<<<<Author's Note: Thanks to Steen Kaasgaard, for the new chapter name>>>>
Chapter 104
Bullseye
Alexa was surrounded by death on all sides, the path behind her was filled with a rumbling stumbling minotaur, to her right and left were the maze walls filled with poisonous plants that would likely incapacitate her enough to force her to get chased down and trampled on by the aforementioned minotaur. Then...
2023-02-08 11:16:43 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 33
The Tower From Nowhere
Zones rise and fall all the time in the world of Biprism. That is the great thing about this world, something that I truly love about this place. The thought that your actions, great, small, or indifferent can bring about wide sweeping changes to the world you walk upon. The fact that just sitting back and watching a giant shadow spirit gorge themselves on power can create a plague that then molds itself with the overly abundant energy of the nume...
2023-02-08 03:33:19 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 103
The A-Mazing Race
Alexa was surrounded, clearly poisonous plants lining the walls of a maze and a giant minotaur chasing her, encouraging her to move faster. While she was fairly certain she could do a number of things to save herself from this situation, she felt that that was not the purpose of this dungeon. If this had been the Alexa from a month ago, she would have likely charged through the maze, cutting a way with her magic, while slaying the minotaur as a fun ch...
2023-02-07 12:01:39 +0000 UTC View PostPrelude II
A howling gale flooded the hallways of Arcanarus University, in a moment what had been a place of untold training and magical glory imploded on itself. Hundreds of students perished overnight, while hundreds more went missing in the spirit tower that erupted on its campus, the first ever spirit tower recorded in Biprism.
“Everyone knows the rewards that come from being the first to conquer a tower; new spells, new skills, if your class is exactly suited for t...
2023-02-07 01:31:30 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 102
Stage VII
Tuesday
“You’re back already?” Luke asked as he followed his sister right to the entrance of the Dawning Light Tier II dungeon.
“Clearly.”
At that response Luke just rolled his eyes. “You know most people use that as a way to start a conversation. By saying that, I was giving you the opportunity to tell me what happened.”
“I know.” Alexa said, as she let a faint smile cross her lips.
“Gah.” Luke said, clearl...
2023-02-06 11:50:03 +0000 UTC View PostEpilogue I
Jackie Cruise had been at home when the holo-vid call came. Even now, she still had to sit down and look at the recent call listing to see if the call had been legitimate. A few seconds later a contractual email was sent to her, letting her know that no, it was not a prank.
Contract Form and Non-Disclosure Agreement with Tri-Random-Star Audio.
“They want to use mother’s voice as the audio visual story telling of the computer generated series, ‘R...
2023-02-06 00:44:47 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 32
Sometimes You Just Have to Sit back and Watch Justice Happen
Now I have never been too big on Karma, as a thief getting into the Karma game is a bad business. That said, there are certain things that go beyond day to day Karma, somethings that mark your soul for all eternity. When those events happen, they leave an ugly mark that apparently even shines in the spirit world.
Ms. Umbra was unconscious, but more then that her soul was pulsing brightly. I could almost ...
2023-02-05 15:18:47 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 101
The Delegation Circus
Tuesday
The motorcade made its way towards the hospital, just like they had for the past three Tuesdays in a row, though this time things were different. Alexa could all but feel the growing tension in the oversized vehicle that was being used to pull both her and her parents.
As they drove, there was an obvious tension between her parents. Judy, who was clearly dawning her Judge outfit seemed to be bubbling with excitement and untappe...
2023-02-05 08:59:35 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 31
Not Fleeing the Burning Building
Generally when your magic teacher has a look of panic on their face and suggests that you do something, it is often considered best practice to do as he or she indicates. In this case, the order was to escape the room. Something I could do rather easily, for me, escape was always a top priority, meaning I could, or at the very least I felt I could leave with but a thought. I had multiple ways of escaping, one was of course Telepo...
2023-02-04 13:56:09 +0000 UTC View PostInterlude IX
Monday
Lily Moore
The look was fairly intimate, if anyone would happen to come by and see the way Lily and Alexa were intimately close to each other, they would almost assume that this was a private moment. In a way it was, the two had their hands clasped and foreheads touching, while an intense magical loop of energy pulsed its way through them. The energy flowed faster and faster, beads of sweat began to build and then pour down Lily’s delic...
2023-02-04 07:24:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 30
One of My Kind
Ten hours. Ten long hours of nonstop talking and narration on my part. I like Rahul, but maybe not this much. Well who am I kidding, if it wasn’t for the fact that I was clearly missing sleep to learn this spell and narrate the story, I would likely be on cloud nine. Especially as our book club got a new member, Sabrina Bane, who either liked the story, liked my narration of the story or both. It was clear from her reactions that she did not care for To...
2023-02-03 08:36:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 100
Can We Talk
Monday
“Can we talk?” Alexa of all people asked Julie immediately after class was released to go to lunch. Of course, Julie herself had been simmering all morning waiting for just such an event. Though she was caught flat footed by the fact that Alexa would come to her. After all, she had half expected to try to chase Alexa down and all but shake her and demand answers for why she went into another Trial of Ascension, when she tol...
2023-02-01 11:38:33 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 29
Causational Epiphany
Have you ever had a eureka moment when you were in the middle of doing something mundane like washing your hair? I almost wonder how bald people get anything accomplished, though maybe they have more time to think about superficial things like deciphering ancient encrypted elven texts because they don’t have to worry about washing their hair?
Needless to say, I had an epiphany, or at least I think I am close, which is almost worse. Sort of l...
2023-02-01 03:39:30 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 99
The Elven Delegation
Realizing she still had a few minutes, Alexa first ran to her room, got a quick shower, created a new set of magically created clothes and then grabbed her school supplies and left for class.
By the time she arrived to class, she was surprised to see that Ms. Tutlidge was already present. Also, it turned out that Alexa was one of the last members of class to arrive.
“Oh, Ms. Thyme, thank you for joining us today.” Ms. Tutlidge said, ...
2023-01-31 12:28:25 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 28
The Impossible Spell
“I think we should talk about your future here at Arcanarus University and where you see yourself going.” Vice Principal Umbra states.
After hearing that, I felt like a possible argument about avoiding a trapped trap that led to a little redecoration of the classroom might have been taken out of context.
“Hmm?” I ask, making sure not to sound too committal, instead showing the right amount of intrigue.
“I believe...
2023-01-31 04:05:02 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 98
Crystals and Chocolate
Monday
Ninety-two formerly enslaved werewolves and vampires and vampyres alike sat in a circle around Alexa. Before everyone were three items, one was a psychic crystal obtained from when everyone present completed the second to last step of the dungeon, then a Tier IV greater crystal, and finally a dark piece of chocolate.
Ninety-two of a possible one hundred and twenty individuals, or just over 76%.
Everyone sat intermixed, vam...
2023-01-30 11:29:03 +0000 UTC View Post<<<<Author's Note: I have to say it was a lot of fun getting to this point. Thank you all for dealing with me and my erratic chapter publication schedules. This will be the end of Book 5 for the "13th Loop" Series. And the official end of the series.
At this point, I plan to officially end this series here on a semi-high note. All major goals have been achieved, there are still a few mysteries that could be solved, but ultimately n...
Chapter 139
Third Time Is Not As Charming
A quick shower, a hot meal, and a quick nap; three things needed to have a great day. Or at least a good rest of your day. I was back up and moving, though a bit more slowly that previously. The reason I was moving slower than normal was in no small part due to my killing and removing of a Behemoth and associated heralds for the second time in less than twenty four hours.
Once again I received 200 levels, now putting me at the ...
2023-01-29 16:50:37 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 138
No Rest for the Weary
As soon as I awoke, I found Día and Jess both standing over top of me.
“You’re awake?” Día said, a note of concern evident in her voice.
“Yeah, yeah, relax. Your cash cow has returned.” I say, trying to come across as charming.
Smack.
“You are not just a cash cow. You are my…friend.” Día says, trailing off her words as she bites her bottom lip in a cute pouty sort of way.
Apparently, I am n...
2023-01-29 14:43:22 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 27
Detention
I don’t know if I should be relieved at myself for being able to sleep in a relatively safe and secure location like the spirit realm? Or if I should question my sanity? Honestly the beds, the furniture is almost exactly the same in the spirit world as it is in the real world. The only major difference being the lack of people. Well there are people, but they are all ghosts who for the most part just seem to avoid everyone they can, a sentiment I can appreci...
2023-01-29 12:45:39 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 97
Breaking The Cycle
Sunday
The air was flat, as it all but waited for the arrival and approach of the pack of now cured werewolves to come to their lands. The lack of airflow would normally be detrimental to the pack, as they would use the prevailing winds to tell of scents in the air, movements of individuals. However tonight the winds and seemingly the very forests themselves were devoid of all life or movement.
This of course was the case, no animals were ...
2023-01-29 01:36:27 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 26
The Book Club
After class was let out, I could almost feel the tension in the air. There was no real sign that anything was amiss. The students around me clearly didn’t notice that anything was odd as they all seemed to be moving about as if nothing happened, or rather nothing was happening.
This meant either everyone was in on this, whatever it was, or I was the only one who felt odd about this whole situation. Given how self-absorbed and entitled most of the o...
2023-01-28 11:52:04 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 96
What is Your Name?
Sunday
Alexa watched as the now incapacitated werewolves writhed and wiggled on the ground. Their minds and spirits seemingly at odds with that their bodies were going through. There was a disconnect, a separation of what was happening to the different summoned aspects, and what should be happening in the real world. How the summoned aspects should be acting.
Alexa watched and could almost see the way the chords that bound these summoned a...
2023-01-27 12:22:24 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 25
Class Options
Leaving Professor Nimbus’ office, I realized I still had options. Not options on how to make Professor Nimbus have his Scrooge type moment when he realizes he’s a jerk who is betraying the memory of his past friend, though I still have options for that as well. No, what I am referring to are options for my first class-based quest reward.
I had after all just completed my first-class specific quest. Or at least a class that I could only complete d...
2023-01-27 04:05:12 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 24
The Ghost Story
After the awarding of my first-class perk, I decide to do what I was supposed to while here on campus. Namely go to class. I think I still have time to earn a merit other than Master Groa as an ally, but I am still at a loss as to how to actually unlock a particular merit. Clearly what I had been doing, the training up of different skills and infusing my body with spirit mana while using the skills was a good way to unlock my perk, but not much more than...
2023-01-26 06:40:29 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 95
Stage Six
Sunday
Alexa appeared in a world that seemed to be cloaked in perpetual night. At least that was the feeling the world gave upon her arrival. There was a slightly cold chill to the air, along with a thick fog that always seems to cover such nights. The fact that the land was filled with vegetation was apparent, though the state of the vegetation was in question, as everything from the trees to the grass seemed to be cloaked in a perpetual shadow.
E...
2023-01-25 06:39:02 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 23
The Class Perk
Only once everything was over and we were back in the confines of Master Groa’s office did she even turn to comment towards me.
“So how do you think you did?” She asks.
At that, I feel like I had done something very dumb. “For the task, I think I did well, though I might have risked too much for the reward.”
At that Master Groa nodded in agreement. “Do you remember why you went out in the first place?”
“To spy on yo...
2023-01-24 12:09:37 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 94
The Kansas City Shuffle
Sunday
“You sure you don’t just want to come back with us?” Julie asked Alexa for the tenth time.
“No, you know how Luke is, besides we need to pick up a few things from our house before we go back to campus.” Alexa said.
Gina just looked at Alexa, her new class was telling her that something was off, but that it was likely best if she didn’t bring it up. That was the main reason why she decided to go with the convol...
2023-01-23 23:07:09 +0000 UTC View Post<<<Author's Note: Substantial Revision: Please disregard the previous version of this. After review, certain points were added that would otherwise detract from the story. This one has been fixed. Thank you.>>>>
Chapter 22
A Mortal Coil
Before I realize it, my hand is snaking out and wrapping its way around the seemingly defenseless spirit of Maxine, my mentor’s personal magical rival here at Arca...
2023-01-23 11:38:12 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 137
One for the Road
Woosh.
The hermetic seals on my cockpit hiss their release, letting me know that I have landed. That is my one and only sign that I have in fact come to a complete stop. Everything hurts.
My mind, body, and most importantly my soul feel like I have been pressed through the ringer, then squeezed and dried into jerky.
Surprisingly enough it is Jess and my non-asshole brother who are the first two, well three to greet me. I don...
2023-01-23 01:54:37 +0000 UTC View Post