The public square just wouldn't work for a real spar now.
Hector and Ebony went to the duelling grounds. Mallory followed along.
She was wearing quite the fancy dress, it was more exquisite than fancy so he could at least tell that the princess was attempting not to stand out.
She was slender but not petite. Her hair braided up instead of letting free. A white furred muff hid both her hands.
Hector was in a different set of armour. It was still scale amour but the overall theme was a dull black instead of the previous blue.
Ebony was glowing blue again since he was equipped. As embarrassing as it was, he couldn't carry his own equipment without enhancement.
The three gained quite some attention despite being low profile.
The Quest Hall didn't expect such visitors. A small town in a backwater place like the Trailane Plains that was considered safe hardly had any active level 100 Journeymen.
All of those youngins would have moved to greener pastures already.
They did have Master Classed but mostly older humans or beastmen. Probably too untalented as fighters or were here for retired life.
The others were Master Miners who don't always have business in the Quest Hall.
Their duelling grounds were not very frequently used.
Hector stood in front of Ebony with his usual cheeky grin. Slamming his fists together, Ebony didn't feel any changes in his body.
No elemental enhancement that Ebony could sense was cast. Hector was merely doing it as a habit.
Mallory watched the workers slowly figure out the controls and activate the barrier. She frowned.
The barrier system was old. At best, it was one of the creations of a Master rank of her royal family. One that was made long ago.
She didn't hesitate to walk to the older lady and take over. Silencing any protest with a glance.
The old lady fell onto the seat behind her and didn't argue. She ran off. Probably to get her superiors.
Mallory directly overrode the barrier, adjusted and strengthened it with her own magic.
She must take some actions and redistribute newer and stronger barriers to these towns at the edge of the Empire once she returns.
Who knew if the town barrier itself was in such poor conditions?
It might not be dangerous in this backwater region but it was an oversight of the Empire.
With every generation supposedly surpassing the previous generation, they should aim to raise the overall standards of safety.
'A good chance to increase my natural potential.' The Princess thought.
There were not many towns in Trailane Plains and if she's not wrong only a city called Teld.
She'll make her rounds and consider it doing her job.
❅❅❅
"Don't bother holding back, Ebony!" Hector smashed his fist as the mana that he started up moving around the different parts of his body was conjured into the different elements.
Hector didn't hate his family but he didn't like staying home or seeing any of his royal siblings.
He was an oddball.
Their lineage or bloodline was pretty strong. Every descendant had either affinity with barriers or healing magic in some form.
Hector was found to have absolutely no affinity with either.
His parents did find it weird but it was not exactly uncommon.
He was shunned as a child by his royal brothers and sisters. Because he was born blinded by the elements, he didn't have a normal childhood.
Hector's great-grandfather and mother, the King and Queen of the Empire gave equal amounts of love and attention to their descendants. Hector wasn't excluded.
It took the Life Queen time and effort to find out what was wrong with baby Hector.
Resources and education. He didn't lack any of them. They found some method to seal his senses for most elements. A potion that dulled the perception for elements.
Then, Hector had some sort of normalcy in his childhood. He was filled with joy, seeing, touching, hearing and smelling things that he never could with the elemental mana teasing him.
The potion lost effectiveness over time but that was just right as Hector grew and learned to sieve out and use the elements.
Hector hated having a weak body.
He got the best trainers teaching him to build his body up.
The best teachers for magic of the 4 basic elements.
There were few who specialised in body enhancement magic. Hector paved his own road here. Creating his own spells meant that they were not very refined and weaker than most skills that nobles have.
That was great. He had a great headstart known as background already. He would pave his own path some way or another.
He was also found to have a physique that none of his family had. Why did it show in him, they didn't know. It was likely thinned out so much from one of his ancestors and suddenly reappeared in him.
When Hector turned 15, he found out it was called 'Blessings of the Elementals'.
It had weak effects.
His body was 10% more resistant to most natural elements.
The effects of mana poisoning of these elements are also 10% weaker.
Harmful concentration or just anything beyond what his body decides it could withstand was naturally expelled from his body 50% faster as well.
What cursed his childhood was also a blessing if he was able to use it, his affinity for almost any element was also 50% stronger.
The potions he misused permanently dulled his elemental perception, hence he only classed with 4. It was perfect as there were only so many things he could do.
As he got stronger, his senses slowly returned as well. Must have been the Classing, Fortification, increase in Constitution, Vitality and probably Perception. It was still in debate whether Perception had anything to do with elemental perception.
Hector personally thinks that Perception stat was completely unrelated to affinity with elements. As with any other stat. Personally thinking that the only thing that affects it might be Class or just evolution itself.
It can be said that many warriors suddenly pick up an element or two after they evolve to Grandmaster or higher. They were fewer pure warriors the further up the chain they went.
The mysterious potion he got in Ordina was still being researched by the mage association.
He focused back on the opponent ahead.
Waterblood Lubrication, Windlung Breath, Fireheart Pump and Earthmuscle Ingrain.
All only tier one because that was all he could handle. Both body and mind.
He could easily withstand 4 enhancements for a decent amount of time now.
Using Lightningnerve Discharge and Metalbone Root might be a little overkill for a spar.
Hector believed that while Scarlet and Ebony were stronger than him currently, it wouldn't be the same after he evolved.
He would be invincible.
Even now, neither Ebony's toughness or Scarlet's speed should be enough to stop him if they were in a life and death battle.
Not with Hector's Fortifications.
Fortifications:
Class: Quadra Elemental Enhancement Mage
Mana Efficiency with Water Magic increased by 100%
Mana Efficiency with Wind Magic increased by 100%
Mana Efficiency with Earth Magic increased by 100%
Mana Efficiency with Fire Magic increased by 100%
Body Enhancement Magic effects increase by 100% for each concurrent enhancement running through your body.
Sub-Class: Regimental Fist
Stamina Efficiency with any type of punching increased by 100%
Control and accuracy of punches increased by 100%
Constitution effect of durability on fists is increased by 100%
Profession: Elemental Body Builder
Physical body is 250% more resistant to your own mana.
Elemental resistance of Constitution stat is increased by 100%
The main point and where all of Hector's power comes from would be his Class.
If he were to run 4 elemental enhancement spells, all 4 of their effects are increased by 400%.
Hector didn't think anybody could match him in terms of pure power and speed or just stats in general.
Of course it wasn't all that amazing.
Each elemental enhancement had some kind of drawback or decrease in a certain stat. This decrease was also increased by the same percentage. With all the elements Hector uses, it kinda balances out.
To Hector, it was merely a matter of refinement of his skills to remove the decrease in each stat.
Once he evolves and further strengthens his body he would be ready to push his enhancements for tier 2. It was likely they would evolve to tier 2 along with his evolution to the ranks of Masters though.
Hector remembered how Scarlet said that only a Class was able to withstand the 250% Fortification. Perhaps he was different because of his Physique. Perhaps the Xengs' knowledge wasn't perfect either.
The biggest problem he had was just not being able to keep up his strongest state for long. His opponent was the opposite.
The blue man burst into flames again.
It was rare but his opponent took the initiative to attack.
Hector anticipated the explosive increase of speed that the swordsman had, having already seen him fight off the animals of Hoarfrost Glade.
Hoarfrost Glade was really pretty scary. Hector was pretty sure most of what showed up were just evolved animals turned monsters that could use magic to a certain extent.
Fearlessly, Hector met the sharp edge with his gauntleted fist.
Feeling the indentation in between his knuckles before the force of Ebony's swing clicked. Hector was flung aside.
'How the hell did his attack get so heavy?' Hector was shocked at Ebony's strength.
Ebony had always been at a disadvantage in terms of speed and power against him. Winning due to his technique and fighting capability together with his toughness and sustainability.
Hector had his gauntlet and enhancements to thank for keeping his hand in one piece. His bones were numb from shock and were still reverberating from the disgusting vibrations.
Ebony was well aware of Hector's usual tactics and didn't let him have the opportunity to super panch. Charging to Hector and dancing around with whip-like attacks of a massive sword.
The gravity around Hector increased as he was slowed even more. The flames attempted to climb up but he patted it off with his own fire, wind and water. He wasn't perfect with external conjuration of elements but it was good enough.
His own high resistance and the short duration of contact was the only thing that allowed him to stay warm.
Hector had no choice but to cast Lightningnerve Discharge.
Bursting out with speed and thousands of punches in seconds. Pushing Ebony back long enough for a triple Coalescence Punch.
It was annoying that some of the flames stuck to his fists but Hector punched out too fast to care.
It landed on one of his turtle shells that was conjured faster than Ebony could do so years ago. Shattering the shield with ease as the physical shockwaves carried on to smash right into Ebony.
Blocking with the body of his blade, Ebony was sent knocking into the barrier. His Layered Ice Carapace took the bulk of the force.
The air time was sufficient for Hector to Super Panch.
Ebony gave a random swing that repelled a crescent blue flame from the surface of Icicle before taking a Treading Stride to leave the area where the hardened ground was being torn apart.
His flames scattered on impact and didn't do shit other than decrease the surrounding temperature and continued burning on the ground since he used compressed mana.
That was the point.
"Give up! I give up" Hector couldn't stand the cold any longer.
Fireheart Pump could only warm him up so much. He didn't have nearly as much mana as Ebony.
He was humbled yet again.
He wasn't invincible yet. Maybe Invincibility was just a dream.
❅❅❅
The spar had been close.
Ebony used up more mana than he was comfortable with.
Hector didn't Mega Panch.
Ebony's mastery with his greatsword improved by leaps and bounds although only comparatively to when he just started. The bulky and heavy thing didn't impede his ability to defend against the numerous and speedy jabs and punches.
Hector's insane stats were still one of his strongest advantages.
Even with Ebony's increasing momentum, his explosive increase in speed part-way through was hard to cope with.
The random super panch had made spiderweb cracks on the almost invisible barrier that contained their spar but it was quickly repaired.
Mallory came over after passing control back to the old lady who brought a younger man. She ignored the man's words.
"Care for a match with me?" Mallory asked.
"Sure," Ebony was about to say 'sure, princess' but he didn't want Hector to know that he knew for the moment.
A healer just asked for a spar. He wanted to know what this princess could do anyway.
"Go easy on me." Mallory's lips rose.
Hector already got the man who chased after Mallory to get the barriers up in place.
Mallory still had both her hands in her muff.
The moment the barriers were back up, Ebony took a step back with his right leg as he shifted his body.
The ground where he dodged had a thin line that was dugged up. His messy long hair fluttered a little.
"You can really sense them. Wonderful." Mallory commented.
Hector watched as Ebony ran, duck and bend awkwardly yet moved with ease.
Ebony kept Icicle close to his body and the sound of scraping could be heard.
He closed his eyes. It has become a habit and it helps with his Mana Perception and other perception skills.
The attacks from the sharp and thin barriers got fiercer but so did Ebony. He only used a little more than his regeneration to sustain his enhancement.
He picked up the pace with Ceaseless Onslaught but Mallory could clearly hold her own. Breaking free from 2 thin 'walls' with a step for a stab. Completely stopped by another barrier. Ebony could feel his Sonic Overlay gaining traction but Mallory's barrier was repairing at the same pace.
Mallory had the same smile that wasn't a smile. It was likely just her resting expression that seemed easy on the eyes. She was pretty but more on the cute side than the beautiful side.
Quickly jumping when he realised that she was trying to box him in with her barriers.
Mallory seemed to have expected it as Ebony was jumping right into another well-placed barrier that he just noticed. She reacted fast and conjured it after he had moved.
She just didn't expect him to flip himself in mid-air to kick off her barrier as a platform. Narrowly escaping the other 2 of her barriers that were closing in on him.
Mallory felt a shivering chill touch her cheek.
Ebony felt touch on the exact same spot.
He had managed to get behind her in that single 'step' but Mallory was no slouch. The small disturbance in his perception was Mallory's card-like barrier.
It had landed on his cheek but what she didn't expect was that it didn't cut. She fully intended to cut him. She was a healer and the man was partially a mana being.
A cut was too minor to be considered an injury in their spar.
"Thanks for going easy."
"You too."
This princess was no pampered lady that just learnt healing and barrier magic to hide in the rear.
It was clear to Ebony that she had seen battle and was not an easy target.
They returned to the inn after another round or two.
They caught Scarlet walking from Ebony's room to the room across the hall.
'Coincidence?' Ebony honestly didn't care if it was coincidental or if some strings were pulled.
"Scarlet! Let's have a drink together. We can just catch up if you don't want to drink." Hector called before she could hole up.
'She's Scarlet after all. Did she come out of his room?' Mallory already heard about Scarlet from Hector.
She also guessed the lady who forgot her clothes was the Xeng that Hector was talking about. What she didn't expect was her just waltzing in and out of Ebony's room. Their relationship must be closer than she thought.
Scarlet gave a light nod towards Mallory. It was thanks for saving her from falling into a more embarrassing situation.
She had no reason to decline and agreed to join after putting her stuff down.
❅❅❅
Hector introduced Mallory again to Scarlet but they seemed to know each other already.
Both Hector and Ebony had a pretty boring start after they separated.
It was easy going live as usual as they both trained, learned and studied.
Hector didn't say much but other than having a tough training and researching enhancement magic. Then he travelled all the way back here and to Hoarfrost Glade to look for them.
It had been an interesting story where he met many different people and encountered just as many monsters. He exaggerated some stuff which can be seen from Mallory's expression from time to time.
Ebony talked about his time in Arcta and then about finding a master that taught him craft. He didn't mention the getting kidnapped part.
Scarlet's stare was…piercing.
He didn't say much other than going into Hoarfrost Glade to train. They also didn't ask about his new blue flame.
Scarlet already knew about it.
Hector guessed it was some kind of obscure ice and fire magic combination. He was thinking more about how to counter cold rather than asking about the details.
Mallory purely didn't care. There were so many types of magic, how can she be surprised at finding out there was one more that she was unaware of.
Scarlet had a similar journey back home. Then got her Physique that she talked about. Similarly returning here but then getting teleported to somewhere she guessed was another realm.
What was the difference?
Apparently a realm was created either naturally or by someone.
One of the most well known examples Hector gave was the spirit realm. Summoners depended on other realms for summoning magic.
He used one of the most famous couples as an example. Even Ebony had heard of them. A Grandmaster couple that was a [Tamer] and [Summoner].
Jokingly saying they were part of the few that were 'legally' allowed to have an army.
Realms weren't fixed in space like worlds were. It could be connected to multiple worlds as if there were no distance between worlds.
Well, all they had was vague information. Clearly second, third or fourth hand knowledge.
Anyway, Scarlet only said she was suddenly teleported from that spot in front of the stall owner selling fish sandwiches.
It was news to them that she had blood magic that she trained in that realm.
She got to the part Ebony was curious about which was how she came back.
Scarlet found a pool of clear blood that seemed to reflect the image of the stall where she fell. She wasn't able to pass through no matter what she did.
Fearing it would disappear she stayed and protected the pool. For weeks.
Ebony came and dropped a sandwich. She reached out but didn't expect her hand to be able to touch it then she climbed out with some help from blood manipulation.
They hypothesised that she needed some sort of link back to Elcra and Ebony was actually right. Fish sandwich was the 'summoning' material.
"So…back to Ordina. I want to complete my evolution already. I assume you're going to join us." Hector proposed before turning to Mallory.
"Naturally," Mallory replied.
"Mmm." Ebony didn't disagree.
"...We're missing one." Scarlet on the other hand, didn't seem excited.
None of them thought it was really necessary to have a full party of five.
2 of them were royals. Breaking the law themselves was a little inappropriate even for Hector. They could have gotten authorisation beforehand but it would take time.
They didn't want to rely on the Quest Hall for anyone though. Not again.
The prince and princess didn't have anyone to recommend. The people they know aren't suitable as they wouldn't gain natural potential.
Scarlet didn't have any friends either.
For the first time in his life. Ebony was the one who could think of someone to introduce.
"I'm not sure if he's interested because he's already Master rank but there is someone I know."
"If he's someone you know, sure!" Hector replied quickly.
Scarlet followed up with a nod.
"Actually, I don't know him well. Just fought him in a tournament and had a pretty good impression of him. We chatted a bit but only discussed runes." Ebony was talking about Mark.
The fact that he was in a tournament and that he wasn't able to confidently beat Mark seemed good enough for the party.
They trusted Ebony's judgement that Mark was trustworthy enough. His skills had to be judged by themselves when they saw him.
To begin with, Ebony was pretty sure Mark might not be interested in a dungeon dive.
They separated to do their own things.
Ebony made a call to Mark. It took about a minute or so before he picked up. Reasonably fast.
"Ebony? Perfect, there's this question I have been pondering on for weeks. A fresh perspective might be good." Mark's mind was filled with runes. They haven't talked for such a long time but he spoke as if it hadn't been long.
Surprisingly, the man still got what he wanted even though he didn't win anything from the tournament.
That was not completely true. He won a little bit of fame. His company decided it was a good promotion as their business improved noticeably in a short time. They ultimately rewarded Mark.
They were an alchemic company but most of their inquiries were about Mark's runic equipment.
Mark's equipment was all upgraded himself and the company couldn't force him to work as an equipment runic enchanter based on their contract.
They got him to develop a potion that can imbue some equipment with runic spells. After all, Mark's Profession was given or taught by the company.
In a short year or two, Mark actually succeeded.
It was a fire based potion. Pouring it on a weapon, the potion would self-inscribe a simple heating rune.
Having a magic-based attack was useful for many warriors. They couldn't use magic and one may never know what they would encounter on the roads.
The decrease in the durability of their equipment was a worthwhile exchange if they could survive whatever encounter they had.
Mark exchanged the recipe with the company for access to more books.
The company made a lot and Mark was even more highly valued. His contract improved and benefited him more.
The perfect thing for the company was that the potion was a consumable. The skills required to make it were all the simplest techniques that they taught. The ingredients are nothing too fancy either. The advantages of recruiting an untalented but diligent person.
The only problem was that those that other workers made didn't have such a strong effect due to Mark's personal runic skills. Such as the self-inscription speed of the rune, how long the rune would last, and how hot the weapon can get.
Their company didn't specialise in runes and what they got for Mark was either outsourced or just things that they picked up.
It was a good thing too as Mark personally branded the potions he made as a premium product low in supply.
He just had to make a few dozen every month and he can even get a portion of the profit. In exchange, his runic findings were shared with the company to teach a few of their workers the craft as well.
To summarise, Mark was currently in his prime time. Rising up fast.
The increase in his funding only further sped up his research.
"Actually, I called to ask if you were interested in dungeon diving. Ordina." Ebony stopped Mark before he got more heated in his talk.
"The new one in Trailane Plains? Hmm…" Mark would have to be living in a cave if he didn't know about Ordina when the city he lived in was considered close to Trailane Plains.
Mark had been forced to move to this city for work but he never forgot to send mana ores to his family. Besides, his hometown wasn't all that far away and making a trip from time to time to visit was possible.
"Do you have a party already?" Mark asked.
Ebony took it as a good sign that Mark didn't decline immediately.
"Yes. All level 100 Journeymen. All stronger or as strong as me. We have a healer." Ebony promoted the strength of his party.
Mark was already beyond level hundred and Ebony had to make their party look good. Having a healer was pretty much the best thing he said that would move most people.
"I'm in no rush to level. More like, I'm levelling just through my research… I do need to do some field tests but nothing I can't do safely." Mark rejectly weakly.
"I'll fund your research during the duration of the dive. We can discuss the languages you wanted to know more about as well. I have some questions of my own." Ebony knew what Mark was playing at.
He wanted some kind of additional benefit to joining the party. There were many holes in Mark's knowledge of the runic languages he knew. At least, according to what Ebony had studied.
Sister Jing already confirmed that she didn't really care as knowledge was meant to be spread. She also took note of Mark's runic spells and his fighting method. Commenting that it was 'fairly interesting.'
Ebony himself wanted to learn from Mark and didn't see it as a loss. As for funding Mark's research it was just mana.
"I have months of potions stocked up and I have up to half a year of leave for personal improvement. I can leave any time. Where are we meeting up?" Mark readily accepted.
He had looser contract terms and wasn't an escort like Rowent and the others. He was actually already getting ready for his next field test.
His father was a warrior that ingrained into him that he needed to move his body regularly. All the research and study weren't an excuse. He ran out of research materials anyway.
Having trouble finding the right people to go along with. He was a cautious person and didn't really like travelling with strangers.
Dungeon diving was dangerous but Ordina was a good target. The level range should be perfect.
Ebony was someone he knew and could even talk runes with him.
Mark had gotten pretty rich very quickly. He wasn't looking for more funding but more research material. Ebony had said the main point.
Most of the books he had gotten were incomplete and didn't explain the runic language itself. Ebony seemed to be very knowledgeable in this area.
Not to be arrogant but Mark had deciphered many things himself. He was still far ahead of Ebony in terms of practical usage.
It was an exchange. Mark didn't think he was too greedy but he couldn't just make it that he was at anyone's beck and call.
Ebony ended the call saying that he would have to confirm.
Mark had to pack up and get ready for the long journey so he was in no rush either.
They discussed over dinner.
Meeting in Teld city seemed like a good idea.
As the only city in Trailane Plains, it had anything they needed to get and the facilities should be better.
It also wasn't too far away from Ordina with their current speed.
They were too lazy to move to Teld city immediately so they would make the trip when they felt like it.
Mark confirmed that it would take him 3 to 5 weeks to get to Teld depending on the conditions of the roads. Possibly faster.
Ebony wanted to relax too and the same could be said for the other 3.
He could use the chance to write down all the books regarding runes that he read. It was still fresh in his memory but he couldn't be sure it would stay that way.
Resupplying his paper and book and getting new stationery was a good idea too.
Next time, he would stock up as much food as he could. Starving didn't feel good. With the right preservation, food could last a long time so he didn't have to worry too much about wastage.
Right now, it was time for a well-deserved break.