Levels And Planning

The starting of these training sessions also came with a revelation: neither I nor Ivy can actually learn martial arts. Martial arts requires a flesh and blood body, which Ivy doesn’t have. She also can’t learn magic on her own anyway, something we assumed but confirmed through testing. This is because she’s an Artificial Spirit, the only magic she can have is what the perks allow her to.

A lot of magic can technically be “learnt”, but it depends on a lot. Natural talent almost always outstrips hard work in the abyss, and techniques and spells that take days to pick up for some, could take years for others. There’s also the issue that if you don’t have the mana reserves to put out more powerful spells, you won’t be able to use them no matter how much you practice.

Martial arts are a form of magic where mana is used to enhance or empower the body physically in specific ways, often taking the form of boosted or unnatural movement and specific types of strikes which are more powerful than usual. A simple punch can be devastating with enough mana and the right technique.

This is why magical martial arts are viewed as an equaliser. The techniques can be learnt by just about anyone with enough practice, although sometimes that can take decades. We don’t have decades at the moment, so the techniques that Olivia is showing us are all fairly basic ones.

As for why I can’t learn them? My system won’t actually let me learn them. The first time I did well enough to perform a technique correctly, I got a window saying that it failed because I haven’t progressed far enough in the Warrior class.

That’s really annoying, and a definite incentive for me to look at it soon. For the moment though, I feel like I’m versatile enough. My current strength is magic and I want to elevate that over my melee combat skills. I’m already incredibly skilled in that area anyway, and getting more melee power to any degree that would matter, would require investment I don’t want to give right now.

One day I absolutely will, just not now.

Even if Ivy and I can’t learn Martial Arts ourselves, Olivia says that it’s important we know the techniques and how to recognise them, because we might be going up against them one day. We might have already and not realised it because we didn’t know what to look for. So every time Olivia is teaching a new technique, we sit in on the lessons. Otherwise, Ivy and I run dungeons by ourselves to grow in power.

The others’ character sheets are looking pretty good too. We’re all growing more powerful. Soon enough, it’ll be Olivia that’s the lowest level out of all of us. She’s been talking about going hunting for another monster to kill and absorb at some point, with the hope of getting much more powerful in the process, but for now, she’s content with where she is.

As the Martial Arts lesson draws to a close for the day, Olivia makes an announcement. “I have received a tip from one of my informants, about the location of few different mana factories in Sydney. These are fairly small time operations around the area, but if we want to make a difference in this place, we could start there.” She presents to us.

The others look to me for an answer. I think for a few moments before responding. “What do you think we should do? Should we go for it, or keep training until we’re stronger?” I ask. Olivia shakes her head, giving me a small smile. “I am your adviser. Not your leader. The decision is ultimately up to you.” She says.

I smile back in acknowledgement. “It’s a risk going out there.” I say, feeling hesitant to risk the safety of the people I love, especially when Mathias could be out there hunting all of us. “If Mathias wanted to dedicate resources to finding us, he would have found us already.” Olivia points out.

“I leave this barrier and come back every day. There is nobody I have noticed following or watching me do so on a regular basis. There is nobody waiting outside the Fateweaver barrier every day for you. Else they would have caught on to the fact that I am working with you, and captured me already, or at least tried to.” She continues.

“I understand your paranoia. But all of you are strong now, stronger than you know. You have not yet measured your new strength and power against real people. I think you may be surprised with what you find.” I nod, contemplating her words intensely. None of this is without risk. While we could hole up in here forever until we reach the pinnacle of our power, the longer wait, the more people get hurt and die.

Olivia’s reassurance’s that Mathias’ people aren’t waiting for us just outside is what helps me seal the deal. I don’t want to run into them again unless we’re ready. Well and truly ready. But, we can still go bust up some mana factories. We’ll be drawing attention to ourselves, but I think it’s a risk worth taking if we can save some lives. We can still keep a watchful eye out too. I doubt Mathias would try anything in the Fateweaver barrier.

I nod slowly. “Alright. How’s that sound to everyone?” I ask, looking around. “Let’s do it! I wanna kick some butt!” Mia exclaims, pretty enthusiastically. Skylar takes a moment to ponder the question, conjuring a small knife out of shadow. She looks at me after a second. “I think we can handle this okay.” She says, confident in her new power.

“As long as we’re careful about it, I think so too.” Ivy agrees. “If you all think we can do it, then I do too.” Paige says shyly. Ivy throws a smirk at her, and the gothic terramancer blushes madly. I love this new dynamic, getting to both watch and be a part of it is ridiculously fun.

“We have to plan this out carefully and execute things properly. How many mana factories are there, and do you have their exact locations?” I ask, addressing the questions to Olivia. “There are three different factories. I do have their exact addresses, my informant was kind enough to provide that information.” She says.

“Are all three controlled by the same gang, or are they different people?” I ask. Olivia shakes her head. “They are all controlled by different gangs. As I said, small time operations. These are likely the only factories controlled by each gang.” She replies. A plan formulates in my head, and I smile at the idea.

“We can hit all three in the same night. If they’re controlled by different people, that means they’re competitors. Competitors won’t warn each other, not in a cutthroat environment like this. If we hit all three in the same night, and do it quick and clean enough, we can help a lot of people at once without anybody seeing us coming.” I say.

“And potentially put a giant target on our back in the process.” Skylar points out. I shrug. “True, but we already have that. This way gives us the best chance of freeing the most slaves possible before anybody has a chance to tighten their security.” I say. “And absolute worst case scenario, my Enter Kingdom spell should get us out of a pinch.”

“How are we gonna get there?” Paige asks. “We’ll rent two cars. Skylar, Olivia, you both have your licences. One car and three people each. The hope is that they won’t be able to ID your personal cars and associate them with the attacks, especially yours Olivia, since you drive here and back every day.” I say. The others nod, following along easily.

“We’ll hit them in order of how close they are to us. Furthest away first, then move closer back. That’ll hopefully give us less time to be seen. Stash the cars somewhere close by, enter the barriers, bust up the factory, free the slaves, and hopefully make a quick getaway without being seen.” I list off in order.

I look at Olivia. “Are there any flaws you can see in that plan?” I ask her. “This comes with risks, although it would no matter what plan you had. My intel says that we should have no problem defeating the people there, but there is always the risk that it is wrong and that there may be somebody stronger than we can handle.”

“I think this is the best way we can really accomplish the goal of freeing these slaves with minimal risk to ourselves. Although we have minimised said risk, it is still there in pretty substantial fashion. I think this is achievable and I think your plan is sound. When are you thinking of doing this?” She asks in return.

“Tomorrow night.” I answer. “That’ll give us time to prepare.” Olivia nods. “Tomorrow night then. Get plenty of rest tonight. We can prepare in the morning.” She echoes. With a nod, a hug from each of us, and a few more words of encouragement and farewell, Olivia departs from the barrier, leaving us to relax for the evening.