[Legend]
Bold – Movements / Actions
[Bold] – Information / Abilities
Italic – 1st / 3rd Person Narration
"Quotations" – Talking
Normal – Thoughts
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[Venancio]
I walk into the tailoring shop. And the first thing I notice is that, like the Chief's Office, it is likewise lovely inside. A rough and tumble exterior contrasts with a tastefully designed and warm interior. Warm light from several wall lamps and a chandelier in the centre of the room illuminates the floor.
After I entered the room, a voice greeted me – "Hello!"
When I turned back, I noticed a woman behind the desk dressed in a short, red dress reminiscent of the Victorian era with a plain, black skirt. She has short, light brown hair that is curly, and her spectacles resemble steampunks. She appears to be in her early 30s, but given the bizarre ages of these people, I could be off. She is also fairly tall; I believe she is 5'6".
"Hey! I saw the sign outside, is this some sort of Clothes Shop?" I asked the woman as I made my way to the counter and had a look around. The store is tastefully furnished. In addition, the design makes the ground level appear to be a shop, but there is actually another space behind the counter that shows a staircase behind a screen door.
"Yes! I am Noemi, the owner of this tailoring shop. If you want to buy, sell, or order a clothing of your design. You have come to right place!" She said, then smiles warmly. – "If you don't mind me asking, are you the Skilled-Caster that everyone has been talking about?"
Word gets around that fast, huh – "Uh, yeah. Maybe not skilled, but yeah that's me."
"So, you ARE a Caster! That's amazing! What kind of manipulation can you do?" She asked enthusiastically.
"Just the basics, like I said, I'm not a skilled one." I said, while looking around the shop, some garments, such as boots, bracers, gloves, and hats are just displayed on the shelves.
Although, while browsing. A bracer suddenly caught my attention. It is a leather bracer with a big-white-gem imbued in the middle. The bracer itself is very detailed.
Oh? This looks interesting – "Can you tell me more about this bracer?" I asked Noemi.
She went around and out of the counter and walked towards me – "Oh that? That's an enchanted bracer, I'm not surprised that caught your attention" Noemi said, then grabs the bracer – "You can try it on if you want." Noemi said, then smiles
"Enchanted?" I ask Noemi.
"This bracer is enchanted with a [Wynd Stone], it can enhance your manipulation with the element of Wynd." Noemi said.
"Interesting, I can try it right?" I asked Noemi.
"Of course! I would love to see it be used by a Skilled-Caster such as yourself." Noemi said, then smiles, while she hands me the bracer.
What does it do really, enhance my manipulation? What does that even mean. – I grab the bracer and put it on my right arm. After putting it on, the [Wynd Stone] imbued on the bracer flashes a white light – The hell? – Why did it do that?" I ask Noemi.
"It means that the [Wynd Stone] works, try it!"
"Try it? Alright" I said, then raised my right arm and aimed it towards the wooden floor – [Wynd]!– Suddenly, a strong gust of wind is released from my palm and towards the ground, blowing the dust away, but also moving Noemi's skirt.
Noemi's enthusiastic smile suddenly changed, her face turned blank, then she blushed – "O-okay! That was a bit... extreme." She said, then coughs trying to clear her throat.
GODDAMN! It does feel a bit different now. I feel like I can make a tornado with this baby – "Y-yeah, how much is this bracer though?" I asked Noemi – Maybe I can also learn how their currency works.
"Its price is 4 Silvers, but for you I'll give it up for 2 Silvers." Noemi said, then winked.
Silvers? What? – "Hmm" I said, then put my right hand on my chin, trying to look like I was thinking about it – "I'll think about it" I said, then took off the bracer from my right arm and put it back on the shelve. – I don't even know what that is... I really want this though, maybe I can ask Ly or Yonne about this world's economy.
"Awh... alright." Noemi said.
How much is 4 Silvers anyway – "Anyway, it's getting late, it was nice meeting you Noemi." I said, then smiled at Noemi.
I walked towards the front door – "See you."
"Thanks for visiting" Noemi said, then waved goodbye.
I exited Noemi's Tailor Shop.
Ninuu pops up, and says – "That gust of Wind, cost you a very-small amount of [A.P] from [38.9%] to [38.8%]. By the way, Venny, I have been doing some works in terms of your 'Manipulations'. [Fyre], and [Water], is now included in the list of your Abilities that uses [A.P] / mana. Also, I have ingrained those two-manipulations in your mind, you should have an easier way of casting them."
That is amazing! Thank you, Ninuu. – Ninuu flashes a red light – "Hehe, of course!"
Speaking of abilities, maybe I can spend some time making my own abilities, hehe. – I giggled, then ran as fast as possible back to the workshop.
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I arrived at the front of Yonne's Workshop; the place is lit up. Maybe Yonne is inside or maybe Ly.
I walked towards the front door, then opened it. – "Hello? Is somebody here?" I exclaimed, then after a few seconds, I closed the door.
"Nobody's really here, huh. I can probably talk to myself while alone here" I said, while walking around the whole workshop.
I noticed a door that says 'Study' – "Is this a library of some sort?" I said, then think for a second – Hey Ninuu – Ninuu pops up – "Yes, Venny?"
Since I... I mean, we can understand the language and dialect here, you can probably read for me, right? – Ninuu thinks – "Yeah, I was going to suggest that, but yes. That is the best thing, get as many books as you can, then skim through them, I'll handle the processing." Ninuu said.
Okay, good. I said, then opened the door and went inside.
Opening the door, its a pretty-small room, kind of like a studio apartment, a very small one, mind you. I closed the door but noticed a lock. I looked at it but paid it no mind. The room itself has 1 big bookcase full of all sorts of books. I walked towards the bookcase to get a closer look. I spent a good minute looking through all the books to see which one is going to be helpful.
These books... some of these books sound pretty... inappropriate. I have been looking a for a minute, and still no-. Suddenly a thick book caught my attention; this looks different than most. I grabbed it and looked at the front cover, while still standing near the bookcase.
"It says, 'A Caster's Enchiridion – Introductory to Magic', damn this book is thick." I said, then looked at the casing – The leather casing is quite beautiful, brown leather, and the leatherwork adds to the beauty of it.
I took a few seconds to further analyze the book, then walked towards the couch, and sat down.
"Ahh! This couch is comfy, not like the wooden bench in the living room." – I like this room; it is quiet and dimly lit, making for a rather peaceful vibe, not to mention that it is very well-decorated. I wonder what this is really purpose for... never mind that, everyone needs their privacy, I guess. – Then I noticed an oil lamp on the end table at the left side of the couch. And noticed a valve on the lamp. – "That's odd" I said, then turn the valve, the lamp suddenly gets brighter. – "OH! That's awesome, so it can change the brightness level of the lamp" I said, then set the lamp to its brightest.
I also, pulled the box of tobacco from my hoodie as well as my smoking pipe. – "This is perfect with a good smoke" I said, while preparing the smoking pipe – "Hmm, I kinda wanna try this" I raised my index finger and aimed it at the pot of the pipe. [Fyre], suddenly a small flame bursts from my finger, causing it to heat the tobacco in the pot chamber. – "GODDAMN! That's so badass, HAHA!" I exclaimed, then bit the mouthpiece. Inhaling, then blowing a smoke.
I open the book and look at the first few pages – I need the... Oh, there it is, 'Table of Contents', that is helpful. Let's see... the page for Abilities and... Spells?
I skimmed through the book but stopping a few times to look at some of the pages with interesting content.
THERE! A list of Abilities and Spells... and the description for it is also written here. Hey Ninuu – Ninuu pops up – "Venny?" – You can ingrain that into my mind, right? I would hate to read through all these. – Ninuu suddenly cartoonishly pulls out a pair of glasses – "Of course! Just skim through the book, I will ingrain it when you sleep."
After skimming through the whole book. I decided to read the first few pages again.
I blew a puff of smoke – "Let's see, it'd be a waste if I don't get some knowledge on my own too." I said, then I started to read, while smoking – 'Abilities and Spells are categorized by their uses and what they do, the main categories are; [Offensive], [Defensive], and [Support] Spells. But Spells also has a separate category called "houses". The separate category is the house of [Illusory], [Enchanting], [Summoning], [Necromancy], and the house of [Ancient] magic.' – So, there are different Spells too? Goddamn! If there are, I want to learn everything if I can.
'The house of [Illusory] consists of many Spells that can make something appear out of thin air with the caveat that it may or may not exist in the first place or to simply deceive your perception. After the "Great War", the house of [Illusory] and many of its Spells were left untouched, due to the agreement between Casters that this house is harmless for the most part.'
'The house of [Enchanting] is used to alter oneself or other's mind or body, this can range from causing others to see, feel, or hear something that causes their mind to go crazy, confused, or berserk, but it can also allow you to befriend creatures into submission and serving you. But [Enchanting] Spells does not only alter the mind, but it can also alter the creature's body, with Spells that can either enhance the physical body or enhance one's Spell capabilities.'
'The house of [Summoning] magic houses many Spells that can conjure something to be made from Mana, this can range from conjuring a weapon of your choice made from mana or summoning a creature to come to your aid.'
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
'The original house of [Necromancy] had split into two more category after the "Great War", the split of the original house causes the birth of the houses of [Holy Necromancy] and [Dark Necromancy]. Spells in the original house can give or take the life of the beings it affects. But the house of [Holy Necromancy] magic is made by the Casters that have seen the life-giving nature of [Necromancy] and have banded to completely exclude themselves from the other side of [Necromancy], a lot of Spells in the house of [Holy Necromancy], is used to cure ailments, purify anomalies or curses, and to counter the Spells of their counterpart. The house of [Dark Necromancy] magic on the other hand is made by the Casters who have seen the other and darker capabilities of [Necromancy] and have banded to cultivate that idea, and a lot of the Spells in this house is to cause suffering, give ailments and curses. And the inclusion of the original cast of Spells in which tampering with life is included.'
'The house of [Ancient] magic is the term called for Spells that have existed before the "Great War", it consists of now mostly [Elemental Manipulations] but a few Spells from different houses can also be found in house of [Ancient] magic, but that has not always been the case. After the "Great War", many of the Spells in this house has been forcefully forgotten or lost due to the Spells in this house having an extremely destructive nature if it falls into the wrong hands. Although most of the Spells have been forgotten or lost, the Spells that did survived has the fraction of the power of what it used to be. It is still a force to be reckon with.''
HOLY SHIT! This is better than the books I have read before, although to be fair, I was not a big fan of reading in the first place, and even if I do read, I prefer listening to audio books. And I think this is the first time I have read a book and want to finish it.
The tobacco from my pipe is all burnt, and I went and repack it again to smoke – "I want more of what this book offers" I said, then, inhaling from my smoke pipe.
'All Abilities and Spells are mainly done through [Mana Manipulation] but depending on what Spells you will use a combination of [Wynd], [Water], [Fyre], and [Geo] Manipulation is also added.' – Geo? Like Earth? How come Yonne did not mention that? – 'For example: [Summon: Mana Golem] is a Spell that allows the Caster to summon a Golem in the form of [Mana]. But there is also a variant of this Spell called [Summon: Fyre Golem].'
I continue to read the book for half an hour – "I'm getting drowsy" I said, while yawning, after that I extinguish the tobacco in my smoking pipe – Hey Ninuu – Ninuu pops up – "Venny?"
What is the progress of the book so far? – "The book is done processing; I just need to ingrain it in your mind. Sleeping through it is advisable, considering the amount of information that I have gathered, [A.P] will be used. Your current [A.P] is [47.8%] if I ingrain it in your mind, it is going to deplete [20%] of your [A.P]. Ninuu said. – That IS kind of a big amount, but considering that the book is big, that is not surprising. Yeah, I will sleep. Oh, and Ninuu, there are Spells in the book, right?
"Yeah?" Ninuu asks. – Can you program my interface to have a list of those Spells? Like a hotbar of some sort. But try to not make it so that it clutters my interface, Also, include their description, just a brief one if it is in my interface. But include a detailed description as an option. – "Of course, that's easy enough." Ninuu said.
Alright Ninuu, thank you. Surprise me, alright? – Ninuu giggles and winks – "Alright. One more thing, Venny. I have seen a Spell called [Slumber], it is an [Enchanting Spell] that allows you to cast a Spell on yourself or others that will cause the afflicted to enter a state of drowsiness then causing them to sleep. I have already made the initiative to ingrain that one spell." Ninuu said. – Oh? That is extremely convenient, but let's see... my interface says that it is 4:23 AM; the Spells is pretty vague though, how long does it last? ... Can I time it? Okay let's do...10 minutes.
I put my smoking pipe on the end table with the oil lamp, and raise my right hand, opened my palm, and hovered it on my face. [Slumber], my right-hand glows purple.
After my right-hand glows, I suddenly got drowsy, and immediately fell asleep on the couch.
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After 10 minutes have passed.
Suddenly, while sleeping, I felt a sensation of what I could describe as... falling, then – "WAH!" I blurted out, then shook my head – "The fuck was that? ... Wait, w-what time is it?" I said, then looked at my interface. It is 4:34 AM. – I shook my head again, trying to clear my thoughts – "Is it the Spell? That suck, it didn't even feel comfortable or relaxing. Can I change how it suppose to feel or how it ends? " I said, then exhaled.
I looked at my interface and saw that my [A.P = 38.8%] – Hmm, hey, Ninuu. What is up with my [A.P], you said the processing of the book is supposed to deplete [20%], right?
Ninuu pops up – "Yeah... I mean, you did sleep for just 10 minutes. Processing is going to take longer than that. BUT! While you were sleeping, 3 out of the 12 Spells in the book has done processing... and I handpicked and prioritized the Spells with descriptions that can increase your survivability... Here I will just present it on your interface. Keep in mind, I've only processed the Spells part of the book, I'm having a hard time when it comes to the actual contents such as histories, origins, etc." Ninuu said, then suddenly a window pops up on my interface called [Arsenal] with a list and name of the (5) Spells with a dropdown feature in each of the Spells. I click all of them, and it shows a brief description of each Spell as well as its category, house and the cost, and it goes as:
Huh... "Arsenal"? – Ninuu pops up – "It fits enough" Ninuu said, then giggles.
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[Arsenal]
Spells Category House Description Cost - [A.P] or Mana [Lesser: Mirror Image] [Defensive] [Illusory]
A Spell that allows you to make a body-double that is fairly weak but nearly identical to the Caster.
The Mana-powered body-double has a drawback in that it can be easily destroyed when harmed and only lasts for [5 minutes] before dispersing and disappearing.
[5%] of your [A.P] upon casting. [Slumber] [Supporting / Offensive] [Enchanting]
A spell that enables you to perform a spell on yourself or another person that would induce drowsiness before making the target fall asleep.
The spell's basic duration is [5 Minutes] per [2%] of your [A.P].
After [2 Seconds] of the Spell casted, those who are affected by it are quickly awakened by a tap, shaking, or other motions brought on by an outside force.
[2%] of your [A.P] upon casting. [Lesser: Regeneration] [Support] [Holy Necromancy]
A Spell that allows you to heal yourself or others of their Minor Physical Injuries. Such as Small-Wounds or Traumas of the body.
It will not, however, cure Curses, Illnesses, Diseases, Poisonings, or Major Injuries.
[3%] of your [A.P] upon casting. [Lesser: Purge] [Support] [Holy Necromancy] A Spell that allows you to rid you or others of any minor ailments this includes such as: Simple Curses, Illnesses, Diseases, and Poisonings. [5%] of your [A.P] upon casting. [Summon: Mana Golem] [Defensive] [Summoning]
A Spell that allows you to call forth a mana-powered, servile Golem that you can control and interact with.
[8%] of your [A.P] upon casting.
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After going through the Spells and their description – "GODDAMN! Healing Spells? I could open a clinic of some sort and earn money that way... but nah, too boring... but maybe as a sideline, but definitely not that. I want to learn as many Spells as possible." I said, with an excited expression. – "You know what?" I said, then got up from the couch.
Let's see... [Mirror Image]! Suddenly a slow-moving purple-haze circles my feet and then a body-double of mine slides out of where I was standing where I was standing and staring blankly at the air, not doing anything. – "Holy! It looks exactly like me, dressed like me, even my magnificently curly tight light brown-hair is the same, but the eyes... it's not the same as mine, it's plain bright purple. And it looks pretty... dead to be honest" I said, as I was examining the body – "It's easily destroyable, right?" I said, while clenching my fist, then winding up, and then punching my Illusion in the face, causing it to distort and pop with tiny bits of it flying in the air then disappearing.
"That was a weak punch... a bit disappointing not gonna lie, why is it so weak." I said, while looking at my fist. – Wait, can I modify the Spell? Let's see... I need a stronger Illusion, one that can follow commands and can at least take a good beating before disappearing, make the sclera black but the iris purple and I'll spend [10%] of my [A.P], and I'll call it ... [Modified: Mirror Image]!
Suddenly a fast-moving purple-haze circles my feet, then a body-double of mine appears out of thin air beside me. It doesn't look different from the illusion before, but the eyes now have a black-sclera with a purple-iris like how I wanted it to be. The Illusion is breathing, blinking, and it even moves its eyes... very convincing. If you ignore the purple-iris.
"Alright... looking good, now for the test" I said, winding up again, then struck my Illusion hard enough to knock someone's tooth out, causing the illusion to stumble and fall on it's back... but immediately stands up – "ALRIGHT! Now that's a what I call... A REAL BODY-DOUBLE!" I exclaimed then, chuckled like an idiot. – How do I kill the illusion, though? – Ninuu pops up – "Base on the what the book says, you can say 'Dispel' for an easier way, but you could also think and command your body-double to disappear." Ninuu said.
Ohh! that's cool - "Dispel!" I said to my body-double, causing it to distort then pop with bits of it to dispersing in the air then fade away.
"You know what..." I said, while ecstatic – "I want to test my capabilities... I can heal myself, right?" – Ninuu, Status? – Ninuu pops up – "Your current [A.P = 23.8%], your vitals and cybernetic augmentations are all in tip-top shape."
"Good... hehehe" I said, then ran outside of the workshop and then stood on the front lawn.
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"Woah, the village looks pretty nice at night... but what about on a higher view." I said, then immediately get on a jumping position.
[Wynd]! Suddenly, I jumped so high enough that I could see the village at such a height, high enough to surpass the village's wall and the tall trees in the forest. – And then... [Wynd Dash]! – I dashed forward while still in mid-air, causing me to launch myself towards a random location in the forest far enough from the village.
"This place seems random enough for creatures like the rat to appear here from before, right?" I said, then carefully landing in the middle of the forest with another usage of [Wynd].
Hey Ninuu, cover every layer of my skin with nanobots – Ninuu pops up – "[Reinforcing Skin], your epidermis is now coated with a layer of nanobots, except the inside of your mouth, and private areas" Ninuu said.
My body suddenly turns jet black, and the lines that are located in around my body glowing with yellow-light – "Alright! That's more like it!" I said, as I clenched my fist.
Ninuu, [A.P] Status? – Ninuu pops up – "Your usage of [Wynd] cost [2.6%], and that [Wynd Dash] was [1.0%]. With your current [A.P = 20.2%] "
"Now... How do I attract-" I said, before getting cut off by a growling noise. I looked to where it was coming from... and then I saw a glowing-white eyes in the darkness of the forest.