Chapter 36
Resonance Myst has a range of uses. It can synchronize two systems near-seamlessly. It can improve the body’s blood pumping and oxygen consumption to enhance physical performance. It can also influence emotions and thoughts. But its more common use is for registering and reading a user’s intent to act accordingly. This allows a wide range of adventuring and military technology to act on an instinctive level.
Day 363, Quenchenday
A month had passed since I started my medication. The results weren’t instant, other than feeling weirdly light and airy. After a couple more days, my emotions didn’t feel so overwhelming. I wasn’t nearly as fearful. Even crossing Mallrimor only made me feel a mixture of satisfaction and wariness.
My grades improved. My training improved to the point I could beat Rose one in three matches. My Mystwell had increased from thirteen to twenty-three. I had even managed to get my Vector scores for all sects to a passing level. One of my proudest moments was devising a magic formula and device for projecting illusions. But the real high note was about to start.
I was just finishing integrating the illusionary projection system into my gauntlet, putting the final welds on the dial-ringed light projector on the back of the hand. With a clearer head, precision welds were much easier.
“Aaannnd that oughta do it,” I said, blowing out the welder’s flame. Not waiting for it to cool, I slipped on the gauntlet and admired it. I was eager for a test run.
I must have been high on the fumes because I barely restrained myself from skipping to the bathroom. I stepped in front of the mirror, gave myself a quick examination, then pressed two fingers to the light. I closed my eyes and focused on the image of Ferris, then mentally pressed it into the device. It spun up with a whir. I opened my eyes and looked straight into the mirror to find myself looking at Ferris.
The details were slightly off. His ears were too big, the eye shades wrong. But unless I encountered someone who saw him regularly, I should be fine. The lips moved when mine moved, expressions seemed organic. I made a mental note to secretly record how people moved to improve the act.
I double-tapped the light, spun the dial, and pressed the segment marked ‘1’. Next, I projected an image of Nennel. Closer, though her hair was sandier than platinum. I set her to segment 2. Then Rose. She was three inches taller, so things got complicated. I’d have to adjust where I looked so her image would appear to make eye contact. I set her to segment 3.
Beyond those, I added facades of Mystagogues Thrasher, Thallos, and Kellennar. I was reasonably sure I hadn’t gotten Thrasher’s skin pattern perfect. Thallos was for emergencies. Kellennar was out of pure spite. I left the final seventh slot free.
As an additional modification, I had altered the power supply. The battery box at the elbow chafed. I moved it, setting up a series of slots under the armor plating for shard-sized myst crystals—one for each of the sixteen elements.
With the initial test run, I was eager for a stress test. What I was planning would get me in a lot of trouble if caught. But if I pulled it off, I could get serious plus points with Thallos.
I had been worried I’d hit a learning wall. I had been failing to cast Shadow Weapon or Shadow Step for over a month. But this success was about to change all that.
My plan was to break into Master Mystagogue Kellar’s office and steal something impressive. Rumor had it he was the only instructor for his sect. Theories ranged from clones to time jumps. The clone theory had some merit, though it was outlawed.
I put Rose’s mimic facade back on before leaving my room. I double-tapped my therra to start recording. I left the dorms, inwardly nervous, outwardly nonchalant. It was so strange to go unnoticed. I felt a rush, like I could do anything.
I passed dozens of students, and not one glanced my way. It was only once inside Aegis Hall that things got interesting. I was on my way to the elevators when I turned a corner and almost ran face-first into the bosom of a large Dracose instructor. A Dekken breed. Her scales were lavender and royal blue. Her tentacle dreadlocks were in a braided bun.
“Oh!” she said, startled. She righted her square-framed glasses. “Well, Miss Swiftpaw, I’m surprised to see you. Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“Sorry, ma’am.” I suppressed a stutter. “Master Mystagogue Kellar told me to find him in his office for extra credit.” I realized the facade was probably staring over her head. I adjusted my gaze to her mammoth chest. A blush colored my cheeks. My body responded as a teenage boy’s does. I hoped it didn’t show on the facade.
“Ah,” she smirked. “Your tail tells me you’re agitated. You must be frustrated.”
My head whipped around. Sure enough, it was acting spastic.
“Well, little Miss, I should inform you that finding his office is the extra credit,” she said, leaning in to mock-whisper. “Just between us, his office is on sub-level 13. He would have secretly given you access. Head straight, turn right at the first juncture, third door on your right. It’ll be labeled ‘utility closet’ or some such. You’ll know it by a slight dent in the wall next to the door. It’s hiding a keypad.”
I looked at her, astonished. “Why, thank you, ma’am. Can I ask what the code is?”
She smiled. “Now, where’s the test in that?” She strolled past. “Best make it count, dearie.”
I slipped into an empty classroom. I needed to take on the facade of a Mystagogue. I shifted to Kellennar. I stepped out, doing my best to look bland. I turned a corner to the elevators and encountered Kellar stepping out of one.
He raised a brow. I stopped my rising panic. I walked up to him. “Why are you in uniform, Raffus?” he asked.
I looked down, then at the ceiling. “Don’t get me started. I’m out of clean civvies because of a prank.” I waved a finger. “And before you ask, no, I don’t know who did it.”
“Well, it’s a natural response when you try to kill a student, Darkling or not.”
I folded my arms. “You’d think attempting murder would give them more reason to avoid me. But it’s a good thing I found you. I need your paper files on Roserra Swiftpaw.”
“Last I checked, she was training under Kiem.”
“She is. But the prick promised me a nice bottle of something if I get him her old training files.”
Kellar smirked. “That sounds like him. Well, you know the drill.” He flicked me a file: a temporary authority seal marked with a sigil and a number three. “Code is 775298336. And he is in there. Tell him Number Three sent you.”
“Got it,” I said, passing him and stepping into the elevator. As I passed, I noticed his signet ring matched the seal. I swiped my B.I.C. and selected sub-level thirteen.
En route, I decided to use my seventh facade slot. I brought up Kellar’s image and cast it over myself. The car stopped, and I stepped out, heading down a hall of white walls. I found the door labeled ‘utility closet’ and the dent. I pressed my hand against it, and it sunk in as if into liquid. A metal keypad slid out.
I plugged in the code. The door slid open. The room was wall-to-wall filing cabinets. In the center, at a simple desk, sat Master Mystagogue Kellar.
I masked my shock. He was reading, only flicking his gaze up for a moment. “Seal.”
I flicked him the authority seal. He moved on to the next sheet. “Did you forget to mention something in your report?”
“No. Exiting the elevator, I ran into Mystagogue Kiem. He asked for Roserra Swiftpaw’s training records.”
He stood. “Of course he did. Come in while I find it.”
I stepped in, desperately seeking something to snag as proof. I noticed his signet ring on his desk. I slipped up and pocketed it while his back was turned. He turned with a folder. I took it and made for the door.
I had just reached it when he said, “Impressive work, Mr. Maverick.” I froze. I slowly turned. He held up a hand. “My doubles all have illusory projection rings. Each has a unique seal and spell signature.”
At that moment, the energy powering my projection petered out, revealing a fifteen-year-old Darkling holding a folder of blank pages. “You can take the ring to Thallos as proof. That’s the entire purpose. Be sure to tell him I give you a passing grade on your Sightless Eye final. He’ll trust my word if paired with the ring and the recording you’re taking.”
