Short summary of the last chapter:
Spoiler :
Voice finally finished upgrading all of his fairies. We saw what had happened to the dungeon, and Voice was informed there was an attack.
Also, let me know if anything is wrong with the chapter! Be sure to comment and rate!
Geez guys! 2k views in two days! I decided to write this because I was excited about such a turnout.
It only took a week to set up tournament. By then everyone in town knew about it. Even some, a very low number, people from outside of my city began to appear because of it.
I asked EDI to spread the word of It, but leave out the fact that I was the one that started the rumors. She agreed on the condition that she get to participate. We eventually agreed that she could join if I hid her identity. The rumor was that in one month I would hold a gladiator styled tournament.
The colosseum was huge. I had all of the earth magicians in my employ, those that worked in the mages guild, help with it. They seemed to have a lot more trouble than I did. Even the rank three earth mage could barely keep up with me. It might have been my innate ability to manipulate earth mana, or my massive quantity of mana.
Either way we got it done in that same week. I didn’t have any time to rest though. I didn’t give the earth mages time to sleep either. I used the energy buff on all of them. They had no choice but to make it full time. The only times they got off were when they had to eat.
After the first week was over I checked on the progress of my fairies. In anticipation of the tournament I had my harvesting fairies; Sol, Eli, Moro, and Tear, create as much raw ingredients as the could for me to create health potions.
The ingredients were all very potent. “Good job guys, if you all can keep this up for another three weeks I’ll be sure to get you all some fairy food!” Fairy food was like catnip to them.
They all knew what it was like, despite only Sol getting any from me before.
The ingredients I asked for weren’t just my usual green healing herb and common weed. I had them grow the common weed and green healing herb, but also iron leaf and blue thistle.
Iron leaf plus blue thistle made a potion that increased healing rate. Common weed and green healing herb was the obvious healing potion. By drying both potions, then combining the resulting powder, I could make a new type of potion.
The whole process was the same as making one potion, but I blended two types of powder during the first drying process. Then I used that powder to create both potions again, them combined the resulting powder into the potion.
Health Boost * RareMaterial QualityLowWork QualityExpertBase Restoration30 + 6/s for 5 secondsThis potion was created by the powerful alchemist Voice0fReason. This potion was made by fusing multiple potions together in an alchemic feat rarely heard of.
This potion was made by an expert craftsman. This potion gains an unparalleled amount to restorative powers.
This potion heals a total of 343.8 points instantly, and an additional 343.8 over the next 5 seconds.
Remember, the base restoration was only what it normally was without any enhancements. When I dried them, and made them into new potions, that increased the effectiveness of them.
Normally one green healing herb potion would heal about 800 per, since I knew green healing herbs and common weed so well. Sacrificing a bit to make it also heal over time was worth it.
During the next week I constantly made potions. They increased in power a bit due to the fact that my fairies only harvested the weakest seeds, and replanted the strongest ones. That was one of Moro’s main jobs. To go through each seed after pouring in the mana to help grow the plants.
I had two weeks left to finish my preparations. I quickly had the rules written on sheets of paper, and convinced EDI to secretly help distribute them over the city.
The rules were simple.
Rule 1: No outside items.
Basic weapons and armor will be provided as well as a few potions. After the first match, you can choose to purchase extra potions, weapons, armor etc. Special enchantments can be laid on weapons or armor after the first round, for any price the merchants deem acceptable.
Rule 2: No outside help.
All buffs and debuffs must be removed prior to entering the arena. If the judges notice any outside assistance, they will review the battle. A disqualification may be issued.
Rule 3: No killing.
Killing is strictly prohibited. Any attempts on another’s life, unless deemed completely accidental, will result in disqualification and punishment.
Rule 4: No maiming.
Intentional maiming will be treated in the same way as killing. See Rule 3.
Rule 5: No complaints.
The victor will be decided by the impartial judges. Unless cheating was involved, rulings are final.
Rule 6: Judgements are absolute.
The judges may add or detract rules as the situation requires. New and detracted rules will take effect at the beginning of the match after they are decided.
Of course I had told Susan, Evan, and the Guild leader about these rules when I came up with them on the first day. That way they could prepare a suitable amount of items for those that might want to purchase them.
During the two weeks I made sure all of the prizes were enough to tempt people, and reinforced the colosseum with a few inscriptions that simply said ‘endurance’. That way it would be slightly harder to actually damage it. I also continued to make massive batches of potions. After that first week of healing potions, I made dozens of different types of potions. By the time I finally created the 12th new potion, I finally leveled up alchemy to level 50!
It took a GIANT jump in power. From the simple 11.46 extra potency it jumped all the way to 17.262. It is mostly because of the increase in the two skills that only give bonus based on ranks not levels. I made a plan to use the final day before the event to make a bunch of potions for my personal use.
The colosseum was designed exactly like the famous one in Rome. It was supported by a series of arches and causeways. The center was large enough to hold a small lake. It was four stories high, and had the stands only take up a small portion of the total area.
During the last week I specially enchanted a series of weapons, using my inscriptions, for the winners’ prizes.
I also found that my inscriptions on things were permanent. At least until intentionally removed by the owner.
The magic would fade out occasionally, as all enchantments now did. But pouring mana into a mold was aa lot easier than making a new enchantment every time the old one ran out.
I even made it so the wielder of the weapon could recharge it themselves. Though the rate of recharging for someone other than an enchanter was only 1 point for every 100 spent. Not an extremely viable option, but it could save someone’s life.
Day of the tournament.
I stood on the balcony of my castle. I could easily overlook the entire city. Below me sprawled the magnificent Utopia I had built.
Using wind mana, I made it so my voice could reach everyone in the city. Not that I needed to. Most of the people were gathered in the center of the residential arc.
I had asked my friends to spread news of my announcement an hour before. Word spreads fast in a small community like what my city was at that moment. Although the amount of residents wasn’t high, the news had spread to a few outlying villages. The ones closest to us, with the safest travel, even sent some people to watch.
“Friends! Listen! I have news! Today we will celebrate the first month of our fair city! Today we celebrate what the gods have seen fit to give us!
“We are a large town with a small population, but will we let others conquer us? NO! We are friendly, nice, and good spirited people. But will we let others take advantage of us? NO!
“Today we show what we are made of! Not just to the world, but to ourselves! WE ARE STRONG! WE ARE SMART! WE ARE MIGHTY!”
Through use of a few select mole agents, I started a chant of ‘we … are … mighty. We are mighty.’ Every chant made it quicker and louder. With four people all chanting it in different areas, it quickly caught on.
It probably helped that I asked them all to record the chant earlier. I gave each of them a stone, that had the voice of four people chanting on it.
Within seconds the entire crowd was cheering we are mighty.
I slipped back in my castle, happy that my plan to hype them up had worked sufficiently well. Some of the adventurer guards were tasked with leading the people to the colosseum, as if they couldn’t find it themselves.
After gathering all of the required items, I quickly equipped the flying ring and flew to the arena. I had already made sure the merchants were able to set up quickly. I had already given Susan the potions I made, and we agreed that I’d get 75% of the profit.
Even though I wanted all of the profit, and thought I should since I had gotten her intimacy up, I decided not to argue about it. The 25% wasn’t worth losing the closeness I had with her. She would prove more useful in the future.
When I got close to the arena, I landed. I changed my appearance, and hid myself behind some buildings. I looked more like a rough guy, and had one scar crossing over each eye. It almost made a mountain shape. I even went so far as to make it look like I had a different class. Just incase someone could read my info like I could thiers.
Evan and his wife Elizabeth met up with me in a few moments. I gave him the items and changed his appearance to mimic my original one. I also made Elizabeth’s look like EDI. They left soon after, and went straight into the colosseum carrying the prizes.
After waiting a few minutes I came out. I easily blended into the crowd.
After walking for about ten minutes, the guard finally had us wait at the entrance.
She began speaking loudly. I gave the girl that told me about the bears this job. “By order of King Voice0fReason, we are to herby conduct a seizure of all personal effects. If you are a participant please for a line to the left. If you wish to watch the battles please move to the right.”
The process of taking everyone’s items was long. Of course they couldn’t even register without accepting the quest.
You must accept this quest to participate in the gladiatorial tournament.
Success: Getting 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
Difficulty: ???
Failure: Losing in a battle before attaining the rank of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place.
Reward: To be announced.
Success results in the people of this town becoming more friendly towards you. You must pay an entry fee of 10 gold to accept this quest.
First the entry fee of 10 gold was taken. It seemed like a lot, but most of the players were high level. They could afford it.
They handed their items to a guard, and had them sealed off in a large box. The guard then wrote the name on a piece of wood that was nailed to the metal box. After writing two lists with every item the person had, the guard let them go into the barracks to wait.
This was all done in a private room of course. A female guard was available for women, while the men had a male guard watch over them.
Even with eight total guards, it took a while. I had nothing on me, except a loose fitting robe. My check went quickly. I was given a facility robe, and ushered out of the room.
After that they were shooed off to the merchant’s area. Guards were heavy here to make sure no cheating got into the fights.
You were allowed to choose which merchant you would get your goods from. The only merchant with any potions to speak of was Susan. Imagine that.
As I was ushered into Susan’s area, I sat down. Each merchant was given a small room with two chairs one table, and a door. Two guards were stationed in each merchant’s room.
Susan’s room was the first one on the right. Evan’s was the first on the left.
Susan smiled as she saw me enter. “Well, stranger. What kind of potions would you like. You can only choose 5.”
“Thankee, mum. I’d like five healing potions.”
This was code of course. I had told her what my general appearance would be, but still wanted a code phrase in case someone else happened to look like me.
The two guards were watching us the entire time, making sure that she did not show me favoritism.
She picked 5 ‘random’ healing potions out of her inventory, and handed them to me. Without checking them I went outside. The robe could hold 5 potions, so that is how many I let the participants have.
These were basic robes Evan had made for me. He had a tailor friend who joined him on the journey here. The tailor had been paid generously for them. It only took a few enchanted items to get the trade done actually.
After leaving Susan’s shop, I went across the hall for my gear. Evan had his apprentice selling for him. I was given a set of basic iron armor, and a staff. Both my choices. I at least allowed for the participants to choose the types of items to fight with.
I could have had better armor or a better staff, but I didn’t want to take the chance of someone finding out.
I was directed to the changing room. After changing in the changing room, I gave my robe to the guard stationed outside of it. Then I went to the barracks to get my number.
For everyone else, the next step was always told by a guard that was nearby. I had that as well, but obviously didn’t need to pay it too much mind.
It was sort of strange though. When I went to grab my number, Lydia the librarian happened to be giving them out.
When she saw my unique face she just happened to say that she drew number 1. I was ‘luckily’ going to be in the first match. Which meant, even if I lost, I would ‘happen’ to be able to watch the rest of the matches.
If you didn’t get the obvious hints, I paid her off. In exchange for a rather sizable donation to her library, she agreed to help me cheat. She didn’t like it, but my donation was quite hard to pass up.
Basically I was going to declare the library a national resource. So stealing from it, or damaging the books, would be akin to robbing the king. The sales would still go 100% to Lydia though. I also had to help her find rare books when I got the chance.
Honestly she kind of screwed me, but I had no choice since I had already brought it up with her.
The question is, why would I make it so I could watch everyone? Why not just watch from the stands as the king? Secret.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
A few hours later and everyone was through. There were only about a hundred fighters this time, and just over four thousand spectators. It was free to watch, but only under the condition that the seats wouldn’t fill up.
The ten gold did dissuade many from joining, but that was also a part of the whole plan.
After everyone was through we were all paraded into the center of the colosseum. The participants only filled up a small portion of it. If there were a lot of participants we would have gone into three or more days, but there weren’t enough for that. We just needed two for what I wanted.
The ‘king’ announced the start of the tournament. Evan stood up from the adorned seat, and spoke. “Ladies and Gentlemen of the audience, I’d like to thank you for coming tonight to view the battles about to take place. Although there are not many participants, it will no doubt be thrilling to watch.
“Obviously this contest will have winners. Obviously these winners should be rewarded!”
After he mouthed the words I had imprinted into the recording stone, he pulled out the prizes.
The first was fabric. “Here I have specially enchanted fabric.” The bolt of fabric shone in many colors. “This is specially crafted fabric! It has the ability to resist any type of magic!” Although mana users weren’t super common, that was a prize.
Even this prize was just one way I was going to increase the number of mana users. By giving a prize that resisted magic, I made it seem like magic is even better. It was great for me, but others would generally suck.
“This is the third place prize.”
He put the bolt of fabric down, and picked up a helmet.
“The second place prize is this.” Evan continued to mouth the words perfectly.
“This is the second prize.” Evan held up an iron helmet.
“This helmet is specially enchanted! All it needs is mana to run. Even those that do not know how to enchant can recharge the enchantment by allowing it to absorb their mana!
“This helmet will allow the user to breathe underwater for one hour between charges. That will not stop them from being crushed by the water’s weight. While it doesn’t offer much in the way of protection, the ability to breathe in Tear’s domain isn’t negligible.”
I made sure I tested that helmet. It actually worked. It gathered air mana, and reflected water mana. It could only last for an hour before it needed to have 10k mana points put into it again. What? I was still experimenting with inscriptions. Nothing I made at that time was perfect.
Evan gently laid the helmet atop the bolt of fabric. “The final prize is something many will find useful.”
He slowly pulled out a sword from his scarab. Only a slight hitch in the pull diminished the effect. I couldn’t expect too much out of a blacksmith I suppose.
The sword shone, then instantly darkened. After a few seconds of silence the audience began to whisper. Evan continued to stare at the sword. After a few more seconds it happened.
A beam of bright searing light shot from the tip of the sword, into the sky. The sword glowed brightly, as it released the power. The beam held for only a fraction of a second, but the effect on the crowd, and participants, was noticeable.
That’s right. I had made a mother fucking sword that shot MOTHER FUCKING LAZAHS!
Well actually not quite. The sword would absorb ambient light and fire mana, much like the mana purifiers I created. It would then shoot them out in a dazzling display. The light was really just to hide the fire beam.
Laser SwordMaterial QualityCommonWork QualityMasterEnchantment QualityMasterDamage100-165 (500 maximum laser damage)Durability200/200This weapon was created by the Master Blacksmith Evan.
This weapon was made by an master craftsman. This weapon gains plus twenty minimum damage and plus twenty maximum damage. This weapon gains fifty durability.
This weapon was enchanted by a master enchanter. This sword has had its magical ability increase by 500%.
This sword must charge to be able to produce the ‘laser’. Unless artificially charged, this sword requires high levels of heat and light to charge.
I named the sword, so of course I’d make it interesting. I didn’t even care about winning it though. In a few weeks, maybe a month, I’d be able to make much better. This was my best item I made so far though.
The hardest part of the entire engraving process was that each character had to be aligned perfectly for the correct enchantment to activate. If I placed the rune even a fraction of an inch in the wrong direction, the entire enchantment would be ruined.
Evan continued. “This specimen is great for any fight! It’s ‘laser’ does 500 damage alone! It will naturally charge itself, or can be charged by the user. Keep in mind that one charge costs 5,000 mana.”
Remember, 1 mana in the item took 100 mana from a person. That meant the real sword would store 50 points of mana. 40 points of fire mana, and 10 points of light mana.
Logically speaking I could create that laser, but I wouldn’t. Over half of the inscriptions were used to decrease the cost of the spell, and direct it into a focused beam. For me to cast a spell like that would probably take more mana than I had.
I was definitely going to exploit my powers when I reached a level of understanding high enough. The only reason my friends aren’t showered with inscribed goods now, is that it would obviously indicate I had some easy method of procuring that type of item.
Even if I tried to hide the items I gave them, it wouldn’t stay hidden forever.
Evan smiled graciously. “As a small bonus for the winner of the tournament… The winner shall get to decided the name of this great city!”
Cheers rang out from the crowd. Getting to name the city? That was far past the phrase ‘an honor’.
After the prizes were announced the first two fighters, numbers 1 and 2, were sent to the arena. I was number one, and a bulky manly man was number two. He was so into his number he even smelled like number two!
He wore heavy armor, and wielded a two handed sword. It really seemed like he might be overcompensating for something.
RaceHumanClassSwordsmanLevel 72Health: 1440/1440Mana: 200/200Stamina: 2000/2000Current Title: Powerful WarriorHealth Regen: 10/sMana Regen: 1/sStamina Regen: 10/sStrengthxAgilityxWisdom10Intelligence20Endurance100Dexterity200Vitalityx
Evan said some more programmed stuff, which ended with, “Let’s have a good fight. Begin!”
My opponent, named HaryPickle, shot at me. It was kind of gross that a hary pickly shoot at me, but I easily knocked him aside with my staff.
So when hary pickly tried to shoot at me I used my ‘staff’ to knock it aside?
Lame perverted jokes aside, the battle wasn’t anything special. He did have a few cool abilities, but nothing my inspect couldn’t handle. I even subtly siphoned off the mana from his attacks, weakening them quite a bit.
I didn’t have my earth armor on, but that was because I didn’t want anyone to see a connection between the king and the fighter.
No but he was really easy to beat. He attacked, and I defended. He used all manner of cool abilities, but they had basically no chance of actually hitting me.
For instance. He once swung his heavy sword down, and caused a large gust of wind blades to assault me. Even if I didn’t dodge I wouldn’t take any damage. I did dodge though. Perfectly. Only one blade ‘managed’ to hit me.
He continued to ply me with that attack, until it was clear I would perfectly dodge each time. I let him use the attack about 20 times or so before I began to perfectly avoid, or secretly cancel, the wind blades.
Since each round only had about ten minutes, I waited until nine minutes to end it. Each minute a bell would be rung. Once the ninth bell rang, I attacked. I made sure we were fairly close of course.
I threw my sword, coated with Golem, straight at Hary. I quickly dashed behind it after activating my speed buff. It wasn’t as powerful as that time in the worm dungeon, but it was descent. Especially after I added in more wind mana behind me, to throw myself forward.
The sword reached him a full second before I did. He easily deflected it, and sneered as he saw my worried expression. My eyes flickered to the sword laying on the ground.
Little did he know, the sword wasn’t as inert as it appeared. With a thought I used my wind and metal mana to raise the sword, and sliced Hary from the back of his neck.
It didn’t kill him, but it did cause a large amount of damage. His eyes went wide as he felt the metal pierce his neck.
I slipped past his sword, which he let go of momentarily. I pushed him with both hands, and threw him into the air. He lost the grip on his weapon, and flew.
While he was thrown harmlessly in the air, I grabbed my sword. I used inspect to quickly figure out where exactly he would land.
After running there, it seemed like I was chasing him, I placed the tip of my sword exactly where inspect told me the tip would meet Hary’s neck.
Sure enough he landed right in front of my blade. Without a weapon or way to defend himself he said, “I surrender!”
Though I might not be able to kill him, even he realized I could cause him a lot of pain.
I walked out of the arena amongst loud cheers. I went to Evan’s apprentice, then Susan, before finally going into the stands to watch the battles.
From Susan I ‘purchased’ several more potions, and a small potions belt. The money would just be given back to me later. From Evan’s I picked up a familiar accessory, a ring.
I watched the battles intently. Even going so far as to increase my vision to get a better view of the battles.
Heh. Looks like I chose right to have this tournament.
The point of me fighting was to gain exp. Why then would I bribe Lydia to let me fight first? It was so I could use a subskill of combat mastery. Technique Thief!
Spoiler :
Stats WindowNameChilledFlameClassWarrior MageRaceHumanRacial ClassHuman SubjectLevel 45Health: 100Mana: 3430[6174]Stamina: 500Current Title: SurgeonHealth Regen: 1/sMana Regen: 51.4(46.4)/sStamina Regen: 5.1/sStrength65Agility50Wisdom257Intelligence343Endurance59Dexterity50Luck0Vitality50Charisma35Compassion105Leadership67Logic28Piety89Unused Stat Points0Fame1685
Skills WindowSpeed Reading Novice Level 20 Exp 00.00%
Auto Read Novice Level 20 Exp 50.00%Group Skill: Key to Self-Sustained Alchemy Adept Level 50 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Long Distance Inspection Expert Level 75 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Automatic Nursing Novice Level 20 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Con Artist Novice Level 21 Exp 5.01%
Group Skill: Magical Mastery Expert Level 75 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Skill Mastery Adept Level 50 Exp 21.23%
Group Skill: Tactical Survival Adept Level 50 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Tactical Combat Training Adept Level 50 Exp 00.00%
Group Skill: Breakdown Apprentice Level 25 Exp 12.64%
Group Skill: Harvesting Mastery Novice Level 5 Exp 60.43%
Group Skill: Crafting Mastery Apprentice Level 30 Exp 00%
Group Skill: Body Enhancement Adept
Group Skill: Task Master Apprentice Level 50 Exp 00.00%
Affinities WindowLight70%Water75%Wind25%Nature100%Metal50%Earth90%Fire35%Darkness100%
Purities WindowLight10%Water79%Wind15%Nature65%Metal10%Earth80%Fire15%Darkness10%