In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Post by Satori Ryuutei on Dec 10, 2020 22:19:52 GMT -5
The... oddly cute but arrogant reaction to finishing his drink before he finished eating(?) was amusing. He didn't really understand why Rolk was so pleased with himself. But if he was happy that was fine. Bemused, Bengal wiped off his mouth as he began to head toward the door with Rolkhim in toe. The comment on the axe caused him to grunt softly in thought, shifting his gaze toward the surrounding houses.
"We'll need to get you something," he mused, "I can't just make you one with my magic, unfortunately." He could create beams of electricity but he had no spell to create a weapon, he never needed it. May be good to create at some point. For now they'd have to do the next best thing... and just fucking take one. As they passed a house he idly tugged the axe from the log, it was a splitting log, not for chopping. But that was fine. May be better, actually.
Rolkhim wasn't as strong as he was, but he was still sturdy. A normal chopping axe would probably just break after a few swings. Better to use something heftier considering what was being done... though...
Bengal eyed Rolk a moment, then the axe. Grunting. "I'll chop, you split and pile? Should work better anyway." His magic could cover a wide area, but aiming it to avoid... allies, was tricky. If he kept Rolkhim back then he'd be able to work far faster. Offering the axe toward Rolkhim, and afterward stretching his arms above his head.
"Maybe instead of two hours we'll just judge by how much we've gotten done?" Bemused, he shrugged his shoulders. Leave it up to fate.
WC: 316 TWC: 3,097
Statistics
Rank: Grand Fame: Tier 4 Strength: Intermediate Speed: 25m/s
Mana Skin: 24/24 Health: 20/20 Mana: 465/465 Mana Regen: +55/75
Post by Rolkhim Ambrose on Dec 12, 2020 5:27:54 GMT -5
“Maybe we could go shopping, huh? Haven’t really been anywhere like that in a while. Been mostly getting my supplies from villages, towns and maybe the odd city, but the latter was a fair while ago. I get most of what I need from the wild anyway. Maybe it’d be good to get some higher end clothes anyway.” He’d say, his train of thought derailing a bit at the end as he inspected his clothing. There was the odd wear and tear he could find that he had patched up, some of them he could barely even remember getting. His clothes were comfortable yes, but worn a bit thin. He peered at his trousers, pinching the fabric a little. “Lightning trousers…” he muttered quietly.
Maybe not.
He accepted the axe, nodding. “I guess so, unless I’m mistaken this isn’t the kind of axe used for logging trees.” He’d say, rubbing his thumb gently upon the edge. “Well, you probably know that anyway.” He shrugs. “Just make sure you don’t singe the wood too much, eh?” he grinned toward Bengal. He wasn’t too sure how Bengal’s magic would do here, but it was worth a shot. He could just stay and swing his arms until he got tired. He walked over toward one of the wood chopping boards, placing his foot up upon it. “Alright, ready! Unless I have to go and pick them up, then… Uh… Yeah, I’ll do that if needed.” He’d say.
He tilted his head to the left and right. “Sure. Don’t wanna depopulate the forest or anything. The wood’ll probably get mouldy by the time they’d have been done with half of it.” He jokes. He gave a few cautious practice swings with the axe. Did have a nice swing to it, and he could use both hands. Sure beat a sword, at least where he was concerned. Maybe a hammer would be good too? Then he wouldn’t have to see a human’s meat form when they get chopped. Instead they’ll just be tenderised. He realised he was drifting off a bit, and slapped his cheeks, removing his backpack and putting it to the side. “Ready!”
Post by Satori Ryuutei on Dec 12, 2020 7:17:06 GMT -5
A laugh passed from between his lips as Rolkhim would comment on singing. "I'll do my best," he replied casually before opening up his hands and releasing a slow breath. There was the forest, the next question was simply checking the sensation of ki. Reaching out, he focused on the energy around him. Rolkhim, a few squirrels and birds. A deer hidden beneath one bit of foliage. Bengal lifted a hand up, causing flames to erupt in his palm before blasting it harmlessly into the forest.
It was winter. A bit of fire wouldn't start a thing. Instead the explosion and heat radiated out, sending the animals scattering away. The actual goal. Grunting, he lifted a hand up and sent out his mana in a wild swirl. Electricity turned to flames, then centralized and seemed to... flow? Water. The liquid whipped around his hands and then formed into floating orbs around him, dozens of them that he then aimed at the treeline. Each one focused on a single trunk.
The explosions rained across the treeline, blasting them at the trunks and sending dozens of trees toppling to the ground while Bengal walked forward and began to grasp the large trees, dragging them over by Rolkhim and using his hands to chop the limbs off casually, then divide the trunks into large chunks along with any usable branches. Placing them in a pile next to him for Rolk to begin splitting. This was already a substantial amount of wood, they'd see where they were at from here.
"At this rate it won't take long and we'll be done, getting you new clothing," he chuckled, tossing another large chunk of wood toward the pile.
WC: 319 TWC: 3,416
Statistics
Rank: Grand Fame: Tier 4 Strength: Intermediate Speed: 25m/s
Mana Skin: 24/24 Health: 20/20 Mana: 465/465 Mana Regen: +55/75
Post by Rolkhim Ambrose on Dec 12, 2020 15:16:51 GMT -5
Rolkhim hummed as he rested the axe head upon the chopping area, and placing his hand on the pommel. Now, how long was it gonna be til he had work? Would Bengal just strip the forest of all its wood and put it there for him to chop? Maybe he should sit down instead. Thus, he sat down. He placed his hands upon his knees and his chin upon his hands, ready and waiting.
Bengal seemed to be focusing a bit. No doubt he was checking if there were any foresters still in the vicinity, since they had gone out to get more wood earlier, when they were back in the nice, warm inn. It was nice, that one. He wished he could’ve stayed a little longer, but hey ho, at least he’ll know for next time should he wander through the area.
He tapped his fingers against the floor beneath him, it was a bit less snowy than the area raound him, and with his butt parked on it, it was more watery than anything now. Maybe that was a mistake, actually. He was going to be cold the rest of the way off. His train of thought was, once again broken, though this time it were more shattered, by the magic brought forth by Bengal. He blinked once, then twice as he saw liquid lightning flow through the trees, then curl up into balls that seemed to be near a tree each. “That’s er, a very interesting-“ he’d begin, before the boom happened. The big boom, the multitude of big booms.
“Woah!” he’d gasp as the man sent trees falling left, right, centre and anywhere between. Bengal just walked causually off to go and collect them, while Rolkhim clapped. He stood up, clapping his hands against his lower back areas to clean off any dirt or snow that had survived him. “That was amazing!” he clapped for Bengal. Bengal then did most of the cleaning by hand, and Rolkhim was ready with an axe. He placed it down onto the chopping area, checking his aim. With a mighty ‘ho, he slammed it down onto the wood, cleaving it in twain. His muscles bulging a little. Well, that was the first one done. Maybe he should dial it down a little for the rest.
“I was thinking something kinda like what I’ve got now, what do you think? Maybe I should just get it repaired?” he’d ask, catching the chunk. Once again, he put it down, though this time his swing was a little more subdued, only putting the axe in half way before stomping on it, cutting the rest of it, then reaching for another.
Post by Satori Ryuutei on Dec 14, 2020 14:19:52 GMT -5
Blinking at the clapping, Bengal glanced back and rumbled a small bit of laughter. They really needed to work on his magic if he thought that was impressive. Refined control, possibly, but the spells had been of the first level. Chuckling softly Bengal stepped forward and continued his work after the trees had fallen. The discussion on Rolkhim's outfit once more coming up as his head tilted slightly to the side, his lip twitching upward briefly in amusement.
"Something tight," he replied simply, before flipping a log over for Rolk to chop next. Despite that, thinking about it was important. He idly tugged the jacket open slightly on his chest, revealing the tightly woven silk underarmor. "Maybe we can get you something similar to this," he mused glancing down at it. "My contract wove it through a mixture of their own magic and silk from a mana beast. It's light, breathable, but as strong as most armor. Compressed when it's hit to protect the area." He gave an example by jamming his finger into the material, causing the tiny links like incredibly tight and soft chainmail to compress.
Forming a hard spot that the finger couldn't bypass. "It's useful when your mana skin breaks to have a little bit extra," he explained simply before dropping a log in front of him to chop. "I'll see if I can get in contact with them for you. Should pay off a bit for you." With this he would set up his own little spot, setting a log down as his hand crackled with electricity that then slowly morphed into flowing water. Smashing his hand through it like an axe, chopping it in pieces and then tossing it onto the pile they were both making.
It wouldn't take them long at this rate. An early start than either of them had anticipated.
WC: 345 TWC: 3,761
Statistics
Rank: Grand Fame: Tier 5 Strength: Intermediate Speed: 25m/s
Mana Skin: 16/16 Health: 22/22 Mana: 465/465 Mana Regen: +55/75
Post by Rolkhim Ambrose on Dec 15, 2020 17:34:49 GMT -5
Bengal seemed to find something funny, but Rolkhim just shrugged it off. Probably a wizard thing. He shrugged, and went back to work, making sure his footwork was up to scratch, as well as his arm and back work. Good thing he had a lot of power in his back, it helped that he had a strong foundation there. Also was good that the air was so bracing, nice and cold for him to do muscle work here. He descended his axe down into another hunk of wood, once again managing to cut into half of it this time. He lifted it up, then axed it again, completing the chop.
“Figured you’d say something like that.” Rolkhim said wryly as he wrinkled his nose, accepting the log and slapping it onto the surface. With another descent, his axe strike managed to almost cleave it entirely in two, though there was still a little left to keep it together. This time he just gripped both sides of the log with his fingers in between them, and split them apart by hand. He glanced at Bengal as he spoke once more. He looked at what Bengal was wearing. “Sounds good.” He’d respond.
He was a little bit more interested by the finger jamming, it came up like little links. I it’s breathable, then that means cold air probably got through it was well, but he could just wear something over it. He nodded about the mana skin thing. So it was like lightweight armour. “Yep, sounds good! Thanks, I’ll see if I can pay for it with the money we get, probably not, but… I guess it’ll be a start.” He shrugs.
He looked to Bengal again, seeing him doing his own log cutting magic. He snorted. One-upping him was probably going to be a running theme. It wasn’t as though he’d have much to one-up anyway. He returned to cutting, and focused on that. Chop, finish. Chop, chop. Finish. Chop, finish, grab another, chop half and finish. “Looks like this won’t take long at all, actually.” He’d say, rubbing an itch off his brow as he grabbed another log. “Got many contacts in the city, by the way? Houses and the like? You don’t seem like the kinda guy who’s all too bothered by materialism; but it’s good to have shelter, right?”
Post by Satori Ryuutei on Dec 17, 2020 1:20:13 GMT -5
Bengal chuckled dryly at the idea of buying it with what they'd saved thus far. "If not, we'll be heading to a Dungeon eventually. That'll likely help a fair bit as well." His shoulders lifted in a shrug while they continued their work at a steady enough pace. As they continued to carve through the piles of wood with their two various methods the piles continued to grow, with Bengal rising to start transferring them toward the town center. Around this point however, Rolkhim expressed interest in his home.
"Well, materialistic isn't what I'd use to describe myself," Bengal mused, rubbing his chin. "But I own the land my clan controls. We're technically new nobility, they gave us land at the edge of Clover facing Diamond." A grin formed along his lips. "We're their meat shields basically. But its fine, the land is beautiful now that we've had time to properly build on it, and I intend to expand out into the forsaken region more as I get the funds." Lifting the logs up and lining them up on a sled, he blinked and glanced over. Ah.
"I guess I never mentioned it. My proper name is Satori Ryuutei, I'm the Ryuutei Clan's head," he shrugged a bit, clearly unconcerned by such formalities. "Most call me Bengal here since my people's tongue is... difficult for most people of this country." With this Bengal seemed to have explained decently enough for his own thoughts. Turning back to pile up the wood and start getting it prepared.
"But, you won't be lacking for shelter don't worry. We aren't savages. Though some of the food may be an... acquired taste, for you." He chuckled dryly while he worked, and once the wood was loaded up in a small mountain he jerked a thumb at it. "I'll haul this back. You keep going, we're not going to be here for much longer by the looks of things and then we can head back." With this, he would turn and wrap the leather straps around his forearms before digging in his heels. Launching himself forward dragging the sled forward to haul the load of firewood back to the center of town.
A few of these and they'd be more than done, then they could head back to the capital, and go from there.
WC: 424 TWC: 4,148
Statistics
Rank: Grand Fame: Tier 5 Strength: Intermediate Speed: 25m/s
Mana Skin: 16/16 Health: 22/22 Mana: 465/465 Mana Regen: +55/75
Post by Rolkhim Ambrose on Dec 17, 2020 17:46:02 GMT -5
“A dungeon, huh? Sounds interesting. Never been in one before, or, if I have, I don’t remember. Maybe my parents would’ve brought me along for one. If I weren’t travelling right now maybe, I’d have already done a few by now. But I’m all by myself. Well, not anymore, but you know.” He shrugs. “In fact, I haven’t even, well, HEARD of what’s in a dungeon either, since I’ve been mostly walking around with common folk.” He says, humming. He’d take a moment to think about what a dungeon might have in it.
Shackles. Iron maiden. Stretch rack.
Maybe he was thinking of the wrong kind of dungeon.
Gruel.
He was kind of turned off from dungeons at the moment, so he turned his mind to other things. Like chopping and talking to Bengal some more. “Yeah, I figured.” He said wryly at Bengal’s mention of not being materialistic. Materialism and feral…ism didn’t sound like they’d go together all that good. At least he seemed to own the land. “Hey, new noble buddies.” He grinned at the man. No, wait, or was he old noble? He wasn’t sure. He couldn’t remember. He’d have to go check sometime, he didn’t feel like it though. “Sounds like it might backfire on them, ey? So long as you’re able to defend it, at least.” He shrugs.
“Neat, in case I forgot to mention it myself since for some reason I don’t remember much of the night before and when we’ve met for some strange reason, my proper name is Rolkhim Ambrose.” He hummed. He continued to chop wood. Slapped his axe down onto the wood log to cleave it in twain. He glanced at Bengal as he slung some leather straps over himself and moved forward. Just before he did though, Rolkhim put the chopped log on top, or rather, he tossed it.
“Bring back a glass if you can!” he called cheerfully at the man. “It’s thirsty work, using an axe!” he’d continue, before continuing to work. At least it wasn’t hot, working in the sun was a pain. Much worse than working in the cold, in his opinion. Easier to warm oneself up, compared to cooling oneself off.
Post by Satori Ryuutei on Dec 17, 2020 19:50:33 GMT -5
Bemused, Bengal would lift a hand in reply to Rolkhim's word. Showing a silent approval to the idea of bringing back something to drink while he moved toward the edge of town. Moving into the center to deliver the wood that they'd dropped off.
The next hour was spent with this same rythme, dumping wood, chopping and splitting it, stacking and dragging it back. Fairly mindless work but simple enough with both their physiques and magic. Once the massive amount of firewood had been procured with drinks aplenty provided for the never-ending thirst of Rolkhim, Bengal finally dusted off his hands examining the mountain of firewood. It still needed dried. But he didn't have the magic to properly fix that.
For now they'd just have to "cook" the wood to help purge the liquids within it. That was all that could be hoped for. Bengal's gaze shifted toward Rolkhim and offered a smirk. "Guess that's job number two done. Let's head back. I'll introduce you to a few places with good ale and better food. You can outdo them." Chuckling to himself, he turned with their drinks in hand. The walk back to the Capital was a bit of a distance but, they'd make due.
One more minor job handled. Easy enough.
[Exit] [+4 Spell Points] [+4 Stat Points becomes +2,000 Yul via Stat Cap]
WC: 248 TWC: 4,396
Statistics
Rank: Grand Fame: Tier 5 Strength: Intermediate Speed: 25m/s
Mana Skin: 16/16 Health: 22/22 Mana: 465/465 Mana Regen: +55/75
Post by Rolkhim Ambrose on Dec 18, 2020 13:02:31 GMT -5
With Bengal gone, Rolkhim could move on to the next stage of his grand plan… Which was to finish off the lumber that they were dealing with so he could drink it in peace. He doubted he could finish off this plan, but at least he’ll give himself some time to sit down for aa few. Maybe fill up the sled a bit, ready for the next delivery. Bengal sure was fast. Rolkhim squinted into the distance as he ran off.
And thus, Rolkhim did return to chopping wood. Pretty refreshing work, really. Even if his arm might cramp up a little. Gave some time to think. Good thing he had gloves, or he might’ve gotten a few blisters. Every now and then he took a small rest, sitting upon the cutting area and enjoying his ice cold drink.
Once it was all said and done, they did some pretty good work. Maybe the village should watch out for apes in the future. But for now, they were safe, or, as safe as one could be in this world. Rolkhim placed the axe onto the sled once they were finished. “Phew, that was some work, eh?” he’d say, rubbing his forehead, and putting his shirt back on. It was pretty cold, but at least it wasn’t wet. It’d warm up a little, hopefully. He slipped his backpack back on. “Yes!” he nodded enthusiastically to the food places. “If the food I cook isn’t better than theirs, it will be by the time I’m done.” He’d wrinkle his nose. He’d take another chug of ale, though taking gulps this time since they were on the road. He walked with Bengal, off and yonder.
[Exit] [+4 Spell Points] [+6 Stat Points (Prodigy)]