Chương 153: Chapter 158: Bustle

I checked the time. More than two hours had passed. And despite spending most of this time in accelerated perception working on reining in my aura again, I managed only a couple of feet of extra compression. Still, progress. I didn't do just that though. No, I managed to regain part of my combat capability with my aura. The nearest layer, I was making it flow constantly to keep it from expanding.

It was the best method I could find instead of just pulling it to me, and it had one added benefit: it allowed me to manifest my aura externally again. With some difficulty and mental strain, but still, I could do many things. My defense was back, but not my flight capabilities. No matter. I had made progress already. I was hoping by the time we reached the new safe zone I could go back to full control. I rose from my seated position.

My eyes were still making me look at everything in monochrome, except for the slowly burning flames in the braziers. Still, I could more or less recognize the colors from the shades of grey. I exited the room and went into the hallway. This place was so silent. With only me here and no noise from the outside, it was strange, but not unwelcome. I felt like the constant noises in the forest, and even more in the town, were wearing me down. I descended the stairs and returned to the entrance of my… manor? I think.

Well, it wasn't that big, but it was for sure comfortable. Especially as a home away from home. I took out the stylo again, and it repeated the same process as before, drawing magical lines on the empty wall and forming a door that would bring me outside. I opened the door handle, this time made of stone, and swung it open. I appeared exactly where I had entered from, in that big tree near the edge of the forest. Only, I wasn't alone. A group of gremlins were camped around me.

Almost everyone was busy shouting at each other while swinging their little arms. Only two bigger ones were calmly evaluating the work of the others. A gremlin that looked like a shaman or some kind of nature mage, while the second one was built more like a warrior. Pity that it wouldn't do them much good to have decided to stay here. As they noticed me all at once they sprang into action. Thrown magic, little hatchets, arrows, and more all flew towards me. I accelerated my perception.

Honestly, I shouldn't have bothered. They were that much slower than me. But it was better to keep bad habits away, and anyway it would help me improve my skills. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Actually yesterday I was so focused on coming back fast that I didn't experiment with my skills as much as I wanted. But there was a particular combination that I wanted to try out. First things first.

A number of tethers snapped into existence between me and all the gremlins present, twenty-four to be exact. Thanks to my Passive Casting and Accelerated Processing, the whole thing was nearly automated. My input was minimal. There was an incredible synergy between the two skills. I should be able to kill all of them easily, but it would not serve my purpose. Now that their way out was cut off I focused on creating another tether.

At the same time I infused my will into a stream of mana and linked it to the free end of the manifested aura tether. A kind of large but thin arrowhead appeared in front of me, linked through the aura. Then multiple smaller blades, more similar to teeth, appeared along the length of the tether. I could feel the skill strain as I did so. It was meant to be a lance, a lance of chaotic energies which was prone to explode. That instability was natural for the skill. It gave it its power.

But the skill itself was even less malleable than its previous version. The fact I could control it at all was a testament to Unbound Arcana, my evolved trait. Still, I had to infuse and reinforce every blade I created, and their connection with the tether. It was that unstable. I took the implement with my right hand, swinging it in a wide arc. I didn't have to physically swing it, it responded to thoughts easily enough, but adding some muscle power didn't hurt.

The bladed tether reached the first gremlins and absolutely shredded them, cutting through or stabbing them and dragging everyone along for the ride. After the first attack was completed I mentally and physically pulled on the tether again. The line of aura became shorter in a moment, shearing through the gremlins stuck on it and transforming into a kind of misshapen sword composed of a multitude of blades and a big arrowhead-like tip. I looked at the weapon I created. It was… cool, but not very practical.

Now if I could make it work like a chainsaw, well maybe. I tried. Linking both ends of the tether together, a circle formed with blades running all along it, both outside and inside. I started to make it spin as the projectiles the little shits threw at me impacted my reinforced aura, clinking off to the side while doing exactly zero damage. The spinning ring of death was wobbling precariously as it was not that aerodynamic, but I kept it stable by my magic and will alone, then sent it on its merry way.

As it passed it bisected anything coming in contact with it, the big warrior included. The shaman, though, threw down a kind of totem made of wood and bone. A barrier of green magic encapsulated it, and under the protection of the barrier it started gesticulating and dancing with strange ritualistic movements. I was done with my testing though. I made the bladed ring enlarge, then constrict around the barrier. The teeth of my weapon created sparks as they ground against the barrier.

In a split second they made it pop and closed in on the dancing shaman, cutting it in half at chest level. Silence returned to the forest as I dissipated the tethers and the conjured weapon. It was pretty efficient to literally grind down defenses, but it had the disadvantage of taking some time to get ready and act. Still, it was another little addition to my arsenal. I started walking toward the town. My aura training left me with a slight headache, and the day was just starting.

I was hoping that things would work smoothly from here on out, but I didn't really count on it. No guard barred my access this time, and entering the common room I found it more similar to a beehive than anything else. People were going to and fro, preparing backpacks, supplies, weapons and armor. The crafters were messing with some kind of carts again. This time we were nearly sixty, so we needed more food and water, but the three-day journey would be more manageable than the unknown one from before.

Tom was on a table, barking orders left and right to a group of similarly armored people, while Chloe ushered a group of crafters to prepare another cart. I saw the vanguard all bunched up in the far corner of the room. Rhea and Alya were near each other, eyes still puffy but calm, while Quinn was working as Melissa's headrest as she basically lay on him. He was one of the first to notice me, and was looking at me with puppy eyes. Sorry Quinn, you got what you wanted. Now deal with it.

God knew I would have to do the same. Mary passed beside me with the doc and a couple of other people, talking about medical supplies and not letting anyone bleed out because of some cheapskate. Then Marcus approached me.

"Please get this show on the road. I can't stand to watch them running around like headless chickens for much longer." I looked at the man. He was feeling strong to my senses. He didn't spend his time idling by for sure, and I didn't know where this sudden eloquence came from but I couldn't say that I disliked it.

"I think they did a fantastic job actually, but a kick in the butt wouldn't hurt. How are you doing, Marcus?" He grunted.

"Fine, but I'm getting out of here. I would retake my role as scout if you don't mind, like right now." I chuckled.

"Please, be my guest." I couldn't finish talking before he disappeared outside.

"Everyone!" I shouted loud enough to ring out in the common room.

"Pack up and get into formation outside, we're moving in five!" A moment of silence preluded a renewed bustle as everyone scrambled to make their final-minute preparations. It was nice to see them working together. Maybe that skill wasn't that evil after all if it could accomplish this.

"Ready?" asked Tom while the other members of the vanguard approached.

"Always, let's go."