Comiak
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Chapter 153: Rituals
🕑 Added 2022-02-18 22:01:07 +0000 UTC"I'm going to get Kayafe's advice on her skill!" I say, bowing to Safyr respectfully and dashing off to the Temple.
I fly up the top of the pyramid and initiate contact with Kayafe. We say our greetings then I explain the situation after explaining what more I discovered about magic.
"So you need to upgrade it to do what [Manipulate Magic] can do? There's nothing I can do to help you. Getting your skill to enhancement threshold should improve it, but that method never raises the item's skill above your own." Kayafe says, sounding a little regretful at her lack of usefulness.
"That's where inscriptions come into play; by inscribing your skill onto it, I hope that it will be at least at the same level as mine. But I don't know how else to make it better, and I was hoping you'd know."
"Hmm," Kayafe thinks for several long minutes before answering. "You can try a ritual. It will need significance, and you'll need a ritual site. A specific time of year or a rare celestial event is better; I had a ritual site set up for the specific event of the moons and sun all lining up. It's rare and happens once every three hundred sixty-five years."
A ritual site?
"What's was the ritual site like?" I ask.
"It's a bunch of mana-infused stones arranged in a circle meant to draw in mana to the center. It's probably gone by now, and even if it's still standing, you'd have to wait until the moons line up."
That Stonehenge I saw... Maybe I can repurpose it unless the moons line up; I recall there being some legend about it. Maybe I should ask Tusile if records have been kept about when it last happened... or I could just ask Safyr if she remembers the last time it happened.
"I saw the ritual site when I looked around the Nexus before; it's just buried under a sea. If that's the place, then maybe I can rebuild it?" I say, thinking of a way to either dredge it up or to make a new one.
If its purpose is to gather mana, then maybe I can make something better. A large mana gathering inscription or something. I still need to work out the base form of inscriptions and make improvements overall, but there's time for that.
I continue to talk with Kayafe and tell her my idea of improving the ritual site. She likes the idea, and we discuss ways to backward engineer inscriptions. After that, I went back to Safyr to ask about the Moons lining up.
"It's different for every place," Safyr says. "Here, it happens every three and a half centuries, but for others, it might take thousands of years."
In other words, if the moons line up with the ritual sitting being direct beneath them, then on the Lunaleyan Islands, they won't see the moons eclipsing each other and the sun; instead, they'll see the moons and the sun partially covering each other. So some parts of the world may never have all three moons, and the sun lines up.
"However," Safyr continues. "The next eclipse would be in about one month."
"One month?!"
That's almost no time! I have to level my [Mana Manipulation] to five hundred to get the best improvements on my Kyhosa. I need the ritual site, and that may not even be done in one month! Plus, the distance from the island and the fact that it is underwater will slow things down. Then for such a large-scale inscription, I need a ton of inscription ink, and I need to research a streamlined version of the mana collection inscription! I know I have five minds, but even that is too much for the amount of time I have!
"Time doesn't always wait for us," Safyr says. "Something that an immortal needs to remember every now and then."
I thank Safyr for answering my question and fly back home. If I am going to do this in time, I have to work fast!
I need to ask the Elders for help to build the ritual site. I don't have the luxury to pick good materials, so making it out of wood will have to do. What's most important is that the inscription is made, so carving it into the floor will have to do.
Considering how fast people can make things, the actual construction of things won't take long; what will is the research needed to make it work. I'll need to talk with Kayafe more to understand rituals better, but I'll do that tomorrow. For the rest of today, I need to focus on either [Mana Manipulation] or researching inscriptions.
Perhaps with my new insights in [Sense Magic], I'll be able to see what's going on; if anything, this may help me level up my [Sense Magic], so I'll start with Inscriptions for now; that way, if I do learn anything I can tell Kayafe tomorrow.
I first start with my current magic circles that draw in mana. They have their cores removed, so whatever does the actual magic is in the cores.
Hmm? If that's the case, then a better ritual might be to include a core, but that is likely going to take too long to study.
I sigh frustratedly at the time limit. I need this to work; I can't let this make an inferior item. But there are other things I need to consider. The amount of miasma and experience to help grow the Magic framework on my Kyhosa. The miasma is easy; all this work to make this work, the worry and trial and failure should produce enough; the problem is the experience.
Experience should be gained simply by being under the eclipse, and in a ritual site, the issue is I don't know how much that matters. Maybe I need to add something else to make the whole thing more special?
I still have some Dragon mana silk,
I used some for my sisters' Kyhosa and planned on using more to make armor for people, but I never had the chance, or rather a situation never called for it. Maybe I can use some to improve my Kyhosa? Or maybe I can use it to make the altar that will be in the middle?
Something to consider for later, I need to focus on inscriptions.
Going back to the magic circle, I focus on it, studying how the mana moves. The current circle has some sharp turns that affect the flow of mana, slowing it down; this isn't good; I need to get rid of those.
I make a new magic circle, on a wooden board, without sharp turns, and all that's left are straight lines that lead to the center where mana is gathered. Interesting how that despite how much I removed, it's still working.
That's when I notice fluctuations within the circle, fluctuations within the space... the very fabric of reality, magic. Whatever the circle is doing, it's trying to do magic.
I reshape the board with [Beauty Blessing] and make just a circle out of inscription ink and observe what happens inside. Magic fluctuates like drawing a bow over some sand. Whatever mana is doing, it is exciting... magic? Maybe it's causing it? I add some random lines to see what's happening and the fluctuations change. I add more lines and the fluctuations change again.
I don't know what this means, but it's probably useful in understanding how inscriptions work, but for now, I need to understand how the mana collection inscription works... which isn't a true inscription...I think.
Anyway, I begin to play around with the designs for the rest of the day, earning six levels in my [Sense Magic]. As long as the core isn't made, I shouldn't be able to accidentally blow myself up.
The next day I consult with Kayafe about Rituals.
"The more culturally significant a ritual is, the more powerful it becomes," Kayafe says in her best teacher impression. "But also the rarer the condition and the harder to achieve it is, the more powerful it is, which often leads to a conflict. The rarer it is, the less culturally significant it is, but the more common, the less powerful it is. Many things can be considered a ritual; the Kyholo where you get your Kyhosa that you told me about, can be considered a weak ritual. It is once in a lifetime for a person and is very culturally significant."
So rituals are actually somewhat common. By this logic, the three baths a day are a form of ritual, but since it's so common, it's not that powerful, but it may have a tiny effect on the population. It is a beautifying ritual that may help explain why every Runalymo is beautiful, appearance-wise, and ages very gracefully.
"So right now, the ritual is very rare," I say. "But not very culturally significant."
"Yes"
This means that I need to make it culturally significant. But how?
"How do I make it a significant event?" I ask.
"It's actually a simple thing," Kayafe says with a small chuckle. "You lie"
"Lie?!"
"Yes." Kayafe says, amused, "You say you've found a way to improve Kyhosas. People will trust you since you are so well known as someone who's an expert in these things, and from the lie, the truth will be born." Kayafe's voice turns serious.
"Alysara, the Kyholo is probably the most culturally significant thing your people have; your Kyhosas are the physical metaphor of your life. By piggybacking off of this, you tie this rare event to the cultural significance of the Kyhosa and make a powerful ritual. The lie will become truth because people believe it. Also, this will have a good chance of making magic items which will help strengthen your people."
Kyholo means 'Life celebration gathering, and the Kyhosa means 'Life celebration gift' to a Runalymo; the most valuable possession is their Kyhosa. If I were to somehow lose my Kyhosa, I'd be devastated, my parents went through a lot to make it, and they poured their hearts into its make; it's irreplaceable. It has followed me through the best of times as well as the toughest, and to every Runalymo, their Kyhosa probably means just as much.
Thinking about it, if there were some way to improve my Kyhosa, make it magical, I would be overjoyed. With the existence of the ritual site before that will only make the lie more believable... but this also has one problem. Every Runalymo will want in on it, which means making the place even bigger. But that also means that the construction will be even faster.
"Our people," I say, correcting Kayafe. "You're one of us too."
"Of course," Kayafe says with a hint of joy.
We continue to talk about the specifics of the ritual and how to make it as best as we can. In short, it's on the day of the ritual we will spend the entire day bathing, which will go well considering that Runalymo loves their gatherings. It will be a time of interpersonal connection. All Kyhosas will be placed upon an altar to be infused with the rituals power when the eclipse happens, and then the ritual will be over.
Of course, there's more to that, smaller details. The bathing oil will be mixed with liquid beauty mana, and the waters will be saturated with the essence as well. Everyone must make a dedication to Myrou and present it to her Likeness, which will hopefully be moved to the ritual site for this occasion; if not, then a few of her normal statues should do just fine. Considering that Myrou is culturally important, throwing her into the mix will only strengthen the ritual.
I must admit this would not have been possible without Kayafe; I'd just be stumbling around in the dark and would have made a failed ritual. Even without the inscription, there's enough to maybe make it work, which is a huge relief.
After discussing the plans for the ritual – at least the rough draft, I'm sure there are going to be a few revisions – we move on to what I learned about inscriptions so far.
"Interesting" Kayafe muters. "So the base form is just a circle. If that's the case, then the core must concentrate the magic to the point that it can be actualized."
We continue to talk and make theories until the subject of Mana Manipulation comes up.
"The enhancement threshold for [Mana Manipulation] is fifty breakthroughs, right?" I ask Kayafe.
"Yes," She confirms.
"I am at forty-five right now; I know that I still need to get MM force manipulation and turn mana into reserved mana and maybe make liquid spells? What's the other two?"
"The first is turning mana into matter, as you suspected, the other is by making solid and liquid vitality which is actually three breakthroughs" Kayafe informs me. "But these breakthroughs are all very hard to do, even making solid vitality will be hard since Vitality doesn't have the MM force. I am sure you can get them all in time, but getting all the breakthrough levels might not be possible in a month, not without doing something drastic."
Limited by time again, with just a month before the ritual, I need to accomplish too many things. Let's see; the most difficult levels are the mastery levels; however, my high [Sense Magic] should be high enough to make it at least a little easier.
There are two ways to get that mastery level, and that's by accomplishing a test to show that I really understand and mastered the breakthrough or by accomplishing something only a master should have, which is the shortcut.
Good thing I have five minds; I can effectively multiply the time I have to practice by five or focus on all five breakthroughs at once. Then I have Kayafe help, with her telling me what I need to do for the level tests; it might just be possible.
I talk with Kayafe about what I need to do to level up my breakthrough as fast as possible until I run out of mana, then I go back home to start practicing [Mana Manipulation].
Comments
SpaceGoddess76
This time limit on all she needs to accomplish in 1 month could potentially produce a legendary event. I mean it was mentioned that doing the impossible can produce legendary points and this whole event sounds next to impossible.
Sondrex76
I understand, and as someone else pointed out, if tehre were some other rare event happening soon-ish (maybe a bit less rare, but still significant enough to be useful) she would likely use that. It just felt like a problem was shown, then a solution was shown immediately in the form of a convenient event we have hared nothing about out of nowhere. If we had hared about it a lot earlier, or if she had looked on a few other events that were too long away and then gone to the dragon who would have told her that there just so happens to be one coming around the corner, it would have felt a lot less like a (lesser) deus ex machina.
Comiak
originally It was going to be in three years because having it happen too soon is a little unbelievable but that doesn't create tension. Narratively speaking this makes more sense because if Aly is given three, four, or even ten years to prepare that's boring and just drags the story out needlessly.
Robert Mullins
I think you are thinking about this wrong. It's not the eclipse that's super special so much as it is the most special that's happening soon. Presumably if it was farther off she would have picked something else like an equinox or something. The eclipse isn't so special that she would give up if it wasn't for 50 years. She'd just pick a more convenient event occurring sooner. but it is special enough to justify rushing to get ready for it in a month.
Sondrex76
It just feels a bit too convenient for me. Now this might actually be a plot point, gods are real in this world, so the most likely scenario in this situation is that she was placed in a situation where this event would occur right after her 15th birthday so she could take use of it. It could of course also just be random chance, but if it is just that then it feels cheap, at least to me.
Giperman
What do you suggest? To write a plot point and say that it will be in another 100 years?
Sondrex76
So an event that happens every three and a half centuries just so happens to be in a month, exactly when the MC needs it (if a bit early). How convenient.
Robert Mullins
I won't look into finding all of them but everything except the specific bond level is in the text. The bond level is from author comment on discord.
Pawzom Lz
The 2nd, 4th and 5th have not appeared in any chapter yet that I'm aware of?
Robert Mullins
1.) Age 10 2.) 1,000 levels in a single class 3.) 1,000 levels total from general skills 4.) Bond level 5,000 5.) Sacrifice 10 legendary points to form an ultimate class.
Pawzom Lz
What I know about the 5 different classes that have been ''confirmed'' in the novel is: 1st: Age 10 2nd: At least 1000 general skill levels, then one skill capped, with at least ten breakthroughs. That skill then becomes eligible to be the seed from which the second class is grown. The class will be based on that skill, and it will be incorporated as a class skill. Alternatively, if you want a Bond class, you need to choose a Bond skill or just the Bond as a whole, however the Bond must be at least level three hundred and the Bond skill must be an evolved version to be the seed of another class. 3rd: Some kind of bond milestone. ''When your Bond answers to your whims," was the Guardian’s answer when I asked when I'll unlock another Class.'' 4th: From getting an Ultimate class? Not sure about this 5th: No idea It's only the first 2 we have figured out so far for sure.
Pawzom Lz
She is planning on basing her second class around Twin Minds I believe, which can eventually turn into Unlimited Minds, another Ultimate Skill. So that will still allow for an Ultimate class. Incorporating Mana Manipulation into her race however(at least the way I see it) is that all of her descendants will benefit from it because her race is an heirloom one. Every good thing she can fit into it is something all her descendants will benefit from also, giving more overall benefit. Her race is already heavily favoring mana/magic, with Sense Magic already incorporated into it. Slotting in Manipulate Mana then upgrading it into Manipulate Magic combined with Nexus immunity so legendary beings cant accidentally harm them with their mana leakage and her descendants got a serious foundation to begin their lives with. + It might be easier to cure a cursed skill and fit it into an already existing framework than one that will be created on the spot. She has got no idea what happens during this process yet afterall.
Kemizle
What does she need to unlock both classes again
Michael Melendez
I'm a little confused. Wasn't the plan to purify Mana Manipulation so she can use it as the base of her 2nd class in order to get an ultimate class? Why incorporate it into her race evolution? Won't that remove it from her eligible skills to base her 2nd class off?
Imp
Our four+ year deadline just got turned into a month! Eeek! So... (One month goals) Mana manip capping Make ritual site, upgrade her keepsake (4 year goals) 1000 bond Dragon resistance training (elemental, mind, soul, physical?) Unlock 2nd and 3rd class Get all to Heroic Tier Improve/cap all skills as needed (especially Actor and Movement) Beat mind monster Make statues Purify Mana Manip, Evolve Stretch Goal : free the poor girl from the mana arc Finish airship (faster with magic manip?)
Pawzom Lz
Calling on ancestors seems to be dangerously close to cursed being territory though? It has been made quite clear several times that the dead should not be disturbed, so there is no reason to go that far. As long as Aly can convince people that burying people that have had their Kyhosa's upgraded there on ritual island(or underwater ritual site, they can survive there for a while afterall) will allow those Kyhosas to resonate with and help strengthen future upgrades it should be plenty. Its the belief that matters? The most important thing really is what Jacob Andronicos said, cultural memory. Aly will have to find a way to make this event that only happens once every 300.5 years a cultural event as important as, if not more so than their Kyholo for it to be as effective as possible, which will be difficult when their natural lifespan is around 150. Maybe something along the lines of after 300.5 years of travelling under the ocean, after several generations have gone past, under the guidance of Kayafe, their ancestors finally found their new homeland, after which this eclipse immediately happened, and now repeats every 300.5 years? Something along those lines? A Moses splitting the red sea inspired story. After all, Kayafe did do this, its just the duration that is changed. Hell, the duration might not even be that far from what happened. The mad priestess and the others that was exiled just before the cursed being event spent 2 years on a leviathans back travelling to the place Kayafe and their ancestors originated from. Kayafe and their ancestors probably didnt have that kind of luxury. And with their ancestors having actually travelled under the ocean with Kayafe, if the ritual site remains underwater it should have even more significance? The best lies are composed mostly of truth.
Jacqui Andronicos
Loved this chapter, I like the time limit that popped up, but lucky it wasn't years away, but also puts pressure on her to be ready for it. I'm looking forward to seeing her try and hit the target. Rituals are interesting, especially with any implications for inscriptions!
Jacqui Andronicos
Yeah, that seems likely. Something that involved a dedication to people dying by calling on all the ancestors would be an example of that like you said. Since there would be more and more of them who had been involved in it, it seems like it would gain more significance as it gained more history. Though it would depend somewhat on the cultural memory of how long it has gone on and how many have participated for them to all affect it I'd assume.
Robert Mullins
Aly: Hey everyone, I discovered this amazing method invented by Kayafe to improve our kyhosas. Everyone: Awesome! It's really true? Aly: well no..., But actually yes.
Olivier Pascal
Thank you for the chapter. Here's a interesting thought I had after reading the chapter: I wonder if you can make a self strengthening ritual event if you call upon the memory and legacy left by all the ancestors that partook in the ritual and having their Kyhosas buried near the ritual ground when they die after burning and spreading their ashes on their most valuable object of their lives. Wouldn't the event self reinforce itself and create an ever evolving cultural heritage, gaining more meaning and significance as the ages pass?
Osloo Mortan
Thanks for the chapter
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