Chapter 166: Escape

Chapter 166: Escape

“Arcane Geometry is good,” said Varrin. “Gaining a library of mana shapes usually takes years, and shapes are often limited to specific skills.”

“The secret Ravvenblaq knowledge emerges,” said Xim. “Are we being inducted into your dark family cabal? Do we need to take oaths of silence, or be branded with a mana-woven tattoo?” She cocked her hip and thought for a moment. “I’m prepared for us to have matching tattoos.”

“I was not hiding it,” he said. “I am not well versed in mana shaping. It is something the family begins focusing on after level 10.”

“You were hiding it,” said Nuralie. Pause. “You used the metaphor of keeping secrets until the bride was bedded.”

“Pretty sure copulation wasn’t mentioned,” I offered in Varrin’s defense.

“It was implied.”

“Then consider us wed,” said Varrin. “Regardless, mana shaping is a core skill for advanced Delvers. That being said, you could acquire many of these on your own with dedication and practice.”

“Yeah, but I could spend the time saved by being dedicated and practicing something else. Also, I can’t practice a mana shape until it becomes free.”

“That is the primary advantage of the evolution,” said Varrin. “However, Armchair Expert would grant everyone else in the party significant advantages to an enormous number of things. The ability does not even specify what kind of checks it applies to. With skill checks alone, your presence will improve our capabilities with every intrinsic we have collectively.”

“Except for my own,” I said. “It also requires me to sit around and offer my opinions on everything you’re doing.”

“It does not say that–”

“It’s implied in the name,” I said. “Besides, how else do you think I’d manifest the skill? You’ve seen me use Sage Advice. You want more of that in your life?”

“Yes,” said Nuralie. “Better potions, better poisons, better traps, better gadgets.”

“You can help with my communion,” said Xim. “Something I’m sure you’d enjoy.”

“The sarcasm is strong with you,” I said, “but I might actually find that interesting.”

“You can help me be a better leader,” Xim added.

“I’m still not sure how you’re leveling Leadership.”

“I have the Educator intrinsic,” said Varrin. “You could increase the speed at which I train others.”

“Like an adjunct?” I asked. “What’s the salary? Is tenure on the table?”

“Inside Delves, you could also help us overcome hazards and other challenges,” said Varrin. “The math of ‘checks’ is obscured, but the prevailing theory is that it takes the governing and adds some hidden math based on your performance. If it is a check based on an intrinsic, the intrinsic skill also adds a bonus. If I were to make a Strength ‘check’, my starting value would be 46. With a bonus of 18 from your ability, that is a 40 percent improvement to my base value.”

“How would that work?” asked Etja. “You give him advice and he’s 40 percent stronger?”

“I’d tell him to lift with his legs,” I said. “Engage his core, remember to breathe, have some slow-release protein before bed.”

“I feel the strength flowing through me already,” Varrin said dryly. “My point is, it’s likely a better ability than you give it credit for.”

“I never said it was bad,” I said. “In fact, I think it’s great.”

“What about Grand Archives?” asked Xim.

“That one sets off the Nuralie alarm,” I said, thinking over the slightly foreboding text. “I already have 1 ability that brings me closer to the dark truths of the universe at the expense of my sanity. I don’t think I’m in the market for another right now.”

Xim glanced at Nuralie. “I don’t think it looks that dangerous,” she said. “It’s safe to read the text, at least. You can review it and tell us if it seems too creepy.”

“I will not,” said Nuralie.

“Fine,” said the cleric. “Just pick the mana shaping one and let’s move on.”

“Seconded!” said Etja. Then, she got a hungry glint in her eye. “Once you know the shapes you can teach them to me.”

“Only if you teach me the Minefield shape you use.”

“Deal!”

“Alright, if I’m taking Grand Archives, then the Countermage evolution from Mystical Magic synergizes somewhat. I can get 2 mana shapes for free without much trouble.”

“You do seem to be leaning into countermagic more with your Reverse Card skill choice,” said Varrin. “The other evolutions are fine but would require some adaptation. Countermage plays to your style and enhances what you are already doing.”

“Opinions on my Speed evos?” I asked.

Varrin shrugged.

“Damn,” I said. “That was a comprehensive answer.” I crossed my arms and pondered the last two lines of the message. “Is the Pocket Closet hooked up to the Delve System?”

[Of course, it is. What purpose did you believe the obelisk served?]

“To... gather mana.”

[Yes, it does that as well, but more importantly, it acts as an uplink connecting the sequestered dimensional space to the System’s portal network.]

“The System can portal shit into my Closet?”

[Only Delvers.]

“Yeah, and anything they’re carrying or have inside their inventory.”

[This is accurate.]

“Also, is the portal’s Delvers-only limit hard-coded into the portal, or is it a self-imposed restriction?”

[I am not entirely certain.]

It is self-imposed. The System’s portal network can ferry the majority of existing material categories.

“The risk of sudden import of hazardous substances aside,” I said, “does that mean Delvers are running around in my Closet?”

[Not presently. I would have no way to guide their experience from out here.]

“Let me ask it another way. Is the number of Delvers who have ever been in my Closet for the purposes of running Delve 1156-B–which is a name I’m only now hearing about–greater than zero?”

[I can provide you with a report later if you like.]

“You didn’t answer the question.”

[Without access to the data I cannot give you any hard numbers.]

“Fucking...” I rubbed my eyes. “You know what? Let’s just leave. SC2, may we please have an exit portal or spaceship?”

I cannot guarantee the integrity of any onboard spaceplanes.

“That’s a shame. A portal will do, thanks.”

A silvery portal opened in the middle of the large chamber we’d been living in for the last week, nestled between a pair of stubby trees.

“Pretty easy objective,” said Xim.

“Hmm?”

“The objective for the Delve,” she replied. “All it said was ‘escape’. This whole time, you just had to ask nicely. That would have been nice to know that at the beginning.”

“Uh-huh.”

I did a quick ready check, and we all prepped ourselves to reappear amidst a fortified camp of Littan Delvers. We got into our marching order, and as I slapped the portal’s surface, we got a final notification.

Deijin’s Descent Performance Evaluation

Challenges completed: 6/6

Bonus objectives completed: 4/5

Party member deaths: 0

Total enemies slain: 2,476

Overall grade: A

Total Time Elapsed: 314 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes.

“A year?!” I shouted. “It’s been a fucking ye–”

The portal activated, and then I was at the bottom of a fortress, staring down a team of level 15 Littan Delvers.