Elara's eyes widened as she read the title, her heart racing at the thought of being in the presence of a living being from this world. That the inspect skill couldn't determine the elemental's level was not that concerning, to say the least. She was still only a level 1 Voidstalker. She took a step back from the flame; her gaze never leaving its flickering form. She considers what to do. The elemental does not seem to be able to get to her. The ring of stones seems to keep it inside.
Her brow furrowed as she studied the flickering flame. Should she kill it? Isn't that what you do in RPGs to earn XP? But she does not feel too good about trying to harm a creature that has done nothing to her and does not seem to be a danger to her anytime soon. This wasn't like the monsters she had fought in games - this was a living, breathing (?) creature. A child, even, at least, it is what the name suggests. The thought of harming it made her stomach turn.
She inched closer, tilting her head as she observed the elemental. Its movements were mesmerizing, becoming more frantic the closer she got, the purple light casting dancing shadows around the chamber. Chewing on her lip, she glanced around the room, searching for another way forward. The three glowing doors were still locked, but maybe she could use Voidwalk to enter them as she had done before.
Her gaze drifted back to the elemental. It swayed more gently when her focus left the elemental. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the creature, trapped in this chamber for however long. But then again, she does not know if elementals are even able to feel, if they have the capacity for emotions.
She turned away from the trapped elemental with a sigh, deciding to ignore it for now. She made her way back to the stone compartments lining the walls, her mind whirring with possibilities. She had already tried all the ones within reach, but one row remained unexplored, tantalizingly out of her grasp. She scanned the room, searching for a way to reach the higher compartments. Surprisingly, there was no chair or ladder in sight. Her gaze fell upon the compartments she had already opened, an idea forming in her mind.
With a determined set to her jaw, she began pulling out the stone compartments one by one, their weight straining her muscles as she heaved them onto the ground. The stone was heavy, but the compartments slid out easily once she got them moving. She worked methodically, creating a column of compartments that slowly grew taller with each addition. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she maneuvered the heavy stone, her breathing labored with the effort.
As she stacked the last compartment, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. The column of compartments resembled a makeshift staircase leading up to the previously unreachable rows. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Elara took a moment to catch her breath, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. She eyed the improvised staircase, hoping it would hold her weight as she climbed to explore the higher compartments.
With a deep breath, she placed her foot on the first stone step, testing its stability. The compartment held firm, giving her the confidence to proceed. She began ascending the staircase. She opened the first one, her breath held in anticipation, only to find it empty. Disappointment flickered across her face, but she pressed on, determined to explore every nook and cranny of this room. One by one, she opened the compartments, each revealing nothing but dust and disappointment. Her hopes began to dwindle as she neared the end of the row, wondering if her efforts had been in vain.
As she reached for the second to last compartment, she pulled it open, bracing herself for another empty space, but instead, her eyes widened in surprise. Inside, nestled among the shadows, was a belt. Her heart leapt with excitement as she reached in and carefully extracted the item. The belt was made of black leather, its surface smooth and supple to the touch. Four satchels were attached to it, two in the back and two in the front, each positioned on either side.
A grin spread across her face as she turned the belt over in her hands, marveling at her discovery. Finally, something tangible, something she could use in this strange world. The belt felt sturdy and well-crafted, its weight reassuring in her grasp. Eager to learn more about her newfound treasure, she focused her mind and activated her Inspect skill. The system responded, providing her with a detailed description of the item.
Duskbuck Leather Belt
Quality: Superior
This belt is crafted from the hide of a Duskbuck, a regal goat with fur the color of twilight and horns that gleam with a faint iridescence. Duskbucks are often seen grazing on the edges of shadowy forests.
Her eyes sparkled with wonder as she read the description, her imagination conjuring images of the majestic-sounding creature. Her curiosity was piqued as she opened each of the four satchels attached to the Duskbuck Leather Belt. Inside, she discovered an array of crystals in various colors, their surfaces gleaming in the dim light provided by the elemental.
Intrigued, she focused her mind and activated her Inspect skill on the pile of crystals. The system responded, revealing their true nature:
Mana Crystals
These crystals are infused with arcane energy and are commonly used for spells and to power enchanted objects. The different colors represent various types of mana, each with its unique properties.
Her eyes widened as she read the description, her heart racing with excitement. Mana crystals! She had only ever heard of such things in fantasy stories, but here they were, real and tangible in her hands. She couldn't help but feel giddy.
With a grin, she threw the belt over her shoulder, letting it hang there as she turned her attention to the last compartment. She reached in, her fingers searching the shadows, but found nothing. A twinge of disappointment flickered through her, but the thrill of her previous discoveries quickly overshadowed it. She made her way down the improvised staircase; her steps light and eager as she approached the table where the Juvenile Fire Elemental danced within its circle of stones. She couldn't help but feel a strange kinship with the creature, both of them trapped in this unfamiliar world.
"Hey there, little one," Elara said softly, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She felt a bit silly talking to a flame, but something about the elemental's presence compelled her to share her findings. "You won't believe what I just found! Mana crystals, can you imagine? I wonder what we could do with them."
As she spoke, the Juvenile Fire Elemental seemed to respond to her words, its flickering form moving more animatedly, leaning towards her as if drawn to her presence. The purple light cast by the elemental danced across her face, casting shadows that shifted with each movement of the flame. Piqued by curiosity, she laid out the mana crystals on the table, with their vibrant colors catching the light and casting different hues across the surface. She began to sort them by color, her fingers deftly separating the crystals into distinct piles.
As she focused her mind and activated her Inspect skill on each group, the system revealed the type of mana contained within the crystals. Three of them, she discovered, were infused with the crackling energy of electricity, their surfaces flickering with tiny sparks. Two crystals, cool to the touch, held the essence of ice within their translucent depths. She could almost feel the chill emanating from them as she set them aside. The next three crystals, a mesmerizing shade of blue, contained the flowing power of water. They seemed to ripple and shimmer as if capturing the movement of a gentle stream.
But it was the last group of crystals that caught her attention. Five of them, a deep, vibrant red, pulsed with the heat and intensity of fire. As she moved these crystals, she noticed a change in the Juvenile Fire Elemental's behavior. The elemental, which had been following her movements with what seemed like curiosity, suddenly became more animated. Its flickering form danced with increased fervor, the purple flames leaping and swaying as if in excitement.
Elara watched, fascinated, as the elemental's reaction grew more pronounced with each fire mana crystal she placed on the table. It was as if the elemental could sense the presence of its own element, drawn to the crystals like a moth to a flame. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she observed the elemental's enthusiasm. She couldn't help but wonder if the crystals could somehow be used to interact with the creature, to communicate or even form a connection.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she picked up one of the fire mana crystals, its warmth seeping into her fingers. She held it aloft, hovering it above the Juvenile Fire Elemental's flickering form. Slowly, she waved the crystal back and forth, watching intently for any reaction from the elemental. To her amazement, the elemental's flames seemed to follow the movement of the crystal, stretching upward as if yearning to touch it. The purple fire danced and swayed, its movements synchronized with the crystal's path. Her heart raced with excitement as she realized her theory might be correct.
Emboldened by the elemental's response, she experimented further. She moved the crystal in different patterns, circles, and zigzags, observing how the elemental's flames adapted to each motion. The Juvenile Fire Elemental seemed to be not only aware of the crystal's presence, but actively engaging with it. Her mind whirred with possibilities. If the elemental could respond to the crystal's movements, perhaps it could understand her as well. She took a deep breath, feeling a bit foolish, but her curiosity outweighed her reservations.
"Can you understand me?" Elara asked softly, her voice echoing in the chamber. The Juvenile Fire Elemental's flames continued to dance, but there was no discernible response to her question.
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Undeterred, she tried again. "If you can understand me, could you flicker your flames? Just a quick flicker, like a yes."
She held her breath, waiting for a sign. Seconds felt like hours as she watched the elemental's purple fire, hoping for any sign that it had comprehended her words. And then it happened. The Juvenile Fire Elemental's flames flickered, not just once, but twice in rapid succession. Her eyes widened, her heart leaping with a mixture of shock and elation. The elemental had understood her! It had responded to her request, confirming that communication was possible. A flood of questions that had been swirling in her mind since she first awoke in this strange world burst forth, tumbling from her lips in rapid succession.
"Do you know where we are? How did you get here? Is there a way out of this place? Is this really a shampoo factory? What is the purpose of all these empty rooms and hallways?" Elara's words came out in a rush, her eyes wide and eager as she looked to the elemental for answers. But as she spoke, she noticed a change in the Juvenile Fire Elemental's behavior. With each question she posed, the elemental seemed to shrink, its flames diminishing and flickering weakly. The once vibrant purple fire dwindled, as if overwhelmed by the barrage of inquiries.
Her excitement faltered as she observed the elemental's reaction. A pang of guilt struck her as she realized her mistake. In her eagerness, she had forgotten that the elemental had only learned to respond with a simple yes. Asking complex questions that required more than a binary answer was beyond its current capabilities.
"I'm sorry," she apologized softly, her voice tinged with regret. "I got carried away. I forgot you can only answer with yes currently." She paused, considering how to proceed. If the elemental could show a yes, it made sense to establish a signal for a negative response as well. Her brow furrowed as she pondered the best way to communicate this idea.
"Okay, let's try something," she began, her tone gentle and encouraging. "When I ask a question, if the answer is no, I want you to wave your flames from side to side, like this." She demonstrated the motion with her hand, drifting it from left to right. The Juvenile Fire Elemental watched intently, its flames flickering with what seemed like understanding.
"And if you don't know the answer to a question," she continued, "I want you to make yourself small, like you did just now. Can you do that for me?" The elemental responded with a flicker, showing its comprehension. Elara smiled, a sense of progress and connection blossoming within her.
Armed with their newly established communication system, Elara asked the Juvenile Fire Elemental a series of questions, hoping to gain some insight into their shared predicament. "Do you know where we are?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
The elemental's flames waved from side to side, showing a clear no. Her heart sank a little, but she pressed on, determined to gather as much information as possible. "What about outside this room? Do you know what's out there?" she inquired, gesturing towards the doorway.
Again, the elemental responded with a side-to-side wave, signaling its lack of knowledge. Her brow furrowed as she considered the implications. If the elemental didn't know what lay beyond the chamber, it was likely that it had been confined to this space for an extended period.
Her gaze drifted to the circle of stones that surrounded the Juvenile Fire Elemental, a question forming in her mind. "Can you leave that circle?"
The elemental's flames waved from side to side once more, confirming her suspicion that it was indeed trapped within the confines of the stone ring. A pang of sympathy washed over her as she imagined the elemental's isolation and confinement.
"Do you want to leave?" She asked softly, her voice tinged with understanding. This time, the elemental's flames flickered upward, a clear and enthusiastic yes. Her heart swelled with a newfound sense of purpose. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving the small elemental behind, trapped and alone in this strange place.
"If I remove the circle of stones," she said, her voice filled with determination, "would you like to come with me?" The Juvenile Fire Elemental's flames leaped and danced, flickering with an unmistakable yes. Elara grinned, a sense of camaraderie and shared adventure blossoming between them.
"Alright then," she declared, her eyes sparkling with resolve. "Let's figure out how to get you out of there." A notification from the system interrupted Elara, its sudden appearance causing her to blink in surprise. The message read,
Congratulations!
You have successfully tamed Juvenile Fire Elemental [Level: ??].
As your newest companion, this fiery creature will accompany you on your journey, bringing its elemental power to your aid. With proper care and training, it has the potential to grow into a formidable ally. Be sure to nurture your bond and unlock its full potential as you continue your adventures together!
Her eyes widened as she read the information, her mind struggling to process the implications of what she had just accomplished.
At the end of the notification, a question appeared, asking if she wished to tame the Juvenile Fire Elemental. Shock and disbelief washed over her as she stared at the words. She glanced at the elemental, its flames dancing with anticipation, and a surge of excitement filled her. Without hesitation, she selected "Yes," her decision fueled by a mixture of curiosity and the growing bond she felt with the fiery creature.
The system then prompted her to give the Juvenile Fire Elemental a name. She turned her attention to the elemental, watching as it swayed up and down rapidly, its movements reminiscent of an enthusiastic dance. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as an idea formed in her mind. "Boogie," she declared, her voice filled with affection. "I'll call you Boogie."
The newly named Boogie flickered with delight, its flames leaping and twirling in a joyful display. She couldn't help but grin, feeling a sense of connection and camaraderie with her new companion. A notification from the system chimed, drawing her attention. The message read,
Congratulations!
General Skill Acquired: Taming [Level 1]."
Elara's eyes widened as she read the description of her newly acquired ability.
[Taming lvl 1]: Allows the user to tame a creature. A creature can be tamed by gaining its favor and goodwill. A tamed creature has a special bond with its master. It can be ordered and used in battle. The more creatures that are tamed, the harder they are to control. Control increases with leveling this skill.
Elara glanced at Boogie, and a sense of wonder filled her. As if sensing her thoughts, Boogie flickered and danced, its flames leaping with joy. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the elemental's heat. Another notification appeared, catching her attention.
New system interface available: Beast Panel.
She focused her mind, accessing the newly unlocked interface. The Beast Panel materialized before her, a holographic display filled with information about Boogie.
Name: Boogie
Class: – Juvenile Fire Elemental lvl 22
- Combat: Flame Burst - lvl 2
- Body Enhancement: Inferno Shield - lvl 9
- Passive: Elemental Affinity – lvl 7
- Passive: Heat Resistance – lvl EX
- Passive: Pyrokinetic Aura - lvl 8
Status:
Strength: 14
Vitality 47
Dexterity 36
Intelligence 6
Wisdom 11
Luck 20
Health: 846/846
Stamina: 1250/1250
Mana: 210/210
Elara stared at the Beast Panel, her eyes wide with astonishment as she took in Boogie's impressive stats. The Juvenile Fire Elemental, despite its small size and playful demeanor, possessed a level of power that far exceeded her expectations. With a health of 846 and a stamina of 1250, Boogie's resilience and endurance were truly remarkable. As she continued to study the panel, her gaze fell upon Boogie's intelligence stat. A mere 6 points, the same as her own, it seemed to pale in comparison to the elemental's other attributes. A flicker of understanding crossed her mind as she considered the implications. Boogie's low intelligence could explain the ease with which she had tamed the elemental, as well as its seemingly carefree nature.
However, a moment of self-reflection gave Elara pause. She recalled her humble beginnings within the system, starting with an intelligence of just 1. The realization that she, too, had begun at such a low point made her question the significance of Boogie's intelligence stat. Perhaps it was not as indicative of the elemental's potential as she had initially thought. Her mind swirled with conflicting thoughts and theories. She wondered if the system's influence played a role in the growth and development of both humans and beasts. The stark contrast between her journey and Boogie's raised more questions than answers. She longed for someone to discuss these musings with, someone who could provide more than a simple yes or no responses.
As she gazed at Boogie, the elemental's flames danced and flickered, oblivious to the complex thoughts running through her mind. Elara shifted her focus to the circle of colorful stones surrounding Boogie, her mind set on finding a way to release the Juvenile Fire Elemental from its confinement. With a deep breath, she activated her Inspect skill, directing her attention to the intricate ring of stones. The system responded with a burst of information, providing Elara with the details she sought.
Circle of Elemental Binding: This magical circle is designed to contain and control elemental beings. It restricts their movement and limits their power.
As she studied the stones, an idea formed in her mind. The glyph symbols etched into each stone held a familiar resonance, and she realized that her Novice Glyph Insight skill might hold the key to deciphering the circle's magical mechanism. She set about examining the symbols, her eyes tracing the patterns etched into each stone. The system had granted her insight into glyphs, and now she intended to put that knowledge to use.
She carefully scrutinized the circle, focusing on understanding its structure and purpose. She attempted to discern any patterns or connections between the symbols, hoping to unravel the intricate magic that held Boogie captive. The task proved challenging, but she remained steadfast in her efforts. She pieced together the meanings of the glyphs one by one, allowing her intuition and newfound skills to guide her through the puzzle. With each symbol she decoded, a clearer picture emerged in her mind. As she delved deeper into the arcane language, a sudden realization struck her. The key to deactivating the ring lay in the specific order of three particular stones.
Congratulations! You have learned a new Glyph: Elemental Binding.
Ignoring the system's notification, and with newfound determination, she carefully examined each stone, her eyes darting between the glyphs as she sought the correct sequence. Her heart raced with anticipation as she identified the first stone, then the second, and finally, the third. Taking a deep breath, she reached out and gently removed the stones from the circle, one by one, in the precise order she had deciphered.
As the last stone left its place, the magical circle shimmered and dissipated, its power fading away like a whisper in the wind. Boogie, no longer confined by the invisible barriers, leapt and danced with unbridled excitement. The Juvenile Fire Elemental's flames flickered and swayed, casting a warm glow throughout the chamber. Elara couldn't help but laugh at Boogie's infectious joy. The elemental's enthusiasm was contagious, and she found herself grinning from ear to ear as she watched Boogie's exuberant display. In a moment of pure delight, Boogie bounded towards her, leaping into her outstretched hands.
She cupped her hands together, marveling at how perfectly Boogie's core fit within her grasp. The elemental's warmth radiated through her fingers, a tangible connection between the two of them. As she held Boogie close, she felt a surge of affection for her newfound companion.