered at low rank due to the complex nature of their abilities and their reliance on allies or enemies: using an enemy¡¯s own ability against them was fun in theory, but often ineffective. Encio, for example, was fast enough and knew his own abilities well enough that Eufemia rarely ever hit him with his own God-Sundering Slash in mirage chamber battles. Eufemia would never be as fast and agile as swift essence users with their swift attacks, or as strong and sturdy as might essence users with their mighty attacks. Despite this, she was starting to see the incredible versatility and transformative power these ability sets held at higher ranks.

    Despite his Dimension Essence, none of Encio¡¯s abilities manifested a portal. He already knew since iron rank that was the case, since his family had tailored his abilities for him. For those that had known bronze rank upgrades, none of them had a portal ability. For abilities without a known bronze rank upgrade, none of them had been likely to develop into a portal either.

    Upon the discovery that Soul Legion affected anything connected to her soul, Nara had tried several more experiments with the nebula flask. Unfortunately, none of them bore fruit. She had attempted to directly portal to her nebula flask beyond her normal portal range, but it had not worked. She could portal to her Astral Domain from anywhere, but the Nebula Flask, while soul bound, did not share this characteristic.

    *****

    Many students attended the Adventurer¡¯s Academy, bronze rankers included. While there were sparring grounds for bronze rankers, the bronze rankers that remained attended for the Academy¡¯s educational classes. Enterprising adventurers saw the value of the educational opportunities provided by the Adventure Academy beyond just slaying monsters. Higher level education in Erras was uncommon beyond churches and the Magic Society. Most adventurers could read, not because they had learned little, but because their higher spirit attributes made learning language incredibly easy. By silver rank, everyone could read, regardless of whether they had tried to learn or not. Both the Prep Academy and Adventure Academy offered literacy classes, although none in the party had needed them. Eufemia had been the only one with an educational background in doubt, but she was far too enterprising to ever miss the advantage literacy provided.

    In Erras, the nobles pushed back against general education, with the church of knowledge in opposition, offering free basic education where they could. The nobles of Sanshi had not originally opposed the literacy classes offered by the Academies¡ªessences users were inevitably upper crust, no matter what socioeconomic class they started at. The adventurer flunkies would gain stable employment as guards for nobles¡¯ estate, so nobles had no inherent issues with the education of essence users.

    What they had not realized was that the Academies heralded the coming era. Small scale formal trade education was on the rise, along with literacy rates. Various societies started sponsoring their own academies. The Magic Society gained their members through mentorship and apprenticeship; however they saw the value of larger scale education. The Labor Society needed people who could understood economics and currency. The Trade Society needed well educated traders, linguists, and those who could calculate and determine shipping schedules. With Sanshi¡¯s growing population, the local government needed more people. Employing only essence users was expensive, which meant they needed literate civilians.

    The bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.

    Nara walked the academy grounds, partially training her own aura, and partially enjoying the familiar and comforting grounds. She was working on a new technique based on her experiences with Sezan and her own insights. She¡¯d need to work it over with Laius. Her half-training half-leisure was interrupted when she felt a familiar aura at the iron ranker¡¯s sparring grounds.

    Duncan Walker was at the training grounds, practicing with a shield. He wasn¡¯t starting at the bottom like Nara had, nor had the boost of a skill book. Even though he had started his path by completing odd jobs, he had not stopped training at the Prep Academy either. He was just average, of course, but would keep at it like raindrops eroding stone. Someday, he¡¯d become a natural wonder.

    He was with Alea Len (Nara was unsurprised that she had judged Duncan the most likely to get himself killed. Defenders were predisposed to self-sacrifice). She was attacking him with a wooden dagger. She was skilled with a small blade, hitting him repeatedly through his guard. The wooden dagger did no damage, only stunning Duncan, but the blows would still hurt. It served to toughen up new essence users to pain. Like Nara, some hadn¡¯t been in fight before. Not all went through the Prep Academy for their essences, and even those who did, not all were physical competitors.

    He learned slowly, but kept at it. Gradually learning how to space himself from Alea, how to move his shield to block, and what positions left which of his own body vulnerable.

    She remembered how she had learned similarly with Vallis, and found herself a little forlorn over that lost friendship.

    The aura technique she was practicing was one that spread out her presence like a mist, making it difficult to detect her. When she first arrived in Aviensa, Sezan had been using a more active technique¡ªsubtly pushing aside other people¡¯s perception to push them away from a specific area. Her¡¯s was a combination of various inspirations and making use of her original strange aura properties. Her aura had been described as mist-like before, so she leveraged that property. She wanted her aura to blend into the surroundings, then have her own person do the same¡ªa figure in the mist.

    When executed well, people would pass by her without realizing she was there. When she failed, she¡¯d get strange looks for standing at the top of the statue in the portal plaza. Her success rate against other essence users was incredibly low, while against normal people it was far easier to pull off. Their lack of active control over their auras meant that subtle manipulation was easier to pull off.

    It wasn¡¯t a thought she enjoyed. That people lived without realizing their auras were pushed aside, feeling as though they shouldn¡¯t walk in a certain direction for no particular reason, like chattel.

    Conversely, the instinct to leave when confronted with a stronger aura or being redirected was inherently of self-preservation. Normal people could sense the danger. If the manipulation was towards death or danger, Nara was sure it wouldn¡¯t be as effective. It was because it was harmless or beneficial that it worked.

    Erras had their own ethics; They focused less on the intermediate details than the whole picture, as long as the details themselves weren¡¯t too extreme. So, practicing aura manipulation on civilians was fine as long as you did nothing to harm them. Getting into fights with other essence users was fine as long as nobody died, and it didn¡¯t become torturous or unduly humiliating.

    She was undetected by Alea and Duncan as she sat at the table, enjoying a snack with Thanatos beside her. He was the familiar that most liked spending time outside, even if he hadn¡¯t anything specific to do. Chrome liked to play competitive table games and cook. Sage liked to busy herself around the house, grocery shop, read new books (she had a penchant for the gossip), and complete other tasks. Nara wondered if Thanatos¡¯ companionship if it was out of consideration for her¡ªshe didn¡¯t like to be alone.

    While Alea was harsh towards Duncan and critical of his flaws and mistakes, she could see their bond growing. Duncan was happy to have a teacher who didn¡¯t give up on him. Alea was impressed with his perseverance. Alea didn¡¯t trust easily, yet Duncan was clearly an earnest, honest, and straightforward fellow. He was common folk, just like her, just trying to make his way in the world and fulfill his dreams. She saw that aspect of herself in him. She wanted to protect her little brother¡¯s dreams and fulfill her own, to dirty her own hands to keep his clean.

    Another aura surprised her: Vallis Nisei. She was still iron rank, but Nara¡¯s surprise disrupted her concentration, breaking her mist concealment. Vallis strode confidently over, the same upright and bold young woman Nara had grown used to.

    ¡°Nara, it has been some time.¡± She gestured to the seat across from Nara. ¡°Can I sit?¡±

    ¡°Go for it.¡±

    She joined Nara across the table, looking out at the training field at Alea and Duncan.

    ¡°Do you know those two students?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sponsoring one of them, and a teammate has a contract with another. You don¡¯t know Alea?¡±

    Vallis raised an eyebrow. ¡°She¡¯s my aunt¡¯s type of person, I can tell. I¡¯m not privy to all my aunt has done.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± For assuming she was, Nara supposed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be. For aunt and niece we were close. She was my family in this area. My parents are back in the Nisei territory. It¡¯s a natural assumption that we shared more than just kinship, such as information and intentions...¡± Her eyes looked beyond Nara, wistful of her own lost relationships. ¡°I wanted to congratulate you on bronze rank,¡± she said, shifting the conversation. Congratulating rank ups was an important aspect of Erras¡¯ culture, and Vallis was too well-raised to forget it.

    ¡°Thanks. It¡¯s a recent development.¡± Nara scanned Vallis¡¯ aura, iron just below the floor of bronze, around minor ranks 8 and 9. ¡°You¡¯re not far yourself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been delayed by recent events, so you¡¯ve surged on ahead of me,¡± Vallis said with a smile.

    ¡°How was that, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine! Just fine!¡± She laughed, but it was a shade off from true heartiness. ¡°I was questioned by the Adventure Society, but nothing rough.¡±

    ¡°Only kiddie gloves for you?¡± Nara snarked.

    ¡°Ha! They could¡¯ve been rougher with me. I was offended to be treated as if I was so delicate, I couldn¡¯t have handled an aura workover and a little tussling! It would at least been an exciting story to tell, but all I have is a long absence and nothing to show for it.¡± She bombastically thumped her chest, asserting the resilience of her body and mind.

    The confidence in her next words faded a touch, hesitancy seeping in like ink through wet paper.

    ¡°When I rank up to bronze, how about we spar again? If you¡¯d like.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I love to.¡±

    ¡°Really? Is that fine?¡± she asked again, unsure: a rarity of Vallis that Nara decided she had seen enough of.

    ¡°It is. Vallis you¡¯re my first friend my age on this world.¡±

    Vallis wasn¡¯t the sappy sort, but Nara¡¯s words caused her to squeeze her eyes shut, dam walls holding back rising water.

    ¡°¡­This world has given you a poor showing,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°My world mistreats their own people; all worlds do, and we should all work to change that. I just wasn¡¯t on the worst end of it there. Even here I¡¯m still blessed with generosity, companions, and kindness. Scars might remain, but the pain has faded, Vallis.¡±

    Nara once again felt the strange reversal of roles. Vallis had been her senior in life and experience here. Now, Nara was the one comforting her. She¡¯d like to think she was now Vallis¡¯ equal in experience. That they were now true peers speaking from the same step in the staircase of life.

    ¡°You like hugs?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°What, do you?¡± Vallis smirked, wiping her leaky eyes on her sleeves, scrubbing tears away to reveal a smile.

    ¡°You may not be the sappy sort but I am.¡±

    ¡°How about a handshake?¡±

    ¡°I can do that.¡±

    The two stood, strongly grasping each other¡¯s hands in a two-handed handshake, both grinning wildly upon feeling the warmth of each other¡¯s hands. Vallis¡¯ hands were roughened and callused, a part of normal rank carried through, her perseverance a treasured part of her identity.

    ¡°Bronze rank, Vallis, don¡¯t be a stranger. Now it¡¯s your turn to catch up.¡±

    ¡°Catch up to what?¡± she scoffed good-naturedly. ¡°You haven¡¯t surpassed me in skill.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be too surprised when you eat dirt next time. You might find yourself finding a new friend with the ground.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to break up your friendship with it. I know how much you value your friends.¡±

    ¡°I think we all should be friends. I don¡¯t mind, let me introduce you.¡±

    ¡°Ha! If you¡¯re successful, I¡¯ll treat you to a nice meal. The nicest place I know.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯d find that impressive now? I¡¯ll have you know I was once a 3-star adventurer.¡±

    ¡°Now, you are not. You¡¯re back to 1-star again!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re taking big for someone who hasn¡¯t gotten past 2-stars ever. Are you sure you aren¡¯t royalty, princess?¡±

    ¡°How about we settle this now? I don¡¯t believe I can¡¯t win against you even at iron rank.¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s dog wash and you know it. Get ready to get friendly, Vallis.¡±

    ¡°Do your best to introduce me. This is your only chance.¡±

 Chapter 132: Power and Subtlety

    Chapter 132: Power and Subtlety

    After another two weeks, the full team had made it to bronze rank, which was subsequently followed by another week of ranking up and buying new equipment. Eufemia had no growth items (save a necklace her no-good father had made, unfortunately stuck at iron rank, the rank he made it at), but the bronze rank effect of Mirror Realm let her ¡®equip¡¯ items directly onto her body. She could duplicate any armor conjurations she remembered, but having actual armor as a backup was a policy Sen had for the team. Nara had her own set of crafted armor as well, and she had to commission another for her rank up as well. She may have a resistance to ability seal thanks to Tribulation of Self, but she¡¯d be remiss to dismiss Sen¡¯s advice. Preparation was key, and she had the disposable income to afford it.

    Eufemia herself was the perfect example of why a back up amor set was important. She had abilities which could disable conjurations. Eufemia was actually more vulnerable to the effect than most, since her conjuration and inventory was joined in a single ability.

    John¡¯s Partner-In-Crime racial ability had also evolved into a completely new effect, cutting off Eufemia from his translation and inventory powers. His new racial ability was related to cleansing, which he had struggled in their fight against a higher rank vampire.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Partner-in-Crime]

    Share your racial abilities with an ally, with certain limitations.

    Current Partner: Eufemia Teresina

    Racial Ability: [Faraway Sanctuary]

    Transfigured from [Outworlder] racial ability [Partner-in-Crime]. The effects of this ability have been lost.

    Afflictions do not gain additional resistance against your abilities for being higher rank.

    Abilities that cleanse have increased effect. Healing abilities have a slight cleansing effect. For each affliction on an ally that resists cleansing in your aura, you gain an instance of [Benediction]. For each affliction cleansed, gain an instance of [Sanctuary¡¯s Blessing].

    <ul>

    <li>[Benediction] (boon, holy, stacking): Instances can be consumed to increase the effect of a cleansing ability. When consuming instances past a threshold, circumvent all effects that prevent cleansing. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Sanctuary¡¯s Blessing] (boon, holy, stacking): Instances are consumed to absorb damage from any source. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. Instances can be consumed to empower shield or barrier abilities.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    It was primarily combat focused; It seemed it was not uncommon for one or two previously adaptation focused Outworlder racials to shift to something more appropriate for combat, but they group was basing their findings on a very large, very representative sample size of 2 Outworlders. Nara had Tribulation of Self and Soul Legion as her Racial Ability combat representatives, and Faraway Sanctuary stood as John¡¯s runner up.

    It was a powerful racial that denied the advantage higher rank afflictions would normally hold over them, and John¡¯s version of ¡°Ignore rank disparity¡±. As a healer, ignoring rank disparity for cleansing specifically was far more effective than ignoring it for damage. If that was not enough, every failed cleanse stacked a boon that John could burn to force a cleanse through. With John¡¯s new bronze rank aura effect that passively cleansed afflictions, it was a charge that built up automatically over time.

    Eufemia didn¡¯t need the convenience of his abilities anymore, either. She had her own ability to use skill books and a dimensional inventory. Symbolically, they were less partners and now integrated into the full team.

    The team had started as three disparate duos. Slowly, those walls had been broken down and a web of companionship woven anew.

    *******

    They threw a small party for themselves, happy to revel in their newfound sense of power and genuine accomplishment. Eufemia wasn¡¯t one to pass up a chance to party, and the team¡¯s full rank up to bronze rank was the perfect chance. They invited friends like Lawrence, Duncan, Alea, Vallis and her team, Raja Jagar, Nara¡¯s other sponsor recipients, and Malik Fenhu and his small team.

    Eufemia demanded a party dress code. She wouldn¡¯t accept them wearing the same old things they wore every day, no matter how fancy or tailored they were. This was met with objections and groaning, but Eufemia¡¯s half declaration half volunteering to plan everything meant that the rest of the team was willing to order some fancy custom clothing if it meant they could sit on their asses for a while. For all the planning Sen did, party planning was not one of them.

    Nara¡¯s beneficiaries found themselves at a spontaneous, high society party. Four of the great families were in attendance, even if Nisei¡¯s local reputation had taken a heavy hit. Nara had some local fame from her Edea name and was a household name in the Academy for her sponsorships, and those who recognized Encio¡¯s last name shook in surprise, amuse bouche sliding dangerously across dainty plates. By Encio¡¯s sly expression, he was making a game of seeing how many people he could get to spill. It was a race between the cloud house and Thanatos who could vacuum the flood from the floor fastest. He could have his own fresh food, of course, but something about the cloud house¡¯s self-cleaning capabilities ignited Thanatos¡¯s competitive spirit. Or perhaps he¡¯d eat both, floor food and fresh food; He did not discriminate.

    Chrome had prepared a spread of fancy party food¡ªbite sized sandwiches, glasses of celebratory alcohol separated by rank, cutely wrapped deserts and entremets. He looked very proud of himself as he enjoyed the fruits of his own labor on the deck of the oceanside pavilion together with Nolan. No matter how nonchalant he tried to appear, Chrome always pestered the chefs for their secrets.

    Nara turned herself into a wallflower (of a room with no walls), enjoying the open deck party, the seaside breeze, the painted colors of the setting sun, and the gentle chatter of happy partygoers. She liked to watch and observe, her social energy was always on the low side, so she recharged in relative peace, until Malik Fenhu approached, greeting her with an uncharacteristic nervousness.

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­Malik right?¡±

    *******

    Malichai Fenhu, known as Malik to his friends, was a bronze rank adventurer of 19 years. His family was famed not only in the Sanshi region, but worldwide for their considerable businesses in international trade and emergent communications. They are founders and owners of the Transportation and Communications Society, or Transcom Society, a society which hires portal users to and schedules routine portals. This has enabled normal people to afford portal transportation, as they can buy passage and move through the portal as long as they show up on time. In conjunction with the Adventure Society, they also do inventory inspections to prevent illegal smuggling of goods.

    He was a strapping young man, a dark red haired and red eyed runic¡ªthe quintessential image of the Fenhu red. He thought he was handsome¡ªno, he knew he was handsome. His beautiful celestine mother and runic father looks had passed on nicely. As with most Sanshi runics, he was unusual for his head of hair and lightened skin tone. Sanshi was a melting post of people from around the world that sought new beginnings.

    He had it all: looks, money, lineage. So why did he feel so nervous approaching his crush?

    ¡°Get it together Malik, where¡¯s your usual bluster?¡± His teammate Aina told him through the small, oddly adorable duck earring on his ear. It was the only part of his outfit that clashed¡ªa conjuration of Aina¡¯s Duck Essence.

    ¡°I don¡¯t bluster.¡±

    ¡°Whatever. Chin up. You look like a teenager clamming up on seeing a cute girl.¡±

    ¡°He is a teenager clamming up on seeing a cute girl,¡± his teammate Kars retorted flatly.

    ¡°I¡¯m 19!¡±

    ¡°Still a teenager.¡±

    ¡°Kars, you¡¯re going to make our team leader cry. You have got to be supportive. All this time I was wondering if you were gay. Not that your family has any problem with it. Not that I have any problem with it, I just haven¡¯t seen you even try to flirt with a single girl!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to cry,¡± Malik said, already feeling frustration building in his forehead at his teammate¡¯s chatter.

    ¡°I was wondering what your type was. I see, I see. I understand now,¡± Aina said, unable to stop chattering, to Malik¡¯s dismay.

    ¡°What. Do explain,¡± he said dryly.

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°She¡¯s got that nobleness to her. Sort of aloof and dignified. Not standout like that ruby celestine, but more of a natural beauty. She¡¯s like chancing upon a misty moonlit lake. One touch, and you¡¯ll disturb the illusion and its gone.¡±

    Malik was silent.

    ¡°Did I get it right? Aren¡¯t you picky, Malik~¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like her for her looks.¡±

    ¡°Of course not Malik, we¡¯re bronze rankers,¡± she said with a teasing lilt. ¡°If you just wanted looks you could¡¯ve flirted with anyone.¡±

    ¡°Could you shut your big mouth for a moment and help, like you promised? Instead of talking my ear off? I¡¯m going to crush this gods-damn earring. I see no use in it?¡± He lifted a hand threateningly.

    ¡°Wha¡ªNo okay, look, wait a minute. I¡¯ll help so don¡¯t!¡±

    He strode forward stopping in front of Nara Edea, who was sitting peacefully at the deck, quietly enjoying the sunset breeze. She was wearing Saggia style fashion¡ªa dark blue dress with an asymmetrical collar and hem. I draped beautifully over her body, accentuating her shape without hugging too closely. Delicate, shimmering silver embroidery of started from the collar, as if the blue silk was the night sky and the embroidery a meteor shower. The silver embroidery caught the sunset glow, shimmering with pinks, golds, and purples¡ªa combination of the inherent properties of the material and the natural lighting.

    Her brown eyes caught the sunlight as she looked up at him, and his words caught in his throat. He felt like parched man in a desert, wandering futilely until he just set his despairing sight on a shimmering oasis, almost afraid it was a desert mirage.

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­Malik, right?¡±

    ¡°I am Malichai Fenhu, of the house of the red phoenix.¡± He thought his introduction was smooth despite his nervousness, hammered into him by his strict mother.

    He heard Aina sigh in his ear, ¡°Why did you do a full introduction? Not even the Arlangs or that Aciano boy does that. My gods, you¡¯re so stuffy. If this fails, you could always still join Purity¡¯s clergy.¡±

    Malichai imagined cracking Aina¡¯s skull between his gritted teeth.

    ¡°So, Malichai?¡±

    He cleared his throat. ¡°No, you can just call me Malik.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, her slight confusion evident in her voice, ¡°Malik, then. Did you want to talk? Just hang out? Chill?¡±

    ¡°Could I sit with you?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± she patted beside her in invitation, and he joined her on her bench seat. It was oddly comfortable for its appearance, but all furniture inside this oceanside pavilion was. It was a cloud flask, as far as Malik knew, and that was more or less expected. His family had many top-line cloud vehicles and cloud furniture, although no cloud flask for themselves. That was something not even money could buy, only connections could, and he wondered how she had acquired hers.

    ¡°You¡¯re curious about the flask, just ask about it,¡± Aina said. ¡°Say something!¡±

    ¡°Are you saying this for my benefit or yours?¡± he snapped back telepathically.

    ¡°Both! It¡¯s at least an icebreaker. Any more of this and this conversation is going glacial.¡±

    He mentally grumbled but accepted her advice, ¡°Is this a cloud flask? I was curious on how you acquired it.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± she said, slight smile playing on her face, ¡°It¡¯s actually not a cloud flask.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a nebula flask.¡± She scooped her hand into the furniture, bringing a piece of the seat cushion out as if it were tofu. It disintegrated into sparkling glittering light halfway between clouds and gold dust. ¡°The lesser known cousin of the cloud flask.¡±

    ¡°I did not know they existed. I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that I don¡¯t know all of what diamond rankers can do.¡±

    ¡°You know, the mythologies here are really hard to evaluate what parts are accurate and what parts are dramatic retellings.¡±

    ¡°Our historians struggle dearly with that issue,¡± Malik said, relieved that the conversation was less stilted. ¡°When they say a diamond ranker founder king carved away a mountain to create his first city, nobody is quite sure whether he got stone shapers to do it, or if he did it by hand.¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you just ask them?¡±

    Malik shrugged, ¡°Some of them are still around, others disappear.¡±

    Erras had their own myths, going back thousands of years. Recent history was the last three thousand years, where even the oldest of the modern nations had been founded  Before that, history is more myth and legend than recorded word.

    ¡°The mood is good Malik, so maybe try getting to the point?¡± Aina pressed, her annoying voice quacking through the duck charm.

    He glared at her where she and Kars leaned nonchalantly against the deck railing, enjoying drinks and food. Those two were conspiring!

    ¡°Miss Edea¡­¡±

    ¡°Just Nara. We¡¯re all friends here, right Malik?¡±

    He cleared his throat, ¡°Um, Nara, I want to declare my intentions to pursue you.¡±

    He heard both Kars and Aina groan through their communicator, and saw them in the corner of his eye, reacting with the same overdramatic disappointment. ¡°How would you have done that?!¡± he hissed.

    ¡°Not like that!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not really interested in a relationship right now,¡± Nara replied.

    ¡°Oof, rejected. He didn¡¯t he step off the ice!¡±

    ¡°Could I know why?¡±

    ¡°Oh? He tries again? It¡¯s round two. Will he win any points?¡± Aina chattered.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a game, Aina,¡± Kars heaved a sigh.

    ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten that those my rank don¡¯t know,¡± she mused. She pointed to herself cheerily, ¡°It¡¯s sort of refreshing that you don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know what?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m an outworlder.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t stop you from having a relationship, does it?¡±

    She blinked.

    ¡°I suppose it doesn¡¯t. But¡­¡±

    ¡°He gets points for ignorance?¡± Aina interjected, ¡°That was a tactic?¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Malik asked Nara, ignoring Aina¡¯s jab.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to lead you on. I¡¯m not one for romantic love and all that. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m stopping myself, but that my emotions don¡¯t run strong. I¡¯m afraid any road I walk is one to the horizon.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t walk to the horizon,¡± Kars pointed out.

    ¡°That¡¯s her point Kars, she¡¯s saying there¡¯s not a goal or an end in sight. What now, Malik?¡±

    ¡°I thought you were supposed to be helping me!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a you decision, Malik, she¡¯s saying there¡¯s no payoff and no promises.¡±

    ¡°Well of course I¡¯m going to try. She¡¯s the...she the lady I like.¡±

    He turned his attention away from his communicator and back to Nara.

    ¡°The end of the year festivities are upon us soon. I¡¯d like to spend the festival with you.¡±

    Nara hesitated, ¡°I hate to burst your bubble, but the team is leaving Sanshi soon. Not earlier than the end of the year, but we won¡¯t be here for much longer beyond that.¡±

    ¡°Where are you leaving for?¡±

    ¡°Kallid.¡±

    *****

    As she had promised Laius, Nara showed up at Innovation¡¯s Retreat for aura training. He let her feel his aura, and she followed it like a beacon to where he sat, at her usual place beside the shaded lakeside forest.

    ¡°Good morning Laius,¡± she greeted.

    He nodded.

    He worked her over the basics again, pushing out her limits of aura projection, aura retraction, and aura suppression. By the end up it, she felt like she had gone through an intense aura workout. They hadn¡¯t even gotten to the main set.

    After the aura warm-up, Nara demonstrated the aura technique she had been working on. She integrated her aura into the surroundings like a mist, and her own presence became thin. With the mist, she could sense and gently redirect others, like Sezan had done. His technique didn¡¯t require her elaborate set up, but he was a diamond ranker.

    ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary.¡±

    ¡°Is it? I was thinking I can expand it into a misdirection. Make my location appear as if its somewhere else when it¡¯s not.¡±

    He tilted his head, pondering this proposition for a moment.

    ¡°Complicated, but it may work,¡± he concluded.

    ¡°But, if I just want to redirect others like Sezan did, it¡¯s unnecessary?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I can just do so directly?¡±

    ¡°Yes, needs training at subtly. You¡¯re good at subtle aura control but not strong aura control.¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s something I should work on?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Go to Sanshi, sit a plaza, keep trying. I will demonstrate later.¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°Bring your team,¡± he added.

    ¡°Okay. If you¡¯re making the trip out, the rest of them may as well learn too.¡±

    Having a dedicated aura teacher was rare. Sanshi adventurers were better than the average as even the ordinary essence users had access to classes at the academy. Otherwise, it was mainly scouts, stealth specialists, and ambush attackers that focused on learning aura control. In battle, aura was at best a clash for aura supremacy. If your aura was suppressed, you¡¯d lose the effects of your aura ability, or it may only apply to yourself. For auras like Aliyah which gained effectiveness with greater numbers in her aura, it was a great loss. The importance of aura for adventurers was just that their auras weren¡¯t suppressed. The suppression of an aura would also unsettle and unbalance, but it would not tip the scales of anything but the closest of fights (and in such a close fight, that advantage was unlikely).

    Suddenly, Laius spiked her soul with an attack. It nearly caused her to pass out on the spot. Nara detested the sensation of attacks on her soul, but she had been hardened against them. Her aura strength should have made her aura difficult to suppress, but the attack blew past all of that, knocking her off balance like she was a biker smashed by a speeding truck. She shot upwards, portal at her back. She felt like a rabbit before a cold wolf, who stared at her impassively but with the cruel ease of ending her existence on a whim.

    ¡°Sit,¡± Laius said simply. ¡°A demonstration.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t like it,¡± she grumbled back to him, shaking the fear and nervousness from her body like a wet dog.

    ¡°No. Not meant to like it,¡± he agreed. She hated that he was right.

    ¡°What was that?¡± she asked.

    ¡°You know what it was.¡±

    She was reluctant, knowing what was coming. ¡°It was a soul attack.¡±

    He nodded, ¡°You can do it too, but you do not.¡±

    She frowned. She understood the meaning behind his words, even if she did not like them, ¡°You¡¯re saying I should practice. This isn¡¯t something I can practice. You need a soul and I¡¯m not attacking my friends.¡±

    Laius pointed at her portal door. Evidently, he had a sense on sight of where that portal led, and what power she possessed behind it.

    She gritted her teeth, ¡°Okay, I can technically practice.¡±

    ¡°You can do it earlier than most. You should make use of it.¡±

    ¡°Earlier than most?¡±

    ¡°For the aura and soul, easiest to learn what you have experienced before.¡±

    ¡°Ah, the whole ¡®learn by experience¡¯ philosophy of magic.¡±

    ¡°Not philosophy,¡± he denied. ¡°Truth.¡±

    Nara could use soul attacks since her soul had once been tortured by the Weaver of Dreams, long before she was even an essence user. While she had no physical memories of the event, her soul remember the sensation. If there was anything she learned about the soul, it was that they were frighteningly adaptable. She could replicate those attacks. Practice was just a matter of suppressing the aura of others first.

    The aura acted as a shield for the soul, preventing it from direct soul attacks. Laius was gold rank, so suppressing her soul in an instant to spike it was easy for him.

    ¡°Can all gold rankers do this? That¡¯s terrifying.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    That answer surprised her. She had thought for sure it was a basic technique.

    ¡°It is difficult to attack with the aura.¡±

    ¡°Is it?¡±

    His waving tail was distinctly smug.

    ¡°Okay, okay. I get your point. I know how to do it so I should actually use it.¡±

    He pointed his finger at her heart, his tone firm, ¡°Attack is not torture. Use it wisely.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a way to subdue someone without killing them,¡± she realized.

    He nodded, ¡°Or to gain an advantage in a desperate fight.¡±

    She looked at Laius curious but hesitant to ask. If you learnt soul attacks by suffering continuous, constant soul attacks like soul torture, then had Laius had his soul tortured too?  Was he perhaps one that had suffered those unethical experiments and survived to tell the tale?

    ¡°Did you¡­?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No?¡±

    His smug aura grew stronger still.

    ¡°I trained.¡±

    The unsaid was that Laius was a genius and a hard worker at aura manipulation, which she picked up from his pride that shimmered like polished obsidian. No doubt it wasn¡¯t as simple as just ¡®training¡¯ but his implication wasn¡¯t that he had his aura forged by an unwilling plunge into a pool of pain an lava, but had put himself through dedicated, measured yet harsh training to reach the level he was at.

    It was reassuring to Nara that the most skilled individuals weren¡¯t all those who had just survived body trauma or soul-scarring pain.

    ¡°Practice.¡± He stared at her with the disapproval of a piano teacher that new their pupil wasn¡¯t practicing between lessons as she should.

    ¡°There are times for power and times for subtlety, I understand.¡±

    He nodded, satisfied with her conclusion.

 Chapter 133: Learning to Be Ninjas

    Chapter 133: Learning to Be Ninjas

    The next day, Laius showed up at the front of Nara¡¯s nebula house, guided in by Sage. She hadn¡¯t ever told him where it was, but he found her so easily he probably barely spared a thought. Even with the privacy protections built into the nebula house, Laius¡¯ perception punctured through like an infrared camera through forest cover.

    He couldn¡¯t quite hide his pleasure when he sat down on the comfortable furniture. The furniture Chelsea made was fit for gods, but the nebula furniture had the advantage of an aesthetic surprise. The full team hadn¡¯t met Laius yet, and introductions were in order.

    Nara gestured to the jet black and sleek leonid, built like a stealth bomber, ¡°This is Laius Sotir, one of the four at Innovation¡¯s Retreat. He¡¯s a brilliant cook, and my parkour and aura teacher.¡±

    ¡°Brilliant cook,¡± Chrome scoffed, his fist balled up, ¡°He¡¯s divine, short of a divine god of cooking.¡±

    ¡°Is there one?¡± Nara interjected curiously.

    ¡°Not on this world.¡± He said irritably at being interrupted. ¡°I have spent millennia cultivating my skills, but this young upstart has far surpassed me. I will not suffer this indignity.¡±

    ¡°Chrome you literally can¡¯t be the best in everything.¡±

    He clicked his tongue and looked away, unwilling to concede.

    Laius removed a few items from a dimensional pocket, setting them in front of Nara. She stared at the familiar objects with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

    ¡°Suppression collars?¡±

    ¡°Yes. For training.¡±

    They weren¡¯t the type for suppressing criminals, and could be easily self-removed, which brought a measure of peace. Encio had a few collars, his of varying degrees of restricted construction; some removable by oneself and others requiring a key.

    There were three of them, starting at bronze rank. Logically, the last one was a gold rank suppression collar.

    Eufemia pointed at that collar incredulously. ¡°Isn¡¯t that majorly restricted? Silver collars are one eye closed, but gold collars are another matter. Sezan¡¯s grandfather is the eternal exception, but not even gold rankers should be able to get their hands on them.¡±

    ¡°Amara can make them,¡± Laius said.

    ¡°Of course she can.¡± Eufemia said, annoyed at her own surprise.

    Aliyah furrowed her brow, ¡°The way to construct suppression collars are only taught to a select, trusted few.¡±

    ¡°She figured it out.¡±

    Aliyah was rendered silent, eye wide and mouth agape. Amara¡¯s specialty was eclectic, but if she had to be described, it was a combination of astral magic, reverse engineering, and artifice. Figuring out how to make a suppression collar if she had one on hand was solidly in her domain of expertise.

    ¡°But the material that makes them is¡ª¡±

    Laius shrugged, ¡°She has void iron.¡±

    Aliyah pressed a hand to her face, sighing deeply, ¡°I really hope the Adventure Society and Magic Society know about this.¡±

    Laius was nonchalant. ¡°They do.¡± He was messing with Aliyah. He pointed at the collars, ¡°They know about these.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Aliyah straightened, relieved. An untracked source of gold rank suppression collars was a danger, especially if the unscrupulous got their hands on one, ¡°They¡¯re letting a bronze ranker have them?¡±

    He folded his arms, arrogantly, ¡°They don¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    ¡°¡­Why?¡± Aliyah asked, once again nervous to know the answer.

    ¡°She¡¯ll make another.¡±

    ¡°Right. Take it away from Nara and she makes another. Of course.¡± Aliyah could imagine the Adventure Society¡¯s resignation over the topic and felt a sympathetic pang.

    Encio pressed his lips tightly in a line, thinking what was unsaid. They¡¯re letting her have them because her diamond ranked mentors are giving them to her. They¡¯d be foolish to take them away from her. What happens when an angry, famously good at combat diamond ranker shows up at their doorstep, demanding to know why the gift she had made for her student had been stolen by the Adventure Society? Best let sleeping dragons lay. The collars made for her were for training and were clearly more ornamental than of solid construction. They were ¡®easily¡¯ broken, and couldn¡¯t be locked. Their potential for misuse was low. Not that Nara was likely to misuse them in the first place, unless they were stolen.

    *****

    The set off, leaping across rooftops and Laius made them parkour with their new bronze rank attributes. Nara was a graceful doe, bounding across gaps and past obstructions with ease, even without using abilities. John floundered a bit, but he was much improved from his original middle-aged man, crack-your-back-if-you-bend-over-too-quickly level of personal fitness. He was perfectly fit now with an Olympian level physique along with the rest of the team. Compared to iron rankers, he was a dancer. Compared to Laius, he was a bear in a china shop.

    Laius appeared next to him, spinning him mid-air with a casual swipe, causing John to faceplant on the ground below. In a blink, he was next to John on the ground standing over him.

    ¡°Needs more work.¡±

    John pried himself off the ground like a pancake off a poorly oiled pan. He easily survived the fall; Laius knew he would. Bronze rank attributes and damage resistance meant he took far less damage from falls against ordinary material.

    ¡°I¡¯m the healer!¡± he groaned. ¡°This isn¡¯t my strong suit.¡±

    Laius casually grabbed him by the ankle, not sparing him any dignity, and tossed him back up to the roof. The crowd that had formed watch with curiosity and cheer as he formed a perfect parabola and landed at the top with a surprisingly gentle touch¡ªthe perfect angle and velocity.

    Laius was on the roof before John even landed.

    ¡°I will come by to train you all.¡±

    ¡°Ooh, to the retreat?¡± Nara said with a stupid and nostalgic grin.

    ¡°You are not exempt.¡±

    She mumbled expletives under her breath, but she turned to her team cheerily, ¡°Good news guys, we going to get some really good post-bronze conditioning. At the end of this, we¡¯ll all be ninjas.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a ninja?¡±

    ¡°Ninjas as a stealth specialist in my world that excel in acrobatics, assassination, spying, illusions, and ninjitsu. They have the ability to replace themselves with a wood log.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Laius launched a snap kick at her, which Nara managed to twist herself to dodge, flipping over to the opposite building in an acrobatic maneuver. He was keeping himself to bronze rank speed, and just a touch above to amp the challenge. He wasn¡¯t needlessly unreasonable, even if the thought crossed his mind against the too-smug bronze ranker.

    He curled his lip, approving of her nimbleness. ¡°Keep moving.¡±

    They made it to a plaza with dense enough with people that Laius was satisfied with it.

    ¡°Watch.¡±

    He used aura manipulation to redirect the perception of the people within the plaza. He had to weave through the crowd, since none noticed he was cutting perpendicularly through the foot traffic. He passed by them like a ghost. If he had stopped in place, someone would have run into him despite the fact a 7 foot tall jet black panther man stood out in the crowd of majority average height races.

    Then, he did the opposite. He walked through the crowd, and the sea of people parted around him subconsciously as if he were Moses. They still didn¡¯t realize he was there, but it was as if he manipulated that crowd psychology that caused people automatically move around dangerous objects or gross objects on the floor or walk around those, like city goers keeping their eyes down as they passed the person screaming on the streets or trying to hand out flyers.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Eufemia breathlessly gasped, ¡°What was that? His aura¡­what he let us see of it. That was amazing. They just didn¡¯t notice him at all. And that second thing¡ªthey avoided him even though they didn¡¯t notice him. How does that even work?¡±

    ¡°That,¡± Nara said, needlessly proud for she was neither master nor teacher, ¡°Is what we¡¯re all going to try to learn today.¡±

    John sucked in a breath, the most haggard of the group, ¡°This is crazy. I thought I knew what magic looked like, but this feels like someone¡¯s pulling my leg. How do they not notice him?¡±

    ¡°This is magic,¡± Nara said, ¡°And Laius is probably the best aura trainer I know.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the only aura trainer you know,¡± Eufemia pointed out, ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡±

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    She had, of course, accidentally named top 1 of a list that didn¡¯t exist.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying you know someone better?¡±

    ¡°No. The academy teachers are great and all, but they can¡¯t do that,¡± Eufemia said pointedly. Laius was now pretending to swim through the air, floating with gold rank power. The normal rankers who¡¯d normally take a stop and look didn¡¯t see him at all, despite his magical acrobatics. Even for a world of magic, a flying leonid juggling balls of shadow like some sort of jester for a dark court was still exciting.

    Laius moved so fast he vanished, in front of them again

    ¡°All applications of the same technique,¡± he said, ¡°Redirecting perception. Easier to do on those already not alert.¡±

    ¡°So, not useful for combat,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Useful for infiltration,¡± Eufemia added, ¡°I can see some¡­practical applications.¡±

    Laius nodded, ¡°You should learn well.¡±

    Laius didn¡¯t know Eufemia¡¯s ability set, but essences showed within the aura. The Adventure Society used a verification device, but unless it was hidden, anyone with above average aura control could read essences within an aura. Those that tempted death by using a Death Essence had to hope they also got an ability that allowed them to hide the identifying marks in their aura. Unfortunately, since it was such a necessity, most did.

    With just a cursory sense, Laius knew what Eufemia¡¯s role was on the team.

    He sent them off a shadow clone watching each of their progress, and offering advice as needed.

    ¡°Laius was the ninja the whole time,¡± observed Nara absentmindedly.

    Shadow Laius smacked her back with his tail, which had surprising power for a feline tail.

    ¡°Ow! What was that for.¡±

    ¡°Focus.¡±

    She grumbled, but turned her focus back to aura manipulation. As Laius critiqued, she forwent the aura misting. She spread her aura out normally, directing the people¡¯s perception to stream around her.

    She recalled how Laius performed his technique. It was a gentle hand, like the wind gently pushing against someone¡¯s back. All of what Laius had shown was the application of the same technique, just used in different ways. She was pulling the wool over their eyes, or leading them around her like a pied piper.

    ¡°Next.¡±

    She moved from her standing meditation, weaving through the crowd. No one actively tried avoid her, as if she was crossing a busy street in Bangkok. They didn¡¯t see her at all; if she stopped, they would have tripped over her.

    Off to the side, there was a yelp, and a Encio caught a lady in his arms, apologizing with a charming smile. She stumbled again, swooning in his arms. If she had died there, a fainting maiden in the arms of an unreal emerald eyed beauty, she would have died happy. Encio helped her up again with a little twirl and a swirl of skirts, and she was off on her way.

    Nara¡¯s smile was smug.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything,¡± he said.

    ¡°Finally, some¡ª¡±

    ¡°I said not to say anything.¡±

    ¡°¡ªthing you¡¯re not the best at.¡±

    He groaned, eyes narrowing in mild annoyance.

    Nara inclined her head while sidestepping another busy office worker.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing better than John at least.¡±

    Encio had better than average aura control. He used aura retraction to disappear during chaotic team fights, enabling him to launch a decisive blow when his abilities were off cooldown. As the healer, John never had an opportunity to apply aura retraction, and it clearly was not his strong suit. Aura retracted or not, healers were always a target.

    He stumbled and bumped into others. He had the same bronze rank handsomeness, looking like a middle-aged British fashion model with a muscular body and a warm and apologetic smile. While falling into Encio¡¯s arms was like wondering if you had died and ended up in the arms of an angel (or demon), falling into John¡¯s arms was the start of a Hallmark romantic comedy movie¡ªhe felt approachable and real. Unfortunately for the men and women that felt their hearts skip a beat and briefly imagined their potential futures together, he was a happily married man.

    Occasionally, a shadow Laius intervened, picking him up and swinging John to the side to prevent particularly disastrous collisions. He moved John off a ways from the throng of the crowd, instructing him slowly, having John step forwards for a test, and repeating the process.

    Sen had his own mild failures, but he was a better judge of his own mastery and control. When he¡¯d be successful, he made his way through. When his control started to slip, he retreated from the crowd.

    Eufemia was the next best after Nara, although she struggled to turn off her street instincts. She could already weave through a crowd unseen, and she needed to temporarily stop doing that without also using aura control. The exercise was about making others avoid her, or making others not perceive her at all. Being inherently good at avoiding detecting was getting the right answer by using the wrong equation. How she pulled off her crowd disappearing act with her brilliant appearance was a magic trick on its own. As far as Nara could tell, it was a subtle application of shifting her gait, the way she stood, and her overall impression. She transformed herself from a shining ruby celestine into just another busy citizen. Combined with her actual magic transformation abilities, Eufemia could lose a silver ranker in a crowd, as long as they weren¡¯t a tracking specialist.

    Aliyah was bottom of the team, together with John. Neither her aura control, physical combat, or bodily control were resume worthy. Her learning was methodical¡ªshe tried out a method of perception manipulation. When it didn¡¯t work, she adjusted her method. It was too exacting for a non-physical force and expression of the soul, but it was Aliyah¡¯s method. Combat and aura control was an art, not a science, and Aliyah struggled in her own way to make it work. She wasn¡¯t successful on the first day. Laius could only shake his head and tell her to keep practicing.

    Laius¡¯ clones gathered the group at the edge of the plaza.

    ¡°One more task. Have her suppress all of your auras.¡±

    Nara frowned, unwilling to do so.

    ¡°Complaints?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel right.¡±

    He smacked her with his tail again.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Nara sulk and rubbed her hip where she was smacked. She had no idea how a flesh-tail could smack with so much force!

    ¡°Have the stronger aura suppress the weaker auras. Have the weaker auras resist. Good practice for all,¡± he said. ¡°Requires trust.¡±

    He stood expectantly, waiting for her answer. There was only one way she could respond and couldn¡¯t out stubborn her mentor who was in the right.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll practice with them.¡±

    *****

    As the rest of the team learned and Laius had figured out, if they could weasel out a verbal promise from Nara, she was very likely to fulfill it. Nara didn¡¯t care if she lied to strangers, but lying to friends made her feel guilty. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. She¡¯d avoid speaking the whole truth, she¡¯d leave out details, but Nara was very bad at blatant lying.

    Sanshi still had more to offer the team, and they would not depart for Kallid until after the year¡¯s end. They would go by nebula boat on the ocean, passing by Fenhu territory on the west coast. From the city of Huxin, one of the large trading cities of Fenhu, they¡¯d pass through Atilsalhaya, the central crossing. Through the crossing, they¡¯d pass into the Tier-Media Sea, and stop in the city-state of Akripodia. To the west of Akripodia of the Tier-Media Sea, the ambient magic was too high for the team to travel by boat. They¡¯d purchase passage on a passenger ship, and sail to Esmera-Mar. After visiting Sezan and Wisteria in Esmera-Mar, they¡¯d head to Saggia to visit Encio¡¯s parents and they De Luca Academy.

    ¡°Why are we visiting this academy?¡± Nara asked, ¡°Do your parents work there?¡±

    ¡°They do,¡± Encio nodded. ¡°The De Luca Academy run by my father¡¯s side of the family. My father married into the Aciano family and took my mother¡¯s last name.¡±

    ¡°The De Luca family? I¡¯ve heard of them before,¡± Eufemia said. She had a great memory for names, unlike Nara, and kept track of who the important people to remember in society were.

    Encio¡¯s face was caught between joking boastfulness and slight sheepishness, as if he couldn¡¯t choose a single response, ¡°The De Luca family is a noble family of the Rona Kingdom.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s palms slapped the table with a bang, and she sprang to her feet. ¡°So you are actually a noble!¡±

    ¡°No!¡± He fervently denied, ¡°I¡¯m part of the Aciano family. Honorary nobles, not real nobles.¡±

    Eufemia rolled her eyes at the technicality. ¡°Sophistry.¡±

    Nara¡¯s smile was teasing, ¡°You are genuine blue blood. Generational nobility.¡±

    He raised his arm threateningly. ¡°Do you want to cut my arm and see?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already seen your blood. Even if my house will absorb it, I don¡¯t want your blood all over the furniture. Does that make my house carnivorous? Can it eat people?¡±

    ¡°Do you want to check?¡± Aliyah offered. ¡°I could source a cadaver.¡±

    ¡°I can too,¡± Eufemia said with her arms crossed, ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee the quality, but it¡¯d be cheaper.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a competition, Eufemia,¡± John grimaced, ¡°and I¡¯m not sure you want to win this one.¡±

    ¡°No to both of you! I¡¯m sure circumstances will have a monster show up at my doorstep at some point. So, your father¡¯s side of the family runs an academy?¡± Nara said, directly the conversation back to Encio. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re so knowledgeable about essences and stuff?¡±

    ¡°And stuff?¡± Encio raised an eyebrow, mildly amused to be so diminished.

    ¡°Sen is knowledgeable too and his family doesn¡¯t run a school,¡± John pointed out. ¡°They do seem like some sort of generational paramilitary family, which I know well enough not to get into. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they had a training program.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s somewhat accurate,¡± Sen said, ¡°We have training schools for Arlang and their team members. It¡¯s efficient to train the whole team together¡ªcommon tactics, baseline strategy, efficient resource and mirage chamber usage. It¡¯s unnecessary here in Sanshi; Arlang branches in other cities have more extensive training compounds.¡±

    ¡°So, was this an arranged marriage?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°No, it was a marriage of love,¡± Encio said, a smile played over the features at the thought of his parents, who he had a good relationship with. ¡°One that worked out well, admittedly. The Rona Kingdom is assured that Sezan has familial ties to the kingdom. Sezan has some genuine political force to utilize if he doesn¡¯t want to get heavy handed¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªmeaning death,¡± Eufemia coughed out.

    His returning look was disapproving. ¡°¡ªThe kingdom is incentivized to maintain this harmony, so the De Luca family gained considerable political status after the union.¡±

    ¡°The Rona Kingdom has a diamond ranker, don¡¯t they?¡±

    Encio nodded, ¡°They do. Not just one. Diamond rankers are rare, but when they¡¯re needed, they¡¯ll show up.¡±

    ¡°Encio,¡± Nara said slowly, ¡°Have you gotten marriage proposals from the royal family?¡±

    He looked away.

    ¡°He definitely has,¡± Eufemia crooned at her victory. ¡°You¡¯re the second son of your family, right?¡±

    Encio¡¯s older sister had died, but he still had another older brother, Hadrian.

    ¡°He¡¯s not married yet,¡± Encio denied. ¡°My grandfather has been strictly against any royalty trying to impose marriages on us. And,¡± he stressed, ¡°I¡¯m not actually¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªtechnically,¡± Eufemia amended, smug.

    ¡°Not strictly a noble,¡± Encio said, resigned.

    ¡°An honorary one,¡± Eufemia said in a joke-mocking tone.

    ¡°But we¡¯ll get to meet your family, besides Sezan. That¡¯s exciting! I¡¯ve really only met some of Sen¡¯s family. I haven¡¯t seen you¡¯re family, Aliyah, even though they live in the area.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re ordinary folk but I could introduce you if you¡¯d like,¡± she offered.

    ¡°Of course. That feels right, you know? I feel like I should know my teammates¡¯ families. We live and die together. If I was a parent, I¡¯d want to know who my kid is running off with to a foreign country.¡±

    Aliyah chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s not as you imagine, Nara. I¡¯m the adventurer and the authority on this matter, and an adult of my own decisions. My mother and father are core users. They don¡¯t have any say over my activities, any more than any average parents have for their children. It may be different for Sen¡¯s and Encio¡¯s family, but we¡¯ve been together until now, into bronze rank. It¡¯d be detrimental to break up a working team now. If they had any complaints, they should have been made moths ago.¡±

    ¡°My family lets us decide,¡± Sen confirmed. ¡°There is no opposition from my side from the beginning.¡±

    The team turned to Encio, who had an unusual guiltless grin on his face.

    ¡°Sezan knows,¡± he said with baseless confidence.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Nara said suspiciously, ¡°And your parents?¡±

    ¡°Sezan must have told them,¡± he said with a reassuring smile accomplished the opposite.

    ¡°Encio, you may want to think about sending your parents a letter,¡± John offered with the tone of an exasperated teacher. ¡°Do they even know where you are?¡±

    He smiled, saying nothing, yet saying everything.

    ¡°What is wrong with this world?¡± John said with a sigh, ¡°A bunch of kids run off to go fight monsters. There¡¯s astonishing little adult supervision.¡±

    Encio raised a brow. ¡°By our world¡¯s definition, all of us are adults.¡±

    ¡°And by our world¡¯s definition, even Sen is a legal adult. If it makes you feel better, John you are the adult supervision,¡± Nara said, grin wide, ¡°You¡¯re even the healer!¡±

    He frowned but found himself unable to retort. His middle-class, stable family origins were biasing him. It was inadvisable, but some young adults of 18 did stake it out on their own, unwillingly or willingly.

    ¡°I¡¯m the chaperone?¡± He was distraught.

    ¡°No,¡± Sen denied, who, on the matter of the team¡¯s leadership, rarely joked. ¡°We¡¯re all equal members of this team. John, you are not the team¡¯s minder.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the one getting minded,¡± Eufemia corrected with a wave. ¡°Whenever anybody is in danger all his calm reasoning vanishes and I¡¯m left dragging him by the collar and holding him back. Did you really think for a moment you¡¯re the adult in team?¡±

    ¡°Well yes, Eufemia, I was under the impression I am an adult,¡± John said sourly, but his smile was fond.

 Chapter 134: Family and Friends

    Chapter 134: Family and Friends

    The next morning, the team had a relaxed breakfast. Several members of the team had taken to reading The Adventurer¡¯s Tidings along with Nara and Encio. In her portable mailbox, Nara also received two additional messages. Beyond her subscriptions, Lee Hu was one of the few people who sent her messages (about her sponsors), so it came as a rare surprise to see two other senders. Ah, the benefits of magical mailing¡ªa complete lack of junk mail.

    For those without fixed residences, a portable mailbox was issued. Nara had registered her team¡¯s active residence at the relevant government office at her portside lot, and they would send out messengers to deliver the mail. Anything non-critical was delivered on a weekly basis, while important messages or ordinary mail could be expedited for a fee. Alternatively, she could check the mailing office if she wanted to receive something early that was waiting for the weekly send out.

    ¡°What do you have there?¡± Encio said, peeking over the table at what Nara held in her hands.

    ¡°An invitation to the Invention Society, and a letter from Amara.¡±

    ¡°Oooh?¡± Encio murmured, curious.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a Craft Society?¡± Eufemia said, still focused on her own reading but absently participating in the table¡¯s discussion.

    ¡°They¡¯re not the same,¡± Encio said, ¡°although they work closely together. The Invention Society is focused on practical applications of artifice, magic, and engineering, as well as contract rights associated with research and business. The Craft Society is who you commission to organize and make complicated artifacts and objects. Your crafter eccentric, Henri, should be in the Craft Society.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s probably not.¡± Knowing Henri and his penny pinching, obsessive, introverted ways, he¡¯d probably never thought to join.

    ¡°You should probably withhold funds until he does,¡± he suggested pleasantly.

    ¡°R&D versus manufacturing,¡± John said with an understanding nod, looking more profound in his posture than he really was.

    ¡°R&D?¡±

    ¡°Research and Development on our world. Most large corporations in our world had an R&D department.¡±

    ¡°What does the invitation say?¡± Encio said, crowding close again.

    She smacked him lightly with the mail. ¡°If you¡¯d stop pestering me with questions, I could finish reading it.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you do both? Hurry it up.¡± Eufemia said, accepting no bullshit.

    With a higher spirit attribute came increased mental capabilities. Reading and simultaneously sustaining a conversation, even if poorly done, was possible at normal rank, so doing so at bronze rank was a given.

    Nara grumbled, but finished reading the invitation and the letter. She handed the invitation to Encio once she had finished for him to read as well.

    ¡°Basically,¡± Nara started, ¡°My inventions and my joint projects are already registered with the Church of Knowledge.¡± A shrug. ¡°Can¡¯t hide anything from them. Amara, Chelsea, and Henri are adding me as a joint inventor-developer of the stuff I¡¯ve made with them. And another two things Redell is registering me as the sole inventor of. I¡¯ve already qualified to join the Invention Society, so it¡¯s just benefits if I do. Access to mediators, crafters, supplies, etcetera.¡±

    ¡°Your inventions will be made public?¡± John asked, concerned. ¡°Is that wise? Hadn¡¯t we tried to keep on the mum this whole hullabaloo?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve already kidnapped me once so there isn¡¯t a point in keeping it secret anymore,¡± Nara reasoned.  ¡°According to Amara, since I¡¯m already target, I might as well gain the public reputation as well as income generation if I decide to make a contract to produce and sell the inventions. She also says it¡¯ll be useful in Rowen.¡±

    ¡°Why does that matter?¡± John asked.

    ¡°You might want to read this letter, Eufemia,¡± Nara said, handing it to her. ¡°The part that¡¯s from Chelsea,¡± she specified.

    Eufemia¡¯s brows furrowed, and she took the letter. Her gaze only deepened as time passed, and the breakfast table was quiet in anticipation.

    Eufemia sighed, and handed the letter back to Nara.

    ¡°My father is in Rowen,¡± she said.

    ¡°Hold on a minute and fill me in. How did Chelsea know about your parents?¡± John asked.

    ¡°He¡¯s not being very secretive. It says he¡¯s become a minor noble in the Rowen Kingdom through some inventions. The type of noble that bought their title.¡±

    The Rowen Kingdom valued invention, research, engineering, improvements, and production. Like the Athens of old, it was the world center for the spreading of ideas, information, and innovation. It surpassed Rona in population, taking the spot as the most populous nation in the world.

    ¡°Minor isn¡¯t quite right,¡± Nara said. ¡°His actual noble status is minor, but apparently, he¡¯s made a killing on his invention. He¡¯s rich and being rich makes him a big name in politics. Probably cored himself up to silver rank.¡±

    ¡°And he¡¯s part of the pro-war faction,¡± Eufemia said with an unusually serious expression.

    ¡°Pro-war faction? What¡¯s all this about?¡±

    A crystal board was conjured behind them, and Encio stood to write on it, completely in sync with Nara¡¯s intentions.

    ¡°The pro-war faction is the faction of Rowen politics that seeks to annihilate Nekroz. There¡¯s varying degrees of extremity, from complete annihilation to just wiping out their organizational structure,¡± Enio explained. ¡°They believe that as things stand, the undead threat will continue to grow. The incident with Siyu is evidence that they¡¯ve extended their reach and influence beyond their borders.¡±

    Encio drew another word onto the board. ¡°The pro-accord faction is the faction of Rowen that seeks an amicable resolution with the undead threat.¡±

    ¡°An amicable resolution, is that even possible?¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°Nekroz has their own internal politics, as John and Eufemia mentioned. The common folk want relief from the oppression of the high ranking undead. Low ranking vampires don¡¯t kill anybody, just take their blood. There¡¯s a division in political ideology between the high rank and lower ranks of Nekroz.¡±

    ¡°The rich versus poor¡ª¡±

    ¡°The traditionalists and the progressives,¡± Encio added, his perspective a tad different.

    ¡°A tale as old as time,¡± Nara concluded.

    ¡°We¡¯ve established that it¡¯s possible,¡± Encio said, twirling his pen, ¡°but it¡¯s unlikely. Many people have grievances against vampires. Those that allow themselves to be turned are no exception, even if they haven¡¯t killed anybody. How many would allow themselves to be turned if they weren¡¯t hunted down for immortal life?¡±

    ¡°A lot of people,¡± Nara said. ¡°In our world there¡¯s plenty of stories on the price people would pay for eternal life.¡±

    Encio nodded. ¡°Such stories exist here. Many would choose to become vampires for eternal life, no matter the consequences. They would upset the balance of the world for their own gain; Once the undead become too many and too powerful, they would cease to cooperate.¡±

    ¡°Why restrain your blood intake and slow your progress if you are the majority power of the world,¡± Eufemia muttered darkly.

    ¡°It is a self-fueling path to destruction,¡± said Encio. ¡°What begins agelessness, grows into a lust for more: more political power, more people like their own. Even if its just a fraction, as undead, their numbers will grow with no natural death to curtail them.¡±

    ¡°Unless they¡¯re killed,¡± Eufemia said flatly.

    ¡°The pro-accord faction isn¡¯t so half-baked,¡± Encio said. ¡°They understand that without severe restrictions, the undead will become an uncontrollable problem. Their overall goal is to control Nekroz to stymie the influence of the undead. By offering peaceful resolution, the current population is incentivized to work with them against their rulers. They get to keep their lives, even if they aren¡¯t allowed to create more vampires or undead.¡±

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Their intentions aren¡¯t purely amicable,¡± John pondered. ¡°They want to fracture Nekroz from the inside out.¡±

    ¡°The pro-accord faction wouldn¡¯t be allowed to exist if their intentions were to enrich the power of undeath,¡± Encio said reasonably. ¡°Rowen is the closest nation to Nekroz. Many may, like Eufemia, have relatives that are undead.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s her father part of the pro-war faction then?¡± John asked, sipping on a very dark tea that was almost coffee-like, but would never taste quite the same. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Mr. Teresina be pro-accord?¡±

    ¡°I said many are pro-accord, not all. This is just speculation, but he may have a stipulation to his support of the pro-war faction. For example, preserving the lives of his wife and daughter. He¡¯s an important political force, so promising to save their lives is but a small concession.¡±

    ¡°Alternatively,¡± Aliyah said, ¡°The pro-accord faction may not be moving fast enough for him. Peace is brokered slowly. For a father that misses his wife and daughter, it must feel torturous.¡± She cast her glance at John, who shared a similar plight from the flip side of the coin. ¡°What sort of man is your father, Eufemia?¡±

    ¡°I¡­don¡¯t know.¡± Eufemia began, unusually subdued. ¡°I was taken by my mother to Nekroz when I was 12¡­It¡¯s been 14 years since then. Last I remember, he was an indecisive, unreliable man.¡± She nearly spat those words, clear with her unresolved love and resentment. ¡°Someone who made promises but never fulfilled them¡­I can remember each time an invention failed, we moved into smaller and smaller houses, further and further away from the shine of the city. Each time he took money from our savings he would apologize and promise this time he¡¯d succeed. By the time we were living in a wooden shack at the outskirts of the city, my mother had enough and left.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Eufemia,¡± John said, and offered a comforting one-armed side-hug.

    Eufemia sighed. Her feelings for both parents were tied up in a knot with no ends to unravel it from. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I resent him or even if I want to see him. I do but I also don¡¯t. Maybe he¡¯s a changed person now. Maybe he¡¯s a successful fancy inventor. He still failed us when we needed him. And then my mother failed me.¡±

    ¡°I could be good to see him,¡± John said. ¡°Sort out your own feelings, for your own benefit. A resolution.¡±

    A part of him, as a father, would want to see his daughter. He understood her father¡¯s guilt and his need to right a wrong¡ªone that couldn¡¯t be righted. This was about Eufemia, however, and what she should do should be for herself.

    ¡°Sorry to derail the sentiment train, but it¡¯s probably better if we don¡¯t,¡± Nara said, waving the letter.

    Eufemia nodded, ¡°If the long lost daughter shows up in Rowen who people think was his sole motivation to join the pro-war faction shows up, what do you think will happen, John?¡±

    ¡°Does it really need to be this complicated? It¡¯s just a daughter seeing her father,¡± he said wistfully.

    ¡°Nothing is simple when it comes to politics, John,¡± Eufemia said, admonishing, falling back into the familiar dynamic of ¡®oh, silly John¡¯.

    ¡°The pro-war faction might abduct her or even try to assassinate her,¡± Encio said. ¡°They¡¯ll try to prevent contact at all costs.¡±

    ¡°How about a letter?¡± Nara said, ¡°Couldn¡¯t you send him a letter?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you read your letter from Chelsea first? She said not to do anything until we¡¯re silver rank.¡±

    Rowen was a high magic zone, a region frequented by silver rank adventurers. Gold rank adventurers were found in greater numbers in Rowen, especially compared to Sanshi were a single gold ranker was normally hard to spot, barring priests.

    ¡°Is sending a letter really that dangerous?¡± John asked. This, at least, wasn¡¯t a silly enough question for Eufemia to rib him for it.

    ¡°It depends on how much power her father really has,¡± Encio said. ¡°Whether he¡¯s in control of his surroundings and subordinates or not. He may be rich, influential, and have a strong reputation in Rowen thanks to his invention¡ª¡±

    ¡°What is his invention anyway?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not what he invented it¡¯s what he improved,¡± Aliyah said, removing one of those updating magic plaques onto the table. ¡°Here: A miniaturized magic battery.¡±

    ¡°Miniaturized?¡±

    ¡°The large ones, or rather, normal ones are used to power expensive arrays during monster surges,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°These miniaturized ones have a much smaller capacity, but they¡¯re unmatched in versatility.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t things just run off ambient magic? Why would you need miniaturized magic batteries?¡±

    ¡°Some artifacts can, others cannot,¡± Aliyah explained. ¡°Spirit coins are concentrated magic, as are mana batteries. Many artifacts require a higher mana concentration, even if ambient magic would normally be enough to operate the device. The mana the miniaturized mana battery provides is at a concentration much higher than the ambient, even if it contains less than a typical mana battery.¡±

    ¡°What about spirit coins?¡±

    ¡°The prevalent issue with spirit coins is that they usually require periodic and manual re-application, either through rituals or some other method. Spirit coins refueling is more expensive than concentrating ambient magic down into a battery.¡±

    ¡°Gotta fuel the fire. So the mana battery is a more efficient, more versatile, automatic, and cheaper version of a spirit coin?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rather simplified, but accurate enough for our purposes of understanding. The downside is the time and specialty equipment needed to charge a mana battery. Also, active arrays cannot use spirit coins to fuel them. Spirit coins can only be added to an array at its activation. Arrays that run out of ambient magic to fuel them need either mana lamps to passively gather magic, or a mana battery to fuel them, although using a mana battery requires specialty installments.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s one hell of an invention,¡± Nara said, thinking out loud. ¡°Automation goes a long way. The less manual steps needed, the easier production becomes. This world¡¯s energy storage technology far outpaces their ability to use it. One day, the technology might catch up to what this guy really just invented.¡±

    Nara had an unsaid promise with Knowledge, so she didn¡¯t say anything more, even with Aliyah¡¯s almost feverish piercing gaze.

    ¡°Back to the more important subject,¡± Sen said, ¡°Eufemia¡¯s father.¡±

    Encio nodded, continuing his explanation, ¡°We have no grasp on your father¡¯s political mastery. Based on what Eufemia has to say about him, it¡¯s likely his subordinates are compromised. Unless he receives his communications directly, we should assume they¡¯re being read.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯d go that far?¡±

    ¡°Frankly, that would be an unusual and intrusive level of observation, even for a rich political player. Without detailed information of the situation, it¡¯s risky to make any move.¡±

    ¡°And unless we¡¯re silver rank, what moves we make aren¡¯t going to matter anyway.¡±

    ¡°I can try portaling to Rowen and getting a lay of the land. I¡¯m not as politically astute as Encio or Sen but, I can see what I can do. I might be able to sneak into his office and hand him a letter personally, if that¡¯s what you want Eufemia. No promises though. What do you all think?¡±

    ¡°Do not attempt breaking and entering until we understand the situation, Nara,¡± Sen said, ¡°Otherwise, it¡¯s the best we can do. We¡¯ll be relying on you Nara.¡±

    She nodded, ¡°Leave it to me.¡±

    *****

    After the morning discussion, the team dispersed to their own individual projects, training, and tasks. The end of the year festivities were fast approaching. With Nara¡¯s portal, they could complete quick contracts, but they kept mostly to the city. Her portal range was still low, everyone was looking forward to a party. John and Nara weren¡¯t the only two who wanted to experience the best of what Sanshi had to offer.

    ¡°Benefactor, you have a guest. Shall I direct him inside?¡±

    She sighed, and rubbed her temple. It was Malik waiting outside. She could sense his aura from here.

    ¡°I may not have been direct enough last night.¡±

    ¡°Benefactor, you were slightly inebriated.¡±

    ¡°I really can¡¯t ever date a 19 year old.¡±

    ¡°You say that and try to pair your 26 year old teammate with the 19 year old one,¡± Chrome scoffed telepathically.

    ¡°Firstly, they¡¯re not romantic. Secondly, I was joking. Thirdly, this world has their own standards. Fourthly, essences¡­¡±

    She paused.

    Essences do something to the mind.

    When a person gains an essence ability, they gain all that¡¯s necessary to use that ability. An ability to breathe fire would include, during the time of the ability, protection against burning their own throat. Extending that line of thought, would essences not grant the inherent mindset necessary to use essence abilities in the first place? To use them against targets? Living beings? Not everyone was suited to fighting monsters long term as an adventurer, but even those without training such as core users could use their own abilities against monsters in order to defend themselves.

    She¡¯s heard snippets from Chelsea and Jago that essences have some sort of influence on the soul. She didn¡¯t feel like she wasn¡¯t herself, but that first time she fought that wolf, she hadn¡¯t hesitated to get physical and bloody. Was it purely self-preservation, or something else? How would she know?

    ¡°Anyway, guide him in Sage. I¡¯ll properly turn him down this time.¡±

    Malik walked in guided by Sage, somehow simultaneously confident and nervous.

    Nara sighed again, dreading this upcoming conversation.

    He sat down across from her on the outdoor patio. It wasn¡¯t visible, but barriers that isolated sound prevented their conversation from leaking if anyone was around. He deserved privacy.

    ¡°Sanshi¡¯s greetings, Nara.¡±

    ¡°Greetings, Malik.¡±

    She could already feel a knot develop where her stomach once was at his cautious optimism.

    ¡°Malik, I¡¯m sorry you¡¯ve come all this way to hear this.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t even said anything and you¡¯re turning me down?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I wasn¡¯t clear enough last night, but I¡¯m not looking for a relationship right now. If you¡¯re looking for something romantic or more than friends, you won¡¯t find it. Not only because of my situation, the age difference, but that¡¯s just the way I am. As lukewarm as room temperature milk.¡±

    He was downcast at first. His first crush, crushed in turn. He had barely seen the path before him before it was cruelly swept away by high winds, ripped up from the ground with decisive violence.

    But Malik Fenhu was a Fenhu. He understood when it was time to step back. If age was a problem, he would wait, if he wanted. Would his small love last the years? He knew what she was thinking without voicing it. He was a son of a powerful and rich family, renowned worldwide. She was a passing interest. After 5 years, no doubt another beautiful lady would have caught his eye. She was just one of many. There were plenty of strong, interesting, and passionate adventurers out there. Beyond her outworlder origins, she wasn¡¯t unique.

    ¡°I understand,¡± he said calmly, putting up the strongest front he could muster, ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    ¡°Sage, if you could guide our guest?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Malik said, a tad sharp. ¡°I know the way.¡±

    His steps quickened out of view to match the rate of his pounding heart. He sucked in a breath, suppressing the burning in his eyes. She may have just been his first crush, the woman he liked, but it still hurt.

    He remember the way she advocated to help Raja and the others during the Adventurer Society examination, despite their insulting and arrogant behavior. He liked the way her fingers glided over her moon-string lute, when she hummed a tune no one else recognized. Or, how her face lit up when she played a jaunty tune for the workers during the Stone Forest expedition. Her face was normally blank, but face animated like a statue given life whenever she ate food she enjoyed. He liked how she listened to the outer, Zariel, and offered what help she could.

    He wandered blankly into a park; his head deep underwater in his own thoughts and emotions. Sounds and voices were distant and muddled.

    He sat down, and shortly after, a familiar aura sat down beside him.

    ¡°No luck, huh?¡± Aina said softly.

    He shook his head.

 Chapter 135: Feeling Like a ClichèŒ…

    Chapter 135: Feeling Like a Clich¨¦

    The next day Nara paid a visit to the Invention Society. It was likewise located in downtown Sanshi, where most Societies headquartered their main building. While the Adventure Society and Magic Society often had simple outposts to conduct business, the lesser societies did not. There were only so many inventors, and they didn¡¯t need access to the society on a daily basis.

    The Invention Society was similar in construction to the Adventure Society. It was 5 stories tall, with sloping glazed roof awnings and elegant architecture of Sanshi¡¯s downtown but lacked the Adventure Society¡¯s characteristic marshaling yard and notice board.

    Compared to the Magic Society, the atmosphere was less hectic. The Magic Society was constantly bustling with business, from requests for maintenance, verification, research, and rituals. Magic was used in almost every aspect of Erras¡¯ society, both currency and power source. Magic Society members could make a living solely from the maintenance of arrays and as ritualists: Not all participated in Research as Aliyah did. Nara wondered if it was time for the Magic Society to split into another society to delegate some services, but such politics were trouble, and the Magic Society wasn¡¯t likely to give that influence up.

    She stepped through the doors and immediately noticed the lower ratio of essence users. At bronze rank, she conversely stood out. She was immediately greeted by an official, a bronze rank one, like her.

    He was an older man, showing only slightly in his features. There was an aspect of age detectable in auras, and he was older than he looked, in his sixties rather than in his thirties as he appeared.

    He had dark tan skin, as if he grew up at the shorelines of a hot and sandy region. He had smooth and wavy black hair, and eyes caught between blue and black like they were black pearls plucked from an oceanic abyss. His facial hair was full and neatly maintained, making him look like a dark-skinned sea spirit.

    ¡°Sanshi¡¯s greetings,¡± he said with a small bow, ¡°I am Niram Wu, an Invention Society¡¯s mediator and invention custodian.¡± He maintained the professional tone that Nara expected from society functionaries.

    ¡°Nara Edea. Were you expecting me?¡± she observed.

    ¡°I have been assigned as you liaison with the Invention Society. If you would follow me to a meeting room, we can discuss matters further.¡±

    She did, weaving through the hallways past large archive rooms, rentable workrooms, meeting rooms, and large test rooms. Along the way, he introduced some of the facilities of the Invention Society. A records room, where inventions and their details were listed. A smaller materials auction, although they could not buy and sell awakening stones and essences. They didn¡¯t have the facilities to prevent theft of them, so the Adventure Society was the best place to keep and sell high value manifestations of magic. However, the society had a collaborative relationship with the Adventure Society and functionaries would purchase essences and awakening stones to deliver them to you, as needed. Essences were used in high level crafting¡ªit was uncommon for inventors, who usually innovated with common materials, but the option was there, as well as a path to gaining essences once you had enough funds to afford them.

    The functions of the Invention Society largely benefitted those that did not own their own workshops and space unlike how Amara, Henri, and Nara did. The rentable workrooms were sturdy, well supplied, and relatively inexpensive. Clients were billed for any used materials, but the tools available were some that others could not purchase. The sturdy test rooms had protections in place to prevent accident, and the walls were reinforced to prevent damage.

    They additionally had tools for detecting lies, important for disputes and accusations of theft. If an invention was created simultaneously without theft, that was a separate issue and the job of mediators.

    Niram led her into a nicely furnished meeting room, with warm tea and simple snacks waiting on the table for the two of them. The room was pleasant, with decorative plants, art, and the vibrant draperies of red, blue, and yellow that Sanshi was known for. This was a nicer meeting room than the typical, Nara noted, and she realized she had reached the point in her journey in this world where she deserved some level of VIP treatment on her own merits. Her Edea surname may have something to do with it, but Nara liked to believe that what she had now was truly her own.

    The two sat across from each other, and Nirma got down to business promptly. He spoke in a measured, even tone, clear and calm, indicative of his experience with complicated negotiations and official meetings.

    ¡°In the past two weeks, several submissions have listed you, Nara Edea, as the primary or secondary inventor of inventions. The primary inventor, when no secondary inventors are listed, has primary ownership and decision making power over the invention or discovery at hand. This is complicated by the status of one of your inventions, which is listed as restricted, but that will be discussed in depth later. Primary ownership means that, for a period of time, no one can make or improve your invention¡ªlegally. With primary ownership, you gain the highest percentage of profit from any crafts, should you choose to sell the right to manufacture your invention, for applicable inventions. This exact percentage is negotiated with the craftsmen, with the mediators if you so choose for our assistance, at a fee, but you have the power to deny any negotiations if you are unsatisfied, and seek your own avenues of production. You may rest assured that, according to regulations, we will not impede your dealings if you choose to create your own contracts regarding your invention, and the right to your invention still holds even if done outside of the authority of the Invention Society.¡±

    He paused to see if Nara had understood his explanation so far.

    ¡°Why only for a period of time?¡±

    ¡°It is the policy of the Church of Creation that you cannot hold permanent ownership of an invention if it is not improved upon, and we abide by this policy. The base duration is 10 years, although this duration can be extended with the submission of ongoing research. As you are primarily an Adventurer, miss Edea, you can designate the right to improve your invention to others. This is the third tier, tertiary ownership. As the primary owner, you can remove anyone from tertiary ownership at any time, although contract limitations may prevent this.¡±

    ¡°Ah, they don¡¯t want their help stolen then get kicked out of the profits.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Their share of any profits generated are determined, once again, through contracts. If you have no intentions to improve an invention, is it best left to a tertiary inventor to improve upon your inventions. You can, of course, remove this right after a contract period if you wish to improve upon your invention on your once again, or you may improve your invention simultaneously. There are no limits to innovation. Similarly, if your project is wide-ranging and requires extensive set up for business, you may receive an ownership extension.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes its hard to improve something without implementation,¡± Nara noted.

    He removed a magical tablet from his dimensional bag, and handed it to Nara, ¡°This is a record of the regulations for the ownership of inventions. It¡¯s rather extensive, but a short summary is that as long as you are setting up your business or working on improvements, there is no need to worry about losing ownership. There is leeway in being late, we are not strict as long as there is improvements in the end. The intention is to promote innovation, not to remove your rights to your inventions.¡±

    ¡°I see. That¡¯s a good policy.¡±

    ¡°Now, regarding secondary ownership. You may dispute secondary ownership if you are unsatisfied with your status as secondary owner. You can have joint primary ownership of an invention, if you choose. You have been listed as joint primary on two inventions¡ªthe mana-cycle and the ritual stylus. Additionally, you have primary ownership over the boom whacker and soul-song communion.¡±

    ¡°So, I don¡¯t actually have a secondary inventor designation?¡± Nara tried to recall what could have been listed as her invention. Soul-song communion was the first, then the boom whackers for Redell, the ritual stylus for Amara, and the mana-cycle for Chelsea. Laius¡¯ cookbook wasn¡¯t an invention; if she wanted it published, that¡¯d be through a different society.

    ¡°No, but it is prudent so I will explain. Secondary inventors do not have the right to sell the invention, aside from certain exceptions. They will inherit primary ownership if the primary owner forfeits ownership or otherwise loses it. They will, however, always receive a percentage of profits from contracts. Their percentage is determined by the percentage the primary earns, and it is divided between all secondary inventors.¡±

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°So, they cannot be excluded by the primary.¡±

    ¡°That is correct. If you have a dispute about being excluded as being a secondary inventor where you believe you have a right to secondary ownership, you can submit a dispute to the Invention Society regardless of membership. The rules and procedures for this are included in the reference book. While in a dispute, living expenses are given to the plaintiff. If the dispute is found valid, the primary owner may have ownership revoked, downgraded, or unchanged depending on the severity of the accusation, and owed profits must be paid to the plaintiff. If the dispute is invalid, the plaintiff must pay back the living expenses, and their ability to dispute that invention will be rejected. Subsequent failures may result in a suspension of the ability to dispute ownership of an invention for increasingly long period of time and the denial of living expenses during the process. Since you are either sole or joint primary owner of your inventions, you can dispute contracts if you so wish.¡±

    Nara looked at the invention ownership papers handed to her.

    ¡°I trust Amara and Chelsea, so I¡¯ll go along with whatever decision they negotiate. And Henri¡­maybe check in with me or the others first.¡± She felt a little bad about the impingement on Henri¡¯s character, but he wasn¡¯t very responsible with finances.

    He nodded, making a note in a file.

    ¡°Since you are an Adventure Society member, any contract earnings can be withdrawn from either Invention Society branches or Adventure Society branches. Funds can also be directed to the Labor, Crafts, or any other Society as needed. Within the tablet are lists of which Societies we can transfer funds to free of cost, and which we charge a fee for. For those you are a direct member of, the fee is waived regardless of their status of cooperation with us.¡±

    He smiled at her before continuing, ¡°While I have just delivered a rather lengthy explanation on primary and secondary ownership rights, your two solo primary inventions fall outside the norm.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°I shall begin with the boom whackers.¡±

    Nara was impressed with his ability to say ¡®boom whackers¡¯ with a straight face, but Niram was unflinchingly professional.

    ¡°An exception of the innovation requirement is for something we consider ¡®complete crafts¡¯. Perhaps they are simplistic in design, or their function is at base, efficient and fine as is.¡±

    ¡°Like a tube you smack to make sound.¡±

    He nodded.

    ¡°The concept itself is not novel. It is rather the material, construction, and magic on it that is. These inventions are considered ¡®public inventions¡¯. Others still cannot manufacture it without your permission, but it is listed within our public inventions archives. Any legal manufacturing will be denied but,¡± he gave an apologetic smile, ¡°We cannot stop people form making tubes that make noise when hit. Conversely, since it is public, others may come to you with contracts to produce your invention, without your active searching or input. You can reject these contracts, but it is an accessible way to profit, and it is recommended you go through with one you prefer. Additionally, as a public invention, others can offer their improvements, and you may accept their improvements in exchange for listing them as a tertiary inventor with a contract. Usually these contracts are brief. They earn a specified amount of money, then are removed from tertiary ownership.¡±

    ¡°So, they sell their improvements, then are kicked off to keep the third tier clean?¡±

    He didn¡¯t mind Nara¡¯s crude description, and madeknw no indication to indicate his displeasure over it, if he had any.

    ¡°It is a method to allow small inventors to make accessible income,¡± he said. ¡°Many intentionally try to improve complete crafts without many tertiary inventors, because their share will likely increase. But this may change based on the scale of the invention. Payment can also be negotiated as a single sum, or a percentage based on profits.¡±

    ¡°So bigger projects may have many tertiary inventors, and it¡¯ll still be lucrative to try to get your piece in.¡±

    He nodded, ¡°If you choose, you may designate any invention as a public invention. This will allow tertiary inventors to try their hand at innovation, without direct invitation to the project. However, any sufficient innovation may give them the right to secondary ownership.¡±

    ¡°This is one of those faultless dispute cases?¡±

    He nodded, ¡°You may also actively invite someone as a secondary owner in that case, to prevent a dispute and negotiate specific terms. As a mediator, I can settle these disputes and direct what needs your attention and input, as well as negotiate contracts. I receive a percentage based bonus for my services, beyond the base pay as an Invention Society functionary.¡±

    ¡°I see, so you¡¯re incentivized to try to get lucrative contracts for me.¡±

    ¡°If you are unsatisfied with my performance, you can also choose another mediator. You may also utilize multiple mediators, as well ones specializing in differing inventions. I cannot profess to have full mastery in all of the fields. In our services reference book, you can find mediator specialists.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your specialty?¡±

    ¡°I specialize with Adventurer-Inventors,¡± said Niram promptly. ¡°Those that are busy with other responsibilities, I manage the details and send reports to my clients. Contracts will still require your approval. Full reports are also made by the Invention Society, in case you have disputes with my conduct. You may ask any task of me related to contracts and inventions, and I will act as your representative on your behalf, keeping your priorities in mind.¡±

    ¡°Priorities?¡±

    ¡°Whether you wish for maximum profits, innovations, more affordable wide-scale appeal. I do my best to fulfill those requirements. If I do not, you may remove me from contracts I mediated. I would receive a lesser percentage from those contracts, but it is reduced from the full amount.¡±

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t necessarily want to negotiate for maximum profits if that¡¯s not what I want.¡±

    ¡°On that topic, I may dispute my removal if I feel it was unjust. If I succeed in my dispute, I will regain the full share of my mediator fees from contracts. Of course, you are not obliged to work with me after the dispute. I would only keep my share of what is contractually obligated to me.¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°Finally, we have the matter of your restricted research, submitted by high priest Redell Gainer. The Invention Society and I do not know the contents of this submission, as we are restricted from full knowledge. Ah, please wait, do not tell me either, I have no desire to know. Unfortunately, many of the rights of primary ownership do not apply here. You will receive a portion of funds from the relevant authority from any funding and further research of the project they do. In certain circumstances, you may be privy to their research or even join the research if you so wish, although this is on a case-by-case basis. You may also find that the relevant authority is willing to act on your behalf in certain matters.¡±

    ¡°Like resurrection?¡±

    ¡°I would not know what they are willing to offer in thanks, miss Edea. If you would like to know, the authority that restricted your research is the Church of the Healer.¡±

    Resurrection magic had long cooldowns, and their use had to be prioritized. If they were in the middle of a crisis, resurrecting Aliyah over a silver or gold ranker, for example, would have been a considerable favor. Self-resurrection, such as what was provided by the Immortality ability Encio had, had a cooldown of around 1 year since it was automatically triggered. Resurrection abilities of healers, since they could not use it on themselves, had cooldowns as low as a month. John¡¯s Grand Renewal, a common healer ritual, had a month resurrection effect at gold rank. It required a ritual and materials, which was the downside. It was the same ability that had been used to resurrect Aliyah. A resurrection per month was useful for adventurers, but it wasn¡¯t saving victims of a tragedy. Nothing would resurrect that many people, which is why preventing civilian deaths was important.

    She didn¡¯t know if Redell was able to play favorites as a high priest of the healer and she also didn¡¯t want to teleport to him and carry the body of someone close to her who had died and ask for him to resurrect them every time.

    She¡¯d consider the favor spent, and be pleasantly surprised if it wasn¡¯t.

    She discussed several details with Niram, such as how she wanted him to negotiate contracts, what he had approval to handle without her input and what he did not. She could revoke those permissions at any time. The only invention that she had full authority over were the boom whackers. The others, she¡¯d leave to Chelsea and Amara, although she¡¯d be updated on those as well.

    She also accepted the Inventor Soceity¡¯s membership. They had aura and non-aura membership cards, of which she received the former after an aura imprint. Even here, a check of her essences were required. All societies made sure their members did not have restricted essences.

    *****

    Nara hung at the top of a tall building, gazing out over the city. She held the Innovation Society¡¯s membership in her hand, caught between feelings of excitement and guilt. She felt like a fraud¡ªa bicycle wasn¡¯t her own invention. The great and mighty tubular tubes, the boomwhackers, were created by Craig Ramsell back on Earth. She had stolen his invention, and pawned it off as her own.

    She lifted the hand with the card, pretending as if she¡¯d throw it out into the city. She wouldn¡¯t. She wasn¡¯t supposed to lose any of her membership cards, and Nara was too upright of a member to intentionally destroy one.

    ¡°I know it¡¯s a clich¨¦ in those transmigration stories,¡± Nara said, talking to herself but also her familiars, ¡°but I feel like shit. No wonder, imagine if I was recorded as the discoverer of gravity in Erras¡¯ history. I¡¯d never be able to live with myself. Dearly departed Newton would be churching in his grave at his stolen honor, and future Newton of this world would curse me once he was born.¡±

    The bike was sort of a new invention¡ªan adaptation to new circumstances. With that, at least, Nara found consolation. She couldn¡¯t reproduce a bike¡¯s derailers and chains, so they used artifacts to control a more simplistic chain and gear system. The magic used was all artifice Erras had used before, just rearranged for device you sit on between your crotch and roll around on (although the cloud seat cushions were considerably more comfortable).

    The ritual stylus too. She had some contributions in astral magic, but it wasn¡¯t much useful for what she wanted to accomplish for Amara. Amara would have to do most of the heavy lifting to make the ritual stylus a reality. It had needed three effects for completion. The first, Nara and Henri managed to make work¡ªdrawing persistent magic lines in the air. The second, actual activation of ritual magic, and the third, using necessary materials from a dimensional storage, Amara would have to figure out. Henri would help too, but she didn¡¯t know the full extent of his knowledge. Knowing Amara, she¡¯d rope in Lawrence and Chelsea for help. It¡¯d end up with a lot of contributors, but the ritual wand was a device that may end up with a similar impact on society as the miniaturized mana battery.

    Nara wasn¡¯t wanting of wealth. Her reserves had been depleted after a series of familiar re-summonings and growth item rank ups, but her intermittent bronze rank contracts and contract-less looting was slowly replenishing them. Bronze rank monsters looted for around 11 bronze rank coins each, plus the value she gained from their cores and other materials.

    Invention was never her focus. All she could do now was continue as she was¡ªlearning astral magic and raising her rank.

 Chapter 136: The Wrong Way to use Trap Magic

    Chapter 136: The Wrong Way to use Trap Magic

    There was a little over a month until the year-end Sanshi festivities, and Nara was looking forward to what that looked like in another world. Her last Christmas and New Years had been ruined by her soul-napping, and she wanted to have only good vibes and good times this go around the holidays.

    There had been several minor holidays in Sanshi during her stay in Sanshi. The time before the Celestial Book trials had turned into an unofficial festival, where vendors would clog the streets selling supplies to visitors from afar. Inns and hotels filled up, and iron rankers roamed the exotic city from across the sea they found themselves in.

    The team had been too busy with iron rank trying to acquire the skills not to die to dedicate their full attention to any festival. Now that they were past the initially dangerous iron rank, they all felt the fresh air and their muscles loosen from their stress and anxiety. Monsters were hardier now, and so were they. A single bad blow wasn¡¯t going to kill them. There was room to make mistakes, even if they endeavored not to.

    They spent the first few weeks of the 12<sup>th</sup> month out on contracts. With the various portal abilities and the nebula vehicle, they could travel faster and farther more easily.

    They started off easy, working their way back up in difficulty from the bottom of bronze rank. The team was on a monster killing contract, hunting some wind and sea elementals that were attacking transport ships and shoreline operations on Shian¡¯s east coast.

    Aliyah stood on the back of her Arcane dragon, Ensi, enhanced with the fire element. It¡¯s eyes burned with eternal embers; steam rose from the water as its fire blasts attempted to sear grill marks in the ocean itself. Her arcane constructs had become odd, flat, flying platforms. Bronze clockwork wings flapped with a speed comparable to hummingbirds, keeping the platforms afloat above the water.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Construct]

    Essence: Master

    Summoning (ritual)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 6 hours

    Effect (Iron): Summon 3 magical construct. At base, the magical construct is a flying orb that fires disruptive force bolts. Use an additional magical modification ritual to change the shape of a construct with certain limitations.

    Effect (Bronze): Summon 6 magical constructs. The modification ritual grants additional powers to the constructs dependent on their changed form.

    -------

    A blade of wind cut past, and Aliyah sprang from her position, nimbly landing on top of one of her arcane constructs like Black Widow. The platform was enhanced with wind elemental magic; It kept her aloft, weaving through blasts of water and wind flung by the elementals. Ensi was easily dealing with the water elementals, evaporating the bonds of their bodies. It was a mother-like dragon, cautiously watching as her summoner left the protection of her back. Ensi was physically resilient, and could shield Aliyah as needed, but Aliyah was practicing some more advanced maneuvers with her new bronze rank attributes.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Dragon]

    Essence: Master

    Familiar (summoning, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Arcane Dragon], to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>High resistance to physical and disruptive force damage.</li>

    <li>Can unleash elemental breaths and basic elemental spells. Breath attack has a 2-minute cooldown.</li>

    <li>Can chose to empower itself with an element, increasing the damage of that element. The dragon cannot use other elements. This effect has a 6 hour cooldown.</li>

    <li>Generates its own aura effect.</li>

    <li>Aura effect: Allies have increased damage resistance to the chosen element and increased resistance to elemental afflictions.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed into the summoner¡¯s skin, increasing physical and disruptive-force damage resistance with reactive dragon scales.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Summon a bronze rank vessel for the [Arcane Dragon].

    <ul>

    <li>Can generate shields to protect others. This effect has a 40 second cooldown.</li>

    <li>Gains an additional aura effect. Aura effect: Allies have increased [Power] and [Spirit].</li>

    <li>Can adopt a smaller, non-combat form. In this form, the Arcane Dragon has force levitation capabilities and can turn invisible. Shield effect has a reduced cooldown in this form.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The wind elementals were harder to deal with. The fire did little to them, flowing past their bodies like the wind directing a wildfire. Elementals, while simplistic, were often difficult to deal with since their bodies made them immune to a large variety of attacks and damage.

    Disruptive-force damage was universally effective against semi-corporeal and incorporeal beings like elementals, and Aliyah had it in spades.

    A conjured Force Tether was on another of Aliyah¡¯s flying platforms, wrapping all enemies up with shimmering tethers as the Arcane Construct flew past them.

    -------

    Ability: [Force Tether]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a crystal rod, from which a tether of shimmering force connects to all nearby enemies within a moderate range. Tethered enemies are dragged toward the rod, which is protected by a force field that inflicts moderate resonating force-damage to anyone in contact with it. If the force-field is ruptured, it explodes in a wave of resonating-force damage. If the rod is destroyed or removed from its location, then it explodes in a wave of disruptive-force damage. Dimensional displacement, such as teleportation, severs the tether. Untethered enemies who enter within range of the rod become tethered. Only one force tether rod may exist at a time.

    Effect (Bronze): Strength and pulling force of the tether is increased.

    -------

    The tethers extended to all nearby wind elementals, capturing them like birds in a net. They lacked the power to escape the force of the tethers. Attached to the underside of her flying net contraption was Aliyah¡¯s Mana Siphon.

    -------

    Ability: [Mana Siphon]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap, drain, recovery)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create an orb of magic that siphons mana from all nearby enemies, with mana drain increasing the closer the enemy is. When destroyed or displaced, the orb releases a wave of resonating-force damage increasing in distance and damage with mana siphoned, then bestows the mana onto nearby allies. If no allies are nearby, the mana is returned to the caster. Only one mana siphon can exist at a time.

    Effect (Bronze): The siphon has greatly increased effect against incorporeal entities or entities utilizing mana as an animating force. Enemies affected by the siphon suffer disruptive-force damage over time.

    --------

    Not only was draining the mana of elementals effective, but the Mana Siphon was additionally effective against incorporeal entities or entities using mana as an animating force, such as undead and elementals. The Force Tether scooped up the enemies, all while her Mana Siphon drained them of mana and destroyed them through continual disruptive-force damage. Once enough enemies were dragged along by the combination like cans behind a wedding car, Aliyah destroyed both conjurations with a controlled Mana Burst. Both of the on-destruction effects of the tether and orb triggered, releasing a surprisingly powerful wave of resonating-force and disruptive-force damage that annihilated the hapless crowd of elementals. A wave of mana coursed over her, refilling both her mana and the reserves of her Arcane Orb.

    -------

    Ability: [Arcane Orb]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (recovery)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating orb that can hold mana. Mana drained from abilities is stored in the orb which can be redistributed to allies. The orb passively regenerates mana until it reaches its capacity. If destroyed, gain all the mana stored by the orb. Maximum mana is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    Effect (Bronze): The orb gains mana from ally mana recovery and regeneration effects. The orb has greatly increased resistance to damage. Mana from the orb can be used to enhance the effect of your abilities, proportional to mana invested.

    -------

    ¡°Emplace a mark of power,¡± Aliyah chanted, placing an enhanced Rune Trap with a quick tap on a flying arcane platform that flew adjacent to her. She conjured her Force Vortex, grouping up a mass of Wind Elementals that couldn¡¯t resist the pull of the vortex. She directed the arcane construct into the center of the vortex, then detonated it.

    -------

    Ability: [Rune Trap]

    Essence: Magic

    Spell (trap)

    Incantation: ¡°Emplace a mark of power.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Create an explosive rune that will disappear after a short period. The rune can be set to trigger by proximity, caster trigger, or both.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by the rune trap will be the source of a secondary explosion after a brief period.

    Ability: [Force Vortex]

    Essence: Gathering

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a core that generates a vortex of pulling force, sucking all enemies nearby towards the center of the vortex and dealing continuous rending damage. When the core is destroyed or displaced, a wave of force explodes outwards, dealing a burst of rending damage and knocking all targets away from the core of the vortex.

    Effect (Bronze): Strength and pulling force of the vortex is increased.

    -------

    The resulting explosion was massive, comparable to Earth¡¯s bombs in strength and intensity. Overlayered secondary explosion boomed like a metal concert with the bass turned way up, past the point of comfort and into thundering pain. The arcane platform shattered along with the vortex core and the other monsters, sharps of conjured metal falling back into the ocean along with dispersed water and wind.

    Aliyah frowned at the destruction of the platform. She only had six; It wasn¡¯t suited to sacrificial tactics, although it was an option. She wanted some way to preserve her platforms against her own damage or improve the durability of her summons.

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    She lightly leapt up, grasping onto a handle on the bottom of a platform as another wind blade shot past where she once was. It gouged into the coppery metal of the platform, but didn¡¯t destroy it.

    Her other four hummingbird platforms darted between the sea and sky horizon. Nara launched herself off of them from every direction in a dizzying zero-gravity acrobatics display that made Aliyah feel nauseous just looking at her. The sky and sea twisted, swapping positions and swirling around her like a rolling marble of light and dark blue. Her stomach-turning sky dance was possible thanks to the bronze rank effect of Avatar of the Boundary which had departed from afflictions and boons into passive enhancements.

    -------

    Ability: [Avatar of the Boundary]

    Essence: Balance

    Special Ability (boon, affliction, holy, unholy)

    Cost: none

    Cooldown: none

    Effect (Iron): While under the effect of your own dimension abilities, successful normal attacks or abilities will accumulate an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Grace]. Additionally, upon reducing, avoiding, or negating damage with dimension abilities, the attacker will receive an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Scorn]. [Boundary¡¯s Scorn] inflicted in this way cannot be resisted. Instance limit of [Boundary¡¯s Grace] is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Grace] (boon, holy, stacking): Increases rending and transcendent damage dealt. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Scorn] (affliction, unholy, stacking): Reduces resistance to afflictions dealt by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Cleansing abilities have reduced effect when cleansing afflictions inflicted by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Gain increased reflexes, proprioception, and spatial awareness.

    -------

    Instead of dancing on the boundary of offense and defense, the boundary of 3D space itself blurred. No direction was forbidden from Nara; no movement was too dizzying, too extreme, or too fast. She spun and twisted like a ribbon taken away by the wind, except she was in full control.

    Almost full control.

    A blast of water caught her mid-jump, punching her in the gut like a boxing glove filled with cement. She was intentionally not using her Dimension Nodes to teleport. They had gotten an interesting upgrade that completely changed their functionality. Nara already had so many mobility options that she wanted to leverage its new capabilities because it provided an effect that she lacked easy access to¡ªinstantaneous, consistent damage.

    -------

    Ability: [Dimension Node]

    Essence: Dimension

    Special Ability / Conjuration (dimension, teleport)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Teleport to locus of dimension effects. This effect cost low mana and has no cooldown.

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a [Dimension Node], a locus for dimension effects, costing low mana. [Dimension Nodes] are incorporeal. A maximum of 6 [Dimension Nodes] can exist simultaneously. If another [Dimension Node] is conjured while the maximum number of [Dimension Nodes] already exist, the oldest [Dimension Node] will be replaced, unless another is selected.

    Effect (Bronze): Maximum nodes increases to 9. When destroyed, nodes release a disruptive-force blast. This effect can exclude targets or be disabled.

    -------

    She recovered from the torso blow, teleporting to Ensi¡¯s back who had a body of Sage with her. She sprang into action again, landing smoothing on a flying platform with the accuracy of a major league baseball pitcher. Nara conjured a dimension node next to a wind elemental, then detonated it with a quick gunshot from one of Nirvana¡¯s new forms.

    -------

    Item: [Nirvana] (Bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon

    A weapon forged from the Astral and transfigured by the Reaper. Fear not death but a life unlived.

    This item is bound to [Nara Edea] and cannot be used by anyone else. This bond allows the weapon to share the wielder¡¯s ability to ignore rank disparity.

    Effect: You may invoke all effects of a conjured weapon into this blade for the normal mana cost of conjuring the weapon. Only one weapon¡¯s effects may be invoked at a time.

    Effect: This weapon deals increased damage for each instance of a boon on the wielder, up to a limit determined by rank.

    Effect: The wielder gains increased resistance to dispel effects.

    Effect (Iron): This weapon has no specific form unless it is given a form. Current forms available: Staff, Bow, Sword. This weapon can take the form of an accessory when not in active use. Can transform into other forms with no bonuses. When transformed into other forms, cannot invoke the effects of a conjured weapon.

    <ul>

    <li>[Sword]: Low [Power] bonus.</li>

    <li>[Staff]: Low Increase to damage resistance.</li>

    <li>[Bow]: Low [Speed] bonus.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): The weapon gains additional forms: Dagger, Dual Machine Pistols, War Hammer. Alter forms slightly within their concepts.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dagger]: Low [Speed] bonus.</li>

    <li>[Dual Pistols]: Low reduction in mana costs. Ammo Consumption: Medium.</li>

    <li>[War Hammer]: Heavy weapon. Low [Power] bonus.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    A single node detonation did minor damage, just shaving a bit of the swirling tornado-like wind elemental¡¯s body off. The wind reformed, slightly smaller than it had been, but otherwise unimpeded.

    Nara could directly attack the elementals. Her Blade of the Boundary could become incorporeal, sharing that effect with Nirvana. That was enough to damage and afflict incorporeal beings, and she could enhance her blade with disruptive-force damage with Boon Conversion for extra impact.

    Additionally, almost nothing was immune to rending damage (she theorized she may have issues with pure energy beings). It was damage that tore things apart, whether it be wind or water. Everything had some sort of form to separate, be it atomic bonds or grains of wood. While rending damage worked against everything, it wasn¡¯t particularly effective against anything either. It had the same effect on all beings, for better or for worse. It saved Nara needless worry; her other skills demanded her attention. She didn¡¯t want to have to worry about what her damage was and wasn¡¯t effective against.

    Instead, Aliyah manipulated her constructs and her magic to target weaknesses, displaying her thorough knowledge of magic, arrays, and monsters, while Nara focused on her mechanical skills.

    -------

    Ability: [Blade of the Boundary]

    Essence: Dimension

    Conjuration (sword, affliction)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Horizon¡¯s Edge, the [Blade of the Boundary]]. Normal and special attacks made with [Horizon¡¯s Edge] deal physical and rending damage and will inflict an instance of [Dimensional Instability] and inflicts or refreshes [Dimensional Rupture]. Horizon¡¯s Edge can be made incorporeal at will.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Instability] (affliction, magic, stacking): All rending damage suffered is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Rupture] (affliction, magic): When inflicted or refreshed, suffer additional rending damage proportional to current instances of [Dimensional Instability].</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Normal and special attacks made with [Horizon¡¯s Edge] inflict [Dimensional Nausea], [Dimensional Exhaustion], and [Dimensional Ruin]. The size of [Horizon¡¯s Edge] can be adjusted for low mana-per-second, with ongoing mana cost increasing with size difference from the base.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Nausea] (affliction, magic): Rending damage suffered additionally inflicts damage to mana, as if mana had been expended.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Exhaustion] (affliction, magic): Rending damage suffered additionally inflicts damage to stamina, as if stamina had been expended.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Ruin] (affliction, damage-over-time, magic, stacking): Inflicts ongoing rending damage. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    With Dimensional Nausea and Dimensional Exhaustion, all of her damage affected all three pools of health, stamina, and mana simultaneously. The damage to stamina and mana was less than the damage to health, but enemies that expended those two resources at their normal rate without adjusting for their effects would find themselves unexpectedly exhausted of resources. That wouldn¡¯t kill them. Nara would be just a step behind when they finally collapsed from exhaustion, the persistence hunting reaping the mammoth of its life.

    Dimensional Ruin was Nara¡¯s first damage-over-time affliction, other than Thanatos¡¯ umbral fire and Umbral Burn. Like all her other afflictions, it started minor. However, thanks to Dimensional Instability, which increased rending damage suffered, it would eventually become dangerously high if not managed. More importantly, with Dimensional Nausea and Dimensional Exhaustion, it created a constant and slowly increasing drain on stamina and mana.

    Nara¡¯s fighting style was active, however, and rarely did enemies die to Dimensional Ruin. While Entropy gradually increased her instances of afflictions without her input, active battle had a noticeable increase to total instances. She could hit an enemy once that could not cleanse and leave them alone as long as the effect of Entropy did not run out to maintain the afflictions, but in a dangerous battle where enemies needed to be killed as soon as possible, that was impractical. Her Adventure Society examination had warned her of such.

    Bright sunlight danced off the waves refracting in shards of shattered glass. Nara glimmered with silver light, a small silver light in a sea of blinding light, a new effect of her Moonlight Raiment.

    -------

    Ability: [Moonlight Raiment]

    Essence: Mystic

    Conjuration (armor, light)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjured robes that contain the tranquility of night.

    <ul>

    <li>Increased resistance to damage. Highly effective against cutting and piercing damage, less effective against blunt damage.</li>

    <li>The robes subtly redirect aura and physical perception, making the conjurer more difficult to detect. This effect can be controlled or disabled.</li>

    <li>Mana recovery over time effects have increased strength and duration.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Increased resistance to mana drain effects.</li>

    <li>Manipulate light to distort it, blurring the wearer¡¯s figure. May cause homing abilities to miss.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    For new abilities, they were usually named after the first few ranks. The bronze rank was when the Moonlight Raiment received its namesake. Nara was thankful for a defensive effect that did not rely on a dimension effect. Any attack had to get through several of Nara¡¯s defenses to reach her¡ªDimension Node, Infinity Domain, Phase Shift, Cosmic Path, Dream¡¯s Wake, and finally, Moonlight Raiment. Nara had to intentionally let attacks through in order to trigger Refresh and gain Invigorating Spirit for the mana.

    The light distortion was another effect she could actively manage, same as Infinity Domain. It also worked passively, but Nara had learned from several of her mentors that full mastery was ideal and the hallmark of a skilled adventurer.

    She still needed more practice. She let attacks slip through Infinity Domain, feeling out the limits of the light-manipulation effect. The elementals were the perfect opponents. Both the wind and water elementals fired of cutting blades or bullets of wind and water, which followed her if she didn¡¯t teleport. The anti-homing effect prevented the wind and water bullets from tracking her slightly. At best, they curved towards her, but their annoyance was greatly reduced. It was as if they were missiles with a faulty targeting lock, focused not on her but a meter away from her.

    The moonlight manipulation was more effective against aimed projectile attacks. It had no significant effect against large area wind bombs or blasts of needle rain. While similar in effect, it differed from Infinity Domain in methodology. Manipulating light affected the enemy¡¯s direct ability to target her, while Infinity Domain changed trajectories after the fact. With the two combined, it created a nauseating effect of being unable to properly hit a target as if fighting off a weekend bender of mixed alcohol and drugs at an airsoft battle. She had become a desert mirage, a trick of the light. She¡¯d be an opponent that incessantly attacked but could not be tracked nor aimed at. She flickered in an out of existence, blurring the line between physical and non-physical.

    Their duo fight was nearing its end, and Aliyah primed a final move. She sent out her flying, octopus like Force Tether monstrosity, picking up elementals like a mother duck adopted orphaned ducklings. They trailed after the flying trap, helpless, just another balloon in a balloon bunch.

    ¡°Nara, give it a try,¡± she said over voice chat.

    Standing on a flying platform, Nara conjured nine simultaneous Dimension nodes at the center of the elementals bunched like grapes.

    A bow shot enhanced with disruptive force damage penetrated the throng of surging elementals and shattered the layered dimensional nodes in a pulsing nova blast.

    However, that was not enough to destroy the elementals. A simultaneous nine low mana cost Dimension Nodes explosion was a decent amount of damage, but at bronze rank even elementals made of amorphous water and air had more resilience to them. The low cost of the Dimension Nodes meant their damage would never match up to the damage of a spell, which Aliyah shortly demonstrated.

    The Force Tether had been destroyed by the node blast, and the elementals had begun to scatter. Aliyah used Instant Negation, restoring the Force Tether. Immediately, the elementals that had been once connected to it were yanked back by shimmering tethers of force that reappeared.

    -------

    Ability: [Instant Negation]

    Essence: Adept

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°A moment¡¯s negation.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Dispel an effect from you or an ally and prevent it¡¯s reapplication for a brief duration. This effect ignores resistance.

    Effect (Bronze): Alternatively, reverse the destruction of one of your conjuration abilities. This will apply the ability to the same target or targets, if applicable.

    -------

    The elementals smashed into each other, crowding the Tether like debris at a storm drain. Aliyah followed up, casting her most powerful spell and demonstrating why spells masters were avatars of destruction.

    ¡°Feel the annihilation of reality unmade.¡± As she chanted, an incredible volume of mana swelled and gathered, coalescing to the magic of the chant and Aliyah¡¯s concentration. Spell chants gathered mana from both the essence user and the atmosphere, increasing their power compared to an equivalent cost ability.

    -------

    Ability: [Wrath of the Magister]

    Essence: Master

    Spell (fire, magic, curse, poison, wounding, ice, dimension)

    Incantation: "Feel the power of reality remade." /

    ¡°Feel the annihilation of reality unmade.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana plus additional mana per effect.

    Cooldown: 1 minute / Varies

    Effect (Iron): Lock a prismatic beam onto an enemy. Expend additional mana to alter the target¡¯s reality, using any combination of the available colour effects. This cannot be used in conjunction with the other variant of this spell, which requires an alternate incantation. This effect has a moderate mana cost and a one minute cooldown.

    Effect (Iron): Lock a prismatic beam onto an enemy. Expend additional mana to unmake reality in a localised area, creating an annihilating void sphere inside the target. This effect requires magic to be channelled into the target at an extreme mana cost until sufficient mana has been channelled to trigger the effect.

    <ul>

    <li>[Red] (high mana): Target¡¯s temperature is significantly increased (frost burn if combined with blue).</li>

    <li>[Yellow] (high mana): Target¡¯s abilities have increased mana cost.</li>

    <li>[Pink] (moderate mana): Target¡¯s resistances are reduced.</li>

    <li>[Green] (moderate mana): Target¡¯s blood is poisonous to itself.</li>

    <li>[Purple] (very high mana): Expending mana harms the target.</li>

    <li>[Orange] (very high mana): Target suffers increased damage from all sources.</li>

    <li>[Blue] (high mana): Target¡¯s temperature is significantly decreased (frost burn if combined with red).</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Create a ritual circle in which the magical attacks of spells, staves and wands have increased effect. This effect has a very high mana cost and a one hour cooldown.

    -------

    She applied all the colored effects of Wrath of the Magister, producing a prismatic beam that created a void sphere at the location of the trap. The void sphere expanded, destroying all the surrounding elementals and retriggering the destruction of the Force Tether conjuration, repeatedly abused for its on-destruction effect. Aliyah was using it less as a trap than another disruptive-force bomb.

    The resulting combination of disruptive force damage finally shattered the hard working and underappreciated arcane construct, destroying the basic motive spirit and its physical form.

    The wind and water elementals exploded in a firework of wind and saltwater rain, completely and entirely annihilated. Nara hunted down any last stragglers that had escaped the carnage with the help of Aliyah¡¯s flying platforms, which followed after her to provide footing above the sea.

    Nara looted the elementals who had been a mixture of iron and bronze rank manifestations. She had gained a Water Essence and a Magic Essence. Elementals were good monsters to fight for looting essences, she noted. She¡¯d likely loot at least one of whatever element they were made of. They also dropped the Magic Essence, which was one of the most popular essences.

    She turned to Aliyah, whose magus robes were drenched in saltwater. Ensi flapped her wings, created a warmed gust that evaporated the water in a steam, leaving her crusted with sea salt glittering on her dark skin.

    ¡°Aliyah.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Nara?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s how you¡¯re supposed to use trap abilities.¡±

 Chapters 137: Another Princess

    Chapters 137: Another Princess

    Unless fighting essence users, higher ranking enemies, large numbers, or extreme battlefields, most battles were not challenging enough to warrant a full team of six simultaneously. Most adventurer teams had a few members participating in a given battle at a time, while others with long cooldowns rested.

    A team of six was easily divided into three teams of two or two teams of three, which made it ideal for both small engagements and large scale battles. At silver, the rank where the most important conflicts occurred, larger teams would find their full strength employed simultaneously. Teamwork and trust needed to be developed from the early stages, so most formed larger teams at iron rank, regardless of the frequency of large scale battles. If a situation devolved, the rest of the team would be there to save the others. It was an arrangement that prevented unexpected deaths and built a foundation for later ranks.

    No matter what, a team of at least two or three was recommended.

    This was the norm of Sanshi adventurers, but Nara did not know the education adventurers in Saggia and Rowen received. The Rowen Kingdom focused on specialists. A damage spellcaster would have mostly damage spells and abilities that boosted spell damage; They were min-maxers. Sanshi followed Saggia¡¯s educational example, except their essence combinations were more unpredictable due to their adventurer education programs. Each region had its own quirks; Nara was looking forward to her visit to Saggia to see the differences for herself.

    The multiple weeks of monster contracts leading up to the year¡¯s end had pushed the team¡¯s abilities up to Bronze 1. At the beginning of each rank, abilities always advanced the fastest. That¡¯d greatly slow around rank 4 or 5, until they reached a crawl towards the end of the rank.

    *****

    The end of the year was upon them: A full week of festivities, in Sanshi¡¯s characteristic flavor. Nonstop arena competitions of different kinds: combat, music, alchemy, running, painting, debate, research, the list continued. Street performances from performance troupes competed with voting slips to win a grand prize. Even the food and craft stalls competed for the stop spot with earnings.

    The prize was quintessential to Sanshi¡¯s foundational philosophy. Long ago, the Shian region had been ruled by a tyrant who took essences from the population for his own troops. The people hid their essences, building up the six great families in secret over decades who worked together to usurp the local tyrant. It was a slow and painful rebellion, essence users carefully hiding to increase their power enough to defeat the gold rank tyrant and his forces. The Nisei family had been the one to coordinate monster subjugations and clean up the battlegrounds so that the tyrant would not notice anything wrong, as well as manipulating the court to foment internal strife and distract from their building external threats. Insidious means for a good cause was foundation of Nisei and their infamy.

    The Arlang had been the family of the military, who resented the actions of the tyrant but had no choice but to follow heinous orders in order to fool the tyrant. Thus, they swore they would never take on a noble title again. They would, from the moment the tyrant was finally killed, be the shield of the people against all forms of authority. To stand right when orders were wrong. They spread themselves over the world, an adventurer force that stepped in to save others when no one else would. They were strict, and they were righteous. All to one day wash away the blood of the innocents on their hands. No criminals to their creed existed in the Arlang family. They were slain by the family themselves.

    They usurped the tyrant, and established the Shain Union, the foundation created by the six great families in a government. Government positions were based on merit, a test needed to be passed to gain a position. Positions required competency, and enough incompetence resulted in removal.

    Sanshi was in its awkward transitional phrase of this history in development where members of the six great families were still numerous in Sanshi¡¯s government, despite their original intentions. They had wanted to phase out their family members from the government (or at least, the families that still held paramount their foundational purpose did). However, like the Mongolians, their blood had spread far and wide. Their lineages were entwined into the foundational canvas of Sanshi, unable to be completely separated from the layers above.

    Lee Hu and Ranshi Haihu were both distant relatives of the Fenhu, carrying a fragment of their name with them. Of the six great families that still carried the original intention of stepping back, they consoled themselves that their distant relatives were no different than the normal people of Sanshi. Other families, such as the declining Jagar, tried to desperately retain the power they once had, clinging on with the tenacity of burrs on wool.

    All this meant that the prize of Sanshi¡¯s festivities were obvious¡ªessences and awakening stones. They had usurped the tyrant to prevent the consolidation of power and essences under a single entity. In particular, the performance competition was well known for the rarest prize: a five star, legendary, essence. Although Sanshi could not manage this every year, four star essence a far more common yearly prize; this year, it was achieved with a anonymous benefactor.

    A skilled cook, even if they did not attend the Prep academy, could win top spots three years consecutively and become an essence user. These necessary rewards were the reason for Sanshi¡¯s cultural importance on loot abilities. They needed essence generations to fund their free essence culture.

    Nara had even sold a legendary essence to the government as the prize. She had converted it from a common Wasp Essence and chose which legendary essence she converted it to at random, although the government didn¡¯t know that. It was a secret that she was the source of the essence. The local government had come to her on recommendation of the Prep Academy, since she was known for her sponsorships and store of essences. She had boasted she could provide any essence to her sponsors, and the government finally asked for a favor.

    They still purchased it for an impressive price, and they only asked for one. They wouldn¡¯t let her just donate a 5 star essence, which were normally unpurchasable, and Nara couldn¡¯t tell them she had converted it. Nara¡¯s pockets were once again heavy with gold coins. Nara didn¡¯t sell her converted essences on the market, but she limited herself to just this one for a good cause.

    *****

    Nara had a booklet that detailed a schedule of performances and competitions. She wanted to see some of the research presentations, and gain a better understanding of what magic researched looked like in this world, what was Erras¡¯ equivalent of science. Eufemia had marked out which performance troupes she expected to have the best performances, as well as a couple dark horses. It was impossible to see them all over the course of six days. Many performances were simultaneous at different locations.

    The week before the festivities, the local government had delivered six performance voting slips, each colored for a different day. They could vote once each day with those tickets. Aside from that, to encourage and reward food stall performances, food stalls had raffle tickets issued by the government they gave out for purchases. The raffle tickets allowed entry to the high society banquet, a dream of many who sought connections to the upper crust of Sanshi. Or they could receive an essence instead, if they didn¡¯t care for it.

    Nara wanted neither, nor did she expect to win. If she won, she¡¯d give up her prize and have the government draw again, which was an option.

    The team all made their separate plans for the week. They¡¯d occasionally meet up to enjoy a performance together. Just because they were a team, they didn¡¯t spend all of their time together. Eufemia¡¯s casual performance troupe wasn¡¯t competing, but there was no doubt the arts was where she would spend her time.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    John held an interest in alchemy and healing magic research. He¡¯d also volunteer at the city health tents in case anyone got hurt or if anyone wanted cleansing for free, a gift of the festivities from the church of the healer the and church of purity.

    Nara made sure she¡¯d attend Redell¡¯s performance in the concert hall at the end of the week. She had access to his box seats, and would go with the entire team. It was the event she most looked forwards too.

    Encio was interested in the debates as well as the mirage chamber matches. Sen shared similar interests, although more towards the large scale simulated battle that was the final day showstopper of the mirage chamber battles. Two sides of 50 essence users fighting against each other in a chaotic player versus enemy versus player battle.

    Many large cities had a culture of mirage chamber competitors. It was one of Erra¡¯s few competitive sports. While adventurers enjoyed the matches, they often held low opinions of mirage competitors; they were cowards who could not bear the risks of true combat and fight monsters. However, they begrudgingly respected their ability to work in a team, honed by the inability to die from mistakes. Competitors bought cores with their earnings or directly won them, stopping at silver rank. In Sanshi, with its low magic, competitors were no higher than bronze rank. Silver rank teams moved to higher magic cities, where the competition was fiercer, and the earnings were greater.

    Mirage competitors had greater prominence in cities with traditional nobility, unlike Sanshi. Scions that lacked the nerve for adventuring could console themselves with mirage battles, earing honor for their family and honing their skills in a mirage reality. The good competitors that were also adventurers were exception to adventurers¡¯ distaste for the culture.

    *****

    Nara walked with Chrome and Encio, wearing traditional Sanshi festival clothing, a rarity for Encio. Chrome had grown to enjoy dressing up in fun clothing, although he¡¯d never admit it to her.

    Nara wore a light blue robe, distinct from her usual preference for dark blue. It was embroidered with clouds and wind, shimmering with a silver brocade pattern. It was layered with moonlight silk, a shimmering transparent silk and specialty of the Sanshi region.

    Encio wore a dark green robe, with a sleeker silhouette. It was embroidered with reeds and weed wood. He looked more reserved and scholarly than his usual teasing air, although his sly grin dispelled any illusions of a quiet scholar.

    Chrome was the most ostentatious, wearing a rich red robe with a draping cloak of onyx black that contrasted against his dazzling golden hair. With Encio¡¯s more elegant and sleek style, Chrome became the most prominent member of their group. He was the ancient emperor walking among his people, gracing the peasants with his heavenly countenance.

    A recording crystal floated above their heads, recording the colorful and warm atmosphere of the festival. Decorated stalls lined the streets, past commercial districts. Shops flung their doors open wide, inviting in festivalgoers with themed products and advertising shouts. Tapestry depicting the traditional iconography for the new year; the phoenix, for rebirth. The sun at sunrise and sunset for old ends and new beginnings. The star peony, which grew on Shian¡¯s tallest peaks, had petals which softly glowed at night in beautiful shades of pink, purple, gold, and blue.

    As usual, Encio started with background explanation that educated much of what Nara had learned about Sanshi¡¯s culture and history. Nara purchased a star peony from a stall, placing it in Encio¡¯s hair.

    ¡°Men should wear flowers more often,¡± she said with an indulgent sigh, ¡°Everyone should wear flowers more often,¡± she corrected.

    ¡°Then let the two of us start now,¡± Encio said with a grin. He purchased his own flower, a lunar lily, from the same stall, and strung it into Nara¡¯s hair which was done up in a bun by Sage.

    ¡°There. That¡¯s the two of us.¡±

    They turned to Chrome.

    Chrome had a string of white Pearl Arabis flowers strung down his long braid. He was by far the definitive fairy queen of the group, delicate flowers entwined with locks of sunlight. It had interrupted his original red-on-black imposing outfit, a fashion atrocity he wouldn¡¯t let live, and swapped them for delicate white airy robes. If he was to be subjected to his summoner¡¯s fashion whims, he would at least look good doing it.

    He had been stopped several times now, by men and women alike, some of which who shyly asked for his names with faces tinted of pink embarrassment. Others, more confident in their pursuit, were foiled by the revelation he was a familiar, and not a runic-celestine with unusual glowing hair. That did not stop some.

    ¡°There are degenerates, even in this world. I¡¯m impressed,¡± Nara said as Chrome lifted a persistent woman by her waist, jumped to the top of a building, and left her there. There was a way down, on the other side of the building she¡¯d have to make her way too. But she remained at the railing, gazing upon Chrome as the three left her field of view through the crowd.

    ¡°You should not be impressed with the degeneracy of people,¡± Chrome said unhappily, ¡°Your base instincts are so repulsive.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you shouldn¡¯t look like a bipedal humanoid then.¡±

    Chrome scoffed, ¡°And arrogant. Do you believe that that only souls have the right to a bipedal humanoid shape? That, if I did not want to be harassed, that I should¡¯ve looked different?¡±

    ¡°Point taken, my bad Chrome,¡± she apologized. ¡°I¡¯ll keep them off you next time instead of laughing.¡±

    He huffed and rolled his eyes, placated.

    Chrome had his own aura, and could direct others away from him normally, but this craziness of a festival meant that some people inevitably bumped into him. Chrome liked to be appreciated¡ªhe didn¡¯t mind the spotlight¡ªbut only from the proper, respectful distance. He didn¡¯t like grabby children that tried to touch his glowing hair, snot nosed brats that touched his nice clothing, or men and women with more confidence than control who tried to flirt with him. Chrome had a general distaste for most people and existence by default, despite his contradictory desire of liking reality.

    With both her higher rank and stronger aura, the manipulation of her familiar¡¯s auras correspondingly increased. They were limited by their vessels, no matter how experienced they were in their own aura control. While familiars had their own auras, it was mixed with the aura of their summoner. A sufficiently higher rank or skilled essence user could recognize a summoner through their familiar.

    Among her familiars, Sage had the best aura control, blending into the background as like a vase in a house. Even if one noticed her at a passing glance, most subconsciously ignored her. Chrome¡¯s aura control was the next best, but he made no attempts at stealth, beyond making life easier for himself. He didn¡¯t specialize in it as Sage did either. Aura control was not integral to Chrome¡¯s function; it was the result of his long existence, and not out of tactical necessity.

    Thanatos¡¯s aura control was the worst, but still good for a familiar, as his powers involved some measure of stealth. He could swap between aggression and power, physically attacking enemies along with Nara, and transition to something stealthier. In many ways, he matched Nara¡¯s own inclinations between offense and stealth. However, he would not get past any detection specialist. It was more than enough for monsters, and a tactic he could utilize fighting them.

    Familiar¡¯s auras were more a direct result of their nature. Sen¡¯s Avatar of Wrath would never have an aura that was stealthy. It was always powerful, and always angry, and it made damn sure everyone in the area knew they were withing mauling distance.

    It was late morning, still before the hours of the afternoon. Each day of the year end festivities was filled with activities. They were headed to the mirage chamber arena for the opening match of the week.

    The arena was large and circular; apparently, the universal shape of an arena. Earth¡¯s stadiums dwarfed the mirage arena. Fundamentally, mirage chambers did not require much actual space for the competitors; most of the space of the arena was for seating. Some pace was still required, but the dreaming mirage effect meant that space was expanded in the mirage. What was about the size of a small dueling arena could become massive forests, sprawling grasslands, and ruined towns thanks to magic. Projection screens were the only way the battle could be comprehensively watched. Watching essence users twitch in their sleep wasn¡¯t particularly engaging.

    The three lined up at the arena, waiting to enter. They could use the retreaters¡¯ private viewing room, but Nara wanted to see what it felt like among the crowd of people. She was curious how they enjoyed the match. Was it like the excitement of a sports game, or more the quiet watchfulness punctuated with exclamation of an action movie?

    *****

    ¡°Happy end year festivities to all of guests in Sanshi¡¯s main arena!¡± A female announcer exclaimed, ¡°Today, we have the much anticipated match up between Team Incessant Rain and Team Meat Skewer!¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t think she heard the announcer quite right.

    ¡°¡­Team Meat Skewer? Someone was thinking with their stomach, not their head. What would our team name be? Team International? No, Inter-astral? Team Cosmic Coasters? Or Team Definitely Not Nobility? We have way too many members that are ¡®technically not nobility¡¯ and its starting to feel damn odd. I don¡¯t think Eufemia can make fun of you and Sen anymore.¡±

    Encio smirked, ¡°I wonder how many times I can get away with calling her princess before she¡¯d try to punch me.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s going to do it to you right back.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thick skinned,¡± Encio said. He paused for dramatic effect, ¡°And¡­An honorary young duke.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re finally going to own up to it now?¡±

    ¡°When have I not? Eufemia is right, technicalities are technicalities. The power the Aciano family holds, irrespective of our union with the De Lucas is on par with nobility. The Arlang family is renown worldwide for their quality of adventurers. Even in Rona and Rowen, they have political sway.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Prince Charming, I¡¯ll keep it in mind.¡±

    ¡°Am I?¡±

    ¡°Am I what?¡±

    ¡°Charming.¡± He beamed with a lofty, too-perfect grin.

    ¡°No, silly, it¡¯s just a reference. Prince Charming gets rejected for a swamp ogre anyway.¡±

    He jokingly pouted, slumping back into his seat with the beauty of a model in a greyscale photoshoot than the sloppiness of a teen with their pants pulled past their ass.

    ¡°These seats aren¡¯t very comfortable,¡± he said with joke complaint. ¡°I already miss the nebula house.¡±

    ¡°Even your ass is used to luxury. Now hush, Prince Whining, the match is starting.¡±

 Chapter 138: A Sneak Peek at Innovation

    Chapter 138: A Sneak Peek at Innovation

    ¡°¡­Incessant Rain is well known for their onslaught of projectile attacks,¡± the female announcer said, ¡°Who do you expect Meat Skewer to bring to counter this tactic, Marv?¡±

    ¡°Well Jenn, that¡¯s a good question. Meat Skewer has suffered under the storm of Incessant Rain in past matches. Meat Skewer is well known for their adaptable team members and line up, but sometimes you just need a solid, defensive line up. They don¡¯t quite have that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying they¡¯re overcomplicated, Marv?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m saying Jenn. Meat Skewer has excelled against a variety of opponents, but their weak battles have always been the same. Plain old monster killing, and simplistic battles.¡±

    ¡°This battle isn¡¯t quite that though, Marv. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be the same. This is the premier match of this year end festivities, a battle between two top-of-the-line bronze rank teams.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re about ready to move on out of here, Jenn. We better enjoy them while we can.¡±

    ¡°I completely agree. Let me get back to what I was saying¡ªMarv, can you explain the match style for this opening battle for our audience?¡±

    ¡°You got it, Jenn. In honor of the passing year, this year¡¯s theme is preparing for the unpredictable. Can you guess what that means?¡±

    ¡°I know Marv, tell the audience, not me.¡±

    ¡°Haha, my bad, Jenn. You know how it is. This is not quite your typical mirage battle. The battlegrounds and the competition type are completely hidden from our competitors. They¡¯ll have to rely on their wits and experience to navigate a completely unpredictable battle.¡±

    ¡°And how will they fare?¡±

    ¡°This may be the advantage Meat Skewer needs to pull ahead,¡± said Marv. ¡°An unpredictable battleground with an unknown objective plays to Meat Skewers expertise.¡±

    ¡°But conversely, they could have a simple match instead, right Marv?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s possible Jenn. Personally, I think we¡¯ll see something spectacular. We¡¯ve all seen plain old arena matches. This is the first match of the festivities, Jenn. It¡¯ll be a showstopper!¡±

    ¡°Our audience certainly didn¡¯t pay a premium for a basic team battle.¡±

    ¡°You got that right, Jenn. Now, let¡¯s see what the Mirage Society has come up with¡­¡±

    The projections around the empty arena flickered to life. It was as if they were looking down, inside of a large landscape like gods looking down on a civilization that lived inside a snow globe.

    The battlefield was unique, as Marv had predicted. Six massive stone cylinders extended from abyssal depths up into the sky. They formed a circle, the center an empty drop into certain death. The stone towers had thin stone branches extend outwards, forming a three-dimensional caffeine drugged spider web of thin and oblong platforms. They stopped before reaching the center, forming that perfect circular void, a chute from heaven to hell.

    ¡°By the gods, they¡¯ve managed something spectacular.¡±

    ¡°I wonder how they got the mirage crystal data for this one, Marv.¡±

    ¡°We might be seeing a new crystal recording technique in action, Jenn. Let¡¯s all keep an eye out for new developments from the Magic and Mirage Societies. We may be getting a sneak peek at innovation here. Ain¡¯t this a treat to behold.¡±

    ¡°It sure is Marv. We can see the competitors manifesting into the arena. It appears they¡¯re completely scattered. We¡¯re getting the objective now.¡±

    A glowing golden orb slightly smaller than a soccer ball manifested in the middle of the arena, above bottomless pit. A set of rules manifested on the projections as the announcer read them off.

    <u>Rules of Engagement</u>

    <ol>

    <li>Competitors must be in physical contact with the points orb to earn points. 1 point is awarded for every 5 seconds of possession. Possession below 5 seconds will not award a point.</li>

    <li>Points are earned for the competitor¡¯s respective team. The team with the most points at the end of the battle is the victor.</li>

    <li>The points orb will progressively grow in temperature and heat while in possession. The temperature of the points orb will reset upon loss of possession and passing through the empty center of the arena. In this space, the points orb will float and will not fall.</li>

    <li>Destruction of the orb results in a 1-point deduction to the team that destroys the orb. This will reset the orb in the center of the arena after 5 seconds. If the orb is destroyed while a team is in possession of the orb, no points are deducted.</li>

    <li>Upon death, competitors become incorporeal for 30 seconds, and recover half of their maximum health. Cooldowns and recovery are paused during this penalty. During this time, they cannot be affected by external abilities and cannot affect others with abilities. After 30 seconds have passed, competitors become corporeal wherever they stand and can participate in battle.</li>

    </ol>

    It was the closest thing Nara had seen to modern sports, if modern sports were a no-holds-barred fighting competition where competitors killed each other with special effects. According to Encio, the common forms of mirage battles were team versus team battles, duels, and different forms of monster killing competitions, such as competing in speed against one powerful monster or total kills against a swarm. Casual sports without essence abilities did exist, although they were usually location specific with local rules.

    This new ruleset had also no basis in practicality. If it was Earth, there may be debates and controversy¡ªhow it detracts from the reality of killing monsters and genuine battle. However, adventurers couldn¡¯t care less what those who weren¡¯t fighting anyway were doing. If they wanted to make fancy rule sets and entertain the people, they shrugged and went about their business.

    They even had a respawn mechanic, which mirage chamber battles had not seen before. It was even like her Phase Shift ability. Nara wondered if it had been based off of that ability; she wasn¡¯t the first one to have it.

    Despite being thrust into an entirely unfamiliar and impossible battlefield, the competitors immediately sprang into action. Nara had her first look at the famed teamwork of mirage competitors.

    Team Incessant Rain leveraged their continuous projectile volley to make initial possession of the points orb difficult. Approaching the center of the arena to grab the orb was the quickest way to experience penalty time as a porcupine. Team Meat Skewer broke the initial stalemate with quick thinking. A team member lassoed the orb, yanking it towards themselves. With the ball flying freely through the air, not technically in possession, Team Incessant Rain had to be careful about destroying it.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°The Spider-Fighter from Team Meat Skewer starts of the engagement. He has the orb in his hand now. Incessant Rain has reacted too slowly¡ªMeat Skewer has formed defensive protections to stop Incessant Rain¡¯s damage. That¡¯s 1 point to start off the battle.¡±

    ¡°Spider-Fighter?¡± Nara muttered, ¡°Spider-man was right there.¡±

    The audience cheered, a wave of energy and aura sweeping through the arena. She felt the aura surge¡ªa wonderous tide of unified energy and excitement.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Nara said breathlessly, ¡°I wonder how a concert would feel?¡±

    The maximum capacity of the mirage arena could not compare to what Earth could output. The shaking bass, the echoing music, the audience packed like sardines swaying, jumping, and singing. The beat echoing through their bodies and their hearts, colorful lights illuminating the night and song.

    No matter what, she wanted to see it. Even as someone who hated crowds, that sounded like a transformative experience. With aura perception, the way she perceived the world had changed.

    It was a dizzying battle of heights and acrobatics, one that Nara herself was perfectly suited for. Plain battlefields with no cover were, conversely, an area of weakness. The two teams demonstrated impeccable teamwork, although their physical capabilities and mastery of acrobatics had clear deficiencies. Not all adventurers even trained the way Laius and Amara had trained her, which she had passed down onto her team. Basic parkour mastery was expected, but the two teams underutilized the terrain, struggle against it instead of excelling with it.

    Team Meat Skewer fared better. The Spider-Fighter was the most adept and their top scorer. He used web shots to rapidly change direction and gain speed. The arena slowly became a razor wire trap, boxing in Team Incessant Rain.

    Consecutive scoring was limited by the growing heat of the points orb. After around 30 seconds, Spider-Fighter had no choice but to toss the orb, allowing a chance for the opposing team to gain possession.

    ¡°I had thought this battle type was entirely impractical,¡± Encio mused, ¡°But I must revise my earlier judgment.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a useful tool for teaching mobility, as well as dealing with a complex objective with severe restrictions. For difficult terrain like this, the Adventure Society usually employs specialty teams. Those with flight and mobility abilities, across all members.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t Sanshi¡¯s style.¡±

    Encio grinned.

    Team Incessant Rain shifted tactics, realizing their onslaught of projectiles in a 3D environment was ineffective. They spread out, taking high and low ground and utilized more complex projectile trajectories. A flying wind user began to dedicatedly cut web-wires and chase down Spider-Fighter to cut his effectiveness.

    The battle was more spectacular than ever, projectiles exploding from every conceivable direction. The audience was a drone flying between fireworks, with the colorful chemical lightshow replaced by streaks of flames, needles of water, beams of light, and glittering shards of crystal and glass. Slow motion replays screens replayed particularly detailed engagements; Although bronze rank wasn¡¯t the speed at which the normal viewers couldn¡¯t perceive anything at all, CQC could still be too fast to entirely appreciate.

    ¡°Team Incessant Rain demonstrates an impressive aerial denial tactic, stealing back the orb and momentum of the match. They killed 2 members of Team Meat Skewer, but will this momentum last?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right Jenn, we¡¯ve been treated to an impressive showing. I see you¡¯ve recognized the disadvantages of this technique in this situation.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right Marv, I¡¯m sure our experienced audience can see it too. This is a costly tactic. The members of Team Meat Skewer will be back in just¡­15 more seconds. Is this mana cost worth their temporary departure? They have the rest of the match to think about.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right Jenn, death is less valuable here than in other battles. The Mirage Society is still working out the specifics.¡±

    ¡°You mean they may add points for killing a team member, Marv?¡±

    ¡°This is the first showing, so we all can look forward to how this points battle develops.¡±

    *****

    The match was recorded onto recording crystals that could be purchased out at the front of the arena as they exited. Nara bought a copy, storing it in her inventory under ¡®stuff I can show my family but not necessarily PG-13¡¯.

    The audience streamed out of the arena, conversation rippling through like the sound of water babbling over rocks. It had been a successful opening match and a great beginning to the week-long festivities. The Advent couldn¡¯t stop all magical development. The development of mirage chamber magic was one they hadn¡¯t the resources nor the intent to block. Adventurers had a widespread culture of recording battles, partially for their own review, but partially for the benefit of mirage chambers¡ªto teach the youngers who came after them. Recordings of battles could be converted into scenarios into the crystal rods that were inserted into the chamber console. Mirage chamber specialists were responsible for creating these scenarios and recordings from real recordings. Console could store hundreds of scenario rods simultaneously, and adventurer families had large stores that they¡¯d exchange out for training scenarios.

    The emergent technique was creating a scenario while lacking a prerequisite recording¡ªthe closest thing to video games this world had. Scenarios were constructed with a variety of techniques, such as splicing together other recordings to create the desired battlefield. The points orb had been created in reality first rather than construction in mirage from scratch. Erras still lacked the true ability to manufacture illusion from scratch in the mirage chambers.

    At least, that was what Nara and Encio had learned from the presentation at one of Sanshi¡¯s outdoor event halls. It was a presentation for the population by the Magic Society, one of many events available at the festival. Normally technical presentations weren¡¯t well attended, but the Mirage Chamber battle had ignited the fervor and interest of the audience. The even hall was packed full.

    As usual, magic and science had inverse strengths. Magic had already achieved realistic virtual reality with mirage chambers. They required plentiful space and resources, so use by the general population was impractical, something that technology excelled at.

    ¡°The Mirage and Magic Society¡¯s plan for the future is to grant additional abilities in mirage chambers. As of now, mirage chambers reflect reality. We hope that one day that we could produce a mirage scenario that allows an iron ranker to become a diamond ranker.¡±

    The presenter paused.

    ¡°Of course, we don¡¯t have the knowledge of most abilities at diamond rank. It¡¯s an impossible dream we strive to achieve, nonetheless. The shared knowledge of abilities benefits all aspects of society.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of,¡± Nara noted, ¡°I guess I should update my abilities at the Adventure Society. Did you have any new abilities, Encio?¡±

    He shook his head, ¡°I may have a 5-star essence, but this combination is the most popular combination with the Dimension Essence. Most of those with my combination are from adventuring families, so most have also survived until silver rank. Enough that almost all of my abilities have up to silver rank recorded, and some to gold rank.¡±

    ¡°I guess unless you have an ability divining the best combination for you, most people want to go with a proven and tested combination.¡±

    Encio nodded, ¡°I did say a few were unknown at silver.¡±

    ¡°Which ones?¡±

    ¡°Vorpal Slash, Time Sovereign, Blue Shift, and Fragment of Time.¡±

    ¡°Ahh~,¡± Nara teased, ¡°Your aura?¡±

    ¡°Willfully ignoring the rest of the abilities I just listed, are you?¡±

    ¡°No one else as audacious and arrogant as you have survived past bronze rank.¡±

    Encio smirked, ¡°You think just any grandson can pull off my personality? This takes skill. Lineage.¡±

    ¡°I think we usually associate arrogance with the opposite of skill.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not arrogance if it¡¯s warranted. What about yours? I assume many haven¡¯t made it to bronze.¡±

    ¡°Not that many. Blade of the Boundary, Infinity Domain, all of my familiars, Astral Blessing, and Avatar of the Boundary. Moonlight Raiment has made it to bronze but not Silver.¡±

    ¡°Your aura too,¡± he smirked. ¡°And you don¡¯t think yours says something about arrogance? Your presence itself a blessing?¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a winning argument. Are you saying my presence is divine?¡±

    ¡°If I do, you¡¯ll join us with the nicknames, godling.¡±

    ¡°Fuck.¡±

    Her combination was far rarer than Encio¡¯s, since it was unpopular. If she had known about the Time Confluence, would she still have chosen her set? To have the power to manipulate time and travel at hyper speeds, who could resist?

    If she went back to the Adventure or Magic Society to update their catalogue, it would be after the festivities. During this time, some adventurers took on patrolling contracts, usually left to the local authorities, to keep an eye on pickpockets and thieves. It was easy money and adventurers could still enjoy the festival instead of traveling out of the city.

    Since most adventurers took a break during festival time, it was those on punishment contracts that maintained and cleaned up the roads of monsters. Punishment contracts were undesirable contracts assigned to misbehaving adventurers. If they wanted to keep their license, they had to take them. It was chaperoned by a higher ranker, so it was used as a save way to whip underperforming adventurers into shape, teach them important skills with practice, and set them back onto the straight and narrow. Moreover, back-to-back contracts usually resulted in a pretty penny, killing three birds with one stone. Or was that five birds with one stone? Either way, a family of robins were dead.

 Chapter 139: Warm Fuzzies

    Chapter 139: Warm Fuzzies

    Erras general lack of military force under government control was the confluence of several factors. For one, essence users traveled to other locations in order to train. They needed to progress from low magic to higher magic zones, which led to an inevitable broadening of perspectives and cyclical movement. Some essence users could of course stay at iron and bronze rank, and those essence users were the ones who retired to work for local governments and nobles, forming the local peacekeepers and patrolmen. However, the skilled and experienced adventurers were the ones who had traveled the world.

    Secondly, the Adventure Society paid well. While iron rank was the most difficult and the tightest expense-wise, bronze rank contracts and beyond made a good living; For most adventurers, that was anywhere from six months to four years of struggle. Not extreme by any length, and especially not to those of Sanshi who had waited years for their essences to begin with. Although they didn¡¯t produce spirit coins like looting powers, looting rituals became resource positive at bronze rank, when used on bronze rank monsters. The payout was two-fold, once from the contract, and the second from the ritual. Most adventurers at bronze rank had a basic ritualist on the team (at least in Sanshi, where most adventurers got a basic education in it), either as an auxiliary or a core member, who could perform a looting ritual. Alternatively, they could hire an Adventure Society member to tagalong on contracts and perform the ritual for them.

    Thirdly, the Adventure Society was flexible. Their charter with local governments could be negotiated, and could be renegotiated every 5 to 10 years. Adventurers in smaller cities often had more authority, while those in established cities had less authority. The Adventure Society were experts at dealing with disasters and monsters, and actively funded the research of rituals for communications and other methods to increase their effectiveness. They could contract adventurers from afar to help regions in need, which was a boon for less developed regions with little opportunistic draw. They serviced any region that would contract with them; the sole exception on Erras was Nekroz. While they were a political body, their lack of direct political ties meant dispatching adventurers to deal with disaster was considerably easier, without needing to work through the slowing mud of bureaucracy. Since keeping the population alive was necessary to even having a civilization in the first place, their expediency was necessary. Accordingly, the local government had an incentive regardless of political intentions to make sure their contract with the Adventure Society was profitable to the adventurers and the society.

    Fourthly, the Adventure Society and many adventuring families turned their noses down at attempts to consolidate the power of essence users under a government. The very nature of essence users, with greater personal power increasing political power meant anyone that wanted to establish an army needed to be the most powerful person in the country. As such, only royal families with diamond rankers had any success in establishing royal guards and loyalist militaries. Combined with the general disdain of the populace, these factors meant that private armies hadn¡¯t stuck, although many noble families hired washed out or failed adventurers as guards.

    Thusly, the general view of the population towards adventurers was more of respect¡ªthey were expert monster hunters, those who pushed back the tide of disaster and fought against the forces of evil, whether it be alien invaders or devotees of the evil gods. The mirage competitors, conversely, were like local celebrities. They hadn¡¯t the same license-to-kill aura and mystique of adventurers, many themselves with pure, untouched hands of snow white.

    The brave ones who talked to adventurers wanted to be adventurers. The ordinary folk who had no interest in the lifestyle wanted to talk to the mirage competitors instead.

    The end of the year festival, on top of its performance and competition extravaganza, was an intellectual showcase as well. Sanshi was the hub of learning of the Shian Union.

    Nara often attended lectures with John and Aliyah, although it was clearly Aliyah who found the most delight and understanding in the advanced topics. However, Sanshi did have seminars and lectures on entry level topics, such as the one Nara had just attended on the development of the Adventure Society, which John found equally fascinating. With the threat of monster waves every 10 years, an established Adventure Society was integral to the development of emergent cities who could not defend themselves. Otherwise, older cities like Sanshi had relied on the union of powerful local families for their defense.

    There was a marked change in the development of cities pre-Adventure Society era, and post era. Civilization started in the low magic regions, where monster waves were easier to survive. Powerful families were the backbone of civilization. Once one person had essences and survived until bronze rank, it was easier to get the rest of their family essences, and they were the most likely next candidates. As such, adventurer dynasty families were the natural result of prioritizing family over strangers.

    These seminars took place at both outdoor amphitheater and indoor lecture halls, provided by either the Adventure and Magic society or the Academies. Nara was using this opportunity to develop her astral magic knowledge along with John and Aliyah. Lawrence too, had been accompanying the group on their academia adventures. He was as usual, diligently copying the books in Nara¡¯s Archive for posterity. At this rate, they¡¯d need a new line on front covers to credit Lawrence with transcription.

    They settled into seats at an outdoor amphitheater. They were in attendance at a research competition. Each attendee was awarded with three voting slips per session, divided by topic. The votes of the 5 judges made up 75% of the overall score, but the audience would influence the final outcome. The audience in attendance were mostly intellectuals or those with a passing interest, so the contestants had to balance their presentation between dry biscuit exposition and soda pop oration.

    ¡°So Lawrence,¡± Nara said, settling into some small talk, ¡°How goes copying those books?¡±

    His thin lips were pulled back into a distinctly unamused frown. ¡°If I could express it as a succinct percentage, I will let you know.¡±

    ¡°Alright then. No need to get snippy,¡± she said, but Lawrence was wearing her gift, even now. It made her feel warm and fuzzy that he regularly used the glasses she had Henri make for him. He had originally been rather nervous and reserved, but revealed more of his attitude as he became familiar with the group.

    ¡°A silver ranker in my place would be far more efficient,¡± he muttered. He wasn¡¯t dissatisfied with the task; Lawrence never had any dissatisfaction with what his goddess asked of him. He was dissatisfied with the inefficiency. Lawrence wasn¡¯t quite bronze rank yet, once there, his ability to transcribe material would increase. Since Nara didn¡¯t actually know what was in the books, neither did Knowledge the goddess. Lawrence needed to transcribe them to add them to Erras¡¯ wealth of knowledge.

    ¡°Are you going to leave Sanshi with us then?¡± Nara mused, a side-thought of the situation.

    He grumbled. ¡°And I have your permission to follow?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your goddess say? Isn¡¯t she in charge of you?¡±

    He frowned. ¡°I am not a method in which to communicate directly with my¡­¡± he paused, expression shifting from indignance to resignation,¡°¡­my goddess says that I am to follow if permitted by your team.¡± His expression seemed to say he thought it would be a pain that he now had to advance himself to bronze rank in short order.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll ask Sen and the rest of the team.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d be delighted to have you, Lawrence,¡± Aliyah added warmly, sensing his dour mood. ¡°There isn¡¯t anyone on this team I can discuss advanced magic theory with whom I don¡¯t have to teach. At the very least, an extra hand to help develop the magic knowledge of two outworlders who need to understand astral magic to return to their home world would be a great help.¡±

    She looked at John and Nara with a raised eyebrow as if to say, ¡®I am doing all of this for you¡¯.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing my best,¡± John muttered. ¡°I¡¯m putting my best foot forwards. I didn¡¯t expect to master a whole new field in my 40s, but here I am. Not just one field, but two.¡±

    ¡°Oh we know John,¡± Aliyah said, patting his back with an expression of soft pity, ¡°You are doing your best.¡±

    John looked to Nara, with an expression of aggrievance of a golden retriever falsely blamed for the pot the cat knocked over, ¡°I¡¯m learning well, aren¡¯t I? This stuff is difficult. I feel more educated than I was back in university. I¡¯m not some daft bloke. I have an education!¡±

    ¡°You are, John. Of course you are. You¡¯re doing great.¡±

    He lightly sighed, and turned his attention to the presentation stage and away from his youngers who were teasing him.

    The reward for the competition was awarded at the end of the week, with three places. The top prize this year was the claim to a Rune Essence, a popular essence for casters, crafters, and researchers. The winner could exchange their prize for the second or third place prizes, if they wanted, since essence combinations didn¡¯t necessarily want the rarest essence. Second place was the uncommon Glass Essence, and third was the basic but desirable Magic Essence.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    In between each presentation was a 10 minute question and discussion period where the audience and judges could ask the presenter specifics and discuss the research between themselves. The event lasted the full day; They¡¯d leave in between to check out the performances Eufemia had selected for them. The day was divided by topic, attendees could stay for only the hours that interested them.

    ¡°Aliyah, have you done a presentation like this before?¡±

    ¡°It was many years ago, but I have. Ah yes, it was Large Scale Layered Array Implementation using a Shared Array Framework. It won me my Gathering Essence.¡±

    ¡°Sounds about as fun as watching paint dry.¡± It wasn¡¯t a particularly engaging title.

    Lawrence shot Nara a unhappy look, ¡°It may sound like that to you, Nara, but the concept of using similarities between arrays as a baseline to better overlap them in order to reduce the array load is a remarkable improvement in the field of overlapping arrays, which, Nara, is important for all the conveniences and defenses we enjoy in the city of Sanshi.¡±

    Aliyah chuckled at Lawrence¡¯s fervor, ¡°It isn¡¯t as big of a deal as Lawrence makes it sound.¡±

    ¡°I respectfully disagree.¡±

    ¡°Nara has a point: It was certainly too dry and too technical of a topic for a festival, but it wasn¡¯t this sort of competition I won it in. It was an internal competition within the Magic Society. My research was about finding similarities in large scale arrays to use as a shared baseline, to reduce the load of array in a given space. With this method, you could overlay more arrays in the same area, and reduce overall mana consumption, particularly when using arrays simultaneously.¡±

    ¡°That does sounds really impressive.¡± Nara knew efficiency in size was and processing was part of the goal of modern computing. It was how room sized computers that outputted braille dots evolved into the pocket-sized smartphones held in the palm of the hand.

    ¡°I have my bit of fame too, miss inventor.¡±

    ¡°My respect for you grows, lady researcher,¡± Nara said with a dramatic bow, as best as she could perform from her seat.

    ¡°As long as you understand,¡± Lawrence said, partially satisfied, but still eying Nara skeptically.

    It was probably inevitable that his evaluation of her intelligence dropped a bit.

    *****

    The astral magic section of the presentations were sparse, as many researchers had been abducted and killed over the years, or otherwise turned away from the field through monetary incentives, courtesy of Adventists that remained undiscovered. That didn¡¯t mean there were none. Astral Magic was the theoretical physics of magic, and there were always curious researchers challenging the field and seeking the final frontiers of magic.

    The presentations were a good refresher for Nara, who was surprised that she understood most of the material. The calculations she wasn¡¯t as able to follow along, but concepts and theories were the star of the presentations, not the background formula and figures.

    Magic Society researchers had studied the persistent portal arch in the Advent astral space. The presenter described their discoveries, and how they planned to create a persistent portal network across Erras. It was a technique The Advent had mastered, and one Erras wanted to harness for itself.

    ¡°¡­the persistent portal poses a large strain on the ambient magic. Installing portals in nearby astral spaces offsets the mana load onto the astral space, although it poses an infrastructure issue¡­Temporary activation of permanent portals greatly reduces the mana load, and is the most likely use scenario. The permanent portal can transport up to the rank of its construction, with no limit on capacity, however it drains mana per person that crosses its threshold. This cost increases with distance, unlike ability-based portal conjurations¡­¡±

    In any world, it was the quintessential move to research the artifacts of other factions left behind and harness them for themselves. She was excited to see Erras slowly bridging the gap in their astral magic technologies.

    Once the presentations of the astral magic block had ended, the four of them turned in their votes and headed to their next destination, a small local play recommended by Eufemia.

    The celestine of merlot stood out among the crowd. Her posture and attitude warned others not to bother her at the moment. Thanks to that, the table that she sat at across from plaza stage was empty of onlookers and lollygaggers. Nara was always surprised by Eufemia¡¯s startling ability to control a crowd, not through aura, but through posture and presence. With her skill book, From One to One Thousand, and Laius¡¯ aura instruction, her already well-honed ability to leverage expression and actions to manipulate others had transformed Eufemia into a master of ceremony. She was the conductor with the crowd as her unaware orchestra.

    The stage resembled the wooden ones of renaissance fairs. It was a quick construction, with wooden planks nailed and hammered into efficient and semi-sturdy platforms. These weren¡¯t essence users; they didn¡¯t have stone shapers to just make a stage, and stone and earth shaping wasn¡¯t allowed in the city unless it was for construction, as it¡¯d mess up the paved and tiled floors.

    The four joined her at the table, and Sage¡¯s various bodies returned right on cue with trays of food and drink from festival street vendors.

    ¡°Thank you, Sage.¡±

    ¡°Of course, benefactor.¡± She faded away, unseen but at her side like a phantom of dust.

    They were a little early for the performance, so they began to snack on the food. Meat skewers were of various meat varieties, as nothing was standard. Bolo, heidel, and pheasant meat was common, as well as local fish varieties. Pitchers of various drinks were filled with either alcohol or festival cocktails. Noodle dishes were topping with shredded meat and submerged with an alcohol and fish based white broth that warmed the stomach and reddened the face.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Eufemia quietly said, with an accompanying aura nudge technique she had picked up from Laius, or perhaps her skill book. ¡°I want to give you something.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    She removed a tin of cosmetic cream from her inventory, placing it directly in Nara¡¯s hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s concealment cream,¡± Eufemia explained. ¡°Covers up identifying marks, like scars and tattoos.¡±

    ¡°You know alchemy?¡±

    ¡°I know what¡¯s useful.¡± Obviously, was implied. ¡°I can make some magical hair dyes, skin tone potions, and color-changing contacts, if you want a change from your basic from brown on brown.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± Nara said teasingly, ¡°And you¡¯ve gotten tired of red on red?¡±

    ¡°When I¡¯m being chased.¡± She twirled a lock of her shimmering, celestine hair. ¡°Not great for making a stealthy escape, but great for an eye-catching distraction. I know you haven¡¯t felt that you needed to cover up the scars Nara, but if you want the option, you have it.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t have a use for the concealment cream yet, but if and when she returned to Earth, they did represent an aspect of her otherworldly escapade that she¡¯d rather not explain. On Erras, they were marks of valor. Scars garnered respect. On Earth, her story would elicit pity or uncomfortable questions. She didn¡¯t want pity, and she didn¡¯t want the soft, soothing, voices and sympathetic yet shallow expression of those who would never understand why she¡¯d wake up in a cold sweat, doubting reality.

    ¡°Thank you, Eufemia, I appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°I know the value of options,¡± Eufemia said. Her words articulated her pride in her abilities which provided her exactly that.

    In Nara¡¯s period of recovery, the one who had spent the most time in the mirage chambers had been Eufemia. She was under the instruction of Sen and the veteran essence users of his family and received dedicated training on how to anticipate enemy abilities. Her ability set could be a scalpel or a hammer, Eufemia needed to know which to pick.

    Eufemia was prideful, but she could also easily abandon her pride. In Nekroz, she learned that pride was a tool. It could be used to dominate or cause someone else to underestimate her. She could build someone up and tear someone down. Make her pride appear to be a point of weakness, then discard that weakness when it is targeted. In battles against the most dangerous of foes¡ªother people¡ªemotions were weapons.

    Eufemia had bowed her head and asked the Arlang family to mentor her. They obliged; it was a benefit provided to all Arlang team members.

    The next time, Eufemia swore, she would be the one covering her team¡¯s back, and not the one being picked up off the floor by Encio. She was harsh on herself, but Eufemia was an actress that pursued perfection, both on the stage of performance and the stage of battle.

    Nara was curious, so she unscrewed the cap of the tin. The concealment cream was a similar color and translucency as petroleum jelly but with the consistency of oil-based moisturizer. It didn¡¯t look like Earth¡¯s concealers, painstakingly concocted to match a specific skin tone. She gently dabbed a finger into the tin, and spread it over the scar on her left wrist, both on the underside and topside of her arm. As she spread the cream, the scar seemed to vanish in a display of magical photoshop.

    She touched her wrist in awe, unable to quite believe her eyes. She felt no difference at all, not the cream or the texture of scar tissue, not that her scars had any texture difference to begin with¡ªthey were representative, and not actual scar tissue.

    ¡°I¡¯ll come off with crystal wash, but that stuff washes everything off,¡± Eufemia explained. ¡°Anything else¡ªwater, blood, oil, sweat¡ªwon¡¯t affect it. It¡¯ll last around a day, but too much magic and the concealing effect will be overpowered.¡±

    ¡°Too much magic?¡±

    Her brows crinkled, looking for an explanation that she vaguely remembered. ¡°Aliyah said it was¡­ something about the magic matrix asserting itself over any effects that differ from its matrix blueprint. Use too much magic, and your matrix realizes it shouldn¡¯t be there, or your rank¡¯s natural resistance to change asserts itself and removes the effect.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not sure?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter? Either way, it doesn¡¯t work once you decide to stop pretending to be the quiet girl and start deciding to be the violent girl. An ability here and there won¡¯t remove the effect, but who needs concealment when blood will conceal it for you anyway?¡±

    After saying her piece, Eufemia turned her attention towards the stage performance. The troupe had finished their preparations, and the troupe¡¯s representative had started her introductory speech to kick off the performance. She was using a voice projection artifact, although it was a just a badge on her lapel rather than a megaphone or microphone.

    The performance was an engaging story about the life of Chiyo Jeshi, who started as a common Sanshi woman who revitalized the performance culture, gained her essences, and went on to marry Aziel Fenhu. Actors playing actors was a challenging setting, but the Phoenix Feather Performance Troupe pulled it off. It held the ups and downs of what many suffered today both in Erras and on Earth¡ªsexism, classism, interference from the powerful, and those that pressured her to use performances for propaganda. That¡¯s not to say Sanshi¡¯s performances didn¡¯t have some level of propaganda now, but anyone could write a script, and troupes could perform what they wanted; accepting sponsorships was their discretion, but it hadn¡¯t become the government-controlled media some nobility had wanted.

    ¡°That is a good troupe,¡± Encio said, giving his applause at the end of the play, ¡°Dramatized, but otherwise historically accurate. I¡¯m surprised with their quality.¡±

    ¡°Surprised? I¡¯m the one who recommended it. What are you trying to say?¡±

    The two bickered; Encio with his usual infuriating smugness and Eufemia with her barbed retorts, neither giving an inch.

    *****

    The warm fuzzies in her chest warmed her like a crackling fireplace in a winter storm. Nara had people around her that she loved, and loved her back.

    She was content. Nara didn¡¯t feel the highs of joyful exuberance, her emotions always flowed mildly, but the sun of Erras gentle warmed the sea of her emotions to comfort.

    This world was a glittering jewel. It had its imperfections and inclusions, but it only mesmerized her further. She couldn¡¯t let go of it. In a wonderous self-realization, Nara was glad that she existed. Whatever whim of the astral had allowed her soul to come back from the ashes, she was thankful it had.

 Chapter 140: Distant Thoughts and Small Secrets

    Chapter 140: Distant Thoughts and Small Secrets

    On the last day of the festival, the team was surprised with an unannounced visit from everyone favorite punching-bag diamond ranker, Sezan Aciano, and his lovely wife, Luciana Aciano.

    ¡°Nice place,¡± he mused as he settled into the covered patio of the nebula house, guided in by Sage, not that he needed directions. His diamond rank senses easily punctured the privacy protections of a bronze rank artifact, impressive as they were for their rank.

    She turned to Encio, ¡°You didn¡¯t say he was visiting.¡±

    ¡°I did say I was his favorite grandson, of course he visits me. Unless you think the only occasion he will visit is to look for my missing teammate?¡±

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± She turned to Sezan, ¡°Did you get Encio¡¯s permission?¡±

    Sezan scoffed, ¡°I don¡¯t need my grandson¡¯s permission to visit him. I¡¯m a diamond ranker!¡±

    ¡°Yes dear,¡± Luciana, his wife, said, patting him arm gently. ¡°We all know that you¡¯re a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°So? What are you here for?¡± Nara asked.

    Fragrant silver leaf tea had been served to the group in ceramic cups with stark vein accents much like the Japanese art of Kintsugi. Nara liked their irregular yet beautiful appearance. She had nothing against mass produced goods as a former reluctant lower middle-class captive of globalization and capitalism, but she may as well fund her hobbies now that she can afford them.

    ¡°Do you have to say it like I¡¯m an unwelcome guest?¡± Sezan pouted good naturedly, and he made himself comfortable.

    ¡°No Sezan, you¡¯re always welcome in my home. You as well, Luciana.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re thankful.¡± She smiled with the composure of an adult that Sezan sometimes lacked.

    Sezan leaned back into the comfortable cloud chair, the softness easing his grumble into a content sigh. ¡°I¡¯ve been invited to Sanshi¡¯s end of the year banquet.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t exactly your stomping grounds, why did they invite you?¡±

    ¡°Since Sezan participated in the Advent rescue, it was sufficient excuse to as least send him an invitation without seeming senseless,¡± Encio explained. ¡°One does not just go around and invite diamond rankers,¡± he said with the grandeur of a famous quote.

    ¡°Sanshi may be of relatively low importance now,¡± Sezan explained, ¡°but the rest of the adventuring world is realizing the value of low magic zones for adventurer training.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t how its usually done?¡±

    ¡°The population centers of this world are in high magic zones,¡± Encio said. ¡°It requires significant travel that iron rankers don¡¯t have easy access to in order to train in lower magic zones, so usually a silver ranker accompanies them on their low rank contracts.¡±

    ¡°They get chaperoned on their monster killing contracts?¡±

    ¡°Those that know better send their younger generations to places like Sanshi, where they can get valuable experience managing themselves. It¡¯s not that those with protection aren¡¯t well-trained or resolute but have less experience when contracts go wrong. They end up surviving iron and bronze rank but get overconfident with their durability at silver rank. Now that they don¡¯t have someone watching their back, that when things go wrong.¡±

    ¡°We had Ranshi chaperoning us for Siyu. It can¡¯t be that different.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a significant difference,¡± Encio agreed. ¡°But having your only true risk in mirage chamber scenarios curtails your ability to evaluate genuine risk. Genuine risk may be rare at silver rank, but that¡¯s when you need that sense to push through.¡± Silver rank was impressive and solidified your position in society, but gold rank was the foundation of powerful families and guilds, of which reputation and power was built upon.

    ¡°The De Luca school has been shifting their approach to essence user education,¡± Luciana explained. ¡°It¡¯s in both Sanshi¡¯s and the De Luca¡¯s interests to collaborate. It won¡¯t be a direct proposition, but we¡¯ll likely see indirect discussion of Sanshi¡¯s development plans. If I like what I see, I¡¯ll pass on the information to my son-in-law.¡±

    ¡°The De Luca school offers both political power, resources, and specialty classes, like politics,¡± Encio said. ¡°For those that reach silver rank in Sanshi, it becomes an increasingly necessary skill to navigate high society. How to know when someone is trying to manipulate your actions, and how to get around that or when to work together to further your interests. It¡¯s not something everyone can understand, but if I least one team member does, it¡¯s an advantage.¡±

    ¡°As Sanshi grows, the city will start to feel external political pressures as other regions realize that low magic zones have something to offer. The backing of a¡ª¡± she glanced at Sezan teasingly, ¡°¡ªdiamond ranker through the De Luca stymies any blatant force.¡±

    ¡°So, they¡¯ll try to appeal to you by showing off their developmental plans for the city at the banquet, and they¡¯re using Sezan¡¯s involvement in the rescue of the researchers, as well as Encio¡¯s presence in the city, as a pretext?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± said Sezan, waggling his fingers. ¡°So, do you want to come along? Might be fun.¡±

    ¡°You say that like politics and upper management meetings aren¡¯t anything but hours of soul draining boredom that¡¯d kill what little internal spark I possess.¡±

    ¡°The food will be spectacular. Sanshi¡¯s best cooks, the who¡¯ve conquered adversity and competition in order to win the right to cook a meal for a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going,¡± Chrome added, resolutely stating his piece.

    ¡°No. Don¡¯t you already have Nolan and Laius for that? What do you need a banquet for?¡±

    Thanatos barked.

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°¡­Some of Sanshi¡¯s rarest alcohol, aging for centuries¡­¡±

    ¡°We can age food with magic! That isn¡¯t that impressive!¡±

    ¡°¡­the rarest ingredients and impeccably prepared dishes to a backdrop of Sanshi¡¯s highest caliber of musicians¡­¡±

    Nara narrowed her eyes and grumbled. ¡°Musicians and food? That¡¯s tempting. But why invite me?¡±

    ¡°It was my idea,¡± Encio said. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to show your family all that you can? This may be the only chance you have to attend a banquet with the prestige of a diamond ranker. How about looking down at society from the loftiest of peaks, for fun?¡±

    ¡°For fun?¡±

    ¡°For fun,¡± he repeated, grinning.

    So he was being a good friend, Nara realized.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Nara relented, having lost the argument before it even began. ¡°Why not? Let¡¯s get fancy.¡±

    *****

    Nara stepped out into a palatial garden from Sezan¡¯s portal. According to her map, the location was the Three River Palace, located at the west edge of the city. There was no royal family, so it was not a palace for royalty. Rather, it was an event palace for hosting large occasions such as this banquet. When it was not reserved, the gardens were open to the public, although it was a bit too removed for anything but a day trip.

    As they made their way through the gardens, they entered a large banquet pavilion. The building was shaped as three circles intersecting at their center, like a triune of rings. The middle of the banquet was a large open space for conversation, dances, and performances. It was in the shape of a rounded equilateral triangle, a geometric result of the intersecting circles. Banquet tables were set up in each portion of the circle, with the most important guests and families sitting towards the center.

    Nara spotted a few other familiar faces.

    The Arlang family was together with Aliyah, Eufemia, and John.

    ¡°They were all going the entire time? I feel betrayed. Especially John, he doesn¡¯t seem the type.¡±

    John was wearing a well-tailored suit. Something like suits were formal Rowan fashion, and the style John had chosen as his representative fashion. The suit wasn¡¯t the same as Earth¡¯s, but they were close enough in purpose and construction that it translated the same to the outworlders. John¡¯s suit had a long overcoat and more embroidered flourishes than he¡¯d find in Earth¡¯s modern fashion, making him look a bit Edwardian, except with less tweed, no ties, no vests, and silkier fabric. He was excitedly snapping photos with his magic camera of the venue, like an event photographer with no particular subject. Nara was running a recording crystal instead.

    ¡°Everyone else doesn¡¯t have to be coaxed into attending a party,¡± Encio countered.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just a party it¡¯s practically a ball!¡±

    ¡°The Arlang group didn¡¯t have enough room for the entire party, so the two of us are going on my grandfather¡¯s authority.¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t Sen¡¯s sister be here or something?¡±

    ¡°This is Sen¡¯s first year in Sanshi, so he had first claim to admission. His sister has already attended before. You should learn from him; it¡¯s good to broaden your perspective. Not just of ordinary culture, but what it¡¯s like at the top. You have an odd distaste of the rich.¡±

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°The rich are parasites of the working class.¡±

    ¡°In your world.¡± Encio pointed out.

    ¡°And it¡¯s not the same here?¡±

    ¡°Who do you think are fighting the monsters? The poor? They can¡¯t afford essences.¡±

    That gave Nara pause. Erras was odd¡ªor perhaps, her world without magic was the odd one. The rich bought essences, and essence users fought monsters. Not all did, but only those that fought monsters were the strongest, the most powerful, and therefore the richest. If you let a bunch of civilians die from neglect, either you get forcefully removed from your position with death or pressured resignation, or you stop having a population to lord over.

    ¡°Huh.¡± There were systemic issues like only the middle or upper class being able to afford essences in the first place, but he had a hair of a point.

    ¡°It¡¯s not as if there are corrupt nobles and essence users,¡± Enio mediated. ¡°But if you¡¯re found running away in a genuine crisis to hide in a fortress without providing any sort of aid that¡¯s the quickest way to lose all political clout, get your adventure society membership revoked, get imprisoned and punished, and become a relic of the past.¡±

    ¡°Especially since you all resolve certain disagreements with duels.¡±

    Encio grinned, ¡°A coward isn¡¯t winning any duels. A well-matched duel is good for both competitors reputations. Feel free to challenge anyone who insults you.¡±

    ¡°To a deathmatch?¡±

    ¡°Deathmatch or mirage duel: your choice. I recommend the former.¡±

    Nara raised an eyebrow doubtfully, ¡°You¡¯re gods-damn deadly, Encio. Do you want to kill your opponent?¡±

    ¡°It helps to have a¡­reputation,¡± said Encio confidently. ¡°Most back out.¡±

    It was very like Encio to win without making a single move.

    *****

    Malik¡¯s eyes widened when he saw Nara walk in with House Aciano.

    ¡°Brother, isn¡¯t that the girl who rejected you?¡± Cira, his youngest sister, said. She had obsidian black hair and black eyes, inherited from their black haired runic father, Zhaohai Fenhu, although hers had the characteristic celestine sheen inherited from their mother, Edira.

    ¡°How do you know that?¡± He hissed back, clamping his hand over her blabbermouth.

    She grinned as she wrestled his hand back¡ªhe was higher rank than her, but Malik wasn¡¯t going to use bronze rank strength with his younger sister, even if she annoyed him like a woodpecker at 5 am.

    ¡°I¡¯m not telling.¡±

    ¡°Did Aina tell you?¡±

    ¡°Not telling.¡±

    ¡°Dammit, Aina.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need Aina to tell me, brother. You started looking like a kicked puppy the moment she walked in.¡±

    ¡°I do not look like a kicked puppy.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t argue with you, brother. You are what you are: rejected. So?¡±

    ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯d she reject you?¡±

    ¡°Who says she rejected me?¡±

    ¡°You did, brother. Try to keep up?¡±

    He sighed. He watched as she crossed the venue and sat down at the Aciano¡¯s specially prepared table. She was wearing a white robe with a crossed collar of the Sanshi formal martial arts style, looking like a sword dancer from a land of snow. The outer layer was light and breezy, delicate like tulle with heavier layers of silver silk underneath.

    Cira pinched him.

    ¡°Ow! Stop that.¡±

    ¡°That didn¡¯t hurt. You¡¯re bronze rank, brother. Remember?¡±

    He glared at her. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question.¡±

    ¡°¡­She said I was too young,¡± he reluctantly admitted. If he didn¡¯t respond, Cira would not stop pestering him the entire night. He was trapped here beside her. His older brothers Kaisen and Fuzheng looked away guiltily, aware that they had strung their younger brother out to dry with their nosy, persistent, youngest sister. Better his failed love life than theirs.

    ¡°She¡¯s not dating the Aciano, is she?¡± Cira said, her eyes on the group in question. Sezan winked at her, and she turned away with an embarrassed flush, suddenly aware she had been caught staring at a diamond ranker. So his sister still had some shame!

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°He is closer in age,¡± Cira emphasized. ¡°Last I remember from The Familiar¡¯s Tidings, I think he¡¯s¡­25 now.¡±

    ¡°Cira stop teasing your brother,¡± Malik¡¯s mother chided.

    She was the most famous ruby celestine in Sanshi. Eufemia¡¯s hair was a dark, deep violet red. Edira, in turn, had scarlet hair and eyes that gleamed with the light of a burning sunset, as close to on-fire as a celestine could have without actually having fire for hair. Ironically, she was the one who had married into the family known for their fire. Zhaohai, her husband, only had glowing blood red eyes and runes that contrasted his black hair; the charcoal remnants to a once burning fire, instead of fire itself.

    ¡°Zhaohai,¡± she shook his arm. ¡°Our darling youngest son is re-experiencing his first heartbreak.¡±

    ¡°Which one?¡±

    ¡°That one, in the white with the Acianos.¡±

    ¡°Hm. Outworlder? How unusual.¡±

    His curiosity returned him a gentle disproving aura nudge from Sezan, so he stopped probing the bronze rankers at the table. Zhaohai was gold rank, and the current head of the Fenhu because of it. He wasn¡¯t going to push further against a diamond ranker; he knew his limits. And the diamond ranker in question was one Sanshi wanted in good graces. It wasn¡¯t as if he poked him, but he was aware many were in awe of a diamond ranker, and might get overzealous with his companions. They wouldn¡¯t probe Sezan, so they shifted their attention. Sezan was pushing them all away, giving stern aura warnings to the ones that deserved it. Some of the rudest and mentally weakest passed out, heads thudding onto banquet tables in quiet clatters. They were quickly carried away out of the banquet hall by attendants and whisked away from Sezan¡¯s ire. Sanshi would need to clean up their backwater tendencies; Diamond rankers were just myths and legends, and some had their hands stuck too far up the honey pot to realize they should¡¯ve left it to the bear.

    Sezan Aciano was the highest ranker here. A diamond ranker was almost never seen in Sanshi. He kept his aura at an appropriate level of authority; powerful and commanding but clearly reserved for his rank. It enveloped the massive celebration hall with ease, and asserted his rank as above everyone else here. No matter who else showed up, lest it be another diamond ranker, he was the most important person in the room. That was part of the aura etiquette of essence users. In public political settings, it was to let your position be evident through your aura. Otherwise, diamonds rankers kept their aura to themselves in casual, public settings.

    If it was anybody else, he might have told his son about the virtue of not giving up, waiting out the few years, being respectfully persistent, and demonstrating his good qualities to win her over. It was what he had done with Edira, who had rejected him many times. She hadn¡¯t believed that he didn¡¯t want to tie her down and ¡®tame¡¯ her as many others foolhardy suitors had. Motherhood suited her, as fighting, adventuring, and calligraphy all equally did. She was a fiery woman and he wanted to be the coals that fueled her fire. Together, they were a phoenix fire furnace.

    Zhaohai concluded that Malik¡¯s first crush was a lost cause. He just shook his head and kept silent. It¡¯s a shame, the Fenhu often pursued inventors, and she was one. The Fenhu kept their eyes on innovation¡¯s edge. Mayber they could collaborate on a business opportunity instead. For a teaching moment, it would have to be the next time.

    ¡°Mother, please stop.¡± He pinched his sister back, ¡°Look what you¡¯ve done,¡± he hissed to her.

    ¡°You¡¯re all grown up and you don¡¯t want to tell your mother about these things?¡± she sighed. ¡°The children grow up so fast. I feel unneeded.¡± She sniffed.

    ¡°Mother!¡± he objected, face flaming.

    Zhaohai cleared his throat, adding supportively, ¡°I could give you advice, next time.¡±

    Malik sighed and buried his face in his hands, just wanting the banquet to end.

    *****

    Nara got a front row seat to the frustrations of Sen and Malik¡¯s heritage. The formation of Sen¡¯s team was not widely known, and Malik¡¯s team was still missing members, so both were approached by various lower nobles appealing to the two with varying methods. Nara recalled her own interviews applying for positions at various companies and felt a kinship to these hopefuls, but understood the annoyance of unsolicited appeals. Average as she was, with baggy sweatpants and an old tee, she¡¯d even gotten a few unimpressive solicitations while grocery shopping.

    No one was impudent enough to approach a diamond ranker¡¯s table without an invitation, and Sezan¡¯s aura kept it that way. Diamond rankers were on par with the gods of this world in reverence (at least to normal rankers), and as Encio promised, Nara caught a glimpse of his lofty view.

    Sezan¡¯s table was set up on a raised sort of 1.5<sup>th</sup> floor of the banquet hall, and it was the only table there. The Aciano table wasn¡¯t front and center, but rather towards the wall, where they had privacy and a clear view to the center of the dining hall, where performers were dancing a traditional sword dance, at times moving with power, and at times with flowing grace. A single bronze ranker was their attendant; he was the head steward. He¡¯d communicate whatever Sezan wanted to others, without the discourtesy of additional people. He stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to their raised table, not daring to step to Sezan¡¯s level, literally. If Sezan wanted him, he would let him know.

    It seemed a bit of a waste for a bronze ranker to be a steward especially in Sanshi were bronze rank was important, but not everyone wanted to be an adventurer. Nara could tell he was a core user from the telltale mark of monster core contamination within his aura. Core users usually suffered in skill, but this steward had impeccable aura control. Sloppy aura control was annoying to all aura users around them, since it felt like they were all being flashed by an unintentional nudist.

    There was a privacy screen for both vision and speech set up around the raised stage for Sezan. People couldn¡¯t so much as gaze upon his visage without his explicit permission. Nara was a bit too used to seeing the cast-in-bronze ocean god of a man, and didn¡¯t see it as some sort of huge honor. If she brought it up, she¡¯d no doubt be treated to a dollop of Aciano smugness.

    It was no wonder that Amara and the others retreated from society. Sezan was obliging, polite, humorous, and relatively public for his rank, but most diamond rankers were reclusive, or went incognito in public. There were ones that enjoyed the pomp and attention however, or at least grander purpose, or there wouldn¡¯t be diamond ranked kings.

    The celebration had more formality than normal. In situations where diamond rankers were needed, which no one wanted to happen since that was a disaster, they was far less pretense and performance, but the reverence lower rankers held towards diamond rankers was no less.

    Nara did know that the four were diamond rankers (or at least very strongly suspected); there were several clues which elucidated her to their little secret. Sezan and Wisteria¡¯s reaction to laxo nuts, which Nara found out later only grew in very high rank magic zones. Chelsea and Amara¡¯s flirting fights casually annihilated high rank jungles (which they later studiously repaired). The topic of Redell¡¯s research was incredibly restricted, although it was likely a gold ranker would be trusted with it too. Amara¡¯s own research was literally creating matter from energy¡ªNara knew enough astral magic to know how difficult that was without an essence ability to do it for you.

    Diamond rankers were also so fabulously rich that money itself was meaningless. Diamond rankers couldn¡¯t pay other diamond rankers, and neither could countries unless the amount was exorbitant. Most diamond rankers assisted in crisis free-of-charge since money had lost all meaning, and others couldn¡¯t afford an amount that had meaning. What they traded instead was in favors, restrictions, exotic curios, and artifacts. (And occasionally rare essences and awakening stones, if a diamond ranker had a favorite grandson approaching the age to start their essence journey.)

    The cloud flask was a famous example, but the portable portal Chelsea could make was no doubt another. Portal abilities were extremely valuable, and an artifact that let a diamond ranker portal where they had no inherent ability to do so was even more so. Nara couldn¡¯t even comprehend the magical mastery required to make a physical portal object that could manifest in two locations at once, then be retrieved and restored from either location; Chelsea was no slouch at astral magic herself.

    Lastly, she had, in some ways, known from the very beginning, before she even had the concept of diamond rank. When ritualist make a ritual, they usually write in a trigger condition for the ritual. Rituals could activate automatically on completion if there was enough ambient magic, but most ritualist had the ritual activate with a small input of personal mana. That was the ritual construction standard to prevent mishaps and misfiring. All sorts of trigger conditions could be written, or not written, into rituals, but there was nothing wrong with the established standard, and Amara had followed that standard in the ritual Nara had hijacked.

    Amara¡¯s magic was diamond rank because she was diamond rank. She could power down her magic to a lower rank, but she couldn¡¯t change it¡¯s inherent quality, in the same way that Nara looted diamond rank coins from the True Mimic¡¯s iron rank illusory duplication. However, she had only learnt what she felt was diamond rank magic after she learnt Sezan¡¯s rank.

    Chrome knew from the very beginning but said nothing. Nara too, would say nothing. Nara was bad at keeping secrets; she let small adjacent facts slip, and she had a hard time keeping track of what shouldn¡¯t and should be said. Anyone sufficiently perceptive or deductive would realize, as Sezan had realized from the laxo nuts, and they were all playing one big game of look away and pretend.

    The only thing Nara could do was to continually insist they were gold rank, even in her own mind. Since she was used to referring to them as gold rank in her mind, she did so with her words as well. She let herself forget that they were diamond rank, shoving the fact back into the dusty attic of distant thoughts.

 Chapter 141: The Benefits of a Cheap Life

    Chapter 141: The Benefits of a Cheap Life

    As the festive performances passed, the banquet moved on to its serious phase.

    Local government, Adventure Society, Magic Society, and Public Safety officials presented topics concerning the plans for next year. Actual details would be fleshed out in the coming weeks in smaller meetings, but it set the general tone and gave additional time to prepare material.

    Most of the topics were fairly ordinary; topics such as standout research, emerging magics, internal statistics, and foreign affairs were discussed.

    The state of cooperation between the Eldesterians, and those of Zariel¡¯s world, was one of the big topics of the night. There was a debate presented as was traditional, with Zinnia Helianthae presenting the side of cooperation. The argument against cooperation was token, and Zinnia wasn¡¯t even a particularly good debater. She had a strong presence and strength; she was one of the only gold rankers present besides some of the family heads of the six great families. The Fenhu had their gold rank couple, and the Arlang was represented by Sen¡¯s gold rank mother, Jade Arlang. The Nisei¡¯s new representative, Jasper Nisei, was heading the Nisei table; he was silver rank¡ªa high enough rank to handle local operations, but vastly outranked in this atypical company. He kept quiet and observant, evidently selected for his ability to let hot waters cool. Vallis, of course, wasn¡¯t there. If she was as distantly related as she claimed, then her absence was expected.

    The Jagar¡¯s representative was one Nara didn¡¯t recognize but one she didn¡¯t like at first glance. He reeked of monster cores, and not in a good way that competent ones managed. He was on the large size, a bodybuilder physique that inconceivably bordered on pudgy. It should be impossible for essence users to gain weight, but this man manifested a small miracle. He was otherwise normal, wearing opulent clothes with the aesthetic taste of a gilded peacock.

    ¡°That¡¯s Kabir Jagar,¡± Encio said.

    ¡°I thought essence users couldn¡¯t get fat. And I thought it made everyone beautiful.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not always the case,¡± Encio shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s always the undead.¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the undead¡­ His tailor must hate him.¡±

    ¡°His tailor would make Eufemia proud.¡±

    ¡°Or Wisteria. He¡¯s charging that man for every coin in his pocket.¡± She had an errant thought. ¡°Did Wisteria overcharge us?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Encio laughed. ¡°Thankfully that thief has the decency to keep her games separate from business. She knows better than to try to pull a fast one with me.¡±

    ***

    It was decided that Eldester-jos would send a small batch of iron and bronze rankers over the next few years in order to help with monster waves, train them, and form connections. Along with them would be some of their researchers and artificers¡ªpolitical hostages to ensure their good behavior. In return, their people were free to harvest the remnant magic of monsters. The guild would form teams to cooperate with this process, as well as providing contracts and incentives to team up with their delegates.

    That was the preliminary agreement, and the Adventure Society found no issue with it. The Eldesterians could operate entirely in secret if they wanted, as they had so far, so interacting publicly, gaining access to some of their advancements, and perhaps the ability to trade for the information they have on good terms were potent advantages against the looming yet still shadowy Advent threat.

    Lieke¡¯s deep infiltration into Adventist operations demonstrated that the Eldesterians had people where the Adventure Society least expected them to have. They had incomparable political unity and commitment to their course; only possible for a world constantly teetering on the crumbling cliff of destruction, culled of their mutineers and traitors by necessity of circumstance.

    The presenter for the next topic was Lee Hu, who worked closely with both Academies as well as his position as an official for the Adventure Society. Using a variety of crystal projections, he detailed a proposed plan to engage the De Luca family in a collaboration. Notably, none of them directly addressed Sezan. Directly addressing him would be rude and pandering, like a noble rubbing their hands and pleading with a king. Lee Hu kept it expertly professional and concise, even proposing that the exchange student Eldesterians could form a three-way collaboration. Adventurers valued experience, and experience with an outworlder (of a different type than Nara) was a rare opportunity for young iron and bronze rankers.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    In a way, Zariel¡¯s people were Erras¡¯ ¡®first contact¡¯ with a peaceful alien civilization. The Messengers, winged racial supremacists that sought to conquer other worlds, violently attacked Erras and intentionally targeted population centers to sow destruction and despair. The Adventists, now Erras¡¯ second invading force, had been discretely assassinating and abducting Erras¡¯ lesser-known intellectuals.

    Erras didn¡¯t hold the same romanticized view of alien civilizations that Earth did; Their history was marked by Messenger attacks for hundreds of years. The abilities of the Illusae did mark them as potent allies and less-than-ideal enemies, especially in the areas of infiltration and espionage, so there was considerable push to make sure their stance was of the latter and not the former.

    ***

    ¡°Do you like this sort of thing, Sezan?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°How carefully they treat you?¡±

    Sezan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Between carelessness and carefulness, how would you rather have others treat you?

    ¡°Carefully, I guess.¡±

    ¡°As an iron ranker, and now as a bronze ranker, you must be diligent in how you present yourself and protect yourself against stronger forces. Even as a silver ranker, you will encounter these issues in high magic zones once you are thrust back down to become politically inconsequential.¡±

    It¡¯s true that Encio and Sen had been making sure, even if Oswald had no intention of doing so, that the Adventure Society didn¡¯t treat the team unfairly. They needed to be prepared, rather than relying on the good mood of the one in charge.

    Sezan gestured to the banquet, ¡°For those strangers, what do I care that they treat me like a king? As long as I have those I care about, the rest can tiptoe. If I don¡¯t want to be treated with such import even as a diamond ranker...¡± he pointed upwards.

    ¡°There is always the cosmos.¡±

    Sezan had to wait for his portal cooldown, so the next day he and Luciana departed for Esmera-Mar. They left Encio with various supplies, new clothing, materials, Encio¡¯s favorite foods and snacks, new bronze rank weapons and armor, and a bag of spirit coins, which Encio tauntingly jangled in front of Nara¡¯s face before storing it away.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even need money anymore,¡± she said exasperatedly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about the money, it¡¯s about the message.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s the message?¡±

    Encio grinned, ¡°That I¡¯m his favorite grandson.¡±

    Suddenly, Nara paused, staring at the space where the portal had once been.

    ¡°Aw shoot.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I forgot to think up of a gift for Sezan for coming to save my ass.¡±

    *****

    The week of the end of the year festival came and went, and the party prepared to move on to their next destination.

    They would take a long path; crossing north and west through the territory of Fenhu to arrive at the Tier-Media Sea, where they¡¯d transfer to a boat from Nara¡¯s nebula vessel. The higher magic quality of the region meant Nara¡¯s bronze rank vessel wasn¡¯t safe enough for the latter half of the journey. By sea, they would venture to Esmera-Mar, where they would get new bronze rank magic tattoos by Wisteria, and drop by to see Encio¡¯s parents as well as the rest of his family in Saggia.

    ¡°We can check out the academy too,¡± said Encio. ¡°You may find the educational differences interesting. At least, Sen would.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d definitely be interested in it too.¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯ve heard iron rank typically takes longer in private academies?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a greater focus on refining a wide variety of skills that would keep you alive at iron rank,¡± said Encio. ¡°They also examine awakened abilities to curate the next awakened abilities with awakening stone selection.¡±

    ¡°We survived through iron rank without all that.¡± Eufemia countered, although not negatively.

    ¡°Not everyone is in a team of six or has a healer,¡± explained Encio. ¡°Smaller teams are more vulnerable to unexpected dangers.¡± And targets for unsavory sorts, as they¡¯ve seen from Graff. ¡°On top of the benefit of curated abilities, they provide combat training. Most don¡¯t have the ability to use a skill book, or instant competency granted by an ability.¡±

    Sen continued the explanation of their trip after Encio finished, tracing his finger along the world map spread out on the table. ¡°On the way through Fenhu, we¡¯ll visit their capital Huxin. From there, we will travel through Atisalhaya and hug the coast of the Tier-Media Sea.¡±

    ¡°Plenty of sun to warm your buns,¡± said Nara, ¡°before we freeze them solid in Kallid.¡±

    Eufemia leaned back over her chair, dramatic. ¡°At least we¡¯ll be in Tier-Media in summer. Won¡¯t be missing much once we go to Kallid.¡±

    ¡°The transition from hot to cold is going to make the cold worse,¡± John said, in a rare grumpy mood.

    ¡°You¡¯re a Londoner, isn¡¯t wet and cold kind of your thing?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t find much enjoyment in the nippy weather.¡±

    ¡°When else are you going to wear trench coats?¡±

    ¡°That is part of the issue, Nara.¡±

    *****

    ¡°One other thing, actually, John.¡± Nara stopped John, catching him after their meeting.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he said, Eufemia a few paces ahead of him, head turned.

    ¡°Mostly John, but I was thinking that most of us rather not kill people unless we have to.¡±

    ¡°This is a rather grim topic out of the blue.¡±

    ¡°Am I wrong?¡±

    ¡°Hardly. I am the healer.¡±

    ¡°As I was saying, do you know if you could acquire something like Chloroform?¡±

    His eyebrows rose in understanding. ¡°I see what you¡¯re saying, but Chloroform isn¡¯t that effective for knocking others out. That¡¯s all tele magic.¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°You want Eufemia and I to acquire something that¡¯ll work to non-lethally restrain essence users?¡± he summarized.

    ¡°Not just essence users, but normal people. Some iron rank suppression collars, of course, and whatever else you think might come in handy. For all of us. You still have the connections in Shanyin to get that sort of stuff?¡±

    ¡°Iron rank suppression collars aren¡¯t hard to acquire,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Just pricy.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no price on life.¡±

    Eufemia crossed her arms, almost offended, ¡°I didn¡¯t say we couldn¡¯t afford it. It doesn¡¯t even compare to the price of a single essence.¡±

    ¡°I guess life is cheap then. Good thing.¡±

    Somewhere, someplace, another third world factory worker died for the great capitalist machine, and nothing was changed.

 Chapter 142: A Very Tiresome Team

    Chapter 142: A Very Tiresome Team

    A week after the festivities, the team had made their final preparations to set out. They purchased food supplies, necessary low rank quintessence to power artifacts and rituals, and other equipment. Nara notified the Invention Society of her temporary unavailability, and the team notified the Adventure Society of their plans to head to Kallid. Adventurers could go where they pleased without notice, but it helped streamline communication if they did.

    Aliyah and Sen contacted their families and bid their farewells. At bronze rank, Aliyah was now the head of her family. Her parents would rank up with cores to bronze rank later, but Aliyah would always be the most important person in her family as the adventurer.

    Sen was the opposite, while bronze rank now, he was still low on the Arlang totem pole. He was doing as he was supposed to do for his family¡ªstart a team and rank up. There wasn¡¯t much for his family to do except have him promise he¡¯d stay safe and endeavor to do his best as an adventurer, as an Arlang, and as himself.

    They set off early in the morning. It was the end of the first week of the first month¡ªJanuary, if it had been Earth. Sanshi was a two-season region where the weather was temperate and sunny. As they traveled north, the two seasons would morph into four.

    They stood at the outskirts of Sanshi, brought there by Nara¡¯s portal power. She uncorked her cloud flask, handing it to Sage as the streams of glittering star light coalesced. Instead of the house configuration, Nara had chosen the adaptive carriage configuration. Erras didn¡¯t have many forms of large-scale ground transportation like RVs or land trains, so she was in suspense about what form the nebula flask would take.

    After another ten minutes had passed, a large, floating boat hovered in front of them. It was a cross between a xebec and a yacht¡ªa craft of leisure and speed.  Large gleaming triangular sails of silver-white at the bow and middle of the ship. The stern of the ship had multiple floors, with an additional smaller mast on top. The boat was made of polished dark wood, decorated with accents of silver and dark blue trim. Smaller folded sails rested at the hull of the ship, almost like fins, a characteristic of some of Erras¡¯ ships, although Nara wasn¡¯t too familiar with ship design on Erras or on Earth. The design was of Sanshi¡¯s and something else¡ªbeams of exquisitely crafted wood forming overhangs.

    The sails rippled slightly, although there was no wind.

    ¡°This is supposed to be adaptive? Low-key?¡± Eufemia voice dripped disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s white.¡±

    ¡°Blends in with the clouds I suppose,¡± John generously offered.

    ¡°Hm, don¡¯t think it flies that high up,¡± Nara said. ¡°It¡¯s more of a high hoverer than a true flier.¡±

    ¡°It looks luxurious,¡± Encio said, inspecting the breath of the ship, ¡°but not unusual for a leisure sky ship on Erras. I don¡¯t know what ships look like on your world, but this does blend in here.¡±

    ¡°Blends in like every other gods-damn rich person,¡± Eufemia sighed. ¡°You see them coming from a mile away, but they¡¯re never unexpected, even when then try to be. Every rich asshole looks like every other rich asshole. They just stop looking like the common rabble.¡± she paused. ¡°No offense, I like being the rich asshole. It¡¯s not a criticism.¡±

    ¡°None taken,¡± Nara said, unminding. ¡°So, it does blend in?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t make it look like something else?¡±

    ¡°We could wait another 20 minutes; I could see if it wants to come up with something else.¡±

    Eufemia groaned.

    ¡°Another 20 minutes rather kills the excitement.¡± Encio said. ¡°I like it. It¡¯s my style.¡±

    ¡°Of course it is,¡± Eufemia said flatly.

    ¡°You like it, don¡¯t you?¡± Nara teased. ¡°Flashy but pretty.¡±

    Eufemia clenched her teeth, turned, then jumped up to the deck of the ship with a superhuman leap, landing gracefully despite her power.

    ------

    Ability: [Martial Gift]

    Special Ability / Special Attack

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known special attack of a target. This may make your version of the ability higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original ability. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    Effect (Bronze): Physical strength and resistance to damage is increased.

    -------

    At bronze rank, her Adept essence abilities shifted to provide Eufemia with the necessary base to form herself into any role. She wasn¡¯t stronger than Sen or faster than Encio, who had an entire rank dedicated to physical strength or speed respectively, but she was second place in everything. As Eufemia polished her combat techniques, she became increasingly dangerous as her own fighter and not just as somebody¡¯s lesser copy.

    The rest followed, leaping up with either pure strength, weight manipulation, flight abilities, or the help of others. Lawrence tossed a stack of conjured paper, which formed itself into stairs that he simply walked up, the very image of a scholar who couldn¡¯t be bothered for physical exercise. For over a month, his senior priests had taken the combat-adverse iron ranker to grind out the last few steps into bronze rank. He hadn¡¯t used cores, and belatedly regretted it. He had been an iron rank for many years, slowly ranking up as he saw fit between his research and his duties as a priest of knowledge. He didn¡¯t much like the implications of his goddess thinking he needed the ability to fight at a bronze rank level. The only matter that dulled his headache was that he¡¯d be traveling with a fellow researcher he greatly respected.

    Despite his quickness and mobility, Encio lacked a weight reduction or flight ability. He hoped to find something appropriate in Kallid.

    The silver sky ship did not fly too high, within range of one or two hundred feet above the ground. Sky travel was common between the larger cities of the region, and other ships traveled from Sanshi to Huxin, their next destination. The ships followed the ground path, casting shadows like dense clouds on the travelers beneath them, who made their way slowly on slower and smaller carriages.

    Flying monsters were less common than ground mounters, but the southern region of Shian Union where Sanshi and Huxin were location was mountainous, and flying monsters would manifest. Nara, Encio, and now Aliyah were relatively adept with aerial combat, but the rest still struggled to ¡®find their footing¡¯.

    The monsters they fought were mostly iron rank. Various monstrous varieties of birds of prey such as hawks and eagles. Others were insectoid flying monstrosities like the one Encio had fought.

    Notably, a species of monster called the feyline. Small, catlike creatures with wings of blades, and equally sharp fangs and teeth. Nara would have thought they were adorable, if they hadn¡¯t tried to rip her throat out. She still might have thought they were adorable¡­as long as they didn¡¯t try to stab out her eyes.

    The ship was under siege by a group of iron and bronze rank monsters. The feylines wrapped their razor-sharp wings around their bodies, turning themselves into armor piercing cannon shots with the speeds of a diving peregrine falcon.

    The nebula ship retaliated. Small panels on the hull of the ship transformed into brilliantly refractive crystal arrangements. Light bounced rapidly through the miniature crystalline array, growing brighter with power until it fired of a shot that melted a hole through a feyline.

    ¡°Uh, Nara. Just a quick question. I know you¡¯re busy. But, did you know it could do that?¡± John asked.

    ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve gotten around to the section of the manual on weapon defenses because I¡¯ve been too busy planting trees and flowers.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps it would¡¯ve been a good idea if you had a quick look around that part first. It¡¯s not too late for a quick peek.¡±

    ¡°Does it change anything? I could disable them?¡±

    John looked at the carnage the ship wrought on it¡¯s enemies. It was firing with surprising precision, missing all of their allies. The team was registered as guests of the nebula flask, and its defenses would not activate against them as it would for intruders.

    ¡°Mister Aurelius, I am the one operating the weapon systems,¡± Sage said. ¡°If I may, I believe the flask shares much a mind with me. The safety of its guests is its first priority. You may rest assured, as you have done so far.¡±

    Unlike the irresponsible Nara, Sage had read the entire manual for the nebula flask and was the one operating the weapons for the ship. It could function autonomously, but manual operation increased its effectiveness. It meant Nara did have to leave a body of Sage in the ship instead of combat, but her assistance was worth it. Now that Sage had minor ability to interact with objects physically, she had put her new ability to full use, upping her assistance outside and in combat. She couldn¡¯t carry anybody, but holding plates, switching levers, twisting knobs,  pushing buttons (literal and figurations), and operating high caliber weapons were all within the purview of Sage¡¯s impeccable service.

    Encio may not have had a flight or weight reducing ability yet, but he had his ways to dominate the sky as he dominated battle. Encio¡¯s Flicker ability wasn¡¯t entirely suited to air combat due to its short-range restriction, but he had a few more abilities that enhanced his air mobility.

    -------

    Ability: [Rewind]

    Essence: Time

    Special Ability (time, movement)

    Cost: Very low mana-per-second, Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Instantly move to a local location that has been previously traversed while this ability has been active. (This ability ignores dimension and teleportation restrictions.)

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Effect (Bronze): Gain a short-lived damage bonus after rewinding. Cooldown reduced to 55 seconds.

    -------

    It was impossible to travel back in time, however, moving to a location previously traveled or adopting a past state in the present was a mainstay of time abilities. Since it was instantaneous movement rather than teleportation, Encio didn¡¯t share Nara¡¯s weakness towards teleportation restriction, all but guaranteeing his ability would always work. Time manipulation restriction was even rarer than dimension restriction, as it was also proportionately rarer in the ability pool.

    Combined with Frozen World and Flicker, Encio would leap off the side of the ship to plunge his sword into six-winged hexeagles, tearing off wings at their joins with the cutting edge of his Whirlwind Sword.

    -------

    Ability: [Whirlwind Sword]

    Conjuration

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Zephyr¡¯s Tempest, the Whirlwind Sword]. Zephyr¡¯s Tempest inflicts physical damage. Attacks and abilities made with [Zephyr¡¯s Tempest] have increased speed and penetrating power.

    Effect (Bronze): After every attack, a duplicated attack of cutting wind follows, inflicting resonating-force damage.

    -------

    A resonating-force blade followed every one of his attacks like a mirage, cutting where he once cut. It was an awkward delay and effect in close quarters combat, since it didn¡¯t enhance his original strike. Nara found the effect of his blade obnoxious when fighting against Encio, since it forced her to extend the duration of Phase Shift just a bit longer if she wanted to avoid it entirely, and she was punished for dodging too tightly. Since the damage was comparatively less, it was better to just eat the damage, but that sort of constant sacrificial decision added up and helped guarantee the application of Encio¡¯s [Slowing Frost] affliction.

    Encio was still mastering the new effect, although with infuriating speed that made Nara groan over how needlessly high spec he was. In his close quarters fighting style, each of his slashes became a barrage of two.

    Encio was conserving mana for this fight. Aeiral combat meant he¡¯d never have a good chance to use Vorpal Slash, and God-Sundering Slash suffered similar issues. There was too much room for enemies to dodge unless Aliyah secured them for him first. She occasionally did, but her own-trap combo fared better in the air than Encio¡¯s relatively narrow projectile slashes.

    Nara landed on the back of a larger flying monster, a gargoyle-like creature with four pair of wings and stony feathers. It sagged under her weight, unable to attack her. It was already under the effect of Entropy, as one of the more resilient bronze rank monsters in the flock that Nara was in charge of eliminating.

    Around her floated two glowing golden swords, which deflected stay projectiles and cut into the back of the monster that she was standing on, applying their afflictions to the monster as well. These were Chrome¡¯s swords, a new subsumed effect that she could use with or without him, but for this battle he stayed subsumed. When they were together, the damage and afflictions of his swords were increased thanks to Soul Legion. It also meant that Chrome could control the swords for her, instead of Nara having to manipulate another effect on top of all the other ones she was already actively managing.

    ¡°Of course, your new effect is high maintenance, Chrome.¡±

    The swords faltered as control was handed from Chrome to Nara, and a sharp feather like a reversed arrow pinged past her ear that the swords would have normally deflected for her. They benefitted from Dream¡¯s Wake as long as she conjured them instead of Chrome and could handle some light deflections.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry so please control them again, I¡¯m begging you!¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Hand of Time]

    Familiar (ritual, summon)

    Cost: Extreme Mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Hand of Time], to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Has a humanoid physical form and can wield two swords that deal physical and resonating-force damage, which is highly effective against physical defenses.</li>

    <li>Can physically interact with incorporeal entities.</li>

    <li>Can move instantaneously to a nearby location. This ability has a cooldown of 40 seconds.</li>

    <li>Enemies damaged by the familiar are afflicted with [Deterioration].</li>

    <li>[Deterioration] (affliction, magic, stacking): Increases the speed at which effects that stack afflictions accrue instances. Decreases the duration of boons. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s aura, making the summoner¡¯s aura much harder to detect and read.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Summon a bronze rank vessel for a [Hand of Time].

    <ul>

    <li>Gains two additional swords that are wielded telekinetically.</li>

    <li>The familiar gains increased movement speed, reaction speed, perceptual speed, and spatial awareness.</li>

    <li>Inflicts [Erosion of Time], [Decay of Time], and [Corrosion of Time].</li>

    <li>[Erosion of Time] (affliction, damage-over-time, magic, stacking): Inflicts ongoing desiccation damage. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Decay of Time]: (affliction, damage-over-time, magic, stacking): Inflicts ongoing necrotic damage over time. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Corrosion of Time] (affliction, damage-over-time, magic, stacking): Inflicts ongoing corrosive damage. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Instantaneous movement cooldown is reduced to 30 seconds. Instantaneous movement gains an additional charge, with one charge recovered every cooldown period.</li>

    <li>When subsumed, the summoner can conjure up to 2 of the familiar¡¯s swords, wielded telekinetically.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Entropy]

    Awakening Stone: Ruin

    Spell (curse)

    Incantation: ¡°From order to disorder.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Periodically applies an additional instance of each stacking curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from. This is a curse effect. This effect cannot be cleansed while any other curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction is in effect.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts or refreshes [Inescapable].

    <ul>

    <li>[Inescapable] (affliction, magic): Subject cannot be affected by teleport or non-damaging dimension effects.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Entropy doubled up on Inescapable, which her Infinity Domain ability also applied, but they had different use cases. Inescapable applied by Infinity Domain couldn¡¯t be cleansed, while the one afflicted by Entropy could, not that it mattered for these monsters, who couldn¡¯t teleport anyway.

    Entropy passively applied instances of all her afflictions, but actively attacking monsters with attacks rapidly applied additional instances. She transformed Nirvana into a dagger form, rapidly making small, repeated cuts into the stone flesh of the flying gargoyle. She sacrificed boons with each attack, gaining resonating-force damage that let her blade cut through stone like a 1000-degree Celsius knife. All the while, she cast Astral Judgement the moment it was on cooldown. She had the mana to spare.

    -------

    Ability: [Astral Judgement]

    Awakening stone: Judgement

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Judgement of the astral.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Inflict rending damage for each curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts or refreshes [Sunder].

    <ul>

    <li>[Sunder] (affliction, magic): Negates immunities to physical, resonating-force, disruptive-force, and rending damage. This includes intrinsic immunities such as not have a corporeal form or possessing an entirely energy form. Cannot be cleansed while any other curse, unholy, or holy affliction is in effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Nara never had the answer for what was immune to rending damage, but the affliction answered the question before she had a chance to see the answer. Pure energy beings, like lightning, light, or fire elementals, would have been immune. Lightning and light elementals were extremely rare, while fire elementals were less so.

    Gauging it was the right moment, she transformed Nirvana back into a sword and swung, lopping off the head of the gargoyle. The body following the tumbling head, and Nara looted it before it exited her aura range, rainbow smoke drifting in the sky like wisps of vomit-inducing clouds.

    She teleported high again, oriented face towards the ground, pushing off her Cosmic Path to jumpstart her velocity. She became the aerial bullet, smashing a heavy, momentum powered staff swing that crushed the internal bones and organs of another monster. She cast Astral Judgement on hard-to-reach enemies, causing their bodies to internally tear at themselves from the inside out. Spells like Astral Judgement and damage-over-time afflictions dealt damage to the whole health pool of the monster, which meant the lacked the advantage physical attacks had of targeting weak spots to finish an enemy early.

    A bronze-rank feyline bulleted towards her, nearly clipping her shoulder to shatter bone if not for John¡¯s timely Burst Shield, which exploded outward and forced the Feyline to unfurl itself from the blast.

    -------

    Ability: [Burst Shield]

    Special Ability

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a short-lived shield that negates an incoming attack and explodes out, knocking-back nearby enemies and inflicting concussive damage. High-damage attacks of silver-rank or higher may not be entirely negated.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts [Vibrant Echo] on anyone damaged by the blast.

    <ul>

    <li>[Vibrant Echo] (affliction, damage-over-time, magic): Inflicts ongoing resonating-force damage.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The resonating-force damage eroded the plated wings. Nara thrust upwards with her extended sword, skewering its exposed body.

    With her Infinity Domain, the blood that dropped towards her was curved away, and she remained spotless, although it was hard to tell through her dark blue combat robes.

    The enemies from the air, their once dominance in the sky overturned by the team like the home team losing to the away team. Thankfully, there were no fans of the monsters to disappoint. Encio¡¯s aerial fighting style came in cycles, dashing outwards with his sword to cleave apart enemies while his long-range abilities were on cooldown. He¡¯d return to the sky ship with Rewind, then resuming tearing apart the flying fiends from a distance.

    The rest of the team unleashed their abilities from the deck, Eufemia with her long-range light rays dealing impressive damage for a cheap ability. The light rays could bend and chase targets, a bronze rank effect that strained Nara¡¯s common sense of physical reality.

    -------

    Ability: [Light Ray]

    Essence: Light

    Special Attack (light)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Fire a piercing ray of light dealing heat and mild disruptive-force damage.

    Effect (Bronze): Light rays can home towards targets for a short period of time.

    -------

    ¡°It¡¯s magic light, not real light,¡± Nara chanted to herself as a Light Ray bent towards a gargoyle that had tried to sidestep it, piercing through it¡¯s neck with a smoldering hole. It didn¡¯t die, but a follow up Sword Wave from Encio finished it.

    -------

    Ability: [Sword Wave]

    Essence: Swift

    Special Attack

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a projectile of cutting energy.

    Effect (Bronze): Energy blades become wider as they travel.

    -------

    Aliyah fought similarly, firing bolts and beams of magic at all those who approached. For now, she remained on deck, instead of adopting the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic performance she had been practicing with Nara before the celebration. Remaining in place afforded her more precision and control in a battle where more allies teleported through the air. Her exploding traps rocketed the air in exploding shockwaves like cannon fire, knocking enemies back into the waiting blade of Nara, or bisected out of the air by Encio and Eufemia.

    Sen covered the deck, hammering opponents into the deck with his heavy staff, cracking the nebula construct with his overwhelming power, which shortly reformed itself in a swirl of sparkling nebula clouds. Nara would need to give it more cloud quintessence later to restore the lost material. The rest of their flightless familiars defended the deck with Sen. Thanatos lanced enemies with black flame, and Lumi with her rays of light.

    Lawrence reluctantly aided the team in their battle. He launched paper that stuck to enemies, weighing and slowing them down as their own blood coagulated and added to their weight. Some became so heavy they flew with exhaustive, thumping beats, dropping out of the sky entirely when they could no longer support their own weight. Some lived through the hundred-foot fall, condemned to a slow death, while others exploded into paper on fatal impact, adding to Lawrence flurried storm of white and red. A hundred feet was well within Nara¡¯s aura range, and those enemies were looted too, even as they were reborn into Lawrence¡¯s paper projectiles.

    As Lawrence¡¯s mass of magic paper grew, so grew the capabilities of his abilities. Paper constructed themselves into mimicries of other monsters. White origami feylines bulleted into other monsters, cutting into them then pasting their paper makeup onto their bodies like glue. His ability set revolved around generating paper, accumulating paper, and expending that paper in his attacks. All abilities sets had combat applications, and this was how Lawrence applied his. Physically. To his enemies¡¯ skin. Some even suffocated, paper forced into orifices they shouldn¡¯t belong.

    ¡°Lawrence¡­ are you sure you¡¯re a non-combatant?¡±

    ¡°Nara, due to your origins, I assume you may not know all essence ability sets have varying degrees of combat applications. Now, you know.¡±

    ¡°Do you only get this cheeky with me, or do you talk like this with your goddess too?¡±

    ¡°I would never disrespect my goddess with such an attitude.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re disrespecting me?¡±

    ¡°No. Did I give you that impression?¡±

    ¡°You know Lawrence, I get the feeling you¡¯re upset with your current assignment. I¡¯m not the one who put you here. Your goddess did. You¡¯re not upset with me, you¡¯re upset with her.¡±

    ¡°I am not.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are.¡±

    ¡°I am not,¡± he said, a massive spinning shuriken of paper bisecting a monster into fluttering scraps of white, self-censoring the gore.

    ¡°Nara,¡± Sen said, ¡°Please stop irritating the already irate priest? I understand you possess a different view of religion, but please attempt to be respectful.¡±

    ¡°He disrespected me first.¡±

    He paused. ¡°Then go right ahead.¡±

    Lawrence stopped for a moment, staring at Sen. He had pegged Sen Arlang for the upright, righteous kind of person, staunch and unwavering. Every so often, Sen threw him a personality curveball.

    Sen sensed his disbelief and explained with a wry grin. ¡°We¡¯re on the same team. I will prioritize her over you.¡±

    The team wasn¡¯t serious; they were just messing with Lawrence. But Lawrence felt that the next few years of his life would be very tiresome indeed.

 Chapter 143: Eau De Outworlder

    Chapter 143: Eau De Outworlder

    The team had intentionally traveled fast, drawing monsters to Nara¡¯s nebula ship rather than letting monsters randomly choose their targets. Higher speeds drew the attention of monsters, and they were adventurers looking to test out their new toys (bronze rank abilities). After clearing out the monsters, they took a reprieve, meditating or otherwise enjoying the amenities Nara¡¯s fully stocked nebula ship provided.

    Eufemia was sunning on the deck, dressed lightly in a sarong and a cropped shirt. It would be impossible for her to tan her alabaster skin thanks to her nature as an essence user, even if Erras had had a culture of tanning. The nebula flask kept the open-air deck at a pleasant temperature and prevented the chilling and whipping winds that usually accompanied travel, reducing it to a mild and soothing breeze instead.

    Eufemia was the epitome of content when she saw Nara approach and settle into a patio recliner next to her.

    ¡°The price is exorbitant, even for me,¡± said Eufemia, eyes still closed and basking in comfort and light. ¡°But I could get used to this kind of travel.¡±

    ¡°Is that an offer to contribute to expenses?¡±

    Eufemia snorted. ¡°Did you want me to pay rent?¡±

    ¡°Haha. I feel like I¡¯d get more benefits if I say no.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Smart. My favor has no price.¡±

    Time passed as the clouds drifted overhead. The stone mountain spires and forests below were alive with growth, the medium temperatures of the region maintaining plant life throughout the year. Rice paddies (or some similar grain), fields of vegetables, and strange livestock dotted the landscape. The air was dry and clean, scented of aromatic trees and sea salt. Other sky ships drifted lazily along the same path, blast of magic ringing out in the calm as an adventurer escort eliminated the occasional attacking monster.

    ¡°I have expected there to be sky fish. I¡¯m disappointed there isn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Sky fish?¡±

    ¡°Like a fish that swims in the sky. Giant flying whales, turtles as large as islands, stuff like that.¡±

    ¡°Why would a fish swim in the sky? Don¡¯t birds have wings for that reason?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t ever think magic is too grounded in reality sometimes?¡±

    ¡°Loathe as I am to play second fiddle to Aliyah, Magic is a part of reality.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean,¡± Nara pouted, looking away dejectedly.

    Eufemia stared at the sky, ¡°We¡¯re sitting on a sky boat made of stars and clouds, and you want more whimsy? Even since I¡¯ve left Nekroz I¡¯ve gotten to see so much more. Once, I had worried that the world outside of Nekroz would be no different.¡±

    She paused, drinking in the fresh air with her lungs, a sensation that Nara sort of missed, so she copied her. ¡°There¡¯s still the darkness there, lurking in the shadows. It¡¯s just that; in the shadows. In Nekroz, the shadows have replaced the light.¡±

    ¡°Is that a line from a play?¡±

    ¡°You think I can¡¯t have an original thought?¡± Eufemia said, in mock offense. ¡°But I¡¯ll concede: It¡¯s from a play. Nekroz is the subject of a great many plays.¡±

    ¡°Are they accurate?¡±

    A scoff. ¡°Of course not. It¡¯s about what you¡¯d expect from those that haven¡¯t been. Royal families replaced with Vampires bloodlines and political intrigue that¡¯s a bit bloodier, more immoral, and more incestuous than the usual.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s not that, what¡¯s it really like then?¡±

    Eufemia turned over, sunning her back. ¡°For normals life is pretty normal. The sun is never out, and the sky is always grey, but life is similar. As long as you aren¡¯t trying to make money, that is.¡±

    It was just London then, or St. Petersburg.

    ¡°Like you were?¡±

    ¡°I needed political power, money, and connections to leave, but I couldn¡¯t be an essence user.¡± Essence users were watched more closely, and those without restricted essences tended to lose favor, as it meant they could leave Nekroz with no consequence. ¡°That meant getting involved in the more lucrative and unsavory side of Nekroz. You might be surprised to hear that the ordinary folk are at odds with the high powers of Nekroz.¡±

    ¡°At odds? How so?¡±

    ¡°Most of Nekroz, the unchanged and the changed alike, just want to live normal lives. Most changed aren¡¯t trying to kill anybody for blood, and they just take the amount they need to live. The political top¡ªthe vampire warlords, the lich kings, death raisers, the pursuants, death essence users, the clergy of Undeath¡ªthey want more. More of the world.¡±

    ¡°The pursuants?¡±

    ¡°The Pursuants of Ascension. Those that research the forbidden. Experimentation on people. They think that there are lines that must be crossed to achieve greater power and advance the world. That they¡¯re doing it for our good!¡± From her dismissive tone, it was clear what she thought of that. ¡°All pretentious self-justification.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d thought they¡¯d call themselves the Pursuants of Knowledge.¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± she laughed sharply and strongly, kicking her legs a few times in her hilarity. ¡°For all their willingness to cross the ethical line, they are not willing to cross a goddess!¡±

    *****

    The time to travel to Huxin had taken roughly one day of continuous flying. The traveled along at a relaxing coast, following the speed of the other sky vehicles like a formation of magical, migrating geese. The only reason they saw so many concurrent travelers was the importance of Huxin as a destination; Huxin was the edge of the Shian Union, the first port towards regions like Atisalhaya, Rona, and Ramil, a nation located near where Egypt was.

    The climate of the region began to shift, and the temperature slowly began to rise. In the distance, Nara saw a massive mountain¡ªa volcano. It was an actively erupting volcano, but not one that was erupting explosively. Streams of magma bubbled to the surface, and smoulders harvested magical obsidian, metals, quintessence, and various essences from the location. Nara couldn¡¯t see the glow of lava from here; it was far off in the distance and difficult to see in the light of day. Both the smoulder city and any magma vents obscured by stone terrain or jungle.

    ¡°There¡¯s a smoulder city towards the mountain,¡± Encio said, gesturing across the landscape to points of interest. ¡°Other races tend not to live there.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Nara was curious about a great many things, and the culture of the other world had always interested her.

    ¡°Far too hot for most races. Lava runs through the streets.¡±

    ¡°I guess leonids wouldn¡¯t live there then.¡±

    Leonids were notorious for wearing next to nothing, thanks to their thick coat of fur.

    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t be caught dead in a smoulder city.¡±

    ¡°Because they¡¯d die of heat exhaustion,¡± Eufemia added offhand, matter of fact. ¡°They can¡¯t possibly wear any less than they already do.¡±

    He pointed towards the bow of the ship, ¡°Huxin is warm because of its proximity to the volcano and other geothermal activity, but not so much that you won¡¯t see leonids, although they are reluctant.¡±

    The terrain formed craggy cliffs and stepped slopes, the greenery lush from the ambient magic and the heat that combined with oceanside humidity. Waterfalls streamed off cliffs in small, silvery strands, their mist filling pocketed valleys. The earth was redder here, streaked with other colors of earthy purples, burnt oranges, and sulfur yellows. The region had a jungle-like earthiness and lushness that Sanshi proper did not have.

    Huxin had been another option for training, but the team wanted a city beyond the Shian Union, itching for an entirely new region now that the world was their oyster (and less likely to kill them in a single snap). This had disqualified the cities of Arlang, but Sen was not disappointed. Aside from perspective building trips, he had spent the majority of his life in the Arlang Territory of the Shian Union and shared the team¡¯s opinion of venturing elsewhere.

    Thanks to their newly ranked up recovery attribute, their bodies could maintain their own internal equilibrium against greater environmental extremeness. Nara could tell that the air was humid and warm, but it did not bother her nor cause her to sweat. But she hadn¡¯t been sweating since she became an outworlder, so she wasn¡¯t clear if bronze rank attributes were that efficient for others.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    She stared at Encio beside her.

    ¡°Why are you staring so intensely at me?¡±

    ¡°Is the air warm enough here to make you sweat?¡±

    ¡°And here I thought you finally noticed my enchantingly good looks.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve always noticed it. It just doesn¡¯t affect me. Now don¡¯t change the topic, are you sweating?¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°If I was still normal, I¡¯d be sweating up a storm. Now I just smell vaguely of flowers all the time. I wonder if I can reproduce the smell, call it Eau de Outworlder and sell it. Market it like some sort of celebrity scent¡ªcame back from another world and all I got was a good smell.¡±

    ¡°People sell their smell? What is wrong with your world?¡± Encio, who was rather thick skinned to Earth¡¯s insanity, could not help but cringe in disgust at this.

    ¡°People sell their bathwater. Scent isn¡¯t even that bad. Beside scent isn¡¯t even literal, it¡¯s more like something that¡¯s supposed to represent their person.¡±

    ¡°Then bathwater isn¡¯t actually bathwater? That¡¯s a relief.¡±

    ¡°My dear Encio, you are drawing conclusions far too easily. That part is literal bathwater.¡±

    ¡°¡­It is rare to say that I can be surprised by the degeneracy of people, and yet, I have been proved that life can go lower. It cannot possibly get any worse than¡­bathwater.¡±

    ¡°Now now, Encio, sir, that would be a losing bet, should you make one! Do you consider feet pics better or worse than bathwater?¡±

    Encio¡¯s experience with John¡¯s camera as well as his slight knowledge of Earth granted him the understanding of what a ¡®pic¡¯ was (although Erras was not entirely spared from such degeneracy either). ¡°That is a losing question where either answer is the wrong answer. I¡¯ll abstain.¡±

    ¡°The people of my world aren¡¯t that much worse than here. I¡¯m sure Eufemia and John have seen some of the crazy kinky shit y¡¯all get down with magic on hand. I think Aliyah had a sex magic book in her library. I wonder if she brought it with her. You ain¡¯t no white peach yourself, are you?¡±

    Encio stared at her, aghast. ¡°This is by far the most vulgar conversation I¡¯ve had with you.¡±

    ¡°What sort of impression did you have of me? You didn¡¯t think I was capable of vulgarity?¡±

    ¡°So I have learned.¡±

    *****

    Nara anchored the ship at one of Huxin¡¯s many sky ports. As a city heavy with trade, land, sea, and sky ports were common. Sky ports were built into the surrounding cliffs, the tiered rock face allowed for stacks of airships and sky vehicles.

    Now as a proud owner of a sky ship (a nebula flask in reality), Nara checked out the other designs. Several were like hers, flying sailing ships with fin-like sails attached to the hulls. The designs were varied, evidence of the diversity of Huxin.

    Other used a more magic intensive design. The circular ring that propelled the subway in Sanshi attached to the hull and aft of ships. They encircled the ships with a ring of glowing magic.

    Smaller, personal flight vehicles resembled skimmers. Fast and light, but with little to no protection. They were suited for short distances and were used to travel to various locations within the city. Trips were made with skimmers to Sanshi, but the speed was best kept to a minimum, to avoid attacks from monsters. Thankfully, the land road was often traveled and frequented by adventurer escorts, making the entire stretch of road relatively safe.

    The city itself sprawled between the steep cliffs and climbed onto them, like a moss growing on stone. Various vertical sky ports were built within the city as well, some of the tallest buildings Nara had seen on Sanshi yet. They were thin and narrow, just platforms to anchor vehicles and a floating elevator platforms that moved people up and down its height. Since no residential or commercial were built that tall, Nara assumed that Erras didn¡¯t have the requisite magic or technology to make the larger buildings of that height.

    The streets were paved with red-brown stone, similar to the surrounding earthy cliffs. The whole city was tiered, built into the cliffs, and the gradually decreasing elevation that led to the ocean bay. The higher tiers of the city was shrouded with a light mist, the ocean breeze has cleared the lower levels of the city.

    While Huxin was a large and populous city in Fenhu, it was not the technical ¡®capitol¡¯ of Fenhu. The seat of Fenhu¡¯s government was Eienho. In Erras, the Arabian Peninsula was split by a river connecting the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Eienho was built atop this separate land. Part of the reason for Huxin¡¯s prominence was this river that led directly into its bay.

    The team disembarked, paying the fee for their sky-parking-lot.

    Nara jumped off the side of the sky-port together with Encio, sharing the slow fall ability of her Cosmic Path with him. Other essence users did the same, if they had similar powers.

    Because why take the elevator when you can fall in style.

    The entire city was a large, unending bazaar. Trade goods were unloaded from ships into street side stalls. For others, it was just a temporary waypoint before their final destinations. Beside Nara was her recording crystal, once again creating her holiday home videos. Encio was her acting tour guide and explained the features of the region. He¡¯d gotten very adept at it, since they¡¯ve met, although he¡¯d also been a natural presenter.

    ¡°Welcome to Huxin, the trade hear of the Fenhu Region.¡± Encio said. ¡°Any item you want¡ªfor a price.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make it sound so sinister!¡±

    ¡°Almost any item.¡± Encio said, sly. ¡°You won¡¯t find gamer-girl-bathwater. Whatever in Knowledge¡¯s name that is.

    She should not have given him that ammunition. Encio was far too skilled to pass up a chance at a reference.

    ¡°The city is divided into semi-circles. The first circle, or low circle, is nearest to the port are the best deals. Traders want to offload perishable goods or gain a bit of extra coin for the final stretch of the journey. You¡¯ll find mixed quality here, and you¡¯ll need to have an eye for it and a mouth for haggling quickly. If you¡¯re not fast enough, someone else is.

    ¡°Mid circle or second circle is where the mid-range, everyday life goods are. There¡¯s a lot of inns for traders staying for a while until their next transportation arrives, or while they await for an adventurer¡¯s escort to be put together. Generally smaller companies and independent traders that don¡¯t have everything worked out down to the minute. It¡¯s often called the transit circle.

    ¡°The third circle is the luxury circle¡ªhandcrafted goods like furniture and clothing made to order, high-end jewelry, or specific specialty materials sold in bulk. You place an order here, and somebody will get it to you, one way or another, if you don¡¯t have a handy inventory power or the capacity to take it with you right there.

    ¡°The fourth circle is the outer ring. Mountains surround most of the city, except for that one passage, there. It¡¯s all land and air traffic traveling from northern Fenhu. I know you don¡¯t like crowds, so we¡¯ll just take a quick look at the first circle, then go the second circle.¡±

    Sen and Eufemia were already at the lower circle, haggling for some fresh supplies. Chrome was with them, expanding his available ingredients. They weren¡¯t low, but Eufemia was interested in the activity and Sen decided to accompany her. Aliyah was together with John in the second and third circles, the two shopping for their own interest. John was attempting to learn alchemy, but that was one field of magic Aliyah had no experience in. He skillbooked himself to basic proficiency, but he¡¯d still need to purchase herbs and other materials to practice.

    The port was thronged with people. Colorful stalls were set up beneath the shade casted by tall masts and sailing ships. Some ships looked impossibly large; it may have been Nara¡¯s ignorance or the augmentation of magic. Smoulders, runics, and humans were the majority race, and Nara saw a few she hadn¡¯t seen much before.

    ¡°Those are dragonids, right? I remember seeing them once in Sanshi before the Celestial Book Trials.¡±

    ¡°What did I tell you then? Prideful but otherwise just as ordinary as the rest of us?¡±

    ¡°Sounds about right. If they¡¯re so rare, where do they normally live anyway?¡±

    ¡°Yumeha, a nation to the east of Sanshi. Some do live in and near Hwasaan, especially those of the fire bloodlines. The Daohai City Sates has a variety of lineages, then a few more in the jungles of Sulistavera and Selvacora. You¡¯ll also see some in Rowen, since it¡¯s largest nation in this world.¡±

    Their features were a combination of human and dragon. Scales covered all of their skin, in parallel to the leonids¡¯ full-body fur. Many had a combination of horns, a tail, and a pair of wings, but some were missing a few of those features. Their facial bone structure was draconic, like how leonids resembled big cats like lions and panthers. They had the greatest color diversity of any race she had seen in Erras yet, with scales ranging from a vibrant red, emerald green, pure black, and even a shimmering rainbow-gold. Many were multicolored, with ombre horns, dark scales around the eyes, or white scales down the throat.

    Nara wondered if the evolutionary biologists could take a stab at it, but who knew if magical races had any logic to that scientists could discover. If Aliyah had heard this, she would have chastised her saying, ¡°Magic does have its own logic, you just don¡¯t understand it.¡±

    Had her own genetics been completely altered? She was an outworlder now, but were her genes outworlder as well, and not human? She could have herself tested back on Earth but wasn¡¯t sure she wanted anybody to get a hold of her genetic information there.

    The middle circle was calmer, but still busy with people. They alleys and streets were shadowed with deep vibrant fabrics, creating a covered bazaar. The buildings were made of a material similar to adobe, but of a richer brownish red. Moss grew from the earthen buildings. Was it intentional, or had the moss grown out of control?

    She repeated her tradition here, picking out some mid-tier jewelry for her sister and mother. Encio helped her choose, since her sense of quality and fashion for accessories was middling at best. She had the coins to afford luxury jewelry, but she just wanted to purchase something casual and easy to wear.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want any?¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯m already wearing all the accessories I dare to wear at once.¡± Nara said, gesturing to her black teardrop earing and her silver one, which had decided to match Nirvana on her opposite ear.

    ¡°Speaking of jewelry, is that a tradition here? To purchase a ring for marriage?¡±

    ¡°Gifted jewelry in general is a tradition in some cultures. A ring in particular? In some.¡±

    ¡°Hm. What¡¯s the most common tradition then?¡±

    ¡°There isn¡¯t a common tradition.¡± Encio said. ¡°Dances, drinking, tattoos, gifts, prayer; it differs by location and by race.¡±

    He looked towards a small group of dragonids. ¡°I do hear that a dragonid union is a grand affair, but I have never seen one.¡±

    *****

    ¡°See here,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°I can tell these vegetables are at the end of their freshness. This coloration¡ªthis is on the verge of going bad.¡±

    ¡°Fifty lesser coins per. I can do no lower.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re looking to buy in bulk you know,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°A little lower, and you might be the one we¡¯ll purchase from. There¡¯s a lot of other options here. And you get a bit more coin in your pocket specifically.¡±

    The merchant¡¯s eyes met Eufemia¡¯s in an assessing glare.

    ¡°Forty,¡± he said slowly.

    ¡°You know what those are, you can go a little lower. I¡¯m taking those off your hands for you, they¡¯re lowering the quality of your stall. Others see it, and they turn away. I almost did, but I looking for something special, you know what I mean.¡±

    His brows furrowed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going lower than forty.¡±

    ¡°I think you can.¡±

    ¡°Thirty-six.¡±

    She grinned. ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a deal.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision. I will fulfill the bargain,¡± he grumped.

    ¡°Give me this many,¡± Eufemia said, numbering with her fingers in merchant sign shorthand.

    ¡°You got it, miss.¡±

    He bundled up the vegetables with practiced efficiency into a wrap.

    ¡°Here.¡±

    Eufemia passed him some coin in a satchel. Since coins were the main currency, it was common to keep extra satchels on hand.

    He glanced at them.

    ¡°This is too much. Even for the original price.¡±

    Eufemia waved, already leaving, ¡°I just wanted some fun.¡±

    The man shook his head.

    ¡°Adventurers.¡± He weighed the heavy satchel, pleased. His eyes twinkled with the intelligence of a seasoned trader, who¡¯ve weather the daily storms of the Huxin docks. ¡°This is why I humor them.¡±

 Chapter 144: A Conclusion of Passion

    Chapter 144: A Conclusion of Passion

    The team didn¡¯t linger in Huxin for too long, passing just two easy days in the heart of Fenhu to see the sights and experience the local culture. The region had its own big families, as they grew further from the influence of the other five. The whispers of their fame were carried by the volcanic breeze, but the rise and fall of other great families mattered not to the locals who had their own local politics to care about, save for the Arlang, who had their ¡®paws¡¯ in almost every nation of interest as reputable adventurers around the world. Erras was a world still far from the inscrutable interconnected global politics of Earth, with the potential collaboration between the De Luca and Sanshi pioneering the practice.

    These matters were far from mind for non-essence users, who, aside from the well-educated city folks with alert ears listening for the next big news, spent their days as they always did until they had to prepare for the next monster surge, hopefully still years away. The undercurrents of The Advent were still weak, but ne¡¯er-do-wells always took advantage of the window of vulnerability of monster surges when the protective wrap of adventurers was stretched thin.

    The team picked up a sea-based escort contract; They haven¡¯t done one before, or any escort contract at all, and Nara was excited to try it out. She left the flask in her inventory, the nebula construct contained back in its glowing, swirling form.

    Initially, Nara had been worried she would get seasick. She didn¡¯t know if her lack of a stomach and brain in the first place, or if essence users had resistance provided by their rank, but she did not feel a thing. When she saw Aliyah run to the railing to steady her stomach, it must have been the former, and not the latter. Aliya¡¯s stomach had held strong against flying acrobatics, yet the rhythmic pulsations of the vast ocean rocked her stomach like a toddler with a duck in a bathtub. She stood no chance. Aliyah couldn¡¯t wait until she had no stomach at all.

    The ship was a majestic sailing vessel, a galleon with brilliant, unfurled sails of white. The sails escaped the whimsies of nature, wind-generation rituals encouraged the air to a living stream, with natural wind as a boon to their speed. The hull was strongly reinforced, to defend from river and ocean monsters that lurked below to attack anything that moved in the wrong way, like gangsters waiting at a shadowy corner.

    The strait the ship traveled on bobbed with other sea traffic, reminding Nara of the Panama Canal, although this passageway was far wider, and naturally formed. Other sailing ships, large and small, followed the strait together. The monsters were light here, due to the high density of adventure escorts regularly clearing them out. When the strait widened back into the inland sea, the monsters would increase.

    Together with Sen¡¯s team was two other teams, a team of three and a team of four; both of which typically escorted trading vessels traveling back and forth from the Rona Kingdom to Huxin. Their sea-based familiars were already summoned into the ocean, destroying monsters that ventured too close. Any flying monsters were handled by the familiars of Sen¡¯s team, which had a lot of long-range attacks and flying familiars.

    After she had spent long enough to appease her sense of relaxation and fulfill her appreciation of the ocean, boredom, ever high maintenance, demanded she find something else to occupy her time, so she began to spar with Encio and Sen on the deck of the ship. It was mostly light sparring, to feel out their new bronze rank attributes. They couldn¡¯t use suppression collars since they were on the job, and just had to abstain from using abilities.

    Sen¡¯s fighting style was difficult for her. His attacks were heavy and impactful, and she relied on swift and flowing movements and lethal surprises. an actual battle, her abilities allowed her to bypass his heavy attacks, but that was not the case in sparring. How unfair, that he was always strong, although, she was not without her own advantage of reflexes, spatial awareness, and balance.

    Nara always kept practice weapons on hand, which the two of them were using. Some of the sailors that had free time as the ship was cruising were watching, free with easy seas to lean against railings and cheer them on. They were their chosen entertainment for today, and Nara savored the friendly energy of contest and relaxation. Should inspiration hit, maybe she¡¯d use her lute and play a song or two. Her aura control with the lute had vastly improved since Laius¡¯ additional lessons about subtle aura control, and she could produce a tone that didn¡¯t feel like prolonged expose would wipe the mind with the weight of uncountable stars singing about their entire existence in an infinite cosmic chorus.

    Sen swung his staff down, hard and fast. Nara knew better than to try to parry it with her light wooden sword. She sidestepped it, bringing her sword in low and fast for a quick slash. Sen twisted the staff, stopping her sword in its tracks. She transitioned, sliding her sword up the length of the staff to bash in his fingers.

    ¡°Really?¡± Sen grimaced. His fingers were red with pain, but his grip on his weapon never faltered.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take what I can get.¡±

    Sen¡¯s expression was a comical combination of agreement and annoyance.

    He stepped back, freeing the length of his staff, then used his higher strength to push his staff through Nara¡¯s guard. Sen leveraged his superior height and strength in his style, able to force apart defenses with a combination of technique and might.

    For now, John was the tallest member of the team, but Sen was still in his growth phase, as the youngest member. His bronze rank had boosted his height, as it had for all members of the team.

    Nara flowed with the force, twisting her stance to flow back into her own striking range. Her sword swung out, but Sen blocked it with his forearm. That counted as a blow, and Sen was temporarily stunned.

    ¡°If this was a real fight, that would¡¯ve gotten you afflicted,¡± Nara taunted.

    ¡°My ability would cleanse it.¡±

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Would you? Or would it be too late once you reach equilibrium?¡±

    His grin was calm yet competitive, but his eyes belied his hidden fire.

    Nara had been learning to provoke Sen, both more comfortable with each other.

    Sen transitioned to lighter, stabbing jabs, which Nara felt was more difficult to work with than the previous, as he abused his range advantage. Without her usual abilities to literally get around the problem, she had no choice but to confront his new strategy. His stabs pushed her around the deck as she continually backed out of the way.

    As a last-ditch strategy, she threw her sword at his head while his staff was mid-jab.

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°You have more strength and range than me. Don¡¯t say it¡¯s unfair!¡±

    In the moment of distraction, she slammed her foot down on his, catching him in place for a moment while he parried her thrown sword, her weapon was flung away onto the deck. She made her escape, diving away for it as Sen brought his own weapon down.

    His weapon caught her back, pinning her onto the deck.

    ¡°Ow ow ow ow ow. I give, I give!¡±

    Sen offered his hand, helping her up off the deck.

    ¡°If I had my weapon, range wouldn¡¯t have been such an issue.¡± Nara complained, a sore loser.

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Sen admitted, ¡°But you will almost always fight those taller than you. It¡¯s good practice.¡±

    She grumbled a petulant response. ¡°I¡¯m not even short, I¡¯m above average.¡±

    ¡°You seem dissatisfied. How about we practice staff techniques, work that displeasure out of you?¡±

    ¡°What? We just sparred a whole bunch.¡±

    ¡°Do you have something better to do? I didn¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°You sure are getting cheeky. Fine, bring it.¡±

    Their sparring attracted the other adventurers on board, who all wanted to go against Sen. Nara wasn¡¯t a popular request, apparently unimpressive against Sen¡¯s polished yet mighty technique. Despite sparring against two leonids, one of the few races stronger and taller than Sen, Sen remained undefeated.

    Other adventurers were closer to Aliyah¡¯s skill level, who was below Nara in weapon fighting. Like Aliyah, they weren¡¯t taught as soon as they could walk how to handle a weapon, nor could they use a skill book to jumpstart their mastery. Nara found her spars against them far more comfortable, although she was their second choice while they waited for Sen to free up from his matches. The leonids were the few that pulled a win over her; Nara couldn¡¯t always handle their astounding speed, reach, and strength without her abilities. But she did pull wins, reminding Nara of the progress she had made in less than a year, as well as earning a few energetic demands for a rematch.

    The two rested on the deck on conjured recliners, Nara passing a refreshing drink to Sen, who gladly accepted it. Other sparring matches were still occurring, and the sailors had taken to making minor bets between themselves over matchups.

    ¡°You know, back on my world I was never much of a fitness enthusiast.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised,¡± so he said, though his face didn¡¯t show it. ¡°You seem to quite like sparring.¡±

    Nara shrugged, ¡°Not much to do in this world.¡± Although she spoke from a position of privilege here. Working a normal job would have filled her time¡ªunless she considered sparring as working¡­ her antiwork sensibilities itched.

    Without video games nor computers, Nara found herself at a loss to spend her free time. Her lute was the other hobby she indulged in, but she had ample time to fill, and practice, sparring, and magic theory had been the best uses. There were performances and competitions she could watch, but Nara was, fundamentally, an introvert. Sparring was accessible from home and only needed one other person, which Chrome could do when she had no one else.

    ¡°How about you Sen, what do you like to do?¡±

    John liked to volunteer and was attempting to learn alchemy. Eufemia had her acting, song and dance. Encio was also a dancer and liked to play betting board and card games. Aliyah had her research, but generally liked to read almost anything (and chase older ladies, if that counted as a pastime). Nara may have spied some raunchy novels in her bookshelf¡­

    Nara didn¡¯t know much about what Sen liked to do.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it,¡± Sen said, his voice contemplative, curious, in a question he¡¯s never asked himself. ¡°What I like to do beyond adventuring.¡±

    Encio sauntered by, briefly interrupting their conversation, ¡°If you¡¯re not careful you¡¯ll end up like my grandfather; a diamond ranker with no special skills.¡±

    ¡°Diamond rank is a special skill,¡± countered Eufemia, who could never not argue with Encio. ¡°Didn¡¯t you learn to dance from your family? What specialty do you have if you aren¡¯t counting that?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got you there.¡± Nara said.

    ¡°I¡¯m not diamond rank yet,¡± Encio said, unconcerned. ¡°I have time.¡±

    The two left, on their way to participate in the sparring as well. Eufemia was excited to sharpen up her own skills against opponents that were her level, versus Nara, Sen, and Encio, the three of which she had never won against yet.

    Nara muttered as she watched Encio join in on the fun, beautifully unassuming at first glance. Perhaps, they¡¯d assume, more pretty face than actual skill. Eufemia and Encio should really not be left together, that was far too much undiluted manipulation per square mile to be healthy.

    ¡°He¡¯s about to upset those betting odds.¡±

    Sen pondered, running over his mind, what he had learned in his nineteen years of life. The obvious¡ªstrategy, fighting, adventuring, languages, external magic¡ªas well as some skills expected of a noble scion: formal dance, finance, traditions, etiquette.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sen finally said. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I like to do beside fighting and adventuring. I have never doubted that this was the path for me. I enjoy it. I have been fortunate that my interests have never conflicted with the goals of my family.¡±

    Nara looked at Sen, who was silent and pensive.

    ¡°There¡¯s no rush. You have your whole life ahead of you. A lot of people in my world don¡¯t discover their hobbies until their fifties. It¡¯s the same here, right? A lot of people wait until silver rank.¡± She felt a bit guilty; she had never been so put together at his age, still stumbling on what she¡¯d have to commit to studying for the rest of her life, despite a lack of interest in any particular subject.

    ¡°They do,¡± Sen nodded slowly. ¡°You¡¯re right. I do want to find other interests. I have been apathetic in my studies.¡±

    ¡°I mean you¡¯ve always seemed an earnest learner. Don¡¯t discount yourself there. You¡¯re not half bad at ritual magic, even if you don¡¯t like to use it. And it doesn¡¯t have to be a useful skill either. Something like dancing¡ªnah, that¡¯s useful.¡±

    ¡°For formal events, I can see how dancing would be useful. Dancing is often used as a method of building relationships or initiating discussions.¡±

    ¡°No, Sen, for picking up dudes and chicks¡ªwhatever floats your boat. Give them the old razzle dazzle and some happy feet.¡± She flashed an uncharismatic smile with her twirl.

    Sen looked at her demonstration, unimpressed.

    ¡°You used a skill book,¡± he said accusingly.

    ¡°Duh. I¡¯d suck at dancing otherwise. I still suck at dancing, but at least I¡¯m better than you at it.¡±

    He arched an eyebrow. She¡¯d better relent, or she¡¯d find her subject to another sparring gauntlet.

    ¡°Or you know, cooking. I know we have Chrome, but you could learn from him. There¡¯s no better breakfast than breakfast in bed, especially when you have crystal wash to wipe away the sins of messy eating. No one saw me spill that hot sauce on my white blankets.¡±

    ¡°Just the sins of messy eating?¡±

    ¡°Get your mind out of the gutter Sen.¡±

    His expression was of mild offense, his crossed arms clearly disapproving.

    ¡°My point, Sen, is not everything has to be a useful skill. You don¡¯t have to craft anything or learn something for combat, or politics, or even for romance¡ªas much as I joked about it. Maybe something like wood carving, writing, or painting. Maybe photography¡ªwith John¡¯s camera or an image crystal. Not sure how that translates here, but photography is a popular hobby on Earth.¡±

    She paused.

    ¡°Or nothing at all. Maybe training is your passion, and that¡¯s good enough. But you should think about it, whatever your conclusion may be.¡±

 Chapter 145: Involuntary Waterboarding

    Chapter 145: Involuntary Waterboarding

    The trading ship was beset by monsters from the sea. Water elementals, of ocean blue, gushed up from the churning surface. Their bodies were mixed with the particulates of the ocean¡ªmicroscopic creatures, flecks of seaweed, and even smaller fish trapped inside the elementals as they had formed, inadvertent casualties of the oceanic battle.

    One by one, the other two teams dove beneath the water, with supernatural speed and accuracy mirroring that of a professional diving team.

    ¡°If this was a diving competition, they¡¯ve won ten out of ten based on water entry.¡±

    With her Cosmic Path, Nara danced across the surface, using the dual machine pistol form of Nirvana she had gained while ranking up.

    The shots of the dual pistol were rapid firing, like the shots of a pulse pistol. She had no need to reload, able to continually fire, though it drained mana. The quick shots were a great way to quickly inflict instances of her Blade of the Boundary afflictions and Thanatos¡¯ umbral flame, if they did damage. The shots were incredibly light, setting its advantage of speed with the disadvantage of pittable damage.

    -------

    Ability: [Umbral Wolf]

    Familiar (ritual)

    Cost: Extreme Mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Umbral Wolf] to serve as your familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Can utilize [Umbral Flame] to perform long-ranged attacks and enhance melee attacks. [Umbral Flame] deals disruptive force and fire damage. Enemies damaged by [Astral Flame] are affected by [Vulnerable] and [Umbral Burn].</li>

    <li>[Vulnerable] (affliction, unholy, stacking): All resistances are reduced. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. Consumed to cleanse [Resistant] on a 1:1 basis.</li>

    <li>[Umbral Burn] (affliction, magic, fire, stacking): Suffer ongoing disruptive-force and fire damage. The mana cost of abilities is slightly increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Can dematerialize and travel in shadows but cannot attack while immaterial.</li>

    <li>Can change the size of its form, up to a limit determined by rank.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s shadow. When subsumed, the Umbral Wolf can launch attacks from the summoner¡¯s shadow. Additionally, denies shadow-based abilities from taking effect on the summoner¡¯s shadow.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can unleash a howl, spreading [Umbral Flame] in a wide area around itself. This effect has a 5 minute cooldown.</li>

    <li>[Umbral Flame] can ignite the ground, inflicting continual disruptive-force and fire damage to enemies that pass through.</li>

    <li>When subsumed into the summoner, the summoner can imbue [Umbral Flame] in normal and special attacks for a low mana-per-second cost.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Thanatos¡¯ umbral flame made her pistol bullet glow with swirling black and blue energy and a matching flame effect for any form of Nirvana she used. With the flame, she also dealt disruptive-force damage and fire damage with her sword, of which the disruptive-force damage fared better against the water elementals, while the fire damage sizzled out against their mass of water. If she was a fire specialist, she could set water on fire, but she wasn¡¯t, so she had to bear the pitiful sounds of water droplets sizzling out of existence on a hot pan.

    None of Nara¡¯s abilities were tailored towards ranged attacks nor boosting ranged attacks. They revolved around melee¡ªparrying, countering, redirecting, and dodging attacks up close. Nirvana may provide her with versatility, but the additional forms did not offer additional power, nor capitalize on most of what her ability set offered.

    Against water elementals with no defense, however, the weapon suited the job. She loaded up larger elemental with afflictions with a spray of bullets that matched their sprays of water.

    ¡°That¡¯ll do¡ª¡±

    A watery tendril wrapped around her ankle, then snap-plunged her through the surface of the water. Her Cosmic Path blocked abilities from manifesting directly beneath her but didn¡¯t prevent physical grapples. What a fun way to be reminded of that vulnerability.

    She got a glimpse of the other teams, at home in water as they were on land. One shot through the water in a bubbling torrent, skewering serpent-fish monsters on their trident one by one like a reenactment of Poseidon¡¯s battles. A shark familiar followed close behind, eating the kills of its summoner, gradually growing in ferocity and size. Once it had grown enough, it shot off like a savage shark torpedo, a trail of blood and half eaten bodies in it wake, drifting down towards a watery abyss.

    Nara¡¯s abilities didn¡¯t work well in water. She was a physical combatant, and the water impeded her swings. Still, she had her ways (Sen made sure of that).

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Sacrificing a few of her boons, she enhanced her leg with disruptive-force damage, twisting and kicking to sever the water-tendril on her ankle.

    Several new transparent tendrils shot towards her, she partially phased through all of them, triggering her Cosmic Path to push herself towards the surface of the water, just high enough to reach a node above.

    Just as she vanished, she sensed another adventurer had been about to come to her aid. Since Nara had freed herself, the adventurer focused on the water tendril forest, turning the sea against it. The tendrils began to rapidly freeze, frost traveling down each of its feelers like icy watercolor spreading across a wet paper. The frozen bits burst, shattering sharp shards of ice against the main amoeba body, and restarting the process of freezing in a deadly cascade of shattering ice.

    On the surface again, Nara was more vigilant of the tendril attacks. She used the new effect of Phase Shift to avoid them, phasing only her shins and lower.

    -------

    Ability: [Phase Shift]

    Essence: Dimension

    Special Ability (dimension)

    Cost: Extreme mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Phase shift into an adjacent dimension. While phase shifted, your abilities and attacks will not affect non-phase shifted targets. In this state, non-phase shifted abilities and attacks will not affect you. You are harder to detect while phase shifted. Mana cost increases as duration increases.

    Effect (Bronze): You can partially phase shift. Phase shift cost is reduced proportionate to the area phase-shifted down to a minimum of moderate mana-per-second, but the non-phase shifted locations can be affected by abilities.

    -------

    As usual, Phase Shift was a double-edged sword. Partially phase shifting reduced costs but left her vulnerable to attacks targeted towards the rest of her body. However, she could also receive beneficial effects from allies such as healing and boons in this partial state, where previously she would not receive them at all.

    The minimum cost, moderate mana-per-second, was enough for a segment of her arm or leg. A full leg upped the cost to high mana-per-second, and her entire torso cost very high mana-per-second.

    It was a hard effect to manage. Phase-shifting parts of her body in time with teleportation, parries, spatial manipulation, light manipulation, and attacking was taxing on her mind. They¡¯d come as she increased her abilities, but there was no convenient Racial Ability evolution this time to deliver a power present. She messed up not a few times, pulled once again beneath the water. She reacted faster those times, phase shifting out and teleporting to the surface once again, economizing by letting undestroyed nodes be. Sen would have suggested staying underwater to practice water combat, but after her involuntary waterboarding (though she had no lungs), Nara was now sour with that thought.

    ¡°You stinky water balloon bastards are getting. On. My. Nerves!¡± Nara yelled, hacking though one water elemental after another, which exploded into watery mist from her rending damage that tore them up inside out. She wasn¡¯t entirely sure how she could¡¯ve torn water apart otherwise, so she was grateful for the effects of the affliction Sunder from Astral Judgement.

    ¡°The elementals are some of the few that don¡¯t stink,¡± Chrome said, flatly. He had no ability to run on the water and defended the deck of the ship with flying swords. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have chosen a worse phrase.¡±

    ¡°They smell like fish! That was an unnecessary comment!¡± She replied back as she hacked though a watery body which drenched her as the monster discorporated. She was feeling a bit like a grumpy wet cat.

    ¡°Bemoan your narrow vocabulary and weak creative mind,¡± said Chrome, unfazed. A gold sword flew, elegantly slicing up a water elemental like a ninja sushi chef.

    Elementals didn¡¯t dissolve into rainbow smoke, as they were natural abilities infused with magic, an atypical, but common type of monster. Elementals were mindless even at high ranks. They just attacked mindlessly, lashing out with watery tendrils and blasting with powerful jets of water at whatever they recognized as an enemy and not a being of their own.

    Nara had two main methods to fight with her abilities. The first method was to rely on Dimensional Instability, which increased any rending damaged she dealt. This fighting style focused on dealing damage, using powerful strikes and cleaving through opponents. The second style focused on stacking Dimensional Instability for Dimensional Rupture, then using light attacks to trigger the damage aftershock of Dimensional Rupture.

    The more efficient style was the first, which benefitted from her enhanced damage. The second option was safer against tough opponents.

    Water elementals were not tough. Nara danced across the choppy water, slashing through one water body after another with her sword. Her sword met no resistance, the enhanced damage flinging droplets as it passed through the other side like a dancer spinning in the rain.

    *****

    She thanked the adventurer that was about to come to her aid, though she didn¡¯t need it. The adventurer was more than happy to help, and thankful for the looting ability in turn (it did still work on elementals, even if the majority of their bodies were natural matter.)

    Nara settled into a meditation, mirroring what many of the other adventurer escorts were doing. Familiars often kept watch for their summoners during this time. Caspian had grown up enough with his rank up to assist Sen more in both battle and adventuring. At iron rank, since bonds could die, they were kept extremely safe. At bronze rank, with the accelerated growth provided to magical beasts by ranking up, Caspian had reached the youthful stage of wanting to ¡®help¡¯ Sen with everything, exhaustively so.

    A Simurgh in the sky as their eyes was welcome to Sen to exhaust some of Caspian¡¯s boundless energy and put the familiar to good use. He circled above the galleon, a blotch of red against a boundless sky of blue.

    Nara found meditation fun, not the actual act of it, but the result; Meditating didn¡¯t gather any energy but did sort of transform experience into power.

    ¡°It¡¯s like leveling up when you rest at an inn.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Chrome denied.

    In meditation, her awareness was simultaneously introspective and expanded outwards. At the edges of her perception, expanded and sensitive while meditative, she felt something. The auras of many.

    ¡°Sen, I feel something,¡± she told him over voice chat.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°A bunch of auras at sea, headed our way. Hostile, I think.¡±

    ¡°Pirates,¡± Sen declared. ¡°Prepare for battle.¡±

 Chapter 146: Fairness in a Two Versus One

    Chapter 146: Fairness in a Two Versus One

    The three groups gathered on deck. The sailors adjusted the trajectory, leading the ship closer to shore. Should they needed help, it may arrive sooner. The rest of the sailors headed inside, sealing themselves within secure rooms within the ship, along with the other passengers and their cargo.

    ¡°How many are there?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know twenty? Thirty? Mostly normal rank, but there¡¯s iron and bronze rankers. They¡¯re still far out and it¡¯s hard to tell,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Captain Kezo.¡± Sen addressed the man in question. ¡°Can we out speed them?¡±

    Kezo shook his head. ¡°Our lookout¡¯s gotten an eye on ¡®em. Their ship is faster than ours.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to fight them,¡± Sen said.

    The battle would be difficult. They couldn¡¯t use tactics that would damage this ship, such as the Rune Traps that were a staple of Sen¡¯s strategies. That put all of their escorts at risk.

    ¡°Can we destroy their ship before they get close?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s not likely, miss,¡± Captain Kezo said. ¡°Hulls are reinforced with magic. Even if we didn¡¯t have you all here defend, the hull would not be seriously damaged by monsters it couldn¡¯t repair away. You could tear chunks of it away, but it¡¯d still make it here as long as those pirates had enough supplies to fuel the repairs.¡±

    ¡°Do they even know there¡¯s adventurers here?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°In my experience¡ªHypothetically, if I stole something I wouldn¡¯t have targeted a mark with this many adventurers.¡±

    Kezo shrugged. ¡°You¡¯ve been commissioned for a reason, miss, if you excuse my saying so. Nothing valuable is unprotected. A big ol¡¯ crew of thirty would need more than some cheap marks.¡±

    Eufemia scowled; she was well aware of how small time she had been.

    ¡°There¡¯s no silver rankers aboard?¡± Sen asked Nara.

    ¡°Not that I can tell.¡± Which was neither good nor bad news, because no sense of a ranker didn¡¯t mean there wasn¡¯t one.

    Sen rubbed his hands together, in thought.

    ¡°How long do we have until interception, Captain?¡±

    ¡°Ten minutes, give or take two, according to ol¡¯ Jess.¡±

    ¡°Nara do you think you could spy on them? Nahir, are you able to conceal yourself in water?¡±

    Nahir was the adventurer with high underwater speed, wielded a trident, and paired with a shark familiar. He was part of one of the other two teams escorting the ship together with them.

    ¡°I have a transfiguration skill that will conceal me as a shark. Easy.¡±

    Sen had become the de facto leader of the three teams. He had natural authority and was the leader of the largest team. Combined with his lineage, there was no complaints if he took charge.

    ¡°Go with Nara and see what you can detect above the boat.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t have a concealment skill, except for the effects of her Moonlight Raiment. However, the aura manipulation she had learned from Laius, along with the aura control and aura strength she had been refining meant she could get away with it.

    ¡°Can you breathe underwater?¡± Nahir asked her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to breathe at all.¡±

    He arched an eyebrow, but it wasn¡¯t the time for questions, and he didn¡¯t seem to care for the details. ¡°You can ride with my familiar. Hold his fin tight.¡±

    Nara held on for dear life as the shark and a transformed Nahir shot through the water. Nara did not have the ability to perceive through water. What she saw ahead was an expanse of deep blue, the water beneath fading into darkness. Any undercurrents of thalassophobia were suppressed for the impending infiltration.

    The two other teams, the captain, and important crew members had received a brief explanation of Nara¡¯s Party Guide. They were all added to the party. At bronze rank, Nara could add one hundred people to her ability. If the scaling continued, that would be one hundred thousand people at diamond rank. A number so large as to be impractical. Nara couldn¡¯t think of a single situation where she¡¯d need to add so many people and dreaded a situation if she had to.

    Nahir and Nara approached the pirate ship, the shadow obscuring light and casting darkness into the water.

    ¡°My ability isn¡¯t suited for above-water reconnaissance,¡± Nahir communicated through voice chat.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. Stick nearby in case we need to return quickly.¡±

    ¡°I will do so.¡±

    Nara released Nahir¡¯s shark familiar, floating in the water with the help of some minor weight manipulation. She examined the ship, probing it gently with her senses.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Is it possible for this to be a ship conjuration?¡±

    Nahir studied the pirate ship.

    ¡°This ship isn¡¯t that. I¡¯ve seen conjured ships. They feel different.¡±

    It was a rather unsubstantiated instinct, Nahir had more experience in this field, so she trusted his conclusion. She sent Sage bodies upwards. Sage couldn¡¯t exactly fly, but she could climb and hover above surfaces, which included vertical walls, or slip through walls that were thin enough and didn¡¯t have protections against intangible entities.

    Nara followed, leaping up to the deck once Sage had given her the clear.

    She didn¡¯t need to move far to realize the issue.

    ¡°They have hostages on deck,¡± Nara told the whole group. ¡°I¡¯m going to check below as well.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll threaten their lives if we don¡¯t hand over our goods.¡± Captain Kezo said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard murmurings of such tactics on land. Made up to counter the adventurers, put them in an uncomfortable position.¡±

    ¡°Can you verify if they were genuine hostages?¡± Sen asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can find out.¡±

    The clock was ticking on what Nara could discover. She could feel the bronze rankers; they were below deck, in what presumably was the captain¡¯s quarters. They auras showed no signs of detecting her. The captain was the strongest of the bunch, close to peak bronze. All of their auras beheld the hue of monster core usage, which Nara had learned to recognize.

    ¡°Can you sneak into the captain¡¯s quarters, Sage?¡±

    ¡°It is within my capabilities, benefactor. Their auras are unimpressive.¡±

    Sage¡¯s aura capabilities grew with Nara¡¯s. As a stealth and utility familiar, her aura was even harder to detect than Nara¡¯s. Nara¡¯s increased aura strength was reflected with Sage; Unless the opponent was a skilled silver ranker or possessed advanced detection capabilities, Sage was unlikely to be detected.

    Sage set about her tasks, and Nara set about hers, sneaking through the creaking wood corridors of the ship. It was mostly unadorned, a ship that sacrificed all aesthetics for capability: speed and durability. Few pirates patrolled the corridors, the pre-battle strategy meeting had created an exploitable hole in their defenses. What few pirates did pass her were normal rank¡ªunimportant to the meeting¡ªand so poorly trained in aura that Nara could probably walk in front of them without notice, although she did not push her luck in this instance, instead teleporting to empty adjoining rooms, or jumping up to the ceiling to escape notice.

    There were captives in cells at the bottom, mostly women looking worse for wear. The terror in their eyes and their shivering bodies told Nara these were genuine hostages. There was no guard at the cells. The pirates did not expect their home base to be so deeply infiltrated. Nara supposed, if they were boarded, the entire point of their strategy had already failed.

    ¡°I might be able to free these captives and portal them back,¡± said Nara through the Guide. ¡°But not both groups. The pirates would sense the moment I got one group to leave.¡± Nara could hide herself, but she did not posses the power to shield others from their senses, or replicate their auras as dummies when they left.

    The ones at the top deck were too visible. Once she called her portal, there would be a ten-minute cooldown. She couldn¡¯t portal both groups.

    ¡°Portal what you can,¡± Sen said, making a judgement call.

    ¡°If Eufemia comes through the portal, do you think she could portal the top group?¡±

    Sen pondered this option.

    ¡°Do you think you can fight off all the pirates in time to evacuate?¡±

    ¡°Maybe? I just don¡¯t know.¡±

    Sen thought evacuating what hostages they could, regardless of how many couldn¡¯t escape or got caught up in the crossfire was the better option. The alternative was to have them used against them later, where they may die in battle anyway.

    His next thought¡ªwhat would pose the greatest burden to Nara? If any captives died as she helped them escape, it would weigh on her mind, more than if they died in battle later, or at the hands of a pirate. Sen wasn¡¯t cruel; He wanted to save as many people as possible. The situation could devolve quickly, and he couldn¡¯t predict the future. He had a decision to make, as was his role as team leader.

    ¡°Bring Eufemia aboard. Sabotage the ship. Rescue as many hostages as you can but prioritize your own lives.¡±

    ¡°Sen¡­¡±

    ¡°Nara, if any die it is not your fault. The pirates are the criminals. You cannot save everyone. This will not be the last time.¡±

    Nara had done something risky back in Crystal Quarry Village 6. There wasn¡¯t always a risky plan that she could pull off, and the risky plan wouldn¡¯t always result in less casualties. They weren¡¯t the criminals; they were the rescuers. They could only do the best they could.

    It was a foreboding last statement, and one Nara knew was true.

    *****

    Eufemia, the semi-professional former conman and thief, had a solution to Nara¡¯s conundrum.

    ¡°Aura dummies. They don¡¯t last long and are an annoying coinage each, but useful to feint numbers, generate cover, or provide a distraction,¡± Eufemia explained. They were small cylinders, with a simple button activation at the top that glowed indicating their state. She activated them one by one as each captive passed through the portal. ¡°Makes a random normal rank aura. It won¡¯t hold up under scrutiny, but no one pays attention to normal rankers anyway. Especially not a bronze rank pirate. To them, they¡¯re insignificant.¡±

    --------

    Ability: [Insight]

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive deception and emotions.

    Effect (Bronze): Perceive auras.

    -------

    Nara may have the most expansive, strongest, and stealthiest aura, but Eufemia had the greatest ability to read the auras of others, thanks to the effects of her perception ability, Insight. She could roughly judge the personality of the pirate captain from his aura without alerting him of her causal inspection. It told her what she needed to know¡ªthat his guard was down, and his attention was elsewhere.

    The below deck captives had escaped through the portal, thanking Nara and Eufemia with their eyes and scurrying with quiet steps like mice avoiding the cat.

    While Eufemia¡¯s attention was on the captain, Nara attention was elsewhere¡ªthe other normal rank pirates, whose auras were unusually distressed, even for a pirate ship about to attack an adventurer-escorted merchant vessel. Nara may not have Eufemia¡¯s insight into the mind, but if these pirates were willing to take hostages, why stop at just threatening adventurers?

    ¡°Wait,¡± Nara quietly grabbed the arms of one of the women gently, ¡°Can I borrow that bracelet of yours?¡±

    The woman quickly nodded and untied the bracelet to hand to Nara. She was a smart woman, understanding Nara¡¯s intentions without so much as a word of explanation.

    ¡°Please, free them,¡± she entreated quietly, placing a weathered but surprisingly strong hand upon Nara¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Describe him for me,¡± Nara said.

    The woman leaned forward and whispered into Nara¡¯s ear. With an expression of cautious hope, she disappeared through the portal.

    ***

    ¡°I feel like we¡¯re some sort of sabotaging duo. Two bad peas in a pod.¡±

    ¡°Now such an inelegant description hardly suits us two beautiful ladies.¡±

    ¡°So beautiful we heartbreak and hull-break?¡±

    ¡°Haaaah¡­Not what I had in mind, but I think it¡¯s the best I¡¯ll get out of you.¡±

    There were only six minutes left until the pirate ship was within attack distance of the trading ship. In that time, Eufemia could set 12 total Rune Traps thanks to Convenient Copy.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ------

    Ability: [Prodigious Sorcerer]

    Essence: Adept

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Special Ability / Spell

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known spell of a target. This may make your version of the spell higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original spell. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    Effect (Bronze): Maximum mana and the [Spirit] attribute are increased.

    Ability: [Rune Trap]

    Spell

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Create an explosive rune that will disappear after a short period. The rune can be set to trigger by proximity, caster trigger, or both.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by the rune trap will be the source of a secondary explosion after a brief period.

    Ability: [Convenient Copy]

    Essence: Adept

    Awakening Stone: Adept

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Duplicate one of your own abilities. This will not stack non-active effects. This ability has the same cost and cooldown of the duplicated ability.

    Effect (Bronze): Non-active effects can stack at reduced effectiveness.

    ------

    Since she was actually duplicating Prodigious Sorcerer, Eufemia¡¯s Spirit attribute had been boosted beyond what Prodigious Sorcerer normally granted. It wasn¡¯t quite a double boost, but thanks to the doubling-up, her Rune Traps were potent. Convenient Copy allowed Eufemia to wring out surprising instantaneous power in a spell despite not specializing in spells as a spell caster, and the increased maximum mana meant she had more than enough mana for all 12 traps.

    They prioritized the hostages, hugging the shadows to slink back towards the top deck. Nara guided Eufemia with her superior aura sense, avoiding pirates that hurried about, in the midst of their own preparations. Eufemia had transformed into a pirate, and Nara would conjure her door domain and slink into it while Sage became a cloth matching the color of the surrounding wood that draped over the door to conceal it.

    Eufemia set two Rune Traps along the way. They had a mere four minutes at best before the fight would begin.

    ¡°¡­The pirate captain is top deck now.¡± Nara said to the other adventurers. ¡°Along with the rest of their forces.¡±

    ¡°Is there anything you can do? What are their numbers?¡±

    ¡°Ten bronze rankers, fifteen iron rankers. Then a bunch of normal rankers.¡±

    ¡°Their numbers were larger than we initially thought.¡±

    It was over Nara¡¯s first estimate of thirty. She¡¯d have to work on her accuracy. The normal rankers didn¡¯t matter, they were fodder in an essence user fight. Likely, they¡¯d man whatever emplaced defenses the pirate ship had.

    The trading vessel had thirteen bronze rankers protecting it versus the ten of the raiding pirate ship. To fight a bronze ranker, three or four was the recommended number of iron rankers. The number of iron rankers was an issue.

    ¡°We could intimidate them into leaving,¡± Encio suggested, ¡°Nara¡¯s aura is terrifying if she applies it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s terrifying?¡±

    ¡°If you want it to be,¡± Sen said. ¡°It¡¯s powerful. I¡¯ve felt it for myself.¡±

    ¡°If they leave, what about the hostages on deck?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Sen said. ¡°But they will live.¡±

    ¡°Until the next group the pirates decide to attack don¡¯t care about the hostages¡¯ lives.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee a bunch of bronze rank pirates will be intimidated by some bronze ranker¡¯s aura. Even if it is impressively strong,¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°They will feel empowered by their hostages,¡± Encio reasoned. ¡°And ignore their better judgement.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a bad feeling about that ship,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°Your instinct again?¡±

    ¡°Not just that. The pirates would not be so emboldened if they just had hostages.¡±

    ¡°Not every adventurer would care about the lives of hostages,¡± Encio said, catching onto Sen¡¯s meaning and expanding it. ¡°Their own lives come first. If this is a common enough tactic that it¡¯s made it¡¯s rounds, then some adventurers would have ignored the hostages.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia, Nara, stay on the ship and investigate it. Nahir, can you join them on it?¡±

    ¡°I hear you. I¡¯ll find a way to board the ship.¡±

    The pirate ship had intercepted the trading vessel, blocking their path at an angle. A large built pirate, hairy chest revealed through his wide shirt, and arrogant expression stood on its deck. He played the part of a minor antagonist a little too well, even holding a woman by her hair, who grimaced and sobbed quietly, trying to keep her terror as unnoticeable as possible, to be avoid attention even in her position. The pain from her scalp was the least of her worries.

    He stood at the edge of his ship, not crossing to the trading vessel. He activated a magical amulet at his neck which amplified his voice.

    ¡°Look and see here adventurers! Pay attention now! This can be nice and simple. Or difficult and bloody. It¡¯s all~ your choice.¡±

    He unsheathed a knife at his waist, holding it at the woman¡¯s neck. A drop of blood beaded at the tip.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think this pretty lady here would appreciate the second option.¡±

    His knife drew a whimpering sob from the woman, who closed her eyes in fear and resignation.

    *****

    Nara and Eufemia snuck below deck; the pirates occupied above.

    ¡°There¡¯s a single bronze ranker,¡± Nara told Eufemia and Nahir. ¡°A ritualist.¡±

    ¡°How do you know?¡± Nahir asked.

    ¡°My familiar has eyes on him. He¡¯s standing in some large ritual circle. The normals are manning the cannons.¡±

    Erras had something like cannons, though they operated on magic powder and not gunpowder. They were slender uniform tubes, that shot out a mixture of concentrated magic and flak. The normals were needed to refuel the cannons with spirit coins and a mixture of fire and wind quintessence after each use.

    It was awfully wasteful for pirates, but it they were robbing adventurer-protected merchant ships, the return was large enough to justify their use.

    ¡°Then we kill the normal rankers operating the cannons first,¡± Nahir said.

    Eufemia glanced at Nara. Her aura was unreadable, but her expression was frowning.

    ¡°Can you handle the ritualist? I want to try something first.¡±

    Nahir glared, his expression as sharp as his shark¡¯s teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t risk our allies for some pirates.¡±

    ¡°If it doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll handle them like you want.¡±

    Nahir paused, but relented, although his expression was guarded and disproving. ¡°The ritualist is more important.¡±

    ¡°Follow my familiar, she¡¯ll show you the way.¡±

    Against normal rankers, Nara¡¯s aura manipulation powers were potent. She snuck up on a pirate duo, together with Chrome.

    She launched forward, holding dagger Nirvana against his neck and cupping a hand over his mouth. Chrome did the same, a single glowing blade hovering against his captives neck, with his own hand reluctantly covering his mouth. Nara activated a privacy screen, capturing any muffled screams that would have escaped, then dragged the two away from the ships hole towards an unattended side room. Thanks to her aura manipulation skills, their quick assault-and-kidnapping went unnoticed by the other pirates at the cannon wall.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic,¡± Nara said, ¡°If I wanted you dead you wouldn¡¯t have noticed. Stop screaming or it¡¯ll be your last. If you understand, nod.¡±

    The pirate in her arms shakily nodded, not daring to breathe.

    ¡°There¡¯s a privacy screen up. No one will hear you scream, so don¡¯t bother. Do you understand?¡±

    Another nod.

    ¡°I¡¯ve left you alive because I¡¯m not trying to hit any high scores, but I¡¯m not going to hesitate if you make this difficult. You¡¯re just normal rankers, and I¡¯ve had a feeling that something about those hostages down below doesn¡¯t quite add up. Are those your loved ones?¡±

    Nara had felt from their auras that the normal rankers here were equally unwilling participants as the hostages that had been locked up below deck.

    The pirate in her arms shook in shock, then nodded a shaky confirmation.

    ¡°Double hostages? Smart, but his overconfidence will be his downfall. The idiot didn¡¯t post a guard. My teammate and I have already freed them all. However, I can only offer this as proof.¡±

    She slowly removed the hand covering the pirate¡¯s mouth, who thankfully kept quiet. She showed him a bracelet. It was homely and faded; an article that was faded from the sun but cherished despite its lack of luster. It was a traditional craft, with thin threads patterned and two small beads tightly wrapped in the center. Both were common stones, with no value an essence user would care for, but with obvious symbolic considerations.

    ¡°Do you recognize this?¡±

    ¡°I do. That is the bracelet of my wife. Seya. She is safe?¡± The man lifted his left arm, where Nara saw a slightly different bracelet but with matching beads. She remembered that Encio said there were different traditions of marriage gifts; this must have been theirs.

    ¡°I asked her for it. All the hostages have been portaled out of here already, except for the ones above. We¡¯re going to do our best to rescue them, but your participation at the cannons complicates things. Can you convince the rest of the pirates to stand down? I have 3 minutes before I can use my portal again, and all of you can escape from here. If anyone starts trying to sound any alarms, you may not make it out while I fight off a bunch of iron and bronze rankers, do you understand?¡±

    He breathed out, shaky but hopeful, determined. ¡°I understand. I will accomplish this task. I have to.¡±

    *****

    Prodigious Sorcerer only allowed Eufemia to copy the spell of a target, which meant she couldn¡¯t change it from Rune Trap for the fight ahead since she lacked a target with a known spell. The only one around her was Nahir, who was a melee fighter, not a spellcaster.

    So, she swapped Convenient Copy for Martial Gift, further boosting her physical strength. She transformed, shifting into the form of a Leonid and gaining their additional strength, speed, reflexes, and decreased stamina costs.

    -------

    Ability: [Mirror Form]

    Special Ability (transformation)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect(Iron): Take on the form of any target you remember.

    Effect (Bronze): When you take on the form of another race, gain some of their racial abilities in addition to your own.

    -------

    Mirror Form¡¯s use in combat at iron rank had been mostly to confuse her opponents, earning a precious few moments born of their surprise. Against monsters, it wasn¡¯t particularly useful, and was one of her few abilities Eufemia could progress without combat, albeit slowly. At bronze rank, it became a useful combat tool, and Eufemia instantly bulked up into a familiar slender but mighty jet black leonid, Laius.

    ¡°I thought you were a woman,¡± Nahir said, eyeing her dubiously. ¡°Is this form or the other one real? I cannot tell and it¡¯s¡­sort of scaring me.¡±

    ¡°I am a woman,¡± Eufemia said with Laius¡¯ voice. An odd thought passed through her mind, and she lifted the hem of her pants to check. Well. ¡°In soul.¡±

    ¡°You mimicry folks are odd. I don¡¯t know how you deal with that.¡±

    ¡°You transform into a shark. Aren¡¯t sharks known for¡­?¡±

    He paused. ¡°¡­I propose we never bring this up again.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡±

    ***

    The two attacked before the ritualist could react. Nahir didn¡¯t have Nara¡¯s stealth, so there was no point in opting for a pre-emptive strike with their duo.

    Eufemia teleported in with Flicker from Encio, unleashed a copied Unstoppable Force, then teleported back out, making room for Nahir.

    -------

    Ability: [Flicker]

    Special Ability (dimension, movement)

    Cost: Low mana and low stamina

    Cooldown: 25 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Move instantaneously a short distance away. Does not interrupt channeling abilities.

    Effect (Bronze): Can be used a second time. Cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, with a use regained every cooldown period.

    Ability: [Unstoppable Force]

    Awakening Stone: Might

    Special Attack

    Cost: High mana and extreme stamina

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Melee attack with massive momentum, dealing large amounts of additional resonating-force and disruptive-force damage. Requires a heavy weapon.

    Effect (Bronze): For each enemy struck the cooldown of this ability and the cost of the next use of this ability are reduced.

    -------

    Unstoppable Force was underutilized against a single enemy but combined with Eufemia¡¯s massive strength thanks to her leonid form and Martial Gift, she instantly chunked a large portion of the ritualist¡¯s vitality with her staff blow. Bones crunched on impact, and the ritualist slammed into the wall and caved it in like an impact zone, face first.

    The ritualist wobbled almost passing out from the instantaneous damage, but he reacted, adrenaline preserving him against the near-lethal surprise. He spun around to a low and fast Nahir, his trident lunging forward, piercing his torso and pinning him to the wall.

    ¡°Land battle is not my specialty, but¡­¡±

    Outside of water, Nahir was still a fast and powerful physical combatant, aided by his own leonid physique.

    The ritualist briefly became water, sliding through the fork of the trident to escape. It was like Nara¡¯s phase shift, but less potent, since Eufemia could still target him with Void Cancel. Eufemia thought the ritualist likely had a combination of the water and magic essences, but she didn¡¯t have John around to confirm it for her, nor was she searching his aura mid-battle to verify.

    ¡°No power escapes the void.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Void Cancel]

    Essence: Refracting

    Awakening Stone: Void

    Spell (curse)

    Incantation: ¡°No power escapes the void.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Cast a spell on a target, interrupting a target ongoing ability. You can cancel the inherent abilities of a magical creature. The ability that was interrupted is placed on a 3-minute cooldown, and mana is consumed as if the ability had been cast, up to a limit. If more than one ability is interrupted and no target ability is specified, the ability with the longest cooldown is prioritized.

    Effect (Bronze): The next use of the voided ability has greatly increased cost. Only the original cost of the target ability is consumed if the target ability is affected by [Void Cancel] again.

    -------

    The ritualist couldn¡¯t escape the trident in time, the final prong caught on to his flesh, a pain that Eufemia knew Nara was familiar with from poorly timed phase shifts.

    With the trident preventing escape, the ritualist switched gears to destruction. He may be largely untrained, but all essence users, including small time criminals, benefitted from a semi-stabilizing effect of essences when their life was in danger. Fight to live, then freak out later.

    ¡°The ocean rages, the tide surges.¡±

    A rush of ocean water gushed forth with a heavy surge, slamming Eufemia into the back wall despite her massive strength. The ritual on the floor survived the flood; it had intelligently been drawn with waterproof ritual components.

    Nahir dashed through the water unimpeded, the ritualist unknowingly providing the Tier-Meridian based leonid with his home turf. He raked his trident against the flood¡¯s surface, drawing up a torrent that he launched at the ritualist, slamming him against the wall for his second impact. He shot forward, water boosting his steps with each splash. His trident was stopped by a gleaming mana shield, the bubble shield sustaining under Nahir¡¯s powerful blows. Nahir launched rapid fire special attacks, trying to take down the shield. The water at the ritualist¡¯s feet glowed.

    ¡°He¡¯s consuming water to restore mana!¡± Nahir shouted.

    ¡°How is that fair? That was his own spell!¡± Eufemia groaned a complaint.

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about fairness in a two versus one?¡± The ritualist spat through gritted teeth, blood seeping into his robes from his trident wound and shattered bone.

    ¡°You want fairness when utilizing hostages?¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll concede the point,¡± the ritualists said sourly, blood seeping from his mouth from the exertion.

    Eufemia¡¯s Reverse Power was a difficult ability that was hard to use. It required anticipating and timing. The reversal effect only lasted a few seconds. If she timed it wrong, an unimportant ability would be reversed. If she targeted an ability that wasn¡¯t about to be used, the enemy could just wait it out, and the ability was set to a 30 second cooldown, even if it costed her no mana. She could use it on allies, transforming healing to damage or damage to healing.

    In the fight with the Death Essence user, Siyu, that is what she should have done. The team analyzed the fight afterwards, and Eufemia realized she had lacked the impetus and the judgement. She had relied on Sen for important uses of her abilities.

    The others had assured her she couldn¡¯t have possibly known the effect of his spell. To Eufemia, even the drunkest town idiot sloshed on the most tasteless of spirits could have guessed it from the incantation and his gloating expression.

    She needed the judgment to make her own calls in times of crisis, and so she had asked Sen to set her up for fights independent from him to learn this. It was dangerous, but she needed to learn from danger. She needed to pay more attention to her surroundings, and pick up and pick out which abilities, large or small, required her intervention.

    Reverse Power had been her final ability to hit Bronze Rank, and when it did, she felt a breath of relief that she internally chided herself for.

    -------

    Ability: [Reverse Power]

    Essence: Refracting

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (curse)

    Cost: Variable

    Cooldown: Variable

    Effect (Iron): Reverse the effect of the next use of a target active-use ability or the next active-use ability. This effect has a short duration. You must know the ability. If the target does not have the ability, this ability will not take effect. You can reverse the inherent abilities of a magical creature. Reversal causes positive effects to become negative effects, and vice versa. If there is no applicable reversed effect, the ability is nullified. The cooldown and cost of this ability is equal to the target ability. The cooldown of this ability only takes effect when the target ability is used, or otherwise has a 30 second cooldown if the ability fails. If the targeted ability has no cooldown, both this ability and the targeted ability are unavailable for 1 minute.

    Effect (Bronze): Can be used on in-use and channeled abilities. This effect can be resisted. If resisted, the cooldown of this ability is not triggered, but mana is consumed equal to the cost of the ability that resisted the reversal and cannot be used again on the ability that resisted the reversal until that ability enters cooldown.

    -------

    She tried to reverse Mana Shield, but the ability failed. Mana Shield was powerful for its ability to also block all effects targeting the caster, not just damage.

    ¡°All that set up and no payoff. What a letdown,¡± Eufemia sighed. ¡°You¡¯re up, Lumi. Shed some light on this slippery bastard.¡±

    She called out Lumi in its new bronze rank form.

    -------

    Ability: [Firelight Wisp]

    Familiar (ritual, summon, light)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon a [Firelight Wisp] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Incorporeal. </li>

    <li>Can move extremely quickly. Cannot attack while moving quickly.</li>

    <li>Casts light on its surroundings. Light can be dimmed or strengthened.</li>

    <li>When the light of the familiar is increased to its maximum, reveals hidden enemies. Wisp cannot attack in this state.</li>

    <li>Attacks using Light Rays. Attacks gain increased power and frequency in strong light.</li>

    <li>When subsumed in the summoner¡¯s skin, the summoner can manipulate light to make their self and their abilities harder to detect or cause themselves to glow.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can attack while moving, but not at top speed.</li>

    <li>Can utilize a swarm form. Swarm form deals vastly decreased damage and has moderately reduced movement speed. Swarm must combine to return to normal form. Cannot utilize strong light in this state.</li>

    <li>When subsumed in the summoner¡¯s skin, for moderate mana-per-second, can manipulate light to become invisible.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Lumi became a swarm of light, filling the room of the ship with lights like fireflies over a moonlit lake. Each individual mote launched tiny needle light rays, inflicting minor but rapid damage. Disruptive-force damage was effective against magical defenses, one of the few weaknesses of the Mana Shield ability.

    Even with the water restoring his mana, maintaining his mana shield was futile, so the ritualist dropped his shield. Eufemia anticipated his next move and used the iron rank effect of Reverse Power. If the ritualist was combat trained, he should have teleported before dropping his shield, but the surprising drain on his mana had scared him into making a mistake.

    And the opposite of a movement or teleportation ability was staying in the exact same place or moving slowly, it seemed.

    The ritualist was stunned that he hadn¡¯t moved an inch. His eyes at first opened in shock, then forced open as Nahir¡¯s trident pierced through his head.

 Chapter 147: Foot Planted into Face

    Chapter 147: Foot Planted into Face

    ¡°And you said land battle wasn¡¯t your strong suit.¡±

    ¡°I said it wasn¡¯t my strong suit, not that it wasn¡¯t good at it at all.¡±

    First, Eufemia transformed into the dead ritualist, copying his form and aura before he had died. She didn¡¯t¡¯ want the pirate captain to notice their subterfuge and the death of the ritualist while Sen was dealing with matters above deck.

    Nahir stared at her, transfixed.

    ¡°That¡¯s uncanny. If I hadn¡¯t just slain that pirate with you, I would have attacked you again.¡±

    Eufemia struck a pose distinctly uncharacteristic for the pirate ritualist.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t do that, it is paining my mind.¡±

    Cutting the jokes, she crouched down in the water, examining the waterproof ritual circle. Although the caster was dead, the water within the room would remain for a while yet, before it dissipated back into magic.

    ¡°Destroying it won¡¯t trigger it?¡± Nara asked.

    Nahir startled in shock.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice you approach. You are not even a scout.¡±

    ¡°I function as one for the team. I¡¯ve gotten pretty good at it.¡±

    ¡°As understated as unfurled sails.¡±

    Unfurled sails were not understated, Nara thought.

    She narrowed her eyes, trying to pick apart the saying. ¡°You mean it¡¯s a¡­severe understatement?¡±

    ¡°Should you really be analyzing the linguistic intricacies of the local colloquialisms right now?¡± Eufemia said flatly. ¡°Do I have to do everything around here?¡±

    ¡°Nope. Sorry.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah, can we just destroy this ritual?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Destruction should not trigger any affects, unless another ritual is set with that as its own trigger. Can you sense any active rituals in the area?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s all the normal ship stuff, I think. It¡¯s too advanced for me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m asking Eufemia.¡±

    Well, geez. She was supposed to have some expertise in rituals, but she supposed Eufemia was more experienced with emplaced and trap arrays.

    Eufemia gazed around the room, ¡°I¡¯m not up to your level Aliyah, but I don¡¯t see anything that could pose an issue other than my own rune traps.¡±

    ¡°I think we¡¯ll be alright then¡ªSen?¡±

    ¡°Do it,¡± Sen said. ¡°Whatever it sets off will not be worse than what was meant to go off.¡±

    ¡°Loud and clear.¡±

    Nara suddenly looked up, frowning.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Eufemia asked her.

    ¡°He¡¯s attacked a hostage. They¡¯re dying.¡± Nara could feel the desperation and the fear from their aura, more so that the rest of the terrified hostages.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault.¡±

    ¡°I know. Doesn¡¯t stop me from feeling bad.¡±

    So Nara said, but even this didn¡¯t fluctuate her aura.

    ¡°¡­What sort of training has Laius been giving you? More than what he¡¯s been teaching us?¡±

    ¡°¡­Laius said powerful auras can be dangerous to normal people, especially with emotional fluctuations. He knows I wanted to go back to visit family, and they¡¯re all normal rank. Laius he¡­ is an unrelenting teacher.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    ¡°He said he wasn¡¯t done with me yet.¡±

    ¡°My condolences.¡±

    ¡°He also said I needed to refresh my parkour skills, and I haven¡¯t readapted them to bronze rank as much as I should have. He and Amara have been having fun redesigning the parkour course for my expanded abilities.¡±

    ¡°Those rocks are going to hurt.¡±

    ¡°If they don¡¯t take my arm clean off. He¡¯s¡­enthusiastic when Redell is around. Ever since I¡¯ve reached iron rank it seems he¡¯s decided that he has been coddling me previously. Amara said it was a great way to internalize the advantages of my body.¡±

    ¡°¡­What advantages?¡±

    ¡°Not having any important internal organs .¡±

    ¡°Are you¡­alright?¡± Eufemia didn¡¯t quite know how to voice her concern. She was also familiar with the brutal training techniques of essences users. She had lived a ¡®relatively¡¯ normal life and hadn¡¯t grown up with the teachings of adventurers like Sen and Encio had.

    ¡°I think essences have done something funny with my brain. Since it all seems hunky-dory to me. It¡¯s like this internal voice telling me, ¡®Your friends are doing it for your own good so its fine¡¯. Which is true, but I¡¯m not sure how I feel about that thought.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a brain.¡±

    ¡°If I did, would they go easier on me? Maybe I could learn to regrow one?¡±

    ¡°Essences don¡¯t change your thoughts,¡± Nahir said.

    ¡°That¡¯s what you pulled from that conversation?¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Not the more concerning consensual abuse-not-abuse in the name of training?¡±

    He shrugged. How else would you grow stronger? Better suffer a bruise (or involuntary amputation) now than death later. ¡°Why would it change your thoughts, it¡¯s just magic,¡± he restated.

    Nahir wasn¡¯t wrong, but he also wasn¡¯t entirely right. Nara didn¡¯t know the details; Redell had only mentioned bits and pieces, and Oswald Willard had hinted at something as well.

    But it wasn¡¯t the time to contemplate the effects of essences on the soul.

    ¡°Sen. The ritualist is dead, and the ritual is destroyed, what now?¡±

    *****

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°Oh, wow! Look at that, you all took too long, and my knife¡­slipped. Let¡¯s choose the easy way for the next one, hm?¡±

    The woman fell to the ground, gasping for air she could no longer breathe, her throat slit. A subordinate pirate dragged another hostage to the pirate captain, a young child, stifling sobs and shaking.

    ¡°¡¯ere, captain.¡±

    He raked his blade across the child¡¯s throat too, killing her as well.

    ¡°Whoops. I don¡¯t like brats much. Hand me another.¡±

    This time, it was a teenaged boy. His hair was slick with sweat and saltwater, and his face streaked with salty dried tears.

    Sen could feel the anger radiating off of John. John¡¯s next words were very even, but his seething rage was barely contained.

    ¡°Let me heal her. I can still save her life.¡±

    Brains could survive ten minutes without oxygen, and any negative side effects of the prolonged deprivation could be cleansed and healed. John could still heal the throat and restore blood loss before the woman died.

    ¡°No take backs, sir adventurer!¡± The pirate crooned, waving his knife around. ¡°Respect the sanctity of life! Or do I mean the sanctity of dying? For your benefit, I shall repeat myself! Suppress yourselves with the collars I so generously provide and welcome us aboard the ship. We will take the goods, and everybody gets to live.¡±

    He looked at the struggling, gasping woman and the already dead child.

    ¡°Except for her, of course. But my lessons come at a price. I do not think it has been too costly a lesson yet. Aren¡¯t I generous, teaching you for so cheap?¡±

    ¡°What do we do, Sen?¡± John asked, voice low, itching to take to physically shutting the pirate up.

    They could ignore the pirate, charge in. The distance was still large, and it would take some time to cross ships. Nara and the others were still below deck, so they could execute a pincer. Not all the hostages would survive, but they could save a few.

    Or, detonate the Rune Traps aboard the pirate ship. If Eufemia has placed them judiciously, it may cause the ship to collapse and sink. The chaos may distract the pirate, or he would realize he could no longer escape and resort to extreme measures.

    He could try negotiations. See what the captain is willing to give up of their cargo. Depending on the situation, if the loss is acceptable, actually handing over the agreed upon amount, or instead grasping a chance during the exchange to slay the pirate captain.

    For now, Sen would buy time.

    ¡°Are negotiations amenable to you, Captain? Our captain here may be willing to forego some cargo for a¡­peaceful resolution. As you say, no one further gets hurt.¡±

    ¡°What say your offer, sir adventurer?¡± His tone was that of mock respect.

    By his own calculations and Captain Kezo¡¯s suggestion, thirty percent would still result in a profit. Above that would be a loss, but something they were willing to forego to escape the situation.

    ¡°We can offer twenty five percent. We portal the goods with a single adventurer from our side. They will be outnumbered; you can rest assured the goods will be dispensed without violence or issue.¡±

    Aliyah could do so, but he wasn¡¯t comfortable sending her over with her ability set. Nara would be the mule in question, but the pirate didn¡¯t have to know where she was yet.

    ¡°Lives must not be worth very much to you, adventurer?¡± The pirate dropped the teenager to the floor and unsheathed his sword at his waist.

    ¡°Stop! We can offer thirty percent of the cargo. With the size of your vessel, this is the limit of what you can carry.¡±

    ¡°You presume my limit, adventurer?¡±

    The pirate swung his sword down, but it was intercepted by a slender black blade. It seemed far too slight to have stopped his attack, especially from his advantage of downwards momentum.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Nara¡¯s next swing was incredibly fast. A sharp trust upwards, enhanced with resonating-force damage, the bonus from Astral Return, her Speed bonuses from Cosmic Path, her increased reaction speed from Avatar of the Boundary, as well as the new effect of Dream¡¯s Wake.

    -------

    Ability: [Dream¡¯s Wake]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Moon

    Special ability (boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Negate all damage and non-damage effects from actively intercepted or parried attacks. Not all damage and non-damage effects from very powerful attacks will be negated. Intercepted or parried attacks will not trigger retributive effects.

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Waking Moment] upon intercepting or parrying an attack, even if not all damage or non-damage effects are negated. Instances of [Waking Moment] have a threshold determined by current rank. After reaching the threshold, gain instances of [Endless Dream] instead.

    <ul>

    <li>[Waking Moment] (boon, magic, stacking): The [Speed] and [Power] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect, up to a maximum threshold.</li>

    <li>[Endless Dream] (boon, mana-over-time, magic, stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of mana. Slight reduction in mana cost for abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The resonating-force damage cut into the pirate captain¡¯s throat, cutting off any spell before it began; a weakness she and John did not have. After puncturing his throat, she pulled her sword trough, ripping through the muscles and delicate flesh of the neck, while avoiding the spine at the back that would have stopped her sword.

    The pirate captain clutched at his throat, gasping as blood poured from his throat like a faucet with no closure. The other pirates sprang into action to converge on Nara who was towards the railing of the ship.

    Nara picked up the teenager, still alive and wide-eyed.

    ¡°What are you doing¡ª!¡±

    She tossed him over the side of the ship. Her team members would sort him out.

    ¡°The ocean rages, the tide surges.¡±

    Nahir had the same spell as the ritualist, one of his few spells as a human. A torrent of water surged forth, smashing into the pirates that had converged on Nara. She blinked away, and the water either slammed them into the railing or pushed them over the edge.

    The water wasn¡¯t disadvantageous to the pirates¡ªmany of them had aquatic animal essences and water abilities, but it separated them from the hostages above deck. The pirates had separated the hostages out of line of sight to prevent teleportation abilities from being used on them. This benefitted the infiltrating trio, as Nahir could cast his spell without sweeping them away. What was left above, the three could deal with.

    Caspian swooped down from the sky, picked up Aliyah gingerly with a claw and lifting her into the air. With line of sight secured, she conjured a portal from the deck of the two ships.

    -------

    Ability: [Rune Gate]

    Essence: Adept

    Awakening Stone: Holding

    Special Ability / Conjuration

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Rank: Bronze 1

    Effect (Iron): Allows the user to store items in a dimensional pocket.

    Effect (Bronze): Allows the users to create a portal that is able to transport 20 Iron rank individuals, 2 bronze rank individuals, or equivalent amount of mass. Items in dimensional storage do not count towards this limit.

    -------

    Eufemia freed the hostages with her dagger, ushering them through the portal as Nahir and Nara fought off the pirates left above deck. John burst through the portal, running to the dying woman as fast as he could, casting his largest healing spell after a few quick Life Bolts to buy time. The child was dead. John didn¡¯t have the capabilities to revive the dead yet, and could only bite back his dread and frustration, and focus on the ones he could save.

    -------

    Ability: [Grand Renewal]

    Essence: Renewal

    Awakening Stone: Life

    Spell (healing, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 1 hour

    Effect (Iron): Conduct a powerful healing ritual that cleanses all afflictions. This ability takes the place of the ritual¡¯s material components.

    Effect (Bronze): The ritual circle is magically drawn, allowing the ritual to be more quickly enacted and in less ideal conditions.

    -------

    As he did, Nara, Nahir, and Eufemia received shield support. He may have been in the middle of drawing a ritual, but the qualities of spatial awareness and multitasking were qualities healers inadvertently trained for.

    Nahir¡¯s combative roar signaled the start of chaos.

    Nahir slayed any pirates he came across, trident spearing through bodies. The thin layer of water on the deck of the ship was enough to trigger his movement ability, launching him like every step was off of a springboard. The iron rankers were torn through, dead in one strike from superior strength and speed from his passive abilities. With the piercing strength of his trident special attacks, the untrained had no chance to pose resistance.

    Nara prioritized defending John, primarily by causing more chaos together with Chrome and Thanatos. She slipped through the pirates that attacked her, the simultaneous attacks triggering Dream¡¯s Wake repeatedly as she guided attacks with spatial manipulation to just brush against her staff like gentle butterflies brushing against delicate flowers. They swung to miss as if their own attacks were telegraphed. Layers of light, space, and presence manipulation shrouded Nara like a phantom of a ghost ship. Chrome was the opposite, a shooting star of gleaming gold. He couldn¡¯t match up to an essence user single handedly, instead balancing offense and defense. His flying swords weaved through the air to make unpredictable attacks from hard to block directions, while he followed up with his own dual swords.

    Nara¡¯s staff gleamed with an ethereal blue-black flame that set enemies on fire with Umbral Burn with a smash. She rarely needed to teleport, only to intervene if a pirate foolishly attempted to attack John. She showed less generosity to those that attacked him, and the pirates unconsciously gave John a wide berth, on top of the raging bear that was tearing through the pirates above deck and outright flinging the unlucky¡ªor lucky¡ªback into the sea.

    A familiar face peered over the railing. His throat held a new scar, pierced through at the center then dragged across to the right.

    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡± Nara shouted at the pirate captain.

    She flung her bodyweight towards him, simultaneously spinning her sword to cut the two hands that clutched at the railing. It wasn¡¯t enough to sever bone, he was a bronze ranker, but in combination with a foot planted into his face, his grip loosened, and he was sent tumbling back off of the ship.

 Chapter 148: For the Sake of Those around You

    Chapter 148: For the Sake of Those around You

    Ayaz landed on the water, feet sinking slightly into the waves as he triggered his water-walking ability.

    ¡°That sneaky bitch kicked me all the way back down.¡±

    His polite pretense was gone, eyes bloodshot at the thought his own ship had been stolen away from him.

    ¡°Politely withhold your insults about my team members. For your own good, should you desire a respectable end.¡±

    Ayaz¡¯s eyes focused on a tall, strong looking adventurer. His frame was powerful, though not as bulky as his own. He had black hair, clean features that balanced elegance with strength, and piercing grey eyes that unnerved Ayaz. As if they saw what was within Ayaz and deemed it unworthy. Worthless.

    ¡°I¡¯ll insult whoever I like, sir adventurer.¡±

    ¡°The self-assurance of a failure,¡± the adventurer said, with a smile that didn¡¯t communicate anything of the sort. ¡°A winner doesn¡¯t need it. No matter what you tell yourself¡­¡± he tapped his neck with a finger, ¡°You have a permanent scar to remind yourself of the truth.¡±

    ¡°Escaping death is hardly shameful,¡± Ayaz said. It wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°If you thought you had escaped death, you are mistaken. She understands what she needed to prioritize, and it wasn¡¯t you.¡±

    He held his staff aloft, his posture and guard faultless. Ayaz knew enough to know he was outclassed, but he may win with the power of the sea on his side.

    ¡°She has her fight above. Now, you are mine to resolve.¡±

    ¡°Resolve? I¡¯m not some problem,¡± Ayaz spat.

    ¡°What else would you be, pirate? You are nothing but a burden upon society.¡±

    The two faced off, Ayaz pacing on the surface of the water around the adventurer, who patiently waited for him, unmoving in the center of Ayaz¡¯s predatory prowl.

    ¡°You won¡¯t attack?¡±

    ¡°I have no need,¡± said the adventurer, nonchalant.

    ¡°You underestimate me, adventurer! You always do!¡±

    Ayaz swung his saber; the curved blade pulled the water of the sea to enhance the attack. The power of a wave in the swing of his blade.

    He ended face up, back sinking into the water. He flipped up in a confused spring, righting himself as if he hadn¡¯t just been humiliated.

    What just happened? They should be the same rank, no, he should be further along bronze that this brat, this¡­teenager!

    ¡°Captain,¡± the adventurer said, his own politeness mocking, ¡°You are not done yet, are you?¡±

    Ayaz attacked again, gathering the power of the water into his saber. He watched this time, carefully, even more than he already had been against an enemy he knew was more skilled than he was.

    The staff sweep wasn¡¯t particularly fast. The heavy staff had an immense weight, this unavoidable pull that led Ayaz straight into its path. The staff flung him, far easier than it should have, as if Ayaz¡¯s weight was no longer his own.

    -------

    Ability: [Weight Manipulation]

    Special Ability

    Cost: Low mana-per-second / moderate mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Manipulate the weight of yourself or your equipment. This can increase or decrease the weight of weapons and armor, making them heavier or lighter to wield, changing their characterization from a heavy to light or vice versa. Allows for reduced or increased falling speed and water walking.

    Effect (Bronze): Generate a field of weight manipulation centered around you, either pulling or pushing towards you for moderate mana-per-second. Targets can be excluded from this effect. Weight manipulation allows for gliding at moderate mana-per-second. The effects of slow fall, water walking, and gliding can be extended to others in very close proximity for an ongoing mana cost per target.

    -------

    Sen had a general idea of gravity thanks to John, and his abilities granted him the deftness to use the force even with incomplete knowledge. Nara also manipulated gravity without in-depth knowledge of the force, so understanding was not a prerequisite for most essence abilities, though it could boost the application. Even without knowledge, essence users figured out how to better manipulate their abilities through trial and error, like wind users pushing aside the air to decrease their wind resistance and increase their speed. They just needed to feel it.

    Ayaz felt as if the adventurer dragged him in, like he was intentionally moving to get hit, like he wanted to get him. When he was hit, it was as if he had been battered by the raging waves of the sea.

    The frightening staff swung again, catching Ayaz in the ribs, cracking beneath its massive momentum, he was flung back, slamming into the hull of his own ship, caving in the wood in a shockwave that harmed him as well.

    ¡°Get up, Captain.¡± The adventurer had not even broken a sweat. Posture easy and casual, though still at the ready. ¡°Your move.¡±

    -------

    Ability: [Hero¡¯s Sacrifice]

    Essence: Zeal

    Special Ability

    Cost: Variable health

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Sacrifice your health to enhance the power of special attacks.

    Effect (Bronze): Special attacks deal additional resonating-force damage when enhanced with a health sacrifice.

    -------

    Ayaz threw everything he had at the adventurer. Powerful saber blows that had felled many before! Tendrils of water that whipped, grabbed, and stabbed, formless and impossible to parry! Raging whirlpools of water, lunging saber blows that would have ripped the mast of his own ship in half! Claps of lightning and thunder manifested from thin air, pure energy and magic as Storm¡¯s mighty spear!

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    Some of his attacks connected, but a sinking feeling grew within Ayaz that his enemy was picking and choosing which he would block and which he would allow through, for his own benefit. He swung his staff in flowing arcs, lightning and water redirected harmlessly away from him, and even back at Ayaz.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Return]

    Special Attack (retributive)

    Cost: Low stamina and mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Enhance your weapon with significant resilience. If this attack intercepts another physical attack, inflict the damage of the attack as retributive damage identical to the damage amount and damage type of the intercepted attack to the original attacker. Reducing or negating the original damage does not reduce or negate the retributive damage.

    Effect (Bronze): This attack can intercept magical abilities and incorporeal attacks such as spells with size and shape limitations.

    -------

    The young man was immovable. Not in physical movement, but in mentality. His eyes never strayed from Ayaz¡¯s own, watching his expression and position with trained then ingrained acuity.

    Ayaz suffered blow after blow, the piercing thrusts and smashes of the unbelievably heavy staff leaving painful welts and cracking bone. Ayaz felt like he was fruit, smashed apart bit by bit by a skilled chef, beaten into paste and submission.

    Ayaz¡¯s Seawater Regeneration couldn¡¯t keep up with the adventurer¡¯s consistent, heavy blows. Dread grew as he felt the youth¡¯s power grow strong with each attack, while his own attacks inflicted less damage. The young man never recoiled from his attacks to begin with, an oppressive opponent of unflinching resolve.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Warrior]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain an instance of [Agent of Karma] when subjected to damage or any harmful effect, even if the damage and/or effect was wholly negated.

    <ul>

    <li>[Agent of Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): The [Power] and [Spirit] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Good Karma] when healing others, cleansing others, or suffering damage. Enemies that attack or take offensive actions against you are inflicted with [Bad Karma]. So long as any enemy has an instance of [Bad Karma], you have [Karmic Sacrifice].

    <ul>

    <li>[Bad Karma] (affliction, retributive, holy): Suffer a small amount of retributive, transcendent damage when making an attack or other offensive action against anyone without the [Karmic Sacrifice] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Good Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): Bonus to [Recovery]. Damage from enemies with [Bad Karma] is reduced. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Karmic Sacrifice] (boon, holy, heal-over-time): Gain an ongoing healing effect, with strength determined by the amount of [Good Karma] you have accrued. This effect immediately ends if there are no enemies suffering from [Bad Karma].</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Together with Battle Equilibrium and the effects of Nara¡¯s aura, Sen had a regenerating pool of health he could constantly sacrifice for increased damage and unrelenting pressure. He was the type of opponent Nara was the worst at dealing with; he had consistent, high damage blows that were difficult to deflect, and no single attack she could dodge to avoid most of the damage. Before her afflictions and boons could scale Nara up, Sen usually defeated her first.

    ¡°Wait! Wait!¡± The pirate screamed as he desperately rebuffed blows that blew apart his defenses with constant resonating-force damage. ¡°I surrender!¡±

    ¡°I accept your surrender.¡±

    Sen held his staff steady, pressing it up close against the pirate¡¯s throat. The glowing red blade his Staff of Duality sizzled as drops of sweat indistinguishable from the salty seawater evaporated on the blade, so red hot that the air warped. The glaive was burning hot, but Ayaz¡¯s blood was sluggish and cold despite the rabbit-terror beating of his heart.

    Ayaz quickly removed an object from his waterproof satchel, throwing it up into the air to detonate. Sen reacted, nimbly sliding backwards across the choppy water to avoid any explosion.

    The object was a flare. It shone in sky, reflecting off of the water. The attention of all the combatants was briefly drawn upwards, a moment of quiet in the clamor, but fighting resumed as the flare faded with no result.

    Ayaz and Sen waited, but nothing happened. What had happened? He still felt Shamsul¡¯s aura on the ship. Why hadn¡¯t the ritual activated?

    Sen¡¯s expression was almost pitying, ¡°Was that for your ritual?

    ¡°You know about the ritual,¡± Ayaz said, his voice low with dread that he tried to deny.

    ¡°My teammate stabbed you in the neck from the deck of your own ship. You didn¡¯t consider she may have been there the entire time?¡±

    Sen held his staff aloft, preparing to swing.

    ¡°W-wait. What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°You had your chance to surrender.¡± Sen said calmly, like he was a farmer reaping another bundle of wheat, ¡°There are no second surrenders.¡±

    *****

    The battle wrapped up above deck. Nahir had been joined by his teammate, Miray, a soft-spoken celestine with a mix of healing, wind, and water abilities.

    Weapons were scattered across the blood-spattered deck, the air a mixture of fresh sea breeze and the coppery tang of blood. The wooden deck was splintered with long gouges and splintered craters, and it slowly began to repair itself from the damage with the strange, groaning creak of healing wood, sounding every bit the haunted ship.

    ¡°Captain Kezo was right. This is an expensive ship. How did these pirates get their hand on it?¡±

    ¡°It is not likely to have originally been a pirate ship,¡± Nahir said. ¡°Stole it, like all the other sea thieves.¡± His dark eyes scanned this ship. ¡°They would not have spared us, if we surrendered to their demands.¡±

    ¡°How do you know?¡±

    ¡°Pirates of this level are not only pirates. They may live normally otherwise, within communities.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re part-time pirates?¡±

    ¡°A strange expression,¡± Nahir said, ¡°But accurate. Since we saw their faces, they would not want their identities exposed. But¡­It is speculation. They may come from the southern coast of the Tier-Media.¡±

    ¡°Why there?¡±

    ¡°The southern coast is tribal, filled with opportunistic raiders attacking the caravans of Atisalhaya and the vessels of the Tier-Media.¡±

    Nara felt something, a sharp, hostile surge of a desperate aura.

    ¡°AAAAAAHHHHH!¡± A bronze rank pirate that had been subdued lunged forward, stabbing out with his dagger towards Miray, who was examining the still living pirates.

    Nara teleported, intercepting the dagger in time. The pirate was weak-willed, desperate. The dagger clattered from his hands. She kicked him back, flinging him to the slick deck of the ship.

    Nahir was there in a flash, trident raised.

    ¡°Stop! Nahir!¡± Miray shouted, her voice a clear ringing bell over sudden chaos. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡±

    His glare was a mixture of concern and fury. His trident shook in the air for a moment. Nara wasn¡¯t sure he would listen, but he relented, lowering his trident.

    ¡°Why stop me, Miray!¡± he demanded, still volatile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t know.¡± Miray said, her soft voice stern. ¡°Those hostages serve two purposes, for us, and for the pirates.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no excuse.¡±

    ¡°It is.¡±

    Nahir bolted towards Nara, grabbing her by the scruff of her robe and pinning her to the wall. She shook off his arm, slapping it down and shoving him back.

    ¡°Nahir!¡± Miray shouted again, ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this!¡±

    Nahir¡¯s gaze was steely. ¡°That was one of yours,¡± he said. ¡°Miray could have died.¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t,¡± Nara said. ¡°Even if that blow connected, she would have been fine. She¡¯s bronze rank Nahir, not some porcelain doll.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°Nothing happened,¡± Nara said icily. ¡°If you¡¯re going to rage at every near miss and every possible alternative, then you should give up adventuring now and let those with mental fortitude handle it.¡±

    He glared, teeth bared in hostility.

    ¡°That wouldn¡¯t have killed me, Nahir,¡± Miray interjected, her will just as unyielding.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that. You can never know that!¡±

    They were both right. At bronze rank, essence users could survive injuries that would be fatal, but they would need immediate and powerful healing. As the healer herself, Miray was in some ways most at risk, if there was no one else around to heal her, and if the blade had punctured her throat. However, John was also nearby, and others could have given her a potion.

    ¡°You prioritize these pirates over the lives of your comrades?¡± Nahir hissed, ¡°Are they worth it?¡±

    ¡°Nahir,¡± Miray admonished. ¡°We¡¯re adventurers. We protect people, even if it is the difficult thing to do. What about you? You kill all these people here, as if you wouldn¡¯t stab another adventurer in the back to save any of your teammates.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You would.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a healer, Miray. They way you think is correct for your role.¡±

    ¡°The way I think is not defined by my role, Nahir, nor is it limited to my role. You don¡¯t think only priests of Healers should think of healing, do you? My god would be very disappointed.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not his priest.¡±

    ¡°Then you should be disappointed in yourself.¡±

    At Miray¡¯s words, Nahir¡¯s gaze turned from Nara, unable to look at her or Miray.

    ¡°You got lucky this time.¡± Nahir said warningly. ¡°You best remember the next time you show mercy, there may be a cost, and others may pay it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it under advisement.¡±

    ¡°For the sake of those around you, I hope you do.¡±

 Chapter 149: The Unexceptional Choice

    Chapter 149: The Unexceptional Choice

    Before her, the Tier-Media was an inky black, the depths of space without stars, all light consumed by somnolent waves. The lights of the ship barely broke through the darkness, a feeble light unseen by anyone beyond. In the distant coastline, sparkles of light indicated seaside settlements, distant but precious. Across both worlds, civilization was built near water. A trans-universal truth. The thought was comforting; some common sense did still apply.

    Nara was enjoying the night breeze, atop the mast on a conjured couch. With magic abilities, she dared to sit in precarious locations she would not have without. In her hand she held her lute, absentmindedly strumming a soft song appropriate for the deep night.

    She sensed someone approach from below. The healer Miray, who she originally thought was soft spoken¡ªhe appearance certainly matched, a warm skin tone and hair of delicate, lunar hues. Within Nahir on her team, she had shown a will capable of reining him in. She nimbly ascended, aided by her own magic, until she was level with Nara.

    ¡°May I join you?¡±

    Nara gestured with her hand and scooted over for Miray to sit on the couch. She bounced on it a few times, pinching it for comfort, and finding it surprisingly so. She settled, feet dangling off into the open night air.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Nahir. He was just taking out his anger on you.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Nara said, ¡°but he¡¯s not completely wrong either. When it came to my allies, I¡¯ve killed people.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re adventurers. We know the risks. Nahir may still be learning them. We¡¯re still learning them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to find a balance,¡± Nara said, heedless of her apologies, kind, but unnecessary. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it is a balance that can ever be found, or an ideal I¡¯ll strive for in perpetuity.¡±

    ¡°A balance that we all need to find.¡± Miray emphasized. ¡°Nahir is too quick to kill. He¡¯s afraid of the consequences of leaving enemies alive.¡±

    ¡°And he saw that consequence realized through me, even if nothing happened.¡±

    ¡°No, he saw an adventurer that understood the realities of a situation he avoided. He saw an adventurer that managed risk accordingly, and reacted when the risk was realized. Lives were saved and families were reunited. Those he killed will never return to their families. He¡¯s angry with himself too. He took the low and easy path.¡±

    Miray gazed down towards the cabins in the ship below.

    ¡°He is not feeling so self-assured now. Those women and children are crying over the dead bodies of their loved ones. He won¡¯t forget that.¡±

    ¡°He prioritized his comrades and the innocents on this boat, there¡¯s nothing wrong with that,¡± Nara said, once again playing Devil¡¯s Advocate with her own position on the opposite side.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it,¡± Miray agreed, ¡°but he isn¡¯t proud of it, and rightly so. It is unexceptional.¡±

    ¡°And he wants to be an exceptional adventurer,¡± Nara was a bit sick of the idea of being exceptional, the phrase bringing unpleasant memories to her mind. Even so, it wouldn¡¯t stop her from practicing and learning. She had a goal, distant as it was, both another lifetime and in another world.

    ¡°Most do. Adventuring is known for the fame, riches, power, and honor.¡±

    ¡°And you?¡±

    ¡°A healer can¡¯t want fame, riches, power, and honor?¡± she asked, her head at a teasing tilt.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you were the type,¡± Nara commented honestly. ¡°No offense.¡±

    ¡°And you would be surprised. I like the feeling of praise and gratitude,¡± Miray admitted, unashamed. ¡°People rely on me, and they need me. My worlds hold more weight and importance because I¡¯m an adventurer and a healer.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to speak loudly for others to listen.¡±

    ¡°Quite right. Except with Nahir.¡± She winked. ¡°I have to yell at him.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the party leader,¡± Nara concluded with a laugh.

    Miray smiled wide. ¡°What gave it away?¡±

    *****

    The night passed, washing away the blood of the previous with a new gentle day (and some judicious cleaning).

    The former pirates were held below deck. Even if they were threatened, they were still criminals. The authorities at their destination would be lenient, especially with the normals. They weren¡¯t expected to stand up to essence users. Those of the bronze and iron rankers that were unwilling pirates would not have the same leniency, but execution was unlikely. Unlike Graff and his crew, some of the essence-users-turned-pirates had not turned to piracy willingly.

    The core using pirates didn¡¯t have the forged auras capable of resisting the suppressive force of the collars. The adventurers still enacted shifts to watch over their captives, and the team resumed their training or restful activities until their port of call, Akripodia.

    ¡°This time you requested me for sparring, instead of the other way around,¡± Sen said, ¡°What is it you want to practice?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had this idea for a while now, but it sort of solidified after the fight with the pirates. I use my Infinity Domain to redirect attacks so they will miss, but that¡¯s not the most efficient use with my abilities. In a chaotic battle, I can trigger it off of projectiles, but in a one versus one¡­¡±

    Waking Moment was a more temporary boon, compared to her others. Overture maintained the boon, but she would need to actively intercept attacks to grow the stacks, then eventually gain instances of Endless Dream, her true prize.

    ¡°You want to develop your fighting style to create intentional openings that your enemy will try to attack.¡±

    ¡°A combination of that and subtle space manipulation and light manipulation. I wanted to try dipping into The Way of the Charlatan. A lot of my avoidance comes from manipulation effects, but what if those don¡¯t work? I know how you are about worst case scenarios. I want to try adding some deceit, not in abilities but in my swordplay.¡±

    ¡°In turn, you intercept and counter those attacks with ease.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Since I¡¯ve planned for attacks to land there in the first place. That¡¯s the idea, but I don¡¯t know if I can manage both a manipulation of my own fighting style and active manipulation of space simultaneously. You¡¯ve been developing something similar with your weight manipulation abilities too, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you came to me,¡± he concluded, spinning his staff as if feeling the weight of her suggestion upon it.

    ¡°I plan to work through it later with Encio as well, but I figured you¡¯d have the most personal experience with an idea like this.¡±

    Sen mulled over her explanation. He didn¡¯t think a deceitful fighting style fit Nara, but there was no harm in exploring it and integrating aspects of it into her style. It didn¡¯t have to be all the time, but successful attacks were important for her fighting style, and having her opponent dance in the palm of her hand would help Nara completely control the battle.

    *****

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    The idea for now was just that, an idea. Working it through was like evolving her current fighting style, which was flowing, fast, and connected, weaving counters into attacks.

    She felt as if she had been sent back to those beginning days, working through the moves of The Way of the Traveler. It was a combination of demonstration, light sparring, and discussion, as session of slow trial and error. Nara saw that Sen was growing his own nascent style evolution simultaneously. High strength and recovery attributes impeded Sen¡¯s ability to affect the weight of others. High strength was common among brawler adventurers like himself, who he''d most likely be fighting as he served the frontline role. Nara was an expert at subtle but straightforward manipulation, and he devoured what he could of her own experience to apply it to himself.

    ¡°Speaking of, utilizing more aggressive spatial manipulation might also be an interesting evolution.¡±

    ¡°To surprise your opponent with sudden changes in space?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. With my subtle manipulation, it¡¯s hard to notice, but it¡¯s also easily compensated for. Occasionally concentrating the effect to artificially ¡®stagger¡¯ their attacks may throw them off.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot to work on.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d say, ¡®even if it¡¯s a lot of work it is best to develop all avenues of strength¡¯?¡±

    Sen smiled. ¡°That¡¯s right. Encio would say to utilize my expertise for all my worth. I am at your disposal.¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s to a long time, sparring partner.¡±

    ¡°Prepare yourself. I am a thorough instructor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d pay money to hear you say the opposite. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever caught you slacking.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll never happen,¡± Sen said resolutely.

    ¡°Want to bet?¡± Nara said. ¡°Whether or not I¡¯ll ever hear Sen Arlang say, ¡®I don¡¯t want to because I¡¯m too tired¡¯. Something along those lines.¡±

    Sen smirked, ¡°I accept, and accept your inevitable loss.¡±

    *****

    The magic near Atisalhaya was mid bronze. As the group neared the far end of the Tier-Media, towards Esmera-Mar and Aviensa, Nara could feel the shift in ambient magic quality, inching up towards silver. Their destination was Akripodia, a city built on the equivalent of the island of Sicily.

    It lay at the edge of the bronze region, the final destination of traders where they must hire more expensive silver rank adventurer escorts if they were to proceed further. With higher magic quality came higher profits¡ªhigh rank essence users lived in greater numbers, and essence users were the rich of this world.

    The trading routes were generally safe; even their merchant vessel, while beset by pirates, didn¡¯t have a single injury to their passengers. Of normal people, sailors were some of the few that most often saw adventurers and their work up close. The sailors still had their same cheerful attitude, not dampened by the incident. They cheered on Nara and Sen as they continued their regular spars on deck.

    It was those who skipped the expense of adventurer escorts in pursuits of higher profits who suffered the greatest risk. They may have dozens of journeys with no big incidents, perhaps only close calls with sea and sky monsters. It only took one unfortunate incident such as an encounter with pirates to have all of those lives and goods consumed by the beautiful but unforgiving sea.

    There was no further incident the rest of the journey, a few small monster skirmishes, but nothing unusual for the route.

    The ship docked in the seas away from port of Akripodia, where a city official was dispatched from the city to greet them. The official engaged in standard proceedings with the captain¡ªif he planned to unload his cargo, what goods they were carrying and what they wanted to unload, if he needed to post a new contract, if the ship needed to rent boats to transport supplies, and how they planned to pay their taxes and tariffs. Captain Kezo¡¯s Tier-Media circuit was routine, and he was a familiar face with the local officers. Still, an inspector would ride out to verify the ship had no hidden compartments or illegal goods.

    Together with Sen and Encio, he reported the matter of the pirates, which he held securely below deck; a mixture of true pirates and threatened essence users.

    Official matters settled; Nara transformed her Nebula boat into its adaptive form. Over water, the construction was an actual boat, versus the flying ship that was created over land. She didn¡¯t use its grand form. Since it was a nebula flask and not a cloud flask, she didn¡¯t want to attract unnecessary attraction from those who knew it was non-standard.

    The boat was a combination of a luxury yacht and sailing ship, a sailing yacht. The deck was low and long, the outside a sleek, dark blue that sparkled with small stars. Tall triangular sails unfurled into the air, a clean white against the emerald blue of shallow water. As usual, the deck and cabins were decorated with considerably more plant life than a sea-faring vessel would usually nurture, railings lined with leafy greens and blooming flowers.

    She offered to take the other two teams with her, and surprisingly they agreed. She thought her relationship with Miray¡¯s team was too strained for them to join her. The idea of waiting for the official transportation may have led them to choose the quicker and free option.

    Nahir sat far back, nonchalant against a railing. Miray sat with him, sending Nara an apologetic smile when they made eye contact.

    Sen and Encio would report to the local Adventure Society about the completion of the contract and the details of the pirate attack. The other teams split off as soon as Nara¡¯s ship docked, Miray offering her one final wave. Nara doubted she¡¯d ever see the team again, but that was the adventurer¡¯s life. New events and connections, however brief: the team was her constant.

    The city of Akripodia was not unlike a typical Ronan seaside city. The majority of the city was made of rectangular, sand colored buildings, occasionally painted with brighter colors. The activity of the city was considerably higher, a bustling port city and a center for trade, like Huxin. The ports of the city was considerably expanded. Far more buildings were built on top of water, boardwalks that expanded into the gentle waves of the Tier-Media. There was plenty of room for Nara¡¯s water-top nebula house, and many others lived on water or anchored their houseboats. Not only houses but markets were set on top the water, a mixture of business, residential, and leisure as residents and wayfarers swam in the glimmering noon water. Skimmers and barges in a variety of sizes transported people and goods to and from trade ships anchored further out, where the water deepened.

    Encio returned early from the report, leaving Sen at the Adventure Society to handle the rest as team leader. He toured the city with Nara, as had become tradition.

    ¡°An investigation will be conducted regarding the pirates.¡± Encio said, as the two discussed the outcome of the attack.

    ¡°An investigation? Aren¡¯t pirate attacks pretty normal?¡± No offense to the security of the region of course.

    ¡°Taking hostages to force essence users to attack their own has crossed the line. Likely, a suppression force will be formed for the barbarian tribes south of the Tier-Media.¡±

    ¡°A suppression force?¡±

    ¡°A euphemism,¡± Encio said darkly. ¡°The society will a large group of adventurers to massacre or capture the raiding clans, to reduce their power and influence for some years.¡±

    ¡°Straight to massacre¡­¡± No matter how she was used to killing monsters, there was an instinctual revulsion there. When one had the power of an essence user, ordinary lives became far too easy to reap, aversively so. ¡°Is there no better solution, like financial support?¡±

    ¡°To provide free resources to a group that has stolen and killed for theirs? It would not sit well with the residents that have been affected so far. There may be solutions that could better help the southern tribes but¡­any ¡®easy¡¯ solution is unconscionable. There are only difficult, slow, and expensive solutions left.¡±

    He trailed off, thinking of Erin Nise¡¯s argument against the current methodologies of the Adventure Society and society as a whole. If these tribes wanted to establish a city and ask for protection against monster waves from the Adventure Society, the society would offer a contract and help. However, did these tribes know they had that option? And even if they did, would local adventurers want to help, who had grown up with those threats all their lives?

    In the might-makes-right geo-politics of Erras, cities had no reason to provide financial support to their once-raiders. Nara wondered what would happen to the women and children left behind but decided there was no meaning in asking. She didn¡¯t have the power to change anything about society here. If any change happened, it would occur naturally over a long time.

    Nara knew the situation in Erras was already gradually changing. The eventual independence of Sanshi, the negotiations with Zariel¡¯s world, the assassinated researchers and inventors, the objective of the Messengers, the tensions in Nekroz. As these situations evolved, so would Erras¡¯ society. In any world, people lived through but a small phrase in a long song of change. Except essence users. They would see centuries of change.

    For her own world too, the gears of change had never stopped turning.

    *****

    The group proceeded the rest of the way as passengers on a ship, rather than adventurer escorts. As bronze rankers, they weren¡¯t qualified to do so in the west half of the Tier-Media. They¡¯d be able to accept monster contracts, but escorts where lives were at stake usually required the higher tier of adventurers in the Tier-Media.

    They witnessed for themselves the resilience of silver rank monsters as a team of silver rankers gradually tore apart a silver rank Kraken. The silver rankers dodged between a deadly forest of fleshy tentacles, and the ship was guided to safety some ways away as it waited for the obstacle to be cleared away. Geysers of water erupted from the water, evidence of the magic abilities monsters of higher ranks more often possessed.

    In typical RPG terms, monsters traded magic for constitution; real life bullet-sponges. The more dangerous and insidious monsters were the opposite, those that were physically weaker but had complex magical abilities such as illusions, transformations, stealth, magic projectiles, and puppeteering abilities.

    Those monsters could secretly infiltrate populations for years, picking off just enough people to avoid suspicion, in a way not dissimilar to Siyu, before his impatience had ruined things for him. At high tiers, stealth detection and investigation specialists became important to detect tricky and intelligent monsters.

    Essences users in turn had balanced stats with no obvious weakness nor overwhelming strength. This meant at silver rank, casters like Aliyah became harder to pick off, where at iron and bronze rank they were relatively fragile without many defensive abilities and damage reduction.

    Silver rank was the turning point where essence users shed their previous ¡®human¡¯ fragility. Silver rank essence users were like Spider-Man¡ªactual, comic book accurate Spider-Man with inhuman toughness, reflexes, and strength at base.

    Once Aliyah hit silver rank, without a single essence ability, she would be able to throw cars around. They could have car pillow-fights, smacking each other with tonnage and hard metal without inflicting almost any damage due to the normal rank of the objects.

    That example was not just because Nara hated cars and wanted to see them destroyed. No, it was the most practical example.

 Chapter 150: Enjoying the Ride

    Chapter 150: Enjoying the Ride

    After another two days, the passenger ship arrived in the port of Esmera-Mar. Waiting for them at the port was Sezan and his wife, Luciana.

    ¡°You took the long way, dimension hopper.¡±

    ¡°I thought the view would be nice.¡±

    ¡°Was it? Did you enjoy the famed emerald sea? The breeze that spans the continents?¡±

    ¡°I did. I¡¯m glad I got to experience them,¡± she said, the salt from her memories still upon the shoreline breeze of Esmera-Mar. For all that they were a blemish upon the ocean shimmer, the pirates could not spoil the emerald beauty of the Tier-Media and its richness of culture.

    ¡°Next time, you should visit the sand falls of Atisalhaya. Glimmering streams of gold plummeting over cliffs of earth. It¡¯s a wonder to behold, in any lifetime.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll add it to my travel list. Thanks for the recommendation.¡±

    ¡°You keep a travel list?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°I figure at some point I¡¯m going to be showing my friends and family around this world. Doesn¡¯t hurt to have some exotic travel destinations.¡±

    ¡°This whole world is an exotic travel destination to me,¡± John said. ¡°We should do a group vacation.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a good idea. I am the one with the portable house.¡±

    ¡°What about your world, do you have some travel destinations for us?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯ve had the good fortune to be an experienced traveler in my world. Not a hardcore one, mind you, I¡¯ve always traveled in relative comfort in both worlds. Not up to the luxury of a nebula flask; I don¡¯t think I can fly economy in my life ever again.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve spoiled me rotten too,¡± John said, ¡°Economy always cramps my legs. I¡¯m getting phantom pain just thinking about it.¡±

    ¡°Let me see, we¡¯ve got the pyramids of Giza, that¡¯s impressive, even for this world. I think any of the big cities are going to blow your mind¡ªboth in the height of construction and the population density. Chernobyl, maybe, although I don¡¯t think y¡¯all would understand how horrifying and interesting nuclear radiation is. We¡¯ve got some amazing festivals¡ªwhatever the fuck is going on in Japan at any given point in time¡ªnever change, Japan¡ª,and concerts are baller.¡±

    The team settled in for their sojourn in Esmera-Mar. For a while, they¡¯d rest and recuperate from their pirate contract. As much as Sen was a training enthusiast, he also understood the importance of rest. Since Essence Users used meditation to consolidate training and experience, rest was doubly important.

    Eufemia ventured with Aliyah to check out the acting scene in Esmera-Mar. Aliyah was interested in literature¡ªarts and literature were often built around each other, so Aliyah would find what she wanted if they moved together.

    The rest traveled in a pack of four, restocking on supplies and materials. They hadn¡¯t used up much on their trip yet, but the team took the opportunity to buy supplies that may be harder to acquire in Kallid. If they missed on anything they desperately needed, Nara could always stop by Huxin and fetch it for them. Nara also bought up local non-magic and magic plants for her nebula flask. Only magical plants could grow in the nebula flask, but ever since meeting Zariel, she saw more value in keeping other types of plants. Who knows, maybe one could come in handy for someone.

    *****

    The next day was their appointment with Wisteria. Nara was glad to see the sociable and cunning old woman again. A spark seemed to flare up in Aliyah¡¯s normally cool gaze.

    ¡°Maybe I can tease out those secrets of yours this time, Wisteria.¡±

    ¡°Ohoho. I think you¡¯ll be the one to lay yours bare, dearie.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± Eufemia said, aghast. She¡¯d never understand Aliyah¡¯s attraction to older women. ¡°Can you not?¡±

    ¡°I know right.¡± Nara said. ¡°Right in front of my salad.¡±

    ¡°What salad¡ª¡±

    In Nara¡¯s hands, she held a bowl of salad.

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    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Those who get it, get it.¡±

    ¡°No one here gets it. Not even John and he¡¯s from your world.¡±

    John slowly shook his head, his look of confusion corroborating Eufemia¡¯s statement.

    ¡°He¡¯s from a different generation,¡± she dismissed.

    ¡°Put that away.¡± Eufemia said. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse, your tasteless jokes or Aliyah¡¯s terrible flirting.¡±

    ¡°You know it was a tasteless joke?¡± Nara crooked an unrepentant grin.

    ¡°You know what? I don¡¯t care anymore.¡±

    Eufemia vanished through the open doorway of Wisteria¡¯s tattoo parlor.

    Most of their tattoos were kept the same, but a higher rank version.

    Aliyah was the only exception, she did not get the same tattoo, instead asking for one to be placed on her ass. The curtain was drawn closed¡ªno one else in the party had any desire to see what sort of flirty expressions Aliyah was making at Wisteria.

    ¡°This is the mentor your mother selected for you?¡± Eufemia said, expression incredulous.

    ¡°I really wouldn¡¯t have known she was like this when I first met her,¡± Nara said. ¡°I guess what¡¯s on the outside really doesn¡¯t reflect the inside.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah is respectable,¡± Sen said firmly. At least, no one could make out if he was wavering.

    ¡°Most of the time.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah is respectable most of the time.¡± Sen reiterated.

    ¡°Sen,¡± Aliyah called out from beyond the divider, ¡°It is a matter of keeping business and pleasure separate. You could learn that yourself.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right but I don¡¯t want to agree with her,¡± Eufemia said flatly.

    ¡°Aliyah, are you saying I¡¯m too serious and I don¡¯t know how to have fun?¡±

    ¡°Sen. As your mentor, I only want what¡¯s best for you.¡±

    ¡°I have activities I enjoy.¡±

    ¡°You like to plan strategies on how to defeat your opponents in real lives and mirage chambers. Sen, I hope you don¡¯t develop an addiction to battle. You know just how important it is to relax.¡±

    If two party members were telling him the same thing, Sen conceded that they had a point. He looked at Encio with a side eye.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at my grandfather through me. I¡¯m not going to end up like him.¡±

    The tattoos finished, and they each paid with the silver coins they had proudly earned themselves.

    ¡°Ohoho. Looting abilities, I¡¯m envious,¡± Wisteria said, rubbing her silver coins together. ¡°My life would have been much smoother if I had one.¡±

    ¡°We outworlder take what we can get to make our lives easier.¡±

    ¡°Hehe,¡± she cackled, ¡°To leave your home world for the power of convenience. Have you enjoyed your involuntary exchange?¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°I suppose I am,¡± John said, with more reserve, but with no less genuineness.

    ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good. It¡¯s useless to be upset about what you can¡¯t control. Best enjoy the ride.¡±

    *****

    Nara walked through the quieter streets of outer Esmera-Mar, reaching the form of a familiar tailor shop¡ªSoul and Silk, owned by Pietro Romansa, both her and Encio¡¯s tailor. Her current clothes were iron rank, and she was due for an upgrade.

    She pushed open the door, calling out to the tailor, ¡°Pietro, are you busy?¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡± He emerged from the back of his shop, neatly setting aside a tailor¡¯s apron so he was more presentable, ¡°If it isn¡¯t starlight. Is it already time? You¡¯re bronze rank now.¡±

    ¡°That I am.¡±

    ¡°Come, come, into the measurement room. Oh~ I cannot wait!¡±

    She was ushered into the measurement room which was private despite not needing to remove clothes for the process. She stepped back outside, ready for her second consultation with Pietro. Encio wasn¡¯t with her¡ªPietro¡¯s normal policy was private consultations. The first had only been because it was their first meeting. Encio had his own plans, meeting ¡®friends¡¯ that Nara doubted existed.

    ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lot, starlight. More twilight and less dawn.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡±

    ¡°It is, it is! You¡¯re sharper now. You draw the eye like moonlight on an unsheathed blade. Can I see?¡± he said, gesturing to her wrists.

    ¡°As much as you¡¯d like.¡± She held out her wrists for him to see.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want them covered?¡±

    ¡°Honestly, I find the shape pretty cool. Sometimes I think people are just weird like that. It just happened to look decent, and suddenly, I didn¡¯t mind it as much.¡±

    What she minded was something else entirely.

    ¡°I certainly have new thoughts on the direction I should take your second collection. Oh, I feel the inspiration, but I¡¯m lacking a little something more. Something special.¡± He drummed his fingers on his cheek thoughtfully.

    ¡°What about this?¡± Nara removed her Nebula Flask from her inventory, and held it out for him to see.

    ¡°Oh my! This is lovely. Where did you acquire this delightful artifact? A flask? But I don¡¯t recognize the type. It if is a cloud, it¡¯s one I¡¯ve never seen.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a Nebula Flask. I acquired it from a different type of outworlder. Not my kind, but the kind that just not from this world, but not transformed in the way I am.¡±

    ¡°Now that¡¯s a flavorful story I¡¯d like to hear sometime. If it¡¯s secret, I promise I won¡¯t tell,¡± he said with a coy smile. ¡°You¡¯ve had some adventures since I last saw you.¡±

    ¡°That I have. Is this inspiration enough?¡±

    ¡°That I can work with. Anything else you¡¯d like to add to my meld? While you still have the opportunity to influence its brilliant concoction.¡±

    Thanatos walked out of her shadow, looking up at Pietro with his intense pale blue eyes.

    ¡°Oh, my, my, my, now he¡¯s beautiful!¡± he crooned excitedly. As expected, unable to resist the nobility (false) and adorableness (savage) that was Thanatos. ¡°Look at that color, mm! That texture¡ªhow could I ever replicate that? A mere shadow of your flame. Gorgeous, gorgeous! Like fur made of the night sky!¡±

    It was an atypical reaction to Thanatos, but Pietro was an atypical person. She immediately liked him more as he crooned over Thanatos like a pampering auntie, feeling proud of herself even those she hadn¡¯t even raised him.

    ¡°He¡¯s my first familiar, Thanatos,¡± Nara said. ¡°You¡¯ve seen Chrome already.¡±

    ¡°I see, I see. He¡¯s an inspiration as well! I have all these new ideas sparkling though my mind,¡± He said, splaying his fingers in an excited gesture, ¡°Only one last pressing question remains: How do you feel about showing your soul crest?¡±

    ¡°Every once in a while,¡± Nara said. ¡°But especially for a showstopper.¡±

    ¡°Now these are new and exciting developments!¡± Pietro said excitedly, ¡°You¡¯ve changed your mind. Mm, I can already feel it, your bronze rank collection will have a completely different feel. I think it will be definitive.¡± He made a grandiose motion with his arms, whipping them outwards like he was welcoming the sunlight.

    ¡°Go for it Pietro, I trust your stylist¡¯s eye.¡±

    He winked. ¡°I haven¡¯t disappointed a client yet."

 Chapter 151: Hitching a Ride

    Chapter 151: Hitching a Ride

    It was the first month, and the team had traveled up in latitude enough that the quad seasons returned to the landscape. The adjacent seascape had no snow, unlike the mountains further inland, capped with white. The vegetation was dry and thin, lacking the extreme vitality of the jungles of Huxin, but struggling through the winter and waiting for their rebirth in spring.

    The Nebula Flask was in its sky boat form, traveling low and slow between the road beneath them and the seaside cliff.

    Erras overflowed with magic, so saturated with it spontaneously manifested as cubes and monsters. The overland route to Saggia contained wonderous sights of magic Nara had not seen before.

    Floating islands, suspended in the air like voxel constructions. She saw a variety of magic beasts make their homes on the floating rocks. Thin, slimmer, panther-gryphons called alserons. Not just black, but in colors of stone greys, misty whites, earthy browns, and even subdued greens and blues. Their hair feathered at the tips like Caspian, and he seemed distantly related to his species¡­possibly not. Wolves and panthers were not so similar, even on Earth.

    They shot down from their sky nests at ground beasts like peregrine falcons, swift and sharp. With the dexterity of a dancer, shifted their trajectory to shoot back into the sky, prey in hand.

    Caspian soared up together with Ensi, the two gliding freely through the air, simurgh and dragon side-by-side. She kept an eye on the rambunctious flying young teenager¡ªfor a teenager that could drive was bad enough, a teenager that could fly was a nightmare.

    The other familiars sunned on the deck. Regis, Sen¡¯s Avatar of Wrath, sprawled with legs and thick scaled fish tail. Despite its type of astral being, it was normally quiet unless it was time to fight. Beorn was curled up in a ball in a small cave made for him on the deck. Thanatos relaxed with closed eyes, his paws curled beneath him.

    She saw shimmering forms beyond the tree line, mirage beasts, magical shapeshifters. They ignored the travelers, flickering between forms like an animal slideshow. Mirage dragons were the most powerful of the shapeshifters, but Nara didn¡¯t know the differences between them and other shapeshifters. Nara could have sworn she occasionally saw a tree get up to move. Occasionally, something rumbled far away towards the mountains, sending a flock of birds screeching and scattering, but not disrupting their calm of the sunbathing party.

    The land of Erras was clean; No telephone lines strewn across the landscape in jarring strings of black, no asphalt roads that cut through nature in ugly charcoal scars. There were roads, but construction in Erras had always worked with nature, not against it.

    Not out of any sentimental respect for nature: It was more efficient to do so. Due to monster waves, roads and buildings were damaged every ten years. Construction that worked in harmony with nature was important for their ease in restoring them. Roads were made of magically reinforced, smoothened, and hardened dirt, molded from nature itself by earth-shapers. Cities had fancier roads and walkways, made of patterned stone and local materials.

    The coastline was rocky, covered in groves of green where cliffs supported dirt. She occasionally saw homes built on rock faces or even on underside of the floating islands, often homes of a high rank recluse. Some adventurers didn¡¯t want the expected social responsibility that came with high rank, and instead did their duty slaying monsters, but keeping to themselves otherwise. In emergencies, those houses could become shelters for the local normals, as they often had expensive array magic and a high ranker protecting it.

    *****

    The team had their first taste of a silver rank monster.

    Luckily, it was a small group¡ªthe mildest version of monsters, neither the tough singular monster nor the overwhelming but weak swarm, and all of them at the weakest end at silver individually.

    They were ferocious, large, rabbit-like creatures¡ªravager rabbits. They consumed anything¡ªstone, wood, metal. A terror to local populations for their destructive nature. They were large and the size of small bears, like black bears. Their powerful hind legs and jumping power of silver rank allowed them to reach the nebula ship at its low cruising altitude, tearing chunks from its hull. Sage directed the ship higher, while Nara and the team engaged the rabbits.

    Nara was fast, but the ravager rabbits were faster. The only reason she could compete at all was her teleportation. The rabbits ignored her nodes, either they were too hard to detect for a monster¡¯s wild but unfocused senses, or they did not care for anything beyond attacking the living and consuming material. The nodes were one of the few things they could not eat.

    More and more Nara found herself on the front-line, defending the team together with Sen. It wasn¡¯t her role, but the team did not have another front-liner. She was not as sturdy as Sen was but fulfilled the role of an evasion tank well enough. Eufemia additionally joined the three at the front, leaving John, Encio, and Aliyah as the backliners.

    As she fought more and more powerful monsters above her rank, Nara learned to adjust her parries. They were slighter, focused on redirecting power than stopping them head on. Dream¡¯s Wave did a lot of work to eliminate most of the damage and momentum of anything she actively intercepted, but using some finesse went a long way in easing the impact of higher-rank blows. Her experience with fighting heavy hitters like Graff, Sen, and Vallis had finally pushed her to a competency where she was no longer struggling with every blow. All aspects of combat came more naturally to her, and Nara was able to gauge which blows could be parried and what needed to be evaded or dodged with teleportation.

    With new rank came new aura effects. Nara¡¯s was the least impactful, offering only increased resistance to boon dispel with a stacking Tranquility boon. Aliyah¡¯s and John¡¯s auras offered the team something generally more useful.

    -------

    Ability: [Archmage¡¯s Decree]

    Essence: Master

    Awakening Stone: Paper

    Aura

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Enemies within aura suffer a slight mana drain effect. Gain the drained mana.

    Effect (Bronze): Allies have increased resistance to mana drain. The effects of mana recovery and regeneration effects on allies is increased.

    Ability: [The Strength of Life]

    Essence: Life

    Awakening Stone: Might

    Aura (cleanse)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within your aura have increased [Power] and [Recovery].

    Effect (Bronze): Ally healing abilities have increased effect. Allies within the aura are continually cleansed of curses, diseases, magic afflictions, poisons and unholy afflictions. Toxins are purged from the air within aura.

    -------

    At iron rank, John only had three main cleansing abilities: Cleansing Lifeblood, Grand Renewal, and Dawn of Creation. Cleansing Lifeblood was low impact but could be used repeatedly, while the other two were high impact but with extremely long cooldowns and high costs. The passive cleansing effect of his aura wasn¡¯t particularly strong, but it would slow down the insidious crawl of afflictions when it came for them again: Nara had a feeling it was inevitable.

    The impressive jumping power of the rabbits meant that the team couldn¡¯t maintain an effective frontline, but a strong frontline had never been their best tactic. Aliyah flew out of reach on her Arcane Constructs, creating traps and casting spells from the safety of the sky. Encio was faster than the ravager rabbits, even if they were a rank higher than him. If the team was a bit later in rank, Aliyah may have challenged herself by staying near the ground level, but a silver rank fight at their level was a little too challenging to use anything but the safest strategies.

    The team utilized their multiple teleportation abilities to disrupt the enemies in the same where their mobility had disrupted them. A quick Juxtapose with the right timing from Aliyah caused a rabbit¡¯s powerful hind leg kick to smash into another rabbit, briefly stunning it with the impact.

    -------

    Ability: [Juxtapose]

    Essence: Magic

    Awakening Stone: Balance

    Special Ability

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Swap the location of two allies and/or enemies. You must be able to see both subjects of the spell. If an ally resists or otherwise prevents the effect, this ability is negated but the cooldown is reduced to 30 seconds.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by this ability take additional damage from all sources for a brief period.

    -------

    The team followed up on the increased damage window, unloading what damage they had onto the rabbit, wearing it down significantly but still not killing it¡ªThis was the resilience of silver rank.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Against higher rank enemies, Encio had to take a slower approach than his usual burst. He utilized his two weaker attacks, Sword Wave and Fragment of Time. All of iron rank, Fragment of Time had been Encio¡¯s weakest ability. It did very little damage and had very little impact. He hadn¡¯t intentionally disregarded it, but it was one of his last abilities to cross the threshold into bronze rank. For an ability set that could cleave his opponent with one move, it was always his worst option. Against the monsters of silver rank with vitality and resilience on par with monolith trees, the two abilities became his best options.

    -------

    Ability: [Fragment of Time]

    Essence: Time

    Awakening Stone: Glass

    Special Attack (combination)

    Cost: Very low mana and stamina / Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): The next attack leaves a magic duplication of the attack, frozen in space and time. When an enemy is damaged by the duplication, it is destroyed. Duplications can be destroyed by attacks. Duplications inflict a small and fixed amount disruptive-force damage that is not proportionate to the attack duplicated.

    Effect (Bronze): Trigger all fragments to launch themselves towards a target for moderate mana cost. Consecutive fragment damage increases damage of subsequent fragments. All fragments are destroyed regardless of whether the fragments damage their target.

    Ability: [Sword Wave]

    Essence: Swift

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Special Attack

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Create a projectile of cutting energy.

    Effect (Bronze): Energy blades become wider as they travel.

    Ability: [Double Strike]

    Essence: Swift

    Awakening Stone: Potent

    Special Attack (combination)

    Cost: Varies

    Cooldown: 5 seconds

    Effect (Iron): The next instance of damage and non-damage affects inflicted is duplicated. The mana cost is equal to the mana cost of the mana cost of the special ability used in combination with this ability.

    Effect (Bronze): Can be used a second time, with a use regained every cooldown period. Both uses cannot be used on the same attack or ability.

    -------

    With Double Strike, he was creating two fragments of each attack. With his whirlwind sword, each attack already had another resonating-force duplication. It didn¡¯t count as an additional fragment, but it did apply his racial ability, Accelerant, an additional time.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Accelerant]

    Enemies damaged by your special attacks are inflicted with [Slowing Frost]. You gain an instance of [Fire Accelerant] for every instance of [Slowing Frost] you inflict. Instance limit is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Slowing Frost] (affliction, magic, stacking): [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes are temporarily decreased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Fire Accelerant] (boon, magic, stacking): The [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Thanks to Encio¡¯s other Racial Ability, Quick Mind, increasing his Speed attribute also increased his Spirit attribute, which increased the damage of his subsequent fragments, incentivizing Encio to attack a his highest speed to maximize his damage.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Quick Mind]

    [Spirit] increases as [Speed] increases. Learning speed is increased.

    -------

    Encio was creating an illusory wall of transparent attacks frozen in time and space, like someone had stopped time and thrown up hundreds of knives. The Sword Waves were stacking Slowing Frost and Fire Accelerant, and Encio¡¯s speed kept pushing up higher and higher, and his attack speed continued to increase. He was untouchable by the rabbits, and they didn¡¯t have the good sense to try to destroy the literal glass flak cannon he had created for them.

    Then, he activated Eternal Moment, rapidly triggering Fragment of Time as many additional times as he could, fragments obscuring his own vision with how multitudinous they were in the air. Upon exiting, he activated the second part of the ability, and the frozen fragments joined the flow of time, shooting towards Encio¡¯s target.

    Aliyah smoothly followed up, binding the rabbit in place with Binding Light so that every single transparent fragment of shattered time buried itself deep within the monster.

    -------

    Ability: [Binding Light]

    Spell (thread) / Conjuration

    Incantation: ¡°Bind with light.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Bind a target with threads of light. Can only be used where in locations with light. Has greater effect under strong sources of light.

    Effect (Bronze): Threads of light inflict continual disruptive-force damage and a burst of disruptive-force damage when broken.

    -------

    The monster died a pincushion of glass shards, as if the glass from an entire high rise had shattered and buried itself into the monster.

    The only drawback was that Encio could only designate a single target for this ability at a time. With a sigh, he began to work on another fragment cannon. Thankfully, the mana cost of the combo was low, exchanging speed for efficiency, and was one he could repeat without issue with his team¡¯s cumulative mana regeneration bonuses. At least at the end of it all, there was still a spectacle waiting for him. Gods forbid his abilities had no spectacle.

    Nara¡¯s slowly ramping damage bonus began to shine, once enough instances of Vulnerable and Boundary¡¯s Scorn stacked up that her afflictions were consistently getting through their silver rank resistances. Encio had expended all of his work for the past few minutes to slay a single monster, but Nara was making substantial progress on all the rest, together with Sen, Aliyah, and Eufemia.

    Thanks to the new effect of Shard of Mirrors, Eufemia¡¯s fighting style had evolved into a formless, unfixed one that constantly shifted into new weapons. She was a Swiss army knife, a tool for each situation, to dismantle a fight into her victory.

    -------

    Ability: [Shard of Mirrors]

    Essence: Mirror

    Awakening Stone: Blade

    Conjuration (weapon)

    Cost: Moderate mana, variable mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Silver Gleam, the [Shard of Mirrors]]. [Silver Gleam] can take the form and abilities of any known conjured weapon ability. Duplicating a conjuration incurs the mana cost of the original conjuration. Without a conjured form, [Silver Gleam] functions as a dagger. Attacks made in the base form inflict [Mirror Distortion].

    <ul>

    <li>[Mirror Distortion] (affliction, magic, stacking): Mana costs are increased. Suffer increased damage from modified abilities and abilities effected by boons. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): [Silver Gleam] can maintain three active forms. Switching to a different active form does not require mana.

    -------

    She could ¡®save¡¯ up to three weapon forms with Silver Gleam, and constantly switch between them in the fight. Against the ravager rabbits, she primarily used a pair of gauntlets she had copied from another bronze rank adventurer in Sanshi. She abused her instantaneous strength as well as the bonus effects the gauntlets provided her, grabbing pulling, swinging, and punching the rabbits with gauntlets of hard conjured metal. She kept the high mobility rabbits in check even better than Sen could, her chosen abilities adapted perfectly for the situation at hand. Whenever she had a chance, she swapped to Horizon¡¯s Edge, slashing for a chunk of rending damage and increasing the stacks on the rabbits. Together with Nara, the two progressed the ramping damage of her afflictions faster than she could have by herself.

    With each counter blow, Astral Return stole health and mana from the target as well as inflicting the Astral Retribution affliction. Since the monsters were silver rank, the damage boost of Astral Return was substantial. She was ripping and tearing through the monsters with each swing or bludgeoning them with staff blows. The staff allowed Nara to simultaneously block and counter in one fluid motion, and it was a weapon that grew on her the more she fought.

    -------

    Ability: [Astral Return]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Focus

    Special Attack (boon, magic, combination)

    Cost: Low stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): A slightly enhanced attack. If used shortly after avoiding or negating an instance of damage while using abilities, the attack is enhanced with additional damage, even if the damage is not entirely negated or avoided. The type of damage enhancement matches the damage dealt by the weapon used. Additional damage is proportional but not equal to damage avoided or negated. Enhanced damage rapidly decays. Can be combined with other special attacks, adding the damage enhancement to that attack instead.

    Effect (Bronze): Damage dealt with [Astral Return] inflict an instance of [Astral Retribution]. When used against targets with [Astral Retribution], steals a small amount of health and mana from the target.

    <ul>

    <li>[Astral Retribution] (affliction, holy, stacking): Suffer increased damage from execute abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    All of this culminated in an execute attack that had become so powerful it ate away more and more of the monsters with each blow, eventually surpassing Sen¡¯s and Encio¡¯s most powerful strikes.

    She was using it whenever it came off cooldown, and Eufemia shortened her cooldown whenever Blessing of Readiness was once again available.

    At long last, eight silver rank ravager rabbits had died. Most of the corpses had disappeared, annihilated through transcendent damage from World¡¯s End. Against higher rank opponents, execute abilities grew more effective. Enemies could suffer more damage without dying and executes scaled on the level of injury.

    -------

    [Ravager Rabbits] have been looted.

    <ul>

    <li>80 silver spirit coins</li>

    <li>800 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>8000 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>80,000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>8 monster cores (silver)</li>

    <li>200 rabbit quintessence (silver)</li>

    <li>300 hunger quintessence (silver)</li>

    <li>1 parcel ravager rabbit meat (silver)</li>

    <li>3 pelts ravager rabbit fur (silver)</li>

    <li>Awakening Stone of Hunger</li>

    </ul>

    Loot has been automatically added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    ¡°Staves are pretty useful. I can execute an enemy and block something else at the same time.¡±

    ¡°It is a choice for a steady warrior,¡± Sen said with pride.

    Nara didn¡¯t know if he had chosen the weapon for himself, or if he had grown to like it. Sen¡¯s searing cold had all he needed¡ªa heat blade or a cold shell. It allowed him to use less lethal options and alter his strategy for stronger opponents. While Sen¡¯s ability set was a relatively standard brawler, his abilities all had the vestiges of versatility that Sen espoused and practiced for himself.

    A greeting flare of aura altered them to a friendly a duo of silver rankers, and one iron ranker, who now started their approach after the fight had ended. Nara had detected them long ago¡ªthey weren¡¯t trying to be stealthy¡ªand after determining they were non-hostile, ignored them for the rest of the fight. A body of Sage otherwise had kept an eye on them, which one of the silver rankers had noticed but likewise ignored, realizing it was just a precaution.

    ¡°You guys pulled through in the end, nicely done!¡± a beautiful dark-skinned human woman said, flashing a strong smile.

    ¡°Thanks for looking out for us,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°Eh~ It was unnecessary meddling on my part. Traveling around these parts without a silver rank guard is risky though, what are you guys doing?¡±

    ¡°We are headed to Saggia,¡± Sen explained.

    ¡°Saggia, huh, are you alumni?¡± she asked.

    ¡°No, we are not,¡± he denied. ¡°Are the two of you alumni of Saggia?¡±

    ¡°He heh. It would have been exciting to be scouted into one of the prestigious Academies there. Buuuut, I¡¯ve made it here all on my own,¡± she said, posing with her hands on her hips, evidently proud of her claim.

    ¡°With me getting you out of trouble,¡± her partner said, narrowing his eyes, never to let himself go underappreciated.

    ¡°What are partners for, eh?¡± She slapped him on the back, receiving a glare in turn. Her partner was a tawny skinned elf, the usual for these parts. ¡°I¡¯m actually traveling to Saggia with my little brother here. I want to see what I can do to get him in.¡±

    ¡°Sis, I don¡¯t need any fancy academy. I can do it just like you!¡± her little brother protested.

    ¡°Drew. I¡¯m silver rank, you¡¯re not going to dig a hole in my pocket.¡± she spoke more softly to her younger sibling, her smile something bittersweet from her own memories of hardship and close calls. ¡°And I¡¯ll feel relieved if I know you¡¯re safer. Doing it on your own is risky, Drew.¡± She turned back to them, ¡°I¡¯m Miranda, by the way. My grumpy partner is Anders. And of course, my adorable little brother Drew.¡±

    He grumbled at being called adorable. Older siblings could not help but embarrass their youngers.

    The team introduced themselves in turn. Encio used a fake last name, Onai, since in the Tier-Media his family was well-known. Sen didn¡¯t bother. His family, while they had many, many golds, didn¡¯t garner nearly as much attention as a family with an active politically participating diamond ranker. The Arlangs were more or less a large family known for adventuring. They were a powerful family, but with so many Arlangs around few bat an eye.

    ¡°Actually, since we¡¯re traveling in the same direction, could we hitch a ride?¡±

    ¡°Miranda. We have vehicles,¡± Anders said sourly, gesturing to their skimmers.

    Miranda rolled her eyes, ¡°Sure, we have vehicles, but we don¡¯t have an absolutely awesome super cool flying ship, now do we?¡±

    Miranda looked at her younger brother, who was shorter than her. He tried to hide it, but his eyes contained the innocent light of adolescent curiosity.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± Nara said. ¡°You three are welcome aboard. I can store your vehicles too, if you¡¯d like.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the owner of the ship?¡±

    ¡°Captain Nara, at your service.¡± Nara saluted, although the real captain was Sage. She was more like the useless owner of the company who claimed fame while a real know-how ran things.

    The three boarded. Sage appeared, introducing the amenities of the ship to their new guests. Drew was young, just 14, one of the youngest essence users Nara had seen. He had reached the age to absorb essences at the lower end of the spectrum, unlike Sen, who was at the higher end; a bitter circumstance for Sen, but one he found turned out well.

    With their new guests aboard, the team settled in for the next seven hours the trip to Saggia would take.

 Chapter 152: The City of Learning

    Chapter 152: The City of Learning

    ¡°A storage power, a portal power, and a flying ship? I want to say I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re not a utility adventurer, but I¡¯ve seen you fight.¡±

    ¡°Looting power too,¡± Encio added, boasting although he wasn¡¯t the one with the looting power. ¡°Two of them. Our healer has the other.¡±

    John offered a cheery wave to acknowledge that he heard, but otherwise went back to reading some sort of potions text. All them had a few disciplines they studied¡ªthere wasn¡¯t much to do waiting around as they got from once place to another, no Nintendo Switches or audiobooks, but at least there was a crystal recording playing some folksy music and board games.

    Drew was interested in Sen and Nara and had been pestering the two with questions. Sen, for his background as an heir of Arlang. And Nara, for her flying ship. She eventually caved, spilling the secrets of the nebula flask to the expectant young teenager. She had labeled Sen as terrible at dealing with children, but she was equally as bad as he was, completely unable to wrangle any effectively.

    ¡°It¡¯s actually a Nebula Flask.¡±

    ¡°A Nebula Flask. Like those Cloud Flasks!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, like that.¡±

    ¡°But what¡¯s a nebula?¡±

    ¡°Um, good question¡­Just think of it as a cloud made of light instead of water.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense. Light is light, it doesn¡¯t make anything. How¡¯d you get one of those?¡±

    Light did make no fucking sense, so she wasn¡¯t even going to bother.

    ¡°I got it from a friend. He got it from a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t want it? That¡¯s insane! If I had one, I¡¯d never give it up.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t have a looting power,¡± Nara said. ¡°It¡¯s much too expensive without one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors of their exorbitant costs. I don¡¯t know that I¡¯d take one if offered the chance,¡± Anders said, ever one to look from the side of negatives.

    ¡°That¡¯s sooo boring, Anders. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d pass something like a cloud flask up. Nuh-uh, I can¡¯t believe you really would!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d sell it,¡± Anders said firmly. ¡°Those things are so priceless you can¡¯t buy them.¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re so priceless you can¡¯t buy them, how would you sell it?¡±

    He sighed, beleaguered, ¡°¡­ you know what I mean, Miranda.¡±

    ¡°Do I?¡± she challenged nonsensically, and Anders gave up that argument.

    Miranda was outgoing and cheerful, a capable talker that kept the conversation alive. She was friendly and personable, getting along with every member of the team with ease. A social butterfly or queen bee, Nara felt she¡¯d be the life of the party, in a genuine way. The type of person everyone liked because she was likeable.

    Anders, conversely, was serious and stern, and almost the opposite¡ªthe mood-killer to Miranda¡¯s mood-maker. He balanced aspects that Miranda was not¡ªan attention to detail for matters not related to people. He was the organizer and the planner; the one who rented their skimmers, purchased maps and supplies, and planned ahead. Miranda was spontaneous and had subsequently ruined his planning by hopping on a stranger¡¯s sky ship. He knew well enough by now to expect it and had no recourse but to go along with her spontaneity.

    He too, preferred a luxurious sky ship over their ordinary skimmers. So, he acknowledged that Miranda¡¯s whims weren¡¯t so bad after all. This time.

    *****

    After a meditation session, Nara proceeded with her light sparring with Sen. Developing her fighting style was an ongoing process. The Way of The Traveler provided the knowledge and techniques but refining that required practice.

    A silver rank fight at such an early stage of bronze had boosted their progress, but it was still slow going. Once they reached Bronze 4, their progress would slow further.

    Drew convinced Sen to give him some pointers. Sen, by any means, was not hard to convince. He took any opportunity to spar, even against someone more inexperienced than him. Drew utilized a practice spear, and Sen guided him through some basic techniques. The decorations on the deck of the ship had disappeared for a training circle of reinforced material. Their practice weapons did nothing to it, even as metal impacted it. Without a special attack, it wasn¡¯t enough to damage the nebula ship.

    ¡°Fire, Potent, Crystal, Empower. That¡¯s an unusual combination,¡± Nara mentioned to ask Miranda. Potent was an epic rarity essence, four stars in the Adventure Society¡¯s rating system, and very popular. It boosted the whole combination, producing effects that made other abilities more powerful, spells that amped damage, or just outright powerful attacks on their own. It was the premier burst damage or burst anything essence. Crystal was also an expensive essence, although far less so, a rare essence, at three stars. Good at damage, at storage (such as mana and energy), and other more esoteric effects, it was flexible but with rare powers, which made it hard to counter.

    ¡°I wanted to get my little brother some of the nicer ones. I have only commons, you know.¡±

    Miranda had Bird, Cat, and Swift for the Gryphon confluence, resembling the swift alserons over the traditional mighty griffons. The alserons were a subspecies of griffons and grouped into the same confluence. It could be called the ¡®flying feline¡¯ essence, but it didn¡¯t hit with the same pizazz as ¡®Gryphon¡¯.

    ¡°Nothing wrong with that.¡±

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Nothing wrong with that indeed,¡± Miranda agreed. ¡°I had to sign a loan for that swift essence.¡± From her bitter tone, it was clear that loan had caused her no small grief. ¡°Or else I would¡¯ve had to get another animal essence and end up with a Chimera confluence.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Off the top of my head, I think it¡¯s not restricted.¡± Although ¡®chimera¡¯ conjured images of warped monkeys and daughters fused with dogs.

    ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s not. But triple animal combinations are hard to use. For many, they¡¯re too flexible.¡±

    ¡°Jack of all trades, master of none?¡±

    Her eyes squinted from the phrase as Nara¡¯s translation power did the best it could. Nara was betting the hangup was ¡®Jack¡¯. Maybe it¡¯d translate to a similarly common name.

    ¡°Something like that! Since they¡¯re so variable and inconsistent, they¡¯re had to use at lower ranks. No real guide to teach you how to use your new abilities, unlike traditional Master Confluence combinations, since each one is so different. At high ranks though, they have a solution to every problem. The problem is surviving until then. My brother¡¯s combination is unusual, but yours even more so. Not many take Balance and Harmonic with a Dimension Essence.¡±

    ¡°Better used with Swift and Balance for the Time Confluence?¡± Nara responded wryly, completely understanding. Why pass up Time for Mystic? She thumbed at Encio. ¡°That¡¯s what he has.¡±

    ¡°You both lucked out,¡± she said with a sigh of wistful envy.

    ¡°I got mine from a mentor,¡± Nara said, something close to the truth. She had gotten her essence before Amara became her mentor, just a small technicality. ¡°Encio got his from a relative.¡±

    Miranda nodded. That was the usual way of it.

    When a legendary essence like a Dimension, Sin, Void, Vast, Visage, or Myriad appeared, it was usually passed down to the most promising youngster in the family in the right age range.

    They ended up being incredibly hard to buy, since they are kept within the family of whoever found or looted it.

    Sezan likely held on to Encio¡¯s before he was even born. Nara wondered if she had claimed something that Amara may have left for her own children, if she planned to have any. It was too late for regrets now, and Amara hadn¡¯t rejected her request, so Nara wouldn¡¯t dwell on it.

    If Amara wanted one, she would make one for her. Whatever essences she wanted; it was easy enough for her to do anyway.

    *****

    Saggia, the city of learning.

    The architecture was almost sacred¡ªVatican-like. Nara had no better word for it. Beautiful white arched bridges spanned rivers. Large, almost palatial buildings with domed roofs topped with small spires. Where crosses was a motif in European cities, the feather, the scale, the scroll, and the sword were the icons of Saggia; for it was a city not just of academic learning, but of adventuring and essence magic. The city was built of a mixture of dark and white marble, a reflection of the duality of learning on Erras¡ªmartial and academic. Bronze marble was used as a transition between the two, softening the contrast. Archways, windows, and domes were set with glow stones that illuminated the intricate architecture even at night.

    Saggia was built inwards of where the Gulf of Venice would be, though the city itself extended down into the bay.

    The academies were a centerpiece of the city, built into its heart metaphorically though not physically; The academies surrounded the city, instead of taking up valuable central city space. A massive library had been built in the city¡¯s center, one of the few in the world that weren¡¯t also a Knowledge church. Several academies besides the De Luca Academy made their campuses there, and they competed in inter-collegiate competitions to encourage learning and growth.

    The buildings were tall; each floor reaching grandiose heights. Many buildings were just a single floor of heaven reaching archways. Murals of magic, religious texts, and legends painted onto the ceilings. Knowledge, Hero, Guardian, and Justice were important gods in Saggia, in contrast to the rest of the Tier-Media that held Wind, gods of economy, Ocean, Storm, and Traveler in high regard.

    Of course, no god was disrespected. Even the deception gods, the misery gods, and the god of undeath were respected, in the same way people feared diseases and calamities. They respected them to keep their wrath at bay.

    They had left early in the morning. The trip took ten hours; their original estimation accounted for stops and delays due to fighting wayside monsters. It was now evening, and the sun began its descent over the west mountains. Even in Erras, the sun rose from the east and set in the west.

    The team parted ways with their new acquaintances, who headed off into the city in search of lodging.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t want to invite Drew to the academy?¡± Nara asked Encio.

    The team walked together as a group, taking in the sights as they headed to their destination, the De Luca Academy.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my call to make,¡± said Encio. ¡°The academy is run by my parents and relatives, not I.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t invite the silver rankers into the Emerald Sun either,¡± Sen noted.

    ¡°Emerald Sun?¡±

    ¡°It is the adventurer guild headed by his grandfather,¡± Sen said. ¡°A potent draw.¡±

    Encio smiled, ¡°I do not think a single encounter is enough a judge of character to invite others to my grandfather¡¯s guild. Besides, I did not want to leverage my connections to curry favor.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with currying favor,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°Look where it got Nara.¡±

    ¡°I do like curry,¡± Nara agreed. And Eufemia was completely right. Nara wasn¡¯t above being a suck up¡­to the right people and if she thought it¡¯d actually get her anywhere. The sort of people being a suck up would be effective with weren¡¯t the sort of people she¡¯d call ¡®the right people¡¯ so maybe she wasn¡¯t all that good at actually being a suck up.

    ¡°You¡¯re not interested in the Emerald Sun yourself?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± Nara mused. ¡°I¡¯m actually more interested in the guild Amara is part of.¡±

    ¡°The Radiant Quill?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You are qualified for it,¡± Encio said. ¡°Beyond an interview and acceptance, the requirement is well known.¡±

    ¡°Invent something.¡± Nara answered the unspoken question. ¡°But the requirement for it isn¡¯t a grand invention. It can be anything small. Or even a technique, like a new type of dance, or a new musical composition.¡±

    ¡°Like Amara¡¯s aura pen.¡± Which was one of her more famous inventions, at least among essence users.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Team members are usually part of the same guild, but it isn¡¯t always the case. There¡¯s nothing wrong with it,¡± he assured. It could be a bit complicated during surge duty, but the Radiant Quill was primarily a crafting guild anyway. They likely had no duties beyond materials contribution.

    ¡°Will you join Emerald Sun?¡±

    ¡°I am trying to leave my grandfather¡¯s shadow, not become a part of it. Neither is it an option I¡¯ve discarded entirely. I may be too sensitive to my grandfather¡¯s legacy. A guild is not very restrictive, but rather an additional support system for adventurers. For those like you Nara, their prestige is a reliable source of backup in political settings.¡± Encio gestured to the De Luca Academy in the distance, ¡°A perk of graduating from the academy is an invitation to Emerald Sun.¡±

    ¡°It would be hard to turn down an invitation to a guild with an active diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°A lot accept. Those with guilds from their own families tend to turn it down, but the Aciano Academy has many students of ordinary backgrounds. We¡¯re big on scholarships, just like you, the oh so generous sponsor,¡± he teased, elbowing her.

    She elbowed him back.

    They finally approached the gates of the De Luca Academy, grand and elegant. Like much of the city, it was wrought with intricately shaped metal, with designs of nature, but especially the moon and sun, the symbols of the Aciano, along with the symbol of the De Luca, an alseron with unfurled wings in a circular crest.

    The moon and sun motif of the Aciano family was a reflection of Sezan¡¯s combination: Sun, Moon, and Balance for the Eclipse Confluence. He was a master of weight manipulation (gravity, though Sezan didn¡¯t know the name, but as a diamond ranker with diamond rank sense he probably had an intimate understanding of the force beyond Erras¡¯ understanding), able to send his enemies into orbit, or crush them with untouchable weight.

    Two figures stood at the gate, their welcome entourage. The woman had luscious wavy dark brown hair pulled into a sporty ponytail, vigorously waving at the team.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to finally meet your parents, I wonder if they¡¯ll approve?¡± Nara joked.

    Encio smirked. ¡°Shall we bet on it?¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say anything that make your parents hate me.¡±

 Chapter 153: Show Them Their Wrongs

    Chapter 153: Show Them Their Wrongs

    ¡°If my mother asks any weird questions, or says anything strange,¡± Encio said hurriedly, ¡°you can ignore it. You don¡¯t have to answer.¡±

    ¡°Now don¡¯t say that Encio!¡± his mother protested, no longer able to wait and trotting over. ¡°I don¡¯t bite!¡±

    That was probably not true, Nara judged, because any essence user worth their salt would bite if they thought it¡¯d win them a fight. Not to pat herself on the back or anything.

    Encio¡¯s mother was tall, beautiful, and powerful; the quintessential adventurer. Since almost every essence user had those three traits, she understood Erras¡¯s ambivalence towards beauty, at least, between essence users. Aliyah was rather¡­notorious¡­in their team of her preference of other traits instead. Beauty was baseline. Saying you were attracted to beautiful people was like saying you like vanilla ice cream. Have a goddam preference!

    ¡°I¡¯m Adelina. Just call me Adel.¡±

    Her husband made his way there, smooth and elegant, his graceful movements hiding his own excitement from seeing his son again. He was a man that could be described as beautiful rather than handsome¡ªGlimmering silver hair and eyes against olive skin created an otherworldly beauty, a celestine. Encio had clearly inherited his grace and slighter body type, although a Might Essence would have changed things, like it had bulked up Sen.

    ¡°I am Valer,¡± he introduced, his voice pleasant and smooth, an elegant timbre like a cello. ¡°I¡¯m glad to finally meet your teammates, Encio.¡±

    He pulled his son into a hug, which Encio reciprocated. Despite being a rich scion, he was rather well adjusted and had never been afraid or ashamed of hugs. Because any sort of imperfection would¡¯ve been a stain on his perfection, Nara thought, rolling her eyes to herself. He couldn¡¯t have been touch adverse, or instantly attracted to the first pretty poppet that spoke back to him? Some son of a Duke! How else was some impoverished backtalking street-smart woman caring for a sick sibling supposed to marry upwards??

    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, mother, father,¡± he said.

    Of course, he was too posh to use ¡®mom¡¯ and ¡®dad¡¯. But perhaps she spoke too soon, as Adelina immediately teased him for it.

    ¡°Hm? Too adult now to say you¡¯ve missed us and ¡®I love you¡¯?¡± Adelina teased, ruffling her son¡¯s hair. ¡°A big and mighty bronze ranker that doesn¡¯t need to sent letters about important events in his life?¡± Her grip tightened a fraction, and Encio¡¯s smile strained. The ruffling was perhaps closer to a noogie, and Encio may on his way to early onset male pattern baldness.

    She was a very physically affectionate person, pulling her son into hugs, touching his hair, patting his shoulders and cheek, which Encio let her do without complaint¡ªcomplaining only looked more childish, and he had grown up under his mother¡¯s touchy affection. He didn¡¯t resist, like a cat that tolerated their owner¡¯s overbearing love, although secretly enjoying it. After a while, Valer pulled her hand into his, freeing Encio from his begrudging torment.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t done yet,¡± she whined, but threaded her fingers through her husband¡¯s. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen my baby in so long. He¡¯s bronze rank now and didn¡¯t even come back home and let me look at the changes! He¡¯s even more pretty now, Valer, he¡¯s going to be such a lady- and man-killer, what are we going to do? He¡¯s calamitous.¡±

    Encio¡¯s complexion had notably reddened, although he kept admirably straight-faced against embarrassment. Eufemia had a sharp and wide snake grin, one upon seeing a juicy rat. This would fuel her for decades.

    ¡°Spare our son a little face in front of his friends, dear,¡± said Valer amicably, patting her hand.

    She pouted. ¡°It¡¯s late, so we¡¯ll show you around the academy tomorrow. We¡¯ll grab dinner back at the estate, and settle all of you in,¡± Adel said, relenting with Valer¡¯s encouragement, and reverting to something of a more respectable hostess.

    ¡°Thank you for the hospitality, miss Aciano.¡± Sen said, pretending he hadn¡¯t seen her shameless crooning and praise over her son. Nara heard Eufemia snicker quietly ¡®my baby¡¯. Encio closed his eyes in pain and pretended not to notice.

    ¡°Oh just Adel. I insist.¡±

    *****

    The next day, the team got their tour of the academy by Adelina. Adelina and Valer were silver rank, further along than Miranda and Anders, past the silver wall. She and Valer had been slowed down by other matters, such as raising a family and running an academy. For silver rank, that was normal. They were powerful enough to make a difference within their families and had a long enough lifespan to take their time. If they weren¡¯t recklessly pushing gold rank, silver rankers rarely died to monsters. Silver to gold took ten years if pushed hard and fast. With external responsibilities and other interests, it often took decades.

    The De Luca Academy was more like a traditional private school than Sanshi. It was a project of the De Lucas; all noble families with a solid foundation usually ran a few businesses aside from just adventuring¡ªpushing gold for ten or more years was no way to live. The Arlangs were unusual in their strong focus in adventuring, but they also had side businesses, such as spirit coin and quintessence farms, and general presence and skill in administration. A lack of a business interest was a quick way to have a family fall from the sustained costs, like the Jagar, as non-combat family members swelled and deadweight bloated, eating up once rich reserves of wealth. Running the family businesses was also an option for relatives that were competent but didn¡¯t want to be adventurers, or for those that had reached silver rank and slowed their pace, like Valer and Adelina.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    The academy had all the necessary amenities, and other specialty ones; There was a cafeteria, sparring fields, mirage chambers, classrooms, ritual rooms, specialty rooms, meeting rooms, and dorms. The teachers taught specific classes at specific times, and students attended classes according to a schedule that was mostly chosen for them. This academy was far smaller than the Sanshi Academy, with fewer teachers and fewer students.

    Some things everyone needed to learn¡ªsparring, monster identification, basic ritual magic, language, basic mathematics, local languages. As with skill book abilities, why waste an ability on what you could learn? Eufemia was well aware of the tradeoffs of having such a power.

    Other classes were optional but strongly encouraged, such as etiquette, financial management, astral magic theory, advanced ritual magic, healing magic theory, artifice, forging, tailoring, and alchemy, among others. The De Luca Academy offered a comprehensive education for all aspects a competent essence user may need. The Sanshi Academy had a self-chosen curriculum based on current needs, while the De Luca Academy focused on the future. The difference was a result of the class of those attending each academy, with the De Luca catering to those who could afford it while also offering many scholarships, while the Sanshi Academy was relatively inexpensive for all. A collaboration between the two academies would elevate Sanshi¡¯s education and generate more income for the De Lucas, as well as assisting in their weaker areas of independent combat.

    While the De Luca Academy had some crafting classes, it was intended as a sub profession. Other Academies in Saggia specialized in crafting, with adventuring as the sub profession.

    Some things could not be taught in classes and had to be learned in the field, where higher ranked chaperons kept an eye on them to prevent the physically flimsy iron rankers from getting themselves killed. This was a great advantage that traditional academies provided that Sanshi did not, which was more independent in nature.

    Death was less likely. In contrast, traditional academy iron rankers did not develop the honed danger-sense that Sanshi-taught and independent adventurers learned. They learned it later, both a boon and a detriment. At bronze rank, they were less likely to die from it. But, if something that came along that would kill them before they had it, they would die to it.

    The De Luca Academy also helped curate awakening stones. Generally, the adventuring world agreed that there was no issue picking stones with some degree of randomness. Randomness and stones of circumstance provided unique aspects a fully curated ability set may not have. Nara had the crafting compound picking stones out for her, so she had mostly gotten hers done all at once, except for the ones she got from the Celestial Book Trial. The rest she had chosen randomly but worked out well for her. That was usually the case, as essence abilities filled in gaps and inherently chose synergistic abilities.

    Abilities were strongly influenced by the first few stones. Nara, who used an awakening stone of the sword early, had abilities that revolved around melee combat, avoiding and returning damage.

    Encio¡¯s evolved essence gift into projectile speed was the greatest influence on his ability set, and his early Magus and Void Awakening Stones awakening Sword Wave and Vorpal Slash respectively influenced the rest of his set. This combined leaned Encio away from typical melee combat with a sword, and into a hybrid range ability set. If anyone thought Encio was a close combat due to his sword, they were in for a fatal surprise.

    Eufemia¡¯s abilities had been shaped by her early Mirror Essence and awakening stone of illusion. Her Adept Essence abilities took on aspects of copying other abilities, rather than boosting the efficacy of her own.

    Those that entered traditional academies early had the benefit of seasoned adventurers and instructors to help tailor a direction for an essence set, then adapt as abilities awakened. This process took many years, with traditional academies taking longer than the self-service education of Sanshi. Three to five years was the norm for iron rank in academies, on account of the development of brand new skills, imparting important life lessons, granting hidden knowledge about later rank ups that would apply later in their life, and ability stone selection which extended time if they waited for a rare stone. For Sanshi, what took longest was the Prep Academy, where students competed or worked to acquire essences.

    In Sanshi, they encouraged using whatever awakening stone or essences an essence user could get their hands on. It awakened non-traditional abilities, which made Sanshi adventurers so unpredictable and versatile, but also difficult and non-standard, like Lee Hu and Ranshi Haihu, which required higher skills in teaming up.

    Nara bubbled with excitement over the different adventuring culture. She reminisced over her own brief academy life, meeting Vallis, Nolan, Sen, and others at the academy she had studied with in classes or sparred with on the fields.

    As they passed through the halls, students peeked with curiosity, running up to greet their headmaster just to get a better look at her guests.

    ¡°New students?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid. They¡¯re bronze rank.¡±

    ¡°Her family then? That must be her son. They look so similar!¡±

    ¡°Wow! The young Duke of the Aciano!¡±

    ¡°Heh,¡± Nara said, elbowing Encio in the side. ¡°Young Duke.¡±

    ¡°Do I look Ducal to you?¡± Encio said, lowering his eyes in a sultry gaze.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to make the students swoon. Look, a female student and a male student are collapsing, over there.¡±

    ¡°Iron rankers can¡¯t collapse from beauty. But if they could, I would be the one to cause it.¡±

    ¡°Wow. I can¡¯t believe you just said.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t pretend to be ignorant. Not like Sen.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a part of this.¡± Sen said curtly.

    ¡°Try winking, Sen, at anyone.¡±

    ¡°I will not.¡±

    Eufemia, however, was more than willing to cause chaos. Winking and flipping her hair at students and backing up one against to wall for them to devolve into an unthinking mass of stammering and red flush.

    The tour ended at the mirage chambers, a standard facility for any adventure academy in Erras, no matter the cost. The De Luca Academy had two.

    ¡°How about fighting some of our iron rankers?¡± Adelina suddenly proposed, although Nara had a feeling the thought itself was not so sudden.

    ¡°At bronze rank? We¡¯re going to crush them,¡± Eufemia pointed out.

    ¡°Multiple of them versus one of you,¡± Adelina clarified.

    ¡°That poses a challenge,¡± said Sen. ¡°What numbers are we talking about?¡±

    ¡°As many as you want.¡± Adelina said. ¡°And as many of you that want to fight. Preferably all.¡± She leaned in, her grin widening. ¡°I want you to crush them. Grind their pride into dust. Show them the tyranny of rank.¡±

    ¡°Woah there mama Aciano,¡± Nara said. ¡°That¡¯s brutal. You want your little chicks to be made into chicken nuggies? If you¡¯re asking them to get pasted, I think this team can deliver.¡±

    Adelina chuckled, ¡°Our students are good, but they unfortunately develop a sense of pride.¡±

    ¡°This is a reputable academy,¡± agreed Sen, a neutral deflection of the weakness she had exposed.

    ¡°World famous even,¡± said Encio, rolling his eyes at Sen¡¯s geniality.

    ¡°Pride is worthless for iron and bronze rankers,¡± Adelina said, intent. ¡°That¡¯s just how it is. For all of these ordinary adventurers, with no political backing or generational power, if they talk big, stick their face where it doesn¡¯t belong, or underestimate their opponent, they¡¯ll be the next Society funeral we all attend. Another badge in the tower. That¡¯s why the higher the odds the better. Make them feel as if they have no chance of failure. Then, show them how wrong they are. But you need to win. What do you think, can you do that for me?¡±

    Sen¡¯s political politeness gave way to something sharper and challenging, a flex of muscle and the glint of a blade. ¡°It¡¯d be our pleasure to assist, Lady Aciano.¡±

 Chapter 154: Consumed By the Void

    Chapter 154: Consumed By the Void

    ¡°I¡¯m actually interested,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You are?¡± Sen responded, an eyebrow inching up in mild surprise.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. You haven¡¯t had to goad me into training for a while, right?¡±

    Sen smirked, apparently teasing her.

    ¡°Since we keep fighting stuff above our rank, I want to see what¡¯d be like on the opposite side. A bunch of those below me trying to bring me down.¡±

    ¡°So if it ever happens, you¡¯ll know how to deal with it?¡± Sen offered as explanation.

    ¡°I hope I don¡¯t do anything where multiple iron rankers are trying to kill me,¡± Nara groaned. ¡°Then I know I¡¯ve become the Big Bad. But I agree with you. I think it¡¯s good training. Not often do we have to fight outnumbered against highly skilled essence users.¡±

    ¡°Moderately skilled,¡± Encio interjected, because if Adelina wanted them beaten down because of arrogance, then they weren¡¯t up to snuff and didn¡¯t deserve the adornment of highly skilled.

    ¡°The pirates weren¡¯t exactly all that,¡± Eufemia huffed, remembering that recent fight. After her fight below deck against the ritualist, the iron rankers above deck had not been impressive, barely able to work together to even stage a resistance. It was like mowing grass, and she had almost felt bad. Almost. ¡°Murder a bunch of arrogant twats in a mirage chamber to show them my superiority? Say no more. It¡¯d be a pleasure.¡±

    ¡°How many do you think you can handle and still win?¡± Adelina said, smiling over their apparent collective enthusiasm to murder teenagers in virtual reality, which really should be more concerning, or Nara just had an old boomer mentality like that of video games.

    ¡°I¡¯d need to see their abilities first, wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Nara said, tilting her head thoughtfully. There were plenty of ways to counter her, after all, although Tribulation of Self did cover her most glaring weaknesses.

    ¡°No,¡± Sen denied, surprising her. ¡°What abilities they have doesn¡¯t matter for you.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Sen said. He turned to Adelina. ¡°She can handle six or more.¡±

    ¡°What! Sen, you¡¯re out of your mind!¡± She nearly shouted from the shock. ¡°I can¡¯t handle six! Why did you limit the floor, not the ceiling?¡±

    ¡°Seven.¡±

    ¡°Sen!¡±

    ¡°Eigh¡ª¡±

    ¡°STOP!¡±

    He opened his mouth again to increment.

    ¡°¡ªStop, slow down,¡± Nara begged, shaking Sen with an intensity verging on hysteria. ¡°Six is enough, isn¡¯t it? Isn¡¯t three or four the recommendation for rank jumping from iron to bronze? Six is more than enough! God, Sen, these are trained iron rankers! Not some two-bit examination flunkies ganging up for quick score!¡±

    ¡°Six it is then,¡± Adelina hummed. ¡°I¡¯ll pick them, since you don¡¯t need to see, right?¡±

    Nara glared at Sen and responded mulishly. ¡°Whatever the leader says, since apparently he¡¯s made the decision for me.¡±

    ¡°In that case, eight.¡±

    ¡°You got it.¡± Adelina¡¯s eyes gleamed with amusement. At least, Nara thought, that she didn¡¯t think her facing one-versus-eight against her students was offensive or a criticism of the school¡¯s education prowess.

    Nara sighed, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have said that.¡±

    The rest of them hammered out their own matches, with John participating as well.

    Sen would fight six, Encio could fight any number (arrogant!), John at four, Eufemia at five, and Aliyah at five.

    ¡°Why is Encio¡¯s limit¡­limitless?¡±

    ¡°He has high instantaneous power,¡± Sen said. ¡°Against iron rankers¡ª¡±

    ¡°Those poor babes are going to be torn apart,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°He¡¯ll attack so fast that he¡¯ll wipe out a whole group of them, all at once.¡±

    ¡°And they¡¯ll learn something from that?¡± Nara wondered aloud. They¡¯d certainly learn trauma by being whipped up into a meat whirlwind before their own hands can draw their weapons from their sheaths.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Adelina mused, ¡°My son should fight at a disadvantage, shouldn¡¯t he? We can have his battlefield as a forest.¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t learn not to group up then.¡±

    ¡°If they do, punish them for it.¡± But she paused, thinking something over. ¡°How about this? Those that want to fight blind, the other side will fight blind. Those that do not, the other side can see as well. Is that more challenging?¡±

    ¡°We will need to adjust our numbers,¡± Aliyah said, ever the scientist. ¡°It¡¯s no longer the same.¡±

    ¡°Nope!¡± Adelina declared, impulsive as she was, or simply unwilling to rehash that conversation. ¡°It¡¯s too late for that! Take this as an opportunity to analyze what you¡¯re good at as well and make your decision.¡±

    ¡°Mother, we aren¡¯t your students,¡± Encio groaned.

    ¡°Today, you¡¯re guest students! You¡¯re learning whether you like it or not.¡±

    Although she said they wouldn¡¯t, Encio number of foes did get readjusted, since it was predicated on an open arena. He¡¯d fight eight as well, and he opted for a known ability battle.

    ¡°They¡¯ll know my iron rank abilities, but not my bronze abilities,¡± Encio said. ¡°I haven¡¯t attended, so my abilities should be unknown¡­ but my mother may have spilled them over the years or used me as an example.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s your faith in your mother, dearest?¡± She batted her eyelashes innocently. It was not very convincing.

    ¡°That is my faith, mother.¡±

    ¡°Adelina, could you do something for my fight?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Nara pulled out a legendary awakening stone, an Awakening Stone of the Myriad that she had looted during the astral space expedition. She had others where that came from¡ªas long as it came from her loot ability, she could convert them.

    ¡°Can you offer this as a prize to whoever scores the death blow on me?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s nasty,¡± Eufemia smirked. ¡°How cunning.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t help me much,¡± Nara said. ¡°They¡¯ll figure out they need to work together at the end, but it will buy me some time in the middle of the fight.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t need that,¡± Sen said, not particularly fond of the trickery in this instance, for whatever reason. Was it because it was against students? No, Sen never passed up an opportunity to teach someone a lesson. ¡°You¡¯ll win without it.¡±

    ¡°Ugh.¡± She threw her hands up. ¡°Where does your confidence come from?¡±

    ¡°I know the strengths of your abilities, Nara. It will not help.¡± He folded his arms, stubborn in his insistence.

    Nara sighed. He was being so self-assured, and Sen wasn¡¯t someone she could win an argument against. ¡°Fine! Do without then. Just offer it to any team that manages to win. I have more too, if multiple manage to win.¡±

    ¡°For free? How generous.¡± It was cheap enough for a silver ranker, especially one than ran a prestigious academy, but she still smiled at Nara¡¯s gift.

    ¡°Consider me a patron of learning.¡±

    Which seemed to be going better than her whole mysterious bard shtick.

    ¡°Wait Nara, can you do one thing for me too?¡± Eufemia leaned over to whisper her plan into Nara¡¯s ear. ¡°I want you to¡ª¡±

    Which wasn¡¯t really necessary with the party chat, but it was about the mood of it all. And Eufemia understood mood.

    ¡°¡­Ah, now that¡¯s a spicy plan. Sage?¡±

    ¡°Of course, benefactor, miss Teresina. I am at your service.¡±

    *****

    The academy buzzed with excitement. Tension and anticipation filled the air. The best students of the academy were offered the chance to fight various bronze rankers. They could choose from a lineup, along with a party size requirement.

    ¡°This one has no information,¡± A student read, ¡°Nara Edea versus eight, hidden abilities.¡±

    ¡°The rules are, if we chose one with abilities, they get to know ours, right?¡±

    ¡°Enciodes Aciano versus eight, revealed abilities.¡±

    ¡°So that really was the headmaster¡¯s son?¡±

    ¡°John Aurelius versus four, hidden abilities.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia Teresina versus five, revealed abilities.¡±

    ¡°Sen Arlang versus six, revealed abilities.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah Sahar versus five, hidden abilities.¡±

    ¡°Half hidden half revealed, I¡¯m surprised it¡¯s a split.¡±

    ¡°Fighting successfully a rank higher often involves developing a strategy. That¡¯s harder to do if their abilities are hidden,¡± someone said, a bit smarmy.

    ¡°So why aren¡¯t they all hiding it, if you¡¯re so smart?¡±

    ¡°Are you going to go for it, Jessie?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a reward for it, look: 5 star Awakening Stone to each group that wins. Sponsored by Nara Edea. Can be traded for lower rarity stones for the whole group.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± A student whistled, ¡°Deep pockets. I haven¡¯t heard of Edea before. Is she a noble or something?¡±

    ¡°Um, not a Ronan last name, I don¡¯t think. Haven¡¯t heard of it in genealogy class.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­Sulistaveran? Or maybe Selvacorian? I swear its familiar. Argh!¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t look Selvacorian. Ow! That¡¯s not racist, it¡¯s just an observation!¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve heard of Arlang¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªEveryone¡¯s heard of Arlang, that¡¯s not impressive.¡±

    ¡°¡ªThey¡¯re that territory in the Shian Union. We¡¯ve learnt about them in our politics and geography classes.¡±

    A whistle. ¡°That¡¯s a heavy weight team. Two nobles?¡±

    ¡°The Aciano are honorary dukes, Yulia. They don¡¯t like to be called nobles.¡±

    She snorted, ¡°There¡¯s no truer noble than a diamond ranker anyway.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an impossible standard! Then nobody¡¯s a noble!¡±

    ¡°So, are we going for it?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re offering free stones up. Who are we to refuse such a generous offer?¡±

    *****

    Nara¡¯s slots were the first to fill. Her name was out there, as a sponsor, but she didn¡¯t come from a famous family. Encio¡¯s was the next to fill, for many students wanted to fight an Aciano, burning with youthful competitive spirit. Sen¡¯s was the last to fill, his name generating tension but not enthusiasm like Encio¡¯s local name had.

    ¡°Don¡¯t put me out on too many stones, guys.¡±

    ¡°Oh shush. You¡¯ve got plenty.¡± Eufemia said.

    ¡°Hey, I give a lot away.¡±

    ¡°If I lose, I¡¯ll pay my portion, how¡¯s that?¡± Eufemia said. ¡°I don¡¯t have a use for the stones anyway.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll all do the same.¡± Sen said.

    ¡°I¡¯m not so much the sole sponsor anymore now,¡± Nara said. ¡°Now, it feels like false advertising.¡±

    ¡°You get to ride the fame this time,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°So just enjoy it. I¡¯m sure the babes will look up to you for it.¡±

    ¡°They look like hungry beasts,¡± Nara said, glancing down at the arena. ¡°Ready to strip a carcass of its meat.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic,¡± Eufemia said, and slapped her back encouragingly. ¡°You¡¯re up first.¡±

    ¡°You got this,¡± Encio said. ¡°Set the tone.

    ¡°A tone of despair,¡± Adelina added encouragingly.

    She gave Adelina a look. Goddam, she was harsh to her students. ¡°Yeesh, alright, I¡¯m going.¡±

    *****

    ¡°The rules,¡± Adelina started, her voice commanding and energetic for the following matches. ¡°The battle starts immediately, so be prepared. Nara has requested an open field, and you all have accepted.¡±

    Nara was face to face with her competitors, who looked at her with glowing eyes of excitement. Their youthful innocence still showed, most in their teens. They all had adventuring equipment, a mish mash of various styles and weights, but clearly all of local make, with design aspects Nara recognized to be familiar. Some was probably equipment of the school, top of the line gear given to iron rankers to keep alive, then passed onto the next generation, if the gear survived to be passed on.

    ¡°Nara,¡± she greeted them. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure.¡±

    Some teen boy pursed his lips. He had that look about him that found everyone else offensive by existence and proximity. ¡°You look ordinary,¡± he said. It seemed like an insult.

    ¡°Francis,¡± a girl hissed, jabbing a sharp elbow into his rib cage. ¡°Are you serious right now?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s some no name bronze ranker,¡± Francis said, persisting in his arrogance, although it seemed to stem from a need to defend himself, a prickliness born of insecurities and newfound power. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s getting into, fighting eight of us simultaneously!¡±

    Ah, there we go. The one-versus-eight hadn¡¯t been a slight to Adelina, but it had been a slight to them. ¡°You talk big, but can you shore up?¡± Nara said idly, just bored enough, as if she didn¡¯t actually care about his answer, to drive him further up the wall.

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°Eight of us. Eight!¡± Francis said as if he himself couldn¡¯t quite believe the odds, ¡°Are you even academy trained?¡±

    ¡°Sanshi, for a bit.¡± Nara said amicably. And by her mentors, but the quality of homeschooling was hard to judge. She did think hers was pretty good.

    ¡°Sanshi? They¡¯re nothing,¡± gritted Francis. ¡°Some collection of low-rate adventurers calling themselves educators. Our quality is inherent.¡±

    His teammate looked ready to flay his tongue, salt it, and roast it over a spit of her flaming rage.

    ¡°How deep do you want to dig your hole, exactly? You have no idea how the adventurers of Sanshi fight.¡±

    Francis snorted, ¡°I don¡¯t need to know because they¡¯re nothing. The Arlang might be famous, but that¡¯s just because they¡¯re numerous. All quantity and no quality.¡±

    ¡°Ohhhh? And your family is somehow more famous than his?¡±

    Francis froze.

    She hissed in false sympathy. ¡°Aiyah! Sorry about that. I didn¡¯t realize that was a soft spot for you,¡± Nara said. ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t be mean to children. I am the adult here.¡±

    Francis grit his teeth. ¡°It is not my soft spot! You don¡¯t know anything about me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Nara said simply, and she almost wanted to laugh about how easily he¡¯d set himself up for that. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±

    The words he bit back cut into his throat like shards of glass. She¡¯d drawn first blood before the battle even began.

    *****

    They all awoke, simultaneously, in a bare arena. It was the same sort that default mirage chamber duels took place in. One versus eight, facing each other like a Mexican standoff¡ªa standoff that was promptly ended.

    Before the students could react, she dashed with bronze speed plus the enhancements from Cosmic Path, swung her sword, enhanced it with a bit of resonating-force damage, sacrificing what few boons she already accrued to cut through the bone of the neck. Largely unnecessary, as iron rankers were physically weak, and she had the rank advantage. Nara has watched enough movies to always secure the kill ala John Wick. Instead of a gong, the decapitated head that thudded to the ground signaled the start of the battle.

    Really, it was becoming a bit of a signature move.

    ¡°That¡¯s one.¡±

    Suddenly, the group was down to a seven versus one, down from their eight. Based on their movements, Nara saw that there was a group of three and two groups of two remaining. One of the groups of two looked aggrieved¡ªreacting just a beat slower¡ªthey must have just lost a member.

    She scattered her nodes and familiars, keeping them tight within the group and sowing chaos. She teleported behind one and swung again. A shield intercepted¡ªready for her this time, so they weren¡¯t entirely unskilled¡ªbouncing her sword off and inflicting her with a bit of damage; it was Burst Shield. Classic, common. This, she knew. What she knew was easy to work around, and suddenly Nara more deeply understood why adventurers sought odd or rare stones for unusual powers.

    One.

    She repeated the action, teleporting behind another member and swinging again. Another shield blocked.

    Two.

    Three.

    Four.

    Five.

    The next hit landed, but it was a glancing blow, drawing blood through leather armor, but not fatal, quickly healed¡ªshe wasn¡¯t committed to it either. The students were burning mana, sure that an overpowering offense of formerly-eight-now-seven would overwhelm her for a win. Usually against a higher rank opponent endurance was key; Nara wasn¡¯t sure if this was overconfidence or an intelligence use of firepower.

    Between the seven of them, there were two shield users. One with two bubble shields, and one with three. They were solid defensive abilities, able to shield the user and external targets, and common enough between healers, defenders, and casters. If they were like John¡¯s shields, they would have twenty second cooldowns. She¡¯d need to attack fast, to burn through them, or attack so unexpectedly they couldn¡¯t react. Both were viable options.

    A power negation ability tried to block her sword conjuration, but Tribulation of Self plus her bronze rank resistances blocked the effect. Even if it had gotten through, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered; the fight wouldn¡¯t drag on, and the effect wouldn¡¯t have made a difference. They would choose a new ability to disable soon, likely her node teleport, and at that time they may try to boost the effect high enough to surpass her resistances.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Tribulation of Self]

    Transfigured from [Resilient]

    Increased resistance to afflictions and all damage. This is a legacy effect of [Resilient].

    Ignore rank disparity in resistances and damage reduction.

    Gain immunity to afflictions that originate from you or your abilities, including afflictions duplicated from your abilities. Gain increased resistance to hostile effects that affect your abilities such as ability duplication, ability theft, ability nullification, and cooldown increase.

    This effect cannot be copied by a duplication ability.

    -------

    One. Two. Three. Four. Five! She attacked rapidly and from odd directions with teleportation-attack combos, forcing multiple shields out in quick succession. They managed to block, evidence of her skill. She was suitably impressed, although their instinct to block every attack also made them predictable, one she¡¯d definitely abuse later. They should let the non-lethal non-crippling attacks go through. The instinct to block all damage when possible was one hard to unlearn, one John had to fight for some time.

    The next hit, Nara leapt forward with vigor, slashing her sword forward towards Francis. Francis smirked, intending to dodge by just a hair¡¯s breadth in a stylish display of confidence in his skill.

    ¡°Oh sonny,¡± Nara crooned, just absolutely delighted.  ¡°That¡¯s a mistake.¡±

    She had learnt from Encio¡¯s Whirlwind Sword that near dodges were a precursor to disaster, especially at iron rank, where the skin was the literal difference between a near miss and a cut throat. Leah Arlang, one of her frequent sparring partners, also had an ability that extended her reach past the typical range of her weapon. So did Nara, in not just one, but in two effects¡ªNirvana¡¯s and Blade of the Boundary¡¯s bronze rank upgrades.

    -------

    Item: [Nirvana] (Bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon

    A weapon forged from the Astral and transfigured by the Reaper. Fear not death but a life unlived.

    This item is bound to [Nara Edea] and cannot be used by anyone else. This bond allows the weapon to share the wielder¡¯s ability to ignore rank disparity.

    Effect: You may invoke all effects of a conjured weapon into this blade for the normal mana cost of conjuring the weapon. Only one weapon¡¯s effects may be invoked at a time.

    Effect: This weapon deals increased damage for each instance of a boon on the wielder, up to a limit determined by rank.

    Effect: The wielder gains increased resistance to dispel effects.

    Effect (Iron): This weapon has no specific form unless it is given a form. Current forms available: Staff, Bow, Sword. This weapon can take the form of an accessory when not in active use. Can transform into other forms with no bonuses. When transformed into other forms, cannot invoke the effects of a conjured weapon.

    <ul>

    <li>[Sword]: Low [Power] bonus.</li>

    <li>[Staff]: Low Increase to damage resistance.</li>

    <li>[Bow]: Low [Speed] bonus.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): The weapon gains additional forms: Dagger, Dual Machine Pistols. Alter forms slightly within their concepts.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dagger]: Low [Speed] bonus.</li>

    <li>[Dual Pistols]: Low reduction in mana costs. Ammo Consumption: Medium.</li>

    <li>[War Hammer]: Heavy weapon. Low [Power] bonus.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Blade of the Boundary]

    Essence: Dimension

    Awakening stone: sword

    Conjuration (sword)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures [Horizon¡¯s Edge, the [Blade of Infinity]]. Normal and special attacks made with Horizon¡¯s Edge deal physical and rending damage and will inflict an instance of [Dimensional Instability] and inflicts or refreshes [Dimensional Rupture]. Horizon¡¯s Edge can be made incorporeal at will, which can affect incorporeal entities.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Instability] (affliction, magic, stacking): All rending damage suffered is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Rupture] (affliction, magic): When inflicted or refreshed, suffer additional rending damage proportional to current instances of [Dimensional Instability].</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Normal and special attacks made with [Horizon¡¯s Edge] inflict [Dimensional Nausea], [Dimensional Exhaustion], and [Dimensional Ruin]. The size of [Horizon¡¯s Edge] can be adjusted for low mana-per-second, with ongoing mana cost increasing with size difference from the base.

    <ul>

    <li>[Dimensional Nausea] (affliction, magic, stacking): Rending damage suffered additionally inflicts damage to mana, as if mana had been expended. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Exhaustion] (affliction, magic, stacking): Rending damage suffered additionally inflicts damage to stamina, as if stamina had been expended. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Dimensional Ruin] (affliction, damage-over-time, magic, stacking): Inflicts ongoing rending damage. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Eyes wide, Francis screamed, ¡°TELEPORT ME!¡±

    ¡°I CAN¡¯T!¡± A teammate screamed back. Infinity Domain locked him down, trapped by the effects of Inescapable.

    Even if they had stopped her conjuration, they could not stop Nirvana. It was a redundancy within her ability set. As an engineer, Nara knew the importance of redundancy, and a lot was woven into her kit. Multiple options for mitigating attacks¡ªdeflection, space manipulation, teleportation, reaction speed, phase shifting, damage reducing, and multiple forms of regeneration.

    Her conjuration was indeed a weak spot, her sole method to inflict her most important afflictions. But to disable her survivability, a single ability was not enough.

    Since Nara was constantly dodging or intercepting attacks, she was also constantly triggering Astral Return, inflicting instances of Boundary¡¯s Scorn from Avatar of the Boundary, and gaining instances of Waking Moment from Dream¡¯s Wake. The more Nara actively engaged in combat, the faster she gained instances of her boons. While Overture would stack them for her, her gains were massively increased while she was in the thick of battle. To force out high damage out of her slow burn fighting style, she needed to go hard and fast as well.

    All shields and other methods of distance intervention were down, and Francis¡¯ neck was ripe for the taking.

    Nirvana lengthened, shifting into a slightly longer sword, mimicking Encio¡¯s longer Whirlwind Blade. The sharp blade caught his neck, and with the enhanced damage and her rapid boon gain, she decapitated him in one swift swing¡ªthey had healers, a cut throat wasn¡¯t enough to finish the job. That, she had learned from John.

    ¡°Two down. Six left.¡±

    Nara could sense the fear ripple through their auras, their fear an echoing feedback loop between them, unnerved and unbalanced, growing in intensity¡ªthey had not expected the battle to go this way. They were shaken, badly, by the rapid consecutive deaths of their teammates. With eight, they had been confident, yet their numbers had been reduced by two, with barely a few minutes passed. Dread creeped into their minds like a legless zombie dragging itself across slick wooden floorboards while all doors in the corridor were locked, but their training held, and they persisted; a testament of both their own and their teachers¡¯ efforts. It was admirable¡­but not enough.

    She could cower them with her aura, she realized. Her aura was strong enough to suppress them mid-combat, especially when they were fighting to hold themselves together. She did not. She wanted to defeat them with her skill, to deliver not only an overwhelming defeat, but also the teaching opportunity that Adelina intended. Winning through aura suppression taught them nothing about the overconfidence in their own abilities.

    ***

    Before her nodes were disabled, she¡¯d make the best use of them. The students had figured out, by now, that they would destroy them if they aimed properly and put some power in. They were bronze rank conjurations, so they wouldn¡¯t shatter at their slightest touch, but they would still break. They may be bronze rank, but they were also more fragile than the typical bronze rank conjuration, corresponding to their low cost.

    One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

    She had less than twenty seconds until the first shield ability was available again, but to her, twenty seconds was an eternity. More than enough time to stab someone in the neck again (or the heart or head, if the opportunity presented itself). She conjured all nine nodes into a single location. An archer student reacted, puncturing the nodes and detonating them. She had disabled the detonation feature until now, keeping it in reserve for a little surprise.

    And triggered was her little surprise; A wave of bronze-rank, nine-stacked disruptive-force damage slammed into the students surrounding her. At one stack, it was non-threatening damage, even to an iron ranker. At nine stacks, it was fierce, causing the proper reactionary cast of a powerful area healing ability¡ªone she couldn¡¯t deny; Eufemia would¡¯ve been able to abuse this obvious reaction.

    She phase-shifted through the damage, triggering Astral Return, fully loading it with damage¡ªtheir own damage wasn¡¯t quite doing it for her, a weakness she¡¯d have to remember. It was one of the few ways she could trigger Astral Return with her own abilities, and she made full use of it now.

    A body of Sage that had been dormant showed itself, and Nara teleported to it, jamming her sword into the base of the neck of one of the shielders, the damage enhanced so high she barely needed any effort at all.

    ¡°You know me well, Sage. Perfect positioning as always. Three down.¡±

    ¡°Of course, benefactor,¡± was her elegant response, in tempo with her carnage.

    Sage faded with a swirl, perfectly in sync. She was still visible but fast and hard to perceive for iron rankers. She was better than the nodes, which were unfortunately stationary, but Nara would lose her teleportation soon.

    She had intentionally made a big show of her teleportation, so she could direct which ability would be negated. As expected, sealing her conjuration had been deemed worthless, since she had a physical sword. A telltale flicker of metallic bronze was a student eating a bronze spirit coin, temporarily raising their rank to bronze. Their buffers layered on their buffs, and they finally managed to apply their negation ability, sealing both her nodes and her teleportation¡ªa weakness of the dual nature of Dimension Node. Sage unfortunately, would be useless for the rest of the fight as collateral damage. She could maybe tickle the students, or yank on their clothing. While amusing, it wouldn¡¯t do much, however, as she could not exert very much physical force. Sage also wasn¡¯t predisposed to paltry tricks, although Thanatos was more than happy to stick his paws out of his shadows and trip unsuspecting victims. She had to make sure he didn¡¯t trip ordinary people. Her team, however, was kept on edge.

    ¡°Mistake two,¡± Nara said, enjoying her little stint as a guest lecturer. ¡°You have no idea what my conjuration does.¡± Between the two, which was the more inconvenient ability to counter?

    She switched to her dual pistols, unloading light and weak bullets as she danced around their attacks. They had never seen a gun before, and the new weapon caught them off guard. Most took direct hits to their abdomen and body, which set off a salvo of healing, but all avoided an immediate head shot.

    Suddenly, the team was plagued by bronze rank afflictions that they could not easily cleanse as Entropy took hold. Bronze rank afflictions resisted iron rank cleansing. Some would fall off, but they¡¯ve already lost one of their healers, the shield user.

    Sen was right. As usual.

    It didn¡¯t matter what their abilities were, it was not enough to discard her advantage of unknown abilities. Nara didn¡¯t have any flashy, game-changing, tide-turning abilities that John and Eufemia had. It was both a strength and a weakness.

    It was a weakness that John and Eufemia had learned well in their fight with Siyu: Large abilities were predictable and saved for predictable pivotal moments. Eufemia had used that against Kiris and Nolan in their mirage chamber battles, but it had been turned against them in turn by Siyu.

    No single ability could defeat Nara. They could seal her teleportation, but she was still fast thanks to Cosmic Path, Avatar of the Boundary, and Waking Moment boons. They could seal her weapon, but physical damage was physical damage, and they were weak iron rankers.

    She thrived in chaos, phase shifting through or redirecting blasts so that they inflicted friendly fire. She still got hit; she couldn¡¯t avoid everything, but Astral Blessing and Refresh played their unassuming and silent roles, regenerating the health she lost. Damage to health returned mana, and she could use Phase Shift more often; Yet for this fight, she almost didn¡¯t need it at all, except for style points, and she was racking those up too. Her layers of damage avoidance and general defense were so high they could inflict no lethal damage before Nara recovered it.

    Another ability greatly helped Nara¡¯s survivability at bronze rank: Boon Conversion.

    --------

    Ability: [Boon Conversion]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Balance (uncommon)

    Special Ability (cleansing)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Consume boons on self to enhance the damage of your next attack with resonating- or disruptive- force damage. Damage boost increases with the number of boons consumed.

    Effect (Bronze): Consume boons on self to cleanse afflictions from any target at a 1:1 ratio. More powerful afflictions may require the consumption of additional boons. This is a cleansing effect. Consuming more powerful boons now offers a greater effect beyond the base effect.

    --------

    Nara had high resistance to afflictions thanks to Tribulation of Self, but iron rankers had their ways to reduce her resistance. The ones that managed to eke through, she cleansed away instantaneously. Cleansing the rare iron rank affliction didn¡¯t even dent her super mass of boons.

    This balance she played with her resources was the silent core of her fighting style. Selectively take health damage for mana. Spend mana to regain stamina and move to heal. Use boons to deal damage, cleanse effects, or regenerate health by leaving them alone.

    The Inescapable affliction of her Infinity Domain was the star quarterback of this fight. Any target she focused on could not escape. Her domain isolated, forcing an inescapable one-on-one fight that was her advantage. They could run, but she was faster.

    She realized a new facet of her fighting style¡ªso fast that every fight was a one-on-one fight. Those within her Infinity Domain tried to run, and she chased, easily.

    Nara knew was what was needed to fight herself.

    Option one was overwhelming and continuous fire power, like those with the Fire, Earth, and Potent Essences for the Volcano confluence. Storm confluence users, with their wide ranging and continuous damage that would rip apart her nodes and wear her down faster than her regeneration could keep up. The other option was continuous, moderate damage. Those like Sen, who could give a beating and take it. Defeat her before she could take them down, but no fast and large damage hits she could instantly avoid. Another option was overwhelming afflictions that she could not out cleanse. She could get rid of a few, but too many and she¡¯d have no boons left for anything else, and she¡¯d have no regeneration.

    A fight between her and Sen had originally been her win, but Sen evolved, and now mirage chamber battles were far more even. His continuous, heavy blows wore her down.

    This though¡ª

    The students had underestimated her. They had a strategy, but it was too basic for an enemy with unknown abilities. They should not have surrounded her¡ªfor most other fights, it would have been the correct strategy, but the stacked numbers meant they were more likely to hit their own people than her. They should have tried to maintain a defensive line and disabled her teleport later. Even if it set them on a back foot, they needed to take their time and identify what they could. The first death had shaken them, sending them into a reactive panic. The disabler jumped the gun trying disable her weapon, then reenabling it after a healer had already died and swapped to her teleportation, which didn¡¯t improve anything for them either, and eating the bronze rank coin put them out of the match too. The disabler shouldn¡¯t have bothered, and switched to a different strategy, rather than thinking they¡¯d hit the one ability that shut Nara down; It was a great temptation with those sort of powers, Eufemia had once explained, the insidious lie that there was an easy win, and all it took was turning the right lock.

    Her Cosmic Path pulled weight, disabling control abilities that tried to manifest below her, if they were fast enough to cast it at her current position. They adapted, trying to control her arms, which worked for a moment until Nara shifted her hand through, not even bothering to yank herself free with physical strength that had reached mid-bronze thanks to Dream¡¯s Wake.

    They managed to get off an offensive teleport, shifting her into a specific location. They unloaded damage, but not only was it too late, it was a mistake when she had mana for Phase Shift. Unloading damage in a moment of vulnerability was a common tactic, and in their panic, they all went to the textbook, forgetting what they had learnt about her capabilities during the fight, or simply not realizing she could Phase Shift her entire body to begin with. Much to Encio¡¯s frustration, that was the tactic she excelled against.

    Nara lengthened her sword to its maximum, burning mana in a humiliatingly wasteful expenditure. Then unleased an empowered World¡¯s end.

    -------

    Ability: [World¡¯s End]

    Essence: Harmonic

    Awakening Stone: Ruin

    Special Attack (execute, dimension)

    Base Cost: Moderate mana and moderate stamina.

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Imbue your next attack with the power of dimensional rending annihilation. Additionally deals a small amount of transcendent damage. As an execute effect, damage scales exponentially with the enemy¡¯s level of injury.

    Effect (Bronze): For a very high mana and stamina cost, your next attack massively extends the range of your weapon with dimension energy. All enemies damaged by the attack are executed. Each enemy suffers damage proportionate to their own level of injury.

    -------

    On top of the original length increase, her sword further expanded, a long blade of void black energy surrounded by the red of an event horizon scraping the edge of the arena.

    ¡°It¡¯s not golden¡­but close enough! EX¡­CALIBUUUUR!!¡±

    She swung, the massive blade of energy deceptively fast, catching all the remaining students all at once that had grouped together when they thought they caught Nara in their trap.

    She had not damaged them much, since she aimed for instant kills, her greatest advantage when they were only iron rankers. However, her afflictions were unmanageable, and Dimensional Ruin worked its damage passively along with Chrome¡¯s triple decay afflictions.

    The students were consumed by the void of her blade, annihilated.

 Chapter 155: Counter the Known

    Chapter 155: Counter the Known

    Nara awoke from her chamber bed at the same time as the final five.

    ¡°That was fun,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You were playing around with us, at the end,¡± A student said, almost teary. ¡°You let us teleport you.¡±

    Nara felt like she had become a bit of a bully.

    ¡°My teleport was disabled,¡± Nara said reasonably, trying to calm the student. ¡°It¡¯s not like I could avoid it.¡±

    (That was a lie, she could¡¯ve avoided it with Phase Shift.)

    ¡°Now, now students. Let¡¯s be gracious in defeat,¡± Adelina said, clapping her hands together. ¡°Well done, all of you.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think that,¡± Francis said, eyes down. Who seemed, as Adelina intended, suitably humbled (and equal parts frustrated). ¡°We did terribly.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you did,¡± Adelina said cheerfully. ¡°I was being nice, but you¡¯ve gone and mentioned it. Let¡¯s sit down with Nara here and go over your mistakes. She so kindly pointed out a few of them in battle. Had thoughts to spare, did you?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Um, yeah, I guess. I sort of got into the whole ¡®teaching¡¯ thing.¡±

    ¡°Here,¡± Adelina passed out sheets, ¡°These are her abilities. I got them from your friend John.¡±

    ¡°John, you betrayer! I¡¯ll remember this.¡± Nara didn¡¯t really mind. She had served them a taste of her abilities on a blood-soaked platter. Even if they didn¡¯t know their details, they would recognize them.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of a few of these.¡±

    ¡°Miss Nara here has a few undiscovered abilities. Exciting, isn¡¯t it? None of those though are what defeated you all, are they?¡±

    ¡°¡°¡­No,¡±¡± The students chorused.

    It was a combination of Adelina pointing out their mistakes, as well as the students offering their own. They were good kids despite their initial attitude, studious and earnest.

    ¡°We should¡¯ve mixed up our shield timings, and mitigated damage other ways.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Not all of her attacks are instantly lethal, though she is very scary. The initial attack set the tone and put you all on edge. It was a smart tactic.¡±

    Francis looked away; she may have traumatized the poor kid.

    ¡°A lot of attacks were unnecessarily shielded,¡± Adelina continued, ¡°Were you counting the shields?¡±

    ¡°I was.¡± Nara felt like she was admitting to counting cards.

    ¡°Matt¡¯s death at the beginning was unavoidable,¡± Adelina said, ¡°So I will not fault Matt for that, although it will be prudent to remember that there are those that specialize in stealth and instantaneous attacks. Miss Nara here knew that someone had to die, immediately die, and took the shortest path at random. But you all lost your composure when your teammate was killed and jumped into battle immediately instead of reformulating a strategy while defending.¡±

    ¡°She would¡¯ve chased us though.¡±

    ¡°She would¡¯ve,¡± Adelina said. ¡°But it is better than being where the enemy wants you. You should not fight on the enemy¡¯s terms, on their battlefield. Not if you can help it. If you can¡¯t help it, it¡¯s better to retreat. That¡¯s not an option you had today but keep it in mind.¡±

    That was a core part of Sen¡¯s strategy, Nara realized, choosing the battlefield. With Vallis, he had avoided the river. With Siyu, he avoided the caves and waited in the open, then set up sun lamps. Even with the pirates, he had sent Nara, Nahir and Eufemia to disrupt the enemy¡¯s stronghold. She now understood a fragment of Sen¡¯s tactical genius.

    Nara realized Sen had not wanted Gento and Jaina just because their abilities didn¡¯t suit him, although that was true. Sen wanted specific abilities and personalities on his team, and he grabbed his chance. He chose John and Eufemia¡¯s abilities, in part creating his own party from scratch, and Encio helped him shape it with his own knowledge and experience.

    In many ways, the team had lucked out with Sen, and not the other way around. He was the secret powerhouse of the team, the battle tactician. No wonder he was so famous for it in Sanshi.

    Adelina discussed other mistakes; some Nara had not noticed. She ripped into them, sparing no fault.

    The power disabler came up, and Adelina had a similar conclusion¡ªhe moved too early. Using it preemptively on a conjuration was an easy way to gain an advantage but saving it for important moments was also an important and powerful strategy. Eufemia had, in her fight with Lala, disabled the leathery wings that gave her trouble after analyzing which ability was the most troublesome to her. Adelina further pointed out that for those with inventories, it was Academy policy to have a back-up physical conjuration.

    ¡°Francis, all of you, but especially you Francis,¡± Adelina said. ¡°You dodge far too closely against essence users with unknown abilities. You¡¯ve gotten complacent fighting against your classmates, where you know all of their ability ranges. Remember that you will fight those with unknown abilities for the rest of your life. Unless you want to live as a competitive mirage chamber fighter. That sort of complacent avoidance is acceptable there, where you¡¯re just fighting coworkers.¡±

    ¡°No, we want to be adventurers!¡± he responded hurriedly.

    ¡°Then fight like one. Don¡¯t fight like it¡¯s a sport. Fight like your lives are on the line. At iron rank and bronze rank, your bodies are still delicate. Do not dodge by a hair¡¯s breadth, not like Nara does.¡±

    ¡°Hey?¡±

    ¡°Nara here has multiple abilities that allow her to do so. It¡¯s not something many others should do. If you¡¯re missing by just a hair against her, it¡¯s because she directed you to. You do have that level of control with your spatial manipulation ability, right? That¡¯s impressive.¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Nara said proudly, ¡°ended up fighting myself in an astral space and worked it out.¡±

    Adelina frowned, ¡°That sounds dangerous. Encio didn¡¯t tell me about that.¡±

    ¡°Oops. Sorry, Encio.¡±

    Adelina leaned in, intimidating, ¡°You¡¯ll tell me all about it, won¡¯t you.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Nara squeaked, ¡°It¡¯s really not that big of a deal!¡±

    Her voice deepened along with a mother¡¯s aura of intimidation.

    ¡°Won¡¯t. You?¡±

    *****

    ¡°Hey Encio. You¡¯re next right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, next up.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have a harder fight. Whoever went first had an advantage, right? Good luck.¡±

    He smirked. ¡°I won¡¯t need luck.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­so your mom may have found out about the mimic thing. I didn¡¯t say anything specific.¡±

    There was some apprehension now, his previous levity fading just a bit. ¡°¡­What did you say?¡±

    ¡°That she should ask you about it? Why haven¡¯t you told her about it? This is about living in your grandfather¡¯s shadow, is it?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not. After Celina died¡­my mother became overprotective. Partially, I stayed in those unassuming teams to reassure her. That I wouldn¡¯t do anything dangerous, and I¡¯d stay safe. But I felt stifled.¡±

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Hence your sabbatical from adventuring.¡±

    ¡°For a while, my mother thought her teachings had failed. That she failed as an educator. Father, grandmother, and some of my other relatives managed the school while she took a break. It¡¯s good to see my mother teaching again.¡±

    It must¡¯ve been difficult to be an educator and a mother and have your student and daughter die while adventuring. Adventuring families all knew the risks, however¡­

    A section of the seating had been roped off for Nara and her team members, and for some reason her competitors followed her, like obedient chicks. Adelina was behind, shepherding the last stragglers. Francis had shifty eyes, like he wanted to talk to her but couldn¡¯t work up the courage. He had spoken big before battle and got beat down afterwards. He inched towards her, until he claimed a spot to her right. Adelina chose to sit on her left, also for unknown reasons.

    Adelina held some sort of curiosity about Nara, that much she could tell from her actions. Nara could no more read Adelina¡¯s aura than Adelina could read hers. Her aura had always been had to grasp, and the increase in strength and Laius training compounded that. Part of Adelina¡¯s curiosity arose from her inability to read a bronze ranker¡¯s aura, when no bronze rankers should be blocked off from her.

    ¡°It¡¯s starting,¡± she hummed happily. ¡°I wonder how my son¡¯s fighting has changed?¡±

    To her surprise, his competitors had chosen a rich forest and Encio accepted.

    ¡°Open spaces are usually his forte¡­¡± Nara said, ¡°Why did he agree?¡±

    ¡°Since his opponents know his abilities,¡± Adelina said, analyzing the fight. ¡°He must adopt a non-standard tactic.¡±

    The two sides spawned on different ends of the forest. Encio didn¡¯t have the opportunity to get a quick kill, and dashed off into the trees, disappearing from the iron rankers¡¯ perceptions.

    ¡°Eight to kill,¡± Nara said. ¡°How¡¯s he going to handle this? He doesn¡¯t have the advantages I had.¡±

    She soon found the answer to her question. Encio adopted a hit and run strategy, unloading all of his damage on one vestige iron ranker, annihilating any shields that tried to block. He didn¡¯t charge to full, instead, charging only as much as needed. Since his opponents were lower rank, it was a tactic he could adopt. It was a tactic he often used against weaker swarms as well.

    ¡°I forgot that was an option.¡±

    ¡°Blowing past our shields?¡± Francis said, finally speaking up to insert himself into their conversation.

    She glanced at him but answered. ¡°Yup. I would¡¯ve had to play the long game, building up my boons, but at some point, I would¡¯ve had enough disruptive-force damage to shatter the shield and boost through it. That tactic would¡¯ve been a bit iffy though, with eight people. Encio can do it with ease, but I¡¯m not suited for burst damage, and my afflictions only apply if I hit the enemy with an attack. It does nothing to help me shatter shields.¡±

    ¡°Long-term battles are your strong suit,¡± Adelina said. ¡°You would have still won.¡±

    ¡°Being hard to pin down or kill is a specialty of mine.¡±

    The first kill was easy, but the students smartened up, teleporting each other out of the way if they couldn¡¯t react fast enough.

    ¡°No Inescapable to help him.¡± Nara nodded sagely. ¡°Movement abilities are busted.¡±

    Nara¡¯s played enough video games to know that any sort of movement or positioning ability was powerful. Encio had his own share of movement abilities, but not as many ways to restrict them. Instead, his attacks were blisteringly fast.

    ¡°The students will lose if they stay the course,¡± Adelina said. ¡°They can¡¯t avoid him that way forever.¡±

    As if prophecy, another student died. Encio¡¯s familiar, Ardor, sent out a false attack. The students fell for it, activating a teleport to save their companion. The real God-Sundering Slash, sent out a moment behind, hit a different student, instantly killing them.

    -------

    Ability: [Spirit Avatar]

    Familiar (summoning, ritual, illusion)

    Awakening Stone: Avatar

    Cost: Extreme mana and extreme stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summons a [Spirit Avatar], Ardor, to serve as your familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Incorporeal and takes on the summoner¡¯s form.</li>

    <li>Can replicate your abilities, attributes, and aura, but inflicts no damage or non-damage effects.</li>

    <li>You can switch teleport with Ardor for a low stamina and mana cost. This effect has a 30 second cooldown.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed in the summoner¡¯s aura, increasing resistance to aura suppression.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can replicate abilities and attacks without the summoner performing them. This inflicts no damage or non-damage effects.</li>

    <li>When the [Spirit Avatar] replicates abilities and attacks that the summoner performs, the replicated attacks deal a small portion of the original damage type as disruptive-force damage.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    ¡°That will mess with them,¡± Adelina observed.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t know the familiar¡¯s new bronze rank effect.¡±

    ¡°How are they even supposed to counter that!¡± Francis exclaimed, chilled by the simple yet effective tactic. He leaned forward, as if to glean more from the viewing screens.

    Nara frowned, ¡°I have good aura senses, but the problem with Encio is that his attacks are too fast. You don¡¯t have enough time to determine whether his attacks are real or illusions. They may have had a better shot in a plain arena. Less distractions.¡±

    Adelina smiled, a little sly. ¡°They focused too much on his iron rank anti-group capabilities. It was a known tactic of his, and one they could have countered.¡±

    ¡°By placing themselves in a forest, Encio¡¯s attacks are harder to see. They hyper-focused on his strength and created a new weakness for themselves.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s managed to brilliantly make use of the fact his abilities were known and predict what the obvious counter was.¡±

    The students tried to chase him through the trees, but chasing a speed-oriented bronze ranker without control abilities or some way to counter it was folly. Encio had high resistance to hostile dimension effects thanks to Chronometer.

    -------

    Ability: [Chronometer]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (boon, magic, recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): After first inflicting damage on an enemy, begin gradually accumulating instances of [Time Count], one instance per second, regardless of the speed of your personal time stream. Instances of [Time Count] can be expended to recover stamina, mana, or health. Instance limit determined by the [Spirit] attribute. [Time Count] accumulation stops when no enemies are within your aura range.

    <ul>

    <li>[Time Count] (boon, magic, stacking): Increases resistance to hostile dimension effects. Abilities have increased ability to bypass effect resistance. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): [Time Count] accumulates at a rate of one per half second. Instances of [Time Count] can be expended to reduce the cooldown of your own or ally abilities. Instances are consumed at a 2:1 ratio per second reduced.

    -------

    It was a boon he rarely kept it around normally, constantly expending it to replenish stamina or mana. For this fight, he kept it at maximum stacks, only spending instances as Time Count reached its relatively low instance limit. According to Encio, it hit its instance limit at around 5 minutes at bronze rank. At bronze rank, he also no longer needed to inflict damage to start the ability¡¯s accumulation, which meant he always had full stacks at the start of a battle.

    Combined with Blue Shift and his racial ability Dimension Rift, Encio was harder to teleport than Nara was.

    --------

    Ability: [Blue Shift]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Focus

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Attacks and abilities that reach a speed threshold can affect incorporeal entities. While moving at speed, gain increased resistance to hostile dimension effects.

    Effect (Bronze): Increased maximum [Speed] attribute. This applies to external effects, such as allied boons. Increased resistance to effects that decreases the [Speed] attribute and its corresponding qualities.

    -------

    ¡°That¡¯s another.¡± Nara said.

    Encio turned to attack, and the student was again teleported. The real attack came from an entirely different direction, assassinating a third.

    ¡°They were chasing his familiar this whole time?¡± Francis said, agape. ¡°When did they switch?¡±

    ¡°Not the whole time,¡± Nara said. ¡°His familiar can switch teleport in a short range, so he probably did so at an opportune moment.¡±

    ¡°They lost the moment they chose a forest,¡± Adelina said.

    ¡°They can¡¯t keep track of his movements since the trees keep breaking their line of sight on him.¡±

    Nara thought Encio¡¯s tactics resembled hers. As she learned from Encio and Sen, they had learned from her, growing their own strategies with each other¡¯s abilities as inspiration.

    Nara needed not wait for cooldowns, but his waiting time resembled as if she waited for Entropy to grow her afflictions. By spacing out his damage in bursts, he could regain some mana between skirmishes, though it was limited. He could dedicate the entirety of Chronometer overflow to restoring mana, since he didn¡¯t need to blow through cooldowns for sustained damage. Combined with his aura, Encio could drag out the time before he needed to use Immortality to replenish.

    ¡°He¡¯s fighting like me,¡± Nara said. ¡°I beat him up once in a forest.¡±

    ¡°Good thing we didn¡¯t chose a forest,¡± Francis muttered.

    ¡°Nara here is far stealthier, nearly undetectable. You all would have fared far worse.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s stealthier?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t get your chance to see her use it,¡± Adelina said. ¡°But her aura strength far outstrips Encio.¡±

    ¡°And my robe makes me harder to detect,¡± Nara said. Based on Adelina¡¯s expression, she considered that effect secondary. But hey, she and Eufemia found it extremely useful!

    ¡°Encio is fast, but he¡¯s not undetectable.¡± Adelina continued. ¡°It¡¯s the only reason they can react at all. What did we learn from this, all of you?¡± She called out to the eight students around her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fight a bronze ranker in a forest?¡± A student offered.

    ¡°There are exceptions, such as essence users that rely on large weapons that may become tangled in a forest, or spell casters that require line of sight.¡± Adelina prefaced, ¡°But bronze rankers are faster and have stronger and larger aura ranges. Do not allow them to leverage that for stealth. We must always use our judgement to determine what the situation calls for. Encio¡¯s strength in an open field is known, while his strength in a forest was unknown.¡±

    Choose to counter the known, than to be surprised by the unknown.

    The fight ended when the students lost their nerve in the endless forest, forming a group with their remaining members. The students hadn¡¯t brought essence users without powers that could withstand Encio out in the open, however, and Encio seized the chance, punishing them with Vorpal Slash charged through Eternal Moment.

    -------

    Ability: [Vorpal Slash]

    Essence: Dimension

    Awakening Stone: Void

    Special Attack/Conjuration

    Cost: Moderate stamina and high mana/ high mana per second

    Cooldown: 3 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a scabbard of void energy. Sheathing your blade gathers the power of the sundering void. When unsheathed, unleashes a wide ranged sword wave that inflicts a large amount of rending damage. The sword wave pierces enemies. As the duration the blade is sheathed increases, damage, size, and range traveled increases up to a maximum determined by the [Spirit] attribute. Sheathing is a channeling effect and drains high mana per second.

    Effect (Bronze): Cooldown is reduced proportional to duration of sheath time. At maximum sheath duration, cooldown is reduced by half.

    Ability: [Eternal Moment]

    Essence: Time

    Awakening Stone: Moment

    Special Ability

    Cost: Extreme stamina per second and mana per second

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Operate at a highly accelerated speed for one second of actual time, which is extended in subjective time.

    Effect (Bronze): Time increases to 2 seconds.

    -------

    Any student that managed to avoid annihilation was finished off by Encio¡¯s sword, unable to face him alone.

 Chapter 156: Critical Mass

    Chapter 156: Critical Mass

    With each member that battled, the ease of predicting their role in the team increased. Sen¡¯s abilities were revealed, so whoever battled last between John, Eufemia, and Aliyah would have the toughest time. Of the three, Eufemia would go last, since her abilities were the most unpredictable, despite being revealed, since she could copy her allies¡¯ powers.

    The upcoming students could watch the battles in progress but not Adelina¡¯s comments. The battles were recorded, and she would distribute them to the rest of the academy to study with other teachers.

    This was to preserve fairness, since if later students could learn from the mistake of earlier battles, the battles would become exponentially harder. Once the students had realized they were being trounced one-to-eight and this wasn¡¯t the cakewalk they¡¯d originally assumed, they had started re-strategizing. They couldn¡¯t change their line-ups and assignments, but there could still choose their battlefield, bring other artifacts (Within reason. Using too many consumable artifacts was considered unsporting.), and copy abilities beyond what their team possessed. Despite their unintentional arrogance as students of a prestigious learning instruction, they were still prestigious hardworking students and had these sorts of strategies taught to them from day one.

    Nara had gone first since she was the sponsor and garnered the most attention, the opening match. Enciodes went next, for similar reasons. Sen would act as the closer, since he was the next most famous, ending the whole gauntlet with a bang.

    John was the third in line. The landscape didn¡¯t matter to him. His abilities didn¡¯t usually require line of sight and they weren¡¯t stealth-oriented. Some structures may advantage him, but may equally advantage the students. He had decent mobility for a healer, but no teleportation to leverage blind spots (at least, Safeguard was not frequent enough for it to disproportionately benefit).

    John¡¯s strength lay in team fights, not solo fights. Healers could protect themselves, but he was the least combat oriented of the entire team. Since healing abilities were common, they also had a lot of counters, which is why he kept his abilities secret.

    John¡¯s students opponents chose an abandoned town, and he saw no reason to disagree with that choice. The buildings were low, two to three stories, with occasional specialty tall structures, like a portal pagoda, society buildings, or windmills. The town was also surrounded by a distant forest.

    As to why¡ªthe students adopted a sniper strategy. They had a long range affliction specialist that would deal damage, curses, and afflictions at a distance. The other three would do their best to hide their teammate and keep John in place.

    Were they lucky? An affliction specialist against a healer was a good match up. John had two full cleanse abilities. Dawn of Creation was his most useful one. Grand Renewal was much harder to use under siege, as he had to draw a ritual circle.

    The team composition was two healing tanks, a buffer and de-buffer in one, and an affliction specialist. The buffer/debuffer increased the speed of the those on the ground keeping pace with John to block him and slowed John down with harassing attacks. The affliction specialist was a distance away, chanting spells that repeatedly inflicted various afflictions and gradually increased them, like Nara¡¯s Entropy. His was the type that rotted away flesh, than Nara¡¯s that were neutral in effect, unholy afflictions versus her inert magic ones.

    John unleashed Beorn.

    -------

    Ability: [Everwrath Ursine]

    Essence: Immortal

    Awakening Stone: Bear

    Cost: Extreme mana and extreme stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Everwrath Ursine] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>A physically resilient and powerful familiar with high regenerative properties.</li>

    <li>Can enter [Eternal Rage], where stamina and health are rapidly consumed for greatly increase [Speed], [Power], and damage resistance, affliction resistance, and effect resistance. This mode can be ended at any time. Once ended, this mode cannot be re-entered for 10 minutes. [Eternal Rage] is forcefully ended before the [Everwrath Ursine] is emptied of health and stamina, where it is then automatically subsumed into the summoner to recover.</li>

    <li>Can be subsumed within the summoner¡¯s flesh, increasing physical strength.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Gains an instance of [Eternal Wrath] when killing an enemy.</li>

    <li>Gains health and stamina when killing an enemy.</li>

    <li>[Eternal Wrath] (boon, holy, stacking): Bonus to [Power] and [Recovery]. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>Instances of [Eternal Wrath] decrease the health and stamina consumption of [Everwrath Rage].</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Then, he cast Vigor Wellspring on Beorn.

    -------

    Ability: [Vigor Wellspring]

    Essence: Immortal

    Awakening Stone: None

    Spell (boon, recovery, cleansing)

    Incantation: ¡°From within wells unending vigor.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Grant an ally a boon of the tireless energy, greatly increasing health and stamina regeneration for a moderate duration. Additionally gain increased resistance to health and stamina drain.

    Effect (Bronze): The boon additionally cleanses afflictions over time and grants increased resistance to afflictions.

    -------

    Finally, he cast Celestial Flame Mantle, finishing his combo of preliminary buffs.

    -------

    Ability: [Celestial Flame Mantle]

    Essence: Magic

    Awakening Stone: Celestial

    Spell (boon)

    Incantation: ¡°Mantle of celestial flames, protect and burn.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 10 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Grant a boon of white holy flames to an ally. Holy flames do not harm the ally, but burn enemies who attack the target, and adds fire damage to those the target of the boon attacks. The holy flames have increased effect against undead targets or those with unholy boons. The holy flames grant increased resistance to fire damage and afflictions.

    Effect (Bronze): Increasing the cost to very high mana allows the mantle of holy flames to be bestowed on all nearby allies. Holy flame mantle periodically cleanses unholy, curse, or disease afflictions.

    -------

    John had very few cleansing abilities at iron rank. At bronze rank, his abilities diversified, many dipping into mild cleanse-over-time effects. John himself also benefitted from cleansing others, thanks to his new effect from Healing Avatar.

    -------

    Ability: [Healing Avatar]

    Essence: Life

    Awakening Stone: Avatar

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Maximum mana is increased. Mana regeneration is increased.

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Soul of the Healer] when healing others, cleansing others, or suffering damage. Abilities with a beneficial effect on life grant an instance of [Resistant] to the target.

    <ul>

    <li>[Soul of the Healer] (boon, holy, stacking): Bonus to the [Recovery] and [Spirit] attributes. Additional instances have a cumulate effect.</li>

    <li>[Resistant] (boon, holy, stacking): Resistance to afflictions is increased. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. Consumed to negate instances of [Vulnerable] on a 1:1 basis.</li>

    </ul>

    --------

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    He and Beorn transformed into paladins of white and gold flames. His large Guardian Shield floated at his side, protecting him both from line of sight spells, attacks, and projectiles.

    --------

    Ability: [Guardian Shield]

    Essence: Immortal

    Awakening Stone: Guardian

    Conjuration (shield)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: 5 minutes

    Effect (Iron): Conjure a floating shield that can withstand a large amount of damage. The shield will automatically float in a location around the conjurer to intercept attacks, or it can be actively controlled. The shield can be healed to restore its integrity. When the shield is destroyed, it cannot be reconjured until its cooldown ends. If the shield has not been destroyed, it can be reconjured at any time, at a moderate mana cost. The shield regenerates durability slowly while not conjured.

    Effect (Bronze): When the shield is damaged, it inflicts retributive damage to the attacker proportional to the damage and type of damage inflicted on it. This effect ignores the shield¡¯s own damage mitigation. The shield can be bestowed onto an ally but cannot be actively controlled by the ally. The shield can still be actively controlled by the conjurer when bestowed.

    --------

    Since John had so many healing abilities, only the most concentrated of fire could destroy his shield. The four-person iron ranker team he was fighting had opted for an escalation and sustain combination. Out escalating a healer was one way to defeat a healer, but John was no slouch in damage in short range. Not compared to the likes of Encio, but Solar Judgement was a potent weapon, equivalent to a powerful special attack.

    John wasn¡¯t fast, so the two defenders were able to keep up with him, especially with the boons from their friend. However, Beorn was so fast and powerful in rage mode that he, like Graff had been able to, was able to smack the defenders back. He held fast, bearing the flames licking off of both Beorn¡¯s and John¡¯s bodies. While their match up was one that could go either way, the students had been lucky they weren¡¯t fire essence users. John¡¯s stacking resistance combined with his Celestial Flame Mantle boon would have drastically cut the effectiveness of all fire damage.

    The battle between John¡¯s cleansing and resistance and the student¡¯s afflictions wore on, but the student¡¯s afflictions would win out eventually; that was in part the whole reason affliction specialists existed¡ªto punch through all cleansing with overwhelming afflictions, to slay those more powerful through attrition. John could reset his progress once or twice, depending on whether he could pull off a mid-combat Grand Ritual.

    John needed to make his move¡ªto take a proactive approach to battle he wasn¡¯t used to adopting.

    The afflictions on John approached critical mass, damage outpacing his healing for the first time since the start of the fight. His very flesh rotted off his bones, and his open wounds festered and bled; he was surprised as his own resilience. Nara had mentioned the strange sensation¡ªa survival mechanism. He felt it now too, as he had with Siyu; His rotted flesh did not bother him as much as it should have. He still felt the pain¡ªstinging, consuming, and corrosive. And he smelled the air, thick with the rot of his own body. John had always been tough, but not to this extent. It seemed normal essence users did not necessarily possess the same mental resilience, although well-trained ones did. His nature as a healer reassured him, an aloe balm and rock-steady foundation in the back of his mind¡ª"All of this is temporary and healable¡±, his Renewal Essence whispered, washed away like dirt in a spring rain.

    He dashed away, taking distance and sending Beorn in the opposite direction. The defenders converged on John, ignoring Beorn. He had sent Beorn off into the distance, entirely away from the battle. If John¡¯s ramping familiar wasn¡¯t attacking their support and affliction teammates, they didn¡¯t care to stop him.

    Once Beorn was far enough way down the long main street, John leapt up, his bronze rank strength shooting him upwards like a professional volleyball player. He quickly conjured a pair of binoculars, then teleported to Beorn.

    -------

    Ability: [Safeguard]

    Essence: Magic

    Awakening Stone: Reach

    Special Ability

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Teleport to an ally or teleport an ally to yourself. Both the target and you gain temporarily increased resistance to damage.

    Effect (Bronze): Able to bring along a group of nearby people or teleport a group of clustered people to yourself (up to 10 iron rank individuals). Both you and teleported individuals gain a mild heal-over-time effect.

    --------

    He took one of the defenders with him, immediately sandwiching him between two flaming bronze rankers. He did, unfortunately, have to use an item (a Mancatcher) to pull an enemy along in this sort of teleport, but thankfully, it¡¯d not be used up in a mirage chamber fight. It¡¯d be consumable otherwise. He¡¯d hoped to not have to use it, but it was a good reminder to the students that as much as they could use potions, restoratives, and other consumables, so could their enemies of higher rank.

    John pulled out his trusty shotgun.

    ¡°Say hello to my little friend.¡±

    -------

    Item: [Solar Judgement] (bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon, gun, fire, holy

    Description: A magic weapon modeled after a Winchester Model 12 pump action shotgun. The sun bestows both life and fire.

    Effect: Generates 7-rounds of sunfire flak every 5 minutes for a moderate mana cost. Otherwise, can shoot normal flak dealing physical damage for a low mana consumption per shot.

    Effect: Sunfire flak deals massive disruptive-force and fire damage in a wide-range conical area. Damage is considered holy damage and has increased effectiveness against the undead or unholy beings.

    Effect (Iron): Shotgun blasts knock back nearby projectiles and enemies.

    Effect (Bronze): Sunfire flak additionally inflicts [Burning]. Sunfire flak does increased damage to [Burning] targets.

    <ul>

    <li>[Burning] (affliction, damage-over-time, fire): Inflicts ongoing fire damage.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    John unloaded his shotgun into the student, shooting blasts of sunfire at near point blank. John didn¡¯t have the methods Nara had to deny teleportation with Inescapable. He had to make use of simple line of sight manipulation.

    Most teleportation abilities, especially those that teleported others like his own and Aliyah¡¯s Juxtapose, required sight of the target. With his massive shield, Beorn¡¯s large body, and John¡¯s own body, he blocked line of sight to the student trapped between him and Beorn. The support teammate had a teleportation ability, and this is what John had to do to separate one of their team, otherwise, he would have been the first to lose on their team. A long, excruciatingly slow loss, but a loss nonetheless.

    He had intentionally sent Beorn so far away that he needed binoculars so that their support teammate couldn¡¯t see their teammate at this distance. Combined with the body blocking, it was enough to deny a teleportation save (or any other high-speed intervention, Encio style) and secure a kill.

    He stepped over the charred corpse of a teenager, feeling complicated inside but also unwilling to relent. He reminded himself that this was just a simulation, and that their defeat¡ªtheir death¡ªin this mirage would teach them what mistakes not to make in the future, so that they¡¯d live then.

    Since he had more than enough distance, and the students had to take time to reorganize, he set up and cast Grand Renewal.

    -------

    Ability: [Grand Renewal]

    Essence: Renewal

    Awakening Stone: Life

    Spell (healing, ritual)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 1 hour

    Effect (Iron): Conduct a powerful healing ritual that cleanses all afflictions. This ability takes the place of the ritual¡¯s material components.

    Effect (Bronze): The ritual circle is magically drawn, allowing the ritual to be more quickly enacted and in less ideal conditions.

    -------

    His rotten flesh revitalized, like a basil plant returning to life after watered. All afflictions were purged, and his health reached peak capacity. Combined with Avatar of Healing, John resistance was so high that only an ability that ignored resistance like Nara¡¯s Avatar of the Boundary effects could get past them. It¡¯d take longer this second time to wear him down, although it¡¯d still eventually happen.

    ¡°Just four was a little mean,¡± John muttered to himself. If they had five members, then even if one had been defeated, they could¡¯ve kept their formation. It was still possible to defeat a bronze ranker with three people, but it was tight, requiring no mistakes.

    The students were highly skilled, and they persisted. John thought they would have given up then. But this was training; there was no meaning if they had given up. They were dutiful students, seizing every bit of this learning opportunity they could.

    John could repeat this tactic one more time with Dawn of Creation as his cleansing ability. However, John soon learned that was too predictable of a mindset. The next time he sent Beorn away, the supporter switch-teleported Beorn and the tank, preferring to leave Beorn together with John than allowing them to separate.

    ¡°Smart lad,¡± John muttered.

    He had no idea where their affliction specialists was hiding in town, secretly casting his spells from safety as the other three, now two, distracted him. He had not Nara¡¯s aura, Encio¡¯s speed, nor Eufemia¡¯s wiles to suss out the member. As long as the affliction specialist survived, the students had a shot at winning. John¡¯s high resistance slowed the pace of his rotting afflictions the second time around, but they¡¯d punch through eventually.

    John used his second trump card, Hero¡¯s Moment.

    The supporter had just used Juxtapose to swap Beorn and the defender and had some time before his cooldown recovered.

    Hero¡¯s Moment was a bit wasted on Beorn, but John had no other option. He was a worse target to use it on than Beorn.

    -------

    Ability: [Hero¡¯s Moment]

    Essence: Immortal

    Awakening Stone: Potent

    Spell

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 1 hour

    Effect (Iron): Bestow a powerful boon on an ally, increasing all attributes and resistances by a significant amount. They receive damage reduction, their maximum mana and stamina are increased and they gain ongoing mana and stamina recovery. They ignore the effects of rank-disparity. When this effect ends, they are temporarily debilitated, suffering the inverse of all previous effects.

    Effect (Bronze): Affected ally¡¯s essence abilities have increased effect.

    -------

    Beorn, with his already boosted attributes from rage mode, pushed into silver rank attribute levels. He shot towards the approaching defender in a blitz of speed John couldn¡¯t quite believe a bear could manage (although he¡¯d seen nature documentaries, and those beasts could be frighteningly fast when they want to be). He was a massive brown cannonball moving at the speed of a bullet; a speed so fast John could barely keep up with him, even with his increased perceptiveness thanks to his increased Spirit attribute.

    Beorn didn¡¯t even need to attack. The impact of his charge smashed the iron ranker, killing him on impact like kia compacted flat by an 18-wheeler truck.

    With no defenders to distract John from his search, John could expand his aura to locate the iron rank affliction specialist, who had been hiding the entire time. He wasn¡¯t as good at using his aura for detection as Nara was, but the whole team had been practicing. It was when separated that competency in an essence users full breadth of skills was necessary. John may usually be with a teammate, but this mirage battle reaffirmed Sen¡¯s almost religious insistence of well-roundedness.

    *****

    John joined Nara, sitting with her and Adelina with the other students.

    ¡°Oof. I need a sit down after that. Never feels right killing kids, even if it is all a mirage.¡±

    ¡°Those most likely to harm the students won¡¯t share that reservation,¡± said Adelina.

    ¡°I know,¡± John sighed. ¡°I get it, but it still feels strange to me. I would¡¯ve preferred it if they had surrendered.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s best they didn¡¯t,¡± Adelina denied, eyes fixed on the mirage chamber viewing projections. ¡°Experience against a bronze ranker is rare. Even if it¡¯s a losing battle, it¡¯s best they gain as much experience as possible.¡±

 Chapter 157: Dealing with Trap Masters

    Chapter 157: Dealing with Trap Masters

    ¡°Your fight against John was just a bad matchup,¡± Adelina said simply, to the four who were so close, the closest yet, but still had not won. The four students were understandably disgruntled, and slightly more resistant to criticisms, as it is harder to say they did anything wrong when the match had been so close. They were still beaten, however, and obediently sat and listened to Adelina¡¯s debrief.

    ¡°But we had an affliction specialist!¡± A student protested, although she could not argue with the results.

    ¡°Ordinarily,¡± Adelina lectured, ¡°an affliction specialist is ideal for targets above your rank. Against a healer, the story changes. It¡¯s not true for all healers, but it was the case for John, who had two full cleanses, and multiple lesser cleansing abilities. You would have had a better chance of success with traditional attackers.¡±

    Adelina continued, her gaze shifting over the dejected students, ¡°There will always be cases of a bad matchup. Sometimes, there will be no choice but to fight, but if you see no hope of success and have the option to do so run. John does not specialize in speed. Outrunning him is an option.¡± She smiled gently. ¡°I know this was a match, so running was not an option. Well done all of you.¡±

    They were the first to receive such glowing praise, and the four previously dejected students, brightened up, shining with blatant and bashful smiles.

    John¡¯s opponents made the least number of mistakes but were victims of poor luck. Even if it was a battle between more ordinary frontlines, like Sen, John may have still been able to win.

    *****

    Aliyah¡¯s fight was the next, fighting five. The stage was a blank arena, like Nara¡¯s. Nara didn¡¯t know if that was beneficial or detrimental to her fighting style. But Aliyah had also slaughtered wind and water elementals in the air and above the sea, so location seemed to matter little for her style of trap casting.

    They started the same as her, a decent distance apart. The students were cautious, eying Aliyah for her next move. She stooped down, and chanted.

    ¡°Emplace a mark of power.¡±

    She placed a Rune Trap, then stood and waited. The students didn¡¯t move, turning the arena into a silent standoff. Another minute passed, Aliyah stepped back a few steps, stooped down again, and placed another Rune Trap.

    --------

    Ability: [Rune Trap]

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Emplace the mark of power.¡±

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: 1 minute

    Effect (Iron): Create an explosive rune that will disappear after a short period. The rune can be set to trigger by proximity, caster trigger, or both.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by the rune trap will be the source of a secondary explosion after a brief period.

    -------

    She looked at them, unperturbed.

    The second Rune Trap acted as some sort of signal. The students realized they could no longer delay their advance, nor expect any further revelation.

    The students dashed forward. The two vanguards split around the Rune Traps, and students followed behind in a lane, like a divided freeway. With a surge of magic and another incantation, Aliyah cast Wrath of the Magister down one lane, but it didn¡¯t kill any students.

    At low ranks, physical damage had the advantage. Non-physical damage, like that of magical spells, was spread over a larger surface area, save for pinpoint shots like Eufemia¡¯s Light Ray. This meant that getting an instantaneous kill was more difficult for Aliyah, though a well-placed Rune Trap would do the trick with its overwhelming explosive damage.

    Thus began a game with cat and mouse, with Aliyah as the singular mouse and five cats. Mana Rebirth¡¯s attribute enhancing effect maintained a speed advantage, but Aliyah was not inexhaustible like Nara or Sen, and speed increasing powers were popular¡ªof which, the students had some.

    ¡°Hm?¡± Nara observed that every minute, Aliyah would quietly chant, tap her foot, and place a Rune Trap.

    Aliyah had intentionally stooped the first two times to engrave the image of using her hand to place the Rune Traps. Other students may have that ability; it was a common spell, but the power of repetitive suggestion and patterns in tense encounters overwrote their better logic.

    ¡°How tricky,¡± Adelina said knowingly, head tilted into her palm and with a sly expression. ¡°I wonder if they can remember all those positions after running around? Especially with no other visual indicators, in a blank arena?¡±

    Aliyah was tired, visibly panting; she had high mana regeneration, but her stamina regeneration was ordinary. The students were similar, but they had the advantage of teammates helping with their recovery. Aliyah conjured her Force Tether in front of her, but the students nimbly dodged back. It was a common trap ability, and it fooled no one at this stage of the battle.

    -------

    Ability: [Force Tether]

    Essence: Gathering

    Awakening Stone: Trap

    Conjuration (trap)

    Cost: Low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjures a crystal rod, from which a tether of shimmering force connects to all nearby enemies within a moderate range. Tethered enemies are dragged toward the rod, which is protected by a force field that inflicts moderate resonating force-damage to anyone in contact with it. If the force-field is ruptured, it explodes in a wave of resonating-force damage. If the rod is destroyed or removed from its location, then it explodes in a wave of disruptive-force damage. Dimensional displacement, such as teleportation, severs the tether. Untethered enemies who enter within range of the rod become tethered. Only one force tether rod may exist at a time.

    Effect (Bronze): Strength and pulling force of the tether is increased.

    -------

    Ensi, Aliyah¡¯s dragon familiar, had remained high above the entire match, flinging down blades of wind from above from a safe distance. She may be a dragon familiar, but she did not compare to a real dragon in hardiness. The students largely ignored the dragon, adeptly handling the bronze rank wind blades in the midst of Aliyah¡¯s carpet bombing Mana Bursts.

    Aliyah faltered from a strike, frozen momentarily in place with an ability, and her Force Tether had been destroyed. The students saw their chance, advancing in. They would be the once to secure the first win for the students. Victory was within grasp, and their muscles flexed in desire of it.

    Ensi swooped in from behind, a blitz of speed thanks to her wind elemental enhancements, and unleashed a wind breath attack, blasting the students forward with a tearing vortex.

    Aliyah conjured her Force Vortex, the suction plus pulling force trapping the students inside. They could resist the pull of one perhaps, but the combination of both effects overwhelmed their defenses. A student still managed to smash the vortex core like a golfer with the strength of a body builder, and a team member¡¯s resistance and power spell prevented them from being blown in different directions, maintaining their formation.

    Aliyah instantly negated the destruction of the conjuration, re-trapping the students that had denied the original force eruption.

    Both sides were focused, fighting what both instinctually felt was the impetus of the match, what victory and defeat hinged upon. If the students could hold out here, they may yet finish their bronze ranker and secure the first win for the student side.

    With the students temporarily fixed in place, Aliyah drew a circle in the air of magic light, activating and summoning her Arcane Constructs. She wouldn¡¯t be able to modify then, but even as their basketball-sized steampunk quidditch ball forms, they still had use to her.

    ¡°Emplace a mark of power,¡± she chanted, tapping the surface of one of her constructs, again, with a hand. The six constructs swirled, mixing the one with the rune up. The students didn¡¯t know which one was which, but they prepared themselves for the blast, weapons and shields ready as the constructs zipped towards them at varying starting distances and speeds.

    Mana, burst forth. Aliyah silently chanted Mana Burst. All spells had to be chanted, but silent chants were possible, although they greatly raised the difficulty of casting the spell. They still required the gathering of mana, so silent chanting wouldn¡¯t skip the incantation, just eliminate the noise. Most didn¡¯t bother to learn to silent chant unless they were a dedicated caster or a healer, and even then, situations were rare where it made a difference. At silver rank, after all, cutting the throat did not impede breathing nor speaking.

    -------

    Ability: [Mana Burst]

    Essence: Gathering

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Mana, burst forth.¡± / ¡°Burst.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana / High mana / Very high mana / Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds / 20 seconds / 10 seconds / None

    Effect (Iron): Briefly gather mana at a location, the detonate it, dealing large disruptive-force and explosive damage in an area.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by the burst are the source of secondary, delayed explosions.

    -------

    The blast caught the students off guard; they had been expecting a drone flown explosive delivery, but Aliyah¡¯s Mana Burst detonated her own Force Tether before the Arcane Constructs made contact. The students were blown apart, sent flying by the massive resulting explosion. One instantly died, the combined explosive and resonating-force damage smashing through armor, flesh, and bone.

    Another one died to the kamikaze construct, which detonated right next to a student who couldn¡¯t find their footing in time.

    Three remained.

    Aliyah restored her mana with Arcane Orb, then used Juxtapose to swap herself with another student. The moment they swapped places, the Rune Trap Aliyah had been standing on detonated, killing another.

    The two remaining students scrambled to their feet, terrified, back-to-back, as if they¡¯d stave off Aliyah¡¯s ranged explosive magic by watching each other¡¯s sixes. The entire battlefield was a mine field, and they didn¡¯t have sniffer dogs or photographic memories.

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    They were dead men standing.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Adelina said softly, with a commiserating smile, ¡°Those two can¡¯t remember.¡±

    *****

    ¡°Now students,¡± Adelina said, cheery in contrast to the turbid mood, ¡°What did we learn from this?¡±

    The students, ever studious, still responded. Which Nara¡¯s match had been a demonstration of precision skill, Aliyah¡¯s battle had been a masterclass in strategy and intelligence, which hit differently. It reminded them that they were stupid.

    ¡°Remember the position of traps?¡± One surly responded.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get turned around running around?¡± One, with a little bit more energy and humor, offered up.

    ¡°Those are both correct answers,¡± Adelina clapped approvingly. ¡°The plain arena made it easy to forget where Miss Sahar placed her traps, didn¡¯t it? But if you had fought in a town or forest, do you think it would have been better or worse?¡±

    The students were animated¡ªboth those being debriefed and those who had watched. Aliyah was a no-name adventurer, not famous in any way (only known by those like Lawrence, in the magic research community), but her fight had been visually spectacular¡ªof dragons, flying constructs, explosions, and rainbow spells¡ªa combination of both overwhelming power in magic and a strategic mind. Casters usually didn¡¯t fare so well out in the open, without allies to distract or protect them, but Aliyah had sauntered through her own traps, creating her own protection and obstacles in open space. Her fighting style was decisive, not as a result of sneak attacks like Nara, but of intelligence and judgement. The many scholarship students of the De Luca Academy, similarly non-noble in name, found her as a sparkling role model and attainable goal.

    Sen had managed to shape Aliyah into somebody that would fare well in such combat, and the students saw as much, wanting to emulate her.

    John held his head in his hands, slumped over and muttering something about, ¡°scarring children for life¡± and ¡°a fresh emotional scar during formative years¡±.

    Nara pat his back reassuringly.

    *****

    Vera sat across from an imposingly beautiful celestine, whose crossed legs and haughty posture sent a chill down her spine. Her pale skin evoked the terrifying beauty of annihilation and ashes, with matching violet-red hair and eyes richer than fresh blood.

    She couldn¡¯t understand why a mimicry specialist would chose to reveal her abilities. Eufemia Teresina could copy the abilities of any ally, as long as she knew the ability. With Enciodes Aciano on her team, they had to watch for the distinct possibility that she had copied his signature attacks.

    The celestine grinned; Vera must have imagined the sharpened canines. She was a celestine not a leonid.

    ¡°Since it seems you all have an unmistakable attraction to open spaces and inevitable defeat, why don¡¯t we fight there too?¡± she grinned, her tone the unassuming purr of a lioness toying with her prey.

    ¡°No, definitely not an open field,¡± Vera said, holding her calm, careful not to reveal to much of her own emotions with verbal haste. The open field was Encio¡¯s hunting grounds. They¡¯d be fish in a barrel.

    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re looking to become Enciodes Aciano Part II?¡± she said. Her voice wasn¡¯t taunting, yet Vera felt like it was, pinpointing their sensitivities. ¡°A forest then?¡± She said with an enchantingly attractive tone, leaning forward and gazing into Vera¡¯s eyes, who flinched backwards.

    She felt like a mouse pressed beneath the paws of a nonchalant cat. Would she be killed, or released?

    ¡°Not a forest,¡± she said hurriedly, and chastised herself for losing her cool, aware that she was losing the match before the match. But¡­she had seen how Enciodes annihilated his opposition of eight. And this was a transformation and mimicry specialist; she¡¯d surpass the young duke Aciano in stealth.

    ¡°Well,¡± Eufemia scoffed, leaning back, her claws releasing to allow Vera to breathe. ¡°You have to choose something. Make up your mind.¡±

    Vera wracked her mind for something neutral, not open space, but not a forest. The team against the healer had done well, ¡°¡ªa town. We chose a town as our battlefield. Do you agree?¡±

    She pursed her lips, thinking. ¡°I don¡¯t think it really makes a difference to me, now does it? I¡¯m letting you chose,¡± she said tapping Vera lightly on the nose like she was bopping the nose of an animal. ¡°Are you sure you want a town? Maybe¡­¡± she paused, mockingly contemplative, ¡°We could do the school grounds of the De Luca Academy. Is that advantage enough?¡±

    ¡°We fight in a town,¡± Vera said, wanting to snap back at the celestine but not quite having the nerve, nor wanting to show such obvious weakness. As the leader of the team, she needed to be confident. Yes, a town would be best. The school grounds would be too shameful of an advantage.

    ¡°Very well,¡± she purred, her perpetual smirk not belying of whether Vera¡¯s choice had been a mistake. ¡°I assent.¡±

    *****

    The town was low and flat; buildings were two stories tall at best, yet still squat in construction, unlike the grandiose domed structures of Saggia. Sunlight bled through sparse trees, bleaching the town of color. It was empty; Vera hadn¡¯t intended it to be so eerie.

    They awoke across from each other, the celestine a few hundred feet away on the main street running through the center of the town. She winked, then relaxedly sauntered off while the rest stood agape at her.

    ¡°¡­she¡¯s gone,¡± Diego said, ¡°Now what?¡±

    ¡°We wait,¡± Vera said. ¡°If we try to go into that town now, we¡¯re going to get ambushed. Identify cover, and split if she tries to launch God-Sundering Slash or Vorpal Slash. The streets are wide, and there¡¯s elevation. We have enough room to dodge.¡±

    Diego nodded.

    They didn¡¯t have to wait long for the first attack. Light Rays shot from rooftops tracing an arc downwards as Eufemia landed in the center of town. She conjured a familiar black sheath.

    ¡°It¡¯s coming!¡± Vera shouted, ¡°Vorpal Slash!¡±

    She unleashed it early instead of charging it, catching the iron rankers off guard. They managed to dash, teleport, or dive out of the way; without Encio¡¯s increased projectile speed, the attack was more forgiving.

    Vera¡¯s eyes widened when Iker¡¯s body was split in two by an attack coming from a perpendicular direction. It was God-Sundering Slash.

    His body was bisected next to her, his upper torso dropping into the alleyway, unsupported by his separated lower half. His blood pooled from his body, surprising her hand with it¡¯s warmth, and she stifled a scream.

    The attack had come from within a building, Vera realized. God-Sundering Slash bypassed physical obstructions. They were so focused on the Vorpal Slash¡ªmost likely her familiar¡ªthat they missed the true threat. They had expended their movement abilities getting out of the way, and Eufemia seized that chance.

    Vera peeked back around the alleyway; the familiar was gone from the center of the main road. They were back to square one¡ªno, they were worse off than they had started. Vera had the sinking realization that they were inevitable prey, no matter how hard she¡¯d fought to avoid this fate before. Her earlier instinct was accurate, and that realization coursed through her blood with a permafrost chill.

    She steadied her breathing, and regrouped with her remaining team. They still had four members.

    ¡°What do we do?¡± Chisa asked with a quiet dread. ¡°How do we stop her from doing that again?¡±

    ¡°We need an open field,¡± Vera said.

    ¡°Is that really the best plan?¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t hide in an open field.¡±

    ¡°But what about¡­that ability?¡±

    Vera shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s better than not knowing where she is.¡±

    She shouldn¡¯t have been so wary of the open arena. She should have chosen that. What was she thinking?

    Thankfully, the town they had chosen for a battlefield was small. If they continued down the main street, they¡¯d make it out and into some emptier landscape, space between the town and the surrounding forest.

    They moved carefully, familiars watching their backs as they advanced forward. Another of her teammates had Rune Trap, so they couldn¡¯t be too careful. Diego was casting a detection spell periodically and using his sharper senses to scout the battlefield. They hadn¡¯t seen her place any¡­but would they notice a bronze rank disguise specialist?

    Vera felt she was moving at the same pace as the sweat that crawled down her back. They stepped cautiously forward, auras and abilities straining to detect anything at all.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Diego whispered, ¡°I sense something. A Rune Trap, I think. Up ahead, on the side of that building.¡±

    ¡°Right in our way,¡± Vera said. ¡°Can we walk on the far side of the street an avoid the blast?¡±

    Diego nodded and checked the street for its size. ¡°The street is wide enough. We¡¯ll avoid the blast.¡±

    She glanced around for other options. If the trap was nearby, so was Eufemia¡ªjumping upwards to scale the buildings would leave them too open to God-Sundering Slash, and other alleyways off the side of the street were even more narrow, with no guarantee of clear passage. This street was their best bet.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Vera said tightly. ¡°Persevere for a little while longer. She¡¯ll make another move while the trap goes off. Stay focused.¡±

    Her team nodded.

    As predicted, once they moved perpendicular to the trap, it went off. A cloud of dust and debris spilled out across the street, temporarily obscuring their vision. Vera made out a figure in the dust between coughs.

    ¡°It¡¯s coming! I don¡¯t know which! Chisa, magical defenses up!¡±

    ¡°I got it!¡±

    Chisa¡¯s most powerful shield manifested. The slash split through the dust, breaking the shield in a hair-raising smash, but otherwise dealing no damage, entirely negated.

    ¡°Emplace a mark of power.¡±

    Vera heard a chant. Shortly afterwards, another Rune Trap exploded, exacerbating the dust. The vision was obscured, the thick beige dust making teleportation difficult as they couldn¡¯t see their destinations.

    She heard another chant, but the words were indistinct in the chaos. Suddenly, she was teleported.

    ¡°Chisa!? Diego!? Gael?¡± Vera called out.

    ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± Chisa shouted.

    ¡°Chisa,¡± Vera said warily, fingers tight on her weapon, ready to strike. ¡°The password?¡±

    ¡°Four sandwiches and a smoothie,¡± Chisa whispered back.

    ¡°Good, good,¡± Vera said, releasing a shaky breath, and some of her tension.

    ¡°Vera?¡±

    Vera¡¯s blood froze when she heard another Chisa calling out to her from the dust. She looked at Chisa beside her, and she nodded.

    ¡°Chisa,¡± Vera whispered, ¡°We need to go hard and fast. Before she catches on that I¡¯ve already found you. I¡¯m going to pretend I don¡¯t know who¡¯s who, but on my signal, we attack.¡±

    Chisa nodded, gripping her staff.

    ¡°Vera!¡± the other Chisa exclaimed, ¡°I was worried I wouldn¡¯t find¡­you.¡± The other Chisa froze when she saw the Chisa beside Vera. ¡°Vera,¡± she said slowly, ¡°That¡¯s not me.¡±

    Vera stepped away from the Chisa at her side, the Real Chisa. ¡°We can sort this out.¡±

    ¡°Vera, come this way. I¡¯m serious,¡± Other Chisa said, palm outwards as if that ward away an attack.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to stand between the two of you. I¡¯m going to need the password from both of you.¡±

    ¡°Vera,¡± the other Chisa said with a warning tone, ¡°I¡¯m the real one, you need to let me say the password first, otherwise she¡¯s going to know it.¡±

    Eufemia was a bronze ranker; she likely heard Chisa when she whispered the password in the dust. She was trying to seize the initiative by offering up the password first to confuse her, Vera thought.

    She held out her arm behind her back, signaling.

    3¡­2¡­1!

    Vera leapt forwards, her fists and legs powered like they had jet boosters strapped to them. Her punch met Chisa¡¯s face, warping her look of surprise like a surrealist portrait. When she felt bone crunch, she knew something was wrong. She shouldn¡¯t be able to fracture the bones of a bronze ranker with one hit.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± a voice crawled up her skin like a horror crystal projection show, ¡°You are all sooo predictable.¡±

    A dagger shoved up through her back avoiding the bone of her spine and rib cage, and punctured her heart.

    ¡°How did¡­you know?¡± Vera gasped, mind whirring through the pain.

    ¡°The battle doesn¡¯t start on the battlefield, sweetie,¡± Eufemia whispered, sweet and cruel. ¡°Not for my kind. You knew my abilities, and this was the best you could do?¡±

    Her face was right next to hers, the red stark burning her eyes like fire through dust.

    ¡°Did you even scratch my clothes?¡±

    *****

    Eufemia walked to the seats, sitting down with an exhausted sigh. She rolled her eyes at the students that trailed after her like zombified chicks.

    ¡°Oh please, that¡¯s all it takes to get you down?¡± she scoffed. ¡°You¡¯ve never been insulted and taunted before? Such precious little princes and princesses. Grow up.¡±

    Not only had Eufemia defeated them, but she had also crushed their spirits, hopefully temporarily. Adelina had said to crush their opponents, and Eufemia had been the one to do so thoroughly, taking care to defeat both mind and body.

    ¡°How did you know?¡± Vera repeated, still distraught.

    Eufemia snorted, ¡°Sage?¡±

    ¡°I am at your service, miss Teresina.¡± A robe of silver unfurled as if it had coalesced from dust in the air.

    ¡°I had Sage spy on you all while you were discussing you¡¯re little ¡®secret password¡¯.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s cheating!¡± Iker protested, indignant. ¡°The match hadn¡¯t even started yet!¡±

    ¡°The match started the moment you saw Eufemia¡¯s abilities,¡± Adelina chastised. ¡°Why do you think she, a disguise and mimicry specialist, even let you see them? Did you not think it was odd?¡±

    ¡°It was odd,¡± Vera admitted. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t think much of it. Maybe, that she was overconfident? She¡­seemed the type.¡±

    It was part of Eufemia¡¯s mask to play up her pride and confidence. Part of that was the real her¡ªshe was confident and prideful, but those were aspects of herself she removed as easily as changing clothes.

    ¡°Eufemia, could you explain?¡±

    ¡°I know you all had prince Aciano on your minds. He¡¯s pretty I know. You shouldn¡¯t let his appearance distract you,¡± she tutted.

    ¡°Young duke Aciano,¡± someone absently corrected.

    ¡°Whatever. You had prince-y on your minds, and you just couldn¡¯t forget. So I made use of that. You saw his overwhelming victory in the forest and got it in your minds that a forest would be a bad choice.¡±

    ¡°It is a bad choice,¡± Vera defended.

    ¡°It is,¡± Eufemia acknowledged smoothly, ¡°but you also thought an open arena was a bad choice too, because of Encio¡¯s abilities. You went for the middle ground¡ªa town.¡±

    ¡°It has open spaces and nearby cover.¡±

    ¡°Stop trying to justify the decisions that led to your loss,¡± Eufemia countered.

    Vera bowed her head and quieted.

    ¡°An open field would have been the better choice,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°You still wouldn¡¯t have won¡ªthat¡¯s the point. You¡¯re supposed to lose.¡±

    Adelina arched up an eyebrow.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your student,¡± Eufemia taunted, eyes flashing with challenge, ¡°and you didn¡¯t tell us to keep it a secret.¡±

    ¡°I suppose I can learn a lesson today too,¡± Adelina mused.

    Eufemia jabbed a finger at Vera, ¡°It doesn¡¯t change the fact that you lost badly. Worse than you would have lost in an open arena. Look at John¡ªhis match was even. His opponents fought well, even in a bad match up. They had a good tactic, and they had no idea what they were facing.¡± She scrunched her face, ¡°Well, they got lucky. If they had to face Nara or Sen, they would¡¯ve been annihilated. So, I used prince-y¡¯s notoriety to force out the option of an open field. I suggested the open field first, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°You did,¡± Vera said, obediently answering when Eufemia posed her question.

    ¡°If it comes from me, it sounds worse, doesn¡¯t it? That¡¯s manipulation. You¡¯d best teach some to your students sometime. In fact, whoever taught Encio should teach them.¡±

    Adelina chuckled. ¡°Wisteria then? I¡¯ll have to see if she¡¯s willing to be a guest professor.¡±

    ¡°Bribe her with snacks or something or win a bet. If you can win,¡± Nara suggested helpfully.

    ¡°If you were so confident in winning,¡± Iker challenged, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just let us choose the open field?¡±

    ¡°Are you stupid? I did let you choose.¡±

    Iker clamped his mouth shut.

    ¡°But I know what you mean. I¡¯m not an oblivious airhead.¡± She sighed dramatically, ever the actress, then jabbed an accusing finger out. ¡°You are adventurers in training. When do you choose the plan with a lower chance of success? For fun? Let the enemy fight back a little? Play with your food?¡±

    ¡°¡­No,¡± he admitted. ¡°You choose the best plan.¡±

    ¡°So you do know. Good for you, we can salvage your education yet.¡±

    Adelina raised a bit of an eyebrow at that, but Eufemia held the stare, unintimidated. Adelina snorted, finding Eufemia¡¯s insult amusing. Their education could always improve, after all. She¡¯d not allow for stagnation.

    Adelina clapped her hands together once, dispelling the tension. ¡°There¡¯s a lot to learn from this match. We¡¯ll go over it in class. For now, why don¡¯t we all take a break before the final match?¡±

 Chapter 158: Fairness is For Allies

    Chapter 158: Fairness is For Allies

    Sen¡¯s battle mirrored Nara, although the specifics of his fighting style was different. While Nara was evasive, Sen was sturdy and powerful. He wielded his heavy staff with inconceivable lightness and practiced form, smashing the skulls of his opponents in a single crushing blow. Sen had more immediate damage than Nara in his special attacks, and Weight Manipulation plus Sen¡¯s massive strength proved effective at flinging away troublesome students.

    Like Nara, Sen abused the fragility of iron rankers, reaching for as many instant-kills as possible. If the students did not learn from Nara¡¯s battle to avoid near-dodges, they were punished for it again with Sen¡¯s Staff of Duality.

    --------

    Ability: [Staff of Duality]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: Staff

    Conjuration (weapon, affliction, dispel)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Searing Cold, the [Staff of Duality]]. [Searing Cold] can generate either a blade of condensed flame or a shell of cold on the weapon, costing low mana-per-second for either effect. The blade of condensed flame inflicts additional heat damage. The shell of cold inflicts additional cold damage. This is a heavy weapon.

    Effect (Bronze): When enhanced with condensed flame, special attacks additionally dispel a stacking boon from the target. When enhanced with the cold shell, special attacks inflict an instance of [Deep Cold].

    <ul>

    <li>[Deep Cold] (affliction, unholy, ice, stacking): Suffer cold damage-over-time. Penalty to the [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    --------

    He used the searing edge of flame of his weapon, suddenly extending the staff into a glaive to catch a student in the head. Even without the blade, Sen¡¯s crushing staff and superhuman strength to the fragile human skull was a lethal and gory combination.

    Adelina shook her head, sighing, ¡°Some lessons just need to be learned twice.¡±

    ¡°More like beat into them. Physically,¡± John commiserated. John of course, was against corporal punishment.

    ¡°Whatever stops them from dying from that mistake later.¡±

    John would never be satisfied with the realities of adventuring on Erras. It was a difference in culture he could not adapt to, like Nara had. When asked, she said, ¡°Why worry about something I cannot change?¡±

    John, world-hopping detective, father of two, could not think the same. He worried about the students, but also understood they were here willingly, especially the scholarship students.

    Nara felt a little bad for the students as they were pummeled into crunchy pastes by a Sen that broke blood but not sweat; their team had fought two bronze rank essence users when they were iron rank: Graff and Siyu. Both were untrained essence users, and they didn¡¯t have the skill to deal lethal blows past essence user¡¯s defenses. Sen could recognize a wide breadth of abilities by sight alone thanks to the hours he spent perusing the Magic Society¡¯s records while young and also seeing them in mirage chamber battles, both at the Academy and at his own home, saturated with essence users of many different powers.

    His significant resilience thanks to his aura, his Physical Zeal racial (Power also increased toughness), his conjured armor and its conferring resistances, the additional damage resistance from Wrath¡¯s Respite, the effects of Karmic Warrior, his deflections, and his various recovery-over-time effects meant that even if Sen suffered a hit, it was not lethal, and if it was not lethal, he¡¯d quickly recover. Sen was an absolute pain in the ass to fight, an unrelenting bruiser of resilience, skill, power, and speed, and the students hadn¡¯t had to face someone like him yet, who mastered all the foundations of his archetype and added more.

    Both Graff and Siyu had relied on their intrinsically higher strength and reflexes. Graff had brutal, crushing attacks that Nara would have died from if not for John¡¯s healing and shields. Sen knew well enough how to protect his head and vitals. Siyu didn¡¯t have as high of a strength but made up for it in number of allies. If it wasn¡¯t for Ranshi, there would have been a disaster.

    Especially iron rank, a well trained bronze ranker was so much more dangerous.

    *****

    The rest of the academy dispersed back to their regular classes.

    The combined teams moved to a small auditorium. There was a stage area at the bottom, where techniques and rituals were demonstrated. Similar but smaller demonstration areas were between rows, where students copied rituals or performed moves themselves.

    Adelina stood at the front, her voice magically projected with magic.

    ¡°Now you¡¯ve all done very poorly,¡± Adelina said, ¡°but that is what I expected for all of you. I set you all up for failure.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s unfair, vice-headmaster!¡±

    ¡°You know what I say about fairness, Chiara.¡±

    ¡°Fairness exists for allies, not enemies,¡± she said as if repeating an adage.

    ¡°Can you really say, that when you saw you had to fight a bronze ranker eight versus one, that you all didn¡¯t have the unfair advantage?¡± Adelina gazed at Francis and his team, ¡°How about that? The Adventure Society recommended standard is 3 to 5.¡±

    ¡°¡­We thought we¡¯d win for sure.¡±

    ¡°Do not fall into patterns in battle,¡± Adelina said, ¡°your enemy needs to only act on it once. You let Miss Nara here act on your pattern twice.¡±

    Adelina¡¯s aura pressured her students, just in a way to let the feel the weight of their mistakes, but not enough to scare or overwhelm them. Nara was in awe of her delicacy, using aura to emphasize points in learning.

    ¡°Your generous ¡®patron of learning¡¯ has offered any awakening stones of your choice, including five star, to all of you.¡±

    ¡°You did?¡± Eufemia asked.

    Nara shrugged, ¡°I can convert looted awakening stones.¡±

    ¡°To any rarity? Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°Rarity is a construct. It doesn¡¯t make a stone good or bad, just more specific. I¡¯ve got an awesome looting power, I might as well make use of it to make a bunch of kids happy, yeah?¡±

    Eufemia thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

    ¡°As far as magic powers go, that¡¯s a wonderful way to use it.¡±

    It was one of her rare, genuine compliments.

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Adelina sat with the kids, consulting and overseeing their choices. Nara wrote out a list of all those she could convert to.

    ¡°Awakening Stone of Creation?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a new stone we came across,¡± Aliyah said, assisting Nara and Adelina. ¡°It tends towards awakening abilities with boons, dispels, conjurations, and transcendent damage. The sample size is, to my great chagrin, very limited.¡±

    She had asked around after the trial for anyone else that used one, and had a few samples beyond just Nara¡¯s, John¡¯s, Eufemia¡¯s, and her own ability that they had awakened from the stone. She compiled them for the Magic Society, and handed in the examples the gathered. It was a sample size in the low twenties, but it was enough to draw some cursory conclusions.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting,¡± Adelina said. ¡°That¡¯s where Eufemia¡¯s armor conjuration ability came from?¡±

    Eufemia nodded.

    ¡°And Nara¡¯s familiar?¡±

    ¡°Yup.¡±

    Adelina drummed her fingers on the table. Five star stones meant unknown abilities, with the simultaneous advantage and disadvantage of less information.

    The students looked up at her with pleading eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s a brand new stone! The rarest of the rare!¡± Chiara said excitedly. ¡°How can we not?¡±

    ¡°We are adventurers,¡± a student proclaimed.

    ¡°It¡¯s all random anyway,¡± another said softly, earning a sharp glance from Adelina. Awakening stones were random with significant direction. It wouldn¡¯t do to dismiss it.

    Adelina rubbed between her brow, thinking.

    ¡°Against my better judgement as your vice-headmaster and educator,¡± Adelina said, ¡°I¡¯ll allow it.¡±

    The students cheered.

    ¡°Line up! Be polite! And thank Miss Nara for the gift despite your pathetic losses!¡±

    The students hurriedly formed up, evidently practiced.

    Adelina sighed as Nara handed over a stone one-by-one, even demonstrating the conversion with her Traveler¡¯s Bounty ability.

    ¡°After all, what is the point of adventuring if you can¡¯t have some fun with it.¡± Adelina said, her expression warm as she relaxed.

    ¡°Mother, there¡¯s plenty of other points. Like protecting the populace?¡±

    ¡°Hush, son. That¡¯s not the point today.¡±

    Not every student chose an Awakening Stone of Creation, although excitement had been high. The Awakening Stone of Time was another very popular choice, with the Awakening Stone of Dimension in third place, and an Awakening Stone of Rebirth in fourth.

    A few did choose lesser rarity stones, such as Sovereign, which was a popular stone known for awakening famous auras; Eufemia and Encio shared that similarity.

    *****

    The team stayed in Saggia, helping the Academy students. They weren¡¯t qualified instructors, but students rarely had the chance to fight bronze rankers from Sanshi (and not their usual locally hired adventurers), where the adventurer education was different.

    They fought in the mirage chamber often. The students devised strategies to take them down, and did they succeed. However, Adelina¡¯s criticism was never that the students weren¡¯t capable of taking down higher rankers, but that they relied on knowledge to create strategies when in reality knowledge of abilities was unlikely. And that, they had gotten overconfident in their abilities and needed to readjust to the paradigm where higher rankers were faster, stronger, and tougher; they needed to account for their own error.

    Sen¡¯s own overarching plans rarely involved direct counters to abilities, although John¡¯s Magic Camera allowed for some on-the-fly adaptation for a tactical edge.

    Nara found herself learning a lot too. Mostly strategy, and some stuff she had internalized but was never explicitly told. Amara and the others had done a fine job drilling the important basics into her, and she found herself recalling them as she learned from those within the academy.

    Compared to the Sanshi Academy, the De Luca Academy offered a more comprehensive education. It, however, lacked the low magic quality that made Sanshi ideal for new adventurers. Iron rankers here were escorted by higher rankers, lest a stray silver rank monster show up and kill all of them. The Sanshi Adventure Academy, conversely, featured independence in both education and action.

    ¡°Nicely done,¡± Nara told Francis after another mirage chamber match. ¡°You all got me that time.¡±

    ¡°We did,¡± Francis said bitterly, ¡°But you took four of us down before you went down! If this wasn¡¯t a mirage chamber battle, that¡¯s four of us dead.¡±

    ¡°The afflictions did get me in the end,¡± Nara assured. Francis had reached the self-deprecation stage of his personal growth and rivalry with Nara, whereas before he had been sorely deprecating of her and overconfident.

    ¡°You have some cleansing but not enough,¡± Francis said. ¡°It¡¯s the strategy with the least risk against you.¡±

    He stared at her, unhappy, ¡°Why do you fight like the afflictions don¡¯t matter?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, it¡¯s a mirage chamber? They don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Headmaster Adelina would berate you for that.¡± Francis said. ¡°You need to treat it like it¡¯s real. Or else there¡¯s no point.¡±

    Nara leaned in, causing Francis to step back.

    ¡°Want to know a secret?¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡± he said warily.

    He¡¯d seen her in battle, and found her inexplicably imposing. She didn¡¯t have the knife-edge smile that the red-haired celestine had, but found she could easily switch from casual and playful to almost inconspicuously deadly. He wondered if he would be that intimidating at bronze rank too.

    ¡°I have a way to cleanse everything later.¡±

    ¡°¡­That¡¯s unfair. All that sacrifice and you¡¯d get away alive?¡±

    ¡°What did miss Adelina say again?¡±

    ¡°Fairness is for allies, not enemies,¡± Fracis groaned. ¡°If we really want to beat you, we have to use another tactic then.¡±

    ¡°Try not to plan my death in too much detail,¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯ll get suspicious.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you back for the humiliation of day one.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who shit-talked first. Throw shit, get hit.¡±

    Francis bit his lip and turned away, face burning with embarrassment at memories he¡¯d rather died with his mirage body that day.

    *****

    ¡°Encio. We should talk,¡± Adelina said, adopting a mother-who-is-displeased tone of voice.

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    He followed her to her office within the academy. The interior was the same smooth marble, lacy with veins of black, gold, silver, and bronze. The interior of the academy was august and impressive¡ªSezan¡¯s taste. He¡¯d donated a large amount of money to redesign the academy. If his crest was going to be on it, it needed to be up to his standards.

    ¡°Grandmother always thinks this building is too much for a place of learning,¡± Encio mused. ¡°But if grandfather has the money he may as well spend it to commission something beautiful.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just glad it upkeeps and repairs itself,¡± Adelina said. ¡°If anything can get broken in the first place. This material is harder than my father¡¯s diamond rank jaw.¡± She rapped the bronzevein marble with her fist.

    The opened the door to her office¡ªa heavy, ornate wood door. This room rotated ownership between Luciana, Adelina, Valer, and the other members of the Aciano and De Luca families, whoever was the present headmaster. It didn¡¯t matter and there was no fixed headmaster. Their stint as headmaster was usually years at a time, so the student¡¯s educational style was not disjointed.

    ¡°Sit. Encio,¡± Adelina said.

    He sat, nervousness creeping into his mind. His mother was upset.

    ¡°Encio. You haven¡¯t told me anything specific. Father didn¡¯t say anything, and all the sudden you were in Sanshi, with some young woman. Then, you¡¯ve joined a team with an Arlang? And you ranked up to bronze in less than a year?¡±

    ¡°I was at iron rank for many years, mother.¡±

    She narrowed her eyes at his backtalk. ¡°That¡¯s not the point. The point¡ªwhatever you have been doing has been dangerous.¡±

    ¡°No mother, it was never more than what we could handle. The stakes were never high. It was ordinary adventuring.¡±

    ¡°Ordinary adventuring? Ordinary adventuring is what you were doing before, sticking with some no-name group of iron rankers, completing unimpressive contracts.¡±

    ¡°Mother, that¡¯s not like you. You don¡¯t judge others by their backgrounds like that.¡±

    ¡°Why did you stop doing that?¡±

    ¡°Mother,¡± he said disapprovingly.

    ¡°Is it that outworlder? She¡¯s piqued your interest and now you want to hang around her, going on adventures? When will you get bored of her like all those other adventurers? Then you¡¯ll go back to whatever you were doing before, safe and sound.¡±

    Her words stung a bit. Encio had, after all, wanted to join Nara because he was interested in her status as an Outworlder.

    ¡°Mother, I am not going to abandon my team. I am not going to get bored of my team.¡±

    ¡°Why not? You have before.¡±

    ¡°Mother. That is not something you¡¯d tell your students, would you?¡±

    She shook her head.

    He held her shaking hands gently, bringing her in for a hug, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡±

    ¡°Nobody is completely safe. Life is unexpected mother, regardless of whether I chase danger.¡±

    ¡°I want you to be safe.¡±

    ¡°Mother,¡± Encio said gently, ¡°Grandfather didn¡¯t give me a Dimension Essence just to see me languish at iron rank. I am the most promising member of my generation.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got such a big head,¡± she chuckled, her anger born from worry subsiding.

    ¡°This head came from you, not father. He¡¯s more proportionate.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your mother. You can¡¯t say that to me!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Encio said innocently, ¡°You don¡¯t like to see me compliment father?¡±

    Adelina pretended to deliberate. ¡°His beauty is for me to appreciate, not you.¡±

    Encio rolled his eyes as his mother¡¯s sappiness.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t I a celestine then?¡±

    Adelina chuckled, ¡°Valer and I thought you¡¯d be too beautiful then. You¡¯d get into all different kinds of trouble.¡±

    ¡°Now that didn¡¯t work out, did it?¡±

    ¡°No, it didn¡¯t, but I think the havoc you would¡¯ve caused would be even worse.¡±

    She sat down beside her son on a plush couch, calmed.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Encio, I said things I should not have.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±

    ¡°But. Encio,¡± she said, her voice pitched with more threat. ¡°You should not be keeping such things from me.¡±

    ¡°¡­Do you really need to know exactly what I¡¯m doing?¡±

    He was already in his twenties. Even in Nara¡¯s world, that was an age of independence. Doubly so here, where essence users started off early. But he knew his mother was fearful after Celina had died.

    ¡°I send my son to live with my father, and he drops him off in another country to join a team without my knowledge. I need to have a ¡®chat¡¯ with my father about how he¡¯s handling his daughter¡¯s son. So yes, Enciodes Aciano, I need to know what you are doing.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t try to stop me from doing it,¡± he protested.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try to stop you from doing it if I think it¡¯s going to get you killed.¡±

    ¡°Fine, you win. I¡¯ll send letters.¡±

    ¡°You better. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯m going to find you and drag you back home myself.¡±

 Chapter 159: Everybody Likes Vacations

    Chapter 159: Everybody Likes Vacations

    Aside from beating up teenagers, the internet¡¯s favorite pastime, the team participated in some of Saggia¡¯s local contracts. Since Saggia was a medium-to-high magic zone, most monsters were bronze and silver rank. Lower rank monsters still manifested in high magic zones, but magic quality generally indicated most common manifestations. Gold rank monsters were possible, but rare. They made their unwelcome appearances usually during the monster surges.

    Any location with magic above Saggia and Esmera-Mar was considered almost uninhabitable, although there were gold-magic settlements, usually populated by high rankers only¡ªgold rank monsters were too dangerous and too frequent to defend against. The Bad Lands, the location of the crafting compound, was a continent that essence users only traveled to in order to attempt the transition from silver to gold rank, or gold to diamond rank. Other than that, famous recluses and hermits made their homes there, entirely undisturbed from the world at large. With magic, you were never more than a single portal away from civilization.

    They took contracts north of Saggia, up into the countryside, and away from the seas were most of Saggia¡¯s local adventurers contracted. Since the Tier-Media was a high-traffic trade zone, adventurer contracts were always needed. The team however, decided to leave it to the local experts.

    Pirate hunting contracts were also available at the adventure society, but the team stayed far away from those. Nara may not have qualms killing to protect her team anymore, but the idea of hunting pirates like they were cyclical pests left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. John was similarly adverse to the idea, so Sen aptly didn¡¯t suggest those contracts. He judged that his team was sufficiently comfortable with the realities of killing human enemies, with no further need to push for bloodshed. There would be no shortage of adventurers willing to do what they would not.

    They spent two months in Saggia, hunting monsters. Occasionally a particularly strong silver rank monster surprised them, and they ran for their lives, either dashing into a conjured door domain where they had a massive advantage thanks to Soul Legion or jumping though Nara¡¯s astral domain portal in frenetic baseball slides, except the reward for home plate wasn¡¯t a score but keeping their limbs connected to their abdomen.

    That reason was why Saggia adventurers often had a higher rank escort, provided usually by academies or guilds. Hiring a higher ranked adventurer escort to protect you while you killed monsters was too expensive for iron rankers, so the influence and importance of guilds in high magic zones was greater than low magic zones. Adventurers needed the support system otherwise the next near-death experience would become their eulogy: woe is Nara Edea, slain by a silver rank mosquito swarm. Her potential was great, but unfulfilled.

    The low magic zone adventurer education system was quickly popularizing, and Sanshi was at the forefront. The Arlang had it figured out; they sent their relatives to Sanshi for general hands off training and independent experience. Yalte was another nation sprouting as a popular destination for low rank adventurers, on the same continent as Rowan, although on the opposite coast. Yalte was to Rowan what the Shian Union was to Rona.

    Changing times meant that the traditional adventurer institutions of high magic zones needed to adapt, or they¡¯d be left behind in the wake of ages gone. While cooperation had been posed by Sanshi, the De Lucas would be remiss to seize this opportunity.

    *****

    Two months had passed, and the team crawled up to Bronze 2, interspersed with significant recreational activity. With a pace matching the cold theme of Kallid, the team made their way up north, stopping briefly in Vasenne for sightseeing, the seat of the Continental Council of the Adventure Society.

    The temperature cooled as they traveled upwards, flirting above freezing like a hummingbird warbling above a flower. The temperature would warm as the year transitioned into spring, but Eufemia complained all the while, even though her bronze rank attributes kept her warm. She¡¯d miss the oceans of Sanshi and the Tier-Media, the pleasant weather, (the skimpier clothing), and the glimmering sea untouched by horrors like ¡®ice¡¯ and ¡®snow¡¯. She had spent many years in Nekroz unwillingly, and the similar temperatures soured her mood.

    Thanatos and Caspian enjoyed the weather, frolicking through patches of wet snow as they crossed fields draped in nature¡¯s icy tears. Caspian was larger now, although he could still become the small fae wolf that tormented Sen¡¯s hair into premature baldness if not for an essence user¡¯s natural regeneration. Sen kept his own supply of hair growth cream, and so far, no one had noticed when patches of hair went missing, only to be restored the next day.

    They had a guide, a surly, lone hunter woman of burly proportions named Mathilde. She was stout and sturdy, wrapped in warm patchwork furs and thick, water-resistant clothing to prepare for the continual temperature decline. Kallid was surrounded by a magical storm that would only abate in late spring; they would catch the tail end of it as they approached the city in their four day long journey to the north, largely expedited by Nara¡¯s nebula ship.

    Kallid was far to the north, and trading was done almost entirely with portals. There were no well-maintained roads, which would be gradually torn apart by the ravenous winter every year, if the monster surge didn¡¯t degrade them entirely.

    Nara¡¯s nebula ship hovered above the ground, saving Mathilde and the rest of the team a trek through semi-melted snow mixing with the earth in a children¡¯s playground chilled mud soup. They followed the scenic fjordic coastline to their east, the nebula ship floating above sheer drops of stone covered in the faint fuzz of moss growth that dropped precipitously into beautiful crystalline waters. Strange shadows of massive monsters lurked beneath the waters, as dangerous as they were enchanting.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Many magical beasts habituated the northern fjords. Shardshimmer falcons dived into the waters from their cliffside nests, their feathers and body melding into the texture of water to pluck prey from water unseen. Riverskippers were lanky, deerlike beasts covered in grey, water-resistant fur. They danced upon the water, naturally able to water walk with inherent magic. This same magic propelled them up cliffs, goats of both sheer stone face and the water¡¯s surface. And snow fluffers, the most evil and dastardly magic beasts disguised as cotton balls of white the size of a snowman¡¯s head, with the same beady raisin eyes matching a creation of joy, but it was a hell spawn of pain.

    Mathilde explained to throw rocks at suspiciously shaped balls of snow. Either you throw the rock hard enough and kill the snow fluffer, or the rock penetrates the snow harmlessly. Both options were preferable to being stung with a pain that ended bloodlines.

    Through the landscape they passed a single massive black stone monolith, keeping a wary distance according to Mathilde. Thick winter storm clouds gathered above the monolith, so low and heavy they obscured the tip. There was no snow¡ªit was far too cold. The area was void of heat and life, reduced to greyscale as the colors of life dared not grow. Instead, a violent wind ripped at the ground, scarring the land and ripping out any tenacious roots and rocks that may have once challenged the monolith for the right to exist but failed.

    ¡°The Monoliths of Lightless Ice,¡± she said grimly, her voice low and weathered. ¡°Do not approach. They absorb the cold and the magic of the storm, and their surroundings are even colder. Too close and you will die. But if not for the lightless ice, we would not have spring. The storm would rage eternal.¡±

    John conjured a pair of binoculars, gazing as he could at the monolith of black ice. It stretched into a sky; a Washington monument made of smooth, lightless ice. The view of the base of the monolith made John shiver, not from the code, but from the frozen statues of people and animals that had wandered too close. The ring of death was immortalized by frozen corpses gradually eroded, of those who had wandered too close without making it back out.

    The final leg of the journey was the hardest. Kallid was built in a valley between mountains, which meant ascending those mountains.

    ¡­Or so Nara would say if the entire team wasn¡¯t cozily tucked away on a hovering ship, free of the burdens of physically trudging through snow. Caspian would dive off nose first into snowdrifts and sail around the wind like a lost kite. Thanatos sat on the deck, occasionally drawing shapes in the snow with lances of black fire, such as targets for Caspian to dive at. As always, the Simurgh could never sit still, and it was a team effort to entertain him.

    ¡°¡­this is going to make me soft,¡± Mathilde muttered, her voice low and gritty. She clasped a warm mug of something like cocoa in her hands, but it was generously ¡®enhanced¡¯ with her favorite drink. ¡°Why am I being paid for this. I am not doing anything.¡±

    ¡°Just treat it as a vacation, Mathilde, everybody likes vacations,¡± Nara said cheerfully, glad to not be trudging through snow drifts could surpass her own height. She could probably walk on top Legolas-style with Cosmic Path, but the idea was unappealing compared to the cozy deck party they had now.

    ¡°I do not like vacations.¡±

    ¡°Everybody but Mathilde likes vacations,¡± she corrected.

    As they crested over the highest point of the mountain passage, they saw the expanse of the city below, tucked away in a massive and bountiful valley of green shaking off the last vestiges of winter. Clear streams of fresh snowmelt flowed from the mountains, pooling in a shimmering lake in the center of the valley.

    Kallid was more of a city than a nation¡ªit was the name of the largest city of the area, as well as the nation as a whole. Sporadic villages cropped up in the land of ice and snow, but most of their population was entirely within the nurturing embrace of the Kallid¡¯s central valley.

    The valley winded through the mountains, into bowls where smaller towns were gently nurtured by clear mountain streams and chilly air. The largest gently sloping bowl cradled the main city of Kallid. The temperature warmed slightly, brought about by smaller monoliths (modeled after the lightless ice monoliths) created by Kallid¡¯s researchers that absorbed magical cold. Non magical cold (aka normal weather) was untouched by the mini monoliths, but Kallid too possessed weather manipulation arrays, a standard for most large cities, although strong enough magical weather would punch past those too, and regularly did, during Kallid¡¯s famous winters.

    ¡°I leave,¡± Mathilda said curtly. ¡°Farewell.¡±

    She disembarked the ship, trudging off into the wet earth towards her home village. Nara had offered to send her there, but Mathilde stubbornly insisted on walking. She was a guide for those who made their first trip to Kallid, traversing between this city and the last city of the Rona Kingdom in the north, Langt.

    Nara started the process to dematerialize the ship, while Aliyah set up their secondary form of transportation. While the Nebula Flask was convenient, it wasn¡¯t suitable for intra-city travel. All of its forms were far too big.

    Aliyah¡¯s Arcane Constructs were not strong nor sturdy summons, but their value lied in their versatility. She could use rituals to mold them into forms better suited for combat, but she could also form them into forms suited for personal transportation.

    Her golden floating ritual lines transformed each of the six Arcane Constructs into small, personal skimmers of arcane bronze design. They were like small motorcycles without wheels, with lines of blue magic like racing stripes channeling low-altitude flight magic.

    They shot off towards the city like a magical half-biker, half-zookeeper gang. Nara rode on Thanatos with Encio, and Lawrence rode an arcane construct as his paper constructs didn¡¯t possess the ground speed Aliyah¡¯s arcane constructs did.

    The city of Kallid extended from the base of the mountain and encircled the lake at the bottom of the valley. A semi-circular wall encompassed most of the city, with farms and characteristic church of fertility growing towers sporadically dotting the landscape beyond the wall. The city was the closest to a medieval theme Nara had seen yet, with cobblestone houses and stone-lain streets. Soft columns of steam arose from chimneys, dissipating into the chilly air. Combined with the colorful wool and fur drapery of the city, Kallid¡¯s ambience was that of a much-needed swaddled hug in the dead of winter. Especially since Erras was modern enough to have sewage systems and the greatest blessing of magic, cleansing and purgation magic, which eliminated which could have been an unpleasant, decidedly unmagical and unhygienic experience.

    And finally, to complete the medieval fairytale, a large castle was built at the far shore of the lake, towards the base of the mountains¡ªthe residence of a diamond ranker and ancestral ruler of Kallid, Tyranel Kallid.

 Chapter 160: Kallidéˆ¥æªš Hospitality

    Chapter 160: Kallid¡¯s Hospitality

    Their construct skimmers slowed as they approached the southern gate to the city, which had a small line in which carts and other vehicles passed through. While international trade was low, the region still traded amongst themselves, with Kallid the destination of many finished goods.

    Aliyah dismissed her summons, putting her ability on its 6-hour cooldown. For personal transportation within the city, familiars, essence abilities, and low weight powers were enough. There was a separate line for essence users and adventurers, which the group approached.

    They were greeted by a friendly, white leopard spotted leonid, which was the majority race of this region, with celestines, runics, and elves as runner ups. Humans were surprisingly one of the minority races, alongside draconids, which were uncommon almost everywhere.

    ¡°Oh, adventurers! I love this part,¡± the leonid greeted. ¡°Which rank are all of you?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all bronze rank,¡± said Sen.

    ¡°Just right for me then, but I''ll need to call my mates over.¡±

    ¡°Um, what for?¡± Nara asked curiously.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting'' ahead of myself, aren¡¯t I?¡± The leonid laughed. ¡°We of Kallid have a little bit of a tradition. Non-negotiable.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not some sort of hazing, is it?¡±

    ¡°Weeelll...Do you consider a sparring match hazing?¡±

    ¡°I do!¡± Lawrence protested curtly. Aliyah offered a smile of pity and reassurance. She had had her aversion to physical combat worked out of her by Sen.

    ¡°No need to be afraid. It¡¯s all very simple. Each of you fight one of us, no essence powers, no weapons, no suppression collars, and no lethality. On your honor¡ªno cheating. If you cheat, we may think y¡¯er a ne¡¯er-do-well''er, and deny you entry, so I suggest you don¡¯t. If an opponent admits defeat, you also win and must stop fighting immediately. After the fight y¡¯er granted passage to the city.¡±

    ¡°Do you have to win?¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have asked¡ªit¡¯s a secret. Raises the tension, you know? It¡¯s no fun when there¡¯s no stakes.¡±

    ¡°Something I agree with,¡± said Encio, already stretching to prepare for the fight. His eyes glittered.

    ¡°After the fight, no matter the outcome, we shake hands. Pat each other on the back. You get in a fight with somebody in the city¡ªsame rules. If you can¡¯t make up, ye both get to sleep in the snow, free of charge, Kallid¡¯s hospitality. Won¡¯t kill you but it...¡± he violently shivered, ¡°¡ªseeps into the fur.¡± He shook with a violent full body shiver, speaking from experience.

    Two more bronze rankers stepped from the gate guard¡¯s office, coworkers the first leonid had called over.

    ¡°So, who¡¯s up first, and who do you want to challenge?¡±

    *****

    Sen won his match, surprising absolutely no one in the team but earning himself a hearty handshake and bubbly excitement from his opponent, who seemed more excited to have lost than won. Sen was the most adept at unarmed combat in the team, although Nara surprisingly came a close second, since she had the ability to nullify almost all damage except for powerful attacks as long as she actively intercepted the attack.

    All the leonids that stood before Nara towered over her. They were a race of semi-giants, even at normal rank. They were able to reach heights of speed at normal rank that gold medalists runners had wet dreams of, thanks to their racial abilities.

    Since she was shorter than all of her options, Nara chose the tallest leonid, the one who had greeted them at the gate: Erik.

    ¡°You chose me? I¡¯m honored. Two fights, back to back. You¡¯ve all really made my day. But the other two will complain I¡¯ve called them over for nothin¡¯ if you keep this up.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you look like the easiest opponent?¡±

    He gasped. ¡°That¡¯s offensive! You don¡¯t really mean that?¡±

    ¡°If you lose again, I think that answers that question.¡±

    His lips pulled back to reveal sharp lion-like fangs in an exuberant smile.

    Nara smoothly closed the gap, her footsteps quiet against the dirt and snow. Erik almost hadn¡¯t seen her move¡ªthere was no warning and no indication that she was preparing to attack. She was a phantom in presence and sound. She launched a sharp, fast jab, aiming for a blow to the solar plexus; she could aim no higher without leaving the ground.

    Erik moved to block and counterattack, but her fist never connected. Her fist turned into a grabbing push, and she hoisted herself up with feline flexibility that put their namesake to shame. Erik immediately crouched, sending them both downwards.

    She lightly pushed off, surprisingly above Erik when he had once been the taller of the two. She was in the air, and Erik was on the ground. He thought he¡¯d have the advantage, but she easily deflected his upwards jab, as if she was more used to fighting in the air than on the ground.

    His punch once again turned into another handhold for her, and she swung around his arm to the back of his body like he had become a fireman¡¯s pole.

    ¡°Now,¡± she said, ¡°bronze rankers still need to breathe, right? Wait. A rear naked is for blood to the brain¡­never mind. But you do still have a brain.¡±

    Her thighs clamped around his torso, she hooked her legs around his, and her arms around his neck in Earth¡¯s oldest submission, the rear naked choke. The rear naked choke was one of the few moves she had remembered from her brief stint as a mediocre martial artist on Earth, although she was never this proficient nor strong enough to perform the ridiculous acrobatic maneuvers, she pulled off to take his back. She had new ones, thanks to The Way of the Traveler, but it felt good to remember her roots.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Her head was in an awkward position¡ªbehind his back and too difficult to swing at properly. He dropped to the floor, crushing her with his weight onto the ground, but her bronze rank body suffered minorly against the soft mushy ground. While the leonid may be heavy, they were both bronze rank. She kept her hooks in¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to perform an Arrhichion.

    ¡°Are we playing in the mud now? I hadn¡¯t had my fill as a kid. Too much of a goody-two-shoes.¡±

    ¡°Oh, this will be a gods-damn pain to clean later! A blight on Purity!¡± Erik said gritting his teeth, although he was delighted to be in such a precarious position.

    ¡°You want some crystal wash later?¡±

    ¡°I would¡­really¡­appreciate¡­that!¡± he said, struggling to throw Nara on who was clamped in a vice grip.

    Nara absentmindedly wondered how long it took for a bronze rank essence user to pass out from a loss of blood to the brain. It was longer than expected, but Erik did finally pass out, and she immediately released her grip, hauling his unconscious body off of her with an easy push. She was strong enough to lift cars now; an unconscious leonid was not even an exertion.

    ¡°¡­is tapping out not a thing here?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure he knew that was an option,¡± John shrugged. ¡°Maybe you should have told him?¡±

    ¡°Too late now,¡± Eufemia said. ¡°He¡¯s already out.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t pretty, but I won.¡± Nara said, covered in muck and feeling an awful lot like she had been a wrestling oiled up and buck naked like an ancient Greek Olympian.

    ¡°When have your fights ever been pretty?¡± Eufemia said.

    Sen nodded, ¡°I remember how you killed that irestyle and stone rodent during your adventure society exam. It was rather¡­grim.¡±

    ¡°Oh come on that was like two fights. I was iron rank!¡±

    Just a seconds had passed when Erik woke and was already back on his feet. Since there was no permanent damage, there wasn¡¯t anything for Erik¡¯s body to heal. It was just a matter of blood flow recirculating to the brain.

    ¡°Oh! What was that?¡± Erik said excitedly, leaping to his feet with just the strength in his legs from the ground. His snow leopard fur was covered in mud, gravel, and grass particulates, and Nara matched his state of disarray.

    ¡°¡­A rear naked choke?¡± She turned to her team. ¡°Does this world not have grappling?¡±

    ¡°They barely have sports,¡± John said. ¡°And the only sport they have is simulated blood sports.¡±

    Erras¡¯ society and combat developed around fighting monsters or other essence users. The combat techniques better leveraged essence user¡¯s new flexibility and superhuman capabilities at high ranks than Earth¡¯s did, and moves that were impractical on Earth, such as flying leaps, were useful against a variety of monsters.

    Earth¡¯s combat, in contrast, was too anti-personnel, and too grounded in non-magic. Nara¡¯s Way of the Traveler did have a large variety of non-lethal takedowns and moves, owing to its interdimensional author, but Earth had the greatest number of non-lethal, non-maiming combat techniques of all sources of combat knowledge she currently possessed.

    A simple spar wouldn¡¯t exhaust a bronze ranker, and especially not a leonid, but Erik stepped back so his other two coworkers, who had been considerably worked up with anticipation by skilled essence users from afar, had their chance to trade blows.

    The gate guards were skilled, but they weren¡¯t adventurer skilled. These were core users or retired adventurers who didn¡¯t jive with the lifestyle, taking a step back for any number of reasons. Better a gate guard than dead; adventuring was not for the uncertain.

    Next up was Encio, who pulled a (much cleaner, but slower) win against his opponent. Nara may claim to be second place in unarmed combat, but Encio was breathing down her neck in skill where Sen was jogging a few paces ahead with an unamused expression.

    The next best was Eufemia who had the highest competency in the greatest number of weapons, claiming that crown in the party against Nara. Her fighting style was unpredictable¡ªone second going for the standard-fare blows and parries, and in the next she was stabbing fingers where they didn¡¯t belong, flinging her opponent on the ground, then thrashing them as they scrambled to get up.

    If Nara¡¯s style was lethal, then Eufemia¡¯s style was brutal. She tested for weaknesses, created new ones for her opponent if they didn¡¯t have any, then dismantled them in a way that was simultaneously systematic yet unpredictable.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure this counts as sparring,¡± John said with a shudder as he healed a punctured eyeball on Eufemia¡¯s leonid opponent.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear them say anything about illegal moves,¡± Eufemia said as she wiped off the blood and body fluids from her fingertips. ¡°They should have specified.¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t,¡± Erik said cheerfully. ¡°It¡¯s perfectly fine. And who hasn¡¯t lost an eye before?¡± He said, as if everyone had lost an eye before.

    ¡°Oh yeah totally,¡± Nara agreed.

    ¡°¡­Most people haven¡¯t lost an eye before,¡± muttered John. He thumped the leonid on the back, ¡°All done lad. Try not to lose it again. Hard to keep your eye on your eye, when you only have one left.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t intentionally lose my eye,¡± the leonid pointed out.

    ¡°Would you intentionally lose an eye if it would win you the fight?¡±

    ¡°Oh sure,¡± the leonid excitedly confirmed. ¡°I always have an eye for victory.¡±

    John sighed, even though he enjoyed the pun.

    John surprisingly also won against his opponent, although it was the longest match so far, neither surrendering nor going down without beaten and bloodied faces (mostly John, since even as the tallest member of the team, he was still shorter than a leonid). He had his skill book too, The Stance of The Guardian, and Beorn¡¯s subsumed effect evened the odds against a leonid¡¯s natural strength. Kickboxing reminded John of Earth, and he often practiced unarmed combat in his own room, and occasionally with Sen and Nara. He had a punching bag in his room, although it didn¡¯t do much for skill. It embodied its name¡ªit just existed for John to punch. This ridiculous magical words gave him plenty of conniptions to work out.

    Aliyah and Lawrence unsurprisingly lost. Aliyah had been focusing on staff fighting only, and she was only as good at unarmed combat as any average adventurer¡ªwhich would dumpster any lower ranker like an industrial garbage truck, but it wasn¡¯t winning any fights against an equal rank opponent.

    Lawrence was even worse, manhandled like a kitten by it¡¯s mother. He was diminutive compared to the leonid, and the shortest of the group, his head heavy with the unwanted crown of ¡®pipsqueak of the team¡¯.

    Once he had lost, he brushed himself off, grumbling with his nose buried in another book he was copying.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to say that our full team can¡¯t enter,¡± Sen said with crossed arms.

    ¡°No,¡± Erik assured, ¡°We just want everyone to fight seriously. There isn¡¯t any meaning if you just lose.¡±

    ¡°You mean it¡¯s no fun,¡± Eufemia corrected. ¡°You¡¯re not doing this for a purpose, you¡¯re doing it for fun.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Erik said with a tone of confusion, as if fighting seriously and fighting for fun were obviously synonymous. ¡°But this demonstration does serve another purpose, if fun isn¡¯t good enough for you, miss finger spears.¡±

    Eufemia pointed her fingers back at him threateningly.

    ¡°It¡¯s a hand-on demonstration of Kallid¡¯s¡­unique rules. You can resolve anything¡ªalmost anything¡ªwith a challenge. No killing, no maiming that can¡¯t be healed (no torture), especially with the normal folk. You can refuse any challenge, if you don¡¯t want to fight. But some people can be very¡­persistent. Either get good at losing convincingly, or get very good at hiding¡ªyour choice. Nobody wants to fight someone who consistently loses and isn¡¯t losing on purpose. It feels bad. Like you¡¯re bullying a child who wants to win but just can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°We can fight normal people?¡±

    ¡°If they challenge you that is that is their problem. If they are being annoying, accept the challenge, and dust them off. It shouldn¡¯t happen. No one is that stupid¡­unless that¡¯s their sort of thing. There might be a few crazies. I don¡¯t judge. Now, you all are here for the Mausoleum?¡±

    The team nodded.

    ¡°You¡¯ll want to go to the Adventure Society. No rush¡ªwhenever you are free. You may or may not ¡®ave received your tokens to the mausoleum¡ªyou¡¯ll need to get them there if you haven¡¯t. They¡¯ll explain the rules of the Mausoleum in more detail.¡±

    Erik stepped back, and swung his arm out performatively towards the already open gates of Kallid. It was daytime after all, and a few traders and farmers had even stopped to watch the gate matches in fond amusement.

    ¡°Without further ado, welcome to Kallid!¡±

 Chapter 161: Por-tah-ble House

    Chapter 161: Por-tah-ble House

    Through the gates of Kallid, a familiar white furred leonid, Jago Dahl, greeted the team from his position in the gate plaza where he had been waiting. While they stayed in Saggia, he had sent a message inviting the team to stay at his estate, since he was the one who had invited them. The team was ambivalent over the invitation¡ªthey had no interest in Jago¡¯s son, but Jago hadn¡¯t said anything further. Since it was Mona who had informed them of the issues his son faced, they accepted his hospitality.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know we¡¯d receive such a warm welcome waiting for us the moment we landed.¡±

    ¡°Landed? From your sky boat, is it lassie? I saw that beauty approaching. Shame I can¡¯t see it now.¡±

    Nara smiled, ¡°You should see it soon enough.¡±

    Jago grinned, ¡°Have you enjoyed your trip, lads and lassies? Kallid is something else, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Something cold,¡± Eufemia grumbled, voice blank and unenthusiastic.

    ¡°Eufemia you¡¯re not even cold. You¡¯re bronze rank. Freezing temperatures isn¡¯t enough to make you feel cold.¡±

    She snorted, ¡°I still want a hot shower after that sparring. Unlike you two perpetually perfumed outworlders, I still sweat. So, let¡¯s get a move on.¡±

    The streets within the city were dry, free of the muck of transitioning seasons, maintained as usual by unseen but appreciated large scale arrays. While the city had a cobblestone appearance, the stones had the exactness that she had grown to expect from magic; making blocks by hand was a lot easier when you didn¡¯t actually have to use your hands. They had been worn by weather and traffic, losing much of its magic-made perfection into something more lived-in and comforting.

    The city was clean and neat, with buildings around four stories tall. Each building was built connected to the next, with rare alleyways and gaps to form blocks. Highly angled sloping roofs were built in warm colors of cinnamon, mahogany, maroon, orange, toffee, and cedar. Some of the buildings were painted with a smooth finish that covered the cobblestone exterior, bringing color into the natural winter greys. The city was a cross between a medieval cobblestone feel and a modern Nordic city feel, quaint yet well populated.

    A gold ranker was a gold ranker even in a city far from this world¡¯s center of civilization. The Dahl estate was built back towards the base of the mountain¡ªthe noble¡¯s district nearest to Kallid¡¯s castle. Jago, it turned out, was an actual noble in Kallid. While adventurers seemed to dislike accepting a title, there were reasons to, especially when one wanted to settle down, or wield some political power, which could be necessary in his role as a member of the Continental Congress. Gold rankers commanded a high level of respect in social situations beyond noble titles, so she could see why noble titles were regarded as a slight insult except for royalty, which were usually descended from diamond rankers. There was no bluer blood than the blood of diamonds.

    It seemed that Sen had a biased view against noble titles, following his family¡¯s pride and Sanshi¡¯s turbulent history against ruling nobility. Nara hadn¡¯t realized and would have to watch out for her team¡¯s biases, especially when they followed her own.

    ¡°This is it,¡± Jago said. ¡°Welcome to my home! This is my partner, Egil.¡±

    Egil was a leonid as well¡ªmost leonids didn¡¯t find other races attractive, and vice versa. His fur was the dirty beige-gold typical of actual lions and leonids as a whole, but unusual for the mostly snow-furred leonids of Kallid.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you all. I have some food on the stove. We can warm and clean you all up. The baths are downstairs and heated.¡± He said, quickly gesturing to inside the house to indicate the general direction of the baths and the kitchens.

    ¡°I¡¯ll set up my flask house outside, if you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Of course. We have rooms for you all, but I understand the comfort of your own home.¡±

    ¡°Oh no, we appreciate your hospitality. My team just has a lot of personal items stored in the flask.¡±

    Nara left out back to materialize her flask. It shaped itself into a smaller, two-story attachment house, matching the style of Kallid with sloping roofs and stone architecture. It morphed itself seamlessly into the estate, with covered cobblestone corridors joining the cobblestone house and Jago¡¯s estate house. The Dahl residence was on the small side for a gold ranker¡¯s abode¡ªJago''s preference for something cozier (although it was still large, and even included a smaller guest house out back). With a flask house for seven, his manor nearly doubled in size.

    They ate an early dinner with the Dahls. Egil cooked up a feast of local cuisine¡ªhearty stews and fresh bread with gamey meat, root vegetables and plenty of wine-based sauces, and paired with tankards of actual alcohol too, varying from mead, aquavit, vodka, beer, wine, and ciders. Whatever they wanted, the Dahls had. Roasted cheeses were plentiful¡ªa cheese roaster sat tabletop in every house and Kallid, there to crisp and melt gooey goodness at every available opportunity. It was slathered on bread and topped with small, dried fruits and nuts for a sweet and savory blend. (The interesting thing about no universal animal milk product was that the variety of cheese varied greatly by region, with Kallid¡¯s products utilizing ruig and riverskipper milk.)

    Chrome hovered around Egil like a hummingbird to nectar when he had been preparing the food, constantly questioning what spices, techniques, and from what grocers and boulangeries they had purchased their foods. Sage was already making a mental list of what new foods they¡¯d purchase the next day to satisfy Chrome¡¯s culinary pursuits. Thanatos simply hovered and got in the way like a salivating black lab, hoovering up whatever crumbs fell before they even managed to grace the ground.

    The rumored son, Theodore, was late to their admittedly early dinner. He spent most of his time at the forge in the city, smithing or repairing tools and weapons for the city folk and local adventurers. He stopped in the doorway, stunned by the sight of a long dining table filled with guests.

    ¡°We have guests?¡±

    ¡°I mentioned them last week, Theo,¡± Egil said chidingly. ¡°Jago had invited some bronze rankers who are here for the mausoleum.¡±

    ¡°Did you.¡±

    ¡°It would help to pay attention next time,¡± Egil said, a bit of parental warning coming through.

    He grunted, plopping himself next to Egil without another word.

    Leonids ate ravenously; Massive pots and dishes were common household wares. A single leonid ate more food than Nara starving herself an entire day for an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, and they ate that much food easily. The team¡¯s burden on the food budget was dimes to their dollar, not that a food budget mattered much to a gold ranker.

    Theodore wolfed down his food, stuffing stew and bread into his mouth at professional body builder speeds.

    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± he said curtly once he had finished, then promptly left the table.

    He was unsociable, but Nara understood the unwillingness to socialize with friends your parents had brought over, often escaping to her room for the duration of their visit.

    The team finished, thanking Egil and Jago for the scrumptious meal, and headed for the newly manifested nebula house.

    ******

    Theodore stood outside staring at the entirely new building that had attached itself to his home.

    ¡°When in the bolo¡¯s arsehole did this house have a second wing!?¡±

    He turned to the adventurers who filtered around him, giving him a polite nod as they passed by.

    ¡°Wait a damn second, someone tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±

    Nara reluctantly stopped and decided to explain to the curmudgeon son what he hadn¡¯t listened to the first time from his parents. ¡°Your dad said you¡¯re having guests. That¡¯s the guests¡¯ house.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have a guest house.¡±

    Well, no, they did actually have a guest house out back, but this certainly wasn¡¯t that.

    Nara pointed to the nebula house, ¡°It looks to me like you do have another guest house now. Does that answer your question?¡±

    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°In Hero¡¯s blazes, how does that answer my question? That doesn¡¯t even remotely answer my question. And we don¡¯t even need another guest house. We have plenty of spare rooms.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so surprised at ¡®there one moment, gone the next¡¯ house when y¡¯all have magic.¡±

    ¡°Nara, we¡¯ve discussed this,¡± Aliyah called out, inadvertently eavesdropping as she passed. ¡°That¡¯s not how magic works.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s how my magic house works.¡±

    Aliyah paused, thinking it over with a little too much consideration for something she lived daily in. ¡°That¡¯s true. It is how it works,¡± she said blankly, as if watching a little piece of her logic break off from her mind and fall to the ground in a puff of pretty, glittery dust. She shook her head sadly, and entered the house.

    ¡°You have a magic house,¡± Theodore said dumbly.

    ¡°Your house is magic too,¡± Nara said. ¡°It¡¯s just different types of magic. So, mine¡¯s portable. Potato, po-tah-toe, portable, por-tah-ble. Eh, doesn¡¯t flow.¡±

    A portable house? Many sorts of portable houses did exist. He wasn¡¯t that sort of craftsman, so it was entirely out of his field. Most were usually ships or boats, or some other sort of moving vehicle. Some could be stored in a storage space and removed. He¡¯d also heard of a craftsman who made transforming and compact spherical orbs¡ªperhaps they could make a pocket house. The matching stone finish to his own house pulled strands of information from his mind.

    ¡°...Is that a Cloud Flask construct?¡±

    ¡°What? No. It¡¯s not a Cloud Flask. You can¡¯t even buy those things on the market. How would I have gotten one?¡±

    She wasn¡¯t technically lying.

    ¡°It¡¯s not?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Nara confirmed. ¡°You just didn¡¯t see me set it up.¡±

    Theodore eyed her suspiciously. His craftsman¡¯s intuition told him it was a Cloud Flask, but he couldn¡¯t read her. He couldn¡¯t read anyone on the team. He was forced to acknowledge that they all had honed their auras more than he had. If Jago had invited them, they were outstanding adventurers. Trying to one-up any of them in any combat skill would be a futile endeavor, especially since he had chosen the slow path, long ago.

    Even their healer outclassed him. The most he could read from him was that he was human and had a Life Essence aura; A well-intentioned bloke at first aura sniff.

    (John, since long ago, always disguised himself as a human, something no one thought to double check. Aside from his height, he was the most unassuming and unthreatening person in the party, an advantage that John subtly leveraged. Even gold rankers, upon sensing ¡®human¡¯ in his aura, looked no further. Why fool others about something so obvious?)

    ¡°Is that all, then?¡± Nara said. ¡°I¡¯m ready to turn in. It¡¯s been a long day of traveling.¡±

    ¡°Did Jago ask you to come here?¡± Theodore suddenly asked.

    Nara sensed faint aggression in his words, and knew he wasn¡¯t just asking about the mausoleum, but she played dumb. Jago hadn¡¯t sent for them either in the capacity Theodore insinuated either.

    ¡°Uh, yes? He invited us here. Did you miss that again? For the third time, bro? Are you really bronze rank? You might want to get yourself checked out at a healer clinic. Maybe you got one of those rare, mind impairing afflictions. Not so rare where I come from¡ªlead in the pipes,¡± Nara said tapping her forehead, ¡°You know what I mean.¡±

    Nara shouldn¡¯t antagonize him, but she¡¯d never played well with rude, demanding folk. Too many people wanted answers and had not the proper patience to wait for them. Nara had experienced these people, intimately, and Theodore¡¯s brusque questioning was getting on her nerves. She was tired from an (admittedly luxurious) day of travel and hadn¡¯t the patience to obediently answer whatever questions her host¡¯s difficult son had for her.

    ¡°We don¡¯t use lead to make pipes,¡± Theodore snapped, irritable at being so goaded. ¡°It poisonous. Everyone knows that.¡±

    ¡°It always throws me for a loop what magic figures out first, you know. I guess y¡¯all would be able to tell with magic¡ªsee that you¡¯re getting some sort of affliction over time when using lead. Anyway, get yourself checked out.¡±

    ¡°Quit calling me stupid, I¡¯m not dumb, and I don¡¯t have and gods-damn lead poisoning,¡± Theodore growled, mildly frustrated that he didn¡¯t seem to be getting through to her.

    ¡°Something else then? Alzheimer¡¯s? Brain-eating amoeba? Chronic short-term memory loss?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any mental impairment affliction!¡±

    ¡°Good for you, dude. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re in good health. Have a good night!¡±

    Theodore couldn¡¯t get in another world before Nara had waved her departure, heading into the ¡®definitely wasn¡¯t there a day ago¡¯ stone attachment house.

    *****

    Over breakfast, the team discussed the mausoleum with Egil, who wasn¡¯t as busy with matters as Jago was. At gold rank, Jago was an important figure in Kallid. His investigations mainly concerned the movement of the Church of Undeath. The undeath activity in Kallid was higher than other regions. Although their lightless ice mitigated the days of darkness from perpetual overcast, Kallid was an ideal location for another undeath bastion on the western hemisphere. It was also separated from a body of water to Rona, mirroring Nekroz¡¯s water separation from Rowan.

    Jago had journeyed to Sanshi to catch the tail end of Undeath movements in the Sanshi region. His investigation had concluded that there was a high possibility that those aiding the Church of Undeath was The Advent. One of their methods to suborn a society was to foment unrest and destruction, then save the day with their miraculous magic and overwhelming power. They wanted willing comrades, not those who¡¯d fight them tooth and nail for the millennia to come¡ªeven if cooperation was established through nefarious methods. After thousands of years and their subversions were revealed, the societies would be far too entwined to separate. All their misdeeds would be swept under the rug like any other government mishap.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need a mausoleum guide and a mausoleum researcher,¡± Egil explained. ¡°The researcher is assigned from the Magic Society, although you can exchange them out if you don¡¯t get along. They¡¯re relatively well-trained, since the mausoleum is dangerous. Since you¡¯re a bronze rank party, they¡¯ll stick an iron rank one on you since they keep the bronze rank researcher for the weaker parties. The mausoleum guide is the trickier requirement.¡±

    ¡°Why do we need a guide? It¡¯s just some long dead diamond ranker¡¯s treasure horde, isn¡¯t it?¡± Eufemia asked. (Feigning ignorance for more information was a regular tactic of Eufemia¡¯s and Nara doubted she hadn¡¯t done her own research the moment she knew of their destination.)

    Egil chuckled, ¡°The mausoleum is labyrinthic. Utterly massive¡ªYou won¡¯t see anything quite like it again. On top of its size, its equipped with traps.¡±

    ¡°Okay, so are we looting the damn place?¡± Eufemia asked, ¡°Did that dead king or whatever want us to take his stuff? I don¡¯t want to mess with a diamond ranker¡¯s treasure chest.¡±

    ¡°The Einvaldi of Manistrengja didn¡¯t want the treasures he gathered for his people to be easily taken by raiders and thieves,¡± Egil explained for them. ¡°Those that passed the traps and challenges safely were deemed worthy of claiming the treasure of his passing.¡±

    ¡°One correction, Eufemia,¡± Encio said, ¡°The diamond ranker didn¡¯t die. They can¡¯t die permanently.¡±

    ¡°From our records, the Einvaldi decided to leave the world. He¡¯s still out there, somewhere in the cosmos, but he hasn¡¯t returned, not for monster waves or anything else.¡±

    ¡°Looks like he got bored of the world after he completed his diamond ranker checklist. Start a country¡ªcheck. Obtain a dragon¡¯s horde of treasures¡ªcheck. Set up an examination or trial for the little ones to loot¡ªcheck. Leave behind a mysterious abandoned building or city¡ªcheck,¡± Nara said. It sure seemed like he had gone through an Isekai protagonist¡¯s to-do list.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know that there was a diamond ranker in the cult of the Celestial Book,¡± Aliyah pointed out.

    ¡°You think they could set up a trial that produces awakening stones without a diamond ranker?¡± Nara asked. Her expression matched her incredulous question.

    ¡°I do think so,¡± Aliayah said. ¡°Loot abilities produce awakening stones and essences at any rank. Some minor influence of a generated awakening stone towards its intended recipient is unheard of, but possible.¡±

    Her Guide ability had picked out her essence set for her, and so had John¡¯s Case Files for both him and Eufemia. A skilled aura user could read essences from an aura, or have an ability to do it for them, like John. It stands to reason a trial space could detect what essences an iron ranker had and create awakening stones accordingly.

    ¡°The mausoleum will not pick your awakening stones or artifacts for you, unlike Sanshi¡¯s famous trial,¡± Egil said. ¡°You have to do the picking yourself. The mausoleum is structed into sealed challenge rooms. The challenge rooms list restrictions on the outside of the room¡ªhow many may enter, time limit, rank, the type of challenge, and other specifications. Once the maximum number of challengers have entered the room, the room will seal itself until it is completed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s dangerous,¡± said Sen as he evaluated their target. ¡°If no one can interfere until the room opens, there¡¯s a high risk of something going wrong, especially with restricted abilities.¡±

    ¡°It is, which is why you need a mausoleum guide¡ªone you can trust¡ªeven if you can read the inscriptions outside each trial room. It is also why iron rankers are paired with higher rankers, or Kallid locals will challenge the mausoleum at bronze rank. Once you¡¯ve completed the challenge, a pedestal will reveal a grow item or artifact, sealed in a crystal box. You place your plaque on the box, and the crystal will disappear, allowing access to the item.¡±

    ¡°How do you know if the item is good or not?¡± Eufemia said, ¡°Growth items are supposed to be hard to pick out.¡±

    ¡°The pedestal will have magic display of the description and effects of the item within.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Like a museum, except you want to break the glass and take the priceless artifact.¡±

    ¡°If all challengers exit the room without taking the artifact, the room is resealed and inaccessible for many days. The artifact also changes location.¡±

    ¡°So if you don¡¯t take it, it disappears.¡±

    ¡°We had some re-appearances of artifacts, but it is rare,¡± Egil said. ¡°It can take decades for an artifact to appear again, or as short as a few days. If you trust your party members, and they happen upon an artifact that someone else may need, they can claim the artifact for you, then exchange the item for a plaque. A large group like yours raises the chances of claiming a suitable artifact for the entire team.¡±

    ¡°Until there¡¯s only a few plaques remaining,¡± Sen said.

    ¡°That¡¯s where you need trust. If you want the best chance to claim a suitable artifact for the last few members, you need to hand over your plaque to whomever is challenging the room for you. You can, of course, challenge every single room personally, but not every ability set is suited for every challenge¡ªit could have fatal consequences.¡±

    ¡°¡­Is this really a reward?¡± Nara asked.

    ¡°It does sound like an awful lot of effort for a piece of equipment,¡± John agreed, as he typically avoided unnecessary risk. Was all this really worth some souped up sword?

    ¡°Some agree with you,¡± Egil agreed. ¡°If you give up on your search, you can exchange your plaque at the adventure society for an impressive amount of money and materials. Even some Kallid-born adventurers give up the search.¡±

    Citizens born of Kallid that passed the Adventure Society certification were all granted a plaque of their own¡ªtheir birthright to claim a gift of the mausoleum. Many forwent the prize¡ªeither at the beginning or after years of futile searching and sought adventures beyond their remote hometown.

    Egil glanced towards the city, towards the forge Theodore worked at, although no one of the party knew what drew his gaze.

    ¡°It¡¯s easier to find a crafter that can make a growth weapon designed for you instead,¡± Egil said knowingly.

    ¡°I see,¡± said Sen, who knew of the Dahl family¡¯s plight but spoke nothing of it.

    It was those of Kallid themselves that best understood the advantages of a crafter over looting abilities or Kallid¡¯s mausoleum. You could search forever for a growth weapon of a lost king¡¯s legacy, or commission a crafter to make one for you, if they can¡ªalthough Theodore was famous for it, even he could not consistently craft a growth weapon. They were rare, almost miraculous crafts that required the heights of concentration, inspiration, and expensive materials. Although Kallid¡¯s adventurers may brown-nose and butter up to him, or try to harangue him into compliance, he just couldn¡¯t do it on demand.

 Chapter 162: The First Move

    Chapter 162: The First Move

    The team headed from the Dahl estate to the Adventure Society. Nara had thought only dragons topped horses as a majestic ride, but riding into town on a massive wolf of flame and shadow like the antithetical incarnation of Fenrir claimed first place in Nara¡¯s internal charts. Or it would¡¯ve, if Thanatos could keep his tongue from lolling out at the vaguest sniffle of street food.

    Lawrence had no business at the Adventure Society; he headed off independently to check in at the local Temple of Knowledge. He hadn¡¯t earned one of Kallid¡¯s ice-crystal plaques. When the team was ready to dive into the mausoleum¡¯s depths, he¡¯d join them for research. Like Aliayah, the prospect of hands-on research with old magical ruins was the most delightful part of adventuring. Back in Sanshi, he had passed the Adventure Society exam, and received a badge marking him as a utility adventurer. He had no interest in full adventurer status, which may require him to fight during monster waves if required of him. All adventurers of every type helped, he¡¯d just be assigned to a logistics, communication, or transportation position.

    The Adventure Society¡¯s layout followed a general layout, but Kallid had its own flair. The bottom floor was expanded, a large tavern-like drinking area with a bar and tables was filled with busy adventurers, day drinking despite the morning hours. A quick cleansing ability would sober them up anyway. Armor had more fur, treated leather, and heavy cloths. Scouts often wore white and grey instead of dark colors, although the approaching spring warmth meant browns, greens, and blacks were back in fashion for the scout community¡­although, the color of armor didn¡¯t matter much when you had the ability to blend into your surroundings anyway.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the rumored team!¡± A leonid adventurer trotted up to the team who was taking in their surroundings at the entrance of the society. He held out his hand for a handshake. ¡°I¡¯m Roscoe. Roscoe Norum.¡±

    ¡°Sen Arlang,¡± Sen said. He shook Roscoe¡¯s hand, the sort of confident and hearty clasp you¡¯d expect of brother-in-arms.

    Roscoe was a sociable fellow, chipper and enthusiastic. Evidently, his tactic of approaching the new team in town was well known, and other adventurers in the semi-tavern hall jeered and whistled.

    ¡°Yer here for the mausoleum, right? All you new teams are here for the mausoleum. I know I can¡¯t be wrong.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. What business do you have with us?¡±

    ¡°Oh business indeed I do have. If you¡¯re new, it means you need a mausoleum guide. I¡¯m here to recommend myself. Solid 4 years in the industry, no dead adventurers under my caring, curated hand,¡± Roscoe said, performing a dramatic hand flourish and a bow. ¡°Find a growth item or your money back.¡±

    ¡°Really, our money back?¡±

    ¡°No¡­It¡¯s just a saying,¡± Roscoe quickly denied, shaking his hand rapidly to dispel the errant words from the air, as if Sen could pluck them from the sky as evidence of his claims later.

    Sen evaluated Roscoe. His instinct told him Roscoe was a good person, but he couldn¡¯t intuit whether he was a competent mausoleum guide. But something caught Sen¡¯s attention¡ªfrom the corner of his eye, someone stiffened at attention, briefly anxious, as if something had gone wrong. Nara¡¯s brief flickering glance confirmed that she¡¯d caught the same slip, not even needing words to communicate.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Sen said, making an on-the-spot decision. ¡°We can discuss terms.¡±

    ¡°Really? You¡¯re one decisive out-of-towner. I like that. Bold, strong, confident. I think we¡¯ll jive.¡±

    Nara quickly appointed some bodies of Sage to gather as much information as she could before the negotiations began. Eufemia was already working on it, disappearing into the tavern as a leonid in a smooth transition in a quick-swap costume change behind a pillar no one else had noticed. Encio joined Sen in the negotiation. Sen could handle it, but negotiations were Encio¡¯s skill set.

    John leaned over, suddenly left out to dry together with Nara.

    ¡°¡­What just happened?¡± he asked unnecessarily quietly over party chat, as if speaking at a normal tone would break whatever spontaneous focus the team had found themselves adopting.

    ¡°We went guide shopping and inadvisably bought the first one we saw.¡±

    ¡°But why?¡±

    ¡°Not sure yet. Do you see that celestine over there? With the pale blond hair and eyes?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Pretty bloke. All of them are.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t like that Roscoe invited us. Well not that concrete, but something¡¯s off. Do you remember what Egil said about mausoleum guides?¡±

    ¡°He said a lot. You¡¯ll have to be more specific.¡±

    ¡°He said one thing that Sen and Encio both find extremely important¡ªWe need to find one we can trust.¡±

    John gestured in a ¡®I¡¯ll need more than that¡¯ sort of way.

    ¡°Okay, um, if hypothetically, there are three guides that approach us with propositions, which guide is the least suspicious and the one we¡¯re most likely to take on¡ªthe 1<sup>st</sup> guide, the 2<sup>nd</sup> guide, or the 3<sup>rd</sup> and last guide?¡±

    ¡°The 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> guide,¡± John said. ¡°The first could be a scammer, trying to score a high-pay contract with the new and ignorant group in town.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Conversely, if someone is trying to become our guide with bad intentions, the 1<sup>st</sup> guide is the worst position to take. They¡¯d have a higher chance of success as the 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> guide.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, blondie over there shouldn¡¯t have been worried about Roscoe, yet he set your and Sen¡¯s spide-y senses a tingling.¡±

    ¡°What if they know guide 1 isn¡¯t a scammer, but is the real deal?¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh, that ruins the jig. If guide 1 offers a slightly higher-than-average but not unreasonable price, especially if our own investigations reveal he has a good reputation, we¡¯re likely to accept.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. If it had been a scammer as guide 1, then blondie over there wouldn¡¯t have reacted.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t we getting a bit ahead of ourselves?¡± John asked, ¡°I¡¯m all for caution, but why would someone try to cheat their way into the position of our guide? We¡¯re just another adventurer group aiming for their promised prize¡ªRoscoe said so himself.¡±

    ¡°I can think of one reason for now,¡± Nara said, mulling over what she¡¯s already learned about Kallid. ¡°They could be working with tomb raiders to steal our tokens. Having a guide who is working with them makes it easy to split us up and trap us. They could wait for half of the team to be inside of a challenge room, then kill the other half waiting outside. We might be overreacting,¡± Nara admitted, ¡°but it doesn¡¯t hurt to be careful, and if Roscoe is the real deal, it works out for us. More importantly¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªWe need to keep an eye out on blondie,¡± John concluded. ¡°If he disappears, that¡¯s even more suspicious.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯d be the most suspicious move. It means he knows he¡¯s been made, and he¡¯d rather arouse more suspicion than just avoid us and mark another target.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯d mean we were the target. Specifically, us.¡±

    *****

    The price Roscoe charged was higher than average, but not so high he was a suspected fraudster. Sen and Encio negotiated a trial period¡ªas had become the norm for their party¡ªbefore committing to a long-term contract. They wanted to see his skill in the mausoleum for themselves. Roscoe was perfectly fine with a trial period if his given rate was paid. Roscoe also negotiated for himself a bonus for each party member that claimed an item from the mausoleum¡ªa shiny gold coin per, for a total of 6. That would be enough to buy a house in the countryside of Kallid, if he wanted one, although Nara suspected Roscoe probably already owned a house. Most bronze rankers owned one in at least their hometown. Aliyah had already bought a very small compound for her family in Sanshi, on top of the city apartment they commuted to work from. Sen and Encio didn¡¯t need a house. John and Eufemia hadn¡¯t committed to a city (John probably never would), and Nara had her portable house-in-a-bottle.

    All they needed to tell Roscoe was on which dates they intended to dive into the mausoleum.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Nara kept quiet at the wall of Adventure Society tavern, doing her best wallflower impression, sipping on some common local alcohol paired with drinking snacks. She kept to herself, sensing rather than watching when the blond celestine and his party exited the Adventure Society.

    ¡°Sage, can you follow them?¡±

    ¡°I am already at the task, benefactor. Please rest assured.¡±

    With nothing further to do at the Adventure Society as a group, the team disbanded. She spent the daytime with Encio, doing their usual casual touring. Along they way, they purchased meal supplies together with Chrome and Sage. Kallid had a thriving cuisine of smoked, preserved, spiced, and fermented foodstuff, varying from cheeses, meats, and alcohol. The iceburn chili peppers were also a popular spice, which produced an odd sensation Nara could only describe as the food representation of the simultaneous cold-and-warm sensation of Thanatos¡¯s shadow fire fur. Eaten plain, the iceburn chili felt as if it burned the tongue with sharp pricks of cold¡ªit was the uncomfortable sensation of placing super chilled ice on the tongue, a brain freeze for the tastebuds. But chilis weren¡¯t supposed to be eaten plain unless you were recording a video for YouTube or if you were a culinary masochist, so it was used normally like any other pepper, and added as a garnish or a spice to spreads, sauces, breads, cheeses, and soups.

    In the evening, Nara sought out the musical tavern scene of Kallid. There was no way that a semi-medieval cold town of the North didn¡¯t have a bustling scene of ballads and buskers, playing for coin to drunkards that cheered and hollered.

    Her wishes were realized. Nara found herself blending in quite well among the local bard-folk. Lutes were a popular travel instrument, not just in Kallid but around the world. Folk songs of local legends¡ªthe Einvaldi, ruler of Manistrengja, and his Knights of the Moon. They sang of the tales of individual knights: Osain, the popular heroic knight of lore, who rose from commoner to the Einvaldi¡¯s most trusted confidant. Auidan, the skilled but pitiful unlucky knight that found himself stumbling into battles to he couldn¡¯t quite handle yet nonetheless escaping alive. Alys, the quick and skilled knightess that always, humorously, was in the right place at the right time, or in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    It was only until they sang of names Nara found familiar that she realized they weren¡¯t entirely myths. Jago Dahl, The Winter Fiend, who had slain a gold rank ice elemental decades ago during a monster wave. Amara Edea of Selvacora, when she was a silver ranker had foiled the plans of the god of Destruction, saving the jungles of Selvacora from annihilation that would have turned the region into an unending sea of fire. Even Ranshi Haihu¡¯s name appeared¡ªa reluctant researcher turned adventurer (who had desperately wanted to be a backliner, but his ability set was mixed range), who defended the people of a town with just his tentacle-orb familiar, and his small swarm of floating eyes from a swarm of vampiric-converted monsters.

    They were colorful tales, sang with vigor and animation. It didn¡¯t take much embellishment to have the drinkers chattering with excitement or flipping the bard a coin¡ªmagic battles against the forces of evil was already an action blockbuster by description. It wasn¡¯t all of the bards and storytellers, but Nara sensed something familiar within them¡ªthe touch of a god. They were priests, she realized. Priests who sang of heroes.

    Ever since the gods had touched her soul, she was more sensitive to the touch of gods in others. She wasn¡¯t a priest¡ªtheir connection was deeper. Both Redell and Lawrence could talk directly with their god, these bards were the same. But for which god did their priests sing of heroes?

    Her question was answered the moment she thought of it, Priests of Hero.

    That wasn¡¯t all priests of Hero did; they also aspired to become heroes themselves. They were often powerful adventurers who willingly thrust themselves where trouble roiled beneath calm waves, to be the pivot upon which defeat swung to victory. Hero was the god that knew of those untold sacrifices, from world-renown heroes that play their part in a massive plan, or those small braveries that save just a few people.

    She found a cozy inn and tavern, The Songbird¡¯s Rest, where amateur musicians frequented. It was a sort of karaoke tavern, where the tavern provided some cheap instruments to play a song on for the crowd. A cheap voice amplifying artifact¡ªa clunky wand than the cheaper badges adventurers used¡ªrested on a shelf with the other musical implements. Customers took turns; the performances varied from competent and pleasing songs to drunken blearing from a pair of goobers.

    Nara worked up the nerve to play a single song on her Path Seeker Lute¡ªit wasn¡¯t a local song, instead, one of Sanshi¡¯s. She hadn¡¯t been here long enough to learn Kallid¡¯s classic folk songs, so she offered them something exotic. She was adept enough at aura control with her lute so that she wouldn¡¯t send the crowd into a music-induced hypnosis. Once she finished one song, then another after some encouragement, she sat back down to pass the buck onto the next group, a trio of three older ladies singing a humorous love song, gently nudging and laughing at each other on the barely raised stage.

    ¡°From one musician to another, a drink. On me.¡±

    A man sat to her left¡ªa dark blue haired celestine, glinting like sapphires illuminated by moonlight. He had stubble, a rarity for celestines, and was likely of either mixed leonid or human heritage.

    ¡°Efa, do you still have some of that warm fjord-apple cider? One glass for the talented lady.¡±

    ¡°Talent? I don¡¯t have talent.¡±

    She didn¡¯t have talent, not for music. On Erras and on Earth, she just practiced until she was competent. She had the advantage of a priceless instrument, but her hands were the hands of the masses¡ªas average as can be. Time would shape hard work into something resembling talent to the external viewer, but she would never be the adolescent Chinese kid that plays Tchaikovsky at Carnegie Hall. That was talent (and hard work). This was hobby.

    Efa, the tavern proprietress, an older leonid lady as thick and homely as porridge, slid her a mug of warmed cider.

    ¡°Your cider dear. I did enjoy your performance, talent or talentless. Whatever you insist. Where was the song from?¡±

    ¡°A little something from Sanshi.¡±

    ¡°Sanshi? Where is that?¡±

    Normal people weren¡¯t exactly well-versed in geography. There were maps in libraries, adventure societies, telecom societies, map shops and book shops, but you couldn¡¯t just pull up the world map on your phone. You had to go and buy one, and most people didn¡¯t have a reason to keep one around, aside from a local map for local trading, or for a splurge of vacation planning. The societies usually had one on hand, but Efa the Tavern Proprietress probably had not looked closely.

    ¡°Do you know where the Shian Union is?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you should¡¯ve led with that. I know where that is,¡± she said with a dismissing gesture. ¡°This may be far out, but I know a little bit of geography. Even if I haven¡¯t taken a step out of Kallid in my life. Never will, but this city is just the right size for me.¡± She patted her paunch and grinned.

    She hummed along to the music as she bustled about; it was a sound that pleasantly combined the rumble of a purr with the musicality of a normal hum. It was a soothing sound that possessed the rumored healing effects of felines, that conjured images of cackling winter fireplaces and the smell of baking pumpkin pie, even at a distance.

    ¡°I¡¯m Rhys,¡± the man introduced, regaining her attention. ¡°Singer of epic tales, fellow of the seven-pair lute.¡±

    ¡°Nara, wanderer of the cosmos.¡±

    ¡°Haha! Under whose authority dubs thee thusly?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯d be surprised. I think I¡¯m more than qualified. Traveler approved,¡± she said, completely shameless. Rhys, fellow of the seven-pair lute, would never know how true it was.

    ¡°Are you now? Why, aren¡¯t you curious.¡±

    They faced away from the bar, towards the buzzed performer that walked offstage, still in the early stages of drunken revelry.

    ¡°Is every day like this here? Song to sooth the mind and wine to wet the throat?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re a pleasant people,¡± Rhys said, who had clearly intuited she was a foreigner. ¡°This far out, it¡¯s all we have to offer. Speaking of, your lute raised my curiosity. Could I take a look?¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to try to run off with it? No offense. I may not win the musical competition, but I¡¯ve won the value competition.¡±

    Rhys grinned, ¡°You can hold my partner as hostage. He won¡¯t be offended, unless, your hands will be offended by holding something of such lesser make?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t. Your lute is invaluable to you as it is to me,¡± she said. Rhy¡¯s wasn¡¯t anything cheap either. It was of moderate quality and make. Perfectly professional and suitable for a normal musician.

    She passed her lute to Rhys to hold. He was in for a surprise.

    He held the Path Seeker Lute with expert yet casual poise, but his fingers were tender against the stunning masterpiece. Strings of threaded moonlight, wood lacquered of deep moonlight blue, with stars trapped within as if crafted from midnight sky itself. Rhys would¡¯ve have been tempted to steal the beauty; except he knew he¡¯d die trying. This wasn¡¯t the sort of instrument any common folk owned. He¡¯d just be tempted, a mere intrusive thought, nothing further. How he would¡¯ve loved to call such a beauty his! His old partner, seven-pair, however, was perfect for his mundanity.

    His fingers lightly touched against the strings¡ªit almost felt forbidden, like touching the surface of a lake of holy water, fearing he¡¯d disturb the sanctity of the grounds. He wrestled the courage to pluck a single string, delicately, like lifting a butterfly from a petal, but nothing sounded.

    She laughed.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid it only plays for me. Magic and all that.¡±

    ¡°Cruel magic indeed, to deny a bard his music,¡± he said, disappointedly handing it back. It was like holding a master-crafted Lirasan without the chance to play a single song. A wistful sigh, and a regret he¡¯d remember.

    ¡°What¡¯s her name?¡±

    ¡°Path Seeker.¡±

    They swapped back lutes. Nara was relieved to feel the weight of her lute back in her hands, as was Rhys. She knew her lute was particularly hard to damage¡ªon par with Nirvana, but cringed every time she bumped her baby against anything. It was an ingrained reaction she couldn¡¯t shake from her high school musician years, where they all bemoaned and cringed even as they dinged their mediocre instruments¡ªtheir precious treasures, regardless of monetary value. A few hundred dollars had seemed so much to her, then.

    Rhys thought the mood was nice between them. Silly, unromantic music pervaded the tavern, mixed with the intoxicating scent of food and alcohol. Her hand was on her thigh, and he brough his hand close to touch hers.

    His hand didn¡¯t even make it there when he felt an invisible sensation, like a powerful hand grasped around his throat. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make the threat clear.

    Sweat rolled down his temple. No one else seemed to notice the sensation of being pressed beneath a lion¡¯s claws. All it would take was a flex, and he was dead.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she said lightly. Her eyes were locked on his with a cold, clinical gaze. The warmness of spring had faded, reversing the seasons to a bitter chill of winter.

    ¡°I-I just wanted to h-hold your hand,¡± he stammered out a response, his tongue suddenly feeling bloated, too unwieldy to create words. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I got caught up¡­I¡¯m a little drunk,¡± he admitted.

    He wasn¡¯t now. That invisible pressure like a hammer moments away from cracking his skull sobered him up quickly.

    She looked at him and sighed; something flashed across her face, regret or guilt, but Rhys couldn¡¯t tell. The pressure relaxed, and Rhys felt like he could breathe again.

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested,¡± she said flatly.

    She got up, dumped a handful of coins on the counter, and left the tavern.

    Rhys shakily turned around, facing Efa.

    ¡°Shit,¡± he said blankly, burying his face in his shaky hands as he felt the rabbit¡¯s pace beating of his heart gradually slow.

    ¡°You really messed that up dear,¡± Efa said, eyebrow raised admonishingly, still bustling behind the bar and into the connected kitchen. She tutted. ¡°You should¡¯ve known better.¡±

    Gods, he should have known better. No normal person could afford a lute like that, and everyone knew when it came to essence users¡ª

    ¡°Always let the other party make the first move,¡± Rhys said to himself, with an admonishing curse tucked under his tongue.

 Chapter 163: Something to Cuss About

    Chapter 163: Something to Cuss About

    Nara escaped to her room in her nebula house, feeling dispirited and angry with herself. She had used her aura against a normal ranker. It was a mild suppression¡ªshe had controlled herself, but she had suppressed someone who was friendly and had no bad intentions. There had been nothing malevolent in his aura, yet she overreacted. If she ran into someone with less-than-innocent intentions, what then? Would she kill them on the spot? Leave them hyperventilating on the floor, in shock and fear?

    And she had told Laius that she couldn¡¯t imagine suppressing anyone¡¯s aura. All it took was a harmless touch to break what she thought she knew about herself.

    Flirting yes, but she shouldn¡¯t have accepted the drink he offered.

    Stupid, stupid, stupid.

    She should have made it clear before that. She shouldn¡¯t have made someone fear for their life because they tried to touch her hand.

    She had thought of it before, but the realization that she was far from normal baseline humanity once again dawned upon her. It had been so easy to make a normal person freeze with her aura, to demand an answer and compliance from them. It was a sobering parallel between gods and essence users.

    If she went back to her world, a being with magic in a world without¡ªwhat would that be like?

    It would be disastrous.

    To Earth¡¯s weapons she was unkillable. A high-power rifle would do damage, but it would be massively reduced thanks to her bronze rank damage resistances plus her inherent damage resistance from Resilient, now Tribulation of Self. She didn¡¯t have the speed to straight up dodge or parry bullets, but she could just teleport out of the way.

    A nuke wasn¡¯t fast enough to kill her. She could Phase Shift on the impact, or just conjure a portal and leave the area. The radiation and fallout was no danger to her at all.

    It was telling that her first thoughts were of violence. She shook them from her mind. There were other issues¡ªshe could cure cancer as long as she had the boons to do it. Curing cancer was an ability she and John shared. What would she do when people clamored to be released from their torments of illnesses. Deny them?

    She¡¯d work with them at first, but then she¡¯d be bogged down by the unceasing line of the afflicted. Growing weary of doing nothing but healing the sick and the injured.

    And the governments, of course. They¡¯d want to study her and John. Consensually hopefully. There wasn¡¯t much they could do to forcefully hold her, although no doubt some would try. How much could she lift? How fast could she run? How quick was her reaction speed? How fast did she heal?

    Her thoughts were falling in disastrous directions, tumbling down sheer cliffs and into darkness. Could she tell her family about the magic, the monsters? Could she keep it a secret while she was there? And then what, tell them she¡¯d somehow found a job in her coma and that she¡¯d be no-contact for months at a time?

    ¡°What would you have done, Chrome?¡± she said, leaning her head back against her seat and letting the chilly wind brush against her cheeks on her balcony, calming the fire of irritation burning on her skin.

    ¡°You know how I feel about being touched.¡±

    ¡°You hate it.¡±

    ¡°You overreacted,¡± Chrome said bluntly. ¡°Consider that you did not break his arm.¡±

    ¡°Great, so I didn¡¯t physically assault someone because they flirted with me. I just aura assaulted them. Yay me, I deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.¡±

    ¡°Have you considered not going to a bar at night?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in a goddam fantasy world. I wanted to get to know people beyond just¡ª¡± she waved her hands around annoyedly, ¡°¡ªessence users. Normal people. People don¡¯t have to be magical to be interesting. And Rhys was interesting. Do I need to wear a shirt that says, ¡®Don¡¯t Flirt With Me I Just Want To Be Friendly¡¯, or something? Why is everyone so damned flirtatious here.¡±

    ¡°They have purgation and contraceptive magic,¡± Chrome said pointedly. ¡°It solves the¡­issues that plague the physical bodies of your kind.¡±

    ¡°Right. Of course. Risk-free fucks for all.¡±

    She closed her eyes, letting her mind wander in self-contemplation.

    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s still there?¡±

    ¡°He is,¡± Sage said through her mind. ¡°Drinking away regretful mistakes in a rather unbecoming fashion.¡±

    ¡°I think I should apologize.¡±

    ¡°Or let bygones be bygones,¡± Chrome said, uncaring of Rhy¡¯s woes or Nara¡¯s need for neutrality in her relationships. Didn¡¯t like leaving people angry, especially those she thought didn¡¯t deserve her ire (arrogant young masters notwithstanding). ¡°You don¡¯t have to be friends with the first person you meet in a tavern. Plenty more to choose from.¡±

    Nara inhaled deeply, sucking in the pleasantly chilly air that tickled her nose and lungs.

    ¡°We have a big day tomorrow, I should sleep.¡±

    If she saw him again, she¡¯d apologize. She liked that tavern, liked the music and the atmosphere, and liked Rhys as a person and strictly a friend.

    She puttered off to her bed and sprawled comfortably on it with Thanatos. She ran her fingers through his silky black fur, and drifted off to sleep.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    *****

    A strong aura pulse woke everyone in the nebula house. Aliyah swung out of her bed¡ªthe aura was very familiar to her. It was Nara¡¯s.

    She knew what was wrong.

    She slipped on a shawl, and stepped into the second floor corridor. Doors quietly opened as team members gathered quietly in the second floor longue.

    The aura still raged and wavered, an untethered kite within a category 5 storm of emotions and memories. The nebula house responded, dampening it¡¯s owner¡¯s aura, but it still pulsed down the corridor like the echoes of a screaming beast.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Eufemia demanded, not of annoyance but of concern.

    ¡°She¡¯s having a nightmare,¡± Aliyah said.

    ¡°That¡¯s rare.¡±

    Aliyah shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s not rare, she just seldom loses control of her aura.¡±

    ¡°Why is she losing control now? What can we do?¡± Eufemia asked.

    ¡°It may because she¡¯s away from Sanshi now,¡± John said. ¡°Or that she¡¯s past the period of keeping it bottled up inside. It¡¯s been three months since Aliyah and Nara were abducted. She may be re-experiencing the trauma now.¡± He glanced at Aliyah. ¡°Are you fine? You died.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t tortured John. My death was nearly instant. Then I spent the rest of the time waiting around in her soul reading books while she was isolating herself in a gods-damn lake to escape being hassled by more Adventists!¡±

    John raised an eyebrow at Aliyah¡¯s raised voice.

    ¡°Abduction and imprisonment of uncertain futures is no small trauma either.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll seek trauma healing if I need it, John,¡± she said, lowering her voice back down.

    ¡°You should,¡± John said with well-intentioned warning.

    ¡°The pressing concern right now is Nara,¡± Aliyah said. ¡°Someone needs to calm her down. We can¡¯t all go in there, all six of us.¡±

    Lawrence had been woken too, sitting quietly on a couch but otherwise not participating in the conversation. This wasn¡¯t his place to interfere. Once her aura was calmed, he¡¯d head back to sleep. He was just here to wait it out.

    Aliyah and Encio glanced at each other. They were the two most qualified people to help Nara right now. Aliyah had suffered together with her at the Advent prison, and Encio was her closest friend.

    ¡°Should we both go?¡± Encio asked.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Aliyah said, ¡°I think you should go. I¡¯m not as calm as I should be either. And, if she¡¯s truly having a nightmare, seeing the one person who was with her during her time of crisis, while comforting, may place her further within her nightmares.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah,¡± Sen said, his grew eyes searching her glowing gold irises.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave her in your hands, Encio.¡±

    Encio nodded, and headed down the corridor.

    *****

    During their conversation, albeit short, Nara had already started to wrestle her aura under control. It peeked out in short bursts, like a tea kettle varying just below boiling, sounding bursts of hot-steam whistles.

    Encio walked softly down the corridor, and knocked on her door.

    ¡°Nara? Can I come in.¡±

    He sensed her hesitation.

    ¡°¡­I woke you guys up, didn¡¯t I. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    He was about to ask again, when the door swung a crack inwards. He gently pushed it open into the dark room.

    There was no other light but her familiar¡¯s lunar eyes, gazing calmly at him as he proceeded forwards towards the bed. He didn¡¯t know what the familiar thought of him, but it seemed assenting. The wolf closed its eyes, and turned it head away, resting them on its paws.

    ¡°Nara, can I come up?¡±

    She nodded.

    He sat next to her on her bed.

    ¡°What happened Nara, what got you worked up?¡±

    ¡°The nightmares?¡± she said, haltingly, as if she struggled to breathe. ¡°Nothing really happened today, so I don¡¯t know why¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, there¡¯s doesn¡¯t need to be a why.¡±

    He opened his arms outwards, offering a hug. She glanced at him, nervous, but eventually she decided to accept, snuggling into his arms, with her blanket cocooning the two of them together. She heard the beats of his heart, the soft rise and fall of his breaths. She could feel her tensed up muscles relax against him. She felt safe.

    ¡°I had a nightmare,¡± she began.

    ¡°Really? We were quite unaware,¡± he quipped.

    She rolled her eyes, feeling annoyedly happy with his snark.

    ¡°I was back there again¡­A lot of it I don¡¯t remember clearly. Just unending sensations of pain that I know sucked in the moment. But the¡­t-the day Aliyah died I remember.¡±

    ¡°Aliyah¡¯s alive,¡± Encio said soothingly. ¡°She¡¯s fine. Do you want to see her?¡±

    She shook her head. She laid against his shoulder, letting herself remember how to breathe. She meditated, and smoothly brought her aura back under control again, snapping it into its neutral projection with the ease of practiced choreography.

    He thought she¡¯d fallen asleep, but she spoke again.

    ¡°Something sort of happened, but I didn¡¯t think it was a big deal.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± he gently encouraged.

    ¡°I went to a tavern to play music, meet people¡­normal people stuff.¡±

    ¡°We all do that,¡± Encio said. ¡°Sezan plays table games in a beachside town. Essence users can¡¯t just interact with other essence users. There¡¯s not enough of us, even if it feels that way since that¡¯s our life.¡±

    ¡°I think I got flirted with. I didn¡¯t realize at the time, but reading auras does sort of help with that. And uh, I snapped.¡±

    ¡°You killed him? If he wasn¡¯t important, it should be fine. What did you do with his body? Did anyone see you?¡±

    ¡°Encio, I didn¡¯t kill anybody!¡±

    She headbutted him, since her arms were wrapped up in the blanket.

    ¡°Ow.¡±

    ¡°That didn¡¯t hurt.¡±

    He grinned playfully. His antics had considerably lifted her mood, and she was feeling peaceful now, at ease.

    She rolled her eyes, ¡°I didn¡¯t kill him, but I may have dunked on him with my aura.¡±

    ¡°Dunked on him?¡±

    ¡°You know, suppressed him. Put the ¡®Fear of God¡¯ in him. Just to be clear, I was at fault here. He did nothing wrong.¡±

    ¡°He flirted with a pretty bronze ranker. That all checks out. So, you suppressed him a bit much, its fine. No lasting damage, no issues.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not it though,¡± Nara said, ¡°and it¡¯s not even the whole ¡®I¡¯m superhuman now¡¯ thing.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I was having a bit of an internal crisis earlier too.¡±

    ¡°Twice in one day? And you didn¡¯t call me over to experience it with you?¡± he said, mock aggrieved.

    ¡°Technically, past midnight. So, not twice in one day.¡±

    ¡°Technicalities, Nara? Resorting to such trivialities.¡±

    ¡°Hush.¡±

    She looked up at him, and he looked down with his emerald eyes, waiting.

    ¡°I¡¯m worried that I¡¯m not¡­reliable. Prone to making mistakes. Not in battle, but in a social situations. The next time, it may be a sleazebag, a bronze rank one I can¡¯t just suppress into obedience, and I¡¯ll attack him. And he¡¯ll end up being royalty or something and it¡¯ll be this whole mess.¡±

    Her eyes dipped down.

    ¡°I¡¯m worried that I¡¯m not a reliable partner anymore.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried about mistakes you haven¡¯t made yet?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know the fear of failure plagues my entire generation. We have a few words for it¡ªImposter Syndrome, for one.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that like it something to be proud of. Your world is not unique in its fear of inadequacy.¡±

    He flicked her forehead.

    ¡°Ow.¡±

    ¡°That didn¡¯t hurt,¡± he teased, mirroring their earlier banter.

    ¡°Maybe you mess up later, it doesn¡¯t matter Nara. Do you think I wanted to team up with you because you didn¡¯t make mistakes? Who exactly lost the most table games between us?¡±

    ¡°Me.¡± She rolled her eyes. He¡¯d really never let her live that down for the rest of her life. God, if she lost another important game against him he¡¯d just become more insufferable about it.

    ¡°This is what teams are for,¡± Encio said, echoing that belief he held close at heart. ¡°We¡¯re all going to grow and change as people¡ªbronze, silver, gold, and diamond. They all change you. What matters is that we¡¯re there for the changes, to lead each other in positive directions. I am your guide, and you are mine.¡±

    She looked up again, breath caught in her throat in an emotion that had been growing for the past few months. A full, safe, comforting warmth spread over her body, starting from the heart that wasn¡¯t there.

    Nara realized her regard for Enciodes Aciano may not be entirely platonic.

 Chapter 164: Big Plans, Small Brain

    Chapter 164: Big Plans, Small Brain

    For better or for worse.

    Nara had always told herself that her lukewarm emotions, after they¡¯ve run their course of their original boil, had always been for better or for worse. While she realized now that she¡¯d like Encio as something for than just a friend, it was just that to her¡ªa thought.

    There was no aching pain of the thought, no emotional self-torture, no crying in the dark with knees huddled to her chest at the thought of a romance unfulfilled. The peak of her affection was more mittelgebirge than Mount Everest. A high hill, really. She had always thought, in her mantra of ¡®For better or for worse¡¯ that this was one of those ¡®worse¡¯ aspects of her mind, once she couldn¡¯t change nor fight, for that was the way she had been born. She didn¡¯t know if this counted as neurodivergence, maybe she was mildly sociopathic, but it had never affected her life enough to get tested for something, and she settled for accepting what she figured that she was one of the many different types of minds, personalities, and quirks, a human could be born with.

    She had often wondered what it¡¯d be like to be her sister, to be caught in the sort of romantic love that made you cry wetly, calling your siblings or friends for advice at 2 am; the type that propelled you into becoming a better person, such as learning new recipes to paint a delighted smile on your partner¡¯s face. The way to a love¡¯s heart was through their stomach, after all. Although, for Nara, that meant her potential partners falling in love with Chrome. (Did that count, if he was a part of her abilities? Like uh, having a nice house or a car?)

    So, she held that warm, comforting thought, placing it on a soft cushioned pedestal within her mind, like jewelry to be admired, not worn. It was one she wouldn¡¯t act on, and accepted that she appreciated Encio in ways beyond friendship.

    *****

    Nara never had the experience of waking up in bed with a beauty, although that was the dumbfounded thought she had upon seeing Encio¡¯s sleeping face. His beautiful bronze skin against the morning sun, his luscious dark waves that framed his face, and the way his long eyelashes covered his emerald eyes like curtains of night protecting the heart of a forest.

    Why does it feel like he¡¯s the beauty and I¡¯m the beast? She thought wryly. He¡¯d be great as the star of a Disney Prince movie, then was surprised that their diversity inclusive screenwriters hadn¡¯t made a Disney Prince movie yet¡­Well, damn, she couldn¡¯t think of any Disney movie that had such a role reversal. How uncreative. Except, hm, ironically, Beauty and the Beast. Did the Beast count as a Damsel in Distress? Mutual damsels in mutual distress and mutual rescuing heroes?

    She slipped off of the bed, the cloud flooring comfortable against her feet. It didn¡¯t have the too cold sensation of hard flooring in morning, instead pleasant in both temperature and texture. Thanatos looked up, and stretched his body with a large, snapping yawn. She still hadn¡¯t figured out if he actually sleeps or not. Or if he does just for fun.

    She crouched next to him, a little disbelieving of the events of the night previous.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been in love before Thanatos,¡± she said with a conspiratorial, telepathic whisper. ¡°Do you know what that¡¯s like?¡±

    He muttered a quiet bark. Also telepathic.

    ¡°Silly question, I know. What does a wolf know about love?¡±

    Thanatos knew a lot about love. His one true love was food, after all.

    She gave him a thorough petting, stroking his face, back, and stomach. The best way to start any day was to use hands the way God intended¡ªto boop the noses of all animals. Now that she had magic power, she could get away with booping the dangerous ones. She made an internal bucket list of all the animals she wanted to scritch: an alligator (swamp puppy), a seal (water puppy), a bat (sky puppy), a lion (big cat puppy?), a cheetah (savannah greyhound¡ªstill a puppy), a shark (ocean puppy)¡­.

    ¡°If you keep rubbing your familiar like that,¡± a teasing voice rose from above her, still on the bed, ¡°I¡¯m going to get jealous.¡±

    ¡°Orrrrrrrr,¡± Nara offered, ¡°You can pet him together with me. If Thanatos is okay with it.¡±

    He barked.

    ¡°He is.¡±

    She wondered why her familiars bodied such extremes, with Thanatos having never turned down a pet, and Chrome rejecting almost all. One a glutton, and the other a chef (and a glutton). Chrome would say ¡®Like summoner, like familiar.¡¯

    Encio shook his head lightly and slipped off the bed as well, couching next to Nara to join in her daily routine of petting the fluffies.

    They enjoyed that quiet moment, fingers carding through fur, sunlight streaming through windows, and feet against soft floor.

    She rose, slapping Encio on the back.

    ¡°Alright. Up and at ¡®em.¡±

    They walked downstairs to John and Eufemia already up at the breakfast table while Chrome bustled about the kitchen. Sage was his semi-corporeal cooking partner, expertly offering high-quality assistance to the head chef. She cut vegetables to Chrome¡¯s exacting specifications, whipped up batters, and stirred sauces as Chrome manned the stoves and seasoned the dishes.

    ¡°Someone woke up chipper,¡± John noted, cradling a mug of the strongest variety of tea he could find, as dark and dismal as London¡¯s fog. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re feeling better.¡±

    ¡°I was sent an angel in the middle of the night, and let¡¯s just say I had a divine revelation.¡±

    ¡°By the gods,¡± Eufemia exclaimed, ¡°Did you finally eat him?¡±

    ¡°No! And he¡¯s standing right next to be,¡± Nara said, gesturing to Encio with exasperation as he flashed a grin.

    ¡°I mean sexually,¡± she clarified unnecessarily. ¡°I¡¯m never quite sure you catch my meaning.¡±

    ¡°No! I didn¡¯t eat him,¡± Nara repeated, glaring at Eufemia. ¡°I knew what you meant.¡±

    Eufemia flashed a sly grin, confirming that she had said so just to further embarrass Nara.

    Nara peered into the kitchen, wondering if any help was needed, but was only met with a glare that said ¡®do not inexpertly interfere¡¯. Sometimes, Chrome still let her help. Sometimes. But she¡¯d been abandoned for the far superior assistance of Sage. ¡°Y¡¯all really jump on each other the day of? That¡¯s like, the biggest no-no of first dates in my world.¡±

    Eufemia snorted, ¡°Your world sounds like prudes. How many times do you think Aliyah and Wisteria met before they were tussling off their trousers? That woman doesn¡¯t have a book on sex magic just to leave it unused. And you two have known each other for months.¡±

    ¡°Which woman?¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s smile indicated the answer was the famous inclusive yes.  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    They settled at the table while Sen entered from out back. He had woken up the earliest, practicing or exercising in the courtyard. He had quickly cleaned up in the outdoor shower, sparing them all the smell of his sweat against breakfast. Lawrence was also characteristically strict; as a priest of Knowledge, he operated on a schedule you¡¯d expect of a formal semi-lived-in organization. Aliyah was the last to wake, stumbling downstairs still mildly disheveled. Sen may have used adolescent brattiness years back to force her into developing a habit of orderliness for her study, but that didn¡¯t apply to her room or her sleeping schedule (at least on days where it didn¡¯t matter).

    ¡°Are you alright to depart for the mausoleum today?¡± Sen asked, as he started to fill his plate from the dishes Sage and Chrome had already carried out. ¡°We can reschedule. A day or a week of delay makes no difference. This won¡¯t be an expedient search.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine now,¡± Nara said. ¡°It¡¯s nothing a day or week is going to immediately solve either.¡±

    She resolved herself to go apologize to Rhys later.

    There was a knock at the door, and Roscoe was guided in by Sage.

    ¡°Good morning to my fellow adventurers!¡± He greeted the team energetically, with far too much energy for anyone to possess before breakfast. Morning folk, in Nara¡¯s opinion, should be categorized as an entirely different race, with a racial reading ¡®Do not suffer the effects of sleep deprivation. The mind requires no time to wake.¡¯ Abominable. ¡°Shall we get down to business?¡± he inquired. ¡°Ooh?¡± He caught a glimpse of the full spread at the table, looking wanting and impish. ¡°Any for me?¡±

    Sen gestured, and Nara had a chair pulled up from nebula matter for him to sit in. They all shuffled a bit, displacing their table mats to make room.

    The costs of lodging, food, and transportation was provided as part of his contract. He didn¡¯t need costs for lodging¡ªhe lived in Kallid, but transportation would have been included if they needed it to travel to the mausoleum. They¡¯d need it for the first trip there, but any subsequent trips would be free thanks to their portals. The free lodging, food, and transportation wasn¡¯t a proposition to cut Roscoe¡¯s costs, but rather a necessity¡ªwithin the mausoleum, he couldn¡¯t exactly spend his time away in their lodgings. It was unsafe.

    The team was roughly at Bronze 2 with Sen and Encio, the two humans, thanks to the slightly faster growth provided by Human Ambition, edged closer to Bronze 3.

    Sen¡¯s teleportation could take targets with him through a portal although he could not conjure a portal. Nara could use a portal, but didn¡¯t have to use up its capacity herself, but neither did she count towards her own capacity anyway, as long as she used the Astral Domain as her intermediary. Eufemia could transport another two, as could Aliyah.

    Aliyah sighed after her mental calculations.

    ¡°Including Rosco, Lawrence, and a mausoleum researcher, we¡¯re just one away from the full party in 10 minutes.¡±

    ¡°The moment any of us achieves Bronze 3 in our portal or teleportation ability,¡± Encio three, ¡°We can swing the pull party in 10 minutes.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you still be lacking one spot?¡± Roscoe asked. He¡¯d done the math himself¡ªit wasn¡¯t hard, at bronze rank, even with only minor education. Roscoe however, knew a great deal thanks to his profession, and was well-read, significantly better than the average of Kallid.

    ¡°I don¡¯t count towards my own capacity,¡± Nara explained, ¡°Special ability.¡± Which was more or less the truth that it didn¡¯t feel like lying to Nara.

    ¡°Ah, well, there¡¯s no rush. 10 minutes ain¡¯t all that,¡± said Rosco. ¡°We just pick up the researchers last after we¡¯re all through.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve organized that already?¡± Sen was impressed with his expediency and ability to predict the needs of the team. He was a professional, after all.

    Roscoe thumped his chest with reassurance. ¡°Miss Ceri Bethel, iron ranker¡ªnothing we can do about that. They save the bronze rank researchers for the irons, for safety reasons. She¡¯ll know a fair bit about the mausoleum. You can think of her as a second guide¡ªwon¡¯t match up to me, but you may like your second opinion. Just to see how much better mine is.

    ¡°Now that that¡¯s out of the way¡ª¡± Roscoe poised his fork into the air, eyes glittering at the spread of food before him. ¡°I¡¯m diggin¡¯ in. Hope you made enough for a leonid!¡±

    Chrome snorted, ¡°You¡¯re not impressive, leonid, I¡¯ve seen worlds devoured.¡±

    Aliyah gave him a look that spoke of hunger for more knowledge, rather than food.

    ¡°Haha! Your familiar is a diamond class jokester!¡± Roscoe exclaimed. His plate was already topped high with freshly cooked foods, with a higher than average selection of meats. A hearty cream soup was ladled into a bowl for him, one categorically larger than the rest of the teams, and set down by his plate of other foods.

    *****

    Nara stood outside of the nebula house. Sage could access her inventory, and she removed the flask, holding it while the house shed its solid form and coalesced into a stream of multicolored light and dust.

    She sensed two familiar auras. One bristled with indignity¡ªTheodore, while the other watched from afar, likely Egil. She couldn¡¯t sense Jago¡ªhe was far too strong for her.

    ¡°You said it wasn¡¯t a cloud flask,¡± he said, holding back a growl.

    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Nara said simply, not caring to look at him. She didn¡¯t owe him the truth, nor had she lied. ¡°Does that look like clouds to you?¡±

    It didn¡¯t, but Theodore couldn¡¯t shake the bitterness and indignity.

    ¡°What is it then?¡±

    She looked at him, tilting her head. ¡°Are we friends, Theodore?¡±

    A rush of indignity flared through Theodore. Another adventurer trying to become his ¡®friend¡¯, so that they could snag a second growth item before they inevitably left him behind in Kallid.

    ¡°What. So you are trying to be my friend!¡± he accused. ¡°I¡¯m not going to craft a growth item for you.¡±

    ¡°That not¡¯s what I asked. I asked if I was your friend.¡±

    ¡°N-O,¡± he said, overemphasizing the single syllable.

    She shrugged, her hands in the pocket of her long coat. It was something Pietro had made for her, lined with something like warm fleece, while the outside was snow, water, and wind repellant. He encouraged her to buy an actual cloak in Kallid, from their local tailors. They¡¯d do better for winter wear than he could, when it was needed.

    ¡°Then I don¡¯t really owe you any explanation, do I?¡± she said, head cocked at just the right angle to exude a lofty, imperious attitude. She¡¯d learnt that head angle from the best. ¡°We¡¯re not friends, and you¡¯ve just accused me of trying to become your friend for a growth item. Besides, if I had any more growth items, I could plant a garden of them.¡±

    One for each season.

    He seemed equal parts disbelieving and unsure that she was the one to deny his friendship, and he had a sense that he¡¯d already lost control of the conversation. ¡°Growth items don¡¯t grow on trees.¡± Just buried in a diamond ranker¡¯s mausoleum. However, his crafter¡¯s curiosity had been piqued¡ªdid she have more? He wanted to see them, and felt his window of opportunity was closing. ¡°Claim all you want. I doubt you have any proof,¡± he goaded. He could only push on with antagonism (he didn¡¯t know how to be friendly). The friend ship had sailed.

    Nara debated whether or not to show him. It would infuriate him more if she told him the truth, and perhaps may lead to a little schadenfreude down the line for his rude behavior now. She wasn¡¯t going to ¡®fix¡¯ him or befriend him; she didn¡¯t care to. But she might be willing to infuriate him, and see how that panned out for him. At the very least, it would break the status quo. She was someone who wanted nothing from him, not only that, someone that he wanted something from¡ªinformation.

    She imagined what Encio would do¡ªa little effort here may go down the line for Jago¡¯s and Egil¡¯s gratitude. The retreaters were powerful, but she didn¡¯t want to ask for favors from them and ruin their relationship¡ªit was a strange equality they had with her, and one she didn¡¯t want to ruin by asking for the one thing she never should ask for from them. Jago, however, she would have no compunctions about doing so.

    However, she wasn¡¯t that type of person. Theodore had pissed her off, and petty as she was, wanted to piss him off. Raja had been a brat, a teenager¡ªhe got a pass from her. This man, a grown ass man, Theodore Dahl, if he would dish it, he could take it.

    ¡°I have three,¡± she said nonchalantly. She gestured to each as she briefly introduced them, ¡°The flask, the lute, and the earring.¡±

    ¡°Bolo shit,¡± he spat out, disbelieving. ¡°You speak Leuan¡¯s lies.¡± Let me see them, echoed unspoken.

    Leuan? Another knight of the Einvaldi, but one she hadn¡¯t heard of yet.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to believe me, blacksmith. But you are the one who wanted to know. If you aren¡¯t going to believe me, why bother?¡±

    He clenched his jaw, feeling his leonid fangs grind against each other in frustration. Her face was impassive, a sneering poker-face that revealed not if what she was saying was truth or fiction. It was fiction, he insisted to himself, but why did he think it was truth?

    (He could not insist that she had none, after all, since he had already seen the first one. It irritated him that her claims had any credibility, fueling a greater drive to prove her wrong.)

    The nebula material was completely bottled, and Sage stored it safely away into Nara¡¯s Astral Domain. She gave him a passing, indifferent glance, and left to catch up with the others, a shimmering, semi-transparent grey robe figure trailing behind her.

    Egil peeked from the window, his silver rank senses passing over the brief discourse in the courtyard. Nara had noticed him, but Egil was aware she had. While he was not an untrained core user, he was also not a master of aura manipulation.

    ¡°Did you ask them to do that?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jago said, ¡°I decided against it. Mona seems to have mentioned something.¡±

    ¡°Hm. You should give your thanks,¡± Egil said thoughtfully. ¡°She gave you plausible deniability.¡±

    Jago rolled his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need plausible deniability.¡±

    Egil tipped Jago¡¯s head back, ¡°Strong as you are, dear, lying is not your strength.¡±

    Egil stroked Jago¡¯s chin, as if he was thinking through his partner.

    ¡°If friendship doesn¡¯t work, rivalry might.¡±

    Jago laughed, one that would¡¯ve boomed across into the courtyard if not for the noise suppression of the house.

    ¡°There isn¡¯t rivalry to be had! The young lady would put our son into the ground. He¡¯s puts the ¡®fur¡¯ in ¡®furnace¡¯ and nothing else.¡±

    ¡°Rivalry, Jago,¡± Egil said, his head on his husband¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Isn¡¯t about who can win.¡±

 Chapter 165: Impracticality Disguised as Practicality

    Chapter 165: Impracticality Disguised as Practicality

    The mausoleum was around 80km away from the city, or just under 50 miles. It was sort of a tourist destination distance, Nara equated, where you spent an hour and a half chugging away on a bus filled with affable strangers to gawk at some natural wonder for 30 minutes. Kallid had built there city on top of the old civilization of Manistrengja, which had faded millennia ago. The mausoleum was in some way, Kallid¡¯s equivalent of the Egyptian pyramids, except the artifacts inside were intended by the king himself to be looted by his future people, and normal folk didn¡¯t visit the mausoleum, as it was filled with traps and prowling monsters. Nothing stopped monster manifestations within the mausoleum, and the magic of the mausoleum was thick, probably influenced by some magic array, or perhaps by the sheer density of magical artifacts.

    They rode one of the several skimmers that putted above the ground towards the Einvaldi¡¯s mausoleum. Mud and shallow pools of water were undisturbed except by the wind the skimmers generated in their passing. Bright green strands of grass pushed up through the thick mud, struggling to drink in the sun.

    Skimmer taxis towards the mausoleum operated regularly once in the morning and once in the evening, making trips to the mausoleum a full day affair¡ªnothing unusual for adventurers. They were additionally grouped with a small team of iron rank locals, another stipulation of the Adventure Society. The mausoleum had too many bronze rank monsters and infrequent silver rank monsters¡ªit was much to dangerous for an iron rank party all on their own. They had their own guide, but they¡¯d follow Roscoe¡¯s directions.

    Ceri was a studious, well put together elf. Her hair was a soft white, like untouched snow. Her eyes were a pale tan, the color of wheat. Her hair was in a neat ponytail, pulled back in a practical fashion to keep it out of her face and eyes, simultaneously athletic and academic. A dimension bag sharing similarities to a hiking backpack (although less complicated in construction) was fastened on her back, one provided by the Magic Society for her studies. She didn¡¯t wear robes that researcher types liked to wear, but a pair of sensible leather pants with a cloth and leather top. Finally, her outfit was completed by a knee-length heavy overcoat, more for defensive purposes than for warmth, although doing respectable double duty.

    She was generally polite and reserved, responding appropriately when spoken too and an adequate conversationalist. While iron rank, she evidently had been on many expeditions to the mausoleum before, her time split between her studies and progression elongating iron rank significantly. The trip itself garnered no interest; her attention was dedicated to learning about the party she was traveling with. It was important whether they were the competent types¡ªher safety largely rested in their hands, although she had her ways if things went badly.

    Her interest was purely practical, as was much about Ceri Bethel.

    The team had needed to take the skimmer to the mausoleum, since none of them had been to the mausoleum yet. They disembarked the skimmer, and tipped the skimmer-taxi with a suitably dramatic adventurer-esque flip of a coin. Once all the skimmers had arrived, they¡¯d ride back as a group, with an adventurer protecting their return to Kallid. It was low risk job that many older folks took, the driving easy on their labor worn bodies.

    They saw the mausoleum from miles away, long before they had disembarked from their skimmer. It towered¡ªdisbelievingly massive. It was a sheer face built into the base of the mountain, carved from dark stone in intricate patterns, reminiscent of Petra of Jordan.

    It was imposing, massive, and majestic. Monolithic. This was the mausoleum of the diamond rank Einvaldi, the ancient king of Manistrengja. His treasure trove, for he had never died, but departed from this world permanently.

    Which, as far as Nara was concerned, may as well be death. A death in society. A departure. At the very least, he had lest behind his treasures for others to have. What sort of treasures would she leave behind?

    The iron rank team they were taking care of had four members¡ªGwen, Iola, Huwe, and Wynthell. With Ceri, it was a total of five iron rankers, a responsibility that Nara was nervous about. Villagers were one thing¡ªshe¡¯d felt the weight of that responsibility before, for but a moment, when she made desperate decisions.

    But these iron rankers were (mostly) what she was, just months ago: Fresh, unsure, hopeful. The mausoleum wasn¡¯t typically that dangerous, yet Nara now knew of some of the dangers of adventuring. She had learn them in her own trials and contracts. The building pressure in her chest was not because she was afraid of the responsibility, but rather she understood the true pressures of it. She understood the dangers, because she had lived through them.

    ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± Encio said, standing next to her.

    ¡°Is it that obvious?¡±

    ¡°For all your aura control, you aren¡¯t that hard to read.¡±

    She shuffled on her feet.

    ¡°I was told the opposite, on Earth.¡±

    ¡°Clearly,¡± Encio said, ¡°They haven¡¯t been paying as much attention as I have been.¡±

    She snorted. She couldn¡¯t help herself.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t stop,¡± she said with amazement. Her tone was disproving but her smile was light.

    They started off towards the mausoleum, the stall stone fa?ade looming over them like the gates of hell. It blocked light itself, the temperature dipping noticeably in the shadow of the colossal entrance.

    The face of Petra was around 130 feet high (40 meters), but the mausoleum loomed over 200 feet tall. Since they could just carve it out of the mountain, Erras¡¯ struggling progress in construction bore no impact. The mountain itself was high rank stone¡ªable to bear weight entirely improbable by Earth¡¯s standards.

    The team ventured forward, feeling like krill entering the gaping mouth of a blue whale, Roscoe explaining all the while. Other teams entered too, in their own groups, yet they were spread apart, just at the entrance, due to it¡¯s sheer size.

    ¡°Typically,¡± Roscoe began, ¡°The challenge rooms list the rank of the challenge: Iron, bronze, and silver. Now gold rooms¡ªthey exist, but only as myth,¡± he stared at them, dropping his frivolity, ¡°Do not enter the gold rooms. Not even Hero can save you there.

    ¡°Now, there are portals that link the mausoleum together¡ª¡±

    ¡°Portals?¡± Nara said, stopping with a shake in place. Suddenly, the mausoleum grew a lot darker, a lot larger, if that was even possible. It¡¯s massive entrance hall stretched and extended, the white moon glowstones seemed to dim, their light less powerful, less illuminating than they should have been.

    ¡°Convenient, eh?¡± Roscoe said, thankfully oblivious to her inner turmoil. ¡°Otherwise we¡¯d have to travel the entire way. I can keep track of which rooms are unavailable, and tackle as many as possible. We guide have a schedule of which rooms are in the process of being switched out.¡± He stretched his arm outward, to indicate the depths of the mausoleum, ¡°Furthest inward, some of it is still unexplored. Unmapped. It¡¯s labyrinthic, this place. What you¡¯re seeing is just the entrance.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t do portals,¡± Sen said, crossing his arms.

    Roscoe stopped to stare.

    ¡°And how do you expect to get around the mausoleum?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Sen glanced at the halls, ¡°We have a vehicle that can fit all of us.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see a vehicle,¡± Roscoe said. His foot tapped against the polished and patterned grand hall, annoyed that his perfect and professional plan had hit a hitch so early on.

    Nara rubbed her eyes, regretful over the mess she was already making of this expedition. She pulled the Nebula Flask from her inventory, holding it out to show it to Roscoe and the iron rankers.

    ¡°Is that a Cloud Flask?¡± Roscoe asked, face alight with wonder, his annoyance temporarily forgotten.

    ¡°Something like that,¡± Nara said dimly, not in the mood to play her technicalities game.

    ¡°That still isn¡¯t faster than portals. We can¡¯t execute the plan according to the schedule if we can¡¯t use portals to get from one room to another¡ª¡±

    ¡°Make a new plan,¡± Sen said with the tone of someone who was very sure of himself, and would not be convinced otherwise.

    ¡°Is this part of the test? I can see what I can do for you.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Sen said, voice even and strong. ¡°This isn¡¯t a test. We will not use portals. Neither this week nor any other.¡±

    No one in the party glanced at Nara. They made no indication that she was the one who had screwed the plans. The iron rankers kept quiet, nervous at the tension. Their safety depended on the bronze rankers, and they didn¡¯t like that they were¡­non-traditional.

    Roscoe¡¯s yellow-orange eyes narrowed into evaluating slits. He had propositioned them, but was he having second thoughts on a team that was so high-maintenance?

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­in the beginning,¡± Nara spoke up quietly. ¡°Once we go to a location, we¡¯ll be able to use our own portals.¡±

    Encio¡¯s shoulder pressed lightly against her, steading her shivers.

    Sen nodded, ¡°Prioritize reaching the depths of the mausoleum, and accessing its branches. Once we¡¯ve established that we can use our own portals, you¡¯re more than welcome to plan around using the mausoleum¡¯s portal system. It¡¯s a safety precaution,¡± he said reasonably.

    ¡°I assure you, the portal system of the mausoleum has never failed,¡± Ceri said, offering her knowledge. ¡°We¡¯ve looked into it.¡±

    Sen asserted with his aura mildly, pressing Ceri who had unhelpfully interjected. ¡°I hope you can understand, miss Bethel, that it is my duty as party leader to assure the safety of all those present. Whether or not the portal system has failed is irrelevant¡ªto travel to the depths of the mausoleum without portals is a minor detour for an endeavor that may take months. We will make that detour, if I feel it decreases risk.¡±

    ¡°Moreover,¡± Aliyah added as their helpful researcher, ¡°If we¡¯re too far from a portal, we¡¯d have a faster way to escape danger.¡±

    Ceri nodded, reluctantly understanding. The team she was with did have an odd number of portals. It would be negligent of them not to fully utilize it. Although, she didn¡¯t understand why they couldn¡¯t just step through every portal on the way there. Sen¡¯s strict gaze and aura clamped her mouth shut, killing her unvoiced query.

    ¡°How fast can your, something-like-it-Cloud-Flask travel?¡± Roscoe asked.

    ¡°Up to 75 miles per hour,¡± Nara said. The cloud flask could transform into an RV as it¡¯s carriage form. It was faster than the sky boat form since it adopted the advantages of technological advancements, although smaller and unsuitable for living for thirteen people. For transportation, it was what they needed.

    ¡°Really?¡± Roscoe said, both tail and tone indicating his befuddlement. ¡°We can really make headway then. If it¡¯s safety you¡¯re after, I understand. We can prioritize safety this trip, and afterwards transition to efficiency. How¡¯s that sound?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Sen assented.

    Nara popped the cork of the Nebula Flask, the sparkling magic treating the iron rankers to a rare show. It diffused the earlier tension, even Roscoe was ogling the magic formation.

    They set off, piling into the RV as Roscoe gave directions to Sage (with so many people, Nara almost expected it to creak under their combined weight), who piloted the vehicle together with Sen at the front. Sen didn¡¯t know how to drive the Nebula RV¡ªthe control were entirely foreign to him. Why was there an oddly shaped wheel? The switches and the knobs, the turn signal that they had entirely no use for there were no lanes to switch to, the radio that buzzed unconnected, the air vents that he flipped pointlessly upwards and downwards because the vehicle had perfect temperature control, the empty CD slot Nara had never used because no one used CDs anymore, and she didn¡¯t have any either. They were remnants of Nara¡¯s world and Sen just could not understand any of it, any more than she could understand how they piloted their skimmers with a fucking sphere. Surely, a vehicle with mild vertical movement capabilities required more complex controls?? Where were the buttons and knobs? The levers? The switches? The altitude indicator?

    While the Nebula Flask had two primary modes¡ªgrand and adaptive, the interior of the construct could actually be anything in-between. Since no one here beside she and John had any idea what an RV even was, she opted for the Nebula Flask¡¯s original interior, casting the upholstery and walls if they were made of sunset hues, twilight rays, with sparkling subdued patterns of nebulas and galaxies that glittered across walls if you looked for the detail. It was dreamy and fantastic, yet none found it to wear on their eyes, comforting instead. They melted into the cloud cushions and seats, heaving sighs of contentment as the RV sped across polished stone, with no imperfections despite the wear of thousands of years of blood and battles.

    The first day was relatively easy. Roscoe expertly redrew their path, creating a route that accessed the deepest parts of the mausoleum as quickly as possible. They¡¯d step out every so often, and he¡¯d remark on something to imprint upon their memories as a location for teleportation. It wasn¡¯t something he had prepared for, but Roscoe adapted well, evidence of his long experience in the mausoleum.

    The outside of the labyrinth had been imposing steel grey stone. The grand hall adjacent to the entrance was the same, but other branches of the mausoleum varied in architectural style and color. It wasn¡¯t made of different material¡ªstill the same dark grey mountain stone, but it had been permanently dyed by magic, none knew how, expressing the same physical properties of the mountain stone while possessing a different color entirely, varying up to sparkling halls of cream white to halls carved of brown, red, and gold. The variations made the sectors of the mausoleum easier to differentiate, yet each sector was so large that they had 9 portals in each, spaced roughly equidistant to each other.

    *****

    It¡¯s odd.

    Ceri could tell it was all odd. Why had the team leader, Sen Arlang, silenced her? The Arlangs were famous as practical and competent adventurers, and she was miffed that he perhaps had the impression that she lacked the common sense to practice safety procedures. But even now, every time she tried to bring up the option to Sen and Roscoe, she was silenced with a glance before she could speak. She was ashamed that she was so easy to cower; she thought she had more strength than that, but with one steely look her mouth clamped shut and her thoughts stilled, all energy vanishing like heat in a vacuum.

    Roscoe gave her an apologetic and understanding glance¡ªhe didn¡¯t understand the reason for Sen¡¯s hardheadedness on this topic either, yet the entire team was in sync. It was, evidently, a stance they universally shared, without needing words nor any outward communication.

    Sen wasn¡¯t much older than her, he wasn¡¯t, yet he felt so much weightier. His actions, his presence, stemmed from this invisible weight she couldn¡¯t understand.

    The bronze rankers had been playing table games¡ªthey could listen to Roscoe speak and played, effortlessly multitasking due to their rank, leaving Ceri envious and wistful for when she¡¯d finally reach bronze. She was just a researcher¡ªshe wasn¡¯t dedicated like they were. Her rare chances to rank up, if she continued to put off using cores, were on these research expeditions.

    She possessed one of those crystal mausoleum tokens herself, unused and untouched. She kept quiet about it¡ªit was dangerous to let others know she hadn¡¯t used it yet. Danger that she, an untrained iron rank researcher, couldn¡¯t fight off.

    Two of the bronze rankers had been sitting close. The woman was a little quiet, distant, more concentrated on playing the table game than anything else, as if the table game had been started for her benefit. A wolf familiar curled across her lap, snoozing when it shouldn¡¯t have to sleep.

    The second was an ethereally beautiful man. One of those that you couldn¡¯t quite believe wasn¡¯t a gold ranker already. That wasn¡¯t the result of rank ups, Ceri could tell. It was the sort of beauty that made you feel bad for him, up there among Beauty¡¯s finest¡ªeveryone else must have looked so ugly and plain in comparison. The curse of Beauty, that they must gaze upon mundanity in turn. She felt frumpy and awkward just sitting in the same area even though she was an elf, a race known for their attractiveness just behind the celestines, which nobody could compete with, except for the leonids and dragonids who generally didn¡¯t find them physically attractive at all.

    She hadn¡¯t realized that her gaze had been drawn to the two of them until she peeked something beneath the long sleeves of the woman¡¯s overcoat. A large, diamond shaped scar, almost as wide as her wrist.

    It was a distasteful and pointless practice, real skill would ultimately be revealed; Some adventurers faked scars for clout, but it was usually on the face, the neck, or on the torso to be exposed by an eye-rollingly wide-open shirt. There was no reason to fake a scar on the wrist, especially not in a cold region like Kallid where everyone except leonids wore long sleeves and long pants.

    Unless it wasn¡¯t fake.

    Ceri was a practical person. She could tell when something was done impractically. And what they were doing now was impracticality disguised as practicality. A lie that was 95% of the way there. Safety was their excuse.

    And because Ceri recognized when something that should be practical was done with impracticality, she knew that there was a reason.

    Stupidity could be one. She didn¡¯t expect that from the Arlang.

    The law of parsimony¡ªthe simplest explanation was the right one.

    They couldn¡¯t use portals because someone in the team wouldn¡¯t use portals. So when Ceri saw those scars, she saw the long, hard look that the cut through the ethereal beauty she had been enchanted by, and Ceri learned that sometimes it was more practical to be quiet, than to be right.

 Chapter 166: The Cooler Portal

    Chapter 166: The Cooler Portal

    A full first day had been enough to establish important portal locations for the entirety of the explored mausoleum.

    There was a small adventurer village set up outside the mausoleum, where some adventurers retreated to rest every night. Not everyone had accommodations appropriate for a monster and bandit infested mausoleum, and many adventurers didn¡¯t want to take shifts, especially if they could just portal around the mausoleum instead.

    While rank and small ranks determined attributes and maximum health, mana and stamina, they were never fixed values, rather, general ¡®suggestions¡¯ of values. A well-rested adventurer of Bronze 2 pushed to the higher end of the Bronze 2 range, while a sleep-deprived, irritable, only eating battery acid spirit coins adventurer had reduced attributes.

    Nara¡¯s Nebula House, now bronze rank, had enough room for all twelve (thirteen with Lawrence) people. She had never used the full capacity of the house, and she hadn¡¯t used it yet here either. The house always adapted itself her intentions upon formation, connected as it was to her soul. For thirteen people, it created thirteen rooms.

    Nara collected the Nebula House, but did not transform it into its carriage form. They¡¯d travel from portal to portal now, while Nara would teleport ahead of them by astral jumping. Sen had an excuse¡ªhe always had one prepared for her¡ªthat she would be scouting ahead with her own methods. Roscoe was concerned about the traps, but he¡¯d smartened up last night, as did Ceri. For both of them, as long as Sen¡¯s odd decision wasn¡¯t born of stupidity, both were willing to trust.

    It was about the portals, and it wasn¡¯t something they could help.

    They approached their first trial room.

    ¡°I figured we should have a go with an appropriate room, a bronze rank trial,¡± Roscoe began. ¡°Since you are the ones paying me and not these buggers.¡± He gestured to the iron rankers, who held back their complaints.

    ¡°Make sure to allocate the adequate time for them,¡± Sen said. They had their own guide they were paying, but were required to go along with another party because of rank. Sen wouldn¡¯t leave them out.

    ¡°Aye aye, boss. Your wish is my command.¡± Roscoe saluted. ¡°This trial room, it¡¯s a type that¡¯s been seen before, a Kallidian Classic. Kill all the monsters in the room before time runs out. One person, bronze rank, a free for all of monster slaying.¡±

    ¡°What happens if time runs out?¡±

    ¡°The door opens, but no prize. It¡¯s a safe one.¡±

    ¡°How do they get the monsters in there?¡± Aliyah asked, her researcher¡¯s curiosity piqued.

    ¡°Ahhh,¡± Roscoe said. It was a common question. ¡°A combination of effects. Artifacts and arrays that lure monsters to the room and encourage manifestation direction in them. Once the room has detected enough monsters have manifested, it is accessible for the trial.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s our best guess,¡± clarified Ceri. ¡°It is inconceivable if the Manistrengja had the capabilities to control the manifestations of monsters. Nobody has that capability. It is theorized that the mausoleum possesses a lure of some kind, which encourages monsters to the challenge room and the Mausoleum. The surroundings do see less monster manifestations overall.¡±

    Roscoe withheld a look that said he disagreed with her¡ªthat artifacts that lured monsters and encouraged biased manifestations were not ¡®inconceivable¡¯. He grimaced briefly, and kept on.

    The trail of survival of the Celestial Book had nightly monster waves, but that was a result of a hyper-short daily monster wave cycle, a property of the astral space, and not direct manipulation of monster manifestations. Although, whether the cult had the capabilities to manipulate the magical flux of the astral space was a real possibility.

    He tapped the wall outside the room, scrawled in ancient Manistrengja script.

    ¡°The room detects what¡¯s inside, and interprets it onto the plaque outside of the room. I read it, and reference it with our records to figure out the most likely type, or perhaps any quirks of the room left unsaid.¡±

    ¡°Quirks?¡±

    ¡°Each hall has its own effect,¡± Roscoe said. ¡°It influences the trial of the room. These stone rooms are the most basic. What¡¯s on the label is what¡¯s in the box. Basic, reliable, trustworthy.¡±

    ¡°Is there any point to challenging the harder rooms?¡±

    ¡°Oh, there are many reasons. Stone rooms get challenged the fastest. You won¡¯t find many of them. We¡¯re lucky we have this one at all. It¡¯s just become re-available recently. All thanks to my skills,¡± he said, shameless.

    That was the necessity of a guide¡ªhe was there to find the rooms before others challenged them and sealed them off.

    ¡°The other reason¡ªnow this is more speculation than anything reliable¡ªis two-fold.¡±

    He held up a finger demonstratively, enjoying the explanation part of his job. He was a guide, through and through.

    ¡°The first is that we suspect that the hall influences the types of equipment and artifacts that show up. What the hall forces upon you is more likely to be reflected upon the equipment.¡± He paused, thinking briefly of an example. ¡°Aha! A room that inflicts Inescapable on anything within in has a higher chance of providing an equipment that either inflicts it on others, or prevents it for yourself, or other dimension or restriction effects. Those are tricky rooms¡ªdangerous to have abilities sealed, but the equipment is curated.¡±

    ¡°The second reason is that we theorize that a harder room has a better chance of rarer equipment and artifacts.¡±

    ¡°Rarer?¡± Eufemia scoffed, ¡°Aren¡¯t they all growth weapons anyways?¡±

    ¡°Not all of them. Others are tokens you can use for a permanent effect. Let me tell you, it¡¯s interesting stuff. Some are rumored to evolve racial abilities. If you can¡¯t find an equipment you like, those are a good choice to exchange your token for.¡±

    The team had seen a few example of external effects triggering racial ability evolutions. Nara had experienced two¡ªJohn¡¯s ability had offered one up to her, and another was an altered evolution offered by a Great Astral Being of one she had originally triggered herself.

    ¡°It should be a pretty small room,¡± Roscoe added. ¡°So? Who is our first brave challenger?¡±

    Sen would take this room. Small rooms weren¡¯t good for Encio, who needed distance to safely charge his best attacks for speed kills, while Sen could output consistently high damage enough to clear the challenge.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    The entrance of the room was covered in a silver fog that reminded Nara of boss rooms in video games. Once he stepped through it, the fog changed to a red color indicative of the slaughter inside. Nara stepped forwards to press on the fog wall, but it was impermeable. Even with her aura senses, she couldn¡¯t penetrate the other side, which meant she couldn¡¯t intervene with node teleportation. It was, as Roscoe promised, completely sealed off until the challenge ended. Aliyah found its dimensional isolation incredibly compelling, but the strength of its protective arrays prevented her from seeing anything, like how the Nebula Flask prevented its own investigation.

    No sound escaped. Not even muffled sounds of death screams, nor the roar and shake of Sen¡¯s high damage abilities. No cracking stone, no flashes of light. It was unnerving to be without the sounds of violence Nara had grown so used to. Except for the first strike, unless it was the only strike, combat was never quiet.

    They waited, the seconds ticking down from a timer Roscoe kept on him.

    The timer rang, and the wall shifted from blood red to silver. Nara pressed, but she could not enter.

    ¡°We can¡¯t enter until he leaves,¡± Roscoe said.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying he is,¡± John preemptively clarified, ¡°but what if he¡¯s too injured to move to the door?¡±

    ¡°Then you use the plaque and take the weapon if you¡¯re close enough,¡± Roscoe said, ¡°The room will open up then. Better off with something you don¡¯t need than dead. Just sell the growth weapon for coin, and keep your life. It¡¯ll fetch a fortune.¡±

    ¡°And if you¡¯re not close enough to the pedestal or the entrance?¡±

    Roscoe shrugged. The meaning was clear.

    ¡°Keep a healing potion on you so you can.¡±

    Eventually, Sen strolled out, nonchalant despite being covered in blood and spatters of pulverized flesh and bone. He frowned at the blood that covered him¡ªif he used crystal wash every battle, he¡¯d run out. He¡¯d have to bear with it for now and use crystal wash at the end of the day.

    ¡°No luck?¡± Nara asked.

    Sen shook his head. ¡°Not for me, not for anyone else here. It was a zweihander sword. Vallis may have liked it,¡± he added.

    The next room was in the crimson hall, according to Roscoe. The portal had a raised touch panel on the floor, where he entered a combination of runes that determined the code for the exit path. He¡¯d already memorized the book, but he showed them the source material for the codes of the mausoleum.

    -------

    -[Mausoleum Manual] has been added to the [Archive].

    -------

    Nara stood a ways away from the portal. Most of the others had already crossed through, except Roscoe, who would not go through until everyone else had (except the last person, a practice to make sure the guide was trustworthy¡ªthat they would not abandon the team). It was his responsibility as a guide. He wouldn¡¯t let anyone else touch the portal panel, not until they were done with it, else the party would be separated. If that did happen, he was the one who knew the combinations, and he could put the team back together again.

    Nara hadn¡¯t a problem just seeing a portal. It was any intention to go through that parched her lips, froze her blood, and destabilized her balance, even as she just stood still, eyeing it like two cats in a standoff. When she tried to look at the portal, her vision blurred, hot and stinging, as if the portal itself rejected her.

    She couldn¡¯t wrench her feet forward, not a single step. Her covenant, her promise with Chrome that she¡¯d use her own portal had carved the base necessity of safety for herself, but while she could use her own portal, she still couldn¡¯t use anyone else¡¯s.

    Repeat after me.

    She heard Lina, no, Lieke¡¯s voice.

    I will not go through any portal, ever.

    She wondered if she had already broken that promise, the promise Lieke made at the cost of her life.

    She knew that there shouldn¡¯t be a difference between her portals and other portals, that she had already broken her promise, yet her feet would not move. She knew logically, yet her soul would not capitulate. Even if she could approach that portal free of her frozen limbs and press her hand against the surface, she could not push through.

    When Encio wiped a tear from her face, she realized she had been crying. Such dramatics, she chastised herself.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± he said softly, like soothing a skittish horse. ¡°What¡¯s this portal when the world is your portal?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    He pulled her into a hug, and soothingly rubbed her back.

    ¡°I can go with you through your portal, or I can leave first. Whichever you like.¡±

    A cosmic portal extended up from the ground, an archway into the universe.

    ¡°Don¡¯t I have the cooler portal?¡±

    He grinned. ¡°Between a starry portal and an ordinary stone arch, I think there¡¯s no comparison. Roscoe,¡± Encio said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about what Nara does. Worry about the rest of us.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, otherwise keeping quiet. He felt a sickness in his stomach that punched his ever present leonid hunger into temporary submission. He had stray thoughts he knew he shouldn¡¯t have, yet he could not help but speculate. What has to happen to make someone never want to enter a portal again?

    The two crossed into their portal, and Roscoe entered through his.

    *****

    ¡°The next room,¡± Roscoe said, transitioning seamlessly into upbeat and professional, whisking his mind away from pointless speculation, ¡°is a group room. Multiple people, one challenge. The greater the number, the greater the danger¡ªfor us,¡± Roscoe said, patting his chest, ¡°for us, the ones left outside.¡±

    ¡°It would be the greatest opportunity for thieves to strike,¡± Sen postulated, ¡°if a significant portion of our fighting force is trapped within the challenge room.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the ins and outs of it,¡± Roscoe said. ¡°You want to be careful of any other unknown parties. The local parties may be safe, but other outsiders¡ªthey¡¯re dangerous. I can¡¯t tell you if I recognize them or not. So generally, we want to avoid everyone else. No exceptions.¡±

    He gestured to the red stone architecture around them, the vaulting ceilings and arches, laced with gold and bronze details.

    ¡°Crimson hall. You cannot receive external healing.¡±

    ¡°The stone absorbs the ambient healing energy,¡± added Ceri. ¡°Unless you heal through something as close as physical touch, almost nothing works. We think. We¡¯re not entirely sure¡­since we can¡¯t collect any of the stone.¡±

    ¡°Potions still work,¡± added Roscoe. ¡°And boon based healing should work. Cleansing magic is also a-okay.¡±

    John would suffer, but not entirely. Based on Roscoe¡¯s information, Vigor Wellspring may still be effective.

    This time, three members would go in: Sen, Nara, and Eufemia. The room was perpetually slick with blood that drained their health on contact, and most of the monsters were flying enemies or crawling enemies. The ones that were not flying had all eventually died, de-manifesting inside the room after their bodies degraded into magic smoke.

    It was adequately challenging¡ªrequiring decent skill and focus, but not the ability to flirt with death. The Einvaldi had balanced most of the rooms such that they expected competency, not overwhelming skill.

    It was enough to advance their essence abilities. The monsters were slain, bodies obscured by the floor of crimson blood. Their health was still being drained, even now, but Nara conjured a block for Eufemia to stand on. Sen and Nara had their passive healing abilities, and sustained through the constant drain¡ªit was good training.

    -----

    Item: [Blood-Forged Challenger¡¯s Gauntlets] (bronze [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Weapon, gauntlets

    Description: Gauntlets crafted of the blood of diamond rank monsters. Their lifeforce has been taken, and shaped. They long to once again draw the blood of those great beasts, to surpass from which they were borne.

    Challenge death, surpass death, bring death.

    Effect: Deal increased damage against wounded targets.

    Effect (Iron): Attacks inflict [Bleeding] and refresh all wounding effects. Wounding effects refreshed by Blood-Forged require more healing than normal to negate.

    Effect (Bronze): When refreshing any wounding effects, drain a burst of health from the target per wounding effect refreshed. Health drained in this way ignores the effect of your own wounding affliction or afflictions that block, negate, or reduce healing.

    -------

    It was another dud¡ªa pair of spiked red, black, and gold gauntlets that drained health from Bleeding targets. All growth items started at iron rank in the mausoleum. The plaque to the right detailed their upgrade, up to the rank of the room.

    It was definitely a great pair of gauntlets, with a variety of effects that would make any physical unarmed melee fighter with the barest of synergies extremely self-sustaining.

    ¡°This really will take a while,¡± Nara concluded.

    Her voice chat worked within the room, but could not cross the threshold.

    ¡°Seems so,¡± Eufemia said with a sigh. ¡°Are we going to spend the entirely to bronze rank here?¡±

    Sen seemed unsatisfied with that prospect as well.

    ¡°We¡¯ll establish a timeline,¡± Sen said. ¡°If we cannot find anything in that time, we exchange all remaining plaques at the Adventure Society.¡±

    They were adventurers. They wanted different experiences, not to languish in the same location.

    Afterwards, Roscoe located various rooms. The iron rank rooms were reserved for iron rankers, according to Kallid¡¯s regulations. The whole team of iron rankers could enter the rooms since they were insignificant to their fighting force.

    Their second day was fruitless. Nothing even tempted them.

    The third day was the same. And the final fourth.

    The week passed, and the team took a break from the mausoleum to return to Kallid.

 Chapter 167: The First Token

    Chapter 167: The First Token

    Sen was satisfied with Roscoe¡¯s performance, and Roscoe was satisfied with the contract. By now he suspected that one particular party member had a very good reason to avoid using portals, but he also didn¡¯t need to worry about her transportation around the mausoleum. As long as he told her where to meet, she would find them. So their contract was renewed, and Roscoe would act as their guide until they gave up on the search.

    *****

    Nara lingered outside The Songbird¡¯s Rest. She knew Rhys was inside¡ªshe could feel his aura. The amalgam of normal rank auras mixed with the music that filled the adjacent street with warm, peaceful revelry.

    Chrome was wrong; She could go to a tavern at night, it wasn¡¯t her fault. She knew her tetchy familiar was practical¡ªwhat he told her was the best way to avoid potential unpleasant situations, especially if she was going to pretend to be a normal ranker. Just don¡¯t go to bars at night. He wanted what was best for her in his own way.

    He was right, but he was also wrong.

    She pushed open the door to the tavern, passing through the clientele unnoticed. She sat on a stool, and waited for Rhys¡¯ performance to end. He was an actual bard (unlike her half-assed unpaid moonlighting), and the tavern goers would tip him with coin. She discretely flipped one into his tipping box, even from her seat across the tavern at the bar.

    ¡°Efa!¡± she said, calling the inn and tavern¡¯s proprietor, ¡°A mug of your best beer for the  performer.¡±

    Efa hadn¡¯t noticed her¡ªshe was just another customer to her, and it was a busy night. Her aura control blended her in seamlessly into the crowd like Clark Kent. Just another small city gal.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to get it to him when he comes over, dear. Any message you want on there?¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± Nara said, ¡°It¡¯s just my compliments for the performance.¡±

    ¡°Of course dear.¡±

    Nara had chosen her seat intentionally. Sage told her that Rhys had a regular seat at the bar counter, and this was the seat next to that. Efa didn¡¯t have to save that seat for him¡ªall the regulars of the tavern knew that was the seat of the resident bard and storyteller, Rhys Glissander, the songbird of The Songbird¡¯s Rest.

    He hung his 7-pair lute on a rack attached to the walls reserved for him and settled onto his bar stool.

    ¡°Compliments of a young lady for the performance,¡± Efa said, pushing a mug of bear in front of him, with practiced timing despite her multitasking. She bustled away, bringing trays of hearty food out and setting them on tables. The warm aroma of braised meat wafted around the room and had Nara salivating, despite its low rank. It wouldn¡¯t do anything for her nutritionally, but Nara still wanted to eat it.

    He turned back towards the tavern wondering, which young lady? But no one made themselves known, and Efa had not indicated which.

    ¡°Ahem,¡± Nara cleared her throat, and allowed his aura to process her presence.

    He blinked. Had she been there this entire time? Someone had been sitting beside him, she had been sitting beside him.

    ¡°What¡ª¡± he sputtered a bit, using his usual suave cool, ¡°How long have you been there?¡±

    ¡°Since your performance,¡± she said.

    He blinked, surprised. ¡°And how did you do that?¡±

    ¡°A little magic,¡± she said, wiggling her eyebrows. The word didn¡¯t quite convey the same from a world where ¡®magic¡¯ was fictional whimsy, and a world where magic was science and the power of the rich.

    ¡°If you can do that,¡± Rhys said slowly, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Why are you letting me notice you at all? Was his unsaid query.

    ¡°I owe you an apology,¡± Nara said. ¡°I hadn¡¯t intended to scare you, but I have¡­sensitive memories related to physical touch.¡±

    ¡°A bad lover?¡± He incorrectly concluded. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you essence users could have them. You all seem so¡­powerful. Confident. As do you,¡± he quickly added, aware that his words may have implied she was not.

    Any physically abusive essence user might find themselves dead, against the wrong partner. It wasn¡¯t as if gaslighting, manipulation, blackmail, and isolation weren¡¯t impossible, but even nervous essence users like Kiris were considerably empowered. It was more difficult, but not impossible.

    ¡°Not quite,¡± she said. She lifted her arm for him to see the diamond shaped scar on her wrist.

    ¡°Not quite,¡± he repeated, at a loss of what to say. Rhys didn¡¯t know the significance of scars to essence users, but he knew the significance of scars in general. It could only be the mark of something painful.

    ¡°No matter the reason though, Rhys, I shouldn¡¯t have done that to you,¡± Nara said. ¡°I suppressed you. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    He didn¡¯t know what suppression meant, but he had felt it with his aura, unaware of it as he was.

    ¡°Apology accepted,¡± he said cheerfully, lightening up the mood. He dramatically inspected his body, flexing the muscles he didn¡¯t really have, like an amateur trying to show off in front of a professional. ¡°Everything checks out, all is well.¡±

    ¡°I do need to clarify one thing,¡± Nara said with narrowed eyes. ¡°I¡¯m here to make friends, not anything more.¡±

    ¡°Friends, got it,¡± Rhys said, awkwardly lowering his flexed biceps. ¡°I understand.¡±

    They chatted for a few hours¡ªNara talked about some of her experiences as an adventurer, which by now Rhys had figured out. The sights she had seen¡ªthe towering jungle of the Badlands (which he couldn¡¯t quite believe), Sanshi, the Stone Forest Astral Space, the humid Huxin, the emerald sea of the Tier-Media.

    Rhys wasn¡¯t one to be shown up. He spoke of his own small adventures¡ªlocal adventures. Sledding off a sloped roof while drunk and falling into piles of snow, which despite his poor judgement, ended well. Trekking through the streets during the blizzard, getting completely turned around, feeling that dread when you realize you¡¯re completely lost, before one of the city watchers found him and escorted him back home or to the nearest inn safely. The ribbons of green and magenta across the sky, the aurora borealis, on a clear winter¡¯s day. Shardshimmer falcons preening their feathers in the morning sun, light glittering off their ice crystal feathers. A massive arboreal ruig, hot breath in white puffs against the air, as he was stared down, frozen by its immense size and majesty.

    She heard about the small miracles of Kallid, and she felt a little closer to home.

    *****

    Sen and Eufemia had hashed out a rough schedule with Roscoe¡ªfour days of mausoleum diving, then two days off. Then, after three weeks of diving, an entire week off. The week in part was to give the iron rankers time to complete contracts¡ªthe mausoleum didn¡¯t pay out anything to the adventurers. There were no contracts to slay the monsters in there; only adventurers delved into its depths. It was also a chance for the team to try some local contracts¡ªthe mana quality was higher here, with mostly bronze and the occasional silver rank monster.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    It had been a week later, on one of their two rest days, that Nara ran into Theodore in town. She had forgotten she was trying to avoid him, and unfortunately, her black earring did make her stick out more than the average pedestrian, and Theodore had an eye for artifacts. Maybe he could literally sense them better, although that was pure guesswork.

    ¡°You,¡± he said with a growl. ¡°Where have you been?¡±

    ¡°Where do you think?¡±

    ¡°The mausoleum,¡± he grunted out, realizing it was a stupid question.

    ¡°Duh,¡± she said, just to infuriate him.

    She could feel the frustration rising in his aura, wafting off him like radiations of heat.

    ¡°You and me. I propose a duel,¡± he finally managed to say.

    She crossed her arms, somewhat amused despite her annoyance at his pestering. ¡°What for?¡±

    ¡°I win, and you¡¯ll tell me about those growth items of yours.¡±

    ¡°But what if I win?¡±

    His mouth clamped shut, brows furrowing as he self-assessed what he had to offer.

    ¡°...I¡¯ll make you a growth item.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t need it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m offering you one so accept it! Everyone wants a growth item, and I know you must too!¡±

    Theodore was afraid. He was afraid that if she didn¡¯t want a growth item, that he really had nothing else to offer. He was cantankerous, argumentative, and abrasive¡ª

    ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡±

    ¡ªand his fears had been realized.

    He had half a mind to throw a punch there, just to see if she¡¯d reciprocate. It was the hot half of his mind. This time, the cool side won over, just cool enough to lower the temperature of his mind below boiling.

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything from you.¡±

    And the hot half exploded, melting the cool logic away.

    With a frustrated roar, he charged forward, throwing out a moderately trained punch like a boxer. It was decent, acceptable¡ªshe saw that Jago had down his best to raise him to a standard, a standard the Adventure Society would accept.

    She easily avoided it, then popped one in his jaw, bewildering him with sudden nausea and throbbing in his head. She ducked a wild punch, and, using his foot and body as leverage, unleashed a kick to the knee.

    It didn¡¯t break. Bronze rank bones and joints were more resilient than that, but she could tell that it had hurt. Sen could manage it, with his overwhelming strength and abilities, but she never could.

    I still have a lot to learn.

    Fine. If she couldn¡¯t break his knee, she could at least throw him, and she was in a good position to do it. She turned, sweeping back one of his legs, hefted him onto her back, and flipped him onto the ground with a shoulder throw.

    He thumped down¡ªit didn¡¯t do any damage, but the next blow did. Raja would burn with embarrassment if she knew how she internally referred to her next moves¡ªThe Raja Kick-¡®er-While-He¡¯s-Downer.

    She kicked him in the head. Unlike Raja, she didn¡¯t miss. The skull was a skull¡ªhandcrafted by nature to withstand heavy bumps and blows, a bone cage to protect the squishy pink matter that enabled consciousness. Her leather shoe wasn¡¯t cracking bone, but she bruised flesh, split skin, and rattled the cage like Eric Andre.

    Theodore groaned, gasping and sputtering from the throbbing pain in his head. Nara stood over him, then pulled what Eufemia would be delighted to know was named after her¡ªThe Eufemia Break-it-and-Buy-it.

    She tossed some spirit coins onto him. Some landed on his bare furry chest, others clinked onto the ground.

    ¡°Should pay for the healing,¡± she said. And she left.

    He lay there, dumbfounded that he had been so thoroughly ruined by someone less than two-thirds his size (and from the pounding concussion). He knew that she was more skilled than he was. But he had been trained by a gold ranker, his father, Jago...

    A wave of shame washed over him. Lying on the ground, head pounding, and feeling like shit. He had just attacked someone who hadn¡¯t accepted his challenge.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± Theodore sputtered out through sharp pain. ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡±

    *****

    The silver hall was known for its unusual room structures. It had high, massive rooms, often with thin narrow platforms that floated above an abyssal pit. ¡®Altitude with attitude¡¯ and ¡®falling to your death¡¯ were the phrases of the day. It was religiously avoided by anyone without a slow-fall or flight ability, which meant that some rooms were open for the team to challenge.

    Today, it was Nara¡¯s time to shine¡ªor fly.

    The room challenge itself was relatively simple¡ªkill all the enemies in the room, no time limit. There was even a button on the other side of the door if you felt that you couldn¡¯t complete it¡ªatypical, for the mausoleum. A very forgiving room, all things considered, and a very forgiving room to Nara in particular.

    Nara had learnt in her battle with the pirates that she thrived in chaos. Overture and Entropy stacked her boons and afflictions, but the superior way to stack her boons and grow her afflictions was to place herself in the thick of danger. Refresh, Astral Return, Dream¡¯s Wake, and Avatar of the Boundary greatly rewarded her for active combat.

    4 of her 5 Balance Essence Abilities thrived in combat. She was starting to wonder what it implied, or how they had shaped her.

    You become what you are. You are what you do.

    The floating platforms were rectangular prisms, with potentially enough space to push off from the side. Some floated at odd angles¡ªnot all were parallel with the ground so far beneath her that Nara wasn¡¯t sure it was there, or some sort of magical void. Below a certain altitude, the were no more platforms, like some sort of platform-tree line indicating below which there was no way up.

    It was a challenge room. While Nara had all the advantages, its purpose was unmistakable.

    She leapt and danced, the platforms were like Aliyah¡¯s, but stationary. It was even easier for Nara to keep track of them. They held strong in the air, immovable, as if a developer had forgotten to give them physics. It was as if she had her Cosmic Path tangibility on demand.

    Fuzzy, white bat monsters like flying yetis shot bolts of ice which slicked the platforms with ice, yet her feet always had solid ground. Even with the power of razor-sharp ice bullets, the stone never broke, never pocketed.

    The researchers had been frustrated by the stone for hundreds of years. They could never collect any.

    She sliced through a wing, her sword enhanced with maximum damage from Astral Return. The bat-yeti, unable to maintain altitude, plummeted to the abyss. Ice wisps conjured ice spikes from the platforms that attempted to pierce her from odd angles. Some managed to hit¡ªshe couldn¡¯t divert the path of a stationary ice spike with Infinity Domain, and she didn¡¯t have eyes on the back of her head, while she did have something very close to it, with supernatural spatial awareness. When they struck her, webs of frost crawled across her robe. She could feel it¡¯s chill even with her protection.

    She cleansed it with Boon Conversion, and flakes of frost fell from her robe as she spun heaven and earth. The tug of gravity reminded her of the direction of the abyss.

    Annoying ice weavers spider-man¡¯d through the air on webs, slinging webs made of ice, or attempting to cut with ice sickles. They were unable to hide in the room, missing the boreal forests where they usually manifested, so they adopted the only option they had left. Their blood was similarly freezing¡ªa poisonous spray of super-cooled blood that immediately evaporated on contact with the warmer air (compared to their body temperature) and afflicted Nara.

    A little bit of damage was advantageous to her, so she kept a few stacks of it around, triggering various abilities automatically. She tried to kill the rest of the ice weavers at a distance, finishing them with a powerful bow shot, or at least with transcendent damage which transformed their body as they died into an aurora of blue, gold, and silver light.

    Chrome was at odds with aerial battles, and stuck around in her aura, providing an increase to his subsumed benefits thanks to Soul Legion. He also controlled those glowing golden swords, glowsticks, Nara called them, which irked Chrome that her on-the-spot nickname had been so apt. Big glowstick and his little glowsticks.

    She, of course, made sure not to remind him of the detestable nickname in combat, else she¡¯d find herself frantically directing two little glowsticks while juggling everything else, like a clown who juggled deadly weapons instead of sticking with cheap rubber balls.

    Combat finally drew to a close¡ªmost flying enemies had plunged to their deaths, monster screeches echoing down a chasm Nara suspected was dimensionally altered. She wouldn¡¯t get close enough to check, fearing a gravitational alteration as well. The other half of enemies, such as the ice-flame wisps that upturned their noses at the need of wings to fly, or the spiders that crept on walls, were killed one way or another, swatted like the pests they were. The pests that stood before her prize.

    She approached the pedestal. They were uniform in size, and quite large¡ªthey had to be large enough to fit heavy suits of armor. They were always made of the same carved crystal that resembled ice, as if it were perpetually melting, yet eternally cold. It was the same ice the tokens that ¡®unlocked the chest¡¯ were made of.

    She looked down at the plaque, reading it¡¯s contents.

    -------

    Item: [Raiment of the Eternal Storm] (bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: armor, clothing

    Description: A cloth and leather battle robe that maintains flexibility while granting increased protection. Its cloth is crafted from the threads of storm wind, the embroidering of spun lightning, and the leather of dark nimbus.

    He saw the storm, and he was the storm.

    Effect: Increased resistance to damage. Moderate effectiveness against all physical damage types.

    Effect (Iron): Strong winds increase rate of stamina and mana recovery. Glide through the air; highly effective at riding the wind for a moderate mana-per-second cost. Can reduce weight to slow fall at a reduced mana cost. Ignore or ride the effects of strong wind.

    Effect (Bronze): Increased resistance to elemental damage and afflictions. Moderate control of nearby air for a moderate mana-per-second cost. The cost of the iron rank effect is reduced to low mana-per-second.

    -------

    Without a second thought, she pressed her token against the display case. The mausoleum token melted into the material masquerading as glass, and with it, the glass melted away.

    It had floated in the case, as if suspended by invisible fishing wire like a magician¡¯s trick so that it may be seen with all of its glory. It still floated there, unmoving, and waiting patiently to be claimed.

    When Nara plucked it from the air it still felt light in her hands. She could almost feel the wind that coursed through the silver-white fabric of the robes, brushing against her hands as her fingers brushed against it. The golden embroidery of waves of wind snapped and tingled, glowing faintly with electricity. The leather jerkin of the torso of the robe was dark. She realized the intricate pattern on it was actually rolling storm clouds, which shifted over time, like swirling patterns of dark mercury.

    She never had any doubt that these robes were meant for Encio.

 Chapter 168: Another Day in Kallid

    Chapter 168: Another Day in Kallid

    Nara flashed a grin as she stepped through the silver fog door.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got something special for One. Special. Friend~¡±

    She waggled her finger, playing eenie, meenie, miney, mo. Eufemia rolled her eyes at her theatrics. She pulled the robe from her inventory in a magical flourish, as if she was a stage magician. Her audience was less than impressed despite the genuine magic, although John gave her a pitying applause.

    ¡°Ta-da! Did you guess? It¡¯s for Encio.¡±

    ¡°Of course the prince¡ªmy apologies, honorary duke¡ªgets his first. Color me surprised,¡± Eufemia groaned, very much not surprised.

    Luck was Encio¡¯s mistress, and she practically threw herself into his lap.

    ¡°What can I say?¡± Encio said, ¡°Some people are just born with it all. It¡¯s best it¡¯s me and not someone else more insufferable.¡±

    His insufferable tone made Eufemia¡¯s lips curl into a frown, but her next words lacked the sharpness that she used against her enemies. ¡°Is there such thing? Not even diamond rank magic can create someone more insufferable than you,¡± she paused, a smirk growing on her face. ¡°Was your mimic better or worse than you? I¡¯m betting it was nicer.¡±

    Eufemia could name quite a few more people that were more insufferable than Encio, but that wasn¡¯t the point.

    Without looking at it¡¯s effects, he passed his token on to Nara. She took it without complaint¡ªit was what they had agreed upon previously, even if for their team it didn¡¯t matter. Technically, her inventory was the safest one as well.

    While the wind effects were a nice compliment to Encio¡¯s skill set, iron rank equipment would be destroyed by bronze rank monsters, even if most crafted armor and weapons could be repaired or regenerate from extreme damage. He¡¯d need to rank it up before it was useful for him.

    It was their next room where Roscoe and the team encountered their first problem. It was a four person bronze-rank room, in the black hall where battles were fought in pitch black darkness. Eufemia was a necessary member in all these rooms, for her familiars and abilities provided the greatest amount of light. They were deliberating team composition when the nearby portal whirred to life, and a team of ten bronze rankers with their somewhat larger cohort of six iron rankers stepped through.

    ¡°What do you want to do, boss?¡± Roscoe asked through voice chat. ¡°Fight them for possession or the room or let them have it?¡±

    At bronze rank, Nara could now connect 100 people through voice chat. Everyone in the part was included in a general chat, while the team had their own special chat.

    ¡°We observe. If they show aggression, we relinquish the room,¡± Sen decided.

    ¡°Roscoe,¡± their guide greeted. The entire party of 17 (ten bronze rankers, one bronze guide, and 6 iron rankers) was a fair bit more than theirs. They were majority leonid, so their average height shot past John, creating an imposing immediate impact, like a team of American footballers fronting up. It may have scared other bronze rank parties, but Nara hadn¡¯t been scared by just height for a long time.

    ¡°Myrna,¡± Roscoe greeted genially back. ¡°Here for the room?¡±

    She crossed her arms, tail flicking. She cast a quick glance at their party, then back to hers.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t suited for your small team, so we¡¯ll be taking it.¡±

    Her tone and choice expression annoyed everyone in the party, but this wasn¡¯t a battle Sen was willing to fight.

    ¡°As you wish, milady. I am willing to concede to the slower guide,¡± Roscoe said, with just enough cheek and sass that Myrna didn¡¯t feel very quite so victorious.

    She had expected them to fight her for it. The traditional Kallid way of challenge. She wanted the fight, and they didn¡¯t grant it. ¡°Spineless,¡± she muttered under her breath as they passed, but it was loud enough for all bronze rankers to hear it. They all had excellent hearing.

    Sen paused his steps, weighing his options. He wasn¡¯t quick to anger, but he didn¡¯t tolerate insults towards his team.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    He decided against it. It was a no bark and no bite insult, one flung half-heartedly. No one cared, not even Eufemia, who may occasionally rise to the challenge with her own scathing counter-insults. Eufemia, despite her outside attitude, always chose her time and place. Her ability to completely put on a mask and so thorough it covered every inch of her skin surpassed Encio¡¯s ability to counter-plan and Sen¡¯s ability to strategize.

    Sen passed through the portal, not sparing another glance.

    *****

    It was another weekend when Nara experienced her first proper challenge (Theodore didn¡¯t count since she had never agreed). A strong leonid standing tall with hands on hips stood in her path in Kallid. He was unsurprisingly shirtless, paired with a short pants that elicited the image of college students in Canada running around the dead of winter with nothing but shorts. Red skin? Nah, I¡¯m not cold.

    At this point she was starting to wonder if the leonid¡¯s resistance to cold should have been included as a racial ability. It was paired with an equal distaste of heat, so maybe cosmic rules decided it balanced itself out and didn¡¯t warrant taking up one slot of six.

    ¡°Are you the Nara that defeated Erik at the gate?¡± The leonid asked with a booming voice¡ªa little too loud. It drew the attention and iron of the normal folk around, whose reactions varied from standing at a distance eating ¡®popcorn¡¯ to watch the chaos, or fast walking away to avoid the headache. If they stopped for every streetside brawl, work wouldn¡¯t get done.

    ¡°If I am?¡±

    ¡°I request a sparring challenge!¡±

    ¡°With me?¡± Nara asked, ¡°Erik wasn¡¯t exactly a hard challenge.¡±

    The leonid guffawed. He thought the same.

    ¡°He¡¯s my cousin,¡± the leonid said, ¡°The adventuring business wasn¡¯t for him.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind a spar,¡± Nara said. ¡°But even if I lose, I want to spar with weapons some other time. Hand-to-hand isn¡¯t my sort of thing, and I¡¯m looking for some variety.¡±

    ¡°I would never turn down a counterchallenge,¡± the leonid said, shifting into a fighting stance. ¡°I¡¯m Darren.¡±

    ¡°Nara. Pleasure.¡±

    Darren was an adventurer: She could immediately tell from the sharpness and efficiency of the way he moved. Core users could be skilled, but unless they¡¯ve slugged it out with monsters or other essence users repeatedly for hours at a time, they never really had that sharp energy-conserving edge, which persisted even as you¡¯d unleash your most powerful blows.

    This fight started traditionally; sharp jabs whistled past her face, which Nara still avoided with ease. Kallid sparring worked with passives only, whatever you had. It meant most leonids had a strength and speed advantage, but Nara kept her damage resistance, enhanced spatial awareness, and reflexes. Powerful blows were only effective if they hit.

    The fighting evolved, shifting into variety. Spinning kicks, parries, and attempts to grapple and throw. Nara wouldn¡¯t be able to shimmy onto Darren like she had Erik¡ªhe was too guarded and too skillful. To her delight, the outcome of the battle was still up in the air.

    They flowed across the street, even leaping onto roofs. They were both careful not to damage their surroundings. Keeping challenges ability-free made that feat easier, and they could dedicate more attention to fine control. She had thought Kallidian brawling to be a rowdy ruleless thing, but she was starting to appreciate the subtleties to it as she discovered them. Avoiding unnecessary damage, using your surroundings, and limiting your abilities to just passives.

    Darren¡¯s blows were unrelenting power. He was the heavy brawler type, like Sen, that was well aware of the limits of power they could put into every blow without running out of steam. They were supposedly the most common type of frontline fighter, and Nara bitterly muttered that it happened to be the type she was worst against.

    She saw her chance with a wire that hung across the street, draped with banners, signposts, and flags. She leapt onto it, balancing on top despite her weight. It was surprisingly sturdy, built to withstand Kallid¡¯s harsh winds.

    Darren stopped before the wire, his bare feet on tiled roof.

    Come here, she arched with her finger. If you dare.

    He pushed across with an exuberant roar, flinging himself across the chasm reminiscent of parkour training that many essence users shared in. It was a flying tackle¡ªone Darren knew had little chance to succeed.

    He wasn¡¯t one to turn down a provocation, success rate be damned.

    Nara pressed down on the wire with shifted weight, then let it snap upwards. A signpost smacked him in the face, and he grunted. More importantly, a cloth banner tangled itself around his leg. Nara dropped beneath the wire, shifting it¡¯s position again, and letting the leonid plunge towards emptiness. Momentum largely arrested, the banner pulled back, proudly boasting the tensile strength and quality of its make: Dashl¡¯s Magical Haberdasher¡ªstrong enough to sharpen your claws on.

    He started to swing. Midway through his arc, the banner uncoiled, and he dropped towards the ground. Bronze rankers had catlike reflexes (the comparison was absolutely not because she was fighting a leonid), and Darren righted himself mid-air. Nara launched up from the ground, thrusting forwards with her knee, and catching him in the back mid-turn.

    No impact frame, no cartoon X-ray with black flesh and white bone, and no comical bone crack. The force did punt Darren through the air into the street, where he smacked into the stone wall of a local respectable establishment made less respectable by the outside brawl. Or perhaps, more respectable. She wasn¡¯t quite sure how the locals perceived it. Thankfully, it wasn¡¯t enough force to collapse the wall. They were built particularly sturdy around here.

    She dashed forward, throwing out a punch to Darren¡¯s face, but stopped a hair¡¯s breadth away from actually connecting. ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever really figured out when one person wins. Beating each other into submission is really difficult at bronze rank.¡±

    Darren, still against the wall, shrugged.

    ¡°It¡¯s when it feels like a win. I think you won.¡±

    ¡°I think so too,¡± she said smugly, and offered her hand to help him up.

    He took it, and he lifted from his seated position.

    Their heads turned in the same direction when they heard a clatter the next street over. Shouts and yells, and the sounds Nara identified as ¡®coming to blows¡¯. They met each other¡¯s gaze and shared a companionable grin.

    It was just another day in Kallid.

 Chapter 169: His Balance

    Chapter 169: His Balance

    The team sped along Kallid¡¯s mountain valley on a snow skimmer, called as such despite the current lack of snow. The weather steadily progressed towards spring. Whatever nefarious plans Erras¡¯s residents and resident invaders stormed up had no bearing on the global weather at large. Stalks of new green grass peeked from thawed muddy earth, like a bald man re-experiencing his youth with renewed hope. The air was crisp and fresh, almost minty in texture as Nara took a physically unneeded but spiritually needed breath.

    To the north, beyond Kallid¡¯s royal palace, over the Ilwyd Mountains, was Kallid¡¯s infamous eternal storm¡ªthe Eilifyrstrum. The storms over the monoliths were smaller swirls, similarly eternal, but not the genuine article. Kallid¡¯s visitors confused the two until they cast their gaze towards the North¡ªthe difference in magnitude was unmistakable.

    It was the sole grey, almost black, mar on an otherwise clear early spring sky. Heavy storm clouds cast the north in persistent darkness, sparing only flashes of lightning that shattered the air between heaven and earth like glass. The land was barren of any non-magical plants¡ªno light penetrated the thick woolen blanket, and most non-magical plants could not survive the drought of sunlight, the unrelenting winds, the freezing temperatures, and the aggressive magical environment.

    The Stormlands were dangerous, but they held tempting riches. If one dared to brave the arching lightning, the violent winds, the slashing dagger rain, and the ominous darkness, high rank materials of silver rank, or the rare and coveted gold were of the taking.

    It wasn¡¯t their place, for now.

    When they cast their eyes upon it, they felt the welling of awe within their hearts. None was quite so awesome as the unbridled forces of magic and nature combined. It was a sight that may have inspired divine reverence in either world. The sort that inspired genius and madness, poetry and epics.

    They skimmed past the thawing streams that ran over the rocks and the earth. The valley was a patchwork of grey, green and blue. Farmers planted their seeds, standing with a glance to gaze at the passing craft, which left their hard work untouched, although they largely avoided it. Nara had a growing appreciation of Erras¡¯ choice transportation, the ever-convenient skimmer.

    Their contract was simple¡ªeliminate the crystal-eaters (accurately named) in Kallid¡¯s Ice Crystal Forest. Sen prioritized basic contracts that led to a seeing of the sights that Nara and John so enjoyed. It was important for his familiar, too. Caspian borne power within himself from his experience¡ªa significantly impactful experience. In some ways, it was like a racial ability evolution, except it could be triggered more than six time (one per racial ability).

    Nonetheless, it did not trigger often. He had gained an additional mode of power from their fight to slay Siyu, the vampire of the crystal quarry. It turned their adorable little team mascot into a hound of the apocalypse (figuratively), which swept the area with necrotic damage. Unfortunately, none to synergistic with the rest of the team, but Caspian wasn¡¯t known for his cooperative nature¡ªvarying between mischievous fey and pandering pup¡ªand he didn¡¯t exactly get to pick-and-choose (or maybe he did, the little Simurgh wasn¡¯t telling).

    He dashed alongside the skimmer, intentionally choosing to run through mud and water, creating a chocolate coated carmine Simurgh, if mud was chocolate (and often it was, by a toddler¡¯s standard): Intentionally, no doubt, so that Sen would have to clean him later. He knew he wouldn¡¯t waste valuable crystal wash on just mud, and perfectly pegged a situation where Sen came out losing on both sides.

    When she would see Sen wrangling the adolescent mythical wolf-creature, eyes narrowed but mouth sporting a wry smile, she knew neither of them hated it. Not that it had ever been in doubt.

    After a quick chat to those that maintained and harvested from the Ice Crystal Forest, the team set off for their destination.

    Nara heard the forest before she saw it. She heard the could of glass clinking, the ringing sound when a finger runs over the lip of wine glasses, the crackling of ice shifting, breaking, and changing.

    Nara was a loss for words when she finally saw it.

    The trees were tall¡ªmost magical trees shot upwards of their non magical counterparts. Trees could hardly grow shorter than normal, after all. Then they¡¯d just be a bush. Trees draped with long strands of leaves, like weeping willows and wisteria, if their petals and leaves were made of delicate, pastel glass. They swayed gently from the wind that swept through the valley, their clinking chimes the equivalent of rustling leaves.

    The light that sparkled through the ice-flora would have been a fire hazard, if anything could be set on fire within a mile radius. Prismatic sparkles cast the forest in dappled rainbows. This forest must have been the origin of the shardshimmer flacons. Other animals were similarly prismatic¡ªNara found it odd she never saw their entrails within them like a serial killer¡¯s enchanting yet grotesque living trophy case. She shoved down the odd fascination of how the saunter-horns would look if she cut across their hides. Was their flesh red? Or, similarly crystalline?

    A glace at Thanatos confirmed he shared it.

    She felt the need to warn him off aloud. ¡°Please don¡¯t exterminate the local wildlife.¡±

    He huffed through his nose. After all, what was a wolf than a hunter? Those saunter-horns tickled a primal instinct within Thanatos¡¯ being. Made for him to hunt.

    ¡°Just one,¡± she said, sharing his curiosity. ¡°After the contract.¡±

    Thanatos¡¯ nose twitched, and he decided the compromise was agreeable. One other thing, however, was of upmost importance.

    ¡°Yes, Thanatos, I¡¯ll see if Chrome can cook it.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    *****

    They saw the signs of the crystal-eaters before they saw the monsters. Partially eaten, wilting shard-willows and the half-eaten corpses of the crystalline saunter-horns. Their blood shimmered like liquid crystal, like rainbow crystal had melted through their arteries and veins. The crystal-eaters were, unfortunately, much harder to spot within the Ice Crystal Forest. According to the records, the crystal-eaters matched the Ice Crystal Forest appearance-wise. The animals they formed varied, usually mutated variations of a different crystal-form magical beast. It was part of the difficulty of hunting them¡ªthey blended into the local ecology. The forest-keepers only knew that some had manifested from the destruction they wrought.

    ¡°There¡¯s a few ways we can go about this,¡± Sen explained, his feet crunching crystalline grass, which, despite the soft sounds of crushed glass, recovered and stood bent in the dirt, pliant despite their crystalline makeup. ¡°We can try to lure them out.¡±

    ¡°Unlikely,¡± Eufemia muttered. ¡°They have an uncontested feeding ground. We¡¯re not more delicious than¡ª¡± she cast a glace at a barely eaten carcass, organs picked out, wasteful, ¡°¡ªthan that.¡±

    Sen nodded. ¡°The forest keepers have given us some bait to lure the crystal-eaters, but it¡¯s unlikely to draw their attention over their fresher options. Another option is to try our luck and hunt them down. Most aren¡¯t known for their stealth capabilities.¡±

    ¡°Most?¡±

    ¡°Crystal-eaters start out infantile, weak. Unusual for bronze rank monsters. As they consume crystal, they take on some of the properties of that which they consume.¡±

    ¡°They are a growth-type monster that can grow into higher ranks if left unchecked, forestalling their degradation,¡± Aliyah mentioned. It was more common at silver rank, where monsters could live long to cross to gold if left unchecked, so silver rank monsters were necessary to kill, regardless if they interrupted operations for long-term safety. It was rare at bronze, and the crystal eaters stood out for their precipitously quick ability to advance and evolve.

    ¡°So seek and destroy.¡±

    Sen nodded. ¡°You and Eufemia will have to sweep the forest for any stealth types. For now we split into teams of two and hunt what we can detect.¡±

    Contracts were still training, so Nara grouped with Sen, one of her rarer pairings. She and Eufemia formed the infiltration duo, she and Encio were the high mobility strike force, while she and John were the delay tactic duo. Sen did not lean into a particular strength with her¡ªthey were both resilient and sustain fighters, the main difference was their rate of damage.

    Nara extended her aura over the forest as Sen kept his attention sharp and defensive, protecting her as she marked every Cystal-eater she could detect. It was a rough sweep¡ªonce numbers were reduced, flushing out the sneaky bastards wouldn¡¯t be so dangerous. What snagged her attention wasn¡¯t a crystal eater, but a flashing group of four blue dots¡ªneutral entities, neither allies nor enemies.

    ¡°Sen, there¡¯s something up ahead. People. Four of them. We¡¯re the closest group.¡±

    ¡°Any others in the forest?¡±

    She cast him an incredulous glance.

    ¡°You think I can cover the whole forest?¡±

    He lifted a challenging eyebrow.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, o¡¯ leader, but I can¡¯t. High bronze, maybe, if I¡¯m meditating. Not yet.¡±

    He stored that information away, seemingly pleased.

    ¡°I¡¯m not the leader.¡±

    Nara looked at his profile, examining him.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re more the judgement caller. But¡­ I think I know what this is about. Don¡¯t take what I said during the exam too seriously.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t disagree with you.¡±

    ¡°We all have our strengths, Sen. Your strength is strategy. You also have that political know-how. More straightforward than Encio is, but Encio¡¯s method isn¡¯t always the right method. He¡¯ll overdramatize the whole situation if you let him. We¡¯d probably come out on top, but behind us is a carpet full of glitter. It¡¯ll never come out.¡±

    ¡°Glitter?¡±

    Nara plucked a shimmering, crystalline flower from a tree. ¡°Like this, but if you skimmed tiny flakes thinner than a piece of paper from it.¡±

    ¡°Is there a use for it?¡± he asked, curious. He always did absorb whatever information Nara offered, storing it for later. He wasn¡¯t an inventory or researcher like Aliyah, but he always had a knack for incorporating information into strategy.

    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised. It¡¯s used for arts and crafts, but also in makeup and paint. There was a rumor that my university professor would neither confirm nor deny that glitter was used by the military in arms coatings for identification, but I digress. The point¡ª¡± Nara said, tucking the crystalline flower behind Sen¡¯s ear and briefly appreciating how nice it looked on him, ¡°¡ªthe point is that we¡¯re comfortable with what you do. What we do works. Don¡¯t think about it too hard, and don¡¯t let the label worry you. It doesn¡¯t have to be too defined. Wiggle room.¡±

    ¡°Wiggle room,¡± he said, his tone unimpressed and neutral.

    ¡°Wiggle room,¡± Nara confirmed, wiggling.

    He stared at her, the hint of a grin beneath his artificially straight face. ¡°That ¡®glitter¡¯ explanation didn¡¯t have anything to do with your point, did it?¡±

    ¡°I thought it did. You thought it didn¡¯t?¡±

    Nara sent Sage to check on the four roamers, and she reported back telepathically her findings.

    ¡°Poachers,¡± Nara passed on Sage¡¯s findings. ¡°They¡¯re poachers.¡±

    ¡°The Ice Crystal Forest, while resilient to damage, grows and expands rather slowly. Overharvesting can drastically reduce the replenishment of specialty resources, hence why the area is under the care of Forest Wardens.¡±

    Nara sighed, rubbing a finger against her brow. ¡°What do we do with them?¡±

    ¡°Are there any Crystal-eaters nearby?¡±

    ¡°A few. Like you said, they aren¡¯t particularly interested in the people. Might change if they get close enough. Do monsters kill for fun?¡±

    ¡°They kill for fun or frenzy, it depends on the monster.¡±

    ¡°And these?¡±

    ¡°All monsters eventually kill in frenzy. Crystal-eaters will kill for fun.¡±

    ¡°What a pain,¡± she bemoaned. ¡°I can have Sage try to escort them out, but I don¡¯t know if they¡¯d listen without a little show of force. Chrome might be able to slug two of them over his shoulders. Thanatos could take a few, but we¡¯d have to tie them down or something. Caspian if he¡¯s willing.¡±

    From her shadow, Thanatos¡¯ paw extended and smacked her calf.

    ¡°You¡¯re not a cat,¡± she admonished.

    Another paw smack.

    ¡°Another option¡ªThanatos says he could probably scare them into obedience, but he also says terrified normals aren¡¯t known for running in the same direction or being particularly quiet.¡± She glared at her shadow. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know you just want to scare them. This isn¡¯t the time for that.¡±

    Sen considered this. No Crystal-eaters were attacking them now. He heard the sounds of battle ricocheting across the forest, turned into a strange echoing cacophony of chimes and glass, drawing the attention of other Crystal-eaters¡ªtheir other team members, no doubt.

    Sen didn¡¯t think the poachers deserved to die, not like the bandits. The poachers hadn¡¯t directly killed anyone innocent, as far as he knew. He knew his was a cold-hearted viewpoint¡ªan exacting equivalence¡ªwho was deserving of their protection, and who was not.

    In life and in battle, everything had risk and reward. He evaluated risk¡ªreducing the chance his team would come to harm. Seeking the path to victory without sacrifice. Knowing the limits of what his team could accomplish, because high-difficulty maneuvers had great gain¡ªgains of life and reducing risk long-term.

    In political maneuvering he applied the same mindset. He didn¡¯t treat every situation as a battle, no matter how much his team claimed he was a training-addict or a battle junkie (he secretly thought it was Nara at this point, but never voiced this opinion), but he did treat every situation as a balance of risk and reward.

    He combined everything¡ªhis information, his evaluations, and his intuition (sometimes the subconscious mind noticed what conscious observation did not. Sen valued intuition)¡ªto make his decisions.

    He made his decision. ¡°Let us pay these poachers a visit.¡±

 Chapter 170: The Appropriate Regret

    Chapter 170: The Appropriate Regret

    Eilir stiffened. Her hands stopped. The starburst flower in her hand sagged, roots dropping flecks of soil onto her gloved hands.

    She didn¡¯t know when. She hadn¡¯t noticed at all. Since when were two people standing in the clearing, staring at them? Staring at them plundering the blessings of the Ice Crystal Forest.

    Adventurers.

    A sweat colder than Kallid¡¯s most unforgiving winter crawled down her back, more ice than liquid.

    They were unmistakable. They had a weight presence to them that people like her didn¡¯t have. Like they were important (they were). They could¡¯ve been drunkenly passed out on Kallid¡¯s cold cobblestone streets dressed in vomit-stained clothing and smelling of days old booze, and they¡¯d still seem more important than the ordinary folk striding with purpose around them.

    One carried a tall, heavy staff. His robes were in a cultural design not of Kallid, heavy of cloth and outfitted with metal and leather protections, with eastern designs and colors of clay red and bronze-gold. The other¡¯s robe must have been from the same place¡ªEilir didn¡¯t know. Kallid had a lot of visitors. She kept away from the mausoleum. That wasn¡¯t a place for a normal person like her.

    Her heart sped, and blood roared through her ears. Even then, the beads growing on her skin were ice-cold. Her hands were shaking, and she sucked in a few, beleaguered breaths to try to restore her calm. It worked a bit. She told herself it did. It did.

    From the man¡¯s unimpressed expression, she knew that he knew what they were. He was waiting.

    She straightened, the damming starburst still in hand, and sucked in another breath. The others with her were watching her, all frozen deer in t heir plundering, illicit herd.

    She wasn¡¯t the leader, dammit. None of them were. She was, unfortunately, now the leader by proximity. Great.

    ¡°You¡¯re adventurers,¡± she said dumbly. It seemed a good start.

    ¡°And you¡¯re a poacher.¡± Maybe it was not so great of a start.

    ¡°I¡¯m Eilir.¡± She tried a different avenue of discussion.

    ¡°Sen.¡±

    ¡°Nara.¡±

    Okay, amenable to talking (although they¡¯d just introduced themselves, curtly). Not killed on sight. That was great. Not that adventurers killed on sight often¡ªthey weren¡¯t bloodthirsty, even if the adrenaline in her veins and her shaky legs told her otherwise.

    She was just a poacher. Not a murderer, not a bandit. Just a poacher. She repeated that to herself like a lifeline.

    ¡°How can I help you?¡± she ventured, as if she had some respectable professions others would find her for help with.

    ¡°We¡¯d like to escort you out of the forest to the forest wardens.¡±

    ¡°We were wondering if you¡¯d like this to do this the easy way or the hard way,¡± his companion added. ¡°We¡¯d prefer the easy way, but I think my familiar would enjoy chasing you down for the fun of it. He¡¯s a little antsy. And hungry.

    ¡°Don¡¯t eat them,¡± she hissed at the ground. ¡°He won¡¯t eat you,¡± she added after she looked back up with a reassuring smile. It wasn¡¯t very reassuring.

    Eilir gulped.

    ¡°What¡¯s the hard way?¡±

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t guess from context clues?¡±

    Her companion rolled his eyes, as if this was a joking matter.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± She cleared her throat, opting for more propriety. ¡°Yes. I can guess,¡± Eilir assured slowly, hoping that the hard way wasn¡¯t being chased down and eaten like the prey animal in the forest. Not that it mattered. She wouldn¡¯t choose the hard way. ¡°What is the easy way?¡±

    ¡°I have a few nice familiars.¡±

    Eilir¡¯s breath hitched. Wasn¡¯t that the hard way?

    ¡°Ah¡ªwoah, relax. They¡¯re just going to accompany you to the forest wardens, through a portal. There¡¯s some crystal-eaters out here, and we can hardly send you off all alone. I mean, we could but depends on how comfortable you are with the idea of a painful, impending, and violent end¡ªnot by me. By the crystal-eater.¡±  She felt the need to clarify again. Eilir didn¡¯t like that. ¡°My familiar has already notified one of the forest wardens¡ªafraid you won¡¯t dodge arrest. They¡¯ll meet you a safe distance away from the forest. You¡¯ll face whatever Kallid-mandated consequences, but you¡¯ll stay alive. Sound good?¡±

    Eilir nodded stiffly. ¡°That sounds good.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± a voice interrupted. ¡°That does not sound good.¡±

    Eilir stared stiffly at Geir, who stepped forward into the clearing now to interrupt when he¡¯d been so content to let her bear the brunt of their attention before. He¡¯d always annoyed her like that, letting others suffer in uncomfortable situations then wresting control when things weren¡¯t going his way.

    ¡°I won¡¯t go through the portal. We won¡¯t go through the portal,¡± he said, raising their voice and speaking for the other poachers.

    ¡°You could die here,¡± the female adventurer said. ¡°To the crystal-eaters.¡± She glanced at Eilir, who somehow felt very assured by her attention, and by her subsequent words, reinforcing Eilir¡¯s earlier negotiation. ¡°Those that want to leave, leave through the portal. You¡¯ll face the consequences, but I think it¡¯s better than being dead.¡±

    ¡°We have no idea if these people mean well,¡± Geir said, suddenly throwing conspiracy upon them. ¡°They claim to be adventurers. What do we really know of what¡¯s behind the portal?¡± He raised his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t see any danger here!¡±

    The other poachers shifted, glancing nervously at one another. Eilir made eye contact with two others¡ªthey weren¡¯t friends, exactly, but these poachers she got along better than with the rest. They¡¯d follow her through the portal.

    ¡°Are we to risk it all only to lose it all, at someone else¡¯s say so? I will take my chances and leave the forest myself, if I so choose.¡±

    The female adventurer grimaced, evidently unimpressed. The male adventurer was as stoic as ever, hand holding his staff relaxed but ready to shift into battle at every moment. Eilir didn¡¯t think questioning an adventurer¡¯s authority was smart action. To be escorted out of the forest was much better than being smashed upon that heavy staff.

    ¡°I¡¯m going though the portal,¡± Eilir clarified nervously, with as much confidence and authority as she could gather, although she could not match Geir¡¯s projected command, which seemed too loud in the quiet forest. She glanced over the group once again, and the two she¡¯d made eye contact earlier followed after her, leaving six poachers.

    Once she was through the portal, she promptly retched on the ground, although whether it was the culmination of her anxiety, or the effects of the portal were anyone¡¯s guess.

    *****

    ¡°Now what?¡± Nara stage whispered to Sen, who was being stared down by a very idiotic poacher (Nara was apparently not worth being stare down). Sen seemed to war within him an internal debate¡ªperhaps he was wondering if it was moral to leave the poachers to die here, now that they¡¯ve literally resisted being saved.

    ¡°If we leave the poachers, there is a chance they could continue their illegal activity,¡± said Sen.

    Ah, of course. It wasn¡¯t about the morality of their life and death now, but the damage of their presence. The remainers seem to have forfeited Sen¡¯s personal care for their lives.

    ¡°We will have to restrain them and leave the forest with them.¡±

    Nara nodded.

    The poachers, sensing the change in atmosphere like attuned prey animals, immediately peeled off into the forest. They were foolish, thinking they could outrun adventurers two ranks higher than them, especially since they were all gathered in one place originally. Thanatos pounced on two and kept them below his feet, Sen picked up another two, and Nara two as well, making a point to carry Geir, because it was probably more insulting to him to be restrained by a woman, and Nara liked to be petty when she had the chance. He yelled and flailed, and attempted to wrestled out of her grip, punching and kicking, but all it felt like was like a clumsy infant waving an arm about senselessly, completely harmless. He protested, raging that this was kidnapping and unjust, and yelled at others to resist with him, who had varying reactions¡ªsome who did wriggle and struggle, and others who looked shamefaced as if they¡¯d been caught outside with an embarrassing relative.

    Nara glanced at Sen. ¡°He¡¯s going to draw the crystal-eaters to our location.¡±

    ¡°Are they converging now?¡±

    She extended her aura, probing into the forest. She shook her head. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    Eventually, Nara silenced the screamers with gags and restrained their limbs with rope. She missed duct tape. Ah, it would¡¯ve worked for both gags and restraint. What an efficient kidnapping material. With six poachers, two were tied upon each of their quadruped familiars¡¯ backs¡ªThanatos, Capsian, and Regis. She tugged on the ropes once, double checking that they were secure. She nodded to Sen, and they set out of the forest in a run.

    *****

    Nara monitored her map from the corner of her eye while she darted through the forest. She didn¡¯t have much distance to catch up.

    Crystal-eaters were hardy monsters, intelligent and adaptable. They would not be killed quickly. The other duos of their team were already engaged in battle in different parts of the forest. It was better they kept their crystal eaters on them, than lead them right to their captured poachers.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Her Guide map was unhelpful. Other than the monsters in active combat or the ones she had detected, her map sparse. She knew there were more monsters but had no real or metaphorical eyes on them. A thrill down her back told her she was part of the hunted.

    That was just fine. She was getting tired of sensing everything before they attacked her anyway (She wasn¡¯t. She didn¡¯t like surprises).

    She ran parallel to the poacher-carriers, at a considerably slower pace than her max speed with abilities. Thanatos couldn¡¯t slink off to the shadows with others, Regis wasn¡¯t the fastest runner (although his webbed paws and aquatic tail didn¡¯t impede him), and Caspian would be unable to fly with his burden upon his back.

    The barest glint of refracted light was all the warning.

    Her blade lifted, and her body shifted. All instinct, all honed reflexes. Something pinged across Nirvana, and retreated just as quickly, shaking off the tracking of her map and blending back in with the crystal forest.

    She strained her senses. She got flashes, here and there, of presence and aura, but she couldn¡¯t push her aura sense while also remaining ready for any surprise attacks.

    ¡°No wonder everyone hates stealth builds,¡± she muttered. Always on edge, always waiting.

    She risked pushing her concentration a bit, and her aura flexed like a well-exercised muscle, easy to access and high in sensitivity from dedicated practice and strain.

    She had detected flashes of presences. She wasn¡¯t wrong. The auras were large, less of a point and more of a dot. They spanned an area, scuttling like an amoeba, latching onto crystalline trees and vegetation, moving as they moved. There was no defined center, sometimes stretching into shapes of bowties, teardrops, fans, and everything and anything else, even splitting into multiple areas of concentration.

    The crystal-eaters were putting their aura into their environment, she realized. From the crystal they consumed, they inherited an affinity for the material. To date, this was the most skilled manipulation of aura from any monster she had faced, and even this was rare for bronze rank monsters. Stealth capabilities were far more common in silver rank monsters, who had the existence-span to properly benefit from it.

    It made it hard to pinpoint where the body of the crystal-eaters were, and even where their attacks were.

    She paid for her inspection with a lacing strike to her thigh, shallower than the monster had intended. For all their stealth capabilities, they suffered against her own space and light manipulations. The hunters had hoarded their sovereignty of light and had not expected any challengers. Challenged they felt.

    It was a waiting game, and one Nara hoped would continue. She deflected occasional attacks to the poachers on Thanatos back, while Chrome handled the other side of the line with his swords, Sen following up the train as the rearguard. she understood the mechanics of their stealth, she couldn¡¯t pursue the crystal-eaters without risking the lives under her care.

    But she could not be everywhere. Small as they bunched up, pill bugs drawn into themselves, Nara could not deflect or destroy all of the attacks that came the way of the poachers. She prioritized the attacks that would be lethal and lethal-in-time. Still, patches of blood colored clothing, and crystals changed into red stained glass.

    She just hoped they would not bleed out.

    *****

    She had been na?ve. Bleeding out would be a luxury.

    Once the crystal-eaters had figured their probing stealth attacks were ineffective, they intensified their attacks.

    From what she could figure, she had 5 or 6 crystal-eaters on her; even that was indeterminate. At least 2 crystal eaters were late-bronze rank, and her two greatest pains. They were the stealthiest and trickiest of the lot, and the ones who had managed to kill one poacher thus far. She felt bad for the poacher¡ªis wasn¡¯t Geir, the annoying one of the lot, just some poor sod that cried and whimpered as he died.

    One of crystal-eaters had disregarded stealth entirely, barreling towards Thanatos with its hard crystalline body built for speed, something Nara couldn¡¯t deflect. He avoided it, mostly, but it clipped his back legs, forcing a momentary stumble. The poachers on his back screamed and would clutch tighter if they didn¡¯t already have his fur in a white-knuckle grip.

    It wasn¡¯t done. The crystal-eater rebounded from its charge, equipped with powerful rabbit-like hind legs built to change direction at a moment¡¯s notice. Leg muscles bunched and snapped forward. Nara intercepted; Nirvana transformed into a shield of black. She swung, timing her deflection, and smashed the monster¡¯s face into splintering cracks of crystal. Her enhanced Power attribute from Waking Moment prevailed and drove the monster back for a moment.

    It was during her deflection that her next problem struck. Of course, the bonds and familiars with their burden of two was a better target than Nara. Crystalline vine tentacles whipped forward, attempting to wrap themselves around a poacher on Caspian¡¯s back. His wings flared up, intercepting, protecting his burden, and the thorned vines savaged his wing instead. It drew a heart-rending whimper of pain from Caspian, who was still so young but doing so well, and Nara cut away those vines as quickly as possible, freeing his now bloodied wing. He tucked it against his side, the blood blending into the red rust color of his feather-fur.

    They kept moving forward. It was all they could do. The other poachers shivered and sobbed, and even Geir had enough presence of mind to try to keep quiet, instead of screaming about the unjustness of his fate. No one wanted to draw attention to themselves.

    Chrome was uncharacteristically quiet, not complaining. He had his own share of injuries, his luminescent blood coating those that lay still and silently horrified in his arms. Nara¡¯s defense prioritized Thanatos, who had the greater burden and fewer capabilities of defending himself. His umbral flame was not effective against these creatures of crystalline flesh. It still burned, but it did not have the physical stopping power Nara and Chrome had. His flames were burning almost all of the crystal-eaters, which would have prevented their stealth if they had bothered to hide themselves.

    Nara didn¡¯t know the dead poacher¡¯s name. It was better not to know it. None of the poachers spoke, so she would not know it. She would not dwell that this was the first time people had come under her protection, and she had failed one. It was different than the Crystal Quarry 6, for which she had the advantage of defense and a plan. She would not dwell on it now, and dwell on it later. The self-justifications would come later, that they were poachers, and that they¡¯d given them the opportunity to escape. They knew this was the worse option and had chosen otherwise.

    Sen was making his way toward her, fighting a running battle. Thanks to Momentous Sprint, he could maintain high damage in hit-and-run situations, building power at juggernaut speeds.

    -------

    Ability: [Momentous Sprint]

    Special Ability (movement)

    Cost: High stamina-per-second and low mana-per-second

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Sprint with greatly increased movement speed. Rapidly gain instances of [Momentum] during the sprint.

    <ul>

    <li>[Momentum] (boon, magic, stacking): When making an attack, all instances are consumed to inflict resonating-force damage. Multiple instances can be accumulated, and instances are lost quickly while not moving.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Deal resonating-force damage to physical obstructions and disruptive-force damage to magical obstructions during the sprint if your momentum is not arrested.

    -------

    He had already destroyed four, praise him, mighty and sure. Never had Nara been so envious of his instantaneous power; For all she lacked he had in spades, and he had repeatedly, in ways Encio did not. He was determinedly smashing a fifth, his own battle close enough for Nara to hear as the wind and crystal-eaters in tandem did their best to drown him out.

    The edge of the forest was within sight; open plains of slushy mush and tender, trembling green grass had never been so inviting, and she longed to throw herself into the mud and dirt and roll in them, then to dumbly look up at her team in the innocent enjoyment of a puppy in springtime.

    A crystal-eater flashed forward, sensing its rapidly narrowing window of red-blood lunch. Nara sprung forwards, power thrumming through her thighs. Nirvana as a war hammer swept upwards in the most magnificent swing, momentum transferred so beautifully a physicist would be brought to tears. The swing did not disappoint, and crystal skin already weakened from Entropy obligingly shattered and caved. Thanatos darted around the carnage, breaking through the tree line. He continued forward, untrusting that said tree line provided any sort of significant boundary that would deter the crystal-eaters.

    It did, surprisingly, deter them, and the tree line smarted that it was so doubted. The crystal-eaters hesitated; they had so abused the covering bosom of the crystalline forest that they were unsure how to proceed without its obscuring embrace. They hesitated, and it was long enough for two important things to happen, in no particular order of importance.

    <ol>

    <li>Thanatos, Caspian, and Regis pulled far enough ahead that any further attacks against their baggage were no longer a threat.</li>

    <li>Sen had caught up after cleaning up the crystal-eaters from his rearguard position, and he was now a threat to the crystal-eaters.</li>

    </ol>

    Upon reaching bronze rank, something integral changed for Sen Arlang: He was no longer in particular danger of dying in one attack.

    The difficulty of Battle Equilibrium was that to progress the ability he had to maintain his health, stamina, and mana below half of maximum, and intentionally suffer afflictions. One could argue that, since at iron rank, one was liable to die in one blow anyway, it didn¡¯t particularly matter if he was always at half of peak condition, or not.

    Sen preferred that if an attack that would have half-killed him, still only half-killed him, instead of fully killing him because he was always at half-health like some sort of lunatic. He wasn¡¯t a lunatic, he would argue; it was only what his ability demanded of him. (Of course, to progress his ability, he needn¡¯t be at half-health, just any resource below half, but all three below half certainly progressed it faster. Sen knew he could handle it anyway.)

    It could be argued that all adventurers were lunatics anyway (or if they weren¡¯t lunatics, became lunatics for self-preservation), so his objections were pointless.

    -------

    Ability: [Battle Equilibrium]

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Maintain an equilibrium state. When afflictions surpass equilibrium, periodically cleanse afflictions from yourself. When health, stamina, or mana drops below the equilibrium, gain a health-, stamina-, or mana-over-time effect.

    Effect (Bronze): The condition to reach equilibrium state is reduced. Gain damage reduction below equilibrium.

    -------

    At bronze rank, his equilibrium state was blessedly raised to around 60%, and what a joyous 10% it was! More importantly, bronze rank resilience and health pools meant Sen could be a lunatic all he liked at 60% of max, and he wouldn¡¯t be in immediate, life-threatening, danger against monsters of his rank, except in particularly challenging situations. Against monsters specialized in stealth with a smattering of variety, he merrily spent his health to boost his damage the moment it peeked above equilibrium.

    -------

    Ability: [Hero¡¯s Sacrifice]

    Awakening Stone: Champion

    Special Ability

    Cost: Variable health

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Sacrifice your health to enhance the power of special attacks.

    Effect (Bronze): Special attacks deal additional resonating-force damage when enhanced with a health sacrifice.

    -------

    For shits and giggles, he sometimes spent his health to drop it to half or lower.

    Sen was of course a lunatic, but it did not show on his face, and never would, nor would he ever be self-aware that he was one; For only lunatics have pushed the line so repeatedly, that they knew how far they could push without breaking and internalized it to such a degree that they did it instinctually, automatically, and instantly stopped doing so when the situation warranted it. (And it was why he needed lunatic teammates that did not share his specific type of lunacy¡ªthe failure of his first team.)

    The crystal-eaters, in pursuing the poachers, had momentarily forgotten the other reason for which they should be running, because they hadn¡¯t learnt the lesson long enough to have the luxury of forgetting it in the first place.

    Sen¡¯s staff was not quiet, it was pridefully loud, happy to be wielded by such a competent warrior, for few of his age were his match.

    -------

    Ability: [Staff of Duality]

    Conjuration (weapon)

    Cost: High mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure [Searing Cold, the [Staff of Duality]]. [Searing Cold] can generate either a blade of condensed flame or a shell of cold on the weapon, costing low mana-per-second for either effect. The blade of condensed flame inflicts additional heat damage. The shell of cold inflicts additional cold damage. This is a heavy weapon.

    Effect (Bronze): When enhanced with condensed flame, special attacks additionally dispel a stacking boon from the target. When enhanced with the cold shell, special attacks inflict an instance of [Deep Cold].

    <ul>

    <li>[Deep Cold] (affliction, unholy, ice, stacking): Suffer cold damage-over-time. Penalty to the [Speed] and [Recovery] attributes. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    A resounding crack pronounced another crystal-eater death and snapped those remaining out of their hesitation with the too-late realization that they had never been the hunters, only prey a tier above on nature¡¯s totem pole.

    Now it was not hesitation that kept them from the muddy expanse, but self-preservation. It had indeed been 6 chasing Nara, and 5 decided that they had better chances of survival in the cover of their birth-home, of the creatures they fed on and mimicked. One chose differently, darting towards the mud and grass, towards Nara, who it judged would let it survive longer; Or, perhaps, it had already suffered irreparable brain damage, and had not realized there had been a time of choosing to begin with.

    Nara glared resentfully at the creature that made her upset, and exacted her revenge, although it didn¡¯t make her feel any better.

    Sen did similarly, although he was more enraged upon seeing Caspian¡¯s wing, and not because a poacher had died. People lived and died, adventurers did his best, and so did he. He would feel the appropriate regret so that he was still humane and would move on. The gods knew he was already a lunatic; he could hardly improve any faster.

 Chapter 171: Death of a Hypocrite

    Chapter 171: Death of a Hypocrite

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t any more you could do,¡± Sen said, predictably, because it had to be said. The remaining poachers had been sorted, and the forest had been judiciously hunted down and cleared of every last crystal-eater, and it was quite grateful to continue growing unmolested of the monsters that blundered its bounty without regard to the ecosystem.

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°If we had not been there, all of them would have died.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    But she wanted to wallow for a bit, and Sen let her, satisfied that she would not blame herself. And she would not blame herself, Sen knew her too well; She was far too logical for such a morose conclusion, and Sen had pointed out the logic for her in case her mind decided it would not.

    The remaining poachers had all organized on a separate skimmer that ran alongside them, asked by the Forest Wardens to escort back to the main station in Kallid, dutifully operated by Sage, ever useful. They¡¯d be returned to Kallid, where they¡¯d face a judgement rather mild, all things considered, having already suffered ill-circumstance enough to traumatize their minds in a cost no humane sentence could ever replicate. They¡¯d do mandated community service, pay a large fee in installments to the city in economically manageable portions for all their own individual circumstances, with a warning that any further poaching would not be treated so leniently.

    (It wasn¡¯t that Erras necessarily treated criminals better than Earth¡ªor at least America¡¯s¡ªstandard, but that large vulnerable populations were a necromancer or vampire or rogue researcher¡¯s first experimental targets, so some amount of rehabilitation was preventative to outright disaster. Sanshi and Shian had a similar integration/rehabilitation program, persisting after Erin Nisei¡¯s arrest. That¡¯s not to say there weren¡¯t those that slipped through the cracks, but that official programs did exist, for those that were willing to use them.)

    In some ways, life would be better for them than it had been before their poaching, if they had the persistence to finish their sentence. Some of them might turn to illegal activity again, and Kallid would not be so lenient the second time. It would be difficult for a long while, but not impossible. If they any had dreams of riches, they would quickly learn why they were dreams, and best remain so. If there were any unfortunately sick relatives, John or any local healer or priest, would deal with the offending ailment, and everyone would be on their merry, healthy way. Needless to say, plights of the financial sort on Erras were not typically due to burdensome sick relatives. And if the poacher¡¯s circumstance were due to the unsavory sort, of loan sharks and underworld violence, then Kallid¡¯s city guard were assigned a delightful task of rooting out the necrotizing weeds before they further entrenched in their beautiful city. They¡¯d really like to stop having to break up fights between the sober and the drunk, because it had grown so predictable it had become local culture. A drug cartel, or an illegal loan shark, would at least be an interesting change of pace, and maybe would allow them to use their investigative skills before they completely rusted.

    *****

    For a month, the team cycled: 3 weeks of diving, 1 week of contracts. There was nothing that next month, as expected. Sen had garnered some amount of local fame as the adventurer to challenge for a hot-blooded spar, and there was a rising betting pool of which local would finally defeat him. Nara was known as the one who¡¯d wouldn¡¯t necessarily win, but had an interesting enough fighting style that all the locals wanted the experience for themselves. She had, as one does, become extremely adept at not being found so as not to be bothered, and so it became a new challenge to find her in the first place, in order to challenge her. So¡­that had backfired.

    It was one of those weekends where she was found, not by someone she expected herself to be found by, but supposed if anyone could find her, it would be the smug All-Knowing, Knowledge. Or at least, her priest.

    Nara was wearing a rather nice dark blue cloak, lined with expensive fur, not because the weather called for it, but because she had always wanted to wander around wearing a nice cloak like she some sort of incognito nobility that did not know how to actually be incognito because they were wearing far too nice of a cloak like some sort of fantasy TV series.

    ¡°Miss Edea, if I could have one moment of your time,¡± the priest called out at a volume loud enough to indicate she had been Found, but not so loud as to draw attention. The nice thing about Knowledge priests, if you could call it nice, was that they knew how to be at exactly the right distance to pull of such a casually skillful feat.

    She stopped, because if she walked away any further, he¡¯d have to raise her voice, and then she would be Found by muscle-for-brains, and would not enjoy that at this particular moment, not that she minded sparring (just not all the time, the lunatics).

    She followed the priest into the caf¨¦ he was conveniently nearby (presumably the Knowledge priest knew it was of suitably quality, and perhaps even the reason he had stopped her here of all places), and she ordered something delicious for herself, because she deserved it. It was a fresh saut¨¦ that made use of the local mushrooms that propagated in the damp forests of spring, layered with potatoes, cheese, and cream as some sort of sauce (with hints of smoked meat and herbs for flavor), and fresh bread to indulgently dip, a meal with no care for caloric quantity.

    The priest ordered something equally indulgent for himself, and Nara found he knew how to enjoy life, and liked him better. Then, she briefly wondered if that¡¯s why Knowledge sent this particular priest in the first place, then decided in that train of thought lay madness.

    ¡°I¡¯m Gwydion,¡± he said as he peppered his food with the countenance of a man that knew how exactly to maximize the enjoyment of whatever he ate, which included seasoning his food to his person preference, regardless of the chef¡¯s vision.

    ¡°Nara. You know me but it¡¯s only polite.¡±

    He bobbed his head and took a sip of his red soul¡ªtomato base, cocona cream, and iceburn chili peppers for flavor.

    He was a quiet and sure man, one who had lived long enough to know what he liked in life, and what he did not, and did not feel the need to explain it to anyone else in particular. He was an elf, and surprisingly had facial hair (from some sort of mixed ancestry), with Ashwood hair and pale blue eyes.

    ¡°I have been tasked with my goddess to deliver some instructions.¡±

    ¡°Instructions, is it?¡± She didn¡¯t like the sound of that.

    He nodded, acknowledging that she wasn¡¯t a priest and wouldn¡¯t necessarily follow instructions.

    ¡°My goddess asks that when it is the time to cross through the portal, that you find a way to do so. You do not have to worry about the way back. And, when the time is right and you have heard what you need to hear, and record what you have heard, that you communicate it to the priest.¡±

    It was all rather cryptic, although not nearly as cryptic as she thought it would be. For one, she¡¯d eventually have to cross a portal. Lovely. Two, that she had to hear some sort of information, because that was rather specific, record said information, then pass it onto another priest. It all seemed very circumspect, although she acknowledged that she did make a rather uniquely qualified messenger.

    ¡°Right. I have a lot of questions.¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°Ask them. I will answer what I can.¡±

    ¡°What is it I need to hear?¡±

    ¡°My goddess cannot say.¡±

    ¡°Cannot or will not?¡±

    He considered this for a moment. ¡°Will not.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°Our divine gods are limited in how much they may or may not interfere in the affairs of reality. The gods work in balance, and where once exerts too much influence, others gain more in turn. Since my goddess is the goddess of Knowledge, any information she communicates, outside of her priests, is a Divine Act.¡±

    ¡°So, she wants me to do something for her without having to use her influence quota.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an oversimplification, but not entirely inaccurate. And yet it prevents other gods, such as Deceit, from exerting more influence than they should. However, this is not something you would be doing for Knowledge, but for the people of Kallid. It is to their benefit.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°And who is the priest I need to say this information to?¡±

    ¡°An Undeath priest.¡±

    ¡°Delightful. And Knowledge can¡¯t just tell Undeath?¡±

    He waved his spoon lazily, ¡°Limitations. And¡­it is not information for only Undeath to hear, but he would be the first to hear it. So?¡±

    ¡°So, what?¡±

    ¡°Will you do as asked?¡±

    She considered this for a moment.

    ¡°I want something in return.¡±

    He arched an eyebrow up, rather mildly. ¡°You want something for an act that¡¯d benefit the people of Kallid.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a citizen¡ªyou know that. And I¡¯ve always thought it was stupid why the good guys have to go off and save the world for free, because it¡¯s the right thing to do, and not get any rewards for it. I mean, sometimes they do, but it¡¯s never a guaranteed thing. If I¡¯m doing this thing and suitably traumatizing myself by going through a portal, then I want some motivation. Besides, your goddess gets to preserve her precious quota. I should get something out of all this, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    He sipped his soup and dipped his bread. ¡°Personally, I agree with that.¡±

    ¡°And non-personally? By that I mean your goddess.¡±

    ¡°She agrees as well. What is it that you want?¡±

    ¡°She knows what I want,¡± Nara said, although she thought the ¡®she-knows-what-I-know-and-I-know-that-she-knows¡¯ was getting rather circulatory.

    He tilted his head, considering, or perhaps hearing something. ¡°My goddess wants to know if it may be an item.¡±

    ¡°Since knowledge would use up that quota?¡±

    ¡°Some of it. It would be, as your world calls it, a net positive. However, she has the confidence that this item would satisfy a problem you have not yet figured out how to solve.¡±

    She narrowed her eyes, then dumbly said, ¡°I¡¯m uh, not following. I thought she knew what I wanted, since she¡¯s the goddess of knowledge and all that, but are we talking about the same thing? This is what I get for trying to be cryptic, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°My goddess is offering an item that would grant the capability of your portals to cross dimensional boundaries.¡±

    ¡°I thought my portals could already do that.¡±

    ¡°This item would allow it to work for others, and not just you. It still would not allow you to transport others limitless physical distance like you can for yourself.¡±

    ¡°But I could transport others across dimensions.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Within the other limitations of your portal, such as rank and capacity.¡±

    She briefly pondered the mechanics of a trans-dimensional portal, and how the portal would be determining when exactly was it extended too far in range. If she made a portal here, would her portal on Earth open on the closest equivalent location on Earth? If Erras was larger than Earth, how would that work? Or could she open the portal anywhere on Earth, as long as it was trans-dimensional?

    And it was true that Nara needed a method to get John to Earth. Transporting herself was just a snap-crackle-pop; it was other people that had always been the pebble in the shoe.

    ¡°¡­And why can¡¯t she give me a way to go to Earth? That¡¯s always been my original problem.¡±

    ¡°The answer to that question is-¡°

    ¡°-knowledge, right.¡±

    (Rather, the priest thought, it was better she didn¡¯t know that she did have a way back to Earth, unpleasant as the method was, and that she benefitted more from not knowing than knowing. Knowledge would say that Nara could ¡°thank her later¡± except it wasn¡¯t the sort of circumstance anyone would thank her for.

    Knowledge knew the value of keeping quiet.

    Knowledge, of course, didn¡¯t know the future, but made rather good predictions of it, by her own unbiased assessment. She moved pieces here and there, manipulating the best outcome for all (and for herself, of course, or rather, for Knowledge Itself, as that was her Domain and Purpose), and it would be a thankless task, except to her priests, who on some level existed to thank her.

    She didn¡¯t inherently care about the destruction of the world, except that there would be no more knowledge with no more people to discover it. Undeath priests hardly had thorough academic fervor. Their nature was disposed towards shortcuts.)

    ¡°So, when will I get this item?¡±

    ¡°After you have gotten the information,¡± her priest said for her.

    Nara considered this.

    (She was a reasonable sort, in negotiations, Knowledge assessed. Often too reasonable, in that she could push to have her way, but negotiates for the mutual benefit of all parties involved, to save herself the hassle of bargaining in the first place. The Aciano Favorite was a wilier and pushier sort, but it did make her rather reliable for the sort of business she had been involved with so far, and others found that whatever she was saying was reasonable in turn, without realizing it. It was a subtle, unconscious manipulation, whereby being so reasonable others did not realize they could have been unreasonable, because that would have been rather rude.

    Of course, Knowledge was not that adept with emotions, even as she knew thoughts. She understood Nara only by looking at her past actions and her current considerations. Politics was Dominion¡¯s game.)

    ¡°Halfway through said mysterious task? Hmmm, I¡¯m okay with that,¡± Nara agreed.

    (And so, the deal was struck, unofficial as it was, and Knowledge was assured the plan at hand was progressing as it should. For the best possible outcome.)

    *****

    Another storm had been brewing, of a more personal sort, if you could call a leonid temper a storm, and not say, a rather strong gust of wind.

    Theodore Dahl brewed his temper, growing more and more infuriated with one particular house guest. So brewed his temper, that it developed into alcohol and sat in his gut, impeding the faculties of his brain and better sense, if he ever had any.

    He had first tried to find said infuriating house guest, and found he could not, which only infuriated him further as if every cell in his body wasn¡¯t already incensed with indignant irritation.

    Twice, he attempted to follow the team into the mausoleum, waking bright and early and planting himself at the steps with every intention to follow them through the portal and harangue them. He failed both times. Nara, rather gleefully, held him back with physical violence, then escaped through her own portal to an agreed destination he wasn¡¯t privy to.

    He debated, for several idiotic moments, whether he¡¯d wander through the mausoleum on the own for the chance to run into them in there, but concluded, in a surprising fit of logic, that he would meet the same failure.

    It all culminated in what tempers often culminate into.

    It culminated in a little crime.

    *****

    ¡°What were you thinking?¡± Jago asked his son. He paced around the room angrily, with the anger of a parent wondering where they had gone wrong in raising his son. ¡°I had just been told, by Sen Arlang, our guest, than you had attempted to break into their place of residence. He said they no longer felt welcomed here, no longer wanted to impose on our hospitality, and have chosen to stay in another part of this city. Explain.¡±

    His son looked surly downwards, as if he was the one who had been wronged.

    ¡°Theodore,¡± he said warningly.

    ¡°I wanted a better look at the cloud flask. That woman is lying father-¡°

    ¡°Her name is Nara,¡± Jago snapped. ¡°Where are your manners?¡±

    ¡°¡­Nara is lying. That flask isn¡¯t a cloud flask.¡±

    He rubbed his forehead again, tired. ¡°I know, Theodore. I have seen enough cloud constructs in my age to know it is not. The society knows who gave it to her, and under what arrangement it was given to her, and has found nothing wrong with its origin or her conduct.¡±

    ¡°So, what is it?¡± He demanded, as if he had a right to know.

    ¡°Her information is sealed, Theodore, and you should know better than to ask that of me,¡± Jago said tiredly, referencing his position on the Continental Congress. While nepotism wasn¡¯t as much an issue in Erras as long as said nepo baby could perform, Theodore was included amongst the accolades of the proven. ¡°That includes what items she possesses.¡±

    Theodore threw his hands up in frustration, still without the self-awareness of wrong that Jago was now half-convinced he may need to beat into his son.

    ¡°And Theodore, I heard your conversation with her, she hadn¡¯t lied about the flask. So stop as if the perceive lie WARRANTED A CRIME.¡±

    Theodore finally had the awareness to look ashamed, ducking his head low and hiking his shoulders up.

    Egil, the mediator, prodded his son from a different angle. He was equally disappointed but knew how to force progress where there currently was sufferingly little. He could use a softer touch.

    ¡°Theo, what exactly do you want from her?¡±

    ¡°I want to look at her equipment,¡± he said without hesitation.

    ¡°Right, Theo. And how would you accomplish that?¡±

    ¡°By taking a look at her equipment. That¡¯s what I was-¡°

    ¡°I¡¯m going to stop you there, Theodore Lleu Dahl, because I don¡¯t want to hear it. I will ask you one more time, how should you accomplish that?¡±

    And some semblance of maturity washed over Theodore, and the childish fury went out of him like dirt in a spring rain. He knew what was coming.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be angry forever, Theodore.¡± It wasn¡¯t about Nara, not really.

    And he was here, sitting like a scolded child, because he was acting like a child that needed to be scolded. Bitterness and shame welled in his throat, like bile, but he squeezed the words out, airing the sting of it.

    ¡°She asked me if we were friends.¡±

    ¡°She did, didn¡¯t she,¡± Egil said, gently. He knew the answer before he asked. ¡°And what you say?¡±

    ¡°I said we weren¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t owe me an explanation.¡±

    ¡°So, what should you do?¡± Egil prodded.

    The answer was obvious, it always had been. And Theodore had been avoiding it, pulling the curtains closed in willful ignorance.

    He groaned, aware of the obvious answer and the immaturity of this whole situation. ¡°¡­Make friends.¡±

    Egil smiled at Theodore like he was a little slow, but was proud of him nonetheless. Theodore felt he deserved it, his face heating from his embarrassment again.

    It was the crux of the issue, making friends. Theodore had so long been sought as a fiend for his ability to make growth items. Would they ever be friends, if made under false pretenses? Would they still be friends if he made what they wanted of him? Would they visit every decade, brandishing their prize, asking their ¡®old friend¡¯ to upgrade what he had made? With each breath that asked him for friendship, Theodore felt crumpled and used and unwanted. He felt like a tool with one purpose, to be put to use every so often, like a crystal washer used to brighten up the patio for a home viewing.

    To approach Nara with that same intention, was to do to her what others had done to him, and he felt sick inside.

    With begrudging acknowledgement, he realized she had outmaneuvered him, before he even realized a game was played between them. She had won on move 1, and only now, on move 32, did he realize he had already lost.

    (A page right out of Encio¡¯s playbook. He would be proud.)

    If he approached her to be friends, he wouldn¡¯t do it with ulterior motives. He would never ask about her items, nor any items of anyone in the team. He would have to ask to be friends without doing so, or he would be a hypocrite, and he would have to continue to be friends even if he did eventually learn this information, or he would be a hypocrite then as well.

    For all of Theodore¡¯s faults, he couldn¡¯t abide being a hypocrite, nor a false friend. If they were to be his friends, he would be their friend.

    All that was left was to suck up his pride and begin the excruciating journey of making friends.

 Chapter 172: The Ordinary Sort of Hardworking Genius

    Chapter 172: The Ordinary Sort of Hardworking Genius

    The first thing Theodore had to do was re-establish connections. He had become a bit of a social outcast after the dramatic and very public falling out to his first team, but he was the son of a gold ranker, and could relatively easily fall back into some edge sort of public good graces. He began to accept commissions for crafting again¡ªfor non-growth items, as they couldn¡¯t be made casually even if he wanted to¡ªand made weapons and armor with a quality that was worthy of being a connection.

    With trembling hands (a volatile mixture of anger, shame, sadness, and resignation), he even sent a missive to his former teammates, offering to finally improve those weapons he had given them. It had been painful, and it would be some time before they responded. But it was done.

    While he thought his parents would be proud of him, he did not tell them. He couldn¡¯t help feeling shame for have taken so long to move on. He didn¡¯t want Egil to smile at him as if he¡¯d done something praiseworthy, or for Jago to thump him on the back.

    Next, he attempted to ¡®make friends¡¯ with the members of the team in the only way he knew how: by being terribly annoying and in their face.

    He used his revitalized connections to find their locations, he showed up, and participated in whatever activities they had been doing. He found Sen, surprisingly, at a gardening workshop, then at a pottery class. Sen held himself to a stoic politeness and every quietly pointed look he gave Theodore made him burn up a little bit inside. At the very least, he didn¡¯t try to lecture him on the whole fiasco, his parents had done enough. Theodore felt like he got a lecture anyway, somehow.

    He found Encio at a dancing club, who was very smug about all these proceedings, and was also annoyingly good at their local dances¡ªthe gammel dance and the village dance. Theodore did not specialize in crafting leisure equipment, and recommended Encio to a local cobbler for specialized dance shoes. If Encio¡¯s smirk was anything to go buy, he may already own a pair from that shop.

    He attended a performance with Eufemia, and had bribed the person next to her seat to move so he could sit there instead. She did not appreciate his presence, and seemed she would have preferred an empty neighboring seat to him. The disregard smarted, and they mutually huffily ignored each other as they watched the show in some sort of inadvertent companionship.

    John, their healer, was often volunteering at healing clinics, and had become some sort of provisional priest. Theodore didn¡¯t really know what was going on here: Was he a priest, or not?

    Aliyah, he found perusing bookstores, sometimes with Nara, or at the royal library, which she had somehow finagled a pass to enter (It should be difficult to get permission. How had she managed it?). The look from the library keeper when he used his father¡¯s pass was distinctly disapproving, but was still let inside with a scathing non-verbal warning that any misbehavior would get him instantly kicked out, and a word sent to his father about the misappropriation of his pass.

    Nara, he never really found, unless she was with other people, although she often showed up at restaurants, street stalls, parks, and local gatherings of music and games. And running from someone trying to fight her¡ªevidence of how poor his own fighting skills were that she¡¯d hadn¡¯t felt the need to avoid him. How infuriating.

    He learnt a lot about all of them by watching, since they weren¡¯t typically forthcoming with words to the one who had broken into their home¡ªand stolen nothing, he¡¯d only wanted a look! Although John was amiable once he apologized for his breaking and entering. The way to have Eufemia talk was to be infuriating in equal measure, and to be challenging in equal measure to Encio. Sen was amenable to the language of fists (a debate he accepted that he¡¯d never win), although he shared a curiosity of other local to-dos, and seemed to be in some sort of drawn-out self-discovery process; Similar to him, in a way. Theodore admired the quiet way he questioned himself.

    Nara was suspicious, and rightfully so, of one who had so passionately claimed he wasn¡¯t her friend, then, as she would not let him forget, broke into her home (or at least tried, he evacuated himself from the premises rather quickly when he realized it was attacking him.)

    When he did manage a conversation with her, they were watching the rather distasteful activity of mudwrestling, which, her friend Aliyah was oddly invested in, at least with the female contestants.

    ¡°Here to be our friend, are you?¡± she said with equal side-eye as her expression, although her tone wasn¡¯t outright malicious, just incredibly doubtful.

    ¡°I know it''s hard to believe anyone would want to be your friend,¡± he said, because he was still going to be contrary, and not a panderer. He couldn¡¯t help it.

    ¡°Thank you for pointing out my distrust for me. So, what¡¯s the deali-o, The-o? Got spanked by your parents for small time crime?¡±

    He spluttered. ¡°They didn¡¯t spank me!¡±

    She grinned, having successfully pushed his buttons. He flushed at her early verbal win. ¡°A verbal spanking, then. I¡¯m sure it was much more bearable for your dignity.¡±

    He made a frustrated growl, and strongly reminded himself he wasn¡¯t trying to pick another fight. He wasn¡¯t. Banter, friendly banter. Apologies.

    ¡°If you¡¯ll let me finish¡ª¡± a fortifying breath, ¡°¡ªI meant to say...I should not have broke into your home, or forced a challenged. I was being an ass. I¡¯m sorry.¡± At the end he trailed off, and looked away, his face flaming from embarrassment. But he got through it, in the end.

    ¡°An ass and a minor criminal. And you aren¡¯t trying to be our friend to learn about our soul bound items?¡±

    ¡°¡­I won¡¯t ask. I swear it on my family name.¡±

    She turned her head enough that her expression was no longer a distrustful side-eye.

    ¡°Well... I suppose I should be appropriately moved but I have no idea what sort of weight that¡¯s supposed to have. Are there any actual consequences for that, or is it just an honor thing?¡±

    It turned out the side-eye was just an expression of confusion.

    ¡°If you took up your grievance with my father, he¡¯d rightfully expel me from the family.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯d have to believe me for it to matter.¡±

    ¡°He would. I¡¯m hardly more credible to him now.¡±

    She hummed thoughtfully.

    ¡°Then he¡¯d actually have to go through with it,¡± she said in a tone that very much doubted his father would. And she was right¡ªhis father wouldn¡¯t expel him over asking a question he swore not to ask. The only consequence would be any hope of reconciliation.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°So? What are you saying?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m saying it¡¯s a load of shit.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter what you think,¡± Theodore snapped, ¡°I¡¯m going to be your friend, whether you freezing like it or not.¡±

    ¡°Stop saying friend like it¡¯s an insult. It¡¯s not very convincing of your intentions.¡±

    ¡°You started it.¡±

    ¡°Because that¡¯s the mature thing to say.¡±

    ¡°That can¡¯t offend me. I know I¡¯ve lost my maturity long ago.¡±

    ¡°Well, well, well, good for you. Who¡¯s a big boy now? Got tired of playing around in a pit of self-pity and decided you wanted some character growth?¡±

    Theodore made a noise like a wounded animal (It was a pretty good comeback). He supposed that was accurate and warranted.

    His internal pain was distracted by Eufemia leaning over to give Nara a congratulatory pat on the back, and a coin passing hands.

    ¡°Well done, disciple.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve learnt from the best.¡±

    Theodore was second-guessing his decision to be friends. (His internal fire told him he just needed to up his game. Sometimes he despaired why he was like this.)

    *****

    ¡°How¡¯s our other job for you go?¡± Encio asked Roscoe.

    Roscoe pulled up a chair next to Sen and Encio. It wasn¡¯t a meeting that was secret from the team, there just wasn¡¯t a need for everyone to be at the same place.

    ¡°The blond celestine is Maelon Cern. A local guide, shady in my professional opinion. Kallid born and raised, but a bad sort.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡±

    Roscoe scratched his head, ¡°Well it¡¯s all related to his guidin¡¯, boss. It ain¡¯t up to par. Every so often an expedition goes sideways, that¡¯s how it is. Except for my expeditions, of course.¡±

    Roscoe winked, full of confidence that may not be entirely baseless.

    Sen Looked at him sternly, so Roscoe continued after an amused sigh.

    ¡°He¡¯s done a clever job of it, but his ¡®failure rate¡¯ is a bit high. Or at least, what he touches rots. It¡¯d be too suspicious if only his expeditions ran into issues. They still do, but not any more than any cheap guide.¡±

    ¡°Issues like mausoleum thieves.¡±

    ¡°Right-o. If only his expeditions ran into issues, he¡¯d be out of a job. Contract or no contract, no one is staying with someone who¡¯s got a reputation of gettin¡¯ you robbed. There¡¯s no evidence for me to show you, but I¡¯ve got a sneakin¡¯ suspicion he¡¯s a conspirator of the unsavory sort.¡±

    ¡°Getting your contractors robbed isn¡¯t the only way to sell your services.¡±

    Roscoe rubbed his hands together. ¡°I think we¡¯ve got ourselves a spy. What do you think Maelon¡¯s essences are?¡±

    ¡°Some sort of scouting set,¡± said Sen, too reasonably (Roscoe thought he was no fun).

    ¡°Well, aye, that. I know he¡¯s got himself a Flea Essence. Usually, the cheap option for affliction specialist, if you can¡¯t afford the pre-mi-er Blight Essence, buuuut,¡± he drew out for dramatic effect, ¡°can also be used as a scouting essence. I reckon the sneaky bugger is doing some dirty work with his fleas.¡±

    ¡°We could try to kill every flea we sensed and still miss them,¡± Encio said, ignoring the puns Roscoe was rather proud of. ¡°We should assume he¡¯s heard and will hear everything in the mausoleum.¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have that sort of full-mausoleum coverage, not at bronze rank,¡± Roscoe denied, twirling some fidget thingamabob he pulled out at some point, ¡°but he doesn¡¯t need it. He¡¯s got the mausoleum schedule. If he knows which chambers are ready for trial, all he needs to do is prioritize the areas with the most chambers, or the ones he thinks we¡¯ll go for, based on our party size.¡±

    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t he been dealt with by the Society or the Kallidian Guard?¡±

    Roscoe spread his hangs, shrugging. ¡°As I¡¯ve said: no proof. He could be using his fleas for the security of his own team, and it¡¯s what he¡¯d say if we ever cornered him about it.¡±

    And so, the team gathered information on their new potential adversary, and made plans. All important information would be discussed in the cloud vehicle only, where any fleas would be snuffed by the passive defenses of Nara¡¯s flask and racial ability.

    They were also, through no fault of their own, wrong about the true nature of the threat.

    *****

    While it was surprising to Theodore that Aliyah had gained access to the Royal Library of Kallid, it was not particularly surprising to anyone who understood the caliber of Aliyah¡¯s accomplishments, of which Aliyah could count on her hands.

    <ol>

    <li>Her mentor.</li>

    <li>The Magic Society thesis competition judge who had awarded her an essence.</li>

    <li>Knowledge, in the capacity she could count as a person.</li>

    <li>Amara, Chelsea, Redell (and perhaps Laius, but he was not forthcoming of his own opinions), but she felt it unsporting to list them as separate entries on this list.</li>

    <li>Lawrence </li>

    <li>Sen (provisionally)</li>

    <li>Nara (also provisionally)</li>

    <li>¡­and finally herself.</li>

    </ol>

    Aliyah took interest, as she often did, in the Going Ons of Magic around her. She had a unique opportunity to research the mausoleum; the Eilifyrstrum, the Eternal Storm; the Einvaldi; his knights the Manistrengja; and the mythical apocalypse, the Svartrsoelis.

    Aliyah wasn¡¯t typically interested in legends and mythology beyond a cursory academic interest (which, compared to someone like Nara, was thorough indeed), but Kallid had the irresistible pull of Artifacts, Ancient Magic, and Historical Sites. She had become an adventurer for the hands-dirty, feet-in-the-mud experience, and so she sought it out.

    As Aliyah did when she got her hands on any academic work (and she had the rather necessary prerequisite of time), she double checked whatever she was researching. Aliyah wasn¡¯t a genius, at least, not one of those born prodigies that understood everything with Just One Glance. She was an ordinary sort of genius, one that understood that humans were fallible, and geniuses were humans too, no matter how unintentionally or intentionally they elevated themselves above the common rabble and were not so divinely crafted they could not be reminded of their humanity by Mistakes.

    Aliyan combed through observation data and found something far more concerning than a mistake.

    She checked it once, to make sure the fates hadn¡¯t decided to mess with her then, and that it was her time to be Mundane. She checked another time, to make sure she would not be brought low for Their humor and made a Fool.

    ¡°Oh dear.¡± She would have rather been a Fool.

    She called for the Royal Librarian, an intelligent academic in her own right, and had her verify her findings. Acting on her authority, the Royal Librarian accelerated the matter up the chain of authority.

    And up the chain of authority the matter went, until it reached the right person, and a meeting of councilors was called. The Ruler of Kallid, Tyranel Kallid, was also, imperiously, in attendance, along with her Table of Grand Dukes, and were also imposing but less so than Tyranel, because nothing could compare to a diamond ranker. Everything else faded in severity by comparison.

    (Aliyah wondered what her life had become that she was unsurprised by diamond rankers.)

    Somehow, against all expectations, Aliyah was the first to meet Kallid¡¯s resident diamond ranker. She felt deserving: Nara had four diamond rank acquaintances pretending to be gold rankers (Aliyah wasn¡¯t unobservant; she knew what they were), and Encio had his grandfather. It was high time someone else knocked Fate upside the head and reminded her that others were Special too, and that she should really stop picking a few favorites. Aliyah cared not if she was Special, but the budget of a diamond ranker was attractive (she missed out on those diamond rank coins!), and she wasn¡¯t blessed with a loot ability (although she did benefit from two as long as they were close together). An actual diamond ranker as sponsor would have to do.

    Aliyah, perhaps with a little more enthusiasm than was appropriate for the information she was communicating, pointed out that-which-had-not-changed-for-thousands-of-years had changed. It was a minor change, so miniscule that Aliyah did not blame anyone for overlooking it, and one would not have seen it unless they were comparing the change to the relative steadiness of all recorded history.

    ¡°The storm is expanding. It fluctuates, of course; I¡¯ve accounted for that, and we would not all be here unless you agreed that I had accounted for it.¡±

    The storm was cyclical as all things in nature were cyclical with the seasons, and the total area of the storm expanded and contracted with nature¡¯s breaths. What Aliyah had found was that first fraction of a degree of global warming (not of actual global warming), but that something had caused the cycle to change, and the change was inauspicious. Even to those of the past, global warming was obvious, not only because of the gradual changes, as much as those in pursuit of profit chose to deny it, but also because of the rather reliable logic that increasing industrialization and population was bound to affect the global environment, especially when it already affected the environment on a smaller scale.

    The nature of this problem was not global warming, but something else. That they did not know what the ¡®something else¡¯ was, was entirely concerning and a reason for distress.

    And Aliyah, because she was smart, got her reward for being Special, which she felt she did not deserve in this case; it was a rather shitty reward. Or perhaps, that which was of myth was not so mythical after all, to the detriment of the entire world.

    It was always quite distressing to hear the apocalypse wasn¡¯t a myth.

    Aliyah, because she wasn¡¯t a prodigy, but rather the ordinary sort of hardworking genius, told her team about it.

    (She did get a rather large satchel of gold spirit coins, and a diamond one, just for fun and because she had the temerity to ask Tyranel for one, so that was nice.)

 Chapter 173: A Leisurely Apocalypse

    Chapter 173: A Leisurely Apocalypse

    ¡°In short: The Svartrsoelis is real, and it¡¯s a diamond rank apocalypse beast that consumes light, and it has been sealed in the black ice monoliths for thousands of years by the Einvaldi. The storm is a function of the black ice monoliths, which reduces the temperature and amount of light of the area directly around the monoliths to keep the Svartrsoelis sealed.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Eufemia. Very concise.¡±

    ¡°Someone has to be,¡± she said, flipping a lock of hair as if to demonstrate her oratory superiority.

    ¡°Svartrsoelis¡ªthe light devourer, the Sun Eater,¡± Aliyah explained, consummate master of lore (for research purposes), ¡°is an apocalypse beast that consumes all manner of heat and light.¡±

    ¡°Yup. Rather obvious end of the world scenario there. Wait, you guys do know that plants need sunlight, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we know that.¡±

    ¡°Do you know how¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, probably not to that extent. I want to know, truly.¡± Aliyah looked uncharacteristically exhausted. ¡°But let us move on.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t entirely understand¡ª,¡± John said.

    ¡°¡ªUnsurprising.¡±

    John sucked in a breath. Then let it out. Oh, he loved his damn partner, but sometimes she saw a button, and since no one bribed her to otherwise stop, she pushed it, just to see what it¡¯d do. There was a method, to her riling others and getting riled in turn, a reason, John knew, even if he didn¡¯t always appreciate it. ¡°Eufemia. I am an investigator. This isn¡¯t just one of my ¡®I don¡¯t understand magic¡¯ questions.¡±

    She rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Right.¡± He stared at her challengingly, waiting for another interruption. She huffed. Sensing no further interruption, he asked his questions. ¡°Why is the storm expanding? If the seal is weakening, or the black ice monoliths are losing strength, shouldn¡¯t the storm be shrinking?¡±

    ¡°These are good questions,¡± Aliyah validated.

    ¡°Thank you, Aliyah.¡±

    ¡°The monoliths, according to Kallid¡¯s records and research, are perfectly calibrated artifacts. The size of the storm they create is perfectly calibrated, with some room for error, to seal the fragments of the Svartrsoelis inside. The black ice monoliths consume the ambient mana, in forms of heat and light. Part of that mana is used to generate a storm, and the other part is used to seal the Svartrsoelis.¡±

    ¡°A double backup.¡±

    Aliyah nodded. ¡°The monolith consumes heat and light energy so the Svartrsoelis cannot. If the storm is expanding, that means the power needed to maintain that equilibrium has changed.¡±

    ¡°The monoliths need more power.¡±

    ¡°If a perfectly calibrated artifact suddenly needs more power¡ª¡±

    ¡°-¡ªThen something is wrong.¡±

    It was an interesting sealing mechanism, Nara thought, using the very properties and powers of the Svartrsoelis against it. In some ways, it was its very own weakness.

    ¡°It could be damage to the structure, or some other sort increased load on the magic matrix. Or, something is draining the energy the monoliths need, and thus they¡¯ve increased their affected area to compensate. Kallid isn¡¯t sure yet, and running any sort of tests on the monoliths are difficult. The energy drain kills anything that gets too close, freezing them within moments.¡±

    ¡°Tyranel can¡¯t get to it?¡± Nara asked. Tyranel was the resident diamond ranker, after all. Surely, she could do anything.

    ¡°There¡¯s a concern that if the monoliths cannot drain Tyranel, which is already not preferred, then it would give the Svartrsoelis the opportunity instead.¡±

    ¡°Which would be Very Bad. She can¡¯t just, I don¡¯t know, uh, look at it from afar?¡±

    ¡°The storm and drain field interfere with magical and aura perception, although ordinary physical perception works, as far as light can penetrate. But as we¡¯ve helpfully learned from John about Black Holes¡­¡±

    ¡°The surface of the monoliths are entire dark, without any spectrum of light, so no physical damage can be seen.¡±

    ¡°Well, there are some perception abilities that can see through even absolute darkness, but it¡¯s unclear whether any damage Tyranel can see now has already been there or not. Since no one has been capable of imaging the surface of the monoliths before anyway. No one besides a diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°And the Einvaldi of before didn¡¯t think to do that for us. That¡¯d be too easy,¡± Eufemia groused.

    ¡°No one says he was a good record-keeper; Just look at the mausoleum,¡± Roscoe unhelpfully supplied. ¡°A rather exemplary architect, but a terrible archivist.¡±

    ¡°What a cultural icon.¡±

    (She shouldn¡¯t be so harsh: Sanshi hadn¡¯t kept great records for the Celestial Book Trials either. For all the obsessive record keeping of Erras, historic and cultural practices seemed to slip notice.)

    ¡°Either way, the apocalypse has started. Or rather¡­has been restarted, but not very quickly. At the current rate of expansion, it¡¯ll be¡­¡± Aliyah performed a quick calculation, ¡°¡­well, years.¡±

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have led with that?¡± Eufemia said dramatically. ¡°Raised my stress levels all for nothing.¡±

    ¡°I am not so naively optimistic to think that whatever has restarted an apocalypse would maintain its leisurely rate of expansion so that it may be foiled,¡± Aliyah said reasonably.

    ¡°The monoliths haven¡¯t just naturally decayed?¡± John ventured. ¡°Do we know that there¡¯s interference for sure?¡±

    ¡°Something which has lasted unflinchingly for thousands of years doesn¡¯t just start decaying, John. Diamond rank artifacts don¡¯t¡¯ just start to fail.¡±

    ¡°Right, perhaps I deserved that one.¡± He¡¯d been on Erras long enough to know better than to expect anything but eternity from diamond rank artifacts, at least, from the way myths and legends spoke of them, and from his own experience in the mausoleum, which had operated for millennia without fail.

    Aliyah let the team digest the news for a moment, but impending apocalyptic doom seemed nonsensical until it was actually upon them. It was the same in which all living beings regarded the inevitable heat death of the universe: with a day of paralyzing, existential dread, then ordinary human indifference, because nothing was to be done, and small, finite human minds could never understand the sheer tragedy of it. Not even magic for all of routine physics-flaunting could compete with entropy on the universal scale; Physics would have its final laugh.

    (That was the role of The Builder, to create new universe seeds to perpetual physical existence against the unrelenting decay of entropy, but that was a story for another time.)

    ¡°We have two options,¡± Aliyah began once she thought her team (plus extras) had processed enough. ¡°We could leave Kallid, although it wouldn¡¯t really matter. If Kallid fails here, and the Svartrsoelis is unleashed, then everyone on the planet will die, except the diamond rankers. We can stay and help with the situation.¡± Aliyah paused, and said, a little chagrined. ¡°And by ¡®we¡¯ I mean Lawrence and me.¡±

    ¡°Or,¡± Encio said, ¡°we figure out how to escape the world.¡±

    Everyone stared at him. Someone dropped a pastry and apologized sheepishly as they tried then failed to pick up the crumbs in a somewhat dignified manner. The nebula floor ate the crumbs instead.

    ¡°Someone had to say it; it¡¯s an option! I don¡¯t agree with it, but it¡¯s there.¡± It was clear that he was reluctant to say it, and not enamored with the thought of abandoning his home world. But the team, with their two outworlders and experience with the Edelsterians, had more experience than almost any other team in the world of the potential of inter-dimensional travel.

    ¡°If we have years,¡± Lawrence considered hesitantly, ¡°Mass evacuation may not be¡­entirely unreasonable.¡±

    ¡°What does the Societies think? Kallid might be wary, but I can¡¯t imagine the rest of the world cares so much. They¡¯d need to pull their heads out of their asses first.¡±

    Eufemia raised a good point. Civilization had never been particularly good at defending against some distant apocalypse, in both time and geological distance, and Kallid was about as removed as civilization got. Essence user based society was superior at it thanks to the convenient lens of an extended lifespan, and the geological shortening of portal travel.

    ¡°The magic society is sending additional researchers for a start. A gold rank teams will also be staying in Kallid, along with several silver rank teams.¡±

    ¡°No diamond rankers?¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t as if Kallid just has Tyranel.¡±

    ¡°Rumor has it there¡¯s two more diamond rankers with direct relations to Kallid,¡± Roscoe said. ¡°Bringing in any more diamond rankers without some clear target is pointless. You only need one diamond ranker keeping an eye on things at a time.¡±

    It was all a big fuss, in the end, but the team didn¡¯t have much to show for it. Sen adjusted their schedule to 2 weeks of mausoleum hunting, and 2 weeks off, since Aliyah¡¯s time was now hotly requisitioned by Royalty and the local government.

    (Lawrence privately wondered if this was the reason he had been sent off by Knowledge to follow around Nara as a sentient photocopier (it wasn¡¯t), and if he had some world-saving role in the apocalypse (he didn¡¯t). He was a young priest after all (of a respectable and famed church), and an adventurer (for the membership benefits), and like every other adventurer, he was not entire disabused of delusions of grandeur. He however, intelligently kept them to himself, and the privacy of his dreams.

    Knowledge knew, but she knew everything.)

    *****

    ¡°Another fucking flea,¡± Theodore scrunched his nose with disgust at the minor bug-stain on his hammer. It had been spotted then summarily executed, but they would never be able to kill them all. Familiars and summons did project a part of their summoner¡¯s aura signature as well as their own (if they had one, non-familiar summons did not), but the aura of the fleas was just as minuscule as their size. Theodore was finally allowed to follow the group into the labyrinth, although he had no token to use; he had long sold his, choosing to make his own equipment instead. He¡¯d rely on what he had fashioned with his own hands.

    Exterminating the fleas had become company policy, as well as mandatory voice chat when they were outside of the cloud vehicle. Since they couldn¡¯t bring it through the portals (unless they wanted to wait 20 minutes to move it each time), they kept the nebula construct in one location and would portal there to take breaks.

    It was the 2<sup>nd</sup> week of their 2<sup>nd</sup> month of artifact hunting, and Nara was beginning to wonder if their team had been scammed by Jago Dahl. It wasn¡¯t as if a month and a half in Kallid had been a long time, but the option of grabbing the next growth artifact and auctioning it some distance Adventure Society seemed more and more a viable option.

    ¡°Here it is: bronze rank room, 2 people, escalating survival for 50 minutes,¡± Roscoe explained through voice chat. ¡°Obsidian Hall, no light.¡±

    ¡°I have to be one of them,¡± Eufemia said, flipping her hair with a confident swish. ¡°You lot don¡¯t have any light powers.¡±

    ¡°You could take Chrome,¡± Nara offered. ¡°Crack him a few times and he might get brighter.¡±

    ¡°I am not a glowstick, Nara.¡±

    ¡°But do you get any brighter?¡±

    ¡°I am not dim, Nara, no matter what you insinuate of my intelligence.¡±

    Sen and Eufemia were finalized as the two challengers. Sen¡¯s abilities let him function out-of-the-box, ready-made for destruction. Eufemia¡¯s abilities required a bit of selection. Before every battle, she shopped; she thought it was appropriate.

    The first ability she copied was Nara¡¯s Overture. With a 1-minute cooldown, she could cast it on herself and change to another ability later. It¡¯s effects would not last the entirety of the battle, but it would help initially grow her strength.Stolen story; please report.

    Then, she copied John¡¯s Mana Tide and Nara¡¯s aura; she and Sen would need the sustain.

    -------

    Ability: [Mana Tide]

    Special Ability (recovery)

    Cost: Low mana

    Cooldown: 4 hours

    Effect (Iron): Draw mana from the astral to replenish allies. Mana recovery begins slowly and escalates over time. Local dimensional conditions may impact the rate of recovery.

    Effect (Bronze): Allies affected by this ability increase their mana recovery by spending mana. The more mana spent, the greater the recovery increase. Abnormal local dimensional conditions may produce positive or negative side effects.

    Ability: [Astral Blessing]

    Aura (holy, boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Allies within aura gain an instance of [Integrity] when expending or losing a low threshold of health, mana, or stamina. Instance threshold is determined by the [Recovery] attribute. Greater or continuous expenditures result in gaining additional instances.

    <ul>

    <li>[Integrity] (boon, heal-over-time, mana-over-time, stamina-over-time, holy, stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of health, stamina, and mana. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Allies within aura gain an instance of [Tranquility] when gaining a holy or magic boon. Instance threshold is determined by the [Spirit] attribute. This effect does not trigger upon gaining an instance of [Tranquility].

    <ul>

    <li>[Tranquility] (boon, holy, stacking): Increased resistance to boon dispel. Additional instances have a cumulative effect. This boon has increased dispel priority over other boons.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Her final decision was which of her own abilities to copy: Prodigious Sorcerer, or Martial Gift. Her partner was Sen who was heavy on physical, melee abilities. If she was bringing Mana Tide to help supplement the start of the battle, then she may as well choose an ability that used Mana. She¡¯d miss the staple special attack of Relentless Assault, and she sheer physical strength increase thanks to a doubled up Martial Gift, but chose to lean into magic.

    Prodigious Sorcerer it was. (Privately, Eufemia felt the name of the ability was ridiculous¡ªshe¡¯d never be a prodigious sorcerer, no matter the effects of the ability. If she had to hear Aliyah claim she wasn¡¯t a prodigy, then she hadn¡¯t any chance. She¡¯d at least never claim she was one in front of Aliyah; else she¡¯d earn an impassioned lecture on the follies of genius.)

    -------

    Ability: [Prodigious Sorcerer]

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Special Ability / Spell

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain the ability to use a known spell of a target. This may make your version of the spell higher or lower rank than the original, including losing or gaining additional effects from higher ranks. This ability has the same cost and cooldown as the original spell. Ability chosen cannot be changed until the ability is off cooldown. Chosen ability is available until changed.

    Effect (Bronze): Maximum mana and the [Spirit] attribute are increased.

    -------

    With that, she duplicated Mana Burst, Aliyah¡¯s bread-and-butter that handled swarms like a meat grinder handled meat; That was to say: it made chunks out of them.

    -------

    Ability: [Mana Burst]

    Awakening Stone: Magus

    Spell

    Incantation: ¡°Mana, burst forth.¡± / ¡°Burst.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana / High mana / Very high mana / Extreme mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds / 20 seconds / 10 seconds / None

    Effect (Iron): Briefly gather mana at a location, the detonate it, dealing large disruptive-force and explosive damage in an area.

    Effect (Bronze): Enemies affected by the burst are the source of secondary, delayed explosions.

    -------

    The first 10 minutes had been easy enough. She had looked through pure darkness, expecting her eyes to adjust but they never did with no light to adjust to. Lumi had spread her flickering swarm into the room, enhancing her brightness to her maximum level. It was weaker than normal¡ªan effect of light suppression of the Obsidian Hall¡ªbut it was enough to somewhat uncomfortably see. The faceted obsidian-stone walls glimmered; sharp edges sharpened by revealing light. The blackness of the material dimmed the room, light cutting itself and dying upon it¡¯s edges. Eufemia wondered if it bore a relation to the black ice of the monoliths, and the knowledge of an impending apocalypse tremored her mind and shivered her body.

    She thought it odd sometimes, that she lived as if nothing had changed. They all did. Nara and John, she understood; they had survived their own apocalypse, of a sort. Their world was gone to them. Granted, their separation was (hopefully) temporary, but the reality was they lived in a world that was not their first. The imminent destruction of life-as-they-knew it within a generation was at best a shrug-worthy thought when they had already experienced lifestyle destruction.

    The first 10 minutes had allowed Eufemia¡¯s mind to wander. At minute 15, Eufemia thanked Aliyah for Mana Burst, as well as the foresight of her own mind. (And she was the best¡ªher mind was a weapon, forged by poverty and adversity.)

    Monsters started to manifest in baker¡¯s dozens, except they were the sort of muffins that tried to kill you, and were largely unpalatable, bloodthirsty predilections aside. Dark elementals of shadow whispered across the walls like ominous omens and bedtime stories told in the dark hours. Eufemia prioritized them, spears of light burning holes through them like Kallidian cheese, or Mana Bursts ripping them like soggy, ink-stained paper.

    Sen focused on the melee. His abilities still affected incorporeal beings, thanks to his racial, Inescapable Wrath.

    -------

    Racial Ability: [Inescapable Wrath]

    Abilities affect all beings. Intrinsic immunities are treated as resistances. Physical attacks can affect incorporeal beings.

    -------

    But Eufemia¡¯s disruptive-force damage would always be more effective against the incorporeal and mana-formed. The other monsters that manifested were that of nightmares¡ªdark hounds with lamprey maws, swirling with rows and rows of shark teeth; dark black beetle masses that crawled over themselves as a single whole, splitting to dodge, before skittering across walls; a screaming monster that was more sound than a physical presence, a drone that increased in volume until Eufemia had bled from her ears¡ªthey delt with that quickly from then on, pinpointing the small, scaled creature and thoroughly tearing it to pieces.

    At minute 20, Eufemia thanked Nara. Mana Tide had worn off, sputtering like a tap with no reserves to drain, squeezed like a lemon with no juice left to give. The Integrity boon kept Eufemia and Sen¡¯s stamina reserves up, which they had no other way to recover; they¡¯d both need stamina recovery potions before the challenge was done.

    Sen was constantly hovering at equilibrium, even with Integrity and Good Karma stacking, which boosted his Recovery attribute.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Warrior]

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain an instance of [Agent of Karma] when subjected to damage or any harmful effect, even if the damage and/or effect was wholly negated.

    <ul>

    <li>[Agent of Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): The [Power] and [Spirit] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Good Karma] when healing others, cleansing others or suffering damage. Enemies that attack or take offensive actions against you are inflicted with [Bad Karma]. So long as any enemy has an instance of [Bad Karma], you have [Karmic Sacrifice].

    <ul>

    <li>[Bad Karma] (affliction, retributive, holy): Suffer a small amount of retributive, transcendent damage when making an attack or other offensive action against anyone without the [Karmic Sacrifice] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Good Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): Bonus to [Recovery]. Damage from enemies with [Bad Karma] is reduced. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Karmic Sacrifice] (boon, holy, heal-over-time): Gain an ongoing healing effect, with strength determined by the amount of [Good Karma] you have accrued. This effect immediately ends if there are no enemies suffering from [Bad Karma].</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Combined with his aura, Guardian¡¯s Retribution, Sen became the priority target.

    -------

    Ability: [Guardian¡¯s Retribution]

    Awakening Stone: Shield

    Aura (retributive)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): All allies within aura have increased damage resistance and increased resistance to afflictions.

    Effect (Bronze): When allies within your aura are attacked, enemies suffer a slight amount of fixed retributive transcendent damage. This effect does not apply to you.

    -------

    The retributive damage effect of his aura was small, an irritation, rather than a true threat. Combined with Bad Karma, enemies with punished twice for attacking anyone other than himself. That pushed the irritation evaluation of his aura effect into potentially problematic in the long term. Combined with his mobility, damage, and ramping attributes, Sen made himself into a guardian that couldn¡¯t be ignored¡ªa guardian that, if you ignored, would kill you.

    His Avatar of Wrath familiar, Regis, served a similar role as himself, to be where he was not. Additionally, as an ally, he could trigger the effects of Sen¡¯s aura and Bad Karma. For when Sen fought alone, his abilities would still activate.

    -------

    Ability: [Avatar of Wrath]

    Awakening Stone: Avatar

    Familiar (summoning, ritual, retributive)

    Cost: Extreme mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Summon an [Avatar of Wrath] to serve as a familiar.

    <ul>

    <li>Has high regenerative properties, physical strength, and speed.</li>

    <li>Can swim adeptly in water.</li>

    <li>When attacked, inflicts retributive fire damage back to the attacker.</li>

    <li>Can unleash a breath of flame. This flame can burn even in environments that would disallow it, such as water.</li>

    <li>When subsumed into the summoner¡¯s throat as a tattoo, the summoner can unleash a breath of fire.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):

    <ul>

    <li>Can link themselves to an ally, inflicting retributive fire damage on all those that attack the ally.</li>

    <li>Enemies that attack the familiar are inflicted with [Burning].</li>

    <li>When subsumed into the summoner, enemies are inflicted with [Burning] after attacking the summoner.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Linking to Sen may shift Sen as a priority target, so Eufemia was Regis¡¯ protected link: any attack against her was punished thrice.

    A roar of flame ripped through the cold and dark oriented creatures, disorienting them in the blaze of light and heat, if they had not been outright roasted. Regis had been particularly helpful in Kallid, his flames burning even across mud and snow. Now, in a room of darkness, he was a blaze, eyes glowing with wrath, a flaming mane licking the arch of his spine and down the length of his tail, fighting with a frighteningly controlled battle lust of Wrath.

    Regis was methodical in the same way that Sen was, identifying what targets where a threat to those he protected. His attacks were brutal in both efficiency and power, and any semblance of wild rage was more about getting the job done than actually losing control. But where Sen¡¯s outward emotional expression was controlled, Regis snarled and grinned, flashing saber canines as his final send offs.

    ¡°10 more minutes,¡± Sen methodically warned. His strategic brain kept track of the battle to the dot.

    They were both soaked through with sweat; Eufemia envied the outworlder¡¯s odd quirk of a lack of sweating. Their armor was painted with blood: some hot, the ichor of the living, others a burning cold, ice-blood that burned with frost. Eufemia swapped to the last of her other duplicated armors, and felt her body temp rise a few degrees. The ice-blood chilled, sapping her of her warmth and reducing her Recovery attribute despite her physical exertion, but Eufemia didn¡¯t know if she¡¯d rather bear the freezing encroachment, or the gag-inducing rainbow smoke caused by looting. She scrunched her nose at the thought of this room filled with that noxious haze. Better not.

    Sen was below equilibrium, but not close to death. She eyed him, sparing a moment to glance his movements, and envied how he never seemed to visibly flag: He was used to fighting at a low physical condition. Each step was always as powerful as his last, each blow with just as much power or more as the start of the battle.

    She gritted her teeth and told herself that she wouldn¡¯t be the one to tire first. Eufemia could do whatever she put her mind to, and in this battle, she would not be a burden.

    The battle was as much a physical struggle as a mental one. The monsters continued to pour out, fresh and new, while they persisted though the slog of battle. There weren¡¯t any other particular threats, the monsters were much the same as the beginning of battle. Eufemia still aimed her Mana Blast at the thickest throngs, taking out more monsters than she would have in the beginning. She and Sen were a fluid duo, no words needed, neither through voice chat nor verbalized, to identify which monsters to hunt down, to cover each other¡¯s backs, and to sweep and clear the room.

    Eufemia wondered how Nara did it: 50 minutes to her must feel like a walk in the park. Her lips curled in smug superiority when she thought of Encio toiling away in a battle like this, and thought she¡¯d at least fare better than he. He had patience, but not the patience for mindless, unvarying repetition.

    It was a relief when they noticed the monsters stopped streaming into the room. The floor was already covered in bodies, draped over raised ledges by Salvador Dali¡¯s hand and pooling in lowered floors, almost disappearing within the crevices of dark obsidian.

    Eufemia didn¡¯t care; she slumped against the obsidian wall, her armor screeching against the stone.

    ¡°Gods. Finally. I thought it¡¯d never end.¡±

    ¡°50 minutes,¡± Sen said, ¡°was 3 minutes ago.¡±

    ¡°Helpful.¡±

    He rolled his eyes, still standing, and infuriatingly able.

    ¡°Can we just, wait a bit? I want to walk out as if I hadn¡¯t just bathed in the blood of my enemies for 50 minutes straight.¡±

    Sen frowned. ¡°But you just did.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡±

    He didn¡¯t say anything, just staring with a lack of understanding as if to say what is the problem with that? He rolled his shoulders out, and stepped towards the pedestal.

    -------

    Item: [Intrepid Heart] (bronze [growth], legendary)

    Classification: accessories (bracers)

    Effect: Conjure barriers of force connected to you around targets. Suffer damage and effects blocked the barrier. The barrier can suffer a limited amount of damage before breaking and needing to be reconjured. Maximum barrier surface area and distance is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    Effect (Iron): The barrier adopts your resistances. Barrier conjuration has a greater degree of flexibility, such as size and shape control.

    Effect (Bronze): Damage suffered to the barrier may be suffered to any resource, such as stamina or mana. Additional stamina or mana may be paid to reinforce a barrier about to break, with cost increasing the longer the barrier is further maintained.

    -------

    The bracers were crafted of a dark, warm red leather inlaid with bronze-gold metal plates tooled with two symbols: the left, a she-wolf; the right, a stylized everlasting fir, trees that endured the ages, and heralded the spring. Protection and endurance, guardianship and hope: The bracers possessed an aura of those sentiments, the reason adventurers fought, to usher those dear and strange to vistas of safety.

    Sen nodded. ¡°I like it.¡±

    Eufemia was unsurprised yet incensed. ¡°You just like it because of the wolf!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just because of the wolf,¡± he said. Likely, it wasn¡¯t entirely a lie.

    ¡°It¡¯s a significant part of why you like it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s useful. I benefit from protecting allies.¡±

    ¡°Why is your mind filled with nothing but battle and wolves. Why are you so logical about everything else, but when it comes to a wolf you lose all reason?¡±

    ¡°Wolves have never led me astray.¡±

    Truly. Wolves have led him to Capsian, to Nara, and now, to the rest of the team. Wolves are the patrons of his family, and their family was blessed to bond with two different magic beasts¡ªFenrirs and Simurghs. Wolves are clearly portents of good fortune. His sister understood.

    (And while, true, not everyone in the family got or wanted a wolf familiar, especially because it didn¡¯t fit every essence user, every essence user of the Arlang family did like wolves. Outsiders didn¡¯t need to know that perhaps the rumor that they had a vault of wolf paraphernalia may not entirely be a rumor. Or that there was an accord that anyone without a wolf familiar inside the family could pet or snuggle the wolf familiars of those that did. Or else there¡¯d be issues.

    ¡­Or that he had been disappointed that his soul crest didn¡¯t have a wolf on it until his sister pointed out his landscape was a home for wolves.)

    ¡°That¡¯s¡ªno. That¡¯s not how it works. We kill wolf monsters Sen. Just because it¡¯s a wolf doesn¡¯t make it good.¡±

    ¡°This and that are two different things.¡±

    ¡°How!?¡±

    ¡°Monsters are monsters, and wolves are wolves.¡±

    Eufemia pressed fingers up into her forehead. ¡°Apparently you don¡¯t need a hobby because you have an obsession. Nara really shouldn¡¯t bother.¡±

    ¡°It is¡­not an obsession. It is a way of life,¡± he stated, too self-assuredly.

    ¡°That¡¯s not any better! That¡¯s worse! You don¡¯t even acknowledge how far gone you are!¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t affect my judgement in battle,¡± he assured. He knew he was the youngest in the group, yet they all put their confidence in him when it came to strategy. He knew that, despite his thorough training throughout his life, his youth still made him inherently untrustworthy to others. That it was odd, to have a party with those so much older than him, like John and Aliyah. He was grateful for the trust of his party, and that no one questioned him on the basis of age, but of different experiences or his lack of knowledge.

    Eufemia sighed and met his eyes to give a reassuring half-smile, sensing the tangent of his thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. It¡¯s never been a problem before. I trust that you know not to let this interfere when it matters. Whatever! You¡¯ve made your decision, haven¡¯t you. Just...ugh. Grab the damn bracers.¡±

    Of course, he did.

 Chapter 174: Who Fortune Favors

    Chapter 174: Who Fortune Favors

    Ilya was bored. So desperately bored. She should¡¯ve known better than to become a stealth scout specialist. If someone had told her the job involved lying around perfectly still for hours almost wanting discovery so that there¡¯d be a mad chase and a spike of adrenaline, she wouldn¡¯t have become a scout.

    (That might be a lie.)

    She could just imagine the trill of it. Eyes finding hers; that perfectly still moment where time froze like the stuttering breath in her chest. The space between heartbeats unspooling until the next beat was the reminder of her own pulsing life.

    It had been a lie. Being a stealth specialist suited Ilya just fine. The problem was, Ilya was far too good at her job.

    A hawk on the tree branch preened its feathers. She imagined she was the hawk, rustling the feathers on her back, soothingly straightening her jacket of russet brown and speckled white. She imagined enjoying the chill of emerging spring and receding winter, downy fluff warming a layer of air against her body.

    Her cloak did that, but she liked to imagine it was feathers.

    Her mother always told Ilya that she daydreamed far too often. Being a scout suited Ilya, because she couldn¡¯t imagine needing to pay attention like a healer or frontliner did. That was far too much pressure. All Ilya needed to do was detect and not be detected. Easy.

    Ilya thought typical adventurers focused too much on aura detection. Aura detection was risky¡ªprod and be prodded, seek and be sought. It was far too risky to rely on aura against higher rankers. That¡¯s why Ilya relied on physical perception.

    Really, Ilya hated that she was so good at her job. Why did she have to spy on higher rankers?

    Her aura was retracted. She did something special with it, mimicking her aura to resemble fauna around her. According to anyone that cast their perceptions towards her, she was a bronze rank windrider hawk.

    That¡¯s why the hawk was there, really. Better actually have a bronze rank hawk sitting atop her in case they cared to visually check. Ilya knew better than to rely on only aura: others might too.

    Letting her mind wander was part of the disguise (really, mother). It introduced natural fluctuations in her aura. Something too still, too focused reeked of being controlled, like pure shadow where there should be dappled sunlight. Stealth wasn¡¯t about absence, but about blending in.

    (It¡¯s why she currently looked like a part of the branch she laid prone on. So the hawk could sit atop her.)

    There was a rabbit sniffing the wind. Cute. She wondered if a hawk found a raw rabbit tastier than cooked and seasoned meat. She wondered how she could think a rabbit cute then think of eating it, but it was cute, and it did look tasty. She supposed it could be both.

    A group of four trudged across the landscape, wearing dark cloaks that dragged in the mud. She let them drift across her perception, a floating cloud in her breezy thoughts. She didn¡¯t focus on them. There were those monsters that could sense focus: So she didn¡¯t. Ilya let their presence and voices wash over her like the susurrus of the tides and the rustling of leaves. Just part of the scenery, nothing special.

    They were approaching the monolith. They should know better, but it wasn¡¯t Ilya¡¯s job to stop them. All the animals, after centuries of living with the monolith, had an instinctual sense to avoid the area. The winged creatures of the sky circled around, and the four-legged fauna tread the circumference. Circles of life avoiding death.

    They broached the ring of death, the boundary where the lightless ice consumed all energy. They survived.

    Ilya didn¡¯t let that surprise her. She didn¡¯t ordinarily have a heartbeat, an ability removed that for her, and instead mimicked a fake heartbeat. She filled the spaces of her life with something other than her. Something other than an elf. With her heart beating the way she wasn¡¯t, it didn¡¯t stutter in surprise. It wouldn¡¯t give her away.

    Ordinarily, the roaring of the storm drowned out any voices, but a friendly wind carried it along to her. How she¡¯d love to spread her winds and ride the wind. Let the breeze catch in her primaries, feel silken current on silken feather.

    The wind was less friendly to the four figures, and ripped at their cloaks, tearing at it with a fury that anything dared stand. Ilya saw flashes of bone white. Skeletal.

    Undead.

    Another revelation, another calm pulse of a hawk¡¯s heart. A sensation skittered over the forest, the aura of an undead swept by. She didn¡¯t stiffen or scare. She couldn¡¯t stiffen more; she was already the bark of a branch. Her hawk briefly stood straighter, flexing its talons against her bark-back. It ruffled its feathers, sensing the brush of observation on an instinctual rather than conscious level. She let her heartbeat match his, slightly rising, the pre-stages before fight or flight. A moment of evaluation: he chose neither and settled, pulse dipping back down to rest.

    The undead didn¡¯t even bother disguising themselves or making themselves invisible. Ilya thought they should know better (again). Ilya was a professional, on a commission assigned to her by the royal family. Ilya wanted to be lazy, but the pay was generous, so Ilya was thorough.

    Ilya thought that priests of a god should be more thorough than an adventurer paid in coin, but what did she know? She wasn¡¯t a priest. (Evidently, money could buy quality where faith couldn¡¯t. Ilya wanted to count herself as quality.)

    ¡°¡­ugh, I hate the cold¡­¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t feel the cold.¡±

    ¡°Bones have nerve endings.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an undead skeleton not a living skeleton!¡±

    The voices warbled on the wind, and Ilya heard them like she would chatter at a champagne party: unimportant and uninteresting. She¡¯d process it later when she was safe.

    ¡°Quiet!¡±

    ¡°Nobody is around, Dross.¡±

    ¡°High Priest!¡± he snapped. ¡°You will refer to me as High Priest or not at all.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­I know what you¡¯re thinking. I¡¯m not a pretentious snob.¡±

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Talk!¡±

    ¡°¡­You said not to refer to you.¡±

    A frustrated sigh carried across the wind.

    ¡°Set up the blasted device. Let¡¯s get this done for the week.¡±

    Ilya didn¡¯t bother sensing what rank they were. She couldn¡¯t, at this distance. At bronze rank, her physical perception far surpassed her aura detection, especially with her four-fold perception. If she tried to sense what rank they were, she¡¯d be detected. Far better not to. No, it didn¡¯t matter what rank they were as long as they never found her.

    An odd black metal device was placed onto the frozen ground. The metal was smooth, but it had angular edges and jutting components. The bottom was a stand, which the figures quickly secured to the ground with bolts.

    It was ugly and unaesthetic, a scar of black on monochrome. Ilya preferred the forest and its wandering shades.

    A cylindrical shape rotated, increasing in angular velocity and whirring with the sound of energy. Something was charging¡­

    ¡­It did not charge very fast.

    Ilya contemplated extensively if crystal bees existed, how crystal honey would taste. Would it compare to crystal sap? Did crystal sap taste good? Maybe there was an untapped market there?This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    As she mused, the device finally fired: With a sharp blast, a highly concentrated, high velocity, but extremely small projectile pierced towards the monolith, streaking with an offensive glow of orange in that monochrome realm, devoid of color and life. The light waned as the projectile approached, but it still impacted the monolith with a small crack.

    It didn¡¯t actually crack or anything, but Ilya didn¡¯t like that sound. The storm drowned it out, so her hawk didn¡¯t react; the forest maintained life as usual. Another hawk had joined it on her bark-back. A female. Maybe a lover? It was good that another hawk came; she didn¡¯t even have to call it, like the first one. It looked more natural. She could even have the first hawk leave, and keep the second one. Maybe have both leave, and call upon a squirrel. She thought she¡¯d like a coat made of squirrel fur, but then she¡¯d feel bad for calling the squirrel.

    The device was detached from the ground, wrenching massive screws up from the steel sturdy permafrost. The figures were careful not to touch the main part of the device, instead interacting with its casing and legs.

    ¡°¡­Can¡¯t this process go any faster?¡±

    ¡°The whole point is to go undetected, idiot. Small adjustments, until we¡¯re ready. Besides, we can¡¯t use the solar condensate canon too often.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re really stingy with the cartridges.¡±

    ¡°Well it¡¯s not like we can make them!¡±

    ¡°Just because the vampires can¡¯t handle the sun doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Ugh. This isn¡¯t about the vampires. Did you have to mention them?¡±

    ¡°¡­can we just go? I¡¯m cold.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not cold, Toby.¡±

    ¡°I am!¡±

    ¡°If you were cold, you¡¯d be dead!¡±

    ¡°I am dead!¡±

    ¡°Please¡­just stop. All of you.¡±

    ¡°Ohhhh big baddie high priest deigned to use please.¡±

    ¡°My most beloved god: Why did you accept them?¡±

    At least, once they passed the boundary of the storm, the group stopped bickering. They broke into a run across the mud and delicate green grass, thankfully away from where Ilya laid, her heart never stopping its real-false act.

    She¡¯d have to get this information to the royal family and Adventure Society, but first she¡¯d wait, just to be careful. Ilya could never be too careful.

    Ilya wasn¡¯t known for speed. She was known for success.

    She waited.

    Only when she was sure, did she move the barest bit.

    She impressed upon a piece of paper the information she knew with magic. It¡¯d be littered with random observations, even everything Ilya didn¡¯t actively process, but that was the point. She¡¯d was the sensor, not the analyst. A recording would be made of her experiences, but she couldn¡¯t do that herself.

    She didn¡¯t even have to write it down, and she continued to lay still, the bark of a branch. She pressed the paper into the real bark beneath her. She thought of the specific tree in the grounds of the castle, the paper subsumed into the tree, sending it to its destination.

    Well, now Ilya didn¡¯t need to make it back alive. She¡¯d like to, of course, but she¡¯d at least keep her reputation of a 100% success rate (iron rank doesn¡¯t count). That was nice.

    Ilya debated how she¡¯d return to the city of Kallid. She thought, today, she¡¯d like to be a hawk.

    Ilya stretched her wings, her primaries catching upon ever-present storm winds cast off from the eternal storm, and she flew.

    *****

    Sen had claimed Intrepid Heart, but even he thought their party was getting ridiculous in terms of weapon versatility. Nara had a shapeshifting weapon, which, while low in instantaneous power has made her all the tricker to fight. Eufemia just copied all other weapons. She was no weapons master, but chose the right weapon for the right job¡ªwhy use a sword to break a wall when she could use a sledgehammer?

    Once he gathered the materials needed to upgrade Intrepid Heart to bronze, Sen began his testing.

    Sen could conjure as many barriers as he wanted, within a limited surface area and range. The surface area was enough to shield a few people at a time, although taking damage from multiple sources simultaneously was a quick wall to accidentally overextend himself, no matter how defensive his abilities: he¡¯d have to be wary of area attacks. They served as an extension of his self, shouldering blows for someone or something as they remained protected behind it.

    The ability to expend mana or stamina instead of suffering health damage was an extension of the maximum damage he could shoulder on behalf of others, although he¡¯d have to be careful to balance his resources. Just after Nara, however, he was probably the next best in the team at using all three at a controlled pace. Few others wanted to expend their health as he and Nara did, except perhaps Encio, who could selectively take hits with Moment of Oneness and Immortality.

    The iron rank effect, while initially unimpressive, was a great synergy with Sen¡¯s abilities. His armor conjuration, Armor of the Immovable, was a simple, reliable ability that provided a variety of resistances, and would continue to rank that way until gold, as it was known.

    --------

    Ability: [Armor of the Immovable]

    Essence: Zeal

    Awakening Stone: Armor

    Conjuration (armor)

    Cost: Very high mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Conjure heavy but flexible armor that confers strong physical protection and additional effects.

    <ul>

    <li>Increased resistance to harmful dimension and teleportation effects.</li>

    <li>Increased resistance to harmful high momentum effects.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): The armor confers additional effects.

    <ul>

    <li>Increased resistance to resonating-force damage.</li>

    <li>Increased resistance to harmful dispel effects.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Since the barriers adopted Sen¡¯s resistances, they also had lost their inherent weakness to disruptive force damage, as verified by Eufemia. He would not gain that resistance until silver rank with his armor, so still fared better against the barriers than other damage types, but not any better than other less common damage types, like necrotic or lightning.

    Additionally, the damage suffered to the barriers would trigger Sen¡¯s passives, Karmic Warrior and Building Wrath.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Warrior]

    Essence: Balance

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Gain an instance of [Agent of Karma] when subjected to damage or any harmful effect, even if the damage and/or effect was wholly negated.

    <ul>

    <li>[Agent of Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): The [Power] and [Spirit] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Good Karma] when healing others, cleansing others or suffering damage. Enemies that attack or take offensive actions against you are inflicted with [Bad Karma]. So long as any enemy has an instance of [Bad Karma], you have [Karmic Sacrifice].

    <ul>

    <li>[Bad Karma] (affliction, retributive, holy): Suffer a small amount of retributive, transcendent damage when making an attack or other offensive action against anyone without the [Karmic Sacrifice] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Good Karma] (boon, holy, stacking): Bonus to [Recovery]. Damage from enemies with [Bad Karma] is reduced. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Karmic Sacrifice] (boon, holy, heal-over-time): Gain an ongoing healing effect, with strength determined by the amount of [Good Karma] you have accrued. This effect immediately ends if there are no enemies suffering from [Bad Karma].</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Building Wrath]

    Essence: Wrath

    Awakening Stone: None

    Special Ability (boon, holy)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): When suffering damage or using a special attack, gain an instance of [Wrath]. Greater damage suffered grants or greater damage dealt grants additional instances of [Wrath]. This effect ignores the reduction of your damage reduction effects. You can gain [Wrath] from execute abilities, even if they are not special attacks. Instance limit is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Wrath] (boon, holy, stacking): When using an execute ability, consume all instances to inflict additional transcendent damage and reduce the low health threshold of execute abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze):  When consuming instances of [Wrath], gain instances of [Wrath¡¯s Respite]. Instance limit is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Wrath¡¯s Respite] (boon, holy, stacking): Increased resistance to damage. Mild ongoing healing effect. Increased resistance to damage scaling of low health or injury. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    While Wrath¡¯s Respite was not particularly important against monsters, as few had effects that increased against damaged enemies, except some varieties of blood-feeders, it was critically important against essence users. As one who wielded an execute ability himself, he had always been wary of their effects being turned against him, and he had no ability to save himself at low health like Encio had.

    Additionally, the bracers did not block the effect of Guardian¡¯s Retribution, his aura.

    -------

    Ability: [Guardian¡¯s Retribution]

    Essence: Wrath

    Awakening Stone: Shield

    Aura (retributive)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): All allies within aura have increased damage resistance and increased resistance to afflictions.

    Effect (Bronze): When allies within your aura are attacked, enemies suffer a slight retributive transcendent damage. This effect does not apply to you.

    -------

    It was curious, Sen mused; he had been given an awakening stone of the shield at iron rank for the express purpose of awakening a shield ability, like one of John¡¯s, but had awakened an aura instead. Now, some years later, he inadvertently chanced upon what he had sought. For all of his defensive capabilities, Sen did not have the ability to protect all his allies at the same time. He could teleport, he could move at incredible speeds with Momentous Sprint, and he could return a wave of projectiles and magic with Return to Origin. Guardian¡¯s Retribution had seemed a conciliatory prize, taunting him with what he had wanted but could now possess.

    He could now, at a cost. And Sen was more than happy to have it.

    *****

    They¡¯d stay, in the meantime, for Aliyah. They would keep looking.

    While Sen was experimenting, he distantly registered that Eufemia was complaining about how once again, the two wealthiest team members were the ones who had somehow found their pieces of equipment first. How it was entirely unfair that those born with a gold spoon somehow kept having gold spoons shoved into their mouth (¡°You¡¯re a loudmouth, Encio, so I know you can fit many.¡±), and that fortune should favor the bold, not the inordinately wealthy.

    Sen pointed out that he himself was not particularly wealthy: his family was. Rather, Nara surpassed him in personal wealth. Eufemia said that was bullshit, that he¡¯d never understand the struggles of the poor and weak, and to keep his gold-coated mouth shut, so he shrugged while she and Encio got into some sort of playful shouting match that bordered on flirtatious, although Eufemia seemed to intentionally cultivate some sort of vague sexual tension with everyone she was around. Sen thought it was her way of being friendly, because she certainly didn¡¯t do it with anyone she thought better belonged in the trash to be incinerated.

    He picked his battles; Encio may have been willing to bleed on the verbal battlefield with Eufemia, but he was not.

    (It was not because he wasn¡¯t very good at it, although that was also true.)

 Chapter 175: The Idea Woman

    Chapter 175: The Idea Woman

    Nara had spent nearly two months in Kallid, and decided it was time to pay a visit to her mentors. What was the point of the ability to execute a cha-cha-dimension-slide if she didn¡¯t use it to visit friends and family?

    She was still working on the family part.

    Innovation¡¯s Retreat was surprisingly busy. All the members were there, and the ritual workshops were both in use. Chelsea¡¯s ¡®garage¡¯ was open, displaying her various vehicular contraptions. Compared to her various vehicles¡ªhovering skimmers, flying ships, medivac pods¡ªNara¡¯s bike prototype was diminutive in the large hanger.

    It had been 7 months since Nara had given her gifts to the members of Innovation¡¯s Retreat. Some part of her mind had thought they¡¯d already be done with her simple inventions, but Nara had no experience with the product development cycle of Erras. Was 7 months long or short for a gold ranker to work on a project?

    (It wasn¡¯t as if they were sorely dedicated to her projects either, Nara reasoned. Chelsea and Amara had their own research. She figured 7 months wasn¡¯t long at all.)

    Chelsea was wearing a simple shirt and shorts, completely clean and un-smudged, unfortunately disappointing Nara of her image of a mechanic. From what she now knew of adventurer¡¯s clothing, they were probably ridiculously expensive and had anti-stain and anti-rip protections. Henri was with her, looking suitably more smudgy-y and unclean befitting that of a half-mad inventor. Figures he wouldn¡¯t spend money on dirt-immune clothing. Nara should force some on him, as his sponsor. Something protective too, before he accidentally killed himself by launching a metal spike at point blank range at himself, or exploding a hole through his abdomen. If he hung around Amara, that was certainly a risk.

    Nara had been getting letters from members of Innovation¡¯s Retreat, along with periodic updates from the Invention Society. She¡¯d been earning a small income from her boom sticks, but it didn¡¯t compare to her adventurer earnings. (At bronze rank, adventurer teams started to use looting rituals to loot monsters as it had become cost-effective to do so, so she didn¡¯t think her loot powers were cheating here, just more convenient.)

    She could visit those of the Retreat whenever she wanted, but they weren¡¯t always there. The letters meant they kept in touch, and she made less frequent trips to try to keep the ¡®tension¡¯ of the journey. It wouldn¡¯t quite be the same if she always slept in her room at the Retreat.

    She saw those progress updates reflected in one of the many models of bicycle scattered around Chelsea¡¯s hangar. Chelsea had refined the frame; Nara and Henri¡¯s version had been very improvised from the limited descriptive information Nara could provide. It had the same basic two triangle frame, which even Nara had managed to remember. Scattered around the workshop were basic frames made with different ratios to accommodate the different races, the leonid one was incredibly massive and the runic one considerably smaller.

    The various artifact components¡ªbrakes, gear shift, and speed assist¡ªwere mana activated. The brakes were so economical that they only used the user¡¯s mana as it was pressed: a mana cost so low it wouldn¡¯t register on Nara¡¯s interface. To call it a ¡®brake¡¯ was inaccurate in that there was no physical slowing component¡ªNara didn¡¯t know the specifics, but the artifact leeched kinetic energy from the bike, slowing it. It was part of why the brake artifact functioned so cheaply.

    Chelsea had written in her letters that this particular bit of artifice was from the Edelsterians. Since their world was mana barren, the conversion of other forms of energy into mana was one of their magic and technological specialties. The conversion ratio wasn¡¯t efficient at all¡ªthe energy of physical reality and the energy of the astral, while related, weren¡¯t the same. The brake artifact used quintessence of magic and balance, to perform the conversion. Neither quintessence was particularly expensive, and both lasted for a long time before needing replenishment. (It could be done with dimension quintessence or harmonic quintessence, but both were far more expensive options.)

    The speed assist artifact was a new component. Much like an e-bike, it provided additional power and speed. It was the most expensive to operate component, but that was only relative to the cheapness of the rest of the bike. It would need swift and might quintessence, but as long as the user was determined to pedal, the usage of the artifact would be lessened.

    Nara approached, chatting with the two as they discussed improvements and changes. The bicycle was nice, she loved it, but she could not help feeling mildly disappointed.

    ¡°Why is it you don¡¯t have motorcycles¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡± Chelsea looked sideways at Nara, as if evaluating whether her off-hand comment deserved a glare.

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s just¡­ I was never a motorcycle fan, mainly because they¡¯re noisy, dangerous, and I was afraid of getting hurt. But now¡ª¡± Nara gestured to herself ¡°¡ªI could wipeout against asphalt going sixty and just need a shower for the dirt from my hair.¡±

    Chelsea was unimpressed with her babble. Her expression was tilting more towards glare. Nara had to salvage this!

    ¡°Okay, see. You agree that a bicycle is a pretty efficient form of transportation.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Chelsea said, with a tone that wasn¡¯t sure if she liked where this was going.

    ¡°And what does it excel at, besides efficiency?¡±

    Chelsea wasn¡¯t an amateur, and she had been working on the bicycle for over half a year, so she had an answer almost unwillingly at the tip of her tongue. ¡°Personal transportation. Maneuverable at relatively high speeds with decent precision.¡± She raised an eyebrow like ¡®is that the answer you wanted?¡¯

    ¡°Yeah. So why doesn¡¯t this have any vehicles in the shape of a bicycle but at the speed of a skimmer? Personal skimmers are all seated.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Henri said, perking up. ¡°This is about that um, forward leaning position bicycle, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not very clear.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t describe it very clearly. That¡¯s not my fault.¡±

    ¡°Fine. It¡¯s my fault. My point is, could we adapt a skimmer with some of the design philosophies of the bicycle? What¡¯d we call that, still a skimmer? Personal skimmer? Cycler? Magi-cycle? It certainly wouldn¡¯t be using personal locomotion to power the bike anymore.¡±

    ¡°And how is it powered in your world if not by personal locomotion?¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Well, we have something called internal combustion engines¡ª¡± Nara paused. ¡°You sly dog you, Henri! You were there for this! Knowledge gave us a talking to!¡±

    ¡°She gave you a talking to. I¡¯m just the unhinged oddball inventor.¡±

    ¡°Right, well internal combustion is a forbidden topic. As far as I¡¯ve seen, y¡¯all haven¡¯t figured it out yet, so I can¡¯t really talk about it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll just dangle it in front of us instead as the most frustrating, untouchable bait.¡± Chelsea said. She was definitely glaring now.

    ¡°If you¡¯re making a fish analogy that means you¡¯re off the hook. That¡¯s a good thing.¡±

    Chelsea took a calming breath and counted to ten.

    ¡°¡­I see what you mean. I¡¯ll think about it,¡± she said, teeth almost audibly crunching.

    ¡°Right, well I don¡¯t need any credit for this one. It¡¯s on me.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t say.¡±

    Nara left Chelsea along before she could decide she didn¡¯t need an ¡°idea woman¡±, and by didn¡¯t need, meant ¡°didn¡¯t need alive.¡±

    The next person to hassle was Amara, and she dragged Henri along, because he was equally involved in Project Ritual Stylus.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say I haven¡¯t made much progress,¡± admitted Amara, although she sounded more intrigued than frustrated. Nara supposed with rank came the patience of an extended lifespan. Why rush through life¡¯s mysteries when you have all the time in the world? ¡°It just cannot reproduce what a ritual spell casting ability can do.¡±

    It was disappointing, but not actually new ¡®news¡¯.

    Nara held the stylus in her hand. It was sleek and polished wood, one known for its mana conductivity. It was a shame, really, that there¡¯d be no wizards. She felt a pang of guilt that her gift to Amara had been fruitless.

    ¡°Why do you think it doesn¡¯t work? Do you have any theories?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Amara said thoughtfully, ¡°I suppose the ability acts itself as a conduit. The mana used to create ritual diagrams with an ability is different than mana used without the ability.¡±

    ¡°You think that the mana has been refined in some way to be able to draw ritual diagrams?¡±

    Amara nodded. ¡°Ritual magic uses a variety of materials to conduct and hold mana.¡±

    ¡°To form lines.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Powered lesser monster cores are the cheapest material, but specific rituals, especially those of summoning abilities or familiars, can call for different conducting reagents.¡±

    ¡°So we need to refine the mana somehow.¡±

    ¡°Or provide a conducting reagent,¡± Henri added.

    ¡°Then isn¡¯t that just the same as normal ritual spellcasting?¡±

    The three sat in silence for a bit, pondering.

    Nara had seen various ritual magic abilities. Amara¡¯s was the most common one, and the medium seemed more or less to be light. She could draw glowing lines through the air, using a staff or any part of her body. A wand would work, but something like a hammer wouldn¡¯t, because they usually weren¡¯t made of particularly mana conductive material.

    There wasn¡¯t some super metal like orichalcum, which was the superior choice for all weapons and tools. A metal like that existing? How unrealistic.

    Nara had seen someone with the ability to draw ritual diagrams with flames (which actually enhanced any fire and heat effect rituals cast with it), and another that used spider silk. Everyday ritual magic used neutral components¡ªlesser monster cores, salt¡ªand instead used quintessence and reagents of various types to produce a desired effect. Using powdered quintessence as the drawing medium could boost a ritual magic, but usually the concentration compared to the quintessence used as reagents was insignificant. If a ritual circle used 50 water quintessence, using powdered water quintessence for the ritual circle was an expensive material substitution for barely increased power, and ritual magic users liked keeping the ritual standardized. The ritual circle already needed to be adjusted depending on local conditions¡ªintroducing an additional variable to control for only increased complexity for little gain. It was a technique used to get boosts in extreme situations where it was needed, but rarely otherwise used.

    Even if they could solve the issue of creating a viable ritual, they still hadn¡¯t solved the problem of sourcing materials in battle. Ritual abilities automatically used materials from a dimension bag or inventory.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Nara began, a thought beginning to form in her mind, ¡°what if we do use a conducting reagent?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°What if the stylus acts as an extruder, and it floats conductive reagent in the air? Maybe¡­maybe we have this powered-mana slurry, and the stylus can draw it out. Or, or, those floating glow stones you made, those were cheap. Can we powder those and make a floating reagent?¡±

    ¡°¡­That could work,¡± Henri said after a pause. Nara could practically feel the thinking gears churning in his head. No, she could. He was vibrating on the couch.

    ¡°Which specifically?¡±

    ¡°All of it. None of it. It-it¡¯s something. We¡¯ll have to test reagents, and consider whether we want to use¡ª¡±

    ¡°Whether we want to implement weightlessness within the wand or¡ª¡±

    ¡°Have it an inherent property of the conducting agent.¡±

    Oh god, they were finishing each other¡¯s sentences.

    ¡°Erm, so, I thought that it could be a sort of refillable cartridge you attach to the stylus.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not there yet.¡±

    ¡°I just wanted to contribute a little bit more because I know probably can¡¯t soon.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Amara paused. ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should be offended.¡±

    Amara tried to smile consolingly, but Nara could see her simmering fervor. ¡°You¡¯ll get there. Artifice isn¡¯t your focus; you¡¯ve already done very well.¡±

    Nara sat through the rest of the discussions, but she was playing second fiddle to a duo of masters. Amara pointed out that a lack of experience in a field leads to new insights¡ªshe had been fixated on using just mana to produce the ritual circle and solving the theory reason on what an essence ability provided that a wand did not. That was still a theory she¡¯d like to solve, but all researchers had to acknowledge that there were compromises in the pursuit of invention.

    Redell¡¯s soul song research, conversely, would have had little progress for a very long time. It was research that had to be conducted with people, and there were stringent oversights and processes that the churches had to follow, even if the intentions were healing and therapy. He had managed to adapt the soul-song communion technique to create a lesser but more general version. Redell¡¯s soul-song echo technique stimulated emotion with song (on a level songs did not already do). His echo helped with the release of emotion for those that may struggle or fear doing so, and to do so in safe, controlled environments. It also could stimulate joy, to call upon old memories of joy for those in a place they couldn¡¯t remember it.

    *****

    Twilight was sweeping gentle lavender silks across the city of Kallid as Nara settled against a recliner, looking out at the city. In her hands was a mug of epil cider, a fruit similar to apple but with a cinnamon-cardamon flavor. The land had been released from the clutches of winter to the embrace of spring, but Nara wanted her cider anyway.

    (She couldn¡¯t help the low internal hum that told her this was the calm before the storm. It was, in a way, because of the apocalypse. But that wasn¡¯t what Nara felt.)

    Thanatos was draped across her legs, just as long and languid as she was. Sage and Chrome were doing¡­something. Bickering, perhaps. She glanced outside; Chrome was practicing his swords, so perhaps not.

    ¡°Hey. Looks like you got a minute,¡± Eufemia said, pausing a way away and pulling Nara from her dark-sweet molasses mood.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Nara would invite Eufemia to sit, but she had already claimed a seat. It was only through their long acquaintance that Nara knew Eufemia was nervous. She didn¡¯t fidget¡ªEufemia was above such readable displays of unconfident emotion, unless she was intentionally projecting it. The only way Nara knew was that she was nervous was because she was overly relaxed and overly controlled. Her movements were too smooth, with a calm slowness intended to project confidence when it was lacking. Sage appeared out of nowhere to hand Eufemia a mug of warm epil cider, then glided right back out of perception.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about some things since this¡­potential end of the world talk.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been thinking? Didn¡¯t know you could,¡± Nara said with a gentle tease.

    Eufemia sent a glare, ¡°Learnt that from Encio, did you?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know it was worrying you so much.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s finger circled the rim of her mug, casting her gaze to the amber hues of the cider. ¡°I¡¯ve realized that I may not have much more time to put off the meetings I¡¯ve been avoiding.¡±

    Nara waited for her to continue.

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about my father.¡±

    She¡¯d guessed as much.

    ¡°You had offered to take a message to him. Does that offer still stand?¡±

    ¡°Of course. Is it alright if I discuss this with Sen and the others?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t make you go alone. Bring Encio along¡ªhe¡¯ll finally be good for something.¡±

 Chapter 176: Proof-of-Concept

    Chapter 176: Proof-of-Concept

    Nara waited for Encio to step out of the portal transport organized by the Transportation and Communication Society (Trans-Com Society). She couldn¡¯t cross the ocean between the continents with Encio in tow, and had to wait for him to catch up with alternative means. Thankfully, the growing popularity and operations of the Trans-Com Society had made portal travel more convenient for ordinary and essence users alike. She had first transported him to Fern Ufer, the largest city in Ainm, so that he¡¯d reach the location for the trans-oceanic portal user that would take him to Stanton. The portal user in question was Silver rank, with a Gold 0 portal (incredibly valuable) and charged based on consumed capacity. Encio¡¯s fare was in the realm of silver rank coins. Nara wondered if a gold ranker would have to pay a diamond rank coin (or the equivalent in gold), but considering that it¡¯d consume the portal user¡¯s entire capacity, that was probably a fair price.

    When Encio finally stepped through a portal that was a burning pillar of white flame along with another gaggle of assorted essence users and civilians, they started their exploration of the city.

    Nara was just as country-bumpkin-amazed as the first time she had stepped into Stanton, the largest city of Rowen. The buildings were moderately tall, 7 to 10 stories and built in planned city blocks. Some tallest buildings stretched beyond that, the blossoming growths of a potential metropolis. The buildings were not dissimilar in style to an old city like Boston, but with a distinctly almost-steampunk edifice. There were no steam engines yet, but Rowen was a city of Magitech, and the effect was similar: thin bronze pipes like arteries with sparkling mana like blood¡ªthe innards of a city spilled outwards. Stanton marveled the display of engineering and technical mastery, and instead of tucking the workings inside politely, sanitizing it for polite society, tubes and runes curled around buildings like artful vines.

    The buildings were decorative rather than utilitarian¡ªsurprising Nara from Redell¡¯s story of the royal family¡¯s views on the arts. She supposed it was just a job beneath royalty, and not inherently hated by society as a whole. The decoration was art deco combined with a gothic architectural style. Buildings were topped with spires, windows arched, with high first floors and arching walkways allowing for an odd sense of space despite the hustle and bustle of the city. The city was multilevel, with floating platform escalators ferrying people to higher walkways if they couldn¡¯t just jump up there (or had the public decency not to). The city was primarily stone, with subtle hints of metal like bronze¡ªspecifically magic bronze, as any non-magic version of a metal was relatively worthless in Erras, as they were unable to hold much enchantment and magic. Windows had arc deco glass panes, designs with more muted colors, and large windows with just lattices to reveal the large, open lobbies of the first floors with ribbed vaulting ceilings and the yellow-gold glow of glow stone lighting.

    It was a city of wealth and purpose.

    She had a purpose too¡ªEufemia¡¯s letter, tucked safely into her inventory. Encio, her scheming-politician deterrent, and Thanatos, her annoying person deterrents, were at her sides.

    Nara had portalled to their portal plaza, similarly decorative and grand¡ªa plaza of polished marble and the clean geometric shapes of arc deco. Wrought iron streetlamps stood tall and proud, like guards at welcome, cages of ornate iron concealing glow stones. Artistic fountains were the centerpieces of manicured parks, pleasant but lacking the natural harmony and ¡®fengshui¡¯ of Sanshi¡¯s park design.

    The offices of Rasmus Teresina were in the building of the guild Hands of Progress. Guilds functioned far more like companies in Rowen, larger and more expansive, recruiting those they felt furthered their powers and goals. Usually, essence users would join a Society or Church if they wanted to pursue a specific discipline: combat, magic, artifice, healing, smithing, etc.

    Societies usually required a certification test before allowing members their privileges, which they¡¯d negotiated with local governments and thus needed to maintain a high standard of quality, although the Magic Society did have its own apprenticeship opportunities: a scholar was not so easily made.

    Churches did not require any baseline knowledge; indeed, in Erras, they were perhaps the greatest educators, providing the highest quality of training in return for service. They were typically a peasant¡¯s only opportunity to gain essences or a higher social standing.

    Guilds were a third alternative, instead accepting anyone on any basis, set by the guild itself. It could be skills¡ªevery guild needed an accountant or a manager, and these were not typically the best adventurers. An applicant could negotiate essences and education in their contract, as long as what they brought to the guild was valuable enough that the guild was willing to sponsor.

    Typically, guilds in Erras had solely been adventuring guilds. A way for Adventurers to organize beyond just the typical up to 10-person team. Particularly difficult contracts may require more than 10 people, and in silver rank, not all team members were available at the same time. Having a group of essence users you trusted outside of your team was useful to advance while taking care of other business. It was like the curse of D&D¡ªso hard to organize with everyone¡¯s working schedules. One person worked night shift, and one person worked weekends. With a guild, if a few members needed to be substituted, it was preferable for the guild to arrange it than a complete, society-provided stranger.

    Guilds were less of a combat construct in Rowen. The original Invention Guilds were still usually half combat guilds, such as: the famous and oldest invention guild, Radiant Quill; the Arcane Pursuit, which had smartly followed their example; and Insight and Advantage, which recruited adventurers and inventors separately in a relatively even ratio. Combat power was political power, after all, and it was folly to do without.

    If Sanshi was at the precipice of a democratic revolution and at the forefront of larger scale, government sponsored adventurer education, Rowen was the revolutionary center of non-combat disciplines. The culture of Rowen had created a kingdom where far more people pursued essences for the sake of work, and not combat.

    Guilds followed, with new-age non-combat builds appearing. Inventions and wealth were their currencies of power, nurtured in Rowen¡¯s culture which honored innovators. Most were core users. Most had ideas to sell.

    Adventurers were still important, but the balance of power had shifted, non-combat and combat professions weighing equally on both sides of the scale. In most other nations, high rank officials were only respected if they had fought as adventurers or royal guards, otherwise scorned in public and private. After all, what risk were they if they could be shut up with just the threat of a duel? Those who knew better did shut up, and those who didn¡¯t inevitably ate the consequences of challenging someone who could physically do so.

    Here, Rowen benefitted from a larger variety of skillsets in the highest reaches of their government. The royal family embodied the same standard, pursuing paths of adventuring, researching, inventing, or all at once. Whether the royal family had shaped the culture of Rowen, or whether Rowen had shaped the royal family was an impossible chicken-egg conundrum.

    Of course, those that could accomplish both¡ªAdventurer-inventors like Amara¡ªwere held in the highest of regards in Rowen.

    The streets were bustling, walking streets were interspersed with transportation streets for vehicles. Stanton also had an underground metro system, as well as an above ground tram system. Personal skimmers were more common, and there were even skimmer-taxis for those who¡¯d rather sit through traffic than bum it with the peons on public transportation.

    Encio explained that the gods of commerce and knowledge were popular in Stanton. The gods of commerce included gods like Economy, Commerce, Currency, Traveler and gods of knowledge included Knowledge herself, Creation, and Education. The churches of Dominion and Liberty, often regarded as contrasting divine beings, were oddly both popular, reflecting Rowen¡¯s duality as a whole: Controlling the economy, shaping the future, freedom of thought, creativity in progress.

    The fashion of Stanton, Nara observed, was the closest to what John wore himself, Rowen daily wear. Long coats and tailored pants, vests, understated accessories of metal, and an abundance of caps¡ªtruly, of every nation, the most she¡¯s seen. (Nara¡¯s hair felt naked. She was almost indecent.) It was a Downton Abby/Peaky Blinders sort of fashion, but with color accents in dress shirts, trims, cravats, coat linings, hats, and gloves. A smidge more color brightened the city, reflecting the clear skies and the energetic pace the city strode forward on towards the future, leaving behind the dreariness of a plain grey: Progress, not stagnation.

    Women were just a dapperly dressed, wearing the same, easy-motion daily wear, rather than the dresses of the era that would have been period-typical for Earth. Although, this was street wear, office wear¡ªwho knew what the high fashion of Stanton would flaunt?

    Progress sang in every breath of the citizens, the clack of hurried yet sure steps, the perpetual motion of magic escalators and whirring trams, eyes trained forwards to their next destination.

    Nara admired it, but she wasn¡¯t sure she liked it.

    *****

    The plan, because Sen insisted on having a plan, was simple. Nara, bearing Amara¡¯s last name and a bit of repute of her own, would accessorize herself with Encio and request a meeting with Rasmus Teresina. Nara¡¯s was proud that she had thought of a suitable proposal¡ªRasmus'' miniaturized magical battery could be implemented in the magi-cycle. Furthermore, it could be used to create a mana-battery motorcycle that Nara had dreamed of.

    Who needed combustion engines when your civilization had skipped straight past that tech into battery technology?

    It made sense, of course. Mana couldn¡¯t be generated¡ªeven the low-efficiency energy-transformation technology was wisdom of Edelster-jos¡ªit was instead collected from the surroundings. The only sort of ¡®generation¡¯ of mana in the form of spirit coins was from spirit coin farms, looting powers, and looting rituals, and even those were various forms of crystallization of mana that had already passed the dimensional boundary.

    So, Nara would ask to meet with Rasmus to propose a partnership. It was even genuine, really, and not just an excuse to meet him. Nara would very much like a magic motorcycle to round out her increasingly comprehensive array of transportation options.

    It was once they had met with Rasmus, that the plan was a little tricky. Nestled within Nara¡¯s inventory was a handwritten letter and a beloved necklace, Eufemia¡¯s keepsake of her father, that might just do the trick.

    The headquarters of the Hands of Progress was predictably downtown. While Rasmus¡¯ rise was relatively recent¡ªespecially in a world where the rich lived decade by decade instead of year by year¡ªthe Hands of Progress was a renowned, well-established guild. It was tall¡ª8 full stories of gilded edifice; polished high-quality stone; and a proud emblem¡ªtwo hands cupping a watch; Erras¡¯ version of the watch came in many forms, and one was a legacy of this guild, one of its founding members. The textured stained-glass windows were more muted in color than those of Esmera-mar, the light shining through into the office would be more mature, less celebratory, than the bright, worshipful hues of the seaside city.

    Nara was only faintly surprised there was a receptionist¡ªa leonid. Her white-blond fur was almost styled at the top, curled and coiffed. Nara didn¡¯t think she could look any primmer if she tried, for a leonid. The amount of clothing she was wearing was practically blasphemous for her race, entirely deserving of excommunication. It was all straight and crisp and iron¡ªall long sleek lines and sharp corners, sharp posture and an even sharper stare.

    If there was gum to smack derisively, she would¡¯ve.

    She saw them approach, evidently unimpressed with what she saw.

    ¡°Welcome to the Hands of Progress. What is your business here?¡± she said, proper but route.

    ¡°We¡¯d like to meet with Rasmus Teresina. We have a mutually beneficial proposal.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    She looked them up and down, almost scoffing, yet refraining for propriety.

    Nara conducted her own evaluation¡ªiron rank. Core user, untrained. Nara knew what she saw, but also what the receptionist didn¡¯t understand. Their clothes, although not in the local fashion, were expensive and high quality¡ªAdventurer quality. The rich core users commissioned clothing from those who tailored clothing for adventurers, seeking the highest quality, to drape themselves with excellence to hide inadequacies. A consequence of the invention focus of the new-age guilds; the guild¡¯s people lacked the ability to recognize traditional markers of power, and in Stanton, they hadn¡¯t needed to.

    Her eyes flickered to Encio. His nod was barely there.

    She had been told repeatedly by Laius that she needed to use her aura with a bit more force. Bronze rankers may not be much in Staton, but an iron ranker doesn¡¯t get to act like she¡¯s above them. Equality, even if false, was acceptable. Arrogance was not. Many let it slide, and she could. She didn¡¯t care to be the bully, but it was at this moment, what was expected of them and what was required of them.

    She flexed her aura a bit, stretching it out like a panther in a languorous stretch. A predator at rest¡ªthat could change. She flexed those claws, extending them, and let them gently scratch past the aura of the receptionist. Sharp, but just a warning.

    Nara could feel and see her immediate change. Her eyes snapped up to hers, wide and careful. Her body faced her fully, at attention. The haughtiness fell away from her posture, her aura, and her attitude. It was still there¡ªshe had an enviable position in a famous guild. She was proud of what she had.

    ¡°Do you have an appointment with Mr. Teresina?¡± she said with more care.

    ¡°I don¡¯t. Is that a problem.¡±

    The receptionist sought to evaluate if it was. ¡°Can I have your names? I¡¯ll let Mr. Teresina know at his earliest convenience.¡±

    There wasn¡¯t much she could do if he was genuinely busy. Establishing a time to meet was good enough. It¡¯d be a success, as far as she and Encio were concerned. Their names may perhaps accelerate the timetable.

    ¡°I am Nara Edea.¡±

    ¡°Enciodes Aciano.¡± He flashed a smile. Nara saw sharpness within charm. A reminder.

    ¡°...Did you say Edea? Please wait a moment.¡±

    Nara shared a look with Encio, mutually amused that it was Edea that had garnered more of a response than Aciano.

    ¡°You really are just an accessory,¡± she said, nudging him obnoxiously.

    He rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his mouth. ¡°I already know that I am a jewel.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re more like¡­a hat.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not wearing a hat,¡± he said, pointing out the obvious. He, of course, was. Even if not wearing the local fashion, he still somehow got in on the local trend.

    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re my hat.¡±

    She reached up for his. He subtly stepped away, cocking a grin, before it could devolve into a playful spar. Nara didn¡¯t pursue; He¡¯d won this on account of time and place.

    She took the opportunity to observe the reception area as they waited. Behind the receptionist was a system of 8 glass tubes. They extended up through the tall ceiling, disappearing out of sight. The receptionist grabbed a tube capsule from a shelf, opened it to place a note inside, then slotted a colorful segmented disk at end of the cylinder. From her senses, Nara could tell the disk contained an aura. A false aura, it seemed, to mark a destination. It was made of several different aura signatures, a stained-glass disk of aura signatures. With a swuuup the cylinder shot through the system, up to a destination unknown.

    ¡°I¡¯ve sent a message to Mr. Teresina. Please wait a moment for his reply.¡± The receptionist pulled another disk¡ªthis one smaller, the size of a poker chip, and slid it across the desk for Nara to receive. ¡°The auramark will glow when we have more information. It shouldn¡¯t be too long.¡±

    ¡°Right. Thank you...Kensey.¡± Nara read from the plaque on the desk.

    ¡°Of course. Have a nice day.¡±

    ¡°...Well, that was interesting.¡± Nara said, flipping the auramark through her hands; She dropped it. She didn¡¯t actually know how to twist it through her fingers. ¡°What¡¯s this do?¡±

    ¡°I may give off the impression of omnipresent knowledge, Nara, but I don¡¯t actually know everything. Just almost everything.¡±

    ¡°Right. Humble.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this your field?¡±

    -------

    Item: [Auramark] (iron, common)

    Classification: artifact

    Description: A simple artifact that contains a manufactured aura signature. A pulse of magic will cause the paired marks to glow, within a limited distance.

    -------

    ¡°It seems like it¡¯s a more restrictive version of those Adventure Society paired papers, except it uses aura.¡±

    ¡°It could be used for tracking then.¡±

    ¡°Hm. Noted.¡±

    With nothing better to place it in, she slipped it into a free pocket.

    It was nearing lunch time, so she and Encio set off across the city, enjoying the scattered, multi-tiered parks and following their noses for something to eat.

    Now that Nara knew about auramarks, she saw them all around the city. Some carried small cylindrical containers holstered around their arms, hips, or legs; Nara could sense the stacked auras of several different auramarks within the containers. It was an annoyance, if she focused¡ªhundreds of static auras buzzing around her periphery like a TV left running in the living room. But they were unobtrusive enough that her awareness brushed them aside if she didn¡¯t look for them. She hadn¡¯t noticed them until she knew they existed, after all, and she doubted the essence user population of the city would accept a communication method that annoyed all of them.

    She supposed it was like the contact list of a phone¡ªeach auramark was a phone number that corresponded to a different ¡®phone¡¯. It was the beginning of innovations in communication, an aspect that Erras struggled with more than Earth. Still, it lacked complexity, speed, and range. Nara wondered if the receptionist had just assumed they knew how far not to stray.

    But then she noticed the auramark boosters. A sphere of smaller spheres set on posts of every corner boosted the range of the auramarks, pulsing the signal sphere to sphere until they reached their intended target. So, short range, but carried across a larger distance, thanks to something like a telephone pole. Nara could already see a fault with the system; Each small sphere pulsed one auramark signal at a time. If an auramark signal reached a sphere where all happened to be simultaneously occupied, the signal would drop. It was a rare chance, however, and likely, the reason why the original aura mark would flare again if the response signal was not pulsed back within a certain average time. Likely, the busiest intersections had a greater number of signal spheres.

    It was blessedly after they finished their lunch that Nara felt the auramark flare; she flared it back to acknowledge the hail, and it stopped its heightened pulse. She had had a nice lunch of herb-encrusted pheasant, with a side of a crisp-vegetable salad with a deliciously tangy and nutty salad sauce. She tossed a few coins onto the table (overpaying), with Encio not a step behind. Maybe she shouldn¡¯t¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to start a culture of tipping. Eugh.

    ¡°The absentee father awaits.¡±

    Encio grimaced at the painful truthfulness of the statement. ¡°Try not to say that to him.¡±

    *****

    Rasmus Teresina was indeed awaiting and was not absentee (this time around), along with a secretary.

    ¡°Damn.¡± Nara told Encio through voice chat. ¡°He¡¯s not alone.¡±

    Encio¡¯s expression was drawn into a displeased line, ¡°We¡¯ll have to improvise.¡± His face immediately flipped into a pleasant, insouciant grin once Rasmus and his secretary was in sight.

    Rasmus Teresina was a slender man, although no doubt deceptively strong thanks to his core silver rank. His hair and eyes were light bronze; evidently, not the parent that Eufemia had inherited her coloring from. His wispy hair had at some point been smoothed into something manageable, but throughout the day had started to fly up again. He had sharp cheekbones and a defined jawline, a genetic baton passed to Eufemia in a more feminine form. Even his silver-rank beauty couldn''t hide the weariness he wore around his shoulders like cloak of lead. He did try¡ªhis posture was upright, if not unnaturally so, his clothing pressed and clean, and his lips fixed into a stoic business smile, one recognizable as forced, lacking the natural savviness of those like Encio.

    Nara had a feeling the secretary beside him was the one responsible for this ¡®act¡¯ of togetherness. She was an elf, core iron rank, nearing bronze, with dark beige skin peppered with freckles and a head of thick, healthy, chocolatey dark curls. Her bouncy curls were pulled back, a practical hairstyle that kept their too-liveliness out of her face. She was energetic and put-together, and carried herself with confidence that Rasmus just couldn¡¯t make natural.

    He extended his arm. ¡°Rasmus Teresina, member of the Hands of Progress. I¡¯ve heard you were looking for me.¡±

    Nara clasped it, and they shook. ¡°Nara Edea. And this is Enciodes Aciano, my teammate.¡±

    ¡°A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Teresina.¡± Encio flashed his award-winning smile. Nara wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it was literally award-winning.

    ¡°I¡¯m thankful we could meet on such short notice,¡± Nara began as Rasmus¡¯ secretary, Iris, guided them down a hallway to one of the floating platforms that transported traffic up and down the building. ¡°I am a little surprised.¡±

    ¡°Ah...well.¡± Rasmus scratched his head. Iris gave him a chiding look. He lowered his arm. ¡°I was curious...about um, Edea. Any relation to Amara Edea?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s my mentor.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s, um, unusual to have your mentor¡¯s last name.¡±

    Iris gave him a look again. Another social faux pas? Nara wouldn¡¯t know. Was it usual? Nara supposed it was close to adopting someone who was your student. Most inventors probably wanted to strike it out under their own name, and Aliyah hadn¡¯t adopted her mentor¡¯s surname either, although, in Sanshi it was possible for great families to actually adopt particularly talented outsiders.

    ¡°I have some unusual circumstances that necessitated it.¡±

    He hummed in thought. ¡°You are following in her footsteps,¡± he concluded incorrectly. That wasn¡¯t the reason she had her last name, after all. At the time, she had remembered none.

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I am as accomplished an inventor as her. Nor am I as focused on invention.¡±

    ¡°Are you seeking me out on her behalf?¡± Another incorrect, albeit reasonable, question.

    ¡°Not exactly. If anything, it¡¯s for Chelsea Hayeth. Do you know her?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡± He fidgeted a bit, evidently intrigued but hiding it.

    ¡°Please wait with any details until we reach the private room,¡± Iris interrupted. ¡°Espionage is, unfortunately, not uncommon. Rest assured that the guild headquarters are secure.¡±

    ¡°Right. But be careful anyway?¡± Nara said doubtfully.

    Iris beamed. ¡°Exactly.¡±

    The floating platform arrived on the 8<sup>th</sup> floor. Iris led the way, pressing an indent in the wall to open the door to Rasmus¡¯ office. The floating platforms needed an access card to operate, which added an extra layer of security. It seemed any visitors would need to be escorted.

    The office of an inventor was unlike the office of a business executive. It was larger, for one, with a locked side door that led to what Nara suspected was a fully equipped workroom. A low coffee table was lined with couches on either side, and a crystal board to illustrate concepts. Strangely, there was a small snacks and drinks bar, flush with healthy options and barren of any vices (Iris¡¯ management?). A large and heavy wooden desk sat at the far end, the light of the stained-glass windows illuminating the large parchments, books, and papers neatly organized on the desk. On either side were shelves holding books, trinkets, and rows of crystals. Half of the message tube extruded from the wall, where a little lip deposited incoming cylinders. Unread cylinders were sorted into one pile, and Rasmus¡¯ secretary had sorted read cylinders into another.

    Iris stepped to a panel by the wall and activated a field. Nara felt the buzz of magic¡ªstandard privacy magic and other effects, she suspected, but she didn¡¯t have the ability to read magic with accuracy; That was Aliyah¡¯s area of expertise.

    They settled around the coffee table, Iris setting out an assortment of snacks and drinks on the table. Nara snagged a cookie. It was surprisingly good.

    ¡°What did you want to discuss with me?¡±

    ¡°Do you mind if we use a private communication ability? As an extra precaution.¡±

    Rasmus looked at Iris. She nodded.

    ¡°The room should be secure but...¡±

    Nara wondered if information about The Advent had spread to the guilds of Rowen. They were the largest threat to their high population of researchers and inventors.

    -------

    -You have invited [Rasmus Teresina] to join the party.

    -[Rasmus Teresina] has joined the party.

    -------

    ¡°What about Iris?¡±

    Nara internally groaned. She couldn¡¯t tell if the man had a dependency on his secretary, or if he just trusted her that much. But Encio and Nara couldn¡¯t trust her that much.

    ¡°Before that,¡± Nara said out loud to the benefit of all present. ¡°Could you read this proposal?¡±

    Nara handed Rasmus Eufemia¡¯s letter. Needless to say, it wasn¡¯t a business proposal. He opened it¡ªconfused at first from the small size of what should have been a packet, before his eyes widened. His hands shook, and he closed his eyes, struggling against emotion.

    ¡°...It¡¯s an interesting proposal.¡±

    She was relieved he was intelligent enough to play along. He was an inventor but, she had started to have some doubts about his level of EQ.

    ¡°We have more material, if you¡¯d like a proof-of-concept.¡±

    ¡°If¡­if you would.¡±

    She removed Eufemia¡¯s necklace from her inventory.

    -------

    Item: [Parting Love] (iron [growth], legendary)

    Classification: necklace

    Description: The masterpiece of a craftsman who hadn¡¯t reached his full potential. It is the crystallization of his wishes for protection.

    This item is bound to [Eufemia Teresina] and cannot be used by anyone else.

    Effect: Suffer greatly reduced damage to locations of vulnerability, either intrinsic or manifested through magic.

    Effect (iron): After suffering damage above an extreme damage threshold, immediately heal all damage. This effect has a 24-hour cooldown.

    -------

    It was clear he recognized the necklace on sight. Iris was confused, but she said nothing, standing behind his seat with a curious but neutral expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t discuss more about the proof-of-concept here. We¡¯d like to move to a more secure location.¡±

    ¡°...It certainly is sensitive,¡± he agreed, his voice rough with suppressed emotion.

    ¡°We¡¯d can set up a meeting time, for when you¡¯re available.¡±

    ¡°Iris, cancel my schedule for today.¡± His gaze met Nara¡¯s, wet with unsplit tears, and his voice was rough with suppressed emotion, holding on with a vice grip not to reveal too much, a skill he was unversed in. ¡°I¡¯m available now. This project...is important to me.¡±

    Nara felt bad for him when she extended her hand to receive the necklace. His shaky fingers evidenced his reluctance. Still, the weight settled back in her palms, in her possession once again to return to Eufemia.

    Iris looked as if she considered protesting. She studied her boss¡¯ face with a look of genuine concern. Whatever she saw caused her to agree without protest. She walked over to the tube message system, wrote a notice, and slipped a cylinder through. Once she finished preparations, she waited, ready to follow.

    ¡°Do you trust her?¡± Nara asked through voice chat.

    ¡°With my life.¡±

    ¡°With the life of this... project?¡±

    He chewed on his bottom lip. ¡°...I do. Will you refuse me if she comes with me?¡±

    ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡± It wasn¡¯t quite a lie.

    Nara could separate them once they entered the portal to her Astral Domain, where Eufemia was waiting. Iris never needed to see Eufemia, and never needed to witness their conversation. Nara couldn¡¯t transport Eufemia to Rowen without endangering her, but she could have family meet in her in-between space.

    Rasmus may trust Iris, but Nara had learnt from Sen to take precautions, especially when she had the ability to do so. Iris couldn¡¯t betray Rasmus, couldn''t betray Eufemia if she had nothing to betray to begin with.

 Chapter 177: There had been Spring, Once

    Chapter 177: There had been Spring, Once

    Their brisk pace meant the strange inventors-not-inventing gaggle made good time to the portal plaza; this was Sen¡¯s idea as well: Nara would not reveal her hand on conjuring portals in areas they are restricted from (within reason). Important locations often restricted both outgoing and incoming portal conjuration; it may slightly inconvenience those working there, but it greatly inconvenienced anyone who wasn¡¯t supposed to be there at all. Denying outgoing portals meant infiltrators and saboteurs had to make their way in and out of a building, preventing easy escape.

    Staton was the city with the greatest concentration of portal denial arrays that she¡¯s been able to detect. Every single guild building around her thrummed with such protections. However, Nara had yet to bear a protection that managed to deny her Astral Domain portal gateway¡­aside from the dimensional isolation of the Einvaldi¡¯s Mausoleum challenge rooms, which wasn¡¯t strictly an anti-portal protection¡­and also the spirit domains of gods. She may need to revise that statement to ¡®she had yet to bear an array protection that managed to deny her portal gateways¡¯. Thanks to her fragmented nature¡ªsoul in astral and soul in body, the gateway was created with the power from her astral seated soul, which was not limited in rank the same way her body was. Her normal portal with no astral middle step would be stopped, just as any other.

    The devil was in the details; Or perhaps, the astral was in the intermediate. She had to be wary of those who were aware of alternative means of portal transportation, and accounted for them in their designs. Speaking of, Aliyah was now, and could probably eventually figure out a means to block Nara from directly portalling into an area.

    Nara¡¯s Cosmic Path beneath her feet swirled, stretching up to form that paper thin window into the infinite. Rasmus and his secretary eyed the portal. Rasmus¡¯ eagerness seemed to war with his caution (he had survived in Staton¡¯s political landscape not just as a puppet (hopefully) of those in power. He seemed to have some instinct for self-preservation.)

    ¡°Where¡­where exactly does this lead?¡± he said warily, his steps faltering back. ¡°It¡¯s, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m not eager, however¡­¡± He was too close to fail his daughter at the final step.

    ¡°Its my workshop. You¡¯ll be able to see the prototype, not just the proof-of-concept.¡±

    ¡°¡­And where is this¡­workshop?¡±

    ¡°Well, we can hardly reach my workshop with one portal,¡± Nara explained. ¡°We¡¯re based in Sanshi.¡±

    Which, while not a lie, wasn¡¯t the truth. They were currently based in Kallid, but her experiences with Oswald taught her that the full truth invited further questions¡ªand you never knew who was listening. Better the believable lie. Her observations of Encio (selling his grandfather¡¯s location) let her know that someone¡¯s location was valuable. If someone did find out who they were truly discussing, it was best to lead them astray. Team members could request from the Adventure Society the location of their teammates, but it wasn¡¯t information lightly given out to strangers. The Adventure Society understood the value of information¡ªit was why they were so insistent on collecting it.

    ¡°That¡¯ll take quite some time to travel,¡± Iris remarked intelligently, likely calculating an estimation of the possible portal routes. She reached into the dimension pocket of her cardigan, accessing a self-updating magic tablet (at the rate it refreshed, it was hella expensive) of the Trans-Com Society¡¯s portal timetables. ¡°There are currently no convenient routes¡­Perhaps we may reschedule for a different time? The project of using a mana battery for a personal transportation device, was it, smaller than a skimmer?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°With a similar top speed?¡±

    ¡°In progress, admittedly.¡±

    ¡°The Magi-Cycle project has great potential,¡± Iris said, every inch the proper negotiator, polite and respectful, ¡°but it may be best for everyone to organize a portal schedule for efficiency in all of our schedules, and reconvene at a later date. Sanshi is inconveniently far, unfortunately.¡±

    Nara met Rasmus¡¯ eyes evenly. ¡°That¡¯s up to Mr. Teresina, but I think this project is worth the inconvenience. If the doesn¡¯t think so, he may not be right for the project.¡± It was an unsubtle threat, and perhaps a bit heavy handed, but this trip to this city under their current political circumstances meeting this man wasn¡¯t one she wanted to make repeatedly, doing a little can-I-trust-you dance until someone unsavory takes notice, or Rasmus finally enters the damn portal.

    ¡°Is this some sort of test?¡± Iris asked in a tone slightly too sharp that indicated she thought Rasmus deserved more respect. A bronze ranker should be offering a silver ranker more respect, but Nara had little respect for the man that was Eufemia¡¯s father. The man who ran his family to the ground.

    ¡°I¡¯m testing him.¡± Nara snapped with a warning pulse of aura. ¡°He¡¯ll speak for himself.¡±

    The iron ranker was briefly cowed, although she trembled and looked up at Rasmus with worried, stubborn eyes. She had willpower at least, Nara thought. A fine secretary worth her salary. (It was more than Nara would¡¯ve ever done herself as a secretary¡­but Iris was probably a very highly paid secretary.)

    ¡­And not just his secretary, Nara realized, taking advantage to skim her senses over her exposed aura. It would¡¯ve been rude if Iris had noticed. She was an untrained core user, unconcerned of combat. Sweet and pleasant, like honey to a bee, a flower in a garden. Other emotions rippled through her aura, emotions that a purely professional secretary shouldn¡¯t have.

    Nara sighed, she hadn¡¯t wanted to sense that: For all of Rasmus¡¯ faults, somehow, he was attractive to women. Was it the money? Was it his social helplessness?

    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Rasmus said. In a fit of insanity, or perhaps fatherly desperation, he bolted through.

    He was, in the end, capable of surprising Nara in a good way.

    ¡°Mr. Teresina!¡± Iris yelled despairingly. She shuffled and sighed, her hand uselessly hanging for a man that had already disappeared.

    Nara swept her hand out in invitation towards the portal. ¡°After you.¡±

    Iris fidgeted. She flicked her eyes towards the portal, then back at Nara. ¡°Oh Song,¡± she lamented, ¡°Why does he half to be so impulsive? If only he¡¯d put as much thought into his financial decisions as his inventions¡­¡±

    It seemed his secret admirer was very aware of his faults.

    She glared at Nara, huffed a displeased breath, then marched on through.

    ¡°...They¡¯re a pair alright.¡±

    ¡°A pair of something,¡± Encio agreed.

    They entered, the portal closing behind them.

    *****

    It was unintuitive, in a way, that sometimes the untrained could be braver than the trained. Rasmus and Iris may have had some sense that the portal led not to where Nara insinuated, may have had some sense that what lied beyond the portal contained mortal danger. For those who did not fight, the expectation was death; Living was a pleasant surprise.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Rasmus may be a silver ranker, but the lump sum of all his experience was a lump of cores. He didn¡¯t feel like a silver ranker, not like the arrogant, not like the fighters. Fault or strength: he was humble.

    However, his strength had not followed him through the portal: two strangers did.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Iris? What did you do with her?¡± he demanded, possessing a spine in defense of his secretary. The affection between them was not so one sided.

    ¡°She¡¯s perfectly fine,¡± Nara explained. ¡°She¡¯s in stasis.¡±

    ¡°Stasis?¡±

    She gestured forward, and the three walked along a lake path. Trees of pink blossoms painted the far shore and drizzled upon the lake as reflection and petals both. At the end of their path, was a gazebo¡ªvaguely Shian in style, yet one Rasmus could not quite place.

    Rasmus didn¡¯t feel like a silver ranker here, less so than usual. There was a warning within his soul, that this place was unlike any other. Unlike the safety and stability of reality, where rules were fixed and whims unspoken. There was no turning back, so he cast his gaze forward.

    The shine of a blood red ruby glittered in the distance. Familiar eyes of the most precious gemstones set in white ivory. He saw her side profile, head leaning on hand, gaze complicated and flung out to the far shore, not yet meeting his.

    Suddenly, the danger didn¡¯t seem to matter so much.

    Decorum (and Iris) said he shouldn¡¯t run¡ªhe did, sprinting across the paved path, rippling flowers and grass in his wake. He slowed at the barrier of the gazebo, unsure how to proceed, desperation and anxiety irreconcilable.

    She noticed him. Her face turned to face him.

    ¡°Ramus,¡± she greeted.

    Not Father, he lamented, but he deserved that. This careful distance she placed herself, emotionally and physically, across the table. She was inscrutable¡ªwas this the woman his daughter had grown up to be? But last he¡¯d seen her she had been 12, and that could hardly compare to the woman she was now. Still, she was his daughter.

    ¡°Eufemia,¡± he breathed, like he hadn¡¯t before.

    His hands twitched; he wanted to hug her, but he was sure it wasn¡¯t welcome. Would a good father have rushed forward to hug her anyway? A good father would know if she¡¯d prefer it. He had been a failure of a husband and a failure of a father. There was his little girl: alive, healthy, and distinctly (and reassuringly) non-vampiric. If this was a dream, he wanted to live it.

    A pursed frown. ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit instead of staring.¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± he stammered. ¡°Sorry. Is it making you comfortable? I¡¯ll stop staring. I don¡¯t want to make you uncomfortable.¡±

    ¡°Too late for that. We¡¯re both going to be uncomfortable so just sit down already.¡±

    He sat slowly, as if sitting too quickly would generate a wind that¡¯d blow the mirage away, and there¡¯d be no dream to live, no air to breathe.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you knew it was me,¡± Eufemia began, breaking the silence. ¡°It¡¯s been 15 years.¡±

    ¡°Your necklace...¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think someone could have stolen it off of me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not worth much. No one else can use it,¡± Rasmus said self-deprecatingly. ¡°Who would steal it? And...¡± he searched her face¡ªshe was right, he couldn¡¯t stop staring. ¡°You have your mother¡¯s hair and eyes, your nose...my face structure.¡±

    ¡°Glass cutter cheekbones. Blade edge jawline.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Those. Unless, ah, you¡¯d prefer not to look like me?¡± he quickly backtracked. ¡°Then you don¡¯t. Um.¡±

    The sat in silence, Rasmus gazing at a masterpiece as though he may never see it again. He may not.

    An impatient finger tap. ¡°You won¡¯t ask anything of me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll yell about it later,¡± he hummed thoughtfully, he mind hazy yet blank. He tried to memorize her features¡ªhis little girl, all grown up! ¡°I¡¯m still in shock.¡±

    ¡°Premature, isn¡¯t it. You need to verify first. You should be more careful.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been very good at careful,¡± he admitted. ¡°That¡¯s why I have a secretary to help me.¡±

    Eufemia scoffed, a mixture of derision and¡ªhe hoped¡ªfondness. ¡°I know. Always fulling committing without a second thought. Never with a backup plan. Never knowing when to stop.¡±

    ¡°...But I succeeded.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s temper flared, hissing like scalding steam. ¡°You succeeded too late! Is it still a success when it had cost everything else? Your fame and fortune now, was it worth it? We kept sacrificing for you¡ªevery year, a little less food. A little less space. And you were so focused, so unconcerned. Because everything would be worth it if you succeeded. Would you have stopped when we were dead?¡±

    ¡°I would have. I would have,¡± he said, a little lost, very desperate. He would have, he repeated, as if saying so would make it so.

    ¡°Words are easy, aren¡¯t they? When your actions mattered, you failed. You couldn¡¯t stop yourself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he begged. He looked upon her, his daughter. Did his success matter? He had it now, in exchange for 15 years. Had it been worth it? ¡°I know that I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. I¡¯m alright with that, Eufemia. I will happily spend my entire life making it up to you. All I wanted was to see you safe.¡± He did cry then, tears rolling down his face. ¡°I am so relieved to see that you are safe.¡±

    It was only a twitch of Eufemia¡¯s lip that betrayed any outwards emotions. Ever the actress, she kept it concealed. She had been vulnerable once, to her father. His dependent: A child. She was no longer a child. She didn¡¯t know what she wanted from her father. Penance? She had it. His regret? Undoubtedly. His wealth? She only had to ask.

    She was no longer a child, but a part of her was still the daughter that wanted a father. She was a daughter that wanted both a father and mother¡ªit had always been her greatest desire. It had been 12 fraught years with parents who had proven better apart than together. 12 fraught years, and there were still memories she cherished:

    The silly sock puppets her father made, since they could not afford the theater. He had always been very good with voices, for all his inability to actually act on a stage¡ªfar too nervous for public speaking. She often read his books in his tiny workroom, scattered around the house, wherever there was room¡ªit was how she had learned her mishmash of ritual magic. She looked over his work, understanding none of it but wanting to all the same. He¡¯d pretend her observations were breakthroughs and sit her on his lap as he scribbled and explained his theories, using those same silly voices (Master Pen and Apprentice Paper).

    Her mother worked long and late; she managed the books for one of the local seedier ¡®theaters¡¯, and their performances ran into the night. Eufemia would walk with her father to pick her mother from her workplace. The workers all knew her and would give her little snacks. They¡¯d walk back together, Eufemia swinging between them and skipping along in the dark. She had never feared the dark, back then. It was the time she got to see her mother again.

    Since she rose late, she couldn¡¯t attend the basic literacy and arithmetic classes that most other kids took at the small local church of knowledge. One of the Knowledge priests would rerun classes a little later for the children in the district that had odd lives¡ªpoor lives¡ªlike Eufemia did. She¡¯d walk back with her friends since it was still light out and greet her mother who was preparing for her work at the theater. When the plays weren¡¯t too raunchy (sometimes the theater performed indecent versions of popular performances) her mother would bring back an extra script, and Eufemia would read them. Bad words and innuendos had been scribbled out, but her mother always missed a few.

    (She still struggled to wake early, a habit reinforced by both her childhood and Nekroz that she fought to shed.)

    She gazed at Rasmus, a failure of a father who still wanted to be her father. She thought of John, separated from his own children, unable to return. She saw how her father was willing to push a war to try to get her back.

    He was a no-good father, a complete failure. What child wanted a war as their inheritance? She thought bitterly. And yet, she could not deny his desperation or sincerity. For all his planning and financial failures, Eufemia did not think her father lacked love.

    She stood up, strode crossed to his side of the table, yanked him up by the arm, and hugged him. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and cried.

    His return hug was just as fierce.

    *****

    All was not resolved between Eufemia and her father, but they had both taken a step to thaw the ice between them: Beneath it all had been spring, once. A muddy one.

    Nara and Encio left the two alone to give them privacy, although it was just the illusion of privacy, in Nara¡¯s case. Since the realm was her soul, she was always aware of what happened within it. She had the experience automatically filed away, stored and ¡®out of sight, out of mind¡¯ until she needed to recall it for some reason.

    Iris was in stasis. For her, no time had passed. Once Rasmus left, she¡¯d boot Iris out of the realm, and she would¡¯ve experienced nothing. It would undoubtedly be extremely confusing, and she¡¯d question Rasmus, but she was dumping that mess on him. She wasn¡¯t Nara¡¯s responsibility. Hopefully, Rasmus had learnt that all actions have consequences, and would consider whether to tell the truth to Iris. Nara wanted Rasmus and Eufemia¡¯s father-daughter relationship to go well, but if he fucked it up again, well...Nara tried.

    She did interrupt their reunion once it had calmed to introduce her concept for a magical motorcycle (which was much easier to demonstrate in a realm where her imagination became reality) and directed him to communicate with Chelsea Hayeth and Henri Braun through the Invention Society. Nara would probably have to avoid Chelsea for a while for dumping another project on her that Chelsea was not prepared yet to start. She feared her wrath.

    But, well, it gave Rasmus plausible deniability and a truthful lie (and not because Nara really wanted a magical motorcycle. Magi-cycles coming soon to a world near you!)

    Nara would be their go-between messenger, which seemed to be her role in life more and more. It was a risk to send letters directly to Eufemia, so Rasmus would send any communications to Nara, and she would pass them on. Every two weeks, Nara would go to Stanton to open a portal so the two could cry and fight in person. Rasmus would make Nara a VIP at the guild building and he¡¯d be immediately informed of her arrival.

    He¡¯d also at some point take a trip to Sanshi. It would be easier to keep up the lie if he was genuinely working on it. (Nara hoped Chelsea wouldn¡¯t kill her.)

 Chapter 178: A Letter from a Stranger

    Chapter 178: A Letter from a Stranger

    Letter from Eufemia to Rasmus:

    Dad

    Rasmus,

    The two of us...we¡¯re practically strangers. I can¡¯t call you ¡®Dad¡¯ yet. I haven¡¯t forgiven you for your failures, not yet. Maybe I got it from my mother But I am unforgiving, Rasmus. I won¡¯t tolerate your mistakes a second time. I have lived more of my life without you than with you, and I can continue to do so.

    Now that my obligatory threats are out of the way (a Nekroz tradition), I suppose I should begin with what we had agreed upon. My first story will be about John, the outworlder who became my partner in my escape from Nekroz.

    As one for the dramatics, our ¡®Story¡¯ begins around 2 years ago...

    *

    What an unerringly shitty day it had been. It was always a shitty day in Nekroz, so this day wasn¡¯t anything special. Just another shitty day in a line of unending shitty days.

    Eufemia hated it here.

    Her stupid noisy heels clicked against perpetually wet cobblestone, dark and slick like the grease that had welled up from the oiled, black arteries of Nekroz. A black fur shawl of charcoal ermine warded against the damp cold, but she was dressed up¡ªwhich meant she was underdressed for the weather. Tights were a poor defense against Nekroz¡¯s bitter, biting cold.

    And since the weather was always piss poor, Eufemia was always underdressed.

    Her heel slipped a bit on the slimy stone into a puddle, splashing freezing needles of dirty street water onto her legs. She stumbled a bit¡ªone of the heels of her high heels had snapped off. Ugh, that¡¯s what she got for buying cheap make (not that she could afford anything better).  Fuck¡¯s sake. It was too much to ask to have a half-decent walk home, wasn¡¯t it? Of course not; the city would not allow it.

    She ruthlessly snapped the other heel off. Better than trying to walk with one-on-one-off. She was this close to just tossing the shoes and braving freezing her toes off and running back to her dingy flat. Maybe if she was lucky, she¡¯d keep almost all her toes. There were some gross bastards that liked disfigured feet: It was Nekroz, after all.

    The Glowstone District in the morning was empty and quiet (the quiet, at least, she could enjoy, compared the despairing laughs of fools losing their life savings neck to the audible sneers of those the money inevitably flowed to). The grease and dirt couldn¡¯t stain the beauty of dawn as it peeked over the vague shapes of grey buildings, an art made in impressions of dust through sunlight. The low-middle level casinos that she helped manage were part of the Glowstone District, a seedier part of town than where she lived, the slightly more upscale Carnelian Quarter. It was all bullshit¡ªno part of Nekroz could ever be upscale, not to Eufemia. But, she was a woman, and she did have to care about her own safety, no matter how bitter she was about the circumstances of her life.

    Eufemia had thought her day couldn¡¯t get any worse, but there had been some sort of divine agenda that conspired against her to prove her wrong.

    A figure (a mugger) stepped out of the alley.

    ¡°You.¡± He gestured with knife. ¡°Your dimension bag. Hand it over.¡±

    ¡°What.¡±

    Eufemia stared at him. He dared? She was going to rip him apart. She observed him carefully¡ªhe shook, not from nervousness, but from perpetual alcohol abuse¡ªa repeat offender, in more ways than one. He was not outwardly strong, not muscular, and certainly not a vampire or a werewolf with enhanced physicality, which increased her chances of surviving this. His posture was not straight¡­his left leg, never healed right, perhaps?

    ¡°Are you daft, woman?¡± His knife waved about more insistently. ¡°Your money.¡±

    Eufemia was tired. She was not going to deal with this shit. She couldn¡¯t run in her broken heels or in her stupid, restrictive dress. Without warning, she flung herself at him, tackling the mugger to the ground. With his poor posture and lame leg, he went down like a sack of potatoes. A loud rip of cloth indicated the tearing of her dress¡ªwhatever, she didn¡¯t like it anyway¡ªand a crack of bone indicated her fucking fist in his face.

    Her legs straddled him tight, keeping him secured on the ground, squirming like a worm after rain.

    ¡°Bitch! Get off of me!¡± He screamed, struggling to try to rip her off through her physical blows.

    ¡°How about you hand me your money and forget your face, hm?¡±

    ¡°Fuck you, whore!¡±

    The next punch was even more satisfying. Eufemia really enjoyed the sound of head cracking on pavement.

    ¡°While I¡¯m still being nice. Your money, shit stain, before I paint you into a real one.¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s reverse mugging was interrupted by an extremely unpleasant crack to her own skull. She gasped, vision swimming and thoughts spinning. The man beneath her used the opportunity to crawl away, although his struggles suggested he was suffering from equal cranial impairments, and his bum leg prevented him from getting up again, which Eufemia could dimly register as good.

    That asshole had a partner, because of course he did. By the laws of the universe, Eufemia¡¯s shitty day couldn¡¯t get better; it could only get worse.

    After another dawn light hissing catfight-like struggle, Eufemia had somehow managed to wrestle away the metal pipe from scum-eater # 2 and sent both limping (or crawling) away, tail between their legs: She wasn¡¯t much better off.

    Her head was pounding, and she was really starting to hate the blinding light of the sunrise: Leave it to Nekroz to ruin another beautiful thing. The knife must¡¯ve nicked her somewhere, she wasn¡¯t sure: she couldn¡¯t tell over the red silk of her dress. That be a bitch to clean, but at least it wasn¡¯t white. Small mercies.

    Eufemia was having a terrible day, but since every day was a terrible day, that had never stopped Eufemia. She would have to drag herself to her mediocre flat, rub on some healing unguent that she¡¯d stashed somewhere (she still had some left, right?), and wrap it all up with some clean bandages. The hardest part was just step one¡ªgetting home.

    Ugh, maybe she should keep some unguent in her pouch the next time. It was a rather shitty dimension pouch that she¡¯d managed to win off a sucker in a bet, and she had prioritized keeping a sizable amount of her wealth on hand if she ever needed a quick getaway. Not out of Nekroz, but somewhere else, at least. It was easy to disappear here.

    And she¡¯d lost whatever was left of her shoes in the scuffle. Of course. On the bright side, she had managed to counter-mug the bastard after all and had in her possession his rather anorexic pouch: Nothing personal, he¡¯d started it.

    Before she¡¯d had even realized it, she was leaning against the wall. That...that wasn¡¯t good. She felt a little lightheaded, and the cut (a cut?) to her waist burned. Her legs were just pins and needles of ice, and her feet had already lost all feeling.

    If she had to roll herself down the street, she¡¯d make it back. While her legs mechanically, desperately moved onwards, her mind churched with alternative plans¡ª

    Healers were rare in Nekroz, with goodly healing being so inimical to undead. Finding a healer would be a small miracle. Alchemists were more the alcohol to Nerkoz¡¯s cocktail. They ranged from the heretical ¡°looking for a miracle combination to produce immortality-in-a-jar¡±, from normal neighborhood herbalists that served the common folk: Needless to say, she was looking for the latter.

    Glowstone District...she mentally called up the maps and her current location, although she struggled to keep coherent thoughts. She should be close. There was a bookstore up ahead¡ªone with translation and transcribing services; With all the drifters in Nekroz, the gods knew it was needed. And yes, she could see the dingy little book sign. Then, two blocks inward down the alleyway, and she should find the herbalist. There was even a little garden there, where the herbalist planted her own herbs to grow. Community effort had managed a greenhouse for the potion brewer: it served them all that she could keep them alive. With all the blood those vam-pricks wanted, and in these tits-cold temperatures, blood restoratives were all the rage.

    Eufemia wanted to rage. She didn¡¯t have the energy.

    She managed to stagger past the bookstore, briefly thumping her shoulder and resting against the door. Ow. That had been harder than she intended.

    She was just catching her breath. She would continue onwards in a bit¡ª

    The door shoved open¡ª

    ¡°Did someone knock? Oh, this door always gets,¡± a grunt, ¡°stuck¡ª¡±

    ¡ªAnd Eufemia thumped ungainly onto the ground. She must¡¯ve made some noise (she did not cry), because the man called out apologies.

    ¡°Oh my lord! Bloody hell, are you alright? Wait¡ªare you bleeding? That wasn¡¯t supposed to be literal. Did I cause that? Oh lord. Oh shit. Can you stand?¡±

    Eufemia groaned out a response. She really, really tried to say something more dignified.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Alright. I understand. Let¡¯s just pop on over to Ol¡¯Timothy and get you sorted out. Everything is going to be all right.¡±

    Old Timothy. That was good. She recognized the name of the herbalist, maybe, or it was her concussed brain making her think she did. Either he had understood what dribbled out of her mouth (a plea for medical assistance was intended), or the blood was self-evident enough.

    He hefted her onto his back, and slowly made their way down through the alley.

    ¡°Are you still awake? Stay with me.¡±

    A few steps.

    ¡°Hang in there.¡±

    One more block to go.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a little further.¡±

    Eufemia usually didn¡¯t like empty platitudes, but today she found his words reassuring. No matter how she hated Nekroz, she couldn¡¯t hate the people who lived there.

    *****

    He shifted her weight on his back, freeing up one hand. He pounded on the door: Ol¡¯Timothy should be awake¡ªfrom midnight to dawn was the time of workers. The undead lived for the night, and the life of the living revolved around their schedule. Once the undead have rested, the workers would return for their ¡®night¡¯, just as the sun began to rise.

    ¡°Timothy! There¡¯s an emergency! I need help!¡±

    The door shunted open¡ªlike all the other poorly made doors in the Glowstone District, it got stuck. Ol¡¯Timothy wasn¡¯t that old, mid-sixties; Certainly not that old compared to the real elderly of Nekroz, the immortal vampires that stalked the streets and the centuries. But his wrinkles and salted brown hair were reassuring, a mark of the living. He poked his head out the door, a few heads below John, and nodded for him to come inside.

    *****

    Voices wafted in and out.

    ¡°How is she?¡±

    ¡°Eh. Hm. Not too bad. She¡¯ll live.¡±

    ¡°What do you¡­payment?¡±

    ¡°¡­not yours to pay¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­can hardly do so¡­¡±

    ¡°There was that potion recipe from, um, uh...¡±

    ¡°Yumeha¡­translate it for you.¡±

    ¡°Fine, John. It¡¯ll do.¡±

    ***

    It was half a day later Eufemia finally reawakened to the land of the unliving, no longer chilled to the bone and fighting the nausea of a head injury.

    She was in a small private room, barely large enough for the bed she was on; built for privacy and nothing else. Dusk light illuminated up the grimy stains on the window, yellowing and scratched. The bed was lumpy, and the mattress creaked out a haunted choir. Her shifting was enough to alert someone that she had woken: there was a knock on the door.

    Eufemia despairingly thought that she¡¯d have to miss work today. Not that she¡¯d miss another day of licking the boots of whatever mediocre vampire wanted to talk up the proprietress of poor man¡¯s casino row and drape herself over their arm as their little living accessory. Their little blood-bitch.

    ¡°Is it alright to come in?¡± A voice came from beyond the door. She couldn¡¯t tell if it was Old Timothy, or her unknown helper.

    ¡°If you can. There¡¯s not much space for that.¡±

    The man pulled open the door and shuffled around the door that invariably got stuck on something. He slid a rickety old wood stool to the end of her bed.

    ¡°I¡¯m John.¡±

    ¡°Eufemia.¡± She looked him up and down¡ªhe was a pleasant sort, modestly dressed in clothing that were clearly second-hand but well taken care of. Obviously, part of the common rabble, which was mostly reassuring, aside from her mugging yesterday. Although, he smelled clean¡ªnot of alcohol or any other sort of addictive substance¡ªwhich set her more at ease. There was neat stubble on his jaw, and a little nick¡ªcleanly shaven, oddly enough. He wanted to make an impression... on who? On her?  He looked human¡ªpale skin, pale blond hair, pale green eyes: the usual sort for this area (pale, pale, pale).

    She¡¯d think him a native, if not for his ¡®accent¡¯¡ªthe quirk of a translation ability: She¡¯d heard it before, in the casinos. It wasn¡¯t uncommon in Nekroz, the country with the greatest diversity of criminal elements. Joy.

    He seemed to nice for that though¡ªat least, Old Timothy probably wouldn¡¯t associate with a criminal like the muggers. (Criminals in general were fine, like smugglers, just not ones that brought the injured to his doorstep, although Eufemia¡¯s knowledge of Old Timothy¡¯s reputation was not as thorough as she¡¯d like, in this situation.) His eyes had genuine warmth, despite their paleness (or he practiced well in a mirror). Wrinkles crinkled at the corners¡ªa sign of age (which was good in Nekroz, criminals wanted to be Undead), and a sign of happiness. This man smiled often. He was smiling now, just passively. Incredible. What was there to smile about passively in Nekroz?

    Eufemia imagined what it¡¯d be like to smile not because others wanted to see her smile because she was beautiful, but because she was content and hadn¡¯t noticed she was doing it. What a pointless little dream.

    In this tiny, cramped room, she began the conversation, threading in some guilt. ¡°You dumped me on the street, but you also picked me up and helped me, so, thanks for that.¡±

    He winced. ¡°Right. Sorry about that. I hadn¡¯t expected¡ªwell. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be there so soon.¡±

    That was an odd thing to say. Had he seen her staggering from his window? It was kind of him to go outside to help her out, even if he had also invited the street to her face for his trouble.

    ¡°So, how do I settle?¡±

    ¡°Settle?¡±

    ¡°Do you want money? Timothy too.¡±

    ¡°I settled up with him.¡±

    Eufemia narrowed her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t like owing people.¡± Not around here. Not in Nekroz.

    ¡°There¡¯s no ulterior motives here Eufemia...but...¡± He paused to consider something. ¡°If you¡¯d like to settle up with me for paying Timothy, it might make what I''ll have to say next more genuine.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°How about we even it out first? Or it¡¯d defeat the purpose?¡±

    She nodded. Her pouches (her and the one she counter-stole) were just on the tableside. She checked her contents¡ªall accounted for. The mugger¡¯s pouch looked like it had a reasonable fare to pay a physician for his care (which was its entirety). She tossed it to him, cringing as she twinged her waist and pulled her stitches: a healing unguent couldn¡¯t heal it all in one day.

    How shitty¡ªit all evened out, if she discounted the pain and the scar. Nothing gained: just another terrible day in Nekroz.

    ¡°Now, what do you want?¡± she said, trying to keep from sounding too confrontational. She wasn¡¯t upset at him; it was just her natural state of being.

    ¡°It¡¯s mutually beneficial, really. No need to sound so cautious.¡±

    ¡°Pardon me if I¡¯m on edge after a mugging.¡±

    ¡°Right so... I¡¯m John.¡±

    ¡°I know that.¡±

    He sagged a big and released a breath as if he were exhaling a secret: ¡°I¡¯m an outworlder.¡±

    Eufemia eyebrows shot up; she¡¯d forgotten to control her facial expressions. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°I can prove it¡ªbut erm, that¡¯s not the point. The point is, I have a proposition for you. Have you ever wanted an essence?¡±

    Of course she did. She kept her cool this time. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Do you want to leave Nekroz?¡±

    Her breath caught. ¡°Again, who doesn¡¯t?¡± She sounded a bit too invested, even to herself. She hadn¡¯t managed nonchalance. (It wasn¡¯t entirely true that everyone wanted to leave Nekroz, but it was true enough. It passed through many minds: if only I hadn¡¯t been born here. She felt the most sympathy for those, those who really had no choice but to take their first breaths in land seeped in the stench of blood.)

    ¡°There¡¯s a... contract you can enter, with me. It¡¯s an outworlder thing.¡±

    She nodded. She didn¡¯t entirely understand, but she¡¯s heard the legends. A conversation over a shitty beer, a defunct academic with stories: outworlders have their own powers.

    ¡°You¡¯d become my partner, and in return, you¡¯d get essences as you help me complete these...uh, commissions. It¡¯s nothing terrible¡ªI need to get to Sanshi, and I need to find a person.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Supposedly, this person has a way back to my world.¡± He twisted a ring on his finger¡ªsomething dear to him, sentimental. From a lover? (And her necklace in her second hidden pouch, still there.)

    ¡°Supposedly?¡±

    His smile was abashed and charmingly humorous, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know this outworlder thing any better than you do. It¡¯s not like I was born like this. So, how about it?¡±

    She was missing information. She drummed her fingers on the ratty quilt. ¡°Why me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re sharp, aren¡¯t you?

    ¡°So? The real reason?¡±

    He chuckled, ¡°It seems true enough. But if you want to know, I have no good reason¡ªmy outworlder ¡®ability¡¯ told me you were the one.¡± He looked at her appraisingly. ¡°And you seem like a good enough sort.¡±

    She wanted to throw her hands up. ¡°If I had the ability to leave, I would be gone by now!¡±

    ¡°That might be it¡ªI have something you need; you have something I need. This is a great undertaking¡ªan escape from the land of the dead¡ª¡±

    ¡°Undead,¡± she corrected. The distinction was important.

    He hummed. ¡°Fair, that. We can¡¯t all go at it alone. What say you be my partner-in-crime?¡±

    This was stupid. Undoubtedly so. What did some know-nothing outworlder have that¡¯d help her escape from Nerkoz other than a friendly grin and a trusting face?

    ¡­Well. He had essences, apparently. It seemed she was her mother¡¯s daughter, after all; that desire ran in her blood, a genetic connection to pursue the pull of power. The ambition of always wanting to be more. Never patient.

    Eufemia had been patient, to the limits of her sanity. She was tired of being frustrated. Whatever books she kept¡ªclean, dirty, morally grey¡ªher progress was too slow. She was running out of time. She should¡¯ve been a vampire by now: They hadn¡¯t realized she was already 25. According to the deal her mother had struck, way back when she was first turned, she should¡¯ve been made a vampire at her 25<sup>th</sup>. Some bonehead quill scribbling official with little more to do than wank to filing cabinets would check the records he has to clean off and figure out they needed to call a clan head to have her turned. Her mother had promised not to interfere, but there was little she could do if someone else noticed. And who didn¡¯t want to turn a pretty celestine. Ugh, vampires and their odd obsession with beauty.

    There was little choice: her first instinct about this man had been good, and she was rarely wrong. Better to agree now, and back out later if things went to shit. If she could maneuver it right, maybe she¡¯d get one essence before they had a falling out. ¡°I¡¯m in. I¡¯ll be your partner.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t even started explaining how the contract works¡ª¡±

    ¡°Screw the explanation of your goddam magical handicap. I¡¯m in. Here¡ª¡± she fished the necklace she had in her hidden pouch, the last memory of her father. It clashed with her dress, so she couldn¡¯t wear it outside. ¡°This¡¯ll be collateral.¡±

    ¡°Hey, hey. Slow down. I didn¡¯t say anything about needing collateral¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re giving me an essence. You need collateral. Take it. Besides...¡± She looked him up and down. ¡°I don¡¯t see a dimension bag on you. Do you have an inventory? Of course you do. It¡¯s safer with you.¡±

    ¡°How--? ...Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been afraid all this time that someone would try to steal it one day. It isn¡¯t worth all that much, but it means a lot to me.¡± Eufemia confessed. Just yesterday, she had been concerned it¡¯d catch the eyes of the muggers. If she¡¯d lost the fight, if they¡¯d been thorough about searing her for another pouch¡­

    ¡°Okay. Alright. Well then...¡±

    As she suspected, once he had held the necklace gently in his palm, it disappeared. There was a pang in her heart from parting with it, but a more pervasive relief she wouldn¡¯t ever have to see it in the hands of some petty thief that had just slit her throat for it, who¡¯d eventually sell it for lessers to bronzes as nobody could use it but her.

    ¡°Here¡¯s to a mutually beneficial partnership!¡±

    -------

    -[Eufemia Teresina] has agreed to become your [Partner-in-Crime].

    -For the duration of 1 year, Eufemia Teresina will share all applicable racial abilities. This partnership can be renewed at the end of 1 year. If the partnership is terminated early, you cannot enter another partnership before the year has expired. Only you can terminate the partnership.

    -During this time, you will be able to sense if [Eufemia Teresina] has any hostile intent towards you.

    -You will be able to sense each other¡¯s general location and direction, when applicable.

    -------

    ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to toast with, John. Not in this dingy place.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Ol¡¯Timothy hear that. The neighbors have worked hard on this place for him: he¡¯ll get mad on their behalf. So, can¡¯t we pretend? For the spirit of it?¡±

    ¡°When we get out of here, we¡¯ll do more than that. Now. Where¡¯s that essence, John?¡±

    ¡°Right here¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t give it to me so easily!¡±

    *

    ¡­It was Mirror, of course, my first essence. Essences are very restricted in Nekroz, but we managed to find the materials needed for my essence absorption ritual (He didn¡¯t need one, damn outworlders). The bookstore owner, Yune, had some ritual books she let us reference, to refresh my memory.

    It was when I awoke that first ability that I had the growing confidence that I could do something with it. That my essences would be a game changer: taking on the form of anyone I remember was both a recipe for disaster and riches. Many toes were stepped on... just perhaps not in my form.

    Chaos, connections, resources: All three were the ingredients to our eventual emigration. Nekroz is not a nation with the resources to tighten security in chaos. When chaos reigns, the clans watch their backs for a knife in the dark¡ªor from a friendly face. My chaos was but a small chaos: it wasn¡¯t nearly so extensive, but enough to throw the delicate artifact of their port control.

    Someday I¡¯ll get back at Nekroz and ¡®burn it all to Hell¡¯, as John would say.

    (No Rasmus, that doesn¡¯t mean I approve of going to war.)

    Sincerely,

    Eufemia

 Chapter 179: Chili and Trust

    Chapter 179: Chili and Trust

    It was with perhaps a little too much reckless abandon that Nara ventured further northward of Stanton, a little more every day, between her normal operations in Kallid. It was easy enough to stand on a tree top and step forward, ¡®Astral Skipping¡¯ to traverse large distances.

    She found Karsile, the city built on the southern bowl of the Great Bay; It was the city Eufemia had grown up in, and the last city of Rowen in the stretch of No Man¡¯s Land between there and the first cities of Nekroz. She traced the recount of Eufemia¡¯s journey to Sanity¡¯s Cusp, an independent city belonging to neither Rowen nor Nekroz. Its existence was tolerated by both sides for the potential of information exchange (i.e. espionage), an odd mixture of order within criminals¡ªthe city still had an Adventure Society branch and the presence of the gods of prosperity (Called for their generally positive effect on the progress of civilization. The ¡®evil¡¯ gods, such as Deceit, Disguise, Greed, Envy, Undeath, Destruction, etc., were could also be referred to as gods of ¡®stagnation¡¯, ¡®chaos¡¯, or ¡¯decay¡¯.)

    The ranks were similarly varied: normal civilians who were the most unassuming of information gatherers, iron rankers that were generally most at risk, bronze rankers that fared better off, silver rankers that made up the bulk of daily operations, and the heavy hitting golds that Nara only suspected and knew better than to poke that hornet¡¯s nest with her aura.

    She pulled her hood further down over her head; it was best not to linger.

    After a few weeks, she was finally far enough North, even further north than Kallid. The water here was dark and ominous: a pure inky black smooth as glass with nary a ripple of life. The hills and mountains were barren, blanketed in deep snow that almost never melted, except for the coaxing touch of a fleeting yet thawing spring and summer. The land was untouched, vast, and quiet.

    She saw the effects of the array before she sensed it. The dome itself was invisible to the naked eye, but the muted sunlight painted a city in shades softer, desaturated shades. The delineation was obvious, if not because the snow without the barrier endeavored to give her a visual impairment through sheer reflective white if she didn¡¯t give herself a fatal injury from falling off a cliff because of the jagged peaks and equally jagged light reflections.

    Konnoch was the southernmost city of Nekroz, and was surprisingly large, for what it was. Buildings were still low, 3 to 4 stories at best, painted with formerly bright but peeling colors that stoically tried to resist the dampened sunlight. It was a trading city¡ªa den of smugglers, thieves, and spies, and their more legal counterparts. Of course, what constituted as ¡®legal¡¯ in Nekroz itself was in question.

    It seemed at least the city at all the normal protections: some level of temperature control, (even if it struggled against the northern weather), a level of self-repair and automatic cleaning, and the usual monster repellent. The Undead, particularly the liches, were known for their rituals, and it seemed they had some level of cooperation and local oversight to institute functional large-scale arrays and barriers.

    Konnoch: Night¡¯s End, the Den of Indulgence. It was where the unsavory sort indulged in their ills, where the rich with little sense and too much boredom pursued the extremes of what the living and the unliving could offer. It was in its own way, a developing tourist city. Those unaffiliated with Nekroz dare not stray much further north, into the heartland of decay (or un-decaying. It really is quite contradictory.)

    For her first test, she¡¯d try to Astral Jump past the edge of the array. It was massive: extending coverage past the city into scattered and patchy farmlands and mines. Not all undead were as infamous as the vampires, and essence user Undead often had mindless summons to perform menial tasks for them. While some magical varieties of plants could grow without sunlight, Nekroz capitalized on both day and life to feed their population; the living needed to be full to keep the unliving fed. The lowest level, ordinary citizen level of vampires or undead were also commonly laborers; Transformation wasn¡¯t always a ticket to the higher strata of Nekroz society.

    Without the gods of prosperity, Nekroz suffered from self-organized, uncontrolled, undirected research. Heretical researchers weren¡¯t exactly known to dedicate their time to breeding black-leaf spinach to optimize yield and weather resistance. And it was rather self-obvious that the gods of decay weren¡¯t particularly useful for the continued existence of an organization, either. Still, they made do.

    For example, it all was rather against Destruction¡¯s ideals: He much prefers The Fall to The Rise, or even worse, The Stability. He was not allied with almost any other god, even if the rest of the world lumped them together for convenience: benefit or harm.

    With the concentration of her mind, a step and the sensation of dimensions flowing past her skin like mist: she was through. The first step had gone well then¡ªher ability to use her Astral Domain as an intermediate step bypassed the dimensional travel restriction in and out of Nekroz¡¯s array. Inter-array travel was still possible but limiting travel to the array¡¯s edge slowed down travel. It was necessary, otherwise high rankers would teleport into the array and slaughter all the undead inside.

    -------

    -You have entered [Array of Dimensional Restriction, Array of Undeath Superiority]

    -Dimension abilities cannot be used to cross the array boundary. The range of dimension abilities of unauthorized users is greatly reduced or entirely prevented within the array.

    -Light and magical light are suppressed. [Sunlight Madness] is prevented.

    -[Undead] gain an increase to all attributes.

    -[Undead] gain increased mana regeneration.

    -The effects of abilities inimical to [Undead] are greatly suppressed.

    -The effects of artifacts or items with effects inimical to [Undead] are greatly suppressed.

    -------

    Nara could sense the undeath energy here, subsumed into the magic of the barrier to weaken sunlight and empower the undead: another home ground advantage. She wandered as close to the edge as she could get, then following her curiosity, followed the edge of the very slight curve.

    No doubt others had done so before, but she wanted to see for herself what she could find. Interestingly enough, there was something to find. Dark stakes of aberrant iron had been jammed into the frozen earth every so often, forming the stabilizing spokes of the barrier. They hummed with a sickly, grey-violet energy, and the metal¡¯s surface was latticed as if it was covered in frost.

    Nara¡¯s better instincts told her not to touch them (she wasn¡¯t an over-curious cat). If they could have been easily removed from the ground, someone would have done so already. Best leave the danger pins exactly where they were.

    -------

    Item: [Array Stabilizer (Undeath, Dimension, Dark)] [silver rank, epic]

    Classification: Artifact, Array component

    Description: A stake used to stabilize large scale arrays, allowing for increased coverage, improved strength, and lower maintenance costs. The stake is attuned to an array with Undeath, Dimension, and Light Suppression effects.

    The stake is enchanted with additional effects.

    Effect: ???

    Effect: Sends an alert to [???] and [???] when removed.

    Effect: When removed, inflicts an extremely powerful, long duration [Stun] and [Inescapable].

    Effect: When removed, transforms into chains of iron to retrain the remover.

    -[Record] of [Array Stabilizer (Undeath, Dimension)] has been added to the [Archive].

    -------

    Right...best not remove it.

    That was as far as Nara was willing to risk herself, and she was starting to get the heebie-jeebies on her impromptu, solo, completely unnecessary, espionage adventure. It was nice to know that she could bypass their barrier, although she was sure that the AS and Rowen had their methods as well.

    She formed her astral bubble and surveyed the land one final time (which, while majestic as all wide expanses of natural landscape are majestic, wasn¡¯t really her preference. Nara liked greenery.) Still, all nature deserved her respect. Thank you Reality for existing.

    It was during this brief, self-dramatic mental sendoff that Nara realized her vision was partially obscured by a figure standing in front of her. She couldn¡¯t sense him¡ªalthough, when she  formed her astral bubble, she was disconnected from reality in all ways but physical perception, so the only surprising (terrifying) aspect about the man was that he had appeared in front of her too fast for her to notice.

    Her hood was still pulled over her face, and her cloak pulled tight, because Nara had always been a little baby when it came to the cold and liked being swaddled up. Her feet and hands had always been cold in the office, and she had worn socks when she slept.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Interesting.¡± The man said after a pause.

    Nara didn¡¯t think this was the sort of interaction to go in the Otome-Isekai direction, but that really was such a tropey line. The man sort of did look like an uninspired Duke-of-the-North character, with the boring but handsome chiseled face, a pale face that even surpassed the most unrealistic beauty standards of melanin deficiency in China and Korea, and deep reddish-brown eyes that was uncomfortably redder than brown in the sunlight. The only particularly inspired aspect of his design was the two puncture marks... on his...neck. Oh. Shit.

    (Somewhere in the tiny, semi-ridiculous semi-inspired portion of her mind, Nara wondered if that counted as a soul scar.)

    ¡°I had attacked you and you aren¡¯t dead,¡± he said as if he couldn¡¯t decide if he was pleased or upset.

    Brilliant. Nara was extremely grateful for astral-reality non-interference bullshit.

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Nara cleared her throat, experimenting a bit to modulate her voice a little higher than normal, and give it a wispier timbre. Her voice was magically produced anyway, and her experience with integrating aura while playing the lute gave her greater control over her voice now. Thank god for small mercies.

    ¡°Erm, I don¡¯t think I should answer that to someone who had just confessed to trying to kill me?¡± She said, in a painfully fake voice.

    He gave her an odd look, then shrugged. ¡°Standard procedure. If the stakes are identified, kill on sight.¡±

    Aiyah, so maybe she should be a little more careful about what she reflexively identifies, So I¡¯m a Spider, So What? style. Let this be a lesson terrifyingly learned. She had half a mind to abandon the conversation and get out of dodge, but she also didn¡¯t want the mystery man to know she could teleport out of the array space. Maybe he could still identify her on sight, astral bubble be damned. What did she know about the capabilities of high rankers?

    She shuffled a little off to the side, stepping out of the array. There, much better.

    ¡°Adorable. I wouldn¡¯t have said anything,¡± he said, face and tone smirking.

    ¡°Yeah, right.¡± Nara reflexively responded.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to have to report to my superiors how an information vulnerability escaped.¡±

    What superiors, she thought, because this man had to be up there. He was far too cocky to be anything but.

    Now, what to do?

    She could try to question Duke Danger. Nara had the foresight capacity of a normal rank crystal ball, so no doubt her opponent-in-conversation would get more from her than she¡¯d get from him. This was an opportunity, but what kind?

    Ah, yes.

    There had been something she had wanted to do for some time. She had been a disappointment to herself, to her hopes and dreams, to her aspirations. The was a prime opportunity: perhaps, a fraction too late, but one she¡¯d be remiss to waste any further.

    She pulled her lute from the astral and sat down on an astral construct.

    ¡°Dearest stranger, since Misfortune played her hand to cross our paths, how about we commemorate this unfortunate encounter with a song of circumstance? With it, I pray that your-and-mine relationship lasts for but the length of this song, and once, ended: forever parted. To what do you don¡¯t say about this proposition which you cannot refuse?¡±

    ¡°...What? You were being normal just a minute ago.¡±

    ¡°Clearly, stranger, abnormal circumstances require abnormal actions. For what did you expect of a stranger-from-a-strange land to say to her not-killer of a realm of night?¡±

    ¡°Do you have some sort of a mental illness?¡±

    PTSD, maybe? A thin grasp on reality? ¡°A mental illness? Who ventures into Nekroz without some sort of mental impairment? That, I offer as true.¡±

    ¡°That is incredibly insulting to a large and undeserved population¡­Are you going to play?¡±

    ¡°Are you going to stay to listen?¡±

    ¡°You want me to stay?¡± He said, incredulous.

    No not really, but now that¡¯s she¡¯s gone this far she may as well fully commit. Eufemia would be proud.

    (Would she, Nara? Chrome questioned.)

    ¡°So, a humble song from a humble bard? What say you, Stranger of Danger?¡±

    He looked at her flatly. ¡°Fine. You play this, and you¡¯ll leave?¡±

    She hadn¡¯t considered that since he could not kill her, maybe he¡¯d want her gone. Otherwise, he¡¯d have to stand here, at the outskirts of the barrier, waiting for her to leave. Did she have him by the balls? The mildly sadistic part of her wanted to hang around and see how much absolute shit she could force him to listen too. Too bad she couldn¡¯t play back It¡¯s a Small World: That¡¯d drive anyone mad.

    Nara was an honorable, perhaps less-than-mysterious and more ¡®overly verbose¡¯ bard, so she¡¯d keep her word and leave.

    ¡°I shall.¡±

    *

    ¡°...There really are only crazies in Nekroz. Fuck.¡±

    Although, he enjoyed the song. Musicians were just about as pleasant as death in Nekroz. Which was to say, tortuous in length and tone (screaming).

    *

    ¡°Nara, what the fuck is wrong with you.¡±

    ¡°Chrome, you know what.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Sands, I know. I regret our acquaintance.¡±

    ¡°I love you too Chrome.¡±

    ¡°Do not.¡±

    *****

    Between Nara¡¯s gallivanting, which wasn¡¯t so much a surprise as an expectation (she did eventually tell Sen about it, and he had returned her thankless exposition with a hard, disappointed glare), Nara had decided to stop by Theodore at the smithy, The Kallidian Smith. An uncreative name, as far as names went, but it got the point across (and Encio expressed his preference for something simple to something offensive to his highborn sensibilities like Monster Meal: ¡°At least it doesn¡¯t alliterate¡±).

    Mona, her Adventure Society certification instructor, had made the point to properly equip herself, and Nara had done so¡ªbut not to a complete enough extent. She still hadn¡¯t taken her words fully into account. Partially, essence users did not want to overly rely on equipment for combat, since it could hinder progress. Since there was an experienced crafter at hand with an adequately friendly relationship, Nara figured she should pay him a visit as a customer.

    The Kallidian Smith was a large smithy, home to around 10 crafters. It was a cooperative forge, with many sets of forging and crafting equipment of high quality, suitable for bronze and silver rank crafters. Theodore¡¯s reputation may have tanked with the adventuring side of the essence user community, but the crafters had always been his friends, even if they disagreed with his now overturned denial of upgrading his former team¡¯s equipment. Crafters knew better than most how state of mind affected their creations. If Theodore wasn¡¯t feeling up for it, it wouldn¡¯t have been possible anyway.

    The forge was warm even through the temperature control arrays, furnaces glowing with hot reds and oranges. The sounds of sizzling metals, clanging hammers, and popping flames suffused the forge, a symphony of metal and effort. An adjacent room with more expensive temperature control housed the detail workshop, where accessories were engraved with steady hands, inlaid with magical jewels, and enchanted with effects.

    A heavyset forger noticed her loitering at the entryway and called out to her.

    ¡°Who¡¯re you here for, lass?¡±

    ¡°Theodore. Is he in? I¡¯m Nara.¡±

    The forger grunted his assent. ¡°He¡¯s mentioned you. Head on in towards the back. He likes the cover.¡±

    Certainly, if Nara had been an adventurer looking to harass Theodore for growth items, she wouldn¡¯t have wanted to face the barrel-chested, muscles-bulging, fire-eyed silver rank smoulder keeping a watchful eye on the entryway.

    Nara was suddenly struck with the awareness that this was probably Theodore safe space.

    She crossed down the center of the forge, which thankfully had a clear pathway down the center. The members of the forge knew how to keep themselves neat, lest there be accidents. It exuded professionalism and competence to Nara¡¯s untrained eye, and Nara decided it was probably a good forge.

    Theodore wasn¡¯t in the middle of hammering anything away, so she was pleased to see he wasn¡¯t actively busy. He was reading some literature on rune application¡ªimportant to his forging and crafting process, which used runes and engravings to imbue and shape effects.

    He looked up. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s you,¡± was his curt greeting. But his aura betrayed that he was secretly pleased to see her. ¡°What are you here for?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like you to craft something for me¡ªand before you get mad, I just want a normal piece of equipment, not a growth item.¡±

    He eyed her, with only mild doubt. ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°With my set of abilities, the early stage of the battle can be a struggle¡ªnot for me, but for any objective I must protect. I just don¡¯t have enough instantaneous damage. Sacrificing too many boons early slows my momentum, and the rest of my damage is entirely backloaded¡ªexecute, ramping afflictions, and growing boons. It¡¯s a faster ramp than you¡¯d expect, but still.¡±

    ¡°I see. And what equipment do you have now?¡±

    Theodore was clinical about his consultation, recording Nara¡¯s concerns on a notebook; He and Sen would get along.

    ¡°Hm, just my sword for combat, and occasionally the accessories I use: night vision goggles and the like. My robe is conjured, and the cloak I wear is just for cold weather.¡±

    ¡°...It¡¯s not cold out. It¡¯s spring. What do you need a cold weather robe for,¡± he said, not a question, but a criticism.

    ¡°It¡¯s for fun,¡± she amended. ¡°But it is crafted for cold weather.¡±

    ¡°Your sword...is it classified as an accessory or as a weapon?¡± He was hesitant to ask, broaching what had been a difficult topic between the two of them.

    ¡°Do you want to take a look?¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°Just don¡¯t try to take it apart or anything.¡±

    ¡°Just what do you think of me.¡±

    ¡°A reformed thief.¡±

    He pursed his lips. ¡°I may deserve that.¡±

    ¡°Hands out, handsy.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like a far worse offense. Do not call me that.¡± He did not obediently wait with his hands out (he was not some child waiting for treats!) but did gesture for Nara to set Nirvana on the table. She materialized it as a sword and placed it there.

    He carefully picked it, a monocle magic circle glowing in front of his right eye. Its concentric rings whirred and slowly spun, and all seemed quiet despite the sharp clangs of forge work.

    ¡°...Do you know what a Core of Finality is?¡±

    That was not what she expected him to ask.

    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s what your ¡®sword¡¯ is made from.¡±

    ¡°If I may, benefactor,¡± Sage gently interrupted. ¡°I know of the Cores of Finality.¡±

    Sage¡¯s interruptions had stopped phasing Nara a long time ago. She always knew a few bodies were lurking nearby. Whatever Sage wanted to get up to, she was free to do so.

    Nara nodded for her to continue.

    ¡°The Core of Finality is a material generated from the terminus of a universe. When a universe has completed its expansion then inevitable contraction, it eventually forms a core of finality. There are many names for it, but that is a common name.¡±

    Nara had not forgotten that her greatest gain from the Celestial Book trial had not been any stone, or even the library, but Sage herself. Thousands of years spent there: Sage must have read the entire library.

    ¡°The Core of Finality is known for its properties of infinite density and infinite potential¡ªit contains all that a universe had generated. While the property of infinite density has been suppressed, it, the property of flowing transformation has been polished; Although, I would expect density manipulation at later ranks.¡±

    ¡°Fortune¡¯s blessings,¡± Theodore murmured, low and reverberating. ¡°I thank you.¡±

    ¡°...You''re welcome?¡±

    He rolled his eyes. ¡°I thank you as well.¡± He gestured to Nara to take her sword back, then kindly offered an explanation. ¡°When I analyze an object, I am able to record the materials that construct it.¡±

    Huh. Not unlike Nara¡¯s Guide then. Nara suspected it offered more detailed information on items (such as material composition, origin, material properties), versus the general and effect overview Nara¡¯s supplied.

    ¡°It functions on crafting material. With another ability, I can convert limited quantities with a ritual.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°I can make the damn metal from other materials. Or whatever it is. Well...at a cost.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh. I¡¯m betting that cost is mighty significant.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve learnt enough not to bet with you. Crazies,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°It wants a diamond spirit coin. Among other materials. It¡¯s not a material that exists at anything but diamond rank.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re thankful anyway.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s part of why I wanted to see your growth items. But of course, I¡¯m thankful.¡± He grinned, jovially but equally full of sharp teeth. ¡°I have never given up on diamond. One day I will use that damn material, and I create a weapon to surpass yours.¡±

    ¡°Right...I¡¯m happy for you.¡± She was¡ªa goal was motivating. Diamond was more hitting the jackpot than anything else, and if Sezan was any example, being motivated didn¡¯t make diamond more likely, sorry Vergil. ¡°How about I show you some other stuff?¡±

    His eyes widened: he knew what this meant. An olive branch, a gesture of trust. The oddly gruff yet posh leonid couldn¡¯t handle his prolonged emotional eye contact. It burned him like chili in the eyes and was just as punishing as trust and forgiveness. He looked away; his reddened eyes hidden from view.

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

 Chapter 180: Combat Trance

    Chapter 180: Combat Trance

    It was bright and on the uncomfortable side of early when Nara felt a familiar aura nudge her from her morning tea and news, languorously sipping away the slowing fog of sleep to the pleasant chill of crisp mountain valley air on the outside veranda at the cloud house. It was a tad too early for Chrome to start cooking, and those awake were performing their morning ablutions.

    Encio usually joined her for tea and gossip, and Eufemia as a less-often third. John had taken to tending his herbs and various plants for alchemy. He was still a beginner, although skill books provided him with immediate knowledge: actual skill was a long way to come. During the ¡®free¡¯ half of the month, he had started apprenticing under a local alchemist and herbalist. This was the knowledge he wanted to bring back to Earth.

    Sen always woke at the crack of dawn, staff snapping outside and sweat glistening in sunrise. He still sought a hobby, but he stuck to his morning routine like clockwork. If the gossip was sparse, the tea party would join Sen for a quick spar. Aliyah was always the last to rise, if Eufemia was not having one of her bad days. She always woke in time for breakfast, but it was the last minute: long hair pulled into a rough ponytail to keep it from her eyes as she indulged.

    Lawrence bunked at the local knowledge temple. I am still a priest, he said¡ªand he seemed excited about what his potential role was in the apocalypse to come. He did occasionally stop by for breakfast. Knowledge¡¯s kitchens weren¡¯t so flavor-minded as what Chrome crafted. For potentially having all the knowledge on what made good food, it wasn¡¯t the Church of Knowledge¡¯s priority. It is adequate, is all Lawrence said on the topic.

    The familiars varied¡ªmost lounged around outside of their summoner¡¯s bodies around the nebula house. Ensi-kuliana, Aliyah¡¯s arcane dragon, lounged around in the garden, careful not to crush plants. She was a sisterly-motherly sort, often raising her head to check on how the others were doing. She let the sun tickle her scales, and arched into the pricking air like a van size, scaley cat. Caspian often played on her back (and was the one Ensi most watched out for, as he was the troublemaker of the group, alongside Thanatos), or trotted at someone¡¯s heels, whoever was up and about, although he seemed to ignore Sen on principle of finding morning sparring too boring to watch. He usually went to bother the other familiars or watch John fail at making a few potions: It was often exciting.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Encio asked, noticing her inattention to her cooling tea, since she had been distracted by the aura nudge.

    ¡°Laius. And Amara. And¡­another person I don¡¯t recognize?¡±

    He nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go together and greet them.¡±

    Laius was polite¡ªhis aura nudge was an aura ¡®knock on the door¡¯ for someone who Nara couldn¡¯t detect even if she sat and meditated and blocked out all other sensory input.

    There wasn¡¯t a door to knock from where they were, standing in the garden out front. The veranda was towards the back, facing the back gardens and the view of the majestic Ilywd mountains, the edges glowing with god rays raining from a canopy of storm.

    ¡°Laius, Amara, and guest! Good morning! What are you all doing here?¡±

    ¡°We are your mentors,¡± Amara said, as if in the months apart Nara would have forgotten. ¡°And Laius suggested it was time we mentored some more. I¡¯ve been waiting for a chance to teach you some more techniques.¡±

    ¡°¡­Am I getting rocks thrown at me again?¡± Nara correctly guessed. It¡¯s not like the training wasn¡¯t effective, but she really did have mixed feelings on it ethically. Did ethics matter compared to effectiveness and practicality? It was ever the conundrum.

    ¡°Later, but that is not the purpose of our visit this time.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of, it¡¯s nice you came to visit! I¡¯ve missed y¡¯all. And I know you did too, Laius, even if you don¡¯t say so!¡±

    ¡°And I have missed you too, Nara!¡± Amara confirmed. ¡°And if we did not reappear, I was afraid you¡¯d forget your training,¡± she said, somewhat ominously.

    Laius, instead of speaking, gave her an unimpressed but amused look, remaining unbothered in his silence. Amara usually talked enough for him.

    ¡°So, who is your mystery plus one?¡±

    The woman besides Laius was a leonid, unexpectedly taller than him, beige and white to his sable fur and spotted like a snow leopard. Her fur was denser whereas his was sleek, an adaptation of the winter climate. True to form, her tail was just as long as a snow leopard, relaxedly extended outwards and hoveringly balanced above the ground, easy in strength and poise. Her eyes were a beige-silver, and her expression held an easy, amused smile.

    ¡°This is Ragnelle.¡±

    No last name, Nara noted. But was that paranoia or just how people introduced themselves? No one except James Bond went for the double name.

    ¡°A pleasure.¡± Ragnelle slung an arm over Laius¡¯ shoulder. His tail flicked in annoyance, but he made no move to remove her. ¡°I¡¯ve known little Laius here for a while, and what a good morning it was to see him out an¡¯ about in the Queen¡¯s country! Made my day. And then I learnt he had a disciple, and he hadn¡¯t told me.¡±

    ¡°We are...not friends,¡± Laius said in lieu of an explanation. Apparently the distinction warranted speech.

    ¡°Bah! What are friends but long-time acquaintances.¡±

    ¡°That is an inaccurate definition.¡±

    ¡°Anyway, he said¡ªwell, he didn¡¯t much say¡ªAmara said that she was teaching her little student about combat trances, and I just love to see the little ones learn. I thought I¡¯d join along an offer my expertise.¡±

    ¡°The more the merrier, I guess. I¡¯m Nara.¡± She stuck out her hand.

    ¡°Ragnelle! Oh, look at all you cuties. You¡¯re little Encio, aren¡¯t you?¡± she cooed.

    Encio, unphased, grinned just as unreservedly. ¡°A friend of my grandfather?¡± His gaze was a little sharp.

    ¡°Mm, well, if you go by Laius¡¯ reductive definition...¡±

    ¡°A friend of my grandfather is a friend of mine,¡± Encio said sagely.

    ¡°Bold claim, young man,¡± she admonished, but she grinned.

    ¡°If not live boldly, then how else should one live?¡±

    ¡°Haha! I like that! Young ones should be bold. You all have the greatest of chances to be bold. However else can you be bold, if there is nothing stronger than you?¡±

    ¡°Well said. It implies my grandfather can no longer be bold.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what a hoot! This is why I love the young ones. Unabashed. Unburdened. Ambitious.¡±

    ¡°Enough, Ragnelle,¡± Amara grinned, and lazily slapped her back. ¡°Let¡¯s gather the students and get started.¡±

    ¡°...After breakfast?¡± Nara interceded.

    ¡°Acceptable. Never miss a meal. Right, Amara?¡± Laius said, with possibly the most force she¡¯s every heard in his voice.

    ¡°Yes Laius,¡± she said obediently.

    *****

    Lawrence had been sent by his goddess, and participating with mild confusion on why he should be here, as a reluctant combatant. Ragnelle, with a smirk and a peppy wave, disappeared to fetch Theodore. Nara didn¡¯t know how she knew their family, because otherwise Egil and Jago had offered up their son to a stranger. (It seemed a semi-regular thing to do around here and was hardly any worse than homeschooling.)

    The whole team was corralled out into the yard, Aliyah wrangled from her still semi-catatonic half-sleep state. If only this world had bronze rank expresso shots, Aliyah might be able to pass as a functioning person in the morning. Unfortunately for Aliyah¡¯s morning classification as a sapient being, the tea here wasn¡¯t that strong. Erras hadn¡¯t cottoned onto the beneficial effects of caffeine yet.

    Ragnelle sat obediently on a bench, although her posture was atrocious, excitedly observing as Amara launched into an introduction. It always seemed some part of her was moving, energy contained as mass, a tail or an ear, or shifting her questionable ¡®sitting¡¯ position any which way.

    ¡°As the capabilities of your mind grow with magic and rank, it will become capable of enhanced forms of cognition, which we call combat trances. While not exclusively used in combat, it is during the situations in which you need to bring out your fullest capabilities that they are first, usually inadvertently, used. Nara you likely did so during your mimic fight. How did that feel?¡±

    ¡°Ah...It was like everything focused. I had to cut everything else away to focus on the fight and on improvement.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! That is a rather common type of combat trance for sword masters. Hyperfocus. But there are multiple types. Healers, for example, will often shift into a state of greatly increased situational awareness so that they may process an entire battlefield at once.¡±

    ¡°Why not do both?¡±

    ¡°Ah, that is the crux of it! You want your state of combat trance to be instantaneous: Multiple trances muddies the waters, and reduces the overall effectiveness of your chosen trance. What we¡¯ll practice is shifting into trance, developing your trance, and managing your trance. Most trances can¡¯t be maintained for long durations without significant mental burdens.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Like the on and off trance of healers?¡± John supplied.

    ¡°Good example, John,¡± Amara praised, fully in mentor mode. ¡°Since we have three willing teachers here, you¡¯ll have a consultation for what trance is the best for you. The trance you naturally slip into may not be the best one moving forward. Nara, you in particular.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°To be discussed. Look forward to it.¡±

    Nara sat down with Laius along with a few others¡ªthe most combat focused of the bunch: Encio, Sen, and Eufemia. Amara was consulting with the researchers: Aliyah and Lawrence, and Ragnelle seemed to be handling the rest: John and Theodore.

    It seemed this would be another opportunity to hear Laius speak uncommonly many words.

    ¡°Think,¡± was all Laius began with. ¡°Ask yourself, what is the best for you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know my options.¡±

    ¡°Skill book,¡± he simply said.

    Right. That settled Eufemia and Nara. They¡¯d consult their internal skill book knowledge for what type of combat trances were best for them.

    ¡°Important going forward, to ask yourself what you are.¡±

    Suitably mysterious. Laius was better at this than she was. (It seemed everyone was better at that than she was.)

    She mentally perused the archives of The Way of the Traveler, but no trance stood out to her. They all sounded interesting, of course they did: magically enhanced mental states. She learned they were achievable by iron and even normal rankers, but usually required extremely dedicated training. Sen and Encio, by their upbringing, may have been able to achieve a trance at normal rank.

    Hyperfocus was the primary trance for combatants focused on out-skilling an enemy and moving at high speeds, where any fight turned into a one-on-one fight; it stuck out to her as suitable, but Amara had said it wasn¡¯t the right trance for her. Increased perceptual speed was another common trance, allowing one to react faster than their body could move; It was a useful state for those who had abilities that could be activated instantaneously, like teleports and shields. It was one that warranted extra consideration. Dual cognition was another interesting option¡ªUsually there was a primary cognition (the active mind) and a secondary sub cognition that handled other aspects. The active mind focused on actions that required active movement, and the sub cognition could be trained to focus on other aspects. A perceptual trance was common for detection and scout types; If you were hunting one enemy in a chaotic battlefield. Maintaining heightened perception was usually a byproduct of meditative states, and a perceptual trance allowed that sort of fine-toothed detection without the stillness of meditation.

    Trances could even be combined, forming one trance with aspects of two. It resulted in lower performance, but if you needed the aspects of two trances, it was an option. There was a myriad of options: reactive trances, predictive trances, processing trances, empty trances...

    She didn¡¯t have to immediately decide. In fact, she was advised against it. Laius summoned a legion of upright shadows, and the sparring began.

    It was the most intense sparring she had faced, on account of the demand for skill. The shadows had been configured to deal little damage, but their attacks inflicted pain as if they had inflicted their full damage. She danced around the six shadows that chased her, suffering glancing blows from a shadow army that differed in gear¡ªarchers, assassins, pugilists, mages. They were just mimicries of real abilities and inflicted no fancy effects.

    From the corner of her eye, her companions were suffering similarly¡ªthen ow! Arrow to the knee. Guess she had to stop adventuring.

    ¡°Focus, Nara!¡± Amara called, immediately noticing her mistake despite not even looking at her. ¡°You won¡¯t achieve trancing by letting your mind wander! This is battle, not art!¡±

    With a whirring hammer flying through the air, Nara slipped back into trance.

    They broke into a rest, and Nara pondered the battle. She could tell that hyperfocus wasn¡¯t right for her. Against the mimic, it had brought her victory, but rarely would she fight one opponent. Adventurers were almost always outnumbered by monsters, and while Nara was fast, she didn¡¯t have the time acceleration and massively increased reflexes that true sword masters had: Hers was a passive, not an active ability like Between the Raindrops. Moreover, she had to actively manage a bouquet of effects to work in harmony¡ªCosmic Path, Phase Shift, the incorporeal and size manipulation effects of Blade of the Boundary, the form shift of Nirvana, Chrome¡¯s swords, umbral flames, node conjuring and node jumping, Infinity Domain, the light manipulation of Moonlight Robe, sacrificing boons for Boon Conversion, and all of her different special attacks and spells.

    It was making her head hurt just thinking about it. Soul Legion had been a double-edged boon, she didn¡¯t have the full capability to manage the benefits it offered her, let alone the benefits she already had. Moreover, many of her abilities require exacting timing and risky positioning.

    ¡°I have been curious, Nara,¡± Amara began while siding up next to her, cross legged in internal introspection. ¡°Why is your ability set so active while you profess a preference for relaxation.¡±

    Nara suspected this line of questioning was for her own good, rather than to actually satisfy Amara¡¯s curiosity.

    That one was easy enough. If nothing else, Nara understood herself as a person well. ¡°I¡¯ve always been terrible at self-motivation. I excelled in academics¡ªfor everything I was assigned. But I was terrible at getting myself to participate in extracurricular activities, especially when there was no active cost, financial or otherwise, to not doing so, like paying for lessons. When you established a schedule for me to train, I followed that training. When I attended the Adventure Academy, I participated in all those classes. When Vallis, Sen, and Encio sought out to spar, I did. Contracts as well¡ªAdventurer work give me a responsibility to follow through when on my own prerogative, I may or may not. Not in a timely manner, anyway.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t like being motivated or active. I like achieving things, I¡¯m just terrible at getting myself to do them. It¡¯s why I¡¯m a follower, not a leader. My abilities are the same. They¡¯re external motivation. My own soul generated external motivation. Because they exist, I will master them.¡±

    ¡°That seems circulatory,¡± Amara said, an odd look on her face. ¡°Does that not count as an internal goal?¡±

    Nara shrugged. ¡°An ability is like an assignment. The fact that I assigned it to myself is less important than the fact that it is a tangible, motivating goal. A goal with clear stages, and one that exists outside of my own will for it to exist. I won¡¯t stop having abilities because I no longer want abilities: they¡¯ll always be there.¡±

    Amara and Laius already knew what combat trance would fit Nara well, but they wanted to encourage introspection. She was bronze rank now, and capable of more independence in her own growth, an independence in thought that was necessary if she wanted to broach gold.

    Nara had claimed her ability told her that her combination was the one her soul chose for itself. Amara had seen Nara for what she was¡ªnot an overachiever, not in the normal sense. She would achieve when given the framework to achieve, but not on her own.

    ¡°I¡¯m an introvert that needs people. I do fine on my own, but it¡¯s other people that make me better.¡±

    She¡¯d always have other people now, with her familiars.

    Amara gently slapped Nara on the back, but even that elicited an oof.  ¡°Now get up, you continue pushing until you figure it out.¡±

    ¡°In one day?!¡±

    ¡°No. But what is work without spirit!¡±

    After Nara had resumed her shadow ninja warriors gang fight, Ragnelle approached Amara, siding up next to her.

    ¡°Starting them early on the path to gold?¡±

    ¡°Starting them right. They need to think about themselves: who they are, and how their essences relate. They all have the potential for it.¡±

    ¡°You believe everyone has potential.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone,¡± Amara defended, staunch in her opinion. It was shared with her theory of magic¡ªthat any essence ability could become a ritual. Accordingly, Amara believed everyone had the potential to reach gold, or even diamond, rank. ¡°But most people. Most people choose not to pursue it: The potential is still there.¡±

    A manipulated aura enveloped them, blocking their words from those outside to hear with an aura-based privacy screen.

    ¡°Are you here to help?¡± Ragnelle asked. ¡°I certainly wouldn¡¯t mind the company.¡±

    ¡°Have you figured it out: light or darkness?¡±

    Ragnelle¡¯s lips curled angrily back. ¡°No. Not cold or heat either. We aren¡¯t sure.¡±

    ¡°A void user then?¡±

    ¡°There isn¡¯t a diamond ranked one around. That essence is notoriously hard to use, and an all-consuming void is even rarer rather than nullification.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll stay, in case you decide it is light or darkness you need.¡±

    ¡°You are a beauty and the light of Chelsea¡¯s life, Amara, but you use lightning, not light.¡±

    Amara shrugged. ¡°It is heat, it is light, it is energy. Whether or not it is effective remains to be seen.¡±

    ¡°I hope we won¡¯t have to.¡±

    *****

    Three days passed.

    The shadows were attuned to their ranks, dealing damage not as health but as pain. She was instructed to use her full abilities, even when they had little to no effect¡ªLaius would decide when one had been killed. She had no idea how he was tracking five battles simultaneously (John, Aliyah, and Lawrence were going through some sort of meditative exercise for spatial awareness and weren¡¯t battling shadow clones, at least for now.)

    A shadow spearman shot forward with the power and precision of a jouster. His pike bore forward, stabbing repeatedly towards Nara. She parried and blocked, teleporting behind to deal a counterblow. Meanwhile, the annoying fly of a shadow archer had been picking off her nodes with disruptive-force damage (it was a shadow, after all), so she was constantly restrained to one node and seven bodies of Sage. It restricted her to mainly ground combat unless she wanted to risk some new body piercings of the overlarge and bloody kind.

    Approaching the archer was a frustration; A shadow shieldman kept in tight, constantly rebuffing Nara with full body bashes and shield launches like a beefy linebacker. She couldn¡¯t bait it to overextend. Sage tried to get behind the archer as best she could, but she was vulnerable to its disruptive-force damage as well.

    Her iconic slitting-throats sword move was ineffective after the first day. Either Laius had improved the shadows, or the shadows had learned to expect it, and they kept their guards up to their throats whenever she disappeared. The back of the neck was equally vulnerable and easier to attack, and the shadows had started pairing up to keep each other¡¯s backs occupied: she couldn¡¯t teleport where space was occupied. Sage was restricted to the ground, so Nara couldn¡¯t rely on tricky angles and 3D mobility to outmaneuver her enemies.

    Nara would have been outmatched entirely if the shadows had any actual magical powers. They kept to pure skill¡ªphysical attacks that more or less followed the laws of physics. They were sturdy, as expected of bronze rank summons, and outnumbered those participating to make up for it. Their teamwork with a limited skill set was remarkable, for a bunch of shadow manifestations of which sapience was questionable.

    Then, she made a mistake¡ªshe was launched into the air by the shieldman. His partner¡¯s arrow whizzed right behind with impeccable timing. Nara deflected the arrow with an intercepting kick and used cosmic step (the physical step portion of Cosmic Path) to change her trajectory¡ªdownwards, straight into the path of the pikeman.

    Options buzzed through her head¡ªteleportation, phase shift, attempting another parry, and, oddly enough, materializing a book beneath her foot to push off it and slightly shift direction; combined with Infinity Domain, it was enough to slip past another injury rest break.

    Astral Domain allowed her to make astral constructs¡ªthey didn¡¯t block for shit, but she could still make things. Nara¡¯s head swam with another option to add to her growing list of options, but it was unexpected enough that she made it past the pikeman and delivered a devastating blow to destroy the shadow.

    Laius rematerialized it; her victory was short-lived. This time it had a trident. Instead of being skewered like beef she could be skewered like fish. Wonderful.

    The point, of course, was not to win, but to force extreme circumstances to develop her combat trance. It was in another pincer move, another moment of choice paralysis and wandering thoughts, that Nara had her realization.

    Nara, before the trials of Erras, had been a musician: A high school level musician, at best. She wasn¡¯t terribly impressive, but she had still cultivated some skills of ¡®multitasking¡¯. As a musician in a high school symphony, she had to watch the conductor, move her fingers, blow on her instrument and control air flow, listen for tuning of the whole, match volume, keep the tempo, keep her place on the sheet music, play with melodic beauty and musical punctuation, and every so often turn the page.

    It was multitasking. It was a part of her then, and a part of her now.

    She realized with a start: The answer was dual cognition.

    Realization did not beget immediate results as pregnancies did not beget instantaneous children, so Nara still got skewered like a fish (lightly. She did have some skill.)

 Chapter 181: Dodging Rocks Part II

    Chapter 181: Dodging Rocks Part II

    It wouldn¡¯t have been a real training session with Amara and Laius if at some point Nara wasn¡¯t dodging rocks.

    They used an ¡®unoccupied¡¯ forest this time. The obstacles were considerably less complex (by Nara¡¯s standards, compared to their magic-shaped parkour course), but Laius and Amara outdone themselves by having the shadow warriors participate along with their standard-fare rock-throwing. To make it even spicier, the monsters were still out and about¡ªHazards, or rather, obstacles.

    If this did not classify as extreme sports by Erras¡¯ standards, Nara was afraid to find out what did.

    The team plus extras were also reluctantly dragged along (minus Sen, who was enthusiastic), and there was much falling from trees like uncoordinated monkeys, yelps of pain from rock-sized bruises, and yelling ¡®whose team are you really on!¡¯ to the shadow warriors that pincered them alongside monster attacks.

    It was also another excellent opportunity for Nara to work on her dual mind trance.

    The dual mind combat trance was one of the more difficult ones to establish, especially at bronze rank. At silver rank, the changing of one trance to another was far easier, and splitting attention was inherently easier. But Nara had experience with multitasking and the advantage of technological allusions: It was like improving her CPU or adding more sticks of RAM (she wasn¡¯t tech savvy enough to know which was right for comparison.)

    She tried to shift into an instinctual flow¡ªletting go of the death grip she had on Infinity Domain and her other abilities and allow them to move on instinct. There was a lot of stumbling and flailing and claws striking where they should have missed, but the pain of trial-and-error (and pain in general) was not unfamiliar to Nara, and John was undergoing his own trial healing the whole team while they all leapt around like Nara did¡ªlike they were mad. His assignment was to use only half of his abilities, so he had to prioritize which blows he blocked with his shield, what damage he healed, and whether or not he should even heal himself (since he, of course, also had rocks ¡®tossed¡¯ his way.)

    While Nara had concluded on mind-duality, she had had some reservations, which Amara cleared up. A second mind would not react mindlessly. It was still her¡ªreduced in some way, with limits, but still her. If a normal person tried to punch her, her second mind wouldn¡¯t just retaliate with indiscriminate death.

    Her second mind, for clarity, she called Sense Mind. It would take care of abilities requiring the tightest of margins¡ªPhase Shift and Infinity Domain, for now. The second mind would be focused on perceiving threats to herself, trimmed so it''s ¡®processing speed¡¯ or reaction speed was the highest possible that she could achieve for her rank. It was still her reaction speed¡ªjust without other tasks and actions jamming up her circuits.

    At least, that was the plan.

    ¡­The plan was taking its time.

    *****

    It was one week later that Theodore had finished Nara¡¯s commission and had notified her to meet him at the smithy. Now that the ice was broken, a few other members had commissioned Theodore or the other crafters of the smithy for some additional equipment. Eufemia had requested a variety of weapons and armor¡ªby far the most expensive purchase of the group. Just like Nara, the inability to conjure her weapons or armor was a not insignificant weakness. For Eufemia, it greatly affected her shifting fighting style. Encio requested a sword, a set of throwing knives, and a body-concealable knife with anti-detection, anti-perception effects. If anyone was dumb enough to suppress his abilities without searching his body, he would have a way out.

    Theodore was waiting this time, and he led her inside.

    ¡°Special attacks can be difficult to awaken within accessory type objects for mediocre smiths¡ªits more usual for weapons and shields,¡± Theodore began, ¡°but I¡¯m not a mediocre smith. Although...¡± he continued, a bit more hesitant, although stiffly hiding it, ¡°I¡¯m not sure whether you¡¯ll want this particular effect or not. It¡¯s not something I¡¯d normally make for just anyone, but it was the best option that fulfilled your requests.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really leaving me in suspense. Didn¡¯t know you were such a tease, Theodore,¡± she teased with a grin.

    She felt the ripple of embarrassment within his aura, although she couldn¡¯t see any flush on the leonid¡¯s furry face on account of all the fur.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± he grunted, his voice betraying his embarrassment where his fur had hidden it. ¡°Stop being weird.¡± Despite his gruff embarrassment, the way he presented his craft to her was careful and respectful¡ªNara could tell that he¡¯d never disrespect equipment, even if he had been overzealous in trying to analyze hers.

    ¡°Here it is.¡±

    -------

    Item: [Blood Moon] (bronze rank, epic)

    Classification: accessory, arm guard

    Description: A pair of arm guards created by a skilled craftsman, crafted to deal high damage at a cost.

    Effect: Grants use of [Blood Rebound], a special attack costing high stamina with a 5s cooldown.

    [Blood Rebound]: An attack that deals very high physical damage. For a short duration after use, suffer increased damage.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Effect (Iron): When used after suffering damage, damage dealt by [Blood Rebound] is increased.

    Effect (Bronze): Physical strength is increased.

    -------

    The pair of arm guards were made of a dark purple-black metal, shining with the iridescence of raven feathers. Underneath it was lined with a dark red leather, sleek with designs Nara could only call ¡®understated edgy¡¯. Down the center of the guards were engraved runes, ones her ability translated as ¡®blood¡¯, ¡®karma¡¯, ¡®reversal¡¯. The metal was stained with designs, of raven feathers, geometric knots, and an ornate full moon on one guard, and a crescent moon on the other.

    ¡°Well? Any thoughts?¡± Theodore asked impatiently, shifting from one foot to the other.

    ¡°¡­The color kind of clashes.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± His voice rose with incredulity. ¡°Did you want me to re-dye so it color coordinates with your ¡®outfit¡¯!?¡±

    Nara perked up. ¡°Can you?¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± He shouted, indignant.

    She pouted.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. Look,¡± he relented, opting for an explanation that¡¯d get that irksome pout away. ¡°A lot of material can be dyed, but some can¡¯t! The dye can interfere with the properties of the materials. Us crafters have to be careful to preserve the power of the craft. Overtreatment will diminish it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m kidding. It is exactly what I wanted, thank you Theodore. Well almost.¡±

    ¡°You could have left that last part out!¡±

    Nara spent a day of her break out in the Ilwyd valley, casually picking off stray monsters here and there to test out the effects of Blood Moon. Blood Rebound was a surprisingly potent physical attack made better by the increased physical strength, but the rebound afterwards was dangerous. She¡¯d need to be careful using it, or something that would have been just a scrape would erupt with blood and gouge her skin, much like her own afflictions.

    As a learning experience, she now knew how her opponents must feel when a stupid scratch inexplicably severs through muscle like butter. This was an experience she¡¯d rather have been spared, but it seemed much of her journey was lined with blood-stained flowers of empathy.

    *****

    Life if Kallid had been exciting yet peaceful¡ªas peaceful as an adventuring culture where street brawls were common and encouraged. However, on the cheese scented breeze came the whisperings of a Storm. The phantom itch at Nara¡¯s wrists, and the goosebumps that shivered up her arms told her as much.

    She looked around the mausoleum. Most of the team¡ªEufemia, Encio, Aliyah, and John¡ªwere in a challenge room. The iron rank team¡ªCeri, Gwen, Iola, Huwe, and Wynthell¡ªwere in another challenge room, trying their luck. Theodore was leafing through some crafting research, his furred hands large in contrast to the small script. The way they lifted pages was almost dainty, and Nara chuckled quietly to herself at the juxtaposition. Sen was meditating, which was hardly a surprise. If you had to bet at any given moment what Sen was doing, meditating or sparring would be top 2 on Family Feud.

    It had been six months since Nara ranked up to bronze; The team was at roughly Bronze 3 to Bronze 4, and progress was slowing. They hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, but progress would slow as they approached silver.

    A shift in the relaxed atmosphere was ended by a shift in Roscoe¡¯s posture; He straightened, tensed, his dark chocolate fur rippling and tightening around his corded muscles. His ears twitched and angled, and his pupils narrowed into displeased slits.

    The portal in front of them activated, whirring as a membrane of energy filled the arch. Theodore put away his reading material and hefted a rune engraved hammer. Sen stood, heavy staff held at the ready. Nara let herself fade into the background, and she moved into a new position¡ªNara found that people rarely considered what lay behind a portal.

    A pale blond haired celestine stepped out of the arch.

    ¡°Maelon.¡± Roscoe confirmed through voice chat. ¡°The one you wanted me to investigate.¡± Behind him followed five more bronze rankers.

    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize any of them.¡±

    ¡°Neither do I,¡± Theodore added, as he frequented different circles than Roscoe did, although he had recently fallen out of the social sphere. Still, a craftsman¡¯s memory was not to be disregarded.

    The five bronze rankers fanned out, their weapons equally at the ready. They were outnumbered¡ªnot by much, but it wasn¡¯t a good position to be in. They had no healer, and one of their four was primarily a craftsman, and another was a scout. Although Roscoe was non-core, he also wasn¡¯t particularly good at combat (beyond what a typical leonid was, given their inherent strength and agility.)

    ¡°Maelon.¡± This time Roscoe spoke aloud. ¡°What sin have we committed to have you curse us with your flea-ridden presence?¡±

    Maelon bristled, eyes flashing dangerously. Evidently, the fleas were a sore topic. The four were under no illusions that this was a social call¡ªRoscoe had no need for pleasantries. Sen shifted closer to stand next to Roscoe.

    ¡°Roscoe,¡± Maelon sneered back, his face an unpleasant wrinkle. ¡°I couldn¡¯t be bothered to curse you. Your sin is existing.¡± He raised his nose to the air and sniffed, unable to achieve Eufemia¡¯s attractive disdain when she did a similar thing. ¡°I¡¯m not here for you anyway.¡±

    ¡°Since you are incapable of getting to the point, what do you want?¡± He addressed the five behind Maelon. ¡°I can¡¯t say your taste in friend speaks much for your intentions.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not our friend,¡± a pixie cut brown-haired human woman said. ¡°He¡¯s just some mediocre local. We¡¯re here for¡­¡± Her brown eyes darted around. ¡°¡­Where is she?¡± She turned to Maelon. ¡°You said she was here!¡±

    ¡°She is!¡±

    ¡°Find her!¡±

    Maelon sneered back. ¡°Apparently I¡¯m just some mediocre local.¡±

    ¡°Are you really so thin skinned? Have we not compensated you enough?¡±

    ¡°You need me now. I¡¯m changing the terms¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a lying cheat¡ª¡±

    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± A dark-skinned elf snapped over the bickering, instantly quelling it. ¡°We¡¯re here for the outworlder.¡±

    Sen tensed.

    ¡°What do you need an outworlder for?¡± Roscoe said, keeping the attention on himself at Sen¡¯s telepathic direction. ¡°Surely, friend, you can find another one?¡±

    ¡°We are here to offer amnesty. Refuge. The outworlder has information that belongs not in the hands of this volatile world. This does not have to be violent, although I know peace is not inherent to your culture.¡±

    Nara flickered a thought to the group. ¡°Advent?¡± She posed.

    ¡°Possibly.¡±

    ¡°Just tell me if they¡¯re enemies,¡± Theodore said, nervously shifting his stance. ¡°Will I need to attack them?¡± He asked, discomforted with the prospect of a to-the-death battle.

    ¡°Looking that way, yeah.¡±

    ¡°How does this work. Do we make the first move?¡±

    They waited for Sen, with whom rested the burden of this decision. There was a good chance these were Adventist. They hadn¡¯t said so in so many words, but they¡¯ve come with a guide known for working with criminal elements, armed and ready, no matter what peaceful intentions they falsely profess.

    They couldn¡¯t leave. If they escaped through Nara¡¯s portal, their allies would be left exposed in the trial room if they suspected Adventists stayed. If the iron rankers finished first, they were as good as dead, even if these were just common criminals. Maelon had timed it well¡ªthere should be at least 30 minutes until their team finished in their challenge room, which had restrictions on portalling out.

    ¡°This is a warning,¡± Sen said suddenly, focusing the group¡¯s attention on him with his inherently commanding presence. He brought his staff up from rest, a pillar blocking their path. ¡°Your continued occupation here will be considered a threat. If you have no desire to engage in conflicts as you claim, return from whence you came. The outworlder you are looking for is not here.¡±

    Nara gave Sen an internal thumbs up. Asses were covered, warning was delivered.

    The elf¡¯s eyes flickered to the room. ¡°In there, then.¡±

    ¡°You should leave,¡± Sen repeated, his voice low with threat.

    Weapons were raised. ¡°I think not.¡±

 Chapter 182: No Warden to Her Will

    Chapter 182: No Warden to Her Will

    Nara had learnt repeatedly that surprise attacks were a thrilling way to start a fight for both sides involved. For all the detection that Maelon had in obnoxious range, he lacked in detail and transmission speed. Perhaps fleas did not have detail capacity, or it was just Maelon¡¯s inherent mediocrity.

    Either way, it was Nara¡¯s sword dyed crimson with Blood Reprisal that plunged through the base of the neck of a runic that she really, really, really hoped was an Adventist at this point that signaled the blood-pounding, heart-throbbing start to the fight. She might dub this move, ¡°The Nara Special.¡±

    Ah, the screams of her fans (stalkers)! They really seem to appreciate her signature move!

    By the time any of them turned around, Nara was already gone into the chaos where she made her home.

    *****

    Theodore gripped his hammer, a circular array of glowing runes fanned out around him. He swung his hammer through two¡ªthe runes for ¡®shatter/break¡¯ and ¡®shield/protection¡¯¡ªapplying them to his weapon. It was the runes he used as standard, until he devised a two-rune combination to counter whatever he was facing. Shattering defenses with a war hammer was always a good place to start.

    Sweat beaded his brow and blood roared in his ears, as loud as a leonid¡¯s roar. This sort of life and death battle against essence users was not something he had participated in before outside of a mirage chamber¡ªhis father¡¯s insisted upon foundational training. He was glad for it now, even if the bloodshed there had been a mirage of magic and mind.

    A scream rang out, and one enemy crumpled. Not dead yet, but dead-man-slumping¡ªan iron ranker would be dead from that, and the expectation of death sent the nerves in his arms tingling. His hammer felt weightier than it ever had before. 4 versus 5 were decent odds, although Theodore was aware that he wasn¡¯t an exceptional fighter. He at least had some experience fighting with Sen and Nara against the monsters of the mausoleum. That may save them yet. Roscoe was off doing what scouts did during a fight, darting in and out of shadows and taking opportunistic shots as he could as well as watching for any other hidden opponents. Theodore could appreciate he hadn¡¯t gone and buggered off entirely, screwing all of them further.

    The runic on the ground twitched. Roscoe¡¯s hand reached from a shadow and sliced a tendon. Not dead but incapacitated for a while longer. The runic was a good choice for a first target¡ªlikely to have devastating spells that none of them were well suited to protecting against, and also unlikely to have powerful recovery abilities to recover from such an assault.

    Sen was in the thick of it, fighting on the front while Nara darted in from another, hyper-aggressive. It wasn¡¯t her usual fighting style, but Theodore was aware they had to press their advantage before their attackers could stabilize. Adventists, this team had mentioned¡ªbut who were Adventists, and why were they their target?

    The speckled blue draconian in front of Leonid manifested a mana shield to stop the swing of Theodore¡¯s hammer. It didn¡¯t stop; the shield shattered like cheap glass, and the blow followed through, smashing into scales, which also cracked under the blow. It wasn¡¯t enough to fell the draconian, and now he knew better than to trust his shields around Theodore. It was time to switch his runes.

    His next two swings connected with the runes for ¡®magic/mana¡¯ and ¡®null¡¯. He saw the draconian pause, sucking enough air to use their race¡¯s signature breadth; it was arrogant to use it with so little set up¡ªDragon Breath was a famous racial, and Theodore had seen draconians around Kallid. Draconians were nothing if not prideful¡ªTheodore was glad to see it was a constant, even against these unknown opponents.

    Glimmering frost flakes coalesced in the air, confirming that his foe¡¯s draconic ancestry was ice, as he suspected. He swung his hammer down, blowing forwards a wave of force imbued with mana null. It snapped the draconian¡¯s jaw up, and the breath died before it could be unleashed.

    So far so good. This combat thing wasn¡¯t going too badly¡ªhe had been trained by his fathers, after all! He just had to keep thinking, and keep fighting. Maintain calm. Be vigilant.

    ¡°Glacial ice, grab and slow.¡±

    A hand of ice wound its way around Theodore¡¯s left leg, the freeze felt through his thick fur. He stumbled, suddenly unable to move forward.

    ¡°Freezing spike!¡±

    A spike of ice coalesced above his opponent¡¯s shoulder, then shot out towards Theodore¡¯s face. Theodore just managed to bend his head out of the way. He swung magic null, hitting the hand and freeing himself, either shattering it from pure force or from the effects of his runes.

    While he stumbled, free from the grip and dodging another ice spike, he summoned a second hammer from his inventory, a smaller one, and tapped it through magic null as well, which worked well against this ice conjurer. He quickly threw it, rebounding it from various coalescing ice constructs with a special attack. A mage hand controlled the small hammer, catching it as it boomeranged bank. He swapped his main hammer back to shield break instead of a combination like fire potent. As much as he was tempted, an ice draconian wasn¡¯t a monster and therefore wasn¡¯t ¡°weak to fire¡±. Another lesson drilled into him¡ªdo not assume weakness where there is none. While Theodore may not like fighting, he found his father¡¯s lesson gave great insight into what an adventurer needed in their equipment, so he had remembered all his lessons. If he could remember what made an adventurer great, then he could make great equipment to match. Any great food critic should know how to cook, and when his father said, ¡°Any great crafter should know how to use his crafts¡±, Theodore found he could not disagree.

    He was doing alright, and he was occupying a single enemy, at least trading hits back and forth. He thought perhaps they¡¯d survive this, until they felt the flash of a silver rank aura.

    *****

    ¡°What a mess.¡± The silver ranker said, gazing about the chaos, his presence immediately arresting in the clashing group of bronze rankers. ¡°I thought the five of you could handle four.¡± He noticed the dead Adventist. ¡°Four of you, anyway.¡±

    Maelon, evidently, had buggered off sometime during the battle, evening the odds of 4 to 6 to 4 to 5.

    Sen decided in a split moment. ¡°PORTAL, NARA!¡± he yelled out in voice chat. Roscoe, shadow hopper he was, slipped inside safely with barely a pause. Sen teleported with Theodore, bringing them to the front of the cosmic portal.

    -------

    Ability: [Teleport]

    Special Ability (Dimension)

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Instantly appear in another location.

    Effect (Bronze): Able to bring along a group of people (up to 10 iron rank individuals) nearby.

    -------

    ¡°I think not.¡±

    A barrier of force sprang up in front of the portal, blocking them off. The silver ranker shot forward, smashing Sen into the force barrier, cracking it from the impact, the portal¡¯s entryway teasingly behind him. Sen had managed to avoid a crushing hand to the throat, but his shoulder and back had still crashed painfully into the barrier, unyielding against his bronze rank bulk. The next blow Sen redirected with great effort with Karmic Return, force blast ricochetting into the air and impacting the stone ceiling of the mausoleum, still undamaged, the tyranny of rank sneering its omnipresence. It was his years-honed skill and high attributes that Sen had managed to persevere against the focused attention of a silver ranker.

    -------

    Ability: [Karmic Return]

    Special Attack (retributive)

    Cost: Low stamina and mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Enhance your weapon with significant resilience. If this attack intercepts another physical attack, inflict the damage of the attack as retributive damage identical to the damage amount and damage type of the intercepted attack to the original attacker. Reducing or negating the original damage does not reduce or negate the retributive damage.

    Effect (Bronze): This attack can intercept magical abilities and incorporeal attacks such as spells with size and shape limitations.

    -------

    A moment later, a starry plane spread out on the ground to his left, and Sen understood to leap towards it and drag Theodore with him.

    He could only hope Nara made it in too.

    *****

    If only life could be so easy.

    Roscoe, Sen, and Theodore secured, Nara shot through the mausoleum with teleportation, silver ranker no doubt hot on her heels. She couldn¡¯t abandon their position entirely¡ªtheir teammates would eventually emerge from the portal, and they could not subject them to a silver ranker and four iron rankers either. She could not retrieve them from inside the trial room; they would have to inevitably exit, into a fight they had no knowledge about. The Adventist elites were as well trained as they suspected, although both Sen¡¯s and Nara¡¯s abilities fared well against other essence users in close combat.

    Unfortunately, her tricky domain portal placement was a one-off success. She couldn¡¯t open the portal directly below any person (not that anyone would fall in unless they wanted to).

    ¡°How long are we going to play this game of tag?¡± The silver ranker called out from behind her.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Until you stop chasing me!¡±

    She skidded around a corner, spam-teleporting down a corridor. According to her map from her Guide, there was a gap at the top of the wall that led to another section of the mausoleum. No doubt they¡¯d follow her through, even if they had to scale the wall to make it through the gap.

    The mausoleum managed to concentrate monster manifestations within challenge rooms, then analyze the monsters within to provide a summary of monster ranks to grade the rooms. By creating pockets of ¡®negative pressure¡¯ where manifestation was easier, monsters manifested less outside of the rooms¡ªof course, this also meant that positive manifestations (such as essences) tended to manifest within the rooms as well, rather than outside. The mausoleum and an area around it had a far reduced monster manifestation rate, hence foundation of second largest of Kallid¡¯s cities, Krypt. It was also this mechanism that was being studied, in hopes of applying it near large cities to create similarly contained monster-pockets and reduce monster manifestations within city limits beyond the standard array protections, especially during monster surges.

    All this was to say: Nara had a plan. In one of the marked corridors which the iron and bronze challengers avoided, a high silver rank monster had manifested. It hadn¡¯t politely manifested within a challenge room like the rest of the monsters waiting in their pens to be slaughtered. It was a relatively recent manifestation, not yet cleared out by a silver ranker in the area.

    On her next teleportation, a force-rope attempted to loop around her waist and yank her backward. She avoided it, Phase Shift allowing it to slide harmlessly through her.

    There it was: It was a terrible thing, more cosmic horror than chimeric animal. Its body was black and indistinct, villi fluttering like fleshy hairs. It had a long, flexible tail, armored with interlocking grey spines that tipped the tail like a blade and ran along its back in what could be roughly considered the location of a spine. Whenever it moved it rattled, spines clattering like bones in an undead army, far more chilling than funny.

    It let out a grating screech, simultaneously nails on a chalkboard and grinding gears. It leapt, indistinct black mass shaping itself into powerful haunches, instantly providing it with the massive charging mobility it desired. Nara teleported past it, her decoy node popped by an extending whip-tail while her main and backup nodes were safe to teleport to. Sage was scattering herself forward, out of reach of the monstrosity¡ªNara didn¡¯t want to risk her there.

    The thalgore¡¯s instant and intense bloodlust played to her advantage; it had launched itself directly at the silver ranker. Nara stayed out of range at the end of the corridor, guarding it like Cerberus. If the silver ranker had followed, she expected the bronze rankers to come next.

    They did, as expected, darting around into the domain of the thalgore with various movement abilities. Corners, of course, meant that line of sight teleportation or movement abilities did not see the trap that was the thalgore haunting beyond the bend. Nara¡¯s teleportation did not need line of sight, as long as the object between her didn¡¯t completely block aura. A chain of nodes and decoys had been enough to slip past.

    The silver ranker was the thalgore¡¯s first concern, but it was more than capable of leveraging its own famed silver rank spirit attribute. Its scythe tail darted out, skewering an unlucky Adventist through the thigh. With an ominous bone rattle, bone spikes protruded, launching themselves at the Adventists on trails of eldritch shadow goo.

    They survived well enough: it was a weak projectile attack in comparison to the thalgore¡¯s full capabilities, and force barriers had intervened to protect those without adequate protection. But Nara stood between the bronze rankers and safety. Their silver rank oversight was occupying the thalgore.

    ¡°Well,¡± Nara said spinning her sword for a bit of intimidation. ¡°This feels a little fairer now, doesn¡¯t it? I¡¯m not interested in your group, and I¡¯m not interested in joining you. Certainly not through coercion.¡±

    The five of them danced, but Nara could make no instantaneous kills. She needed to reduce their numbers as much as possible, then return to the location of their team while letting Sen out. Then, their full force should be able to match a silver ranker, although Sen would grumble over the lack of tactical preparation. He¡¯d just have to make do.

    The Adventist team, even missing a teammate, was still a well-oiled machine. It was this pressure and focus¡ªdodging the errant attacks of the thalgore, weaving between attacks from all sides, dealing with afflictions¡ªthat Nara finally felt progress with her dual cognition. While being pushed to the brink wasn¡¯t a massage to her mental sanity, do-or-die was quite the motivator to figuring her shit out, right the fuck now.

    She let part of her mind form and fall away, like a dissociation while she herself was still associated. Chrome still managed her swords for now, deflecting attacks with Dream¡¯s Wake, which applied to Chrome¡¯s swords as long as she was the one conjuring them. Every single one of her attacks could trigger the full effect of Astral Return, attacks chiming off swords like a Galton Board.

    -------

    Ability: [Astral Return]

    Special Attack (boon, magic, combination)

    Cost: Low stamina

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): A slightly enhanced attack. If used shortly after avoiding or negating an instance of damage with your abilities, the attack is enhanced with additional damage, even if the damage is not entirely negated or avoided. The type of damage enhancement matches the damage dealt by the weapon used. Additional damage is proportional but not equal to damage avoided or negated. Enhanced damage rapidly decays. Can be combined with other special attacks, adding the damage enhancement to that attack instead.

    Effect (Bronze): Damage dealt with [Astral Return] inflict an instance of [Astral Retribution]. When used against targets with [Astral Retribution], steals a small amount of health and mana from the target.

    <ul>

    <li>[Astral Retribution] (affliction, holy, stacking): Suffer increased damage from execute abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Astral Retribution wasn¡¯t useful yet, but Nara could at least gain a minor amount of health and mana each time she attacked a target. Stamina was her least favored resource, so this exchange suited her nicely.

    Unfortunately, her time had run out. The silver ranker finished off the thalgore with a hard throw, force energy exploding outward and slamming the thalgore against the wall. The diamond ranked material of the mausoleum was hard and unforgiving, the thalgore¡¯s spines and black goop flesh smashing against a wall that would not even crack. The arena of the mausoleum here had worked against her, far benefiting those that could make impact attacks with its unyielding stone.

    ¡°Wait.¡± The silver ranker called out, a snap of aura demanding her attention. ¡°Let us not repeat this pointless exercise. You will not be coerced. Very well. What can we do to convince you to go through the portal?¡± Another snap of aura leashed the bronze rankers at his command, who watched angrily with weapons drawn. They wanted to fight. Avenge their lost comrade.

    She immediately wanted to snap back that there was nothing they could do to convince her to go through the portal, yet, something locked those building words in the back of her throat. Nara felt faint: The priest of Knowledge Gwydion¡¯s words echoed through her mind.

    ¡°My goddess asks that when it is the time to cross through the portal, that you find a way to do so. You do not have to worry about the way back.¡±

    She closed her eyes. Out came a breath, releasing with it her instant nausea and swirling emotions. So, this is what Knowledge had wanted. She knew, of course, when she had agreed to Knowledge¡¯s request that she would have to enter a portal. It did not mean she was prepared for it. Liedke¡¯s face flashed through her mind.

    ¡°Repeat after me¡­I will not go through any portal, ever!¡±

    She felt your wrists burn. Her eyes too, felt red with fire.

    ¡°Convince me?¡± She said lowly, fire burning ash in her throat. She met the silver ranker¡¯s topaz eyes straight on. ¡°This isn¡¯t a matter of convincing me. Do you know what your people did?¡±

    ¡°The nightmare beetles.¡± He concluded. ¡°I read the report. It¡¯s¡­not something we condone.¡±

    ¡°Not something you condone?¡± Nara said through gritted teeth.

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. The Integrators are an extreme faction of our people.¡±

    ¡°Ha! And kidnapping and coercion are not?¡±

    He seemed vaguely apologetic. ¡°I would not wish that sort of torture on my worst enemies.¡±

    ¡°So, what? What was the plan here? Use a hostage and threaten me through the portal? Is that why you targeted me while I was with others?¡±

    He nodded. ¡°Would it have worked?¡±

    Nara scoffed, throwing her hands up in the air. ¡°I would want to! I¡¯d try very hard to go through. I had been willing to go through the portal before to save my teammate¡¯s life! But you all fucked me up! I¡¯m messed up! I don¡¯t even think you can threaten me through a portal! My logical mind may be willing, but my soul would rebel against it. Do you get what I mean?¡± She said, desperate.

    He mulled this over, eyes glinting as he observed the group. His bronze rankers had retreated behind him, cleansing afflictions and healing wounds. Great. Any advantage she had in battle would be gone, reset. ¡°What can be done?¡±

    The problem now was two-fold: Nara needed be able to have a convincing reason to the mystery silver-ranker¡ª

    ¡°Ah, what¡¯s your name by the way?¡±

    ¡°Tosen.¡±

    ¡ªTosen, that she¡¯d be willing to follow him to the Harmony home world, presumably. The second hurdle was convincing her soul that it was all right to go through a portal other than her own.

    She paced; the bronze rankers watched on, eyes narrowed but quiet at Tosen¡¯s command. ¡°I need assurances. I need guarantees that I¡¯d be treated equitably on the other side. No suppression collars, no implants, none of that. I would not leave behind a family to be a prisoner.¡±

    He smartly did not ask why she¡¯d leave at all. The threat was still there. Once time rank out, Tosen could make it back to where the iron rank team was and slaughter them as they came out of their challenge. Her team would be next, and she didn¡¯t have another resurrection to spare.

    ¡°¡­I may make a legally binding agreement,¡± He offered.

    ¡°You have courts?¡±

    ¡°Of course we have courts. We¡¯re not uncivilized.¡±

    It didn¡¯t mean much. There was no reason they¡¯d uphold their own laws for her. Nara had a feeling she¡¯d never have perfect assurances, just promises of ink and word.

    However, that wasn¡¯t the point. The point was her deal with Knowledge: This was the sort of dangerous task she had to undertake to earn an item with the capability to pass dimensions. There was no way such an item could come cheaply.

    ¡°Here.¡± Tosen handed her a small metal strip. Pressing her finger against the strip, a holographic screen extended from it. ¡°I¡¯ve detailed an agreement. Standard, for those we recruit to our world. State your changes.¡±

    She reviewed it very thoroughly. More thoroughly than any legal contract she had ever read in her life. It was, thankfully, not 28 pages of legalese, but rather clear and concise on specific conditions, rights, and benefits.

    ¡°I¡¯m not ¡®joining¡¯ The Advent. And by the way¡ªI could never be Harmonized. It¡¯s far too violating for my soul. All this agreement, this is just to pass through the portal. It¡¯s hardly fair to force-join an organization just because I decided to move to the world it exists on.¡±

    He made a considering noise and amended it.

    *****

    Nara sat in front of the portal, facing it blankly. Her lute was held within her hands, sound pulling herself into relaxation. The rest of The Adventist¡¯s bronze rankers had passed through for her peace of mind. Tosen stood off to the side, watchful of any escape attempts: Barrier abilities like Tosen¡¯s prevent abilities from working through them, such as teleportation, but she could probably escape. However, she had reason not to.

    And peace of mind was <u>necessary</u>.

    Ah, what she would¡¯ve given to be able to spend years sorting out her portalphobia, working through baby steps with Redell or another trauma healer to achieve self-growth through hard work and positive reinforcement. She had no idea what those baby steps could¡¯ve possibly been; it¡¯s not as if she could pass partially through a portal. Until the whole body passed through a portal, the body wouldn¡¯t be portaled through.

    ¡°It¡¯s better now than later,¡± Chrome said telepathically. ¡°You¡¯ve been putting this off.¡±

    ¡°Have I really?¡± She retorted sarcastically.

    ¡°It has been 7 months, benefactor,¡± Sage mentioned dutifully. Sage wasn¡¯t one to let her summoner wallow. ¡°You mentioned to Lady Amara that you benefit from external motivators and pressures. There is no greater opportunity than now. No greater gain.¡±

    ¡°You should thank Knowledge,¡± Chrome said, haughty as ever, ¡°That conniving goddess knew nothing else would suffice. You¡¯d take your sweet time, dragging your feet until you out-trauma¡¯d yourself with a need to use a different portal.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m astounded by how high your opinion is of me,¡± Nara said dryly, although he was probably right. Compounding trauma was definitely not the best way to long-term mental stability, although it may work at the moment. But did this not count as compounding trauma? Highly motivated semi-coerced therapy?

    ¡°You can hardly stand to be picky. You have a task Nara: Get it done.¡±

    She sighed, breath ghosting out into the mild cold of the mausoleum. With the next breadth in, she relaxed her muscles, one by one, twitching them then smoothing them out.

    Out¡ªHer concerns for her team and the iron rankers they were responsible for.

    In¡ªShe has a goal, an objective.

    Out¡ªFailure or not, it did not matter. The ultimate gain was for herself.

    In¡ªShe has a plan of escape.

    Out¡­

    Her mind emptied and refilled with each breath, pulling tight the threads of worry into something steadier. External motivation was important: it was the catalyst, the impetus. Internal motivation was the ultimate goal, the greatest reward.

    She was a dimensional traveler, a wanderer of the cosmos, a seeker of paths unbounded. Free as in astral as in reality, all realms an adventure to her will. There are no paths she cannot tread, and no portal she cannot enter.

    Her only barrier is herself. She will not be her own warden.

    Deep within her mind, she felt an alternative path, weak and wavering, silk in the astral winds, but whole nonetheless: a path for later. The current path she sought was one of reality.

    She rose, and with no pause nor hesitation, strode straight through the portal.

 Chapter 183: What You Have Against Us

    Chapter 183: What You Have Against Us

    With Gaze of the Boundary, ordinary portals were already a noisy experience, full of the intricate and powerful magics that connected space beyond space, skimming the dimensional barrier like ripples of a dragonfly on water without fulling crossing it.

    Interdimensional portals were much the same¡ªafter all, most would not survive crossing into the astral. A portal therefore could not actually cross through the astral, not like Nara could. That exploitation was hers alone, within the realm of mortals (although, did she count?).

    Interdimensional portals required another magnitude of power; It was a portal within a portal¡ªa portal to cross reality-space, and another to bypass astral-space, never touching the second while still crossing it.

    Nara was not surprised if the cost of such a portal had at least been a diamond rank coin: She¡¯d been an expensive investment for The Adventists.

    It would not pay off.

    It was time they learnt that only genuine cooperation borne the fruit of golden eras. Nara forgot many grudges¡ªliterally and figuratively¡ªbut she would not forget this one.

    *****

    Nara, expectedly, did not walk out into a city portal plaza, but rather, an admittedly nice room¡ªa clean white, not overly clinical, with fine decorations of silver and pearlescent white: the sort of fancy wallpaper pattern in bourgeoisie government buildings. There was a tall window¡ªcrafted with the restrictions of barrier magic¡ªthat looked out over an expansive, modern city, mixed with the sharp aesthetic of science fiction and magical whimsy, distinctly solar punk. The same city, Nara noted, that she had seen in the propaganda presentation (if all the cities did not look the same, a uniform ¡®utopia¡¯.)

    ¡°Welcome to Conchordia,¡± a voice interrupted, stealing her attention from the panoramic view. ¡°We¡¯ve been expecting you, Miss Edea.¡±

    Nara met the gaze of the woman before her; Her brown hair was woven upwards into a neat updo, nary a hair out of place. Her clothing was clean, but not entirely minimalist, celebrating shades of colors in the expensive way of curated design. She was an elf, surprising no one: another representative that would not unduly scare a humanoid like herself. She was older, matronly, but managed to avoid stuffy despite her collected and prim posture. This woman¡¯s stylist deserved a pay raise for avoiding all the pitfalls of dressing a woman of authority.

    ¡°Thanks, I guess,¡± she said, her own smile patently fake. ¡°The welcoming committee is smaller than I expected.¡±

    The greeter-woman smiled consolingly. ¡°The portal is hardly a two-way trip.¡±

    The meaning was implicit: Where would you run?

    ¡°I suppose it isn¡¯t. I¡¯ve made a bit of a deal with Tosen here.¡± She gestured to him, brushing aside her not-lie. That portal wasn¡¯t a two-way trip.

    The woman was gold rank as well. It was hardly necessary for more than one for just a measly bronze ranker.

    ¡°Elder Orchis. I have the contract here.¡± He handed the metal tube contract to her.

    Orchis flicked her eyes over it; the barest glance was all the gold ranker needed.

    ¡°I suppose we will have to earn your trust from past transgressions, of course. We appreciate this¡­willingness to work together. To work past prior faults,¡± Orchis probed, evidently suspicious of Nara¡¯s acquiescence.

    Nara would be suspicious too, and her smile was a little sharp, each evaluating the other. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to keep being harassed and keep putting my teammates at risk. If I¡¯m here, you have no reason to attack them anymore.¡± A true statement, and her aura would betray no falsehood. There was not even an intent to deceive with it. Knowledge¡¯s instructions were a background smudge, indistinct against her foreground concerns of her team¡¯s wellbeing. Perhaps Orchis could sense ulterior motives if she dug deeper, but she didn¡¯t feel the sort of suffocating weight on that sort of intense, all-seeing scrutiny (but Orchis was gold rank, and she was bronze¡ªshe didn¡¯t know if she would sense it at all). Or perhaps, she could sense her disquiet, and she did not find it unusual for an unwilling visitor in her circumstances.

    ¡°Self-sacrifice. A noble ideal,¡± she praised, voice warm with appreciation. Her voice was pitched perfectly, and Nara could find no fault in her geniality. ¡°It is praiseworthy. We value all life, and encourage its preservation.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Nara tried not to sound too sarcastic, but her doubt would be obvious to the gold ranker.

    The gold ranker understood, drawing whatever conclusions she pleased, and offered a perfectly reassuring smile. ¡°You will not have to see those¡­extremists who had troubled you before.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t have to work together harmoniously with them?¡±

    ¡°We understand that songs are organized in sections. Your part lies not with them. We all seek to work together to create our enveloping song, but not every note forms a harmony.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± She said flatly. Even she, Nara, current lutist, former high school band musician, was getting a little tired of music allusions.

    ¡°Just grin and bear it.¡± Chrome communicated. ¡°You¡¯ve always been good at keeping your head empty.¡±

    It was a cool relief to hear Chrome¡¯s commentary wash through her mind, even though it had only been moments since she had last heard him. She felt the weight on her shoulders lessen, and the knots in her spine ease. A few bodies of Sage had been left behind on Erras as communication¡ªand thanks to their soul connection, she¡¯d be able to hear whatever updates her team wanted to communicate.

    Introductions finished, she was guided through the halls of the skyscraper. Tosen followed, her apparent chaperone. Orchis explained the building¡ªthe Harmony Core¡ªwas where most of the important government decisions were made. This was their seat of government for the city, as well as the governing capital of this world, Premiesta.

    She was given an identity band¡ªa tracker, no doubt, but it did not restrict her abilities in any way¡ªwhich she wore around her wrist. It acted as a key card and would let her into her rooms in a separate building nearby, as well as her eventual place of work.

    She had options to choose from, and would, like most non-core users, maintain a few simultaneous positions to progress her abilities. The Advent was interested in her Celestial Library, and she¡¯d work with the archivists to record all she knew.

    ¡°They did something similar on Erras,¡± she mused. This, they already knew. ¡°A priest of Knowledge followed me around. Is Tosen here a Knowledge priest?¡±

    ¡°No, the archivists working with you will not be priests of Knowledge.¡±

    ¡°Huh. I suppose the profession shouldn¡¯t be restricted by religion. How forward.¡± With such a modern landscape before her, Nara would have felt culturally jarred if they had restricted certain professions to religious personnel, specific races, or specific genders. Although, she supposed, any world could develop any which way: modern architecture did not necessarily indicate an egalitarian society.

    ¡°Ah, you seem to be mistaken, Miss Edea. It is a common misconception.¡±

    Something niggled in her mind. ¡°¡­Mistaken? About what?¡±

    Orchis smiled pleasantly, almost pridefully¡ªthe first smile Nara could confirm was one hundred percent real, with no intent to reassure nor placate. ¡°There are no gods in Harmony.¡±

    *****

    Nara collapsed onto the bed, letting herself forget everything and just enjoy the plushness of high-quality bedding and a top-of-the-line mattress. The duvet was almost cloud-soft, and she appreciated the advancements in manufacturing technology that allowed for what would be an annoyingly decent sleep. Her nebula flask had been left back in Kallid, and she¡¯d be missing its easy amenities, although her current apartment was not lacking.

    She flipped onto her back, hand absently stroking through Thanatos¡¯ thick, dark fur, as she organized her thoughts like she organized the stands of his wavy coat.

    No gods. She had heard this before in different words, from Raina, back during her abduction.

    She¡¯d need to explore this revelation. She had a feeling it was related to what Knowledge wanted her to learn, although if Adventists were on Erras, shouldn¡¯t Knowledge already know? What was her purpose here?

    There was something she didn¡¯t know about Knowledge¡¯s intentions.

    Few tried to out-chess the world¡¯s greatest know-it-all. Did knowledge translate to wisdom and foresight? Some, undoubtedly. She could not out-think the god with all the thoughts, but she could try to tilt the scale, landing her on the side of ¡®useful¡¯ rather than ¡®disposable¡¯.

    *****

    It shouldn¡¯t be surprising that her brunch meeting the next day was arranged to be with a familiar face to acclimatize her to her ¡®new life¡¯. The familiar face in question was one that had also abandoned her previous life on Erras, although Nara could hardly blame her for choosing life over death. Not everyone had it within them to die for their freedom or ideals. (Nara knew Aliyah would.)

    Her brunch date was Yulia Chime, the ash-brown haired elf that had been a colleague with Jiro, one of the several Sanshi researchers that had been abducted with her. Nara settled at the outdoor caf¨¦ in the seat across from her; similar autonomous serving carts to the abduction facility threaded around tables, picking up plates and delivering fresh food for the caf¨¦¡¯s customers. She could see the menu from the holographic illusion projected from her bracelet, although it was proximity based. The Advent, thankfully, and Nara could not believe she was thinking this, had no internet. The bracelets instead worked with transmitter and receiver crystals, not unlike paired recording crystals, which transmitted information in a limited area. The information was limited to whatever was recorded on the data crystal. It was quite convenient for location-based information needs, such as caf¨¦ menus, public transportation schedules and routes, and city navigation.

    ¡°Hey! Yulia, long time no see,¡± she greeted kindly, amicable. For now.

    Yulia looked her up and down, surprised. And a variety of emotions flickered across her face and aura: concern, fear, and relief, of all things. Why relief?

    ¡°Nara. I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re here at all. After¡­what they did to you.¡±

    She snorted derisively. ¡°Believe me, I¡¯m not particularly pleased with this development. Neither were you, at the time,¡± Nara pointed out. ¡°Not that I don¡¯t understand your decision, given the circumstances, with no rescue in sight.¡±

    Yulia acknowledged that with a tight nod. ¡°How¡¯s Jiro?¡± she suddenly asked. ¡°They told me he was alive. As were the others.¡±

    ¡°Got rescued.¡±

    ¡°By, um¡­Sezan Aciano? You mentioned your teammate¡­?¡±

    ¡°Well. Might as well have been him.¡±

    They chatted for a bit, sipping their chosen hot beverages, and exchanging updates and pleasantries. Nara was enjoying a pale pink beverage, the color of cherry blossoms, with a pleasantly sweet, lightly floral, and refreshing flavor. It was close to an herbal tea, although it was opaque. Yulia, she learned, had not been harmonized yet. It was somewhat a surprise, but she had no idea if it was because Yulia was supposed to serve as some sort of ¡®good example¡¯.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    By the time their brunch dishes had been delivered by the vaguely adorable-in-its-obedience serving cart, they transitioned to more serious topics.

    ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised,¡± Nara began, very casually while slicing some sort of meat-potatoish-tart. It was plated quite pleasingly: very Instagram-able. ¡°That they didn¡¯t offer Ceram up to me. To kill.¡±

    (Heavy or bloodthirsty instead of casually perhaps would¡¯ve possibly been a more apt description, although her tone was certainly that: casual.)

    ¡°Um,¡± Yulia prevaricated. Her jaw locked, and she swallowed something down uncomfortably. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Ceram. He¡¯s the one who had killed my friend, Aliyah.¡± She had been revived¡­but Nara had a sobering thought that Tyler, the researcher that had been killed before Aliyah, had not had her friendship enough to live through the ordeal. She should remember him, and Lieke, in her dealings. Aliyah had been revived, but it certainly wasn¡¯t at Ceram¡¯s hand, so she felt quite justified in her animosity.

    Yulia set down her eating utensil¡ªenough like a fork that Nara was just going to call it a fork¡ªas if too uncomfortable to continue eating normally. ¡°I suspect¡­I suspect they believe they may only win you over ideologically.¡±

    ¡°You suspect?¡± Nara said, casually continuing with her tart, as if she wasn¡¯t discussing her desire to murder over aesthetic meat-and-potatoes and delightfully floral tea.

    ¡°I was told as much¡­I suppose. Nominally, I am your guide and one of your contacts.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hardly consistent ideologically,¡± Nara scoffed.

    ¡°Yes but, ethics and morality are important to you. As they should be. The extremists had disappointed you, and colored your view of The Advent as a whole¡ª¡± She had been hesitant, but her words picked up steam, driving forward. The Adventists, it seemed, had earned her defense.

    ¡°Extremists,¡± Nara snapped, vehemently tired of that poor excuse, and cutting Yulia¡¯s word train short, killing its energy in its tracks. ¡°Tell me you aren¡¯t trying to say because they¡¯re extremists that they aren¡¯t representative of The Advent as a whole?¡± She leveled a cold, hard stare at Yulia, only now pausing her meal.

    ¡°It is proof that harmonization isn¡¯t so¡­restricting as your impression of it,¡± Yulia said with a nervous swallow, somehow managing to throw out some perceived positive of the situation. The weight of Nara¡¯s aura was uncomfortable and omnipresence, surrounding herself in suffocating pressure, as if sinking below the sea.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t about the harmonization,¡± Nara said, voice hard as steel. ¡°It¡¯s about the deflection of responsibility. I know this game: the government hires out a private military corporation and claims that their actions aren¡¯t government sanctioned. My world plays this game, and this world clearly does too. The handling of your PMC doesn¡¯t impress me. Even less so because it is actually government sanctioned.¡±

    Yulia was perhaps an undeserving target of Nara¡¯s ire, but Nara was gratified to see that she could make her hands shake and her throat bob. Yulia was bronze rank now, same as she, but it was a house cat cowering in front of a lioness.

    ¡°But¡­¡± Nara relented, and eased her aura off, as she did need information, ¡°I will admit that sending Ceram up for slaughter wouldn¡¯t have improved my opinion of The Advent in any way. It would¡¯ve been gratifying, perhaps, although even I would struggle to kill someone like Ceram unprovoked.¡± She shrugged, aiming for a little dark levity. ¡°Maybe if he opened his mouth and spoke. I still wouldn¡¯t let him near me if The Advent wants him in the realm of the living.¡± There was some truth to ¡®out of sight, out of mind¡¯, especially with someone like herself. Ideally, the Advent would punish Ceram for her, perhaps with a prison sentence, but how could they justify institutional justice if they were the ones to condone it in the first place? Was betrayal of their own people and hypocrisy any better?

    Yulia nodded and went back to toying with her fork in an attempt to eat with it. She couldn¡¯t quite manage to pick up any food.

    ¡°I do have something else I¡¯m curious about¡ª¡±

    Yulia stiffened, in anticipation of another curveball¡ª

    ¡°¡ªCan you clarify by what The Advent means by having no gods? I though gods were just another type of magical manifestation: singular in nature, as there is only one of each god, and representative of aspects that appear in a world. It is why ¡®evil¡¯ gods like Destruction and Pain cannot be eliminated, because there will always be destruction and pain.¡±

    Nara knew that a world with no magic would have no gods, but she would not offer that information up.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Yulia relaxed, happy to talk about a safer, less murderous rage inciting topic. ¡°It¡¯s a history I¡¯ve heard before. This world and many others in the harmony¡¯s embrace have had gods, before, but The Advent despised the uncontrollability and persistence of evil gods. The beneficial gods brought many benefits, of course, but did it supersede the misery that detrimental gods could bring?¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡± Nara hummed, neither agreeing nor denying. She could see both sides of it: Gods provided another branch of regulation, one that wasn¡¯t so easily overturned by governments as they pleased, although they did still have to work with local politics. They also cultivated specialists and talent, regardless of local funding or educational policies, and were balanced by their need to maintain a good relationship with the local population for worship and recruitment. Conversely, some information was restricted to church clergy or those they approved of, they further complicated local politics, and some gods were blatantly destructive to society.

    Was it worth it? It was a question Nara did not yet have an answer to.

    ¡°They found a method of which to reject the interference and oversight of evil gods, but it¡¯d deny all other gods as well. They believe the rejection is constructive.¡±

    ¡°How exactly?¡± Nara asked, genuinely curious.

    Yulia was apologetic. ¡°If you want the specifics, I recommend you ask Elder Orchis. It is no great secret, but I have not sought the answer myself, as I¡¯ve been pre-occupied with re-establishing my life here.¡±

    ¡°Ah, fair enough,¡± said Nara, lightening up now that she¡¯d gotten information from Yulia. Thanks for the explanation. And the food recommendation.¡±

    And so, Nara let Yulia off for today, transitioning back into lighter conversations about Conchordia¡¯s culture, and what research topics Yulia was currently working on. The Advent had not lied about that: They were a haven for academic pioneers.

    *****

    Nara had sworn to never help The Advent¡ªshe still believed that, although, as always, the initial emotions of such a testament had faded with the pacifying breeze of time. She was not helping The Advent now, but acting as spy, the distinction of which was considerably reassuring. She had been careful with her words thus far, unwilling to give any information away inadvertently.

    Knowledge, ungenerous as usual, had unfortunately been infuriatingly vague with what information Nara needed to know. Nara only had one chance at this¡ªthe moment she phased away from this reality, she would not be re-accepted into their fold with the same trust and allowances. The Advent believed her to be cornered; with no other option but to eventually accept her fate as one of their people, as she was stranded in their world with no return. The same for any outworlder: if it had happened once, she may grow to love this world this same.

    *****

    The next step to integration, it appeared, was to introduce her to a team of mostly enthusiastic bronze rankers. Nara felt a bit bad for her inevitable betrayal¡ªshe¡¯d never be a part of this team, no matter how long or how kind these young bronze rankers were. It was no fault of this team.

    Kana was bubbly, almost to an obnoxious degree, and a jittery and hopping damage frontliner with surprising capability to unleash destruction on a wide scale through temporary portals, greatly increasing her range despite her primarily melee style. In some ways her fighting style resembled Nara, although her fighting style resembled Gento¡¯s, as she pummeled monsters barehanded and grapple-threw them to the ground from the air.

    Vassil was suspicious and rejecting, unpleased with Nara¡¯s presence but acquiescing with his orders. He was their controller and healer, creating poles that emanated zones of recovery or restricting effects. Stacked poles could amplify effects and extend range, creating an interesting supportive style that could shape the battlefield through placement and amplification. He was right to reject her; Nara could hardly begrudge him.

    Bachinger was even-tempered and communicative, the weld of their construction, willing to wait and see and bide his time, although he leaned mainly towards general acceptance and positivity. He controlled flying metal orbs that could channel his abilities, acting as loci for conjured shields and mirrors that intercepted at high speeds, or just smashed into enemies with pure blunt force trauma. The healing of the team was on the low side, but Bachinger supported Vassil with his defensive capabilities.

    It was curious that The Advent had chosen this team, one with personalities that weren¡¯t wholly welcoming, although the answer made itself known in short order.

    ¡°Are you all harmonized?¡± Nara asked. Conchordia didn¡¯t need patrols thanks to its city-wide alert system, but guardians of the city usually spread out evenly to ensure rapid response. Concordia was within a silver rank zone, so the team wasn¡¯t allowed unescorted beyond the city limits. They¡¯d have to request an escort for out-of-city training. Nara intended to learn the way they fought, so she could better fight against them.

    Vassil¡¯s eyes narrowed, disliking her tone. ¡°We are. Do you have a problem with that?¡±

    ¡°Do you want a genuine answer or just to hear me placate and say ¡®no¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it. What do you have against us?¡±

    She wouldn¡¯t get into that exactly, she had no desire to dig open old wounds to win an argument against a bunch of¡­well, not kids. They were around her age, at least. The Advent spent a considerably longer time with education than Erras did, giving a basic, general education to all students as Earth did.

    They were, however, a bit innocent. Pure and straightforward, believing in the goodness of their causing having seen none of its failures¡ªand it was true, their world was beautiful and brilliant. If Nara had grown up here, on the inside, she would not be able to see their faults either. But, even if one was critical of their home country, few tolerated it when outsiders were.

    ¡°It¡¯s common knowledge among your upper brass, but I had suffered soul torture before I became an outworlder. I mean no insult to your harmony,¡± she said, although that wasn¡¯t quite true, ¡°but I cannot imagine allowing anything with undue access to my soul, after spending so long fighting that very outcome.¡± She gave them a bitter, consoling smile, ¡°So why don¡¯t you tell me how it feels instead? Like¡­how old were you when you were harmonized?¡±

    That seemed to placate Vassil a bit, hit shoulders loosening and his fists unclenching. She felt a pulse of empathy through his aura, reflected in the shimmer of his eyes, although he tried to hide it in his expression.

    She had noticed that¡ªThe Adventists were not particularly adept at controlling their face and body language. Their aura control was good, as good as any well-trained adventurer¡¯s was, although they seemed weaker in more esoteric techniques, like the perception manipulation Laius had taught them.

    Conversely, emotional openness through aura seemed like it was a positive value in their society. Controlled openness¡ªallowing others to see lack of deceit through your aura, as a demonstration of exactly that. Expressing positive emotions in aura expression was welcomed and encouraged, and dangerous emotions that could hurt normals, like anger and frustration or simply intensity of feeling, were just as Erras was, taught to be kept out of auras.

    It was societal convention in Erras to keep auras politely restrained in public spaces¡ªso many auras muddied the senses and irritated senses. Here, however, they wove their auras as they passed, leaving them unrestrained but also tempered and mild. It was only mildly irritating to Nara, who was still adjusting her sense to filter out the constant noise. It did give her ideas¡­

    ¡°You probably think we were harmonized as young children,¡± Vassil began, still wary but willing to share. He was a race she didn¡¯t know of, with dark sclera, metallic ridged plates and severe facial contours that were humanish but distinctly different. Beneath the plate ridges, she could see something like liquid mercury, silver and swirling. ¡°We weren¡¯t. It was in our twenties, only after ascending to bronze rank were we harmonized. No matter what you think¡ªEven we understand that influencing minds at young ages is ethically problematic.¡±

    But if they were raised in a cult, was there an age where it wasn¡¯t ethically problematic? If they knew no other way of life? Was it an option to refuse harmonization indefinitely, and what were its societal consequences and pressures?

    But Nara nodded to acquiesce that point, for now. Was there any culture that didn¡¯t shape their children to follow? ¡°And how it feels?¡±

    ¡°Hmm~¡± Kara hummed, legs swinging from the ledge she was resting on. ¡°The harmony is nice! It¡¯s, um, like this nudge that wants you do to good things¡­Deescalate instead of escalate, help the granny cross the road, do your homework on time, not eat that sixth chime-pop¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just your sweet tooth, Kara,¡± Bachinger said dryly. ¡°And screams of your own consciousness.¡±

    ¡°Screams barely heard,¡± Vassil muttered. ¡°Death screams.¡±

    ¡°And it¡¯s all for the greater good?¡±

    ¡°Mm, I guess that¡¯s right. But like, um, everyone sort of interprets the greater good a little differently. So~ we¡¯ve still got our individuality. Since um, everyone asks about that in preparatory. But um,¡± Kara tilted her head in recollection. ¡°People can have different degrees of harmonization. Like um, the Elders and the Harmonaries.¡±

    ¡°The Harmonaries?¡±

    ¡°They serve on the Harmonic Council, determining policy along with Elders. The Elders serve longer terms, and are high ranked essence users, while the Harmonaries can be of any rank, and serve shorter terms on the Council,¡± Bachinger explained.

    The day itself was rather boring¡ªNara had never been good at forming friendships, and that difficulty was exacerbated by the expectation she¡¯d eventually leave¡ªbut she had learned a great deal from KVB (Kara, Vassil, and Bachinger):

    Combatants, or ¡®guardians of harmony¡¯, typically had lower levels of harmonization. Higher levels impeded their necessity of violence, although well-meaning violence in the interest of protecting others didn¡¯t trigger the influence of the Harmony (which couldn¡¯t prevent violence entirely, but could be like a crowd of severely judgmental bystanders disapproving if you attempted a crime¡ªnot based on law, but rather societal morality, as the Harmony did not have laws baked in. That wasn¡¯t how it worked). Thus, planet-bound guardians could have higher levels of harmonization, compared to the so-called extremists, which had some of the lowest levels of harmonization to allow for the necessities of violence.

    Those in political or financial positions of power required higher levels of harmonization. It prevented white-collar crime such as embezzlement. Although¡­ money itself was absent from The Advent¡¯s society, so Nara wasn¡¯t sure what exactly they¡¯d embezzle. But it prevented other crimes such as coercion from a position of power and harassment. The government of The Advent may disagree on policy decision, but it came from disagreements over the policy itself, rather than lobbying.

    Since increasing and decreasing levels of harmonization was a willing process (if their words were to be believed), criminals that ignored the influence of The Harmony had to consent to increased levels of harmonization. However, if even under high levels of harmonization their criminal tendencies could not be curtailed, they were often sent to containment facilities to spend their days in a controlled environment where they could not hurt anyone else. Nara wondered if Ceram was there. Raina, at least, would rot in a prison on Erras for the rest of her gold rank life.

    The day went on like that¡ªshe toured the training facilities (with modified healing-bracelets that pulled from a magical reserve to prevent lethal damage, although it only worked on premises, and had a cooldown for each person individually), the different preparatory schools (after the equivalent of high-school education, they transitioned into more focused curriculums, with guardian training as the longest training period, as The Harmony had compunctions with youth soldiers.) Nara remarked on what magitechnological advancements she could, thinking of how she could introduce them to Erras, or even Earth. The TNR (transmitter and receiver) crystals seemed feasible, and Amara may be able to integrate that into her communication array project.

    But when the warm golds of day faded past twilight into the dark hues of a night that sparkled with columns of crystalline glass and the prismatic sparkles of silver crystalline lamps, Nara wondered how long she should stay. How long before the good of Conchordia began to outweigh the bad. After all, one should not let ¡®perfect¡¯ get in the way of better, and Earth and Erras had societies with problems that paled in comparison to the Advent home world.

    Two weeks, she decided. No longer than two weeks.

 Chapter 184: No Outward Flaws

    Chapter 184: No Outward Flaws

    Nara supposed this day would come: it was inevitable. There was no way to avoid it, sidestep it, to shove her head in the sand like an ostrich, as if she wouldn¡¯t be yanked up by her butt-feathers and forced to face the harsh sun of the outback.

    Nara really hoped Knowledge knew what she was doing. If this world had no goddess of Knowledge, then at least what lay before her now had to be manual, with no celestial deity to slurp up the knowledge-soup of her brain she had just served up on a shining silver saucer by stepping into this world.

    She¡¯d blame Knowledge anyway. This was her plan.

    *****

    It was the fourth day when Tosen led her to the archivists.

    Nara had ruminated over what she¡¯d provide The Adventists with as a side of her¡­acceptance of her new life. While Nara presumed they¡¯d remain cordial, Nara doubted she¡¯d earn their trust or their secrets if she continued to withhold information. And, for each moment she remained on The Advent home world, the higher the chances of her letting something important slip¡ªstony silence wouldn¡¯t crack their walls, nor buy acceptance, and therefore not an option. Nara wasn¡¯t a trained agent or spy; She couldn¡¯t win against a nation in a battle of endurance.

    She was unsure of how they were able to extract information from her, aside from the normal means. If what Yulia was saying was true, Knowledge should not exist¡­Regardless, remaining was risky¡ªexchanging information to speed up information exchange from their side may be her only means of coming on top of the mutual espionage.

    The Advent was interested in her for three reasons:

    <ol>

    <li>The Library of the Celestial Book (at least, what the library on Erras had collected).</li>

    <li>Her one advancement in soul magic.</li>

    <li>Her outworlder origins, nature, and knowledge.</li>

    </ol>

    Of those three interests, the books within her mind she was least remiss to give up, and least likely to cause unintended consequences. Sharing any sort of soul magic seemed risky to a civilization that actively dabbled in soul magic (or something like it) with harmonization, no matter how innocuous Nara¡¯s intended application of it was. After all, harmonization was supposedly consensual.

    She certainly did not want to accidentally lead The Advent to her world, not when Earth had its own problems to deal with: The Weaver of Dreams interfering with her world. The Advent already knew the location of Erras, and the library of the Celestial Book could still potentially be accessed by Adventists; it was still a trial open to iron rankers, and The Adventists seemed adept enough at hiding in societies. Not so adept as the Illusae, but Nara doubted anybody else could compare to a race that lived out another life completely and fully (where spying seemed an inadvertent opportunity rather than their main purpose).

    Accordingly, sacrificing the knowledge of a single book at a time seemed the sanest option. Nara even had an excuse prepared: She was afraid of being ¡®disposed of¡¯ if she provided all the information within the library too quickly.

    With their pitying acceptance of that excuse, Nara would succeed in giving as little as possible in two weeks.

    Knowledge never did anything for just one reason, so Nara gave The Advent one of the books on astral magic that Lawrence had already recorded; She didn¡¯t want to hand them something too inconsequential, for she may not gather the quid-pro-quo information and access she wanted should she give them Cold Attribute Rituals for Varied Food Preservation. She briefly read through them all, making use of her bronze rank spirit attribute to speed read more effectively, and chose the one with the least problematic information. Useful information still, just not something that could be weaponized beyond what anything else could be weaponized (she hoped).

    All in all, it went better than Nara thought it would; they graciously accepted her initial offering of a single book and went about recording it and discussing it with other astral magic researchers.

    Nara could only hope she hadn¡¯t inadvertently handed them the very key to Erras¡¯ destruction.

    *****

    In the next few days, nothing particularly exciting happened, either on Erras or on Premiesta.

    ¡­Except that Eufemia had chosen her mausoleum reward! (Eufemia would kill her if she didn¡¯t think of her success with enough enthusiasm, so she made sure to inject proper appreciation into her thoughts and wishes.)

    -------

    Item: [Rime¡¯s Echo] (bronze [growth], legendary)

    Classification: Mirror, shield, artifact

    Description: A floating mirror cut from the purest ice, bare of imperfections.

    Effect: Floats around you. Float speed is determined by the [Spirit] attribute. Shape can be altered. Maximum shape change is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    Effect: Reflects all attacks made against the reflective side of the mirror. Very powerful or higher rank effects may not be entirely blocked or reflected. When the mirror can no longer reflect or block attacks, it becomes briefly intangible, allowing the rest to pass through. Maximum reflected or blocked damage per attack is determined by the [Spirit] attribute. Less effective at reflecting or blocking fire subtype attacks.

    Effect (Iron): Blocks the user from magical targeting, homing, magical perception, and aura perception while behind the mirror. Very strong auras or perception may not be entirely blocked.

    Effect (Bronze): The mirror may be teleported for low mana. The mirror must return to your side before it may teleport again.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    -------

    From Eufemia¡¯s description, it was a pure plane of ice, unlike a mirror in that it was un-smudgeable, and seemed more of a blue-white sheen than the silver-green of a mirror. It was cold to the touch, and one would almost expect their fingers to be covered in a layer of fleshly melted ice-water, but touches came away but cold and dry.

    It was a one-way mirror: one side reflective, one side transparent. Unadorned; its only beauty was the inherent beauty of the purest winter, glacier ice untouched by the impurities of humanity. Nara thought Eufemia would think of it too plain, well¡ª

    ¡°If it¡¯s simple it doesn¡¯t clash. Do you know how difficult it is to find an artifact that matches with all of my abilities?¡± A displeased glance at Nara. ¡°¡­And yours all but falls into your lap.¡±

    ¡ªNara supposed that made sense. Nara could almost imagine the hair toss, the narrowed eyes, and the scoff: ¡°What do you know of fashion?¡±

    Sage delivered other regular updates: the Adventure Society had launched an investigation into Advent activity in the Kallid region; Maelon had been captured (unfortunately for him Kallid had well-trained scouts in abundance) punishment still pending; Inventor Society reports on her various projects; the status of her essence-aid recipients¡ªsometimes they wrote letters, and she wrote back letters of advice, unqualified as she was in all aspects other than as a financial sponsor; the portal that had been commandeered to lead to The Advent home world was also investigated (Nara later learned from Tosen, that a single passage through cost a diamond rank spirit coin, and that had been cheapened because they had borrowed the properties of a emplaced portal in the first place. Ritual and astral vessel methods of interdimensional travel were typically more efficient). After her ¡®kidnapping¡¯, the Magic Society was trying to develop a method to prevent Advent interdimensional portal travel, to prevent at least one method of invasion.

    Nara even found The Advent¡¯s rituals on interdimensional travel, so this journey had been fruitful for her indeed. Unfortunately, the problem remained the same¡ªshe did not have the interdimensional coordinates of Earth. Typically, in the wider cosmic community, diamond rankers would make their way to one of the astral cities such as Interstice, which would effectively bring a world into the wider cosmic consciousness. As Earth had no diamond rankers, no one knew where Earth was.

    At least, no one that was willing to share. The Weaver of Dreams must know.

    *****

    Astral jumping remained her hidden hand, but Nara did travel with the aid of another portal user across the planet of Premiesta to verify their brazen claim of a poverty-free world. Even flitting to the edge of suburbs and skulking in the shadows like a cryptid photographer trying to catch the sight of the mythical slums, no ¡®phenomena¡¯ revealed itself to her. Even in Erras, very few (relative to the whole population) starved (not to say that Erras didn¡¯t have poor tribes or people, but that most did not starve). Impoverishment was more an issue of quality of life than quality of survival. However, all of Premiesta was ¡®First World¡¯, a seamless union of magic and technology had long eased the creases of both; it was hardly a fair comparison to pit Earth against it, when it relied solely on one and not the other.

    Intracity travel made use of large scale, permanent portals, powered by a city-wide array that sapped just a whisker of mana from every person within its bounds: A ¡®mana-tax¡¯ so to speak, but one that Nara begrudgingly approved of collecting. Everyone regenerated mana, from the normals to the diamonds, and letting anyone sit at full was a waste of a ¡®renewable¡¯ resource. It was unsurprising that wind, solar, hydro, and other non-magical energies went unearthed, when mana flowed through the pores of the boundary and every person like an energy ambrosia.

    The sky of Premiesta, Nara noted, was a stunning pour of space dust, not unlike her very own Nebula Flask. It was as if a very irresponsible creator-God had spilled glitter upon the fabric of the sky, unremovable with the strongest of vacuum cleaners (or perhaps, just a very irresponsible and artistic diamond ranker.)

    There was also a notable absence of space craft, although Nara questioned whether she¡¯d be able to see space-faring vessels even from the tallest of buildings she perched upon, whether the cinematic spectacles of space operas had misled her mind of what was perceivable from the grasp of earth. Long-distance space travel was regarded as folly¡ªtraveling the astral was only perilous as protecting the vessel of reality against the anti-matter of the astral was, with the only other concern of how to navigate the astral itself.

    If she was in a generous mood to concede The Advent¡¯s successes, astral travel was just warping. What determined the ¡®duration¡¯ of astral travel in terms of time elapsed in reality was something Nara wanted to study when she had more time. All she could do was dutifully Record the books in her Guide (or those that were in a compatible form), and stare forlornly at their information repositories.

    Nara set down her pen and overlooked her messy diagrams, scribbled notes, and incomplete equations. She¡¯d neaten them when she reviewed them later, but not now.

    Another time.

    *****

    The structure of teams in The Advent differed from what Erras did. Erras had many cultures of adventuring based on nation, but The Advent¡¯s methodology was singular: There were standard teams, and there were flexible teams¡ªor as young Adventists colloquially put it¡ª¡®odd¡¯ teams.

    The standard teams resembled what Nara expected of a demon-king-slaying RPG party. There was a ranged damage dealer, a defender, a melee damage dealer, a healer, and a fifth member, usually a buffer or debuffer of sorts, or some other relatively standardized archetype.

    Odd teams were a mish mash of various roles, with one member often dual or triple classing. Even in standard teams each archetype had some role outreach, that was inevitable with personal variations, but odd teams went beyond that. The three, now four-person team, that Nara was a part of was an odd team.

    Sanshi teams were a mix of odd and standard, with no rules on composition as long as the team worked. A standard team member meant their role was uncomplicated, like Sen, Encio, and John, which balanced the complexity of the rest of the team. When an engagement favored simplicity, Sen and Encio became the core of the team. When complexity would succeed where simplicity would not, Eufemia¡¯s role became pivotal, and Sen shifted to become a rock in turbulent flow (John unmentioned, since a healer was always pivotal).

    This creation of standard and non-standard teams was intended so that The Advent could more easily utilize essence users on an interdimensional scale. Standard teams could be deployed where their solid team composition was the right tool for the job, and could easily be scaled up for larger battles, each team fitting seamlessly into the formation of a larger whole. Odd teams often formed smaller, elite strike teams, the right ¡®odd¡¯ team used as a precision tool. Odd essence users could also be slotted in as fifth or sixth members in standard teams as needed, providing just enough shift to sway a situation that a standard team may not have fared well against. Despite their moniker as ¡®odd¡¯, there was no mockery from standard teams.

    If nothing else, The Advent understood everything had a place within their harmony.

    Nara was not the expert tactician Sen was, nor did she have the discerning eye of a teacher that Encio had. She watched the standard and odd teams in their practices when she could, and even participated in sparring with them.

    They were skilled, of course. She suspected the team she belonged to as well as the training center she frequented, in the heart of the capital, was one for elite essence users: Those with soul crests that had proven themselves in their education.

    They had no obvious outward flaws. In terms of pure weapon skill, they placed above Nara, but below Sen and Encio. They utilized their full suite of essence abilities, unlike poorly trained core users who tended to rely on the most impactful few. They battled against a variety of simulations, standard teams and odd teams both pushing themselves in situations they¡¯d struggle against. They split their teams in half, combined them, restricted themselves.

    They had no outward flaws. Yet¡­Nara felt they lacked something.

    Intensity. Decisiveness. Daring.

    Nara could not think it was a bad thing, for the peace they were afforded. But it was a weakness.

 Chapter 185: The Door to Harmony

    Chapter 185: The Door to Harmony

    Sen stepped out from the portal, Theodore and Roscoe in tow. Roscoe was whisper quiet, disappearing to complete his contracted task, or simply excused himself than dealing with the simmering darkness of Sen¡¯s frustration. Perhaps both.

    Theodore was not so lucky, standing awkwardly, hands and legs both twitching like an addict searching for a fix to soothe the nerves¡ªhis crafting tools, a hammer. Feelings and reassurances had never been an area of strength. If it had, perhaps his small party of former friends would not have split so. He eventually settled for sitting against a wall, staring ever so often at Sen like he was a bomb that¡¯d explode, and one that was far too close for comfort.

    Sen did not think himself calm nor emotional. He was in this, rather ordinary. He had recently turned 20, finally out of the teen years his teammates would fondly tease him for, although they¡¯d never actually treated him as a teenager: The outworlders had less experience in this world than he, and everyone was more than aware.

    Erras did not celebrate birthdays, Sen had to explain for the second year in a row, there was no need for this. But Nara had selective hearing and had given him an assortment of local seeds and offered him a plot for his own garden in the nebula flask¡ªon that would live and die by his own merit (with exceptions to being gone for long periods of time, as it was an inevitable expectation of adventuring work.) They were mostly flower seeds, of course, because Nara thought the point was that it was fun, and not so that the end product could be eaten.

    Within the bags were snowdrops, catwhiskers, pheonixdown (their brilliant reds and oranges favored for their contrast against the white of snow), hellebores, winterberries, and finally the seeds of the crystalline variety that grew within Kallid¡¯s crystalline forest. Those must¡¯ve been expensive, Sen knew, and would be a genuine challenge to cultivate, if it was possible at all outside of Kallid¡¯s specific ecosystem.

    If it was possible, it¡¯d be possible in the soil of a house made of the breath of stars.

    Nara gave him a smirking grin¡ªit was never so brilliant and charming as Encio¡¯s, or as enchanting as Eufemia¡¯s¡ªbut it was a smile he grew to know. ¡°Anyway, if you succeed, my house will look all the better for it. So is this really a gift to you, or a gift to me?¡±

    John had gotten him a wristwatch, one John had picked out, but Nara had fetched from Stanton. She had taken a photo crystal to record all his options, and John had carefully chosen one from hundreds. ¡°Wristwatches aren¡¯t so popular here, nor are they made in remotely the same way,¡± John had explained, ¡°but it¡¯s a classic gift, from one friend to another or from a father to a son. You¡¯re not my son¡ª¡± John explained quickly ¡°¡ªI respect you as an equal. We lead the way for one another. And this¡­this will at least tell you the time.¡±

    It was unexpectedly solemn, but John had never been afraid of being genuine or kind, of showing both vulnerability and strength. He respected that in John, who saw strength in kindness, earnestness, and emotion.

    Sen, still in the center of the room, feeling both young and aged, bitterly hot and burning cold, wondered if the world would ever stop stealing his teammates away from him. All of them were at risk: John and Nara, for their nature; Encio and Eufemia, for their political import; and Aliyah, for her research accomplishments.

    And, he thought, eyes fixed to where the portal had once been, his gaze of tempered wrath, what he could do to stop it from happening again.

    In the mausoleum of an ancient, still-living king, a bronze light burned.

    *****

    ¡°That idiot is going to get herself killed.¡±

    Eufemia was sprawled back over a couch, hair hanging in waves of red over the lip of an armrest. Her clothes were equally insouciant, loose ¡®joggers¡¯ and a plain tee. Sage had helpfully explained the infuriating situation to all of them: that somehow Nara got herself consensually kidnapped and could conduct an impromptu spy session in the enemy¡¯s home world! Eufemia was only a little bit worried, and at least they had Sage to act as an intermediary.

    It could¡¯ve been worse. They could¡¯ve all been abducted. That would¡¯ve been a disaster. From two teammates kidnapped to one was a distinct and quantitative improvement.

    ¡°Can Nara even act as a spy?¡± John questioned, in a tone of polite-yet-concerned doubt. He was trying not to doubt his teammate¡¯s competency too harshly, but Nara wasn¡¯t known for her wile and deception. ¡°She¡¯ll probably, hopefully, be fine but¡­Political maneuvering was never her strength. She¡¯d not terrible at it. Competent enough in a negotiation¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªWhere all sides are trying to make it work,¡± Eufemia added a condition. ¡°Has she ever negotiated with anyone that wasn¡¯t willing to compromise to begin with?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how negotiations work,¡± Encio disagreed. (Just to be contrary against her, she suspected!) ¡°There would be no negotiation if there was no willingness for discussion.¡±

    ¡°Not if someone there is trying to sabotage the negotiations!¡± Eufemia shot back. Sen stared them both down, to prevent their jibes from devolving into an argument. Fine. Kidnapped teammate was more important. Although¡ªunless they wanted to pass instructions to Sage or have her smuggle an item across dimensions, there was not much they could do. The day to day lied within Nara¡¯s dubiously capable hands.

    ¡°Nara would not be too poor of a spy,¡± Sen said contemplatively.

    Ha, well¡­surprisingly, Eufemia then agreed with him. Then Encio did. That damn mimic.

    ¡°Am I missing something?¡± John said, gaze shifting between his team. ¡°I don¡¯t doubt Nara¡¯s capabilities generally, I just established that, but she¡¯s not the sharpest tool in the spy shed. If I had to pick a spy, I¡¯d pick Eufemia, or Encio.¡± He nodded at both of them, trying to indicate their members more capable of espionage.

    Well, obviously, they didn¡¯t have the chance to pick. She¡¯d be her first choice too.

    ¡°Encio would be as poor in espionage as he would be in stealth,¡± Eufemia said, intended as an insult. (although, she could admit that he could manage stealth as an ambush tactic. Briefly. He¡¯d serve better as a defender; his infuriating voice and face was the perfect, attractive target.)

    ¡°I manage,¡± Encio said, baselessly confident. Ugh.

    ¡°Nara can¡¯t be a right sneak when she wants to, I don¡¯t disagree with that,¡± John said. ¡°But I¡¯ve seen greater capacity for guile in a toddler.¡± He would know. He¡¯d raised two. Lovely as they were, toddlers were terrors.

    ¡°Nara is a good spy because she¡¯s never acting,¡± Eufemia said, deciding to finally explain her reasoning¡ªalthough, only John seemed to be struggling. Sen and Encio were unsurprisingly quick on the uptake. ¡°She may lie¡ªmay, in that she¡¯s capable of it at all¡ªbut her actions are always honest. The ¡®deceit¡¯ is that her honestly obscures her indifference. There is no deceit because she cares not to deceive. She will never slip up because there is nothing to reveal.¡± (Never is perhaps an exaggeration.) She smirked, ruby eyes catching light of the natural lighting of the house. ¡°They¡¯ll look for suspicion, but all they will find is normality.¡±Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°So¡­¡± John slowly said, as if trying to reason out a particularly confusing world puzzle. ¡°Nara is a great spy¡­because she won¡¯t actually do any spying?¡±

    ¡°Depends on what you consider ¡®spying¡¯.¡± Encio reasoned. ¡°In most cases simply being in the right place where the information you need is discussed is good enough. An information gatherer. A party wallflower.¡±

    Eufemia held up a finger, a stark monument in the air of her declaration (overdramatic in the casualness of the gathering): ¡°I will bet a gold coin that Nara will never go anywhere she wasn¡¯t given permission to enter. Or,¡± she amended, ¡°she will never think to go to locations she is prohibited from going in the first place. Any takers? Encio?¡± She challenged. Hm, this challenge Encio wouldn¡¯t pass up. Even Eufemia wasn¡¯t entirely sure whether Nara would manage some genuine breaking and entering and theft of national secrets.

    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°I think she¡¯ll manage a single location. She¡¯ll be found. No punishments, obviously. They¡¯ll not see a point to it.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so you agree with the rest of my assessment,¡± she concluded, smug.

    ¡°I know you have skill, Eufemia,¡± Encio said, chin tilted up, ¡°There¡¯s no need to prove it to me.¡±

    If Sen had said that, it would have been reassuring. When Encio said that, it was aggravating. Aggravating to Eufemia, at least, but she enjoyed their game of mutually pushing buttons.

    *****

    After a little less than a week and a half, Nara decided it was time for a more direct approach. Her arbitrary, half panicked two-week time limit was approaching, and unless Nara wanted to spend an indeterminate amount of time gaining The Advent¡¯s trust and drip feeding them tomes of knowledge, Nara had to do something drastic: She was going to have to be proactive. Yulia was helpful enough to suggest to Nara that she talk with Elder Orchis for more information on harmonization and the absence of the gods, and to dispel any reservations she had on those two topics (for the former topic, dispelling any reservations was impossible.)

    So that is what she did.

    She had to organize a meeting: Elder Orchis was a busy woman, engaged constantly in matters of state. She had expected to have her questions addressed by another, but it was, surprisingly, Elder Orchis who met with her out front the Harmony Core, impeccably styed as a mature but fresh politician as always, not a hair coiffed out of place. Hm, or did her hair just grow like that? Was that possible?

    ¡°Orchis. Thank you for meeting with me.¡± She didn¡¯t use Orchis¡¯ title, but the Elder took in in stride, uncaring. It felt wrong to use Orchis¡¯ title, in a way that her mind rebelled against. She wasn¡¯t her Elder, and Nara didn¡¯t want her to be. It felt like ceding power. Like standing a step below.

    ¡°Nara, of course, I¡¯m here for whatever concerns you may have. I¡¯ve heard you say you are unable to accept the influence of The Harmony within yourself,¡± she said, in her businesslike kind and experienced way that just managed to avoid patronizing.

    That set off the conversation; they wandered out of Harmony Core, into the nearby gardens and city center. A streetside snack shop sold a box worth of savory, crispy spheres, and they went on their way. She tossed a few to Thanatos, his black maw snapping them up without missing, and followed along, a loyal shadow (who would¡¯ve sniffed at shit if there was any on the ground.)

    ¡°Heard me say¡ª¡± she realized, ¡°¡ªthe bracelets? And will that change my treatment here?¡± Nara already suspected that the bracelets had some function of recording, but this had confirmed it.

    Orchis smiled, not exactly warm, but at least reassuring. ¡°The bracelets record sound and when they are within range of an information repository crystal, a copy of the information is copied over,¡± she pre-emptively explained. ¡°Not ¡®real-time¡¯, if that was your suspicion. Regarding your treatment; Acceptance of The Harmony has always been voluntary. Nothing will change, but you understand if you cannot be permitted in position of power.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted something like that anyway. I¡¯m not much of a politician.¡±

    ¡°There is not as much political maneuvering as you may expect on other worlds, such as Sanshi. Or your own. We have not yet found a world with as smooth and equitable a political system as ours.¡± Her tone wasn¡¯t bragging, nor overly proud, as if it was just a plain profession of fact. A very biased fact, in Nara¡¯s opinion.

    ¡°The astral magic book¡­was it helpful?¡±

    ¡°We understand your concerns of ¡®outliving your usefulness¡¯,¡± Orchis assured, assuming the reason for this line of inquiry. Whatever she saw in Nara¡¯s aura must¡¯ve satisfied her. ¡°Come, let us return to the Harmony Core. There may be something there that will address your concerns.¡±

    They weaved back through the paved streets of the neat and busy city. Chrome had avoided walking outside in Conchordia; whether he just disliked showing himself amongst them, or for some other reason, she was not sure. Sage similarly stayed out of sight, although it was to avoid drawing notice that one of her bodies was missing.

    Standing once again outside the glittering skyscraper, Nara spared a brief moment to take in the structure and all it stood for, and stepped inside it for what she hoped was the final time.

    *****

    ¡°How have you been adjusting to your situation? Are there any deficiencies in hospitality that we may address?¡± Orchis asked to fill the silence as Nara was led somewhere deep within the building.

    ¡°The students don¡¯t like me much.¡± Nara thought back to some of the encounters she has had with the guardians-in-training: not just her temporary team, but also the other ones in the training facility.

    ¡°We can assign you to another team, if you wish.¡±

    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re fine.¡± As much as a healthily suspicious team would be with an assigned interloper with less than two weeks of icebreaking.  ¡°I was talking about all the guardians, in general.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± Orchis said with a knowing tone. ¡°You are a reminder of the less¡­beauteous aspects of The Advent.¡±

    She hummed, thinking out loud. ¡°Is that why you let me interact with them?¡±

    Orchis gave her a sly, knowing smile. ¡°We could hardly stop you. We did not restrict your freedom, as you asked. But yes,¡± she mused, ¡°your presence was an opportunity to challenge our younger siblings. We may pose hypothetical situations in our mirages, but the disharmony of falsehood cannot be entirely removed. The decisions made there do not hold the same weight as ones made with real consequence, with their ink blotting the scores of their song.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t much like to acknowledge that their world tortures people.¡±

    ¡°I can see that is a sticking point,¡± Orchis acknowledged.

    Nara snorted derisively.

    ¡°We are not so fixed as you may think, Nara. There is no place for stagnation in progress,¡± Orchis said as her crystal bracelet briefly glowed, admitting the two of them down some corridor. Nara flexed her dimension perception to make sure that her astral jumping would still work. So far, open borders. ¡°Our values will shift, and the decisions made in our Harmonic Council determine our policy for external harmonization. We¡¯ve reconsidered the use of Nightmare Beetles, and how their purpose undermines the consensual acceptance we would have of harmony. While we may use¡­coercive methods to achieve unification, coercive harmonization is counter to our goals.

    ¡°It is not the same situation, your experiences at the hands of a Great Astral Being, but we can understand how the invasion of your body and sanctuary would predispose against future integration of the mind and soul. As such, the use of Nightmare Beetles has been banned against all entities in Advent operations.¡±

    Nara sucked in a breath and released it, surprised at this admittance of fault, for what it¡¯s worth. She should not give them too much credit; if Nightmare Beetles consistently caused aversion to harmonization, then it was counter to The Advent¡¯s ultimate goal. ¡°Regardless of how I disagree with your policy of external harmonization, I think that¡¯s the right decision.¡± At least, if they kept their promises, no one else would have to suffer like she had in their hands. They¡¯d just use any number of other destructive tortures. Ones that didn¡¯t lower statistics of harmonization.

    ¡°Additionally, the Council would like to extend a formal apology for its use.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. Keeping it banned is apology enough. Actions speak louder than words, and all that. Although I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing you all humble yourselves.¡±

    Not that they were ever particularly arrogant, except Ceram. She¡¯s seen worse in teenagers in Sanshi. They were impassioned, maybe, but not arrogant. At least, not unsubstantiated arrogance. If they¡¯d unified a world (or several worlds), that was a significant achievement. God knows how Earth as struggled with it, and how fraught with political pitfalls that particular idea was as well.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Orc his acknowledged wryly, ¡°You¡¯ve taught us that lesson.¡±

    The hallways widened and the floors changed into a material even more immaculate. The tiling was a mesmerizing geometric pattern so intricate it was like Venetian Lace; sweeping designs that were more flowing than formulaic but struck an impossible balance between chaos and order.

    Rather than the golds, silvers, blacks, and whites of the floor tiling, similarly intricate but rainbow mosaics scaled the walls that now curved into tall, elegant arches, with the sort of calculated mathematical arch that was the substratum truly aesthetic design. It was an explosion of color shy of overwhelming: their harmony had never been about conforming, but cooperation. Well, a rather loose definition of cooperation, but Nara had seen just as varied personalities on Premiesta as she has seen on Earth and on Erras.

    If all that wasn¡¯t enough to clue Nara in on the significance of where Orchis was leading her, the grand doors before her were a poster shoved up against her face. Delicately beautiful, and made entirely of colored glass, the light of something beyond pulsed through the doors. The rainbow light scattered across the grey of the floor, adding another shifting layer to its complexity.

    ¡°Come, Nara.¡± Orchis turned to Nara, her beckoning hand the haunting pull of a twilight spirit. ¡°Allow me to show you The Harmony.¡±

 Chapter 186: The Deceiver

    Chapter 186: The Deceiver

    Perhaps Nara should have been more wary, more on edge with Orchis¡¯ fascination of what lay beyond the rainbow gate.

    Perhaps this should have been the time that Nara turned away, fearing for the sovereignty of her mind.

    But John was right when he said that Nara was guileless. Tricky, resourceful, deadly: but guile had never been her domain, her mind never having felt the true embrace of Deceit.

    Deceit, herself, would feel conflicted, for that was the very deceit that allowed Nara, the truthful spy, the guileless deceiver, to step within the heart of Harmony in less than two weeks.

    The Advent had thought they held all power over her. Her freedom was their benevolence, a show of their mercy, proof of their acceptance. Integration with their song was a matter of time, and she¡¯d be another performer in their symphony, willing to conduct and be conducted.

    It was that stark difference in power, the prisoner and the imprisoners, the liberated and the liberators, that allowed for folly to live and breathe, to witlessly walk a neutral party¡ªneither an enemy nor an ally¡ªinto the bosom of their most sacred shrine.

    *****

    Before Nara was a gleaming orb that glowed with the light of innumerous souls.

    It was difficult to describe the color of the light because souls were not just a color and not just an aura. Those innumerous souls blended seamlessly together, separate yet whole. They danced and pulsed, a song of their own told through light and aura and existence.

    Orchis spoke, but Nara did not need to hear her to know what this was: This was the Harmony Core. A building named for its heart, for its soul.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Nara breathed, unable to tear her eyes away. She could not help that her voice had wavered.

    ¡°A collection of souls. A willing collection. We know that¡¯s important to you,¡± Orchis said, staring reverently ahead at the mass of existence. She could not tear her eyes away.

    Nara wanted it to be evil, but it was not. Nor was it good, not in the biblical sense of black and white, sin and virtue, good and evil. It was what it was.

    Nara could not deny that the souls there were beautiful. The Harmony Core may not be inherently good, but she did not sense the acid of envy, the fire and brimstone of wrath, or the bitterness of pride upon her senses. These souls had been meticulously chosen, their purity of heart, strength of will, and empathy of emotion unhidden, like the warming touch of sunlight, and the refreshing wave of the winds.

    ¡°If we may tell you a story, Nara,¡± Orchis began, perhaps speaking for more than herself in that moment. ¡°A long, long time ago, on a different world than this, there was a world much like Erras. There were gods, good and evil, and everything in between. And there were people, good and evil, and everything in between, much like their gods, or perhaps their gods were much like them. The world was much like any other. The forces of good fought against the forces of evil, repeated ad infinitum for thousands and thousands of years.

    ¡°The people were content, for that was the way the world was. People had both good and evil, gods were both good and evil, and the world was both good and evil.

    ¡°No one knows what roused the change. Perhaps it was one too many disasters. Too many good sacrificing themselves for the selfishness of evil. But one day, the people were no longer content.

    ¡°¡®What if we could change things?¡¯

    ¡°¡®But how?¡¯ the people wondered. As long as evil persisted, there would be evil gods. If deceit existed so would Deceit. If pain existed, so would Pain. Even if the people could not eliminate deceit, they could not eliminate pain. They could not eliminate destruction, or envy, or hate. They could not eliminate the flaws of human nature, for those flaws existed for a reason. Pain taught caution, and envy provoked drive.

    ¡°The people pondered and wondered. They sent their best to gather¡ªtheir most ethical activists, their most reasoned politicians, their most learned scientists, their most powerful essence users, their most competent ritualists, their most imaginative artists, their wisest philosophers, their most efficient followers, their most visionary leaders. Their best of every field.

    ¡°They debated and pondered and wondered for many years, yet this was a pursuit they could not give up. Even as they debated, the world did not change. Good and evil and everything in between still clashed, and many good still died to strike down evil.

    ¡°The unending struggle would not end unless they found an end. Created an end.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°And one day, the wisest philosopher posed: ¡®What if we could make our own god?¡¯

    ¡°That did not solve the fundamental problem, of course. There would still be other gods, and it was dismissed. Then another day, the most visionary leader suggested: ¡®What if we could remove all the others?¡¯

    ¡°A god in the minds of mortals to douse wrath, to sweeten envy, to soften hate.

    ¡°However, gods could not be removed, the most heretical seeker knew, they could only be blocked¡ªsomething gods themselves unwittingly gave the people the answer to.

    ¡°No god could intrude in the domain of another god. The sacred heart of their temples, their inner sanctum, barred from the prying eyes of others unless invited.

    ¡°¡®So,¡¯ the most competent ritualist said, ¡®What if the entire world was the domain of our god?¡¯

    ¡°In the cradle of their very best, a plan was born: They would create a false-god.

    ¡°The very best created a set of qualifications. They sought the most noble souls, the kindest smiles, the truest friends, the gentlest hands, the bravest gazes.

    ¡°When they died, they took not the hand of Death, but to become the buds of Harmony within a garden of glass. Trapped eternally, by their own will, a self-sacrifice of the highest altruism, to become an inextinguishable guiding beacon to those willing to follow their light.

    ¡°The light, at first one, grew to become lights innumerable. From one, to a union of many:

    ¡°A Harmony.

    ¡°The light grew slow¡ªtheir power was not strong, compared to the transcendence of divinity. But even the human soul is immortal and unperishable, a well of untapped potential. Against the light of the many, the territory of the gods receded, both good and evil.

    ¡°And Harmony embraced the world.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see, Nara,¡± Orchis said, more herself than she had been previously, but her voice was still reverent, imploring, worshipful. ¡°The Harmony is the god of the people, for the people. More so than any other god.¡±

    Nara stared blankly at the cradle of light, unable to form a coherent thought yet from what she just had been told.

    A god. A god. Mortals had made a god, to represent themselves and their interests in the sphere of divinity.

    ¡°You never cared that much about the library,¡± Nara whispered her realization. ¡°You care about the soul magic.¡±

    Orchis stood, completely still yet somehow far away, and pulled herself from her reverie. ¡°Cultivating a researcher capable of understanding soul magic is rare,¡± she began. ¡°We may have prohibited Nightmare Beetles only recently, but soul torture has always been sacrilegious to the Harmony. But without soul torture, without gods, there is no¡­easy way for us to encourage the development of one capable of manipulating the soul.¡± Her smile was a little forlorn. ¡°Erras has always surpassed us in this. The ailments of the soul¡ªvampirism, soul scars, soul veils¡ªno longer exist in our worlds. With no one touched by those ails, there are few that can explore it. Not without reaching other heights first.¡±

    That was true, Nara reasoned, her own head still spinning with revelations. The easiest way to learn to do something was to have it done to yourself. The soul was a capable learner, so long as it had a blueprint or an example to follow.

    ¡°Please,¡± Orchis said, her eyes burning into hers. There was no magic, no mental manipulation, just the plea of a woman who wholly believed in her cause, for all of its faults, still sought to do good. ¡°What is it you know?¡±

    The thoughts within Nara¡¯s mind burned. What should she do?

    *****

    The next dozen minutes would have been a concerningly vague blur if Nara had the wherewithal to be concerned. She had somehow ended up back at her apartment-hotel in Concordia, collapsed into bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

    The ceiling was calmingly plain.

    The Advent wanted something Nara had. Soul Communion, as far as Nara knew, had no aspects of it that was dangerous. It was only a method to communicate soul-to-soul, with no deception, no danger, and no force.

    ¡­She could wrangle a promise from them. A deal. In exchange for Soul Communion, their noninterference with Erras and Earth, and to re-evaluate their future intervention policies. Would Soul Communion even be that valuable? It could communicate with people¡­but its not like it could communicate with a god, could it?

    Soul Communion may just communicate mutually with others on a surface-soul-deep level, or as the consent-initiation for something more, or it may be the very thing that The Advent needed to solve their conundrum of a lack of soul magic researchers. Would soul communion be enough to tickle someone¡¯s soul into advanced soul magic capability?

    If that was true, she now better understood the exuberance of Erras¡¯ gods over her ¡®technique¡¯. Had all of them known its potential? Or did they just tell her the easier half-truth that it¡¯d help with the reversal of vampirism?

    Nara¡¯s crystal-bracelet-tracker had long been flung into her inventory so she could at least have the illusion of thinking only to herself. There were no pounding knocks on her door, no ¡°Guardians, open up!¡±, no prohibitions of removing the bracelet in the future. There was begrudging relief that she was allowed to remove it at all. She hadn¡¯t chanced it yet, all this time.

    Nara felt the edge of the precipice, stones tumbling down that barren cliff to the black abyss. The only problem was, which choice led to the abyss?

    I think I¡¯ll wait, she decided. Her familiars hadn¡¯t said anything yet in her deliberation, but she could feel their approval sweep over her soul like a tingling medicinal balm. If they thought she wasn¡¯t giving a decision adequate consideration, Chrome and Sage would intervene, but they usually left her to her autonomy unless she asked of them for their opinions first.

    This, Nara supposed, was a choice none of them had an answer to.

    There was, however, something Nara could do. Her Pathseeker Lute, dark blue that glimmered with stars and the silver of moonlight, settled within her hands as a comforting, stabilizing weight. It was not her companion in battle¡ªNirvana, ironically, was what carved her path in battle¡ªbut a stabilizing weight in meditation and introspection.

    She had never done this before: an open door to the receiving room of her soul, a friendly knock on all the neighboring doors, offering tea and parley. It was a short-range call, confined to the limits of her room, intended for beings that walked wherever they pleased.

    She knocked, and someone answered.

    It was not Harmony. She did not expect Harmony to answer anyway, and she was not sure a false-god, a divine amalgam, would be able to respond to her in a way a more homogenized entity could. She did not know much of gods and false-gods, but theorized there was a difference in will, something more focused and more directed in a way that a will of many could not achieve.

    Whether that was true, or whether Knowledge beat Harmony to the punch, Nara would never know. She welcomed Knowledge into her parlor, and closed the door behind him, so that Knowledge could walk out, and no other entity could walk in. Entities she was less inclined to chat with than her first visitor.

    ¡°Hello Nara,¡± Knowledge said. ¡°I have been waiting.¡±

 Chapter 187: To Know the Unknown

    Chapter 187: To Know the Unknown

    Aliyah rolled the eye-sized orb in her left hand. Eye-sized¡­well, it was an eye, after all. The team peered as the object as it seemed to peer back, although it had no visible iris. It was glossy and black, as if carved from obsidian but with none of the unpleasantly sharp edges of obsidian weaponry that¡¯d make this subsequent process extremely unpleasant.

    Eufemia¡¯s gaze was distrustful and tinged with mild, wary disgust. ¡°You¡¯re really going to go through with this?¡±

    Aliyah held the eyeball between her fingers. Her fingers left no smudges against the object, it held itself perfectly clean, as if above mortal trivialities like oil and sweat.

    -------

    Item: [Key of the Architect] (iron rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: eye, body modification, artifact

    Description: The key to seeing beyond the mortal realm. A gaze to glimpse upon the secrets of the fabric of reality and astral.

    This item is unbound. Once bound, it cannot be bound to anyone else.

    Effect: Perceive energy. Your ability to perceive energy in different ways expands with your increased understanding of the forms of energy.

    Effect (Iron): Increased ability to perceive ritual magic and enchantments. You may project holographs of what you perceive for others to view. You may construct holographic diagrams for others to see. These will not be confused with reality and can contain no aura. These holographic constructs may be used as a basis for ritual diagrams.

    -------

    Aliyah had not found her chosen growth item within the vaults of the mausoleum. Instead, she had sorted through the Adventure Societies¡¯ listings and traded her token for it, along with several gold coins. An expensive trade, overall, but the purpose was to benefit the lister. The adventurer in question made a living delving for artifacts, trading for tokens (or buying tokens outright) and listing what they found for sale or auction. It saved others the effort of delving into the mausoleum, and the trader bore the risk of claiming something that may not sell for many years or may not sell at all. However, when an object was sold, it sold for a high price, and they could continue the process. This particular lister was overseen by the Adventure Society and the local government in charge of mausoleum operations, so that they could not sell the artifacts to criminals, and their trades likely had lower commission fees in exchange, benefiting all involved.

    Body modification artifacts in particular were thoroughly vetted, as they straddled the line of what was permissible by the Adventure Society (permanent modification, after all, was close to what the Undeath Essence did to their users. Oversight made sure the permanent change would have no undesirable effects). As a body modification artifact, it was not listed for public auction, but rather a private sale with the Adventure Society as a mediator. With Aliyah¡¯s good standing with the Society, she was permitted to make an offer for the artifact.

    The sale was already completed, of course; Even with Eufemia¡¯s wariness, there was no returning the artifact, unless she sought to sell it again herself. It was a pointless reaffirmation, but Aliyah understood Eufemia¡¯s apprehension.

    She understood, but she did not feel the same way. Regardless, Eufemia¡¯s own color of concern warmed her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure, Eufemia. This is what I want.¡±

    Aliyah thanked Fortune, she could hardly believe her luck. Utility growth items were not particularly popular amongst adventurers, who preferred an artifact that¡¯d prove their edge in combat.

    ¡­So maybe she could believe her luck. She was more thankful that the lister had exchanged for the token for the artifact at all, but there was some financial sense in claiming rare artifacts (and he had certainly demanded a high price for it). Not even Nara, who was decked out in growth items like it was civilian fashion, had a body modification growth item.

    (With Nara¡¯s racials, Aliyah wasn¡¯t sure a body modification growth item would be able to work with her at all. A theory she could and would never test. What a shame.)

    With a quick prick of an adequately ranked needle, a drop of blood welled upon her thumb, clinging to her skin with the same anticipation that hung within Aliyah¡¯s chest. The whole slashing the palm for blood new adventurers liked to do was overdramatic, a needle was farm more practical. Her gaze lifted to meet Sen¡¯s for the final time, the final time with two of her own eyes, born to her by the growing pods of Fertility. With an anticlimactic press, her blood smeared across the orb.

    Unexpectedly, it immediately melted, subsuming into her palm like ink. As she tracked the path of black through her arm, she felt the liquid magic thrum through her meridians, skating just above her body matrix, although not quite; it wouldn¡¯t alter her matrix yet. She felt the tingle across her shoulder, her neck, and finally her face, centering around her left eye. (Left hand to left eye, she duly noted. If she had used her right hand, would it have been her right eye? Or was there some other logic to its choice?)

    The pressure built, a steady thrum of magic. It was not painful, but increasingly uncomfortable as the magic built within her eye. It was like a searing light¡ªnot direct pain, but energy and pressure and intensity. She felt the magic of the artifact reach out to her, to her body matrix. It twinned around, performing a delicate operation like a master surgeon with a scalpel, prick, prick, pricking her matrix, working it and altering it and shifting it to suit its purposes.

    Aliyah could see why Nara would hate something like this.

    It was invasive, but all Aliyah could do was grit her teeth and let it continue. She could no longer see with her left eye, the mass of magic overwhelming her visual perception into a noisy fuzz. The body matrix was an advanced field, usually the realm of gold ranked study, and the iron rank artifact could only do what it could, slowly, with her consent. If she were any higher ranked, she wasn¡¯t sure it¡¯d be possible at all, with an iron rank growth item. This one, unfortunately, could only be ranked up after it was bound.

    (She wondered if she could make a ritual to simultaneously rank up and bind an artifact. It was niche use, but Aliyah suddenly found she had more motivation for such a ritual.)

    Finally, the pressure abated, and Aliyah felt one final sweeping tingle as the magic fully integrated with her eye, connections and pathways smoothing as the eye integrated with the rest of her matrix, an altered combination of what was into what will now be. There was still the discomfort of an iron rank body part with a bronze rank body, one Aliyah would immediately rectify with a quick ritual complete with all the necessary materials. The need to settle the disconnect was overwhelming, and she did so before her team could get any words in, with single-minded focus to fix what was wrong.

    She had heard rumors of what happened when a discharged priest lost a divine essence and one of their attributes de-ranked, unbalancing their body. She wondered if the sensation was similar.

    -------

    Item: [Key of the Architect] (bronze rank [growth], legendary)

    Classification: eye, body modification, artifact

    Description: The key to seeing beyond the mortal realm. A gaze to glimpse upon the secrets of the fabric of reality and astral.

    Effect: Perceive energy. Your ability to perceive energy in different ways expands with your increased understanding of the forms of energy.

    Effect (Iron): Increased ability to perceive ritual magic and enchantments. You may project holographs of what you perceive for others to view. You may construct holographic diagrams for others to see. These will not be confused with reality and can contain no aura. These holographic constructs may be used as a basis for ritual diagrams. Ritual diagrams must be drawn, and cannot be instantaneously projected, if they are to be activated and not just projected.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Effect (Bronze): Manipulate lines of ritual magic.

    -------

    Finally, Aliyah could breathe a sigh of relief as the magic fully settled into her matrix, in complete balance like a well-tuned instrument.

    ¡°Are you alright now?¡± John asked, peering at her face, searching for any further discomfort. His bronze rank perception scanned over here, searching for any further knots in her magic. Because of his training, he was more adept at evaluating the magic of the body rather than of external ritual magic like Aliyah.

    -------

    Ability: [Vision of Life]

    Perception

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Perceive the vulnerabilities of others.

    Effect (Bronze): Perceive the flows of Magic.

    -------

    ¡°My first impression is that I feel fine, but I am an unreliable observer, in this matter.¡± Aliyah meditated, breathing calmly to restabilize her aura and pulse after the discomfort. ¡°How does it look to you?¡±

    Eufemia¡¯s mirror slid conveniently to Aliyah¡¯s side. While it was a combat implement, it still served as a mirror.

    Aliyah peered into her reflection as it peered back at her, equal in intensity. Her runic eyes originally had softly glowing gold irises, a honey gold light that matched the runic marks upon her skin. Her mother would always say that she was her ¡®little sun shine¡¯.

    The left eye had shifted, no longer sun light but eclipse light, red-gold against inky black. Her sclera was completely black, and her iris a corona of gold light ringing the black moon of her pupil. Every so often, gold light sparkled in a pulsing wave through infinitesimally small runes, too quick to read. Aliyah had a feeling those runes continually shifted and changed. There would be no reading them for some time.

    ¡°I may not be the most eye-catching person in this team anymore,¡± Eufemia said, eying her with something like approval.

    ¡°We¡¯re you ever the most eye-catching team member?¡± Encio grinned, his challenge clear.

    Eufemia scowled right back. She gently grasped Aliyah¡¯s chin, tilting her head every which way. Aliyah let her, humoring her inspection. ¡°A little imposing, a little mysterious, a little dangerous,¡± was her final evaluation. ¡°If you wanted men and woman to throw themselves at your feet to present themselves for your mercy, you¡¯d have them now.¡±

    Aliyah preferred being on the receiving end of a powerful, self-confident woman, but she could work from the other side. She appreciated the full breadth of experience. ¡°Thank you, Eufemia,¡± she said, amused.

    *****

    ¡°We¡¯ve continued to monitor the activity of the Church of Undeath,¡± the adventure society liaison in the meeting said. He was one chosen for his professionality; he was in the presence of many high rankers. ¡°Our observations have so far remained undetected, and the Church¡¯s actions have remained a constant.¡±

    ¡°No acceleration to their plans?¡±

    ¡°Not so far as we have detected.¡±

    The diamond ranker, Queen Tyranel Kallid of the aptly named Kingdom of Kallid, lounged on a chair, silent as she observed the proceedings. She waved hand to indicate permission to move onto the next topic.

    ¡°We have detected Church of Undeath activities at the far edges of the territory of Kalid, although we are unsure of there purpose. Any hidden bases, if there are any, have remained undetected.¡±

    ¡°The Magic Society has been investigating alternative countermeasures to the impending failure of the black ice sealing artifact. We have not found a method to repair the artifact as of yet. An alternative plan is the investigation of temporary and portable dampeners, which, while not able to completely seal the Svartrsoelis, it may buy time for evacuation as a worst-case scenario.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± Tyranel approved. ¡°Continue.¡±

    Another Adventure Society official spoke. ¡°Our spies in Nekroz detected the movement of Kazimir Sorrokin in Konnoch. We speculate that the Vampire of Sorrow may be related to the situation at large.¡±

    ¡°Hm, debatable,¡± Tyranel said, once again offering her opinion into the discussion (which was unusual, as she usually left it up to her dukes.) ¡°Savva isn¡¯t known for his interference, rather the opposite. Kazimir¡­he¡¯s not one for external affairs either. He¡¯s preoccupied with the absolute rot pile his home nation is.¡±

    The official nodded. ¡°That is our consensus, although the timing is coincidental.¡±

    Tyranel waved a hand, dismissing. ¡°Sometimes, coincidence can just be coincidence.¡± Something glittered in her eye. ¡°Speaking of, how is little Nara¡¯s and Knowledge¡¯s project?¡±

    ¡°Little Nara?¡± someone questioned. This wasn¡¯t on the meeting agenda.

    Aliyah sat up straighter. She had missed her chance to respond. She hadn¡¯t really been expected to be relevant again after she had already delivered her updates. She really had been getting too comfortable being around diamond rankers, if she was getting distracted in a meeting with one.

    ¡°From team¡­Huh. I don¡¯t recall. What is your team name?¡± This time, Tyranel spoke directly to her.

    ¡°Um,¡± Aliyah hesitated. It was unlike her to speak with fillers, but Aliyah found value in stalling. ¡°We have not decided on one yet.¡±

    ¡°Ah, well! This is a good time then!¡±

    Is it?? Some part of Aliyah¡¯s brain protested, but she didn¡¯t voice it. Several dukes looked away, as if to stifle groans. Others met her eyes with expressions of pity. Some with expressions of bemusement.

    Aliyah did not like their reactions. It did not bode well for her or for her team.

    ¡°Well, have you any ideas?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Aliyah said faintly, unsure of how this had become a topic of a meeting with a diamond rank queen, several gold rank dukes, various high ranking society liaisons, and a smattering of other kingdom officials and specialty researchers.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read in your file that you all have soul crests? How unique,¡± Tyranel crooned cheerfully. She smiled pleasantly at Aliyah.

    Aliyah started to sweat. She could hardly turn down a team name from a diamond ranker. I¡¯m sorry Sen, she preemptively apologized. There was nothing she could do to stop this impending crisis. ¡°We¡¯re rather known for our¡­variety,¡± Aliyah hedged, ¡°and our ability to navigate a crisis.¡±

    ¡°Well, how about¡­Team Kallid?¡±

    Several mouths of the dukes twitched, as if refraining from speaking out, although some were clearly enjoying this.

    Aliyah felt faint. ¡°Your Majesty, none of us are from Kallid. We are a visiting team.¡±

    ¡°Shame.¡± She sighed, ¡°How about this? Are any of you interested in marriage? I have several grandchildren. Then you will be a part of Kallid!¡±

    ¡°We all would prefer to focus on our rank before marriage,¡± Aliyah refused, feeling all kinds of odd for turning down royalty¡¯s hand in marriage on behalf of her team. ¡°We were discussing team names?¡± She hated to bring the topic back to the accursed Team Name, but this was a fate better than discussing marriage.

    Aliyah was now unsurprised that no dukes tried to stop her. A safer topic indeed.

    ¡°Little Theodore has been getting along with your team recently. I had been so worried about him. It¡¯s good to see that he¡¯s back on his feet and hammering back at life!¡±

    ¡°I am not involved much with young master Theodore,¡± Aliyah said, unsure of where this was going, ¡°but he is a skilled craftsman.¡±

    ¡°If he was on your team, you¡¯d have a person from Kallid.¡±

    ¡°Um,¡± Aliyah prevaricated, ¡°I believe young master Theodore is still unwilling to leave Kallid. We, rather, are seeking paths across the dimensional plane.¡±

    ¡°Oh indeed! You all are such globetrotters! It¡¯s very inspiring and leaves me quite assured of this generation of adventurers. I can imagine you all are making so many connections with so many others across the world.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, your Majesty,¡± Aliyah said, feeling somewhat as if she¡¯s escaped danger, ¡°and to see what the world has to offer.¡±

    ¡°Our crystalline forest is quite beautiful. Perhaps, a good location for a wedding?¡±

    Aliyah froze. ¡°It is very beautiful,¡± she said slowly. ¡°A gem and natural wonder of Kallid.¡±

    ¡°Haha! I¡¯m just joking. Don¡¯t look so caught out!¡± She leaned against the table, posture entirely rude for a meeting but nobody particularly cared in her case. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you a secret¡ªI was much older than you are now when I got married.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Aliyah said, for lack of anything else to say, because it wasn¡¯t really a surprise, and it wasn¡¯t really a secret.

    Tyranel leaned back, still eying Aliyah with a humorous expression on her face. Her tail flickered in merriment, although nobody else quite seemed to be in on the joke.

    ¡°Team Crest?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve thought of that. We thought it would be¡­prohibitive with later additions.¡±

    ¡°No good then? Let me think¡­¡±

    Aliyah was hoping it wouldn¡¯t get worse.

    ¡°Team Rainbow? I imagine you all look quite spectacular with your crests.¡±

    Well. It was rather bad but perhaps it was a step up from Team Crest.

    But Tyranel did not seem satisfied, so her musings continued.

    ¡°Team Worlds Walkers?¡±

    That was almost good. A spark of hope lit up in Aliyah¡¯s chest. Premature, perhaps, but she could not stop herself from seeing the light.

    ¡°Team Wanderers?¡±

    It was¡­worse, Aliyah reasoned. Not terribly worse, but not any better.

    Tyranel suddenly smiled, smugly satisfied. Aliyah did not like her smile. (That was false; Aliyah would love her smile in many other contexts, preferably in the bedroom, but in this particular context Aliyah found no enjoyment.)

    ¡°Would you say you are walkers of the worlds, seekers of the unseen, to become knowers of the unknown?¡±

    It felt like a trap. ¡°Yes¡­?¡± Aliyah hesitantly supplied. Her eyes were wild, however, attempting desperately to have anyone stop Tyranel. Her nobles turned away or were suppressing laughs. Abandoned! Had she not been their comrade through this disaster!? Had they no respect for her as a researcher!?

    ¡°Of course,¡± Tyranel said confidently, ¡°your team¡¯s name should reflect your spirit of adventure¡ªTeam Unknown.¡± She declared definitively, sounding out like the bang of a gavel. ¡°What do you think? There should be no objection on accounts of inclusion?¡±

    ¡°None!¡±

    ¡°No objections, your Majesty! A wonderful name! I¡¯m sure Ms. Sahar¡¯s team will be grateful for your generosity and personal attention!¡±

    The nobles dogpiled, all suddenly agreeing with Her Majesty Tyranel Kallid. How could they??

    A noble mouthed to Aliyah with wild eyes, ¡®It could be worse¡¯.

    Could it?? What other team had the Queen named??

    ¡°No, but¡ª¡± Aliyah made a valiant effort to defend the future reputation of her team. Alas¡­

    ¡°Then It¡¯s decided!¡± Tyranel declared, standing up in a flash, by sovereign¡¯s command completely over and done with the meeting. Clearly, all important topics had been adequately covered. ¡°Meeting adjourned!¡±

    There was no stopping a diamond ranker.

 Chapter 188: A Soul-Warming Gift

    Chapter 188: A Soul-Warming Gift

    The Knowledge of Premiesta was graceful and wizened, although not to the stage of decrepit age. He bore himself much like Redell, a stately oak, strong against the weathers of time. Two long horns arced from his temples, and their small branches and glowing leaves seemed to rustle in astral winds. His skin was dark, earthy tones of life and nature, and his hair hung in long braided tendrils from which a small dark purple flower sprouted, every so often. By his wrists and neck, where the skin was thin, Nara could see the texture of veins, almost like leaves, patterned just beneath the surface in faintly glowing weaves.

    ¡°Dryad?¡± Nara asked, perhaps a bit insensitively, but she could not help her curiosity.

    ¡°Something like that,¡± Knowledge said, a little wry. ¡°It is not their name on this world, but the mystique of your world¡¯s fabrication is not dissimilar to the nature of these beings.¡±

    ¡°I thought gods were supposed to look like the local population?¡±

    ¡°If we choose to. There is not many of the local population that would care for my presence, so I chose something that you wood appreciate.¡±

    Nara couldn¡¯t help the twitch of her lips. Had that been intentional? ¡°So, the Harmony couldn¡¯t get rid of you all completely. Here you are, lurking below the surface, alligators in the deep.¡±

    ¡°To be compared to an alligator is misrepresentative of our nature,¡± Knowledge said with a chuckle, knowing her misrepresentation was entirely intentional and unserious. ¡°Lurking, perhaps, is not. We gods are a facet of nature, a manifestation of magic in the right conditions. You cannot be rid of gods, if you cannot be rid of their corresponding nature, or the magic which permits them.¡±

    She was in for it, a lecture on the nature of gods. Aliyah was missing out. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Suppose there is a planet with no atmosphere, no wind, but with an adequate level of magic. There would be no god of wind, for there is no wind. There would, however, still be a god of the earth if the planet is terrestrial, and not gaseous.¡± He spread his hands. ¡°The gods are not inherently manifestations of sentience, although some of our natures reflect higher level concepts of sentience.¡±

    ¡°Like Knowledge, or Liberty.¡±

    ¡°It is so.¡±

    ¡°So, if you still exist,¡± Nara said, staring curiously at the god, ¡°why is it you never appear? Surely, with appearance, enough would ¡®see and believe¡¯, so to speak? I know I¡¯ve once said I¡¯d ¡®see and believe¡¯, although I guess I don¡¯t believe in that way exactly either. I¡¯ve seen gods and I still don¡¯t worship.¡±

    ¡°Territory, as you may well know, Nara, is not as casual as it appears. You know yourself of inviolable domains,¡± Knowledge said, pre-empting his next explanation.

    ¡°The soul.¡±

    ¡°Although Harmony may be a false god, the ability to claim domains had never been a sole power of the gods,¡± Knowledge explained. ¡°Although in ways souls are not equal, such as their capability to exert their influence over reality, the inviolability of a soul has always been sacrosanct, so long as the Will to maintain it in inexhaustible. As you would say¡ªnot entirely equal.¡±

    ¡°So, we all have the right to an inviolable soul. But not everyone has the tools and will to maintain it?¡±

    ¡°As you say. A soul without the capabilities to attack their attacker finds themselves at a disadvantage. Will is eroded, and the attacker prevails.

    ¡°The Harmony is a collection of many wills, and many souls. They have claimed dominion over Premiesta, and their territory is as inviolable as their Will is strong. We could attack if we so chose¡ªwe are not without our weapons, but there would be little point to appeal to a people unreachable.¡±

    ¡°And it doesn¡¯t bother you? Don¡¯t you want to be worshipped again?¡±

    Knowledge laughed, and Nara could feel a mixture of complex emotions. Not longing, not really, Knowledge was a god, and didn¡¯t long to be worshipped. But in both worlds, Knowledge was a pragmatic god, even if Nara felt this Knowledge had more of an aspect of wisdom of the elders, the teaching passed along through generations, distilled to their inheritors. Stories and storied; woven in their fable-like history.

    ¡°I am Knowledge. Whether or not I participate in the cultivation of knowledge is secondary. My authority exists as long as the preservation and pursuit of knowledge exist. I am content to watch, if that is what is to be the fate of this world. However, the road of time is unending, and civilization is compelled to wonder. Could The Advent outlast the concept of Knowledge, and the lifespan of this world? May time bear witness.

    ¡°Civilizations rise and fall. Once, in Erras, there was Manistrengja. The Kingdom of Moon set beyond the horizon, and in its place, the Kingdom of Snow and Frost rose, sun glittering over pure snow. The Advent has lasted many millennia, and may last many millennia more, but greater threats than they lurk within the cosmos, and no shore is safe from the tides.¡±

    No shore was safe from the tides. Nara thought of Earth.

    ¡°Gods change with the tides,¡± Knowledge continued. ¡°Should all rivers dry, leaving only the expanses of sea and desert, the god of rivers would change, perhaps joining the god of seas. The primordial gods are not one to care for the preservation of their nature, as their existence reflects nature itself. Unlike life, there is no force of self-preservation. Their priests, therefore, are more important to their will and vessels of their power.

    ¡°Gods of concepts close to humanity find their nature closer to humanity,¡± Knowledge continued. ¡°Dominion adores politicking as it is his nature, and is a master knowing how to establish rule, and how to rule effectively. It matters not what form of rule that rule takes. He exists, as does kings and councils, leaders amongst followers, and democracy and tyranny.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Not that I don¡¯t appreciate this discussion on the nature of divinity¡ªI do, be the way, that wasn¡¯t sarcastic¡ªhow is it you¡¯re saying so much to me? Knowledge of Erras was rather tight-lipped,¡± Nara questioned.

    Knowledge smiled, relaxed. ¡°As I exist my authority exists. I have had nothing to use it on. The Advent is quite dutiful in their pursuit of Knowledge, even without my guiding hand.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re spending your budget on me.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°An inelegant way of saying so, but not inaccurate. It is not without purpose. I am proof.¡± His statement was important in a way Nara did not understand yet.

    ¡°Proof of what?¡±

    ¡°Proof of The Advent: their accomplishments and their control, their ideals and their rejections. Your Knowledge, knew, of course, only what those of the Advent knew of the Harmony. Not many have seen The Harmony itself, and fewer understand the lack of gods. Knowledge may hypothesize, but it is not something she knows, and therefore not something she can share. Fewer here have seen us gods at all, or have the capabilities to call one to tea,¡± Knowledge said, amused, as he raised a gently steaming cup of crystal leaf tea to sip on it. Who knew if gods ate, but Nara could hardly be his critic. She didn¡¯t need to eat either.

    ¡°So¡­when I go back, this will all become something she knows.¡±

    ¡°This meeting is definitive, Nara. Soul Communion is without deceit. This is pure knowledge, with no disinformation, and no illusion.¡±

    ¡°You think then,¡± Nara hedged, ¡°¡­that this technique is something I should not share with them?¡±

    Knowledge gazed warmly, perhaps enjoying his tea more than he should. He hadn¡¯t had company for a long while, besides other gods, but there were only so many of them. ¡°Promises kept aside, of the short-term, a pact of non-interference to your world and Erras could save both of them. The question of whether that is worth the price of what you give to them forevermore? Two worlds spared, left to accept the consequences of their own choices, for good or for worse, but how many more with no option but to resist, submit, or perish?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been one for the greater good.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps. But you also believe in the right to autonomy, of yourself, and of worlds. What is your right to make the choice, not for Erras, who will make their choice, but for your own world? In this instance, it is prudent to consider the ¡®greater good¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Shit.¡± Nara pressed fingers to the pressure points near her eyes. Knowledge was being kind about it, but he had more or less admonished her for being thoughtless. If she was dealing with actions with wide-spanning consequences like this, she should care.

    Knowledge¡¯s mouth quirked in a wry smile. ¡°Dominion would say it is your right to choose. You are in this position, by merit of your own choices and abilities, and your own capabilities of thought and invention. As the one in this position of power, it is your right to choose. You only have to bear the consequences of that choice. However, as Knowledge, there are moments where you are the only one capable of making the choice. Sometimes, the power may be in your hands, and no one else¡¯s.¡±

    Nara looked up at him, cocking a smile. ¡°Are you sure you aren¡¯t Wisdom?¡±

    ¡°Wisdom is one sort of knowledge,¡± he said sagely, with a wry smile. ¡°Consider, that the time to make era-changing choices is when you have the power to bear era-changing consequences.¡±

    ¡°The power to follow through,¡± she said thoughtfully. ¡°You¡¯re saying I should put it off until I¡¯m higher rank.¡±

    ¡°Waiting is a choice in and of itself, with its own benefits. Erras waits to build their forces against the Advent. There is a cost to waiting, but what is gained may be more than what is lost. You can never know what decision the right decision was, but you can be sure that this decision is beyond your rank. It may not always be possible, but today Erras can step forwards as you step back.¡±

    She narrowed her eyes. ¡°This all sounds suspiciously like I may need to step forward for Earth.¡±

    Knowledge shrugged, but his eyes were keen. ¡°I do not know what the future holds, nor what is the right answer for your world. You know very little of your world; I cannot give you better ¡®wisdom¡¯, as you would say.¡±

    Well, yes, she was definitely ignorant of Earth. ¡°So you can only guess.¡±

    He spread his hands. ¡°As you say.¡±

    In his hand, an orb manifested, swirling with transcendent light.

    -------

    Item: [Information Command: Expression] (transcendent rank, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, magic core

    Description: The authority to control the expression of information.

    Effect: Gain control over the expression of your information, as well as the expression of information in your perception.

    Uses remaining: 1/1

    -------

    ¡°What is this?¡±

    ¡°A soul-warming gift.¡±

    ¡°What are you getting out of this?¡± Nara asked, full of suspicion. Really, this meeting had been going swell, but gods always seemed to have some sort of agenda¡­although that may inherently be part of their nature.

    ¡°Suppose you were a god,¡± Knowledge began with a smile of grandfatherly humor, ¡°on a world were knowledge prospers yet oversight is unwanted. You have authority¡ªcurrency, to alter reality¡ªand nothing to use it on. Along comes a neighborly outworlder, who has invited you for tea and snacks and friendly discussion.¡± Knowledge gestured towards the door, ¡°If you opened your doors once more, you may find other gods bearing gifts.¡±

    ¡°Oh, gods. Plural? Tried that once, never again.¡±

    Nara took that as her cue to leave.

    *****

    Once she had metaphorically ushered Knowledge out the door of her soul, Nara was besieged with a sudden, soul-deep exhaustion. While soul communion operated on the basis of equality, being on an equal level with a god, sitting around a table discussing divine happenings, was presumptuous of a mortal of her power. Souls may have access to the same basic, equal rights, but there was always a difference in will and authority. That she had lasted this long against the singular divine attention of a god, undiluted of his absence of all priests, and on a direct line unfiltered to her soul was testament to the brutal workout she had already given her soul.

    She managed the faint concentration needed to sequester her lute before her vision faded to black.

    At least she was already on the bed.

    *****

    The pink-gold light of Premiesta¡¯s morning sun kissed her eyelids, gently pulling her from a weary and deep slumber. On the edges of the windowpanes were an etched diffraction, scattering rainbow light that dappled the room in fantastic hues reminiscent of the light of Harmony. Harmony lived in all of Premiesta, and in their worlds beyond this, a god living and breathing together with its people.

    A god of the people, for the people, and made with the people.

    Nara sat still, meditative, allowing her appreciate her existence as it was: The scenery and architecture of a world far beyond her, crossing entire dimensions; their varied trees with their feather-petaled flowers and soft aromas; the healthy bustle of a waking city, students chattering with their friends, guardians and normal students alike, adults relaxedly enjoying a quality brew, and browsing the news at crystal-cast stations; public and private transportation moved, blood through the arteries of a city, yet the air tasted pure and free of contamination.

    This could be for Earth, for all its faults and benefits. The question was, did the benefits outweigh the faults? What was morality in the face of prosperity? And what was ethical against the decisions of the government?

    Her life was miraculous, Nara decided. For all its trials and adversity, she had her companions and triumphs. She had already seen what she could scarcely comprehend seeing a few years past. A life of wonder, danger, of different cultures, of friends and enemies.

    She bade Premiesta goodbye, thanked Conchordia for its welcome.

    And she left.

 Chapter 189: Namesake

    Chapter 189: Namesake

    -----

    - Item: [Information Command: Expression] has been consumed.

    -[Record] may now be used on all recognizable mediums of information.

    -[Query] may now display information in all recognizable forms.

    -[Note] may save information in all recognizable forms.

    -[Map] may be adjusted to display alternative map forms.

    -Your information and status may be fully or partially concealed from others.

    -Immunity to identification and tracking effects from [Soul Legion] may be adjusted.

    -------

    The Guide nicely laid it out for her, but Information Command: Expression wasn¡¯t something that could be entirely expressed by her Guide, ironically. From Nara¡¯s inherent Essence User Sense of it, it allowed her to shape the way others perceived her information and the way she perceived information. The guide was a crutch to understand the world; Like modern medicine and the study of the human mind, not everything fit into a perfectly quantifiable box.

    She was starting to wonder if the Fates where conspiring to mold her into an astral repository, or perhaps just the Knowledges were; it was their purpose of existence to perpetuate knowledge, and maybe that purposes extended past their own existence and their own world. Nara wasn¡¯t really sure how their allegiance worked. Gods like Undeath and Destruction wanted to fuck their own world up, so that was no guarantee of helpfulness.

    She was, however, still limited by the limits of her bronze rank perception with regards to her ability to perceive information, but that epiphany would be sequestered away on some Note somewhere until it became relevant. (If she even remembered to look at the Note. That poor Guide function was sorely neglected.)

    It was a narrow shot whether the effects of Information Command: Expression could also block the divine sight of gods, although if she had to wager on it, she¡¯d wager no. Perhaps something like Information Command: Obfuscation (theorizing on its existence) would be needed. Expression only expanded on what she could already do; as far as she could tell, granting control where she initially had none.

    Her first instinct was to remove her Adventure Society badge, allowing for its tracking function to work on her. Nothing visibly showed, but she could almost imagine the corresponding plaque glow and shimmer, a dot with her name on a map. Her abductions had escalated to across dimensions in other worlds, but a pattern repeated twice was liable to repeat thrice, although Nara had the bittersweet thought that the tracking function would ultimately never prove useful to her.

    She had arrived on Erras in the early in the hours of the morning. She rarely woke so early herself, and had woken at such an unholy hour thanks to divinely fraught events the day before. The brisk air dimpled her skin as she settled on the veranda, and she detachedly watched Sen in his morning routine. He¡¯d typically tend to his garden afterwards, getting dirt under his fingernails and picking pests off his seedlings in a hands-on way he enjoyed, before the sun climbed the sky and the day had fully warmed. Sen probably would¡¯ve made a good farmer, and would enjoy the science and strategy involved in maximizing his own harvest.

    Sage had informed them of Nara¡¯s arrival this morning to spare everyone the hullabaloo, warm hugs, and grateful tears. Sage¡¯s bodies were efficiently laying out food for her; she hadn¡¯t eaten her morning libations in Conchordia.

    There was tea, a local variety from Kallid, eirasbeis, herbal and floral beyond the norm: a chamomile base, with notes of something like nutmeg and cinnamon. She sipped it gratefully, the warmth suffusing her and warming something long chilled. Icy tension she hadn¡¯t realized frosted her form melted, and something akin to peace settled within her soul, rising with the temperature. Strong local flavors. Sage had chosen well.

    It wasn¡¯t like she died or anything; She preferred the peace and quiet, still contemplative of her nearly two weeks amongst ¡®the enemy¡¯ if she could call an entire system of worlds such a thing. There was a very distant sense of having cheated The Advent, born from her two decades as a proper, law-abiding authority-respecting citizen. If she ignored the initial torture, they had received her hospitably, shown her their god, enacted a new law in her name, and tried to integrate her within their culture. All she¡¯d given them was some measly books.

    ¡­Perhaps the scale was not so unbalanced. Being proselytized wasn¡¯t very pleasant, coming from any religion. Considering she¡¯d made off with another divine gift, she¡¯d consider their debts paid and slate wiped clean. If they approached as equals, she could deign to give them some time of her day and negotiate.

    However, she was quite tired of having her companions used against her.

    *****

    Nara was expecting a visitor. The visitor she got, however, was not the visitor she expected. She had become something of a divine hostess nowadays. At this point, she should be less surprised that the wrong god had shown up.

    ¡°Traveler,¡± she greeted. Sage quietly set out a cup for him as well as some fresh snacks. She wouldn¡¯t let a god eat her benefactor¡¯s leftovers, should he choose to eat. ¡°I was expecting the Knowledge priest.¡±

    ¡°You know what they say,¡± Traveler said cheerfully, settling into the chair at the small patio table. ¡°Life is full of surprises.¡±

    ¡°Life is a journey,¡± she agreed.

    ¡°Speaking of¡­¡± He cocked a grin. ¡°How was your trip?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t help the giggle that escaped. Of course, the god of traveling would ask about her travels. ¡°The trip absolute stole my attention, riveting. The whole time, I was a captive audience. And the food was positively divine.¡±

    ¡°My oh my,¡± Laugh lines upon his face crinkled with his laugh. ¡°Three worlds now!¡± Traveler mused. ¡°You¡¯re quite the accomplished worlds traveler.¡±

    ¡°Personally, I prefer an in-depth exploration of the finer details. I haven¡¯t quite finished with the first or the second,¡± she said a bit more seriously.

    Traveler tipped the brim of his wide-brimmed hat, briefly shadowing his face in solemnity. ¡°Any journey is a journey worth traveling.¡±

    She side-eyed him. ¡°And how do you feel about soul searching?¡±

    ¡°Well, well, well, what a question you¡¯ve happened upon!¡± He leaned on his elbow, smirking conspiratorially. ¡°You¡¯d be surprised to know that soul searching is extremely popular at the transition from silver to gold. It¡¯s just as much a journey as anything physical. In many many ways, there is no greater change than a change of heart.¡±

    She recalled the snippets that she had garnered from her four mentors about the progression to higher ranks; some sort of introspective journey was necessary to rank from silver to gold. This was all adding up to something, and Traveler was kindly dropping hints.

    ¡°Clearly,¡± she muttered, ¡°not one to care for spoilers.¡±

    He crossed his arms petulantly. ¡°Now, now, now, don¡¯t be so unfair! I believe the journey is just as important as the goal. Foreshadowing isn¡¯t the same as spoilers. It¡¯s the mark of a good story!¡±

    She nodded to concede that point. It made sense, she supposed, that a traveler could be a good storyteller. ¡°So why are you here, in place of my expected guest?¡±

    ¡°Ah-ah-ah, traveling companions are not always the one you expect!¡± said Traveler. ¡°But what you seek from Knowledge is not Knowledge¡¯s to give. Travel is my domain, and my claim to fame, and so it is I, not Knowledge, who would grant your portals the ability to cross dimensions. Although it is something, reasonably, that you could develop on your own in time, through experimentation and rituals. We¡¯ve made a bit of a deal, she and I, and here I am to give you your reward in her place. From one traveler to another.¡±

    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°That¡¯s true of a lot of things,¡± Nara reasoned. ¡°Aliyah says that any ability could be made into a ritual. Amara says that too.¡±

    ¡°Of course, the studious magister, the seeker of all knowledge; one day, perhaps, an architect of magic! Merely a different kind of traveler,¡± he insisted, toying idly with his walking stick. It seemed every good traveler had a good stick, whether it be a practical one or one for fun.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t your definition of a traveler rather loose?¡± Nara said wryly. ¡°It seems like anything can be a traveler. A prisoner. A storyteller. A scientist. Are you really a god of anything if you¡¯re a god of everything?¡±

    ¡°Hurtful!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°But I am not a god of those who stagnate. There are many who embark on no journey and languish! It is not the physical distance that defines a journey, nor is it, even, the achievement of a goal.¡± Then, he grinned. ¡°I am glad this gift won¡¯t be unappreciated, nor undeserved, although ¡®gift¡¯ is inaccurate. It¡¯s your due reward,¡± he said, and with a flourish from his traveling capes, produced an object:

    -------

    Item: [Astral Crossing Gate] (transcendent rank, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable, artifact

    Description: Grants portal conjurations the capability to cross astral boundaries.

    Effect: Adds additional effects to an existing portal conjuration ability.

    Effect: Conjure a dimension-crossing portal for an extreme mana cost and a month-long cooldown. Cooldown of dimension-crossing portal decreases at diamond rank. The egress of the dimension-crossing portal must be within portal range limits of the last portal manifested for each respective world, which will trigger the cooldown of the respective portal. Egress worlds within the same dimension and of significant physical distance will operate as if beyond the dimensional boundary.

    Uses remaining: 1/1

    -------

    The ¡®gate¡¯ was bundled up in a convenient spherical shape; it seemed 3D geometric objects were the vessel of choice for magical powers. There was no ¡®gate¡¯ shape within the sphere, just an expanse of astral sky, looking much like the oversaturated, overcomplicated deep space landscape she had seen once before.

    ¡°It¡¯s not really a sphere,¡± Traveler said, ¡®reading¡¯ her mind. Maybe he was or wasn¡¯t¡ªit did always seem the mysterious bard character at the crossroads of a life knew just what to say. Traveler, perhaps, always knew what sort of journey someone was one. ¡°But making anything portable is something of a skill of mine, be it people or objects.¡±

    ¡°In this case, I¡¯m making everyone astral-portable?¡± Nara asked dryly.

    ¡°At least of your rank,¡± Traveler confirmed. ¡°Temporarily. Although, you may find ways to get around even that. Let not a traveler be constrained by rules.¡±

    She supposed she wasn¡¯t entirely constrained by rules. And, if she wanted to extrapolate further, her journey to Erras had been a sequence of breaking rules. First, of crossing dimensional boundaries. Then, learning of magic, which broke the rules of reality (Aliyah and Chelsea would protest!). Then creating a new technique for a type of magic. In the old days of philosophers and astronomy, was science not about breaking the rules and the norms? Nara liked the idea of that: learning was creating and reshaping the rules. Reshaping reality.

    She gave him a fondly suspicious look and unceremoniously used it, and she felt its power trickle through her soul, touching upon her Cosmic Path ability and slightly modifying it, the delicate touch of a god embroidering new features upon her soul. She observed its alterations, and found nothing amiss, only a new sense of additional capability that Cosmic Path had not before.

    ¡°What if I didn¡¯t have a portal power?¡± she asked, curious, as the power had modified her portal ability specifically.

    ¡°There are artifacts,¡± Traveler said, ¡°much like your friend Chelsea¡¯s creations. An alteration to an existing power is easier to create than shaping an artifact from scratch. One last thing, my dear traveler.¡±

    Nara turned to him to give him the attention he was due.

    ¡°I play the messenger today, for Knowledge: Remember the other half of your deal. Deliver what needs to be communicated to the priest of undeath. She says, ¡®I¡¯ll take care of what¡¯s left behind.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll know it when it happens,¡± Nara confirmed, although she couldn¡¯t help the ominous clench of her gut.

    What would be left behind?

    She could only hope she wasn¡¯t a piece Knowledge would casually discard, not after this. But she didn¡¯t think sunk cost of divine investment was enough to deter gods.

    *****

    Nara wasn¡¯t expecting a tearful reunion, but within hours the team welcomed her back into their fold, comforting hands, teasing smiles, and words of welcome. It had been early morning when Nara returned to Erras, and only Sen was disciplined enough to maintain an early morning schedule, even on his days of rest. Insane and teacher¡¯s pet as it was, his discipline was restful to him, and Nara knew him well enough that he maintained a healthy balance of rest and exertion. Doctors and therapists would cry with joy over his healthy habits.

    Just then, a perpetually morning-rumpled runic made her way downstairs.

    ¡°Nara!¡±

    ¡°Aliyah!¡±

    They embraced, Nara pressing in to feel the warmth of her friend. She stepped back to study Aliyah¡¯s face, observing her new odd eye, a change that she had been informed of through Sage.

    ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that sexy!¡± She crooned, unable to help herself. Aliyah had always been beautiful, even more so with the refinement of bronze; her beautiful dark skin contrasted with her honey-gold runic patterns, her luxurious and wavy dark brown hair that framed the elegant contours of her face, her straight nose, full lips, and strong eyebrows. Now, full lashes framed two captivating eyes, one of sunlight and one of sunset.

    ¡°If you all say so, this may be more advantageous than I had imagined,¡± Aliyah said, amused, no doubt thinking of all the lesbians she could flirt with. ¡°It¡¯s a relief to see you safe and unharmed, as far as I can tell.¡± Her eye seemed to glow. ¡°Was your mission a success?¡±

    ¡°I think it was. I got my thing from Traveler.¡±

    ¡°From Traveler?¡±

    ¡°Long story.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem a particularly long story,¡± she rejected. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have happened anywhere else but here, and you haven¡¯t been back for long. Although, speaking of long stories,¡± Aliyah began with an unconvincing cheer, ¡°we¡­have a team name!¡±

    The cheer was indeed, distinctively false.

    ¡°What?¡± said Sen, who had joined them in the dining room.

    ¡°What?¡± said Nara, who was still there.

    Aliyah¡¯s smile grew strained: her smile was doing its best to maintain a fa?ade of comfort. ¡°Our team name has been bestowed upon us by the graciousness of Her Majesty Queen Tyranel.¡±

    ¡°Fortune have mercy,¡± someone said in a near whisper. Encio, perhaps, although he rarely invoked the gods. What did he know?

    Nara felt like she was missing context. What was so bad about Tyranel? Was she not a beloved ruler of the Kallidian people? Everyone she had met in Kallid seemed to like Tyranel very much, and the kingdom seemed to delight in her oddities and her origin as a former commoner who had made punching nobles a pastime.

    Sen crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, as if to prepare for a mortal blow. John was just as confused as she, standing awkwardly in the room, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Eufemia pressed her forehead against a wall, staring at nothing, as if blocking her vision would block the impending news. Encio sat, listless in a chair, head tilted back, eyes seeing nothing but their own doom.

    ¡°Right¡­what is it?¡±

    ¡°Unknown.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­what?¡±

    A laborious, pained sigh. ¡°¡­Team Unknown.¡±

    A sympathetic cringe rippled through the group.

    ¡°We can¡­get through this,¡± said Sen with great effort. ¡°This isn¡¯t the end. I will not give up on us.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that terrible. It¡¯s funny?¡± she offered. ¡°Can you imagine: ¡®Oh, what team helped us?¡¯ ¡®Team Unknown¡¯. ¡®What¡¯? ¡®The team is Unknown¡¯. ¡®Surely, somebody knows¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Gods. It¡¯s terrible,¡± Eufemia despaired. ¡°We should split now.¡±

    ¡°There were other suggestions.¡± Aliyah tried valiantly to dampen the near-mortal blow to morale. ¡°¡­Team Kallid, Team Rainbow, Team Crest. Team Worlds Walkers.¡±

    Sen stoically held his eyes open, eyes red from repressed pain.

    ¡°What would¡¯ve been the best?¡±

    ¡°To answer is to lose, Nara.¡±

    Wise, albeit useless wisdom, in this instance.

    ¡°Worlds Walkers could¡¯ve been decent,¡± John commented, unintentionally digging in the dagger. ¡°Team Rainbow would¡¯ve been¡­inclusive?¡±

    Nara crossed her arms. ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s funny. If it¡¯s so terrible, can¡¯t we change it?¡±

    ¡°We can, I suppose. Technically.¡± hedged Aliayah. ¡°But we would have to reject the name bestowed upon us by a diamond ranker. It¡¯s not¡­the worst name, and a bestowment by a diamond ranker is worth¡­something. It¡¯ll be in the Adventurer¡¯s Record, at least,¡± she added as a participation prize (which they sorely needed).

    That got Sen¡¯s attention, and he straightened, finding some sort of momentum to carry him through this damaging revelation. ¡°Naming aside, that has value.¡±

    It seemed if he focused on its quantifiable advantages, he could power through the pain.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard worse,¡± Encio added. He listed some off: ¡°Team Blood and Gore¡ªjust tasteless, Team Domination¡ªthey were very mediocre, Team Titan Fell¡ªa party member died to a tidal troll, Team Dragon¡¯s Kin¡ªthey kept getting regularly challenged by draconids.¡± He tsked and shook his head. ¡°They can never take any challenge to their claimed heritage. If you ever want to bait a fight from one¡ª¡±

    ¡°At least there¡¯s no expectations,¡± Eufemia lips twisted up, a dry smile. ¡°If we¡¯re mediocre, ¡®unknown¡¯ suits us just fine. If we¡¯re not, everyone will know our names anyway. Unknown will never be unknown.¡±

    ¡°To surpass our namesake.¡± Sen nodded resolutely. ¡°To shape history.¡±

    ¡°To seek the unknown,¡± Aliyah echoed, remembering Tyranel¡¯s words, ¡°to understand it.¡±

    ¡°To be wary in our ventures,¡± Encio said solemnly, ¡°so that we may survive them.¡±

    ¡°To be knowing,¡± said John, ¡°to be the masters of our crafts.¡±

    ¡°To be the unknown,¡± Eufemia said, smile sharp, ¡°and keep our enemies guessing.¡±

    ¡°To have a sense of humor,¡± said Nara, because she didn¡¯t have any other wisdom to offer that hadn¡¯t already been covered, ¡°to laugh in the face of danger.¡±

    ¡°We may survive this tribulation after all,¡± Sen said, posture relaxing from battle-readiness.

    ¡°Sure,¡± agreed Eufemia, as she turned away from the wall. ¡°Sound confident and you can pass anything off as wisdom. Do it just like that. Take it from me: you can convince almost anyone of complete and utter nonsense if you speak with confidence and poise.¡±

    Encio grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve always thought you spoke nonsense. Complete boloshit. Heidel waste.¡±

    Eufemia tossed her hair and glared. ¡°I¡¯m saying that I can convince anyone of anything I want. You, meanwhile, rely on your background to make your sense for you.¡±

    ¡°Just another skill of mine,¡± he said to be infuriating. It was an indisputable advantage.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so proud of that! Or are you saying you have no other skill at all!¡±

    The team agreed to leave the name be, to take the inherent fame of a name granted by a diamond ranker. In time, they may all appreciate the humor in the name.

    After all, all adventurers were a little bit crazy.

 Chapter 190: A Betting Man

    Chapter 190: A Betting Man

    Nara had been able to spend two days in relaxation and recovery before she was called to a meeting at the palace. It was kind of them that they hadn¡¯t demanded her presence the very first day; Traveler had not waited, but a part of Nara was relieved she had what had been promised to her.

    One step closer to her goal. It was just the final, damn frustrating coordinates that continually eluded her.

    After her second semi-compliant abduction, Sen had taken steps to inform the Adventure Society of the situation, and Knowledge priests had shown up to corroborate the plan. If Nara was acting on behalf of a goddess, there was little question of where her loyalties lay, that even if she returned, she would not be branded a traitor. At the very least, the Knowledge priests could verify whether she spoke truth or not (or at least, whether she spoke on what happened truthfully. Knowledge couldn¡¯t actually verify if something was capital-T True.)

    Kallid castle was nestled between the Ilwyd mountains and Cysegr lake, which always seemed to remain as placid as glass despite the storm that raged beyond the ridges of the mountains. The Lake of Sanctuary it was called, for the magic that calmed the tearing winds and warmed the chill. The lake never froze, and the winter never blanketed the valley too heavily, remaining milder (comparatively) in this region than anywhere else in the range.

    The majesty of the castle was perfectly reflected by the stillness of the lake; Tall, grey parapets slightly angled inwards, drawing the eye to the steep spires that sloughed off snow and sleet. The spires and roofing were green, paying worship to spring, like blades of grass stretching upwards after a winter¡¯s repose. The castle was more elaborate than the architecture of the rest of the city, with a multitiered sloping design that allowed for water to run downwards, into the lake that the castle was elevated above. Rivulets of spring ran in rivers down from the mountains, creating cascaded steps between the mountains and the lake. The town drew from the lake, careful not to let it overflow, as the rain from the Eternal Storm was unending.

    Nara wondered if the castle remained from the era of the Einvaldi, but the architecture was less austere than the mausoleum had been: more youthful, more fanciful, the hope for an end to winter rather than the eternal wait for a storm that would never end.

    Had the Einvaldi left to allow for the growth of a new era?

    Nara disembarked from the skimmer along with Sen and Aliyah, who were her companions for this trip. The knowledge priest, Gwydion, accompanied them, alongside the castle worker that had been their chauffeur.

    The castle was close to the lake, partially built over it on supports, and not much in the way of gardens, and as nurturing as the embrace of Cysegr was, this close to the storm, the harsh winds occasionally escaped the confines of Ilywd. Still, even cold Kallid had her hardy wildflowers, and their persistence colored the sweeps of the valley.

    The castle was the center of Kallid¡¯s court, with chambers and meeting halls and guestrooms to house any number of adventurers, nobles, officials, priests, and foreign dignitaries. Kallid¡¯s court in general was more subdued, with less fervor than the fast-moving politics of Sanshi and Rowan, content to slowly navigate the future under the watchful care of their queen.

    The halls were lined with deep greens of the forest, the spring greens of new grass, the deep blues of a winter night, and threaded with golds and silvers of the ice, moon, and stars. The carpet was plush and clean, and Nara was tempted to remove her shoes and feel it, but the sense of Chrome¡¯s boring gaze from within her mind stilled her compulsion.

    Fresh flowers stemmed from vases, and windows were lined with great luxurious swaths of satin damask fabric, emerald, green cradling the mid-morning sun. The windows were wider than those of the town, and enchanted to resist the cold, although unnecessary in the temperature of the sixth month. Elegant wreaths of dried flowers, branches, and leaves were strung through the hallways, their aromas suffusing the halls: a tradition of Kallid, that sought to preserve the spring into the long winter night.

    Their castle attendant was a true professional, and they arrived at the meeting room just on time, other officials filing in to the just opened doors. Nara didn¡¯t want to draw any attention, possible for now, but would be an impossibility once she was addressed before the Queen¡¯s court.

    She shuffled in after Sen and Aliyah, both of whom were far more in their element: Aliyah had commuted to the castle ever since her initial discovery, and Sen was raised to participate in high-ranking meetings.

    Not that Nara was nervous about high rankers¡ªshe had never properly developed that sense of self-preservation. She just hated meetings. Ugh, and she had no phone to fiddle on to pass the time.

    Unfortunately, there was no dithering about and spacing out as the council talked about other matters of the day-to-day of ruling Kallid and caring for her people. She would¡¯ve really appreciated a piece of paper and pencil to doodle eyeballs, trees, and squiggles all around a piece of paper (it would¡¯ve been such a blast to the past), but it seemed, today, she was the topic at hand.

    ¡°Nara and Team Unknown,¡± the person who Nara could only assume was Tyranel, since she lounged upon the throne at the front of the room with a distinctly shit-eating grin only a ruler that suffered no consequences could sport said, ¡°Welcome!¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Aliyah gently pinched her side. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± she tacked on, a beat later. Glances indicated her pause was not unnoticed. Already going so well.

    Tyranel was a snow leopard patterned leonid (so as not to compare them to animals)¡ªthey were the most common type of leonid in Kallid¡ªand Nara could¡¯ve sworn she looked familiar, but she did struggle with facial blindness when it came to the scale and fur covered races. (Frankly, she struggled with facial blindness with all the races.)

    A cape of heavy cloth, lined with thick fur, draped insouciantly over a shoulder, pooling over the back of her seat. Her posture matched her cape, about the furthest thing away from sitting properly in a chair, as if she had made a challenge with someone to do so and was in it to win it. She wore a sleeveless tunic cut far too short to even be considered as semi-formal, so short that Nara was afraid she¡¯d get flashed if she maintained eye contact. (You never really knew with Tyranel.) Leonid fashion was somewhat exhibitionist to human and elf modesty standards, and as cold weather bowed out for spring to stand center stage, out came Kallid¡¯s less appropriate fashions.

    There was no lack of accessories: a jeweled badge to pin her cape to her tunic; silver braided cords and lined frogging; and a colorful embroidered sash in Kallid colors that clinched at her waist generously granting the loose tunic some shape.

    All in all, it was probably pointless: Tyranel Kallid would look majestic wearing nipple stickers and striped stockings. If Aliyah¡¯s cool-but-not-entirely-concealed expression was anything to go by, that thought had long sprung up in her mind and decided to stick around, regularly re-entertained. (Aliyah had already tapped gold rank Wisteria; Nara was starting to wonder if Aliyah would fuck her way up to diamond rank. Typically, humans, elves, and runics weren¡¯t supposed to be attracted to leonids and draconids, but well, Aliyah had never been attracted to appearance, but to power and character.)

    The meeting proceeded normally from then onwards: Nara was questioned about what she had learned from her brief stint as a spy, and she provided whatever answers as best she could. Whenever doubts were posed¡ªalthough the council was gentle, considering, and merely due diligence, and her status as just a bronze ranker meant there was little suspicion that she could be a true spy, or inflict any real damage (there were certain advantages to being lower rank)¡ªGwydion the Knowledge priest would verify or clarify her information in a way that was better understood by the council.

    Her information on The Advent¡¯s crystal tech was of surprising interest to them, and the Inventor Society representative present (and Creation priest) would attribute her with a portion of the invention¡¯s profit and rights, for her world espionage (corporate espionage was permitted as long as it was against the enemy, and Nara could hardly fault Erras for retaliating against The Advent¡¯s own tactics, and reversing engineering the enemy¡¯s tech was a tale as old as Earth¡¯s history of warfare). Amara would probably love to work on that particular invention, as it was well within her interest in ¡®everyday objects¡¯, but it was out of Nara¡¯s hands. She would try to speak to the Invention Society¡¯s representative, afterwards, and recommend Amara for the project. She had prior experience with crystal artifice due to Sanshi¡¯s abundance of crystal.

    The most discourse worthy information had been her revelation of The Harmony¡¯s true nature, The Advent¡¯s rejection of all gods, and the ultimate presence of gods, unable to intervene. Those gods who had a large amount of unspent interference points, but it was unknown whether they¡¯d help another world destroy the Advent: Knowledge would not, as their purpose was to propagate their concept, even beyond the constraints of their world. As long as The Advent pursued knowledge, Knowledge of Premiesta would stand neutral. His gift to Nara, after all, did not help Erras nor disadvantage Premiesta appreciably.

    Nara did, however, keep one thing quiet, and Knowledge¡¯s priest unexpectedly kept her secret for her. Nara wondered if it was considered part of their mutual deal to keep her abilities under wraps and restricted; Gwydion spoke nothing of the new capabilities her portal possessed, its potential to send another spy to Premiesta.

    However, there was little meaning in sending a bronze ranker, which was her limit. Nara had been welcomed, and had access granted of an honored guest. A true spy would not have the bracelet and its access to all of The Advent¡¯s services (and its tracking function would be critically exposing for a saboteur).

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    It was with her explanation of the books she traded for their continued goodwill that she met the most outrage. Her aura was met with probing pushes from higher rankers, and kindly shielded from them with Tyranel¡¯s own aura. There were accusations of being ¡°Weak willed and compliant, quick to give up secrets under pressure,¡± of ¡°A completely unnecessary forfeiture of information when refusal would have sufficed.¡±

    She felt the burn of their accusations beneath their skin, just as their own gazes seemed to try to pick her apart and look within, and if peeling back her skin would expose the traitor beneath. She had questioned herself, after all, whether her gift of those books had been necessary at all, whether The Advent had been so assured of her confinement to their world that she had no choice but compliance, that all resistance would be unproductive and pointless.

    She had done the same on Erras: submitted to their ethical and morality, adapted to the lifestyle of an adventurer. She looked and she saw what John saw, the unethical training of children for combat, the ¡®what doesn¡¯t kill you makes you stronger mentality¡¯, that those with power occupied positions of power, the same social and geopolitical issues that plagued Earth also plagued Erras.

    For all their unethical foreign policy, The Advent had been a world united.

    What major nation treated those outside their borders better than those within? The Advent¡¯s answer to tribalism was to integrate everyone within their tribe. Crime against The Other would cease when they were no longer The Other.

    As an outworlder, Nara had always felt the outsider. She may claim her team as her found family, her nebula house as her home, but no world and no nation would have her sole allegiance.

    Nara was not an altruist, but perhaps why she could not treat with The Advent, to disadvantage the many for the few, was because she not a true loyalist to the few in the first place. She had thought it before; Erras¡¯s political problems were their own, and Nara had no revolutionary motivation to stir the pot. She still held to her own values, as much as any human could hold true to a set of values in a complex moral landscape.

    ¡°You can get away with that thoughtlessness now,¡± Chrome¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, ¡°But with power comes responsibility. You should choose what that responsibility will be before circumstances choose for you.¡±

    The argument waned: the Knowledge priest confirmed its contents were well selected and not outstandingly harmful, the contents of one of the books had been the one to lead to the development of the astral space detection ritual. It was a theory book of astral spaces, their unique characteristics, how they formed onto a dimensional membrane of a world, and the signature they leave on the weave. Several disgruntled auras still brushed over her, but the tried adventurers on Tyranel¡¯s council were understanding; they knew of difficult decisions and costs of victory.

    Eventually, her hearing ended, and the council moved onto other topics. The chaotic, multi-nation war of the Dao Hai City States had escalated, with a notable attack on a population center. Nisei¡¯s betrayal of Erras had been leaked, and the population of Sanshi was calling into question the power and position of the great families; Nara stole a glance to Sen at this, whose aura matched his expression, placid and unbothered.

    Arlang cared not to be where they were unwanted, and Sanshi had always been intended to be neutral territory. The dominance of the great families of Sanshi was contrary to its foundational ideals. Sen doubted that the other families, such as Jagar, Nisei, and Dasan, would be so quick to relinquish control. Fenhu, undoubtedly, would find a place within the new order. They always did: where there was art and coin, there was Fenhu.

    Then: the first signs of the monster surge.

    The council debated whether to begin surge preparations. It could take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years at the most extreme before the surge began in full after the sightings of surge precursors. The council would send out their routine notices, warning outlying cities and villages for increased manifestations in population areas, and increased vigilance of dissenters, who often struck during surge peaks and surge preparations, where the attention of adventurers and officials were spread wide.

    Businesses and operations would enter their pre-surge stage, where they lowered productivity for increased watchfulness and reduced operating area. At least, the good workplaces would, the shady businesses would operate as they pleased, although approved pre-surge and surge guidelines were necessary to start a business, and business licenses could be removed if they were found violating them.

    Lesser matters were then discussed¡ªthe problem of poachers, likely to increase in the pre-surge state. The continued holding pattern over the interference of the church of undeath against the towers of black ice. Various towns and villages that were experiencing increased growth and would be allocated increased resources to advance them post-surge. A gold rank monster had been spotted far north, thankfully away from any population centers, and a gold rank team would be dispatched to defeat it.

    *****

    She had tried to slip out of the meeting room discretely when a gentle but insistent tug of aura forced her to turn her head. Tyranel leaned over her chair, finger beckoning, like a naughty saleswoman from hell.

    Nara really didn¡¯t want to have to deal with a diamond ranker, not that she unduly feared them. They were still people, for all the power they possessed, and Tyranel had a good reputation of wise leadership with her whimsical quirks. It many ways, Nara feared them less than fearing the rich and corporations of Earth, who could overturn governments, fund insurgents, use child and slave labor, poison cultures, all in pursuit of profit, that abstract god of theirs with fewer moral directives than Destruction himself. Death at the hands of a diamond ranker would be a quick mercy. Economy understood that business was a balance, one the rich failed to grasp, taking and taking from the supports and foundation of the building that supported society until there was nothing left to take, a crumbling end as everything fell to ruin.

    The increased lifespan of society¡¯s most powerful did foster some perspective.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Nara reluctantly greeted. ¡°Have you need of me?¡±

    Whatever Tyranel did with her aura removed Nara from the consideration of the gold and silver rankers around, and Nara was grateful for it. In their minds, she had managed to slip out. With Balance, Ice, and Echo for the Refracting Confluence, Tyranel was known for her ability to slip by undetected. Although known was perhaps inaccurate; after all, no one found Tyranel if she did not want to be found. It was her gold rank reputation of centuries past that shed any light on her capabilities: various illusion oriented awakening stones had inclined her towards transformation, unlike and like Eufemia.

    ¡°I¡¯ve taken a look through your Adventure Society records¡ª¡± She waved a dismissing hand, anticipating the objections Nara wouldn¡¯t have voiced anyway, ¡°¡ªThey¡¯re supposed to be sealed, I know. But you have a soul-bonded vehicle, do you not?¡±

    She nodded. Well, not much Nara could do. In any world, the laws didn¡¯t apply to the powerful.

    ¡°I wonder, have you grown¡­weary of your unending search of the mausoleum? Perhaps you¡¯d be willing to make a trade? You have no need for more equipment. I have something else that may tickle your interest.¡± She wiggled her fingers, as if to tickle Nara. Nara prayed she would not. If being tickled by a diamond ranker didn¡¯t directly kill her, the shame of the situation might.

    ¡°I suppose I could overlook the invasion of privacy if I¡¯m getting something out of it.¡±

    Tyranel grinned, not minding the cheek.

    ¡°Now¡ª¡±

    We¡¯re doing this here? Nara despaired.

    ¡ªTyranel opened her cape and reached in, removing an item from it like some sort of shady alleyway drug dealer and not an esteemed Queen of a nation.

    It was a token, usurpingly, as it seemed the most convenient form for items to take whose form held no inherent purpose.

    -------

    Item: [Forge of the Divine Chariot] (unranked, legendary)

    Classification: Consumable

    Description: To forge the seat of the gods.

    Requirements: Transcendent rank or growth-type vehicle or construct intrinsically connected to an entity with a spirit domain.

    Effect: Converts the interior of the vehicle or constructed into an extension of the connected entity¡¯s spirit domain.

    Uses remaining: 1/1

    -------

    ¡°Er, Chrome,¡± she asked telepathically. ¡°I don¡¯t actually have a spirit domain. Would this even work??¡±

    ¡°This¡­this is beyond even me,¡± Chrome admitted. ¡°I had not heard of an Astral Domain before you, but it shares many of the characteristics of a Spirit Domain, except that it exists not in reality. All effects of your Astral Domain have been temporary, unlike a Spirit Domain, an enduring claim upon reality. It is not quite the same¡­but your Nebula Flask shares much the same aspects of impermanence, and it is still not a claim upon reality, not in the same way a Spirit Domain would be.

    ¡°There is potential for great gain here. I know you dislike the observation of the gods¡ªthis would be an extension of your ability to shield yourself, and now your allies and your home, from their gaze. In ways your Astral Domain is not, this would not require your presence nor your concentration. Tyranel is right: You have no desperate need for additional equipment. Your armor is conjured, and your weapon is bonded.¡±

    ¡°And if you were a betting man, Chrome?¡±

    She could sense the furrow of his brow, the narrowing calculation of his eyes, the way he steepled his fingers, as if the answer would weave itself through their gaps. She felt his sincerity, the way, as her familiar and companion, that he reasoned whether this exchange would be to her greatest benefit or not.

    The pause was lengthy, and Tyranel was kind enough to wait, sitting now on the table of the meeting room, legs swinging. Nara¡¯s answer, after all, would expose whether she possessed this capability at all. It wouldn¡¯t have been in her Adventure Society records, and Tyranel would draw her own conclusions.

    Finally, Chrome breathed his answer, slow and sure in the way all his advice was to Nara.

    ¡°I¡¯d bet yes.¡±

    *****

    ¡°One more thing,¡± Tyranel said, interrupting Nara who once again, tried to slip away after their exchange. The little sprout glared at her balefully, before trying to school her face into something more appropriately neutral. Ah, this one would never be a politician. Great aura control for her rank, but she always assumed no one was watching her face. ¡°I need a diamond spirit coin.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Nara reflexively protested. ¡°Aren¡¯t you rich? You¡¯re a Queen.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°What could you possibly need it for? Don¡¯t you have your own?¡±

    Tyranel bit back a grin at her outrage. Ahhh~ she just loved to mess with the little ones, although that was not her purpose this time. ¡°I promise it¡¯ll be paid back~ Come on~ Just give it to me~¡± she needled instead, opting to be as infuriating as possible.

    Her eyes bugged out a bit in disbelief. Rubbing the space between her eyes, she hefted one over, the weight more of its value than actual mass. She looked at her as if The Queen of Kallid was some common highway robber, demanding diamond spirit coins from unsuspecting bronze rankers with force.

    ¡°I¡¯m charging interest,¡± the adventurer warned, about as threatening as a teething puppy. Tyranel wanted to mess up her hair and pinch her cheeks.

    She handed the coin over, then couldn¡¯t leave quickly enough, escaping before Tyranel could demand anything more from her. Tyranel heard her muttering out the door, in disbelief about what diamond ranker could possibly want the paltry wealth of a bronze ranker.

    Ah, she had no reason at all to need her wealth, but it was symbolic that she paid for herself, even if the revival would be paid by the Church of Knowledge. Although¡­now that Tyranel took a closer look, this was a unique spirit coin! One of those looted with a personal power!

    It was Nara¡¯s side profile, a black gem upon her ear, flowering trees wreathed around her, and the words ¡°The Astral Traveler: Greetings from Afar¡± embossed around the coin¡¯s circumference. A rather ordinary design lacking artistry, compared to Sanshi¡¯s triple mountain triple river coinage, Atisalhaya¡¯s oasis, or Dammerus¡¯ design of intricate historical architecture, but it was unique. A collector¡¯s item. Shame it¡¯d have to be used.

    ¡­Although she could swap it out with another. Hmm, she did like her collections.

 Chapter 191: An Odd Domain

    Chapter 191: An Odd Domain

    ¡°Tricks,¡± Nara growled, rounding on a plaque poacher through the Mausoleum of the Einvaldi. The poacher, bronze ranked, flung out her hand, explosive pills bursting at the deflection of Nara¡¯s sword.

    Surprised, Nara couldn¡¯t block the explosion entirely, powder slipping through her defenses and stinging her eyes, eliciting an equally stinging string of curses. Area effects were unfortunately her weakness, and the wily plaque poacher had sussed it out. Her damage, at least, was low, even if Nara¡¯s pride felt as bedraggled as her combat robes.

    Judgement of the astral, Nara tried to silent cast, but she failed. She huffed disappointedly and cast it verbally this time.

    -------

    Ability: [Astral Judgement]

    Spell (affliction)

    Incantation: ¡°Judgement of the astral.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: 30 seconds

    Effect (Iron): Inflict rending damage for each curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts or refreshes [Sunder].

    <ul>

    <li>[Sunder] (affliction, magic): Negates immunities to physical, resonating-force, disruptive-force, and rending damage. This includes intrinsic immunities such as not having a corporeal form or possessing an entirely energy form. Cannot be cleansed while any other curse, unholy, or holy affliction is in effect.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    Aliyah could non-verbally cast, but then again, most primary spellcasters could. It really wasn¡¯t necessary for her, but it was Sen¡¯s current group homework, and they could only oblige him.

    The damage staggered the plaque hunter, who skidded on the stone floor of the mausoleum. The plaque hunters primarily operated by not being noticed in the first place, or outnumbering the team members that remained outside, much like how the Advent had ganged up on her.  Nara, with her rapid teleportation, anti-detection abilities, and strong aura, made a perfect hunter of the hunters, so she had taken up one of the various contracts that requested their capture, dead or alive (although with a higher reward for live captures, as the Adventure Society had the good sense not to encourage field executions.)

    Mausoleum adventurers were no slouches, as many were here as a reward for heroic feats, but even the best adventurers struggled when outnumbered, and the plaque hunters were more familiar with the mausoleum than visiting heroes sent from various lands to try to gamble their way into a reward. If fate made them heroes, then perhaps fate would deliver treasure (if Nara could equate gods to fate, then the saying may be accurate after all.)

    The plaque hunter had been thoroughly locked down by Entropy and Infinity Domain, both of which inflicted Inescapable, a doubling up that Nara didn¡¯t mind; She¡¯d much rather be the only teleporter around than have to fight one. Her duel with her mimic self was enough to let her know how maddening it was.

    -------

    Ability: [Entropy]

    Spell (curse, affliction)

    Incantation: ¡°From order to disorder.¡±

    Cost: Moderate mana

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Periodically applies an additional instance of each stacking curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction the target is suffering from. This is a curse effect. This effect cannot be cleansed while any other curse, holy, unholy, or magic affliction is in effect.

    Effect (Bronze): Inflicts or refreshes [Inescapable].

    <ul>

    <li>[Inescapable] (affliction, magic): Subject cannot be affected by teleport or non-damaging dimension effects.</li>

    </ul>

    -------

    The Inescapable effect of Infinity Domain ignored resistances however, so it was the superior option if Nara was willing to get up close and personal, or made approaching her just as risky for her enemies.

    If they weren¡¯t willing to take the risk and approach, Nara could always make them.

    Still, the plaque poacher wasn¡¯t out of tricks, and Nara was trying to capture her alive. The poacher tripped around a corner (a distraction, Nara noticed, to hide her true action) and triggered another trap. Since the plaque poachers roamed the halls of the Einvaldi, they had littered his mausoleum with traps, always there to catch unsuspecting prey in its jaws or cover their escape. Guides where there to disable them or navigate around them, and they occasionally partnered with adventurers to disable them altogether in similar bounty contracts. Although, Nara wondered if they just let the traps be, if one day the Mausoleum would reach a critical mass of traps, and the plaque hunters would all inadvertently kill each other with professional-acquaintance-friendly-fire.

    A hidden stone slab groaned from the wall, and then slammed forwards towards Nara fast and hard. She slipped by it, easily enough, not even needing to phase. The light bending effect of her Moonlight Robes often caused their enemies to misjudge her distance and fail precise maneuvers against her, and the treasure hunter hadn¡¯t stopped to look behind her, failing the precision the trap needed to hit. It shattered against the wall in a shower of dust and stone projectiles, the diamond rank mausoleum once again proving the toughest opponent around. Nara danced through the shower of stone bullets, building Waking Moment and Boundary¡¯s Scorn as each rock pinged off a glowing golden sword, directed by her abilities to just skate their surface.

    -------

    Ability: [Dream¡¯s Wake]

    Special Ability (boon)

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): Negate all damage and non-damage effects from actively intercepted or parried attacks. Not all damage and non-damage effects from very powerful attacks will be negated. Intercepted or parried attacks will not trigger retributive effects.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Effect (Bronze): Gain an instance of [Waking Moment] upon intercepting or parrying an attack, even if not all damage or non-damage effects are negated. Instances of [Waking Moment] have a threshold determined by current rank. After reaching the threshold, gain instances of [Endless Dream] instead.

    <ul>

    <li>[Waking Moment] (boon, holy, stacking): The [Speed] and [Power] attributes are temporarily increased by a small amount. Additional instances have a cumulative effect, up to a maximum threshold.</li>

    <li>[Endless Dream] (boon, mana-over-time, holy, stacking): Periodically recover a small amount of mana. Slight reduction in mana cost for abilities. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Ability: [Avatar of the Boundary]

    Special Ability (boon, affliction, holy, magic)

    Cost: none

    Cooldown: none

    Effect (Iron): When inflicting damage on an enemy with a normal or special attack or active damaging ability, gain an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Grace]. Upon reducing, avoiding, or negating damage with your abilities, the attacker will be afflicted with an instance of [Boundary¡¯s Scorn]. [Boundary¡¯s Scorn] inflicted in this way cannot be resisted. Instance limit of [Boundary¡¯s Grace] is determined by the [Spirit] attribute.

    <ul>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Grace] (boon, holy, stacking): Increases rending and transcendent damage dealt. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    <li>[Boundary¡¯s Scorn] (affliction, unholy, stacking): Reduces resistance to afflictions dealt by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Cleansing abilities have reduced effect when cleansing afflictions inflicted by anyone with the [Boundary¡¯s Grace] boon. Additional instances have a cumulative effect.</li>

    </ul>

    Effect (Bronze): Gain increased reflexes, proprioception, and spatial awareness.

    -------

    She could even deflect the same attack multiple times if she could spare the mental capacity to do so, and angled her swords just right, but it was mostly best to deflect each once. Far more efficient, although less impressive. A hazy mind state of dual cognition was gradually forming, a shape within the fog, and the swords did as she bid, without much active thought direction. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Chrome huffed a sound of approval (but that could¡¯ve been her own imagination).

    Area attacks may be her weakness, but multi-objects attacks boosted her more than they harmed her. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate nature of the explosive-rock-vomit bypassed the anti-homing of her robes, which excelled against targeted attacks, although her Infinity Domain kindly redirected most other rocky projectiles. She partial-phased her leg to pass a particularly large shard of rock to prevent the interruption of her movement. Ahh, a classic. Amara had trained that particular reaction into her.

    Obscured by the shower of stone dust, a man barreled through, massive in both stature and momentum. A split-second transformation of Nirvana into a shield intercepted and nullified the bulk of the damage, but she let herself be flung, the charge attack launching her backwards back towards the wall like an action movie sequence. With a well-timed node teleport, she appeared to the side of her first target, smashing into her with the momentum her comrade had so generously donated to her. Try as she might, Nara had no such methods of generating such massive instantaneous momentum.

    However, she specialized in using the strengths of the enemy against them.

    A simultaneous flare of her aura and the momentous impact concussed the female leonid poacher in aura and body, banging her against the wall with a crack that an iron ranker would not have survived. In that brief moment of vulnerability, Nara snapped a suppression collar (provided by the Adventure Society for the contract, not one of Encio¡¯s illicit goods) around the poacher¡¯s neck, and Thanatos darted from her shadow quick as a viper, snapping the poacher up in his jaws in a sweep of shadow and dark flame.

    ¡°ALBA!!¡± her comrade yelled out, furious but unable to follow, Inescapable shackling any teleport that tried to break free. He yelled at his inability to follow and redoubled his efforts onto Nara instead. There was no escape: only the battle, and the duel.

    A third poacher joined, just shy of in time to save his teammate, bladed whip darting forward, blades sliding over blades like the rattle of a snake.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that!¡± the barrel-chested man bellowed, as if his voice alone could incapacitate Nara. Unfortunately for him, it wasn¡¯t his specialty; Nara would¡¯ve had no defense against such a thing except range, and thanked her lucky stars. Leonids were unfortunately known for sound attacks. This man (not a leonid man) was more likely a Juggernaut Confluence user. His iron skin gleamed with his next charge, man turned into speeding car, his eyes the headlights of his rage.

    Nara had the mind to be thankful she had spent the majority of her training and life-and-death combat situations fighting enemies more massive than she, and she vaguely wondered if the provided suppression collar would be able to accommodate the width of his girthy neck.

    The juggernaut poacher had enough experience in his hunting grounds not to ram himself fatally into the diamond ranked walls, and Nara taunted them both from there repeatedly. Should the whip strike it, it would break, a shower of metal shards against unrelenting stone. Rarely were such absolute obstacles Nara¡¯s friends, but here, the walls watched her back and supported her steps.

    A third joined the poachers, for a group of three, previously four, with their comrade taken. With a small enough group of essence users, with one or two within the challenge rooms, they would be able to overpower those left outside.

    Nara would not be able to say she found the tactic of ganging up on someone cowardly, as Sen would gleefully employ such a strategy. Nara however, would take great joy in proving that numbers were not enough to defeat her. She may be a duelist, but she felt like a chess master, blitzing through a line of twenty challengers alone.

    ¡°Well come on,¡± she taunted, her black blade gleaming with the sunset edge of the invocation of Horizon¡¯s Edge, ¡°Surely the three of you can defeat me and take my token? Or do you need me to wait so you can call another buddy to help?¡±

    Nara didn¡¯t actually have her token, she had just traded it to Tyranel.

    The poachers, of course, didn¡¯t need to know that.

    *****

    -------

    -You have used [Forge of the Divine Chariot].

    -The effects of [Forge of the Divine Chariot] have been adapted to [Astral Domain].

    - [Effect: Converts the interior of the vehicle or constructed into an extension of the connected entity¡¯s spirit domain] has been changed to [Effect: Converts the interior of the vehicle or constructed into an extension of the connected entity¡¯s spirit domain or astral domain].

    -You have gained the ability to create a [Spirit Domain] when conditions are met. You posses no [Spirit Domains].

    -The effects of [Soul Legion] will apply to applicable [Spirit Domains].

    -------

    Her state of meditative introspection faded away, her new awareness of the space around her replacing it. Her inherent bond to the Nebula House with Soul Legion had granted an increased awareness of everything within her house, but not that awareness was complete, absolute.

    She had an inkling that this was what the gods felt in their domains, and why Spirit Domains were associated with divinity, although Premiesta-Knowledge had told her that it was not only gods that could posses Spirit Domains. It was an awareness that surpassed distance, although Nara did not know if it could surpass dimensional boundaries. With her astral presence, the jury was still out on that conclusion.

    Had this been worth her token? Chrome had scoffed and said it did more than she understood and should thank Tyranel for allowing the exchange in the first place.

    It was an odd thing, a domain¡ªbe it spirit or astral. In her Astral Domain, she possessed all the administrative properties. From light to even life and death, she could simply switch off their existences like switches in her Astral Domain. She possessed some level of control in a Spirit Domain¡ªnot to the extent of life and death, but she could manipulate gravity, as that was a function the Nebula Flask was able to replicate already. The most important aspect of the Spirit Domain was the aura and soul part of it¡ªshe could deny aura and divine sight within her walls.

    Physical perception still passed through, but a wall would simply do. Not to mention, the complex magic of nebula and cloud flasks had protections against observation, control, and analysis.

    Her flask had always been a potent defensive encampment in combat. Nara appreciated the peace of mind it provided during the hours of rest and meditation, unlike some parties which used watch shifts at night despite their perimeter arrays.

    Regardless of how strong the flask was defensively, it would not progress her abilities. In that, all essence users were equal. Equipment could fill the gaps, increase their strengths, and tilt the scales towards victory, but only by using and mastering abilities could they cultivate true strength.

    The point of equipment was that they¡¯d be alive to see it.

 Chapter 192: Pawns of Gods

    Chapter 192: Pawns of Gods

    ¡°Sooooo, are we there yet?¡±

    Gwydion the Knowledge Priest neutrally lifted an eyebrow, his hands still on the skimmer steering orb. He seemed non-divinely blessed with incredible patience. He was a quiet sort, although didn¡¯t shy away from conversation, answering neither overly verbose nor unkindly short. They were skimming outwards of Kallid, towards the Eternal Storm in the north, although passing over a ridge to the northeast. Nara did not think it was possible to move around the storm, and wondered if they¡¯d eventually have to pass through the deadly light show of unending lightning like Lake Maracaibo.

    ¡°Not yet. The Undeath priest is careful not to approach Kallid to closely.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t even this too close to a diamond ranker?¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± he acknowledged. ¡°As an outworlder, you may not be aware of the ¡®unofficial¡¯ rules.¡±

    ¡°Rules?¡±

    ¡°Any significant power on the world stage is backed by a diamond ranker, rather directly or indirectly,¡± he explained, meeting Nara¡¯s inquisitive gaze. He needn¡¯t look at the road to see it. ¡°It presents a conundrum. Diamond rankers are a power too powerful, and any conflict with a diamond ranker on one side and none on the other becomes a massacre. The rules are a promise for no diamond ranker to interfere unless there is a diamond ranker on the opposing side. This, of course, is waived for events that threaten the well-being of the world, such as the messenger attack, or the forces of Destruction, who don¡¯t care about any local rules.¡±

    ¡°Well wouldn¡¯t Undeath just use his diamond rankers anyway? Why would he care?¡±

    ¡°Should Undeath field a diamond ranker where there is none, then he would be struck with the overwhelming might of several diamond rankers. As you would say, they would¡­ ¡®Gang up¡¯. No matter Undeath¡¯s forces, they do not surpass the combined might of diamond rankers of the world.¡±

    ¡°So Undeath doesn¡¯t want to throw the first punch.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Gwydion said with a dry smile. ¡°Nor do we want him to. A diamond ranker¡¯s ¡®first punch¡¯ could unleash massive destruction, especially an Undeath diamond ranker.¡±

    ¡°Like a zombie apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°Undeath apocalypse,¡± Gwydion mused. ¡°We do not call them ¡®zombies¡¯.¡±

    ¡°So as long as the¡­death toll is low, Undeath and his forces are allowed to exist?¡± Nara said with a bitter sharpness, but it was not as if she did not understand the concept of ¡®acceptable losses¡¯. Capitalism was more than willing to churn the meat grinder for profit. Or oil. Praise the military-industrial complex.

    ¡°A campaign to destroy them would be costly, in many ways,¡± Gwydion said. ¡°A likely victory, but a pyrrhic one.¡± He tilted his head, then added another comment. ¡°As such, the situation in Rowen is so closely monitored.¡±

    ¡°So, the world can start to shore up defenses? Or to join in as a strike team to finish the job if it¡¯s going to get started in the first place?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps. No one can know.¡± There was a subtle lilt of humor in his voice.

    Gradually, the sky darkened, consumed by the wool blanket of black clouds, just as static as a sweater in winter. Glimmering threads of lightning wove from cloud swell to cloud swell, then striking the ground with abrupt and overwhelming violence. The thunder was near constant, a percussive line or a drum solo, with rolling snares, booming bass drum, and the sharp clash of cymbals. The wind picked up, scattering across the barrier of the storm-traversing specialty skimmer, and the rain began its tinkling music.

    Nara peered into the storm far into the distance, searching for something¡ªthe tower of black ice, perhaps¡ªbut there was only darkness to be found, all light consumed by the storm where the tower was, no discernable shape to be found. Even lightning died across the void, winking out as if space itself ceased to exist, for there was nothing for it to cross.

    A was around an hour into the storm, the roar of winds and tempo of rain ever escalating, that Gwydion released several magic drones. They scattered into the dark, and Nara soon lost even their blinking lights of blue magic to the dark of the storm. Her bronze rank perception was not enough to penetrate the darkness far.

    ¡°What are those for?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Lightning catchers,¡± said Gwydion, the enchantments of the skimmer reducing the cacophony of the storm to a manageable din. ¡°Without them, lightning would continually strike us, and the skimmer. Even this far from the eye, the power of the strike is silver rank. I could manage, for a while, but the storm is unrelenting, and my resources are not infinite.¡±

    Her next thought brought out a chuckle: ¡°And I can dodge rocks, but not lightning.¡±

    ¡°Try not to leave my side,¡± was all Gwydion said.

    Lightning instead of rain rained down from the black sky. Every so often, a crack of lightning made true of its threat, striking against the barrier of the skimmer in a flash of sheer power. It shuddered and hummed, supports creaking under some great weight, but the lightning catchers attracted enough of the storm¡¯s attention that the barrier held, dissipating the energy of the strikes.

    A chill shuddered up her spine, raising gooseflesh along her arms. The void was unnerving, and Nara couldn¡¯t help the anxiety that pulsed through her blood. She was to deliver a message to the Undeath priest¡ªwhy her? Knowledge had not said, but she had delivered on her promise, the Gate, and Nara would complete hers.

    *****

    Duscha waited impatiently within the storm, his disposition just as stormy as the weather, his ghostshade cloak moving heedless of the wind, ethereal against the savagery of the storm. His pallor of gray matched the monotone of the storm, all color leeched for black and white. The black pikes stabbed into the ground attracted the lightning around him, sparing him from their wrath.

    His god had commanded him to wait here, for the cursed priest of Knowledge. He¡¯d hear a mutually beneficial message, the other knowledge priest had said.

    He scoffed. Mutually beneficial? No, Knowledge would benefit the most. He would be more than happy to strike down her pawn, strike down life, to rot the divinity of knowledge that tainted its flesh. Duscha was of two minds: would he grant the body the divine touch of his lord Undeath, to make use of all death for his will? Or would such an offering be an affront to his lord, his blessings tainted by the flesh which had contained a more impure divinity?

    The idea of serving as a pawn of Knowledge filled Duscha with an all-consuming rage. How dare she play her games with him? She was secretive, manipulative, and impure, her authority weak. Her priests were sheep who could not think for themselves, and she thought herself some sort of shepherd, a mastermind that she was not. For all her knowledge, she could only beguile and beg, whisper and nudge, treat and backstab. Her expansive forces only accentuated her weakness, for she needed them all to accomplish anything at all.

    Unlike his lord, whose purpose was absolute, superior to all gods; he was the one who surpassed the cycle, rather than a pathetic slave to the forces of the cosmos. Undeath broke all regulations. Surpassed the unsurpassable. The forbidden and heretical was arbitrary, rules imposed upon the world to establish a false order of power. With Undeath, the strong ruled.

    Undeath was true evolution. Undeath was ascension, to discard the weak mortal flesh.

    Duscha¡¯s dark vision allowed him to see his visitors¡ªtwo¡ªbefore they sensed him. A young human woman and an older elf man, bronze rank and silver rank respectively. The bronze ranker posed no threat to him. He sensed the divinity of the elf, the claiming corruption of Knowledge clear to Duscha.

    He flickered his aura over the bronze ranker¡¯s with a cursory glance, then surprised himself with his inability to find anything at all. She looked human, and she was bronze rank. Rank was the most difficult quality of aura to hide. One could paint stone to resemble wood, yet upon touch the grains of wood would be missed for the rough coolness of stone. She was human¡­wasn¡¯t she? And her aura, surely, the bronze rank was not another mask?

    He shook his head, clearing his own unease. She was just a bronze ranker, a scout perhaps. Hardly unusual. Knowledge and her spies, he should not be surprised she favored those.

    ¡°Well?¡± he sneered impatiently, ¡°Deliver your message so we may be on our way.¡± He didn¡¯t want to be near these pawns for any longer than he should have to. He felt diminished by association.

    ¡°I¡¯m Nara,¡± the woman said simply. ¡°And you are?¡±

    ¡°You are too lowly to deserve my name.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s Duscha,¡± the Knowledge priest said simply, no doubt to flaunt the petty power of his goddess.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Clearly the¡­man just wants to be called ¡®zombie¡¯ the whole time. Or ¡®you¡¯.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a revenant,¡± the Knowledge priest once again, unhelpfully supplied. Duscha felt his anger spiking, his sharpened teeth pricking in his mouth in frustration.

    ¡°Right. Duscha. I¡¯m not entirely sure what Knowledge wants me to say, it¡¯s not like she told me anything, but I was, er, a visitor to the Advent home world recently.¡±

    Gods. She didn¡¯t even know? How incompetent.

    ¡°I found some stuff out there,¡± she continued, heedless of his growing irritation, ¡°but I think what Knowledge cares about is that there um, are no gods in their society.¡±

    That drew his attention.

    ¡°I mean, there are gods, but the entire world has been claimed as the domain of this false-god called Harmony. Gods have no priests and no domains. They exist, and nothing else.¡±

    Duscha could see the manipulation of Knowledge, here hand in this. She wanted to disrupt their alliance with The Advent. Mutually beneficial, he scoffed. It was never that simple, with Knowledge.

    ¡°And you have proof of this? These outrageous claims? I am to believe you by your words and only your words, this sabotage you seek to accomplish?¡± He crossed his arms, and sneered over her, imposing. ¡°Just your words and nothing else? Surely, Knowledge could have chosen better?¡±

    She froze, not in fear, uncowed by him, but in realization. Her eyes sought his, but she would only find death light, void of sympathy. His jaw clenched. This had been a waste of time. Another one of Knowledge¡¯s games, another pathetic bid to change the odds.

    ¡°Of course,¡± she breathed out, too quiet to hear by normal senses.

    She materialized a chair, and sat upon in. The Knowledge Priest¡¯s barrier hung over their heads, sheltering them from wind and rains.

    She, inexplicably, conjured a lute.

    ¡°Have you heard of Soul Communion?¡± she began. ¡°It is a method of communication between two souls as equals. No matter your view of our roles in life, the masters we serve, be it gods, wealth, the people, or society, within when we speak as souls, we speak as equals.

    There can be no deceit, no lies, no force. You cannot be forced to stay or leave. A ground of neutrality. If you consent, I can show you what I saw, as truth. Perhaps, from it, you¡¯d glean more from my memories, see what I cannot see, and gain more than Knowledge had wanted you to gain.¡±

    He was doubtful, of course. He eyed the Knowledge priest. She saw his gaze, and something about her knowing smirk curdled his blood.

    ¡°What? Afraid of death?¡±

    His eyes flashed. He had his own inventory¡ªmuch of undeath ritual magic required extensive external components¡ªand removed his own chair from within it.

    ¡°Very well,¡± he sneered. ¡°I will serve as the ears of my god.¡±

    If this was Knowledge¡¯s plan, she and her priest would stay their hand; in the games of a god, a silver ranker was inconsequential. What mattered was what happened after the message had been delivered. Would he outlive his usefulness, or would they?

    His hand shall be the one to deliver death.

    *****

    A messenger. A mediator. A path seeker.

    Music wove through her fingertips, twirling around her and the undeath priest in a strange, sonorous duo. She felt his consent, wary and untrusting as it was.

    She closed her eyes.

    When they next opened, she saw his soul.

    It was unpleasant, in the way that rotted food was unpleasant, that the mere mention of carcinogens made others cringe. It was suffused with the sensation of unnaturalness, of formaldehyde preserving a facsimile of life against the entropy of death. The aura of Undeath permeated it, welcomed into its deepest depths, coloring it like dye to cloth.

    She would not say it was evil: Preservatives were not evil, nor were pesticides. But Nara had long sense been disabused of such a simple notion of good and evil, aware that even her own values of liberty were at the cost of safety. What was right and what was wrong? Was the preservation of lives the most important value, or were other ideals more sacrosanct?

    She did sense his wrath, which echoed in his nature¡ªRevenant. He was transformed into what he once was, a rage over divinity (a specific goddess) in life transforming him in undeath. His resentment was deep, bubbling up from an infinite well that colored all aspects of his soul. Perhaps, the victim of an ¡®acceptable loss¡¯ in one of Knowledge¡¯s calculations.

    A pawn did not much like to be sacrificed, even for victory.

    It was only speculation. She could look no further into the man¡¯s soul than what lay on top. Wrath, resentment, Undeath, and a fear of his own insignificance. To be a pawn once again, in the games of gods. He feared it, even now.

    The attention of his soul met hers, and she wondered what he saw with his senses. Less, perhaps. Subconsciously, she knew she posed stronger defenses against observation. It may be her strength of aura, her repeated resistance against intrusions, or her claiming of herself as her own territory.

    ¡°Shall we begin?¡± she offered. She had no desire to spend much time with this man, in touching distance of his soul. Neither did he with her.

    ¡°Do as you are bid, messenger,¡± he said, dismissing and scathing. She could sense Undeath watching, a presence to his priest. The message was for him, and not for the priest.

    She did not show him everything, just two main meetings: The witnessing of Harmony, and the visitation of Knowledge. She ended the sharing before her discussion with Knowledge about her world, and the gift he gave to her.

    The priest took a long moment to collect himself, mulling over what he had witness.

    ¡°Do not think I do not understand your purpose,¡± he said bitingly, ¡°what Knowledge hopes to accomplish with this message. It will not turn out as you expect.¡± He did not share any further thoughts, and she sensed his intention to leave the soulscape.

    Closing her internal eyes, Nara ended the communion.

    *****

    She was too slow. She had not realized.

    And yet, there would not have been an alternative any other way.

    Nara had left the soulscape at the same time as Ducha, but as he was the higher rank, he had a faster reaction and recovery speed. The moment they left soul communion, he attacked. And, as they sat across one another so nearby, Nara had no time to dodge.

    She had claimed that soul communion allowed them to communicate as equals; a lesson learned that this equality did not apply to the physical plane.

    The great sword through where her heart should have been told her as much. Afflictions flickered across her Guide, the ones attempted to warp her flesh into undeath resisted, although the ones that simply rotted it passed through, silver rank against bronze resistances, tyrannical in origin and effect. Each second the weapon impaled in her body dragged her closer to her doom, blade spreading afflictions like industrial waste dumping.

    And here she thought the undead were supposed to be necromancers. Duscha was decidedly a warrior type.

    Her awareness flickered back, the Knowledge priest standing guardedly, but made no move to help.

    ¡°Why?¡± she croaked.

    His eyes were sympathetic but unmoved; she did not know if it was much of a reassurance against the encroachment of death. Her breath would stutter and catch in her chest, had there been any lungs to falter, any heart to fail.

    The Undeath priest had thought she was referring to him. He sneered, face far too close for her final moments on Erras, one she would¡¯ve preferred to spend watching the eerie beauty of the storm than smelling his rotten breath.

    ¡°I will not be a pawn of knowledge,¡± he hissed. ¡°Whatever games she plays with you¡­whatever you are¡ª¡± his eyes were wild, somewhere behind the death light was fear, ¡°¡ªI will end it here.¡± He looked up at the knowledge priest and bared his teeth, sharpened and blackened.

    Options ran through Nara¡¯s mind, discarded quickly. Luckily, the Undeath¡¯s priest¡¯s attention was drawn away from her, turned towards his second, more threatening opponent.

    The first, most obvious option¡ªastral jumping into her astral domain. She tried, but she had never been able to shift outside of the most favorable of circumstances, and impaled with a sword and dripping¡ªoh, would you look at that¡ªblack blood was not the ideal headspace to attempt the delicate negotiation of shifting into a realm that did not welcome reality.

    Even if she could, her next best options were nixed by the Inescapable affliction that was the bane of her existence. It was, unfortunately, rather common, especially with affliction specialists like the legions of Undeath.

    If that was the issue, she needed to deal with the sword. She made a move to attempt to yank the sword out of her chest, arms trembling as she reached up to try to gain enough leverage to pull it out. It was, doubly unfortunate, extremely heavy, and the length of the blade meant she¡¯d need to pull it several times to yank the blade through. Of course, he couldn¡¯t just be a warrior priest, but a heavy weapon wielder as well.

    One. The blade slid a few inches, grotesque metal shifting against broken ribs. Her mind swam with the pain, and her life force was fading fast. She burned mana with Refresh, hoping it¡¯d be enough to get the blade through. Then, she could use a cleansing potion, wipe away whatever she could with Boon Conversion, and hope that it was enough.

    Two. Having no heart and no lungs had saved her again, for she would not be able to take a single breath through the pain.

    Three. She distantly wondered if she looked like some sort of grotesque statue, a woman kneeling on the ground, blade through her chest, blood pooling around her. Yup, if she should die, she should at least look like a piece of art. A tragic statue within an unending storm. How poetic.

    There was no more handle to reach for, only blade to grasp. She curled up her legs, stiff from a Rigor Mortis affliction, and placed them on the guard of the great sword.

    Four. Her legs made more progress than her hands. Perhaps, she should have started with this. She heard a clash behind her, Gwydion¡¯s blue barriers rendered in monochrome as he blocked Ducha¡¯s sword. It would be quite the epic battle she¡¯d like to appreciate, with a background of storm and lightning and a high contrast greyscale, like some final stand in a black and white action movie, if she wasn¡¯t dying on the ground.

    She supposed she¡¯d appreciate it anyway. Final moments and all that.

    Five. The blade finally slipped free of her body (although slipped was too easy of a description), spilling with a gurgle of black, running faster without the blockage. Her vestiges of mental willpower, struggling against the burden of Spirit reducing afflictions, managed to summon a cleansing potion from her inventory. Her arms shook as she popped the stopper and drained it as best she could.

    -------

    -You have consumed [Cleansing Potion (Silver)].

    -Consuming a higher ranked potion has increased potion cooldown. Consuming another potion before the end of the cooldown period will trigger potion reflux.

    -------

    Rats. That hadn¡¯t cleansed the Inescapable. Burning mana through Refresh had at least the side-effect of generating boons, both through Refresh and through Astral Blessing. It wasn¡¯t all peas and carrots, as the silver rank undeath priest had another nasty affliction that caused his afflictions to resist cleansing.

    She kept at it, eyes burning with focus. It was almost worse, having nothing else to do but waiting for the result of the race¡ªwould the afflictions kill her first, or would be manage to cleanse Inescapable and escape before the end?

    ¡°No!¡± a deep and resentful voice seethed, ¡°You shall not escape!¡±

    The undeath priest moved faster than Nara¡¯s addled mind could process, great sword already swinging down like a guillotine. She could only eye it, helplessly, as the seconds of her life stretched despite its sheer speed, the last gasps of her life clinging to reality.

    A gold form materialized above her, crossed golden blades briefly redirecting the strike towards the ground. Easily, the priest shifted its momentum, blade arcing for a second, damning swing. How such a putrid blade, strung with globules of dark flesh and veined in sickly violet, managed to cut through air with such aerodynamic speed was beyond physics.

    The blade crashed down again, and this time Chrome could not stop it. It ruthlessly shattered his sword, shards of gold light the hue of a graveyard of color, then bit into Chrome, red and purple tainting his pristine light.

    ¡°Chrome!¡± she cough-shouted, still weak. Her eyes watered, despite knowing she¡¯d see him again. He flashed her something¡ªa smile¡ªthen shot a look at the Knowledge priest.

    ¡°There is meaning in action,¡± he said, gaze of gold not looking at the Knowledge priest, but at the being beyond him. ¡°Indifference will not reap your desired rewards.¡±

    The sword swung for the last time. Nara did not know whether she or Chrome died first.

 Chapter 193: A Once-A-Year Relative

    Chapter 193: A Once-A-Year Relative

    What a pain, Gwydion thought, another magic barrier easily deflecting Ducha¡¯s great sword. His goddess had chosen him well, his personal shields were well matched against Ducha, who did not possess the swarm tactics that undeath priests were known for, and his targeted cleansing ability in his Divine Knowledge essence allowed him to specifically remove an affliction from himself, ignoring all cleanse restrictions. It was pricy for such a small cleanse, but few of Ducha¡¯s attacks slipped through his defensive barriers and disabling runes.

    The outworlder lay dead, body already helped further along the decomposition process than naturally possible, eroded by the endless hunger of the storm. A pang of pity echoed in his heart like a bell, but he shook the reverberations away. If all was as his goddess said, she would gain all that she had wanted.

    Death was a small price to pay.

    The familiar¡¯s final words rang through his mind¡ªit was true, that his goddess could be callous, from a human perspective. She was not human, but divine, and her mind was not the same as theirs. He could understand the familiar¡¯s warning and tucked it away to be addressed later. It was advice well given.

    It was time he stopped his procrastination and killed the undeath priest now that his goddess¡¯ objective had been accomplished. They were a bit tricky to kill, undeath being antithetical to permanent death, but, well:

    It was nothing a priest of Knowledge didn¡¯t know how to do.

    Where had once been a priest of undeath lay a pile of charred ash. Without the barrier, the soot was alternately ripped up by the wind and wet with rain, ash mixing with mud and grass. All things returned to earth: at least this way, the undead could serve a purpose.

    How arrogant, that the Undeath priest could believe he could win a fight chosen by his goddess. She knows all. To her, his abilities were written on paper, as clear as any book. All Knowledge had to do was select his best nemesis. Gwydion was not a pious man, not as much as some of his fellows, but a practical one: In Knowledge lay victory.

    He glanced at his final objective: the outworlder¡¯s body. A quick barrier encased it and preserved it against further rot and magical dematerialization. A holographic wall materialized¡ªa repository of blue, transparent boxes, rows upon rows of items he had stored away: Divine Knowledge¡ªThe Repository. He located an empty compartment and slid the body of the outworlder in for safekeeping.

    All objectives complete, he powered up his skimmer, and drove back towards Kallid.

    He had a priest to requisition.

    *****

    Nara was dead, back within her Astral Domain¡ªher soul¡ªuntethered to physical reality by a body. For a few moments¡ªor longer, time without a tether was indistinct, fuzzy and indeterminate¡ªNara panicked that even if she could return to Erras or Earth, she would return centuries past, both her old past and her new past entirely wiped away, living only in memory and Knowledge¡¯s repositories.

    A new adventure! A new life! The prospect has never sat so bitterly upon her tongue. A medicine she was unwilling to swallow.

    But as the panic faded, she felt a familiar sense of grounding. A tug upon her soul, a link: old and familiar and changed all at once. A shoe that once fit, a few sizes too small. An old high school shirt, remembrances of juvenile fashion decisions that made her cringe.

    No¡­she was not entirely untethered. A past¡ªa path¡ªexisted.

    When she meditated, she always felt that strand that led to somewhere far beyond her astral home. It was faint, weak, the suggestion of a connection, dreamlike in presence, faint as spider silk in the dark of night. She had theories for what it was¡ªRaina had said she felt a connection to the astral from her, and Nara had wondered if that strand was the reverse¡ªher connection to reality from the astral.

    It was odd, perhaps, but Nara had thought she had her answer. There were other matters to pay mind to: fighting techniques, the mastery of her abilities, astral magic theory, her inventions, the plots of The Advent and Undeath, her philanthropy, and her relationship with her team.

    Now, there was nothing else to pay mind to but that strand, and Nara found it was far easier to feel the silk between her fingers if there was nothing else to distract her from it. She felt the comforting presence of her familiars, gently pushing her towards her destination.

    *****

    Waking from death was an unpleasant sensation, but against the alternative, purgatory in her own soul, Nara could bear the unpleasantness.

    Leaden eyelids weighed upon her face and forcing them open allowed stabbing light to pierce her eyes. They were there to protect her from the asshole light, she concluded, and squeezed them back shut. Somewhere, distant yet near, devices were beeping in alarm.

    There was the absence of pain in her final moments, but her entire body felt weak and trembling, cold despite the cloth that covered her. Her extremities twitched, more instinct than any conscious action, fighting against the somnolent state that claimed her body. She felt nauseous, and her head light, seemingly like it was a balloon flying away and an anchor pulled under.

    ¡°Nara,¡± a voice said¡­Chrome said.

    ¡°Nara!¡± he said again, more insistently. What was he so worried about?

    ¡°Nara! YOU NEED TO BREATHE!¡±

    Her pulse stuttered¡ªand it had been so long since she had a pulse¡ªand that itself shocked her lungs into a lagged startup process, Chrome¡¯s voice the doctor¡¯s slap that started a babe¡¯s breaths.

    A nurse rushed in at some point, checking the vitals on the machines and looking her over, although Nara hadn¡¯t the wherewithal to communicate with her, processing too many things at once with far worse sensors than she was used to.

    Her throat felt so, so dry, and her lips cracked and dry like a desiccated desert. Focusing, Nara could see the Guide notifications in her minds¡¯ eye (they had never needed to be physically visually seen). There were far too many for a post-death previously comatose patient to read, and the realities of having a physical body that needed upkeep and maintenance was screaming demands into her mental faculties.

    Dehydrated. Malnourished. Muscular degeneration. Yes, yes, yes, yes. She understood. She could fucking feel it, thanks.

    Surprisingly, she still had her aura sense, although it was diminished, reduced to iron rank. This scenario echoed unnervingly of her hallucinations (woke up in a hospital, seeing her family, yet having magic¡­a portal to walk through). She determinedly pushed the sensation back. This wasn¡¯t a hallucination. Just¡­waking from a very, very long soul-trip. Around the Cosmos in 180 Days.

    ¡°Hello? Can you hear me?¡± A kind voice asked¡ªthe nurse at her bedside.

    Nara coughed, throat working against the dryness. She managed to croak out an affirmative noise. It was enough for the nurse. She adjusted the bed she laid on into a sitting configuration and helped Nara sip the cup of water. Even such a simple task left her arms strained and exhausted, and Nara already missed the robust strength and stamina she possessed just moments ago. She fought back the initial stab of frustration and focused on calming breaths.

    The next few hours were a long sequence of examinations Nara had little active participation in, although she could hardly contribute: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen levels; pupil, motor, and reflex responses. The most she contributed during the verbal questionnaire, simple questions such as:

    ¡°What is your name?¡±

    Well, that was a bit complicated. Maybe not so simple after all. She hated to trip up here and have to do more intensive therapy than they already thought she needed. She peeked at her guide, wondering if it¡¯d save her.

    -------

    -You are occupying the vessel [Nora Ambrose: Human].

    -You may occupy vessels that you are attuned to. Only one vessel may serve as your [Prime Vessel], from which you may progress your essence abilities. If all vessels are destroyed, you may construct a [Prime Avatar]. Time to completion: 271 years.

    -The vessel [Nora Ambrose: Human] is incompatible with the entity [Nara Edea: Outworlder]. Maximum attributes are reduced until the incompatibility is resolved.

    -The vessel [Nora Ambrose] is normal rank. You have fulfilled the requirements to rank up to iron.

    <ul>

    <li>Initiate rank up? [Yes / No]</li>

    </ul>

    -You have not fulfilled the requirements to rank up to bronze rank. Requirements:

    <ul>

    <li>Progress to bronze rank [Fulfilled].</li>

    <li>Rank up to iron rank [Unfulfilled].</li>

    </ul>

    -As your [Prime Vessel], ranking up will convert the vessel of [Nora Ambrose: Human] into [Nara Edea: Outworlder].

    -------

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­Nora,¡± she croaked. She¡¯d have said something cheekier, but just didn¡¯t have the energy for it. She had taken rather a long time to answer, but that hadn¡¯t bothered the nurse. Or maybe it had. She eyed the nurse suspiciously as she jotted something on her checklist. Ugh, checklists and their mind games.

    ¡°Do you know where you are right now?¡±

    Shit. The difficult questions just kept coming! Relentless!

    If Nara had to guess (and she did), this was inexplicably Earth. She had theorized that her original body was comatose, and this situation had confirmed as much, judging by achy limbs and weak muscles. An infant could grip tighter than she could right now.

    ¡°The planet Earth,¡± she said, confident of her answer. Easy-peasy. She didn¡¯t even need to look at her Guide.

    The nurse gave her a look. ¡°And what other planet would there be?¡±

    Aiyah, more difficult questions! The nurse probably didn¡¯t want the truth.

    ¡°Is¡­that a question I need to¡­ answer?¡± she joked, getting a bit winded towards the last part of her sentence. Her aura was already working on repairing her, and Nara could still use the iron rank of all of her abilities. Technically even bronze 0, as it was possible to rank a single ability up to bronze 0 before absorbing all essences, although depending on the ability, bronze rank was burdensome to use in her current malnourished, atrophied state. Let alone using a special attack, trying to jump would probably shatter her knees.

    She¡¯d probably recover far too fast, no matter what she did. Coma recovery took months just for inpatient rehabilitation. Nara didn¡¯t think she could bear to wait even that long.

    ¡°No,¡± the nurse said, her expression still odd. ¡°This is Saint Helene Long-Term Care Hospital in Helsing?r.¡± She glanced at her information sheet. ¡°You were moved here when you had fallen into a coma during Christmas. Do you remember that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Went to sleep¡­then.¡± She weakly waved her hand to gesture to herself, which barely lifted off the bed.

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    The nurse¡¯s eyes crinkled with her reassuring smile. ¡°That¡¯s very good. You seem to have no obviously severe neurological symptoms, but we¡¯ll have to run some more tests. You may find difficulty in working complex tasks, it¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­kay.¡± Nara internally cursed. She¡¯d have to wait to rank up until after the tests. She didn¡¯t want no ¡®miraculous¡¯ recoveries making the media.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll be alright. Your family is on their way,¡± the nurse smiled, delivering more complicated good news.

    *****

    Of all the ways a Monday could start, Oskar did not think it would begin with his stepsibling waking up from a year and a half long coma. He had barely shown up for a few hours at work, and then he was leaving, his wife, Eva, companionably joined him on the way. He had a feeling the rest of his week would diverge from the norm. Not that he much minded, and he appreciated the reprieve from normalcy; The company was running well and didn¡¯t need his micromanaging.

    ¡°Just. How was I the closest one?¡± he groused.

    ¡°Well, let me think,¡± she said with false sincerity. ¡°Your father is in America with her mother, her sister lives in Boston, and her father also lives in America. What did you expect? You can hardly leave her there until someone flies over!¡±

    ¡°I know that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a stranger,¡± Eva chided.

    He sighed, his grip tightening and loosening on the steering wheel with his uncertainty. ¡°It¡¯s just, I don¡¯t know her that well. I¡¯ve maybe met her¡­6 times? Once each year at Christmas. She probably doesn¡¯t even remember me.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Of course she remembers you!¡±

    There was an even strong possibility that she did not, especially after her coma.

    ¡°And I wouldn¡¯t blame her! Once a year, Eva. We may as well be strangers. She probably doesn¡¯t want to see a stranger at her bedside.¡±

    ¡°Look at it this way: this is an opportunity to get to know your stepsibling! She¡¯s going to be going through a difficult time with rehabilitation, and the rest of her family can¡¯t stay here for months while she recovers.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have just¡­left her alone,¡± Oskar said, a little ashamed. He wasn¡¯t the most personable of people, well enough at what management of the company required of him, but between him and his wife, Eva was the sweet and sociable one.

    She smiled at him. ¡°I know you wouldn¡¯t have. Now chin up, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be happy just to have a familiar face.¡±

    ¡°Nora,¡± Oskar greeted his stepsibling, once he had finally made it to the long-term care facility. ¡°Do you remember me? ¡­How are you feeling?¡±

    She looked weak and emaciated, loose skinned from muscles that had faded. She was propped up, her bed leaning at an angle, with the hospital sheet pulled up to her waist.

    She cleared her throat to wake up her vocal chords, still weak from her long coma. ¡°As well as a previously comatose patient could feel,¡± she croaked. ¡°Do you have any idea if they can¡­reduce the length of my impatient stay?¡±

    ¡°Is the hospital uncomfortable?¡± Oskar looked around. She had a small private room, nothing luxurious, but not lacking either. Saint Helene Long-Term Care Hospital was also obviously known for their long-term care, for creating a companionable and friendly environment as their patients recovered. The room even had a nice view of the ?resund Strait, stretching wide and sparkling in the late morning sun. Around the hospital was a garden for strolling; the cherry blossoms and lilacs had begun flowering, and the perimeter oaks and lindens provided ample shade and privacy. A better view than most homes.

    Eva subtly nudged him with her elbow. ¡°Maybe she doesn¡¯t like hospitals,¡± she whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t be so dismissive.¡±

    He awkwardly added at Eva¡¯s prodding. ¡°I¡¯ll see what we can do. Recovery takes time. This is only the first day.¡±

    ¡°¡­yeah.¡±

    He cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve met. This is Eva, my wife.¡±

    ¡°Hi Nara, it¡¯s a pleasure to finally meet you!¡± Eva greeted, companionable and kind. She gave a cute wave so that Nora wouldn¡¯t have to try to reach over and shake her hand.

    ¡°You¡­too. Where has he been¡­hiding you?¡± She said, her tone as teasing as she could manage with their disuse.

    Eva giggled. ¡°Oh, you know, sequestered away in that big house you visit once of year.¡±

    Nora tried to arch an eyebrow. ¡°Only to¡­disappear¡­during Christmas? Avoiding the weirder¡­ side of the family, are you?¡±

    She laughed, aghast, ¡°Avoid you? Never!¡± She whispered conspiratorially, ¡°Like it or not, my family has to deal with me once a year. I put them through the paces.¡±

    ¡°As you¡­should. No one should take you¡­for granted.¡±

    ¡°Wow!¡± Eva fanned herself, ¡°Oskar, she¡¯s got moves! I¡¯m going to swoon. Catch me!¡±

    Oskar rolled his eyes, but Eva threats were never just threats. He tilted back, and he caught her with a dashing sweep. Eva tilted her head back, staring deep into his eyes, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

    Oskar couldn¡¯t see, too busy staring into his wife¡¯s eyes, but he could almost sense the cheery eyeroll from Nora.

    *****

    Over the next few days, Oskar and Eva alternated visiting Nora. Eva worked as a public relations manager, and her work could be done mostly from her laptop and phone. Oskar less so, but the day-to-day decision making of Str?m Packaging Solutions were not so desperate that Oskar could not take a step back to establish a new routine with Nora.

    ¡°Why are you so desperate to leave the hospital?¡± Oskar asked.

    Nora looked up. She had seemed distracted, before he knocked on her room and answered, almost as if he had interrupted a conversation, yet he heard no speaking or words. Perhaps a coma did strange things to the mind, but there was nothing¡­directly off about Nora. Just a pervasive sense that she wanted to be somewhere else. Impatient for your own recovery, maybe.

    Her expression was a bit mysterious. In just a few days, her voice had recovered surprisingly well, no longer needed a breath between just a few syllables. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you once I leave.¡±

    Oskar sighed. He knew he wasn¡¯t that close to Nora, but he was trying to work with her. ¡°I¡¯ve talked with your doctors. Normally, the bare minimum is 4 weeks, and that¡¯d involve detailing a plan for home care. Nora, Eva and I can¡¯t both be there to take care of your recovery, although your mother and my father will be showing up soon.¡± He felt a little cruel, but also felt she was being equally unreasonable. Here was a perfectly good hospital that specialized in this sort of care. Certainly, he and Eva should not change their lives for her for the extreme duration until full recovery.

    The slight smile on her face was somewhat bitter and sly, and not something Oskar understood given the circumstances. ¡°I get it. You¡¯ve both been very supportive to someone you barely known. A once-a-year relative. But I can promise, you won¡¯t need to take care of me once I can leave.¡± Something within her eyes was unwavering, and Oskar felt as if she were the CEO and he was being evaluated, although not unkindly. How a thin, formerly comatose woman could exude such strength confounded Oskar, and he found himself unable to look away from the command of her gaze.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s possible,¡± he said skeptically. It all seemed like wishful thinking.

    She crossed her arms. ¡°The hospital can hardly keep me here against my will.¡± She paused, her fingers drumming against her bicep as she considered Oskar. ¡°This¡ªwell, I can see why it seems like I¡¯m being unreasonable. I know you don¡¯t know me that well, but I¡¯ve never wanted to be anyone¡¯s burden. Well, come here.¡±

    He stared at her, confused at this sudden shift in conversation.

    She clicked her tongue. ¡°Come over, I won¡¯t bite.¡±

    Oskar took the few steps to her bed from his chair, trying not to think of the sort of old-persons-smell she had from her year and a half long degradation.

    ¡°Palms out.¡±

    ¡°Just¡ªwhat¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be contrary just do it.¡± She really had a lot of attitude for someone he barely knew, but he rolled his eyes and complied.

    Then, out of nowhere, she placed something impossible in his hands. If he hadn¡¯t been so surprised by the mystery object, he would have wondered where it came from in the first place.

    She had placed a cube within his hands, around 15 centimeters to a side. The shape of a cube wasn¡¯t the impossibility, rather, it was what laid within it. Or on it. Oskar could not even begin to describe it.

    The first face towards him displayed a vista, rolling hills of green, like the windows XP background, rather ordinary. His palm shifted, and he caught sight of another expanse, wheat stalks but of burgundy, rippling like a wave in some unseen breeze. It was¡ªit was moving, the scene. When his eyes darted back to the top of the cube, it had changed once again, no longer the familiar hills of green, but a slightly curving ocean of blue, shimmering with shards of white in the sun. His fingers brushed over the cubes, but he felt no sensation of glass, nor felt the unnatural light of LEDs on his eyes. In fact, his thumb brushing the expanse of water almost felt wet, and he could scent salt and ocean within the air. He pulled his thumb away, but there was nothing there.

    ¡°What,¡± was all he could croak out, his brain stuttering to a halt.

    ¡°At the risk of sounding insane and needing institutionalization,¡± Nora said casually, far too casually for her next statement. ¡°It¡¯s magic.¡± She peered up at him, those brown eyes looking far more experienced than a woman of 25. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know of any secret magic societies on Earth?¡±

    ¡°No...¡± They wouldn¡¯t be very secret if he could find out about them!

    ¡°Also, I don¡¯t know if any of you have noticed, but I¡¯ve been speaking Danish this whole time. I don¡¯t actually know Danish.¡±

    He stared at her. He hadn¡¯t noticed. Umulig, none of them had noticed!

    ¡°Gods, Oskar, I¡¯m so fucking bored in here. If I can leave, I can heal myself. I mean, I could heal myself in the bathroom, and leave on my own two feet, but I don¡¯t need that sort of attention. You get me, right?¡±

    ¡°That would be¡­uncomfortable,¡± he said faintly. His mind still rebelled against the revelation of magic¡ªshe¡¯s insane, something whispered, there¡¯s no such thing as magic. But another part was vibrating with excitement. He had met his wife Eva playing D&D. He had roleplayed. He had ¡®played pretend¡¯.

    What if, something else whispered, a shiver running down his back, feather light. What if it were real? Oskar was cynical man¡ªto see was the believe. And here, this¡­cube. That was seeing. Still, 30 years of normalcy and common fucking sense fought a desperate battle in his mind.

    ¡°And then well¡ªI don¡¯t know, I¡¯d be on the run? Or maybe the secret magic organization would track me down. I would rather find out about them before they find out about me. There¡¯s, well. There¡¯s something going on. It¡¯s a long story. Not all comas are what they seem to be.¡±

    He held up a hand to save the vestiges of his mental sanity. ¡°Could you hold off on the conspiracies and allow me a bit of time to readjust my entire worldview?¡±

    ¡°Sorry about that. Take your time,¡± she said pleasantly.

    She waited for a beat.

    ¡°Is it stilled called a conspiracy if it¡¯s true? I mean, I¡¯m proof.¡±

    Oskar groaned.

    *****

    Nara managed to negotiate down the hospital to three weeks, and during the meantime she communicated with Sage playing messenger to her team back on Erras. She could almost hear Encio¡¯s smirk and ¡°Enjoy your vacation,¡± as if recovering from a coma the long way and trying to avoid starting an international shitshow over the existence of magic was in any way relaxing.

    John was the next most excited about this new development, and Nara promised to send him to Earth as soon as humanly¡ªwell¡ªpossible. As soon as outworldly possible. He understood the regrettable situation of recovering from a year plus coma. Even in Erras, there were situations where healers had to induce comas. Generally, induced comas in Erras were intended to buy time until a cure or resolution could be found to a condition. Nara¡¯s nightmare beetles were one such example, where she had been put into an extended, unreactive sleep until the Healer priest could figure out to remove all of them and their bugs plus the shackles without overwhelming her system and killing her. Thankfully, the shackles had provided part of the answer¡ªthe nightmare beetles were vulnerable to heat and light, needing the lowered body temperature induced by their hallucinogenic poisons to propagate. Without a brain to fry, raising Nara¡¯s body temperature had been a viable, although not entirely reproducible, option to removing the infestation. After a few heat treatments, Nara had been as good as new.

    She finally started the arduous task of reading a bajillion Guide notifications. Firstly:

    -------

    -You have entered a mana barren environment. Mana, health, and stamina regeneration has been reduced by 80%. Consume a spirit coin of your rank or 10 of the rank below once every 8 hours to regain normal regeneration.

    -Due to your connection to the astral, mana, stamina, and health regeneration is unaffected.

    -Ritual magic cannot be sustained by ambient magic. Mana lamps or other external mana gathering means can be used to sustain ritual magic.

    -Spells have reduced effect or require increased cast times.

    -Due to your connection to the astral, your spells are unaffected.

    -Mana density is below the threshold required for mana manifestations.

    -------

    That was perhaps the most important information, aside from her need to rank up, which itched in her skin like phantom bugs crawling up and down her body. Her soul of an outworlder did not match the vessel of a human, and the dissonance made itself known in every moment. The expansion of her lungs, the beating of her heart, and the sweat upon her skin felt like manual labor, an alien ¡®playing human¡¯. She had never felt more like she was putting on an act just from automatic, formerly natural, body processes. (She felt like a Skinwalker).

    Other than obediently letting the nurses and physios put her through the paces¡ªher main physio, Askel, was enduringly supportive despite Nara¡¯s general nonchalance about the whole thing, but she put on another act of trying hard so that it¡¯d be easier to get released without suspicion or more hassle.

    It helped that Nara could use abilities to Bronze 0 without issue. Technically. The sort of aerial dancing she¡¯d done effortlessly would probably result in breaking an ankle or popping a kneecap with her normal body. If she had to fight, she just had to remember to fight like she was made of porcelain...maybe stick to her recoilless guns. Regardless, it was Refresh¡¯s conversion that sped up her healing, and Nara had to hold back so as not end up on a surgical table in some government experimental lab. Refresh healed her, and Boon Conversion cleansed her.

    A 3 weeklong recovery with little else to do did give her time for some more thinking, and extensive debates with Chrome and Sage (and Thanatos contributing whatever he could.) The events on the forefront of her mind, of course, were the machinations of Knowledge.

    After the events that ended her life, she could understand the rage that Ducha felt towards the goddess. Even if Nara would ¡®live¡¯ through the death and obtain the dimensional coordinates of Earth in the process, she had sent Nara to her death with her priest, saying nothing of what was expected to happen.

    Her nails dug into her palms: too trusting indeed. What she should have done was bring her own ally. Presumably, only a single silver ranker was allowed to the meeting. Nara, unfortunately, did not know many silver rankers (Egil, one of Theodore¡¯s dads, was silver; some of Sen¡¯s and Encio¡¯s relatives; and Eufemia¡¯s father was a core silver, but he could hardly be expected to fight. Mona and a few other instructors in Sanshi.) She would have trusted an Adventure Society assigned silver over the Knowledge priest, although that certainly was hindsight. She had up until then, no reason to distrust any priest or any god. Certainly not to the extent that they¡¯d intentionally get her killed.

    What mattered to her was not that she had died, but that she had not been told and given the opportunity to decide for herself. If she had a death to give, it should have been hers to decide when to use it.

    She could imagine Knowledge¡¯s arguments, because she could easily imagine her own as Knowledge¡¯s advocate. We all got what we wanted. If I had told you, would you have gone through with it? This was the most effective path. You had agreed to the deal. If you definitively knew you could die, you would have died too early¡ªwhen you had been abducted for the first time. You would not have known the most optimal way or time to die. This helps everybody.

    You benefitted from this.

    She tucked her head between her knees and sighed, now a more natural action than one reproduced by magic.

    And she¡¯d understand, dammit.

    But she would not be Knowledge¡¯s unquestioning pawn a second time.

 Chapter 194: Irreversible Changes

    Chapter 194: Irreversible Changes

    It was a few days later that she finally managed to see her mother and stepfather, who had booked the soonest flight possible. Nara¡¯s salary slave mind set cringed at the expense such a last-minute booking would have incurred.

    ¡°Meimei,¡± her mother cried, using her ¡®nickname¡¯ in Chinese, ¡°Baobei, I missed you!¡± That was all she managed before devolving into a shaking, crying mess, and the two of them had a bit of a companionable cling-and-cry.

    Her mother was a small woman, shorter than Nara by a good few inches, with the tanned skin of a Chinese woman that had grown up under the hot and humid summers of Beijing. As an Asian woman in her late 50s, she hadn¡¯t yet reached her instantaneous-grandma age, and still had a youthful look and wrinkle free skin that led to embarrassing but complementary moments where she was mistaken as Nara¡¯s sibling or her friend. If Nara hadn¡¯t already checked with her aura, she would¡¯ve suspected her to have been an essence user. It was nothing, Nara supposed, that a good diet, regular exercise, sunscreen, and religious application of moisturizer (bought at the bargain bin at Ross Dress for Less) couldn¡¯t accomplish. That, and winning the genetic lottery for eternal youth. This had been the lottery winnings Nara had hoped she had inherited, although it had ceased to matter with her essences and altered nature.

    Elliot, her second husband, was friendly with Nara, although certainly not to the point of a cling-and-cry, although he offered a companionable slightly-awkward-but-determined-not-to-be stepfather hug. He was far taller than her mother, reaching into 6 feet, with salt-and-pepper dark brown hair and stately facial hair that her mother seemed to like (or perhaps, it was the money. Maybe both. Her mother liked wealth, but not to the point of liking assholes¡ªa mistake her mother made once). He was the sort of man that was always quietly gentlemanly, classic in the way he opened doors, carried luggage, but intimate with how he brought an extra jacket for his wife, Lynn, on outings for she was always cold, and accompanied her wherever she wanted to go. Even now, he had a spare jacket draped over his arm, which was immediately offered to his wife then transferred over to Nara¡¯s shoulders, since her mother professed she looked ¡°far too cold¡± and that ¡°hospitals always kept the temperature too low, she¡¯s going to get a cold from the air conditioning!¡± All very doting and domestic, and the sort of cultural superstition that brought a smile and an eyeroll.

    Nara¡¯s memories, as she saw familiar faces, also quickly started to return, especially with their respective triggers. The body she occupied, for all of its uncomfortable human functions, did have an actual brain that stored actual memories.

    Her memories.

    (Nara wondered if that was partially responsible for her memory loss. The trauma caused by her time in the astral and her partial severing of the bond between herself and her body, had thinned the original link to frayed strands because she had shattered her soul. When her body was remade, she hadn¡¯t the physical brain as a backup for the memories, so the new brain had been created without them, just what she had managed to retrieve.)

    Nara was relieved to now have tangible proof (as tangible as memories were) that she was more or less the same person personality wise, although with greater experience and shifted values. Still somewhat apathetic and distant. Still with the same worries of establishing close friendships. Still with the same, all-consuming hate of private transportation.

    As her mother held her hand and stroked her other through her hair, she caught Nara up on matters of the family. Her sister, jiejie, had gotten married to her fianc¨¦e, Aaron Sharp. She was now Elizabeth Ambrose-Sharp. (Her sister would never abandon their cool last name for something as ordinary as Sharp.) Her father, James Ambrose, was still the same as ever¡ª

    ¡°He might be worse,¡± her mother admitted, patting her hand. ¡°He thought your coma was caused by the vaccine. He¡¯s still retired, so it doesn¡¯t mean much but¡­¡± she shrugged. Both she and Nara had come to terms with her dad¡¯s conspiracy-consumed mind.

    She nodded, feeling conflicted over the information. She loved him, but it was possible to love someone and dislike who they were and what they believed in.

    ¡°He¡¯ll show up soon,¡± Lynn said. ¡°Just another week or so.¡±

    He probably needed a cheaper flight since he was retired. Nara didn¡¯t really mind.

    ¡°And jiejie?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s also arriving around the same time. She wanted to use this as an opportunity to see your dad as well.¡±

    That made sense with how CAPITALISM INFINITE GROWTH minded America was. Her sister had more vacation days than average, but she couldn¡¯t compete with retirees, or Oskar, who lived in Denmark.

    *****

    Her jiejie, or sister, had the not-so-surprising tagalong of her now-husband, Aaron Sharp. A week later, with her father, the three of them visited Nara in the hospital as one big group.

    Elizabeth was a woman who followed the trends, wearing the people¡¯s fashion of today¡ªa tight crop top shirt and high-waisted pants. Her ears were always bejeweled with earrings, and silver Long (Chinese dragon) curled over the shell of her right ear¡ªa stereotypical Chinese American choice. Like a bird to roost, a pair of sunglasses always perched atop her head. Nara had always been wary of her sister; an extrovert, kind and hospitable in many ways, but also selfish and unthinkingly inconsiderate, who thought her way was the only way that mattered.

    Nara actually thought Aaron was nicer than her sister, but it may be the bias of memories that remembered grievances where Aaron had inflicted none. He was slender, fit, and tall, with angled features and high cheekbones like his surname. Her sister liked all her previous boyfriends fit and held herself to the same standards.

    Her gaze swept to her father, who stood behind the couple who greeted her first. He was haggard and thin, and perhaps belonged more to the hospital than she did but would never allow himself that for his contempt and mistrust of modern medicine. He was tall, over 6ft like Elliot (what a coincidence). His hair and beard had always been white-blond, and now was mainly white, and he limped a bit from an ankle that never quite healed, and the various health problems compounded with age, lead poisoning, and a refusal to allow a diagnosis.

    He was a typical boomer in many ways, brainwashed by the social media they had learned to doubt in the worst ways, untrusting the government yet worshipping the other side all the same. Even though Nara knew he would think it was his alternative medicine and holistic treatments that had healed him, Nara quietly cleansed away what afflictions had ailed him, their notifications a sad record of age and distrust. She unfortunately could not directly heal him like she did herself, but Astral Blessing did trigger and grant him Integrity, as afflictions and age had brought his usage of stamina so high that just walking around consumed enough to trigger it.

    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    *****

    A week and a half later Nara was shuffled into a car (cursed object. This shall be the one and only!), wheelchair and crutches somehow shoved into the back of the smaller, European vehicle, leaving behind protests and questions about her semi-miraculous recovery (and taking with them a useless binder full of information and appointments. Nara felt sorry for the nurse or assistant that compiled it), which, while still nowhere near peak iron, was far further along than what 3 weeks of convalescence should have wrought. Eva was with Oskar in shotgun, glancing between the two as a semi-anticipatory atmosphere developed over the sound of wheels on asphalt.

    ¡°You said you¡¯d explain,¡± he said tersely. ¡°Once you left the hospital. We¡¯ve done what you wanted, against the better judgement of a whole building full of experts!¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t this wait until we get back? It¡¯s like, 40 minutes.¡± She didn¡¯t really want to do this while weak and coma exhausted.

    Oskar groaned. He wanted to slam his face on the steering wheel. She had a point. He had waited 2 weeks already, he could wait 40 more minutes.

    Eva glanced between the two, a little confused over this dynamic. They had become somewhat friendlier over the course of Nora¡¯s hospital stay, but Eva had noticed her husband¡¯s odd anxiousness and excitement. What had they discussed?

    Oskar let the topic go with a sigh, leaning back into the seat of the car, and continued to drive.

    The Str?m family house was not quite a mansion, although it did have enough rooms to house all of their current guests, especially when the married pairs shared. Nara was getting quite tired of being literally pushed around in a wheelchair when weeks before she had more physical ability than an Olympic athlete. She was more mentally tired than physically tired, and when she had finally been left alone after the gratuitous greetings of those around the house, her introverted soul almost cried from relief.

    After she locked the door to her room, she got to business.

    *****

    Nara had thought there was nothing worse smelling than rank up sludge. Nara found out that the only thing that was worse than the smell of rank up sludge was the smell of twice rank up sludge.

    *****

    Oskar would not be deterred forever, and eventually a knock sounded on Nora¡¯s door. She let them in, Oskar and Eva both. The people of the house were winding down for the afternoon, wandering into the nearby woods for a nice stroll within the green, or retiring to their rooms on their laptops to work from home. From her room, he could hear the TV downstairs, the parents watching something together.

    When Oskar stepped into the room, he was immediately stunned unbelieving by how different Nora looked. Her skin was smooth and glowing, faced rounded with healthy fat instead of the sunken cheeks of her coma. She was muscular too, with whip-cord biceps that could bend steel, which could not possibly belong to someone a mere 3 weeks into a coma recovery. His rational mind tried to rationalize it, and failed.

    ¡°Well come on then,¡± she said decisively, a stark difference than her previously diminished form. She swept past them, all magnetic power that Oskar could vaguely sense but did not understand. ¡°Let¡¯s gather the farm.¡±

    Within 30 minutes the family had been herded, situated in the large living room on various couches, and the TV had been turned off. The most perceptive noticed that Nora was walking around on her own two feet, which included everyone but her own sister and father.

    She paced around the center, bare feet on carpet, looking unsure of how to begin.

    ¡°So,¡± she began slowly, ¡°The short of it¡ªI fell into a coma one and a half years ago. While my body slept my soul went off to another world.¡±

    Her sister scoffed, eyes glued to her smartphone. She held it level, and briefly snapped a selfie with a social media practiced instant smile. ¡°What are you talking about, Nora? I know you like anime and fiction, but I didn¡¯t think you were delusional.¡±

    ¡°Fine. Treat this like a poetry reading or something. Can you stop yourself from interrupting, or did you fail to learn that in elementary school?¡±

    ¡°No one cares about your writing. You¡¯re not even that good at it.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be here, leave, but I¡¯m not explaining this again.¡±

    Elizabeth pursed her lips, displeased, but ultimately stayed. Oskar was unsure what her objective had been¡ªto demean Nora, in her hobbies and her explanation?

    Nora sighed, her rather thin patience at dealing with family further whittled down. ¡°Watch,¡± she commanded and even Elizabeth had her eyes yanked up by some unseen force, as if Nora had suddenly become the most charismatic and important person in the room, a celebrity in their midst.

    Two floating glowing golden swords manifested in the air around her, and a shape swooped out of her shadow, coalescing into the shape of a wolf of night, the darkness filling up the room like a creature of myth. Oskar¡¯s felt every heartbeat thud against his ribcage, and his primitive fight-or-flight instincts couldn¡¯t decide which impossibility was the bigger threat. The wolf, it seemed, had little care of its threat evaluation, settling himself on his haunches, loafing onto the floor like an animal trophy shag carpet. A living animal trophy shag carpet. One with glowing eyes, a blue tongue, and very, very sharp fangs.

    ¡°Does this seem like a creative writing exercise to you?¡± she demanded into the ensuring silence. ¡°No? Good.¡±

    For once, Elizabeth had no comment. Nobody had any comment.

    ¡°This is Thanatos, by the way. One of my familiars. He¡¯s a very good boy.¡± As demonstration, she ruffled the fur on his head.

    The wolf yipped a greeting, resting his head upon his large paws. A large yawn flashed large canines for the whole room to see. A primal shiver skittered down Oskar¡¯s spine, like a mouse fleeing a cat.

    ¡°As I was saying,¡± Nora continued, oblivious or uncaring to their fear-driven attention. ¡°My soul ended up in some magical world. I¡¯ve come back with magical powers, and I can give them all to you as well. I¡¯m offering¡ªwith some rules, which I¡¯ve established for your own long-term wellbeing.¡±

    ¡°Firstly,¡± she said, ¡°You must read these three books in their entirety before I give you any magical powers.¡± One by one, books thumped onto the table. The first one, Oskar saw, was Introduction to Essence Magic. Then, Essence Users and Society, and finally, Essence Selection Theory. With copies in both English and Danish. He blinked at the distinct clash of reality. Magic books in Danish?? What the hell was going on?

    ¡°This first book is the basics. What are essences? What are awakening stones? You won¡¯t understand any of these terms, but you will once you read this book. This is your For Dummies book. This book is your new best friend. The second,¡± she said, lifting the respective book, ¡°is your ethics book. I¡¯m not entirely sure how magic works in this world¡ªI know in my guts that there¡¯s some sort of secret magic organization. Several, probably. But I haven¡¯t had the time to find them yet, and I¡¯m sort of in a hurry so my estranged-but-loving-father friend can go back to his family.

    ¡°Regardless, essence magic is a lot of power. I¡¯m giving you a gun and I want you all to know the consequences of abusing that. If you really start abusing magic, then we¡¯re going to have a rather serious conversation that you will not appreciate.¡± She flashed a smile, a little sharp. ¡°I know you are all law-abiding citizens, so it shouldn¡¯t be a problem.

    ¡°Finally, you have your magic selection book. Each person gets a limited amount of magic, so this¡¯ll help you choose what you want. It won¡¯t make sense now, so read the first book. Your choices are permanent, so think about it.¡±

    Before they even knew it, they each had a copy of all three books. Oskar thought he saw a silvery figure out of the corner of his eye, but he wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he started hallucinating from the sheer absurdity of it all. Yes. Better to ignore the silvery figure. Did he even really see anything? How about he took one absurdity at a time.

    ¡°Now, no matter how long you read, I want you to think about it all for at least 1 week. This will change your life. Your selection matters: It¡¯s irreversible.

    ¡°Rule 2,¡± Nara continued, ¡°Is no social media, no external communication. Don¡¯t post any of this online, don¡¯t look up questions about it. Don¡¯t call your friends, don¡¯t text your relatives. If I find you breaking this rule, there¡¯s going to be no magic handed out until I figure out what¡¯s going on in this world. That could be months. I don¡¯t have to give you magic. In fact, I could sell what I¡¯m giving to you to others in the other world and make the equivalent of a few million dollars.

    ¡°You¡¯re my direct family, and I want to give you this. Just be cautious? I don¡¯t want you to get picked up by the secret magic organization that I¡¯m like, 99.99% sure exists. Or, I don¡¯t know, stalked by a religious crazy and killed for being possessed by Satan or something.¡±

    ¡°That leads to the very sensible Rule 3: don¡¯t use magic in public. Same reasons as Rule 2, but I don¡¯t want whatever organization that¡¯s keeping magic quiet in this world to get wind of us and have something to leverage over us. If you get yourself into some sort of trouble with the official magic organization, I¡¯m not going to bail you out. I¡¯m not going to be able to bail you out, one gal against a government? Not happening.

    ¡°Now,¡± she said, finality echoing the living room. ¡°Is that clear?¡±

    A chorus of yesses sounded around the room, everyone too stunned to say anything else, one falling from Oskar¡¯s own lips. He looked down at the first book, weighty in more than mass on his lap. His fingers traced the elaborate penned script, embossed in gold.

    Introduction to Essence Magic.

 Chapter 195: What Shouldnéˆ¥æª› Be

    Chapter 195: What Shouldn¡¯t Be

    The family¡¯s introduction was not entirely so smooth, and Nara was repeatedly reminded why she was an introvert. A few people in particular came to her for every little question, when she had given them 3 perfectly good books that answered all of those questions. It went something like this:

    ¡°Nora, how can you choose what ability you get?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but I--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s in the book.¡±

    Or:

    ¡°What¡¯s a meridian?¡±

    ¡°Did you read the book?¡±

    ¡°Yes--¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t lie.¡±

    Once it was well established that Nara would not answer any questions that could be answered by the books, she was finally left alone. She held a new appreciation for teachers and what they did; Nara did not have the patience to answer any one question seven different times. It¡¯s why she had picked out these three books with Sage¡¯s guidance (and why she did not want to become a teacher.)

    Eventually everyone, including her sister, took to the books with vigor. They were a family of academics, after all, with everyone obtaining a college degree, although that was almost a requirement in the modern age. Elizabeth had even been a double major and double minor, something that Nara had not accomplished. Unlike Nara, Elizabeth was easily externally and internally motivated. It was one of the good aspects of her sister, her ability to work hard, and Nara had to remind herself not to be too harsh on them all. She was happy to see them, no matter the frustrations of family and her strange new situation.

    She had also offered up her crystal recordings to play¡ªher kid-friendly ones¡ªthat the family had taken to watch in the evenings, strange as it was to see herself from an outside perspective.

    It was one such evening, of course, that Nara was reminded of another annoyance of family. The recording in question was one of the early ones, before the full team had formed, of Encio showing her around Aviensa.

    ¡°He¡¯s cute,¡± her mother said in a suspicious way that only mothers could.

    ¡°He¡¯s considered very attractive even by the other world¡¯s standards,¡± Nara acknowledged in what she hoped sounded like pure aesthetic appreciation

    ¡°You were there for a year and a half,¡± her mother fished, ¡°was there any¡­nice men¡ªor women,¡± she corrected, since while her mother was very traditional in her views of procreation, she¡¯d still rather her daughter date at all, ¡°that¡­you were interested in?¡± she said, ending on a hopeful lilt.

    ¡°Mom,¡± Nara groaned. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really thinking about dating. Trying to find a way back here and all.¡± And fight a bunch of monsters in order to do it, went unsaid.

    ¡°Well,¡± her mother gaze her a once over, ¡°I always said you were beautiful then¡ª¡±

    ¡°All moms say their kids are beautiful¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªBut I think it¡¯d be even easier now.¡± Her hand shot out and squeezed Nara¡¯s bicep¡ª

    Nara gently slapped her hand away.

    ¡°Muscles weren¡¯t what my generation liked on women, but its very attractive nowadays,¡± her mother said with false innocence. ¡°And what did the book say, the magic makes you more beautiful?¡±

    ¡°Something like that, the theories on it are pretty interesting¡ª¡±

    She managed to get her mother to drop the topic, although her penetrating gaze made it known that it wasn¡¯t over.

    Nara resolved to never let her mother know what Fertility could do for same sex and even different race couples. Or perhaps, the fact that Fertility could provide another kid for her mother past her childbearing years could distract her from the genetic dead end that was Nara.

    Oskar and Eva¡¯s company she found very enjoyable. Oskar was cynical and cautious on the surface, but underneath it all Nara could sense his excitement¡ªliterally, in his aura. He was the best at hiding it, remaining level-headed outwardly, although the sparkle in his wife¡¯s eyes meant she knew otherwise. He was friendly but awkward, but also sensitive, although perhaps, Nara¡¯s standards for sensitivity were low in comparison to her sister, whose every compliment seemed a little backhanded.

    ¡°What are you so worried about?¡± Oskar asked. ¡°You¡¯re strict with us¡ªwhich I get. This whole thing¡­is a whole thing.¡±

    Nara shifted on the couch. ¡°Just unused to things, thinking about practicalities and culture. The culture in the other world is different. There¡¯s more of an emphasis on personal responsibility. The letter of the law is less important than the intent of the action. When individuals have the power of tanks or bombs, it¡¯s not as simple. None of you are particularly bad people¡ªalthough my dad, I worry about my dad¡ªbut I am trying to take responsibility for my actions. Giving family essences is the norm of the other world, but it is not here. It¡¯s unbalanced.

    ¡°My sister is...well, you¡¯ve met her.¡±

    Oskar nodded.

    Nara didn¡¯t want to say anything bad about her sister, or predispose her step-family to dislike her, although after her coma, they¡¯ve probably been around each other long enough to form their own independent opinions. ¡°I just worry. I can¡¯t be watching all the time. I don¡¯t want to be watching all the time. But I can¡¯t really help but feel she might, uh, break Rule 2.

    ¡°And maybe nothing bad will happen. Or maybe she doesn¡¯t break Rule 2.¡± Nara rubbed her head. ¡°But if she does, then I have to think about whether I¡¯m going to go through with what I threatened.

    ¡°And maybe it¡¯s a bit ¡®worrying about things that haven¡¯t happened¡¯, but what if something worse happens¡ªnot even from her but anybody I give magic to? Ultimately, if someone does bad things with your magic, it will mainly be on them, but a part of it will be on me for giving magic to the wrong people. It¡¯s a bit difficult to know where to draw the line¡ªshould I be fair to people I dislike or don¡¯t fully trust? How controlling am I allowed to be?

    ¡°Like, for my dad, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll let him have anything but a support or healer essence set.¡±

    Nara worried that she was being too controlling. She loved her family¡ªdidn¡¯t necessarily like all of them but you could love someone and not like someone¡ªbut she didn¡¯t also trust all of them to make great decisions when it came to magical power. And, unlike Erras, she didn¡¯t know what guardrails there were to curb harmful actions. Until she found out, she had to be the guiderails of power.

    Maybe she was jumping the gun in giving her family magic. But she did feel some amount of filial obligation, to those she liked and loved or loved but not liked, to give them an opportunity for health, a longer lifespan, and safety.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Oskar had read enough by then to know what she meant and nodded.

    ¡°He¡¯s never been violent, doesn¡¯t even own a gun, but another part of me doesn¡¯t want to give too much power who believes that women shouldn¡¯t have bodily autonomy on the basis of religion. Or, who genuinely believes that the opposition party drinks the blood of children to extend their life, or that everyone who took a vaccine will have serious health complications in 3 years? Where do I draw the line? Do I decide to only give essences to those who agree with my politics? Do I exclude him from something I¡¯m giving to the rest of family?¡±

    As my father that I still love, is it better or worse for him if I do?

    ¡°You¡¯ve given this a lot of thought,¡± Eva warmly supplied, although her comment was ultimately neutral. She was evaluating, in a nice way. She seemed thoughtful in a way few people were¡ªNara supposed her job as a PR Manager meant she knew to be careful with her words.

    ¡°I¡¯ve had a few weeks to do nothing but. The education of essences users in the other world is more thorough, and there¡¯s already established power. If someone clearly evil¡ªa serial killer on a massive scale¡ªis approaching gold rank or the rank above that, the higher rankers investigate and...well, the decide if that person should still be around or not.¡±

    ¡°Conversely, that sounds like it could easily become tyrannical,¡± Oskar commented, disapproval evident.

    Nara shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t be a serial killer. It¡¯s not that strict either¡ªthere''s still plenty of do-nothing and dead-weight politicians around.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­is it more about personal responsibility and moral responsibility?¡± Oskar theorized.

    ¡°Perhaps ethically, in this world, doing something like that would be wrong. You should leave it to the justice system. In that world, letting a serial killer go when you know about it and have the power to stop it would be a failure of your responsibility to society. Most of time though, the Society handles it.¡±

    ¡°The Adventure Society.¡± He had read about it in both Introduction to Essence Magic and Essence Users and Society books. From its prevalence as well as its mention in Nora¡¯s strange crystal videos, it was an important part of the other world¡¯s society.

    ¡°Yes. So, most of the time, there¡¯s no conflict. If someone takes matters into their own hands, the Adventure Society launches an investigation, and they determine ¡®justification¡¯, loosely speaking. It gets complicated the higher up you go, of course. Do you kill the despot and destabilize the region? Matters that are political are left to those with the political know-how. There¡¯s checks and balances, like any functioning society. The Adventure Society won¡¯t post assassination contracts, as a policy, because that sort of decision making isn¡¯t encouraged, and like any matter it¡¯s more complicated than what I can describe¡­but I heard that it does happen. If a despot is weak enough¡ªnot gold or diamond¡ªand they¡¯ve done such heinous shit that its obvious and people know about it, then a particularly pissed passing gold ranker may just off them because they¡¯ve had enough of people screaming in the streets or fearing for their lives in the safety of their homes.¡±

    A companionable silence fell over the three as they worked it out, the sound of pages flipping a soothing cadence to the quiet house. Oskar had read fast, and Nara¡¯s quizzes had determined he had indeed read through books 1 and 2, and he was only book 3, the one he was most excited about.

    ¡°How did you choose your essence set?¡± he asked, unable to help his curiosity. ¡°There¡¯s way too many to choose from.¡±

    ¡°Took a sneak peak of book 3?¡± she asked wryly. If Nara had to choose for herself without her Guide¡¯s suggestion, she totally would have been the same. Can¡¯t help but dreaming about what you¡¯re working for.

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t help it,¡± he admitted, echoing her thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ªbuilds and character sheets! Specializations! Inclinations! The whole thing! And humans and Essence Gifts? I thought humans were lame but Essence Gifts are awesome! Special and unique!¡± He rolled his eyes at Eva¡¯s fond giggle at his excitement. ¡°Humans¡ªnot the most basic race for once.¡±

    Her mouth quirked, and her tone was warm. ¡°Funny that. My racial ability decided for me.¡±

    ¡°It can¡¯t do that for me? Not that I want it to.¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, you have the burden of making that decision for yourself. Or fortunately, since you¡¯re a free choice kind of guy. Given what I know about you, having something decide for you might be taking the fun out of it.¡±

    ¡°You are right about that,¡± he said, as his mind whirled about possible futures for himself. He was already noting a few combinations down, creating a few columns for himself as Nara peeked at his paper. A column for ¡®Known and Interesting¡¯ and another for ¡®Unknown but Cool¡¯. There was a fair selection on each side, properly weighing the advantages of choosing a popular combination with a lot of supporting literature and resulting builds and the cool factor of choosing something relatively unknown. Considering that there wouldn¡¯t be specialized teachers to work through a known combo, which was one of the advantages of choosing such a combination, there was less of a difference between the two on Earth. The only differences lay in what her books provided.

    ¡°I think with your experience,¡± Eva said, intelligent and insightful, ¡°you surely have some advice for us about choosing?¡±

    Smart cookie. ¡°Good question. You remind me of someone.¡± She paused for a moment, as if pinning down the experience in her mind and forming it into words. Nara decided to explain something that the books would not¡ªthe books discussed advice for essence selection in depth already, and even included some of the theories and Erras¡¯ societal relevant reasons; Some churches had negative views of certain essences, such as the Purity Church and the Sin and Dark essences, or the Magic Society may look down on those without a magically inclined ability set.

    ¡°The books say that abilities don¡¯t influence you, but that isn¡¯t entirely true.¡± (She wouldn¡¯t expand on that entirely, but there was something else she could say). ¡°Think of it this way: what you do everyday shapes a part of who you are. Doctors get used to bodily fluids, flesh, and organs in a way that normal people will never.¡±

    Eva made a commiserating noise of agreement. ¡°Not for me.¡±

    Nara thought she was like that too (mostly for other bodily fluids than blood) until she started killing monsters. Not much choice on what ended up on her in the midst of battle, unless she really wanted to try hard just to avoid flying viscera and monster spittle.

    ¡°Those that engage with science and engineering on a regular basis have a different way of perceiving the world, and a fundamentally deeper understanding of it. Or a farmer, who would consider the weather differently than your average bloke. At least, that¡¯s my mundane take on it.¡±

    ¡°But I read that what abilities you get is shaped by your personality,¡± Oskar said. ¡°Says its one of the main theories.¡±

    She did just test him on that.

    ¡°Aye, but not all abilities perfectly reflect your personality. Would I be different as a healer? It¡¯s an interesting question. Or perhaps I''d use different aspects of my personality as a healer, and I''d use those aspects more often. Bottom line is, consider what you want to spend your time doing. And yet, what I said isn¡¯t entirely true.¡±

    ¡°You were part of the Adventure Society,¡± Oskar said, following her logic.

    ¡°Still am,¡± she corrected. ¡°I slay monsters for a living. Do I think it has significantly changed my day-to-day personality?¡± She shrugged, its own answer. ¡°How much of my changes are just the result of my other world experiences? How much of it is inherently from my fighting style, or from the essences themselves?¡±

    ¡°And if I want to be a monster slayer?¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­well¡­we¡¯ll get there when we get there.¡± She shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have an answer for that, not until I''ve grasped the state of magic on Earth, but it is possible I could send you to Erras, if that¡¯s what you really want. It wouldn¡¯t be possible to constantly send you back and forth, so going there would be uprooting your life here. But you could consider that. Something for later.¡±

    *****

    Nara had been meaning to start on her next task for a while now, but she had barely a moment to herself. With a month-long cooldown, each dimensional portal use was significant.

    The very first use, she¡¯d use for John.

    However, she first needed to make her way to London proper. John had given her his street address, and she¡¯d travel as far and as fast as she could with a combination of Astral Jumping and Node-flying. A flight from Copenhagen to London was only 2 hours, but Nara didn¡¯t know how she could explain to her family the need to go to London, not yet, and John wasn¡¯t even alive in this world like she was.

    Not even in her room would she be entirely unbothered, so she had wandered into the forest surrounding the Str?m family manor and took her first real breath of nature in many days. The forest was a mixture of deciduous and coniferous, and Nara imagined it would alight with reds and oranges during autumn. Old beech trees extended branches heavy with age, and their pointed leaves cut the bright sunlight into, softer, dappled shades. The ground was coated in a layer of green grass, bright and happy and new. Nara leaned against the smooth grey bark of the beech, suddenly immensely glad she was alive and physical.

    She still needed to re-summon Chrome. She wouldn¡¯t leave him without a physical vessel for long, even if he didn¡¯t mind it like she did.

    She slipped into something more meditative, brought about by the peace and quiet she had seldom enjoyed these last few days. She extended her dimension sense, feeling the dimensional boundary of this world.

    She could feel its weakness¡ªinflexible and brittle, unable to flex without breaking. A cage of biscuits, she imagined to herself, an impact would rupture a hole, instead of springing back like a trampoline. Or mozzarella cheese. As her senses wandered, delved deeper, there was something there something recognized. Something there that shouldn¡¯t be.

    *****

    ¡°No,¡± Nara said, standing upon the top of a far too large, fantastical tree. A forest of magical beech spread in front of her, their leaves a silver-blue instead of the typical, non-magical green. ¡°This is impossible.¡±  A massive tree interrupted the sea of leaves, stretching upwards like a monolith, winged monsters swooping at its highest branches.

    Earth shouldn¡¯t have any astral spaces.

 Chapter 196: Chelsea Buns and Coffee

    Chapter 196: Chelsea Buns and Coffee

    It didn¡¯t make any sense.

    If there had been an astral space aperture nearby, Nara would have sensed it. Her Gaze of the Boundary allowed for her to sense the coterminous space, and her Astral Traveler ability allowed her to enter them¡ªBut she still had to be nearby!

    She could enter her Astral Domain from anywhere as it was always coterminous to herself. She could enter an astral space from anywhere as long as she had been there before, using her Astral Domain as a travel nexus. But she hadn¡¯t been to this astral space before. More importantly, it shouldn¡¯t exist.

    According to astral theory, there were several causes of astral spaces. Proto spaces were temporary astral spaces, most often disappearing and collapsing within a few hours. Anything that didn¡¯t leave before collapse was often killed by the sheer violence of the changing dimensional forces, so most monsters¡ªor whatever else inside¡ªmade their way out of the space before it ended them. Very rarely, a proto space could stabilize and become a persistent astral space, but this chance was incredibly low.

    There were more stable varieties, those that formed and stayed around for months or years, eventually tipping over into completely stable or slowly losing integrity in a calmer and quieter manner before they eventually completely disappeared. Sometimes astral space in Erras just had very long half-lives, and would take centuries before they stabilize or degraded. Astral magic specialists would determine how long a semi-stable astral space was safe and how long it was likely to last.

    Those were the astral spaces that formed on Erras, which had a stable boundary, rather than the instability that was necessary to cause proto spaces. Even learning about proto spaces had been from the Celestial Book archives. Erras might have some incredibly niche research on the topic, but Nara hadn¡¯t found it yet if they did.

    There were several other methods, ones Nara didn¡¯t understand much of¡ªtransformation zones? What was that?¡ªbut the bottom line was that for a permanent or semi-stable astral space, magic was needed, and a stable enough dimension to attach and integrate into. If a membrane wasn¡¯t flexible, an astral space shouldn¡¯t be able to integrate in the first place.

    More importantly, the zone was massive. Nara made judicious use of her astral jumping and node-flying, and she still had not reached the end. Going any further had become an increasingly strenuous exercise in futility, so she sat down to gaze blankly at the landscape and contemplate her options.

    The increased Spirit of bronze rank had increased Nara¡¯s precision and calculations, but jumping space made it rather difficult to keep track of distance. She could, however, use her portal range as a measure of distance.

    It had been around 6 months since Nara achieved bronze rank, and most of her abilities were around Bronze 5 or 6, with progress becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Cosmic Path, in particular, was Bronze 6. Portal ranges at base were 40km per rank in bronze (starting at bronze 0), giving her a total of 280km or around 170 miles, plus some range thanks to the legacy effect of Astral Affinity, now Astral Traveler.

    --------

    Racial Ability: [Astral Traveler]

    Transfigured from [Outworlder] ability [Astral Affinity].

    Increased resistance to dimension effects and astral forces. Dimension abilities have increased effect and transcendent damage is increased. This is a legacy effect of [Astral Affinity].

    If your body is discorporated, your soul will return to your [Astral Domain]. You may re-inhabit physical reality upon the recreation of a physical body.

    Within the astral you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of physical reality around you.

    Within physical reality you will be able to create and maintain a small zone of the astral around you.

    You are able to sense and enter coterminous dimensional spaces. Your presence stabilizes unstable dimensional spaces.

    You are able to enter and traverse the astral.

    -------

    So, estimating a maximum range of around 200 miles, if Nara maxed out her portal range (meaning, trying to conjure it further resulted in failure), Nara would have traveled more than her portal range.

    After two hours of experimentation, that was exactly what had happened. The massive tree, which Nara dubbed The Big Beech, was a convenient portal landmark. At some point, when Nara could no longer portal direct to The Big Beech, she knew that the astral space had surpassed 200 miles in radius. Casting her gaze to the horizon, she saw no flickering of the breakdown of reality to the chaos of the astral.

    She had one other idea.

    Nara chain node jumped higher and higher, the cold of altitude gradually biting into her skin. She slipped on her cloak from Kallid, shielding her body and trapping in her heat. The air grew thinner, but her outworlder body never grasped for breath, although her sharp senses noted the difference.

    She climbed, the forest falling behind clouds, white veiling their silver blue. This was the height airplanes flew at. There, beneath the clouds, unable to be hidden by the gauze of white:

    She saw the curvature of the Earth.

    *****

    In the next few days, up to the week time limit she had set for her family, Nara made her way to London.

    The question of the massive astral space still growled in her mind like some great chained beast, and Nara was suddenly beset with an issue of too many projects and not enough time. She still needed to return to Erras and retrieve Nirvana¡ªalthough Sen had mentioned that a Knowledge priest had delivered it to them (taken off her dead body)¡ªwhich she may have been putting off because of the inevitable confrontation with Knowledge. With recent revelations, she¡¯d rather have her trusty formless weapon sooner rather than later.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    For now, she focused on returning John to his family, and Nara would like the backup on Earth. He¡¯d be dealing with his own problems, but she knew she could count on John.

    *****

    ¡°John,¡± Nara greeted him as he stepped through the portal, onto Earth for the first time in over two years. He could almost imagine the perpetual gray, the rain, but also the part and the city and the history that he was familiar with, rather than Erra¡¯s nations of millennia upon millennia past.

    He stepped out into a family bathroom of a Nando¡¯s.

    ¡°Er, sorry,¡± Nara said sheepishly. ¡°I figured a bathroom was the best place not to get caught by a security camera. Fancy a walk of the city? There are some things we need to discuss.¡±

    *****

    For the first time in over two years, John eyes took in the skyline of his home city.

    It was late July, which meant that the sun deigned to show itself above the skies of London, dispelling its characteristic cover of grey. A backdrop of blue contrasted with the off whites of Georgian and regency architecture, wrought iron fences and lamp posts as black details upon the pale.

    John felt his eyes well up with emotion.

    They took a stroll through the famous St. James Park, and John had a funny feeling she chose the park for more than just the scenery. She activated a privacy screen, and off they went.

    ¡°I have managed to confirm that you are still considered dead,¡± said Nara. ¡°It¡¯s probably best for you to investigate it yourself. I¡¯m not clear on the specifics. I¡¯ve stalked your family a bit, they¡¯re all alive, and all in the same place.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for checking in on them.¡±

    ¡°No problem,¡± she said, tipping her head.  ¡°I¡¯m called Nora here, by the way.¡±

    ¡°Which would you prefer?¡±

    She shrugged, ¡°I feel more like Nara, but Nora is still a part of me. Either works. Probably best to use Nora in public.¡±

    Something arrested Nara¡¯s attention, and she skipped over to a caf¨¦. She came back with two Chelsea buns, and a coffee for John. It was far too warm a beverage for the weather, but John could hardly care.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to try one of these,¡± she said, already biting into the sticky pasty of raisin, cinnamon, and glaze.

    John received the offering of his home with thanks. ¡°You have money?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. What I¡¯ve earned before all of this,¡± she said, waving her hand at the general situation, ¡°and my stepfather gave me a card. Oops well¡­I¡¯ll have to tell him the charge in England isn¡¯t fraud. It¡¯s enough to last until I figure out what¡¯s going on here, and get my accounts re-situated. You¡¯ll probably have it worse off, being dead and all.¡±

    ¡°What have you found out about this whole thing? Is there magic here after all?¡±

    ¡°My suspicions grow that there must be some sort of magic organization. I¡¯ve scouted the city¡ªthere a few buildings with array protections.¡±

    ¡°That more or less confirms it then,¡± John said. The cup of coffee in his hands was a grounding of normalcy, although John was pretty sure his reality was about to become upended all over again, this time on Earth. At least he¡¯d grown used to expecting it.

    She nodded. ¡°There was one in Copenhagen, but London definitely takes the cake for density. Whatever organization or organizations likely has a bigger branch here. There¡¯s also something going on with Earth. Something odd. Something big.¡±

    ¡°Something related to your soul-knapping?¡± Nara tended to avoid calling it soul torture, shying away from referring to it directly, so John did the same, using one of the many more casual terms they had established for it.

    She made a face. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s related to that. Maybe.¡± She swept her arm out, gesturing to something John couldn¡¯t see. ¡°As far as I can tell, every single part of Earth is coterminous to an astral space.¡±

    John wracked his brains for his own astral magic schooling. ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s an unusual density of astral spaces?¡±

    ¡°That would be the more logical conclusion. No, I¡¯m saying there¡¯s one continuous, massive astral space that encompasses the entirety of Earth¡¯s dimensional membrane.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± John trailed off, unable to make sense of it. He duly studied a bit of astral magic for the sake of keeping up with the work Nara had been doing for the both of them¡ªhe didn¡¯t want to be completely ignorant in the matters that intimately concerned him¡ªand he had never heard of such an occurrence.

    ¡°Unheard of, I know. I¡¯d like to get Aliyah over here, but I don¡¯t want to split the team more than we have to. Taking the team¡¯s healer is already rough.¡±

    John nodded. ¡°It¡¯s been discussed. The team was thinking of taking on another healer.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s good, I¡¯d rather they stay safe. Now¡ªThe most pressing problem is how to handle your death. There are a few things we can do. But, uh, let me know if you have any ideas.¡±

    John gestured for her to go ahead. Nara finished her bun, popping the wrapper in a nearby trashcan, but not before she muttered whether or not keeping the trash and destroying it in her Astral Domain would be better for the environment. Or if chucking trash to be annihilated in the astral would be considered littering. John had been savoring his coffee, still unfinished, since Nara had the foresight to buy him the largest size. Erras didn¡¯t have coffee.

    ¡°The first is to knock on the door and have your reunion,¡± Nara said. ¡°That¡¯s more or less going to happen in all the plans, it¡¯s just a matter of when. But, plan one, meet your family and figure out what to do from there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not much of a plan.¡±

    ¡°Well, depends on if the Secret Magic Society notices your resurrection. Option B, I suppose, is to go through the steps to legally ¡®undo¡¯ your death. I¡¯m hoping that would show up on some sort of system, and it would cause the SMS to notice you. More importantly,¡± Nara said, ¡°I can remain a secret and investigate from the dark.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense,¡± John said. ¡°I suppose another plan would have you reveal yourself to the supposed SMS?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Walk through their front door and see what happens. Me and you, or just me. It¡¯s unlikely, but it may be enough of a distraction that your resurrection goes under the radar. You¡¯d need to think of some sort of plausible story, however, and figure out how you ¡®died¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Either way, we need funds. I know you wouldn¡¯t want to work an ordinary office job after all this.¡±

    ¡°God forbid.¡±

    ¡°Then contact with the organization is our best option. Although waiting to see if there are other options could result in a more competitive offer. We have information we shouldn¡¯t give lightly.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hardly going to mention the library here.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± John agreed. They would have to perform their own evaluation of Earth¡¯s competence and level of knowledge concerning magic, but it was likely that: ¡°Erras¡¯ information will be enough.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m partial to option 2 here,¡± Nara said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much of a benefit working from the outside will be, for either of us. I¡¯ve they¡¯ve remained secret for so long, it isn¡¯t something I¡¯ll be able to find with my mediocre investigative skills. Finding the building itself was easy enough, but even I can¡¯t see anything going on outside, unless I want to try an astral jump. It¡¯s locked up pretty tight.¡±

    Which was standard for important buildings of Erras as well. If Nara could pinpoint their exact effects, however, then they lacked effect shielding and security.

    ¡°And working through the official organization gives me an easier path to rejoining my family.¡±

    ¡°That was what I thought. More or less.¡±

    ¡°¡­One more thing,¡± John said, hesitant. He met her gaze, something apologetic there. ¡°Knowledge is waiting for you.¡±

    *****

    There was one more thing Nara had to do before Plan go-through-the-front was put in action: A visit to Erras, long overdue.

    When Nara stepped back upon Erras¡¯ familiar earth, she reflexively sought out the dimensional boundary, comparing as best she could its minute differences against that of earth¡¯s. If Erras¡¯ boundary was to be her example of a healthy, normal boundary, she best etch that nominal into her mind.

    She had manifested in front of Knowledge¡¯s temple still behind the domain. It was, after all, the one place she could not astral jump to without permission of the presiding god. She hadn¡¯t tested if Knowledge would give her permission, but she had no desire to jump straight into the fire.

    She dressed for battle: Her favorite semi-formal wear from her Pietro collection. A black shirt, asymmetrical in how it closed in front, sleek and sharp, brocaded with black designs discernible only with a shift in light. A black cloak-jacket, draped over her shoulders, underlining of a stark, rich crimson. Hydra leather pants (for dragon leather would be illegal (unless it was from a monster) and far too expensive,), just as black as her mood, a tassel belt of black edged with gold looped around her waist and hung aside her hip (It doubled as a whip. Pietro made Adventurer clothes.)

    She took a deep, fortifying breath, felt the reassuring lack of heartbeat¡ªa lack of a vulnerability¡ªclacked her sharp leather shoes once against the street, and stepped into Knowledge¡¯s domain.

 Chapter 197: There is No Hindsight

    Chapter 197: There is No Hindsight

    ¡°Miss Ambrose-Sharp.¡±

    Elizabeth glanced at the weird familiar. A thing of silver and dust and cloth, standing in the center of her room at the Storm house. Something that was always lurking and watching.

    ¡°Yeah, what is it?¡± she asked, discomforted. It had just appeared in her room, without invitation.

    ¡°You are taking a photo, Miss Ambrose-Sharp.¡±

    She glanced down. She was on her bed, in the process of taking a selfie. ¡°I don¡¯t see the problem with it.¡±

    ¡°Are you aware of the reading material in the background, Miss Ambrose-Sharp? It is at risk of photography.¡±

    Elizabeth scoffed. Sure. The books were strewn open on the bed, littered with notes and details. 5 star¡ªlegendary¡ªessences. Those had interested her.

    ¡°No one is going to see. It¡¯s just in the background.¡±

    ¡°If it is not too strenuous for you, Miss Ambrose-Sharp, angling your body in the opposite direction will remove any conflict.¡±

    Elizabeth heard that insult woven in. She wasn¡¯t born yesterday, and her sister¡¯s familiar was a bitch. She scoffed and took the photo.

    A moment later, her phone was out of her hands and within the familiar¡¯s.

    ¡°What the fuck!? You can¡¯t just steal my phone. Give it back to me.¡±

    ¡°Once I delete the photo, Miss Ambrose-Sharp.¡± The being fiddled with her phone for a second, quickly deleting the image, then handed her phone back to her. Asshole.

    ¡°Miss Ambrose-Sharp, if you repeat this careless action, we will be collectively enacting an exercise in futility. Although, given that I possess more bodies than you, this course will be proportionally more pointless for you than it is for me. I would still, however, like to spend my time in other matters than child-sitting.¡±

    Calling her a child now. Elizabeth¡¯s eyes narrowed at the familiar. ¡°I don¡¯t like you.¡±

    The familiar smiled neutrally. ¡°I do not like you either, Miss Ambrose-Sharp.¡±

    ¡°No one will be reading the background of a selfie for magical texts,¡± Elizabeth reiterated.

    ¡°Given what little I know of your world, it is a reasonable expectation. Most spend longer affecting the perfect image than looking at one. However, my benefactor has established just three rules for you to follow. And while it is courteous and generous to offer you and her extended family essences, it is not required of her.

    ¡°Therefore, regardless of how reasonable my benefactor¡¯s rules are, I expect you to follow them. If you do not, I will inform my benefactor of your willing withdrawal and your disinterest and lack of commitment in receiving magic.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re threatening me?¡±

    ¡°I recommend a ¡®digital detox¡¯,¡± the familiar continued, polite in that insulting way. ¡°It may cure you of your addiction. If physical separation would be of benefit, I offer my services. Your phone will suffer no harm in my care.¡±

    The two stared each other down, the familiar unyielding. Elizabeth was incensed¡ªit was just a photo!  Still, it all got under her skin. The room felt small, and the familiar, although unassuming, felt large.

    ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± she scoffed, the first to break eye contact (although the familiar didn¡¯t exactly have eyes.)

    ¡°In my humble opinion, the price requested is pittance against the reward.¡±

    Elizabeth huffed and threw her comforter over the books, covering them. ¡°There. Happy?¡±

    ¡°No. But it¡¯ll suffice if you so desperately need your media validation. I hope that I will not need to report your unfortunate withdrawal to my benefactor.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t need to,¡± Elizabeth said, glaring at the floating sheet.

    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll be watching, Miss Ambrose-Sharp.¡±

    *******

    ¡°Nara,¡± Knowledge greeted. Today, she was in the shape of an elf¡ªone Nara hadn¡¯t seen before. Her skin was pure white¡ªactual white, like a sheet of paper, bare of any color. Her hair was also white, tinged blue, and just as reflective as snow in the sun. Her eyes, conversely, were dark¡ªa deep brown, fanned with delicate, fluffy white lashes.

    ¡°The unique environment of Kallid has transformed not one but three inherently magical races,¡± Knowledge said, anticipating Nara¡¯s question. ¡°Greythunder draconids, frostfall elves, and stormchaser leonids. The balance of magic here is unlike any other.¡±

    They walked. Nara let Knowledge lead her around, for now. It seemed something Knowledge liked to do.

    ¡°Even one inherently magical race is supposed to be rare,¡± Nara idly commented. ¡°Let alone three in one region.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Knowledge said. ¡°Fertility takes great interest in their genetic makeup.¡±

    ¡°Trying to make a super race?¡± She wasn¡¯t sardonic, just genuinely curious. She had no beef with Fertility.

    Knowledge tilted her head. ¡°You know there is no such thing. For all the messengers are born at silver, they are not superior to essence users of the same rank. Inherent power exchanged for potential power. Rather, their populations are small, so Fertility watches their populations to prevent inbreeding and genetic abnormalities, and subsidizes any children from interracial marriages at her facilities. You¡¯ll find that racial intermarriage is heavily encouraged in this world, unlike yours.¡± Knowledge frowned. ¡°Except for the draconids, but that is Fertility¡¯s annoyance, not mine.¡±

    They walked around the grounds unbothered; either Knowledge had done something with her divine aura to isolate them, or her priests knew well her intentions, and left them in a strange bubble of public privacy. Eventually, they winded into a building, architecture sophisticated in a way only an expert mathematician and architect could create. Perfect tapered archways, measured down to some millimeter precision, built corresponding to some sort of aesthetic theory or golden ratio Nara didn¡¯t know of.

    Nara had thought they were wandering aimlessly, but she should have known Knowledge always moved with purpose. Down a hallway, into a room. A storage room, although impeccable in orderliness and pristine in a way genuine storage never was. A priest showed up at this exact moment¡ªGwydion, she realized¡ªslid open a container, and presented her with a body.

    Her body. Living and breathing.

    Well, not breathing, since Nara did not breathe, but Nara could recognize the hue of life, the flexibility of a body untouched by rigor mortis, and the vague sense of life force, although she had not John¡¯s actual sense for it.

    ¡°The diamond ranked coin you¡­loaned to Tyranel has been used to resurrect your body,¡± Knowledge began, humor in the word ¡®loaned¡¯. ¡°Your weapon is attached.¡±

    There it was, on her ear. With a thought, it swirled towards her, settling on the ear of her current body instead.

    ¡°You have objections with the manner of which I handled our deal,¡± Knowledge said, bringing up Nara¡¯s complaints before she had a chance to voice them. Rude. Knowledge couldn¡¯t even let her complain properly. ¡°My method is faultless. There is your body, your death free to expend once more in a manner of your choice. You have lost nothing. You have gained the location of your world, a method to move others across dimensional boundaries, access to The Advent¡¯s home world, and future wealth from the information you have retrieved.¡±

    ¡°That was my actions, not yours. It cannot be attributed to you.¡±

    ¡°At the cost of a single diamond rank spirit coin,¡± Knowledge plowed on. ¡°A trade any would make.¡±

    Had they a diamond rank spirit coin to loan to begin within. Although, Nara could admit if Knowledge really cared (for a different person), her church would probably foot the cost anyway.

    ¡°In hindsight,¡± Nara stressed. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that I¡¯d be able to come back from death in any reasonable time frame. I though I had lost my life here, and the chance to see my family before they died!¡±

    ¡°Hindsight,¡± Knowledge said, voice fixed in surety of her own machinations. ¡°There is no hindsight, only results. What does it matter if it had not happened?¡±

    ¡°How am I supposed to know,¡± Nara said slowly, ¡°if the next time you play chess master, whether I will be a sacrificial pawn, or one promoted to a queen?¡± Loathe as she was to admit it, she understood Ducha. There was fear and rage there, in not being able to control your own destiny. ¡°I will thank you for your care¡ªfor keeping my body, for giving me a beneficial deal that I ultimately survived, that I was not just a pawn in this instance¡ªat least, not a disposable one.¡± By alive, she meant alive to live her life here¡ªKnowledge would know. ¡°This is not some threat, Knowledge, I know you aren¡¯t inherently an enemy.¡± An efficient general, a brilliant strategist, callous either by nature or by the exchange of lives they must always make. ¡°You must have left me alive because I will serve some sort of use in the future. When the time comes, my cooperation will not be easy so gain for you.¡±

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I¡¯ve accounted for that,¡± Knowledge said, haughty in confidence, although her expression was calculating and neutral as always. ¡°You¡¯d do well as my priest, Nara. You understand that there is a best path forward and understand that sacrifices must be made. You do not let emotions cloud your judgement; that there is a place for emotions, and it is not in decisions.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps they should be.¡± Knowledge hadn¡¯t asked her to be her priest, and Nara needn¡¯t answer. They both already knew the answer was no.

    ¡°I understand morality and ethics,¡± Knowledge said, with force. ¡°The actions I take account for them. And yet, where the future is concerned, where lives are concerned, something must bend.¡± She tilted her chin up, evaluating. ¡°But I will accept your gratitude, and take have taken heed. If you want to know more, then you will know more. It changes nothing.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all I ask. If you ask me that which you know I will agree, then perhaps knowledge does trump all.¡±

    Her lips quirked. ¡°We shall see. Until next time, Nara Edea. Or should I say Nora Ambrose?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she said, ¡°just Nara.¡±

    *****

    Nirvana floated up at her ear, her reliable partner in life and in dealing death. John, her ally on Earth, friend, and healer, squeezed her shoulder once.

    ¡°Are we ready?¡± he asked. They stood outside of the highly arrayed building.

    Agency of Special Investigations

    ¡°They really just put their name on the side of the building, huh,¡± Nara remarked. ¡°I suppose nobody gives it a second glance.¡±

    ¡°Even if we looked it up,¡± John said, ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s some sort of fake site.¡±

    They walked in.

    *****

    ¡°Uh, Jess.¡± Lucas¡¯ head popped around her door, all wide-eyed and innocent. He looked like he had sleep, Jessica thought bitterly. ¡°Sorry to bother you,¡± he said, unrepentant. ¡°There¡¯s a situation in the lobby.¡±

    ¡°A situation?¡± She groaned and rubbed her eyes, as if that¡¯d do anything for her lack of focus. She was already on her 2<sup>nd</sup> consecutive shift, and coffee had long ceased to be anything but a placebo, even The Agency¡¯s enhanced blend that was supposed to punch through resistances. Shit for flavor though. ¡°Can¡¯t somebody else deal with it? I told the higher ups to let some of the newcomers handle the cases. They can¡¯t get experience if they leave it all to me.¡±

    ¡°About that. This may not be appropriate. There¡¯s two unknown metas in the lobby.¡±

    ¡°Ether Integrators, Lucas,¡± she automatically corrected, and pushed up from her chair. ¡°At least use EI in the reports.¡± She chucked an empty coffee cup into a bin, joining several others in their grave. ¡°You know how the higher ups are about it.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you say, boss.¡±

    She eyed him doubtfully, but she had never found a mistake in his reports, so she let it slide. Although maybe the lack of sleep was making her slip. She fast walked with him down the corridor, Lucas keeping pace just behind her. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±

    ¡°Not much to say. They just both walked in, took a seat, and asked to speak with a representative to negotiate. No violence,¡± Lucas ticked off, ¡°no threats.¡±

    ¡°The ether scans?¡±

    Lucas made a face. ¡°That¡¯s a bit complicated. The woman is almost entirely unidentifiable, aside from their EQ. EQ 2,¡± he clarified. ¡°The man is also EQ 2, but our scans picked up a lot more. More interesting was or physical scans¡ª¡± he passed her a file as she pressed a button for the elevator, ¡°John Aurelius¡ªget this¡ªis dead. One of those localized ether implosions. Got him in his car, one day while driving back late from work. The Agency had to employ some emergency road repair.¡±

    Jessica glanced over the file¡ªJohn Aurelius, formerly an Intelligence Officer of the National Crime Agency. Around 2 and a half years ago, presumed dead in a localized ether implosion event. Investigations with his family¡ªa wife and two children¡ªreported he called, but never showed up that night. Tracking verified their statements, seen leaving the office, although the chaotic ether scrambled cameras at the time of the event.

    ¡°The woman¡ªNora Ambrose, if she¡¯s to be believed. American. Was formerly in a coma for a year and a half. Facial recognition won¡¯t even work on her, we suspect some sort of anti-identification effect. She¡¯s cooperated with giving her name when asked. Was a long-term patient at Saint Helene Long-Term Care Hospital in Helsingr, Denmark. released around a week ago after 3 weeks of impatient recovery against recommendations.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s odd,¡± said Jessica, impatiently watching the floors tick down. ¡°How did she become EQ 2 in a month? That shouldn¡¯t be possible.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­do you want an actual answer to that?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jessica scowled. ¡°We¡¯ll know soon enough.¡±

    The pair in question had been moved to a private meeting room, although they refused to enter too far into the building. Wary, Jessica noted, and probably a smart move in their uncertain circumstances.

    The room was one of their receiving rooms, comfortably furnished, and not an interrogation cell. Someone had made the right call here, Jessica approved, no need to aggravate EIs that had come peacefully.

    She gave a perfunctory knock to signal her arrival. ¡°Hello, Nora Ambrose and John Aurelius? I¡¯m Jessica Greer, Senior Agent of the ASI.¡±

    ¡°Nora,¡± the woman nodded.

    ¡°John,¡± he said, offering a hearty shake. ¡°A pleasure to meet you.¡±

    Their appearances were in line with EQ 2, refined compared to their EQ 0 pictures. Notably, Nora had some sort of blatantly magical earring, which made Jessica internally groan. Had she been walking around in public with that thing??

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you both,¡± Jessica said cordially. ¡°To cut to the chase, the ASI is curious over your intentions and your appearances. Both of you, effectively dead to the world, now here in two different ways. One,¡± she gestured to John, ¡°who has returned from the dead. And another,¡± she gestured to Nora, ¡°who has awoken from a coma as an Either Integrator.¡±

    John raised a questioning brow. ¡°Ether Integrator?¡±

    ¡°Meta human, power user, esper¡­mage, if you will,¡± she said, the last one paining her.

    ¡°Ah,¡± said Nora with some sort of realization. ¡°Essence User. At least, that¡¯s what they called it there.¡±

    ¡°There?¡±

    ¡°I suppose this will lead to answering your questions,¡± John began, his voice of a consummate professional. ¡°Through two different methods, my companion and I ended up in a completely different world to this one. The people their called their world Erras.¡±

    ¡°My soul ended up there. In my coma,¡± Nora clarified. ¡°John got summoned.¡±

    Jessica felt a headache brewing, although she didn¡¯t know if it was a lack of sleep, the caffeine withdrawal, or the situation. Lucas set a new cup in front of her, to delay the inevitable. ¡°You¡¯re claiming there¡¯s another world. That you both arrived at, with two very different methods. One of which¡­was in a coma.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t claim anything,¡± John said simply. ¡°We have proof.¡±

    Jessica looked askance at Lucas to catch a look.

    The researchers had always theorized there should be other worlds, Jessica distantly noted. The ether came from some sort of other dimension, why should their dimension be the only one? She didn¡¯t think it¡¯d ever be confirmed in her lifetime.

    ¡°What we want,¡± John said, seizing the advantage, ¡°Is very simple. We want to cooperate. Nora and I here, would like to negotiate a contract.¡±

    ¡°We need money,¡± she chirped.

    ¡°I want to return to my family. It had been my goal this entire time. The contract would include an introduction to ether for both of our families. An organization such as this would have a procedure for families?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Jessica said, relaxing now that she knew what they wanted. The headache wasn¡¯t abating, but it wasn¡¯t getting worse yet. ¡°There¡¯s an arrangement in place. We cannot provide any ether cubes, however. They must be exchanged.¡±

    ¡°No problem with that.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Jessica said, flipping through some more files that had been delivered. ¡°We¡¯ll contact the Danish branch and organize an orientation for your family there, Nora. They¡¯re all still there?¡± She received a nod. ¡°Your family in London, John, can attend here. We¡¯ll need to coordinate with the American branch¡ªyour situation is rather complicated, Nora¡ªalthough you both will find your status of citizenship will change.¡±

    ¡°Changed?¡±

    ¡°When the decision was made to keep magic¡ª¡± she cleared her throat, ¡°¡ªether, a secret from the public, Either Integrators were switched to a special extra-citizenship status in participating countries, with provisions not to be used in war.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a war crime to use magic in war?¡± said Nora with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Not exactly, but you can think of it that way,¡± Jessica said wryly. ¡°If one nation starts to use magic in matters of war, it becomes very public very quickly. And, cooperation for suppression against etherbeasts¡ª¡± she glanced at their faces and switched to the colloquial term ¡°¡ªmonsters requires some level of international cooperation.¡±

    There was no doubt that countries kept some EIs dark, Jessica thought, but at least the majority of them were official. It offered them some protection¡ªsignificant EI mistreatment led to defection to a participating country. There was still EI nationalism, but this struck a balance of cooperation for the alliance and cooperation for the home.

    ¡°So it¡¯s like the EU but for more countries. Or an essence user Union?¡±

    ¡°More or less,¡± Jessica said, although it wasn¡¯t that simple nor that reliable. ¡°Changing your primary nation of residence will result in different tax codes and other regulations, which can be negotiated.¡± She glanced at Nora. ¡°America is rather known for such special treatment beyond the standard.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to see how contract negotiations go here,¡± she said. ¡°I intend to stay primarily in Copenhagen and London. The decision of my family is up to them.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Jessica said, after working through a whole presentation of information. This wasn¡¯t usually her job to perform such a low-level introduction, but the situation was appropriately unusual. ¡°Onto the contract negotiations.¡± And then she¡¯ll be free of this ridiculous situation. She still hasn¡¯t even asked about the whole ¡®there¡¯s another world thing¡¯, but that was way above her pay grade. Let Graham deal with that.

    ¡°Have you any high priority utility abilities? Loot, communication, storage, portal, identification, etcetera?¡± Lucas produced a list and passed it to her, and she passed it to them.

    ¡°Yup, yup, yup, yup, yup,¡± Nora said. ¡°The big 5. Group looting, yup. Single person storage. System-based communication with built-in identification. Portals. Mapping. Tracking.¡±

    ¡°Same here,¡± John said, ¡°aside from the storage and the portal, the mapping and tracking, and my looting ability needs a medium else it¡¯s triggered by touch. I have a more in-depth identification and analysis tool.¡± He held up something. A camera. ¡°And I can heal.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Jessica said. ¡°Two utility specialists.¡±

    ¡°Er, no,¡± Nora interrupted. ¡°I¡¯m a¡­striker. According to your chart. Sort of.¡±

    Striker: high mobility and offensive, ranged or melee. Then a line which asked for ¡®effective range¡¯, which said Nora had filled in as both ¡®mixed¡¯ and ¡®melee¡¯.

    It was odd, Jessica supposed, but not impossible. ¡°Your ether combo?¡±

    ¡°Dimension, Balance, Harmonic, Mystic?¡±

    Right. She tapped a pen. That was an unknown combination. Jessica couldn¡¯t say whether or not those sort of abilities were common for that etheric combo. Harmonic was very rarely found, and Dimension was highly contested, and usually reserved for portal specialists.

    ¡°And you, John? A healer, right?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t break any molds there,¡± he assured. ¡°Life, Magic, Renewal, Immortal.¡±

    That was a known combination, at least.

    There were a few more finer points hashed out¡ªthe two requested a contractor contract, rather than a salaried or hourly employee. Nora wanted irregular working hours and refused to work a regular, company mandated schedule. John was similar, although for different reasons, wanting the flexibility to focus on his family as he was apart from them for over 2 years. There were other additional stipulations¡ªall communications must have records and submitted. John was the more experienced negotiator here, handling the details for Nora, as he had years of working experience on her.

    ¡°For wide range looters,¡± Jessica said, ¡°we cannot pay out the equivalent value that you create. Instead, you are given credits to trade for from the Agency¡¯s stores in proportional to the value you generation through looting. If you want to trade for monetary currency, that¡¯s allowed, up to a maximum withdrawal per month, although you may request a higher withdrawal with a form. Since you¡¯ve both requested contractor status instead of salaried employment with fixed hours, credit can be exchanged for Agency services. You are also paid your agreed upon contractor hourly rate, in minimum blocks of 3 hours, with an overtime rate. This, however, means that there are no employee family benefits, unless you¡¯d like to trade for such a service with credits.¡±

    Contracts signed and business concluded, she sent them away with two large packets of information.

    ¡°God,¡± she groaned. ¡°I¡¯m glad that¡¯s finally over with.¡±

    ¡°Do you think they told the truth about this ¡®other world¡¯?¡± Lucas inquired and set down another coffee to feed her addiction. At least as an integrator, she didn¡¯t have to worry about an actual addiction or damage to her liver.

    She rubbed her forehead tiredly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know what else explains their appearance. Either way, I¡¯m going to pass out for the next 12 hours, and if Graham calls, I¡¯m not picking up.¡±

    ¡°If you say so,¡± said Lucas, not even hiding his disbelief.

    This time, she did. If what they said was true, she would need the sleep.

 Chapter 198: No Shenanigans, Just Magic

    Chapter 198: No Shenanigans, Just Magic

    Olivia often thought the flat was too quiet, too empty. What had once been a home for 4 was reduced to 2, one on the path to higher education, another on a path nobody could follow. She let her gaze linger on the empty foyer, morning sun illuminating dust motes, warm blankets to cuddle with folded neatly and draped over the arm. Bankets for two.

    She shook her head as if to dispel her ennui, and slapped her face, as if the pain would banish what time could not. Nothing for it: it was best to get on with the day!

    Noah was out front tending to his small garden, overflowing with plants as much as space could allow in a city flat. Olivia peeked out the window, letting the vitality of the plants boost her into a happier mood, humming a bit as she bustled about to make breakfast. High school would be out soon, and Noah would graduate, and he would start the same journey Sienna had already begun. She wiped away a tear; It made her motherly heart swell.

    Speaking of Sienna (perhaps Olivia had been a touch melodramatic), she was out early, attending her jujitsu class, and wouldn¡¯t be back until lunch. Then she¡¯d eat ravenously, that girl. Olivia wondered if she had enough for her in the fridge. Perhaps it was time to shop for some groceries after breakfast.

    Done with his daily plant care, Noah wandered back inside, pink cheeked from the early day wind. Such a reliable soul, her son, who immediately helped wash the dishes and plate the food. His smile was reassuring¡ªhe''d always seem to sense her mood.

    ¡°I love you, Noah,¡± she couldn¡¯t help but say.

    ¡°Love you too mum.¡±

    What else could she do but brush a kiss to the top of his head?

    It was odd, that day, despite the normalcy the week had started: Sienna back from her university, Noah studying for his A-levels, and she herself still at her job as an art curator.

    It was all ordinary, until, well, the knock on the door.

    That itself was quite ordinary, although many knocks knocked against their door with nobody to hear. It was perhaps more ordinary to hear no knocks at all.

    So, it had only been slightly odd that the door was knocked, that Olivia went to answer it, and opened it to see a man she did not know, who introduced himself as:

    ¡°Lucas Rose, ma¡¯am. Or some people call me ¡®Lucky¡¯. I¡¯m an agent of the Agency of Special Investigations.¡±

    Olivia had never heard of that agency before, which was a bit odd, but the young man politely showed her his badge. It was nonsense to her, although suitably official looking. There were many agencies that Olivia had not heard of, and not everyone could work for a well-known agency like Scotland Yard or the National Crime Agency, like her late husband. (Although perhaps she only knew the NCA because her husband had worked at it.)

    ¡°What is your business with this household on this fine day, Mr. Rose?¡± she greeted.

    ¡°Well, ma¡¯am. We have news of your husband, John Aurelius. He¡¯s alive,¡± he said, in a very polite and very ordinary sort of tone.

    Olivia supposed there was no possible way to break that sort of news in any way that wasn¡¯t conducive to heart attacks and fainting spells, although she gallantly managed to avoid both.

    ¡°What??¡±

    It had been a normal day. It was an odd day. Olivia Aurelius was hoping it would be a miraculous day.

    The two were shuffled into a black SUV, typical for these suit types, and Lucas Rose drove onward to Sienna¡¯s jujitsu studio, nosing the government issued vehicle through London¡¯s morning traffic like a black lab on the hunt for gaps, perhaps driving a tad more aggressively than Olivia¡¯s image of how government agents should drive.

    Sienna, when they found her, was confused, but complied, changing out of her blue jujitsu gi into casual wear and shoving it into her duffle bag, now smooshed down by her feet in car. Sienna was demanding an explanation of the situation, of which Lucas tried to politely explain that their father was alive, and Sienna wasn¡¯t quite having it, demanding to see papers¡ªsomething!¡ªthat would validate his claims. She was checking over Noah and Olivia, making sure neither had been harmed or threatened, and making a fuss in the back seat until Lucas finally dialed someone and handed over the phone.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Sienna said into the phone, putting it on speaker.

    ¡°Oh! Love. It¡¯s me, your dad,¡± a very familiar voice explained. The emotion couldn¡¯t quite carry through the speaker, but Olivia could hear the weight in his voice, despite the casual tone. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s a long story, and a bit of an inconvenience to come back from the dead, so Mr. Rose there is just bringing you to the Agency¡¯s building to settle everything. No shenanigans, I promise.¡±

    ¡°No shenanigans?¡± Sienna repeated, and if her voice had just a bit of a wobble, Olivia made sure not to say anything to her headstrong dear.

    ¡°No shenanigans, love.¡± A pause. ¡°Just magic.¡±

    *****

    It had been over two and a half since John had last seen his family. And just, look at them! His children were all grown up, growing up, Sienna perhaps a hair taller than she had been two years ago. She had her mother¡¯s raven locks, curly and untamed, just like her personality, although she tied in back in a ponytail in a futile effort to keep it from her eyes. Just like the rest of her, not even her irises could be pigeonholed into one classification, her right hazel eye with a spot of sectoral heterochromia. John¡¯s sharp senses could tell she had been pulled from her jujitsu classes, which she had been dedicated to for many years now.

    Noah was the shorter, younger brother, although not by much. His hair curled just at the ends in pleasant cowlicks, and John liked to think it resembled the tapered leaves and petals of his plants. For once, however, he was less reserved, barreling into John together with Sienna with a rare power he thought only his jujitsu-master-daughter could muster.

    ¡°Oof. Hey bud. Criminal.¡± He looped his arms around them, wanting to squeeze them so sight as to never separate but careful not to actually exert that much strength.

    ¡°Dad,¡± Sienna complained, half fond had exasperated, ¡°You come back from, from¡ªwherever!¡ªand the first thing you call me is criminal!?¡±

    ¡°From the dead, sweetheart,¡± he supplied.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense!¡±

    He gave them one last squeeze and attempted to pry them off, but they wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°Kids, you¡¯re going to have to let go or get a first person view of me snogging your mother,¡± he said wryly.

    ¡°Whatever, snog her then,¡± said Sienna. ¡°Nothing we haven¡¯t seen.¡± But she reluctantly released him along with Noah, shooting him a look that demanded answers.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Noah just smirked, cheeky bugger. He never needed many words.

    Olivia had been waiting patiently, although she looked just as wrecked and disbelieving as the rest of their family. She was trembling, as if she wanted to but couldn¡¯t quite believe what her eyes were seeing. John gently approached, taking her hands withing his, clasping them within his.

    ¡°Olivia,¡± he said. ¡°Not even death could keep me away from you, my love.¡±

    ¡°You sap,¡± she said, eyes watery and smile wobbly, ¡°even death couldn¡¯t give you better pick up lines?¡±

    ¡°You like my pickup lines.¡±

    ¡°God help me, I do.¡±

    A hesitant hand brushed over his face, skimming the closely shaved facial hair. A delicate finger traced up his face, fluttering and wing beat soft, cresting to the crinkle of his eyes. ¡°You look different.¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± he said softly. ¡°It¡¯s still me.¡±

    Her soft palms skated over his cheekbones, grasping just a bit. John was just a teensy bit afraid that she wanted to shake his head, literally. Sienna did get her temper from somewhere. ¡°You better have a bloody good explanation for this, dear,¡± she said, almost a threat.

    ¡°Death isn¡¯t good enough?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± she said, and kissed him.

    *****

    The orientation on magic was¡­chaotic. Nothing could quite contain Sienna and do doubt magic would only add to her chaos.

    ¡°Why do they keep calling it ether, Dad, it¡¯s just magic, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know criminal,¡± he said. ¡°They called it magic in the other world.¡±

    ¡°Probably want it to sound science-y,¡± Noah reasonably reasoned.

    ¡°It¡¯s fucking stupid!¡± Sienna said, exasperated. ¡°It¡¯s clearly magic!¡±

    ¡°Language,¡± Olivia chastised reflexively. ¡°So,¡± she began, her grip on his hand just a bit tight for comfort, ¡°you died, went to another world, and only now made it back?¡±

    ¡°Yes, love.¡± The hand tightened. ¡°Is that a good enough explanation?¡±

    ¡°Hmph. I¡¯ll allow it,¡± she said false-imperiously. Her eyes crinkled with her smile, looking at him as if she couldn¡¯t get her fill. John felt the exact same way, tracing every detail of her face to re-commit it in memory, in better detail than he had ever been able to achieve. With every rank, he mused, he¡¯d do the exact same thing.

    ¡°So we can get magic?¡± Sienna asked, practically bouncing in place.

    ¡°If you want.¡±

    ¡°What about your studies, Sienna?¡± Olivia reminded her.

    Sienna scoffed. ¡°I think justice will be more important than ever.¡±

    ¡°Magic is supposed to be a secret.¡±

    ¡°I wonder,¡± said Sienna ominously. ¡°In this century? It¡¯s only a matter of time.¡±

    ¡°Sienna¡­¡± her mother warned. ¡°We just learned about this from the presentation!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t do anything,¡± she assured, crossing her arms at the distinct lack of trust. From her own family! ¡°But the government, all the governments are foolish. This¡¯ll come out, sooner or later, and it¡¯ll be better if they prepare the way than suppress it.¡±

    Nothing would ever dissuade Sienna, of course. John wondered if it was so simple. Nara would be investigating, and so would he.

    Why keep magic secret?

    What was going on with the global astral space?

    John and Nara would find their answers. The question was, would the rest of Earth find out too?

    *****

    A few days later, Nara¡¯s entire family were shuttled through the Copenhagen branch¡¯s orientation on magic, Magic for civilians. Nara watched it with them, just to make sure it wasn¡¯t blatant propaganda, and she had some fun (if she could call it that) figuring out what statements were wrong intentionally or just out of ignorance. As far as she could tell, most were of ignorance.

    Personally, Nara thought that Earth shot themselves in the foot by not allowing for public research of magic. When you only have so many people to research magic because it¡¯s a secret society, progress slows down, and you catch fewer of the geniuses that¡¯d be in other fields. Fewer Aliyahs, fewer Henris, fewer Amaras, fewer Theodores. Not to mention the circulation of information; the rapid development of the Mediterranean area was attributed to information trade along sea and the silk road. Nara herself is a great example of this, a living repository that exchanges information from one world to the next.

    The family now was making their permanent choices (and mistakes) over what essences they¡¯d have to live with for the rest of their lives. The local Agency was interested in the process, her books but especially the Magic Society¡¯s full list of combinations, which Nara sold to them for a mind-boggling amount of money, which she had split 50-50 with John. Some agent had run off with a copy of the books, no doubt to find a photocopier (or something magically better) post-haste, while another figured out how to extract information from the magic society tablet as quickly as technology or manual labor would allow. She forced the tablet-taker to stay in the room with her, as she didn¡¯t trust the Agency not to ¡®forget¡¯ to return her tablet to her, so now there was an avid group of white-coats with latex gloves squabbling over the tablet and handing it like it was some sort of crusty Egyptian artifact. She ended up giving them the book version of the compendium so they could at least get started.

    Oskar was ruminating over Resolute, Light, and Life for Mystic. ¡°A paladin!¡± he had said with some poorly concealed excitement. A paladin that may or may not wield a gun instead of a sword, so Nara strongly suggested he pick up a knowledge stone with his combo and aim for the same skill-book ability that Eufemia got. He eventually chose Resolute, Light, and Void for something a little less stereotypically ¡®holy¡¯ paladin, although she had assured him that there was nothing wrong with a stereotypical holy paladin. Healing tanks were incredibly useful.

    Her father chose Renewal, Sun, and Water for Dawn, so she didn¡¯t need to worry about him (or have it out with him). It was a healer and supportive combination, sun had some offensive capability, but it wasn¡¯t inordinately destructive, not with those accompanying essences. If he wanted to be some ¡®faith¡¯ healer, the Agency could put him to work. The Agency had some sort of program for free healing (especially of children), and everybody wanted to believe in miraculous recoveries for children anyway. Children were morally unproblematic recipients of cleansing magic.

    The rest of her family were similarly receptive of her advice, the agency¡¯s advice, and Erra¡¯s advice. Her sister was the problem child of today¡¯s discussion.

    The series of orientations spanning the role of civilian essence users, core usage, magic, secrecy, and whatever else an essence user needed to function in modern society had covered that legendary essences (or R5¡ªrate five, as they called it here) weren¡¯t ¡®inherently better¡¯ than ones rated to manifest more frequently. The books covered this. Nara covered this.

    Elizabeth was insisting on a Dimension, Vast, Void, for Time combination. A triple rarity confluence. Notoriously, notoriously, notoriously difficult to use. There was a reason why Encio didn¡¯t have it (aside from not even money being able to buy three legendaries at the same time, they just didn¡¯t all exist on market simultaneously), and he had access to some of the best trainers on the planet.

    ¡°I¡¯m not giving you a triple R5 essences,¡± Nara said.

    ¡°You said I could pick whatever I wanted!¡±

    ¡°Within reason! I¡¯m not obligated to give you essences! If you read the books, you know how much this costs, even if it spirit coins don¡¯t quite translate in value! Hell, spirit coins¡ªether coins¡ªare worth even more here!¡±

    The fact that she could change the essence or make them was neither here nor there, and not something that anybody here needed to know.

    ¡°This is what I want!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not giving it to you!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re always so fucking controlling Nora! Just let me make my own choices!¡±

    She threw her hands up. ¡°If you want it so badly you can pay for it yourself.¡± She leveled Elizabeth with a glare. ¡°That¡¯s what I fucking thought.¡±

    She, of course, started to cry. Elizabeth had never been above throwing a tantrum for what she wanted and leveraged it all throughout their childhood so that Nara would be the one to apologize first because she wasn¡¯t as prone to tears, regardless of whether Nara was in the right or the wrong. Elizabeth was more emotionally hurt, so of course Nara should apologize first. She hadn¡¯t grown out of this manipulation, and the public embarrassment of it all wasn¡¯t something that¡¯d deter Elizabeth.

    ¡°You can pick only one legendary, and anything else¡± Nara said, unmoved by her tears. Elizabeth should learn by now they had always garnered more distaste from Nara than sympathies, because they were always used to her own detriment. ¡°That¡¯s the final rule. If you want the other two legendries, you can try to negotiate with the Agency for them.¡±

    Nara left the room, unable to stand being in the same room as her sister crying and getting coddled by their mother.

    She leaned against a corridor and groaned; she should be unsurprised that the narcissist wanted a narcissist triple legendary combination. Nara thought that if she had said a triple legendary to Amara at the beginning, that they would¡¯ve tried to talk her out of it too, although she didn¡¯t even know of what legendary was at the time? Should she just have given it to her to spare herself this mess? Let her suffer the consequences of her choices, she thought bitterly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t think you are being controlling, perhaps?¡± Chrome hedged. On her return to Erras, she had collected the materials necessary to resummon him, and now here he was, both in her head and in his full physical glory.

    ¡°You don¡¯t really think that.¡± Partly, because Chrome didn¡¯t care much about the intricacies of relationships between humans. Relationships were ephemeral, culinary was forever.

    He snorted. ¡°No. She¡¯s being ridiculous. Even the wealthiest and most spoiled of Erras scions don¡¯t even entertain the thought. Triple legendary simply does not exist on the market at any point in time.¡±

    ¡°You, what, wanted to question my resolve?¡± She said, ready to feel even more bitter and sullen if that was the case.

    ¡°Not really, no,¡± he said idly. ¡°This doesn¡¯t conflict with your values of personal choice?¡± Which seemed to be the main point of this conversation. It was a test, in a way, but not a test of her resolve.

    ¡°She has a personal choice to choose nothing at all. I¡¯m not obligated to fulfill her every wish and dream.¡±

    He seemed satisfied with that. ¡°It seems I¡¯m unneeded in this case.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m glad I have you in my corner. All three of you.¡±

 Chapter 199: No Adventure Without Danger

    Chapter 199: No Adventure Without Danger

    To no one¡¯s surprise, except perhaps their Str?m family relatives, Elizabeth continued to be a pain in Nara¡¯s ass. She wanted everything¡ªflying, web slinging, teleportation, fire, ice, lightning, guns, swords, portals, and so on and so forth. No combination could do everything, and if Nara was forced on her life to dredge up some sympathy, could at least sympathize with having to pick.

    She did eventually settle on something, at the off-handed mention of one of The Agency¡¯s people in the room, who was comparing Earth¡¯s notes on the Elemental, Might, Resolute, and Avatar combination to what Erras had recorded about the combination.

    ¡°Well,¡± the agent clarified, who was eying Elizabeth with the same wariness that Nara had long learned to regard her with, ¡°we call it the ¡®Superman¡¯ combo.¡±

    Elizabeth had finally learned she could not upstage Nara in rarity (for her own benefit), so ¡®settled¡¯ for the double epic and single common combination. ¡°Avatar sounds cooler than Mystic anyway,¡± she had declared.

    Nara didn¡¯t care what logic she used, as long as it convinced herself.

    Nara¡¯s life with her family was a little rocky; Modern life had always distanced them, literally and emotionally, geographical distance their main obstacle. It was often remarked as a tragedy of modern life¡ªthe destruction of The Community, the separation of the extended family, the transience of friends. With the other multitudes of issues governments half-assed, this was one of many that fell to the wayside. Nara could admit she was partially accountable for this, and hadn¡¯t really minded the distance.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± Elizabeth said.

    The sounds of dinner clinked around her. A ¡°could you pass the salad,¡± was murmured from another family member, and the corresponding salad bowl was sent over. Homemade Ceaser dressing¡ªshe hasn¡¯t had that¡­well, from even before Erras.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± Elizabeth reiterated, ¡°that Nora gets to stay here and start this¡­whole new life! She¡¯s not some plain engineer anymore.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s rather rude,¡± someone muttered. Likely Oskar, who seemed similarly immune to Elizabeth¡¯s social charm. Or at least, had the scales removed via forced closed proximity. Elizabeth tended to lose her charm filters in the proximity of close family, or perhaps, this was the 2nd face that Elizabeth chose to adopt with family, uncaring of her perception.

    ¡°No,¡± Nara said slowly, ¡°It certainly wasn¡¯t fair that I fell into a coma and ended up in another world, with no idea whether I¡¯d make it back or not.¡± And got tortured¡ªtwice¡ªand almost died and did die, but she wasn¡¯t going into that with her family. Nara was never one to share. Redell was a professional, and her team understood. At this point, it¡¯d just create drama which she didn¡¯t care to suffer through.

    ¡°Oh my God! And I have to return to work after this. Programming! I¡¯ve already extended my vacation!¡±

    ¡°You can always quit your job and work for the Agency,¡± Nara pointed out and kept eating. As a bronze ranker, this mana-less food didn¡¯t actually do anything for her, but food was food, and it was delicious. How she¡¯d missed the spice of familial love and nostalgia, although her mom being a good cook definitely helped. It wasn¡¯t Chrome¡¯s perfect and professional style, but the home food familiarity she¡¯d grown up with, a bowl of rice with (almost) every meal, and sauces made the way her tongue seemed to remember even when her soul had not.

    Also, It was an option. The Agency typically recruited talents and gave them essences, but those already with essences certainly made them a cheaper hire. They still had to train everyone from scratch (very few had real combat experience), so that wasn¡¯t a detracting factor.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Elizabeth snorted, ¡°and get paid for shit. Unlike you. What did you do to get paid so much?¡±

    ¡°I have knowledge from another world.¡± Which was really the most succinct explanation she could give. ¡°Look, sis,¡± Nara said, deciding to dispense some wisdom that would probably go unheeded. One could try. ¡°I had a fortunate start to my coma-venture. Just about as fortunate as the one you have now. I had patrons, I had teachers. In one month¡ª¡± she held up her index finger ¡°¡ªI can send you to that world, set you up at the same school for adventurers that I attended, and you can make your way there. I¡¯ll even fund all of your expenses¡ªwithin reason.

    ¡°The downside is, that you could die.¡± Nara dabbed a napkin around her mouth and set down her silverware. ¡°I suppose I never did tell you how I returned here.¡±

    So quickly she had changed her mind; spite really was the most powerful motivator. Her sister always knew how to push all her buttons and abused that ability with malicious indifference. She still wouldn¡¯t tell her family about the torture. Death, she decided, would make her point. Torture was objectively worse.

    ¡°I died.¡± She drew a finger up from her navel, up her sternum. ¡°Got stabbed by a Priest of Undeath, right here. The only reason I ¡®survived¡¯ was that the crossing of my soul to another world had given me another body. I¡¯m not even genetically human anymore. Had any of you noticed I don¡¯t breathe, and don¡¯t have a heartbeat?¡±

    If there hadn¡¯t been before, they were staring now.

    ¡°I¡¯m something that that world calls an outworlder now. Soulborn, in another. The soul, when it crosses the astral unprotected, is fundamentally changed. That body had been killed, murdered by a silver rank priest. My soul crossed again, finding this original body of mine, comatose but still alive.

    ¡°There is no adventure without danger,¡± Nara said. ¡°No progress without challenge. You think you can do what I did?¡± Off to the side, Oskar cringed from the pain of this conversation, of being in the same room. Clearly wishing to be anywhere else. ¡°Go right ahead. You have a month to decide.¡± Her aura sharpened and weighed upon the room. ¡°At least, you get to decide to stay or leave. I did not!

    ¡°All the training in the world cannot save you from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, from being the pawn of a higher power. You think you can do better than I have done¡ªdon¡¯t deny it, Elizabeth, you always think so. Here? This world? There are no gods and no diamond rankers.

    ¡°So, sister, if you decide to stay here rather than risk it, to change your profession rather than stay at your boring job, then you will just have to be content with the resources available here, and with the level of pay which you will start at. Do you understand?¡± There was perhaps a level of menace in her tone that Nara wasn¡¯t entirely proud of using towards family, and the barest pressure of aura.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Elizabeth said, somehow maintaining a croaky bravado. Nara was surprised she managed to answer at all, but Elizabeth had always been stubborn. ¡°I¡¯ll, um, think about it.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t an apology (of which Elizabeth was chronically allergic to), but hopefully from that moment forward Elizabeth would be less dismissive of her experience on Erras.

    *****

    Oskar, Eva, Elizabeth, and Aaron all decided to join Nara in London, which she¡¯d make her home base for proximity to John. Her mother and stepfather would stay in Copenhagen, and Elliot would be reclaiming the position as CEO of Str?m Packaging from Oskar (which, while sounded impressive, was a small and local packaging company). Lynn, a rather competent accountant, would probably enjoy the work. Her father, James, would follow them to London, although certainly not participating in the same training that the younger generation had all decided to participate in. He¡¯d probably use monster cores through and through. At least he didn¡¯t seem insistent on becoming more powerful, so Nara could probably shovel him cores as convenient.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re coming,¡± Nara mentioned to Eva, half asking, half genuine surprise.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the end of it,¡± Eva said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, or perhaps foresight. ¡°I think big things are happening.¡± She held up a camera, flashing a charming smile¡ªa PR smile. ¡°I think this all needs to be documented. My job, at least, is mostly done from home.¡± A smirk. ¡°Or from London. And¡­¡± she glanced at Oskar. ¡°This may be a dream come true for him.¡± And me, she didn¡¯t say, although it was true.

    ¡°And you. I¡¯ve heard you met playing D&D?¡±

    ¡°That right,¡± she mused, reminiscent. ¡°We¡¯re both big nerds, you know. Enormously so!¡± she said in a conspiratorial whisper, like she was divulging some big secret. Perhaps it was¡ªthe former CEO and the PR manager, playing D&D quietly at night with none the wiser. ¡°We¡¯d both regret it if we both didn¡¯t give this all a chance.¡±

    ¡°You have the magic now. It doesn¡¯t need to go any further than that.¡±

    Her eyes crinkled, smile wide and excited. ¡°Right again. But if we stopped at the bare minimum, we wouldn¡¯t play D&D, now, would we?¡±

    *****

    Nara had found a cozy house to rent, nestled with some decent tree cover in the rolling countryside of Britain to rent. With her portal range, almost anything was within ¡®commuting¡¯ distance.

    She wasn¡¯t actually going to use the house, however, although her family was welcome to it. With a satisfying pop, the cork from the Nebula Flask was removed, and the cozy house transformed into a Tudor manor with a house detachment. The style of the ¡®manor¡¯ was still British countryside: steeply sloping shingle roofs, brown-red bricks layered unpainted, diamond pattern leaded glass windows, and a chimney extended out the top. A large linden tree extended its boughs of shade, shade draping over the house in a protective embrace. Alcea halo purple and pink hollyhocks were planted against the wall, delphiniums and foxgloves swayed beneath the protective shade of the tree. Tulips sprouted in neat rows, and Virginia creeper grew unboxed, crawling up the walls and reaching for the sun.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    She was at once at ease within her domain, her soul sensing her absolute ownership over this realm. Home and safety echoed in her mind¡ªshe¡¯d left her team in another world and would need all the backup that her flask could provide. They had entreated her to take it with her¡ªit is your flask, Nara¡ªbecause they could always find their own lodging in Kallid, especially now that matters had been settled back into friendship with the Dahl family.

    The house was a few hours away from London¡ªa luxury she could only afford thanks to her portal ability. She¡¯d portal any family members that wanted to stay in the house every day, but at times she was unavailable, she warned they¡¯d have to make do.

    The four opted to stay in Agency special housing. It possessed proximity to Agency training fields and lesson centers, and Elizabeth and Oskar seemed most determined to make the best of the opportunity. It was dorm-suite style housing, unfortunately, and they¡¯d have to put up with the reduction in privacy. The two couples were determined to stay in separate suites.

    Nara suspected the underlying reason was Oskar¡¯s mixed opinion on Elizabeth overall, and she completely understood. She never much liked sharing space with her sister. The mediative reason via Eva was that they could form connections within the Agency with whoever else occupied their suite. Elizabeth agreed with that logic, so separate they stayed.

    Since the four were going through with the Agency¡¯s training program, Nara decided to dispense a majority of awakening stones for each, around 8, that they had selected for themselves with consultation (Elizabeth only wanted 2 legendries to start, so she forked them over. Really, the improvement brought a tear to her eye.). Then, after additional experience or through fortune, they¡¯d fill in the rest of their final 8 abilities, reminiscent of Erras¡¯ overall style. This decision went blessedly uncontested¡ªthe Agency had similar limits of mass ability awakenings, although for alternate reasons. Stones were exchanged with credits or traded with others, a part of bonuses and promotions, or reserved and selected to try to aim for particularly useful abilities with certain sets.

    They were all given a Gun awakening stone as a sign on bonuses (except Nara, who wasn¡¯t an employee as the others were). It was one of the most commonly manifested stones on Earth and the single most common weapon awakening stone, and the vast majority of essence users used at least one gun.

    Elizabeth, however, did prove stubborn about one more thing: She didn¡¯t want to awaken a skill book ability (which Earth did have, surprisingly. But Earth was in an Information Age). Eva didn¡¯t need to take her advice¡ªher set was overall more non-combat (Technology, Light, Echo, Simulacrum) and focused on creating ¡®hard-light¡¯ constructions, such as holograms, and other support abilities, although she did not entirely lack offensive options. Oskar did take Nara¡¯s advice, his Knowledge stone indeed awakening a skill book ability. He, in fact, awakened the same ability as Eufemia, Clear Mind, the abilities of which he looked forward to, as its effects were known up to gold.

    -------

    Ability: [Clear Mind]

    Special Ability

    Cost: None

    Cooldown: None

    Effect (Iron): You may use skill books for which you meet the requirements.

    Effect (Bronze): Able to read, speak, understand, and write in any language.

    Effect (Silver): Understand the abilities of others after seeing them.

    Effect (Gold): Increased resistance to aura suppression and effects that impair perception and thinking, such as magically and non-magically induced dizziness, nausea, and tiredness.

    -------

    Nara provided him with some skill book options from Erras, basic workhorses such as Mixed Range Fundaments, in anticipation of whatever fighting style he ended up adopting, but also more fanciful options (like hers, John¡¯s, and Eufemia¡¯s), like Hand of the Void, a famous combat skill book created from the knowledge of gold ranker known or his defensive combat and the void essence, which Oskar shared similar aspirations with. (Void themed paladin was still his current goal. It was a little odd that the character he was building was himself, but Oskar didn¡¯t seem to have a problem with it.)

    There wasn¡¯t anything Nara could do to convince Elizabeth to try for a skill book ability, so it was a battle she never really attempted to fight Elizabeth on. With her set, it was unknown she¡¯d get it anyway. No doubt though, her growing headache heralded, that she¡¯d hear the complaints of Elizabeth of ¡®how can she could be so good at fighting in such a short period of time!¡¯

    (The answer, obviously, was ¡®Magic¡¯)

    Her dad was inserted into some non-combat healer program, and Nara could rest assured that he probably wouldn¡¯t get anybody killed, nor would he get killed.

    It was with that, that Nara finally, finally started her first day ¡®on the job¡¯.

    *****

    The Ether Realm was suffused with equal parts wonder and threat, to Diya. The monsters and the magic, ahem, ether, the impossible sights equally laden with danger and beauty. It was their mission to keep the magic of the ether realm solidly within the realm and not in reality, to beat it back when it threated to burst forth, destroying society as they knew it and killing all Diya loved.

    She kept a wary eye on the contractor that her superiors had assigned to her to introduce to the ether realm. She had better things to babysit some civvie that had arse-backwards wandered into the truth of magic. They showed up, every so often, getting caught up in some event, witnessing a dark EI, or getting manipulated with promise of magic powers. Inevitably, the Agency had to clean up their mess, and sit them somewhere so that they wouldn¡¯t kick up some big fuss.

    Although¡­Diya shivered.

    Her aura couldn¡¯t get anything off of that civvie. Her superiors had said she was bronze rank¡ªshe still couldn¡¯t believe it, a little girl like that?

    It was probably nothing.

    ¡°The coterminous ether realm is usually related to its adjacent reality,¡± her ¡®science¡¯ guy, Minato explained. The team just called him ¡®Chirp¡¯. ¡°The region around Great Britain often manifests monsters related to local legends¡ªmonsters, Sidhe, fairies, selkies and the like.¡±

    ¡°Very unpleasant. Bloody fairies.¡±

    ¡°Obviously, Watson,¡± said Warthog. ¡°They¡¯re monsters. Not actual fairies.¡±

    Benedict (aka Watson, for the irony of it all), rolled his eyes, hefting a heavy machine gun all the while, although his high physical strength made it easy.

    It was her job to show the civvie the ropes, but if Minato wanted to take her off her hands, she was glad for it.

    ¡°¡­our job is to make regular patrols of the landscape, killing monsters that approach any of the apertures. More importantly are the proto realms.¡±

    ¡°Pimple realms,¡± Watson interjected.

    ¡°¡ªDungeons,¡± Minato unhelpfully added.

    ¡°For the last time¡ª¡± it would not be, ¡°¡ªWe¡¯re not calling them that!¡± Diya called back.

    ¡°The pimp¡ªah¡ªproto realms are spaces that form between the ether realm and the physical realm,¡± said Minato, regaining his momentum¡ª

    The civvie made an odd face at that, but Diya possessed no ability whatever to discern her thoughts.

    ¡°¡ªand they lose integrity after a period of time. Due to their instability, they have a high density of monster manifestations, and higher EQ than the region average. If we don¡¯t clear them fast enough¡ªPop!¡ªthe pimple pops and whatever inside pours out into reality.¡±

    ¡°Gross,¡± Jasmine said, idly flicking some but that flew into her face. Diya didn¡¯t know if she was talking about the pimple analogy or the bug.

    ¡°Lieutenant,¡± Minato said, suddenly stopping his explanation, ¡°I¡¯m getting an EQ 3 hit, roughly 800 meters Northeast.¡±

    ¡°Copy.¡± She had actual radios¡ªa conjuration of Minato¡¯s¡ªbut unneeded so far on this patrol.

    ¡°Two EQ 3s,¡± he corrected.

    ¡°Shit,¡± Diya said. ¡°Exact EQ?¡±

    ¡°Low end,¡± he said. ¡°Around 3.1, both of them. They¡¯re accompanied by around 10 EQ 2.5s.¡±

    ¡°Alright! In formation!¡± she called, gathering her squad members. ¡°Ms. Ambrose, stay back. We wouldn¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡±

    She was a civilian, and Diya hated being a babysitter, but she wouldn¡¯t let a civilian get hurt, no matter her thoughts on her presence. It was her duty to protect the people, that didn¡¯t change because ¡®the people¡¯ were here.

    She furrowed her brow. ¡°I can fight, you know?¡±

    Diya gazed at her¡ªwhat a delicate looking thing! She had these odd flowing blue robes, far too pretty and silken for something to be used in combat. Did she think this was a game? A convention? She was even wearing jewelry, some sort of black earring! She looked categorically out of place against her squad, wearing their fireproof Agency fatigues and combat armor designed to absorb impacts and protect vitals.

    ¡°Just listen. This isn¡¯t some sort of cosplay convention,¡± Diya said. ¡°Stay behind Watson, he¡¯ll take care of you.¡±

    Watson nodded.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t need your protection,¡± she reiterated, like Diya was the slow and unreasonable one here! ¡°¡­What exactly did the Agency say to you?¡±

    ¡°You are a civilian contractor, Ms. Ambrose, and that I should show you what we do.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she said slowly, ¡°Show me what you do so that I can do it too.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work like that, Ms. Ambrose. You can loot Ms. Ambrose, all you need to do is stay in range.¡±

    *****

    Nara sighed. Nothing could be easy, could it? The squad Lieutenant just didn¡¯t think Nara was capable of anything other than literally standing around and looking pretty, which was certainly a novel feeling, since apparently on Earth she was now pretty enough to qualify. With the extra few inches from her rank ups, Nara did probably qualify for a modeling job. Maybe she could hit them up for extra cash? It¡¯s not like she had to dedicate time to maintain her figure. Erras certainly had higher standards in that regard and would never allow someone of Nara¡¯s ordinary appearance a free ride.

    She¡¯d have to be at least as beautiful as Eufemia to qualify. Beyond Eufemia there were celestines and elves with rarer and more eye-catching colorations that could really leverage their beauty for the all-expenses-paid position of professional eye candy.

    Erras very rarely judged based on appearance¡ªAt least, no one competent judged based on appearance, as looking disarming was a viable and deadly combat tactic, Nara would know, but she wasn¡¯t trying to assassinate this squad¡ªand she was certainly missing that now.

    ¡°Lieutenant Patel,¡± Nara said, addressing Priya. ¡°This¡¯ll probably come out wrong, but I am not a soldier, and I am not required to listen to your commands.¡±

    She would know, she made sure that it was a part of her contract negotiations. Diya, however, evidently did not like being told about her lack of actual control over Nara¡¯s actions, and Nara watched in real-time as her posture straightened and arms crossed over the challenge to her authority. Her aura even sharpened, although it seemed to be reflexive rather than an aspect of her control (which was below average.)

    ¡°I will go and handle one of the EQ 3 monsters,¡± Nara continued, undeterred by the posturing. Fun! She really hadn¡¯t gone toe-to-toe in a challenge to authority this way yet. This was at least a novel experience. Protesting to a goddess really gave Nara ¡®The Lady Doth Protest Too Much¡¯ vibes about herself.

    ¡°Alone?¡± Diya ground out, her doubt clipped yet dripping.

    Nara resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the dramatics. ¡°The Agency should have provided some detail on my capabilities. Rest assured, Lieutenant Patel, that I am capable of escaping an EQ 3.¡±

    ¡°I want you to follow orders, Ms. Ambrose, because I am concerned for the safety of all members of this team. I do not want to have to traipse after you because you bit off more than you could chew!¡±

    ¡°Then do not concern yourself with my safety and prioritize the safety of your team. Have you radioed for back up, yet?¡±

    ¡°I do not need you to explain how to manage my team.¡± Minato already had, but Diya did not appreciate the questioning of protocol by a civilian. Diya always followed protocol.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid, Lieutenant Patel, that you are at an impasse.¡± Nara spread out her hands demonstratively. ¡°I will go to fight the EQ 3, and you have no way to stop me. I suggest you ready your team for engagement instead of fighting battles you cannot win. Assume I fail my battle against the EQ 3, and prepare for such an eventuality, if you have so little confidence in my capabilities.¡±

    ¡°A solo engagement of a higher EQ is just not possible!¡± Diya¡¯s voice rose, echoing across the fields of green and spare forest. In the distance, an impossible fantasy-medieval castle loomed, tattered flags snapping in the winds. ¡°This is ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Then, Lieutenant, keep your eyes peeled to witness the impossible.¡±

 Chapter 200: Best Estimates

    Chapter 200: Best Estimates

    Nara was not a complete idiot and made at least her own analysis of the EQ 3 that she would fight. She did not have John with her, but the Agency did at least have their own monster compendium, which was thorough in ways that Erras¡¯ was not, mostly in what particular weapons were effective, focusing on what solutions were effective, rather than any weaknesses of the monster, although there were some. Certainly, on a wider scale, knowing whether an iron rank pistol could be expected to penetrate the armor or if something higher caliber or alternative would be needed, like a grenade, was more efficient than trying to have adventurers form their own individualized solutions. She could also admit that, in a moment of panic, it would probably save more Agent¡¯s lives to know which weapon would immediately be effective. At least, it¡¯d save more lives in the short term.

    If the full, animated suit of medieval armor was not evidence enough, Nara could hear the jangling clack of metal on metal verify that her opponent was indeed, a Living Armor. It had even a jaunty red plume trail majestically from the top of the helm.

    Hmm. According to the knowledge of the compendium that she could apply to her Erras-style training, living armors had high defenses, and little upfront weaknesses, although their movements were semi restricted by the rigidity of the armor. Cutting through the gaps could temporarily separate the limbs, although it would not destroy the monster, which required significant destruction of the actual metal armor.

    It wasn¡¯t the best opponent Nara could fight, although she supposed they couldn¡¯t all be slow moving trolls with massive health pools. The high defense was a bit of a pain in the ass, and she¡¯d have to fight with extreme risk until her afflictions started landing.

    Still. Though, it was a suit of armor. Deep inside, her unscratched duelist¡¯s core started to itch.

    She approached the armor with a confident stride and stood in front of it, sword ready like the beginning of a duel.

    ¡°Engarde!¡± She exclaimed.

    It was perhaps not the sanest of actions, but she just couldn¡¯t help herself. It¡¯s not like a surprise attack would have been very fruitful against a high defense silver rank monster anyway, so she may as well have fun with it.

    She glanced at the sky; And, well, she may as well put on a show for her future audience.

    Surprisingly, the suit of armor reciprocated, bowing slightly, and drawing his sword at the ready, holding it in place with its shield. With some sort of mutual swordsmen understanding, as much as one could have with a faceless entity behind a helmet, the two started moving at the exact same time.

    A sword and shield¡ªquite annoying. It was a secret to Encio, but the only thing Nara found harder to fight than a skilled sword master was a skilled sword and shield master. If he found out, he might learn it just to annoy her.

    The living armor¡¯s fighting style was classic¡ªvery human, if not for the rigidity of the armor. Still, even with the jank, its shield bashes and heavy swings were dangerous. Nara kept to its front, dueling it proper, although not without her own strategies, although she was not teleporting. In this specific case, teleportation was only useful for dodging, and not for progression of the fight. Since her opponent had high defenses, she needed to soften its resistances with Avatar of the Boundary, which had a guaranteed affliction reduction towards her affliction for every blow she avoided, negated, reduced, and parried. Which meant, conversely, that she needed to actually be attacked as much as possible and stand her ground.

    Once resistance to afflictions was reduced enough, Nara could focus on inflicting Dimensional Instability, which was more or less a reduction in defense towards rending damage only. With enough boon sacrifices and abuse of Blood Rebound from Blood Moon, she could start actually dealing damage.

    Despite the metal stiffness, the armor was still quick, and each blow had massive momentum. The scariest aspect was still its shield, which sought to snap in and crush her ribs at the slightest window of opportunity. At this point, fighting stronger and heavier opponents was more normal than fighting light and fast ones (Nara was afraid to see what a silver rank monster specialized in speed would be like), so while Nara was fully utilizing her entire defensive suite, nix teleportation, operating on the edge of crushing injury was old news. The physical strength increase from Blood Moon was a notable help; she¡¯d miss it once she ranked up to silver and had to abandon the arm guards for something of her rank.

    Since they could be spared from teleportation, her Dimension Nodes were stacked and detonated at key moments. Nara found, since their damage was disruptive force, that she could temporarily disable the animating force wherever the blast impacted the armor. It took at least a 6 to 7 stack to interrupt its movements, but it crucially knocked the armor about and disrupted its rhythm. The armor eventually learned to by wary of the nodes, possessing some amount of its own magical senses.

    The learning aspect of the silver rank monster was a terrifying implication. That it could adapt to her as she adapted to it. It harkened to her mimic fight, battling intense blow for blow against a humanoid opponent, with the notable and important exception that the mimic couldn¡¯t improve.

    The node explosion and Chrome¡¯s swords were the two components the Living Armor paid most attention to; Chrome¡¯s Corrosion of Time affliction paired with resonating force damage was especially effective against the full suit of armor, and its shield was always positioned protectively between itself and the whirl of golden blades, some wielded by Chrome himself, who darted in an out at opportune moments to strike his own blows.

    Sage was notably absent, although she had more important matters to attend to, serving as Nara¡¯s communication across worlds and keeping an eye on a few troublesome persons in this one.

    With Nara¡¯s black blade alight with an underworld flame, she wondered who resembled the black knight of this duel. The once pristinely polished silver armor was now marred, small patches rusted brown and crumbling. The living armor had extremely high intelligence and skill, but it seemed that it had next to no recovery capability, all damage to its shell completely permanent.

    The living armor held a polite hand up, signaling a stop. What could Nara do but oblige. It was just about the politest person¡ªer, monster¡ªshe had met in the last few weeks and was happy to indulge in the interest of a mutually pleasant battle to the death.

    The armor gestured upwards with a finger, then held its palm flat as if to ask for permission.

    ¡°Er, you want to take this battle to the sky?¡±

    It nodded.

    Suuuuure. Why not? ¡°Go ahead, Sir Knight.¡±

    It nodded, and with a rather cacophonous groaning of metal, new metal grew and extended into metal plated blade wings. It really shouldn¡¯t have been able to fly with such things, but magic had never cared about such silly laws of physics like lift and propulsion. True to expectations, with a clash and grating shirk of metal, it launched itself into the air, a glorious gleaming flying knight. A terrifying, deadly whirl of death.

    Nara followed up with node jumps, but she couldn¡¯t quite fly herself, more ¡®falling slowly repeatedly¡¯ than actual flight.

    The knight gestured.

    ¡°Yeah, this is perfectly fine. You will still lose.¡±

    It regarded that as acceptance of its challenge and adjusted its stance once more.

    An initial aerial field would have extended the length of the battle, but Sir Knight had made its decision too late to make any significant difference. Her loss of nodes as a disabling method was counteracted by her additional options of 3D movement. Sir Knight¡¯s wings were weapons unto themselves, and she had to be careful attacking from behind it, but Nara had always handled better the precision of bladed strikes than the wide effect of crushing blows.

    Boundary¡¯s Scorn had done its job, allowing for the stacking and application of Dimensional Instability. The locations of corrosion were points of weakness, and Nara targeted them with impunity. Her stabs and slashes imbued with Thanatos¡¯ Umbral Flame burned with heat and disruptive force damage, further impairing its movement, although not to the extent of her stacked node blast. The fire, incidentally, softened the metal, allowing Sir Knight additional flexibility, but it would not be enough to save the duel from its inevitable conclusion. Nara did appreciate the living armor¡¯s ability to adapt to his condition, and Nara would remember that the enemy¡¯s effects could potentially be used to her own advantage.

    A shattering blow of Blood Rebound with Astral Return ripped the metal torso of Sir Knight, metal swirled and bent as if rent by the claws of a great dragon, rather than a comparatively small sword. Sir Knight unbalanced in the air, and another follow up attack sent it spiraling to the ground, limp wing unable to course correct nor sustain it. It didn¡¯t quite crater, but its metal tore up the tranquil grasslands, green skin torn aside to reveal the brown wounds of the earth.

    It struggled to its knees, but did not get up, bowing its head in surrender.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°It was a good match, Sir Knight,¡± she pronounced. She was so into this. She fucking loved duels! ¡°Go with pride.¡±

    It dipped its head in acknowledgement and waited for her final blow.

    She swung her blade down, every effect in combination¡ªboons and boon sacrifice, Astral Return, World¡¯s End¡ªdetermined to give him an honorable, singular end. Her sword sliced cleanly through its neck plate, decapitating Sir Knight, and the resulting execute damage disintegrated the rest of the armor, swallowed and winked out of existence in a flash of transcendent light and the finality of a black hole.

    -------

    -[Living Armor] has been wholly annihilated and has been automatically looted.

    <ul>

    <li>1 silver rank monster core</li>

    <li>10 silver spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 bronze spirit coins</li>

    <li>1000 iron spirit coins</li>

    <li>100,000 lesser spirit coins</li>

    <li>100 metal quintessence</li>

    <li>1 Awakening Stone of the Knight</li>

    <li>[Sir Lancelot¡¯s Sword]</li>

    <li>[Sir Lancelot¡¯s Shield]</li>

    </ul>

    Loot has been added to your [Astral Domain].

    -------

    ¡°No fucking way!¡± she exclaimed.

    (It was ultimately just flavor text from her guide, but she still thought it was really really cool.)

    *****

    Diya and her team lined up¡ªtheir heavy firepower out front, tearing through monsters with high calibers and burning them to a crisp. It burned through mana quickly, however, and before long, her strongest attackers were already half-empty and the silver rank monster stalked just out of range, bullets pinging ineffectually against magically super durable armor.

    It, unfortunately, seemed disinclined to approach. It gauged them, finding them somehow lacking. When the team moved forward to engage, it moved back and equal distance. With its silver rank speed, decidedly un-stealthy as it was, as a running hunk of metal, the squad couldn¡¯t close in while maintaining its defensive formation. Occasionally, small blades of metal flew towards them, as if attempting to separate the squad or pick a few off, and the squad was forcefully reminded that the monster was the higher EQ, and there was no sense in pushing forwards when the couldn¡¯t defeat it.

    ¡°It wants to duel you, you know,¡± said Nora from behind her.

    Diya wouldn¡¯t admit that her voice had surprised her and suppressed the urge to jump on the spot.

    Diya narrowed her eyes. ¡°And you managed to defeat your target.¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± she said, popping the ¡®p¡¯. Diya wanted to say she didn¡¯t believe her, but a silver sword was stabbed into the ground as proof¡ªone that resembled what their current target held. A brush over the handle was enough to tell Diya it was silver rank from rank rejection, quickly pulling her hand back as if burned. A side glance at Minato confirmed it¡ªshe had really managed to solo the EQ 3 monster?

    ¡°Do you want me to do it again?¡±

    ¡°You can do it again?¡±

    ¡°I specialize in endurance battles,¡± she said. ¡°It will actually be easier now than it was before. You have to promise not to interfere though. It¡¯s not a bad bloke, just looking for a fair fight.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a higher EQ, it¡¯s hardly a fair fight,¡± Diya rejected instinctively.

    ¡°It¡¯s a monster,¡± Warthog quietly grumbled. ¡°Who cares about fair?¡±

    Nora shrugged. ¡°On the other world, soloing a higher EQ monster was expected in the later half of an EQ rank. How else are you expected to improve?¡± Her glance skittered over the group. Diya felt the same sensation of being evaluated and found lacking that the monster had elicited. ¡°Why do all of you use cores?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Minato overheard, drawing his own conclusions rapidly, ¡°There¡¯s only been minor success without using cores, not to mention the reduced speed¡ª¡±

    ¡°All those combat focused don¡¯t use cores, in the other world,¡± she said, casually. She paid them little attention, her attention more focused on the living armor, who waited, sword held vertically and proper, ever chivalrous. ¡°There¡¯s even EQ 5s there. I know a few personally. Is it¡­six? If I count Queen Tyranel? So?¡±

    That was ridiculous. The highest theoretical EQ was 4, not 5. Their projections for how much power a EQ 4 possessed were already ludicrous. Weapons of mass destruction.

    ¡°So¡ªwhat?¡±

    She gestured to the waiting armor. ¡°So? Shall I?¡±

    Diya hadn¡¯t seen anything like it. The civilian¡ªperhaps that was undeserved, now, as she was clearly combat trained¡ªdanced with the EQ 3, black blade flashing against silver, gently redirecting it this way and that, blocking with her free hand as needed, as if it was all some elaborate choreography to put on a show. Any damage she did take, evidenced only by a brief line of red before it rapidly healed, or a tear on her robes (which Diya had to reevaluate the effectiveness of, as it clearly did something. More magically enhanced bullshit.), seemed entirely intentional. Very rarely did she teleport, and even then, it hardly disrupted her flow, one attack moving into the next as if she hadn¡¯t just shifted her dimensional axis, as if the world had moved around her and she hadn¡¯t moved at all.

    Occasionally, metal spikes erupted from the ground, attempting to pierce her, but she easily slipped away, as if they had never intended to hit in the first place.

    Diya had fought living armors before, usually of lower rank. It shouldn¡¯t be possible¡ªtypically, they would try to engage them in an enclosed space, to force them into battle when they¡¯d otherwise retreat. Diya knew that the living armor wasn¡¯t going easy on Nora Ambrose; the gouges in the ground and the weight of the blade as it whistled through the air was evidence enough. Each blow was ferocious and sharp, marred only by the stiffness of the armor, and the shield aways savagely followed, shielding its body and snapping forward with devastating power. She had seen enough¡ªheard enough¡ªcaved in rib cages from cornered charges to fear the shield.

    It was an astounding melee defense, but Nora seemed entirely undeterred, her blade somehow slipping through to land attacks when it otherwise should not have, and the living armor¡¯s own precision seemed inexplicably imprecise.

    ¡°Are you recording all this?¡± she whispered to Minato, as if her voice would disrupt Nora¡¯s concentration.

    ¡°Yes. I recorded the other one as well. It seemed she noticed my drone.¡±

    ¡°Unsurprising,¡± Diya noted, although her opinion of Nora just 10 minutes previous would have been in opposition. She still didn¡¯t like how insubordinate Nora was, but if Diya was in Nora¡¯s position, being underutilized despite knowing her own capabilities, Diya would have also thought that she was a leader not worth listening to.

    *****

    ¡°Report, Lieutenant Patel,¡± said Branch Director Graham.

    They were in his office, where he sat imposingly in a plush leather chair and an appropriately stately mahogany desk, a luxury afforded to a Branch Director, rather than the cheap grey desks they all used. Which Diya rarely did as a Field Agent.

    ¡°Branch Director,¡± she saluted.

    ¡°At ease, Lieutenant.¡±

    As a Field Agent, she was given a title to denote the forces she commanded, unlike the Special Agents, who handled other operations such as investigations, who worked with partnerships with less defined chains of command. This dual nature was occasionally confusing; in the confluence of a Special Agent and a Field Agent, who should obey who? But it was necessary, as the Agency handled both military-scale field operations and civilian matters.

    ¡°The¡­special contractor Ambrose was not as I expected,¡± she begun. ¡°I had assumed that she was unskilled and unsuited for combat. A liability.¡±

    ¡°From her appearance?¡± he said, the question chastisement in itself.

    ¡°Yes, Director. My apologies.¡±

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d have learned from your own experience.¡±

    Diya¡¯s mouth tightened, and she had to acknowledge that was true. ¡°Yes, director.¡± A woman and a foreigner, although British-born. The prejudice in the Agency hardly compared to the actual military, thanks to the equality in power that essences granted, but here and there, there would always be those seeking to lift themselves up by putting others down, on the basis of whatever perceived disadvantage or quality.

    ¡°Your report says that special contractor Ambrose successfully defeated two EQ 3s, non-simultaneously, alone. We judge her to be around EQ 2.8, reliant on Agent Ito¡¯s recordings.¡±

    ¡°What about the scans?¡±

    ¡°Our scans don¡¯t work,¡± Graham said with a rare expression of exasperation. ¡°This is all conjecture and best estimates. We did ask, and she said we had estimated too high. She claims to be around EQ 2.5.¡± Implied¡ªthat the Agency was unsure if she was telling the truth of her EQ level.

    ¡°She is abnormally skilled,¡± said Diya. ¡°Her equipment is unconventional, as is her fighting style, but I cannot dispute the results. I want to say that she is insubordinate, but that would be inaccurate. She is cooperative when it is in her bests interest. Our best interests. She is not particularly combative or aggressive, and did try to cooperate, despite my lapse in judgement.¡±

    There was a knock on the door.

    ¡°Come in,¡± Graham said.

    Nora strode through, looking assured and entirely unphased with Graham¡¯s EQ 3 aura. Diya didn¡¯t think she didn¡¯t sense it, rather, just didn¡¯t care for it.

    ¡°Nora. I¡¯ve called you for some clarification on your report.¡±

    ¡°Yup, sure. What do you want to know?¡±

    It was¡­unacceptably casual, but that was expected of a civilian in the end. Some things Diya wouldn¡¯t fight.

    ¡°In your report, you commented that the Lieutenant Patel¡¯s combat was ¡®inefficient¡¯, but ¡®not an evaluation of her squad specifically¡¯. If you would elaborate?¡±

    ¡°Right¡­have you had enough time to do your investigations on whether John and I are telling the truth about the whole ¡®been to another world and back¡¯?¡±

    ¡°We have,¡± Graham confirmed. ¡°The material supplied is convincing. The crystal of the recordings does not exist on our planet.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t break them, I hope? I think those are priceless here.¡±

    Graham¡¯s lip twitched; Diya was unsure if it was to be a smile or a frown. If anyone could manage both simultaneously, it¡¯d be Director Graham.

    ¡°No, they are undamaged.¡±

    ¡°Well, proceeding with the assumption that you believe us, the cultivation of essence users¡ªEIs¡ªon that world differs from this one. There¡¯s nothing inherently wrong with using cores, but most combat-focused essence users will progress with a training-combat-meditation cycle. There are several advantages to this¡ªand, I¡¯ve actually asked John to do a bit of cost analysis¡ªbut currently progress of your EIs as a whole is bottlenecked by how many monster cores you possess: how much you dedicate to raising rank, split between combatants and non-combatants; and how much you reserve for other uses, like rituals. Is that correct?¡±

    ¡°That is an accurate summary of the situation,¡± Graham confirmed, a grey eyebrow raised in cursory interest.

    ¡°As I¡¯ve said, the vast majority of combat-focused EIs instead don¡¯t use cores.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve tried non-core progress, and it¡¯s a significant reduction in speed.¡±

    ¡°Sure, but how long does it take to get to silver with cores? John has looked a bit at your statistics, and most never make it to silver¡ªsorry, EQ 3--there¡¯s just not enough cores, isn¡¯t that right? The easiest question, I suppose, is if you¡¯re willing for progress to take longer at lower EQs in order to progress to a higher EQ for significantly reduced cost and an improvement in skill, no offense.¡±

    ¡°None taken,¡± Diya said, because it was true. She wasn¡¯t going to argue that she wasn¡¯t less skilled when she couldn¡¯t solo engage an EQ 3, even though the truth of the statement rankled.

    ¡°The key to non-core progression is the full utilization of abilities. From what I¡¯ve seen of Lieutenant Patel¡¯s squad, they perhaps used throughout the full duration, at best 12 abilities? And estimating some special abilities in there. It¡¯s well known that at early ranks, you must choose to fight less effectively in order to fully progress your abilities.

    For me,¡± she said, tapping her chest, ¡°I had to intentionally draw out fights, as I am an endurance fighter. Most iron rank enemies can die to a well-placed strike, but that doesn¡¯t progress your combat abilities. You need to overkill. You need to overdo it. You need to handicap yourself. You need to fight in situations that draw out your full potential, fighting intentionally at a disadvantage and in unconventional circumstances. There are ways to safely do this.¡±

    More common in the higher magic areas than Sanshi, of course, but a higher ranker often tagged along to make sure nobody died.

    ¡°Director Graham, how would you like to change training as you know it?¡±