Ting! Alysara, the Runalymo, has reached unparalleled knowledge and mastery in the Sense Mana skill!

Emperor Alexander looks up from his desk; the pen in his hand stops as the Emperor takes in a deep breath. They are still alive, somewhere in the world. He was beginning to fear that their only living relatives are the Fylox, the ones descended from the Runalymo that didn't follow Kayafe to the east, into the leviathan ocean.

The Fylox can still be identified as Runalymo; it's a quirk of the system. It tailors its message to what the individual understands, so a Fylox will not see 'Alysara, the Runalymo', but rather 'Alysara, the Fylox'.

For Alexander, however, the differences will be acknowledged; he knows that Fylox are a subspecies, and they call themselves Fylox. A name changed over and over and over again, one pronunciation at a time. Still, which would be the closest to Runalymo? If the Fylox has changed, then certainly Kayafe's descendants will too, and chances are they won't call themselves Runalymo but rather some other name unless Kayafe herself uses her influence to keep their language the same, or if not her, then another being will have to.

The strangest thing is how this is the first time there has been a world notification about Runalymo in over ten thousand years; perhaps it is his own bias preventing him from seeing Runalymo subspecies as Runalymo. If he thinks of Runalymo as only Kayafe's descendants, then those who left and became their own subspecies might be referred to as what they call themselves. It's a very conflicting quirk of the system. Without actual knowledge of the people and their subspecies, it will default to what they call themselves; if one learns of one of the peoples, they will begin to see other subspecies as only what they know.

This has been the source of a thousands year debate of what makes a race a race. Some do not acknowledge the minor differences between the same race, like black-skinned humans. They call themselves by a different name, but they are fundamentally the same. Others prefer to use smaller subcategories under the umbrella of 'Human'. they use Alexan Humans, named after himself, and Obsidia Humans named for their pitch-black skin, then there's Erudites, named by themselves, but they are still fundamentally Humans.

It's a problem that he must argue with himself too. For professional reasons, Alexander must use the umbrella term; all Humans are Humans unless the system says they are so different they can't be called the same. Yet, at the same time, he can't deny the usefulness of categorizing subspecies, but that only sets a divide between the same race that they can use to discriminate.

With the goal of raising up the lesser races to the same power and civility as Humans to end war and slavery, he must enforce the usage of the umbrella term; the fewer differences there are, the fewer reasons people will use to oppress others. Race, nationality, language, culture, even at the cost of temporary and short-lived tyranny, must be the same whenever possible for a society free of oppression and war.

Some may call him a monster for destroying cultures, for putting lesser races into integration camps, but this is the path of lesser evil. Some will suffer; most will not. If he does nothing, most will suffer, so some will not.

Let them call him a monster, let them call him a tyrant; in the end, they will either see the ultimate good in his actions or not live long enough to matter.

A knock wakes the Emperor out of his thoughts.

“Enter,” Alexander says, and straightens his back.

Jordan enters the room and salutes him.

“The world message?” Alexander asks.

“Yes, sir”

The world message causes problems yet again. Because Fylox and Runalymo are technically the same race and Jordan probably assumed this one is Fylox, it showed him that the person is a Fylox, who is potentially from the Empire. This would make them a high target for grooming, to show the world that lesser races can reach greatness.

Alexander sighs, wishing the system were a little less subjective in what it shows you.

It's because the system comes from us; that's why it changes based on how we see things. Alexander tells himself.

Jordan waits for him to speak, to give commands, and where to start looking, but such orders will never come.

“At ease, Oathbound,” Alexander says, before explaining the situation.

“So if someone has no knowledge of a race, the message defaults to what the people call themselves. But if you meet one race, because the others are technically the same race, all other subraces will be called the same?” Jordan clarifies

“Yes”

“And if you meet or know of multiple sub-races, it will go back to referring to each sub-race to what you personally call each sub-race?”

“Yes. It's usually never an issue, which is why most don't know about it,” Alexander explains.

“You talked about the Runalymo before; surely one of them had accomplished a legendary feat before. Even Kayafe, who is herself a legendary being…” Jordan says.

“That's what had me worried that her bloodline had ended, but this proves that they are still around, somewhere beyond the leviathan ocean” Alexander stands up, walks to the window, and looks out the east. “It's a large ocean, Jordan; unbelievably large, and full of powerful monsters. Island eaters will devour any habitable land created by earth elementals, so there's almost nothing there. I once flew across the entire length of it and found nothing. Well, there is an indication of a Nexus somewhere in that vast ocean, but it's entirely unreasonable to exploit for resources given its location. I searched the lands on the other end but half of it is an uninhabitable Magic Zone.”

“So, you tried looking for them, but they hid themselves so well they have never been found?” Jordan asks.

“The only way we can find them is if they find us,” Alexander replies.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Archmage Ruluna sits outside a chamber made of many layers of mana silk. It is a mana pressure chamber designed to study high mana densities. The chamber itself leaks mana, but with her mana generation, she can always pump more into it.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The Order of Flame knows about three scrying skills; the low grade [Fire Sense], everyone in the Order knows of this, and it's so low grade that no other Order cares about stealing it. Every Order has a low-grade scry skill, a way of hiding their more powerful ones behind throw-away ones. Most people who try to steal 'An Order's Secrets' and fall for the low-grade stuff are dumb common people who don't understand how things really are.

The next grade of scrying skills is [Sense life], a strong scrying skill that the Order of Flame hides as their secret skill. [Sense Life] is capable of sensing living things and, when well trained, sensing the strength of life, how close to death someone is, and how much vitality someone has, among others. While this Skill is certainly useful it is almost a little more common, especially among healers so the secret is the third Skill that Ruluna has been privileged with.

Last year, the Order of Flame entrusted her with their most secret scrying Skill. [Sense Mana]. It is powerful since everything usually has mana in it, so unlike [Sense Life], it can see the terrain as well as individuals. Most Orders have their secret scrying skills; the general populace isn't taught them; it's too risky. Not all kingdoms do this, but the Kingdom of Ash, Vocana, named for its proximity to the great volcano, does. It makes it easier to catch spies, and laws regulating retaliation devices don't have to be made to protect citizens, it's illegal to scry unless you are employed by the crown or by an Order, so any retaliation is seen as passing justice upon criminals. If anyone does discover a scrying skill on their own, any order is willing to accept them to add the skill to their secrets.

For the last two hundred years, the Order has been stuck at eighteen breakthroughs for sense mana. There simply doesn't seem to be any more breakthroughs. Ruluna glances at the book that lists the breakthroughs.

Sense Mana: You have opened your mind to one of the energies that fuels this world. You can now sense mana in its raw form.

1st Breakthrough: You have sensed high pressures of mana, now you will be able to better sense mana in such quantity and better see slight differences in mana levels.

2nd Breakthrough: You've learned to perceive different containers of mana, letting you see the general shapes of mana containing objects around you.

3rd breakthrough: You've learned to see different types of elemental mana, letting you see elemental mana.

4th Breakthrough: You've learned how to see mana Essences, letting you see the many types of essences.

5th Breakthrough: You've learned to see different amounts of mana within objects, letting you better see how much within certain parts of things and people.

6th Breakthrough: you've learned how to expand your aura of sense mana, letting you see farther.

7th Breakthrough: You've learned of and seen the relationship of essences and elemental mana. Now you can better study them.

8th Breakthrough: You've learned to differentiate the unique mana produced by people letting you detect unique individuals.

9th Breakthrough: You've learned to see the transformation of one mana into another, letting you better see the interactions of natural processes and spells.

10th Breakthrough: You've learned to move your area of mana sensing, allowing you to scout ahead, and eventually view remotely.

11th Breakthrough: You've observed and learned the mana interactions of enchanted items. This will help you better understand the process of enchanted item empowerment.

12th Breakthrough: You've observed and learned the mana interactions of magic items. This will help you better understand the process of magic item empowerment and creation.

13th Breakthrough: You've seen and learned how mana interacts with monsters and monster parts. This will help you better understand the process of monster creation and death.

14th Breakthrough: You've learned how to sense mana in multiple different locations; this will help you see more.

15th Breakthrough: You've entered a state of complete focus on your perception; this will boost all your perceptive abilities.

16th Breakthrough: You've observed and learned how mana interacts with mundane materials. This will help you better understand the interactions in materials

17th Breakthrough: You've learned to differentiate the properties of mana signatures; this will help you see the difference of skills and other similar magical signatures.

18th Breakthrough: You have sensed vitality; this will help you study lifeforce.

Every single breakthrough has been studied to completion, allowing for her to reach the max level at one hundred ninety. Yet mana is still being studied, and there are hundreds of books and journals in the secret library. Of course, Ruluna can go into the secret library; she has the clearance for it now.

Ruluna is currently studying high pressures of mana, recreating several experiments to better understand [Sense Mana], when all of a sudden a notification makes her drop her quill.

Ting! Alysara, the Lunaley, has reached unparalleled knowledge and mastery in the Sense Mana skill!

Ruluna has to read the message three times before it finally sinks in, another Order has [Sense Mana], and they have finally mastered it! Which Order? Which Kingdom are they from? Who is Alysara? It is a strange name; perhaps she is from the forest kingdom, Veldun? It isn't long before one of the higher-ups comes storming in.

“Ruluna!” Head Master Vulpun shouts. “We need to have a meeting. Now!”

Ruluna follows Headmaster Vulpun to the meeting office. Flame Paladin Julaly, another elite member of their order who has been privileged with learning [Sense Mana], is already there and waiting. Archmage Iyori too. In fact, everyone with [Sense Mana] is here save for three.

“Archmage Havan, Flame Paladin Kloro, and Flame Paladin Nuna are all on a mission; they will be listening in with specialized linked Voice stones.” The voice stones lay on the table in their respective spots for each missing person.

Linked voice stones are only connected to one other stone, so intercepting the connection isn't possible.

“Someone has beaten us to mastering [Sense Mana], as I am sure you all are aware. We need to catch up, and fast. From now on your primary mission, to the exclusion of all others unless you are told otherwise, is to discover new breakthroughs.”

Several members look displeased, this is a mercenary Order, not an academy. They don't want to be shut in the secret library reading books and conducting tests all day, they’d rather be out in the field slaying monsters, getting drunk in some tavern, and having fun in the red-light district.

“Sir, with all due respect, some of us are needed out in the field. The Governors needs to know they can rely on us. We can't have all of our most powerful members hidden away.” Archmage Vila says.

“In fact, it'd be better to discover who this Alysara is and which Order or King she works for. It'd be a lot more effective to just steal their research notes.” Black Flame Five answered. The Black Flames are the shadows of the Order, the ones who do all the dirty work and spying on other kingdoms and Orders. Due to the nature of their work, the other black flame members are not in the meeting either physically or by voice stone. They are all in positions where a sudden call from the Headmasters would expose them so they are report-in only.

Headmaster Kolona nods. “They speak the truth, Vulpun. Right now, we should send them out on more missions to increase our reputations while redirecting the Black Flames toward seeking out Alysara and those she works for.”

Headmaster Vulpun sighs. “It seems I let my haste get to me; I was not able to make a good judgment.”

“You are still the most inexperienced of us, give it time. We chose you for this position for a reason,” Head Master Shalar says.

A sigh of relief sweeps through the Order's elite as they get out of boring work.

“However,” Head Master Shalar says, “we will require at least two of you to be studying [Sense Mana] full time, you may switch out, but there must always be a minimum of two of you. Ruluna, since you are the newest, you'll benefit most from studying the skill.”

Ruluna groans. A life of reading, experiments, and writing is going to make the following days long.