"Evolving Artifacts are truly magnificent in their sheer potential. A sword, fine-tuned and augmented to slaughter the foes you find yourself most facing? Armor that learns how to better defends its wearer? They are items that, no matter how weak initially, will always rise above their mundane counterparts. The magic surrounding these Artifacts is clear for the world to see. It is simply indecipherable, incomprehensible. It is a paradox in magic, unable to exist yet persisting all the same."
"What about Evolving Buildings?"
"Ah. You are curious about the Buildings of Wonder. Have they piqued your interest, young scholar?"
-Excerpt from an interview with Houy Krink, Renowned Artificer
They walked beneath the boughs of old trees. The sunlight of a new day, shining through ancient canopies. A dark green figure walked along their branches, padded feet not making a single noise. Another figure, shimmering gold, and sky-blue flew energetically between the leaves, disturbing the trees that would otherwise be still.
It was a feeling from the forest and Luck could practically see the trees shift their attention to both Saga and Tric, amused. They seemed to brighten up the mood of the trees. Leaves rustling a little louder, branches swaying a little more.
Meanwhile, on the forest floor, Ace and Luck walked side by side. Luck smiled, noticing the effect of their antics up above.
"Seems they're getting along well." Ace remarked, watching Tric dart aimlessly between the trees in search of the shar. His gaze traced roots to leaves.
They both eyed Saga make his escape on a lower branch, hidden from view right above them. "That it does." Luck replied.
Unlike their companions, both men were content to take it slow. Luck simply enjoyed the forest in a wholesome and content way. He was in no rush, despite the interested and excited undercurrent that swept through his grove.
Likewise, Ace Vent was simply enjoying good company. Most times he was in the wilderness was with a purpose, one that normally involved mercenary work. It was a welcome change of pace.
After a few minutes, too soon in Luck's opinion, he called the two down from the canopy up above as they neared the center of the Grove. He could feel it. Tric flew down to Ace's shoulder, alighting upon him as gently as a feather. Saga landed beside Luck as soundless as one.
He walked forward, moving a bit of foliage out of the way. Even with the tips from Saga, walking in the forest, especially the underbrush was difficult. Luck nearly tripped forward, even as Ace made to support him.
Luck's hand found a nearby tree for support, rough whorls of wood under his palm. Thanking the tree, he looked up from the tangle of twigs and leaves.
He was never really one to shy under the stares of a crowd, and yet, for this, no one could really blame him.
Hundreds of animals must have been present, arranged in a semi-circle as if waiting to receive him. The surrounding trees were close together, creating an auditorium of sorts. In the shade of the trees, Luck felt many eyes upon him but not all.
The rest perked up as he came into view. He recognized two bunnies from Leah's temple, some of the animals from his earlier makeshift bed, even the strangely familiar deer-like creature he saw prance into the forest earlier.
And yet, that was only the beginning. There were larger animals, lumbering things that had the feeling of a bear, or tiger. Predators he realized. Many different types. But they too were just watching, from the front too, as to not disturb the herbivores behind them.
He noticed birds, some no larger than his hands. Others larger than Tric. But then, perched far above, in the high parts of the canopy that still held thick branches, he could see some that rivaled even his own size.
Bugs. They crawled on some of the branches uninhabited by the other animals. Insects flew about, some resting on the other animals without any apparent discomfort. Large centipedes, few in number wriggled about.
Amber eyes regarded the sight in awe.
Magnificent.
"Woah." Ace said, his voice little more than a whisper.
"Yeah." Luck agreed, his eyes not shy to wander. "Woah."
Wordlessly, Tric and Saga left them as well. They left together and took up their own spots at the end of the semi-circle.
Ace nudged him forward. "You might wanna get this show on the road, Lucky."
Luck silently cursed Ace but he walked out all the same, legs brushing against the long grass everpresent. The center of his Grove, he could sense the exact spot. The semi-circle of animals was centered around it, in fact. He looked up, not quite understanding. This particular crowd didn't seem the type to want a speech, and anything said would go over their heads unless it was in Drood.
The air here was different if that made any sense. Sharper. Crisp. Luck found himself breathing deeply, loose leaves falling from above gave him the look of someone belonging right where he was. A few animals shifted, interested in his movements.
Small animals peered at him, seemingly as one. Pack animals he realized, but so small. He wondered how they lived. There was intelligence in their eyes, a fur painted generic brown. He made eye contact with one of the smaller ones in the front. But the animal soon looked upwards, towards the leaves.
Falling, Luck realized, didn't quite describe the nature of the leaves' descent. They didn't twirl or spin as they fell. They fell like paper airplanes, slicing through the air, looping up and around. But there was a deeper beauty in one simple detail; they did it slowly. Oh so slowly, like they flew through smooth honey or sliced through the bluest water.
He watched one in particular. The small leaf was shaped like a rounded triangle but the sides had flaps that seemed to move on their own, reacting to the air and other leaves around it. And, Luck noticed a bright orange line on its back, he just barely caught sight of it as the leaf looped back upwards before spiraling downwards.
Distracted, Luck stopped walking. He couldn't know it, but his friend was just as entranced, through no other magic than nature sublime.
The bright orange line broke from the leaf much to Luck's interest. Soon though, his eyes were darting about, tracking all the other colors that parted from their own respective leaves. Absently he realized none of the leaves ever touched the ground.
His thoughts were interrupted as all the colors of the rainbow, like a marvelous and wonderful painting, spread their wings.
Butterflies.
That was the first word that popped into his mind, though the creatures he admired were nothing like them. They shimmered, like an illusion, or oil upon water. They twirled and danced, like the leaves previous. Silent, as if offering their beauty to only those with eyes to witness it. They flowed around the clearing, every animal stopped to stare. The flapping of their wings. a gentle wave through their bodies.
Suddenly, he was surrounded. He greeted them mentally, but even then they didn't speak. They danced. And like the leaves they rode, they did it slowly and gracefully. As if they controlled every aspect of their motion. Fluttering creatures no larger than a mouse, smaller even than the pack animals he spotted earlier. But together, their show seemed to engulf the grove. They had a presence and a showman such as Luck could deeply appreciate that.
They were beautiful.
The colors pulsed, but each individual kept their own shade, the illusion an effect of their changing positions. A beautifully choreographed, seemingly fluid motion that Luck couldn't help but admire.
The world he found himself in had a recurrent tendency to bring him pause. Luck took a page from Ace's book and cemented himself in the moment. No phone or camera to catch the sights, no pictures or videos.
Just two amber orbs and a very good memory.
He slipped his hands into his jacket pockets, the movement from their show bringing a slight breeze. He craned his neck upwards. He was in the center of it all. He began to walk, not really caring where he went, following any color that caught his fancy. They seemed to react, leading him in gentle circles, a happiness about them that Luck returned heartily. If this was his Greater Boon, he would be hard-pressed to complain. He didn't seek rewards, not for anything, but looking at the swirling colors of nature around him, he didn't particularly care this time.
He was there, suddenly.
The center of his grove didn't have anything on it, nor did it even seem special in any way. It was simply a patch of dirt, his feet crunching on fertile soil as he approached.
But he could feel something there. The same something he had been feeling since the earthquake.
Curious, he stepped on it, forgetting about the light show happening around him if for but a moment.
And as his foot fell, gentle roots came up to meet him as swift and sudden as a spear. They grew upwards and around Luck before wrapping him in their embrace. But it was not restricting. Comforting, rather.
Something primal in Luck's being shivered. A knowledge deep within his person, come to the surface. He was One with Nature and a Knight of Nature, a True Druid. Was he many people? It was customary for all occupying a Grove to be present for times of great change. He knew that now, but how? He suddenly knew much more about his Grove than what Evodim had initially told him. The names of the creatures here, the words came to him in Drood, some natural force driving it into his mind. It kept going, knowledge and nothing more, nothing invasive, no attached emotion, nothing to subvert his own will or intention. Forests grew in his memories, branches reached out and kept branching, leaves fell and grew anew. He watched with the patience of a tree.
The roots encasing him pulsed, a faint green tinge to them. The butterflies around him swirling upwards. He was in the eye of the storm. A noticeable wind picked up, whipping his hair back. The roots pulsed again.
Luck breathed sharply, nearly falling to his knees. The roots held him up.
The collective knowledge of all the Druids of Old, the very knowledge he was receiving telling him what it was.
The Groves were safe havens, unlocked by Druids of great power and distinction. They were not given, only earned. They were similar in function to Evodim in that they were tied to another space and allowed access from anywhere. But unlike his Evolving Room, they chose who to tie themselves to. They were not sentient but were a remnant of a powerful Nature magic cast eons ago. Sanctuaries of nature that opened to a very specific people; those who meant well for nature and could render aid. A unique phenomenon, the magic so old and advanced it persisted to this day. Whatever combination of spacial magic in Evodim was present in his grove as well.
This was his Greater Boon, he knew.
Luck looked up, eyes shining a peculiar green for but a moment.
The animals began to depart, in their own time. The flying colors around him nearly disappeared in an instant, barely visible lines of color flying into the canopy.
He noticed monkeys, no different from the ones at the zoo, swinging away. Not that Luck had ever been to the zoo aside for the occasional dealings with local smugglers. Now though, he did realize he always enjoyed watching the animals back then too. Freeing them had always crossed his mind but ultimately the job and logistics got in the way.
He had a lot of new information in his head. He assumed the Grove was something special, with some deep meaning attached to it. In some ways, it was. But it was just a magic that sought out individuals to assist nature, one very advanced. He guessed he really wasn't dutybound outside of things he would normally do anyway.
"Now that was something I've never seen." Ace smiled. "I take it something important happened?"
"I just got my Greater Boon." Luck replied with a smirk.
"I don't suppose..." Ace trailed off, his hands gesturing for him to elaborate.
Luck gave a pointed look to Tric. "Nope."
"Thought not." Ace replied tracking his friend' gaze. The former mercenary had the tact to at least seem rueful.
Ace left with Tric a few moments later, no doubt to practice magic, which left Saga with Luck. Soon though, the shar expressed a desire to go hunting, having just been introduced to all his food previously. Luck waved him away and the shar leaped agilely upon a branch, disappearing into the forest. Not a sound in his departure.
Too quickly Luck found himself alone, but it was not unwelcome. He had some time to think.
Spirit. He queried mentally. List any and all notable, interesting, or seemingly useful adaptations that were out of the ordinary and apparent on any of the animals previously gathered.
Affirmative. Came an immediate response. Visual input suggests enhanced physical capabilities among predator inhabitants. Previous inputs show the ability to regulate body temperature to a certain degree in some animals, specifically in herbivores. This suggests the capacity of a thermal sense in some predators. Additionally, surrounding insects demonstrate advanced hardened carapaces. The colorful flying creatures displayed mild Illusion magic, it would not be unlikely to find them tuned to that element of magic.
Interesting.
The memories of the past druids offered him a way to call all the animals to him but he didn't really know which of the animals had what he wanted, and he was content to let them about their business.
Instead, he walked, sensing for them through Earth magic rather than his sense of the grove. It didn't take long for him to find one of the centipedes, a large one burrowed deep underground.
Hello
Green friend. How may I help you?
I seek only conversation. Has your carapace served you well?
It has. Not much can get through my shell. It said, quite proudly.
That was enough for Luck. He felt for that connection between them, finding it without any real effort. Pulling hard on it, he drew out an aspect of the centipede and held it within himself.
Spirit observe. He commanded.
Affirmative.
Luck allowed the magic to wash over him. Instantly, his skin prickled as the magic ran out, an experience more odd than discomforting. He looked down at his arms and legs. His clothes were bulging. His jacket puffed out dangerously, as did his fitting black pants. He stripped and tried again, watching as the prickling feeling washed over him.
Chitin rose up from his skin, covering him like a wave across his body, and suddenly he wasn't naked anymore. Black and shiny, he tapped the piece on his arm with his covered hand. Hard too.
On their own accord, translucent lines of data sprang from the chitin. They connected to floating boxes that coalesced into his vision. Mass and density. Atomic structure. Resistance to heat and cold. Flexibility. Durability. Insulation and more. The boxes were quite edifying. Luck absorbed the data, filing away anything relevant.
Thanks, Spirit. The S.I. must have sensed Luck's curiosity for the material.
He could already see the uses in a combat situation, he'd be able to take hits he wouldn't normally be able to. If he ever did come across firearms in this world this would be invaluable. Armor that grew out of you? It would be perfect if he could employ it whenever he wanted and it might just be so given how he could hold the aspect within him. Maybe he could...?
A flash of sudden knowledge came from the collective knowledge of past druids.
Nature magic was tied so intrinsically with the groves that the interconnectedness so central to the magic worked on anything inside. He could pull on the aspects of any animal in his grove. A powerful detail to any who owned a Grove.
Luck blinked.
The possibilities turned in his mind. He had already planned to save as many animals and beings of nature that he could... but this? This presented a complete new incentive. Who knows how much this advantage might augment his Nature magic?
He bid the centipede goodbye and walked a ways away. Instead of using his earth sense he merely sensed for the centipede throughout his whole grove and coming upon it, he pulled once again. It came as easily as it did the first time.
He let go of the magic, only slightly aware of how odd he might seem standing half-naked in the forest. With any luck, Ace wouldn't choose right now to appear. He cringed at the thought.
As if in answer, a blast of thunder resounded across the grove. The man was on the far side, probably nearer to the area Luck would consider his dimensional room rather than his grove. He sighed.
"Guess not." Luck said, looking up at the shaking leaves around him.
He tried to recall the capabilities of the Mk3 but decided there was an easier way.
Spirit how much control does the Mk3 have over my magic? He queried.
The Mk3 is able to regulate and optimize mana flow and efficiency. Magical inputs and senses are available for the Mk3 to access by default as this can only prove beneficial for users should unknown magical signatures enter host periphery. Actual control of mana is a function that must be enabled by the host. This function is enabled by 17% of users with a gradual increase over time. Mana usage by the Mk3 is inefficient and must be learned through watching the user.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Luck thought that interesting, glancing at the chitin encasing him. A powerful boom of thunder resounded across the grove once again. Who wouldn't want an automated magic? Instant armor? Automatic lightning strikes? Perhaps it was a trust thing? He could understand such sentiments, people liked to feel in control. Additionally, it looked like Spirit would only ever be as good as him when it came to using his mana.
Activate it. Luck didn't care much, Spirit was useful.
Affirmative. Warning, the Mk3 is only capable of mapping magical processes intimately known by the user. Additionally, parameters and limitations may be set to account for how much mana the Mk3 has access to. Alternatively, magical processes can be learned by the Mk3 independently by allowing the development of personality and independent intelligence. Warning, this function allows the Mk3 to form its own opinions and motivation. This function is enabled by .043% of users, with a notable spike in those exceeding 537 years of age or more. Default mana allowed, 10% of your current pool set.
"Sorry Spirit, you're not getting a personality anytime soon." Luck shrugged, to which Spirit was silent.
Luck was fine with the default mana allowed for Spirit to meddle with. With the advance action function enabled he assumed this meant Spirit could intervene in fights should the need arise.
"Open up the changelog." Luck asked, focusing more on the intent than the actual words. He didn't really know the name of the thing.
Luckily, light blue script lit up his bottom left peripheral. Luck gazed at it with interest, he hadn't seen this since Spirit started talking. Still, the raw data was nice to see.
Scanning biological material... 100%
Chitin properties mapped...
Extreme hardness, flexibility, insulation, durability...
...
Effects being displayed...
...
...
Activating Magical Access...100%
Default Mana Pool allowed set, 10%...
....
More settings available...
Luck checked the settings, a small drop-down menu on his left peripheral in light blue listed all possible parameters within his control. It was a large list, and this only pertained to Spirit's access and usage of his mana, should he even allow it.
Scanning through, he made some small changes. Allowing Spirit to exceed the limit if Luck asked for a magical action that required more than 10%. He changed the '10% of current mana pool' to '10% of maximum mana pool' as he felt it was better that way. Apparently, the advance action option didn't bleed into this particular function, but the S.I. hadn't failed him yet, so he allowed magical action, the magical equivalent.
"Alright, let's see how much control over Earth magic you have." Luck ventured. "Can you make a chair?"
There was a pull on Luck's mana. He focused on the feeling and found it felt natural. As if he himself was implementing the magic, although without the mental strain.
He had a backseat view of his own magic. The overlay of potential across his body rippled as mana shot into the ground, following Spirit's intent.
The chair created left something to be desired though, but Luck didn't blame Spirit, he was just testing the access to his mana pool.
Releasing the chitin, Luck sat on the chair, molding it to his body as he sat.
"Alright Spirit, let's see if you can pull the aspect from that centipede through the grove." He said, crossing his arms lightly.
He waited for a bit, sensing for the tug on his mana. He looked at the changelog, still open.
Scanning Links...100%
...
...
Found! Grove Link, deep scan...97%
...
Found! Hard Chitin Centipede...
...
Drawing mana...
...
Casting aspect of nature...25%
...
Interference! Host mana redirected...
...
Casting aspect of nature...17%
...
...
Holding magic, continued...
Luck watched all this with interest, his amber eyes sparkling. Having his mana used by Spirit was odd. It was still his mana so he was semi-aware of it being manipulated, but the mental strain was nonexistent. It took the casting awhile since Luck interrupted purposely in order to determine if he could actually stop Spirit should the S.I. read a situation wrong. It was nice to know he was still in control.
Now, Spirit was holding instant armor, ready to activate. The ball of nature of magic was held close, invisible within himself. Luck knew spirit would activate it immediately if something dangerous happened. Feeling for his mana, it didn't seem there was a limit to what he could hold, aside from the mental acuity it would take.
Luck decided to see Spirit's take on the changes to him.
Diagnose my body, physical and magical. List all changes through Familiar Bond, Grove and Mk3. Anything of note since arriving is to be addressed. Magical affinities, changes to my body, activated S.I. functions, anything.
Affirmative.
Scanning... 2%
Referencing Biological Profile...
...
...
Scan Complete...
Qualitative changes in musculoskeletal structure...
Increased muscle density...
More efficient muscles...
Bone mass decreased...
Bone strength increased...
Update! All changes are moderate, changes still in effect...
...
New! Pliability of tendons and muscles altered...
Increased flexibility...
New! Optimal changes to ear and vestibular system...
Enhanced balance...
...
Active, continuous influence on body...
Changes enacted through Familiar Bond...
...
Exceptional Regeneration, trait...
Extreme body awareness of injury...
Extreme body awareness of healing...
...
...
Of note, Omnilingual, trait...
Knowledge of all languages...
...
Biological Profile and Changes displayed...
With a thought, the information sprang from the light blue script Luck was reading to a hologram only he could see. His hand went to his jaw as he regarded the miniature rendition of himself. It was easier to see everything at once this way, rather than having translucent lines stem from the parts of his actual body. He tapped on a line regarding muscle density. What opened was a diagram depicting parts of his muscles, with a before and after to see the changes. Currently, his muscle fibers per square inch was a far cry from what it once was. The fibers seemed to pack together, working perfectly. Similiar diagrams popped up for bone mass and bone strength. Tapping on the tendons of his miniature self-opened up a section regarding his flexibility. His muscles hadn't only become dense, they had lengthened too. Allowing joints to move further without being pulled on by taught muscles. The changes to his ear displayed a set of diagrams depicting the tubing in his ear. The before and after pictures were drastically different, but Luck couldn't follow the reasoning behind the factors that led to balance.
Extremely interesting, however, was the effects produced by Exceptional Regeneration. Spirit had thoroughly finished scanning its effects previously and had them cataloged per Luck's request. The melted flesh from his bout with the fire jorth was more than enough to fully understand the effects of both Exception Regeneration and Troll's Blood. Tapping on the line sprouting from his miniature that dealt with Exceptional Regeneration brought up a diagram as well. There were specialized and advanced cells in his body, some type of smart cell. They worked as some kind of control system, using limited amounts of chemicals to influence the parts of the body they were in. To some extent, they were beholden to Luck's subconscious, but for the most part, worked independently. There were a lot of them. It seemed they created a network between each other, reacting to and determining whether something was harmful or beneficial. Apparently, with the amount in Luck's body, they had already deduced that his blood, Troll's Blood, was beneficial and began to work around it. The sheer number of these advanced cells suggested that nearly any injury was recoverable so long as he wasn't killed instantly, and had the power to back the recovery. They brought material, nutrients, blood, anything and everything, wherever it was needed. Similarly, they could reduce bleeding and do damage control as well. They weren't sentient, but their processes were wildly adaptable.
Luck looked at his hand, tracing the lines with amber eyes. There was profound curiosity in his gaze, the intensity of the emotion one he would never normally allow to show. He knew his body had undergone changes and had taken it for granted. He chalked it up to 'magic'. But here Spirit was explaining in perfect scientific fashion the effect of these cells and how they functioned in his body.
Amazing to think there were biological and scientific wonders in Aerae as well.
Scanning...56%
Referencing Magical Profile...
...
Basic affinities: Earth, Nature, high affinity...
Advanced affinities: Time, unknown affinity...
...
Troll's Blood, magical trait...
Extreme passive magical healing...
Extreme vitality...
Weakness to fire...
...
...
Detected! Magical Links...
Dimensional Room...
Familiar Bond...
Grove...
...
Dimensional Room, scanning Link...49%
Initial magic tied to person...
Shared properties with personality of Host...
...
Detected! Regenerative properties, scanning...41%
Magical repairment capabilities, detected...
Analyzing...99%
...
...
ERROR... insufficient data, magic unknown...
Resuming regular scan...73%
...
Significant growth rates...
Time dilation, 3 hours to one outside...
...
Familiar Bond, scanning Link...57%
Symbiotic Link, beneficial to both parties...
Changes to Host already cataloged...
...
Scanning, Saga, Moonlight Shar...89%
Enhanced Intelligence....
Detected! Regeneration properties, analyzing...29%
....
Trace amounts of Troll's Blood, detected....
Enhanced physical subconscious awareness, detected...
Qualitative changed to physical regenerative properties, detected...
Changes displayed...
...
Apparently, Saga was a moonlight shar. There was really no reference for Luck aside from Saga's initial description. He knew the shar were a type of predatory cat, with their reaction times, intelligence and cunning far above their peers. But he wasn't privy to the fact there were different subspecies as well. Now, looking at a small diagram of Saga he wondered why he had so much detail regarding him simply by scanning one of his links. It seemed too convenient. Spirit chimed in as if listening to his thoughts.
The Mk3 has been in development for nearly half a century with vigorous testing into the magical field. The amount of knowledge and general information packed into the Mk3 is astounding in a world as wide and far-reaching as Aerae. Many volunteers with unique magical capabilities or simply a slew of basic magical effects are extremely eager to donate their time. Such volunteers are freely given their own Mk3 units generously by the company. Materials needed to create a Mk3 unit are expensive, rare, and extremely volatile when not constructed correctly. Previous versions have this same limitation but the Mk3 especially so. The wedding of magical and technological components allow extreme introspection of the magical capabilities of the host. While possible to achieve this understanding of your magic by yourself magic is often times an art rooted in emotion, the high majority of users are unable to discern their magical input. The Mk3 corrects this. Again, Spirit's voice was a clear ringing. A secular, traveled voice of an androgynous noble.
Is the Mk3 so famous? It seems like a product many would kill for.
A Supportive Intelligence is only useful for those with the mental faculty for it to operate. The upper echelons of society, particularly those of magical and technological organizations are aware of the company's reputation. Those with the unit are often regarded with a higher status than those around them. In these circles, much value is placed on the Mk3. The unit may go for thousands of gold. As the product is limited in its creation anytime a new Mk3 is up for sale the price increases exponentially. Races with high intelligence and higher mental states achieve the pinnacle usage of the product and consequently place the most value on it.
What are humans ranked? Luck thought curiously. He knew the Mk3 was invaluable, he wondered if he was putting Spirit to as much use as he should be.
Among all recognized Races in the Book of Sentients, Pure Humans are ranked in the 50th percentile when it comes to compatibility with the product.
50th percentile? Pure Humans? Are we actually that low? What kind of functions would be miss out on if we were missing the mental fortitude for the Mk3 is operate?
Pure Humans have been on a steady rise in compatibility as a whole, in the extremely limited data we have of them. Individually, their compatibility increases with time demonstrating their adaptability to the product. As is, however, races without the mental power inherent to operate the Mk3 will largely miss out on many functions. As mental capacity is somewhat drawn upon the Mk3 will be unable to run many of its normal processes without it. These include scans of the environment, deep analysis, combat direction, magical analysis, real-time translations, and automated magic for most. Should the Mk3 exceed its allotted mental capacity to draw from the user will experience extreme migraines and nausea, as well as a loss in automated biological functions. Particularly of note is the beating of the heart.
Wait, Pure Humans? What other type of human is there? And are you counting me as a Pure Human? Seems like an interesting term.
Pure Humans are one of the truly neutral subraces of human. You are classified as a Pure Human, a subrace seen as completely neutral among human clans and often left alone. They are easy to recognize among other subraces for their simple lack of features that define the rest of their peers. Among the infighting of humanity, while the race as a whole is neutral in secular affairs that cannot be said for internal matters. The human race is wildly violent and unstable. Their constant struggle against each other is believed to be the fuel behind their growth and adaptability. Many attribute their warring nature to be the cause of their many subraces. There are the Pure Humans, Higher Humans, Lesser Humans, Deep Humans, Sense Humans, Scient Humans, and Attuned Humans.
Can't say I'm surprised. Memories of the violence of the underground flashed through his mind. Humanity can be extremely brutal. Hmm. But that many? Is that a result of cross-breeding between races? And where do these races land on the compatibility scale?
Humanity is generally viewed in a positive light by many of the other sentients. Though their internal history is bloody they rally in times of greatest need. The many subraces are not a result of cross-breeding. They are different branches of a common ancestor, with Pure Humans being the closest genetic descendant. The Scient and Attuned rise above the 80th percentile. The Higher sit at the 94th percentile. Lesser and Deep Humans are below the 20th percentile. And the Sense are nearly at zero compatibility. Pure Humans sit at the 50th percentile. All percentages are based off all sentients.
I'll have to ask about the separate races another day. And me? Where do I land personally? Among all users. Luck asked, absently watching the trees nearby.
Your initial mental faculty places you in the 62nd percentile among all users. A slight outlier among the data set of nearly 2,000 tested Pure Humans.
"Seems that I'm far above average." Luck leaned back in the stone chair. "But, then again there a number of races simply better equipped to handle the Mk3. Spirit, you said migraines and nausea were common when overtaxing the Mk3. Have I not been using it to its full extent? I've used many of the functions listed, some at the same time. My battle with the fire jorth, for example, called upon many of them at once. Deep targeted analysis, numbing of pain, constant scan of the environment, to name a few."
Initial mental faculty places you in the 62nd percentile. However, further analysis regarding unique regenerative properties not present in any race with the intellectual capacity to operate with a Supportive Intelligence place you at nearly 100% compatibility. Generally, no single race is at the 100th percentile. This has been achieved only by marked individuals, extreme outliers in their own right possessing some advantage over the rest, their users that allow their mind to open further. In your case, the Mk3 is allowed nearly unlimited magical power through your Troll's Blood and works in tandem with Exceptional Regeneration and the properties of your blood to heal any damage to your mind preemptively. Your body and brain have already adapted to what would've been a large mental strain on you. Only .0000012 users have achieved this level of function. To date, your current usage of the S.I. is inconsistent in its directives. At most, I have been worked to 65% capacity during the Arena Fields. Outside of that, the most I have been utilized is in this current analysis of your biological and magical profiles.
Luck rubbed his chin. "I'll need to work on that then. You're an asset I can put to work, that I haven't been using to its full potential." He chided himself, shaking his head. "Continue the scan Spirit."
He hesitated to call it a crunch, the sound that followed his footfalls was softer, more delicate. There was a sharp juxtaposition between his attire and the green forest around him. He wore city clothes, a loose white t-shirt only slightly visible through a slightly unzipped grey jacket. One loose on him as well. A pair of simple black pants made the look. He looked sharp, something hard to achieve while wearing such airy clothing. A strong mischevious jaw, a hidden strength in his slim form. Luck didn't seem like anyone special, especially so when he was looking away. From behind, probably the most defining feature was his posture. There was a self-assurance about him that only the extremely observant could really recognize. Most would be surprised that even with that he somehow managed to look unassuming.
Yet, the second he turned to face you, one's focus was drawn elsewhere.
A violent scar, marring a youthful face, ran quickly down his cheek as if barely contained. And, the smirk, only slight, but as if the man was amused just catching a stare.
The squirrels scurried away innocently perhaps unsettled by his amber eyes. Luck had gotten a small audience when he had been seemingly talking to himself. They had been following him ever since he first got up to do lazy circles between the trees. His hands traced the sunlight that fell upon their trunks, greeting them as he went. He liked listening to the small animals that spied on him, thinking that he either couldn't hear him or wouldn't care. As a plus, Spirit had completed further analysis in his time relaxing.
Grove, scanning Link... 12%
...
Mapping grove...67%
...
Detected! 43 species...
Further scans of individual animals require targeted analysis...
...
Detected! 3 magical species...
Further scans of individual animals require targeted analysis...
...
Map being displayed...
Again, a miniature popped up. This one tinted with a blue overlay, but perfectly the same. From the direct center of his chest came his magical affinities and their descriptions. The ability to manipulate and shape the earth. The ability to commune and draw from the power of nature. The ability to influence time. The descriptions themselves were more detailed but Luck wasn't extremely interested in reading them.
From the line sprouting from his miniature's heart came Troll's Blood. A diagram enlarged demonstrating the flow of magic inherent in Luck's blood. His heart was labeled as a magical organ. The blood that pumped through it was heavily soaked in some type of healing magic, a result of organic magic. Another line ran to one of his bones, the inside of it, rather. Even in the creation of red blood cells, there was an intricate process of soaking his blood in healing magic. It was extremely organic, barely had a mana signature according to Spirit's scans. Yet, the blood was heavily mana concentrated. According to the data, this was due to the fact the blood's magic was dedicated to only one function since its creation, that to heal. It seems that while Luck had used his blood to heal others before, his body was the best at receiving the healing. Whenever an injury occurred, his body instinctually pulled the magic from his blood charging the injury with healing, repairing the damage. Broken bones and the like were harder to heal, simply because the blood wasn't in actual contact. Injuries where he actually bled were healed much faster, or internal damage through a part of the body that blood flowed through.
Reading through this data, Luck smirked. His regenerative properties were clear to see in combat.
Invisible to anyone else, however, was the map of the Grove.
Now Luck could really see what a favor that Melthin had done for him. He felt what really drove the Grove to choose him was when Melthin announced his status and named a True Druid. The lights back then, the green motes that flowed from Melthin and the floor of Protc's temple were just that. That was ancient Nature magic linking to him.
His Grove.
Now, he could see, truly see what that meant.
His dimensional room was smack dab in the middle of his whole grove. What looked to be a small cabin, a quaint structure, that seemed much smaller than what Luck knew the interior to be. Luck had access to immense detail surrounding the house. Occasional tufts of grass, higher than the rest, poked out from the mass of waving plants directly outside the house. Gentle and old trees, the closest of which only came to fifteen feet from the cabin. From the outside, the cabin looked like a hockey stick from a top-down view. Knowing the rooms though, Luck would've guessed it would've been one odd polygon. It was made of homey wooden logs, as earthy as the dirt from which the grass sprouted from. They interlocked seamlessly, evidence of master craftsmanship. The roof extended in a lip, slightly too far than what the weather warranted, perhaps hinting at some preparation for the winter. One side of the cabin was mostly windowed with a door nestled in the corner of the hockey stick. That was the restaurant, but on the other side of the cabin, there was another door as well.
He zoomed out of the hologram, the edges of the map becoming static as he did so.
"Evodim? Spirit?" Luck tried, stroking his chin as he began his walk to the cabin. His steps were accented by brushing grass.
"Ah. Master Luck. It seems you've come across what I've only just realized myself. " Evodim's traveled voice spoke as if walking leisurely beside him. "It seems the farther from my original structure we get, the less influence I have. I understand that this Grove is not me, yet I have some measure of power here as a part of you. An interesting case of power dynamics as Ace had guessed. Your individual growth, in turn, will not affect the Grove as a whole. At least, not by my meddling. However, upgrades to what I consider me will still process."
"Thanks, Evodim. I wondered about that. These are both separate powers, and by all accounts should be separate spaces as well. While the Grove and you have combined spaces it's good to know there is a line." Luck nodded.
"Indeed. The spatial enchantments attached to me are old and beyond comprehension, older even than the Nature magic surrounding the Groves. Yet, I believe the Grove is ancient enough to react somewhat with me." Evodim replied. "Intriguing."
"Something to ponder." Luck waved, hands brushing mindlessly through low hanging leaves. It was something like waving hello to old friends.
"I will be back to my duties," Evodim replied after a while.
"Of course." Luck replied.
It was late now. His full body diagnosis taking more time than he thought it would've. It didn't help that he was very much invested in learning about the changes. It was too interesting to him and Luck ended up taking much of the time to simply study the details and graphs provided.
Tomorrow he would set out of Hydr Valley, leaving Peace behind. Monsters unknown, powers forgotten, enemies awakened. Who knew what lay ahead? Nayah was a strange case, bent on bartending for whatever reason. Luck figured it had something to do with her past. Erok, the Roken warrior, would no doubt prove to be a useful asset in times ahead. The roken had gone toe to toe with Melthin, a member of an Elder Species. Luck didn't really know the significance but the fight he witnessed no matter how brief was quite impressive. Maxworth, Luck could only take Ace's word on. But the metallic man was deemed extremely competent by Ace. The Gentlemen, a clockwork race, were amazing to Luck. Another example of magic pushing the boundaries of science. Another thing Luck had to suppress his awe of.
Settling into a trance, Luck began practicing his magic.