Chapter 19: Nutrition
“She’s a serpent Gorgon,” Lorcon whispered, his white knuckles and fingers still locked around his tray despite having sat down ten minutes ago.
“Half-Gorgon and half-snake,” Raimund corrected from where he sat, quietly observing the steam behind the now busy cafeteria line. “And just so you know, she has excellent hearing.”
“I’ve always heard that the Academy employed a broad range of Mystics—but a Gorgon?” Hestia murmured as she suspiciously prodded the pile of pink pasta in front of her.
“Chef Hiasa has been serving meals to the students and faculty of the Academy for over a century.” The ginger Disciple turned to administer a cautioning glance to the two elemental Initiates. “She is someone Archmage Lothaire brought into the Academy personally, so you should treat her with the same respect as the other Professors here. Is that understood?”
The three younger Initiates exchanged glances and nodded solemnly. A small contest of wills followed before Lorcon stepped forward to try the first bite of food from his tray.
Mercedes observed the brunette boy as his rather grim expression suddenly brightened, followed by a quick sampling of each dish he had selected from the cafeteria line.
“It’s—amazing!”
“But is it safe?” Hestia stressed while Dimitri clutched his necklace. The pale blond Initiate had not touched his new tray despite Raimund’s firm reminder that they were not allowed to waste a single bite of food.
“Come on, you heard the Disciple,” Lorcon retorted around a mouthful of unidentified nourishment. “Surely they would have gotten rid of the Gorgon if she poisoned a student.”
The auburn-haired female Initiate seemed to reflect on that momentarily before testing the salad. “Everything I've ever read on Gorgons suggests they're carnivores. I guess that explains the simple dressing.”
“Initiate Mercedes,” Raimund said as he stood and motioned for the albino to follow. “It looks like the Chef has finished preparing your meal.”
‘This should be interesting. I wonder what a half-snake hundred-year-old Gorgon would consider suitable for my stomach.’
“Whatever it is, accept it with gratitude,” the ginger Disciple added as he led the way to the end of the cafeteria line. The Mystics students, still in line, parted respectfully out of his way.
Despite her growing curiosity, Mercedes kept her gaze lowered as the same watchful presence from before prickled against her skin.
“Given how long you’ve gone without proper nutrition, I went for substance over taste,” Hiasa proclaimed as she pushed an object, covered with a plain white cloth, on a tray towards the waiting pair of Mystics. “I can offer different seasoning for flavor in the future if you wish, but—I suspect you’ll grow to appreciate its raw texture soon enough.”
“Thank you, Chef,” Raimund said as he reached for the tray.
“I made it for the student. It is hers to accept!”
“Of course. Initiate Mercedes—go ahead.”
The Sparrow furrowed her brow and stepped forward as the Disciple moved out of her way. Her pink eyes cautiously observed the long claws tapping impatiently on the counter behind the covered tray. Not wanting to hold up the line of waiting Mystics any longer, the albino grabbed the simple covering and pulled it aside to reveal a tall glass jar filled to the brim with what initially looked like cherries until the yolks inside each crimson egg twitched with some form of unidentified, unhatched spawn.
‘What the hell is this?’
“The first few might take some getting used to,” Hiasa explained, her voice thrumming slightly as if suppressing excitement or another form of curious emotion. “But they are worth the effort. Eat until you feel full, then store the rest in your ring for later. They won’t spoil or hatch while kept inside a magic storage. And while they may not look like much, the fertilized eggs of blood eels will go a long way to keeping your hunger in check.”
Mercedes barely stirred as she took in the crimson glass of twitching eggs. The silence that had fallen over the Mystics waiting in line transformed into questioning whispers. The Sparrow ignored them as she attempted to rationalize the unspoken disparity between what this Gorgon had offered her versus the food made for the other Mystics.
‘Just—why?’
A glance in the Disciple’s direction showed Raimund was just as perplexed—if not horrified—at the Chef’s proposed meal.
‘This has to be a joke.’ Mercedes scoffed as she draped the white fabric over the jar of fertilized eggs. ‘It wouldn’t be the first time I was singled out for “special” treatment.’ She relaxed her clenched jaw, firmly pushed the tray back towards the half-snake Chef, and muttered, “No thanks.”
Long, pale, clawed fingers caught the albino’s wrist with terrifying speed as the Gorgon leaned through the wall of steam to present the full visage of her face to the trapped Sparrow. “Foolish ingratitude,” Hiasa snickered, a serpent’s tongue flicking out mere inches from Mercedes’s nose before it coiled back behind her fanged smile. “Prideful ignorance.”
“I meant—no disrespect.”
“Lie to me all you wish, but do not lie to yourself.” The Sparrow’s gaze rose to find the blindfold she had glimpsed earlier. “I offer you the best substitute to aid in your growth.” Above the blindfold, a billowing Chef’s hat squirmed with coils of what looked like snakes. “You appear blissfully ignorant of the danger you present to those around you. How long do you imagine Master Nicodemus will keep you if that hunger compels you to feed on another student?”
“What?”
A low, rippling chuckle stirred behind the Gorgon’s sharp fangs as her serpentine voice whispered in the albino’s ears. “It takes a monster to know a monster, Bloodborne.”
Mercedes tensed, wishing she had just accepted the damn eggs, if only to shut this half-snake creature up.
“You will either learn to control your hunger or be controlled by it. But keep this in mind, Initiate. Should you present a danger to this Academy, I will eat you first.”
A long-dormant shiver of fear spiraled down the Sparrow’s spine as she finally, stubbornly, acknowledged the threat before her.
“Chef?” Raimund interjected worriedly. “Is everything all right?”
“That depends on your student,” Hiasa replied as she withdrew to the swirling steam of her domain. “Though I suspect she will make the right choice.”
“I apologize,” Mercedes said through clenched teeth. “It was my mistake. Thank you—for your generosity. Chef.”
“Always a pleasure to help young Mystics find the best nutrition to suit their needs,” the Gorgon responded, a venomous glint of victory saturating her words. “Bon Appetit, Initiate!”
The Sparrow grabbed the covered jar of fertilized blood eel eggs and retreated from the cafeteria line. The albino’s stomach churned with every step at the thought of swallowing even a single crimson orb. Her jaw stiffened with anger and humiliation at having met yet another monster she could not defeat.
“I was worried there,” Raimund murmured, following the silent Initiate back to their table. “She started speaking to you in the Eldritch Tongue, the language of sentient monsters.”
“Ha!” Mercedes laughed sharply as she froze in her tracks. ‘Of course, she did. And she realized that I was able to understand her…. Fuck!’
“What is that?” Lorcon inquired the moment the Sparrow and Disciple sat down.
“Let’s focus on our own meals, shall we? Lunchtime will be over soon,” Raimund cut in firmly as the albino set the jar of eggs on the empty chair beside her. “It—wouldn’t hurt to try them, Mercedes. Chef Hiasa is rarely wrong about these things—though I understand your reluctance,” he added when her enraged pink eyes turned in his direction.
“Maybe later. I’m not hungry right now.” That was a lie, but Mercedes would be damned if she downed a single egg in front of a hall full of Mystics all staring in her direction. “Can you please show me how to access the inventory function in this ring?”
“Easier said than done,” he replied with an apologetic smile. “But a promise is a promise. I’ll teach you when class is over for the day. Until then—would you like me to store those for you?”
“…Please do.”
image [https://www.royalroad.com/dist/img/ornaments/16.png]
The ginger Disciple and Initiates returned to find the classroom empty and took their seats. Mercedes took advantage of the small break after lunch to explore her Astra and examine the recently unlocked stats. She was caught off guard, if not a bit relieved, when the Astra System screen appeared without her glove being removed.
“While we wait for the Professor, does anyone have any questions related to your Astra Profile or Stats?” Raimund asked from the front of the class in a tone that appeared to impersonate his Master.
The Sparrow glanced over her profile again. For the most part, it made sense, especially after digesting her way through the primers. Her biggest concern was the [Karmic Balance], but that was something she still needed to read up on.
‘It wouldn’t be a good idea to draw any attention to my “debt?”.’
Which brought the albino’s gaze to the one stat she currently had a 0 in. “Umm, how many books do we need to read to unlock a stat in Mystic Knowledge?”
The Disciple and Initiates all focused on her with varying looks of pity.
“You should catch up on your reading,” Hestia commented with a nod towards the primers on the Sparrow’s desk. “Completing both [Pathways to Power] will unlock your first Mystic Knowledge point. And you need at least one point to unlock any Tier I spells.”
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‘Seriously? So you're barred from learning basic spells if you don’t read the right books?’
“So two primers get you your first skill point. What about after that?”
“Not just any two primers. It’s the contents of the books, not the quantity,” Raimund corrected.
“That makes sense,” Hestia said ruefully. “I read most of those primers months ago, along with a few other books on elemental synergy, and I’m still only at level 1 Mystic Knowledge.”
“Dimitri has already unlocked Tier II spells and two bonus WIS stats,” Lorcon commented, nodding to where the shy blond boy sat avidly reading from a book much thicker than any of the primers in front of the Sparrow. “That will give him an edge in our future evaluations.”
“The Academy Library has plenty of books that will aid in increasing your Mystic Knowledge,” the ginger Disciple interjected with a bemused smile. “If you want to level up faster, then I suggest reading across a broad range of topics. The books themselves should have a rating on the cover page. No rating means they’re likely to give you very little experience.” He straightened as a low hiss and dull clunk preceded the return of their Professor.
“Welcome back,” Nicodemus muttered, his furrowed brows and annoyed gaze shifting into his usual neutral expression as he strode between the Initiates’ desks towards the crackling hearth. “Let’s return to the topic of Primary Stats, shall we?”
Mercedes blinked as the Professor snapped his fingers, summoning a slender spinning diamond-shaped object she soon identified as a power core, though it barely resembled hers.
image [https://i0.wp.com/verawolfefantasywebnovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Initiate-Power-Cores.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1]
Initiate Mystic Power Core. Level 5. [VIT = 182, STA = 116, M.ENG = 400, S.ENG = 125]
“This is a replica of a level 5 Initiate Mystic Power Core,” Nicodemus explained, tapping each of the four points to reveal a corresponding stat. “What we see here are the numbers defining this power core’s strength and survivability based on their Primary Stats. Let us compare it to, say, a level 14 Novice Mystic Power Core.”
image [https://i0.wp.com/verawolfefantasywebnovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Novice-Power-Core.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1]
Novice Mystic Power Core. Level 14. [VIT = 323, STA = 197, M.ENG = 538, S.ENG = 181]
A second elongated diamond-shaped core appeared beside the first, larger in size with more defined growth points.
“The examples before us represent nothing more than standard passive growth gained over nine additional levels. Still, what observations can we make from this?”
Lorcon raised his hand. “A Mystic’s strongest stats are Magic Energy and Vitality.”
“Good. Any other observations?”
“Without active training, our Magic Energy doesn’t grow much?” Hestia answered next.
“True. But there is a limit to how much you can use your active training points. Can anyone explain what that limit is?”
Dimitri’s hand shot up. “We only receive a total of five active training points for our Primary stats as Initiates.”
“Correct. Once we’ve taught you how to train, you can earn up to five training points to be applied and divided between your Primary Stats. Now, based on these power cores, how would you recommend spending those five points? Initiate Mercedes?”
The Sparrow blinked and straightened awkwardly as she studied the two power cores. “I suppose—that would depend—but probably—Vitality and Magic Energy?”
“You don’t sound sure,” Nicodemus observed in a flat tone. “What say the rest of you?”
“Since we’re still Initiates, I would suggest dividing it equally, placing the extra point in Magic Energy,” Hestia said hesitantly as the Professor's gaze stopped on her next. “Each Primary Stat is important, so a good balance would provide the most benefits.”
“That sounds like a sensibly safe approach. But what if this was your power core?” A third, rather awkward-looking shape appeared. “This is an example of a level 19 Mystic Power core—and yes, Lorcon, it does belong to a student in this class.”
image [https://i0.wp.com/verawolfefantasywebnovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Soul-Reaver-Power-Core.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1]
Soul Reaver Power Core. Level 19. [VIT = 468, STA = 275, M.ENG = 735, S.ENG = 434]
The brunette lowered his hand sheepishly. “A Soul Reaver’s core is different since they receive a racial benefit that increases the growth of their Spiritual Energy.”
“Correct. But aside from their Spiritual Energy stat, the rest of their passive growth is comparable to that of a standard Mystic,” Nicodemus said with an affirming nod before snapping his fingers yet again. “Then what do you make of this power core?”
image [https://i0.wp.com/verawolfefantasywebnovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bloodborne-Power-Core.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1]
Bloodborne Power Core. Level 6. [VIT = 309, STA = 121, M.ENG = 409, S.ENG = 127]
“That’s strange,” Lorcon murmured, his hazel-gray eyes narrowing, “The Spiritual Energy, Magic Energy, and Stamina are comparable to the level 5 Initiate, but the Vitality is almost doubled—oh.”
“If it helps, this core belongs to a level 6 Mystic,” the Professor supplied, nudging the newest core towards the first one he had summoned.
“While it may appear more balanced,” Hestia observed with a cynical scoff. “It’s obvious this Mystic dumped their five active training points into Vitality.”
“Actually, this anomaly is the result of a racial passive, much like that of the Soul Reaver,” Nicodemus corrected.
“Then they have a rather unfair advantage.”
Mercedes hid a smirk beneath her fingers as she lowered her gaze. The last power core was a replica of her own. It was interesting to see that her hybrid nature might provide her with an edge against the other Mystics.
‘Still, I’m unsure how I compare to a Soul Reaver. We're far from equally matched based on the passive level difference alone.’
“Returning to the original question of which stats your active training points would best be suited towards,” Nicodemus continued as he lined up the power cores neatly. “Allow me to put the following scenario before you. Let’s say you are a level 14 Novice Mystic leveling in one of the Academy dungeons. You find yourself surrounded by the dungeon’s monsters—but you’ve run out of magic energy. What do you do?”
“Withdraw and find a safe place to recover your magic energy,” Hestia replied when the Professor’s finger pointed in her direction.
“You’re surrounded, Novice Hestia. You can’t disengage from combat, and you’re alone. Any other suggestions?”
The auburn-haired Mystic shook her head before whispering, “Why would I be alone?”
“Wouldn’t a Magic Energy Potion suffice?” Lorcon suggested.
“Normally, yes. Unfortunately, you’ve already used one earlier while fighting,” Nicodemus responded without missing a beat. “Drinking a second one too soon will do more harm than good, so—any other suggestions?”
Mercedes watched as her classmates exchanged confused glances before raising her hand. “Why not use a weapon?”
The elemental Initiates laughed in response.
“You can’t just pick up a sword and take down a dungeon monster like some Warlord or Shadowstriker,” the brunette Initiate said with a shake of his head.
“Agreed,” Hestia murmured. “If we can’t force our way to a safe point, teleporting out of the dungeon would be our best option.”
“Except most dungeons have a magical barrier that prevents Mystics from exiting until you reach the safe zone at the end or return to the beginning,” Nicodemus interjected with a faint smirk.
“Oh, right….”
“Then I guess we’re dead,” Lorcon muttered as he slumped against his chair. “We can’t escape. We’re out of magic energy—I still think drinking another potion would be better than nothing, even with the negative side effects.”
‘Do Mystics rely on magic for everything?’
“If a sword won’t work, why not use a gun?” Mercedes suggested.
“Because a precision ranged weapon would be useless in the hands of a Mystic!” The brunette boy explained, sounding faintly annoyed as he turned to face the Sparrow. “The monsters in the Mystic Realm dungeons aren’t the same as the beasts from your old world. Their hide is comparable to armor. Their Vitality makes them even harder to kill.”
“Wait, are you saying a Mystic can’t use a rifle?”
“I’m saying it's not a matter of being able to aim and pull a trigger. You wouldn’t have the benefits of Dexterity and Precision-based stats that would amplify the damage a rifle’s ammunition would inflict. At best, you might be able to blind your target, assuming they only have two eyes, but against a group of dungeon monsters—you’d get ripped apart before you manage to kill even one of them.”
“Well, in your case, things might be different,” Hestia interjected with a faint shrug. “Dhampirs are stronger than Mystics because of their mixed stats. They rely on their supernatural Strength and Dexterity rather than magic—”
“I’m not a dhampir,” Mercedes reminded her.
“Then, assuming you don’t have any of those Secondary Stats, a gun would be of little use to you.”
The Sparrow scoffed in disbelief, rubbing her throat as she attempted to soothe the itching hunger growing beneath her irritation. “So, you’re saying that if I put a gun to your head right now—it wouldn’t do a damn thing?”
“What?”
“Hey, easy now,” Lorcon interjected.
“Guns don’t belong in the Mystic Realms,” Dimitri spoke softly from his chair without looking in their direction. “The ones you used in the Mundane world wouldn’t compare to a single basic Tier I magic spell.”
“I’d still rather have one if I’m stuck in a dungeon without any magic energy to cast a spell,” Mercedes retorted quickly.
“I think the point the Professor was leading us toward is that there are alternative substitutes for magic energy already at our disposal,” the blond boy explained with a hint of resignation. “Take Novice Taran, for example. His discipline relies on spiritual energy as much as it does magic energy, sometimes even more.”
“Initiate Dimitri is correct,” Nicodemus acknowledged from where he now stood, leaning against the hearth, observing their little debate. “Soul Reavers cultivate their spiritual energy to power the spirit spells unique to their discipline. The Vrặjitoare do the same with their vitality, sacrificing and manipulating either the life essence in their blood or that of their enemies to fuel powerful spells. And then, of course, you have Necromancers, who fuel their dark magic with the power of death itself.”
“But those options aren’t available to us,” Hestia responded, looking ill at ease with the direction their discussion had taken. “Blood magic has been outlawed since the Celestial Covenant sealed the Blood Realms. And Necromancy is just as taboo as Demonology in most of the Mystic Realms.”
“Blood Magic still exists outside the Blood Realms, Initiate,” Nicodemus corrected. “And it's not outlawed as much as it is discouraged.”
“For good reason!”
The Professor chuckled as he straightened and moved to stand in front of Hestia’s desk. “Let’s take the scenario I’ve already given you, Initiate. If you had the choice to substitute vitality for magic energy, would you use it?”
“Of course not!”
“Even if doing so would save your life?”
The female Initiate hesitated and then looked away.
“It’s not that simple,” Lorcon said. “Most disciplines require some form of magic energy to perform a spell. Some rituals might allow certain substitutions, but discipline-locked magic spells do not. In the scenario you gave us, substituting vitality for magic energy would be the obvious choice for a Vrặjitoare or a Vampire since their discipline and genetics are different from our own. But for most Mystics, the sacrifice we’d be required to make to use our vitality to power a spell would far outweigh any damage we could hope to accomplish with it.”
The Sparrow stilled as a sudden revelation settled over her, quieting the annoying burning ache at the back of her throat. ‘Of course. I can’t believe I overlooked such an obvious answer. I don’t need to learn how to channel magic energy when my blood, my Vitality, can act as an equivalent substitute.’
Mercedes leaned forward, pressing her chin against her overlapping hands, which were already trembling in anticipation. ‘If I have traces of Vrặjitoare in my DNA, then it makes sense that I would inherit some of their blood magic abilities. That’s why my foster father was able to use my blood to activate the spells he found in those old grimoires. That’s why I could use blood to power a summoning circle to bring Vortexus into my old world.’
The Sparrow’s pink eyes settled upon the emerald ring worn on her right hand as the continued debate between Hestia and Lorcon droned on in the background.
‘If my theory is correct. A single drop of my blood would probably be more than enough to open the storage space in my ring, activate the utility spells from my uniform, and access the Nexus teleportation system.’
“I think that’s enough for now.”
Mercedes’s gaze snapped up as her wandering thoughts returned to the quiet classroom around her.
“For most of you, using vitality as a substitute would do little to improve your chances of survival,” Nicodemus continued, his clinical gaze focused on the albino at the back of the class. “So, consider applying those active training points to your magic energy and stamina. Both will go a long way toward increasing your power core’s capacity to stay alive longer. Now, that’s enough discussion on Primary Stats for the first day. Take a small break to review [Pathways to Power II], and we’ll cover Secondary Stats along with your Specialized and Social Attribute stats upon your return.”