Jackal Among Snakes

After leaving their army at the Low Way, their group departed in small number for the Alchemist’s home. Along the path, Argrave and Anneliese were eager students to the Tower Master of the Gray Owl. Though Anneliese had a teacher in the form of her grandmother, Argrave never truly had someone to tutor him dedicatedly. Castro’s guidance was like sanding and polishing to this craft of his that he’d built so quickly. There were many rough spots that sorely needed such treatment, and they were treated in the breaks between travel.

The rides aback the wyverns, heading from city to city, were enlightening as to what Durran had actually managed to achieve. The cities that they came upon were badly damaged. Despite this, the people were accommodating for the random arrival of wyvern riders, treating them like lords and offering them tribute. Still, the men that Durran had picked out were gracious and helpful instead of domineering, listening to troubles as though they were kings and offering solutions. It seemed that Durran knew how to pick his men.

But things were still harsh out here in the Burnt Desert. The death of the Vessels had made many small oases in various places, but it was evident that things would dry up unless action was taken. As practice, Argrave and Anneliese cast spells of water to give more time to the populace. It was a well-appreciated gesture. A small few recognized Argrave and Anneliese from their last visit here, but none knew they were king and queen. It was a welcome thing to be appreciated for the little things.

Argrave made small notes of what Elenore would need to supply this place with. With great tracts of land dedicated to farmland in Blackgard supported by elven fruits that made the ground quite fertile and pure, they wouldn’t lack for things to offer. At the same time, he also noted what might be exported from the Burnt Desert. This, too, was a necessary evil. People by and large needed incentives to do anything selfless—hence why charitable endeavors offered tax breaks, in his cynical estimation. Argrave had to be sure this place did not become a drain on them without offering anything in return. It was simply pragmatic.

But in truth, Argrave didn’t have much time to dedicate to finer evaluations. He was busy learning. Castro drilled them on the importance of fundamentals—he imparted that casting in combat was not an intellectual activity, but an instinctual one. If the mind and body had a perfect instinct for what was cast, each and every spell could be cast incredibly quickly and without significant wastage.

After their first few days of drilling, Castro implemented practical tests. It wasn’t on quite the same scale as the fight that he and Castro had undergone, but certainly it was dangerous. They were instructed to implement what he’d taught them by blocking or attacking rapidly after certain signals. If they could not do it fast enough, they were hit by illusion magic.

But alongside this, Castro brought out the first of what he’d called the ‘finer optimizations.’ Namely, segmenting.

“Segmenting spells is an immensely useful thing,” Castro said. “It not only teaches you the fundamentals of the spells you work with, allowing you to better create your own, but it can cut down the spells you do know to gain only what you need from them.” He held his hand out and conjured a ward in it. It covered only his hand. “Why block a sword with a huge ward, covering your entire body, when this will suffice? This spell—a segmented B-rank ward—uses so little magic, yet it fills the same purpose.

“That spell you used on me,” Castro pointed at Argrave. [Nine-Tailed Bloodbriars], I think you called it. You are going to create a version that does not use all nine tails. Instead, you’re going to make a [One-Tailed Bloodbriar]. And you, Your Highness… why not try recreating this ward I made, given the specialty [Life Cycle] has?”

As Argrave listened, his eyes narrowed. [Segmentation] was a trait that existed in Heroes of Berendar… and yet it was simply a percentage reduction to spell cost. Here and now, however, it had become different. Upon recognizing this, Argrave was yet more eager to add it to his arsenal.

Argrave had never truly experimented with magic because it felt like he was toying with a gun. Shooting a gun was easy enough, but modifying a gun, using particular ammunition, and all the stuff that entailed firearm mania? He was content letting other people build his guns, and then pulling the trigger once he had it. But now, with guidance, he was a little more confident in delving deeper.

And it turned out it was prudent that Argrave waited for guidance.

Things weren’t as simple as moving a line here, snipping here, and voila! A new spell. No—experimentation was a painful, head-scratching process. Wrong combinations were infinite, yet successful ones were few and far between. All [Segmentation] entailed was isolating a segment of a spell, jury-rigging it to make it function independently, and then casting it like that.

only that, it was mind-bogglingly

flowed into the matrix, and what caused completion. Argrave managed to isolate what split the blood magic into nine separate tails, and even each tail… but to retain the force? To retain the fact that it was blood magic? To isolate specific segments without the entire thing falling apart was much to ask.

in unfamiliar terrain, over a different length gap… that was beyond him. Why was this support placed here? How do you accommodate weight at this

now he delved into the design of magic. Indeed, he delved into it so completely that he lost track

learned how to

across the black sand dunes, impacting with a rock. It exploded outwards,

you go! Excellent,” Castro praised,

used, and stared at it. He had made this. It was derivative, but he had made

Castro. “You really can

art, Argrave. And like any art, it can be learned, but

“That was amazing,” she complimented sincerely. She seemed so proud of

proud of himself, he realized. “I was going to ask you for help about attaining [Blood Infusion].” Argrave looked at Castro. “But I think…

framework to study the composition of magic that I found highly effective. I’m not surprised you found it so useful. I thought it would gel well with your personality after our spar. Most people find it difficult to segment spells, you know, but for you and me...

ideas formed in Argrave’s head—spells he could tweak, things he could make… or how he might imbue blood magic into all magic, achieving the [Blood Infusion] he so desperately sought. It certainly wouldn’t come to him as quickly as he hoped, but it was as though the

learn how to make your own spell, utterly free of derivation. That will be the hardest thing for you, Argrave, I promise you that.

him mulling this over and shook her head. “Be proud you have something you excel at, Argrave. Do not fret

laughed. “Yeah… yeah, guess you’re

believe we near the point where you sought to reach,” Castro reminded Argrave, looking up at the moon

back to the true task ahead. “Yeah. It’s been a long

#####

eyes narrowed both to shield from the harsh sun above and to clear his suspicion. He asked Argrave firmly, “You’re certain this is

in here before. He doesn’t exactly move,” Argrave stepped forward, testing the quicksand with his

too,” Trock, their wyvern rider, told them. “He made