Chapter 20: The World Tower

After looking through each spells description one more time Tide took a deep breath and made his choice. Gabbing on to one of the books he pulled open its prompt and selected to learn it. As he did the book fluttered open and archaic symbols began to pour out of the pages. They streamed towards Tide’s body and were quickly absorbed through his skin. His head began to ache slightly as it was forced to comprehend and learn the skill. After a minute of this transfer the book stopped the flow and fell back to the table closed. While Tide was rubbing his head to help with the slight headache that was growing, Tide smiled seeing a system window popped up.

Congratulations on learning the skill- Summon Lesser Elemental!

In the end he decided to pick up the summoning spell. Having an extra set of hands in a fight would be a great boon for Tide. He also thought this spell had the most potential going forwards. The concepts it touched on were vastly different compared to the spells he already had. The other two spells were very appealing, but Tide believed given enough time and practice with his elemental manipulation he could obtain results like their effects.

The idea of being able to create his own portal connecting to an elemental plane opened a lot of opportunities for Tide to explore. It involved to some degree spatial magic and some form of contract magic. Understanding these aspects of the spells could allow Tide to create a variety of other ways to use his magic. He was also interested in studying some elementals. They were supposedly creatures fueled purely by elemental mana and were able to generate it themselves. If Tide could study some of the beasts and how they controlled their abilities, he would be able to pick up some new tricks!

Tide was eager to try the spell out and see what creature came out of the portal, but figure it be best not to do it inside the pristine library. Tide turned to leave, but greed seized his thoughts, and he reached down too the enhance skill book. His hopes were dashed, when no system window popped up asking if he wanted to learn it. He was still able to open the book and read its contents, perhaps he could just learn it himself.

Written on the old paper, was instructions on how to implement the spell. Magical formulas, mana patterns and mana theories littered the page. It was far to advanced for Tide’s current level of expertise. He could maybe pick up a general or weaker version of the skill if he had long enough to work his way through the book while experimenting with some of its concepts, but Tide didn’t think it was worth the time investment.

He wanted to go check out the world tower that Merdon had apparently custom made for him. He was hoping that inside there would be something to help him unlock the air element that he previously struggled with. As such Tide set the book down and began walking towards the door that brought him to the library.

He still wasn’t sure how it warped him into the library and just hopped that touching the doorknob would bring him back to the plaza. Tide’s theory was proven correct and after another stomach-churning fluctuation, Tide was back outside. After taking a moment to stabilize himself he began crossing the middle of the plaza towards the World Tower.

Ready and eager to see what this next tower had in store for him, Tide reached out and grabbed its doorknob.

Tide was beginning to get used to the sensation of being transported, but it still felt bizarre. Once he turned away from the door, he was now in a circular stone room with four other doors equidistant from each other. Each door was the same besides the wooden sign nailed to their front. Written on each board was one of the basic elements. Tide was once again presented with a choice. This time he didn’t want to waste any time. Ideally, he would have the time to check out each room. In the case where he couldn’t he began walking towards the door labeled fire.

He considered going to the air room first and hope that whatever was in the room would help him unlock that affinity, but he wanted to get an idea of how the rooms worked. Instead of air he made his way to the fire door because it was an element that he already unlocked, but at the same time was the least comfortable with. Gaining more affinity and skill using fire, would also help him overcome his lack of firepower. AN: (No pun intended)

Excited to see what awaited him, Tide reached his hand out and grabbed the doorknob for the fire room.

He was warp once again, but his rather than feeling nauseous his body was immediately distracted by the sweltering heat it was now exposed to. Turning around Tide was able to see the source of the heat. He was in another circular room, but in the middle of this one was large glowing ball of flames swirling above a magical device. It looked like a small artificial sun and Tide couldn’t look at it for long before having to turn away. There seemed to be a screen of magic preventing the mini sun from roasting Tide to a crisp as well.

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The air was thick with an oppressive heat. The density of fire mana in the room was astounding. The orb of fire in the middle acted as a fount, pumping the space full of fire mana. Just by standing in this environment he felt his body slowly becoming more attuned with the fire element. He began to walk around the room checking for anything else and he noticed something along one of the walls. There was a stone pedestal that had a purple crystal affixed to it’s top by some metallic wiring. The purple crystal let out a low humming sound and a very faint magical glow.

As he walked up to it, he noticed some words etched into the pedestal.

Trial of Fire

To use place hand a top the crystal and focus on it.

Curious as to what this trial was, Tide emboldened by the fact that he couldn’t die here placed his hand on the crystal. The crystal’s humming began to reverberate louder in Tide’s head when he grasped it. It wasn’t painfully loud, and Tide was able to soon filter it out as he closed his eyes and began to focus on the stone.

As Tide’s mind probe the crystal the humming grew louder and disorienting. Tide began to panic as he felt his consciousness getting sucked into the crystal like a dingy in a whirlpool. He jumped back in shock, opening his eyes finding that his surroundings had once again changed. He was now standing in different circular room, this time instead of a sun lighting the room, there was a large pool of lava was bubbling in the center. Along the floor leading to the lava, three rings of different size were imprinted into the ground, encircling the pool.

After taking in his immediate surroundings, Tide also quickly notices that his clothes were once again gone.

At this point Tide was being to think that Merdon was a pervert who just wanted to strip him of his dignity. He was beginning to curse the twisted space mage when a system window appeared in front of him.

Welcome to the Test of Fire

To complete this test, you must simply reach the center of the room. Upon completion you will be rewarded.

Tide dismissed the message. It seemed simple enough, but Tide doubted it would be that easy. He began walking towards the pool of lava for a couple of steps before he approached the first ring on the floor. These were most likely put on the ground for a reason, so Tide stopped before sticking his foot across the threshold. When he did it felt like he was dipping his leg in a hot tub. The fire mana in the air was much denser and violent on the other side of the ring.

Tide brought his foot back and waited a moment to see if anything else had happened. After confirming that nothing did, he committed his whole body and crossed the threshold. Tide was then fully bombarded with the intense heat radiating from the lava in the center. It wasn’t painful, but he notices that the skin on his face and chest began to redden like it was getting sun burnt. He once again started to walk towards the center and approached the next ring. At this point sweat was pouring down his body attempting to cool him down and neutralize the heat. Tide once again stopped and inspected the next ring.

This time he tested the waters with his hand. As his hand crossed the line on the floor the heat began to sear his flesh. Before Tide could even react and pull his hand back the skin on his fingers combusted into flames. Pain shot up Tides arm and he recoiled falling away from the ring. He quickly reached out with his other hand and put the fire on his hand out. How was he supposed to walk across with out being burned to a crips. Not to mention there was still one more ring on the ground past this one implying that this wasn’t even the worst past.

Tide needs a moment to think so he made his way across the first ring as well. As he did the cooler air felt cold compared to what he was just exposed to. While this happened, Tide noticed that the pain of his hand began to decrease as well. Looking at the burn Tide was shocked to see his charred muscles and skin were regrowing. In a matter of seconds, it looked like nothing had even happened to him. His reddened skin also faded back to a healthy tone.

As the pain faded, he was able to think much more clearly. It seemed that this room was simple. As you made it closer to the center and the lava the more intense the heat was. The density of the fire mana almost tripled every time he crossed a boundary.

Tide looked around hopping to see a pedestal with the purple crystal on it, so he could leave the trial. Much to his dismay it wasn’t here. Looks like he would have to finish this test to get back. Realizing that was the most likely case Tide began to think of the solution to his situation.

The only thing that made sense was that the boundaries were created to help Tide acclimate himself with more intense fire mana. If he got his body used to the heat or increased his affinity with fire, he would be able to progress to the next ring before starting over again.

Having figured out his game plan Tide step back into the first ring and let the heat surround his body. Tide took a couple of steps to reach the center of this section, before sitting down and beginning to meditate.

He watched as the fire mana in the air collided with his body attempting to burn him. His mana on his skin attempted to neutralize the foreign energy source but was being overpowered. The fire mana would push through and begin to burn his skin, causing Tide to develop a sun burn once again. This might take a while Tide thought to himself. He let out a small chuckle and regrated picking his class for a moment. Why did he have to boil himself alive to get stronger, if he just became a swordsman, he could just be lifting weights right now.

Letting out a sigh, Tide buckled in and gave into his fate of turning into a cooked lobster.