"Welcome class to MAGMTH423: Leyline Differential Geometry. In this course, we'll be handling the calculations needed to determine the geometry of the flows of mana which encompass our planet. Using cutting edge techniques such as integral calculus and multilinear algebra, we will peel away the mysticism surrounding the structure of ley lines. I see we already have a question. Yes?"

"Will learning this give me a skill?"

"Not everything is about skills Mr.... Stusen, is it? As a prerequisite for this course you have been pre-screened to ensure you have sufficient intelligence and wisdom to understand it. As such, the likelihood of gaining a skill is minimal."

"I've been lied to my whole life..."

"What was that Mr. Stusen? I didn't hear it."

"Nothing, nothing..."

--Recorded Lesson from: "MAGMTH423: Leyline Differential Geometry." AC 1208.

"One time activation! [DANGER RECALL]!!!."

The bright glow of mana surrounds us as we're whisked to the [safe zone]. We collapse onto the ground, limbs entwined and splayed haphazardly on the floor. I'm shivering, the close call with death twisting deep in my core. The entire thing played back slowly in my mind. I could feel the heat growing hotter, I could almost sense my shell cracking. Everything almost ended there Crabby. Just melting away and burning into nothing.

I take long slow breaths as I try to calm myself. My mind continually flashes between that lone shrimp on the ledge and the burning lava. Once I manage to gain a semblance of composure, I ask Luna,

"What... what was that skill?"

She says, "It's something the [system] gives every [dungeon] monster that achieves sapience. It's a one time, get out of danger skill for when you're in the dungeon. No matter the situation, you can use it to recall to the [safe zone]."

She's moved off my back and is standing next to me. She places an arm on my claw and I realize I'm still shaking. In a quiet tone she says,

"Are you okay?"

I struggle to compose something non-hysterical. I finally manage, "How are you not shaken? That... that was the closest I've ever been to... to not making it out of here."

She wraps her arms around me and for a moment I just take comfort in the hug. We separate and she says, "I guess it wasn't that bad for me? I knew I could get us out of there. Now though? Well there's nothing I can do now if something like that happens again."

I nod, acknowledging her point. "Well, we spent most of the day in there training. I guess we can meet up with Todd and get some rest. Try to tackle it tomorrow."

We leave the recall platform and head to the hollow, two friends walking amidst the reef.

As we enter the hollow, I see Todd out of his usual spot. He's sitting in the middle of the carving room. I assume he must be reading the walls but it's hard to tell with him. Still, as he turns to our entrance I think I can detect a questioning posture. Did his spikes move?

"TODD."

Luna says, "Yes, I know it's only been a day. Let me brief you on what happened." She quickly recounts what happened with brief interjections from Todd or I to clarify some points. Upon completion, the room falls silent until Todd eventually says,

"TODD."

Luna freezes, as if she's completely stunned. I tap her on her shoulder asking, "Luna? Are you okay?"

Several seconds tick by before Luna finally starts to respond to my repeated pokes. Eventually she says, "Sorry, TODD had alot to say." At this point I've almost given up on pointing out the ridiculousness of that statement so I just say, "And?"

I can tell she's a bit hesitant but eventually manages to come out with it. She says, "Todd said that we're both complete idiots and he's surprised to see us alive."

I start to sputter, claws raising in anger. "What? Thats... I..."

Luna raises two arms to calm me and says in a rush, "He also said that attempting a life or death trial in adverse terrain with only one functional team member after only training for a day is the height of folly... especially since we could regroup and try it later."

Her even tone betrayed her own aggravation at what he said, but I still have to acknowledge his point. While the infection does seem to be progressing in Luna, it doesn't seem to be rampaging through her system like it did Octo. Maybe it's slowed down because she's not near death? Even still, I feel like we don't have time to waste.

As I raise my voice to say that she cuts in, "finally, he said that he would train us tomorrow, after we rested. But first... he said we need to... find ourselves? Find our path? I don't understand what he's trying to say there." The end of her speech tilts into a question directed at Todd. I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of his words when a wave of mana draws my attention.

I see Todd rising into the water, a platform of earth forming underneath him. Half of his spikes break off into the water, beginning to spin in a vortex around him as they are joined by spears of stone pulled from the ground. They begin interweaving, diving in and out in an unparalled display of skill. I flicker on [mana sense] and see countless threads of mana surrounding the sea urchin. They're manipulating the water, reducing friction. They're pulling the spikes and spears into motion, twisting them to spin and penetrate. They create an encircling dome, providing protection as the vortex continues to grow. I try to quickly count the individual strands of mana that control and move the spikes and spears and swiftly lose count.

All thoughts flee as I stand, awed and shocked at the sheer mastery displayed by the urchin. Eventually, the vortex slows and stops as the spines return to Todd. The spears of stone meld into the ground, and the pillar on which he stood lowers. He then slowly moves forward until he stands directly in front of us. Then, for the first time, I hear Todd speak actual words.

"TODD... IS SPIKES. PATH... IS SPIKES. WHAT... IS CRABBY? WHAT... IS LUNA? WHAT... IS PATH? KNOW YOURSELF, KNOW ENEMY, NEVER FEAR OUTCOME... HUNDRED FIGHTS."

He leaves us there, stunned by his feat of magic and departs the hollow. After I got over his apparent skill, I lean towards Luna and whisper, "did you know he could do that?"

She seems to take a minute longer to get her bearings and she whispers back to me. "No, but... well it makes sense."

"What does?"

"Well, you know how [dungeon] creatures bodies are essentially created by the core's mana?"

I nod.

"There's a suspicion... well some of the others suspect that unless we get killed or escape... we can't actually die."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, wild right? But that's usually a non-issue. Eventually everyone gets tired of the same thing over and over and tries to escape. But Todd? Well, I've asked around before. He's the oldest one here. And the second oldest one said that Todd was old even when he was newly [sapient]. Who knows how long it's been?"

I consider her thoughts on the matter. "And so what? He's just been here, practicing his skills and not leveling up?"

"There's probably only so much experience he can gain before he outlevels everything the dungeon can throw at him. And without exterior sapients visiting and dying and leveling the dungeon up... Well Todd might have lived for a very long time."

I feel a rush of blood through my shell and quickly grow excited. If he's that experienced then... then this training might really help. I try to lower my expectations and calm myself. There's no telling what tomorrow will bring. Luna and I grab some food before lying down. Sleep couldn't come sooner.