Chapter 694: Lockpicking Mages (1/2)

Chapter 694 Lockpicking Mages

Ilea cracked her neck, ripping out the last few spears stuck in her chest before she threw them aside. “Thanks darling,” she said, smiling at the tree. The last few liters of blood flowed into the black grass covered earth below.

“Of course, Lilith. Whatever it is you require,” the being said.

She looked at the ground. “Do you actually drink all that? Can’t say I’m thrilled about that.”

“What do you mean? Is that not the pact we made? Your blood for my endless knowledge?” the tree asked. “Many children will be born of your sacrifice.”

“You know I never know when you’re joking with shit like that,” Ilea said and stretched.

“I do use it to feed certain beings in the area, some unable to sustain themselves from time to time. I assumed you wouldn’t mind,” spoke the Meadow.

“I don’t. Donating blood is important. Happy to give some flesh too if it helps,” she said.

“I didn’t know you could shed,” the tree said.

Ilea huffed and rolled her eyes before she checked her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

“That one circle did more than this entire forest for the past hours,” she mused.

“I presume you hadn’t seen it before,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea summoned her armaments and healed the heavy damage it had sustained. “Sorry buddy,” she said, tapping the living armor. She glanced to the tree. “Can living armor actually awaken? Like develop its own essence, conscience, mana, or whatever else is necessary?”

“Your Primordial Shift is far stranger than the prospect you suggest,” it said. “However, I think it unlikely. But with you, that doesn’t mean much.”

“Breaker of reality and all, eh?” she mused.

“Quite infuriatingly so, yes,” the Meadow sighed.

“Says the eldritch being,” Ilea retorted.

“Just because you fail to comprehend something doesn’t mean it’s incomprehensible. Your spells are the same, but while I might make sense of it some day, you will already have new abilities,” it said. The being sounded excited, annoyed, tired, and hopeful at the same time.

Ilea smiled and walked towards the others. “And that’s why you like me. New puzzles.”

The Meadow sent a wave of space magic past her. Perhaps the equivalent of waving her off.

“We’re leaving everyone,” she said. Monster Hunter made her voice and intent travel through the spacious cavern. “Where are the Elders?”

“Verena says they are ready to leave in five minutes. Dragonkiller Pierce is currently locked in a card game with high stakes. It appears most of her accumulated wealth is in the pool. I estimate her chance to win at around two percent,” the Meadow spoke.

“Just don’t let her murder everyone once she loses,” Ilea said and smiled at Owl and the enchanters. She raised a finger to her cheek and teleported to the smith. “Ah… before I forget. Goliath, I have something for you. Maybe you can use it to improve my armaments. Also thought about it being useful to Kyrian once he’s back,” she said and summoned the Soul Warden machines and half the swords she had taken from them. “Those especially might be interesting to him, or at least whatever enchantment or power is within them. I can even use the flame of creation with the blades.”

A few of the blades and two machines vanished instantly. “Rent,” the Meadow said.

“Rent?” Ilea asked.

The smith didn’t react, wholly focused on taking in the heap of metal. “I will do as you suggest, mother of ash.”

“Mother of ash?” Ilea asked but shook her head before he could answer. “Forget it. Yeah, I’ll let Kyrian know about it.”

She focused on the mark and sent a message. “New metal at Meadow’s. Check with Goliath whenever. Hugs, Lilith.”

“Thanks. Will check in later. Don’t hug, it kills people,” the metal mage sent back.

Yeah, but not you hopefully, Ilea thought. Maybe I should give him a charged fruit press hug next time we meet, she mused, tapping her lower lip before she moved over to the gathered group.

The Shades bowed as they had before, not a word spoken.

“Stop it with the bowing please,” she said to only them before she glanced up. “Do you want to come as well by the way?” she added, looking at Aki.

The Pursuer jumped down from the wall and landed in a low crouch, the motion smooth before his bladed arms molded themselves into rapiers. “There is much I have yet to learn.”

“Sure, but you can continue afterwards. I doubt we’ll be there for a long time,” Ilea informed. “And you might get some actual combat experience, heaven knows you lack it.”

“If you think it reasonable, and myself not a burden, I shall accept,” the Pursuer said and bowed lightly.

Ilea laughed. “You’re literally past level eight hundred.”

“And you faced the Meadow,” the dagger deadpanned with glowing eyes.

“Fair enough,” Ilea said after a moment of consideration. “I am pretty awesome.”

“Hmm,” Aki mused as he moved closer with fast steps. “Perhaps I should travel with you again. It seems your growing power has infected your mind.”

“It’s just her Earth Magic Resistance,” Iana said with a yawn. “Prevents her from staying grounded.”

Owl made a weird noise, her eyes flickering with purple light.

“High Enchantress, good morning,” Aki said.

“Morning, Aki. Ilea, why do you have to scream like that,” the woman asked while rubbing her eyes.

“I forgot you were sleeping. My apologies, High Enchantress,” Ilea said and mimicked Aki’s bow.

“You better be,” Iana said.

How did she sleep through the entire battle before? Ilea wondered. Noise canceling enchantments probably. But Monster Hunter got through?

“Is it fair to assume that an outside party would consider this group… strange?” Owl asked, glancing between the beings.

Bralin joined them again, his steps nearly skipping. “Strange doesn’t even come close, Greater Lich. I’m nearly certain I’m dreaming, or dead.”

“Your essence is untouched and healthy, young dwarf,” Owl said in a joyous voice.

He nodded while taking in a deep breath. “Wonderful. Yes. Thank you.”

“Uncursed and blessed with youth,” Ilea mused.

“You shut it, goddess,” the dwarf said. “Oh wait… what…,”

“Hmm?” Ilea asked, tilting her head a little to the side.

He looked at her and squinted his eyes. “I just got a level in Veteran.”

She laughed. “It is indeed very brave of you to offend me, fool.”

Three Elders of the Shadow’s Hand appeared nearby, perhaps the most normal looking people in the group. Form a human perspective at the very least.

“Noooo! The next draw would’ve-” Pierce fumbled, her face red as she stepped over to Verena and grabbed her shoulder. “A small loan, please. I can’t leave like this!”

The Berserker stared back before she burst into flames.

Pierce held on for a few seconds before she stepped back. She gave a glance to Lucas and reconsidered, turning instead to Ilea before she vanished and appeared right in front of her.

Ilea displaced the woman as far away as she could and clapped her hands. “You made it. Lucas do you want to join as well?”

“I will return to my work. I’m sure that… whatever it may be… this group is more than suitable to deal with it,” he said as he looked at the beings.

“Probably, yes,” Ilea mused. “I’ll bring the kids back later.”

“Don’t lose any of them. You’ll be the one responsible,” the teacher reminded.