EPISODE 20: ONE STEP BACK, TWO STEPS FORWARD
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7290, Season: New Beginning
Here at the Scholar’s Abode, we have taken a keen interest in the newly constructed Royal Academy. Imperius Academy is delving into an area unknown to magi humans and the like. A place where station outside of the academy means nothing? A place where new and innovative classes are taught to the masses at little cost to them besides service to the Crown? We thought it impossible yet [Imperius Combat Trainee], [Imperius Mage Trainee], and [Imperius Crafter Trainee] have become possible. With each line leading to several different rare class pathways that the school has openly shown. New path options that the Great Archive, better known to the masses as the ‘System’, has shown us. It has forced the various orders, whether mage, knight, or another profession, to ban together to open giant schools of their own. Otherwise, they face the extinction of their orders as the Crown gathers all the queendom's talent. We at Scholar’s Abode find it fascinating and we wish to send representatives to the Royal Academy to teach and learn. If they’ll have us.
-Scholar’s Abode, Those who always search for answers.
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Madria held a complicated expression on her face as she focused her mana on healing Lawruthian. They were located in the healing ward right underneath the stands of Darius Battle Hall. In one of the many small minimalist black and grey rooms. Her gaze turned intense as she began targeting the crux of the healing. Four imprints that seemed like a brand were implanted upon the Crown Prince's skin. Right next to the jagged-like tear that covered the area near his heart. Sweat dripped down her forehead and her aunt standing over her shoulder didn’t make it any easier upon her. Vice Principal Gamal was her mother’s favorite sister and the young woman's favorite aunt. However, her intense gaze always added another layer of pressure when it came to Madria's healing. Vice Principal Gamal stood near the both of them but slightly behind Madria. Yet close enough that she could reach forward and touch the Crown Prince if necessary.
Here at Imperius Academy healing was done by the students attending and learning the various paths of healing magic. Some were learning to become priests/priestesses of Goddess Madris as the church kept a major monopoly on the greatest healing magic. Others were learning paths such as alchemical healing or another of the various forms of restorative magics. It was mandatory for students walking the path of a healer to provide themselves to the academy and heal students. It was not only a learning exercise for them giving them real-world experience they needed. It served as a means of increasing their IP. Students would earn 10 IP per hour they spent at the battlegrounds healing their peers. Healing was not free for the fighters as depending on the severity of their injuries they were required to fork out anywhere from 5-50 IP. These transactions would take place automatically, leaving the students to just focus on their jobs.
Madria felt her mana draining rapidly as she fought against the final obstacle in fully healing Lawruthian. Not only was her aunt watching her, but Lawruthian was fully awake and gazing upon her as well. Madria smelled the scent of char and cooking flesh coming off of the Crown Prince.
“Clear your mind child. Focus on the most important part,” Vice Principal Gamal said.
Madria felt her thoughts clear. Years of training under her mother or aunts instinctively put her into a state of hyperfocus. Her hands moved closer to the wound and a large burst of life attribute mana left her body and into Lawruthians own. Madria focused on extinguishing the remnants of Ade Oni’s flame. The flame turned the affected area blue and was the main component in preventing Lawruthian from healing.
“Good, what percentage do you believe his health de-buff would be,” Vice Principal Gamal asked.
Madria answered immediately. The years of healing drills alongside long days of training prepared her. “This would be a 25% Health De-Buff. However, he would most likely have an Attribute Limiter placed upon him as well decreasing his Health Points even further.”
“Good, Madria. Now tell me why and expand upon their effect for our Crown Prince.”
“The Health De-Buff is because the wound is extremely grievous,” Madria began. Only to be cut off by Lawruthian as he made a comment.
“Hey! You should see the other guy,” he said slightly affronted.
Madria rolled her eyes but didn’t bother to respond. Managing to erase one of the iron-like brands on Lawruthian's chest.
“His ribcage is broken, but fortunately he didn’t experience a pierced lung. The lungs are compressed from the force of the blow, however. The main problem and the reason the healing is taking so long is because of the Blue Oni’s flames.”
Madria gave a heave of exertion. The pulses of her magic beat in tandem with her patient’s heart. A second iron-like bar disappeared from Lawruthians chest.
“Although we haven’t unlocked the system yet. It is clear Ade Oni attacks are taking on the properties of Chi. We all know Chi is known for its properties in limiting the attributes. I would say the limit on Lawruthian’s attributes should be around 5-15%. Besides the pain, do you feel a bit sluggish?” Madria directed a question at Lawruthian. Her golden eyes were full of seriousness.
Lawruthian’s eyebrows shot up, but he nodded. As he did so a third iron-like bar disappeared. Although the Crown Prince never once showed a pained expression. Madria heard his sigh of relief and knew her treatment was working.
“Very good, Madria. Now I understand you are nervous, but do you know your mistake?”
Madria frowned and sent one final pulse of life-attributed mana out. The final iron-like bar reformed into healthy brown skin. Madria put her hands forward and placed them on Lawruthians chest. Letting out one final pulse of magic before she turned her attention to her aunt. Who gave her an expectant look.
The young woman shook her head after a while. Knowing she could not think of anything else. As she did so Vice Principal Gamal moved from her position and to the table that held a few sparse items. One of them is a bowl of water which she presents to Madria. The bowl was there for the healers to detox their hands before touching a patient and after. Madria took the bowl and place it on her lap. Gently dipping her hands into the warm water as the realization hit her.
Vice Principal Gamal smiled as she saw her niece come to the realization. “I understand you are one of the few gifted with the Life Attribute as I am and as your mother. However, this does not mean you should just brute force your healing every time. A better method for the patient and on your mana would be to use water-aligned healing. Of course, Divine Healing would work best however you have yet to unlock a class.
It is part of the reason it took you so long. Next time use (Water Healing) to remove the Blue Oni’s flames. That would remove the Attribute Limiter and with your life mana, healing the remaining damage would be even faster. Instead of spending an hour healing. This injury would be gone in tens of minutes.
Of course, there are methods such as death affinity mana and more but (Water Healing) would prove the gentlest.”
Seeing the disappointed look on Madria’s face. Vice Principal Gamal hurried to reassure her favorite niece.
“Do not get discouraged, my dear. You did a wonderful job,” she said. Patting the young woman on the shoulder before she took her leave. Leaving Madria and Lawruthian alone in the room.
Lawruthian stood as Madria stayed silent within her thoughts. The young man felt around his chest and did a few stretches before he donned a fresh shirt set to the side for him. By the time he finished, Madria had regained herself and was watching him silently.
“Thank you for the healing, Madria,” Lawruthian said seriously once he turned and noticed her gaze.
“It is only one of my duties there is no need for thanks,” the young lady said. A slight smile on her face. One that quickly turned into a frown as she thought over the ending of the fight between Lawruthian and Ade Travax Oni.
“That move…, that spell (Elemental Harmonization) … what was it?”
Madria’s eyes showed keen interest and her voice radiated curiosity.
She watched as the Crown Prince put a hand to his chin in thought. Debating on whether to tell her or not. Madria waited patiently, the curiosity in her gaze never letting up. When she was in the stands watching both Ade Oni and Lawruthian duke it out. Madria remained impressed as Lawruthian seemed to disregard most of the physical blows that connected to his body. Madria could tell his Self was at a higher degree than any in the school. She knew it was from elixirs and other such methods. Something she had gone through a few years ago, yet the Crown Prince's strength was something you would only see once you began to level from the System.
It was the final confrontation that astounded her. It was not like Madria never saw that level of strength before. Any templar of the church such as her elder sister could do such at levels 1-5. After their system unlocked. Madria estimated Lawruthian’s Power and Self to be close to 100 and the first Beyond Mortal limiting factors. If not passed it already. Any of the six attributes that broke the first Beyond Mortal limit would grant its user a special skill. Madria gazed at Lawruthian, wondering if he had reached that threshold.
His decision made, Lawruthian opened his mouth to speak. “(Elemental Harmonization) is a spell I produced on my Third Step.”
His eyes took on a hard look before he continued. “When I entered my first artificial dungeon. It is how I received this,” he said. Lifting up his shirt to show the scar near his heart.
“The Crown is the owner of several artificial dungeons. The one I entered was titled [Goblin Den]. My task was to slay my way to the center and kill the hob in the center.
Somethings… happened… which led me being deprived of all my weapons except this,” Lawruthian summoned a small light as he finished. One of the simplest spells all magi humans knew.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“(Mage Light).”
“It was there deprived of everything but my mind and magic that I harmonized. That I created a… deeper connection to the elements.”
“And your defeat of Ade Oni…? With such an overpowered spell… What exactly was that?”
“That… That was me acknowledging him, acknowledging Ade Travax Oni.”
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“(Blue Emperor: Fire Fist).
SHOW HIM WHO YOU ARE!”
“(Elemental Harmonization: Air).
Crush.”
My weapons were lowered by my side. As I knew they were no longer necessary for what was to come. A massive roar of pressure erupted from Ade Travax Oni as a blue fist of flames seemed to arrive in front of me almost instantly. My eyes widen in surprise as for the first time Ade Oni moved faster than me. Almost faster than I could react. My dagger dropped as instead of blocking I chose to take action. Trusting my body to withstand the attack of Ade Oni. After my delve into the Lake of Revitalization. My body became far stronger than I ever thought imaginable. Regular blades no matter how sharp could not pierce my skin without a sufficient amount of pressure behind them. It helped that the students wouldn’t have the opportunity to upgrade their combat weapons until this week. Where they could purchase enchanted weapons and gear from their peers.
Elemental Harmonization required more than just a spell chant. It required hand movements and an open state of mind. Within the second my open hand was up, palm facing inwards and toward my body. The heat and the blue flames licked my skin as Ade Oni arrived with the blow. Our eyes met. Victory and satisfaction within his eyes. Ade Oni believes he won as he unlocked his bloodline ability.
Nothing but confidence radiated from my own.
At this moment I felt so free… no, I am free.
I could see it before me.
The wind blew through the trees on a warm summer day.
The sun shining down with sparse clouds in the sky…
With zero responsibilities in site... No future worries...
No future fights.
A perfect day.
My hand closed as the blow connected. My body slid a few feet, but the full force of the blow never finished. Its power dwindled out as its originator paused. His body seemed to sink by several sizes as the surrounding air crushed him. Blood erupted from all his facial orifices alongside several cuts on his body. His eyes were wide open but glossed over as the consciousness faded.
Magic was a wonderful thing.
Sword Saint Aurora immediately appeared and placed a hand on my shoulder. Giving it a light squeeze that felt like steel clamping around my flesh. Forcing my hand to open and release. Ade Oni fell to the ground as I did so.
“By my title [Sword Saint Aurora] I declare Lawruthian Edryani…
Winner.”
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“Hmmm, so your class has to do with energy manipulation and control. I’ve heard that the Adel family specialized in the Lightning Attribute but you’re not just manipulating the lightning mana in the battery. In fact, lightning-attributed mana isn’t even the main power source of the batteries.”
Lawryn Adel sweated profusely as I simply stated some of my observations. It's been close to three weeks since I met the young woman and began interacting with Golem’s Dominion. During this time I began attending the club meetings I kept my observation of Lawryn Adel up.
She was the reason I stopped at Golem’s Dominion in the first place. Her two companions were skilled craftsmen in their own right and well on their way to graduating but I wasn’t looking for just skill when I established Imperius Academy. I was looking for talent. Those who think outside the box and use their ability and skills for something great.
We were in one of the many modular lab rooms clubs could rent out to host their meetings or do activities. These lab rooms could be formatted to a specific variation the club wanted. Their only requirement was to pay for the rent of the lab itself.
“The details of my class are of no concern to you,” Lawryn said with an irritated smile. Having fended off my probing attempts for a few weeks now. She had grown comfortable enough to chat nearly like a regular person to me.
It also helps that I was the creator of her most recent fascination.
“How exactly did you manage to get mana to condense but not fully crystalize into mana crystals? Although I’ve managed to increase the power output by a meager 10%, that doesn’t mean anything except the power runs out quicker. It also means less without the recharging stations.”
My eyes lit up in excitement as Lawryn changed the subject. The passion in her voice and her curiosity ignited a satisfied feeling within me. It was great to know that others shared some of my passion outside of the researchers employed by the crown.
“If I tell you you’d have to take a Crowned Oath to never reveal the secrets without my express permission. It also wouldn’t be fair to those competing with you in the rankings but,” I shrugged at this point. My position as the number zero student in my school would never change. The position was more of an honorary thing anyway. It wouldn’t truly be fair to have the people of Edryan try and compete with me under my own system.
Lawryn’s face took a pensive look, and I wondered if she would truly consider it. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke. Just as her two companions arrived at Golem’s Dominions lab.
“No, perhaps if I chose to attend Imperius College and further my path there. Besides I’ve already increased the output by 10% on my own. I do not need any advantage to show the Houses that Adel has returned to its station.”
Kage and Latter gave us greetings before they turned to the center of the room and began their work. Removing a large sheet from an object hanging from the ceiling. A partially complete golem revealed itself. It had a silvery metallic sheen to it with white and blue highlights littered throughout. Kage and Latter held similar features to Lawryn, such as the lightning bolts for eyebrows and the high cheekbones she held. From what I’d gather both were from subsidiary families or side branches of the Adel main house. Possessing a similar but weaker bloodline. We continued to watch the two young men work.
They were clearly [Golemancers] and were quite good at their profession. They immediately began to work. Picking up processed steel ingots and heating and shaping the objects with their bare hands. While one did the shaping the other would begin to put the pieces together. The two scions were finishing the right side while leaving the chest open for the golem battery. I clenched my fist in excitement and anticipation. Soon that would be me. Lawryn returned her attention to the CGB she was working on. While I soon followed, intending to further our previous discussion.
“Although I can’t give you specifics, I can help you with your current objective. The runic formations you’ve changed so far to help with the increased output and prevent overheating can be altered a bit. If we combine the |Fire| rune and |Release| rune which can also be known as |Freedom| into one…,” drawing the symbols as I spoke.
“…it becomes a fire mitigation rune. However, well this would be tedious, but you could instead use the heat built up as an attack.
Not to mention using the connecting runic words |From| or |And|.”
“If you combine the |Fire| rune and |Release| rune as such, does it not create a fire alleviation rune?” Lawryn countered drawing the same rune but with a slight difference.
The |Fire| rune was shaped sort of similar to the horns of a goat or devil. With an inner layer of the rune curving inwards then out before in again. The second pair of horns or outer layer curved out then in and out again. The |Release|rune was similar to a flower bud opening. With tiny starlike drops spreading from it. While combining them in several formats all did different things.
“You’re putting the |Fire| rune slightly too far above the |Release| rune and into the |Release| rune ‘stars’. While that would still work and give us the same outcome creating a fire alleviation rune. With my format, it is changed to a fire mitigation rune.”
Sensing Lawryn’s confusion as we discussed it over the shaping and pounding of steel I further explained. There are seventy-two base runes. Twenty-four letters and forty-eight words. These runes were how mages cast spells, inscribers gave clothing or armor-specific enchantments. Things such as weather resistance or temperature regulation and more. It was how runesmiths craft weapons with enchantments such as applying Sharpness to a blade to keep its edge longer or Sweeping Edge to help multiply the damage of a weapon. Spell-swords giving themselves buffs and so on. I could go on and on about how runes were essential, and it was one of the reasons everyone was required to learn the 72 runes before passing Imperius Academy. Runes had a written and spoken format.
“As you see with my |Fire Mitigation| rune. The Fire rune is contained within the cells of the |Release| rune. With only the topmost edge of the rune being outside and amongst the ‘stars’ of the Release rune.”
Lawryn still looked a bit perplexed at my explanation so I decided to speak about the outcome of each would probably do the trick.
“Hmmm, the way the mitigation version works is to prevent the buildup of heat from happening in the first place. By changing the rune as I did in their combination, the heat build-up is halted from the beginning. With your version, it is alleviated meaning there is a build-up of heat and pressure and then released at once.”
“Ahhhh,” Lawryn began finally understanding. “You truly do possess the Goddess's Wisdom.”
I didn’t bother to respond to her bit of praise. After I began to learn more about the Edryan people and then magic and this world itself. I saw potential. Potential to do so much with mana and runes. Part of my obsession over learning all the runes as a youth was not only for my future protection. It was for my own general interest as well. Runes were how magic was constructed and played a major role in building spells. When a mage cast a spell, they were directly saying the name of the rune alongside combinations of other important parts in creating a sentence. When a rune was implemented in an inscription such as the |Fire| rune. It would act as a conduit for flames or if it was included with the |Resist| rune it would become a fire-resistant material. As you input mana into a weapon or activated the mana source within the weapon. Flames would erupt along the blade. Yet with a few choice words along with the |Fire| rune, a fireball spell could be cast. This didn’t even consider the level and understanding of the originator possessed of the element. Things that would further enhance the output of the rune as they would have an affinity with the element.
It always started with the 72-base runes no matter what path you chose to walk down.
The conversation continued late into the day. As I help Lawryn and Golem’s Dominion with their mastery over the craft. Tomorrow my class schedule would be:
1. Class 1 Homeroom, 8 AM – 10 AM.
2. Basic and Intermediate Rune Formations, 11 AM – 12 PM.
3. Spellsword Incantations and Implementation I, 1 PM – 2 PM.
4. Material Shaping and Composition I, 4 PM – 5 PM.
5. Runic Comprehension and Utilization I, 7 PM – 8 PM.
These classes would prepare me hopefully to receive either a crafter or combat class. If I was lucky, I could receive a mix of both. There were classes like [Battle Barmaid] or [Combat Maid]. Classes usually followed a simple progression line but ended up shifting due to the environment of the class holder. It wasn’t common for your first class, but it wasn’t impossible. All students who attended Imperius Academy were offered an [Imperius X Trainee] class. It was a quasi-rare/unique class. As it was only available to students who studied and graduated their first year at Imperius Academy.
As I learned. The first 25 levels upon unlocking the system are considered tutorial classes. You would gain experience quickly. Usually enough to reach your first-class advancement within 2-4 years if you were a low noble. 4-6 years as a commoner and within a year or two usually if you belong to a house with some level of might.
Second-year students were required to reach their first-class advancement before graduation to third years. So far Imperius Academy held a 100% success rate in ensuring so. It was imperative students did so before attending Imperius College if they so choose. Or at least be on the cusp.
Plenty of students gain crafter/combat-related classes because of the lessons implemented at Imperius Academy. A feat that wasn’t exactly rare but wasn’t completely commonplace. I wanted to receive such a class myself. I needed the people of Edryan to be ready.
It was only a matter of time before Goddess Madris came calling.
System Unlock:
387 Days
16 Hours
12 Minutes
4 Seconds