Omen: 6, 13

“We should probably head out soon,” Adam said over breakfast. His companions had all been gathered around, including Bavin and Uwajin, who Adam had called for. “I was thinking maybe after Churot’s birthday, if that’s alright?”

“That is a good idea,” Jurot said. Even now his heart pounded wildly, but he did not reveal the darkness which encroached within his heart.

“I was thinking we head to Red Oak, then Ever Green, then make our way following the road through the various towns, and we’ll head to the fort and then to the Awakened Forest.”

“The Awakened Forest?” Lucy asked, throwing him a curious look.

“I think it’ll be good to check up on the forest, and we can see if Mara is fine. I can’t have them treat my future wife so poorly, you know,” Adam said.

“Adam,” Vonda called.

“Yeah?”

“You are being cringe,” Vonda said, and Jurot nodded.

“I can’t even make a joke?” Adam asked.

“You asked me to warn you.”

Adam cleared his throat. “Anyway, we’ll go check out the Awakened Forest, and then we’ll head to…” He paused, recalling something which he hadn’t thought about in some time. “Isn’t Aswadia at war with itself?”

“Yes,” Dunes replied.

“Oh,” Adam said, pausing to think once more. “Well, maybe not Aswadia then. I don’t want to head to a place which is currently at war. That works out, though, since we can head to East Port. We could ask around for your friend.”

“I spent some time in East Port, but I could not find any information,” Dunes admitted, frowning.

“Yes, but now you have all of us.” Adam motioned to the rest of his companions. “Plus, East Port might have received more news since then. The duchy capital should have be the best place, and then if that doesn’t work, we can move around to the other capitals, save maybe North Aldland, since, you know.”

Dunes smiled and bowed his head. “Thank you, Adam.”

“Any time.” Adam winked. “Sounds like a plan?” He looked to his companions, all of whom nodded their heads and agreed.

Lucy frowned, but she decided against speaking out her thoughts. She didn’t want to see Mara again, not when she was in that state. However, it would be a good idea to make sure she’s healthy, and perhaps she was even healthier than before due to the Dragon heart which they had traded. It may have been too weak to assist Big Ivory, but it could have at least reinvigorated her slightly.

One of the Chief’s aids appeared, calling for Adam, and escorting him to the Chief. The Chief was sat alone, checking his books for all manner of notes, from information about the outside world, to information about the Iyr and its needs. He shut the book as Adam approached, though he was sure Adam wasn’t stupid enough to take a peek.

“Chief,” Adam said, sitting opposite the older man. “What do you need?”

“Are you able to cast Fireball?” the Chief asked.

“Yeah,” Adam replied.

“Would you?” Chief Iromin motioned his head to the walls to the side, which were made of stone.

“Sure,” Adam replied, simply.

Mana: 18 -> 15

Spell: Fireball

Adam raised a hand, all the while the rush of heat from his heart flooded through towards his fingertips. “Explosion!” he chanted, willing out the magic. A small bead shot out from the heavens, before it roared across the stone, marking it.

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“Are you able to do so, one after the other, in quick succession?” Iromin asked.

Adam did as the Chief requested, calling forth the Fireballs one after another within moments, using his Onward Soar.

Then, upon the Chief’s insistance, Adam cast Fly on the Chief several times, cancelling the spell moments after casting it.

“You are able to rest to cast it once more?” Iromin asked.

“Yep,” Adam replied. “Did you want to know how many Third Gate spells I could cast at once?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you just say that?”

“Was it not more fun this way?” Iromin asked.

“I guess,” Adam replied, shrugging his shoulders. “Is this about something I should know?”

The Chief remained silent for a long moment, wondering if he should tell Adam. “Nothing you should know, but we have taken this into consideration. Have you been able to cast this many spells this entire time?”

“Ever since I became an Expert, yeah.”

“Did you lose the ability at some point?” Iromin asked, as though he was thinking to a time where Adam hadn’t been able to for some reason.

“Nope. I’ve had the ability to cast that many spells since I was an Expert, uh, well, since I did a thing,” Adam said, waving his hand as though to dismiss the matter, “and then I had that much Mana to cast spells, and have never lost the ability to.”

“Are you able to gain more Mana?”

Adam smiled. “Chief, I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you more.” He looked up towards the sky, and then around himself. “Let’s not invite any… Chaos.”

Iromin bowed his head, taking the warning seriously. It wasn’t a threat from Adam, and he did not consider it as such. Adam was always forthright with him, and he was certain that this was something the Half Elf was afraid of.

“There are things we can know, and there are things we should know,” Adam said, recalling his Aunt saying something similar last year during the stormy month.

“Thank you, Adam. I was curious about a matter, and I am sorry for taking away all your magic for the day.”

“Any time,” Adam said, nodding his head. “I’ll always answer the call, Chief.”

Iromin bowed his head once more, before Adam left. Iromin fell deep into thought for a long time. When evening came, the other Great Elders gathered.

“So?” Elder Gold asked. “Is it true?”

“He did not lose his abilities after the ritual,” Iromin confirmed. “He remained an Expert of equal ability, but he required some days to rest his body.”

“It is impossible,” Elder Wrath said. “Even our Blood Ritual regresses the Blood Mage who offers their strength.”

“When it comes to Adam, there is no such thing as an impossibility,” Chief Iromin said. “We must take this into consideration.”

“If he uses this ability to Awaken more Scribe Mages, then it will be dangerous for the Iyr,” Elder Peace said.

“He is too dangerous to be left alive,” Elder Gold said, not for the first time.

Iromin tapped the table. “He has used it to Awaken an Iyrman. We could request he Awaken more Iyrmen, and study the process to understand what happens. There must be something, otherwise it will catch Ritetu’s attention.”

“Would he Awaken more Iyrmen?” Elder Wrath asked. He knew Adam the least from the entire group.

“We can ask, though he is to leave soon, and there is no need to reveal our plans,” Iromin said.

Adam relaxed that day, and spent the next day casually enchanting.

It was on the third day when he awoke with a great surprise.

Omen: 20, 20

‘Yo!’ Adam squinted, making a face.

“Adam?” Sonarot asked, feeding Lanarot.

“I am so lucky today,” Adam said. “The absolute luckiest! I’m going to enchant a new Greater Enhanced weapon!”

“Do not strain yourself,” Sonarot said, sighing at him.

“I can’t promise that today, Aunt,” Adam replied, a wide grin on his face.

Even the children could see how excited Adam was, and as Adam played with them that morning, he decided to lose to all the children, praising them constantly as they played.

“I might not be able to see you later, but make sure you all be good for your mummies and daddies, okay?” Adam said, waving his hand towards them as he left. His pocket was burning from the heavy gems, each worth hundreds.

Adam thought deeply about the weapon he wished to create. He had thought about creating an axe for himself, but decided against it. Instead, he decided to create a great blade, one which he could gift another once it happened, and if it didn’t happen, then that was fine, he’d save it for someone else.

“Elder Zijin,” Adam called. “I need a blade, one which an Iyrman of your stature may use.”

“You are asking for a sword, Adam?” Zijin asked, having shut his book. He wondered if he should add that into the black book.

“It’s not for me, but I’ll be enchanting it so that it’s Greater Enhanced. I’d like for it to be white, or gold, or maybe silver?”

“I have a blade which you may like,” Zijin said. “I will ask for it to be brought to you.”

“What do I owe?” Adam asked.

“Take it,” Zijin said. “Will it be your best enchantment to date?”

“It’s a strong contender for it.”

“Then make sure whoever receives such a blade knows it was from our Jin family.”

“How do you know I won’t be selling it?” Adam asked.

Zijin raised his brows towards Adam. “I am your Elder, Adam.”

“Fair enough.” Adam smiled at the Orcish Elder.

Adam waited at the shrine for the blade, when Uwajin appeared, the young teen carrying a large sword. It was long, with a wooden handle which was white, and a long blade which held a silver pattern across it like waves.

“Nice,” Adam said, taking it from her. “Thank you.”

“It is a great blade,” Uwajin said, before nodding her head at him, leaving him to enchant in peace.

“This weapon is going to be amazing,” Adam said, beginning the enchanting process.