Chapter 49 - Spaced Out

The Notification of his new Class flowed in front of Nate’s eyes as he projected the results to the group, the usual five Skill options following the additional Stats.

Congratulations on gaining the Secondary Class: Wandering Realmwalker (Legendary)

Accrued Mana applied to Secondary Class.

Level up…

Stats adjusted: +1 Magic Power, +4 Magic Control, +2 Channelling Speed, +2 Mana Reserve, +1 Mana Absorption, +5 Free Stats

Skills Available! Please Select 3* Skills.
Class Skill Options:

Spatial Expansion (Rare)
Space is malleable. So why limit your space to the prescribed dimensions when you could spatially expand it. Carry your clothes, your supplies, even your house with you wherever you go. This Skill allows the user to create spatially expanded spaces. Size of expansion is based on users' Skill Level. Cost and duration is based on the users’ Magic Power and Magic Control. Spatial space starts at half a cubic metre. Skill Level increases space by Skill Level * half a cubic metre.

Spatial Reinforcement (Rare)
Space is not solid. It is a fluid three-dimensional area that can be altered or distorted, shaped or dispersed. But for those wishing to create spaces that will resist the warping of gravity, that will stand the test of time, they need the ability to harden space. They need Spatial Reinforcement. This Skill will reinforce any spatially created space or zone the user focuses on. Extent of reinforcement is based on users' Magic Power, Magic Control and Skill Level.

No Steps Necessary (Legendary)
A true Spatial Mage does not need to walk, nor swim, nor fly. Their destination is always only a step away. With this Skill, they need not even take a step, moving themself through space to appear at their destination. Step into the distance and see the world ever behind you. This Skill allows the user to teleport themselves a short range. Distance increases with Skill Level. Mana Cost decreases with Magic Power and Magic Control. Initial distance is ten metres. Skill Level increases distance by Skill Level * ten metres.

From Me, To You (Epic)
A Spatial Mage is not limited to moving themselves. Why throw a knife when you can teleport it into your target? Why get up to grab a book when it could already be in your hand? This Skill allows the user to teleport inanimate objects within range of their skill. Distance increases with Skill Level. Mana Cost decreases with Magic Power and Magic Control. Initial distance is five metres. Skill Level increases distance by Skill Level * five metres.

Spatial Sensitivity (Rare)
A Spatial Mage needs to understand the nature of space. Recognise when it bends or breaks. Recognise how it reshapes and remoulds itself under their power. This Skill aids that by granting them a new sense to perceive space, spatial fluctuations and spatial manipulations. Distance increases with Skill Level and Perception. Mana Cost decreases with Magic Power and Magic Control. Initial distance is five metres. Skill Level increases distance by Skill Level * five metres.

Without consulting the group, Nate immediately put his Free Stats into Perception. He knew he was close to having an additional rune slot on his robe or another Intent through the Imbue Intent Skill, but after a quick read of the Skills on offer he knew he was taking Spatial Sensitivity and that the Skill scaled with Perception, as did his Eyes of the Runic Artist. Besides, he got some extra stats out of it from his percentage increase to Perception, which was already at thirty six percent.

“So I am definitely taking Spatial Sensitivity. We’re agreed on that, right? Seems like it should hopefully help me find some Dungeons, if any are around,” he stated, looking between Kiri and Frick.

“Same as last time, Boss man. The Spatial Expansion and Spatial Reinforcement Skills will be good when you actually have some Spatial spells. Besides, who doesn’t want to teleport stuff around. Themselves included! Oh! Oh! You could teleport me with a bomb rune into something! Goblin Demolitions direct delivery!” Frick cackled, dancing around in his weird little circular stomping goblin dance.

Kiri was sighing, watching the Spirit do his little jig. “I hate to agree with him when he’s like this, but he’s right.”

“Yeah I think so too,” he replied, a moment later his selection for his Skills was made. Spatial Sensitivity; From Me, To You; No Steps Necessary. Sometimes it was just easy to pick out what was best.

His backlog of Notifications was finally being depleted and he looked through the Achievements and Skill Increases.

Congratulations on creating a Soul Barrier Rune (Journeyman Quality).
Congratulations on creating a Soul Drain Rune (Journeyman Quality).
Congratulations on defending against a Soul Dissolution Spell.
Your achievement has been recorded.

Imbue Intent 21 > 22
Runic Creation Level 8 > 10
Eyes of the Runic Artist 11 > 13

Walk your Path. Reach your Goal. Become One with Mana.

The Skill increases made sense. He’d used Imbue Intent a lot, but at the same time, it was over level twenty now and levelled slightly slower. It looked like each of his uses of Runic Creation, to create the Soul Barrier and Soul Drain runes, had increased the Skill by one. Coupled with it being below level twenty, the Skill was levelling fast. Finally, Eyes of the Runic Artist had gained a couple of levels. He noticed there was one Notification left, and with some trepidation he opened it.

For Class Core Interference violations, a challenge has been dispatched. Survive to prove you deserve a second chance.

He’d ignored the System's warning when he had been trying to save Kiri’s life and now he had proof that the System did not appreciate meddling with Class Cores. He wondered for a moment if that was what had happened to the denizens of the Dungeon he had completed. Transferring a soul from a body to a construct probably constituted interfering with a Class Core. Weird that Soul Dissolution didn’t though. Maybe because it replicated death in some way that Soul transference didn’t. Either way, he’d made a choice, one that he didn’t regret. Now he just had to survive the consequences.

Looking up he saw the other two watching him. He realised he hadn’t stopped displaying his Notifications to everyone.

“What are we going to do?” Kiri asked, sounding worried.

Nate took a moment to think then shrugged, looking to Frick, “Is there much we can do, besides keep an eye out and prepare a little?”

Frick was glaring at the Notification, still hanging in the air.

“Bastard System trying to take my meal ticket. Whatever! I’ll show you System!” Yelled Frick. “Prepare. Prepare and level. Good thing for me, that means more mana! Good thing for you is, you get to live! That’s a win-win, right Boss man?”

Nate thought Frick sounded a little forced but like he’d said, there wasn’t much he could do. Some levels would definitely help. If he could really find Dungeons with his Spatial Sensitivity, then they could definitely get some more Levels in preparation. With that decided, he looked at his best friend and Familiar.

“I need some food and a long bath. Now that this whole fiasco is over, I might move back to the Oaken Ring. You’re my best friend, but I could do with a little alone time and maybe do a little creative decompressing. Maybe a new painting?” Nate said, slowly standing up.

Kiri nodded with a grin, “Maybe make me a few runes? You know, for when we start doing Dungeons together?” when Nate nodded her blue eyes lit up, “Oh yeah, Dad said Aisling wants to see you as well.”

Nate nodded and gathered up his things, with a wave for Kiri, some gushed thanks from Rania and a nod of acknowledgement from Jorge, Nate made his way towards town, the sun still making its rise towards its zenith. A good morning, he felt. As he walked, Frick gave him the rundown of what had happened after he passed out. Apparently Jorge had been pretty furious, till he realised Kiri was alive. Then he’d just been confused. When he found out Rania had been taken it all made sense, except for the Orb. Since Kiri hadn’t told them, and Frick hadn’t volunteered the information, they were still in the dark, at least until Jorge used Identify on his daughter. Who knew when that might be. Nate added, ‘make Kiri a concealing rune to hide her Class’ to his list. She’d need it if she truly did get a Legendary Class like he had.

After that, the rescue party had been all business and clean up. Apparently one of the teams had turned traitor and were killed. A couple of their enemies had survived but had failed to give up anything, at least so far. They’d lost one member of the Adventurers Guild though. Small losses, all things considered.

Walking through the gates of Helmfirth, one of the gate guards moved to stop him before another grabbed his shoulder and pointed at the stars on his robe. That was a curious response and Nate was about to say something when the guard gave him a smile. “My sister an’ ‘er kids. They were amongst the ones ya and the other Adventurer’s saved. Ya always welcome in Helmfirth as far as I am concerned, Lord Mage,” said the guard, waving him through.

A little uncomfortable with the praise and definitely uncomfortable with the title, Nate just gave him a small smile and a nod before venturing deeper into town, beelining for the Oaken Ring. He heard a few whispers, unable to block them out with his heightened perception. Unlike before, when they had whispered that he was involved in the disappearances, now they sounded mostly of wonder and praise for him. How fickle people were, and how quick to judge that which was different. Well, he couldn’t completely fault them. In the end, a mage had been kidnapping their friends, family and neighbours, at least if the fire in the sky was anything to go by.

Entering the Oaken Ring he used his good hand to push the door open. At this time of the day the common room was quite full, with plenty of the townsfolk enjoying the Oaken Ring chef’s breakfast. The smell was divine and he knew he was going to see if there was anything left. Approaching the bar the whispers continued to follow him but no one stopped him. Valeria stood behind the bar and watched him approach, offering a smile that looked both genuine and uncomfortable. He supposed their last parting had not been the best but he wasn’t holding a grudge, so he hoped she felt the same.

“Good morning, Valeria,” he said in greeting.

“Good morning, Sir,” she replied, the discomfort slowly leaving her, if her body language and smile were anything to go by. “Your room is as you left it. Would you like some breakfast?”

Her voice was as honeyed as ever and he was tempted to activate Eyes of the Runic Artist and see if there was mana flowing from her as she talked. He held off though. Kiri had said there was a visual cue he was using them and he didn’t want to use up the little goodwill he seemed to have garnered.

“Yes please. And a bath if possible. I’ll take breakfast in my room,” he responded.

As Valeria started commanding her staff, he headed up the stairs, following one of them. It didn’t take them long to prepare his bath and he made a quick mention to leave his breakfast at the table by the window before sliding into the warm water and relaxing. His still healing hand hung on the rim of the bath, Frick sitting next to it, kicking his legs. It was good to be back here. Comfortable. A moment of ease. With a deep breath he started scrubbing. Breakfast wasn’t going to eat itself.

Once he’d finished in the bath and dried himself he put back on some fresh underwear and a shirt before pulling his robe back on and thanking the Wanderer for its self-cleaning enchantment. Moving to the window to take breakfast he found his food, still warm, with a letter beside it. The contents of the letter were simple enough, a request from Aisling to come see her at the Guildhouse. He’d handle that shortly, but first; food. The chef had outdone himself and while he ate something that tasted like french toast alongside some salty eggs, he brought up his Status to see how he had progressed.

Satisfied with his progress, he finished his meal before he made his way out of the Oaken Ring, pausing to inform Valeria he would be back later. Crossing the Market Square took only a few minutes, the crowds not moving as much today. More interested in discussing the events than making purchases it seemed and Nate noted a few of the stalls were empty. He hoped it was because they were visiting their rescued friends and family. Striding into the Guildhouse, he saw Melinda was working the desk but she waved him upstairs before he could say anything.

Nate took the stairs two at a time, hoping this would be an easy conversation. Just a quick rebuke for putting himself in danger or the like. He doubted it, but he could hope. Arriving at the Guildmaster’s Office on the top floor, he knocked once.

“Come,” Aisling’s voice came through the door.

Pulling the door open he slipped inside, closing it behind him, but not before he caught sight of Deverell as well. That flicker of hope that this would be an easy meeting was already fading away. Walking towards the desk, like a man trudging towards his doom, he found the pair going through paperwork. Aisling finally looked up, piercing him with her brown eyes.

“Please, sit,” she said, motioning to one of the three chairs in front of her desk. Rather than be contrary, he took the middle one so he was directly facing her, with Deverell looming over her shoulder, albeit barely. Even sitting she was incredibly tall.

“Before we continue, I want you to know I have some ideas for your future. For how the Guild can support you, and of course, hopefully, how you can support the Guild. But to do that, I need some answers,” Aisling said, leaning forward with her hands on her overly large desk. “I understand that you don’t trust me. Trust us, I suppose. So with that in mind, Deverell and I are willing to agree to a System Contract. Nothing you say will leave this room. We will keep your secrets in confidence and take them to our graves or until you release us from the Contract. Does that sound agreeable?” she asked.

As she finished Frick popped out, sliding into the seat to his left and speaking up before Nate could. “Put up the System Contract so we can read it.”

His appearance didn’t come as a surprise to either the Guildmaster or Assistant Guildmaster and a moment later a Notification pinged in his vision.

System Contract:
Aisling Teigland & Deverell Courbet swear to not reveal any information revealed to them in the next 24 hours by the holder of this contract for the duration of their life. Failure to uphold this contract will result in the transfer of 20 levels worth of mana from Aisling Teigland & Deverell Courbet each, to the holder of this contract and will null and void the contract.

Accept? Yes/No

Nate looked over the contract with Frick before whispering to his Familiar.

“Would that mean if they violated this contract, I would gain forty levels?”

“More. That’s twenty levels off the top for them, Boss man. Be forty levels between them but it’d probably be enough to give you maybe…forty five to fifty levels? It’s a lot,” replied Frick, staring at the contract with greed in his eyes.

“I think your Familiar might be underestimating my level, but yes, it is a lot. And a large risk for us both. One that once you trust us, I hope you will consider releasing us from. So, what do you say?” Aisling said, looking at him pointedly.

Nate couldn’t argue with the logic. He was going to have to reveal some things sooner or later anyway and this way they had to keep the secret, or make him more powerful while weakening themselves. Besides, Aisling had helped save the slaves. Even if she was a bit scary, she seemed like the kind of person he wouldn’t mind working with. With a thought he accepted the Contract, seeing it show up a moment later on his Status.

Looking up he found Aisling staring at him, before giving him a slow nod.

“Okay, first question. Can you confirm for us that you’re an Epic Class holder?” she asked, her voice all business now.

“Oh. No. I was a Legendary Class holder,” he replied in the same tone of voice.

Aisling’s face went through a series of emotions in quick order. Shock, surprise, then something he could only call elation as she grinned from ear to ear.

“Legendary…Legendary! Forget Platinum. You could be a future gem!” She exclaimed.

Nate wasn’t sure what that meant but she seemed beyond happy. A moment later Deverell spoke up.

“You said ‘was’,” he stated, a slight crease in his brows.

In response, Nate removed the enchanted amulet that had been hiding his Class and Level from most of the denizens in Helmfirth.

Nate finally got to see Deverell’s cool facade break as the man gasped, hand going to cover his mouth as he whispered, “Mythic.”