Callum strode forward with a determined gait, his mind churning with thoughts of the monster he had encountered and the potential dangers that lay ahead. He reached out to Book, his trusty companion, and sent him soaring through the dense foliage in search of a nearby village. But the response was disheartening – the trees were too thick, the terrain too treacherous, and there seemed to be no sign of civilization for miles around.
Callum gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting as he contemplated his next move. He reviewed the abilities at his disposal, scrolling through a small mental catalog of skills. Only two seemed to hold any promise in a combat situation – the [Wrench Strike] and [Mana Imbue].
He focused on the former, intrigued by its potential power. But as he delved deeper into its properties, he realized it required a wrench – a mechanical tool he had never used before. And yet, as he concentrated, he could picture the exact shape and size of the wrench, the precise measurements of its head, and the opening it would need to fit. It was a mystery to him, but he knew it was connected to his new class and the specialized branches of knowledge that came with it.
Skill Name: [Wrench Strike] Mana Cost: 5 Mana Description: Wrench Strike is a combat ability that allows the tinker to swing their wrench with precision and power, naturally imbuing a bit of their mana into the strike, making it a reliable and effective option in battle. This adds lightning damage to the attack. Usage: Wrench Strike is perfect for those who like to get up close and personal with their enemies. With this ability, you can take down even the toughest opponents with a single well-placed blow. Plus, you’ll look pretty badass doing it. (Requires: Wrench) Level-up Requirements: To level up in Wrench Strike, you’ll need to prove your badassery by striking enemies with your trusty wrench – because a true tinkerer doesn’t just fix things, they break ‘em too. (Thwonks Performed: 0/100)
He made a mental note to explore this phenomenon further once he had a chance to rest and reflect. For now, he was determined to put his [Tinkerer’s Tools] ability to the test and see if he could fashion a wrench from the materials at hand. With a sense of purpose, he set off once more, calling forth the [Tinkerer’s Tools] ability.
Skill Name: [Tinkerer’s Tools] Mana Cost: 15 Mana Description: The ability to craft simple mechanical devices with basic tools. With just a hammer, a screwdriver, and a little bit of wire, those with the Tinkerer’s Tools skill can create all sorts of nifty gadgets and gizmos. Usage: Tinkerer’s Tools is perfect for those who love to invent and create. With this skill, you can build everything from a simple shield to a fully-functional robot. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even use Tinkerer’s Tools to create your own custom weapons. Level-up Requirements: To level up in Tinkerer’s Tools, you’ll need a creative mind and a steady hand. You’ll also need a good understanding of basic mechanics and electronics. And, of course, you’ll need a healthy dose of patience – because building things from scratch takes time and effort. (Tinkerer’s Insight required)
The skill came to Callum with an innate ease, as if it had always been a part of him. Activating it was effortless, and a glowing blue imitation of a curious tool appeared in his hand. It had a cylindrical base with a flexible hose attached to the top, and Callum knew, without knowing how he knew, that it was called a Butane Torch.
He pressed the only button on the device, and a small jet of flames shot out from the nozzle, startling him and causing him to drop the tool. As it fell from his grasp, the transparent image shattered like glass, the sound ringing in his ears and leaving him bewildered.
Since he was out of combat, Callum found little difficulty in replenishing the 15 mana it had cost to unleash the [Tinkerer’s Tools] ability. This time, he envisioned a wrench in his mind and summoned the odd tool into his grasp.
With the tool in hand, Callum halted at the nearest tree and wielded the short, peculiarly weighted instrument at the trunk like a weapon. He expected it to strike the tree with the force of a club, inflicting a trivial amount of blunt damage. However, to his surprise, the wrench crumbled almost instantly upon impact, shattering into a hundred pieces accompanied by the sound of shattering glass and a burst of bright blue illusion. As the pieces of the image scattered, they dissipated into nothingness, dissipating into the air.
Callum’s face twisted with frustration, but he accessed his combat log regardless. It was reassuring to know that he could employ the tool in a pinch to inflict a modicum of damage, but one had to be exceedingly desperate to spend 15 mana for a mere two additional points of impact damage compared to his bare fists or kicks.
Disheartened, Callum looked towards his last hope. But as he scanned the ability description for [Mana Imbue], his hope began to swell once again.
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Skill Name: [Mana Imbue] Mana Cost: 3.5 Mana Drain Description: Mana Imbue is an ability that allows the tinkerer to charge a magical or non-magical item with magical energy for a short period of time. With this skill, you can imbue anything from a sword to a toaster with magical power, making it more effective or giving it new abilities.
Usage: Mana Imbue is perfect for those who like to get creative with their magic. You can use this ability to enchant weapons to do extra damage to certain types of enemies, imbue clothing with protective spells, or even infuse your food with magical energy to give yourself a temporary boost in power. Just be careful not to overdo it – too much magical energy can be dangerous.
And don’t even think about trying to imbue your cat with magical energy – trust us, it doesn’t end well. (Seriously, we’ve seen some things.)
Level-up Requirements: To level up in Mana Imbue, you’ll need a good understanding of magic and how it works. You’ll also need a lot of patience and a steady hand – imbuing items with magical energy requires a delicate touch. And, of course, you’ll need access to magical energy sources, which can be hard to come by in some areas. But with a little determination, anyone can become a skilled Mana Imbuer. (Total Mana Imbued: 0/10,000)
With a focused mind, he activated the [Mana Imbue] and concentrated on his fist. The visual effects were nothing short of spectacular. Unlike the solid shell or creation abilities of his previous skills, this one caused his entire fist to glow with a bright, ethereal blue. Small, wispy tendrils of light drifted away from his skin as if pure mana was flowing from within him.
Callum was mesmerized by the sight, and he couldn’t help but glance at the mana bar displayed in his heads-up display. His mana slowly depleted with each passing second, but his out-of-combat mana regeneration was just enough to keep up with the consumption rate. The bar would tick down by four mana, only to jump back up by three, repeating itself in a never-ending cycle. He realized that if he were to engage in combat, his mana regeneration would slow down considerably, and he could only maintain the ability for about 10 seconds before running out of mana completely.
He turned his attention back to the testing tree, his muscles tense as he cocked back his fist, ready to unleash a new technique. With a quick twist of his hips and a forward lean, he channeled his power into a precise strike, his knuckles slamming into the trunk with a satisfying thud. Despite the lack of the explosive force he was used to with his mana bolts and spells, he couldn’t help but be impressed by the dent he had made, bark splintering off in all directions.
He grinned at his combat log as he saw that now he was able to deal 6 striking damage with a single [Mana Imbue] punch. While he had never been one to relish in close-quarters combat, he knew that this technique would prove invaluable in future fights. No longer would he have to rely on wild thrashing and pitiful flailing to defend himself.
Continuing his walk, he experimented with the mana imbue skill, flicking it on and off with ease. His thoughts turned to his tutor, Lirion, and the countless hours he had spent drilling Callum in the art of combat. The memories of his mentor’s wise words echoed in his mind:
Every little detail matters. How long does it take for the skill to activate? How long does it last? How much damage does it do? Can this be applied to other unconventional methods?
Through the teachings of his tutors, he had achieved a level of mastery in the art of Enchantment that set him apart from his peers. Unlike the conventional Enchanters, who saw spell constructs and creations in a rigid, unyielding manner, he approached them with a curious and imaginative eye. He was constantly seeking new applications and modifications, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
As he ventured through the wilderness, Callum’s keen senses picked up on the sound of running water. He knew that where there was water, there was often civilization. Guided by his intuition, he followed the winding river for several hours until he finally stumbled upon a humble village. The clangs of metal on metal echoed through the air, signaling the presence of a skilled blacksmith.
Without delay, Callum dispatched Book to gather intel on the village and its inhabitants.
As Callum drew near the village, he kept himself hidden among the thick foliage and crept along the outskirts until he stumbled upon a dirt road leading into the settlement.
Patiently biding his time for Book’s return, Callum examined the fortifications surrounding the village. A group of at least eight armored humanoids stood guard along the road, with modest palisades on either side providing additional defense. The fortifications extended outwards to envelop the village, making it clear that this was a community that took its safety seriously.
Despite his lack of analytical skill, Callum attempted to glean what he could about the humans on duty. He couldn’t help but notice their curiously plump and pinkish forms, which stood out in stark contrast to his lean physique.
As he awaited the return of his companion, Callum found his thoughts drifting toward these peculiar creatures. What kind of life must they have lived before the integration? It seemed unlikely that they had endured much hardship, given their soft and flabby frames. Their physical appearance brought to mind the domesticated animals raised on his people’s farms - creatures fattened for consumption through a sedentary lifestyle and carefully monitored diets.
Finally sensing the pull of his bond with Book, Callum readied himself to receive his companion, pondering the strange and unsettling nature of this village and its inhabitants.
In mere moments, the rustling of pages from above interrupted Callum’s wandering thoughts. With a graceful landing on his shoulder, Book greeted Callum with an eager tap on the head with its leather beak.
Callum couldn’t help but chuckle at the bird’s boundless enthusiasm. “Alright, alright. What have you got for me?” he said, extending his palm for Book to jump off his shoulder. In mid-flight, the avian friend transformed back into its original form and landed neatly in Callum’s waiting hand.
The air was thick with anticipation as Callum held the book out in front of him, waiting for its contents to reveal themselves. After a few tense heartbeats, the book suddenly snapped open, and the pages fluttered from right to left with increasing speed. Finally, they came to a stop in the middle of the book, and Callum retracted his arm, watching as the once-blank pages began to fill with inky words.