A somber tone filled the room. As it hung, trembling in the air, it gave way in an instant as hands danced across an ivory surface. Again and again fingers splayed and moved hitting white and black keys in a rhythmic pattern.
Music. Something as beautiful as it was haunting, and it was coming from Jordan. He could barely even believe it.
For the first time in his life, he was playing an instrument. A grand piano made of a rich, black wood that gave out melodies that could have blown away any synthesized sound he'd ever heard. A personal concert, and it was somehow his own making!
Yet, the most amazing part was the feeling it gave him. The pure joy of just being… good at something. He’d played video games as his only real hobby, but compared to how the piano and the notes felt now… he’d never been this good at anything. Not like this.
Never like this.
And now, even with contentment welling inside him, he dedicated his song to his past. A dirge for how much he’d wasted his potential. For all that he’d left behind.
The thought was nearly as somber as the melody he played, but he pushed it out of his mind as the rhythm beat along his heart. Playing the piano was as easy as breathing, though it hadn’t started that way.
At first, the daunting sheet filled with arcane scribbles—that he’d only peripherally recognized as musical notes—had frozen him stiff. But it had quickly grown to be a backdrop. He wasn’t even aware of the notes anymore as his entire body moved with excitement after activating [Masterful Performance Focus].
But like all things, the song eventually came to an end. With a final strike of the keys, a bittersweet chord faded out into the room.
After a beat of silence, Catella shot up clapping, nearly hitting the ceiling above with her enthusiasm. A more subdued clapping came from Mercia and the others nearby. But he knew they’d all enjoyed it just as much, as the Brat’s mother shined with a brilliant [Perfect Smile]—one Jordan couldn’t help but mirror.
His Savoir Faire instructor, as Mercia seemed to like to call her (Jordan just thought of her as his ‘Social’ studies teacher as his own personal joke) came in second for overall enthusiasm in the ovation, after Catella. She was a portly woman, tall and widely built with oddly dark, pinkish skin. Her bristly hair was brown, and her wide face was accented by her overly large nose and small tusks jutting from her mouth. A pair of normal looking hazel eyes sparkled with pride as she looked at him.
Apparently, as Jordan had learned, she was an Orc of all things. While the tusks had been a great indication, her manner of dress had thrown him off as she wore an elegant silk kimono, covered in flowery images. In the end, it was mostly that he found it odd that an Orc would be teaching him the ins and outs of social skills, really. He didn’t want to judge, but he’d just thought that Orcs would be better suited to fighting, but the woman was well spoken and patient. Better than him at any rate.
It also turned out, that Jordan had needed her patience—given his original attempts to play the piano had been an absolute disaster. While he’d made it through in the end and tapped into the Brat’s Performance ability, he did have a lingering guilt that his performance was… fake.
It really had felt like it was him playing, and he could almost remember years of training and practice at it. But he knew that wasn’t real, so… it hurt a little. Like taking credit for someone else’s efforts. He sighed, trying to shake the lingering killjoy feelings plaguing him
“That was very well done, Lady Aureliana,” his instructor said, “I’m pleased to see your Abilities haven’t waned. I really was sorry to see your lessons stop due to your illness.” She placed a hand on Jordan’s shoulder, and massaged it reassuringly.
Her overly close contact would have confused him before, given how sensitive people seemed to be about that in Ænerith, but Mercia had let him know prior to his first lesson that the Brat had been close with many of her instructors. Furthermore, Orcs just didn’t seem to think casual contact was an intimate gesture, at least nowhere near as much as other races did. Another cultural difference he’d have to learn with time, he figured.
“Thank you Miss Shel. I… really enjoyed this, actually.” Jordan blushed slightly as he scratched at a cheek, but Instructor Shel just laughed jovially as she brought him into a side hug. Her chins bobbled, and Jordan tried not to stare. Though he couldn’t help but note… she smelled ever so faintly of cabbages. Thankfully, it wasn’t the worst thing he’d smelled.
“Will Big Sis get to play everyday again?” Catella asked. Her question was shortly followed by a quick hop, skip, and a jump to Jordan’s free side where she cuddled up next to him on the piano bench.
Jordan paused, chewing on a lip as he thought of an answer, but Mercia spoke up first.
“Darling, your sister will have a lot of training and questing to do in the future. You’ll get to hear her play when she comes by, but it won’t be every day.”
Catella pouted. Seeing this, Jordan lightly elbowed her side. “Hey, you know you could learn to play too, you know. Then you can perform for me!” He flashed her a [Perfect Smile], sparing a brief glance to Catella’s Governess, Petronella, who gave him a grateful nod. The poor woman had been having a hell of a time getting Catella to focus anything outside of combat.
At first, it had confused Jordan that the tiny brat was getting away with being so rebellious, but he’d stopped judging everyone when he’d found the reason for her leeway. The Harlot, ever the reliable gossip, had told him that Catella was still waking up with nightmares of her sister dying; stuck, as it was, reliving the night she’d found Aureliana.
It was hard for anyone to want to push her right now given that.
I wonder if that’s something I can learn to help with later with Oneiromancy? Jordan pondered that before a tiny push at his side drew his attention back.
“Can… you show me how?” Catella asked quietly. Jordan nearly cried at the tiny look on her face.
“Always.” He said with another [Perfect Smile]. He hauled her on to his lap, and began to set her hands on the keys to play.
It was a new day, and he didn’t have all the time in the world that morning. But even if he could be training right now he… he’d be damned before he passed on an opportunity to help the little runt.
So he spent the next hour on the piano with an overly excited child. She wasn’t any good, of course, but… he did his best to teach her. And as he hugged Catella in the end before she excitedly ran off with an enthusiasm to prove she could study on her own, he knew it was worth it.
It would always be worth it.
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While Jordan’s day had unexpectedly begun with Performance training, he’d scheduled time with Kioko to form his specialization with Oneiromancy. Surprisingly, she’d insisted that Rahm would be the best one to visit in that regard.
At first Jordan had questioned why, and Kioko admitted that the Freyhells had the tools necessary to form specializations. Regardless, she pushed for them to visit the old man. Apparently, the most common method of forming specializations was with Mandalas, so it was a good opportunity to learn the basics of Ritualism.
It wasn’t the worst logic in the world, but Jordan also got the impression that Kioko might have just wanted to check in on her master. Jordan didn’t blame her, as he kind of missed the old codger, but he couldn’t help but notice that his Governess seemed to be in a bit of a mood that morning. Even her familiar trailed behind them looking irritable.
Still, it helped that this was good timing for Jordan. While he’d initially thought to head straight off towards the adventurer’s guild, he wasn’t sure how well his recruitment would go. At the moment, he only had money or some unknown fate power to find prospective members with. So, if he went there now, he’d have practically nothing to offer as an individual on the team. At very least, if he learned how to use the one specialization he had; he’d have something to contribute.
So the two of them headed further into the Estates. There were plenty of places in the miles of sprawling buildings and gardens that Jordan hadn’t seen, so it was… oddly surprising that he was caught off guard by Rahm’s home.
His Sofu, predictably, had his own personal building. Yet, it was in many ways, a microcosm of everything Jordan knew of the old man.
In short, it was utterly ridiculous.
Sitting on its lonesome, nestled against some of the gardens, was what could only be seen as a tiny, worn-down shack. Rusted tools and cracked cobblestone, with grass growing through it, surrounded the tiny building. It was, only what Jordan could assume, a gardener’s desperate attempt to make the area appear ‘rustic.’ Or at very least purposeful.
Wasting no time, the two of them walked up to the weather stained wooden door. Jordan was going to knock, but Kioko barged in instead. Seriously, does no one ever bother knocking? He glowered as he reluctantly followed.
Inside was a massive mansion, sprawling dozens of stories into the air with a stained glass window ceiling. Chandeliers lined the walls, set onto jutting, stone pillars that didn’t appear even remotely capable of holding their own weight. Dozens and dozens of banners spilled down beneath them, and the floor was a mosaic of tiled marble, painting a picture that was completely illegible from the ground.
Not that Jordan cared. He'd honestly have been surprised if he hadn't seen such a sight coming in.
As such, when he walked in, he didn’t spare a glance for the ostentatious decorations, furniture made of solid gemstones, or the floating stair steps that swept up to the next floors. He just followed Kioko as they walked down the main hall, clacking in their heels, as his Governess made a beeline for parts unknown.
Near the opposite end of the absurd ‘entry’ hall, Kioko kicked open an unassuming door. Rahm shot up immediately with a snort, having been sprawled out asleep in the middle of a modest study. Oddly, however, nearly all the bookshelves in the room were empty.
“Wha—what’s going on? Kiki?”
“Kioko.” The cat-woman corrected, and walked over to examine the old man. “It’s Sunday, June 7th, 1008 of the fifth age.” She said matter-of-factly.
Jordan cocked his head in confusion, but the message seemed to help Rahm focus. The old man nodded slowly, before snapping his fingers two times over.
“Ah, thank you. Thank you. Well, what do you two need? Kioko? Aury?” He looked between the two expectantly, his hair banging about noisily in the process. He was still sitting on the floor, but Jordan supposed he was happy enough to find his new Grandfather in a decent state.
“Your Granddaughter would like to gain her second Specialization and we’re hoping you can give her a lesson on Ritualism in the process.”
“Hmmm,” Rahm said, scratching at his bristly chin in thought. “Eh, that shouldn’t be too hard. Let’s go to one of the empty ritual chambers then, shall we?” He stood up, and began to walk out of the room. He paused next to Jordan, patting his head affectionately. While a part of Jordan wanted to retaliate at the embarrassing treatment, he instead grit his teeth. After a moment, he then gingerly took and held one of the old man’s hands.
Rahm looked taken aback, but his startlement quickly gave way to a warm smile that lightened his wrinkly features. Jordan felt that sometimes… it really was the smallest gestures that could have the greatest impact. He’d learned that from his new Grandfather, and the two of them walked hand and hand towards their next destination.
Plus, this way it would’ve been much more difficult for the old man to change his mind and run away. Jordan wasn’t disregarding that possibility—he knew what the Immortal was like after all.
It took several minutes—Rahm accidently walking into the wrong room multiple times—before they came into a mostly empty chamber. The walls were lined with shelves, only a few containing various tools or books. The far end was another stained glass window showing a beautiful picture of a forest.
“Alright, let’s see then. Where should we start…?” Rahm said, taking the measure of the chamber.
“Er, can we skip all existential dread?” Jordan said.
“Hmm, we can—wait, all of it?” Rahm looked aghast.
Jordan paled, having only been joking, and gaped like a fish. “You’re… kidding, right? Kioko?”
“Stop teasing her,” Kioko huffed, her familiar settling in a corner quietly. Rahm pouted before waving his hands at the two of them, and grumbled good naturedly as he collected a book and a small case sitting on a shelf nearby.
Thank God, Jordan thought. He’d been really worried he was about to have another Astral Potato moment.
“Fine, if we’re going to do this the boring way, then let’s start with the basics I suppose.” The old man’s sighs were so melodramatic they could’ve given the Brat’s mother a run for her money. Walking back towards the center of the room, Rahm ushered Jordan to join him. Kioko for her part, just picked at a few books before settling on one that seemed to catch her attention. A small beaker was on its front, but that was all Jordan noticed before turning his attention to his Sofu.
“Now, first and foremost. Ritualism is considered one of the Working Abilities, not an Occult Ability. Can you tell me why?”
Jordan froze up. He hadn’t been expecting a damn test! Still, he hadn’t been staying up late studying for nothing.
“Um, well, working abilities are all the abilities that make something. Usually one of the classifying reasons is whether what is made is permanent, or whatever, without the need of a skill to maintain it. Occult is just all the magical arts and stuff.”
Rahm nodded. “Good. That being said, do you know the relationship between Ritualism and Sorcery?”
Jordan grimaced, and had to shake his head.
“Not to worry,” Rahm said. “While each Occult Ability has its own way they approach magic, there still exists similarities between many Abilities. Take Enchantment and Invocation, for example. They each use the same Runic system, but they apply them completely differently. One is a Working Ability, the other Occult. And just like that, Ritualism and Sorcery are similar.”
“So they’re like two sides to the same coin, right?”
“Hah! That’s one way to put it.” Rahm chuckled loudly. Opening his case, he revealed an array of chalks, each one glowing slightly different colors. “Pay close attention, because even if the details change, a lot of this general knowledge will help you with Sorcery later.”
Jordan nodded, stepping back as the old man crouched down. Looking around while he smoothed at his dress, Jordan barely looked up in time to catch the small notebook Kioko tossed offhandedly at him. A moment later it was followed by a rather modern-looking pen and Jordan gave Kioko his thanks. Stepping back up to the old man, he hovered over his shoulder to take notes.
“At its base, Ritualism only really needs one Skill. Go ahead and check your Chasm, and let me know which one you think it is as I get started.”
Frowning as he scribbled out a few notes, Jordan then brought up his arm to look at his CSSM.
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Errant
Ritualism
Unformed
Unformed
More...
Analyze Mandala
Source: Ritualism Type: Instant Duration: Concentration Cost: 1 Ki
Prerequisite: None
Description: This is a basic technique for aspiring Ritualists, or those who frequently rely on their work. With this Skill you will be able to examine the functionality of a Mandala and its current state of readiness.
Mandala Identifying Inspection
Source: Ritualism Type: Instant Duration: Concentration Cost: 5 Ki
Prerequisite: Analyze Mandala
Description: This is a more advanced technique that will allow you to examine more than the mere functionality of a Mandala. With this Skill you will be able to identify the underlying features of a Mandala as well as the general purpose of the Ritual.
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Outer Mandala Formation: Ænerith
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 3 Ki
Prerequisite: None
Description: This is one of the core Skills required to create a Mandala. With the outer edges defined, your Mandala will be able to interact with the Prime Expanse's Material Realm of Ænerith.
Outer Mandala Formation: Shadow
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 6 Ki
Prerequisite: Outer Mandala Formation: Ænerith
Description: This is a more advanced version of the Outer Formation feature of a Mandala. With this Skill your Mandalas will be able to interact with the Prime Expanse's Realm of the Shadow—the native home of the Terrestrial Spirits.
Outer Mandala Formation: Umbral (FORBIDDEN)
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 10 Ki
Prerequisite: Unknown
Description: This Skill has been flagged as a Forbidden Skill. As such, this CSSM Device is not authorized to disclose information on its use and functionality.
Warning: Use of this Skill can result in interdimensional breaches and Incursions. Under no circumstances should this Outer Formation be utilized without express oversight and permission by the authorities. Violation of that requirement can lead to extreme repercussions.
Essence Flowing Filtration
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 4 Ki
Prerequisite: None
Description: One of the core features of a Mandala, this Skill allows the Ritualist to restrict or control various Essence types within their Mandala. Without this Skill, Essence flow cannot be regulated and the likelihood of a Backlash event is high.
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Errant
Ritualism
Unformed
Unformed
More...
Essence Flow: Symbolic representation
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 6 Ki
Prerequisite: Essence Flowing Filtration
Description: With this Skill a budding Ritualist may inscribe symbology into their Mandala to grant them additional Essence sources. Inscriptions will still require the proper tools and materials to create the desired Essence.
Mandala Scaling Practice
Source: Ritualism Type: Instant Duration: Concentration Cost: Varies
Prerequisite: None
Description: With this Skill a Ritualist may resize their Mandala from the standard practice base. Every stage larger or smaller (around 1/10th) will require a proportional expenditure of Ki (1 Ki, 3 Ki, 6 Ki, 10 Ki, etc). While this is considered a baseline Skill, it is advised that only serious or more advanced Ritualists experiment with variations on the standard practice. This is due to the inherent complexity of sustaining multiple Ritual Skills at the same time.
Mandala Foci Implementation
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 3 Ki
Prerequisite: None
Description: This is considered one of the core Skills required to form a Mandala. With this Skill a Ritualist will be able to create or implement one of the various Foci template options. Examples include (but are not limited to): Single, Targeted, Shared, and Multiple. Further Skills can allow for more advanced Foci variations, or specializations within certain designs.
Mandala Forming Imprint
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 1 Ki
Prerequisite: None
Description: This is considered the fundamental Skill to Ritualism. With this Skill you will be able to infuse Essence into the lines you draw, forming a Ritual. Please be advised that doing so without implementing basic features (Outer Edge, Essence Flow, and Foci) will lead to Backlash events.
Mandala Carving Practice
Source: Ritualism Type: Supplemental Duration: Concentration Cost: 2 Ki
Prerequisite: Mandala Forming Imprint
Description: By base, a Mandala is typically drawn on smooth surfaces with appropriate tools (such as chalk). You have decided to pursue more advanced mediums for your Mandalas. With this Skill you will be able to carve your Essence lines into rough surfaces such as wood or dirt, with the appropriate tools. Further Skills exist for both harder and softer mediums.
Principle of the Kalachakra Meditation
Source: Ritualism Type: Instant Duration: Concentration Cost: 6 Ki
Prerequisite: Outer Mandala Formation: Ænerith, Essence Flowing Filtration, and Mandala Forming Imprint
Description: By their nature, Mandalas flow instantaneously once activated. However, with this Skill you will be able to add a more advanced feature: Control over the timing of your Ritual's Essence flow. Use of the Kalachakra Meditation only allows basic timing features (such as delays and Essence speeds). More advanced Skills exist for more precise control features.
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Okay, I can rule out the first two. Those are just identifying powers. He scrolled forward and back, double checking a few of the ‘core’ skills before his expression turned dour. Letting out a pained sigh, he said, “I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s [Mandala Forming Imprint]. I mean, it pretty much says that in the description…” Jordan mumbled.
“Correct! Full marks!” The old man smiled as he gave one of his easily-doled out quad-thumbs. “With that Skill, a Ritualist can infuse Essence into the lines they draw. From there, they can attempt to implement any feature they can imagine or copy.”
The old man nodded sagely, but Jordan saw Kioko roll her eyes even as she ‘read’ quietly. Frowning, Jordan then lightly kicked at the old man’s side. “Nope, not buying it. What’s the catch?”
“Eh? Oh come on now, I wasn’t trying to trick you. I was pausing for dramatic effect!” Rahm looked pained under his customary sunglasses, making Jordan sigh.
“Apologies, Sofu.” Jordan said as he bowed, a bit exaggeratedly. “Can you please continue?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he dismissively waved, three times over. “so obviously as you can tell, the more features you put into your Formations, the more complex it becomes. As it gets harder because of that, you’re likely to make mistakes creating Flaws in the magic’s Pattern. That can cause issues as simple as the spells not functioning, all the way to a spell Backlash—which can be, and I’m being very serious here, deadly. If you like not being exploded, I recommend never setting off highly Flawed Formations.”
Jordan stared blankly at the old man, almost more confused than anything else that he would even insinuate that Jordan would be foolish enough to…
Jordan paused suddenly, and made a note. ‘Don’t set off obviously stupid rituals.’
Rahm smiled, appeased by Jordan’s diligence. “Good, now to counter the tendency for new Features to creep in and spike the difficulty of the ritual—”
Jordan snorted. “—I’m sorry, feature creep?”
“Huh? Yeah. Why—is that funny?” Rahm scratched at the back of his head with a banging sound, as he tried to parse Jordan’s joke.
“Ah, d-don’t mind it.” Jordan said—he only understood the programmer joke due to being a gamer.
“Alright,” Rahm said, huffing irritably at not getting Jordan’s joke. “So as you go along, you’ll be learning Skills that’ll help you implement various Features. Sometimes this will stop the rise of difficulty in your Formations, but sometimes it will only reduce it until you get even more specialized Skills. By base, to get a ritual to work without almost guaranteeing a Backlash you need three core Skills. What are they?”
Jordan finished his last note, and then nodded as he made a quick check on his Chasm. He’d noticed those skills first, so he only double-checked to get the names right.
“[Outer Mandala Formation: Ænerith], [Essence Flowing Filtration], and [Mandala Foci Implementation].”
“Good! With that first one, you establish the barrier of your Ritual, and define how it interacts with the world around you. That second lets you set the inside of your ritual and controls the functionality of it. And that last one more or less dictates the focus, or target of your magic.”
Rahm pointed at various parts of his drawing as he crawled forward, chalk nicking across the stone ground. Jordan blinked a few times, however, when he realized every brush of the old man’s hands was creating a multitude of smooth, thin lines on the floor. They carried the same dull white glow as the chalk his Sofu used, but he was clearly using something to accelerate his drawing speed.
Curiously, Jordan activated his two mandala analysis skills. He was quite pleased as they immediately helped him take in what his Sofu was teaching; highlighting in his mind the various parts and pieces of the Ritual.
Pushing over the book he’d set down next to him, Rahm showed Jordan the diagram he was working from.
“In our current case, we’re going to be implementing a Ritual involving a multifaceted single target foci. It’ll have about a dozen Symbols around the growth of self, identity awareness, thoughts, beliefs, and of course Oneiromancy. The outer edge is going to be set local, and we’ll need to make sure its factors contain long lasting sustainment with a Potency higher than your average Core Attribute score. Questions?”
Jordan stood there staring at Rahm. He then gently closed his notebook, and shuffled his items into one hand. With his free hand, he lightly judo chopped his Sofu’s bald scalp.
“So that’s a no then?” Rahm said.
Jordan hung his head with a sigh. This was going to take a while.
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Ritualism was… complicated.
While Rahm drew his Mandala quickly, he quizzed Jordan on various skills and sections of a Mandala. At first, Jordan had been frustrated at feeling like he was being quizzed on a subject he’d never signed off on. But just like the piano from earlier, he found that if he set himself to task and stopped trying to direct things himself… the Brat’s body would move all on its own to help him.
Which was weird, but convenient, Jordan felt. Between that, and his two analysis skills which let him trace, identify, and correct every section of the Mandala, he took to sketching lines like a duck to water. Though he quickly found it was like playing an annoying game of whack-a-mole as the old man kept deliberately leaving Flaws for Jordan to find and fix.
Still, while Jordan did his best to copy from the book’s diagrams while he helped, he knew that a ritual like this was far beyond his actual capability. Thankfully, one of the books Rahm gave him contained a dozen, more simple rituals better suited to his level.
While it wasn’t much, Jordan was fairly confident he could make simple traps or buffing zones now. And soon—he’d also have a new specialization! He wanted to be more excited about that, but he couldn’t really be.
“It’s not like it immediately helps me, after all.” Jordan muttered.
“What’s that?” Rahm prodded. After Jordan admitted his lack of enthusiasm, the old man laughed.
“No immediate benefit? What about all the free experience you’ll be getting!”
Jordan cocked an eyebrow. “Come again? Wait, no—you’re joking. Obviously.” Jordan’s quizzical look quickly devolved into a glare.
His Sofu raised his arms defensively. “Easy now Aury, no need for that! Kioko, I thought you were going to tell her all about the Leveling process?”
Jordan’s accusatory gaze shifted to Kioko, who shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unphased.
“You were having a hard time picking your Specialty, brat.” She said. “I figured if you knew getting a Specialization gave you a refund you’d have jumped on it immediately.”
“You’re…!” Jordan gulped. She’s goddamn right I would’ve. “I might not have.” He lied.
Kioko scoffed. “Sure, now keep in mind it won’t be the full difference. Base cost of all Traits is 10 Experience, and everything other than Skills have multiple phases of development. Specialized Abilities and their Skills have a base cost of 8, and that does apply on all phases. Think of it like a free Greater Affinity that stacks with any Affinity you already have.”
“Wait. So specializing really just gives you that for free?” Jordan stared at her suspiciously. “So I suppose there’s no hidden cost , weird drawbacks, or anything like that?”
“Aside from forever dictating your path as an Immoral by defining the very Class you’re attempting to form? No, not much I can think of.” Kioko mockingly scratched at her head.
Jordan face-palmed at the sass he was getting. Charlie’s tiny chuckling mewl from the side didn’t help either.
Finally, he decided to stop acting petulant and bowed his head in apology to his Governess. She accepted it, and their unspoken truce was signed.
“So then I’ll get, wait let me double check.” Bringing up his Chasm he ran through his Skills and double checked his listed investments. “Eight back? I’ve got six Skills and sixty-six percent on Oneiromancy itself. Is that right then?”
Kioko shook her head. "Your forgetting that base level of Oneiromancy you have. That'll be three more."
Jordan flushed breifly, but nodded in thanks.“Got it. Okay...so with my current two, I’ll be at thirteen total. If I get at least Tier One books, then the cost should be five per?” He was starting to get excited. This sounded like things were finally going his way!
“Yup, you got it. But unless you have anything planned, I’d recommend you grab the Oneiromancy draw Skill and then one or two spells of your choice.”
“Okay. Sounds good! This could… work. This is really doable! I still don’t know why you thought to keep this from me though. Even if I may have—and I’m not saying I would've—gone for it, it’s not like that’s a big deal, right?”
“That thinking right there is why.” She said. “Specializing isn’t as simple as just sitting down and doing it. You have to align with what you’re Specializing in, have something that draws you to it. If all you wanted was a quick power grab, you’d never get past Level One, if even that.”
Jordan raised an eyebrow skeptically, not entirely tracking what she was getting at, but turned away when Rahm cleared his throat next to him. When Jordan turned to face him, the old man gestured towards the foci in the center of ritual and had him sit down.
Moving off to the side with a creaking of his joints, Rahm said, “Think of it this way. If you just want it for power, then you won’t have much you believe in about it. And it’s your Belief that will give this strength later on, so focus on that as we begin. Focus on what about Oneiromancy you actually want. What you think you can do with it that will help define you as a Sorceress.”
Jordan suppressed his sigh at what he felt was pseudo-hippy advice, at best. Still, as the Mandala around him began to glow, he considered their words.
What… do I actually want to do with this? At first, he’d only resigned himself towards developing Oneiromancy because he thought it would be easiest to succeed with. He just wanted to beeline towards a Class so he could get into the Academy and get out of his arranged Marriage.
Then he felt even worse when he realized how all the magic and skills he was learning was going to rely on him being… creative. It was something he was sure anyone else would have loved. A versatile magic system that’s only limits were the time and effort you put into that? What wasn’t to love!
Except… he knew he wasn’t good at that kind of thing. His pessimism had been a weight, crushing him as he tried to make his decisions over the last few days. But now he felt something more.
Hope. Just earlier that day, he’d played a damn instrument of all things. Him! He’d never done… anything before. He’d been too afraid to fail, and he’d never applied himself. Wasted his whole life away.
But could he be better? His Governess had said he could develop his attributes and gain skills to be smarter. Could he learn to make this work?
Could he be… good at something?
He really wanted to feel that sense of accomplishment. To feel, for once in his life that he’d achieved something. Anything of note, really. Anything.
That’s what he wanted with Oneiromancy. To be more creative. To be more competent. But to also feel like he was more in control.
Even now, there were parts of his mind that felt… fuzzy. He couldn’t really look at them without his focus blurring out. But something felt off. He hoped this Specialization would also give him something to combat that. To just… understand what was going on, if nothing else.
And maybe to help a little girl who was having nightmares.
So he breathed deeply, and felt the Mandala at work. It was easy to focus on his Pattern right now, and Jordan was pretty sure that was due to an extra feature his Sofu had added that wasn’t in the diagram they’d copied. He appreciated it, because it really helped him clarify just why specializations were a big deal, and even why they were cheaper and easier to develop.
The various parts of his Pattern, the nodes and lines that made up and connected the Errant skills he’d developed, were slowly being brought inward. As they did, they interwove into the fundamental framework of his existence, becoming part of him in a way the generalized skills weren’t. The same way he’d taken to Ritualism just before, he started to get the same sense with Oneiromancy. A deeper connection that was like having a new limb, but one that felt as natural as though he’d been born with it.
It probably should have been disconcerting to him, but instead he felt only the rush of Essence flowing through him. A sense of mastery.
But the process did take over two hours, leaving him feeling drained at the end. Still, it didn’t diminish the sense of accomplishment. He was itching to head off into the city to pick out his first spell, but Kioko reminded him he had an appointment with the church. That annoying meeting with his ‘parole’ officer, so to speak.
Before that happened, however, Kioko let him know his mother wanted to speak with him.
For some reason, his Governess seemed really upset by that. And now, he had a bad feeling too.
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