Gathered in a circle like good students, the skeletons looked at Ed who calmly explained the uses of each letter. The instruction skill still required some guiding as knowing how to write and identify a letter was not enough on its own.
'And that's how you use it a sentence' Ed transmitted in conclusion causing some of the skeletons to nod in realization.
[Instruction has leveled up]
'Class dismissed. Practice your mana manipulation' Ed waved them away and said.
He still needed to get writing materials and more ink. The boar blood ink was reserved for writing formations after all.
That was when Ed hit upon an epiphany
'I became a pre-k teacher…' Where else did you get to teach brainless fools and worry about writing utensils? Highschool?
'No wait they are skeletons it's obvious that they wouldn't have a brain' Once he touched upon this point Ed reigned in his wild thoughts and pondered on the next course of action.
'Teaching them to speak is still a priority since ultimately I will always end up having to at least teach them to read' This priority would however be pushed down the ladder. The foundations for his undead civilization was still loose and flimsy. A well-equipped party would spell certain doom for all of his progress and hard work.
'I need a captive… preferably someone equipped with knowledge…' Someone with a deep understanding of the principles of magic as well as the outside world. That would be Ed's next goal.
The problem was that capturing such a figure would naturally be a difficult task as well as heavily reliant on luck. I mean, look at the fools that had been sent after him the last time.
'That's a bit condescending…' Ed shook off the first thought that entered his mind as it was not in line with his personality.
'The best way to capture a human would be…' Ed quickly returned to the main topic.
'Fear' A tried and true method. Forceful subjugation.
'The second possibility is trapping them' A pitfall for example would work although he was more inclined towards hiding an array.
'Negotiation, an unlikely possibility' Ed thought and considered some final solutions.
'Next would be dismembering them' No legs? No escape.
After some more pondering, Ed settled on trapping them. Dismembering was a bit too gruesome for his own taste although it was definitely still on the table.
'They could die from blood loss so it's better to not consider it too deeply' It wouldn't do to go to such large a large extent only to have them die after nearly completing his plan.
Ed thus decided to work on his crystallize skill. He would need it to set up the necessary arrays as well as to upgrade all of his skeletons into liches. Plus, he had also just realized a problem after trying to enter the system space…
[Name: Edw#&!]
Type: Skeleton
Health: 900/900
Mana: 178
Strength: 7
Agility: 3
Constitution: 8
Dexterity: 5
~Skills:~
[Adept Throwing lvl. 4] -Show info-
[Swordsmanship lvl. -1] -Show info-
[Hoarding lvl. 7] -Show info-
[Mental Fortitude lvl. 6] -Show info-
[Transmission Lvl. 4] -Show info-
[Minor Explosion Resistance lvl. 0] -Show info-
[Assessment lvl. 1] -Show info-
[Assimilation lvl. 5] -Show info-
[Thought Manifestation lvl. 1] -Show info-
[Language lvl. 1] -Show info-
[Mana Manipulation lvl. 5] -Show info-
[???] -Show info-
[Eloquence lvl. 3] -Show info-
[Sixth Sense lvl. 0] -Show info-
[Crystallize lvl. 1] -Show info-
[Instruction lvl. 2] -Show info-
The system link skill was concealed!
It just so happened he wanted to check how many crystals he had left in order to know which ones to make. He basically wanted to keep all his stock in order.
'I guess I'll just keep it even for now' Ed was well aware that the fire elements crystals would end up falling behind but there wasn't much he could do about it.
The air was stale in the dungeon but it was essentially impossible for there to be zero humidity. As for fire, he didn't have any materials to set ablaze.
'Hmmm, I wonder if I can use the ring of fire' It might not be impossible to get some fire elements from its surroundings but how it would affect the ring was entirely unknown.
'Let's call it an experiment then' Ed walked over to a pile of accessories. The ring of fire just so happened to be emitting a small red light as it stood atop the pile. Ed picked it up.
'Crystallize' He then activated the skill as he placed his palm near the ring. After nearly 30 seconds, a crystal shard appeared. Its color was… mixed.
[Impure Crystal]
A crystal forcibly formed by mana. It glows a green-like brown and holds elements of wind, earth, and fire.
'This isn't good enough' The number of fire elements was insufficient. It was to the point where he mostly received earth and wind elements. The crystal couldn't even be considered to be of the fire element!
[Crystallize has leveled up]
As a matter of fact, the crystal was useless. The reason why the elements didn't clash was due to being forcibly converted into a crystal. Under natural circumstances, an impure crystal wouldn't be born. The elements would clash before it ever formed such a chance.
When using this freak of magic, the elements would clash on their way out. Attempting to use a crystal meant creating a road between you and itself. It only works if one element gets to use it though since otherwise, one would have to create a checkpoint to pick the lawful citizens. That extra effort could be fatal in a battle where one couldn't afford to be distracted.
'That's a hold on fire then' Ed reluctantly tossed the ring back onto the pile and walked away to a pile of crystals. He still had a few lying around from the first time he released things from his storage.
This was where he would start creating more crystals. There would be so many crystals that the mana in the surroundings would all converge near the boss gate! The skill should be nearing its peak after that, right?
***
Bayard. He was a foolhardy man. He was reckless and prone to ire. Why would the count keep such a man? It was precisely because of these traits. He was the type to act first think later.
That is to say, he didn't question any orders. He asked no questions, he recklessly charged into battle no matter the disadvantage. Most of all, he was a loyal man.
The forty-year-old knight captain had called off early from work when he was regrettably informed of the news. The young master had disappeared inside of the dungeon!
He was about to have fun with his wife. Nonetheless, duty called. With not a single question asked, he searched for a space magician and with his aide, he cut the travel time by at least half.
It was an experienced B-class mage but he was still unable to make it there in one trip. Regardless, he was still grateful as by the end of the day, he had made it to the quaint Arbor town.
It was near midnight when he did.
"Bayard! How did you get here so quickly?" Carlton was stunned. He had sent the message for help some short hours prior but Bayard was there in less than a day!
"Where's the count?" Bayard asked with his rough voice and a piercing gaze. He didn't have time for idle chat.
"He-He's inside" Perhaps Carlton realized he had overstepped his boundaries as he stuttered to answer.
The fully kitted Bayard brusquely made his way past Carlton and entered the Union branch. Without even contacting the receptionist, he spotted a restricted door and started to make his way over.
"Sir-!" The woman upfront was startled.
Bayard went up regardless and knocked on an office door.
"It's open" Miller's voice answered from inside. Hearing this, Bayard opened the door and entered. The first thing he did once inside was to identify the count and kneel solemnly.
"I, Bayard, have come in an instant to be at your disposal" The man didn't give anyone a chance to respond and said.
Count Flamewood who was sitting on his chair with an angry expression finally had a beaming smile.
"Bayard! Thank god you are here. Take most of the knights and head into the dungeon." Count Flamewood commanded without a shred of concern. The available knights were there to protect him but he couldn't care! Who would dare lay a hand on him anyways?
His son was of utmost importance! Who was Felix Flamewood? A spoiled brat? Heir to the Flamewood estate? Flame Prodigy? The answer to all of those was a resounding yes but it was important to make a distinction.
Felix was the sole heir. That is to say, the Count would only have two daughters if he were to lose him! Who was supposed to carry on the Flamewood legacy? He was proud of his daughters but neither of them was raised as warriors. They were only in charge of some businesses and looking pretty. Hell, one had already married to a neighboring noble.
"Save my successor." Count Flamewood added solemnly. His words were chilly and led one's mind to wander, wonder about the punishment that came with failing this mission.
Bayard didn't reply.. He only lowered his head further and tightened his hand into a fist. The young master had to be saved! Even if it was through necromancy!