NOVEL NEXT 3.15: Results
As Henry made his way up the wooden steps that would lead him to the main site of the celebrations, he took his eyes off the hung lanterns and loaded his updated status page.
Name: Henry Dubois
Species: Trickster Kraken - Reincarnated Intelligence (C)
Class: Watchful Guardian (C) - Level 96
Strength: 64
Constitution: 90
Spirit: 80
Perception: 44
Dexterity: 46
Predation of the Trickster (C) - Level 10
Cornerstone: Bite of the Trickster
Passives:
Magic Mimic
Nothing is Lost
Venom Production
Actives:
Bite
Maw of the Trickster (C)
Voracious Grip (C)
Evershifting Strike (C)
Crimson Surge (C)
Trickster's Fortitude (C)
Lightning Discharge (C)
Krakenbane's Wrath (C)
Renewal of the Trickster (C) - Level 10
Cornerstone: Lifeshaper's Forms
Passives:
Faint Presence
Ingested Memory
Lifeblood Reserve
Actives:
Absolute Camouflage
Mimicking Shell
Lesser Shapeshift
Life Surge
Lifeblood Orb
Dancing Shadows of the Trickster (C) - Level 10
Cornerstone: Trickster's Shadow
Inkjet (C)
Blink (C)
Riptide Rush (C)
Lightning Dash (D)
Thaumaturgy of the Trickster (C) - Level 10
Cornerstone: The Great Octominds
Echoing Arm (D)
Siphoning Touch (D)
Summon Illusions (C)
Mind Weaver's Tongue (D)
Passives:
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Mind Shield
Telepathic Sense
Actives:
Telepathic Message
Universal Tongue
Telepathic Orchestration
Mana Nexus (C)
Telekinesis (C)
Identify (D)
Trickster's Domain (C):
Actives:
Wide Reach
Dispelling Pulse
Control Water
Trickster's Pathfinding (C):
Passives:
Blood Trail
Sense Foe
Seeker's Bounty
Actives:
Find the path
Class Skills
Sonic Pulse (E)
Looking at the reduced list, Henry nodded appreciatively. He still had plenty he could combine and fuse, but it could wait. What remained didn't block him from moving on to the next rank, both in his levels and in his Aspects, and he could chip at them as time went on, but for now, he was pretty happy with what he'd achieved.
He'd ranked up and levelled plenty of his skills through the constant battle over the last few days. He'd fused Draining Touch and Lifebane Touch into Siphoning Touch. Invisibility was now part of Absolute Camouflage, which should make it not as easy to see through, especially considering Absolutely Camouflage hid his mana and presence as well. He'd merge Control Water into Trickster's Domain, and managed to organize most of his telepathic capabilities under Mind Weaver's Tongue, with Mind Shield included. Even Arcane Arm and Echo Strike had become something new. He pulled the definition for that one and re-read it.
Echoing Arm (D) - Level 8:
Summon an arcane limb that can be used for both precise manipulation and powerful strikes. When willed during an attack, the limb, just like your other arms, can release a delayed echo—an afterimage or flying burst of force—that extends your reach and impact.
"Should be pretty useful," he thought as dismissed his interface and took in the scene as he arrived at the re-modeled grounds of the arena. Once more, the bleachers had been pushed further away, while the usable surface had been increased. The wooden grounds below his feet were completely smooth, so he couldn't see through them, but Henry guessed Zerathstra had brought in a few more of the giant branches to support the modest population of Thalis. Especially considering the increased traffic Henry was seeing and considering the general mood, no one seemed to be miffed about the delayed B-rank tournament. With the wave having come earlier than expected, the event had been pushed back and today, it had been officially reported but at this point, Henry didn't think he'd care enough to participate, anyway.
Sure, he'd be passing up on a couple of prizes, but unless he limited himself severely, he didn't see how he could lose and how anyone would wager anything of import against him. Especially once he officially stepped into B-rank. It'd be a waste of his time. After all, his strengths were built around his own skills and capabilities, and to improve those, nothing was as good and efficient as heading out in the ocean and finding a few cool opponents. And he just knew the one he wanted to start with, as soon as the wave was passed. An A-rank. His first A-rank.
Once the wave was passed, Henry was planning on going to say hi to that blue lobster and see if it's interested in fighting him. Though he better be ready to run. While he felt confident against most B-rank, the A-ranks still spooked him a little. The gap between B and A-rank was a little wider than that between C and B.
It might be worth asking Velistraine for a spar soon. See how I stack against her…
Henry's eyes scanned the crowd, but he didn't need to look for long before he found the right table.
Now he just needed to find a drink.
***
In a bubble of water floating a few feet off the ground, Maurice sat on top of the jagged stones coating Rocky's skin while both of them watched, fascinated, as the bartender mixed the drinks for Henry and the others.
Xeri, Maurice believed her name was. She was wearing black, sleek and sleeveless robes that matched her short hair and right now, she was placing pieces of cut pineapple in a jar-like thing before she covered it with a lid and channeled her mana through it for a couple of seconds. There was a soft hum, and Maurice was almost sure he could feel some air-concepts emanating out of the jar, but the whole thing didn't take long and when the enchantment was done, she titled out the jar, and out came pouring a smooth liquid that she guided into one of the four cups, mixing it with the white, milky-looking liquor already within. She did the same for the remaining cups, and once they were full to the rim, she lodged a little slice of pineapple on the edge of the nicely carved cups.
As they carried the cups to the table, Maurice clicked his claws, glancing back at the bar. "I could do it," he said after a second.
"No, you can't," stubbornly repeated Ash. "You don't even know the first thing about mixing drinks."
Maurice slowly turned to face the human as he rubbed his pincers, amused. "I. Can. You're just mad you two still can't beat me."
Ash pursed her lips and said nothing as she put the cups in front of Velistraine and Zerathstra, while Fabian gave the crab a hurt look as Henry picked the cup out of his hand and down it all in one gulp.
Maurice felt a bit bad. Fabian had said nothing to deserve the taunt, but before he could do anything about it, a spray of water hit him on the back of the shell and made him flinch, followed by a severe click. "Don't be a bad sport, Maurice," chided Stormsong, her voice echoing out of the amulet tightly wrapped around her right flipper. They were all walking away, leaving the others to their discussions. There was much to see and to sample in this little festival, and Maurice didn't want to sit around and hear about Henry's world as Velistraine continued asking about its history and sights.
He still wanted to listen, just in case he heard something he hadn't been aware of, but he didn't need to stay. After all, his personal kraken-clone was transmitting him the conversation, which allowed Maurice to do other stuff while he listened. Henry had called the process like listening to podcasts. Maurice didn't know what those were but it seemed like something he'd like.
Turning his attention back to the current situation, Maurice rubbed some of the water away from his face as he apologized. "Right. Sorry. But I can mix drinks like the nice lady can!"
Ash crossed her arms and gave him a challenging sneer. "Prove it, then. Me and you. The best drink wins."
Maurice was about to retort when an arm tapped him on the shell. Looking down, he found Rocky staring up at him. The kraken wringed his two frontal arms and glanced past them at the bar. "[I want to mix the drinks, too.]"
Maurice chuckled and tapped the kraken on the head before he pointed a challenging claw at Ash. "I'm in! Rocky's participating too! Let's see who's the best drink mixer of us three. It's going to be fun. But what do we wager?"
Maurice had been enjoying these competitions. It kept him motivated.
Ash frowned and pulled her satchel in front of her before she started digging into it. Maurice did the same, mentally eying the content of Hermit's Hoard. He was sure he'd find something worth the wager, though, to be honest, he cared more about the win in itself than the prize.
A few minutes later, each one had their wager up on the free table they managed to sequester away. Maurice had a small pile of teal-colored scales he'd cut away from a B-rank drake, Rocky had a little pile of gold and other interesting looking minerals, and Ash, a little flustered, had put up a book about known and documented monsters which mightily interested him.
"You have fifteen minutes," said Stormsong as Fabian put down a single bottle of liquor. Both had decided to be the referees, and Fabian spoke next. "You are all to use this liquor to make the best tasting drink possible. You can go fetch whatever ingredients you want, but this is the base. Ready? Go!"