《Life of a Grimoire》Chapter Fourteen: Spell Progenitor
Advertisement
I stare at Lola accusingly, waiting for an explanation even though I can't say anything longer than six letters. I could try for "what" and leave it there, but I'm not sure she would quite get it. How the heck is she so powerful?
Setting aside my young owner's absurd ability, I almost had an epilepsy attack in the auditorium. However many hundreds of people were crowded into that too-large room, their words were combining and overlapping in an insane combination of ridiculous color. I barely managed to catch the name of Lola's new friend, and I'm quite sure I've never seen anything like Xephyx. With the shell, the claws, and an overall appearance sincerely reminiscent of a pill bug, it took me a moment to realize that it was even talking.
Until she'd started talking about Zannets and whatnot, I'd never really thought about the chances that there would be other living books. Thinking about it more logically, I suppose it should have been obvious by the way Isaac reacted, along with that person who picked me up all the way back in the library. Both that first human and Chris had mentioned something called the Compendium, and I'm honestly quite curious to learn what that is. Based on the way Isaac talked about it, it doesn't sound especially friendly, but any information I can get about anything has the potential to be useful.
Interestingly, when Lola cast the fireball through me, the process of using the spell forced me to weave her mana into the required spell, and I could see how the fireball was essentially just a condensed form of mana creating friction against itself. While clearly effective, I can think of several more efficient methods of using the incredible amount of mana at my - I mean, Lola's - disposal. I can't really work on the ideas floating around my mind, but what I can do is create the theories and hopefully turn them into a reality.
After Lola had channeled that incredible mana through me and cast the fireball (if something of that size could still be called a fireball), I'd gained a significant amount of information about how magic really works. As I'd thought, mana was free-form manipulatable energy, which meant that once Lola pumped me full of it, I could do pretty much whatever I could comprehend using it.
Advertisement
The very first concept I'm interested in is a simple one - if I invent a spell, can I acquire it without the use or consumption of spell points? They seem difficult to get, and if there's a more efficient way to get spells, I'd much rather use it.
Concentrating from my location on the small end table, I carefully employ my own meager source of mana and begin to configure it into a clear shape. What I'm imagining is a laser, something that can penetrate tougher objects while maintaining precision and power. What I definitely don't want is a spell like the fireball, which while effective, consumes massive mana and is relatively inaccurate, not to mention having a high chance of damaging allies and nearby constructions. In a city, it'd be borderline disastrous, to say nothing of the potential casualties inflicted.
Creating a small column of energy in my mind, I adjust the mental picture and focus the mana in a tight orbit around it, increasing the closeness of the circle and compressing it into a level of friction much higher than the fireball. After that, it's not especially difficult to create a dense field ensuring its limits, while leaving the end open. Hopefully, once fired, the laser would create its own funnel of superheated air, dealing extra damage after the initial impact.
I finish my mental picture of the construct and smile inwardly. I'm confident in the power of logic and science, so I'm fairly certain it would work in reality as well as it would in theory.
(Magic Laser created! One extra level allocated for unique spell creation.)
After the notification alerts me to the universe's acknowledgment of my genius, the construct in my mind adjusts itself slightly, cleaning up its own edges and shrinking further until even my perfectionist mind is satisfied with it. It's an interesting thing, realizing that the universe itself not only ascertains my spells as a functioning concept but improves on them itself. It's only a moment later that I notice that I haven't lost any mana, and if I could grin, I would. If there's no limit on what spells I can make, who's to say I just can't keep making more until my overall level increases? I believe that this might be called an 'exploit', one I intend to make full use of.
Advertisement
Naturally, the moment I decide to create as many spells as I can think of, my mind completely blanks. Rather than frustrated as I expected I would be, I'm curious instead. Ever since my origin, I've had nothing except conceptual methods of mana usage running through my head full stop, and now seems to be a rather inopportune moment for me to forget them.
...And now I'm irritated. Of course, the universe wouldn't allow me to create an endless array of spells, why would it? It's been anything except helpful this whole time. It naturally makes sense that there would be some kind of limit set in place to disallow the optimal method of increasing one's level, but I'm annoyed regardless. Just once I would appreciate some assistance in improving my abilities without the ill-thought rules of how the world should work holding me back.
(System exception created - Entity "Codex" infinite spell creation permitted.)
...
WHHHHAAAAAAT?!?
What is that supposed to mean? You haven't given me anything helpful in the entirety of my life and you go ahead and make me an exception to the system? Are you even going to explain any of this? And why a book? You couldn't have given me hands? If you're going to make an exception, give me unlimited spell points! Give me so much mana I could fireball a mountain out of existence!
(Limited permissions and communication available - potential improvements acquisition with increasing power.)
I pause in my thought process for a moment. The universe has never spoken to me directly this much, and it does seem to genuinely be attempting to help me now. I'm still more than a little dubious after that disastrous first day, but there are worse things that could be occurring. For example, the universe could be directly working against me, or manipulating my very future to its own designs.
Very well, universe. I'll stop yelling at you, and you'll talk to me at least a little more often. As it currently stands, you're the only one who I can fully relate my ideas to, and now that I think about it, you even try to help me out by improving on the spells and directly modifying them for near-instinctual use.
(Acknowledged.)
The ordinarily monotone voice sounds a little strained now, and I can tell that this must take some effort on its part.
I'm distracted by Lola picking me up and flicking me open, squealing in excitement as she sees the new spell. "Codex, when did you learn this?"
I really wish I could smile.
In the meantime, I decide to open up my status and check on what I've got going for now.
Codex: Lvl 3
Health: 66
Agility: 2
Strength: 0
Intelligence: 75
Intuition: 34
Spells: Fireball (3), Ice Shot (1), Fire Breath (1), Freeze Floor (1), Acid Stream (1), Mana Manipulation (2), Audithesia (2), Phrase Vision (1), Erase Aura (1), Mana Laser (2)
Mutations: Magic Eye (1)
Perks: Knowledge is Power, Bibliophile (1)
Titles: Spell Progenitor
I... don't recall receiving that last one. I'm aware of the implications, however. The universe had to bend the system in order to let me invent spells to my heart's content and to do that, it added a title. Spell Progenitor, huh?
I can feel my ideas flooding back to me, specifically one that I've been thinking through ever since I saw Isaac's teleport booth. From what I could see of the booth, its requirements of operation required knowledge of how to operate those levers and knobs along with considerable amounts of mana.
Instead of disassembling a person and potentially risking the loss of limbs or even memories, I've decided that it would be more effective to create an alternate method. Two given places in space are quite clearly disconnected on a three-dimensional plane, but what if you included the theoretical inclusion of alternate or even artificial dimensions?
I've got a lot of math to do.
Advertisement
- In Serial45 Chapters
Sleeper
I closed my eyes and saw another place. A place where my entire world was nothing more than a game. Now that I know the truth, my rise to power will begin! No Rift can stop my progress. No dungeon boss will be match for my strength! My OPness will shake the heavens! Except this isn't my story. I've woken up. And I can't go back to sleep.
8 255 - In Serial22 Chapters
Anonym & Switch, Obtaining Power to Retaliate (Complete)
On the planet of Roneglaise the reincarnating soul of Anonym is full of resentment and hopelessness.For much more then centuries Anonym had to reincarnate to remember nothing, until the last moments before each death to learn upon all her previous life’s once again.But this time Anonym was able to master the art of Soul Scribing and inscribed her soul, so that this time when she is reincarnated…She would remember everything!Along the quest of discovering and completing talents, Anonym has no fear and only gets more and more powerful!And then there’s Switch and his best friend Presley…As Switch gets to know Anonym, and her ruthless ways, he finds her quite unique and can’t help but want to follow her… This is a prequel story of 'Universal Creations', but is also a prequel to another story called 'Unyielding Beloved'. Needs some editing
8 181 - In Serial16 Chapters
Of Righteous Evil
To wield the magical Arts. The power to manipulate nature itself. Follow Silas on his journey as he learns what it means to be a Mage. With war brewing on the horizon, Silas' plan to become a hero clashes with the harsh reality of conflict. Torn between contradicting emotions, he will have to reconsider his perceptions of both good and evil. Does the end truly never justify the means? Note from author (13.09.20): Sentences have been shortened, less commata used. Paragraphs have been split up. Meant to be "realistic" fantasy, with no overpowered protagonist or evil sorcerer trying to destroy the world. The focus lies on the characters, their progressions and their inner conflicts, coupled with an intricate magic system. Constructive criticism is highly appreciated! HIATUS Updates: 12.12.20 Chapter 1 & 2 are written together. The backstory of the parents will be integrated into one of the later chapters. 20.12.20 Prologue has been rewritten, fight added. Will now continue writing the chapters until the first arch is finished. 19.01.21 Chapter 15 is written. Will hopefully be able to write more from now on, university has been kinda rough these days. 08.04.21 Chapter 16 & 17 has been written. Beginning will be rewritten (again) to start with chapter 3. Chapter 1 & 2 will be shown through reocurring dreams / nightmares. 10.08.21 Rewriting of the first arc is complete and has been proofread twice. Plot of rest of book one is 80% complete. Will publish chapters once first book is finished and proofread. 06.12.21 Second arc is finished (chapter 24/31-33). First draft will likely be finished around February, after which I will edit a few suggestions of my beta readers and publish it on RR. Release schedule: Once a week on Sunday, chapters are around 3000 words long. (HIATUS, see last chapter for more info) Cover art by Riverman09
8 71 - In Serial91 Chapters
The Crows and the Plague
As the Black Death ravages Medieval Europe, the ominous Plague Doctors (commonly called "Crows") may be the only thing standing between Christendom and extinction. There is no cure for the Plague, so all the Crows can do is stop the spread of the disease, even as the monstrous Vermin seek to spread it on purpose. But not everyone understands just how necessary the Crows and their often brutal methods really are. .............................................................................. This story is an alternate history/low fantasy story taking place in Medieval Europe. Rather than elves, goblins, and orcs, the fantasy elements in this story are generally things people in the Medieval era would have actually believed in, some exaggerated just a bit more for flavor.#thecrowsandtheplague
8 226 - In Serial21 Chapters
WWE Story
Seth Rollins sister that was abducted when she was a newborn baby from her crib when Seth was 2 years old in the middle of the night now 28 years later suddenly reappears but could all of this come crumbling down as soon as the Archetic tries to find her before it's to late
8 168 - In Serial10 Chapters
Halstead's Daughter
Maisie Halstead is a 17-year-old girl born and raised in Chicago.Daughter of Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, Niece of Will Halstead and Granddaughter of Hank Voight.Maisie is a cheeky and funny girl but also very stubborn like her father. She is basically a mini version of him. Maisie is wanting to join CFD once she graduates from high school to be a firefighter like her Uncle Kelly and Uncle Matt.How will her father react , when she doesn't show up at the district after school like she always does and when her call her, he finds out she is in the ER?Find out more when you readHalstead's Daughter
8 200