– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 216, Season of the Setting Sun, Day 31 –
“Well then, Terry.” Wallace spoke gravely. “Your friends and family have abandoned you in a strange forest with us. How are you feeling about that? Nervous? Anxious? Scared?”
Terry, who had been chatting with Emily, raised an eyebrow.
“None of the above?” suggested Terry.
“Come on, Dad,” groaned Emily. “What are you on about?”
“Just checking,” said Wallace and grinned. “The old hag said you’re a Guardian. Any dungeon work?”
“More than I would have liked, actually,” said Terry wryly. “Pretty much none of it was official though. Only the advanced level introduction with the Guardians. As far as unofficial dives go: one dungeon that had not been cleared by the Guardians and… a longer dive in a dungeon that was slightly different because it was overrun with ghouls.”
“Huh,” uttered Wallace. “Mhmh. Your aunt has already cued me in on the details of the latter one.”
Terry widened his eyes in surprise, but said nothing.
“The old lady may not show it much, but deep down, she is a worry-wart,” said Wallace. “She may not admit it, but I’m willing to bet she is more nervous about you going near a dungeon than she is about her own pioneering dive.”
Wallace paused and creased his brows. “Although that may not be saying much. I don’t believe her worrying extends to herself at all.”
“Anywho,” exclaimed Wallace. “In comparison, our scavenging dive should be tame. Dormant dungeons don’t have any interactive parts or sneaky traps and they only house a few mana corrupted – the kind without mana cores.”
“Makes sense when the ambient mana is still present,” muttered Terry.
“We generally stick to the upper floors where the residual mana is lower, so minor mana corrupted is the most we have to deal with,” continued Wallace.
“Dad?” started Emily with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
“Yes, my darling?” replied Wallace happily.
“How come it’s only ‘minor corrupted’ in the talk you have with Terry and ‘dangerous magical creatures’ in the speech you keep giving me?” Emily raised her eyebrows and leaned forward.
Wallace tilted his head and put a finger on his lips. “Hmmmm… Interesting question.”
Wallace leaned towards Terry, and first examined Terry’s left ear and then the right ear.
“I am pretty sure that Terry is not my daughter,” said Wallace pensively. “Not a hundred percent, but pretty sure.”
Emily pouted with narrowed eyes.
“I told you that you have to go through your adulthood ceremony first, which is right at the doorstep anyway,” said Wallace. “Increase your strength for that before worrying about pointless things.”
“I know,” said Emily sulkingly, before breaking out in a smile. “Just checking.”
“Terry is also older, and he has already trained as a Guardian,” said Wallace. “I mean, have you seen Terry’s mana signature? The kid could probably break me in half.”
Wallace turned to Terry. “Which, by the way, I would appreciate if you didn’t.”
Terry could not help but laugh.
Wallace turned back to Emily. “Besides, you want to become a druid and Guardian, anyway. Before you know it, dungeon scavenging will be boring.” Wallace’s expression froze while speaking. “Which is still as horrifying a thought as the first time I had it.”
“Enough about that. What have you two been up to here?” Wallace looked from one to the other.
“I was wondering why Emily chose to follow the druid path,” said Terry.
“I was secretly trying to get Terry to share some of the cookies that Auntie praised so exceedingly,” said Emily.
“Huh?” Terry blurted out. “You didn’t mention that.” He retrieved some of Bjorln’s home-made cookies.
“I believe that is part of the ‘secretly’ deal,” said Wallace and winked.
“I kind of forgot when we started talking about druidry,” said Emily with a flush of faint embarrassment. She received a cookie from Terry and beamed. “Thanks!”
As soon as Emily bit into the cookie, her eyes widened in pleasant surprise and then closed with delight.
“Now, that is a sight that warms a father’s heart,” said Wallace. He looked at Terry. “So Emily has told you about her great-grandmother?”
Terry nodded. “A grovekeeper from the Elusian Empire.”
“Before they retreated into the elven origin realm,” said Wallace while Emily was still savoring the cookie.
“Grandmother on her mother’s side,” pointed Walace out. “I have it on good authority that mine is a noble line of peasants, vagabonds, and cave bear food. High likelihood of mostly being the latter.”
Wallace looked at Emily. “And Emily has decided to break tradition in that noble lineage.” He shook his head with an exaggerated expression of disappointment.
“Would you prefer me to become cave bear food?” asked Emily challengingly.
“Good point,” acceded Wallace. “Although your particular choice of path, and therefore outpost, strongly undermines the point. Compared to whatever roams the Wasted Zone, a cave bear might be preferable.”
“Daad,” whined Emily.
“Yes, dear, I know,” grumbled Wallace. “Allow an old man his lamentations.” Wallace paused and drew back his lips. “And more importantly, make sure to not get eaten, no matter by what creature.”
“I’ll try my best,” said Emily. She grinned. “Since you have asked so nicely.”
“I count my blessings that I have been born with a very polite personality,” said Wallace drily.
Emily snorted while Terry shot Wallace a skeptical glance.
“Matteo told me a bit about you.” Terry spoke to Wallace.
“That little tattletale,” gasped Wallace. “I don’t owe anyone you know money, do I?”
“Uhh, no,” replied Terry hesitatingly. “He told me you can pick mana locks.”
“Don’t quote me on that in front of a censor, but yes,” said Wallace. “However, I would advise you to go for the aspecting topic first.” Wallace winked.
Terry’s eyes widened.
“Matteo’s blabbermouth goes both ways,” said Wallace and stuck out his tongue. “He seems fond of his little cousin and has already asked me to instruct you a bit.”
Terry smiled and felt grateful for his family once again.
“Let me put it this way,” said Wallace, and took a moment to ponder the right words. “Only an unaspected mana user can pick a mana lock without additional tools.”
Terry furrowed his brow, both because of the phrasing and the implications for learning the skill.
“And the tools are not that easy to come by out here,” said Wallace. “We don’t have any spares at the moment and I would not recommend you try to acquire them. Let’s just say asking the wrong party makes you seem suspicious to folks whose attention you don’t want.”
Terry noticed Emily squinting at him. Together with Wallace beating around the bush, Terry realized something.
“I have a major aspect-impairment,” said Terry to Emily. “Basically a single aspect.”
“Really?” exclaimed Emily in surprise. “I guess my mana sense is not as good as I thought…” Her voice turned quiet.
“You are not the only one that cannot detect that,” said Terry and chuckled. “The examiners at Arcana Academy weren’t either, and their mana sense is outstanding.”
Emily’s mouth was agape.
Before Emily could gather her thoughts, Terry turned to Wallace.
“You already knew, right?” asked Terry.
“Like I said,” said Wallace. “They’re all a bunch of worry-warts and tattletales. They gave me a rundown of things I should know when taking you out. Thanks for sharing it with Emily. I don’t like keeping secrets from her.”
“Aunt Sigille said you’re both family,” said Terry. “I trust her and therefore you.”
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“Aww, shucks.” Wallace pretended to be shy and waved his hand. “That grouchy dwarf and her flattering tongue.”
“Y-you’ve been to THE Arcana Academy?” exclaimed Emily, who had rediscovered her own tongue in her mouth.
“I think I’m the only dropout the Academy ever had,” replied Terry drily. “Barely lasted a cycle.”
“Could you show me a few exercises?” Emily became excited. “Or spellwork?”
“I dropped out without having learned a single spell,” said Terry. “But my problem mostly manifests in the priming stage. Foundational exercises, spellwork theory, and spell structures are something I can help with.”
Emily’s eyes were practically sparkling.
Wallace snickered. “Can’t wait for your apprenticeship to start with these?”
“Can’t hurt to start a bit earlier.” Emily scratched her cheek. “And perhaps it helps me make a good first impression on Instructor Dhruv.”
“I don’t believe you have ever made a bad first impression on anyone, but sure.” Wallace continued snickering. Then he turned to Terry. “I figure you mostly hang around your aunt while in Tiv?”
“Uhm, yes?” replied Terry. “Kind of. In the Libra Outpost, deep in the northeast’s Wasted Zone, in the Chara Settlement near the Bulwark, and Syn City in the Wastes.” He scrunched up his face. “Didn’t Aunt Sigille and Matteo mention that? Why the question?”
“Nothing too important,” said Wallace with an amused snort. “But you should perhaps read up on some of Tiv’s laws.”
Realization dawned on Terry.
“If you go offering spellwork lessons without authorization, you may find yourself in rather unpleasant accommodations with some disgruntled imperial censors,” said Wallace. “Don’t make the mistake of confusing the Wasted Zone with the rest of Tiv. Same goes for your experience when your aunt is around.”
Terry swallowed. “Noted.”
“Good, but also thank you,” said Wallace with warm eyes. “I appreciate you helping my little angel. So while we’re on the topic of giving lessons of questionable legality, I’ll be happy to demonstrate how to aspect items like a proper aspect archer.”
Terry beamed at him. “Great!”
“How about a little bet first, though?” Wallace wore a predatory grin.
“Dad, behave yourself,” said Emily with narrowed eyes. “I don’t think Terry requires your dungeon vultures hazing nonsense.”
Wallace gasped and displayed a hurt expression.
“What am I missing?” interjected Terry.
“They usually bet on who has to take over which chores,” said Emily. “Cleaning, cooking, and so forth. Basically, be careful that you don’t have to suddenly turn into the group’s butler because of some bad bets.”
“And here I was just trying to secure some more imported snacks for my beloved daughter.” Wallace shook his head in open disappointment. “The betrayal that a poor father has to suffer from his own cherished blood.”
Emily puckered her lips. “So you were going to bet on cookies instead of chores?”
“For my little darling, of course,” said Wallace. “I’m a grown man. I don’t need some greenhorn guest to cover my duties.”
“Uh-huh,” uttered Emily with skepticism. “That did not seem to stop you from making these bets in the past though.”
“Only out of principle,” insisted Wallace. “To make new members feel more at home and uhh… something like that.” He smirked. “Also, I don’t need a greenhorn. I can rely on Borf and his bad luck if I ever feel lazy.”
Emily giggled and turned to Terry. “Your call then. You have been warned.”
Terry observed Wallace with curiosity. “What kind of bet?”
“We were talking about picking mana locks and I’m sure you have some fancy protected storage items made in Arcana,” said Wallace. “If I retrieve an item, you owe me something delicious to feed to my famished offspring.”
Emily shook her head at the dramatization.
An idea entered Terry’s head.
“And what if you’re unable to retrieve an item?” asked Terry.
“I could offer a barely edible stew…” suggested Wallace tentatively. When Terry’s facial expression portrayed being less than tempted. “Or I’ll take over one of your chores.” He grinned challengingly.
Terry suppressed his desire to smirk and agreed.
First, Terry tested his dimensional bag in open mode against Wallace. He mostly wanted to see how close a pickpocket would have to be and how the mana flow when picking looks like.
Wallace casually sat next to Terry and worked quietly for half a minute before he managed to retrieve an item, despite the bag’s basic protection.
Terry took out a bottle of mana-imbued cold tea and some cookies.
Afterwards, Terry asked to bet double or nothing. This time, he tested his crafter’s pendant with its personalized mana lock.
While Terry chatted with Emily about spellwork, Wallace busied himself for more than an hour. The hour included lots of cursing from Wallace and repeated exchanges of his tools, but eventually, the dungeon scavenger was rewarded with success.
Terry took out a bunch of cream biscuits. Again, he asked to bet double or nothing.
Emily raised an eyebrow and puckered her lips.
“I appreciate your generosity,” said Wallace. “So what will it be this time?”
Terry quickly prepared his storage bracelets and skillfully moved items from his left bracelet to the other without the items manifesting outside. When he was done, he offered his left bracelet to Wallace.
“You sure?” asked Wallace. “This thing does not seem to have any lock as far as I can tell.”
“It’s a storage item made in Arcana and I want to see you retrieve the item inside,” said Terry while trying to maintain a blank expression.
“You could just gift us the snacks if you don’t want them, but who am I to argue?” muttered Wallace.
Shortly after, Wallace grimaced and looked incredulously at his hand. “What kind of…?” He raised his eyes to look at the deadpan Terry for a moment. Then he brought out a few more tools.
After ten minutes, Wallace stopped again and looked up. “I can sense that there are items in there. Throwing needles as far as I can tell.” He narrowed his eyes. “I can’t identify the slightest protection, but I can’t retrieve the items. Are you trying to play me with a broken storage dimension?”
Terry smiled innocently and held out his hand to receive the bracelet.
Wallace moved his eyes from Terry to the bracelet and back and then handed the item over.
Terry channeled his mana to reclaim the mana in the oscillating needle. When he had naturalized the mana sufficiently, he retrieved the needle in front of Wallace.
Wallace scrunched up his face. “What kind of vile wizardry is this?”
“Perhaps some form of karma?” Emily snickered. “Nice one, Terry.”
“Want to try again?” asked Terry with a barely suppressed grin.
“Nah,” grumbled Wallace before breaking out into a smile. “But I’m curious about what kind of protection this is? I would have thought that the bracelet was the cheapest of the bunch. Also, we need to find another bet. I’m still looking for some snacks here.”
“I was happy to share to begin with,” said Terry, and took out more baked goods and some chocolate.
“Appreciate it,” said Wallace and beamed when seeing his daughter reaching out to sample the food. “Although, I would have appreciated it even more if you had led with that.”
Terry shrugged. “I wanted to feel at home, too.” He smirked. “And I appreciate you freeing me up to focus on my training.”
“Little rascal.” Despite his grumbling, Wallace was grinning from ear to ear. “So, what’s with the bracelet?”
Terry explained, while making a mental note to document this application of oscillating mana in his notebook.
Maybe oscillating item containers…
***
“Over there.” Terry pointed absentmindedly.
“You sure?” asked a burly dungeon scavenger with a pickaxe in hand. He squinted at the wall.
Terry nodded and described the location of the mana cluster in his mana sense. “About half a meter inside.”
“Just give it a shot, Bigsby,” said Wallace.
Bigsby shrugged and swung his pickaxe.
After a dozen swings, the rest of the dungeon scavengers could sense it as well.
Bigsby poked his head into the small opening. “Woah, that’s a nice one!”
He hurriedly recovered the fist-sized mana crystal from the wall.
“Huh,” uttered a woman among the dungeon scavengers. She looked at Terry and then at Wallace. “Can we keep him? Please?”
“You can try, Dee, but don’t come to me for help if old grouchy gets angry at you for making her little disciple stray from the Guardian path,” said Wallace.
“Pity that,” grumbled a dwarven man from the scavengers. “Hey kid, if you are ever looking to be adopted, you can feel free to come to me.”
Dee snorted. “What kind of inheritance would you tempt him with, Borf? Your greasy bow or your fuzzy beard?”
Borf tilted his head. “I also have a sizable pin-up collection.”
Dee clicked her tongue. “Shame on me for forgetting that.”
“Hey!” exclaimed Wallace. “I already had dibs on that when you croak!”
Terry snorted.
Dee shrugged and looked at Borf. “Well, if it works, I’ll buy you a beer.”
“I’m not sure I can trust such promises with the nearest tavern being who knows where,” retorted Borf.
“Huh? When did you become so clever?” asked Dee. Then she looked at Wallace. “Where next?”
Wallace jerked his head around to Terry and raised his eyebrows.
Terry focused on his mana sense and pointed to the next location, where he sensed a dense cluster of mana. “This way.”
“You heard the scout,” said Wallace.
The group of dungeon scavengers moved without another moment of hesitation.
“Small unaspected mana corrupted around the corner,” warned Terry.
Two of the scavengers readied their bows and then coordinated to take care of it.
“I was wondering,” started Terry and looked at Wallace. “In the dungeons I’ve been in, there were reservoir rooms and other moving parts. Like moving wall constructs that moved according to the dungeon’s will. What happens to all of that when a dungeon goes dormant?”
“Most of the time, everything just opens up,” said Wallace. “Either that or a complete collapse of the area.”
“And how do you find the dormant dungeons?” asked Terry.
“Not that hard really.” Wallace shortly paused to check that all dungeon scavengers were still in their assigned positions for moving through the tunnels.
Downside of cloaking your mana, I guess, thought Terry. No overview of everyone’s location without visual confirmation.
“Even a dormant dungeon still carries a lot of ambient mana,” said Wallace. “Only that the dungeon does not control it anymore.”
Terry became aware that he had not noticed any feeling of mana suppression.
“Add to that the higher number of entrances,” continued Wallace.
“Wait, what?” Terry blurted out. “Why ‘higher’?”
“Like I said, either the area opens completely or collapses,” said Wallace. “All the entrances and exits have, of course, been there before. An active dungeon, however, practically never opens all entrances at once. You need to find one of the intended entrances. Others are probably kept as special exits for dungeon challenges or some such thing.
“All in all,” continued Wallace. “It can be a lot easier to discover a dormant dungeon than an active one. More mana leaking outside. More entrances to pick up on the scent.”
“So, how goes your aspecting?” asked Wallace. “Getting in some practice?” He glanced at Terry’s hand.
Terry was holding a throwing needle, and he was indeed applying the technique of the aspect archers. He looked at the throwing needle in his hand. He focused on his mana sight while reciting the basic idea in his head.
Don’t flood the item uniformly and weakly. Create a concentrated center instead. Have the center help you with holding the mana in place. Mana attracts mana.
Surround the item and then press the mana inwards. Hold the mana in the center and then add the next wave of mana.
The threshold for the central part will be reached more quickly and afterwards, it will accelerate the aspecting for the rest of the item.
“I’m still not reaching the mana intensity I want,” said Terry. “But I’ll practice.”
Should be useful for other things as well…
Terry recalled the benefits of wielding a higher mana intensity.
Compressing spellwork. Faster imprinting. Carving mana lines without tools. Damaging magic items. Overpowering the mana presence in magic items to force a spell…
The more Terry thought about it, the more he liked this new aspecting technique. While he had little opportunity to use his oscillating needles, the technique seemed to be a great exercise for achieving a higher mana intensity…
***