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Day 1:
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A biochemist awakens underwater beneath ice in the body of Ioan Starfall
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Escapes drowning, discovers a burned village (Svalbard).
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Encounters Yaga Grandhilda, the witch responsible for the village’s sacrifice.
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Rejects the hero path (Dyrkjarl) and demands Yaga make him a witch.
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Chapter 2: The Complementarianism of Local Mythology
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Day 1:
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Yaga expresses disbelief at Ioan's choice, explaining the gendered nature of magic in their world (Zemlya for women, Perun for men).
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Ioan insists on becoming a witch as heroes are targeted by other murderous heroes
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Yaga performs the binding ritual, making Ioan into a domain-bound witch.
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Chapter 3: Witchy Mobility Theorem
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Day 2:
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Ioan awakens in his glade next morning and discovers that he cannot go past a range limit (33 meters max before he almost goes blind from pain).
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Explores the village ruins, finds untouched metal objects.
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Discovers cold wells with preserved smoked and pickled food.
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Realizes the dragon fire preferentially targeted organic matter.
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Theorizes that magic manipulates chemistry in this world.
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Figures out how to transport his domain in a backpack, overcoming the range limitation.
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Chapter 4: Witch Apprenticeship
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Night 2 (Dream):
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Ioan communes with Yaga in the Astral Ocean via a shared dream.
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Learns about the safety of his domain for a week due to dragon fire residue.
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Yaya says dragons don't attack the same location twice.
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Dragons consume adult hearts to prolong their life, see children as “empty vessels.”
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Separate Adulthood rituals (Vigslodi for men, Zemy’s Band for women) are explained involving eating an enemy's heart and weaving a banner from flax while defending from iron beetles and other pests for a year.
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Yaga reveals her difficulty in crafting the Zemy’s Band as a girl.
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Sleeping on domain deepens connection to Zemlya.
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Eating domain-grown food prolongs life.
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Yaga stresses the importance of cultivating spiritual insight.
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Chapter 5: The Witch Cultivator’s Codex
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Day 3:
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Ioan creates a "Witch Cultivator’s Codex" to document his knowledge.
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Relocates his entire domain to the village pub for safety and shelter.
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Fortifies the pub with weapons.
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Gathers food supplies from cold wells.
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First meditation attempt fails (falls asleep).
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Chapter 6: Material Science vs Witchy Mysticism
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Night 3 (Dream):
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Yaga is amused by Ioan's focus on the physical sciences (crystallization study) instead of the spiritual.
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Meditation is emphasized again.
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Long lifespans of witches and dragons are discussed.
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Ioan asks about potions and containers.
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Yaga explains that her domain grows everything
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Emphasizes trial and error, the slow process of mastering witchcraft.
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The land "remembers all" – focusing will can manifest desired plants.
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Yaga emphasizes sensing, not measuring.
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Chapter 7: The Astralscope Tool Assembly
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Day 4:
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Second meditation attempt fails.
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Ioan catalogues crystallization patterns in different materials.
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Creates an “Astralscope” using polished gemstones + pliers, but it fails to see spirits.
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Realizes he needs to view something inherently magical.
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Observes his blood through the Astralscope + water drop microscope, sees motes of light and shadowy forms.
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Theorizes about blood magic, cutting his finger and watching as it heals
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Chapter 8:
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Night 4 (Dream):
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Yaga scolds Ioan for experimenting with blood magic, emphasizing its dangers.
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Blood can create links exploitable by Jotuns (monstrous creatures born from fallen heroes).
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Yaga explains that Zemy’s Band banners offer protection from void-born monsters.
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Witches must conceal themselves, sink into their domain's earth
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Chapter 9: Witchy Hoarding
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Day 5:
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Ioan collects all the Zemy’s Band banners from the village, covering the pub with them for protection.
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Chapter 10: Spiritual Inquiries
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Night 5 (Dream):
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Yaga is amused by Ioan's banner fortress.
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More banners offer more protection.
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Domain growth can be directed by sleeping on its edge.
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Witches are instinctively tied to their domain, wake from nightmares if disturbed.
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Yaga reveals that she projected herself to Svalbard using blood magic and dream herbs.
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Explains that a witch’s domain is powered by soul shards of those sacrificed for its creation.
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Cultivating strength and wisdom in mortals is explained (absorbing life essence).
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Everything can house a spirit, but some are malicious.
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Witches can cultivate spirits like mortals cultivate trees.
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Evil witches and heroes exist, corrupted by dark pacts and deeds.
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Zemy’s Band is potent against Jotuns.
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Zal-Slavi (afterlife) is likely real, fueled by belief and existing in the Astral Ocean.
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Sinking into the earth is a spiritual act, a merging with the domain.
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Chapter 11: Witchy Companion
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Day 6 - Day 23
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Ioan begins to fortify the pub further with a tree barricade.
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Ioan meets a black kitten on the step of his pub and names her Stormy
- Ioan & Stormy hunt down an elk
- Ioan finishes pub fortification using dead trees in about two weeks of work
- Stormy runs to the window and Ioan sees a trio of men on horseback in front of the pub
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Chapter 12: Confrontation
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Day 23:
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Three men from Bernt arrive, led by Cecil.
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They try to manipulate Ioan, intending to rob or enslave him.
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Ioan kills two with his arbalest, spares Cecil and sends him back with a message so that a merchant can come to Svalbard and bring Ioan chicken eggs and other goods to trade
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Chapter 13: Witchy Familiars
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Night 23 (Dream):
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Stormy is revealed to be Ioan’s familiar.
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Familiars are conduits of magic, protectors, and companions, can chase tracker spirits.
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Yaga reveals her raven familiar, Acorn.
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Jotuns are a threat due to a Gygr (dark witch) seeking witch blood.
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Familiars grow in power with their witch, have intuition and can perceive the Astral.
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Cats perceive potential futures.
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Yaga reveals that witches can glimpse their own death in dreams.
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Familiars can help find potion ingredients, protect domains, and even guide potion-making.
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Potions must be diluted to prevent addiction.
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Chapter 14: The Astralgraph Theory [Day 26]
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Ioan observes his witch’s garden feeding on the bandits' bodies, confirming his hypothesis about its power source.
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He theorizes about the domain's power conversion process involving spiritual essence and crystalline microstructures.
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He confirms Stormy's increased intelligence and attributes it to the domain's influence.
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Ioan analyzes his experiences with "bullet-time" and concludes that the fight-or-flight response might trigger life-rad extraction from crystals.
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He develops the "Astralgraph Theory," proposing that the witch and their domain act as a recording mechanism for astral imprints onto nearby crystals.
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He considers the possibility of different types of domains (fairy circles, cursed domains) and their potential effects.
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Ioan decides to procure a rock from River Glinka's domain for analysis, despite Stormy's mild apprehension.
Chapter 15: Yoink [Day 27]
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Ioan integrates a rock from his domain into his armor, confirming the link between crystals and Astral Projections.
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He feeds his horses life-rad infused greenery.
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He observes and contemplates the specific augmentation effects of his domain on different materials and processes.
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Ioan theorizes about a possible "Auric Signature" embedded in crystals, influencing their functions.
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He questions his identity and origins, embracing his current journey of discovery and survival.
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He crafts a crystal-decorated collar and harness for Stormy, enhancing her resilience to the cold.
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Ioan observes River Glinka's female spirit and steals a rock from her domain
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He contemplates the nature of Glinka's spirit and the potential consequences of his actions.
Chapter 16: The Unified Theory of the Radiosynthesis of Magic
Days 27-33:
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Ioan buries the fish-spirit rock in his domain and experiences a clashing sensation, confirming his connection to his domain.
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He continues his meditation attempts without success.
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He dedicates himself to systematically studying the effects of different gemstone arrangements.
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Ioan discovers specific functions associated with individual gems, such as soap enhancement, metal strengthening, and liquid alteration.
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He develops the "Unified Theory of the Radiosynthesis of Magic," theorizing about astral projections executing different tasks.
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He ponders the possibility of cursed domains having harmful effects.
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Ioan fails to sink his hand through the floor
Chapter 17: Hexometer
Days 33-40:
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Ioan experiments with crystalline bone dust, discovering its unique properties of vitrification and rapid cooling.
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He compiles a list of anomalies observed within his domain, pointing to a rewriting of basic laws of physics.
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He realizes the significance of water in gemstone manipulation and theorizes about witches liquefying matter.
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Ioan identifies gem 51 as the key to altering energy barriers between states of matter, dubbing it "phase transition" gem.
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He crafts basic glass lenses from human-bone-glass, enhancing his Astralscope.
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He decides to build a "Hexometer" to measure magical energy flow, inspired by the galvanometer.
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With Stormy's guidance, Ioan assembles the Hexometer using gold wire, a crystalline needle, and a magnet.
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He tests the Hexometer and confirms the existence of a "magical current" with varying strengths depending on the material.
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Ioan theorizes about "Aetheric density" and its potential influence on magic potency.
Chapter 18: Arcanoelastic Resonator
Days 41-42:
- Ioan focuses on understanding and controlling the "Arcanoelastic Resonance" effect exhibited by gem 51.
- He aims to build a remote control for gem 51, with Stormy guiding the design process.
- Ioan uses the Hexometer to map the flow of magical energy from gem 51 onto a piece of birch wood.
- He carves a fractal-like snowflake pattern into the wood, creating a "circuit board" for Arcanoelastic Resonance.
- Ioan integrates witchglass (melted and fused gem 51-B) into the carved channels, creating a functional remote.
- He tests the remote and observes the liquefaction of the floor within a chalk-drawn hexagram, confirming its success.
- Ioan determines the remote's range and observes the eerie fluidity of the liquefied wood.
- He experiments with different objects, including Glinka's fish-rock, and observes their interactions with his domain.
- Ioan plans to create Astralscope goggles using the Arcanoelastic Resonator.
Chapter 19: Callista Liesl
Day 43:
- Merchant Callista Liesl arrives in Svalbard, claiming to have been sent by Ioan's message through Cecil.
- She reveals herself to be a Felix Arcanicx, a cat-like humanoid.
- Cali expresses sympathy for Ioan's situation and offers trade, including requested chicken eggs.
- Ioan is intrigued by Cali's tales of her homeland, Iridium, and the use of Wormwood Star shards in magic.
- Cali emphasizes the impact of "Starfall" (the comet impact) on Thornwild and its inhabitants.
Chapter 20: Felix Arcanicx
Day 43:
- Cali reveals her sleigh is magically enhanced with a Wormwood Star shard, making it "bigger on the inside."
- She continues to charm Ioan, sharing humorous stories and subtly manipulating his emotions.
- Ioan shares more about his experiences with the bandits, further lowering his guard.
- Cali presents a contract and urges Ioan to sign, claiming it's a formality for their partnership.
- Stormy intervenes, biting Ioan's hand and breaking the spell of Cali's necklace.
- Ioan realizes the danger, observing the blue, mind-controlling threads emanating from Cali's necklace with his Astralscope.
- He refuses to sign the contract, despite Cali's increasingly insistent demands and attempts to regain control.
Chapter 22: Witchy Lie Detector
Day 43:
- Ioan confronts Cali about her deceptive intentions, her facade of friendliness crumbling.
- He uses the Arcanoelastic Resonator to liquefy the floor beneath her, trapping her.
- Cali pleads for mercy, claiming the contract was a joke, but Ioan sees through her lies.
- He uses Stormy's future-seeing ability as a "lie detector" to force Cali to reveal the truth about the contract and her plans to enslave Ioan.
- Cali reveals the brutal realities of the slave trade in Iridium and her role in it.
- Ioan learns about the white blight's destructive nature and its connection to sunlight.
- He disables Cali's mind-control necklace, severing its influence, but it attempts to crawl back to her.
Chapter 22: The Dealermancer [I & II]
Night 43:
- Ioan forces Cali to sign her own blood pact, turning the tables on her.
- Cali reveals she came to Svalbard specifically to enslave Ioan, looking for a Nordstaii Champion to be her bodyguard
- Ioan extracts Cali from the floor and tests the blood contract's control, forcing her to obey his commands.
- He learns about Cali's Dealermancy (deal-making), Tonguemancy (language learning) and Detectomancy (sniffing gold and Star-Shard) abilities.
- Ioan decides to dismantle Cali's lavaliere despite her pleas and attempts to bargain for its return.
- He learns about the dangers of male Sorcery and the potential for transformation into Jotuns (tale of Archmage Korranta)
Chapter 23: Literacy
Night 43 continuing into Day 44:
- Cali argues against dismantling the lavaliere, claiming it's crucial for her survival and abilities.
- Cali teaches Ioan how to read, reading him the book of monsters and Svalbard records, which shows that Ioan is 17 years old.
- Ioan learns about various magical creatures, including Felix Arcanicx, Medusa Laima, Ammalggam (fusion of people), Thorn-o-heart (man fused to rosebush), Kerrigoff (dopple), Mettarust (Iron Elemental) and Murdorx (crow girl)
- He damages Cali's lavaliere with a hammer despite her pleas, observing strange self-repairing properties in the gems.
- Cali reveals the necklace was created with blood magic and contains the essence of her ancestors.
- They begin excavating Svalbard for gold, with Cali using her diminished "smell for gold" to guide them.
- Ioan learns about Star-Seekers, an elite order of Felix Arcanicx tasked with finding Wormwood Star fragments.
- Cali reveals her encounter with a "Star-Eater," a powerful man who consumes the shards, and her subsequent trauma from being slapped by him.
Chapter 24: Star-Eaters
Day 44:
- Cali explains the importance of Wormwood Star fragments to Iridium's magical superiority.
- She admits her lack of success as a Star-Seeker and her fear of encountering another Star-Eater.
- Ioan learns about the "contamination" of star shards bound to noble families, rendering them useless to Star-Eaters.
- Cali's desperation grows as she realizes the full extent of Ioan's control and his determination to dismantle the lavaliere.
- She offers increasingly extravagant bribes, including slaves, wealth, and even herself as Ioan's first wife, in exchange for her necklace.
- Ioan rejects her offers, prioritizing his scientific curiosity over material gain or power.
- He continues excavating Svalbard's treasure, showcasing unusual strength and resilience to the cold.
Chapter 25: Thirsty for Knowledge
Day 44 continuing into Night 45:
- Ioan brings Cali back to the pub, the Seeker exhausted and defeated.
- He feeds her life-rad infused water, surprising her with its exceptional taste.
- While Cali sleeps, Ioan realizes he possesses innate skills, possibly linked to soul shards within his armor.
- Ioan contemplates the potential of soul shard skills, including their activation, transferability, and combination.
- He refines his plans for further research and exploration of his magical abilities.
- He decides to study and utilize Cali's abilities, integrating her into his plans.
Chapter 26: The Apex Omniarch
Day 45:
- Cali wakes up in the pub, reflecting on her catastrophic miscalculation and the trap set by Empress Amari.
- She realizes Amari knew about Ioan's true nature, calling him the "Apex Omniarch."
- Cali pretends to be still asleep as she observes Ioan writing in an unknown language
- She contemplates escape plans, considering manipulation, trickery, and relying on the delayed arrival of the raiders from Bernt
- Cali feels the watch of Stormy, recognizing the cat's future-seeing ability.
- She stops pretending to be sleeping and rushes to the bathroom
Chapter 27: Storm-tastic
- This chapter recounts Stormy's perspective of the dragon attack and her own survival.
- Stormy describes her unique "know-sense" and its role in her actions.
- She details her failed attempts to save the other villagers and her own harrowing escape.
- Stormy recounts losing her know-sense due to the dragon's roar and wandering blind and deaf through the forest.
- She follows the scent of death back to Svalbard, drawn by a new, strange scent.
- Stormy is rescued by Ioan and regains her sight after drinking his enchanted water.
- She recognizes Ioan's unusual aura, the complex pattern of his future and the unsettling depth in his eyes.
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