Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 19: The Migrators, and Ice-cream

Chapter 19: The Migrators, and Ice-cream

Food of all assortments were being placed on the wooden table by the minute. Astrid leered at the oncoming plate of cream puffs. This would be her fourth serving.

Cream Puff consumed.

Food Buff granted for 3 hours.

| +8 dexterity.

| +6 constitution.

| Stamina regeneration is increased by 15%

| General Skill borrowed - Sugar Rush: Your consumption of sugar has bypassed the daily recommended intake. Stamina pool increased by 20%. May cause a sugar crash.

Unfortunately, she was only allowed one buff at a time. Her eyes latched onto the next target. A fresh sizzling steak, garnished with spring onions and thyme. She had no care for the price of the ingredients or the rarity of them as her teeth gnashed into the tender, succulent piece of meat.

Sizzling Steak consumed.

Food Buff granted for 5 hours.

| +11 strength.

| +8 constitution.

| +5% health regeneration.

Mmm! health regeneration! For food buffs, it was completely random on the chef’s end. It was all luck and health regeneration was one of the more rare buffs one could get. The stat increase was also luck, it could either be nothing or up to 50% based on the level of the Chef. It was another reason the Labelle Epoch was highly sought after.

Astrid rubbed her stomach. She pinched at another cream puff. Just—one—more. Her stomach refused to listen to her. Placing the delicious pastry back onto the plate, she looked over at her mother. Eli was sitting straight, dabbing the edges of her mouth with a napkin. While Astrid was slouched, rubbing at her food baby.

After recovering for a good minute from the copious amounts of food that was consumed. Astrid, her mother, and Leena walked down the stairs of the restaurant. They were about to leave when Raphaelle burst out of the kitchen doors, holding his hands together. Astrid wasn’t sure if he was smiling, or it was just the overly long moustache glued to his face.

“Ah, my lovely customers—leaving me already?” Raphaelle said.

“I’m afraid so, Raphaelle.” Eli nodded. “We’re on our way to the observatory before heading home.”

“Oh, the observatory is a wonderful place to visit with your heroic daughter, madame.” Raphaelle repeatedly nodded, then he leaned in closer. “Please come again soon, few customers have the ferocious appetite like little Astrid.”

“I can hear you.” Astrid shook her head.” Thanks for the meal. It was delicious, as always.”

“Of course, I worked extra hard knowing you were arriving.” Raphaelle said. “Also, I heard you were taking the Wayfarer’s examination soon?”

Astrid nodded. “Mhm.”

“You’re forever going to make me worry, aren’t you, little devil?” Raphaelle sighed. “Well, go on then. Leave me—all alone…”

Astrid gave another hug as his frown turned into a beaming smile. Halfway out the door, Astrid looked behind her shoulder. “It’s not me you need to worry about.”

Leaving into the streets. It had already been over three hours since they arrived at the restaurant. Afternoon was quickly approaching as they continued down the shopping district. They walked into a street that was narrower than the rest. It was also where most people were congregating. People wearing fancy and sparkling armour lined the streets.

Astrid’s immediate focus was on a sign, swinging along with the gentle ocean’s breeze. It was a picture of a tall-pointed hat. The tip sagged over. Two wooden staves crossed the hat.

“To the magic class shop!” Astrid charged ahead, opening the door. A bell tinkled. With a waft of ink and paper, the trio entered the shop. A wooden broom was busy sweeping away. Although Astrid was doubtful, it was being very useful, with the lack of dust and all. Puppeteer magic. Astrid’s mind connected to the broom. Connecting to the matter, she could feel a strong resistance from the broom. It struggled, trying to break free.

“Astrid.” With a sigh, an old lady walked out of the back room. ”If you could withhold assaulting my workers, I would much appreciate it.” The old lady continued. “Hmm, a Psychokinetic—incredible. This must be the first time we’ve ever had one on this ship.”

“You know of the Psychokinetic class, Ms. Melton?” Astrid’s eyes widened.

“Only a little.” Ms. Melton shook her head. She disappeared to the back of the room again, returning with a book caked in a layer of thick dust. “This book is all about psychics, although it briefly touches on the Psychokinetic class. I’m afraid that even back then, it was incredibly rare.” Placing the book on the table, she was about to blow it when Astrid blasted off the particles.

“You can tell a mage is newly awakened when they use their powers for everything. Youngsters have so much energy these days.” Shaking her head. “No point in me handing it over, is there?”

Astrid pulled the book over with her mind. Her eyes rested on the front cover. It was leather. Time had taken its toll. It was worn and ragged, but it still held together.

“A real Psychic.” Ms. Melton mumbled.

“Psychic Theory.” Astrid gazed at the book, then closed it. It could wait until she was home. Maybe she could find out how to control her powers better–or even a new skill!

Her eyes shifted to the staves that lined the wall, and the pointed hats. Astrid shook her head. Not my style, and I don’t enjoy carrying things.

She turned to Ms.Melton. “Have you got anything for level 26? Maybe something with psychic enhancements? Oh, maybe some mind weapons?”

Ms. Melton said, “mages that use psychic abilities use a weapon called a Psomiter. It’s like a tiara that attaches to the forehead. It helps the user channel their mana like a staff, or wand.”

Astrid’s eyes lit up.

“But I don’t have any.” Ms. Melton continued. “But I have some equipment to enhance psychic mana.”

“Oh.” Astrid said as her shoulders slumped.

I’ll need to pester Daniel and the others for the loot they received from my kill. That damned loot goblin better keep her grubby mitts off my loot. Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Paper lifted from the table.

“Astrid!” Eli admonished.

“Oh, sorry.” Astrid looked at the scattered paper. She quickly placed them all back to where they belonged.

“Astrid, you need to keep your emotions in check as a mage. Especially one using psychic magic. It is connected to your mind, and that is connected to your emotions. Let your emotions go astray, and your powers go along with it.” Ms.Melton frowned.

Astrid nodded, taking the words to heart.

“Level 26 already.” Ms. Melton remarked and continued. “Hmm, one second.” Once again disappearing, she returned with a ring and a singular glove.

You have identified an uncommon piece of class equipment!

Mage Class - Level 20 - Mind’s Aspect Ring: Crafted from Mythril, a mana conducting metal. It has been imbued with an enchantment to improve psychic powers.

| 10 added intelligence.

| 6 added wisdom.

| Enchant: Magic spells deal 6% extra damage.

You have identified a rare piece of class - set - equipment!

Mage Class - Level 25 - Psyker’s glove 1/3: ???

| 16 added intelligence.

| 9 added wisdom.

| 5 added constitution.

| Magic spells deal 10% extra damage.

| Mana regenerates 2.5% faster.

| Enchant: Auto repair.

Set of the Psyker.

Set bonus 2/3

|+25 intelligence

Set bonus 3/3

| Offensive psychic abilities are 20% stronger.

| There is a chance to double cast a psychic skill with no extra mana cost.

“Piece of a set.” Astrid widened her eyes. “That set bonus is incredible!”

“You also have Identify, any other secrets?” Ms. Melton grumbled. Her eyes glanced at Eli’s frowning visage. “Just kidding--” Shaking her head, she continued. “Don’t look at me like that, young one. I only have the first piece.”

“I’ll take them–” However, Astrid stopped herself. She glanced at her mother as she was already opening her purse. “I don’t want them. Let’s go to the observatory now.” Astrid clasped Eli’s wrist and left the shop.

“Astrid, what’s the matter? Didn’t you want them?” Eli’s high-heels tapped against the tiles.

“No, I want to buy them myself with the money I earn from being a Wayfarer. Call it extra motivation.” Astrid raised her head.

Eli clutched Astrid’s arm as they left the street.

They approached the edge of the ship where a large mechanic groaning destroyed the peacefulness of the calm ocean. A man in a uniform had a peaked cap and a whistle that he blew into. Lumbering over the edge of the ship, on wide metal tracks lay a train car. The noise of its horn blasted into the air as it signalled its departure.

Astrid, along with the entire entourage, walked in. She ran over to the window seat as she looked out. She could see many Spawn swimming around the ocean. A lot more than before. Her eyes wandered to the horizon. It’s only a matter of time before the Leviathan attacks once more. Will I be strong enough by then to help my brother and father?

It wasn’t long before the train ground to a halt at the other end of the ship. The sights were immediately a stark contrast to the marbled, extravagant streets of the shopping district. Instead, it was replaced by endless amounts of lush farmland. Farmer Class users roamed the myriad of crops. Using their skills to increase the yield from their crops and making sure that they fertilised the soil well. They were the backbone of the entire ship, and the farms were heavily guarded as they provided humanity's greatest source of food. Alongside the Fishers.

In the distance, past a wheat field loomed a tall, domed building. It was the observatory.

Astrid spun her head around, taking in the sights of the observatory. The ceiling travelled high, and the telescope even further, as it pierced out of the roof and into the sky above.

“Echo!” Astrid shouted into the empty building. She felt a jab to the arm as Eli shook her head.

Astrid’s excitable steps ran to where the telescope’s eyepiece was. A group of men and women all surrounded it, all wearing immaculate white long-coats.

“Excuse me.” Astrid nudged past the smart-looking people as her eye peered through the lens.

Despite it being in the middle of the day, the view through the telescope was different. Astrid gazed upon an endless, abyss-like space. She could see planets, stars, and suns. They were innumerable.

“Anything in particular you’re looking for, lady Astrid?” A smart man with well-groomed hair approached her.

“The Migrators.” Astrid said, still looking through the telescope.

“I’m afraid you’ll never be able to see them, no matter how hard you look.”

Astrid took her eye away and looked at the man. “Too far away?”

The man nodded. “Multiple galaxies away, to be exact. That’s our current hypothesis, anyway.”

“Why would they leave us here?” Astrid mumbled.

“Adventure, hope, a new beginning.” The man continued. “Or cowardice, fear, weakness. I can only guess.”

Astrid pondered for a second before nodding. Looking through the telescope again. Astrid used Psych Domain, but the only matter she could see was the telescope. Leaving humanity to search for something that might not exist… I couldn't imagine doing something like that. Astrid sighed and stepped to the side, letting Eli peer through the lens. After only a second, she pulled back.

“Done already?” Astrid said.

Eli pinched her cheek. “I have all I ever need down here.” Astrid’s pinched cheeks tensed as her lips curled upward.

Astrid looked at Leena, her eyes glued to the telescope. “What are you waiting for?”

“Can I?” Leena placed her hands to her chest, her eyes lighting up.

"Of course you can."

Leena peered through the lens. Soon, a tear welled up from the corner of her eye.

Astrid wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go get ice cream.”

“Mmm.” Leena wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded.

Just like that, they returned to the manor with ice creams in their hands. The guards carried an endless amount of bags from their shopping trip.

Astrid looked back once they reached the top step at the manor’s entrance. The orange haze of the boundless horizon seemed to sprawl to the other end of the sky forever.

Time to train.