Mark of the Fool

Chapter 489: Preparing for Mad Experiments

Lets start with these, I believe youll find them useful, Baelin announced.

A loud bang broke the silence as a neatly stacked tower of books dropped in the centre of a tabletop before the Chosen and Sage of Uldar. Two pairs of eyes travelled from the bottom of the pile, up to its full height of more than two feet. The Heroes paled.

Iydoknow I aint never read that many books in mwhole life, right? Cedric sounded uneasy.

Neitherneither have I the Sages eyes were sparkling with excitement, though her voice held a hint of apprehension.

And I do not expect you to read all of them now, the chancellor reassured the two Heroes, pacing the length of the room, passing through rays of early evening sunlight.

Several hours had passed since their debriefing in the ruins, and the companions were back in Greymoor, meeting in different areas of the Research Castle. After a satisfying noontime meal, Baelin had ushered Drestra and Cedric into one of the Castles more private studies.

Herein this spacious chamberdark-stained oak shelves covered every inch of wall space, brimming with texts both old and new. Most were largely useless for what Alex had named Operation Grand High Ultimate Hero Transformationhe was the only one calling the project thatbeing that most of the books here were on Thameish history, geography, various bestiaries and other reference books that would have been helpful to a survey team, but notso helpful to natives of Thameland.

And so, Baelin had transported massive volumes about wizardry and spells from Generasis library. I have taken the liberty of bookmarking certain passages referencing magical theorythat would be immediately helpful to youalong with spells in several spell-guides that you would be well-advised to learn. Since Ill be taking a hands-on approach in teaching you, I believe you will be able to pick up the concepts quite quickly since you are two very clever young people.

Thats a lot o faith youre puttin in me, Cedric said, standing up and carefully removing a book from the top of the pile. He began flipping through the pages. Huhmight not be as bad as I was thinkinSeems I knows some o this stuff already.

Good. And that knowledge will serve as your foundation to build even further knowledge, the ancient wizard said. Do not be afraid, and besides, I shall assign you both your own tutor.

He gestured to Isolde and Thundar seated at a table nearby.

The minotaur was peering intently at Baelin. Okay, uhI get why Isoldes here, he said self-consciously. Shes all super brainy and everything, but uhwhy me?

Because you have a gift for cleverly applying spells, Baelin said. I believe it will be a good experience for you, and you are already well-equipped in tutoring others: after all, you crafted an entirely new illusion spell for Alexand then taught it to him. Apply such ingenuity when educating the Sage, and I am sure you will both learn a lot.

Yeah, okaWait, Im teaching the Sage? A note of surprise was in the minotaurs voice.

Im teaching Cedric? Isolde whispered.

Im fine wit that, Cedric said quickly.

Indeed, Baelin nodded. Thundar, Drestra has arelativelybetter understanding of magical fundamentals than Cedric does, so she would benefit from your experience in wielding both spell and mace. You can teach her new perspectives on empowering allies and such. Isoldes grasp of magical theory is undeniably well advanced, which will be most useful in catching up Cedric in that capacity.

O-okay, but uh, Thundar said. What about Alex? Wouldnt he be more qualified to teach than me?

Baelin glanced at the door of a private reading room a short distance away. He is occupied, at the moment but, your underestimation of yourself will deny others your impressive skills, Thundar. I demand you stop it.

Yes, where is all of that I should be the cabal-leader talk now, Thundar? Isolde asked him. I must say, I find this newfound humility of yoursfar more fitting.

Now dont you start making fun of me, Thundar grumbled.

In the reading room, Alex closed his eyes, focusing on his mana as it gently passed through Harts lifeforce. You feel any pain yet? He asked quietly, both hands pressed to the Champions broad back.

Meh, theres some tickling still, but nothing hurts, Hart grunted, glancing down at a Wizards Hand busily writing in one of Alexs notebooks. You getting everything you need?

Yeah, I am. Alex passed his mana through Harts muscle fibres. These are the same combination of spells Ill be using to empower your body, but for now, Im just getting a feel for what your lifeforce is like. When Cedrics free, thatswhen Ill begin the process. So, look forward to itprobably.

...I was looking forward to it up until that suspicious sounding probably, Hart said. Whats with the probably?

Well, Mana to Life and Warp Flesh are a very effective combinationbut theyre finicky. Real finicky, Alex said, using Warp Flesh spell to continue examining Harts lifeforce, while avoiding actually warping his flesh. Ive used it on myself, but obviously I know my own lifeforce really well. Since I dont know yours, using it on you will be a lot trickier. Sorta like fighting while youre blindfolded.

Ah yeah, well thats what Cedrics healings for, right? Hart chuckled. And why youre gonna be testing it on someone expendable and not on one of your friends.

Alex froze. Youre not expendable.

Yeah, but youd be a lot less broken up if you accidentally screwed my head on backwards than you would if you messed up this magic stuff on your girlfriend, am I right?

Well, I

None of those fancy words, now, just give it to me straight.

Yeahyoure right.

Atta boy. Hart shrugged. I know what Im getting myself intowell, mostly.So, whats this magicy stuff gonna do to me again?

Itll enhance all your senses, make you stronger, faster, tougher Alex explained, moving his mana into the Champions core. Youll heal faster andwith me there stimulating your muscles while you trainbuild strength really fast so that you reach new limits of your physical power.

I like the sound of all that good shit, Hart chuckled darkly. Itll be just like when I got Marked: my strength, speed and stamina shot through the roof. Hah, having that happen again? Oh boy. Thatll be something.Ill be cutting through demons and Ravener-spawn like a blur.

Yeah, well dont blame me if Cedric has to put you back together a fewdozen times, Alex muttered.

I wont, I wont. Probably. Hart grinned over his shoulder.

Alex snorted, taking his hands away from Harts back. Alright, thats enough for now: I think Ive gotten enough of a feel for your lifeforce to begin making a plan. How much time do we have before you need to get back to Merzhin?

Well, that mission Merzhins on with your people is gonna take about four days. Soyknow. You got the rest of today and three more, Hart said.

Plenty of time, then, Alex said, noting a time beside his notes. Ill go over these tonight and make a plan. After that, we can get together with Cedric at dawn and get started on making you into a new man. If we brute force it, we might be able to purge your bodys impurities tomorrow. After that? Youll need to rest for a bit, then we can get to the training. Oh, right, does the Mark of the Champion let you heal faster?

Yep. Hart rose from the chair, reaching for his shirt on the table.

I thought so. Alex took a quick look at his notes. You have a very powerful lifeforce, so that doesnt really surprise me. How much faster would you say?

Most bumps and bruises are gone after a nap. The Champion buttoned his shirt. Cuts take longernever really timed itbut they heal faster than before I got Marked.

Hmmmm, itd be better if I knew exactly how much faster, but Ill take it. Alex added another note. Since youve got the Mark already empowering your body, I suspect this method will work even better on you than it did on me. So, with that in mind

He clapped Hart on the shoulder. ...kill some damn monsters for me when were finished, okay?

Hah! the Champion clapped Alex on his arm. Thats the plan, man. Thats the plan. Merzhin doesnt know what hes missing.

Alex paused, his smile fading. Rightthe Saintwhats he like, anyway? Whats your impression of him?

Hm? Hart stepped back, cinching the clasp on his cloak. Whaddya mean?

Im curious about him, andright nowhes off on a mission with one of my friends, he said, feeling a little strange calling Carey his friend. So, Id kinda like to know what sort of man he is.

The Champions large eyes squinted at the shorter man and he leaned against a wall. Tell you what. You tell me about that hot redhead, Tyris, and Ill tell you everything you want to know about our Saint friend.

Tyris, eh? Alex leaned back in a chair, kicking his feet up. Youve got good taste.

Hah, has anyone ever told you that youve got a type? The Champion smirked. And dont let your girlfriend hear you talking about another woman like that.

Now it was Alexs turn to smirk. She knows that I have eyes, but Im loyal, and not stupid.

Hah! Fair enough. Alright, then, Ill go firstso Merzhin. Hart took a deep breath. Honestly, I dont give him much thought outside of whether or not hes got my back in a fight, and he always does. Hes zealous to the extreme, but he doesn't really mean any harm by it, at least I dont think he does.

He gave Alex an appraising look. Hed still drag your ass to the priests if he could, so I dont think youd really like him too much, but Im sure thatd go both ways.

Sounds like he gets along with others, though? Alex asked. If hes got your back, I mean: doesnt sound like hes a bad guy.

Well, I dont think he is, but I dont think hes got too many friends either. Hart shrugged. Drestra doesnt like him, and he doesnt get along with herbut even with all that aside, I dont see him talking or joking with too many people.

Oh? Alex frowned.

Yeah, hell minister to the knights and rangers that follow us, but he wont drink with em, Hart said. He might break bread with you after a sermon, but hell mostly eat alone. Takes water instead of wine, doesnt really talk much outside of praising Uldar. The Champion shrugged. That kinda thing. It aint bad, to be honest: we had a few guys join up with the Ash Ravens that were like that. But, that kinda thing dont really help you make friends, unless theyre as into Uldar as you are. Otherwise, its just a wall between people, yknow?

Yeah Alex said, remembering Careys overwhelming passion for Uldar. But thatd let him make friends among the priests, right?

Dunno, Hart shrugged. Ive seen them talk to him a lot, sure, but they treat him more like akinda like a boss, or their leader? He snapped his fingers. They treat him like they treat the really, big fancy priests in the capitol! You cant really call that friendshipor maybe you can, I dunno. Im not King of Friends.

Right Alex said, thinking hard. That sounds a bit sad, to be honest. But, I guess, Carey and the others will be in good hands.

Probably. Hart shrugged. Now, enough boring shit. Tell me about Tyris!

Alex gave Hart a look. Do you like lava?

Huh? Well, Ive seen it up north. Its cool.

And do you like turtles?

Yeah, cute little guys.

Well, youre already off to a good start.

Alexthe Fool of Uldarwoke long before sunrise the next morning, prying himself off the makeshift pillow hed made using a folded up towel on his desk. Stretching his back, then cracking his neck, he rotated his arms, letting his gaze settle on the vast sea of notes lying around.

Crumpled balls of parchment, numbering dozens, littered the back of the desk alongside discarded notes, and bits of scrap paper.

Partially-completed diagrams overflowed a trash can near his feet.

Shredded strips of paper were scattered over the stone floor.

Butamong this disastrous ruin of ink and discarded papersat a completed notebook.

The cover simply read: The Great Hart Champion Amplification Plan. Version 3.

Hed finally completed his plan for enhancing the Champions body.

I hope this works, he muttered, standing and stretching his arms behind his back. If it doeswell, I could have a paper on my method in Baelins hands in less than two weeks. it could even start a blood magic revolution. He inhaled deeply and exhaled a few times.

All in all, it was a night well spent.

Cracking his knuckles, Alex grabbed the book and prepared for the day.

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