Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave tipped back the large glass bottle and drained it of the last of the black liquid mana. His gaze stayed locked on the ceiling of the inn as it fell into his mouth. He winced at the familiar taste, twisting his lips about as though to dispel the flavor from his tongue. He felt its magic surge within him, replenishing his diminished supply.

Expending one’s magic was one of the few ways to increase its size. By channeling his magic power to pay off Erlebnis’ debt caused by the Blessing of Supersession, Argrave had an efficient method to drain his magic. The recovery period was shortened by the black liquid magic created by the Amaranthine Heart. Altogether, his personal reserve of magic had increased very quickly relative to most other mages. That alone made the Amaranthine Heart a worthy item to obtain.

“Right. My debt is nearly paid off,” Argrave held the bottle in his hand for a moment, and then set it on the floor.

“Debt?” Anneliese inquired. She sat beside Galamon, both waiting for him to speak.

“Every bit of magic I take from Erlebnis I have to pay back. It’s the same ability his Emissaries possess.” Argrave wrapped his gloved hands together. “Right—to the point. Today we’re going to take a brief foray from town as we wait for events to progress. I’ve asked Rivien to keep an eye out for Elias, too, so we can ostensibly only wait for results from either him or Stain.”

Galamon nodded. “Why are we leaving Jast?”

The elven vampire was still without armor and most of his weapons. Argrave had purchased a simple broadsword for him to use temporarily, and it rested on the table before him.

Argrave leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms. “We need to get that spellbook I mentioned in the past. It’s a marvel made by the Order of the Rose. The spell is called [Electric Eel]. It’s C-rank. For Anneliese it’ll be largely useless, but I suspect I will be using it well into A-rank.”

“What makes it so exceptional?” inquired Anneliese.

“It’s weak,” Argrave began, standing from his chair and stepping about their dormitory. “It’s barely weaker than the D-rank [Writhing Lightning], and it has no area of effect unlike that spell. It’s slower than most lightning spells. Despite that, two variables make it of utmost importance.” Argrave raised a finger as he listed the two off. “It’s persistent, and it’s controllable.”

Argrave roamed about the dormitory as he continued to explain. “Once the spell has been cast, it continues to exist for about an hour… or until it strikes something, naturally. One can have it hover about their head doing nothing but simply existing. Then, when the time comes, one can use it as they please.”

Finished explaining, Argrave grabbed the back of his chair and leaned in. “As I said, the spell is weak. It’s slow… compared to most lightning magic, at least. But when a thousand of these things strike at once, even a dragon is going to take mortal damage. A wyvern might die outright,” Argrave grinned. “As I possess Erlebnis’ blessing, this spell is the perfect thing for an underdog like myself gunning for the biggest things in town.”

“For beasts and monsters, it indeed sounds very effective,” Anneliese conceded. “But in battle against mages or armies, they would all dispel harmlessly against one C-rank ward,” Anneliese posited.

“That’s why I had Galamon make Ebonice arrows,” Argrave pointed to Galamon.

“Ebonice is not especially effective against B-rank magic, and completely ineffective against A-rank magic,” Galamon advised.

Once the ward is broken, the spells can slip past and deal tremendous damage. [Electric Eel] may be slow compared to most lightning spells, but they’re still nigh

#####

better at it than he was. Such was her talent as one with the [Genius] trait—Argrave suspected she would become a B-rank mage much sooner than he would, too. Strangely, he felt no envy. There was only a fierce desire

him via [Pack Leader] swooped down, landing on his shoulder. One held a worm in its beak,

to

back as though the string were a strap. His quiver dangled from his side. It held

“Though, if I ever try

about that,”

taken aback by her sharp gaze. “Uh… okay, yeah,” he agreed,

this is the place you spoke of,” Galamon pointed, ignorant or uncaring

found its way down a small overgrown gorge. A tiny stream moved down into it, mostly obscured by tall blades of grass barely graying in light of winter’s beginning. At the very

It seemed uncomfortable at the prospect of going deeper—perhaps because it could sense what lay

alighting from his mount. He grabbed it by the reins and looked about for a

gargantuan towers of Jast standing against the sky, casting great shadows across the plains. Beyond it, Argrave could faintly make out a single white tower

Anneliese’s shoulder. “Hey. See

looking out across the landscape. Slowly, she

that. Foamspire, it’s called. Sold it for all those rose gold magic coins.” Argrave kept his eyes on the white tower in the distance. It looked small, but it probably towered fifty feet in the air. “It was built atop a sea arch. Arches form on leading-edge

the sea. Over time, the whole thing falls into the ocean.” Argrave snapped, but no sound came out because he was wearing gloves. “That’s why I sold it. In a few months, it’s going to fall into

sale, all

but we wouldn’t have any money now. Someone had the misfortune to purchase it from me.” Argrave nodded, then said grimly, “Let’s hope whoever purchased it

so that the animals would not be disturbed by either people or

things to keep in mind. There are some creatures within that don’t have arms—they’re just heads, and they’re immobile. It may be tempting to kill them, but don’t. You’ll attract the attention of some rather nasty

turned around, a deep frown disturbing his

don’t try and pull it free. Just drop it. This probably won’t happen to you as you’re an experienced warrior, but just in case. Mostly, I think you’ll be using your bow.” Argrave looked about. “Anneliese, you should use the C-rank spell [Ice Spear]; it should kill most things within instantly.

Galamon. “You did not seem worried that I would not be wearing my armor, but the things you

discretion. They’re the largest reason necromancy is illegal in the Order of the Gray Owl.” Argrave rapped his knuckles on the

by ‘a brief foray?’” Anneliese stepped forward, pulling her long white hair aside and placing her ear to the stone door. “You showed more fear at

watched Anneliese as she tried to hear beyond the stone without much success. “Just have to watch the ceilings,