The Path of Ascension 5: A LitRPG Adventure

19

As Quill painfully set aside the data he had been so eager to acquire, Sally asked, “Can this be used for everything? I mean all enchanting?”

“It can. While I don’t use it, I know of a friend or two who has. Now, you just need to start collecting mana types. I’m happy to sell you some to get you started, but take my advice and work on the basics first. You’ll need to change most of your current runic structures to get this to work, after all.”

Under his mask, Matt smiled. From seeing her in action, he knew she was far more skilled than he was. Giving her the information about using matched mana types would be like putting wings on a tiger.

She could go anywhere after this.

The question was whether she had enough time to fully digest the information and change her style. The best of the crafters would have had this information for years.

Pulling out a feather pen, he drew out a series of runes. “These are how you can lock regions of the formations to only use specific mana types. You then need to set up converter runes, but it’s not that complicated. They’re just harder to enchant and more expensive to initially charge. The efficiency also goes down if the wielder doesn’t have a compatible mana type, but the damage increase is well worth it if you ask me.”

The other enchanter shook her head and asked him to clarify a few more points about the runes needed to stabilize the multiple mana types, but Quill could tell that her mind was already racing.

Seeing that she was about to dive back into her crafting, he turned to leave. Once he made his way back to a teleporter, he activated it to find himself in Mara and Leon’s apartment.

Mara and Leon were waiting with popcorn and together cheered, “Good show!”

Leon added, “I liked how you stomped on his face. You really brought him to heel! Well done!”

Matt rolled his eyes as he started stripping Quill’s armor off.

Pulling off his boot, Matt mused, “Well I’m glad someone appreciated that stupid pun. It seems wrong to be such a d**k to people, though. Just feels unnatural.”

Mara was more focused on Sally. “It was nice of you to give the girl that information. If she can scrounge together a decent collection of mana types, in time, she might break into the top hundred enchanters. There are a lot of nice rewards up there.”

Leon just shrugged. “Get used to the hecklers though. People will probably hate you for any perceived power. Light and Shadow were detested during their tournaments, and they didn’t act like pricks at all. People love to tear down the competition. Once you win, all that hate will turn into favor as your star burns brighter. And better to remember that it’s all an act. One day, you’ll probably merge your identities, and then you’ll have to deal with rabid fans. And you were kind to the girl. Being a d**k to only those who are particularly assholes won’t make too many people mad.”

An equally serious Mara added, “You can always change your mind. There’s no real reason for you to be the next Aiden— Sorry, Duke Waters. You can let someone else deal with it. Live a comfortable life and just work on the projects you enjoy.”

Matt met their eyes and saw nothing but acceptance.

Firming his will, he said, “Those who can should. I can protect the Empire by making a splash and showing we’re strong. The stronger my competition and the heavier my restrictions, the better it will be when I pull back the mask and show them that the Empire has another Ascender not to be trifled with.”

Taking a deep breath, he stood and said, “I don’t have to like it, but I’m in the position to make a difference. So, I should. And I will.”

Looking back at the older couple, he added, “Just let me know if the fame starts getting to me. Please.”

Two goofy grins met him with enthusiastic thumbs up.

Matt dove into making talismans for the upcoming masquerade, and was joined by Liz, who explained what had happened to her.

“Nearly the same as you. People tried to accost me and see what powers I revealed. I did set up an alchemy contact, though I didn’t have to fight anyone for it.”

The next two days flew by as they prepared for The Masquerade.

Stupid nickname aside, it was their first time coming into contact with the best competitors in the Tier 10 tournament.

At the appointed time in their Quill and Torch personas, they entered the teleport pad and appeared in a vast marble ballroom swirling with decorative gold inlays. Vibrant, scarlet draperies adorned the walls and pillars.

The second floor’s wrap-around balcony was packed with people drinking a variety of beverages as they watched the ballroom floor fill up with the newly arrived masked contestants.

As the hour ticked over, a trio of gem-like masks stepped forward and held up a hand to silence the room.

Emerald Blade stood to the front and hovered off the edge of the balcony with both Sapphire Shield and Ruby Wand behind him. All were reinforcing their flying devices with their Concepts, an impressive application of Domain mastery for their age.

Sapphire Shield and Ruby Wand were women, and from the way they stood next to Emerald Blade, and their general physical closeness, he suspected that they were all in a relationship.

Quill noted that as a potential weakness.

Emerald Blade waited until he had everyone’s attention and said, “We welcome you, newcomers, to our august presence. Sadly, not everyone will be invited to next week’s gathering. If you cannot defeat one of us on the second floor, you will be deemed unworthy.”

He gestured, and a number appeared over everyone’s head in Quill’s AI. “The lower the number, the stronger we are.”

Emerald Blade, Sapphire Shield, and Ruby Wand were all marked with a seven. Seeing that, Quill knew it was a ranking by team. He focused up as Emerald Blade continued to speak.

“Challenges can be held by team or by individual. You all have three attempts to win, but losses don’t matter here. Your only task is to be victorious once. Healers are, of course, on standby.”