Chapter 79: The green orbs

Rising from my slumber like the living dead; in a groggy state of tiredness, stepping out of my bed. Hitting the alarm so hard, panic racked my body in the thought I broke it. It sputters before quieting down with a crackle; “Oops.”

Rubbing my arms absentmindedly, “I still don’t feel clean.” Shivering at the memory of yesterday. Thankfully the nightmares are now every other night, rather than all of them. Having developed the skill of ignoring nightmares having suffered them throughout my adolescence has made the whole mental situation better.

Sleep deprivation makes mental hang-ups worse, making sleep deprivation worse; a perpetual loop. At some point, you or the cycle will crack so the best scenario is to just ignore it. It’s not always possible, sometimes waking from nightmares in terror is unavoidable, but generally? Most nightmares can just be ignored with a bit of willpower I've found.

In fact, during my teenage years, I enjoyed the odd nightmare like you would a horror movie. Breaking up the monotony of ‘good dreams’ with soul-shaking terror. Although most people don’t agree with that line of thought so it remains within my mind rather than me voicing this particular curiosity.

My mental thoughts distracting me while my body breaks away from the sluggishness of waking up. Pushing the tiredness to the back of my mind; the kitchen calls to me so let's get some breakfast.

Finding a distinct lack of web-based weaponry lining my halls, “Must be Chic’s day off.” Heading into my favorite room within the castle it doesn’t take long before I am walking out with a bowl of porridge. This precise porridge contains enough blueberries to dye a dress, loaded with honey to make this a mouth-watering dessert rather than a breakfast.

Feeling the quiet buzz of sugar coursing through my body as the food is eaten with gusto. Got to love a good old sugar rush, its not nearly as potent as adults would have children believe to be fair. I was always banned from eating meaningful amounts of sugar as a child because it “Makes you hyperactive.” This is nonsense, sugar rushes aren’t cocaine rushes.

Laughing at some of the silliness of my childhood while I head towards my ars magica room. Cracking my knuckles, or at least attempting to “Time to get to work.”

Clearing a 5x5 area, I craft an obelisk. A block that converts liquid etherium into a usable form of energy. Placing the object within the center of the area before placing 8 bricks 2 high in each corner, topped with a chiseled brick.

Using some basic household materials, I craft some wizard chalk which enhances the obelisk. In fact, 2 were crafted in foreknowledge of them having other uses; grasping the chalk in my hands I begin to draw a circle around the obelisk. While holding the wizard chalk, ghostly apparitions appear on the ground guiding my hand. Reminiscent of those big bold letters you drew in for your ABC as a 4-year-old.

Finishing the final sigil I watch as a hum of blue energy leaves the obelisk in a wave. Basking all the elements in blue light before disappearing; I take it that means it's complete.

Technically the obelisk works on its own, but the efficiency is miles apart when the multiblock structure is complete. And with my limited quantity of liquid etherium, it's mandatory rather than optional.

With a source of power now I need a method to control how that power moves, or in other words a crystal wrench. Which is easy to craft, although my supply of vinteum will dwindle quickly at this rate. All machines and items require it, which is frustrating, to say the least.

The final block I craft is an essence refiner, the way you craft essence; like the air essence needed for the air guardian summoning ritual.

Placing it down and hunting down the stuff I need for air essence. 2 feathers, 2 tarma root each; the final ingredient being the binder; arcane ash. Made from the heated arcane compound which is a combination of Redstone, Glowstone, and netherack.

Combining all the ingredients I watch as… nothing happens? Ah, I forgot to use the crystal wrench. A few taps later and a slow spin occurs within the chamber as the items are slowly combined; “this will take a while.”

This would have been the ideal time to prepare the summoning chamber but it's already finished so what's next? Perhaps toying with the idea of making spells for the betterment of the world. For example, instantaneous travel with mark and recall spell or want I think trying would be worthwhile; a feather fall spell. A cheap, effective spell that is usable by anyone who has a mana core.

My thoughts are what if you were to cast feather fall on builders to reduce the risk of accidents or perhaps used it to reduce the risk in any height-based situation. I’m sure my carnival island would benefit from it.

Selecting projectile feather fall I create the spellbook. Watching the book take shape, before quickly taking it to my spell crafter. With its simplicity, it's rather cheap. Taking the time to produce a dozen of them for potential demos in using them for real-life situations.

I’m sure there are a million and one spell combinations that would immensely help the general populace. For now, I pocket the spells for a soon-to-be trip to the mayor's office; pitching my travel method. I’m sure a feather fall spell onboard will help sell the idea immensely; everyone loves seeing a lifeboat on board a ship after all.

Heading back towards my infuser I spot 2 air essence dancing within. Grasping the soft, gas-like object between my hands carefully; fearful of dropping the delicate appearing material. Flying upwards towards my air guardian summoning circle and entering the structure I mentally prepare for the fight. Preparing a stronger spell would have been wise but its health isn’t obscene I will make do.

Stretching my limbs before entering the small chamber, I gingerly place an air essence within the circle before quickly fleeing. Watching as the essence becomes erratic, shaping and warping rapidly. Suddenly with a loud ‘whoosh’, the air essence expands to form the elemental.

Looking at the cloud blue creature swirling like a solid tornado. Golden lines encrusted with emerald gems lining its body, resting on top of a large ornate golden cube spinning gracefully under it.

Stepping into the chamber it's trapped within, it immediately rushes towards me, blasting me with strong gusts of wind. Stumbling at the sudden pressure before recentering my gait I strike at it with a sword. Watching as my sword passes harmlessly through the gas-like body of the creature. It blasts me back before I rush once more; striking at the golden cube it rests upon. Leaving a deep gash along with the ornate cube I watch as it makes a loud ‘shrill’ noise in pain.

The cube is its core; interesting. Stepping out of the danger zone; I begin bombarding it with fireballs rapidly. Aiming for its core, it begins to shrink away from the hot balls of energy coming towards it. It replies by throwing equal numbers of compressed air balls before blasting out in waves of air; pushing me back.

Thankfully safe within my structure; grateful for my foresight to trap it within. Watching as it flys around the small box in an attempt to find an exit while I continue to bombard it. Once my mana is completely drained, I enter; striking it with my sword as my energy returns.

Eventually, it expires, dissipating into gas. The cube becomes inert and some air essence falls from the body. Wisps of green energy coalesce into a green sphere – a green infinite orb. Having gotten lucky; gaining back twice the amount of air essence used.

I continue this process, killing air guardians mercilessly; gathering a massive quantity of green orbs. On average they would drop 1.5 air essence resulting in a net positive. They wouldn’t always leave behind the air sled they rest upon but with killing dozens I gathered a dozen of the flying devices.

Consuming enough green orbs to buy out all the spell components before saving a handful just in case; you never know when you might need some I suppose.

Returning to my oculus, entering the ink blackness without fear and gazing around the beautiful stars. Having gained 2 levels during the grinding session I’m sitting at a comfortable level 29; not bad. Quickly buying all the spells of the green variety, noting I forgot to purchase the talent tree stars.

Pausing for a moment, I ignore the elemental attunement star. It sacrifices XP to make it easier to gain an elemental attunement. It's not that elemental attunement is bad, but the sacrifice of XP is painful. It's far better to max out your level before buying it and focusing on said attunement. Buying mana regen 2 and a few other assorted talents; eyeing the red star holding mana regen 3, “I’m coming for you soon.”

Suddenly a splitting migraine strikes my mind, “Ah shit, I forgot mass buying hurts like a bitch.”

Curling up in the see-through floor of the obelisk while I wait out the horrendous pain. Looking down I spot some very dim silver stars resting in the ground. There you are, I had wondered where they would be placed. Between waves of pain, I murmur “One day the time of day will bend to my will.”

Occasionally small changes in the time of day will occur, likely some mage deciding to mess with the time of day. I've witnessed 3 full time-shifts in my time on this world, 2 of which were midnight to midday. The populace generally finds it annoying and rare but still common enough to move on with your day.

Having not observed someone messing with the weather but that’s likely far more localized as the weather isn’t global.

Finally, having had the pain pass and exiting the occulus I stretch my tired limbs and heavy body. That sucked so much, only red spells left before even considering silver spells or messing with complex, dangerous spells.

Deciding it's time for dinner, let's make something nice. Got to take my mind off the pain I just went through somehow after all.

Heading into my kitchen and preparing a chopping board. Taking the largest potatoes, I own and skinning them before removing the top and bottom. I slice them into inch-long wedges, strimming the edges to make them more circular.

Taking some stock, I've previously made, I begin to heat it up in a saucepan. Heavily salting the potato before searing them in a screaming hot pan with butter. Leaving the potatoes until a dark golden-brown crust forms; not touching them whatsoever. Once the crust is formed, I flip them, doing the same on the other side while adding a bit more salt on top.

While the final side is searing, I pour the stock into a high-edged baking tray. Placing the seared potatoes into the pan before covering with foil and placing in the oven at 180 Celcius until cooked.

Placing some peas into a pan with butter I rapidly heat them up, adding salt and then lightly chopped mint leaves and diced garlic. Placing it all in the pan and cooking for minutes before finishing with butter and lightly crushing with a large flat object; in this case a rolling pin. Just breaking them up rather than crushing them into a mash; you want a little pop.

When the fondant potatoes are nearing cooked, I prepare and heavily salted and peppered steak, cooked in butter with garlic cloves and a few sprigs of thyme. Allowing it to rest in foil for 10 minutes before heating up the peas and placing the fondant potato on the plate.

Combing it all together I find a medium-rare steak served with the king of potato, fondant potatoes; fluffy and flavorful. The mushy peas with the intense garlic and delicate mint break up the earthy flavors of the dish; making a meal fit for a king. And this king now has a castle and a tasty meal so I dig in.

Demolishing the divine dish before leaning back with a full stomach. I offered the spares to my pets who enjoyed the dish also but I doubt they have any idea the effort that goes into that meal; the evil waiting and patience.

Pushing the thoughts from my mind and heading to bed. I need to sleep this off and it's evening anyway. A very fruitful few days that’s for sure; although I am nowhere near powerful enough to defeat the guardians holding red orbs. So for the time being I need to grind experience for ars magica. Dreaming of blood and the fire guardian I may very well fight.