Chapter 56

Maston Academy

The Town of Maston in the Candis East District

“How did you hear about that?” Reah was surprised.

Myles felt his heart sink somewhat and soar in other ways. He and Jane had pulled Reah to the side, telling them what they had heard the night before. Unlike their classmates, Reah seemed to know exactly what they were talking about. From Myles’ understanding that meant that she must be a member of the organization.

Reah gestured frantically towards Primrose who came over.

“What’s this about?”

Reah relayed the story of Myles and Jane’s encounter the night before. By the end of it, Primrose was nodding along. “I had actually intended to try to get them inducted into the organization at some point.”

Myles found himself reeling. “You wanted us to join?”

Primrose again nodded. “The organization offers quite a bit to people in our field. In most missions, information is critical. The organization has access to more information than just about any informant you would find outside their ranks. It also allows for certain insights that would be otherwise beyond your reach due to the curse.”

Myles found the logic to be sound. He didn’t trust anyone within the organization, but he supposed Primrose was right about the advantages being a member offered. Besides, as far as Myles could tell, there wasn’t exactly an option to quit the organization.

“The matter related to Reah is one such instance where being a member is beneficial to preemptively gaining information. The intel was leaked a while back and the academy has been able to take certain countermeasures.”

Jane shifted her weight nervously. “Is the paladin we followed one of those countermeasures?”

Primrose frowned. “He is not. His presence seems the most alarming. By his actions, I would guess that he led you to the meeting. That also brings everything he said to the sister into question.” Primrose put up a cautioning hand. “This is a matter that I would not like you to become more deeply involved in. People like Ivory Force are best avoided until you grow strong enough to face them.”

Myles and Jane happily agreed with Primrose’s sentiment.

…

The break between combat training and their aether space studies was short lived. Primrose was eager to get them started planning out their aether systems.

“We left off discussing the basics of techniques, the last of the primary structures that make up one’s aether system. Before I mentioned that they were the most complex of the structures. Could anyone try to guess why?”

Seth was the first to volunteer, seemingly eager to make up for his loss against Reah earlier that morning. “Techniques are used to have an effect outside of the aether space, in the world we live in. That means that they would need to be somehow built into aether wells since the depth of an aether well allows for the use of the lower connections.”

Primrose nodded. “You’re partially correct. Techniques do need to have access to connections which does mean that they need to be designed with your existing aether system in mind. That said, we do not generally delve techniques into our aether wells but rather around them, using channels to create some separation.”

That was interesting. Myles could see the need to build techniques at the needed depth, but that raised a question of how a technique would remain relevant with the unlocking of additional connections. For example, if a technique was delved into his aether space before he had unlocked commutation, it would be too high for him to commute any of the mana that was going through the technique. That would limit his flexibility somewhat.

“There is far more to a technique than simply considering the depth at which to place it. A technique can be considered to be a combination of multiple structures put together. For example, if you have a technique which utilizes both flame and earth mana, channels would need to be delved to connect the two mana types, bringing them together.”

Silas gave a slight frown as Primrose finished her point. “What would be the benefit of bringing together multiple mana types?”

Primrose gave her usual acknowledging nod, indicating that the question would be discussed. “There are a variety of reasons. In this case, the most likely answer would be to create a composite mana type. Composite types are formed from the combination of multiple mana types within the aether space. By combining mana types, you can create more intricate effects. The composite type of fire and earth creates a mixed effect. Upon first evoking the combination, it will be in the form of energy, easy to move and having many of the properties of fire. As it continues to be exposed to the outside world, the fire mana will be overcome by the more stable earth mana, causing it to solidify.”

Myles raised his eyebrows. He could already think of several useful applications of that composite type. He imagined himself throwing out fireballs that would solidify behind the enemy if they dodged, gradually cutting off escape routes. He might even be able to alter the ratio of the composite, or even create a construct of some kind that could utilize the composite itself.

Primrose gave them a second to dream before she cut them short. “Composite mana types can be very useful, but they have more than a few drawbacks.” Primrose raised a finger. “They take more time to delve due to needing complex aether infrastructure in their own right to properly combine.” Primrose raised another finger. “The process of combination consumes a significant amount of mana before it can even be used.” Primrose lifted a third finger. “Perhaps most importantly, it takes time to form composite mana types, time that you do not always have in a fight.”

Myles felt his passion die down somewhat. He could still see composite types being useful, but their drawbacks made it so they weren’t an instant path to power. After all, what good would a composite mana technique do him if he took a fireball to the face while he was trying to prepare his own attack.

Primrose continued on. “Composite types are simply one example of using multiple mana types together. There are other styles of techniques that can combine them together in unique ways or use them separately but allow them to interact in a clever way.” Primrose shook her head. “I tell you this now to get you thinking. Much like the many unique ways you saw to use pure mana this morning, your combat style can be drastically changed by the use of different techniques.”

Myles found himself nodding. It was obvious that he would need to hit the library at some point to research various possible combinations. He was getting excited. Almost everything he learned here could also potentially relate to studies into aether engineering.

Primrose looked toward Reah for something. Reah gave her a brief nod. It seemed they had planned something out beforehand.

“Techniques are something that I want you all to consider, but in all likelihood, they will be the last of the structures you create. This month, I want each of you to focus on creating two new aether wells. One of them will be of a type that you choose.” Primrose put up a hand. “I recommend doing some research into a variety of mana types, not just the basic types that we covered last month.”

Myles and the others all nodded, already thinking about what type of mana they would choose.

“I give you this choice since historically, arcaners perform better when they are able to use mana types that are more natural to them. I hope you will each do thorough research, considering how the mana could be used to create techniques in the future.”

Reah started walking towards the front of the room where Primrose was.

“The second type of mana you will be creating an aether well for is predetermined for a reason. Can you tell me how many people are in this room right now, Kate?”

Kate looked around, confused by the question. “Eight.”

Primrose shook her head. “How many people are in this room, Reah?”

“Nine.”

Myles looked around, taken aback. No matter how he looked at it there were only eight people. The six students, himself included, Reah, and Primrose. There was nobody else…visible. Myles realized his own mistake as soon as he thought about it.

“Hello.” A young man suddenly appeared right next to Kate, giving her a serious fright. “My name is Dresden.”

Myles had heard Dresden’s name mentioned before. He was supposedly Reah’s equivalent for the other squad, watching them on their missions and reporting back with their scores.

Primrose shook her head. “Your normal senses cannot always be trusted. A commonly known technique of light mana can easily render an opponent invisible. Even without light mana, your senses may let you down. There are countless ways in which an arcaner or a monster can fool your senses. If you rely only on your existing senses, you are effectively blind.”

Myles could see where this was going. In Hydrabridge, they had been given trouble by one particular type of mana that had allowed soldiers to sense them. It very well could have caused them even more serious problems if not for Paulo helping them escape.

“Wind mana.” The whisper came out of more than one of the students’ lips.

“Correct.” Primrose said. “Wind mana is an invaluable tool for any self-respecting arcaner. Its properties allow for enhanced senses. The mana cost per square foot of evoked wind mana is far less than any other type of mana. This unique quality allows for a form of sight—or more appropriately feel—by becoming attuned to each particle of wind mana, reacting to anything that it bumps into or is destroyed by.”

Reah stepped forward. “Many arcaner’s make the mistake of believing wind mana is a simple skill. It is not. A talented enough arcaner can use it to fight in absolute darkness. An even more capable arcaner can use their own wind mana to push another’s away, sneaking up on them even through the thickest cloud of wind mana.”

Primrose nodded. “I’ve asked for both Reah and Dresden to help me instruct you on its use. They are both experts who will push you until you are at no disadvantage when fighting in pitch blackness. They will push you until even they struggle to sneak up on you. Anything short of that is unacceptable.”

Myles took a breath. He was starting to feel overwhelmed, his list of things that needed to be done seemed to be growing by the minute. Creating two new aether wells would require hours of delving not to even mention the time he would need to spend in the library, or the time needed to try to master wind mana. On top of all that, he needed to prepare aether constructs for the next mission.

“You may head out early today.” Primrose held their gazes for one more second. “Tomorrow, we will start learning the next four steps in the core arcaner’s way of the fist.”

Myles barely resisted shooting Primrose a dirty look. Their schedule was starting to feel impossible. He suspected that sleep was going to become a distant memory for him. He sighed. In Verrith, he had been able to get plenty of sleep. He missed those days, but he was also eager to get stronger. As he was now, Myles couldn’t even help his friend knowing that they were being targeted. Right now, he was just in the way. That needed to change.

The group raced out of the room. It would be a quick lunch today. Myles could see the fires in his companion’s eyes. Jane in particular no longer held a mask of regret. More than anyone else, Jane’s eyes were blazing with determination. Determination to get stronger.