Wrote two short stories, check them out. There may be a quiz later.

I believe the theme for the contest was comedy, which makes 'Fish loves you' better than 'Fourteen chairs'.

Fish loves you

Fourteen chairs

Regarding the quest 'Collapse the Empire' and the 'Friendly Reputation with Haden Kingdom', I didn't think it out well enough.

Should have said 'Distrustful reputation' to better display how they treat him even after accepting it.Debated adding 'Friendly relationship' to the rewards, but too much editing for my liking.

Spent the last day binge-reading Akumetsu, its a nice read.

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"Shall we begin" smiled Arod.

This is going to get irritating.

Giving a blank look towards him, I pretended ignorance as I called out towards the others. "Could someone translate for me?"

Kira glanced at me and the mage apprentice before quickly speaking to the assassin and running over.

"I'll translate for you" she smiled brightly, turning to Arod "Just say what you want to tell him, and I'll translate"

Arod nodded as Jeffery the assassin who was Kira's dagger/assassin instructor stood by and waited patiently, seeming not to mind as his pupil attached herself to us.

Arod began to talk, asking questions as Kira repeated them back to me.

"How long have you used magic for?"

"Years"

"Do you know how you are using voiceless chants?"

"Not really, I can picture what the spell does in my head and make the mana floating around me do it"

"You can see mana?!" at this point, he seemed to get rather excited. I couldn't help but feel as if I had made a mistake as his shout attracted glances from the others in the courtyard.

No one was actually training as yet, instead everyone had been talking to their new masters with the exception of Kira. When I asked her if she wanted to take a break, train with her new teacher as I switch with someone else to translate, she refused.

"I like the topic of magic" she grinned, her smile slipping as she continued with disappointment "I do wish I had some ability for it, but daggers are still pretty cool.."

Arod was quick to comfort her however, "You should still have some ability in magic, you will never be strong enough to fight with it, but small tricks like a tiny light can still be done if you work hard!". He sounded pretty sincere as he spoke to Kira, receiving a small smile in return.

"That's ok" she shook her head, "We have Jon and Rob. Two mages in our team is plenty for anyone" she spoke cheerfully.

Soon to be one mage.

"Can you ask him to demonstrate a spell?" I asked of Kira, she nodded.

"I'd like to see that too. Arod could you show us a spell?"

Arod looked at the others for some reason, seeming reassured when he noticed that no one but Jeffery the assassin was paying any attention to us.

"I don't know as much as some experts" he began, this was obvious to me. I'd be surprised if he could even match up to a common mage.

"But I do have a few tricks I can show you" he smiled as Kira looked a little excited.

"He says he will" she beamed towards me.

"Cool"

Arod cleared a small space for himself as we stepped back, then raising a hand in front of him and with a firm voice and a face of deep concentration, he spoke "[Absence of Darkness!]".

Strangely enough as I heard the words, his voice sounded different. Not in a pitch/tone kind of wave, but magical different.

A pale light shone from his palm, burning into existence from a tiny spark into a small ball as it floated in his palm. While incomparable to my own Torchlight, somehow it looked like it was different from my own spell, especially when looking at the mana construction. Also what was with that weird voice?

I need to see it again, watch the mana flowing as the spell is cast. This isn't going to be one of the worlds where everyone screams how they are going to attack is it?

"[Soaring Leaf!]" the sword tutor yelled from behind me, a small whistle following his voice.

Ok.

.....

Kira clapped at the show as he preened, his face crinkled into a smile as Jeffery the assassin looked on expressionlessly. Eventually, Arod asked his new favorite person "Would you like me to demonstrate another spell?"

She nodded excitedly "Yes! This is so cool" she gushed, her face glowing.

Arod nodded, his actions proud as he bent down and picked up a stone. Holding it in his palm he concentrated and looked firmly at the stone, gravity and formless mana attracted to his mouth as he finally yelled out two words "[Controlling Thread!]"

I saw it, I definitely saw it. A small wave of formed mana, rushing from his mouth at an extremely fast speed. Hitting the stone silently, the mana seemed to recoil as a small droplet bounced back to hit him, trailing a thin thread behind it as it formed a connection between the two.

His hand dropped away, the stone floated in the air as he concentrated on it. Then it moved up, down, left, right. Moving as he concentrated with utter focus on every slow movement. I could see the way the mana connection shivered for every breath he took, sometimes almost snapping as he did so. This was obviously taxing for him.

Finally with a released breath, the thread snapped and the stone fell.

"How was that" he smirked towards Kira, her face expressing her amazement as she gushed praises towards Arod.

"That was awesome! How long did it take you to learn how to do that! Do you think I can learn it some day?! That was so so cool!"

I felt sick to my stomach, I can't laugh, I can't possibly laugh.

I dare not laugh.

"Pfft" My breath escaped, my control slowly slipping. "[Ice Spear!]" I heard someone yell, quickly turning my head to see a small icicle hit the ground with a solid impact as it impaled itself into the solid earth.

Ahh, there's Sinin, Rob's magic teacher. He seems pretty good. Though lets not question why a Water Mage can use ice spells.

Thankfully I didn't feel like laughing anymore, seemed to have gotten over it.

But still, that proud smirk on his face as Jeffery the assassin watched on impassively, Kira gushing praises towards him.. He seems pretty vain for the small tricks he has.

"Arod wants to know what you think" Kira happily asked me, breaking into my thoughts as she looked on my face for the amazement I must be experiencing.

Looking away into the far distance, I bided my time as I thought on how to word my next sentence.

Well, I don't particularly want to give him praise, and I definitely don't want to learn magic from him.

"Well" I slowly began, my words carefully picked as she waited for me patiently. "His magic is pretty impressive, but I'm not sure I wish to learn those types of magic. Really, I'm more interested in learning about enchanting items" I finished.

"He loves your demonstration" she reported eagerly, vastly exaggerating my reaction. "He also wants to know more about enchanting items"

Arod nodded thoughtfully, "Enchanting items isn't for the weak, it takes years and years of experience for someone to learn the basics" he warned, an expression of a aged wise elder on his face as he spoke sternly.

It seems Jeffery the assassin is pretty accustomed to sitting in the background being ignored, I have to constantly remind myself that Jeffery the assassin is standing right here. I'm definitely not going to be one of the assassinated victims of Jeffery the assassin.

"It'll take you years to learn" she reported.

"I'm smart" I smiled towards her, "I can already understand some of what he is saying"

"Really?!" she asked excitedly, turning to Arod with a proud smile "He's really smart. He can already understand some of your language!"

Arod raised his eyebrows, "That is impressive" he mused, staring at me thoughtfully.

Idly I used *Examine*

NameArodGenderMaleJobMage ApprenticeLevel14Age53Health160/161Stamina81/89VIT9STR7END8AGI9DEX9INT12WIS11LUK7

Skills

Meditation lv.4

Mana Channelling (Voice) lv.4

Flame (Voice) lv.2

Torchlight (Voice) lv.2

Gravity Telekinesis (Voice) lv.2

Mopping lv.4

Oh. This is just sad.

I looked towards the other mage in the vicinity *Examine*

NameSininGenderMaleJobWater MageLevel26Age33Health222/224Stamina178/185VIT13STR14END12AGI12DEX14INT22WIS18LUK11

Skills

Meditation lv.7

Mana Channelling (Voice) lv.21

Torchlight (Voice) lv.12

Flame (Voice) lv.1

Gravity Telekinesis (Voice) lv.2

Gust (Voice) lv.2

Heat (Voice) lv.1

Earth Ball (Voice) lv.1

Water Mastery lv.13

Ice Mastery lv.6

Water Manipulate (Voice) lv.19

Water Ball (Voice) lv.13

Water Cocoon (Voice) lv.13

Heavy Water (Voice) lv.13

Geyser (Voice) lv.11

Ice Touch (Voice) lv.5

Ice Spear (Voice) lv.14

Ice Ball (Voice) lv.11

Ice Wall (Voice) lv.7

Ice Fall (Voice) lv.5

When comparing them, its incredibly sad.

As Arod tugged on his beard thoughtfully as he stood thinking, he finally murmured "Yes.. That may work".

"What will?" Kira practically leaped on him, completely forgetting her own teacher Jeffery the assassin as she clung to him.

With a pleased expression on his face, Arod began "Well, I could ask my fellow colleagues to help but I'm afraid they would be too busy to listen to me".

Kira clung to every word he spoke as I glanced towards Sinin, he certainly didn't look busy. Infact he looked pretty happy with Rob as he listened intently, occasionally demonstrating a spell as Rob watched before they both continued to talk.

Continuing oblivious to my lack of respect Arod proudly spoke with a small nod "While this would normally be forbidden, I don't think it should be too much of an issue if your friend here is given access to our inner library"

"Really?" Kira asked excited, turning to me with shining eyes "He says you might be allowed to use the mages library!"

My ecstatic face felt forced as I exclaimed "Cool!", relaxing it a little as I settled into a contented grin. I might actually get somewhere in the library.

While I have almost zero desire to learn any of their spells here, their enchanting would be a good start. And if they have other books which contains skills or spells, then it would also be a great time to grab them.

If they are good and useful, I could live with calling out their names. Might be able to even remove that aspect altogether.

Eventually telling Kira I could understand most of what Arod was now saying, she left disappointed as her tutor Jeffery the assassin led her away as he finally began to teach her.

The next 30 minutes were learning the three spells Arod knew, and proving I knew them. But try as I might, I just couldn't manage to use Flame. Might have something to do with the constant notifications that displayed.

I felt like a utter fool as I yelled all three spells, learning the first two with ease and repeatably trying to cast Flame as he encouraged me on. He wouldn't take "I can't cast it" for an answer.

You have learned how to cast Torchlight using (Voice)

You have learned the spell Gravity Telekinesis (Voice)

Unable to learn Flame (Voice). You do not have affinity for this element

Unable to learn Flame (Voice). You do not have affinity for this element

Unable to learn Flame (Voice). You do not have affinity for this element

Eventually, I admitted defeat. "I don't think I can use Flame" I admitted to Arod, refusing to cast it. By now I no longer pretended to not understand their language, he of course was amazed at this and repeatably smiled at me. "A genius".

Spoken Language: Sidaen has been learned

"Don't worry about it" he shook his head, "Not everyone can cast all of the spells. Some specialize in certain elements. If you keep trying and don't give up, someday you will be able to use those spells"

Actually when I think about it, it's kind of weird. Arod has 3 spells, all utilizing different types of mana and Sinin has a lot more. Even when its obvious that Arod is a failure and Sinin is a average or genius neither should be able to use so many affinities.

Gamer is limiting me it seems, forcing me to stick to two mana types when I have the potential to use more.

Gah. I'll live.

The others had taken to real lessons on their weapons by now, Kira still being shown how to hold the knives by Jeffery the assassin even as the others were given instruction on actually using their new weapons.

Rob was still talking to his instructor, occasionally shouting "Absence of Darkness!" as Sinin encouraged him on. Mark was being shown how to aim, posture corrected and Josh had already progressed to actually waving his sword around, instructor moving his body and weapon against a unseen opponent as Josh tried to follow along.

Come to think of it, shouldn't Arod have had a bigger reaction when he found that I could use the two spells he knew instantly?

Eh. Not a big deal. He's a failure, we established that much. At least I don't need to learn a new mana channelling skill. Twas pretty simple to inject mana into my voice now that I knew about it, forming it as best as I could as Arod instructed me before letting it out into a shout.

Doubtless I wouldn't have it so easy if I had thought of the idea myself. Chances is its a system assist because an actual teacher is teaching me.

Also, this voice thing might be pretty good after all as it has its uses. Using Gravity Cloak I need to make contact with the object I want to effect, but when I cast Gravity Telekinesis the spell moves through the air, hitting objects at a distance. It even has some kind of autoaim, just need to focus on a object.

Still hate the shout though, its retarded.

SkillGravity Telekinesis (Voice)Level1 [63%]By forming mana using your voice and sending it with a loud yell, the effected target can be moved using your mind!

322% control over mass, 322% control over gravity.

Spell effect varies, above effect observable on a 2 cm² object.

Spell lasts for 39 minutes

Pretty confident I could supplement the 'Controlling Thread' yell with other words or just a simple yell, but I don't care to feed Arod's 'Genius' idea too much. I can try it later if I ever decide I want to use these kind of spells and skills.

At least Arod said he would investigate about the library seeing as I seem to be a very fast learner, just didn't mention the little detail that he had nothing more to teach me.

I have surpassed my master.

.....

Strangely I don't feel accomplished.

Sitting on the chair and watching Rob, his tutor instructed in a manner both easy to understand and wise in its wisdom. Sort of different from Arod really, Arod is a little confusing. With a brisk shout, Rob finally succeeded in his first spell.

"[Absence of Darkness!]"

A orb of light floating in front of him, noticeably stronger than Arod's version I loudly clapped. "Nice!" I shouted.

The other three in the team turned to face him as he grinned embarrassingly, their shouts of congratulations easily carrying the short distance as the orb gently floated in front of him.

"Your friend may be a fast learner" his teacher began, I thought he was talking to me before he continued "But it seems he has been practicing for years to reach his stage" Oh. "The world you have come from, he must have struggled and struggled to reach where he is now, but you. You can do in a hour what must have taken him years!"

Two months really, and why are you feeding his ego? Shouldn't you be knocking him down so that he tries harder to impress you? Also do you think I can't understand you?

Loudly I congratulated Rob again, "It won't be long before I'll come begging to learn from you!" I lied with a grin.

He smiled wryly and denied it "That's not likely, you've had more practice at this than me. I'm just catching up"

I might actually get him to teach me his spells later, depends how useful the mage library is and what he learns.

One of my ideas for the quest I had received was to separate with the four on good terms, using some pretense to split up 'For the greater good'. Then if Falin Kingdom questions it and my quest looks like its going to fail, they should defend my honor even when I had practically abandoned them.

Later I could perhaps join them at the boss fight, having skipped most of the travelling and the actual work getting there. They should be happy enough to accept me back in the team, its not like we are going to be fighting over EXP and boss loot.

Heck, if they are still weaker than me by then, I can easily claim I spent my time studying and training! What could go wrong!

Well. A lot could.

But ignoring that and moving on..

Its still something I'll need to do. I'm definitely not going to assist them, and the quest turning sour is something I'd like to avoid. It would make my life inconvenient in so many ways, and having a new gamer title could prove handy. Especially if its something to do with rifts.

Well, that's debatable. I wouldn't like a title that gives 60% more chance to be summoned. Could work if it was 40% affinity to rifts.

Come to think of it, what would that title even give. It would have given me peace of mind if it was called 'Hero', not 'Summoned Hero'. That 'Summoned' part is what worries me.

Also, could I kill the beast king by myself? Spend what time I need to at the library learning what I can, travel directly to his place and kill him. A pebble ought to do it. Shouldn't take too long, I can fly over there. No co-fliers to complain about the speed.

Then my remaining days, spend them in peace. No fears of a quest failing.

That's a idea. A very good idea.

Though I can't take the others. They'll get in my way.

Josh Carter lv.5 Heroic Swordsman

Kira Harris lv.2 Hero

Mark Nelson lv.4 Heroic Archer

Rob Barnes lv.3 Heroic Mage