Chapter 12

The Acolyte held my hand still in his left, as he waited with me in silence. I got the feeling he wasn’t going to release my hand until I did as he’d asked and used the Essence to level up. The fact I had no idea how any of this actually worked, nor what the increases would account for, made me hesitant. His prior warning of the choices being permanent, also made me pause.

Decisions made in haste, Commander Phyr had once stated, often result purely in waste.

This felt like exactly the type of thing he’d been warning against. Now that I knew about the Tower’s Blessing, and this process of taking the Tower’s Essence and empowering ourselves with it, I wonder if this was precisely what he’d been alluding to, without just saying it.

I let out a heavy sigh and played through my first climb. What would help me the most? I honestly had no idea. I’d only made it to the second floor, and had only seen a handful of monsters. Not enough to really gauge my path off of anything

What type of Climber do you wish to be?

The words seemed to hang in the air still, at the forefront of my mind. What type of Climber did I want to become? What had he even meant by that? It seemed a much larger question than I was probably comprehending. Still, with nothing else to go off of, and in no position to continue lingering in silence, I made my decision.

As instructed, I focused on the level portion of the golden script. I felt the magic of the blessing, felt the burn in my mark, as I pushed my will towards it, confirming my intent to increase my level and absorb the Essence I’d acquired. The script flashed, and the number 1 faded away, replaced by the number three. Then, immediately in my mind, came the next portion. The magic itself, demanding I send the power of the Essence somewhere.

My decision stemmed from the most difficult experience I’d had. Other than the cow debacle, I’d had no trouble cutting down the goblins I faced. Most of my injuries and mishaps from the first climb I accounted to being slow to react, or not being agile enough. As such, I’d placed a point in dexterity. Then, hesitant to dump both points into it, I assigned the other to Arcane, remembering how reliable my Fireball had been. The man’s mention that I could use things to replenish my magic power mid climb, meaning I’d not be limited to just five of the spells per climb, further drove my decision.

“Very good.” The man said approvingly as the numbers before him flickered and shifted. Dexterity and Arcane both changed from 1 to 2. At the same time, the HP and MP numbers shimmered, and I watched as both increased by a single point as well.

“When you increase a physical point,” the man began, seeming to note my surprise, “your HP will increase as well, depending on your current level. When you increase a magical trait, your MP will increase in a similar manner as your HP.”

“So, I can grow my MP high enough to cast more spells without needing to replenish it?” I asked. If that was the case, putting both stats into Arcane could have been worthwhile.

“You could,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “Though few climbers ever choose the path of pure magic.” He chuckled. “Your questions are valid young climber, but you’re too inexperienced to seek the answers just yet. Climb, grow. Learn more about the tower, and yourself. The life of a climber is a long one, wrought with self-discovery, revelation, and regret.”

“Now then,” my hand tingled again, and the words in the air shifted and moved about. The shimmering golden script created a large square before us, and then within, small, tiny boxes appeared. Within the boxes, various objects and images populated, all formed from the shimmering, golden light.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

“Along with your ability to level and grow stronger,” he said calmly, “you have now gained access to the magical inventory granted to all within the reach of the Tower’s Divine light.”

This power, at the very least, I’d had some inkling about. We’d been confined to the barracks and training fields ever since our 10th birthday, meaning what we knew was restricted. But even still, we’d heard talk of the ability to store things in a magical way.

“Everything created by the Tower, or materials from within the Tower, can be stored within this special inventory.” He explained. “Each individual baring a mark, has their own inventory they can access. Within the tower, everything you slay, everything you collect, will magically be stored within your Inventory. It is the same for crafter, farmers, hunters, and all. Through this power, we can harvest the generous bounty from within the Tower, and take it without, using it as needed for our people to thrive.”

He looked over the items. I skimmed them as well. There were two goblin clubs, some shoddy goblin armor… rabbit remains, which I recognized as the splattered white creature the first goblin had thrown at me, and a good half dozen or so other things. I recalled getting all of the items, though I felt the grassland ashes were uncalled for.

“While within the Tower, everything you collect will go to your inventory, and you can access it whenever to store items and gear within, and to pull from. Additionally, you can use the inventory to trade objects with others in the tower.” Another box appeared beside mine, and within it a single object appeared, listed as Climber’s Regalia. It was highlighted in golden light, and at the same time, everything in my inventory glowed brighter as well.

“As before, you must confirm intent, to undergo a trade.” I felt it in my mind, the magic tugging, asking. Without knowing what else to do, I confirmed it. Everything in my inventory disappeared immediately, replaced by the Climber’s Regalia.

“As servants of the Tower,” the Acolyte continued, speaking over my gasp of surprise, “we are happy to collect any and all items from the Tower you acquire, and will reward you based on your service to the cause. For today, that reward is the Climber’s Regalia. A basic outfit, but one that should fit your needs, short term, until you acquire the resources and gear to best outfit yourself, based on how you grow.”

“Now then,” he continued, leaving no room for me to get a word in about everything he’d just taken from me. Most of it, honestly, I’d not really cared about. But the materials from the cow were valuable, and so was that slime jelly. “We’ve spent enough time together for now. Get dressed and go join in the revelry. Enjoy the celebration, Climber. And congratulations.”

I stared at him as he held my hand, trying my hardest not to glare. For a long moment the two of us sat there, unmoving, and I realized he was waiting on me. Tentatively, I turned my focus to the inventory, and the magic responded. I confirmed my intent once more, and suddenly the Climber’s Regalia disappeared from the glowing box. At the same time, a pair of clothes appeared in my hands. The material was a dark fine silk, cool to the touch, and softer than the grass I’d felt on the first floor. Boots thudded on the ground beneath my hands, dark, soft leather, finer than the ceremonial pair I’d had in the Tower.

“Good, good.” The man leaned back, letting go of my hand. The moment he did, the tingling in my mark faded, and the glowing script disappeared. “Though, for future reference,” his voice held a hint of humor, “if you focus the magic’s intent to wear what you’ve selected, it will appear immediately on your body, and not in your hands.”

His laughter echoed judgingly in the small, curtained space as I awkwardly got dressed in my new Climber’s Regalia. The outfit fit perfectly, as if it’d been crafted just for me. It was as dark as the robes of the Acolytes, trimmed with silver that seemed to shimmer with my movement. It was light and easy to move in, though I had to wonder what type of protection such clothing could provide. Sure, it was comfortable, but I hardly doubted it would hold up to the monsters of the Tower. Meaning, sooner rather than later, I’d need to get myself proper gear.

For now, I pushed those thoughts from my mind as I looked towards the curtain, ready to join my friends, and escape the laughter of the Acolyte. There was a lot to learn, a lot to try and even process, and I had no doubt this was not going to be the last time my inexperience became the butt end of a joke for someone. Still, as embarrassed and frustrated as I was, I was even more excited. Today, I was officially a Climber. Today, I’d earned the Tower’s Blessing.