The sound of scraping bones filled the cavern as the skeletons began to rise and move. They appeared to be former adventurers, based on the ripped clothing they wore. Individually, the skeletons didn't seem like they'd be much of an issue, but altogether they emitted a terrifying aura. I leapt away from them so that I wouldn't be surrounded and killed. In total there were six skeletons, all looking at me.
Gotta pick them off one at a time.
As five of the skeletons marched towards me, swords in hand, a skeleton in the back lifted up what appeared to be a wooden staff and pointed it at me. Suddenly a blue circle of magic appeared at the end of the staff, and a flaming blue fireball was launched in my direction at high speed.
SHIT!!! I don't have time to dodge and if that hits I'm dead! I gotta do something or I'm gonna get fried!
Almost on instict, I put my hand up toward the giant ball of fire and shouted at the top of my lungs:
"SKILL VACUUM!!!!"
As I shouted the words, a purple light appeared at the palm of my right hand. The light quickly grew and a swirling purple-and-black vortex appeared from my palm. As the fireball made contact with the vorex, it began to shrink smaller and smaller until there was nothing left. Once the fireball had been dispatched, I let the skill go and the vortex faded back into my hand.
ATTENTION: New skill acquired: Magic Cast.
Spell Acquired: Lesser Fireball
Well thats nice to have, let's test it out now.
I held out my palm once more towards the shuffling skeletons as they slowly grew closer. Once again I had to shout the words for my skill as my mana level wasn't high enough to cast it with a thought.
"Magic Cast: Lesser Fireball!"
The instant I finished the incantation, a purple magic circle appeared in front of my hand, the same way the skeleton's had appeared in front of the staff. From the magic circle came a deep purple ball of flame, moving at high speed towards the first skeleton.
Wait why is it purple?
ANSWER: Every being capable of magic has a certain color to their aura and mana. The most common colors are blue and orange, and the least common are black and white. The user's spells take on the same color as their aura.
Okay so I guess that makes sense.
The ball of fire collided with the first skeleton, creating a large purple and black explosion. When the dust cleared, the skeleton had been reduced back to a pile of bones on the floor, although more charred now of course.
Yes! It worked! Now for the other five.
But just as I thought it would be easier now, the mana from the destroyed skeleton was absorbed by the others and they grew stronger. They began to move faster towards me, and their movements looked more fluid than before.
Well that's gonna be an issue
I picked up a sword from the floor and began strategizing on how to fight the skeletons.
Hey Magic Guide! Can I absorb mana as well with Skill Vacuum?
Yes.
Okay, iIve got a plan. I just have to absorb the mana from the skeletons I kill before the other ones can get a power-up
The first skeleton made it to my position and wildly swung it's sword at me. It's movements were slow and easy to read, so i ducked under the blade and swung upward with mine, catching the skeleton on the chin and knocking it's head off. As it's head flew through the air, I used my skill.
"Skill Vacuum!"
The purple-and-black vortex appeared in my palm again as I absorbed the mana from the skeleton. However it wasn't just the mana I absorbed, but the bones as well. When Skill Vacuum had finished, nothing remained of the skeleton except for the sword it had been carrying and the scraps of clothing it was wearing.
Wait I can use this as an attack as well? I guess I'm not gonna get another opportunity to test it out like this.
Three more skeletons attacked simultaneously, and I swiftly jumped back out of the way before their swords could hit me. One of the skeletons' sword got stuck in the ground as the other two attacked again. I dodged the first swing and blocked the second with my sword, both of my hands on the hilt. I let go with my right hand and pointed it toward the skeleton whose swing I dodged just now.
"Skill Vacuum!"
I absorbed this skeleton a lot faster than the first, bones and all. The swirling vortex had devoured it and I felt my magic power grow even more. I turned my attention back to the skeleton I was still holding at bay with my sword and deflected it to the side, quickly moving out of the way and pointed my palm at it.
"Skill Vacuum!"
The skeleton was completely absorbed into the vortex and my magic power grew yet again. I turned to the last two and saw a fireball coming towards me fast. With no time to use Skill Vacuum, I jumped up into the air to dodge the blast. As I landed back down, the closer skeleton finally got its sword un-stuck from the ground and charged at me. It swung over its head so I stepped to the side and placed my palm on its head.
"Skill Vacuum."
I absorbed the last swordsman skeleton and turned back to the mage. It was preparing another fireball so I did the same.
"Magic Cast: Lesser Fireball."
My purple magic circle appeared at the same time as the skeleton's, and we both launched our spells simultaneously. The two fireballs clashed midair in an explosion of blue and purple flames. I shielded my eyes from the bright explosion as dust and rocks were launched around the cavern. The ground shook from the explosion, and the force of it caused me to step backward.
When the dust cleared, I looked for the skeleton but it was nowhere to be found. It was completely destroyed by the explosion, bones and all. I exhaled in relief and sat on the ground to catch my breath. I had used up a lot of mana casting that last fireball and needed to rest for a moment. I laid down on the ground and stayed there for a few moments before standing up and walking back towards the entrance to the cavern.
Mastery over Lesser Fireball has been Achieved, New Skills Acquired: Flame Production and Manipulation
Well that's helpful, I can use those without having to say the incantation out loud.
I lit a purple fire in the palm of my hand and found my way to the door. As I stepped back into the labyrinth, I heard a blood curtling scream from some other corridor.
"PLEASE!!! HAVE MERCY!!! SOMEONE HELP US!!!!"