The Fourth Secret: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 4) by A. Kay (best short books to read .TXT) 📕

pushed the creature from his thoughts and focused on his success with the spell. It thrilled him he could store spells in his Void Band and use Energy to fire them out. Now he just needed to find some Mages to shoot a bunch at him.

Not only that, but Ruwen had verified his theory on converting Spirit into terium. Despite Xavier, the trip to Fractal had resulted in the confirmation of two amazing abilities. It had been a great success, and it soothed his battered ego that he’d been clever enough to realize both were possible.

Sift whistled a happy tune and used his thumb to flick the terium coin to Ruwen. He snatched it out of the air, the heavy weight comforting in the palm of his hand. They entered the forest, the scent of pine filling the air, and the coin reflected the moonlight like a tiny beacon. He opened his Void Band and dropped the coin into his Inventory.

By morning, they would have enough people revived to scout the enemy, and he wanted to join them. Which meant he needed his group.

Ruwen focused on Rami. You told me earlier that Lalquinrial must be very careful. That he has survived because he stayed away from this planet and doesn’t abuse his freedom from the Pact. You said if he did, the gods would band together and destroy him. Because the rules only work when everyone abides by them.

I don’t like where this is headed.

I’m just wondering if I broke them a tiny bit, would anyone notice?

Like what?

I don’t want to wait a week for Hamma to get her Sub Class or Lylan a month to get her Specialization.

Rami remained quiet. Ruwen took another ten steps before bugging her. Rami?

Rami sighed. I’m reluctant to answer because I don’t want to encourage dumb and dangerous behavior.

Ruwen didn’t respond, not even to joke. He had made a habit of dumb and dangerous behavior. Why bother asking Rami’s opinion if he never listened or learned from his mistakes.

Near the halfway point to New Eiru, Rami spoke.

Honestly, I think triggering their Class advancements early is safe. It doesn’t shift any significant power to you. If you removed the requirement from all your followers, you would have problems. The danger is precedent. Breaking the rules gets easier the more often you do it, and you are in enough danger already.

I understand and won’t make it a habit. Thanks.

Ruwen glanced behind him. Xavier floated across the pine needles, as silent as Lylan. The Celestial Remnant didn’t really have a head, but the eyes were staring up at the moon. Sift spun in a circle and moved his arms across his body as he sidestepped away. Ruwen didn’t recognize the Step, and it didn’t look very effective.

“What was that?” Ruwen asked.

Sift looked surprised and dropped his arms, striding forward. Ruwen quickened his pace to catch up and tried again. “Come on.”

“Fine, it’s a dance Lylan showed me. She said when this is all over, she’ll take me to some concerts.”

It was hard to remember that two months ago, Ruwen had thought about things like that. All the big Bards were in Stone Harbor, but Deepwell had a few good ones, including his favorite, Bad Alchemy.

Before Ascension, Ruwen couldn’t afford any crystals of the Bard’s music, but had heard him live enough to memorize many of the songs. Ruwen whistled his favorite, a song called Energy Drain, and used his thighs like a drum.

Sift’s eyes widened. “Lylan has that crystal.”

“Seriously?”

“She’s really into music. Hamma has a bunch, too.”

Ruwen stopped whistling as Sift continued to hum the chorus to Energy Drain. It reminded Ruwen how focused he’d been on himself since his Ascension. It wasn’t a competition, but Sift shouldn’t know more about Hamma than Ruwen. Not if he wanted to take that relationship seriously. The world didn’t revolve around him, and he vowed to give Hamma the attention she deserved.

Relationship aside, Ruwen didn’t want to explore the enemy without his friends. Lir?

Yes, Architect Starfield.

Is it possible to trigger a Class advancement without the delay?

Yes.

Is that something you would do?

If they are within the area I manage, yes.

You said earlier you couldn’t modify a biological’s neural interface. That’s different from triggering Class advancements?

Of course. Advancement is simply revealing what is already present. Modifying an interface requires far more alterations and is outside the bounds of my directive.

What is your directive?

My primary directives are to obey the Architect, care for the temple, and manage the followers within my boundaries. The first ten thousand sub-directives begin with—

That’s good. I don’t need the details.

As you wish.

Please end all delays associated with the Class advancements that Hamma and Lylan are waiting on.

Completed.

Lir had finished that faster than Ruwen expected, and he pushed away thoughts of favoritism. The two women had risked their lives multiple times because of the unfair situations Ruwen placed them in. They deserved a small break.

Now they just needed to prepare for the scouting mission tomorrow. Before adding the women to his group with Ringleader, he needed one more piece of information.

Lir, where is the Temple vault located?

Chapter 50

Rami updated Ruwen’s map with the vault details as he approached the temple. He focused on Lir. Please watch the pillar of energy I’m bringing with me. If he takes anything or does any damage, please let me know immediately.

As you wish. What an interesting life form.

Ruwen didn’t respond, tired of Xavier’s specialness already. Using Ringleader, he added Hamma and Lylan to the group he already had with Sift. After a moment of thought, he invited Xavier as well.

Chat filled Ruwen’s mind with the women’s voices.

Uru granted my Specialization! Lylan said, her voice filled with more emotion than Ruwen had ever heard from her.

Hamma responded immediately. Congratulations, Lyl! Bless Uru, I received my Sub Class, too.

That is great news, Sift said.

Congrats to you both, Ruwen said.

Hi, Xavier, nice to meet you, Hamma said.

Hello, Lylan said.

Greetings, Xavier responded in an almost friendly voice.

Let’s meet in the dining room, Ruwen said.

Ruwen didn’t