Spell-books for everyone!

A couple of minutes (and several kisses) later, we all gather around the fire, our new Spell tomes divvied out and ready to go. ‘Well, that is something I could certainly get used to.’ There’s an amiable smile on my lips, a smile that only grows as I notice the girls consciously make an effort to sit outside of the forming pairs. It’s a small gesture, but an important one, a step back towards normalcy (or as normal as things can get between us, anyway). It’s clear that each of us is making a genuine effort to keep the entire family involved.

‘Maybe I’m worrying over nothing… again.’ I snort, amused by the self-deprecating thought, then returning my attention to the group. Whilst the smart play (at least to avoid getting rained on) would be for everyone to absorb their books at the same time, it’s not every day we all get to learn new magic. I, the group’s generous, caring, incredibly handsome and unwaveringly humble leader, am about to make an executive decision when the girls put the decision to another vote.

I helpfully point out that, as their duly appointed leader (A.K.A, me) hasn’t called for a vote, any votes held wouldn’t stand up in campfire court (all very official, trust me). In response, Mum pats me on the head, kisses my cheek, and said, “that’s nice, Dear.” I swear, one teeny-tiny taste of democracy and they immediately revolt, what’s a party leader to do?

Still, the girls vote to take our time with learning the new spells, the same decision I was about to make, so I choose not to grumble (too much). First up is Mum, and the pale green tome containing Lisa’s contribution, Minor Heal Wounds.

The choice of whom to give the valuable healing spell had been a toss-up. Emily’s name had been briefly thrown into the hat, her truly monstrous Mana pool meaning that she’d be more likely to have juice left to spend on healing, This theory was shot down by Em, who reminded us that, one, she’d mainly be using her Mana to ‘blow shit up’, and two, there was nothing quite as scary as a self-healing tank. We had conceded the point, especially when Mum admitted that she’d rather enjoyed using magic in our last fight, and was interested in becoming more of an arcane based paladin.

We all watch with eager interest as the slim book dissipates into motes of dust as the spell is absorbed. Mum nods in satisfaction and gives us a thumbs up. She’d successfully absorbed the spell, and unlocked her new affinity.

Next up is Em, who happily accepted my Stabilise tome, and was ecstatic to receive a tome to unlock Earth Magic from Mum. The rest of us could practically see the fires blazing in our little pyro’s eyes as she hugged her new Minor Grease spell, that was right until the rest of us unanimously banned its use until we left the forest, or she could be reasonably certain that she wouldn’t burn the whole place down. Mumbling about her “family of killjoys,” she absorbs the first tome without issue, and the second with only a minor twinge of discomfort. I’m not the only one who notices, but Em waves us off. “I’m fine, just a bit of a headache, no biggie.”

Third up is Lisa. Ash and she had both earned the same spell for levelling their Water Magic: Minor Illusion. She giggles when Ash and she exchange their copies of the spell (both finding the touching but entirely useless gesture hilarious), then thank me with a small smile when I hand her my Rain Shield Spell-book. She is clearly surprised, however, when Ash hands her a second tome, the Dark Magic spell: Minor Dark Infusion. After a round of reassurances that ‘yes, we were all happy to give her first access to Dark Magic. No, we don’t mind waiting’, the three spells are absorbed with no issues.

After that, it’s my turn. Ash had already given me her copy of Minor Shocking Touch, and I am more than looking forward to getting my grubby little hands on Air Magic. It was my turn to be surprised, however, when I’m also given a second Spell-book despite my attempted protests, Em’s Light Magic spell tome: Simple Light. After considerable nudging from the group, I’m eventually talked into accepting everyone’s generosity. Focusing my attention on the Air Magic tome, a familiar pop-up soon fills my vision.

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You have found a spell tome for the Air Magic spell: Minor Shocking Touch.

Would you like to use the book and learn the spell? The process is not guaranteed to work, but the spell tome will be destroyed in the process either way.

Additional information: As a Spellweaver, your Profession grants you a much deeper understanding of magic than the average person, allowing you to determine the chance of successfully absorbing the knowledge contained within this tome.

Absorption success rate: 90%.

Would you like to use the spell tome: Minor Shocking Touch?

(Y/N)

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

I select yes, and for a moment, nothing happens. I glance up at the others around the fire, confused. ‘It worked straight away for everyone else? Have I broken it or something?’ Trying her very best to keep a straight face, a bemused Lisa mimes opening the book. “Totally knew that, didn’t think it’d magically do it on its own or anything”. Ass professionally covered (and choosing to ignore the chuckle at my expense), I open the book to the first page, then freeze as a stream of knowledge enters my mind.

Images flash before my mind’s eye, one after the other. The leaves of a tree, swaying gently in a breeze. Grains of sand on a beach, picked up and carried by a sudden gust. Clouds gathering overhead, black and menacing. The flash of lightning, followed by the boom of thunder. With an audible ‘thunk’, the back cover of the book slams shut before slowly disintegrating into motes of dust. With that, notifications fill my vision.

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Congratulations! Through the use of an item, you’ve successfully unlocked a new Sphere of magic! The Primary Sphere: Air Magic!

As this affinity was unlocked with the use of an item, you do not receive any Exp.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Congratulations! You’ve successfully absorbed a Spell tome and learnt a new spell.

New Air spell Learnt!

• Spell name: Minor Shocking Touch (Lvl 1).
• Spell School: Evocation.
• Range: Touch.
• Description: Cloak your hand in a shroud of lightning before discharging the gathered energy into an enemy, dealing 7N lightning damage at the cost of 5N Mana. Furthermore, this spell has a 1/3N% chance to stun the target for 3 seconds.
• Cast time: 1 second.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Achievement unlocked!

Unlimited powaaaaaaaaaaa!

You have awakened your dormant affinity for Air Magic. You’ll be shooting lightning from your fingertips in no time, probably. P.S, rubbing a balloon on your head and poking someone doesn’t count.

Rewards:

• +1 Intelligence.
• +1 Wisdom.
• 1 new Skill (Air Magic).

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I grin as I feel a ripple of new potential flow through me. Something slots into place in my mind. A basic understanding of the rune used for Air Magic. Did I understand the flowing patterns, all the swirls, and all the endlessly complicated lines? Hell no! The thing was just as hellishly complex as the two I already knew. Not unlike the runes for Life and Water, I knew what I had to do to replicate the symbol, but understand it? Ha! Not a hope in hell! At least, not yet. ‘Time for round two!’ I thought happily, focusing on the remaining book in my hand.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

You have found a spell tome for the Light Magic spell: Simple Light.

Would you like to use the book and learn the spell? The process is not guaranteed to work, but the spell tome will be destroyed in the process either way.

Additional information: As a Spellweaver, your Profession grants you a much deeper understanding of magic than the average person, allowing you to determine the chance of successfully absorbing the knowledge contained within this tome.

Absorption success rate: 75%.

Would you like to use the spell tome: Simple Light?

(Y/N)

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

I sigh as I see the drop in the chance for me to learn the spell. Apparently, there was now a 1 in 4 chance for the process to fail. Still, I had been expecting this, especially after the System Admin’s advice, so all I can for the moment is grit my teeth and hope. It seems that today is a lucky day, because, after some minor discomfort, I successfully absorbed the knowledge contained within the book, unlocking an affinity for Light Magic (after an internal slideshow of light-related imagery) and adding the new spell to my ever-growing collection.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Congratulations! Through the use of an item, you’ve successfully unlocked a new Sphere of magic! The Primary Sphere: Light Magic!

As this affinity was unlocked with the use of an item, you do not receive any Exp.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Congratulations! You’ve successfully absorbed a Spell tome and learnt a new spell.

New Light spell Learnt!

• Spell name: Simple Light (Lvl 1).
• Spell School: Evocation.
• Range: Touch.
• Description: Summons a globe of light which sticks to the target and glows for 19+N minutes before dissipating at the cost of 8+2N Mana. If the object this spell is attached to is moved, the light will remain attached and will move with the object. Increasing this spell’s level increases the time that the light can remain summoned, and will also have a minor effect upon the intensity of the glow.
• Cast time: 3 seconds.

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Achievement unlocked!

~Shine~ Reflect bright like a diamond.

You have awakened your dormant affinity for Light Magic. No more stubbing your toes on things you can’t see in the dark for you! No, now you’ll only stub your toes on things that you should have been perfectly capable of avoiding, go you!

Rewards:

• +1 Intelligence.
• +1 Wisdom.
• 1 new Skill (Light Magic).

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

For the second time today, I feel a new affinity rune open up to me. ‘When I get a moment, I can’t wait to sit down and fiddle with this Profession properly, I bet there’s a tonne of cool spells I could make. Got to say, though, more than a little concerned with the whole ‘forces of evil’ song and dance. Those goblins were 100% bad guys. Whilst confirmation is nice, I can’t help but worry that we’ve unwittingly stepped in something. Hang on a moment, that was two points in Wisdom, right? Shouldn’t I…’

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Congratulations! By increasing your Wisdom to 25 or above, the Attribute has crossed its second threshold. For crossing the second threshold in Wisdom, you have been awarded a Perk: Mana syphon 2:

Mana syphon 2: Your body grows yet more efficient at drawing Mana from your surroundings, rapidly increasing the rate you are able to restore Mana. The rate at which your body draws in ambient Mana and stores it within your body has permanently increased. The rate at which you regenerate MP has retroactively increased from 0.2 MP/Min per point of Wisdom, to 1 MP/Min per point.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

‘Huh, didn’t feel a thing. My because my Mana pool is full? The increase is… honestly slightly better that I was expecting. That’s, what? Just over 30 minutes to fill up from empty?’ Returning my focus to the group, I turn my attention to Ash, who, whilst I was lost in thought, has started absorbing her spells. She starts off with Lisa’s copy of Minor Illusion, thanking her with a small smile, before shifting focus to her other Spell-book, Em’s Fire Magic tome: Minor Palm Blast. We all wait with curious expressions as Ash first absorbs the spell without issue, then reads through the spell information. “Ah, okay, I like this spell. It causes a small blast that knocks back and damages targets at close range, could come in handy!”

All of us are pleased with our gains. We chat happily as we clear up camp and gather our things. After one last check to make sure we aren’t forgetting anything, we step back into the trees. Following the river once more, we walk steadily, each of us wondering if today will be the day we stumble upon civilisation.