The Way Ahead

Chapter 120: Growing from Rocks

It being spring, the Rhothos river had once again burst its banks, flooding a huge swath of the valley. It felt strangely nostalgic being back in the area, particularly given that hed only been gone actually, something like a year now between his time at Panastalis and Sheraith. That was weird to think about.

Anyway, the last time hed been here for it, Edwin hadnt been fully able to appreciate the sights, but now? There was an absolute tapestry of Skills at play while everyone worked. Some farmers walked atop the water, planting river-based crops in fertile ground while others waded up to their waist to do the same. The river itself was absolutely teeming with life, hundreds to thousands of fish happily swimming every which way, nibbling on weeds while leaving the actual crops alone, an effect that Edwin identified as split between the fish and the plants themselves.

Wait, was that Inion?

Well, it was a bit of her presence anyway. As soon as theyd gotten within sight of her home river, shed made a beeline for the water and promptly discorporated, leaving the rest of them behind. He didnt really mind that much, but he wished that the fey would just be honest with him in regards to how much she actually wanted him around.

Is it an ocean? Yathal had asked in awe.

Rillah had chuckled, No, its not an ocean. Oceans are way bigger, they stretch on further you can see and are deeper than you can imagine, and hold up the entire world.

Thats not how oceans work, though, Edwin protested, Rock doesnt float no matter how big you get it.

Now thats just not true.

What? Oh, some Skill would make it possible I suppose, but thats not the point. Rock doesn't float unless actively being held up by something- which I would say doesnt count as floating, personally.

No, not even with Skills. Theres the stone ships, you know?

I do not, no.

Yeah, these big black stone things. Theres only like two of them, but theyre super cool. Bit warm to the touch, but they can float!

Wait, what? Blackstone ships? I mean I guess you could make a ship out of them? It is strong enough, even if it were that thin, and it would provide quite the strong hull. I want to see these now.

Oh so now you believe me?

Well, if its a boat thats different. Its not that hard to make something float, but solid rock, like continents, wont float on water. They float on liquid rock.

Liquid rock? Please.

Well, magma. Its magma thats underground, right? he mused, then shook his head, Nevermind. Polyglot would take care of it anyway. But thats just liquid rock, so yeah. Continents float on liquid rock, but they dont float on water.

Oh yeah? So then why do the Stoneships not sink then, smart guy? Rillah playfully jabbed him in the arm.

I mean buoyancy? Its not that complicated right, you guys dont have physics classes here. Um, what do you know about why things float?

What do you mean? They float because they float. Theyre lighter than water, so they float. What else is there to it?

Okay, well yes, but Okay, let me start from the beginning.

So this naked guy in a bathtub realized all this at once?

Wait, thats what you got out of all of that? Archimedes in the tub?

Well hes the most memorable. I have it! she shouted.

Yes, yes. Eureka. Anyway, thats not the point. Well, it kind of is the point? Anyway, does stuff make more sense now?

Nope!

Ugh. Ill try this again, he started summoning a few models out of Apparatite, Okay, so buoyancy

Does it make sense now?

So youre saying that wood boats dont float because theyre wood, but because they what, bigger than water?

Theyre less dense. Everything-

Everythings being pulled down by gravity, yes, and the things that are heavier are pulled down more.

No, theyre pulled down the same amount. Gravity is a constant for everything and everyone, its just that heavier things are well, theyre harder to move out of the way, so lighter things just sit on top of them.

Uhuh. So you make a ship lighter how?

By making it mostly air. The stone, or wood, or metal, or whatever that makes up the ship might be way heavier than the water it moves out of the way, but because of the air inside of it, it cant sink.

Edwin felt a cold nose bump against his hand, and he looked down to see Kynigos at his side.

Oh, hello there Kynigos. Whats up?

He yipped softly, and Edwin frowned, Agreement oh! You understand what Im saying?

The pup nodded, and Edwin chuckled as he gave him a good scratch behind the ear for a reward.

How does it feel that Kynigos figured this out faster than you? he teased.

Oh, shush you. He has Intelligence, Wisdom, and Learning. Of course he can figure it out.

Dont you have Intelligence?

Yeah, and you dont. Maybe if you did youd be better at teaching this. she shot back, But I think I understand now. Its like if youve got an updraft pointed at a feather, the feather goes up because its being pushed by the wind but if you try to put anything on the feather it sinks.

Thats about right, I think? Edwin shrugged, Well, its close enough. Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh, right. Oceans.

That was an hour ago.

Was it? Well okay, what do you want to talk about then?

Im just done for now.

Well okay then. Still, he wasnt about to complain. Much more talking and Adaptive Defense might move to protect his throat. He fished out his canteen and took a big gulp of water, loving the sensation of letting his parched throat rehydrate. It was the little things, sometimes.

Alas, Rillah being maybe-annoyed with him didnt leave Edwin with a whole lot of options. He watched Kynigos bound around for a couple minutes before remembering why he didnt usually do that. Kynigos was like a perfectly-behaved dog to the point where it legitimately didnt feel real.

I mean, he is a magical sapient dog with more mental Attributes than I have, so not sure how that compares. I guess it checks out that he doesnt really feel like a dog.

He sat in silence as Bill trundled along up the road. He he wasnt really good at people, he knew. His mouth tended to run ahead of his brain, but not in the sticking his foot in his mouth sense, just in a not stopping to think if what he was saying was actually worth saying, and it tended to drive off what few people were actually likely to be friendly with him to begin with. It wasnt great, but what was he supposed to do? It meant that, when he was actually thinking about what he wanted to say, he usually tried to make that be nothing. He wouldnt say anything unless he was prompted in some way. Hed also had to learn that people randomly asking him questions wasnt always a prompt to tell them everything that he knew about a subject so he tried to follow that, deflecting answers instead of answering them head-on.

Of course, that deflection also meant that anyone who might be actually interested in him and his emotions had quite the challenge ahead of them. As soon as any conversation drifted towards him, he immediately locked down to prevent oversharing- he had some very bad experiences always replaying in his mind as to why- but that would also mean that, if someone really, truly wanted to find out how he was and what his emotional state was, theyd have to prod him and then not take his brief dismissal as an answer. Theyd need to push a little bit, make sure that he actually was alright, or was whatever the socially-appropriate emotion was to have at the time. If they did push, didnt take a dismissal as an answer, then hed maybe, finally have a friend? Someone who actually cared about him beyond politeness, someone who he knew wasnt just trying to spare his feelings was that too much to ask for?

Yes, a part of him whispered, I should be perfectly fine with no friends, nothing solid, why do I even need other people anyway? Theyre obnoxious, too loud, bothersome, and demanding. Im better on my own, and I definitely need to stop moping before anyone notices.

He sighed, refocusing on his surroundings. What had he missed? Hopefully nothing too important, hopefully he hadnt zoned out right when someone was trying to talk to him

Nothing. There he was, sitting all alone on the cart as it trundled along the road, rattling him with every step Bill took. He didnt have anyone he was ignoring because nobody was trying to talk to him, there wasnt any major stuff happening that demanded his attention. It was just a normal day, and he should try to enjoy it.

Edwin felt a flicker of strange magic trigger his mana senses, snapping him out of idle speculation and back into the present. It didnt feel like Rillahs abilities, and it was way stronger and more defined than the normal background, were they under attack? Off to the left there.

It was a farmer. Huh?

Well, no, not a farmer. Thanks to Seeing, even from hundreds of feet away he could pick out tiny details on the mans build and outfit, which was definitely a cut above what most of the farmers wore. He wasnt built like a physical laborer, and while he couldnt tell thanks to the mans elaborate outfit, Edwin suspected that even he might have more muscle on him than the man did. The Skills woven into the fabric were really intricate, indicating a level of expense above even Edwins own outfit. That looked like self-cleaning, waterproofing, durability, comfort, and even self-repairing effects. Very much not a farmer, then. Self-repairing garments were ludicrously expensive from what he recalled, and

Oh! Magic again. That was interesting, it felt a bit like hm. Edwin got an image of budding life, of a tree branch blossoming and bearing fruit, as he focused on the magic. A life mage, perhaps?

It would fit. The mans hair was cut short, but a very vivid green that matched the magic he had around his hands, raining down like sparks as he passed through the plowed fields. Everywhere the specks of light landed, a small shoot poked its way out of the dirt a few moments later.

He was still slightly out of Identify range, but getting closer all the time. Eventually though, he drew close enough that Edwin could check.

Vivacious Tender of the Bountiful Fields

Hmm. Given that Class name, and the Skills Edwin could pick out, he guessed that the mage was probably tier five or six. He was able to pick out the basic Skills of Walking, Identify, Status, and Language no problem- confirming his guesses with Identify, but other than that he strained his eyes. Was that okay, the Skill that he was using to spread the life-sparks definitely resembled Rillahs Vivacious Caress, but didnt look quite as high level and seemed a lot less focused. Then that maybe no, that was a different Skill altogether.

He shook his head. Hed need to track down a bunch of people and really study their Skills if he wanted to ever have his speculation confirmed. Not that it was any easier to really analyze someone so high-Tier. Skills just spread into a giant mess of tangled webs and strands, as they built upon one another and started influencing their peers constantly.

He checked his notifications, hoping that nothing. Alas, Lefi leaving and taking his skill-growth aura really impacted Edwins leveling, and he hadnt realized by how much until it was too late. Ah well, he wasnt in any particular rush.

He yawned, the afternoon sun warming him up just enough to make him a bit sleepy, and turned his attention back to the road.

So then, the governor insists that we have a face-off to determine who was really worthy of the job. So I pulled out a merry old Veteran Cornal, whereas she tries to play On the Hills, if you can believe it! So sure, she did do it just fine, but it was so boring. Like oh good job, you know how to tap a string. You know who else can do that? A magpie! No, seriously. I once saw one pluck out the first couple notes. I assume it was an accident, but you can never tell with those little birdbrains.

Edwin chuckled. Even if he wasnt quite able to follow all the musical references, Rillah was an engaging enough storyteller as they sat around their campfire that night, stationed around a Curicnan shrine.

So what happened then?

Oh, I won of course. But because of extenuating circumstances she still got the position. Im sure the circumstances in question had absolutely nothing to do with where she slept that night, but what can you do?

Yeah, isnt that supposed to be your thing?

Rillah rolled her eyes, flicking a small stone at him in retaliation. With barely a second thought, he caught the pebble in Unbound Tether and sent it right back at her. A twitch of her hand let her dodge the projectile, and she finally settled on just rudely flicking her wrist at him.

Edwin didnt retaliate this time, instead just sipping at his soup. It really was incredible, what just a few vegetables tossed into a pot with a hearty dose of Skills could taste like, while being insanely filling.

So the shrines, he asked, Whats up with them?

You dont know about Curicna?

Well, I mean I know a bit from what Lefi and Inion told me. Some god that in the old times would wander the lands and reward people who hosted him, and that spread into these little waystations throughout the Rhothos region in time. But thats about it.

Oh is that where they come from? Neat. Didnt know that. But you dont know about Curicna?

He wasn't worshiped or anything back home for me, Edwin honestly admitted, Honestly, Im kind of surprised that there arent more worshippers and gods that are worshiped around here. I think I can count on one hand the number Ive heard about.

Did you expect more?

I mean I dont know? Yeah, I dont know. Its just weird, I guess. Theres practically no religious presence here, Lefi is the only person I actually know that I know adheres to a gods teaching and even that I dont know that much about.

Why would you expect something different?

Well back home for me, there were lots of religions and it was one of the biggest thingsthat defined people. If you werent part of a religion, that was notable in itself.

Why was it so common?

I mean, communing with a higher power? Having purpose in life? Answers to lifes biggest questions?

Rillah shrugged, Why bother trying to make good with some sort of higher power when you can be more powerful with that same level of commitment?

Mooching off people with power? Strength by association? Honestly, not sure. It seems like power or popularity always attracts people happy to make themselves notable via association."

Weird. Just tier up a time or two and become strong yourself.

Okay, but what about the other stuff? Lifes great mysteries? A purpose in life?

Who cares? Its not like that sort of stuff really matters, and its not hard to figure out a good purpose given half a chance.

I suppose it does make some amount of sense that the gamification of everyday life might result in a slightly lesser obsession with finding the meaning of life, but that barely covers any of it, he mused.

Mostly, why bother? Theres stuff right here on Joriah to deal with, who cares about what some super-powerful may or may not hear or care about you individual could think. Weve got much bigger and more local work to deal with.

But what are the gods? Where did they come from? Who made the world?

Rillah shrugged again, Dunno. Dunno whod care, either. I care much more about how much dinners still left in the bowl?

Oh, plenty, go for it. he nodded, and Rillah set in on her task. When she returned, Edwin pulled back on his line of questioning, No, but seriously. Whats up with everything? Whats the meaning of life, who made the System, how does it work?

She raised an eyebrow, gulping down a mouthful of food before responding, You question that sort of stuff?

Okay, first off, I question everything and you should know that. Secondly, dont you?

Eh, not really. I want to get stronger, obviously. What more do you need? And the System is as the System does, you may as well ask why the sun rises.

Because the planet is spinning at unimaginably vast speeds as it orbits an absolutely enormous ball of basically fire, and that gives the illusion of the sun rising and setting. How did one go about proving heliocentrism? Not that it really mattered to him, but it would be nice to have it as a standard even if hed need to figure out the orbital periodicity Rillah was talking again. He quickly used Memory to pull up what shed said before he started listening.

You know that, but you cant answer your questions?

Well obviously not, if I did know I wouldnt be asking, and I still have trouble believing that nobody questions this. Are there religions about the mysterious thing that probably gives you magical powers? Cultists who sacrifice people to it? Scholars who try to figure out where it comes from?

Nah. Why would there be?

...I guess its just me, then, Edwin sighed, ah well. I suppose its just one more thing for me to figure out on my own.

He lapsed into silence, staring into the fire. He felt so alone in his task, and for whatever reason it was all the more prevalent out on the road. Maybe it was some general positivity aura around Lefi that offset his tendencies to mope? Was he truly so helpless on his own? Granted, that thought didnt really help his general feeling of loneliness and he was starting to slip into self-fulfilling loops again, so nope!

Edwin?

Huh? What?

You alright? You zoned out there pretty hard.

What? Oh, yeah, Im fine, he sighed.

Rillah assessed him for a moment, her he was pretty sure that was Social Savvy lighting up.

She didnt say anything, though. So, it wouldnt be tonight. That was alright, though. Hed been waiting a long time for someone to really take an interest in him, he could wait a while longer.

They didnt quite pass through Vinstead. The city was a few days journey out of the way, and with no real reason to head that way, they didnt bother. Instead, they made their crossing at a fairly major bridge, a stone wall which thanks to what looked like a drainage-related Skill allowed the floodwaters of the Rhothos- and the fish, somehow- to pass straight through. It was still solid to Edwin, he had checked, but it did make him really curious what that Skill was and how he could get a variant for his alchemy. Some sort of selectively permeable membrane? Yes please. It would be so perfect for purification of everything from water to powders depending on how it worked.

Unfortunately- or perhaps fortunately- Rillah was driving the carriage the day when they crossed over, so Edwin had to keep up with the group and not spend several days figuring out what the perfectly-fit cobblestone would or wouldnt allow through. The rocks themselves were all fit together too perfectly for him to slip one out easily, so he had to leave them were they were. Sadly, copying the rocks onto himself with Feys Caress didnt work, whatever Skill was responsible for their supernatural properties not transferring alongside the material structure.

Meanwhile, the soil was no less Skill-infused, thin but unmistakable nets of Skill light wove through probably half the fields they passed, farmers and their kids sowing seeds by hand wherever they were seen. Of course, the relative Skills of the farmers was readily apparent. Kids usually tossed a couple seeds at a time, scattering them coarsely across the ground. Adults, meanwhile, tended to throw by the handful, clouds of seeds falling and providing ample space for one another. There was one exception, a middle-aged farmer whose sowing was downright preternatural, hundreds of seeds flying and burying themselves into the soil with such perfect regularity Edwin had to blink to ensure he wasnt seeing things. But no, he wasnt, and unsurprisingly that farmer, despite having the same Lirasian Farmer of Plenty class that several others had, had basic Skill levels at least double what most of the others had.

Someones a perfectionist, he muttered to himself, enjoying the almost hypnotic patterns traced out by the seeds against a perfect blue sky.

Valenasis was a fair bit bigger than Edwin had been imagining. Far from the tiny collection of houses that made up most of the villages they passed through, it was something of a regional city a couple weeks south of Vinstead about the size of

Dangit, Edwin scolded himself.

So what didya do this time? Inion had rejoined them as they pulled away from the Rhothos, much cheerier after reuniting with her actual bond after a year. Honestly, Edwin wasnt sure how fey could simultaneously be intimately bonded with something to the point where simply leaving it could seriously impact their well-being and also be fine after about a year apart, but what did he know?

Oi! Thats not fair. It might have been something someone else did, it doesnt have to be me who did something.

So was it someone else?

...No, he conceded.

So! What didya do this time?

Well, Valenasis looks like its about the same size as Panastalis, and that reminded me that I meant to stop by there and get my payment, but I guess it slipped my mind?

Inion furrowed her eyebrows, and considering she was floating upside-down at roughly eye level the actual effect was more along the lines of her raising said eyebrows.

Look, I think I was experimenting with Apparatite around that time. Its about the only way I wouldnt have caught my Almanac signposts or reminders.

Only you would get so wrapped up in studying a Skill they forget to get paid.

Yes, well its their loss. Ill just get my money next time we pass that way.

You wont forget again?

Edwin brushed the fey off as they approached the city. Unlike Panastalis, Valenasis had a proper wall, albeit a small one, and only a single guard at the simple wooden gates.

After a brief discussion about paying the gate toll, they paid the small handful of coins required and were waved along. Inside, a chaotic collection of houses and buildings vaguely kept in check by a spiderweb of streets stretched out before them. Yathal looked very emotional, and hopped up onto the wagon next to Rillah. She put her arm around him in comfort, and Kynigos curled up next to his boy, head nestled in his lap.

I didnt realize that cities this big had shepherds, Edwin quietly noted to Inion. Because Valenasis didnt have a river running through it, she had just hidden in the wagon as a barrel of water while they entered.

Hm? Whys that a surprise?

Well, its just that it seems like that would be the sort of thing youd do more out there, he waved his hand at the rolling grasslands that made up much of the landscape past the citys immediate surroundings, And not here, where theres already so much competing for space.

Inion looked at him like he was an idiot.

What am I missing this time? he sighed.

Thats exactly the point of a shepherd. They keep livestock safe and in one place out in the wild, letting the flocks expand and take up loads of space out there, then bring them back when theyre needed.

That that makes sense. So then where would they be kept around here?

Why are you asking me, instead of the actual former shepherd on the cart?

He really doesnt look like hes up to a question and answer session right now.

Since when have you cared about that sort of thing?

Hey, thats not fair. Ive always cared, I just have a really hard time figuring out when-

Edwin froze.

Hey Edwin, she poked his shoulder, Dont you go zoning out on me like that. Finish what you were saying first.

Edwin? You there? Come on, you look like youve seen a ghost.

Yeah, he agreed.

Inion looked around, scanning the light crowds of the small city, Where? They all look pretty alive to me.

Thats the problem, Edwin absently muttered, They shouldnt all be.

Hed only caught the briefest of glimpses, buried deep within his pile of System notifications that came with Identifying everything and everyone, but he knew he wasnt mistaken in what he saw. And that meant that this little stop had suddenly become way more complicated.

Salutary Alchemist

Niall ?

Helpful Outlaw alchemist who showed me the Zosiman grimoire