Chương 75: Driving

We drove out of Undercraft through a tunnel to another cavern. This one wasn't as large as the one for the city, but it was still large. Magical carriages zipped about, and wreckage was pushed aside.

"The training chamber, as it is called," Anerac said, and Healer Melon let out a groan. Some other magical carriages had stopped near the entrance where we stopped. We got some looks from the dwarves, but no one said anything as Anerac brought me around to the front.

"This isn't my racing vehicle, but the one I used to drive. Solid and dependable. Let's do a quick check before you drive, so you know what to look for to be sure things are safe."

"Got it." He went around to the front and moved a metal panel.

"The main thing there is the Mana compressor. Processed fuel goes in here, and there is a gauge by the steering wheel to know how much fuel you have left. The rating of this Mana compressor is red. While it can use stronger grades, don't use them. Unless you are really experienced and know what you are doing, your Mana compressor will probably blow."

"Got it. Know your fuel type."

"They colored the fuel cap red for that reason. They are all color-coded nowadays since there are different grades of fuel, so people don't get confused. More powerful Mana compressors need the higher grades. The fuel gets sprayed out into these cylinders. A runic inscription triggers the fuel, creating a void and a targeted burst of gravity, rapidly compressing the piston."

"That pushes other pistons down and turns a shaft, which moves the front wheels of the magical carriage," Anerac continued to explain. At the same time, he showed me the exhaust and the mirrors and all the other functions of a magical carriage. I got into the driver's seat. Healer Melon was sitting in the back while Anerac was in the passenger seat.

"Now, you can run the Mana compressor without running the car, since the drive shaft isn't currently engaged. Pull that knob out, twist, and push it back in. That will start up the Mana compressor." I followed his instructions, and the car shook slightly.

"Now, once you pull that lever next to you and push forward, the drive shaft will lock in. You don't want to pull the main drive lever unless you aren't moving quickly. If you pull back, you will go in reverse. Don't do that. Once it's engaged, we will start moving. Control the magical carriage through the wheel, which will angle the front tires." I did what he instructed, and the magical carriage moved about fairly quickly, but not at the speed he had gone.

"Take your time. Get the hang of turning. You're going at base speed. You can push down on the right foot pedal to speed up, as more fuel is used to compress the pistons more quickly, or you can push the left foot pedal to apply a pressure brake. Don't slam on the brakes since they use pads. Don't press both at once, either. Why don't you try hitting the brake and then coming to a stop?" I did that and stopped the magical carriage.

"That wasn't that hard."

"It really isn't. Driving is simple once you know what to do. The real challenge is when you want to push the limits. Now let's get going again and take the track that is marked with red flags. That is for beginners." There were no close brushes with death, and I didn't push the limits of the magical carriage. Despite that, driving was enjoyable. The speed was incredible and easily matched the speed of a legend on foot once I got going.

It had nothing on my mother or specific speed-boosting skills, but even with those limitations, I could understand the potential dwarves saw in this technology. As Anerac drove us back to his mother's inn, I had a question.

"What about the Mana compressor? Can I take a look?"

"You would have to buy one yourself. They sealed them up tight. One misalignment, and things can go badly as they rip themselves apart. The cylinders are quite delicate, but they also need to be robust. And you need a mechanic, a profession that takes a lot of study and support skills." The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"What is the fundamental skill of a mechanic?"

"Mechanism Skills. No one has an Empowered Mechanism as far as I know, but there could be someone in the military. But you need that skill to work with the various parts and components safely to make sure you take everything apart and put it back together."

"Do you have the skill?"

"Yes, just Tier 1. I messed around with this vehicle quite a bit, figuring out how everything works, but I wouldn't dare take apart the Mana compressor. That is how you have accidents and dead dwarves."

"And it doesn't break?"

"Not easily unless you crash or mess something up yourself. All the cases I know where a Mana compressor failed are because someone did something to it that they shouldn't have. Three corporations make them, and there used to be a lot of accidents. Now the councils have cracked down on that kind of thing heavily." It was weird, since I could understand buying and using a sword. You bought the sword, and so it was yours. I knew how to take care of my weapon and clean it properly.

But Anerac didn't understand how everything worked in the Mana compressor. But for these Mana compressors, there were too many other professions involved. It felt unearned that such incredible craftsmanship was available to regular people. That was what threw me off about the entire situation. Though elitist, it changed societal function. Mana compressors were used for more than just magical carriages. They were now showing up in modern farm machinery. If it had the strength to pull people, it could pull a plow.

The interesting aspect was that the System recognized Driving skill. Does the Farming skill cover farming machines, or would a new skill arise? Once back at the inn, we had dinner. Anerac had an event to go to, so he took off while Healer Melon and I enjoyed a mushroom stew and fresh bread for dinner.

"Have fun?" Healer Melon asked me. I had paid a gold coin for an entire day's driving lesson.

"Yes, actually. I plan to arrange a couple more training sessions for the Driving skill."

"At least you aren't crazy like the other dwarves."

"They are trying to push the skill to new heights. Increasing the level would be a massive headache after the initial surge, since it depends on the equipment. It is easier to go faster or take greater risks."

"Are you planning to take greater risks? At those speeds, if you hit something, or the Mana compressor explodes, you are done for," Healer Melon said while his bald head glinted in the magical light.

"I don't plan to make it my profession. Driving is fun, but I'm unsure about the limits of the magical carriage. There are also many more tricks for going faster and developing supporting skills. No, I want a strong understanding of the skill and not to be completely hopeless if I must drive something."

"You are diluting your focus and training, but we have already had that argument," Healer Melon said, reminding me of what my mother would say.

"That is fine. I am not a golem or a puppet. If I want to learn a fun skill, then I will. I mean, even Sweet Tooth lets me savor sweets better." Healer Melon's bald head got several worry wrinkles, and then he let out a sigh.

"Fine. I am just supposed to watch over you."

"All the way through my time at the College of Enrollment?"

"Yes. And a few years after that, for ten years total. They allow one retainer per student to go with them to the College of Advancement."

"I am betting most students get a guard of some kind."

"Most do. But a Healer who can replenish reserves is more useful for training."

"And my mother isn't worried about my safety?" I asked just to understand what she was thinking.

"She is trying to give you space to succeed or fail on your own. You wanted independence, well, you have it. Learning a Driving skill, really?" He gave me a look of disappointment.

"After all the skill levels I gained in the previous three months, my methods work best. Maybe there will be a unique skill synergy somewhere. Regardless, I enjoyed driving. Don't ruin it."

"Fine, fine. It isn't my place to judge." He was judging me quite a bit.

"I am just worried about you. Right now, it is a couple of simple skills, but what if you get more depraved skills? There are dangerous drugs out there, like Pi Crystals or Pic."

"Like the math term or the food?"

"It is an acronym. Powered infused crystals. Easy to become dependent on the stuff. A jolt of Mana right into your soul, but it will cause health complications. Drug Connoisseur is a terrible skill to get. I am worried you are going down a dark path."

"Driving will not lead to drugs. There is no skill synergy there."

"People say that. But then they are struggling to live and want more drugs. Anerac is taking Pic."

"What?" I asked in shock, and Healer Melon nodded.

"I did a health scan of both of you during the driving session. He shows clear signs of Mana destabilization. He is an addict and definitely has the skill Drug Connoisseur. The health issue is that Mana isn't entering evenly from his soul. There is residual damage, like scarring from where he has overdrawn. This boosts stats, which he probably did to give himself an advantage in the races. But once you start, it is hard to stop. It takes months to recover from that type of damage initially.

Once you take the stuff for too long, it will be too late."

"And you checked without his permission?"

"I asked. Remember? After that hard turn. And he didn't object. You need to be careful with whom you associate yourself."

"Why are people so disappointing once you know them better?"

"That is just nature. Just as everyone doesn't know your history, you don't know their history. But that is why you need to be careful. You absolutely cannot take any substance. Your Alchemical toxicity is too high. If you do something like that, especially with Pic, you will die or be seriously injured even if I manage to save you."

"I promise I won't take weird things."

"Hmm, as long as you understand," Healer Melon said. Driving didn't seem so fun anymore.