Chapter 176: Through-Spike_Millennial Mage

Chapter 176: Through-Spike

 T followed Jenna into the room on the other side of the hallway, rubbing her nose after the impact with the stone wall.

 Honestly, T was a bit irritated by the incident. Was that necessary?

 Jenna shrugged. Necessary? No. That said, it was entertaining; it lightened the mood; it conveys an important lesson; and Im tired. You woke me up.

 I thought you said you had a long night.

 I did, then I finally got to sleep, and She cocked an eyebrow and gestured to T.

 And I woke you up.

 And you woke me up.

 My apologies.

 Jenna waved that off. Nonsense. It was better to happen in the middle of the night than in the middle of the day.

 That is what I had hoped. T finally looked around the in room. Aside from two chairs, most of the space was filled by a huge ck box. What was the lesson?

 Jenna walked in and sat in one of the chairs, T following and taking the other.

 Dont always trust those in authority, or with power, over you.

 It was Ts turn to cock an eyebrow. Look at me, Mistress Jenna. What part of this came from following the dictates of authority.

 Yes, child, you are very rebellious. Good for you.

 Thats just insulting.

 Jenna hesitated. It was, wasnt it. She tapped her own jawline a few times, then shrugged. I apologize. I did not intend to insult, but the point is still valid.

 Which is?

 She sighed. You seem to treat people either withplete and utter trust, orplete and utter contempt.

 T opened her mouth to protest, but Jenna raised her hand to stop her.

 I dont mean in the sense that you hate them, simply with how you treat their words, advice, and instructions.

 T closed her mouth and considered what the other woman had said. Is that true? Do I consider the source more important than the content? The more she thought about it, the more she thought it was true. Rust.

 The older woman nced at the still open door and gestured, closing it, though T didnt see any power connect her to the door.

 Alright. Thats interesting. At that point, she finally took a good look at Jenna.

 While T knew that the other woman was older, likely by centuries, T would have ced her in her early thirties. Yet more evidence that I am horrible at judging the ages of Mages.

 She had dark red hair, falling in big curls around her shoulders without poofing up on the top of her head overmuch. She was short, shorter than T even, and curvy. The woman was fit, as all Mages tended to be, and she had an almost aggressive tone to her stance and manner of movements, as if she was ready toe out ahead in any interaction, whether verbal, martial, or magical.

 Jenna wasnt visibly armed, but that meant little, except that she didnt wish to look armed.

 She wore very traditional Mages robes of some sort of ck silk with bronze swirls and no visible sps. From the toes T caught a glimpse of, the Archon wore simple, ck leather slippers.

 Ts examination of the Reforged had been quick, barely a nce, but shed clearly noticed, though she seemed disinclined toment on it.

 Instead, Jenna simply lounged back in her chair. So, your look isnt actually that great of an issue. We can fix that with any number of little artifacts. The real problem that we should discuss is how you appear to passive scans.

 Couldnt I use something like a cor for arcanous animals?

 What? No. Jenna gave T a searching look. You know how those work, right? She nced to Terry. Id have thought that you did.

 Of course, I do. T felt vaguely insulted. They change the magical signature of the wearer to one that wont trigger the defenses.

 Ahh, so you understand, you just didnt think it through.

 What?

 Jenna shook her head. You are a clever girl, and I do mean that. So, you tell me.

 T took a moment to think and realized the issue. Ive basically no magical signature to alter.

 Precisely. Jenna nodded in approval.

 So, what can we do?

 The simplest would be to have a breach in your ironyer, so that scans could prate through and get a good look at you, but that is unideal for many reasons.

 T nodded.

 We could give you a beacon that would effectively give you a false magical signature, that might work.

 But, isnt that dangerous? Couldnt it be taken and used for nefarious purposes?

 Possibly? But as it wouldnt suppress anything about you, just give off the magical signature, someone else using it would appear pregnant. Jenna grinned. Theyd look like they were pregnant with an Archon at that. So, it would be pretty obvious that it was being misused.

 Pregnant?

 Two magical signatures in one body. I know itste, child, but you really should think a bit more before asking questions.

 T shrunk in on herself, feeling her cheeks heat.

 Now, now, dont do that. An admonition to be better should not be seen as a reprimand.

 T sat up straighter, feeling somewhat irritated by the woman. Oh? And should I thank you for the rebuke?

 Dont be childish. If I thought you an idiot, I wouldnt say anything. Use that mind of yours. It was incredibly capable even before it was enhanced. Ive seen your record. You are better than thesezy questions.

 T felt anger build within her, but she grabbed ahold of the emotion and bent it to her will and smiled. I didnt know that pregnant women showed two signatures.

 Jenna cocked an eyebrow, then shrugged. I suppose most probably dont go investigating that type of thing very often, and its subtle, as they are usually close mirrors of each other. She smiled again. Thats why having your signature, or one like it, overtop anyone elses would stand out so starkly.

 That does make sense.

 Now, were getting rather off track. Do you want one that looks like you, magically, or just one that will keep Guild and Archon facilities from reacting poorly?

 Why would I need a custom one?

 Well, there are two types of custom ones we could create, and they each have different uses, aside from the main one, which all have inmon.

 T waited for her to continue.

 Jenna pulled a teacup from the air and took a sip of the steaming liquid before cing it back into, well, nowhere. My apologies, I am still a bit scattered. Where was I?

 The two types of custom magic beacons?

 Right! Yes. The first, mimics how you are, now, and will always be exactly that, unchanging. It is useful for static defenses and-or locks, which have been created based on how you are now, but that is almost like creating a key that anyone can use for those, however. So, we dont usually rmend that one without other, extenuating circumstances. The second is basically a constant mirror of how you should look, just much, much fainter. That allows your current signature to be used forwell, everything as it normally would be.

 How would that be aplished?

 In your case, I believe that the easiest way is with a through-spike. I would also rmend it as the best solution.

 A what?

 A through-spike is an artifact that looks a bit like a very, very, minutely small grommet. We would tap it in ce and remove the center. Your power would then have an outlet, but the through-spike would only let through the barest fraction of a percent of the power, taking from that to color your skin back to your natural shade, and render its texture back to looking like flesh, instead of dried paint. It would, of course, be a magical effect, so anything that could disrupt your magic would reveal your actual appearance, and anyone with roughly your magical weight or greater, looking at you with their mage-sight might be able to see through it.

 Might? Why only might?

 Jenna paused to consider, taking another sip from her teacup as she did so. Well, the spell-forms are highlighted by the Mages aura radiating from behind them. The through-spike causes your aura to radiate out from in-front of the spell-lines, acting more as a mask than a spotlight. She frowned. That wasnt well exined.

 Even so, I think I understand. Even as T said that, she felt herself flinch internally, expecting Jenna to rebuke her, and tell her that she couldnt possibly understand.

 Instead, Jenna simply nodded. Good. Its an esoteric concept, but not really a hard one. She huffed a shortugh. Any other thoughts?

 Yes, actually. Why are my eyes and mouth not sufficient?

 Excellent question, actually. Passive scans dont look for any instance of human power, otherwise an enemy could just hold a human made item and be done with it. The scans look for the magic given off by a creature.

 My aura.

 More or less, yes. But aura is more a function of soul than magic, and passive scans are notoriously bad at making judgment calls based on souls. So, we design them to look at the magical portion of a Mages aura.

 Which my iron blocks, even though I have some power leakage from my eyes and mouth.

 Exactly. Incidentally, even those points of leakage as you put it, are minute to what they really should be, given your build up of internal power. Your aura control is ridiculously excellent for such a new Archon.

 T smiled at theplement. Mistress Odera gave me some good pointers, and Master Jevin helped me quite a bit.

 Ahh, Ive heard good things about Mistress Odera. She is making quite interesting strides in the study of Archon stars. Its a shame she isnt suited for advancement. And Jevin? He does take an interest in the Mages in his realm of influence. Im d for your extended stay there, though the circumstances were hardly ideal. She took another sip of her tea. But were off topic once again. Do you have further thoughts?

 T considered, then nodded. Yes. The through-spike seems very specifically tailored to me. And as a solution, I should be able to see through them with rtive ease, too. So, that doesnt actually exin why I havent seen non-human looking Archons about.

 Jenna waved that away. I said this was the best solution for you, child, not the best solution for everyone. Even the manner of this solution would be tailored to you. Others would have their hair or eye color changed, or the three dimensional texture of their skin, rather than the texture as regards to light, or they might need to have certain bodily proportions masked. Though, those would usually be on a different style of artifact. Through-spikes are generally only used for this when paired with things like living armor or Archons who have reached a level of aura hardening so as to present simr to how you do now.

 You can do this with aura control, alone? T gestured at herself. Then, she hesitated. Wait. Living armor?

 Ill address the first question first: No, child. Some can look like that. They do not get the same, multiplicative benefits that you do. Honestly, if you work out as I hope, we may try to steer more Academy students towards your style of body enhancements and vor of offensive powers. Mistress Holly has hinted that your gravity maniption could be swapped out for all sorts of abilities, depending on the student.

 T didnt really know what to say to that.

 There would be requirements, of course, and drawbacks. We cannot rule out that your inscriptions were part of the cause of the fervor with which the Leshkin pursued your caravan. Well have to test that theory, though, before we raise up a generation with that handicap.

 Jenna looked to T and seemed to notice something on the younger womans face.

 But Im rambling. Your second, mostly implied question: Living armor.

 T leaned forwards.

 Its nothing more than what you are wearing right now. Though, obviously, what you have is not the breadth of all possibilities. It is armor that self-repairs and protects the wearer in some manner. Some have bound creatures to serve in that capacity, though it rarely works very well, because either the creatures are very solid, physically, and therefore it is gruesome to manipte them to be able to be worn, or they are more flexible, and therefore are less good at being armor. She shrugged. What you have, with imbued magical defense, is the epted, best practice.

 But, why would this require a through-spike?

 If you merged it with a being, harvest, or item capable ofplete magical istion, in one form or another.

 Ahh, that makes sense.

 Now, as lovely as this conversation is, would a through-spike meet with your satisfaction as a solution to the current issue?

 T shrugged. I honestly have no idea, but from what youve conveyed, it seems like exactly what I need.

 Wonderful. Now, such things arent free.

 T glowered.

 Jennaughed. Im not going to up-charge you, child. I remember how tight money can be in the early years, even with as lucrative a career as youve chosen, not to mention the secondary role, and your other side ventures. We only ask for a reimbursement of our costs. We dont even charge you for my time in consulting. I promise you: You couldnt afford me, even with a loan. She gave a mirthful wink.

 T sighed. How much?

 One gold.

 She scrunched up her face but nodded. Thats fair; I suppose.

 Jenna handed over a tablet with the transaction.

 After T confirmed it, Jenna changed what was disyed.

 Here are the ces that Mistress Holly said you could have the through-spike imnted, without it interfering with any of your inscriptions. Im partial to inside the nose but some find that disturbing. Below is a text overview that will exin it clearly enough that you should be able to power the device. Ill give you a booklet with more details before you go, so you can improve efficiency at your leisure.

 T looked over the avable options, read the description, and sighed. Ill take this one. She pointed to the illustration of the back of her neck, roughly half-way between ts core spell-lines and her gate. I think this will be the least obtrusive. Why wouldnt my regeneration push it out?

 Your body will push out foreign substances that are embedded into your skin. That is magically enhanced. The through-spike will match your magical signature from the moment of true activation, so it wont be rejected.

 I hadnt considered that side of it. It makes sense.

 Im d I could exin satisfactorily. Now, are you ready?

 As Ill ever be. Lets do this.

 As you wish. Jenna reached out to pat T on the shoulder.

 T felt strangely warmed by the gesture, but at thest moment, the womans hand moved with a quick flick, and T felt the smallest little sting on the back of her neck, more like a poke than a puncture. She red for a quick instant, before letting the expression fall away and sighing again, shaking her head. You could have just told me.

 I couldnt have you even subconsciously resisting, or it wouldnt have taken hold.

 And my noticing and trying to flinch away?

 Yes, your perceptual and reactive speeds were greater than I was counting on, but it doesnt seem to have negatively affected the device.

 T opened her mouth to ask if it had worked, then simply nced down at her hands. They looked perfectly ordinary to her mundane eyes.

 Her mage-sight showed her lines of power weaving through the air just outside her body-paint, subtly altering the light as it bounced off of her. Over that, she felt like she was looking at her naked power, unobstructed by inscriptions or workings, though it was much dimmer than shed have expected.

 T grunted. Seems to have worked.

 Indeed.

 T considered for a moment. This wasnt developed for disguise creation, was it? If the illusion were reced with a defense of some kind, then that defense would be devilishly hard to detect.

 Jennas features morphed into a wide, genuine smile. Well considered. The through-spikes original purpose was the generation of additional defense while letting your magical signature through and appear normally distributed. Sadly, through-spikes tend to interfere with one another. One day, when you no longer need an illusory one, you might want to look into the defensive variety.

 I definitely will. Thank you.

 As they stood to go, Jenna handed T a little booklet. For your reading, when you have time.

 T took it with a smile, then nced at therge ck box that had been sitting next to them through the entire conversation.

 What is that, by the way.

 Jenna froze, eyes widening just slightly. You can see that?

 T looked between the woman and the ck box. Obviously. Theres no magic to it, but its a big ck box. My eyes work just fine.

 No human should be able to see that box.

 T hesitated, sighed, and rolled her eyes. Youre trying to mess with me again, arent you?

 Jenna paused, then shrugged. Iid it on too thick?

 Just a little, yeah.

 Fine.

 After a moments silence, T cleared her throat. So, what does it do?

 What does what do?

 T felt her eye twitch. The ck box.

 The what?

 Her face heated in irritation. The ck box that we were just- Then, she stopped herself and took a long, deep breath.

 Jenna grinned. That was much better. Thank you for the feedback.

 Youre not going to tell me. It wasnt a question.

 Tell you what?

 T closed her mouth, bowed to the woman, and turned to leave.

 Oh, Mistress T?

 She paused and looked back. Yes, Mistress Jenna?

 Dont paint over the through-spike, please. That would rather defeat the purpose, and I dont actually know what having those magics trapped and reflected back into you would do.

 Thank you for the warning, Mistress. Good day to you.

 And to you.

MillionNovel

Chapter 176: Through-Spike