August 22, 493 U.C.
Like the sirens outside, my desk blared, sending a horrible noise smashing into me. Blinking, I reached over and slapped it. Ugh. Too early. I was tempted to go back to sleep.
Instead, I meditated to check on things.
“Don’t you dare make me incorporeal!” Ela bellowed at me, guarding that tree like some guard dog.
I giggled and headed to the others.
Tier 6 Teleport Select One: - You may also leave a temporary wormhole. Time depends on mana spent. 100 mana per Earth second. - You may launch this spell at a target. The range is 50m.
I grabbed the second one after a lot of debate. The first was nice but ranged teleporting would make my life easier.
Tier 6 Time Stop Select One: - Grant visibility by recasting. - Increase visibility range to 10km. - You may travel forward and backward in time.
I grabbed the first one since I didn’t want Death to murder me.
Tier 6 Pocket Dimension Select One: - Space doubled. Cost doubled. - Automatically clean and organize.
I grabbed the second. My space was an utter mess. Then I walked towards Ela.
“Casey, please,” Ela begged me. “The persistent one, please. I want to have fun with you.” She pouted. It worked too. I picked that one.
Tier 1 Familiar Creation Select One: - Cost to keep the familiar summoned is removed. - The familiar is incorporeal and immune to damage.
Ela grinned. “Yay! Now go summon me!”
I forced myself out of the strange place inside of my mind.
~~~
I blinked once more and forced myself out of bed. Then I summoned the little terror. “Be quiet,” I whispered and headed over to start enchanting.
Ela groaned and plopped onto the desk with a thud. “We should go explore Guardian Command together. They have a pool and dining area and -”
“Nope.” I began enchanting. Dad was adamant that school couldn’t interfere with the progress. So, I worked.
Ela got bored and flitted around my room, landing on anything and everything. Like a bored housefly, she ran into the window repeatedly.
“Stop that.”
“I’m bored!” Ela replied with a long sigh. “Come on, Casey! Let’s go talk to Zriulth and Spen’ze. I’ll get it all sorted, and I promise they won’t hurt you.”
“No. Stop.” I continued enchanting while the other hand stirred the mix for Health Potions. It required a bit of focus. I periodically used Haste to boost my speed.
Finishing a batch, I poured it into vials just as my alarm sounded. I killed it and bolted for the shower.
After a rapid rinse, I returned and got dressed. Rapidly brushing my hair, I triggered haste to buy a bit more time. Then I began removing any tangles.
Putting the brush down, I waved goodbye to Ela.
“No!” Ela yelled as she vanished.
I sighed and didn’t feel great about it. Poor Ela. She got unlucky too. I dashed into the kitchen and made rapid breakfast burritos for everyone. Then I made my lunch and headed for the door.
With a breath of relief, I emerged into the tunnel and glanced over to my pooled mana. For the first time, I’d almost maxed it out. I considered asking Ela to show the time again and decided against it. I’d burn through this quickly unless I went and killed hundreds again.
“Casey!” Daniele yelled.
I waved and dashed up to the airlock. “Thanks.”
“Did you see the footage last night? There was a hive.”
I nodded. “Fury and Platinum? Yes. She’s gotten so much better.”
“Right? People say that she has to be level seven and that she is primarily a speedster. It was wild.”
I nodded and pretended it was someone else. “Yes! She’s like vroom and things die. That’s wild.” I blushed a little.
“I watched the slow one. It was a little choppy, but you could watch her chopping into things with axes. I think she’s on earth now.”
“Me too.” I smiled. Truthfully, being a hero felt great. I’d helped people. The internet was abuzz. I had a growing desire to repeat it. That was going to prove problematic. I was supposed to be villainously terrorizing people, not embracing heroics.
Turning the corner, I shoved that aside and prepared a poker face. I looked over at Daniele. “Get your homework done?”
“Yep. Slow down, Casey!” Daniele giggled and pulled me back.
I kept my groan to myself.
“Good morning, ladies.” Daron approached.
“Good morning,” Daniele said cheerily. She smiled at him.
I waved and looked away. “Good morning. Why are you over here anyway? Don’t you have the nice building on the hill?”
“We have a house over here,” Daron replied. “The place they set up originally just got turned into a place for meetings. It still has rooms, but they aren’t comfortable. Were you talking about Platinum?”
“Yep,” Daniele replied. “That footage is everywhere. Speculation is rampant. I read that she has to be over level seven now. She has gotten way stronger.”
Daron nodded and walked next to her. “That’s why we need a draft and registration. We need to know how she got it. If you know anything, Casey, let me know.”
I nodded at him. “I wish I did. That’s so much money.” I turned. “Oh, hi you two.” I waved at the two fae.
“Hello. Do any bug slaying yesterday?” Spen’ze asked.
I grinned. “I most certainly did. There was this yellow spider that I found. It was like this big! It got into the house. Then it found my cousin. He screamed like a banshee. And I was like, 'what?' So, I went searching and caught the spider. I took it out into the garden and fed it a beetle. Now I have a spider guarding my garden. I have named it Charlotte after that book. Did you like that book? Wait. Have you read it? Have you read any of our books?”
“You are so strange.” Spen’ze stared at me while Daniele giggled.
“Thanks.” I turned toward Daniele. “How are your folks doing?”
“They’re adjusting. It’s difficult.”
I nodded. “My cousin is acclimating. He’s not taking it well.”
“What about your mom?” Daniele asked. “I haven’t heard about her.”
“She died when I was very young. I didn’t get to know her.” I looked at the ground. Miss you, Mom. Then I forced my thoughts elsewhere.
“Sorry,” Daniele said softly.
“Thanks.” I continued walking while a breeze whistled through. A raindrop hit me. Then I looked up and saw dark clouds. We were about to get wet. I picked up the pace. Then I sprinted after Daniele, who clearly did not want to be out in the rain.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“It’s just a little rain,” Zriulth said with a chuckle.
“Enjoy the shower!” I called back while sprinting. Daron joined us.
The three of us bolted to the school while the fae laughed. I forced myself not to yell something in Faiin at them. That language was turning into a hassle, given my terrible desire to mess with them.
We bolted up the cement streets, passing the hodgepodge of structures. Then we bolted into the school and walked in as the clear airlock doors slid open.
“Good morning,” the A.I. said.
The doors shut behind us as a breeze rolled through. Then it opened. I started walking, happily heading to class and away from my interrogators.
“Casey, hold up,” Daron said.
I spun. “What’s up?”
“What rumors have you heard? You’ve been here a long time. I did some research. You have been fishing for four years!” Daron blinked back his astonishment.
“Rumors?” I asked. “About Platinum you mean?”
“Yes. Or Viper.”
“I saw Platinum once. She shot by. That was ages ago. I don’t know about Viper. In terms of rumors, there are loads. There is a rumor that you need to kill something native to Vuln to get magic. There is also a rumor that the fae came from Vuln. There is a rumor that the fae are turning us into them. And there is a rumor that Platinum and Viper are the same. There is also a rumor that they aren’t. I’m not sure. They do seem to have similar powers.”
“And you have been killing fish?” Daron asked.
“Yep. That’s why I don’t buy that rumor. Dad wanted to try it. It’s also why I stopped. You probably saw that.”
“I did. You slowed and then stopped while you were thirteen?”
“Yep. That’s when I got my magic tested. I failed it. I might still get it, but killing more fish won’t help.” I hung my head in pretend sorrow. Just think of Mom. That worked. The sorrow came in spades. I slumped and wanted to leave.
“I see. Any guesses on Platinum? She has to be around my age.”
“Nope. You could ask the girls in your year.”
“I will. Thanks.” Daron frowned. “You know, we’d reward you handsomely for any information. And we’ll protect you from any criminal issues.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Please. That family of yours is up to something.”
“Pardon, sir?” I feigned. Then I let myself get distracted by the monitor nearby. It was flashing messages for various clubs.
“Your family has criminal ties. If you know something, come forward. We can protect you.”
I rolled my eyes and started walking away. “I think that’s a different family.” I made it a few steps before Daniele caught up.
“Casey! Want to join the Guardian club with me?” Daniele asked.
“What’s it do? Do they have a connection with the fae guys there?” I gestured to the two that had decided not to get wet.
“We are not attending that,” Zriulth said with a heavy annoyance. I chalked that up as a win.
I mimed pointing a microphone at him. “I’ll join the journalism club. What do you say to the claims that you are turning humans into fae?”
Zriulth sighed and stepped forward. “Knock it off, Casey.”
“I see. What about the claim that Vuln was once home to the fae?”
“I need to get to class.”
“Ah! Ha! My first big break!” I bolted after him. “And why did you leave Vuln? When? Why come back?”
“Casey, knock it off!” Zriulth yelled at me.
“You are no fun, Zriulth,” I sighed and walked back.
“Want to?” Daniele asked.
I blushed. “Oh! Sorry. You know I get spacey, right?”
“Yes. Want to?”
“Yes. Let’s do it! Unless it gets horrible or something.”
“Yay!”
I followed her to chemistry, walking into a room with twenty-five glass desks. There were shelves of chemistry equipment and supplies lining the walls. The large glassboard at the front was powered down. I approached and took a seat on the hard, plastic chair. Then I logged onto the desk. I’m so overprepared for this class.
“Hello.” Trevor waved and took a seat. “How are you two? Avoid the rains?” He gestured. It was pouring now. His red hair was a bit damp. The sound of rain increased. It began pattering against the windows.
“Yes.” Daniele peered outside. Then the mana storm siren rang. “How are the shields here?”
“Great,” I said. “The school is a community bunker.”
“Yep.” Trevor stretched. “Good morning, Sun-young.”
“Good morning. Did you see the Platinum footage?” Sun-young asked as she sat.
“Yes,” Daniele replied instantly. “She was chopping things everywhere. I also saw her yelling or something. I don’t know what that was. They censored a lot of it.”
I forced myself to stare at my desk. So many mistakes. I knew exactly what had transpired. Now people everywhere did too. Trying to calm the fire that roared through my face, I began taking long breaths.
Sun-young giggled. “I think she was screaming in part of it. I don’t really know why.”
God, no. This is humiliating. I lowered my head towards my desk.
Daniele giggled. “I liked the princess song medley though. That was hilarious. I almost died laughing. Have you seen it? It has so many viewers.”
“That was the best part!” Sun-young said in complete disregard to my plight. “She was covered in bug too.”
Daniele giggled harder. “When she exploded one while saying that she wanted more? I was dying. Like she’s the Platinum Princess, and she was singing those songs! It was so funny.”
Sun-young joined her in the giggles. “It was amazing.”
Mortified within an inch of my life, I pulled up the video. Sure enough, there was a long video with a view count in the millions. People were listening to my horrible concert.
“Ela!” I asked. “Can I at least demand this go to my streaming site?”
“You could, but you’d have to come forward. I can take care of that!” Ela grinned.
“NO!”
“Come on! I’ll add it to your quest!”
I shut the thing down. I was mortified enough already. Turning, I began studying chemistry. It wouldn’t judge my actions.
“Do you think she’s Viper?” Sun-young asked.
“It makes the most sense,” Daniele said. “They have the same powers. I don’t understand why she’d help and be a villain though. That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
“Me too,” Sun-young said. “That and how she managed to get magic.”
“She may have been experimented on,” Ryan added. “I heard that the fae speculated that.”
“We speculated about what?” Spen’ze asked. He took a seat behind me. “And what is that alarm?”
I stayed focused on my desk while wishing for a better poker face. To distract myself, I turned up so that I could hardly hear them.
“Mana storm. Want to go with -” Trevor started to ask.
“No!” Spen’ze turned to me. “There are alarms?”
I killed the volume and spun. “We struggle with mana. Have you missed that memo?”
“No. I just didn’t realize it was that severe. Do any go out in it?” he asked with a fascinated look.
I nodded. “Some, sure. The people who have been for two or three years don’t have much issue.”
“Are you over it?” Spen’ze asked.
“Somewhat.”
“How do you think they are awakening without us?” Zriulth asked in Faiin.
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t know,” I repeated just to mess with them. At least I had a reason.
Spen’ze let out a chuckle. “That means I don’t know.”
“Oh! Thanks!” I said with a grin.
“It does?” Daniele asked with a grin and began scribbling.
Spen’ze didn’t bother trying to stop it. “Do you know anyone who moved recently?” he asked.
“Tons of people,” I replied. “You should request the records. Vuln doesn’t get many long-term residents. Over half rotate out in a year. Ask Daron. He’ll know.”
“Thank you. We will.” Spen’ze turned. “Do you think they could still be here?”
Zriulth contemplated it. “Teleporting across planets requires an absurd amount of mana or they need spacetime manipulation.”
“But haste.”
“That’s too vague. We don’t know which kind it is.”
“Fair enough. We’ll just send them notes. They’ll know,” Spen’ze said.
The class began to quiet. Footsteps carried off the linoleum floor. Our teacher walked in. His suit looked worn with elbow patches. He wasn’t one for flashy attire.
“Welcome everyone. I’m glad you all survived the storm.” Mr. Widrow walked to the front of the room and began his lesson.
I did my best to keep attention. Then lightning started cracking through the air. I glanced out the window, peering at the building below. The apartment complexes rose to match. Most of the rest sat below, stretching out towards the wall. Rain pounded on all of it. Then the sirens triggered, and the shields came slamming down, blocking my view.
Quest: Raptor Overflow – Aid in removing the raptors. Rewards: 100 Reputation
I ignored it. It’d be fine. Two fae were sitting right there.
Zriulth sighed and stood. “I need to get rid of this.” He walked swiftly to the door.
I watched him go and turned to the instructor. He resumed the lesson, droning on about the periodic table. I listened with one ear open. The sound of the rain was soothing. I struggled to keep my eyes open.
Then massive booms nearly launched me out of my chair. My eyes snapped open. Spen’ze dashed for the door, shooting out of the room at high speed.
The hell? I froze time and went to look. Fool Giltasaur! The massive thing had run up to the fence. It’d smashed a hole in the wall. Concrete was scattered and strewn nearby. Blood was running from its body. Zriulth was stabbing it with a glowing spear. I want to watch!
With a sigh, I returned to class and dropped the spell. They’ve got it. It didn’t take long for the alarms to die out. Five minutes later, the two walked into class and took a seat. Several turned to stare at them. The screen flickered to the principal.
“We’d like to thank Zriulth and Spence for aiding with the incursion. Rest assured that you are safe here! From all of us to you, thank you!”
The video feed ended. Spen’ze slumped and laid his head on the desk. I frowned and wondered if it was because of his name or the blood on his face.
“You’re so brave,” a girl whispered with wide eyes.
Spen’ze nodded and didn’t reply. I reached over and patted him on the head, wiping a bit of blood off his face and revealing a cut. Then I frowned at him, reached into my bag, and handed him my emergency first aid kit.
“I’m fine,” he murmured.
“I just don't want you to make a mess.” I spun back around, leaving him to bandage his wound in private. I then glowered at all the staring classmates and teacher.
“Right. Erm. Where were we?” the teacher asked. “Right...” He began his lesson while I realized my mistake. I stewed on ways to act more like the rest while class continued at a glacial pace.
Current Level 11 Current XP 5.50% Current Max Mana 8634.35 Regen per minute 13.08 Reputation 7000
Tier Skill Cost Tier 11 User Time Dilation (Haste)
- User experiences 256 seconds for 1 earth second.
- Force transference limited to 25%. 1 mana per earth second. Tier 7 Pocket Dimension
- 128 cubic meters of pocket space.
- Rapid stash and rapid draw.
- You may tether objects to your pocket space.
- Your pocket space cleans, preserves and organizes items inside based on your will. 32 mana Tier 7 Time Stop
- Caster leaves spacetime. They may remove and place things back in spacetime.
- You may control the flow of time in the demiplane.
- You may summon in willing living creatures.
- This automatically triggers if you take significant damage.
- Recast to gain vision. 200 mana to cast.
Variable cost to move items in and out. Tier 7 Teleport.
- Teleports the caster or a willing creature.
- You may cast this on a willing or unwilling creature if they are within fifty meters.
- You may teleport inside an object, causing the matter to push outward.
200 mana for the caster.
400 mana for a willing creature.
1000 mana for an unwilling creature with no resistance.
- Short range casts cost less mana.
Tier 3 Attire Swap
- Locked to a single outfit. Current outfit set to Magical Girl Uniform.
- Attire cleaned on swap.
- Attire repaired on swap. 20 mana. Tier 3 Enhanced Body
-Caster’s body is enhanced by a factor of eight. 2 mana per caster second. Tier 2 Enchanting.
- Enchantments last twice as long. Variable cost. Tier 2 Potions.
- Potions last twice as long. Variable cost. Tier 2 Familiar Manifestation. 20 mana to cast Tier 1 Free casting
- Cast any spell you can replicate. Variable cost. Penalty of 8x mana.