Touch of Fate

Chapter 309: Assuming Control

After ensuring that the control module was set aside for them to purchase, the group followed Hurston to another section of the warehouse that contained several crates full of books. These were in a similar state of disarray, with a large number of the containers having broken apart, spilling their contents all over the room.

It quickly became apparent that any works of significant value were not allowed to end up as part of the smuggling operation. Apparently, the only thing that the Asani were willing to have leave the island were texts written about literally anything besides the Asan and its people. Which made a sort of sense, since there was little reason to restrict the exportation of information that already existed on the outside.

Nevertheless, they were able to track down a few that fit Morris's interests after a half hour of searching. He picked up several books that dealt with a wide range of topics, but most specifically seemed to focus on folklore and legends.

Deciding that it was probably best to get away from the island before they got caught up in something complicated, Mike took the team back to the ship after making their purchases.

Thankfully, the extradimensional sack was able to stretch enough to encompass the bulky control module, even though it was a bit bizarre to see. Then after a quick flight, they landed on the Huntsman and were back underway in a matter of minutes.

Mike watched from the aft of the ship as the Asan slowly sunk below the horizon. His brief time on the floating island had been informative, but meeting face to face with the Elder had shown him that there were mysteries to this world that he hadn't even begun to contemplate. His gut told him that he would eventually need to confront them, but doing so right now felt like a mistake.

[Whatever. I'm sure I'm going to be running into them again at some point.]

Dismissing his thoughts, he wandered back to his cabin and opened the door to the demi-realm. Lily who'd been quietly watching him intently up to this point swiftly went through and headed towards her workshop without another word.

Mike debated about observing her for a while to make sure that she wasn't trying to invent anything too dangerous, but ultimately decided to move on to his own business. After all, this was precisely the reason he'd built so many defensive features into her work area. If she still managed to do some damage, he would just have to fix it after the fact.

With that concern in the back of his head, he moved to the cabin and headed down to the control room in the basement, stopping in front of the pillar that governed the realm. For a moment he studied the structure one more time, trying to see if any additional meaning had magically appeared in his mind while he was out, but it looked the same to him.

Sighing, he went about the process of unpacking the Asani Control Module and hooking it up to the pillar. The weird cables that extended from its back managed to stick to the smooth surface without any difficulty, and in a few short moments it was all set.

Just as he was channeling his mana with the intention of inputting it into the device to get it running, the display flickered on and began running through a series of incomprehensible symbols. His Communication Magic was translating the meaning, but it appeared to be random gibberish.

[It might be more broken than I originally guessed. Then again, it could be some kind of start up procedure, like a computer or something. Guess I just need to wait and see.]

He watched the symbols scroll over the display for a few more minutes and was gratified when they eventually stopped, causing the screen to go blank. After a few seconds, a message popped up in a strange, squiggly language that he nevertheless understood. It read, "Initiate management protocol?"

Mike once again examined the device, but couldn't see any way to actually input a command. Feeling a bit annoyed by the design flaw, he tried pressing the display on the off chance the Asani had developed touchscreen technology. Unfortunately, the hard material, which felt like strangely rough glass, didn't yield or show any indication that it registered his finger.

[Hmmm, could it be controlled via mana somehow?] He thought to himself while channeling a bit of his reservoir into the device. He could feel the energy drain into the machine's internal systems, but otherwise it didn't appear to have any effect.

"Haaa...I wish I could just tell it what I want."

Responding to his voice, the message on the screen flickered and changed, now displaying, "Command unrecognized. Please try again."

[...Of course it's voice controlled]

Assuming that he would need to be using the Asani's native language in order to control the module, he concentrated and spoke in their tongue. "Yes."

"Acknowledged. Please wait while the sensor reads item parameters." The screen flashed before switching to a blank screen.

[This would be an excellent place for a loading bar, but I suppose that might be asking for too much.]

After a few seconds, the display changed, now showing a simple vertical bar through its center. Mike was concerned that the device might have been malfunctioning, but relaxed when more text began popping up with arrows pointing to different parts of the bar. Clearly, it was meant to be a representation of the control pillar which governed the demi-realm. As far as he could tell from the writing, this seemed to be the main interface that he could use to alter the pillars settings.

Looking over the available options, he found himself pleasantly surprised. In addition to the basic features that governed the entry settings and illusionary surroundings, there were several other settings that he wasn't previously aware of.

[Lets see...gravity controls are fine, don't really want to mess with the atmospheric ones too much, especially since it seems to be set on auto-replenishing at the moment. Would hate to accidentally vent the realm or something...What's this? Power Setting and Sourcing?]

"Display Power Setting and Sourcing." He told the screen and then read the result wall of text.

Making sense of it the best that he could, Mike figured that the realm was somehow drawing the energy necessary to maintain itself from Ea during the brief periods of time that the portal door was open. As for the power setting, it seemed that, perhaps as a result of the long period of inactivity following the death of the previous owner, the system was set to the default low usage. There was a medium and high option listed alongside it.

Before he got too deeply involved, he backed out to the main menu and checked the realm's mana reserves. Apparently, there were some kind of mana batteries buried underground which served as the primary source of energy for the realm when the door wasn't active. Currently, they were sitting at about ten percent of their maximum capacity, but that amount was steadily increasing.

[High power is probably out of the question, but I can probably maintain the medium setting for a while. Unless of course I can find an alternate mana source for the device.]

He had the device bring up the Power Setting and Sourcing menu again and looked through the options. Based on what he could gather, the demi-realm could be powered through three ways. First was the one currently in use, where the portal door served as a conduit with Ea, allowing mana to naturally flow into the realm's storage location. Second was to manually transfer mana from a person or item.

The last option was a bit different, since it was actually tied to a separate part of the control pillar that maintained the exterior border of the realm. Apparently, it was possible to alter the barrier separating it from the rest of existence, allowing it to absorb some energy from its interdimensional surroundings. The downside of this being that doing so creates some vulnerabilities in the barrier that could potentially allow others to enter without using the portal.

He quickly decided on avoiding the last option unless absolutely necessary. Having just fought against something that may or may not have been a native of that space, he didn't want to do anything that might accidentally bring them into his home. That left him with the other two options, neither of which was particularly useful in his current situation. While he could simply continue to keep the portal door open for as long as possible and recharge the realm using the standard method, he had no way of knowing how much longer it would take, or whether or not it would be a sustainable option in the event he wanted to make use of higher levels of power usage.

[I suppose I could just periodically dump some of my mana into the realm. It may not exactly be the fastest way to recharge the system, but it's better than nothing. Alternatively, if I can find anything like a mana generator, this would be the perfect place to set one up.]

Checking his internal reserves, he decided to hold off on any serious experimentation for the time being. While his mana regeneration had definitely improved since he ascended to Tier 4, he was still only sitting at about sixty percent of his maximum reserves. One he rested and got them back up to full, he might try messing around with the power settings a bit more.

In the meantime

[Let's see here...there it is, Climate Controls.]

After examining the options, he commanded the module, "Engage precipitation sequence, set for one instance per seven days at a rate of 16 mm over a 24 hour window."

He checked the power requirements for the change and felt satisfied that he wasn't overburdening the realm's reserves.

[Alright, now I just need to let Reber know the good news] Mike thought to himself as he started walking out of the basement. He stopped, however, when he noticed someone waiting for him outside the control room.

Sera was leaned against the wall, idly fiddling with the hero relic bow. As soon as she saw him, she straightened slightly, mouth open as if to say something. She stayed like that for a few seconds before grimacing and trying again. Finally, she managed to squeeze out, "Can...can we talk?"

She was clearly struggling with something that deeply bothered her, and he had a suspicion of what that might be.

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Below here is a status update, please feel free to skip to the next chapter.

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[Status]

Michael Rasmussen

Race: Human

Age: 15

Class: Skill Master

Tier: 4 (Low)

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Title: Aspirant Ascendant

Multiverse Traveler

Blessed One

Hunter of Renown

Battlefield Healer

Kal'Thel

Philanderer

Hero

Dungeon Savior

Undinekath

Saint of Healing

Nemesis of Demons

Adversary

Wyrmkin

Fortuitous Alchemist

Known to the Lurker

Conjurer of the Draconic Bloodline

Dragonknight

High Elementalist (EVOLVED)

Battlemage

Iron Soul

Slyphkath

Renowned

Initiate Defender of Ea (NEW)

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Skills:

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Primary Skills:

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Communication Magic (Rank 4)

Life Magic (Rank 1) (EVOLVED)

Appraise (Rank 4)

Journeyman Almiran Military Swordsmanship (Rank 2)

Advanced Water Magic (Rank 1)

Advanced Fire Magic (Rank 1)

Advanced Air Magic (Rank 1)

Advanced Earth Magic (Rank 1) (TIER UP)

Basic Light Magic (Rank 4) (RANK UP)

Basic Dark Magic (Rank 5)

Basic Conjuration Magic (Rank 5) (RANK UP)

Basic Calling Magic (Rank 4) (RANK UP)

Basic Space Magic (Rank 2) (RANK UP)

Basic Alchemy (Rank 5)

Master Scrivening (Rank -)

Basic Artifice (Rank 4) (RANK UP)

Bind Familiar (Rank 2)

Blood Collector (Rank 1)

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Secondary Skills:

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Lifestyle Magic (Rank 0)

Advanced Lovemaking (Rank 3)

Athletics (Rank 3)

Advanced Evasion (Rank 1)

Basic Dagger Fighting (Rank 2)

Intermediate Spear Fighting (Rank 4)

Intermediate Sword Fighting (Rank 2)

Advanced Elemental Magic (Rank 1)

Basic Summoning Magic (Rank 5) (RANK UP)

Intermediate Riding (Rank 1)

Basic Haggling (Rank 5)

Basic Musical Performance (Wind Instrument) (Rank 2)

Intermediate Unarmed Fighting (Rank 1)

Intermediate Chanting (Rank 3)

Tri Casting (Rank 1) (TIER UP)

Aerosense (Rank 3)

Dancing (Rank 1)

Basic Stealth (Rank 5) (RANK UP)

Basic Dismantling (Rank 3)

Basic Blacksmith (Rank 5) (RANK UP)

Mana Transference (Rank 5)

Mana Shield (Rank 5)

Mana Attack (Rank 1)

Tailoring (Rank 1) (NEW)

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Passive Skills:

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Intermediate Fear Resistance (Rank 4)

Advanced Physiological Resistance (Rank 1) (TIER UP)

Advanced Poison Resistance (Rank 1)

Intermediate Heat Resistance (Rank 2) (RANK UP)

Intermediate Mental Resistance (Rank 3)

Basic Electricity Resistance (Rank 3)

Basic Cold Resistance (Rank 2) (NEW)

Basic Death Resistance (Rank 1)

Basic Curse Resistance (Rank 1)

Large Mana Enhancement (Rank 4) (RANK UP)

Large Mana Regeneration Enhancement (Rank 4) (RANK UP)

Moderate Endurance Enhancement (Rank 5)

Moderate Agility Enhancement (Rank 4)

Moderate Strength Enhancement (Rank 3)

Moderate Willpower Enhancement (Rank 2) (RANK UP)

Minor Speed Enhancement (Rank 1)

Limit Break (Rank 1)

Detect Hostile Intent (Rank 4)

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Inherent Skills:

Traveler's Luck

Fate-Touched

(BC) Vampiric Regeneration, Lesser

Aspirant Ascendant

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- Initiate Defender of Ea -

A title granted to those few mortal beings who have fought against invading forces from outside of Ea and its associated realms. At its current rank, this title provides no bonus.

- High Elementalist -

Through your mastery of the four basic elements, you have achieved a new level of understanding and control. Moderate increase to the efficiency and potency of all Earth, Air, Fire, and Water Magic skills.

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- Life Magic (Tier 4, Rank 1) - (EVOLVED)

A form of magic only accessible for those who have walked the path of healer, this skill harnesses the power of the fifth basic element, Life. Practitioners can use their command over this element to control, empower, and even create living things. Within the realm of its influence, there are no forms of magic more dominant, but it cannot affect things that never held the spark of life. Higher levels of skill increase mana efficiency and the power of magic produced.

Rank 1 Effects: Healing Mastery

- Healing Mastery -

Life Mages arise only from those who have a fundamental understanding of organic beings. With this understanding comes the knowledge of how to treat the many ailments and injuries that such beings encounter over the span of their life cycles. Includes the effects of all Healing Magic skill ranks of Tier 4 and below.

- Advanced Earth Magic (Tier 3, Rank 1) -

One of the most basic forms of Elemental Magic. Earth magic allows the user to create and manipulate earth and stone. It is characterized by its permanence and durability, providing the most effective defensive techniques of the four basic elements. Higher skill levels increase the mana efficiency and power of the magic produced.

Rank 1 Effects: Earth Mastery

- Earth Mastery -

Advanced Earth Mages master the inherent mobility of their chosen element, granting them unprecedented control over earth. Allows users to control all forms of earthy materials, and perform feats of delicacy and speed with them that would otherwise be impossible. Includes all lower skills.

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- Tri Casting (Tier 4, Rank 1) -

Due to the difficulties inherent in the practice of magic, most mages are limited to utilizing one spell at a time. By virtue of practice or natural talent, Tri Casters are not bound by this limitation. Allows the user to cast three spells simultaneously. Higher levels of skill improve efficiency and grant a system correction to concentration and processing speed.

Tailoring (Tier 1, Rank 1)

The practice of turning cloth into clothing. Users of this skill can produce cloth items using a variety of methods and stylistic choices. Provides a minor system correction when crafting items primarily made of cloth. Higher levels of skill increase the correction and improve crafting efficiency. The correction does not apply to aesthetic choices.

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- Advanced Physiological Resistance (Tier 3, Rank 1) -

You have developed the ability to control your body's physiological responses to a large degree. Large resistance to the negative effects of physiological responses.

- Basic Cold Resistance (Tier 1, Rank 2) -

Frequent exposure to cold has increased your body's ability to handle low temperatures. Provides minor resistance to the negative effects of low temperatures.