On his trip through the space in between Marco began to experiment with his magic. He wasn’t actually casting it, instead he was visualizing what the spell looked like and then attempting to change it in some way. First he practised accelerating the spin, as he had done earlier in the day, before then practicing flattening the orb into more of a disk.

Although unsure of what the spell should look like Marco had seen a shuriken before and was sure that the rudimentary orb would need a lot of work before becoming anything that remotely resembled a shuriken.

After a few minutes of practice Marco let his visualization drift away when he approached the grey door. Landing inside Marco raced down the steps with determination, only stopping at the shop to quickly greet SteelBreaker before rushing down into the dungeon.

Marco’s next goal was simple; to clear out the courtyard of all the monsters there. Last time he’d counted seven skeletons before dealing with three of them, ‘That leaves four for tonight.’ Marco told himself before walking through the gate and stopping in his tracks.

With knitted eyebrows Marco counted up the skeletons, ‘Five? That’s one more than last time. Are they respawning?’ although Marco didn’t know the answer it wasn’t relevant at the moment, ‘Just one more to deal with.’ Marco thought as he equipped his gear.

“Here we go!” Marco said, sending his first spell of the night whizzing through the air towards the closest skeleton. This time, though, Marco was exceedingly focused on trying to make the spell fly straight. With a satisfying thump Marco succeeded in hitting the skeleton, ‘Sure, I was aiming for the chest- but the skull’s better anyway!’

-3 HP

The skeleton charged him while Marco assumed his customary position in preparation to bash its head in.

…

Two skeletons in a row was Marco’s limit right now as the total damage he was taking left him without enough health to confidently challenge a third. After dismissing the reward notification from defeating his second skeleton of the night Marco walked up to the shop for a break.

Once in the shop SteelBreaker greeted him with an enthusiastic smile as he noticed, “Ye seemed pretty eager today! What’s gotten into ye?” Marco smiled, “I’ve been practicing magic outside the dungeon and it’s gotten me excited.”

SteelBreaker huffed, “Wouldn’t know anythin’ bout that. Ye should spend yer time on somethin’ more useful- like training yer body!” to support his claim SteelBreaker struck a pose that highlighted his disproportionately huge biceps.

“I’m a magic user.” Marco reminded him before pausing, “Actually, that might be a good idea.” SteelBreaker nodded in approval as he said, “Ye won’t be learnin’ many skills to use but it’ll help ye stay alive. After all none of the monsters in there will sit still for target practice.”

Marco didn’t need reminding, earlier he’d almost been knocked off his feet by one of the skeletons. Almost. Judging now to be an ideal time to slip a question in Marco asked, “I was wondering, SteelBreaker, where could I get my hands on more spells?”

SteelBreaker chuckled before saying, “Well lad, ye’ll be able to find some in the dungeon. For now that’s yer only hope.” Marco said half jokingly, “Seems like the dungeon would be a lot easier for a melee fighter than a magic user.” to which SteelBreaker laughed and affirmed, “Aye, this dungeon just might.”

Marco caught the hidden meaning in SteelBreaker’s words, quietly making a mental note to slip in a question about other dungeons at a later point. Marco made to head down the stairs before stopping as he felt his staff in his hand. It was rough, covered with marks from claws, teeth, and other miscellaneous abuses it had suffered.

‘Inventory’ Marco thought to himself- to check his financial status.

Inventory:

* 6x Bone Fragment

* 3 copper

‘Will 3 copper be enough?’ Marco asked himself before walking back towards the shop counter, ‘Let’s find out.’ With his best attempt at a genuine smile Marco asked SteelBreaker, “What are the cheapest weapons and clothes you have for sale?”

With a surprised look SteelBreaker said, “Well that would be our novice selection.” Marco’s smile became authentic as he asked, “How much are the items from the novice selection?” SteelBreaker returned Marco’s smile as he said, “1 copper each.”

Marco walked away feeling quite pleased with himself. He’d snagged a novice staff and novice robe as well as deciding to spend his last copper on a mana potion in the hopes that it would let him deal with a third kobold without having to walk up the stairs for a health potion and a break to let his mana recover.

Marco let out another wide grin as he, for the third time, checked the stats on his new gear:

Name: Novice Staff Description: A common staff made to help new adventurers combat monsters. Effects:

+1 Wisdom

+2 Intelligence

* Spells gain a noticeable increase in range

* After casting the same spell 10 times reduce its cost by 1 MP permanently while this staff is equiped (one time use)

Name: Novice Robe Description: A common robe made to help magic users in close combat Effects:

+1 Wisdom

* Cycle mana to bandage a wound and restore 1 HP

Name: Mana Potion Description: Blue seas, blue skies, blue trees. What's more natural than mana for the wise? Effects: * Restore 5 mana when consumed (one time use)

‘Blue… trees?’ Marco mused as he read the text under the mana potion, ‘Not important… but I’ll have to tell Oscar about this.’ Marco decided with a chuckle. After crossing the gate Marco began to walk towards the center of the courtyard, which was now clear of monsters, as he observed the area in more detail.

To his left and right walls made of the same stone bricks as the gate behind him towered over him, casting half the courtyard in shadow. Overhead, Marco realized for the first time, was a grey sky that seemed suffocating in its dull nature.

In front of him were the remaining skeletons, behind which was a massive wooden double door that Marco assumed led inside the fortress. ‘The Shifting Fortress.’ Marco thought to himself, ‘Shifting? What could that mean?’ without taking time to consider it Marco was drawn to a pile of something in the right corner ahead, covered by the wall’s shadow.

Marco squinted but couldn’t make anything out. He’d have to get closer if he wanted to know what the pile was. In anticipation of his discovery Marco brandished his new staff at his next victim.