+ 2 points in [Constitution]!
+ 2 points in [Intelligence]!
+ 3 points in [Wisdom]!
+ 1 point in [Endurance]!
Jonn observed the unexpected promotion bonuses with genuine surprise, having not anticipated any rewards from learning a new {Spell}. Yet, the origin of this phenomenon gradually became clear to him.
My earlier theories appear to hold merit, he reflected. Mages indeed possess elemental affinities, and training within one’s aligned element accelerates growth.
But what are my elements? he pondered. The fire resistance I gained in Count Francus’ cave came from exposure to burning mana. Did I possess a pre-existing affinity for fire that enabled that resistance, or did it develop during my level advancement?
These questions remained unanswered. His grandfather’s books contained sparse information about magic, while the tomes from Count Francus’ cave proved insufficient to address even fundamental queries.
He held hope that the items claimed from the three fallen mages might illuminate the path to answers, both for his current questions and the inevitable ones yet to arise.
I’ll investigate further once I return to the village. The animals should provide suitable test subjects, and [Projection] might help me uncover some answers.
Then, he sighed at the sight of the crater generated by the {Spell} he had launched, a reflection of its high compatibility with [Meteor], but also the action of the [Spirit Wand].
Jonn returned his attention to the animals, still wide-eyed from his magical display, and smiled as he made his way back to his resting spot. He seized a water bottle, draining half its contents in long gulps, releasing a satisfied sigh as the fatigue from casting the {Spell} settled into his muscles.
Though [Meteor] required only 80 mana units—seemingly modest for someone wielding over 600 units—the reality proved far more complex. Through careful observation, Jonn had deduced that a special being’s magical prowess extended beyond mere [Mana] capacity. Without sufficient [Wisdom], even {Spells} well below one’s magical threshold could prove challenging to execute.
Moreover, lacking the conditioning to channel such substantial mana flow, one would experience exhaustion far beyond normal limits.
Accustomed to wielding {Spells} with lower consumption rates, Jonn knew he’d need time to adapt to the instantaneous expenditure of 80 mana units. Until then, he’d continue experiencing what he’d termed ‘magical fatigue.’
This revelation wasn’t his only insight. As he watched the campfire’s flames dance before him, Jonn recognized that attempting to learn another {Spell} within the next few hours would prove futile.
He consumed a meal to satisfy his hunger before settling into his sleeping bag. He felt secure in Ice and Windy’s vigilance as lookouts, and the chances of encountering anyone in this desolate region seemed remarkably slim.
Sleep came easily to him. A minute of lying down was enough to put him into a special state of rest, with his vital signs decreasing as he began his ‘hibernation’.
Windy maintained a relaxed vigilance over their surroundings, while Ice ventured further out, patrolling the perimeter of their hill-enclosed sanctuary.
----------------------------------------
The subsequent days proved remarkably productive for Jonn. He devoted most daylight hours to travel, making five strategically timed stops throughout each day to address sustenance and biological necessities.
Late afternoons became dedicated to mastering new {Spells}, coinciding with his longest rest periods and nightly slumber. His journey would resume at dawn, and during midday breaks, he either focused on promoting another {Spell} in the early afternoon or devoted attention to his animal companions.
Using the Celestial Magnifying Glass, Jonn conducted thorough examinations of each item acquired from the three Littlewood mages. This meticulous study confirmed the safety of their mana crystals for both his use and his animals’ consumption.
Among his Littlewood acquisitions were 16 Aether Tears, which he had strategically allocated: eight reserved for the village animals, four kept for himself, and two each distributed to his traveling companions.
Ice and Windy had already assimilated their respective crystals, each experiencing a remarkable boost of over 50 units to their mana reserves—an impressive outcome.
The combination of two ingested crystals and Ice’s recent post-recovery enhancements propelled him to an astounding 95% progress towards level 2. Windy, while still within level 1, exhibited significant advancement, impressive for a creature only recently promoted before their village departure.
Jonn’s own [Mana] increase of 80 points led him to a crucial realization: Aether Tears yielded varied effects upon absorption. His observations suggested this variability stemmed from the crystals’ elemental concentration and the magical affinity of the beings consuming them.
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In essence, the greater a magical being’s compatibility with a particular element, the more effectively they could harness opportunities arising from essences or areas rich in that element.
Despite the seemingly modest 80-point gain from four Aether Tears, Jonn remained satisfied. Acquiring mana crystals hadn’t been his primary aim in Littlewood, so he viewed this as an unexpected boon.
However, the most significant revelation from these days of study concerned the {Spells} he attempted to learn. It became clear that not every {Spell} he encountered would be within his grasp to master.
Ice Whip, for instance, proved unfathomable despite hours of dedicated study. Even allocating a newly acquired attribute point from the [Magic Farm] quest to [Luck] failed to unlock the {Spell’s} secrets.
Of the remaining three {Spells} in his possession, none posed a significant challenge, and Jonn successfully mastered them all during this period.
Although he initially viewed [Delusion of Force] and [Hex of Silence] as less impressive or immediately useful, Jonn recognized the unpredictability of future {Spell} acquisition opportunities. He understood that even seemingly modest strengths could prove invaluable in unforeseen circumstances.
Thus, he expanded his magical repertoire to include [Delusion of Force], [Hex of Silence], and [Living Chains].
With these {Spells} now at his disposal, Jonn’s focus shifted to returning to the village and nurturing his people’s growth. He harbored confidence that, as long as the village flourished according to his designs, he would eventually buy an enchanted chain to complement [Living Chains] and restore his damaged spear.
Driven by these objectives, Jonn traversed the obsidian hills of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow without incident. As he crested the final natural barrier in his path, the distant silhouette of the village fence materialized on the horizon.
From his vantage point, he knew he could reach his customary observation post overlooking the walled settlement within minutes.
Windy and Ice, sensing the proximity of their destination, quickened their pace. They swiftly navigated the fenced perimeter, their muzzles curling into subtle, anticipatory smiles as they pressed onward.
Gradually, the burgeoning expanse of the Eternal Village materialized in their field of vision. The area encompassing Arnald and Sarre’s homesteads came into view, where walls and new structures had rapidly taken shape during Jonn’s weeks of absence.
Segments of the imposing wall stood complete, while others remained works in progress. Despite the villagers’ tireless efforts, the scarcity of materials made advancement a slow and costly endeavor. Nonetheless, the settlement had undeniably evolved. The Village Council was taking form, and specialized buildings—the village guard’s headquarters, a new warehouse, and a grain silo—were emerging from the landscape.
The trio could also discern the massive bamboo gate of the completed walled section. However, the animal enclosures and greenhouse remained strategically obscured—a deliberate design choice by the village planners.
Before the group could breach the developing area in the mid-afternoon light, Phantom’s familiar howl pierced the air, heralding their return.
Ice responded with an exuberant howl of his own, his joy palpable at both their homecoming and the clear prosperity of the village.
Windy’s welcoming neigh joined the chorus as she spotted other horses approaching, bearing Sarre and Petyr, who had hastened to greet Jonn upon noticing his arrival.
The village’s watchtowers proved their worth as Asher, manning the southern-facing tower, spotted the approaching group. He promptly sounded a single, resonant toll of the cowbell—the agreed-upon signal for friendly arrivals.
This alert system was ingrained in every villager’s mind: one toll for friends, two in quick succession for foes. Even the youngest children understood this code, ensuring that Asher’s lone ring caused no alarm among the populace.
“Village Elder,” Sarre greeted, her respectful tone tinged with palpable relief.
Though aware that Jonn was far from ordinary—a fact some villagers failed to grasp—Sarre couldn’t deny the anxiety that had gnawed at her during his weeks’ absence. Her own experiences traversing Valorian had instilled in her a keen understanding of the perils lurking on roads and in the remnants of human settlements scattered across their apocalyptic world.
Petyr, in contrast, had harbored fewer concerns. He’d increasingly sensed in Jonn an essence reminiscent of Hewet, and his trust in the white-haired youth—now on the cusp of his 18th birthday—had reached unprecedented heights.
“Jonn,” the red-haired man acknowledged with a nod, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Petyr, Sarre,” Jonn acknowledged, reining in Windy as he halted before the two guards.
The horses seemed to exchange their own greetings.
“How fared your journey?” the village’s chief guard inquired, noting a subtle yet distinct change in Jonn. An aura of increased dominance seemed to envelop the young man.
Petyr wondered if the sun’s position, casting a halo-like glow behind Jonn, created an illusion, but he couldn’t deny the newfound impressive presence the youth exuded.
Jonn exhaled deeply before responding, “Chaotic would be an apt description. However, I achieved my objectives and delayed Eldoria’s players from reaching our village. I can’t guarantee this reprieve will last long, though. In Eldoria, I witnessed firsthand the reasons behind the mages’ near-total destruction of Valorian.”
The two guards maintained a tense silence, their expressions hardening as the gravity of Jonn’s words sank in.
“The denizens of our world are driven by selfishness and avarice,” Jonn continued. “They’ll resort to murder and self-mutilation in their relentless pursuit of power and dominance.
“Count Javis initiated a crusade against Yeoman Ferry, both to assert his supremacy in Littlewood and to show that his lack of magical abilities didn’t equate to weakness.
“Yeoman Ferry was no paragon of virtue either. He maintained an iron grip on his enterprises, never hesitating to eliminate those who stood in his path,” Jonn elaborated, revealing fragments of the knowledge he’d acquired in Littlewood.
“Javis Riverash may have claimed victory in Littlewood’s power struggle, but his triumph is fleeting,” Jonn continued, his voice laced with grim reality. “How long before a new contender emerges to challenge him? Or worse, how soon before his unchecked ambition turns his gaze toward the neighboring territories—perhaps even our village?
“In Littlewood, I witnessed the ruthlessness of nobles and remnants of the Final Generation. They’ll wage war against their adversaries without hesitation, even at the cost of mutual destruction.
This bodes ill for us,” he concluded, shaking his head in apparent pessimism.
Jonn’s understanding was evolving, albeit gradually. On the cusp of his 18th year, only the last two held any actual weight in terms of grappling with complex issues. Vestiges of innocence still clung to him, slowly eroding as he matured. While far from foolish or naive, there were harsh realities he needed to confront firsthand to shape his worldview.
His journey to Eldoria had unveiled a critical truth: the village teetered on the precipice of danger.
Once word of their enclave haven spread, attracting the attention of nobles, wealthy opportunists, or even monarchs, they would find themselves besieged by “hyenas” eager to reap the benefits of their hard-won progress.
As the two guards—hardened skeptics who viewed the outside world through an equally cynical lens—silently processed his words, Jonn delivered his final, chilling assessment.
“War looms on our horizon. I can’t pinpoint when it will erupt, but it’s merely a matter of time before we’re encircled by enemies. We must begin our preparations now.”
Jonn’s eyes flashed with an intensity that lent his words a preternatural weight, each syllable striking the guards with double impact.
“Steel yourselves, my friends,” he urged, his gaze fixed on the southern expanse. “Our prosperity will come at a price—the blood of our enemies on our blades!”