Lukas didn't get around to rechecking the journal until he was back in the city. He summoned two clones to aid with his escape. The stalker stayed with him while Morph sought any traces of an Elder Wyrmkin settlement. They needed to find out if the creatures had a camp in the area and what route they used to enter the tunnels. Given the Gray's strict policing and military, he doubted they had entered through the city, but he wanted to be sure. The guild and Penelope would like to know if they had a route into the mines. Apparently, the mountain range's tunnel network was extensive, spanning hundreds of miles.

It took him over an hour to return to the mines. Escaping required taking the long route around all other groups and creatures. Some attempted escape. The rest appeared enraged by the loss of the Draco Lily and were ripping each other apart to check if one of the others had found their prize. Under different circumstances, it would've been an entertaining watch. For the time being, Lukas focused on getting as far away from them as possible.

Once back in the mines, he raced back toward the surface, covered in Shade's Mantle and Silencing Shadows. He avoided all other groups he encountered, not slowing down even when he came across people in trouble. A clone stayed close behind him, watching his back. Fortunately, the stalker never had to take action.

Near the exit, Lukas saw a rescue team struggling with an unusually oversized patient. He dispelled the clone and rushed to their assistance, and used them as a cover to exit the mines without anyone stopping or questioning him. Sneaking out of the area and the city's subterranean sections was much easier than entering them. Casually strolled out of the encampment carrying a box of damaged armor pieces and weapons, ditched them by a blacksmith's workshop, and then marched out into the foothills.

Nobody stopped or questioned Lukas. He just looked like one of many city-employed fighters who had completed his shift in the mines. He ditched the uniform before entering his home district and braved the final leg in a thick matte coat made of shadows. It wasn't as effective as the locally made garments, but it did just fine for the final ten minutes of his journey home. He collapsed and summoned a mage-specialized clone with Spellweaver.

"Make me something to eat." Lukas groaned. "Hot. Preferably meaty."

"Yes, sir, Mr Prime!" The clone hopped to attention and saluted. "Anything else, Mr Prime? What more can I do for you, Mr Prime?"

"You're one of the good ones, Zwei. Don't make me regret bringing you back."

"Oh, no, sir, Mr Prime! Don't punish me, Mr Prime!"

Lukas dispelled the clone and summoned a Bruiser with Alter Metal mass instead. He hadn't used the specialization in a long time.

"On it, boss," the clone said and got to work straight away. Lukas was far too tired to put up with the usual nonsense.

Exhaustion descended on Lukas, striking him like a runaway horse. His temples throbbed, and he wanted to go to sleep. It wasn't just the arcane expenditure. Sneaking through the tunnels and evading death was stressful to say the least.

The draconic text has been recovered, as has all of my energy. Congratulations.

"Isn't that nice?" Lukas commented, glaring at the journal. Much to his surprise, it manifested forty-five degrees to the left instead of directly in front of him. "Did the clones have a word with you?"

Affirmative.

Which ability would you like to upgrade?

"Can you help get Shadow Clone over the threshold?"

Negative. I can get you to the cusp, but it won't work without breakthroughs and fresh clone specializations. You can either get Spellweaver to the threshold or Thunderstorm's Eye to Rank 8!

Lukas looked at the clone. "What do you think? Which do you enjoy more?"

"Thunderstorm's Eye could do with more power," the clone replied, looking over from the work surface by the cooking fire. A slab of meat sat sizzling on a hot cast-iron pan. Cheese and vegetables sat on the nearby surface, ready to go in the pan. "And more energy. It doesn't feel reliable for constant, long-term usage without the correct specialization, making it tough. The benefits might not be immediate with Spellweaver, but…"

"But it has more value to Zwei and all arcane growth in general," Lukas completed the thought for him. "Spellweaver it is!"

Spellweaver has progressed to rank 8!

Arcane Analysis's identification powers have improved.

Spellweaver has progressed to rank 9!

Resistance to the aftereffects of spell failure and backfires has improved.

"Getting Spellweaver to the next tier is going to be far from easy, won't it?" Lukas sighed.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it is," the clone stated, nodding. "It shouldn't take us long to get there. Irma. Penelope." He grinned. "Elise. There are plenty of people to help with arcane training and assist with the breakthrough." Shadow CLone, on the other hand…"

"Yeah. That's going to be mostly on us." Lukas returned his attention to the journal. "Why don't we move on to your upgrades?"

You have gained four charges for empowering my functions.

Please pick from the following:

Inspector's Compendium II: Gained the power to inspect people, gaging awakened pillars, general ranks, and overall power level. You need contact for the inspection, and be wary of anti-scrying and divination wards. They might warn the target of inspection attempts. Cost: 2 Charges

Hidden Compartment II: Double the storage space's capacity. Organic items placed within will go into stasis. No living objects can survive the process.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Cost: 2 Charge

Deceptive Facade: Ward yourself against all who wish to study, understand, or investigate you using spells or shard abilities. Note how you wish to be perceived in the journal. Their analysis will often prove faulty and provide inconsistent or predetermined results. Cost: 1 Charge

Escape Portal: Gain the power to open a portal to a random city or settlement once every lunar cycle, escaping to somewhere without conflict. You may sacrifice an essence sphere to have the portal take you somewhere you've been before. Cost: 2 Charges

"No new options? That sucks balls." Lukas sighed. "Can I bank points for later?"

You may.

"Let's upgrade Hidden Compartment and get Deceptive Facade."

"Not Inspector's Compendium, boss?" The clone asked.

Lukas shook his head. "Contact makes it too limiting. There is also the risk of wards and anti-scrying defenses. Anyone worth inspecting is likely to have those. I don't think it's worth the risk. I'd much rather grow our spatial storage and gain defences against people trying to inspect us."

"You're the boss. You know best."

The Hidden Compartment's capabilities have considerably increased. Please edit the copy of the Pillars of Self to create your Deceptive Facade.

"There was mention of a bonus."

"Where the fuck is our bonus, journal?" The clone called, thinly slicing vegetables.

"Give us our bonus!" Lukas exclaimed.

Wouldn't you go through your 'loot' first?

If Lukas were in a cartoon, he was sure his eyes would've momentarily turned into dollar signs. He had hoped that the journal would help Zwei recover the draconic text, but nothing more. In fact, part of him worried that one or both of them would die, ruining his chances with the local Shadow Seekers chapter. Much to his relief, both clones were still alive, and he found the Hidden Compartment packed with a random assortment of goodies.

Following his instructions, the journal emptied all its contents, except for what Lukas had stored within, onto the table. His eyes darted to a pair of cylindrical leather containers. Penelope had several dozen of them in her personal luggage. Familiar containment inscriptions covered them.

"Spell scrolls, boss?" The bruiser clone asked, taking the meat out of the skillet and setting it aside to rest. Vegetables sizzled as they came in contact with the smoking beef tallow.

"Possibly."

Lukas exercised extreme care opening the first of the pair. The stitching was starting to come apart at the base, and it was unclear if moisture had seeped through and damaged the contents.

It was as he had feared. The yellowed parchment was damp around the edges, and the ink around the affected area had started to smear. The spell script's border runes were damaged, but the primary functions and description appeared unaffected.

"Anything useful, boss?" The clone asked, seasoning the vegetables with utmost care. Even though he was preparing a quick dinner, he moved as if it were an artisanal project of great complexity.

"Earth Lance," Lukas read out. "It's a three-stage spell." He paused, rereading the description. "The first is not too different from our defensive Shadowsteel spikes, while the next delves into exploding them for short-range stone blasts."

"Like a shotgun?"

Lukas nodded. "I think I can adapt it into a shotgun spell of our own. Maybe add sonic magic to it for more destructive power."

"Sounds nasty. What's the third stage?"

"The actual lance element," Lukas answered. "The first two stages are all about shaping, manipulation, and control. The third delves into projection." He frowned. "I haven't encountered such a process before. It seems a lot simpler than what we've been using."

The clone took the skillet off the heat before coming over to peer over Lukas's shoulder. "Damn." He whistled. "Even our stupid, talentless butts should be able to pull that off. The meat needs to rest a while longer. Want me to grab you a cold drink in the meantime?"

"Since the stove is still hot, how about some hot cider? Or whatever that spiced drink was we had with Liesel."

"We have mead, cinnamon, and nutmeg. But no peppercorn or dried peels. Will that do?"

"I'm not fussy," Lukas commented, moving onto the second container. "Detect Hidden." He read out loud. "It's a pretty potent short-range detection spell."

"Divination magic?"

"Seems like it. I don't know if we got the necessary attunements or talents for this one, but…"

"But what, boss? There is too much suspense in this conversation."

Lukas ignored the spellform and ran his fingers over the breakdown of the spell techniques. "This can sharpen our arcane sensitivity significantly. We could potentially work this and the projection technique into improving the mage specialization."

"And that should help with Shadow Clone's breakthrough," the clone helped complete the thought.

"And potentially hasten our Spellweaver breakthrough."

"Good thinking, boss."

The rest of the loot was interesting. Inspector's Compendium helped him identify it all. There was a trinket that helped detect pregnancy and determine the foetus's gender. Lukas was sure the local healers would pay handsomely for such a device. There were spells capable of accomplishing the same, but a device would likely make the task easier and swifter. Healers would also probably appreciate the means to avoid mental strain.

There was also a looking glass capable of surprising levels of magnification for its size. The journal claimed that it also had the power to view the arcane spectrum. Lukas needed to test it, but the size alone made it too convenient a tool to give up.

Finally, there was an amulet that left a lump in Lukas's throat. He had seen the symbol it carried far too many times. The horned owl's head was Minarv's insignia. She was a deity of knowledge and wisdom, leaving him to wonder if the Roc had attacked a caravan carrying her followers. Except for the Earth Lance spell scroll, everything had a knowledge theme. All of these items were collected in worship of Minarv of the Court of Owls, or her service.

Lukas took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

Amulet of Strigi Communion Open a channel of communication with the Minarv, the Owl Goddess. Communication is only possible on clear nights during the new moon. Minarv can be convinced to trade information or her knowledge of the endless universes and magic.

"I can't believe you grabbed this," Lukas managed to say after taking it all in. "Wouldn't communion with another Greater Being go against Lady Silverspine's interests?"

No. You can use Minarv's knowledge to serve the mistress better.

"Very well. Let's move on to the possible bonuses."

Please pick one of the following:

Upgrade Biomancy or Arcane Smithing's skill levels.

Essence of Dragon

Escape Portal

"You really want me to take Escape Portal, don't you?" Lukas rolled his eyes. "I'm not taking that ability. Ever. It's just another way for you and your fucking mistress to force me into quests I'd rather not take."

I've been instructed to guide you toward the right decision.

"We're too smart to fall for that shit," the bruiser clone stated. He placed a plate in front of Lukas. The steak was pre-sliced, and a pile of charred vegetables sat next to it. "So, which are you going to pump up? Biomancy or Arcane Smithing."

"Neither," Lukas answered. "We'll get there eventually on our own. When is the next time we'll get a chance to use Essence of Dragon?"

"What are you going to do with it?"

Lukas shrugged. "There is no telling how our abilities will react with it. I'd very much like to find out. Wouldn't you?"

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