Responding to his will, the system presented him with the options for his next skill evolution.
Infused Glyph of Felnia:
Level 201:
Class Skill - Tier II
Affinity: Arcane, Martial
Type: Glyph-binding, Runic, Spellcasting
Selection Available!
Heroic
The 'Glyph of Ceaseless Advance,' Felnia is valued by those who strike with the epheral power of a hurricane, and range far in search of battle. An Infused Variant of Aelina, Felnia utilises spell-hymns with an offensive bent, or tactical utility. Irrevocably tied to Aelina, it is inscribed on the feet — a grounding root to support their bearer's ferocity.
Tier I:
This skill allows the user to inscribe combat-focused Vesryn translocation, transformation, and mobility spell-hymns to be activated at will, limited only by the availability of mana to reserve into the working, and sufficient space on the body. Creates a hymnbook on the user's status if one is not already present. Multiples of the sa glyph can cast hymns inscribed on their counterpart.
Tier II:
A linked node is added to the calfs, capable of supporting second tier spell-hymns.
Each level moderately increases the power, range, and area of effect of spell-hymns cast through the glyph.
Each level slightly decreases the physical size of inscribed spell-hymns.
Every 100 levels the user may learn another runic hymn of the relevant tier to add to their hymnbook.
Spell-hymns Known:
Tier I:
Yellia's Slipstep - 80 mana
Trusant's Expedient Shunt - 100 mana
Tier II:
Selection Available!
….
Infused Glyph of Aelina:
Level 201
Class Skill - Tier II
Affinity: Arcane, Martial
Type: Glyph-binding, Runic, Spellcasting
Selection Available!
Heroic
The 'Glyph of Transference', Aelina is the source of the Runeblade's legendary ability to appear as soon as they are called upon. Its hymns are at once the logistical backbone of Vesryn, and a source of unrivaled battlefield mobility. Fleeting and swift, it is bound to the feet, where the centring touch of the earth can remind initiates that the present is ever fleeting — and ti is not a resource to be squandered.
Tier I:
This skill allows the user to inscribe Vesryn translocation and mobility spell-hymns to be activated at will, limited only by the availability of mana to reserve into the working, and sufficient space on the body. Creates a hymnbook on the user's status if one is not already present. Multiples of the sa glyph can cast hymns inscribed on their counterpart.
Tier II:
A linked node stretches up the shin, capable of supporting second tier spells.
Each level moderately increases the power, range, and area of effect of spell-hymns cast through the glyph.
Each level slightly decreases the physical size of inscribed spell-hymns.
Every 100 levels the user may learn another runic hymn of the relevant tier to add to their hymnbook.
Spell-hymns Known:
Tier I:
Yellia's Slipstep - 80 mana
Trusant's Expedient Shunt - 100 mana
Tier II:
Selection Available!
Kaius gnawed on his lip as he poured over the two variants. It was a tough call.
Unlike Drakthar, neither option would lead to his already chosen spells being changed — sothing he appreciated. Both Slipstep and Shunt were far too useful to risk on a gamble.
He looked at the first option, Felnia. It would be a change — a more direct focus on combat application. On many levels, that appealed — his spells were to keep him alive, not for pure utility.
That said, Aelina had fit him just fine up until now. Did he really need more thods to inflict harm on his enemies? He already had an entire glyph devoted solely to that, and plenty of sword skills besides.
Focusing on the wording, he found himself drifting to sothing in the skills epigraph. Tactical utility. That implied sothing more, so sort of capability that extended beyond the direct exchange of blows.
Tempting, but he wanted to talk to his team first.
Kaius blinked away his notifications, focusing on his team. They'd finished with their own evaluations.
Seeing no reason for them to stand around, he nodded towards a tunnel close to them. Its brick floor was covered in a glistening sli — the detritus of the newborn larvae that had crawled down its path only minutes before.
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"Let's move people, we can talk on the way."
Nodding, they set off at a run. They found the grubs quickly. Rather than divert their path, Kaius led them straight through the tide, crushing as many of the creatures as he could. They would lead them straight to the point they were flooding the ruins, and the more they killed now ant less to hunt down later.
"Standout options first — we all know what we need well enough now to dismiss the useless ones without handholding. Porkchop?"
"Two variations of Bulwark's Challenge — The Dominance of Claw or The Invitation of Steel. The forr is largely similar to my current skill, it pulls aggression, and the second tier effect makes it daze and weaken my enemies. The latter is single target, stronger, and can prevent the use of skills."
Both sounded like good options, but Kaius was almost certain of which one his brother would pick. The entire point of his current skill was to prevent them from being overwheld when they were vastly outnumbered.
"You're picking the first one, I assu?"
Porkchop nodded, making Kaius smile. He decided to go next — he still had to pick his spells for either option.
"Mine's a bit of a similar choice — Keep Aelina and pick a second tier spell, or move to Felnia. It's specifically more combat focused, though it ntions tactical utility, which is making lean towards it."
"You sure?" Kenva asked. "Aelina's worked well so far, do you want to risk it?"
"I think so. It's mostly for battle anyway, and neither option will adjust my current spells. I'm hopeful that the inclusion of more utility will be able to broaden my options, rather than limit them."
Ianmus nodded in agreent from the centre of their formation. "Understanable. Regardless, you should keep an eye out for spatial spells. If you accumulate them, you'll be more likely to get an option focused on it in the future. Even if they tend towards high mana expense, they're one of the most potent mobility affinities for a reason."
That was sothing he'd already planned on. Even if Slipstep wasn't gachanging, he'd never forgotten that it was the sole reason they'd been able to escape from Old Yon's dungeon.
Beyond that, only a fool would avoid maximising their chances to bloody teleport.
Putting the thought aside, Kaius focused on Ianmus. "What about you?"
"Only one real option — Witching Hour. It's a lunar keyseal focused on afflictions and battlefield control. The other was a utility seal that strengthened my other magic — I'd rather have the added capability. The first tier spells are a hodgepodge mix — Whispered Lullaby was the main standout. It'll put a target to sleep, and it's even more effective if the target isn't trying to resist. Thought it'd be good for throwing creatures off, or helping with watch rotations."
The mage's reasoning was sound — and Lullaby did sound useful. Not just for the reasons Ianmus ntioned, either. If they were trying to avoid getting into a fight, it was perfect. Plus, they needed more non lethal options to deal with threats.
"And the second tier spell?" Kenva asked.
Ianmus paused for a mont. "There's a few, but I'm torn between Sermon of Iniq and Curse of the Broken."
"They both sound…pleasant. What's the first do?"
"The Sermon will make a group of targets hearwhispered 'forbidden secrets' — supposed to drive them to incapacitating madness temporarily. Or permanently, if they're too weak. The Curse is single target, worsening all of their current wounds."
Kaius mulled it over. Curse of the Broken sounded potent — combined with the right assault, it could potentially lead to instant death. However, another thod of controlling their opponents when outnumbered sounded more appealing.
"I like the sermon — we only really have a few ways of dealing with crowds at the mont, and Starfall isn't always suitable."
"I was leaning towards it for the sa reason." Ianmus replied, before nodding to Kenva. "Lucky last."
She snorted, shaking her head. "It's fine — I had one clear standout. Leaf on the Wind. It lets transform into a gust of leaves. Vertical mobility, speed, and I'll be able to get through so pretty tight gaps. That said, I'll be more vulnerable to certain attacks."
Raising an eyebrow, Kaius gave her a look of surprise. Skills like that were supposed to be rare, even in the second tier — though he supposed that she did have a Heroic class now.
As they ran, Kaius directed them over to a side tunnel — bringing them away from the tide of grubs that they had been trampling. Selecting their skills would only leave them unconscious for a minute or two, but he didn't intend on spending that ti being a golden maggot's lunch.
"Are you going to tell what spells you got offered now, or are you going to keep in suspense?" Ianmus asked, grinning at him
Kaius laughed, "Yeah, yeah. Give a mont."
Flicking to his skill options, Kaius focused on Infused Glyph of Felnia.
**Ding! Are you sure you would like to evolve Latent Glyph of Aelina to Infused Glyph of Felnia? This choice is permanent and irrevocable!**
Yes.
Making his choice, more words spilled across his vision as the System presented him with his spell options.
Liluin's Maneuver:
Runic Hymn - Tier II (Mobility)
Affinity: Gale
Glyph: Felnia
3000 Mana
Selection Available!
This Hymn imbues the user and all allies within fifty strides with windborn grace, vastly increasing speed and agility for up to an hour. Concentration is required to maintain this effect.
…
Voyager's Spike:
Runic Hymn - Tier II (Mobility)
Affinity: tal, Magnetism
Glyph: Felnia
700 Mana
Selection Available!
This Hymn fires a penetrating spike as the user kicks. After impact, the user can rapidly pull themselves towards a spike at will when within a quarter league. While moving, a repulsive force deflects tallic objects away from the user. Spikes persist for half an hour.
…
Fractured Warp:
Runic Hymn - Tier II (Translocation)
Affinity: Spatial
Glyph: Felnia
1500 Mana
Selection Available!
This Hymn creates an unstable fold in space, transporting the user instantly to a visible point within fifty longstrides. Spatial ripples erupt at the arrival point, interfering with spatial magic, as well as damaging the user and anything else within close proximity.
…
Kelrinor's Open:
Runic Hymn - Tier II (Transformation)
Affinity: Destruction
Glyph: Felnia
1500 Mana
Selection Available!
This Hymn infuses a cube of space up to five by five strides with destructive energy over a short period of ti, allowing the user access through almost any impinging obstacle.
Kaius whipped to one of the available options.
Well, that made his choice easy.
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