The sound of thunder cracked through the air as a bolt of lightning shot through the sky in the middle of Greywoods. I clicked my tongue in annoyance as the lightning missed the giant hawk in the sky, though it seemed like the sound had staggered it a little.
I had come to retrieve the trap I used on the Storm Runner, and it seemed like in the short absence since the raptor fell, another apex predator had moved in and claimed the area as its nest. I could have avoided it by waiting until it was out hunting to retrieve the trap, but if I was honest with myself, I was looking for a fight to blow of some steam after the news yesterday.
I watched it with Electro Perception as it circled around, probably looking for an opportunity to stick me with one of its razor sharp feathers. I saw it dive towards me a little then flapped its wings a few times, which I had recognised by now was its pattern for launching those feathers.
I promptly activated Lightning Infusion to jump a few steps away, as I saw the feathers punched through the soft soil in a straight line.
FWHIP — FWHIP — FWHIP
Yellow cored beasts in general already started to develop some level of intelligence, and this birdie probably guessed I might dodge in a specific direction and fired a few more feathers trying to catch me off guard
It flew closer and then fired a few Wind Blades spells using its wings. I could see the distortion in the air and I fired a Lightning Bolt along its telegraphed path, which was straight at me.
KRA-BOOM
The super heated air from the Lightning Bolt weakened the Wind Blades as well as pushed them side ways, making them miss their mark and flying into the bushes behind me. I could have evaded the Wind Blades but that would have given the hawk another opportunity to attack me while I was orientating myself.
I was paying close attention to when the different parts of its nervous system lit up prior to each of the different attacks. It had also tried to nose dive and gouge flesh out using its razor sharp claws. I had already figured out most of its patterns by now and was waiting for the right opportunity.
It had resumed circling again after that last attack, far enough away that it could react to any Lightning Bolt I fired at it. I was surprised by its persistence, as most other beasts would have ran away by now. Though truth be told, I was the offender in this case, as it could be defending its nest nearby.
After a while — it probably decided I was not going to leave on my own accord — it committed to a dive towards me. I did not immediately seek cover, choosing to wait as I had seen this move before. At the last moment, I saw the tell I was looking for, the nerves around its wings lighting up, indicating that it was a feint.
I fired a Lightning Bolt as the hawk flapped its wings to arrest its dive and change directions, while also firing off two Wind Blades from its pair of wings simultaneously. The Lightning Bolt connected with the hawk in the moment it changed direction, while also partially knocking the Wind Blades off course. Because I was aiming for the hawk rather than the Wind Blades, one of the Wind Blades was less affected and flew dangerously close, leaving a cut on my cheek.
I saw the hawk nose dive into the clearing in front after it was struck. I touched the cut on my cheek, noting how close I came to having my head sliced off. I was probably more reckless than my usual self, but the chilling thought of my vision spinning around as my head flew threw the air sobered me up.
I walked towards the hawk, fully keeping at eye on the hawk in front of me. It was one of the largest birds I had seen, a bird this size was probably closer to the size of real dinosaurs back on Earth. The hawk was already dead by the time I got to it. If the Lightning Bolt had not killed it, the fall probably did, judging by the awkward angle of its neck.
I did not casting another Lightning Bolt this time as I could already see its nervous system completely fading away, coupled by the fact that I could feel the energy in its core calling to me — not quite like the one in the Storm Runner.
I absorbed the energy from the core, feeling it settle in me before I took out a knife to cut open its chest. Yellow cored beasts occasionally form an crystal core attuned to their affinity, which were self replenishing sources of mana that could be used in enchanted gear. In the cases that adventurers found one, they could be sold for a lot of money depending on the affinity.
I opened the notification from the Weave before promptly dismissing it.
[You have absorbed a Yellow Core. You have increased your Mana Core Capacity by 250]
I trekked my way back to where I had set up the trap for the Storm Runner the other day, and saw that it was mostly intact, except for the fact that it had been moved around a little bit. Probably prodded by beasts that were attracted by the smell of blood left by the Storm Runner on the spikes.
I secured the two spears using a rope and hung in across my shoulder and chest, while the other trap components I placed them in a bag I brought with me. I could have just bought more copper and iron, but the copper coils were a pain to make; besides, I needed to clear my head and think about how I would get out of military conscription.
I packed everything up and headed back to the grotto, deciding to pay Garrick a visit in town.
It was past noon when I had reached Hollow's Reach, and I briefly stopped by the wagon yard, hoping that Garrick was around. I did see the wagon around but old Betty was not tied to it. "Phew, I should check his house then"
Garrick rented a small two-room loft above the cooper's shop in town. I rarely visited him here as he's usually out of town doing deliveries, or tending to something at his wagon and old Betty. I arrived in front of his door, thinking through how much I should say before asking for his help.
I'll be as honest as I can I guess, since I'm fucked anyways in two weeks if I don't find a way around this.
I knocked twice, hoping he's not out in the tavern drinking, though he did not seem like the type.
"Who is it?" Garrick asked cautiously. He did not open the door. I could see with Electro Perception that he seemed to be holding something, probably a bat or some weapon. Like that would do anything to a determined mage. Though I guess you didn't live to Garrick's age without some level of precaution.
"It's me, Ash. We need to talk" I said in a somber voice.
The door clicked open, and Garrick peered out with one eye to confirm it was indeed me before opening the door fully. "Come in"
It was the first time I was let in, as the other few times he had just told me to wait for him by his wagon. He could probably tell there was something serious by the tone of my voice.
The place was simple, it had another room, which I guessed was his bed room and the main living area. There was a shelf with some personal belongings and what I guessed were his ledgers where he recorded transactions for his trades. A lamp hung in the corner of the room, with a table in the middle surrounded by a few chairs.
"Have a seat"
I sat down. I stayed quiet, looking down at my clenched fists over my thighs, thinking how I should start the conversion.
"Look kid, I'm not stupid. No eight year old could get the kind of things you get your hands on. I know you have your secrets, and I'm not interested knowing what they are" Garrick said before I could even put my thoughts together.
"Just tell me what you need and I'll see what I can do"
"There are two things actually. First is that, I need to find information on how the evaluation orb used by the Royal Inspectors work. I was hoping you could see if that information could be purchased from the camp you brought me to" I said, straight to the point.
"Lemme guess, and second, you want to know how to get around it?" Garrick said, a smirk appearing on his face when he saw my slack jawed expression.
"Err..." I just muttered as I was trying to ask how did he know.
"How did I guess? You're not the first person trying to get out of an evaluation mandated the Royal family. There have been many noble families that tried to get their heir out of military service. Procuring of a device that could do that is a common request in our circle." Garrick explained
"Well, I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Garrick asked.
"Good news" I said, opting to keep the bad news for last.
"Good news is, I know exactly how those orbs work. Well not exactly but the concept of it. Its quite a sophisticated piece of enchantment" Garrick said, pausing for suspense. I wanted to roll my eyes but held back since my fate could potentially be in his hands.
"They work by forcefully drawing mana from a mage's core, and they have the detection rune inscribed for all known affinities. Even for unknown affinities that might not have been discovered yet, they could still detect the presence of mana and highlighting that it does not belong to any of the common affinities"
"Most mana cores don't form overnight. They usually mature overtime, and only when it reaches sufficient maturity then would the Weave recognize it and grant the mage access. The orb is able to forcefully draw mana out of the core of a mage, especially one uninitiated in how to control their mana."
I gave Garrick an incredulous look, amazed at his proficient knowledge in this.
"Oh don't give me that look, there have been enough requests for it that its a common knowledge among merchants. It's no secret really, and the Royal Family doesn't hide it as most kids don't have a way around them, which leads me to the bad news"
My face sank as I heard the last sentence.
"It's not that there aren't ways to get around it. The only one device known to get around it is a slave collar, and with how strict the Royal Family is on slavery, its almost impossible to get in Vesperia"
"Hasn't anyone tried crafting one?" I asked.
"Well yes and no. You see, slave collars are affinity attuned. They are usually made out of two materials. Void Iron, and a material attuned to the affinity. Common affinity materials are easy enough to get, whereas affinities for uncommon or rare affinities are very difficult to source."
The implications of that dawned on me with that fact.
"And the common affinities are not forcefully drafted, it is the uncommon and rare affinity kids who needs it." I said outloud.
"Exactly. And between a kid gaining access to the Weave to learn of their affinity, and the Royal Inspectors arriving, there aren't usually enough time to get material with the right affinity and finding an enchanter willing risk the Royal Family's wraith for a few extra coins"
My brain churned through different possibilities and scenarios before asking Garrick "But is it possible to secure Void Iron?"
"Hmmm, not impossible but it won't be easy. It's not a commonly used metal by the common folk" Garrick scratched his chin as he thought about it.
After a moment, he gave a small nod. "Give me a few days, I might have a few leads. But I gotta warn you, lad, Void Iron alone will not get you out of the evaluation. And it'll cost a cockload of coin, better be prepared"
"It's alright, I've got to try. I appreciate your help whatever the outcome. Thanks, old man. I know you're already doing all you"
I thought I saw a slight blush from Garrick, not being used to getting thanked like that. "Baah, don't thank me yet. I can't guarantee I will get any, besides it's just business for me. Alright out you go, I've got to get ready myself"
I left his house, heading back while thinking through the other material I need, and I might have just the thing. Though I'll need to get my hands on advanced enchanting runes first.
Check out the lil birdie Ash took his frustration out on.