Vol 2. Ch. 7

Author's Note:

Recurring Characters:
Peter: Protagonist of soul scripts
Mariah: Mother of the Protagonist.

Code explanation at the end of the chapter for reference.

Feel free to point out any inconsistencies.

Edited and Proofread by SnazzyCub

...

Peter rubbed his chin while scrutinising the information. ‘Seems potentially viable,’ he mused before scouring deeper. ‘Have to make sure it doesn’t have hidden problems.’

{

invoke --deeper_analysis [HM-1245 "Heal Mind {Holy, Avaris}"]

[SkillForge Kernel v.0]

> Parsing internal structure...

> Extracting embedded logic maps and mana circulation models... ✓

> Flowchart (In Text):

[Initiation Phase]

→ [Mana Calibration: Light Element Bias]

→ [Target Mental Signature Acquisition]

→ [Holy Conduit Alignment: Avaris]

→ [Holy Conduit Consent Check]

→ [Phase Transition: Purification Pulse]

[Execution Phase]

→ [Surface Layer Trauma Sweep]

→ [Emotive Residue Burn-off]

→ [Cognitive Thread Reinforcement]

→ [Sanity Weave Stabilisation]

→ [Memory Anchor Restoration]

[Termination Phase]

→ [Backflow Protection Loop]

→ [Residual Echo Dampening]

→ [Skill Exit / User Stabilisation]

> ManaFlowDiagram (In Text):

[User Core]

→ [Faith Reservoir Tap]

→ [Establish Connection with Faith Origin: Avaris]

→ [Send User and Target Information]

→ [Request Consent]

→ [Receive Consent]

→ [Receive Holy Mana by the Established Connection]

→ [Send Holy Mana in a Purification Spiral Conduit to the Identified Neural Matrix (Non-Physical)]

→ [Observe Changes]

→ [Return Feedback to the User and Faith Origin]

}

“As expected,” Peter muttered, clicking his tongue. “A holy skill will be pretty heavily tied to the divine domain. The user is just a conduit—Avaris is the one actually healing the target.”

He sighed, “Instead of creating a holy skill, it might be better to just ask a servant of Avaris to heal Mother. At least then she won’t be aware of my skill creation capabilities.” He closed the description.

“Let’s just move to the next solution,” Peter mumbled to himself. He opened the skill detail of Mental Manipulation.

{

Invoke –details [GM-76 {Mental, Mana} (Unusual grade)

[SkillForge Kernel v.0]

> Fetching full description for Skill ID: GM-76

> Grade: Unusual

> Domain: General Manipulation

> Aspect: Mana

> Origin: Manipulation Archives (Restricted - Tier 1 clearance recommended)

> Classification: Manipulation / Foundational

> History:

“Mental Manipulation” is a specialised manipulation technique that uses mana to interact directly with a target’s consciousness. It was originally developed by an unknown archmage seeking revenge after being betrayed by her lover, and the skill has since gained a reputation for its formidable capabilities.

> Description:

This skill grants the user direct, foundational control over the *mental domain*, allowing manipulation, restructuring, or disruption of thought patterns, emotions, and mental states through mana-based constructs. Unlike rigid skills, this manipulation-type ability provides no preset effects; users must shape their intent into personalised techniques.

> Effects (Varies based on user):

— Implant or suppress thoughts and impulses.

— Loop or scatter the target’s focus.

— Calm emotional storms, disrupt panic reflexes.

— *Heal misaligned mental states* or restore internal cognitive balance.

— With mastery, users have crafted techniques such as:

• Mind Stagger Pulse (combat)

• Memory Braid (supportive)

• Emotive Equalizer (healing)

• False Will Imprint (control)

> Cast Time: Variable

> Mana Cost: Scales with complexity and resistance

> Cooldown: None (manual pacing required)

> Range: Depends on level and practice

> Duration: Technique-dependent

> Special:

> Risk Factor: High without discipline or focus

> Legality: Restricted in many zones due to abuse potential

> Side Effects: Nausea, headaches, temporary dissociation (rare)

> Recommendation:

> Tip: …
}

‘I wonder how long this will take?’ Peter wondered, opening up the source code to look at the comments for meta information.

{

invoke –open_source [GM-76 "{Mental, Mana}"]

[SkillForge Kernel v.0]

> Accessing source_code...

> Fetching developer annotations... ✓

/*

=====================================================

= Skill ID: GM-76 – "Mental Manipulation"

= Grade: Unusual

= Type: Manipulation / Mental Domain

= Construct Format: Layered RunicScript

=====================================================

[ Source Summary ]

• Total Lines of Code: 7,533,028

• Core Function Lines: 92,510

• Modular Hooks: 458

• Layer Depth: 4 (User Desire Parsing > Mana Threading > Target Lock > Execution)

• Runtime Threads: Dynamic (based on cast complexity)

• Estimated Compile Time: 9.27s @ Kernel v.0

• Estimated Compile Cost: 1847 mana points

• Execution Weight: Medium-High

• Mana Thread Precision: 91.6% required (minimum safe threshold)

• Annotation Tags: @foundational, @unstable_core, @manual_casting, @modular

[ Known Dependencies ]

• ManaWeave.BaseControl (v1.4.22)

• NeuralTargeting.Core (v3.0+)

• MindConstruct.Template (v2.9-beta)

• Optional: EmotionFilter.Mesh (enhanced safety)

…

/*

}

‘7,533,028?!’ Peter’s eyes bulged in shock. ‘For an Unusual-grade skill? General Manipulation skills really are something.’ He recalled creating Weapons Mastery. Despite being a Rare-grade skill, it had fewer lines of code. Based on his experience, the general rule was that the higher a skill’s grade, the more lines of code it would have.

Peter stood up and looked west with a grim look on his face—an intruder had entered his mana sensing range. He turned around, feeling alarmed—another intrusion from a different direction. ‘We are being hunted,’ he thought, sharpening his Mana Sense.

Peter frowned when the intruders started to circle the campsite rather than rushing forward. He didn’t want to rush after one intruder and leave his mother defenceless. He didn’t take long to make a decision. He only needed to convey a single thought through the soul bond and Deathknell surge out of his shadow.

Peter decided to go all out from the beginning. His shadow expanded, rising like bandages to wrap around him in a cocoon of darkness. The cocoon stretched upward, swaying unsteadily, before splitting open to reveal an eight-foot-tall figure standing where Peter had once been. The figure wore a full-body cloak, his face concealed in the darkness beneath the hood, his palms stained with shadow. The world itself seemed to dim around him, as if acknowledging his presence. Peter was the figure—his title ‘The Walking Calamity’—had brought forth the transformation.

Peter took a step and felt the ground become undone below his feet. Power surged in every inch of his body, ready to be unleashed. He curled his fingers and grasped darkness and shadows between his fists. A grin stretched to the ends, carving itself across his lips. With a thought, he pulled his status screen, and as expected—forty per cent of Deathknell’s stats were grafted onto his own. Below them, in the skill section, several of Deathknell’s skills joined his.

Peter switched to Shadow Sense. The shadows responded to his desire and opened their eyes to him. His vision shattered into pieces, each shadow providing a different view at different angles. Higher stats— mostly intelligence, dexterity and perception—allowed him to process all this new information.

Shadow Sense excelled where Mana Sense failed him, and he was immediately able to identify both of the creatures stalking them. Two lithe figures roamed the woods with graceful steps. Their muscles rippled with power under the skin as the duo waited for an opportunity to attack. It was the faces that surprised him. Thick-jawed, with two long fangs protruding from the sides for all the world to witness.

‘What a day!’ Peter thought. ‘First, a terror bird and now two sabre-tooths tigers. Where are they coming from?!’ He spread his arms, aimed at both cats and closed his fingers into fists. In response, the tigers’ shadows betrayed their owners and attacked them. They both jumped to the side, instantly spooked. A low growl escaped their throats as they slowly retreated.

Peter frowned, his mind racing. The shadows followed them both at a measured distance. When the creatures finally turned and fled, tails tucked between their legs, Peter let them go. ‘No point in unnecessary bloodshed when it can be avoided.Unlike the avian, they don’t have good meat,’ he mused, as shadows rose to envelop him in a cocoon. The cocoon wobbled and shrank, revealing Peter in his normal form once more.

He turned around and stilled. Mariah was wide awake, looking at him with frightened eyes. Her body curled protectively on the ground.

“Who-who are y-you?” she shuttered, her eyes wide. They darted around, looking for a path to escape. Peter stared at her, tongue-tied. Disbelief painted across his face.

“Did you just speak?” he enquired, taking a shaky step toward her.

“Don’t you dare come any closer!” Mariah shrieked, pointing a finger at him. “Stay where you are!” she added, her jaw clenched in fear.

“Okay. Okay,” he said, taking a step back, his palms raised in front of his chest in a pacifying gesture.

“What is this place?” she asked, looking around the campsite. “What did you do to me?... Who the f..k are you?”

“It’s me, Peter! Your son,” he said, his face twisted with grief, shock and confusion. “don’t you remember me?” he asked, aghast.

“My son?” she scoffed. “Horseshit. I’m barely eighteen winters old and still single. If you don’t want to reveal your identity, so be it. Just don’t make wild claims. Tell me, why did you abduct me, and what do you want from me?”

Peter did not speak immediately. His throat felt dry. He struggled to organise his thoughts.

“Eighteen?” He said, feeling helpless. “You are disoriented, mother. This might be the effects of your injuries. You were attacked with some powerful mental skills. I am not sure how long this temporary dissociation might last but you are not in any danger, especially from me.”

“Mental Ailments? What Ailments?” Mariah asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Look at your status,” Peter advised, sitting down to match her eye level. “They should be listed at the very bottom,” he added.

Mariah gulped, looking a bit hesitant. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. ‘This whole situation is very suspicious, but the boy has a point. Though it is doubtful if he is really a human.’ She remembered how the boy was a large figure just a few moments ago.

‘He is definitely powerful,’ she mused, having witnessed him control darkness with ease. With a thought, she summoned her status screen. ‘Thirty-six!?’ Her eyes widened. She swiftly scrutinised her body. “Wha—!?” Her jaw fell open. Her mind came to a standstill. She gulped before lowering her sight.

Mariah frowned, pursing her lips. ‘This can’t be true,’ she shook her head, hugged her head and started to cry. “No! No! Th-this must be a nightmare. It has to be.” She stood up, her eyes filled with tears. She turned around and started to walk, her fingers digging into her scalp.

Peter rushed after her. “Where are you going?!” he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. He hugged her from behind and buried his face into her back.

“Let go of me,” she shouted, her nails digging into his arms as she attempted to free herself.

“No,” he mumbled, shaking his head. “Look around. We are in the middle of nowhere. It’s dangerous out there. I can’t let you go…I don’t want to let you go.”

Mariah gritted her teeth, and her hands moved to pry his fingers off her body. Despite her struggles, he didn’t bulge.

“I’m not lying, mother. You are just confused. Calm down and we can talk,” Peter insisted, his tone hopeful.

Mariah sighed, “Fine. We can talk. Let go of me first.” Peter let go, and she immediately bolted at the horses. Grabbing the rope lying around nearby, he immediately gave chase. Before she could free the horses, Peter was upon her and quickly subdued her with his greater strength.

“You are not thinking straight,” he said, while binding her arms behind her. He picked her up and brought her to the campsite.

“You bastard!” she barked, jaw clenched. “I want to go home,” she begged, crying.

Peter sat before her, grabbed her shoulders, looked into her eyes and whispered, “You want to go home?” She nodded curtly, looking hopeful. “Where is your home?” he asked, still whispering.

Mariah stared into his eyes momentarily before muttering, “In Rosefall.”

“Alright,” he said before turning around to pick up a parchment. He opened it and showed the map to Mariah. “This here,” he said, pointing at a drawn structure, “-is Rosefall.” He brought his finger a bit lower, “This line that is starting from here to the city-” he stopped his finger at a point, “-this is the route we are on. Around somewhere at this point.”

Peter waited until he received a nod from Mariah before continuing, “We are going to the Rosefall, not away,” he said before pointing at the carriages, “-Look, these carriages are facing towards your home. Just don’t try to run away like earlier. The route isn’t safe.”

...End of Chapter...

Code Explanation:

invoke --deeper_analysis [HM-1245 "Heal Mind {Holy, Avaris}"]

Invoke: A keyword reserved to give commands

--deeper_analysis : A flag written in snake case naming convention. (For context, in programming when you name an variable, function, class, object etc, there are two widely used naming conventions: camelCase and snake_case. camelCase makes the first alphabet of next word capital like: listOfCompanies. Meanwhile, snake_case uses underscore. list_of_companies.)

> Parsing internal structure...
Parsing: Process of analyzing a string of symbols, either in natural language, computer languages or data structures, conforming to the rules of a formal grammar.

> Extracting embedded logic maps and mana circulation models... ✓
Logic Maps : Logic maps are visual representation, sort of like roadmaps to show the inner working of a program and how each components react and behaves to each other.

> Flowchart (In Text):

Flowchart: A flowchart is a visual representation of how a program from its start to its end using symbols like oval, line, square, etc. I used text here but ideally it's not text.

invoke –open_source [GM-76 "{Mental, Mana}"]

--open_source: a flag to access read-only the source code of a skill.

[SkillForge Kernel v.0]

> Accessing source_code...

source_code: The actual code of a program is called a source code.

> Fetching developer annotations... ✓

Developer annotations: They are basically made to make the job of a programmer much easier as using annotations they can write less line of code and have the assembler and compiler create some template code for them. An example of this is lambok annotation library in Java that is used to make some boilerplate such as : @Setter annotation for makes Setter member functions in a class.

/*

blah blah

*/ : This is a multi line comment. A comment is a block of text that is not complied or interpreted by the compiler as code. Comments are used by the programmers to explain why a function exists, provide meta info, what a code block does etc.

• Modular Hooks: 458

Modular Hooks: Modular programming is a nice practice where a block of code is less reliant of others. It provides rigidity, reusability, and security.

• Layer Depth: 4 (User Desire Parsing > Mana Threading > Target Lock > Execution)
Layer Depth: A layer is a specific code base that only focuses on one task.

• Runtime Threads: Dynamic (based on cast complexity)
Threads: Threads are smallest running process of a program. There are two types of programs. Single threaded and Multithreaded. You can research more on this if you are curious.

• Estimated Compile Time: 9.27s @ Kernel v.0
Compilation: A process in which code is converted into an executable file.

• Estimated Compile Cost: 1847 mana points

• Execution Weight: Medium-High

• Mana Thread Precision: 91.6% required (minimum safe threshold)

• Annotation Tags: @foundational, @unstable_core, @manual_casting, @modular

[ Known Dependencies ]
Dependencies: Dependencies are like libraries imported to be used in a code base. They are pre written code served to perform specific tasks. For example, if you want to connect to a postgreSQL database, you can use maven to import its dependencies and easily connect to the database instead of writing the whole code by yourself.

• ManaWeave.BaseControl (v1.4.22)

• NeuralTargeting.Core (v3.0+)

• MindConstruct.Template (v2.9-beta)

• Optional: EmotionFilter.Mesh (enhanced safety)