I think I can confidently state I'll never finish this story satisfactorily; I just don't release chapters fast enough.

Removed the 'Gravity' from Gravity Telekinesis, it seemed like a good idea at the time..

Additionally I'm not looking for a PR as I've determined it just wouldn't help me, damned as I am.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn the spell Frozen Skies (Voice)YesNo

Learn the spell Blizzard (Voice)YesNo

Learn the spell Ice Shards (Voice)YesNo

Ah, Agis's Diary. Looks like he's an ice mage.

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

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

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

Placing the book inside my inventory, setting it into a separate slot I removed another another book from my inventory and flicked to the first page.

Learn the spell Vocal Amplification (Voice)YesNo

Learn the spell Ignore Limits (Voice)YesNo

Learn the spell Mana Eruption (Voice)YesNo

You know, one of those spells sounds very promising.

You have learned the spell Vocal Amplification (Voice)

You have learned the spell Ignore Limits (Voice)

You have learned the spell Mana Eruption (Voice)

With a small amount of anticipation, I checked the spell description.

SkillMana Eruption (Voice)Level1 [0%]Forcing the mana running through your body to explode beyond your capability!

Commonly used in last resorts, this has the famed reputation of a massive surge in power before exploding in a shower of blood!

Mana, capability and regeneration increases by 40%

Every second -20 HP

That sounds pretty.. painful.

Wonder if the spell is required to replicate the effects, I can manipulate the mana in my body so surely it should be doable. The spell just likely contains a certain technique to be used.

But, its dangerous and powerful.

Obviously I'm keeping it.

SkillIgnore Limits (Voice)Level1 [0%]Sleepy? Not anymore!

Short on breath? Not anymore!

Body faint with hunger? Energy surges through you!

Can't take one more step? Sure you can!

Physical limits raised to 120%

HP consumed at a rate of 1:12 when stamina is depleted

Was the inventor of these spells suicidal?

SkillVocal Amplification (Voice)Level1 [0%]Your voice resounds to be heard throughout the world!

Volume of voice raised to 130%

That spell looked to be of the harmless variety, but what was with the spells in that book?!

Curious, I peered at the book's identification.

Diary of a madmanWritten by a madman in a little known cult, the contents of this book are of the forbidden category.

Contains the spells: Vocal Amplification (Voice), Ignore Limits (Voice), Mana Eruption (Voice)

Hmm. When I think about it, wasn't this book among the three books I found in the metal box? Agis's diary was another of those.

As for the metal box, there's a small story behind that, it relates to a hour ago as I broke into the library..

---------

It had been a hour earlier, late after everyone had gone to sleep.

Making sure I wasn't being watched, I slipped out of my room and proceeded towards the highest building, poking out of the other buildings like a sore thumb.

I didn't know where their library was, and didn't trust it to be forgotten if I asked about for the location. But still, my search had paid off fairly easy.

As I had thought, it was the mage-like tower poking out of the building, tentacles of mana sometimes flickering over the walls in a spell formation.

Crawling through the tiny window in a lull as the mana withdrew, scanning other areas of the library for potential intruders I peered about inside.

With the amount of spells floating about, it was fairly easy to spot the desk with thick and heavy spells wrapped about it.

Just to get one misunderstanding out of the way, I can't see other types of mana. But when spells are formed in the air, just about every single spell I have seen has contained traces of formless mana which of course, I can see.

Its also easy to see the type of spell by what it does and where it is, and when you have formless threads of mana floating through the air faintly in a distinct way..

I'm not sure really, but its obvious when mana has been formed into a spell.

But regardless, I digress.

The large wooden desk lined alongside 10 other desks stuck out like a sore thumb, surface crawling with spells that constantly surged about the air, seeking out intruders.

Drawing closer to the desk I looked beneath it, easily spying hidden in the shadows a metal box which was almost blinding with the layer of spells covering it. Hiding in shadows and blinding light, sounds strange doesn't it.

But that's just how mana looks.

I did think about looking through the bookshelves before going straight for the desk, but the entire library had its contents covered by a spell. Thin threads of mana entwined through every book in the place, touching them would almost definitely set off some alarm.

I could avoid what threads were in the air easily with my pseudo flight, but it was a nuisance. The spell was barely visible, barest of glimmers indicating the presence of the threads.

All of the spells in this place seemed to link back to the desk, wrapping about a small silver bell lying on top. It all looked terribly complex, and obviously something was going to happen if I touched it.

But what I'm really trying to get at, this was giving me a headache. Tons of books to read, not a single book lying about for grabs.

With a metal box containing something mysterious inside, covered in spells with bookshelves boobytrapped for the slightest movement. I had not the time or the skill to unravel these spells to silently take the contents.

With the threads in the air, it was only a matter of time before I slipped up and set something off. So rushing things was going to have to be done.

As for the things I take, it seems very obvious I should rip into the metal box first. If I'm going to set off alarms, shouldn't I grab the best and use what time I have left to take the rest?

With a deep breath and slow exhalation, my body moved into action.

Grabbing the handle and forcing it open, it screeched like a madman as metal tore and a spell exploded into action. Threads of mana sunk into my arms as my head felt a nudge of pain.

Due to high mental resistance, you have resisted a mental attack

Looking through the books and ignoring the loud screeches of the spell as it wailed in the air, I grabbed the three books I found inside with not enough time to look further as I turned to run.

Grabbing a few books off the shelves as I moved, I ran towards the window.

With a forwards jump and a rush of fear as I briefly entertained the notion of smacking my head, I manipulated my flight in what semblance I could of a soaring arrow.

Soaring headfirst towards the window that seemed to have grown smaller, thankfully my arms went through smoothly before my upper body. It had been when my hips started to go through that I got stuck in a sudden halt and loss of 12 HP.

When I think about it, it had been pretty fun. Not sure I'd do it again though.

---------

Back in my room and lying on my bed, I placed 'Diary of a madman' back inside my inventory, taking out another unread book.

Ahh, I recognise this one. This was one of the books I had grabbed while rushing out.

Arthos's theory of ManaWritten by an aspiring student on the mechanics of the world and the laws of mana, this book contains numerous theories that are unproven.

Contains the skill: Mana Manipulation

Contains the spells: Torchlight, Telekinesis

This.

This is..

Unexpected jackpot!

Opening the book and reading the first line, a single box appeared.

Learn the spell TelekinesisYesNo

Obviously yes!

You have learned how to cast Telekinesis without (Voice)

You might wonder why its a jackpot, why I've gotten a little excited about it. Why? Because there's no (Voice)!

It should be fairly obvious by now right? This is Gravity Cloak, but ranged!

Placing the book back inside my inventory, I excitedly took out a stone and placed it on my bed. Then without touching the stone and with high hopes and anticipation, *Telekinesis*.

Tiny droplet of purplish mana formed in my forehead, leaving my body abruptly as it shot through the air. Rippling silently as it hit the pebble, it seemed to rebound from the impact. A secondary droplet shooting from the collision and trailing a thin thread behind it as it flew back and impacted my forehead.

Then just like the other spell connections I could use, I felt the connection to the pebble. It was almost identical to the way I used my connections, but slightly better. I could tell my new spell connections would have the same improvements.

Giving a command to the pebble which began to rise in the air, I exposed a slow smile as I felt a little happy. Just like this, I can now cast Gravity Cloak without touching things.

That smile died though, I wasn't satisfied with the behavior of the spell.

The spell was slow, if the pebble had been moving then the bolt would have easily missed.

It had also been weak, far weaker than Gravity Cloak had been. As strong as the (Voice) version but weaker than Gravity Cloak had been. The Gravity Manipulation bonus made it stronger than Gravity Cloak had been back then, but it didn't bode well for the future.

I'll need to train the spell up before it sees proper usage; if I decide to use it. Gravity Cloak is superior in almost every other way.

Hmm. Two books left to look at.

Placing the book containing the theory of mana inside my inventory, I resolved to read it later as I took out another book.

Basic spells of a Fire MagicianWritten as a guide for the beginner mage who wishes to specialize in fire, this book teaches the four spells forming their arsenal.

Contains the spells: Firebolt, Firewall, Flame, Flare

Not even worth trying to learn, I still read the first line incase but things turned out as expected.

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

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

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

Placing it inside my inventory, I withdrew the last book from my inventory and looked at the title.

Death Magic of PosledWritten as a prank and co-authored by two infamous students, this book contains little in the way of knowledge and one spell that coincidentally works.

Contains the spell: God's Retribution

Learn the spell God's Retribution (Voice)YesNo

Sceptically looking at the spell, I considered it.

Eh. Why not.

You have learned the spell God's Retribution (Voice)

A little curious, somewhat interest-. No. That's wrong.

I was extremely curious, extremely interested and I practically glowed with anticipation.

A spell with the name 'God' in it can't possibly be weak.

Pressing on the spell in the skill menu, a window popped up.

SkillGod's Retribution (Voice)Level1 [0%]A single bolt strikes down from the heavens, crushing the infidel who dares call on it.

The power of the lightning bolt will match the defenses and health of the caster ensuring instant death.

Mana Cost: 20,000

Spell Effects: Instant Death

You know its interesting, very much so.

But. I'm rather unwilling to test that spell, even if I could afford the mana cost to use it.

Still keeping the spell, it should prove in handy if I ever want to commit a mutual suicide. I assume defenses means anything that stands between the lightning bolt and me will be destroyed.

Does that mean if I stand beneath that god of magic it will destroy him?

Can a god's retribution destroy another god?

But still, not casting that spell at this point. Its not worth my life.

Maybe if I unlock a respawn function..

So, the spells I would call useful from my acquisitions would be telekinesis, mana eruption and ignore limits. Potential insights to be gained if I read the books later.

Placing the last book away and lying on my bed, I dismissed my torchlight as stared upwards at the ceiling. Bored, I heard a small scuffle of a foot outside as the guard shifted position.

Slowly I sank into sleep, welcoming the sweet embrace of sleep.

--------

The next morning I crawled out my room, unwilling to stay indoors as I ignored the guard standing outside. He didn't stop me, followed me without complaint as I led the way to the dining room for breakfast.

Yid lv.21 Electric Mage

Grabbing what leftovers were there from breakfast, I entered the courtyard where the others were training already.

After a round of 'good morning's I moved to sit in the corner as I watched them train.

Kind of sucks I can't really train, the spells I want to train are too strong to be displayed. The spells I've been taught are too weak, unless I wanted to train the telekineses spell.

Funny enough though, I don't like the idea of yelling out loud just to grind the spell over and over.

So I sat there quietly as I observed their movements, their instructors absorbing them in training so that they didn't have time to talk to me.

Arod dropped by, sat with me for a few minutes as our guard watched from afar.

"So" Arod began after a long pause, pausing to ensure no one was near. "There was a disruption at the mage library" he quietly spoke questionably.

I knew what he wanted to know, and I'm more than happy to deny it. Watching Kira as she made a small spin and stab towards her teacher, I looked sideways at him.

"Are you accusing me?" I asked, voice growing cold.

Voice practically freezing the air, I had mentally practiced this over and over for when I was next accused.

With a glare that could stop a toddler in its tracks, I spat out "I didn't do it"

The skill Acting has reached level 3

"I know" Arod hurriedly consoled me, somewhat agitated I appeared to have been upset as I glared at him hostilely. "I just had to make sure.."

He sat silently with me for a few seconds as my face slowly relaxed, both of us watching as Josh moved into a brief fight with his teacher with swords clanging and sparks rising as every movement was deflected.

"Well" he wet his lips, atmosphere in the air tense. "I'll meet you later" Arod spoke, "Join me after you have eaten lunch".

He left me there, almost running away in his desire to escape the tension. I sat and watched the others train for what felt like a hour before returning to my room to study the contents of the books.

A small amount of progress in my understanding of magic was made as I finished the books, and it was when I lay bored on my bed with hands behind my head that I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in" I called, anticipating it was one of my teammates.

Unexpectedly, a woman spoke from behind the door. "Excuse me, but lunch is being served".

I heard her move away, and with a sigh I got up from the bed. Perhaps I can level up acting again.

--------

Lunch was served, lunch was eaten and my acting skill gained another 30% exp. The others had noticed the looks I was receiving from the magicians, but when Josh quietly asked about it I shook my head. "Don't worry about it".

He didn't pry further, but the other four looked unhappy at the way I was being treated.

Sitting at the table, plate of uneaten food in front of me I had no appetite. Being watched hostilely does that to you, what did I ever do to them?

I broke into their library yeah, but they had been like this from the very start to me.

I'm suspicious sure, I broke their crystal yeah. But shouldn't they be praising me as a savior? A genius come to solve their problem?

But instead, I'm treated as the outcast, the uninvited stranger. The party-crasher.

From the corner of my eye I saw Arod approach, and as I listened half-heartedly to Josh who spun a story about his rugby team I heard a small cough behind my back from Arod.

"Jon, follow me". Three simple words.

Smoothly scooting my chair backwards, I spoke to the four who sat next to me. "Don't worry guys, I'll meet you later".

Empty promises. I felt relieved to have left the table.

Ignoring the way half the table looked at me, seemingly happy to see me go I followed behind Arod as we left the room. Hit footsteps were silent as he walked, but my footsteps could be even quieter when I so desired.

Following him, he didn't speak as he led me through what seemed to be a maze.

The surroundings changed and the doors seemed to grow more polished, when I glanced about with mage sight I could see spells formed over doors. Protection and alarms for what must be mages inside.

Was this the mage's extension of the palace? It certainly seemed to be in the right direction of the library.

We passed through the decorated hallways and slowly they began to grow more drab, finally stopping before a plain wooden door.

Clearing his throat, and almost embarrassingly he confessed "My room"

Ah.

Entering the room was a small experience in itself, no magic about with a fat bed and a large table stretched over one wall with books scattered over it. A few crystals of no importance, a feather and what seemed to be a broomstick, bucket and stack of papers covered the desk.

Glancing over the books lying about was discouraging.

Sains guide to magicWritten as an introduction, this guides the reader on the basics of mana manipulation using the voice.

Contains the skill: Mana Manipulation (Voice)

A guide on magicWritten as an introduction, this guides the reader on the basics of mana manipulation using the voice.

Contains the skill: Mana Manipulation (Voice)

Basics of elementsWhat is known about the different elements of magic are covered within. Learn about fire, water, earth and air.

Growing strong is easy!Weak? Failure? Don't fret!

By reading this you can expand your reserves of magic twice over!

That last book was interesting, definitely worth checking out.

As I glanced over the information Arod spoke.

"Take a seat" he gestured, I followed his movements as I quietly sat on a chair.

Facing him and looking at him appraisingly, I waited for his next words.

I'm expecting him to guide me on the path to the other magic schools as he promised me yesterday.

But as I watched him, sitting on the chair his face seemed to slip from the gentle seeming old man and in a single instant his posture was of utter sternness. Face not showing a hint of the frail man I had seen.

"You.. You are not happy here are you" he spoke seriously, face harsh as his eyes gazed into my own.

Watching and judging my expressions as I tried to keep a blank face on, he sighed and shook his head.

"I've told you about the chance of joining another library outside of the city. But there is no such chance."

Then staring hard into my face, he asked me a question.

"Can I trust you?"

I won't admit, I was caught off guard.

First he seemed to have completely changed demeanor, I couldn't see that old man I had known. And now he wanted to reveal a secret?

Was he a spy?

Caught off guard I stuttered "Y-Yes?"

He looked a little disappointed at my reply.

Blinking and recovering, he intensely focused on me and with a voice that brooked no hint of a joke he made his offer.

"I have a friend in another kingdom who can help you, but if discovered you will be judged a traitor."

QuestBetraying the KingdomDescriptionNot all things are what they seem!

Arod is offering a opportunity to abandon your team and to study in Farod Kingdom!

RewardsUnfriendly reputation with Haden Kingdom if discovered

Friendly reputation with Farod Kingdom if discovered

Access to the library in Farod Kingdom

Gamer Title: ???

???

???

I won't deny it, as I heard his words and saw the message my heart jumped.

It jumped not out of surprise or shock, but the sudden realization that I could gain what they would not teach me here. That I could learn what deadly spells I wished, the skills they would not teach me.

And then it fell, for what I could learn there is not really something I wish to learn.

Their (Voice) spells, I may be picky but I don't like the (Voice) aspect. The beastking quest, it would almost definitely fail if I was found out. It would also fail if I left the group too long.

That gamer title. It can't be anything good. Turncoat, traitor. Sellout.

Almost definitely not going to be Wise.

And what if my team finds out, what would they think of me. That I left them? Betrayed them in pursuit of greater power?

This is so tempting, but so many downsides.

I can't.

I just can't.

"I'm sorry Arod" I shook my head, face twisted in regret as I declined his offer. "I can't acc-"

"If its about your team" Arod hurriedly spoke up, "You can rejoin them at a later date" he rushed to assure me.

"Its not that" I broke in, staring him in the eyes seriously. "Your offer is tempting but I can't leave them"

"Then just convince them to accompany you!" he spoke, distress crossing his face. "You can't throw away this opportunity just to stay with them a few months!"

"Its not that easy." I shook my head, "We were summoned from another world for a single mission. Do you think they would just abandon it?"

I wanted to say more, speak of some reason he couldn't refute. But I can't, I'm just the mage who was caught unknowingly along in a summoning gone wrong.

"Jon." he pleaded, "Do you think they need you for this? That they cannot do it themselves?"

"Its not th-" I tried to speak, but he continued, seeming to grow angry as he spoke "Don't be fooled. In your current state you are weak, you will never improve. You need to learn, to grow stronger"

"Yes b-"

"Jon." he sighed deeply.

"You are a genius, and you could be one of the sages. But if you do this to yourself, throw away a chance. Are you certain that you will live to regret it?" he spoke, voice quiet and seemingly broken as silence filled the air.

His words were a whisper as he spoke. "I had a chance once, to learn from the best", with voice cracking he choked out "but I didn't take it. Wouldn't take it".

I could feel his regret as his eyes focused on mine with blazing intent, hungry and filled with desperation. His face looked wrathful as he glared down on me "Don't let your emotions rule over you! You have to grow stronger! You can't be protected forever!".

I felt almost scared to talk, I can see how much this means to him.

Taking a deep breath, I reconsidered what he said.

The advantages, the disadvantages.

I can't get away with it; can I?

Growing stronger, remaining weak. A chance in front of me?

I have to do this quest, but the chance he sets before me. The opportunity to take..

The way this means so much to him.

I can't help but feel, if I say anything but 'I accept' it will ruin him. Destroy what ambition he has left.

He's a failed mage, treated on the lowest rung in this place. Am I meant to be his hope?

This offer he presents.. The ferociousness and blazing intensity of his emotions..

Hmm.

What choice to make. What do I do..

Ah..

I see..

I'm damned. In the end there is no choice.

NameJonathan CliffTitlesGamer, Pawn, DemonLevel27 [25%]Health780/780Stamina1002/1002Mana863/880Balance16,828 Coins, 1,000 GoldVIT80STR90END96AGI59DEX36INT99WIS90LUK23

Skills

Gamer lv.10 [89%]

Cooking lv.24 [43%]

Clubs lv.47 [54%]

Shock Resistance lv.29 [11%]

Reading lv.23 [65%]

Storytelling lv.19 [88%]

Meditation lv.81 [33%]

Crafting

Woodworking lv.1 [96%]

Banker lv.16 [68%]

Negotiation lv.6 [32%]

Gravity Mastery lv.62 [11%]

Formless Magic Mastery lv.32 [87%]

Light Mastery lv.58 [99%]

Mana Channelling lv.72 [8%]

Torchlight lv.23 [51%]

Gravity Cloak lv.68 [3%]

Gravity Well lv.10 [38%]

Lightball lv.6 [32%]

Rift Creation lv.1 [0%]

Light Beam lv.44 [65%]

Throwing lv.31 [19%]

Spears lv.14 [6%]

Telekinesis lv.3 [32%]

Acting lv.3 [52%]

Fatigue Lift (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

Calming Hand (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

Crawling Lightning (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

Ignore Limits (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

Vocal Amplification (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

Mana Eruption (Voice) lv.1 [0%]

God's Retribution (Voice) lv.1 [0%]