EPISODE 38: Operation RAIL 2
-Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Central.
Nearly an hour passed since I activated (Golem Forging) when loud knocking came from the entrance of my expanded mobile home. It was loud, hard bangs that immediately drew me out of my near trance-like state as I put the finishing touches on the battery I crafted. Shiny copper threaded through the softball-sized battery like arteries ready to pump energy into the body. These veins would improve the mana conductivity throughout the creation. What I was making drew closer to an automaton rather than a golem.
KNOCK.
KNOCK
KNOCK.
I rolled my eyes already recognizing the sound and tempo of the knocker. Quickly, I cleaned myself off from the small shaving’s leftover from my forging and the molten droplets that cooled upon me. Although no heat was produced when I carved, small parts of the metals were lost as I forged the item. It was through my inexperience with the skill but as I practiced more I knew I’d grow firm in my craft.
I was still able to carve precise objects and forge the battery to my specifications even with those small problems. Although I found myself parched and hungry as I neared the bottom of two of my three Life Points. Reaching zero in any stat was never a good option. That was because you’d receive a de-buff such as {Fatigued} or {Exhaustion}. Hell even when you reached a twenty percent marker you’d receive {Fatigued}. These de-buffs could put you out for days if not properly recovered from.
A wide-awake Minerva's head was glued on the door. It never turned as I moved around the room. Just as the third set of knocks was beginning, I opened the door to an irritated Bucca. The sky elf put her hands on her hips and gave me a gaze a disappointed sibling gives to their younger brother.
“Good morning, Bucca,” I said with a pleasant smile on my face. Next to Bucca was Tobi, one of my newly appointed guards. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“I couldn’t stop her, Your Highness.”
“Good afternoon, your Highness,” Bucca said with gritted teeth. “Are you available to address the operation? This, after all, is… your… project,” she said. Emphasizing the final three words.
“It would be my pleasure to address both my Imperius Students, LSG, and the NARC Staff.”
“Good, Principal Camilla has already addressed the students; it is now up to you to show us exactly how we will be moving.”
“Thank you, Bucca,” I said without the pomp this time. “Could you get me a mana and stamina potion? I would appreciate an early lunch as well.”
Sensing the sincerity in my voice, the sky elf relaxed. I could see that the stress of the operation and the different groups interacting was getting to her. It was best I didn’t add any more to her stress. She held a lot on her plate with the interaction of my three different organizations. LSG and NARC were already interacting heavily, but the Imperius Students were an entirely new factor.
Bucca nodded before activating one of the many rings on her hand. Immediately, she produced two high-quality potions that I gratefully accepted. I glanced at the Nepos labeling before proceeding. Not hesitating to down them and take a glance at the tooltips while Bucca went on her way. Several attendants appeared to accompany the Vice Chairman of LSG
Status Effect: Buff
Name:
{High-Grade Mana Potion}
Description:
A high-grade potion that restores mana.
Function:
+200 MP
+50 MP Regen – 1 Hour
Status Effect: Buff
Name:
{High-Grade Stamina Potion}
Description:
A high-grade potion that restores stamina.
Function:
+200 SP
+50 SP Regen – 1 Hour
I moved and Tobi and Aurelia accompanied me. The other two guards were nowhere to be seen. Most likely they would guard in shifts while the other two rested. They quickly faded out of my mind as I moved through the halted caravan with purpose. All around me were students moving like a poked hornet's nest. They were excited, these students trained for their class for over a year. Some trained even longer with late birthdays just like me. Being called upon on such a mass scale had the students of Imperius Academy on their toes. So much so, that some didn’t notice as I passed them. A first but welcomed surprise. That soon changed the moment someone did see me and the two guards accompanying me. The young woman immediately kneeled while performing the symbol of Goddess Madris. Of course, a Caden spots me immediately.
I nodded at her as others fell in step. I recognized her as the young woman who sang during the first-year finals. She was a member of the minor house Caden, and it seems she was following the path of an [Enchantress]. It’d be cool if I could turn her into a [Popstar]. Her impact during the finals brought a small change when we fought the [Gale Coyotes – ★]. Small, but she had an impact, nevertheless. She was also part of the group of [Enchanters] that sang for Imperius Academy on my coronation… and she was the president of the Crown Prince Fan Club – Kái’jhan Caden.
“Carry on,” I simply said before moving on.
Several minutes of walking passed as I moved through the rushing students. I arrived at the head of the caravan and made my way front and center. In front of us seemed to be square dirt buildings I knew were quickly constructed for the base of operations. More permanent buildings would be constructed later. Floating in the air above all the chaos was Principal Camilla Romus. Next to her were several instructors and attendants of her own. [Sword Saint] Aurora, [Sharpshooter] Wil Silverhand, Professor Snake, and more. Across from them were several mages I recognized to be from New America. [True Neutral] Celcus Kain, [The Alchemist] Prirro Nepos, and other department heads. All men and women under my employ.
I quickly made my way through the buildings until my feet were forced to pause at the large hole that the dirt buildings covered. A hole that I had long since expected.
“Chirp.”
‘You’re right. It's more of a gradual slope than an actual hole.’
Minerva puffed her chest out triumphantly. It was amazing the way the owlet could follow my train of thought and provide inputs if not outright answers whenever I had a question.
‘After this expedition, we’re going to have to see if there is anything we can convert from Earth here. Magic or not.’
“Chirp! Chirp! Chirrrrrp!”
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Thousands of eyes gazed at me as I stood on a quickly raised mound of dirt. Next to me stood Principal Camilla and behind us were various staff from all the organizations present. Her unique rainbow-colored eyes gazed in excitement as she grew more and more privy to the current ongoings. Operation RAIL was what I considered a highly important and top-secret set-up that I didn’t want to be exposed until the very end. It was too vital to my plans for Edryan for anything to go wrong with it. High-speed travel was not new to the Elrunian continent. The gnomes of the Ja’Forr City-State were well known to produce quality airships that they used for trade in the upper Middle Kingdoms. It was the Low Kingdoms that were considered truly behind the times… still traveling by caravans pulled by animals. If this was Earth, the Low Kingdoms in which Edryan was stationed would be considered a third-world country. Elysium was the United States or a ‘first world country’ and everyone else was playing catch up.
How do you make a country an economic and military powerhouse?
There are multiple answers but through my knowledge of Earth’s history, one of the first things I revisited using Minerva, a country's mobility was one of, if not the most important issue. How fast you could mobilize troops, goods, and other commerce would drastically change when it took hours instead of days. Your reach would expand further than ever before. Edri would become more lucrative, and opportunities would rise with all stations leading to us. If I could figure out how to send messages or perhaps radio announcements through some form of magic…
This world of close to 8 thousand years of history would change forever.
“Good afternoon, Principal Camilla,” I gave my greeting with a nod of respect. I maintained eye contact throughout it all. Camilla Romus was powerful. Regarding the most powerful mages in Edryan, Camilla was a contender against Margret and several others under my mother’s employ. These were outside of those academy wizards who specialized in a single element. This meant she was at least a level 225 mage and that was a minimum to be considered amongst those ranks. Her control of magic and ability to cast multiple tier-10 spells without any help was what was truly important. The term didn’t only belong to mages but warriors as well. Although they held different requirements on what it meant to achieve the level of a Magi. To the masses, the term resonated more with [Mage].
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Back on earth, I would have found Camilla’s gaze to be weird as her irises began white before turning into a rainbow of colors as they reached the end, then once again turning white. She was completely the opposite of her children. She was tall and wore what would be considered a traditional mage’s hat with robes that could help but emphasize her body. Her hair followed the exact pattern of her eyes. Starting white at the roots before transforming into a rainbow of colors at the end of its waist-long length.
It was the Romus family who originally approached my mother once they learned about my academy and the things I had planned for it. House Romus mages were everywhere after all. Somewhere someone spilled the beans to this powerful mage and the rest was history.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness Lawruthian. Are you perhaps ready to reveal to the academy what this expedition is all about?”
“With your help, it would be my honor.”
Immediately powerful magic was cast. My body began to float high in the sky while a surprised expression appeared on my face. Only for a moment as my years of etiquette training kicked in. Unless it held my permission, foreign magic should not be able to affect me. I grasped at the necklace on my neck to make sure it was still there. As I did so, Camilla Romus noticed and sent a wink in my direction.
Chirp!
Yes, very interesting indeed. The might of a Magi cannot be underestimated.
We rose several dozen feet into the air before I felt the power of another spell cast. This time a large projection of me appeared. Showing me waist up for the tens of thousands of gazes upon me. I was definitely visible from the walls of Edri and the traveling roads to the capital city.
“At your discretion, Your Highness, you are welcome to address the assembly,” she gestured. “The students are ready for you," Camilla finished.
I hadn’t felt a hint of magic. Did she dual-cast the last spell? No strain was evident on her face. Now that I thought over my interactions with Magi-level characters such as Margret Musa, Liana Drumian, and others, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen them truly strain or work up a sweat.
‘Classes truly do change everything,’ I thought as I recalled Margret's words to me so long ago. She said this to me once when I originally came out with the idea of imbuing runes into wands for renewable spells and such. Even now my Life Stats were almost full yet only a few hours passed since Bucca came and grabbed me. What was it like for those characters level 200 plus?
“EDRYANS!”
If the giant projection of me hadn’t caught their attention, my voice that projected to tens of thousands below sure did. Every single eye was on me. I gazed around, looking left, then right. The people's attention had been gathered. I began to speak.
“On my coronation, I promised a connected Edryan. Where instead of weeks of travel from Laguu to Edrya, it turned into a day and hours. Today is the day I fulfill that pledge. Yet…, I am only one man, and only our Goddess has the power to reshape this world. When this is complete…, men too will have that power as well. Today I will show you the power of men. Today I will show you the power of Edryan!”
I clenched my fist as my hand shot into the air amid the cheers. This signaled the mages from NARC as loud noises came from the underground tunnel. Emerging in front of the people and beneath me was what some may describe as a strange metal beast traveling along iron rods as it made noise.
“Welcome to the future.”
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The early morning sun shone down upon the base of operations. The bright and hot dawn of the next day promised a sweltering summer. I smiled as the busy students of Imperius Academy began their assigned tasks. The students were split into five different groups, each with importance to the operation.
“The first group is what I called ‘The Builders’. These students are in charge of constructing the actual rails the trains would be traveling on. They were composed of classes such as [Imperius Blacksmiths] and the classes many offshoots, [Imperius Weaponsmith], [Imperius Armor-smith], and the like. They also have a few different [Worker] professions and their multiple offshoots,” I spoke to Bucca who nodded in understanding. She rolled her eyes as she turned away from me while she stuffed a snack into her mouth. She knew all of this information already, yet Alexandria and Lily didn’t have the full scope, so I indulged them.
“Group two is composed of ‘The Scribers,” they’re in charge of inscribing runes to every single component that will be laid for the tracks. Doesn’t matter if it’s a single rail spike or the sleepers needed to hold the tracks together.”
“Sleeeepers,” Lily's monotone voice questioned. Alexandria had a raised eyebrow as she too was wondering what I was talking about.
“They’re the wooden planks used to keep the rail in line,” I responded. The two ladies nodded and calmly pick at the selection of LSG snacks. Seeing no more questions being asked I moved on.
“The Scribers are composed of [Imperius Inscribers], [Imperius Rune-Smiths], and a few mages who specialize in creating runic scripts. After that group, we have ‘The Clearers.”
“Let me guess,” Alexandria began in a dull tone. “They’re in charge of clearing the way forward. You’re [Imperius Knight Trainees] and other combat classes will be in this group?”
“How’d you know?” I asked with faux surprise.
We sat in an open field and watched the men of my army train. In the distance was Godvein and ships traveled up and down the wide river. A thousand troops were sent as a gift with General Alexandria, and they were all youths from the Indrian family's territory. None were over the age of twenty-five and none were past the first-class advancement. Only those with strawberry blonde hair like Alexandria were [Knight Trainees] showing their connection to the Indrian family. The majority were [Recruits], a class that allowed these men and women to be shaped into multiple [Soldier] archetypes. After I finished my explanation to the women, I was going to see if I could change the lives of these people forever.
These men were a majority of Uncommon Magi-Humans and class holders. That means they would gain +4 Free Attributes for their race and most likely +2 Power and +2 Free Attributes from their class. If we included the Greater Six Attributes that gave them +6 Free Attribute points, these men would gain +14 attributes per level. The average noble gained +18 per level which is what most students of my academy gained. A major reason why so many attempted to get in and why I was so loved by the students. I was literally changing the course of their lives. The high noble houses were different. To be considered a high noble house you’d need a legendary race and a legendary class at minimum. Resources, land, and prestige were what truly separated the chaff from the wheat. With every level I gained +26 Attribute Points and that didn’t include the gathering of attributes from worship. This is part of what kept the noble houses in power. There was a difference in power, one that would expand with every level gained.
An Uncommon magi-human maximum number of attributes gained in the first 25 levels was 350. The average noble would gain 450 instead. A gap that would continue to expand as more levels were gained. I gain even more. When my mother wished for a child that would walk with no others. Goddess Madris delivered.
“The final two groups are ‘The Teachers’ and ‘The Artisans’. The Teachers are of course the instructors of my academy alongside some of the researchers of New America. They’re in charge of making sure everyone is doing their job properly and assisting whenever and wherever they can.
The Artisans are in charge of basically keeping us alive. They are composed of your [Imperius Junior Chefs], and various other members such as [Imperius Messengers]. They’re the various students you see running around doing one task or another task.”
Once I finish, I stood and approached the [Recruits]. It was time I tested my growing theories on classes. Alexandria followed me as I would need her help to convey my message to the army. The moment I paused Alexandria began to speak.
“Assemble,” she called. It wasn’t loud… just enough to get your friends' attention from across the hall, yet her voice seemed to appear in the ears of every [Recruit] and [Knight Trainee] training. The result was immediate as various weapons such as staffs, bows, and swords were neatly racked before a thousand troops stood in front of us at attention.
“Good…, Your Highness,” Alexandria questioned before turning to me.
When she spoke my title the gazes turned sharper, and the backs became straighter. Under General Alexandria, these men were pledged to kill and die for me. Many were only a few years older than me. It didn’t truly matter as Magi-Humans held a slightly accelerated growth in both mental and physical attributes of our body compared to the average human. The army were adults of both genders as classes did not discriminate… well… mostly. I knew of a few noble class lines that only would appear for one gender or the other. Somehow woven into the legends of their class originators.
I stayed silent as my gaze traveled over the army while studying the composition General Alexandria had her troops in. Satisfied, I turned and just asked the woman herself.
“How do you compose the troops?”
“There are five lieutenants each with two-hundred men underneath them. As we are a small army, I chose to have an equal division of positions. two-hundred swordsmen, two-hundred spearmen, two-hundred archers, two-hundred are being trained for heavy tanking, and the final two-hundred are composed of scouts and other personnel.”
“Interesting, how have you come to this organization?”
“Simple, since I know of your… eccentricities, I believe the best option would be to bring a mixed troop. Usually, an army would specialize to a degree. Perhaps a mix of heavy units with archers or another combination.”
“What happens if a lieutenant dies or is compromised?”
“Lieutenants usually have two second in commands with them. The senior one will establish control in the event of such a situation. The same goes for my position. The senior lieutenant will assume command in case of my death or injuries.”
“Good, very good. I like the way you’ve formatted the army General. However, as you said. I have… eccentricities, and as such a few slight changes will be made to the army.”
Alexandria grimaced, her lips pursed but the woman worked with me when I was a child and knew of my behavior.
“Your Highness,” she began in a placating tone. She sighed before she spoke the next sentence. “…just don’t break them too much.”
“It is nothing major. In fact, we are keeping the exact formatting of the army. I find that the chain of command can appear to be… disrupted in the case of a major event.
What I want is simple. Squads are to be established with each composed of ten members in a single unit. Each unit has its own squad commander and vice-commander.”
Alexandria nodded along. It was clear that was a doable assignment for her. I continued to further expand. “The commander of this squad reports directly to either one of the two captains of the lieutenants. A captain can only be in charge of ten squads at a time. Therefore, with the establishment of new squads, new captains must be trained to handle to extra workload. Captains will answer to the lieutenants who answer to you. It will be the same for lieutenants. Ten captains under one lieutenant.”
Alexandria looked surprised but then thoughtful as she mulled over my words before giving me a nod of agreement.
“Spread my words to the [Recruits] and this army. Let me know when you’re ready.”
Alexandria signaled her readiness and I spoke. “Hear me, men and women formally under the Indrian household. It is important for one to never forget their roots… as those roots are the ones to shape us into the person we become today. Yet…, those roots have altered and changed, for today you are no longer [Recruits] under the Indrian family. For today you have become [Imperius Recruits] of the [Imperius Army]. Find glory and pride in yourselves. For today is the day your path changes forever.”
Gasp of shock rose from the army as what I believe seemed to happen. There was a distinct reaction that nearly everyone did once a notification made itself known to them. A common tick that I studied all my childhood. I was easily able to tell when the adults around me were staring at a screen I couldn’t see… or receiving a message I couldn’t perceive. Sometimes it was the widening of eyes in shock and excitement. Others could be the clenching of a fist or a head tilting back in surprise.
Each of these actions happened as I finished my small speech to the men and women. Knowing a certain section in the status page changed. No longer would they be affiliated with the Indrian House. What now showed was the [Imperius Army]. It was the same as their classes changed from [Recruit] to [Imperius Recruit]. Just as all the students of Imperius Academy receive a rare class and sometimes higher if they were lucky. Those who belonged to Imperius Army would now too.
“Bucca,” I called out. The Sky-Elf stepped forward immediately. “Make sure every soldier receives enough resources to advance their race tier to Rare. Make sure all captains can become Legendary. If General Indrian is not a Mythical ranked magi-human, make sure she becomes one. Pull it from my personal funds.”
Bucca's eyes widen. “That’s going to cost you, Your Highness. Why not allow them to temper their bodies throu-”
“Bucca,” I interrupted.
“Your Highness,” she immediately agreed sensing my tone.
Alexandria hadn’t stopped relaying my words. Cheers and shouts erupted from the masses. Her eyes met mine and I could see an emerging respect growing within them. She already respected me for who I was but there was a major difference between respecting the [Holy Prince of Edryan] and respecting Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani.