Chapter 250

Rise of The Taxonomist

As far as I am concerned, everything is fine. Confidentiality once again paid off in a big way, as news of my activities have not even come back to Mallory or her real-world informants.

This is good, for now in the next hour or so, when my three hours, or rather two hours and fifty-seven minutes of standard Confidentiality end, I will have been here for an hour providing guidance to my students.

SKABOOSH-SHATTER!

Sounds of magic strikes smalling against Qi shields and Qi strikes landing against magic shields can be heard throughout the entire courtyard.

There is so much energy being released that there is an intoxicating smell of ozone being released out into the world and absorbed by my Arcane Geomancy infused school building.

Yes, I made sure that the moment I got back, I infused this sacred courtyard with my Arcane Geomancy, just so I could hop back here with any of my Simulacrums, or me at a moment’s notice.

This is all thanks to my newest class upgrade, where I unlocked the personalized class Trait Arcane Geomancy Teleportation. This is the power that makes it so any place that I have used Arcane Geomancy at, and still has the faintest traces of my energy resonance there, I can go back to at any point.

This means, that of course, I am already working out new places to go.

Immediately after giving the classroom directions to the students I even switched with my Simulacrum for a moment, while I marked the Kujos lair with my own Arcane Geomancy. It’s only fair, as that was a library that I had originally repurposed for myself, only for Kujo to come and take it from me.

“Take a break!” I shout out.

Excessive gasps.

Both the Qi Manifestation students and Magic Resonance students let out long gasps of relief at this.

The students are in rows. Qi Manifestation students on one side, and Magic Resonance students on the other side. They are both sitting down, though they could be standing. However it was quickly found out that standing only made the process that much harder for everyone. Thus the reason why everyone was now sitting down on their stone slabs.

“To make sure we are all on the same page, what is the purpose of this exercise?” I ask.

Hearing the question, it is clear that no one wants to speak up, as everyone shoots nervous glances between each other seeing if someone will speak up. I see an exceptional number of eyes shoot to Jhonny who is sweating profusely at this point. An hour and change of doing one continuous challenge between you and another student both wishing to pass can do that to a person.

Still, Jhonny apparently feels peer pressured enough to at least provide an answer to my query.

“The purpose of this exercise is for the defender to create a barrier of an elemental form. Then the attacker can either use the same elemental frequency to try to pierce through that barrier, or try a different combination of elements to break through the barrier easier. We are separated by a five foot gap, placing both the Qi Manifestation students and Magical Resonance students on roughly equal footing. The reason for this is that Qi Manifestation as an attack becomes almost impossible the farther out from the body you get. While mana is often weakest at these mid-ranged singular attacks, especially as you do not allow channeled spells, only singular strikes to count as successes. Each student has three success tokens keyed to their own mana or Qi signatures. Upon losing, they provide one token to the victor after three consecutive breaks of their defenses. Then with that one token they are to go on, until they have gained three tokens from the opposing classroom.” Jhonny answered.

Silence.

Hearing that, everyone just nods in agreement.

“Well, you answered what the exam is. Also, what to do upon losing and how scoring requires three tokens. Still you failed to answer my original question of what is the purpose of this exam?” I asked.

Silence.

Again, there was complete confusion, as everyone had clearly been pushing themselves their hardest to get the three required tokens from the opposing class members. However, class pride and sheer talent has kept many of the students from getting more than one token, or losing more than one of their own tokens.

Seeing that this is getting nowhere, or everyone is using this moment as a chance to take a longer break than I intended at this point, I try to direct the students to think.

“You were close to the answer I wanted, when you noted the distance and the inherent advantages and disadvantages for each student. And yes, that is why I chose five feet as the exact distance to put this test to you. With this distance, so long as you put in your training, you should be fairly even. Mages will be slightly weaker at this range to cast spells, as most mage spells use the distance they travel to add inertia to their impact. While Qi shields are going to be tougher to break on average than Mage shields. The Qi wielder will have a harder time manifesting a true strike at a mage’s shield from this distance. But the true purpose of this test is to get you to see the position your attacker has created and try to figure out a counter for what you see before you. As the attacker, you have the advantage. The defender is set, though it is true the longer you take to decide a course of action to strike, they can build up their defenses to be far stronger. Some have even taken to keeping their defensive shells up and just reinforcing them between rounds. However, the attacker still has the advantage, even with someone who is just continually feeding their defensive shell between rounds. Can anyone explain why?” I ask.

Finally, Maranda raises her hand in an attempt to reply. “Because the attacker still knows what the defense will be, and has more time to think about ways to counter a known defense?”

“Thank you, yes!” I say, going over to Maranda and am about to shower her with magic, but then remember the last time she got exposed to my magical resonance and decided against doing that.

“Great job. There will always be someone who has had longer to prepare what they think of as a perfect defense. I’m here to tell you that there is no such thing as a perfect defense. Instead, there are just defenses that are either highly specialized, overly generalized, or only able to block the known attack vectors. This is why as an attacker, you need to think about your attack, find the weak spots and strike with a resonance pattern that is able to bypass the defenses. You have seen them, they are there, and if they are stupid enough to keep adding to the same defensive layer, round after round, then that means they think you are too weak or not creative enough to come up with a solution.” I state.

With that, there is a bit of blustering, as many of the students who looked almost defeated suddenly sat up and stared at their opponents with a bit more intensity.

“Can I ask a question?” Pollima, one of the Magical Resonance students asked, while raising their hand.

“Sure,” I left off the fact that they just did, and instead let them work through any last minute questions they might have.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Why are you teaching us to effectively kill other cultivators or mages?” She asked.

At that, I just tilted my head to the side to ask if she really just asked me that.

“First, no one is going to die here. In case you all forgot, let me remind you. No one will die here, as I have not given permission for any of you to die.” I say, and make sure to point at each and every student. Then pausing, I turn back to Pollima, who normally seems meeker than the others. Which I guess is partly why she is seemingly holding back against her opponent.

“As for the underlying nature of what this process is, this is me trying to teach you all how to do two things.” I state, then begin counting off the points I am trying to instill by holding up a corresponding finger. “Survive, and Adapt.”

At this, I have two fingers up in the air and I let that notion sink in.

“You survive with your shield, you adapt with your attack. Hopefully later on, you all will feel more comfortable and learn to adapt with your shield as well, but we are not there yet apparently. Still, if you can take in a hostile situation, see the inherent dangers and realize what you need to do to both survive the encounter and neutralize the inherent threat, then you will have succeeded in my book. Which since I am the one grading this, is the only opinion you need.”

At that, everyone that had been looking up with conviction a moment ago, suddenly dropped their gaze in a form of self-discovery.

Seeing that many were internalizing what I was saying, I saw them slowly begin to change.

Many of the students who had solid and strong defenses up, began taking them down as they began rethinking their structures.

I have to applaud many of the student’s newfound enthusiasm for the lesson. I can see the way they are taking the time now to try to improve defensive structures that they likely wouldn’t have even thought about before this test.

While this will likely end up with a lot more tokens being exchanged a lot quicker, that is fine as I am trying to get the students to learn, versus trying to teach them to win.

“Five minutes.” I say, then thinking about the spell structure in my head I create a timing spell.

Oversized Illusionary Egg Timer (c) [Tier IV]: A spell created by Cassiopeia Spiritlight that produces a timer that counts down from any time less than an hour, whereby the timer explodes in a shower of fireworks once the set time is reached.

With the spell taking care of my having to keep track of how much time the students have left before they need to begin round two of this trial, I let my own mind wonder back to my recent expedition.

Mentally I take a moment and double check and see that yes, despite how long that interlude with my students seemed to last, it only took less than ten minutes. Meaning that my Confidentiality is still going strong and keeping me from being called out by Mallory. I hope that even with Confidentiality down, Mallory will still take some time to find out what happened.

Meaning I might be giving my Bloodline Awareness class mid-term when she finds out. Which will be good, as it will mean that she will have time to calm down.

Though I also realize that with my Confidentiality still in effect, it also means that word of my deeds have not gotten back to any Legrand informants either. Which is good, as this gives the Mana Powered Mechs and the Di-Hybrid Powered Mechs a chance to strengthen their position and prepare a peaceful protest if needed.

Though I do think that Mana Powered Mechs is a bit much to say. Also, Di-Hybrid Powered Mechs is also too much. As such, I mentally make the note to call the weaker and more protective of the mechanoids the Ma-Mes and the stronger more versatile hunter version of the mechs the Di-Mes.

I’m sure someone is going to say something about this, I realize that Di-Mes literally spells dimes, and want to take it back, when I feel something click within my mind.

New Quest Discovered: Rise of the Taxonomist (Repeatable): You have created/discovered a completely new variation of sentient life on this planet. Going so far as to note at least two different species of the same Genus family. As the original finder, discoverer, and creator of this new Genus, it is your job to name the entire Genus as a whole. Current species names: Ma-Mes and Di-Mes. Genus Name Required (0 / 1). Rewards: Experience, Title: Taxonomist, Skill: Taxonomist, Badge, variable.

Seeing the quest prompt, I realized two things. First, I realized that I could likely do this same thing with my books had I thought about giving them any sort of name. Secondly, is that a skill that will help me name things better? If so, this quest is probably perfect.

Now all I need to do is think of a name that doesn’t rhyme with or resemble Terminator in any way shape or form and I am golden. The last thing I want is to label these innocent creatures after a thing of nightmares. Also, I’m pretty sure that these machines are fairly placid right now, just avoid messing with kids or their territory and they are fine.

Name Terminator Accepted.

“No, not that. Anything but that.”

Name already set, would you like to use variant Teleiotís?

Hearing the alternative, I feel that this is slightly better, sort of. Though I’m pretty sure I am just calling these creatures Terminator, but in a different language.

Correct.

New Genus name Teleiotís accepted.

Odd that I am now getting responses from the system. Though, I wonder if this is part of me just being able to interpret the odd fluctuations of energy around me that I am constantly being exposed to. Fortunately, before I can get too lost in this trail of thoughts I receive the system message and pause.

Quest Completed: Rise of the Taxonomist (Repeatable): You have created/discovered a completely new variation of sentient life on this planet. Going so far as to note at least two different species of the same Genus family. As the original finder, discoverer, and creator of this new Genus, it is your job to name the entire Genus as a whole. Current species names: Ma-Mes and Di-Mes. Genus Name Teleiotís. Rewards: Experience, Skill: Taxonomist, Title: Taxonomist, Badge, variable.

I mean, it almost feels like I’m calling them giant turtles, when I know I’m not. Still, hopefully no one notices whatever made up language that is in, it’s all Greek to me anyways.

I mean, it’s not so bad. We have the Teleiotís Ma-Mes, and the Teleiotís Di-Mes.

Experience Gained: 50,000 / 25,000 / 25,000

Shoot, I forgot to shut down the notification, now it is going to spam me with messages.

New Skill Gained: Taxonomist has increased to level 1. Taxonomist is a Perception X3, Intelligence X3, and Willpower X3 based skill.

Seeing the new skill I pause, wondering why it is Willpower based, but then realize that I am effectively exerting my will over the creatures and thus giving them a name. Odd that I could interpret that detail from just the description, but I guess that is part of my having been in this world for so long and having gotten so many skills.

New Title Gained: Taxonomist: You have successfully named one Genus and two unique species of life on this planet. Effect: +50% status with newly named species.

Oh, that’s a nice title, as that means that my little turtle monsters, and that’s what they are, despite their odd name, Teleiotís, they will now be naturally neutral to me, or maybe super friendly? I don’t know.

New Badge Gained: Teleiotís Taxonomist (1,000): You successfully found and named the new Teleiotís genus, and two different species therein.

World First Notice: Dr. Cassiopeia Spiritlight has created and named a new species of life on this planet. You have all been warned.

Oh yeah, that’s not ominous at all.

Also, with that message it is clear that regardless of my Confidentiality up or not, she will come.

FWOOSH!

Just as I expected, Mallory is already inbound.

Though I don’t know if it is my higher Attributes or not, but I can already see and track her movements. While slowly drifting upwards to get out of easy snatching distance.

Blurring lunge.

Poof.

She lunges while I Teleport out of the way, trying to avoid getting caught by her cheek pinching fingers. Though, I do wonder if part of why I have been able to survive to this point is that I am so cute to Mallory.

“Do you mind telling me what you did?” Mallory hissed.

“First, it is a little late to get mad after the message has gone out.” I suggest. “Also, in case you can’t tell, I am in the middle of administering a mid-term.”

Cl-cli-cli-clicckkkkkk.

Almost right on cue, the egg timer spell that I created just for the five-minute reminder starts counting down. At the last ten seconds it begins to vibrate super annoyingly, then boom.

Glitter Bomb!

Yes, my egg timer went off to become a Glitter Bomb, one that happened to catch Mallory from behind.

Mallory just stood still for a moment. I could almost see her counting to ten in her mind. Her eyes all but thumping in giant red numerals the number she was on as she visibly tried to remain calm.

Finally, after a long ten count, she let out a breath and began.

“Dr. Spiritlight, I believe there is something I would like to discuss with you in my office.” Mallory began.

Yep, apparently setting off a world warning notification and getting hit by an impromptu glitter bomb was too much for Mallory.

For a moment I want to protest, but then I quickly turn to my students.

“As you were.” And like that, I followed Mallory to the Dean’s office.

For what it’s worth, I think I showed amazing restraint by not laughing openly at the giant glitter paint that covered Mallory’s backside.

I didn’t even react as the other quest rewards for my previous quest completion came through. Thereby losing any potential bonuses to my ship.

Quest (Complete): Purging the Desecrators (Repeatable): You have come across a scene of absolute destruction. You found Magical and Mechanical Parasites stripping the land of magical resources and eliminated the threat...

Experience gained…

Ding..

Level up…

Come on quest prompt, learn to read a room. I hope the extra levels might come in handy. As I am already trying to find a way to talk my way out of this one.