Chapter 121- The Remalon (Patreon)

Oliviala Le’Cruex

Olive awoke to the sounds of gentle snoring. She immediately recognized the ceiling in her room at Duke Reihnhardt's manor. Mayalyn was the culprit of the light rumbling, as usual. She recognized Cameron’s chuckles amid a hushed conversation between him and Niya. She lifted her head slightly, seeing them in opposite seats around the room's tea table, a deck of groche spread between them.

She fell back, her nightmare replayed in her mind; the haunting visage of a Graymin Knight coming out of nowhere and ripping her arm off before she could even respond. Blood flowed from her barren shoulder, soaking her clothes and side before splattering across the ground. She frantically clutched at the stub, only to find her arm whole and strong, though bereft of clothing.

Jiran healed me? Or his cousin. They're both so strong. Far more so than me. After every advantage I've been given, I'm practically useless. No wonder he—

She lifted her head again to look at the girl in question when she saw it: An opaque, two-meter-tall sphere of pulsing energy that stood in the far corner. It released waves of ruddy, white light that splashed through the large room. She jerked to a sitting position with a gasp, her movements rousing Mayalyn. The perceptive girl followed Olive’s gaze, immediately noticing the glowing sphere.

"What is that!" Olive pointed, her voice raspy. She tried to swallow, her mouth feeling full of sand.

"Just J-Mortemer up to his usual antics," Niya responded dryly while playing another card, not bothering to look away from their game.

"Mortemer? Mur le froppo—ahem, Mortemer there is, you sure? What happen? Hurt?" Mayalyn asked, remembering to speak in imperial halfway through her outburst.

"He should be fine, probably. Been like that for three hours. Said something about a molding upgrade, then turned into that orb."

Olive glared at Niya, unwilling to let her get away with such a lazy explanation. "What happened? Last I can recall, we were in that town and I-I got... Did we win? Are the wards safe?"

"Yup." Niya's short response caused Cameron to drop his cards, scattering them across the table while he joined the rest of the room in glaring at her. Niya threw her arms in the air with a huff before relenting. "Fine, fine."

Niya did her best to block sound from escaping the room, but she wasn’t nearly as proficient as Jiran and let them all know that. She then started her tale from the formation tunnel and ended with the highlights of Daughter’s information regarding willpower. Cameron took over when she was done, letting them know about his short chat with Duke Reihnhardt. Apparently, the man was overjoyed to know the wards were no longer worsening and to alert him the minute Jiran and Olive were no longer indisposed so he could thank them personally.

Olive was incredibly disappointed to learn the formations were not returning to their optimal power and had merely stopped getting worse. As for Niya’s explosive news about willpower, Olive’s mind was racing at the implications.

Acclamations and techniques consume willpower?! Does that include their advancements? If the standard tier seven ascender has six techniques that have each been evolved twice, just how much wasted willpower is that? We lose ninety percent of the few ascenders who make it to tier eight due to a lack of willpower. How many could we have saved with this information? Father must know immediately! H-he, he could… There’s nobody to tell. It's too late for all of them. This knowledge will only save the next generation. It's even too late for me. I have so many techniques already, am I doomed to fall short like all the rest?

As Olive spiraled into depression, she finally noticed Mayalyn had spun around to face her and was talking rapidly, launching a slew of indecipherable questions her way. "Please, slow down. I can't understand you." Olive hated the sound of her own voice, quivering with dread and uncertainty.

Mayalyn reached out to hold her hand. The strange girl's fingers were warm and comforting. The kind gesture sent tingles up her arm to wrap around her racing heart in a soothing embrace. When tears threatened to leak from her eyes, she knew she couldn't sit still a moment longer without breaking down entirely.

She returned the squeeze of her fingers and sent Mayalyn a thankful smile before climbing off the bed. She moved behind the changing screen and removed her ruined armor, leaving the bent and damaged metal suit in a basket for the manor staff. The familiar movements of tidying her appearance and the comforting feel of fabric on her skin, rather than armor, soothed her back to a more reasonable emotional state.

Mayalyn was eagerly waiting for her when she finished and she knew exactly what the girl wanted, “After you pushed yourself too far on the wall, Mortemer brought you back here and then announced he wanted to form an official party with all of us. His goal is to have us all reach tier seven within two weeks. Insane, I know, but he thinks it’s possible.” She had to repeat herself several times and use their written system to translate a few words, but eventually, Mayalyn understood everything.

“Yes, ascend. I ready, tier fourth now night. Kill many Graymin, uhm, Tomarrhow? My people, deal Duke see power?” Mayalyn grew frustrated seeing Olive’s confusion. She furiously scribbled onto their translation pad to explain what she wanted to communicate.

While she was composing her questions, Olive turned to Cameron and Niya. “Do either of you see this framework that he was going on about? He mentioned he could only see it with his aura.” When they shook their heads, she clicked her tongue.

Ever since my acclamation led me to him, my life has become a mess. I can barely keep track of everything and I’m constantly on the back foot. First, there were all the revelations around claiming density and how that knowledge could destroy the delicate balance between the emperors. Second, he drops us off at a cave full of hostile animal-people who want nothing to do with us. The vile woman leading them wouldn’t even try to communicate before demanding we leave.

My acclamation led us here where at least we’ve been useful for a change. And third, I have to worry about this framework of his upsetting the balance further. Not to mention the knowledge around willpower and whatever’s happening to him after reaching one hundred in molding. To think he actually reached one hundred! Even Sagrinar only claims to be in the seventies. Father’s going to spit blood when he finds out, or try to marry one of us off to him. I’ll have to remember to curtail that before he gets the idea or I’ll never hear the end of it!

Argh! What am I going to do? There are too many moving parts and each with devastating consequences. I need help and this is far too sensitive to send in a letter. At the same time, I can’t leave his side. Who knows what he’s going to do next and how cataclysmic it could be.

Suddenly, Mayalyn’s arms wrapped around her. She was so lost in thought that she failed to see the girl move. Olive’s back stiffened in surprise before Mayalyn’s gentle, stilted whisper brushed the hair around her ear. “Be okay, no alone. All together, party now. We strong, kill Graymin. Save all peoples, yes?”

She’s right. I’m not alone. We’re a party now. They might not understand the political implications of their actions, but I do. I only need to focus on what I can do and let them handle the rest.

Tears stained her cheeks as she squeezed Mayalyn back before pulling away. She wiped them with the back of her hand before nodding sharply. “Thank you. Did you finish your questions?” Mayalyn grinned and shook her head.

“No question, now. Talk Mortemer thener. Now, ascend,” Mayalyn pointed to the floor and then suddenly stripped off her dress. Cameron jolted out of his chair, spluttering nonsensically as he spun around to face the wall.

“What the blazes! Warn a guy next time. Wouldn’t want your boy toy ripping my eyes out, ya know?”

“Hah!” Niya laughed, “Coward! A real man wouldn’t waste the chance for an eyeful even if it meant death.” She punched him in the arm hard enough to send him stumbling to the side.

Olive’s mouth snapped shut a second later and she leaped to stand between her friend and cousin. “Mayalyn! You mustn't undress in front of boys like that,” She scolded.

Mayalyn ignored her as she grabbed a sheet from the bed and unfurled it across the floor in the corner of the room. “Nice dress, ascend messy, no ruin, blood.”

“Yes, yes, I understand you don’t want to ruin the dress when your body reforms. Cameron! Why in the Mother’s shadow are you still in here! Get. Out!” He was long gone before she finished yelling, the door slamming shut behind him. All three of them exploded into laughter at the lingering afterimage of his blazing red cheeks streaking across the room.

Screw it, I don’t need to wait for a ceremony. I’m sure Mother would agree. She always harped on and on about using every opportunity to bring a party closer together.

Olive grabbed another sheet and spread it out beside Mayalyn’s before removing her clothes and joining the girl on the floor. They gave each other matching smiles brimming with anticipation before allowing the density trapped within their bodies to explode into action, beginning their ascensions.

Jiran of Madra

Consciousness returned to Jiran in a flash. One second he was nothing, and the next he was fully awake, his brain churning through thoughts with incredible alacrity. Multiple threads of awareness spiraled off into their own internal conversations, each as coherent and complete as the next.

His eyes opened to find himself encased in a bubble of force. It was impossible to see through and even blocked his aura. He could clearly see the mana that formed the barrier. He watched it squirming under his scrutiny; a million motes of dust flowing together into a solid ocean. Instinctively, he understood the barrier was incredibly powerful. Possibly so strong he would never be able to break free from it. He also knew it would stay there until he willed it away, where it would then rejoin his mana. For it was mana, and therefore, it was his.

Mana omnis: + 1

Mana Omnis? What’s that?

Yet another thread of consciousness split apart to examine the message, his powerful new instincts, and the knowledge they uncovered. Meanwhile, his observations of his body through both aura and mana revealed several startling facts. Chief among them was that his manapool was no longer in his chest. It now spread through his whole body, covering everything all at once.

My entire body is a manapool now. And there’s so much more of it. My capacity has at least tripled, it's hard to say since I know I’m not full, even with all of this.

He raised a hand and his eyes flickered down to see the mana squirming within his muscles, organs and bones. All his to command with the slightest shift in intention. He hadn’t needed to form an emotional bridge to make it move either. He simply willed it, and it leaped to obey.

With my manapool sharing space with my brain, I’m directly connected now. There’s no more need for a mindlink or emotions. I have manasight, too. Or Mana Omnis, I guess. I wonder how it’s different from the tier seven skill. There are so many little changes too. I can feel my skin passively absorbing density. It’s tougher too, though it still looks human, thank the Fathers. I lost some organs and my stomach is bigger. My brain has five lobes now instead of two. I don’t have any channels or elemental papules either but I can tell that won’t stop me from forming elements with my mana.

Am I even human anymore? No, of course not. I’m Remalon.

Augmented Cerebellum / Triune Minds / Empowered Manabody / Acclamations combined: Remalonian Constitution

Inferior acclamations reclassified

NAME: Jiran of Madra

RACE: Human > Remalon

AGE: 15 > 0

WEIGHT: 2971 kg > 3244 kg

ACCLAMATIONS: Remalonian Constitution / Scion of Mana

TIMER: N/A

At least I still look like a human. Unless someone cut me open and pulled out my organs, they would have no idea. Makes sense, all the sentient races I’ve encountered except one looked mostly human. I wonder why that is.

Three acclamations combined into one? I didn’t know that was a thing but knowing more about willpower, that’s a huge benefit. New one too, Scion of Mana. Too bad these things never have descriptions.

TIER: 4

EXP: 200/200

GROWTH: 3%

Only three percent growth after everything I’ve done. I really need to eat more. I bet I have a ton of attributes waiting on standby.

MANA: 18 > 54

CONCENTRATION: 18

Fifty-four mana, an exact tripling. That’s… so unfair. Based on the description, both the Kemalons and Remalons are born this way? What absolute shrelkshit. My body's new instincts are telling me it's normal for my race to have a manapool that spreads throughout the body, so Scion of Mana is definitely unrelated to the increased manapool.

Does that mean Remalonian Constitution not only enhanced my brain, body, and aura, but it also tripled my manapool? Masters of mana definitely wasn’t a joke.

STRENGTH: 180 > 185.8

AGILITY: 180 > 185.8

ENDURANCE: 180 > 185.8

DURABILITY: 180 > 185.8

WISDOM: 180 > 185.8

INTELLIGENCE: 180 > 185.8

CHARISMA: 42 > 61

Molding / Mana Expansion / Forming / Forcing / Coating / Restoration / Mana Transference / absorbed and combined: Mana Confluence

Shaping / Elemental Compression / Channeling / True Origin of Fire / True Origin of Lightning / True Origin of Ice /  True Origin of Water / True Origin of  Wind / Big Bang / Gas Manipulation / Light Manipulation / absorbed and combined: Elemental Castigation

SKILLS:

Mana Confluence: 67

Elemental Castigation: 42

Mana Omnis: 0 > 1

Enthralling Touch: 0

Identify: 9 > 12

All of my techniques and subskills were reduced to two skills? She wasn’t kidding when she said any of the options would alleviate my willpower problem. So glad I didn't go with Solophid. I probably would have ended up with a squid for a face.

OTHER:

Adaptive Translator

Affinity System

Designation: Keynote Prime

Interface Map

Intermediary User Interface

Party System

Sanctuary 100%

UNIQUE - Foresight

That answers the question of where my ‘inferior’ acclamations went.

Okay new skills, show me what you’ve got.

Mana Confluence: Mana is your blood, your bones, your thoughts. Do with it as you desire.

Elemental Castigation: The endless elements bend to your will. Use them to shape the world in your image.

Mana Omnis: Nothing escapes your sight unbound. Pierce the weave and assert your dominance.

Enthralling Touch: To subjugate is your divine right. Perceive, overwhelm, subdue.

What’s with the ridiculous phrasing? I remember molding simply being: Freely move mana to any part of the body.

Hold on, I know that skills are unique to each race because Mayalyn’s, and now my new ones, are totally different from humans. Olive told me that technique names are unique to the individual and created based on a personal preference or optimal ideal. Does that mean skill names and descriptions are based on the entire race's preference? Are the Remalon, as a whole, people who prefer descriptions that make them sound superior? Hmm, Hope I don’t meet any more of them. Probably a bunch of windbag asshats.

Whatever, I never have to look at the descriptions again. Suppose I’ll try them out and see what happens.

“Mana Confluence,” Jiran said the skill name out loud but frowned as no automated training wheels activated. Instead, his mana was already on the move. It flowed quickly and seamlessly to the tip of his finger then leaped out of his skin to pool in the air as had been his intent before speaking. He compressed, bent, twisted, and spun the airborne mana, finding it extremely responsive to his every whim.

With a childish laugh, Jiran moved his mana through his body and beyond it. What used to be Forcing was now as simple as lifting a limb. Every action was pulled and pushed with mana, as well as muscle, in a flawless dance that drastically increased his natural speed and power. Without the exhausting emotional hoops, each activation was instantaneous and simple. With his mana being everywhere within him at all times, his muscles and bones were constantly infused with mana, drastically increasing their resilience, regeneration, and strength.

Yeah, no wonder they don’t need the system to guide their primary skill. It’s literally as easy as breathing. Ridiculous. I have to admit, it’s going to be pretty damn nice not having to constantly overstimulate my emotions just to use my mana.

What about the next one?

“Elemental Castigation,” Again, nothing happened.

Jiran was careful, he really was. He used a bad mental image and only willed a speck of mana on the tip of his finger to turn to fire. The cacophonous blaze that filled his sphere ridiculed his efforts at control. He shouted and instinctively raised his hands to cover his face before realizing it was unnecessary. His skin, and the mana directly beneath it, responded instantly to coat him in a protective layer of energy that easily rebuffed the wild flames.

Mana Omnis allowed his eyes to note the elemental mana dancing within the fire and on instinct, he willed it back into himself. The flames vanished as if they had never been. Not even a puff of smoke or the sound of displaced air could be heard.

Woah. Okay, maybe I can see why the skill used the phrase ‘bend to your will.’ So I can freely create whatever element I can think of, and then reabsorb it to refund whatever mana wasn’t spent? This one skill covers so many techniqu—

Daughter! No-no-no. My Revelation technique is gone but it wasn’t absorbed by any of my new skills. Where did it go? Is she still there? Shit! I barely understood the revelation technique, I have no idea if I can recreate that manually. Am I going to be able to summon her without it? There’s not enough room in here for the both of us if I try and succeed. I’ll need food to recover my mana as well. Time to leave, the rest can wait until I know she’s okay.

With a flicker of will, Jiran demanded the mana around him return to its rightful home. With a pop, the bubble of mana collapsed into him. His eyes widened as several things happened at once.

The framework vibrated fiercely as a wave of nearly imperceptible force radiated outward in every direction. Jiran’s aura exploded away from his body, no longer constrained by the sphere. It easily covered twenty-five meters, batting aside two meager resistances before flooding his brain with an influx of information. Most notable was the one-armed woman standing before him with a gobsmacked expression, and the man standing between her and Jiran.

The man’s arms were outstretched as if shielding Jiran from the woman. Her surprise faded quickly, shifting to a scowl that promised violence.

Jiran recognized both tier sevens: Duke Reihnhardt Le’Mortan, and Duchess Ravenna Le’Morothin.