Chapter 8 – Floor 0: Part 8
As the young woman had said, there were three Disciplines to choose from. Hanging from the wall, each depicted a scene in a painting set within a heavy frame.
Starting from the left, the painter captured an image of a man like Mathew surrounded by roughly dressed men and women. He appeared to be in an alley or enclosed space. Bare-chested, the figure in the painting raised his fists aggressively, and several of his opponents were lying unconscious on the ground. Many more were preparing to swarm him.
This painting was set in a simple wooden frame that lacked any decoration.
“Display.” Mathew said, holding up the silver wristband to the painting. Information filled the screen, giving him a summary of this Discipline.
Discipline: Thug
Rarity: Common
Attributes per Level: Body ++, Spirit +
Summary: You’ve never needed to learn or train to fight. The best way to learn is to do; after a lifetime of fighting, you’ve become a force to be reckoned with. Knuckles like steel and skin as hard as leather. You can take a punch.
Mathew snuck a glance at the young woman but chose not to ask her a question. She had made it clear that she wouldn’t attempt to influence his choice. He moved on to the next painting.
This one was in a bronze frame with elegant patterns on the exterior. It depicted a man in front of a large, black cauldron, stirring it with a bulky wooden stick. He was wearing a white shirt and black pants as he added some herbs to the boiling pot.
Discipline: Amateur Alchemist
Rarity: Uncommon
Attributes per Level: Mind +, Spirit +, Body +
Summary: Self-trained and self-taught, you can brew a simple potion or identify an essential herb from a book or scroll. With determination, a sound mind and faith in yourself, you step foot on the long, winding road of learning Alchemy.
Mathew was interested in this one. He had seen how powerful the Stone-Eating Acid potion had been against the guardian of the third test. It would be helpful to have a whole slew of potions ready to toss at his enemies if he needed to.
The only concern he had was where to get the equipment and ingredients. He momentarily looked at the young woman, wondering if he should ask before moving on to the last painting.
This one showed a man standing in front of a large crowd of spectators. He was wearing a black cloak that billowed dramatically in the wind. He was holding up his right hand, palm facing the sky, and a large flame was hovering above it. The crowd clapped their hands at the display of magic, and he saw a pile of coins at the man’s feet.
This painting’s frame was silver with thorns around the edges.
Discipline: Charlatan
Rarity: Rare
Attributes per Level: Mind++, Body +
Summary: Using magic, bending Mana to your will, and enhancing your abilities with Aether requires years of patient study and unshakable faith in the gods. Forgoing your studies and eschewing the gods, you learned a few simple tricks and made your way out into the world, entertaining the masses with your magic and swindling them out of their hard-earned coin.
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Mathew couldn’t hold in his questions anymore, and he turned to the young woman who was silently waiting for his decision.
“Magic is real?” Mathew asked.
“Of course. Mana exists within all creatures. Your chosen Discipline will allow you to access it. Combined with the appropriate Blessing, you may bring that Mana into reality in a variety of ways.” She replied.
“Where would I get ingredients for the potions if I choose ‘Amateur Alchemist?’” Mathew asked. The young woman was silent for a moment, considering if this would influence his decision. She decided it did not since he would learn of the ‘shop,’ regardless.
“Each floor has a temple dedicated to the gods. You may purchase items, weapons, Blessings and even new Disciplines there. Of course, you may also trade with other players, provided the floor you are on is open to others. Temples will also be where you ‘level’ your chosen Discipline.”
“Using Aether?” Mathew asked. The young woman nodded in response.
“Does the rarity of a Discipline matter? Are the rare ones more powerful or useful?” Mathew asked. Again, the young woman was silent for a moment before replying.
“No. They are simply more ‘exclusive,’ requiring a god to recommend it for you. In this case, your performance in the test drew the attention of several. They used their influence to grant you these Disciplines over the more common in the hopes that you will join their Demesne, thereby offering your Aether to them.”
“Alright. So basically, they are giving me preferential treatment now in the hopes that their investment pays off in the future?” Mathew reasoned, and the young woman smiled.
“Indeed.”
“I’m fine with that. I choose Charlatan.” The thought of magic appealed to Matthew, as it would practically anyone who lived in a mundane reality. Summoning fire was impressive if that was what its ability was.
Charlatan’s status as a rare Discipline certainly helped his decision. Exclusive was always better. Otherwise, why would it be rare?
“Very well.” The young woman stated, and the paintings on the wall shimmered as the scenes shifted. Mathew could feel something profound inside his chest. A spreading warmth started in his torso and moved along his limbs before moving back above his heart.
Was this Mana?
“Please select your Blessing.” The young woman added, gesturing to the pictures.
They had changed. Mathew looked to the one of the far left again. This one was in a bronze frame, and it depicted the same black-robed figure from the Charlatan painting standing in front of a different crowd. He was pointing at a burning pile of wood, and the fire was rising into the sky.
Blessing: Create and Control Flames
Summary: Using your Mana, you harness the power of simple flames to your will. Ignite combustible materials at your command, controlling the flames as you direct. The fire's size, shape and quantity are limited only by your Mind and control of your Mana.
The second painting depicted the robed figure holding a stone in its hands. Magic surrounded the rock, making it glow with power. Another stone was already striking a shadowy monster in the distance, exploding on impact.
Blessing: Imbue the Mundane
Summary: Imbue an ordinary, mundane object with chaotic Mana, causing it to explode on impact.
The third, in a matching bronze frame as the rest, depicted the black-robed figure using magic to remove a large amount of earth from the ground at his feet and forming a pile beside him. He was grinning at the action as a group of angry villagers waving torches were about to fall into the hole he had created.
Blessing: Mold the Earth
Summary: Use your Mana to excavate the ground near you or loosen rock and hard-packed dirt. The amount of earth moulded and changed is determined by your Mind and the amount of Mana.
Mathew let out a deep breath. It really was magic. He would be able to do one of these things, possibly all of them, eventually.
But what would be the most useful? Creating and controlling fire was impressive, and it could be used in a variety of situations. Imbuing something with magic would be handy in a fight, something that the Rulebook had made clear was likely to happen if the images shown there were to be believed.
Molding the Earth would be useful as well, but only if he were outdoors. Thinking for a moment, he pointed at the far left image.
“Create and Control Flames.” Mathew said, and the young woman nodded.
“Very well. Your Discipline and Blessing has been added to your status screen. As you progress through the Tower, you will have opportunities to change your Discipline to ‘complementary’ paths. Additional Blessings can be purchased from temples, provided you meet the requirements.”
“Please follow me.’ She said, gesturing for him to follow as she returned to her desk. The door behind her had changed into an elevator with metallic doors. With a loud ‘ding,’ the doors slid open to reveal the interior.
Mathew walked to the elevator. Seeing there was only a single button on the door marked ‘1,’ Mathew pressed it and waited for the doors to close.
“Thanks for your help. Hopefully, I’ll see you again.” Mathew said to the young woman right before the doors cut her off from sight.
He was finally going to begin his journey through the Tower of Avarice.