Book 2 Chapter 72 (Patreon)

“Everybody wants to pursue alternate mana systems, enchanted by their bells and whistles. New star? Pacted companion? Grove and warden?
Most don’t think of all the costs and drawbacks that accompany them. Standard mana systems are simple and direct. They don’t demand maintaining a delicate balance between conflicting stars. Rules and contractual duties don’t limit them. Best of all, standard system users don’t have to nurture gardens in their inner realm, regularly update spells, or deal with a chatty spirit beast. Solitary star systems have consistent growth and rules. Users might ascend slower than a warlock and lack the versatility of a binary system, but at the end of the day, it gives one the most power for the least restrictions.”

—David Tobias Mercer, Imperial Court Mage

Even though Terrastalia loomed over the City of Ygg for several days after his appearance, the council kept the city in the dark. They only told the population what they needed to know to keep them calm. Shipments of valuable materials from the dungeon reassured the masses enough regarding purposely leaked news of a new friendly dungeon lord.

Several city-states along the Bleached Wastes and the Imperium openly cooperated with dungeons.  The former did it for survival and the latter for profit. Delvers entering the divine domains never challenged the deep bosses or approached the dungeon lords and only visited the surface levels to mine resources. Their presence and combat with dungeon dwellers released enough mana to sustain the dungeon. Several parties, including the city, believed cults were involved in the sustained cooperation, but there was little most could do to investigate or confirm such suspicions.

Since the university and city wanted to project the idea of all being normal and business as usual, the party received no time to rest. The end-of-semester exams were upon them. Given the state of his arm and mana system, Nox had to give up on Finesse Shaping and Live Spell Weaving. Letting him pass based on past performance wouldn't be fair to other candidates, and Nox respected the professors’ decision to fail him. He had already achieved everything he desired from the courses. He didn't want special accommodations and didn't believe anyone owed him for all he had done and sacrificed.

Meanwhile, Nox passed Intermediate Dungeon Theory with an above-average score. Since he had little to do besides guide his employees and new apprentice, he dedicated all of his time to his studies. It helped Nox keep his mind off the recent losses. Nox was still deciding whether to give up on delving or academia, and the course also served as a prerequisite for several research department courses. Best of all, the pass helped Nox further legitimize his adept delving license. Completing the course along with Intermediate Mana Theory and Advanced Dungeon Combat were standard requirements to earn the qualification through Woodson University.

The new planet and his written exam helped Nox achieve almost the maximum score in Introduction to Familiars and Summoning. He hadn't thought about a future in the school of magic. The concept of commanding minions during the heat of battle didn’t appeal to him. However, the current state of his mana system forced Nox to reconsider. Thanks to whatever Lillin did to him, his mana zone extended up to four feet from his maximum reach. However, it wasn't a perfect dome. Instead, it wobbled like jelly, occasionally warping. Nox didn't quite understand what it meant, but he planned on exploring the abnormality.

When it came time to pick courses for the next semester, Nox focused primarily on the research department. He doubted two months was enough time to fix whatever was wrong with his new star and its effects on his Mana System. Nox hoped to continue delving but needed to reassess his approach to combat. Despite the administration's advice, Nox reapplied to Advanced Dungeon Combat but planned only to get involved in a support role.

Advanced Mana Theory and Understanding Binary Star Systems were both long-term courses. The professors teaching them demanded a three-semester commitment or two semesters and a research assistant role. Nox opted for the former. He foresaw staying in the city for the foreseeable future because of his business. He had to meet with the department's dean and the related professors to complete the enrollment process.

Nox’s involvement in the Terrastalia event wasn't common knowledge. However, the news had spread amongst the senior staff. The research department’s dean had already met him because of the Singh incident, too. As a result, getting their approval wasn't too challenging. In fact, because of the rarity of binary star systems and the current issues plaguing Nox, the department was keen to have him as a research subject as much as a student.

Initial research into binary mana systems had intrigued and excited Nox. They didn’t provide versatility just through two arcane sources but also with more planets. His system currently housed three planets, as expected of all mages of his rank. However, his new star only had one planet. Meanwhile, Crystalize Essence had Essence Shaping and Animation and shared Spatial Familiar with its neighbor, which meant that the Temporal-Sphere star had room for two more planets.

Binary systems suffered a significant drawback. If one didn’t maintain a balance between both stars, the more powerful body risked causing an imbalance. It could potentially steal planets from its neighbor, ruining years of hard work. There was also the risk of one star getting too big and devouring the other. Therefore, Nox would need to keep Temporal Sphere from ascending to Expert and redistribute excess mana to new planets until he found a way to fix his current predicament and grow Crystalize Essence to a reasonable size.

The need to maintain a balance also slowed the mage’s long-term growth. A binary star system user with two adept stars had enough mana to match a mage one rank above them. However, each core spell was only half as potent as that of a low-expert. In the short term, they traded versatility for strength.

Nox felt tempted to enroll in Beginner Manipulation. Adding more planets would help him function as a mage and possibly a delver despite his current predicament. However, Nox convinced himself not to rush into a decision. Understanding the new spell and binary systems took priority.

Alexander needed time to heal, and Joey was nowhere near understanding Djinn Fire. A six-month break from delving would benefit the party, and he believed they would welcome it after recent events. So, Nox only enrolled in one practical course: Beginner Familiar Command And Combat.

Even though Nox didn’t need to enroll in another class and his time would be better spent on the business, he did so anyway. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision but a path he had spent several months pondering. Then Kris’ passing and inheriting her research, journals, and notes pushed him to make the decision. He signed up for Beginner Ward Crafting. Artisan’s Library would make memorizing the course material easy. Once Nox fixed his current issues, Finesse Shaping would help turn the craft into a weapon. His friends already jokingly called him a Battle Alchemist. Battle Ward Wright felt like the next logical step.

More importantly, learning the craft would help Nox better understand Kris and her work. Joey had no interest in the art of warding. He preferred the more practical side of magic and happily accepted their late mentor’s journals and notes on light, fire, and illusion magic. He had enrolled in Beginner Spell Weaving and hoped to modify her work to work with Djinn Fire, leaving Nox with her research and belongings related to ward craft.

Kris lacked liquid wealth. She had collected several relics over the years, and after testing them, he let Joey take most. The younger mage needed capital to stay at Woodson University. Nox suspected he also wanted to support friends from his old life and probably had debts, but didn’t question him.

The relics Nox picked were primarily new essence sources. He couldn’t cast Crystalize Essence as he normally would, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t construct hand-drawn spell circles for it. He had already done so for the base runescript so his apprentices could make healing and mana recovery pills. Essence Glass made alchemy easier, quicker, and more economical and had become an integral part of the business. Nox already had reliable sources of fire, frost, and sound essence. His new tools gave him access to illusory, mind, light, and shadow.

“Are you sure you want to be alone in the city?” Aria asked him the night after they finished enrolment. “Lillin and Terrastalia will portal away any day now. Kris is gone. The Woodsons are off doing their own thing. How’re you going to spend your time when not working?”

“What makes you think I’ll ever stop working?” Nox asked. His left arm felt numb under her pillow. However, the weight made the annoying tingling go away. “With half my mana system not working, I’ll have to do everything the long way. When not brewing, I’ll be in the library or training rooms trying to figure out Temporal Sphere and why it's abusing the rest of my mana system.”

“I just wish you’d come with me.” Aria sighed, twiddling his chest hair.

“I wish I could, Aria. I really do. The business needs me.”

“Really? I think Allen and the apprentices can do just fine without you.”

“I know they can, but I’m going to use the slower season to expand and solidify infrastructure. I’d very much like a new shop and perhaps a production workshop. Finding space, equipment, and staff will keep me busy.”

“That sounds expensive,” Aria commented. “Rent and real estate will skyrocket in the coming months, you know? If the City of Ygg becomes the first state to ally with Terrastalia, the rich and powerful will flood here from the settlements struggling after the last couple of seasons. Do you have the funds for this?”

“Not quite. But I have a handful of ideas to get what I need.” He kissed Aria’s forehead. “You won’t get the time to miss me. All the new residents and changes in the barony will keep you swamped. Besides, we only have five weeks of semester break. It’ll pass in no time. I promise.”

“I suppose.” Aria sighed. “It’ll be closer to four weeks if I stick around for Kris’ funeral.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Between my meeting with the council and dealing with everything else, we won't get a lot of time together. I don't want you to waste your days here while your father needs you. I’d also prefer you be as far from Bi Xi as possible while practicing your Spirit Walking.”

Aria laughed. “Are you worried about the tortoise’s intentions with the fabulous Lady Edelweiss?”

“Honestly? Yes! I don't trust that tortoise at all. First, the bastard held you hostage. Then, he took my friend from me. The further you are from him, the better I'll feel.” He grinned, pulling Aria in closer. “How's a half-mage supposed to compete with a titan that probably saw the dawn of time.”

“You're not a half-mage!” Aria scolded, smacking his chest. “I just don't want you to be alone at Kris’ funeral, alright? It will be a crowded public event, and I know how you feel about that. Maybe my company can make it better and tolerable.”

Nox kissed Aria deeply, tracing her curves with his right hand. He wished Artisan's Library would save her form to memory just as it did schematics and blueprints.

“Is it okay if I don't want you there?” He asked, pulling away. “I don't mean any offense by that,” Nox quickly added before Aria could protest. “You've been amazing this past week. I'm not sure if I could've survived it without you. I appreciate your presence. Your support. All the affection. Everything. I think I've grown to feel for you in a way I never did for Annabelle or anyone else.

“However, I'm no stranger to funerals. Balls. Soiree. Formals. These are all alien to me, but funerals aren't. You’ve already seen my most vulnerable side, and I'm afraid everyone else will, too, if you're there to comfort me. No one but you, and I suppose Diya, can see that side of me. Let me deal with this alone as the fallen's stoic apprentice.”

“Letting people see your vulnerable side isn't the worst thing, you know? It humanizes you. It tells everyone you're more than a mage, delver, and businessman. Your competitors and clients won't think less of you for showing them that you're a human being mourning someone dear to you. This caring side of you makes me want you even more, Nox Ratra.” Aria climbed on top of Nox, straddling him. He loved how she looked in the soft glow of his bedside aether lamp. They had left the windows cracked to cool the room, and Aria's hair fluttered with the gentle breeze. He almost lost himself In the gorgeous sight as she continued to speak. “However, I'll respect your request. I'll leave tomorrow and try to be back a week or two before the new semester begins. That'll give us a few days to enjoy ourselves before peak season and classes begin.”

“Thank you,” Nox said. “Perhaps we can also use the pre-semester gatherings to announce our official courtship? Just so Swati and the like know not to intrude in your territory.”

“I'd like that very much,” Aria told him before they continued with the more speechless part of the night.