Author's corner: Procrastination got me. The instant-gratification monkey is good at kidnapping those who are not careful.
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It was a half hour of fluffy hell for me, the punishment for not being able to escape from Hachi... although I only struggled for the first few minutes. Even if I thought it was humiliating, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it...
But as soon as I heard the sound of the door opening, I quickly began to struggle again. I can't let the old man be disappointed in me! I-I mean, what sort of high and mighty wizard would let herself be a wolf's plaything?
"Ah, I've finally made the preparations for you. Hachi, come over, me and Nysa need to talk a little." He said, sitting down on his chair, and the wolf quickly jumped on his lap, carrying me along.
"S-so, did you find the map?" I asked, only to receive a nod in response.
"Yes I did. It reminds me of my old adventuring days, you know?" The old man said, laughing as he took the map out of his robes, spreading it, to show the map to me.
I couldn't help but gasp in surprise as I stared at the huge map... to go from one corner to another, it would take a few months! But then I realized.
The map did not mention any of the demon's empire or the wilderness. It was just the kingdom's territory.
"So, the path I want you to take is from here..." The wizard placed his finger on where we supposedly are in the map: In a small forest. "To here." And then he slid his finger, to the closest village. "There, you'll find a dungeon, that I would rather like if you explore it, for experience."
"A-a dungeon?" I asked, shocked. Wasn't it a term exclusive for players?
"Oh, don't worry about it. It is so easy even I could beat it, but....these old man bones are not made for travelling anymore." He replied, with a light chuckle, moving his hand to pet Hachi. "Either way, after that, I want you to go to the first major city in the kingdom, the city of Qwoji. There, you'll take quests to get citizenship and trust, and afterwards, the magic aptitude test, so you can enter in the royal magic academy. That is the easiest way for you to get inside of the capital."
"Why isn't everybody allowed in it?" I asked, confused...only for the wizard to laugh.
"That's because of the nobles not wanting to share their space with commoners. Even the weakest mage allowed in it, would be stuff of legends for those outside of the capital, and there is no higher pride for families than saying that their son entered in it." He said, with a melancholic look, even though he was smilling.
"But today is too early for you to think about politics, isn't it? By the time you get there, you'll probably beat even me in magic, let alone the other students."
I giggled. "That was because I was taught by you!"
"Sure, sure. You are a prodigy on magic. I just gave you a light push on the right direction." He smiled, warmly. "You should prepare for the travels, though. Even if you are legendary in magic, you need a tent to sleep in and food to eat. Unless the ms. little inventor creates a new spell so we don't need such things."
"Teehee, I think that is sorta out of my limits, isn't it?" I laughed, wrily. "But I can't prepare very well while I'm Hachi's hug toy!" I added.
"Alright, Hachi. Let go of your little toy and play with your 'old man' instead." He laughed...and I couldn't help but blush, at the fact that he got used to the nickname I gave him.
Hachi barked happily, placing me on the ground, before he began to lick Melchior's face, excitedly.
I giggled. Now it was time for the old man to face the fluffy hell!
Meanwhile, I gathered what I needed: A small tent, fit for my size, along with enough food to last me a few days, and a backpack... and maybe a weapon. The tent, a simple, plain robe from the wizard was good enough: In the woods, I could gather a few branches to support it. for the food, I picked some of what I found in the fridge: a few apples, which I quickly put in the inventory while the wizard wasn't looking. Just one apple for my size, was enough for me a whole day!
Lastly, for the backpack, I used one of the old man's pouches, originally made for storing small ingredients. I didn't need it, so it actually was my sleeping bag.
"I'm all ready!" Nysa said with a cheerful smile, walking back to the living room where the wizard was... and smiled at the sight, of Hachi sleeping, with the wizard still caressing his head, absently minded.
"That was faster than I expected...but there is something else you need before going." He said, with a small smile. He moved his hand into his pocket, then took out a small test tube, small enough for him to casually hold it between his fingers, and held it for me.
I took it. "What is this?"
"Something I call 'overcharged mana potion'. It is too strong for me to take, and it would kill you if you took it." The wizard said, matter-of-factly. "It looks useless due to how lethal it is...but you'll know when to use it."
I nodded. "Alright, I'll be going now." I replied with a warm smile.
He simply patted my head."...It was a short while, but I'm sure I'll miss you as much as you'll miss me." he said, smiling.
"I'll miss you too! After I deliver the recipe, I'll be sure to come back here!" I said, hugging him, even with the size difference...and he smiled, picking me up and giving a strong hug back.
"Alright, I'll see you when you succeed." Melchior replied, placing me back down on the ground. "Now, you should go while the day is early. It would be no good if night fell before you arrived at the village."
With a warm smile, I nodded. "Alright. Goodbye, Melchior!" I said, for the first time ever since I've met him, I called by his name.
And now, I couldn't help but look forward to my travels, even if they might be full of dangers.
As soon as I put my feet outside of the house, I smiled. "stats" I mumbled to myself, making the stat window appear. I was a bit excited, gods knows how much I gained during my stay there.
Spoiler :
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Nysa GenderFemaleRaceFae Health49/49mana148/148 ClassMagic scholarFactionNone Level3(50% for next level up)Fame0 STR5AGI22 MAG22CON9 DEX20RES19 ATK1DEF0
Size-shiftRating: ★★★★☆ Level 2, beginnerXP: 0.00% Cost: 20 mana per inchCast time: instant Cooldown: 59 secondsType: Racial Through focusing magic on their wings, the user is
able to grow or shrink.Cannot be used if the wings are damaged
Size range: 0'8'' - 1'5'' (Current size: 0'8'')
Fae's bodyRating: ★★★☆☆ Fae, as a racial trait, have a natural 'mana battery'
in the form of wings.Because of that, they are often great spell casters , but at the same time, their bodies are lighter than even people of the same size.
20% increased MAG
-10% CON
DoublecastRating: ★★★★☆ Level 1, beginnerXP: 10.00% Cost: Varies.Cast time: 2 seconds Cooldown: 10 secondsType: Class-specific With superior skill, you learn to cast more than one spell at a time, at the cost of increasing the mana needed for both spells by 20%, and decreasing their power by 20%.
As skill level increases, cost, power, cast time and cooldown decreases, while number of spells increase.
MeditationRating: ★★☆☆☆ Level 1, beginnerXP: 0.00% Cooldown: NoneType: Class By focusing on the surrounding mana, you are able to gather them inside of your body, regenerating your magic faster, while increasing the power of spells
10% mana regen increase
10% MAG increase(while meditating)
Can't move while meditating
FloatRating: ★★☆☆☆ level 3, beginnerXP: 30.05% Cost: Stamina(medium)Cast time: Instant Cooldown: noneType: Physical By flailing your limbs, you manage to create enough air resistance to slow your fall slightly.
decreases falling speed by 24%
higher levels decreases falling speed and cost.
Mana ManipulationRating: ★★★☆☆ Level 2, beginnerXP: 54.00% Cost: VariesCast time: Varies Cooldown: NoneType: Magical The user is able to use their will to manipulate and interact with the surrounding mana.
Increased levels let you manipulate magical energies better.
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Author's corner: Ah, I'll finally be picking up the pace for the story. As for the reason I took so long uploading this chapter...
I tried to search for mapping software for me to draw one, so I could put a picture representing the in-game world map. XD
It ain't gonna happen, buddy. I'm the worst at drawing maps. XD