Chapter 440: Elizabeth's news

"No, we also made it larger to accommodate adding more modules in the future." This was the true reason for the increased size, but even Joren didn't know what they might add in the future. The first plan was outside of nutrient IVs, they would add the enhanced nutrient fluids. 

That, however, was still a good while away. 

"So it is mostly wasted space right now?" Eldrian countered, this appeared to be the case especially since the chair inside the cabin was only large enough to fit one person. Its appearance was similar to the immersion chair, but with far more padding for comfort. 

"For now," Joren smiled before explaining to Eldrian how the cabin worked, what he could set, and how to actually climb into the monstrosity.

Eldrian found that the chair was very comfortable, the padding clearly some type of advanced memory foam. Shaping into the optimal form for its occupant. 

After helping Eldrian get used to the basics, including the maintenance he would need to do to ensure that the nutrients stayed fresh, Joren got ready to leave. 

"Joren, have you made any advancements regarding how we enter the game. My current training has me exhausted when I exit the game."

"I'm sorry, but the technology relies on having you experience gaming as a vivid dream. However, the higher your affinity the lesser this will be possible. Plus, actually doing mentally draining tasks are going to tire you regardless."

Eldrian nodded, not having expected that they had somehow managed to improve on an already sci-fi-ish technology. Before logging in, he checked the forum and specifically the new thread that had been started by Lizzy and then supplemented by Erik. 

In this thread players shared how they managed to start to gain control over magic. The physical feeling they had experienced and how they had managed to hone in on it. Unfortunately, explaining a feeling stayed a difficult topic. But slowly the thread was growing and even someone without any experience could gain some insights.

...

'Cabin Synchronization Initialized...' Said the smooth female voice belonging to Ziraili, the AI in control of managing all players' connection to ANW. However, she didn't just say these words, they also appeared in the darkroom where Eldrian found himself. 

"Ah Eldrian, it's you." She suddenly changed her tone as she realized who was consenting via the cabin. 

"Hey, Ziraili." Eldrian smiled, curious if he was going to need to chase wisps or fight phantom figures again. 

Ziraili took a moment to quickly collect all the data she had on Eldrian and shift it onto the storage of the cabin, after which she simply told him there was no need for a resynchronization. 

"After your last affinity breakthrough, I already have all the data I need. The immersion chair was a big upgrade from the helmet, but the cabin is more just an update." She said as she sent Eldrian into the game. 

...

"Interesting..." Eldrian mumbled as he appeared in the glade just past two in the morning. The only reason he had tried logging in so soon was due to expecting some type of synchronization process. Now he didn't quite know what to do. 

After a few seconds, he decided to get onto improving his control over the ice element even further. Logging out with sunrise to get some dinner, and then back into the game.

A few weeks quickly passed, Eldrian's efforts had been properly rewarded. He had moved through all the spells that had physical manifestations he could actually control. This meant he hadn't increased his control over nature. 

It felt strange leaving the one element he always used to advance to the next Tier behind, but Eldrian had no other choice. He couldn't practice it like the others, and if he attempted then the target's own mana would interfere with his control over the spell. Even when trying to cast it on himself. 

What he had gained for his efforts however, was reaching Rank 4 with Frost Needle, Volida, Aeraki, Vrachos, Nerokas (water jet type spell, did little damage and was more used to clean surfaces of large structures).

All other spells in Tier 1 he managed to bring to Rank 3 with ease thanks to his enhanced mana control. And it was at this point that he felt comfortable asking Zamia for his next task. 

"Zamia!" Eldrian called out just as she was about to head out to scout the Chaos lands with a few others. Naturally, she was in her Alicorn form at this moment. 

'Have you finally managed to do it?' She asked mentally, telling the others to go ahead without her.

Eldrian nodded and quickly formed an ice disk as if it was nothing. The sight left her slightly shocked. 

'Seems you did more than just change the structure, this...' She paused and looked at him as she wondered if he realized what he had accomplished. 'You managed to learn how to actually dynamic cast?'

'Not quite, I am still limited by practice. Look,' Eldrian had the disk take on the form of a dagger, but this took a full minute. It wasn't smooth and took a great deal of concentration. 

'I see, but it is still quite impressive. And it only took you a little over two weeks.'

Eldrian nodded, not replying. Two weeks might not be much, but he was worried for those on the frontlines. Not just Vivian, but also Kydone, Pelaros, Evale, and Katania.

He wasn't worried for his player friends for a simple reason, he was constantly talking with them and thanks to that he also knew that things at the camp were still relatively quiet. 

The undead had attempted a few more assaults, but with everyone focusing on defense they failed miserably. At the same time, the army was busy actually making a stone wall from fort to fort, turning the wooden palisade into a real obstacle. One that a single undead beast wouldn't be able to make a hole in. 

The more shocking thing however had been when Elizabeth had shared that she had managed to learn divine magic. Eldrian had been flabbergasted, even knowing that the system was helping them he still had no idea how anyone managed to actually memorize the quibbles that were the spell module. 

Her reply had opened his eyes, and also made him realize why he wouldn't ever be able to make sense of it. It was truly an AI-imposed limitation. 

Even for players, to learn divine magic they needed to believe in one of the gods. One of the AI. Naturally, this should be impossible. Knowing that the gods are just AI made it that most people were just incapable of believing in them.

For Eldrian it was doubly impossible as the AI refused to share divine magic with High Elves, as per the race description. Thus, even if he was able to believe in them, they wouldn't honor his faith like with other races. 

Regardless, this was the largest reason why so few players were actually clerics or priests. The requirement was just insane. However, Elizabeth had gone by a bit of a different path. 

Her thoughts had been simple, the system AI was also an AI and hence should be capable of being a god. So she had prayed to the system, asking for the ability to use divine magic. Surprisingly, Ziraili had responded. 

Not only had this made Elizabeth the first 'believer' of Ziraili, it had also made Elizabeth her emissary and faith leader. Titles that had shocked Elizabeth and left her stunned.