Magic_Smithing
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Ch: 82
🕑 Added 2021-02-16 06:53:37 +0000 UTCI channel my inner Shaolin monk, switching from a monkey stance to a crane position. The forest is warming up as spring progresses, and you can feel the vibrance of life in the air.
Of course, I have no real idea if what I’m doing is anything related to actual monks, but practicing my sense of balance in weird positions is a staple for my training. I set aside today to practice all my mana skills, focusing heavily on my mana roots. And this time, I can train in the woods without being critiqued by an audience.
Over the past few days, keeping my mana roots deployed has almost become second nature to me, and recently I’ve experimented with incorporating my new technique into my hands.
When I deploy my mana roots through my feet, it anchors me to the ground and improves my balance. Yesterday, I tried forming mana roots from my hands for fun while I was swinging my blacksmithing hammer. It was more difficult than burrowing into the soft forest floor, but eventually, I managed to inject my mana roots into the handle of my hammer.
This discovery not only guarantees I won't lose hold of my weapons in the future, but the mana roots make it incredibly easy to inject my mana into whatever I’m holding directly. When I finally figure out how to make engraving ink and enchant my weapons, I’ll be able to activate them with virtually no mana loss in the transfer.
I've always had to use Inject Mana to force my mana into whatever material I wanted, wasting a portion of mana overcoming a material's magic resistance. Keeping my mana roots embedded in my weapon, I can add or reabsorb my mana without overcoming that barrier.
If I still had my katana, I would’ve been able to set it ablaze in an instant with very little mana.
However, though my new mana ability continues to grow, I haven't gotten a new skill yet. And I'm starting to think it's because I can only disperse my mana roots a few inches from my body. I need to figure out how I can expand the distance I can control my mana around my body.
We're two weeks into the thirteenth month of the year, meaning I'm almost halfway to my new year's deadline. When it comes to crafting, I'm ahead of schedule, but I feel my other skills are starting to take a hit, especially my mana skills.
I thought the kaglese weapons would take up more of my time, but after all the prep work master and I went through, I’ve been busting out kaglese alloy weapons left and right.
It’s gotten to the point I’ve started supplementing my forging with making regular steel spears for the village. Brother placed an order for some large steel nails for the armory, and a few villagers asked for some more mundane items, but forging a cast iron pan only takes me twenty minutes now. With my skills, stats, and experience working with magic alloys, forming non-magic items is almost too easy for me.
Master is happy because I dialed back the amount of time I spend forging to only three days with him, followed by two days of rest, one of which I spend practicing my other skills.
Keeping my left foot on the ground, I lean forward while my right foot is stretched out behind me. Maintaining my funky yoga pose, I pull up my status page.
LV: 73 Experience:401,841/ 956,780
Health: 2,430/2,430
Stamina 1,431.66/1,650
Mana:827.42/1,020
Vitality: 243.00
Endurance: 100.03
Strength: 152.01
Dexterity: 150.02
Senses: 62.41
Mind: 65.23
Magic: 102.81
Clarity: 78.79
Status Points: 0
Skills:
Tier 1:
Meditation (LV78), Running (LV77), Blacksmithing (LV72), Hammer Skills (LV59), Axe Skills (LV58), Cleaning (LV53), Chanting (LV50), Mining (LV50), Drawing (LV46), Trading (LV45), Cooking (LV41), Sword Skills (LV34), Dagger Skills (LV33), Acting (LV32), Wood Carving (LV31), Sewing (LV29), Alchemy (LV7), Pugilist Skills (LV7), Spear Skills (LV2)
Tier 2:
Sense Mana (LV79), Double Step (LV62), Charm (LV50), Measurement (LV47), Hammer Arts (LV43), Axe Arts (LV38), Writing (LV32), Intimidating Shout (LV31), Mathematics (LV30), Steady Hands (LV22), Increase Price (LV21), Lower Price (LV20), Sword Arts (LV15), Dagger Arts (LV13), Gourmet (LV7), Marching (LV5), Shout of Valor (LV3),
Tier 3:
Expel Mana (LV62), Mana Manipulation (LV60), Precise Strike (LV40), Double Strike (LV40), Weighted Strike (LV40),Flash Step (LV24), Contract (LV7)
Tier 4:
Mana Skin (LV55), Mental Resistance (LV54), Inject Mana (LV53), Extract Mana (LV34), Magic Blacksmithing (LV28), Empowered Spell (LV12), Air Walk (LV9)
Tier 5:
Sense Soul (LV40), Soul Manipulation (LV8)
Tier 6:
Soul Devourer (LV2)
Increased Skill Levels
Running (LV77) 3,850exp
Blacksmithing (LV71-72) 7,150exp
Hammer Skills (LV59) 2,950exp
Axe Skills (LV58) 2,900exp
Mining (LV49-50) 4,950exp
Cooking (LV41) 2,050exp
Dagger Skills (LV32-33) 3,250exp
Sword Skills (LV32-34) 4,950exp
Sewing (LV27-29) 4,200exp
Pugilist Skills (LV5-7) 900exp
Alchemy (LV3-7) 1,250exp
Double Step (LV62) 6,200exp
Measurement (LV47) 4,700exp
Hammer Arts (LV43) 4,300exp
Axe Arts (LV37-38) 7,500exp
Steady Hands (LV19-22) 8,200exp
Dagger Arts (LV13) 1,300exp
Sword Arts (LV15) 1,500exp
Weighted Strike (LV39-40) 11,850exp
Flash Step (LV23-24) 7,050exp
Mana Skin (LV55) 13,750
Mental Resistance (LV54) 13,500exp
Inject Mana (LV53) 13,250exp
Extract Mana (LV33-34) 16,750exp
Magic Blacksmithing (LV27-28) 13,750exp
Air Walk (LV7-9) 6,000exp
Sense Soul (LV40) 20,000exp
Soul Manipulation (LV7-8) 7,500exp
Skill Experience: 194,600exp
Crafting Experience: 124,573exp
Fighting Experience: 2,119exp
Total-experience Gained: 321,292exp
It's been a little over a month since I last examined my status page, and I've practiced a lot since I completed my four personal weapons. The physical and magic skills I use for blacksmithing went up the most, but sparring with dad and Camden helped me to level my weapon skills as well. I run every day with mom before practicing my movement skills and periodically help her around the house.
Thanks to all my hard work, Mining, Weighted Strike, and Sense Soul all joined my ever-growing list of skills stuck at their tests. Whether I’m working during the day or practicing my soul skills at night, I haven’t stopped trying to improve myself.
The experience I gain from leveling my skills plays the most significant part in my growth, but it's becoming harder and harder to level them. The higher the level the skill is, the more time I need to devote to leveling it, and it's become more apparent that some skills won't level further without their lower-tier counterparts.
For example, my tier 4 mana skills are leveling slower as they get closer to matching Mana Manipulation’s level. Trying to get past the bottleneck for Sense Soul was so overwhelmingly mentally taxing, I've put off trying again until Mental Resistance reaches level 60.
The good news is, despite my skills becoming harder to level, my crafting experience is slowly gaining ground.
Since I last checked my status page, I’ve crafted my armor, eighteen kaglese spears, eighteen kaglese swords, ten steel spears for the village, five steel bucklers for the village, and a few other miscellaneous objects people asked for.
If I keep up this pace, I’ll reach level 74 before the new year.
But to do that, I need to start breaking past some of these bottlenecks I’m encountering, and Mana Manipulation is the most important one.
Like my experiments with engraving ink, I’ve been testing ways to break past Mana Manipulation’s test. Sandra has already complimented me on my freakish internal mana manipulation and agrees that it’s my outer mana manipulation that is most likely is the culprit for my bottleneck. I think Sandra has guessed some of my skill levels, but she hasn’t outright asked me for confirmation.
During my last break, Sandra and I figured out the third step to make engraving ink, so I want to try and keep the success going today.
I focus on the mana roots extending from my left foot.
The only reason I can train as much as I have is that the village has been relatively quiet the last month. Many people were expecting the next disaster to fall from the sky, but nothing has happened to our village as of late. There was the fear that Scholl would march into our village and pillage everything for a little while, but that never happened.
Sandra’s brother Nicolas made it back to the village without incident after he confirmed Scholl’s flag was flying over Drey’s walls. And a few days after he returned, the village received an official letter from the new rulers of Drey.
The message stated how we now fall under Scholl’s rule and that a representative will eventually arrive at each village. The letter also stated that all crops would be worth an extra 10% to the village's tax credit.
News travels fast through our village, and Camden called for another village meeting the next day. He explained how a Scholl representative will eventually arrive at our village and how we now fall under their domain. A few people were afraid Scholl might try something, but Camden reassured everybody that Scholl has no reason to attack a small village like us.
Just in case, though, the hunters are keeping an eye on the road every day. But there's been no sign of anyone approaching the village. For every day that passes, the village seems more peaceful as people return to their everyday lives.
The next round of crops was planted, brother was placed in charge of constructing the new armory with help from his old master; things are getting back to what they were before the goblin horde arrived. You could even argue things are better now that people have gained levels and we have a mage in the village.
The hunters have started to find larger game again, meaning our food shortage is no longer a significant issue. We still need to ration for the next few months, but people are no longer afraid they might starve.
With no order deadlines in sight and no more monsters threatening our village for the moment, I can practice without worry for a change.
I stay balancing on my left leg and split my attention between my immediate surroundings and my extended mana roots. My practicing wouldn’t be practical if I can’t use my skill while keeping an eye out for trouble.
Tracing the thousands of small roots extending from my foot, I try to push them past four inches. The roots hold their form as they extend to five inches, but I can feel my control on my mana slipping the farther I extend them. When the roots reach six inches, they start disintegrating into the ambient mana.
I pull back my mana to the four-inch mark, as not to needlessly waste it. Though the brief test cost me nearly 50 mana, I was able to see how my mana roots react outside my control. The ever-shifting mana around me bombarded my roots and tore them apart like tissue paper.
The more I learn about mana, the more I can relate it to energy and the movement of molecules. I may only have a high schooler's knowledge on the subject, but I know different states of matter have molecules that move at different speeds. Solid objects like the ground I'm standing on have very slow-moving molecules that are practically still. Earth mana mirrors those properties and shifts the slowest of all mana types. Even with earth mana being the slowest moving, it tore through my mana roots without much trouble after they extended out of my normal range.
I hold out my hand and start extending mana roots from it. As long as the roots are at least four inches from my body, I can use my control over the mana to resist the tide of ambient mana around me. But as soon as the roots extend further than four inches from my hand, they disintegrate immediately.
Air is a gas, and its molecules move extremely fast. The air mana sliced through my mana roots like a knife through butter.
I would need to move over to the stream to test how my roots would react with water, but I imagine the result would fall in between my two tests. As long as I'm forcing my mana roots into a solid object like the ground or the handle of my weapon, I can extend them slightly more than otherwise.
Treating my mana like tree roots was a stroke of genius, but if I can’t control my mana at further distances, then this is the most I can do with them.
“I wonder if trees also have this problem?” I sigh to myself.
I lower my right foot back to the ground and stand up straight. Maybe I should reexamine my source material?
Walking over to the closest tree, I put my hand up against the bark and use Sense Mana to look at its internal structure. Mana circulates through the tree's thick trunk, up through its branches, and travels down into its roots.
When I focus on the tree's roots, I'm astounded by the complex web of limbs snaking throughout the forest floor. I quickly notice the tree's roots, and my mana roots aren't the same; when I deploy my mana roots, its hundreds of individual strands of mana, while the tree's roots resemble its canopy in design.
The tree's trunk splits into five large roots, which split into smaller roots, which then again split into countless other thread sized roots. Everything branches off from the trunk, only getting smaller as the roots travel further away from the tree.
Instead of using many small mana threads, I should combine them into one strong root that can withstand the mana I'm burrowing into.
I withdraw my deployed mana roots and focus solely on the heels of my feet. Weaving my mana together, I slowly extend a thick tendril of mana into the ground from my heel. As the large root of mana tunnels into the forest floor, smaller offshoots spring out the root's sides to cover more ground.
Four inches.
Five inches.
A smile crosses my lips when the root doesn’t fall apart as it passes the six inches mark.
Seven.
Eight.
At nine inches, my roots become too unstable to continue. That doesn't matter, though, because I've figured out how to move mana farther away from my body than I usually would be able to.
I sense a rush of experience expanding in my soul, meaning Mana Manipulation leveled up. Focusing on the part of my soul that represents my skill, I pull up a quick notification.
Mana Manipulation (LV61) 0.54%
As if that wasn’t enough good news, I sense that I finally got my mana roots skill.
Magic Threads (LV1) 94%
I expected the name to have to do with trees or roots... but thread? I weaved different strands of mana together to accomplish the skill; maybe that's where the name came from?
Oh, well. It doesn't matter what the skill is called; now that it's engraved in my soul, using it will only grow easier. And the skill looks like it's already about to hit level two. That's incredible for another tier 4 skill.
I want to start practicing with my new skill, but I have to deal with my admirer first.
“You can come out now,” I say to a tree twenty feet in front of me.
Materializing out of the shadow of the tree stands a man I've never met before. He's about five foot ten, moderately built, with slicked-back brown hair. His green eyes study me just like I'm doing to him. His armor is splotched brown, blending in with his surroundings. I also don’t miss the fact that his left hand is resting on top of the twin swords at his side.
I watch his every move, ready to draw my own sword if he so much as twitches.
“Four said I wouldn’t be able to sneak up on you.” The man’s voice is smooth and soft but lacks any emotion behind his words.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” I warily tell the man.
The intruder frowns for a second before his neutral expression returns. "I believe you know him as Reel; that's the name he was assigned for his current assignment."
“You work for Giovanni then?” I raise a questioning eyebrow.
“I do,” he curtly replies. “You can call me Two.”
“Ok, prove it,” I demand.
“What?” I hear just a tinge of surprise in his voice.
"Anyone can say they work for Giovanni. How do I know Mr. Grey didn't send you?"
"That is a fair point. Reel told me if you questioned me, I should say, I'm learning to take a compliment. I don't know what that means, but I'm guessing that proves who I am."
I can’t help but chuckle hearing our inside joke in such a monotone voice. “Yeah, that works for me. But you know, you could’ve just come out when you arrived instead of watching me for so long.”
"You noticed when I arrived?" The man known as Two looks briefly surprised again.
"You don't have the same magic items as Reel does; it was easy to sense you approaching," I smugly grin at Reel's assassin buddy.
“I’m more direct than Reel,” Two flatly tells me.
“I can see that. I take it you brought a message from your boss then.”
Two reaches into his side pocket and pulls out a small metal disk-shaped device inscribed with the most complex enchantment I've ever seen. "Here," he tosses me the magic item.
Normally I'd be hesitant to grab an unknown magic item, but I can see it isn't activated. I snatch it out of the air without taking my eyes off two. "What is it?" I ask.
“Communicator,” Two tells me. “You’ll need to move closer to Blaiton before you can use it,” Two nods in the direction I would need to go before turning around and disappearing into the woods without a word.
I keep track of him until he moves out of Sense Mana's range. "And here I thought Reel was hard to deal with," I chuckle at my own joke.
I guess I should take a walk and talk to Giovanni for the first time. Gathering up my gear, I head in the direction Two indicated. There's no need to rush, so I start examining the incredible magic tool I was given. I hope Giovanni doesn't want this back because there's no way I'm giving this gem up.
**********
Master Pacore the Deathless’ Point of View:
“Why did you have to drag me along with you?” Young Jason complains as we make our way down a dirt trail.
"I needed someone who knows the area," I laugh at his distress.
"I only know the names of the villages and have briefly seen them on a map; I've never left Drey before!" Jason remarks, upset I dragged him along with me and my small platoon. We're visiting the more remote villages now that my replacements have settled in.
"The fresh air will do you some good," I tell the young man. "Don't you agree, General Pitz," I turn and ask my captive who's riding our only jelen. The beast is secured to a small cart with our supplies and is always guided by one of my men, so she can't take off with it. If I didn't let her ride the beast, it would take us too long to march between villages.
"You smell worse than the city," she bites back. Young Jason snickers at her comment, and I catch a few of my men trying to hide their smiles, afraid I'd do something should I notice them.
I ignore everyone and ask Jason, "which village are we heading to next?"
Young Jason flicks through a stack of papers he brought with him before answering me. "The closest village is Iron Wood Village. We should be there soon."
“Strong name,” I remark.
"The village was named after the iron wood trees the village was built around. The trees' bark is said to be as strong as iron armor," Jason gives me a quick background of the village.
“I would love to see such amazing trees. Such plants are rare in Scholl.”
“Sorry, but all the iron wood trees were cut down a long time ago,” Jason quickly dashes my hopes.
“Then they should change the name of the village,” I grouchily reply. “How many more villages are in the forest?”
"I'm not sure," Young Jason honestly replies. "All the documents related to the local villages were taken by the previous city lord. The courier guild helped me figure out a few I missed, but even they aren't sure of all the villages in the area. In the end, they had to send out their birds to visit every village instead of specifically targeting each one. Hopefully, Lord Bullok and the others will figure something out before we return."
“Why do you use his title and not mine?” I playfully sneer at young Jason.
“Because he demands I use his title,” Jason looks at me like his answer is obvious.
Kellor Bullok is the man his majesty sent to handle the cities I conquer. I thought he would come by himself, but Bullok arrived with three other minor nobles selected to run the various cities in the area. But for now, the four men are working together to get Drey up and running, giving me some free time to inspect the surrounding villages before the rest of my army joins me.
My students and Tellis successfully stalled Olebert’s forces around Teeburn, and more soldiers are moving in to reinforce both of us. I have maybe another week and a half before I need to set out to take Blaiton, so leisurely traveling around the countryside counts as a sort of vacation.
I verbally spar with Jason and General Pitz until we reach Iron Wood Village.
A single lookout spotted us approaching before running off to warn his village. Iron Wood Village responds like every other village we've visited.
By the time we march into the village proper, everyone is hiding in their houses while a nervous village head moves to greet us.
This village head looks ready to retire and visibly ages as he walks over to us. "Greeting lords and ladies of Scholl, welcome to Iron Wood Village." It's unbearable listening to this man stutter out his greeting. The entourage that's supposed to be guarding him has subtly taken a step back, leaving him on his own.
I know I shouldn’t expect much after how easily I took Teeburn and Drey, but this is just sad to watch. Let’s hurry things along. “Is there a place we can comfortably talk?”
The man flinches at the mere sound of my voice before franticly nodding his head. "Of course, great lords. I'll take all of you to my meager house."
“My men will stay here,” I inform him.
“Yes, of course,” the frightened man agrees with whatever I say.
I give General Pitz my hand and help her down from the jelen. She and Jason have attended each of my meetings for different reasons. Young Jason takes notes to help Lord Bullok when we return, and I bring General Pitz with me so she can tell Olebert how well we're treating everyone when she's finally ransomed back to them.
Walking through the village, I'm impressed with how many farkas they have hanging up for processing. They appear to have had a lot of success with a recent hunt.
The village head leads us to his house, it isn't as big as some of the ones I've recently seen, but it isn't the smallest either.
We're led inside and brought to his kitchen. "I'm sorry, but I don't have anything nicer for you. Please don't…"
I silence the man with a wave of my hand. "It's fine; we're not expecting a grand welcome. Did you receive our message a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, my lord," the headman answers, keeping his head bowed submissively.
“That’s good. Our visit is merely to confirm the legitimacy of the letter and to let you know Scholl is not going to be taking over your village.”
“Truly?” The headman asks, surprised.
“Yes, I’m here to explain that Scholl is looking to set up many farms in the area. Our goal is to produce as much food as possible. Any contribution your village makes will be rewarded with fewer taxes,” I explain to the man. “Jason, will you handle the rest?”
Young Jason nods and starts explaining the gritty details to the headman. While he explains that the village's tax won't be raised, I glance at General Pitz. As Young Jason lays out better terms for the headman, she watches the headman's fear turn into joy.
This isn't the first village that has become happy hearing our plans for the future. Many local villages have been left to themselves far too long, expected to make large tax payments compared to their relative size. It must hurt the general to see how quickly her people come over to our side with relatively little changes.
“Does that sound good to you?” I ask the headman after young Jason finishes his explanation.
“It does,” the headman bows again, this time in appreciation. “Iron Tree Village thanks our benevolent rulers. May Scholl rule forever.”
And like that, another village pledges fealty to Scholl, unaware one of Olebert's top generals is watching the whole spectacle.
“Would the lords and lady wish to stay in the village?” The headman offers us lodgings.
"We thank you for the offer, but we have more villages to visit," I politely turn him down. My tent would be much nicer than any accommodations he could offer us.
The headman walks us to his front door, spouting needless platitudes.
As we walk past the hanging farkas again, I stop and ask, “I’ve noticed other villages with similar success hunting. Are your hunters that high-leveled?”
“Oh no, my lord. We’ve just been lucky this last half-year. A lot of animals fled the deeper parts of the forest.”
That sounds interesting. “Why is that?” I ask.
“I heard that a goblin horde was spotted around Spotted Creek Village before winter arrived, my lord,” the headman explains to me.
“Is this true?” I turn and ask Jason. Goblin hordes are disasters for small villages; surely, he must have heard about it.
While Jason is thinking, out of the corner of my eye, I notice General Pitz also looks shocked to hear this news.
“I vaguely remember hearing something about it a while ago,” Jason admits. “But I think the lord said it was taken care of.”
"It was," the headman tells us. "Spotted Creek killed the vermin and, in doing so, released invisible magic beasts into the forest."
“They defeated a goblin horde?” I press the headman.
“Sure did,” he reassures me.
“Is Spotted Creek Village on our list?” I ask Jason.
“I don’t believe so,” he mumbles as he flips through his papers. “Nope, not on our list.”
“Where is this village?” I question the headman.
"It's the deepest village in the forest. If you follow the forest's edge east, you'll come to the trail that leads to the village. It's about a five-day journey, that is, if it's still standing." The headman informs us.
A village that fought off a goblin horde and invisible magic beasts! It may take up the rest of my time, but I have to see this village.
“I think we have our next destination,” I grin at Jason.
"He said there were invisible monsters!" Jason whines.
“All the more reason for us to go!” I happily proclaim.
While Jason tries to talk me out of going, I sneak glances at General Pitz. She's trying to hide it, but she looks more concerned now that I've said I wanted to visit the village. What is she trying to hide?
I hold up a hand, cutting of young Jason complaining about us all being eaten. "We're going, and that's final."
Jason's shoulders slump in defeat, but I'm excited. What does Spotted Creek Village have in store for me?
**********
Aaliyah’s Point of View:
While walking through the forest, I’ve been regularly pumping a bit of my mana into the communication device, waiting for it to connect.
Once I'm about an hour away from the village, the enchantment fully lights up, and a few minutes later, a man's voice echoes out of the magic device. "Is this Aaliyah of Spotted Creek village?"
“That depends,” I cockily respond. “Is this Giovanni I’m speaking to?”
I hear the familiar laughter of Reel in the background. "Yes, I'm Giovanni. It's a pleasure to speak with you finally."
"Likewise," I reply. "I hear Reel laughing in the background; does that mean everyone made it back, ok?"
“Everyone is fine,” Reel answers before Giovanni can say anything.
“Don’t interrupt!” A third voice berates Reel.
“Does that answer your question?” Giovanni asks me.
"It does; I'm happy to hear they made it back safe. But I'm guessing you didn't send mister emotion to deliver this fancy magic tool for that.”
“Mister emotion, Two!” Reel starts cracking up in the background.
Giovanni ignores his laughing subordinate. "I wish that were the case, but I'm afraid we have much bigger things to discuss. How are you planning to deal with Grey?"
"I haven't decided yet," I truthfully answer. "I don't necessarily need to break my contract with him immediately. I'm assuming he plans to use it against me when I try asking about Kervin and why he's not running the deliveries any longer."
"So, you don't plan on cutting ties with him when he comes to pick up the goods you're making?" Giovanni doesn't sound mad after hearing my plan; he sounds more like he's considering all his options.
"I was more curious what you're doing," I say into the magic tool. "I expecting to hear you tell me you already had Grey killed."
“If it was that easy, I’d already have had it done,” Giovanni explains to me. “Grey is cunning enough to have made plans in case of his death.”
“Does that really matter?” I curiously ask.
“It does. Grey has definitely signed a contract leaving everything he has to someone he trusts. Contracts like that apply to all his deals, including contracts he's signed. It's a common method merchants use to keep themselves from being targeted by assassins. Whoever takes over your contract can use it against you. The same applies for me; it will take time before I can even consider having him killed."
Well, shit, why does everything always have to be so complicated? "Why don't you tell me when you're ready to move?" I suggest to Giovanni. "If we time it right, I can cancel my contract as soon as you move to confront him. If Grey survives the backlash, you can have Reel stab him a few times for good measure."
Reel chokes from laughing so hard.
"You think the backlash will kill him?" Giovanni questions me over Reel's laughter.
"Who knows?" I reply. "A girl can hope, though."
“I’m surprised by your willingness to have Grey killed,” Giovanni remarks.
“He took advantage of my ignorance and screwed me over. I don’t take kindly to that,” I growl into the communication device. “Keep that in mind.”
The other end goes silent for a moment.
"I will," Giovanni acknowledges my thinly veiled threat.
“Good, because I have no problem helping you make a lot of money. I just want our dealings to be straight."
"That's good to hear," I can almost imagine the faceless man on the other end of my connection smiling. "How about you contact me in two weeks or if something should come up."
“I can do that,” I agree with his plan.
“And Miss Aaliyah.”
“Yeah?”
"I'd appreciate it if you keep that communicator secret and secure. The nobility covets magic devices as rare as these, no matter which kingdom they hail from."
“So, you’re telling me these would fetch a fortune if I can make more,” I grin into the magic tool.
"You could!?" Giovanni begins to shout before catching himself. "Yes, if you can make more, they would be worth a lot of money," he tells me in a calm voice, trying to hide his excitement.
“I’ll try.”
“Good,” Giovanni coughs to clear his throat. “This was more productive than I thought. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Treat Kervin nice,” I add in before I remove my mana from the communication device. "I still want him to be my go-between once everything is cleared up."
“That was always a given,” Giovanni reassures me.
"Good, I'll contact you later." After I say that, I reabsorb my mana from the magic tool and watch the enchantment dim. I know it was a subtle power move, but I wanted to be the one to hang up first.
Twirling around, I start walking back to my village. I leveled my skills today and got my hands on this beauty; I throw the magic tool up in the air and catch it.
"Today was a better day than I could've hoped for." I whistle Country Road all the way home, excited for the future.
**********
Author’s Notes:
5,550 words.
Late, but that’s normal. Having it out before midnight is a plus, though.
How do you guys like where the story is going? Things were always supposed to start coming together, but I'll be the first to admit this isn't the direction I saw the story going when I started writing. It’s thanks to all your comments that the story has morphed into what it is now.
Your comments fuel my imagination and help the world grow, so please continue telling me what you think below.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and as always, stay safe.
Comments
Bettina
Another great chapter. For the editing pot: "I expecting to hear you tell me" + WAS
Tim M.
Isnt Del Pacores nightmare in a sense. One absurdly strong, one absurdly powerful. Just seeing an interaction would be ridiculous
Alnatura
Great chapter 😊
Stylemys
I feel like Pacore and Del would get along
Michael Weis
3. What about an audiobook?
Fujite
That would be hilarious. Out of all the ways for her to reveal she's not some simple village girl as she might want to imply. I could imagine her staring intently trying to learn from it, be asked what she's looking at then she casually replies a "safe" answer "just admiring your armor".
fireking50
I imagine that the first meeting between Aaliyah and Master Pacore, will be Aaliyah commenting on Pacore's armor.
Magnus Gullhav Leikvik
Thanks for the recommendation. The abstract picture it created of the old world was fantastic in the first chapters.
Chemnerd263
So, your mana threads reminds me of a harry potter fic called "core threads" I would recommend reading it if you need a laugh
Desurtfawks
Pancore: Is that a Dwarf? Ok you better come with me buddy. ... Sometime later ... Aaliyah: Master you home?
Jonathan
But ... If he opened a Discord, wouldn't it mean he listened to your comment?
TaylorTot
She can use her mana threads to power individual runes while reverse engineering them.
Ihsan Gunay
Soul Manipulation should be level 8 in the status
Imspinnennetz
I wonder if there is a connection between the celestial language and the runes used for enchanting. Aaliyah did mention that the mana flowed in a specific way when she was attempting the empowered spell.
Håvard
I think RR have spesific days and time. Its seven days between chapters there and only 5 days since the last one so not yet. However i am not personally an fan of it when the time delay between patron and RR ger to large. Mostley beacuse the cost of having to stop subscribing becomes quite large.
Bad Timing
I think you forgot to post chapter 62 on RoyalRoad.
Håvard
Speculation on how to advance chanting. So far she have only cast spells solo. She have never tried combining her mana with someone else to cast an spell. So the simplest way to advance this skill is to try and chant an spell together with her Sandra. The problem with this is that Sandra might not have high enough skill level to do this so this might be be done before MC is 75 and Sandra is 50. The second possibility is to use Sandra as an mana battery for an spell. so in place of 200 of her own mana, she use 200 of Sandras mana. This would also help Sandra train expel mana. If Sandra is able to do the same this might be an way to get around her contract on teaching as she isn't teaching spells just learning an new technique and casting random spells to train this new technique.
Håvard
The gods where mentioned before and the most likely source of the eyes on her soul. So getting an visit from them at some point there was in the realm of possibility. With what we now know of tier 6 skills that encounter is logical. However the monster encounter (unless edits I haven't noticed have been done) where a lot more random.
Mark Bird
if your looking for feedback one of the things I like about this story and your writing is that you find logical reasons for events to progress for example to get Pacore to little creek village you could have just had him go there on a tour of local villages like with iron wood. Instead you aranged for him to hear about the goblin horde which would naturally draw his attention. similarly with how many of Aaliyah's skills are logical and based on other skills and what she is doing. this is the reason I didnt like the monster and gods from chapter 61-62 but liked her new Soul Devourer skill as the monster and gods seemed to come out of nowhere but the skill was an extension of a presious skill
Imspinnennetz
I just realized that Aaliyah is going to have to be careful if Pacore commissions any weapons from her due to her exclusivity clause in the contract with Grey. I also wonder if Pacore can buy (or offer tax discounts) from the village armory keeping in mind the contract. (Aaliyah may have to forgo any part of the payment to the village)
BlueytheGinger
so two questions. 1. do we have a discord for this? 2. are you going to publish this into books?
FancyPantsu
My disappointment will be immeasurable if the next chapter doesn't have Aaliyah and Pacore meeting one another.
1Crash
Makes me excited for when they meet. Thanks for the chapter!
Black Unicorn
Ohhh i could see her mom making master Pacore sit and wait for her coming of age as well most likely shock poor Pitz something bad if Pacore who beat her so badly is just steamrolled by Aaliyah's mom... IN fact i want to see that so please do it author!!!!
Black Unicorn
i can't wait to read more, and i'm sure if you want any more ideas we can come up with any number you want after all you've got more then 2000 patrons.
Black Unicorn
that would be funny though i don't think she'll want a new mentor. after all Del is mostly just a sounding board at this point all she really needs is someone to help her with enchanting, and even then I'd bet only by way of tips on making 3D runes like the higher lvl ones are.(I think someone said tier 3 and up runes are all 3D)
Space Cadet
Can imagine Master Pacore getting to spotted creek and demanding to recruit Aaliyah, only for her mum to refuse saying that she hasnt even had her coming of age ceremony :) It will be interesting to see if there are others in the village coming of age this season, she was a real loner growing up.
PlagueRunner
Cant wait to see the meeting
Blackmoon11
So a man who spits on death is about to cross paths with deaths unwilling champion.......... this bodes poorly
Black Unicorn
I kind of hope Deathless asks her to make him a weapon to drive off that dragon, and maybe gets Pitz to help as well.
Black Unicorn
yes just think if she could make a net that catches only one type of mana that right there would be vary useful but if she could make a tool based on her skill... that could change the world in many ways, hell to many ways to even think of half of them I'd bet.
CyclopsSlayer
Thanks for the chapter... now my addiction is screaming, MOAAARRRR!!! XD
Simon Casey
Every chapter is a cliffhanger, the only diffence is how high the cliff is :P
bob barker
I very much enjoyed the chapter :) The last one, as well.
TaylorTot
It is a iconic song in American culture.
Piotr
Ah, so frustrating. I've read every chapter in last 2 days only to meet cliffhanger. Sob...
Håkan Friberg
Thanks, liked it!
J3_Haustkottr
This is gonna be good. Next chapter can't come soon enough.
Straven
This will be good. Thank you for the chapter.
Timo Immig
Just because you have enough for some time it is still important to store some food in case of bad weather or other disasters. Thats why you still partly ration food as a measure of security.
Enough Efficiency
My impression in the previous chapters was that the village had to implement rationing as a result of sending the wagon of crops that Drey requested before it was captured. So the return of the wagon and it’s food would presumably allow them to end the rationing
Sondadir
Her Mana Skin Skill is a mana armour trough ?
Yod
GG Magic threads + Air walk (she can literally suck that 37 mana per step back) Hope author will think this through :P , i myself dont mind if he doesnt limit MC, maybe like 50% mana cost return to keep things progressing steadily? idk. Next mana skin evolution --> mana muscles/bones. It is too soon for armor, she could barely create stepping stone with mana manipulation for her to create complete armor
That One Guy
Cold and powerless here in Texas, but the chapter really cheered me up. Thanks for writing. :)
PaperMache7
Seems like she could use her mana threads to feel things in a large area around her at a certain point.
SilentStriker
The smithy itself will be obvious... There is a road leading to it. And a lot of unfinished magic swords lying around. They can obscure who made what, though... Unless she has put her mark on everything.
Steven Palmer
Obviously the drey leadership never intended to send troops to aide their village, just left them to die. If they're not aware of the spiders at least. Pacore is going to like her because of her cheeky attitude. I'm hoping that he meets her before she knows who he actually is. Maybe play a wanderer roll and make a friendship. New mentorship after del. Super excited.
Gunnar Crider
I can't wait till she meets deathless
Carl Mason
Certainly an interesting direction, though I wonder if she will introduce herself to Scholl and Pitz when they show up and risk being taken in by them or if she will hide out in the forest like "sorry, no high level people here, and certainly no magic smiths, hate to disappoint you like this."
Robert Mullins
Time for Naruto tree climbing training.
Matt S.
Uuhh! Weaving of runic magic? I'm sold!!
Travis Beck
At first I was thinking it would be a fight and she would be forced into soul devouring him to save her village. Now his character has more depth and he isn’t a 100% asshole so they may get along lol.
olyver
I am eagerly awaiting the meeting between her and the general.
Håvard
The problem is that most of her skills are none combat because of that it's ok to have this number of skills. If there are combination skills they are probably more like higher level skills thqt embody them all. Like the spkitting arrow skill. Its an form of multi attack skill upgraded as far as it can go. For mc an skill like true strike is something she can use to save stamina in place of using multiple lesser skills. Beacuse of how the system works unless she finds that she have an limit on how many skills she can havr and then find an way to force combine her skills or deleting them it's not going to happen. Also I do not want that to happen. I am ok with there being an soft limit to how many skills an soul of an given size can have. However as souls can grow this limit also grows. Another problem is people get skills they dont chose them. So if you want a lot of skills you have to grow stronger so you can have more.
Håvard
One thing at a time when she get her other weapon skills to 75/100 she can start branching out.
Miriduriel
My 2 cents prediction :D MC will try to hide by not standing out and making her Acting skill work for her, Master will be found out by the high level tools littered around the village but as all the tools and workbenches are made to his stature in his clearing no one suspects that some one else is involved. As they thing that they managed to fool everyone and hide her Spitz blows it for them most likely by reacting to her name or something :D
GuyWhoReadsALot
I enjoy everything with Aaliyah.
An_Amazing_Username
I like where this is going, I can't wait to see the meeting between all of these people. It's sure to be interesting and I'm willing to bet it will be fairly cordial.
Sondadir
A 40 pound ax is 20 KG if we are talking about metric pounds. And 18 Kg if the author refers to the imperial pounds. Imperial System Unit are horrible, do not use them at home ! ^^
Timo Immig
The Monsters Level was at least 150. Probably a lot higher but it only invested in a limited range of stats that made it killable.
Timo Immig
At this point in the story she has over 50 skills. It starts to be important that tere are not top many. My personal opinion is that skills with similar level and utility can combine into a higher tier skill or a more valuable (xp) skill in the same tier. example all different strikes combine into a single Skill. For consitency sake These Skills should be for example controled strike*** which is 3 skills worth of xp but only has one level. It is only an idea, but at some point the amount of Skills will create a lot of inconsistencies where we ask why didn't she use this and this Skill. If others have different ideas please comment.
Michael Weis
Just want to add: She should learn archery. Or make a crossbow that can kill a dragon, or Pacore.
Chris
Why do so many stories that I have read on Royal road always mentioned take me home, country roads
luda305
Pacore will be intrigued, Pitz will be shocked. Though there is some flex and just how much of Aaliyah's capabilities will be shown.
Timo Immig
No. Weapon maitnance and production at most. Her weapons create a bigger force multiplier than her as a single unit that has not very high loyalty.
Michael Weis
Would she even put her mark on the village weaponry? Though the arrow heads designs might give it away.
Acen
Looking forward to their meeting in some days :). Though... having her feet held in place with a 40 kg weapon dragging her around... will be stressfull af on her body. That’s basically trying to tear her apart, i hope she is durable for that lol i dont remember how tough she is
Sondadir
Magic threads are a skill that seems extremely versatile. The level 150 monster used this kind of skill I think. Magical threads that pierced Aaliyah's protection and invaded her soul. Maybe she too can use Soul manipulation and magical threads together in the future. Since the magical threads are used to anchor Aaliyah to the ground, it is because they are solid in a way, right? When she manages to extend the reach of the magical threads, they can be used as combat skills then? And also Aaliyah has more Tier 4 skills, than Tier 3 skills now !
Swordofmytriumph
I LOVE the direction this is going! I really like Pacore, and I rather like Scholl as well, I hope he figures out who she is and they do business together. Scholl is interesting and their country has some interesting problems and if she agrees to make some stuff for them they might be willing to trade some stuff. Maybe that engraving ink?
Zerith
She is total going to throw Grey under the buss and use him as a bloody shield while going "I have a signed contract that means I can only sell though him. Yep, Deal with him and yeah, Poke him and I'll just make masterwork weapons in your backyard. Deal with him and pay no attention to the little girl he duped.
DNAjester
Cats cradle with magic threads? Yillish Knots from TNOTW?ana harvesting nets that can be used with different weave density for different "Mana molecule" types kinda like a filter so she can use the in crafting or the quenching process. The possibilities are endless
White Neko Knight
I wonder how Pacore will handle Aaliyah, I doubt it's going to be a fight to the death like others keep hoping for. This is after all mainly a crafting story. Will she be drafted, or will they come to an agreement. I do hope they end up sparing though.
Kirvin
hoard > horde, I expecting to hear > I was expecting to hear
Thomas
Well is looks like someone will be getting drafted for the Scholl war effort.
Stephen Pearson
Heh. For some reason that's a common mistake among many authors I read. While it really shouldn't be a big deal, it bugs me too:-)
Stephen Pearson
As a counterpoint, the amount the author puts in feels almost exactly right to me - I really like reading through it, seeing what's at the test level and how many skills have passed first and second tests as well as leveled up.
Sky
Could you please spell 'horde' correctly in stead of 'hoard'? It keeps bugging the hell out of me whenever I read.
Stephen Pearson
Nah, Pacore is both more capable and more conscientious than the Olebert nobility, at least for the local region; why would there even be a fight? Remember, we've watched Pitz fight and gained some attachment, but for Aliyah she's just placed some orders from afar. And honestly by this point I like Pacore as much as Pitz, if not more.
Garend
I hope this isn't going th obvious route- her Soul skills bypassing skeletors toughness to attack his soul directly, allowing her to kill him and free the general.
1536539
Thank you for the chapter, "I expecting to hear you tell me you already had Grey killed." "I was expecting to hear you tell me you already had Grey killed."
Mr Ove
Magic Threads I wounder if this skill will head into magic weaving or something maybe it could be used in enchanting hmm or like her mana skin she could make mana clothes/armour even if it is just on herself
Cobbly
Our comments fucking suck why do you listen to us?! Also open a discord already.
Andrew Berg-Tung
I worry for many of the authors I read, yourself included. I hope you don't push yourself too hard, and I hope you don't burn out.
Emanuel Sla
I love you
Bunny Waffles
Reel is a valued employee and very good at what he does. A good employer knows when to make allowances for "minor" character flaws like snark and mildly in appropriate composure/social skills.
Chad Hagner
Thank you for the chapter! I'm excited to see what happens once the generals make it to the village.
Leigh Ganschow
Not to be negative Nelly, but I think the frequency of restating all Aaliyah's stats needs to be reduced. You should probably keep updating it yourself, but only update readers when really needed. I'd like to know progress on levels, and when she breaks through a skill cap or gains a new skill, but most of that can be done through narration or internal monologue, or discussion with family, dwarf, her friend, etc.
Timo Immig
It's a lattice/structure one for external use. Makes the most sene as the last time it broke the barrier was for the mana skin breakthrough which was also a structure breakthrough. I honestly love how levels in this world reflect proficiency and are gated by the skill tests.
Stephen Pearson
Excellent chapter, thanks very much:-)
wd40bomber7
Yeah I was very very disappointed when I thought the general was dead but this new direction is good. I'm very excited to read the next chapter. Despite how unplanned you said things were, you really make it feel planned. Thanks!
Jonathan Timm
Please have her break deathless armor lol
Max Scherer
Ohh yesh I am soooo looking forward to the meeting!
Red Viking
Wait... So... Was it just pushing more mana at once that leveled her skill, or was it weaving the threads together? Because the first indicates more of a bulwark mechanic (HODL!), and the latter more of a latice/structure one.
Erriballon
Aww man it's getting good
Hunendora
I very much don't want to see Aaliyah consume any soul. Not Pacore's, not anyone's. If I remember right, that is what triggers an inability to reincarnate. When she dies, thats it. Her soul goes to oblivion. Even if it's way after the story, I don't want that to happen to her.
Mark Bird
thanks for the chapter
Some Total Kretin
Unless of coarse (hehe!) they valiantly charged the windmills of the goblin village and attacked the flour :) If so, then they defeated the goblin hoard! :)
Some Total Kretin
I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it I'm about to lose control and I think I like it I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want you, I want you Look what you do to me You got me burning up (Burning up) How did you get to me? I've got to give it up And I'm so excited (Look what you do to me) Oh boy (You got me burning up) I'm burning up yeah, oh I think I like it (Yeah) You, you, you, you, you got me (I've got to give it up) (Oh oh oh oh) Oh, ooh I like it boy And I'm so excited (Look what you do to me) And I just can't hide it (You got me burning up)
Some Total Kretin
Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy! :)
Tera
Nice, Scholl is coming to the village xD I feel like Reel should have more self control, while standing behind his boss and listening in. Even if he was converted, there is still an image he has to convey. Well it's my opinion here xD Already want to read the next chapter xD
Brad
Looking forward to the next chapters. Wondering if Aaliyah will end up devouring Pacore’s Soul lol.
Vyktor
Love the story so far, I love reading it. Can't wait to read the encounter between the 2 Generals and Aaliyah, and her breaking the awful contract 🤩😍
Doom Furby
Interesting chapter. A small part of me hopes Ai gets caught up in things but I think she'll be off in the woods when Pancore shows up.
Vegetables
Thanks for the chapter :) It's good to see your grammar improving too, the only issue that I spotted was the horde thing already mentioned. It's been an entertaining ride so far.
Imspinnennetz
Aaliyah should be able to complete the test on the Mining and all the Strikes with the help of Del. I think if the Pacore inspects the armory, Aaliyah is going to be revealed as the maker of the arrow because of her blacksmith mark.
Andrew
Thank you!!
Jack Trowell
goblin hoard => horde
GingerClanger
Can't Wait for General Pitz and MC to meet.. Really looking forward to the village meeting.. hope the confrontation ends with both sides learning and helping each other.. MC needs a Combat/High-Level Master.. and I feel that 'Thingy and Deathless' :) would be a Great Teacher for her..
Alteron
The story is really building up, I am looking forward to the next chapter. Alchemy is close to fruitful, and Mana manipulation have reached a new plateau, the long foreshadowed visit from nobles is getting close. It is all getting very exciting.
Jacob
Oh man I can't wait for the next chapter, really enjoying where it's heading.
Ungrave
I'll admit, I'm excited for the next chapter here. Time for her to meet with the character we thought would crush her earlier in the story, along with someone far superior. Also the new skills are cool. Thanks for the chapter!
Justin
Looking forward to the next chapter. I'm interested in the next set of interactions. I half hope she's out of the village but I don't see how he won't hear about her.
Adrien Busnel
I can't wait for the next chapter, keep up the good work !
Darastrix
I really really wish the next chapter isn't late, it's gonna be so good. I can't wait.
Obsidianking
Man whats going to happen when pacore meets Aaliyah, can she bluff her way out, will she fight. Or will she agree to make things for schole. Will she free the general, damn waiting for the next few chapters is going to feel like season cliffhangers from tv.
mars kiyu
Goblin hoard should be Goblin horde, the former would be the treasure/stockpile of goblins the latter is a large mass of goblins
tj oram
Nice I'm interested to see what the deathless thinks of a random ass village in the middle of nowhere that is super well equipped and probably has more backbone than all the other villages combined
Brandon Bailey
worth the wait
Andrew Jones
thankkk youuuu
Andrew Jones
i am so exciteddd
Kosnik4
Corrections
