The Fractured Mage

Chapter 19 - Progress Check(Part 3)

"I wanna know too, what did you do back there? The speed you displayed was incredible, not to mention the amount of force you generated behind your punch," Remarked Iris with an intrigued look on her face.

"Well, it's kinda simple, actually. About a couple of weeks ago, I realized that the three Arts of my Ether Mage Ascended Tier don't necessarily have to be used in the same sequence. Ether Materialization manifests Ether outside of my body, Ether Modelling lets me control and give shape to the manifested Ether, and Ether Emission lets me fire it out.

Obviously, I can't use Ether Emission without first using the previous two Arts. Well, I technically can skip Ether Modelling, but then my output has no real shape or momentum to it, resulting in a weak attack. I can also technically use Ether Materialization on its own, but that limits me to using the manifested Ether at close range only.

The game changer was when I realized that I can use Ether Modelling without using Ether Materialization. Using Modelling on its own lets me directly control the flow of Ether inside my own body...when I punched you, I'd focused Ether into my fist.

And as for how I moved so quickly, I'd focused Ether into my feet, giving me an extra spring in my step, so to speak. Unfortunately, after a single move with the part of my body I've focused Ether into, the concentrated Ether spreads back throughout my body, and I have to focus it into that spot all over again.

After focusing Ether into a single spot and compressing it there, I make use of it but releasing the compression at the point of impact, which creates a sort of shockwave that enhances the force of my attack. Unfortunately, it also results in backlash. When the compressed energy is so abruptly uncompressed, it sends vibrations back through my body.

I didn't channel and compress too much Ether into my feet when I leapt towards you, so while my calves were a bit numb after I sprang forward, no real damage was done. But I miscalculated and compressed a bit too much Ether into my fist, more than I can currently handle, and as a result, I'm pretty sure my forearm sustained a fracture or two.

After I punched you, the concentrated Ether in my fist dispersed back throughout my body following the backlash, so I couldn't have unleashed another hit like that with the same fist again immediately. But that's a relatively small drawback...see, when using this method, I don't consume any Ether whatsoever! I'm only manipulating the flow of my Ether, which means I'm not actually using up even a single drop with these attacks," I grinned smugly.

This method of using my Ether Modelling Art is honestly super simple, and pretty easy to get the hang of as far as manipulating my Ether inside my body goes. Getting used to the immense increase in force that it results in, on the other hand, that was super tricky.

I broke my right arm pretty badly the first time I used it, Lilac kinda freaked out as she ran to get me a Healing Elixir. So I can't use this technique to throw any especially destructive attacks without injuring myself in the process, but that said, my current upper limit with how much Ether I can handle channeling into a single spot, still packs quite a significant punch.

"That's...almost unfair, to be able to unleash that much force at no cost to your Ether Capacity is amazing, even if it does take a toll on you. If you get an opening to land a solid blow while using that technique, your victory will be all but guaranteed. Not gonna lie, I'm kinda jealous," Frowned Iris enviously.

"Hah, yeah right. It's a good thing you can't use an ability like that, you're enough of a gorilla as it is," Muttered Lilac wryly, before swiftly averting her gaze as Iris glared at her.

"That really was impressive...if I'd been going all out, I still would've struggled to dodge that, since I didn't know it was coming. It may not be a sustained speed boost, lasting only for a moment...but in that moment, your speed just about touched the level of an Apex Mage.

Well, to be more specific, you were about as fast as the average Apex Mage shortly after they've unlocked their Apex Tier, I'd say somewhere close to someone who has a Speed stat somewhere in the mid-50s. Tell me, what are the current values of your stats?" He asked me.

"Uh, well, let's see...I last checked sometime yesterday afternoon, and my Durability stat is still the highest, now at 35. But my Speed stat is tied with it, also at 35. My Strength stat hasn't increased much lately, it's been stuck at 30 for a while, and my Agility stat is at 33. Oh, and my Maximum Ether Output is at 32," I recalled after thinking back to it.

"Hm, interesting...if I remember right, when you first started living here, your Speed and Agility stats were on the low side, while your Strength stat was a bit higher and your Durability stat was especially high," Remarked Ifeus thoughtfully.

"Yeah, my Durability may still be my highest stat, but it's also increased the least of all my stats, along with my Strength stat, both have increased by 5. But my Speed stat has increased by 13 and Agility by 11, and Ether Output by 14," I surmised with a nod.

"Huh? Wait, that can't be right. That's...unusually fast. I mean, my stat values increased only by around 3 to 4 per year on average. Of course, it increased very slowly in the first few years after I awakened my Magic System, since I was only four at the time, but even then, the highest increase I ever saw in a year in any of my stats was 10, and even that was considered to be rare and impressive. Meanwhile, you've only been training for four months," Remarked Iris, wide-eyed.

"Ah, there's actually a reason for that, the same reason why his Magic System can't quantify his Ether Capacity into numerical form," Ifeus informed her.

"Oh, yeah? What reason is that?" Inquired Iris in fascination.

"Don't bother, he's not gonna answer that," I sighed wistfully.

"Why even mention it if you're not gonna elaborate? That's like showing a cake to a person who's starving and then flushing it down the toilet right in front of them. Kind of a dick move, dad," Frowned Lilac in disapproval.

Not sure I agree with her analogy, but sure.

"Yeah, what she said...uh, sort of. I mean, come on, man...you always say just enough to make me even more curious and give me a lot more questions I want answered than I did before. If you aren't gonna give me any answers about my past, then just don't bring up the topic at all," I huffed indignantly.

"He's right, it's pretty cruel on your part, dad," Nodded Iris in agreement.

"You should just tell him everything he wants to know, it's his memories and his past, it's not right for you to keep that information to yourself," Added Lilac with a huff.

"...come on, kids, don't gang up on me. I'm sorry, okay? I was thoughtless with my words, it won't happen again," He mumbled meekly in response.

He really shrinks up fast when his daughters are involved, doesn't he? But even now, he isn't planning on giving me any answers...which just makes me all the more curious about my past, damn it...