“Welcome to the world of the tower. You are now in the tutorial or floor Zero,” said a pleasant voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
Alex opened his eyes and saw floor zero. It was barebones. He spun around and saw the same thing in every direction. White walls, floors, and ceiling. The stuff he had brought into the tower was also gone.
“Where is all my stuff?” he asked. He looked around trying to pinpoint the origin of the voice.
“Items originating from Earth are not allowed to enter the tower. Other than an initial starting package all items must be earned, stolen, or obtained in some way within the tower itself.”
“Who are you? What is this tower? The initial messages have been vague and unclear?”
“I am the embodiment of the tower. An AI of sorts to help you during this floor as needed. The tower is the source from which you can gain power, magic, and all sorts of things if you are capable enough. That is all I can say about the matter now. Though you can learn more from various sources within the tower the further up you go.”
“I see. Can you explain more about the rules and objectives of this tower? What do I need to do to progress and achieve success within it?” asked Alex.
“To progress through the tower will require defeating creatures or completing objectives depending on the floor. There are no 'rules' within the tower except grow stronger. Nearly anything you wish to do with your powers you can do so if you have the strength and will. The only immediate ‘rule’ there regards the safe zone. You will be there after exiting the tutorial zone and will learn more about it there.”
“Understood. How do I go about gaining power and abilities within the tower? Are there different paths or options available to me, or is there a specific system that I need to follow?”
“You can follow four different paths within the tower. That of crafting, that of magic, that of the ranged path, and that of the fighter’s path. Which will you choose?”
Alex paused. The AI had been too quick to answer, and he needed time to consider things. While magic was something he wanted to pursue he needed to know more about others. Even if it was just to learn about how to defend one’s self from the other paths.
“I would like to know more about each path before making a decision. Can you provide me with more details about the benefits and challenges of each path?”
“The crafting path focuses on creating and improving items and equipment within the tower. They use all kinds of items collected most often from other tower participants. From monsters to ore, they use any resource available to them to craft. This path requires a lot of patience, creativity, and resourcefulness. However, those who excel in this path can create some of the most powerful and unique items in the tower.
The magic path focuses on harnessing the mystical energies within the tower to cast spells and manipulate the environment. From healing to destruction. This path requires a lot of study, focus, and imagination. However, those who master this path can cast some of the most devastating spells and control the elements themselves.
The ranged path focuses on becoming a master marksman with a bow and arrow or crossbow. Though some also choose more exotic weapons such as throwing knives. This path requires a lot of practice, precision, and awareness. However, those who excel in this path can take down opponents from a distance with ease and are highly skilled in ranged combat.
The fighter’s path focuses on becoming a master swordsman. This path requires a lot of physical training, discipline, and agility. However, those who excel in this path can wield swords with incredible speed and precision and are highly skilled in close combat.
Ultimately, the choice of which path to follow is up to you and your strengths and preferences. Some paths will be more suited to you than others.”
“Can you say which ones are best for me?”
“No.” It answered plainly. “I cannot influence you in any way. Please take your time if needed as you cannot change your answer.”
Alex took a step back and sat down knowing now that he could not change things after the fact.
“Crafting sounds really nice but I don’t plan to be here without fighting. It will probably mean I will have to get to know some of the crafters well. Ultimately I can’t be a crafter. I might also eliminate the archery path, as I prefer to have more versatile combat options. I don’t know what higher levels of the archery path might bring but I want to be close up and personal with my fights.
That leaves me with the magic and fighter paths. While the fighter path is tempting, I think I will ultimately choose the magic path. I am drawn to the idea of manipulating elemental energies and casting powerful spells. If I could heal and attack at the same time that would be great. Additionally, I enjoy the idea of the option of fighting both up close or long-distance, That is something I would have to choose between with a fighter mastery.”
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“I pick the magic mastery path,” said Alex.
“Excellent choice, Alex! You have chosen to harness the magical energies within the tower to cast powerful spells and manipulate the environment. With dedication, time, and focus, you can become a master of magic and unlock the full potential of this path. Now I have one question for you. Will you become a mage of illusions or one of lightning? Choose carefully.”
This was a question Alex did not expect.
“Can I not use multiple types of magic?”
“No. Your options are limited to the ones listed.”
A message popped up in his vision.
<<<>>>
Do you choose the sub-path of Illusion or Lightning?
<<<>>>
“Can you answer what these sub-paths are?” Alex asked unsure if the tower AI would give him an answer.
“Certainly, Alex. The Path of Illusion focuses on manipulating the perceptions of others through spells that create realistic illusions. Those who follow this path can create illusions that deceive the senses and make it difficult for opponents to distinguish what is real and what is not. This can be particularly useful in combat, as illusions can distract and confuse opponents, allowing you to strike with surprise attacks.
“The Path of Lightning focuses on harnessing the raw power of lightning to create devastating attacks. Those who follow this path can summon bolts of lightning from the sky and hurl them at their opponents with deadly accuracy. Lightning spells can also stun and incapacitate opponents, allowing you to strike with other spells or weapons.
“Again, the choice to this question is in your hands and I'm here to help you with any other questions or guidance you may need.”
Alex paused for the second time. His path was unclear at the moment. He had been given two options both in wildly different areas of magic from both the description and Alex’s thoughts on how the paths might diverge.
“It ultimately comes down to whether I want a passive magic or an active one,” Alex thought. “With illusions, I would probably need to rely on a knife or other weapon to take down enemies. It would also mean that within a team I would fall into a support role. I don’t think I want to do that while in the tower. I want to deal damage and attack directly. I just can’t do that with illusions.”
“I choose lightning,” he said aloud.
“Perfect. Please look over this status sheet. You may look over it at any time with a thought just like any other tower message you receive. Let me know if you have any other questions.”
<<<>>>
Name: Alex
Path: Magic (Sub-Path: Lightning)
Rating: G
Level: 1
Abilities (1/1):
Manipulate Electricity [G]
<<<>>>
Alex scanned the information. It was pretty bare bones but clear when he looked at the rating another message appeared.
Climbers within the tower are rated based on their level, current highest floor rank, and the power of their abilities. All climbers start at G and can move to S or higher.
Why no health bar or mana bar?” asked Alex seeing nothing related to the two listed.
“The tower does not actively track your level of heath compared to any other being. As such your only health-related inquiries will be listed if you take a debilitating injury like the loss of a limb for example. This causes issues with some, but the tower only cares whether the climbers within its barriers are living or dead. As you learn to fight it would be best to keep track of and learn the signs both physical and mental of low health, mana, and stamina.”
He took a minute to consider the implications of that missing element and then spoke his next question. “Why do I only have one ability? Can you explain any further about the ranks within the tower?” asked Alex.
“To your first question. The tower has chosen that ability as its reward to you for slaying two monsters. I can only give a simple explanation of the G and F ranks. Is that sufficient?” Alex nodded. “This ranking system measures a participant's overall skill and ability within the tower. Based on those three factors and others unknown they are given their rank.
“At the G rank, participants are considered to be beginners and are still learning the basics of their chosen path. At this rank, they have access to basic spells and abilities that are easy to learn and cast. These spells typically have lower damage output and are easier to dodge or counter, but they provide a solid foundation for building more advanced abilities.
“At the F rank, participants have progressed beyond the basics and are starting to develop more advanced skills and abilities. At this rank, they have access to more powerful spells and abilities that can deal higher damage or provide more utility in combat. They may also start to specialize in a particular sub-path within their chosen path. They also often can chain attacks more fluidly.”
“Do you have any other questions, or shall we move on to the next section?”
“I have one more question. What happens when I leave the tower? Do I get to keep my powers?”
“You will be fully able to bring items from the tower outside of it. New items just can’t come in. Your ability to access your power however will be limited. Abilities and skills are limited outside the tower based on your grade and how your species is doing in climbing the tower. If you can increase one or both then more of your full capabilities will be available to you.
“Now that your status and path are set up you will have the next hour to practice. For magic, your intent and thoughts will help direct your magic.” As the AI voice spoke the scene around him changed. The place resembled a dojo of sorts. On one side was a weapon rack. He hurried over to that side. “A timer for the rest of the tutorial will be in the corner of your vision to call upon. You may say what enemies, the number, and the difficulty, and then start to have them summoned. They will all match your level, level one. Do not worry yourself as this space is all illusory. If you sustain fatal damage, your wounds will heal, and any remaining enemies will retreat, allowing you to summon them at your readiness. I wish you the best of luck in your journey within the tower."
Having heard this, Alex approached the weapon rack and selected a knife.