Chapter 99
The Fruit of All Labors
I must not have passed out for that long, or it took a lot longer than I originally anticipated to climb the one hundred floors that I had opted to bypass.
“Oh, so you are finally awake?” Mallory asks, she is still drenched, but in a sitting position, all while we are being pulled ever higher into the air.
A quick scan of my surroundings shows that we are still in a vertical tube that is being pushed upwards as thousands of gallons of mana infused water gets pumped into the shaft below us. Then just when I am about to answers, I am met with a string of system messages.
Hidden Quest Line Updated: Legendary Bloodline: You have continued the process of treading down roads most could only dream to travel. You have met an evolutionary point in your attempt to further refine your Royal Bloodline into a more solid foundation that will set you and your family apart from most in the world. By continuing down this path, you will become a prize coveted by many. To get to that point, you will need to take more risks, and more importantly, you will need to walk your own path of greatness. Rewards: Experience, Bloodline Increased, Racial Change, other.
Experience Gained: 5,000 / 5,000
Ding.
Level up.
Your class Void Healer has increased to level 110.
Partial Evolution Point Met: You have been exposed to materials that will help improve your racial line from Arcanist Elf (Royal Bloodline), towards your Legendary divergence point.
I tried to stop my progress there, but it seemed that I had apparently missed a lot, that or it had been a while and I was just now able to get caught up with everything that my Simulacrum had also been doing as well.
Title Improved: Nature’s Friend (IX): You have helped clean up over Seventy thousand pounds of trash and have been recognized as one of nature’s true champions. Rewards: Life and Nature based Spells are now 45% more efficient. Neutral rating to most woodland and creatures found in the wild.
Experience Gained: 101,550 / 101,550
Ding.
Level Up.
Your class Void Healer has increased to level 119.
Your class Simulacrum Master has increased to level 115.
I blinked, or at least I would have, well I did. My eyelids did in fact open and close, but without using your eyes for anything the gesture comes across as unnecessary. Then I realized that while I was passed out, in addition to getting a ton of experience shoveled on me by my Simulacrum, my mental link to Mallory had ended.
“Oh, I am so sorry. Are you okay? Can you see?” I ask, as I mentally begin reaching out to Mallory in an attempt to reestablish our Telepathic mental connection.
“What? Oh yeah, I am fine now. In fact, thanks to you, I should never have to deal with that scenario again?”
“What?” I reply shaking my head and still trying to process everything. I am still coated in mana infused water, which I am fairly certain I inadvertently drank a lot of, which come to think of it likely started this evolutionary process. I try to think about why this would be the case, when I remember I got the most useless title Luminescence, for completing a partial quest within this tower.
Luminescence: You have managed to make the world a brighter place. Any zone you go into will be treated as completely bright to you and your allies.
“I got the title Luminescence for you nearly drowning yourself there.” Mallory said, there is a slight sense of something to her words, but I can’t quite figure out what would be wrong.
I paused thinking about that, then realized she likely would get all the same rewards I would for completing these quests. But why does she seem to have a slight grudge at having done so?
“Everything okay?” I finally ask.
“Now that you are okay, yeah.” Mallory said, shaking as I think her clothes are still wet, but then I realize there is likely something deeper there.
“You sure?”
“I said I’m fine!” Mallory snapped back.
At that, I just close my mouth and nod realizing that Mallory is clearly bothered by something, but apparently, she is too flustered by whatever she is thinking about to speak about it. Realizing that Mallory is in her own little tizzy, I decided to go through my own lists.
There are a few more system messages that I get as my mind and consciousness pair up with my Simulacrum’s efforts. The first thing I do is mentally calculate the experience points received and realize it has apparently been two days since I last closed my eyes and rested my mind. Not the worst case but passing out next to Mallory is making me feel like I am a bit of a damsel in distress that cannot handle herself. Especially as the last time I synchronized with my Simulacrum was when Mallory transported me to floor 75 of this tower. The same floor we are, or rather were on when we entered this tower.
Mentally, I can see that we have a few dozen more floors to climb before we are out of here. That is when I realize there is still more to this quest, well to the entire tree of Yggdraspirit, as we were offered a Trait once we completely cured the tree. While we did get experience and a stupid title that turns me into a roaming candle, the fact that I did not get the offered Trait, indicates that there is likely more to this quest chain than I have managed to complete so far.
Then we passed the next floor and I was hit with a wave of energy.
Hidden Quest Completed: First Acanarus Tower Climber (II): Your goal of getting a Graduate degree from Arcanarus University has been accomplished. You managed to explore the Spirit Tower, going so far as to reach the one hundredth floor, before anyone else was capable of doing so. Reward: Experience, Master Diploma from Arcanarus University: Spell and Magical Theory, Title: Arcanarus University Graduate (II), Increased Magical Potency, Others. Floors completed (100/100).
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Experience Gained: 10,000 / 10,000
Ding.
Level up.
Your class Simulacrum Master has increased to level 116.
Title Increase: Arcanarus University Master Graduate (II): One of the most promising Master Graduates of Arcanarus University. Effects: +20 Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower. Along with a +200% Skill Efficacy to Spirt-Magic Spell Creation, and Energy Resonance Alteration.
Seeing that notification, I went through and made a mental note with the system about how my next course of action would be to get a Doctorate degree in Magic and Spell theory.
Hidden Quest Updated: First Acanarus Tower Climber (III): Your goal of getting a Doctoral degree from Arcanarus University has been noted. Explore the tower, reach the one hundred and fiftieth floor and receive the reward that you seek. Reward: Experience, Doctoral Degree from Arcanarus University: Spell and Magical Theory, Title: Arcanarus University Graduate (III), Increased Magical Potency, Others. Floors completed (100/150).
Soul Bound Item: Arcanarus University Master’s Degree: Spell Theory and Magical Theory: An undeniable item proving you met the minimum standards to Graduate from Arcanarus University’s Master’s program with a dual degree in Magic and Spell Theory. With this degree you should be legally allowed to practice, create, and advance the field of magic anywhere in BiPrism. Effects: +100% Skill Efficacy to Spell Theory and Magical Theory.
Seeing the new soul bound item, I had to say I was not too impressed. Especially when it seemed like it was essentially an exact carbon copy of the undergraduate degree I also had.
Arcanarus University Diploma: +100% Skill Efficacy to Spell Theory and Magical Theory. Arcanarus University Master's Degree: +100% Skill Efficacy to Spell Theory and Magical Theory.
Seeing the two, I was not quite impressed, as I realized they were exact copies of the other. Then I paused, as I realized what that actually meant. The skills, the two skills that made it so I could cast were once again increased by 100% or effectively their bonus was doubled. Meaning that spells I now tried to create on the fly should theoretically be twice as easy to accomplish. With that, my mind went wide, as the soul bound degrees manifested within my hands as I tried to take in what it all meant.
Just holding the two degrees, I could almost feel the power radiating off of them in waves. Mallory too felt the sudden change in power, as broke free of whatever tizzy she was in and turned to me as well.
“You? You did it?” Mallory asked.
I nodded, still unable to speak as my mind was going through prior spell formulas and I saw how inefficient I had been with many of my prior spells, going for flash and pomp, versus utility. Ultimately it meant I got badges denoting my hard work, something that was especially needed after my wasting of a 500-point badge as Tobias, but that should not be the purpose of magic. At least, that is what I was now seeing as part of this whole process.
SHRIEK!
There was an ear-piercing shriek, that came from Mallory, pulling me out of my mental musings. I only had a half second’s notice before powerful arms wrapped around me and lifted my still soaked body off of the ground and spun me around.
“I am so proud of you!” Mallory stated, as she held me out at arm’s length, like I was a newborn child.
“All we did was cross a floor level. I would have been awarded it the same way, regardless of what happened.” I protested, feeling like I had somehow cheated to get this Master’s Degree. In a way I felt like I didn’t earn it, I had so many thoughts, so many theories that I wanted to share with the world. I wanted to feel validated, that my theories about Meridian sizes being linked to Magical Tier ratings was a thing. I wanted to prove my theories on the Blight being semi-sentient creatures that were prone to minor adaptations to their environment, but ultimately were little more than reactive flu viruses. There were so many things that I wanted to write down, and have validated by the system, but I got none of that.
All I did was ride an elevator shaft above an intended floor and I triggered an automatic event.
“Stop that. I will not have any of that. You are the most talented wielder of magic I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The only reason we were able to cross the floor level, as you put it, is because of your ability to see, create, and adapt your magic to fit any situation. Can’t you see it, you’ve earned this!” Mallory states, putting me down and then picking up the degrees that fell to the floor.
I want to protest, I want to state that she is wrong, that it wasn’t that big of a deal, but then I realize that while there was a pattern to clearing the Blight from each door, I did need to adapt my spells to uniquely target and handle each doorway. I can see that she is right, that the quest just to get this impromptu elevator working was only possible due to my magic, but again it felt weak.
“I wanted to tell my theories on magic. I wanted to feel validated, that my theories were accurate. Instead, all I got was this.” I say, holding up the two diplomas and not feeling the same sense of elation I felt I should have for receiving them. In fact, all I really felt was a sense of emptiness inside. Maybe Mallory was right, that I needed to realize this was an accomplishment, that I had to use magic at such an advanced degree, to get this degree, that my ability to just solve the quests in front of me proved that I was worthy of these degrees, but I still had doubts.
“Now, daughter, I am going to tell you this next part, and I want you to listen good, all right?” Mallory states, she asks it as a question, but my only real response is just to shake my head in agreement at her words.
“Now think about this, I just got something for being a member of the first team to fully reach the 100th floor of this tower. Me, and I will tell you that it is a great title, one that will make it so I will be set even further ahead of my peers.” Mallory states, and thinking about it, if her title was anything like mine that doubled the effects of the previous title I received for getting driven to floor 50 in a train, then I can see her point. I also think I see where this is going.
“Now, one thing you might not realize is that I got that amazing title, all for having a piece of rope and joking around with my best friend, while I watched my best friend do all the work to solve these crazy puzzles. Now, I want you to think, how do you think I feel about that?” Mallory asked.
As she spoke, I could only think about one, “best friend?” I ask a bit hesitantly.
Chuckle.
“Oh dear, you are a hoot to be with. But yes, I’d easily say you are one of my best friends here. Not just because you got me a title, but because you are genuinely the nicest person I have ever met. Selfless, strong, and above all unafraid.”
“Unafraid?” I ask, as I can kind of see the other ones.
“Yes, here I am one of the most powerful individuals in this world. I have to be careful when I interact with you, for fear that I might crush your bones. I make most people shy away in fear from my sight and reputation. Most people only interact with me to get favors from me, yet you don’t do that. Yes, you take advantage of a situation, generally making it so a given moment in time is beneficial for everyone, but that is still just being human.” Mallory states.
At that I feel slightly better, but then she continues.
“Also, truth be told, you are one of those rare multipliers.”
“A multiplier?” I ask, I mean I am good at math, but that is not too hard, right?
“Yeah, when you do something good for yourself, you generally also make the world around you better. Take for instance this quest chain I am now on with you. I will get a new title once this thing hits floor 150, as I believe you will as well, right?”
I nod.
“So, again, you think that you are being selfish, which you aren’t at all. In fact, even if you decided to do this whole thing by yourself it would not be selfish as you were not taking away anything that you created. You would just not be sharing that with others. Selfish would be you actively depriving others of what they earned with you. Now make no mistakes, I have helped, but it is nothing compared to the amount of effort you have put into this whole operation. I mean, you have healed a great spirit tree, that is pretty impressive. You also healed pegicorns, which is the stupidest name I have ever heard for a horse, but that is what the system went with, and I can’t help but think that the system’s naming convention was at least partially influenced by your own thoughts and desires.”
At that, I pause and think I might have given a bit away with my semi-wincing face, as Mallory pounces on my sheepish actions.
“HA! I knew it. That crazy name was you, after all.” Mallory began, but then quickly calmed down, as she went back to her point. “Compared to you, I am just a side character. Honestly, my personal pride has taken a hit watching you, as you never stop. You never hesitate. When you look at the scariest thing this world has to offer, the Blight, you just stare back, then without hesitation come up with cures. Not just a set cure either, each time you encounter the disease, you adapt to it, repelling it and eliminating it, even knowing that it could affect you, and slowly wither you away from the inside.”
At that I pause, as I get a much-needed reality check, maybe a few months too late, as I realize the weight of her words. Then I realize, that likely the only reason I was able to complete the task of destroying the Blight within people was that I didn’t think I could get infected with it. Well, I could have, I was fairly certain now that I knew how to avoid the plague and avoid being targeted by it at all. Even my bonuses and titles that I have all but make me immune to getting infected with the disease. But Mallory is correct, when I first saw her. No wait, even before then, when I first heard of the Blight, I had been so captivated by the idea of what I could do, that I never stopped to even think about whether I should try to.
Mallory must have seen my internal conflict on my face.
“Stop that, I see you starting to doubt yourself, but that is just it, you shouldn’t doubt yourself. You are amazing, and I find myself very thankful that I stumbled into your path and that you have allowed me to stay in your path, where I got to see your meteoric rise. You are truly impressive, and you should be proud of not only what you have done to get to this point, but what you will do now that the world cannot deny your greatness.” Mallory states.
And like that, I feel that we have taken on a second leak, as my non-seeing eyes suddenly burn with moisture as I lunge forward and attempt to bury my face against Mallory, so I can at least partially attempt to try to dry my eyes.
“There, there.” Mallory says, as her warm arms embrace me, and I finally feel the joy of what I have worked so hard to achieve. Not because of a piece of paper, that bestows amazing abilities, but because I got to experience it with Mallory, making the moment truly momentous and meaningful.
“Thank you.” I say, through barely contained sobs, as I let the full emotion of what I have done wash over me. Only then do I feel like I, no, like we have achieved something. “And we are just getting started.”