“You’ve made significant improvements to the Stalwart Endowment?” Ebony noted the runes on Mark’s body.
“I needed more time but I did achieve what you wanted.” Mark wiped his spear down.
Ebony couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at the sight of the spear in Mark’s hands. “You don’t have the talent to hold a spear.” The sentence continued to repeat itself in his head. Turning Everlasting Tranquillity off and asking himself questions had caused older memories to surface. His mother’s words struck deep, she had been ‘excited’ to see him hold a spear but he was only allowed to train with the spear for a week before she gave up teaching him her techniques. He knew that she would’ve given up much earlier if he wasn’t her son. The disappointment in her eyes bore into his youthful self because he could never really tell from her usual dead facial expressions and it highlighted her saddened look.
He shook his head to put the thought aside and listened to Mark’s gains. The updated full-body rune should no longer require ice elemental mana and just pure mana that anyone could feed. Rather than defence or durability the version Mark was using buffed basically every physical aspect with a focus on durability. It was supposedly cost effective but it would still cost more mana than the current Stalwart Endowment he was using due to functions he had to power. The runic language wasn’t completely deciphered but in general, it was more complicated with a lot of focus on configurations for humanoid shapes and blockish structures such as buildings.
“So what’s up with Democlus?” He asked.
“I actually have no idea, we’ll have to hear from Master Jing.” Mark shrugged, he had calmed down after hearing Kong Jing’s voice.
“Only if she doesn’t brush the incident away.” Ebony knew that Kong Jing wasn’t that talkative when it came to small incidents.
“Can she fight?”
“I don’t know her capabilities in that regard but she can handle herself.” Ebony would’ve liked to know the answer himself.
There wasn’t any attack or incoming Troll for the next few hours and another group of archers had long taken post. If the Slingarm Tribe were to hurl any attacks it would hit the barrier layered over the wall. Only living beings connected to their Vitality thread could come from above the cloud of corrosion. The army up front should’ve found a way to stop the hurlers as well.
The scent of spices wafted through the city. They made their way back to the camp he rented knowing that Ning Xin would deliver dinner to everyone.
According to the latest news Cap Dwarf brought. Multiple towns on the mainland had encountered monster hoard attacks just a week or two ago. It wasn’t that surprising as many dungeons weren’t being cleared as often. However, towns didn’t have a dungeon within their walls. Dungeon creatures start dying the moment they leave their home. Most dungeons weren’t intelligent, they shouldn’t be aware of the landscape outside their own grounds. Two or three occasions weren’t surprising since towns were usually situated relatively near a dungeon but there were far more incidents than that. The organisation Lure was the main suspect at the moment.
Cap Dwarf’s personal theory was that even the Troll’s aggressive and united invasion was Lure’s work. It was a popular belief amongst the soldiers and the public. The high ranking nobles or military probably knew if that was true or not, but it wasn’t made public.
Ebony’s callstone rang.
He picked it up without another moment of delay.
“Ebony, this is Koawe. I’ll be coming over tomorrow, are you still at Fifth Tide?”
“Yes.”
“Alright see you.”
‘That was a short message. Well, as long as he’s fine. He should’ve gotten back up from their second village. I have to watch and learn.’ Ebony felt that his repertoire of ice magic was lacking. All he did was make a shield, spike/sword, spread it as mist and such. The same could be said for his freezing flames. To be fair, he liked it simple and it was easier to apply. Of course, he mixed up application with sound and gravity magic so he was only limited by imagination.
Putting his repertoire of ice magic aside, something felt amiss from his skill set in general and he couldn’t figure out what it was. If it was combat, he felt like he already developed his fighting style that utilises every bit of his capabilities to the limit. As for skills unrelated to combat, be it a hobby or a general lifestyle skill he had what he wanted and needed. Hence, he could never figure out what was amiss.
If he had to point out what he was working on it was the recovery of his Battle Song, a creation of a new Sound spell to replicate the roar that he hears every time he dreams and the undirected refinement of his Physique. He was at a loss when it came to the refinement of his Physique. What was he supposed to do to make his Physique do what it did but better? Did he need more sap from Ful? Meld his physical body with his mana chassis more?
‘I don’t really want to make myself more of a mana being…’ The current effects of his Physique had served him well to date. ‘25% of your Mana Regeneration also regenerates your Health. Natural resistance to cold is increased by 50%. Natural resistance to heat decreased by 30%. Reduced physical needs of sustenance and sleep.’ In hindsight, the functions were far less than Ning Xin’s current Physique. She refined it much easier than he did but there was no reference to learn from due to the lack of similarities between their Physiques.
The most dire problem on his mind was that he had 2 less 250% Fortifications because of his initial Classing to journeyman. Ning Xin did not have any knowledge regarding the method to recover or gain the disadvantage but she did hear that it was possible from the King-ranked Fisher when she was young. Kong Jing was more well-read so he had to ask her as soon as possible. Even if it wasn’t directly related to crafting it seemed to be within the scope of what she would learn about.
They’ve got to level 300 in a relatively short timespan and their skill level wasn’t compromised that much due to having good opponents. Their skills could still use some refinements or evolutions but that wasn’t that much of an issue. Those won’t affect the quality of evolutions.
When it came to Natural Potential, the pattern remained the same. Every 10 levels above a ‘max-level’ induces 1 notification that marks an increase. This only repeated 10 times or 100 levels above ‘max-level’, for a Master that meant a creature at level 400. After 100 levels, the gap increased to every 25 levels for a single Natural Potential inducement. This is also repeated 10 times or 250 levels on top of the 100 levels from the first 10 inducements.
Ebony and Ning Xin had killed some Trolls above 425 but under 450. They could easily find a weaker monster at a higher level. Now that the power gap increased, it meant that it was easy to find a weak but high-level creature. Especially due to the fact that Elcra was in a state that could accommodate their growth. More advanced habitats such as Hoarfrost Glades, Fragadal’s Sea or even Vermin Paradise might have stronger creatures but weak creatures were more abundant. They didn’t have to worry about finding wild monsters that ranged from level 500 - 750 since there were a few dungeons with these monsters.
High-ranking nobles’ main duty was to keep these dungeons in check. Not to say they had to clear these dungeons, there were no towns or cities near such dungeons. Abandoned dungeons like these were just extremely far from civilization so even if a dungeon break were to occur, there would be few casualties. Except for the fact that Tidal had these dungeons smack dab within the city. It wasn’t that big of an issue either, if no one entered the dungeon it would take an extremely long time for it to gain essence much less enough to overflow. People just had to stop wild monsters from entering as dungeons could drain monsters’ overflowing essence similarly. There was a good chance dungeon monsters wouldn’t attack wild creatures either.
It was questionable whether he could currently take on a level 650 monster but after 20 total inducements of Natural Potential, it wasn’t the end. It was common knowledge to the Xengs that next came 50-level gaps. She was unsure how many people got how far in this stage but it was easy to predict this stretched out for 10 times as well or a 500-level difference which in reality is 100 + 250 + (1 to 10 x 50). They were very unlikely going to get up to that point. Perhaps when they maxed out at Grandmaster and the power gap got even wider. If they ever got to that stage they needed to worry about finding monsters at the required level.
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Ning Xin had two of his Glacial Models pull a cart full of food for their unit. They wouldn’t dare to delay running out even if they weren’t hungry. When their unit was reformed, two of the additions to the unit didn’t finish their food and even swung their plates to the ground. They might have been drunk but no one appreciated the wastage of precious food. They were staked onto the training ground walls for an entire night. Although the red hair chef was the first one to react it was Athena that staked them onto the walls. They were healed and sobered up the next day but they couldn’t take it lying down. Ebony had been moon gazing while he meditated when these two sneaked into the ladies' dorm in the middle of the night. He was a fool but not too stupid to recognise that they didn’t have good intentions. He just didn’t expect that Athena had a similar skill that allowed her to react to danger while she was asleep or unconscious.
To join their unit called for a certain level of strength and both men survived but they never showed themselves anymore. In all likelihood, they went to Fourth Tide or back to their freelancing. Of course, Ebony knew that there was a good chance they went to Tidal as one had their shoulders blasted off and the other lost his manhood. The healers here couldn’t regenerate body parts and he was not sure if anyone could help them with the exception of the Life Queen.
That particular building was still untouched as the ladies changed residence to another empty block.
Their group of about 30 or so people were a prideful bunch. There was some sort of unspoken hierarchy in place that Ebony would never have noticed in the past. In the past, he wouldn’t care or even notice if a person was prideful but he had to say that there were people that did not bode well with him. All the new faces were Grandmasters and amongst the old faces only Ayla, Hayec and a Dwarf called Tyrese were Masters. He never really talked to Tyrese before and it stayed that way. They weren’t on the bottom of the barrel in spars though, they could beat a handful of Grandmasters and were around the middle of the group.
Spars with Ayla had let him understand some differences between shadow and darkness magic as she used both. Shadow magic was more limited but she could conjure both shadow and darkness so some limitations disappear. Non-conjurers will have to use existing shadows or the absence of light to cast their spells. Darkness was more than just the absence of light, it had the natural ability to conceal or hinder most other senses. She used darkness magic against him more because the element had the natural ability to blind sight, mana sense and even a bit of his gravitational sense. Gravitational sense was likely interrupted because darkness mana actively robs all forms of sensation including his hearing and sense of smell.
If her darkness magic were any stronger, it could probably rob his sense of touch but that was just a guess. With Everlasting Tranquillity and Slumber Survival Instincts, his body can still evade and block her attacks. At first, he was always hit by shadow magic that cut through his repulsion membrane like air but his body started to ‘feel’ her attack patterns and dodge. He was still getting hit but it was reducing in frequency as they spar. This was only when his domain was down but his domain didn’t strengthen his senses by much, it increased his defence so that she couldn’t harm him no matter what she used. He also didn’t need to care about where she is as his entire domain was a range where his spell hits. She actually couldn’t do a thing once he cast his domain so it defeated the purpose of a spar and it would take far longer to get the resistances.
That aside, they didn’t wait for Kong Jing and started chowing down. A single scale of ice was formed in the shape of a mask and he cast Frigid Refraction on it, covering Ning Xin’s lips as she ate at the table. She actually didn’t really care much anymore but it wasn’t that inconvenient for him.
They didn’t really eat fast as they savoured the delectable mutton and soft flavourful peas. Kong Jing didn’t appear even after dinner and the nightly duels. It was late at night when Ning Xin called her again but there was no reply. She got worried but ultimately trusted that her cousin would be fine.
There were plenty of wild cats and dogs in the city. They were all scared away by the overflowing essence but they followed Ning Xin from the kitchen around due to the heavy scent of food on her. After a few weeks of prowling outside the camp, they finally got the courage to enter and play with the inhabitants. The cats weren’t as wary and cuddled up to people regardless of aura. A fat orange tabby took a liking to Ning Xin and rubbed itself on her, keeping her occupied.
Ebony listened to Mark's lecture about the practical applications of runes and how runes are studied. He wanted to learn how to create better runes, not just depend on skill efficiency. Only after the third hour during midnight did Kong Jing show herself.
“What took you so long, she was worried.”The others were all asleep so he brought out the meal they saved her.
“I investigated that giant gravestone. The ritual was a worthless piece of crap but the runes on that stone are impressively confusing. It took some time to memorise everything.” She started eating without delay. Knowing her, this was her first meal in days.
“What does that ritual do?” The Shield King acted weird so he was curious all this while.
“I’m not certain but it uses 600 lives to empower a single entity. I’m guessing the empowerment has to do with Physique, lifespan and maybe even Natural Potential. Mostly physique and lifespan, I don’t think these runes can help collate the Natural Potential of weaker creatures.”
“Why was he so nonchalant about us leaving at first?”
“Some horsecrap about fate. He got greedy. I had to toss 599 people in a bigger city.”
“I thought you’re not good at moving people.”
“Why’d you think I took so long?”
“I was expecting you to use the ritual for yourself.”
“Kahaha! You know me well, but who wants 600 trash to be part of themselves? Not me.”
There was no need for him to ask about the missing one, Democlus was probably dead by now.
“I’m sleepy, where’s Xin?”
Ebony pointed to the female dorm, the space mage can find the exact room by herself. He wasn’t in such a rush as to disrupt her sleep to ask some questions.
About an hour or two later, people started waking up to train. Ning Xin groggily went to the kitchen again. This camp’s kitchen didn’t have ingredients. Their daily training would start after their meals. He watched Mark do practice thrusts and swings but he couldn't bear to see it for long. As horrible as the technique was, he could tell that Mark’s movements were polished.
Ebony hopped in and kicked the spear at the area he felt was wobbly. He meant to show Mark the openings and help adjust his position but the man thought he was here for a spar. Since he didn’t say a word and he wasn’t really a spear user there was nothing he could say. Ning Xin would pick it up instantly so he forgot that she was the anomaly. He continued to kick Mark’s spear, hips and shoulders but the man didn’t learn or show noticeable improvements after an hour.
“Why don’t you be a fu-...so that’s what I’m missing. Keep going.” Ebony was about to ask Mark to be a full-time runic mage when he finally noticed the most obvious flaw of his. He drew Icicle out and tested his proficiency against Mark. They didn’t have any enhancements cast and just exchanged blows. Consciously forcing himself not to use footwork or preemptive evasions to see the true capabilities he had with a greatsword. It was horrendous.
He beat Mark but he wasn’t that proud of it. Spears beat swords in terms of range and flexibility, Icicle was longer than the average sword but it was still shorter than a spear. It’s said that it takes a far more skilled swordsman to beat a relatively average spearman but that was hard to say when an array of skills were at play. If Mark’s spearmanship wasn’t so terrible there was no way he could’ve won. He could see where the strikes were going long before it struck out and it was easy for him to place Icicle in advance.
Sheer battle instincts, footwork, prediction and position had been the methods that he used to close the gap against practically anyone. He was so good with those that he never really improved his technique. There was no reason to, he could rival the genius Swordswoman with a ‘clumsy’ greatsword technique. That wasn’t true for a long time, he had just depended on his domain to fend off her endless ferocious strikes or slow her down. It might work overall but it only made him forget about working on his weakest area. These days, he went back to kicking and punching with Sonic Intrusion and petals of fire. Icicle was used as a thrown projectile and bore the weight of his mana and spells.
Icicle changed quite a bit. Physically, its weight was at least 2 tons even when empty. It was useful as it contained more gravity mana but it was a negligible difference. As a reference, Ning Xin’s twin swords were around 30 kg each at best, their weight barely changing even though they consumed blood. Icicle repairs itself far faster than before, likely due to the nature of the mana it was consuming. As for the spirit, he couldn’t tell if it was growing or not. For one, the sword wasn’t moving by itself but it could conceal its runic glow when it was ‘asleep’. Its glow would pulse softly while resting and brighten when fighting. All without any input from Ebony.
Scorchie and Scorchy could ring, vibrate and even shake their entire body scabbard included. That was all they could do and they don’t move often so it would probably take far longer than he imagined.
They had plain pancakes with sugar for breakfast. Honey wasn’t available in large quantities. It was a weird combination for him. He had to introduce maple syrup at some point. It wasn’t as if there weren't any maple trees. There were also fruits but not everyone ate them so more for them. Personal stock of rations was rarely dipped into so they were usually hungry right after their conditioning.
“Ywahh!” Kong Jing came out yawning and summoned herself a portion of pancakes from the stacked boxes with pancakes in them. He sensed someone’s stacked pancakes getting shorter as the space mage’s plate got another pancake but no one else seemed to notice. The pancakes here were relatively thin so it wasn’t that obvious.
“Sister Jing, do you know how one can get the two-fifty Fortifications that they missed out from earlier evolutions?” He quickly asked before he forgot.