Chapter 80
Purchases
I know what you might be thinking that I have a problem, and I do. I fully admit that I have a problem, namely only twelve remaining Merit Points and then we go and throw in skills to the mix. I could see all the skills that the Duelist class had, and quite frankly I feel that even the Class specific skills were ones that I might be able to replicate, if I truly pushed myself. Also, I figured that Trigon owed me at least one of those, and likely more considering he went a little too far, and the four skills that were available for his class are likely not worth my time. Especially when there were so many other skills and classes that I could focus on.
This world is vast, and so diverse that sometimes I myself forget that. While I have decided to go down the path of magic, which seems to exclude most of the amazing technical advantages that this world also has, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t classes that don’t skirt the line between mechanical and magical.
It is on that very line between what is possible with mechanics and what is possible with magic that I found my true calling. Or at least the spot where I was going to walk that very fine line between magic and robotics.
The first thing I found was Rahul, well not him, as I don’t think he would be worth a mere ninety-four merit points. But rather I found the skills that are part of his Class, the now evolved class of Master Tier Enchanter.
Apparently the class is so rare that no one can find it, but fortunately this traveling store made it so, while I don’t have the class trainer available to me, I do have the next best things, their skills.
Enchanting (Basic -1 Merit Point) (Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower)
Advanced Enchanting (Advanced -2 Merit Points) (Dexterity, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower)
Master Enchanting (Class -3 Merit Points) (Dexterity, Personality, Sociability, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower)
Total: 6 Merit Points
Yes, I finally found the ability to do Enchanting, though to be fair I found other ways to do minor Enchanting, but this one is the mechanical gear enchanting that could be used to craft on any type of material. This includes metals, which are traditionally bad for taking enchantments.
Finding Rahul’s skills for sale, I couldn’t help but want to take them, especially because I knew most of the higher tier designs and etches from memory by this point. I knew all of them, the Flowering Gazebo, The Fiery Chariot, and oh so many more. Just the idea of having access to these skills was enough for me to truly be excited about my possible future here in this world.
This of course, led me to the next major purchase. Once again, I went for skills in a series, especially since I had to get the skills in the series in order to get the final Class specific skill that I truly wanted.
Blacksmithing (Basic -1 Merit Point) (Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance)
Gear Protecting (Advanced -2 Merit Points) (Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Perception, and Intelligence)
Gear Infusion (Class -3 Merit Points) (Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower)
Total: 6 Merit Points
These skills were from a Mechanoid Infusionist class and were seen as the ultimate way to infuse magical power into mechanical constructs without either diluting the magic, or completely eroding the mechanical construct beneath.
With this set up, I didn’t quite need, Blacksmithing, as it was not a true prerequisite, but looking at the needs for Gear Protecting, and Gear Infusion, it was clear that I would need specially designed gears and components, so unless I had a Blacksmith I could harass constantly to get the components the exact way I wanted, then there would be no point. So I took the Blacksmithing skill as a way to streamline my entire process.
The best part is, from my understanding the two skills would stack. Now who would spend all their time and resources to design a mechanoid battle suit designed by a top ranked Mechanoid Infusionist, only to turn around and have that potential work of art possibly shattered by the workings of a Master Tier Enchanter? No one, the idea is stupid, the components needed for both would cause almost anyone not made of money to balk at the first sign of an incompatibility between the two workings would cause a huge explosion.
In fact, that was the way Rahul took out an enemy of his. He carved minor enhancement runes onto a master tier suit that caused power to build up at odd places and ultimately destroyed the suit while keeping the driver alive and penniless.
In that book, Rahul spoke about his theory of why the two were at odds with each other. His idea was that Enchanting and Gear Infusion both worked on the idea of circuits of power. You loop both around from a catalyst, that catalyst generates a form of energy that flows around, then finally that flow generates a desired effect, and finally you have a desired action from that circuit. I can’t say if this is the exact way such a thing would work, but his idea was that we were trying to build an extra layer of circuitry over an already existing circuit, which caused confusion for the energy, and that was why the two could never be compatible.
He did have a point. Look at me, referring to Rahul as a person. I truly hope he is, somewhere out here, I would love to find such a man, though sadly I think he would be slightly disappointing if I actually got the chance to meet him. Anyways, back to my point, about his point. If a circuit exists and is already circulating energy, then having a second circuit built over top of the first could easily cause confusion.
That is why I think I have a workaround, but it is something that no one would ever fund, save for a random billionaire who had more money than sense, to shower down on me. Actually, that sounds like an amazing story, but I digress.
My theory here and now is that Enchanting and Gear Infusion can work, but they would need to be done piece by piece and made to align perfectly before ever being assembled. That way, when the two were complete, the two circuits would be activated at the same time and the final product would be something truly amazing. With this, there should be the idea of a tamper proof lock on the machine as well, as Rahul’s trick of inscribing a few random runes on the mechanoid suit to destroy it would never work, as only one set of enchantments can exist on a suit at a given time. Even then the new set would have to be written by someone with a higher tier and skill proficiency than the original set. Meaning that if I do get my Skills maxed out, I should be protected thanks to my Unbound merit, a merit that I hope to double here shortly. Oh, speaking of which, I still need to check out.
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Shopping is way too much fun.
Taking my six skill scrolls over to the gnome who is waiting patiently, I look down and see my collection of oddities. Six scrolls, two recipes, and one potion. When put into those terms, these seem like they are minor things, especially considering that I gave up nine point four million experience points to get them, but these are all worth it, in my book. A potion that increases my Spirit Tier rating by two. Two needed recipes, one to get me a one time use Unbound potion, the other to be able to create theoretically unlimited supplies of Trait Slot Unlock potions. Then scrolls to make it so I can theoretically merge two different forms of magical class skills that should have never been combined. All of this, and I can still get achievements for unlocking these very conditions while having not one, but two classes that I could use to evolve to higher states thanks to taking such risks. It was all too much.
Now one thing I didn’t find were ways to improve my bloodline, nor titles. There were of course potions that could do some of the bloodline things, but I avoided those for now. Right now, I was at that sweet spot where I was no longer a pariah to all elves, and finally seen as somewhat attractive, which is a high compliment coming from elves. With things as they were now, I did not want to rock that boat anytime soon. Also, a Royal Bloodline was nothing to sneeze at, so I decided to keep with the status quo on that, for now.
I might eventually be forced to evolve my bloodline again, but I doubt it.
As for Titles, there were a few that seemed sort of interesting, but I am growing to dislike Titles. Most of this stems from the fact that I’ve gained four Titles within the past few weeks, and they are not what I expected. Sure, being a Love Guru at the age of thirteen is hilarious. Having the title for my last name, Spiritlight, also very cool and helpful, especially here in the spirit realm. Then my Early Awakening and Early Class title propelled me from Tier VII to Tier VIII in Spirit Magic, more than acceptable. And that was it, for months just the three. Now, in the past week I’ve gained four more, more than double. Two of course were from stealing so much experience from the Legrand Gambling Tournament. Those are annoying, for even when I am in a Doppelganger form, they are apparently still present, and can make crazy people come out of the woodworks, like the duelist, who gave me my third Title, Magical Duelist, for beating him. What did he expect? I was over his level, and my skills cap out at 125, versus his 100, it was a no contest from the beginning.
In fact, the only Title that I got recently that I actually like is my title declaring me to be an Arcanarus graduate. Truth be told I really only like this one, as the school is no more, meaning I will never be asked for contributions, also I am likely going to be the last to earn such a title.
Arcanarus University Graduate: One of the most promising graduates of Arcanarus University. Effects: +10 Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower. Along with a +100% Skill Efficacy to Spirit-Magic Spell Creation, and Energy Resonance Alteration.
Also the bonuses from that Title are amazing.
Oh wait, that title reminds me of my Master’s Theory. Well maybe my first Master’s Theory, I apparently have two theories that could very well change magic. The most recent Idea about using Enchanting and Gear Infusion simultaneously on every component being created could be one. But then there is my second major theory, which is why this potion is so important, with that idea in mind. I realize I need to check out and conduct my experiments right here.
“Did you find everything to your satisfaction?” The Gnome shopkeeper asks.
“Yes, perhaps too satisfactory, to be honest. I definitely will have to come back.”
Chuckle.
“Please do,” the Gnome says as he tallies all the items and comes up to the same number I did. “That will be ninety-four merit points.”
With that, I take out my soul bound card and watch as the number goes from 94, all the way to zero. Seeing that, I can’t help but feel a little apprehension, but I am confident in all my purchases.
“Here you go.” He says, handing back the now empty card, and I can’t help but think of all the times on Earth when I had the same thing happen to me. Months of savings put onto a card, only to be drained by one necessary transaction. Fortunately, in this world, I didn’t have to worry about a car breaking down, the refrigerator breaking, or a child breaking a leg. Well not yet, at least for that last one.
“Thank you for shopping with us. Oh, for spending so much with us, you can get one of our prize bags.” The gnome says, pointing to a box that was remotely activated opening to show several bags all the same size.
This was apparently supposed to be a game of chance, as all the bags were the same exact sizes, but to my sight, they all glowed at different intensities. Some glowed extremely brightly, while others only glowed with minor intensity.
“They are all different?” I ask to confirm what I am seeing.
“Yes, it is said that if you choose one of the top three prizes, you will get an item worth twenty-five merits, while a grand prize bag is worth fifty merit points, which is exactly how much you had to spend to get a chance at this box.” The Gnome says, a note of excitement filling his face.
Honestly, this is a nice idea. It encourages people to spend more and can offer some good items. Unfortunately, the game is rigged, at least when I play, as I see the intensity of the different items, now it is just a matter of seeing which item resonates with me. With that information to go off of, I can see the way there are clearly three different grab bags that all glow at roughly the same intensity. A few of the bags look like they just contain a skill scroll of some kind. Then one that glows the absolute brightest of all, that is the one I grab.
“Ah, a fine choice.” The gnome says, pressing a button and sealing the items shut in their corrosion resistant cage.
There is a slight pause, as the gnome hands me another sac that contains my own items in them.
“Is there anything else that we could assist you with?” He asks.
I am about to say no, but then realize there actually is. “Actually, is there a place where I could sit to consume these?” I ask, not quite wanting to spark the will of the system by being Broke, with items that are worth more than some mansions.
“Oh, yes, if you are that eager to try your wares, you can sit right here.” He says, denoting a large leather chair that looked like it was there for aesthetics more than anything. Seeing the big comfy thing, I can’t quite believe my eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, what good is having a chair that no one sits in.” The gnome says.
At that, I smile. “Thank you.”
Then with a plop, I jump up and sink into the oversized comfy thing.
Once in the chair, I begin with the basics first.
I decide to go from smallest to largest, not quite knowing the exact impact that taking these items all at once will have on me.
Sticking my hand in, I grab at random, one of the six scrolls and consume it.
Skill Unlocked: Gear Protecting.
There is a mild tingling itch that seems to occur just under my scalp, but other than that, nothing. Taking a breath, I pull out the next scroll and wait for the tingling to end. Once it does, I count to five, then take the next skill scroll, and then the next. After a point, I get a sensation not unlike a brain freeze, where there is an intense pounding on my sinus cavity, that slowly fades away. Once that is done, I force myself to wait for a minute before the next one.
Working like that, I finally make my way through the last of my skill scrolls and made my way to the first of the recipes. I of course started with memorizing the weaker of the two, the one that would go away after one use. This was perfect, as I selfishly wanted to keep this advantage over others. Just having a 25-point increase was huge in my duel against Trigon, and that was not factoring the fact that my base attributes were also higher.
Recipe Gained: Unbound Recipe (One Time Use)
With that I feel a slightly irritating burn in my mind, but I can clearly tell the recipe that I will need, and to my surprise I know all the ingredients needed. Some of them are rare, but really the hardest part will be brewing the potion to the exact specifications, and then consuming it quickly as it must be consumed while still warm. That is a nice feature, as it seems to be intended for only me to consume given the limited shelf life of the item.
With that done, I take on my last recipe.
Recipe Gained: Extra Trait Slot Recipe
With that, I feel an intense burning, one that almost causes a migraine from just how intense the burning sensation is, right behind my eyes. Then finally after what feels like an hour, the surge of pain stops, and I am left with just one last item. Well one last item that I purchased, there is still the grab bag, which I am hoping counts as a free item, at least until I know what it is. Regardless, I don’t think I can sit here while checking out that item as well.
So instead, I brace myself for what is about to come with this final item.
Mentally I go back to my meeting of the giant dungeon Turtle, the one who set me on the pace for my initial class, and the one that ultimately led me to this moment, here.
Pausing, I pull out the potion that must be worth millions of coins. Just looking at the vial I can see how intense the concentrated power held within the vial is. With this vial, I can prove or disprove my theory about Tier Rating being directly linked to meridian sizes. With that, I first begin by diagraming my own meridians, first marking the channels within my body. Then I mark on my skin with basic level enchantments the width of my Tier IX meridians.
Once I have everything documented and am ready to begin, I pull out the final purchase and pause.
With this, I could change the system’s understanding of magic forever. Or it could be the single most expensive item I ever drank that both empowered me beyond compare, while also shattering my dreams of truly earning a Master’s Degree in Magical Theory and Spell Theory.
Realizing I was only delaying the inevitable, I let out a long breath, uncorked the vial and drank it all in one go.
Slight raspberry aftertaste.
That is the one thought I had, before my body, mind, and soul started burning, and I felt like I was somehow made of stinging fire.
I fought to stay awake, to stay conscious for a moment, but then everything went dark, as my consciousness blessedly drifted away into darkness.