A Magical Anomaly
Chapter 8
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Choice Made:
[X] Try to use your core to actively speed up time around you. ( - 2 Chrono Core Charge) (Time skip to next battle) (+ 1 to Chrono Mastery) (+ 1 ???) (2 Days Pass)
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Effects:
* - 2 Days passed
* - -2 Chrono core charge
* - Charges reset (See story)
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You tell Elly that you want to try the Chrono core thing and she stares at you for a moment. A number of expressions cross her face, yet you can’t make out what they mean before it settles on a calm confidence.
She nods at you before turning to Number 20 and waving at them.
‘I do believe our business is done for the moment. We shall call you when your services are required’
They nod to her, appearing by your side before you can react. They bow low, one six fingered hand behind their back. When they rise back up, you notice the mask has changed. Where previously there was a star, now there's a clock, two tentacles forming its hands as it slowly ticks around without a sound… oddly all the numbers are the same…
Before you can make out any more details, they vanish. Not a trace of their presence left.
Well that’s odd… And kind of creepy.
You focus back on Elly, and she looks back at you.
‘Ready?’
You nod.
‘You do not have the system to guide your hands, nor your control. So we shall do this manually. Mana manipulation is a complicated subject… and there is no specific way to control it. The feeling is different for every single entity in every single reality. Some say it’s like pulling a string, others a rubber band. Some say it’s pouring water into a bowl. I myself, find it's easier if you associate it with something that reminds you of the element in question. A spell has a variety of different nuances to consider. But most of those come naturally to mind as you cast it. What you will need to focus on, is what your core feels like to you. And then give it an image of what you want it to do. Add in as much will as you can muster, and focus on nothing but the spell you want to cast. These are the basic principles of Primitive Casting. Had you been able to speak, it would have been easier to cast, vocal elements provide a means by which to focus mana. And adds a slightly hypnotic effect to the mind. It’s why you can stun someone casting a spell vocally easier than one who can do it to someone chantless. But we must make use of what we have.’
You blink a little as Elly rants a bit more. Tuning it out as you take in a breath, and work through this step by step.
First, you need to find out what your Chrono core feels like…
A thousand voices whisper in your head. Images and shapes, objects and concepts all flowing into each other, but none of them really click, as though you were hearing someone else describe something slightly wrong…
The feeling is weird, so you push it away, letting the voices melt into a surprisingly soothing static like noise. It hums in the background as you focus.
Chrono… time… a clock would work… but it doesn’t feel right… something feels off about it…
A growl enters your mind, and you realize you’ve closed your eyes. Opening them, you see [Gae Bolg] sitting across your lap. Your arms are wrapped in [Grendel’s Arm] and [Babr-e Bayan]. Your [Angel’s Halo] settles over your head as you feel [Curtana] sitting near your side as well.
The growl sounds out again… and… a sundial appears in your head… You think it’s a sundial? A flat circle, etched with markings you don’t understand…
Blood fills the etchings like red paint while the circle glows, the gold becoming a black fractal that shimmers a hundred different colour’s. Purple traces the edges, as a large clawed hand holds it aloft… no there's more than one. Many, many hands, more than you can count, all hold the dial in the air. Light trails down from above, at an angle that reflects off the dial’s raised spike, casting a shadow over the number directly under it… where you guess a six would be if this were a clock.
So your Chrono core is a sundial thing? More for you to unpack later. Great!
God, future you is going to hate you.
You soundlessly giggle at the thought, pushing it away after a moment as Elly looks at you weirdly.
Now, you need to focus on what you want it to do…
You need to recover… to heal faster… The idea doesn’t really click… So you try focusing on making things go fa-
‘Too much’
You snap out of focus and look at Elly as she shakes her head.
‘Primitive casting has to be done as intricately as possible. Focus on exactly what you want, not a vague idea of it.’
You nod and take a moment to digest that, then focus inward again.
Intricate… right.
You need yourself to go faster, you need time to move just slightly, ever so slightly faster… Turn however many - no, turn three days down into one. That should be good.
You hold the thought in your mind, focusing on the sundial and the shadowy line somehow visible on its pitch black surface. The line shudders, jolts and slowly, infinitesimally slowly shifts backward.
You almost cry out in joy. The surge of FEAR is the only thing stopping you. And the burst of searing heat in your chest that makes you wince. Snapping your focus in two as the image dissipates.
Something cold leaves your body as you gasp out, leaving you unbearably warm near your throat. So hot that you need to remo-
A sharper, deeper FEAR rocks your entire being, freezing your hands and body in place as sweat drips from your body.
You can see clearer now… you notice the lights are on… no wait, the sun is shining through a window… you were pretty sure it was dark out when you looked last.
Elly’s still in the same place she was last time as you reign the fear back in, pushing it into its little box and focusing on the fairy’s form.
Your throat feels parched, your neck inches, but you don’t dare scratch it.
The heat from before dissipates just a little. It’s not so unbearably hot anymore. A little uncomfortable. But you can bear it.
‘Hm, a passable first attempt indeed. A few hours of real time converted into less. Three to one I would say. The right ratio. Well done.’
You nod at her, noticing that your arms don’t hurt as much, and you can move just a bit better than before.
You should probably try again.
‘I would give it five or ten minutes first. The excess Chrono mana needs to be reabsorbed into your core. It should reduce your overall expenditure. Amusingly, something that the System hides under the idea of Cooldowns for skills if you did not know.’
You nod, reaching out for the glass of water and drinking deeply from it. Your bones still feel like lead, but not as much as before. It might have only been a few hours… but it’s done wonders already.
The heat in your neck slowly filters down. Settling slightly above where your heart would be. Now that you can feel it… it’s kind of strange.. The heat… doesn’t pulse like your heart. It almost feels like it’s spinning slowly, like a bunch of feathers slowly stroking your insides in a way that should sound uncomfortable, but feels oddly pleasant and soft instead.
The description confuses even you, but it feels right.
The heat vanishes after a bit, cooling down enough that you barely even notice it.
And so you start again.
It takes a lot of focus, and you severely doubt you’d be able to use this in a fight in any capacity yet. But after a few minutes of intense focus, the shadow on the dial stutters and turns back as the… white sun? Huh, as the white sun pulls over the horizon… the shadow vanishes.
Something snaps.
Something cracks.
The space goes dark as someone laughs.
It’s high pitched, incredibly girly. Almost hysterical as the laughing girl gets closer and closer.
There’s no physical form, but she’s here.
Right in front of you.
Something burns on your arm, and you look to see your arm is covered in a torn black dress. A bloody cut dripping as FEAR grips your entire being.
You look back up, and a pair of glowing amber eyes meet yours.
Too close, far too close.
A warm… something licks across your throat, coming back stained in blood as the laughing returns.
A bloody shard of glass passes your eyes.
And you’re snapped back into focus once more, heat blooming in your throat into a searing inferno right where your ribbon is.
Your hands shoot towards it, but the FEAR settles back in and you realize what you were doing.
You breathe a few more times. Ignoring the itching sensation as you look out the window.
Your vision flashes.
Flames roar across the cityscape for the briefest of moments. A hand reaches out to the window, shattering i-
The sky is dark. A cloudless night with the moon high in the sky.
Your mind fogs over a bit… trying to remember what you saw when you looked out the window… but all you remember is the dark sky… The shadow on the dial vanished, and then FEAR… your normal response…
But something still feels off.
You take a deep breath, pushing all that feeling into a box as you breathe out.
You’re calm. Focused, and you don’t feel tired anymore.
You wouldn’t say you’re brimming with energy either. But you're good, you think.
‘If you call almost compressing a month down into a few hours good, then I do fear your potential.’
Your eyes widen, head snapping to Elly as she rolls her eyes at you.
‘I took care of it. No need to worry. Ripping mana from your body and smothering your Core stopped you before you went too far. We’re an hour or two off of where I would have liked us to be. But that's the optimal time, not the necessary time.’
You stare blankly for a moment. Looking at your hands as you comprehend that…
Losing control almost ripped you through time…
Another breath helps you focus on that, you’ll need a lot more practice with this.
‘Indeed you shall. And in the interests of safety, I’ll be pulling any excess mana from your Core. I’ll leave you with two charges when you recharge, but so as to not have that happen again, I am taking precautions.’
You nod at her. It’s probably better to accidentally shunt yourself three days in a direction rather than a month…
Though a thought does occur.
I used magic!
Elly rolls her eyes. But she does smile slightly. It would look condescending on anyone else… but it feels right on Elly’s face.
‘There are technicalities involved, I wouldn’t call Primitive casting magic per say, it’s more a ritual invoking the effect you desire into play with already transformed mana, but I suppose technicalities are merely that. Technicalities. Congratulations on your first spell… Again, sadly I don’t have streamers, only tentacles.’
A pair of tentacles fire out into the air with a pop like weird eldritch streamers. But you’re too happy to really care. The heat in your chest is your first step to magic, and you intend to master this as much as you can.
Elly nods at you, drawing your attention back to her from your celebration.
‘You did have a few visitors while you were in your trance of sorts. I distorted your form so you appeared to be sleeping when they came.’
You give Elly a mental thanks as you notice a pile of cards on the desk. They weren’t there before but you notice that your family has left their own little set. Alice also has a few different ones and there’s what looks like a business card…
The business card isn’t from anyone you know… A Davis Marsh… CEO of T-Technologies what?
‘He came around a day or so ago, had a pair of Greens with him if you can believe that. Man’s wealthy enough to hire Magical Girls as personal bodyguards.’
Elly lets out a condescending scoff for a moment before she continues.
‘Your mother happened to be visiting when he arrived. I may have overheard their conversation as they talked outside.’
She eavesdropped.
‘I would never do something so rude! I am a noble! Nobles don’t eavesdrop.’
She clears her throat.
‘Apparently he wishes to offer you a tour of their building here in the city as a… apology for what has occurred. I’m sure it’s for looks more than anything… though the man did seem genuine in his apology to your mother… surprisingly ruffled by her as well for some reason.’
You're pretty sure an angry mum would do that to most. Especially yours for some odd reason…
Huh, maybe you’ve seen what your angry mother can do to someone. Or it's just fear of your parents…
You shake your head again, pushing the wool out of your mind as you ask Elly how you’re supposed to get to a rift like this.
‘Under most circumstances, I would teleport you in the favor of discreteness… Your Nullness makes that rather impossible to do. At least without attracting some attention. So instead, we shall be sneaking out.’
The window in your room clicks… and you notice that it now opens as though it was a sliding door… You’re pretty sure it didn’t do that before.
‘Magic~’
Elly makes a… noise as she says that. You think she’s trying to be cute… but it just comes out wrong and makes it funny instead.
She pouts a bit as you stand up. Your gear vanishes from view and you stretch a bit.
Your body doesn’t really feel any more flexible, or warmed up… but doing it makes you feel good anyway.
Your clothing shifts as you walk to the window. The hospital gown fading and your outfit from the mall flashing into view… you stop and stare for a moment glancing over at Elly.
‘While you don’t have access to your costume, yet, I intend on getting you it at some point soon, I do not believe you want to go strolling through the crowds dressed in hospital clothing no?’
You shake your head, thanking Elly again and then looking out the now open window.
The air is surprisingly chilly… you suppose it’s winter now, so it’s expected, still colder than you thought…
[Babr-e Bayan] appears… nothing more than a black sleeve over both your arms as the barriers flare into existence for a fraction of a second.
The chill is less. Not gone, but more of a crisp breeze that would wake you up in the morning rather than chill your bones like it was before.
You look down at an angle, careful to not let vertigo or something else make you fall.
You’re maybe three stories up. There's a fire escape conveniently a floor down, so, with a bit of effort, you drop down, landing in a roll that's lessened by [Babr-e Bayan]’s barriers reducing the impact.
A glance back up, shows that your window is there as if nothing had happened. Perfectly flat with no showing of a lock or sliding mechanism.
Magic is definitely weird…
You slip down the fire escape, sliding down the staircases railing because it's cool and Elly can’t tell you not to.
She does.
You don’t listen because a villain does what they want.
You slip off the railing once, managing to grab onto it with a hand so you don’t go tumbling down the rest of the way, a bit of finesse gets you enough momentum to let go and land on the stairs again, and so you return to your stylish descent.
You hop off the last bit of the railing. You’re in an alley.
Elly guides you through the crowds as you exit the alley. The sidewalks are packed with people.
It may not be your first time here, but the sight is still stunning in a sense.
The hospital is located on a large cross shaped intersection. One side in particular. The center has what looks like a park full of greenery and trees. A playground sits empty near what you can see, a shadowy forest extends further and blocks your vision.
More buildings tower nearby. Mostly medical and pharmaceutical ones from what you can see so far.
Twenty or so minutes of walking passes. You dodge people as they hurry down the sidewalk. Some look dressed in suits or similar smart casual looks to your own. Others have casual clothing in a variety of bright colour’s. Some walk in groups or pairs, others alone.
It's… an interesting sight you decide. You’d love to just watch people from above some day. Just watch how the traffic ebbs and flows through the city…
Maybe you’ll do that if you ever get to fly… Just spend the morning watching people while drinking some coffee or something.
Though you hate coffee.
Maybe something sweet like hot chocolate…
You blink, shaking yourself from your little trance and coming too in front of another alley.
The buildings… look like what you’d expect a factory to look like.
Or perhaps a warehouse?
…God this is the Evil thing in a warehouse trope isn’t it?
You turn to Elly and she shakes her head.
‘It’s not in the warehouse if that is your problem. The rift is in an alleyway behind it’
The sigh that leaves you is soundless. Leaving through your nose rather than mouth as you shake your head.
You start walking towards the alley in question when something… changes…
You can’t tell what it is… but something whispers at you… More something’s… a doubt, maybe voices.. It tells you to check the warehouse… Though some also tell you not to… it’s a relatively even split you think…
You decide to:
[x] Check the warehouse, it could be nothing. But it could also be something. You’ll need a way in though… Well, a villain doesn’t practice stealth, and it’s the middle of the night. Breaking the lock with a well placed Grendel hit should be easy enough. (Story action) (-0 Grendel Charges) (Loud action) (+Time passes)
[x] Check the warehouse, it could be nothing. But it could also be something. You’ll need a way in though… Being the sneaky villain could be rather fun, maybe through a window or perhaps the back door is unlocked… the place doesn’t seem to have been used in a while from a glance. (Story action) (Quiet action) (++Time passes)
[x] Continue on to the rift. The more time you spend here, the more time that the rift opens or something bad happens. The rift was your main reason for coming here anyway, who knows when someone will check your room… (Story action)
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