Mark of Time:

The Mark of the Chosen of Time.

Bond of Fate: Fated strings

A Bond born from the union of Time and Fate

Abilities: Time Reset

Resets: 2

Integrity: 98.47%

Tier: Undefined

The system message floated in front of Jennifer’s eyes, prompting a blink from her. She stared at the message as her mind sorted through a jumble of thoughts.

Where am I? I thought I had…

Jennifer paused. Something was wrong. She’d been here before, in this place. Sitting in her chair. This wasn’t the first time.

A sharp pain assaulted her head, yet it wasn’t as bad as she remembered. Jennifer clutched her head as her mind filtered through vague images, memories she didn’t recall experiencing. Then, she sensed it, the burning presence in her soul.

The Mark.

“Rumina!” Jennifer exclaimed, shooting to her feet. Her eyes darted around the room as her memories returned and she realized where she was. She was back, two weeks ago, to the start of the month.

A hollow emptiness filled Jennifer’s chest as Jennifer slunk back onto her chair. She was back here, right at the very start. A part of her wished she hadn't woken up after everything she'd seen. She'd tried. She had told the guild, trained hard, and fought demons. She'd done everything she could think of.

It wasn’t enough. None of it was enough. The demons still came. The guild was invaded, attacked from the inside. Not to mention, that demon with the Mark. Mark of Deceit. And Rumina…

She had been stabbed by her friend. The same friend she’d failed to protect. It was as if her heart had been stabbed and scraped raw, and Jennifer wished she could scream till her throat turned sore. Why was she so weak? Why couldn’t she protect anyone?

Jennifer’s thoughts withdrew into her. She sat silently in her chair, the world drifting by.

"Jenn, dinner's ready!" her mother called out from outside, breaking her out of her fugue. How long had she been sitting there? She needed to do something.

I need to go to Rumina. I can’t- I can’t let that happen again. Never again.

In a rush she got up from her chair, opening her door as she called out to her mother. “I won’t be eating dinner tonight, I feel sick, don’t disturb me!” Jennifer shouted. She slammed the door shut before her mother could protest.

Forming a thin shard of glass she wedged it in the gap to the door of her room. She used [Enchanted Glass Creation] to harden the glass and traced the rune onto the gate, layering the enchantment to lock the door completely. That done, Jennifer turned to face the window in her room, facing the alley just outside her home. A calming breath and a moment of consideration later, she stepped out slid the window open gates open and began to climb out.

The night’s cool breeze brushed against her face as Jennifer climbed out onto the ledge outside her room’s much-too-high-above-the-street window, clutching on for dear life.

By Sera’s grace, if I fall that’s at least a couple of broken bones.

Jennifer kept a death grip on the ledge as she crawled to the side, one step at a time. Agile Wind thrummed in her mind, and she was ready to launch off a strong gust to catch her fall the moment she needed it.

A strong sense of dizziness assaulted Jennifer when she looked down and she gulped, hurriedly looking back up to keep her balance. A few steps to the side, she found the foothold she'd been searching for. The wooden beam running horizontally to the walls groaned slightly as she put her weight on top of it. Jennifer carefully bent down, lowering herself from the ledge.

Wind whipped her clothes in the air as a gust shot up from the ground arresting her fall momentarily. Jennifer manifested a glass column on the ground, making it as tall as she could. She managed to aim her fall with Agile Wind so her left foot could land on the small platform.

The glass cracked under her weight having not been enchanted for strength. She jumped down from the small platform, shooting into the streets before anyone could spot her sneaking out.

The quiet city before the dungeon felt surreal to her, the sensation of going back in time still difficult to internalize. And with the dark, slumbering city around her, arose a thought she didn’t dare think of.

What if Rumina doesn’t come back because of that demon?

Jennifer’s heart sank as she pushed her spell harder, rushing ahead. Within a few moments, she stood in front of Rumina’s house.

Jennifer stood silently for a moment, afraid of hearing that she’d lost her friend forever. With a deep breath, Jennifer stepped forward, and knocked on the door.

The door creaked open as a small red head peeked out from behind, emerald eyes shining with curiosity.

“Jenn?” the little girl asked curiously as she held onto the door.

Jennifer blinked as she looked down at the young red head peeking from inside, like a smaller Rumina. A smile formed on her face as she regarded the little girl.

“Sera take me Sophie, you look so big. It’s been a while, huh?”

“But you were here last week?” the little girl reminded her.

“Oh right, yes I was. I forgot somehow, anyways, is… is your sister home?” Jennifer asked, her heart thundering as she spoke. She wasn’t prepared to hear a no—or worse.

“Yeah, she’s home. I’ll call her,” Sophie said. She ran inside before Jennifer could stop her. Jennifer stood outside, staring blankly as Rumina walked out in a few seconds, staring at her in surprise.

Fear struck her heart. What if her friend had been taken over by the demon from the start?

“What brings you here so late, Jenn? Oh and I heard! Congrats on getting accepted!” Rumina exclaimed, rushing out to hug Jennifer and spin her around.

“I totally thought you’d forgotten to tell me, but it seems I was wrong. Sorry for assuming you’d do that. Now I just have to wait a few years before I can tell everyone I knew the [Archmage of Awesome]!” Rumina exclaimed, smiling.

An odd mixture of relief and fear flooded Jennifer’s heart as she looked at Rumina standing in front of her. This was her. This had to be her. It was the Rumina she knew. Yet, a part of her was scared that all of this was just another dream, and that she was still stuck with the monster.

Jennifer shook off the feeling as she hugged Rumina. In silence, she remained, clutching her friend close to her chest.

“What’s wrong?” Rumina asked, noticing her shivering hands.

Tears pooled in her eyes, pouring down Jennifer’s cheek. “I’m sorry Rumina, I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll never let it happen again,” Jennifer whispered.

“You’re scaring me Jenn, what happened?” Rumina asked. Jennifer remained silent, as she hugged her friend for a few minutes.

Once she’d gained some composure, Jenn pulled away, wiping her tears as she sniffed her stuffy nose. She feared she’d burst out in tears once more.

“I need to tell you something. A lot of things,” Jennifer said, wiping her eyes as she looked at her friend.

“Come in, let’s head to my room. We’ll talk there,” Rumina said, grabbing Jennifer’s hand as the two of them walked inside.

***

“I don’t understand. You died but you didn’t die because this Mark sent you back in time, because you died?”

“Yes, no- it’s not that complicated. If I die, then this Mark brings me back to the start of this month. I’m not sure how that works with all the Marks trying to steal from each other if I can just come back but that’s how it works,” Jennifer said, glancing at her Mark.

“Maybe the Bond I saw had something to do with it as well,” Jenn muttered, glancing at the little silver thread heading out somewhere from her Mark.

“From the [Prince]? The Mark of Fate one?” Rumina said.

“I’ve only ever met one [Prince], Rumina,” Jenifer replied, looking at her friend, who rolled her eyes at her.

“One more than I’ve met, or will meet. Meeting a demon sounds a lot crazier to me. I’d want to meet that more than a regular [Prince].”

“Don’t say that,” Jennifer said, clenching her fists. “That demon… that thing. It talked like you Rumina, it-it knew my name. It knew how you talked. I couldn’t tell. Right up until it was next to me, I couldn’t tell,” Jennifer said as tears pooled in her eyes once more. She wiped them away. She’d cried enough.

“I’m sorry Jenn, I just- none of this feels real to me,” Rumina said, placing her hand atop Jenn’s “Even that Mark you are showing me, or your glass magic. None of it makes sense. I’m having such a hard time just trying to even imagine all of this happening. An invasion of Ostiri and all these Marks and talks of demons. Do you see how all of it sounds? It sounds like the story of heroes you tell to children. Or the legends of great adventurers.”

Jennifer looked up, staring into Rumina’s emerald eyes. “I wish it was a tale to tell, Rumina. I wish I was a hero. This Mark- it should belong to a hero, an adventurer who can actually save everyone. I’m just an [Enchanter]. I can’t do all of this- what am I supposed to do?” Jennifer spoke, her voice cracking.

Rumina stared at her friend silently, before she leaned in for a hug. Jennifer swept her arms around her friend’s back.

“I’m such a mess Rumina. I just- I almost lost you. If I didn’t have this Mark, then I would’ve lost you. Maybe mom, dad, and Keith as well. Perhaps even Master. The entire city was burning. So many people were dead, gone forever. I died Rumina, I died. If I didn’t have this Mark, I would’ve died. Not once but twice,” Jennifer said, as the words flowed out in a rush.

“Nat should’ve gotten this Mark. Maybe even Anghul or Viel. I don't know. Why did I follow Irwys in that dungeon? Why did I get this Mark and not him? Anghul was right. I’m not the one who should’ve gotten this Mark. I can’t do anything. I just… I’m so scared, Rumina. I’m so scared that I’m going to lose everyone I love. But I’m nowhere near strong enough to protect them all,” Jennifer whispered, as her friend sat silently.

“Do you know what I think Jenn?” Rumina asked. “I see you, talking about Ranked plates. Ranked plates. People who I’d consider myself lucky to meet once. You trained with these people, and met guild heads, and the Alliance and a [Prince]. You fought demons and you died. Not once but twice. And then you tell me that you still haven’t given up. That you’re scared that you’ll lose,” Rumina said, holding Jennifer’s hand as she looked her in the eye.

“Jenn, I can’t even begin to imagine the things you are talking about. I still can’t. I would’ve long given up and run away. Did the thought even occur to you? To just run, leave the city behind and live somewhere outside of Lienmont peacefully? You could’ve your parents, told me, your Master, anyone who’d listen and warn us and just not save the city. Did you even think about that?”

Jennifer stared at her friend, unable to come up with a response. “But, I can’t? I-I can’t just give up Rumina. What about- what about our homes? And everything our lives had been leading to? How would I convince everyone to leave all of it behind just because I said so?” Jennifer said, frustration building in her voice.

“Just like how you did with me. I believe you Jenn. I know you, and I know you aren’t lying. That glass you showed me? That wasn’t a lie. This Mark? It’s not a lie. None of this is a lie, even if I still struggle to believe it. Just like that. They’d believe you if you told them, if you showed them what you showed me,” Rumina said, grasping her hand tighter.

“But you won't will you?” her friend said with a sad smile. “In all the years I’ve known you Jenn, I have come to realize just how much you hate giving up. Entering the Academy had been a dream, something only Nobles and kids with wealthy parents managed. But you never let that stop you, and you managed to do it. Your eyes had burned with desire at the challenge in front of you.” Rumina said, and Jennifer’s chest tightened.

“I see that same fire now, even as you’re terrified. Terrified of everything you’ve seen and that you won’t be able to do it. You still keep on going. Ready to stop an invasion all by yourself.”

Jennifer stared at Rumina in surprise. Words failed to come to her as an odd emotion built in her chest. A strange belief that she hadn’t known she had arose within her.

“I… can’t do this alone, Rumina. I need your help,” Jennifer said, looking at her friend hesitantly. She was afraid to ask this, afraid to put her in danger. But to not ask would be even worse, and so she asked.

“Will you help me?”

Rumina smiled as she leaned closer, knocking Jenn’s head. “Of course silly. Who says no when their best friend comes and calls them on an adventure?”

Jennifer laughed, hugging Rumina. "We need to make a plan. I have so much more left to talk about."

***

The night passed by in a blur. The morning rays edged over the horizon by the time she'd returned home.

Things hadn’t gone too well for Jennifer upon her return. Thankfully neither of her parents tried to barge in her room despite her sudden excuse to not eat dinner, but a quick look up her window had shaken off any thoughts of climbing back in. At the door, she’d been greeted by a none too pleased mother glaring at her for an explanation on her escapade.

Jennifer shuddered as she remembered the memory, guilty about leaving the feast her mother had prepared for her. She hadn’t been scolded like that since Keith had been born.

Really should’ve thought that one through.

Jennifer walked through the city streets, the morning sun shining high up an unusually clear sky. She’d taken the night, to catch up with her friend, and explore the odd skill she’d gained upon her second death.

Neither her nor Rumina had any inkling on what sort of skill it was, or how she’d even gained a blood and life based skill. Jennifer didn’t remember participating in any blood rituals at least.

She felt at the [Blood Shard] and sensed its hunger for blood. A shudder went up her spine. The two girls had decided to use today to look a bit more into the Skill.

Jennifer had spent the last couple of days going through the public library archives and her Master's and father's books. None led to anything of much use, which had led to her friend calling her out on this sudden trip. Rumina had mentioned an acquaintance who might know more. Jennifer wasn’t too keen on meeting someone who would know about blood magic.

The city drifted past Jennifer as she walked, her mind still on the events of last night. It had been a relief to finally get things off her chest to Rumina. The thought that her friend would inevitably forget this talk forever soured the joy, but she clinged on to it nonetheless.

Her walk took her near the familiar shop that Rumina worked in. The red-head stood nearby in the side alley next to the building, wearing washed out and dull clothes that covered her features more. This was a side to her friend that she didn’t often get to see.

Walking closer, she nodded to Rumina as the two of them headed further into the alley.

“Where’s this… market?” Jenn asked, as Rumina walked in front of her, a dark gray robe on her.

“Fallow’s skull,” Rumina said, in a quiet voice, her eyes glancing around as she turned into a particularly narrow gap between the buildings. Jenn followed, squeezing through.

“It’s not a fixed place. Keeps moving around as the Dungeon shifts, but there are a few fixed entrances,” Rumina said.

“Wait, it’s in the dungeon?” Jennifer said, her unmodulated exclamation startling a crow feasting upon some dead rats, who cawed back angrily. Jenn cringed, and turned to find Rumina sending an admonishing look her way.

“Yes. It’s in the sewers. Try not to speak too loud. The thieves guild runs Fallow’s skull so there’s some semblance of regulations there, but it’s still a bad idea to speak more than you need to about it.”

Jennifer nodded, nervousness building in her chest. She’d heard of black markets before, but only in passing and as tales in stories. Despite her friend’s involvement in the underground world of the city, Jenn herself had never once been introduced to this side of Lienmont.

[Enhanced Mana Sense] picked up the vapors of mana coming from a broken down shack within the cramped alleys, the dungeon being its ultimate source.

Rumina walked around the collapsed structure, ducking under rotting planks that stank of filth and mud. Jennifer grimaced, staring at all the grim around her before she followed suit.

The sewers had been worse. I’ll be fine, as long as there are no slimes around.

Jenn’s eyes widened at the hollow cavern leading down into the earth neatly hidden behind the walls, a flimsy Tier-2 ward obscuring its location. Anyone who’d wish to enter could, but it’d divert the eyes of unknowing strangers away from this location. Clever, Jennifer had to admit.

The dungeon walls showered the tunnel in their pale blue glow, and the rising mana levels tingled Jennifer’s nose. Her heart jumped at the prospect of a black market within the dungeons. She soon found the narrow tunnel expanding into the wide dungeon walls, plastered with smooth carved stone on both sides that lay covered in loose cobwebs and filthy water.

A few turns and twists within the caverns later, Jennifer found herself walking amongst people once more. Yet these people she’d rather not associate with. She lamented the lack of a hood to cover her features.

The area ahead expanded into a row of merchants hawking bloodied monster parts and weapons. Yet instead of the noise one would expect from a bustling marketplace, there were only silent whispers and grunts. The mixed noises remained hushed as wary eyes scanned their surroundings.

Jennifer walked closer to Rumina, tapping her shoulder as she whispered in her ears. “Are you sure that we should come here? I know I talked to you about the [Blood Shard] but this place seems a bit dangerous,” Jennifer muttered, looking at Rumina.

“It’ll be alright Jenn. As long as you pay attention and don’t let this happen,” Rumina said, her hand rushing to Jenn’s waist.

Jennifer jumped back, crashing into something. She stared at a boy, desperately pulling at his arm as he tried to escape with Jennifer's pouch. Her heart leapt as she stared at how quickly and easily she’d almost lost all her money.

“Get an [Analysis] skill idiot. I’m at least seven levels higher than you,” Rumina said, taking back Jenn’s pouch, letting the kid go. The boy swiftly ran away, clutching at his arm and Rumina returned her pouch to Jennifer.

“There’s a lot of [Thieves] here, and even some who got the specialized [Pickpocket] class. Keep an eye out. While they don’t usually jump people as it’s an easy way to lose your head, any easy target will get brutally robbed,” Rumina said. Jennifer grabbed her own pouch, nodding blankly.

She hung it at her waist belt once more, keeping one hand on it at all times as the two walked further ahead.

Jennifer eyed her surroundings as she walked behind Rumia. Many hung leather clothes and ropes on the dungeon walls to form their impromptu shops for selling wares. She spotted monster parts, weapons, jewelry, alongside a bundle of white powder that Jennifer knew to stay far away from.

“We’re here,” Rumina said.

Jennifer turned to one dangly shop with more permanence to its structure than most others nearby. Vases littered the front of the shop, and the inside, from what little Jenn could peek inside and see.

“Derim, it’s me,” Rumina called out, walking around the vases as she walked into the shop, and took off her hood. Jenn followed behind, making sure not to step on any of the many breakable things surrounding the entrance.

It’s almost as if they don’t want people coming into the shop. Wait.

Her eyes widened as she realized that it was a defensive measure, so no one would be able to walk in without hitting the vase and making noise.

“Red? Strange to see you here today. Who’s the girl?” A man said, grunting as he pulled to his feet, setting aside the little metallic bits in his hands.

“A friend. Need your help for a new Skill she gained recently. It’s blood and glass magic,” Rumina said, as the man walked out from inside his dimly lit shop.

Jennifer stared at the man with dark frizzy hair that covered his sunken eyes and green skin. Her eyes went to his long pointed ears cut off at the edge and the tribal tattoos that ran down his thin frame, marking him as part of an Orc tribe. She stared at the oddest person she’d ever seen in her life.

An… elven blooded orc? An elc in Lienmont? Not to mention… those ears. An outcast from his tribe.

If any person had ever oozed ‘complicated family background’ with every part of their being, it was this man.

“[Enchanter] huh? Good level for your age too,” the elc, Derim, said, his red eyes turning towards Jennifer. “Show me the Skill.”

Jennifer started, turning towards Rumina for a moment who nodded. Taking a deep breath, Jennifer formed a thin shard of glass, crystallizing it. She pricked her skin with the little piece of glass, staining it red with her blood.

“[Blood Shard],” Jenn said. The droplet of blood crystallized, expanding further to grow into a much larger crystal floating above her hand.

Derim hummed, staring at her floating blood shard above Jenn’s hand as he walked closer, his eyes narrowing. “You dabble in blood arts?” he asked, looking at her, his long green nose too close to Jennifer’s face for comfort.

She shook her head.

“Unfortunate. You have potential.” the man said, moving his hand to grab the blood shard which Jennifer pulled back on instinct, dematerialising it.

“Ah, so a manifestation skill, not creation. Even stranger. How would a level 17 [Enchanter] gain a skill like that?” Derim said, looking Jennifer in the eye for a brief moment, before he turned away. “What do you want me to do?” he said, turning towards Rumina.

“I haven’t found any records on the [Blood Shard]. Glass magic is rare, and blood magic is illegal. I want you to analyze the skill and see what it does. I can tell it’s strong,” Rumina said, turning to glance at Jennifer briefly.

Derim walked ahead, grunting. “You bring too much trouble with you Red. I’ll be needing some favors in exchange for this. Bringing a lost Skill to me like this, what were you thinking?”

“Lost skill?” Jennifer muttered, and Derim turned to face her.

“Lost skill. It’s called Life-Glass as well. The glass will drink blood and life energy to grow alongside you, and will remain bonded to you. The reason you need to cut yourself to summon it is because the blade response to your vital energy. The [Skill] was lost a while back when the blood-cults got wiped out,” Derim said, walking up to a nearby counter as he scavened around in his drawers.

“There’s still practitioners of blood magic, but blood and glass is not a combination seen often. Let’s see, I think I’ve got some parts here,” Derim said, pulling out scrolls and little metallic bobs layered with enchantments and spells.

“You think you can do something with it?” Rumina asked.

“I can make a blade from it if you want. A bad one, but it’ll work. I can graft a spell onto it that can sting you just enough to form a droplet of blood as well,” Derim said.

Rumina turned to look at Jennifer, as if seeking her permission. Jennifer shrugged her shoulders. Having a summonable blade sounded nifty to her.

“Give me the shard,” Derim said.

Jennifer summoned the shard, handing the elc her glass. It felt wrong to let someone else hold the glass, as if she were letting someone grab a piece of her.

Not entirely wrong I guess. That’s my blood right there.

Derim walked to a desk, pulling up his chair as he spread a sheet out. Little blue circles lit up on the parchment, floating above the scroll as Derim hung the shard in the air above the scroll. Mana flared within the scroll as little runes began to run all around the shard, and Jennifer found her interest being piqued, her wariness lost in the face of new magic.

“Skill Analysis? Is that a Lune Stone scroll?” Jennifer asked, looking at Derim.

The elc raised an eyebrow. “Not entirely ignorant are we?”

“I have a skill for it. [Lune Stone: Guard]. At least, I’ve got a Guard spell stored in it right now,” Jennifer said. Derim stopped his work on the [Blood Shard] and turned towards Jennifer.

“[Lune Stone: slot?] Spell only or can you get skills too? Which tier? How many slots? What level did you gain it at?”

Jennifer took a step back as Derim walked towards her, subconsciously weaving a bolt of glass in her mind, ready to be fired.

“Ah, apologies,” the elc spoke, stepping back.

“So… I feel stupid now but, what’s a Lune Stone?” Rumina asked, looking at Jennifer.

“It’s a [Skill Stone] that can be used to permanently add a [Skill] or a Spell to it. The Skills themselves don’t have a tier, but since the Lune Stone does, the skill will be dependent on the tier of the stone,” Jennifer said, turning towards Derim. “Level fifteen, single slot. Not limited to just spells. Tier-2 right now, but it depends on which lune stones I can get.”

“I’ve got a few Lune Stones around that you may want to absorb,” Derim said with a nod. “Of course, for a price. But I’m almost tempted to give them away for free just to see what comes of it,” he added, his voice rising in excitement as the elc walked back to his desk, and continued to fiddle with the [Blood Shard].

“Have a look for yourself,” he said, as a prompt floated in front of Jennifer.

[Blood Shard]

Blood/GlassA shard of glass, holding the life-force of its wielder and forged from their very blood. The glass can feast on the life of its prey, including the one bearing the shard.

Jennifer read through the text, feeling a sinister sensation crawl up her spine. She did not like the last part in the skill description.

“Which Lune Stone would you prefer? I can go as high as tier-3 but it won’t be cheap, I’ll need to see some gold for that,” Derim said, and Jennifer turned towards Rumina, who shrugged back. Neither of them had that kind of money.

“Can you give me a blank one? Tier-3 stone, but empty. I’d like to craft something of my own,” Jennifer said, and Derim stared at her.

“Elphion, suit yourself. It’ll take you months before you can get to the level of crafting a Tier-3 girl. But I’m not gonna deny a sale,” Derim said, as he walked back inside the side dark chamber.

A blue stone shot towards Jennifer, who stumbled to catch it. The stone itself was a pale sky blue, but lacked the typical runes and luster that Lune Stones did.

“The spell is almost ready. Take the blade and add some drops of blood onto the scroll, it’ll do the rest on its own,” Derim said, pointing at his desk where Jennifer’s [Blood Shard] floated, surrounded by floating runes of mana.

Jenn nodded, pocketing the Lune Stone as she walked up to the [Blood Shard]. Taking the blade, which Jenn noted was quite sharp, she pressed it against her palm. Flesh soon parted and a small drip of blood flowed down her arm with a stinging pain. Pouring in her manas she pressed her hand against the scroll. The runes on it lit up.

Her blood spread out through the scroll, staining the floating blue runes of mana red. Yet, Jenn hadn’t been prepared for what came next.

Pain shot through her mind as Jenn felt something reaching out to her soul, trying to attach itself to it. Jennifer pushed on instinct, yet the spell continued to worm its way in, tying itself into the [Blood Shard]. Jennifer clenched her teeth, fighting through the pain. A wave of dizziness assaulted her, as the world blacked out for a moment.

[Skill: Blood Shard → Blood Dagger]

The world spun around her, as she woke up to Rumina holding her shoulders, arguing with an increasingly nervous looking Derim. She grabbed her friend’s shoulder, pulling herself up.

A sensation bothered her. A sensation deep within her soul, like the itch of a new limb that she couldn't stretch properly. Jennifer felt at the limb. A red form appeared in her hand. A shimmering dagger of pure red formed in her hand, resting snugly as it reflected her face back at her.

Her [Blood Dagger].

“Are you okay?” Rumina asked, holding on to Jenn’s shoulders. The red head turned to glare at Derim. “Explain yourself, Derim.”

“Elphion Red, I didn’t decide which skill the girl would get. The world responds to your wishes when providing skills and you know that.”

“I’m alright, just got a bit dizzy,” Jenn said, interrupting as she grabbed Rumina’s shoulders, stabilizing herself. She inspected the blade resting in her hand, feeling the connection to the weapon as if it were a part of her. Like a newly formed limb that she instinctively knew how to control.

Derim walked closer, wearing two thin spectacles that hung on his long nose as he walked closer. “[Blood Dagger] is it? Never heard of it. I had expected some kind of transmutation ability that let you form blades, not a permanent skill.”

Jenn eyed the blade, urging it to float above her hand. The dagger obeyed, hovering above her palm. She nudged it to twirl and it did, wavering awkwardly in its path. It was like moving a hand that could rotate however she wanted to, free of any restriction.

“An innate attachment. Control needs work but this is a bit stronger than I’d expected,” Derim said, looking up at Jennifer. “You may have potential to be a [Blood Mage].”

Rumina hissed at his words, glaring at the man. The elc continued to look Jenn in the eye, watching her silently.

“I’m just fine as an [Enchanter],” Jennifer replied. “But I won’t mind your help if you tell me how to get a [Mage] class.”

“A shame,” The elf said, turning around as he walked back. “You seem to be in a rush. It takes time to gain a second class, more so than the first one. But if you really can’t figure out, think about how your magic as a [Mage] is different from that of an [Enchanter], and that should be enough.”

Jennifer nodded in gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I want to see that blade of yours, and how it works in exchange,” Derim said, his hand on another spell nearby that flared to life. An analysis spell of some kind, possibly one that may allow him to replicate another version of her blade.

“Five silver off on the blade,” Rumina spoke up and Derim glared at her.

“Bit harsh today aren’t we Red?” Derim said, clicking his tongue. “Three off, and you bring me information about the dwarven guy who’s trying to force his way in here,” Derim countered back.

“Three and I bring you his name and location. Nothing more,” Rumina said, and Derim nodded.

Jennifer watched the back and forth between the two in surprise. It still felt strange to see her friend so comfortable and at home in this unfamiliar and shady place.

“Now,” Derim said, turning towards Jennifer. “Can you change the blade’s form at all?”

Jenn clutched the blade in her hand, inspecting it briefly. She pushed on it, in a sensation she couldn’t quite describe. Mana flowed into her hand, as the dagger elongated, its blade lengthening in size for a few more inches.

“Limited size adjustment, hmm. Throw it on the way there,” Derim said, and Jenn shortened the blade. Lifting her arm, Jenn took aim, feeling quite clumsy and awkward as she threw it. The blade struck the wall with a clang and fell down. An unamused Derim looked down at her.

“Don’t throw it with your hand, use your mind to shoot it. Well, whatever. See if you can call the blade back. Or dematerialise it and resummon it in your hand.”

Jennifer followed along, trying to call back her blade. It flew towards her, gently returning to her palm. Focusing once more, she hovered the blade just above her palm. She mimicked the motion of throwing the blade once more, but this time, launching it with her mind.

The blade shot ahead in a curve, slicing right into the wall, through its magical wards. Jenn stared at her blade before raising her hand up front. The blade vanished from the wall before a thin mist-like stream of blood flowed around her arm, and the blade was reformed.

“Ranged. Likely can be changed mid flight and thrown. Almost a waste to have an [Enchanter] have this skill,” Derim said, turning around as he walked to his desk. “That’ll be eighty three silver for the Lune Stone and the skill change. After accounting for your information Red.”

“[Key Information],” Rumina murmerred, using a skill. “Seventy five, and I’ll put in a good word for you with the Thieves Guild. I’ve got one favor left to draw on,” Rumina added, folding her hands.

“This is why I hate dealing with you. All your pesky skills,” Derim said, shaking his head.

Jennifer looked at Rumina who smiled, and Jenn nodded. Reaching out to her pouch, she took out silver, looking at it with a heavy heart. This was almost everything that she had managed to save up over the years for the Academy.

Somewhere I can’t go to anyway if the city is lost. And if I fail again, the money will hold little meaning.

Jennifer placed the coins on Derim’s table, briefly looking at the elc who already seemed to be busy with fussing over his metallic enchanted contraption. “Thanks for your help, Derim.”

“You bring money, and I will help you. Since you don’t seem the type to be familiar with these parts I’ll warn you early on. Don’t think of this as a favor,” Derim said and Jennifer nodded. She turned towards Rumina.

“Let’s head out,” Jenn said, and the two walked out of the shop.

***

The cavernous dungeon walls drifted past Jennifer and Rumina as the two made their way out of the ever shifting black market. Jennifer turned to briefly pat her pouch, feeling the lighter weight of its insides. She hoped Nathaniel had a spell or skill that’d make it worth the price.

“I still can’t believe that he didn’t tell me that you’ll just faint like that with blood flowing all around you. I was so scared,” Rumina said.

“He said he couldn’t have known. It’s not even a big deal; it was just a haze induced by a Skill change. I would’ve needed to sleep to see the message anyway,” Jenn said, watching Rumina glance at her briefly but the red-head’s brows remained furrowed.

“The blade was eating on your blood. An entire stream was flying towards it. I think I may have rushed this a bit. From what you’d shown me it was clearly a strong skill and I had gotten excited at the prospect,” Rumina said, coming to a halt.

“That’s not true Rumina. I asked you for this. I need to be strong if I want to make a difference. I was too weak last time and I let something so terrible happen. I don’t want to go through that again,” Jenn said, staring at Rumina as she clenched her fist. She wasn’t going to lose again.

Rumina sighed. “I know Jenn but. I’m still sorry that I brought you here. I keep my Thieves guild business separate whenever I can, but with everything you told me last night. I felt like I had to do something and I put you at risk.”

“Elphion, Rumina. I have a new blade now, something I can rely on if need be. Not to mention the lune stone. I don’t know if we can win this time around, Rumina. I don’t know. But even if I have to go through everything over and over, I plan to prevent this invasion. And this is just one step towards that. A step I’m glad I had you there with me for. I’m already a lot stronger, imagine what I could do if I had ten more months like this.”

Jennifer manifested the [Blood Dagger] in her hand, and took the stance Viel had taught her. The [Blood Dagger] hovered above her palm trailing along her hand and shooting ahead when she willed it too. The dagger clanged, cutting through the dungeon walls.

With a pulse of her will, Jenn pulled the blade towards her hand, and it returned in a flowing arc. Feeling a lot more comfortable with the maneuver with each passing second. As if getting used to a new limb.

“See?” Jennifer said with a grin.

Rumina rolled her eyes, a light smile returning to her face. “You’re just a showoff. Don’t over do it; this is still not a place you want to draw attention to. Let’s head out now. There are only a few windows of time when the exits are open, we’ll be here for hours if we miss it.”

Jenn nodded, dematerialising her [Blood Dagger] as she followed behind. The brimming light of the sun hit Jennifer head on as she squinted her eyes, looking around. They’d walked out through a different section of the alley way, one rather close to her own home.

It really does move around. Even the dungeon doesn’t shift this much naturally. Perhaps a spell of some kind… but I wonder what.

Walking a suitable distance further, Rumina stopped, turning to look at Jennifer. “What do you plan to do now? Go to the guild again? It’s not like we can stop an invasion on our own.”

Jennifer stopped, staring at her friend for a moment in silence.

There’s clearly some method with which the demons found out about our plans. The teleportation directly into the guild on the day of the war council’s gathering, and… not to mention. It knew me. That demon knew me and it had enough time to go after Rumina as well. So it had known me for a while.

“I don’t know,” Jennifer admitted. “ I don’t think I can go to the Guild. The Prince had warned me of the invasion, and I think I trust him. Not to mention, the bond. He shared his Mark’s strength with me, and I shared mine. I can still feel him, vaguely tied to my bond, but there’s no way I can reach a prince without going to the guild.”

Rumina frowned in silent concentration. “Maybe… you can reach out to someone in the guild, without revealing your identity? Then, if and when you can be sure that they are who they appear to be, you could reach the Prince that way.”

Jennifer thought over Rumina’s words, failing to think of anyone who she could go to for help. Even with all the time she’d spent with them, it had consisted mostly of training and nothing else.

“What about the Mage who taught you magic? You seemed close to him,” Rumina said, and Jenn frowned.

“But I don’t have a way to reach out to Nat. He’s a gold plate, and part of a Ranked plate team. I'm nobody. I don’t see why he’d bother,” Jennifer said, pausing as an idea struck her. “Unless… he did say that he went to the Academy as well. I think- Sera, this might just work. I think I know Rumina,” Jenn said looking up at her friend. “I’ll need to qualify as an Apprentice Mage. But if I can manage it, I can ask for Nathaniel as my teacher. And- and I have his mana channeling technique as well, he’s bound to take interest in that.”

Rumina smiled. “Well, then we have a plan. I’ll be heading to the guild to sort Derim’s things. I’ll keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”

Jennifer nodded, going through the various things she’d need to explain and plan for. But the idea was sound enough, and Jenn felt her excitement building.

I can even ask him for a good skill or spell for my Lune Stone! Unless he’s the demon and kills me somehow.

Jennifer paused. Rumina walked closer, taking her in a light hug. “I’m still not sure how you’re so alright after going through everything you told me you did. But I wish you the best of luck Jenn. Show them you’re the best Apprentice Mage to exist in history!”

Jennifer smiled and nodded at her friend. The two parted, heading their own separate way.

Excitement rose in Jenn’s chest. She grinned, a childish grin of glee as she made her way towards the Magic Academy. The place of her dreams.

I hope they have lots of new magic to see.