Chapter 50 - Secrets Laid Bare

Nate had to admit, he was enjoying this. After keeping these secrets for so long, it felt good to get them out. Of course, the reaction of Aisling and Deverell was definitely the icing on the cake. Deverell seemed to have stuttered to a stop after whispering the word ‘Mythic’. Aisling on the other hand had stood up immediately, hands placed on her desk as she towered over him with a smile from ear to ear as she stared at him like he was a prized pig she was taking to market.

Aisling was the first to break the silence, “What’s the name of the Class?”

“My Mythic Class?” he asked, waiting for Aisling to eagerly nod before he continued, “It’s Wandering Runic Artist.”

“...wait, Artist? We thought you possessed a hybrid combat and crafter class,” Aisling said, sounding confused.

Nate glanced at Frick in the hope that he would chime in, as Nate wasn’t sure how to classify his Class.

“While the Class can create runes that have combat applications and the Class offers Skills that let Nate dynamically change how the runes function, it’s still mostly a Crafting Class. I’d say it’s probably an eighty twenty split. Eighty percent crafting,” Frick supplied, a satisfied smirk on the Familiar’s goblin face.

“I won’t lie to you Nate. I had hoped you’d be more combat-oriented,” Aisling said with a slight sigh. “But a Mythic Crafting Class is still obviously going to be incredibly beneficial to the Guild. We can supply you with some materials, though maybe not as good as the ones you got from that Dungeon.”

Aisling looked like she was about to continue her pitch as Nate interrupted her.

“What materials from the Dungeon?” Nate asked in confusion.

Aisling glanced at Deverell who seemed to finally be getting control of himself, “Deverell said he found a wand near you that he couldn’t identify. Apparently it was so toxic it was killing the grass all around where it had fallen. I know it was returned to you but I assumed you made it yourself? Or was it another Dungeon reward?”

“Oh, this?” Nate asked, pulling out the Acidic Projectile Wand from his spatial storage. Thankfully it was contained now that it was back in its sheath but he agreed it still ‘felt’ toxic.

“That’s the one. If you wouldn’t mind, what is it?” Aisling asked curiously.

“An Acidic Projectile Wand. It has a rune in it to make it function and the material is Legendary quality with an affinity for corrosion and fluids,” he said, matter of factly.

“A rune? So you did make it?” Aisling asked, continuing when he nodded, “A dual affinity Legendary material is not something we’d be able to provide you. At least not yet.”

Before she could continue Nate interrupted her again, “That’s fine. I made it.”

“I understand that,” Aisling started again, clearly growing annoyed at the interruptions as he did so a third time.

“No. I made it. The material. I made the material as well as the rune.”

That seemed to give them both pause and it was Deverell who asked the follow up question, “You can make Legendary materials? What about the affinity? Did it already have a dual affinity?”

“No, I added the affinity to it. It was just a Common piece of soft wood when I started,” Nate replied.

“That is impressive. Is that your Mythic Skill?” Aisling asked.

“It’s one of them. Conceptual Material. I can flood materials with mana and improve their grade as well as adding affinities, if I know the sigil needed,” Nate said, hedging his answer in case they asked for something he couldn’t do. Like, a spatial storage. He was sure he’d be able to make such things eventually but he had a long way to go.

“One of them? What’s the other, if you don’t mind sharing?” Aisling pushed.

“It’s called Eyes of the Runic Artist. It lets me see things like mana flows and class cores.”

Without waiting he activated Eyes of the Runic Artist and looked over the pair. The mana density inside of Aisling was far greater than the surrounding air and it looked like her body was actively working to contain the mana, not allowing any to flow out. It was just like he had suspected all that time ago, back in the Dungeon. Mana followed the same rules as energy, and therefore entropy. It wanted to spread and equalise itself across its environment. He’d need to delve deeper into it but since mana was clearly capable of respecting an individuals ‘intent’ there were other factors that affected it. Staring at Aisling’s Class Core it looked much more textured than Kiri’s had and after a moment blue text flashed in front of his eyes.

Aisling Teigland
Daughter of the Storm (E) (53) / Storm Spear (R) (34) / Growth Mage (U) (20)

Reading the text his forehead furrowed, “What’s a Growth Mage? Do you get bigger or something?”

Aisling’s eyebrows went up, “You can see my Classes?”

“And levels.”

“That’s interesting. Though I suppose it makes sense for a Mythic Skill. As for the Growth Mage Class, it is normally used in conjunction with farming or plant based Classes. Sometimes you see it used with tamer-style classes. However, if applied correctly, as a Tertiary Class, it can work well with certain other Classes as it’s known to contain a couple of Skills that can form interesting Synergies. For me it allows some of my spells to ‘grow’ by using ambient mana with the appropriate affinity. It’s not a common combination because most mage classes don’t have a way of making sure there will be the right affinity in the ambient mana,” Aisling explained, sounding a lot like a school teacher.

Aisling looked to Deverell, “Can you see his Secondary Class?”

“It’s Wandering Realmwalker,” Deverell said with a nod before continuing, “It’s not one I have ever heard of.”

“Can you explain it to us Nate?” Aisling asked.

He was happy they didn’t ask about the fact that both his Classes had Wandering in their names as he wasn’t sure he was willing to share the meeting he had with Arikanvil with the pair. The Class though, he could explain that.

“It’s a Legendary Spatial Mage Class.”

“Now that is more like it!” Aisling exclaimed, slapping the desk, “Spatial Mages can be absolute menaces on the battlefield. You know, I once saw one drop an entire fort on a horde of Rhinepoumi.”

She laughed good naturedly, clearly reliving the story in her head before she continued, “Now, Nate. Our pitch. We want to send you to the Etrua Royal University.”

She paused there, waiting for his reaction.

“Why would I want to go to the Royal University?” he asked.

“You’ve levelled a few Skills, Nate,” Aisling began, “When did they gain the most levels? When did they advance the fastest?”

“When I discovered something new about the Skill or how it worked,” he replied.

“That’s why you want to go to the Royal University,” Aisling stated firmly, “Because they’ve got some of the best and brightest in the country working there who can not only vastly accelerate your Skill development but also open your eyes to the opportunities of Skill and Class synergies. You’re not exactly following a well known Path. I’d keep you tucked away in the Guild if I could but I don’t think that is the best thing for your growth, and your growth is of value to the Guild. So, what do you say?”

“I have two questions. Firstly, Kiri too, right? Secondly, why is it called the Royal University?” he hedged, still a little unsure though quickly warming up to the idea.

“Well, about that,” Aisling paused awkwardly, Deverell still hovering over her shoulder. “You see, we don’t think Kiri could keep up with the level of competition at the University. Most of the attendees will have started with a Rare Class, some even Epic. The Royals attending will all have started with an Epic Class. And the University only allows a limited number of attendees per year. The Adventurer’s Guild has a standing agreement for a number of slots at the University every four years. That number is ten. Ten, every four years, from across the Kingdom. Do you see why I don’t think Kiri could stand amongst that level of competition?

“Is there a way for her, or me, to prove you wrong and get her included?” Nate asked.

“Well,” Aisling hedged, watching him with what he could only call a greedy eye. “While I could potentially force you through on your current merits, the way we normally select the ten Adventurers to send to the University is through a competition we hold in the Capital. If Kiri could make it through to the top nine, then she could join you at the University. Problem is, you need a recommendation from a Guildmaster, or someone with at least a Platinum Badge just to be entered into the competition. But if I recommend Kiri for the Guild’s University Candidate competition, then I can’t guarantee I can get you through without competing.”

Nate didn’t need to give the implied issue a second thought. While he much preferred making art and crafting to fighting, he’d take Kiri’s side any day, even if that meant competing.

“That’s fine. Can you put us both down to compete then?”

“Nate, these are going to be some of the best of the best among the Silver Badges of the Guild. The University won’t take anyone over level forty. And the Guild competitors are likely to all be dedicated Combat Classers. Are you sure? You might not make it. And I doubt Kiri will,” Aisling implored.

“I am sure. Put us both down please Guildmaster.”

“Fine,” Aisling harrumphed, “We’ll need to raise your level before the competition if you’re going to have a hope of competing. I honestly don’t see how we’re going to manage it.”

“Forgive me for asking this, Guildmaster, but am I that far off matching the other competitors in Stats? I would’ve thought my higher rarity would’ve been enough to keep my Stats close to competitive,” he objected.

Aisling got a look on her face that told him he was about to get another lecture from Aisling the Teacher.

“When you got your Legendary Class, how many Legendary Skills did you get?” she asked.

“One.”

“And after getting to level twenty in the Legendary Class, how many had you gotten from levelling? Evolutions don’t count,” she continued.

“One,” he replied and damn it he could already see where this was going, he thought as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“I see you have an idea what I am going to say, but I will say it anyway to drive home the issue. Stats are significantly less important than Skills. Not unimportant. But a powerful Skill will trump a high Stat almost every day of the week, Nate. Now, what level is your highest Skill?”

“Twenty two…”

“Exactly!” She said, pointing at him, “You’re going to be fighting those at level forty, or if not at, at the very least close. They will have Skills to match. Maybe not on your tier of rarity, but when their Skills are twice the level of yours, do you think that’s going to matter much?” she griped.

When she put it like that it was clear he had a long way to go. But he wasn’t ready to give up. This would absolutely be the kind of thing Kiri would want to do. For him, well, the Capital offered access to more materials, hopefully more mana for crafting and best of all, more comfort. Maybe he could buy a villa or something? Hire a chef. Set up a room for painting. That would be incredible.

“How long’s the Boss got?” Frick asked, piping up from where he sat.

“Six months, and that includes the two months for us to get to the Capital.”

“Leave it to us! This mana…I mean man, will surprise you!” Frick said, giving Nate an overly large wink.

Nate just sighed and leaned back in the chair.

“Well, I hope to be proven wrong then. In the interim, I will be seeing if I can find you any teachers. Especially for Spatial Magic. Any objections?”

Nate just shook his head. He was honestly over the meeting and ready to get back to crafting. Not that he wasn’t appreciative. Aisling and Deverell had been nothing but helpful and supportive. But there was only so much sitting and talking he could do when he had important things to do. Like making Kiri some runes and tools, and experimenting with his new Skills.

“Alright, you’re free to go then,” Aisling said, dismissing him. “Train hard Nate, if you want to have even a hope of being successful in the Etrua Adventurers Guild Royal University Entry Tournament.”

Nate left the room, thinking that at the least, they needed a shorter name for the tournament. Frick seemed to have decided he no longer needed to be concealed and floated along beside him as they made their way down stairs and towards the door, more than a few open mouths following them. But that didn’t matter much to him. He was finally free to paint the sky during Aisling’s battle. Lightning and fire. He could see it already. Then he’d get to work testing his new Skills and making some runes. Hopefully life would settle down a little bit. He doubted it though.

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

Aisling watched Nate leave her office before glancing at Deverell, “Do you think he can manage top ten in the Tournament?”

“No,” Deverell replied without hesitation. “Eighteen levels is too much of a gap and he only has six months to bridge it. Especially with his Primary Class focused on Crafting. He will win some, but I doubt he’d have the time necessary to prepare for the Finalists. Top fifty is doable. Top ten, I would not bet on it. Not as he is now.”

Aisling glanced at the Ark Sender and Ark Receiver on her desk. The spying tools that had been used against them by their very own. Traitors planted in the Guild. Here, in the middle of nowhere. Just like she’d been sent here, to the middle of nowhere. The Prefects and Nobles were making plays and she was being used like a pawn. That wasn’t a good sign. This particular Tournament was likely to be far worse than usual.

“Call in my favour from Luc,” Aisling said in annoyance, “Unless you can think of someone better?”

Deverell just shook his head, walking towards the door and likely his own office to make the call. She hoped Luc was free, because her other options were, for lack of a better word, shit.

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

Garnet walked into the darkened room, her heart full of regret and perhaps something else. Definitely not fear. She was not afraid of anything. She was fearless! She repeated it to herself over and over again, a mantra to keep her from shaking. Sitting down she stared across the table at her Master, his ever-present Shadow looming behind him.

“You’ve disappointed me Bellanca,” he said, using her real name. It felt like a stab in the heart. “All you had to do was supply a steady number of slaves to our friends in the South and then send me the profits. It was a simple task. Now, tell me what happened?”

“It was all Vallis’s fault, my Lord!” She babbled out, “He kept asking to ‘borrow’ the Enchantress you sent with me. The little strumpet got followed back to our hideout by some old man who turned out to be a retired Royal Ranger. I did what I could to salvage the situation but it all fell apart. I kept telling Vallis that he needed to be more careful. That Aisling the Storm Spear could ruin all our plans. But he wouldn’t listen.”

She had meant to continue but he’d raised his hand to indicate silence and she felt a shiver run down her spine as she prepared for him to pronounce his judgement.

“You failed me, Bellanca. Fortunately for you, I am not like you. I do not waste tools, even broken ones, like yourself. You will assist our operations in the East, under Sapphire’s direct command.”

She swallowed her response. Sapphire was a pig, but better to serve a pig, than be fed to them, if he even did her that courtesy and didn’t dump her somewhere for the carrion birds to feast upon.

“Yes, my Lord,” she said meekly.

She waited a moment, knowing better than to stand or attempt to leave before being dismissed. If she gave such a grievous insult, his Shadow would see her dead before she’d taken a step. She knew. She had seen it. After a moment he flicked his gloved hand at her in dismissal and she fled the room. She had survived. She had survived, and she wanted to vomit, but that would have to wait till she was out of the City and on her way. Because if she waited, well, he had been known to change his mind before. It wasn’t worth the risk.

Stumbling out the door of the decrepit building, she immediately made for the Eastern Gate, the sounds of the Capital at night filling the air. There was revelry and violence. If she wasn’t in such a hurry, she’d have indulged in some herself but no, she needed to be away, as far from him as possible. Let that cold fury of his cool to a simmer, or better, prove herself and return to his good graces. She could do it. She was the Fire’s Fury, and when the time came, she’d take revenge on the Storm Spear. With teeth grinding she walked away into the darkness.