Guess who is a lazy bum, that even as he has two Projects and two tests In next week, instead of working and learning keep writing chaps? Eh, what my life has become?
Oh – there is new (but already mentioned) person in this chap. His gender for now is unknown and I may have problems with describing his/hers actions – I may got myself lost in thoughts and write his or hers instead of his/hers. Do not get to attached to the mistakes I may make about this matter, even if I would accidentally write either of forms – his or hers it doesn’t mean that I want him to be male or female… the truth is, that I simply don’t know WHAT I will make him first… oh, and speaking about the devil, I just made what I mentioned, using “his” form. But I will leave it be as example.
Edited by: KenChi死
Before dawn we gathered outside of the city. The carts owned by the council were located there as we were readying ourselves for travel. The adventurers gathered first. Gisele, Nyx – the mysterious person covered from toes to ears. Black white mask on their face, leather gloves and hood kept their identity a secret. No one even knew if he/she was male or female. No one even heard his/hers voice, yes they say that this person poses quite terrifying magical abilities. Then there is Gustav, the middle aged man, very rude and very loud. As I politely asked him what magic he uses, just because I was curious with who I will be working with… he answered…
* “NOT YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS YOU BLOODY ROOKIE!? WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING HERE!? GO COLECT SOME HERBS YOU LITTLE ANNOYING PIECE OF SHIT!”
That’s what he said. Well, guess who will not be rescued if that person would fall into some trap?
There was Marika, that we already know pretty well and myself.
We were waiting for the team from the academy, the guys that we were told to protect. And they were late. We were told that we should move after the dawn. For adventurers it means that we have to prepare ourselves in the dark to be ready to march out as soon as the sun would appear over the horizon.
And that was the mistake we made, because you see, the very same statement for adventurers and “scribblers” has pretty different meaning. As we were told by THEM about two hour later, by after the dawn they meant between the DAWN and NOON.
But, they were there. Finally…
The team contained over 10 mages. 2 professors of the arts, 6 pushove… I mean students that would be forced to do most of the physical labor, and two already know by me individuals – Daralon and Miria – the girl that acted as a massager and gave me my letter from the council and Master Hana, ya know… the not-talkative-one.
* “And what are you doing here…” I asked while looking at Daralon “… I mean… good to see you, but why is our assistance is needed if you are coming? Wouldn’t you be better than a small legion of adventurers?”
* “Aw, good day to you too! You are flattering me! But, two things: one - we won’t be the only group heading there, we will join two other, two – I am going there to study too, you know? Your job will to shush away those creature that would annoy me…”
* “Wait… what do you want to study there? I am just curious and…”
* “Oh, please! Isn’t that elemental thing to know? I am a dark mage! And ruins of ancients are filled from the bottom to the top with haunted, tormented spirits!”
G…ghosts? Nononononononononono! (ED: easy there Shaggy)
* “Anyway!...” Daralon said while stretching his limbs “… let’s get going! We still have a few hours of ride ahead of us. I hate traveling by carts. Portals are so much more convenient…”
* “Well, when I used it I got dizzy, wanted to puke and felt as if my belly was being turned inside out.”
* “One can get used to it…”
After a few more minutes we “packed” the explores in the carts and we were able to proceed on our quest.
I was sitting in one cart with Gisele, Daralon, Miria and two students. The others were traveling in the other three carts.
I tried to be nice and say hello to the grey haired girl.
* “Hey, we haven’t seen each other for quite some time…”
She raised her head and whispered quietly.
* “Two weeks, four days and 17 hours.”
Are you a bloody robot?!
* “What have you been doing up until now?”
* “… s…” [s]? well, that’s something “…studying… researches… work f..for… council…”
* “Now, now, now! Stop right here!...” Daralon joined the conversation “… you are overheating little Miri! She is not used to saying so many words in one go! Rest a little beloved Miri, I will take care of the rest…”
* “A…a…”
* “Oh, Miri will honor me with a word! A word! Just for me!”
* “Asshole…”
* “… my beloved Miri called me an asshole… my life has no longer any meaning!”
He took a dramatic pose with one hand pointed in the sky and other covering his face as if crying.
* “Kill me now! Oh, Zari! Kill me! Bring upon me a sweet nothingness that shall protect me from this pain! From this despair! Oh, woe! Woe me!”
Miria turned red. My my, even if he is joking, he apparently really likes her. Well, he would have to be less of an ass though.
* “Anyway, Daralon two days ago you said that there are more ways of casting a curse. May you elaborate?”
* “Hm, why?”
* “Well, I know a little about curses… I can cast only three basic onse, and I can do it only via chant. This is why I never really used them…”
Daralon’s eyes shined.
* “Really? Which one?”
* “Shadow words: pain, exhaustion and weakness…”
* “Yes, [pain] is good when you want to distract an opponent, great in breaking chants well it is also great in interrogation and in… um… fun purpose…” Miria looked at Daralon as on woulf some kind of animal “… exhaustion may be great when you fight against fast, running targets, they will grow weaker and weaker, each of their action would be more tiresome and they would require more time to regain their strength, and weakness would be perfect against such warriors as Gisele over there…” He pointed at mentioned woman, now even she shown interested in our conversation “… but, she is to powerful for you. One she has her dragonblood, pretty great in dealing with poisons and spells, but she also has traveled into many dungeons. Those built up her magic resistance. No, she won’t stop a fireball, but all kinds of charms would be far less effective on her. But to the point. Methods are: chants, direct touch, cursed object, and most difficult – visualization… you can forget about the last one. If you would find anyone else that could cast curses this way you may be sure that he is true… no wait, you probably would never know before it would be too late. Touch is actually a bit risky, you can be easily tracked down. But if you would make an item, it can be ANYTHING, from a sword or helmet, through jars, rings… even coins… or forks! But of course each item has different tolerance for spells, there are curses that fits swords better than old used underwear….”
He continued his lesson for about an hours. Apparently he needed to talk about it to someone, you know, people tends to show their superiority. The man who has most friends is not the one who know more, but who can listen. I gave Daralon what he wanted – I heard him out…. And I can’t say I wasted my time either…
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
With each passing hour Gisele was getting more and more bored up to the point when she fall asleep, on the other hand Miria was listening carefully, and as the “lecture” was over she sum it all up with one simple:
* “Disgusting…”
* “Hm, what do you mean, little Miri?”
* “You… your magic… curses… disgusting… evil…”
Oh well, I am sorry for you brother. As I can see she is not going to like you anytime soon, but what I can do was only to reduce the tensions.
* “I disagree with you. There is no such thing like evil magic. Humans are evil, but never magic. It’s nothing but a tool, you decide how to use it...”
* “Curses? Not… evil?”
Dark mage once again saw a way to prove his statement
* “All depends on what curse would be focused. Let’s say that you would be bitten by a venomous snake, you can use curse to restrict blood flow from your arm to the rest of the body, yes, the hand would die and would be need to be cut off, but rest of the body would survive!”
Yet grey haired was still not convinced. But as she noticed that she may not win this quarrel she used the ultimate shy person weapon – she took out a book and began to read pretending that the two of us no longer exist.
We rode for six hours or so, and as the time of our journey was coming to the end I finally understood why mages are a good source of jokes.. no! no adventuring mages – academicals ones! They started bitching and boosting about EVERYTHING! First they complained how uncomfortable the ride was, question “Are we there yet?” was asked over 50 times…. Yes, I stop counting after 50.
I had no idea how it was possible to NOT SENSE my bloodlust! It even made Gisele wake up and Daralon giggle saying quietly
* “Easy brother, easy there! You were hired to protect them, not kill!”
In five minutes, if they won’t shut their mouth it will no longer have any meaning.
Yet in the very same time one of those “students” began his little speech yet again…
* “… but why are we even working those barbarians calling themselves mages? They see in this beautiful art nothing but destructive power! Magic could lead us into a golden age, if only more people would focus on studying the nature of magic, not setting things on fire…!”
* “And who would protect your silly asses then? As far as I know without battle mages this whole journey wouldn’t even start, for you would die in the very first room… plus you are asking US why WE are studying battle magic? EVERYTHING comes to battle magic! That is human nature! War is fuel for the evolution of you and your technology! You think that carts that we are riding in were made for adventure purposes? No! Humans wanted to transport solider and supplies faster! Maps? To locate enemy forces more easily! Fools like you dreaming about peace are nothing but hypocrites, for you use the creation of war every single day without even noticing. Denying battle mages, you deny war and by denying war you deny human’s nature. Stop being such a spoiled pussy. Grow the fuck up!”
Did I just lose my shit? Yup, looks I did.
The student got red on his face, not because of shame but anger. Someone dared to undermine his opinion.
* “And what do you even know to make such statements? What can you possible know?”
* “Are you, perhaps, studying to became an alchemist?”
* “Why are you changing the subject?”
* “I don’t, my answer will be determined by yours.”
* “… I was told I have no right predispositions to be an alchemist… but there is nothing to be ashamed of! Alchemist are the elites of the elites! Why did you ask?”
* “I was offered to work for them. By their guild master.”
* “Wha..”
* “I refused. This is what I am. Someone who finds alchemy unworthy of my time…”
Daralon started laughing hysterically.
* “Zari! You just spat on his dreams! You literally took a shit on his ambitions! You truly are a monster!”
* “L…lies!”
* “I am afraid he is not lying…” Daralon keep chuckling “… I was the one who bought him time to ran away from Senator Mriana.”
The man said nothing more. I got what I wanted!... Hm? No! Nonononono! It was not my intention to turn this little annoying idiot with dirt, the thing I treasured so much that I showed my worst possible face… the peace… the blessed silence….
We got to our destination in 30 minutes after our little quarrel. We were the last group to arrive. Eight different carts were already staying in front of the great ruin. It looked like a huge, bit devastated castle covered partly in vines. Thank the goddess it was still bright outside, if we would came while the sun was setting, if I would see this castle bathed in the red light of a dying sun, if I would recall Daralon speech about tormented spirits… I would probably turn around and walk back to the capital on my foot.
* “Ah, you are finally here!...” an aged magician came to great us. He looked like a sage from a fairy tales – long red robe, white long hair and beard falling to his belt, wisdom almost leaked through his eyes! “… we are very happy you manage to take this many adventurers, with such powerful youth we should have no problem on our little mission. Forgive me my rudeness kids, but I think we will have to wait for introductions. Please follow me.”
We took our equipment and supplies from the carts and after five or so minutes we were following the magician. He lead us to the stairs to the first floor of the castle. There we saw a provisional outpost. Few guards, apparently stationing there for quite some time, about thirty mages and twelve adventurers total, counting us.
* “Kids, please gather!...” The mage that lead us yelled, “… everyone is here, so we can begin! I am archmage Andalas, and I am the head of this little expedition. We are here to investigate this place, look for forgotten technology and to catalog everything we find! Please, be careful, as you already know, ancients loved puzzles and traps, and their ultimate passions was combing both. Research magicians, please follow me, I require your assistance with the identification of already gathered items… Adventurers, I hope you can use this time to get to know each other better… pardon us…”
The huge group walked away, leaving the 12 of us gathered in small groups of three around the huge campfire.
* “Let’s get this done as fast as possible…” A Woman leading one of groups started. “I am Zaiara the Earthmaiden – A+ rank, I am followed by Gatarro, Maijana and Asuia. All are B rank.”
That’s all. She didn’t give any further information. I heard that lesser branches of guild are competing against each other while they are sent on combined missions.
* “My turn!...” Huge man – beast kin raised from his spot “… I am almighty Al’targor! Offspring of the tiger tribe war chief! I am the only warrior in my team! S rank! Followed my Magaiel, Asur and Niardo, A, B+ and B ranks… also!..” He pointed at Gisele “… I will make this woman my wife!”
* “Gisele the Dragoness. Rank S+. Only non-magician in team. I also refuse your proposal. Followed by Nyx the voiceless rank A+… Gustav the mindbender rank A, Marika Swiftwalker the enchantress B rank, and Zariel White Raven rank F…”
Wait… what was I called?! I did not agree to this!
* “Rank F?! That’s but an insult!” Zairara started
* “I agree! We all know what F in the rank stands for! FUCKING USELESS!” Tiger-kin began to laugh loudly after saying that… joke? I think that he though he said a joke. Well I was not the only one who did not find it funny so…
* “Do not look down on him!...” Big sister apparently wanted to protect my good name “… he has F rank only because he joined guild less than three weeks ago, yet as I talk with Master Jericho he will be probably promoted after this mission, depending on my repot! He is my younger brother under Master Jericho training, and he outran me in gaining the dragon slayer title! Atop of that…”
* “Big sis…” I interjected into her speech “… you don’t have to say all those thing. I don’t care what people are saying about me.”
* “But…”
* “Ha! Al least this little piece of shit at least know its place!” This tiger starts annoying me.
* “Hm? What do you mean?” he got my curiosity
* “There is no adventurer that would allow other to offend them this easily”
* “You are offending me? You don’t. And I will tell you why. Offence is made when someone feels offended. And I feel no offence, you know why? Because I have no time to think about words of every worm, every trash that crawls in dust under my feet. Do you understand? You are simply not even taken into consideration as a possible offender.”
A vein started pulsating on the forehead of the tiger-kin. I should reduce the tempo of making new enemies…. Who am I kidding? It’s fun!
~Yessss… fun… This little garbage… to even think about insulting us… I want to see him bleeding… I want his to see him begging for mercy in dirt and dust…
* “Now you did it! Step out you little bitch! I will show you the difference between S and F rank. Fear not, it will not be painful, you won’t even notice the blow coming…”
Tiger-kin raised his weapon - a weird combination of axe and hammer, as he start walking in my direction, but he was stopped by the Earthmaiden
* “Stop it, Al… You’re doing exactly what he want you too.”
* “Out of my way!”
* “Think a little. What can happen if you would battle with him? I am not talking about the outcome of the very battle, but what would happen next. The difference in your ranks are simply too big, whatever would happen its a win for him. If we would win he would get promoted and you demoted…”
* “THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD LOSE!”
* “And if you would win, what would happen? He won’t be punished, but you will. If you would be the one to challenge someone seven ranks lower, you would be suspended as S rank for many months, and even then labeled as someone that picks fights with the weaker would be attached to you. You would lose your respect.”
The light of understanding appeared in his eyes. Damn, she spoiled my fun.
* “What if a B rank would fight?” he said after few seconds
* “The differences are still big, but B rank won’t be punished as severely as you.”
* “That’s should do. Nairdo! Do you want to pulverize this bug in my name?”
A cat-man lazily raised stretching his limbs.
* “But you owe me a beer or two…”
Niardo The Ghostspeaker Level 19 Class Shaman [Mage] Hp 341/350 Sp 125/160 Mp 548/560 Skills Blessings [Active] [Level 17]
Summoning [Active] [Level 5]
Fire Magic [Active] [Level 7]
Spirited Souls [Passive] [Level N/A]
… He is level 19? With those skills? Only high level skill is blessing, so he is a support type. You are putting a supporter against me? He is in worst possible position…
You were challenged for [Duel for Honor] Do you accept? [Yes] [No]
Yes…
* “I can easily tell that you are a support type. How are you going to fight? Bless me to death?”
He smiled with the corners of his mouth.
* “This is why you accepted? Man, you always make the same mistake, blessing magic is indeed my post powerful, that is why you are fooled so easily… Witness my power! To me Spirits! To me my companions! Fight in my name as your contract says!”
Three beasts appeared out of thin air. A wolf with white fur that hada strange blue afterglow, a huge black beer, and a hawk.
* “And this is where blessings show its optimal power!”
I saw that he was channeling his magic to his companion. So that is how you fight? You will also use fire magic to afterwards to torment opponent? Good tactic. I use pretty much the same.
His commander could not stop boosting about him.
* “Three familiars! Ya did not see that coming, did ya? You little asshole! Niargo was blessed by feral and savage spirits from the day of his birth, that is why he can command this many familiars at the same time! The same level as an Archmage!”
I will enjoy this.
* “Your life has been measured…” I said calmly “… and you were found to light.”
This time I summoned my familiars. All of them.