OptimysticStories

ER: Chapter 42 - Deephorn

Day 65, 8:45 PM

The dead town’s council sure is taking their sweet time reaching a decision. Especially considering their choices are to gamble on what some might view as heretics or to die.

I can see fatalistic fanatics choosing the latter over the former, but I don’t think people abandoned by the church would have all that many fanatics. Fatalists, on the other hand…

The inside of the stone guardhouse is surprisingly homey and warm, both c...

Chapter 147 - Royal Invitation

16th of Season of Earth, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

After the feast, Newt took a fasting pill and returned to cultivation. Hours passed as he made minor corrections to the vast majority of his spell formations. None required a major overhaul, but a scant few remained in perfect condition, requiring no modifications.

Two days later, he finished his inspections and corrections, sinking his teeth into the creation of new spell formations. From the first stroke, Newt confi...

Chapter 146 - Master Chef

16th of Season of Earth, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Newt returned to his residence, still shocked, unable to believe what had happened. When he left his realm after a handful of minutes he dedicated to checking its state, he was the only disciple in the field. He was terrified he had finished last, and in a sense he did.

Emeraldstreak rushed him from her house, leaving the door open. She stopped before Newt, her stoic face sporting a smile.

“Congratulations. Gr...

ER: Chapter 41 - Left For Dead

Day 65, 2:00 PM

Learning magic is one of the most, pardon my lack of a better term, magical experiences in my lives.

Sensing the ethereal images veiled behind the wordless songs which somehow tell the world what I want it to do is exhilarating. Doubly so because most have not a speck of connection with what the spell really does.

The intent behind the leaf and twig gathering spell Edna uses when making camp is a sudden whirlpool in a calm lake and...

Which elements should the Sage's Realm tournament have?

You can pick multiple options. Clarification, the tournament will have multiple events.

Chapter 145 - The Soul Waterfall

15th of Season of Earth, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Newt, along with his fellow core disciples and four hundred and seventy-odd inner disciples, entered the secluded realm. The fine vapor misted, blocking his vision. while the thundering noise assaulted his ears. There was no danger, however, and as instructed by the venerable, he followed the waterfall’s roar.

Soon the droplets filling the air grew from motes of fog into real drops, spraying Newt’s face. The noise...

ER: Chapter 40 - Journeyman 

Day 63, 12:10 PM

“I got a level!” I interrupt Edna mid sentence. She glances back, gifting me a frown for my effort.

As expected, the choice is between getting better at estimating distances and getting better at estimating weights. Both seem fairly useless. But the former sees more use in combat, so I pick it and read the next level up condition.

Ask a question your master should know the answer to, but they do not. Alright.

�...

Chapter 144 - The Second Solstice

45th of Season of Fire, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Elder Longfang observed the field he had arranged. It housed a glorious spell formation, one which helped him recover his confidence after failing to break the privacy spell formation the sect’s guest had used some moons ago.

Losing to a third realm grandmaster scribe hurt, but it was an important lesson as well. Ingeniously used lower realm tools could thwart even considerably higher realm efforts. He had known that...

Chapter 143 - Manic

87th of Season of Air, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Newt sat in his practice room in the Chamber of Runes. He could not tell when he started enjoying examining spell formations, due to his unique realm layout the activity felt nearly identical to cultivation, and as his understanding grew, so did his potential.

Even with Dandelion designing the exact blueprint, understanding what he had done and why was also an important part of Newt’s cultivation. He was slowly making...

ER: Chapter 39 - Three From One 

Day 41, 10:30 AM

“Are we far enough?” I ask, despite knowing the answer.

Edna hesitates, then nods. “We are.”

I don’t know why she didn’t want to hold lessons until we got closer to the corrupted lands than we were to Tallrock, but as an apprentice, I’m guessing it’s my job to obey my master, rather than doubt them.

Lucy, Gila, and I kneel beside a thirst tree, enjoying the extra dry ground, and wait for Edna to begin her lecture. She stares ...

ER: Chapter 38 - Plans 

Day 39, 5:15 AM

“And since I care about you, I’m going to explain some things.” I look at Edna. “You already know everything I’m about to say, and the topic might pe painful for you—”

“I’m staying.” Her voice is determined, and I nod before explaining the political reasons behind the church’s prosecution of mages and those who can live outside its influence.

The girls aren’t stupid, they understand what I’m saying, and th...

Chapter 142 - Wine

47th of Season of Air, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

“That was so depressing,” Elder Woodhopper said after closing the door and making sure Newstar had left the range of her perception.

“It needed to be done.” Elder Alabaster entered the corridor from a side room adjacent to the one in which Elder Woodhopper had the sensitive conversation with Newstar.

“You owe me a big favor.”

“Did you really have to tell him you were having a sex talk with him ...

ER: Chapter 37 - Healing 

Day 39, 2:30 AM

Edna cracks her eyes open as much as her welts allow, her head on my lap. She looks up at me, and I place a finger over my lips, telling her to be quiet, then motion towards the sleeping girls.

“Heal yourself first,” I whisper, ignoring her dismay as she realizes we have two more companions. Her swollen face and quarter-open eyes detract from her furious glare, and just like with Gila, I ignore her anger. She will get used to things....

Chapter 141 - Family Matters

47th of Season of Air, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Newt and Elder Woodhopper entered a large room styled to emulate a hunter’s cottage. A large, stone fireplace stood at the far end, flames licking three logs inside. Dagger-long fangs decorated a wall, some blazing with residual spiritual energy in Newt’s third eye, while a modest-sized, hairy hide of some unknown creature decorated the floor in front of the fireplace.

A feasting table large enough to seat twenty do...

ER: Chapter 36 - Convincing 

Day 38, 8:50 PM

I reach Lucy and Gila with Edna out cold in my arms. The girls have started a fire. In its light, they nervously await my arrival. When I started out in Everrain, kidnapped by a presumed mad witch, I never expected a development like this. It almost feels like a German folktale. I’m leading children away from their homes, with a witch in my arms, only lacking a dancing goat or donkey. Considering Everrain fauna, maybe I should settle for a b...

Chapter 140 - Blanket

AN: Bear with me, I know what I'm doing.

AN2: In other news I had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday (2), another two are coming out next Monday. Three of them require(d) surgery, so now I'm swollen and life is generally not fun. I think it won't affect my schedule, but if it does, I'll make it up to you. Enjoy the chapter!

47th of Season of Air, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

Newt had no clue how long he had been climbing. Hours certainly, days possibly...

ER: Chapter 35 - Breakthrough 

Day 38, 6:40 PM

One against two. You’d think that means things get easier, but this is where the real fight starts. Hell, I remember going through an army of mooks, and the only problem being the knight who led them.

Add in an important woman, whose dress is smoldering as she stands atop a blazing pyre, and you get some nasty pressure. The only upside is that Edna had apparently made her dress impervious to everything, including flames. Smoke and suff...

ER: Chapter 34 - The Witchburning 

Day 38, 6:30 PM

I’ve led Lucy and Gila out of the fortress. We kept to the edge of the throng of people going to see the burning, and I slipped them away from the crowd, towards the jungle. They are familiar with the terrain, the wandering wildlife is nowhere near as dangerous as the fifth floor of the dungeon, since humans aren’t the only food around. Besides, the girls have wandered those wilds plenty of times without getting hurt.

We have agreed ...

Chapter 139 - Those Who Climb

45th of Season of Air, 58th year of the 32nd cycle

How? Just how does he keep getting ahead of me?

Pond Brook overtook Newt for the eighth time. The challenge had started seven hours ago, and for the eighth time, he saw Newt’s back as he whirled past him. The going had been more and more difficult as hours went by, his arms grew heavy, and he was forced to breathe all the time just to get enough oxygen pumping through his aching muscles.

He’s chea...