Meanwhile, on the outside.
WEE WOO WEE WOO WEE WOO. Sirens blare as police and other emergency services arrive to the scene. Sergeant Ricky steps out of his police vehicle, his navy blue uniform tidy without a speck of dust.
His blazer protecting him from the bustling winds that have begun to pick up. "How incredibly odd" he mutters to himself. In all his years working for the police force he had never seen anything like this. What looks like an indomitable tower from another dimension stands unmoving.
It has completely destroyed the train tracks and all other grassland terrain in a radius of fifty meters.
"Well.... There's no way to measure how tall that thing is, it pierces through the clouds" Sergeant Ricky jokes to his colleague Anna.
Anna's a 5'6 officer who recently joined the force. Her long blonde hair usually flows down past her shoulders. However, today she's decided on a low slicked back bun, as she chooses most days in order to keep her long locks out of her face. Especially when the wind picks up like it has today.
"What a wonderous piece of architecture, I've never seen anything like it while I studied at university. It seems ancient yet I feel such an indescribable power from it."
"Sergeant, I think we should set up a perimeter around to keep the public away. You can feel it too right? It's almost as if it's trying to pull us closer" Anna commented. "I agree" replied Ricky, "this could be very dangerous to the public. Go get the yellow tape from the trunk, I'll leave you to set it up."
Ricky steps closer to the tower, instinctively putting his hand up to feel the smooth stone with patterns and icons chiselled in the middle. "What the fuck?" Ricky comments as a screen appears in front of him reading *Welcome to the Tower, Challenger! Would you like to enter? Yes / No.*
Ricky presses the 'No' option and walks over to Anna, who is grabbing the police tape to secure the Area. "Let's quickly set this up and call the Captain over. This tower is definitely not normal... I put my hand against it before and a screen appeared. It also called me challenger, there is definitely something going on. Anna calls the captain and relays the situation. "This tower definitely sounds interesting, I'll be right over" Captain Lee says. "Sergeant, the Captain is on his way!" Anna shouts with a slight smile.
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Elsewhere....
"Fuck! I can't believe the sun's gone away already, I was having fun burning these ants" Victor puts his magnifying glass down and stomps on the pile of 'popped' ants, grinding them into the cement below. He covers his dark hair with his black hoodie and looks up.
"What the fuck is that building" he thinks to himself, eyes drawn towards the tower. "There is definitely something life changing in there, I have to find out... after all, I've read enough fiction to tell me there is" he comments to himself.
As he races over, he notices over 300 meters of yellow black police tape circling around the tower. "Shit" he mutters under his breath. I guess I better come back during night time when those pigs aren't around.
Victor's mind flashed back to the previous week. As a delinquent he bumps shoulders with the police quite often. Usually for trespassing and loitering as he skips school on a regular basis. The other highschoolers always hate it when Victor appears in the classroom. He's the type of person that will beat someone up just for looking in his direction. Although he's skinny and weighs 150 pounds, he stands at 6'1 feet tall. Along with his goons always surrounding him, it's never a fair fight for the others.
Unfortunately, Victor has always been wild and untamed ever since he was young. After setting fire to his home at the age of six his parents would give in to his every want, frightened at the thought of what he would do if they refused.
Victor was born incredibly intelligent, with an IQ in the top one percentile, he's always been years ahead of the other kids mentally, giving birth to his manipulative abilities. He would often trick others into doing his evil bidding in order to provide a sense of perverted entertainment for himself. Stringing people along for a cheap laugh.
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"Captain Lee! You're here!" Anna exclaims happily. "Hello Anna" Lee replies while stepping under the yellow police tape. His six foot frame filled with muscle is hidden under his large blazer and overcoat. He stands back up straight before telling Anna to call the army on his phone.
Captain Lee asks if anyone else has come into contact with the tower. Anna thinks for a second before responding "hmmm no I don't believe so. The dispatch operator told us that someone had rung asking for help, but we didn't find them around the area so they must've left."
However, Captain Lee thought otherwise, he was inquisitive by nature and was blessed with a bright mind. He instinctively pulled out his police handgun, as he often did when his intuition told him that something was wrong.
Someone calling and not being in the area? that's not right, the captain reasoned to himself. He must be inside that tower. Captain lee held his gun in the right hand and began searching around the tower for an entrance. His hand brushed against the smooth stone wall before a screen appeared in front of him.
*Welcome to the Tower, Challenger! Would you like to enter? Yes / No.* "Enter" Captain Lee replied immediately. *WRRRSHHHH*
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT" Anna yells worriedly. "Sergeant stay here, make sure no one else follows us, I'm going after Captain."
"Anna wait a second let's think about-" *WRRRSHHHH* Anna had already disappeared through the Captain's portal. "I swear that girl never listens to me" Sergeant Ricky mumbles under his breath. He shakes his head and chuckles before walking back and leaning up against the police vehicle, waiting patiently for the army to investigate. Someone has to relay the news I guess.
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Inside the tower Anna and Lee appear next to each other. Before them lays a plethora of weapons. Bows, shields, short swords, daggers, any and everything one could think of. *Captain Lee, Anna Marker! You are the second and third players to enter the tower in this world! Congratulations you have received the Legendary Title: 'The Second!', and for Miss Anna 'The Third!' Please ensure to check your system to read the title's effects!* "What the heck was that?" Anna says out loud.
"Hello! Please do not worry! I am Rose, the guide of the tower." *BANG* Captain Lee pulls the trigger and fires a single bullet into Rose's forehead. To his surprise the bullet simply crumples and falls to the solid floor. "For creatures that have not yet discovered magic, you sure are an inventive species" Rose comments, "I am not here to harm you, I am simply here to provide information for you challengers to complete the Tower! For starters, open your status page and read your title effect!"
"Status" both Anna and Lee say simultaneously. A screen pops up in front of them and they read out the title's effect, +1 for all stats. Rose then gave them the same explanation she gave Jay. When she had finished Captain Lee asked her a question.
"Rose, it says that we're the second and third, where is the first person who entered? I don't see him, how long ago did he arrive?" "The first challenger is currently in the tower, and unless you enter at the same time like you two did, you will be sent to a different subspace.
He also arrived around 30 minutes ago. By the way, take these rings. Whenever you think about entering or leaving the tower, this ring will transport you, Rose explained. They both placed the rings on their finger. It composed of a simple silver band that had a slight hint of purple at the top.
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In another section of the tower....
"Hey Rose, what happens next?" Jay asked curiously. "I mean I got the title so what now?" "That is up to you Challenger, you may: Choose a weapon, Take a magic aptitude test, or complete the tutorial stage. I strongly recommend you to do them in that order though. Would you like to select a weapon?" She asked. "That sounds great!" Jay replies. "Excellent, follow me."
Jay followed Rose over to the large array of weaponry, tidily presented on a wall. "You may try as many of them as you like, but you may only select one. Keep in mind that these are basic grade. As you climb the tower the quality of weapons and skills will increase.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
As for the different grades they are: Basic, Epic, Legendary, and Unique. Keep in mind that not all weapons are made equally. Some weapons may barely pass the threshold to be rated Epic, while others in the same grade could be missing one tiny thing that prevents them from reaching Legendary. "Makes sense" Jay replied, before taking a look at the weapons laid before him. "Hmmm I think I'll select the spear. Whenever I used to play MMORPG games I would always choose whatever character used the spear."
Rose waved her hand over the weapon releasing the seal, before picking the weapon up singlehandedly and placing it in Jay's hands. He holds it firmly and reads the text before him. "Basic Spear: A balanced weapon with a sharp tip at one end. Used to defeat enemies from a longer range than a sword or dagger. A weapon befitting of a general. Requirements: Strength: 1."
"How cool is that" Jay says with a big grin on his face, Maybe one day I'll be a general.
Rose walks to a separate segment of the tower, signalling for Jay to follow her. She leads him towards a translucent orb sitting upon a metallic tripod stand.
"Alright! This is called an elemental orb, it is used to test your elemental affinity. Keep in mind that humans are born with the ability to cast spells such as barriers, powerful attacks, explosions, whatever you can think of.
However, elemental magic is much more powerful than regular magic. By casting elemental spells, barriers can be strengthened with earth, speed can be increased with wind, and more damage can be dealt by explosive elements like fire. However, not all challengers have an affinity with multiple elements, let alone one. So it is best to not hold any expectations...
"EVEN SO, THAT SOUNDS AWESOME?! YOU MEAN TO SAY I CAN BE LIKE HARRY PLOTTER?!" Jay yells excitedly. "Tell me more please." "Alright alright I will. In terms of magic, there are three stages: The first is Sensing Mana, that is what the orb does for us here, it allows us to sense the mana and elemental magic within us.
Then the mana will charge towards the orb, changing it's colour to its matching element. The next stage is Feeling Mana, during this stage you can imbue mana into your body. Momentarily increasing your speed/defence/and strength.
"Wow that sounds pretty overpowered" Jay commented. The final stage is called Flowing Mana: In this stage your mana abilities are no longer restricted to your body. you can externally cast spells, barriers, and buffs."
"That's really incredible Rose! I can't wait to see what element I have an affinity with" Jay cries out. After listening to the full explanation Jay stands before the magic orb placing his hands on it. He concentrates his hardest keeping both eyes firmly shut.
His hands receive a chilly sensation as they meet the orb. He inhales deeply, meditating in nothingness his mind pitch black. "That's good, keep relaxed. Now, try to feel the mana in your surroundings. Remember mana is like the air, it constantly surrounds you, being moved by currents like particles." Rose explains, noticing his tranquil breathing and still figure.
Inside Jay's mind a single blue fleck appears. "Could this be mana?" Jay thinks to himself. As he begins to sense more specs an opaque light blue aura blankets his body. "Excellent!" Rose says. "Continue to feel the mana around you, feel its flow, sense it moving but do not move it.
Every speck of mana has it's own direction, it's own purpose. If we want to use mana we mustn't force it, but guide it inside of us, from there an element will react if you have one. During this process you have to build the mana up inside of you. As it's your first time."
Jay continued to stand still, meditating for the next 10 minutes. He carefully guides the specks of mana towards him, what originally was one speck, became two, and so on, until he had amassed enough mana that it pooled out of his being.
His soul began to shake as it came into contact with this potent energy for the first time. The mana swayed and flowed around and through him, his body acting as the conductor. Once his soul was nourished the mana gracefully danced towards the magic orb. Interestingly, the orb began to turn a light yellow hue. It's colour gradually changing, becoming a deeper more potent shade of yellow. "Amazing!" Rose thought to herself. To think this young man would awaken the element of lightning.
As if the mana stripped the body of it's energy as it left. Jay slumped and fell onto the ground, his consciousness gone. Ten minutes later he began to open his eyes, feeling extremely fatigued. Multiple bright screens flashed in his face with the words:
*Congratulations Challenger: You have an affinity with the element of lightning!*
*Congratulations Challenger: You are the first person on this world to have an affinity with an element: + 3 mana*
*Congratulations Challenger: You are the first person on this world to have an affinity with lightning: + 3 magic*
"Wow Jay, I must say I am incredibly surprised at your element. There are less than one thousand challengers who have this element across the universe." Jay simply half smiled back, unaware of what happened as he passed out again. His body and soul desperately needing more rest.
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As the sun began to set and the darkness crept in, Victor appeared once more with two of his goons hiding behind him. All three covered in thin, light, black clothing, camouflaging them into the night. "Come on you two follow me" Victor commands before dashing behind a nearby tree.
"It looks like the army has guards patrolling the tower." One of the goons comments as he looks through a cheap set of binoculars stolen from the birdwatching club.
"Alright, let's wait for them to go on break. Then we'll dash in and have a look at the tower." I pray that this tower holds something amazing for me Victor thinks to himself. "Hey Victor," the second goon says, garnering his attention.
"Did you see on the news that these towers have appeared in other countries too. all the major channels are reporting on it. It sucks the military were able to get to ours. The president of the United States did a live interview.
He touched the tower and then vanished, how sick is that?!" Seems like others have entered the tower too, Victor thought quietly. I only brought these two as muscle but if there is any treasure I plan to take it for myself.
"Hey Victor it looks like the patrolling's stopped now, we should get going." The boys race towards the tower under the shining moonlight. *WRRRRSHHH* the boys vanish.
"Hey what was that?" Derek one of the army men patrolling asks the others. "It sounds like it came from over there, let's go check it out" he tells them. "You can go, we're on break" The other men respond. "Fine, I'll go myself, pass me my flashlight" Derek says.
He walks around the circumference of the tower, when all of a sudden he sees a purple portal closing. "What the fuck is that" he thinks to himself. He runs towards it, attempting to grab it but misses and hits the side of the tower instead. *Welcome to the Tower, Challenger! Would you like to enter? Yes / No.*
"Someone unauthorised must have entered, I'll go and stop them... Enter" *WRRRSHHHH* Derek disappears.
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"Hey Captain, do you think we'll get any elemental abilities?" Anna asked excitedly. "Maybe, if we're lucky" Captain Lee responds solemnly. After selecting their weapons, they also followed Rose to the magic orb. Anna chose a magic staff as the idea of magic had always excited her.
Captain Lee on the other hand chose a sword. 'The Hero's weapon' he called it. "Captain you can go first I'm a bit nervous" Anna said with a slight worry in her voice. "Alright alright leave it to me" Lee responded nonchalantly. He walked up towards the blue orb and followed Rose's guidance. Twenty minutes passed and the mana from his body stormed towards the orb but no colour appeared.
"Unfortunately it seems like you have no natural affinity with any of the elements" Rose explained. "Ah that's too bad, I would've looked badass if I stopped criminals with a circle of fire" Captain Lee responded, sweat dripping off his face.
"Looks like it's my turn then!" Anna commented, now excited after being shown what to do. After a few minutes of concentrating she sensed the specks of mana and they naturally fell towards her body as if that's where they wanted to be.
Her soul quickly reacted to the mana, as if they were two friends reconnecting after a long period of time apart. The Mana rushed towards the orb and it shone like a deep ocean blue, indicating her affinity with water. Anna removed her hands and looked at the orb excitedly "YAY!" She yelped happily, "I have an affinity with water, looks like it was correct for me to choose the staff!!"
"Congratu-" As Rose was about to speak the orb turned from a deep blue to a light opaque blue with a hint of white. "Oh my goodness" Rose commented, "it appears you have an affinity with ice as well... To think there is such talent on this planet. First the rarest element and now a dual element mage, congratulations Challenger Anna." Rose spoke with a smile on her face. "Thank you so much! and what do you mean rarest element? Is ice really that special?" Anna asked curiously.
"Oh, it appears I misspoke. Another challenger received the rarest element, yours is not the rarest, but it is definitely special." Rose replied with a smile.
"What, who is it? what's their name?" Anna chirped. Her pride hurt as she thought the comment was towards her. "That I cannot tell you just yet, I'm sure you'll meet him soon though" Rose replied mysteriously. After their conversation finished, multiple screens appeared in front of Anna.
*Congratulations Challenger: You have an affinity with the element of water!*
*Congratulations Challenger: You are the first person on this world to have an affinity with this element: + 3 mana*
Congratulations Challenger: You have an affinity with the element of ice!*
*Congratulations Challenger: You are the first person on this world to have an affinity with this element: + 3 mana*
*Congratulations Challenger: You are the first person on this world to have an affinity with more than one element + 3 magic*
"Wow, look at this Captain! I'm so strong" Anna proudly revealed. "Come captain, let's go do the tutorial now." Anna and Lee both followed Rose, chatting amongst themselves. They continued walking for a couple of minutes until they entered a large training room.
Rose began to explain "This is the training room, where the tutorial is held, in this room you can choose how many projections you would like to face, and how strong you would like them to be. Since you two are complete beginners we will set a single projection to level 0.
Unfortunately, you do not receive experience from killing the projections, but you can still improve on your form and abilities. Make sure to train before setting off for levels, if you die in the tower, you die in real life."
Anna and Lee were a little taken back by this explanation, but they quickly shook the worry off, as it was time to face the training dummy.