The Mask of Volesprit: chapter 1
Volesprit woke up in the middle of a square. He slowly got up, while he watched the building and people (mostly NPC here as he is playing the beta test) around him. So that was virtual reality. That was … well, impressive. Such detailed work. No wonder everyone spoke about this game before the beta-test even began. The one who created this world was a genius.
While Volesprit examined his environment, the other player had ran to the fighting field, as the programmers had opened it for the beta-testing, had given everyone some good gears and put an option who permitted to change to some of the basic class – which also changed your gear to a more adapted one, but didn't give you any of it's skill - so that they could test the fighting as soon as they connected.
Seeing that, Volesprit sighed and muttered sarcastically:
“Morons … do you actually think that fighting now will do you any good when the actual game will begin?”
The answer was no. Because they would know actually know nothing on the process of acquiring a good class, some money, some basic gear and set of skill … they would obtain absolutely no data. And as Unicorn had claimed that if the characters wouldn't be deleted, they would still reset the all experience and delete any money and gear earned, data meant everything. Obtaining some skill gave a player an edge, and he would respect someone who would choose to work on obtaining some useful skill in the two months of beta test, as if it's experience was resented, the skill stayed.
But Volesprit still considered that data was everything. He was a man of science. To him, data meant understanding. And in this world, someone like him had an huge advantage in one area (no, I’m not speaking about flirting with female NPC to earn easy quests). His advantage did lie in magic. A common man would take the path of magic, learn a spell and use it. He wouldn’t ask himself how this magic modified the law of this world. But Volesprit wanted to understand how the system called magic worked.
That’s why he chose this town. For it's library. The guide delivered with the capsule said it was the most complete one in the whole continent. With so many book and some time, he should be able to gain an edge on the other magicians.
__________
Thirty minutes, nine barbarians who called him ‘Ennemy of all men’ and a few dozens blushing and incoherent girl later, Volesprit entered the gigantic library, went to the reception and asked what looked like the head-librarian:
“Good morning, sir. Would you be kind enough to tell where I could find some books about … No forget that … before finding any materials, I would like to know where I could buy some paper and pen.
- You can buy some here, but what do you need them for?
- I would like to study the origin of any magic: The circle patterns.
- Many men tried. Most failed. The few who understood how to make circles were genius.
- Not that I want to boast but … who said that I was an ordinary man?
- Show me your stat window, traveller … no forget that. Your kind are different that us. Your intelligence stat means nothing … here is the deal: I'll give you the most basic book on this subject and I want you to draw the most basic circle of all: the circle of the 'Magic Missile'. I know you aren't a mage, so you wouldn't know what this magic circle looks like. Here is a paper and a pencil. I'll wait for the result of your research, young man. By the way, my name is Merle.”
NEW QUEST: LEARNING HOW TO DRAW A MAGIC CIRCLE
The head librarian said that only a genius can manage this task.
Do you think that you really have what is needed for such a task?
Difficulty level: Unknown
Restriction: Show interest in the difficult art of writing magic circle.
Reward: A title. Depends on how much time is needed to finish this task.
Volesprit nodded and and presented himself before leaving him to his work. He chose a table to sit behind a table in the furthest corner of the library and began reading.
From what he read – time needed: 1h30min - drawing a magic circle wasn't really anything special … for him. It was a mix of writing a program in a whole new language – time needed to absorb this new language which was really basic: 10 minutes – and some 5-space mathematic. Nothing difficult. Really.Of course, the language used for this spell was the least powerful and precise of all the magic language, and consequently, the easiest to use. Furthermore, there were almost no variables. Which shouldn't be the case of the most powerful spell.
In the end, all it took for Volesprit to finish this task was three hours. Because he decided to optimize it.
Intelligence +1
New Skill: Magic Designing
You can create Magic Blueprint
The blueprint you design can be sold at 80% of their value.
You can use magic you designed at 110% of their power.
You designed a new spell blueprint: ‘Customized Magic Missile’
Volesprit took note that you could gain some intelligence stat point by other means that fighting and smiled: Unicorn had talked about resetting the level, but he would keep the stat he earned this way. Satisfied, he went back to the librarian and gave him the paper with the magical circle pattern and said jokingly:
“Next time, please give me a real challenge.”
The librarian watched Volesprit, then the paper. The pattern was a little different from what he was used to. But that much was normal. One could always sense the designer hand in it’s spell. But what wasn’t normal was that as a retired veteran mage who was once a teacher in the most prestigious magic academy of the continent, he understood how incredible that magic circle was. At a first glance, it looked like a beginner’s drawing because of it’s simplicity. But he knew it only looked simple because the young man had only kept the vital part of the spell. Without even trying it, he knew it.
QUEST COMPLETE: LEARNING HOW TO DRAW A MAGIC CIRCLE
The head librarian Merle has been deeply impressed by the result of your research.
Do you think that you really have what is needed for such a task?
Relationship with Merle increases.
Level Up
You earned the title: “A Genius among Genius”
Intelligence +10
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
You obtained: Paper x400
“It … it looks remarkably well done, my young friend.”
He looked at Volesprit and asked while swallowing:
“Can I?”
Volesprit nodded. Merle memorized the circle pattern and called:
“Magic Missile.”
The circle pattern appeared before his hand and a white glowing ball appeared. That was … so fast. And the circle hadn’t disappeared … which could only mean that he had managed to create what was considered the most difficult task as a circle designer. To create a loop.
The loop permitted the magician not to have to cast the magic every time he wanted to invoke it. One time was enough. But it had a drawback. The spell power was lowered.
“Why did you add a loop cast system for this spell?
- Because I feel that this spell utility doesn’t lie in its power but depends on how its owner use it.
- It’s utility … everyone know that this spell has none. It’s a debutant move one learn to become a mage, but it’s a flawed one. It’s power is too low. And even though yours is remarkably well designed, you lowered it’s power even further. My interest lies in its design, not in its use.
- I will use it. A spell’s utility doesn’t only lie in its power, Merle. I have already thought of a way to make it one of the most annoying spell to face.
- I’m curious to see how you would use it.
- I’ll show you one day, that I promise you, sir. But I don’t currently have the power to use magic. And I wouldn’t be able to show how to use this spell efficiently without an opponent.
- I look forward to it, young Volesprit. For the time being, here is the list of all the book that treat the subject you want to study. Good luck with your studies and come back to me if you need any help.
- Thank you, Merle. But I doubt I will come back before reading all those books. Not that I underestimate your wisdom or the difficulty of this subject … but I happen to have quite an ego. And I know that by overcoming those difficulties myself, I’ll gain a better understanding of this discipline.
- You’re right. May the stars guide you, Volesprit.”
Volesprit took the list of book Merle had given him and went to search the first of the list. When he found it, he went back to his table in the corner of the library. He started reading, taking notes , making some calculations or writing ideas occasionally. Then he seeked the second book. then the Third.
Intelligence +1
Wisdom +1
Wisdom +1
Intelligence +1
Wisdom +1
…
Intelligence +1
Wisdom +1
Mana +100
Two weeks passed. Volesprit never left his hiding if not to eat (Volesprit had sold the gears the game gave them to earn enough money to be sure to eat well during the beta test time). He had read all the books of Merle’s list, written pages and pages of calculations, and had even drawn a few blueprint. The windows who indicated that he had gained stats had stopped popping up a few days ago (it increased faster than normal because he didn’t only read but also learned new language and writing form and make some crazily difficult calculation).
Now that he had finished what he considered the first step of what he needed to do in this beta test - time remaining: two weeks - Volesprit went back to Merle:
“Hi, Merle, I’m back.
- Oh … did you give up already? Don’t be too upset, some men studied those subject for decades before understanding what you grasped in a few hours.
- I’m not upset, Merle. And who said I gave up. Here are the blueprints I drew in the last two weeks. It’s a gift to thank you for your precious help.
- What are you … isn’t that a review of the ‘Thor Hammer’ spell? And those runes you used … that’s the Amilcah alphabet … and those … the Gemina’s … don’t tell me that you really read, understand and put to practice those books knowledge.
- Of course not. It’s just that I’m really bad with drawing. What you believe is a ‘Thor Hammer’ spell is in fact my attempt at drawing a rabbit.”
Volesprit answered with a tone who indicated he was serious, but anyone would understand that absolutely no one would draw a highly complex magic circle filled with dead language writing when attempting to draw a rabbit.
“You insolent … no forget it. Excuse this old man for refusing to believe what my eyes see. I taught so many students who thought that Gemina was the name of a constellation ...
- Yes, I understand how infuriating that can be. Morons are a plague. And as most plague, they have only one cure: eradication with fire. I specially recommend this ‘Hell Inferno’ I designed. Should leave no trace.”
Merle smiled when he heard Volesprit said that, smile which ceased when he saw Volesprit serious face. That was … scary! Did he really meant that? Earlier when he had joked, he had also maintained a serious face … so he should also be joking right now, right? But still, not knowing if he was serious or not was really scary.
Volesprit gave him a sad smile and said:
“Let’s stop joking - Merle sighed - and go back to business. I want to know about magic wands. Why do mage use them? Can’t they use their own hand? If they can, why do everyone use wands? If they can’t: why?
- Why do you seek those answers, Volesprit?
- Because I want to transcend what most mage see as magic. Go beyond this point. Why should mages be weaker that warrior when in-fighting? Magic is but a tool. The same can be said for the sword. But I believe magic to be a way more useful tool to have than a vulgar piece of steel. So, the only reason I can see for mages to lose warriors is their ineptitude. An ineptitude they hide behind empty words. Words such as: we need some time to cast magic! It’s false! Only high level magic is time consuming.”
Volesprit defied Merle to deny what he said. Merle sighed and muttered:
“You might be right. Magicians control elements themselves. Facing a warrior should be a walk in the park. But knowing how to cast magic and how to use it to it’s full potential is different.”
Merled looked at Volesprit for a few seconds and said:
“Ok, follow me … I’ll give you books which contains the knowledge you seek. And some others who might guide you in the path you chose for yourself.”
Merle left his desk and entered a dark the labyrinth of books. Volesprit followed him until Merle stopped before a wall.
“DISPELL!”
An oak door appeared where there was a wall before. Merle opened it and made a sign for Volesprit to enter.
“Here is what my predecessor called the dark library.”
A small room filled with books appeared before Volesprit eyes. This vision made him grin:
“Dark Library, huh? I like the sound of that.”