Shadow Clone Sorcery
Chapter 9: All Startups Need Money (2)

Please choose from the following:

• Repair Clone: Instead of dispelling a clone or letting it die, repair the magic shell that forms its body. Remove all damage or just enough to restore functionality.

• Altered State: A clone’s physical state need not match your own during summoning. They can be you in the best health you’ve been since gaining the ability, match your current state, or carry copies of your past injuries.

• Empowered Copy: Pour extra magic into a clone, improving its physical qualities. The improvements can involve increasing their strength and toughness, or agility and perception. Their appearance will match the physical enhancements.

Arcane Clone: Tier 1 | Rank 6

“I suppose that’s convenient. Quests for hastened growth certainly make life easier. I would’ve preferred more tangible rewards, though.”

They will come in time. Transporting you to Iskander with looted magical materials consumed the bulk of the rewards budget. The ability upgrade, though minor, should be a big enough improvement for the time being.

“Allocating budget to the portals wouldn’t have been necessary if our dear benefactor didn’t drop us off in the middle of a Wyrm Cult raid,” Lukas commented. He shook his head, sighing. “No point in debating that. It was a fact. She gave me freedom and then forced my hand.”

Underhanded, it may have been, but you didn’t walk away empty-handed.

“Let’s take a wild guess. The next of her interests is in the undercity.”

There are multiple interests surrounding Iskander. A few are in the undercity, another along the coast to the west, and a fourth out at sea.

“Are any of them urgent?”

“In that case, I don’t want to hear about them right now. Let me know if I or the clones wander close to any of them, but for the time being, we’re minimizing risk and maximizing growth and profit.” Lukas looked at the clone sitting nearby, studying a map of the city. “Am I missing anything?”

“Can you tell us what conjunction abilities are?”

Negative. Information is locked behind, serving the Mistress’s interests.

Fuck that. I’m not going to be her slave. Replacing the chain and stick with a carrot isn’t going to work for me.

It’s not slavery. Consider it an incentive.

“You might as well head to the library, El-Two,” Lukas said, ignoring the diary’s correction. “Where is our closest one?”

“All the decent ones near us already turned me away,” the clone answered. “They either belong to the mage academy, Arcane Research Center, or aren’t meant for the likes of us. I’m making note of any alternatives that will let us poor people in.”

“Don’t bother. Steal a mask and climbing tools. Break-in after closing. Figure out what we want and then dispel yourself if you’re in danger of getting caught.”

“If not?”

Lukas grinned. “Steal anything worth stealing, especially things that’ll be easy to fence or books on beginner magic, and report back to me.”

“Got it, boss,” the clone said before heading for the window.

“On second thought—” Lukas dispelled the clone and made his sub-ability selection. Then, he recreated El-Two, pouring extra energy into his shard ability. The clone reformed with a significantly better complexion and not as gaunt. “How do you feel?”

“Limber,” El-Two answered, rolling his shoulders and bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Certainly better than you.”

“Better be. Creating you took one-and-half times the normal amount of magic.”

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The first two upgrades on offer didn’t appeal to Lukas. He didn’t yet know how magic worked on Fracture, but in his previous life, he had figured out how to repair clones and summon them in different states within a couple of years of learning Arcane Clone. The former rarely came into use. Lukas didn’t see the need to repair a clone when he could dispel it and resummon it in good health. The act also often came with valuable intelligence.

Since the magic demands of creating clones were decreasing and the recovery after dispelling them was increasing with every rank—and would further after he began magic training, he still didn’t see the use in repairing.

Meanwhile, altering their health and physical health during summoning had tactical use. He could create a perfectly healthy clone while in a terrible state or an injured one to pretend his ‘twin’ was in trouble and he needed assistance. However, it paled in comparison to creating physically superior clones. Doing the same in his old life had taken him several years to figure out. Lukas could already foresee an army of specialized clones running around Iskander, completing diverse tasks.

“You’re free to go,” Lukas said.

El-Two hopped to attention and saluted. “Yes, Drill Sergeant Prime. Whatever you say, Drill Sergeant Prime.”

The clone climbed out of the window and disappeared into the dimly lit street outside.

Out of the three inns, Stefan showed them, Lukas picked the one closest to the red-light street. It wasn’t because he wanted to avail the entertainment on offer, but because the area seemed to house the shady sort he wanted to deal with. Well-dressed drunks and unconscious patrons also had the coin necessary for starting life in Iskander.

Lukas had put together a plan and expense list, and getting the money he needed using legitimate means would take far too long. Besides room and board, he needed outfits for himself and the clones. They all needed tools and weapons, and also money for trainers and tutors. The hours after Stefan left them had proven fruitless.

No one wanted to take him or the clones on for apprenticeships, assistants, or any other specialized roles. The fibs regarding his shard abilities had proven insufficient. He was deemed too weak for physical jobs and not experienced or educated enough for jobs under mages or scholars.

My next ability needs to be flashy or something I can more readily show off.

Things didn’t improve over the next couple of days.

‘Elvis’ accepted the job working for Kat’s father. El-Two broke into libraries but only managed to access texts about the city’s history, trade, and economics. He had instructions to take it slow and prioritize studying layouts, staff, and their movements over rushing toward the prize. Good thieves and intelligence gatherers valued patience. Lukas was in Iskander to stay. He couldn’t afford to be branded a criminal.

Lukas also signed himself and his ‘twin’ up for the courier service. He had the clones take turns running around the city, delivering packages and gathering intelligence. Night-time deliveries paid more but also came with significantly more danger. El-Two got chased through the streets by a gang after his packages on the first night. An arrow to the knee took down El-One the second. Fortunately, the latter had already made his delivery and only lost the meager tip he had received.

Lukas only went out during the day, rotating between visiting the open libraries, trying out for new jobs, and running deliveries. Elvis was doing well at the smithy, and Kat seemed to enjoy the juvenile charm, so he stayed away.

Over the first week, the incoming funds averaged out at just under thirty shells a day. Fifteen went on room and board. There were cheaper inns, but Lukas wanted somewhere he didn’t need to worry about break-ins or adulterated food. The Drunk Cockerel also had its own bath, and that alone made it worth the extra money.

Getting a bed and food for fifteen shells demanded extensive bargaining. The landlady had agreed but only provided a single room, believing the brothers would take turns to sleep as one worked during the day and the other at night. However, she provided food for two, and Lukas ate both, desperate to help his new body gain muscle as soon as possible.

The nicer inn had other benefits. Lukas liked the look of the clientele much more than that of the other inns. He didn’t go out of his way to interact with his neighbors, but daily greetings made his face known and familiar. It was one such connection that got Lukas the break he needed.

“Do you and your brother need work?” The woman next door asked one morning just as Lukas was heading to the dining room for work. Her eyes momentarily moved to the courier badge pinned to his coat.

“Always,” Lukas replied, flashing his best smile. He had greeted her good morning and good night every evening for the past six days. It was the first time she had spoken to him. “What specifically are you looking for?”

“Porters. I need people who can carry themselves well and know their way around the city.” She paused when El-One exited their room. The clone was enhanced for strength, making him appear bulkier. Lukas had only just resummoned El-One after he returned from running deliveries all night. A forearm-long club hung from his waist. “And aren’t scared of the dark or getting hurt.”

“We’re terrified,” El-One said. “But the right amount of money makes all of that meaningless. Will there be any combat involved?”

“How about I elaborate over breakfast? I’ve got a carriage waiting outside. We’ll talk on the way.” She quickly continued when Lukas hesitated. “I’m buying, of course. The bakeries around city hall are to die for.”

“Sold!” The clone cheered.