I had a lucid dream.

When I became aware, I was in a city at night. There were many canals and bridges, it reminded me of Venice. I flew in the air, passed through walls, sang in polyphony and attempted to satisfy my baser urges. Sadly, the latter was interrupted by a dream Violet walking in from the corner and giving me a chilly disapproving stare. That’s when I woke up.

Except for the last part, that’s how magic should feel.

The exhilaration, the freedom, the sense of wonder… maybe I should add lucid dreaming practice to my schedule.

Years ago I had practiced it properly and even attained good results until overtimes and stress killed my momentum and I gave up.

In this world, astral projection might work for real. It’s worth a try.

Let’s see… the trick to lucidity was recording dreams, then awareness to recognize you are dreaming, and meditation to improve control. Meditation is already taken care of, thanks to my mana exercises. For awareness, I could cheat with emotion magic, maybe using a delayed spell so it enables during the sleep.

It’s a good plan. I congratulated myself.

I rose from the bed with a smile on my face.

Which was quickly erased by another mind-numbing Alchemy lesson. The best way to start the day.

After the lessons, I stopped by the library to ask specifically about aura control. The librarian scowled and reproached me for trying to chew more than I could bite.

Ha, jokes on you if you think you can stop a minmaxer like me. I’ll figure it out myself if I have to. Controlling my own aura, how hard can it be?

Pretty hard. I think I figured out the principle, it’s like inducing a feeling of tightening across the surface of my skin. But it’s not strong enough and I can’t extend the effect on the whole surface of my body. It’s as bad as trying to handle an anti-magic field. Whenever I focus on a point, the rest unravels.

I sighed. The things I want to do are piling up but I have the impression of not being able to keep up, I’m starting to feel discouraged.

I cast Resolve. A spur of motivation pervaded me… only to quickly dull a few seconds after. Meh, I need to improve my emotion magic.

Well, at least I got some info about astral projection. Here they call it something like spirit travel or spirit walking.

I read that it’s a rare talent, but I’m sure that with my overinflated confidence I’ll manage somehow.

I quickly transcribed the information into my database.

I crossed path with Ellin in the Academy, while heading to Grohm’s office. I waved at her.

「Allen: Hi Ellin.」

She looked at me with a surprised face.

「Ellin: You noticed me!」

I raised an eyebrow.

「Allen: Of course. Why wouldn’t I notice you?」

I asked the fair-haired girl.

「Ellin: Actually… hmm, nothing.」

She seemed to want to say something but gave up and shook her head. Gregoris said to consult an experienced healer about curse related questions, I might as well ask her.

「Allen: Okay, heading back? How extensive is your knowledge of curses?」

She furrowed her brows a little.

「Ellin: Huh, curses? Well, I’ve been taught how to recognize and remove some of them. Why do you ask?」

Wait, remember this is an almost taboo topic, better not discuss in public. I shot a glance to the passersby.

「Allen: Just curious. What about blessings?」

「Ellin: What kind do you mean? The ones granted by gods that give permanent effects of the temporary ones summoned during battle?」

Ellin asked, tilting her head slightly.

「Allen: Both, aren’t they the same?」

I asked, scratching my chin.

「Ellin: They’re similar in the fact that they’re granted by a God’s favor. But the latter is only temporary.」

A god’s favor? Do gods actually meddle with mortals?

It sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

「Allen: I see. But what is a blessing made of exactly?」

Ellin knit her eyebrows for a moment, deep in thought.

「Ellin: I’m… not really sure. But from what they taught us, it’s like being touched spiritually by the divine being itself. The caster channels the essence and is able to send it to others. It’s easier to do than to understand the details of how it works.」

She explained and finished with a smile.

「Allen: Oh.」

I said, taking a few moments to consider the information.

I don’t like relying on fuzzy things like “gods”. How are they related to the Creator?

Can they be trusted?

「Ellin: Do you need anything else?」

Ellin asked me, lifting her eyebrows just a fraction in question.

「Allen: No, sorry. See you later!」

She nodded and walked on. I shouldn’t keep Grohm waiting. I went on.

Grohm raised his eyes to look at me for a moment, before lowering them back on his desk.

「Grohm: Welcome back, Allen.」

He motioned to come closer. I stopped in front of his desk.

「Allen: Sir.」

GRohm grimaced, shooting me a glance.

「Grohm: Ah, drop that sir. We’re not in class and we are both teaching each other, yes?」

He waved dismissively. True, if my poor attempts at teaching can be considered such.

「Allen: Yes.」

「Grohm: Good.」

Grohm picked up some papers buried underneath more papers.

「Grohm: Ahh, Yes. Regarding the matter of growing plants indoor… I have devised a design that would greatly lower the mana consumption. I already submitted my observations to Violet.」

He said, pushing the paper toward me so I could see.

「Allen: Very well, so all we need now is to prepare a prototype.」

I said easing my shoulders and sitting down in the chair in front of his desk.

「Grohm: Hmmm, I was reluctant at first, but then I wondered. Could such a system be used to grow alchemical reagents? Some of those plants require very specific conditions. Bothersome, yes?」

He said, nodding to himself.

Ah… I hadn’t thought about growing reagents. Yeah, that would be nice.

And profitable. I mentally rubbed my hands while a faint smile crept on my lips.

「Grohm: Allen! Are you listening?!」

He slapped the desk to catch my attention, making me jump a little.

「Allen: Err, yes!」

He shook his head.

「Grohm: Tch. No respect for your betters. Do I need to switch your hands some more, yes?」

Grohm grabbed his switch and waved it in the air threateningly.

Always resorting to physical violence. This is harassment!

「Allen: No! Sorry!」

I said, hiding my hands safely beyond reach.

「Allen: You gave me an idea about reagent farming.」

「Grohm: Hmmm?」

He sighed raising an eyebrow.

「Allen: If we build glass boxes we can add temperature magic to match the exact conditions for rare reagents.」

I explained, making little illusory boxes appear before me.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then his face turned angry.

「Grohm: That’s exactly what I was saying!」

He yelled and swung his switch against me, hitting my shoulder.

「Allen: Gah!」

I yelped and scowled in return.

What do they say? Great minds think alike.

I massaged my poor shoulder.

「Allen: Anyway, what if we keep this to ourselves and exploit the market?」

I said, letting a greedy smile smear my face. Grohm smiled in return.

「Grohm: And I expect you want a cut, yes?」

He said, leaning forward.

「Allen: Half and half?」

I said tentatively. He slapped the desk again and scoffed.

「Grohm: Ha! In your dreams! A third, and I’m being overly generous because you have interesting knowledge. Deal. Yes?」

He extended his hand forward.

Well, a third is not bad. Let’s go with it.

「Allen: Deal.」

We shook our hands to seal the deal.

「Allen: I know a merchant we can trust to move the goods.」

I said thinking of Vargas. This is bread and butter.

Grohm leaned forward.

「Grohm: Hmm. We should keep it between us as much as possible.」

「Allen: I agree. I don’t want Lord Radenrouge stealing my ideas.」

I scowled, silently cursing the nobleman. With every new thing we introduced, he was always one step behind. The novelty of my new line of focaccias was shot down in just a week.

Grohm furrowed his brows.

「Grohm: Radenrouge? Ah, I’ve heard of him. I doubt he’s going to be a problem. Hmm, for this matter at least. In fact, he despises mages and magery. As does his whole family line of stuck-up swordsmen.」

He scoffed, waving his hand away.

Radenrouge is a swordsman? I didn’t know that.

And he hates magicians. Well, fuck you too, Lord Douchenrouge.

「Allen: I see.」

I said drawing a deep sigh.

At least I won’t have that guy competing in my magic related ventures.

But still, I can’t lower my guard.

「Grohm: Whatever… let’s resume our lessons. Yes? Give me back my switch.」

I sighed again. I was hoping he would forget about it.

After the lesson, I made my way to leave the Academy, but I was stopped by a clerk.

「Clerk: Wait! Sorry, I’ve been tasked to deliver this to you.」

The man pushed a sealed envelope into my hands.

「Allen: Oh… thank you.」

I said cordially and opened it up to read the contents.

I have found someone interested in your idea.

His name is Lord Tareus Val Feran, he manages various manufacturing operations and can provide engineers and resources to turn it into reality.

You’ll find him in the northern part of the Nobles District.

Tell him I’ve sent you.

Archmage Violet Val Mariannet

Northern part of the Nobles District. It could be anywhere! I ground my teeth, I was going to get lost and walk for hours like an idiot. Why not drawing a blasted map at least? I’d get lost anyway but at least I’d have a reference. I put the letter away.

I asked the clerk about Violet, he told me she had left and wouldn’t be coming back for some time. Archmage business.

I guess she’s been called to give support on the battlefield.

Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Vallachio around for some time. Is he fighting in the front-lines too?

A mental image of a bloodied Vallachio laughing in the battlefield flashed in my mind. Most likely.

After three hours of legwork, getting lost until my pride gave in and I asked for directions, I arrived at Lord Tareus’ mansion. His staff told me he wasn’t available so I was given an appointment for the next week. Bummer.

After that, I just went back to the inn to do my magic training exercises and relaxed for the rest of the day.