Ends of Magic

Chapter 33: The Leveling Game

Sarah and Khachi came over, looking down at Nathan sprawled in his chair. Sarah looked unamused. What?

He shrugged from the seated position. Im tired. And Ive already broken the magic in this chair, no need to spread it around. I hereby claim this chair for my butt, since it wont shape itself to any others.

Khachi snorted, and sat down on a couch across from Nathan. He leaned back and set his armored sabatons on the low - and delicately carved - table between them with a scrape of metal.

Were really not being very careful with this place. I guess knowing that well be departing before too long means we dont feel like we need to take care of it. Thats probably fine.

Nathan shook his head of the distraction, looking up at Sarah. Well, go on and sit down. I want to ask about my class Development.

Sarah raised her eyebrows, watching Nathan as she sat next to Khachi. I admit Im blasphemously curious. What will you share with us?

Nathan considered for a moment. Paraphrasing and explaining his options would help him conceptualize them, and it wasnt like he had a ton of secrets left from the Heirs. So he got started. I have four options.

Khachi rumbled in satisfaction. Good. It is common to receive fewer choices as you reach higher levels, depending on your Insights and deeds. Aarl said he had three options. I had two, though my choice was clear. Stella was an anomaly.

Yeah, she had like six. But about half of them were my fault, so

Sarah waved Khachi to silence, beckoning for Nathan to continue.

The first leans into my [Regeneration]. Says it will make me nearly unkillable and much stronger, but I dont think it will enhance my antimagic very much, or my mobility.

The second will make me better at absorbing mana for Stamina, and make me generally stronger and faster, as well as help me use all kinds of weapons. He nodded at Sarah.

She pursed her lips. Will it enable you to wield enchanted weapons?

Nathan shook his head. I dont think so. I have a Development of [Magic Absorption] coming up, I could probably make it more selective then.

What occurs? Aarl walked up, sitting down a little farther away as he wiped his hands on a cloth.

Khachi beckoned him to a seat. Nathan speaks of his level 81 Developments. Since he has no mentor, we will give him advice.

Stella had followed Aarl, and she harrumphed at having to drag over another of the comfortable couches to be included in their little circle. After a moment she gave up pulling on the heavy furniture and flicked it over with a force spell. Then she looked up. Our parents already gave him advice. What did they say?

Sarah answered. Mobility, survivability and stealth. Do any of your classes grant stealth?

Nathan waved them to silence. Let me finish going through it. [Woundless Berserker] is resilience and strength. [Manadrinker Einherjar] is better magic absorption, general physical enhancements and weapons. The next one is [Magicsunder Siegebreaker], and its about breaking enchantments and going through buildings. Generally being unstoppable.

The last one is [Implacable Antimage], and it seems like the best one to me. Better antimagic while raging, better mobility and enhancement to hand-to-hand combat ability.

Sarah leaned forward, pulling out a knife and her current whittling project - a little replica of the dungeon they were currently underneath. What in a muckgrabbers slimy asshole is an Einherjar?

Her brother gave Sarah the side eye for her language, but she was unconcerned.

Nathan shrugged. Something from Earth. Legendary warriors of one of our Pantheons. Theyre famous for being excellent fighters and going into Rages.

Also all dead. Being an Einjerjar is sort of an afterlife for those who died in battle. Collected by Valkyries and all that. I wonder if Davrar is trying to tell me something. Probably not?

Stella pointed at Nathan, a spark of lightning on her finger drawing his attention. Your choice should depend on your future plans, and ours. Will you stay with us? Will you fight Giantsrest on your own? If you want to fight on your own, your choice should be [Implacable Antimage].

Khachi picked up the thread of conversation, frowning at Stellas remark. But we have sworn our Oaths together. You must consider your role within the Heirs. [Woundless Berserker] is excellent for one who would draw the enemys ire, stand alone and unsupported while the rest of us slay the foe. [Manadrinker Einherjar] would do best with our support, granting you continual magic and relying on us to create openings for your weapons. If you wish to kill the enemy, such a class seems well-suited for it.

Aarl pulled out one of his sabers, and started to polish it to have something to do with his hands. You wanted to be able to fight larger foes, monsters and other fighters. [Manadrinker Einherjar] seems the best path to that. Sarah and I can teach you weapons, and provide unenchanted versions. The strength you gain from this class will mean that lacking enchantments is no blood from our wounds. And then you can Develop your Talent to allow you wield enchanted items, and share in the loot you help us collect.

Stella had pulled out her braid from the back of her robes, running her fingers over the entwined hairs as she waited for Aarl to finish his point. And [Magicsunder Siegebreaker] seems built to kill dungeons. If we want to stop the Ending of history by clearing countless dungeons, then that class is good. She paused, looking up and making eye contact with Nathan, trying very hard to communicate she didnt have expectations. This choice is less about what option is best, and more about what option you want.

A knife stuck point-first into the table as Sarah stabbed it down with exasperation. Harpys tits. There is a best choice here. Nathan is an Antimage. He kills mages and destroys magic, we take care of everything else. It would be a waste to Develop [Magic Absorption] to let him wield enchanted weapons. Should he be a second-tier fighter who is hard to hurt with magic, or a complete counter to all magic?

She continued, seemingly frustrated at all of them. This choice is Nathans. And while the other choices may make Nathan more dependent on us, [Implacable Antimage] is the option that will let him topple Giantsrest and their magics. He means to do that, and we might not follow him. Thats ok. But we cannot hamper him in that quest because we are afraid for him.

Sarah looked around at the other Heirs. It is time to speak of this. I do not want to fight Giantsrest. I will defend myself if they attack us. But I do not want to go to Giantsrest to topple them. Not even as a game. She turned and looked at Nathan, heaving a sigh and bowing her head. Sorry.

He nodded, scrubbing a hand through his hair. Yeah. Its unreasonable to expect you to attack Giantsrest. I dont have to fear most of what they can do. But I really cant judge you for not wanting to directly challenge them - the consequences can be so much worse than death.

I hoped but this shouldnt be a surprise. Im disappointed by this, but I really couldnt have expected it to go any other way. I might be able to use [Earnestness] to encourage them, but I'm not going to do that. I promised not to, for one thing. It would be a dick move, for another.

Nathan gave an expansive shrug, looking up at the Heirs. They were clearly trying to gauge his reaction. But they werent disputing what Sarah had said. Aarl looked relieved, Stella looked hesitant and Khachi was frowning and considering his position.

I do think if any of them would come with me, it would be Khachi.

He addressed all of them without anger. What Ive said about giving to friends and not expecting things in return. I meant that. I am really not trying to play the long game to manipulate you into fighting Giantsrest with me. I wont lie - I was hoping that eventually you might agree to do it. But part of friendship is respecting peoples decisions. And I respect your decision not to fight Giantsrest.

High-tier Earnestness 8 achieved!

There was a moment of silence as the Heirs digested his statement.

It was broken by Khachi. I am glad to hear as much. I respect your goals, Nathan Lark, and will light a flame for your success. I - we - will do what we can to help prepare you for your conflict with Giantsrest. For now, this is helping you choose an effective class, and helping you level. And assuring you that you are a member of the Heirs, no matter if you leave our company for a time to topple an evil empire.

Nathan met his eyes. Is there any other kind of empire? Maybe we can all team up to take on Agmon afterwards.

Aarl rolled his eyes dramatically. If you want to topple Agmon, [Magicsunder Siegebreaker] is probably the best. Theyve got enchanted fortifications that surpass this outpost. Imagine trying to take this place if it was defended by Agmon legionaries?

Ok, that does sound pretty rough, even if I can fly.

But the [Master of Many Weapons] wasnt done, However, my sister is right. For fighting Giantsrest on your own, [Implacable Antimage] is best.

Nathan looked towards Stella, eyebrows raised. Shed been pretty quiet ever since Sarah blew up. She looked apprehensive more than anything.

Maybe she feels the most doubt about telling me no. Ive taught her so much, but all that does is paint a bigger target on her from Giantsrests perspective.

She tried to speak, then swallowed to wet her throat and gave him a weak smile. Sorry. She paused, searching for words to soften the blow. I might be convinced to destroy Giantsrest if you teach me magic that would let me do it.

Nathan tilted his head from side to side. Im fine with killing all the mages of Giantsrest. Id rather not kill everybody else there too.

Stella squinted at him. So you do have Insights that would let me blow up Giantsrest. Can I learn them anyway?

Nathan shook his head. The more I teach you, the more Giantsrest will try to capture you. You know that, right?

She waved dismissively. Theyd like to capture us all anyways. As trophies if nothing else. This doesnt change much. And besides, the more magic I know, the better I can defend myself.

Fair enough. I can trust my friends to take care of themselves. And I need to plan to be without their support when I do eventually take on Giansrest. That tilts my opinion farther towards [Implacable Antimage].

He looked towards her. Do you need to be able to blow up a city? Thats about all some of those Insights are good for."

She threw her arms wide, clearly happy to be in more comfortable territory. Its a nice option to have around your neck! When you need to blow up a city, its too late to learn. Besides, it would also let me blow up dungeons, right?

Shes got a point. Still not convinced teaching her nuclear physics is a good idea. Lasers are a good next step.

Nathan sniffed at the air, smelling a faint burning scent. Is something on fire?

The food! Aarl jumped to his feet, running back into the kitchen, Stella close on his heels.

The food was still edible, and the Heirs settled into the comfortable suite with relish. The beds were also enchanted, so Nathan camped out on the carpet with his bedroll, while Aarl and Sarah took one bed and Khachi took the other. He and Stella had played a game of sword-spear-ax and shed lost, so she was sleeping on the largest couch in the suite room.

Nathan kept thinking about his class choices, but didnt bring them up with the Heirs again. He had gotten their advice, now he needed to reflect on it, and the advice hed gotten earlier from Artha and the Guardians.

He was pretty certain he wanted to just take [Implacable Antimage], but wanted to give himself some more time to reconsider, see if any potential inspirations struck. He went through his existing Talents and skills, thinking about how Developments of each would integrate with the various class choices. Still, [Implacable Antimage] came out on top. It would work best with the high-mobility style he was planning, and would tie in well with any future Developments of his Antimagic.

The next day, the Heirs thoroughly explored the outpost and the surrounding area. Nathan had been expecting more - armories inside the walls, another subterranean section. But really it looked like the control room and the suite were the only portions that had been designed with people in mind. Even the towers were more solid blocks of enchantment and ammunition, without more than a maintenance accessway for people to see their interior.

There wasnt even a gatehouse - just four solid stone walls that looked out over this barren and cratered section of valley. It was a nice view at least, and Nathan spent some time on watch, just in case the signal from the reactor had gone out and something was going to try and evict them.

But, nothing happened. Soon enough the Heirs retired to their rest.

Dinner was better, and Nathan settled in again to consider his class Development from all angles, and hopefully make a final decision.

This definitely feels like one of the more significant decisions Ill make. No, scratch that. The most significant decision I made was to oppose Taeol, back in the very beginning. Even if that was more of a necessary consequence of my moral stance on things, and not a real decision.

Nathan thought about the future Developments of the different class options, and which ones sounded the most appealing. Ultimately, the ones most focused on the most unique thing about him - his antimagic - won out. And those were also coming from [Implacable Antimage].

Again and again he was coming to the conclusion that [Implacable Antimage] was best.

After meditating and finding that he was calm and centered on the topic, Nathan decided that hed given the matter enough consideration. He was unlikely to change his mind, and selected [Implacable Antimage].

Congratulations, you are now an [Implacable Antimage]. Three of your existing class skills have developed, and you have unlocked three new class skills! These skills are tied to your parent class, and their power will increase with your level in that class. Davrar applauds your choice, and hopes you will continue to survive and prosper.

Class skill Stamina ->Deepened Stamina:

You have exceeded your stamina maximum many times. Your Stamina capacity is tripled. Stamina will accumulate during periods of rest, and can be spent to improve the speed and strength of your movements, or used for other skills or Talents that utilize stamina.

Class skill Juggernaut's Wrath ->Antimages Impassivity:

Pain and injury will only drive you further onwards, and you will have resistance to mind-affecting skills while Raging. Being attacked with magic will enhance the intensity of your Rage.

Class skill Antimagic Momentum:

Motion enhances your inherent antimagic, allowing you to break magical effects with your movements and blows. The greater the momentum behind the motion, the greater the enhancement. Effect is further enhanced while Raging.

Class skillRaging Thrill:

You can voluntarily enter and exit a Rage state, where you will be immersed in the thrill of combat. This will rapidly consume stamina, but will greatly increase your strength, speed and resilience to damage.

Class skill Juggernaut's Inertia -> Implacable Inertia:

Your motions carry significantly greater momentum, and any attempt to slow your movement is hindered. Magical effects will be almost completely unable to change your velocity.

Class skillUnarmored Resilience:

When not wearing armor your body becomes more resilient to damage from all sources.

New Class skill Improved Antimagic:

While Raging, your antimagic Talent is greatly enhanced, and will be especially effective at protecting you from hostile magic.

New Class skillStrenuous Agility:

You will move more quickly and easily, especially when reorienting your body in combat. Stamina spent on mobility will have a greater effect.

New Class skill Hand-to-hand Expertise:

You will be faster, hit harder and be more skilled at unarmed combat.

You have leveled up to level 88!

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Magic Absorption 9

Permanent Talent 2: Perfected Body 3

Talent 3: High-tier Slow Fall 7

Class: Implacable Antimage level 88

Stamina: 886/2940

Antimages Impassivity

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Implacable Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Improved Antimagic

Strenuous Agility

Hand-to-hand Expertise

Utility skills:

Battle Meditation 3

High-tier Earnestness 8

Mid-tier Sprinting 10

High-tier Spellsense 8

High-tier Notice 2

High-tier Identify 2

High-tier Dodging Footwork 1

High-tier Enhanced Memory 7

Mid-tier Lecturing 7

Mid-tier Tumbling 7