I woke up to my mother calling me down for breakfast. “Coming!” I yelled out.
I ran down the stairs ready for a new day. I was going to an academy now! This game really had everything in it. It actually brought back memories from before I was allowed to game.
I and about twenty other children were sitting in a semicircle around an elderly man.this was school before we were taught online when we were five.
“Long before the domes we roamed this planet. Our lives were short but we made large strides in technology and life. We were pioneers!” He said enthusiastically.
“Sadly we abused the resources that this planet gave to us. We took and took without care or concern. This was our downfall children and it is something you should always remember. There were many warnings about the end of life as we knew it. However we still continued with what we knew.
“Humans you see are creatures of habit and we are scared of the unknown, even now we are scared. When the atmosphere began to change the whole world went into a panic. It was only through the vast fortune of the top class of society and their unwillingness to die that saved us.
“They all threw everything they had into developing the ability to house people in domes that would create the perfect environment to survive. We struggled at first and lost many but we managed. Then the bugs came.
“They were huge. Rapid evolution from the ozone deteriorating and radiation from space made this possible. Now at first we tried to fight back. We made large machines that we could pilot but the atmosphere rusted them before we could use them. The only thing that would survive was humans with a special breathing apparatus.
This was an impossible task since no human could match the strength of these goliaths. Instead we fled inwards and down, content to live under a dome. Glimpses into the outside world has shown us that the bugs are still there but the atmosphere has stabilized. However it is still unable to support us.” He sighed as he finished the story.
It was a tale that still shook me to the core. It made me rethink the an analyse our life here. I wanted so badly to see the outside world. Feel the sun kiss my skin. It would never be though.
I arrived at the table slightly morose, which my mother picked up on immediately. “What’s wrong?” She asked.
“Nothing mother. I was just wondering about how life is going to go now. I understand that I will be an adult at seven but that seems strange to me. I’ll only be seven! I feel like I should be a kid still.” I replied.
“Oh well that is actually pretty easy to explain. You see we consider you an adult when your body stops growing. This usually happens around the age of seven. So it just became the norm. Also because so many races have a long lifespan age is really just considered a number. We do have a few milestones for age though. They are about every twenty years.” She explained briefly.
I really don’t get why it's like that though. It will make many people feel awkward.
[Simple. No one wants to spend so long playing a game and not get to the “GOOD” parts. Hehehe.]
Ah that makes sense. Well I will just remember to not ask about age then. Now time to get to school!
“Mom. When will I meet my mentor and go to school?”
“Oh should be anytime now…” She said.
“Knock knock knock!”
I get up and run to the front door. I made it there in record time. I open it and and immediately realise it was just someone delivering mail. With a grunt I take the mail and thank the courier and close the door. As soon as I turn away another knock comes from the door.
I open it back up and see one of the most amazing looking women I have ever seen. Could have been love at first sight. No It definitely was! She was an orc but was very feminine. She had long blueish green arms with slender fingers. At a solid seven feet tall I was slightly taller than her, I was growing really fast. Her eyes were a dark and deep chocolate color and she had two tiny fangs jutting up from her lower jaw.
“How may I help you mam?” I asked in my most suave voice possible.
“Where are your parents boy?” She grunted. Oh a woman after my heart.
“Please come in! I will show you to them fair lady.” I laid it on thick.
“Grow some hair and kill some things then we can talk. Until then shut up.”
Oh I want to try so hard now. I lead her to the kitchen where my mother and father are sitting. As soon as she sees my mom she introduces herself. “I am Korga. I am here to train the boy until he turns seven. I also know about his class and will use that to train him better.”
“Ah… well good then. He leaves to the academy in an hour so you can start your training for a little while if you want. We have a large yard out back.” My mom replied.
“Very well. Come boy.” I follow her through the house and we were soon in the back yard facing each other.
“I will show you my three skills now. Make sure you follow closely so you can learn them you damn cheat.” She grumbled.
Ah! No I’m not a cheat I swear. I felt my heart break a little inside.
“The three skills I will teach you are Swordsmanship, Heavy Swing and Triple Strike. These are the basics for a swordsman and warrior. We will then begin your active training so that you can gain the actual skill in using them. These three skills I have mastered completely and are the only ones I have.” She said with pride.
Oh boy this is gonna be awkward. “Um Korga…”
“Call me teacher.” She interrupted.
“Ah. Ok. Well teacher the thing is that I already have those skills. I learned them from my father awhile ago… so I don’t really know what to do…” I said awkwardly.
She just stared at me for a while. “You’re a damn cheat.” With that she walked back inside leaving me alone in the yard.
I just sighed and walked back inside. The blue mage class makes me feel like the game is sort of unfair to others around me.
I moped around as I packed away a couple clothing items before I left. When the time came to leave we all left the house. It was quiet as we walked across the city. The walk was long and I admit that I was still butt hurt from the cheat comments.
We arrived at the academy before I knew it and I must say that it wasn’t very impressive. My dad could tell how I felt. “It may be small but that is only because people are taught the most basic of spells for their element. This normally takes a year so the longest anyone stays is a yer. It’s perfect for you really. Once you meet your teacher you will learn many good spells.” My dad told me.
“Ah well that is all well and good… but tell me why it looks empty.” I said. I seriously could hear nothing and could see nothing.
“Well I’m sure they are all just learning earnestly!” He scoffed.
Yea… I doubt it. It is way too quiet to have kids in there learning magic. We all walk up to the building that looked like a run down orphanage. One story tall with broken windows and made entirely out of wood.
Once inside we see that, just as I thought, there was no one here except an older man sitting in a chair at a desk. When he realizes that we had entered he stands up with excitement clear in his eyes.
“Welcome to the magic academy! I am the headmaster here. How may I help you?”
“Our son is here to study until he turns seven.” My father replies.
“Ah! You must be Odin then. Yes the guild master has informed me about everything. I have many things for you to learn but let me tell you our rules first.” The headmaster said.
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“First rule is that all aspiring mages need to learn their affinities for the elements. Second is that no large magic may be performed on the academy grounds. Lastly is that all orders must be followed without exception! Is that clear?” He asked.
“Yes headmaster!” I replied.
“Good now you may all follow me for the affinities test. This will be the last time you see your son for a while.” He said towards my parents.
He escorted us through the front meeting area and to a door in the back. Behind the door was a small room that had three shrines in it. All were made of marble and fairly plain looking. He stopped in the middle of the three and turned towards us.
“This is the shrine of the trinity. They are the two Gods and Goddess that rule over our world. Here is where you chose the deity that you will follow. When you chose you will then sacrifice at the most fifty points of your Mana, Health and Endurance constantly. They will then show you your affinities and grant you access to them. This is the first step in becoming a mage.” He told me.
“Ok but why is that so important?” I asked.
“Well unless you have the affinity unlocked you can’t use the spells effectively. Sure they will be wieldable but they will never reach their full potential. Say you have a hundred percent affinity in water, that means that all water attacks do an extra hundred percent damage. You would also take a hundred percent less elemental damage. However elemental attacks still do a base amount of damage that can only be negated by defence. Kind of like a light breeze won’t hurt you but a stick that is carried by the wind will hurt.” He explained.
“Ah that makes sense. Thank you headmaster. Oh, how many affinities can you have?” I asked.
“Well there are thirteen in total and generally you will only get 4 from a single deity.”
“Do I have to chose only one?” I see a loophole.
“Uh… no I suppose not. I just.. Actually that’s pretty genius. You can’t change deity after you have chosen so why not all three? I like it.” He stammered.
You have used your intelligence to come up with a way to get more affinities! Your wisdom has gone up by 5!
Yes! More regen. “So how do we do this?” I ask ready to start.
“Simple just kneel and pray. In the middle of course.” He instructed me.
I walk to the center and get on my knees. I bow my head out of respect. ‘Hey. Um I’m not too sure how to do this but I would like to chose all three of you to guide me. If that is ok of course.’
‘Hah! Finally someone thought of it!’ A voice sounded out in my head. ‘Well just so that we won’t confuse you we will designate one of us to talk to you at all times. Do you have a preference?’
Oh I get a choice huh? ‘Honestly that is really difficult Zedd, Morgana and Bob. I don’t think I can really chose. I don’t know you all and don’t want to single someone out. How about I just leave it as is? I will suggest that you tell me who is talking first. That would eliminate any issues.’
‘This is Bob. I love it. It is not often that I find something unexpected happening to me! Ha! Normally it is me doing that to others. Tell ya what. I’m bumping your Luck to twenty.’
‘Thank you Bob! That is most generous of you!’ I praised. Definitely stay on their good sides!
‘My turn I guess. I am Zedd. I can not give you any bonuses but I will increase your affinities by a little. Let me just move the slider a tad and… fuck.’
‘What? Is everything ok? Did I do something wrong?’ I ask frantically.
‘Ah no I just… um… well you will find out soon. Just work extra hard for me. Ok?’
‘Yes absolutely!’ I reply.
‘Really Zedd? Well he really is gonna have to work hard now! JUST TO ESCAPE! Oh well not much we can do about it now. Anyways young Odin I am Morgana. I seem to have been left with the job of explaining how it all works. Well you got the affinity part from the headmaster right?’ she asked me.
‘Yup.’ I replied.
‘Ok well when you chose a God or Goddess you get a title and we then set your affinity level. After that we give you some small blessings and what not. Since you are the first to chose all three you will get the title Hero of Three! It pretty much just lets everyone know that you are our chosen hero. It doesn’t give you anything else other than a pass with those that worship any one of us. Now as for my small blessing I will increase your Charisma by an extra one per level up. Can’t have an ugly hero right?’
‘I guess not… didn’t really think I was or will be ugly…’ I moped.
‘That’s not what I meant and you know it. Now open your eyes and take the test. Have a good one. We will contact you at a later time.’ With that they all said goodbye and left.
As I open my eyes I see the headmaster holding a stone. His mouth was agape as he stared at my new title. “I didn’t think that would work.” Was all he said.
After a couple minutes of everybody probably rethinking their life decisions the headmaster snapped out of the self hating haze he was in. “Well then. Let us finish this little bit yes? All you need to do is place your hand on this stone and we will know how to teach you. I will let you know that no matter the affinity that I can show you the basics of all the elements. That’s actually all I can do. Hahahaha.”
I placed my hand on the stone. At first a light glow spread through it. Then it started to get brighter and brighter.
“BOOM”
The stone shattered leaving everyone, including me, in shock. The next thing that happened was a new screen that showed up. It was mine and it was the affinities list.
Primary Element
Affinity
Fire
100%
Water
100%
Earth
100%
Wind
100%
Soul
100%
Light
100%
Darkness
100%
Secondary Element
Lightning
100%
Ice
100%
Magma
100%
Gravity
100%
Space
100%
Time
100%
“How?” Everyone said at the same time.
“You really are a damn cheat.” My mentor added.
No! So cruel. “I am not…” I mumbled.
“Well we can teach you everything easily… but I am not sure how long it will take. Since
you are a blue mage teaching you the skills will be easy but training ALL of them will take a while. Honestly it is the opposite of what we normally do. I think practical experience will be best.” The headmaster told me.
“Ok well when can we start?” I asked.
“Tomorrow. For now say goodbye to your family and then follow me to your new room. Your mentor will get a room next to you as well. We can go over the details later.”
I turn to my parents. With tears in their eyes I say goodbye for now and follow the headmaster out of the building only to go into another barracks like building in the back. It was comprised of stone with small six foot by six food rooms inside of it. All empty as well.
“Why is there no one here?” I asked.
“Just not too many kids right now I guess. We will probably get some soon though.” He replied. “Now your training starts tomorrow morning. Korga will teach you swordsmanship in the morning for two hours. Then breakfast followed by spell learning. After that will be lunch and then free time for whatever you want. The next day will be training from Korga then heading out and practicing your spells on monsters. That will become the norm until you turn seven. Sound good?”
“Sounds great to me.” I answer. I would actually prefer that anyways. I can level up and get a great headstart on the game.besides the obvious advantage I have now.
“Good now go set up your room then head back to the main building for dinner. It’s in the room next to the shrine of the trinity. See you there.” With that he left me to my own devices.
As I said before, my room is six feet by six feet. On window that looked out to the city. I was able to see people busily going to and fro. It was actually quite nice. Now I may prefer being in the woods or out of the city period but seeing others was pleasant.
I had a bed in the middle of the room and a locked trunk at the foot of the bed. Honestly it was too small. Oh well it will only get worse. At least it’s only my feet that hang off at the at the moment. I sigh at the thought of getting bigger. On the other hand I will be more intimidating.
I look at my stats real quick. Why is there a soft cap until level ten? It didn’t make sense when I was told about it.
[It is based on the max a body can be before they pass the normal threshold. It’s kinda like upgrading your body. When you level up you force your body to change by spending stat points but naturally advancing your stats means that you hit a limit. This limit is always an extra eighty points in all stats unless you are using the level up stat points. It makes players strive harder.]
Ah thanks.
[No prob. Also you really have found a way to cheat the system. Although that damn God messed up the affinity not you so it is ok for now. You are supposed to build it up over time so we are taking away the slider that the Gods have.]
Well at least I improved the game. With that I head to dinner. It was a small dinner comprised of duck and potatoes. Not bad but really not the best I have ever had.
After dinner I head to bed because Korga told me we would start my training as the sun rose overhead.