Chapter 7: The Enchanted Waters
Thistle and William stood at the edge of the aquamarine pool, its ethereal glow reflecting in their eyes. The air carried a sense of mystique, as if secrets were whispered through the rustling leaves of the surrounding trees. Thistle had warned William about the dangerous nature of the water, cautioning him against venturing too close. However, William's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't resist asking Thistle about the consequences of drinking the mana-rich water.
"What would happen if someone like me, who possesses no magic at all, were to drink this water?" William asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
Thistle blinked her sparkling eyes, clearly taken aback by the notion. "No magic at all? That's impossible," she replied, her voice laced with disbelief. "Everyone possesses magic in some form or another, whether they're aware of it or not. It resides within the mind, body, or soul, and it cannot simply be absent."
William's gaze met Thistle's, his expression resolute. "I assure you, Thistle, I have no magic within me. I may not fully understand it, but I possess no ability to wield or tap into any form of magic."
Thistle's confusion lingered on her face, her mischievous smile replaced by a look of contemplation. "That goes against everything I know and have experienced," she murmured softly. "But if what you say is true, if you truly have no magic, then drinking the water may have a different effect on you."
Intrigued, William pressed further, "What effect would that be?"
Thistle fluttered closer to William, her voice barely above a whisper. "The water carries the essence of magic itself. It holds the power to unlock the latent magic within an individual, to awaken their dormant abilities. If you truly lack magic, then perhaps, just perhaps, drinking this water will grant you access to magic in all its forms—mind, body, and soul."
A flicker of hope danced in William's eyes, mingling with a hint of skepticism. "But you said that never happens. Why is that?"
Thistle sighed, her delicate wings shimmering in the sunlight. "I've encountered many who believe they lack magic, only to discover that it lay dormant within them, waiting to be awakened only to die a brutal and glorious death. But in all my years, I have never seen someone with no magic at all. If what you claim is true, William, then perhaps you are an exception—a rarity among rarities.many have claimed to lack it from farmer son's to knights and all they do is feed that tree"
Silence enveloped them for a moment as William contemplated the possibilities that lay before him. The prospect of accessing magic in its purest form stirred something deep within him—a longing for knowledge, power, and a newfound understanding of this strange world.
"I have no desire to be bathed in the waters of illusion," William finally spoke, his voice steady and resolute. "But the idea of unlocking the mysteries of magic, of discovering the depths of its power firsthand... it is enticing, to say the least."
William turned his gaze back to Thistle, his eyes filled with a mixture of somberness and excitement. "If something goes wrong, if the magic overpowers me, will you save me?" he asked, his voice tinged with vulnerability.
Thistle's wings drooped slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I wish I could, William, but I possess only the power of mind magic. There's little I could do if things were to take a dangerous turn. You would be on your own."
A moment of silence hung between them as the weight of the possible dangers settled upon William's shoulders. Yet, beneath the apprehension, a spark of anticipation remained. "I understand the risks," he said, his voice steady. "But even with that knowledge, the prospect of unlocking the mysteries of magic enthralls me. It's a chance I'm willing to take."
With a renewed determination, William continued his line of questioning. "Thistle, you mentioned farmers and knights who believed they lacked magic. If there are people like me, where might I find them? How far away is civilization?"
Thistle's expression turned thoughtful as she floated in the air, contemplating William's query. "I've never encountered anyone who shares your race, William, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. This world is vast, and there are still secrets waiting to be unraveled."
She pointed a tiny finger towards the horizon. "The nearest signs of civilization lie a month's walk from here, through lands that are treacherous and deadly. It won't be an easy onejourney, but if you seek answers and the company of others who might understand you, that is where you must go."
Gratitude welled up within William as he thanked Thistle for her guidance. "I appreciate your help and the knowledge you've shared with me, Thistle. Wish me luck new friend."
Thistle's mischievous smile returned, her eyes sparkling with an air of excitement. " I wish you luck, William, on your path to discovering the truth. May your journey into the well of mana leave you with more than you entered with. If you make it out I may be convinced to help you in the future"
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With those possible last words, William turned away from Thistle and walked to the edge of the enchanted lake. He peered into the clear waters, his own reflection staring back at him. His mind brimmed with anticipation, ready to embark on a quest that could change his life forever. In that moment a simple quest pops up. Saying learn magic, difficult B, reward magic.
"I guess there is no way other than to just go head first" after looking around at the beautiful tree and the smell of pure air and stripping himself naked he dives in head first into the unknowable.
William took a deep breath and plunged into the enchanted water, breaking through the shimmering surface with a resolute determination. As his body submerged into the cool and refreshing depths, a sense of tranquility washed over him. For a brief moment, it felt as if time itself had slowed, and the world around him faded into a hushed silence.
But then, an unexpected and agonizing pain pierced through his every fiber. It started as a subtle prickling sensation, like tiny razor blades grazing against his muscles and bones. Within seconds, the pain intensified, growing in magnitude until it felt as if his entire body was being torn asunder. Each movement became a struggle, and his limbs convulsed with the unbearable torment.
As the pain seeped deeper into his nerves and brain, William's perception of reality underwent a profound and surreal transformation. The once serene underwater realm now shifted and twisted, morphing into a kaleidoscope of vivid colors, illusions, and fractals that danced before his eyes. Space and time became distorted, warping around him in mesmerizing patterns that defied logic and comprehension.
He was engulfed in a dazzling symphony of light and sound, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the magical infusion. It was as if he had stepped into a realm where dreams and nightmares intermingled, where the boundaries of imagination and reality blurred into an indistinguishable haze.
But amidst the chaos and disorientation, the magic delved deeper, seeping into William's very soul. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced. It felt as if his essence, his identity, was being stripped away, dissolved into the boundless sea of magic. Waves of power surged through him, threatening to tear him apart from within, as if his very existence was being consumed by the raw energy coursing through his veins.
Yet, in the face of this overwhelming assault, William's indomitable will rose to the surface. With a strength born of determination and resilience, he fought against the engulfing tide, holding his soul and mind together in an act of sheer defiance. It was a battle against the very essence of his being, a struggle to maintain his identity amidst the tempest of magic.
And slowly, as if his body had adapted to the onslaught, the pain began to subside. His fat cells acted as a buffer, absorbing and distributing the excess magic, allowing his system to acclimate to the influx. The excruciating torment transformed into a lingering ache, a reminder of the transformative power he had embraced.
With sheer force of will, William summoned the remaining strength within him and pulled himself out of the water, gasping for air as he emerged from the enchanted depths. He lay there for a moment in the grass and mud, his body trembling, his senses still reeling from the overwhelming experience he had just endured.
As he stared up at the sky, his mind filled with a newfound clarity, and a sense of accomplishment washed over him. He had braved the unimaginable, faced the very essence of magic itself, and survived. In that moment, a newfound confidence surged within him, and he knew that his journey was only just beginning.
And so, with resolve etched upon his features, William rose to his feet, his body strengthened and transformed by the magic coursing through his veins even if It is invisible on a cursory glance. The path ahead was uncertain, but he would face it head-on, armed with the power he had unlocked and a determination to uncover the mysteries that awaited him. Only for notifications to take over his vision.
Quest complete
User now has unlocked magic
Soul,mind,body magic unlocked
Spells known (0)
Hidden quest complete
Defeat the lake of whispers
User Gains a new trait
(Mana sense)
Mana sense
Rank: very rare
User can see mana in all it's forms just as if seeing with light.
Soul magic
Rank:epic
Lv:1
Type:undefined
Spells learned
None
Mind magic
Rank:very rare
Lv:1
Type:undefined
Spells learned
None
Body magic
Rank:rare
Lv:1
Type:undefined
Spells learned
None
(User has leveled up for doing what should have killed them and walked away stronger still)
And his stats have grown with him.
STATS
LV:9
CLASS:NONE
NAME: WILLIAM
RACE:HUMAN [WHITE]
AGE: 23YEARS OLD
WEIGHT: 250LB
HEALTH :(LV9* CON14)= 126
ARCANA :(LV9 * INT33)=297
PHYSICAL : (LV9 *DEX10)= 90
Carry weight :(LV9 *STR15*2)=270lb
STRENGTH : 15
DEXTERITY :10
CONSTITUTION :14
INTELLIGENCE :33
WISDOM :27
CHARISMA :-2
LUCK :10
STAT POINTS :8
Thistle's delicate form hovered above William, her sparkling eyes filled with astonishment and a hint of begrudging admiration. "Well, I'll be damned," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You actually survived! I must admit, I was certain you would meet the same fate as the others who dared to drink from these waters, much less swim in it like a lunatic."
William, still gasping for breath, managed a weak nod in response. Thoughts of his newfound magic and the potential use of his stat points walked through his mind at a snails pace, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment in defying the odds.
Thistle, always one to speak her mind, fluttered closer to William, her mischievous smile returning. "You know, for a big, stinky, and ugly human, you've managed to impress me," she teased, her tiny voice dripping with sarcasm. "I must say, I never expected you to accomplish what you just did. Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye, and nose" while thistle holds her nose shaking and shaking her head waving a hand to waft away his presence.
William's brow furrowed, a mixture of annoyance and amusement playing on his face. "You have a strange way of giving compliments, Thistle. But, I suppose I should be thankful that you're not shitting on my head like the bird you resemble."
Thistle burst into a fit of laughter, her tiny form shaking with mirth. "Oh, William, you do have a way with words. I may not like you, but you certainly provide me with endless entertainment. So, I suppose I could stick around for now just to see what a crazy whatever you are does for fun."
As the night descended upon the enchanted forest, William and Thistle found themselves sitting by the edge of the mystical lake, nothing in moon light and the tranquil glow of the lake from below and leafs from above. Both of them taking jabs at each other testing the proverbial water of friendship.
As they prepared to rest for the night, Thistle couldn't resist one final jab. "By the way, William, you still smell awful. Just thought I'd remind you of that. It's like a giant spider monkey dumped its entire load on you, I would have thought blessed and magical water would have fixed that but I was wrong."
William rolled his eyes, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You really know how to make someone feel good about themselves, Thistle. But I suppose I can tolerate your presence as long as you don't start flinging shit like you do insults ."
Thistle couldn't resist the opportunity for another playful retort. "Oh, don't worry, William. I promise not to fling any insults, at least not as long as you don't start acting like a baboon's ass. Deal?"
With a chuckle, William extended his hand toward Thistle. "Deal, Thistle. Let's see where this strange journey takes us." She takes his finger and they shake on it
As the night settled in, enveloping them in its comforting embrace, William and Thistle leaned against the mossy bank, their partnership forged in unlikely circumstances. The moon cast its gentle glow upon the enchanted waters, and the world seemed to hold its breath, brimming with possibilities.