As they had been tracking the deer, Jack had been experimenting with his new spells. He had three and was eager to try them out.
[Ice Dagger:
Rank: Basic
Type: Offensive
Requirements: At least level 1 in Water Magic
Description: With a swift invocation, the host conjures forth the essence of frost, shaping it into a lethal weapon. Ice Dagger materializes as a shimmering blade of ice. When unleashed, it flies true, leaving behind a frosty trail as it seeks its target. Upon impact, it deals Piercing and Freeze damage.
Damage: 3-5 Piercing, 1-3 Frost
Casting Time: 1 second
Cost: 5 Mana per use
Cooldown: 2 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]
[Fluid Grace:
Rank: Basic
Type: Buff
Requirements: At least level 1 in Water Magic
Description: Through the mastery of fluid manipulation, the host channels the power of water to enhance the targets physical prowess. Fluid Grace materializes as a shimmering aura enveloping the sorcerer, imbuing them with the fluidity of water itself. As the spell takes hold, the target feels a surge of energy coursing through their veins, granting them extra speed and dexterity.
Enhancement: Temporary +2 to Agility and Dexterity for 10 seconds
Casting Time: 3 seconds
Cost: 10 Mana per use
Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]
[Conjure Water:
Rank: Basic
Type: Utility
Requirements: At least level 1 in Water Magic
Description: Conjure Water manifests as a shimmering orb of water. With a gesture, the host releases the water, allowing it to cascade forth in a gentle torrent. Whether to quench parched throats, nourish weary bodies, or douse the flames of battle, this spell serves as a versatile tool in any caster’s arsenal.
Casting Time: 1 second
Cost: 10 Mana per use
Cooldown: 10 Seconds
Note: Mastery of this spell grows with the hosts experience, enhancing its potency and precision.]
Jack had tested each spell out and found that they each did basically what they said. The Ice Dagger spell conjured a hiltless blade of pure ice. When he first summoned it, it simply hovered in the air in front of him.
It took him an embarrassing ten minutes to figure it out that he needed to mentally command the dagger to release. When he did so the dagger went slicing through the air, leaving a trail of frost in its wake. Goldeyes gave a yelp as the dagger nearly took his ear off before thudding into a nearby tree and vanishing seconds later.
The wolf glared at him. ’If Jack wasn’t Companion, Jack would be dinner”. Jack decided to test his other spells a good distance from Goldeyes.
Walking several yards into the trees, Jack tested Conjure Water. With a gesture, Jack conjured forth a shimmering orb of water. It only took a single mental command for the orb to expand, cascading forth in a gentle torrent that glistened in the dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. It was a mesmerizing sight, watching the water flow and swirl, responding to his will.
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Jack marveled at the versatility of the spell. He could already envision countless situations where this spell would come in handy during their adventures.
Lastly, Jack invoked Fluid Grace. A shimmering aura enveloped him, imbuing his form with the fluidity of water itself.
Jack could feel a surge of energy coursing through his veins, a sensation akin to being buoyed by ocean currents. The aura seemed to ripple and undulate around him, enhancing his Agility and Dexterity.
It was an empowering sensation, as if he had become one with the very essence of water. Ten seconds later the feeling vanished.
Jack took stock of what he had learned. Each spell had required no more than a specific hand motion (which he instinctively understood how to do) and a mental command. He wondered if all spells were this easy or if higher Ranked spells might be more difficult to cast.
As he and Goldeyes tracked down the deer Jack kept a careful eye on his mana. After casting the 3 spells his mana was at 5/30. It took about 20 minutes for it to refill. That meant his mana regen rate was… he did the math in his head… about 1.25 mana per minute. Jack recalled that Wisdom increased his regeneration rate while Intelligence increased overall Mana. Increasing those could let him cast more spells and recover mana faster.
Back in the present, Jack communicated his plan to Goldeyes. The wolf seemed hesitant seeing as how the plan would leave Jack to face the stag on his own.
‘’Don’t worry about me, buddy. I can handle myself”. It took a bit more convincing, but finally Goldeyes agreed to the plan. Circling around the clearing to flank the deer (using the trees and bushes around it as cover), Jack took a deep breath and focused his attention on the shimmering Starlight Stag.
With a mental command, Jack summoned forth an Ice Dagger, shaping the essence of frost into a lethal blade. The dagger materialized in midair, its icy surface glinting in the fading light of dusk. Jack took careful aim, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
Suddenly, Goldeyes leapt out from his cover, startling the deer nearest him into panicked flight. As the stag turned its attention away from him, focusing on the distraction, Jack seized the opportunity. With a swift and precise motion, he hurled the Ice Dagger towards the stag, sending it flying through the air with deadly accuracy.
Or at least, that was how he imagined it going. The truth was, Jack was still new to spellcasting and his aim left much to be desired. The dagger sliced through the air, leaving a trail of frost in its wake as it homed in on its target. With a thud, it embedded itself in the stag's side, eliciting a startled cry from the majestic creature.
[You have dealt 5 Piercing damage to Starlight Stag]
[You have dealt 2 Freezing damage to Starlight Stag]
As the stag stumbled, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack, Jack didn't waste a moment. Taking a second to cast Fluid Grace, Jack picked up his spear and ran forward. He had thought of throwing the spear but didn’t like the idea of giving up his weapon.
He thrust with the spear… and missed. Jack was fast, especially with fluid Grace enhancing him. The stag was faster. It was a beast that specialized in Agility with 3 points going into the stat every time it levelled. It also had a good Dexterity stat to help its coordination.
The Starlight Stag darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the thrust of Jack's spear. It was clear that this creature was not going down without a fight, and Jack would need to rely on more than just brute force to take it down.
As the stag regained its footing, it unleashed a swift counterattack, its Astral Antlers glowing with ethereal energy as it charged towards Jack with incredible speed. Jack didn’t know what would happen if those glowing tines made contact with him and he wasn’t exactly keen on finding out.
As Jack backed up he felt the hard bark of a tree behind him. Remembering how he had beaten the Waterborne Tuskbeast, Jack waited until right before being skewered before dodging out of the way. However, the stag evidently had more control than the Tuskbeast because it managed to pull up short before colliding with the tree. It took a moment to orient itself.
In that moment Jack struck, burying his spear in the beast’s flank. The stag reared and Jack was forced to let go of the spear to avoid toppling over.
[You have dealt 26 Piercing damage to Starlight Stag]
[You have dealt 11 Freezing damage to Starlight Stag]
The stag staggered back a few paces but proved to be tougher than Jack had expected. It still had plenty of fight left in it and it was quite eager to demonstrate that fact. Raising a single glowing hoof, it unleashed a thunderous stomp. What looked like miniature shimmering stars rose from the point of impact and streaked towards Jack.
Jack dove to the side in an attempt to avoid the glowing projectiles. He succeeded…mostly.One of the stars grazed his side.
[You have been struck by Sparkshower Hoof]
[You have suffered 53 Burning damage]
Over a third of his health pool gone in a single strike! Not to mention the burning pain that shot through his side from the impact. Jack gritted his teeth, feeling the searing heat radiating from the wounds inflicted by the Starshower Hoof. He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not with such a formidable opponent before him. Especially since the stag looked like it was ready to unleash another deadly rain upon him.
Jack knew there was no time to lose. He had one chance here. As the stags hoof came down Jack dove forward and unleashed Savage Roar.
[You have used Savage Roar on Starlight Stag]
[You have inflicted Status Effect Stun on Starlight Stag]
As the stunned animal froze in place for a crucial three seconds, Jack reached for and grabbed his spear, yanking it out of the stags flank in a spray of blood. Just as the Stunning effect wore off Jack plunged the spear through the Starlight Stags head.
[You have dealt a Critical Hit to Starlight Stag, Damage x4]
[You have dealt 100 Piercing damage to Starlight Stag]
[You have dealt 44 Freezing damage to Starlight Stag]
The stag collapsed onto the ground; its brain pierced all the way through by Jacks strike.
[Congratulations! You have killed Starlight Stag]
[You have gained 1000 experience points]
[Congratulations! You have levelled up]
[You have gained + 2 Strength]
[You have gained + 2 Agility]
[You have 4 free points to distribute]