Chapter 120
The Easy Button
“How?” Gwen asks.
Hearing the question, I am sort of at a loss for what exactly led to this point. The violence of this world is so quick that at times it is hard to think that this world is anything but a place to commit widespread murder for profit.
“I think I had a breakthrough mid fight.” Is all I can say as an answer to that question. As I look at the now free-floating soul of the blow hard mage that challenged me to a magical duel.
***
One thing I might not have mentioned, or quite possibly have glossed over, were my level 25 and level 50 Class upgrades. Not that I had the upgrades, but that I got the ability to work with the system on getting the upgrades. Given that these class upgrades were based on what I achieved with my primary class of Ethereal Healer, I earned the ability to get a Trait at level 25, and a Perk at level 50.
I had avoided deciding on how to evolve mainly because my previous level 25 Traits were Omni-Heal for my Ethereal Healer class, and Positional Switch for my Ethereal Simulacrums Master class. Both of those Traits have come in quite favorably, as I’ve relied on both for completing many objectives in different ways. That was why for my level 25 Trait I wanted something that was just as versatile and complex. The only problem was that I couldn’t come up with a Trait that would both be versatile enough to be helpful, especially as all these Traits would need to use Qi. And as was previously noted, Qi is a form of energy that is not well understood by the game world. That or the previous people who tried to comment on Qi were all fundamentally wrong with their prior understandings. Meaning, I had no clue what was truly possible. I mean, I read the stories of Qi martial experts able to fly in the air, and shoot lasers from the tips of their fingers. The only problem was those were things I could already do.
Looking at the level 50 Perks I had for my Ethereal Healer and Ethereal Masters Simulacrum classes, I realize the bar was set pretty high there as well.
Ethereal Healer.
Class Perk Unlocked: Reincarnation: You have begun to take the next step in bridging the gap between life and death. Now you are able to regenerate life where there was none before. Effect: Healing efficacy increased by 50%, Tissue Regeneration increased by 100%, ability to create a body to match a free floating spirit.
Ethereal Simulacrums Master.
Class Perk Unlocked: Magic Disruption: You have managed to focus your will into dominating the magical spectrum around you. Effect: +100% Range when dueling other magicians, +100% efficacy when dismantling a spell targeted towards you, +100% when trying to alter, diver, or diminish any form of magical energy around you.
Looking back, the Ethereal Simulacrums Master class perk is likely why I have had such an easy time defending against magic users. I state this, as a reminder for sometimes I am more powerful than others might give me credit for. Of course, I was dangerous before my class suddenly chose my evolutions for me. Now that I have my evolutions, I need to be extra careful when dealing with others.
***
(Twenty Minutes ago)
“So, you were asked to teach a few higher-level mages the Cleansing Rain spell, what exactly is the big deal? I thought this would be something that you would appreciate doing.” Gwen asks, trying to be the peace maker of this whole ordeal.
“I would, but they all cast spells so badly, that even after I teach them, they are terrible at it.” I respond, not really wanting to get into the logistics of how bad the previous generations of mages were.
I suddenly have the thought of being a magical elitist. Then I subsequently remembered the whole thing that no mage was ever allowed to enter Arcanarus University, despite being Archmages of the outside world, and people thought of as being preeminent magicians of the era. When I was accepted, I wondered if it was just a fluke, based on some underhanded tricks, but maybe there was more to my personal acceptance at the time than I thought?
Then I remember how everyone thought of the previous guard to Arcanarus University as being a snobbish prude. To which, I of course now must wonder.
“Do I come across as snobbish when it comes to magic?” I ask.
“…Ah, um.” Gwen says, apparently stopping whatever she was saying and then trying to clearly state something in a way that would be less impactful with the right wording. Seeing her hesitation, I just wave my hand dismissively.
“You know what, never mind. I can see that you already think I am.” I state.
“It’s not that I think you are snobbish when it comes to magic. It is just that you have a very unique view on what good magic is, and it is hard for others to meet your standards.” Gwen says, again I think her secondary class will be a diplomat.
“Just watch them and see that it is hopeless. These people have no feel for magic, they just do it. Casting cookie-cutter spells and not caring about filling in the lines of the spells they use.” I state. Of course, I am close enough to have the other mages that I am training to hear me. Though I really don’t care, as they have not listened to a word I have said thus far. So, I figure if this is the wakeup call they need, then fine.
“I must say, you are by far and away the most insufferable little prat I have ever had the displeasure of being forced to work with.” Arch Mage Bellow Meister himself. He is one of those people that got really into being both British and snobbish, part of a roleplaying part of his new regressor life fantasy that he has apparently internalized. That or he was British to begin with, and then became snobbish from leveling up the most and becoming the defacto teacher of his class Arch Sky Mage, a supposed master of both wind and lightning magic, meaning he should be perfect for casting Cleansing Rain, but the only problem is that he is so inefficient that his spell practically unravels by the time it gets to the area where it would be most effective.
“And I must say, you are the most ineffective Arch Mage I have ever laid eyes on. Even those you consider to be your apprentices have more capability than you of completing a simple spell.” I say, finding myself rising to the pompous mage’s goading tone. Something about that smug arrogance while being utterly wrong just infuriates me, especially when he won’t listen to me. I don’t want to assume his not wanting to listen to me is due to my being a female, as he listens to Mallory without any problems. Thus, his apparent problem with me is either my age, my level, or maybe he just doesn’t like my charming personality.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
That said, I have had more than enough of his condescending attitude against me to this point. I also realize that part of this is just me being bullied and having to prove myself, which is why today I have decided that I will not back down.
"Why you, you..." Bellow Meister trails off, as he momentarily loses his control so much that he drops his fake posh accent. But then recovers in full steam. “If you were not the faithful pet of our illustrious leader, I would handily put you in your place with a magical duel.”
There it is, the true reason for his and other people’s resentment. They are jealous of the fact that I spent the last few months with Mallory, not that any of them spent any time with her while she was sick. Realizing that is the crux of it all, I decide to nip this all in the bud.
“You want a magical duel?” I ask, mentally smiling as of course these guys would have missed the part where I beat a magical duelist with their own skills. Since then, I maxed out those very same duelist skills not once, but twice, when I met my bloodline evolution, making sure to gain an additional 25 levels to both Quick Casting and Dual Casting two skills that are vital for any would be duelist. Especially as during my long trek across the desert to find this place, I had little more to do, other than search the area and constantly work on improving my skills as I moved, as that was about the only thing I could do during that time.
“Please, picking on innocent children is not something I am fond of. But don’t you have other functions you can serve, rather than pestering us. We are casting your spell. If you dislike the way we are casting it, then maybe that should be a sign of how poor of a teacher you are, rather than something that resides with us?” He asks mockingly.
“You know what, let’s do this. Clearly you aren’t going to listen to a word I say, until you realize how terrible you truly are at magic.” I state.
“And clearly you aren’t going to know when to stop yipping at the heel of your betters until you are kicked like the mongrel you are.” The Arch mage says, and it is all I can do right there to keep myself in a somewhat calm mind.
“I believe he just compared me to a little yipping puppy.” I say to Gwen, trying to make sure this is not some form of sick joke. But the more I see, the more I realize this is truly happening.
“Yes little miss, and it would appear that our only way of getting you to finally be quiet is to put you into place with a proper duel, do you accept?” The entitled snob asks.
“Yes, if that is what it takes for you to be quiet and listen, then yes.” I answer.
With that, as would be expected, a system message comes up informing us our conversation has been monitored.
A formal dueling request has been registered.
At this point, we were allowed to mentally input exactly what we wanted for winning this contest. For me, all I could think about was that this guy could never talk to or about me again. After this input was made, I was met with another system message.
Checking into whether a handicap would need to be applied due to level disparity.
With that I felt myself being scanned, at the same time that the Sky Mage was also being scanned.
After a brief moment of calculation, we were met with another message.
No handicap will be applied: The lower-level participant has not been deemed to be so much weaker, as to require a handicapping of the higher leveled challenger for this to be a fair duel.
With that odd message being displayed to everyone, we were both presented with a personalized quest prompt.
Quest Unlocked: A Duel of Magical Masters: Arch Sky Mage Belton has challenged you to a magical duel. The terms are you two will battle until one of you is unable to continue. If you lose, you must leave your position and title within the Midnight Hunter’s Guild and announce yourself as a yipping dog. If you win, Belton will lose the ability to speak with or about you. Rewards: Experience, Guild Notoriety, Stated objectives.
With that message, being presented apparently for all, we were about to begin, when a voice rang out from the sidelines.
“WAIT!”
Just hearing the voice, I instantly knew who was talking, as did everyone who had now gathered to our magical practice field. As news of our duel had apparently gotten to headquarters. Though the speaker had been following behind us so closely that I all but knew she thought this encounter would be impossible to avoid.
Turning away from me, Arch Sky Mage Belton turned to face Mallory. “Your grace?” He stammered almost apologetically.
“Cut the act Belton. I’ve heard it all from the start.” Mallory said.
“You, you have?”
“Yeah, I found it amusing, particularly the part about kicking a yipping dog.” Mallory stated.
“You know that was all just for show, right? We needed to get her riled up.” Belton said.
“Oh, she is plenty riled up. You can tell, as her mana is coursing so quickly through her body that she is turning white.” Mallory said, gesturing to me.
With that I looked down at myself and while I did see the energy, I had no clue what exactly she was referring to.
“Yes, well this is what we spoke about, isn’t it?” Belton said, and with that I felt like I had been sucker punched almost. Mallory had started this?
“I said, you could challenge her to a duel, but that you need to be careful.”
“And I will be, I promise to hold myself back from truly killing her.”
At that Mallory just shook her head.
“Do you know why skills are important?”
“Well sure, they make it so you can do things that others can’t. Even if it is not part of your class normally, you can still learn the skill and make it so you can mirror that class you like.”
Sigh.
“Yes, that is part of it, but you do know of the rule of two right, when it comes to skills?”
“Rule of two?”
“Where you take a skill being used, times it by two and then add that to whatever base Attribute you are using that is associated with that skill?”
“Well yes, which is why I have many skills in the high seventies, but again don’t worry. I will hold back from performing a killing blow.” Belton said arrogantly.
“Stop, just stop. No, I am trying to make sure she calms down enough that she won’t kill you. Or better yet that when she does invariably kill you, she will then save you from your own stupidity.” Mallory states, pointing to me when she states she.
By now, everyone on base has been summoned to this dueling area, which is just our open magical practice field. I half expect that this is part of why Mallory has put on such a show. She is talking for long enough for even the guards that were on duty at the far walls to come and witness this event. No pressure right?
Silence.
Belton looks genuinely lost for words, which Mallory then uses to press on with her statements. “You saw that after you issued the duel, a prompt came up stating that you didn’t need to be handicapped, right?”
“Well yes.”
“Given that her primary class is over three hundred levels below yours, didn’t that give you some pause to think about, maybe something isn’t right here?”
“Well yeah, but I figured that was due to her thinking you would do something.”
“Me? Stop her? No, I wouldn’t dare stop her. Not for this, not for what you have done. And most of all, not for the fact that I think this will be a good lesson for you to learn, that is if you survive it of course.” Mallory states.
“Wait? You mean it, you honestly think I can lose?” Belton asks, suddenly looking indignant and momentarily dropping his terrible accent.
“HAH! No, you have it backwards. I don’t see a way in which you can win this.” Mallory states.
“Why, the nerve. I will show you all, what a true mage can do. Not someone who got lucky by climbing a tower and getting a few rare baubles and trinkets. I have…”
“Blah, blah, blah. You are so annoying. We get it, arrogance is your downside. You can’t see hubris if it was tattooed on your nose, we get it. Can we just get on with this, so I can finally teach some of you how to stop messing up your spells long enough for them to actually make a difference here?” I ask feeling annoyed that I have not only let this guy goad me into a duel, but that Mallory helped set this up.
I get it, this is likely Mallory’s way of showing the others that I am not to be trifled with, but still dueling someone so many levels above me should be scarry. It should be, but given that I have seen their magic in full effect and have noted that I am not impressed with his capabilities to Mallory, a comment made in strictest confidence I might add, I would feel nervous. As it is, I just feel kind of dirty and a bit used by this whole situation.
“You heard it. Everyone watch and realize why she is my Doctor and the one who will be in charge of the way we will train mages and Qi users here in the future.” Mallory says, backing out to the side. From her position in between the two of us, I can tell she intends to play moderator of this little duel.
“Fine then, since you both are so adamant that I will lose this little duel, then I see no reason to hold back.” With that Arch Mage Belton began casting a spell. I was about to react, but then saw the message that our duel was about to commence.
Duel will begin in 3, 2, 1…
Zzapp.
A pillar of lightning arced up from Belton’s finger, as he ended his casting time right as the timer ended. I saw the bolt of lightning arc and bend towards me.
The hairs on the back of my neck began to rise, as I could feel my body creating the grounding portion of the bolt of lightning. There was a moment when I felt that impact with the bolt of lightning was inevitable. Then the whole world paused, as I felt something shatter into place within my very being.
Idly my mind registered a new system message.
Level 25 Akashic Qi Master Trait Activated.
Then the world blurred around me…