July 30, 491 U.C.
Clouds drifted over Valta, casting shadows on the rippling water below me. Another small gust rolled through, sending my hair flying.
“This is boring,” Fred said with a sigh.
“I’m tired of fishing.” Turning, I ignored the red-speckled fish below me. “How’s the stream? Get more viewers?”
Fred chuckled. “That clip of you went viral.”
“So, we just need to kidnap a guardian and force them on the stream!” I laughed.
Fred stared at me. “You are so weird.”
“I agree…” I paused and sniffed the air. It smelled like the river and city, but that panicky feeling from the jungle was rippling through me.
“What?” Fred began his search.
“Something’s wrong.” Then I realized. It was too quiet. That was not a good thing. If the forest and Job taught me anything, it was to listen more closely. That was when survival mode and his lessons kicked in. “Time to go!”
Fred, who was properly fearful now, waved and bolted. I grabbed my fish and gear. Then I dashed down the streets towards home, opting to acquire shielding before figuring it out.
I increased my stride, grabbing a light post as I turned a corner. A stream of mana hit, swirling and ripping through me. What once burned felt sort of nice at this point. I enjoyed it while sprinting.
Given the mana storm, my high-speed fit right in. Everyone was moving fast. An older guy sprinted down the street alongside me. I think he was in his eighties, but he was moving fast. The two of us gave each other a look and raced together, dashing with wanton abandon as the Incursion siren joined the other two.
I waved and shot down my final street, skidding up to the airlock. Then I glared at the slow thing. Come on. Come on. Open! It swung open. Walking inside, I let out a breath of relief. After it let me through, I headed down the tunnel and then walked into our home, frowning at the barren front room. We need pictures.
That thought lingered while I stashed the fish. Heading into my room, I looked at my decorations. The incursion alarm blared again, jolting me out of that. I shut my eyes.
Quest: Konodo Dungeon Overflow. – Aid in ending the konodo invasion. Reward: 100 Reputation. (Additional reward based on contribution).
Level & mana visibility while no reputation is lost.
“It’s in the southwest again, Casey!” Ela proclaimed.
“Is it safe? I don’t want to get hurt again. I almost died.”
“You’ve got this. It’s not as bad. And you are stronger.”
“Thanks.” My eyes popped up.
Reaching into my closet, I grabbed the mangled dress. My tights were ruined. I didn’t bother replacing those. I just put on the mess of a dress. Honestly, it was a disaster, but I didn’t want to ruin something else.
After donning the mess, I removed my amulet. Then I put on my mask and goggles. Finally, I grabbed my gear, cinching it all down. Okay. You know what to do. Stay ranged. I added my quiver and bow. Then I bolted to the emergency exit and slunk down the alleys to avoid people and cameras.
People were racing inside. The once-busy streets were quickly becoming desolate. A little boy saw me.
“Mom! Look! A guardian!” He waved with his entire arm.
I waved while sprinting, a bit dismayed by being seen. It wasn’t great news. So I picked up my pace as I sprinted, veering down the streets like a sprinting raptor in search of its prey.
Hitting the south portion of town, I heard things and slowed. Moving quietly, I peeked around a corner. There was a horde of at least a dozen overgrown lizards smashing into things and looking for food near some houses. I rapidly backed up.
Job had been adamant, and I agreed. There was not a reason to fight fair. So, I engaged Haste, raced back down the street, and leapt, grabbing onto a fire escape. Then I scrambled onto the metal platform and searched for targets.
A konodo meandered around the corner and began gnawing at someone’s plants. As stealthily as possible, I stayed close to the wall, pulled out my bow, and got ready to use haste.
The black and green konodo chirped. Its tail smashed into a pot while it chewed some vegetables growing outside of a home. Then it darted back and used its head as a battering ram. A clang rang through the air as it slammed into the metal. Then it backed up for another. I shot my first arrow, sinking it into its neck.
The nearby konodos rushed forward as they smelt blood. I shot another arrow. It zipped forward, slamming into a new one. The konodo stumbled into another. I put an arrow in its back, adding more blood to the street. Drawing another, I sent it flying through the air at high speed towards the next target.
While the konodos searched for me, I rained arrows, hitting both lizard and asphalt alike. A large one chittered angrily as two more toppled. Then it saw me. It barked and charged forward, leaving behind the dead and dying.
Grabbing another arrow, I fired it off. The arrow skidded off its tail. With a huff of frustration, I used Haste. The spell made it a lot easier. The quick creatures became far slower. Within fifteen earth seconds, I managed to drop ten of them and empty my quiver. With a scowl, I pulled out my swords and dropped haste. The remaining four raced forward and began scaling straight up the building.
Preparing myself, I took a stance. A large lizard head with fangs the size of my fingers poked up. Its tongue flicked. I used haste and brought my sword down hard, smashing the blade into its head.
Turning, I hit the next who foolishly poked its head up. With a hard shove, I knocked it off, sending the bleeding creature tumbling down the building.
Spinning, I rapidly stabbed the two that were pulling themselves onto the platform. Then I kicked them off too. The thuds of bodies filled my ears as I spun back.
The final konodo clawed up. I chopped into its legs and punted it. It flew off into the air, flailing as it fell. Hitting the ground, it twitched and went still. I shut my eyes with a breath of relief.
“I can use the material nearby to upgrade your ocular computer,” Ela said.
“No tracking?”
“Displays only until you authorize.”
“Deal.”
“Upgrading.”
I opened my eyes and rapidly gathered gear and some strange crystals on the ground. Then a semi-transparent Ela fluttered onto my ocular computer with a grin. The below text began displaying on the contacts.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Quest Complete: Konodo Nest Overflow Rewards: 200 reputation. (250 Total).
Level and mana display unlocked. Level: 3 Mana: 1.31 of 27.59 Estimated time required: 240 hours
“Cool!”
“Yay!” Ela swooped through the air. “Let’s go to command!”
“No!” I raced back home, dodging through several alleys to avoid detection. That problem was real, but I slunk through alleys and finally made it back home. I walked inside and ran into my dad almost instantly.
Dad examined me. “And you didn’t get yourself hurt. Good.”
“Hi, dad. How’d it go?”
“I’m gathering people. We’ll get there. You have the list.” He contemplated things for a moment. “Maybe I should make you attend a meeting?”
“Can I?” I asked in surprise.
“I’ll think about it. Are you in a deficit again?”
“Yes. I took notes!” I raced to my room, grabbed a paper, and handed it to him.
“We can only grow our mana by this little?” Dad let out a sigh. “A quarter of what we have?”
“Yes. The start takes ages.”
Dad stashed the paper. “Take a few weeks. Fish and work on our potion challenge. We need to replicate the one that I gave you. Did you read the notes?”
“You know that it’s incomplete, right?” I asked. “They wrote some of the awakening potion instructions in their language.”
“Yes. That’s why you need to find the missing ingredient so that we can get mana.”
I nodded and had no clue. What were you supposed to use for that? I was twelve, not some potion master. Chemistry was hard enough without adding magic to it.
“The business expansion is complete. I need you to keep bringing the fish and things. For now, work on healing potions. Then we’ll work on the real challenge, replicating the one to awaken magic.” Dad headed to his room.
My stomach grumbled in fury. I headed for the fridge. You know how that goes. Magic increases the calories you need. I won’t regale you with every meal. I don’t remember what it was.
After finishing my snack, I went to my room. Then I began meditation.
Appearing back near my pool, I smiled and looked at the various things. I walked over to my growing Haste tree.
“You cheater!” Ela yelled at me as she fluttered out.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I shouted.
“You need a contract. If you’ll just -”
“Pass.” I touched the tree.
Tier 1 User Time Dilation (Haste)
- User experiences 4 seconds for one earth second - Costs 1 mana per earth second. Select One: - Time dilation doubled. Cost doubled. Force transference reduced by half. - Cost quartered.
That was when I started debating things. It was a question of endurance or sprints. Seeing that my endurance had been lacking, I reduced the cost. It changed to tier two.
The tree happily seemed to sprout some more leaves. I turned and looked at my other saplings. They didn’t reveal a lot; they simply stated names. I had tier-one enchanting, potions, and a new spell that said pocket dimension. It made me smile.
I grinned at my scowling familiar.
“Casey!” Ela groaned. “I’m supposed to do this!”
“Nope!” I waved and left.
Blinking repeatedly, I looked around my room. The mana storm siren continued blaring. I pulled up the internet. Curiosity smashed into me. I navigated to the Guardian Command site. Then I grimaced; there was a post about me. That gave me quite a bit of anxiety. If I recall, it was something like this.
Potential self-awakened, unregistered magic-girl on Vuln?
Sam.AllTheNumbers: We know that there was an alarm triggered regarding mana creatures during the storm. It was reported that someone killed the konodos. The girl was wounded. Though she appeared to make it out. Unlike many events, the guardians did not release footage or a statement. Anyone know more?
Please.Give.Me.Magic.9999: It’s likely just some guardian on holiday.
For.the.Swarm: They were way too incompetent to be a guardian on holiday. You saw the photos. That was a new magic girl. They still haven’t released a name yet, either.
I jumped to the bottom of the thread, finding it updated. A mix of fear and excitement mingled through me, creating a mess of feelings that I still don’t understand.
Jar.Head.Something: I heard they just had a repeat! I’m trying to find someone with footage. An alarm fired for a konodo invasion. Within minutes, she killed over a dozen of them.
Gun.2.A.KnifeFight: I’m waiting for footage. If there is a self-awakened, non-registered guardian running around, I’d have to ask why? They’d have it made!
A.MG.Killed.EJohn: That’s because you know nothing. It’s secretly a corrupt organization run by the nobility! They are using them for child soldiers! I say good on whoever is avoiding that. They can decide when and if they fight! Where is our research squad at? We need to recruit them so we can learn the secrets of the elite.
Please.Give.Me.Magic.9999: They aren’t some corrupt organization. You need mana compatibility. Everyone knows that. Back me up, researchers.
A.MG.Killed.EJohn: Nice try, Narc! Wake up!
Footage.Finder.9000: I found some footage! It was the same platinum-haired speedster. She has gotten smarter and stronger too. @RoyalGuardians where is our press release?
Please.Make.Me.A.Guardian.1098723: She isn’t wearing magic girl attire. That’s the same dress! That means she’s self-awakened or unregistered. But we were told that was impossible! @RoyalGuardians what is going on?
Command.Moderation.Squad.007 (mod): Keep it under control people! They are working on a press release now. If you know anything about the girl, submit a report. We’ll have links going up shortly. Codename will be Platinum until we can speak with her.
Please.Make.Me.A.Guardian.1098723: So she is self-awakened? Holy shit! How?
Command.Moderation.Squad.007 (mod): Don’t speculate. If you have any information on Magical Girl Platinum, report it.
That was a development. I vowed to be more careful in the future. Opting for the news, I pulled one up.
Nightmares on Vuln
It has been confirmed that another raid occurred this evening. An anonymous guardian reacted swiftly to prevent destruction. We stand with many in asking the more important question. Why haven’t we abandoned that location?
Senator Xiu is championing a full recall from the dangerous planet. There has also been mention of privatizing the colony. A few corporations have bid. Personally, I’m in favor. For those…
I closed it down. They had been debating this for a while. It wasn’t a surprise. It was part of the plan. I pulled out the potions book and began filtering materials to try to make a health potion.
Dad poked his head in.
I glanced up and spun. “Dad?”
“Ensure that you aren’t traced. You weren’t, were you? I need to know.”
“No, Dad. I’ll be careful too.”
“The government will likely start debating registration. No more aiding until I tell you. There are other ways to advance. Focus on those.”
I nodded and spun back. It was quiet for a moment, then I heard Dad’s voice.
“You did a lot better. I’m proud of you,” Dad said.
I smiled widely. “Thanks.”
“Be careful with your blood too.”
“I know. I know. They’re looking for me,” I muttered while pulling out potion supplies and the book. I carefully sanitized the beaker.
“Don’t aid them again, Casey. It’s too large of a risk.” Dad turned and walked away.
A bit of sorrow filled me at that. Helping felt good. I slumped in my chair. And then my crafty familiar did something horrible; Ela appeared on my display, grinned, and gave me an idea.
“You can help if you want!” Ela said with a frown.
“I can’t.”
“Just make a disguise. You already have one.” Ela smirked.
It took mere moments for me to rationalize the choice. Another disguise would come in handy. And we needed more amulets for the plan. I took mine off and began studying it.
Current Level 3 Current XP 11.23% Current Max Mana 27.59 Regen per minute 0.15 Growth Time (Days) 2.33 Potential Mana 1.53 Reputation 250
Tier Skill Cost Tier 2 User Time Dilation (Haste)
- User experiences 4 seconds for 1 earth second. - Costs .25 mana per earth second. Tier 1 Pocket Dimension
- 4 cubic meter pocket space 8 mana Tier 1 Enchanting Varies Tier 1 Potions Varies