Skill Boost: +13 to Light Mana Sight Level 4 (Rare) - 115/400

  Skill Boost: +9 to Mana Merge Level 3 (Epic) - 134/300

  Skill Boost: +16 to Universal Mana Projection Level 4 (Epic-evolved-2) - 44/400

  Skill Boost: +8 to Elemental Meditation Level 3 (Common) - 96/300

  Spell Boost: +7 to Haste Level 2 (Common) - 165/200

  Spell Boost: +4 to Extrasensory Sphere Level 2 (Legendary-evolved) - 137/200

  Congratulations! You have increased Insight from 15 to 16

  ***

  A weary smile spread across Pax’s face as he scanned the points he’d gained in his various mana skills and the handful in Meditation, Haste and Extrasensory Sphere. He’d even gained an unexpected point to Insight. It would come in handy should he ever face another Interrogation.

  It was a decent haul for something he’d managed in one evening, despite how mentally draining it was. The more he worked with Jane, the more progress he’d make.

  He’d felt more synergy between his three mana skills than he ever had in the past. Things had clicked into place like multiple puzzle pieces when he’d finally connected with her memories.

  His eyes moved over the final flashing notification, and he froze. He had to read over it twice, trying to understand exactly what had happened. Pax had never seen or heard of anything like it.

  ***

  Congratulations! You have earned a new skill while also meeting the requirements for Vitur’s aid in combining three of your mage skills. The innovative use of your Mana skills and the dedication to evolving and leveling them have resulted in the following two choices:

  Choice 1: Ascendant Mana Integration Level 1

  This legendary skill is a rare and difficult-to-access opportunity that allows a mage to combine their existing mana abilities into a single, formidable skill. Ascendant Mana Integration merges the functionalities of Light Mana Sight, Mana Merge, and the twice-evolved Universal Mana Projection into one cohesive skill. This integration retains all the individual capabilities of the original skills while adding a profound new dimension: the ability to work with and influence the minds and thoughts of others.

  With this skill, the mage gains an enhanced ability to sense and analyze the flow, structure, and nature of mana in all objects and beings. The skill also provides advanced control over merging mana while enchanting objects, allowing for intricate modifications and enhancements.

  Additionally, it enables the creation of autonomous mana constructs limited only by the mage’s imagination, experience, understanding and mana reserves. Furthermore, it grants the new ability to delve into the thoughts of others, from surface thoughts to deeper memories, depending on experience and level.

  Distance: Mental work requires touch, while other active and passive work with mana can be trained to work at a distance with time, effort and higher mana levels.

  Mana Cost: Varied and can be significant. Related directly to distance and difficulty of the mana task.

  Warning: Overuse of this skill can easily cause mana drain and even death. Proceed with caution.

  Note: All progress in component skills will be consumed in the merging process. Merged skills and spells can not be further evolved.

  Choice 2: Interrogate Level 1

  This epic skill allows a mage to act as an Inquisitor and grants the ability to delve into the thoughts of others. At its basic level, Interrogate allows the mage to perceive surface thoughts and occasionally detect lies through subtle mental cues.

  However, the process is often uncomfortable for the target, causing them mental distress or mild disorientation. As the skill advances, the depth and accuracy of the information extracted improve significantly.

  Higher levels enable probing into deeper thoughts and memories where a subject cannot hide any of their secrets. This requires a substantial reserve of mana and some coordination with multiple mages for the most thorough investigations.

  Warning: The invasive nature of this skill becomes more pronounced with higher levels and prolonged use, potentially causing lasting psychological damage to the target. This may manifest as memory loss, confusion, deep mistrust, or even permanent alteration of the target's personality.

  Note: Choosing this skill will leave Mana Sight, Merge and Projection as individual skills and maintain their levels and progress.

  ***

  Pax stared at the flashing choices for three long seconds. His first impression was that he’d be an idiot to choose the second one. The last thing he wanted to do was turn his mother against him by mucking around inside her with the nasty-sounding Interrogate skill, regardless of how powerful it was.

  Still, how had Vitur created a choice like this for him? He opened his eyes to ask his brother what was going on.

  The first thing he noticed was that the notification stayed in his vision, the words overlaying his vision. A push to suppress them didn’t work. For a moment, he wondered if this was some type of revenge from Vitur for ignoring his notifications too often.

  He shook his head, frowning at the bright message. The words were small and mostly in the upper half of his vision, but still. This would get annoying fast and was obviously done to encourage him to decide soon.

  Pax wondered if the notification staying in view had to do with the choice to combine his mana skills. He could see how he had to choose a path forward before he could use any of his mana skills again.

  “What's going on?” Titus interrupted his thoughts, looking even more impatient. “Your hands were glowing on Jane’s head, and then we saw a bunch of other colors, like more elements. I had to stop Harkness from interfering when she thought you were going to burn the top of Jane’s head. Thankfully, Jane was fine or Harkness would have hurt both of us. And now you look poleaxed by something you just saw in your notifications. Spill. And don’t leave anything out.”

  Pax gave his head a shake to clear it. He began to explain, hesitantly at first as he tried to put everything he’d learned and seen into words. It was difficult, but he got better the more he spoke.

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  Thankfully, Titus didn’t interrupt. He let Pax stumble his way through his explanation. His eyes saddened and rage flickered across his face when Pax described some of Jane’s memories he’d caught glimpses of. But he looked reassured by the significant progress Pax had made in connecting with her.

  Then Pax got to the part about his notifications. Titus’ eyes widened further, his mouth dropping open in shock as he stared at his brother.

  “What?” Pax asked, wondering why the last part of his story got such a powerful response.

  “Do you have any idea how many people dream of getting an offer from Vitur to combine skills for free?” Titus let out a huff of disbelief. “I almost thought people were lying to me about it happening until now.”

  “But I thought combining skills was something everyone could do once they advanced enough. It can’t be that rare.”

  “That’s when you do it yourself, dunder. And then it costs so many evolution points, very few people do it more than once or twice in their life. The price goes up really fast the higher the level of the skill not to mention the difference in cost depending on how compatible the skills you’re combining are.”

  Pax’s eyes widened the more his brother explained.

  Titus stared at him, still looking like he couldn’t believe what had happened. “And you not only did it by accident because of innovative use of your mana skills, but you’re getting an offer to combine three skills instead of two?”

  Pax gave Titus a sheepish shrug and wished Amil was there to make a joke about the crazy magic things he kept doing. “The process does use all the progress I’ve made on the three skills going into it. So it starts all over at level 1 and can’t be evolved.”

  Titus scoffed. “I’m crying for you.”

  Pax’s grin widened. He loved having his brother back.

  “Well, take the skill already and see what happens.” Titus gave him an impatient wave with the excited light in his eyes of a kid wanting to see what exactly was under the wrapping of a fancy present.

  “And not the Interrogate skill?” Pax plastered a sincere look of doubt on his face, unable to resist needling Titus. “It could be useful rooting out any traitors that sneak into the rebel ranks, right?”

  “Don’t be an idiot. The Ascendant Mana one comes with none of the nasty drawbacks. And we have our own people with Interrogate to handle things like that. You’re the only one who can—” Titus stopped, his gaze narrowing as he examined Pax’s expression. Irritation suddenly flashed. He dropped his teacher mode and raised a hand to smack Pax. “You little—”

  Pax laughed and jerked back to the far side of the sofa. It wasn’t far enough.

  At the last moment, Titus switched from a backhand and grabbed a piece of skin along Pax’s ribs where his cuirass didn’t cover and gave it a hard pinch.

  Pax yelped, smacked Titus’ hand away and rubbed at the sore spot. His growing attributes were no protection against a warrior of Titus’ level. Good thing he could Heal it later and prevent a nasty bruise. It made Pax briefly wonder how his life on the streets would have been different if he’d had even a touch of his current healing powers.

  How many friends could he have saved? His pragmatic side quickly argued that rumors of that kind of power would have spread. Someone stronger would have snapped him up to use him or eliminated him.

  Pax shook his head. No. The path he was on was much better. He needed the strength to stand up to those who wanted to control his powers. It was the only way to protect himself and those he cared about.

  Like his mother.

  Feeling much more serious, Pax gave Titus a nod. “Give me a few seconds to accept the skill, and we’ll see what happens.”

  Titus’ grin widened. His excitement was contagious, making Pax grin too, as he dove back into his menu to see what amazing opportunity he’d stumbled across this time. He chose Ascendant Mana Integration.

  ***

  Congratulations! Through your efforts to push the boundaries of magical possibilities, you’ve earned a new legendary skill, Ascendant Mana Integration Level 1.

  Light Mana Sight, Mana Merge, and Universal Mana Projection have been combined into one cohesive skill with the added ability to make mental connections with others with the power of your mana. Integration now complete. Two skill slots are now free for future skills.

  This is a legendary and powerful skill. Use it well, explore its vast potential, and continue to discover new depths of magic. Remember, the path of innovation is paved with curiosity and courage.

  ***

  “Well? Titus asked when he looked up at him.

  Pax’s smile threatened to split his face. “It just told me how amazing I am for pushing the boundaries of magical possibilities. If I want to know more about the new skill, I need to get busy experimenting, like any other skill.”

  “No wonder no one does this very often. Pushing the boundaries of magic is pretty much the opposite of the empire’s laws, isn’t it?” Titus shook his head, still looking stunned. “But it’s fitting, right?”

  “What?”

  “Well, the whole point of the rebellion is to rebel against the empire and topple it. Most of us do that on a physical level. You know, taking over cities, hit-and-run tactics against supply lines, stuff like that. But you’re heading up a magic rebellion, breaking every law they’ve used to chain our potential.” Titus gave him a contemplative look. “And your method of rebellion might just be the critical ingredient we need to win this thing.”

  “There’s no might about it.” Pax shook his head. “As soon as we get the rebellion leadership fully on board, things are going to speed up faster than any of them can imagine. The empire is still a huge and powerful enemy, but being so stuck in their traditions and rules will be their downfall.”

  “That and the corruption and greed of their leaders,” Titus said with a scoff.

  Pax grinned. “And that too.”

  Titus nodded before his expression turned serious again. “So, what’re the next steps with Jane? Harkness gave us a week, so it would be best if we could show her some genuine progress by then. She’ll be more likely to let us keep working with her then. What’s the plan? And is there anything I can do to help?”

  Pax gave it some serious thought and organized his thoughts better before speaking. “I figure we have two major ways to help Mama. We’ve got to heal her physically, which includes both the scars and broken areas in her mind and the rest of her body. Then I’ve got to get good enough with this new skill to help her mind. The problem is, I’m not sure what should come first, her body or her mind?”

  Titus shrugged. “I don’t know about you, but when my body is in bad shape, it’s hard for me to think clearly or make effective plans. How about you focus on healing her body to start?”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Pax sighed. “But I really want to see a piece of Mama back. Even just using our names again, like she did in the dining hall. And those nasty memories? How can I leave those when I can ease the pain they are obviously still causing her?”

  “Maybe making suggestions like this is how I can help.” Titus gave him a wry smile. “You’re a bit spoiled with all your outlandish magical achievements, but in the real world, some things take effort and time. Lots of both.”

  “Fine.” Pax let out an impatient groan. “I guess fixing some of Jane’s health problems will be easier for Harkness to see in the short term, which means we get more time to work with Jane.”

  “Exactly. And there’s no reason you can’t make a small start on the mental stuff at the end of your healing sessions, if you have the mana for it. Baby steps with the new skill and Mama’s mess of memories will help you figure things out better, too.” Titus reached out and put an arm around Pax’s shoulders. “This is going to work, Pax. You’ve already made the biggest step tonight. Now that you can connect with her mind, the rest is a matter of time and effort.”

  Pax relaxed and leaned against his brother, enjoying the feeling he’d missed for so many years.

  “Just don’t forget you’re also in charge of making sure this whole rebellion thing succeeds, too, right?”

  Pax laughed and elbowed Titus in the ribs . . . only to yelp when he hit the iron hard surface of his brother’s armor. Titus laughed as Pax pulled away, rubbing his elbow.

  “Don’t worry, though, buddy.” Titus’ smile turned serious. “You’ve got all of us to help you. And pretty soon, every rebel with an extra element or Tamed companion will be on your side, too. Things are looking up now.”

  Pax nodded. “They really are, aren’t they?”

  “And they’ll look a lot better after we get a decent night’s sleep.”

  The two stood, and Pax felt his weariness return. It had been an extremely long day.

  A door shut down the hall. Pax suppressed a groan when Harkness marched toward them, an expectant look on her face.

  “Come to bed, little brother . . . as soon as you finish explaining everything to Mistress Harkness.” Titus flashed him an evil grin before turning to give the incoming woman a quick tip of his head. Then he made a beeline for the exit without a backward glance at Pax.

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