“Now then, it is time for today’s lesson!”
Lucadon begins swinging a stick around like it is a lesson pointer.
I am sitting cross legged outside of the cabin and beside me are Alice and Snappy, the latter apparently having been teleported here before us. I felt bad when I woke up and saw it there, having not realized its presence, so I gave it a pat on the vines and said I was glad it was ok.
The three of us are now being taught by Professor Lucadon as the demon requested we call it… I think it is having a bit too much fun with this.
“Ascension is the movement from one Class to a higher one. The requirements are different depending on your magic type but in general all follow a certain set of rules. Can anyone tell me what those rules are?”
I grew up learning that The System would inform you of what you needed and how to get it before you need to advance so I am completely unable to answer the question. However someone here has seen many people advance and has been connected to that same system for her entire life.
[ You need at least one passive skill for your magic, one attack skill, a certain number of kills of higher level creatures, and a catalyst that matches your magic type. At least those are the rules I know of for moving from Class 1 to Class 2. ]
Nodding its head the demon accepts her answer and begins to elaborate and correct the information.
“While The System classifies them as such there are nuances and loopholes all over the place. Take the requirement for an attack skill for example. The universe does not stick things in neat little boxes like skills, but only cares that you have the magical force attuned to your body necessary to evolve.
What The System calls skills, are simply pathways in your mana core that act in different ways. Passive skills are ones that modify your body, while active skills are paths that let you direct your mana outwards.”
All three of us take in the words and the truth about skills that none of us had known before just sitting in silence. However one question does occur to me. Does that mean that you can ascend without any way to attack others? And the answer turns out to be a resounding yes.
Apparently The System labels it as a requirement because if people don’t fight each other, then The System can’t collect its share of the experience. The system sees no point in people ascending if they can’t fight, so it lies to them and prevents their ascension unless they meet its requirements.
As the lesson continues on and we learn more and more about how to ascend, I notice that our professor is leading to a final conclusion. And I am not sure how to feel about it. Professor Lucadon points its wooden stick at me and asks me a question I am dreading.
“And with all that in mind can you see any issue in your current situation?”
Looking over to my left I see Alice fidgeting in place, looking back at me with a concerned expression on her face.
“...The fact that Alice is in my core means that I can’t ascend because our two souls are interfering with each other…”
“Correct! But there is no need for concern, you simply need to get Alice dear her own body and you will both be able to ascend without problem. Once your mana cores reach their maximum of course.”
At that revelation both of us slump in relief, the tension clearly getting to both of us. I guess she had been expecting a worse outcome like I was. After all, the demon only made a deal with me.
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“So, uh, how do I get Alice a body?”
I can see the blonde pigtails with their drills sway as Alice straightens and focuses very hard, hanging on every word that is about to come. This is clearly something she has wanted for a long time, and I am determined to make her dream come true.
“Golemancy of course! With your new Title the handling of a mana creature should be quite simple. First things first though, you will need to make her a vessel.”
[ Wait, I am considered a mana creature? ]
Shocked at this revelation Alice can’t stop herself from interrupting.
“Ah, yes. I suppose that with The System’s disdain for mana creatures you would not know much about them. Mana creatures are simply creatures that can detach themselves from having a physical form while still retaining their force of will. You possess no physical body of your own and are currently attaching your soul to young Lua’s mana core.”
Alice gets a rather contemplative look on her face as she thinks things over. It takes a moment before she asks for a bit of clarification.
[ Does that mean I am like a demon? ]
Our resident demon laughs at that and begins explaining.
“Not quite, there are some complicated differences between normal mana creatures and demons. While you are a mana creature, you would be best described as a spirit. You used to exist as nothing more than a construct, yes? Objects and constructs can, with enough time and care, develop their own souls by leeching off of those around them.”
[ I didn’t leech anything! My soul was given to me by him and I won’t tolerate you saying otherwise. ]
I am rather shocked by Alice’s emotional outburst. We still have not had a chance to talk about her life so I don’t know what she is referring to, but I can tell she feels very strongly about this person who gave her a soul.
“My apologies, I meant no disrespect. Poor word choice on my end.”
The demon takes a moment to think and let Alice calm down.
“Rather than ‘leech’ it would be more accurate to say the souls of others can flow into objects and constructs that the individuals feel strongly about.”
It looks like Alice is willing to accept the apology and new phrasing. I really want to ask her about it but now clearly isn’t the time.
“Now that that is settled, let's focus on getting you your own body dearie.”
Now that has Alice finally calming down fully and focusing back on the lesson. All while still being a bit embarrassed about her outburst.
“Now then, before you can go making the girl a body, you will need some actual skill and control when it comes to golemancy.”
Before I can retort about all that I have managed to accomplish with my golems the demon raises a hand to stop me.
“While what you have been doing is impressive for someone of your level with no formal training in the subject. Creating a vessel for a living creature to inhabit is another matter entirely.”
Opening up a strange portal made of vines and leaves, the demon reaches for something while explaining my homework.
“Using stone and dirt are fine for the toy soldiers you have been making, but I doubt you want your companions body to be that fragile. So-” He says while pulling out an object I strongly recognize. “-you are going to practice making golems out of the spirit wood from this forest until you can make a proper vessel for your friend.” And he tosses the very same pointy stick that I had first picked up in this forest to fight that goblin at me.
Grabbing the stick out of the air I look over the knotted bent length of wood that saved my life.
“You really think I can make a golem out of this stuff? It is stronger than enchanted metals!”
However the demon shakes its head.
“I am not asking for something humanoid, I want you to make a proper weapon out of it. Sword, spear, knife, whatever you prefer. You just need to learn to be able to make fine adjustments with the material you are working with as a first step.”
“Wait… A weapon? But I thought-”
I try to voice my confusion but am quickly talked over.
“There is no rule that says a golem must look like a living creature. Golemancy is about using the materials around you to grant power to and create tools necessary for your needs. It just so happens that living creatures are more functional than inanimate objects. Especially when you imbue them with a will.”
Chewing on that information I look down at the pointy stick. I can reshape the wood and empower it with my golemancy skills huh? That has me grinning at all the new ideas that flood my mind. Not paying any more mind to the demon lecturer I reach into my pocket and pull out one of my remaining monkey cores. Placing it at the mid section of the stick I run my mana through it and attempt to will the stick to change shape.
I had a lot of experience with the dirt golems. Messing with the forms of the dirt golems was easy, like perfectly soft clay that moved with my imagination. However this wood is incredibly powerful on its own, and feels like trying to reshape solid rubber with my bare hands.
After pouring about a quarter of my mana into the stone and wiping the sweat dripping down my brow, I finally finish it.
The whole thing looks a bit clunky and the knots are still visible on the stick, but it has now transformed into a proper spear. The edge however is a bit too dull for my liking. Though considering the material, I doubt its cutting edge is any less than a normal iron spear.
“Good, now try that again until you can do it perfectly and without using up all of your mana.”
I look up to see the professor pulling out a large bundle of sticks that are all also likely from the first ring of the forest. That and a bag full of green crystals that must be peak Class 1 mana cores. Looking down at my ratty spear and feeling my drained mana, I realize this is going to take a while.