“I was almost sure the crazy tinkers on your world damaged the soul weapon’s memory,” Samara said, studying Nil. Two days had passed since the cavern attacks. Dealing with the aftermath had kept the soul smith busy, and she summoned him after his shift. He lay on the rune-covered stone table in her workshop as she and Andrew closely studied his gauntlets. “Clearly, I was wrong.”
“Shina is incredibly talented or got incredibly lucky with her ability,” Andrew commented. He wore an odd contraption with several attachments on his head. Most looked like different varieties of otherworldly scanning and measuring devices. Currently, an especially thick lens lined with luminous symbols comically magnified his right eye, making it look three times bigger than usual. “The old consciousnesses are gone. This is something new, but it somehow retains the old memories.” He looked up at Samara. “That shouldn’t be possible, right?”
“Every scratch, hole, and blemish is a memory, and the seed came to us covered in scars,” Samara replied, analyzing the luminous crimson stone on the back of his palms. Nil could feel the energy swirling within. The description didn’t mention it, but his soul weapons also appeared to have the ability to store modest quantities of energy. He anticipated it to grow into an incredible asset with future ascensions. “That’s what my old master used to say, anyway. I guess you came to me to confirm that, Nil. There is no telling how much or what else it remembers. It might not be old adventures or friends but experiences, pain, and victories. I imagine it touched the source at some point, and Nil’s power is compatible with it.”
“I suppose you’re not handling kinetic energy after all,” Andrew stated, returning his attention to the luminous crimson gem.
“I told you from day one. It breaks far too many of Newton's laws to be kinetic energy.” Nil struggled not to move as Samara prodded him with an icy-cold prod. It beeped and hummed. “This is something else. Something more—” He struggled to find the appropriate word. “—wild.”
“The source is living, raw energy,” Samara continued. She paused, studying Nil's soul weapon closely. “Perhaps I was wrong not to see it before. There are similarities between Brutal Battery's energy and the source. Both respond to intent and will. The inconsistencies with physical laws are also somewhat similar. The source is capable of a lot more and even bend reality.”
“Do you think I could do the same at higher realms?”
Samara nodded. “It's possible, but I won't pretend to know what the future holds. The evolutions would be more predictable with the chassis I prepared.” She prodded his armored right forearm. “The possibilities with these are endless. It will come down to how you use it and get along with the soul gear.” Samara turned to her apprentice. “I’m almost jealous of you. Upgrading, tinkering, and everything to do with the Source Gauntlets will be your responsibility—” She grinned, glancing at Nil. “Assuming he doesn’t get sick of you and allows it, of course.”
“A free soul smith at my beck and call?” Nil laughed. “I’d have to be stupid to give it up.”
“You’re not going to pay me?” Andrew frowned.
“I got you Summoned, sorted out a ludus for you, and, apparently, hooked you up with the love of your life,” Nil said, frowning. When Andrew tried to study the crimson gem again, he pulled his hand away. “Soul weapon servicing should somewhat even the scales. It will get you experience and exposure as well.”
“Oh, god. Exposure. I never thought I’d end up in a profession where people expect me to work for exposure.” Andrew rolled his eyes. “You better get big and famous and plug me at every opportunity.”
“Deal.”
Samara and Andrew spent another half hour on soul weapon diagnostics before finally releasing Nil. The rest of the quest passed in a similar fashion. He fought the regular attacks while the artisan pair observed him. Afterward, they spent an hour studying the soul weapon, taking measurements, testing the chassis’s material and surfaces, and also had Nil cultivate. It gave them valuable data regarding soul weapon memories and the source. He also learned a good deal regarding the source, Qi, and the arcane. The rest of the quest passed without any major incidents, and Nil was glad when the end came.
“How long until she releases you?” Nil asked.
Andrew shrugged. “Until I finish my apprenticeship, I guess. Samara says the timeline is up to me, my skill, and how much effort I put in. If I don’t manage to reach this goal in six months, she’ll send me home without my soul-smith certification.”
“And you need that to sell in the Nexus Market. Right?”
“Certification is also necessary for access to artisan-exclusive vendors. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck buying everything at market price.” Andrew sighed, slumping against the nearby workstation. “I don’t know whether Layla conveyed the message, but could you ensure Susan knows that I’ve not just forgotten about her.”
“Of course. I’m sure she’ll understand the ability and quest were too good to give up. Susan loves you. She’ll wait.”
“You don’t know half of it,” Andrew mumbled.
“Honestly, I’m more worried about Baba and Emmy. Layla assured me they and everyone important will be informed about our long-term quests, but I don’t think that will be enough for them.”
“You can handle it, Sunny-boi. I trust you.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Nil didn’t expect many rewards for the two-week-long quest. Samara had fixed his soul weapon and played a vital role in the chassis’ assembly. He received a couple of hundred Schema Credits and believed it was more than enough.
“Source Gauntlets?” Layla raised her eyebrow. “Unexpected, but that's an incredible upgrade. The rest of the Iron Gauntlet should be a breeze for you. Death Gauntlet or not.” She paused, smiling sheepishly. The pink clones working around her office paused and watched him. “Have you reconsidered the quest?”
Nil shrugged. “I don't have an answer for that yet. I'm not completely opposed to it anymore since I understand that eliminating these people is an essential act. However, the thought of it still leaves a sick taste in my mouth.”
“It's fine.” Layla sighed. However, the way she looked at him suggested that she had more to say but wasn’t sure how much to share. “I’d like to tell you to take your time, but just remember each day you spend mulling over the decision is another opportunity for them to lure more people into the Death Gauntlet and funnel Cursed Energy into your Earth.”
“What’s the point now that Symbiotech is gone?”
“They need to fuel and grow their twisted soul gear. Only Cursed Energy can accomplish that. They’re likely working with other nefarious organizations or have their own twisted operations. It's vital they be eliminated for the security and stability of your war. I don’t have the evidence yet, but I believe Symbiotech was a cog in a much larger machine.”
“I guessed as much, and why I haven’t rejected the quest yet,” Nil replied, glancing at his bare forearms. He needed some time to get used to the Source Gauntlets and their abilities. But the feeling of power that accompanied them ensured Nil that he could take on any threat. He needed to remember not to let the feeling get to his head. Overconfidence almost got him killed once. “Just give me a few more days. Please.”
“I don’t mean to sound pushy,” Layla said. “As the caseworker leading this project, it's my job to ensure you understand the details of this matter.” She paused when a pink clone placed new paperwork in front of her. Layla took a moment to study it before continuing. “In other news, your new ludus is ready. We took the liberty of moving your belongings out of Golden Aegis. The new quarters have a glass-covered courtyard, as requested. It's just dirt for now. You can plant things in it or let Meatball—horrible name, by the way—do her thing.”
“And what about my family?”
“As discussed before, I put things into action as soon as Selia got us the news of what happened Symbiotech. They moved into their new accommodation within forty-eight hours.” Layla grinned. “I pulled some strings, and your father didn’t need to serve his notice period. Ludus is his new employer, and we’ve officially named him the manager. There are eyes on your family whenever they leave the premises. So you don’t need to worry about Shina or her associates trying anything untoward. It doesn’t seem you were implicated in any of it. Festus and the other arena channels are still questioning whether you died or fled to the Nexus.”
“It helps that they don’t have to go far for their daily necessities or school.” Nil sighed. He worried going up against Symbiotech had ruined his family’s lives and limited their freedom. He hoped that better accommodation, education, and quality of life would make up for everything they had lost. “Thank you for everything, Layla. Endangering my family with this whole Symbiotech was my greatest concern. Hopefully, they won’t be stupid enough to try anything within a major ludus’ walls. So, I don’t need to visit Golden Aegis at all?”
Layla shook her head. “Given they relied on Symbiotech for a decent chunk of their funding and the medical staff were also employees, we didn’t think the environment would be comfortable.”
“You think of everything, don’t you?” Nil laughed, rising from his seat.
“I take care of my staff, and you’re officially one of them. Now, go complete your business in the market. I’m sure your friends and family are eager for your return.”
Nil made a beeline for the Moon Rabbit Emporium.
The welcome pack explained that the Emporium housed a coalition of businesses, artisans, and gatherers from across the multiverse. It was much like the Nexus Market, but they only got their stock from the best of the best suppliers from the cultivator realms. Even though the guide he had received explained the layout of the store and how their display system worked, he sought assistance from the same shop assistant who had helped him the first time. She didn’t seem to mind. Nil guessed she relied on commissions to bulk out her earnings.
“I see you’ve been getting good use out of our gift, Mr Roy,” the woman commented after offering him a welcome drink. “Your Body and Mind have strengthened significantly since our last meeting, and I can still feel the pill’s lingering effects.”
“They’ve proven themselves invaluable,” Nil replied. “I’ll be sure to invest in another set once I’ve consumed the Spirit Pill and finished absorbing them all. For now, I’m in the market for some cultivation and technique manuals. A few seeds or cuttings for my garden would be great too.”
“I’ll assist you with the manuals to the best of my ability, but I’m afraid I can’t do much for your garden. Your realm and the Nexus haven’t yet agreed on the trade of live plant or animal material—dead or alive. Spirit beasts and companions are fine, but not much else. Only individuals with an artisanal license may carry them into your dimension. Even then, the choice is limited.”
“Could I bring a soul smith with me and buy materials for them?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem at all,” the shop assistant replied. “The pair of you would need to sign a lot of paperwork and deal with customs. If anyone but your artisan companion were to get their hands on the materials, licenses, and membership with the Moon Rabbit Emporium might be revoked.”
“Can I buy plant material for food as my spirit companion?” Nil asked after taking a moment to think over his options.
“You may.” She nodded. “They’re allowed on quests to all worlds with natural magic and will be kept in stasis by the Nexus storage until you retrieve them. The only product we’re not allowed to sell to you is unsterilized seeds. There is always the risk of them surviving your spirit companion’s digestive tract and sprouting in a realm where they don’t belong and risk causing an ecological disaster.”
“Understood.”
Thanks to Meatball, Nil didn’t need seeds. Samara’s library had proved invaluable. Since he had no feats limiting his ability to study, he explored the materials required for crafting the pills and plants that radiated Qi for cultivating. He invested in flowers and de-seeded fruit of the plants, and Meatball consumed them eagerly. Nil hoped she’d do her magic, and some would eventually sprout in his garden. If not, he had wasted a tidy chunk of his savings that would take several big quests and match victories to recovery. Finally, he invested in manuals dedicated to Qi Shaping and Qi Projection. They were far more expensive than his previous purchases, and he could only afford the most basic, second-hand offerings.