The Strongest Spellblade

We drove out of Undercraft through a tunnel to another cavern. This one wasn’t as large as the one for the city, but it was still large. There were a lot of magical carriages zipping around and wreckages pushed to the side of the cavaran.

“The training chamber, as it is called,” Anerac said and Healer Melon let out a groan. We came to a stop near the entrance where some other magical carriages were stopped. We got some looks from the dwarves but no one said anything as Anerac brought me around to the front.

“This isn’t my racing vehicle, but the one I used to drive. Solid and dependable. So, let’s do a quick check before you drive, so you know what to look for to be sure things are safe,” he said.

“Got it,” I replied. He went around to the front and moved a metal panel.

“The main thing there is the Mana compressor. Processed fuel goes in here and there is a gauge by the steering wheel to know how much fuel you have left. This Mana compressor is rated red. While it can use stronger grades, don’t. Unless you are really experienced and know what you are doing, that is likely to blow your Mana compressor,” he said.

“Got it, know your fuel type,” I replied.

“The fuel cap is colored red for that reason. They are all color coded nowadays since there are different grades of fuel so people don’t get confused. The higher grades are needed for more powerful Mana compressors. The fuel gets sprayed out into these cylinders. A runic inscription triggers the fuel, creating a void and a targeted burst of gravity, causing a the piston to rapidly compress,” he explained.

“That pushes other pistons up and turns a shaft, which moves the front wheels of the magical carriage,” Anerac continued to explain while he showed me the exhaust and the mirrors and all the other functions of a magical carriage.

I got into the driver’s seat. Healer Melon was sitting in the back while Anerac was in the passenger’s seat. “Now, you can run the Mana compressor without running the car, since the drive shaft isn’t currently engaged. Pull that knob out, twist, and push back in. That will start up the Mana compressor.” I followed his instructions and the car began to shake slightly.

“Now, once you pull that lever next to you and push forward, the drive shaft will lock in. You don’t want to pull the main drive lever unless you aren’t moving quickly. You pull back, you will go in reverse. Don’t do that. Once its engaged, we will start moving. Control the magical carriage through the wheel which will angle the front tires,” Anerac said. I did what he instructed and the magical carriage began to move about fairly quickly, but not at the speeds he went.

“Take your time. Get the hang of turning. Your going at base speed. You can push down on the right foot pedal to speed up, as more fuel is used to compress the pistons more quickly, or you can push the left foot pedal to apply a pressure break. Don’t slam on the break, since it uses pads. Don’t press both at once either. Why don’t you try hitting the break and then coming to a stop,” Anerac explained.

I did that and managed to stop the magical carriage. “That wasn’t that hard,” I said.

“It really isn’t. Driving is simple once you know what to do. The real challenge is when you want to push the limits. Now let’s get going again and take the track that is marked with red flags. That is for beginners,” Anerac told me.

There were no close brushes with death and I didn’t push the limits of the magical carriage. Despite that, driving was incredibly fun. The speed was incredible. Easily matching that of a legend once I got going. It had nothing on my mother or certain speed boosting skills, but even with those limitations I could understand the potential dwarves saw in this technology.

As Anerac drove us back to his mother’s inn, I had a question. “What about the Mana compressor? Can I take a look?” I asked.

“You would have to buy one yourself. They are sealed up tight. One misalignment and things can go very badly as it rips itself apart. The cylinders are quite delicate, but they also need to be robust. And you need a mechanic, a profession,” he said.

“What is the main skill for a mechanic?” I asked.

“Mechanism Skills. No one has Empowered Mechanism as far as I know, but there could be someone in the military. But you definitely need that skill to work with the various parts and components safely, to make sure you take everything apart and put it back together,” Anerac explained.

“Do you have the skill?” I asked.

“Yes, just tier 1. I messed around with this vehicle quite a bit, figuring out how everything works, but I wouldn’t dare take apart the Mana compressor. That is how you have accidents and dead dwarves,” he said.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“And it doesn’t break?” I asked.

“Not easily, unless you crash or mess something up yourself. All the cases I know of where a Mana compressor failed, is because someone did something to it they shouldn’t have. There are three corporations that make them and there used to be a lot of accidents. Now the councils have cracked down on that kind of thing heavily,” Anerac explained.

It was weird, since I could understand buying and using a sword. You bought the sword, and it was yours. I knew how to take care of my weapon and clean it properly. But Anerac didn’t understand how everything worked in the Mana compressor.

It was incredibly odd in my mind. Like having a weapon that needed to get taken care of by someone else. That just felt like trouble. I understood the value of specialization, but it just felt odd. Like needing a specific smith after a weapon was made. If a weapon was properly made a smith wouldn’t be needed normally and if one was needed any smith of a certain level would do.

But for these Mana compressors, there were too many other professions involved. That was the issue. It was like my mother’s sword but giving something like that out to everyone. It felt unearned, that such an incredible work of craftsmanship was available to regular people. That was what threw me off about the entire situation.

It was a bit elitist, but it was also a shift in how a society functioned. Mana compressors weren’t just for magical carriages. They had begun appearing as part of the latest farming equipment. If it could pull people, it could pull a plow.

The interesting part was that the Driving skill was recognized by the System. Would machines designed for farming be recognized by the Farming skill or would another skill emerge?

Once back at the inn, we had dinner. Anerac had an event to go to, so he took off while Healer Melon and I enjoyed a mushroom stew and fresh bread for dinner.

“Have fun?” Healer Melon asked me. I had paid a gold coin for an entire day’s driving lesson.

“Yes actually. I plan to arrange a couple more training sessions for the Driving skill,” I replied.

“At least you aren’t crazy like the other dwarves,” he replied.

“They are trying to push the skill to new heights. Increasing the level would be a massive headache after an initial surge. Since it is dependent on equipment, it easier to go faster or take greater risks,” I replied.

“Are you planning to take greater risks? At those speeds, you hit something, or the Mana compressor explodes, you are done for,” Healer Melon said while his bald head glinted in the magical light.

“I don’t plan to make it my profession. Driving is fun, but I don’t have a good feeling how much the magical carriage can be pushed. There are also a lot more tricks to going faster and supporting skills. No. I just want a strong understanding of the skill and not be completely hopeless if I have to drive something,” I replied.

“You are diluting your focus and training, but you have already had that argument,” Healer Melon said, reminding me of what my mother would say.

“That is fine. I am not some golem or puppet. If I want to learn a fun skill, then I will learn a fun skill. I mean even Sweet Tooth lets me savor sweets better,” I replied. Healer Melon’s bald head got several worry wrinkles and then he let out a sigh.

“Fine. I am just supposed to watch over you,” he replied.

“All the way through my time at the College of Enrollment?” I asked.

“Yes. And a few years after that for 10 years total. And they do allow one retainer per student to go with them to the College of Advancement,” he said.

“I am betting most students get a guard of some kind,” I replied.

“Most do. But a Healer who can replenish reserves is more useful for training,” he replied.

“And my mother isn’t worried about my safety?” I asked just to try and understand what she was thinking.

“She is trying to give you space to succeed or fail on your own. You wanted independence, well you have it. Learning a Driving skill, really?” he gave me a look of disappointment.

“After all the skill levels I gained the previous three months, my methods work best. Maybe there will be a unique skill synergy somewhere. Regardless, I enjoyed driving, don’t ruin it,” I told the Healer.

“Fine, fine. It isn’t my place to judge.” He was judging me, quite a bit. “I am just worried for you. Right now it is a couple of simple skills, but what if you get more depraved skills. There are dangerous drugs out there like Pi Crystals or Pic,” he said.

“Like the math term or the food?” I asked.

“It is an acronym. Powered infused crystals. Easy to become dependent on the stuff. A jolt of Mana right into your soul, but it will cause health complications. Drug Connoisseur is a very bad skill to get. I am worried you are going down a dark path.”

“Driving is got going to lead to drugs. There is no skill synergy there,” I countered.

“People say that. But then they are struggling to live and just want more drugs. Anerac is taking Pic.”

“What?” I asked in shock and Healer Melon nodded.

“I did a health scan of both of you during the driving session. He shows clear signs of Mana destabilization. He is an addict and definitely has the skill Drug Connoisseur. The health issue is where Mana isn’t entering Mana evenly from his soul. There is residual damage, like scarring from where he has overdrawn. Like targeted Mana burn. This boosts stats, which he probably did to give himself an advantage in the races. But once you start, it is hard to stop. It takes months to recover from that type of damage at the start. Once you take the stuff for too long it will be too late,” Healer Melon said.

“And you checked without his permission?” I asked with a frown.

“I did ask. Remember? After that hard turn. And he didn’t object. You need to be careful of who you associate yourself with Justin,” Healer Melon said.

“Why are people so disappointing once you know them better?” I muttered.

“That is just nature. Just like everyone doesn’t know your history, you don’t know their history. But that is why you need to be careful. You absolutely cannot take any kind of substance. Your Alchemical toxicity is too high. If you do something like that, especially with Pic you will die or be seriously injured if I do manage to save you,” he said.

“I promise I won’t take weird things,” I said.

“Hmm, as long as you understand,” Healer Melon said. Driving didn’t seem so fun anymore.