*CLONK*
"Wake up, ye filthy round-ear! Mistress will be around shortly to, ah, question you. Don't scream too loud or you'll wake up the others of your kind. They need their sleep y'know...They've been dying quicker and quicker these days. I wonder what she's gonna' do to ya today pretty boy."
Brian's cage was rattled when his keeper slammed his cudgel against the bars. His keeper, a portly man named Gilsh, loved to taunt Brian about his situation with Elenia Khyser. She was very determined to find out where Brian came from, and what his motives were. Almost like she was obsessed with him.
The crazy bitch always found a way to make Brian scream in pain. When Brian had refused to eat, just wanting to die, they force fed him. Even now, he was hanging by his arms in a cage, which was inside his own personal 'interrogation' tent. Now most would think it would be smart for Brian just to tell her everything, but Brian refused.
He had been held captive for a week. Tortured every single day, for two hours in the morning and two hours at night. Elenia had made it into a little game between the two of them, where she would see if she could make him scream in agony. Right now she was up 6-1. The only reason Brian hadn't cried out that one day was because he had passed out due to the trauma he experienced. Elenia's favorite methods had to do with fire and oil. She always made sure to heal him afterwards though, because his hp dropped very quickly.
When Brian first saw Elenia, he was very surprised. Partly because she was a demon, an elf-like being with darker skin and pointy teeth, and partly because she was very attractive. With luminous gold hair to match her eyes and caramel colored skin, not to mention her impressive bust which seemed to spill out of her tight leather armor she wore when she tortured him. All in all, she was totally his type. If he wasn't in this whole situation and if she wasn't a fucking psychopath, then he would be crazy for her. Little did Brian know that her beauty was due to Elenia being level 71, therfore having a very high charisma stat.
One interesting thing which happened to Brian earlier in the week was the development of a new stat. Elenia had placed a collar around Brian's neck, with a metal spike attached on the outside and then left him overnight. This spike dug into his chin and lower neck and prevented him from looking down( Like this). When Brian would doze off, he would lean forward and the spike would stab through his chin into his tongue. Unable to fall asleep, he just had to endure, until a window popped in front of him after five hours of agony:
Congratulations
You have earned a new stat!
Willpower +4
(A measure of fighting spirit and determination. Determines resilience against mind spells)
Since then, he still screamed when he was tortured, but he was definitely more resilient to Elenia's methods. He got another +8 Willpower over the last few days, during the brutal sessions. As Brian was reminiscing, he heard the tent flaps being drawn open, revealing Brian's mistress in question. She seemed tired as she set her trident leaning on one of the tent posts and got ready for the daily session. Brian, however, was feeling rather fired up. He wouldn't lose today. Daily torture did build character, and Brian's character since his parents' death was in need of some...Help. Brian pulled against his chains and leaned forward to speak to his captor.
"What will it be today Elly? Are you going to break my thumbs like the first day? Or do you want to see blood? I know you like to see what's underneath my skin. You get off on this don't you, you fucking slut!"
Perhaps the torture had also done some damage to Brian's already fragile psyche. Elenia just sighed and shrugged off the attempt at making her angry.
*sigh*
"Actually, pet, I am starting to get a little bored. You used to make such...Beautiful faces when you were lost and in pain. But for the past few sessions, you haven't even passed out once... I'm also afraid to say that our time is coming to an end. We'll be moving in a few days, and we can't take any...Excess baggage. You get one more chance to answer my questions, or I will gut you personally. Like. A. Fucking. Pig. Got it?"
This is what I wanted. To finally die. Right? I will see my family again...
Then something completely unexpected happened. His Avenger title activated. He didn't know how he knew, but he knew. He was overcome with information, but he could make out a presence in the north. The person that caused the death of his mother. Of his world. They were still walking around free. Likely without a care in the world. He could feel the connection which bound him to that person. Brian began to shake with fury. He began talking out loud.
"I will rend them to nothing! They took...EVERYTHING FROM ME!!"
His scream of rage took on a heavy aura as his voice deepened. Elenia gave no response other than smirking and crossing her legs. Finally, something interesting. In truth, she had become rather attached to Brian and would be sad to have to kill him. He was an outlet for her to take out her frustration with the past campaign on. Her army had taken too many losses when compared to the inferiority of the humans. The human's population would rebound in ten years from the most recent battle, but it would take at least a hundred for the demon peoples, who reproduce at a much slower rate.
Also, whenever she was able to make Brian scream, he made the most...Beautiful faces. Just thinking about it made her all hot and bothered. She wanted to see him beg. On more than one occasion, during the heated passion of torture, she had slipped her hand down her pants so she could get herself the sexual release she desperately needed after seeing Brian with so much emotion painting his face. Brian's latest outburst had intrigued Elenia. This is the most emotion she had ever seen him show other than when he was having his skin flayed.
I need...To get more power. To avenge my family.
After Brian had taken a moment to gain some control, he spoke in a raspy voice after just having shouted.
"I...Want to make a deal with you."
Elenia responded with a mocking high-pitched voice.
"Finally talking aren't we. It seems you don't really want to die after all. Where did the tough guy act go?" her mocking voice then sharpened, "I don't think you understand your situation, insect. I hold your worthless life in the grasp of my hand. I make the rules. I am the master, you are the pet. If you want to keep having this conversation, you will say 'yes mistress' then proceed to tell me everything. Everything!"
Brian thought for a second.
I don't care what disgraces I must go through. I need power, and she is undoubtedly the most powerful person I have seen. So what if I become her 'pet' or whatever. It wont be that way for long. With my divine skill, my growth rate is almost twice as fast as a normal person's.
"...Yes mistress. But if I tell you then you must listen to a request of mine as well."
"Hoho! Yes, as long as it is within reason."
He then told her everything. The death of his parents, then how he received a weird skill, and finally how he eventually ended up on the battlefield in a world he was completely unfamiliar with. The only thing he left out was the fact that he found the target of his vengeance. Elenia cut off his monologue.
"Yes yes, a very sad story, but we all have our sad stories and you are nothing special. I'm not sure if I believe you about the whole 'other world' thing, but there is a way to prove it. While my (perceive) skill could show me your stats, I could not see your titles or skills. The only way for another person to see that is if they are in a party together with you. Now, let me join your party so I can see if have his so called (divine) skill."
"...What?"
"Do I need to repeat myself? Also, it's 'what mistress?' to you. If I need to correct you a third time, then I will cut all of your pretty, little fingers off. Now, let. Me. Join. Your. Party."
Brian knew she wasn't fuckin' around this time. Whenever she started to pause between every word, it meant she was about to get brutal. A window popped in front of him:
Elenia Vis Khyser wishes to join your party. Accept? (Yes)/(No)
While Brian was sorely tempted to hit no, he hit yes. Partly because he had no other choice, but also because he wanted to see Elenia's stats. He knew she was strong, but he didn't know how strong. He wanted to know when he would be able to kill her. Make no mistake, Brian wanted to kill this bitch for enslaving and torturing him. He selected (yes) on the screen with his thoughts and another notification popped up.
Elenia Vis Khyser has now joined your party! View status on the 'party' window
Party(max 4 members)
Name Race Status hp/mp/sp Relationship Elenia Vis Khyser High Demon Heatlthy hp- (full) mp- (full) sp- (near full) complicated
Relationship complicated? Yea. I guess. Now how do I access her stats? ...Ah!
Elenia Vis Khyser hp-(1780/1780) mp-(2060/2060) sp-(1327/1340) Base Stats Titles Class Elemental Resistances Equips Lv: 71 Of Elder Blood Dreadnaught(+++)(MAX) Fire: 10% Primary: Triton's Bane(+) Exp to next lv: 33.3/100% Princess Water: 12% Seconday: Nightspike(+) CON: 89 DEX: 94 CHA: 38 Executioner Familiars Air: 23% Race STR: 127 INT: 134 LUC: 22 Avenger Skeletal Nemean Light: 21% High Demon (humanoid) END: 67 WIS: 103 WIL: 28 High Magus Dark Wyvern Dark: 13% Age Butcher Earth: 0% 117 years
Skill List Spear Mastery(+++) (MAX) Sword Mastery(++) (87% to next upgrade) Martial Art: Hidden Fist Adept(++) (34% to next upgrade) Magic Adept(++) (82% to next upgrade) Piercing Blow(+++) (MAX) Multistrike (43% to next upgrade) Quick Step (23% to next upgrade) Perceive(+) (57% to next upgrade) Interrogation(++) (12% to next upgrade) Immobilization (87% to next upgrade)
Spell List Fire Water Air Light Earth Dark Lv: 10/10 Greek Fireball (MAX) lv: 9/10 Osmomancy (98% to next lv) lv: 10/10 Wind Wall (MAX) Lv: 10/10 Light Heal (MAX) lv: 10/10 Iron Skin (MAX) Lv: 8/10 Shadow Step (93% to next lv) lv: 6/10 Infernal Cyclone (MAX) lv: 10/10 Air Cutter (MAX) Lv: 10/10 Blessing of Lightning (MAX) lv: 6/10 Stone Coffin (34% to next lv) lv: 10/10 Death Beam (MAX) Lv: 10/10 Greater Lightning Bolt (MAX) lv: 5/10 Conjure Wraith (8% to next lv) lv: 2/10 Raise Thrall (79% to next lv) lv: 8/10 Hide Presence (54% to next lv) lv: 7/10 Absorb Vitality (43% to next lv)
While Brian was still a 'noob' to this world, he knew that this person was incredibly powerful. Most of the stuff on the screen was gibberish to his uneducated self, but he could just tell from her level. He was nowhere near this person's strength, and he could not see himself being able to defeat them in the known future. Elenia, however, was just as shocked after looking at Brian's skill and title. She knew the power of such a skill which increased the exp they gained. Along with all of the other perks as well. She knew that this skill had the capability to shake this world.
This person in front of her would become something the likes of which no one has ever seen before. He had died, yet he had been even reborn and blessed by the Goddess with a (divine) skill. Of course, her clever mind was always plotting and she was currently plotting how to use this person's power. Not to mention that this human had the ability to use magic, something that was beyond rare in their barely magical bloodline.
If she was to kill Brian, it would be such an incredible waste of talent and resources, and if Elenia Khyser was anything, she was resourceful. While she was plotting with a creepy smile on her face, Brian cleared his throat.
"...Ahem. Well now, I want you to teach me about this world. I'm unprepared to do anything and I want to change that. In my world, there were no panels or numbers. I am absolutely lost here. I also want to be taught how to fight. I need power...To..Ah..."
"Hoho! Of course my pet! You wish for power and tutelage? Perfect! I will give you power like you have never imagined! Also, I approve of your...Shall we say...'Goal'. If you did not notice, I have the Avenger title as well. I care not who wronged you, but I will help you get your revenge. Make no mistake, you are still my property, but I think we can work out a suitable arrangement. We can discuss these terms now if you wish..?"
This is weird. Why is she treating me so kindly all of a sudden? Very suspicious... But I don't have a choice if this person is going to be my 'teacher'.
The two began discussing the terms of their arrangement. Brian did not have a choice, but he still tried to bargain for his freedom. Elenia would have none of it. However, she would promise to give him much better treatment. He no longer had to call her mistress, so that was a major plus in his book. She agreed to find a suitable instructor which would actually agree to teach a human. She couldn't personally teach him because she had things to do, she was running an army campaign to crush the race of men for Goddess' sake!
Brian agreed to be obedient to a degree, but his skill made it so that no vow could hold him down, so Elenia had to keep a close eye on him from now on. Brian would now be her personal retainer. This was so that Elenia could keep a close eye on him, but also for another reason. Little did Brian know, but this was the main reason why Elenia was so excited about Brian. The only way for a unique skill, such as the one he has, to be passed on was through their offspring. If Elenia made this person her mate, her offspring would be able to rule over the continent of Demios, and perhaps even the world of Elendil. This overpowered skill would make anyone want to bear this person's children if it would mean that their children would gain his power.
She wasn't worried about other demons' prejudice towards humans hurting her standing. Demons value power. She knew that deep down, both races were essentially the same. War mongers. The only reason she was fighting this war was for her own pleasure, not because she hated humans as a species. The same couldn't be said for the other members of her race. While half-breeds were generally looked down upon, the army of the Free Races of Demios still took in those of tainted blood. The only members they refused were humans, because their entire purpose was to cleanse Elendil of the Human race.
She was sure that her father would approve of such a matchup also. If there was one thing which Shah Azrael valued, it was power, no matter where it came from. In fact, one of the Shah's closest attendants was a human necromancer, but Elenia couldn't remember his name at the moment. She was too focused on the present. This human standing in front of her had the potential to become a god-like presence, capable of slaying even dragons. And he wanted. Wanted. To be taught and guided by her. To Elenia, this was simply a dream come true. She slightly regretted putting him through so much torture and pain over the last week. But it was his fault! He never talked! That's like...Literally asking for someone to rip your fingernails off, and then heal them back, and then rip them off, and then.... Elenia's thoughts wandered.
The terms of Brian and Elenias' agreement goes as follows: Brian will be taught for five hours every day, and he will get the other five hours as his own personal 'free time' to do whatever he wanted around the army camp. During the night, Brian will be confined to Elenia's tent, lest he try to make an escape...Not for other reasons... He was also required to be in a party with her, which would let her know his general location at all times. Brian's terms were that after 2 years, if he was judged to be sufficient by his instructor, whoever he was, then he would be allowed his freedom. This was so he could make sure he was powerful enough to kill any who got in his way.
After around two hours of talking through terms with her new personal slave/retainer, a courier ran to tell her she was needed in the logistics tent. As she was leaving, she turned around and said her goodbye to Brian.
"Don't get too comfortable hanging around in there! I will send your new instructor around to pick you up. I have the perfect person in mind! 'kay? Catch you later, handsome!"
The courier seemed just as baffled as Brian by the demon princess' cutesy behavior. He was just standing uncomfortably as Princess Khyser called a filthy human slave hanging in a cage 'handsome'. If some of the upper demon nobility ever heard of that, then they would...He didn't know what they would do, but it wouldn't be good. Wait till his buddies heard about this. Meanwhile, Elenia made a little wave and picked up her primary weapon, Triton's bane, which was leaning against the tent post. It crackled to life as her hand came into contact with it. She then strode out of the tent with a skip in her step, humming all the while.
Is that the same person who tortured me for a week? What the fuck? ...Crazy bitch...Nice tits though... It will be a shame when I cut them off and stuff them down her throat. I can't wait to kill her...
While he was looking forward to tearing the soul out of her body, Brian was not looking forward to future interactions with that woman. At least he was not going to die in then near future, and once he gained enough power, he would be able to exact his revenge. Then he would join his family in death. This world was just a place for him to get his vengeance. At least, that's how Brian thought of it. He felt that person in his soul, he could feel their movement. While he couldn't tell their exact location, he knew they were somewhere in the north.
Brian was then left alone, hanging in his cage, which had been his home for the past seven days. The torture had honestly helped Brian come a little to terms with his tragedy. Like shaping iron, torture was the red hot furnace which helped to shape Brian. Into a weapon. A very deadly one at that.
It had been several hours of waiting for his instructor to show, but no one had shown up. Brian, who was too distracted by all the events of this morning, forgot to ask for his breakfast, so he found he was inflicted with the (Hunger) debuff as well! Perfect!
You are extremely hungry!
sp regen will be slowed by 1/2 until you eat!
The sun was turning into a hazy orange through the slit in the tent flaps, so Brian could tell that it was getting dark soon.
Well, I guess she couldn't find anyone who was willing to teach a human. Oh well...
Brian suddenly heard the tent flaps being drawn open, so he looked up to see who the intruder was. It was a man dressed in rags who was looking fearfully around the room before he locked eyes with Brian, who was still covered in dried blood and lacerations from yesterday's session. The man's ears were round, so he knew he was human. He quickly closed the tent flaps and peered through the slit to see if there was anyone following him. The man snuck over to Brian's cage and whipped out a keychain that looked eerily familiar. It was Gilsh's keychain which he always dangled in front of Brian's eyes, so how could Brian not recognize it.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
A slave? Probably trying to help me escape. He looks like one of those do-gooder types.
The man, who had long brown hair and face that was probably popular with the ladies, was reassuring Brian as he was trying to get the cage unlocked. The window which popped up above the man's head was also useless, because it didn't contain any information whatsoever.
"Don't worry friend. I'm gettin' you outta here. We're breakin' out tonight, and were taking everyone else with us. We need to rescue my wife after this... Those...Those demon bastards are gonna pay for what you, what all of us have went through. I heard you gettin tortured by that demon bitch, so I decided to help getcha' out of here."
Finally the man got the iron cage door unlocked, and then moved on the locks on the manacles attached to Brian's wrists. Apparently, this guy's wife was in one of the pleasure tents. Brian had no clue what to do in this situation. He certainly didn't want to escape now that he had worked out a favorable deal. He knew he would be completely lost without a mentor, and sticking around the princess seemed like a surefire way to get power. So, Brian just stayed silent while the man was unlocking his chains. He knew what he had to do.
The man finally unlocked the last manacle, and Brian slumped to the ground, all of his muscles screaming in protest at the sudden change in weight distribution. The man moved to help Brian up, but Brian refused with a grunt and took a minute to struggle to his feet. He didn't want help from some douche who had just made his already stressful life harder.
"Are you sure you'll be okay, my friend?" Brian grunted in response. "Well, okay. Now we need to find a way out of hear that's not through the main tent flap...Hmm...Look for something sharp enough to cut the canvas of this tent."
The man was now trying to order around Brian, who was now just standing in the middle of the tent in his bloodstained, filthy pants. Brian walked over to the table where various 'interrogation' tools were lined up in a neat little row. He knew all of these very intimately. They had been dug under his skin, and were covered in his blood after all. He picked up one of Elenia's favorites. A simple iron spike. She admired this tool because of its simplicity and results.
Brian's rescuer was digging through a trunk on the other side of the cage, looking for something to cut the tent, when Brian silently approached him from behind. Brian wanted to test something. He was now standing behind his rescuer, holding the foot-long iron spike in his right hand. He the raised the spike, and drove it into the back of the man's skull.
Critical Hit! -65 hp
You have killed your opponent, Gared the merchant!
You have gained the title Betrayer!
Title Gained: Betrayer
You have no honor.
5% more damage to allies.
You will no longer be allowed passage into temples.
Those who join your party will be alerted of your title.
You have gained 76% exp!
Hah. That was...Easy...
Brian yanked the spike out of the man's head, and his lifeless corpse tumbled forward into the chest he was previously looking through. It was the first time he had ever taken a life, but he was completely unfazed by it. Perhaps it had to do with this new world. It just didn't feel real to Brian, so he could kill without guilt or mercy. Despite being in this world for a week, it still kind of felt like a dream to Brian. He couldn't put a finger on it, but he just didn't care like he did in his old world. Brian's cold eyes surveyed the scene of the crime until he heard a slow clapping from behind him.
*clap* *clap* *clap*
"Bravo! I never expected you to kill him so mercilessly like that! He was even trying to help you, yet you just ended him. One of your own species. Perfect! I'll take it! You shall be my new pupil! The pupil of the Great Alastor, shadow of the night! I know how you must feel, but please thank me later. I would like to get to know you better. Mistress Elenia only told me to set up this little test, but she didn't tell me anything about the individual in question except that he is human. Why don't you tell me all about yourself so we can know each other a little better."
A male demon who was mostly covered in a black cloak, stood about a foot taller the Brian and was boasting a very robust figure. Just his biceps were about the size of Brian's entire head. He had weird pale white skin, but he had the signature pointy ears and teeth of the demon race. His long black hair was tied up in a ponytail, giving him a very rogue-ish look. This figure in particular was currently making a stupid grin, and studying Brian.
Are all demons like this? Jeezus....
Brian walked over to the instrument table and set down the now bloody spike neatly where he found it. He pulled out a chair and sat down facing the demon.
"So...You are my new instructor. My name is Brian. Instead of telling you about me, wouldn't it be easier for you to join my party or something so you can see my stats?"
The demon's eyes slightly widened and he broke out into a fit of annoying laughter. He fell on the ground and Whenever it seemed like the demon would stop and calm down, he just started cackling harder. After around a full minute of listening to the demon mock him, Brian shouted at him.
"What the fuck is so funny?!"
"Oh. Oh my *snicker* I am sorry buddy, but while I admit you are fair of face, I don't swing that way. I actually prefer beautiful beastwomen. Their strength! Their independance! Their...Ears! Again, nothing personal, but you're not my type."
The demon replied, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.
What is happening? Was it something I said? Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
"Ah, I can see you're confused. Don't get turned down often, eh? Don't worry about it, like I said, nothing persona-"
Brian cut the demon off from his speech.
"I'm not a fucking homosexual! What's wrong with asking someone to join my party?"
"Dear me, you really are hopeless! Mistress told me she would make my job hard, but...Wow. Don't you know that only lovers and dungeon raiders join a party together? And I don't think we're anywhere near a dungeon, do you?"
Wait, then that means...That bitch!
The demon continued speaking, seeing understanding dawn on Brian's clueless, blood-splattered face.
"Well, Brian, I suppose it's proper to introduce myself. My name is Alastor Hyacinth, feel free to just call me Alastor, and from here on I will be your personal combat instructor. You are obviously very green, and despite you being human, I will work you into the ground and then some. I look forward to working with you."
...Ugh...I don't see how Elenia saw fit to put this maniac as my instructor, but if he's willing, then I can't complain. This is just a stepping stone. No matter what disgraces I have to go through, I will get my due vengeance.
"...Yea, me too."
Alastor walked over and clapped Brian on the shoulder, nearly sending him spilling on the floor.
"Brian, let's get you cleaned up. We can't have you walking around in your own filth like you are. Then we can get started on your training. I want to see what you're made of."
Alastor walked out out of the tent with Brian in tow, completely forgetting the corpse of Gared which still was face down in the item chest. There was a malevolent glint in Alastor's eye when he said 'training' that made Brian shudder despite the pain he had went through. He somehow knew he would not enjoy this 'training' one bit.
----
Brian Locke hp-(81/81) mp-(30/30) sp-(32/50) Base Stats Titles Class Elemental Resistances Equips Lv: 7 Abyssal Wanderer Fire: 0% Primary: N/A Exp to next lv: 81.5%/100% Avenger Water: 0% Seconday: N/A CON: 8 DEX: 6 G CHA: 35 Betrayer Air: 0% Race STR: 16 INT: 7 G LUC: 104 Familiars Light: 0% Human END: 11 WIS: 11 WIL: Dark: 0% Age Earth: 0% 7 days
Skill List Fate of Fortuna(divine) (99% until next upgrade)
Spell List Fire Water Air Light Earth Dark N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
****
"Come on girl! Focus!"
Elder grey yelled at Laila who was struggling to form the mental image of a fireball. She should have known magic was going to be more difficult than just chanting (fireball). Born in the age of the internet, millenials like her were used to instant gratification, not having to actually work for something for a change. That's Hard! She pictured the mp flowing from her veins into the mental image of a fireball, and then she felt something warm form on her hand. It wasn't uncomfortable, but more like the feeling of the sun shining on her skin. She opened her eyes to find a ball of rotating orange flame floating in her palm.
Yes! Finally, I figured it out. It took a few hours, but I did it!
Congratulations
You have unlocked a new spell, (Fireball)!
A ball of flame, it is a projectile which can cause fire damage.
+3 INT +3 WIS
Lv Damage/Effect mp Cost 1/10 35 fire damage. 50% chance to cause burning status (100% due to Purging Inferno(divine) skill) 5 mp
You have gained 59% exp
You have leveled up!
+2 to all attributes
"Well I'll be! It's about time you figured out how to do that! With your (divine) skill, it's no surprise you managed to learn a spell in three hours which usually takes most novice magi several weeks of study. Fire is notorious for being the most difficult element to master, yet you make it look easy. Good job Laila!"
Elder grey was giddy with excitement. The refugee girl which they adopted into their community turned out to be someone blessed with a godly skill for magic. Mp users in humans were incredibly rare and highly valued by kingdoms and guilds. The probability for someone to be born with the ability to use mp is around 1 in 1,000. This is why humans were losing the Division Wars. The demons and beast-men had a much higher ratio of mp users than humans. Elves, who lived on the other side of the continent, all had access to mp, but chose not to participate in the Division Wars.
The elder himself was one of those very lucky humans who were able to use mp, so he was able to teach a few things to Laila. He himself was had the sage class, so it allowed him to teach spells easier to others. The only reason he was the elder of such a backwater town like Lindel was because it was where his son lived, so he moved here from his position at the Mages' Guild in Arcadia.
It seems like that was a good decision, because he would hate to see such a cheerful young lady corrupted by the Mages' Guild. They had a tendancy to do that to young aspiring magi with a zeal for life. They would offer them potions and spell formulae for doing actions which benefitted the guild, which was fine until those actions started to become something else. They would twist their members into tools for their own benefit. He had seen it too many times. The law enforcement could do nothing to stop it because they relied heavily on the Mages' Guild. It was another reason he moved here. To escape the corruption of the guild.
He had been teaching Laila various spells for the past few days, but the ones that she seemed to understand the easiest were fire spells. After explaining her skill to him, he understood why. He also told her never to tell anyone about her skill, because they will either exploit her or kill her. Her power would become truly monsterous. Looking at the fireball she had produced, it was around 3 times the power of a fireball that he could produce, and he had the spell maxed out.
Laila's eyes lit up with jubilation at having actually made a fireball. It was hovering above her palm until she lost concentration and it fizzled out.
"Neato! Thanks gramps! Uhh... Oops I think I gotta go. I promised to help Louise with dinner. See ya at the bonfire tonight!"
Laila said after looking out the window of the elder's house and noticed the sun was going down. She dusted her hands on her skirt before jogging out of the house to help Graffar's wife prepare a meal out of a horned rabbit they had just captured. While she was jogging through the small township, she happily greeted the passing villagers. Everyone in the village loved the pretty, red-haired, and lightly-freckled girl because of her contagious happiness and enthusiasm. Not to mention she was apparently an mp user who could potentially bring great profit.
I feel like I've found my place in this world. I've taken to life here like a fish in water. It feels like I've been living here my whole life even though it's been a week. Everyone is so nice and helpful...The complete opposite of my world, where everyone was so cynical and small. But I want to see everything Elendil has to offer. I can't stay in this village forever.
She neared Graffar's cottage and saw his nephew, Ralfus, chopping wood out front. He had taken his shirt off due to the strenous activity. She slowed to halt and silently watched the way his powerful back muscles flexed whenever he brought down the axe to chop. The way his biceps turned, the way his jawline tensed, and especially the way rivulets of sweat made their way down his back and chest. She liked spending time with the handsome logger whenever she wasn't off doing odd jobs, helping Graffar with the forge, or being taught magic by Elder Grey. He had a good sense of humor and liked to make Laila laugh. Ralfus suddenly put down his axe and turned around with a stupid grin on his face.
"Enjoy the show, did you? I never knew you were such a perv Laila."
Laila's face turned a shade of red nearly matching her scarlet hair.
"Wha- Hey you! I was just-"
"Haha! Okay sorry, sorry. No need to get so flustered. I'm just going to go back to my logging now. Enjoy the show"
Ralfus said as he did a few poses, like a body-builder, his stupid grin still on his face. In truth, Ralfus had a body that rivalled professional bodybuilders from Laila's world, but it was fairly commonplace to those with the logger class, which doubled the STR stat.
Laila laughed out loud at his antics, yet her eyes were still drawn to his toned pectorals and her cheeks were still somewhat flushed. If she had met Ralfus in her old world, she would have already jumped his bones. A handsome, nice, and funny guy like him was like finding a unicorn in Middle America, but she did not want to make any hasty decisions. She was so lonely, but not anymore and she didn't want to make any bad decisions which could affect her long term future. After all, contraception did not exist here. She wanted to explore this world, and that would be very difficult if she had any relationships tying her down.
Then again, it would be nice to have a companion to travel the world with.
Laila, shaking her head at Ralfus who was still making stupid faces while flexing, made her way inside the cottage. After helping Graffar's wife, who told her her tons of childhood stories about Ralfus she could tease him with, Graffar arrived and the group sat down to eat before the festival tonight. Graffar's wife, Louise, was a motherly, kind woman who was plump, but it made her hugs feel extra good. The entire time they were eating the roast horned rabbit, which was the size of a boar, Laila was making fun of the poor guy. He was just a kid, he didn't know that rocks weren't edible.
Graffar was glad that the poor girl had recovered so well from her...Trauma. He never wanted to bring it up, because he didn't want to spoil her happiness. He left his house to get ready for the festival by helping to build the big bonfire. The festival tonight was called Bealtaine and it happened every year before the harvest. Everyone would drink and dance around a big bonfire in the village green. Sometimes Elder Grey would hire musicians or performers to add to the fun.
He also needed to remember to get that Flair Fox because the peddler was coming. He needed to get this beast off of his hands and fast. It had almost taken one of his fingers numerous times, and if the cage wasn't made of heat resistant metal, then it would have melted already. Sooner or later, that beast was going to get lucky. As he set out, Laila ran up and decided to join him in helping prepare for the festival. They passed the forge, and Graffar ran in to grab the infernal beast's cage. When he came outside holding the caged fox, Laila heard a weird pleading voice in her head.
'Help! Save me m'lady!'
She looked at the fox in the cage, and it was looking back at Laila with pleading eyes. They reminded her of a certain cartoon animal back home.
"Wait Graffar! The fox just told me it wants to get out!"
"..."
"No I heard it talk to me in my mind! I'm serious! It wants to get out."
Graffar looked at Laila like she was an idiot.
"Of course it wants to git out. It's in a cage! Doesn't mean I'm gonna let it free. This here beast is worth a small fortune."
Laila bit her lip before responding.
"...Could I have it. It's really cute."
"Little lady, this ain't no pet. This Flair Fox will grow to be a class A monster. That type of monster could destroy this entire village with a single attack. Now, I would love to give it to you, but it's just too dangerous. The only way to make et into a familiar is through a forced contract, and that has t' be done in Arcadia."
"But it talked to me! I think I would be able to tame it."
Graffar was getting tired of this conversation, so he rashly set the terms of a deal.
"I'll tell you what. I will make you a deal. If you're able to tame this here monster, then I'll let'cha keep it. If you can't, then y'have to cook dinner every single day for the next month. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Laila then tried to talk to the little Flair Fox with her mind.
'Hello? Hey fox!'
'Yes m'lady. My name is actually Rupert, but feel free to call me whatever you wish.'
'Oookay, Rupert. Become my familiar.'
'Are you going to rescue me m'lady? For truth? Yes. I will do whatever a chosen wishes.'
A window then shimmered in front of Laila's face:
Congratulations lv 4 Flair Fox has become your familiar!
Rupert hp-(40/40) mp-(160/160) sp-(12/20) Base Stats Titles Class Elemental Resistances Equips Lv: 4 N/A Monster Fire: 100% Primary: N/A Exp to next lv: 81.5%/100% Water: 0% Seconday: N/A CON: 18 DEX: 15 CHA: 9 Air: 0% Race STR: 10 INT: 13 LUC: 5 Familiars Light: 0% Flair Fox END: 21 WIS: 11 N/A Dark: 0% Age Earth: 0% 1.45 years
You have gained 23% exp!
Graffar almost shat himself when he saw a window show up above the beast's head.
Rupert
lv: ???
Familiar of Laila Bryne.
When it dawned on him that maybe Laila wasn't lying when she said she could speak to the fox, it was already too late. His heart broke as he just watched his money just disappear in front of his eyes. Laila unlocked the cage and her new familiar jump into Laila's waiting arms. The fox cutely nestled across Laila's shoulders, its red fur blending well with her fiery locks.
"Damn...Yeh weren't lyin' then"
Graffar said glumly, accepting his loss. The real problem would come when Graffar had to explain to Lukas and his nephew why they weren't getting any profit. Some trouble could come of that in the future. Oh well. Graffar however, was not one to linger on his losses. He was now no worse off than when he found the thing. He was sure his other trappers wouldn't see it that way, but it was the truth. Graffar never did like to sweat the details, and right now, he had a party to attend to.
"Um Graffar? Is it okay for me to just keep Rupert out like this. I mean, I know it's tame and everything, but you said something about it being a scary monster. "
Before Graffar could even respond, she heard the squeaky voice again in her head:
'Not to worry m'lady, familiars can enter a dormant form on their master's body. Something like a mark. It's something that all bonded beings are able to do. I don't know why. Maybe momma does...'
'Oookaaaayy...How do I do that?'
'Just, um, do it. I'm not a master, so I don't really know that well. Momma will know! I can take you to momma!'
'Woah there buddy, lets calm down. I'll take you to your "momma" so let me just try to figure it out first...'
Laila did not actually want the fox as a familiar, as cute as he was. She just wanted to free it. She knew how it felt, all caged up, and she empathized with it. She had been caged her entire life before this world. Sooner or later, she would have to find this little guy's "momma". Laila just pictured getting rid of the cute and peppy fox, and a window popped up:
Would you like to banish (Rupert's) corporeal form? (Yes)/(No)
She hit yes, and then the little fox burst into flames that flew in a spiral before dissipating. Laila then felt a tingling sensation on her left boob, just above the aerola. That was probably the 'mark' that Rupert was talking about. She also suspected that the placement of her mark was not random, so that would just mean that her little fox was just a pervert.
"Nevermind, I figured it out. Thanks again Graffar."
The old blacksmith/trapper just shook his head. They set off
Laila went with Graffar to set up the bonfire and after an hour of preparation, building a tower of lumber about 2 meters in height in the middle of the village green, the festival was finally about to be underway. Elder Grey made a small introduction before they began the festivities.
"All right! All right! Quiet down now, an old man needs to be able to hear himself think. Now is the time where we are to count our blessings and to ask for another year of good fortune. One thing I would like to thank the Goddess for in particular is the ability to help others in need of shelter and safe passage. Let no one say that they were not given proper hospitality in our humble town! I'm sure many of you have met her, but Ms.Bryne came to us in a time of need, and she has become a beacon of hope and good cheer in our community. Now, I am sure I speak for all of us when I say, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish. No matter where you go in your travels, you will always have a place in Lindel."
Oh my...Way to lay in on thick gramps. It is awful nice of him though... I wish everyone would just stop staring at me.
After hearing the Elder's impassioned speech, the crowd of a hundred or so villagers rested their eyes on Laila's hunched blushing form. Someone shouted "hear, hear!" in the crowd, but the elder continued to speak.
"And so, as a symbol of good faith, I would like for Ms.Bryne to light the Bealtaine fire tonight so we can dance underneath the stars for the blessings of a good fortune and harvest. Laila if would please...?"
The elder motioned for her to come up. She hesitantly walked up, and the elder put his wrinkled hand on her shoulder. He leaned over and quietly said while nudging her with his elbow:
"Now is the perfect chance to test your new spell. I'm sure it will also help wow all the bumpkins too, eh?"
Yea he's right. I never actually tried the spell on a target yet.
The elder motioned for everyone to quiet down and Laila focused on forming a ball of flame in her palm. After a few seconds of focus, she felt the familiar and pleasant heat wash over her hand as the ball of flame bloomed into existance and everyone in the crowd had grown silent at the 'impressive' display of magic. She pointed her palm towards the stack of lumber and directed it to shoot towards her intended target.
(Fireball)
*BOOOOOM*
The small rotating ball of fire shot towards the pile of logs before impacting with an impressive explosion. A few flaming timbers were launched 20 meters away, but most of them simply erupted into an impressive inferno. The fire was a deep crimson instead the usual yellow-orange. Laila winced as the last timber she sent flying slammed against the ground. Luckily, they had been launched away from all of the spectators. The villagers were silent for a moment before erupting into cheers. No one in their small village had ever seen such a display of power and magic. Those who weren't enthusiastically clapping were looking in awe at the mysterious red flame which danced across their now flaming bonfire.
The Beltaine festival had begun.