19696 The 2nd Summer

With a new albeit reluctant mentor secured I spent about half my days locked up in the smithy, far from the light of Solaire and the troubles of the world. As well as Martha trying to force rehearsals onto me just in case I forgot some of the things she taught us.

She had no luck, even though I probably required it.

This lull was a blessing in disguise as Val needed all the time she could get to cram four years' worth of lessons in two months… Let’s be real, that was an impossible ask and thus some corner-cutting had to be done.

While we did that the other three secretly disappeared to do some actual light adventuring, contrary to the crazy two gigs we did with my parents. The gap between them and me has widened considerably and the only way to catch up was to capitalize on my infatuation with inscriptions. It stung a little that they left me behind like that but I would’ve done the same and it was better this way.

Blessings tend to be danger magnets after all and even just Val and I were enough to find ourselves in stupid situations constantly. Not that we didn’t contribute to them.

And thus I chewed through every book I could find and visited every shop to gather inspiration. Although most places almost instantly kicked me out for spying and so I was a true pain in the ass for Zarah. Okay, we also went on a handful of quick and simple gigs with the family but that was mostly because Valka threatened to end herself after three weeks of ceaseless studying.

And that’s what we’ve been up to for the past two months or so.

Now, if working with inscriptions is like poetry then I’ve barely learned how to write a few simple words, and even that in only one language but it has been strangely eye-opening.

First, even though I’m not yet a true inscriptionist there are dozens of ideas floating in my head on how to improve simple boots or even a stick, turning them into deadly weapons. I know, not the appropriate thoughts for a girl, or anyone my age but I’m hardly the usual.

Next, although Zarah told me every style is the best in their own way I think it's quite the contrary. All of them are bad because none of them is perfect. Sure Runes are what we usually rely on but they can’t replicate a third of what I can achieve with my magic.

And last but not least… This is fun. If the work is quick and painless it’s fun. If creating the symbol hours and many retries it’s… not as fun but feels more rewarding. And I think Savant likes it as well.

Inscriptions are also a branch of wielding mana and it’s also divided up based on elements. With enough practice I’m certain I could replicate my tricks, maybe even plasma, using only a few symbols and I’m sure there’s much more to explore.

All in all, it’s a shame we didn’t get to go on a few adventures with the gang, especially since after last year's incidents the shadows have almost completely disappeared but I’m wholly satisfied with my time spent.

“Eli, Valka, do you have a moment?” Martha finds us after lunch as the two of us laze around in the fresh grass of the courtyard.

“Yeah?” I ask.

“Don’t get too comfortable with me, young lady! Get up and show me at least a sliver of respect.” She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes.

Valka avoided the nasty stare by already standing by the time the scolding arrived, so after I push myself up with a fake groan and Martha’s face returns to a less-annoyed state we can get to the point.

“It’s about your squad, or rather the other four people we selected besides the two of you to represent us this year in Sereban. They…” She frowns and chews on her lips. “The six of them have been close for years and didn’t take too well to being told two of them are to stay behind. They planned to conquer Sereban together so…”

“So they blame us?” I cut to the chase with my arms crossed.

“Wouldn’t you if someone stole your chance for something big?” Valka slaps my shoulder instead of taking my side.

“We send the kids strongest for their age.” Martha snaps her fingers a few times to get our attention back. “You both are a year older while also vastly stronger than any of them, so whining about fairness is just an excuse. Sadly that doesn’t change the fact that they indeed do put the blame on you and your Blessings. Hence the change of plans.”

Well, that sounds concerning. I’m not sure whether or not to blame this round of trouble on my Blessing or not but considering things have been quite calm these past months I can’t really complain.

“We usually send six people to fight in the team battles whenever the Academy competes internationally.” Martha tells me what I already know. “However, that’s clearly not an option this year. We still need to verify things with the board in Sereban so I’m only here to warn you about the hostilities. All that paperwork…” She rubs her forehead and begins to leave. “Just, keep it in mind.”

“Uhm, Martha?” I stop her to ask about a topic of the utmost importance. “What about money?” She turns to face me and raises an eyebrow. “For Val. We already agreed on my allowance last year but what about hers?”

The clouds over her head disappear as an innocent kind smile stretches across the old woman’s face. “Oh little devil, it’s already taken care of.” Wow, nice. “You brought her here as your property, she joined as your property and,” Fuck, no no no no. I knew she’d get back on me for that. “and you’ll pay her expenses as the owner.” She cackles as my face crumbles before walking away again. “Oh and Elyssia, if you plan on pursuing that path… I advise you to make a step now.” After adding the last part Martha disappears as usual.

I really would’ve preferred to simply join team Kayla, August, and Victor since from what I’ve heard the replacements the Fist sent are… well, let’s just say they aren’t winning. I know them already and it was meant to be my spot in the first place so it’d also make sense.

Except I’m down an entire year’s worth of studies.

if they just added us to the others’ team to fight since I mostly knew how to work with them once… a bit… maybe…

A shame. I’ll feel bad a little, just a little, for those kids who’ll have to watch their friends go to the capital while they stay back.

About Martha’s advice… Maybe it’s best to get it over with. I doubt I can squeeze anything more out of my poor second Class in hopes of earning a cooler, more powerful one, and Zarah can’t exactly teach me everything. That’s the job of the teachers at the Academy.

Mana Scribe had been an immensely useful Class as it turned out. Reading all those books, making notes, and practicing inscriptions… I just can’t imagine how anyone without Skills suffers through that.

Anyway, there’s little more this Class can give so it’s time to take the next step. Settle in my bed and…

[Your class [Mana Scribe - Water ] has reached lvl 18. Class advancement is now available, would you like to start the Class up?]

[Y/N]

Yes, please.

***

It’s still the same mess hall, same plates only this time the place is back to its original glory. Suppose someone asked me which I like more, this or the good old beach… hard to say. The good and bad memories on both sides are pretty equal, except I don’t associate the beach with being kidnapped. Although the Fort has unlimited food on its side…

The difficult questions of life.

“Plates, to me!” I command my hidden element.

[Battling Bookworm - Lightning], [Bomb Frenzy - Fire], [Not Reading for Fun - Earth], [Combat Secretary - Water], [Adventurer of IIl-fortune - Dark], [Stowaway Scribe - Earth], [Rune Enthusiast - Earth], [Dryland Octopus - Water], [Bane of Crabs - Water], [Enjoyer of Romance under the Candlelight - Dark], [Aggressive Mana Scribe - Water], [Exemplary Student - Light], [Unconventional Artist of Inscriptions - Water], [Mana Monologue Maker - Wind]

It’s insane the Classes are the same quality as the selection I saw when advancing my main Class at lvl 36. Even better actually. With that said, I have little interest in most of them, after all this time I arrived with precise expectations in mind.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Since the variety isn’t overwhelming, and I pretty much have my eyes on the winners already let’s just skim through all of them.

[Battling Bookworm - Lightning]

Yeah, yeah, has reading Class, still fights, the wisdom of combat, the art of war, blah blah. Honestly, it does have its allure. The focus seems to be largely on learning from previous battles and books and putting all that knowledge into practice. It’s decent actually.

Now that I think about it, for the common people… would this one be considered an outstanding Class? I mean, not everyone fights every other day, at my age, as well as me, and against opponents as dangerous as me. And I’m being humble right now.

Man, I can’t even imagine working with the mediocre stuff.

[Bomb Frenzy - Fire]

This one is lying. I’m not obsessed with explosions, they are just one of the greatest tools of destruction. Besides, the Runes were the interesting part of the dwarf’s work, not the explosions themselves. I do like explosions but won't waste a whole Class on it.

[Not Reading for Fun - Earth]

Duh, some people read as a hobby while I read because everyone refused to tell me what I wanted to learn. Doesn’t sound too fun, does it?

[Combat Secretary - Water]

Wow…

Requirements: Dutiful pupil to a powerful mage for many years. 30 Speed, 60 Intelligence, 60 Focus

You follow in the shadow of the giant that is your mentor, eagerly hanging on their every word. Your mind and ideas are one-

“Okay, damn. This is most definitely about Martha and I’ll make sure to take this Class with me to the grave. I’d never hear the end of it. Although…”

[+1 Free Points, +2 Speed, +3 Dexterity, +3 Intelligence, +4 Mana, +4 Willpower, +3 Focus, +2 Fortitude per level]

“Yeah, it’s solid…” I frown. “Next!”

[Critique of the Words of Power - Fire]

Fiery temper, revolting design, burning the norms… This finally does have something to do with inscriptions, except not in the way I want it to. I want to create, not destroy, and deconstruct them.

[Adventurer of IIl-fortune - Dark]

“This is so not my fault.” I whimper after my eyes land on the bleak, somewhat worn plate.

[Stowaway Scribe - Earth]

Well, I do like it when nobody disturbs me but don’t want to make that my whole thing. I guess it’s really about time I do something other than reading under my blanket and stuffing my face.

[Rune Enthusiast - Earth]

“Ah, finally.” I light up at the sight of a proper inscriptionist Class at last.

Requirements: Has managed to draw the power of a Rune. 60 Intelligence, 60 Dexterity

“Okay, pretty basic.” I nod and keep reading.

Your infatuation with Runes knows no bounds. They are the greatest and only art of-

“Okay, it’s a dud.” I wave the plate away. “It is close though but from what I’ve read, Runes don’t even sound like the second-best option to make the most outstanding equipment. Besides, I do like to keep my options open.”

[Dryland Octopus - Water]

The water tentacles were cool and even the Journey Guide acknowledges that. Although I don’t really like octopuses. They are like wet spiders and I hate spiders.

[Bane of Crabs - Water]

Ah, the typical one specific enemy focused garbage Class. The crabs were delicious though…

[Enjoyer of Romance under the Candlelight - Dark]

“No, fuck off, don’t make it weird!” I groan at the mostly black plate with candlelight flickering in it. “I just read a few pages of a romance book. It wasn’t even that interesting!”

Also, this is the darkest shade of green I’ve ever seen. Just how bad is this Class?

[ +2 Free Points, +1 Endurance, +1 Dexterity per level]

Criminally bad.

[Aggressive Mana Scribe - Water]

Fighty, writey… quite interesting.

Requirements: Be eager to throw yourself into the maws of danger while looking for ways to turn your craft into your strength. Martial Instinct lvl 30, 30 Speed, 60 Intelligence, 60 Focus.

Your work is no longer for the faint-hearted or anyone who is looking to keep their heart. Inscriptions are a tool just like any and perfectly capable of wreaking havoc if you desire to do so. Switch up your environment and bring some excitement to your work, allowing it to bloom where emotions are the most heated and where eyes are plenty. Every surface is your canvas.

[+4 Free Points, +3 Speed, +3 Endurance +3 Dexterity, +4 Intelligence, +3 Mana, +2 Willpower, +2 Focus per level]

“Uh, this one is good, this is what I need. Quite literally.” I nodded, grabbing the jagged plate with the sound of frothing waves echoing from it and hugging it to my chest. “But let’s not get too hasty.”

[Exemplary Student - Light]

Oh please, this must be a misunderstanding.

Requirements: You eagerly listened to your teacher, hanging on all her words, and pursuing knowledge according to their guidance.

Oh wait, it’s talking about Zarah and not Martha… Well, truly I was on my best behavior to get what I wanted.

[Unconventional Artist of Inscriptions - Water]

Requirements: A knack for bringing the Words of Power to life with an unusual flair. 30 Dexterity, 60 Willpower, 60 Focus.

Fascinated by the magic in the symbols you researched without sparing your time, all to satiate the curiosity gnawing at you. The first attempt was a failure and none of the subsequent tries proved adequate for the goal you pursue. And thus it's time to take a major step towards true mastery. Just like writing, one needs to learn the ins and outs of the Inscriptions forming the language of mana, and then pushing it to its limits.

Okay… This isn’t about the achievements like my Class options usually are but more focused on the work I’ve been putting in. Quite rude too. Nobody expects me to make picture-perfect Runes without a proper Inscriptionist Class and a buttload of practice, so the System should just mind its own business and let me do mine.

Jabs aside, this is probably what I’m here for. And better than I expected.

[+2 Free Points, +1 Speed, +5 Dexterity, +4 Intelligence, +4 Mana, +2 Willpower, +4 Focus per level]

Passable stats I guess. It offers less than the Aggressive Scribe which means it should give better Skills… right? Even the stats are allocated differently. But what is it I really need?

[Mana Monologue Maker - Wind]

The wind whispers of magic and acts as your tool to…

Yeah yeah, another Inscriptionist Class, just worse and even without any requirements. For once this isn’t going to be a difficult choice. Where I’m headed aggression and combat won’t be a focal point of my everyday life. Learning on the other hand…

***

My eyes open groggily to check the intensity of light seeping through the curtains. Barely morning, good. I snuggle deeper into my blanket and nudge the System to show the changes.

[Congratulations, you’ve changed your Class to [Unconventional Artist of Inscriptions - Water] lvl 19 -> 23, +2 Free Points, +1 Speed, +5 Dexterity, +4 Intelligence, +4 Mana, +2 Willpower, +4 Focus]

I remember this used to be a substantial attribute increase years ago with an incredible sensation of strength that followed but now… all it does is tickle a little like a cold breeze under the blanket. It’s still nice though.

[Your Skill [Cram lvl 15] has been forfeited during class advancement.]

Eh, a shame, it had been somewhat useful.

[Your Class Skill [Shimmering Lines lvl 18] has changed into the skill [Canals of Mana lvl 18].]

[Your Class Skill [Canals of Mana] has reached lvl 19 ->23.]

[Your Class Skills [Precise Hands lvl 18], [Penmanship lvl 18], have merged into the Skill [Perfect Strokes lvl 18].]

[Your Class Skill [Perfect Stroke ] has reached lvl 19 ->23.]

[Your Class Skill [Beauty in the Craft lvl 18] has changed into the skill [The Urge to Create lvl 18].]

[Your Class Skill [The Urge to Create] has reached lvl 19 ->22.]

[Congratulations, you’ve unlocked the Skill [Mistakes Be Gone lvl 1]. Would you like to assign the skill to an empty slot?]

[Congratulations, you’ve unlocked the Skill [Merciless Scrutiny lvl 1]. Would you like to assign the skill to an empty slot?]

Those last two sound mean… I like them already.

Canals of Mana: No riverbank is safe from the forces that formed it in the first place, just like no channel of mana stays unharmed by the turbulence of the arcane. Reinforce the lines of your making to ensure the craft lasts and serves its purpose as the words of power.

“Yes, yesss! Finally.” I wiggle around excitedly in my bed. “Exactly what this Class is all about. At last, I can make actual inscriptions. More!”

Perfect Strokes: With this skill, your hand becomes an instrument of perfection. Every line you draw is smooth, deliberate, and precise, as though guided by the will of creation itself. Hesitation vanishes, leaving behind only the flawless harmony of your intent and execution.

So a straight and simple upgrade. Nice.

The Urge to Create: A restless spark ignites within you, driving your every thought and motion toward creating raw beauty. Your hands seem to move of their own accord, channeling chaotic inspiration into forms that embody your wish and pulse with the desire of your heart.

I… I don’t know where to put this. A part of me smiles while the other sneers, reading these words. It’s super ambiguous. Either this Skill helps me make pretty things, which is great but doesn’t necessarily require a Skill, or literally empowers my creations depending on what I desire.

Most important of all it focuses on the process.

I learned that while the goal is why a journey starts, the road will be what lives on in your memories even brighter than any success. Fuck, I hate growing up and complicating things. It was so much better when everything was either a yes or a no without the maybes.

Mistakes Be Gone: Not even the work of Gods is without a mistake so it would be foolish to expect anything more from you. But you should do better. Mistakes are common and are meant to be eradicated from your work before they taint its function. Reverse what was never meant to be but be wary of the residue left behind.

Damn, no chance this works on other stuff in my life too right? Just the most irritating things, like a failed magic experiment, or August…

[Congratulations, you’ve acquired the skill [Mistakes Be Gone lvl 1].]

Merciless Scrutiny: You observe all work around you with such a judgemental look as if any fault would be blasphemy of the highest order. However, no task is as mercilessly evaluated as your own. Make no mistakes but if you do make sure to locate and eradicate them. Shortcomings are acceptable but only if they’re steps, not excuses.

What a bitch of a Skill. I’ll take it.

[Congratulations, you’ve acquired the skill [Merciless Scrutiny lvl 1].]

“And with that, I almost have everything for my upcoming Academy years.” I murmur, still comfy in my bed but way too excited to give my new Skills a go.