Chapter 18: Diamond Weave
The first time Sunny saw Diamond Weave he considered it crude, and primitive. It was one of a few accusations he could make towards Nether. He made stone golems of stone probably only because he didn't have the motivation to find a better material. Once he crafted some prototypes he discarded them without much care. He didn't look like someone who treats his things properly.
There are several reasons to consider Diamond Weave primitive. Because the weave is entirely corporeal it is also vulnerable to damaging it. [Mantle of the Underworld] was damaged. Due to lack of some specific enchantments it also couldn't self-repair while being stored in the Soul Sea. Still Sunny could understand that. The Mantle had [Living Stone] enchantment responsible for self-repair. There wasn't much point in adding a weaker enchantment doing the same thing. The most annoying part was that in this system of sorcery the enchantments were very hard to incorporate onto an item. How the hell could he place a fully corporeal weave inside the rock? Compared to that, Weaver's sorcery seemed to be much better, and offered much more freedom, and less trouble, while Nether's sorcery was troublesome, and vulnerable.
But was it fair to evaluate Nether's ideas this way? Almost no one could make or even see essence threads needed for weaving. The attempt to substitute them should be perceived rather as an innovation, not just a knockoff. Also the weave of the [Mantle of the Underworld] was once damaged. Sunny knew very well what would happen if a Spellweave got damaged. Such Memories crumble immediately, which is also why he has to rush the process of weaving. The Mantle still existed even when the diamond threads were damaged. Isn't it itself incredible?
Nether actually created an incredible armor. It worked like a Memory, but was more stable. It could repair its weave. It had seven enchantments, each very useful. His sorcery couldn't be bad! Recently he decided he wants it. Not for some particular goal. He wants it because just knowing a bit of a different system of sorcery offers new possibilities.
He put it on the long list of things he does recently. Through the contacts made by Aiko he procured samples of various things made of diamonds. He could tell at glance that sorcery used by Nether was made of diamonds, but there was a problem he had to solve: What kind of diamonds? When Sunny finally had time to try to learn something on the topic he realized that modern industry this time can really aid him in the sorcery.
What is diamond? Educated gals would tell him that diamond is a crystal made of carbon element. In some scientific sense of carbon, of course. Since the humans knew the truth behind the nature of diamonds for so long they discovered many ways to produce them. That industry was already well-developed even before the appearance of spelltech. Humans have found some carbon structures especially durable, and were widely used to make tools or reinforce tools.
As his partner-manager Aiko ordered many samples of different adamantine threads for his experiments both made with, and without spell tech. Just to be sure she even used her contacts in Bastion to find anything that could be of use in this kind of enchantment. Sunny himself considered even bothering Cassie. After all she's a runic sorcerer. She might know something about the use of diamonds.
But it wasn't necessary. Sunny already had some clues what to look for. It happened by chance when he tried to understand what's the problem with turning spell tech items into Memories. Thanks to Kim being around she could offer some precious expertise on the nature of the inner works of the war machines used by the Government.
He learned there's a lot of diamond structures there. Diamonds were an important part of many semiconductors. It was related to their heat conducting properties, which in turn made them useful for cooling. Sunny didn't know what it precisely does, but it raised in him a suspicion that those diamonds interfere with the flow of the soul essence so it becomes incompatible with any enchantments.
That notion happened to be a jackpot! The samples from the military related industries were the best to course essence through it.
Another hard part was to learn weaving Memories out of it. At first, Sunny hoped he could just use diamond threads to weave instead of his usual essence strings. But he was wrong. He had to use some tools to cut the strings, reinvent the technique to attach them to each other so they could allow the free flow. Tricky problems didn't end here. While he could arrange strings in the pattern that resemble an enchantment it didn't mean it is an enchantment. He could confirm it wasn't due to his Weaver's vision. While using it he could see nothing. If that was a Nether's enchantment he would see it.
The last step was to transform the tapestry into an actual enchantment. That required him to ignite the strings with his essence, and build the connection to the soul shards. Unfortunately, despite his expectations it resulted in another failure. The tapestry crumbled for some reason. It took him some time to find the source of the problem: He didn't weave the enchantment into the item. He just... placed the pattern on its surface, and hoped it would attach itself like his essence threads. It wouldn't. With some draft hypotheses he came to the ways to incorporate the diamond strings into the item before the ignition.
He didn't know yet how to put such physical patterns into a solid item, especially when the items are fragile in his hands.That's where he come up with the idea to apply epoxy resin. While he was stal... guarding, definitely guarding, his sister, he found her once watching some videos on her communicator, crafting themed. He regretted seeing these things. Many clips showed an outrageous waste of materials for things that aren't even nice. But there were also ideas he found quite inspiring. While he didn't like seeing girls making shiny glitter cups, he learned some ways to stick things to each other.
Those petty techniques weren't useful for anything outside of crafting some dormant Memories of the first tier, third at most, but it still had precious didactic potential. If he could describe the design of simple dormant enchantments, and systematize a bit his ignition 'technique' probably even an Awakened could turn diamond threads into enchantments.
And that's how he came here, teaching poor people how to weave Memories. When Aiko asked him if he had some uses for Awakened he already had something on his mind. While upgrades to Memories are a very important part of his progress, turning things into Memories isn't anymore. He mastered the art of weaving names, and descriptions to such a great extent so he was able to make infinitely long names, and even longer descriptions. Basically there's not much room for improvement.
He started from a lesson on weaving a name. Sunny decided that he's going to make these people enchant a bottle. Yeah, another bottle. He was already a bit tired of how useful that water bottle can be. His bluish bottle was able to sustain ten thousand mundanes in Antarctica. So it could be useful even more.
Without knowing the runic language of the Spell one can't know to name a Memory. These people couldn't choose one without Sunny's help. Well, there were three people who knew something about the language of the Spell so at least they could. They were taken because they had that kind of advantage over most. But even that knowledge couldn't make them really useful. Patterns used by the Spell are much more elaborate than the runes displayed by the Spell.
Sunny could only choose a name they were going to work with, and show them how to weave it into the item. So he used the projector to display the three runes: First for 'water', and second for 'bottle'. Then he had to show them a pattern that would reflect the name in the form threads.
After that he decided to make a little show. He let the group come closer to him for them to see the process of weaving. It was a lengthy demonstration. Sunny decided he should do the thing much slower. Otherwise his movements would turn into an imperceptible blur of eight hands. The experience was very suffocating, both for him, and the spectators. He would like to weave braver, faster, and without using a loom. Instead of making many things at the same time he used the advantages of the Diamond Weave, which allowed him to shape patterns separately in sequences. The audience couldn't comprehend the purpose of particular movements so it felt a bit like chaos.
Kim was recording to make sure that disciples could see it multiple times.
Nonetheless Sunny was assuring them about all the steps he takes. The demonstration wasn't supposed to leave too many doubts even if inevitably they would get some. It was meant to establish a solid certainty that the job is indeed possible to do for mortals. As he finished weaving name, basic enchantments, and [Gift of Water], he carefully moved from the loom, applied the enchantment on an alloy bottle, put in a mold, and then poured blueish epoxy resin he carefully mixed to not leave any unsightly bubbles.
He left the epoxy resin to dry, and signed everyone it's for them to start. Everyone's got a position, and a set of steel needles, diamond threads, and specific instructions on how to weave enchantments written in the form of manuals, gloves to a protect hands
The next step was to be patient, and help the group to slowly learn, and apply the pattern on previously prepared looms. With how ordinary people they were, Sunny couldn't expect them to possess the talent for weaving so the process could be only long, boring, and mind numbing. Even a bunch of highly educated people wouldn't suffice here. The knowledge of weaving is simply too hermetic.
It's not like he didn't want to find some magic trick. He could just ask Cassieto impart some useful memories, but as a Seneschal of the Valor Clan she was a busy woman. Recently Valor sent Nephis, and Fire Keepers for some mission to protect a citadel from some Corrupted Titan made of flaming rocks. She could assist her from far away, but she still had to assist her. And Cassie coming to him was also a very risky action. As if fate wanted to mock him again, their base of operation was in NQSC, at the manor of the Immortal Flame Clan. He could get there on foot, but if he was seen, Valor, and Song would know he's somehow related to Nephis.
But here is Kim. That unassuming woman has very specific abilities. She has a sense for vulnerabilities. At first he thought that sense applies only to living creatures, but over time he learned that her power is much more versatile. It could apply to technology, buildings, armored vehicles. If he served her a dinner she could see how well it was cooked. It makes her perfect for tasks that require precision of the craft.
Even if she doesn't understand weaving, her revelations could tell precisely where the mistake is. Not only that! Similarly to Cassie she can see what others see, and apply her power to that vision. and that's not all. Conveniently her awakened ability can also pass the revelation to others. Isn't it wonderful? Her power can substitute many talents! Sunny could also ask her to use it on him, and improve his performance. That's why he persuaded her to also follow his teachings.
The work started with a bit of mess. Many rather than weaving were wondering if they followed instructions properly, which was... okay. They could try repeating his movements while watching the video although they would depend on it more than on their memory. He left them for some time while letting them accustom themselves a little.
Taking into account that it would take them a lot of time to weave something of any meaning he was going to add another unpleasant tasks for them to do.
"I didn't introduce you yet into all you're going to do. Like I said, weaving is already hard, and studying it would take you weeks. Some of you might already wonder how someone's going to let you struggle with something, and expect no results, and reward you. Like I mentioned already, I'm not that kind of person. Weaving Memory is a way for you to advance, but not the only job to do. There has to be something you're able to help me with before you'll weave any Memory.
Come with me."
He gathered them up, and led them to other strange gates, and then stopped. He looked at the clueless crowd.
"I'm going to show you something. It's going to be a really nasty sight so brace yourself, and try to not throw up. You can't dig up riches without dirtying your hands, you know what I mean? Well, guess not on this level. Not all jobs are dirty. This one will be."
He opened the gate that led into a corridor.
While the hall was spacious, it wasn't the only room inside, and it wasn't even the most spacious. It was just a part of it shaped with his will, and [Mendacious Coffer] enchantment. In the hall there were doors that could lead him to different recesses of his spatial storage.
They made through the corridor, and opened another door, revealing something that the comers hoped rather to not see. The stench was very noticeable. There were pools of blood, and innumerable bodies, mostly severed. All belonged to the Nightmare Creatures, approximately a thousand of Dormants, and some Awakened.
There was a disgust reaction. Soon someone could barely resist the urge to vomit, which itself was very articulate. Sunny felt bad for making such an initiation, but there was no other way.
"We're here. That's what I wanted you to see."
"Master Sunless, why are you showing this?"
"That has to do with your job. Do you know what makes the difference between animals, and Nightmare Creatures?"
"No, I think it's soul essence."
"Good. And where that soul essence is stored?"
"In the soul cores."
"Even better. You know some stuff. These are Nightmare Creatures my hunting team killed recently. Just some of them. I didn't want them to use too much of their time managing corpses so I told them to throw them here.
"Will we see your hunting team?"
"Not today. They're really busy. You'll meet them one day. There are many ways to use these bodies. Some parts are commonly used in Spelltech. But I'm unable to process them before they decay. But soul shards can be useful even in an unprocessed form. I want you to dig them up."
"Do we have any tools?"
"I'll provide you with some of my knives."
Sunny summoned a wooden box. Inside were different knives, mostly in different shapes, some made rather poorly, and rather small. They were all his attempts at forging metal. He came across some metallic spiders, and decided to give it a try. There was enough metal to make more than fifty.
Spiders were Awakened, which turned into a serious problem to solve. Not only he had to extract that metal, which itself wasn't that hard, but find a way to melt it. That last thing happened to be very tricky. Because the spiders were Awakened, and the laws of the universe make ranks a real deal, mundane heat couldn't melt it easily anymore. So how did he do that? He used Fiend's fire attribute as it offered the most sure way to melt metal, and then Sunny hammered it to forge into shapes.
"Careful to not touch the edges. They might look like some kind of joke, but they are insanely sharp. They were forged of Awakened monsters, and enchanted to be even sharper."
Which he did. He reused the enchantment he used once on Belle's sword, and came from a razor Memory, that was incredibly sharp. The knifes weren't Memories. He didn't bother to turn them into such. Storing them directly in his Soul Sea had more downsides than advantages.
Sunny left Kim to watch over the process of extraction. He plans to use them to turn veteran soldiers into Awakened. It's unknown how many shards it would take for one soldier, but he presumed it cannot be more than the number of shards a Sleeper has to gather to fully saturate his core. Which means: Less than a thousand, utter lack of precision. Without experiments it's impossible to get a better idea.
He looked at people fighting with their disgust, and cutting through flesh of the Nightmare Creatures. They were doing quite good. Outskirts are after all good at ignoring unpleasant feelings.
Sunny smirked deviously, because someone learned what he has to go through. He left, and approached Aiko. Looking at his seemingly good mood she asked.
"How's the 'delegation' of tasks?"
"Sweet as always. And cold."
"Perhaps you have a taste for ice cream, boss?"
Sunny answered in confusion.
"I don't know. What is ice cream?"
Aiko widened her eyes in perplexity.
"*sigh* It's kind of a thing to eat. It's just sweet, and cold."
Sunny looked back in the direction where the room he left behind was. Then looked again at Aiko in confusion.
"Is it... made by butchers?"
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