March 29, 2025.
Location: Robert's New Settlement at the dig site near Kilrain, Scotland.
About a week after Moira's sabbatical. Perspective: Robert MacCallum
Moira's voice reached me before I even saw her, clear and refreshed, carrying the warmth of someone renewed. "Vessel, it's time we begin in earnest."
I exhaled, relief washing over me at the sound of her presence once more. "Good to hear you again. You sound better."
"I am," she confirmed, her tone firm but tinged with urgency. "But there's no time for pleasantries. The Warlock moves in Albion, his corruption deepening. I fear he will soon strike, either against me or, worse, against Earth itself. We must prepare. Your training must advance beyond trial and error."
I nodded, absorbing the weight of her words. "While you were gone, we spent time hunting, running DAVE's training dungeon. I've worked on my abilities, refining my control, and I have some ideas for new methods, ways to shape my magic more naturally."
Moira hummed in approval. "Then let's put them to the test. Show me what you've learned."
I crossed my arms, staring out at the dig site while STEVE busied himself with the outdoor training zone. The hum of his magic pulsed through the air, the faint crackle of earth and stone shaping targets and sparring areas. But even with that activity, my focus drifted elsewhere.
"This is a good time to experiment," I muttered, cracking my knuckles. The itch to push my magic further was at its worst after Moira's ominous return. The more I learned, the more my abilities improved, and I wasn't about to let that go to waste. I needed to see exactly what I could do.
I walked a little further into the open field near the settlement, the rough grass crunching beneath my boots, the scent of damp earth rising with each step. It was time to build a proper foundation. First the single elements, then the combinations. I took a deep breath and raised my hand.
Fire. It came easily now, the flicker of flame dancing across my palm, its warmth brushing my skin. A simple gesture sent it forward in a small, controlled arc. Flame Jet. Medium range, medium damage, steady, reliable. A good starting point.
"Alright," I muttered, concentrating harder. "Let's double it."
I willed the fire to surge, the intent clear in my mind. Fire + Fire: Inferno Surge. The flames roared, erupting in a cone of blazing heat. The sheer intensity surprised me as the grass ahead blackened in an instant, a sharp smell of charred earth filling the air. "That's got power," I said, letting the flames die out. "Good for a crowd."
Switching gears, I called on Water. The shift was immediate, the cool, fluid energy contrasting sharply with the fire's heat, a refreshing tingle along my fingers. I shaped it into a compact sphere and lobbed it toward a boulder. Water Sphere. It splashed harmlessly, but the accuracy was spot on. A handy utility spell.
I willed more water into existence, letting it build and surge. Water + Water: Torrent Shot. The sphere compressed, firing forward as a high-pressure jet. The boulder shuddered on impact, water spraying in all directions, a cool mist settling on my face. "Stronger. Faster. Definitely an upgrade."
Next was Earth. I crouched low, placing my palm against the ground, the gritty texture grounding me. The solid, stubborn energy responded slowly but steadily, rising up in the form of a jagged spike. Earth Spike. Simple, but effective for control. I could see it tripping an opponent easily.
Doubling it brought something far more dramatic. Earth + Earth: Earth Maw. I pushed both hands into the dirt, feeling the ground tremble beneath my fingers as rocky mouths formed and snapped open across the field. They clamped down hard, their crushing force obvious even without a target, the sound of grinding stone echoing. "Immobilizing and damaging, this'll definitely come in handy," I said with a nod.
Then came Air. The element was light, quick, almost slippery, a faint breeze tugging at my hair. I swirled it into a sharp gust with a flick of my wrist. Gale Blast. It wasn't strong, but it was fast, a good way to throw off an enemy.
When I doubled it, the effect was staggering. Air + Air: Cyclone Swirl. The vortex tore through the field, scattering loose debris and leaving me bracing against the wind, the whistle of air sharp in my ears. I grinned. "Fast, chaotic, perfect for disrupting a group."
With the basics covered, it was time to try combinations. I started with Fire + Water. The two elements clashed as expected, steam hissing and swirling in thick clouds, a warm fog enveloping me. Steam Cloud. Not much for offense, but it could definitely obscure vision in a pinch.
Next was Fire + Earth. The result was molten lava bubbling at my feet, the heat radiating upward, a sulfurous scent stinging my nose. Lava Surge. It was destructive, slow-moving, but undeniably powerful. "A last-resort kind of spell," I noted. "Not something I'd use casually."
Finally, Fire + Air. The two elements amplified each other perfectly, creating a searing projectile that streaked across the field, a bright streak against the sky. Flame Arrow. It hit with precision and left a scorched mark on the boulder, a faint sizzle lingering. I felt a rush of satisfaction. "Now that's a keeper."
By the time I'd worked through these combinations, sweat was dripping down my face, my mana reserves noticeably lower, a dull ache settling in my chest. But the progress was worth it. Each spell felt like a piece of a puzzle falling into place, each discovery sharpening my understanding of what I could do.
As I looked toward the training zone, now nearly finished, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. STEVE's targets and sparring arena were shaping up well, the sandy ground glowing faintly with restorative magic. I reached into my satchel, pulling out a depleted mana crystal from the Keystone Gateway and a shard of granite from the platform. With Essence Harmony, I channeled my magic, blending the crystal's faint mana resonance with the granite's earthy stability. The skill hummed, the materials merging into a small, glowing lens that shimmered with a soft, earthen light. Holding it up, I peered through it at the training zone, the lens revealing faint ley line patterns pulsing beneath the ground.
"Interesting," I murmured. "Maybe this can track mana flows for better spell placement."
I dusted off my hands and let out a long breath. "Alright. Let's see what's next."
My breathing was steady now, each spell sending a pulse of satisfaction through my chest. Still, there were more combinations to test, and I wasn't stopping until I uncovered every possibility. Moira had said my power was tied to discovery, and if that was true, this experimentation wasn't just for me, it was building the foundations of the kind of Magus I would become.
Water + Earth. I focused on the two elements, visualizing their union. Water soaked into the soil at my feet, thickening it into sticky sludge, a damp squelch rising as it moved. Mud Bog. A wave of it surged forward, trapping and clinging to imaginary targets. "Perfect for slowing down an opponent," I muttered, stepping back as the mud hardened. "Simple, but strategic."
Earth + Water, reversed. This time, I let earth dominate, forming dense clumps within the water before launching them forward. Stone Pellets. Each one slammed into a distant target with surprising force, a dull thud echoing across the field. A grin tugged at my lips. "Not bad. Effective for range."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, moving on to the next. Water + Air. The clash of elements created a swirling mist, but I pushed it further. The mist condensed into freezing droplets, gathering into a whirlwind, a sharp chill biting at my skin. Ice Storm. Shards of ice flew outward, embedding themselves into the dirt with sharp cracks. "A nice area-of-effect spell," I noted, imagining the chaos it could bring in a fight.
Air + Water, reversed. This time, I let air dominate, creating a fierce gust laden with cold moisture, a frosty bite on my cheeks. It hit with freezing speed, coating the ground in frost, a thin layer of ice glinting in the light. Frostwind Blast. "Less damage, more control," I said thoughtfully. "Good for disrupting someone's footing."
The wind still whipped around me as I turned my focus to the final combinations. Air + Earth. The two elements collided, forming a cloud of fine dust, a gritty haze in the air. But as I compressed it, the cloud solidified into a blinding spray of sand and gravel. Dust Storm. It swept across the field, stinging my exposed skin and obscuring vision. "Simple, but disorienting," I muttered, considering its uses.
Earth + Air, reversed. This one felt heavier, more solid, the ground rumbling faintly. Rocks floated briefly before launching forward in a controlled blast, a low roar as they landed. Stone Barrage. The impact was raw and powerful, leaving dents in the earth where the projectiles struck. "That'll leave a mark."
By the time I finished, the field was littered with scorch marks, frost patches, and shattered stone, the air thick with the mingled scents of burnt grass and damp earth. My mana reserves were running low, but I could feel something shifting within me. My magic wasn't just growing stronger, it was adapting, changing to reflect what I'd discovered.
A familiar warmth spread through my chest as a notification flared to life in my mind. Moira's voice rang out, calm yet filled with subtle pride. "You've reached a significant milestone, Vessel. Your Elemental Synergy perk has grown."
I paused, catching my breath. "How much are we talking here?"
"According to Quanta, the perk has advanced to the next tier, granting additional bonuses," she explained. "Your chance of successfully discovering new combinations is now enhanced by 30 percent, and the mana cost of all discovered combination spells is reduced by 15 percent. Additionally, your spells have begun to harmonize, using multiple combinations in quick succession will amplify their effects."
Quanta? I wondered. I hadn't heard her name the system before. That must be what she called it. I filed this away for my own knowledge.
I clenched my fists, the wisdom of her words sinking in. "Harmonize, like, they build on each other?"
"Exactly," she said. "For example, casting a water-based spell followed by an earth-based spell may increase the effectiveness of both. The possibilities are vast, Vessel."
A smile spread across my face despite the exhaustion creeping in. "So, basically, my magic just got a serious upgrade."
"It is more than an upgrade," Moira said softly. "It is the foundation of what you are becoming. Keep building, and the results will be extraordinary."
I nodded, letting her words settle as I turned back to the training zone. STEVE had finished constructing the arena, the sandy sparring ground glowing faintly with restorative magic. Kobold guards lingered nearby, their curiosity evident as they sniffed at the air and chittered to one another.
I sat on the steps of the great portal arch, letting the cool stone beneath me anchor my thoughts. The chaotic noise of the dig site had died down, leaving only the faint rustle of the countryside, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of pine. Here, within the protection of the walls, I let myself breathe, focusing inward.
Closing my eyes, I tuned into the elements around me, the wind whispering through the sparse grass, the faint vibrations of the earth beneath me, the distant sound of water trickling through a creek. These were the threads of nature's song, a constant hum of life that I now knew was always there. I focused on my mana, reaching out to the flow that coursed through my body, distinct from the radiant energy stored in my M-Power crystal.
The rhythmic pulse of my mana became clear, flowing through me in cycles, like a current returning to its source. As I concentrated, I noticed something new. My mana's hue shifted, soft reds, cool blues, verdant greens, and airy whites. Fire, water, earth, and air. The elements were cycling naturally, a balance within me that I hadn't been aware of before.
The restoration of my mana felt different now, faster, smoother. I focused on that feeling, the way my mana pathways pulsed and stretched, pulling from the ambient energy of the environment. What would have taken half an hour or more now only required a quarter of the time. I smiled, realizing this wasn't just about efficiency, it was a step forward, a tangible sign of growth. I was adapting.
Before I could delve further into this discovery, my focus wavered. A familiar voice called out.
"Robert!" Snow's voice rang out, light but insistent.
I opened my eyes, blinking as I returned to reality. Snow was standing near the base of the archway, her hand shading her eyes as she peered toward the road leading up to the dig site.
"What is it?" I asked, standing and brushing off the dirt from my robes.
She pointed toward the uneven dirt path beyond the walls. "I hear something, voices, wheels, maybe, people. Coming this way."
I followed her gaze, straining to catch the sound. And there it was, the faint creak of wagon wheels and the low murmur of voices, growing louder with every passing moment. Snow turned to me, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.
As the sound grew closer, I glanced over to Hamish and Chaucer. They were sparring near the wall, well, "sparring" might have been generous.
A familiar voice shouted, "Oi, ye wee rat-faced devil! That was me last tartan, you bloody menace!"
Hamish's bellow rang across the dig site, accompanied by a chorus of high-pitched laughter from the kobolds stationed along the walls and watchtowers.
I couldn't help but shake my head at the sparring ring where Chaucer, yes, Mushmouth reborn as Chaucer, stood proudly, kukri in hand. His new form was staggering.
Towering nearly four feet tall, he was a hulking presence among his kobold kin. Muscles rippled beneath his leathery skin, and his agility, well, let's just say Hamish's kilt had paid the price for it.
The precision with which Chaucer wielded his kukri was uncanny, almost supernatural. Just yesterday, I'd watched him spar with Hamish, and though the Highlander's strength and skill were unmatched, Chaucer's speed and wit had made him a formidable opponent. When he'd sliced through the fabric of Hamish's tartan with surgical accuracy, leaving the man standing in his undergarments without so much as a scratch, the uproar from the kobolds had been deafening.
Now, as Hamish stomped off toward Snow's newly established shop, his face a brilliant shade of red, I bit back a laugh. Snow had recently started producing garments from fibers harvested in the Legendary Grove, and while I doubted Hamish appreciated the finer details of her work, he'd certainly needed the replacement kilt.
Chaucer, meanwhile, had taken to training relentlessly. His movements were fluid and acrobatic, his newfound stamina seemingly endless. Watching him practice with his kukri was like watching a storm in miniature, graceful, chaotic, and lethal. I made a mental note to consult DAVE about outfitting him properly. This kobold wasn't just evolving in bits and pieces, he had undergone a full transformation into a new kind of kobold.
The moment of levity passed, and my gaze shifted back to the gates.
I smirked, shaking my head. "Hamish!" I called out as he adjusted his new kilt. "Snow's spotted something coming up the road."
Hamish turned, his kilt swaying from the motion. "What now, Chief? Another bloody portal shard or some grand new revelation?"
"People," I said simply, gesturing toward the gate. "Looks like we've got company."
Hamish lowered his sword, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Ugh. People? I think I'd rather deal with monsters." Chaucer stopped mid-motion, his elongated form now towering over most of the kobolds. His expressive face was focused, ears twitching as if straining to hear what Snow had noticed.
We gathered at the gate, the soft murmurs of the approaching caravan now clear. Snow leaned slightly toward me, her brow furrowed. "Who do you think they are?"
"No idea," I admitted, glancing at the gate. "But I guess we're about to find out."