The next morning I woke up early and went downstairs for a meal. I ate quickly, before heading out to the store recommended by Egric. It took about ten minutes to get there, and I know I had only half an hour before I had to start towards the College. I entered the store and went up to the counter.
“Good morning,” I announced “I’d like to buy a magical spellbook.”
“What kind?” asked the woman behind the counter “Just soulbound, magical protected, self-sorting…”
“I’d like one with at least soulbound and infinite.”
“I have one with soulbound, protection against scrying, self-regenerating and which is unlimited, although you have to supply the paper to increase the number of pages. The price is only one gold.” My eyes went wide. Even though I had plenty of money, one gold was enough for three months at an inn. Enchantments are very costly here. “No negotiation.”
I manage to speak rather calmly. “That seems reasonable. Does increasing the number of pages increase the size and weight?”
“If you’re worried about that, we have one with soulbound, protection against scrying, page generation, normal regeneration and spatial distortion. That is only 10 gold.”
“Why such an increase?”
“The enchantments must be much smaller to fit, and it’s hard to keep the enchantments from reacting. Are you buying? Remember, no negotiation.”
I gritted my teeth my teeth but paid the price, knowing I really needed it. I ran out of the shop because I had only a few minutes to get to the College. Wait, why was I running? I slowed down, delaying how long until I had to continue with Egric. When I arrived, he didn’t seem to upset I was late because he saw the spellbook in my hands. “How much did it cost you? If it was under 12 gold, you were lucky. The owner changes the prices depending on her mood, for that spellbook the range would be about from 20 to 8 gold. One I saw her triple the price for someone…
… Let’s get back to lessons now; I’m not going to teach you much about runes today, instead about spell creation…”
He explained that simple spells were created by just a line of runes, but they couldn’t become extremely complex, or enchantments, you needed spell diagrams for that. There was an outer ring for containing the mana, which was lined on the inside by runes. Then, the inner ring diffused the magic into a series of polygons with runes in each corner, one inside the other. The last and central rune directed the spell, whether it should affect the nearest person, the diagram itself, or another diagram. If you had a chain of diagrams, it could make a much more powerful spell. However, it wasn’t the only way possible to make enchantments. Some people were even researching 3D enchantments. Of course, runes weren’t the only form of magic. Some people controlled the elements around them directly with their mana, but then they often didn’t have the element around that they needed. Also, simple carving is made with precision and filled with mana, gearwork… there was no end to the types available. My eyes shone at the mention of gearwork, I’d always loved steampunk. As I mentally tuned out Egric, and my stat increase, I thought about what I’d need to do in order achieve that. Combined with my ambition of starting a village, this could be useful. After the morning lesson, I spoke to Egric.
“Would you mind if I didn’t take your afternoon lessons?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course I do not. I don’t really know much about spell creation, I’ve basically taught you everything I know about it. I only know spell incantations, which isn’t very useful for you because you will always create new spells.”
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I interrupted. “Maybe I should learn how to figure out and create incantations because, as you said, I will often create new spells. Anyway, goodbye.” I speeded down the halls as he started talking to himself. I walked slowly towards the inn. Before I sat down to my free lunch, I asked the innkeeper, Gired, casually
“Do you know where I can learn how to create mechanical beasts?”
“You mean Hephaestus’ Guild? You’re lucky; they just opened a building a few years ago in this town.” He explained how to get there and I carefully committed it to memory. I sat down to enjoy my meal.
I finished the rest of my meal and placed the plate in a discreet corner of the counter. I left the inn and jogged to the inn. Well, I tried to. My energy almost ran out so I decided to continue on walking before I collapsed. When I reached the building, I waited until my energy increased a bit. Once it was past the red, I came into the entry room and made a beeline for the desk.
“I would like to join the guild. What are the requirements?” I asked.
“Do you have a high intelligence or dexterity?”
“My intelligence is 15, my dexterity is 10.”
“That low? What did you put your stat points in?”
“I haven’t leveled up yet.”
He looked shocked. “How can it be?” he scrutinized me closely. “You’re a Chosen One? How can it be?” He rushed away. I waited rather impatiently before he returned. “You’re accepted. The annual cost is 5 gold per year, we can waive the registering fee. You can pay the first payment in one year, any questions?”
“Just, are lessons included? Or do I have to pay for it myself?” That was fast.”
“Lessons are included as well as access to the machines. You have to pay for the materials.” He started to turn away. “Oh yes.” He passed me a medallion. “This shows your membership.”
“How do I start lessons?”
“What do you want?”
“Enchanting and creating a mechanical creature from scratch. Also, any specific magic you have.”
“What do you want to start with? And when are you available?”
“I would like to start with…” which one? Both are interesting. “…enchanting.” It will help me create more complicated spells.
“Sorry, there are no openings for a few months.” Oh well. I brightened. I could go visit the place for my future village. I needed to go on an adventure! After saying goodbye I returned to the College to tell Egric about my decision. My Magical Knowledge had already increased to level 7, now I needed to put it into practice.
“Very good idea, it will help you. Did you know I had a student who was stuck, couldn’t learn anymore, but after an adventure he was much more receptive to new ideas. I mean, he did put most of his points in Intelligence and Wisdom, so it could just be that, but then again he got the points from leveling…” I was content to listen because I had nothing else to do. I actually got a stat from listening.
Luck: +1 (11)
I interrupted him. “Do you know what the Luck stat does?”
He was easily diverted “No one really knows. You just get them randomly. Also, as you have more, you receive them more frequently; however there is no real use. However, there is a guild only allows people that naturally have more than 20 luck join, they think it will increase their luck. I’ve hear that there luck increases much faster, the highest is about 120. Mine is 17, I kind of want to join as I want to see what happens. They might have discovered what it does but it stays in the guild. They have to sign a magical agreement, which actually completely prevents any infraction, but it must be signed while completely agreeing, you can’t be forced...” at that point I started sinking under the flow of his words…