Nyx Shadowbrook sat at his simple wooden desk as the first light of dawn peeked through the window of his farmhouse. He took a deep breath, dipped his quill in ink, and began to write:
Dear Father and Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well. I've been meaning to write for a while, but I wanted to wait until I had something important to say.
First, I want to thank you. All the lessons you taught me over the years are finally making sense. I'm doing well—better than well, actually. I've found my path, and I'm working harder than I ever have before.
I owe you an apology. For years, I thought you saw me as the black sheep of the family. I never realized how much you loved each of us, in your own way. You always provided for us all, tailored to our individual strengths and weaknesses. I see that now, and I'm very grateful.
I love you both, more than words can say. I hope you're doing well, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Your son, Nyx
As Nyx finished writing, he summoned his clones. "What do you think?" he asked, holding out the letter. "Do you want to add anything?"
The clones read the letter carefully, each adding a thought or verse. One added a brief update on the farm's progress, while another included a heartfelt message about missing home. When they finished, the letter felt like a complete representation of all aspects of Nyx.
As daylight spilled across the distant tree line, Nyx and his clones stood side by side, gazing out over their ten acres. The now ten mana trees stood tall and proud, their leaves shimmering with magic energy.
Their morning routine had become smooth and efficient. Each took a field, harvesting and processing herbs with practiced ease. When the guild courier arrived with packages from the missions Nyx had posted at the guild. Nyx would hand over two to three boxes of potions for them to take back.
After the courier's departure, Nyx joined his clones in the glassmaking area. The wall of empty bottles grew steadily, and a new batch cooled on a new metal rack. They spent an hour cleaning bottles from the previous day's production.
Lunch and a brief nap at noon provided a welcome break. The afternoon was dedicated to brewing potions in bulk. Nyx had stopped counting exactly how many he made. Two or three trays, give or take a tray being roughly 120 bottles.
A month passed in this productive rhythm. Curious about his progress, Nyx made a trip into town. At the Adventurers Guild, he checked his balance and was stunned to see over 15,000 gold. In a daze, he walked to the bank and deposited the funds, bringing his total savings to nearly 20,000 gold.
The next day, a letter arrived from his parents. Their words of concern touched him deeply:
Dearest Nyx,
We were worried by your letter. Are you in need of money? If you need anything at all, you can always come home. We're here for you, no matter what.
Love, Mother and Father
Nyx read the letter aloud to his clones, and they all burst into laughter a joyous, tearful laughter born of relief and love.
After much discussion with his clones, Nyx decided to adjust their routine. They would keep a stockpile of potions, cutting what they sent to the guild in half. This would free up time for other pursuits, like visiting the Intermediate magic library at the Flux tower an expense of 75 gold per day that once seemed lavish, but now felt wholly justified.
Before enacting this plan, Nyx felt compelled to send some money home. That night, he and his clones composed another letter. The next day, Nyx ventured into town, obtained a 10,000 gold certificate at the bank, and sent it home along with their heartfelt letter.
Nyx approached the Intermediate library, a section of the Flux Tower that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. The entrance was guarded by two stern-faced mages, their robes adorned with intricate runes that pulsed with magical energy.
"Identification and purpose," one guard demanded, holding out a crystalline orb.
Nyx placed his hand on the orb, feeling a tingle as it scanned his magical signature. "Nyx Shadowbrook, researching farm automation techniques," he stated clearly.
The orb flashed green, and the guards nodded. "Proceed to the security checkpoint."
At the checkpoint, Nyx passed through a shimmering magical barrier. As they crossed, Nyx felt a slight buzz throughout his body, like static electricity. He knew this was the library's protective enchantments, dispelling any harmful or disruptive magic.
After passing through the security checkpoint, Nyx made his way to the library bathroom. His heart raced as he stepped inside, checking to make sure he was alone. The tiled walls and floors gleamed under the soft magical light, and the air smelled faintly of cleaning potions.
Nyx took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He had never tried summoning his clones in such a heavily warded place before. What if the library's magical defenses detected his unique ability? He could lose his access privileges or worse, expose his secret to the magical community.
But he needed his clones to help in the research. It was a risk he had to take.
Closing his eyes, Nyx focused his magical energy, calling forth his clones. For a tense moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft shimmer of magic, three identical copies of Nyx appeared beside him.
A slight magical buzz rippled through the air, making Nyx's skin tingle. He recognized it as the library's protective enchantments, scanning for any unauthorized spells or magical anomalies.
Nyx held his breath, waiting for alarms to sound or for his clones to disappear. But to his amazement and relief, nothing happened. The enchantments seemed to recognize each clone as a separate mage, failing to detect the true nature of Nyx's ability.
A grin spread across Nyx's face as he looked at his clones. "It worked," he whispered, still hardly believing it. "They can't tell the difference."
With newfound confidence, Nyx and his clones left the bathroom, ready to delve into their research. As they walked towards their private study room, Nyx's mind raced with the implications of this discovery. If the library's powerful wards couldn't detect his clones, what other magical barriers might they be able to bypass?
It was an exciting thought, but also a sobering one. Nyx realized he would need to be even more careful with his ability.
The private study was a small space, barely big enough for the four of them to squeeze into comfortably. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with ancient tomes and scrolls. These would later be picked up and returned to the shelfs in the morning. A single desk occupied the center, its surface already covered with open books and scattered notes.
As they dove into their research, Nyx felt the familiar strain of prolonged mental exertion. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small vial filled with a murky, bitter-smelling liquid. Taking a deep breath, he downed the recovery potion in one gulp, grimacing at its harsh taste.
Energized by the potion Nyx redoubled his efforts. They worked like a well-oiled machine, one always fetching new books while the others pored over texts, taking notes and discussing theories in hushed tones.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Nyx's intense 12-hour study session drew to a close. The small room, once a flurry of activity, now felt stuffy and cramped. Books and scrolls lay scattered across every surface, testament to their tireless research.
Nyx stretched, his muscles stiff from sitting so long. He looked at his clones, each showing signs of fatigue. "Time to wrap up," he whispered.
Nyx's heart pounded as he and his clones prepared to leave the study room. They had to reach the bathroom without being discovered.
The first clone slipped out of the room, moving with exaggerated stealth. He made it to the bathroom without incident, breathing a sigh of relief as he closed the stall door behind him.
The second clone wasn't so lucky. As he rounded a corner in the library, he nearly collided with a young woman. She had round glasses perched on her nose and was reaching for a book on a high shelf. The clone froze, his mind racing for an explanation.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," the woman said, adjusting her glasses. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied his face.
"Excuse me," the clone mumbled, ducking his head and hurrying past her before she could finish her thought.
The third clone followed shortly after, his footsteps quick and light. The woman, still standing in the aisle with a puzzled expression, called out to him.
"Do you have a brother?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice.
The clone, thinking fast, replied smoothly, "Oh, you're thinking of my brother Caelum. Excuse me." He continued on his way, leaving the woman even more perplexed.
Finally, it was Nyx's turn. He left the study room, his mind focused solely on reaching the bathroom without incident. As he turned the corner, he saw the same woman, now pulling a book from the shelf.
She looked up, her eyes widening in recognition. "Hey, um..." she began.
"Sorry, not now miss, I'm in the zone," Nyx said bluntly, brushing past her without breaking stride.
The woman stood there, book in hand, feeling as though she was losing her mind. "I must be studying too hard," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. She returned the book to its shelf and decided it was time to head home and get some much-needed rest.
Meanwhile, Nyx burst into the bathroom, his heart racing. He checked each stall, ensuring they were alone. He tapped each stall door in code and let out a bird call. As he locked eyes with his clones, a mixture of relief and exhilaration washed over him. They had made it, but it had been far too close for comfort.
"That," Nyx whispered, "was way too risky. We need to be more careful."
His clones nodded in agreement, their faces mirroring his own concern.
With a deep breath, Nyx dismissed his first clone. A familiar tingle washed over him as the clone vanished. He paused, waiting for any sign that the library's wards had detected the magic. When nothing happened, he proceeded with the others.
As each clone disappeared, Nyx felt the now-familiar prism of light appear in his mind. Glowing orbs of knowledge pulsed within, each representing hours of intense study and discovery.
Nyx reached out mentally, preparing himself for the usual discomfort that came with absorbing so much information. He tensed, waiting for the wave of nausea and splitting headache.
To his amazement, the expected backlash was much milder than before. The knowledge flowed into him more smoothly, like a gentle stream instead of a crashing wave. The usual queasiness was barely noticeable, and his head felt clear.
A smile spread across Nyx's face as he realized what this meant. His body was adapting, growing stronger and more resilient to the intense information absorption. What once left him drained and ill now energized him.
As Nyx left the bathroom, his mind buzzed with new ideas and theories. The day's study had been more productive than he'd dared hope. With his improving ability to handle the knowledge transfer, Nyx felt a surge of excitement for what the future might hold.
He made his way out of the library, nodding politely to the guards. As he stepped into the cool night air, Nyx couldn't help but feel that he'd taken another big step forward on his journey of magical discovery.
For three weeks, Nyx and his clones followed the same routine: long days of intense study at the Flux library, followed by nights of practical application on the farm. Their hard work began to pay off in numerous small ways.
In the fields, Nyx developed a method to enchant the soil with a magical weed killer. The spell targeted unwanted plants while leaving his precious herbs untouched. Saving hours of manual weeding each week.
To protect his crops from pests, Nyx created small, engraved copper tubes. When placed around the field's perimeter, these pieces emitted tiny magical zaps, harmlessly shooing away small critters that might damage the plants.
The root cellar saw improvements too. Nyx designed special seals for the jars, ensuring the harvested herbs and prepared ingredients stayed fresh longer. The seals also protected against magical contamination, a constant concern when storing magical plants.
Even the humble outhouse received an upgrade. Nyx developed a piece of venting equipment that banished odors and kept the small building clean with minimal effort. It was a simple change, but one that made daily life on the farm much more pleasant.
The farmhouse itself benefited from Nyx's research. He created a special paint that not only restored the building's outer appearance but also added a layer of magical protection against the elements. Rain, wind, and sun would have a harder time wearing down the structure now.
For the wooden parts inside the house and other farm buildings, Nyx formulated a plaster that prevented wood rot. This would help maintain the structures for years to come, saving time and money on repairs.
None of these improvements were groundbreaking on their own. There was no single, major change that transformed the farm overnight. Instead, Nyx found himself implementing dozens of small, quality-of-life enhancements. Each one saved a little time here, a bit of effort there.
As the weeks passed, these small changes added up. The farm ran smoothly, required less day-to-day maintenance, and looked better than ever. Nyx felt a surge of pride every time he looked around and saw the results of his hard work and study.
One night, after another long day of studying at the library, Nyx stood, absorbing the knowledge orbs from his dismissed clones. The familiar prisms of light danced in his mind's eye as he processed the information they had gathered.
Suddenly, something different caught his attention. Among the usual flood of magical theories and farming techniques, a specific spell stood out. It was an ability one of his clones had discovered in an obscure book tucked away in a dusty corner of the library.
Nyx focused on this new information, and in a flash of insight, he understood. The spell was for an ability called Mana Construct.
As the knowledge settled in his mind, Nyx felt a surge of excitement. His eyes widened as he realized the implications of this new ability.
New Ability Unlocked: Mana Construct (Level 1)
- Create simple magical constructs to perform basic tasks
- Constructs last for 1 hour per 100 MP invested
- Maximum of 3 constructs active at once
Nyx's eyes widened as he absorbed the implications of this new ability. With Mana Constructs, he could potentially automate various farm tasks without revealing his cloning secret. The possibilities seemed endless.
He could use Mana Constructs to water the fields, tend to the plants, and even help with potion brewing. All of this without revealing his cloning secret to anyone who might visit the farm.
As Nyx prepared to leave the library, he paused to check his status:
Level: 12
HP: 290
MP: 3,000
Strength: 21
Vitality: 25
Agility: 24
Intelligence: 60
Ability: Mental Clone (Level 7)
- Create up to seven mental clones during meditation
- Increases mana regeneration rate by 30% per active clone
Ability: Physical Clone (Level 3)
- Create up to three physical clones
- Divides current mana pool when active
Ability: Mana Construct (Level 1)
- Create simple magical constructs to perform basic tasks
- Constructs last for 1 hour per 100 MP invested
- Maximum of 3 constructs active at once
Skill: Mana Meditation (Level 8)
- Increases mana regeneration rate by 40% while meditating
Skill: Enhanced Magical Sensitivity (Level 7)
- Masterfully increases ability to detect and analyze magical energies
Skill: Advanced Herbalism (Level 6)
- Grandmaster-level knowledge of herb identification, gathering, and cultivation techniques
Skill: Advanced Alchemy (Level 5)
- Master-level understanding of alchemical principles and complex potion brewing
Skill: Advanced Farming (Level 4)
- Expert knowledge of crop cultivation, land management, and magical agriculture
Skill: Intermediate Business Management (Level 3)
- Advanced understanding of business operations, contracts, and financial management
The possibilities seemed endless. This new ability could revolutionize how he ran his farm, making it even more efficient and productive.
As the initial excitement began to settle, Nyx realized he had a lot of work ahead of him. He needed to practice this new ability, to understand its limits and potential.