Book 2 Chapter 11 (Patreon)

The Wedge's crew wasn't pleased. Despite Annabelle leaving the vessel to the party for two more weeks, the Oakhearts had apparently implied they wanted it back as soon as possible. The voyage to the City of Ygg alone would take seven days—not accounting for unfavorable weather conditions or hostile forces. As a result, the captain and first mate wished to set sail after breakfast. However, most of the party had meetings with important figures in the barony. Yet they had the pantry stocked with provisions and full water barrels and requested they not delay.

When Nox and Michelle entered the fort for their meetings, Ernest stayed behind to shrink their laboratory with his magic and stow it in the cargo hold. He did the same with the former myconid royal guards. The crew was hesitant but relented following Kris’ insistence.

Sitting down with Baron Easton Edelweiss figuratively stretched Nox’s nerves to their elastic limit. He worried his night with April would’ve angered the man. Much to Nox’s relief, they left the topic untouched during their conversation. Instead, they only discussed business.

Fortunately, Easton didn't want the flame slime concoction's recipe. Instead, he and his advisors appeared content with the research notes regarding how it interacted with the myconids. The cats hadn't developed any abnormalities overnight, and the fungi displayed no toxicity. After an hour of negotiation, they came to a deal satisfactory for all parties.

The barony would send ships to the city carrying elite and royal myconid samples every month. They'd return with two crates of the fire slime concoction, cosmetics, and contraceptives. A thousand gold coins would serve as Nox’s compensation and funds for his research. He would need to provide an invoice and had the right to request more money with the necessary paperwork.

Given the costs involved, initial profits would be low, but Nox thought about the long term. Eventually, the scales would tip in his favor. House Edelweiss also felt like a valuable ally. They were less rich and powerful than the Oakhearts and didn't have as influential a position in the city. But that mattered little to Nox. It meant they cared about politics a lot less. Contracts with two noble houses also gave the new business a positive public image.

The baron received all the fire slime concoction Nox had created. The surviving myconids would inevitably settle in nearby caves and ravines. The baron wished to cull their population and contain them. He and his advisors planned on leaving a few alive in case the creatures proved useful to the barony. In the meantime, they tasked Michelle with finding a cure for spore infections. He wanted to ensure no more of his subjects turned into mushroom-controlled corpses.

Nox and Michelle had separate contracts but intended to collaborate extensively on the projects. However, they agreed not to share patents born from the work. Nox appreciated the terms of the agreement, even though her creation was easier to achieve and would likely make more money. The baron also handed him a sealed letter and instructed him to open it only after the Wedge took to the air. Michelle had also received a similar document.

By the time they returned to the Wedge, the laboratory was all packed, and no crates littered the ground around the vessel. In fact, the crew had gone to great effort to ensure the space appeared spotless and untouched.

The arcane engines responsible for take-off had already started their warm-up. Primin was necessary after a month of inactivity. The vessel levitated ten feet above the ground with nothing but the rune-covered anchor holding it down. Nox’s coat fluttered as artificial gales blowing from the vessel buffeted him. He had to hold the papers sticking out of his satchel to ensure the wind didn’t carry them away.

“Sorry for holding you up,” Nox said after ascending the steep gangplank. A blast of air from the aether engine almost bowled him over halfway up the ridged length of wood.

“We’re still waiting for Kris,” Lillin said. She leaned on the railing, watching the fort and the camps along its border. Carts and wagons had replaced the tents. Long lines of vehicles moved along rough roads away from the fort toward the ravaged countryside. Lillin frowned, eyes narrowing as she watched the fort town’s gates. “Speak of the wyrm, and it shall appear.” Lillin glanced over her shoulder and yelled. “Your wait is over, Captain!”

Despite Kris’ return, the man appeared displeased. A procession of men followed her, carrying chests and crates. Instead of using the gangplank, the crew rigged a platform attached to pulleys to load the additional cargo. They mostly used it for bulky containers but made an exception since the vessel had already taken to the air.

As soon as all the cargo was loaded and safely stowed, the captain ushered the party below deck, and they began take-off procedures. While the crew worked, they gathered in the dining area. The chairs were too small for Ernest. So he stood behind his sister while everyone else sat.

“Open your letters,” Kris told Nox and Michelle.

The pair exchanged glances before obeying. Everyone sat in silence as Nox read and reread the letter. He looked at Michelle. She seemed as surprised as he felt.

“What is it?” Lillin asked.

“I’m a knight,” Nox said. The words sounded alien coming out of his mouth.

“You both are,” Kris said.

“What? How is that fair?” Lillin frowned. “The entire party contributed to the battle? Why—”

“We all fought.” The professor took the letter out of Nox’s hands and passed it to Lillin. “Nox and Michelle did a lot more than that. They saved hundreds of lives, invented concoctions to fight the fungus, and are partially responsible for the barony’s survival.”

“Why is it a secret, though?” Nox asked. “Why did we have to wait until we were in the air before opening the letter?”

“Because the barony can’t afford to hand out knighthoods right now,” Kris answered. “Custom demands ceremony and endowments. Currently, the barony has other priorities. It's no secret. You can use the title if you wish, and an announcement will go out with every vessel that leaves the barony. It builds morale and also lets neighbors know that the territory is still strong and stable enough to hand out titles. This works out positively for all involved parties. You don’t have to swear an oath; the baron has marked you as his assets. It’s a crucial message to neighbors that might want to take advantage of the barony’s current state.”

“Sir Nox Ratra.” Lillin laughed. “That sounds ridiculous. I bet Lord Oakheart will kick themselves for the decision.” She paused for a moment, appearing thoughtful. “You think Easton did it so people don’t think his daughter bedded a nobody? The two of you were sucking face in public. News is going to spread. It's best for April’s image if everybody thinks she bedded a new knight.”

“Nonsense.” Kris rolled her eyes. “Nox and the rest of us are already the barony’s heroes and saviors. That’s good enough a bed buddy for a baron’s daughter.”

Nox and, fortunately, everyone else moved past the topic swiftly. He studied the wording and the crest. “Sir Nox Ratra.” He chuckled, looking up at Michelle. “We earned a title. No one died and passed it on to us. Nepotism didn’t get us a knighthood. We earned it.”

“The Imperial Inquisition won’t be pleased when they hear the name Beaufort attached to a knighthood,” Michelle said. Worry polluted her mostly joyous tone.

“To Nidhogg’s taint with the inquisition,” Ernest said, kneeling next to his sister. “You’re building a new legacy for the Beaufort name. Some day, your children and grandchildren will be able to use the name with pride and not worry about the Imperium hunting them down. Good job, Shelly. I’m proud of you.”

“I’m proud of both of you,” Kris said. “Good job. Really. I hear you’re going to profit  handsomely from your deals with the barony.”

“It won’t bring in a lot of gold, but should help Noxian Brews grow its public image,” Nox commented.

“Not all profit is monetary, apprentice.” The professor grinned. “Good job. Since you and I finally have some time without war or work, perhaps we can discuss your mana system’s future?”

“Of course, professor.”

The Beauforts and Lillin remained seated around the table. Meanwhile, Nox and Lillin slipped onto the upper deck, passed the busy crew, and into her cabin.

“I can’t believe this,” Nox said once they were alone. “A knight? What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Whatever you want,” Kris replied. “Rank comes with privileges. Use it to get discounts, information, and access to places you wouldn’t be allowed before. Riches and arcane power aren’t enough for our war, Nox. We need political and social pull as well. I didn’t think that would be possible for you, but I suppose I was wrong. You’re creating waves. The past drama with the Gedges and your banishment will only add to your infamy.” She adopted a stadium announcer’s tone. “Nox Ratra. Former prince. Renegade alchemist and mage. He was banished from the Trade Empire for his eccentricities, but his talents forced the Merchant Queen to forget his crimes—”

“Crimes? What crimes?”

“Fanfare and drama rouses the crowd. You want public favor. Don’t you?”

Nox laughed. “So. My mana system?”

“Yes. I wanted to discuss your star and new planets. How far are you from adept?”

Nox showed Kris his manameter.

Nox Ratra
Journeyman
Crystalize Essence | Essence Shaping | Animation
98/99 | 33/31 | 11/11

"Two, if not one more rift, should be enough to get my star to adept rank. I was hoping to use the voyage to complete my Animation planet and ascend Shaping to begin moon formation."

"What about your star?"

"What about my star?" Nox asked. "It's fine. Is it not?"

"You're still using an alchemist's spellform," Kris said. "Don't you think it's time you fixed it and expanded it for the upcoming adept ascension?"

"Expand the spellform?" Nox raised an eyebrow. "Is that necessary? I already have a three-dimensional spell in my star."

"Is that enough to fulfill your ambitions?" Kris raised an eyebrow. "Archmages only reach their rank because they evolve and upgrade their mana system's spellforms at every opportunity. Your star has grown and has room for more. Why don't you think about adding another layer to Crystalize Essence, expand its capabilities and your base arsenal."

"What about Shaping and Animation?"

“They’re low priorities. I don’t know why you haven’t ascended the Shaping planet yet. It's well within your capabilities. A day or so of meditation should be enough to gather and shape the mana before gravity does the rest of the work. Do you have a spellform for Animation?”

Nox passed her his pocket diary. It rarely left his person. He had acquired a new one after completing his Shaping planet. He couldn’t tell whether his spell weaving had improved or Animation was significantly easier than Shaping. Creating a spell form for the planet was no challenge at all.

“I’ve made rotation and revolution scripts the focus of the planet,” Nox explained. “They’re most useful in combat. Rotation will increase my arrow’s power and accuracy. Revolution ensures the accompanying essence-glass shards don’t change trajectory. Speed adjustments will also improve their destructive power. I believe both motions will also improve my defensive prowess. Animating Slow and Crystallize Essence disks to revolve around me will give me a low-cost but powerful defense that requires little to no concentration.”

“If you’re smart about it, the mana cost should be low, too,” Kris commented. “Good job. I’ve got no notes. Completing the planet should take you no time at all. Spend the voyage focusing on your star. I’d like you to add another layer to the spell. I can’t help with the project since it is outside of my expertise, but feel free to brainstorm whenever you’d like.”

“I don’t know where to begin.” Nox sighed. “Crystallize Essence is already a complete spell.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” Kris told him. “We’re going to sit here and talk until you can present three rough ideas. I wasn’t much of a mentor to you last semester. The investigation kept me too busy. It's about time I set up and do my job.”