The Fusionist Book 2 -- Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“You were successful?”

Larek nodded, excited to show off his Fusions to his instructor.

“I was, though not all of them worked out exactly the way I wanted,” he said, sighing a little at his one semi-failure.  “They should all demonstrate the concepts for Intermediate Fusions, however.”

Handing over the 5 steel plates with a warning to be careful with the one containing a sharp edge, he watched as Shinpai looked through them one-by-one, starting with the Simple Intermediate Fusion. “Very nice. Your lines are practically perfect and there is no swelling of the containment barriers thanks to the changes you’ve implemented. The entire Fusion is also quite solid, leaving me to assume that it will last… I honestly have no idea. Well done on the Spellcasting Focus Boost.”

The Strengthen and Sharpen Steel Edge also received high praise, even as the Grandmaster Fusionist handled it gently to avoid being cut by it. When he got to the Minor Classification Fusion, Larek winced in anticipation of what he would say, but his instructor’s reaction wasn’t what he expected.

“Is this an adaptation of a spell? Wind Barrier? It certainly feels that way. Does it work without breaking?”

Larek reluctantly explained how it worked and the problems behind it, but rather than being disappointed in him, Shinpai appeared excited.

“Do know what this could potentially mean?” his instructor asked, looking up from the Fusion in his hands.

“Uh… no?”

“It means that you might have the ability to translate powerful spell-based effects to a Fusion. Normally, we can duplicate some effects in Fusion form, but it’s typically weaker than most spells of an equivalent strength. The problem is that Fusion formations aren’t normally meant to channel large bursts of Mana all at once, which is typically how most spells operate; the same goes for channeled spells, such as healing that require a constant infusion of Mana, because both kinds will rapidly erode the structure of the formation. But with how solid your formations are, I believe you might be able to overcome those limitations.”

Larek had heard something like that before from Nedira, but hearing it from a Grandmaster Fusionist seemed to carry a lot more weight.

“Granted, there are quite a few spells – especially offensive in nature – that would likely require an Advanced Fusion to operate properly, but there are others like this air barrier here,” Shinpai continued, holding up the steel plate with Larek’s Minor Fusion on it, “that might be able to be adapted. Possibly even one for healing! We can create some even now, of course, but they are typically only single-use and take too much effort to produce, especially when there are usually plenty of healers around to do a much better job. But if you—”

While his instructor was talking, Larek sighed and pulled his anklet with the Healing Surge +3 Fusion on it, before handing it to the Grandmaster Fusionist in the middle of his speech.

“What is this?”

“It’s… a healing Fusion, but I messed it up,” he admitted. He debated about saying any more, but as he wanted his instructor to trust him and tired of hiding what he had done at Crystalview, he briefly explained what happened. All the way up to being the cause of the explosion that destroyed a portion of the building and the reason why the students had been transferred. “What’s even worse is that the Mages healed with this Fusion during the attack fell into comas, and I don’t even know if all of them woke up as we left before that may have occurred.”

The Grandmaster Fusionist sat there in silence with a frown on his face after Larek finished speaking, staring at the wooden anklet as he rotated it in his hand.

Finally, after what felt like an hour to the nervous student, Shinpai said, “I wasn’t expecting that. I can see why you would want to keep that a secret. If it was found out that it wasn’t your Fusions instructor that had been responsible for the quantity of Fusions on the roof of Crystalview, but was instead you, I can see Dean Lorraine being pressured to remove you from the Academy as a danger the entire student body. You and I know that is just ridiculous, of course, because it was a horrendous mistake, but they won’t see it that way. I would suggest that you keep this between you and I and don’t show that to anyone or use it on anyone if you can help it.”

Knowing it was already too late for that, and with Shinpai not seeming to want to turn him in, Larek explained what happened a few weeks ago when he healed that Noble Martial trainee. “Nothing seems to have come of it, however.”

“Let’s just hope it stays that way. Though, I can’t help but think how useful these would be for the trainees at the Fort and for Martials in general. You said that it taps into the body’s natural health regeneration to heal? Similar to a channeled healing spell?”

“That is true. I based it on the Minor Mending spell I learned back at Crystalview.”

Shinpai tilted his head to the side, looking at the Fusion again on the anklet. “But that doesn’t explain why it sent the Mages it was used on into a coma.”

“I think it was due to the extensive damage that was done to them. Since they don’t have a Body Regeneration Skill, it affected them much more than a Martial with the same damage.”

Shinpai looked up from the anklet again, staring straight into Larek’s eyes. “You tied the Body Regeneration Skill into the healing Effect? How is it that you know about the Skill as a first-year, let alone understand enough of how it works to link it to an Effect?”

Now it was Larek’s turn to grow quiet as he tried to figure out what to say. After a few seconds of the Grandmaster Fusionist staring at him, he mumbled, “I don’t believe you want the answer to that question.” Based on what his instructor had said before, it was probably for the best that he didn’t discover the kind of information he was asking about. Besides, Larek wasn’t exactly prepared to expressly admit that he had Martial stats to his instructor right now even after revealing what really happened back in Crystalview.

“You’re correct; I don’t want to know. I’m also not even sure what to do with you now. I don’t believe you’re a danger to the other students here, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t a danger if what I now suspect is true.” Shinpai looked closer at him, like really looked at him, as if he could see something that Larek couldn’t even see, before he sat back with his eyes wide open like the student had never seen before. “You don’t even know, do you?”

Confused at where his instructor was going with this, Larek shook his head. “Know what? I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Does this have anything to do with my height?” That was the only thing he could think of that was different from everyone else.

“Yes. No. I shouldn’t even be talking about this, let alone talking to you. I never—” Shinpai started to say, but cut himself off. For the first time, the carefree, unflappable demeanor that surrounded the Grandmaster Fusionist seemed to fall away as it was replaced by what Larek could only guess was concern.

Or fear.

“What’s going on?”

Instead of answering, his instructor asked Larek his own question. “Where were you born? Who were your parents?”

Not sure what that had to do with anything, he answered, “Up north in along border with Rushwood Forest. My parents are Keandra and Janek Holsten. We’re Loggers.”

“You’ve never been to the capital?”

“Uh, only to pass through on a connection on the Network carriages. Why? What does this have anything to do with—"

Interrupting Larek by handing back the steel plates with his Fusions on them without even looking at the last two, Shinpai said, “I can’t deal with this right now. I need you to stay away from my class until I can figure out what is going on.”

“Wait… what?”

“I’ll ensure that you have permission to skip Advanced Fusions 1 due to independent study or some sort of nonsense like that; they don’t really care what you do as long as I approve of it. Visit the library during this time, walk around the building a few times, create Fusions in your room – I don’t really care what you do as long as you don’t do anything harmful during this class time. The only thing you can’t do is come here until I give you permission.” He added under his breath (which Larek heard because of his high Listening Skill), “I just hope that it’s not already too late.”

Larek had no idea what was going on. “Why are you doing this? Is it something I did?”

“Yes. No. I—”

It almost sounded as if his instructor was going to finally explain what was going on, but they were interrupted.

“Is that—?” He didn’t have to finish his question because it was already obvious that it was a Scission nearby. Though, nearby was a relative term, because from the impression he got of its distance, Larek thought it was outside the city walls. He breathed a sigh of relief as a flashback of all the Scissions opening near Crystalview Academy inside the walls ran through his mind. At least we don’t have to worry about such craziness here—

As if to mock his thought, another Scission suddenly appeared to his awareness in the opposite direction. A few seconds later, a third one showed up in yet another direction, followed by a fourth one a few seconds later opposite the third.

Looking around the workshop and imagining where it felt like they were, he was fairly confident that one Scission was located outside the walls of the city to the north, south, east, and west.

“What’s going on, Shinpai?”

“So, the rumors I’ve been hearing are true,” he replied softly, seeming to himself. “It’s starting here, too.”

“What rumors? What’s going on?”

As if he had forgotten he was there, the Grandmaster Fusionist looked back at Larek and shook his head. “Ever since you arrived, there have been rumors drifting in of sudden outbreaks of Scissions all throughout the Kingdom, as if they’ve suddenly gone crazy. It first started up north, but it quickly spread everywhere; rapid Scission thresholds being met, giving the members of the SIC stationed in towns little time to prepare before the monsters moved out from the openings; smaller duplicate Scissions appearing at the same time; stronger Scissions in places that could barely weather the attack; and even Scission openings in remote places or inside a town or city, similar to what happened to you in Peratin and Crystalview.”

Larek didn’t like the tone his instructor used when looking at Larek. “Are you implying that I had something to do with this? That’s ridiculous.”

“I’m not saying you had anything to do with what’s happening. Those likely related to you, however....”

“And what does that mean? How would my parents have anything to do with Scissions and monsters.”

“That’s a very good question, but I don’t have time or the desire to die right now. I’d like to keep my life intact as long as possible, thank you very much. It’s time for you to go back to your room, which is where all the first- and second-years should be heading toward at this time,” his instructor said, getting up himself. Waving Larek toward the door, he began to head to the privacy alcoves. “Normally, we’d welcome a chance to watch the SIC at work defending the walls, but with what’s going on, I’m almost positive that Lorraine is going to want to keep everyone here.”

With what was obviously a dismissal, Shinpai began opening the alcoves to alert the students and break them out of their Fusion trances. It was dangerous to do that, of course, but the Grandmaster Fusionist seemed to have some method to reduce the danger to the students. Larek didn’t get a chance to see what he did because he was already heading out the door, reeling from everything that had happened.

“And remember what I said about staying away! I’ll let you know when it’s safe to speak again,” his instructor shouted after him.

Confused and worried at the existence of four Scissions outside the city of Thanchet, Larek joined the other students that were streaming out of the other workshops nearby. Eventually, he managed to exit into the middle of pure chaos as every student and trainee from the Academy and Fort were running around or congregating in groups that seemed to swell and shrink as people moved from one to another with a barely controlled level of panic.

Larek couldn’t blame them; he had experienced similar things before, but this was enough to freak just about anyone out. That included the Professors, who also appeared anxious and shocked at the current events, but held everything together for the sake of their students.

There was a sudden voice that somehow broke through the overwhelming murmurs and panicked shouts that filled the open center of the building and park.

“Everyone, calm down!” Larek vaguely recognized the voice of Dean Lorraine. “Stop moving, quit talking, and listen!” The forceful tone of her voice was enough for everyone scrambling around to stop what they were doing and quiet down – a feat in and of itself.

A few seconds passed and it seemed like the thousands of students and trainees were going to break into a panic again, but the Dean spoke up again. “This is an unprecedented attack on the city, but we’re going to show the members of the SIC that we’re here to help! Any third-year and above Martial trainees, report to your Drill Instructors in the barracks for more information; any Mage students with a Specialization, report to your Specialization Mentor in the park for assignments. Everyone else that isn’t part of those groups, head back to your barracks or rooms and stay there. Lunch and dinner will still be served in the Dining Halls, so you can visit those at your allotted times, but do not venture out from either of these areas.

“Now, everyone move with speed but in as calm a manner as possible. Everything will be fine as long as we do not panic. If you’re a Martial that is confused at taking direction from a Mage, then take it directly from Vice General Whittaker: This is an order. Now, move your butts!”

And that was it. For the first few seconds after she stopped talking, no one moved. As soon as the first person took a step, it was like a flood of people streaming this way and that, heading toward their assigned areas without argument. Naturally, there were still plenty of panicked shouts echoing around the space; questions and speculations about why this all was happening was rampant, bringing the volume of the hubbub to a fevered pitch. Despite all that, everyone followed the instructions, and with some running, Larek was back at his own residences, making his way through the thinning crowd to his room.

“Larek! What’s going on? Is it happening again,” Verne asked as soon as he walked in.

Larek looked at him and Norde, both of whom appeared rightly concerned, especially the latter for some reason.

“I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. Looking around, he wondered where Nedira was… before he realized that she wouldn’t be there.

She had a specialization and could cast spells, so she would likely be on the walls of the city to help with its defense.

And I’m not there to help her.

Book 2 Chapter 37: https://www.patreon.com/posts/fusionist-book-2-83876442