Ch. 68 – Astragos IX (Patreon)

After a few more hours of travel Felix navigated to a small, underwater canyon and set the submarine down at the bottom of the trench. It was full of sand, and the walls on either side were solid. The perfect place they could store the submarine and open the VBV. And so they did; exiting the vehicle before Felix put it into the inventory. The water was pleasantly cool, but looking up, Felix saw the large torrent of the waters above that moved swiftly. That current would be dangerous to get caught in.

Thankfully the submarine doesn’t care about currents. One point for magic, zero for physics.

That elicited a small chuckle from Felix as his allies glanced his direction. “Lucifer’s been focusing. Let’s get on with it.” The grey portal of the VBV opened and the trio went inside. Walking to the central area, Lucifer split off. “I’m going to get the council together. There’s a few items to discuss and address.” He flew up and off, soaring towards the medieval city.

Felix turned to Reth and Tinuriel, “To the Recreation Room then. We should level up.” He looked pointedly at Reth, “You’re going to feel very, very warm. It’s best if we’re in the water.”

Reth nodded and a big grin spread across his face. “Lead the way!” His enthusiasm was infectious and Felix couldn’t help but smile as well. Tinuriel even cracked a slight smile as the trio went to the pool, stripping down before jumping in.

I should do my level up first. Then, Tinuriel can do hers. And we’ll do Reth last.

What are you thinking?

You know what I’m thinking.

Just making sure. It’s a smart plan.

[CONFIRMATION: YOU ARE CHOOSING TO USE YOUR LEVEL 20 RESPEC. THIS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH 0 RESPEC USES REMAINING. STATE YES TO CONFIRM, NO TO CANCEL.]

“Confirm.”

Felix saw his character/status sheet reset to 3 in every stat, and his Classes all vanished. His level display still showed 25. “Why do I have 3 in all stats?”

Because you cleared two Dungeons, and each gave you a +2 boost to all stats.

“Right.”

Reth looked at him, “Who are you talking to?”

“Lucifer. He’s my interface with the System.”

“Ah,” Reth nodded as he swam idly back and forth, impatient for the power he was promised. Tinuriel laid on her back and floated in the water, glancing at Felix.

Right. Time to choose some classes and level up. Felix took a deep breath and submerged himself. He rapidly made the selections he had been thinking over and tossing back and forth with Lucifer in his mind. The water boiled around him, but he didn’t feel any pain from the heat. He also set aside all but Detection and Hellfire as Affinities – planning on giving the excess to Reth. I’ll always keep Detection. Targeting weak spots is going to be perfect for my build. And Hellfire…Well, he’d grown to like it.

Aww, you do care.

[You now have access to several Class Skills]

Felix got above the water’s surface and breathed a deep sigh. He looked to Tinuriel, “Your turn.”

She nodded and took a deep breath, submerging. Instead of heat escaping the water, it chilled and began to freeze as she selected another two levels in Rime Knight.

[This is your 5th level in this Class. You gain access to a new Class Skill]

She popped back up and her breath came out in a cool mist. “Intriguing. Consistent damage in an area, and they don’t harm me as much?” She nodded, “I am becoming this ‘tank’ as you refer to it.”

Reth was looking between the two with joy and anticipation. “When is it my turn?”

“Lucifer? I need to make Reth a chosen Escort.”

Just focus on that and you’ll get a System message.

Felix looked at Reth. Okay…Umm…System? I want Reth to be an Escort.

[CONFIRMATION: DESIGNATE RETH VARNETHAL AS VERSEWALKER ESCORT?]

“Umm…Confirm.”

Reth’s skin began to bubble and he yelped in shock. Tinuriel swam over to him and shoved him under the waves. Felix saw the various levels. The steam continued to billow out, but Tinuriel seemed to not mind the scalding heat.

[You now have access to several Class Skills]

Reth came back up and Tinuriel swam back from him. He took a deep breath and laughed – nearly manically – as he held a hand up above the water. An enormous gout of flame shot upward, and he grinned. “What a rush! That’s incredible!”

“And you have two Affinities that I didn’t have before on our list.”

Reth nodded, “All Earthborn can use earth magic…err…Affinity effects I guess is what they’re called?” He looked at Tinuriel, “What do you call it?”

“Magic,” she replied.

“Then I’ll keep using that phrase. And as for fire magic, well, that took training.”

Can we learn Affinities by training?

No. He can, but that’s only while he’s in his ‘Verse. And it takes a long time.

Felix swam to the edge of the pool and clambered out. “I’m going to be restocking some items. Do you want any armor or weapons, Reth?”

Reth nodded, “I’ll come look.”

Tinuriel got out of the water, “I’ll stay here to lift.” She grabbed Felix and pulled him in for a short kiss before giving him a slap on the back that made him wince.

As they left Reth chuckled, “I don’t know why she didn’t like me earlier.”

Felix raised an appraising eyebrow, “It’s because she doesn’t know how much to trust you. The only reason she trusts me as much as she does is because I saved her life when we first met. At least, I think that’s why she trusts me.”

He nodded, “I wish I could find myself a woman, but no one wants an Earthborn spouse.”

“Why is that?” Felix asked.

“Ah…erm…let’s just say my rocky skin encompasses my whole form.”

Felix winced slightly, “Condolences.”

Reth waved his hand, “It’s fine. Maybe across this Multiverse I’ll find some woman who is okay with what I am.”

Felix stopped walking for a moment and turned to the man, “How do more Earthborn and Coralborn come into being? Is it not genetic?”

Reth shook his head, “No. It’s random chance. Rarely do Earthborn or Coralborn have children.”

Felix nodded, and the less I know about that, the better.

If you want, I can query the Syst-

No.

Felix went to the Shop and scrolled through the various screens, taking into account Reth’s suggestions.

[Items purchased]

+ Electricity Affinity

- 20000 VC

+ Armored Animancer Robes

- 3000 VC

+ Animancer Channeling Staff

- 3000 VC

[Monies Paid]

- 26000 VC

[Circlet of Prosperity 10% reduction]

= 23400 VC

[Current Balance]

= 5197 VC

Felix equipped the Electricity Affinity and held up his hands, watching the sparks dance across his fingers.

“Why choose that?” Reth asked as he put on his new armor.

“Because of how you can apply it. Electricity can mess with a person’s body pretty badly. And…well, the Basilisk is some type of Artificial Intelligence. When I eventually get back to face it, I don’t think much physical damage can be done to it. But, if I can overload it…I don’t know, maybe I can stop it like that?”

Reth finished pulling the armor on. A set of deep, green robes with armored plates sewn on top of the vital parts. The Animancer Channeling Staff was a large, black, metal rod with a bulb on the top. It would enable Reth to use his Affinity as a very basic ‘bolt’ of Magic that would function like a ranged weapon. “This makes me look good.”

Felix nodded, “Sure does.”

Hey, council time. Head on over to the table.

Felix waved for Reth to follow him, “Come on. You’ll get a seat at the table. Just like Tinuriel.”

Reth followed obediently. “Do you want me to just be quiet? Or add to the conversation?”

“If you have some insight then please share it. I know I’m not a genius, so I’ll take any advice you want to provide.”

The three advisors each sat down. Melanie was dressed fabulously, as usual. Both Gina and Roy looked worse for the wear. “What happened?” Felix asked. Lucifer sat down shortly after, and behind him was King Avelion the XII.

Gina groaned and put her head on the council table. “Those damn cannibals on Vugog. So scary.”

Roy nodded, “None of the VBV recruits nor Gina’s mages were able to survive the horrors of war. I barely got them all out alive.”

Felix looked at King Avelion, “Are your people able to keep them in check still?”

The King stared down at the table, his cheeks flushing slightly red as embarrassment was writ across his visage. “I…must ask…you for help.” He looked up at Felix and he could tell that this man staring at him was being devastated on the inside by asking someone else for assistance.

Felix nodded, “Let’s see what we can do.” He looked at Roy. “Would you be willing to help lead some of King Avelion’s forces? With you at the vanguard, they would probably fare well.”

Roy nodded, “I can do this. But numbers are another issue. The Violent Vagrants of Vugog have chosen a new Overlord. That means the various warring tribes will unite. Most likely, they will try to ascend the Tiers.”

“That’s bad I’m guessing,” Reth chimed in.

“That is,” Tinuriel responded. “What of the other Tiers? Has a call been sent out?”

Melanie spoke, “I have sent missives to Invictus and Ryūganaru who have the largest standing armies. Invictus is still amid their rebellion, and thus help from that front will not come. And because of that, Roy cannot take his forces down the Tiers.”

Felix blinked. “I’m sorry, but…this is going to sound harsh. Are you stupid? Use the portal in Roy’s throne room to arrive right on Avelion.”

Roy stared at Felix before turning red himself, sharing the embarrassed look as King Avelion had. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Felix shook his head, “Easy problem. I’m sure your forces, Roy, the monstrous ones, could easily handle these cannibals.”

Roy nodded, “They could. I’ll see to it.” He glanced to King Avelion, “Will your troops join us?”

King Avelion nodded as Roy stood up, “We shall see to it at once.” The two men headed off towards the medieval and forest areas respectively.

Felix sighed, “Did no one really think to use the portals we set up for the purpose of getting around Heficyre quickly?”

Melanie and Gina shook their heads, “I wasn’t informed of this matter,” Gina stated.

“Nor was I,” Melanie followed up.

Reth tapped Felix’s arm, “These aren’t the best people.” Both Gina and Melanie looked at him with a pissed-off expression. “Not you ladies – just those guys.”

Felix sighed, “Roy is a military man. The VBV portals are still something they’re getting used to using.” Felix looked at Lucifer, “Do we have any idea of how much use the Heficyre portals are getting to traverse the Tiers? Versus just allowing people from that Tier to the VBV?”

Lucifer nodded and closed his eyes, “Accessing the portal records…Very few.”

Felix looked at Melanie, “I want you to start up an awareness campaign – or propaganda if you prefer. People need to know that the VBV is not just a destination – it is a hub.”

Melanie nodded and stood up, “I’ll get the printers on Mercantus working on it.” She left the council table.

Gina looked at Reth and glared at him, “Let me guess, you’re Felix’s new Escort?”

Reth nodded, “I am an Earthborn Mage – er, Animancer – from the Monolith Empire on Astragos.”

Gina looked at Felix and deflated slightly, “I understand why you had to make a decision – having a mage in a party is crucial to success. I do wish it was one from our academy.”

Felix shrugged, “They had a chance to prove themselves. They failed.”

Gina nodded, “What would really help is if you could use a VBV Function to increase our rate of development.”

Felix leaned forward, “Do tell.”

“Well, what you refer to as Anima, and the Stat that corresponds to its reservoir, this ‘Soul’ stat, can be improved with time and effort. Can you use a VBV Function to increase the rate of Soul gain?”

Lucifer nodded, “That can be done.”

Felix looked at him, “Then let’s use VBV Functions to increase the rate of gain for every person’s stats.”

Lucifer’s eyes went wide, “It is one function per stat because of how much processing power that takes. But that is…” He sighed and kicked his feet up on the table, “That’s a lot.”

“Why?” Tinuriel asked.

“Because Versewalkers and their Escorts cannot gain Stats from training. So, there’s no real gain for you lot; and you’re the most important person. If Felix dies, then all of this,” he gestured to the space around them, “Goes bye-bye.”

Felix nodded, “I want it regardless.”

Lucifer shrugged, “Their maximum will be capped by your Core Level. So the max they can get up to is twenty-five right now.”

Felix nodded and stood up, “If that’s all, I’d like the night. We’ll set out tomorrow.”

Gina nodded and bowed, “My thanks, Felix.”

Reth looked at the guest houses, “I’ll go check out my new quarters.”

Felix looked at Tinuriel, “I owe Lucifer a movie night. Rain check?”

She frowned slightly but nodded tersely, “I understand. I’ll be in the Recreation Room.”

Lucifer jolted up to his feet and grabbed Felix’s arm, dragging him behind. “I’ve got my eyes on this crazy series about a man with a flying blue box that solves problems.”

Felix chuckled and nodded, “I think I know the one you’re talking about.”

The next day they set off through the portal to Astragos once more. Felix pulled out the submarine, and the trio set off to the Coralith Empire.

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