Published at 16th of February 2024 2:24 pm

Chapter 54. Nox's Seven

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All parties in Advanced Dungeon Combat helped the city during and following the titan attacks. Everyone with an adept-rank star had done the bare minimum to finish the course and, therefore, passed the minimum requirements. However, Professor Wolfhammer didn’t consider the course complete until the entire party received the same qualification.

Adept-ranked delvers had the right to enter dungeons and rifts of all ranks. Only one in a hundred thousand mages made it to expert—two-hundred-and-fifty-six maximum mana. Even fewer lived long enough to double it and achieve the advanced expert rank. Archmages were even fewer in number. Only Dean Woodson held the rank in the City of Ygg. She was several centuries old and had founded the mana system all mages currently used.

When experts challenged dungeons and rifts of the relevant rank, they filled their party with primarily adept delvers. So, Professor Wolfhammer held the students in the course to a higher standard than all other attendees. Since Joey and Alexander hadn’t reached the adept rank yet, the old professor refused to grant the party his seal of approval. He wanted all of them to ascend and then conquer a rift of the relevant rank. They needed to continue with Advanced Dungeon Combat until then.

Fortunately, Professor Wolfhammer made allowances for already adept-ranked mages and delvers. They could either fight Joanna or similar summons or duel one another. Most students, including Nox, opted to do the latter. It forced him to practice restraint and creativity since he'd end up killing or maiming his sparring partner. The wards Professor Wolfhammer’s assistants employed, registered, and prevented fatal injury, but they were meant for apprentice mages and journeymen. Nox didn’t trust them to do the same with Ratra’s Bow.

A pair of foot-long blades shot at Nox as soon as the duel started. He threw up a Slow field and ducked just in time to avoid the blades. They would've drilled into his shoulders if not for Haste's effects. Nox kicked off the ground, jumping backward just as a talwar slashed through where he’d stood seconds ago. Then, the knives floating around Harin’s shoulders thrust forward, attempting to skewer him.

Haste didn’t just increase Nox’s speed and reaction time. Since he had made the cantrip a part of his star, its effects scaled as he climbed the ranks. At adept rank, it also enhanced his mind—making information processing and decision-making faster.

Crystalize Essence activated much quicker than it had ever done before. The weapons dissolved into iron sand as soon as they passed through the dome-shaped barrier surrounding Nox. The fine particles still sprayed him, singing skin and filling the air with the stink of burnt hair.

Nox studied Harin’s magic as they fought. The man moved more like an aether warrior than a mage. He had terrifying martial skills, and a burning aura surrounded him. Nox worried that if he got within arm’s length, it would burn him if the blades didn’t cut him first.

Harin’s star either conjured iron-sand or mana blades. If the former, he had a Shaping planet to mold the material into blades. Meanwhile, the latter would suggest he used a planet to give the mana blades solidity using iron-sand. Iron Sand, or Mana Blade Manipulation, served as his next planet. Since Harin only controlled the blades and never formless iron-sand, Nox guessed it was the latter. It was better for Nox to some extent. Sand Manipulation terrified Nox a lot more than the more likely explanation. A talented Manipulator could use it to assault the lungs, eyes, ears, or connected organs through other orifices.

The man’s third planet added heat and the aura to the equation, making him a terrifying close combatant. Sprays of formless sand could still cause significant damage once the spell got powerful enough—or Harin was holding back just like Nox. Either way, Nox lacked the appropriate strategy to triumph in such a duel. He could do little besides avoid the relentless onslaught and gradually retreat.

When firing Ratra’s Bow, Nox used his weakest arrows accompanied only by three essence glass spikes. It was enough to inflict moderate damage and trigger the protection wards, but nothing more. Unfortunately, the trio of blades floating behind Harin’s shoulders darted in front of him and blocked the projectiles. When it happened for the third time, using identical movements, Nox hypothesized Harin had an Animation planet and no Shaping. The pre-programmed movements provided an almost thoughtless defense.

Instead of conjuring arrows out of his stored essence glass, Nox created single-use spells. When Harin got too close, the ground under his feet turned into a mud pool. Gusts blew iron sand back at its conjurer. Sudden two-second-long showers cooled Nox when the heating aura got too much. He hoped to frustrate his opponent as he had in previous duels. Otis’ instincts proved invaluable while avoiding lunges and surprise attacks, helping Nox just about avoid attacks. Unfortunately, Harin proved more level-headed and patient than Louis or Ed.

The more experienced mage and combatant—Harin—won in the end. Nox didn't have enough practice with Haste to keep up his performance. He eventually stumbled, and Harin used the opportunity to close in. Nox caught the opposing mage's blade using the Artisan's Arm and channeled Galvanzing Touch through it. The man's superior tenacity and endurance let him withstand the spell until Nox crumbled under the effects of the burning aura.

Professor Wolfhammer critiqued both combatants while healers tended to their wounds. He chided Harin for not diversifying his attacks and rushing in headfirst. Meanwhile, Nox was reprimanded for not working toward a new cantrip or planet despite the week off following his delve.

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“If not for Ratra's Bow, you'd be an excellent barrier and shield mage,” the professor told him. “I'd suggest you lean into that. Dedicate one to mobility and the other to physical defence.”

“I've been brainstorming ideas, but nothing seems to fit,” Nox said. “I'm trying to commune with a tortoise spirit for a new summon, but that's proven challenging. If I don't succeed in the next month, I'll settle for something else.”

“Since Slow is integral to your star and mana system, consider the Stop spell. I know it's mana-intensive, but it would fit into your style reasonably well. Heavy could function reasonably well, too. A tortoise or another defensive spirit would be ideal, of course, but don't waste forever in pursuit of what you may never find. Besides, not all physical defences need to be hardened barriers or shields. There are other methods of diverting incoming threats.”

“Turning things around on Harin might have been possible with Stop or Heavy, I suppose. I'm not one to settle, though.”

“I'm afraid a newly learned spell would've not helped you beat Mr Singh,” Professor Wolfhammer said. “He has significantly more experience and training than you. You've only just become an adept. Harin achieved the rank two semesters ago.”

“You're far too generous, Professor,” Harin said. “I only won because Nox was holding back. One empowered arrow or a potent enough bomb, and that would be the end of me.”

“Restraint is more important than absolute destruction. Unless you're fighting alone, you'll need the former more than the latter.”

Harin moved on to duel Lillin. The mimic woman won without much trouble. Meanwhile, Nox fought Caitlin. He lost again, but it was a closer match than their previous bouts.

The elemental armor made her far too durable for unempowered arrows. If not for Haste, Nox wouldn't have a chance at all. Crystalize Essence was useless against her elemental-powered armor, and he barely inflicted any damage. The Woodson woman surprised Nox by trapping him with roots that sprouted from underfoot. She shed the bulk of her armor and moved surprisingly fast, covering the distance between them. Caitlin grappled Nox and pinned him to the ground, winning the fight.

Meanwhile, he defeated Lillin, Swati, and Joey. The last of them gave Nox the most trouble. His chaotic Djinn Fire made Ratra's Bow and Crystallize falter. His inferior mana stores and expensive spells cost him the win. Meanwhile, Lillin would have won the fight if she hadn't needed to suppress her mimic abilities.

The victory against Swati surprised Nox. She manipulated stone and despite her delicate form, had the strength and durability to match the material. Despite her reputation as a close-to-mid-rangefighter, she stayed far enough from Nox to fall victim to Ratra's Bow. It was by no means an easy fight. Crystalize Essence cut off Swati’s control over her projectiles, but he still needed to avoid the heavy stone. She left him with a handful of bruises and lacerations, but Nox successfully destroyed the dueling ward.

Finally, as the class came to a close, Nox approached Louis for a match.

“I'm not sure about us dueling again, brother,” Louis said. “The humiliation was far too much for me to stomach.”

“I promise it won't be the same as last time,” Nox told him. “Besides, your speed and illusions have grown by leaps and bounds since our last bout. I doubt my defenses will be enough to beat you.”

“Fine. Do you mind if I take a moment to regenerate my mana and reset my spells?”

“Sure. Why don't we sit and catch up? It's been a while since we last talked.”

The pair sat by Ygg's trunk, far from other combatants. A strong breeze blew through the canopy above. The rustling of leaves was so loud Nox could barely hear the ongoing duels or his peers talking. A telepathic prompt encouraged Otis to dance around them, looking for eavesdroppers or spies.

“What's the latest news from the Golden Isles?” Nox asked. “How's Queen Mercer and our sister doing?”

“You don't always have to refer to her as Queen Mercer, Nox. She's our mother. I know what you told her the last time you spoke, but she isn't here now.”

“Maybe I'm just a stubborn fool. She's taking steps in the right direction, but it doesn't feel enough. Too little too late.”

“I know you were hurt, Nox, but Mother isn't as bad as you think,” Louis said. “Everybody makes mistakes, and she is trying to redeem herself. Just give her a chance. She'll do whatever it takes to win you over.”

“How are you doing, Louis?” Nox asked. “Things can't be easy for you, given everything with Ed and your father.”

“I'm doing the best I can. Classes and delving keep my mind off things. Mother has been showering me with gifts, but it's not having the effect she wants.” Louis sighed. “I don't think she knows any better. You’ll understand if you spend any time with her parents or uncles. The Mercers are worse than the Gedges, and our grandmother is to blame. She is a cruel twisted woman. I would’ve turned out a lot worse if she were my parent.”

“Honestly, I don't remember her well. Mou kept me far from Grandmother. The few interactions we shared following my father's death were short and mostly consisted of her telling me about my and my bloodlines' worthlessness.”

“What a vile woman.” Louis sighed. “I'm sorry for what she put you through. I hope the witch dies before she can leave her mark on the next queen.” He hesitated. “I've heard about what you did for the city and the street kids, Nox. You're a good man. I hope we can be real siblings someday.”

“I wish you didn’t say that, Louis. Now I'm going to feel bad about what comes next.”

“Oh no. You're going to humiliate me out there, aren't you?”

“No. Given your recent performance, I'm pretty sure you'll kick my butt.” Nox moved closer to his brother and continued at a considerably lower volume. “The last time we spoke, you told me you wanted to make it up to me for everything Ed and Lord Gegde did. Does the offer still stand?”

“Of course!” Louis exclaimed. “Whatever you need, Nox. Just name it.”

“Are you sure? That's a silly offer to make, brother. Especially given how unsavory I am.”

Louis laughed. “I don't think you're unsavory. Just tell me what you need.”

“Should we skip out on the rest of class and talk elsewhere?” Nox asked. “I doubt ol’ Wolfhammer will mind.”

“Why? Is this about a girl?”

“Not quite. It's to do with my business, and I'd like to keep things discreet. There are too many individuals with enhanced hearing around here.”

“Sure. You carry the Trade Empire’s crest. It's my duty to help affiliated businesses in any and all possible ways.” Louis nudged Nox. “Within the law's limits, of course.”

Nox shot his half-brother a sheepish smile. “Just hear me out before you jump to conclusions. Getting up to mischief is something brothers do, right?”

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