Chapter 94: The Ball (2)

Well that was painless…in more way than one.

Rainer thought as he watched the Fae fly off. After repeated testing of [Mana Reading] at the Fae Realm and otherwise, he grew more and more confident in the skill. He knew there might be someone out there who could fool or resist it, but he severely doubted Maya was such a person.

“Time to head back, I guess…” Rainer said to himself as he disappeared in a Void-walk.

As Luna helped Rainer get dressed for the ball, the rest of his party stood in discussion in a large room in Furtak’s Mansion.

Their faces were mischievous as they stood in thought.

“So, what to do about dealing with Rainer,” Gunthar said.

“I don’t know…”

“How are we going to get him back?” Elru asked. They were all quiet as they thought it over. They all knew Rainer was dreading the ball, so that was the perfect opportunity.

“Gunthar. Do you remember, back in Nalmar, when he did that Arcane Weave Dance for Luna?”

“Yes, that was quite nice. Ah, would you like the same Little Wolf?” Gunthar asked immediately getting off topic.

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“Yes…I mean No, never mind. That’s not the point. To make his Arcane Weave dance so well with Luna he should have a Dancing skill as well. I cannot see another option.”

“Most likely…” Gunthar responded causing the group to know just how they would get the [Archon].

Kara looked on the current scene with a slight frown.

Soon after the start of the ball, taking place outside under magical lights in a wide-open clearing of blue grass and a marble-like floor in the center, Rainer had been met with the proposal of a dance. All according to his party’s plan of spreading his skill prior to the music starting and with it the dancing. Yet his face of resignation soon turned to one that appeared to be of genuine jubilation.

At the start of the dance he had many Fae who disliked their [Archon] guest thinking he had overreached and would soon embarrass himself. Only for them to then be fooled into thinking it had been a trick as he danced far better almost at random.

And with the Fae having dances that varied as much as their outfits it turned into an impressive feat as each of his partners changed their style at his behest. Now no longer could any Fae be sure that he learned the dances to such proficiency within moments, or that he already knew them and was playing a game.

Within the middle of the outdoor dance was Rainer with a white-haired grey-eyed Fae. Rainer wore a suit that one from his planet would recognize alongside his enchanted overcoat with some magical additions by Luna for a more formal occasion. The tie was black with violet faux-runic lines.

It was Elru’s suggestion as well that he have formal attire from his world, given how Fae often had little dress code at such events.

Dresses ranged from attempts to look like peacocks of his world to one’s that barely covered the necessary parts. The lack of covering extended to some men as well. He imagined the more eccentric fashion experts from his world would die to visit such a place where clothes looked in such a manner and freely changed with Magic throughout the night.

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Above all else, however, were the modifications to the magical clothes that allowed his [Arcane Awakening] to shine through. And at its current 100%, the increase in Charisma, as well as the feeling of his Mana, caused many eyes to be drawn to him.

His dance partner’s eyes locked with his blue ones that almost glowed with magic against the contrast of his black hair.

Laneth walked over to Kara’s side.

“Jealous?” He asked half in joke and half in curiosity.

“No…” The Wolfkin answered with a dejected sigh, “We had planned to get a little revenge on Rainer tonight by revealing his skill with dancing. And yet,” Kara said as she looked at Rainer fully enjoying himself.

Laneth laughed before responding, “Did he know you did it?”

Kara thought for a moment before recalling Rainer’s sudden change in mood as he looked over at her. She had been grinning as the first female Fae came to ask him to dance.

“Probably.”

“Well, there’s your problem.”

Kara looked over to Laneth, waiting for him to continue.

“If he knows you were trying to tease him he probably just leaned into it. You wanted to bother him with dancing, so instead, he’ll have the time of his life.”

With those words Laneth left to his own obligations for this Ball. He was less extravagant than most only wearing a simple tunic to compliment his golden hair and orange eyes.

Kara thought back from her first attempts to tease Rainer. Back in their first dungeon she had tried to carry him as a man would his wife and he only made himself comfortable in her arms. It was the same when Gunthar pretended the ritual had gone wrong. Rainer started mock crying soon after.

The only issue was he truly looked like he was enjoying himself so she couldn’t be sure. Alas, she knew not of his [Acting] skill.

Rainer’s attempts to bring Kara to the dance floor were met with refusal given her lack of ability and the public nature of the Ball. And so, the engagement soon came to a close.

Apart from a few private trade deals, and him giving polite refusals to several Court members dealing with visiting their mansions for feasts, Rainer had little to discuss and at the end of the official part of the Ball left soon after.

Heading back to Laneth’s mansion Rainer enjoyed the night with Kara who had been slightly depressed at her effort at teasing Rainer failing completely. Her mood, however, quickly shifted to a far more positive one.

Entering the white void of [Sleep Learning] after nearly an hour of unaware [Sleep Learning], Rainer immediately created a copy of the spell he sought to test out.

[Water’s Gentle Touch]

A Tier 4 Water spell designed for internal healing. The perfect vehicle in his mind for delivering an Arcane powered heal. Looking over the copied Tome of Magic Rainer realized a large problem that most would have when practicing the spell, it required an injury.

From what he saw, no other healing spell had this requirement. When asking about this training method to a nearby Fae, he only got a recommendation to stay away from the spell.

“Gentle my ass,” Rainer mumbled. Of course, the Tome could be incorrect, but he saw little issue in practicing this way considering he planned on modifying the spell to heal [Arcane Rage] like damage after causing it.

He had no way of knowing if afterward the damage would simply return to its original diseased state, or become healed, but it was worth the try.

Failing this, he could only speak with Laneth’s father for the cure as he doubted the younger Prince would have lied about there being no cure for Akhor’s Sickness. Either way, it was a place to start, and he could always ask Laneth afterward as if he did lie he had quite the strong reason in the first place.

He stared down at the spell’s formula and after an hour of tinkering with his first healing spell managed to reform the Magical Formula with his Mana Output and Input Runes.

“This looks right…” He said aloud. His desire to avoid repeating the chant for the spell was strong enough to warrant testing a possibly nonfunctional spell.

Rainer activated [Arcane Rage] as he grunted in pain. He used [Arcane Invigoration] at its maximum but prevented it from healing him, intending on fully abusing his [Pain Resistance].

Looking inwards with the aid of [Arcane Invigoration], Rainer tried casting the spell as magical water appeared within him and started flowing toward the wounds.

It felt strange, but most of that annoyance was canceled out by the pain of having his body torn apart by [Arcane Rage]. The Magic Water seemed almost drawn toward his wounds as it flowed through his body. It entered them before the magic faded. But it did not heal them in the slightest.

Rainer refreshed his body as he repeated the experiment further. Eventually, he conceded to using the chant before fixing the spell to work without it. Even then he struggled. But the image of Kara ingesting the poison instead of him, and him being forced to reveal Luna and still possibly lose the Wolf, pushed him through the pain.

“Let the soothing touch of water heal any wayward Soul in need of its grace,” He intoned with Magic as he finished the lengthy chant.

“Water’s Gentle Touch.”

The wounds caused by [Arcane Rage] started healing, though nowhere near as effectively as with [Arcane Invigoration]. He ventured he’d run out of Mana in reality before he could heal the rampant damage caused by the chaotic Arcane skill. And the after effects relating to his body’s soreness and weakness would likely be ignored.

[Spell Gained: Water’s Gentle Touch lvl 1/10]

Rainer sighed as this single tier 4 spell had taken almost his entire night. He wondered if his refusal in accepting the concept of healing magic mentally slowed him. It had with the [Rock Fist] spell in the past. His thoughts steered towards fixing his preconceived notion on what was possible with Magic before returning to the title he gained.

[Title Gained: Wielder of Water and Tides]

Curious about the mention of Tides within the title, he decided to read over the description. He knew he’d likely have to sail at some point and having a better assurance of his safety in the middle of a possible monster and pirate-filled ocean sounded like a welcome idea.

[Wielder of Water and Tides: One who controls the ebb and flow of water and wields both the calm and powerful fury of the tides. 5% Experience Bonus]

[Experience Gained: %0.1, XX]

His session in [Sleep Learning] soon came to a close.

After awaking around noon, Rainer’s party headed toward the Enchanter’s Conclave to not only to meet with the enchanters there but perform a demonstration of the Aura Rune.

Furtak had opted to remain in the mansion, having found Laneth’s niece an entertaining conversationalist. Rainer had little doubts as to the Goblin’s motivation, given his multiple wives being far younger than him and in morally tenuous Master and student relationships. Not that he was in a position to judge anymore, nor would he in any case.

Though judging by the Goblin’s expression, Rainer ventured he actually did find the Fae a nice conversationalist, leading him to be concerned in a different way.

As they flew, Rainer recalled from a conversation with Elru and his explanation of his [Demon Body Enchanting] skill she ventured he wouldn’t have any issues. And along with some practice on the magical bark, Rainer believed as such as well. Of course, he’d use as little power as possible when testing. In the end, even Elru had been burnt a few times in the past when getting her enchantments, so it was a common thing.

And with their Fae biology, a burn was healed with a small application of Mana with little fuss.

Rainer’s plan was to get on the good side of that powerful Aura using Fae through this enchantment as well. Politics may have its uses, but he understood the truth of this world filled with individuals that were armies in and of themselves.

If I have the stronger Fae on my side, I can let the Courts to go fuck themselves and trade for any magic I want. Huh…can they fuck themselves with Mana?

Rainer’s thoughts changed back to the upcoming meeting with the Enchanter’s Conclave and his own hopes for a painless transition from Demon to Fae Enchanting.

Rainer stared in shock while Gunthar nearly spoke aloud as he turned around in a huff, forgetting his act as a dumb undead.

The Aqua haired Fae with eyes to match raised an eyebrow at the talking undead before returning her view back to the [Archon].

“Well, let’s begin?” She asked.

Rainer sighed and went on. Along with this Fae’s tendency to block [Appraisal] as well as a larger Aura Pool than he’s seen so far, Theodore included, it seemed modesty didn’t factor in for the older Fae either. While certainly older than most Fae he’s seen, it didn’t show anywhere beyond her face being slightly, but gracefully, more aged.

Holding a Mana Crystal given by said Fae, only going by Mira, Rainer prepared to enchant the Aura Rune in tandem with her Mana one.

According to her, even if he screwed up her Mana Rune it wasn’t hard to replace as she often had it improved and changed over the years.

Before Rainer could even speak with Elder Taramath the Aura using Fae from the Court meeting had dragged him off. He appraised her in tandem with [Arcane Sight] as he reminded himself of just how high leveled this Fae was.

[Fairy, Female, Aural Devastator(2nd) lvl 24, Runic Berserker(2nd) lvl 24]

As he dipped his hand into a bowl of his blood, Rainer concentrated with the utmost attention, no longer even paying attention to the bare-chested Fae. In this moment, there was only a canvas for him to draw his enchantment on.

Part of his focus still went towards maintaining his [Arcane Awakening] at a low level, and preparing for combat being so near a powerful Fae.

“I’ll connect it to the enchantment responsible for your shields first,” Rainer said as he begun. To his surprise, he actually found the enchantment on the Fae to be infinitely easier when compared to a Demon. His original guess of being a magical being as a requirement for body enchantment proved far more true than he thought. So much easier, that the message in front of him nearly broke his concentration.

[Skill Gained: Fae Body Enchantment lvl 7/10]

Ignoring the previous levels, the skill instantly rose to match his ability, 1 level higher than [Demon Body Enchanting]. This was another experience in a crossover effect, the first being when he gained [Mana Manipulation], and it started at level 2. Though much of this effect, he encountered thus far, had related to skills he previously trained in while on Earth.

Drawing the Aura Rune and connecting it to the Shielding Rune on her back had only taken him several minutes as he quickly consumed the Mana Crystals given to him. They counted as a Mana Object, thereby falling under [Mana Object Transfer] and not granting a new skill.

With a final touch of using his Arcane Aura to help connect the Aura Rune to her Aura Pool, the enchant was finished.

Mira hid her shock at how adept the Mage was. While she didn’t believe him incapable, seeing him matching in skill with some of the better enchanters had been a surprise. Added on was the fact many enchanters believed the [Archon]’s skill didn’t match the Aura Rune he had given. This event would cause many Fae to change such an opinion once they learned of it.

“All done,” He said.

Mira did not even bother to recreate her magically constructed armor and immediately tested out the shielding rune.

“Try manipulating it,” Rainer added, now without the distraction of enchanting, and joined Gunthar in looking toward the wall.

“Impressive,” The Fae noted as she shrunk and manipulated the shield to various forms.

Kara watched how proficient the Fae was in manipulating the Shield to bother with anything else. She hoped to use Rainer’s enchanting as an excuse to receive training from Mira at some point.

“Then we’ll be off to speak with Elder Taramath. I’m afraid I need to learn more Body Enchantments of your kind before I can connect more.” Rainer added.

Stopping her practice and reforming her clothes, Mira grinned at the [Archon]’s statement. She knew that likely wasn’t true given what she knew of enchantment, but would be happy to do anything to get all her enchantments, as well as possible new ones, working with Aura. And she couldn’t be truly sure that his knowledge of Body Enchantment would allow the proper connection to call him out on it if she had a mind to.

The change in her Shield Rune’s function when used with Aura already intrigued her greatly.

Soon after she left the room telling the party she’d return shortly. She completely ignored several of the Court’s earlier regulations and grabbed the relevant books from their more private library on the enchantments she wanted to be connected to the Aura Rune.

“Elder Taramath will want to study the successful Aura Rune on me fully. He is difficult to pull away from such matter. So, I can only give you my sincerest apology to come back tomorrow if you may,” Mira said as she handed over the tall stack of books after coming back.

She knew after the success that the [Fae Enchanter]s around here seeing her joyous expression would likely bother the [Archon] endlessly. Especially, as none had been able to reproduce the Aura Rune given by the [Archon]. Several even privately considered that despite how real the Rune looked that it was a well-made fake.

And she was in no mood to allow them to delay the one who let her accomplish such a long-sought goal. In the end, she ventured he may even come up with special Aura-related Body Enchantments given such books to study and did not mind that delay at all.

Rainer laughed, knowing that likely wasn’t completely true but saw no reason to argue and his party left soon after.

Temporarily leaving the Fae realm, Rainer’s party headed back to Grimlar’s Pass to both collect the spells from Maya and to pick up his future apprentice. Temporary, for many reasons, Quera’s mother and getting more [Draconic Essence] for Tiamat at the top of them.

He also learned from Elru that the Fae’s Fairy Rings extended across the World, so there was hardly need to travel by foot to his destination. Prince Yaf’s hunters were scheduled to return tomorrow as well.

He did still plan a visit to the Arachne, though, he wasn’t sure if he should just wait for his strength to increase further. There was no present rush to meet and try to establish a relationship with the Magicite and Mana Crystal mining race.

“Elru, how come there are no Fairy Rings in the Dragon Isles?” Rainer asked.

“The Magic for setting up the Fairy Rings works strangely there. While just a legend now, the Isles were not always Isles nor did they carry the name of the creature you casually made a familiar,” Elru responded and then added, “that undead seem to swoon over.”

“A Dragon War, or maybe even just a fight?”

“I’m not sure. There was nothing too specific in the records I read. Just a mention of Dragons destroying the continent.”

As the flight continued, Rainer’s thoughts turned back to what was waiting for him at Grimlar’s Pass. He couldn’t deny a bit of excitement at the prospect of such a thing. Both the spells and his future student.

He now realized that he actually didn’t know the Affinity Talent that Luna appraised earlier.

“Luna, I’ve been meaning to ask, what was the kid’s Talent. You know, the one we picked from the people we rescued at the mine?”

Luna’s quietly mumbled response nearly stopped Rainer midflight.