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The experiments and training that I performed with my ability filled me with a hope that in three, or more accurately two, days, I will have a chance of survival. As a final thing to try today I want to get myself a weapon. To this end I take out the Chlymea crystal I received from Rue. I don't know how to 'infuse' it with the Ether, but I still want to try.
First I want to try moving the crystal into inventory. I close my eyes. In my mind's eye I surrounded the crystal with the fog. Nothing unusual appears to happen, so I try moving it into inventory. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something felt strange. Still, the crystal properly went into my inventory. I immediately take it out. Nothing seemed to change, so I start inspecting the crystal more closely. In my mind's eye it is same jet black tetrahedron that I can see normally. The only difference is that it feels somehow different from how objects normally feel when I look at them in my mind's eye.
After listening to my feelings for a bit I finally realize that the crystal feels hollow. I'm sure what to do, so as an experiment I'm trying to concentrate the fog in the crystal. Doing it, I feel a resistance. Thinking I am on the right path, I continue. It feels like I am pushing a wall. Nothing is happening, so I'm trying to push more, but nothing changed.
What am I missing? To get a weapon I want, I need to infuse crystal with Ether. I think that is was what I was doing, but nothing happened. What did I do wrong? Why couldn't I get a weapon? Then I realize that I haven't pictured what kind of a weapon I wanted.
Yeah, I seem to be exhausted. I should probably finish after this. I picture an image of a katana and try concentrating the fog once again. The feeling of pushing against a wall remains, but this time it feels like the wall is starting to succumb to the pressure. Realizing that, I try making an image of katana clearer and push more. In response to that I feel something snap.
Upon opening my eyes I didn't see the Katana I wanted. What I saw was a black Chlymea crystal split into two.
Huh? What just happened?
Chapter 3. Save / Meddle
If you see a save-point in an unexpected place, then be prepared for a boss-fight.
Wisdom of the gamers
Looking at two pieces of the crystal in my hand, I was quite puzzled.
— What just happened?
— Master seems to have broken the Chlymea.
What kind of a development is this!? Who the heck ever heard of a weapon getting broken when you tried to activate it? I would understand if it refused to respond or the weapon I got would be crappy. This, on the other hand, I can't accept. I mean, what kind of advanced civilization makes a high-tech universal weapon that gets broken when a novice tries to activate it? Isn't there supposed to be some kind of a child-lock installed that prevents it from getting activated if the user doesn't do it properly? Also, for a bigger dramatic impact, isn't 'breaking a weapon'-event supposed to happen when user has become accustomed to it? What is the point of a weapon breaking right when you get it? It just complicates things pointlessly! And my situation is pointlessly complicated as it is, so I don't need more of these developments.
All these thoughts I kept to myself. What was important right now, was how to fix it and avoid this happening again.
— Why did it break and how to fix it?
— I am searching the library, but there doesn't seem to be anything helpful in the public records as to why this could happen. The only useful reference I saw, was that in case of Chlymea breaking into two during activation process, user should go to the infirmary for help.
— Why infirmary? Was there some dangerous radiation or something like that?
— That does not seem to be the case. Though, there are practically no specifics.
Well, there is no point in continuing with the training today. Also I planned on finishing after this anyways, so no harm in visiting infirmary. At least usually there is no harm, it depends on your luck with doctors. According to what Rue was saying in the morning, healthcare here is top notch, but that is beside the point right now. What is important, I need to figure out about what just happened.
— How to get to the infirmary?
— I can activate transportation there right now. Should I do that, Master?
— Yes, please do.
A familiar feeling of increased weight, warmth and light came and went. At least something here looks and feels how it is supposed to. The room is just a white room of four meters in width and six in length. To my right is a long shelf standing along the wall filled with different concoctions, packets and pills. To my left is a three meter long grey box covered with a cloth. Was this supposed to be a bed to lie on? Doesn't seem too comfortable. In front of me was a grey table with a chair behind it and a stool in front. After a while of standing, I was starting to wonder whether something was wrong. I was about to ask Rue about that, when a glow appeared behind the table. From this circle a figure of glowing light appears. It is exactly like how that library spirit emerged. So the doctor is a spirit as well? This is depressing. It just feels wrong when a doctor that is supposed to help you live isn't actually alive. Luckily it wasn't health issue, but it made me want to avoid having to get here. This spirit had appeared as a robed male in late thirties with no distinctive features. As soon as he forms, he asks:
— Good evening. What is it that troubles you?
I show him a broken Chlymea crystal.
— My assistant faerie said that I should visit infirmary with this.
The spirit seemed to become tense.
— And how exactly did this crystal end up in such a state?
— I tried infusing it with Ether.
— Was this the first time you tried to infuse Ether into Chlymea?
— Yes. Can you tell me what happened with it?
Things are troublesome enough as it is. Please, just say that I have a defective crystal!
— Under normal circumstances there is no way Chlymea would break. The only way for this to happen, would be if the user had two Ether Links.
It seems, not with my luck.
— I'm confused. What do you mean "two Ether Links"?
— How much do you know about what Ether Link is?
— Only what my assistant faerie told me: "Ether Link refers to the ability to tap into the energy of the world".
— That is correct. To be more precise it refers to the ability to draw power from the world you are linked to, hence the name Ether Link. Unless exceptional circumstances were involved, that refers to the world you were born in.
— Then how would one be able to get a second link? Some kind of reincarnation?
— No, for those cases old Link would be erased.
Eh? Did he just offhandedly confirm that reincarnation is possible? With this fantasy setting nothing should be too surprising, but getting told truth about life and death in such a generic manner seems too anticlimactic.
Meanwhile the doctor continued:
— Normally getting two Ether Links is impossible. The only known way is for two living beings to reside in the same body. Symbiots and spirit guardians fall into such category. You don't happen to have one of those?
— Not that I know of.
— Then it leaves only one possibility: Dissociative Personality Disorder.
What is it with this turn of events? A split personality? That's too weird even with everything that has happened. Although.... With so much going on it wouldn't be strange for me to get a mental disorder. Or all this might just be a delusion and right now my subconsciousness is hinting at it.
As a result of all my thoughts only one phrase came out of my lips:
— You are joking, right?
— I am serious.
I just can't believe it. No matter whether this is a game or a reality, this is just too farfetched.
— So just based on the fact that this crystal broke in my hands you are saying that I have a split personality?
— While not wrong, that is not entirely correct. Dissociative personality disorder is just the most logical reason for what happened to you. Though we should do a scan to be sure. Do you mind?
— What exactly is this "scan"?
— A spell to check condition of your body, psyche, Ether Link and so on.
Remembering an incident with food in the morning I wanted to make sure...
— Does it have any side effects?
— No, the spell just scans parameters.
Then why would you need permission? Scratch that. It doesn't really matter, does it? I don't have a choice right now.
— Then, please do.
A glowing green circle appears above my head. As with previous circles it has a writing in some strange language inside. The lines of text form triangles and circles. The glow gets a bit stronger for a moment. As soon as it does, it feels as though light goes into me and through me. For a moment I thought as if something was missing, but that feeling quickly subsides. What follows it is a feeling of suffocation, as if I can't take a breath. That feeling subsides quickly as well. Whole process took a dozen seconds and the circle disappears.
As doctor said, there weren't any side effects, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. For being an advanced civilization they certainly have quite a lot of issues. I am here only a day and already experienced results of a failed research and supposedly normal, but unpleasant scanning procedure.
In front of a doctor emerges what appears to be a holographic screen with lines of text running on it. After he scanned through them, he furrowed his brows and began talking:
— According to the results of a scan you certainly have two Ether Links, but at the same time it seems as if they are used simultaneously.
— Meaning?
— Honestly? I have no idea. Technically this is what how multilink would work, but...
After mumbling something doctor trailed off in his thoughts.
— Earth to doctor.
— Oh yes, sorry. Anyways, there is nothing I seem to be able to do about it, but it doesn't seem like anything needs to be done. This isn't a split personality and your parameters seem to be fine, so there is no need to worry.
— Ahem. I have to remind you of the reason I came here.
I raise a hand with a broken Chlymea crystal.
— Ah, that. There are two ways to deal with this situation. First is to get a Chlymea crystal made especially for you, so that two separate energies don't cause a dissonance within it. A second option would be to disable one of the Links you possess.
— What do you mean disabling one of the Links? Doesn't sound too pleasant.... Especially considering how the scan worked.
That last part was practically whispered, so spirit probably didn't hear it.
— It would mean taking a medicine to inhibit one Link, or wearing a device that automatically absorbs all Ether that comes via one of the Links.
— From the sounds of it getting custom made Chlymea sounds better. How do I get that?
— It's easy. You just need to grow that crystal with the help of a harmonizer device by infusing small portions of ether into it for duration of at least three days.
Oh come on! This is getting too obvious! The timing couldn't be more matched. This means there is definitely a way for me to get that crystal in time for the fight.
— Is there any way to speed up the process?
— Not that I know of.
No surprise there. This means I need to grow my own crystal. Just in case, I probably should also get that device that absorbs Ether. I have no proof that I will be able to grow the crystal in time, so having it as a backup will be necessary.
— Then can you please give me both devices you mentioned?
— That is possible, but you will have to return them both in three days.
First I have to survive three days!
— No problem.
And in case I won't survive — I don't think breaking this promise will be something that weights on my mind.
After looking intently at me, spirit floats to the big shelf along the wall and starts searching. Done with his search, he returns. In hands he holds a small grey box, a green bracelet and a jet black crystal exactly like Chlymea. This shocked me slightly, since I thought he is ethereal and couldn't touch things. To understand what is going on, I try poking a finger into him. The finger goes through.
This is strange. My hand passes through him and he seems ethereal, but at the same time he can hold physical objects. I continue poking my hand into him as if trying to understand what exactly was happening.
— Ahem!
I raised my eyes, to see the displeased face of a spirit. Suddenly, I realize what exactly I am doing and quickly retreat back.
— Sorry.
As if accepting my apology, he makes a face as if nothing happened. Placing items on the table, he starts explaining what they do.
More than half an hour later and head full of instructions, I leave the infirmary. In short, as long as I wear the bracelet, it absorbs Ether from one of the Links I had. The purpose of the box is to grow me a crystal that I can use without wearing a bracelet. For the duration of three days I have to infuse the box with Ether until it is full each day. After the crystal is ready, the box will open. All those explanations took less than five minutes, rest of the time I was infusing the box with Ether according to the instructions of the spirit.
By the time I got out of the infirmary, the night has come. It isn't too dark, saying murky would be more appropriate. Amid a forest, there are dark places you couldn't see, so I ask Rue to highlight the road to where my room is. The light not only shows direction, but also helps me avoid tripping on the vines.
Walking towards my room I think about my progress today. I didn't get 'strong', but I certainly am quick with learning about using my ability. I can't say anything for others, but learning to use ability like mine in under a day is definitely not something that can be considered normal. The spirit in the library did say that learning to use one's ability is intuitive, but I still can't shake the feeling that my progress was unnaturally fast.
A short walk later, I notice a humanoid figure some distance further. I slow down. Remembering the reactions people gave me earlier and the situation I am in, I do not want to come into contact with others needlessly. Of course organizers said that attacking other contestants was forbidden, but they did not say that I would be saved in case of such an attack. They were only talking about punishment of the attackers. I deliberate on returning or waiting for a bit, but decide against it. I still have to go this way and making detours would only increase chances for more troublesome encounters.
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