Today my journey begins. Duriel said I’m full of potential and wanted me to finally see the rest of the world. Honestly, I think I can learn so much more from seeing the other races of this world.
I still feel like I hardly have any control over my mana and I have only just begun to construct original spells. Most magic used has already been fine-tuned and created by people long ago and we still use it today. But magic in this world is practically identical to programming from my own world. It takes a lot of effort and time for complex magic, but anything seems possible with the right mindset and mana control.
The most obvious area I have been using this in is for enchantment. Practically anything can be enchanted, though sentient life can resist unwanted enchantment due to how mana mixes together. I have enchanted all of my equipment to be physically unbreakable, though I’m sure some powerful magic could still damage them.
The other custom spell I made is a form of storage magic. I felt so proud when I saw Duriel’s reaction to it. Most storage magic is used on bags and other containers to make the inside bigger than the outside. However, I have created my own pocket dimensions to put items into. The only two downsides to it are organization and the small mana cost to open the portal every time. Still, it’s more than worth the mana for weightless storage.
As for my gear, I have a full assortment of lesser dragon-leather armor and my two weapons: a glaive and an augmented rapier. It is most effectively used as a rapier, but it does have one edge sharpened to allow for some slashing, though the edge isn’t highly effective due to how thin it is. Still, it gives it more uses than just stabbing and with the enchantments I have put on it, it has definitely become my favorite possession.
Aside from these items for survival in the wasteland, I don’t have much aside from a few history and spell books that I have already read. There was no money at my home as we were away from any other society and apparently my body doesn’t need food or water to survive so I didn’t bring any of that; though I still love the taste so I hope I can find some.
The first few days of my journey were quite uneventful, though I did run into a few minor demons; no problem there. It’s a bit odd actually. In my old world, demons were supposed to be powerful, or at least stronger than your normal human and very difficult to kill. I suppose I’m not human anymore, but this world still seems very abnormal.
“My lucky day, a lost human has found me!”
“Oh. Hi there lesser demon! I’m looking for the closest human city, could you help me find it, please?”
“Hehehe, your desire to get away from me is reasonable. But I think I’ll just crush you instead!”
Why do they always say that? His mana can’t be more than 500, so how does he expect to even have a chance here? Even without an adrenaline boost, mine is almost 9,000. I guess I am suppressing it though.
“Mark, Veronica, Derek! Lesser demon spotted, tier 4. There is a young girl with it too. We have to move NOW!”
“Dammit, I wasn’t looking to get my ass kicked today.”
“Come on now Markipoo, maybe she will give you a kiss as thanks. Power of the world. Gather in my heart as a vessel and strike my enemy before me. Lightning!”
With the chant of the sorceress, a ray of electricity leapt from her fingers to the demon before me. It looks like her mana level is around 300, and she used around a quarter of her supply for that one attack.
The demon began to put up a wall of magic to absorb the attack but had its hand impaled by an arrow shot from the man who found me, cancelling his defense preparations.
Losing focus on me, the lesser demon quickly charged at the sorceress only to be blocked by a hulking man in full armor.
“I don’t need a kiss from a little girl Veronica! Gah! This thing is tough.”
Taking the full force of the demon's charge, Mark’s shield was dented as the force made his entire body ache and a powerful slash of its claws penetrated his armor and released a small amount of blood.
“Today, Derek!”
A much more slim, though moderately tall man quickly got behind the demon which was cutting into Mark’s armor and used a glowing shortsword to make a tremendous gash in the demon’s arm, stopping its attacks.
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“You are all more capable than I gave you credit for. In light of your achievement, I will give you a chance to flee with your lives.”
“You are the one that will be losing your life today, Demon.”
“Oh holy mother who left us with the-”
As Veronica began her, rather unnecessary, chanting the demon exclaimed “Then you forfeit your lives!” and started gathering a great ball of fire within its hands.
It appears to be explosion magic. Demons have fire resistance so it should survive even if it is harmed, but the others probably can’t survive that without some kind of plan.
The archer fired another arrow, this one a pale blue in color, into the eye of the occupied demon which stunned it briefly and paused the charging of its magic. It wouldn’t be enough to stop the demon, but it looks like he was only trying to buy time.
“You assholes all owe me a drink and a woman when we get back!”
Shouting that, Mark leapt unto the stunned demon and held his shield between himself and the fireball while knocking the demon to the ground. A moment later, the magic finished its charge and activated, launching him into the air and heavily singeing the demon.
“-Holy smite!”
Taking advantage of the commotion, Veronica finished her spell and a pillar of light about a foot in diameter came from the sky, burning a hole through the weakened demon. Heavily weakened, but somehow not dead. It began to scream and howl as it charged and, with a single swing, threw Derek twenty meters into Veronica.
As it started to run again, a much thicker arrow impaled it through the ankle and into the ground, trapping its movements. This bought Derek enough time to get back up and run towards the frantic lesser demon.
“Pathetic worms! I will ensure your suffering in the pits of hell!”
Sensing its danger being rooted in place, the demon completely ripped off its foot and spread its small wings in an attempt to flee. Before it could make it off the ground, Derek had already arrived and cleaved a wing off. Despite its efforts after that, the only result was its death.
*Thud*
After trying to get on his feet and seeing the battle over, Mark completely collapsed back on the ground.
“You good Mark?”
“I think it’d be better if I were dead. It’ll take weeks for these burns to heal and I’m pretty sure he cracked a few of my ribs. Fuck! Yeah, that one’s completely broken.”
“Go ahead and take five Mark. Derek, gather up anything we can sell off the demon. Tristan, keep an eye out for anything else. My mana is almost dry after that. I’ll make sure the girl is okay.”
“Got it boss.” x 2
Mark simply raises an arm and gives a thumbs up.
“Hey there, girl. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m doing just fine. What about you guys? He seems hurt pretty bad.”
“Oh he- will be fine. He has been through a lot worse. I’m just going to owe him a drink later. For real though, what are you doing out here all alone, do you have parents or guards nearby? This isn’t a place for solo people and especially not kids.”
Well, I’m not exactly a kid but I understand the confusion. Apparently my body was “done” growing the day I woke up. I was a bit upset about it for a while, but I have accepted it now. At least I’m cute.
“Nope, just me.”
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Veronica POV
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What in the world is going on? We are miles away from the city. Nobody in their right mind would bring a child out here and she is completely unharmed. It almost looks like a human sacrifice being brought out here for the demons, or maybe a trap?
This is suspicious. She looks like a warrior princess, this has to be a trap. It could be a demon disguising itself, but it would take a greater demon to be that realistic. One of those could just kill us now anyway. Mark needs to get back and we can’t leave her here. We will get her back to the city. If she is a demon, she won’t be able to get in anyway.
“So, um, what was your name?”
“Adriel.”
That’s an unusual name.
“So what are you doing out here then? The only people that go out here are adventurers and merchants. I suppose you are dressed like an adventurer, but I think you might be a bit young to be out here for now.”
“Actually I’m on my way to the nearest nation. I have always wanted to see it and I can finally make the trip! Also, I’m not a kid. I just stopped growing at this size for some reason…”
I suppose she does have the body of a teenager at least, maybe. There are some curves. Maybe she is a bit older, but she is still tiny and based on her gear I doubt she can even use mana. She shouldn’t be out here. She seems wealthy from her clothing, maybe she had an escort that died for her out here?
“Alright Adriel. We are just finishing up here and then we are going to head back to the nation ourselves. It’s not safe to stay out here too long, so how about you come with us?”
“Sure! It’d be great to have someone who knows the way.”
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Adriel is beaming with excitement about meeting new people and finally seeing a new civilization. With Duriel being the only other person she has met since her awakening here, her potential friends have more than doubled in a day.
“Got the core, wings and claws boss. We should probably get Mark back. He won’t be able to do much if we run into another one of those.”
It’s true. While they were trying to underplay it a bit when they said he was fine, Mark was definitely hurt badly and Veronica had used most of her mana. While the reward was certainly worth it, they would be unlikely to beat another one and they had no interest in dying for their jobs.
After helping Mark back to his feet and introducing themselves to the girl, the group collected their bounty and made the journey back to the city.