Chương 10: 6A. The Lost Scholar

The land immediately around Bastion's central gate was reasonably safe. Since the holes were clear of the thick miasma clouds, they had denser beast populations than the Abyss's exterior walls. Historically, the holes also served as the primary path they and Inhumans used for traveling between the levels. As a result, the city council invested heavily in its protection. Guards maintained order on and within the walls. Several organizations did the same outside.

The party passed several patrols that kept the local beast population in check and kept more powerful entities at bay. It didn't take long to leave it all behind. Sam struggled to maintain their pace. Despite the handcart's reduced weight, he began to feel the load as he pushed on. They were going downhill, but keeping the vehicle under control demanded significant effort. If not for Internal Ether Flow, Sam knew he would've struggled significantly more.

Fortunately, the roads were clear and well-maintained, making the early descent swift and pain-free. Gathering and hunting parties often targeted the materials and beasts found along the walls below Bastion. Things got worse when they reached Level Two and pushed on toward the closest path to Level Three. The cataclysm had fractured the roads, leaving them uneven and cracked. The elements, battle, and heavy transient beasts had expanded the resulting potholes.

The traversal took significantly more effort, leaving Sam soaked in sweat. For the time being, he watched and listened, observing the path ahead and his employers. They continued to surprise him.

"You're never going to find a spirit or win one's favor if you can't defend yourself," the boss told Sophie. She glanced up, following Iris's gaze. The giant avian creature had followed them. It took to the air and disappeared for long intervals, then appeared sitting on roofs ahead.

"Have you ever tried reading any spell or technique manuals?"

"Where would I get my hands on them?" Sophie laughed.

"I can barely afford to keep a roof above my head. Forget buying manuals." She glanced at Sam.

"Not everyone is lucky enough to find employers who lend them out." He couldn't tell if it was a jab or playful teasing. Sam imagined that Sophie's talent had revealed how Pulsing Palm worked. Its value extended beyond controlling internal ether and detecting weaknesses.

"You could always try the libraries," the boss said.

"Our organization ensures they're open to everyone, and membership barely costs anything. Unattuned spells and techniques aren't the most powerful or particularly expensive, but used right, they can save you in a pinch."

"The Seekers might want to have a word with the libraries in Bastion," Sam said.

"The academy has a reason to limit who can enter. They don't want just anyone walking around where children train and study. But the supposedly public ones are picky about who they allow through their doors."

"Noted. I'll be sure to bring that up with the city council when we return." The boss fished an eye-shaped stone out of her pocket. It shone brighter than any of the essences Fred had used for his test. It wasn't corrupted or damaged. The boss pointed at Sam and Iris.

"Cambridge scholars. Educate us. What are Vessels and essences?"

"You can take this one, Sam," Iris said.

"Vessels are what mages and practitioners use to store the spells and techniques they've learned," Sam explained, grunting as he pulled the handcart through a pothole.

"I specialized more in the spirit side of things, and remember as much."

"Don't you just memorize that stuff and work it into your muscle memory?" Sophie frowned, looking to the awakened.

"They do, but the magic needs a place to live," Sam answered.

"Vessels also help adapt and shape them to the person's needs. They take root in the soul space, becoming structures that shape how the awakened develops. Essences are to magic beasts and Inhumans what Vessels are to practitioners."

"And the companion spirits eat the essences, right?" Sophie asked.

"Well, the spirits share their domains and shape the Inner Realm," Iris replied.

"Think of the realm as an empty plot, the domains as the foundation, and the vessels as the structures. When improving and refining a Vessel, you need materials." Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Sophie's eyes widened. She withdrew her 'bonus pay' from her pocket and studied it closely.

"Essences are the building materials," she stated.

"And here I thought they're just for feeding the spirits."

"Not all spirits consume essences," Iris told her.

"The ether might hasten their growth and our bond with them, but many have other desires and needs. My primary spirit prefers the bodily fluids of entities I've personally defeated. The more powerful the defeated and drained foe, the greater his satiety levels and growth. He will settle for the ether from essences, but won't be happy about it. It's nowhere near as effective."

"Essences also allow practitioners to use techniques and spells from outside of their available domains," the boss added.

"As much as I enjoy educating the uneducated, I was hoping for something quick and light." She held the essence up to the light.

"Some people refer to essences as the remnants of the beasts' innate magic. Since your talent focuses on Internal Ether Flow, you shouldn't have trouble channeling some into one of these and activating the magic that lies within."

"I—" Sophie hesitated, eyeing the essence.

"I didn't think of that. You mean like an enchanted weapon without the weapon?" The boss pointed her arm at a building toward their left. The essence's luminosity flared for a moment before the air around it rippled. A blast of pure white burst forth, throwing dust with a dull bang and raising dust. The giant bird squawked, taking off noisily and disappearing behind a block of tall office buildings.

"It won't do much, but it could push away an attacker and buy enough time for Fred or Iris to come to your rescue." The lesson continued as the party continued toward their destination. The boss talked about etherflow, vessel creation, and activation. Sophie took it all in intently, asking endless questions, some intelligent, some not so much.

"This must be a nice refresher for you," Iris commented, helping him when he struggled with a trapped wheel.

"Or did working in the academies and libraries keep it all from fading?"

"I've forgotten more than I care to admit," Sam admitted.

"The little time I've had to myself goes into studying talent seeds and spirits that aren't particularly picky."

"So you became a scavenger in the hopes of finding something that'll change your stars?" Iris smiled.

"Ever the optimist. You haven't changed."

"No. I wouldn't call it optimism. Desperation might be more accurate. Besides, I somehow pissed off the young, rich, and spoiled. When I didn't play their stupid game, they had me fired."

"You were never much of a fighter," Iris said.

"Remind me. Who was the underclassman you never managed to pin and consistently kicked your butt?"

"I didn't sign up for Beginners Martial Training for an easy credit, you know," Sam said, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

"I know." The sun was now high in the sky, and sweat soaked the back of Sam's neck and spine. Despite the magic and IEF, the handcart was on the verge of becoming an unbearable load. The technique marginally improved strength, toughness, and endurance, but it wasn't enough to drag a load hour after hour. Sam was tempted to ask if Sophie was to take a turn. She hadn't done any gathering thus far, only talked and attempted the boss's exercises. No one could tell when a break or rest would come.

The Seekers undoubtedly had more endurance than Sam or Sophie. Fred had claimed to be a four-star and likely had access to far more domains than he claimed. Iris seemed the same rank as Fred, if not ahead of him in the pecking order. Her wording suggested that she also had at least one spirit. Her wind domain likely came from a second one. Meanwhile, the boss, as the leader, seemed like the strongest of the bunch. Sam doubted she had five stars.

It was the kind of strength the leaders of Bastion had, and he couldn't imagine someone of such power levels going on missions without mounts, transports, or experts. Sam didn't doubt that the Seekers could go for days at a time without taking a break. Even though they didn't slow down, the boss appeared concerned about the scavengers' safety. She had Sam and Sophie drink a potion to counter the effects of ascension sickness. He was thankful for it as they traveled deeper.

The rangers had also offered him a similar potion, but inhaling the miasma had still left him nauseous. Meanwhile, even though a heavy mist lingered around the lower hills of the floor, Sam felt no discomfort. The Seekers' concoction seemed significantly better quality. Nonhuman activity increased as the party began its descent to Level Three. It surprised Sam that they had traveled as far as they had without a confrontation. He imagined the Seekers' radiated enough power to keep most creatures at bay.

It was also possible that the zooming around swarm of fireflies scared them away. A pack of long canines with sabertooth-like fangs tracked them for a while. They circled the party, moving between buildings and watching the group from afar. Iris disappeared for a moment, going after them. He didn't see whatever technique or spell she used, but the high-pitched metallic screeches that followed were enough to repel the beasts.