A window popped up in front of him. It was a silhouette movie-type of scene, with Minalan’s voice accompanying the playing movie. Two items were highlighted. A bracer and a ring. The mini-movie told the story of Asric, a Wizard with his genius in enchanting. He boasted that his final creations, the pair of ring and bracer, would make him undefeated.
It was no hubris, as he was continuously challenged for his claim. At first, he was delighted in his infallible ability to best all of his challengers. Then slowly, he began to tire of the continuous need to be vigilant. Assassinations became the main choice for defeating him. It was no longer about defeating his claim, but to possess the enchanted items he created.
Everyone coveted them.
Asric became more and more paranoid with the passing time. He distanced himself from everyone else. His friends, his colleague, even his loved ones. He slowly went mad. Eventually, he died, cursing even his own greatness. In his final deed, whether in spite or to prevent a repeat of his tragedy in the future, he cursed both the bracer and ring. There was no telling of what was on Asric’s mind when he put the curse.
This was the second time Minalan explained it to me. In my defense, I was shaken during his first explanation. Everything went apeshit in moments. There is a single point of time in life where you are so fucked, that the best choice you have is to laugh it off so you won’t make people who cares about you suffer.
Once he had shaken off from his daze, he went to Adria’s room, coaxing her to open the door. It took a while, but he did it. Then, he spent some time consoling a very contrite Adria to sleep (CHA +3). He could not bear any ill feelings towards her. She even murmured how sorry she was in her sleep. It pained his heart to listen to it.
“Okay. Anything else to add, Minalan?” At this point, Winter appeared a bit manic. All smiles.
“No. There is nothing else to add.” All the smiling seemed to discomfort Minalan. Winter stopped smiling.
“This just had to happen on my very first day as a Mage, huh.”
“I am unable to even begin to apologize, Winter.”
“Don’t worry about it. Taking misfortune in stride is one of my good points.”
“Besides, listening to Adria really breaks my heart. I can’t be angry with her being like that,” whispered Winter. Minalan, who heard it, was truly touched.
Minalan had always thought Winter was someone who was pretty cold. Was it possible that this older man was just awkward in showing his affections?
“About half a year then,” he muttered to himself.
The bracer now said 433/100000 three hours since he wore it. Calculating roughly, it would take him around half a year for the bracer to come off on its own, barring changes.
First few minutes of wearing the bracer. Ronald considered the fast option of deleting his character to start fresh. He dismissed it pretty quick. His current body was only an avatar. Minalan and Adria may not exist in real life, but he felt really close to them in their short time together within the virtual world. Ronald was sure that he would not be able to replicate exactly their first encounter, their time together, everything. This game was unlike anything he had experienced. In the previous MMORPG he played, there was no serious attachment for him. It was also uncharacteristic of him to simply roll over and die.
‘There has to be more to this. There is no way you have this sort of penalty without any silver lining.’
Minalan was quiet. He was letting Winter think through his choices.
“It is no good. I cannot think of anything else. Let us just sleep and think about it tomorrow.”
Very apologetic, Minalan sent him off at the door. Winter promised to be back at the usual time tomorrow.
In truth, he had a vague idea of what he should be doing. But he was not sure whether it would work out at all. So he deliberately kept quiet.
‘I might as well do some jobs while waiting for morning to arrive.’
He equipped a title he received a few days ago.
The Gopher
Someone that takes errand running to the heart.
Preferred status among NPCs within lower city area in any town.
Improves your chances to obtain F class quest and below
Increased reward
Increased familiarity for any NPC you have done quest(s) for before.
It was the main reason why the Inn’s cook helped him out. He had been doing quests for that particular NPC for close to ten times probably. It was her, too, that bestowed the title to him. He spent a couple hours running errands to clear his head. Unlike previous nights, he timed himself to finish as close to midnight as possible. He has something else to do for the rest of the night.
Winter stood at the border between the city and the wilderness. A step, and he was out of the city. He checked the timer again. A little over a minute left, and he would be free to exit the city. A pair of guards stood at each side of the gate. Their halberds were held in a relaxed manner. Both also were staring at Winter, as if undecided whether he was an intruder, or some other shady character that moved at night.
TTRINGG!
30 days have passed.
You are allowed to leave the city now.
“Okay. Let’s try it,”
Winter stepped past both guards, that had chosen to ignore him. Their duty of barring him from exiting had just ended.
Daniel had told Roland that at night, all monsters increased 50% of their stats, while at the same time, increased their exp gain by 33%. Bonus exp was not the reason he exited tonight. It was to test the degree of the problem his curse would cause him.
“Mana Bolt. Mana Bolt. Mana Bolt.”
Winter fired three successive spells at a rabbit. It was the weakest mob in-game. At the range of twenty meters, the rabbit took the full brunt of the spells. It immediately turned gray and scattered to dust, dropping a rabbit pelt.
“ 4 points….”
Winter already knew the curse would make all his spells cost 4 times its usual mana consumption. It was felt keenly since his mana pool had shrunken to 50 and it regenerated half the pace now. He got the information he wanted. He could kill a powered rabbit with three mana bolt. Mana Manipulation skill was exclusive to caster profession apparently. It worked like Weapon Mastery for melee class.
Mana Manipulation (Passive)
The mastery of magic shall improve the strength of your spells.
Your spell shall strike harder the better your mastery!
At level 3, it improved his damage by 60%. He should have asked for the standard spell books and his present (he knew it was a mage staff) before he left. It would make his life a lot easier right at this moment.
‘Nothing to it now.’
Second experiment was to try beating the rabbit with melee method. It was not hard to corner one rabbit since any rabbit he intently spied were cowed from his fighting spirit stat.
*STOMP* *STOMP* *KICK* *WHACK* *WHACK*
*PANT* *PANT*
‘This is harder than I thought.’
Winter lost 30 HP from retaliation before he managed to kill one. The mob did not hesitate to attack him after he began landing a few blows. The stat did not fully paralyze the rabbit, though there were moments where it was hesitating. Good to know. He had a hard time attacking the small rabbits though.
He nearly died in his attempt to kill a fox. Winter thought he could shoot it with magic until it fell dead. He was naïve as the fox charged after him. He never had the chance to cast the anything further than three spells. Even then the nearly dead fox managed to take down 62% of his HP.
At 5 damage for every well-connected blow (with his equipped staff), it was not easy for Winter to make quick kills. Might be different if he was trained in martial arts or something. It was wishful thinking either way.
He stuck to killing rabbits until morning.
“Ah, Sir Winter. You are back. Are you ready to continue your training?”
“Yes, I believe I am, Instructor Baran. I will be at my usual spot.”
This was his idea. Since for the moment, most benefits of his profession were closed to him, if Winter wanted to go roaming outside the city, this was his only choice. Going at it as if he was a newbie without a profession. He could not be the only newbie ever to do that. Plenty of idiots in this world.
“Wait a moment, Sir Winter,” Baran called out at Winter.
‘Uh-oh,’ Winter was worried about this.
“Never mind. Please proceed, Sir Winter.”
So Winter continued his stat adding effort. Back to hitting scarecrows.
“I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry!”
Those were the words he received when he dropped by <
Adria was now glued to him after a flying tackle. He rubbed her head. Her eyes were red and puffy. She looked more disheveled than usual, too.
“What are you talking about?”
“I…” Adria was about to apologize. Winter gave her a forehead flick.
“Owie!” She stepped a couple paces back, holding her smarting forehead.
“A girl needs to be beautiful all the time. All that crying is making you ugly. And I dislike ugly girls!”
Winter went on in bombastic manner at how he disliked a girl who could not dress well, who looked disheveled, even hates vegetables. Then he continued even further! Someone stupid enough to mix up a cursed item with a gift must grow up ugly.
‘It’s coming!’
He could feel the usual spine tingling. Adria’s face had changed from utter, devastated sadness to confusion to annoyance. She was trembling now. Gone was the air of self-pity.
She did not disappoint. Winter could even appreciate the creative side of it. It was not a sticking finger but a small pillar that rose like a flag. It whacked him solidly between his legs. It was not as painful as the real thing. It was still quite painful, anyway.
Adria stomped away, going back to her room. Winter was busy recovering from the cheap blow. (HP-100)
Minalan mouthed “Thank You” while accompanying Adria back. Winter followed after he was fully recovered. That put a close to the case.
It took Winter three weeks to complete the Beginner Training.
Strength rises by 1 point (+1 STR)
Agility rises by 1 point (+1 AGI)
Vitality rises by 1 point (+1 VIT)
Health rises by 100 point (+100 HP)
Fame rises by 20 point (+20 Fame)
He received those final bonuses when he completed the training.
“Status Window”
Status WindowNameWinterAlignmentNeutralLevel5ProfessionMagicianTitleNoneFame20Health300Mana200Strength40Agility40Vitality50Wisdom30 (10+20)Intellect30 (10+20)Stamina40Fighting Spirit10Luck0Leadership0Charisma4Attack2-3Magic Attack4-6Defense2Magic Defense4Magic ResistanceFire10%Water10%Earth10%Wind10%Holy10%Dark10%
+20 points to INT and WIS
+50% Magic Attack
-50% Stamina
+10% All Magic Resistance
Unable to use Medium or Heavy Armor
Unable to use Heavy Weapon
Unable to use weapons with Iron contents
“Skill Window.”
Mana ManipulationBeginner[3]26%Mana BoltBeginner[1]3%FireballBeginner[1]1%Earth SpikeBeginner[1]1%ReflexBeginner[2]2%Sword MasteryBeginner[5]60%Staff MasteryBeginner[1]32%UnarmedBeginner[1]1%Cooking SkillBeginner[2]16%Handicraft SkillBeginner[2]6%IdentificationBeginner[1]0%RepairBeginner[1]0%BandagingBeginner[2]96%SustenanceNone
Sustenance was a passive skill used to reduce stamina consumption. It appeared a little while ago when he trained. He gained miscellaneous skill too like Repair.
At night, he went testing his skills on rabbits, and the occasional foxes when he blundered into one. He discovered he had an easier time killing rabbits while equipping the mage staff Minalan had gifted him. Apparently, it provided tighter focus than his hands. He also discovered he could cover the 40m maximum range easily and accurately with it.
‘No wonder every mage carries a staff.’*
He got the chance to test out the usual fare of mage arsenal. Fireball could kill a rabbit in one blow. But with the curse he had, it took 12 mana for one cast. The same with Earth Spike (20 Mana), despite how nice it felt for the earth to impale an unsuspecting rabbit. Of course, he cooked the meat,and saved the pelt for future uses. With how he was going solo and easily got injured, he took up bandaging. It healed him only 60 point for one use. Still, it was better than nothing.
Fireball was quite interesting. He could fire the ball like Mana Bolt, with the pre-firing blue line to indicate the final destination. It could also be thrown like a ball with the same effect, even when it arced. It was the first spell with variable application. Earth spike was interesting too.
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The spikes shot up from the bare earth. Among his current range of spells, it was the most effective one, probably. Impaled mobs slowed down due to their injuries when they were not dead. The spikes were not large. But it was long enough to pierce a fox for him to kill, or a wolf to escape quickly. He somehow had this feeling that he could manipulate the angle of how it came out. So far, it always burst vertically from under the mob.
Reflex though….
“Oh. You are done! Congratulations!”
Winter whipped his head around. He stayed his wooden sword, however.
“Instructor Baran,” Winter nodded a casual greeting.
“You might have taken the longest out of all who trained here. But no shame in it. Myriads never completed the course.” said Baran cheerfully.
*Ahem* He coughed in an official manner, looking apologetic.
“I am sorry to tell you that I cannot present you your graduation present.”
“What!! Why!”
Ronald had been expecting to be gifted with an Iron Sword. Daniel had told him that as a reward for completing the Basic Training Program, the instructor would gift the player such an item. Millions had tested their mettle against the scarecrows of the training hall. Like a diet though, everyone knows it is good for them. Most failed to complete it anyway and moves on to easier choices. So not too many talked about it.
“Because you are a Mage.”
“But…” Baran cut him off.
“It is not what you think. Here. Have a look.”
He pulled out the sword he wore around his hip. He held it horizontally with both hands spread apart.
Hard Iron Sword (Durability: 54/54)
Damage: 10-14
Awarded to those who completed the Basic Training Program. This widely used long sword is better than the basic type weapons that are available in a blacksmith’s workshop.
Equip: +10 STR
Limits:
STR 40+
Vit 35+
It was an incredibly useful weapon for low-level players like Winter.
“Here. Take it,” slightly puzzled, Winter took the sword. It was automatically equipped.
“What the….!!”
Winter had a sudden sick understanding of his profession’s limitations. His mana was disappearing with each second he was holding the sword. Motes of blue wisps seemed to seep out of his pores. After about ten seconds, it finally hit zero.
“I think you get it now.”
Winter returned the sword. Numb.
“A Mage, in their vow to Mana, is not allowed to carry any iron around their body. Sure, they can equip it. But it makes your mana disperse like what you saw. No point in giving you the present.”
“You knew all this time?”
“That you changed profession to a Mage? Sure. It was hard not to notice when you suddenly sped up abnormally the few times I saw you.”
He must be talking about Reflex. It was a skill that multiplied movement speed five times of normal for two seconds. He used it every chance he had to both improve his expertise on the spell, speed up his progress even a little, and learning quick combo strikes.
“I will not stop a Mage crazy enough to want to hit a scarecrow though. I am of opinion that anyone is free to vent their frustration or train their body, regardless of their profession. Others might not have as open mind as me. But our creed would not disallow us to stop anyone who wants to train,” finished Baran.
Winter’s stomach dropped. He had expected himself to catch up by earning the strong beginner weapon. He had found out about the reward when he checked more details on the Training Hall during his idle time. Blast it!
“Don’t look so disappointed, Sir Winter. I am sure that all this physical work out will benefit you somehow. Look at the bright side.”
Indeed, there would always be a bright side to anything if Winter looked hard enough. For the moment, he could not think of anything.
“Here. You can have this. It’s not a good replacement. But it is the best I can do.”
Baran handed Winter two wooden training swords.
“Thank you, Instructor Baran. I appreciate it. Truly.”
“Safe journey to you, Sir Winter. Do drop by the more advanced training halls if you will.”
Waving away, Winter’s inside shot back, ‘Hell no!’
This was the last preparation he was making before fully venturing outside the city. This was the time to part with Adria and Minalan. While walking to their home, Winter unwittingly began recalling the recent events that had led to today.
Adria had become incredibly helpful around the shop, whether Winter was around or not. The gravity of her mistake made her realize how lacking her ability and knowledge was. She had applied herself admirably since then. Their relationship also improved. She felt like a daughter now, more than ever. Winter still had to dispense a few head flicks when she turned gloomy though.
Minalan’s shop was now booming, compared to three weeks ago too. Winter was having a hard time leaving Adria to eat her father’s terrible cooking after he left. From what eventually came up from their conversations, their usual earnings would not enable them to eat outside constantly. Sure, they could do that. But it would leave them without savings. Winter thought hard and finally came up with a solution.
He put up a sign and posters all around the city. Outside the shop too. Minalan Spellshop provides free identification services. Players came by droves for it. Some, Minalan could not help, as the items were beyond his skills to identify. But most were satisfied. While waiting in line, a good number of them had the chance to peruse items all around the shop. Undoubtedly in this sort of situation, impulse buying would occur, at least.
Minalan taught Winter the skill too. But since it consumed 30 mana, with the penalty, it was a faraway dream at the moment. He was a little regretful since he could have leveled up the skill a lot if he was not cursed. By the way, Minalan charged money to teach <
The loving father also gifted him with the Mage Staff he forgot, two standard Mage skill books, and one silver-colored one.
Enchanted Oak Staff (Durability: 20/20)
Meant for beginner Magicians after their inducement to the profession. Nothing special about it except the minor imbued magic to improve its constitution.
Damage: 4-6
Magic Damage: 10-12
Restriction: Magician Only.
Fireball (Tier 01)
Mana Consumption: 3
Most basic Fire element spell for proficient Magicians. Very easy to cast. Be careful while casting in dry areas with combustibles around.
1.5s Cooldown
Earth Spike (Tier 01)
Mana Consumption: 5
Most basic Earth element spell for proficient Magicians. Very easy to cast. Usable everywhere! Be careful where you point the sharp end.
1.0s Cooldown
The silver spellbook was Reflex.
Reflex (Tier 04)
Mana Consumption: 10
Minor family branch of Time Manipulation Magic. One of the few rare internal magic spell. Speeds up bodily movement and mental perception of player five times normal speed for 2 seconds. Multiplier and duration may increase with proficiency.
30s Cooldown
It was not normally gifted to a Mage, beginner or not. It was a warrior skill. But Minalan was of opinion he needed escape options, or in most cases, quick kill option. Winter completely agreed.
“Ah. Someone is visiting early today. Adria!”
Minalan yelled to the back. A short moment later, the little girl ran out of the ‘home space’ door attached to the shop.
“Uncle Winter! You are here!” She proceeded to hug him. Winter tousled her hair.
“Please, don’t go,” her muffled voice could be heard from her buried face.
‘There goes my plan to break it to her gently.’
Winter stared daggers at the culprit. Minalan looked decidedly uneasy under the glare.
Sighing, Winter disengaged from the hug and knelt in front of her. Their eyes were level.
“I am sorry, Adria. But Uncle Winter really has to go.”
“Is it because I am a bad girl?” She began tearing up. Oh dear. Winter shook his head.
“No. Uncle Winter has to take off the nasty item here so Adria can be happy. He cannot bear to have his favorite ass sticker sad,” she laughed at that while droplets of tears continue to flow.
“Come back soon, Uncle Winter. Please be safe too.”
She hugged his neck this time, whispering in his ear.
“Don’t worry, Adria. I am not going far yet. I will be sure to visit from time to time. So, be diligent in your study and keep giving your father grief, okay?” Winter could feel her nodding. He patted her a few times, and like a signal, both of them ended the hug.
“I have a present for you, Uncle Winter.”
Winter gave her a pretend sour look. As if giving it a serious thought.
“Is it another cursed item?” He asked while maintaining the sour disposition.
“N..”
*Flicks*
“Owie!”
Adria clutched her forehead. She had taken many servings of head flicks. It was because she kept giving such a cute reaction that Winter had a hard time stopping the practice.
“Go get your present. I will be waiting here,” smiled Winter.
Some girls could huff and pout very well. But only little girls could do it in such a manner that it warms your heart. She stomped to finish the repertoire.
“She looks better now,” whispered Winter. He brushed the knees of his pants.
“She is. Thank you for being so kind to her,” replied Minalan.
“Don’t mention it. A little girl like that needs to be happy. Not brooding over accidental mistakes she made.”
“By the way, how is the curse progressing?”
Winter checked the bracer. It now said 1314/100000. The number climbed slowly but steadily.
“No change.” It was the first time Minalan ever asked about the curse since it had latched itself to Winter.
“I see.”
Uncomfortable silence descended. Minalan seemed like he wanted to say something, but hesitated. The seconds passed by, and the man then had the face that said that he had made up his mind.
“There might be a way to remove the curse. But… it will not be easy.”
“There is?”
“Yes…. But… argh! Here. Take a look.” Minalan shoved a book to Winter. The book was plain, without any kind of labeling, whether on its cover or spine. Winter paged to the bookmarked page.
The ring and bracer of Asric the Fallen Wizard, as he was dubbed during his period of insanity and death, had been a curiosity to enchanters for hundreds of years. It was rumored that before it was cursed, it housed incredible powers. As the bracer presently spread in front of me, I can feel the depth of the prodigy’s curse. I can feel the call of the bracer, wishing to be worn again. Yet I fear what the consequence of such choice would be, for I knew of nobody existing that had worn either items willingly. If any did and survived, they were as close-mouthed as they can be. Whoever brave enough to wear any or both, would be a true fool seeking their death.
‘Well, that wasn’t very helpful,’ thought Winter. He continued the next paragraph.
It is known that the bracer will devour the wearer’s magical strength, leaving its wearer a shadow of what it once was. It is truly debilitating for a magic practitioner to be reduced to such a state. Many times the bracer had been forcefully fitted to the enemy of a magic practitioner, rendering them completely useless. They soon disappear as their magical prowess was not once it was. The rumor of some wearer surviving while some died had floated from time to time. Yet there has been no concrete proof to the story. This bracer therefore, becomes the most deadly tool, aside from the blade of an assassin, to bring down a magic practitioner.
I am sending the bracer to my Master, who is wiser and more knowledgeable in matters of magic than this humble one, in hopes he will be able to puzzle out some way to remove its curse.
The private journal’s next few pages detailed a good rendering of the bracer’s shape, engravings with annotations. It also listed what was known about the curse. Winter looked up to Minalan.
“Sorry. That is all I have at the moment. I already requested for the Master’s journal. But it might take a while for it to arrive. My contact apparently misplaced it with another shipment.”
Winter groaned in frustration. He was so close!
“Next shipment will be in about three months time. I will try to rush it. But I am not very hopeful.” Minalan’s countenance was apologetic.
“What if I go to where your contact is and find the book?”
“I am afraid at your current skill level you are not good enough to venture to Northern Continent. I am sorry.”
Winter had no retort for such honest assessment. He too doubted, that at the moment, he had the ability to reach such a faraway place safely. It would not change in three months, too.
“I guess I can only wait,” Minalan nodded. Winter handed the book back.
A thump and muffled sound could be heard. Both turned to look at the source. Adria was staggering around left and right. She carried a packed sack overly large for her age. It blocked
her head, which was why she was bumping the walls. Winter caught her before she was about to fall. He immediately could tell what was inside the stuffed pack.
“Why, thank you Adria. That is very thoughtful of you,” Winter helped Adria dispose of the bandages.
You have received Bandages x500.
She grinned at the praise.
“She has been making it for a while. I was quite worried that she would use my bedsheet.”
“Father!” She was blushing. She probably really considered doing just that. Oh dear.
They traded a few more pleasantries before Winter decided that he had stayed long enough. He promised to be back around the time the next delivery would arrive. Meanwhile, since he would be roaming pretty close to the city, he would try his best to visit from time to time.
“Bye, Uncle Winter. Please visit soon. Be safe!”
Adria was waving energetically with both hands. Minalan gave a more reserved goodbye. He continued to stare at Winter, that slowly began to fade in the distance. For himself, Winter was looking over his shoulder, engraving the memory of the little girl in green with jet black twin tails waving at him until he rounded the corner. What he did not see was Adria weeping inside her father’s loving hug.
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Author's Note:
1. Credit to -The Slacker- for the diligent PR
2. Credit to several people that helped with bouncing ideas, being good listener, and random talk that leads to some creative process. No idea if they wanted to be credited for now. But I will leave it open.
3. Special Credit to Veresliosi, Vim1inc, Saxenas1 for bouncing stuff around
4. Sorry folks. Apparently I fail to make the Skill Window sticks closer. Since it looks neat, I think I will leave it like that than changing it and messing it up.
5. Do let me know of mistakes you find. Try as me and my PR to spot them, we might miss some.
*That was probably not the reason why wizards and priests carry staff. But who knows what they were thinking about when they made Royal Road.