Quest Academy: Saviours (Chapters 18 and 19)
Added 2024-03-04 12:48:13 +0000 UTCHey, so thank you everyone for all the constructive comments and feedback on the earlier chapters. I think the frantic pace and the jumping from ideas has been down to the pace at which I'm writing the story this time. I have a deadline that's coming up that I need to meet, and it's meant that a lot of the ideas that usually have a bit more time to perculate are being thrown into words.
Don't worry though, because my editing phase will catch a lot of this stuff and help refine the story and beats better. It's good to know where your sticking points are, and that helps me navigate the story better. There are so many things I'm excited to write about within Quest Academy, and these chapters were a great start in that direction. Hopefully these two chapters will give you a better idea of how we're proceeding forward, and my hope is that you'll like that direction.
Please do keep the comments coming. Really really appreciate them.
Brian
(Writing Chapter 20 now! Hoping to pass the 50k words mark today)
Comments
Just read this chapter and that was the first thing that jumped to mind.
Robert Pitchure
2024-06-29 05:14:40 +0000 UTCHead might be my new favorite person. Only positive influence that has Sal's interests in mind.
Charles Gillentine
2024-06-23 23:59:26 +0000 UTCMight be a bit late for a comment, but is sergeant heads weave not a huge plot hole? Couldn’t Sal just take it and then live forever? There would be no time limit on any of his goals then
TG
2024-06-18 01:08:30 +0000 UTCIt looks like the initial reason for the meeting with the resilience teacher was forgotten. You know his nightmares and fear of fighting demons. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the sniper rifle completed in one night once they got started on it, not three days? Quest and Upgrade have been telling Sal he isn't alone and there is help around him for two books. Sergeant Head tells him once, and it just clicks. Lol, Sergeant Head. I hope his first name isn't Richard. Sal's parents already gave their blessing on Sal choosing his own future so he shouldn't be stressing on what his parents would feel if he didn't return to the auction house. I really hope you don't make Sal into the type of GuildMaster/Leader who will hide behind other people and put them into situations that he himself wouldn't go. That whole sending other people into dungeons to get materials he needs so he doesn't have to risk his neck...Ouch, not cool. Keep the chapters coming, loving this series.
Brian
2024-04-12 21:09:38 +0000 UTCI am quite curious when we are going to learn more about the world at large. From what has been written, it sounds like the City is the only safe spot in the entire world. Quest Academy is apparently built on the launch site of Bastion which was described as town sized. I am quite curious to learn about what is going on outside the city and if there are more cities. I find it hard to believe that there is only one city in the world not to mention that the city and bastion would be unaware of another city.
ShadowOfHavoc
2024-03-17 14:25:29 +0000 UTCIt started recording just over a week ago. As soon as we have a tentative release date, I'll be shouting about it from mountaintops. :)
James Northman
2024-03-10 09:41:57 +0000 UTCWhile I would probably enjoy this side of the worldbuilding, I don't think it would add a huge amount for the story. The way I've envisioned taxation in this society, is that the productive members that pay those taxes are those with powers. The Refugees that have been displaced by the demons aren't taxed, and instead, the people who live within the safety of the barriers are. As you mention, a protection tax. There are sales taxes on goods that will be explored a bit, but there are many types of tax in this world. Reclamation and restoration efforts require a lot of money, and everyone profiting from enterprise during the war is subject to a form of tax that matches their contributions and means. An Auction House which is a middle-man between parties is hit heavily with tax, as they're not necessarily contributing to society, but instead profiting from the work of others. They're still a necessity though, and can be called upon to do pro-bono work for the Hunter Bureau and Guilds Association. As for oversight, there are organisations like the Doom Council that can oversee the usage of funds. There are others, depending on the types of taxes that have been collected. Again, it might have a lot of holes in it when an economist is doing the poking. :)
James Northman
2024-03-09 20:12:53 +0000 UTCI agree, there is too much énfasis on support… I would agree if he only had the myth crafting ability. Then the story line would fit perfectly.. but the skill master ability changes everything. I do hope he grows a pair soon
b bor
2024-03-09 02:03:21 +0000 UTCYES! It almost seems like the author designed a Support hero character with the skills of the most powerful frontline fighter humanity saviour type of build. And even though the therapy session did try to say that he isn't meant to save the world/can't do it, he could be a BIG help on the frontlines. I feel like the plot is meant to be something about this all powerful >>Support<< hero with Support powers and a Support top tier guild that went against all odds and made that happen, but this is actually frustrating to see sometimes, like it gives wasted potential in some ways. I really hope Sal matures and gets rid of that fear of battle at least to the point where he recognizes the importance of being able to defend himself but preferably to the point where he finally follows Erika's advice. I LOVE the crafting and weaving, but I'd really like some fighting and studying elements as well.
Davi(d)
2024-03-09 01:56:54 +0000 UTCThat's what I'm thinking as well, I feel like he should have some kind of combat (either defensive or offensive, maybe even a controller one actually) skill "stored" so that he can protect himself in those cases, since kidnappers would probably confiscate his gear
Davi(d)
2024-03-09 01:45:46 +0000 UTCAny update on Quest Academy Book 2 audio release?
Jay EnVy
2024-03-08 19:19:18 +0000 UTCI was using liquid mode, switching out of that fixed it for me, thanks!
Derek Zaccheo
2024-03-07 03:18:28 +0000 UTCSo, ive been wondering about the worldbuilding here. I got hooked on this story over the past few days so now that I caught up im obsessing about the little things. Im an economist btw, so thats the angle im coming from. The thought that brought me down this rabbit hole was the mention of taxes. I was wondering how it work in a society like this. First of all, is there a central state at all? Fundamentally states exist to provide protection to its subject society, the way they do that is by taxing "productive" individuals and using those funds to provide for "non-productive" ones who do the actual protecting. However, in this society those who specialize in the martial professions are actually productive. They are far more productive than civilians, at least in terms of marginal utility. Anyway, you have a group of martial specialists who can also fund themselves through their martial endeavors. Presumably, the value of materials gathered from dungeons raids and other martial endeavors is far higher than anything that non-essence based activities can produce. This makes taxing those "civilian" occupations a little pointless. The way that this society organizes itself at the highest levels, from what I can tell, is basically through councils made up of representatives of the most powerful organisations. In this kind of society, where pooling of resources is not necessary, I imagine those councils arent really governing bodies either, theyre just places where those organisations can gather and negotiate contracts for cooperation with one-another. "Civilians" in this context need protection and each individual organisation can provide this. I would imagine that the lands around each guild headquarters are rented out to people who seek their protection. In exchange for those rents the nearby guild or whatever protects them and maintains their barriers. Over time these population centers would become extensions of that very organisation at their center, everything with a contractual basis. Please tell me if I am missing something. Edit: Though, I guess it could be a legacy system that is still in place. Like the surviving city government that has so little influence that they have to comply with anything one of those councils decides. Then I guess it can be described as a government body. It should still be on the way out in terms of institutions.
Maakolo
2024-03-06 17:49:34 +0000 UTCEveryone is commenting on core parts of the story, sure, but have you considered the case he carries around like a dork? I feel like he should have spent an hour to make a quick and dirty spatial storage item to carry the gun and visor on him at all times. Its kinda ridiculous that basic readiness discipline isnt one of the first things taught in survival module. Theres a saying: if its not always ready the its never ready. A school like this would pretty much mandate constant armed readiness to teach that principle. In the first olace how many of these kids carry powerful skills? Is a weapon really that much nore scary? A society like this should mandate suppression equipment if theyre going to ban the carrying of weapons, or allow both.
Maakolo
2024-03-06 01:08:15 +0000 UTCSure but I hope this is something he actually overcomes and it isnt a situation like in HWFWM and the constant melodrama.
Maakolo
2024-03-06 01:01:22 +0000 UTCI like Sal struggling a bit. It makes him seem more real. No one is perfect and given that the world can be his oyster, it’s realistic that he would get pulled in a lot of different directions before needing to get grounded. Maybe the final piece of him finding his direction could be the return of Divinity and a discussion he has with her? Build their relationship up?
Grakyn
2024-03-05 06:28:33 +0000 UTCFinally Sal gets some clarity, but still feeling like plot armor is stopping the story from moving forward.... I mean... Sal can literally replicate ANY skill (some are more dangerous than others) and he shouldn't be struggling as much as he is. The mind reader literally told him exactly what everyone has been thinking almost word for word... when she said that if she had his power he would replicate the most powerful abilities from each hero and be unstopable... and then you allow her to take over your body? Why? you can replicate any skill that gives you immunity to mind control, or replicate her ability and user it on her. Or replicate the ability of the assasin who can remove all powers in the surroundings... its so frustrating because it's such a cool concept. I thought after the mind reader told him off that he would actually grow a bit of a backbone but has spent 9 chapters being Strang along by Quest. I always wondered if he could replicate an immortality weave and chapter 18 finally mentioned someone who has this power. He could literally offer the weave to all guild members or even find a way of making the weave temporary to make sure he keeps control over it but its just mentioned in passing but this is immortality we are talking about!!! thats not something you just skip by, he can offer it to his parents so they dont have to die of old age... just soooo much potential... There was even a mention of someone who could create multiple bodies of himself now that I am remember, who could teleport... now he has the machine where he could test all these skills without danger.... so much potential
b bor
2024-03-05 02:15:22 +0000 UTCI think Divinity is his future wife, but she can’t tell him that yet.
Alteron
2024-03-04 22:45:42 +0000 UTCGood chapters that tells the story well, but it was a little painful to see Sal so unfocused. But I understand needed for the story.
Alteron
2024-03-04 22:42:28 +0000 UTCGood chapters. With Sal finally setting priorities and creating an action plan the story has some direction. However, I don't agree with Sal ignoring his friends. He needs to deal with interpersonal issues. Does he Need a girlfriend or not? Lots of girls in this story!
Ron Blondeau
2024-03-04 22:14:59 +0000 UTCgreat chapters! Now let's see how the dominos fall. Sal will definitely be targeted for kidnapping by humans and maybe demons or put on a hit list by both. Doc will probably keep testing Sal. What will the doom society deal with next? And gods know what Divinity will think or say about Sal's new resolve. I like to think that she will be supportive, but also tell him that he will also have to gain that renown to avoid said kidnapping or fuckery, so dungeon/tower/ scavenger runs aren't off the plate either. I can't wait to see how the plot develops from here. Who knows maybe sal will create a guild that is like a starting point for many hero's/supports that is directly connected to the school where he works as the guild master/head crafter with upgrade and his friends to prepare the hero's to reach their potential kinda like that guest lecturer guy who is in charge of the tower run just a hild version.
Travis Nevins
2024-03-04 21:14:30 +0000 UTCThese chapters have helped streamline everything he just needs to focus on his goals now and not forget about his friends as well
AJ
2024-03-04 20:42:22 +0000 UTCReally good chapters. Keep it up!
Tim Walloch
2024-03-04 19:14:40 +0000 UTCThese were good changes, he needs to be able to use his specialty more freely, he is a very important and powerful cog and that should be recognized, he has the ability to accomplish his goals, the only thing that will take time is the guild if he's not allowed to start it while in school.
Travis Snelgrove
2024-03-04 19:13:00 +0000 UTCReally enjoying these chapters
CR
2024-03-04 18:36:51 +0000 UTCAs has already been pointed out, yeah, there's a downside to consuming a story serially, and it's that you can't just "keep reading" to find out where something is going. It's a problem I have with a lot of modern internet criticism of tv shows that have season-long arcs. It's not that an episode is "bad," it's that you're only seeing one chapter. I think these chapters were a welcome addition in addressing the reality of Sal's situation and helping him (and by extension, the readers) temper expectations. I'm a pretty avid consumer of the prog fantasy/litrpg subgenre, because it scratches a "competency porn" itch. And let's be honest, contra what Sgt. Head told him, Sal's abilities *do* have the potential to be fundamentally disruptive to the entire system, if applied in a particular way. If he imprints himself with the ultimate of Fabi's ability or finds a way to mesh it with Mythcrafter, it basically becomes an "if you can think it, you can build it with enough essence" machine. But this is why the therapy was important, and I think could have gone on even longer, because even afterwards, Sal's looking outside of himself for validation. He's also making a pretty classic early therapy mistake in thinking "Sergeant Head had probably given him the answers." Nope, Sal, wrong lesson. Which is also highlighted by the fact that at no point in his amphitheater pondering does he think about his friends as friends, and cultivating those friendships isn't on his list. "Helping people" is a noble goal, but the limited life experience of an eighteen-year-old (and being a litrpg/PF protagonist) keeps him from realizing that he's missing the forest for the trees.
Lacan
2024-03-04 17:42:22 +0000 UTCSo I see the pages just fine in the PDF (in Preview on Mac), but I went to copy-paste text, it pastes it backwards: deticxe taht gnihtemos t'nsaw tI ?sdiaR noegnuD rof tnallaG gninioj eb d'eh taht naem taht dluow tuB .sraef sih ecaf dna evruc eht fo daeha teg ot detnaw mih fo trap a dna ,ymedacA tseuQ ta gniyduts
Lacan
2024-03-04 17:34:22 +0000 UTCOne thing I think could do wonders on that front would be him getting some kind of combined skill that helps him protect himself/establish his standing. Something like the ones that are compatible with Skill Master to help him adapt better to more destructive skills if needed, and/or something like that absolute counter combination he mentioned a few chapters earlier so that he could defend himself if needed, or maybe just mastering the ability knottingpart of his power to threatenpeople (again, if needed). I say this bc imagine he has a guild member or some kind of rival (like other guilds or the bastion families) that wants to go up against him, he needs to have a way of defending himself/standing his ground, even if that's only in the future.
Davi(d)
2024-03-04 16:27:48 +0000 UTCFantastic set of chapters. I think the interesting thing was this seems to confirm Sals conviction not to be a front line fighter. Not to use his powers the way Erika suggested. I thought it was interesting that, that wasn't something brought up. The idea he can copy multiple abilities and use them to become a powerful fighter. Seems like they just said you're not a fighter so don't worry about it. That would be the only thing I'd potentially like to see addressed. But I think Sal looking after being an off hands guild master is a fantastic direction to go in
Kieran
2024-03-04 15:58:05 +0000 UTCI know on the pdf reader on my phone, the reading mode absolutely garbled the text for whatever reason. It's fine when viewed as a straight pdf though
Sébastien Kingsbury
2024-03-04 15:54:15 +0000 UTCBut what if he can make a machine that makes the ultimate weaves, that would cut the time for upgrading everyone... 😀
Alteron
2024-03-04 15:29:36 +0000 UTCit is a great cliff hanger, and if I am honest I could see him recruiting several of the instructor for his guild. I can think of 2 other than Upgrade I would go with even before her. Make the juice machine and start making money that way would probably be a fairly simple way of doing it.
John Curtis
2024-03-04 14:23:47 +0000 UTCCompletely agree with Thomas! Chapters 17-19 tie everything up really nicely, and the editing phase will definitely settle any weird spots that might have remained. I love how Sal has finally decided on a direction to follow, and when you look at the fact that this has taken less than a semester it's even more impressive! I'm really excited to see where this new direction takes us, and, since he wants to be a Guild Master and has to learn about all of that, we hopefully won't see that problem that Divinity mentioned was possible w him withdrawing from everything Academy/class-related (bc i love the Academy side of everything)
Davi(d)
2024-03-04 14:02:46 +0000 UTCAnyone else feel like the end of chapter 19 feels like how the end of a book is normally written?
Rapsten
2024-03-04 13:52:27 +0000 UTCAre you using liquid mode on adobe reader? That turned out to be the culprit on my end
Thomas Todd
2024-03-04 13:45:48 +0000 UTCI was having the same issue here with the pdf
Derek Zaccheo
2024-03-04 13:42:03 +0000 UTCOk it looks like its an issue with my pdf reader, no idea why but it didn't show up when I downloaded a different one
Thomas Todd
2024-03-04 13:14:01 +0000 UTCI wonder if it's something on my end, let me try it with a different pdf reader
Thomas Todd
2024-03-04 13:12:29 +0000 UTCThis is really concerning. I went through the PDFs on my side and those didn't show up at all.
James Northman
2024-03-04 13:11:58 +0000 UTCLoving the chapters, I think a lot of the issues we pointed out previously are minimised or eliminated if we can read the chapters back to back. It seemed more prominent because there were gaps but that wouldn't be there on book release. Also has anyone else had problems with the chapters? Yesterday and today I've had sections show up like this for chapter 17 and 19 abandon all his apprehensions abMytout hcrsafkitllecr omabibilityn,attihaonst w. Iafshe finceoul. Tdhenr'te rwecerreae stteillthe huncidrrcedumsts ofanabicelistiewshethare the hemcade ouldtihe mprove within that database. Gallant's issue had been around for a few years, and Upgrade was right. The onus shouldn't be squarely on him to solve that problem.
Thomas Todd
2024-03-04 13:05:48 +0000 UTC
