Clearing the noble’s district took two and a half days, and it was infuriating. It took nearly a quarter of the massive city, but housed probably a tenth of the population just going by the number of kills we got. Each manor house had some of the more advanced undead patrolling around, including one wight that had turned all his slaves into ghouls and his children into ghoul lords under his authority.

All that was bad, but it was the sheer opulence that the nobles enjoyed that really irked me. Their houses were absolutely massive, trimmed everywhere in precious metals. But the worst were the beds. Several masters in the quarter had beds larger than the quarters that were given to their servants, and there were no manors where the people in the main house shared a kitchen with the servants. We broke into a few safes that were exposed, but like the bazaar, everything appeared to be cursed.

The one thing that was slightly different were the stables. It was rather nice fighting undead that were not humanoids. Spectral horses and vampiric unicorns that drained blood through their horns were the mildest creatures we encountered. Several houses bred varieties of lizards, though they turned mostly to skeletons. The greatest challenge were the undead gryphons. They were closest to zombies, but had amazing agility and a healthy resistance to magic.

After the noble’s quarter, we cleared another area of the city that seemed to be a mishmash between slum style areas and middle class. Clearing it took another two days, bringing us perilously close to our respawn time limit. It wasn’t the strength of the undead we had to worry about, but rather the numbers and all the nooks and crannies we had to deal with. In the end, we didn’t even clear it all, determining that getting the majority of them would have to work. Despite the work of several days, we each barely managed another two levels. After the noble district fell, we had mutually decided to save travel time and camp just outside of the city. To our surprise, none of the undead had come out to harass us, but that was fine.

Divine Vessel max level (Divine Vessel V)

You have completed the first step on your path do divinity, forging a vessel that combines mind, body and soul. Congratulations on finishing the first step that many never even discover. Will you be able to fulfill all the other hidden requirements?

The first thing I did when we returned was to finish out Divine Vessel, granting myself a rather powerful boost to all stats. I also put a single point into agility, as taking the average and getting a half number was grating on my nerves. That gave all my stats a rather large burst, but I somehow felt that there was something missing. Right now, Divine Vessel formed two reinforcing cycles. Was there a way to reinforce attributes between cycles? I didn’t know if the system was starting to learn my questions, or if it was taking a liking to me after I asked it about the soul of Wyrran. Either way, it gave me exactly what I was asking for.

Upgrades

Name

Description

Bridged Soul I

Souls have two functions. They generate energy for our bodies (END) and they also bind to our bodies, generating our health (CON). You have managed to forge a bridge between the two. Transfer 1/(6 – Bridged Soul X) points

Enjoined mind I

Like souls, the minds of most are split. Raw knowledge often translates to power (INT), however the proper wielding of such power leads to greater heights (WIS). The enjoined mind better links these two properties, resulting in both increasing in strength.

Transfer 1/(6 – Enjoined Mind X) points

Tempered Body I

Bodies are made of two separate muscle types. One will determine ultimate power (STR), while the other determines fine motor controls (AGI, DEX). A tempered body works to balance these opposing forces, knowing that to go to one extreme will damage the other. Transfer 1/(6 – Tempered Body X)

Note* AGI and DEX are averaged when transferring to STR, while STR is transferred to both.

I sighed as I looked over the chart. All of them sounded great, though the body one wouldn’t do me too much good. The problem was it was looking like it would take another 15 adaptations before I could max it out, and I only had enough attribute points for two at the moment. I couldn’t even get enough to set up whatever the divine form would get.

“What’s bugging you?” Elendria asked, sitting down across from me.

“Adaptations again. I found another group that probably works well with what I’ve got, but I don’t have enough points to get it. I’m wondering if I save up for it, or if I go ahead and get something that will help with the upcoming attack.”

“The attack.” Elendria immediately replied. “We know they’ve been watching us, probably noting how we fight and our favorite spells. If they don’t have counters to that, I’ll be surprised. So we need new trump cards, as you have played most of yours and mine are off limits due to the nature of the curse.”

“Fair enough. Let me see what the list can do to boost my magic.” I said, thinking about how to word it. Given my skill set, what is the most efficient way to increase the power of my spells?

Upgrades

Name

Description

Enhanced mana channeling

You are able to more efficiently channel mana. Spells can be cast and overcharged in half the time.

Mana Efficiency

Your knowledge of mana and spells allows you to create shortcuts. All spells lower than grandmaster that you have cast at least five times cost half mana. Must have at least 500 combined INT and WIS (529)

Partitioned mind I (V max)

You are able to split your mind, allowing each partition to handle creation and control of certain aspects of spells. Each partition has 70% INT at level 1, increasing by 20% for each level.

This was a no brainer. At level 5 of Partitioned mind, I would be able to cast 5 spells simultaneously, each one using 150% of my intelligence. I dropped thirty points into constitution, and bought the first two levels, smiling at the resulting sheet.

Name: Sean O’Carrol

Age: 33

Titles:

Chosen of Ariana

Blessed by Lokir (hidden)

Otherwordly traveler (hidden)

Summoned Hero (hidden)

Grandmaster Sage

Divine mage

Heretic

Shalora’s Gratitude

Calamity Bane

Attributes:

STR – 20 (383)

AGI – 58 (175)

DEX – 60 (177)

INT – 48 (383)

WIS – 75 (176)

CON – 315 (383)

END – 42 (176)

Health: 2105/2105

Mana: 14965/14965

Health regen: 0.628/min (x10 Trolls regeneration)

Mana regen: 713.63/min

Spirit: 460/460

Spirit regen: 19.2/hour

Level: 18/100

Exp to next level: 1%

Free attribute points: 8

Major adaptations: 0

Adaptations used: 21

“What do we attack first, the archmage or the high priest?” Elendria asked, bringing me back to the here and now.

“Archmage.” I immediately replied. “I’m sure there are plenty of trainees and teachers at the university that we will have to take out. I would rather eliminate them first, and save the ones that can heal each other for last.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

“I think they were planning this all along.” Elendria said as we neared the academy grounds. Arrayed against us were mages with groups of priests spread out within their ranks. “The five in the back are the most powerful of the mages, excepting the archmage and the high priest in the very back.” She clarified, and I nodded.

“Smart. Array their weakest in front to wear us down, with plenty of healing spread about. I can sense the groups are pooling their shielding, hoping that I’ll be forced to use most of my mana. They even managed to spread out different kinds, knowing that the skeletons are most prone to being destroyed with one hit.”

“They all have some sort of power boosting item as well.” Elendria asked.

“How very astute. You two have been a rather irritating thorn in my side for a while. I must say, I am rather glad that you are more than just powerful meatheads.” Came a booming voice from the archmage. “It will be nice, adding your knowledge to that which we have collected here. If you don’t mind, would you tell us exactly why you attack with such fervor? One of you is but a descendent of our many lineages, while your companion comes from another world.”

“You can tell I’m not from this world?” I called, somewhat surprised.

“Easily. You would be surprised at what magics and knowledge an immortal wizard can learn with patience and time.” The archmage chuckled. “By the way, I hope you don’t mind our meeting out here. I wouldn’t have wanted to risk damaging the library.”

“Fine with us.” I called back. “I was looking forward to finding some lost knowledge in that library to help me out.” Without any other delay, I started the battle. I sent a random volley of bullets toward the group, some explosive and some not. While I did that, Elendria cast an ice wall for protection, and we both took to the skies.

My shots were completely ineffective, unable to even crack the combined shields. Meanwhile, the students sent back volleys of heated metal, enough that the wall didn’t last but a few minutes. While Elendria and I started dancing through the skies, sending smaller spells toward certain groups in the hope of breaking through, I took a small sigh of relief. It looked like the bosses were willing to bide their time for now.

While the majority of the spells were ineffective against us, there were three groups that had at least one lighting mage. After taking one of the lightning bolts to the chest, they gained priority on my target list. “Elendria, first surprise.” I called, conjuring the Death’s Embrace constellation. She immediately found the target I was looking at, and took shield breaking position.

“Comet lance.” She said, sending a smaller version of the comet spell toward the group. Their shield managed to block the majority of it, but in the end shattered under the power of the superior spell.

“Solar flare.” My spell came blasting through the gap left in the shielding, not giving any of the undead within time to recover. Six mages and a healer fell, with another two mages managing to retreat to another group.

“Stifling darkness. Rejuvanating night.” The High Priest acted, his first spell smothering the residual flames on the two zombies while the entire plaza was cast in darkness. While my constellation spell wasn’t affected, I could feel the light in my armor starting to wane.

*CRACK*

*CRACK*

*CRACK*

Sparks flew from my armor as I felt three powerful impacts. Looking back toward the archmage in horror, I saw him starting to take aim at Elendria.

“Elendria! Retreat!” I called out, casting a bubble shield around her just in time as three bullets smashed into the shield, at least two of which would have hit her in the chest.

“A most interesting spell. Who would have thought throwing a metal ball at such high speeds could do so much damage?” The archmage laughed from the back. “Oh, the look on your face. Did you really think that we were going to let you slaughter our disciples? Welcome to the real world, m’boy!” He continued laughing as he sent bullets my way.

“Let’s see your disciples survive this.” I muttered as I twisted and twirled through the air like a butterfly on crack. Thanks to my new ability, I was able to charge it incredibly fast, and position it just above the central shield over the students. “Perish in the fiery cataclysm of a star’s death. Supernova.” I snarled, detonating the ball of plasma in a flash of searing light, and using it to cover my retreat to where Elendria was. As I left, I heard twin howls of rage, and knew I had done at least some damage.

“THIS ISN’T OVER! I SHALL TORTURE YOUR SOUL FOR AN ETERNITY AS YOU BEG FOR RELEASE!”

As we fled, my rage at the situation continued to grow. How dare that bastard steal my spells! I fumed as we fled, my rage growing for some reason. As we neared our hideout, I ordered Elendria, “Stay here where it’s safe. I’m going back, and I’m going to destroy the lot of them.”

“Say what?” She snarled, turning to glare at me.

“I said to stay here where it’s safe. I am going to cut loose, and those guys have stolen some of my spells. Bullets could be the least of your worries.”

“I’ll not be standing back while you go and do all the fighting Sean!” She said, getting right up in my face.

“On any normal day, I would have you right by my side, but this ain’t normal, dear!” I growled out.

“Ohhh, don’t you dare take that tone with me!” She snarled.

“Don’t tell me what tones to take!” I shouted back. “I just about saw you die, because they stole my spells!”

“And if they stole one spell, what makes you think they haven’t stolen more?”

“That’s why I can’t risk you going! This isn’t some battle to test my skills and grow anymore damnit! I’m going in there with one mission: kill them as quickly as possible.”

“And I can’t go because I’ll just get in the way?”

“YES! NO! I DON’T KNOW!” I shouted, throwing my hands up. “It was all fine until it wasn’t! And I can’t risk you getting hurt if I’m going to let the monster out!”

“Monster?” She asked, quietly.

“Yes! A monster!” I said, some of the anger leaving me. “I used to have a lot of anger issues. Bad enough I needed therapy, and in my teenage years they did a lot of visualization therapy. So I imagined my rage as the monster version of me. And I keep him locked up in a cage, a cage that only opens under certain circumstances. My family getting hurt, and now you getting hurt, is one of those conditions. Right now? He’s tearing at the cage doors, and something has been wearing at my control. The locks are all rusted, the chains broken. I need to know you are safe, to help cage him again.”

“It’s this place, isn’t it? Staying here so long the curse is slowly affecting us.” She said.

“Could be. We’ll know in a few days, after we either break the curse or let it go. Right?”

“Right.” She said sadly. “I hate it, but go. And Sean?” She asked, grabbing my arm as I went to leave. “You make sure you come back, because if you aren’t back in an hour I’m coming in after you.”

“Sounds good.” I said, feeling a little better. As I left and headed back into the city, I made what was probably a silly decision but I didn’t care. One of the many things that I was missing was a good soundtrack, and entering a double boss fight seemed like the perfect time to start one. So I dug through my memory, grinning like a maniac as I sent several connected mana packets throughout the city. What could be better than strolling down the streets of an undead city with Skillet’s Monster blaring? I took a different route, sneaking up on the cleared area where we had our last battle to see all the undead looking around in confusion. Using my new partitioned mind, I decided to upgrade my bullet spell, since the bastards were stealing it. I ditched osmium for titanium encased in iron. It would be cheaper manawise and softer, but hardness wouldn’t matter that much at speeds nearing Mach 6. One part of my mind was busy holding a large titanium round, easily the diameter of a basketball, while the other partition was making the most powerful magnetic field I could.

As soon as the song reached the portion with the monstrous voice shouting, “I FEEL LIKE A MONSTER!” I launched my spell.