After what felt like an eternity of driving, the visibility finally improved. I sighed in relief and asked Mahya to take over the wheel. Pulling over on the side of the road, we switched places, and I could finally focus on the blinking dot.
You have learned the skill [Firearms]
I gave the message a thumbs-up and moved to the next.
Level up
+3 Perception, +3 Vitality, +2 Creativity, +3 free points
Bard Level 4
Stat points: 3
I gave the points to Luck. It has worked hard lately and deserved the love.
Next.
Level up
+3 to all stats
Wizard Battle Master Level 5
Nice, but I had a slight twinge of regret for taking a paid class. I would have gotten a new spell or skill if it was a free class. Oh, well, there was no point in crying over spilled milk, as the saying goes, or a spilled class in this case.
That was the end of the messages. Closing my eyes, I concentrated and rebuilt the third spiral. I was so glad I unraveled it after practicing with the circles in the desert. If I hadn’t, I was pretty sure my channels would have had micro tears all over, and I wouldn’t have been able to heal everybody, including myself.
Third Spiral Completed
Quality: 96%
Nice!
The quality went up by one percent. I unraveled the other two spirals and rebuilt them. Both still stopped at 96%, but every bit helps. I looked at my mana regeneration, one unit every minute and a half. That made me frown. Before, my regeneration with three spirals was fifteen units per minute. I closed my eyes again and spread my mana sense to feel the mana in the air. The air felt empty—like it was anemic.
Wow!
I knew the circles drew mana from all around, but we were almost to Vegas. It was hard to believe that I managed to draw mana from eighty miles. I was really curious about how long it would take for the mana level to return to normal. While I couldn’t do much with the information, I still found it intriguing.
When I checked my channels, I found another surprise. My main channels hadn’t expanded, but my secondary channels had. Earlier, they were as narrow as a hair’s breadth, but now they were three hairs’ breadth wide. Additionally, I could see new channels that hadn’t been there before, each about a hair’s breadth wide.
I didn’t believe the mana storm I created caused the expansion; it made little sense. Reflecting on it, I concluded that it likely occurred after the intense mana wave that passed through me during my cognitions about mana and Unity. That theory was the only one that made sense. Also, I realized the so-called new channels weren’t new; they had become visible after expanding. While I lacked proof of this hypothesis, it just “felt” right. It wasn’t the Knowing I sometimes got from my class, but I was still positive that I was right.
Well, that’s one way to expand my secondaries without screaming in pain. I just need some more insights into mana.
I looked behind me to see how the others were doing. Sonak and Rabban were sleeping, and Al was typing something on his phone and smiling occasionally.
I called the Palms Casino Resort to see if the five-bedroom suite was available and booked it. “Let’s pick up Rue and go to the Palms,” I told Mahya.
After we got to the Palms, I woke Sonak and Rabban. They both looked exhausted, probably from the intense healing they had been through.
Sonak looked at me like I was a rabid dog, ready to attack. His eyes were wide with terror, his pupils dilated. He recoiled slightly, shoulders hunched, and his hands trembled as he clutched the jeep handle. His breathing was shallow and rapid, and a nervous sweat glistened on his forehead. Every muscle in his body seemed tense, as if he was ready to bolt at the slightest provocation. He acted as if, at any moment, I might snap and kill him.
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“If it stops him from doing crap, I’m all for it,” I thought to myself with an inner smile.
Rabban swayed as he walked, his steps unsteady and his legs trembling slightly. The healing I did on his leg was intense, but I didn’t think it justified him being so weak. He was a big guy, a head and a half taller than me and as wide as a closet. It made no sense.
As we reached the suite, Rabban’s face was pale, beads of sweat forming on his brow. His eyes were half-closed, and he was struggling to breathe. He looked like he was on the verge of collapsing, his massive frame struggling to carry its weight.
He bowed deeply, his movements slow and deliberate, almost as if he feared falling over. “I Rabban Vin Fish, come world Klyvor, level 48 half mana world,” he said, strained but sincere. “I no have words to thanks for rescue from bad place. Please, tell Archive names, and ever need something, anything, I come, even must go many Gates find you.”
Exhaustion and earnestness filled his eyes while his body still shook slightly from the effort.
After introducing ourselves, I led Rabban to his room and told him to lie on the bed. I cast a diagnosis spell and found that his body was saturated with some sedative or tranquilizer. I cast Neutralize Poison several times, which cleared it from his bloodstream but not his cells.
After I cast Neutralize Poison several more times with no change, I said to Rabban, “Your body is soaked in some kind of sedative. I’ve cleaned it out of your bloodstream, but not from your cells. I have a Cleanse spell that can help, but it’s not a pleasant experience.”
“Please do Cleanse. I ears this spell, know effect,” Rabban said, his voice steady.
“Okay,” I replied, nodding. “I only did it once on myself with six thousand mana, and it was terrible.” I paused, remembering the agony and shuddering. “A friend explained to me that usually, you do it with a thousand or two thousand mana, then after a while with three thousand mana. Again, after a break of some time, with four thousand mana, etc. Continue to increase until no more effect, indicating the body is clean.”
Rabban shifted on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. “From what I understand, Sonak wants to leave as soon as possible, so I’m not sure you can do it in stages. Right now, my mana is just over seven thousand five hundred, so I can channel seven thousand mana into you. But remember that it would be very unpleasant,” I warned him.
Rabban’s expression remained resolute, though a flicker of fear crossed his eyes. “I know spell Cleans. Please do full seven thousand.”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to inflict on him. “Alright,” I said, placing my hands on his chest and beginning to channel the mana.
Let’s just say that Rabban had a terrible time over the next twelve hours and leave it at that. He also emptied all my Storage of cooked food, and the room service people prayed we would leave the hotel ASAP. But after he finished emptying and replenishing himself, I re-diagnosed him and confirmed that he was clear of all the sedatives.
Sonak was still terrified of me and didn’t talk to me. He mostly hid in his room or kept Rabban company while he was off the toilet.
After Rabban was fine, Mahya announced we needed to go to celebrate the successful rescue. So, after a short online search and deliberation, we all headed to Omnia Nightclub in Caesars Palace. When we arrived at Caesars, Mahya and I exchanged a smirk, remembering our ‘milking’ operation.
In the club, we danced and had fun. I sat at the bar, sipping a beer, when a pretty red-haired woman approached me.
“Hey there,” she said with a playful smile. “Would you buy me a drink?”
“Sure thing,” I replied, motioning to the bartender. “What can I get for you?”
“A mojito, please,” she requested, her eyes twinkling.
As the bartender prepared her drink, she leaned closer, intrigued. “So, what’s your story?” she asked. “Why are you in Vegas?”
“Just here with friends for a getaway,” I answered. “And what about you?”
“I’m a bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding,” she revealed, with a hint of mischief. “Decided to have a bit of fun before the big day. What about you, stranger?”
I chuckled, enjoying her boldness. “Just looking to unwind and make the most of the night,” I said, meeting her gaze. “Looks like I’ve found good company for that.”
She grinned, leaning in closer. “I’d say you have,” she replied, her tone playful.
The conversation flowed as we shared drinks and stories, her flirting becoming more evident as the night went on. We danced, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company until the club quieted down.
As the night drew to a close, she agreed to join me back at the suite. I had to shoo Rue to the living room, and he was not pleased, shooting daggers at me.
“Listen, buddy,” I said telepathically. “I have an important job for you.” He perked up at that, and his tail wagged slightly. “I need you to guard my door so the others won’t disturb me. Can you do that?”
He sat outside my door, looking determined, and with an exaggerated nod, announced. “Rue bestest guard! Rue on job!”
Let’s say the rest of the night with her was unforgettable. A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell. It had been too long, and I was ready physically, mentally, and emotionally. My wife passed away nine years ago, and I could say with certainty that I was done with the mourning and ready to move on with my life.
After Sarah left, I sat in the living room sipping coffee in the morning. Just then, an African-American guy emerged from Mahya’s room, greeted me with a casual “Good morning,” and swiftly left the suite.
“Hmm, looks like I wasn’t the only one having a good time yesterday,” I mused to Rue.
His answer was to thump me with his tail.
Mahya joined me for coffee, and we sat together in comfortable silence. About ten minutes later, the most giant man I’d ever seen emerged from Al’s room. With muscles on his muscles, standing over two meters tall, he looked like he could bench-press a school bus—kids and all. He nodded at us, grunted something unintelligible, and made his exit. He even dwarfed Keoni, which was no small feat.
“I think he picks them by size,” Mahya remarked dryly.
“Yeah, looks like it,” I agreed.
Al joined us for coffee and inquired, “What is the topic of conversation?”
“Relative size of things,” I answered casually, causing Mahya to burst out laughing.
Al glanced at us with a raised eyebrow but said nothing further.
Another ten minutes passed, and three girls emerged giggling from Sonak’s room. They waved at us cheerfully before disappearing out the door.
“It seems that our conversation has now turned to numerical values,” Al joked, prompting laughter from Mahya and me.
Soon after, Sonak and Rabban emerged from Sonak’s room and joined us. Sonak seemed less terrified now, more hesitant than anything else.
“It’s been quite the morning parade,” I observed. “Can’t quite call it a walk of shame. More like a parade of shame.”
The four of them stared at me, their faces wearing identical expressions of confusion.
“Never mind,” I waved my hand dismissively. “Just an expression from Earth.”
They all shrugged in unison, which was impressive. We sat there drinking coffee in companionable silence. It was an enjoyable morning.