Chereads / Umbra: Dusk / Chapter 6 - The Mage's Stroll

Chapter 6 - The Mage's Stroll

Tenisha, a female mage that Sheldon met prior to their entry into the azure-leave forest, was busy exploring the large Time Rift. She had slain at least 42 Conjured Illusions.

She seemed to be in a minor conflict against a woman named Alethea, the cloaked figure that Sheldon chased. Alethea was the Conjurer of these beasts, so naturally, they'd be enemies.

Tenisha then chanted:

"Elder Ones, what is my power level?"

The Song gently whispered:

Power Level:[Semi-special Grade]

Potential:[Special Grade]

Core Essence:[5,245/100,000]

Core Rank:[IV]

'I still have a long way to go!'

She approached the large gates, her gaze landing on the two corpses of the city guards.

The prospect of Sheldon having the prowess to perform such is very low; thus, the thought of him being responsible for their deaths never crossed her mind. Her mind was all over the place, but no thought bore any relation to Sheldon.

Anything regarding the young teen was nothing but a bore to Tenisha. And yet, she chose to help him. She used to be like Sheldon in her early years, but she let go of her childish behaviors immediately after affiliating herself with the Song, seven years ago.

'I really need a drink.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by an incoming dilemma. Before her was a Conjured Illusion -- not the ones with a human silhouette, but that of a monster.

Teni sighed.

The 6-legged Conjured Illusion just happened to destroy the building that she was about to loot.

The creature then let out a loud roar, making its black fur shake. She covered her ears as a reaction. As soon as the creature started galloping towards her, she slowly walked forward.

Picking up her grimoire from her belt and opening a specific page with one hand, She, with her golden voice, chanted:

"Combust."

With no time to react, the beast helplessly blew up, spilling its ruby blood everywhere, including on Tenisha.

Her beautiful, magnificent clothes were ruined by the creature's blood.

Then, the Song whispered:

Action:[Combusting a Grade 4 Scavenger]

Appraisal:[+10 Core Essence]

'Damn... not even something as low as a Whisper?'

As if answering her thoughts, the Song added:

[You have gained a Whisper.]

[Scavenger's Roar]

Description:[The user, most probably a mage, can use this Whisper in battle to frighten enemies. A scream, as if recalling a Scavenger's roar, is used to activate this Whisper.]

[Would you like to discard this Whisper for another?]

"Yes."

Who in the world, apart from Sheldon, would get frightened by a lowly Scavenger?

Answering her request, three cards appeared in front of her.

Card 1:[Realm Dive]

[Allows the user to freely switch through different realms, including Time Rifts. An additional boon to this Whisper is that the user can create their own realms.]

Card 2:[The Bar's Remittance]

[Allows the user to let out a vague bar of music out of their mouths. The bar being directly from the melody of the Song.]

Card 3:[Spark Bomb]

[Allows the user to emit an auto-tracking ball of lightning. Upon contact with its target, it combusts, delivering a powerful blow to the enemy.]

This was a tough choice for Tenisha. If she didn't think of it thoroughly, she may end up regretting what she picks.

Teni had to stay loyal to her long-ranged versatile arsenal of Whispers. To put it simply, she had to pick an annoying-to-fight Whisper that suits her battle style...

...and with the choices she has, all of them meet the criteria.

Realm Dive would allow her to create her own Time Rifts with her own desired power level. She would also be able to travel across different realms throughout the universe.

The Bar's Remittance would be of sufficient viability to Teni, considering how powerful such an ability is. Anything directly from the Song's melody would be very useful if utilized properly.

However, no one, apart from the Elder Ones, has knowledge of how long the Song really is, and the prospect of the bar bearing a powerful chord is practically zero. The Song, no matter how strong, will never allow a being with the high amount of power that chords have to roam the universe freely without pledging full allegiance to it. Plus, Tenisha has terrible luck.

Therefore, the Bar's Remittance wouldn't be of much help to her.

Unlike the Bar's Remittance, Spark Bomb would greatly impact her combat capabilities positively. It perfectly fit into her annoying-to-fight arsenal. Teni imagined how quickly a battle would end with such a Whisper. Having another Combustion-type Whisper would be great for her, considering how high of a toll the Combust Whisper has on her body.

What she wanted was clear yet vague.

Realm Dive and Spark Bomb perfectly fit into her arsenal.

As much as she wanted to leave the Time Rift, something that she could do with Realm Dive, Tenisha also believed that even the smallest amount of Core Essence would benefit her, something that she could gain with Spark Bomb.

Suddenly, she remembered an important detail -- one can freeze and burn Whisper cards.

Without tentativeness, she chanted:

"Freeze."

With the first card frozen, only two choices lay before her.

Excited, she took the Spark Bomb card and chanted:

"Engrave."

Instantly the Spark Bomb card was engraved onto a certain page of her grimoire. The remaining cards eviscerated into thin air.

Shifting her gaze to the largest building in the middle of the city, most likely a Town Hall, she walked in its direction.