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Santa was lost for words, staring at the bright eyes of the tiny mouse.

“I found something useful,” came Mya’s voice as she appeared beside him, a book cradling in her arm.

"Good day, I am Archibald Winterwick, a student mage of this esteemed Magic Tower."

Mya and Santa gazed at the mouse in shock. Archibald, despite its diminutive size, carried himself with an air of noble elegance. "And who might you be? Judging by your attire and stature, you're Santa and an elf, correct?" the mouse inquired, his tone curious yet refined.

"Yes, hello! We are," Mya replied. "It's ah… A pleasure to meet you, Archibald."

"And a fine mousey greeting to you," Santa chimed in.

"The honour is entirely mine," Archibald responded, his whiskers twitching slightly as he spoke.

Santa and Mya exchanged a quick glance, captivated by the eloquent rodent. Archibald, poised and dignified despite his small stature, continued. "This tower, once a flourishing hub of magical learning, has fallen under the sinister influence of a new headmaster. Students started disappearing one by one, each taken upstairs, never to return."

Mya's eyes widened, "Disappeared? How? Did they all become like you?"

Archibald shook his head, "No, I cast a spell on myself to escape the fate that befell my friends.” He hung his little mouse head in shame. “Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to them after they were taken. All I know is that I am the last one left."

Santa furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "So, this headmaster has been abducting students for some unknown purpose, and these Nutcracker soldiers are here to enforce his will?"

"Exactly," Archibald confirmed, his voice tinged with fear. "He transformed this once noble academy into a prison of secrets. I've been hiding here, avoiding those soldiers, waiting for someone to help us...."

Out of nowhere, a textbox burst into existence, bathing the library in a warm, golden glow. The text shimmered before them, heralding their next mission in a display that brought a touch of optimism to the otherwise dimly lit room.

❄ New Quest? ❄

Advancement Quest: The Mysterious Tower (Part 2)

Description:

You have met a friendly person/mouse, who can explain the strange goings of the tower. It seems there’s bad juju afoot, caused by an evil headmaster. Find out more and save anyone who needs saving.

Objective:

Explore the tower and find what has happened to the other students.

Rewards:

Experience Points

Advancement to Part 3

Accept? Yes/No

Santa, without hesitation, pressed 'Accept' on the quest, brushing aside the mouse's baffled expression at the sudden golden light show. "Can't ignore a quest, right?" he chuckled, turning to Archibald with a wink.

❄ Quest Accepted! ❄

Kneeling to meet Archibald's gaze, Mya said, "We're going to find out what's going on and put a stop to it."

Santa grinned and puffed out his chest. "Archibald Winterwick, you have allies now. We'll uncover the truth behind these disappearances and bring justice to this tower."

“Be careful the headmaster is treacherous and devious," Archibald added. "Before the others and I could escape, the headmaster transported the entire tower to this remote island, cloaking it in a deceptive guise."

Mya chimed in, "That explains the outside. But why fruitcake? That's an odd choice for a disguise."

“To blend in with the Christmas magic I’m thinking…” Santa mused, his mind racing with the implications of Archibald's tale. "And what of the other students?" he asked, concern etching his voice.

Archibald's tiny face fell, his whiskers drooping. "I fear for them," he admitted. "I’m unaware of their fate. When the headmaster enacted his spell, I lost track of them. They could be anywhere in the tower, transformed, hidden or worse."

Santa's heart ached at the thought of the students' plight, as Father Christmas he vowed many years ago to brighten the future of all good children and protect the season. The tower, once a place of learning and magic, had become a prison of sorts, its inhabitants either missing or forced into hiding. He glanced at Mya, determination in his eyes.

"We need to find this headmaster," Santa declared. "And put an end to his reign of terror. No one should wield magic for such nefarious purposes, especially not in a place meant for children. Little Archibald will you accompany us to stop this?"

The mouse nodded. “Of course.”

As Archibald Winterwick graciously accepted Santa's invitation to join their quest, he leaped onto Santa's shoulder, nimbly finding a secure spot near the white ruffled collar of Santa's coat. Santa chuckled as he adjusted to the mouse's presence, a newfound companion.

With Archibald comfortably settled in, Mya eagerly showed what she had been clutching, waving the book in front of Santa. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she explained, "Look what I found! It's a spell book, Santa!"

"Indeed, that one’s a book on sorcery," Archibald said.

Santa leaned in to examine the book, his curiosity piqued. However, before he could delve into its contents, a shimmering notification appeared before them.

🌟 New Discovery! 🌟

[Mya has found a Skill Book: Christmas Sorcerer!]

🌟 Skill Book: Christmas Sorcerer

Description:

Mya is now eligible to become a Christmas-themed witch, specializing in festive sorcery.

Santa's eyes twinkled with delight as he read the notification. Mya looked at the message, her excitement mounting. "How many spells do I get?" she asked eagerly.

Santa smiled, recalling his own experience. "Well, when I started, I just got one," he explained. "But I was just level one at the time. Then when I read my own specific spell book, I gained additional spells as I levelled up."

Mya's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she opened the spell book, ready to explore the world of Christmas-themed sorcery. However, as she did so, the book dissolved into a flurry of shimmering lights, and the system flashed before them, revealing the stunning transformation.

✨ Class Unlocked! ✨

With a series of deft gestures, Mya navigated through invisible menus, leaving Santa astonished by her proficiency. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she eagerly pointed at something, inviting Santa to take a look. In a moment of wonder, she revealed her character sheet.

🌟Mya: Christmas Sorceress – level 3

STM: 5

INT: 10

WIS: 7

STR: 3

AGI: 10

CHR: 10

Spells:

Frosty Flurry

Joyful Jingle

Gift of Light

Skills: 0

Passives: 0

Mya's excitement grew exponentially as she realized the true extent of her newfound powers. "Three spells!" she exclaimed; her voice filled with wonder.

✨ Frosty Flurry

Description:

You conjure a flurry of magical snowflakes and unleash them at a target of your choice within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target.

Effect:

Deals low to moderate magical damage depending on the caster's level and magical power. Has a high chance to freeze the target for a brief period. Leaves a trail of snowflakes.

Damage: 3 – 5

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Spell incantation: “Frosty Frost!”

Cooldown: 50 seconds.

Range: 60 feet

Additional Notes:

This spell embodies the essence of winter and can be flavoured with festive imagery like snowflakes adorned with tinsel or holiday decorations.

✨ Joyful Jingle

Description:

You conjure a magical jingle that fills the air with joy and positivity. Choose one friendly creature within range to target with the jingle's effects.

Effect:

While concentrating on this spell, the targeted creature gains a +6 bonus to their lowest combat stat. Additionally, the targeted creature's morale is boosted, providing resistance against fear effects.

Spell incantation: “Joy to the world!”

Cooldown: 1 hour.

Range: 40 feet

Additional Notes:

This spell embodies the spirit of celebration and can be flavoured with festive jingles and holiday melodies. The resistance against fear effects represents the confidence and cheer instilled by the spell.

✨ Gift of Light

Description:

You conjure a soft, festive light that illuminates a dark area within range.

Effect:

Choose a point you can see within range, and a 20-foot radius sphere of light spreads out from that point, providing bright illumination. This light lasts for the duration and dispels darkness and magical darkness within its area.

Spell incantation: “Illumination!”

Cooldown: none

Range: 40 feet

Additional Notes:

This spell embodies the magic of the holiday season, bringing warmth and brightness to dark places.

Santa marvelled at Mya's newfound abilities, fully aware of how valuable her spells would be in a tight spot. The festive magic she wielded was a potent tool, and he couldn't help but smile with pride at the youngest elf's progress. Twixy had been right; this young one was turning out to be an excellent leveling companion.

The thought ignited a sense of determination within him. In the face of the emerging threat and the mysteries they were unravelling, leveling up would undoubtedly be their most crucial focus.

Archibald chimed in with a squeak, "What are these glowing magical boxes?”

Santa then swiftly explained to his tiny rodent companion about the system that Twixy had created.

“Wow… Quite remarkable. It would take a regular student weeks, if not months, to learn a single spell. Truly remarkable."

Santa nodded, acknowledging the uniqueness of their situation. "You see, while you students may be new to this type of magic, my elves and I have been casting Christmas spells for generations. It's a different kind of power, one that's deeply intertwined with the holiday spirit."

This conversation led Santa to a question that had been lingering in his mind. "Archibald, I couldn't help but notice that you weren't surprised to see us. Most creatures would have been startled. Can you explain why?"

Archibald's whiskers twitched as he answered, "Well, Santa, it's because I've seen elves before. The ones who control the Nutcrackers and create them for the headmaster are dark elves."

Santa and Mya exchanged shocked glances as the revelation sank in. Dark elves, a race once believed to have disappeared into the annals of history, were now implicated in the sinister activities within the tower.

"Dark elves?" Santa exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise. "And here I thought they had vanished completely."

Mya nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing in deep thought. "Remember that invoice we found? It seems it wasn't just a name; those were actual dark elves involved."

Santa couldn't help but shudder at the implications. Distant memories of past encounters with these mischievous creatures flooded his mind. While his elves primarily donned green and symbolized all that was good, the dark elves wore black tunics and harboured deep-seated anger towards the world around them.

Archibald confirmed their presence, revealing that up until only a few days ago, dark elves had indeed been scurrying around the halls of the tower. They were responsible for the creation of the menacing Nutcracker soldiers and carried out the new headmaster's orders. However, mysteriously a few days ago most of the dark elves and many of the Nutcrackers had vanished without a trace, leaving only a few guards to patrol the tower.

The situation grew more perplexing and ominous with each revelation, and Santa and Mya couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency in uncovering the truth.

As the group left the library, Archibald took on the role of their guide, filling in the gaps where Santa's magical mini-map failed them. Navigating through the tower's intricate halls, they moved steadily upward until they reached the next level.

🎄Santa’s party has left: Cotton Candy Island (Mysterious Tower - First floor)

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🎄Santa’s party has entered: Cotton Candy Island (Mysterious Tower - Second floor)

There, standing in their path, were two imposing Nutcrackers, barring their way to the hallway beyond.

[Nutcracker Guard, Level 13]

[Nutcracker Guard, Level 14]

Santa's heart sank as he assessed the situation. He realized that these soldiers would put up a formidable fight, and given the hallway's layout and their current position, there was no way to approach them stealthily. His recent experiences had taught him that a prolonged battle with these soldiers would be far worse the longer it dragged on. However, if he could dispatch them quickly and without alerting them, they had a much better chance of success.

As they peered around the corner, Mya smirked with a mischievous glee as she asked if they could use magic.

Santa studied the soldiers, aware that his festive magic was explosive enough to potentially cause significant collateral damage to the tower and would put them all in danger. Mya's frosty magic, on the other hand, might prove effective against the Nutcrackers' joints. They quickly formulated a plan.

Santa reached into his sack, pulling out not one, but two crowbars. He decided to dual-wield them, putting aside his Mistletoe Missile for a more melee-oriented approach. With a grim determination, Santa readied himself for the impending battle.

“Ready?” Santa asked as Archibald jumped from Santa shoulder onto Mya’s.

“Ready!” Archibald and Mya echoed.

Santa nodded, “Okay on, three… Two… One!”

Mya jumped into the hallway, her voice ringing out with the incantation of her first spell, "Frosty Frost!"

The air around Mya crackled with wintry energy as she unleashed her spell, directing a flurry of magical snowflakes toward the Nutcrackers. Santa wasted no time and positioned himself in front.

Just as Santa began to charge, Mya's voice rang out, melodically singing, "Joy to the world!" Her voice carried a magical tune that infused Santa with festive joy. An instant surge of energy coursed through him, boosting his agility exponentially. Before he knew it, Santa was hurtling down the hallway with astonishing speed, surprising the Nutcrackers, who eyed him with a mixture of shock and confusion. They attempted to ready their halberds, but their joints were temporarily fused, leaving them in a state of befuddlement.

Santa activated his leap ability, launching himself forward in a blur of red motion. Both crowbars flew up, their curved ends gleaming as they rose high. With remarkable swiftness, he brought them down directly onto the tops of the Nutcrackers' wooden heads, yanking them forward before they could even blink. Slowed by the icy magic that had penetrated their joints, the Nutcrackers could do nothing but blink in response as Santa forcefully pulled them downward, causing them to crash onto their faces, revealing the hidden compartments within.

With practiced precision, Santa ripped free his crowbars in a shower of splinters and delivered two well-placed thwacks, shattering the power sources hidden at the bases of their wooden skulls.

[+600 EXP]

[+700 EXP]

The Nutcrackers lay defeated, their once-mighty forms reduced to motionless heaps on the floor, their weapons dissolving into metallic slag before anyone could react.

"Nice job!" called out Mya as she ran down the hall, dragging Santa's sack behind her.

"That spell of yours is nifty. Froze them up before they could even call out for help."

Mya grinned with pride.

"Astonishing! To think that was the first time casting such a spell!" Archibald squeaked.

Santa raised his hand, and Mya leaped to slap it, ending the high five with an audible clap.

"Go team," Santa's beard twitched as he smiled.

"Now what?" asked Mya.

Santa's head tilted as he turned his attention to what the Nutcrackers had been guarding. The room at the end of the hall appeared to be a gate between floors, preventing students from proceeding further. He squinted up above the door, where a sign had once been, but it looked like all of its paint had been scratched off, leaving it bare and unreadable.

"Archibald," Santa inquired, "What was this place?"

The mouse glanced up, his whiskers twitching thoughtfully. "This here is what the students used to call the halfway home. It served as a boundary between the quarters of younger and older students. It was also where the student supply shop used to be."

Intrigued, Santa approached the door and grasped the handle, only to find it firmly locked.

"Is there another way up the tower?" Mya asked frustrated.

“Afraid not…”

"Hang on," Santa said, determined to open the door. He attempted to use his immense strength to force it open, but to his surprise, the door remained stubbornly shut. It seemed that it might be locked by magical means.

"Look over there," Archibald pointed towards a tiny crack at the bottom of the door gap. It was just wide enough for a mouse to potentially squeeze through. "I could try unlocking the door from the other side, but it might prove to be a challenge."

Santa nodded, his gaze shifting to the mouse's tiny yet cute little paws. After a brief hesitation, he reluctantly agreed to let Archibald attempt to unlock the door from the other side.

"Be careful," he cautioned the mouse. "And if you encounter any danger, come straight back."

With a determined nod, the tiny mouse embarked on his precarious journey under the door, disappearing into the unknown beyond.

Mya and Santa exchanged worried glances as echoes of sound reverberated from beyond. Time seemed to drag on, and Santa felt a rising sense of concern filling his chest. He couldn't help but wonder whether the little mouse could manage to find a way to open the door with his tiny little hands or if something more sinister would befall the critter on the other side.

Amid the uncertainty, Mya broke Santa's concentration with a question. "Santa? You levelled up, right?"

Santa nodded.

Mya pointed to the sack, her mind working on a strategy. "Should we try to revive the next Elf while we wait?"

Santa's eyes widened, and he grinned at the young elf. Even in the midst of danger and mystery within the tower, Mya's D&D strategic thinking was unwavering. "Who should be our next Elf companion then?" Santa inquired.

A mischievous grin spread across Mya's face as she stated confidently, "Walterfink!"

Santa's eyebrow quirked in surprise. "Are you sure? He's a little... strange, even for an elf."

With unwavering promise, Mya nodded. "Trust me," she said.

Santa let out a sigh, realizing that Mya had sort of reasoning and for the most part he trusted her with his life. So, he reached into his magical sack and retrieved Walterfink, placing the stiff elf on his feet.

Santa raised his voice, invoking the magical spell:

"By the frosty winds of the North, and the starlit skies so vast,

I call upon the Yuletide spirits, echoes of Winter's past.

Rise from your silent slumber, in the snow where you lay,

Awaken now, as I beckon, on this magical sleigh.

With the jingle of bells and a cheer so bright,

Return to the realm of the living, under the aurora light."

As Santa recited the enchanting oath, a radiant light emanated from him, arcing towards Walterfink. The elf's form flickered to life in a fit of coughs and splutters, his eyes wide with bewilderment as he found himself once again among the living.

🛡️Ally has come online.

Walterfink (Level 1 ghoul) ‘The Dullard’ has been revived!

Santa and Mya waited as Walterfink gradually came to terms with his new undead form, taking in the surroundings with a puzzled expression. His skin was even greener than Mya's, giving him an eerie appearance as he looked around in bewilderment. "Where am I?" he asked.

This time, Mya stepped in to fill him in on the situation. "The other elves are dead and we're now inside the mysterious tower to find the ones responsible," she explained patiently, "we are undead ghouls and we've encountered some strange and dangerous things here."

Walterfink, an odd elf who was slightly older than Mya in years but vastly different in mind, nodded as he listened, appearing somewhat oblivious to their predicament. Mya patiently repeated herself several times until the knowledge finally seemed to sink in. When she quizzed him on their current situation, Walterfink's answers were consistently wrong, prompting Mya to repeat herself once more.

Santa couldn't help but roll his eyes at the exchange. Raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Are you sure about this one?"

Mya sighed and responded, "I am... but I'm quickly thinking it was the wrong decision."

Santa scratched his head, puzzled. "Did he suffer from some sort of brain damage? I swear he was never this... dull."

Mya shrugged. "Did your broken hammer in the sack knock him around the head?"

Santa glanced into his magical sack. "I very much hope not. They’re stored in different compartments. Maybe it was the poison in the hot cocoa or something?"

At the mention of cocoa, Walterfink's eyes lit up with childlike enthusiasm. "Cocoa? Yes, please!"

Santa sighed, relenting to the elf's simple request. He retrieved a warm thermos and a cup, pouring a steaming cup of cocoa for Walterfink, and then one for Mya before returning the thermos to his magical sack.

Santa turned to Mya, his brow furrowed with curiosity. "So, what usefulness does Walterfink have in this situation?" he asked, watching as the odd elf drooled cocoa all over himself, looking like he had forgotten the simple skill of drinking from a cup.

Mya replied, her tone thoughtful, "Well, Santa, currently, we have a ranged DPS in the form of me, and you're our melee DPS. But what we're missing is a tank and a healer."

Santa, a perplexed expression on his face, asked, "Please tell me he's not the healer?"

Mya shook her head, chuckling. "Good heavens no. Walterfink is notorious for getting into more workplace accidents than every elf in the workshop combined."

Santa's confusion deepened. "If he's that clumsy, why would we bring him here?"

Mya grinned mischievously and continued, "Well, that's because no matter how many times Walterfink gets knocked about, drops a ton of dolls on his head, gets run over by bikes, or takes a bowling ball to the face, he gets off scot-free and unfazed. Good Santa, looks like we got ourselves a tank!"

🛡️Walterfink (Level 1, ghoul) ‘The Dullard’ has joined the party!

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