The energy I had gotten from talking with Denise was slowly draining away. The only bright side was, with all the studying I did, I earned three more levels in Magical Knowledge. Maybe if I get enough levels in that, I’ll get an answer?
I pulled out my journal as I walked, and at the corner of my awareness I could hear other players complaining. Most of them had thought it would be awesome to be a mage.
“I can’t believe I died three times trying to cast that spell. My stats took a big hit!”
“Yeah, it’ll be easier just picking a fighting class.”
“Maybe we should try holy magic?”
“Are you kidding? The requirements for that are even worse. It’s not a matter of effort. From what my friend told me, you have to actually believe.”
“So, the only way to grab holy skills is to join religion? That’s lame.”
I shook my head as I passed them, shutting out their voices. They were still thinking of this as a game… And maybe that’s it? Don’t think of this as a quest. Think of this as proving your abilities. You’ve already done what nobody else has, so just take that next step.
What can I do that nobody else has.. Something from my world to bring into this one..
I spent an entire week trying to puzzle it out. My last week of tuition. I gained several levels of Magical Knowledge with all the studying I did, but I was no closer to an answer. Against all odds, it was Denise that gave me the clue I needed.
“Why don’t you just use some of the magic you use to get here?” She asked innocently, after I had all but given up. “I know you said that you can’t use your magic here, but maybe you could imitate it? Surely that’s something that’s never been done!”
I smiled to her, wanting to tell her that there was no way I could use magic to enter a game within a game. But maybe I can? I don’t need to enter another game. Just make one. Something that only I can do. A scholar and mage of another world…
“That’s it!” I grinned widely to her and gave her the biggest kiss I could manage, leaving her red and panting afterwards, and wondering just what she’d said to earn that. “There is something I can do, and I don’t know why I didn’t see it!” Of course I knew why. There wasn’t a rune for what I wanted. I had to really create something new.
Denise was still smiling dumbly, seeming to be in shock from the sudden display of affection, but nodded as if she understood. I immediately sent a Message to Luc to ask him if it was possible, and the response I got was a gasp.
“Absolutely not! It’s been centuries since a new rune was created! You wouldn’t even know where to begin!”
“But it has been done before! The runes didn’t just spring into being, did they? They were invented, one by one. That means it can happen again!” And with that, I ended the call before he could respond.
I knew what I wanted to do now. The question was only how. In learning earth magic, I had to understand the nature of stone. To do this, I’d have to understand the nature of a rune, give life to idea.
Although I had told Denise I’d mind the store, I was wrapped up in my books, and she didn’t seem to mind. If anything, she was happy. I wasn’t exactly sure why, but whenever she saw me hard at work, her smiled brightened the room.
I knew what I wanted to make. But how do you visualize an idea without form. Give shape to the shapeless? I could base it on similar runes, but I wanted this to be mine. Something created of my will, birthed by my efforts. And so, I started, spending every waking moment in The Dive, and even most of my time in the real world, working on that single rune.
On the fifth day of the fourth week, I had what I wanted, and had tested it successfully. I still needed the 200 gild tuition in order to enter the college to take the test, but Denise was more than happy to pay it when I told her I was ready.
At this point, the guards didn’t even acknowledge my presence when I entered, as if either I belonged or I was too far beneath their notice to care about. But that didn’t matter. I walked with a purpose to Luc’s office. The short man jumped visibly when I opened the door and said with a grin on my face. “I’m ready for my test.”
The color drained from his face as he understood the implications of my words. “Are… are you sure? There’s no going back.”
Confirm Event
Final Test
You only have one chance to complete this event. Do you wish to proceed?
“I’m sure. Call whoever you need to, where do I need to go?”
Event Confirmed. Beginning Final Test.
“You’re an earth mage… so the cavern we trained at would be okay.”
I nodded and made my way towards the underground cavern, smiling as I remembered that this was the real start of my journey. If not for Luc, I’d have never gone this path, and might never have done this.
It took nearly half an hour, but eventually six figures descended the spiral stairs. I recognized Thurgrim with his shiny head, my petite teacher from my first week, and of course Luc. The other three were likely also graduated mages. One was a buxom woman with round spectacles and dark red hair. One was a man in his early forties, balding and overweight. The last one was rather unusual, a brute of a mage. He was just over six foot, and had the build of a warrior.
“Apprentice Jin. We have been informed that you wish to undergo your Final Test. Is this true?” Thurgrim asked me, raising an eyebrow.
“It is, sir. I believe I have something suitable for it.”
He nodded to me, “Then by all means, proceed.”
I nodded to him, taking a step back. I was prepared for criticism, because I knew that this wouldn’t look like anything special at first.
“Guardians of the earth, answer my call and become my shield. Wall of Clay!” I brought my hand forward, and a wall of stone rose up, three meters high and six inches thick.
I could hear Luc cough behind me, and he sounded nervous. Then, the brute spoke up. “Is this it? This is a beginner spell, nothing new.”
“I’m not done yet.” I told him, focusing on my new rune.
“Become! Stone skin!” The wall of stone collapsed towards me, and every instinct told me to run. But I had tested this, I knew it could work. The stone wrapped around me, becoming a shielded layer against my skin.
“One more time.. Become! Earth Freedom!” This time, rather than wait for something to happen, I simply walked out of my stone shell, leaving a statue of me behind.
Luc and Thurgrim, the only two that seemed to realize what I’d done, were wide-eyed and open-mouthed. The other four just looked as though I had cast three basic earth spells. “So?”
Thurgrim sputtered a bit to the brute that questioned it. “He… he used a rune I’ve never seen before.”
Luc chimed in. “Nobody’s ever seen it before.” He looked at me. “Is that the rune you made?”
When I nodded, the redheaded woman scoffed. “You don’t just create new runes. Obviously he cast three different spells to pretend to have a new ability.”
Thurgrim took a step forward, adjusting his glasses and looking at her. With his back to me I couldn’t see what look he gave her, but she went quiet. “Are you questioning my eyes? He turned one spell into three different ones.” Thurgrim turned around to look at me. “I don’t know how you did it, son. But you’ve certainly created something unique. You called that spell Become, right? May I see the runes you used?”
I nodded, grabbing my journal and opening it to the last page. In the end, the rune was simple, a swirling pattern within a cross. “I call it rewrite.”
“Yes, yes. I’ve never seen it before. It doesn’t even resemble similar runes.” He closed my journal and handed it back to me. “On behalf of this college, I congratulate you on passing the Final Test.” He held up one hand, and a book appeared in it, with arcane markings on both covers. Now that my Magical Knowledge has advanced, I could decipher the markings to be various runes of protection. When he held the book out to
me, I wasn’t quite sure what to do.
“This is your grimoire now. Proof that you have become one of the mages. No longer are you an apprentice.”
I nodded slowly, and held my hand out shakily to take the book. My own spellbook? What.. what does that mean?
My answer came as soon as I grasped the tome.
Equipment Acquired - Jin’s Spellbook.
Quest Completed!
Mark of the Mage
Having created a truly unique work of magic, the headmaster of Rosenheim’s Mages’ College has presented you with the proof of your status, a personal grimoire.
Reward: Grimoire, title, and fame.
New Title Unlocked!
Having graduated from the Mages’ College, you have earned the title of Mage.
Intelligence and Wisdom increase by 2
Mana increases by 200
Fame increased by 100
Bonus 50 Fame for being the first player to achieve the Mage title
Magical Talent has increased to 8
Magical Talent has increased to 9
Magical Knowledge has increased to 19
Magical Knowledge has increased to 20
As the messages appeared one after another, I felt a smile tugging on my lips. “Thank you sir. It has been an honor to learn from all of you.” And with that, I left the college, a grin plastered on my lips. I didn’t even think about the grimoire until I was almost to the inn. It registered as equipment… that means it has stats, right?
Opening my inventory window, I frowned a bit at the gild amount, which still listed 10. Since I had been getting my allowance from Denise, and not running around doing quests I hadn’t earned any money. In my inventory, there was a packed lunch of good quality--I thought that was funny--, a well-used journal, and Jin’s Grimoire. When I selected the grimoire, it gave me another window.
Jin’s Grimoire
Rarity: Unique
Type: Accessory
Value: 0 Gild
Earned through excessive studying, this spellbook is the proof that Jin achieved the rank of Mage. All spells are automatically recorded in this book as its owner learns them.
Intelligence +5
Wisdom + 5
Once per day: By studying this book, the owner can increase their effective Magical Talent level by 1 for one day.
Requirements: Magical Knowledge 10, Mage title
Message!
“Denise, you there?”
She must have heard the excitement in my voice, because she answered right away. “You passed!” She didn’t even have to ask, she just shouted it out and laughed happily.
“I did. You are now talking to an official Mage.”
Her laugh was enough that I could hear it from around the corner, even without the spell. “Oh, I knew you could do it! Now hurry home, you hear?”
“I’m almost there. You really never doubted I’d pass, did you?”
She didn’t answer for a while, so I thought she was hesitating. When I opened the door to the inn, I was rewarded with a flying tackle that made several customers stare. “Not for a second.” Her voice whispered in my ear as she hugged me tight.
When she dragged me back to her apartment, sheer force of will wasn’t enough to keep our clothes on this time.
Chapter 5
The next day, I wasn’t able to spend with Denise, because it was time for class. But I knew that when I got back, my two weeks would be over and we could leave the city to begin our journey. When I saw Kevin later, he was depressed because he had died a few times. Not from monsters, because the ones around his city were easy for him to take care of. No… he died from hunger, or eating something poisonous.
Thankfully, I wouldn’t have to worry about that as long as I had Denise with me. As long as I have her, it’ll be alright. The thought brought a smile to my lips, and when I got home, there was a letter waiting for me.
Christopher Weston,
On behalf of the Unicorn Corporation, I am authorized to offer you employment.
There weren’t very many details. Apparently they wanted me for something they called an Investigative Asset. The pay was surprisingly good, but there weren’t any details on the job. I put the letter aside, and decided I’d ask Denise her opinion and look at it again tomorrow.
When I logged into the game, I found Denise waiting for me. But this time, she didn’t tackle me and hug me, even though it was clear that she wanted to. And.. I admit, I was thankful. She was wearing her skintight green suit, but above it was leather armor, with her bow and quiver mounted on her back, and a full backpack of what I assumed to be essential supplies. If she had tackled me with all that.. I could just picture my HP dropping from being crushed to death.
She did, however, smile warmly to me. “Hey, you made it. I got something for you..” She blushed a bit as she pulled off her backpack and dug around in it. Upon seeing my curious expression, she pulled her hands out… and with them a flowing green robe with ornate designs. “I had a tailor make it.. it just got done today. You.. like it?”
I smiled to her, walked up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Love it. You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me.”
I got a wicked grin for my concern. “Oh, yes I did! I am not going to be seen adventuring with someone that looks like they just crawled out of the slums!” She laughed, pointing at my starter outfit.
“Okay… fair point. Now gimme my clothes, woman!” I said with a grin of my own and snatched the robe from her hands, moving back into the apartment to change into it. Knowing that we were about to leave Rosenheim behind, I decided to take a look at our characters to make sure we were ready.
Name: Jin
Race: Human
Title: Mage
Fame: 170
Gild: 10
Level: 40
Health: 125
Mana: 920+25
Strength: 20
Agility: 35
Endurance: 15
Wisdom: 60+5
Intelligence: 144+5
Luck: 6
Attack: 10 + 10
Defense: 10 + 10.25
Talents: Magical Talent 9, Magical Knowledge 20, Navigation 2, Earth Magic 5, Summoning Magic 3, Runescript 1
Title Bonuses: +2 Int/Wis, +200 Mana
Equipment bonuses: +5 Int/Wis
Name: Denise
Race: Human
Title: Innkeeper
Fame: 30
Gild: 5460
Level: 40
Health: 265
Mana: 0
Strength: 36
Agility: 126 + 10
Endurance: 43
Wisdom: 15
Intelligence: 20
Luck: 7
Attack: 25 + 107
Defense: 15 + 84
Talents: Merchant 2, Archery 18, Reflex 8, Speed 5, Chef 4, Tracking 3
The Dive: Birth of a Wordsmith Page 8
