System Change

Chapter 407: One Was Enough

Derek took a few steps backward to give Brandi more room to work with, and Jacks and Malorie did the same. Derek was actually excited to see what kind of progress Brandi had made in her smithing, and what better way to show it than watching her test out a pair of rocket boots?

Okay everyone. Here I go, Brandi said as she let out a big exhale. In three two one

Derek watched the young smiths feet closely as she counted down to launch. Right after she said one, he saw the core in the heel of the boot glow red, then watched as it sent mana into the runes at an almost imperceptible rate. He was barely able to make it out as the rune on the front lit up brighter than all the others. That doesnt seem right he had just enough time to think before the explosion happened.

In utter fascination, Derek watched as the toes of Brandis boots exploded out with fire. The result of the explosion? Brandis head crashing into the ground as he feet were exploded out from under her.

Brandi! Malorie called out as she ran for her daughter, who was in the process of pushing herself up from the ground.

Whoo she started to speak, but was unable to complete the words as her mouth was full of dirt. After spitting a few times and then wiping away most of the remaining dirt, she continued. Whoops! she said as she heaved herself back up to her feet. They may be a little harder to control than I initially thought.

Are you all right? Malorie finally reached her daughter and began examining her for injuries. Stay still! Mal half-shouted as Brandi tried her best to pull away from her protective mother.

Mom stooooop, Brandi pleaded. Im fine. See? Malorie finally backed a step away and Brandi did a little spin to show that she was uninjured.

Dont do stuff like that! Malorie huffed. You should have listened to Derek and let somebody else test those things. They are dangerous! Take them off, now!

Nooo! Brandi whined.

Haha, Derek chuckled out loud. Sometimes he could forget that Brandi was only a young teenager, and seeing this reaction between mother and daughter was truly priceless. Wait shes 14 now, isnt she? He thought. Looks like I missed a bunch of birthdays while I was goneI wasnt even thinking about that.

What are you laughing at? Malorie turned her attention to Derek. Youre just as much to blame as she is. You shouldnt encourage her so much. See what happens?

Again, Derek couldnt help himself and burst out laughing. After a few moments of uncontrollable laughter, he got a hold of himself and said something that should never be said to an angry mother. Calm down he caught it just as it came out of his mouth.

Calm down? You want me to calm down? My daughter almost died and you want me to be calm? Her face was red in anger.

Just look at her, Derek said once she finished berating him. He was still having trouble holding back his laughter. She has enough stats in her endurance that she doesnt even have a scratch, cant you see? Of course, Brandi had received a small injury. In fact, it looked like with the way she landed and the force of the pulse from the rocket boots, she had even dislocated her pinky.

But, while Malorie was rushing over to her in worry, Derek had seen the girl pop it back in place without even a wince before her mother arrived. He also had the feeling that Brandi was using a Greater Meditation skill that may have been higher level than his own. Just how many mishaps has this girl had in the basement?

Well Malorie finally showed signs of calming down.

Yeah mom, Brandi said. And my vitality is good enough that even if I had lost some health points, I would have already been regenerated by now.

And dont forget that Im here, Derek said. If she was actually in any danger, I would have For the first time in a long time, Derek slipped into Void Shift to demonstrate his power. Hed actually missed doing it. He stopped the skill when he was standing directly behind Brandi and continued speaking without even a delay. Stopped it.

Thats always terrifying, Jacks finally spoke up for the first time since the accident.

Derek just turned to the former Captain and mouth, I know.

Well fine, Malorie finally acquiesced. But she shouldnt be the one testing those things.

Derek moved to beside Brandi and bent down, examining the runes again. I dont know much about them, but by the look of those runes, I figured it wasnt going to be as easy as you were thinking. Theres just too many of them.

Ill get the hang of it, Brand said.

Here, how about this? Derek began. Why dont I take you into the air, then you can practice with them while I make sure you dont fall or hurt yourself? How does that sound?

Brandi looked a little defiant, but when her eyes met Malories, she sighed. Fine. We can do that.

Great, Derek said. Are you ready to go, or do you still need some time?

Im ready, she replied.

Alright. Derek grabbed Brandis shoulders, then leaped into the air before using Void Steps to stay afloat. How is this? he asked.

This is good, she said.

Well do something!

Its fine, he said. Ill catch her before she hits the ground. This is good experience for her.

Malorie frowned, but said nothing more. It turned out that Derek was absolutely correct and Brandi was able to use the small sputterings from the boots to slowly guide herself to the ground.

Whew Brandi wiped at the sweat from her forehead when she reached them. Im going to have to make them more efficientwhich I think I can do.

But other than that? Derek asked.

Other than that. Brandi grinned widely. They are a great success!

Congratulations on the working pair of rocket boots, boost boots, or whatever you plan to call them, Derek replied.

Thank you! They are awesome! Brandi said.

Now, how about testing out that new skill? Derek asked.

Can I? the young smiths eyes went wide.

Of course, Derek replied. Its one of the reasons I brought you so far out here.

New skill? Malorie questioned. What new skill? Jackss interest was also piqued, as he raised an eyebrow in question.

Youll see, Derek said, then turned to Brandi. Okay, Im going to go over there, then you try to use both skills at the same time on me.

On you? Brandi asked, concern in her voice. I dont think I want

It will be fine, Derek replied, brushing off her concerns. Im much stronger than you think, and Im sure you already think Im pretty strong.

O-okay Brandi finally said.

After that, Derek moved away from the groupfar enough so the skill would only reach him. That was if it was anything like Tyrons skill. Okay! Derek shouted. Im ready.

Here I go! Brandi shouted back.

Soon, a shadow appeared above them and it seemed like transparent metals were all pulled into a single spot. Not long after, the metals formed into the shape of a massive anvil directly above Dereks head. It looked to be around the size of a school bus. Derek gulped at it. Maybe she shouldnt try using it with Multi-Strike.

The Anvil had an illusory bluish purple spectral glow to it. Then, without warning, the anvil fell. Derek raised his arms to guard himself as the skill hit him. The anvil crashed into him and lightly jarred his bodyhis least favorite type of damage to take was always blunt damage, and thats exactly what the anvil was. Fortunately, he hadnt underestimated his own body one bit.

Just after he felt the first impact, he was hit with anotherconfirming in his mind that Brandi was actually able to combine her two new skills together. Derek smiled as the anvilor anvilsbared down on him. He held the skill above him with his arms crossed until they finally faded out of existence.

Derek! he heard Brandis voice sound out and draw closer.

He turned to look at her, then realized that he couldnt actually see her because he just happened to be standing in the center of a bus sized crater. Jacks reached the edge of the crater first, as he was the fastest, then Derek saw Brandis and Malories faces appeartears coming out of the young girls eyes and worry in her mothers.

Derek quickly shifted into the void, then appeared right beside her. He placed his hand on her hair and ruffled it up a bit. Didnt I tell you that I would be fine?

I dont know how Jacks was the first to replied. That skill

Its a pretty good skill, right? Derek asked with a smile as Brandi calmed down.

Youre really fine? the girl asked. Really?

Theres not a scratch on me, Derek said, then spun around like Brandi had for her mother before. Didnt even cause a dent in my armor.

Whew Brandi let out a big sigh. So, the skill is good? she finally asked.

Thats what I said, Derek replied. It takes a little too much time to activate, but the damage it will cause once youre higher level will be devastating. I dont think Id want to be hit by it once you reach level 200.

I wouldnt want to be hit by it now, Jacks replied with a laugh. And I thought one monster was bad enough