Chapter 70
Wooing: A Beginners Guide
“Wow, Lady Legrand, it is an honor.” I say, bowing and meaning it. With my Angel’s Sight, I can see the two different sets of guards coming. I am not too worried about the guards. Unless things get violent, I won’t have to worry about anything. Even the absolute worst-case scenario, they throw me out of the train, I revert to Sabrina or another female persona I have and try again.
But that is if I fail. Now if I succeed…
Yes, suddenly I am far more invested in this quest, even more so than my potential theft of tournament winnings, at least for now. With a duchess, or at least with the duke’s daughter as a friend, or even a possible ally, I could do so many more things.
Also, with this, I would be the equivalent of the female James Bond, my country at war, how do I, a lowly spy add to the war effort between the Maltese and Legrand empire, simple I seduce the duke’s daughter and gain access to intel, politics and intrigue that I would never be able to otherwise.
“You have exactly thirty seconds to tell me first how you got past my guards, and what your true intentions are for being here.”
Judging by the pace of the guards it was clear that in exactly thirty seconds is when the guards would make their action.
“Well the way I got past your guards was simple and can be summarized up in one word.”
“Oh?”
“Magic.”
At that, her face looks annoyed. “We have anti-teleportation runes and wards set up all over the car.”
“Let me guess for standard variations of spells, but not for unique variations that are at a higher frequency?” I postulate, totally throwing out random rhetoric to make it sound like I know what I am talking about. Part of Magical Theory is understanding the different wavelengths of each school of magic. Still for this effort, I feel I will need to fully commit to this from the very beginning, and once I do there will be no turning back.
Since I first arrived in this world almost seven years ago I have had the opportunity to earn up to 13 badges, two of which are completely gone, and three others have been used exactly once. Looking through my badges there are a lot of shady stories I could share here, also I doubt my secondhand exploits of being a Behemoth slayer would be particularly worth telling. This is why I bring up my full list of badges and try to decide what to go with.
New Feat Recorded: First Kill. You managed to kill your first monster.
New Feat Recorded: Starting Zone Cleanser (25). You single handedly lowered the danger rating of a maximum tier Starter Zone by one level.
New Feat Recorded: Fly before you can walk (50). You flew for over a mile, before you took your first step. (Fully Used)
New Feat Recorded: Legendary First Kill (50-1). Your first monster killed was a monster 50 levels above your own.
New Feat Recorded: Gardogazon Slayer (500). You managed to kill the legendary Gardogazon.
New Feat Recorded: Behemoth Slayer (500-1). You killed a Behemoth monster 500 levels above your own.
New Feat Recorded: Monster Slayer (500-1). You managed to kill a monster 500 levels above your own.
New Feat Recorded: Empire Dropper (500). You managed to topple a successful industry empire
New Feat Recorded: Healer of Valor (250). You have proven yourself to be a healer people can depend upon.
New Feat Recorded: Master Tier Spell Creator (500). You managed to create a spell that is Tier IX or higher
New Feat Recorded: Resurrector (250). You managed to bring someone back from the dead.
New Feat Recorded: Gambling Guru (100): You placed fifth or higher in a gambling contest involving 500 people or more.
New Feat Recorded: Been Caught Cheating (500): You are banned from all gambling facilities for a period of no less than seven years and nine months.
New Feat Recorded: Survive an Audit Through Seduction (500). You are the first person to successfully navigate your way through an audit through deception and seduction alone.
Also a few of my newer badges like Empire Dropper, Gambling Guru, Been Caught Cheating, nor Survive an Audit Through Seduction would do my story any good. This of course leaves me with very few options to go with that will be high enough to switch my personal rating with the Duke’s daughter quickly enough to mean anything.
So, I opt to go for the quirky genius route.
“Can I trust you with a secret?” I ask, as I lean forward conspiratorially.
At this Lady Legrand is both enticed and simultaneously nervous. Seeing her expression, I sit back, a bit defeated, then continue.
“Yeah, I get that a lot. I mean who would believe that me, a sixteen year old prodigy would first be unemployed, second have lost my degree from Aracnarus University, and third received a badge proving I am a Master Tier Magician?” I say, as I hold up the very badge that would prove my claim.
“What? What is that?” Lady Legrand asks.
“Just the same badge that has been bane of my entire existence since I got it.”
Unlike the other badges, maximum tier badges, that is badges that are at 500 glow with an unmistakable shine and gleam that draws the eyes in. Even the guards seem to pause in their approach as they are no doubt awed by the mildly pacifying effect that such badges seem to produce in people. I think this is a built in game mechanic that could allow a person to spend a badge to quickly improve their relationship with others, so rather than getting outright slaughtered by the people you wish to woo with your badge, there is a certain grace period that the badge offers while you work out terms of exchange. When I first did this years ago, I had been so wrapped up in trying to get into the Maltese empire and the different guilds that I failed to notice this subtle but necessary effect of the badges.
Master Tier Spell Creator (500). You managed to create a spell that is Tier IX or higher.
“Can… can I see that?” Lady Legrand asks, a slight note of hesitation to her as she seems to be enraptured by the glowing badge that is undeniable proof of my claim.
“Sure, not like it has done me any good to this point.” I say, as I reach out and offer the badge. Then, just as expected I am given a system prompt.
Do you as persona Tobias Spiritlight, offer the badge: Master Tier Spell Creator (500) to Lady Constance Legrand of the Legrand empire, as a means to improve your relationship with said individual?
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Seeing the message, I felt a slight twinge of resolve form. This was it, there was no going back from here. Before I could lose the persona of Tobias without any problem. But this was me effectively making a call, to try to buy my way into the pot. From here on out I was committed to the hand, to this role, and most importantly to the persona of Tobias Spiritlight, the young magical genius who was just down on his luck and happened to find the girl of his dreams.
Mentally, I selected yes, and felt the moment that badge was halved in its value. I could still use it for Cass and others, but it would never be the same thing as my first time telling the story of how I became a Master Tier Spell Creator to Lady Legrand. With that, I decided to weave my story as it comes to me.
“Lady Legrand, I meant no disrespect towards you, nor your wards. Instead, I would like to point out that I am but a simple magic wielder who was on my way to the fiftieth floor of the tower to receive my Arcanarus University degree, so that I might prove my legitimacy as a future magician. Sadly I am far too young to be as successful as I am. Many of the older mages either refuse to even acknowledge my accomplishments or are jealous and purposefully block me from even applying for many positions in most cases.” I say, mixing in a bit of the truth, along with a lie. I am on my way to the fiftieth floor of this tower, where I will obtain a degree from Arcanarus University, also Hilda and Lowiski both don’t like me. Hilda because I am stealing her man, and Lowiski because I have never once asked her for her vegetables. Every word I have spoken is true in a manner of speaking, mostly.
Lady Legrand for her part is completely enraptured by the bauble in her hands, a physical representation of my badge that serves as undeniable proof by the system that I am capable of creating Master Tier level spells, not just casting, but creating. This is a game changer and for a country at war, having a mage capable of changing the dynamics of a particular battle by creating a Tier IX or higher spell would likely prove to be invaluable. This is what I am banking on at this moment, her greed and her own ambition.
“Ma’am is this man troubling you?” The largest of the guards steps forward, clearly a guard captain of some kind, possibly meant to be the elites of the royal guards.
The words pull Lady Legrand’s attention away from the bauble that is hypnotically glowing with a golden silvery hue in her hand. With her attention pulled back to reality, she shakes her head in confusion.
“What?” Lady Legrand asks, then realizing the question based on the situation and the placement of the guards she seems to come to a conclusion. “No, leave us.”
“As you command.” The guard says, with a crisp bow of his head, “but do let us know if there is anything we can assist with.”
At that Lady Legrand nods her head. Then once they are gone, she looks first to me, then reluctantly down to the bauble in her hand. I can tell she is quite captivated by the badge.
“Here, I suppose you’ll be wanting this back.” She says, offering me my badge back. The moment I take it back, part of its luster will be gone, as it will forever be noted as a second-hand used item.
“You should keep it, it looks far better in your hands than it ever did in my collection.” I admit.
“Collection?” She states, as she looks from me to the bauble and then back.
“Yeah, I have quite a few badges by now, many of which are just collecting dust. Though I do hope I could use your supposed fascination with the bauble to help me get a good word in for me, somewhere. Honestly at this point any job would help.”
“Any job? Are you that desperate for money?”
Oh, don’t get me started. I have lost millions due to this stupid Broke curse I have, but that will soon be over. I am on my final four months of probation from having access to affording things.
“Sadly yes, when you are jobless and look like I do, your career expectations are not that high.”
“What do you mean your looks?”
At this, I just reluctantly gesture towards my face, and in particular my glowing green eyes.
“I did notice that your eyes are a particularly vibrant shade of green, but surely that isn’t anything to be concerned with? They are lovely.”
“You are far too kind.” I say, as I nervously take out my EGGs and cover my eyes. “Sadly, they have given me nothing but ridicule over the years. For years my parents swore it was related to my bloodline, and for years I thought they were crazy.” I say, leaning my head back and letting out a sigh.
“You only thought they were crazy, does that mean that you have managed to awaken your bloodline?”
At that I pause and look at her like she is just humoring me. “Surely you have noticed by now, the strange effect I likely have on your senses?”
I am of course referring to the first of my major bloodline flaw Magical Beacon, where I all but glow to those with any magical ability. Given that Lady Legrand is one of the more magically powerful people on this train, it is easy to believe that I stand out against her magical senses.
“Yes, I have, though I thought that was just my senses being silly for a moment.” Lady Legrand says, as she holds the bauble close to her chest as if it is something sacred. Looking at her, it is clear that she doesn’t even realize how delicately and possessively she is holding the bauble, but I do. This is good, it means that the badge will do its business. I have lost the badge completely by this point, but this is good as it means that I have effectively used the entire 500 point badge to get in good with Lady Legrand’s family as a whole, not just her. Since I never took it back, its value never decreased, meaning she would gain a special bonus for bringing me into her family, in addition to the bonus we now share on a personal level. Of course, this means that I am obliged to help assist her, if I want her to return to her family and turn in said bauble on my behalf, but that is a small price to pay.
There is a moment of silence that befalls us, as we both seem to be set thinking about our possible future outcomes. Finally, I decided to continue trying to woo the Duchess, well the future Duchess of a kingdom at war with my own. At the very least I will have a chance at either stopping the war, or having a safe spot to return to once the war is over.
“Would you like to see it?”
“Your bloodline?” Lady Legrand asks, a bit confused.
“Hahaha.” I laughed, as she caught me, though it was clear by her expression that she hadn’t expected me to laugh at her comment. Finally, after a second, I breathe and then shaking my head I reply, “sorry for that, my thoughts got ahead of me.”
Then after a slight pause, I point to the bauble she is still clutching tightly to her chest. “No, I meant would you like to see the spell that let me earn that badge?”
At that, a look of wonder crossed her face, followed quickly by concern as she looked around. Seeing the look of panic in her face.
“Oh, sorry, again. This is me. I am sorry for being so awkward. I just really want to make a good impression, and I am likely ruining it.” I say, this is all an act, I know for a fact I am killing it, her emotional spikes are off the chart, a clear sign that she is mentally engaged with every comment I am making.
“No, don’t worry. You are fine. I am just not used to someone who is so open and honest as you.” She pauses before continuing, “it is really quite refreshing actually.”
At that, I nod, and then visibly relax slightly as I let out a pained breath. “Yes, I forgot, most people hear Tier IX spells and they instantly think of destroying half a continent, not realizing that there are better uses for magic, like curing the Blight.” I state.
“Oh, you aren’t a Death Wizard?” She asks, a note of confusion in her voice.
“Sadly no, I could never stomach the practice. That is also likely why I am not in anyone’s employ, most people think Spirit Mage and think Necromancer, then when you state your refusal to control or even destroy spirits, you are mocked and ridiculed.” I say, channeling a bit more Cass than Tobias, but I do need to lay down my ethical lines that I will not cross here and now if this is going to go further, which with the investment of a full 500 badge, I am invested.
At that she pauses as she seems to be taking in everything I have said. Finally, after a long pause, she seems to come to some conclusion.
“All right, I am curious about this spell of yours, but to be clear it will not hurt me in any way shape or form?” Lady Legrand asks.
“No, in fact, it should do the exact opposite, it should make you feel great.” I admit.
“Okay, so what do I need to do?” Lady Legrand says.
At that, I smile mischievously at her, as I lean forward and hold out my hands palms up. “I need you to keep your hands over mine.”
“Just over them?”
“Yes.”
“Do I need to take my gloves off?”
“For this part, no. I will also keep my gloves on to avoid any thoughts of impropriety on your part.” I say, with a slightly teasing tone.
“My part?”
“Yes, I am far too aware of your kind. Smart, beautiful, and confident getting every mage to bow to your whims and be smitten with you at first sight.”
“I would never.” She says with faux outrage, but I can tell she is more than a little intrigued by the byplay, as much as she is intrigued by seeing this Tier IX spell in action.
“This spell is called Modified Spiritual Awakening, and it should help you feel alive for the next 24 hours.” I admit.
I haven’t actually done this spell this way, but I have been coming up with different ways that I can do the Spiritual Awakening spell with just one other person. When I first came up with the original spell I had been trying to cast it on the two female Guild Auditors. Now I am going to be trying to cast the same spell, but with the Duke’s Daughter as my one and only target. The spell will still be much the same, I will even use my skill Aura Guidance, to help guide and merge my aura with that of Lady Legrand’s. Having already created the base spell, altering it slightly is rather easy.
Hidden Quest Updated: The Love Guru (II): You have found a way to awaken a singular soul to a state of spiritual bliss. Rewards: Experience, New Spell.
Experience Gained: 250/250.
New Spell Created: Modified Spiritual Awakening [Tier IX] (C): This spell created by Tobias Spiritlight can temporarily awaken the senses of a targeted individual, leading to an increased growth in Skills, Spells, and other means of Learning. Current rate 15% increase for 24 hours.
*Warning: May cause unusual emotional side effects.
Seeing the new spell, it was exactly as I had hoped and then some. I realize that this version was more potent than the base Spiritual Awakening that my main body did. I also was more than grateful for the fact that my persona of Tobias had gained full credit for this spell. This was good, as it gave more credence to my want to build up a reputation with each of my different personas. The fact that I could gain experience, spend my badges, and gain credit for slight variations of my previously created spells was a huge bonus, in my eyes.
Once the spell took full effect, I could see the profound way it caused Lady Legrand’s whole body and spirit to glow with energy.
“Wow, this is… just wow.” Was all she could say for the moment. Then she turned her eyes towards me, as if truly seeing me for the first time. She even cocked her head to the side, and for a brief second I wondered if I had slipped up in some way, as if I had somehow tied my soul to hers. I don’t believe I did, I think I managed to avoid that, at least I didn’t feel any strong attachments to Lady Legrand, other than as the political mark she was.
“You like it?” I ask.
“Like it, I love it? I will feel like this for a whole day?”
“If you keep me around, I can try it again tomorrow.” I say, with a slightly mischievous smile on my lips.
“Keep you for the day, why I dare say if you keep this up, I might just have to keep you by my side forever.”
At that, I saw the warning signs, and I decided to deflect. “I thank you for this, but I will find that you might soon be tired of me and my antics shortly.”
“My dear Mr. Spiritlight, I do not know what you are trying to comment on, is it perhaps my perceived lack of patience, or are you referring to the irresistible charms that seem to radiate off of you in ways that are too good to resist?”
And like that, I think I might have gone from the fun land of seducing a target, straight through the danger zone of now being bound to a possessively clingy noble. Warning bells are going off in my mind, as I seek a way to bring her fascination back down to more manageable levels. This is going to get bad, real quickly, unless I can turn this around somehow.
“Neither. I was just stating the fact that I am not worthy of your full affections.”