“Fuuuuck!” Victor groaned as the squad completed their second challenge. This time they'd chosen an offense challenge that had them fighting a giant bear-like creature covered in thick, chitinous plates that got bigger and bigger the longer they fought it, the goal being to last as long as possible, just like the defense challenge. “Why do we keep choosing challenges that force us to keep going until we die? Are we masochists?”
“I still feel like it's kicking me out early.” Greg grumbled. “And I thought we already established that you're a masochist.”
“Pretty sure we established that I wasn't.” Victor retorted. “I do not appreciate pain.”
“You guys were amazing!” Sarah cheered as she rushed over to them from beyond the range of the challenge.
“I don't feel amazing.” Casey muttered. “I feel like a ten ton dinosaur bear just stepped on me.”
“Well, I got crushed by an eleven ton dinosaur bear, so ha.” Victor stuck his tongue out at her.
“That's because you just hid for the entire fight!” Casey exclaimed.
“I didn't just hide! I was on its back stabbing in-between the plates until it rolled over on me.” Victor countered.
“I was wondering why it did that.” Carlos sighed. “How the hell was I supposed to stop something like that?”
“I think the point of it was that you weren't.” Brittany pointed out. “Something that large isn't something we can stop. At that point we should have focused on mobility, not defense.”
“Speaking of, can I say that Tina did a freaking fantastic job?” Greg commented. “Jennifer too, for that matter. Honestly, if we'd made better use of them, I think we could have gone another four minutes at least.”
“I think we all need to train more together.” Tessa sighed. “The squad has changed a lot recently and we need to get used to working together again.”
“Sure. Not like we have anything else to do.” Victor agreed. “Well, except for Greg…”
“I can train in the evenings if that works for you guys?” Greg offered. “Though we probably don't want to train after a challenge… So every other day then?”
“Honestly, it's your free time we're eating into, so whatever works for you is best.” Casey pointed out. “These challenges are the only thing the rest of us even do.”
“The only thing you do so far.” Greg countered. “Once you start getting spells, you're going to need time to research and train them, possibly even more than I do, cause the Archmage has already done most of the research for me. In fact, you guys probably want to start looking for subjects you can branch your mana into now. The spell will give you a framework for the conversion, but it all ultimately depends on your understanding of the subject. Hell, if you understand it well enough, you won't even need the spell, since you can create your own framework.”
“We can make our own spells?” Carlos asked somewhat skeptically.
“Well… yeah? A spell is just visualizing the process of transforming your natural mana into something else. The aliens definitely have a better handle on the process, for sure, but it isn't like you can't start figuring it out on your own.” Greg explained. “I mean, Casey could probably turn her fire into heat or light pretty easily. Emily could probably figure out how to make barriers and Carlos could probably figure out how to make projectiles even easier, since they're both using force constructs. Brittany… lasers maybe? I don't know, but you guys get my point, right? You probably won't be able to do it well, but you can at least get started, particularly when it comes to focusing your intent, cause that is a bitch.”
“Man, why wasn't that in the beginner's guide?” Victor muttered.
Greg cocked his head. “Probably to keep people from ignoring spells? You know there are people who'd refuse to buy them just because they think they know better, and the whole point of all this is for us to get stronger, which spells are a pretty important part of.”
“Didn't you just say we could make our own spells?” Carlos pointed out.
“Well, sure, but for easy shit, you know? Like taking your force construct mana and turning it into a different type of force construct, or separating fire into heat and light. And even then, the aliens definitely have a better understanding of heat and light than we do, and that's pretty important for maximizing your epm.” Greg replied.
“Epm?” Brittany asked.
“Effect per mana. Basically how much of your mana you're converting into the effect you're trying to create.” Greg explained. “You want to get it as close to one as possible for pure effects.”
“Okay, now I don't feel like I have enough time for extra training.” Victor commented after a moment of silence.
“Ugh, I just realized magic is for nerds.” Casey complained, sticking out her tongue.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Alright, come on, let's get back to the base. Apparently we have a lot of work to do.”
“Speaking of, I talked to Lalamama and she's willing to train you eight to ten if you're interested. Or any time that works for the both of you, I just thought it'd be a good time since that's when I train with the Archmage.” Greg mentioned to Tessa as they started making their way back to the base. “I also thought it'd be nice if you joined us while we studied my smoke, but now that I'm thinking about it, it's probably better to spend that time working on your own stuff…”
Tessa blinked. “She actually agreed to train me?”
Greg paused. “Did- I not mention that yesterday?”
Tessa frowned. “No, you didn't.”
“Huh… Well, she did.” Greg shrugged. “Actually, she kind of agreed to train a bunch of people if I wanted, but I think she was exaggerating. I gave her your contact info, so she should be talking to you soon.”
“And why didn't she contact me yesterday?” Tessa asked, raising an eyebrow.
Greg coughed awkwardly. “Because I only gave her your contact info today?”
Tessa snorted. “You're a dork.”
*
Greg retreated to an isolated room once they got to the base to focus on his mana investment, taking a moment to find his mana pool again, making sure he was focusing on the right area before taking a mana pill. A grueling fifteen minutes later he finished, taking a moment to shake off the mental fog from struggling to maintain his focus like that, before moving onto his mental construct, which took closer to twenty-five minutes this time as Greg became more comfortable with the process. Then he grimaced as he once again turned to his mana pool and took another pill, hoping he'd hit his limit sooner rather than later. Unfortunately he wasn't that lucky as another fifteen minutes passed before the pill was completely used up.
“Fuck!” Greg cursed. How high was his fucking limit?!? He paused. “Probably not something I should be complaining about… but mana pool strengthening is so boring!” He sighed, shaking his head as he took another pill and started working on his mental construct again. At least this part wasn't so bad. He frowned as he once again used the entire pill. “Okay, this is starting to get ridiculous.” He muttered. He considered just stopping there, but… “One more round.” He sighed. And he did, in fact, complete one more round.
Greg grimaced as he stared down at his seventh mana pill. “I- fuck, I can't!” He groaned, pulling at his hair in frustration, literally on the verge of tears at the idea of spending another fifteen minutes struggling to focus on strengthening his mana pool. “I can't, I can't, I can't!”
Greg's head snapped up as a soft knock came from the door. “Greg? Are you doing alright?” Tessa asked, cracking the door open. It'd been two hours since he left, and she was starting to get worried.
“Y-yeah, I'm-” Greg coughed to fix his voice, wiping at his eyes. “I'm fine.”
Tessa hesitated, noticing the tremor in his voice. “Are you sure?”
Greg sighed, feeling ridiculous. “Yeah, I'm sure. Just- being dumb.”
Tessa frowned for a moment, before pushing into the room, closing the door, and staring down at Greg as she crossed her arms. “Greg, I didn't think this was a conversation I needed to have with you, but we are not going to have a relationship where you hide things from me, particularly not things that are clearly bothering you! Now tell me what's wrong!”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Greg stared up at her helplessly. “I- hate mana investment.”
Tessa froze. “You- what?”
“I hate mana investment!” Greg repeated with a groan. “I mean, not the mental stuff, that's fine, but strengthening my mana pool is hell! And I've already done it three times! I just- I can't keep going, I can't!”
“You- three- what- what is your limit?!?” Tessa asked incredulously.
Greg slumped in defeat. “At least six.” Tessa's eyes bulged. She'd thought she was doing well at two and a half! “See? Told you I was being dumb.”
Tessa blinked. “Greg- no, you're not being dumb.” She sighed, sitting down next to him and taking his hand. “As insane it is that your limit is that high, the fact that you hate doing it is still valid. Just because you can do more doesn't mean you should do more. Particularly not if it's making you this miserable.”
“But I have to do more.” Greg grimaced. “According to the Archmage, I need to hit my limit so I can grow it.”
Tessa frowned. “Then- why not focus on your mental stuff, if that's easier?”
“I'm supposed to put at least half of my mana investment into my mana pool.” Greg sighed.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Greg, I'm pretty sure that advice doesn't account for your limit being over six! You can talk to the Archmage tomorrow, but you are not strengthening your mana pool any more, so if you need to hit your limit, you better do something else.”
“But-” Greg began.
“No buts!” Tessa snapped. “You are not going to torture yourself for this!”
Greg hesitated. “But- I feel like I'm being a bitch.”
Tessa glared at him. “Knowing your limits is not being a bitch. Not pushing yourself at all is being a bitch. And you've pushed yourself enough today.”
“I guess…” Greg agreed noncommittally.
“Okay, now you're being a bitch.” Tessa growled, digging her finger into his side.
“Alright, alright, I won't strengthen my mana pool anymore!” Greg relented as he squirmed away from her, unable to keep himself from smiling.
“You better not.” Tessa grumbled, pulling her finger back. “Now chop chop! Let's see what that limit is!”
“Yes, ma'am!” Greg saluted, smirking slightly as he popped his seventh mana pill and began working on his mental construct. Tessa just shook her head, smiling to herself as she watched this ridiculous man she was growing more and more attached to. Finally, about fifteen minutes later, Greg went to attach the latest piece of his mental construct, only for it to bounce off. He frowned, confused for a moment as he tried again, then his eyes snapped open as a huge grin spread across his face. “I did it! I hit my limit!” He exclaimed ecstatically.
Tessa couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of someone celebrating over hitting their limit. Greg flushed, wilting slightly, only for Tessa to slide into his lap and give him a long, deep kiss. She pulled away, slightly out of breath. “I love you.”
Greg froze. “You- what?”
Tessa bit her lip nervously as she realized what she'd said. “I- I love you? I know we haven't been together long, but- mmmph!” She cut off as Greg kissed her.
“I love you too.” Greg muttered as he pulled away, pressing his forehead against hers, meaning it completely. Anyone who could see him being that stupid and still be there for him was someone he never wanted to let go of.
Tessa couldn't help but kiss Greg again as warmth bloomed in her chest, feeling almost light headed as she pressed herself against him. They made out like that for a good five minutes before she managed to pull away. “We- we should probably get back to the others.” She gulped.
Greg sighed. “I suppose.”
A glint flashed in Tessa's eye as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. “But you better bring your A-game tonight.”
Greg chuckled. “I'm insulted you think I ever bring anything less.”
*
Greg slipped over to the feral side of the ship, even switching bodies failing to diminish his warm fuzzy feelings. Tessa loved him! Of course, he'd already been basically assuming that, but that had been a false assumption to account for his innate discomfort with not knowing how to tell how Tessa actually felt about him, and on some level he hadn't really believed it, he just felt more comfortable acting like he did. Greg paused for a moment as he went back over that train of thought and let out a sigh. His brain was kinda fucked, wasn't it? Then he grinned as he remembered that Tessa loved him anyway, feeling another surge of warm fuzzies.
“Hey, y'all!” Greg greeted the ferals cheerfully as he arrived, hopping into his seat at the end of the table. “How's it hanging? Figured out whether you want me on your team yet?”
The ferals blinked at him. “We- have, yes.” Henrietta replied, giving him a weird look. “We would like to formally invite you to join our challenge team.”
Greg grinned, giving her a thumbs up. “Cool beans! Let me just pick up some more smoke, and I should be good to go.” He paused. “I wonder if I need to go through the awakening process again…” He certainly hoped not. That seemed like it'd be a pain.
“How much time would you need?” Henrietta asked.
“Uh… depends?” Greg cocked his head. “If we're heading to the mountains or forest, I can probably get it done on the way. Otherwise… half an hour?”
“The challenge we wish to face is in the forest, so that should not be an issue.” Henrietta nodded, getting to her feet. “Shall we?”
“Sure.” Greg agreed, getting up along with the rest, following them out. “So… how do y'all know each other anyway?”
“We have been working together to keep our people safe for a while now.” Henrietta replied.
Greg blinked. “Oh really? What have you been doing?”
“We started by trying to bring everyone together, to create a safe environment through cooperation, but… the unformed did not appreciate that.” Henrietta explained. “After that failure, we tried again, attempting to remain hidden, but the unformed would always find us whenever we gathered in number. And so we began to organize without gathering, creating isolated groups that operated largely independently, mimicking the natural groupings that those who were less… aware would form. This is when Bianca became integral to our cause, her web allowing us to maintain contact with even the most remote groups. This method seemed to be working rather well, until the overseers arrived.”
“Sure, but what about all the assholes?” Greg retorted. “I mean, they seemed to be running pretty wild out there.”
Henrietta grimaced. “That- was a point of contention. The question was whether their actions hurt us more than their power deterred the unformed. Since the unformed would endeavor to avoid territories containing stronger individuals, even these assholes would unknowingly create a bubble where dozens could find safety.”
“But then these assholes would prey on the very people they were providing safety too.” Bianca grumbled. “What is the difference between being hunted by one of us, and being hunted by the unformed?!? Either way, you are simply prey!”
“But they hunt the unformed as well!” Brutus countered.
Greg coughed. “Pretty sure any unformed they would hunt wouldn't be coming after you in the first place.” He paused. “Though I guess they could fight some people off? I don't know, I honestly never saw what the unformed were doing, since I doubt they were all that active at night.”
“They were, but the hunters avoided the areas you operated in.” Bianca explained. “They were more active near the other unformed hives.”
Greg frowned. “Is that so.”
Brutus sneered slightly. “Surprised that your precious unformed aren't as perfect as you thought?”
Greg blinked. “What? No, I was just disappointed I didn't notice. Particularly since it means they're still somewhere over with the unformed, and the aliens probably won't let me kill them.”
Bianca smirked. “I told you. He does not favor the unformed, he just doesn't care one way or the other.” Brutus just grunted noncommittally, the conversation dying there.
As they reached the forest, Greg turned to smoke and flew up a tree, converting a chunk off the top and continuing down until he'd converted the entire tree. He flew over to rejoin the group, materializing next to Bianca and solidifying his form into reality. “Ugh, fuck, now I'm hungry.” Greg groaned, pausing as an idea occurred to him. “Can I?” He muttered, picking up a stick and connecting his smoke to it, considering his options for a moment before focusing on turning it into a hotdog. “Ha! I can!” Greg cheered, taking a bite. “Hm. Needs ketchup. Can I make ketchup?” He reached down to pick up some dirt, putting some smoke on it before sprinkling it on his hotdog and attempting to transform it into ketchup. “Fuck yeah.” He grinned as he took another bite, this time with ketchup. “Now all I need is a bun…”
“What are you doing?!?” Bianca asked incredulously.
Greg looked at the hotdog, then at her. “Eating? You know what eating is, right?”
Bianca frowned. “Yes, the overseers made it very clear how important food is now. My question is why you are turning sticks and dirt into food?”
Greg paused. “Because I can?”
“Why do you not just turn your smoke into food?” Bianca rolled her eyes.
Greg raised an eyebrow. “What good would that do? If I eat my smoke, I'm just adding more smoke to my system, and that doesn't solve anything, because my system is already full of smoke. I need to eat real food.”
Bianca cocked her head. “What makes a stick you transformed any more real than your smoke?”
Greg blinked. “That… is a good question. The fact that it's made of particles, not smoke?”
“Can your smoke not create particles?” Bianca asked curiously.
“It can simulate particles…” Greg muttered. “But I'm not sure if that's the same thing.”
Bianca raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“I honestly have no idea.” Greg shrugged. “But I'm still fairly certain eating something made of smoke wouldn't help, because if it would, then I wouldn't need to eat at all. My body would already have everything it needs, because my body is made of smoke in the first place.”
“Hm.” Bianca grunted thoughtfully. “You are a strange existence.”
Greg chuckled. “You don't know the half of it.”
“We have arrived.” Henrietta announced as they reached the challenge. “Is there anything anyone needs to prepare before we begin? Bianca, your web?” Bianca nodded, closing her eyes as she began to wander around the area, setting up connections to her subspace.
Greg paused for a moment, reaching for his mana, smiling as he created a puff of smoke. “I'm good. What's our strategy?”
They all turned to stare at him. “Strategy?” Henrietta asked hesitantly.
“Uh… you know, our plan of attack? Like, who's in charge of doing damage, who's on defense, do we need to distract or make traps, that kind of thing.” Greg explained.
“We- will attack it until we cannot attack it anymore.” Henrietta replied, looking confused.
Greg stared at her for a moment. “Okay… this is going to take some work.”