by Andrew Rowe
[That is correct.]
“And I take it that even though I just flooded my mind with mental mana, you’re still reading my thoughts, and speaking aloud is unnecessary?”
[That is also correct.]
My hand slipped into my bag, feeling for the Jaden Box. I didn’t retrieve anything immediately, but if things got worse, I could retrieve the Ring of Derek Controlling and slip it on my finger, attempting to counter the mental effects of the crystal with mind control of my own.
[Fascinating. You would use a mind-control object on yourself to deliberately counter an external compulsion technique? I have rarely seen such strategies, and more rarely from one so young. I am eager to see how you handle the tests.]
“Tests?” I spoke out loud out of instinct, even knowing the crystal could hear me thinking. “So, this is the entrance to the temple?”
[The term ‘temple’ is something of a misnomer in this case, and calling this the entrance would also be somewhat reductive. It would be more accurate to say that you are presently in the starting position for one who intends to undergo the current iteration of my trials. Your memories have not been altered and you have not begun your testing yet.]
“Not yet been altered?” I glowered at the crystal. “Meaning they will be later? I’m not pleased about that.”
[I understand your reticence. Any memory alterations that occur would simply be to preserve the nature of the trials for future test-goers. Depending on your performance and my assessment of your motives, I may be able to permit you to opt out of that process.]
“I’d…definitely prefer that, thanks.” I exhaled a breath. “Okay. I take it that this test design is not a typical ‘progress through challenges to reach the crystal’, then, given that I’m already near you? Assuming that is your true body, of course.”
[You are correct. You already stand within my home. I find there is a minimal benefit in sending a human challenger through the same sorts of test they can no doubt face throughout numerous sword shrines, elemental temples, crystal homes, and other similar locales. While at times I run more ‘ordinary’ tests to challenge myself, I tend to find tests of a completely dissimilar style more stimulating.]
“Then…this is an intellectual test, rather than a traditional physical one?”
[Intellect will be a component, although your physical abilities may be relevant if you choose to make use of them. Your challenge is thus: when your test is initiated, you will design new challenges for my home. Periodically, creatures will enter from a front entrance and attempt to reach my crystal chamber. You must stop them.]
The idea was both simple and revolutionary. “You mean…I’m defending this place, rather than attacking it?”
[Yes, that is an accurate summation. I will provide you with a small fraction of my power to be used to construct defenses. Once the timer begins, I will respond to your requests to construct specific things. We will begin with only this room: anything else will require a cost in my mana to construct.]
My mind raced. “Would walls be on that list? Could I just…make a bunch of walls to stop anyone from getting through the door?”
[You may not completely obstruct the pathway into this chamber. In addition, you have multiple goals in this test. You must not allow anyone to reach me, however, you must also construct the area in a way that improves visitors and encourages them to return — or to send others.”
I blinked. “Why…? And wait, which crystal are you, exactly?”
[Both excellent questions, and the former is surprisingly rarely asked. The latter will likely illuminate the former. I am the local Transcendence Gateway Crystal. And my role…”
“Is to improve things?”
[Reductive, but accurate. In specific, my purpose is largely dedicated to improving the efficiency, lifespan, and health of living entities. I may also improve non-living objects for the purposes of assisting the living.]
I gaped briefly at the ramifications of that. “…So, following that, I would ideally need to design this place to be challenging enough to prevent the entrants from reaching you, but…where do you stand on the philosophy of allowing challenges to be fatal to some members of a population in order to provide encouragement to others?”
It was a loaded question, but given my thoughts on spires, I had to ask.
[I am aware of the strategy you speak of. I will state this unequivocally: such methodology is unacceptable. Such wanton waste of life is anathema to my purpose.]
I breathed an immediate sigh of relief. “Then the tests should not involve combat, I suppose.”
[That is not accurate. Combat tests can still be excellent teachers, provided they do not cause permanent harm or death.]
I pondered that for a moment. “Okay, I can work with that. Can you tell me all the things you can build, as well as our available resource pool?”
[Yes, but once I progress to that portion of the explanation, I will initiate the first timer. Do you have further questions before we move to that stage of the trial?]
“Hundreds.”
I thought I felt something like laughter inside my mind.
[That is wonderful. I am hopeful that you succeed. However, given the way your mind is drifting to unrelated subjects of inquiry, I believe it is time to begin. I will be pleased to speak to you about these unrelated issues at a later time if you succeed.]
“And if I fail?”
[Then you will not be worthy of my time.]
I let out a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
[Excellent.]
[The test begins.]
***
There was no dramatic flash of light or musical tone to signal the start of the test. Frankly, it was a little disappointing.
“Okay, so…what are the rules? What are my resources?”
[The first incursion will occur in fifteen minutes. During that time, you may use my mana to build additional rooms that the entrants must progress through. You will earn mana each time an entrant exits the area safely. The amount of mana you earn will be based on the progress the entrant makes, as well as my own evaluation of how much the entrant was improved by their visit.]
I pondered that.
Hm. Okay, so the incentive structure is for me to create challenges that are appropriate for the challengers. Easier stuff near the front, then something near the end that gets them to leave. Interesting.
I frowned. “How much mana do we have to work with?”
[I will provide you with 1000 mana to work with for your initial construction.]
“Is that in the same standardized units we use in Valia?”
[Yes, however, I have artificially augmented my mana costs for the purposes of this test to simplify the allocation of resources.]
“Is it all gray mana?”
[I have access to what you would consider to be several different mana types. You would refer to them as gray, life, mental, light, transference, spirit, density, and transcendence. I am allowing you to use up to a total 1000 mana of any of those types.]
I whistled in appreciation. That was a large number of mana options. “With no conversion cost?”
[Correct.]
I nodded. “Okay. So, what can you do with the mana?”
[A brief overview: I can create rooms, walls, traps, puzzle pieces, monsters, and items. I can also upgrade any of these things. You may also ‘unlock’ more powerful things for each category, such as higher-level monsters by meeting prerequisites, such as using a certain number of things of that type, or certain challenges being completed.]
“That’s…complicated. How long does this test last?”
[Up to thirty hours.]
I felt my shoulders tense. “That’s…wow. Okay. I can see why there’s a lot of options, then. Is there a way that I can get a message to my friend outside that I’m safe and that I may be in here for a while?”
[You may spend 50 mana to send a message outside. Would you like to do so?]
“Let’s wait
a bit, we need to get rolling on this first challenge. Okay. Tell me the mana costs for the things you currently can build for me.”
[I will begin with structures. One wall: 50 mana. One entire square room: 200 mana. One door: 50 mana. One window: 50 mana. One item of furniture: variable.]
“How large are the walls and rooms? What are they made of?”
[Walls are up to twenty feet by twenty feet and one foot thick. Rooms are twenty-foot cubes. By default, they will have entrance and exit doors on opposite sides. They are made of stone.]
“And these rooms – do they come with a floor and ceiling?”
[Yes.]
I frowned. “That means that a room is more mana-efficient than building walls.”
[That is correct and intentional.]
I nodded. “Okay. Traps?”
[I currently can create the following traps: Pit trap: 25 mana. Arrow trap: 50 mana. Snare trap: 50 mana. Collapsing ceiling trap: 50 mana. Flood trap: 100 mana.]
“Hm. And I can get better ones by using them. Like, using enough arrow traps would get me, what, poison arrow traps?”
[Your concept of how things work is correct, but you must discover what is unlocked and how to unlock it on your own.]
I paused. “...Why?”
[It is to simulate research and development. Also, it is more fun for me that way.]
I snorted. “Fair. Okay. Puzzle pieces?”
[Small stone block: 25 mana. Wall switch: 25 mana. Floor panel switch: 25 mana. Lever: 25 mana. Gear-based switch: 25 mana. Torch: 25 mana. Rod: 25 mana. Lock: 25 mana. Key: 25 mana. Large stone block: 50 mana. Musical chime trigger: 50 mana. Rotating Platform: 50 mana. Crowns board: 100 mana.]
“How do I designate what happens when a specific action is taken with a puzzle piece? Say someone steps on a floor switch. How do I make that do something elsewhere? Do I need to build some kind of connector part?”
[Connector parts are generally unnecessary. You may instruct me on the intent of your puzzle and I will construct it to function in a specific way. If you do not have the pieces available, I may construct certain other basic puzzle pieces based on the general guidelines above.]
“Like a sphere rather than a block?”
[Yes, that’s possible.]
I took a moment to breathe. This was a lot to take in, and I already had several different ideas running through my head, but I needed to get started soon. “Monsters?”
[Goblin: 50 mana. Dire wolf: 50 mana. Lesser wood golem: 50 mana. Lesser skeleton: 50 mana. Lesser fire elemental: 100 mana. Dire spider: 100 mana.]
Lots of options there to think about. And a large number of categories, too.
Thinking about it, I could see logical lines of progression for each of them. Presumably, making enough lesser wood golems would let me get wood golems, then stone golems, iron golems, all that stuff. It seemed fairly intuitive.
“Okay. Items?”
[Healing potion: 25 mana. Treasure box: 50 mana. Bag of Crystals: 50 mana. Bag of Coins: 100 mana. Weapon: 100 mana. Leather armor: 100 mana.]
“Hm. Okay. Could you create a sign? Or, better yet, can I make something and put it out there myself to save mana?”
[Yes and yes.]
My eyes widened. If I could physically interact with things out there… “Can I actually go out there while there are intruders and talk to them or fight them or whatever?”
[Yes, you are allowed to interact with the challenge, at your own risk. Typically, in the past, many challengers such as yourself have taken on a ‘crystal guardian’ role to stand right in front of my door. Be advised that this is dangerous and potentially fatal.]
I exhaled a breath at that. “Okay. Good to know.”
I took a moment to think. “If I’m allowed to interact with things…does that include you?”
The crystal went silent for a moment. [Within certain limits. What did you have in mind?]
A grin crossed my face. This was going to be much, much more fun than I’d originally expected.
***
[This is highly unusual.]
“Yep.” I pulled away a solid silvery disc, now gleaming with two new Sunstone-level runes. Remember that one last disc I was saving for a rainy day? I’d used it for something special, just like I’d hoped. “Believe me, I’m just getting started.”
[After expending 720 mana to charge those unusual runes, I have 280 mana remaining to spend. Is your intent to construct a single chamber, then guard it yourself until the runes on that…what did you call it again?]
“Recharging spirit mana battery.” I opened my bag, pulling out the Jaden Box. “Batteries are a type of object that stores energy. I’ve built several recharging batteries of other types, but until now, I haven’t had access to anyone that was willing to give me spirit mana to charge the runes to build a spirit version.”
Keras could have done it, of course, but he’d already been clear he wasn’t willing to leave random traces of his spirit lying around. This crystal, however, had no such reservations. “Retrieve gray mana battery.”
A similar disc appeared in my hand. “For my next trick, I’ll need to touch you. Would that be okay?”
[Yes, provided you do not mean any harm. Ah. I understand your intention now. Intriguing. We will have to see if it works.]
I put my Arbiter-attuned hand on the crystal, then concentrated on the battery.
Transfer.
It was an easy process. I felt no resistance. Gray mana flowed from the battery into me and then into the gigantic crystal. When the battery was drained, I stuck it back in my bag to recharge. In an hour, I could use it again.
[Your mana recharging effort was successful. I now can offer you 450 mana to work with.]
I grinned. “Perfect. Let’s do some more.”
That first battery had been our initial project: a gray mana battery with a capacity of 180 mana. My ability to transfer mana wasn’t 100% efficient, so apparently about 10 mana had been lost in the transfer process. That was fine. I had more batteries. I had better batteries.
After building that first battery, Cecily and I had used it in addition to our own mana to power a second. That one held a maximum of 360 gray mana.
Then from there, Cecily and I had done the same thing for transference mana: 180 in the first, 360 in the second. And fortunately, this particular crystal was capable of using both gray and transference mana.
So, long story short, I drained all my remaining batteries into the crystal. I had to hurry the process a bit, since I was running out of time, and I lost a little more efficiency that way.
[You now have 1200 mana to work with.]
I grinned. It wasn’t a lot more mana than what I’d started with, and I’d spent nearly all my time on it, but the important part wasn’t my current available mana. Every battery, including the newly-made spirit mana battery, was recharging. In an hour, I could use them again. And then in the next hour. Then the next.
Presuming, of course, I lasted that long.
Just to be safe, I transferred 50 of my own mana into the crystal, bringing my total available up to 1250. I didn’t want to spend too much of that when I might need it for unexpected combat, but 50 was something I could spare.
…What a strange thought.
At the start of the year, 50 mana was far more than my attunement total. I’ve gotten much stronger, haven’t I?
I shook my head, dismissing the errant thought.
My Cadence-brand prep work was done. It was time to build a dungeon.
***
“Okay. Let’s start with a simple room right outside this one.”
[That will be 200 mana. Would you like to proceed?]
“Yep. Go ahead.” There was a brief pause. “Whenever you’re ready.”
[The room is already completed. You have 1050 mana remaining.]
I blinked. “Wait. Really? That fast?” I walked over to the sole chamber door. “Is it just through here?”
[Yes.]
I opene
d the door. As described, it led into a single cube-shaped stone chamber about the same size as the crystal’s room. “Huh.” Notably, there was a door on the opposite side of the room already — one I didn’t think I’d paid for. I pointed at it. “Is that door where people will enter the dungeon now?”
[Yes. If you continue building rooms in a straight line, the most recently constructed room will always have the entrance.]
I nodded. “What would I see if I walked over there and opened it? Would it take me outside?”
[No. You would see a vast and terrifying featureless void.]
“…Oh. Okay.” I was both glad and sorry that I’d asked. “How can I leave this place when I’m done?”
[I will transport you outside if you are alive when your business here has concluded.]
“Okay. Got it. Sorry, getting side-tracked again. Back to work. Let’s build a second room right after this one. Just another generic one.”
[Give me a moment…completed.]
“That’s…incredibly fast. Are these rooms real?”
[That depends on your definition of real.]
I pondered that. “I’m guessing we’re in some kind of space between the planes, and that you are constructing the rooms from some kind of combination of…what, spirit and density mana?”
[That is remarkably close to correct.]
“Are all the things made out of…right. Limited time. Questions later. Okay. If I walk into the far room, will you be able to hear me and put things where I ask you to?”
[Yes.]
“Will monsters that I ask you to create attack me?”
[No, they will see you as the lord and master of this place and serve you willingly.]
“That’s…a little bit creepy, but practical, I guess. Okay.” I walked to the far room. “Let’s build some things. We have 850 mana left, right?”
[Correct.]
“Okay. What can you tell me about the first competitors that will be coming through?” It’s probably something I should have asked much earlier, but if I’m being honest, I tend to get sidetracked by magic stuff. Yes, yes, I know you’ve already noticed.
