Drewells976 posts
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Chapter 178 - Schemes and Rewards
Author's notes: Patreon gave me problems with the formatting so I had to separate the paragraphs manually and there might be some mistakes. Also, it doesn't let me copy the PDF for some 'reasons'. Guess just Patreon being Patreon XDEdit. Fixed!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97512073&i=17522832---------On his way to Edgar’s lab, Kai could hardly take a step without hearing the passersby discuss some odd event. Some guessed the me...
Chapter 177 - The Festival of the Tides
Author's notes: 2.85k so I finished a bit late <3https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97447531&i=17522530----------Dawn rose from the sea over a city that already buzzed with life. Flynn stumbled out of his warm bed, stretching his limbs. He opened the window, the chill air stung his skin and the sounds of the capital rushed in to wash away any sleepiness.The boisterous caws of seagulls perched on the rooftops, the subtle creaking and groaning of t...
Chapter 176 - Celestial Alignment
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97260961&i=17459661---------------News of the alignment swept through the streets, faster than his feet could carry him home. The bells eventually quietened, and excited voices rose to take their place.It was rare six moons aligned for any length of time—not counting the Lost Sister that was unpredictable by nature. Beyond the celestial spectacle, the phenomenon carried numerous meanings and omens.Superstitions li...
Chapter 175 - First Blade
Author's notes: Still here!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97200884&i=17459734-----------Not as painful or exhausting as his days at the estate, but infinitely more frustrating. Kai had to stretch his patience threefold to study under the gnome's tutelage.Edgar made clear he had no desire to teach him. From abstruse explanations to tedious lessons on material composition and rune synchronization, the little gremlin put more effort into try...
Chapter 174 - A Lovable Gnome
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=97063245&i=17448464----------------“Do we have a deal, kid?” Edgar gave him a crooked smile. His bulbous eyes scanned him, looking for the hidden enchantment.Is there a point in denying?Kai discarded the possibility. Confidence could be faked, but the gnome had been too precise in its assumptions to be bluffing. He might also possess a lie-detection skill or—more likely—an artifact.From the metal contraption...
Chapter 173 - The Runesmith
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96999071&i=17411274--------The stocky building nestled between its soaring neighbors. Plain granite walls, windows covered by dark curtains and a sturdy oak door, an unassuming oddity in the opulence of the upper city. Kai had walked past it twice before he realized this was the place, his eyes slipped over the gray cube.Everything in the upper city was made to impress, to showcase the wealth and status of their own...
Chapter 172 - Shopping Done Right
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96821433&i=17382011---------“Found anything to your liking, young man?” The owner of the shop rubbed his hands with a salesman’s smile. “Here at Salsbury’s, we only acquire the very best goods for our clients. Each blade is a unique piece enchanted by a master runesmith.”You and every other store in the upper city. Do you also sell Excalibur, or is that not good enough for your shelves?“Really?” Kai ...
Chapter 171 - Dealings with the Republic
Author's notes: Not yet dead, just swept up in mundane problems, I'm a bit late.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96759641&i=17375471----------“You said the beast was injured before it came on shore?” The inspector surveyed the sea serpent’s battered carcass in her dull uniform, her nose wrinkled at the pungent stench of rotten fish that choked the air.Kai couldn’t blame her. He had run out of curses for his improved Perception hours...
Chapter 170 - Spoils
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96624645&i=17343425-----------“Sorry for the cup,” Kai smiled apologetically.“What did you do with it?” Lou crouched beside the metal scraps, more confused than upset.“He failed a magic trick.” Flynn teased him, taking advantage of the distraction to whisper in his ear. “Don’t worry about your sword, I’ve hidden it.” He slipped away, muttering he’d check that no more beasts fell from the sky.Th...
Chapter 169 - Glorious Aftermath
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96554058&i=17326234---------How do I get out of here?Kai fumbled in the dark. Slick with ichor, his hands slipped on the creature’s cold insides. He had lost one dagger when his water shield had worn out and left the full weight of the beast on him.The gashes on his shoulder and leg became harder to ignore as the adrenaline of the fight wore off. A pungent smell pervaded his nose, and there was a sour taste in his...
Chapter 168 - Testing Fate
Author's Notes: Took a while to finish and edit cause I didn't want to end on a big cliffhanger. Almost 3k words <3https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96381416&i=17290583---------The circular script on the Fulcrum glowed with a soft light, it had gathered Fate for more than a week. Kai wished he had observed the artifact before activating it the first time, so he would have a reference.It could be quite a bit or a speck of dust.The gathering s...
Chapter 167 - Underwater Explorations
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96316611&i=17290535-------------Kai stashed his silver disk and clothes inside his ring and jumped to the lower floor. The knee-deep water was hardly of any help in the landing. But if it wasn’t enough to cushion the fall, it was enough to drench him thoroughly.Damned cold water.Away from the sun, the icy droplets sent shivers down his arms and back. Scant rays of light penetrated from the opening in the ceiling. ...
Chapter 166 – Remnants of a Past Age
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96188915&i=17265377----------Coming out of the dusty town, a line of carts headed west to load their cargo at sea. The crates glowed with chains of rough spatial enchantments.The stones paving the streets of Higharbor had to come from somewhere…The ivory rock stolen from the Vastaire ruins was easily recognizable across the upper city. It adorned mansions and important public buildings, shaped into statues for the...
Chapter 165 - Traveling
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=96119987&i=17244899--------Islanders were defined by their bond to the sea, seafarers living where the waves met the shore. That was how Kai had always seen it before he came here.Along the northern coast west of Higharbor, the Shallow Sea continued to be uncharacteristically deep, a labyrinth of low trenches and shallows. It was a challenge to traverse it without waiting for the high tide to come in, and even the m...
Chapter 164 - The Promised Journey
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95937399&i=17207981---------Kai burned the copy of the mage’s letter he had transcribed for Flynn. The candle flame consumed the paper, and the winding wisp of smoke thinned and disappeared. The faint acrid smell lingered in his bedroom before dissolving through the open window.During the last two days, they had poured their minds over those short paragraphs. While Virya’s open statements could imply a lot of di...
Chapter 163 - The Whims of Fate
Author's notes: This chapter took a lifetime to edit, especially Virya's letter and the explanation of the artifact.Hope you appreciate it <3P.S. There is no new schedule.https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95868730&i=17192498--------Kai stared at the folded paper in his hand and fought not to feel like an idiot. Virya had actually left a note.I almost wish she didn’t.“It’s blank, I’ve checked with a backlight too,” Flynn informed hi...
Chapter 162 - A Mesar for Your Thoughts
Author's notes: Yes, I know how it looks bad, but two days early are just a coincidence XDhttps://www.patreon.com/file?h=95734565&i=17180928---------Her emerald eyes widened as if he had insulted her entire family line, and dead cat for good measure.Don’t look at me like that, you’re the weird one for remembering me. It’s been almost four years.“Wait. You truly don’t remember my name?” She scrunched her brows, her voice lined with...
Chapter 161 - Strange Events
Author's notes: Happy 2024!But don't get used to the early chapter XDhttps://www.patreon.com/file?h=95665837&i=17180934---------Alarmed shouts and murmurs rang from outside.“You don’t think it’s connected, do you?” Flynn voiced what they were both thinking, backing off from the silver disk.“I don’t know.” Kai deposited the strange artifact into his ring, careful not to press another hidden switch. Better if he didn’t touch...
Chapter 160 - Secrets Unveiled
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95503768&i=17120853-----------Dodging under Lou’s outstretched arm, Kai punched his ribcage without hesitation. Two quick blows fueled by a trickle of Empower, there was no time for a third, he slipped behind him on the sand to create distance. Kai raised his fists, legs half bent to dash for an opening.Don’t get caught, strike and retreat.If six weeks of brawling with the twins had taught him one thing, it was ...
Chapter 159 - Trust and Honesty
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95441413&i=17107319---------Kai tried to make space between them, but the string of his amulet was still in Lou’s hand. “It’s not what you think,” he squeaked.Really brain, couldn’t you think of anything better?Lou let go of the pendant. “No? What’s your explanation then? Why did you lie to my face? You get one chance to tell the truth,” he emphasized with his index.Damn me, I should have counted my ...
Chapter 158 - The Duel
Author's notes: Yes, I'm late. Yes, I wrote a 3.5k-word chapter. Because why not, right? We're close to Christmas <3We have a new winner for my longest chapter yet!https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95135827&i=17036954----------Expectant gazes burrowed into his back. Flynn’s eyes carried a silent question, ready to make up some random excuse to offer him a way out.Kai shook his head with the tiniest movement. Beneath his fake sweat and ...
Chapter 157 - Friendly Sparring
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=95074724&i=17037573-----------Inside a ring drawn in the sand, the twins circled each other like drakes looking for an opening. No provocations or snarky remarks were exchanged, both were entirely focused on their opponent. Each expertly wielded a practice spear a head longer than themselves with eyes serious and unblinking.The blunt snap of dulled spear points shot in tentative strikes. Two mirror images sought a c...
Chapter 156 - A Day on the Beach
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94955689&i=17023478----------Salty droplets tickled his face. The crystal sea on his right was quite lively this morning. Stirred by the winds in the early sunlight, the wave crests sparkled like diamonds against a background of aquamarine waters. The shades of blue and beryl grew darker further off the coast.Streams of people were already pouring into the promenade along the shore of Higharbor. The end of summer ha...
Chapter 155 - Cursed Night
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94896306&i=16988028-----------The pastel light of three moons peeked through the bed of clouds. Pale red, blue, and a sharp violet from the Lost Sister wandering the skies above.Kai made a non-committal sound under the twins’ hopeful gazes. “We can meet by the northern beach.” They had never been good at taking no for an answer. If tonight was anything to go by, seven years had done little to improve them on t...
Chapter 154 - Reunion
Author's notes: Almost 2.8k, enjoy :)https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94735323&i=16958203---------Kai craned his neck to get a better look at Lou. Two pairs of eyes examined each other with disbelief and faint recognition. If he randomly saw him in a crowd, he would never suspect the teenager before him was the same quiet kid of his memories.Now that he purposely searched for it, the hulking boy's observant gaze carried a trace of his littl...
Chapter 153 - Forgotten Childhood
Author's Notes: I started earlier, but this chapter took even longer than I imagined, I hope you enjoy it :)https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94677616&i=16950593-------------Hi, I’m Kai. You know, the kid that you ran around with ages ago. The one who said he was going to visit you soon but never showed up. Well, here I am. Better late than never, right?“You don’t have to go see them right this moment,” Flynn said, not for the first time...
Chapter 152 - Consequences and Rewards
Author's Notes: I had a lot of fun reading all your guesses about what Virya put inside the cube. Can't wait to show you what I planned, it shouldn't be too long ;)https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94555281&i=16923353----------The glowing network of runes was his entire world, nothing else existed. Not the bead of sweat coming down his brow or his thumping heartbeat. Careful and precise like a surgeon with his scalpel, Kai split a fracti...
Chapter 151 - The Upper City
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94494919&i=16905138--------His mouth hung agape, muttering a numb ‘oh’. There must be some better, more appropriate reaction buried somewhere in his mind. Kai couldn’t find it.They were alive and well. His heart lightened as he discarded the grim possibility.Or alive at least… I should have known they’d get into trouble. I did teach them how to learn and train skills when we were kids.Maybe it was arrogant...
Chapter 150 - Higharbor
Author's notes: For those who missed I put a brief explanation of how Profession XP works at the end of the previous chapter. It will be made clear as the story goes on, but you can look at it if you're confused.PDF: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94330464&i=16874661------------As the Ventura drifted closer to the docking area pushed by its pink sails, more details slowly came into focus. Kai swept his gaze over the port to grasp any usef...
Chapter 149 - Gains
https://www.patreon.com/file?h=94271565&i=16869215-----------The waves crashed against the white limestone cliffs, a slow but inexorable battle between sea and land. Clinging on top like mushrooms on an old log, the little houses of Wildcliff huddled together to resist the harsh winds.It had been a much more pleasant stop than Old Port. Smaller in size and far quieter. Close to the rim, the howling gales that hit the steep rock were often louder ...
