Chương 33: More than Meets the Eye

New Guide Entry: Rifts Classification: Universal Hazard Rifts are dimensional tears caused when ambient mana density exceeds a critical threshold in a localized area. At sufficient concentration, unstructured mana begins interacting with the fundamental forces governing physical reality. When this interaction destabilizes local conditions beyond a recoverable threshold, a rift forms. Rifts appear as visible tears in the air.

This is a perceptual approximation only, as the actual phenomenon has no direct physical analogue. Formation: Ambient mana attracts additional ambient mana. In areas where geography or conditions prevent natural dispersal, this creates a feedback loop of increasing density. Common formation sites include enclosed bodies of water, underground spaces, natural basins, and any location where ambient mana accumulates faster than it dissipates. Only ambient mana contributes to rift formation.

Structured mana, whether stored in a medium or held within a mage's reserves, does not. Indicators: Rifts draw ambient mana from their surroundings, creating a zone of reduced mana density in the immediate area. This thinning effect is detectable through Mana Sense and serves as a warning sign. A localized area with unexpectedly low ambient mana density may indicate the presence or imminent formation of a rift. Interior: Conventional physical laws do not govern the interior of a rift.

The conceptual presence of its occupants shapes the space. The dominant presence, typically the most powerful creature inside, imposes its subconscious associations upon the environment. Interior conditions vary widely and cannot be predicted from outside. Mana density inside a rift is significantly higher than external ambient levels. This density increases toward the core. Core Crystal: Every rift contains a core crystal at its point of highest mana density. The core sustains the rift.

If the core is destroyed or removed, the rift collapses. Collapse ejects all occupants and contents. Ejection may involve spatial or temporal displacement. Entry and exit locations may differ. Time experienced inside may not correspond to time elapsed outside. Claimed and Unclaimed Rifts: A rift whose core has not been claimed by a creature permits free entry and exit. A rift whose core has been claimed does not.

Once a creature claims the core, nothing may leave the rift until the claiming creature is killed or the core is destroyed. Capacity: The number of beings a rift can sustain is indeterminate. A rift may accept entry at one moment and reject it at the next. There is no reliable method to predict remaining capacity. Mana Crystals: Rifts are the only known source of mana crystals. Crystals form naturally inside rifts as a product of sustained high-density ambient mana interacting with destabilized fundamental forces.

Crystal quality correlates with local mana density. The highest quality crystals form nearest the core. Mana crystals exist in varying tiers, purities, and types. Rifts produce arcane-type crystals by default. Creatures occupying a rift cause conceptual conversion of ambient mana through their natural affinities, which may alter the type of crystals formed over time. Rift Tiers: Rifts are classified by mana density, which determines the difficulty of interior conditions and the quality of crystals produced.

Tier classification mirrors the standard mage tier system. A higher tier rift presents proportionally greater danger and yields proportionally higher quality resources. Most crystals within a rift are of lower tier than the rift itself. Only the crystals nearest the core match the rift's tier classification. Eater Interaction: Eaters are attracted to rifts due to the concentrated mana within. An Eater inside a rift absorbs mana freely and without limit, growing rapidly in power.

If left unchecked, Eaters within rifts will evolve to significantly higher threat classifications. Unmonitored rifts in which Eaters are present represent an escalating threat to surrounding populations. Warning: Rift interiors are inherently dangerous. Interior conditions are unpredictable, exit may be impossible until the core is dealt with, and capacity limitations may separate groups without warning.

The Universal Training Guide strongly recommends that mages do not enter rifts alone or without adequate preparation. Consult a mentor or experienced rift delver. — Enzo closed the notification with a loud exhale. They were standing roughly fifty meters distant from the rift, their bikes resting against the side of the cliff.

"You weren't kidding. That's a lot to take in." Signe smiled at him, but he could see the exhaustion in her face.

"Damn, bro," Kenzo said, rubbing his head.

"We won't even know how many people can go in. Or if there's going to be a dangerous Eater or if the people inside just didn't know how to leave." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Sumi nodded.

"We'll need to tell everyone to be on the lookout for these. They need to be cleared as soon as we find one."

"So how we doing this?" Kenzo asked. Enzo glanced at Signe.

"The others are keeping to the far side of the rift. Do we know how close you have to get before being…" He paused.

"Swallowed?" She shook her head.

"We were pretty far away when it happened. Maybe thirty or forty feet."

"Do we need to talk to them?"

"No, looks like they've just been waiting this entire time. It's the same number of people as when I left."

"You went around?"

"Had to climb a bit, but yeah. It wasn't difficult." He smiled. He'd lost count of the climbs they'd done together. It was something he missed. Then he turned to Sumi.

"Any ideas? I can use Pulse, but I doubt it's going to give anything useful." Sumi closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them.

"No. Even the spells I'm developing wouldn't help. Besides, it's possible the rift will just consume anything we cast at it."

"Good point." He stared at the tear for a few seconds in silence.

"Still, it's worth a try." Before Enzo could take a step, Kenzo's hand landed on his shoulder, gripping gently.

"Nah, bro." Enzo glanced up at him. His best friend's face was deadly serious.

"What?"

"I go first. You don't move past me." Kenzo stared down at him.

"We clear? You ain't disappearing into the rift without me." Enzo studied him for a moment, then patted the big guy's hand.

"Alright, brother. You've got point." Then he glanced between the others.

"That means Sumi is third, and Signe is last. Just in case." Sumi nodded. Signe scowled.

"Why am I last?"

"Because you're exhausted and Sumi has superior combat and utility spells." Signe sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"Yeah, okay. That's fair." Then her eyes narrowed at Enzo.

"Just be warned that I'll be very pissed if that thing closes behind you and you don't come out." Kenzo chuckled. Enzo shook his head.

"Yeah, the Wrath of Sin is noted." Then he jabbed Kenzo.

"Lead on, big guy. Get me in range." He followed Kenzo, locked in step, until the man halted. Then he stepped up beside him.

"Pulse." Magic snapped into existence from a point just in front of his forehead, and burst outward in a rapidly expanding sphere. He ignored the information boxes he could sense appearing over his friends. Panicked shouts from the people on the other side of the rift were followed by them scrambling even further back, though the magic dissipated long before it reached them. A single line of information appeared over the rift.

'Rift??? //???.'

"Anything good?" Kenzo asked.

"Nothing useful. Let's try something else." He raised a hand, two fingers pointed toward the tear.

"Bolt." The purple projectile crossed the distance in an instant. And vanished the moment it came into contact with the rift. Enzo clicked his tongue. Then he tried again.

"Power Bolt." The spell took longer to form this time as mana drained from his reserves, charging and improving the base form. Then with a loud thump of air, the bolt shot at the tear. And vanished.

"Well, that's me done." Enzo turned back to the others.

"I have no other ideas. Analyze requires physical contact, and I'm pretty sure that thing will swallow me first." Everyone shared a look. Sumi broke the silence.

"I guess we're going in, then?" She sounded uncertain. Kenzo nodded.

"Yep. The Guide says we can clear them, but that the longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes if there is an Eater absorbing the mana inside."

"Let me refill my reserves first," Enzo said, then awkwardly sat down in the middle of the road, cane resting across his knees.

"Best to be at our best." He didn't wait for the others, immediately settling into the meditative pose. Absorption was difficult because the ambient mana was thin, and what passed by was unerringly fighting its way toward the rift. What should have taken him five minutes instead took twenty. When he was done, he opened his eyes and climbed to his feet, only to find the others were either already done or hadn't needed to top up at all. Signe was watching him strangely. Enzo frowned.

"What? If it's about the cane, we can discuss—""It's not." She interrupted with a shake of her head.

"It's your aura. It's weird." He laughed.

"That's a new one. I know our mothers love the whole healing crystal and aura thing, but please don't tell me I've lost you to the madness too." Kenzo snorted. Signe laughed, but shook her head.

"No, they haven't infected me yet, but you definitely have an aura." She glanced at the others.

"I think every mage does, though it's hard to see with the ambient mana everywhere. But the mana is thin here, so I can see them more easily." Sumi leaned closer.

"How?"

"I have a neurological condition," she said.

"Chromesthesia. I see flashes of color in response to sounds. But after the blood rain, I started seeing purple everywhere, and the Guide gave me a skill called 'Mana Synesthesia.'" She shrugged.

"I think maybe mana has a frequency to it."

"So what's wrong with his aura?" Kenzo asked, crossing his arms.

"Our boy's always been a little crazy, maybe it's just that."

"Well, Sumi's aura is more concentrated around her head. Almost like a halo. Mostly purple, but with blues and greens and red, I think. The rest of her body, too, but it's very subtle even here." She looked Kenzo up and down slowly.

"Yours is a full-body aura, but where Sumi's is subtle, yours is very dense. It's purple with… a hint of brown, maybe."

"And mine?" Enzo asked. Signe turned, staring into his eyes.

"You have both."