Chapter 295: Quite a Few

Chapter 295: Quite a Few

Tala and Mistress Holly entered into the back room of the workshop and sat down at a not-usually-present set of table and chairs.

The table held steaming tea, ready and waiting.

The tea was one that Tala couldnt quite place, but it went down smoothly, and she felt herself relax as the warmth spread through her.

Now, Mistress Tala. We will be doing basically all the tests we did in preparation for your Refining, so that we can compare the results as a way to measure your bodys recovery and improvement.

Tala took another sip, sighed, and nodded. Out of curiosity, shouldnt we wait until I am physically fully recovered?

We will need to take another set of measurements then as well, but we need to head off any potential issues now, if they exist. So, we cant wait any longer.

Very well. I expected as much.

Good. Do you have any questions?

Honestly? Yes. I have quite a few, but not really about this process.

Mistress Holly gave a long-suffering smile. Well then, lets see what I can do to help with that.

As Tala settled back in her chair, she realized that she hadnt invited Terry to join her.

She opened Kit and called to him. The terror bird flickered to her shoulder, where he headbutted her cheek, and curled up.

Tala stroked the avian, then turned back to Mistress Holly. Sorry. My questions. What was that black gunk?

That is actually a subject of some debate. Once it separates from an Archon, it begins to fade. Any attempt to perform tests upon it, or direct magical scanning at it either utterly fails or seems to speed up its fading.

And if it remains on the Archon?

Then attempting tests or scans causes it to retreat back into the Mage, harming the Refining.

Talas eyes widened. Could my magesight have triggered that?

Oh, no. Your magesight wouldnt have seen anything from it, but you probably already know that. It would be simple deadspace to that perception.

Are there any guesses on what it might be?

The most prevalent theory is that the 'gunk' is a purely conceptual substance.

How does that make sense? Shouldnt it have to be material?

In theory, no. Not that we understand conceptual magics that well.

And so it would be what? The concept of bodily corruption?

Thats as good a guess as any, honestly.

Well, in either case, Im glad that it didnt retreat and harm my Refining.

Quite. We would not have left your magesight active if it could harm you.

Tala grimaced. You didnt seem to mind hurting me.

I never claimed differently. The pain, the hurt, was for your own good, and was required because of your condition.

She frowned. But you just said

Mistress Holly sighed and shook her head. Harm and hurt are very different things, Mistress Tala. I think you know that to be true. For example, a parents discipline must hurt to be meaningful, whether that hurt is physical, financial, social, or otherwise, but it should never harm.

Ahh, I see the difference. Hurt is painful, but that fades, while harm is damaging in the end.

Precisely.

She took a deep breath and asked one of the more important questions, trying to not let her voice tremble with either anger or remembered agony, So, why did you allow me to experience so much pain?

Do you remember when I rendered you unconscious to inscribe parts of you?

Yes.

What happened when you woke up?

Talas eyes widened just slightly as she understood. The sum total of all the pain I would have felt hit me at once.

That, if done for the Refining, would have killed you, almost without question. The pain you felt was mostly on the soul-level, as one of your soul-bonds, specifically your body, was broken down and stripped of pieces of its makeup.

Stripped of who knows what.

Well, we know the results, but that doesnt really help us concretely identify the substance. Mistress Holly gave a rueful smile. In fact, us knowing the results lets us extrapolate the connecting concept of what was removed, which is why the conceptual substance theory holds so much weight.

And those known results are?

Refined gain incredible multiplicative increases to throughput, magical density, inscription efficiency, and magical control. An end to physical degradation due to time. An almost total immunity to non-magical disease and poison. A perfecting of your genetic code, to be passed down to any offspring. Physical capacity is amplified as well to an incredible degree. Mental functions are lifted to completely new heights.

Mistress Holly clearly saw Talas confused frown.

All of this will manifest as your body solidifies in its new state. There are many more-specific benefits, but they all are understood to fall under what I already stated. These are some of the reasons why we implement the reconstruction inscriptions before Refining. Aside from making the process easier, they make the results better, too.

Tala grunted. Terry seemed to be getting bored, so he flickered to a corner, where he contentedly curled up to wait.

Do you mind if I ask you a question?The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

She only hesitated a moment before shrugging. I suppose not.

I didnt want to ask before, because I didnt want to influence your decision, especially when you had an expert to consult. Now that its done, though, what was your reasoning behind binding the dasgannach with your weapon as opposed to your elk-leathers?

Tala grunted. Shed actually given it a lot of thought and talked it through with Mistress Aurius. Tala had been inclined to use Flow, and her research and talks had only reinforced the decision. Thats simple enough. The elk-leathers and dasgannach were too similar. One would have subsumed the other, and Id have been left with one that could somewhat pretend to be the other. Flow and the dasgannach were distinct enough, with marginal overlap, that they should now be able to complement each other, rather than overriding or fighting for supremacy.

Mistress Holly nodded. That would have been my fear as well. Im glad to know that you got good advice, and its also nice to confirm that Im not so ignorant in the field to have missed the mark.

Tala grunted again. She was almost frustrated with Mistress Holly, but she realized that it wasnt Mistress Hollys job to hold her hand in such decisions, especially when they lay outside her expertise. Mistress Holly had gone above and beyond, finding an expert for Tala to work with, after all.

Of course. Like Refining, it is incredibly simple in concept, but difficult to enact. Blessedly, it is an internal process, as Fusing was, not one requiring exterior assistance or intervention.

Tala nodded, waiting expectantly.

Becoming a Paragon simply requires releasing a mortal view of this world and your experiences within it.

What now?

-What now?-

Tala scrunched her face in confusion, but no clarity came with a moments thought. So, she asked, What now?

Mistess Holly smiled. You must allow yourselfand your spiritto let go of a limited view of reality. You must allow your thinking, along with your emotional responses, to become that of the next world, thus allowing your spiritand the half of your soul that remains hereto better align with the half of your soul that is in the next world.

Talas scrunched face became a grimace as her parents immediately came to mind and anger built within her. So, I have to acknowledge that, in light of the next world, their betrayal is rather meaningless? There. I did it. Are you happy?

-Tala, I dont think thats what that means, and I dont think you do either.-

Mistress Holly sighed. I know you have much to work through. I will tell you one thing that my master told me when I had reached this step. This is not about freeing those who have wronged you. It is about freeing yourself.

Tala looked over to the other woman in confusion. I might still be a bit fuzzy, but I dont think I understand.

Let me tell you a story as an analogy.

She nodded and leaned back, continuing to enjoy her tea.

Long ago, there was a group of Mages who avoided iron entirely to prevent any tainting of even their mental foundations for magic. It was a core tenant of their group, and an unthinkable breach to have any interactions with iron.

Tala huffed a laugh. Theyd have loved me.

Mistress Holly smiled in return. Quite. But you understand the setting?

I do.

Important to the story is that this was when humanity lived in the countryside, moving around in smaller groups. This is before the cycle of cities was established.

Alright.

So, a master and mageling of this group were walking through the countryside, and they came across an overturned cart. It seemed that a wheel had broken, causing the contents of the cart to fall out onto the man who had been walking alongside, prodding the oxen.

Now, the cart had been loaded with long iron rods, each two inches thick, and the cartman was basically unhurt but utterly pinned under the jumble of rods.

I think I can see the conflict of the tale. Talas mouth quirked up into a half smile.

Shh. Even so, the Inscriptionist smiled in return. The master, without hesitation, rushed forward, grabbed the iron rods and with tremendous strength, brought on by his magics, freed the man. Less than a minute later, the two Mages were on their way, and the cartman was already working to repair his vehicle, no longer needing their help.

Mistress Holly paused to take a sip of tea before continuing.

The two continued walking after that, and the mageling was understandably conflicted. His master had violated the strictures of their group and had touched iron. More than that, it wasnt a simple accidental brush with the metal. He had purposely grabbed it over and over, even utilizing magic to allow him to effectively work with it.

Finally, when they had nearly reached the end of their trip, and the day was drawing to a close, the mageling couldnt take it anymore. Master, how could you do something against our ideals? the young man asked. You willfully touched iron, endangering your mental foundations.

The master turned to his mageling and gave a sad smile, My boy, I touched the iron for but a moment; you have been carrying it all day.

Silence fell in the room as both women enjoyed their tea.

Mistress Holly seemed content to wait for Tala to fully process.

Finally, Tala nodded. So, it isnt about what happened, it is about your mindset?

The Inscriptionist sighed, setting her teacup aside. Yes and no. Let me try a more real example: Your Refining was traumatic.

Tala felt her eye twitch at the change in topic. Yes, it was.

And I led you into it.

She grit her teeth but responded again, Yes, you did.

You could hate me for that. You could leave and refuse to ever see me again. There is no question that your view of me has changed, but you are still here, listening to me and willing for me to still help you. Either response makes perfect sense given what you have gone through.

Tala didnt have a response.

So, let me ask you this: If you chose to hate me and avoid me, who would be harmed? Would your hatredyour avoidance of mecause me any lasting harm?

After a moments thought, Tala had to concede, No, it wouldnt.

But would it harm you?

Probably

That is what I mean. Few things are so clear cut, even the situation surrounding your Refining, but it is a good analogy.

Im still not sure I quite understand.

Mistress Holly smiled again, more softly this time. Thats understandable and more than fine. If you truly understood, youd already be a Paragon. You are young, yet. Give it time. Master Grediv is a wonderful resource, too. He will likely have a slightly different perspective and might convey it in a way you would understand better.

Tala grunted. Then, she gave Mistress Holly a side-eyed look. So, your master told you that tale?

Yes.

When you were in my position, Refined and looking towards the advancement to Paragon?

Yes.

And yet you are Refined? As basic and pure a yellow as Ive ever seen?

Mistress Holly smiled mischievously. Am I? I dont generally think on such things.

Tala opened her mouth to comment further, but Mistress Holly stood up.

Now, we should really get to the tests, Mistress Tala. I have much else that I need to do this week.