The book was flying around, and my wrist twitched as I thought about what I knew of Adamantine. The answer was nothing. I didn't know a thing at all! It was a metal, does that count as knowing something?
I'm getting distracted. I need to focus.
I needed to pierce its armor, that much was obvious. The question remained of how the armor was created in the first place. I didn't know much about 'Stoneheart' magic, but I did know that it most certainly gave additional properties to the book instead of enhancing preexisting ones.
This magic was probably in the realm of Transmutation, it didn't enhance, it changed. While interesting to think about, if that truly was the case, I had no idea where to start. I didn't know a damn thing about Adamantine, so how was I supposed to fight Adamantine? This was the equivalent of taking the class final before even being taught the subject.
I prepared to summon my Pure Jewel of Lead, it hadn't failed me yet, but I couldn't help but stare at my inventory. How was I even going to use this right now? Normally I'd palm the object and turn the battle from a magic fight to a fist fight, but the initial impact from the Adamantine colliding with my hand might cause my entire arm to shatter. If I threw the jewel, there wasn't just a decent chance I would miss, there was a decent chance it would bounce off and do nothing.
This time, I might have bitten off more than I can chew.
There was no point dwelling on it right now. I could do that after I survived. The more I thought about this though, the more grim it seemed. At the same time, I couldn't help but stare at the Hermes Ichor in my inventory.
I didn't actually know how potent it was, but each thought running through my head only led me to it. I had made an error, I'd over stepped. But that didn't mean this was the end. I needed a plan, but I could already start to piece one together.
I glanced down at the powerful magic toxin in my hand, clutching the vial with a mix of suspense and resolve the moment I removed it from my inventory. Hermes Ichor, was a powerful alchemical ingredient. Did I really want to use it here?
The answer was yes. I let out a weak sigh, I nearly died for this, and now it was saving my life. That's all I could ask for in the end.
I pivoted on my heel, my walk casual as I scanned the forest. I needed to bait the berserk tome into charging me. That part was easy, the harder part was timing. Much to my relief I spotted the book slowly turning towards me. My only worry was initially that I'd get hit in the back of the head by a sneak attack and drop dead before I could move.
The book began flying towards me, and I sucked in a breath and began channeling the Atmosphere spell just in case I ended up falling in the nearby river. The Adamantine brick didn't stop its charge, barreling through branches, leaves, and even the part of a tree's trunk in its rapid advance.
I clutched the vial even tighter.
Not yet. My heart rhythmically beat in my chest as it continued. The distance rapidly closing and the danger towards my life increasing. I instinctively took a step back, my heel bumping into a root causing me to pale as I nearly tripped. Of course I didn't- but the high stress situation mixed with the momentary distraction could prove fatal if not immediately addressed.
Turning back away from what would normally be a minor inconvenience, I spotted the missile only a few feet from my face. I tossed the vial with a mix of purpose and instinct, slowly watching as it gently sailed through the air for but a brief moment as it spun.
Throwing my body to the side, I couldn't see the impact of the vial, but hearing the cracking of glass I could only hope I hit the adamantium instead of a tree branch or the ground.
Catching myself before I hit the ground with a quick cast of Wind Walk my eyes winded at the exploding vial, its liquid flying everywhere, even colliding with my atmosphere spell and melting through the magic as though it didn't exist, as I quickly launched myself backwards.
That stuff could harm even demi-god's according to its description, I'm not touching that stuff for anything!
The adamantine brick wasn't so lucky. The metal upon its form screamed in agony as it bubbled and decayed rapidly. Quickly checking the progress of my quest I frowned.
[Clear Enchanted Books ⅓]
That thing was still alive? Aiming at a hand I sent a spiral of raw fire mana in its direction, checking the quest again I couldn't help but stare incredulously.
[Clear Enchanted Books ⅓]
What the hell? I don't normally curse like a sailor, but today has been fucking insane. Though I can't help but feel that this is my life now . . .
The book continued screaming, but I wasn't certain if that was the book itself, or just what happens when Adamantine comes into contact with Hermes Ichor. Either way it was bonechillingly loud.
The river raged, the wind blew, the leaves fell, and the book screamed.
Then one of the sounds vanished. And it had felt as though all had gone silent as relief flooded my form.
[Clear Enchanted Books 2/3]
[You have lost Hermes Ichor]
I couldn't even be mad. That stuff saved my life. Well at least it probably did. Maybe Adamantium is way weaker than I thought it was, or had some really obscure weakness I had no way of even being aware of.
Alright, maybe I was a little bit mad. That probably could have killed Omniman. I don't exactly have a point of reference for what a demigod even IS though.
All that mattered right now was that I was alive. Leaning against a tree, I conjured some water and washed my hands of the dirt from when I collided with the ground. I think I'm going to take a little nap.
I have no way of getting out of this painting without my Dimension Bail spell, so I might as well rest.
. . .
A yawn broke from my mouth, as I awoke. My injuries weren't fully healed, but most of my Null Mana had returned. Guess I didn't sleep for eight hours then. At least I didn't get jumped while asleep.
As my senses returned to me, my eyes suddenly widened.
"What the hell is that?"
Over where the book had died, it looks like the world had begun to dissolve, almost like someone had poured reality melting acid over it- Fuck. The Hermes Ichor! I was in a dimension made of magic, and the Hermes Ichor was ripping it apart!
No wonder I woke up, this dimension is becoming unstable! Quickly preparing my escape, I cast my new favorite spell: Dimension Bail. Only to let out a small sigh.
You know, the last time I did this I got jumped. Why did I think this time would be any different? Thousands of books slowly turned to me, and the library looked alive.
Fuck. This.
I wasn't even casting spells at this point. I was just sending out waves and waves of my mana, hoping I'd take down a random book so I could get out of this library turned death trap.
It was like setting off a bomb. Mana flushed out of my system in all directions, tearing everything in my surroundings to shreds as I felt my veins and mind burn from the sudden and extreme exertion of power.
[Defeat 3/3 Enchanted Book. Primary Objective Succeeded. You may now exit at-]
GET ME OUT! The very instant the message appeared I screamed it through my head. The very instant I saw at least one book went down, I was gone.
Moments later the area I was in was torn apart in a thousand different ways, but luckily, I was nowhere near the damage.
I'd made it back.
Letting out a sigh of both relief and anticipation, I turned towards my rewards screen. What I was about to get might just be the key to overcoming Omniman, and pave the road to becoming a true Geomancer!
[For Clearing Enchanted Books. Gain two Skill Points. Gain associated equipment.]
[For Clearing Secret Objective
[Performance Reward: B]
Combat Performance: B
Primary Objective Completed: B+
Secret Objective Completed: C
First Time Clear Bonus
Gain another associated Equipment
[Choose to Upgrade Mana Flux II (0/2), Planetary Heartbeat III (0/4), Mana Boost II (0/2), or Formulization II (0/2)]
[Choose two from Shadows In The Walls by Vincent Erlenmire, Stoneheart: Adamantium Vessel by Towers-Over-Valleys, Sparks and Matchflames by Royland Prilum, Waterwalking and You by Tienzo Becetilla, or The Sensation of Ripples by Welman Wiscoa]
[Choose Well of Warp Ink, Warped Limbspear, or Lumen Heart]
Slowly looking down the list, I put my two points into Formulization, upgrading it to Formulization III. Formulization was the ability to formulate spells. I needed that if I was going to work with the Adamantium Vessel book, which I also picked without a moment's hesitation. I knew it would be complicated, but I also knew it would be required.
Yet, due to my performance, I also was given another book to choose from. Sitting down on the library floor, and leaning against the wall I glanced over at my options. Shadow magic that I probably wouldn't be good at using was immediately tossed out, but the other two options I'd gotten in my final burst of magic didn't really stand out to me either. Waterwalking was useless as I could fly.
Sparks and Matchflames was definitely some kind of fire magic, cool, but at the same time I had no way of knowing how powerful 'Sparks and Matchflames' were, or if that was even what the book was about. The same went with the Sensation of Ripples. Did it make ripples in the water? Or did it allow me to feel ripples from water? What did these vague titles mean? If I ever wrote a book, the title would be straight forward and make VERY clear what it was about!
I genuinely had no idea which one to choose. Why couldn't these guys be like the author of 'Magic and How Not to Kill Yourself' that was a good title!
Alright, for the moment I'll be moving onto the next reward. As much as I'd like to dwell on those options, I'm extremely conflicted at the moment and would definitely prefer to think it over.
Looks like I've got two options for this next one, either the Well of Warp Ink, or a Lumen Heart. I can assume the Well of Warp Ink is the same substance I used in the painting. Effectively a Spatial Magic battery. As for the Lumen Heart, I'm not exactly sure. You might ask 'Emile, why not the Limbspear?' well, its gross and I also probobly can't use it!
It could be anything, from an alchemical ingredient, to some sort of power source. The question is, do I take the gamble? I pondered the question a s I started to move outside. The wind gently blew through the air as I pondered it.
Gaia's connection returned to me while my brain hummed. Her embrace gently connected to me, assuring me I was safe. I let out a sigh as she continued to fuss over me. My body was flooded with mana, and I couldn't help but blush faintly at the feeling.
So Gaia, what do you think is better? A big well of spatial magic, or whatever a Lumen Heart is?
My own blood froze as the sudden impact of mana I received nearly caused my body to burst. A storm of joy, excitement, and desire, crashed into me all at once in a near uncontrollable emotional storm from the sentient planet.
Then it receded, with concern for my safety and apologies constantly slamming into me. I collapsed to a knee as I felt my brain bleed, most of her words going right over me in the moment.
"Ow."
The wound rapidly repaired itself thanks to Gaia's interference, but her overwhelming apology was all I could hear blaring in my mind. Images of the woman in tears, and practically on her hands and knees begging for forgiveness.
I clutched my head as I slowly rose to my feet, preparing to accept her apology moments later, only for someone to gently help me to my feet. Confusedly turning around, Gaia didn't try and warn me, and so I didn't panic despite her initially blasting me in what I presumed was an accident.
I forgave her, of course I did. She was best girl after all.
Her emotions were again quite strong from the compliment, but she put a bit more restraint in this time.
Gaia aside, someone was helping me up, so I should probably thank them. Gaia was smug as I turned towards the casually dressed individual who didn't say a word. Only flashing me a badge and gently speaking into my ear as I processed both the words and the badge itself.
"Do you need medical attention?" My eyes still hovered on the badge for a moment. They then pocketed the GDA identifier back in their vest which despite its standard appearance I couldn't help but assume was bulletproof.
A car slowly pulled up, another man with sunglasses on making himself known as the tinted windows retracted into the vehicle. I turned back to the man helping me up and gently put a hand on his shoulder and gave a small smile before spitting out a small amount of blood into the grass. I watched for a moment as the earth beneath hungrily devoured my life blood, before waving him off.
"I'm alright, but thank you." He smiled and turned away, the car in front of me doing the same and I once again found myself in front of a choice I wasn't sure how to complete! I could tell Gaia was practically drooling over the Lumen Heart, but what about my secondary spellbook?
Should I pick Sparks and Matchflames by Royland Prilum, or The Sensation of Ripples by Welman Wiscoa?
___
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