He exhaled deeply and met Moira's voice in his mind. "Aether Weaver. That's the path for me," he said firmly, his decision aligning with the newfound creativity and discovery that had become his hallmark.
Moira's voice was filled with approval. "A wise choice, Vessel. You will grow in ways few mages ever dare to dream."
"Aether Weaver is more than a title it is a craft," Moira continued. "This path grants you the ability to shape mana itself, weaving it into form. With it, you can create simple weapons, tools, and objects using the materials at hand. You will come to know this as Hard Light, a physical manifestation of your will."
Robert flexed his fingers, already sensing the shift in his magic. "So I can just shape mana into a blade or shield?"
"Precisely," Moira confirmed. "But that is only the beginning. Aether Weavers possess a unique gift the ability to fuse opposing magics together, stabilizing what would normally repel. Fire and Water, Light and Shadow, you will find harmony where others see conflict."
Robert nodded slowly, already considering the implications. "And unweaving? It was mentioned in the description."
"A rare and powerful skill," Moira acknowledged. "Unweaving lets you dismantle magical constructs, stripping enchantments from objects or breaking spells apart. But be warned it requires twice the mana of the creation process. Use it wisely."
Robert grew excited, almost as much as he did when he first threw a summoned thorn. As he practically wiggled in suspense, his limbs grew heavy as lead, and his muscles went limp.
Robert let the power settle over him, feeling the intense shift in his magic as the threads of his abilities wove together into something greater. "How do I even practice something like this?" he muttered to himself, a note of both curiosity and apprehension in his tone.
Moira's voice was warm yet cryptic. "Through ingenuity. Through exploration. The path of a Weaver is not one of mastery alone, but of endless discovery."
Satisfied but thoughtful, Robert decided to assign Arcane Crafting as a secondary profession. "Moira, can I officially assign Arcane Crafting to level alongside my class?" he asked.
Moira responded immediately. "Of course. Your skill in crafting has already earned you the rank of Journeyman. You are halfway to mastery, and once you reach that threshold, you may choose a specialization."
Robert nodded, pleased with the structure. "Good. This feels easier to follow than whatever chaos I was doing before. Let's test it out. This cavern is full of jewels of different kinds. Can I create something out of them?"
Moira responded contently, "Of course you can. What would you like to make?"
That was the question, wasn't it?
He looked around at Snow, then at Hamish. His gaze settled on the jagged, worn longsword at Hamish's side. A battered weapon, but it had served well. This was a perfect opportunity.
"Hamish let me see your sword."
Hamish handed it over with a questioning glance, but Robert was already scanning the cavern. His eyes locked onto veins of hard crystalline mineral embedded in the walls, their structure gleaming under the dim light.
Robert reached out, channeling his Arcane Crafting and Aetheric Weaving. The cavern responded, fragments of the crystal breaking free and hovering in the air. He guided them, shaping their edges with focused intent, refining their structure into something sharper, something stronger.
The Hard Light coating took form, latching onto the edge of Hamish's sword. The once-jagged blade gleamed with a new, seamless edge, imbued with an unyielding sharpness. The enchantment settled, pulsing with latent energy.
"I want this edge to never dull," Robert murmured, weaving the final threads of the spell. "And when you're angry let it glow red."
The sword shimmered as the enchantment took hold. When Hamish grasped it again, the blade pulsed, a faint crimson hue flickering at its core. He gave it a testing swing, watching the gleam intensify as his grip tightened.
Hamish whistled. "Now that's a bloody fine piece of work."
Robert smiled while Hamish swung his sword around like a boy with a neat stick.
The trio, now rested and bolstered by their advancements, stood from their conjured seats. Robert gestured toward the castle in the distance. "Let's go find that shard," he said. Snow and Hamish exchanged a quick glance, then followed him without hesitation.
As they entered the castle, its rough construction seemed even more exaggerated up close. Massive stones jutted out at awkward angles, and wide gaps peppered the walls. The interior was dimly lit by glowing veins of mundane crystals embedded in the walls, casting an uneven, flickering light.
Eventually, they reached a chamber where the Crystal Shard rested on a pedestal of jagged stone. Unlike the polished precision of other shards they had encountered, this one looked crude and unfinished, its surface scratched and uneven. Its light flickered erratically, and as it noticed their presence, a voice emanated from it a bumbling, disjointed tone that seemed entirely unfitting for such a powerful artifact.
"Uhh hello? You here for thing?" The shard stammered, its glow flickering erratically. Deep scratches and cracks marred its surface, and it seemed to wobble slightly on the pedestal.
Robert narrowed his eyes. Something was off. "What happened to you?"
The shard pulsed unevenly, almost as if struggling to process the question. "Happened? Big one. Heavy one. Stomp. Crack. Bad time."
Hamish snorted. "Lemme guess. Some brute tripped and turned you into a mess?"
The shard hesitated, then flickered dimly. "Yes. Very big. Not smart. Feet like boulders. Ouch."
Snow giggled. "Oh no, poor little thing!"
Robert sighed, crossing his arms. "So, you're damaged. Does that mean you can't function properly?"
The shard wobbled slightly. "Function yes? Memory fuzzy. Magic scattered. But still shard! Still power!"
Robert rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The damage explained the disjointed speech, but it also meant this shard might be unpredictable. Moira's voice hummed softly in his mind, confirming his thoughts. "It is fractured, but not useless, Vessel. If you join it to another, you may uncover something surprising."
Hamish raised an eyebrow. "Fantastic. How are we going to use a brain-damaged dungeon?" he muttered, crossing his arms.
Robert groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Well. Though not its fault, it's an idiot."
He stepped forward, his patience already wearing thin. "At least this explains why most of these creatures aren't the brightest crayons in the box." And to the crystal shard, "Yes, we're here for 'thing.' What exactly do you do?"
The shard seemed to pause, as if confused by the question. "Do? I do things. Lots of things. Points. I have lots of points. Builders don't use points. So I keep them. Yes."
Snow blinked, trying to suppress a giggle. "It sounds confused."
Robert muttered under his breath, his attempts to curse once again hilariously censored. "Fudge gosh darn it Moira!" He complained, exasperated.
Robert rolled his eyes and turned back to the shard. "Alright, let's try this again. How many points do you have?"
The shard brightened suddenly, as if excited by the question. "Points! Lots! Tens of thousands! Builders are bad! They don't spend points! I keep them!"
Hamish snorted. "Well, at least their incompetence is good for something."
Snow stepped closer, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have any resources? Gems? Materials?"
The shard pulsed unevenly. "Yes! Shiny rocks. Lots of shiny rocks. Not magic just shiny. Pretty."
Robert examined the dungeon's display dimly shooting from the crystalline shard. It looked like it was handwritten by a child with finger paints, but parts were legible. "Take crystal away? Or Claim Dungeon?"
The shard flickered in what might have been hesitation. "Control or take. You are smart. You choose."
"Fantastic," Robert muttered sarcastically. He turned to his companions. "I'm taking the dungeon somewhere else. No way I'm leaving this thing in charge here."
The shard began to pulse rapidly as the dungeon's systems responded to Robert's command. A faint hum of magic filled the room as the structure began to shift. Snow, Hamish, and even Graleth were suddenly teleported outside, leaving Robert alone with the shard.
The pedestal sank slightly, revealing intricate etchings carved into its base. Robert leaned closer, inspecting the shard. Its surface glimmered faintly, but what caught his attention were the patterns within layered etchings that seemed to spiral infinitely inward.
"This thing's incredible," he murmured, running a finger along its surface. "It's like a crystal hard drive."
Moira's voice chimed softly in his mind. "It is far more than that, Vessel. It is a relic of ancient design, a fragment of knowledge and power."
With a deep breath, Robert pulled the shard free from its pedestal. The hum of magic intensified, and a swirling portal opened before him, waiting to transport him outside. He gave the shard one last glance, its chaotic flickering now oddly endearing.
It definitely can't function on its own and be useful, Robert decided. Moira sympathetically agreed with his internal musings, "You'd be correct, Vessel. But you might be able to join this one to the Kobold shard. You might find out something surprising."
As Robert emerged from the portal, the sight before him brought a mix of relief and sheer incredulity. Not only were Snow, Hamish, and Graleth safely outside, but scattered across the clearing were nearly fifty Lesser Brutes. The portal behind Robert sealed itself with a soft pop, sending tiny motes of magical energy drifting toward the crystal shard in his hand.
The Brutes were, as always, a chaotic spectacle. They wandered aimlessly, occasionally stooping to pick up rocks or sticks, turning them over in their massive hands as if evaluating their worth, only to toss them aside moments later.
One particularly inventive brute was jabbing a pointed stick into its ear, its expression of mild confusion suggesting it was either trying to excavate something or perhaps locate its brain. Robert wasn't entirely sure.
Snow folded her arms, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and pity. "It's like watching a herd of very large, very lost sheep," she murmured.
Hamish snorted. "Sheep, aye, but with rocks for brains."
Graleth, standing a few paces ahead, observed his kin with the same patient demeanor he had displayed since swearing his oath to serve. His crystalline veins pulsed faintly as he turned to Robert. "They are simple," Graleth said, his deep voice rumbling. "But they will follow. They understand orders."
Robert sighed, tucking the shard into a pocket inside his robes. "Good, because we can't leave them here. Let's get them back to the city gates. It's only half a mile. What could possibly go wrong?"
Graleth straightened to his full height, his commanding presence immediately drawing the attention of the wandering Brutes. "FOLLOW ME!" he bellowed, the sound reverberating through the clearing like a landslide.
The Lesser Brutes immediately shuffled toward him, gathering in a loose, clumsy formation. One brute tripped over its own feet, faceplanting into the dirt before quickly scrambling up and pretending it hadn't happened. Another continued digging its ear with the stick, pausing only to inspect the tip with mild curiosity.
Robert muttered under his breath, "This is going to be a long walk."
The group began their march, Graleth leading the way with the Lesser Brutes trailing behind him like oversized ducklings. Snow walked beside Robert, occasionally glancing at the Brutes with a mixture of wonder and concern. Hamish kept to the rear, his broadsword resting on his shoulder as he cast wary glances at the treeline.
The journey was uneventful at first, the only sounds being the rhythmic thud of heavy stone feet and the occasional grunt from a Brute stumbling over the uneven terrain. But as they crested a small hill, a chilling sound shattered the relative peace a long, low howl.
At the top of the hill stood a pack of wolves, their lean, hungry forms silhouetted against the dusky sky. The leader, an oversized grey-brown wolf with piercing eyes that glinted with far too much intelligence, stepped forward, its lips curling back to reveal gleaming teeth. Its gaze locked onto the group, and its hunger was palpable.
The alpha wolf threw its head back and let out a deafening howl, echoed by the six wolves flanking it. The pack began to move, their lean bodies flowing down the hillside like liquid shadows, their eyes fixed on the vulnerable human trio at the center of the Brute formation.
Robert instinctively lifted his shillelagh, his mind already pulling together the elements for a spell. But before he could release the magic, Graleth's voice boomed across the clearing, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. The Brutes snapped to attention, their chaotic fumbling ceasing in an instant.
Their gazes locked onto the wolves, something primal shifting in their stance. For a brief moment, they hesitated, their minds catching up to their instinct. Then, with a force like a landslide, they charged.
"KILL DOGS!"
The effect was instantaneous. The Lesser Brutes, previously slow and awkward, moved with a newfound purpose. Their instincts kicked in, battle overriding whatever dim thoughts normally occupied their minds.
Where they had stumbled moments before, they now advanced with terrifying precision, their heavy bodies moving in unison with crushing force. With thunderous steps, they charged toward the wolves, their heavy stone legs pounding the earth.
The ground quaked beneath the sheer force of their stampede, their collective battle cry a deep, guttural roar that sent shivers down the spines of the humans.
Snow and Hamish froze, wide-eyed, as the Brutes collided with the wolf pack. The sheer ferocity of the Brutes' assault was staggering. They didn't just fight they demolished.
Wolves were thrown into the air like ragdolls, their bodies crushed beneath massive stone fists. One Brute swung a boulder-sized fist with such force that it sent two wolves flying into the treeline, their limp forms vanishing into the underbrush.
The fight was over almost as quickly as it began. Within moments, only the alpha wolf remained, its once-fearsome presence reduced to a trembling shadow.
It snarled and snapped at the Brutes encircling it, but its attacks were futile. Its teeth skidded harmlessly across crystalline skin, one snapping audibly against the unyielding surface. The wolf yelped in pain, its defiance crumbling into desperation.
The Brutes closed in, their massive forms blocking the alpha from view. The humans couldn't see what happened next, but the sound of snarling and the sickening crunch of bone made it clear. When the Brutes emerged moments later, their expressions were as blank and unbothered as ever, as if they had simply completed a routine task.
Graleth strode back to Robert, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "Dogs are dead."
Hamish let out a low whistle, his grip tightening on his broadsword. "Well that was something. Didn't think they had it in them."
Snow clasped her hands together, her face pale. "They're effective."
Robert stared at the Brutes as they resumed their aimless shuffling, one casually picking up a rock and examining it as if nothing had happened. He shook his head in disbelief. "Remind me to never get on their bad side," he muttered, falling into step behind Graleth as they continued their march toward the city gates.
Hamish agreed completely, "I will remind you. I'm glad we didn't storm their castle, chief. That would have been very bad for us."
Robert exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he stepped toward the fallen wolves. He reached out with Essence Refinement, feeling the intricate threads of their forms unraveling under his control. The pelts lifted first, peeling away from muscle with effortless precision, as if an unseen blade flayed them to immaculate quality. Not a single tear. No need for a knife.
Next, the bones and meat separated cleanly, extracted from the bodies without mess or waste. Each part, pristine and perfectly portioned, arranged itself in neat stacks before him. The Lesser Brutes watched, some blinking in dull wonder, others adjusting their posture as if unsure whether they should applaud.
Snow tilted her head, her eyes wide with curiosity. "That's so handy! We can use those pelts for cloaks, right?"
Hamish grunted, eyeing the stack of meat. "Oi, save some of that for the stew. We've got mouths to feed back at the settlement."
Robert nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Exactly. These'll help keep the kobolds fed and warm through the next storm." The process had grown smoother with each wolf, his skill refining itself in real time. A pulse of warmth surged through his core a notification flickered at the edge of his mind.
Essence Refinement has leveled up to rank 10! You have reached a mastery threshold. Prepare for evolution.
Robert froze, the notification sending a thrill through him. "Rank 10," he whispered, his voice tinged with awe. He glanced at Snow and Hamish, who were watching him curiously. "Moira, what does this mean?"
Moira's voice filled his mind, warm and resonant, carrying a ritualistic weight. "Vessel, you have reached a pivotal moment. Essence Refinement, the skill that allows you to break down and refine materials, is ready to evolve. Choose the path that will shape its future, and yours."
Three options materialized before him, each accompanied by a shimmering vision of their potential:
Essence Mastery: Enhances precision and efficiency to an unparalleled degree, allowing you to extract pure elemental essences from materials fire from wood, water from flesh alongside physical components. These essences can be stored in your Aetherium Gem, used later to fuel spells or craft unique items.
Essence Shatter: Transforms the skill into an offensive tool, enabling you to project it outward to disintegrate enemies or objects in combat. Unravel the structural integrity of foes or barriers, reducing them to dust with a focused burst of mana, though stronger targets require greater concentration.
Essence Harmony: Expands the skill to harmonize with other magics, allowing you to blend essences of multiple materials or creatures into hybrid creations. Fuse pelts with metal for reinforced armor, or combine bone and wood for enchanted staves, with the resulting items gaining properties of both sources.
Robert rubbed his chin, his mind racing with possibilities. Essence Mastery offered incredible utility for crafting and spellcasting, while Essence Shatter could turn his skill into a weapon a tempting thought after the wolf battle. But Essence Harmony spoke to him on a deeper level. The ability to blend materials, to create something new from disparate parts, resonated with his Aether Weaver path and his love of innovation.
"Harmony," Robert said finally, his voice steady with conviction. "I choose Essence Harmony."
Moira's approval was palpable, her tone warm with pride. "A fitting choice, Vessel. Essence Harmony will allow you to weave the essence of creation itself, blending the old into the new. Let this skill guide you toward unity and invention."
A surge of energy coursed through Robert, the skill settling into its new form. He could feel the difference immediately a deeper understanding of how materials could be combined, their essences intertwined. He glanced at the wolf pelts and bones, an idea forming.
"Let's test this out," he murmured. He reached out with Essence Harmony, selecting a wolf pelt and a handful of crystalline shards he'd collected earlier from the cavern walls. The skill hummed to life, the essences of the pelt and crystal blending together under his guidance. The pelt shimmered, its fibers merging with the crystal to form a lightweight, durable fabric that sparkled faintly in the dusk.
Robert held up the resulting cloak, its surface both soft and unyielding. "This should keep someone warm and safe," he said, handing it to Snow. "What do you think?"
Snow's eyes sparkled as she ran her fingers over the fabric. "It's beautiful! And so strong! You're amazing, Robert."
Hamish chuckled, clapping Robert on the shoulder. "Not bad, lad. Keep that up, and we'll all be decked out in fancy gear before long."
Satisfied, Robert gestured for the Lesser Brutes to gather the remaining processed materials. Pelts, teeth, bones, and meat were piled into their massive hands, ready to be delivered to the settlement's stores.
While most handled their tasks dutifully, one Brute tried to chew on a bone until a stern glare from Graleth stopped it. The group resumed their march, the dig site's walls soon coming into view.
As they approached, Robert took a moment to survey the growing settlement. The walls now seemed more alive with purpose than ever before. Watchtowers rose at regular intervals, their structures simple but sturdy. In each tower, a kobold archer perched with taut vigilance, their glowing eyes scanning the horizon.
Along the parapets, kobolds paced back and forth between the towers, their movements brisk and purposeful. Robert counted eight in total, some sniffing the air, others chittering and clicking in their strange rat-like language.
Their discipline was impressive, and their presence added a sense of growing security to the settlement. A shrill horn could be heard being sounded as they approached, the kobolds on high alert.
They were quite different from the original kind he fought in the dungeon the first time through. They were more mouse-like in appearance and not quite so ugly.
Their genetics had been refined and rebuilt to suit Robert's tastes. They moved with quick agility and gazed for threats with keenly cautious eyes.
Hamish said, "I'll be damned. We got a mouse problem now, boss." He tilted his head slightly, watching the kobolds scurry with practiced efficiency along the walls. "They're quick. Real quick." His eyes tracked one leaping between platforms with surprising grace. "And coordinated. They aren't just scampering about."
Snow squeed. "Oh my gosh! They are SO CUTE! I love them!" And she began to jog to see them closer. Hamish and Robert chuckled at her, though Robert's gaze lingered on the kobolds a moment longer, considering just how much had changed since his first encounter with them.
Robert stopped the group just short of the gates, raising a hand to signal a halt. He turned to Graleth, his expression a mix of firmness and gratitude.
"Graleth, you've done well, but I need you to keep the Brutes outside the walls for now. It's not a matter of trust it's about practicality. I can't have them stomping through Albion's Grove or crushing anything valuable."
Graleth nodded with his usual solemnity. "Understood, Master Robert. We will wait."
The Brute Champion turned and barked a few deep commands to the Lesser Brutes, who obediently stopped in their tracks. One absentmindedly began stacking rocks, another twirled a stick in its hand, and yet another crouched low to inspect a patch of dirt with intense fascination.
Robert turned to Snow, who was already brushing the soft fur of one of the kobold guards with her hand, and Hamish, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "We've done good work today," he said, his voice steady. "I can't thank you two enough for your efforts."
As his words settled over them, Snow and Hamish felt a familiar tingling in their chests. Their mana cores pulsed brightly, and notifications appeared in their minds, marking the completion of their escort mission for Moira.
In Snow's hand, a shimmering frost-hued potion materialized, its contents swirling with magic. Hamish received a solid, rune-inscribed bracer that glowed with earthy energy. Both of them felt a surge of M-Power filling their reserves, leaving them with a renewed sense of strength.
"Looks like our efforts paid off," Hamish said, examining the bracer with approval before sliding it onto his arm. "Not bad for a day's work." The bracer added defense and dexterity to his forearms, giving him better control over the movements of his hands.
Snow smiled softly, clutching her potion as she turned to Robert. "It was worth it. Thank you for trusting us."
Robert nodded in return, a flicker of warmth in his expression. "Rest up, both of you. I'll need you at your best soon enough." His gaze shifted to the kobold dungeon portal, shimmering faintly in the distance. "For now, I have something else to take care of."
Without waiting for a reply, Robert strode toward the portal. As he neared it, the faint shimmer of its surface greeted him, and the familiar pull of magic washed over him. Stepping through, he prepared himself to meet the overly enthusiastic kobold dungeon core, a being he knew would have plenty to report.