Chapter 376: The Good Book
Dominic winked at the Elder. "The design isn’t flawed, it’s restricted. I believe that the creator of the Sorcerer’s Spellbook intended it for his own personal use, and after his death, someone tried to copy it.
The original is likely a legendary Grimoire somewhere. But the copies have some of the same restrictions on them that the original did, so only a very limited selection of people can use it."
Elder Manif sighed. "So, you can unlock the hidden knowledge?"
Dominic laughed and shook his head. "There is no hidden knowledge in a Sorcerer’s Spellbook. It’s made to be used.
Actually used.
You see, it’s a scalable magitech item that can be levelled up like any other magitech core. Improving the level of the spell book increases the usable level of the spells stored inside it."
Elder Manif looked impressed, while Amie laughed hysterically.
"That is absolutely terrifying on a whole different level. Can you imagine what would happen if someone like the Second Prince managed to attune that? An Archmage that can use every spell he knows at level forty? He would be unstoppable." She cackled.
Manif looked horrified as he realized the implication. "She’s got a point. Once you attune these gems, you’ll be able to use them at the level of your spell book. Well, perhaps not Spell Amplification. Like a strength gem, it’s a passive buff."
Dominic nodded in agreement. The passive spells did actually work when stored in the spell book, he just had to activate the spell once, and it would stay active until deactivated.
But there was no need to tell the Elder that when he was already concerned about the strength of the magical item.
"Yes, I will be way ahead with the [Create Gem] effects. I am quite looking forward to it, but some lessons on Materia Gem creation, so I can make spell gems for more powerful Magitech items would be wonderful.
Think of all the lovely things I could make. Better tractors, improved airships, even a fully self-contained roadwork machine, whose users won’t need to know any of the spells."
Dominic’s voice was a bit dreamy at the end, and the two mages smiled at his very domestic ambitions.
Everything that Dominic was thinking of for magitech devices was something that would help the Duchy grow and prosper, none of it was something that would help him personally, other than in the financial sense if he sold it.
They couldn’t tell if he was the least or the most ambitious man they had ever met.
"Alright, why don’t we start on the lesson now? Acolyte Amie, you can return home if you wish, or sit in on the lesson. You already know the contents, though." Elder Manif suggested.
Amie shrugged. "There is no harm in sitting in on the process. If we’re going to be in the forge for hours anyhow, I will start making parts for tomorrow, and Lord Dominic can convert them, as I don’t have the [Clay to Steel] spell at a sufficient level."
"What level is yours at?" Dominic asked.
"I know the spell, but I don’t have an attuned gem. So, it casts at my innate level, which is two. Far from sufficient for that particular spell. I do have a [Clay to Copper] gem at level five, though. That turns out quality copper."
Then, she laughed at Dominic’s expression. "Right. Of course you knew that, I’ve been using it for like a week straight now."
Elder Manif opened the training book and turned it to Dominic. "It will be easier if you read through the book and then meet with me tomorrow to begin the lessons once you understand the basics.
It is many hours of reading, but getting through the first Chapters so you understand the concept should be possible in an evening."
Dominic nodded. "That should be possible. We’ve got some time, as we finished early. Amie, if you want to make parts for tomorrow, we can get ahead on our work while I study late."
"Don’t forget that you’re needed in for dinner." Amie reminded him.
"Can’t miss the important parts. Elder Manif, would you like to join us? Dinner will be ready soon, and all are welcome, as you’re already here at the Manor." Dominic asked.
"That sounds wonderful. Miss Beth’s cooking is far beyond the standard of anyone in our Sect. A Royal Head Chef might not officially be a master craftsman, but they deserve the title."
Inside the Manor, the mood was much less relaxed than it had been in the forge.
"Highness, are you sure that is a good idea? The King is not going to take it well." An officer was asking Crown Prince Claudius.
"He will get over it. Fahad has already sent the message home." Claudius replied.
Alexis looked exhausted, while Prince Russel was obviously frustrated, and Prince George was staring intently at his drink.
"What did I miss?" Dominic asked as he took his seat.
"The airships found what they think is the main monster force, and they’re not in Dagos. They’re south of us in the hills by the Mitfield border." Claudius explained.
"Alright. We know where they are, so we can send troops. That’s a good thing." Dominic replied.
Claudius sighed. "And that is what I ordered. But it’s not that easy."
Prince Fahad nodded. "While my Axbridge and your Cygnia have an alliance, moving thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers within another nation is not a small matter.
Stationing a delegation here is an approved political event. But sending them to wage war within Cygnia’s borders?"
Dominic frowned as he realized the issue. The Nobles would not take it well if they found out that there were foreign armies active within Cygnia. Having them protect an Emissary was a show of force, but expected. Allowing them to actually draw weapons and fight in any way but defensively was practically a declaration of war, or an open insult, suggesting that Cygnia couldn’t defend its own territory.
None of those outcomes were good. But if there were enough monsters to call it "Dagos’ Main Monster Force" it wasn’t something that the Cygnia force stationed here could deal with.
"I have Elder Manif here from the Duskblade Sect. They might be able to help with logistics, so the troops aren’t marching hundreds of kilometres across open territory.
Will that help?" Dominic suggested.
"In a practical sense, yes. Very much so. In a political sense? Not at all."