Gamer Chapter 31 - Enforced Limits

There's more to it than just a super-handy ability.

Also funny enough, the #1 reason I'm currently writing is because I like to read comments, and no one comments on older chapters.

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As I sat watching the others train with back resting against the wall, my thoughts turned towards my first attempts at enchanting. My rather disastrous attempts.

This wasn't recent, not at all. It had happened on the trip to Stone Kingdom actually, the same trip where I had accompanied both Lily and Kane as we walked and walked and walked..

My first experiment seemed easy enough, I took a stick and sent in a raw stream of mana just to see what would happen, how it reacted and how it failed. And obviously, it failed. The mana just flowed through the stick; slowed only a little by the solid matter.

My second experiment was also pretty obvious, casting an actual Gravity Cloak and attempting to imbue it inside the stick, trying to permanently attach the effects of the spell or just to get some kind of attempt. Anything to show some measure of success.

Forcing the spell inside, I failed. The spell simply warped, mana going haywire as the spell ripped itself apart.

Not to be discouraged I tried these experiments lots of times, varying the effects and the way I went about it. But it always ended in failure. Not once did the spell ever seem to react anything but the mana warping.

Heck, I would count it a success if the stick was damaged or even destroyed! It would indicate I had something going, some way to make it work. Or even a new path I could take for my spells.

But yes. Nothing worked, not a single hint of success.

At that point I had given up after less than a day, the concept seemed easy enough but reality proved harsh. I needed to be taught.

As a sidenote though, something I discovered quite early on was that I could place objects enchanted with a Gravity Cloak inside my inventory, then remove it at a later date with the spell not having decayed in the slightest.

The same thing extended towards my laptop, up until it ran out of power I could place it inside my inventory without the battery being drained before retrieving it at the next date. Meaning I didn't need to switch it off or start it up.

Interesting really, minor shame I didn't discover it until halfway through my journey. I had been quite conservative with the power seeing as I couldn't recharge it, always shutting it down and starting it up everytime I used it. Even minesweeper is a fun way to pa.s.s time if you are sick of travel.

But thankfully, with Arod asking about access to their library you will need to give me just a day, just a day and I'll know every spell and skill they have. Another day to test them, deleting the ones that are useless.

As I waited patiently for Arod I observed the others, not a single tutor near me that I could overhear their instruction and the two times I attempted to get closer they broke off talks and invited their students to view a demonstration 'over here'.

It may not have seemed obvious to the others, but they were avoiding me learning anything. Especially Sinin. Not once did he permit me to get anywhere near him, moving further away from me to demonstrate and give an example on the other side of the courtyard.

After what felt like an hour, I finally heard his footsteps from the pa.s.sage as Arod slowly walked up. His speed almost seemed reluctant as he entered the courtyard and caught my eyes.

Seeing the expression on his face, the small defeated hunch in his shoulders and the small books he cradled in his arms protectively. I immediately recognised what had happened.

I was denied entry.

They refused me. Denied me access to their inner lore. Crippled me.

The b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.

Apologetically he walked towards me, his aged face showing regret as he cradled four books in his arms.

With a slight wince on his face, he apologised. "I'm unable to receive permission in regards to the library" he sighed, sitting beside me with a weary groan.

Books resting on his lap, he continued "I tried to convince them of your intelligence, the way you grasped my spells in a mere instant and the innate talent that lies within you despite your background..

But they refused to see reason. I tried to convince them, pleaded with them. But I'm not in a position where I can make demands."

With a regretful sigh as he looked at me he sadly talked. "You really are a genius. Of course, Rob is a genius as well. But you.. You are on an entirely new level. You should have been tutored by one of the others, even an elder. But somehow, I was a.s.signed to you"

He rested against the wall, his eyes closed and his posture defeated. It seems he really did try to convince the others of my great potential..

My opinion of him grew.

"Truth be told, I'm one of the failures" he spoke heavily, staring into empty air with his face weary and aged. "I never had that much talent, I trained and I trained. But.."

Turning towards me, intensely staring with faded brown eyes "And then there's you. You have a talent I've rarely seen, and if I could I would see you take the chance I couldn't use"

His gaze fell again as his face dropped, "But, I wield no power. Not here. I have no command, no respect. They send me on errands, order me to do what they cannot lower themselves to do. And so, they refuse to listen to me, refuse to hear about you."

With a sad half-smile he shook his head "It was all that I could do to borrow a few books from a friend of mine. I have one other book in my room, notes I took as I studied. But I'm afraid it won't help you much."

Hugging the books on his lap, he sat quietly on the stone bench as the sun warmed his wrinkled skin. Looking about with half-lidded eyes he turned towards me and spoke with a low voice, speaking treasonous words "You should abandon this quest, you cannot possibly grow strong in this place. You need to learn, to use what you have. There are other places which would grant you this chance"

Heavily tempted and vastly intrigued, I couldn't help but be drawn in. Matching him with a low voice I asked "Which places are these?"

Jeffery threw us a glance, Kira grasping her twin knives as she practiced a slash through the air.

"Talk to me later" Arod straightened, his back giving a low series of cracks as I winced.

Clearing his throat, Arod gestured towards the books on his lap. "As I said, these books were all that I could find. While I'm afraid they may not be of much help, I advise you master these books before seeking out more instruction"

Then with a false smile "Perhaps we can still change their minds"

We know its not going to happen.

Looking at the books on his lap curiously, leather backing wrapped about crinkled uneven yellow parchment, Arod smiled "Go ahead, take them"

*Examine*

Beginner Medic SpellsSpells for those who pick the path of the healer.

Contains the spells: Light Heal (Voice), Fatigue Lift (Voice), Calming Hand (Voice)

Quick guide to farmingPlanting crops, hoeing the ground and the seasons and environments for each plant.

Contains the spells: Light Rain (Voice), Fatigue Lift (Voice)

Disguised as a simple handbook towards magical cooking, the wizard Yiaq was paranoid and hid one of his many techniques within these pages!

Contains the spells: Minor Heat (Voice), Crawling Lightning (Voice)

Races of the BeastlandsAn instructmental guide on each of the many species occupying the beastlands and the many traits they have!

Not all beasts are the same, and some of them can be quite dangerous! By memorizing the information contained within you can rest a.s.sured on how to react and guarantee your very safety!

Intrigued at the contents of a certain book, I reached and took the pile from Arod's hands.

Placing the pile on the bench next to me, I ignored the screaming voice that told me to take out the cookbook and learn it. But I ignored it, plenty of time and it would seem strange.

I cracked open the first book on the pile. Beginner Medic Spells.

Reading the first sentence, no popups appeared.

I don't understand this language.

"If you don't mind" I asked Arod, "I'll need you to teach me to read".

He snorted, "Even a genius needs to learn?" as his mood seemed to lift a little.

With Arod p.r.o.nouncing each word as I moved my finger beneath a line, two popups appeared as we finished the first sentence.

Learn the spell Fatigue Lift (Voice)YesNo

Learn the spell Calming Hand (Voice)YesNo

With a small glance I felt a wave of dismay, The healing spell didn't appear.

"What's wrong?" Arod asked, confused at my sudden drop in expressions.

"Its nothing" I smiled half-heartedly, pus.h.i.+ng Yes on both windows.

You have learned the spell Fatigue Lift (Voice)

You have learned the spell Calming Hand (Voice)

He continued to sound out the words as I moved my finger through the book, taking a break to recover his voice and soothe his throat after every page. I no longer needed the contents, but I wanted to learn the language. Arod was of the same mind, wanting me to learn the written language as well.

Halfway through the book, not yet having reached the part for Light Heal but having pa.s.sed over 'Fatigue Lift' as I encouraged him to continue, a new popup appeared.

Written Language: Sidaen has reached 50% comprehension

Instantly the words seemed to make sense to me, words still ineligible but readable as I began to skim over the lines. Pointing out the words I still didn't understand, Arod happily noticed that I had begun to understand the book as I skipped over words to point at others.

Finally we reached Light Heal where I paid attention to each word as Arod sounded them out. I memorized everything, the words written and the infliction of the voice to use. The rus.h.i.+ng air as the spell is called out and the incantation of 'Soothing and healing, cure this wound of aliments!'

And by the time I finished the last word, a window popped up.

Unable to learn Light Heal (Voice). You do not have affinity for this element

Oh.

Crestfallen face, Arod asked me what was wrong.

"Its nothing. I just have a hunch I can't use the heal spell" I spoke quietly, staring at the page.

I'm limited. Limited to light and weight.

I wanted to learn magic yes, but weight and light are not actual attack spells. They are disappointing in the a.r.s.enal of a mage.

I make use of the gravity for my stones of death, reinforcing armor and weapons as I slaughter in the hundreds. But I'm choosing an unorthodox path in my usage, a strange path that is nothing like a magician.

A combination yes, but its not the same thing as being a magician.

Call it strange, but I wanted to learn magic, feel like a real wizard. Shoot fire from my fingertips and summon icicles in the air.

I can't even fly properly, it makes you feel sick.

Lightning. I saw a lightning spell. Can I use lightning?

Slipping the cookbook out from the pile as Arod curiously glanced at my actions, he said nothing as I opened the first page and read the first sentence with his a.s.sistance.

"Baking a cake can be quite easy, or the hardest thing you've ever mastered.

Learn the spell Crawling Lightning (Voice)YesNo

I pressed yes.

You have learned the spell Crawling Lightning (Voice)

That works. Lighting works, it definitely works.

I can learn Lightning.

"You find something?" Arod asked, I shook my head.

"No, this brought up old memories. My mother, she used to bake cakes for me and my dad. All kinds of cakes from light sponge to heavy and rich chocolate. They were delicious and we loved eating them. But when she died, I made a promise."

Sitting silently as I looked at the book, I finished "I haven't touched cake in years, it brings up memories."

"Ah". Arod didn't inquire further.

I made the story up, my mother was very much alive.

...

When I last saw her.

You have learned the skill Acting

Ignoring the new notification window, I slyly opened my skills and looked at the new spell.

SkillCrawling Lightning (Voice)Level1 [0%]Rapidly agitating the friction that lies within light mana, form and shout the spell to send a stream of charged lightning from your body!

Must be cast using a part of body as the focal point.

Damage and spell strength is dependent on mana consumption.