Janis’ pessimism turned out to be well-founded, in contrast to the cheerful optimism Regina picked up from Tia. The group of intrepid explorers really didn’t find anything more underground.

There was another tunnel, sort of, but it seemed to run out after a few meters. How exactly the Mana Beast had managed to get there would probably remain a mystery, although Regina would bet on some kind of Earth magic-related abilities.

For now, she resolved to keep Arcanis well away from this place. She did not want her pet monster to get affected by the mana there. Even if Arcanis hadn’t really done much so far, Regina was sure she would prove her worth at some point. If nothing else, she seemed to be a natural at intimidating humans. Though not always in the negative sense. She’d even managed to beg food scraps from the villagers.

Regina had bigger things to worry about, though. While the drones, Janis and Whitor trudged back through the tunnel, she reflected on what they’d found.

Unfortunately, she only came to one conclusion. I really want to go there myself! Regina sighed. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can justify moving just to satisfy my curiosity. Especially since it’s unlikely I’d see anything in person I couldn’t through my drones, or that I could get the door to open.

She had to admit that her knowledge probably wasn’t completely up to date on any AI or computerized security measures. Even assuming that she hadn’t lost any time in the transition, some things would have probably been kept secret by the government or just not been made public for other reasons. All that said, she still didn’t have any idea how you got a lock vanishing into a door or what certainly seemed like a reasoning entity, alone, in control of it. Well, it could have been a person (or rather a biological person) talking, with their voice transferred or modulated. That didn’t make it much better.

She just didn’t know enough about mana and what it might be able to do, Regina reflected. For all she knew, there might be some kind of mana ghost emerging out of the remains of a near-true AI shaken up by the Cataclysm’s mana surges. Or at least something to do with the obviously weird mana in the place — which probably had some relation to the violent arrival of mana from another world during the apocalypse — and whatever structure was there.

Regina made herself shelve those thoughts for now. There was no point dwelling on it without any more information to go on. Instead, she turned her focus back to her drones and the happenings in their new camp, just in time to watch Janis wander off.

Regina hesitated for a moment. They had cleared out the vicinity of the camp, so it shouldn’t be dangerous. Janis was obviously going to be planning on Evolving her Class, though. Or maybe just Evolving, she wasn’t entirely clear on how it worked for demihumans.

Anything I can do to help you? She sent her.

Janis paused, then continued on, shaking her head. Not really. I’m just considering my options.

She sounded a bit … well, not dismayed, but maybe a bit forlorn. Do you mind if I take a look? Regina asked.

Certainly, go ahead.

With an effort of will, Regina focused on Janis’ presence and tried to reach through her to the System, pulling up her notifications.

Congratulations, you have reached Level 20 as a Mage! You have passed the first milestone on your Class path.

Your Class allows several potential Class Progressions, and you are eligible for Evolution at this time.

Physical changes may occur as your physical form is refined and the strength of your bloodline drawn out.

That sounded interesting. There were a few differences from the notifications Regina or her drones got, but it was also remarkably similar. Regina pushed down a fleeting pinprick of jealousy at not being able to Evolve herself and mentally tried to page to the next message.

Frequent use and diligent training have improved your mastery of your Class Skills. After reaching level 20, further improvements may manifest themselves. Your mana efficiency has increased. Your Spells now cost slightly less mana. Additionally, the efficiency of your mana pool holding your many Spells has been increased, and it will now be easier to call upon them despite their number.

Those were some decent boons. She didn’t think everyone got them, probably just certain Classes, but she wasn’t surprised to learn that Mages would.

The boons are quite nice, Janis commented. She must have been able to tell the directions of Regina’s thoughts, and maybe see the System message. This is going to be helpful, especially since I do have more Spells than average.

You have eight Spells before even reaching the second Tier. From what Janis had told her, and what Regina had seen since, that was really good.

Learning eight Spells isn’t unheard of, Janis replied. But Regina could sense a spark of pride. Although it is rather rare.

So, what Classes did you have your eye on? If I remember correctly, you wanted to become an Elemental Mage?

That’s right, Janis agreed. According to what I learned, that would open a path to Archmage at the third Tier, and that is what I was planning for. It’s a good Class, a powerful one, and it should have good advancement options.

Becoming a Thaumaturge like Zeyhyr, for instance?

That could easily be what his Class progressed from, though I don’t know, Janis said. Anyway, I think you would usually need three elemental Manipulation Spells, like my Fire Manipulation or your Water Manipulation. I was confident I would only need two. I was originally planning on getting Air Manipulation, since you have Water and the Air version could help with my pyromancy. But, obviously, that didn’t work out. She paused for a moment. Or so I thought, anyway.

Regina nodded, and finally pulled up the list of Classes the System offered Janis.

You may choose between the following options for your new Class: Fire Mage — You harness the destructive potential of Fire and bend it to your will. Elemental Mage — You master and command the elements, using elemental magic on and off the battlefield. Battlemage — You use your Spells to wreak destruction against your foes. Erudite Mage — You are studied in both the workings of the world and in magic. Knowledge is power. Mage Knight — You fight for your liege lord with sword and Spell.

Huh, Regina said. Sounds like you did get the option, after all.

Yeah, Janis agreed, a word she had to have picked up from her or the drones. Maybe I have more elemental blood than I thought. Or maybe one of the other Spells does have a strong association with another element. I suppose I should be glad.

Regina considered the message. They all sounded interesting in their own way, though she did find a few better than others. So, what do you think about the options?

Janis mentally hm’d, stopping and leaning against a rock. She tilted her head up and blinked against the sunlight. Well, let’s get the easy choices out of the way first. I’m not sure how I qualified for Mage Knight, but I don’t think that quite fits me. Uh, no offense. And I don’t think I want to be a pure Fire Mage, as much as I like fire magic. What I’m really hesitating for is the fourth option.

Regina nodded. What about Battlemage?

It’s quite standard. Janis sounded dismissive. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I don’t think I want to be limited to the battlefield.

Fair enough. I have to admit Erudite Mage sounds intriguing.

It does. I’ve never heard of it before. Granted, that doesn’t mean much, there are a lot of obscure Classes. But it is clearly rare, and that second sentence … Do you think it’s because of the Spells you taught me?

Could be. Regina tapped her fingers against her leg, barely feeling it since she was so immersed in her connection to Janis’ mind, as she considered. They do hinge on knowing a lot. If you don’t know what you’re doing, neither Basic Heal nor Basic Conjuration is going to do much good, if you can even get them. She paused. Elemental Mage sounds like a solid choice, as well. I won’t be upset if you go for the known and safe option. Although Erudite Mage sounds like it would offer a path to a Class like Archmage, too.

I hope so. Janis gathered herself, then Regina could feel an echo of determination through the psychic link. I’ll go with Erudite Mage.

Regina felt Janis pick the Class, and even sensed a reverberation of a change in her mana starting — and then Janis’ mind went dark as she dropped like a stone.

Regina sighed, commandeering a Winged Drone flying overhead to come closer and take a look. Janis was lying on the ground, in what appeared to be a kind of coma. At least she hadn’t seemed to have hurt herself. Maybe Regina should have expected something like this, considering what happened with her drones. Then again, Janis didn’t look to be molting. She hadn’t grown a cocoon or anything, either.

Grumbling to no one, Regina called a few drones over to take Janis back to the camp and put her in a tent or one of the half-finished buildings. She’d have to keep an eye on her while her Class Evolution progressed.

“I hope it goes quickly,” Tia muttered, probably knowing that Regina was paying attention and would hear her. “I feel better having her here with Whitor around. Not that he didn’t stand by his word and actually protect us.”

Regina didn’t reply, since there wasn’t much to say to that.

She was right, though. Whitor had had an opportunity to harm them, or even just let them come to harm, but hadn’t taken it. The Mana-Warped Mana Beast probably wasn’t much of a threat to him. Of course, if things had happened to the rest of the group while they were down there and he came out fine, he’d have had some explaining to do, but it was still a good opportunity to try an escape. Which made it an opportunity to test him. Which he might know and act accordingly, of course, but Regina really didn’t think that level of double-think was necessary. She wasn’t particularly surprised at his behavior, anyway. But it might call for some kind of acknowledgment.

She put that thought to the back of her mind and finally opened her eyes. She felt a bit stiff. It wasn’t enough to distract her while she was focused on the psychic link, but still a good reminder that she couldn’t play disembodied Gestalt consciousness without a cost.

Regina stood up with a soft groan, stretching her limbs and cracking her neck. Maybe I should do more meditation or something.

After she left the room, she paused, unsure what to do. She didn’t really have anything pressing on the agenda. The structure beneath her new territory was not an immediate concern. Well, hopefully. If it was, she doubted there was anything she could do.

Regina sighed and shook her head, stepping out of the house.

“When are you planning to move to the new settlement?” Max asked, strolling down the street towards her.

Regina eyed him. She’d given up wondering how he always knew where she was. Either something to do with his Class, or he was just better at using the passive aspect of the psychic link connecting them than the other drones. Most likely a bit of both. She supposed the two of them were pretty close, too. She always had an easier time connecting to his mind than that of a drone she wasn’t very familiar with, though that might just be practice.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “Why are you asking this now?”

Max shrugged. “Just a feeling.” At her raised eyebrow, he continued, “You were focused for a long time, and you’re looking south a lot.”

Regina blinked. She hadn’t even noticed that. “I do want to go, but I’m unsure about leaving everything we have here,” she said. “It’s also a lot more convenient for getting into the forest, or probably even to the rest of this march. Plus, it might seem counterintuitive, but I think Tia and the others might actually get more done if I’m not there looking over their shoulders.”

“Sure. Then maybe you shouldn’t look over their shoulders mentally as much.”

Regina playfully scowled at him, but he might have a point. “Maybe I should just intensify my efforts to get more Winged Drone Mounts,” she muttered.

“How are their Evolutions coming along, anyway?” Max asked.

Regina turned to look at the nearest Swarm Drone, which happened to be an evolved War Drone Defender, a variant that was, as the name implied, more focused on defense. It was bigger and had a thicker shell.

“We’ve got a handful of options among each of the three main Templates, but none of them are really close to Evolving again,” Regina replied. She sighed. “I was hoping to unlock another Template for Swarm Drones, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until the next Tier.”

“Hm.” Max frowned thoughtfully. “Maybe not,” he said slowly. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Regina, but the first time you unlocked a new Template - Drone Scouts, I think - it wasn’t directly after leveling up, was it?”

Regina frowned as she thought back. It had been a while. “You’re right,” she said. “In fact, I leveled up shortly after I unlocked it. All of the other unlocks have come directly following a level-up, after that.”

“Still, maybe there’s something to it,” he said. “It’s been, what, twelve levels now since the Winged Drones?” She nodded. “That seems like a lot. Of course, it’s possible the gaps between each new type increase sharply, but I think it’s worth trying. Maybe there has been an unlock queued up for you and you just haven’t reached the requirement for it.”

Regina didn’t know what to think of that. Looking back, she’d always done at least something that had to do with each of the jobs a new Template did before she got it, even if it was not much, from ranged combat to magic to flying herself. If his theory was right, there were probably requirements tied to the size or growth of her hive, but also, maybe, other things.

“It’s worth considering, I guess,” she said. “But even if it’s true, how do we know what to do? Just figure out stuff the hive hasn’t done yet, or I personally haven’t, and try it out?”

Max shrugged. “It can’t hurt, can it? We might even get something else out of it.”

That was true. But what else did they miss that they could do? Since it was about Swarm Drones, it would probably be simple. “Let’s try swimming!” Regina suggested. “That’s something simple, and the last one hinged on a mode of transportation, too. It’s reasonable we might get an underwater unit or something.” She paused. “Hang on. Actually, drones can swim, right? I can’t remember if it came up.”

“Uh, I think so?”

“Well, let’s go to the river and try it out.” She grabbed his arm and started to drag him.

Max didn’t look very happy about it, but he did come along. Regina paused as she came to the river that was rushing along merrily, not far from the castle. That reminded her that she had seen drones swimming in here before, on their escape from it during the monster horde. She’d also swum herself. Oh well.

That didn’t stop her from grabbing Max and throwing him into the river. He might be a big, strong warrior, but she managed to surprise him and she was still stronger than a mundane human.

May sputtered angrily as he surfaced. “What was that for, Regina! I could have hurt you by accident, if you surprise me like that!”

“Nah,” Regina grinned. “I don’t think you would ever hurt me, even subconsciously.”

Max didn’t seem to have a reply to that. He just kept treading water.

Regina glanced around, then called a few more drones into the water to join him. She made a bunch of Swarm Drones go in, as well. She’d already watched one of them swimming, in an underground lake, but it wouldn’t hurt to explore the river a bit more.

After a moment, she joined them as well, swimming out into the river between several Swarm Drones. There were water monsters, after all. Even if they seemed to stay away from such a group.

She swam and dove a bit, trying to see the bottom of the river. It was muddy, or maybe silty, but she found a few colorful eggs and smaller fish, or river monsters, who scattered at her approach.

Regina made her way farther downstream, exploring the course of the river deeper into the kingdom with a few drones swimming around. After a while, she got another notification. It came just as she was getting back up for air, and she swallowed a bit of water in surprise, coughing and sputtering.

Congratulations, you have unlocked a new Swarm Template: Aquatic Drones

Regina glared at the notification for a moment. “Well, that’s that,” she muttered.

She got the impression Max was laughing, although he was too far away to hear over the sounds of the river.