3: Test

Amelie sat quietly, her eyes closed.

Jason had long since departed but silence reigned. “It can’t be real,” Sarah finally said, “it has to be some kind of trick.”

She shook her head, “Every one of the applicants was thoroughly searched before reaching me, as thoroughly as anyone can be. I don’t believe it was an item effect.”

Sarah shifted, “But it’s impossible.”

She rocked her head, “That cloak was undoubtedly magic.”

She was silent, “So you think he has some other source?”

“That is the definition of Original Magic,” she looked serious, “if he really has come up with a way to generate mana within himself he will be the first to break the level 60 barrier. He will become the most powerful hunter in the world.” She was quiet for a whole minute then focused, “What do you think he wants?”

“Well, he said he just wants to be an ordinary member, and I think he has a genuine interest in you.”

“But do you believe him?”

“Some men can’t stand the idea of getting a leg up.”

Amelie nodded, “Yes, especially if he really has mastered Original Magic.” She leaned back and contemplated the ceiling, “If it really is Original Magic, then perhaps we can finally start conquering the floors, really conquering them.”

“You’re talking about the main scenarios.”

“Yes, even though hunters have managed to defeat monsters as high as floor 59, we’ve never really conquered a single floor,” she smiled, “after all, moving past a floor without completing its main scenario is like going to the next level without beating the final boss.”

Sarah scratched her temple, “I guess it is,” she rubbed a golden lock, “do you think that’s the real reason we’ve never been able to move past floor 60?”

“The secret must lie in the main scenarios. They’re the only chance we’ve got,” her expression dimmed a little, “not that I would dare say so outside of this room.”

Sarah smiled empathetically, “Even if your grandfather hates following orders, he won’t object to you pursuing a main scenario, not if you can really complete it.”

“Sometimes I think I would be better off starting my own guild. Quests are useful and his predilection has often hindered my own ideals.”

“But then who would lead Fortress into the next century?”

She snorted, “You’re right. Fortress would crumble without me.”

She laughed, “Okay, then who would you start a guild with? Maybe with your supremely gifted husband?”

“You never know.”

“You know your grandfather would never allow it, nor would Allain.”

Her eyes flashed, “What Allain Maxwell thinks is none of my concern!” she spat and Sarah tensed. She sighed, “As for my grandfather, whether he allows it or not may be irrelevant. If MacGregor really has mastered Original Magic it will change the world and I intend to be part of that change… though I doubt matrimony will have anything to do with it.”

She set her jaw, “But it can’t be real, you can’t put your hope in him!”

She stood up, “He has agreed to undergo a special exam. I’ll find out whether it’s real or not!”

***

Jason glanced around and smiled. He supposed this made sense. Outside the dungeon was the best place to test his ability after all.

He stood in the middle of a huge open room, fifty yards on a side. Bright lights beamed overhead and he tried hopping. The floor had a slight spring to it. It was made of some white resinlike material and the walls of the same.

Amelie walked forward. She, he, and Sarah were the only ones in the room.

She still wore the same fitted and flared dress as before but now she had donned a pair of blue sports pants. This was only necessary if she was going to test him. She couldn’t go spinning and charging about in a knee length dress after all.

“So, you’re putting me through this special test. I wonder what I get in return.”

She nodded readily, this was the way of the hunter, they neither got nor gave anything for free, “What do you want?”

“Nothing much. I just want you to help me with the first floor scenario. If we complete it I’ll consider our debt settled.”

Excitement sparked in her eyes but she kept her cool, “Do you really think you can complete the scenario on your first day in the dungeon? Even with Original Magic?”

He thought about it. He supposed it really did sound impossible from her perspective. “Then how bout this, make your team available to me for six hours and we’ll call it good,” he paused, “I’ll even give you second pick on all the drops.”

She glanced down. Second pick meant that he would get first pick of a single item from all boss drops but after that she would be free to split the remaining items amongst her team. The only exception to this was if there were more items than she had teammates but that was unlikely. “Very well,” she agreed, “But if it gets too dangerous my team will withdraw.”

That was fair enough, she wasn’t talking about ordinary danger after all. “Agreed.” He stepped forward to offer his hand.

She took it. He found her hand delicate and soft within his own and they shook.

She displayed a glowing blue stone, no bigger than a fingernail. By its size it was a rare grade mana stone. She crushed it in her palm and it exploded into luminous blue dust. This dust absorbed into her chest and her eyes took on a brighter, sharper light. “Are you prepared?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

He smiled. Truly, the best way to test his abilities was in combat. He showed his hands, “I don’t have a sword.”

She reached into thin air. She pulled out a simple one handed sword, double edged with a triangular pommel, “Will this do?” she asked.

He recognized it as a common rank dungeon drop, basically trash by hunter standards but still better than anything humans could make. He took it in hand. It fit reasonably, if not especially. “Yes.”

She took a breath and pulled out a long and artfully curved sword of her own. He shifted cautiously. From the silver inlaid blade to the emerald inset handle, he was entirely certain this was an epic ranked weapon. He glanced over her. She was also wearing a pair of emerald crescent earrings, and a ruby ring.

Every one of these were undoubtedly epic items and every one of them would raise her stats. If he had to guess her primary stat was likely triple its baseline with every other stat being doubled. “Captain, do you really need so many trinkets to fight me?” he questioned.

She lifted her shoulders, “I do not know the strength of Original Magic. I have no intention of killing you but I also intend to see just how far you can go.”

He laughed, “Then I will tell you plainly, my mana is limitless.”

Her eyes deepened, “What do you mean by that?”

“It’s the truth. My strength is limited by my level 1 physique, but my mana will never run out.”

She stood searching his face but he did not falter. She walked back, “Very well then, show me this limitless mana.”

He grinned. He was happy to. The truth was that he was eager to test out how far he could go against her, just how much mana his body could handle.

“Ready?” she asked as she took a stance and a faint blue glow covered her. This was called a halo. It was a protective layer of mana that would block his sword from ever reaching her.

His cloak manifested around him, like white flames, billowing as lightning crackled throughout it. He adjusted his will and a white glow covered him to his highest strand of hair. Even though it looked like it was made entirely of Holy mana it was actually more than 80% of Earth. This was simply one of the peculiar attributes of the Holy element, whatever it was mixed with it would always will out, at least as far as the appearance of said mana was concerned.

He poured Lightning and Earth mana through every part of his body. His skin took on a golden glow while lightning crackled over it. Earth would grant him great strength and lightning explosive speed. “Ready,” he said, leveling his sword.

Her eyes were like blue fires, “I’m coming,” she warned then she rushed forward.

He shot forward to meet her. He couldn’t let her get the upper hand. Bang! Their swords crashed together and his entire body vibrated.

What strength! He was moving faster than her and yet he was pushed back.

He poured greater power into his legs. His muscles groaned. He flashed ten feet to the right. He flashed back towards her.

She was fast but none of her elements could match lightning. Boom! With a blue spray of mana his sword came down on her shoulder. It suddenly slipped, sliding off her shoulder. This was the effect of a water halo and his eyes went wide. He lost his balance.

She rounded swiftly, her sword slashing toward his collar. Lightning roared around him and he pushed off with all his might. He rolled across the ground.

She charged after him. He struck the ground, shooting to his feet. His lungs seized and his eyes turned a little wild. Steam rose from every part of him and he gripped his sword. He was keeping up with her but at what cost!?

He rushed back at her. She dashed his blade aside then slammed her pommel into his chin.

His head whipped back and his halo broke in a burst of white mist. She slid back, suddenly spinning to deliver a powerful backwards kick to his sternum.

“Oof!” he slid back a dozen feet and clenched his jaws. Blood trickled from his lips. Sweat and steam poured off him and he gasped horsley. “Whoa…” he coughed. She really was just playing with him, no, she was testing him. He laughed lowly. Well, he already knew, he stood no chance.

She did not pursue him, “Well, are you going to heal yourself or not?” she questioned.

He was surprised. Most hunters would give their opponent no respite for this very reason. He pushed back his sweat drenched hair. “By your leave,” he said.

She nodded and he poured Holy mana through his body. Like a fresh water coursing through every vein, it ran all the way down to his toes. Even greater steam poured off of him and he sighed with relief. Strength and vitality returned to his limbs and his head cleared. “Wow…” he murmured. Holy element really was incredible.

She watched him then walked forward. “I hope you’re ready. I don’t intend to stop until I’m sure.”

He laughed. “Then come on. My mana will never run out!”

She rushed at him and unleashed a flurry of blows. Amazing! He had never fought such a swordsman. Fluid yet fierce, every one of his blows turned aside, while she struck with all the weight of a mountain.

“You’re good!” he shouted, and he changed styles, fighting more aggressively.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Her eyes were bright and they fought on.

Lightning crackled all around him. His movements were getting better and better. “What do you think captain? This is my first time using magic, you know,” he goaded.

She nodded, “I’ve seen worse.”

He snorted and gathered mana in his chest. Like a burst damn it rushed into his limbs and his muscles swelled. Her eyes widened and he slashed faster than ever before. She blocked. Boom! His sword exploded.

He could see them, blazing shards, large and small, spinning through the air, like pinwheels of blue fire. One large chunk spun towards his forehead.

He tried to lean back. It was too fast! He set his jaw and it struck his halo. Bang! It exploded and his entire body rang like a bell.

The world was gray then suddenly Amelie was near, her arms around him. She lowered him to the ground but he could not support his head. Hot blood was running down his face. Sarah hurried near. For the second time that day, everything went black.

***

The first thing he was aware of was the scent of rain. Undoubtedly, this was Amelie. A damp cloth touched his brow, wiping it clean, and he smiled contentedly. “Captain, were you worried about me?”

He opened his eyes. He did not lay on her lap but she knelt beside him. It was her hand holding the cloth and a compact pillow had been placed under his head. “How’m I doin?” he asked as every muscle in his body screamed.

Sarah stood beside him with an emerald tipped staff extended, a warm light pouring from it. “Why did you have to strike so hard!? You almost died!” she scolded.

He chuckled weakly, “She could have dodged instead of blocking,” he complained.

Amelie pressed her lips and Sarah frowned, “Still stupid.”

Yup. Stupid. There was no reason why he had to push so hard.

He forced some air into his lungs and exercised his own power. Holy mana rushed through his veins and he instantly gained strength.

He felt better and better and Amelie watched, “Your mana really is without end,” she murmured.

He could understand her amazement. For ordinary hunters mana was an extremely finite commodity. In fact it was the primary reason no hunter had ever made it past level 60. “Like I said, my mana is limitless, it is only my body that is weak.”

He spoke lightly but she stared into his eyes, “are you willing to tell me the source of this mana?”

He considered, “Before long,” he promised.

She was silent then nodded. “I understand. This is a great secret.”

He nodded soberly, “Captain, there is something I must do.”

She was equally solemn, “What is that?”

He sat up slowly and turned to face her. He lifted hand and showed her his open hand. “Just this,” fwap, he suddenly flicked her between the eyes and she blinked twice. “Sorry, you just looked so serious I couldn’t resist.”

Her lips formed a hard line but then the faintest smile, “You must really want to die.”

He laughed, “So what do you say cap? Can we go to the dungeon?”

“Do you really think you can clear the main scenario? No one ever has.”

“We’ll never know until we try,” he created a ball of lightning in his palm then quenched it, “my ability is uniquely suited to main scenarios after all.”

“That is true.” She stood up and offered him a hand, “Then let’s be going.”

“Let’s,” he agreed and she pulled him up.