Chapter 12: Two Cores?!
Mana is the energy that shapes laws in all forms. All living beings experience mana and respond to it. The core is a specialized organ created by extreme pressures, further increasing the efficacy of mana flow in the body, bringing magic to its fullest extent. The core in humans is an organ similar to a vestigial organ incapable of use and dormant in spectral form in the body before it is awoken by mana flow.
For those aiming to reach a higher realm that core is the singular most important focus allowing for the specialization of a singular magic path. However, with the sole exception of a few individuals born with a mythical second core from defect or incident, they are given a divine chance by higher beings to take a second path.
For Riné though it was a blessing and a curse. He had not developed his second core from the moment he obtained it. It wasn't something he had from birth, but rather the final gift his master had given him. A gift that eventually poisoned him and caused him to suffer immensely from organ failure, mana poisoning, and death if he didn't get stronger. The thorns his master had left him were a poisonous flower more beautiful than any other that would be sought for by any other. The second core allowed for one to be simultaneously a Seeker, Sentinel, or Magician with their first core's choice along with the ability to select a second magic, which meant that one would be uncontested in the realm of possibility.
'It's been four years since Master gave me this core however I haven't even sent a smidgen of mana through it yet it's already one realm below mine. Each day it grows stronger and stronger as I feel my own body rejecting it. If I don't grow stronger I'll die at this rate."
Riné sent mana through his original core through his chest as he quarantined the second away from mana in his head. The core was a foreign object for all he knew and defied all known laws of magic. It didn't require mana infusions from the host to grow, awakened periodically, and grew at a breakneck speed. If it ever surpassed Riné's original core it would mean certain death.
'To live I'll do anything. I'll lie. I'll kill. I'll do whatever it takes, betray anyone, trick others, and grow stronger if it means I can live on. That would mean I can live and find happiness.'
As the darkness from the lack of lighting covered Riné's thoughts spiraled. His thoughts sounded less like a confession and more like a reminder to himself. As the mana flow stopped before expelling out small lightning arcs flew into the air. Moving from his position Riné stood determined. The air seemed different as Riné's eyes sharply closed taking an inner glance at his current realm in his chest.
Riné had a breakthrough!
Lightning seemed to dance around Riné as they created sparks into sparks as they passed through each other before Riné slashed through them. The saber materialized from the air as it disappeared faster than it appeared. If he allowed the sparks to remain the chances of it becoming a calamity would increase since wild mana was dangerous from breakthroughs.
"Lower Commandante Stage."
'Is it because of that Instant Kill?'
The fact that he was able to reach the third stage, which mages on the level of Instructor Kenn spent decades to achieve was hard to get used to. Perhaps he was a genius? No, Riné shrugged off that feeling. He was only lucky. That's why he willingly came to Sophis to begin with. To make use of their resources to truly advance without the use of luck, he had one more issue to deal with.
Opening the door to the room where the others were talking before they could respond Riné interjected with a serious expression.
"Where's Holless?"
The others held mixed reactions. Kairi held concern for Riné's health, Mime was glad he woke up, and Keth was annoyed that his bed was used as a patient's board. The first to speak was Mime.
"He's outside waiting for you to wake up after he found you fainted."
Mime gestures to the door as he looked slightly worried but Riné pieced things together with an inner scowl.
'I was so preoccupied with the pain I couldn't tell he was tailing me.'
As Riné walked out opening the door he froze for a second before peeking back in. He didn't want to leave them too concerned.
"Alright. I'm-.. I'm fine don't worry."
Turning away his expression became dark, if this confrontation soured the other would have to be silenced. As he turned a corner Riné could see it was dark outside. He had been out for longer than he had thought with several hours passing. The building Keth lived in was comprised of brick and mortar as it held different floors each connected by a few stairwells to the different floors from which Riné stood on as it was constructed of concrete. Looking down he could only see the street with newly implanted electric streetlights, other buildings of similar sizes meant for housing families, and the sound of city life ranging from mothers talking with their children over dinner, a street store down the street a group of men playing cards each having a smoke, and the distant sound of a dog barking. With each breath the heat created clouds as a figure leaned against a wall.
"Riné did you know when a person tells a lie, for a millisecond their expression makes a reaction?"
The light of the moon began to illuminate the building creating a spotlight on the two. The steam from their breath rose in tandem as the two faced each other. Spy vs Sniper.
"I've never actually."
". . ."
The two stood in silence as they looked down toward the empty street below. Not a single person around and the door behind them. The streetlights lit up as Holless manifested his crossbow firing a bolt as Riné parried the bolt with his saber. The two instantly vanished from their places as they dashed forward. Drawing a hunting knife Holless caught the Saber as it fell toward him locking the two in a clash.
"You think I'm not good at close combat?"
"No."
The two spoke casually as if their blades weren't struggling in the air in he's from each other necks as Holless's feelings were broken as he sighed.
"Ouch. No need to lie to be polite."
Holless dropped the knife allowing the saber to fall as he rotated his body to spin around the saber's fall. Aiming to drive the knife toward Riné's instantly withdrew his saber as it vanished from his grip he was able to duck back avoiding the knife narrowly as he swung his leg toward Holless's side as it landed into his right arm blocking its swing path.
"Sorry, I didn't want to hurt your feelings."
Riné however felt a sharp pain in his leg as Holless drove his left hand's fingers into his shin drawing blood effortlessly without using magic.
Riné swung his fist into a volley of jabs to corner Holless into a wall before the other drew the knife waving it.
'That knife in his hands is essentially a bullet I have to be cautious of it at all costs.'
Holless charged forward as he aimed to inflict a piercing wound on Riné as the other swung a backhand throwing its angle to the side as Holless threw a pinpoint punch square at Riné's jaw that Riné failed to dodge as Hollesss snuck three blows at his arm chest and head.
'He's accurately deadly!'
Riné threw a surprise upward kick as it landed flatly against Holless's chest however something felt off to Riné. Holless jumped backwards to nullify the impact!
Withdrawing his leg away Rine could only see Holless summon back something into his arms.
'The crossbow reloaded already?'
"The Compounder Repeator. A Soldis Memento can reload itself every time I recall it. Fast too."
Click.
The sound of the trigger being pressed was instantly caught by Riné as he recalled how to handle instant projectiles from his training. Instantly stepping
'React before the attack-'
A door slammed open as an old lady stepped out. The noise the two were making in their fight along either side the bolt from before traveling and embedding itself into a neighbors wall caused them to step out.
"What's with all that racket?"
Holless's and Riné's eyes shot wide open instantly as Holless was unable to do anything as the bolt fired forward flashing between Riné's eyes as the bolt made its way toward the old lady lightning arced out.
"Huh? Oh, it's just some kids…"
Opening her eyes the moonlight had disappeared from view casting the thin stairway into darkness as she could only make out the two from the dim streetlight making them appear concealed. Shivering from the cold she rubbed her hands together before entering her home again closing the door. The moonlight shifted once more as it enveloped the stairwell, and Riné held the bolt in his hand as blood dripped to the ground. His hand was torn apart as he dropped it to the ground Holless held a pensive stare.
"Why'd you do that?"
Riné kicked the bolt toward him before shaking his head as if it were a dumb question.
"I don't like seeing innocent people hurt."
Holless upon hearing this was left dumbfounded as he dropped his crossbow deactivating it. He began to lean over the side of the stairwell. His eyes zoomed in on every single detail.
"My eyes catch everything you know. If you had hesitated for a second I wouldn't have stopped here.
Holless took out a piece of gum from his pocket before turning his head to Riné and handing him a stick. Riné took it with his uninjured hand as he stuffed it into his mouth. The overwhelming minty taste mixed in with the cold outside made Riné wince.
'Is this a stimulant gum?'
Holless blew a bubble before it popped. His battle-hardened demeanor faded into a star-struck passerby as he looked at the cityscape.
"Riné where are you from?"
Riné was a bit confused at the sudden change but he leaned over with him as he recalled his place of birth.
"A small town from the Kapsuet Dominion."
Holless swallowed the gum before looking up toward the sky. Recent advancements in tach ology and the rise of factories had decreased the number of visible stars however the sky was still a beautiful canvas.
"Kapsuet I see. You miss it?"
Riné contemplated and lingered over it as he felt conflicted. Nobody there was any kind happy to see Riné again. They're all gone and won't be back. Riné joined in with him in the stargazing before responding after a moment.
"No not all."
"Alright then. Just don't make a mess and I'll overlook you."
Holless began to walk away before waving goodbye without turning back. Riné understood the significance of this as a sign that he wasn't going to report him if he didn't fulfill his duty as a spy. Riné couldn't care less about being a Kapsuet agent as this worked for him before checking his gashed hand.
'Master, these guys are strong. Stronger than expected.'