You have read the tame manual.
Tame mastery raised to Beginner.
You have read the smell manual.
Smell mastery raised to Beginner.
Even though 349 immediately read the other two manuals, he wasn't the first to read either of them.
[349] "Bummer."
Although he was disappointed that he wasn't the first, he just shrugged it off because these magics didn't seem as interesting to him.
After taking a moment to think, he chose his course of action.
Not knowing how hard it is to rank up with magic, he could only conclude that each rank is harder to level up. As such he decided that he shouldn't waste the opportunity he had with the ink magic. But after reading the manual he knew that he needed more information to use the spell circles correctly. And there was only one place to get information about magic in this beta.
[349] "Back to the fountain it is." (When alone he has a tendency to talk aloud.)
When he got back to the fountain, he was surprised at what he saw. He thought that everyone but the info kid ('what was his number again?') would've left the fountain to level up by now. Instead, sitting by the fountain were 8 players. All of which were poking at the air, using some form of game system interface.
When he got close to the fountain one of the other players saw him and called out.
"The prodigal son has returned."
At this comment everyone else turned to look at 349.
[349] "Hello, I'd like to ask you a for some information."
[207] "If you want information, you first have to tell me something I don't know."
[349] "Did you know that all buildings are closed during the beta?"
[207] "Knew it."
[349] "How about that none of the shops have NPC's to sell gear?"
[207] "Knew it."
[349] "If you read a manual your mastery increases."
[207] "Knew it."
[349] "If you're the first to read a manual you get a higher mastery."
[207] "Knew... Actually, I don't think we found that out yet. Which magic did you get this for?"
[349] "Classified." He said with a grin while crossing his arms.
[207] "Hahaha. Fair enough. So, what did you want to know? Where everyone went? Why we're still sitting by the fountain? Or maybe you want to know why you can play for 24 hours without needing the bathroom?"
[349] "No, I... Well, maybe that last one, but not right now. The first thing I want to know is the different magics you've found."
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
With a smile filled with pride and eyes full of expectations, 207 announced.
[207] "We've cataloged 95 different magics."
[349] "..."
[207] "..."
[349] "So?"
[207] "So? Is that all you have to say? Are you not amazed? Do you even care that I was able to find more magics than all the players in this village could have combined?
349 put his hands up trying to show that he meant no harm.
[349] "If you want to share more information just so you can brag, I'll listen, but only if it's relevant. What you told me is not what I asked for. I asked for the types of magic not the amount."
Seeing 349's indifferent attitude, 207 became a little more sullen and sighed.
[207] "The information you've given me isn't enough to tell you all of the magics we've found. I could've told you for free if you were part of our guild, but you missed your chance, there's no one left to partner with."
[349] "What do you mean?"
This question brought a smile to 207's face.
[207] "While you were gone, everyone else split into eight different teams each composed of three people. Each team then divided into 3 different groups with one person from each team in a different group. The first group will focus on leveling up and plan on keeping their stats as their reward. The second group will constantly practice their magic and will keep their skills as their reward. And the last group is us." Spreads his hands out to gesture to everyone at the fountain.
"We're in charge of finding any information that we can get and plan on keeping our loot as our rewards after stuffing them with the other groups findings. This way when we meet back up after the beta the first group can power level us and act as the warriors. The second group will be the mages and can provide range support. And our group will be the merchants and will give them their gear back."
[349] "That's nice. But I still want to know about the different magics you found."
[207] "Sorry, you've used up your information." 207 replied with a smile.
[349] "What do you mean?"
[207] "That right there." 207 shouted and pointed to 349. "You asked me what I meant when I mentioned a guild. So I provided you with information, so now we're even." Crosses his arms like he's proven himself right.
349 sighs and turns around. He wasn't good a dealing with this type of person. When he starts walking away 207 calls after him.
[207] "Wait, where are you going?"
349 ignores him and just continues walking away. He figured that trying to get information would be more trouble than it's worth. He'd just level up his skill and mana during the beta and look for a form afterwards.
[207] "Don't you need this information?"
[349] "No." 349 replies without turning back.
[207] "Fine, you win. I'll tell you about the magics."
349 stops and turns around but doesn't start walking back to the fountain.
[349] "At what price?"
207 smiles like he just thought of a great idea.
[207] "Just give me your manuals, that way you don't have to bother explaining what your magics are."