Initially, the snail held a distaste for the beings intruded that into the realm of its master. Particularly irksome was the audacious one who dared to strike at him. Extracting that individual's mana had been a satisfying act for the snail, yet the information relayed by the boxes indicated that this action had inadvertently siphoned the soul from its master. It had scolded itself for that for many days. Consequently, it resolved to reserve such a spell for only the most dire circumstances, when no other options were left.
The master had reshaped those who dared to venture into his dungeon, a form of mercy that initially eluded the snails understanding. Yet, in time, it came to realize that, as always, the master's decisions were wise. The newly created servants were an unruly group but possessed potential. Among the first two, the tall one stood out for his strength.
When these servants were first brought into existence, they engaged in a brief skirmish with each other. At first, the snail was concerned that the master had erred, creating beings that might again pose a threat. But he quickly chided himself for doubting the master, who was infallible in his actions. It became clear that this encounter was a controlled test of their abilities, an approach it hadn't considered with the previous servant boy.
And so the snail seeing that the small one was not a fighter made the tall one do test fights with it. During these test battles this tall one demonstrated an uncanny ability to anticipate the snails moves before they were made. Recognizing this, the snail had to adapt its strategy, focusing on overwhelming the tall one with a barrage of attacks.
The snail frequently engaged in these testing skirmishes with the tall one, especially when the younger servant boy was asleep. The boy's sleep was a matter of annoyance for the master, and consequently, for it as well. Despite this, the snail harbored a certain concern for the boy. It was knowledgeable and had shown the snail various spells, revealing a depth of understanding that intrigued the snail. The snail also sensed that the boy was not fully demonstrating his capabilities, holding back for reasons unknown.
Regarding the smaller one, her fate in her previous life had been abruptly sealed by the snail before she could react. However, in her current existence, she had become its favorite among the master's servants. Unlike the others who maintained a distance, she exhibited a different approach towards the snail.
Upon her first encounter with the snail since being reshaped by the master, she regarded it with a sense of wonder, her gaze fixed on him for an extended period. After about an hour of this silent observation, she boldly approached Adrian. Crouching down in front of him, she attempted to initiate some form of communication.
The snail, cautious and surprised by the servant's unexpected approach, withdrew into the safety of its shell. From within, it could hear her disappointment at its retreat, yet she persisted, patiently trying to coax it out. The snail felt a gentle touch on its shell, a tentative gesture that seemed to convey goodwill rather than harm.
The servant remained there, patiently waiting, her presence steady and unthreatening. After a considerable duration, the snail, reassured by her patient demeanor, decided that she posed no threat. Slowly and cautiously, it emerged from the shell.
Upon seeing the snail again, the servant's face lit up with a broad, joyful grin. She reached out, this time with a confident and gentle touch, and stroked the snail on the head. This interaction marked a significant moment of trust and understanding between them. And after that it vowed to never doubt its master again.
The latest addition to the master's servants intrigued the snail. This new servant was an oddball, even by the snail's standards. His body was adorned with complex markings, reminiscent of those the boy used to draw in his books, but far more intricate. Initially, the snail didn't perceive anything particularly remarkable about this servant, aside from the curious markings.
However, its opinion swiftly changed mere hours after the servant's creation. Following the first test battle, which the new servant only observed, a striking display of power occurred. It sensed an unfamiliar yet potent energy, compelling the snail to turn its attention in his direction. What the snail witnessed then was a remarkable: the new servant was at the center of a swirling vortex of wind. The force was so intense that it sent books flying off shelves, tearing pages asunder.
As the spectacle continued, the servant began to levitate, defying gravity. A bright light burst forth from his mouth and eyes, casting an eerie glow around him. Most notably, the markings on his right arm started to emit a green luminescence, adding to the otherworldly aura of the scene. After the display the wind stopped and the servant fell to the floor, and the books floated back up to the shelves as per his master's will.
That day held even more surprises beyond the extraordinary display of power from the new servant. A few hours later, the female servant, bubbling with excitement, engaged in animated conversation with the tall servant. She paced back and forth, clearly enthusiastic about something. Then, she approached the snail, carefully placing three pieces of paper on the ground before it. Curious, the snail moved over to inspect one, noticing it was covered in markings.
The servant's excitement intensified as she quickly snatched up the paper and hurried over to the tall servant, showing him her findings. What happened next was truly astonishing, even to the snail. The female servant boldly approached the master's crystal, beginning to prod at it. The snail had seen the boy interact with the crystal before, but it was always under the master's allowance. This time, however, it seemed the female servant hadn't sought permission, and The snail was about to intervene when the crystal began to speak, just as it had with the boy.
Unlike the boy, these servants, like the snail, could not fully comprehend the master's language. However, they seemed to have discovered a way to communicate with the master using the markings. Intriguingly, it appeared that only the tall servant possessed the ability to use these markings to converse with the master.
For the snail, what followed was a moment that would forever stand out as the most incredible experience in its life. Amidst the unfolding events, the master's voice resonated throughout the space, imbued with a power that was both awe-inspiring and profound. In that singular, extraordinary instance, the snail understood its master's words, a connection that transcended the usual barriers of comprehension between them.
"Adrian, I hope you enjoy your new name."
----------------------------------------
Lakar's day was a whirlwind of emotion; it was simultaneously the best and most confusing of his life.
he had a second chance at life, gifted with newfound power and an opportunity to make amends for his past mistakes.
However, the sheer complexity of his situation left him feeling overwhelmed. The power he used had caused him to pass out before he was able to learn about anything.
If waking up in a nice bed within a strange room wasn't bad enough, walking out and noticing the snail's increased size, only intensified Lakars confusion. Bolka informed him that the snail had been given a name, Adrian, which seemed to be a important. Not to mention Bolka seemed ecstatic, petting the snail on the top of its slimy head.
Perhaps this was the cause of his transformation. Maybe the dungeon had bestowed a name upon him, but Lakar quickly dismissed that idea. He knew it wasn't the naming that had brought about these changes; he had made a pact, whatever that means.
He contemplated this newest change to his body, his increased height and the markings on his right arm changed green, he couldn't help but feel that making this pact had led to these changes, even though he wasn't entirely sure of their implications.
After congratulating Adrian on his new name, Lakar walked over to the table where Touk was set up.
"You alright?" he asked.
"I'm good, just still a little tired is all," Lakar responded, his voice tinged with lingering drowsiness and a hint of disorientation. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts, each one attempting to piece together the recent events.
"Do you feel like discussing what happened?"
"I would, really, but I'm not entirely sure of everything myself," Lakar admitted honestly.
Touk picked up a blank book and, opening it, began to jot something down.
"Let's go back to the beginning. Were you conscious during the wind and the green lights?" Touk inquired, pausing in his writing to look up at Lakar, awaiting his response.
"Sort of," Lakar began, his expression contemplative. "Initially, I heard a voice, as if the wind itself was speaking to me. It seemed eager to communicate, expressing a desire to protect me and keep me safe. It mentioned something about a pact, though I'm still not clear on what that entails. I assumed this was a power the dungeon was offering, and I accepted it without much thought. After that, the voice ceased, and the wind intensified around me. It felt like it was pulling at me, almost lifting me off the ground. There was this sensation of ice coursing through my veins, and as it reached my head, all I could see was a flash of light before I blacked out." He paused, somewhat amazed at the clarity with which he recalled the event.
Touk diligently transcribed Lakar's account into his book, then looked up with a thoughtful expression. "Interesting," he remarked. "Apart from the changes in your appearance, how do you feel now? Do you still hear the voice?"
"Well, physically, I don't feel much different than when I was first revived, and I definitely can't heal a broken nose with green light like Bolka, or see with my eyes closed, as you can," Lakar responded, his voice laced with a touch of self-mockery. "As for the voice, it's been silent since then. I tried to communicate with it when I woke up, but there was no answer."
"As long as you're okay, that's what matters. This seems significant. Whatever power the dungeon has given you appears to be quite different from mine and Bolka's. And I have a feeling that your abilities will develop further over time," Touk said, his tone reflecting a mix of concern and intrigue about the nature of Lakar's new powers.
"Yeah, I certainly hope so. The abilities you and Bolka have are fascinating. I just hope I can do something similar or equally impressive," Lakar responded.
“In due time, Lakar. Patience is key," Touk reassured him. He then glanced at the book he had been writing in, comparing it with the previous one he had been writing in when Lakar first woke up. "For now, I'll review what you've recounted and see what insights can be gleaned,"
As Touk immersed himself in his studies, Lakar's gaze wandered around the spacious room. He observed the shelves lined with books, all seemingly blank, devoid of words - a detail that Touk had mentioned earlier. His attention then shifted to Bolka, who was tenderly petting Adrian, the snail. Adrian appeared to relish this attention, leaning into Bolka's hand with an almost contented demeanor, a testament to the unusual bond forming between them. This quiet moment offered Lakar a chance to reflect on the peculiarities and wonders of the world he was now a part of.
Lakar's eyes settled on the crystal that had catalyzed his rebirth, his new chief or master — a role he had to embrace, to serve this enigmatic crystal. Thoughts swirled through his mind, a myriad of questions and speculations about his fate and the nature of his pact. Among these contemplations, one thought edged its way to prominence, laced with a touch of skepticism, “Was that entire display of wind and glowing eyes solely for me to gain a bit of height and to change some of the markings green?”
"Hello?" chimed a cheerful voice, startling Lakar. The power of the voice momentarily blurred his focus, all the muscles in his body tensed. His reaction was immediate and involuntary; he let out a decidedly unmanly scream and tumbled backward, sprawling clumsily out of his chair. The suddenness and power of the voice had caught him completely off guard.
Instinctively, Lakar's training kicked in. He smoothly rolled out of the fall and swiftly came to his feet, a brief flash of pride crossing his face. However, his self-satisfaction was short-lived as he heard Bolka's deep sigh of exasperation. Turning his gaze in that direction, Lakar noticed Adrian, who had retreated into its shell, presumably startled by the commotion. Bolka's expression was one of annoyance, clearly unimpressed by Lakar's dramatic reaction.
"Seriously?" Bolka exclaimed, her irritation evident. "Did you really need to scream like that for no reason? There's nothing in here, did you do that on purpose? You idiot, now you've scared Adrian, and I was still in the middle of congratulating him on his new name. Now, I'll have to coax him out again." Bolka's frustration was palpable as he turned his attention back to the now-hidden Adrian, preparing to gently persuade the snail to emerge once more.
"I'm, uh, sorry Adrian, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that I heard a voice unexpectedly," Lakar explained, his voice tinged with a mix of apology and his usual state of confusion.
"Is it the same voice you heard when you made the pact?" Touk interjected, his curiosity piqued.
"No, this voice was different – clearer and louder, and it sounded male. The other one, the one I heard during the pact, was quieter and had a female tone," Lakar clarified, his expression still etched with confusion.
“Intersting.” Touk said, looking back down at his book and writing something in it.
"This voice felt different as well," Lakar went on, trying to articulate the distinction. "The other voice, the one involved in the pact, it had a sense of power, but this one... it's different. It's as if just hearing it makes me want to shrink away and disappear. The sheer power of it when it spoke just a single word... it was enough to make my body react instinctively, to shake and jump back without even thinking."
A realization came to him, "It was the dungeon," Lakar murmured, almost in a whisper.
"What?" Bolka responded, his voice a mix of surprise and skepticism.
"It had to be. I've only ever felt that kind of overwhelming power when the dungeon recreated me," Lakar explained, his gaze fixed intently on the crystal, eyes wide with a realization that seemed to both awe and unsettle him.
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Bolka shuddered, likely recalling her own encounter with that formidable power. "Are you sure?" she asked
"It has to be; there's no other explanation," Lakar insisted, turning his gaze towards Bolka for affirmation.
Bolka, following his gaze, turned her attention to the crystal. She squinted, as if trying to discern something from it, a look of deep concentration on her face. After a moment, she exhaled a sigh and redirected her attention to Lakar. "Well, I can't hear anything from it. What exactly did it say to you?"
"Hello. But it sounded more like it was asking a question rather than just greeting."
"And you understood it?" Bolka inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, it spoke in Goblin," Lakar confirmed.
"Why is it speaking Goblin now? Before, it used the human language and spoke to all of us out loud. Why is it only speaking to you now, and in your head at that? You're not making this up, are you?" Bolka pressed, her tone tinged with frustration and a hint of skepticism.
"I promise you, I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't lie about something as important as our creator," Lakar asserted earnestly, his sincerity evident.
Bolka nodded, accepting his assurance. "Good, I'm glad to hear that you hold our master in high regard. Now, why are you keeping it waiting?" Her question, now more focused and direct, shifted the conversation back to the matter at hand, making Lakar realize he was doing just that.
Lakar turned his attention back to the crystal, his intent clear – to reconnect with the voice of the dungeon. "I'm so sorry I kept you waiting, Lord Dungeon," he said, his voice trembling, betraying the mixture of awe and nervousness he felt.
The response came, its powerful, resonant quality confirming that it was indeed the dungeon. The voice was so profound that it momentarily stole the breath from Lakar's lungs and nearly made his knees give way under its weight.
"I appreciate the apology, Lakar. It's a bit of a surprise to be able to converse like this. How are you feeling after everything that's happened?"" the dungeon inquired, its tone suggesting a genuine interest in Lakar's wellbeing and the changes he had undergone.
Despite the overwhelming sensation that threatened to overtake him, Lakar mustered his strength and stood firm. He recognized the importance of this moment – not just to respond respectfully, but also to express his gratitude to the entity that had given him a new lease on life. Summoning his resolve, Lakar prepared to answer the dungeon, his voice steadied by a deep sense of appreciation and a desire to acknowledge the gift he had been given.
This interaction marked a significant moment for Lakar, establishing a personal connection between him and the enigmatic entity that had granted him new powers. Throughout their conversation, he struggled to maintain his composure under the sheer intensity of the dungeon's voice, which dominated his senses, making it hard for him to focus on anything else.
Towards the end of their exchange, the dungeon inquired about his "Status" in relation to the pact. Unfamiliar with the concept, Lakar echoed the word curiously, "Status?" As he uttered it, a large blue box suddenly materialized in front of him. Startled by its appearance, Lakar stumbled backwards, but the box persistently maintained its position, hovering at the same distance from his face. It even moved with his gaze, following his line of sight wherever he looked.
"Lakar!" Touk called out, concern evident in his voice as he hurried over to assist him. "Are you alright?"
At this moment, Lakar found himself unable to stand. The sudden appearance of the box had not only startled him but also disrupted his connection with the dungeon. As the connection faded, so too did the strength he had been mustering to remain upright and respectful while conversing with the dungeon. This loss of support caused him to start falling, but Touk was quick to react. He caught Lakar in time, gently guiding him to a chair to ensure he was safe and could recover from the shock and exhaustion of the experience.
Seated now, Lakar felt the overpowering influence of the dungeon's voice recede, bringing clarity to his mind. With his vision no longer clouded by the overwhelming presence of the dungeon, he turned his attention to the persistent box that dominated his field of view.
Name: Lakar
Race: Dungeon Goblin
Class: Mystic Trainee
Pact Types: Wind
Affinity Type: Pact Bonding
Mana 9/30 (3-1, 2 per day)
Mana to Level Up 9/30
Hp: 10/10
Gender: ♂
Size: Medium
Speed: Fast
Pact Info & Abilities
Current Pacts: 1/6
Blessings: None
Pact Costs: Unpaid
Pacts
Aeolian Harmony - Complete Wind Pact:
This pact bestows upon its holder the capacity to enter a enhanced state, gaining complete access to the elementals powers. In this state, the user has the liberty to wield the elemental's abilities at their discretion. Nonetheless, the user and elemental exist as separate entities, the elemental may still utilize its powers to assist the pact holder. But It's crucial to recognize that while an elemental can forge only one complete pact, it may be bound by several lesser pacts, or, as is typical with wind elementals, it might prefer to roam freely across the world. Therefore, the pact holder should not always expect the elemental's constant presence, as its presence is not needed to use the pact.
The effectiveness and potency of these abilities are deeply connected to the strength of the bond and the mutual acceptance shared between the user and the elemental. As this bond strengthens and evolves, the user can harness increasingly advanced and powerful elemental skills. Entering this heightened state not only enhances the user's native powers but also significantly expands their mental connection with elemental forces and mana.
Aeolian State
Activation Cost: 10 Mana
Time: 5 Minutes
Zephyr's Sovereignty (Level 1): The pact holder can manipulate the wind within their immediate vicinity, creating gentle breezes and minor air currents to accomplish simple tasks.
Flight of the Zephyr (Level 1): The individual gains the ability to glide short distances and achieve modest heights, testing the limits of their newfound aerial mobility.
Eternal Breeze (Level 1): They develop an increased tolerance for challenging environments, enabling them to withstand moderate air pressure changes and minor environmental hazards.
Whispers of the Zephyr (Level 1): They begin to interpret basic messages from the wind, discerning changes in weather patterns and gaining a rudimentary understanding of atmospheric shifts.
Spells
[Mana Speech]: This spell allows the caster to manipulate the ambient mana to communicate telepathically with one willing creature within 60 feet. The spell doesn't grant the ability to read the recipient's thoughts, but it allows the caster to send a telepathic message to the target. The recipient can respond to the message in a similar manner. The spell creates a telepathic link between the caster and the recipient, allowing for silent communication that only they can perceive. (Mana Cost: 2 Per 15 Seconds)
"What… are you serious?" Lakar exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and astonishment after reading the information in the status box. The information presented to him within the floating blue box was overwhelming.
As he processed the details, he discovered he could manipulate the size of the status box with just a thought, enlarging it to see more or shrinking it down to a less obtrusive size. When he had finished absorbing the information and no longer needed the box, it disappeared as if it were never there, vanishing into thin air.
Concerned by Lakar's reaction and his previous lack of response, Touk's voice carried a heightened sense of urgency. "Are you alright, Lakar?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, actually, better than fine," Lakar reassured Touk, a newfound sense of excitement creeping into his voice. "I've just learned about my power, I think."
"What! That's incredible, what did the dungeon say?" Touk's excitement was palpable, his eyes lighting up with curiosity and enthusiasm.
Lakar hesitated, then replied, "Actually, it wasn't the dungeon that explained it to me." Realizing his words might sound misleading, he quickly clarified, not wanting to give the wrong impression about the dungeon, "I mean, the dungeon did help me though."
Touk looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Unsure about whether he should divulge details about the status screen to the others, given the dungeon never told Touk about this through their book, Lakar attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Uh... never mind, that's not important, I—" he began, but Bolka wasn't having it.
She interrupted him, her tone conveying both confusion and a hint of concern. "Um, I think it is important. Weren't you only communicating with the dungeon?" Bolka pressed, clearly puzzled by Lakar's evasive responses and seeming a bit upset by the lack of clarity.
Bolka's insistence intensified. "Who else could it have been? If it wasn't the dungeon, who informed you about your abilities?" she demanded, her frustration evident in her voice.
Lakar tried to respond cautiously, "Look, Bolka, I'm not sure if I can—" but before he could finish, Bolka interrupted him again, her tone laced with irritation.
"What, you don't know if you can tell us? What gives you the right to keep information from us? Touk and I have been here for days before you arrived, and now you suddenly show up and act as if you're calling the shots?" Bolka's voice rose as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rant, something that Lakar had experienced in their past life. He glanced towards Touk, hoping for some intervention, but Touk remained silent this time, offering no sign of stepping in to diffuse the situation.
Bolka's frustration crescendoed into a near shout. "Do you actually believe that just because you can communicate with the dungeon, you're special?" She challenged him with fervor. "Well, I've got news for you, you're not special around here."
Lakar winced at Bolka's pointed words. He lowered his gaze to the floor, taking in her continued venting. "I can heal people with just a thought and a wave of my hand, and Touk—he can practically see into the future."
"I can't see into the future," Touk interjected, aiming to clarify his capabilities.
"Whatever, you has some kind of foresight, right? Anyway, that's not the point," Bolka brushed off Touk's comment, her focus still squarely on Lakar. "This isn't like back at the tribe. I'm not going to hold my tongue out of fear like I might have done then. I'm not afraid of getting my throat slit for speaking my mind anymore." Bolka spat, venom in her words.
Lakar attempted to clarify, his words laced with a desire to diffuse the tension. "Bolka, that's not what I'm—"
But before he could finish, Bolka cut him off again, her voice firm and resolute. "Just stop, it doesn't matter now. Just tell us about the abilities the dungeon gave you." Her demand was straightforward, signaling a shift in the conversation away from their past and towards the present roles within the dungeon.
Relieved to shift the focus away from the brewing conflict and Bolka's accusations, Lakar seized the opportunity to explain his newfound abilities. "Oh uh, well, as you're aware, I formed a pact. What I've learned is that it's a 'complete pact,' which appears to be quite significant. It's called 'Aeolian Harmony.' I'm still figuring out the full extent of its capabilities. But from what I understand so far, it grants me the power to go into a state were I can manipulate wind, breathe in extreme environments, send messages using the wind, and even fly, though only for short distances!" Lakar slightly shouted the last part unable to contain his excitement.
Touk's eyes widened in surprise, a reflexive response to Lakar's revelation. He quickly closed them, opting instead to express his astonishment by raising his eyebrows. Meanwhile, the anger that had previously clouded Bolka's demeanor vanished, swiftly replaced by a mix of skepticism and jealousy.
It was Bolka who eventually shattered the ensuing silence, her voice laced with a hint of envy. "You can fly?"
Lakar pondered aloud, considering the potential of his newfound abilities. "Apparently, though I haven't worked out how to actually do it yet. And if I did manage it, I'd likely end up depleting my mana. The pact mentions that this ability is at level one, so I guess there's room for it to grow stronger?"
Touk, curious about Lakar's caution, probed further. "How do you know you would go into mana depletion?"
Caught off guard by the question, Lakar hesitated for a moment before responding. "Um, well, I uh... Just have a feeling?"
Bolka's enthusiasm was palpable as she urged Lakar to experiment with his powers. "There's no way to know unless you try. Just give it a shot! That's how I figured out my healing abilities," she said, her voice full of encouragement.
Lakar, starting to get nervous, could only muster a surprised, "What?"
"Go ahead, try to use your power. It's the only way you'll learn," Bolka reiterated, eager to see Lakar's abilities in action.
Touk nodded in agreement, lending his support to Bolka's urging. "She's right, you know," he said. "Testing your limits is part of understanding your new strengths."
Despite the encouragement, Lakar hesitated, his reluctance clear. "I really don't feel like going unconscious right now," he retorted, half-joking yet hoping they would drop it.
"You're not going to pass out from just one try. Look, I can use my healing abilities multiple times before I even start to feel tired. And if using your power once makes you unconscious, it wouldn't be very practical, would it?" she said, hoping to allay his fears.
Lakar's discomfort grew, the sweat on his brow a testament to the inner conflict he was facing. He held a piece of crucial information that Bolka and Touk were unaware of – the very real risk of losing consciousness if he attempted to use his power. The status screen had explicitly indicated that the cost of activating his new ability was 10 mana points, yet he only possessed 9. This shortfall put him in a precarious situation where using the ability could quite literally knock him out.
Compounding his dilemma was his uncertainty about whether he should even share the existence of the status screen with Bolka and Touk. He was hesitant to trouble the dungeon with this query, preferring not to disturb it with what might seem like trivial concerns.
Resigned to the situation and the pressure from his companions, Lakar silently accepted his fate. He prepared himself for the potential consequences.
Lakar faced the book on the table, his hand outstretched towards it as he tried to tap into the power he was said to possess. Concentrating hard, he willed the book to move towards him. But despite his efforts and focus, the book remained stationary.
Bolka's response came quickly, a blend of boredom and mild disappointment in her voice. "Well, that was lame," she remarked.
Lakar glanced at Bolka, a bit of defensiveness in his tone. "Were you expecting me to get it on my first try?" he asked, his eyebrows raised slightly.
"Well, no," Bolka admitted, "but everything you've done so far was flashy and instant."
"Like what?" Lakar inquired, genuinely curious about her perspective.
"You had your wind and such," Bolka replied with a smile, recalling the earlier display of his pact's power.
"That wasn't me, it was the... elemental." As he spoke, a sudden realization dawned on him about the elemental he was bonded with through the pact. He recalled the details of the pact, specifically the part about the elemental being able to use its abilities around him, if it wanted that is.
Although he hadn't managed to communicate with the elemental upon waking up, Lakar now considered that it might have been due to his lack of attempt at using 'Mana Speech.' This spell, a term still somewhat foreign to him, seemed to be the key to unlocking more direct communication with the elemental.
Lakar focused intently, reaching inward to connect with the elemental. With a soft plea, he whispered, "Please, bring the book to me." His first attempt bore no fruit, nor did several subsequent tries. He broadened his approach, projecting his thoughts into the wind, imagining gusts and the swirling vortex that had encircled him during the pact formation. Yet still, the book remained motionless, indifferent to his efforts.
Hours trickled by with persistent trials and no success, but Lakar's determination didn't wane. And then, a subtle shift occurred. He felt a faint tug, a whisper of mana expenditure that was different from all his earlier attempts. The book quivered, as if stirred by an unseen force, then slowly rose from the table. With a gentle glide, it floated through the air, guided by an invisible current, until it settled securely in Lakar's waiting hand.
Both Touk and Bolka saw the display, Touk sitting at the desk the book was on, and Bolka standing a couple feet from that same desk.
A surge of elation rushed through him, and he couldn't contain the laughter that bubbled up from within. "Yes, it worked! I knew it! This is awesome!" he shouted, his triumph ringing out clear and loud.
Lakar noticed Touk's reaction to his attempt to move the book with his wind elemental. Just before the book began to lift, Touk unexpectedly stood up and stepped back, as if he saw something. This peculiar behavior caught Lakar's attention and sparked a thought in his mind. Could Touk, with his abilities, actually see the wind elemental?
"That was stupid, you barely made the thing float," Bolka said, snapping Lakar from his thoughts, her voice was laced with playful mockery.
Lakar, not missing a beat, shot back with a grin, "You're just mad you can't fly." His words were light, trying to maintaining a friendly banter between them.
Bolka couldn't help but laugh in response, her amusement clear. "Well, if flying is anything like what you did with the book, I don't think I'm missing much. But you do have a point, it'll be quite something when you finally get the hang of it. Anyway, good job," she said, her teasing giving way to a more sincere tone of encouragement.
The light atmosphere in the room was suddenly disrupted when a book flew off a nearby shelf, soaring towards them and flipping open on its own. A quill, materializing out of thin air and already dripping with ink, began writing frantically in the book. It was clear to Lakar that this was the work of the dungeon, their enigmatic master communicating an urgent message.
As the quill finished its frantic scribbling, the book spun around to face Touk. The smile on Touk's face vanished as he employed his unique ability, opening his eyes, they moved rapidly as if searching the surroundings for something unseen before closing them. He looked at Lakar and Bolka, his expression was grave.
"The dungeon says we're getting invaded."