Chapter 15: Dhampir

[Lesson Four: Spiritual Energy]

Spiritual Energy (S.ENG) is the final Primary Stat which plays a unique and pivotal role in how Mystics interact with the Mystic Realms. The following are some basic ways Spiritual Power can impact a Mystic.

* Communication with Higher Beings:

* Spiritual Energy enables Mystics to establish a connection to other transcended beings, such as Titans and Primordial Beings. This ability allows the Mystic to open a channel of communication that grants them access to knowledge, guidance, and even assistance in the form of Patronage from these higher beings.

* The strength of a Mystic’s Spiritual Power determines the clarity, duration, and parameters of their communication with such entities.

* Access to the Mystic Emporium:

* Spiritual Energy is key to unlocking the many treasures of the Mystic Emporium, which is accessible in Twelve out of the Thirteen Realms.

* Due to the Arcane Mundane Separation Edict, which prevents transporting magic items and weapons from the Mystic Realms into the Mundane Realm and vise versa, the Mundane Realms are the only domain in which Mystics cannot access this store.

* The level and amount of Spiritual Power a Mystic possesses determines the quality and availability of items offered in the Mystic Emporium. The number of tethers to Titans and Primordial beings also determines the number of tabs unlocked in the store, each with its own unique items.

* It should be noted that all realm and deity-specific items may only be purchased with magic crystals assigned to that realm or deity. Finally, a small donation of Spiritual Energy is also required when making a purchase from the Mystic Emporium.

‘The more I learn about this Mystic Shop, the more I can’t wait to see what it has to offer. More importantly, will there be a tab of special items specific to Nyxus and the Void Realm?’

Mercedes tapped a finger against the corner of the primer as she pondered how much authority an imprisoned Primordial still had in this realm. She shook her head and returned to her assigned reading.

* Spiritual Meditation and Energy Replenishment:

* Spiritual Attunement enhances a Mystic’s ability to replenish their energy reserves and strengthen their Spiritual Power Core by actively training the skill [Spiritual Meditation], which allows for faster energy regeneration compared to passive regeneration controlled by the Primary Stamina stat.

* By tapping into their Spiritual Connection to the Primordial Realm, Mystics can replenish their Vitality, Stamina, and Spiritual Energy at an accelerated rate, allowing them to recover more swiftly between battles.

‘There are a variety of ways to recover these important resources both passively and actively. It makes me wonder how necessary Serenitus’s Priestesses will end up being.’ The Sparrow frowned as she contemplated what Disciple Raimund had said about the class tackling the first tutorial dungeon as a group. ‘Hmm. As far as I can tell, none of my classmates look like healers, so maybe they aren’t as necessary in the realms.’

* Spirit-Based Magic Spells:

* Mystics Disciples who follow the Spiritual Path of the Primordial Luminarex’s Spirit Magic (otherwise known as Soul Reavers) utilize their Spiritual Energy instead of Magic Energy to cast spirit-based magic spells. A higher Spiritual Energy stat enhances the Mystic’s Spiritual Power, providing them greater resistance against dark magic and spiritual attacks and ensuring the integrity and well-being of their power core.

* All Mystics are encouraged to train the Spiritual Energy stat religiously as it will strengthen their ability to communicate with the Primordial rulers of the Thirteen Realms, obtain beneficial gear and knowledge from the Mystic Emporium, as well as offer protection against the corrupting taint carried by the Abyssal Dominion Alliance.

[Here ends Lesson Four. Do you wish to continue?]

‘Taint?’ Mercedes’s pale brows furrowed while her lips twisted into a cynical smile. ‘So much for being unbiased. I wonder who wrote this?’ The Sparrow flipped back to the primer's first page, which she had initially skipped, and waited for [Quest Insight] to offer a complete translation.

[Pathways to Power I: Understanding Basic Primary Stats. Written by Archmage Lothaire, follower of Titan Astralindar and Titan Magmarus, Disciple of Arcantheon, Primordial of the Arcane Realm, translated and published during his days as a Disciple of the Arcanum Mystic Academy.]

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Disciple Noah kept his hood pulled low as he followed his Master through the murmuring crowd of Mystics gathered at the edge of Arcanum Haven’s Central Marketplace in the late morning hours. His keen senses picked up the scent of blood and death long before Master Wendel stopped and spoke to the City Inspector, who had summoned them.

“Salute, Inspector Bruno.”

“Wendel, you made it,” the official greeted as he stepped towards them, motioning for the city Sentinels to move back the growing crowd. “Wasn’t sure my messenger would reach you before you left the city.”

“Fortunately for you, my Disciple is a late riser,” Wendel retorted with only a hint of admonishment as he stepped towards one of the city’s many Arcane Garbage Disintegrators. “That and my curiosity at being summoned by the brother of Grandmaster Iskander.” He tapped the blood-stained lid with a long black fingernail before his violet eyes returned to the Inspector. “Aren’t these emptied nightly?”

“Yes. Between that and the condition of the bodies, it’s clear they were attacked well after sundown.” Bruno's gaze shifted from the Master Dhampir to the crowd being ushered back by his Sentinels. “I appreciate you doing me this favor, Wendel. I thought I should get your expert opinion before I disposed of the remains, just in case we’re looking at another vampire attack.”

“Of course,” Wendel responded with a cold smile that was neither reassuring nor threatening. “Then—may I?” He tapped the lid once more, and the Inspector offered a simple nod of confirmation. With a flick of his finger, the Master Dhampir snapped the garbage bin lid open. The heavy metal clanged loudly against the building behind it, startling a few of the Mystic Sentinels around them.

Disciple Noah moved closer as his Master cast [Levitation] on them both, allowing them a better vantage point to examine the three bodies stuffed inside the Arcane Garbage Disintegrator.

“Any observations?” Wendel prompted as he folded his arms.

The young Dhampir squared his shoulders with reluctance before inhaling the acidic, putrid scent wafting up from the overfilled bin as he activated [Hematic Insight].

[Racial Passive Ability–Hematic Insight] A passive skill that enables vampires and dhampirs to identify and track their targets through the analysis of blood. This ability allows the caster to discern the unique characteristics of blood through taste and smell to determine specific information about their target, such as race, health status, emotional state, exposure to substance or disease, magical affinity, and familial connections.

He grimaced as his passive ability hastily canceled out the smell of rotting vegetables, fruit, spoiled meat, waste, and all forms of non-mystic blood. The Disciple frowned when all the identified markers vanished. He realized his mistake and altered the skill’s parameters to include one overlooked anomaly.

“They’re Mundanes,” Noah muttered, irritation seeping through at the thought of his Master being summoned to deal with the deaths of such insignificant beings.

Wendel nodded and waved his hand, indicating that he expected far more than this.

The Disciple exhaled his frustration and refocused his heightened senses on the dead men, paying attention to the tattered but curious garments they wore as well as the condition of their frail bodies. The first victim’s face was completely caved in, the frontal and facial bones enmeshed in the gruesome remains of bloodied flesh. While still intact, the second man’s head had been twisted around 180 degrees. His vacant gaze and dislocated jaw now rested between his shoulder blades. The third and final victim was barely visible, buried beneath the other two, but the young Dhampir’s silver-blue eyes narrowed at the sight of two unique puncture wounds against the pale skin of the dead man’s neck.

“Vampire, Spawn, or Ghoul?” Wendel asked, not missing a moment of his Disciple’s careful deductions.

“There’s violence here,” Noah noted, pointing to the blood on the corner of the trash bin, which matched the damage to the first victim’s skull. “But not enough for a Ghoul. A Spawn would have fed off all three—It could be the work of a vampire.”

“Their palate is far too refined to dine on Mundanes.”

“Of course. If we were talking about a vampire from the Blood Queen’s Court, that would be true,” Noah conceded with a nod. “But no one can enter or leave the Blood Realms since the Accord of Arcane Restraint placed a blockade barrier around their realm, so—perhaps this vampire came from somewhere else?”

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“It is a possibility,” Wendel acknowledged, though his tone suggested that his Disciple’s response had missed the mark. “There’s one easy way to verify your theory.”

“Examine the bite mark for any evidence of Vampire Venom.”

“Correct.” The Master Dhampir arched a single pale brow as he turned to face his Disciple. “Be a good lad and fetch the body so we can put the Inspector’s mind at ease.”

‘Of course, he has me dumpster diving first thing in the morning.’

Noah quickly deactivated [Hematic Insight] and then leapt up to perch on the edge of the open bin. His Agility and Strength stats helped him to balance there as he leaned down, reaching past the first two corpses, and grabbed the shoulder of the bitten Mundane’s scrawny remains.

The crowd lurking beyond the restraining line of Sentinels uttered several startled cries of dismay and disgust as the young Dhampir dragged out the Mundane’s corpse. The Disciple ignored them as he laid the dead man on the ground, where he carefully tilted the corpse’s head to the side to examine the bite mark better.

“Is that really necessary?” Bruno snapped as he and Wendel circled the body to block the onlookers’ view.

“The bite marks are—shallow,” Noah continued as he pressed his fingers against the dead man’s throat. “Barely deep enough to puncture the carotid arteries. Judging by the placement, he was attacked from behind, possibly to avoid the blood splatter which—” The Disciple gestured to where a fair amount of blood had dried below and against the side of the garbage bin. “But these bruises here, the impressions look more like human teeth.”

“And?” The Dhampir Master pressed.

“They didn’t drain him either. That might account for your vampire palet theory,” Noah commented before conceding again. “But it’s—too sloppy to be a vampire attack.”

“Vampire, Spawn, or Ghoul, they would have left [Nosferatu Taint] in the wound,” Wendel said calmly, reminding the Disciple of their purpose here.

The young Dhampir nodded and knelt closer to examine the Mundane’s neck, eyes, and wrists, activating his [Hematic Insight] once more just to be sure. “The veins all appear normal. No sign of any Vampire Venom.”

“Correct.”

“But the bite marks,” Bruno protested as Master Dhampir stepped forward to pat his Disciple’s shoulder in approval.

“Modifications and physical alterations to one’s appearance are all the rage these days,” Wendel said with a dismissive shrug as Noah rose to his feet. “The good news is this isn’t a vampire attack. Now, should we leave the corpse here or?”

“Put him back with the rest,” the Inspector growled as he shook his head with an almost disappointed expression. “You’re right. This is good news. I won’t have to bother the Grandmaster or Archmage with this nonsense. Finding this eccentric would-be vampire shouldn’t be too difficult. They can’t be that strong if they’re targeting Mundanes. They’ll likely head to the relocation camps at the edge of the city next. My Sentinels will be on the lookout. Thank you for your assistance, Wendel. May Veridius watch over you on your journey.”

“Of course. I wish you good luck with your little hunt, Inspector Bruno,” Wendel replied with the same cold smile as his Disciple picked up the corpse and tossed it back into the Arcane Garbage Disintegrator.

Noah’s scowl faded when his Master cast [Refresh] over him, removing the lingering scent of blood, garbage, and waste from his garments and skin. While the Disciple could have easily done the same, he appreciated these rare moments when the elder Dhampir looked after him, almost like they were father and son rather than Master and Disciple.

The crowd of Mystics parted before the pair of dhampirs as they left the shadowed corner of the Market alley. The worried whispers and mutating gossip faded behind them as the duo returned to the Market's central square, which was already bustling with early morning shoppers and one or two Mystics from the Academy.

“Shall we head to the Teleportation Nexus, Master?” Noah suggested, eager to enter their next dungeon.

“Just a moment, Disciple,” Wendel retorted, his tone unusually grim. “The Inspector might have been satisfied with the results of your examination, but I’m still waiting for your final answer.”

“My answer?”

“What killed them?”

The young Dhampir came to a stop before he turned to meet his Master’s shrewd violet gaze. “Does it matter? Who even cares about three beggar Mundanes?”

“It is not a matter of morals or relevance but honesty, Disciple. You know the answer as well as I. You—are withholding something from me.”

Noah grimaced and lowered his gaze. “It—might just have been a coincidence.”

“I will be the judge of that, Disciple.”

The young Dhampir flinched beneath his Master’s warning tone before conceding. “I saw another young Dhampir at the Inn where I was staying. She appeared to be new to the Realms.”

Wendel nodded and stepped forward to place a hand on his Disciple’s shoulder. “And why would you keep this information from me?”

“I didn’t mean to. I was worried the Inspector might misunderstand—if she hasn’t learned to control her hunger, she can’t be blamed for something like this!”

“All the more reason we should find her then.”

Noah winced. Dhampir Masters rarely kept more than one Disciple. Most of them preferred to travel the realms without the burden of a fledgling half-breed getting in the way of their progress. In the rare instance that two disciples were taken under Master Dhampir’s tutelage, it was with the understanding that they would be competing against each other to remain at their Master’s side.

Wendle was no different. But his method of forcing his Disciples to compete against each other was far from merciful. The only way a Dhampir could leave their Master was by becoming a Master themselves, being defeated by another Disciple—or death.

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[Lesson Five: Mystical Knowledge]

Mystical Knowledge (MK) is a specialized Stat that rewards Mystics who recognize and value the pursuit of knowledge. MK can be actively trained by reading a magical book, scroll, or another form of recorded information recognized by the Mystic Knowledge System as containing viable mystical knowledge. This system is another means of actively training Wisdom (WIS), a Secondary stat. MK influences spellcasting dramatically and can impact a Mystic’s development in the following ways:

* Understanding Spells and Rituals:

* Mystical Knowledge (MK) directly affects a Mystic’s ability to understand and memorize spells and rituals. A higher MK Stat enables the Mystic to comprehend the nuances of spellcasting, including the correct pronunciation of incantations, precise gestures, and the use of specific components, symbols, hieroglyphs, and runes. This enhances the Mystic’s ability to use spells more effectively and with greater potency and precision.

* Unlocking Higher Tiers of Magic Spells:

* Mystical Knowledge (MK) allows Mystics to unlock higher tiers of magical abilities. A higher MK Stat enables the Mystic to comprehend and wield more advanced spells, expanding their magical repertoire and enhancing their combat capabilities.

* Spell Versatility:

* Mystical Knowledge (MK) allows the Mystic to transcend the limitations of specializing in only one branch or discipline of magic, granting them higher versatility and adaptability. A higher MK Stat enables the Mystic to seamlessly navigate and draw upon the diverse aspects of magic essence, combining different magical systems to create new and unique magical effects. This enhances the Mystic’s combat abilities, making them more proficient and well-rounded with a broad variety of magical techniques at their disposal.

* The creation of original and unique spells and the endless possibilities they present drive Mystics to seek new and lost knowledge throughout the Thirteen Realms. Some spells are so complex that they can only be understood and used by their creator, and it is this distinction that separates Grandmasters from mere Masters, earning them the respect and recognition of the Archmages and even the Titans themselves.

‘You got to be kidding me.’ Mercedes spat out the small section of pale white hair she had been chewing on to distract herself from the growing weight of mental exhaustion brought on by reading through the [Quest Insight] system. ‘So, if I want to become a Grandmaster, I not only have to read a shit ton of magic books just to obtain knowledge, but I also need to create an entirely new spell that only I can use?’

* Spell Synthesis:

* Magical Knowledge (MK) allows a Mystic to create new spells and techniques by combining two spells with High Synergy, expanding the range of their magical abilities.

* A higher MK Stat enables a Mystic to identify the underlying principles that govern the manipulation of magical essence energy, regardless of their specific specialization or discipline. The ability to combine different magical elements into new spells, techniques, and effects unique to that Mystic is called [Synthesis]. These rare Synthesizers may even choose to pass this knowledge and ability on to others, such as [Metal Synergy], created by Archmage Drago, and used by Master Artisans throughout the realms to create higher-tier gear.

* This ability enhances a Mystic’s creativity and adaptability, allowing them to ascend to the rank of Archmage, where they begin their final journey, unlocking the secrets of the Primordials and becoming an even more formidable and adaptable magic user.

‘Yeah. That sounds cool. It also sounds like something impossible for someone who can’t fucking read.’ The Sparrow dragged a hand down her face, then leaned against it as she turned her tired gaze to the final portion of the lesson.

* Understanding of Magical Interdependence:

* Mystical Knowledge (MK) allows a Mystic to see the connections and interdependence between different magic essences, spells, and disciplines. A higher MK Stat enables the Mystic to identify the underlying principles that govern the manipulation of magical energies, regardless of a specific discipline. This knowledge allows them to identify and exploit weaknesses in their opponent’s magic, providing the Mystic with a strategic advantage in combat and enhancing their overall effectiveness.

* Furthermore, although many claim this to be more legend than fact, it is said that with a high enough MK Stat, an Archmage can create their own unique magic essence, placing them at the same level of Mystical Knowledge as the Titans themselves and pushing Mystics that much closer to becoming a deity like the Primordials who rule these realms.

“Oh great, so reading can make you a fucking god.” Mercedes flipped the primer closed with an exasperated sigh, then dropped her throbbing temple down onto the cooling surface of her desk as she rubbed her grumbling stomach. “If nothing else, I suppose I could try eating books. They’re magic, right, so maybe that will work?”

[End of Lesson Five. Would you like to Continue?]