So yeah, Inion doesnt like you.
Doesnt surprise , she does strike as very possessive.
Shes not okay, maybe she is a bit. I just wish I knew how to help!
You know Id never take advantage of you, right?
I an, I know that-
Probably. How would I be able to tell?
Its just a matter of convincing her, and I dont know how to do that.
If I think of sothing, Ill let you know. Anything to help you out, she joked.
Oh really? In that case, what about telling about your Skills? he teased. He tried to not bring it up too much, but his mind never really was able to go anywhere else, and hed need to think of what hed bring up next after she refused.
Sure!
Wait, actually? Edwin asked, discarding his musings, Are you sure? Not that I dont want to know what Skills you have going on, especially with your ears. Only one of them seems to be Hearing, what are the others? But anyway, what happened to that being private, or it not being proper?
Oh, are you complaining?
No! No. I love learning about you. Wait, no, thats not right.
Oh you dont like learning about ? she shot back, and Edwin panicked. This was exactly the sort of thing that drove people away from him, just sticking his foot in his mouth.
No, no. Its not learning about you, its learning about your magic. Wait, thats worse.
I said stop sticking your foot in your mouth.
I like learning about everything and Im just going to stop there, he sighed.
At least she didnt seem too offended, and just laughed off his blunder. Edwin couldnt help but wonder how much damage hed done to her ntal image of him, though.
Im just ssing with you, dont worry. But for working with ? It was never going to take long, Edwin. Especially not with you working so much with Lefi. Yes, it matters that you keep your guard up with people. But were adventurers, for better and worse. We need to constantly keep an eye out for people who will try and take advantage of our lack of support. That ans keeping things close to the chest, yes. There are those who hate adventurers and will look to hunt them down, others will just refuse to pay you for jobs you perform.
She shrugged, But the other side of that is that its more important for us to make those support networks. Because theres so few people that we can really trust. Imagine what would have happened to Yathal and Kynigos if Lefi hadnt gotten them and brought them here. Its important to weather the storms in groups, and those groups need to be honest with one another.
Yeah, but why ? Is this just because of Inion?
She gave him a smile and a bit of a laugh, No, its not just because of Inion. Most of it is because youre honest.
Edwin started, What? Do you have any idea how many secrets-
She chuckled slightly, Im not talking about your secrets, whatever those are. We all have those. Youre just very straightforward. When you say sothing, you an exactly that. No hidden agendas, nothing.
I think you might just be spending too much ti with politicians.
No more than I can help, she chuckled, The nobles still insist on weekly etings with , but its always the sa. Oh, due to unexpected delays my replacent is not coming quite yet, but any day now I should expect them, whoever it is, to begin the trip. But I better not get the idea that Im actually doing sothing they couldnt do without , Im not valuable to them or anything.
Any ti with a politician is too much ti with them.
I wont disagree with you there.
So why dont you just leave? I an, I could get it if they were paying you a good amount or whatever, or if you had soone in the city you liked seeing, but why dont you just he waved his hand in the air, fly off?
Well, you keep things interesting for one. Between your lab stuff and Yathals antics? Theres never a boring mont with you around. But as its coming to winter, well I usually settle down for a while, and the Tower certainly is a nice place for that. Much nicer than most places I winter, anyway. I lost my autumn, which is always sad because its the best ti for flying, but no point dwelling on it.
Sure, but why did you stay this long?
Well, because they needed my help. Co on, Edwin. I know you understand that.
I an sure. I wouldnt say Im obligated to help random people, that gets into a whole ss of Ethics. Like an inherent obligation of action just isnt a thing that can or really should even exist.
Edwin.
Yes?
Stay focused.
Right. Basically, positive obligations are a huge moral ss, and-
Edwin
Sorry, sorry. What were we talking about?
She sighed, Would you help people that needed you, even if you didnt know them?
I an probably, I guess, he conceded, But like if they asked yeah. But I do have limits.
So do I, she agreed, I wont stay here forever, but I also dont want Enforcer Finnas to hunt down.
Okay, that answers my question sowhat, but what is up with that? I havent gotten the impression many people actually want you here, but you also cant leave?
Oh, thats simple, she said with a smile as they drifted through the sky, Theyve done such a great job persuading everyone that they dont need , they've convinced themselves too.
I dont follow, Edwin admitted, So they think they dont want you, but also wont let you leave?
The city enchantnts need to stay active, and requires a steady source of wind magic to protect the city, but the nobles couldnt bear to admit to their subjects that they need to rely on an adventurer, so they spin everything in a way that makes look absolutely useless, or like Im threatening or sleeping my way into the position. Im sowhat flattered by the forr, but the latter is just ridiculous.
Oh, whys that?
Because they dont have nearly enough towers if thats what it took to get into one, she replied with a grin.
Edwin chuckled, Ill take your word for it. But that does seem to be the case, yeah. Ive heard several things that sound like insults about you when Im out and about. Whatever slander campaign they ran against you is rather impressive, I have to admit.
Oh, believe . Ive heard it all myself. But its all because of how important it is to them that they retain the appearance of complete competency, and the idea that anyone could do anything without their support doesnt work with that.
In other places, the local Enforcer might stand as a counterpoint to the Governor, and they can play out their little power struggles on that axis. Here, though? Enforcer Finnas is in the middle of it all and it doesnt look good for his power if he cant do everything.
So what? You just let them mock you?
You cant be a successful adventurer if you put too much into caring what people will think about you. Look at Lefi.
People are overrated, Edwin grumbled slightly, and Rillah laughed.
They can be. And its good to see youre already in the right mindset. But that brings around to my original point. Im helping you because youre helping .
Helping you? Im not doing anything, he protested, And I have to keep shoving my guilt down because theres nothing I can do. Its only because of you that were able to stay here, and its not like Im providing anything useful. Heck, I cant even help out by making food every once in a while because my stupid cooking Skill is addictive!
Edwin, she gently admonished, Do you bla Yathal for not being as strong as us?
Oh, so Im a kid now? Edwin snapped, then winced, Sorry. That was uncalled for.
She gently stroked the side of his head, Youre not a kid, youre just new to this is all.
What do you know of my past? Edwin guardedly asked.
I swear, if another person knows about being an Outsider I dont know.
Not much, she said with a shrug, Lefi will only tell that youre from very far away, but that anything more isnt his secret to tell.
And you havent been bugging about that? Edwin was surprised, You who wants to know everything?
She waved her finger in admonishnt- they used the little finger, but it was still unmistakably the sa motion, Youre the one who wants to know everything. I want to experience it.
You want to experience everything? Edwin teased.
Oh, of course not everything, no more than you want to know every little detail about the Street Cleaners job.
Edwin wrinkled his nose, Point taken.
You dont need to be useful now to be very clearly useful in the future or in many other situations. Ive seen what you make, and youre clearly shaping up to be a promising alchemist. If youre ever able to make even half the stuff that cos out of Panastalis, yeah I want to get on your good side now. Can you at least believe that? she shot him a smile as they fell into a dive.
Yeah, yeah. So what Im hearing is, Im not actually helpful right now for anything but entertainnt, you just think I might be eventually.
Edwin tried to believe that she ant it, but his brain wasnt convinced. He was useless! That they were willing to patronize him didnt make it better, why couldnt they just tell him the truth? Or worse- were they expecting him to be able to make arycal and midnight dust and all the other stuff alchemists could make? What would she say if she found out he was totally incapable of making any of that stuff?
Edwin, no, she gently said, coming to a stop and turning around to look at him, hovering in the air far above the tower.
He sighed, Look, Im sorry. I shouldnt have gotten after you. Can we end the flight for today? I dont want you to have to deal with anymore today.
Oh? You dont want to hear anything more about my Skills? Not even my ears? I promise, youll find so of them fun! her voice picked up a slightly lodic tone as she talked.
Not not today. I an, I could, I just can we talk about them at so later ti? I just Im not feeling it right now.
She reached out to grab his hand, and while Edwin initially felt like refusing it, sense won out over spite and he hesitantly reached out to take it. Her hand was so very nice and soft
Edwin fought back a bit of a sigh. Human physical contact may not have been quite the sa as emotional closeness, but it was a nice enough substitute.
Of course we can. One last dive?
A wan smile crossed Edwins face, Sure. One last dive.
Oh hey, Edwin noted as they landed.
Whats up? Rillah asked, Feeling better?
I an I guess a bit? Anyway, Flight leveled again.
Oh nice! Its been a few days, hasnt it? Whats it at now?
Yeah, he agreed, Fifty-nine. One more until I start looking at evolving it.
Thats great! she made a quick twisting motion with her outsplayed fingers in a congratulations, Youve been growing so fast!
He shrugged, Guess you can thank Lefi and Inion for that, Edwins eyes widened. Oh, and you. Definitely you, and getting to go flying so often, he hastily added.
Rillah gave him a warm smile, Its my pleasure.
Gah! Edwin threw the rock he was holding on the ground in frustration. He was useless even in his magic practice. Sure, he could make slightly different types of mana by focusing on different kinds of potions, but when he tried to mix them to create anything slightly more complicated, or even just to practice, they just absolutely refused to cooperate.
Inion looked up, curious and putting aside what she was working on- so braided flowers from the towers garden, still flourishing even in late fall, Whats wrong?
This magic! Its just he sighed, frustration gone, Just a montary bit of frustration. I thought for sure I had it that ti, but the drops separated just before they finished mixing. Why well, I an I expected it to be hard.
So whats the trouble?
He shook his head, Nothing, really. Rillah just makes it look so easy. And I know thats because of practice and lots of Skills, especially given I kneecapped myself way back when. Im just so far behind everyone else its ridiculous. Oh, look at ! I can start a fire with the snap of my fingers, I can mix a healing potion. Then you have Lefi, who okay, Ill admit that hes not a good point of comparison. But then you have Kyni, who can at the very least heal Yathal with no difficulties and straight-up outrun the wind when hes really trying.
Edwin, youve been on Joriah for less than two years.
Yeah, I know! But look at my company! Ive barely so much as ruffled Lefis cloak when we spar, Rillah outclasses in everything, and I cant even get this to work despite having two Skills practically dedicated to it! And dont even get started on you.
It doesnt matter that Im getting better because thats not what matters overall! What matters is that I am behind, and Im just not catching up fast enough! Sure, Flight will probably hit level sixty in the next few weeks, and I suppose I really need to start thinking about what Ill do for that... But that still only puts at tier two. Then everyone keeps patronizing over it! And thats without even talking about all the non-Skill ways that theyre better than . Rillahs actually able to put up with , even when I get annoyed!
Inion glared at him.
What?
Youre an idiot, you know that?
Why? Edwins mind raced with everything he might have just said. What had he done wrong? He needed to
Lefi is the Empires strongest adventurer and has been improving his Skills for nearly a century, she counted off her fingers, That girl is your age, yes, but has had Skills for her entire life and has been a potent mage for most of that ti. Shes spent more ti getting a single Skill to tier four than youve spent onJoriah. And then Ive had skills longer than this entire empire has existed, and while I was asleep for most of that I still had centuries to grow my Skills and really master them. Youd be an utter freak if you sohow were able to already be as strong as any of us.
How do you know all of that stuff?
I talk to people, Edwin.
I do that too! he protested, Though yeah, not about that, I suppose.
He sighed, So basically, I should focus more on my true peers? Im doing better than toddlers? What?
Yes. Though you could well pass into tier three at any point if you so chose and you know it.
Sure, but then Id be dealing with a bunch of really weak Paths, which doesnt really help.
You know most laborers and such might have but a single sixty-point Path, ya? If you wanted, you could surpass them all at will. Really, you already have. Whatever your Flight skill becos will be impressive enough.
You had education back on Earth, did you not? she continued.
Edwin nodded, Yep. Ages five through well, you could go until you were like thirty, but most just went until eighteen.
Here, you started your schooling two years ago, and now youre upset that youve only gotten twelve years worth of Skill growth since then.
Yeah, but
Both of them are known across the Empire as being exceptionally powerful. Lefi in particular, but do you really think there wasnt a single other wind mage Sheraith could have called upon instead of her?
That was true. And entirely fair.
And Rillah was just talking to about this, too. I need better benchmarks, dont I? he sighed, Not that I really have any available.
He sat in silence for a mont before steeling himself, Any idea what I should do about that with my magic?
You said you picture it as a potion, yes?
Yeah. What are you like a stream or sothing?
She nodded, floating over to him, Close enough. Summon a bit for ?
Edwin obliged, ntally tipping over the potion bottle and letting so of the radiant liquid run down his arm and pool in his hand. The visualization was already showing its worth- he would have never been able to hold that much mana before he knew to imagine it as a potion. Now, the difficulty wasnt in keeping the mana together as it was to keep it against his hand, a significantly easier task.
Inion nodded, and he felt her mana- so reminiscent of a shaded spring- burble up from her palm and gather in her hand the sa way Edwins had.
When you use your mana, you must determine how it is that you shape it. For , water is an extension of my body, so I can control the water itself. You have a much harder job, how is it that you see yourself directing your mana?
I an, Im trying to get it to mix properly.
What is your goal?
I an, I dont really have one. Im just trying to feed two slightly different types of mana together and mix them sohow, just to get a bit of practice. But theyre always staying either distinct or just cancelling each other out. Im starting to wonder if going with potions was a bad idea. Rillah uses sounds and music, and she does all this harmonizing stuff where two notes can have their individual effects but combine to make a third how does that work, anyway? Can you cripple your magic by choosing a bad visual?
The mana doesnt change with your visualization, Inion explained, Not by itself. Your mana is no different than it was before. But! With a clear picture in mind you can make different applications way easier than normal. As you get better with the picture, the easier itll be to get it to work the way you want.
Oh, so theyre more like models, then?
Mah-dels? You say that word and I hear at least three different terms.
Umm so in Physics, there are things that dont conform to normal experiences. Electrons and photons- dont worry about it- are the major ones. So, theres different models that you can work with that focus on different properties of the things, and depending on what model you use different calculations might be easier.
I have no idea what you just said.
Could you look at soones mana and tell what their visualization is?
Not to any detail, nah. Though that only applies if they arent using it at all, but if they are you can infer quite a bit.
Okay, great. So yeah. Its not that the mana itself changes, but the way you approach it can make certain tasks easier or harder.
Inion raised an eyebrow.
Yes, I know thats exactly what you said, but now I understand it. So how does that help?
Well, youll get better with practice.
Yes, I know that, but I cant even get started. Hard to practice when you fail all the ti, his lips quirked up slightly, Just look at my training tis with Lefi.
You said he was doing better, didnt you?
Well okay, he is, but nevermind. It was a bad joke. How am I supposed to practice it, though?
You spend at least an hour in your workshop each day doing potion-work, dont you?
Yes? What does oh!
Use Mana Infusion at first to get used to it, Id say. Then try to freehand it.
Edwin jumped up, Inion, I could kiss you! Thats perfect!
Oh? Do you want to?
Edwins face must have gone through so very complex and very amusing emotions, because Inion just laughed at him while he went red from embarrassnt and tried to hide his face.
Level Up!
Skill Points 9951020 (Average level: 53)
Adaptive Defense Level 4142
Alchemical Analysis Level 3740
Alchemy Level 9293
Arcadian Elixir Level 3235
Bomb Throwing Level 5556
Feys Caress Level 4143
Flight Level 5659
Fresh Air Level 4445
Improbable Arsenal Level 3639
Longstrider Level 4648
Mana Infusion Level 8990
Prototyping Level 3940
Ritual Intuition Level 4346
Sappers Apparatus Level 5960
Skillful Assessnt Level 4849
Watchful Rest Level 3637
Na
Edwin Maxlin
Age
2
Race
Extraplanar Human
Class
Alchemist-Errant
Attributes
Health 25
Impact 7
Mana 33
Perception 19
Stamina 30
Skills
Alchemical
Alchemy 93, Alchemical Analysis 40, Refining 36, Alchemical Dismantling 46, Sappers Apparatus 60
(Purify: 75)
Magical
Basic Thermokinesis 32, Feys Caress 43, Ritual Intuition 43, Mana Infusion 88
Flight 59, (Basic Mana Sense: 82), (Basic Mana Manipulation: 9)
Physical
Overcharge 27, Longstrider 48, Fresh Air 44
(Athletics: 81), (Breathing: 76), (Flexibility: 74), (Nutrition: 73), (Packing: 92), (Seeing: 72), (Sleeping: 73), (Survival: 76), (Walking: 74)
ntal
Nuracy 48, Prototyping 40, Anatomy 43, Polyglot: 70, mory 65
(Language: 36), (Mathematics: 74), (Research: 50), (Visualization: 80)
Combat
Bomb Throwing 56, Adaptive Defense 42
(Throwing Weapons: 48)
Utility
Outsider's Almanac 134, Watchful Rest 31, Skillful Assessnt 41, Arcadian Elixir 32, Improbable Arsenal 33
(Firestarting: 94), (Improvisation: 14), (Status: 22), (Identify: 80), (First Aid: 82), (Harvesting: 76), (Construction: 77)
Paths
Skill Points: 1020
Combat
Assassin 0/60, Bomber 0/60, Giant Slayer 0/60, Heedless Hunter 0/60, Hunter 0/30, Killer 0/30, Titan Slayer 0/90, Warrior 0/60, Way of the Empty Hand 0/60, Trapper 0/60, Artillerist 0/60, Sapper 0/60
Alchemy
Alchemical dic 0/60, Demolitionist 0/60, Makeshift Alchemist 0/60, Potioneer 0/60, Practical Alchemist 0/60, Mystic Alchemist 0/90
Science
Chemist 0/60, Experinter 0/60, Researcher 0/60, Purifier 0/30, Scientific Revolutionary 0/90, Scientist 0/60, Engineer 0/60, Physicist 0/60, Mathematician 0/60, Material Scientist 0/60
Magic
Aerialist 0/60, Fey Friend 0/60, Feybound 0/60, Feycaller 0/60, Mage 0/60, Magical Gardener 0/60, Micro-Biomancer 0/90, Primal Constructor 0/90, Primal Ritualist 0/90, Realm Traveler 0/120, Skilled Arcanist 0/60, Fey Supplicant 0/60, Feykind 0/90, Attuner 0/30,
ntal
Dedicated Student 0/60, Lecturer 0/30, Scholar 0/60, Unbowed 0/90, Canny 0/60, Steady Mind 0/60, ntalist 0/60,
System
Almanac Administrator 0/60, Forerunner 0/60, Outsiders Almanac Specialist 0/90, Pioneer 0/60, Skill Researcher 0/60, System Scholar 0/60,
Trophy
Blackstone Conqueror 0/60, Deepwoods Panther-Hunter 0/60, Stonehide Vanquisher 0/60,
Career
Brickmaker 0/30, Butcher 0/30, Diver 0/30, Gardener 0/30, Lumberjack 0/60, rchant 0/30, Potter 0/30, Scribe 0/30, Woodsman 0/30,
Physical
Ascetic 0/60, Daredevil 0/60, Physical Alchemist 0/90, Survivor 0/60, Physical Laborer 0/30, Athlete 0/60
Traveling
Escapee 0/30, Exile 0/30, Traveler 0/30, World Traveler 0/60
dical
Field dic 0/60, dic 0/30, Steadfast dic 0/60, dical Lecturer 0/60
Misc
Arsonist 0/60, Autopyromaniac 0/60, Burglar 0/60, Child 0/12, Expert 0/60, Imperial Ally 0/60, Novice 0/12, Pyromaniac 0/30, Razer of the Ruined Tower 0/60, Rebel 0/30, Slave 0/12, Trainee 0/60, Traitor 0/60, Brushed by Power 0/60, Lirasian Citizen 0/30, Royal Advisor 0/60, Favored by Power 0/90, Insomniac 0/30, Sleepless Disciple 0/60, Student of Power 0/60
Completed Paths
CharLimitCanttalkmuchNocluewhathappenedDidmybesttohelpyouli, Mage, Skilled Arcanist, Physical Alchemist, Bomber, Linguist, Beginner, Warrior, Path Less Traveled, Athlete, Scout, Unkillable, Superior Alchemist, Adventurer, Explorer, Outsider, Skill Researcher, Wanderer,Alchemical Warrior, Novice Pyromancer, Novice Ritualist, Alchemist, Physicist, Engineer, Physical Arcanist, Biologist, Practical Alchemist, Fey Scion, Feytouched
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