Talax sat slumped over the cramped table, the flickering candles casting dancing shadows across his weary face. His hand supported his aching head as he tried to make sense of the overwhelming thoughts racing through his mind. Bene sat calmly opposite him, the lines etched on his face deepening as he delved into the pages of his small book. The silence was only broken by the occasional hiss of Sir Gallant, the annoying cat perched on the windowsill, who seemed to be staring intently at the flickering flames.
Talax's mind was consumed with the conversation he had just had with the disciple of Erling during his trial. The man had opened up a whole new world of knowledge for him, explaining the workings of mana and how it flowed through his body. But there were other things that the man had said that left him feeling lost and confused.
He looked across at Bene, whose eyes glinted in the candlelight, and he wondered if he should disturb his peace. Finally, he mustered the courage to speak up.
“Excuse me, Bene,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “the scholar told me some things that I didn't quite understand. Could you help me make sense of them?”
Bene closed his book with a soft rustle of pages, his gaze meeting Talax's with a calm reassurance.
“If I have the answers, of course,” he replied.
Talax stood up straighter, feeling a sudden burst of hope. He scanned his mind for the most pressing question, and one rose to the surface like a beacon in the dark.
“Is it true that even though I don't have magic, I can still do magical things?” he asked, his eyes wide with hope.
Bene's calm expression shifted slightly, as if considering his answer carefully.
“In theory, yes... But you have to understand that it is exceedingly rare. Moreover, you would have to dedicate your whole life to your craft. Sometimes even that isn't enough,” he said, his voice low and measured.
Talax felt a pang of disappointment, but then his mind latched onto another piece of information that had caught his attention.
“But the scholar said that there are cooks that are able to cook meals that can prolong a man's life!” he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
Bene smiled gently, as if indulging a child's curiosity.
“That may be possible, but... There are many factors that affect one's path. First and foremost, your level. To have an ability like that, you have to be quite a high level, and you need a massive amount of willpower,” he explained.
As he spoke, Sir Gallant suddenly leaped from the windowsill and onto the table, his piercing green eyes fixed on Talax. He let out a low hiss at Talax and rubbed his head against Bene's hand, seeking affection.
Undeterred, Talax pressed on with his questioning.
“Willpower? What do you mean?” he asked eagerly.
“Every breathing creature, and some that don’t actually, has defining characteristics that make them who they are. With each level gained, a certain number of points are distributed to these characteristics, shaping an individual’s traits and abilities. Willpower, for instance, is a crucial characteristic as it determines the amount of mana one’s body can hold, a vital resource for magic-users.”
Before Bene could finish his sentence, Talax spoke up, eager to learn more.
“Is there any way for me to discover my own characteristics?” Bene shook his head apologetically.
“Only mages or other powerful individuals possess the ability to perceive and influence the development of their characteristics. The rest of us common folk simply have to make do with what we are given.”
Talax’s enthusiasm dimmed with each passing word; his dreams of magical abilities slipping away.
“So, I won’t be able to perform any magic?” Bene smiled reassuringly, determined to lift Talax’s spirits.
“I didn’t say that. With dedication and hard work, one can level up multiple skills and eventually accomplish extraordinary feats.”
Talax sighed in relief, feeling a glimmer of hope returning.
“May I ask, what level are you at?” he inquired with a newfound sense of curiosity.
“Level 9,” Bene declared proudly, causing Talax’s eyes to widen in surprise.
“How did you reach such a high level?” Talax asked in amazement.
Bene smiled, proud to share his journey.
“I’ve been working as a scribe for my entire life, honing my skills and leveling up in various areas. Although combat is a faster way to level up, mastering several skills can be just as rewarding, even if it takes significantly longer. Unfortunately, us peasants don’t have the luxury of embarking on fanciful adventures.”
Talax listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities.
As the conversation drew to a close, Bene declared it was time for bed, insisting they had a busy day ahead. Talax couldn’t help but feel curious about what he meant, but Bene remained coy, leaving Talax to wonder what lay ahead.
Talax woke up to a new day, but his rest had been fitful and troubled with insecurities and hopelessness. As he struggled to shake off the remnants of his restless night, he was hit by a pungent and nauseating odor. With a groan, he looked to his left and found a smelly pile of feces right next to his head. It was Sir Gallant, who had left the unpleasant surprise for him. The stench was overpowering, and Talax couldn't help but gag at the thought of the revolting creature leaving such a mess. He made a mental note to talk to Bene about housetraining the feline as soon as possible. The damn cat seemed to be doing it on purpose, giving him excrement while giving Bene purrs and meows.
Despite his brief surge of optimism from last night, Talax had to confront the reality that his dreams of adventure and travel had to be put on hold. He couldn't ignore the fact that he needed to be pragmatic and prepare himself before embarking on any unknown journeys. As he had learnt, the wilderness outside the city was filled with beasts and bandits, and his chances of survival were slim without some skills to aid him. He couldn't afford to be reckless, and so he had to make some tough decisions.
As Bene left for work, Talax found himself alone in the small house. He spent his morning staring up at the ceiling, trying to figure out what to do next. But eventually, he couldn't resist the lure of the bustling city outside. He ventured out into the streets, where he was met with a flurry of activity. The narrow alleys were filled to the brim with all sorts of odd trinkets, from self-cleaning pots and talking crystals to broomsticks that could shoot frothy water. Talax marveled at the sights and sounds of the bustling city, watching people go about their daily lives. He saw women shopping for their next meal, dwarves arguing about the price of a shining metal, and beautiful elves singing with their melodious voices.
Talax's thirst for adventure and discovery was rekindled once again as he took in the excitement and wonder of the city. He was fascinated by the newness of everything around him. He instinctively knew some things, like what some races looked like or how to do certain things, while he drew a blank on matters that others considered mundane. Moreover, he had knowledge of concepts that he realized not many people were aware of.
His feet led him to a small plaza where a rowdy crowd was gathered, booing a man who was surrounded by guards. The man was bound and had a band of metal with a greenish tint around his neck. Talax moved closer, intrigued by what was happening. He heard the official announcing, "The prisoner is declared an apostate by the crown and is hereby sentenced to death. His actions in aiding the neighboring kingdom of Altia are considered treason, and no appeals of mercy will be considered. The execution will take place in a fortnight and will be performed by Trien the Just as is fitting for a mage who chose to conceal his magical abilities from the crown."
The crowd continued to jeer and throw things at the helpless man, who took the abuse without showing any reaction. Talax found the whole scene disturbing and decided to leave, his mind filled with questions about the events unfolding before him. As he walked back to the small house, he noticed the beauty of the city in a new light. He saw the intricate details in the buildings, the different styles of architecture, and the diverse mix of people going about their day.
When he finally reached the house, he found Bene already there, preparing a small platter with an assortment of fruits and cheese, while Sir Gallant was nuzzling at his feet. As he stepped inside, his eyes were drawn to the stack of papers on the table, which were scattered haphazardly with a quill and jar of ink beside them.
"What are these for?" he asked, his eyes flickering over the mess of papers.
"Today we will teach you the scribing skill. I already talked to my boss, and he agreed to take you in. However, you have to get your skill to at least level 5," Bene replied, flashing him a warm smile.
Talax furrowed his brow, studying the stack of papers intently. As he looked closer, he realized that all but one of the sheets were completely blank.
"So, I'll have to copy this paper?" he asked, a hint of hesitation creeping into his voice.
Bene nodded, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
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"Yes, in order to gain the skill, you have to fulfill specific requirements. In the case of the scribing skill, copying a document will suffice. Now let's eat because we have a long night ahead of us."
They sat down and began eating, savoring the delicious morsels as Bene chattered away about his day. Talax, on the other hand, remained mostly silent, trying to figure out whether he wanted to become a scribe. Given his current predicament, though, he didn't have many choices and just sighed in resignation.
After they finished their meal, Bene sat him down, showed him the document, and explained that he had to copy the text as closely as possible, from the spacing of each word to the curve of each letter. At first, when he looked at the document, the words seemed jumbled and illegible, making it impossible to read. But when he blinked, everything seemed normal, and he was able to study it.
He dipped the quill in the jar of ink, and his hand hovered above the yellowed paper.
"Now, my friend," Bene said, his voice filled with encouragement, "take your time. Our goal is to create a perfect copy, one that captures every nuance and detail of the original. If there are too many mistakes, we'll simply start over. But I have faith in you. Let's get started."
Talax nodded with determination. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves, and dipped the quill into the pot of ink. As he began to write, he felt his focus intensify, his mind blocking out all distractions.
Bene stood beside him, offering guidance and encouragement, his voice low and soothing. The sound of the quill scratching against the paper filled the small room, a rhythmic beat that seemed to synchronize with Talax's heartbeat.
Despite the occasional challenge that Bene pointed out, Talax found the process to be surprisingly fluid. The ink flowed from his quill, leaving a trail of crisp, dark letters on the parchment. With each stroke of his pen, he felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
When he finished, he set the quill down and gazed at the document before him, admiring the neatly written lines and precise lettering. The ink glimmered in the flickering candlelight, and Talax felt a surge of satisfaction wash over him.
The copy wasn't perfect, however, as his inexperience showed in some letters having crude lines and others being too small or too big. Nevertheless, Talax wondered if it was enough to gain the skill.
Before he could ask Bene how he would know if he had learned the skill, he felt an echo in his core, like a barely noticeable wave that began from the center of his body and expanded outward. He looked around unsure of what was happening but noticed Bene smiling.
"You got it, didn't you?"
"Huh?"
"If you look into your mana core, you will notice something peculiar. Now go ahead and inspect your new skill."
He closed his eyes and focused on his mana core, visualizing the intricate web of channels that pulsed with energy. The core itself was a thing of beauty, a pulsing sphere of pale blue light that glimmered and an imperceptible purplish casing that seemed to act as protection. He could feel power thrumming through it and inspected it carefully. This time he felt no rush and took his time, feeling a barely noticeable sensation from the ambient mana entering his core and later circulating through his body.
As he examined it more closely, he saw a faint vortex at its center, a swirling mass of energy that seemed to beckon to him. The soft purple light exuded a hollowness that left him unsettled and made him want to look away as if he kept looking, he would be sucked into its depths.But he also noticed two bright points of light, shining like stars amidst the swirling currents of mana. Intrigued, he went to investigate the peculiarities in his mana core, but before he could go any further, Bene's voice interrupted him.
"Well? Did you find it?" Talax grumbled in annoyance, "Not yet, give me a second!"
He resumed his inspection, this time following the faint stirring at the edge of his core, where he spotted a small anomaly. He could see a small protrusion extending inward, like a small plant seeking the sun. He concentrated on that small sprout, and instantly his mind filled with information. He saw the words forming in his mind's eye, clear and precise.
Scribing skill, level 1
1% writing speed, 1% writing proficiency
A smile bloomed on his face, feeling satisfied with his small victory. Bene, seeing his smile, nodded in approval.
"I see you learned the skill. Now you have to make as many copies as you can. If your level is sufficient enough, I will take you to the courthouse in the morning."
Talax scowled as he stared at the stacks of paper in front of him, feeling a sense of dread at the thought of the tedious task ahead. But he set his jaw and straightened his posture, determined to improve his scribing skill.
As he picked up his quill and dipped it into the inkwell, his eyes scanned the parchment in front of him as his quill scratched away, filling the room with the rhythmic sound of his writing. As the night wore on, the room grew quiet except for the sound of Talax's pen scratching against the parchment. The only other sound was the occasional rustle of Bene's movement as he sat beside Talax, munching on the juicy red apple he had cut earlier.
Talax's vision blurred as exhaustion began to set in, and his hand grew heavy as he pushed himself to continue. Suddenly, a surge of mana rushed through his body, jolting him back to alertness. He felt the power coursing through his veins, energizing him and spurring him on to continue.
As he reached for another sheet of parchment, Talax noticed the growth of a small sprout in his mana core. He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement as he inspected his scribing skill, now at level 3.
Scribing skill, level 3
3% writing speed, 3% writing proficiency
The skill had not gained any new abilities, and the only improvements were the small increases in writing speed and proficiency. Still, Talax could distinguish the differences between his earlier drafts and his latest attempts. His handwriting was tidier and more discernible.
With a deep sigh, Talax rubbed his weary eyes and turned to Bene, who was ready to fall asleep.
"I think I'm done for the night; I'm beat." He announced stifling a yawn.
"Yes, it's late. Just check your skill, and we can sleep."
Before sleeping though, Talax wanted to inspect the small ball of energy in the middle of his core. Now that he knew what to do, he focused on the hazy energies and was surprised when his mind drew a blank for a few seconds.
Void magic, level 0
Magic? He had magic? How was that possible? Talax was stunned, his mind reeling with the implications. He had never heard of void magic before, and the discovery left him feeling equal parts exhilarated and frightened. tried to recall the types of magic that the scholar had cited during his testing, but he was fairly certain that void magic was not mentioned.
He tried to move closer to the bundle of purple energies, and he abruptly zoomed in, the purple sphere occupying his whole field of vision. As he gasped in awe, Bene's voice broke through the darkness. "Talax? Are you okay, boy?" The man’s voice was muffled, as if coming from a great distance.
He didn't respond; however, his entire attention was fixated on the vortex of wild energies before him. The swirling mass of darkness was both awe-inspiring and terrifying to behold, with tendrils of purple and black energy lashing out like frenzied tentacles.
The overwhelming emptiness and urge to devour the universe crashed into his mind like a tidal wave, threatening to sweep him away into the abyss. He felt the weight of the universe bearing down on him, and the sensation of being utterly alone in the face of such immense power left him feeling small and insignificant.
His mind felt as though it was being pummeled by an unrelenting force that was attempting to rip apart his very being, leaving nothing but an empty shell behind. The mental onslaught was relentless, with wave after wave of sheer force battering against the walls of his consciousness.
His body convulsed in response to the sudden assault, and one of the stars in his mana core exploded with a blinding burst of light, the same purple light of the void magic. The pain was searing, like liquid fire coursing through his veins. It felt as though his skin was being peeled away, layer by layer, exposing raw, pulsing flesh beneath.
Talax gasped, struggling to breathe through the agony, as his body was wracked with spasms. He felt as though he was being pulled apart at the seams, his very essence being ripped away by the wild, chaotic energy of the void.
For a moment, Talax lay there, disoriented and confused, struggling to regain his senses. His mind was in a fog, his thoughts scattered and disordered. But slowly, as the pain receded and his body calmed, he began to take stock of his surroundings. Talax's mind raced as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I think..." His voice sounded hoarse to his own ears.
"What happened?! What's wrong?" Bene was shaking him, but Talax wasn't in the mood for conversation.
"Give me a moment," he rasped.
He relaxed his mind once again and visualized his core. What he saw answered one of his questions. He could make out an energy field that had blanketed his body. What once felt like liquid lava now gave off a warm comfort that seemed to protect him from the influence of the void magic. He could detect the unknown magic forming a shield around his core, restraining the wild whips of the void that attempted to lash out.
With a sigh of relief, Talax watched as the vortex of void magic returned to its previous state, its purple blackness swirling and churning like a living thing. But this time, there was a difference: there was an offshoot, a smaller ball of energy that spun off from the main vortex like a comet streaking through the night sky. With a sense of trepidation, Talax cautiously approached the newest addition, unsure of what he might find.
Void magic, level 1
Spells:
weak void ball
Summons a small singularity that erases whatever comes across its path.
Summon time: 2 seconds, spell duration: n/a, cooldown: 5 minutes
The very air around him crackled with energy as he realized what had just happened. A spell! And not just any spell, but an incredible one that seemed extremely powerful. He was a mage now, a wielder of magic, and the thought filled him with an almost dizzying sense of excitement.
He couldn't believe his luck. Just moments ago, he had resigned himself to a life of drudgery as a scribe, but now everything had changed. The possibilities were endless, and he could almost see the world opening up before him like a vast, uncharted sea.
He felt an almost overwhelming urge to celebrate his good fortune, to dance and sing and revel in the sheer joy of it all. The man who had helped him from the moment they had met flashed through his mind, and he couldn't wait to share the news with him.
But before he did that, he had to see what had helped him restrain the void magic's outburst. He quickly closed his eyes and looked inside his mana core, The star that once glimmered faintly, now shone with an intensity that took his breath away, as if it had been waiting for him all along. As he examined it, a flood of information flowed into his mind, leaving him reeling with confusion and bewilderment.
A God has smiled upon you,
Your actions have garnered the attention of the supreme and deemed you worthy of a reward fitting your achievements!
VoidBorn
You are a child of the void. May mortals and Gods cower before your might.
You are the first of your line. May you devour the world.
You are the herald. May the faithful revere you.
You are the Void.
What? Voidborn? What does that mean?
For what felt like an eternity, he stood frozen, his mind reeling as he struggled to comprehend the meaning of what he had just read. He felt a wave of confusion and panic wash over him as he tried to make sense of the ominous phrasing that had been used. Was he not human? And if not, what was he? The questions raced through his mind as he struggled to come to terms with the new revelation.
But then, a single word caught his attention and sent shivers down his spine...
Devour...
The word resonated within him, triggering a flood of memories of his trial and the intense hunger he had felt as he gazed upon the affinity gems. It was a primal urge, a hunger that felt like a slumbering beast had awoken within him, ready to consume everything in its path to satisfy its insatiable cravings.
Despite the dizzying array of questions that swirled within his mind, he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement at the realization that he could wield magic. His heart sang with joy, and he could barely contain the urge to jump up and start casting spells all around him.
"Bene, guess what? I have magic after all!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with an infectious enthusiasm that seemed to bubble up from the very depths of his soul. With bony knees, awkward elbows, and wild abandon, he jumped up and began to dance around the room, his heart overflowing with joy and wonder.
Bene simply stared at him, bewildered. "Did you happen to find some mushrooms hidden behind my bed?" he asked, perplexed.