Vel and I spent some time cradling each other. Our perch gave us a nice view of the village from afar. The mana lights made it a beacon among the darkness.
I mindlessly played with her hair while I replayed the day's events in my mind. We had taken a lot of risks to complete the mission. It had paid off but I wouldn't deny that if I had to do it again, I would take another approach. Which approach? That was another question.
"You're overthinking again," I heard Vel murmur against me.
"Yes," I said sheepishly.
"Stop it," she poked me in the ribs, "it's cute but it's also annoying."
"Sorry," I kissed the top of her head, "I just can't help myself."
"Tell me about your other life," she said.
I blinked in surprise. Where had that come from?
"I'm curious," she continued as if she had read my mind, "neither of us had truly left the village before. The last three days have been so different, I finally saw all those things we heard about, explored an ancient ruin, found a hidden chamber, fought a kobold priestess. I guess I got a taste of adventure."
"So I'm curious about what kind of adventures you went through in that other world."
"It wasn't really all that thrilling …" I trailed off. My life on earth hadn't been particularly eventful.
"What was everyday life like? What did you do all day? Was it at all like here?"
"No. It was incredibly different," I said, "First, I was a human. Second there was no mana or magic, no classes, no skills, and no system."
"A human? Like, pink flesh and all?"
"Yup."
Our discussion on earth continued for a while. Vel asked questions about my life. I had never considered my life that interesting but she was enthralled by my university days shenanigans. We talked for an hour or so before Vel felt too tired.
I let her sleep and opened my status. There were a few things I wanted to take care of before checking out for the day. I had let my attribute points for a while. With my already high-ish stats I hadn't been too worried but the experience in the fort told me that it was wise to improve before I found myself in the same situation again.
The same went for skill points, they did me no good sitting there when I could use them to raise key skills faster. Sure it was mathematically more efficient to wait before using points but on the other hand, I might end up needing those higher leveled skills sooner than I thought.
System Action
Increase [Druid] to level 4 for 1 CP
Increase [Magus] to level 4 for 1 CP
Cost: 2 CP, Left: 0 CP
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Increase scaling of Strength from E to D
Increase scaling of Vitality from D to C
Cost: 2 AS, Left: 0 AS
Increase Intelligence from 84 to 99 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Wisdom from 73 to 83 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Spirit from 77 to 87 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Mind from 66 to 76 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Endurance from 57 to 62 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Vitality from 41 to 46 (cost: 5 AP)
Increase Agility from 63 to 68 (cost: 5 AP)
Cost: 35 AP, Left: 0 AP
Increase [Identify (II)] from 7 to 40 (cost: 33 SP)
Increase [Identify (II)] to [Identify (III)] (cost: 1 SP)
Increase [Nature Lore (I)] from 12 to 20 (cost: 8 SP)
Increase [Nature Lore (I)] to [Nature Lore (II)] (cost: 1 SP)
Cost: 43 SP, Left: 2 SP
Confirm [Y/N]
System Message
Class [Druid] has 1 free skill purchase
Class [Magus] has 1 free skill purchase
Class [Druid] can now memorize 10th level spells
[Nature Lore (II)] can now create 6th level spells
I kept the free skill for later and closed my eyes. It was time to rest. I didn’t expect the return trip to be all that dangerous, compared to what happened before, but tired people made mistakes and I didn't really want to be one of them.
----------------------------------------
The sound of a thunderclap woke me up. I wasn't the heaviest sleeper and I often woke up during thunderstorms. The problem was, there was no rain. I couldn't see a single cloud through my sphere either, nor rain falling. Another booming sound rang out in the distance and I focused my attention in its direction.
Something was happening in the village. The remnants of a massive fireball were dissipating in the air above the buildings. I shook Vel to wake her up. Something was happening and I had a bad feeling about it.
"Wha… What's going on?"
"There's something happening in the village," I said.
She turned around just as another bolt of lightning crashed down. I couldn't see the caster but I had recognized the telltale flare of a spell circle.
"They're under attack? We have to go!"
"No," a voice said from outside our shelter, "stay here."
Amara, probably the scout that had been shadowing us, peeked inside.
"But …" Vel started.
"Someone is attacking the village. You will stay safe here while I go assist. I will send a scout to fetch you when it's over. I have a feeling we'll need some healers in top shape."
I wanted to protest but from the scale of the spells being thrown about, neither Vel nor I were anywhere near their weight class. And Amara was right. Healers weren't supposed to be on the front lines.
"I'm responsible for your safety," Amara said, "do not disappoint me."
She gave us a stern look until we both agreed to stay behind. Amara vanished among the trees faster than either of us could. Even if we ran after her, we would only put ourselves in danger.
Vel took my hand in hers and squeezed.
"What's happening Lis," she whispered.
"I don't know Vel, I don't know."
It took several hours for the spells to stop. Vel and I watched it unfold and stayed silent. I didn't know who was the winner of the duel but I had a feeling several houses would need to be rebuilt. Breknir had almost certainly been involved, he was one of the only high level casters in the village. And from the scale of spells that had been slung around, it had certainly been a bout between two powerful casters.
Slowly, the light came and still no scout came to fetch us.
We waited a few more hours. Until the light of day was firmly there.
Still no scout.
The fires in the villages had died off.
Still no scout.
"I think we lost," I whispered.
It felt wrong to say it out loud.
"What do we do now?"
"I have no idea."