Chrysalis

[Still, one advantage you have over monsters of your tier is that you have a fairly capable basis for multiple thought threads, which is the optimal way to grind your mental Skills.]

[That's what I've been doing. At least lately. The idea was to advance my magic as fast as possible to try and unlock the Gravity Magic Affinity. I have a feeling that once I get it, it'll be strong.]

Granin nods.

[I've no doubt of that. Space magic is one of the most advanced forms of magic known and only old boulders like myself manage to level our Skills to the point we can unlock it. Even then, it levels up extremely slowly. Only the most powerful and gifted of Shapers can do more than create and open gates with it.]

Thinking of an army of ants teleporting around through magical gateways, I mutter: [yeah, well, gates sound pretty good.]

[You aren't wrong. They form a huge part of every Dungeon civilisation. I'd go so far as to say, colonising the Dungeon would have been impossible without it. If your Gravity magic is as fundamental as that, it may be some time before you're able to unlock the affinity.]

[Dammit.]

[Agreed,] Granin sighs, [acquiring that skill would be the easiest and fastest way to power you up. Since you don't have access to it, and we don't know when you will, there's little point in trying to grind for it now. If we throw all our eggs in that basket and the Skill doesn't show up, then you'll end up in a bad way.]

[I don't know about that,] I protest, [it's not as if that last battle was a real struggle. I dealt with that supposedly powerful monster with ease.]

Granin gave me a long steady look at that point. I could almost hear his thoughts turning in his head, I could see how hard he was struggling not to call me an idiot.

[Out with it then,] I sigh.

down before looking me

Had it landed that charge on you, you would have exploded into a thousand tiny

about my

insists, [your carapace wouldn't count for squat. It was carefully raised over a period of years, fed cores and Biomass, tested in battle after battle. It took the blood, sweat and tears of a team of three Shapers to create that creature and it

saying I was

very lucky. The opponent was lacking in intelligence, which is something you have an unfair advantage in, since you're a

wasn't popular to invest in mental stats

brute without a brain is just asking for your expensive, labour intensive project to club its own brain out with

been as much a hindrance as he has a help at various points. In some ways

what's the play then? What do you think I

the Shaper asks

are your basic

earth and air? I mean. I have them. None

of them to rank three and fuse them then you'll have a bit more firepower

thought fusions would be better the higher rank the Skills were. Shouldn’t I try and hold on for

Granin hesitates.

is much stronger than the third rank one. The fifth is even better than that. I'm not sure that anyone has done rank six. Certainly I've no idea what that fusion results in. You'd have to level up the four skills one hundred and fifty five times each, which would take a

worth

in the short term has to trump planning for the long term at

power in the future is going to get cut short. Compromise now, compromise in the future, when will it end? I need to push hard, right now. Also, I have an advantage that Granin doesn't know about. The Gravity Bomb. I know it's a risk, but if I get deep enough into this tournament, hopefully the Cult won't be so prepared to sacrifice me to learn about my magic and I can snag a free

shooting for a more powerful fusion! Rank five! Hit