EPISODE 40: Operation RAIL 4
-Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Central.
“Struggle, Amaya, and never stop.”
Amaya left the tent with a pondering expression on her face. The usual hyper young woman wasn’t present as her thoughts swirled over her friend's words.
“Sigh, maybe I haven’t looked at this from a neutral perspective. Perhaps I need to take a step back.” It’s what older sister would do.
The young woman made her way through the Base of Operations as Lawruthian called it. Now that she pledged to serve under him, the young man had become a lot more open with revealing things about himself and his ideas for their country. It was the responsibility of the Six Great Houses to support his rise to the throne. Although he had no competitors, that didn’t mean it’d be smooth sailing when he took over as king. Amaya knew his rule would be vastly different from Her Majesty Queen Titiana's.
Amaya knew personally that plenty of positions would be opening up. It was said Queen Titiana was the closest to demi-godhood an Edryan had been in hundreds of years. It was well known amongst the upper nobility that when one reached that level a journey to Mountain Redcoomshi was in order. It was the place demi-gods go to ascend after all. In doing so, her older sister and idol Margret would be leaving as well. Partially because she was bound to serve the queen but most likely out of her own curiosity as well. Not just the six greats but a majority of those in charge of running the country were pledged in some way or shape to Queen Titiana. Who knew how many of them would choose to follow the queen?
She was the [Iron-Blooded Queen]. She did not take no for an answer… Especially during that chaotic time when her brothers warred for the throne.
Amaya made her way to one of the many wagons used to transport people, items, and other necessities. They were batteries-powered vehicles made of wood and more. Amaya held a small fascination with them as she grabbed a ride back to the main headquarters, but other things entered her mind. Magic, struggles, and the future occupied her thoughts.
“Status.”
Amaya Aesira Musa – Level 20
HP: 300/300 (+75)
SP: 255/255 (+75)
MP: 495/495 (+180)
Base Atk: 36 +8
Base Def: 24 +12
HP Regen: 45/Hour +23
SP Regen: 38/Hour +23
MP Regen: 74/Hour +56
Bloodline: [+]
Race:
Magi-Human
Main Class:
[Imperius Magical Philosopher]
Perks:
Empty.
Power: 120 (+25)
2nd Class: [LOCKED]
Core Skills: [+]
Vitality: 100 (+25)
3rd Class: [LOCKED]
Racial Skills: [+]
Endurance: 85 (+25)
Faith: Goddess Madris
Status Effects:
Mind: 165 (+60)
Affiliation:
House of Musa
Equipped:
Imperius Academy Uniform
Self: 60 (+25)
2nd Affiliation:
Imperius Academy
Intent: 60 (+40)
Achievements: [+]
Skills: [+]
Magic Affinity:
Active Quest: -
Attribute Points: 0
Amaya Aesira Musa [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/71e3d34d-25a5-4155-b27f-62964266ddd5/dg7f2fe-d886c0e1-b9df-4499-ac14-79574597db51.jpg/v1/fit/w_828,h_986,q_70,strp/amaya_aesira_musa_by_marskidris_dg7f2fe-414w-2x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTUyMyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzcxZTNkMzRkLTI1YTUtNDE1NS1iMjdmLTYyOTY0MjY2ZGRkNVwvZGc3ZjJmZS1kODg2YzBlMS1iOWRmLTQ0OTktYWMxNC03OTU3NDU5N2RiNTEuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.5YxCtDn4eme5p4CX1YDqdfofEmQZDuuaa3WjHmjgmL8]
Just five more levels and she would reach her first class advancement. As it was now, it seemed like she’d be taking on a role similar to her elder sister’s. Her gaze landed on the researchers coming from Gods know where. She was curious, oh so curious as to where they were from. Somewhere Musa Mages, clansmen from side branches that she held little regard for. They avoided her like a plague, her deeper, darker magenta hair an easy spot through the dense crowd of people.
“New America Research Center huh, I’ve never heard of them before. They are definitely something belonging to the prince,” she commented aloud.
The way he interacted with the mages and various personnel coming from NARC was as obvious as it could get that these people worked for His Highness Lawruthian. Once Amaya saw the giant monstrosities they called trains, which were as big as the caravan and were twice as long, she was left speechless and in a state of wonder. Each of these monstrosities was almost a story and a half tall. They were double-decked in compartments meant for people and the large rectangular containers built to transfer goods were massive. Her curiosity had peaked, and she did her best to get close to the engine room of the device. Yet at every avenue, she was halted. Amaya imagine she’d be far more than lightly reprimanded if not for being who she was.
A loud high pitch whistle made Amaya jump up in fright as the wagon pulled up to the base of operations which was now a small city. Amaya quickly got off and swiftly approached the tracks. She studied the railroad tracks being built. The road was wide and started much like the enchanted roads of Edryan. The roads in which most trades traveled were carved with runic scripts that warded off most monsters by releasing formless pressure. That pressure was usually enough to dissuade any one or two-starred monster but higher…? That’s why adventurers and guards were a requirement. Imbued into these new ‘rail’ roads were four metal rails upon which the trains would move. This is where some of the more important magic was taking place.
Amaya walked up to the team that was placing and merging another of the steel rails into the railroad. She studied the runes placed upon them on her approach.
“|Greater Resistance|, |Pressure|, |Weightless|, |Flexibility|, and |Unity| were just a few of the runes she easily recognized. The runes were no higher than tier two to three as that was the level at which more of the Academy students were. It took great comprehension to begin to understand runes beyond the third tier. If you were a [Fire Mage] you’d need to understand |Fire| to the fourth tier to advance in your spell casting of the element. Whatever supporting runes you used to construct a spell such as a (Greater Fireball) or more would need to be tier two to three. The connecting nodes were important to make the spell active.
“Oi shouldn’t you be helping…
…with the rune work,” a second voice questioned.
Amaya turned as the voices addressed her, turning to see the Sun and Moon twins. Amaya’s eyebrow shot up a few centimeters as the twins approached her before halting a slight distance away. Both gazed at the work being done by their fellow students and the various other staff.
“Shouldn’t you be doing much of the same…?”
“We are here on a…
…break,” Helios finished for the pair.
“As am I,” Amaya responded. Sensing a lull in the conversation Selene spoke up.
“I carved the runes on that one,” Selene said. She pointed at the next rod that began to connect to the others. Amaya detected various emotions coming from the young woman next to her.
“How can you tell?”
“You see the curve each of the runes has? That is my specific style, I’ve yet to see anyone replicate it exactly as I have.”
Next to Selene, Helios held the proud look of an older brother. The large young man towered over both girls and constantly stood at a guarding position near his younger twin.
“Hmph,” Amaya gave off a soft grunt of challenge. Telling her something hasn’t been replicated was almost a challenge to her and her class within itself. A challenge to the entire Musa House if Amaya chose to interoperate it that way.
Amaya activated two skills and began to write in the air. All the while her eyes never left Selene’s work as they slotted it into place. Two spell constructs floated over her eyes, while (Mage Light) shifted and bended in flowing runic work. This allowed her to see the detailed work of Selene Romus while producing her own copy of the work. She expended her mana; a soft magenta light easily wrote the runes in the air before stopping and taking a step back.
|Greater Resistance| connected to |Pressure| and so on. Flowing together as |Unity| ensure the entire script stayed cohesive and as one. Every [Mage] and [Inscriber] used |Unity| in some shape or form when it came to connecting spells with multiple effects. The rune appeared to be two hands interlocked to Amaya and many others.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Hmmm, I’d say a good 85% similarity,” a voice suddenly said from behind the group.
Helios turned swiftly, his body already in a martial stance before the young man remembered where he was and relaxed. The wariness in his gaze never faltered. Amaya understood why as they had not felt a hint of the man's presence. It was like his aura negated the area around him… removing it entirely from their perception. That showed several things. First, his Intent was much higher than there’s and two if he wanted to harm them they’d be dead already.
Amaya gazed at the older gentleman curiously while Helios spoke. “Who are you? I’m certain you know it's rude to and highly illegal to not announce yourself before speaking with a noble.”
“Ha-ha forgive this old man, but you youths are not the only nobles in attendance. If I correctly remember students of Imperius Academy do away with titles and stations. A just incite by the Crown Prince if I could say so myself.”
Amaya’s eyes slightly narrowed as the man hadn’t bothered to introduce himself. Amaya could tell from the words of the older man that there was a story behind his words. The young woman didn’t care and spoke as she recognized the House the man belonged too.
“You’re a Kain,” Amaya said with a hint of suspicion.
The Kain territory bordered the Musa’s and like the Musas’, the Kains’ were [Mages] who specialized in a few different magics. Although they were not as research prone as the Musa when it came to researching all forms of magic, the Kains did have their specializations in Neutralization Magic and several offshoots from it. Amaya could instantly tell several things just from the monotone grey hair the older man held… his House was one of them. All Houses had their unique features, as the Musa held magenta eyes and hair. The Edryani’s had red-gold eyes and ebony-gradient hair. The Gamal’s held black hair with golden streaks, and so on and so forth.
The Kain’s held monotone hair and their eyes followed the same color only the pupil held an inky dark blackness that seemed to swallow all incoming light.
“That I am, I am a researcher of NARC, I couldn’t help but notice your skill in analyzing and replicating the runes upon that piece of railing. Your speed is very impressive for your age.”
Amaya stayed silent as she did not know where the Kain was going with his talk. Helios and Selene had drawn back as it was clear the older man held an interest in Amaya.
She’d always held a fast hand when it came to inscriptions. The training she received from various members of her clan as a child didn’t allow her to be average. Amaya inscribed twice nearly four times as fast as the average Imperius Student. A Musa strives to be the best ‘well-versed’ in a room of magicians. Amaya is no different. Of course, if they chose to specialize this was quite often the case in magical theory. Not quite as much in execution.
As no response came from Amaya, the Kain continued. “Here’s a card, if you’re interested in researching new magics after graduation just present this to any of the staff on Imperius College. Most of the students are already working with us. Your elder sister even stops by from time to time.”
Amaya received the golden card from the man looking down to study the name and information on it. When she next looked up, her eyes wide at the name on the card, the man was already gone.
My sister goes there? Perhaps this is a chance for me to explore the unknown and look for a way to become a [Hero]. Let me talk to Lawruthian first.
----------------------------------------
You have defeated a [Grassland Wolf – ★] and gained combat experience.
Lorde Drumian lightly flicked his wrist, sending the blood, guts, and other monster matter into the grass. Next to him, Simra did the same, her gaze challenging as they both viewed the final beast before them.
“I’m up by one!”
“Oh, since when were we competing,” Lorde asked. A large grin crossed his face as he met the blue eyes of the young woman. As he did so he took a slight step forward, inching toward the final [Grassland Wolf – ★].
Lorde was surprised at Simra’s level of competitiveness lately. The young woman was competitive when it came to monster slaying but recently her behavior had evolved. Lorde felt a sense of security in Simra’s demeanor. Not security in his protection but security in Simra’s strength and her confidence in it. Perhaps it was the lessons with Sword Saint Aurora that helped. Or perhaps it was something else. Whatever it was… Lorde liked it.
Those intense blue eyes squinted noticing Lorde’s increasing closeness to the [Grassland Wolf – ★]. Only a few seconds passed since its last packmate perished and the wolf's eyes turned red showing its berserk state. With Lorde being the one nearest to the beast, it leaped at him in anger to Simra’s detriment. She slightly lowered her guard, her sword hanging a bit lower and shield comfortably resting against her armored thigh. Simra pulled back to give Lorde and the final beast room. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to kill steal from the young man. They were still earning vital IP for each successful kill and the young woman was close to earning enough for an amor set made by a third year. She was close but not desperate. Imperius Points that could be used to purchase new weapons, gear, and the latest sets from their improving classmates. The interactions between second years and third year students where much closer as second years now possessed the capability to level.
Lorde's shield came up as he blocked the beast's charge. Fangs and claws that would have pierced his neck and shredded his body forced him a few steps back.
‘(Examine),’ Lorde thought. The beast was much stronger than the rest of his pack. Lorde wanted to know if it was nearing the threshold to become a silver-ranked beast. Normally he would not do such a move, as the notification could be a distraction in the heat of battle. This is why in combat, all notifications not related to the fight were repressed until a state in which you were not fighting.
[Grassland Wolf – ★]
Power: 150
Base Atk: 45
Base Def: 27
HP: 420/420
SP: 360/360
Vitality: 140
Endurance: 120
HP Regen: 56/Hour
SP Regen: 48/Hour
Self: 90
Description:
The Grassland Wolf is a common subspecies under the wolf ancestry. They are native to wide and open grasslands and in later stages possess wind magic.
The reason Lorde chose to do so now is because he didn’t want to trigger its monster evolution. At this stage, the beast was dangerous to any normal human. A monster evolution would give it a second star as it became a silver-ranked Grassland Wolf. It could begin its journey in understanding magic with a significant boost to its strength. It only takes a few silver and copper stages to wipe out any small village with lacking protection. The evolution would be quick as the world would fill the beast with mana helping it evolve and if it became a monster…
Lorde pushed back against the beast as he shrugged it off. Doing so created an opening for his blade to find one of the beast's eyes. The attack scored a critical hit yet a howl knocked the youth back as the beast rapidly drained its stamina to return the function of its eye, but not heal the beast of its missing Health Points.
CRITICAL HIT!
Grassland Wolf -75HP.
Lorde didn’t hesitate to move in, flames alit upon his sword as he mentally chanted a spell and spoke to his solo audience member. “Allow me to show this beast that it faces a Magi-Human.”
Lorde dashed in, matching the speed of the Grassland Wolf as it moved back attempting to create distance between them to find another avenue of attack. Distance, that Lorde didn’t allow as his skill (Nature’s Dash) activated. It took immense effort to get his skills to the Rare grade since his system activation. The very grass beneath them seemed to support his steps, flinging the young man forward with each passing moment. Bouncing forward like a spring, Lorde's blade made numerous attacks against the beast. With each attack resulted in extra damage as his blade lit with red flames.
Grassland Wolf -40HP
Grassland Wolf -40HP
Grassland Wolf -40HP
Grassland Wolf -40HP
You have inflicted {Burning} upon [Grassland Wolf – ★.]
-5HP per 5 seconds for the next minute.
The beast grew desperate as flames licked its flesh, its yelps of pain never reaching Lorde glacier green eyes as he summon upon his mana for a devastating blow. The beast would receive no mercy from him.
“Fire is the origin of man and its whispers upon my blade. Burn away to ashes and leave none but dust, (Drumian Combat Art: Ashes to Dust).”
Lorde flicked his fiery blade upwards as he met the requirement to activate this ability under the (Drumian Combat Art) skill. The burning blade was inches from his face as magic left his body and intensified the flames upon the [Grassland Wolf – ★]. Like his blade, the multiple burning wounds on the [Grassland Wolf – ★] lit with passion. Its fire intensifying into an inferno. The cries of the beast fell on deaf ears as it burned into ashes before fading away into dust. Not once had the beast had an opportunity against the young man.
You have defeated a [Grassland Wolf – ★] and gained combat experience.
He looked at Simra with a passionate expression. Sending a wink at the curly-haired girl. His feelings for her had never faded as Lorde watch Simra grow more confident, so did his feelings for liking the young woman. Her beauty and voluptuous body were only a plus. “Now… we’re even.”
----------------------------------------
“Status.”
Lorde Gin Drumian – Level 18
HP: 300/300 (+75)
SP: 300/300 (+75)
MP: 360/360 (+165)
Base Atk: 36 +16
Base Def: 36 +10
HP Regen: 30/Hour +27
SP Regen: 30/Hour +27
MP Regen: 36/Hour +59
Bloodline: [+]
Race: Magi-Human
Main Class:
[Imperius Spell-Sword Trainee]
Perks:
Empty.
Power: 121 (+55)
2nd Class: [LOCKED]
Core Skills: [+]
Vitality: 100 (+25)
3rd Class: [LOCKED]
Racial Skills: [+]
Endurance: 100 (+25)
Faith: Goddess Madris
Status Effects:
Mind: 120 (+55)
Affiliation:
Imperius Academy
Equipped:
Imperius Combat Set 2
Self: 96 (+25)
2nd Affiliation:
House Drumian
Intent: 75 (+25)
Achievements: [+]
Skills: [+]
Magic Affinity:
Active Quest: -
Attribute Points: 0
Lorde sat around the night fire gazing up at the stars. Around him were several of his classmates from Class One. They were the combat-orientated portion of the class and were the part of the first night watch. He sat and gazed at the constellation of Goddess Madris. The constellation was the queendom of his Goddess and showed itself as a warrior queen with a spear and large circular shield. She stood on guard, her spear pointed out towards the rest of the sky… the rest of the constellations of gods. A protector to her people always. On her shoulder was a bird of prey, one that began to look strikingly familiar to the bird the Holy Son kept on his shoulder.
He closed his eyes and sent a prayer to the Goddess. Lorde thanked her for the life he lived and the protection she gave magi-humans against the world. He thanked Her for the wealth She grew upon the land… providing the magi with a wealth of crops, ores, and other goods. He thank Her for the people around him and the extraordinary life he lived. The chatter around him grew dim as one by one the youths retired to their tents to sleep until all that remained was the glacier-green-eyed young man.
He opened his eyes to the fading fire… his thoughts resolved. This era he and the other young nobles were growing up in belonged to the crown. He could feel it from his connection to the Goddess. He could see it with the popularity of Lawruthian. It was not that he didn’t want to accept it.
“A man only has one life, and, in that life, he must choose. He can either walk the paved road and choose a life of ease and pleasure. He can choose to carve his own way and either rise to greatness or defeat.
He can follow me, for I can show him who he truly is.”
Madris – The Challenger.
Spoken to Gin Drumian originator of the Drumian House.
Lorde chose to pledge himself to Lawruthian, hopefully, he would reveal who Lorde truly was.