On my way to the cafeteria, I stopped to give myself a facepalm.
I completely forgot to use Inspect! on the new clothes.
Modified Simple ShortsShorts modified to fit tailed humanoidsDefenseSmall protection against cold and sunlight
The defensive options were something new. The shorts really didn’t cover enough to protect against rain. If these options were consciously given, pursuing tailoring would be interesting.
Crafting bikini armor with high stats would be amusing.
Focusing at the present, I checked the shirt.
Enchanted Tracker’s ShirtA shirt modified to fit small humanoids. In forests, it gives a small concealing skillDefenseSmall protection against cold, rain and sunlightEnchantsLesser Camouflage (forest variant)Merge with surrounding plants, acquiring a green and brown color.
Enchanted…
Maybe… I just received a very expensive gift…
Well, depending on how much enchantments cost. Still, this made me remember that Enchanter was something I wanted to try, if I ever were to use magic.
‘Stealth, Illusion, Tailoring and Enchantment… I’m really going to a jack-of-all-trades building’ I sighed to myself.
Reaching the dining hall, the food was already served, but no one had arrived yet. Only some nuns and their helpers were there. They must be still training, then.
It was really calming being alone in the silence
I grabbed my food (beef and smashed potatoes)and made a happy discovery.
On the desserts table was a cake. It looked like a carrot cake. But the happy thing was the icing.
Chocolate! True Dark Chocolate!
I was so happy that I even shed a tear!
Thanks all the gods for allowing truly delicacy to exist in this world!
Getting a huge piece, I went back to where I sat earlier.
The food was great! These people really know how to do their jobs!
Actually they were smiling as I ate. And I found yet another thing that bugged me when I noticed them.
These smiles.
These condescending smiles I kept seeing ever since I arrived here. Maybe they thought I looked like a kid, or some kind of pet.
But doing something about it may turn against me. Having they think about me as child will make them think I have to be protected. And that was okay with me.
Now, I just had to think in a way to endure it.
When I was about to start eating my lunch, the others began to arrive. Goodbye sweet silence!
I looked at them, to see what the training had done with them.
They were a mess.
Bloody clothes, messed hair. Some were bruised. Strangely the ones who had more blood in their clothes were the ones with fewer bruises. Odd.
The physical training was literally a pain, it seems.
People started to sit around. Vampy and Birdy walked my way, and after came Bull.
“Hey the trainer asked us to take the newcomers to him after the lunch” said a cheerful Siren signaling at herself and Bull.
She was beautiful. Exotic, but still… beautiful.
She had Japanese eyes. Pulled eyes, not the anime ones. She had a well proportioned body. Hourglass, but totally possible chest. She tied her shirt, cowgirl style, giving a full view of her waist. Her wings were black, which contrasted with her tanned skin, and gave a slight purple tone when under the light, same with her hair, tied in a bun, with something that looked like a pencil holding it in place. She was wearing some shorts (it seems pilgrims only gained shorts) and long boots.
The bovine-morph was a muscular guy. Really muscular. He wore shorts and was shirtless. He had a brownish skin that looked like it was covered with fur, but with some black spots. The fur looked denser on his forearms. His horns sprouted from the sides of his head, different than demons, which sprouted their horns on the forehead. He also had a small tail with a puffed tip. He had brown hair and brown eyes.
“Can we sit here to lunch?” he asked.
Too many people. Entering nodding mode.
They sat down.
“My name is Piper. The Cool Beauty(lol) is Luna, my roommate. What’s yours?” asked Birdy Piper she actually said lol. Vampy Luna ignored her joke.
“Gyp.” Short answer again. The bull didn’t introduced himself. Rude.
Awkward pause.
“So, why did you choose Imp?” Vampy asked. The others looked at me, interested.
“I wanted to go sstealthy.” The hissing was out of control, being embarrassed didn’t help it. “I didn’t believe the ‘forever changed’ part” A lie, but even I didn’t know the exact reason. Piper nodded as if she understood it. The others didn’t.
I elaborated “I recently played a game. Liked it. Tried to imitate. Ended up like thisss.” Partly true. Damm games, making us do random choices in life.
“Few words.” Back to Birdy “Why so serious?” she asked smiling.
“The hisssssing isss awkward to me. Trying to avoid.” Short answer, again.
Bull grunted “Know how you feel. Still trying to get used to grunting” *grunt*
“And why did you choossse it?” I asked, now interested on this little talk.
*grunts* “Thought it was interesting. I have already been human my whole life, so I wanted something different *grunts*”
“But why bull?”
He smiled “Because of muscles. Was trying to get them for years. Saw the chance and took it” yes, he grunted.
I looked at the Siren. She got the cue.
“I was a trying to be a singer” she said, a little embarrassed “but I wasn’t very good at it”
She gave a small smile “so like Broox, when I saw an opportunity I took it”
So that’s why he didn’t introduce himself. Bro OX. I internally chuckled.
“Why not mermaid” the curious me asked.
“I used to play a lot of games. So I have a felling of which monster will spawn. And underwater monsters spawning next to me? No thanks” she shivered. Wise Girl.
Another pause. I still didn’t eat the cake. Better start it.
Chocolate was great! And the cake was really good too. I gave a mental thumbs up to the cook.
And then looked at Vampy. She didn’t give her reason.
She noticed my gaze but ignored me.
Piper noticed it too and giggled.
“And why you choossse Vampire?” Direct question. No way she can dodge it.
She looked at me. And looked away. She faced her friend, trying to escape the question. And found no help. It seems Piper was interested too.
She started to blush. “I liked a certain movie. And liked the vampires on it.” she stuttered a little. “Tha-that’s why I chose it”
I stared at her. At her eyes, actually. They were golden.
Being an avid reader, I gave a try at that book too.
I grinned “Did you try to name yourssself ‘Cullen’?”
She was tomato red too. Better stop before she bites me.
Her friend was having a fit besides her, laughing.
Broox didn’t get it.
Back to the cake we ate in silence. (Except Piper, who was still trying to hold her laughs)
Finishing their meals, Broox and Piper fished the other two newcomers from their groups and took us to the training grounds.
It was on the border of the forest, outside the walls. Maybe to train in different grounds, the clear area and the forest area.
When we arrived, both senior pilgrim quickly gave their goodbyes and went back. Traumatized much?
The trainer was training (puny wordplay). He was attacking a scarecrow.
Noticing our arrival he wiped some sweat off his brow.
“EVERYONE! TAKE OUT YOUR STAT PLATES AND PREPARE FOR INSPECTION” God, he was loud!
Everyone put their rings one. Why don’t they change the name for Stat Rings already? Maybe at the past they were plates…
Focus on the now, Gyp…
He walked to us, and pointed to the Dwarf.
“YOU! Come ‘ere and show me your Movement Skill!” even without the screams his voice was loud
…
…
Movements Skill? What’s that?
Luna saw my poker face and grinned.
Bending to her side she whispered. “Skill Screen. Little arrow on the right. Use it to side scroll.”
I looked at the panel. There really was a small arrow. (internally facepalming).
The Skill had four pages. Active Skills, Passive Skills (including blessings and currently worn enchants), Movement Skill and Elemental Affinities.
Now, to the Movement Screen. It had the properly movements skills and also “weapon” proficiency.
Movement SkillCrawlingMovements on all fours. May benefit stealth skillsAdept - level 1WalkingWalking speed and fatigue enduranceBeginner - level 2RunningRunning speed and enduranceJourneyman - level 2JumpingHeight of jump and jump distanceAdept - level 1ClimbingClimbing speed and fatigue enduranceJourneyman - level 2SwimmingSwimming speed, holding breath and fatigue enduranceApprentice - level 1ParryingBlocking attacks using weaponsBeginner - level 1DodgingEvading attacksAdept - level 1AcrobaticsJumping, climbing and running synergy skillAdept - level 5BlockingBlocking attacks using protective apparel and equipmentsApprentice - level 1ProficiencyClaw ProficiencyAbility to use Claws in combat (attack speed and strength)Amateur - level 1Venom ProficiencyEffectiveness and power using venomsAmateur - level 1
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Brother Oliver already told me about skills levels.
There were seven: Apprentice, Beginner, Amateur, Journeyman, Adept, Master and Grandmaster.
But to have movement rated… well, at least it explains why I’m so much slower when walking. Maybe all of them started at level 1? With the walking and running I did since I got here, it would explain how some were already leveled.
But the parrying, blocking and swimming really made me cringe.
He studied Dwarfy’s skill and then Incubi‘s. Then, it was my turn.
“PIPSQUEAK, COME ‘ERE!” I frowned at this. I went anyway.
“How do I ssshow it” I asked.
He sighed. I bet it was a FAQ. “Just say: Show Movement Screen, while using the ring”
I showed it.
He studied for a time.
“Ability build, quite high. But fragile. Gonna have to train ya on how to fight without gettin’ hit, and no chance for ya in an underwater fight” He seemed to concentrate on something. Was he already creating a training plan? “Venom, huh? So quick fights, without getting hit.” He nodded to himself.
“Got it, tomorrow we begin” why did I felt some menacing aura? It can’t be that bad, can it?
I went back to the group and waited for Luna being inspected.
When he finished he turned to us “GO TO MAGIC CLASS NOW, NO LOAFIN’ AROUND” he screamed said, and went back to his training.
We went to class, of course.
“Piper said the magic classes start an hour after lunch, in a room on the fourth floor.” Said Luna “We are already late.”
So we decided to run back, instead of walking.
I looked at Dwarfy.
...
He looked at me.
...
I pointed at the Demon in front of us.
...
He nodded.
Together we jumped at the Demon’s back.
“Hey!” he sounded annoyed. “Out of my back!” He didn’t even slow down.
I climbed to his shoulder.
“It isss quicker thisss way” I said to him (climbing skills… checked)
He growled but accepted his fate.
I looked at the Dwarf.
“I’m Gyp.” I said.
“Torrik”, he answered.
We decided to silently enjoy our way back.
When we arrived at the building we got off.
The Incubi looked angry and ready to start a brawl, and Luna was about to burst in laughing (I guess we broke her Cool Beauty act)
Ignoring him, Torrik and I went upstairs. No way we would fight with someone who ran with two people on his back.
Luna and the Demon followed us after a short time after (she was still trying to control her laughs).
Arriving at the room we knocked. And entered.
…
It was chaos.
Fireballs flying aimlessly. Ice shards sprouting at random. Wind howling. There were some flashes of light nearby and a ball of darkness on the other side.
...
We closed the door.
“Wrong place I hope” said the Incubi
Just to be sure we opened again.
Still chaos. Actually, a bit worse, with vines covering the ceiling.
We looked for the teacher.
There was an Elven woman close to the door. She was looking at the chaos and looking like she was remembering the good old time.
She noticed us and turned to the pilgrims.
“HALT ALL MAGIC!” She screamed. And they really stopped.
“I am going to teach these children about magic. Revise the basics of magic and back to meditating!” she said, more calmly now. “If I come back and see even a fire igniting the responsible will suffer death from each basic element.”
“That was a joke, right?” asked Torrik.
Looking at the other pilgrims serious faces we decided to don’t ask.
She took us to another room.
“I’m Sister Minerva, the Storm Witch” she presented herself giving a kind smile and made us do the same.
“I’m Luna”
“Torrik”
“Gyp”
“I’m Uriel” I got surprised at his name. A Demon of lust named after the angel of purity, oh irony.
“Now, let’s begin our class” she motioned us to sit on the closer chairs.
“Hmm, where to start… well let’s go from the elements
There are seven basic elements. Fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, light, and darkness. There are others, known as lesser elements, but we will start with these. Some places can have more elemental mana than others, for example, in the sea, there would be little to no earth mana, making Earth Magic really weak on open sea, but really stronger in deserts or canyons.
Magic happens when you infuse your mana in the world and urge the elemental mana to follow your will. The mana inside the bodies is referred as Arcane Mana. In the last example, if you are in the sea, you can convert Arcane Mana into Earth Mana and cast the spell, but it would require chanting, or a great amount of mana. And without a high affinity, the change would be far from1:1.
On areas with high concentration of mana, they can solidify into mana crystals, an expansive and rare magical ingredient.
Also, mana and energy are interchangeable. If you ever run out of mana, you can exchange your own energy into mana, but doing so is extremely dangerous, and using it irresponsible can cause death. The opposite is possible too, if you ever starve, you can change your mana into energy, but without the nutrients from food, you wouldn’t be able to go very far with this.
Magic is divided into various areas. Signs, Spells, Chants, Rituals and Enchants.
Signs are magic that use the body to be casted. There is not even the need to say the spell. But because of their quick cast and little mana required, they are weaker than the others. But if you are in a fight, and needs a quick attack, that’s the most efficient. For example, gathering Arcane Mana in my hand, closing it and pointing both the indicator and middle fingers at a target, I would cast a Pusânte Sign, a magic that causes the air to move quickly in one direction and impact with the target. It would have the same power as a slingshot.
And if I use the elemental mana I would cast the Pusânte Spell. To cast it, you would need to channel the elemental mana and actually say the spell. It’s quick and in the rearguard of a fight is a potent and quick weapon. It costs more mana, since you are urging something static to serve your biddings. It would hit as hard as an arrow.
Now Chants are more difficult. As the name imply it requires a longer casting time. It’s usually used in healing magic or simple to train your affinities. A Pusânte Chant would require at least three minutes to cast, depending on your ability to gather the Wind Mana. On the rearguard, it would be a devastating magic eliminating several targets. But the casting requires concentration and stopping the conjure would cause the gathered mana to go unstable, causing dire situations. It would hit harder than a cannonball.
And there’s Rituals. Very complicated and long lines to chant, taking hours to be cast, unbreakable concentration and too large amounts of mana are necessary. Usually uses mana crystals to achieve the amount necessary. Or sacrifices. A Pusânte Ritual would be as strong as a hurricane, but one with all the air going at the same direction. It would be enough to blow up this monastery.
And for last, there’s Enchants. Enchant is a magic that infuse elemental mana into a target. In this case, the enchanter’s ability and the amount of mana infused will affect the results. Also the enchanter needs to know which aspect of the element they want infuse into something. For example, I could enchant boots with Wind Mana and grant a speed boost. The higher the amount of mana you spend, the higher the effects. There’s also a combat technique that uses enchants. You infuse yourself with the elemental mana. Using Wind Mana, you can accelerate your strikes, or gusts of wind in with every hit. The monks here are practitioners of this art.
And a little thing you should know about enchanting. NEVER use you own mana. The process would make you permanently lose the amount of mana. That’s why we use mana crystals. Although the power of an item enchanted with Arcane Mana is way higher than an elemental mana one. Still, permanently losing mana is something most mages would never do.
Despite it, some really old mages sometimes enchant items with all their mana. These are known as legendary-tier equipment. Selling at least one of these would make you rich for your entire life.
With this, our theoretical class ends.” Said a really tired Elf.
She went to a shelf full of crystals and got four small crystals. She gave one for each of us.
“These are empty crystals” she explained.
“I want you to meditate and, when you think you can use the mana, infuse elemental mana into them.” She watched us making confused faces
“When you meditate, you attain awareness of your surroundings. With this you also got to sense mana inside and around you. Sensing it makes it possible to move. Start from your own mana and use it to encircle the mana outside. Now hurry and begin! I will be on the other room and will come back in…” she outside the windows “two hours” and exited.
Time to train, I guessss.
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Author Note:
New Chapter! Hurray!
For now, forget my plans on weekly release. I got hooked on my own story, so around a chapter per day until the hype settles down.
And I finally gave more names to characters. Now only twenty somethings characters need names!
Any mistakes, please comment.
Thanks for reading!