Chapter 318: Plan B

Chapter 318: Plan B

Arcanite Alloy (Arcane) Arcanite Alloy is a meticulously engineered blend of a dozen metals, each chosen for its unique resonance with arcane energies. This alloy was designed to amplify magical powers. Despite the complexity of its creation, items forged from Arcanite Alloy will be durable and capable of channeling immense magical forces.

Flamebearer (Arcane, Damaged)Flamebearer held dominion over fire, with a mere swing capable of igniting the horizon. This axs blaze once burned with immense fury. Despite the damage and its weakened flames, moments of intense heat surge through its blade, offering a glimpse into its fiery past.

Both the alloy and the ax are great items. The alloy is a chunk of metal that I might be able to smelt in the future. But for that, I will need more experience, much more. Either that or I need to find someone to do it for me. If I tried now, it could just end up wasting it and leaving me with a mere rare grade weapon, and I may wind up ruining the careful mix of metals in the process.

Then there is the ax. It's half my height with a single blade, made from black metal covered in a web of red glowing inscriptions.

Its performance seems to be comparable to an epic weapon at the moment, and the damage is very much visible. Perhaps it can be fixed and restored to its former arcane status.

It doesnt seem quite as strong as Peacemaker, the duplicate states while holding it and swinging it. Do you think the Peacemaker was a grade higher than arcane?

Most likely. How long do you think Nevans patch job will last?

If we are lucky, then it could last until the end of the floor. But we know the system so it will probably be a week at most just to mess with us. The alloy he used seems to be a bit different from that chunk he left to you.

I nod, already putting it away. Ill have to be careful not to let him steal it.

Duplicaniel knows what I'm thinking but doesn't seem to mind. Instead, he holds the ax, and I allow him to keep it.

Then while hes examining the remains of the youngest Champion this planet had to offer, Nevans father, I look towards the burned patch of the floor where the mans body used to be.

Master? Vega says. awakening me from brooding as she slowly regains consciousness.

Just take it slowly, I tell her.New n0vel chapters are published on

Just in case, I gave her the remaining pendants, but so far the mana levels seem much more bearable. It will probably take months until they return to normal, but that is to be expected after 100 years of irradiation.

Where is mister Nevan?

For a moment, I think of lying but then decide against it. Rather than my protection, Vega needs to learn about the kind of world we live in.

He died, I tell her.

Did master kill him?

I did not.

Was mister hurt, is that why?

You could say that. But it wasn't just a physical wound. He had a skill like ours. But in the end, he decided to stop using it and didnt think he had anything left to live for.

You didnt stop him, master? she asks curiously.

I didnt; it was his decision.

Even if it was dumb? her head tilts in confusion.

Im sure he didnt do it without thinking. He must have been considering it ever since he woke up.

But that doesnt make it a good decision, she declares. Master should have stopped him.

It was his decision, minion, and I didnt know him, and

She interrupts me, But master, you dont get to know people if they die. And not everyone is as smart as us, master. People are weak. Vega nods confidently.

Isn't it sad for a man like Nevan to die with those thoughts? He was so talented, a blacksmith, gifted for his ability to create alloys. An amazing variety of alloys for any situation that functioned by virtue of carefully crafted combinations of metals, without needing inscriptions. I think Nevan was a genius in his field, capable as he was of creating low and mid grade arcane weapons even with Champion Nialls help.

Yes, he was human in the end. Valued as he was by the Absolute of this planet. Despite the fact that he had a concentration skill he couldnt handle his own emotions. But was he really as weak as Vega said, or is it just hard for me to imagine fighting for tens of years and losing friends one after another? Creating weapons for them, only so they can leave, never to return.

However, I don't think I will end up like that.

No, I'm confident I will never end up like that.

Cutting off my thoughts there, I lean lower to look at the charred body, its head, and heart purposefully destroyed. Denying the man any chance to heal.

At my level of skill, I can't understand properly what made his body so powerful, and what the traits did.

Looking at the charred place where, with a concerted effort, we burned Nevan's body, I sigh. Even after death and with the diffusion mana, and his body weakened stat, this will be extremely difficult.

Sorry, Nevan, I say, and after spending a big chunk of my mana to send through the blade, I slice away at the thin pieces of charred flesh remaining on his right hand. The hand that held the ax and the one that bears the most damage.

Spending more mana than I would like given our current situation, I'm able to get finger bone from pointing finger and store it. I also notice that the pinkie is missing, likely taken by my duplicate.

POV Isabella Martinez

Seneca, don't get too far away from me! Sophie, Tess, and Nathaniel keep telling me to be careful during the last two weeks. Do you know how annoying it is? I complain to my cute disciple.

Seneca looks up to me. As she should, my disciple is shorter than me, but I'm still jealous of her hair. Its short and blue and floats in the air, like flames. I want mine to look like that too.

Master, don't worry, I will protect you if anything happens!

Thats dumb! Is she dumber than Soph?

Even Nathaniel said it would be dangerous! If he said that, it must be true. And no, I will protect you, as always. You are too young and dumb.

I'm as old as you, master! And Noodles the one who saved our lives twice already!

I want to be angry at her, but I just can't. Shes too cute, and her floating hair is so pretty. Do I need a trait to get something like that?

Sensing emotion from Noodle whos currently twined around my arm, I look at him.

Why are you getting so cocky, Noodle!

Another emotion.

Yes, you did once or twice, but I also protected you and Seneca.

He swirls, and his green eyes keep looking at me. Noodle is very smart, and he is also getting too cocky.

I'm the master here!

Noodle, I will tell Biscuit, I tell him.

Immediately he swirls erratically and snuggles closer to me. His face moves closer, and I can feel his tongue flicking close to my cheek. It tickles, and I laugh.

He always acts like that when I threaten him with Biscuit.

Then I turn to Seneca, And you! I will keep calling you minion if you don't listen! I add.

To prevent Seneca from saying something dumb, I issue an order to my party, Let's hurry, the Veil Guardian isn't that far behind, and we have to get to the Bastion! The Housekeeper will let us in, even if the silly Butler complains! And Noodle, eat all our mana so they can't track us, okay?

Through my [Empathy], I feel his agreement, and then we hurry towards the Bastion.