34 A New Wind Blows (2/2)

More importantly, Rainer could heavily assist the spell by combining it with Arcane Energy. He knew, even combined with that, it was unlikely such a spell could be cast over the whole distance, but it would certainly be faster than walking.

”It is of no issue. I shall keep your housing off-limits until your return.”

Rainer headed back inside after saying goodbye to the Baron. In truth, the Nightmares may have been quite useful at Nalmar, but he had no way of protecting them should they need to escape by air.

Carrying them would be too expensive. He saw how the Baron reluctantly parted with them the first time they had been borrowed. He did not wish to take a man's companions away, permanently, from him in such a manner. He noted the Baron didn't have any romantic interests and that his son wasn't exactly ideal. Perhaps, the Baron's Nightmares are closer to him than Rainer first realized, he thought.

”Let's leave after tonight,” He said hoping to manage the flight spell by then.

His goal for the spell involved escape, but with the combination of [Gravity Domain] and a hopeful creation of Arcane-Wind he imagined the speed and efficiency, he could reach to be far faster than George could manage. They still had 5 forts to capture before heading to Nalmar itself. And with the group's improvement in strength and Rainer's own resources, a large group of undead became more manageable. He did not wish to delay.

Aware in his [Sleep Learning], he first looked over the tier 1 wind spells.

[Wind Blast]

It sent a concentrated burst of wind and was a short-range spell. Rainer imagined this was the one Martin used to stop Carver from speaking when they first met.

[Wind's Grace]

Rainer noted it was designed likely to make arrows and other spells fly faster by diverting wind resistance, akin to a buffing spell.

And then finally the flight spell itself, though Rainer's first goal involved gaining a wind or air manipulation skill and then combining it with Arcane as quickly as possible.

He had some thoughts of somehow mixing Space with Arcane but, in the end, he had not a clue on how to even do that. He manipulated space itself.

With his 200 Affinity and Intelligence under [Arcane Awakening] and his level 5 [Faraan Runic Language], it had only taken a few tries before Rainer managed to learn [Wind Blast]. Rainer poured in Mana and attempted to pull in additional air as he repeatedly cast [Wind Blast].

[Spell Gained: Wind Blast lvl 1/10]

[Wind Blast: Gather and expel a torrent of air at your intended target.]

His concentrated efforts at trying to draw in more wind had proven effective as the spell reached level 10.

[Skill Gained: Wind Manipulation lvl 1/10]

[Wind Blast has reached level 10]

[Reached the maximum proficiency of a Tier 1 spell: Rewarding 1 skill point.]

His recent experiments with leveling magic skills to level 2 had made him reason that anything other than an Arcane-related skill wouldn't give experience.

With the unlimited Mana of [Sleep Learning], Rainer collected a torrent of Air around him and sent spinning gusts of winds out from him. Storms raged about him as the Mana poured stronger and stronger.

[Wind Manipulation has reached level 2]

With [Wind Manipulation] at level 2, Rainer now sought to learn the Tier 3 spell he had gained.

[Wind's Ascent]

The spell involved creating a swirling sphere of wind around its caster, decreasing the air pressure on one's self and then using the rotation and power of the wind to take flight while still allowing and keeping air for one's breath inside.

Rainer first altered the spell to no longer require incantations and slightly improving its efficiency thus.

Something George no longer needed to use through long practice.

After a few attempts at understanding the rest of the Magical Formula. Rainer understood why many were unable to use this spell; there were too many elements.

Once the spell itself was created and managed it would be a bit easier, but, for example, increasing its speed after casting required the alteration of several factors.

Yet, under the aspect of unlimited Mana and having no fear of heights, beyond the pain, it did not take much for Rainer to gain the spell after an hour of practice.

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It's a shame resistances can't level up here…

Rainer thought after the numerous falls he had taken.

[Spell Gained: Wind's Ascent]

He now needed to try and add Arcane to his wind.

Rainer first held a simple Arcane-Flame in his hand. He watched it closely with [Arcane Sight] and could almost understand how the Arcane and Fire merged. The flame flicked and waved under his gaze. He watched the raw fire grow and engorge under the presence of the Arcane Energy within.

A swirling sphere of wind formed in his hand next and under the guidance of [Arcane Sight], he, at a pace far quicker than the past, merged Arcane Energy with the wind. The Arcane as it merged, drew the wind towards it, outside of Rainer's control. In its combining, it sought to combine further.

[Skill Gained: Arcane-Wind Manipulation lvl 1/10]

The swirling ball of wind took on a violet hue and seemed to pulse with energy. It naturally began drawing in even more power, from the air around it, before Rainer dissipated the Arcane-wind.

Rainer started modifying his first wind spell.

[Spell Gained: Arcane-Wind Burst lvl 1/10]

A tier 2 spell far different from its counterpart. The merging of Arcane and Wind naturally drew more air toward it, enhancing the spell without any extra effort.

With great excitement, Rainer altered the [Wind's Ascent] spell. He struggled as he tried to control the far more fierce and turbulent Arcane-Wind, but following a skill increase he had succeeded. Contrary to the past tier 3 spell, this had risen to the 4th tier.

[Spell Gained: Arcane-Wind's Ascent lvl 1/10]

Yet compared to [Spatial Domain], which reached the peak of tier 4, this spell encompassed the absolute minimum boundary, as Rainer felt, of a tier 4 spell.

The natural drawing in effect of Arcane-Wind cheapened the spell considerably. It also took away many of the factors that made the original spell difficult to manage. And combined with the ability to continually fuel the spell, after its initial cost of mana, with only Arcane Power, he now had a viable means of transportation.

Using [Gravity Domain] only increased the cost, given it could only be used with Mana. But in times where speed was needed, [Gravity Domain] was invaluable.

He had a thought of removing the part of the magical formula that prevented him from being blown back by his own magic and using it in concert with [Gravity Domain], but maintaining such a thing proved too dangerous given the mana cost for sustained flight.

Given the near instant nature of [Gravity Domain] and the 6 seconds it took to cast [Arcane-Wind's Ascent], there was a clear difference in combat usage.

Rainer still looked forward to the birth of his Wyvern. Traveling by burning his resources would never be an ideal situation.

He thought over whether he should spend the rest of his [Sleep Learning] trying to learn Lightning magic, but decided against it. He'd spend the rest of the time on autopilot so he could partially recover before their journey to Nalmar. In any case, it would take him some time to develop useful offensive magic from the one's he received from George. He wished to push for some Tier 2 ones, but he didn't want to go too far on their first meeting.

Rainer awoke to Kara by his side. Judging by her face it seemed she had been awake for a while. Luna too still relaxed on him, instead of bothering Gunthar as she often did.

”Is this about what I said?” Rainer, slightly reddened, as he recalled what he had told Kara prior to the night he left for his 2nd Class Advancement.

He rubbed his eyes and noted [Arcane-Wind's Ascent] leveled. He hoped with its previous Tier 3 nature it could be Auto-piloted, and his ideas proved partially correct.

[Arcane-Wind's Ascent has reached level 3]

Given the nature of it, neither Luna nor Kara had any intent of teasing him on it.

”No, I am still a bit tired from yesterday and Gunthar's a bit annoyed at Luna.”

”Meanie Gunthar blamed Luna cause he didn't know enchanted sword didn't work properly anymore. How can this be Luna's fault?”

It's completely your fault.

Both Kara and Rainer shared a look as if they knew each other's thoughts were the same.

As they headed downstairs, they noted Gunthar had already stowed away the enchanted and Mithril items in the mansion. Rainer needed room in his ring for anything else they'd pick up at Nalmar. He also had a sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't be able to stay at Nalmar, as he pleased, after the quest, so collecting any tomes from Nalmar's libraries was a priority as well. Though, in the end, he hoped to stay as he pleased.

Prior to leaving, the group went to purchase several large sacks. Tomes could be carried and given Gunthar's and Kara's strength there was little reason only to take what the ring could bring back with them.

Finally, they purchased food to be carried in the ring. They would abandon it when they needed space.

They left town hooded and Rainer activated the spell. He took a surprised Kara in his arms just as they took flight. It cost a decent amount more to carry Gunthar with them. But the speed of flight was worth it as he soared over the forests and toward the dungeon town.

Kara moved her arms around Rainer as they flew just above the tree line, far faster than a pace they could maintain without burning Aura. A translucent sphere of Arcane-Wind surrounded them as they flew onwards. He knew, this moment holding Kara in his arms, may be the last moment of peace he has for some time.

Some time later at the Fae Queen's palace…

Within a room, as Yulia held a mana crystal in her hand she pondered over the information she received from Maya. Different from most like Liliana, Maya was one of the Fae truly loyal to her Queen and the Queen in return showed loyalty.

A line of blood flowed down her red lips as she bit into them. Her eyes glowed with an emerald-mana infused hue.

How dare he!

She roared in her mind as a wind swirled around her. The bones in her fingers slightly cracked as she clenched a fist.

Among all the Fae killed, Yulia had valued Liliana the most. The rest were akin to hired guns working with her in exchange for the Fruit they received or hoped to receive. Now Yulia was trapped. She herself could go, but the moment she left she'd be hunted by the rest of the Fae Courts, lacking the protection of the Tree.

She needed the experiment back. She needed her desperately back. Yet the prospect of an [Archon] taking her for his own had made her realize she couldn't do it without help.

She grinned as her eyes darkened. Amongst the Fae courts, Maiden Elru of the Autumn Court was especially protective toward captive Fae. Yulia's experiments in creating Luna were well hidden. She need only plead the case of a wayward servant of hers being lost, and then provide a proper offer of Fruit in return for her, and Elru would send her strongest to retrieve the Experiment.

It came with the risk of what exactly made the Experiment so special getting out, but Yulia was left without any other option. Either she retrieved what she knew as hers or she would lose her throne during the next Trial of the World Tree.

In the end, she desperately wished to tear out this [Archon]'s throat with her very own hands.

More than half-way there, Rainer canceled the spell. They walked the remainder of the way.

They headed up to the entrance; no party had been leaving or entering now, and Rainer used the ring. They stood in silence as 10 minutes flew by. Rainer did not know if their leaving had been noticed and an undead army would hardly mind the wait.

”Now,” He said, and as agreed upon, they all pretended to enter the dungeon. And with a fluctuation of space they vanished from the entrance of the Dungeon.

The party found themselves at the same Dungeon entrance they had teleported from. They were at the entrance of the large cathedral-like building that encompassed the Dungeon entrance.

They stepped forward into the hazy light of the overcast area. They looked all around and found the presence of undead lacking. Rainer let out a breath of air along with some of his tension. He wished to capture the 5 remaining forts as quickly as possible. Though the one, which the undead horde had swarmed may present difficulty, he saw the other 4 as nothing more than experience.

Kara began shifting as Gunthar directed them which way to go. As Rainer gripped the fur on Kara for the first time he tried to adjust himself and rather than hanging on for dear life, actually ride her. He found himself, however, unsuccessful in gaining any skill.

He suddenly understood. Simply riding on a horse wasn't the skill. Using the stirrups and properly directing the horse is what made riding a skill. He thought it over as he tried to squeeze his thighs or pull Kara toward a certain direction. After a few attempts, unnoticed by her, he finally managed a skill increase and found himself no longer simply holding on for dear life.

[Skill Gained: General Beast Riding lvl 1/10]

[Skill Gained: Werewolf Riding lvl 1/10]

If before Kara would often inadvertently get Rainer hit by a stray branch, He now subtlety guided her along a path of least resistance.

His skill increased and Kara did not notice in the slightest what he was doing.

[Werewolf Riding has reached level 2]

Rainer knew he should probably tell her of the skill. But for now, he left it alone, far happier to no longer get thwacked by every branch outside of Kara's notice. He reasoned to himself it was safer not to tell her until they left Nalmar. Safer in what way, he did not note.

As Kara shifted back during a break, Rainer thought to ask a question relating to classes, given he was now going to be leveling up multiple new ones in the future.

”Hey Kara, how many attribute and skill points do you gain per level?”

”I gained 1 attribute and skill point, every other level for my Demon class, and the same, every three levels for my Blade Dancer. Why…what did you gain for Arcanist?” Kara, knowing they needed Gunthar at full capacity, hesitantly asked this question.

”Every level of Arcanist I got 1 attribute and 1 skill point. I gain 2 attribute and skill points every level with my Archon class now,” Rainer answered without much thought.

”As you should, Sorcerer, as you should.” Surprising both, Gunthar spoke in such a manner. His skeletal face gave away nothing.

”Gunthar understands now,” Luna said while flying out of Rainer's coat and sitting on top of Gunthar's head.

”Luna mentioned she was busy earlier. But Gunthar couldn't have known Luna was busy. So Luna is sorry.”

”It Al-”

But before Gunthar could accept Luna's apology she began outlying why she was busy.

”Sleeping all the time isn't so easy, says Luna. Luna has to find perfect position and then sometimes Luna has to match how Rainer walks so Luna doesn't wake up. Sleeping outside of Rainer is no easier. Luna is very small so Luna must…”

After nearly 10 minutes of Luna talking about the various tasks she could be busy with Gunthar finally was able to get a word in,” I Forgive you, Lady of the Fae, I forgive you.”

”Gunthar, if Luna went inside your head, could Luna use Fire and make Gunthar spit fire? Gunthar would be like dragon!” Luna said with great excitement, switching topics completely.

”Lady of the Fae, I'm afraid my body cannot handle such a thing,” Gunthar spoke a bit nervously.

”Luna knows. Luna only thought if Gunthar was Elf again, Luna could do such a thing.”

”Lady of the Fae…would that not be worse?”

”Luna guesses so,” She turned her head toward Rainer, but he responded before her, ”No you cannot shoot fire out of my mouth.”

”Eh…Rainer is no fun anymore.”

Laughing a bit, Rainer cast [Arcane-Fire Breath], emitting a small plume of fire from his mouth.

”Oh! Rainer is already like Dragon.”

As Luna continued to think of ways to blow fire out of Gunthar, all of which he rejected, Rainer thought over the party's, and his own, future leveling.

Rainer knew without the presence of new Dungeons or Main quests, leveling his second class, that shares experience with his 2nd Tier Class, won't be easy.

But at the very least, he now knew he should focus on his rarest classes. His recent understandings about subclasses had as well told him just how powerful Kara having two primary classes from the get go was. She may be the only one with more than 2 primary classes when she eventually advances.

I expect you to protect her well.

Rainer thought as he looked down at his [Incubation Ring]. He had high hopes for whatever Wyvern came out after being fed by both his and Kara's varied and powerful energies.

He genuinely feared what Kara might face. He knew if he tried to advance another 2nd Tier Class, he'd have the difficulty compounded by his [Archon] class. But Kara's situation was unique. He knew she wouldn't wish to take the Fruit, though he'd certainly ask when the time came.

Rainer gazed over to Kara who stretched out her arms, her black tail gently swaying. Her white blouse slightly lifted revealing her fair skin. She moved around slowly stretching out her body in preparation for another run.

If she tried to rush to a 2nd Class Advancement as he had, he is sure of himself in doing everything in his power to stop her. He didn't care about unfairness.

Kara soon shifted back to her Werewolf form, and the group advanced quickly once more. Just as they approached the next fort on their list for capture, the situation changed.

Rainer quickly turned around feeling a powerful surge of magic. In the distance, a shining spear that seemed to contain the Holy fury of Sunlight itself shone brightly. The undead wielding it glistened in the light, unaffected entirely.

[Undead, Male, Holy Guardian(2nd) lvl 1, Magic Scholar lvl 11]

[Undead, Male, Ghoul Wyvern lvl 25]

A variant

Rainer thought to himself. He saw no other way for an undead to wield a spell of Holy power so close.

He instantly knew the spear wielded by this undead surpassed the [Spear of Holy Light] by margins unknown. It did not even affect the undead flying alongside him as its power was contained so well.

The variant undead moved back his hand in a throwing motion. Rainer panicked and shouted out toward Gunthar.

”Get behind me!”

But Gunthar stood there unresponsive. He stared deeply at the man who wore armor only slightly different than he had.

Tendrils of light swirled around the fearsome spear. Rainer activated [Arcane Sight] as he rushed over to Gunthar, jumping off Kara.

The mana…isn't his.

Rainer immediately discerned, seeing the massive power of the spear. Yet the Aura that surpassed Kara by two-fold, three-fold of Gunthar's, belonged to that undead.

The spear of powerful light launched straight toward the group. Rainer knew that if it hit unabated, Gunthar may not survive. Having no time he cast [Gravity Domain].

Runic lines of violet shown through his clothes as [Arcane Awakening] reached 100%.

He leaped straight toward the spear. An arcane plating encased him.

The blinding light of the spear collided with the immovable might of his shields. Rainer grunted in pain as he poured more and more Arcane Power into his shielding.

In a fury of light, the spear exploded, catapulting Rainer straight into the ground. Even Kara at a distance, found her fur slightly singed by the powerful Light.

Waving off the plume of dust surrounding him, Rainer noticed the skin of his forearms was slightly burnt. Luna quickly healed the injury.

The pain, even an undead could feel, had brought Gunthar out of his stupor.

”Sorcerer!” He called out in worry as he ran toward Rainer. The group of Wyverns and their riders circled the group.

”I'm fine. Rather Gunthar, what the hell?”

”He's…the armor…it is…my father's….” Gunthar spoke as all the party looked on, at the encircling Wyverns.

Rainer activated [Arcane Sight] as he recovered his Arcane Power. He stared at the otherwise invisible connection between Gunthar's father and an invisible force providing mana. He noticed this connection was not too different than the one formed by Charles' tracking inscription.

”Then let's take it back. With him in it,” Rainer declared as an Arcane-Wind swirled around him.