The First Lich Lord

Chapter 68

In your Mindscape, you can actually set up equations on paper kind of like you do in spreadsheet programs back on Earth. I did this to help me best distribute the points. One of the exciting things was that my previous experience now helped to inform how I spent the points.

All of the skills had their uses and most got points allocated to them, though certain ones were definitely more important. For most of the talents thats comprehension, focusing on intuitively understanding the talent. This is doubly important for me since I did not have access to written information about a lot of things. Even in regular times, being able to intuitively understand something is far better than comprehending it through reading.

In the Lich necromancy table, I picked up the first level of written comprehension. It wasnt a bad skill to increase, but its one of the easier ones to increase on your own, especially if you like readingten levels went into intuitive comprehension for the cost of a hundred and ten points. Next, I put five levels into spell modification, based creation enhancement, advanced creation enhancement, undead constructs, soul creation enhancement, and eldritch creation enhancement, each of which cost thirty focus points.

Finally, I put six levels into fine creation control, and ten levels into mass creation control. Being able to control hordes of zombies with the flex of my will was probably one of the most important things for me. By setting myself against the church, that skill could become incredibly important. I effectively used up all my focus points in that table and moved on to the next one.

In the Lich magic table, I purchased ten levels of intuitive comprehension and of projection. Secondary magic control got seven levels for fifty-six points. Secondary magic control tier 1 was what helped me use things like dark magic. My primary magic is death, which is a third-tier aspect. Dark and disorder magic were considered secondary tier 1 aspects. There are other secondary tier 2 and tier 3 aspects, but I was not at a power level where I could effectively use them.

Most importantly, I put fifteen levels into enhancement spells for two hundred and forty points, to further help me buff my minions with magic. As we know, a necromancers strength lies in the strength of his minions.

I didnt add any points to control this time around. Death magic and dark magic were so easy for me to work thanks to the nature of what I was, I didnt see a point in wasting them. I also elected not to increase protection magic simply because any defensive spells I knew would quickly be torn apart by the holy magic wielded by my enemies. The projection magic would prove far more useful. Besides, Id already proven just how resilient my body was, especially with the passive resistance it gained from the Order of Equinox. There were four points left over, but I saved them for later.

Next came the death energy manipulation table, which doesnt have a written comprehension available. I wondered if that would show up if I ever found a book on death energy. I put ten levels into intuitive comprehension, five levels into both space and advanced creation enhancement, one level into energy projection, and five into internal energy usage.

The one level I put into energy projection was more out of curiosity. I doubted Id ever projected death energy outside of my body other than to enhance my creations. It was too valuable a resource, and since I relied on it for moving, that would be foolish to use it as an offensive weapon when there were so many other uses. In the end, I had two points left over.

In the ritual magic table, I put ten levels into both written and intuitive comprehensionthis is my one exception. Because ritual magic is written out in large diagrams, the written comprehension helps you read and understand the greater depth of what youre creating and is very much a compounding effect. I recommend anyone who learns ritual magic to do this. Four levels went into drawing for twenty points, and five levels into spell adaptation.

After some debating, I added five levels into sacrifices, the moral questions I still had about that fell to the wayside when I thought about Raven. I told myself so long as I did not sacrifice people who didnt deserve it there would be no issues. There were three points left over.

Not much to say about the enchanting table. I poured as many points as I could into both written and intuitive comprehension, six and seven levels respectively, for a total of ninety-eight points. I had one point left over, but I never used enchanting, so I decided to ignore the others for now.

As before, I told myself that one day I would take the time to learn enchanting, but that day was not todayI honestly chanted that mantra too much.

As you can guess, with the polearm and staff weapon focus table I put as much as I could into exotic weapons. That amounted to six levels for forty-two points. I also put two levels into channeling for six points simply because magic through Mercy was one of its primary functions.

When I left the focus chamber, I found Ilore and, to my surprise, Raven, talking on top of the pyramid. Though Raven wasnt quite solid like Damien, Ilore, or me.

How are you here? I asked.

I came to wake you up. Raven, in her slightly transparent form, moved over to me. But Ilore stopped me and said you were almost done.

While we waited, I was talking to her about the potential of teaching her time magic, I had no idea she would be able to enter your Mindscape, Ilore said. It will make teaching her much easier, assuming she is interested.

Oh, I am very interested, I just dont think I have the skills yet. Raven shot me a glance. Im still waiting for him to teach me more dark magic. All I can do right now is enhance my blades.

I gave her an apologetic look. I can start trying to do that as we travel. You came here for a reason though, whats up?

Maxwell is back, and hes looking at the map, he seems rather worried, Raven said.

You have been in here a rather long time, Damien said. I know it doesnt feel like it, but time can be strange, especially when ones tired. If youre beyond the point of exhaustion you might technically be able to enter into your Mindscape, but unless you have complete mastery of it, itll feel like youre barely here for a minute before youre waking up.

Before you go, Ilore said. I just want to remind you to try and be more aware of the pre-cognitions. Its integrated into how you move, but the awareness of it increases the effect. It will allow me to better research the ability.

I will try to keep that in mind, I promised her. I then sat down and began to focus on bringing my consciousness out of the Mindscape and back into the physical world.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself seated in the same position, only Raven was now curled up in my lap. I woke just before her, and she stirred and stretched as she crawled out of my lap. Maxwell was sitting at the table with the map spread out before him.

Tell me again how you can spend so much time in here? I asked.

Oh, nothing much really, Maxwell shrugged. Ive done several different jobs over the course of my life. Right now, Im not really employed.

I dont mean to pry but, shouldnt you be attending to life back on Earth then? I asked.

Maxwell looked up from the map and met my gaze. Put simply, I made some very good investments into digital currency early on. The job I had when I met you, I quit. I dont need to work, I only do it to give me some purpose.

I see. Id had the thought to make those same kind of investments but never seemed to have the money for it.

Once I realized the jam you were in, I decided that helping you out was more important than any job I had. Maxwell laughed. Im still looking for one, but Im being way more picky. It would take the right thing with the right kind of schedule for me to be willing to take another job.

What about your own life? I was both touched and alarmed by Maxwell. I didnt want him to devote so much of his life to helping me that he neglected his real life. This world

Dont say it. Maxwells gaze turned into a glare. I make my own choices. Youre in a struggle, and thats more important than almost anything I have to worry about on Earth. You need my help, and youre my friend, so I will help you. I would appreciate you not questioning that.

Now thoroughly chastised, I lowered my head and got up.

Raven transformed back into her human form. You're a dumbass, she said, hopping onto a chair and looking down at the map.

It took a moment to gather my thoughts before thanking the creator I had such good friends.