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A Soldiers Life - 187 - Reunion with Renna
🕑 Added 2024-04-29 03:30:09 +0000 UTCChapter 187: Reunion with Renna
I liked the room I selected. It had a long bed with aged, worn dark wood and two antique-looking armoires for clothes. This small bedroom off the kitchen also had a modest window with a thirty-foot drop to the outer wall of the courtyard. Although it wouldn’t be pleasant, I could use it as an exit and heal the damage from the fall to make an escape if needed.
The assessment table was calling to me, and it filled out the room as a work desk. I wanted to see my gains and how close I was to learning a spell form for the earth affinity. I gripped the edges of the elven-crafted assessment table and channeled my aether.
The constant burn from maintaining my slow aging intensified with the added aether expenditure. I was already getting used to it and didn’t even wince. I was now quite sure the Inscriber had lied to us. The metallic runes on my bones pulsed enough that I could focus on them and sense their presence. I believe the runes didn’t draw aether, but my aether was constantly cycling through them, ready to counter a Truthseeker’s spell.
It was what it was, and maybe I had agreed too quickly to the procedure. I sighed as there was no going back now. I first focused on the right side to read my new magic affinities.
Elemental Magics (Common)
Fire0
Air0
Water0
Earth13
Lightning (Energy)8
Spirit (Healing)23
Nature (Plant)0
Unaffiliated Magics (Uncommon)
Charm (Mind)5
Illusion3
Clairvoyance0
Protection (Guardian)30
Necromancy0
Celestial0
Abyssal0
Rare Magics
Space98
Time90
Displacement61
Materialism9
Worlds88
Void22
Convergence74
My earth affinity had reached thirteen, high enough to learn an earth affinity spell form, so it was time to review the spell forms and decide. I thought I would be able to reach over 30 after consuming my remaining earth essences. Should I concentrate on boosting my affinity by acquiring more essences before mastering my one spell form? I would review my options in the dreamscape tonight, but from what I knew, magic affinity essences were rare. I may regret not getting more essences from the Shimmering Labyrinth one day.
Before joining the Hounds training, I hoped I had time to consume all the essences I had collected in the Shimmering Labyrinth. I glanced at my attributes and saw that my progress was significant.
Strength (+1/+0)50/80
Power (+1/+0)48/84
Quickness (+0/+0)33/49
Dexterity (+2/+0)43/61
Endurance (+1/+0)68/95
Constitution (+2/+0)47/69
Coordination (+0/+0)44/63
Intellect (+0/+0)31/56
Reasoning (+1/+0)49/61
Perception (+0/+0)52/61
Insight (+0/+0)33/49
Resilience (+2/+0)49/71
Empathy (+5/+0)19/22
Fortitude (+3/+0)52/90
Aether Shaping (+0/+0)8/8
Aether Tolerance (+7/+0)42/51
Aether Pool (+5/+4)21/26
Channeling (-1/-1)20/57
Aether Resistance (+4/+0)12/19
Prime Aether AffinitySpace
Minor Aether AffinityTime
I immediately focused on the four additional potential points in my aether pool. My aether attribute had also increased by five points. The summoner’s essence had been extremely lucrative. An odd thought occurred to me. The magic affinity essences only seemed to affect my aether core and aether channels. Could I then take a physical attribute essence at the same time as consuming an affinity one?
I turned the idea over in my head. Would the two enhancements clash, or would they have two completely different pathways? I decided to risk asking Zyna when I saw her next. I wanted to reveal as little as possible about my spell forms and essences as possible.
I settled into the weasel pelts and inhaled the fresh outdoor scent of the griffin pillow. The amulet appeared in my hand, and I retreated to the dreamscape. I had almost lost this precious training artifact. For now, I would maintain the secret chamber in the scorpion room but banished my copy of the Hobbit, the only item from Earth besides Oscar—Oscar was not going anywhere.
If I erased everything, I would have to recreate it and deal with the mental fatigue when creating it again. Castile and Maveith created some things here, but I could not reproduce them if I removed them, so they were also staying. On dropping the false wall, my cohort became active in seeing me.
“Looks like you are getting soft, Eryk.” Konstantin immediately accused me. “Grab one of your fancy new weapons, and let’s practice.”
Oscar interposed himself and barked at Konstantin, protecting me from the veteran—or maybe claiming my time as his. “Looks like my dance card is full,” I said while materializing a ball to play with the Aussie.
“I like to dance,” Zorana stepped forward after a few tosses of the ball. Jokingly, and to spite Konstantin, I took her hand, and the goliath woman took the lead to educate me on an unfamiliar dance. I was flustered as she kept correcting me. I was confused because I didn’t know this dance and had never seen anyone dance this way.
Realization came to me: Maveith had created this instance of his sister, so her knowledge was that of Maveith, not mine. It presented an interesting possibility of having people create constructs in the dreamscape that could then teach me. Sparring opponents would be much more effective since the current manifestations only drew from my own memory and observations. Could I get a mage instructor in my dreamscape this way? Maybe Zyna? Or was the risk too great?
After a very short dance lesson, I did what I came for and grabbed the books to figure out what the summoner’s rings did. I stood in the center of the massive ten-foot ring and highlighted the runic script with a thought. Oscar jumped over the ring to join me in the center while I worked. It didn’t take me long to puzzle it out. The runic script was simple, even though the ring was powerful.
As best as I could understand, the ring enhanced aether channeling by ten relative points on a tablet, effectively doubling my ability to recover my aether pool. The exercises Castile had taught me only enhanced my aether recovery slightly, and only when I focused on processing aether from the environment. I was sure mages would kill for this ring. The second ring was also extremely useful, and the runes were familiar. It was another ring of sustenance. I could see why the summoner had grown so powerful; he needed less sleep and recovered aether so quickly, that coupled with his elven longevity had given him all the time in the world.
I pulled down the earth spell form book from the shelf and reviewed the index.
Earth Affinity Lesser Spell Forms
Shape Stone (10)
Imbue Glowstone (10)
Shatter (25)
Earth Affinity Major Spell Forms
Earth Speak (25)
Earth Glide (25)
Stoneskin (25)
Earth Apex Major Spell Forms
Manipulate Earth (50)
Earthquake (70)
Quicksand/Liquify Earth (70)
Konstantin interrupted me, irritated, and spat, “You have us all in here at your disposal, and you come here to read?” Oscar barked, supporting his assessment. “Without me on your back all the time, you are going to lounge about in the real world as well as in here.” He sounded disgusted with me, and I realized this was my subconscious way of talking through the veteran.
“I promise I will train with you and stay sharp outside too, even though I have consumed enough essence to maintain my physical attributes without training.” I was essentially making the promise to myself, but Konstantin tossed the black-tipped spear at me, thinking we would get started right away. I wondered if talking to myself in the dreamscape was the beginning of some sort of insanity. I decided to review the spell forms in the dreamscape tomorrow night.
I tested the spear with a spin and then spent my remaining time in the dreamscape practicing with it. It was the most powerful runic weapon I had. The magebane could be more useful against mage opponents, but this spear delivered the strongest attack against the specters. Xavier and Konstantin took turns attacking me with sword and shield while I wielded the spear two-handedly. Then, we practiced with the spear in my left hand and a shield in my right. The thick shaft made it somewhat difficult to wield with a shield, but I managed.
I woke early after approximately six hours in the dreamscape. I decided not to wear the channeling ring. Being in a Mage College, I was worried someone would recognize it for what it was and cause me problems. The amulet had caused me enough complications and forced me into my current circumstances. I took some time to dirty up the ring of sustenance to conceal its luster identifying it as an artifact.
I considered storing the assessment table but held back. Could I trust Zyna? I definitely liked to mage and she had been very amiable to me in our interactions. I debated internally and finally decided to test Zyna. I left the assessment table out but covered it with the weasel pelts.
It was early, hours before sunrise. I went through some stretching and weighed down my black blade, tightly wrapping it with large silver dungeon coins. Then, I went through the sword forms I had learned in legion training until my muscles burned, focusing on perfect movements. I worked up a good lather by sunrise.
There was still no Zyna or armorer, so I started cleaning the suite. I started with the kitchen, as I had only cleaned the sink and a small workspace yesterday. I was almost done with the first cleaning pass when a knock at the door made me pause to answer it.
Opening the door, I found the two mage aspirants from yesterday and a red-haired woman with a furious countenance dressed in gray robes. I don’t think Renna recognized me because she stormed angrily past me, not giving me a second glance.
Livia and Flora looked meek, following the irate Renna more slowly. “What happened this time?” I asked, arching an eyebrow at the two young women.
Livia answered for the pair as Renna was already cursing further in the suite at seeing all the dust. “We couldn’t answer the questions from the readings. But it wasn’t our fault, as Mage Aspirants Daniela and Petra took our books weeks ago. If we don’t have time to get to the library to use books there, we can’t do the readings, and we were here all evening yesterday.” She was morose but quickly added, “Thank you for last night's incredible meal. We don’t regret cleaning at all!”
Renna had circled the entire suite and returned. “Servant, where is High Mage Zyna?” Her angry tone told me she was familiar with the High Mage and that she was planning to give her some serious lip.
“Well, it is good to see you too,” I stated with a half-smile. I didn’t have my armor on, and I was covered in filth. I hoped that Renna just hadn’t recognized me yet.
She studied me for a long time, her eyes widening as recognition finally dawned. “Eryk? You got kicked out of the legion! How? You are a porter! Even if you fucked one of the Emperor’s wives, they would have still sent you to die in a battle rather than demote you to a servant.”
This was not the small-town, self-conscious young woman I remembered from the griffin and bulette hunt. A few short months had transformed her. “Chancellor Zyna needed someone to practice her spells on,” I said merrily, indicating my filthy state. The two young aspirants looked shocked, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to spread some rumors to help out the Chancellor’s image that she abused her bodyguard.
Renna’s face twisted in confusion before some shock as she drew her own conclusions. “Are you why she sent me here to clean for failing a second-year exam when I have less than half a year at the college?”
“I thought you might want to see your old friend,” Zyna’s harsh voice came from the archway to her bedroom. How she got there without coming up the stairs was a mystery to me. “You mentioned him a few times when you stayed with me to learn your spell form for fire.”
Renna blushed a bright red. “I didn’t…I mean, I did, but not that way…I just…”
Zyna’s mischievous smile told me she had tried to embarrass Renna, and it worked. Flora and Livia were turning between the two of us, surprised we also knew each other and drawing their own conclusion as well. I wanted to learn more about what Renna had told Zyna about me, but Zyna continued imperiously, “I need my private residence cleaned top to bottom. I will ensure you come up here after your afternoon class every day. Once my suite is cleaned to my satisfaction, I will start giving you private lessons.” She was addressing Renna, and I looked at the two meek commoner mage aspirants.
“The mage aspirants too?” I asked for them as they were dumbstruck by the informality of the conversation.
Zyna sighed, “Yes, that pair as well. And thank you for giving me the idea of using you as a live target for my fire magic class, Eryk. Keep your old armor, and you can wear it to that class when I need to demonstrate.” My jaw started to unhinge, causing Zyna to smile, “You can heal yourself, correct?” I nodded dumbly, not sure if she was serious. “Now, you need to go meet the master armor smith next to the Imperial Legion Barracks.” She produced a sealed scroll and handed it to me.
“I will just go clean up,” I said, moving toward the bath.
“No,” Zyna smiled mirthfully. “I think the students should see how I treat my bodyguard. You look like I just mopped the floor with you.”
I slowly nodded and shrugged internally. I didn’t care how the students perceived me. As I descended the stairs, I could hear Zyna giving sharp orders to the three mages, having all three start in her bedroom so she could spend the night comfortably. I figured I could find my own way to the Imperial Armorer with the scroll in my hand apparently giving me passage there.
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Comments
Erick Thiemke
think of the amulet like virtual reality. learning yes, but limited to the programming
Medhanie Kidane
Can I ask a question about a the amulet here? If he can train himself inside it and that transpires in the real world, can't he make potions and comsum them there as well? It might be dumb but this one killing me.
Raelik
Xavier and Konstantin took turns attacking me with sword and shield while I wielded the spear two-handedly two-handed Could I trust Zyna? I definitely liked to mage and she had been very amiable to me in our interactions. Liked the mage
Erick Thiemke
potential is just an individual's ceiling. the closer you get to your potential, the harder it should be to raise the attribute. I somewhat stuck to this philosophy
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Rahul Paul
No ,it should be( students here perceived me)
John Donovan
Edit in last paragraph. I slowly nodded and shrugged internally. I didn’t care how the students perceived here me. Switch to me here.
Joseph Snyder
nodded and shrugged internally. I didn’t care how the students perceived here me. As I descended the stairs, I could Here perceived me
Robert Biederman
I did realize some of what you are saying after I finish the comment it was just me thinking out loud I have always been big in the magical food department as it were always loved the idea of it and was wondering why when he opened his eyes at that moment like I said an epiphany moment it had just dawned on him the more you can take that has anything to do with speeding up recovery of his aether channels seems logical to me there should be no limit on this which is why I commented on it
Robert Biederman
Hahaha I love this
Erick Thiemke
I think I was referring to it not affecting his ability to channel aether....but yes, I don't see that in either chapter. One of Castile's concerns would be if it would affect her ability to cast spells. She would have asked questions about that effect. The metallic runes, while not affecting aether flow do draw aether when activated
Mark
"I was now pretty sure the Inscriber had lied to us"...? Lied about what ‐ and why is he sure? That sentence, without any background, is a bit confusing, we can only guess what he means. Yes, I reread the chapter withe the Bone Etcher: he said a couple of things and it is in no way clear what Eryk is referring to here - my guess would be that he suspects more things were etched than the Truth "cover"; maybe a way to control/eliminate him if the conspirators deem him a threat?
Hankypanky
For Eryk, Stone skin or shatter would probably have more utility and have more synergy with all of his other spell forms and fighting style. He wouldn’t have to wait to pump his earth affinity to 50+ either considering he probably has enough essence to get to 30. It’s all about survival at the present and not the future OP meta build. Especially considering he’s facing mini-bosses every week. Ground shark thingy, griffins, giant spiders and scorpion, ogres, manticores, ettin, storm giant, wyverns, owl bear, doppelgängers, elf summoners…bro has to fight stuff that can normally kills a regular soldier with a fart. For a novel titled “a soldier’s life”, it should should be changed to “an unlucky survivor shitting his pants every week”
Fortunis
Please tell me he waits to take Earth Manipulation. Given how many earth essences he has 50 should be doable. Especially if he go around murdering earth based critters.
Karnnie
It was the most powerful weapon runic weapon I had. It was the most powerful runic weapon I had.
Karnnie
The assessment table was calling me and filled out the room as I work desk. The assessment table was calling me and filled out the room as a work desk.
Otto Kovar
I know that his stats reduced but the numbers and the "change log" is wrong unless i did forget a chapter in between were Eryk got his stats read.
Otto Kovar
Maybe a bit late to that but I just noticed a small Error, or so i think. I recently started rereading A Soldier's Life while also keeping up with the new Chapters. I just read Chapter 70 Adventures Guild, and i was noticed that some stats seemed of, i know things happened in between but it just wanted to share. After Chapter 70 the next reading of stats was in Chapter 148 Mirrorkin unless I am mistaken, please have a look. Chapter 70 Physical Strength (+2/+1) 52/80 Power (+3/+1) 48/83 Quickness (+3/+0) 35/49 Dexterity (+4/+1) 39/60 Endurance (+1/+0) 67/95 Constitution (+9/+3) 50/68 Coordination (+6/+2) 46/63 Mental Intellect (+0/+0) 31/54 Reasoning (+3/+2) 49/61 Perception (+0/+0) 54/60 Insight (+1/+0) 35/49 Resilience (+1/+0) 47/71 Empathy (+1/+0) 12/21 Fortitude (+3/+0) 53/89 Magical Aether Pool (+2/+0) 16/22 Channeling (+1/+0) 15/55 Aether Shaping (+0/+0) 8/8 Aether Tolerance (+2/+0) 24/50 Aether Resistance (+2/+0) 7/19 Chapter 148 Physical Strength (-3/+1) 45/80 Power (+1/+2) 46/84 Quickness (-2/+0) 30/49 Dexterity (+4/+1) 39/60 Endurance (-2/+0) 64/95 Constitution (+1/+4) 42/69 Coordination (+2/+2) 42/63 Mental Intellect (-2/+0) 29/54 Reasoning (-2/+2) 44/61 Perception (-4/+1) 50/61 Insight (-2/+0) 32/49 Resilience (-1/+0) 45/71 Empathy (+1/+1) 12/22 Fortitude (-2/+0) 48/89 Magical Aether Pool (+2/+0) 14/22 Channeling (+7/+2) 21/57 Aether Shaping (+2/+0) 8/8 Aether Tolerance (+10/+0) 32/50 Aether Resistance (+1/+0) 6/19
BubblyGhost
Yeah, skipped this by accident lol
Silver Beard
Contact and make a deal with the facilitator... like it, trust not no... he's at their mercy... for warehouse space and unload his inventory. He'll be a lot more powerful when he his space is less full...or Pick a room in the suite and ask Zyna to ward it off and unload his burden. I remember almost begging he'd go back to the library to steal the books... and now Author has made it a bane. Bastard.
Victor Skaarup
Thanks for checking.
Erick Thiemke
It’s highlighted in orange on my sheet, which means he consumed it
Erick Thiemke
I will double check but those notes are not recent. When I scanned it them I didn’t see it as unused. I have the up to date notes on this Microsoft surface … give me a minute
Victor Skaarup
Perhaps I am misreading the notes?
Victor Skaarup
According to the authors notes, MC has an unused apex essence of channeling from the chameleon spiders. .
Silver Beard
correction: "high enough to learn an earth affinity [spellform]"
Erick Thiemke
No, only one on each hand. Think it was explained in the text somewhere
Blorcyn
Can Eryk fit any of the rings around his toes and wear them that way. Benefit while they’re not visible?
Silver Beard
Perhaps we need a review on actual vs potential... how does he get to the max? Simple practice, healthy diet, and repetition aren't enough obviously. Is there a way to accelerate his growth? Some secret that's holding him back?
Silver Beard
Shatter is pretty niche too. If this was the stone age it would be OP; but he's rarely going to need to destroy stone doors/walls. Also destruction is usually LOUD which doesn't fit the nefarious undertaking he's about to be employed for. I also imagine he'd be quite limited in size or thickness affected based on his Aether pool and overall affinity. Even with Essences he has; 25 is going to be the limit in the short term.
Sethocles
Shatter is always underrated
Sethocles
That might work better in displacement or space. One would displace the force, distributing it across a larger area. The other would connect two points in space, except the contact point would connect to a large area.
Silver Beard
I get he doesn't want to give up his space stuff; but from a reader's point of view, his space is stuffed with books limiting his options. He really needs to empty his space. Who knows when it might be convenient to stash away a few bodies.
Silver Beard
Eryk's at the Mage college!!!... Surely, they have more options than the basic book Eryk is currently referencing? It's barely been a day...why push this decision now? That said - shape stone has the most utility and he'll likely get more out of it considering its low affinity requirement vs what his affinity might eventually be. If he was at the dig site; Earth Speak would be one to shoot for, but it's niche. Earth glide sounds cool; but he really doesn't the pool to use it for more than a few seconds atm. Better going for something less that he can grow than something he can barely use if he's lucky to have a full pool when he needs it. I thought he was going for dimension door prior to the Dungeon?
Prinny Knight
Could there be a earth spellform that transfers kinetic energy into the ground? Kind of like a lightning rod.
Erick Thiemke
4th of four for cycle. If you don't see the spell form you suggested just remember the book doesn't have them all
