Chapter 618

“What?” Ajax was very worried by Khalysstra’s reaction. “Death affinity? It didn’t feel like anything else I ever saw with [Sense Mana]. Is it a Legendary affinity?” 

“It’s not just Legendary.” Aurexion answered, Ajax could feel the greed pulse through their bond. “It’s a Mythic affinity.”

“Which is why it’s so important to tell us where you found it.” Khalysstra refocused the topic. “An unrestrained font of pure Death strong enough to generate an affinity gem can be disastrous.” Khalysstra didn’t even care about the sidhe getting a look at the gem; it was more important to get to the bottom of the source of pure Death. 

Ruinflare however very much did care so he used Wind to isolate their conversation from the sidhe before Ajax answered. “I got it in the dungeon.”

“Impossible.” Ruinflare shook his head side to side which looked funny to Ajax. “A dungeon might be able to generate small amounts of a Mythic Mana type but you wouldn’t be able to take it out.” 

“Ah…” Ajax awkwardly smiled at the Ascended beings. “Well, I have a boon from an Achievement that lets me take out the remains of one defeated non-floor boss enemy per floor. I did feel an odd pull when I exited the dungeon…, maybe taking out this affinity gem also made the dungeon act weird.” 

Ajax was being very forthcoming with his information. If something was so troubling to a being as strong as Khalysstra, holding back would not turn out well for him. Not to mention that Khalysstra had more than earned her trust by bringing a member of her own family to bond with him and so did Ruinflare by being willing to stand up against the sidhe for him before Khalysstra showed up. 

“What Achievement?” Ruinflare asked, waiting for Ajax to explain the requirements of the Achievement to him. “I never heard of such an Achievement.” 

“It must be one of the ones that cannot be achieved by an Ascended being.” Khalysstra pondered. “One of the few advantages of not being born as an Ascended.”

While neither Khalysstra nor Ruinflare took their eye off the gem, both had gone off on a tangent regarding Achievements. Ajax used this opportunity to pull up his Status Page.

Name : Ajax Hearthbound

Level : 64                                                 

Experience : 13500/207100

Traits: Divine Witness, Duke, Aura, Bond

Health: 4690/5240     

Mana: 2130/5390

Stamina : 1865/4180

Vitality : 478 -> 524

Strength : 433 -> 477

Endurance : 400 -> 418

Dexterity : 446 -> 488

Intellect : 494 -> 538

Wisdom : 479 -> 523

Mind : 493 -> 539

Perception : 400 -> 417

Stat Points : 0 

Skills :

• Common :[Mathematics Lvl 40] [Stealth Lvl 72][Drawing Lvl 40][Athleticism Lvl 68] [Running Lvl 69][Reading Lvl 30][Writing Lvl 30][Cooking Lvl 40][Sewing Lvl 22] [Cleaning Lvl 29][Haggling Lvl 37][Gardening Lvl 40][Axes Lvl 78][Hammers Lvl 79][Deception Lvl 50][Sword Lvl 77][Shield Lvl 76][Bow Lvl 72][Spear Lvl 71][Throwing Lvl 55][Persuasion Lvl 45][Unarmed Combat Lvl 51][Knives Lvl 62][Skinning Lvl 52][Tanning Lvl 23][Dismantle Lvl 64][Climbing Lvl 48][Tracking Lvl 59][Heat Resistance Lvl 45] [Poison Resistance Lvl 79][Pain Resistance Lvl 63][Trapping Lvl 36][Cold Resistance Lvl 38][Conversationalist Lvl 31][Cataloging Lvl 6][Scheduling Lvl 7][Bookkeeping Lvl 3][Swimming Lvl 1]

• Uncommon :[Meditation Lvl 82][Sense Mana  Lvl 85][Expel Mana Lvl 83][Sprinting Lvl 64][Mining Lvl 41][Lumberjack Lvl 21][Smelting Lvl 20][Blacksmithing Lvl 15] [Chanting Lvl 12][Mana Farming Lvl 44][Increase Price Lvl 28][Lower Price Lvl 27][Danger Sense Lvl 72][Leatherworking Lvl 29][Alchemy Lvl 77][Mana Milling Lvl 65][Precise Cut Lvl 68][Precise Blow Lvl 70][Judge Threat Lvl 61][ Piercing Shot Lvl 58] [Berserker Lvl 44][Cooperation Lvl 39][Berserker Style Lvl 29][Basic Truth Detection Lvl 33][Unnatural Balance Lvl 30][Feigned Interest Lvl 28][Illusion Resistance Lvl 10][Focused Aim Lvl 24][Focused Mind Lvl 18][Accounting Lvl 5][Emotional Suppression Lvl 7][Second Breath Lvl 3][Ambidextry Lvl 2]

• Rare : [Manipulate Mana Lvl 78][Water Aspect Mana Lvl 67][Fire Aspect Mana Lvl 69] [Air Aspect Mana Lvl 65][Earth Aspect Mana Lvl 69][Inject Mana Lvl 64][Spot Weakness Lvl 61][Residue Recognition Lvl 45] [Light Aspect Mana Lvl 63][Shadow Aspect Mana Lvl 70][Mana Skin Lvl 64][Teamwork Lvl 34][Beekeeping Trailblazer Lvl 21][Curse Resistance Lvl 27][Dungeon Crafter Lvl 63][Battlemage Style Lvl 47] [Impervious Senses Lvl 26][Alchemist’s Examination Lvl 50][Stabilize Mixture Lvl 46][Mass Production Lvl 36][Magnetic Aspect Mana Lvl 24][Assassinate Lvl 15][Diplomat Lvl 5][Spell Direction Lvl 6]

• Epic : [Mana Augmentation Lvl 57][Mana Conjuration Lvl 51][Lightning Aspect Mana Lvl 55][Metal Aspect Mana Lvl 55][Ice Aspect Mana Lvl 54][Magma Aspect Mana Lvl 56][Holy Aspect Mana Lvl 49][Void Aspect Mana Lvl 57][Curse Slash Lvl 44][Reckless Researcher Lvl 13][Unstable Alchemist Lvl 25] [Empowering Restriction Lvl 15][Creative Application Lvl 8][Vibrating Strike Lvl 10][Limit Suppression Lvl 11][Alchemical Researcher Lvl 6][Gravity Aspect Mana Lvl 4][Shadow Dweller Lvl 6][Sense of Dread Lvl 6][Venom Refining Lvl 8][Wordsmith Lvl 3]

• Legendary : [Mana Syphon Lvl 54][Enigma Lvl 40][Inspector’s Eye Lvl 35][Life Aspect Mana Lvl 24][Vibration Aspect Mana Lvl 20][Telekinesis Lvl 16][Last Stand Lvl 2][Physically Enhanced Battlemage Style Lvl 1]

New :

Second Breath 0 -> 3

Shadow Dweller 0 -> 6

Sense of Dread 0 -> 7

Diplomat 0 -> 5

Venom Refining 0 -> 8

Wordsmith 0 -> 3

Swimming 0 -> 1 

Ambidextry 0 -> 2

Spell Direction 0 -> 6

Last Stand 0 -> 2

Physically Enhanced Battlemage Style 0 -> 1

Upgrades:

Stealth 67 -> 72

Athleticism 58 -> 68

Running 65 -> 69

Haggling 30 ->37

Axes 76 -> 78

Hammers 76 -> 79

Deception 45 -> 50

Sword 75 -> 77

Shield 74 -> 76

Bow 71 -> 72

Spear 69 -> 71

Throwing 53 -> 55

Persuasion 41 -> 45

Unarmed Combat 50 -> 51

Dismantle 60 -> 64

Climbing 46 -> 48

Tracking 54 -> 59

Heat Resistance 43 -> 45

Poison Resistance 66 -> 79

Pain Resistance 54 -> 63

Trapping 31 -> 36

Cold Resistance 37 -> 38

Conversationalist 27 -> 31

Meditation 77 -> 82

Sense Mana 82 -> 85

Expel Mana 79 -> 83

Sprinting 61 -> 64

Increase Price 23 -> 28

Lower Price 23 -> 27

Danger Sense 68 -> 72

Alchemy 74 -> 77

Mana Milling 61 -> 65

Precise Blow 66 -> 70

Precise Cut 64 -> 68

Judge Threat 59 -> 61

Piercing Shot 57 -> 58

Berserker 36 -> 44

Berserker Style 25 -> 29

Basic Truth Detection 26 -> 33

Unnatural Balance 28 -> 30

Feigned Interest 21 -> 28

Focused Aim 23 -> 24

Focused Mind 15 -> 18

Emotional Suppression 3 -> 7

Manipulate Mana 73 -> 78

Water Aspect Mana 65 -> 67

Fire Aspect Mana 66 -> 69

Air Aspect Mana 64 -> 65

Earth Aspect Mana 66 -> 69

Light Aspect Mana 62 -> 63

Shadow Aspect Mana 68 -> 70

Inject Mana 62 -> 64

Spot Weakness 58 -> 61

Residue Recognition 41 -> 45

Mana Skin 61 -> 64

Dungeon Crafter 58 -> 63

Battlemage Style 43 -> 47

Impervious Senses 21 -> 26

Alchemist’s Examination 47 -> 50

Stabilize Mixture 43 -> 46

Mass Production 25 -> 36

Magnetic Aspect Mana 23 -> 24

Assassinate 6 -> 15

Mana Augmentation 57 -> 61

Mana Conjuration 51 -> 56

Lightning Aspect Mana 55 -> 57

Metal Aspect Mana 55 -> 56

Ice Aspect Mana 54 -> 55

Magma Aspect Mana 56 -> 58

Void Aspect Mana 57 -> 60

Holy Aspect Mana 49 -> 50

Curse Slash 44 -> 47

Reckless Researcher 13 -> 15

Unstable Alchemist 25 -> 29

Empowering Restriction 15 -> 20

Creative Application 8 -> 14

Vibrating Strike 10 -> 19

Limit Suppression 11 -> 22

Alchemical Researcher 6 -> 10

Gravity Aspect Mana 4 -> 7

Mana Syphon 49 -> 54

Enigma 34 -> 40

Inspector’s Eye 32 -> 35

Life Aspect Mana 20 -> 24

Vibration Aspect Mana 14 -> 20

Telekinesis 9 -> 16

There was a lot to unpack there. The first thing Ajax noticed was the extra ten points in each of his Stats he had gotten thanks to forming his bond with Aurexion. He knew it was possible to gain Stats from forming a bond but it was rare, mainly because it almost never happened when bonding a young bond which is how most Bonds were formed in Gryndor. 

The next step he had to process was the gain of another Legendary Skill, a fighting style this time. This did a lot to explain why everything had flowed so smoothly towards the end of the fight with Aurexion, Xavier had explained how it felt to lean into a Legendary style Skill and the feeling matched what Ajax had felt for a brief few seconds at the end of the fight.

Besides that however almost all of Ajax’s Skills had seen some real growth. The only ones that didn’t were his old profession Skills outside of Alchemy, even his social Skills had seen some decent growth meeting different races in the Wild Lands and his deals with Verya had seen his merchant Skills grow a little as well. 

More interesting than all that however was something he noticed in the top left corner of his System Window, a second Stat Page. 

Name : Aurexion

Level : 80                                                

Experience : 32155/321500

Traits: Duke, Aura, Bond

Health: 4620/8200     

Mana: 1100/2300

Stamina : 6800/8100

Vitality : 820

Strength :815

Endurance :810

Dexterity : 700

Intellect : 600

Wisdom : 190

Mind : 230

Perception : 370

Stat Points : 0 

Skills :

• Common : [Unarmed Combat Lvl 83][Stealth Lvl 30][Tracking 50][Intimidation Lvl 16][Sleep Lvl 66][Heat Resistance Lvl 67][Poison Resistance Lvl 50][Cold Resistance Lvl 60][Pain Resistance Lvl 15][Flight Lvl 52]

• Uncommon :[Medidtation Lvl 51][Sense Mana Lvl 42][Expel Mana Lvl 30][Tail Swipe Lvl 70][Flashing Swipe Lvl 55][Crushing Bite Lvl 40][Wing Buffet Lvl 45][Treasure Sense Lvl 10][Danger Sense Lvl 2][Reinforced Scales Lvl 23]

• Rare : [Hoard Lvl 23][Inspect Treasure Lvl 22][Fire Aspect Mana 15][Smoke Aspect Mana Lvl 12][Body Empowerment Lvl 35][Overwhelming Strength Style Lvl 29][Hybernate Lvl 12][Spell Direction Lvl 4][Draconic Roar Lvl 17][Mana Manipulation Lvl 9]

• Epic : [Magma Aspect Mana Lvl 1]

Looking at Aurexion’s Status Page was a big surprise, a glimpse at the faraway look in his Bond’s eyes was telling Ajax the dragon was probably busy inspecting his Status page as well. This had to be a feature of the equal standing Bond. Since Tom didn’t have such access to Fluffy’s Status Page. 

Looking at the Dragon’s Status Ajax was shocked at the massive Stats as well as just how little Skills it had for someone of his level. He knew dragons weren’t crafters and that Aurexion was more of a physical fighter which would really lower the number of Skills but this was a lot fewer than he expected. 

“This isn’t something you can keep.” Ajax’s attention was drawn back towards Khalysstra. “Just the knowledge that you have this affinity gem would put a target on your back. Any source of Mythic Mana is precious.” 

While Ruinflare had managed to stop the sidhe from learning how Ajax got the affinity gem they did now know that he had it. That alone put him in danger. 

“It’s not like I can use it.” Ajax complained. “It didn’t feel as revolting as Undead Mana when I felt it but I still felt a rejection of it, I doubt it's something I have any affinity towards myself. And there is no way I am going to risk trying to craft anything with it, or be in the same kingdom as anyone experimenting with doing so.” 

Ajax had seen enough to know that even a brief draw on the gem with a second enchantment made specifically to weaken the output further was still one of the most dangerous attacks he had felt, he wanted no part of anyone not knowing exactly what they were doing having the affinity gem anywhere near him. 

“Rrrawr.” At that moment Shifty, who had floated to the ground following Khalysstra’s rapid movement to eye the gem, finally closed in enough to get a good look at the Death gem for himself and he seemed attracted to it. 

“Is this just me reading too much into it or does he seem drawn to it.” Ajax asked warily, making sure to keep the dangerous treasure away from the baby dragon. “Or is it some universal attraction to treasure dragons have?” Ajax remembered [Treasure Sense] in Aurexion’s Skill list. 

“He actually has an affinity for Death Mana.” Khalysstra sounded far away as she took everything in. “Even if he has [Treasure Sense] already a Death gem that size would be much too dangerous to register for him unless he had a strong affinity for Death Mana.” 

“Would it even help him?” Ajax asked, considering. 

“You’d consider giving something like that away?!” Aurexion exclaimed. 

“It’s not like I can use it.” Ajax shrugged. “Besides if I give it away it would take the target off my back, why, do you want it?”

Aurexion bent low to sniff the gem. “ I don’t feel any attraction besides the one for its value, I suppose I could consume it in time in order to gain a small amount of natural resistance to Death Mana but not much else.” 

“Something like this is too much.” Khalysstra cut in. “You would give something so rare and valuable to my son?” 

“We’re family now that Aurexion and I are bonded, aren’t we?” Ajax asked as stroked Shifty’s head. “Not to mention you’ve helped me plenty, and just by giving this away it's helping keep me safe.”

Before the conversation could move any further Ajax felt an odd pulse from his storage device. A moment later he found the beacon he had been given from Gryndor’s royal family flashing. He was being called back.