The next day passed mostly uneventfully. I spent much of the day examining the mana in the world around me and trying to compare it to the mana forms I had already recorded in my codex.
I found that the natural mana forms, though diverse, tended to be based on a few similar designs. One of the most common patterns converted mana into another form of energy that I was unfamiliar with. Some of the natural and artificial mana forms in my own body performed a similar conversion, so I was quite curious what was going on.
As we were setting camp, I continued to ponder over the mana forms around me. I only stopped when I noticed a flashing purple symbol telling me my next boon was ready.
Expecting to be disappointed again, I looked at my available boons.
Physical enhancement: improved concentration
Strengthens the user’s mental concentration. Physical enhancement level: 5
Physical enhancement: improved information processing
Strengthens the user’s mental processing capabilities. Physical enhancement level: 5
Codex: Mana form implementation
Enables the system to automatically craft simple mana forms when prompted by the user.
Codex expansion
Increases the maximum amount of information that can be stored in the codex.
Minor boon
Minor boons available:
Physical enhancement: Improved mana control
Physical enhancement: improved mana perception
Physical enhancement: improved mana production
Mana pool expansion
Capstone: Novice Mage
Increases mana resistance. Grants all available minor boons.
I was quite surprised to see the new entry. Unfortunately, it left me quite conflicted.
After seeing what the system could do with a mana form implementation boon, I really wanted to try it for myself. Unfortunately, if I took it, it was possible that I wouldn’t be able to take the capstone boon.
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All of the minor boons were abilities that had benefited me greatly. Missing out on improving them further wasn’t something I wanted to risk.
I agonized over the choice for a half-mark before I came to a decision. I still didn’t know for certain that the mana form implementation would actually improve my spell casting abilities. My traveling companions could have been using a completely different boon while using their abilities. It wasn’t quite worth the risk
Fearing I would regret it later, I selected the capstone boon. The minor boons were too useful to pass up. I just had to hope that I would be given another chance to take mana form implementation.
Drawing my knife to continue work on my spear, I wondered about what my next class might be. I figured it would be nice to know what other classes I could switch to.
Caution: Switching classes prematurely will include drawbacks. Progress towards next boon will be lost. Current class progress will not be counted towards future class options. Capstone boon for current class will be made unavailable.
The message on my interface startled me. Evidently, changing classes early was discouraged by the system, but possible. Not wanting to risk my new boon, I closed my interface. I could wait until later to see what my next class would be.
Setting to work carving, I waited for dinner to finish cooking.
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INTERLUDE 7: The True Caster
Liam finished working on the last of the barrier runes just as Rob called everyone over for dinner. As the rune crafter walked towards the fire, he passed by one of the strange symbols Kyo had painted on a tree.
Like every time he saw one of the marks, Liam paused to examine the outlandish piece of magic. Not only was the mark somehow a hideously complex 4th tier magical working, but it also represented an entire school of enchantment he had never seen before.
Identify labeled the symbols as “Sigils of Concealment”. The fact that they worked was both amazing and eye opening. Most enchantments Liam knew of involved either using carved runes or crystalline structures. These painted sigils, though evidently temporary, presented countless new possibilities.
The fact that they somehow used mind magic was less encouraging. Spells that could affect the mind came with numerous risks. Unless the mana forms were almost perfectly designed, the results were rarely pleasant.
No two of the symbols the strange girl drew were exactly the same. There were always small imperfections and inconsistencies. The little flaws actually made the symbols far more impressive than if each one had been perfect, like Liam’s own runes. The imperfections showed that she somehow managed to weave such incredible pieces of magic without the system guiding her movements while painting.
Shaking his head, Liam joined the others by the fire.
Once again, Kyo was carving runes into her spear. Between casting and creating new spells, runes carving, and sigil painting, the girl seemed capable of any form of magic at all. It was impressive and a little concerning.
The girl had to be a true caster. There couldn’t have been any other explanation.
Liam could hardly wrap his head around the four dimensional patterns of a first tier spell. He didn’t even want to imagine the amount of training required to not only understand, but create higher tier spells. Trying to Imagine inventing new mana forms in six dimensions was a recipe for a painful headache.
Normally, only a noble house could provide the necessary means for such a genius to surpass the limits of the system’s spell casting boons. Unfortunately, such noble houses were never keen on sharing. Liam dearly hoped the strange girl would be able to evade such troubles.
As he waited for the dinner to cook, Liam watched as Kyo slowly worked. Her nimble hands moved gracefully, as mana gently flowed into place. It was almost entrancing watching the pretty young woman.
As she glanced up from her work, the shy rune crafter felt his face heat. As he hurriedly turned away, Liam cursed internally. Why was it that the more interesting someone was, the harder it was to talk to them?