The Harukian Chronicler 20 Let's Armor Up Chapter 20

That threat from father was about two weeks ago… and he has yet to make due with the words he spoke. His and mother's attention has been spent on Nihlis, Yehai, and Juniper; Dande was working with them and their mana channels for various reasons. For Juniper, her circuits needed to be reopened properly since they didn't get the mana nutrition required as an infant to open; thus false appraisal readings. And then for all three of them to get their mana networks worked so they can activate their own form of the Armoring that us half-breeds are known for.

From how father described it to us, using me as a teaching aide since I was already awakened, every half bred being on the planet had access to a form of Armoring. This was a manifestation of their non-normal side; half-elves don't have this as the Elven race is considered on the normal spectrum. The manifestation came with two effects to the body;

1) The permanent change to various parts of the body, this showing that we're not a full human. My horns are the first example of this, as are my blackened legs. Black ichor covered and hardened on my legs, and grew chitinous plating that is quite impervious to damage. My toes are tipped with talons, all five of them, and I even have a talon on the heel of both feet; with three spikes on either calf. I guess you can also consider my dazzling fanged smile to also be a part of this.

2)The willed transformation of other parts of our body; which is pretty much a trained skill that one has to work their a.s.s off to be able to pull off. I'm able to get my hands to become clawed and ichor black, but that's as far as it can go with the amount of effort I have put in. This process actually uses a portion of your mana, and reserves it while the effect is active. For me I currently have one hundred and nineteen points of mana, and while active my Willed Armoring takes up thirty points of that; thus leaving me with eighty-nine points of mana to use for Consumption or any other mana skill I might have. From what father tells us, this will lower as our skill with it grows; basically as we become used to the process.

Though none of that truly mattered to me as I had already awakened my armoring trait; which my father calls the Berserkr. No idea why, he seems to be waiting for the other three to manifest before letting me know. So for the time being I've been working on a few things on my own without people watching over me too closely… a bad move on many parts, as I get into a lot of trouble on my own.

In these few weeks, I've been able to at least comprehend and manifest three more runes, thus giving me a total of nine runes to work with… which is about as useless. Once I have comprehended all of the Elder Futhark runes, then I should be able to learn magic circles, and how to create magic items… hopefully. I need more types of mana in my forge to allow me the proper magics to make useful items.

That brings me to my next task I have been working on; taking in different manas from around me, and trying to awaken spirits within my forge to create contracts. Currently I have Gaotha, the Aero spirit flying around in my star ocean; whom I have not actually worked with on learning spells with. I'd rather work on other spirits before I tried my hand on crafting a spell, Mala telling me that it can be a simple process really. There's only really one major problem… bringing in the required mana to summon a spirit is more work that you can guess.

The second most abundant mana type near me is of course Terra, it's everywhere; but awakening that lazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d to make a contract with is a pain in the a.s.s. Pyro and Aqua aren't as abundant, but I am able to find their mana as well while wandering around home; but from what Mala says, it's best to not awaken differing spirits at the same time. So awakening a Pyro spirit and Aqua spirit simultaneously; bad idea.

Anyway, I'm just walking around the outer courtyard of the Jarl's long house, drawing in Terra mana from the earth through just breathing it in and allowing my horns to gather it. It would go faster if I opened the points in my feet, being able to gather mana by just walking around; but that would be a bit more work than it is worth right now.

There's also another thing that I am working to find…

…

…

Around a year ago, while I was wandering around like this, I caught a glimpse of a purple gra.s.shopper jumping around the courtyard… but I was unable to get a good look at it normally. Luckily I have Life's map from the guide, and I was able to search for what I saw and get a good look at it from there. Which is was a slightly larger gra.s.shopper that just so happened to be purple… oh and it was an awakened creature.

From what I understand from Hann, Mala, and my own father and his books; an awakened creature is a monster or animal that has consumed enough mana to evolve to be able to circulate their own mana. The gra.s.shopper I saw is called a; "Amethyst Hopper", there are many different forms of the hopper family, but this is the most common. Reason being is that this creature, when it awakens, gains a special ability that allows it to jump incredible distances… and I want it. This means eating them until Consumption works… but… issues…

For one, Consumption doesn't work on dead creatures; this means I can't cook the d.a.m.n thing, and if I just bite it in half then it dies. I could eat a leg or other piece of the creature, but that would be leaving a magical creature with a vendetta on me… and according to Baal, it's not enough. So I have to swallow one whole, and alive, for the ability to work. Second issue is of course finding the d.a.m.n things; they might be more common, but they don't really like hanging out around settled areas.

Now I could use the map function to find every single Amethyst Hopper that is within a distance of me… but where is the fun in that? Remember, I am a m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t fool who doesn't like to take the easy path, since it could get boring the more I do it… plus I can gain a few skills if I do things myself. Finding the creature once, I'll be able to record its scent in my memory, thus I can find it within my scent's radius. Awakened creatures also have within them a mana core that resonates with the type of mana the creature is able to circulate and utilize; though the Hopper family does not really have big cores, since they're bugs…

Looking around the courtyard though, I am not seeing or smelling much around me besides different forms of mana that reside in the air… and the wildflowers that are blooming in the fields nearby; the afternoon sun warming everything up. My family was inside the long house at the moment, so I honestly had all the free time I needed and could want… but lord there was nothing to do besides just wander around.

…

…

A couple of days after; Yehai woke to his armoring, which spread the blue scales that were just on his cheeks, to being more spread around his body. Four horns grew on his forehead, pointing straight up as opposed to mine which curve towards the back, also his horns are a blueish black color. Along his spine were a denser collection of scales and some ridges; leading up to his shoulder blades… I feel he could grow wings if he wanted to.

Along with the awakening, so did his patron symbols appear…

1)Ugdralath - Patron of Death.

2)Krendal - Patron of Battle; Sphere of Battle - Honor - Tactics

3)Jackal - Patron of Ruling; Sphere of Ruling - Royalty - Adventure.

So like everyone that is of the Main Haruk House, Yehai has Dralath… I kind of wonder if it's the same Dralath that I am able to speak with, or if it's a different rendition. However, just as I thought, he is going to shape up to be a more front line type of person; give him a s.h.i.+eld and a weapon, then he'll prosper. That will come later though, as he is still a toddler at this time, and currently having his new horns played with by mom and Juni, looks like he is enjoying it too.

Now that he has awakened though, he doesn't seem to be competing with me as much as usual; probably has something to do with him being on the same level as me… though if only he knew. I know; I know many things… but I don't want to reveal everything right now. So instead, I'm going to continue on with my endless wandering the courtyard…

Oh if I walked five hundred miles; and I would walk five hundred more… to find a f.u.c.king bug. Everyday I come out here and search around, and find maybe one every day; then chase after it, my mom caught me one day… she gave me a net. Looks like dad does this a lot too for his own research, so I'm not that strange.

Though during one of my walk through, Yehai walked up to me and starts to follow as I walked around; I don't really mind as he seems to just be curious. Coming around though, I have not caught any new ones at this time, so I just move to feed the current three hoppers I have, and Yehai speaks up…

"Why do you do the things you do, eldest?" He speaks frankly, and with a small amount of respect in the back of his voice; "I hear the guards speaking, and they don't speak well of you. Calling you odd, not understanding why it is you're you…" I could feel the end of that slightly in my soul… as if he wasn't too sure about something.

"These hoppers are small and weak creatures, but they are interesting in their own ways. I wish to examine them, dear brother, as they have hidden potential." I smile as I feed the final hopper with magic gra.s.s, "I don't mind what others think of me, let them think what they will. As long as we keep our heads up to the sky, we'll continue to breathe and enjoy the sun that gives us life." I reach out and give his head a quick rub before b.u.mping my forehead against his, smiling into his serious and gentle eyes; "If they ever say anything about you or Nihls, let big brother know. I don't mind if they speak of me, but my dearest brothers will not be allowed."

Yehai, for his part, quickly moves away from me and brushes me off, as I chuckle and smile at his serious face; "You don't need to look after me, eldest brother, I can fight for myself." His voice still sounds unsure, but more firm and steadfast; before he hurries off to do what he wishes. He's a good soul, and will make a great Jarl someday if his path leads him there… giving a toothy chuckle, I go back to my bugs.

…

…

Three more days… I have caught and caged three Amethyst Hoppers… making sure to feed them, as I don't want to be labeled as a cruel person by not feeding caught creatures. Father is quite happy to see me catching creatures like he does, and has given me a field journal, and some writing supplies… looks like he wants me to make my own research of the creatures; and I can try drawing them. It's actually fun, so once I get the ability I want, then I can make a specimen of one and follow my father's footsteps.

Also, Juni was able to awaken as well, which was a bit more explosive than either Yehai or myself… seeing as she is a half elemental. From the looks of it, her eyes and hair give off a slight glow when it's dark around her now, as well as her flesh gives off a bit of radiant heat.

When she awakened though, her body erupted in flame, her flesh looking like it had cracked with moving lava showing in the cracks of her skin. It was quite showy and amazing… and would have been fun if not that she exploded and set the side house on fire… yeah. She has yet to stop apologizing to mom… who could not stop laughing when it happened, and now like cuddling with Juni. Basically, Juni is a moving radiator, so she will come in handy when winter comes around and it grows too cold.

Her personality also woke up with that, and her seeing the patron marks on her body; but now she is a bit more fiery with less of calling people "Sir" or "Ma'am". If I had to guess, then she is comfortable, and the mana that has blown through her system has unlocked portions of her psyche that she shut off. She still calls us little brothers though; just adding little in front of our names whenever she wishes to get our attentions. I find it quite cute really, and she enjoys playing with Yehai and Nihlis whenever possible… though she spends a lot of time with mom and helping with things around the house.

Mostly kidding…

Mother has been teaching Juni how to wield the large weapons that she is known for; and giving her some basic combat training so she can get her first cla.s.s. Father has been working with us too, but since we're still a couple years off from being able to choose ours, Juni is taking some priority. Which is actually going according to my mental map, really… I think… I might be going insane from having to chase these d.a.m.n hoppers around.

…

…

Nihlis was able to break through and awaken his armoring a mere twelve days after Juni, though he seemed to be a bit sad that he was the last to awaken; of course everyone was happy for him. It is funny though, because he is a cute kid… he follows me around sometimes when I chase after the hoppers, stumbling on his legs as he does…

"Brudder, why are you catching so many?" Nihlis looked at me as I put another Amethyst Hopper into a fresh cage… giving me a total of seven now; his little knees crouched so he can get a good look at the bugs.. "Are they going to be pets?" I give him a kind smile as I give his gray hair a soft pet… even though he is the youngest of us, he surprisingly has the in between of Yehai and I. His emerald green eyes sparkle with curiosity, which is a good trait for him to have.

"Naw little Nihls, I just want to catch a few of them." I smile down at him as I pick up the cage and carry it to the small area where I have been keeping the separate cages; feeding some magic gra.s.s to the new catch; "I'm interested in the abilities these particular Hoppers have." I let my eye blaze as the Keeper activates, "I can a.n.a.lyze them well with this eye, you should be able to use Patron abilities now." I turn to look at him with my eye burning with silver fire…

1)Ugdralath - Patron of Death.

2)Samharan - Patron of Hunt; Sphere of Hunt - Exploration - Archery

3)Juris - Patron of Healing; Sphere of Healing - Dreams - Life

One thing that appraiser got right back then, he would make a good ranger. His patron Juris actually gives him an auto spirit in his forge over the Holy element, one of the four pillars of existence. With the new gray feathers that sprouted behind his ears, and the small angel wings that grew on his back; give him that look of being a holy one. Him being a healer would not be out of the question either. He does give me a nod when he thinks about it…

"The veiled sister says she gifted me one of her children; and the one with a odd head says he'll teach me later." Nihlis thinks before moving over to look at the hoppers some more; "The old man doesn't speak much… and…" But he stops himself there, looking a little worried… seems he has a secret he doesn't wish to tell..

"Don't worry, Nihls." I smile and give more magic gra.s.s to some of the older bugs; "We each have secrets we can't tell, but know we three brothers are not so different." I snicker to myself as my eye examines the hoppers deeper. Nihlis gives me an odd look before I hold a finger up to my lips and give him a shush, "Secrets can be told at the right times, dear brother. I'll tell you both mine when we're ready, but for now, let us keep this between us three." The young angel gives a nid before perking up when mother calls for him; quickly running off with a goodbye…

<"are you="" sure="" that="" is="" wise?"=""> Baal says to me, giving a slight raspy breath as the chains rattle… <"he's a="" good="" kid…="" he="" also="" has="" a="" good="" guardian…"="">

'Baal, let us concentrate on the current task… others can come later when they are more relevant.' I give a sharp reply, it's best to let it run the course that fate has us all dancing to, sighing to myself as I look at the hoppers before me… not happy about what I have to do next. 'I don't want to eat these, but let us just hope it doesn't take all of them to gain the ability…'

…

…

It was now late at night, father was away on business this day, so I thought it would be best to try and get the ability from these lovely little bugs. Of course I was also trying my best to not having to do what I set my mind to do… but d.a.m.n if I really did not want to eat any of these things. Looking at the cages, I sigh silently to myself… scratching the back of my head as I reach out and grab one of the hoppers out from its cage…

Doing as I was instructed, I activated the Consumption before even thinking of opening my mouth, waiting a second before opening up and popping the still squirming creature into my mouth. I don't really want to think about the taste is now a.s.saulting my tongue at this time, so I just work on my gag reflex as I try to swallow it. No idea if it had something to do with the ability itself, but the creature easily slid down his throat and into the void that was Baalish's stomach…

<"seriously… feeding="" me="" bugs…"=""> Baal did not sound happy in the slightest, spitting on the ground of the dark patron void within him, and the chains making a shudder shaking sound, <"honestly… these="" would="" be="" better…="" with="" garlic…"="">

I did not answer the f.u.c.ker, seriously; I did not want to eat this in the first place as is, it's his f.u.c.king ability that has no exploitable loopholes. This thought caused the ancient demon to give a chuckle, and I can hear Mala and Hann give their own chuckles… Dralath was also laughing… sighing softly, I just wait to see what happens.

And a few minutes pa.s.s…

And more minutes pa.s.s…

<"looks like="" that="" one="" was="" a="" failure…="" have="" to="" try="" again…"=""> Baal gives a shuddering sigh, both of us not looking forward to this aspect… but it is only a percentile chance to consume the ability. Looking at the ability itself, it is a ten percent chance when I first selected the ability… and is now an eleven percent chance.

Opening up the second cage, I pull out the next Amethyst Hopper, this one being a little bigger than the others… and squirmier… my mana has returned a little, so I just activate consumption. Best to get this over with, I open wide and swallow down the Hopper without thinking about the taste. Then I wait a few minutes…

That is when a multi colored wheel appears in my vision; different symbols on each section of it and it begins to spin… faster and faster does the wheel spin in front of me, as I just tilt my head.

'What the f.u.c.k?' I ask to no one in particular,

["Looks like it was a critical success consumption. Whenever an action that has a percentile chance ends up as a Critical Success, then it summons this. We call it the Wheel of Fate; it gives you a bonus based on the ability used."] Mala rubs her chin and looks over to Baal, ["Though we did not think it would be summoned off Consumption… looks like we have some new information."]

'So do I just will it to stop, or do I have to do twenty jumping jacks to get it to stop?' Would not surprise me, as I give off a slight sigh, this world does have some interesting mechanics…

["Just the will to stop it is fine."]

Looking at the wheel, I check to see what options I would be able to get from the wheel for the Consumption ability;

1)Ability Gained Auto Rank 2

2)Consume Random Stat from Creature

3)Increase Consumption Chance

4)Gain Secondary Ability

5)Gain Random Ability from Pool

6)Choose 2 Stats to Consume at Half

Well, many good choices from the options given; I just will the wheel to stop when I want… doesn't matter what I get at this point as they all seem to be decent. Baal just chuckles to himself as the wheel begins to slow down, Mala crosses her fingers, while Hann appears to be making a bet with Dralath.

As the wheel comes to a stop, the clicker ticking away and a bright green window pops up;

[Choose 2 Stats to Consume at Half]

[STR: 18] [DEX: 44] [CON: 33] [PER: 26]

[INT: 30] [WIS: 36] [MND: 55] [WLL: 41]

Well, that's a surprise, but it is definitely one of the better options I would have liked to have. Looking at the numbers of that Amethyst hopper… it's actually quite difficult to choose, so I look at my current stats to see what would be more useful for me;

[STR: 13] [DEX: 17] [CON: 13] [PER: 15]

[INT: 18] [WIS: 17] [MND: 12] [WLL: 15]

["I would suggest increasing your Mind, and maybe Willpower. Of course, any of them would be helpful for your growth, and it is up to you…"]

("I would go for Intelligence and Wisdom, will help with your spellcasting later on. Even if you don't go full mage, they will come in handy for keeping your mana at tip top.")

Mala and Hann give their recommendations, though Baal and Dralath keep quiet at this time, since they seem to be in the guild of letting me make my own mistakes. I quite enjoy that little part of them, as it helps me think fully on what I wish to do… though I really don't have an idea on what to do at this point. I guess at this time I'll just increase my Const.i.tution and Mind; clicking both of the options before pressing okay…

["Doo doo de doo, Holder has gained the Ability of 'Hopper Jump', with no bonuses it will start at Rank One. Holder also gained a Critical Success at his consumption, thus gaining some new stats to Const.i.tution and Mind. Congrats dear Holder."] Mala sounded genuinely happy at the news, and honestly, it was good for me too… looking at my new stats…

[STR: 13] [DEX: 17] [CON: 29] [PER: 15]

[INT: 18] [WIS: 17] [MND: 39] [WLL: 15]

This is really good, as my mana capacity has jumped over two hundred now, and my fatigue regen as well pretty much doubled; and my fatigue capacity is now just above forty. I should probably work on that, but that can wait for a little while, depending on how much fatigue is taken up with a good fight. Father did say he was going to train us with fighting techniques and basics when he got back home… that in itself will be oh so completely fun.

Though for now, I have to decide what to do with the remaining hoppers, looking at the five still in their cages with a bit of relief that I didn't have to eat them as well. Seriously, these things do have a nasty taste, but I guess they have done their part; I'll keep them for the time being and feed them. Who knows, I might be able to find some form of use for these bugs now that I have them.

Now what to do…

End of Chapter 20