87. Seeking Growth

Zwei was ecstatic when Irma finally let him take on his first solo project. It was a simple repair job, but the runescript required fresh inscribing. 

“Can I have a copy of the spellscript?” Zwei asked, looking over the faint outline of the old inscriptions on the metal. They had faded to the point of being barely legible. 

“The top has a simple Light spell,” Irma replied, not looking up from her work. “You’re more than capable of getting that done yourself. If your work is good enough, I’ll give you access to the satellite script.”

“Satellite?” Zwei asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. It sets the designated object or creation to lock onto a target and revolve around it.” She nodded at the fist-sized rhombus sitting on the workstation. “This little beauty locks onto the user and orbits them, bathing their surroundings in light. It’s for my nephew. He is part of the crew overseeing the new mining operation.”

“So, it’s a congratulations gift?”

“More of a warning. I took a chance on him and got him this posting. Every time he uses that while scouting, it will serve as a reminder of what is at stake and the consequences of his failure.”

“You’re a terrifying lady,” Zwei commented, gathering the necessary tools. He got out his spell journal and turned to the page with the original illumination spell. The adjacent page had the enchantment version he had personally penned. “I take it our journey was fruitful?

“The Union and Schwartzberg Kingdom are officially setting up a mining operation, a retrieval system, and a protection detail.” She smiled at Zwei. “I told them about your exemplary performance—specifically, my colleagues who are in charge of several critical pieces of infrastructure around the Gray. Everyone is impressed. They want to get to know you.”

“I look forward to it.” Zwei set up the magnifying lens and lamp. “Who are these people? Are they a Union-affiliated coalition?”

“A gathering of friends would be more accurate. We get together every now and then to share ideas, help each other out with staffing issues, or break through dead ends. Many belong to different or rival organizations.” Irma’s hand wandered to a mundane amulet hanging from her neck. It resembled a gear with a half-open eye at its center. “Some don’t even serve the Union. We set our differences aside for the greater pursuit of progress.”

“That sounds incredible. Better than the Conclave, to be honest. I’d be keen to meet these peers of yours.”

“Finish the job to my satisfaction, and we’ll talk.” 

The project didn’t just involve fixing the inscribed runescript, but also connecting the spell shapes to the internal power source and ensuring energy reached all the different sections. The recent warding practice helped with the enchanting. Both trades involved turning scripts into three-dimensional inscriptions and attaching them to an object or location. 

Now, he needed to divide the different sections between the four sides of the upper half of the rhombus. He divided it into four parts: supply, control, function, and containment. Next, Zwei matched each of the sections to the worn sides of the rhombus’s upper half. It was an annoyingly long task that seemed to go on seemingly forever. 

There appeared to be bits that didn’t quite fit. Zwei had two options. Adapt or fill in the worn sections before inscribing fresh sections. The latter made more sense. It was technically more work, but he didn’t mind. In fact, given his limited theoretical knowledge, he didn’t have confidence in his ability to adapt sections of the script. Things would be different if El-Prime walked the path of wizardry. He hoped a couple of clones would be tasked with expanding theoretical and runic knowledge once their numbers increased.

It was a slow process. Zwei looked through the lens, his hand steady as it ran over the faded runes, making them bolder. When there were bits that didn’t match his script, he painted over them with warm molten metal that resembled solder but was considerably harder and more heat-resistant when cooled. He then filled in the replacement characters before moving on.

The process was slow and demanded patience, unlike the smooth and swift processes Esther had shown off. Then again, she was working with already enchanted equipment that specialized in containing essences and spells. By the time Zwei finished the first half, his fingers were sore and sunlight had ceased to pour through the workshop’s two windows. He only stopped when Irma placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You’ll need to get faster if you want to make any money as an enchanter,” she said, looking through the magnifying lens. “Good work though. I can’t fault your inscriptions or the script. They’re almost too perfect.” Irma chuckled. “It almost looks like you printed it or used a mold.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

The enchanter shook her head. “Not necessarily. When taking on more complicated projects with complex spells, perfection is vital. Every hair of surface area is vital. However, for something so simple and energy efficient, you can afford to be a little sloppy for the sake of speed and completing projects by their deadline.” She pulled a folded piece of parchment out of her pocket and pressed it into Zwei’s hand. “Here is the satellite script. Take the night to study it. You can start on the second section tomorrow.”

“Is it okay if I stay and work a while longer?” Zwei asked.

“Why burn the candle on both ends? You have another week before I need this completed. Take your time.”

“My Mind ability is at rank nine, and I can feel the threshold is close. Working on this might just help me get there.”

“As long as fatigue and exhaustion don’t affect the quality of your work, I don’t care,” Irma replied. “I appreciate the dedication, but you’ve got a full shift tomorrow. All nighter or not.”

“That’s fine,” Zwei told her. He couldn’t wait to dig into the satellite script. He imagined it would work brilliantly with the new Stormfire and Shadowfire spheres. “Since you’re happy with the Shine script, I’ll connect it to the power source and then start on the second bit.”

“Good luck.”

The power source's conduits were hidden along the middle of the rhombus, where the two pyramids met. Thanks to the mage specialization and Spellweaver’s passive effects, Zwei’s arcane senses were already potent. Now, he put everything he had learned from the Detect Hidden scroll to the test.

The old detection technique involved drawing in all arcane energies, increasing one’s sensitivity to them. A taste of everything helped El-Prime and the clones study everything accurately. However, it wasn’t a good long-term solution. His reaction to draconic energies seemed harsher than that of others. It was likely he’d encounter more harmful or uncomfortable magic sooner or later. Taking all of them in to identify them properly wasn’t a valid long-term plan.

Detect Hidden was a divination spell, but the divination part of it was only a small element of the spell. It appeared to have two stages. The first scanned the surroundings, looking for arcane energies and anomalies. Then, the second used divination magic to identify what was out of place, hidden from view, or intentionally misleading. El-Prime and the clowns lacked the necessary attunement for the second half. However, the scan seemed like a far safer detection technique than what they used now. It consumed a nominal quantity of magic, but he didn’t mind. 

El-Prime had advised them to use it regularly, mastering the piece of magic until it was good enough to enhance with Spellweaver. Then, they’d use the knowledge to enhance the mage specialization or create something brand new. 

Arcane Scan, as they chose to name it, highlighted the exact points of conduction. Zwei carefully connected a few to the Shine script and left enough free for the satellite script. Finally, he opened the parchment Irma had given him. The clone couldn’t help but smile. It was perfect for the flame spheres. He hoped inscribing it would give him a good enough understanding to cast the spell freely, combining it with the rest of his magic.

________________

“Brave and competent or stupid with a death wish,” Ogden Greystrike said, looking Lukas up and down. “I can’t tell.” An old desk of dark grey wood separated them. It wore countless scratches and gouges like battle scars. “The quest you took on was meant for Frozen Phoenix, but they had no one to send. Hence, you and Chopper filled in. They got the credit, but we’re the ones who won favor with the Union. For that, the guild owes you thanks.”

The chapter master grabbed a finger-sized metal spike from the box on his side of the desk and stuck it in the map spread out on the desk. It ripped through the parchment and noisily planted itself in the wood underneath. 

“The Shadow Seekers have been put in charge of overseeing the establishment of the mining operation,” Ogden continued. “Threat assessment. Ensuring union staff and the other involved organizations stick to the contracts. Lucrative, and we have partially you to thank for the contract. I see why Snake marked you for promotion to tier-three membership.”

“My Soul Pillar should ascend any day now,” Lukas said. “I have the essences ready, and the threshold is close. I can feel it. Just—”

“What is the requirement for ascension? Can the guild help with the process?”

“I’m not sure.” Lukas had no intention of revealing Shadow Clone to the guild. He needed a believable lie. “I’m not sure if I have figured out all of the methods, but figuring out improvements and adding new spells to my shadow golem seems to do the job. I’m hoping tier three will make them more affordable, efficient, and not such a big drain on resources.”

“How many can you create currently?” Ogden asked, his gaze seemed to drill through Lukas’s skull. He felt like a puzzle for the chapter master to solve. 

“Four. But each takes a portion of my magic stores, reducing my maximum capacity. I limit myself to two when out on the field. It's vital I keep my magic stores high for combat and utility. Hopefully, tier-three will lighten the load.” Lukas studied Ogden for a moment in silence, trying to figure out what the man wanted from him. “I am trying to ascend my Mind or Soul Pillar before the next Frozen Phoenix job. I have a couple of days and feel nowhere close.”

“What do you need? You feel like a resource that deserves investment. I have doubts about your longevity in our chapter, but the Shadow Seekers organization needs someone like you.”

“I’m currently working to involve the shadow golem’s capabilities. Specifically, their arcane prowess.” Lukas allowed Shade’s Mantle to leak out of his sleeve. The shadows solidified around his hand like a glove before coating his forearm. It hardened, looking like a hardened leather gauntlet. A trio of long Shadowsteel claws grew out from between the knuckles. Lightning tendrils arced between them. “I honestly don’t know what’s possible and how else I can improve them.”

“Have you considered creating a big Shadow Golem that you wear as power armor?” Ogden asked, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.

“You mean like the thing you wore to test me?” Lukas asked.

Ogden nodded. “Controller. Minion maker. Commander. There are countless titles for what we are.” He clicked his fingers, and the walls slid open. A giant armory awaited beyond it, full of titanic armor suits much bigger or more intricate than the one Ogden had worn for the testing. “They’re all technically golems. There are limits to how many I can control at a time, but each has its own power and uses. My ability grows with the size and intricacy of the systems I design and add to my golems.”

“Currently, I’m working on improving the mage golem’s capabilities, improving their arcane senses and projection. It’s been challenging. My Mind ability is also tied to metamagic. So, it should also come together.” Lukas sighed. “I’m just stuck at an annoying hump. Both abilities should ascend once I get over it. My master gave me a couple of spell scrolls that should help with both, but it's easier said than done.”

A mechanical man of Ogden’s height stepped out of the armory and marched to the cabinet on the other side of the room. The golem retrieved a scroll and a clear sphere.

“That’s a training focus,” Ogden stated. “People barely use them anymore, and there aren’t many going around. I’d appreciate it if you could return it after your ascension. The scroll is yours to keep. I doubt it will survive much longer.”

Lukas undid the wrapping and scanned the scroll. The parchment was aged and delicate. He worried that handling it too roughly would make it fall apart. “Is this a projection training technique?”

Ogden nodded. “It uses raw, unattuned magic and is far too weak and inefficient for regular use. But I’m told it's excellent for training. Especially for individuals who lack talent in projection. It won’t make you a master, but will certainly improve competency.”

“Thank you.”

Lukas spent the day in the guild house’s training grounds. Adapting Earth Lance to work with shadows hadn’t helped him over the hump. He had successfully created Shadow Lance. It was a powerful missile that, instead of punching through surfaces like a tank shell, drilled through them. The energy inefficiency didn’t make it worthwhile. The projection technique was nowhere near potent, and summoning a clone using the spell didn’t upgrade the stalker or mage clones.

He felt more hopeful about the new scroll. The technique felt familiar. Lukas gathered unattuned magic from the environment, collecting and compressing it. The first stage involved containing it all in a sphere, much like what Penelope had taught him. Instead of launching it with the power of pure will and more magic, the technique had him create a funnel and use the internal pressure to kick-start the progress. 

The sphere shot forth, shrinking as it flew farther. By the time the projectile struck the target, it was barely stronger than a couple of Lukas’s shadow needles and used significantly more energy. However, his arcane senses had tracked the projectile as it flew, accurately reading the flow of energy. 

Burning the projectile to propel it was far from an efficient method. However, repeatedly casting Arcane Bolt and studying its energy flow helped him study the ideal energy flow for launching projectiles with magic. Currently, Lukas relied on manipulation utilizing centrifugal force or rapid rotations to add power to the projectiles. He hoped to overcome the weakness with the new technique.

Let’s try this.

Lukas created a solitary shadow needle and a baby-pea-sized sphere of magic at its base. He then detonated it by controlling the energy release to help launch the projectile. The needle shot forth much faster than usual, but he ended up using almost twice the energy. It was nowhere near efficient, but Lukas had clones to practise the technique endlessly until he achieved near-perfection. 

Shadow Bolt. That’s what I’m going to call it.

After practising Shadow Bolt half a dozen times, Lukas cast it while creating a clone. His heart leaped into his throat when the journal vibrated. It was the second time it had done so since morning. The first came with Zwei dispelling himself, providing memories of Arcane Scan. Lukas had summoned the clone again before sending him back to Irma’s workshop. Using it while casting a clone hadn’t given Lukas what he wanted.

Now, a familiar feeling pulsed through him. He didn’t need the journal to know what it meant, but he checked it anyway, grinning from ear to ear. 

The mage specialization has been upgraded. Its arcane projection and sensing techniques have significantly improved.

Shadow Clone is ready to ascend to tier 3!

I did it. I fucking did it.