The Arcane Emperor Chapter 67 Abyssal Elf

Chapter 67 Abyssal Elf

Rainer's journey through the dead misty forest continued. The destruction of the larger golem seemed to have led the others down the same path, as he faced no more opposition. Arriving back at the starting area, he found a new source to antagonize him; where does he go now?

He stared for a moment at the skill that helped him slay the giant golem, granted by [Arcane Speaker], hoping to find another use for it in a moment of tiredness. Or perhaps just a minor distraction and a reminder of a success.

[Arcane Empowerment: Uses the power of the Arcane and influences any form of Magic. Spells can be altered with but a word.]

A part of him wondered if he could influence whatever magic or otherwise created this mist, but a few Arcane charged yells telling it to go away only left him slightly blus.h.i.+ng and out of breath.

He had chosen [Mage of Tongues] as his first cla.s.s to level, hoping to learn more of the [Devil's Soul Language] from Amer. For his second he chose [Arcane Speaker], after much deliberation. He had been hesitant to level any cla.s.ses that might be a waste of time in a period where he may need to take the Trial at any moment.

[Arcane Speaker] simply had too high of a possibility for crossover. But after describing it to Amer as well as his previous [Arcanist] cla.s.s, much to the Devil's annoyance for some reason, the Devil had convinced him otherwise. That the [Arcanist] was far too powerful and unique, to have an issue with such a thing.

And he was right, at least in this case.

The [Mage of Tongues] granted him the attribute [Language Transmission] and [Arcane Speaker] gave him [Arcane Cohesion]. The latter improving his ability to merge [Will of the Arcane], his Arcane Magical Language, with any Magic, making his actions versus the giant far more successful. The former improving the general power, range, and control of all words influenced by Magic.

He turned back around towards the three paths he started with and picked to go right this time. Nary a word or thought came out of the now tired Rainer.

Once the adrenaline and thrill of battle had left him, all that remained was a never-ending adventure through a monotonous mist.

"Flight…" he suddenly mumbled to himself. He had been using [Eldritch Flight] since he found his legs too sore for anything else. He just barely avoided pulling out his hair over such an obvious solution before soaring into the sky.

The mist rushed past him and after a few minutes of flight he saw an end to the mist.

The same ground he jumped off from.

It was only from a quick reaction that he avoided slamming head first into the ground. He slammed heavily onto his back as he turned to avoid a head-on collision. A quick application of [Arcane Invigoration] removed any real damage, though the encounter would be hard to forget.

And so, he took another path again. Constantly changing which way he headed using [Arcane Sight] to try and see things that stood out, paths that looked different, to see…anything other than the same dead trees and mist. The site of his large battle long since disappeared.

Finally, back at the start once more and no closer to an answer he peered over the edge of the island. There was only emptiness in the distance, and a realm of mist behind him, the edge of the island extending with a slight curve sideways beyond his vision.

He slowly floated from the island and headed beneath it, before with a sudden s.h.i.+ft of gravity he found himself cras.h.i.+ng into the other side of the island.

Or perhaps, given the view, the same place he started in.

Even more than when he faced that huge golem he wished this place had even a trace of Miasma so that he could have the satisfaction of freezing it whole and hitting it till it cracked into nothingness.

Maybe it's good there's no Miasma…

He looked out towards the emptiness once more and had nothing else to do, began flying off into it. [Void Detection] and any other form of detection only returned nothing. A moment later, as if pa.s.sing through a thin invisible sheet, he appeared elsewhere.

Only the prospect of danger kept him from screaming. Was the solution so simple? It wouldn't even require flying to reach here, even a normal human taking a leap of faith would be enough. Rejecting the prospect of the choices offered for one less conventional. And how was it even a solution? Where was the hint? Was it something related to the powers of the Void that a human like him couldn't fathom?

Was there some kind of mantra of the Void where if you can't find the answer where you are; just jump to another world?

No longer was there a dead and misty island but instead one filled with light. The colors only rivaled by the Fae realm.

And instead of three paths, there was only one. Above him, a radiant blue sky with no obvious source of light expanded overhead. He did his best not to let the scenery distract him as he made his way forward. Flying straight up proved a poor choice in the last place so he would leave that route of exploration for later.

He glanced back for a second, before deciding at least trying the same exact thing might prove informative if nothing else.

And following a short leap, he was bounced back onto the island. The invisible film of before not so transparent anymore as it s.h.i.+mmered around the island. The only consolation prize was him thinking that perhaps he had to kill the giant [Golem].

Rainer tensed as a small creature jumped in front of him. Long ears and white fur left it reminiscent of a rabbit of Earth, were it not for it's beaver-like tail ending with a spike. The creature's beady eyes regarded Rainer for only a moment before it jumped across the path and back into the forest.

Numerous thoughts went through Rainer's still paranoid mind. Was the bunny a test, were he on edge and attacked would the whole forest turn against him? Was it a misdirect, to try and calm him down?

But the shaking of the ground and the hoofbeats of many, left those thoughts to drift away for now. Seeing the charging beasts that covered the wide-open path end to end, Rainer thought his previous reservations on flight to be a lot less convincing.

Immediately the [Archon] hovered above the charging group who split into the forest soon after. Some cat-like monster with the bodies of bovines were all Rainer could discern as they quickly entered the forest.

Seeing no other immediate threat, he floated inwards and glanced over the tall and multi-colored trees of this new island. The lack of an obvious threat put him further on edge. At least he knew to be wary of something when it was an island covered in dead trees and a fog.

The Trial's beginning was already an enormous difference from his [Arcanist] one. Rather than creating enemies immune to the Void, like his [Arcanist] trial had made Arcane Worms immune to magic, the [Voidwalker] Trial created enemies that could only be easily defeated by the Void.

He couldn't help but be wary of the second part, when his Void Will was nowhere near replenished, it's regeneration a tenth of his Mana.

A short few minutes of flying and dodging some strange, but ultimately harmless, looking birds Rainer nearly fell from the air as he felt a stutter in his magic. Recalling George's stories, and Furtak's own information on the Forbidden North, he had a good idea as to what that feeling was.

An application of [Arcane Invigoration] proved that he already had a resistance to whatever was happening to weaken his magic. Likely relating to his [Curse Resistance], if Rainer had to take a guess.

With a large clearing filled with various flowers coming up in his view, Rainer decided to investigate, all the more cautious due to the last fight in such a clearing.

Yet the moment he came close enough to discern the details of the place he nearly lost his breath. Standing in the center, now fully clear to him, was a creature of beauty he'd never seen. Fae would pale in comparison, and his original ideas of a Unicorn being just an ordinary, but powerful, monster were abandoned.

As he stood frozen in the air, meeting the silver eyes of the white horned horse, some part of him fully understood that magic made him feel this way. That the elegance of the monster was not something he needed to respect, but he couldn't help himself.

Was this the creature he was destined to slay? He surely valued Gunthar and his father over such a thing, no matter the pleasant feelings. But it's very presence altered Rainer's thoughts as if not even to consider hurting it.

Whether it was Rainer's own anger against attempts of mental manipulation or the knowledge that this was a Trial, he managed to shake off the compulsion and use [Appraisal].

And yet The Unicorn answered with a snort and glare at the floating figure that dared to appraise it, Rainer gained absolutely nothing from his attempt.

The Unicorn pulsed with magical power and stared at the [Archon] as if daring him to try again. Rainer, left in a stunned silence, could only watch as the white beast trotted off into the forest. Staring at the retreating figure, he even felt a minor compulsion that it was now safe to attack. That he should claim the beast's hide for himself.

But having already thrown off the far more powerful Magic of before, it was easily ignored. And the small figure that caused this second feeling retreated into the forest, unseen.

A part of him still thought to give chase. An opportunity presented to attain a Unicorn heart within a Trial without any actual guilt of truly slaying such a creature, a.s.suming his thoughts on Trials being fake worlds were true.

But returning to make sure his companions were safe took precedence. Dying from an ill ventured idea to slay a Unicorn in the middle of a Trial was not on his to-do list. And its undoubtedly powerful Magic, eclipsing Rainer's own by measures unknown, made him scoff at such an idea. The [Arch-Lich]'s luck at encountering a dying one was truly that, pure luck.

He stood in the clearing as if waiting for some ma.s.sive foe to appear once more. Several minutes pa.s.sing with nothing happening only served to put him on edge further. An edge sharpened by a rustling in the forest and figure moving forward. And from every direction soon other creatures joined the single figure.

Rainer found the [Archon] part of the Trial well enough. The black-haired [Archon] standing across from him denoting that aspect. The same smirk that foretold death just as last time. Added on were dozens of large cats covered in skins of shadows, a fully discernable figure marred by the cloak of magic. Rainer had only a moment to notice the difference in his body and brightness of his eyes before the situation became dangerous.

And so, he vanished.

Rainer sped through the forest, not even looking back. Void-walk after Void-walk with physicals leaps in between. Amer had told him of his previous Trials mixing for his second and third one. Rainer's only hope was that this part stayed away.

Nonetheless, he was prepared. While he counted fully on Jor pulling him out of the fire, he had another plan. Advance beyond his clone. Under the a.s.sumption the mimic version of him could be beaten at all there was only a single option; gain enough strength to outpace an unlimited Mana version of oneself.

The only caveat here being Rainer's hope that unlimited meant recharging rather than an ability to cast an all-encompa.s.sing [Absolute Frost]. At that point, he had no chance from the start. [Magic Detection] and [Void Detection] was constantly used, as he felt the clone behind him mimicking his [Void-walking].

There was only a single thing that could grant him a large enough advantage over a clone Rainer. Leveling [Void Grasp] to 10.

Rainer suddenly halted his retreat, before unleas.h.i.+ng not only his armed Arcane bolts but an [Arcane Combustion] near where he a.s.sumed his clone was walking in.

He reached out with [Void Grasp] as his clone attempted to dodge, only to be rebuffed by a surge of Mana.

An [Arcane Blade] in hand, his other half appeared directly in front of him, only to vanish once more as Jor lashed out and then quickly returned at Rainer's command.

The two stared at one another through the trees, the beasts of shadows still chasing in the distance.

Seeing no Jor equivalent on his clone upped Rainer's spirits as he used this pause in combat to think on [Void Grasp] as he had been doing since he leveled [Void Seer]. He knew the skill was on the border of reaching level 10 after weeks of [Sleep Learning], It was only a matter of pus.h.i.+ng it over.

Seemingly done waiting for his allies, the clone attacked at Rainer once more, repeating his own a.s.sault of armed [Arcane Bolt]s and fire.

Rainer, conserving mana, flared [Arcane Awakening] with Surge as well and rushed away. Jor leaped out of his shoulder as he went hunting for the beasts of shadows.

The unlimited Mana of the figure prompted him to use [Void-walking] to keep up with him, as it made the most sense for Rainer to do in his spot. And yet this was exactly what allowed Rainer to repeatedly practice [Void Grasp].

With Jor handling the others, Rainer focused entirely on his clone.

The two figures danced between one another, the clone having the advantage of using [Void-walking] freely even with the attempts to use [Void Grasp] by Rainer. Every clash of [Arcane Blade]s and launch of [Arcane Bolt]s sent Rainer further behind. The tips of his hair burned, the flesh on his face and bare chest repeatedly singed by just barely dodged bolts.

And yet with every use of [Void Grasp], Rainer's focus increased further, even as his alternate self slashed his [Arcane Blade] across his thigh. Only [Arcane Invigoration] kept the blood loss from being fatal. With every clash, and with every attempt to use [Void-walking] to gain an advantage over the real Rainer, [Void Grasp] came closer to advancement.

And in a final moment of inspiration, Rainer understood. And sent a message for Jor to return.

To grasp with the Void wasn't only to defy the abilities of the Omnipresent Void, but to restrict s.p.a.ce and Time itself with its power.

[Void Grasp has reached level 10]

[Experience Gained: XX]

[Void Grasp has reached its maximum level. 5 skill points have been rewarded.]

[Void Grasp has unlocked Void Hold lvl 1/10]

Jor leaped out from behind a tree as planned while Rainer prevented his clone from [Void-walking]. His figure rushed forward when even his full efforts couldn't penetrate the level 10 skill combined with [Void Hold]. The very Void sought to wrap around the clone, as a full on [Arcane Awakening] worked to escape Rainer's hold.

With all of Rainer's remaining [Void Will] he forced his clone to stay in place, ignoring the power of [Arcane Awakening: Might] flowing through the alternate's body. Rainer's ears bled as he used all his conscious effort to keep the figure in place. He had not even a thought to spare to do anything else. To even consider anything else.

Thankfully, Jor understood the situation very well.

With an indignant roar, the clone could do nothing as Jor consumed him. And he vanished too, with the shadow beasts joining him. A fully powered Jor rampaging as the ma.s.sive Serpent he was.

[Second and Final Trial complete. Teleportation to Safe Area will commence in: 00:05:00]

Rainer made no notion of stopping his fall as he collapsed on his back and rolled into a ball gripping his head. Only the knowledge that completing the Trial would heal him sustained the [Archon] through the pain.

Even with a comforting surge of healing, Rainer didn't feel that much better.

Jor flew around his downed master before wrapping a circle the around fallen figure. Rainer got a small influx of information soon after that he could only translate as "who needs a stupid dragon" before Jor retreated into his shoulder just as the countdown fell.

And with a brief bout of teleportation Rainer's Trial ended not with the power of the Arcane, but with the fury of a system-defying Serpent.

[2nd Cla.s.s Advancement: Voidwalker has been completed.]

[Tallying Achievement Points]

[1st Cla.s.s t.i.tles, Already Processed: Arcane Scholar, Fae Contractor, Arcane Elementalist, Dungeon Pioneer, Philanderer, Trollsbane, Wielder of s.p.a.ce and Time, Wielder of Fire and Brimstone, Energy Drainer]

[1st Cla.s.s t.i.tles: Wielder of Water and Tides, Wielder of Terra and Foundation, Wielder of Shadows and Darkness, Wielder of Light, Wielder of Ice and Frost, Wielder of Mind and Illusion, Devilsbane, Manipulator of the Elements, Basic Elementalist, Shaman, Speaker of Power]

[Wielder of Water and Tides: 50]

[Wielder of Terra and Foundation: 50]

[Shaman: 60]

[Wielder of Shadows and Darkness: 60]

[Wielder of Light: 60]

[Wielder of Ice and Frost: 60]

[Wielder of Mind and Illusion: 60]

[Devilsbane: 80]

[Manipulator of the Elements: 99]

[Basic Elementalist: 99]

[Speaker of Power: 99]

[2nd Cla.s.s t.i.tles Already Processed: Wielder of the Arcane, Immortal Slayer]

[2nd Cla.s.s t.i.tles: Corruptor, Master of s.p.a.ce and Time, Master of Ice and Frost, Chosen Slayer, Queen Slayer, Devastator]

[Corruptor: 150]

[Queen Slayer: 150]

[Chosen Slayer: 180]

[Master of Ice and Frost: 190]

[Devastator: 199]

[Master of s.p.a.ce and Time: 199]

[3rd Cla.s.s t.i.tles: Master of the Arcane, Arcane Speaker, Magus of Tongues, Draconic Magus, Draconic Contractor, Voidwalker, One who defies Divinity]

[Master of the Arcane: 200 points]

[Arcane Speaker: 230]

[Draconic Contractor: 250]

[Magus of Tongues: 250]

[Draconic Magus: 250]

[Voidwalker: 299]

[One who defies Divinity: 299]

[Total Achievement Points: 3623]

[Create Enchanted Item: Imagine both the form and properties of any item you desire. Subsequent cost shall be displayed and if within the limit, you will be able to create the item.]

[Item creation limit: 5]

[00:15:00]

Wasting not a moment Rainer focused on the first and likely most important item, an improvement to [Void-walking]. In the end, if he couldn't make it back home, risking the Trial for this was pointless. And as useful as [Miasmic Conversion] was for most Magic, [Void-walking]'s distance was more based on his maximum Mana and how much he could loosen the Void prior, the spell too short a cast to have enough time to take full advantage of [Miasmic Conversion].

[Cost: 400 Points]

[Ring of Void Magic: Increase the power Void Magic by 30%]

[Cost: 400 Points]

[Ring of Void-walking: Increase the power [Void-walking] by 50%]

And in a similar construction to his hilt.

[Cost: 400 Points]

[Ring of Void-walking: Decreases cost of [Void-walking] by 30%]

Attempting it to push it past 30, was 50 points for 31 and even more beyond that. But that wasn't his goal here. Amer, after learning negative factors could be applied to great reimburs.e.m.e.nt, ventured that'd be the better path. And Rainer agreed with the Devil in this case.

And seeing as [Void-walking] was only expensive for huge jumps, then a limit was easy enough.

[Cost: 400 Points]

[Ring of Traveling: Decreases cost of [Void-walking] by 40%, for travels extending beyond one's current world or plane]

And if he wasn't going to be wearing it all the time…

Rainer tried to throw a couple more on, but found the increases too small and not worth being weak the moment he entered another world. A few more benefits tacked on for long distance Void-walking, didn't add too much cost and he had a completed item.

[Cost: 953 Points]

[Ring of Traveling: Decreases cost of Void-walking by 45%, Increase power of Void-walking by 60%, for travels extending beyond one's current world or plane. Restricts all [Void-walking] to cross world and plane travel only.]

With this part complete, he went on to create a ring of tethering to mimic the familiar bond.

[Cost: 200 Points]

[Rings of Bonding: Creates a magical bond between a pair of rings.]

He avoided creating it and instead applied it to all items he'd make for the party, having seemingly not bothered to write down the notion of a 5-item limit last time. He'd dump any remaining points to improve items as he went on.

The time within the item creation ended as Rainer was met with perhaps a more important series of choices, even if the answer became apparent quite quickly.

[00:15:00]

Something that made him quite nervous given the importance of such a choice to quite literally his whole future.

[Available 2nd Cla.s.s Advancements]

[Prerequisites Met: None]

[Grand Voidwalker: A being who crosses the omnipresent void, surpa.s.sing the restrictions of s.p.a.ce and Time. One who can reach out their senses and grasp at the elusive yet all-encompa.s.sing void. Few can block the path of one of the Void. 125% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Magic and Skills. 60% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Manipulation skills. 50% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. +5 Intelligence, +6 Affinity, +6 Void Awareness per level.]

[Prerequisites Met: Has Void Manipulation any lvl, Void Mastery any lvl]

[Voidcaller:. One who can reach out and call upon the true power of the Void. Whose reach extends beyond s.p.a.ce and Time, their targets made nothingness by the Void. Their will can master the omnipresent existence that is the Void. 150% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Magic and Skills. 60% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Manipulation skills. 50% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. 100% General Improvement to Void Call and Void Mastery. +5 Intelligence, +6 Affinity, +8 Void Awareness per level.]

[Prerequisites Met: Has Void Manipulation any lvl, Void Hold any lvl]

[Voidgrasper: One who can grasp the power of the Void and bind their targets to their power. Few can escape the all-encompa.s.sing hold of their strength. Their grasp reaches as far as an extension of the Void itself. 150% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Magic and Skills. 60% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Manipulation skills. 50% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. 100% General Improvement to Void Grasp and Void Hold. +5 Intelligence, +6 Affinity, +8 Void Awareness per level.]

[Prerequisites Met: Has Void Manipulation any lvl, Void Sense any lvl]

[Voidseeker: A being who seeks to understand the omnipresent Void and all its power. One whose senses are unmatched in discerning the true nature of the Void. Their understanding of the Void surpa.s.ses reason. 150% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Magic and Skills. 60% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce and Time Manipulation skills. 50% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. 100% General Improvement to Void Seer and Void Sense. +5 Intelligence, +6 Affinity, +8 Void Awareness per level.]

[Prerequisites Met: Has Void Manipulation any lvl, Void Mastery any lvl, Void Sense any lvl, Void Hold, any level, Void Detection any lvl, Void Will unlocked, and any Void Spell of Tier 6 or higher]

[Harbinger: One who has wielded Magic to master the omnipresent Void. Whose presence heralds the Call of the Void, and the coming of its power free from restrictions. Their path is unblockable, their will immovable, their power's unlimited as the omnipresent Void itself. 200% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce, Time, and Void Magic and Skills. 100% General Improvement to s.p.a.ce, Time, and Void Manipulation skills. 70% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. +5 Intelligence +5 Affinity, +8 Void Awareness per level.]

Seeing the attributes a bit low in comparison to [Archon] on the most promising advancement only gave Rainer excitement for the future unlocked attribute and a slight hope for it to reach level 10 with his held back t.i.tles of the first and second tier.

He still needed to enter [Sleep Learning] once more to write down these new memories as well as past ones. Seeing as picking [Harbinger] didn't remove him, though it did give him an option to leave, he went ahead as planned.

Removing a knife from his spatial ring, Rainer p.r.i.c.ked open his finger. And with a practiced movement, that showed untold practice, drew a Ritual circle on the white floor beneath him.

Part of his reason for remaining in the [Eldritch Draconic Mage] cla.s.s beyond the 1 week waiting period was to try and master this bit of blood magic. Of [Arcane Speaker] and [Mage of Tongues], only [Eldritch Draconic Mage] surpa.s.sed the level 19 to 20 barrier, ending up at level 23. With his own [Archon] reaching 24 towards the end.

The hardest part was getting the time for the spell to be more exacting, lest he end up asleep outside the Trial. Part of him struggled to let go of the challenge, despite it being more prudent to switch to another cla.s.s. The other blood magics he learned may have been worth his stubbornness, however.

The moment the clock hit 10 minutes, he poured his Mana into the blood circle and fell asleep moments after. He sent a command prior to have Jor wake him up at the end of the Trial just in case, though the Serpent seemed exhausted. And with his entry to [Sleep Learning] began the end of his Trial.

And the start of the hope he could return to his new home.

The moment Rainer left the Trial, he felt a familiar pressure on him before he could even comprehend the messages appearing.

One that exceeded all before it. Only his training with [Void Grasp] had let him keep his head. That and the addition of becoming a [Harbinger].

Opting against [Void-walking], he rolled sideways, just barely avoiding becoming less a caller of the Void, and a more permanent member.

He had only a moment to glance at his attacker before he jumped back again.

[Abyssal Elf, Femal-

Rainer's head surged in pain, and the [Appraisal] became cut off as another call of the Void came at him. 8 armed [Arcane Bolt]s soared in retaliation. But the figure that was covered in darkened black silk for all but her gray eyes and thin white eyebrows with ashen skin in between, vanished.

Rainer wasted no time [Void-walking] a distance away, and armed 8 [Arcane Lance]s. Seeing Amer and Tiamat nowhere nearby, he avoided thinking the worst and instead concentrated on his battle.

The Elf flashed in front of him, as an armed [Arcane Lance] sought to stab her, only for her to disappear once more, far too quick for a use of [Void Hold]. She disappeared and reappeared all around him, using [Void-walking] at a speed he couldn't even imagine.

Rainer slammed his hands together and unleashed a minor [Absolute Frost] the moment she too fought back with another [Void Call]. He leaped from his spot as the Frost expanded outwards, taking some damage from his own spell, before [Void-walking] again.

He had only a second to react as the half-frosted figure appeared to his left with an aggravated grunt summoned dozens of orbs of pure Void. They spun around Rainer in a wide circle as he felt prevented from [Void-walking]. The block too strong for even the full force of his Mana to cross.

He lashed out with [Arcane Combustion] at the figure only to find his mana packet consumed by one of the orbs of Void.

Suddenly, one of the orbs charged at him, leaving him with only a few options. He lashed out with his [Arcane Blade], intent on dodging at the same time. The blade roared with his power as it collided with the raw strength of the Void. It tore apart it's strength and sent it back from whence it came.

The moment of shock in the figure's eyes as Rainer began las.h.i.+ng out with Arcane Energy and Blade, destroying her orbs, caused her power to surge in retaliation. A thin stream of Void appeared between two orbs, as they themselves vanished in Rainer's blind spot and cut off the arm holding the [Arcane Blade].

Only a quick use of [Arcane Blade] on his other arm saved his neck from a similar fate, as he slashed the beam-like Void energy in two. The momentary distraction caused by the Elf's victory proved a perfect chance for another to make his move.

A voice of powerful magic radiated out as a film of power expanded outwards from the Elf. The chanting no longer hidden a.s.saulted the elf as a cloaked Devil and Dragon on his shoulder appeared right by Rainer's side.

He vanished with the [Archon] a moment later, standing outside the film of energy.

The Elf paid the interruption no mind as she tried to Void-walk but found herself bouncing off the s.h.i.+eld that now surrounded her 30 feet in every direction.

"My arm…" Rainer cried as he gripped the stump. Amer used his magic to summon both the arm and hilt as Rainer quickly used [Arcane Invigoration].

"Do you think you will survive insulting me like this, you common Cultist!" The Abyssal Elf yelled out, her otherwise pleasant voice somehow inspiring fear.

"Not here I won't," Amer whispered with a pointed look toward the newly crowned [Harbinger]

Rainer only nodded, as Amer prepared to teleport the pair back to his tower and grab anything they need before leaving.

With his arm thankfully attaching quite easily, and Tiamat happily returning into his coat, Rainer heard Amer speak again.

"Want to leave her a memory to remember us by? The barrier I originally designed for you lets in anything other than her and powers of the Void."

Rainer ignored the "originally for you" as he prepared a parting gift.

His recently severed hand reached out toward the Abyssal Elf as it churned with Arcane Power. Runes glowed from up the arm to a single Rune of the Arcane s.h.i.+ning brightly on his forehead. Rainer poured not only the entirety of his Arcane Power into the skill but held it back, adding more as he converted it.

Just as he felt the end of Amer's teleportation spell activate as he sent his own goodbye to the Abyssal Elf and her long-winded promises of torture and death.

"Final Arcanum"

The power of his Arcane infused voice swept through all the ruins surrounding the Abyssal Dungeon. The Abyssal Elf had only a moment to turn her angry rants into a fearful expression as she wrapped herself in the powers of the Void.

And as the trio teleported, a torrent of Arcane ripped through the air.

"Grab everything from that shelf into your fancy ring," Amer yelled pointing Rainer towards a specific bookcase. The [Archon] had nary even a moment to regain his bearings before the Devil yelled again.

"Now!" He said as he shoved the still disorientated Rainer.

He nodded, throwing the books inside, and removing a few jugs of the poisoned wine in concert, letting their contaminated contents break and splash against the stone floor. The thought of the Void Lord who trounced him even with his advanced cla.s.s left him to feel some of the fear Amer projected.

The lack of experience told him his last ditch Final Arcanum, didn't take effect. He at least hoped to have singed off those arrogant looking eyebrows.

He briefly heard Amer yell some command at one of his appreciates, likely telling them all to flee from here.

"So? Was your advancement good enough?" The Devil asked, almost rhetorically. It wasn't hard to notice the power radiating off the newly advanced Mage. d.a.m.n him for his t.i.tles leveling him up immediately, even if it was useful now.

Rainer nodded, having just recovered himself from the use of [Arcane Awakening: Final Arcanum]. He gripped the Devil's shoulder as he made sure Tiamat was safely tucked away in his coat. It was in this moment he noticed the Devil's left sleeve empty of an arm. A quick check of his own showed Amer hadn't done some strange switch. Added on was that it was the opposite arm as well, but now was not the time for questions.

Rainer used [Miasmic Conversion] to refill himself as he focused on his connection to Luna. Arcane and Void worked in joint as streams of energy sought to open up the pathway to Luna even wider. A quick chant from the Devil had an ethereal white s.h.i.+eld protecting him, just barely. Rainer's new item and cla.s.s, among other things, allowed him to understand his path to Luna, just barely.

And with nary a fluctuation of s.p.a.ce, the pair vanished.