Chapter 68: Of Mages and Arachne (2)

Riding Charles’ Nightmare a messenger rode all day and night through Grimlar’s pass and toward the nearby capital of Mier, and home of the Skyborne Guild Headquarters. No birds would approach the northern mountain range making the [Adult Nightmare] and other monsters the only reliable non-magical means of communication.

At this pace, it would only take him half a day longer to reach The Capital city of Mier, Hathor’s Rise.

Time flowed, and just as Rainer went to sleep Charles’ messenger reached his destination.

Whether it was the royal army or the Skyborne Mage Guild everyone had been alerted and prepared to head North. George volunteered as one of those to go on the Skyborne’s behalf after learning from Martin of recent events.

He headed to where Matheus was still staying and asked him to come along as well. Given the possible threat to Hunter’s Guild branch in the North, Matheus complied.

“How exactly do you know your new Northern enthusiast is still there?” Matheus asked George. The wind rushed by them as they flew through the sky, yet George’ flight spell kept it from them.

“My son mentioned my new companion had another encounter with the Fae. Set an entire mansion aflame. I imagine he might still be there,” George spoke. Rainer had only told him to keep his class secret. Everything else George didn’t even think to.

Unbeknownst to George, Matheus sank into thought at the mention of an encounter with the Fae.

The two continued north, three other 2nd tier mages flying behind them carrying 2nd tier experts related to the royal army.

They all would head through Grimlar’s pass after reaching the mountain range. One in part to avoid the dangerous monsters around its peak, another given the sheer height, they wouldn't be able to make it in a single flight and have to pause to recover; a life-threatening action in such a deadly territory.

And two, to recover their Mana in preparation for whatever may lay ahead.

--

Aware in [Sleep Learning], Rainer first thought over recent events and his fight with the [Fire Sage]. He understood his primary weakness, Mana. Even if his main attacks were Arcane powered, his utility was not.

His Shield Mode completely depleted his Arcane Power, and Rainer had periods of time where he was defenseless. The worst-case scenario of the [Fire Sage] ignoring him entirely and rushing his companions went through his mind. Add on the wolves, and it could have ended far differently.

No longer having an immediate need to level up either anatomy skill, Rainer decided to purchase [Arcane Revival]. If Luna could focus her healing on Kara instead of him, it would ease much of his worries. Alternatively, if she could instead focus all her power on consuming magic, perhaps even the [Fire Sage] would fall to her flame. It would also prevent another situation where Luna was forced to reveal herself to heal him.

[Skill Gained: Arcane Revival lvl 1/10]

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[Arcane Revival: The Arcane is not just of chaos, but it is of order. Use the power within the Arcane to bring stability to one’s body. To heal one’s wounds. While in use, increases all resistances by 6.1% per 1 Arcane Power.]

Upon trying to use it, Rainer found himself unable to. He instantly understood he couldn’t use [Arcane Awakening] at the same time.

Remembering the requirements, he wrote down for [Archon], Rainer’s first thought was that advancing [Arcane Revival] was crucial for his future progress. He also considered that both the Fae Queen and the [Fire Sage] gained a similar skill from their store and that was how they become Wind or Flame-Touched.

Forming an [Arcane Blade] on his finger, Rainer quickly stabbed through his hand.

His eye twitched before he activated [Arcane Revival]. The Arcane power flowed through his entire body. Smooth flowing lines formed across his body. The small wound on his hand drew extra power and healed almost instantly.

Increasing the power of [Arcane Revival], he found his body becoming stiff the more he increased the power. At 50%, his heart stopped beating. Rainer pushed it further, seeking to explore the ability, but found himself automatically refreshed at an unknown point. Venturing, that his brain stopped at some point.

Performing another test, Rainer stabbed an [Arcane Blade]ed finger into his heart. He immediately operated [Arcane Revival] at 45%, just below it maximum.

After dying a few times, he found out a method to heal it quick enough.

He expended a large portion of his power but managed to repair the hole before succumbing to it. Compared to Luna’s healing, the cost was expensive. He noted, however, that Luna’s true power seemed to extend beyond just healing. Consuming Magic was a far greater ability in Rainer’s mind.

Rainer sat down, activating [Arcane Revival] once more. Hoping to gain at least the second level easily with his class. As he followed the Energy orderly flowing through his body, he quickly realized he had lost himself and spent far more time than intended. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

[Arcane Revival has reached level 2]

The ratio did not improve, but the maximum percentage did. The percent as well didn’t just influence his resistances, but also meant how much power he could devote to healing and how fast he could heal.

He decided to use his remaining time more wisely and feared being stuck in a coma-like state as the Goblin horde approached.

Rainer altered the space around him, replicating the looseness in that strange Devil infested world. Opening [Spatial Domain] and bringing [Arcane Awakening] at 100%, he thought over how Arcane could be mixed with space.

He recalled how the [Arcane Blade] seemed to cut through space itself. How it cut the immaterial [Fire Sage]. He cast an [Arcane Blade] and swung it around a few times.

Using [Spatial Domain] to sense the blades movements, Rainer stood up and went through the various forms Kara taught him in the past.

The humming blade cut through the air. And as Rainer soon learned, altered the space itself. It did not cut through space entirely but weakened it.

He flowed power into the [Arcane Blade] as he operated [Arcane Energy Manipulation] as well. No more power came from within but from another place. As the Blade became engorged with power, the space around it loosened further.

The cycling Arcane energy in the blade went faster and started to draw in more Arcane Energy on his command. The blade rapidly leveled up, becoming a tier 4 spell. Not only did it affect space to a higher degree, but it could also be empowered and extended more.

[Arcane Blade has reached level 11]

[Arcane Blade has reached level 12]

[Arcane Blade has reached level 13]

[Arcane Blade has reached level 14]

[Arcane Blade amended: Arcane Blade lvl 1/13]

Rainer threw the hilt away and instead focused entirely on his [Spatial Domain]. He understood now, the likely benefit of mixing Arcane and Spatial Energy beyond the usual. How to mix them remained the question.

Operating [Spatial Manipulation], Rainer tried to use it in concert with [Arcane Energy Manipulation] to pull out more energy.

He recalled the similar action he took in opening the pathway with [Void-walking] and [Arcane Energy Manipulation].

The flow of Arcane Energy heightened, yet he approached no closer to mixing the two as he awoke.

--

Upon opening his eyes Rainer saw Kara across the room, playing with her shield enchantment. He imagined just how excited she’d be with an enchantment like the one Elru used to dash in the air.

Rather he wished to recreate such a thing for himself as well. Something about it appealed to him more than just a flight spell, ignoring the combat benefits.

Theodore knocked on the door soon after, saying that with their food a message from George was delivered.

Prompted by the maid’s message, Rainer headed out in the foyer, party in tow. Seeing George and another waiting for him, he headed forward. He now had some hope George might tell him just what was so important about Grimlar’s Pass.

The man next to George gave Rainer a familiar feeling. Rainer used [Arcane Sight] and went on the defensive. The new Fae’s lack of Mana and strange energy confused him, but Rainer focused on his possible enemy.

Seeing the expression on his face and the strange magic, Matheus, in turn, assumed Rainer saw through him.

An Enemy of the Fae! How can such a thing be possible unless they could see through Glamour…idiot! He’d already be killed by a court assassin otherwise.

Matheus thought to himself. As a precaution, he reacted and blocked Rainer’s Mana pool with his abilities.

Feeling this, Rainer prepared to remove Matheus and all his surroundings. Runic lines flared across Rainer as he outstretched his hand.

Matheus acted in turn, odd fluctuations of energy spiraled around him. The energy lacked a color yet visibly distorted the air.

They stood across from one another, unmoving. [Arcane Awakening] flooded to its maximum power. Matheus stood still, his strange energy teeming.

Rainer prepared to unleash Final Arcanum at any moment.

At Charles’ behest, the guards already ran out from the foyer, and after exchanging a nod with Rainer, Charles left as well. He was quite thankful the other guests were staying elsewhere at the moment.

Staring at Matheus with [Arcane Sight], Rainer was suddenly hit with inspiration. He used [Appraisal] and tried to weave the skill to sneak in behind [Arcane Sight].

His vision blurred for a moment but then he saw through Matheus’ [Appraisal] guard.

[Fairy, Male, Psionic Master(2nd) lvl 21, Psy-Pugilist(2nd) lvl 11]

A close-combat fist fighter…and psychic abilities…is that how the [Arch-Lich] prevented me from casting magic?

Rainer noted an appearance far different than the average looking man of before.

Long white hair tied in a ponytail, and blue eyes bordering on white and pointed ears. Under his glamour Matheus blended into a crowd yet without it, he would draw a crowd.

A more shocking point for Rainer was the complete lack of Mana. His strange energy fueled his Glamour yet seemed to be of an entirely different nature, not using any internal Runes.

George gulped feeling the power of Rainer’s magic. He started backing up away from Matheus and hoped whatever happened wouldn’t be blamed on him.

Matheus too was in shock. Rather he didn’t know what not to be surprised about. Whether from the [Archon] class he appraised, the title, the age, the fact [Appraisal] was used on him and saw through his own defenses.

Or that the [Archon] cast such powerful magic through a skill that should make it impossible. Matheus immediately noticed the Aura flaring from the [Archon]’s companions. He could only block a single person at a time.

He retracted his skill and backed away. Facing the [Archon] alone, Matheus was not confident. Versus all them?

Matheus was powerful regardless of his ability to block Magic or Aura use. But his greatest feat of killing a Mage Guild Master was because of such a skill.

“I’m sorry, you surprised me,” Matheus paused before looking over at George, “You mind leaving?”

George checked with Rainer before exiting the mansion. There was not a person within Rainer’s [Soul Detection] range.

“Whatever your conflict with the Fae, I’m unrelated. I left 300 years ago. As you can probably tell, I don’t exactly fit in.”

Rainer canceled Final Arcanum but maintained [Arcane Awakening] at its minimum. This way he could use Shield Mode with only a thought. He let out a sigh of relief, happy not to have to fight this mysterious Fae. Along with not needing to destroy another one of Charles’ homes.

“Well then, why don’t you tell me exactly why you aren’t my enemy?”

Matheus was quite glad to be able to tell his story, given he had hidden his nature as a Fae ever since he left home. Even if it was forced.

And learning the person George had found for the campaign into the deep north was an [Archon], Matheus grew excited at the unreasonable existence in front of him. He wished to mend the bridge he nearly burnt, or rather caused to be nearly torn asunder from whatever massive spell the [Archon] prepared.

He glanced at the female Wolfkin as she stood behind the sofa where the [Archon] sat. Matheus stayed at the other end of the room.

“You mind if she leaves?”

“Why?”

Matheus sighed before speaking, “Why…whatever,” he casually remarked as he leaned against a wall.

“I’m no friend of the Fae either. I didn’t just leave, I was shunned and would have likely been exiled. I’m a Manaless. No matter what I did, I couldn’t unlock my Affinity. For a Human, this a normal situation. For a Fae…”

Matheus grunted and reminded himself why he needed to go north, and his pale cheeks turned a slight shade of red, “It’s like being a eunuch.”

Rainer couldn’t help but glance downwards at the declaration.

“Not that kind. Fortunately, that part still works. But as a Fae, most never bother with the physical. We exchange Mana. It doesn’t work for sustenance when between Fae, but it’s how we have to mate in order to try and have children. For a member of the Winter Court being Manaless was not acceptable. I couldn’t stand the derision and so I left before I was forced out as a weak embarrassment. Eventually, I met someone who taught me the power I had in place of Mana. Thankfully, before I was caught and tortured for my dust. He helped me learn how to use my inborn ability for Glamour as well. Even without Mana.”

Gunthar mumbled in the background. He couldn’t fathom why everyone they met discussed such matters so openly.

“Those who hold out their hands in prayer cannot choose the miracle that comes to them…” He spoke quietly.

“Mind telling why you said all this?” Rainer asked doing his best not to laugh at Gunthar’s remark, especially given the sensitivity of the situation. He completely put away his thoughts about how he fed Luna for another time. Suspicions as to the method he fed her with, already filled his mind in the past. Though, he recalled never exchanging Mana both ways, only giving when she was hungry.

“George has been trying to convince me to go North for a while. I told him I didn’t want to risk it given my status as the Hunter’s Guild Master,” Matheus said the last words a bit proudly but seeing not a single reaction from the [Archon] or his group, he awkwardly coughed. Finding his words again, “That was only part of the truth. Even though the forbidden land doesn’t affect my strength, I alone am not enough. It isn’t a risk to go by myself; it is all but certain death to travel too deep. George thinks of me as his answer, but in truth, I’m not. But It’s important to me. I want to go with you.”

“You hate the Fae?” Rainer asked.

“More than anything.”

“The Fae in general, or government?” Rainer clarified.

“The courts,” Matheus answered. It wasn’t entirely true, he generally disliked all Fae, but he ventured the [Archon]’s relationship with the Fae was more complicated than just enemies.

“Well then, I have no problem,” If the man in front of him at full strength couldn’t survive in the far North, Rainer knew even if he could partially resist the effect, the current him wasn’t enough. It wasn’t as if they were going to invite Matheus to their party, in any case.

“But you should know I don’t plan on going, at least for a few months, if not longer,” Rainer still had many ideas for how to grow stronger in a short period of time.

“Good. If you wanted to rush North now, I’d change my mind.”

“Let’s call George back. I have a lot of questions.”

--

The party relocated to George’s favorite Inn that he and Rainer ate at before.

Theodore and Gunthar continued their act as guards, while Kara sat next to Rainer, across from George and Matheus. Theodore stood directly behind Rainer, prepared for any moves by Matheus. Theodore had been greatly surprised that his [Soul Detection] saw Matheus as human and was weary of him since then.

George had already put up a wind barrier to block out sound as they waited for their food.

All those seated drank wine. After some time of explaining the extent of the goblin horde, as well as the [Fire Sage], Rainer then asked a question in turn.

“So, George, you think you can tell me just what’s so valuable about Grimlar’s pass that’d they’d send so many people in the 2nd Tier over?” George told Rainer of the reinforcements that arrived just behind him. The full army rode on horseback, still a way behind.

To the surprise of Matheus, George didn’t even hesitate to reveal his country’s and Mage Guild’s secret.

“You know the method for extending a Mage’s life?” George asked.

Rainer nodded. He hadn’t fully looked through it but knew Nalmar’s version was a potion of various requirements.

“Well on this note I might as well answer the question you asked my son, why we have the relationship we do with the Arachne. It’s quite simple: Magicite, Mana crystals, and Azure haze. The first is the rarest and most important ingredient for the ritual to extend a mage’s life, the second without which enchantment would be a life-long endeavor, and the third is the key part of Mana Regeneration potions. All crucial to mages. And the first and second, all Mage Guilds on the Northern continent almost exclusively trade with the Arachne for.“

“And you allow them this monopoly?” Rainer asked.

“We have no choice. We’ve sent spies and bribes of course, but no one can give us a clear answer to the source. Magicite is the most important to the higher-ups of guilds. They trade much for it and the secret alliance between us is based on it. It’s also how they keep Mages like me loyal. Our only theory is that it is related to the Mana Crystal mines,” George added before taking another drink of his wine.

“There is no other option but to give into their demands. We could risk attacking, but we may then lose the source forever. At least, until we found traces of possible Mana Crystals in the Northern side of the mountain range. We’ve been carefully surveying and exploring, but we soon learned they weren’t as unclaimed as we thought. The Skyborne and the Kingdom of Mier are partnered to keep this away from other Guilds. That’s why so little was stationed at Grimlar’s Pass. It needed to remain as nothing more than a common trading town.”

Rainer’s thoughts went all over the place. He understood that George’s view was not the same as the Arachne given the respect Rainer was shown for simply seeming like a mage of status. With George's information, Rainer knew more of what it would take to form his goal.

For his academy, he solved the issue of Mana Crystals before he even knew of the issue. But in terms of extending a Mage’s longevity, something that keeps an eccentric like George tied to his guild, Rainer had only thought of Fairy Dust for himself. But with his enemy as a minor part of the Fae, he no longer had such a plan.

Now, however, came a new opportunity.