The Fusionist Book 2 -- Chapter 32

Chapter 32

The next few weeks had Larek studying the Intermediate Fusion books he acquired from the library at night, in addition to in his Advanced Fusions class. Grandmaster Fusionist Shinpai refused to teach him anything new until he had a good understanding of the concepts he would need to take advantage of his instruction, though he was more than willing to answer questions about what he read. The reason it took nearly 3 weeks for him to fully assimilate what he read was the fact that he had to spread his learning out at night to catch up with his other classes and the information that was missed while they had been traveling from Crystalview, but after those few weeks he – and his roommates – were as caught up as it was possible for them to be.

During that time, Larek didn’t go anywhere but his classes, the Dining Hall, and his room. Never once did he see the purple-robed woman from his first day that had ended up with him being interrogated by a Professor, for which he was both thankful and indifferent; if she needed another apology from him, then that was her problem. The more he thought about the whole situation, the more he was confident that he hadn’t actually done anything wrong, other than possibly his method of making her physically move out of the way. He could’ve handled it better, obviously, but what was done was done.

There was also no incidents where he was cornered by Penelope, though he saw her multiple times over the weeks from afar. She was either walking along the perimeter of the park or was fighting against another Martial trainee; no matter what she was doing, she seemed to be able to sense when he was around and either looked in his direction or waved to him. Larek still wasn’t sure what to do about her, but as she wasn’t getting all up in his personal space, he found it was only polite to either nod or wave back at her, but then he promptly forgot about her as he went about his own business.

Nedira’s aloofness faded after the first few days as she returned to acting normally again. If anything, she spent even more time with the roommates, often spending time in their room in the evenings, just talking to the others as she lounged on Larek’s bed rather than sitting on the empty one. As for the former Logger, he sometimes joined in on the conversation, but most of his attention was on getting caught up with his classes while trying to stuff what was normally 2 full years of Intermediate Fusions classes into a few weeks. Even though he wasn’t heavily involved in the conversation, he found that he missed her presence when she either didn’t visit or left for the night to go back to her own room.

During that time, Larek did his best to deflect any attention away from himself by not doing anything out of the ordinary, nor did he and his roommates talk about anything regarding his stats or his abilities in creating Fusions. He also didn’t create a single Fusion during that time, which was perhaps the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, especially considering all of the new knowledge he was gaining. Wanting to utilize everything he had learned by creating brand-new Fusions was only natural, but after Grandmaster Fusionist Shinpai saw how well he was already picking up the concepts, he didn’t want to slow his efforts down by interrupting them with physical Fusions.

Larek couldn’t say he was the happiest about that, but in the end, it turned out that his instructor was correct. By the end of just under 3 weeks, he had finished every page of each of the Intermediate Fusions books he had checked out, the knowledge they had imparted now fixated in his mind like it had always been there. After he was done, he realized that interrupting his learning process to create Fusions would simply delay his learning and possibly mess something up along the way. The latter was because he discovered some key concepts near the end of both Understanding Intermediate Fusion Concepts and 30 Secret Tricks To Get The Most Out Of Your Intermediate Fusion that helped to mesh everything together in his mind. When it was time to finally demonstrate what he had learned to his instructor, he thought that he was even more confident in his Intermediate Fusion knowledge than the basics.

Walking into the Advanced Fusions 1 workshop with a smile on his face, Larek sat across from his instructor, seeing that all of the other students were already in their privacy alcoves.  Earlier, he’d found out that each of the alcoves had sound-dampening Fusions on them that prevented most of the noise coming from outside from penetrating the walls of the alcove, which meant that his conversation with Shinpai wouldn’t be heard.

“I can see by your smile that you’ve finished going through each of the Intermediate Fusion books,” the Grandmaster Fusionist said a few seconds after he sat down. “Do you understand now why I had you wait until you read through everything first before we did any physical Fusions?”

Larek nodded. “I do. I didn’t like it at first, but I’m glad that I followed your instruction.”

Shinpai chuckled. “I’m glad that you listened to me; I can only imagine how hard it was not to experiment.”

“It was certainly difficult,” he agreed.

“Well now, I think it’s about time we go over everything before I approve you to practicing Fusions on your own. Normally, I would want to supervise your work to ensure you’re not exceeding your limits, but based on what I’ve seen you do, I think you’ll be fine.” The Grandmaster smiled, before waving toward his student. “Alright. Please quickly recap for me the knowledge you’ve gained from reading those books and I’ll correct or add anything that might have been missed.”

Larek took a deep breath while he put his thoughts in order. After a few seconds, he began to speak.

“Intermediate Fusions are essentially an expansion upon the Basic Fusions that I’ve created before, as they utilize larger grid formations and are more complicated than the simple ones that I’m used to seeing. The need for larger grid formations is two-fold: It allows for a greater complexity and customization in Effects that are impossible in a 2-by-2 grid; it is also a requirement for external and situational applications.

“For larger grid formations, a slight change is needed through the connections between the different elements and symbols inside the grids, which can also affect the construction of the containment barriers around them all. Thankfully, the double containment barriers and the Mana Overflow Bypass are still able to be used in these new configurations, so that will actually alleviate some of the Mana flow issues that I might have otherwise experienced during the creation of an Intermediate Fusion.

“The complexity of this level of Fusion is compounded by the addition of new symbols that are never included in Basic Fusions. While Effect, Magnitude, Activation Method, and Mana Cost are still utilized in every Fusion, there are a few notable elements that are necessary for various Intermediate Fusions. These are, in order of importance and commonality: Equalizer, Input, Splitter, Variable, Diverter, Stabilizer, and Amplifier.

“Equalizer does what its name implies: It equalizes the Mana flow between two Mana Costs sections in the grid formation. Two—or more—sources of Mana are frequently used in larger formations so that a single source of Mana doesn’t prematurely overload the pattern cohesion throughout the Fusion’s construction, prolonging its permanence significantly. While it doesn’t necessarily reduce the total Mana Cost for the Fusion, it will reduce the Fusion Time needed to create it, as well as the Pattern Cohesion.

“In all honesty, the use of multiple Mana Cost sections probably won’t be necessary for my own Fusions, but starting out I will include them so as to gain a better understanding of how they operate.”

Shinpai nodded and waved for him to continue.

“Input is the next most commonly used symbol, as it dictates an external input that is necessary for Reactive Activation Methods, which is impossible to create as a Basic Fusion. Inputs are similar to Effects and can be connected to Reactive Activation Methods as either a threshold that needs to be reached or as a simple detection of an external reaction. Examples of this are when a defined space – based on yet another symbol – reaches a certain temperature, or simple pressure against the object where the Fusion is placed.

“Moving on, the Splitter is similar to the Equalizer in that it is used as a connection between two different Mana Costs. It is primarily used when there are two different Magnitudes related to two different Effects, as each Mana Cost acts as a separate, split power source. By connecting them together, the ambient Mana that is consumed from the environment is split between the two Mana Costs instead of equalized, and this value is determined during the symbol’s creation.

“The Variable symbol is used in two different situations. The first is when a specific external variable is necessary, such as when connected to an Input to dictate a threshold; in that case, it is connected directly to the Input to allow for the appropriate Reactive activation when that variable threshold is reached. The second situation where it is used is when connected to the Input, the Effect, and the Magnitude such as in the prior example where the temperature of a space is detected by the Input; when connected to the Effect and Magnitude, it can dictate how much of the Effect will be employed. If there is an Area Chill Effect that is supposed to decrease the temperature as the Input detects a warmer temperature, the Variable can assist in a direct correlation so that the appropriate cooler temperature is maintained.

“The Diverter symbol allows for a diversion of Mana flow to a specific Effect. In the previous example, if there were two different Effects, one an Area Chill and the other an Area Warmth, the Diverter connects to the Mana Cost and Variable symbols, allowing the Fusion to either cool down the temperature or warm it up depending on the Input.

“Next is the Stabilizer, which acts as a way to stabilize the formation and Mana flow in Fusions that may have wild fluctuations in Inputs, Variables, and Effects. The Stabilizer puts a cap on the amount of Mana flowing through a Fusion at one time in order to stabilize its structure and prevent collapse. This is meant for Reactive Activation Methods were the Effect will attempt to match the Variable Input sections.  In the case of the temperature example, this is the equivalent of walking outside in a freezing ice storm and then entering a hot room the next moment; the extreme fluctuation in temperature Input would normally strain the Fusion as it attempts to compensate for an entirely different Effect and different Magnitude. The Stabilizer would put a cap on the Mana flow as a result, allowing for a gradual shifting of the Effect instead of all at once.

“Last, we have the Amplifier. This symbol is rarely used as it is seen as a disaster to the cohesion of a Fusion’s structure, though on weaker Fusions the effect of the Amplifier wouldn’t be as dramatic. What the Amplifier effectively does is amplify the amount of ambient Mana being absorbed by the Mana Cost, which can aid in Reactive Fusion with Inputs and Variable connected to Magnitude by raising the Magnitude to compensate for a desired Effect.

“Again, with the temperature example, an Amplifier would be necessary in a Fusion on a piece of armor meant to keep someone nice and warm in the extreme temperatures of blizzard, or cool in the scorching heat of a desert. That is, of course, unless the original Magnitude can already account for these extreme temperatures, which is typically not the case. From what I can understand from the books, a normal Fusion like this on some armor would help keep them from getting frostbite or preventing their muscles from freezing, but they wouldn’t feel as if they were nice and toasty.

“There are a number of different configurations and therefore Classifications of Intermediate Fusions, which include: Simple, Lesser, Minor, Major, and Superior. These are typically based on the number of grid spaces, the number of Effects, the number of Mana Costs, number of Inputs, and the Magnitudes of the Effects.

“If Basic Fusions could be considered having a Classification of 4 because of the number of spaces on their 2-by-2 grid, then Simple Intermediate Fusions are typically found anywhere between 6 and 8. There is nothing too complicated or fancy about them, as they are simple enough to typically get a single Effect done with perhaps a single Input without any Variables or anything like that.

“Lesser Intermediate Fusions start at a Classification of 9 and range up to 12, and can include an extra Mana Cost but, similar to the Simple Intermediate Fusions, they don’t have any complicated Variables, Diverters, or anything unnecessary for simple Effects.   Minor Intermediate Fusions range from a Classification of 13 to 15 and can include some more complicated Inputs with a single Variable. Major Intermediate Fusions range from 16 to 19 and this is where we begin seeing multiple Effects, Inputs, Magnitudes, and Variables. Supreme Intermediate Fusions are anything Classified as 20 or more, and are the epitome of what can be achieved at this level without them being Advanced Fusions. There is still a limitation of up to 2 separate Effects, but they can include a number of different Inputs and Variables, making these quite complicated to put together.”

“Very good,” Shinpai interrupted before Larek could continue. “I feel as though you have a good overall sense of the elements that comprise an Intermediate Fusion, but can you tell me why Intermediate Fusions are even necessary?  Why not have multiple Basic Fusions that could do the same thing?”

That seemed like a trick question to Larek, as he thought that he had already answered it with his recitation, but he continued anyway. “Intermediate Fusions are necessary for a number of reasons. First, the Mana Costs of the Fusion are linked together to pull in ambient Mana, which eliminates the possibility that two different Basic Fusions would fight for it, starving and breaking one or the other in the process. Secondly, the inclusion of Inputs and Variables are an important part of tailoring a Fusion to be more precise and allows customization unavailable in a Basic Fusion. Last, there are some Effects, such as Mage-based Skill Boosts, which require an Input to detect the presence of a Mage in order to function properly – something that is impossible for a Basic Fusion.”

Larek’s instructor nodded, smiling softly at his student. “Precisely. Now, do you have any questions for me about anything you’ve learned that I haven’t answered previously?”

He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.

“Good. We’re actually nearly finished with the class for today, so I want you to spend the rest of the time thinking about what kind of Fusions you would like to create to demonstrate your new knowledge. Tonight, if you are able, I would like you to produce one of each Classification of Intermediate Fusions, from Simple to Supreme; it might be stretching your abilities, but we’ll never know unless you try. Do you think that is possible?”

That last question seemed a little hesitant to Larek, but he put it down to his instructor not knowing exactly how fast he could get it all done. With how fast his Mana and even his Pattern Cohesion was regenerated, he didn’t think he’d have any problems. “Yes, that should be doable.”

“You may use the workshop at any time if necessary, as the privacy alcoves are always available for you. If you work better somewhere else, just make sure that you aren’t disturbed or discovered; while creating Fusions outside of the workshops isn’t forbidden, it’s usually frowned upon if there isn’t some sort of supervision involved.”

“I’ll do my best, Shinpai.”

At that time, a few of the students in the privacy alcoves emerged, their gazes slightly vacant as they reaccustomed themselves to the world. From what he understood from observation and from at least half of the “tricks” in one of his books, in order for Fusionists to focus enough on their more-complicated Fusions, they fell into a sort of trance that elevated their perceptions to the point where all they could concentrate on was the Fusion they were creating. Larek seemed to do this instinctively as it wasn’t exactly hard to do, but he knew that most of the students had to practice for months or even a year before they achieved the same sort of focused trance state that allowed them to concentrate for hours on end. It was why they always seemed as if they weren’t paying attention to the world around them and weren’t very talkative, as that trance-like state was something that they needed practice to easily enter – and leave. For a Grandmaster Fusionist like Shinpai, just talking to him demonstrated what someone who had achieved an equilibrium between the trance and normalcy, as he seemed to be just on the verge of falling into a focused state at any moment.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what you create, Larek. I’ll see you tomorrow,” his instructor said to Larek in dismissal, as he turned his attention to the recently secluded students. That was just fine for him, because he was already thinking about what he wanted to create that night after classes, and he rubbed his hands together in anticipation of creating Fusions once again – and this time with permission.

Book 2 Chapter 33: https://www.patreon.com/posts/fusionist-book-2-83737159