Chapter 393 (2/2)

Slowly, Neveah stopped, now that Randidly’s Skills were much more closely gathered together, but still not near enough to touch or merge. There was even a sizable area, about ⅓ of the total space surrounded by the belt, where Randidly could create new Skills. This would let him have another 20 or so new Skills, that weren’t a part of his Class.

This number filled Randidly with a certain amount of alarm, to be hemmed in like that, but both Neveah and Lucretia were adamant that stretching it farther might hurt the integrity of the Class base, causing it to collapse into useless Aether, binding Randidly’s soul space.

Of course, with Randidly’s ability to manipulate Aether, he was in much less danger than most people, but it still wouldn’t be quick or easy to fix that little disaster. With the looming time limit of the Raid Dungeon, it was a mistake they couldn’t afford.

Almost unwillingly, Randidly’s mind flashed back to Nathan, and he shook his head, clearing his vision. Both Lucretia and Neveah hissed in annoyance at him as the flow of Aether faltered, and he pressed with his will and refocused. His portion of this was to provide the tools, while they handled the delicate work. It was tiresome, but…

But it was the safe choice.

Randidly bit his lip.

Lucretia and Neveah worked together to wrap the end of the belt and bind it, causing it to flow into the rest of itself seamlessly. It was now one whole, surrounding him, supporting him. It would be the base of what would later grow inside of Randidly.

Randidly’s inner world shuddered, causing his vision to briefly blur. Blinking, Randidly reached out through his Soul Bond to see what was going on, but Neveah’s emotions didn’t have a trace of surprise or nervousness. Was that because this was supposed to happen….? Or because she couldn’t feel it…

The shuddering grew worse for a single second, and then faded to nothing, leaving Randidly breathing heavily, but otherwise unharmed. That was… peculiar.

“The seed.” Lucretia said, looking at Randidly.

After blinking, it took him another few seconds to realize what she wanted. Then he gasped and nodded, closing his eyes. There was ONE portion that was all him, and that was the seed. It would form the anchor between the Class and his soul space, and be the energy source, the engine, for everything that followed. It would somehow convert Experience into growth, which Randidly wasn’t too sure about, but they had examined plenty of people with Classes, so Lucretia had already made the apparatus.

What Randidly needed to provide was the image, just to start. They cautioned him, however, to keep the image relatively simple. The more basic and clear, the stronger the base. So, although it was somewhat cliche, Randidly closed his eyes and pictured a seed.

It was small, but strong and burning with life and potential. Lines of hot emerald ran through it, glowing, the promise of a bright and strong future. If it was planted, it would explode into growth, rising and shaping itself, until it became a spear of emerald and gold, the most powerful weapon that the world had ever seen…

Randidly opened his eyes. A glowing circle of Aether was forming, the soul space around it warping, connecting to it, and to the base apparatus that Lucretia had prepared. Sighing, Randidly moved back, before the purity of the image was tainted by the other things spinning through his head.

Aemont’s back as he disintegrated to ash. The strange, monochrome cast that came over the world as Randidly used Ashes to Ashes. The spear, advancing forward. The hanging promise of death, delivered by the Spear Phantom. That strange Aether construct, still ticking, still sitting at the heart of Randidly, in his Soul Skill. Potion making. Roots…

Shal’s hands, heaving Randidly to his feet. The taste of Helen’s mouth. The burning violet of Lyra’s eyes. The Creature’s empty smile.

The people of Donnyton-

“Keep up the good work Randidly.” Lucretia whispered, and Randidly snapped back to himself. Luckily, he had maintained the rotation of the Aether for Lucretia while she worked, and she had gotten about 5 layers of the Aether down already. Neveah was already moving to syphon off and purify more strands.

The strangest thing was… Randidly felt nothing, looking at what was occuring in his soul space. Instead, he felt profoundly… detached. Then he shrugged.

Perhaps… it would have to wait until he imprinted the greater image upon the Class that it would feel like his own. Now it just seemed… strangely beautiful, like a tapestry.

Heedless of his thoughts, Lucretia continued to weave, her eyes narrowed.