"Thank you." I said to Phoenix and gave him a kiss when we emerged on the ground, the moment we did, a magical circle started fading away.
This teleportation circle was a high tier Space Time Magic Phoenix used to save me. It allows teleportation for more than one person and when first portals were invented, they used this spell as a reference. After reaching level twenty, his Space Time Magic was level six, and he was able to use it.
"Anytime Kitty, but please be more careful." he smiled and put me down on the ground. I was a bit sad when he did so. It felt so nice being held in princess carry.
Only slaves of Darson were doing their best to suppress a chuckle. Others weren't so kind, and the minotaur was worst among them. His thunder like laughter could be heard all over the place.
I was so embarrassed.
And it wasn't because of how everything looked. Well, maybe a little .. mostly it was because I just realized I could avoid all of this by using phantom shift. I already used it to walk on the air .. even with large mana consumption, activating it few times to slow down descent should be a child's play.
It's so obvious now that I am on the ground, but back then, when I looked at the ground far in the distance, a flash of memories reminded me how I fell from the building. This was the first time when I was a bit scared. If anyone asks, I was not used to the skill.
*
By now, everyone got accustomed to the style of one another and monsters of this floor. Sometimes they still had a bit of trouble with noticing them in stealth, but the fight itself was easy. I started to consider heading even deeper, but with evening approaching, it's a bit too late.
"Why there are so little of them?" asked Jack no one in particular.
This was also one of the reasons I considered heading deeper. If not for my scent manipulation attracting nearby monsters, this could be hardly called a hunt. Monsters were way too sparse.
"They probably were overhunted. Last time I was there with Kitty, there was more of them than usual. I suspect that guild increased rewards, which influenced a swarm of adventurers. We are most likely dealing with leftovers .. or freshly spawned monsters." said Phoenix.
"Should we head back?" I asked after noticed that only few monsters could be seen in a distance.
"Probably .. Hey! How about we form a party?" suddenly asked Tia.
"Haven't we did so already?" I asked with a smile.
"No, you know what I meant. Let's form an official party. I think we are working well as a team. Even Darson could join if he wants." enthusiastically continued Tia.
"What do you mean 'even I could join'?! If I didn't need her help, this would mean goodbye here and now!" glared Darson at Tia, but she showed him a tongue and then looked back at me.
To be honest, we could kill way faster if we were alone, the experience we gain is lesser and many of our skills are restricted with the danger of friendly fire... But...
It's more fun in a company. Besides, in the future, we might need allies we can trust and connections of Darson could be useful as well.
As I looked at Phoenix, our eyes met. I just shrugged in response leaving the decision in his hands.
"Just so you know, there were some assassins after our life. If you aren't afraid of getting involved then I am fine. Oh, also after a bit longer than a week, we planned heading to the Capital. Kitty is eager to participate in the tournament." said Phoenix and looked at me with a smile.
"Assassins?!" almost shouted Darson. Judging from his angered expression, he was reminded of something from the past.
"Yes. Let's just say they lost something they weren't supposed to. With a promise to the Captain of guards, I can't say more than this .. at least for now." said Phoenix.
"Fine! Count me in. I planned to hire Melissa anyway. If I have a chance to kill more of those bastards, it's even better." said Darson after thinking a bit.
Did he meant assassins with 'bastards'? Just what kind of history he has with them?
"Master!" shouted Elmor while looking at Tia with pleading eyes.
"That's right, a tournament! We should definitely go there." shouted Tia and when minotaur heard that, he grinned from ear to ear. "I think that settles it. Let's go to register our party. Hmm, what kind of name should we give it..."
"Wait, Tia! Haven't you heard what they said about assassins?" quickly stopped her Jack.
"Oh, come on, Cousin. Don't tell me you are scared? We are adventurers. Facing a danger is our way of life."
"But... Fine, you win. Seriously, you are so carefree .. not any better than her." yielded Jack while looking at me.
"Hey!" I shouted with Tia in unison.
*
As we were walking back, I was checking the status of our friends .. with their permission of course. While technically, as long as we are in the same party, I could do that anytime I want. If you are not a member of family, It was considered vulgar to do that without permission.
<< STATUS >> Name: Tia Health: 264/264 Level: 22 Mana: 178/225 Race: Wolf Beastkin Stamina: 284/315 Gender: Female Strength: 54 Age: 21 Agility: 105 Class: Shadowblade Endurance: 71 Subclass: Alchemist, Cook Mind Power: 45 State: Healthy, Slaves (Elmor) Unallocated attribute points 0
<< SKILLS >> ACTIVE Shadowstep (Special) LVL 3 Sprint LVL 8 Mist of Shadows (Special) LVL 2 Mana Manipulation LVL 3 Domain of Shadows (Special) LVL 1 PASSIVE Poison Resistance LVL 1 Enhanced Smell LVL 3 Dual Wield Mastery LVL 6 Enhanced Hearing LVL 2 Sword Mastery LVL 7 Enhanced Sight LVL 2 Alchemy LVL 3 Nightvision LVL 2 Cooking LVL 3 Acrobatics LVL 3 Mana Perception LVL 4
Mist of Shadows was basicaly a smoke screen made with mana, the only difference is that Tia's sight isn't affected in the slightest.
While I haven't seen 'domain of shadows' in action, I read that it creates an area around the user that disrupts almost all forms of magic. It's nearly useless during the day, but during a night, or in dark shadows, it's the worst enemy of a mage.
<< STATUS >> Name: Elmor Health: 827/844 Level: 25 Mana: 41/110 Race: Minotaur Stamina: 298/363 Gender: Male Strength: 201 Age: 31 Agility: 61 Class: Berserker Endurance: 106 Subclass: None Mind Power: 22 State: Healthy, Enslaved (Tia) Unallocated attribute points 0
<< SKILLS >> ACTIVE Battle Frenzy (Special) LVL 3 Sprint LVL 2 War Cry (Special) LVL 2 Intimidation LVL 2 PASSIVE Poison Resistance LVL 1 Enhanced Strength LVL 2 Pain Resistance LVL 2 Enhanced Health LVL 1 Dual Wield Mastery LVL 6 Sword Mastery LVL 3
War Cry is a shout followed by a mental attack, it instills fear into your enemies and should work splendidly in tandem with intimidation. As for 'Battle Frenzy', it puts the user into an enraged state while increasing strength in return.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The way I see it, it's a weaker version of limit break. Even with his strength higher than my, I doubt he could reach even third of what I can do. His high stats in strength are largely due 'Enhanced Strength'. From books, I learned that all minotaurs have this skill from the birth. It's like enhanced senses of beastkin.
I now had a general idea where I stand compared to others. Thanks to the body manipulation, there is a large gap between us. Next, I wanted to see how Phoenix differs from other mages.
No matter how many times I tried, I couldn't see the status of Miriel, I tried her brother's, but it was the same.
"Miriel, why I can't see your status?" I asked her.
She looked at Darson and when he nodded in response began to speak.
"My full name is Miriel Deo Lartilua."
Ah, so the name I used to check her status wasn't full...
"Wait! You were a noble?" I asked surprised and looked at her neck. Yes, she is definitely a slave.
She looked at her Master again, but when he showed no indication to stop her, continued.
"Life of noble isn't as easy as everyone thinks. There are enemies plotting on every corner, and all of it is just a part of a game .. a game that is called politics. As you can see, stakes are very high. Just one mistake can lead your entire family to ruin..." said Miriel with a sad voice, lost in her memories.
I have to admit I was of better opinion about him. I thought while looking at Darson.
"No, my Master has nothing to do with it." she quickly said when noticed my look. "He might not look like it, but he is actually a very nice person. When our House fell, he bought me with my brother at the auction. Even Derea, our former Guard Captain, was saved from falling into the hands of our enemies. I don't dare to think what awaited us if we landed in the hands of Silverhand."
"I see." was all I could say. Her earlier words were so misleading...
"Are we still talking about the same guy? Don't tell me he didn't order you to sleep with him." joined Tia when overheard our conversation.
"This is none of your business, Tia!" stepped in Darson.
"H .. he didn't order me a.. anything I was against." shuttered elf.
"Aha! So he did order." exclaimed Tia triumphantly.
"You don't understand! Back then he was grieving for the loss of his sister and I .." she started to defend him.
"Miriel!" interrupted her Darson with a loud tone.
"Ah! I am sorry, Master. I didn't mean to reveal about her." apologized Miriel.
"Fine. What's done is done." said Darson and when we got close to the portal, started summoning his real body.
*
After we split rewards received for monsters, we registered our party at the Guild. I managed to shove the role of leader to Phoenix, there is no way I want that burden .. I mean he is a perfect choice. Yes, that was the reason.
The name for our party was Red Beast, and its origin was me. As I later learned, it was the same name I was given by audience during the ranking test. How rude! Sure, my race is Beastkin, but still .. it's very cruel to call such pretty girl as myself a beast.
After a short celebration, we separated and both of us were walking back to the Inn. I finally looked at the status of Phoenix. I wonder how much he managed to improve with inherited memories I offered with altered blood.
<< STATUS >> Name: Reveon Sile'dur Health: 207/207 Level: 20 Mana: 1955/2240 Race: Elf Stamina: 173/177 Gender: Male Strength: 45 Age: 27 Agility: 53 Class: Wizard Endurance: 54 Subclass: Enchanter, Alchemist Mind Power: 280 State: Healthy Unallocated attribute points 0
<< SKILLS >> ACTIVE Mana Manipulation LVL MAX Meditation LVL 6 Body Manipulation(Unique) LVL 6 Heat Absorbtion LVL 1 Dragon Claws LVL 2 Synthesis LVL 7 Limit Break (NEW) LVL 2 Analyze LVL 2 Though Acceleration (NEW) LVL 2 Lie Detection (NEW) LVL 1 PASSIVE Eternal LVL MAX Nightvision LVL 3 Mana Perception LVL MAX Enhanced Sight LVL 4 Accuracy LVL 8 Enhanced Hearing LVL 5 Quick Cast LVL 2 Enhanced Mind(Special) LVL 5 Bow Mastery LVL 2 Enhanced Mana Pool LVL 2 Handguns Mastery LVL 8 Enhanced Mana Regeneration LVL 1 Unknown Martial Arts LVL 2 Poison Resistance LVL MAX Regeneration LVL 4 Paralysis Resistance LVL MAX Alchemy LVL 7 Mental Resistance LVL MAX Heat Resistance (NEW) LVL 1 Corrosion Resistance (NEW) LVL 2
<< MAGIC >> Space Time Magic(Special) LVL 6 Light Magic LVL 5 Enchantment Magic LVL 8 Fire Magic LVL 5 Lightning Magic (NEW) LVL 2
Hmm, now that his body manipulation and enhanced mind is the same as my, I can forget of ever surpassing him in mana pool.
"Hey! You already learned most I offered. Why haven't you taught me something with the same method?" I immediately pouted.
"Oh, I will, but my method is a bit different. It's not suited to do that in the open." he said with a smile.
"What do you mean different?" I asked confused.
Altering blood should be an obvious path.
"Let's just say, you will receive it the same way as my Space Time Magic." said Phoenix with a grin.
Space Time Magic? Wait! Does he mean? .. Just one look at his grin getting wider answered all my questions. I see. It's not blood that will hold memories. I will learn in the bed!