Neska frowned as she glanced at Juni, twisting her whiskers with one hand. She had to admit, the mouse really did take this seriously. "Isn't that a touch exaggerated?"
"Seeing people's interface is about as intimate as seeing into people's souls," Juni said, sighing contentedly. "So are you okay with me seeing this?"
"Of course. I mean, you were the first person I met after...well, everything else that happened. I needed a way to convince you."
"True. And you've seen mine, too." Juni glanced at the hovering message that displayed her name. "Even this far in, the Interface perplexes me, and many others. It's some weird magic or unknown tech that allows people to see these displays at close range. Talk about strange, huh?"
"Floating messages are questionable, but people's souls stuffed into Varadur young isn't?" Neska felt a brow raise at that. "Do I dare ask how they manage that?"
"I don't think many people know the exact process. I can also tell you that it isn't easy to get them. Even monsters care for their young," she answered calmly. "Jurik told me he did it once, retrieving a newborn monster. He felt guilty about it afterward, knowing what would happen. He didn't tell me more than that. But I think that whatever happened, it dimmed his soul quite a bit."
"Still fighting, despite it all," Neska murmured. "I wish there were more people like him."
"Me, too. Anyway, where do we want to start?"
"I want to check out my witch specializations. If my [mana bolts] can carry venom that comes from my evolution side...I think there might be other changes," Neska reasoned. "Plus...I ponder if what happened to me is replicable."
If Risha could do this for one Awakened, it was possible to do for others. Neska wanted to ensure this was documented like Risha used to, in her voluminous tomes. She wondered if some of them survived–the witch had been careful to add protective wards to some of her items. The storage should remain safe...for now. "But, I think Risha had to pull out all the stops. She used a Tier Five core."
Juni's eyes went wide, and she practically shook. "A tier five core...was used to reinforce your soul? How in the hell are you not dead? Gods if, anyone knew that...there would be an endless line of people waiting to carve you up for that!"
Oh. That's how rare it was. Risha was not exaggerating. "What are the cores used for?"
"Well, if they're intact, they're powerful magic sources. I know common ones are used for enchantment work. They can reinforce the soul shell--the protective, sorta there, sorta not barrier that contains our soul and is a measure of its power. Some classes require a core of a certain tier to progress their own. Usually, the ones more involved in the ugly business of fighting the Varadur. And most people don't go that high in Tier, because... It's dangerous."
"So what does a tier five core come from?"
"Exceedingly dangerous monsters. The kind that can turn the tide of a massive battle and lay waste to entire regions. Dragons definitely fit, along with a few others such as chimeras, phoenixes, and maybe, a few others. But they are also exceedingly rare, and even the Varadur don't risk losing them."
Maybe that's why Wurm was an option? Neska shook her head. "I should be surprised, but I'm not. Alright, enough ghoulish details. Let's make some academia."
Juni beamed at this idea. "Sounds good."
Neska started her documentation, her pen held in the clutches of her tail. The pen was a mechanical marvel and didn’t drip or smear ink. Juni grabbed one of the blankets and sat next to her on the floor, watching with interest. "Okay, let's see what we have. Maybe read it out to me aloud?"
"Yeah. Vivi, let it roll," Neska announced.
A brief introduction to Alchemy, so that options are understood.
Alchemy is the process of transmuting one substance to another, imbuing magical effects, or combining substances to create unusual chemicals or magical properties. Access to this power allows one to understand the fundamental concepts of heating, cooling, measuring and detecting the effects of a substance. It does not include what they may be transmuted into when processing them. Witches and other classes may share their findings with others for duplication.
Alchemy utilizes the magic in substances or imbues mana from one's body into the solutions. As such, alchemy may be limited by the Soul attribute. Intelligence and Perception contribute to quicker understanding of products of different combinations, or predicting combinations–either direct ones, or ones derived from secondary reactions. Endurance allows for greater tolerance of toxic substances ingested by the body.
At each Tier unlock, a witch may select one specialization between Alchemy and Rituals. At Tier 3 and beyond, this expands to Hexes and Blessings.
Additional specializations are available only on Tier increases; Essence Points do not unlock these, but can be used to purchase Alchemy abilities.
Neska paused briefly to relay this to Juni, who let out a contented hum. “Sounds like a class description, alright.”
“Except for this weirdness.” Neska jabbed her finger into the air, and though she couldn’t see it, Neska saw one specialization that seemed very interesting.
Specialization: Venom Imbuement
Your venom and any variants of it may be used as a component in alchemical processes. Conversely, this also includes the ability to add alchemical effects to your venom by consuming these substances.
This will not cause harm if the substance is toxic, poisonous, venomous, or otherwise harmful to your body. The level of tolerance is endurance-dependent; higher Endurance allows more dangerous infusions to be consumed without harm. For this purpose, all Venoms are considered to have the alchemical affinity.
Juni almost dropped her pen as Neska told her this. “That is…Neska, on my gut instinct? That is absurdly good. And it utilizes your evolutionary form? That is…really, really specific. This is just like your Mana Bolt, with the venom enhancement."
"Maybe this is wish fulfillment? But I'd like an on-hit curse or blessing for the bolts, too," Neska proposed. "That could be handy."
Juni nodded, gently stroking her whiskers. "The upper Tiers of classes get strange. They start to become distinct for each person, starting with Tier three. There are some overlaps, but...there are unique abilities no one else can replicate. But this...feels extremely specific."
“The Interface facilitates what is possible. Attributes and personality shape it. Or traumas.” Neska frowned as another errant trailing ‘s’ left her snout. Juni didn’t say anything, but continued writing, engrossed in the details. “I presume it builds on something the witch class can already do.”
“An alchemist class might, but that’s because it’s a primary power. Conceptually, this is an amazing specialization,” Juni commented. “What else?”
Neska looked at the messages and continued to relay what she saw.
Specialization: Alchemical Analysis
Consuming an alchemical substance allows the user to identify its components and intuit how to reconstruct it. This will prohibit the user from benefiting from any alchemical infusion; like the Venom Imbuement, resistance to consumed substances increases with Endurance. For this purpose, all Venoms are considered to have the alchemical affinity.
“I…think I like that one, too.” Neska liked the concept. If she lived long enough and found these substances, either taken from monsters or from plants and the environment, then maybe there was a chance to bring some truly game-changing alchemical discoveries.
But the lack of personal benefit was steep. The potential might be higher, even considering the downside. “Juni, thoughts?”
“You know the basics of alchemy, yes?”
“From Risha, yes. It’s mana given different forms, in different substances. Effects are more predictable, formulaic even. There is repeatability and reliability in it.”
“Those are both strong. But you only get one. Leveling from Tier two is going to take longer.” Juni leaned backward, her back bumping into a coil of Neska’s body by accident when she leaned too far. “O-oh. Sorry.” The mouse girl then touched her scales, piquing Neska’s curiosity.
“What?”
“You’re warm. I thought snakes were cold-blooded. Not capable of maintaining a fixed body temperature in extreme temperatures.” Juni’s whiskers twitched, and she tapped the pen on the paper. “Have you always been like that?”
“I…don’t know.” She’d been born in the summer. She’d seen one winter, in Risha’s home, and when the cold winds blew, and the snow came, she was mostly stuck in Risha’s home. But the cold didn’t cause her to shut down, at least. “Maybe?”
“I-I’m sorry. Am I invading your…uh…space?” Juni shied away from her.
“No. You can stay.” Juni’s eyes brightened at that, and she used the blanket to snuggle up, pad of paper still in hand, while Neska used her tail for extra hugs. “So…rituals. Know anything?”
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“No. Jurik has a little Alchemy training. Anyone can do the basics with training, but doing truly special things requires a Class. But Rituals are a long-term, strategic power that can be very strong. If done right,” Juni explained.
Vivi’s description matched as she browsed through the details.
Rituals are the process by which power can be channeled or directed to create specific effects on objects, places, people, or even abstract concepts. Access to this power imbues the basic knowledge to create and perform a Ritual. Three primary components tie into the effectiveness of a ritual:
User's effective level + Intelligence and Soul. Specific Ritual effects may scale from other Attributes.
A focus object, used to channel the power. Natural symbols can be powerful, and may include blood, elements, living bodies or corpses, or other natural objects such as plants or metals.
Runic bindings, the medium by which runes dictating the intended ritual effect are applied. Rarer materials and synergizing materials increase the end effect. For instance, a ritual using blood and powdered bone from the same source for a Runic Binding will greatly increase the impact.
A failed Ritual will result in wasted mana and no effect, along with possible material component losses. Ensure rituals are performed in safe conditions or with appropriate countermeasures.
These specializations are available for Rituals:
Specialization: Mobile Ritual
A ritual may be performed using your body as a Focus. To this effect, the Runic Binder may be applied to your body, allowing movement during a ritual, with an upkeep of mana during the execution of the ritual. Losing focus or being heavily damaged will interrupt the Ritual.
Specialization: Empowered Ritual
A ritual effect may be applied with enhanced effectiveness, scaling from your Intelligence and Soul Attributes. The Ritual completion time is additionally reduced by Agility and Perception.
Neska glanced down at the scales on her body, tapping a claw on her side. “Painting my scales with ritual binder sounds like a bad idea. It’ll make me a prime target.”
“This is what big, scary Awakened are for, to draw attention!” Juni assured her. Then, she glanced at Neska’s notes. “That empowered ritual is pretty interesting, though. Enhanced power, reduced setup time? There’s lots of use for a fast ritual, especially if we’re up close against enemies. Some rituals only take several seconds, in a pinch. But, the longer they’re channeled, the stronger they can be.”
Juni did have a good point, but this was a tougher choice than between the alchemist options. And out of all of them, she could only pick one–for now. “I have to pick one. Also need to check out Hexes and Evolutions. At least I can plan ahead for strategic purposes.” Neska could start to see a structure in place: The Interface seemed to have a particular order for development.
“But you do know what you can pick, yes?”
Neska swiped a finger through the air, even though a mental nudge would have been enough. “Yes. Some are generic. Tougher scales, sharper claws, and fangs. Some enhance various parts of my body. I have to read through it tonight.”
Then she stared at the selection. "Oh, I have no idea what to feel about this one."
Evolution - Extra stomach
A serpent can ingest prey at a significant percentage of their body size, and break down a meal for months. Now you have the advantage of storing items in an extra stomach - a dimensional storage. The size of the inventory increases with Endurance. The types of items that can be stored safely is impacted by Soul.
Note: You still have to actually be able to fit it in your mouth. And it comes out the same way.
Juni looked aghast, and possibly nauseous. "Neska? For the love of the gods, don't pick that one."
"But it could be useful!" It was immensely useful. Conceal items, potions, weapons...okay, that last one might be a terrible idea. But being able to hide stuff for an emergency? That sounded very useful, and she couldn't help but grin. "It just made my top candidate list."
"By swallowing objects? Eww!" Juni groaned, grabbing her ears in frustration. "You're weird! I knew there was a catch to this dorm mate situation!"
Neska would add more to make her point, but then something caught her attention. She saw a mention of one last specialization--Rituals had three to pick from? Before she could start reading it, she heard a tap at the door. Juni jolted, and Neska dismissed the messages before snaking her way to the door, her hand resting on the latch. She dismissed the message to read later.
She slowly opened the door and saw no one–except for when she heard a cough below her.
Her gaze fell downward, and she saw a squat, mole-like creature about four feet high, looking at her with a toothy smile. It wore an academy uniform that conformed around its stubby legs and even had cutouts for the large, leathery platings on its back, with smaller, sharper ones mixed in. Its face was also mole-like, but it had large brown eyes that stared up at her. It also had sharp claws on its stubby hands, with more of those thin, leathery plates formed on its arms.
“Hi. I’m the meal.”
Neska blinked and slid backward. “I–uh–um…I think there-s-s been a mis-s-stake,” she stammered. This couldn’t be right. Had a student just offered to let her eat them?
“Nope. I’m the meal.” The creature continued to gaze up, with big, gleaming eyes that looked utterly innocent. It even clasped its paws together, as if pleading. “Just go easy on me, okay?”
It had to be a joke. She slid enough out of the way to show Juni, on her feet already. A wicked retort formed in Neska’s mind. “S-see, the thing is, I already got one snack. Taking two would be greedy.”
The creature peered at Juni, already trying to suppress a giggle, then the newcomer started howling with laughter. “Oh, you caught on quick! I had a bet with the others that you’d take it seriously! Looks like I lost!”
Even Neska couldn’t help but feel a twinge of a smile on her snout as Juni lost it, walking over to the door and pointing to a large tray of food–cooked fish, eggs, grains, bright red and blue berries in a cup, all neatly sorted, and certainly the real meal. Juni reached out a paw after they stopped laughing. “I don’t suppose this is some twisted academy rite of passage, is it?” she asked casually.
The other student let out a sigh, smirking contentedly. “Nah, I just heard there were new students on campus. I’m Tycus Anglopin. A pleasure to meet you. And glad it’s not love at first bite.”
Neska let out a soft chuckle–what an odd sensation, considering she hadn’t had proper vocal cords until this morning. “I’m–”
She froze for a split second. Right. Seekers. New identity. Until we find out how deep the corruption goes, I need to keep a low profile. “S-s-sorry. New body. I evolved this morning. I’m Cassia.” She reached down to shake Tycus’s hand, noting its leathery texture and its surprising warmth.
Juni picked up on it instantly and shook hands with them as well a second later. “Juni. We just arrived. We have an orientation tomorrow. Thank you for bringing this up. It was a…long ordeal, you could say. It was a bit of a harrowing journey.”
Tycus noted the patches of still regrowing fur on Juni. “It certainly looks like it.” He handed them the trays politely, with Neska eyeing the eggs and fish with keen interest. “Well, I’ll get out of your hair–fur–feathers, you get the idea. I’m located on the second floor, down the hall, room twenty. Most of us in this dorm are roughly humanoid-sized Awakened, so I should see you guys around. It’s a lot to take in, and even tougher if…you know, your memories didn’t all come attached.”
Neska tapped her temple gently. “Still a fast learner. And, thank you.”
“No worries,” he said confidently. Neska closed the door after he left down the hall, and let her body coil on the floor, leaning on the bed frame.
Juni eyed her with amusement. “You gonna swallow those eggs whole again?”
She shrugged in response. “I guess so.” Though with her larger frame, this hardly proved an issue, and the food slid down effortlessly. Juni nibbled thoughtfully on her own meal, commenting on the strangeness of the specializations. Neska also relayed several evolution options of interest she found, all with the benefit of a full stomach, now.
But which ones to pick? I have many choices, but only three points. What gets me the biggest value for an essence point? I should pick a general-purpose utility, then two specialized ones. I should just take them now, but...I did promise Serkin.
After a short while, they readied for bed, with Neska choosing a nightgown that seemed suited to her size. Juni did the same, and after turning off the lights, eventually, she drifted off to sleep.
Neska, however, tucked her body into a coil and hugged her frame tightly, unease filtering into her mind. The warm bedsheets offered her no comfort. Instead, she found herself clenching them tightly in her claws.
She’d finished reading the last specialization. And her first reaction was to recoil in horror that such a thing would even be an option.
Never. Never would I ever.
But the message was still etched in her mind. The fact that it was even an option left her body trembling. Her mind couldn't dismiss the memory of the dagger in Risha’s chest, moments before she died. She had a nightmarish thought that this specialization was here for a dreadful reason.
Specialization: Ritual Infusion
A ritual effect may be permanently affixed to a living being or object if the user sacrifices and consumes a creature as an additional requirement of the casting.
Valid consumption targets:
Monsters.
Humanoids.
Awakened.
She could hear that whispering scratch on the inside of her mind. The Voice, calling out to her.
See? I told you that you couldn't fight who you are. Not for long. Your very soul craves this power. All I have to do is wait long enough for you to want it so badly that you can't resist it.
She scrunched her eyes shut. You can't break free will, and you know it.
Oh? I can't? Who's having internal conversations in their head against their invisible, faceless adversary, trying to convince themselves they're a hero who will save the world?
Me, apparently. But that's alright, Voice. I'm the one who will end you before you can corrupt me like the others. After all, you're just another construct in my head of fears and doubts. She sank back into her bed, feeling her waking thoughts fading.
*Do you think you can ignore me forever, little snake?*
She opened her eyes to see a stone altar and a bound figure thrashing, feet and paws bound together.
Juni.
A cowled figure flanked by three others surrounded the altar in a crypt with damp air so old she could taste death on her tongue. They chanted arcane murmurings that hissed through the dead air of the crypt. Bones and blood littered the floor with careless abandon. There was nothing but ill omens here.
The cowled figure's green eyes glittered under the torchlight, a silver-handled athame in their hand. She peered at Neska knowingly, remaining silent.
*Do you think you can change who you are? Do you think you can ever stop being who you were?*
The cowled figure raised the pristine blade, errant torchlight reflecting off the mirror-like surface. The prone figure of Juni was surrounded by arcane runes painted with blood, indicative of a profane and evil ritual.
The cowled figure raised the blade high, Juni making panicked gasps behind the gag that kept her voice suppressed. Fear was etched on her face, knowing the inevitability of this pending motion.
Neska narrowed her eyes. Is this all you have, Voice? Poisoning my mind with corrupted thoughts? You're going to have to do a lot better than that.
A mocking laugh filled the air. An audible laugh, coming from the cowled figure. An eerily familiar voice that left an unsettled tingle down her spine, even as she slithered in for a closer look.
The figure's eyes looked familiar. A lock of auburn hair draped down, just visible from where the cowl covered. They lowered the blade, then offered it to her. The other chanters receded from the altar in an unspoken gesture.
"Why don't you do the honors, Neska?" the woman spoke.
"No. I'm getting tired of these mind games."
The cowled figure let out a mocking laugh again and pushed their cowl up over their head. Neska's eyes met her own, and the trembling spread along her spine again, all the way down the length of her body into her tail.
"What mind games? This is just a borrowed inspiration of what you've already done." The human face in front of her...she knew it was her own, but the grin spreading across it, wasn't.
"Liar. I've seen this trick before."
Her human self grinned unnaturally wide, predatorially wide. "Then why are you shivering if this isn't real?"
"Fear is a reaction. One we choose to respond to, just like your actions. And my past doesn't dictate my future, no matter what twisted vision you throw at me."
The smile contorted into a look of contempt. "You say that now. But you'll see. I'll show you."
She thrust her tail toward the helpless Juni as her former self plunged the dagger downward.
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