The First World Sphere

Early on the morning of the 7th day, I made my way to meet Callem at Ennet’s house. Aelyn and Wynna were making breakfast when I knocked, and I quickly joined them. Aelyn kept looking at me, and finally, I told her she should just ask her question.

“Storme, why didn’t you ask me to join your delve team?” she seemed hurt at being left out.

“I don’t have a delve team. At least I don’t plan on delving myself. I am just hiring some adventurers to harvest specific materials for me. I plan to have a team gather consumables for the restaurant and materials to construct a skyship,” I replied, and she seemed a little less dismayed.

“Callem and Wynna seem to think you are planning to attend the dungeon delving academy in Aegis city,” she retorted.

I hadn’t told Aelyn of my more in-depth plans since she had been living in town at Ennet’s house. “That is true. But it is only to utilize their magic training classes. Like I said, I don’t plan to delve myself.” Aelyn still seemed confused. “Don’t worry, Aelyn. If everything goes to plan, then that mark on your neck will be removed in less than a year,” I said confidently.

“You will be free of Skyholme and me,” I added, and she showed uncertainty on her face. Either she was doubting my words or didn’t want to be free of me. I was betting on the former.

Callem entered the kitchen, and I was relieved to end the conversation with Aelyn, “Callem, are you ready to head to Solaris? Selina said she would meet us at the skyship docks and go to a private place to interview Talia. Then we can take a ship to Aegis City and hit up the adventuring guilds.” We quickly stuffed all the food into our mouths and started for the door. I paused.

Aelyn looked melancholic the entire morning so I thought I would offer her to come along. She hated being in public with the tattoo branding her as an indentured, so I assumed she would say no, “Aelyn do you want to come? Your input would be appreciated.”

“Yes!” she said too excitedly, and her face instantly brightened. I guess she just wanted to be included. I noticed Wynna and Ennet had smiles they were trying to hide as they did the dishes, and Aelyn ran to change.

We walked into town, and I told Callem what I was looking for in my delve team. Two core front liners who were strong in defense and good at melee. A support member that was good at healing. Two scouts with good ranged combat capability. The sixth member was to be a mage who had good offensive spells for both area effect and individuals. In addition, I wanted at least two porters. Porters were responsible for carrying out the dungeon loot. So eight members in total.

Callem thought I could find everyone except the support healer. Healers were rare in Skyholme as the navy usually scooped them up, and there just wasn’t enough to go around. He suggested I look for two mages and give one of the mages some incentive to learn a healing spell or two. I knew mages didn’t have a large aether matrix, so utilizing space on their spell matrix for a tier 2 healing spell was difficult to make over a powerful tier 2 defensive or offensive spell. Aelyn was quiet, but she carefully listened to the conversation.

We found Selina waiting on a bench for us. The skyship from the capital had not arrived. She was surprised to see Aelyn but started asking her how her third spell imprinting was progressing. I was not aware Aelyn was working on the privacy spell. I thought she had told me she was working on the cleanliness spell. I guess I was really growing apart from her after we longer slept in the loft together.

Callem and I moved slightly off to the side, and he was relaying what kind of defensive skills my two front liners should be able to demonstrate. The skyship landed shortly after, and Talia disembarked, and as she approached, Selina introduced Aelyn and Callem. Aelyn was making lightning eyes at Talia, which she returned. Why the fireworks?

Talia and Aelyn walked on either side of Selina as Callem, and I followed them to the meeting location. Callem chuckled and said in a low voice, “I think those two are ready to face off for your attention, Storme.” I looked confused at the trio walking twenty paces in front of us. I didn’t have time to consider Callem’s words more seriously as he started quizzing me on my observations as we walked.

It was a game, and I had to keep my eyes forward, and he would ask for details about things or people we had already passed. I was getting about 70% correct and 20% partially correct, which I thought was really good. Selina turned into a tea house, and we were seated upstairs on a balcony. Selina cast a transparent privacy shield as we settled in. The privacy barrier encompassed the entire balcony.

Aelyn sat to my right, Callem to my left, and Selina and Talia across from us. Selina poured some tea and relaxed. She was only here as an observer. I think she was hiding a smirk at Aelyn’s and Talia’s dagger eyes. Everyone was waiting for me to start, so I did.

“Talia. Selina has mentioned that you are training to be a combat wizard and asked you to be a member of my delve team.” Talia looked confused and looked back and forth between Callem and me. I set her straight, “Callem is financing the team, but I am running it. What makes you qualified?” I always hated being put on the spot in interviews. I felt no matter my response, I was doing poorly.

She turned and focused on me, making eye contact. “I am in my fourth year at the Mage Academy. My imprinted spells include a tier 2 fire whip, a tier 2 ice lance, the tier 1 wizard lock, privacy, light, aether bolt, aether armor, and alarm spells. I am currently working on the tier 3 spell fireball. I have finished 3rd in mage duels at school and am currently ranked 4th overall in my class.” She nodded after relaying all the information.

“What level are your spells?” I asked while taking mental notes. Talia looked at Selina, who answered for her.

“Storme, even in an interview, asking a wizard their spell levels is impolite. But it is ok in this instance,” she smiled and nodded to granddaughter.

Talia looked back at me. “I learned the light spell first, so it is my highest-leveled spell at 15. My light and privacy spells are level 7. My alarm spell is level 9. My aether bolt just reached level 12. Wizard lock is level 3,” she said softly. “We just began actual combat last year, so my aether armor is only at level 8 but should reach 11 by the end of the academy year.” She grinned now as she finished, “Fire whip is level 7, and ice lance is level 6!”

I had to remember that my aether pool was 30 times larger than most young mages. This not only allowed me faster recovery of aether but a lot more of a pool to practice spells with. I had been awakened for just under one year and had already surpassed Talia, who had five years training on me.

“That is very impressive, Talia,” I said. She beamed at the compliment. “How much more space does your aether matrix have for spells?” Her smile faded, and she looked at Selina, who nodded.

“After the fireball spell is imprinted, I will have six more slots,” She seemed uncertain. So she had 20 slots for spell imprinting. Somewhat average for a mage.

Selina interrupted my thoughts, “She will have nine slots for additional spells. I am giving her a dungeon aether matrix expander that will add three slots to her core.” Talia leaned in and hugged her great great great grandmother. “Of course, she will have to consult me on what those spells will be to occupy the additional space.”

I wanted to ask Selina if she had a spell expander for me. I read about them, and they increased an aether matrix by a percentage. They didn’t affect the size of the aether core; those were different dungeon prizes. I think a tier 1 would increase it by 5%, a tier 2 was 15%, tier 3 was 25%. So a tier prize like that from a dungeon was quite the prize. “Quite a generous gift Selina,” I said as she smiled at me. “What are your plans for the remaining spells, and where is your focus?” I asked Talia.

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“I am planning to learn a tier 3 defensive spell, another tier 2 offensive spell, and a tier 1 utility spell,” she looked at Selina, “the other three slots are yet to be determined.” She took a breath, “My advancement focus will be on the fireball and ice lance spells. I hope to push both to level 23 before I graduate.”

Level 23 was the point where a spell matrix pushed its own evolution. In addition to getting your regular spell evolution, the entire spell got about 10% stronger across the board. Not many mages got a spell to level 23, as the amount of practice and slower progression at higher levels made it difficult. I turned to Callem, now finished with my questions.

Callem asked his questions about Talia’s actual combat experience. She had only her first year of academy training for practicing with melee weapons and hadn’t practiced since. Selina pursed her lips as Talia answered and gave Callem a squinty stare. She could still get some practice, but I didn’t want any team members unable to defend themselves in close quarters. We were ready to break the meeting when Aelyn chimed in.

Aelyn asked her about Talia’s friends at the academy and whether she had any outstanding debts. Talia’s answers were short and hard-toned. How did these two spawn animosity in the short time they had met?

When Aelyn finished, I made my decision. “So, Talia, this is my offer. A one-year contract, starting at the end of this academy year. You will be given housing and meals at my inn in Aegis City. You will be required to delve once a week. Your pay will be five gold per successful delve with a 20% bonus if you exceed quotas by 30%.” Her confusion was evident, so I clarified, “My delve team is going to focus on harvesting. I need a strong team to clear an area and smart delvers to collect what I need from each attempt.”

She was considering and asked, “What about failed delves?”

I hadn’t considered that, so I came up with an answer on the spot, “No penalty for up to 5 failed delves in an annual cycle, after that, then a three gold penalty from the weekly wage for each failure.” She nodded as that seemed fair. “Also, since you will still be in the Mage academy, we will schedule the delves on your day off and pay for your skyship fees to travel back and forth from the capital,” I added. That seemed fair, and hopefully, Talia would emerge as a good dungeon combat mage.

She left excited, and Aelyn mumbled about being ‘too generous to an inexperienced mage.’ She was definitely jealous of Talia, and I thought it was cute. I distracted her, “So Aelyn, are you coming to Aegis City with us?”

“Yes, someone has to look out for your best interests.” When we were on the skyship, Aelyn joined me at the bow.

She leaned into me as her hair wiped behind her. The anti-wind enchantment must be damaged on this ship. “Storme, you could have done better. Her thoughts were mostly focused on you. Winning you over like a prize horse. Selina told her of your massive potential, and she has her sights on winning you and riding you like that prized horse.” At least I now knew why Aelyn didn’t like Talia. She thought Talia was going to take advantage of me. I wasn’t concerned.

“Thank you for letting me know, Aelyn. Were you able to read Selina?” I asked curiously.

“Demons, no! I tried once, and she whiplashed my mind. Talia is just starting to put her mental defenses up. They are not good enough to stop me,” she smiled.

As the skyship landed, I pointed at the warehouse, “That is my building, Aelyn.” She looked impressed at the building, which now looked almost new and had in large script, The Shiny Platinum Restaurant & Bakery.

“You do seem to like to have big things, Storme,” she laughed softly. I had no response, and we joined Callem on the long walk to the adventurers guild hall.

Callem had rented a private training room to test our candidates. We were actually an hour early, and Callem asked if Aelyn and I would want to challenge him in the interim. Aelyn jumped at the chance, and I produced a staff from my dimensional storage. I had a dozen in there now of varying quality.

Aelyn and I tried to circle Callem but couldn’t penetrate his defenses. Aelyn bravely sacrificed herself repeatedly to try to get me an opening. I wasn’t sure if it was Callem’s grin or the beating Aelyn was taking on my behalf, but I thought Callem needed a surprise. I activated my lightning reflexes spell.

As if sensing the spell, Callem’s stance and forms changed to balance the increased rate of attacks. It was like I was getting closer but still unable to touch him with the staff. Callem was, for sure, slightly slower than me, but since he was wielding two heavy short swords, he still managed to block me every time. This did give Aelyn a chance to actually press the attack. After 5 minutes, I felt my spell advance to level 12. Maybe if I could reach level 13 and increase my speed again, Callem would be caught off guard.

I had about 35 minutes before I emptied my aether. Aelyn seemed to sense my determination and joined the assault on Callem with a new fervor. Callem was just wearing a stupid grin, and his eyes were twinkling in delight. Then he goaded me, “Oh, Storme, even with this spell, Gareth can still beat you. You need to get inventive.”

I started chaining the special sequences I had learned from Elora. They didn’t phase Callem in the least. At least the old square man was sweating. Fifteen minutes later, my spell reached level 13, and it evolved again. I needed to disengage and let the spell matrix weave the enhancement in and recast the spell. Callem thought I had given up, and Aelyn looked confused.

When I returned to combat, Callem was caught slightly off guard, and my staff connected weakly with his elbow. His eyes widened, but I didn’t erase the grin or twinkling eyes. Fine! Callem, you asked for this! I went into overdrive on the spell, increasing my speed from 73% to 146% faster.

My first strike got his left knee and then his right shoulder. His eyes suddenly changed after the two solid hits and changed from twinkling enjoyment to hard and focused in a blink. I never thought ‘killing intent’ was real. It was just something they put in anime from my past life to make people sound dangerous. But Callem’s eyes and aura suddenly made me feel like I was in a deep well, and he was looking down at me from the opening far above.

Aelyn immediately disengaged and recoiled, leaving me to fend off Callem myself. The blows came fast and quick, and I think I hit him eight or nine times, but I sported eight slashes myself, and my staff was missing chunks. I don’t know why I continued to fight. Callem could have ended me at any time, but he was letting me proceed. Finally, my aether ran out, and I collapsed in exhaustion. Callem stood over me momentarily before falling next to me, crossing his legs underneath him.

Callem was soaking wet, breathing heavy, and he was bleeding from his forehead where I connected. We didn’t speak as I desperately used my aether as it filled to my core to stop my own bleeding. I touched Callem and examined him with the spell. Six sizable bruises and a very light concussion. Everything else was minor. I did his concussion first and then alternated between us.

A knock at the door, and Callem yelled, “Ten minutes.” He looked at me, “I wondered when you were going to challenge Gareth or me. I followed you a few nights and watched you working on the spell. It is extremely impressive. If I hadn’t been prepared mentally for it, you would have had the upper hand.”

I laid down on the ground and saw Aelyn nursing her own injuries on a seat in the corner. I waved her over, and she had two torn ligaments which I healed. “Callem, that is bullshit. You could have had me at any time.”

“Not so, Storme. If you hadn’t pulled the strike to my head, you might have dazed me or knocked me out,” he said seriously. I didn’t even remember connecting with his head. The entire fight was just a blur to me.

“Well, it cost me. I have four broken bones, and it will take me an hour to regain enough aether to heal my ligaments and tendons,” I groaned in pain as I stood. Callem looked concerned, and I waved it off, “A side effect of the spell when I double its effects. You didn’t do much damage to me other than ruining a perfectly good set of clothes.” It took a second to use my cleanliness spell to eliminate the blood, sweat, and dirt, so the cuts Callem left all over my outfit were now easily seen. I pulled a new set of clothes out of my space and changed.

“So when are you going to challenge Gareth,” Aelyn asked eagerly, now that things had settled. Callem looked at me as well, interested in my answer.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to destroy his confidence. Also, my spell leveled twice during the forty minutes of our fight with Callem. That shouldn’t be possible,” I said with some excitement and surprise in my voice.

“I figured when you increased your speed. Fighting against a superior opponent will do that, and I didn’t pull many of my strikes. You should have felt truly threatened,” he replied nonchalantly. I shouldn’t be surprised, as that was how he sparred with Gareth. “If you want, I can join you on your nightly excursions and train with you at Twin Rocks.”

My eyes popped. He had been following me. I liked the run to the lake, and it was my favorite spot, especially when there was no wind, and the lake was calm. “I would appreciate it. I think my lightning reflexes may be my best offensive and defensive spell.”

A devious grin came over Callem, “Since you don’t mind me training with you, I am sure Elijah and Elora wouldn’t mind a late-night run out to the rocks as well.” I groaned. How did I get myself into these things? “We should focus on the task at hand. A friend of mine put together a strong list of candidates for us.” Callem stood slowly, feeling his body out. I remembered when he realized what a prize Gareth was all those months ago. Now he was looking at me the same way as he tested out his deceptively old-looking frame.

Well, at least I could control who I hired, “Let’s meet the contestants,” I said while still healing myself.

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