Garnet still had about two days before she was going to leave for Duke Wellington's Manor. After they finished eating, Duke Wellington left. He had business to attend to. "Nobles must be busy people," thought Garnet.

New Quest: Summoning Circles

Speak with Zedd in his Workshop.

Reward: New Skill

"It was a new quest!" thought Garnet. She had not gotten a request from Zedd since the Giant Wild Boar. Garnet quickly returned to Zedd's Workshop.

Kirk and Klarth were still guarding outside. As Garnet entered, she heard Zedd making a lot of noise. "What are you doing?" asked Garnet.

"I heard you're going with the Duke to his manor," said Zedd. "Why?"

"He said he would help me save this city as long as I help him," Garnet explained. "He is already even working on the East Wall."

"I heard about that," said Zedd. "It is a good start. If he can continue this, then there's no doubt he will inherit the throne."

"Why's that?" asked Garnet.

"King Caligula has been bedridden for a while," said Zedd. "But few people know this."

"Since when?" asked Garnet.

"Since I asked you to take out that Giant Wild Boar," said Zedd. "That was why you were even able to leave the city."

Garnet had thought about it. She had been able to get away with a lot of things that would have been seen as damaging to the King, such as completing tasks that his guards did not want to do in order to promote the safety of the people. The reason why this was possible was because the King could not actually take action. This meant that when the King did pass, Garnet would need to secure Duke Wellington as the King. "I see," said Garnet.

"Anyways," said Zedd. "This is a special Summoning Circle."

"What is it for?" asked Garnet.

"It is for teleportation," said Zedd. "As long as there is another Summoning Circle at the destination, you can use the circle if you supply mana to it.

Quest Update: Summoning Circles

Learn Teleportation from Zedd

Reward: Teleportation Spell

"How does it work?" asked Garnet.

Zedd took out a book and handed it to Garnet. It consisted of a lot of writing, with pictures of various summoning circles. "Flip to the back," said Zedd.

Garnet went to the back. There were three sheets of paper with Summoning Circles drawn on them. "What are these?" she asked.

"If you put one on the ground and activate it by supplying mana to it, it will turn into a Summoning Circle on the ground," said Zedd. "Even if the circle is erased by some means, you can still teleport there once it has been put there."

"Why are you giving me this?" asked Garnet.

"I need you to be able to help this city," said Zedd. "So I've placed Summoning Circles at each gate, in the room where I summoned you, and in this workshop so that you can travel here faster. The only question is if you have enough mana."

"So how does this work?" asked Garnet.

"Stand in the circle," said Zedd. Garnet moved into the center of the circle. "Channel your mana from your body onto the ground."

Garnet sensed the mana in her body and moved it to her feet and then outward. The Summoning Circle below her started to light up. In front of her appeared an interface with several blue dots. Each of them was a Summoning Circle.

New Skill: Teleportation

Allows for quick movement between locations that have a Teleportation Summoning Circle placed.

MP Cost: 1500

New Skill: Teleportation Summoning Circle

You can lay a new Teleportation Summoning Circle at your feet.

MP Cost: 100

Garnet pushed the one in the castle. It was the room where she was summoned and where Zedd taught her to use her magic. In an instant, nearly all of her mana was gone. Luckily, it refilled quickly thanks to her ability.

Stat Increase: Intelligence +1

Teleportation was an extremely powerful spell that allowed for instant movement. In a few minutes, Garnet had enough mana to return back to Zedd's Workshop.

Quest Complete: Summoning Circles

Reward: Teleportation, Teleportation Summoning Circle

"Thank you," said Garnet.

"This is help for me too," said Zedd. "If you place Summoning Circles in other locations, I can visit them as well."

"I will come see you if I need help," said Garnet. "I also want to learn that other spell from you once I have enough mana."

"The fact that you can use Teleportation is proof of your abilities," said Zedd. "It is an advanced magic that few people can learn. I'm surprised you were able to cast it twice in such a short time. If you're ever in danger, you can use them to escape as well. You can also bring along anyone and anything touching you at the moment of activation."

"I understand," said Garnet. "But I won't need this book."

"Did you already learn it?" asked Zedd.

"Yes," said Garnet. "Watch." Garnet went to her room. "Teleportation Summoning Circle!" The ground lit up with the formation of the magic circle and burned itself into the ground. "Teleportation!" Garnet then used the circle to warp back to the main room of the workshop.

"Incredible," said Zedd. "You did not even need to draw it by hand."

Zedd began to search through his books and pulled out something. "Take this," said Zedd.

"What is this?" asked Garnet. She flipped through the book. It had numerous Summoning Circles inscribed and different pictures in it.

"This is my personal research," said Zedd. "Even though I was never good research, I managed to summon numerous creatures that were discovered by others. It contains the information of Summoning Circles for numerous different types of beasts and creatures. If anyone can learn them and put them to use, it is you, but it is extremely difficult."

New Quest: Learning Summoning Magic

Learn the spells from Zedd's Summoning Book.

Reward: New Skills

Garnet flipped through it. Towards the back of the book, she saw something. It was the spell to summon a hero. "This is..." said Garnet.

Zedd looked over Garnet's shoulder and saw the page she was looking at. "That was what I used to bring you into this world," said Zedd. "It calls forth someone with the spirit of a hero from another world into a vessel in this one. As long as you are here, the spell is useless since there can only be one hero in this world."

There were a few summoning spells more advanced than that. They summoned powerful creatures. There were even some incomplete spells in the back. Zedd had researched them, but was unable to finish it on his own. "What is this?" asked Garnet.

Zedd looked at it. "This is the summon for the legendary Sun Wukong," said Zedd.

Garnet had heard this name. It was the Monkey King. He existed in several cultures and was a powerful creature that defied the Gods. Eventually, he ascended into heaven after earning forgiveness and learned to be peaceful. "Why is this here?" she asked.

"In times of great danger, we ask for help from beings more powerful than us," said Zedd. "If they deem us worthy, they grant us protection. During the previous invasion, I summoned him and he was the one who saved us from near annihilation. He is the reason that the East Wall is not completely gone."

A single creature had the power to fight off an invading army that even Zedd was afraid of. These were powerful creatures and Garnet had been entrusted with the secret of calling them. "Thank you," said Garnet. "You are a wonderful teacher."

"I believe in you," said Zedd. "You tried to do the right thing, and I believe that you will continue to do so. Just promise me that you will save us."

"I promise," said Garnet. "If I fail, I will die trying."

"No, don't do that," said Zedd. "As long as you survive, this world has hope. A man like me who is a poor leader has little to offer."

"You have a lot to offer," said Garnet. "That is why you must be here when Duke Wellington becomes King."

"He is going to become King? How?" asked Zedd.

"If I see that he is truly a good person, I'm going to secure his position and power by any means necessary," said Garnet. "I want you to be there to ensure that he does the right thing."

"Thank you," said Zedd. "If he does become King, I will do my best."

"Now there are still things that I want to finish up before I leave," said Garnet.

"I won't keep you," said Zedd. "Do what you must."

Garnet put Zedd's book into her inventory. She changed into her leather outfit and headed out of the city. She wanted to clear the surrounding of powerful enemies to become as strong as she possibly could before she left. Even though she was still feeling a little unwell, she believed that this was the best thing to do. Without the powerful creatures around, the city would be a little safer and she would benefit from taking their power. Zedd had asked her to do so a while back as well. She owed him a lot and she believed that this was the right thing to do.

Garnet headed into the forest to the East to make sure no one could see her. "Call: Skeletal Hounds!" The three Skeletal Hounds were re-summoned. "Where to next?" she asked. Each of the three dogs again pointed in different directions. One still faced north of the city, and two faced deeper into the forest. She tapped the head of the one that faced directly East. The Skeletal Hound started to move.

Garnet followed a little further behind. She did not want to be seen with the Skeletal Hounds if they were discovered. After all, Zedd had warned her not to be seen by others with them. At night it was okay since there were fewer people, but she had to be careful during the day. The Hounds always waited until Garnet had closed the distance before they continued forward. They seemed to understand her to some degree. "Could they have intelligence?" thought Garnet.

The thought of intelligent summons, possibly mythical creatures were of interest to Garnet. Zedd had shown her that there were incredibly powerful summoned creatures. Garnet's Skeletal Hounds could not compare, but somewhere out there was something that she could absorb in order to increase her power. Levels were not the only way to progress. Powerful skills and abilities were just as important if not more.

Garnet followed her Skeletal Hound deep in to the forest. NEIGH. It was the sound of a horse.

New Quest: Persuade the Bicorn

There is a Bicorn hidden deep in the forest. Find a way to make it serve you.

Reward: Unicorn Mount, New Spell

"A Bicorn?" thought Garnet. She remembered the legends of a Unicorn. It should only allow someone who is pure, namely a virgin to ride it. That was something that Garnet was not. Even if somehow Duke Wellington was lying, the experiences of the old Garnet definitely felt real.

Garnet carefully got closer to the sound, she saw a lake. From it was something that resembled a black horse, but with two horns.

Name: Lilith, the Bicorn

Level: 10

Class: Mammal

Sub-Class: Mythical

Stats: ???

Even though it was an animal, it was not classified as a Beast like the other creatures Garnet had encountered in the past. It was also had a sub-class that separated it from the other creatures.

"Come forth," said a feminine voice.

"Who's there?" said Garnet.

"I know you're hiding there," said the feminine voice.

It was coming from the direction of the Bicorn. Garnet walked forward. "Can you come out?" asked Garnet.

"I'm right in front of you," said the voice. It was coming from the Bicorn in front of Garnet.

"You can talk?!?" shouted Garnet. She was surprised. It was a black talking horse.

"My name is Lilith, and you're here for my services are you not?" asked the Bicorn.

"Yes, Lilith, I want your help," said Garnet.

"I sense magical power coming from you," said Lilith. "That means you can be of help to me."

"I will help you if it means you will help me," said Garnet.

"No, you're not strong enough yet," said Lilith. "In the future, you will be able to."

"So what do I have to do?" asked Garnet.

"Catch me," said Lilith. "However, you are not allowed to catch me with magic or leave the view of the lake."

The Bicorn had some knowledge of Garnet's abilities. It could sense the magic within her. She would have to use her physical abilities to catch Lilithin order to make it serve her. She was now glad that she at least tried to train her physical abilities. "Dismiss!" Garnet unsummoned her Skeletal Hounds since she was not allowed to use magic for this. "I want to do this right," though Garnet. "These are the rules for the competition. I will follow them."

"We begin immediately," said Lilithas she ran off.

"Fast!" thought Garnet. The moment Lilith finished speaking, she almost completely vanished. She was faster than the Alpha Wolf. However, the rules said that she must stay within sight of the lake, meaning that the search area was still limited. Garnet had trained her Speed skill from running around, but it was not enough.

Garnet quickly chased after Lilith, but Lilith was already far ahead of Garnet.

Level Up: Speed (Level 7)

Garnet watched as Lilith zigzagged between trees and jumped over the grasses and brushes. Lilith was doing things that Garnet could not.

"You won't catch me like that," said Lilith.

The biggest problem was that Garnet was not allowed to use her magic. If she was, she could stun it and capture it with ease. But, Garnet was not willing to quit. She had until sunset, which was at least a few hours.

"Shadow Walk!" Garnet hid herself in the shadows of the forest to move around.

"Did you run already?" asked Lilith.

"I'm right here!" shouted Garnet as she jumped from the darkness.

Lilith immediately used her hind legs to kick Garnet. "Mana Shield!" shouted Garnet as she raised the protective barrier. BOOM. Garnet was hit hard by the hind legs of Lilith, it was enough to knock her to the ground. "Close," said Lilith.

Level Up: Physical Resistance (Level 3)

Stat Increase: Vitality +1

"I didn't expect that," said Garnet as she got up.

"I'm surprised you're not hurt," said Lilith.

"Mana Shield," said Garnet. "I always have it on."

"That's excusable for magic, since it's not being used to catch me," said Lilith. "As long as you don't catch me with a spell, I will accept your victory."

"So I can use spells to increase my own abilities?" asked Garnet.

"That's fine," said Lilith. "After all, you are a magic user, it would be unfair if I said no magic at all."

"Good enough for me," said Garnet.

Lilith moved back towards the lake. She was staying away from the shadows. Garnet was able to hide in them and Lilith knew that now, so Garnet lost one of the tricks that she had. But, she had others planned. Garnet ran and put her arms behind her. "Wind Palm!" Garnet used the knockback effect of Wind Palm to launch herself forward. WOOSH. Garnet felt in an incredible burst of speed as she put her hands forward again.

Lilith stepped to the side and dodged at the last second. SPLASH. Garnet fell into the lake. "Nice try," said Lilith. "But the sound gave you away."

"How did you hear that?" Garnet asked.

"My senses are very heightened," said Lilith. "If I focus, I can tell where you are and how you are moving."

"I'm not giving up yet," said Garnet. "I still have time." Garnet needed to raise her speed, she was still too slow. So, she decided to just run after Lilith for a while.

Level Up: Speed (Level 8)

Stat Increase: Agility +1

"You're getting faster instead of slower," said Lilith. "Shouldn't you be getting slower as you get tired?"

"I'm much tougher than a normal person," Garnet replied. "I can last until sundown, but I just need to find a way to capture you with what I have." Garnet continued to run after Lilith.

Level Up: Speed (Level 9)

Stat Increase: Agility +1

"You won't catch me if you're just chasing after me," said Lilith. "I could do this all day and all night as well."

"I won't need all night," said Garnet. "I'll capture you before sunset, I guarantee you that." As Garnet continued to run, she became even faster. The Hero System provided her with this advantage. Given enough time, she would be fast enough to catch Lilith, but the problem was that there was a time limit.

Garnet watched the sun each time she failed to catch Lilith. It was already beginning to go down. "You don't have much time left," said Lilith.

"I know," said Garnet. "But I'm not giving up yet. That means I still have time." Garnet continued to chase after Lilith, but Lilith was too fast for her. Each time she got close, Lilith either dodged it or kicked her back.

Level Up: Speed (Level 10)

Stat Increase: Agility +1

In one afternoon, Garnet's speed had increased significantly thanks to just chasing after Lilith. However, Lilith was still faster than her. She would have to use some kind of trick. Garnet remembered something. As long as she did not catch Lilith with a spell, she would pass. "Call: Skeletal Hounds."

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"You can't catch me with those," said Lilith.

"I don't have to," said Garnet. "I'm just adding more obstacles for you to avoid. Run!" The Skeletal Hounds began to run around the lake leaping and jumping around. It made it more difficult for Lilith to jump around.

"So you're limiting my movement through other means," said Lilith. "Good choice."

Garnet watched as Lilith ran through the trees. She had to slow down because of the movement of the Hounds. They were moving obstacles that were hard to see. If she hit any of them, she would have slowed down considerably and given Garnet a chance. Right now, they only changed Lilith's movement patterns, sometimes forcing her to change directions. The Hounds always moved to avoid Garnet and not hit her, but they did not do the same for Lilith.

"Let's try that again," said Garnet. She watched as the Skeletal Hounds circled around and the changes in Lilith's movement. The problem was that she was unpredictable. She would need to catch Lilith when she was not moving. There was only one chance. The only time Lilith stopped moving was when she kicked Garnet away. Garnet had to find a way to get Lilith to stop moving and grab her leg.

"Air Palm!" Garnet burst forward with a surge of speed.

"That didn't work before!" shouted Lilith as she stood still and turned around.

"I got you!" thought Garnet. She was waiting for this. Lilith had enjoyed picking on Garnet by kicking her when she got too close. That was because Garnet was always aiming for the main body. This time, she was going for the leg. Just like the Alpha Wolf, Garnet had to slow it down by attacking its leg. It was the same here. Lilith liked to kick Garnet a lot, so Garnet just had to wait for that opportunity to grab its leg.

Garnet kept her eyes on Lilith's hind legs as they rose up to kick her. "Air Palm!" Garnet activated the spell again aimed downward at the ground to push herself back a little. A cloud of dust rose from the ground. Garnet had just backed away out of the reach of the legs at the last moment.

"That's!" said Lilith a surprised tone.

"I got you," said Garnet as she reached her arm forward. Garnet felt something in her hand. She definitely got something.

"Let me go!" shouted Lilith.

The dust cleared. Garnet was holding the left hind leg of Lilith. "I did it," said Garnet.

"Yes you did, now let me go!" shouted Lilith. Garnet let go of Lilith's leg. "I did not expect that from you."

"I did not attack you directly with magic," said Garnet. "Was this fair enough for you?"

"Yes," said Lilith. "I should have said no magic at all, but a deal is a deal."

"So how does this work?" asked Garnet. "Do we just sign a piece of paper or something?"

"We use our blood," said Lilith. "With this, we can forge a magically binding contract."

"How do I do that?" asked Garnet.

"I need a drop of your blood," said Lilith.

Garnet took out her short sword and pricked her finger with it. A small amount of blood flowed out. "Drip it onto the ground," ordered Lilith.

A magic circle appeared beneath Garnet and Lilith. It was a Summoning Circle or at least something that highly resembled it. "This is a Summoning Circle," said Garnet.

"It is a Contract Circle, but close enough," said Lilith. "With this, I bind us together in a contract, do you accept?"

"Yes," said Garnet. The Summoning Circle beneath them shrunk into the center between them.

Quest Complete: Persuade the Bicorn

Reward: Experience

You have leveled up!

New Skill: Call: Lilith (Level 1)

Summon Lilith, your Bicorn. She can serve as a mount, but will also change once you grow stronger.

MP Cost: 200

Skill Upgrade: Drain Will (Level 3) -> Pleasure Inducement (Level 1)

Through any form of physical contact, it is possible to create sexual arousal in the target. When the target achieves climax, they are vulnerable to suggestion until they recover. Warning, repeated uses on a single target can cause addiction.

Garnet had learned received another upgrade. "It was worth the trouble," she thought. "So how does this contract thing work?" asked Garnet.

"No matter where you are, if you call me, I will appear before you like your Skeletal Hounds," Lilith explained.

"So you don't travel with me?" Garnet asked.

"I could," said Lilith. "But the contract states that I get to use your body to host me. Even should I die, you can just resummon me."

"What?" said Garnet. "There are terms and conditions?!?"

"That's why it is called a magical contract," said Lilith.

"I won't be your slave or anything right?" asked Garnet.

"No, the only condition that I put is that I get to feed off some of your magical power in order to grow," said Lilith. "I hope to regain my original form with your power."

"Your original form?" asked Garnet. "What was your original form?"

"I was quite a beauty like you," said Lilith. "But due to the lack of magical power, I kind of changed back to this, which is why I need to borrow your power for a while. Become stronger so I can recover okay?"

"I'll try," said Garnet. With this, she had succeeded in getting the help of Lilith. It was not exactly a horse, but it was close enough. If Garnet was traveling alone, she could use it to help her get around.

Garnet placed her palm to her head as she felt another headache. "It's happening again," Garnet thought to herself. "Teleportation Summoning Circle!" Garnet created a magic circle near the lake. Now she had a quick way to get back to town as well without having to go through the front gates. "Teleportation!" The circle on the ground lit up. In a flash of light, Garnet was back at Zedd's Workshop. It was very convenient.

Garnet laid down on her bed. Something was clearly happening to her. The frequent headaches were a sign of something. It started when she first tried to use Mind Read on Duke Wellington. It triggered something inside of her. The headaches came and went, but it all started from that one time she used it on him.

Spoiler :

Name: Garnet

Level: 8

Class: Dark Mage

Sub-class: Temptress

Stats:

HP: 710/710

MP: 1740/1740

Fame: 20

Strength: 20 (+5)

Dexterity: 11 (+7)

Intelligence: 40 (+22)

Vitality: 21 (+5)

Agility: 19 (+7)

Charisma: 19 (+10)

PROFICIENCY: Weapon:

- One Handed Sword - 6

Magic:

- Fire – 4

- Lightning – 5

- Wind – 1

- Summoning – 7

- Blood – 3

- Spatial - 0

SKILLS: Weapon (One Handed Sword):

- Horizontal Slash (Level 3)

- Double Slash (Level 2)

- Crescent Slash

Weapon (Hand to Hand):

- Palm Strike

- Wind Palm

- Explosive Palm

- Lightning Palm

Class (Dark Mage):

- Fire Bolt (Level 5)

- Lightning Bolt (Level 6)

- Chain Lightning (Level 1)

- Light (Level 1)

- Air Bullet (Level 2)

- Mana Strike (Level 2)

- Mana Shield (Level 2)

- Call: Skeletal Hounds (Level 3)

- Call: Lilith (Level 1)

- Recall

- Dismiss

- Enhanced Mana Regeneration (Level 1)- Blood Absorption (Level 4)

- Teleportation (Level 1)

- Teleportation Summoning Circle (Level 1)

Sub-class (Temptress):

- Enhanced Body (Level 2)

- Captivation: (Level 2)

- Mind Read: (Level 1)

- Drain Will (Level 3) -> Pleasure Inducement (Level 1)

- Sexy Walk (Level 1)

- Stealth (Level 1)

- Shadow Walk (Level 1)

Tradeskills:

- Hunting (Level 3) - Hunter

- Cooking (Level 4) - Cook

- Inspection (Level 1)

- Inventory Expansion (Level 2) Passives:

- Hand to Hand (Level 1)

- One Handed Sword (Level 1)

- Reflex (Level 3)

- Speed (Level 10)

- Physical Resistance (Level 3) Unique:

- Hero System (Passive)

- Otherworldly Knowledge (Passive)

- Golden Tongue (Passive)

- Mana Compatibility (Passive)

- Quick Learner (Passive)

- Channeling (Passive)

- Charging (Passive)