The others browsed the merchants while Mac had his breakfast. I wanted to join them, but Mac insisted I stay behind to catch him up on events since the arena. I gave him a quick rundown of what happened and added further detail when asked. Which was mostly centered on Richard’s separation and the elves we encountered.
Mac hummed as he chewed down some food. “So he left even when you tossed the item?”
“Yeah, is that normal?”
He rocked his hand back and forth. “What was the item?”
Leaning back, I checked to make sure no one nearby was listening in before responding. “A map that showed you important bits of the floor for a few minutes.”
“Oh, one of those.” He said between mouthfuls of food. “Most guilds already have something similar. Well, the medium and big guilds for sure. The only people that would be interested in an item like that would be the smaller or newer guilds.”
I let out a sigh. “Damn.”
“Well, there are lots of stories of groups turning on each other over a powerful item. That’s one of the reasons you hardly see groups made up of different races. More cultural conflicts and distrust. Finding such an item is a good indicator of how tight the group is…” He gave a shrug, “or isn’t.”
I nodded along slowly. His explanation made sense to me. “He was worried Ex-terra would monopolize the item and silence the non-guild members.”
He nodded as he chewed down the last mouthful of food. “It’s happened before but I doubt Ex-terra would do something like that. How goes your training?”
That was a sudden change in topic.
“Been training daily. My shadow makes sure of that.”
“Uhuh, have you been meditating?” He was leaning back now, sipping on a hot mug of something.
I reached up and scratched the side of my face. “Well uh, not as much. Just have not had the time with everything going on.” The actual reason was that I forgot all about it. Daily Physical training was ingrained into my daily routine… I just forgot to include meditation.
He let out an annoyed sigh. “You should know that it takes more than repetition to rank up. I noticed you are still level nine. As a conjurer, or any caster for that matter, if you don’t meditate then your progress will continue to slow until stalling completely.”
“That’s why?” I said a bit too loudly as I leaned forwards.
Mac held out one finger. “Step one is to be more in touch with your own mana. To be able to recognize it outside your body. This comes naturally with constant meditation.”
He held out a second. “Step two is noticing other mana sources, be it from climbers, creatures, or the environment. Once you have a sense of that, you should play around more with your spells.”
A third finger joined the two before. “Step three is learning to sense mana while not meditating. This is a big hurdle but an important one for casters. This allows you to see the world with a new set of eyes.”
He placed his hand on his mug. “There are more, such as mana manipulation, but you should just focus on those three for now.”
I was stunned. I knew meditation was sort of important but not to that extent. Maybe for the next few days I’ll focus solely on meditation and skip weapon training.
As if he could hear my thoughts, I heard a whisper from my shadow. “Don’t you dare…”
Mac perked up and looked over the table. “Did you hear something?”
I got to my feet and stretched out. “Ignore it. I might go find the others, want us to meet you here?”
He let out a small chuckle and stood up from the table. “Reigner, what makes you think I’m going to let you go anywhere without me by your side?” His smile was friendly but the tone of his voice indicated he was anything but. “Had I known that you would dive into the nearest mazerhole at every opportunity, I would have watched your fight from the middle of the arena floor.”
I couldn’t help but have the feeling he was really pissed off at me. Honestly having him watch over me like I was some danger prone toddler was started to feel frustrating.
“Right… Yeah, sorry for avoiding a small elf army.” I gave him an awkward smile. “Let’s go find the others… together then.”
His smile grew wider as he gestured outwards with arm. “After you.”
Finding the others with Mac at my side turned out to take longer than I expected. Every few stalls Mac would insist we stop so he could have a look at some item or snack he wanted to purchase. Mac also wanted to stop by the tower entrance to ask about Richard. Apparently, his mana signature had not been recorded since floor five, which I found a bit concerning. I really hoped he managed to avoid those hordes of undead.
“Don’t worry too much. From what I saw of his element, he will likely have an advantage on that floor.” Mac said reassuringly.
Eventually we found the others. They were spread out in the small market, making their own little purchases. Once we collected everyone, we headed towards the gate.
Turns out we were on a small island. Shortly past the gate was a small beach that wrapped around the island. Just off the shore was a large collection of row boats. Past them was an ocean with many islands scattered around, the closest was only a short distance away from us. Climbers could be seen in boats both coming to the island we were on and floating outwards towards other islands.
Mac turned to us and flashed his bright smile. “Welcome to floor eight. Boats are free to use. They are enchanted to return here after sunrise so I wouldn’t recommend sleeping past it.”
The boats were small enough that it was clear we would have to take two. We ended up splitting our group into two, me and Mac took one boat, while Burin, Miko, and Yui took the other.
After some arguing, Yui ended up on the oars of their boat. Mac just sat in the boat before it even touched the water while watching me expectantly.
I pushed the rowboat into the water. I had to wade into the water some and so when I hopped into the boat, I ‘accidentally’ splashed him with some salty water.
He squinted his eyes and watched me as I got comfortable with the oars. Once everyone was ready, he pointed off in a direction between two islands. “Start heading that way.”
Since Mac was leading, the others followed behind us. Burin was sitting at the back of their boat while Miko sat at the front. Between them was Yui, who was pumping her arms to keep pace with me. It took longer than it should have for me to realize she was struggling to keep up with what I felt was a slow and relaxed pace. I eased off until their boat almost touched ours.
Mac held out his hand towards me. “Give me your pack and the grey robes.”
In the time it took to hand over the items the other boat nudged against us.
Yui let out a relieved sigh. “We made it? My arms are killing me.”
Mac turned around to address the others. “Still some distance yet. We should arrive in an hour or two, depending on our pace.”
“Miko, you should be the one rowing.” Yui complained.
“Think of it as training your endurance.” Giggled Miko.
Burin stayed quiet behind them. He had a smile on his face and a hand trailing in the water.
Mac sat the pack between us and pulled out a sewing kit. He wrapped the robe around the pack and started stitching.
“Uh, that’s a summoned pack by the way. My shadow has been resummoning it every few hours.”
He let out a chuckle. “You think I can’t tell the difference between a conjured and real item?”
I assumed the question was rhetorical but replied since that was new to me. “You can?”
He looked at me with a pitiful expression. “We will swap places after I’m done so you can practice your meditation.”
“What are you making anyway?”
“Well, the tracking on this only works when it’s not in your storage. Since you are no longer wearing it, I’m turning it into a cover for your pack.”
“Clever thinking… I never noticed before, but you have such delicate hands.”
He glared up at me. “More to the left.”
Sure enough, once he had finished his little art project, he took over rowing so I could focus on meditating.
Sitting with my eyes closed was the last thing I wanted to do. Traversing in the waters between tropical islands was both beautiful and calming… and was completely ruined by Mac’s unwavering glare towards me.
That man could say a hundred things without voicing a single word. I sighed and closed my eyes. I also made a promise to myself to come back here without a tower knight escort.
Mac gave me pointers as we moved through the waters. Guiding my thoughts and focus, what to look out for inside of myself and how to become more familiar with my own mana.
After a while he suggested I summon an item and rest it on my lap while meditating. Though his guidance I was able to see or feel my conjuration through a new sense. It was a bit like that feeling you get when being watched or about to be attacked, but at the same time it was nothing like that at all. This was a completely new feeling to me, a new sense that I had only experienced once before. This was mana, my own mana, moving through myself and through my conjured item.
It made me think of just how far I had come. From being unable to even touch mana, any kind of mana, to now being able to see it on a whole new level that felt a hundred times deeper than just sight. My own excitement caused me to lose focus.
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“You look happy.” Mac commented as I opened my eyes.
I nodded, feeling the grin plastered to my face. “It’s incredible. It’s like I just discovered how to see for the first time and learn there is much more to me than being able to punch things really well.”
Mac smiled and actually looked happy, which was strange to see without a drink in his hand. “It only gets better. Keep this up and you will soon learn to identify other sources of mana. As your meditation and range improves you will start to sense more of the world around you.”
I turned around to check on the others and saw that Miko was now rowing the boat. Burin looked to be enjoying himself, eyes half closed with a smile on his face. An exhaunted looking Yui was slumped at the front of the narrow boat.
“How long have we been traveling for?” I asked.
“An hour and a bit. We are not far now.” Mac replied, looking no worse for wear despite pulling us along for so long.
I nodded and looked at the islands passing by. A few had climbers fighting goblins, some of which were riding turtle like creatures. We also passed a number of empty rowboats that floated by us.
Mac watched them as they floated by. “Must have been quite far out for them to be here by now.” He looked to me. “Here, swap with me.”
After swapping he pulled out a book and made some scribbles before placing it back into his storage.
I lost track of time and just enjoyed the journey. Before I knew it, the rowboat hit land and Mac jumped out onto golden yellow sand. I followed suit and pulled the boat out of the water.
I helped the others pull their boat onto the beach once they got close enough.
“Finally.” Yui said with panting breath. She had taken back the oars at some point before arriving here.
I gave her a pat on the back. “Good work.”
She grinned up at me. “I gained three stamina for that. We will have to come back here.”
“Oh! Let’s race the boats next time!” Miko said.
“Sounds like fun.” I said.
“But you can’t compete, you can only be the judge.” Miko added.
“What? Why?”
“Unfair advantage.” Burin said as he pulled himself out the rowboat.
I glared down at the dwarf. “Have a nice nap, Burin?”
He looked affronted. “Nap? Is that what it looked like to ye? Bah. I was not napping. I was training. Near used up all my mana. This place is perfect for it.”
“Are you good to go or do you need a break?” Mac asked from a rise in front of us.
“A break would be nice.” Yui said as she stretched her arms across her chest.
“Then come up here.” Mac replied.
We trudged up the sandy rise to where Mac was. The rise was a flat grassy area that gave us a nice view of the islands and water surrounding us. This island was like a small mountain, filled with caves and paths that all looked to lead upwards to the summit.
“This floor is really beautiful.” Miko commented.
“Aye, especially after that last one.” Added Burin.
During his time exploring the small market Burin picked up a variety of foods and prepared a small picnic for the group. As we were eating, I noticed Miko staring at me more than usual.
“What? Is there something on my face?” I asked.
Miko’s shoulders jumped in surprise. “No, yes. I mean your hair… it’s really getting long.”
I never really took the time to manage my hair, the only thing I cared about was having a beard and making sure nothing got in my eyes. It was annoying having hair blinding me when in the middle of a fight.
I ran my hands back through my thick hair. It felt a little oily, reminding me that I had not had a real bath in a while.
Yui nodded from next to me. “You are starting to look scruffy. I can trim it for you.”
Miko let out a laugh. “You? Have you even cut anyone’s hair?”
“Does that matter? I have seen it done often enough. How hard could it be.”
Miko sighed and ruffled Yui’s hair. “Oh my poor naive child. I have watched you practice your sword forms for years, does that mean I am a sword master?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say mas-“
“Leave it to me!” Miko said, interrupting her. She stood up and started walking towards me.
I held out my hands to stop her. “Hold on, I never agreed to this. I can cut my own hair, thanks.”
Miko’s eyes widened. “You can?”
“I spent years practically alone. Cutting my own hair is nothing.” In demonstration, I summoned a dagger and grabbed a handful of my hair. Just as I was about to cut a chuck of loose hair both woman screamed.
Yui moved like she was in the midst of battle and tried to slap my hand away.
“Itai! Ouch. What the fuck?” She stared at me and cradled her hand to her chest.”
Miko’s hands soon wrapped around my own and she strained to pull them apart. “Noooo, you… can’t… just cut off…” She was visibly struggling to pull my hand away from my hair. “Yui, help mee.”
I sighed and relaxed my arms, causing Miko to fall backwards against Yui.
“How’s your hand?” I asked.
“Like I just punched a wall, are you made from stone?”
“Want a bandage?” I asked while conjuring one and offering it out to her.
She let out a huff. “No thanks. I think I’ll survive.”
Miko let out a giggle. “That’s twice now.”
Yui turned to her. “Twice of what?”
“Twice you have sworn, and both times were at Reigner.” She wagged her finger at me in mock scolding. “My my Reigner, you are a bad influence on her. What would her grandfather say?”
I looked to Burin for some support, but he just watched while shoving more food into his mouth. “Anyway.” Miko moved around behind me. “Let me cut your hair. I promise you will like it.”
Yui bent forwards and looked over my face. “Maybe you should cut off his beard.”
“What?!” Burin and Miko said at the same time.
Burin jumped to his feet. “Sacrilege! Ye can’t shave off a man’s pride!”
Yui hummed. “Really? I thought he would look more handsome. Girls don’t like really hairy men.”
Miko let out a bark of laugher. “You mean, you don’t like it. I find a hairy man quite to my taste… just neat hairy. Not wild hairy.” She ran her fingers through my hair and started cutting away with some scissors.
I ran my fingernails through my beard. “You know. I never really liked beards… but then it grew on me.”
Miko’s hands stilled, and Yui and Burin just stared at me with dead eyes. The silence was interrupted by the sound of snickering.
Mac forced down a mouthful of food and let out a bellow of laughter. Wiping away a tear he looked at the group. “What? That’s a classic.”
Miko let out a sigh and went back to trimming. “Burin, let me cut yours next. Don’t worry, I won’t touch your beard.”
After she finished cutting my hair, Miko pulled out a mirror to show me her work. My hair was cut short and styled back away from my eyes. I had not looked into a mirror recently but if my shadow was anything to go by then it was certainly an improvement. My beard really looked messy in comparison.
I borrowed the mirror to trim my beard as Miko fussed over Burin. By the time she was finished, everyone was rested and ready to explore the island. We followed Mac though caves and passageways as he led us upwards.
“I see a concerning lack of creatures.” I said after about ten minutes of walking.
“There is just one.” Mac replied from the front. “Has a lot of health, hits hard, but is slow. Perfect for a group like this.”
After a while we reached an end of a tunnel that opened to the top of the island. There was a flat and wide grassy area, with a familiar looking creature waiting for us in the middle.
Burin let out a laugh. “Wow, this brings back memories.”
“You call that thing slow?” Miko asked.
“Oh, you have fought one before?” Mac asked in response.
Burin pulled out his sabre. “Fought? More like ran. It will be good to see how well we can handle one now.”
[War Troll]
Health: 9400 / 100%
Class: Warrior
Level: 8
Race: Troll
Yui stepped forward. “Should be easy with Reigner for support.”
“No.” Mac said. “Consider this training. Reigner still needs to work on his meditation technique.” He looked down at Burin with a thoughtful expression. “You’re primarily a caster too, right? Have you learned how to control your mana?”
Burin shrugged. “Some, but I have not learned anything new since leaving the guild.”
“Okay, you will alternate between fighting and meditating then.” He stepped in front of everyone. “The troll respawns every thirty minutes and drops floor gems along with a few other things. Stay away from that cave at the back, it’s actually a mazerhole. I’ll watch you fight, but that doesn’t mean you can be sloppy. I’ll only step in if it looks like you are about to die.”
“Without Reigner.” Burin repeated quietly.
I found a comfortable looking patch of grass to sit on and dropped the now black covered pack to the side. My shadow pulled himself out of my own shadow and scowled down at me. His hair was still long and scruffy. I smiled up at him and ran a hand over my now shapely beard.
He bent over and checked inside the pack. “Be more careful. This stuff is precious.”
I watched as he repositioned hooks, daggers, and even a pegged leg. I didn’t remember seeing one of those on the ship.
I crossed my legs and got comfortable “Yeah, pirate booty. Got it. Keep an eye on the others.”
Not wanting to close my eyes when there was a creature nearby, I instead watched as the group readied themselves and engaged the troll. I wanted to test my own summoned weapons against the troll since the last war troll caused them to shatter. The urge to test my growth was a battle all in its own as I watched the others.
The fight took a while. Miko had to learn when to dodge out of the way instead of blocking every strike that came towards her. Mac chose well as it was the perfect creature for her current skill level. It was able to overwhelm her defense if she was not careful.
Yui was as brilliant as ever but had to make sure her form was perfect when striking, otherwise her blade only left shallow cuts that quickly healed over.
Burin seemed to be struggling the most as he looked to be going for a more of a hybrid role. He was struggling to judge when to swap between magical attacks and striking with his new sabre.
Mac prevented my shadow from summoning a campstone, saying that they needed to work on their stamina and mana management in battle.
The three of them cheered when they had finally downed the troll. They gave each other high fives before walking over to me.
I got to my feet and congratulated them. “Good work out there.”
Yui wiped some sweat from her brow. “That took longer than expected.”
Miko dropped her shield to the ground. “Reigner, can you summon me a few shields? I don’t think this will survive long fighting against that.”
Agreeing to her request, I conjured several shields, all in different sizes and styles.
Mac allowed me to conjure a campstone between battles and then had me and Burin meditate.
The cycle repeated a few times before I was interrupted midway through a breakthrough. I was just starting to feel another mana source that was not my own.
“What is that? A meteor?” Miko asked. I opened my eyes and saw everyone looking into the sky behind me.
Following their gaze, I saw a large orange ball of fire in the sky.
“Uh, is it just me, or is it getting bigger?” Burin asked.
“It’s not getting bigger. It’s getting closer.” Mac said calmly. “Move back. Create space between us.”
We moved back towards the Troll spawn and near the cave slash mazerhole.
Burin nudged Yui’s side. “How many of those floor gems do ye have now?”
Yui placed her hand against her belt. “Three, one short. You know what that is?”
“It’s Zelphar.” I said flatly.
Burin’s body tensed but he took a step forwards.
I stretched my launching arm. “If things get violent, you three take the mazer hole.”
Yui nodded and handed the others a floor gem each.
“I’ll not be leaving ye.” Burin growled.
I made eye contact with Miko and gestured to the dwarf. She nodded in reply. If things got bad, I hoped she could pull him away. I moved in front of the group and a few metres behind Mac, making sure that if I was targeted by a fireball the others would not be injured.
The ball of fire got larger until it was over our heads. At this distance we could see that it was in fact a person wreathed in fire. They flew in a straight line, completely passing us.
“Guess he did not see us.” Miko let out a relieved sigh.
As if to mock her words, the fire curved around, circling the island partly, before coming to an explosive landing in front of Mac.
Dirt and grass were launched everywhere.
Stepping out of the smoky creator was Zelphar. “Ah, I have finally found you, carnate.”
Mac moved to the side, partially blocking my vision of Zelphar. “You have no business here, Zelphar. I can excuse your actions yesterday, but if you continue here then I will be forced to take action.”
The elf sneered. “You again Tower dog? Worry not. Unfortunately, I am not here for violence.” He took a step to the side so he could look at me more clearly.
His eyes shifted to the left and then back to me. Looking between myself and my shadow. “By the ash, only thing worse than one of you, is two of you.” He coughed into his hand. “Anyway… I am here to apologize. My father was not pleased with how our last encounter ended and has since…” His words sounded forced. “Strongly encouraged me to apologize… for my…”
“Fuck off ye damned ash leaf snorting fuck!” Burin shouted from behind me.
My shadow let out a laugh as I looked back to see a furious looking Burin shaking his fist towards the elf.
“How dare...”
“No one cares about ye stupid daddy issues!” Burin continued. “Ye killed my friends for fun! Ye dirt humping bark licker!”
Zelphar’s face twisted in fury, his hands clenched at his sides, and he was glaring over my shoulder to where Burin was standing.
Mac took a step forwards, pulling Zelphar’s attention back onto himself. “You need to leave. Now.”
Zelphar’s eyes snapped to Mac and he sent a series of small streaks of fire towards the tower knight. Mac deflected the fire bolts with the back of his hand. Weaved into the bolts was one of a different colour. Instead of being deflected like the rest, this one turned into a sphere that engulfed Mac in a bubble.
The bubble then floated upwards a few metres. Mac appeared to be paralyzed inside.
Zelphar grinned and walked towards us. “I thought I might bump into him again after finding him screaming your name. Now, where were we…”