So pleased was I with my new ranged weapon, I spent the next hour zapping creatures with bolts and watching them collapse, unable to lift a finger until the effect wore off. The duration and strength of the effect could be changed depending on exactly how much I powered different parts of the construct, which led to my most impressive discovery.
Since I’d been able to identify the section of the construct that powered the effect… Would I be able to make changes to that part of the spell in order to modify the effect it produced?
I mean, I was still using Gravitational energy, so the spell would still have a gravity effect. But what if rather than pulling the monsters down… It lifted them up?
I mean, it’s gravity. The force of this gravity is produced by the energy in the spell, not the planet we’re on. There isn’t any reason it has to pull them down, yes?
It took me ages to rework the spell, even though it was a relatively simple change. I wasn’t changing it per se, but rather reconstructing one section of it upside down. I only succeeded once in my first practice session.
I’d been getting frustrated after a few dozen attempts when, finally, things started to run smoothly. Excitedly, I poured my energy into the construct and blasted it at a newly born centipede.
Once struck, a similar scene appeared. The bolt expanded into the revolving shapes that collapsed into the monster before it suddenly blasted toward the ceiling, impacting the roof with a sickening crunch.
Maybe too much juice in that one…
The effect worked, though! I was so pleased I did a little dance right there on the spot. I can really tap now that I have six legs, it must be said.
If I could successfully remodel the Gravity Domain with the inverted effect, then I might be able to make every monster around me float helplessly off the ground. I can’t wait to try it!
The next day, after feeding the colony and doing some more digging to expand the farm, I got to practicing a second spell.
This shape was a little more demanding than the Gravity Bolt, but I was eventually able to get it formed. The construct resembled a spear with several rings rotating around the haft. Those rings were the tricky bit. Each one formed of many smaller rings assembled like a maddening puzzle.
When I fired the spear, it zapped out of my body and streaked for my target. Once it hit, the spear stuck in the monster’s body while the rings expanded outward, encompassing a small area around the creature before collapsing inwards.
The monster appeared rather shocked to suddenly see a spear poking out of its chest. Tentatively it tested the wound with one claw, only to realise it wasn’t wounded at all. I was a little crestfallen. What the heck does this spear even do?
Then I noticed something. When the rings expanded, a nearby Thorn Lizard had been caught inside the zone, and now that lizard was being irresistibly pulled toward my target monster!
The little lizard couldn’t resist the pull anymore and flew through the air, spikes first!
Ahh, this spell creates a powerful gravity field around the target monster, pulling nearby creatures toward it. Muahahahaha!
I shall call it…
Gravity Spear!
…It’s fine!
These tests were not my only labours over the last two days either. Each night before torpor, I emptied my core doing shaping practice for hours and hours. On the second night, I was finally rewarded!
[Mana Shaping has reached Level 10. Upgrade available.]
YASSSSS! The power is MINE! I even high five myself using my antennae after Tiny leaves me hanging.
[Mana Shaping → Mana Transformation (II): Cost 1 SP. This skill guides one through the complex process of changing raw, non-attributed Mana into another kind. With increasing Levels, this skill will provide greater assistance and proficiency in the process]
Finally! Buy that!
When I confirm the purchase, an overwhelming sensation flows over my brain as knowledge floods in.
14. Embers
By the System, it hurt. It had ever since he’d lost it in that moment, where the shining picture he painted of himself had been ripped away along with his limb. Even now, several days later, Beyn was at a loss to explain exactly what occurred at that time.
The fear that gripped his heart, when that monster burst into the middle of his sermon, he could recall it perfectly even now. When the beast remained so still, so accepting, that fear had been replaced with wonder. It was as if the holy System had been speaking directly to him, offering itself to him, asking that he accept the fruits of its blessed creations!
What joy! What reverence! In that moment, Beyn felt as if he’d touched the foot of God.
The surging emotions blazing in his heart as he brought the church sceptrum down on the head of the offering had been so powerful, he almost shook now just recalling it.
And he’d been so wrong.
His visions of a grand destiny, of being a prophet of the System, had been torn away as that terrifying monster darted forth so quickly, he couldn’t even see it, and brought those serrated jaws down on his arm, shearing it away with ease.
Since that moment, he’d barely spoken. The haunting zeal in his eyes had intimidated the townspeople to the point they couldn’t meet his glare. They had taken him to the apothecary for treatment and left him there, speaking softly as they passed by his door.
Though he needed no physical healing. The spell performed on him by the godless monster closed the wound. To do better would require a powerful specialist in the healing arts to regenerate his arm.
Even in his dazed state, laying in his bed, Beyn was able to pick up bits and pieces of information from the nervous conversations he overheard.
There was trouble at the capital, fighting in the streets. People had been fleeing the city until the gates were barred. The queen was dead. The queen was alive. It was a coup, an invasion, the Dungeon was rising for a second Cataclysm.
On the second day he heard the town council had called a meeting to discuss the crises.
The blood began to stir in Beyn’s veins. He couldn’t lie here forever. The System, his god, was awakening, he could feel it. He must be a part of the events to come, and he would be! Casting off his blankets, he stood and strode out of his room with purposeful steps.
As the wounded priest strode through town, the people subconsciously turned their eyes away, doffing their cap or offering a brief curtsy before moving out of his path. They could not bear to meet the righteous zeal ablaze in his eyes.
The priest marched to the mayor’s house, sweeping open the door with his good arm and entering with long strides.
Inside, a group of the town’s dignitaries huddled around the desk of a beleaguered fat man, the livery of the mayor hung over his silk robes.
The mayor’s eyes brightened when he saw Beyn enter.
“Ah! Look, gentlemen, our good priest in the faith has arisen from his convalescence so quickly! This is cause for celebration, we should delay this meeting until after we have properly toasted this happy occasion.”
Several people in the chamber erupted in cheers whilst others sighed, heads falling into hands. The owner of the market, Mrs Ruther, attempted to protest the suspension of discussion, but to no avail. The mayor had already called on his servants to fetch wine for his guests, ‘and be quick about it dammit!’
Contempt flickered in Beyn’s eyes, but he suppressed it. This idiot would do anything to get out of his responsibilities and drink. A few more years of soaking and his family wealth might just run dry, with the wine soon to follow.