I went to a place just the right distance outside of Owari to return easily, but secluded enough to practice my Lich Transformation Skill without being discovered.
It was a plain decorated with bluebells and lavender. I almost stopped to harvest the flowers—they could sell for a few Coppers—but the Skill was more important.
I braced myself, out in the middle of the meadow, and tried to feel as I did when I'd called forth the Fireball.
I felt that weird completeness that came with doing Magic, but then I realized Skills didn't actually use Magic. That's what made them different than Spells.
I sighed, breathing in lavender and thinking about the Boss Fight. I groaned.
My whole awesome transformation thingy didn't happen until I'd triggered the Boss Fight. Did that mean I had to be in the Dungeon in order for my Conditional Lich Skills and Mage Cloak to be activated?
I pounded the grass, then apologized for being unnecessarily violent.
I began to imagine myself becoming horned, the redness of my eyes more vibrant, the war paint back, my body paler, and my appearance that of a fleshy Skeleton.
The grass shook in the wind.
I imagined harder.
With a huff, I flopped into the meadow and stared up into the blank sky.
The Dungeon had triggered my Lich Transformation, but what had made me turn back? I'd thought it was a timed thing before, but Skills weren't Magic. Since they weren't, there wasn't actually a limited amount of time they could be active, unless that was a Condition of the Skill.
Lich Transformation was not a Conditioned Skill, so what made it click?
I think it had deactivated in Floor Two: Zombat Paradise. I hadn't done anything special though, had I?
Those Zombats had been adorable though...and now I was going into a tangent. Wait, that's it! Zombats are adorable!
It must've deactivated because I no longer felt threatened by Adventurers, and I'd only accepted the whole friendly-undead spiel when I saw the Zombats. It was deactivated by a calm mind then. Maybe the Transformation would work if I became Chaos[1].
Sitting up, I thought about accidentally killing people, lying to my sister, abandoning my dream, getting murdered by Priests. I think that last one did something.
A hand found its way to my head, and sure enough, two spiraling ram-like protrusions were my new fashion statement.
I concentrated. The horns got smaller, then bigger. I did the same with my ears: pointier, then rounder. I tried altering my fangs length, the color of my eyes, the messiness of my hair. The hair didn't work, so I assumed only attributes I'd gained from dying could be changed.
I put the thought of the Black Crown somewhere safe among my mind so that my Skill would stay active, and made myself look as I had before being Lichified.
As I'd been hoping, the Skill was still active, which meant the Mage Cloak was still nice and snug around me. I grinned with success, then promptly put that too-noticeable Cloak away.
I glanced around once, and called back my Magic. I had other things to address.
Aquatic Blast had been on my Spell list as Unlearned. It was probably because I'd tried to use it, but couldn't due to the Dungeon's Conditions. I wanted that sweet spell, since both it, and a more controlled version of Blue Fireball, could aid me in my Smithing.
I'd originally planned on becoming an ordinary, slightly above average, Blacksmith. But, now that I had Magic, I could become a Weapon Enchanter, and get business from all types of Mages. Any Spell now that could be used in my Smithy, would be something I wanted.
Bringing back my Magic, I thought about waterfalls and cool blue ponds. Then I watched as little droplets of mist started to condense inside my dominant palm. They swirled as I commanded, gathered in one big ball, and spurted as I thrust out my hand.
The result was a nice splash of shapeless water onto the grass. I sighed. Magic only seemed easy. It usually took several days of practice to get the hang of a Spell, and several more to raise its power level enough to cause Damage.
That was true for any Spell that didn't fit a person's specific Class. In other words, everyone could learn any Spell, but it was far easier and more powerful if it fit your Class.
Since I was an Unknown Special Class, I literally had no clue what my Affinities or Weights were. I'd have to figure it out myself or get the Self-Evaluation Skill. Clearly though, Water was not one of my Affinities. Since I'd gotten the hang of Blue Fireball so quickly...I must have at least the Fire Affinity.
I still wanted the Spell.
I loaded up my palm cannon, stood up, got into a sturdy stance, and repeated my earlier motion with more gusto. I think it might've changed...maybe.
I tried again, and again, and again, and again. Nothing. I stopped to think. Maybe I was thinking about the Spell's base in the wrong way? Maybe it wasn't meant to build up, but just explode. It was called a Blast.
I skipped the mist and condensing steps, firing the water like I would've the Fireball. It worked better, but it wasn't quite there.
I'm thinking...I'm thinking...[2].
Ah, yes! What if I used my trusty imagery technique to think of the strength of a waterfall...but defying gravity? Better than nothing.
The blast did nothing extraordinary, but there was a bit more dramatic froth. Oh wait! What if I used my Lich Sight Skill with conscious effort? It had said I could see Spells and Magic.
I transformed my eyes back to those of a Lich and recasted the Spell. It was...weird.
I saw no difference between this Magic and that of the Fireball Spell, but they were different Affinities. I guess it was all just Magic.
...Maybe I could try not thinking of the Spells as any different...they were all just Spells, right? I was doubtful, but why the heckin' not?
I resumed blasting water at air, and success! I could tell the Spell was much stronger. This Lich thing was getting better and better...
Of course, it wasn't like it automatically made me into an Advanced Mage or anything. My Spells still had Beginner level power. I'd have to use them more often, and in more versatile ways for their power to go up.
Satisfied for now, and knowing Suzui would be angry, I headed back. I remembered to get some of those flowers on the way.
[1] a Titan from Greek Mythology that messes with humans a whole lot
[2] reference to the Thinking Rock from Spongebob