"We'll start by checking your stats in detail," Merlin began. "Hmm… let me see."
Name: Max
Class: Mage
Level: 33
HP: 200
Mana: 160
Spells:
Fireball (Level 2):
Damage: 25 fire damage
Mana Cost: 20 mana
Effect: Targets hit may suffer from burning (15 fire damage per turn for 10 seconds unless extinguished)
Ice Lance (Level 1):
Damage: 30 ice damage
Mana Cost: 15 mana
Effect: Slows movement for 3 seconds
Shield Spell (Level 2):
Effect: Creates a resilient barrier
Mana Cost: 30 mana
Healing Light (Level 1):
Healing: 30 HP
Mana Cost: 25 mana
Teleport (Level 1):
Effect: Instantly transports within 10 meters
Mana Cost: 40 mana
Brazilian Agony (Level 1):
Effect: Removes all hair in targeted area, causing pain and distraction
Mana Cost: 35 mana
Solar Flare (Level 1):
Description: Max unleashes a powerful surge of energy that explodes from his wand, spreading a blinding light toward the target.
Mana Cost: 45 mana
Effect: Temporarily blinds the target and nearby enemies for 5 seconds, causing disorientation.
Attributes:
Vigor: 150 (+35)
Mind: 130 (+15)
Endurance: 120 (+15)
Strength: 100 (+15)
Dexterity: 95 (+15)
Intelligence: 130 (+15)
Faith: 75 (+10)
Arcane: 70 (+10)
"Interesting," Merlin looked at Max. "There is something different about your magic."
"Yeah, I learned at first from scrolls—pretty standard stuff," Max began to explain. "Fireball, Ice Lance, all the basic spells everyone knows." He paused, leaning a bit as if revealing a secret. "But then, Boorg and I cleared a dungeon and we found this book you know. An old book."
Merlin's eyebrow arched. "A book?"
Max nodded, his hand moving to an invisible pouch (his inventory). "It was ancient, filled with runes and symbols. We got it from a crazy mage."
Merlin summoned a chair and leaned back. "And what did you do?"
"At first, I was mad a little bit at Boorg. You see, I was unconscious, and I woke up outside the dungeon. Boorg carried me out, and there were so many books, like thousands. And Boorg only got me this one, but it is a good one. There are runes, and every rune is explained. Then, when you combine them, you get the thing you combined. You know?"
Merlin chuckled softly. "Creating your own spells from ancient runes… that's no small feat." He paused for a second. "But be careful, Max. Ancient magic like that carries power, and with power…"
"COMES RESPONSIBILITY!" Max finished Merlin's sentence.
"No… with power comes danger."
"Shit, I thought I nailed that one. But no worries, I know," he said quietly.
"May I see that book?" Merlin asked.
"Sure, here you go."
Merlin took the book, his eyes focused on the title. His lips moved silently, tracing the faded title: Elemental Symbols and Spellcrafts.
"This book…" Merling muttered, almost to himself. As he turned the first few pages, his facial expression changed.
"Perparos," Merlin whispered, his face darkened, and he looked up at Max. "Do you have any idea what this is?"
Max blinked, surprised by the sudden change in Merlin's behavior. "Uh… not really, no. I mean, I know it was written by some crazy guy, but I am very bad with names and I can't remember it."
Merlin's grip tightened on the book. "Perparos. That was his name. And he wasn't just some crazy mage," he said, his voice serious. "He was the founder of the magic academy, the same academy that trained nearly every important mage in this world."
Max's eyes widened. "The academy? Wait, like the academy? The big building in the town?"
Merlin nodded. "Yes. Perparos was one of the greatest sorcerers of his time. Legends say he could bend the very elements to his will, creating spells no one had ever seen. But he disappeared ages ago, leaving nothing but stories of his brilliance—and his madness. Back then, demonic magic was something no one could use except the demons themselves. Demonic magic is much more powerful compared to other types of magic. Perparos was the one who found something similar to that, and I'm holding it in my hands now."
Max looked in shock. "So, you're telling me, that with that book, I can become like super powerful because the magic is much stronger?"
"The short answer… Yes."
"Why don't you use it? You could beat the demon lord again in a second with that!" Max looked excited. "And then I can go home!"
Merlin smiled. "I know demonic magic, and it is more powerful than this," he pointed at the book. "I am the first in history who can wield demonic magic, and I'm not a demon."
"That's impressive… teach me!"
"No, you have to learn that on your own, when you become more powerful. Right now, you could die if you tried. Your mana pool is very bad, we need to work on that." Merlin gave back the book to Max. "Just tell me, what happened to him?"
"To whom?"
"Perparos," Merlin looked annoyed.
"Oh, right. Well, Boorg and I were in a dungeon, I fell through the hole, and there I saw Perparos. Then, I accidentally destroyed something he was working on, an accident I swear, he got all mad, used some fancy spells trying to kill me, and Boorg fell on him and he died. The end."
"Such a great mage, died in such a… stupid way?"
"Now that you told me how great he was, I am surprised as well, trust me!" Max laughed a little bit.
"Well, so many centuries of isolation can do wonders to someone," Merlin also giggled. "So are you working on any spell right now?"
"Actually," Max began explaining, "I got this idea of a spell, and I think I found all the necessary stuff to cast it. Now, I'm just waiting for someone to fight and to use it."
"Use it on me," Merlin said.
"I couldn't, really, no…"
"No, no I insist," Merlin kept on.
"But this spell…"
"Doesn't matter," Merlin jumped out of his chair. "I'm the greatest mage ever, it won't harm me."
"But," Max tried to explain.
"No buts! Just use it!"
Max hesitated, gripping his wand nervously. Merlin stood in front of him, arms crossed, and full of confidence.
"Go on Max," Merlin hurried him. "I've faced far worse than any spell you could cast."
Max looked at the ground, stifling a laugh. "He has no idea…" he thought.
"Well, alright then," Max said, raising his wand. "Here goes nothing."
He took a deep breath and muttered the incantation under his breath. A faint glow from the tip of his wand signaled that the spell was ready.
"INSTANT DIARRHEA!" Max shouted, barely able to contain himself.
At first, there was silence. Merlin stood still, his face completely unfazed, a smug grin forming on his lips.
"Really, Max?" Merlin scoffed, waving his hand as if dismissing the attempt. "This is what you've come up with? The ancient book and all your study, and—"
Suddenly, Merlin's face twisted. He blinked, fast, his expression changed with each second that passed. His hands instinctively clutched his stomach. A low gurgling sound echoed in the room, like the distant rumble of a storm approaching, each second it became louder and louder.
"What… What is this?" Merlin gasped. He doubled over, his eyes wide with shock. "No, no, no—this can't be—"
Max took a step back, watching in horror and amazement. The legendary wizard who had bested the Demon Lord was now gripping his abdomen, his entire body trembling.
And then it happened.
A sound, so violent and explosive, echoed through the room like thunder. Merlin's screams filled the air as he clutched his robes, desperately trying to hold back the chaos within him.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Merlin screamed, his voice trembling as he staggered, his pride crumbling with each passing second. "This isn't MAGIC— THIS IS TORTURE!"
Unable to contain himself, Max burst into laughter, clutching his sides as tears streamed down his face.
"I tried to warn you!" Max said. "You wanted to be the guinea pig!"
Merlin, pale and shaking, glared at Max. "You… fool… I'M GOING TO—"
Another loud, uncontrollable burst cut off Merlin's threat as he ran for the door, robes fluttering behind him as he ran out.
Max fell to the floor, still laughing. "You're going to what? Shit?" he rolled on the floor. "I think," Max gasped, wiping tears from his eyes, "I think I might need to work on that spell a little more."