Oswald and Aria wearing light armor were walking towards the Artificial Dungeon facility, “Dungeon Ixto”, located near Lake Merced in Ixto, where it’s rumored an university once stood on the old world. Inside the building Oswald spotted Jack wearing white healer robes.
“Hey Jack! How was your date with Aurora?” Oswald asked and fist bumped Jack.
“It was great I even kissed her, but you must know that Emma’s heart is broken now that you are with Hannah.” Jack said.
“Wait, Emma had a crush on me?” Oswald was shocked.
“Are you dense or something? You are the most popular guy at Zapotes High, I am in second place.” Jack said. “Also, Emma cut her hair and dyed her hair blonde.”
“To be honest I never paid any attention to that since I had a crush on Hannah since the first day I saw her!” Oswald said. “At least it will be easier to tell Aurora and Emma apart now that one of the twins has different hair. Hahaha.”
“I could always tell them apart, so I don’t understand how people keep getting them confused.” Jack said. “Wait, you never confused them.”
It’s not time yet to tell Jack I can see Mana Flow, he must get distracted with something. Oswald thought, then he looked at Aria.
“So you are Jack. Nice to meet you! I am here to protect Ozzy! And I guess you by association.” Aria said. “I heard about you from Ozzy and his dad.”
“Oh so you are the bodyguard. Nice to meet you Aria!” Jack said enthusiastically. “I read so much about you on the Internet. You look even cooler in person. You are only 24 and you are a top talent at the Deus Guild.”
“That’s right, I am top talent. That is why Joseph will never fire me.” Aria said, pointing to herself with her thumb.
“So Oz’s Dad values your talent that much!” Jack said. “Aria you are the coolest. You are not even afraid of Duke Deus! Hahahaha!”
“Wait a minute, when did my nickname change to Ozzy?” Oswald asked Aria.
“Little Oz was a mouthful, so Ozzy is better.” Aria said. “Besides, it's more fun to tease you than your old man.”
“Okaay! Then let’s head to the Artificial Dungeon.” Oswald said. “We’re going into a forest theme one.”
“I’ll just intervene if something goes wrong.” Aria said. “So suit yourselves, boys!”
“Then we only have me as a healer and Oz as an attacker.” Jack said. “No tank. Let’s have fun, Oz! Before I forget what happened to the magic stones you collected in the dungeon?”
“My Dad confiscated them.” Oswald said. “He told me he would give them back to me once I get my Adventure’s License.”
“You really shouldn’t have sneaked into a dungeon.” Aria said. “But I am kind of glad you did because I got assigned as your bodyguard.”
The trio went to the clerk and told him the Artificial Dungeon they wanted to enter. As soon as Oswald took out his credit card, the clerk recognized the credit card used by the Deus Family and started treating them with more respect. After paying the trio went to a room on the second floor, where a portal was located. They entered the portal and found themselves in a dark forest. Aria covered herself in shadows and disappeared from the guy’s view. Jack extended his wooden staff and Oswald took out his two knives.
“I’ll be hiding. If I see something dangerous I’ll protect both of you.” Oswald and Jack could hear Aria’s voice. “Have fun!”
Oswald started to observe the Mana Flow all over the surrounding area, but he was unable to locate Aria’s Mana Flow. He knew she was nearby, but he couldn’t detect her.
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“Let’s go, Oz!” Jack said with a big smile. “Time to fight monsters!”
Oswald and Jack followed the path going deeper into the forest. As they walked two Fighting Cats, maine coon cats with a white martial arts headbands, came down from the trees and hissed at them. Jack casted a speed buff on Oswald, then Oswald rushed towards one of the Fighting Cats. Oswald started to observe the Mana Flow of the Fighting Cat to find any weak points not protected by Mana that he could exploit. The Fighting Cat’s Mana was perfectly covering its whole body, so Oswald couldn’t find any apparent weaknesses. Oswald kicked the Fighting Cat, but the fighting cat avoided the attack and swiped at Oswald. Oswald blocked the attack with his arm, receiving some damage. Oswald used this opportunity to slash the Fighting Cat on his chest. Oswald’s attack managed to damage the Fighting Cat’s chest and some blood began to come out of the wound. The other Fighting Cat was about to swipe Oswald from the back, but Jack whacked it with his staff. Both Fighting Cats stepped back and started to observe Oswald and Jack. The Fighting Cats opened their mouths and a ball of pure Magical Energy started to form in front of them aimed directly at Oswald and Jack as time went on the ball kept increasing. Oswald observed that the Mana covering the bodies of the Fighting Cats had disappeared. He controlled his Mana Flow to mimic the speed and strength buffs and began running towards the Fighting Cats. The Fighting Cats noticed Oswald approaching them and fired their attack. A beam of pure Magical Energy was heading towards Oswald, so he slid and managed to have the beam go above him without damaging him. Jack dodged the beam and it hit a couple of trees and it brought them down. As Oswald approached the Fighting Cats he extended his arms while holding his knives. As he slid past the Fighting Cats, Oswald slashed them throughout the length of their bodies. The Fighting Cats let out a scream, fell on the ground, and disappeared into particles. Jack used healing magic on Oswald then he helped Oswald get up.
“I heard we are sparring tomorrow in Mr. Johnson’s class.” Jack said. “I bet it’s going to be you versus Ron.”
“Why can’t I get someone else?” Oswald said. “I get it, we are the best fighters in the class, but I don’t like him.”
“I dislike how much he rubs in your face that you are magicless.” Jack said. “He should just leave you alone.”
Seeing a pure magic attack like that and analyzing it, it’s making me change how I copy Mana Flow. Oswald thought. Maybe I can use Mana directly instead of changing my Mana Flow. If I had observed the Mana Flow of Two’s attack at that time I might have thought of this earlier.
“Time to continue.” Jack said.
Oswald nodded and they continued to walk as they chatted about movies. Out of the bushes a couple of Jungle Rats tried to ambush them, but Jack whacked them and Oz finished them with a slash. Suddenly, they heard a roar. Oswald was familiar with this roar.
“What the hell is the boss monster doing here?” Oswald said as he faced towards where the roar was coming and he saw a Fighting Tiger with a white martial arts headband. “I guess we are not in danger since Aria is still hiding.”
“Strength! Speed!” Jack casted buffs on Oswald. “Too bad you can’t use magic or I would’ve cast Haste.”
“This is going to be leagues above the Minotaur we defeated at school since Hannah is not here as the tank.” Oswald said as he picked up a rock. “Keep me within your magic range but don’t approach the Fighting Tiger.”
Oswald ran away from Jack and threw the stone at the Fighting Tiger. The Fighting Tiger became mad at Oswald and started chasing him. The Fighting Tiger caught up in a couple of seconds and it tackled Oswald. Oswald was hit by the tackle and he was sent sliding through the ground. Jack casted healing magic and Oswald got up. Oswald approached the Fighting Tiger and he threw a kick. The kick landed, but the Fighting Tiger was unaffected. Oswald quickly jumped back before the Fighting Tiger attacked.
“Without combat magic, this will be difficult.” Oswald said, breathing heavily. “My kick did nothing.”
The Fighting Tiger started charging towards Oswald,but this time an aura was engulfing him. Before Oswald could dodge, the Fighting Tiger tackled him, but he grabbed onto the Fighting Tiger and managed to stab it with one of his knives. The Fighting Tiger let out an angry roar and managed to get Oswald off of it.The Fighting Tiger was about to swipe Oswald when its limb was severed, then Aria appeared and punched the Fighting Tiger on the chest. Aria’s arm came out of the other end of the Fighting Tiger. The Fighting Tiger roared weakly and started to disappear.
“A Fighting Tiger is still too much for you guys.” Aria said nonchalantly. “Keep training and you’ll be able to do what I did someday.”
“Thanks Aria!” Oswald said.
“Let me heal you, Oz!” Jack casted healing magic on Oswald as Oswald got up from the ground.
“I guess we can take our time going back.” Aria said. “Let’s appreciate the view.”
“Sounds great! I think we had enough fighting for today.” Oswald said.
“We still have lots to improve.” Jack said. “But yeah. I am tired.”
The trio started to make their way back to the exit of the Artificial Dungeon while appreciating the environment. Once they exited they went back to the lobby. Oswald and Aria said their good-byes to Jack as Jack was planning on going to a cafe. Oswald and Aria headed back to Oswald’s house.