Magic... That's right. I want to learn magic.
When I mentioned Min-Maxing. I was talking about real Min-Maxing. By strengthening my body, I am minimizing my weaknesses. And by learning magic spells, I am maximizing my strengths. Supporters are magic attuned classes. Therefore the magic base attributes experience greater growth than most of my stats.
Classes in the game of Reverie are weird. You have access to a skill tree that can only be opened after leveling up once. And in that skill tree are all the skills that your class can learn.
But... That doesn't mean a support type cannot learn a mage's offensive skills. You just need someone willing enough to teach you. And you just need to meet the requirements. And the requirements to learn something as simple as a mage's fireball was simple.
You need the specific [Elemental Affinity] skill. For example, learning [Ice shard] is impossible unless one has [Ice Affinity].
And affinities... They're nearly impossible to get. It does not take something like chilling in an icy region to get [Ice Affinity]. You'll get [Ice Resistance] instead. No one really knows how to be attuned towards a certain element except for choosing a magic casting class and choosing what element you want.
Even NPC's are restricted by it. Making it so that magicians are rare among us.
The system is weird. It restricts those connected to it but also allows them to be free. And thanks to this, I can think of dozens of loopholes for exploitation.
Who designed this system anyway? The devs must've been high when they made it.
Cold winds blew at me. Despite wearing my usual robed attire and boots. It was still somewhat cold. My equipment probably isn't insulative enough. The surroundings were somewhat dark. Only dim lanterns lit up the backyard of Ray's house.
The blanket of stars above followed by two full moons gave off a strange vibe.
A giggle drifted through the wind and tickled my ears. This tone... It was like the gentle tone of a loving mother. Yet carrying seductive charms befitting one of a mature woman.
Smiling at me, Elena softly uttered after closing the door behind her. "Little Dominic so you want to learn magic?"
Nodding to that, I not only wanted to learn magic. But I want to add that to my grind list. The grind never stops. For ordinary NPC's like me who could die if left alone, I need to work hard in order to get stronger. Only with strength can I survive. I may entrust my backs to others but let's face reality here. No one would be there to protect you forever...
Even those who promise to do so... Those who had raised you from the start. One day they will go away...
A woman's silhouette popped up in my head. I couldn't discern her features too much. Only that her skin was soft with age. A few wrinkles laced her worried face. And I could hear a soothing lullaby stem from that memory.
My vision swam. Reality turning hazy for a brief second.
"Dominic, why are there tears in your eyes?" Elena's worried voice shook me out of my thoughts.
Drat... I thought I kept everything locked up tightly inside that one dark corner of my brain. Forget it, Dominic. Some things are better left forgotten. It's just that Helena's voice was too soothing.
"This is nothing. Just remembered something." I shook my head. Screw the little details! I want to learn magic!
But the next moment I knew. Two gentle arms had reeled me in. I felt my knees buckle in. Face heat up and my mind to go blank. All I could understand were two prevalent senses portrayed to me.
An addicting scent as if I was inhaling Arabian jasmine. It was so pleasant to the nose. Making me feel a bit light-headed. At the moment, I felt relaxed. At peace.
And the other sense was this feeling of plump softness.
It was the warm embrace of a loving mother. Except Elena's not my mom.
"There there little Dominic. Elena's here. If something pains you then just tell me and I'm sure I can cheer you up!" As if to prove her point. The embrace tightened. And my face sank further into her bosom. Her hand gently caressed my back. Each stroke sending waves of comfort into me.
Hey...
HEY!
AGAGHAGHAHAAGGHAGHAHAHAGH!
I'm suffocating! I admit! This feels nice and all but I want to live!
Desperately tapping her shoulder. The culprit who nearly killed me let go and giggled a little before mouthing off a little apology.
Note to self... If you want to get suffocated by two soft mountains then simply feign crying in front of Elena. Don't do that again Dominic. I don't want to test my theory if I can respawn like a player.
Too risky.
Pressing a finger up to her lips again. Elena's eyes looked to the side. Casting a pondering expression. Her other arm was crossed under her plentiful bust. The sight of them slightly undulating made my eye twitch. "Hmm... If you want to learn magic. You need to be attuned to a certain element. Dominic, what's your class?"
"A tier one Enabler..." I could only helplessly say. I can learn stuff and offensive magic. But that would take too long and too much effort.
Eyes widening, Elena seemed to be troubled as her eyes frowned at me. Expressing emotions of worry."Oh deary me... An enabler wanting to learn magic not shown in their skill tree... That's a bit too hard on yourself. Are you sure you really want to learn Dominic?"
I nodded. Yes, I want to learn! And I am specifically aware that the magic I can learn from you is greatly limited. Without affinities, learning other magics is an arduous task.
This issue about teaching me magic... I believe you can solve it, Elena!
Come on! You're Ray's mom! The mother of a Main Character! (Main NPC!). Surely you have some super hidden background just like Ray's father? Considering Ray's talent at swordsmanship. That glowing flashy sword and your vast reserves of mana.
I won't be even surprised at this point if Elena was some sort of runaway Grand Magus from a faraway kingdom.
Did I Identify a flag? Maybe... But I'm too low leveled to think about that for now...
Silence ensued... From Elena's tightly knitted eyebrows and her biting her index finger. She seems to be hard-pressed on how to answer. She often took glances at me, sometimes deepening her frown or showing a worried expression.
This is bad... Maybe she can't teach me at all?
The woman sighed. Yet the next second she suddenly smiled brightly. "I'm sorry Dominic... This may seem to not meet your expectations of learning powerful magic from me but I can only teach you some simple things for now... To have formed mana words in front of me earlier. Mana Control is one of your skills right?"
"Yes, Miss Elena. It is indeed a skill of mine. As for what magic I could learn from you, I'm fine with it as long as it can be used to protect me or someone."
Pumping her fist into the air in excitement."Then great! I shall teach you a rare skill that a true mage must have! Fortunately for little Dominic, this one's applicable for young aspiring supporters such as you."
Stop calling me little! Darn. Just wait! With how my healing exercise works, after a few years I'll be even bigger and more muscular than the average chad!
I'll show you how big I am!
"I'll teach you [Mana Barrier]..."
The sole mention of that skill was enough to silence my inner complaints...
Crap... [Mana Barrier].
Isn't that... Something only tier two mage classes could learn?
"Oh don't be intimidated, Dominic! This magic skill is hard to learn I admit but with me teaching you, it would be easy to grasp in a matter of a few days! You have my word for it young man." While seriously thinking about the skill. I was worried it would be impossible to learn it. It's a skill for tier two classes after all. I'm just a tier-one who hasn't advanced yet.
But... If she would really guide me. Then...
I'm not gonna complain... [Mana Barrier] may be hard to learn and may take time. But as long as it's possible then I'm fine with it. By learning this skill, my defensive capabilities would rise. Maybe I could even get proficient enough at it to crush monsters using my mana barrier as some claustrophobia-inducing cage.
Elena giggled again. Her luscious lips soon parting as mystical words struck a sense of ease and understanding in me. The way she speaks... It's as if I'm learning directly from a master of magic.
[ Under the effects of [Saint's Wisdom], comprehension has been increased!]
System Lady whispered into my ears again... Saint huh... I knew it! She is some runaway high-level NPC!
Shaking my head free of stray thoughts. I focused on Elena verbally guiding me into enlightenment.
"Mana exists all around us Little Dominic... In the mountains. The skies... The rivers and especially inside you. It is a given rule that all creatures possess mana as without it. All would die. And in a sense, mana is alive as well. It can run free like a child. And it can also listen to your desires as long as one is sincere or driven enough."
"Manipulating external mana would be a fruitless endeavor for beginners. So we would focus on internal mana for now."
"Close your eyes and focus... Try to dig deep into yourself find that something inside of you."
I closed my eyes and followed. Although the explanation was a little vague. I was able to discern that thing. The familiar thing that would always be depleted or consumed whenever a spell is cast.
It was flowing inside my veins. A gush of refreshing energy carrying the essence of spring itself. It was vibrant and relaxing.
Mana was happily doing its own thing. Wandering around inside of me. Roaming aimlessly without command. Sometimes even seeping into the bone or leaking out.
"I see that you've successfully sensed internal mana. Now coerce that mana into moving. Hasten the circulation process."
Doing my best to follow. I focused on my mana again. I willed it to move faster but just like naughty children sticking their tongue at you before running away. It evaded my mental grasp. Still doing its own thing.
It wasn't enough to dishearten me.
I sat cross-legged. Falling deeper into meditation as I focused even more on the mana. Wanting it to move. Staying unperturbed, the mana didn't follow my wish.
This is frustrating.
"Do not be disturbed dear. Casting spells and manipulating mana is a completely different ordeal. It takes practice and understanding." I could feel a warm hand gently patting my head.
Wait... Spells!
I sank deeper into concentration once more. Whenever a spell is cast, the mana would playfully follow and rush out. Attempting to cast a lesser heal, I reached out focused.
Mana roiled quickly inside me. Just before they could come out and fully manifest as healing magic, I guided the mana outwards. Expelling it out of my body.
I opened my eyes and marveled at the sight.
It was a bubble of semi-transparent blue mana. And it enveloped me.
[Mana control proficiency has been met.]
[You've learned [ lvl 1 Mana Barrier]! ]
I grinned.
Elena giggled again. "Ara! Splendidly done!"
The soft woman quickly enveloped me in a hug again. This time I angled my head so that I could breathe. I filtered out the soft sensations I was feeling and fell into thought.
[Mana Barrier]
Ah... I learned it... But [Saint's Wisdom] seems to still be in effect. I won't waste this opportunity.
Since Elena's still ranting about the ins and outs of mana barrier. I guess it's time to try and create a skill... Aside from learning skills, they could also be created by chance.
Let's see mana... mana control... Mana Barrier.
The process of subordinating mana to one's will and condensing it into a physical form. Mana control is the base. Mana barrier is the output...
Then the process is... The method of forming the barrier...
My mind blanked out...
Mana surged from within me and escaped into the surroundings. My mana pool rapidly depleted but I could feel myself more in tune with my own energy. To perform a mana barrier.
One must be able to shape the mana first.
[You've learned [ lvl 1 Mana Shaping] (Rare) ! ]
The barrier around me twisted into what I was imagining. A floating spear.
hehehe~
Wonderful. These two skills. Paired with my healing exercise loophole. They are enough. Enough to satisfy me.
Thank you, Elena... For guiding me and going as far as to use a special skill to increase my comprehension, I'll definitely take you and Ray out of here. Away from danger. And away from an ill-fitted fate.
It would be too ungrateful of me if I didn't help you two out after everything I've received from you guys.