Chương 121: (B2) Chapter 48 - Departure

Ethan let out a deep breath. His eyes closed and his senses honed until he could even smell the fresh vitality coming from the lone plant sitting near the edge of the rooftop. He felt his mana coiling through his body, molten energy waiting for his command as it spread through his channels. A slight sting followed in its wake, reminding him of an intensified case of pins and needles running beneath his skin. Normally, he would release the skill at this stage.

His pathways were brimming, and he could feel the power waiting to be expressed through his body. He knew what would happen when he moved. Strength and speed far beyond what his attributes should normally allow, enough that his body could already outperform his mind's ability to process everything happening around him. But instead of moving, Ethan remained perfectly still and turned his attention inward.

After studying the information imparted by [Worldfire], Ethan had realized just how basic his understanding of mana actually was. He knew how to gather it. He knew how to draw it into his core and feed it into the formations that made up his skills. He could even manipulate raw mana to a limited degree when creating spells. Yet the moment a skill activated, Ethan had always stopped there. He supplied the mana, the formation did what it was designed to do, and he accepted whatever came afterward.

It had never occurred to him that he could continue influencing the mana after the skill had taken control of it. So Ethan reached for the molten energy already coursing through his pathways. It was immediately more difficult than manipulating free mana. The energy was already moving with purpose, guided by the formation of [Mana Infusion] as it circulated throughout his body. Ethan wasn't trying to change that flow. He didn't want to alter where the mana went or interfere with what the skill was doing.

He had been given plenty of ideas on how to improve his mana-related skills, but to start with, he simply wanted to make it move faster. His first attempt barely did anything. Ethan frowned but kept his eyes closed. He could feel the mana perfectly well, could sense every pulse of molten energy moving through the aura constructs that had replaced his original pathways. He focused on one simple intention. Faster. The mana resisted him. It was already being controlled by something else.

[Mana Infusion] had its own function, its own pattern, and Ethan was attempting to influence the energy while that pattern was actively using it. It was like trying to push something that was already moving under its own power. He could affect it, but only slightly. For now, slightly was more than enough. Ethan coaxed the mana forward. The energy accelerated a tad.

The tingling sensation running through his pathways sharpened as molten mana moved through them at an increased rate, pressing harder against the aura constructs surrounding it. Ethan's jaw tightened, but he didn't release his hold. He pushed again, forcing the mana to speed up. The mana raced through him, following the exact same routes dictated by [Mana Infusion], only now it traveled through them with slightly greater intensity. Still, Ethan could feel the difference. His muscles tightened.

Heat spread through his limbs, and the familiar empowerment of [Mana Infusion] grew noticeably stronger. Ethan had always assumed the amount of mana inside his pathways was the limiting factor behind the skill. Fill them with more mana and receive more power. Simple. Except his pathways were already full. There was only so much energy he could cram into them at once without damaging himself. But he didn't need more mana inside them. He needed the mana already there to move faster.

The faster it circulated, the more energy [Mana Infusion] could express through his body over the same period of time. He wasn't changing the skill's function. He wasn't even altering its structure. He was simply taking an active role in something he had previously allowed the skill to handle entirely on its own. Ethan opened his eyes just as he unleashed the skill. He crossed several yards before his mind had fully caught up with the movement.

His eyes widened as the edge of the building rushed toward him, and he twisted hard, one foot slamming against the stone as [Steadfast] helped him find his balance. He skidded sideways and came to a stop only a few feet from the edge. For several seconds, Ethan simply stood there. That had worked. He probably hadn't moved faster than when he channeled [Worldfire], but it was noticeably faster than letting the skill naturally run its course. He flexed his fingers, feeling the mana still racing through his body.

The improvement wasn't enormous. His acceleration had increased, and the physical empowerment from [Mana Infusion] felt sharper. More explosive. It was definitely an improvement. Unfortunately, he'd also made an existing problem worse. His mind still couldn't keep up. Ethan sighed as he walked back toward the center of the rooftop. [Keen Sense] helped, as did his perception and decades of combat experience, but there was a limit to what any of those things could compensate for.

His body was already capable of moving faster than his mind could process, and increasing the output of [Mana Infusion] had only widened that gap. Still, that was a problem for another day. What mattered now was what he'd proven. The knowledge imparted by [Worldfire] wasn't limited to Worldfire itself. Ethan could take that understanding of mana and apply it elsewhere. More importantly, he had learned that activating a skill didn't mean his involvement had to end.

The formation provided structure and purpose, but the mana flowing through it was still his. And he could influence it. Improve it. After all, he had just proved it was a viable way to grow. Evidenced by the skill level-up. Skill leveled [Mana Infusion Lv. 14] Ethan smiled. That was confirmation enough. Footsteps reached his ears from the stairwell. Ethan dismissed the notification and turned toward the rooftop entrance a moment before the door opened and Leah stepped through.

Her gaze immediately landed on him before shifting toward the crack he'd left in the stone during takeoff. She stared at it for a second. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I'm not even going to ask."

"Probably for the best." Leah shook her head before looking back at him.

"It's time." Ethan released [Mana Infusion], allowing the molten energy to settle as the pressure faded from his pathways. There was considerably more he wanted to test, especially now that he knew the idea worked, but that could wait. Ethan headed toward the door.

"Everyone ready?"

"I believe so."

"Let's not keep them waiting, then." --~~-- The docks of Nexus rapidly grew larger outside the train window. Ethan watched them approach, his attention shifting beyond the glass to the collection of ships gathered along the edge of the island. Even from this distance, there were dozens of them, ranging from small vessels that looked like they could barely carry a single party to enormous ships that rivaled some of the buildings closer to the city center. The train began to come to a stop.

Ethan stood, adjusting the greatsword resting across his back as Leah rose from the seat opposite him. Everyone else was already waiting for them. They had arranged to meet at the docks rather than dragging the entire group across Nexus together, something Ethan was increasingly thankful for considering how many people were actually coming along.

Between Leah's team, his own companions, and everyone he'd managed to rope into the expedition, they had somehow gone from a relatively small group to something that was beginning to resemble a solid party. Even if they had never actually worked together before. The doors slid open, and Ethan stepped out alongside Leah. Before he knew it, they were making their way onto the docks themselves. Wind swept across his armor, carrying with it the strange freshness Ethan had always associated with the edge of Nexus.

Ships shifted gently against their moorings, ropes tightening and loosening as enchantments kept the vessels suspended beside the island. Ethan quickly spotted the others. They had gathered farther down the docks, and there was a rather obvious divide between them. Mark and Alex stood off to one side talking together, the pair already familiar enough that there didn't seem to be any awkwardness between them. Seb and Bonnie lingered nearby, while Leah's team had formed their own little group several feet away.

Nobody seemed particularly uncomfortable, but it was clear most of them had absolutely no idea who the others were. Ethan wasn't too worried about it. They would have plenty of time to get acquainted. Marcus was the first to notice them approaching. His face immediately brightened when he saw Leah, a smile appearing as he raised a hand in greeting. Then his eyes shifted toward Ethan and the smile disappeared. Ethan chuckled.

He wasn't entirely sure what he'd done to earn that reaction, though he could probably make a few guesses. Marcus seemed considerably more agitated whenever Ethan was around, which only made Ethan more inclined to push the man's buttons. It was childish, but Ethan had never claimed to be above entertaining himself at someone else's expense. He continued forward, armor shifting quietly with every step. His armor looked considerably better than it had after finding Bonnie.

The Broken Dawns had managed to patch most of the damage, replacing a few sections and repairing the worst of the cracks, but there was only so much they could do. While the armor was powerful for the first level, he had still abused it too much. He could already tell it wouldn't survive much longer. The same went for his greatsword, especially after channeling [Worldfire] through it. Both should last the expedition, though. Probably. Still, if the sword finally gave out, Ethan still had his scimitar.

The armor failing would be considerably more annoying, though Ethan had survived without plate before. He could do it again if necessary.

"Finally," Mark said as they approached.

"Thought we'd be leaving without you."

"You wouldn't get very far," Ethan replied.

"I paid for the ship."

"And yet, somehow, we're the ones who got here on time." Ethan ignored him. He wasn't even late. Instead, he and Leah said hello to everyone, making small talk until Leah looked out at the ships.

"Which one's ours?" Ethan followed her gaze.

"Not sure."

"You paid for a ship without knowing what ship you paid for?"

"I paid for transport. The ship wasn't particularly important." Leah stared at him for a moment before slowly shaking her head. She turned back toward the docks, studying the vessels with far more interest than Ethan had bothered showing. Her eyes eventually settled on one farther along.

"Hopefully that one." Ethan looked. It was admittedly impressive. The ship was easily one of the nicest docked nearby, with a polished dark hull and three large masts rising above its deck. Gold detailing ran along the sides, while a lion figurehead stretched from the bow. Even the sails looked expensive, covered in faint patterns Ethan suspected were some kind of enchantment.

"Bit excessive, don't you think?"

"I think, since I also paid for the ship, it better be that nice," Leah replied.

"You paid for a ship without knowing what ship you paid for?"

"Shut up." Before Ethan could respond, [Keen Sense] caught the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. He turned to find an older man walking toward them. He looked to be somewhere in his late fifties, with weathered skin and gray beginning to dominate what remained of his dark hair. His clothes were practical, consisting of heavy boots, dark trousers, and a long, weathered coat. The man's gaze passed over the group before settling on Ethan. He looked him up and down.

"I take it you must be Ethan?" Ethan glanced at everyone around him before looking back at the man.

"What gave it away?" The man's eyes traveled over his full plate, lingering briefly on the greatsword rising over Ethan's shoulder.

"Just a hunch." Ethan snorted. The older man extended a hand.

"Captain Harris. Gliders told me I'd be taking you lot out. Ship's supplied, stocked, and ready to leave whenever you are." Ethan clasped his hand.

"Good to hear." Captain Harris released him and looked over the rest of the group.

"Everyone here?"

"As far as I'm aware."

"Then follow me." They started down the docks. Ethan fell into step behind the captain, the others following after him. Leah moved alongside Ethan, her attention firmly fixed on the expensive ship she'd chosen earlier. As they got closer, she seemed increasingly confident in her prediction. Then Captain Harris stopped.

"Here we are." He could sense Leah's excitement. Even he was slightly surprised. It was a nice ship. Leah and the others began to walk closer, looking it up and down with impressed expressions.

"What are ya doing?" Captain Harris asked.

"It's a fine ship, sir," Leah said.

"Aye, it is. Fastest in Nexus, that one." Ethan felt a smile coming on. Marcus gave a low whistle.

"Can we go aboard?"

"Ahh... That's not our ship," the captain said. He had a slight knowing smile on his face.

"That's our girl," he continued, pointing behind the fancy ship. Ethan glanced sideways. Leah's expression fell. He struggled to bite back a laugh. She whirled on him, eyes narrowed. Ethan decided to purposely avoid that and instead looked at their vessel. It was easily one of the smallest ships on the docks. The hull was made from faded timber covered in enough scratches and repairs that Ethan couldn't immediately tell what color it had originally been.

A single mast rose from the center of the deck, its sail currently tied away, while several sections of railing looked noticeably newer than everything around them. The ship wasn't falling apart, exactly, but compared to the polished vessel beside it, it looked like someone had dragged it out of storage after forgetting about it for several decades. Leah let out a long sigh.

"You're joking." Captain Harris turned toward her.

"Something wrong with her?" Leah stared at him. Then at the ship.

"Where do I start?" The captain looked genuinely offended.

"She's got character."

"She's got rot."

"That adds character." Ethan couldn't help laughing. Honestly, he didn't particularly care. The ship was floating, which already satisfied his most important requirement. If the Gliders trusted it to travel beyond Nexus, then Ethan was willing to trust their judgment. They had considerably more experience with airships than he did. Captain Harris stepped toward the gangplank before turning back to them.

"Welcome to your new home for the next wee while." Leah looked horrified by the prospect. So did Marcus. Noticeably, the others didn't really seem to care. The captain gestured toward the deck.

"Well, hop on, then. Sheila won't bite." Judging from the writing on the side of the ship, Ethan assumed Sheila was the vessel. He looked at Leah, then back at the others. Mark seemed amused, Alex didn't appear bothered in the slightest, and Seb was studying the vessel with an expression that suggested he was reconsidering several recent life choices. He stepped onto the gangplank, the timber creaking beneath his armored weight as he made his way aboard Sheila. Behind him, Leah sighed again.

"Come on, then. Let's get this show on the road."