Somnia Online by K.T. Hanna (reading strategies book txt) 📕

I’ve negotiated that our gaming division make actual training programs and simulators for them. It’s a huge deal. Taking care of James while he was in the game was a large part of that.” He frowned, as if a thought had just occurred to him. “But just so you know, with James out of the game, his employer will be taking custody of him soon.”

Laria couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her. She didn’t like the sound of that deal at all. “Shouldn’t we…” she wasn’t sure what they could do, or what they could say.

Davenport held up a hand, and she could see the businessman underneath the person. Ruthless when he had to be, compassionate only out of necessity in dealings. There was a reason Storm Corp was what it was. He cleared his throat and avoided her lack of question entirely. “Somnia has already been used as the testing ground for the headgear and may require more data to be shared simply because of the nature of the equipment. However, if they have their own software to work with, it’s unlikely they’ll care where the adjustments come from.”

“So…you’ve lost me.” Shayla looked like she was ready to fall to the floor from exhaustion.

“Just—let it be what it will be, and we’ll figure it out. Just make sure no one dies…and try not to let anyone else slip into a coma, please?” He stood up from his perch on the desk and dusted his jacket off. “I have a meeting to prep for early tomorrow morning, and I’ll only get about five hours as it is now. I have faith in you. Do what you think is best.”

Laria stared at his back as he walked out of the door, unsure what she should say to him, when Shayla just let herself fall back into her chair. “That man will be the death of me, or something like that,” she said as she buried her head in her hands.

“Did he, like, move the call center supervisors from your office?” Laria looked around noticing they were the only ones in here, even though she’d realized it from when they walked in with Davenport but hadn’t really thought about it.

“Oh, that?” Shayla waved a hand dismissing any concern. “Yeah, he does shit like that all the time, but it’s welcome. Means I have less clutter. Still, I guess we now have to figure out just what it’s going to entail if Somnia sort of moves servers. I mean, I don’t know about you, but we didn’t cover alternate realities emerging from alternate reality games and becoming their own entity in any of my classes.”

Shayla had a very valid point, and Laria had no idea what they could do about it.

 

At fifty percent, Riasli let out a maniacal cackle. Murmur frantically pulled up several of her spells, watching as the air around Riasli seemed to gust frantically, like it was trying to get away from her. As a part of the system, maybe Riasli wasn’t solely anything anymore. Because that right there, was no enchanter ability.

Three spells, she could mix those together and form a super sort of spell thing. Right? Snowy wasn’t even there to lend her his sturdy encouragement. With the wind whipping around her, she was having difficulty concentrating. That and Limit was really putting a damper on which spells she’d be able to engage.

Forcefield Barrier

This is the first in your kinetic line of spells. Once triggered by luck, you can now activate it at will. It allows you to form a bubble of mental energy and transform it into a tangible forcefield.

Effects: This can prevent some physical damage. The damage amount depends on the strength of will and caster behind the barrier. Size is increased by MA level and usage.

Cost: This shield requires your MA to be at 60 but will not use MA to cast as it is a kinetic ability.

Caution: This spell can create a backlash when used too much. Do not use it as a crutch.

That could work. Maybe one or two of her mana-based spells too.

Mana Block

Type: Specific mana-aimed stun

Duration: 6 seconds, recast 45 seconds

Effect: This is, effectively, a stun which blocks the use of mana of an opponent. It will also interrupt any current ability being cast when it hits. For its duration, the target will be unable to utilize any of their mana-based skills for 6 seconds. Be cautious with timing this spell as it has a 45-second recast, and if you cast it at the wrong time, you might just kill everyone.

Mind Healing

Cast: Instant - 5-minute recast

Type: Restorative

Duration: 20 seconds or 75% of the caster’s level, whichever is greater.

Effect: You may create and insert a vision for the target to experience—it’s best to have some of these pre-prepared. This will not cause any damage but instead assist in soothing a tormented mind. Use with caution and be aware that people who could benefit from this skill might be closer than you realize.

The tornado around Riasli built up higher, whipping her tail and her tufts of fur into a frenzy. Her eyes glowed a dull orange, and she began to float again as her body morphed yet again. She grew, but not into a bulky beast like she had been, this time into a more refined version of her original self.

Even as the fur around her body morphed and grew, giving her calico coat a brand-new healthy sheen, her size increased. She had to stand at least ten feet tall now, floating just above them with her tattered robes almost hanging off her.

The mini tornado around her made getting close impossible, and her one remaining mole creature seemed to have gained one for himself too, not that Murmur blamed her. That thing was good for about fifteen percent of her health. Not ideal now the raid knew about it.

Limit cast out again, hitting Belius this time. Murmur glanced at her own debuffs and frowned. She’d really hoped it was a one