Sworded Affair

Chapter 109: CrystalGPT

[Choose 1 of 3 Attributes for your Crystalline Core:

Chaos Control: Deposit and withdrawal is instant, and storage volume is doubled. Item withdrawal is randomised.

Get in My Belly: Storage volume increases tenfold. Items stored are destroyed.

The Hills Are Alive: All items stored are held in individual containers, preventing unfortunate interactions inside the storage. May only be wielded by a Fairy.

"There's got to be a better method of crafting a storage item," Emma complained, glaring at the first set of tablets for her second attempt. "There's no way this is the best the Empire can do."

[There are definitely more reliable methods available. For anywhere between fifteen to twenty-five thousand Thrones, you can commission one of Paradox's students to produce a bespoke item to your exact specifications. They don't take IOUs however; skilled magical craftsmen are rare, and only ever charge up front.]

"That's a bit more than your entire bank account, at least under the name of Ana Gram. Think we could earn enough to cover the cost in a few days?"

[Maybe. The actual crafting time is measured in weeks to months though.]

"Never mind."

[It's a difficult affair, producing a localised pocket dimension capable of safely interacting with a wide variety of items. Crystal shortcuts the process by mass producing inert cores, before flooding them with wild magic on demand. Because the magic itself takes the lead in the process, the success rate is remarkably high; but as a consequence, Crystal has no control over what comes out the other end. It's very much a black box, even to her.]

"But it's still cheaper than a craftsman, even if it takes a few goes," Emma concluded, running the numbers in her head.

[Unless you're really, really unlucky, anyway. But yes, Crystal generally can't be beaten on price or speed, which is why most practitioners come here for their first purchase.]

"Fair enough, maybe the third time's the charm?"

Emma hoped, tapping the middle tablet; whilst none of the options were good, she could still see some utility in a portable trash compactor.

"We're done with this one."

Both Emma and Noah were ready this time, turning their backs to the core as it began to shine, thus avoiding the worst of the burning light. Emma felt nothing more than a mild tickling sensation, a far cry from the assault on her senses prior; though she couldn't say for certain whether the muted effect was due to turning her back, being out of the homunculus, or both. Turning back around once the light faded, Emma's was altogether unsurprised by the finished product, but still rather disappointed.

[Bin of the Event Horizon: Destroys anything placed inside. Non-living deposits only.]

"You can have this one as well," Emma sighed. "It'll save some time, not having to empty the bin back home."

It was a mere moment's work for Noah to store the world's most expensive rubbish bin in his bum bag; leaving Emma down over two thousand Thrones with little to show for it.

"Alright, another IOU, if you could?"

After duly signing away yet another thousand Thrones by tablet, Emma began the process of selection for the third time, offering fifty of the three hundred Thrones remaining in her saddlebag to the new core.

[Choose 1 of 3 Attributes for your Crystalline Core:

Compact: Your Core is unusually small, reducing total storage volume. Your Core is efficient; there is no delay in item deposit or withdrawal.

Expansive: Your Core is unusually large, significantly increasing total storage volume. Size impacts efficiency; item deposit or withdrawal takes five seconds to execute.

Explosive: Your core is unusually volatile; items withdrawn emerge at one hundred miles an hour.]

Surprisingly, the tablets came in English this time; perhaps a concession from Crystal on account of Emma's mounting annoyance. The third option drew a short laugh from her, a distinct difference where the previous two were merely a repeat of her first core. Unlike before though, she didn't choose any of them; knowing the value in seeing all the permutations first. Another fifty Thrones were 'donated'; the second verse, same as the first.

[Choose 1 of 3 Attributes for your Crystalline Core: (2)

Curse of Stockholm: Items stored are bound to the Core's owner, and can no longer be used by anyone else.

Never Gonna Give You Up: Your Core is immensely durable; able to survive anything short of a point blank nuclear detonation and remain in working order.

Spill the Tea: Your Core constantly emits a soothing scent, calming tempers and nerves alike. Living beings can be stored, and will gradually heal while inside.]

"For the sake of the remaining rolls, I'll refrain from commenting on our fortune," Noah deadpanned.

Strictly speaking, Emma already had what she needed to fulfil her quest requirements; but like before, she wasn't willing to settle for just a basic storage item. Fifty more thrones went into the bowl.

[Choose 1 of 3 Attributes for your Crystalline Core: (3)

The Armed Man: One firearm may be stored in addition to ordinary storage volume.

Poison Pen: Toxins stored in this core will be kept in pristine condition, and cannot spoil.

Masquerade: This core is invisible to all but the wearer.]

"Now we're getting somewhere," Emma murmured, tossing another fifty Thrones without more than a moment's thought.

[Choose 1 of 3 Attributes for your Crystalline Core: (4)

The Elephant in the Room: Core storage space is trebled; animals stored inside remain calm and compliant at all times.

Killing in the Name: Corpses do not take up storage space.

Weeping Angel: ?? ??? ??????]

"Don't take the third one," Noah interrupted immediately. "I've seen enough science fiction to know where that leads."

"The other two options are both good," Emma agreed, her hand already reaching for her final donation.

Only five attributes were permitted after all, and she'd come too far now to give up at the final roll of the dice. Tossing the coins with a low overhand, Emma awaited the final choice with bated breath.