There was one silver lining about all this mess, I had plenty of time to kill and continue to practice magic. Kappa had joined my other [Sub-Cores] at reaching the dreaded level five, and I had completed my Arcane affliction.
<Spell [Mana Burn] discovered.>
As I delved into the intricacies of the spell, a chilling realization dawned on me. This spell, [Mana Burn], had the potential to harm Trixie. While I prayed ...
2024-07-31 12:47:15 +0000 UTC View PostEntering the tent, I was met with the sight of many tables and benches occupied by various colorful individuals wearing assorted gear and weapons. I had to block out my notifications as Beta nearly blinded me by trying to [Identify] everyone in the room. Thankfully, only the most perceptive of the adventurers noticed my entrance, causing quite the look of confusion and startlement at their tables.
I did my best to ignore the unwante...
2024-07-30 11:57:10 +0000 UTC View PostStaring at the skill, I was filled with anticipation. Could I really buy this? A small part of me was nervous, but I pushed past it and proceeded to try.
<Skill [Thunder Step LV 1] obtained. Skill Points remaining 12.>
I felt so much relief, and it must have been clearly visible as Lisa gave a cheery smile.
"Great. Now, before you start zipping and zapping around, I need to give you some demonst...
2024-07-29 10:51:50 +0000 UTC View PostEveryone was eagerly examining the materials. Luke was trying to catalog everything, Thern was inspecting the quality, Whitney was testing the sharpness of some of the claws, and Lisa looked like she was trying to ponder something.
"Any materials you planning on keeping or having crafted?" Luke asked.
"Hmm... Not really. The only thing I want to keep is the alicorn horn." I pointed out. "So everything else is up for grabs."
... 2024-07-25 13:02:17 +0000 UTC View PostEntering the Adventurer's Guild while chatting with Whitney, I noticed a few cheers and jeers as people who clearly recognized me saw that I had returned. There were some murmurings about my "strange new class" and people pointing out my high level. I noticed Luke rushing to meet us.
"Luke!" I said cheerily.
"It's good to see you back, Miss Syl. Master Lisa wants you to report to her office immediately, please." Lu...
2024-07-24 11:52:35 +0000 UTC View PostWith the pressure gone, Greg and I spent some more relaxing time polishing up the last few skills and lessons. I also ensured access to a few other good inscriptions, like resizing, stealth, and, of course, mental resistance. I paid what felt like an arm and a leg for the entire set of mental resistance runes all the way up to rank ten. Sylvester's pockets were practically empty, but I could always do some work or make a donation as S...
2024-07-23 12:51:05 +0000 UTC View PostHaving finally achieved [Rune Engraving], we could move on to some of our final lessons. That's not to say my Enchanter journey was over; far from it, I still had much to uncover in my own time, and I had barely touched spherical enchantments beyond the fundamentals. Greg had even described it as having reached the starting line, and I'd be registered as a fully licensed Enchanter within the Merchant's Guild with Greg's name backing my cred...
2024-07-22 12:57:49 +0000 UTC View PostAfter paying the fee, my guild tag was apparently appropriately marked to show that I was authorized. I also received a piece of parchment as a receipt that I could use in case someone asked for proof that I could access the inscription. I was a little shocked at how much security was around it until Greg mentioned that half of it was due to this particular enchantment's potentially dangerous nature, and even qualifying to teach someone else...
2024-07-19 15:07:08 +0000 UTC View PostI felt like I had almost enchanted half the city and wondered what favors or deals were pulled to allow me such exclusivity. However, I did note that I didn't step a single foot into the actual inner city, so either they had arranged permanent enchantments, or my work wasn't fancy enough for their tastes.
After just over two weeks, I made considerable gains, and despite spending almost every waking hour enchanting what felt...
2024-07-18 14:39:18 +0000 UTC View Post"Now, this is where the real fun begins!" Gregory said excitedly.
Some tools, ranging from farming implements to blacksmithing, were placed on the workbench, and over a dozen more were sitting in a barrel. Two barrels full of weapons, separated into swords and spears, were also on display. [Appraisal] showed me everything was iron or bronze, nothing too fancy.
"I'd love to have you working on spherical enchantments, but first, we ...
2024-07-17 14:53:38 +0000 UTC View PostBefore I knew it, I had spent over a week with Gregory, learning the ins and outs of being a basic Enchanter. Once Gregory saw how well I took in his lessons, combined with my gains from [Prodigy] and [Apprentice], it became a relentless pace of nonstop learning. I'd swear he was more excited than I was to learn new things and eager to get me out of [Rune Etching] as quickly as possible.
Despite all that, and even with the multiple stacking...
2024-07-16 15:14:25 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day, when I arrived in the lesson room, there was a note written on the chalkboard informing me that Gregory would be a little late and that I should take the time to practice drawing circles of differing sizes.
'I mean... How hard can it be?' I thought, intrigued by the unexpected challenge of the task.
I picked up a piece of chalk and began drawing my first circle on the board in almost no time. I then drew ano...
2024-07-15 14:06:25 +0000 UTC View PostAfter shifting into a new wardrobe and eating breakfast, I headed towards the Merchant's Guild. While part of me thought it could be fun to rock the boat, I didn't necessarily want to antagonize the man who was going to be teaching me. After all, if our relationship soured, he might still only teach me the bare minimum despite his claim of not wanting his name attached to a failure of an apprentice.
I had thought I was early, but...
2024-07-12 12:37:41 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day, I awoke with a surplus of time; my guild visit was scheduled for after lunch, allowing me to explore the city from a fresh perspective. I donned a new set of simple robes and left the inn. The transformation was remarkable; I no longer felt the weight of countless eyes on me, and people didn't shy away. I blended in with the crowd, spending hours wandering, visiting open markets, and sampling various foods and snacks. 2024-07-11 09:11:36 +0000 UTC View Post
It was late afternoon when I finally reached the city gates; thankfully, I had shaved off an entire day's travel time by flying most of the way. There wasn't any foot traffic leaving the city, and I was forced to join the line to await entry. When it was finally my turn, I approached the gate confidently.
"Do you have identification?" The guard on duty said as I approached.
"I do not. I hope to join the merchants guild." ...
2024-07-10 10:45:47 +0000 UTC View Post"One of my traits is eleven now... But I definitely didn't buy the upgrade... Did Gramps buy it for me? That hardly seems fair; I want a refund." I moaned.
"I don't know whether to say congrats or sorry..." Trixie said with an odd frown. "Getting anything above ten is a huge accomplishment. Not many people have that many points, especially considering how hard it is to even reach level ten."
"Well, I feel robbed. What even ...
2024-07-09 10:25:56 +0000 UTC View Post"So does this mean I'm the first [Experiment] evolving?" I asked. I wondered if this technically meant I was eligible for a reward if Gramps won a bet.
"No. You're not even in the top five, even with this early evolution." Mother immediately responded.
"Your class is stealing a lot of your experience..." Gramps explained, and I could tell he was a little frustrated.
I swiftly changed the subject before he set my class t...
2024-07-08 13:33:55 +0000 UTC View PostThings were once again under control from Gramps' perspective. He had secured a solid conspirator by completing a few new traits, which, in all likelihood, he would have created anyway, as once he got a new idea, he seldom would let it sit and rot.
At the same time, he devised a solution that not only solved the cascading errors caused by the slime but also allowed him to explore his domain further. Furthermore, Syl had acquired a yellow s...
2024-07-05 11:10:18 +0000 UTC View PostBy now, crafting debuffs had become a well-practiced routine. I executed the familiar motions, swiftly replacing them with Lightning Mana. With [Mana Conception LV 6] and [Mana Manipulation LV 5], I felt akin to a surgeon wielding a scalpel instead of a blunt knife. The longing for the next level of [Mana Manipulation] was palpable, and the prospect of tinkering with Arcane Mana without corruption was tantalizing.
I...
2024-07-04 10:56:22 +0000 UTC View Post"Judging by your reaction, I'm guessing that was a success?" Trixie asked, fluttering over.
I shifted to my familiar elven form and rolled my fingers while casting my new spell, causing sparks to surge between my fingers. "You tell me," I said with a cheesy grin.
Trixie took no time taking her usual seat atop my head and breathed deeply. "Wow, you have practically pure lightning affinity just like that."
I nodded and discharged th...
2024-07-03 13:51:13 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day, Trixie's minions found two more sources for us to investigate. I was hopeful for our plan, but when the first monsters we encountered were a bunch of fresh harpies, I couldn't hide my disappointment. Dispatching them was a simple experience; I just had to align myself to Fire and detonate a sneaky [Nova] amongst their group, thanks to [Magical Subterfuge]. I couldn't help but compare myself to the adventurer I had seen at the st...
2024-07-02 14:41:28 +0000 UTC View PostIn a truly astonishing turn of events, Trixie had awoken before me. It was a surprise I couldn't quite fathom. Before leaving my bathtub bed, I confirmed that Gamma was successfully restored and appropriately filled myself out with a bit of reserve slime.
Outside, I found Trixie, a sight to behold, trimming branches from the giant tree with an almost assembly line of Branch Sprites. The way she orchestrated the process was nothing short o...
2024-06-28 13:43:25 +0000 UTC View PostThings had been going well for 'Gramps.' While there were minor hiccups and occasional disappointment from one of the experiments, it was a resounding success in the grand scheme of things. After all, you must break a few eggs to make an omelet. Finally, some proper recognition was shown of the countless traits he poured his blood, sweat, and tears into. He had been in such a positive mood that he even took some time to design a new monst...
2024-06-27 12:37:05 +0000 UTC View Post"I did it," I said with relief.
Although I glared briefly at the sparkly rainbow cloud, that was all that remained undine, which denied me a new meal full of traits. If all spirits behaved like this, then I was putting them on the shitlist just like those damn ghosts. I made a mental note to lodge a complaint with Gramps; too many things were immune to being eaten.
I had half expected the undine to suddenly pull out another trick...
2024-06-26 14:08:24 +0000 UTC View PostI knew I'd lose in a battle of Water versus Water, so I shifted my alignment to Fire as I figured it was the directly opposed element. I hesitantly ordered a [Flammable] cast; my concern was that she could pull a Trixie and eat my debuffs. Simultaneously, I prepared two [Fireball] spells that promptly promoted to the superior blue flame.
The lake quivered, erupting with multiple water geysers, a testament to her power. However, unlike the [T...
2024-06-24 12:24:39 +0000 UTC View PostAs expected, I awoke before Trixie, who had somehow managed to entangle herself even more in her hammock. I stealthily made my way out of our expansive tree fort and resumed my practice. I was becoming increasingly adept at merging a basic projectile spell with an additional effect, a skill I was eager to master as it would enhance all my basic attack spells.
'I'm a little surprised I haven't earned an emblem, skill, or somethin...
2024-06-20 13:16:09 +0000 UTC View Post"Come on, show me, Syl! You can't hide it forever," Trixie urged, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I really don't want to... Look, I've got much more interesting monsters." I replied, my body shifting and contorting into the massive form of the earthshaker bear. "See, I fought this one with the help of a tribe of goblins."
"That's cool, but I want to see you lay an egg." Trixie pouted.
Trixie had been going on and on since we l...
2024-06-19 14:27:58 +0000 UTC View PostIt didn't take long to return to the cave. The familiar jingle announced my presence, and I transformed into a harpy, hoping to catch the queen off guard with a [Sneak Attack]. But to my surprise, despite her earlier promise to prepare, the harpy queen was simply lounging and feasting, her regal demeanor contrasting with her lazy actions.
"Daughter, you've returned so soon?" The harpy queen's voice, a mix of curiosity and concern, fille...
2024-06-18 15:02:55 +0000 UTC View PostI promptly showed Trixie the [Manhunter] emblem; she stared at it momentarily before chuckling. "That hardly makes you an enemy of humanity, Syl; stop being so dramatic."
"Even if I'm being a little paranoid, surely this isn't a good thing? I'd certainly distrust someone if they had this emblem." I retorted, my voice betraying a touch of anxiety.
"Just don't equip it then unless it's your only emblem?"
"Aren't there ways to de...
2024-06-17 13:49:32 +0000 UTC View PostThe entrance to the cave loomed before me, a vast maw that seemed to have been carved out to accommodate the harpies' frequent comings and goings. I morphed into a more amorphous form, clinging to the ceiling and blending in with the roughly worked stone, my colors mirroring the cave's dark tones.
"Wow. Way to make me feel useless in this expedition." Trixie teased before giving a playful wink and disappearing from my sight.
As I ap...
2024-06-14 15:04:47 +0000 UTC View Post