Every important task was delegated, and he regained his energy thanks to some well-earned sleep and copious amounts of high-quality junk food. Now, he headed toward the Mage Tower. The one in Ironwood was naturally still the same building he visited, but since then – thanks to the constantly increasing influx of players the city administration decided to do some remodeling in the area.
Part of it was to increase the guards patrolling it, as the long lines and disappointed people leaving the building created the perfect storm of emotion. Before that action, it was not uncommon for a fight to break out.
Sam didn’t really want to think about how it was in bigger cities.
The first act the city did – with some help from the crafters from the AFK guild, including their architects and designers – was to move every other business out of the area and repurpose those properties for the Mage Tower’s usage.
Thankfully, most of them were either auxiliary businesses for the Mage Tower or living places for the servants and other workers who worked there. A few people running shops that had been there ‘since the city was founded’ grumbled a little, but they were convinced with a little political push and some remuneration.
The mages in the Mage Tower then took over and renovated the entire area, creating a small magic district in the city. It had its own gates over roads so that the number of people could be moderated and accounted for. The square in the middle of the district was reimagined as a resting place for people with a few cafes, restaurants, and other shops where people could wait until their numbers were called, or release tension after a disappointing consultation.
The rest of the buildings were then repurposed for different functions, splitting up the humongous crowd. One handled all the rituals, one the enchantments, one the curses and spell sales, while the biggest housed the consultation and education.
Then there was a hidden administration building that coordinated the entire giant mechanism from behind the scenes.
And finally, there was a relatively thin tower, appropriately towering over every other building. The rumor going around was that the head mage of the Mage Tower had their office there, but Sam knew the truth.
Originally, the tower had no purpose, the mages just wanted to have a tower so that the Mage Tower name would have a meaning. If he remembered correctly, nowadays, it housed several defensive artifacts that both protected the mage district and in an emergency could be used to protect the city.
As Sam looked up at the giant tower, looming over the always-busy crowd, he frowned.
‘That’s a very obvious target…’ But then he had a stupid idea. He quickly sent Lucy a message, only to receive a simple thumbs-up followed by a bird emoticon. Chuckling slightly, he began to head toward the building that handled the education part.
As he cut through the square, he took a look at the shops – cafés with terraces where good-looking ladies in revealing mage robes sat and sipped tea or other drinks, restaurants where people were having lively discussions over hearty meals, and even a tavern where serious-looking people were sampling a selection of wines – and he saw that almost half of the shops had the AFK Company symbol displayed somewhere. Not in a conspicuous place, but if somebody knew where to look, they would see it.
‘Lucy is still the best…’
Getting through the lines was surprisingly easy. Thanks to his Wind Mage title he was instantly given preferential treatment. Then, of course, the people working there realized who he was and Sam practically flew through the registration process.
Barely twenty minutes after he stepped through the giant doors leading to the reception hall filled with curious, excited, bored, and angry people standing in massive snaking lines, he was once again walking the halls of the building, heading for his next consultation.
Naturally, he could have gone to the library and bought a spell with devastating effects, like Vacuum Bombardment, which used vacuum bombs made of air magic to bombard an area, or Shadow Execution which conjured countless spears made of shadow in an area, or any of other similarly devastating magical spells.
But as always, Sam wanted something more. He didn’t just want a strong spell. No, he wanted to create a strong spell. So far, going with his gut and blazing his own path had worked out well for him, but when it came to devastating spells, the established magical schools were far ahead of him, and thus other players.
Knocking on the door before him, he waited a few seconds, and it opened on its own. Stepping in, he found himself once again in an empty room, reinforced by magic and a simple sitting area with a desk laden with all manner of papers and books on the far end.
Next to a desk was an older-looking gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a bearing that radiated discipline. He was wearing simple black pants, with a belt that had all sorts of pouches hanging off it, and a white shirt opened at the top casually.
“Welcome, young man,” he stated with a frown, his voice carrying through the empty space between him and Sam. “How may the Mage Tower help you today?”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Sam bowed and returned the greeting before simply jogging over.
Nearing the man, Sam noticed that the older man was a good head taller than him, looking down with a judgmental gaze.
“Well, sir, I’m here to ask about combining three different types of magic.”
That statement only elicited a gentle rise of one bushy but well-cared-for eyebrow. “Fascinating,” came the dry reply. Sam had to chuckle a little awkwardly. Of course, that would be obvious, after all, he requested help with that, and thus they assigned him this person. He specialized in mixing different types of magic together.
He scratched the back of his neck before continuing. “I have Shadow, Wind, and Clean. And I want to combine them.”
This time Sam noticed a very visible change on the mage’s face. The mention of Shadow and Wind didn’t do much, but when he mentioned Clean the man was clearly intrigued.
“Hmmm… Clean…not often I witness somebody making use of it. You have used it in battle, yes?” he asked.
Sam simply nodded.
To that, the older man motioned with his hand and several targets floated toward the center of the room. “Demonstrate them, then…”
He nodded again and began going through his most used spells, one by one, starting with Wind, then Shadow, and finishing with a few of his Clean spells.
The older mage looked back at him as if looking through him.
“Your ability to control mana is exceptional, but your execution is pedestrian at best. It’s clear you have been self-taught,” he stated with a neutral tone. It wasn’t accusatory, simply a statement following his observation.
Sam could only smile awkwardly at that.
“However, that provides you with a unique opportunity,” his current advisor continued thoughtfully as he began to rub his chin. “You’re not constrained by the limits of known spells, thus your potential is infinite. That, in turn, means a much easier path to fall into ruin.”
Sam bowed his head a little but stayed silent.
“Your mistake, such as, was that you wanted to create a spell that used all aspects of those three. However, you simply need to select the aspect first, then channel the mana.”
“So, designate first, then shape?”
“Exactly!”
“Wind can cut, smash, explode, suck, blow, caress, lift, slam and many other things. You only need one of them.”
“Ahh… I was just mashing together the three mana types, then trying to select what I wanted to do…” Sam spoke as realization filled him.
“Indeed. Common error amongst those who cast magic on instinct. They seem stronger at first as they rely on their talent and instinct but there is always a point when the technical knowledge comes in where they falter,” the older mage explained in an even tone, as he used a few illusions to illustrate his words. “Now, how about an example? You use wind for cutting, that is one aspect. Let’s reinforce it with Shadow. What aspect would be a nice match to a cutting aspect?”
Sam frowned in thought before hesitantly answering. “Stealth, I suppose? But I had combined the two of them, and there weren’t any effects aside from mixing the types.”
His teacher nodded. “That’s where the aspect selection comes in.” The man thought about it for a moment before continuing. “It’s like throwing a finished cocktail at the enemy. You simply mixed two or more cocktails and threw them at your enemy. This time you are starting with the ingredients.”
“Ahh…”
After that, he turned around, raised a hand, and began concentrating. First calling up his mana, then turning it into wind energy, focusing on the cutting aspect. Then, as the magic began to coalesce in front of him, he changed tracks and summoned Shadow Mana, this time focusing on the hiding aspect. Instantly, the dark color of the Shadow magic began to turn transparent. Feeling that it was ready he let it go.
An almost transparent buzz-saw of energy flew off and cleaved one of the targets in two.
His teacher tsked upon seeing the results. “Good start, but the second aspect didn’t take hold. Do it again.”
**
So, he did it again. And again. And again, until his teacher was finally satisfied.
The last spell that he shot off was a blade of transparent air, silent as an owl’s flight, cutting through the target silently, not even creating dust as the spell went through the wooden item.
His teacher then spoke up again. “Good. Now the next step would be to integrate the third type, yes?”
“Yes, sir. Which aspect should I use?”
“Well, which one do you think would fit the Wind Blade spell?” came the expected question with a look.
Sam frowned and began to think out loud.
“Clean is clean, it means to remove dirt or other contaminants…”
“Continue.”
“However, it can also remove magic too…” he spoke as an idea appeared in his mind.
“Very good. Here is your target.”
Then another wooden target appeared this one with a shimmering magical shield covering it. Just to be sure, he fired off his stealthy Wind Blade and it splashed harmlessly against it. He rolled up his shirt sleeves and began to focus.
Once again, after who knows how many times, the newly mixed magical blade spell splashed against the magical shield and cleaved through it and then the target.
“YES!” he exclaimed happily.
His teacher let out a slow clap. “Well done. That’s the basics of the next steps for your brand of… magic,” he explained. “From here, the options are limitless.”
Sam bowed deeply. “Thank you, sir, for your advice.”
“You are most welcome. Don’t forget that sometimes what we all need is an outside perspective…”
“I’ll remember it…”
Sometime later, he was back in their still nameless town, in one of the hidden training fields, playing around with his magic. The solution was so simple that he was still kicking himself for not realizing it.
“Ugh, I was so stupid… Well, at least it was money well-ish spent…” he mused quietly as he fired off invisible and soundless blades of magic that erased magic (at least low-level ones). “And now comes the fun part!” he declared joyously.
He stood there for a moment, taking a few calming and focusing breaths before summoning up his wind mana, gathering it into a bundle of energy in a slight tube shape, then he summoned a tendril of Clean attributed mana and gently mixed the two together, focusing on the erasing aspect. Instantly, he felt a large amount of mana go with it, as it apparently cost a lot to add that type of aspect. Then he summoned two tendrils of shadow mana, one focused on the whole lack of light, nothingness aspect, the other on the absorbing aspect, strengthening the erasing aspect hopefully. Finally, a last tendril of earth mana into his legs to increase his stability.
For a long moment, he held the amalgamation of mana and aspect, then let it go.
BZZZZT….WUMMMH
One giant fuck-off laser (at least something that looked like a laser beam) later, he stood proudly before a giant furrow in the ground – the walls were uniformly smooth as if somebody used an incredibly sharp knife to cut out part of the world - while a large chunk of mana was already regenerating. Ignoring the notifications going off, he simply began to dance happily.
“Hell yes!”
Owed bonus chapters: Three (3)
Titles:
[Apprentice: You are an apprentice learning under a master. Increased experience point gain in the key skill of the apprenticeship.]
Magical Items:
[Ring of Minor Health Regeneration: A small ring, made from subpar materials, with a low-quality magical gem. As long as the gem holds mana, it aids with health regeneration. Can hold 100 Mana Points, and regenerates 10 Health Points for every point of mana consumed. Current Mana: 100/100.]
[High-quality Troll Leather Armor: Created by a journeyman crafter employed by your own company. They worked extra hard to make sure to return your goodwill. Excellent quality, given the materials and the crafter. Enchanted to decrease the sound it makes during movement, as well as has increased durability. Thanks to the substance it was impregnated with the troll leather it lacks its customary weakness to fire.]
*Not actually bottomless.]
[Ring of the Shadow Fang: Made from shadow metal and accented with white moon-silver, this ring allows the wearer to summon a dagger made from shadow. The strength of the dagger depends on the wearer’s shadow mana control. The distance the dagger can move from the wearer depends on the mana control of the individual.]
Quests:
Active quests:
[Just walk in there!]
[Prove yourself!]
[Peaceful land, peaceful mind]
[Longing for the sun!]
Failed quests:
[Friendlessly into the depths!]
Finished quests:
[Monster Parade!]
[Topping the tree!]
[Reap what you sow!]
[Seaside opportunity]
[Another seaside opportunity]
[The booty of mystery!]
[Demonic demonstration!]
[The Test of the Survivor!]
[To the city you go!]
[Eternal Vigilance!]
[Returning Champion]
[Volatile Valley]
[Ride forward to be not killed in nasty ways!]
[Location, location, location!]
[Call to action!]
[Deli-Very!]
Skills:
Mana Skills:
[Mana Body: Level 7/100 (21%) (Passive) Your mana permeates your body, enhancing and improving it. The better your control of your mana is, and the more mana you have, the bigger the effect is. For every 100 Mana Points, it grants you 1 Base Health gain. For every skill level, it increases the Health Regeneration by 0,1.]
[Mana Shield: Level 99 (99%) Using mana, you can form a simple shell around yourself, which decreases the damage you take. Damage decrease depends on the amount of mana invested. For every unit of Mana invested in the spell, the shield will protect you from 9,9 (physical) damage.]
[A/N: Currently: WIS: 55 / MAG: 50 = 1,1 --> +2,1 Mana Regeneration per skill level]
[Mana Flux: Level 10/10 (MAX%) (Passive) The resonance between your skills is enough that if you cast more than one spell or use more than one skill at the same time, then they may induce each other. This induction allows your mana to gain a unique property. This property allows your spells to slip through magical shielding. Effectiveness depends on the strength differences between you and the target. Your spells gain 1% True Damage per skill level.
[A/N: Currently: WIS: 55 / MAG: 50 = 1,1 --> +3,1 Mana Regeneration per skill level]
Neutral Mage skills:
[Mana Unraveling: Level 14/25 (19%) (Active) You can spot even the smallest imperfection in the weave of the mana. If your control is better than the one who wove the spell, then you can attack those imperfections and unravel the spell or magic in front of you.]
[Spell Matrix: Level 40/100 (4%) (Passive) You mastered layering spells as very few have before. You can layer ( or connect any other way) together as many spells as you can. The cost of this action is increased by 5% (cumulative) for every two layers or spells.]
[Solid Spell Foundation: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Your foundation is solid and unshakeable. The stability of layered spells is increased.]
[Mana Construct: Level 84/100 (22%) (Active/Passive) You can create mana constructs over your weapons. These constructs cannot be separated from your weapon. You have total control over their shape and size. For every level in the skill, the mana cost is decreased by 1% and the damage inflicted by the skill is increased by 1%]
[Simplicity: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) The simpler your creations, the less mana it costs.]
[Infusion: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Infusing different mana types into your mana constructs becomes easier.]
[Complexity: Level 1/5 (11%) (Passive) The complexity of your creations doesn’t detract from it. Usually, mana cost would rise when the complexity of your creation increases. For every level of this skill this increase in mana cost becomes less and less.]
Elemental Mage Skills:
Wind Mage skills:
[Wind Blade III: Level 9/10 (99%) (Active) A spell that allows you to launch a blade of wind. The cutting power and speed of the blade are increased. You have greater control over its movement after creation. Allows you to slightly control its path after launching the wind blade.]
[Wind Blade Storm: Level 6/10 (7%) (Active) A spell that unleashes a storm of wind blades around you. The damage of the released Wind Blades depends on the Wind Blade spell and your mastery over it.]
[Wind Bullet III: Level 9/10 (99%) A spell that allows you to launch a bullet made of concentrated wind. You have excellent control over the projectile’s speed, size, and path.]
[Wind Explosion: Level 3/10 (21%) A spell that allows you to create a singular bullet of wind mana, and then fire it, which will, upon impact, detonate. The strength of the detonation depends on the amount of wind mana channeled into the bullet and your mastery over the Wind Bullet spell!]
[Wind Movement: 39/100 (19%) (Active) You can use your mastery over wind to move in any direction you wish. Your movement speed is increased significantly. This speed boost is increased by 1% for each skill level.]
[Wind Edge III: Level 9/10 (99%) (Passive) A spell that allows you to enhance the edge of any bladed weapon you wield with the wind. Thanks to the spell, the speed of your strikes will greatly increase. The power and reach of the blade will be greatly increased further.]
[Wind Affinity: Level 61/100 (17%) (Passive) You have a good affinity for the wind. Beings born of the wind will be more favorable to you. The cost of the Wind-type spells and skills is reduced and their power is increased by 0,5% for each skill level.]
- Wind Flurry
- Wind Bullet Barrage
- Healing Wind
- Wind Jump
- Wind Drill
- Wind Blade I-III
- Wind Blade Storm
- Wind Bullet I-III
- Wind Explosion
- Wind Movement
- Wind Edge I-III!
Utility skills:
Companion skills:
Shadow skills:
(Shadow Cloak triggers this benefit.)]
[Shadow Affinity: Level 30/100 (14%) (Passive) You have a good affinity with the shadows. Beings born of the shadows will be more favorable to you. The cost of the Shadow-type spells and skills is reduced and their power is increased by 0,5% for each skill level.]
Physical skills:
[Basic Armor Mastery: Level 91/100 (6%) (Passive) You learned the basics of wearing armor. Decreases the Stamina consumption slightly while wearing any kind of armor.]
[Clean Armor: Level MAX (MAX%) (Passive) Your mana got used to a certain spell, so the waste mana radiating from you will, over time, permeate and clean your armor.]
[Resistant Armor: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Thanks to your practice, you can fully utilize everything that your armor provides, granting you increased resistance against the environment. Grants 2% increased environmental resistance per skill level. Environmental resistance protects against environmental effects only.]
[Durable Armor: Level 0/5 (0%) (Passive) You learned how to roll with the punches. This includes knowing when your armor can take a hit and when it can’t. Increased durability for any armor you wear from incoming damage from non-environmental sources.]
[Epic Breathing Technique: Level 9/10 (99%) (Passive) You breathe, and the world breathes with you. You move along your own rhythm. Decreases stamina consumption even more during any activity and further increases stamina regeneration when not in a fight. Gain +2 Stamina Regeneration for every skill level.]
[Tranquil Heart: Level 11/100 (54%) (Passive) Your heart beats to the same rhythm as your body. It’s efficient and harmonious. You have an even easier time resisting mind-altering effects and a portion of of those effects are reflected back to the source. The portion is 1% per skill level. You also radiate an aura of tranquility that confers the resistance portion of the skill to your allies near you.]
[Flow: Level 77/100 (9%) (Passive) Thanks to being a natural sensor, you can read the flow of the mana. Increases your stability and the bonuses any movement or martial art skill provides by 1% per level in the skill.]
[Focused Flow: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) When focusing on any enemy beyond what is normal, your ability to read their flow becomes clearer and more precise.]
[Controlled Flow: Level 5/5 (MAX%) (Passive) Your read of the flow is more controlled, allowing you to see the flow much better. Increases the flow visibility by 20% for every skill level.]
[Immersed Flow: Level 0/5 (0%) (Passive) When you start reading the flow a counter starts. After every ten seconds, the effect of the Flow skill increases by 1% for each skill level. Maximum 600 seconds.]
Parry: Level 24/100 (13%) (Passive) Decreases the stamina consumption of defensive weapon movements. It allows you to more efficiently and accurately parry incoming attacks. Decreases the damage of the blocked attack by 0,5% for each skill level at the moment of blocking.]
[Cleansed Body: Level MAX (MAX%) (Passive) Your body has been cleansed of impurities, giving you a more charming aura. NPCs and players will treat you slightly differently depending on their tastes. Gives a flat increase of +3 to STR, AGI, END. You can upgrade this skill by further cleansing your body.]
Resistance skills:
General skills:
[Dwarven Language: Level 5/10 (1%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Dwarven language.]
[Elven Language: Level 7/10 (8%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Elven language.]
[Dark Elven Language: Level 5/10 (1%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Dark Elven language.]
[Sarkan Language: Level 3/10 (42%) (Passive) You managed to learn the basics of the Sarkan language.]
Crafting skills:
Pet skills:
[Strong Jaw: Level Max (Passive) The jaw of the wolf is strengthened.]
[Lucky Aura: Level Max (Passive) Those who are in the same party as the wolf receive a buff to their luck. It depends on their luck how big the increase is.]
[Animalistic Mana Control: Level Max (Passive) The wolf controls the mana inside him based on animalistic instinct.]
[Animalistic Shadow Control: Level Max (Passive) The wolf controls the shadows around him just as easily as it breathes.]
[Shadow Spirit Body: Level Max (Passive) The body of the wolf is part shadows and part spirit, which makes it much more malleable.]
[Shadow Strike: Level Max (Active/Passive) All attacks started from the shadows receive bonus damage, and the wolf can clad itself in shadows, making its entire body into a weapon, while striking at an enemy increasing its range of attack.]
[Shadow Jump: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active) The wolf gains the capability to dive into your shadow and emerge from a different shadow. Range: 200 meters. Cooldown: 30 seconds.]
[Shadow Dash: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active/Passive) Wherever the wolf steps, he can leave small pools of shadows that the wolf can use to jump into. When diving into the shadows, the wolf can travel at an even greater distance with his speed increased by 2% for each skill level.]
[Shadow Claws: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active/Passive) Your companion’s claws are infused with the shadows. There is a low chance to leave behind shadow mana with each attack of their claws. Alternatively, they can actively increase this infusion of shadow mana and strike at their enemies with giant shadow claws.]
[Shadow Bite: Level 20/20 (MAX%) (Active) Your companion enhances their bite with shadow mana, increasing the area and strength of the bite.]
[Shadow Steed: Level 21/50 (3%) (Passive) Your companion has learned how to run while being ridden. Stamina consumption is decreased when being ridden and can carry bigger loads.]
[Shadow Bleed: Level 41/50 (8%) (Passive) Your companion’s claw has been enhanced by a chaotic shadow field which rends the area where the claws strike, causing extra bleeding.]
[Weakening Strike: Level 15/50 (21%) (Passive) Every strike of your companion's claw weakens the enemy's armor. The maximum stack of the effects is 3+1 per 5 skill level.]
[Shadow Heal: Level 21/50 (37%) (Active) Your companion can absorb the shadows hiding them to heal itself.]
[Runic Weapon: Level Max (Passive) The wolf’s claws and teeth are clad in runes that grant him a certain amount of ability to pierce through the impenetrable. Grants a 13% chance to do True Damage with the claws and teeth.]
[Runic Strike: Level 20/20 (Active) Lucky gains the ability to channel mana into the runes of his claws and teeth to enhance the damage theydo. The damage type depends on the type of mana he channels into it. Current natures are available to use: no attribute, shadow, or spirit.]