Leveling up the World

Chapter 671: Cellar Infestation

Chapter 671: Cellar Infestation

The adrenaline from the vortexs absorption didnt let Dallion have a blink of sleep all night, constantly causing him to shift between agitation and restlessness. Most of the time he spent pacing throughout the room or entering his awakening realm with the desire to practice more symbol making. The truth was that his body was itching for a fight, even if his mind was well aware there was no point in doing so. Common item guardians were no challenge, and magic opponents were beyond his reach. In the end, he improved his window frame to platinum. The effort finally caused him to tire half an hour before the start of class. Fortunately, he spent half a day in the realm of the window frame sleeping. After that, it was back to normal.

After a quick wash, Dallion got dressed and went to the dining room for breakfast. The food was alright, although it couldnt remotely compare to Aspans masterpieces.

Youre eager today, Cheska joined him. Unlike most of the children, she tended only to skip breakfast, only going there for a cup of exotic juice. What happened?

This and that, Dallion replied, mouth half full. You?

Finished another symbol book. Will ask for a new one in class.

The way she said it suggested that shed learned way more symbols than Dallion. Being a prodigy definitely was nice, making Dallion feel somewhat inadequate.

Are you trying to crack a thousand? he asked with a forced chuckle.

Ill try. The more I know, the better spells Ill be able to cast. At least thats what Raven said.

There was no mystery to whom she was referring to. If anything, Dallion was surprised the nickname had stuck. Up to now, nicknames and any form of reference other than the most trivially descriptive had slid off the black-haired noble within minutes.

How many do you think he knows?

Lots, Cheska replied curtly. I think he knows a lot more than hes showing. She turned to Dallion. I think you know a lot more as well.

Not in terms of magic. He felt the sudden need to defend himself. Im nowhere near your guys.

The girl didnt seem convinced in the least. She was about to add something when Phoil entered the room along with his usual crowd. The fact that most of his posse had remained in the rank one class didnt seem to affect matters particularly. They still would group together, following his orders, and praising him even when there was no reason for it. Back on Earth, Dallion would have called him a middle manager. Here, he had a few other descriptors in mind, although hed avoid using most of them in public. Cheska seemed to be of a similar opinion, for she quickly stood up.

See you in class, she said, making her way out. As she did, Dallion saw her draw the rune of cold on each of the tables she passed. The smooth surfaces clouded up, as the humidity in the air reacted with the sudden cold emanating from the tables.

Childish, to say the least, Nil grumbled.

She is a child, Dallion muttered, taking another bite from his sandwich.

A loud scream filled the room. A short distance away, someone from Phoils posse had leaned against a recently chilled table. While cruel as only a child could come up with, it also had a distinctly comedic element to it.

Hey, you! Huntling! Phoil shouted. Did you do this?

Huntling was the nickname Dallion had earned after a few weeks. The lack of imagination that went into it made it clear that it had originated in Phoils mind, who was also the only person who dared used it to Dallions face.

If I was that good at magic, do you think Id have stopped at something so harmless? Dallion smiled.

Hah! When you spend as much time as me here, you get used to things like that. The things I could tell you will drive you insane or bore you to death. The door paused for a while. Maybe both. Are you really sure you want to go there?

Its a job, Dallion sighed.

Fine by me. Just a few pieces of advice. Dont make any sudden movements and get ready to run fast.

Dallion, of course, did the complete opposite, opening the door and charging inside. Of course, before that he split into a dozen instances.

The first thing he found in the cellar were shelves and shelves of potions beaming with magic. The nextthousands of emerald shardflies covering the walls and ceiling of the artificially large room. Never outside of awakening trials and item exploration had he seen such an amount.

Normally, Dallion would feel pretty confident in his abilities to resolve the situation with minimal effort. Lately, though, his animal communication skills werent too good.

Hello there, Dallion said, adding calm to his words.

The shardflies flicked their wings, turning the ceiling green.

Im not here to harm you. Dallion split in a new set of instances, keeping one outside the room at all times. I just want to lead you out of here.

Why? A shardfly asked. Its wings were slightly brighter than the rest, indicating that it was the flutters leader. Its nice here.

Not the greatest start, but at least the shardfly was talking and not trying to slice him to shreds.

I can find you a better place with lots of space. I took a whole group of ruby shardflies there a while ago.

Ruby shardflies? Several of the insects fluttered their wings. It was difficult to tell whether they were eager to see the specimens or wanted to get into a fight. Despite their looks, shardflies were vicious and aggressive creatures.

One remained with me, even here. I can take you to him, if you want.

Why dont you just order them out? Nil asked. Youve done it before.

You can tell my level, Dallion ignored the echo. You can guess what Im capable of, just as Im not lying. When was the last time anyone spoke to you?

The last mage who came here did. The shardfly leader flew off the ceiling, fluttering towards Dallions face. He tried to burn us all, but his magic was weak. Your magic is weaker.

Thats because Im not a mage. Im a hunter with the empathy trait.

You just want to get rid of us.

Yes, Ive been asked to get you out of the cellar, but I dont want to get rid of you. I just want to move you somewhere else.

You cant do both. If you take us out of here, the building will crumble.