CHPT 220: Magical Advancements.

Training dabbled a little deeper into the dark that followed the setting sun in today's session. Ursula's accomplishment left the group with a newfound eagerness and motivation that Claude picked up on immediately. They wouldn't stay far behind. He was sure of it.

Following the end of their training, they tiredly made their way back to the Estate— hopeful that good food and bathing would await them. Claude hung back, using his (Sensory Focus) Skill to scope out the forest for anything odd his heightened senses would catch lurking through the dark woodlands.

He didn't hear, see or smell anything out of the ordinary.

Luckily, tonight wasn't the night the HellBreeder took its chance at avenging it's progeny. At least so far.

***

Dinner at the Aslan Estate was once again as good as the time before. Featuring amazing cuisine that was made with an attention to detail that Claude couldn't help but notice. Too bad he wouldn't be able to appreciate most of it.

His carnivorous eating habits had gone unnoticed once again by the heightened chatter and comfortability of everyone at the table. He found himself easily sinking out of sight and mind with the festive flow of his friend's conversations including Isaac's mother, Bellona.

They finished the multiple rounds of supper with the speed and gluttonous insatiability commonly found in Orcs. Hardcore sparring under the sun all day had a tendency to do that to people.

What took place after dinner was bathing, and then their next and final part of training. A training that wasn't targeted to the body— but instead to something equally if not more powerful. The mind.

***

Claude sauntered into the Aslan Estate Library with Frosty in tow. Being the last to bathe meant that by the time he entered, everyone else was already settled and reading intently or deep in discussions between one another.

As he entered the room, he felt the colder temperatures of the Library on his damp hair and skin much easier, and the leathery scent of books felt almost welcoming instead of harmlessly foreign.

The others occupied the table near the entryway— too deep in discussion to notice him glide past them and head towards the back where they housed books on Demons and all things malicious. But before getting there, he made a stop somewhere entirely different. Now following an interest he only recently gained after meeting a particularly sick and demented WereWolf.

Aeron. A Monster of many mysteries. Claude would uncover them all, and it started with the books he could find among the rows of shelves within the Aslan Estate Library.

Ten or so minutes passed in a flash and his search was finished. He abruptly appeared at his seat at the table next to Ursula where he let his books hit the wooden surface with a quiet thump that only barely disrupted the group's focus.

They continued their discussion on Demon Lords, The Fallen, and HellBreeders while Claude shifted through his collection of books to grab his first read.

Once he found his desired book, he ran his calloused hand over the leather cover, letting his eyes follow the path his fingers made. The book was thick with information— more so than he expected. And even now, he could smell the old Magic that leaked from between the shinning iridescent trim of each page.

Despite its satisfying appearance, the title of the book was about as lackluster as the old leather that encased it.

"[Magical Tampering in Regards to Animalia and other Beings of Inhuman Origin….a rather wordy title I must say.]" Arne commented.

"Agreed. But at least I know I've found what I'm looking for…..I think." Claude replied before opening the cover of the book to begin his search for information.

"[What exactly are you looking for, Claude?]" Arne questioned.

"I want to know if the MAE Trial survivors as Companions have become more commonplace since your time. I want to know if Aeron was easily able to get this information— hopefully not….Because who would openly share something as magically powerful as conducting the MAE Trials with him? He obviously didn't belong to a Pack, so that leaves two possibilities for the most part. Either the information was easy to find, or somebody with magical connections shared this with him." Claude replied before opening the cover to read the warning label inside about the consequences of plagiarizing Runes without the license of a HexBlade.

He wasn't too surprised to learn that the consequences were rather severe. Consequences which resulted in a minimum of 10 years in prison.

"[Hm…very clever thought, Claude. I think it's also safe to say that the possibility of him stealing the knowledge of those Runes is faulty as well simply because of the fact that he was innovative in his approach….he knew the basics somehow and advanced. You don't think maybe he was just that smart?]" Arne questioned while the rest of the group fell into a silence brought on by intense reading.

"I sure hope not."

***

Due to his upbringing being spent within the white pages of books, Claude sped through the introductory portion of the book at impressive speeds— and learned just as fast that the author had a blunt and factual take on Nobles. Maybe even a little….cynical.

He'd learned that the Magical Animalian Empowerment (MAE) Trials truly began in response to the parents of Noble children watching with disgust as more and more of their children grew into Beast Tamers— a Class nowhere near the top of the rankings. These complaints combined with their hunger for maintained power became a boost to the powerful Mages already looking to experiment with Runes on living things. Although, the author of the story described it differently, labeling it as the Nobles whining and throwing money around until dozens of Mages/HexBlades came together and got to work. Work that consisted of torturing creatures of the wild in far too many ways.

The idea sickened Claude and he was glad such a practice didn't seem to fully take off for a number of reasons. One of which was a term the author dubbed, "The Evolutionary Fear Gauge."

Within the pages of the book, the author described this "fear gauge" as the level of fear or wariness each grouping of animal had for humans— something either made higher or lower through each species evolution and own experiences.

In relation to the MAE Trials, it explained how the Magic fluctuated that fear gauge within the animals.

It was a loosely backed theory that the magical empowerment of creatures lessened that fear gauge that was built over time and through evolution. Which perfectly explained why animals on top of the food chain couldn't survive the treatment without becoming fearless monstrosities. Over time in this world, they're already learning how easy it has become to hunt humans— something made easier and more enjoyable on Full Moons. When they face the MAE Trials, that already low fear gauge is shattered— leaving them bolder and more fierce than ever before.

But, as Claude learned— the Mage's and HexBlades that spearheaded the Trials were determined. They went lower down the food chain and found a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. A place where the animals resided, not exactly fearful of humans entirely— but understanding of their power and the consequences that comes with hunting them. The result left them smart, cunning and aggressive— yet just barely manageable.

Initially, Claude learned from Arne that this included Foxes, Coyotes, species of birds, small felines and such as the successor of the Trials. But it seems like since his time, the successors had spread to other species. And with the study and growth of Runes specifically for animals, they were able to get desired outcomes and power sets that left the Nobles backing the endeavor, grinning in delight.

He read the first few entries multiple times in awe and eerie sadness as his eyes fell upon their darkened angry artistic depictions. Their powerful bodies and sleek coats of fur were disrupted by the glowing indents of Runes that hummed with power, making the veins around each Rune thicken and glow with unwanted Magic.

The first he found was one he wouldn't have considered.

They were called IronBone Staggs.

Frightening Bucks mottled with various growth and defensive Runes that caused their antlers to overgrow and morph into incredibly hard shielding— only the growth Runes had adverse effects. Magic tended to do that sometimes. Antlers grew like compartmental armor, sprouting from their ribs/chests to cover their midsections while other antlers ripped from their kneecaps and coiled around each leg. Even the hooves of each creature was littered with defensive Runes that turned the very ground they stepped on into defensive areas for their Companions. They were the ultimate defending Companions.

He eyed the art of the creature again. Looking from its eyes to the bone shielded mask that blended up into antlers at the apex of its head like a crown. Despite the intense physical features of the creature, the eyes caught his attention the most. There wasn't only anger— he felt like he could see the pain. Then again, it was only a drawing. Maybe he was seeing things.

"[What in the bloody hell…..]" Arne finally said after a long few minutes of silence.

He would've said something similar if Arne never spoke. But since he did, Claude said nothing and simply moved on to the next creature, titled; The Quadrax Hawk.

He had to blink a couple times to make sure he was looking at it correctly.

It was a bird. Something that resembled a Crow in coloring and Hawk in build— only way larger…..and it had four wings. What he read didn't recall to its exact origins— but the name "Corax" looked like it was part of its new title. So, Claude was content with believing that the drawing of the flying creature started its life as a Raven ,AKA; Corvus Corax.

Aside from its four wings— two high on its back and two beneath. It looked relatively normal. A sleek black feathered beauty made grotesque by the enlargement of each talon, beak and the Runes on both sides of the creature's sleekly monstrous black beak. The markings caused fissures of glowing Magic to run along the oily surface like rivers on a map. A similar looking Rune was placed directly on its throat— the idea of how they forced it there made Claude cringe.

He looked around the artistry and found lines drawn from the Runes on the beak and neck that said, "Empowerment.", "Enhancement".

"[Super screeches….steer clear of those.]" Arne commented.

His assumptions were supported following Claude's eyes panning down the page to the animal's entry.

".....Quadrax Hawk's thrive in Tangents against creatures with both regular and advanced hearing due to their magically empowered avian cries that burst eardrums with ease. They've also been adapted to have ears made specifically to handle high pressure sounds— a trait that their Beast Taming Companions can take, making them a pair impervious too the sounds the enemies around them are deafened by. Aside from that, they can also move objects and even cut foes with the change and fluctuation of each magical shriek."

"That's horrifying…" Claude thought while trying to imagine how easily one of these animals could take him out.

Someone sighed next to him, drawing his attention from his thoughts of having his eardrums blasted to pieces.

"So, what exactly are you reading? That doesn't look like anything on Demons." Ursula ascertained from the title that faced her.

Claude cleared his throat, "That's because it's not. I'm doing a little personal homework relating to my Class before I start with the other books….not exactly homework actually. More like following a curiosity."

Ursula nodded along, "Curiosity about Runes on animals...wait, MAE Trials?"

Claude straightened, "You know what that is?"

"Of course. My father expressed his hatred for it routinely after the bill was passed…..my brothers seemed to feel the same way." Ursula replied.

He eyed her for a moment, feeling the need to slap himself. "Of course she knows about things concerning the growth of Nobles….she is one."

"Good on him for disliking such a horrible practice." Isaac said without looking up from his book.

Ursula looked like a bad taste made it's way to her mouth, "He didn't like it because he dislikes animals altogether."

Isaac slowly looked up, "....Righhhht."

Claude felt the need to change the tide of the conversation and found the easiest way to do so was by asking the questions he'd hoped to find in the book.

"Uhhh….Ursula, I have questions."

She turned to face him, forcing a smile that slowly blended into genuine reality, "Talk to me."

"Do you know if the bill allowing MAE Trials to function legally was passed anywhere else in New Gloria other than the Angelos District?" Claude questioned.

Ursula rubbed her chin in thought, "Hmmm. The Grand Magister of the Angelos District is known for being especially eccentric and power hungry in his pursuits— also his remarkably young age makes him a bit impatient compared to the other much older Grand Magister's. Maybe the neighboring Vada District has the bill passed— my father spoke of the Magister's in pairs as if they're friends— then again, politicians are never friends. That's all I know though, sorry." She finished with a shrug of her large shoulders.

Claude shook his head, causing damp coils of hair to swing in the way of his partial smile, "No. This was a huge help. I appreciate it, I owe you one."

Ursula mumbled something in reply, but before he could question it someone else spoke.

"Actually, I still owe you one."

"W—"

"What is this….Grand…M-Magister?" Maris suddenly asked, looking as if she'd been watching them speak the whole time.

"It's the one who holds the governing power over each District— among others things…like being keepers of Magical Knowledge, historical artifacts and passing laws. I'm sure there's other stuff but I never gave a damn about politics." Claude responded, cursing himself for his own forced ignorance.

"Right there with you, coolface." Warren agreed from behind the book he was actively reading like it was a scary story.

Maris tilted her head in thought, "Why not call them Kings…..like in the children's stories?"

Claude shrugged.

"The title of Magister became a thing after the trend of Mages filling the position became noticeable. They're kind of perfect for the job if you think about it. Their incredibly high Intelligence Stats give them near perfect recall of events, the magical knowledge required and the history or past experience of being a sort of... shadow leader to their old teams when they were Heroes. Also something about Arcane Texts and Grimiores makes them incredibly important." Ursula said, casually dumping the info on them all as if it were nothing.

"What the fuck is an Arcane Text?" Claude thought.

"[The language Grimiores are written in. Apparently rising your Intelligence Stat also allows you to understand more of it subconsciously. Mages with high enough Intelligence and the training to consciously read it, strive to learn the Arcane writings and study it like a science….because once it's learned. It can be reproduced. It's never happened though. Arcane writings are too complex.]" Arne said.

There was silence for a moment, leading Claude to believe that Maris's coldly curious nature was satiated. A stupid thing to assume since it never was.

"What is a….Grimoire?" She asked seriously.

"Where have you been, man?" Warren asked incredulously.

"In a Village full of Goblins. Now tell me of this Grimoire…please." She said flatly, speaking the words, "please" for the first time while everyone visibly cringed around her.

"Well. A Grimoire is a book of spells or Magic. Sometimes it houses one very powerful spell. Sometimes it holds one weak spell. It all depends on the ranking." Ursula replied before flashing Warren a menacing glare for once again being insensitive— or ignorant. Maybe both.

Maris leaned over the table to be closer to Ursula— her face took on an incredibly determined expression.

"Do you think…these Grimoires have anything on….blood Magic?"

Everyone at the table looked at her oddly for a moment while Ursula took her turn to tilt her head in confusion.

"Grimoires have a bunch of different stuff. But, I don't know if they have anything about…blood Magic. Why?" Ursula replied.

Maris leaned back, spine flat against her chair once again as she looked back down at her book. Face back to it's still nothingness like the surface of a pond.

"No reason. Thank you for sharing your information."

"[...How odd.]"

****

After spending another couple hours in the Library, exhaustion found it's way to them all— on the very library floor. Ursula laid on the floor in a large heap beneath the table like a bear in its cold cave. Isaac made a bed out of two chairs and slept above her while Maris and Warren slept near Frosty— taking in the warmth of the PitWolfs thick fur.

Claude stayed awake the longest. His thirst for knowledge and urge to uncover the ominous implications of the MAE Trials was the only thing keeping him up. Until it wasn't.

His eyes became heavy, like weights were connected to the bottoms of his eyelids. Every blink threatening to be his last as he fought to continue reading until he could fight no more.

He didn't even remember falling asleep. Only waking up, face crowded by black wet noses and the smell of grass. The night sky above him was endless and dreamlike in its sparkling darkness. Despite his initial disorientation, a certain someone immediately told him of where he was.

"ClllAUde…..heheh. ITs beEN…..rrr….SO LiTtLE tIiIiMe…..yyYet! YoUvE….chAnGED…sssssso much! TElL mE…hahah! HhoW dID HeR bLooD fEEl wHeN it Drrrrripped! DoWn yourrrr hanDS!?"