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.

trend is similar at the higher ranks. 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 unavoidable for your average human.” Argrave turned around. “In Mateth and Veiden, I was weak. Once we leave here, I’ll be—no. We’ll be a force to be

#####

of the time that he had, she was already vastly 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 to work

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

too used to bird mannerisms,” muttered

he wore it on his back as though the string were a strap. His quiver dangled from his side. It held only iron

feasible,” dismissed Argrave. “Though, if I ever try to fly off a tall building, please stop

joke about that,” Anneliese said

sharp gaze. “Uh… okay, yeah,”

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

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 end, Argrave faintly

his horse forward slightly. It seemed uncomfortable at the prospect of going deeper—perhaps because it could sense what lay behind those walls, or perhaps simply because

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

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

touched Anneliese’s shoulder. “Hey. See that? That

looking out across the

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 shorelines. This is

center wears out, creating an arch in the sea. Over time, the whole thing falls into the ocean.” Argrave snapped,

all things

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 isn’t planning to stay

not be disturbed by either people or the elements. They descended down into the gorge, mindful

they’re immobile. It may be tempting to kill them, but don’t. You’ll attract the attention of some rather nasty things called Dire Eyes. They’re spiritual beings, meaning they attack the soul. Only magic affects

a deep frown disturbing

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. I will do the same—it’s

that I would not be wearing my armor, but the things you describe sound

stepped past and approached the stone door. “The Order of the Rose fell because their members practiced necromancy without discretion. They’re the largest reason necromancy is illegal in the

meant 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 the Cavern of the Lily’s Death. Am I to take it this place is less

not conducive to effective displays of strength.” Argrave watched Anneliese as she tried to hear beyond the stone without much success. “Just have to watch the ceilings, make sure the other