The [Magic Bolt] shines in front of me as I try to change it into something different. Not just stronger, reaching my full magical power in its might, but to make it fly further. I don't want it flying only half a foot per 1 Magic, like all of my Tier I spells currently do. I want to make it fly twice that far. So I'm attempting to tackle this problem by modifying the spell.

First, I thicken the [Magic Bolt], turning it from something only about a quarter of an inch in thickness to something about half an inch in thickness, rounding off the front end of it. I try to add more Mana to it as well, to help it hold together as it flies so that it doesn't come undone halfway, and-

Skill Acquired: Magic Missile Experience Acquired: +2%

The moment that pops into my vision, I gain a little bit of knowledge about this spell, enough to cement in my mind the basics of what I just created. Then I fire off the [Magic Missile], watching as it soars a full nine feet before coming undone.

So it's not a [Magic Bolt] that can travel at a distance of one foot per 1 Magic, but a [Magic Missile], huh? The spell is costly, though – it takes around 5.2 Mana to cast. I'm definitely going to work on reducing that before facing off against the big daddy of all squirrels.

Checking my Quests, I confirm that the one for casting a Tier II spell is still there. That's good, it means I don't have to do anything extra for it. I can simply accept it and then cast this, and I'll be at the next Quest in the line. However, I intend on building up a few more Tier II spells first, in anticipation of it following the same pattern as the first three Quests in the line. That way, less time is spent figuring out the spells needed, so that I reduce the risk of taking more than two weeks and losing the Dungeon Quest.

"Carter," Lucas speaks up from where he's… what is that? "Don't give me that look, Carter. I'm attempting alchemy, okay?"

Oh. I thought he was planning on making dinner using ingredients I've never seen before.

"Where did you get the ingredients?" I ask.

"From in here?" He looks confused. "You do know there are bushes, herbs, trees, and other plants in here, right?"

"Oh, right," I walk over, looking at what he has before him.

Arranged on the low boulder near the creek we've made our camp at, Lucas has several roots, berries, leaves, fruits, and what I'm pretty sure are some vegetables that resemble a cross between a carrot and potato.

"You found all of those here?" I ask.

"Yeah," he answers, then indicates the weird-looking vegetable. "That doesn't have magical properties, I was thinking we could try making a stew with it."

"You can tell they have magical properties?" I ask.

"Once you have 3 Inspection," he says. "You can see basic properties. The veggie just says 'food', the others say 'food; reagent'. I'm trying to get to 4 Inspection, though. I'm hoping it'll become more clear on what their magical properties are. That would be immensely helpful in actually creating potions."

"Ah," I say. "Are you wanting me to go out and gather a bigger variety of things, then? To improve your Inspection?"

"Yeah," he nods. "I mean, we've been stuck in here for five days, and I've basically explored this entire cavern in that time. I can't go out without help, since I'd be attacked, while you have magic you can use to defend yourself."

"I can go out now if you want me to look for things," I say.

"Not at the moment," he says. "I'm pretty sure you want to get that spell a little cheaper, first. With [Earth Manipulation], you can change the properties of earth and stone, right?"

"Pretty sure," I answer. "I can make water hot or cold using [Water Manipulation], and have figured out how to generate ice, since it's just frozen water. I can even make ice cubes."

They were useful before I entered the Dungeon.

"Alright," he says. "Do you think you can make a mortar and pestle for me?"

"A what?"

"They're used for grinding things," he explains. "Here, I'll describe them."

Lucas spends a few minutes describing the bowl and the rod-like item he wants to use for his alchemy, then I make several attempts at creating them by manipulating some of the stone I excavate before succeeding. Part of it's because I haven't used [Earth Manipulation] before, so I end up taking a minute to figure it out before I could use it on part of a boulder.

"I was thinking," Lucas says. "But you now have three of the four basic elements, right?"

"Yeah," I answer. "I'm only missing air, now."

"Alright," he says. "I noticed that I was lacking the [Wizard Apprentice] Quest in my list. You said yours had a note that you had an affinity for it?"

"Yeah."

"I think," he says. "That there's hidden requirements to accessing certain Quests. [Wizard Apprentice] might require knowing some spells or having an affinity for it."

"That would make sense," I take a seat in front of him, wondering what he's trying to get at.

"So," he says. "I was thinking there might be other Traits for magicians. I mean, in stories and games, there are usually several types. You don't have a [Quest] regarding a Trait for an individual element, right?"

"No," I answer. "It's possible that it's only for basic things, though."

"Right," he says. "Those might be specialist. Or they might not exist. However, when you were manipulating the stone a minute ago, I realized something. What if there's an elementalist Trait? Something for being a magician who wields all four basic elements? If there's a Quest for it, it might not pop up until after you've learned a spell from each category."

"Since the manipulation and creation Skills," I say. "Don't count as spells, I'd need to gain five more Skills, total."

"Yeah," he nods.

"I'll try it."

First, though, I'll manipulate the air, since that's here already. Holding up a hand, I try to draw in the air, willing an orb of it to form above my hand. A swirling, spinning orb. At first, nothing happens, but as with all magic, all I need to do is continue to will it, expending my Mana to enact my desire and turn it into reality.

Skill Acquired: Air Manipulation Experience Acquired: +1% Adventurer Quest Added: Elementalist Adept

"What's with that extremely baffled face?" Lucas asks.

"It let me know there's a new Quest available," I tell him as I release my hold over the air above my palm. "I guess I only needed the manipulations? Or just one Skill in each of those spellbooks? I'm not sure. Let me look at it."

I access the Quest menu and look up [Elementalist Adept] as I wonder why it informed me of this Quest becoming available. It hasn't let me know when the next one becomes available in Quest lines.

Elementalist Adept Available Rank: 1 Requirements: Earn the [Elementalist Adept] Trait. Reward: 5 low-quality mana potions; 1 Tier I spell scroll Details: An elementalist does not specialize in any individual element, but instead wields the powers of fire, water, earth, and air as their master. The first step to becoming one requires proving your might with the four elements by reaching Level 10+ in each of the four basic elements, with only those at Level 3+ counting for this. Note: You have an affinity for this Quest

"It doesn't say 'spells' this time," I tell Lucas. "I think it means I can use the manipulations and creations to complete the Quest, too. It's probably achievable within a week because of that."

If I couldn't just bring those up to Level 3 each, I'd probably have to take two or three weeks total to complete the Quest. I still want to know if there's a limit to how many of these types of Traits we have. Is there a limit, and if so, what happens if we reach it?

Adventurer and Job Trait Limitations There is no limit to the number of Adventurer Traits and Job Traits which an individual can hold. However, after the third in each category, every time a new Trait for that category is acquired, an assessment is done of all Traits in that category and any Traits which you do not act under will be removed and all Attributes granted through it removed as well. [Next…] Adventurer and Job Trait Limitations [Part 2] After a period of 5 years, or at the Trial every 100 Levels, an assessment of all Adventurer and Job Traits will be performed, and any which you do not act under will be removed and all Attributes granted through it removed as well. These assessments and removals are done to avoid the abuse of the Trait System for Attribute gains. [Next…] Adventurer and Job Trait Limitations [Part 3] Though Traits have requirements in Skills to meet them, they are a reflection of who you are and what you do. They are, after all, your Traits. If you take on [Wizard Apprentice] and then never use magic again, instead acting as a warrior, then you are not truly a [Wizard Apprentice] and your Traits will need to reflect this. Even if you still meet the requirements to receive it, you must continue to act as one to retain it.<

…the System is pretty weird about the wording we use to pull up this information. But at least I finally managed to find this and learn some stuff. While there's no limit, we do have to actually act as one or we'll lose it.

This set of messages gave me some other information, too. There's a sort of Trial every 100 Levels. The fact that this is a barrier for Traits tells me that it might be easy for people to reach. Or at least, for adventurers. I'm not sure about normal workers.

Since I plan on wielding all four elements and continuing on the path as a wizard, too, I'll go for [Elementalist Apprentice]. Not right now, though. I'll take on the Quest once I'm actually close to completing it so that I'm not wasting my time holding it.

"Do you think," Lucas says. "You could unlock more possible Traits by learning spells rooted in shadows and ones in light? That about rounds out my knowledge of elements."

"Probably," I answer. "But I won't to hold off on those for now."

"How come?" He asks.

"Becoming an [Elemental Apprentice]," I explain. "Will probably put me close to Level 1. I want to earn that Trait before reaching it, so I'll avoid learning other spells and Leveling ones outside of the ones I need for it until I have it, then I'll see."

"Alright," he says. "Does that include not Leveling the spell you did before I started talking?"

"No," I answer. "I'm going to Level that up and reduce its cost a bit. That's an essential, and I should be fine Leveling that without risking hitting Level 1. I'm at 58% Experience, and will gain… I think 29% while working on this? That would put me at 87% Experience, I think. So there's a little wiggle room."

It means that, unfortunately, I probably won't be able to get [Wizard Adept] before reaching Level 1. At least, not if I work on my creation and manipulation Skills, since those seem to count. Even if I focused purely on what count as spells, I might still end up Leveling the creation and manipulation Skills.

So I'm not going to bother with that and just bring them all up to Level 3. I noticed a small improvement to my Mana cost, casting speed, and control over the spells in [Magic Spellbook] after bringing [Magic Manipulation] up to Level 2. It's barely noticeable, but it's there. I'm assuming the same is true for the others.

"Good luck," Lucas asks. "Are you going to get started on that now, then?"

"No," I answer. "I'm going to go hunt some squirrels. I want some meat for dinner. While I'm out, I'll see about gathering some more ingredients for you."

"Okay," he says. "If you're planning on taking all of your bags with you, can I ask that you leave the empty cans, the sauce pan, a stirring spoon, and maybe a first-aid kit?"

I'm about to agree to that when I pause. He'd correctly assumed that I'd planned on taking all of my gear with me. Even if I'm strong enough to do so and have plenty of stamina, it's still tiring after awhile and I'm just going to bring it all back here once I finish my hunt. After his nap earlier, I'm willing to show him a little bit more trust.

Should I trust him with my equipment, though? My knives especially? I have too many to carry on me comfortably with my current set of outfits, especially if I'm bringing an emergency supply bag just in case and am also planning on bringing stuff back.

Though I don't want to trust him, leaving my stuff here would be better.

"I'm just taking a backpack," I tell him. "And some rope."

"Rope?"

"I'll hang the squirrels from my belt or bag or something using it," I nod. "So that I don't have to just carry them. I plan on catching four or five at the minimum. I want meat with dinner."

"Alright," he chuckles. "Are we doing a stew?"

"Do we really have the stuff for that?" I ask. "Don't those take a bunch of ingredients?"

"Sure," he answers. "We can make do with what we find. If we don't have enough, then we can just do the squirrel with the caltatoes."

"The what?"

He picks up the thing that's a cross before a carrot and a potato, and when I Inspect it, I find that "caltato" is its name. When did I stop Inspecting things as soon as I saw them? I need to return to that habit so that I can raise this Attribute.

"Oh," I say. "Let me get my bag ready, then I'll be off."

"Okay," he says. "I'll be… attempting to make a potion out of reagents I don't know the properties of."

"Good luck."