The Way Ahead

Chapter 108b: Snowledge is Power

Chapter 108b: Snowledge is Power

He had definitely changed tactics. Where before, Lefi was prioritizing quantity over all else, he now favored quality. Each snowball was perfectly aimed and devastatingly fast, as well as absolutely laden with a full rainbow medley of Skills.

Some, Edwin recognized as Skill-nullifying effects like the one that had broken Rillahs wing. Others were more like Training Combat, which Edwin had extensive experience from training with the man, to lessen the damage inflicted. One last Skill Edwin had no clue what it did until it struck his snow-wall and flared, blasting a massive chunk of material like it exploded.

Edwins eyes widened. He wondered if he could get that Skill. He could probably get some use out of it though on second thought, he was probably better off just focusing on blowing things up the normal way.

Fortunately, the structure-destroying Skill didnt affect- if Edwin were to guess- anything alive, so while the snowballs hit with an absolutely insane amount of force and sent him staggering, it didnt feel like hed get anything worse than a mild bruise at most. It still stung, so he kept sheltering whilst figuring out some kind of strategy.

He popped his head up only to be met with a snowball to his face, blinding him temporarily until he cleared out the debris covering his eyes. The next time he snuck a peek, it looked like Lefi was busy sniping Yathal and Kyni. As Edwin watched, one projectile caught Yathal in his chest and actually sent the boy flying, albeit only a few feet. Sheesh. His next snowball hit Kyni and sent the dog tumbling through the snow as well in disarray.

The pup recovered quickly enough, powder snow covering his coat, and with an ear flopped back, dashed over to where Yathal had sunk onto a bit of loose snow and began to dig. Then Lefi turned back around, and Edwin had to bunker down behind his wall and hope that it held.

Rillah was still buried underneath her mound of snow. Hopefully shed break out soon, they were losing badly without her.

Hmmm

Edwin waited a few moments to hopefully let Lefi change his focus back to the duo and jumped up. Apparently, his motion had drawn the mans attention, and he was immediately faced with a snowball headed his way. Fortunately, that was exactly what Edwin had anticipated, and he pulled on Unbound Tether as much as possible to push the snowball back towards Lefi.

Just as the Skill connected, Lefis Skill-breaking effect flared and shattered Edwins tether, letting the snowball carry on unimpeded.

Right. I should have expected that, Edwin realized as he dodged out of the projectiles way. Okay, next plan then.

He tugged at an intact snowball some distance behind him with his Tether. While all of Lefis active effects on the former projectile seemed to have dissipated, it was still a really solid snowball, certainly sufficient for this.

The tiny ball accelerated under nearly a hundred Newtons of force- or more about twenty thanks to its light mass- jetting towards Edwins outstretched hand. As it neared, Edwin brought the hand he was using his Skill through forward in a whipping motion, trying to switch from attracting to repelling his weapon at just the right moment to have a massive length of momentum build-up

Edwin mistimed it by a split second, and it veered far off to the side, and Edwin ate a snowball as punishment for his focus on dodging lapsing. As he recovered from being knocked sprawling, he saw a figure emerge from the snow, slipping into his tiny fortress.

Rillah looked like a mess. Her hair, normally nicely braided, had come mostly lose and was sticking every which way, soaking wet in some places and full of snow in others.

Hows that Idyllic Form working out for you? he teased.

Rillah stuck her tongue out at him, Its not all-powerful, she countered quietly.

Ah, of course. Fear the wet snow, I see, for it does more to ruffle you than skydiving.

She rolled her eyes, Well talk about that later. Hows it going?

Well, Edwin floated just over the ground to his shelter. It was not designed for two people, and he found himself very close to Rillah as they talked. Her breath didnt have any distinct smell, but was warm as it blew across his face, and her eyes

Nope, he dragged his brain back into cooperation. He wasnt he wasnt going to let stupid emotions potentially mess up the most promising friendship he had on Joriah.

Well, he lamely repeated, realizing hed spent too long in thought, Not great. Without you drawing his attention, hes able to focus way too much on either me or on Yathal and Kynigos. Every one of his snowballs has loads of Skills packed into it, or he unleashes hundreds every second. Ive got no idea how we can beat him.

Foolish adventurers! Lefis voice bellowed, You thought you could defeat me, yet you cower in fear at my very presence! Truly, none of you can withstand my might.

Actually, hmm. What Skill were you using to create all those snowballs earlier? he asked, tuning out Lefis continued boasting.

Winters Flurry, coupled with some of my wind Skills. Winters Flurry can make a snowstorm, but then I can compact them into snowballs.

Okay then. Nothing that allows you to multiply shots taken, like what Lefis doing? she shook her head, Pity. Okay then Hmmm. You said that your fire magic is stronger in the winter?

Comparatively, though ice still is my strongest. Why, what are you thinking?

What kinds of fire Skills do you have? Anything thats persistent, that might be able to melt snow?

In response, she summoned an amber flame to her hand, the same color as her eye. It was oddly alluring, the way that it flickered and danced, he could stare at it for hours Huh, what was burning? Well, obviously it wasnt a requirement, Edwin could conjure fire that just licked from his hand without consuming anything but mana, but that still had the appearance of fire burning his hand. But with Rillah, the fire just appeared, in midair. It looked different and strange, like a massive, invisible candle sat right in front of him. It radiated an almost uncomfortable amount of heat it should be sufficient.

Edwin frowned as he looked at the metaphysical parts of the fire, I see three Skills in that. One is definitely a mental Skill. Care to explain? Edwin flinched as a snowball whizzed right past his head, Actually, remind me later when its calmer. How much control do you have over it?

In response, Rillah allowed another flame to sprout from her hand, then each of the two hovering fires stretched out into long snakes, Pretty good. She answered.

He lost, of course. But the game was fun, he did really enjoy spending time with them, and the day was very, very nice.

So why wasnt he happy? He should be. He was objectively in a great position, socially speaking. He had more people around him and willing to work with him than hed ever had before, he should be happy. But he couldnt beat it into his own emotions that he ought to be happy.

Was it was it because he didnt feel safe around any of them, not really? It was an interesting hypothesis, and fit moderately well with his observations. If he started being open with his feelings around Rillah, he didnt know if shed stay, or take them seriously. She definitely would just think he was being a drag, if nothing else. Lefi was a complete wildcard, and Inion

He sighed. Inion, at least, wouldnt leave. But it would still be awkward, and she would probably think he was just being a downer, and he didnt want that.

He curled up on his bed. Why did he have to be so ridiculous? Theyd be fine.

Maybe.

Did he really want to risk it, though?

He sighed.

Further testing required, I suppose.

Level Up!

Skill Points 9881028 (Average level: 53)

Adaptive Defense Level 4245

Alchemical Analysis Level 4041

Alchemical Dismantling Level 4649

Alchemy Level 9495

Arcadian Elixir Level 3536

Basic Thermokinesis Level 3236

Bomb Throwing Level 5758

Fresh Air Level 4445

Improbable Arsenal Level 3942

Longstrider Level 5052

Memory Level 6566

Numeracy Level 4950

Prototyping Level 4041

Refining Level 3637

Ritual Intuition Level 4750

Sapper's Apparatus Level 6062

Skillful Assessment Level 5051

Stamina Manipulation Level 34

Unbound Tether Level 1119

Watchful Rest Level 3840