After Viri's spar with Adrian.
We traversed the forest. What was left of it. I began to notice something different about this floor. Unlike other floors, this one became peaceful after the orcs had eliminated all other threats. Once they were gone, the area was safe. It featured several ponds where players could gather and interact. Some guilds even brought animals from other floors, such as birds, deer, and rabbits, which quickly settled here since there were few predators. To manage the animal population, Mana organized hunting parties to prevent them from overrunning the area, and only under specific rules could these animals be hunted.
The stronghold was in its last leg of reconstruction. Players and NPCs were actively working on the walls, and a teleport circle in the center allowed for easy access in and out. The scene was a stark contrast to the devastation from just a month ago. Where there had once been rubble and ruin, now there were banners of icy blue and white adorned with a snowflake emblem, decorating almost every building and wall. A world guild office stood prominently, distributing quests, though I was unsure how they had managed to get themselves here.
In the center of the teleport circle stood a familiar figure—Eli. When she spotted us, she rushed over and embraced me. Viri rolled her eyes at this display as we made our way through the city, where players were discussing the next floor.
"Floor 8 hasn't been beaten; it's been a month," a player with a sword complained.
"Yeah, the top guilds are busy enchanting their gear," the one with a spear added.
"Why don't other guilds attempt it?" the player with a bow inquired.
"No one wants to risk their lives," replied the one with a wand.
I nodded at them, and they all returned the gesture. As we continued, we reached the castle. The castle's appearance had transformed significantly: what was once a ruin now stood strong and imposing, with newly repaired walls and a grand entrance.
Outside the castle, a group of players gathered around a sign for Mana. They were dressed in various gear and armor, jostling for position as they tried to join. In front of the sign stood a woman with a commanding presence. Her light purple hair contrasted sharply with the darker hues of others, cascading down her back. She wore an elegant, flowing dress that seemed to amplify her natural magical energy. Her grace and authority drew the attention of many players who were eagerly asking her questions and trying to get closer. We pushed through the crowd to get a better look at the sign.
—-------------------------------------
Guild Name: Mana
August 28, 2035.
WE ARE RECRUITING!
Become part of something bigger!
Benefits:
Access to exclusive dungeons and raids
Powerful gear and resources
Guild events and training
Guild ranking competitions
Requirements:
Proficient In earth element
Apply Today!
Location: Guild Hall, Floor 7
Contact: Guildmaster Lyra
(Or speak to any guild officer)
—-----------------------------------------------
"Why would they need that element?" someone asked, puzzled.
"Earth is the weakest magic type," another person added.
Another spoke with Lyra. "Earth is the least chosen element?"
I glanced at Eli, who was clinging to me. "I thought we could manipulate all of the types of magic ?," I asked.
"You're right," Eli replied, "theoretically we could."
"Theoretically?" I questioned.
"Manipulating the elements is one way we use mana to affect the world around us, and each element has its own frequency," Eli explained.
"That makes sense," I mused. "So, if each element has its own frequency, manipulating another would be like having two songs playing at the same time."
"But couldn't we just use the code?" I asked. "Or say the code…"
"We could," Eli interrupted, "but there's a catch. The more you use one element, the more it affects your mana. Each element uses its own type of mana—fire uses fast, hot energy, while water uses calm, fluid energy. To use a different element, you'd have to shift your mana before casting the spell."
"So, what you start with is what you're locked into," I muttered to myself.
Eli noticed my confusion. "What's bothering you?" she asked.
"If that's the case, why not manipulate the mana itself?" I asked.
Eli looked puzzled as I said. "Why not manipulate the source to affect everything around it?"
She laughed. "If you had enough mana, you could do it that way."
"Manipulating the source of mana directly is incredibly complex. You'd need a vast amount of mana to control and maintain influence over multiple elements simultaneously." she replied.
"You're right; you'd need an enormous amount of energy to control everything," I said, nodding in agreement.
"And what about the dragons?"
"The ancient dragons are the living embodiments of their elements," Eli explained. "Lithorax is earth, Infernia is fire, and so on."
"That makes sense," I replied.
Eli added, "All magic tied to their element flows through them, and every natural event connected to it exists because of their presence."
"So, mages make pacts with the dragons to gain higher rank skills?" I asked.
"Correct," Eli smiled.
"So, does that mean there's a dragon for gravity or other forces? And what happens if an ancient dragon dies?"
Eli paused, thinking for a moment. "I don't know."