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Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (94/?) WiP 1
🕑 Added 2024-08-11 01:31:13 +0000 UTCHey everyone! Here is the Work in Progress for Chapter 94 I hope you guys enjoy! :D
The Transgracian Academy for the Magical Arts. Dragon’s Heart Tower, Level 23, Residence 30. Emma and Thacea’s dorm. Local Time: 1545 Hours.
Thalmin
The battle lines were now drawn, and our pieces tentatively placed.
Though far from complete, and more the product of overeager restlessness stemming from the highs of our recent victories, our goals had become clearer; our paths now better defined.
Or at least, marginally so, given we now had a sense of direction with some of our campaigns.
Our primary quest remained the same — survive the academy, at any cost.
Though this was easier said than done, and subject to the whims of outside forces and parties both known and enigmatic.
Dramatics aside, there was little we could do to actually prepare for the Academy, for all our preparation had already been done for us in the form of the schedules and timetables. It was the element of the unexpected that truly worried me however; Auris’ unprovoked assault being an exemplary example of the titular ‘unexpected’.
As a result, it was our side-quests that had taken more form. As unlike our primary questline, our optional side-quests were ours to dictate, and our responsibility alone. The recent string of successes in the form of our most recent discoveries, to our most recent gains, solidified that notion; giving us the prerequisites we needed to push forward with the completion of our goals.
The discovery of Mal’tory’s notebook, was a step forward, if not the first major step, towards completing the library’s questline; a matter which bound both Emma and Ilunor’s fates.
The lump sum gained from the Vunerian’s wager, would allow us the ability to extend our reach into the vast unknowns of the Nexus, in search for this amethyst dragon.
The results of which would undoubtedly allow for Emma’s clandestine operations to truly begin, and a new stage in our peer group’s dynamics to truly take shape.
Whilst limited in its capacity to relay information, given the newrealmer’s limited understanding of transplanar communication and the inherent limitations of the crystal when utilized in this… unconventional setup, the fact remained that so long as it was Emma that was communicating, and so long as Emma remained the de-facto representative of Earthrealm… we would at least stand a chance at breaking from the insipid constance that was Status Eternia.
For each hour that passes, and each moment that we grow closer, so too does Havenbrock’s chances at forming something of a tangible alliance grow with it.
If Emma fails to contact Earthrealm, if spirits and ancestors forbid… she somehow fails and is replaced or entirely excommunicated… all hopes at forming something tangible will be lost with it.
Moreover, all hopes of Emma’s mission succeeding would be completely expunged.
That was something I could not allow, not from a utilitarian, nor from a moral and ethical perspective, and most especially not as her friend.
This was more than a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, this went far beyond a ‘generational event’... this was a paradigm shift with which I had the capability of not just influencing, but outright facilitating.
Perhaps it was my foolishness, my brazenness, or even my own shortcomings… but when life presents an opportunity never before seen, and not at all comparable to any event in history… then I would be a fool not to take that leap of faith.
After all, Havenbrock wouldn’t be what it currently is if we hadn’t seized the opportunity.
So it stands to reason that there was precedence for my ultimate goals, and the actions I was willing to take to reach those ends.
As it stood now however, the planning had more or less been put on hold following Emma’s inexplicable departure for her tent.
Though it’d been a solid few hours since her sudden departure…
“Do you think she’s dead?” The Vunerian announced abruptly, completely out of nowhere, prompting Thacea’s furious scribbling to halt in her tracks.
“What in the wide expanse of the Nexus, has possessed you to say that?!” I questioned with a firm growl, scooting up from my slouch towards the Vunerian who seemed entirely unbothered by my outcry. He remained supine atop of ‘his’ fainting couch, his head propped up by a pillow, and his arm lazily reaching towards a small tower of jellied treats.
“Well it’s just she has been gone for a while now.” The Vunerian responded with a dismissive shrug. “Long enough that the kitchen was able to provide us with refreshments… I mean… she did say she would only ‘be a moment’.” He added, putting up a frustratingly ‘innocent’ front.
“If you haven’t something constructive to say, then don’t say anything at all, Ilunor.” I growled back in annoyance.
“I was merely being facetious, Thalmin.” The blue thing finally ‘surrendered’, feigning the motion by raising both of his hands above his chest, momentarily halting the otherwise uninterrupted flow of food from tray-to-mouth.
“In any case—” Thacea chimed in, providing an off-ramp to the Vunerian’s attempt at distasteful humor. “—perhaps we should refocus our attention back towards something a bit more productive?”
“What is there left to discuss, princess?” Ilunor offered with a sigh. “The plan is simple, no?”
“The plan requires some finessing, Ilunor.” Thacea shot back, before revealing the scribbles on her notebook, revealing the schedule she’d mapped out for us. “First of all, we need to rise first thing in the morning, to beat the crowds of students into town such that we may indulge in having first and unmonitored rights on the great many items for purchase from within the ambassadorial and crown-patronage district.”
“Reservations on early rising aside… you make an excellent point, princess.” Ilunor spoke through a toothy grin. “For this will allow us to sample the local delights of Elaseer! Oh how the town provides a veritable cornucopia worth of choices through which the culinarily inclined amongst us may revel in—”
“Of course food is on your mind, even when discussing matters of grave importance.” I muttered out, interrupting the Vunerian with a frustrated sigh.
“Ilunor has a point, Thalmin.” Thacea unexpectedly interjected, prompting the both of us to widen our eyes at her critical gaze.
“Go on, princess?” I offered.
“Our journey through the town’s great many delights within the ambassadorial district isn’t merely one of self-indulgence… for it is here where we will acquire a great many weapons with which the war of words shall be waged. For as much as the artifices of commerce may be powered through the power of coin, so too is it accelerated by the rhythms of philanthropy.”
“Gift giving.” Ilunor surmised with a cock of his head.
“Are you unaccustomed to the practice, Lord Rularia?” The princess shot back.
“Hardly.” The Vunerian replied with an indignant huff. “Though I scarcely see why we would need to entertain commoners with such time-consuming endeavors. They scarcely deserve our attention as is.”
Comments
morbonator
Full chapter starts the same way. So much for that thought then.
I Dare Korval
Since the Librarien can be aware of things via Emma's Library card, maybe she could just place it atop the book and the Librarian could copy the data?
I Dare Korval
Emma still has to show the guys the 2 orbital rings.
Bbobsillypants
Untested in its intended operational enviorment, across the room and in another dimension are two different things.
Michael Halpern
they are going to the library, its unlikely that Emma is going to just deliver the burn catalog, but also try and get more useful information, that means she needs something to demonstrate, and she needs to be able to indirectly percieve and manipulate manafields.
Michael Halpern
gift idea, pens.
Michael Halpern
against its rules knowledge for knowledge
Bogdan Gabriel Onete
We will see how blind they will be by the end of the school week when thr second presentation will occur
Steve
She’s going to the library and they do need funds. I’m betting that she’s prepping a data tablet with translated junk data to give to the library to trade. With that she could get money from the library. It is an all-knowing entity after all. I think it would know that money talks.
Lorventus
I'd actually be surprised if they *hadn't* done some degree of testing. Simply having the two halves physically far apart would likely be sufficient on a baseline. It *works*, but they aren't likely to know how well, how long or how efficiently.
Michael Halpern
or making new ones
morbonator
This wouldn't be the first time the WIP chapter started halfway through the finished chapter. So I'm assuming that's what's going on, so we'll get what happened in the meantime when the full chapter is posted.
Bbobsillypants
It be kind of foolish if earth realm went full FBI open up on the nexus considering emas suppost to report back with an experiemental untested communication device. They could just as easily assume it wasnt working as intended.
Cᐰptain ᐰwsome #119864 snapd
Ilunor doesnt know of the wisdom of the barkeep, for the barkeep sees all.
Medical-Cyanide
The sensors would make a lot of sense. Perhaps she went in for something truly quick when evi said it’s done?
Gabu
I feel like I missed something. I just went back and double checked but at the end of the last chapter they were talking about visiting the armorer following them collecting the winnings. Suddenly we're back in their room, Emma has disappeared to her tent, and presumably enough time has passed that they're wondering what's taking so long. Did I miss a chapter or something?
Logos
Imagine the sheer fucking shitshow that would happen if Emma doesn't eventually report back to earth. The Nexus isn't ready for the extreme destruction of a hostile exfiltration. We come in peace, because we know what war is like.
SpaceFan839
He still is blind to just how far 'Everything' will go.
Bbobsillypants
She was explictly stated as not being that tired last chapter, shes a well trained soldier at peak fitness
David Ellis
I'm betting she just fell asleep from exhaustion and the adrenaline leaving her system.
I Dare Korval
Opps, ... Ilunor is starting to slip back into the Discount Kobold territory with that last remark. Wonder if we will hear anything about that girl Emma saved back when the dragon escaped. And didn't Emma need to see about recovering some drones? It might be helpful if a drone got stuck to the dragon.
Bbobsillypants
Whats shenanigans is ema getting up to in her tent, perhaps grabbing/preparing a weapon for the adventurers to kill the dragon with? Maybe even figured out how to augment her sensors and is prepping something?
Michael Halpern
Emma's just getting something printed for the library, im going to bet it's a steam engine
Canpinter
Glad to see thalmin recognizes emmas potential to change EVERYTHING.
