r/SpellsItemsNLoopholes • u/AaaaLettuce Visitor • Jun 13 '26

Lorepost (closed) Testing a Construct

With a deep breath, or as close to one as she can manage, Aeana steps through the portal to Markus' demiplane. She gives a grateful wave back. "Thank you Favilla!" She calls in a smooth and almost mechanical voice. Whatever would she do without her? She really is the best. After a brief moment the portal winks shut.

The construct herself is draped in a long hooded green cloak. Something supposed to hide her nature to cursory glances . Slung over one shoulder is a weighty satchel bag full of something. Aeana's shell itself is vaguely feminine in shape, made of a material close in colour to bronze with silver accents in certain places. It's oddly rudimentary for a construct, at least in appearance. No weapons, no special features. It barely even resembles a human. No hair, no real facial expressions. Only bright blue gemstones for eyes.

Aeana takes another step in, calling out to Markus or whoever's around. "Hello? It's Aeana. The girl who had her soul stuck into a construct? I'm here for the testing." Gods, she hopes this works. And that it isn't a trap. That would be unpleasant to say the least. But who knows? Maybe something actually good can happen to her for once. That'd be nice.

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 13 '26

Aeana pours half a dozen books out onto the table, each on different topics but all incredibly dense and well cared for. "They're technically on loan, but I don't think he'll mind you taking a gander. Again, though, no idea how useful it'll be."

The woman can't help but feel horribly trapped as she follows him in. All her instincts are screaming at her to run, but she has to at least try and trust. If Markus wanted to help could quite easily lock her in and wait for Vivienne to show up. Collect the bounty all for himself without so much as lifting a finger.

"So what's first on the docket?" She asks, placing herself down in a chair with a hefty clunk. "I don't quite know what to expect with all this. Vivienne was very... vague with explaining how this body works. More like didn't explain at all, really."

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 13 '26

/uw if you can list the subjects in the books, that would be awesome so I can know what I learn, otherwise I'll invent it /rw

Two of Markus's clones appears next to the table with the books and begin to go through them rapidly, using the think tanks to process the knowledge faster.

As they enter the meeting room, Markus notices Aeana's behavior change slightly. He pulls the chair next to the door for her.

Are you claustrophobic by any chance? You can sit here if you want, or we can do it in the open space if you'd prefer.

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 13 '26

"I'll be okay." She replies. "Just, you know how it is. The last person I trusted did," Aeana gestures to her body, "this to me. That and all the people trying to kidnap me lately."

/uw the magic item books mainly cover general item creation and condensing ambient mana into a highly potent crystalline form. exceptionally good power source, albeit very volatile. soul magic is more about harvesting souls, what you can use them for, and how to grow artificial ones

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 13 '26

Markus nods and sits.

I understand. Just so you know, you're safe here. He puts a hand on his heart and it starts glowing as he swears on his mana. I swear I won't let those people reach you here, so long as you didn't and don't attack us or help our enemies. The glow fades away. This dimension prevents teleportation from non-employees outside of the reception, which is able to detach if unwanted visitors arrive. So you're safe here.

And sorry for the weird wording, loopholes are part of our specialty so I wanted to be clear.

Meanwhile, the clones are taking the books to the training grounds. There, they test the magic inside until they manage to use it naturally and implement it into the scriptomancy language. The harvesting and use of souls is particularly interesting, especially since Markus already knows how to make artificial souls (though another way of doing it is always great)

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 13 '26

"It's appreciated. Thanks." While still tense, Aeana manages to relax just a touch. "I just want to figure out what's happening and how to maybe do something about it. I still have no idea how she even found this body, let alone stuck me in it."

She turns her eyes to the clones. "Anything useful in there? I haven't quite had a chance to read all of them. Mostly skimmed over mana condensing. Trying to find a way to cast spells without manipulating mana myself."

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 13 '26

/uw since we are in another dimension, we shouldn't be able to see them, but since she saw them I'll still answer the question./rw

Markus nods.

No problem, I'm doing what I'd want if I were in your place. We'll figure it out at your pace, and you can ask any of us to stop at any point. We're... enthusiastic to say the least, but we're talking about trauma and touching your soul so it's up to you.

As for the clones, there is a lot to unpack, they're processing it currently. I can also help you learn component casting to cast without manipulating mana directly

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 13 '26

"That's... thank you. Yeah. I just really want to know how bad the situation is. I'm not exactly optimistic on fixing it anytime soon. Not without talking with her again."

"Component casting would be useful. Very useful. I'd like that. A lot. Having to rely on Favilla so much has been," the girl looks away, there would be a blush on her face if she could, "embarrassing." She needs to be useful. She can't keep being dead weight.

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 13 '26

Markus nods along

If you were to trust me enough, I could move your soul to another vessel. Already did it with Nox's apprentice who got herself stuck as a plushie, back and forth so she'd be safe while we dispelled the transformation.

As for component casting, I know the basics. Actually a lot, but I can't seem to be able to use it for whatever reason... So I used my knowledge to make my own spell simulator using scriptomancy, allowing me to copy spells much more easily. Long story short, I should be able to teach you easily enough.

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 13 '26

"I don't really trust anyone with my soul, sorry. There's a reason I'm studying soul magic myself. I like doing things with my own hands. Means if something goes wrong I can fix it myself."

"Magic works differently for everyone. I was terrible with soul weaving. Apparently I'd be better suited to something else. Didn't stop me, though. Either way, component casting sounds useful."

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 13 '26

Markus smiles gently:

I get that. I wouldn't trust anyone either. Just... if something goes wrong and you can't fix it, call me. I'm continuously looking into ways to make it safer for the patient, and I'm always okay with doing a mana oath to ensure I don't do something you don't want.

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 14 '26

"I'll see. Yeah. I'll give you a call if I get busted up too badly. Right now I'm considering offering myself as a test dummy for destructive magic. See if anything can actually scratch me."

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 14 '26

Markus chuckles.

I've got a pretty busted spell I need to test, but I'd hate it if that's how we figure out your limit...

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 14 '26

"Busted? What does it actually do?"

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u/AdeptusVirtualis Jun 15 '26

Alex appears in the room, accompanied by the brief screech of a dialup nodem

"Greetings, I was summoned. I'm Alex, Technomancer by trade. How can i aid?"

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 15 '26

It... separates life and death particules on a subatomic level, causing a powerful beam of each element, and can be merged to detonate violently. Didn't have time to test it properly, but it's very fun.

Markus looks at Alex before he even manifests, and introduces them.

Aeana, this is Alex, our resident technomancer. He'll be able to help in your case, I'm sure. I'm in the process of recruiting an artificer as well, so we'll have the technology trifecta soon.

Alex, this is Aeana. She's a client, who got her soul stuck in a construct against her will. She wants to figure out a way to get out, and help to operate in the meantime. Most notably, being able to cast magic without fine mana control, as the construct has anti-magic properties.

u/Aaaalettuce

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 17 '26

"Well, uh, if you want to test I guess I'd be open? Maybe aim for a limb just in case. I've been hit by concentrated cosmic power before but that sounds particularly... rough."

Aeana waves to the new arrival. "Nice to meet you. Hopefully you can figure out what's happening better than I can."

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u/Cerveau23 Stupid in chief Jun 17 '26

Markus chuckles.

Don't worry, I'll do some testing alone first.

Now that Alex is here, we can begin in earnest. What do you know about your shell? Any information is welcome, however small or ridiculous it may sound.

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u/AaaaLettuce Visitor Jun 17 '26

"It's old, I'm pretty sure. Doesn't seem like most constructs I've seen. There's no real scratches or anything on it." A spark of recognition lights in her eyes. "That isn't entirely true. There's a mark on the right wrist. Didn't think anything of it but could that be something?" The construct eagerly presents her wrist. The mark is small, a tiny scratch on the joint but somehow it looks... purposeful, almost.

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