Aww yeah. Finally expert at basic mind magics, learned some of the good stuff, and looking more competent than ever. And I'm very much looking forward to all the familiar faces and Zorian's new mind mage perspective on everything.

 

I really did like the the interaction with all the different Webs, however, I am really glad he returns to the Academy again. Am looking forward to how he will interact with all his various peers, teachers and friends. And, of course, his sister as well, who I am glad is returning with him. Him being a good big brother to her is maybe my favourite aspect of this story.

Pretty psyched for the next chapter.

 

And Kirielle is back. Yay!

 

Aww hell yes.
New chapter is good, and next chapter should be great.

One thing I was confused about- who was his "acceptable target" for practicing sense tapping? Seemed he didn't want to risk practicing on random people. I thought it was going to be Kirielle or other friends in Cyoria (and, I bet that's who he'll be practicing deep mental scanning on), but it seems like he continued to get better at sense tapping without them.

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I don't think that'd be a big deal at all. I don't see a need for a "damned good reason" beyond what's already in the story- he memorized it. Presumably, he's either practiced reciting the information, or has a good enough memory.

Having a day to memorize something is fine. Especially if it's just a few pages you can practice writing and re-writing.

I also don't think Zorian should have any trouble hiding his skills. He's done it before.

 

Damien is famous (though I think its only a sort of 'in the know' Mage style of fame) because he's a prodigy mage. We know he's out being a prodigy mage and being some kind of adventurer/explorer, which is furthering his fame, likely only within certain circles.

Other than that? We know nothing about him. I think he's really underutilised, and it feels like he's a plot thread that has been left hanging, and perhaps been forgotten about. It's been a bit of an annoyance to me, especially now that Zorian has mobility. He has a genius mage brother, why doesn't he even think 'Hmm maybe I should go teleport to where ever Damien is and have a chat, maybe have him teach me something.'

A pet theory of mine, for massive irony, is that Damien went through his own time loop, which is why he's seen as such a young genius prodigy. Like Zorian, he went through some crazy event that he had to spend a decade or two learning magic over to solve, and then when he fixed the problem, loop over he's being lauded as a genius because he 'learnt so fast' or w/e.

As to why he ditched the family to go be an explorer? Maybe he's searching for the reason for loops, research magic, or simply that he can't connect with his parents and siblings because his decades spent has removed his ability to relate to them.

 

That's a pretty good point, actually. Didn't consider it before. Yeah, Damien is pretty famous, isn't he? He is that good that he is widely known. Granted, there could be a non-suspicious reason for that but the way it is not unlikely that he is somehow connected to the attacking faction.

Unfortunately, he hasn't appeared yet (that we know off), he is not really talked about, unless to say that he is famous or that Zorian dislikes him.

How much older was he again? He is the oldest, sure, and I think out of school, but do we know his age? Would like to know when he got to be famous and for what. did he do something amazing with a specific action, discovered something, defeated something, created something or was he really good at many things, unusual to his age, the way Zorian is now?

 

You mean besides the fact that Zorian pretty much hates him? Both out of a measure of always being in his shadow and the fact that Damien seems to have been a jackass in the past. During his school years he seems to have thought it hilarious to practice human animation on his little brother and then leaving it on for a few hours, plus other unnamed episodes. Even Kiri doesn't like him.

Zorian isn't going to ask him for anything if he can help it.

 

I liked the latest chapter, especially since Zorian killed that latest monster through a simple trick and stalling for time. That's the sort of strategizing I like to see.

Going back the academy though... Well, I guess it depends who's there; his lack of presence in previous loops and sudden return may be noticed by somebody though.

 

Did anyone else think the Yellow Caverns had killed him somehow when we suddenly jumped forward to him waking up?


Good update. Also curious about the passivity of Red Robe - if he really wants to stop other time travellers, it would be pretty simple to work out a vague "standard" timeline, once accounting for Zach, and then investigate deviations in spy reports and so on to work out where (roughly) wildly different things are happening, to say nothing of trapping Cyoria - but I've no doubt there's a good plot reason for it?

 

Zorian is not likely to be noticed by simply returning to Cyoria unless he makes some big waves. Seriously, you think the invasion(and Red Robe) are checking attendance records on some random minors? Red Robe just has too big of a suspect pool.

Actually, Red Robe's best chance would've been leaving some kind of silent alarm or undead in the aranea settlement to notify him if someone came. It could be worrying that he didn't, but then again he may just not be patient.

 

I don't think this is easy. If there are multiple time travellers, which there are, then there are several factors that are likely quickly causing events to spiral out of control each time right when the loop starts! Subtle differences that make tracking things way too hard. Unless there's a good spell that could analyze a situation at the start of each time loop?

If Red Robes could nuke a city, why would he even invade it with an army? We still don't know what he really wants. So "trapping Cyoria" I think is either beyond his means or not necessary for his plans to succeed.

I don't think we know enough to speculate on these plot holes.

 

Good update, can't wait to see Zorian do a Xzim lesson and just floor it.

As for the Damien issue, I feel he has both a high amount of magical capacity (like zach) along with the great control that Zorian has, which had a massive snowball affect for him. I feel he might come in late act two early act three when Zorian is forced to get his help because he's hit a brick wall. More than likely with Damien's fame he can both rally people in battle and actually have people take the threat seriously.

I think the Red robed man has some restrictions we don't know about, probably something to do with coordination of the attack, that has him busy most of the loop. Why he hasn't left trap wards in the spider nest is simple, he probably starts far away from Cyoria and he might not have the aptitude to teleport and the higher ups don't see Zorian as a threat without his spider friends.

I'd like to see more of Noel with mind magic, mostly because I want zorian to have some friends besides Kael.

Predictions, End of this act will be the end of the resets and act three will be a for all the marbles you're not immortal anymore scenario.

 

An interesting dilemma about time loop stories: What happens when the time loop is coming to an end and you know it? You've experienced thousands of loops. On the last loop, what do you chose to do? You've helped thousands of people with their issues, but you only have time to help the most important ones on the last loop. It's an interesting dilemma because then you realize there's no going back. I wonder if the story will end when the loops do, or if the end of the loop will just signal the beginning of the last arc for the story? You could have it go on for much longer even after the loops end.

 

I'm not trying to say it would be easy - but there have been dozens of iterations of the loop since Red Robe worked out (some of) what was going on, and there are patterns one could look for, like Zorian meeting the Priests, and the number of times he goes to those areas (often interacting directly with some of Red Robes minions). You're right, though, that we don't know what he is up to and keeping him busy, though it is unlikely it is much to do with the attack (given that it was allowed to be dismantled to such an extent back when he was coordinating with the areana, and that there was such a pattern to the manner in which it unfolded).

And I didn't say anything about nuking a city (I meant something more along the lines of what Zorian describes, and remember that this is someone who has a similar academic/strategic bent to Zorian, and was in the loop for many many cycles before him).

The idea that he is unable to teleport, though, is ridiculous. I'm not familiar with the magical system, but Zorian is taught it relatively early on, as something that someone with the ability not-so-far above what is expected for his age would be able to do.

Definitely agree that we don't know enough to say anything, and I have confidence that the author has a good explanation that will come out later on.


I don't think Damien's lack of appearance is particularly noteworthy, honestly.

 

Awesome chapter. Just a off topic question, do anyone know any similar books? Not about time loops per se , only where the hero does alot of study/training. Like bloodsong. Kinda sick about books where the protagonist is magically expert at anything he/she do.

 

I also would love one similar, specially if the MC goes through a similar development regarding his personality. Zorian is now one of my favorite, most likeable and empathising characters, and e started a bitchy and bitter teenager, like most of us.

 

It's always a good day when the answer to a problem is "lots and lots of fire". The long aside to master mind magic was interesting, but I'm glad we are getting back to the real action. Things were starting to drag a bit. Makes you wonder why all the rest of the training couldn't be handled the same was the last bit with the YCGs was.

 

Updated.

 

Yay, new Social Link for Zorian. Also, some changes to the city, new quests popping up and a return to the tough, unimpressed teacher. Enjoyable chapter, although it did feel rather short.