Chapter 4: Mana Bolt or Arcane Bolt?

“Lady Eleanor, you have a visitor,” Rosalyn announced as she entered my bedroom.

Looking up from my scroll making, I started to look for a clock then stopped myself, “Iona and her relatives?”

“No, my lady, it’s only the young mage,” She started to clean up a little while patiently waiting for me to decide what I wanted to do.

Couldn’t have been more than a couple of hours after the third bell, did something happen? I had already paid for another day at the inn. What happened later in the day would determine if I stayed longer.

“Please tell her that I will be with her in a moment. I want to put my things away first.”

I spent most of the night looking through the herb bags, and upon waking started to create a few scrolls. In Magic-Life, all classes could use low-tier scrolls, so having a few on hand should prove useful. Assuming it worked the same way in here.

I did ponder since the creation of scrolls in this world required mana-cores would it allow adventures to cast any level spell? Something to ask later, but since low-tier scrolls weren’t of much use for me or my guildmates, I didn’t have any in my inventory.

When Rosalyn returned, I asked, “Were you also able to speak to Master Melaka this morning?”

Opal had mentioned one of the merchants she knew sold supplies for adventurers. Like a few others, he didn’t usually set up a stall in a village market. My inventory had plenty of food, and I could make a campsite with ease, but thinking back to my pen-and-paper days of gaming, I knew other items would be needed.

Since Magic-Life wasn’t real camping, much less adventuring, I also had to ask for some general suggestions on what to take. I didn’t want to sound like a total noob, but I also didn’t want to forget something important. I explained to Rosalyn that one of my companions was in charge of making sure everyone was adequately equipped, which was true, but for some reason, I was sure it was misinterpreted.

Still, part of me looked forward to the whole outdoor experience. I had never been camping before other than the first day on the road after appearing here. Mark mentioned it a few times when he was younger going out with his brother, but they spent the night in their backyard, so not quite the same thing.

“Yes, my lady. He will have the items by lunch and deliver them to the inn.” She handed me the list, which I took before giving it a once over.

“Thank you, Rosalyn,” Putting it away, I gave her a heartfelt smile, “If I haven’t said it before, your help has been invaluable these past few days. I don’t think this week would have gone so smoothly without it.”

“It’s been my pleasure, Lady Eleanor,” She curtseyed.

“Alright, let’s see what Iona been up to this morning.”

With everything now stored in my inventory, the two of us left the bedroom to find Iona nervously pacing around the sitting room.

“Do you have news?”

“What, oh, Lady Eleanor,” Iona stammered then did a little curtsey. “My uncle and aunt should be here this afternoon, but I was sitting in my room.”

Smiling, I motioned for her to take a seat, “So, bored, nervous, or both?”

“Both,” She looked down blushing and started to play with her robes.

We sat for a few moments in silence, then I asked, “Well, if we are to be adventuring together, why you don’t tell me a little about yourself.”

“Alright, let's see. Both my sister and I were born in Harmon. My father is a caravan driver, so he isn’t home very often,” Iona gave a small frown, “My mother died giving birth to me, so Aunt Karin has more or less, raised me as her own along with Uncle Leo.”

“Did I not hear that they also have a child?”

“Oh yes, Cassandra. “ Iona answered happily, “She married a few years ago and moved to Andover. Randol, her husband, used to be an adventurer, but his father died unexpectedly, so she helps him run the family’s tannery.”

Remembering a bar I used to go to during college, which at one time had been a tannery, so profitable business if a bit smelly, “Did he meet your cousin at your aunt and uncle’s school?”

“Yes, Cass started around the same time as my sister hoping to follow in her parent’s footsteps.” Iona started to giggle, “Instead, she ended up getting married. Aunt Karin seemed pretty happy about that.”

I couldn’t help laughing as well, “Well, adventuring is a dangerous profession. I assume that you went to the same school?”

“I did, Uncle Leo is brilliant.” Iona sat up straighter, “He teaches what you need to do before going out on a job. What to ask and what to look out for when buying equipment. What to take depending on the job, how to make simple healing poultices, how to make sure the water you drink is clean all sorts of things.”

Interesting so they teach pretty useful skills at this school for adventures, which is good, as learning on the go would likely prove fatal for many. Maybe I should have spoken to him before I made my shopping list.

“And your aunt? You said she was skilled with a bow?”

Once again, I couldn’t help but compare the two worlds. A lot of my guildmates could use a bow, but in Magic-Life, it was the Pathfinders who had specific abilities that made them deadly. And, since most of our quests took us outside, their woodland skills made them in pretty high demand.

“She teaches the advanced weapons class, and many adventurers come to her for private archery instruction. Since she used to work part-time at the Adventurers Guild, she also teaches the rules on how to progress in rank, what and what not to do on a job, those sorts of things,” Iona sat back as Rosalyn set down a cold pitcher of wine.

We sat for a few minutes enjoying the wine, and then I asked something that I had been curious about, “So, where did you learn magic? Did you have an apprenticeship?”

Iona's voice faded slightly, “No, it’s rare unless you have a mage in the family or have other connections. Like most, my teacher was a former adventurer who held classes at the Adventurers Guild.”

“Was there not a mage in your aunt or uncle's adventuring party?”

“Oh, yes, Master Nickolas, but he disappeared along with his adventuring band in the Ingsmouth swamps. I think I was six at the time.” Iona then seemed to understand what I was asking and started to wave her hands in front of her, “Oh, I didn’t have to pay for the classes in the Adventurers Guild. Mistress Alidth is an old friend of theirs. She also taught me a Detect Enchantment spell.”

“That’s good; can I ask how many spells can you cast?” I was more than a little concerned for the young girl's safety on this adventure.

“Well, for a ranked F adventurer, you only need to be able to cast one offensive spell.”

“Truly?” I frowned.

That’s not too far off from what spells a new mage character starts within Magic-Life; however, unlike this world, you appeared in the tutorial area, so there was little to no danger. A player could stand in front of a monster and not worry about it attacking you.

Iona nodded then smiled, “Yes, but my aunt and uncle bought me a spell scroll for my sixteenth birthday, and I have the one I learned in my class. “

“So you have a Detect Enchantment spell, and what else?”

In-game, after the tutorial, you ended with three basic starter spells. One offensive, one defensive and one generic of your choice, but afterward, you had to buy or trade for the rest. Although a Detect Magic spell was quite useful, some sort of shield spell would have been better.

“Arcane Shield and Mana Bolt, which I am thankful for as I had a little bit of an issue under one of the taverns, “ She then blushed, “I really don’t like rats.”

We both chuckled a little. So how close were the spells in this world compared to the ones in-game? “Does the Arcane Shield give you protection by draining your mana?”

“It does.”

So similar, “So, I am going to guess that in this kingdom, spells can cost as much as good weapons and armor.”

“Yes, and the more powerful ones are even more expensive, assuming you can find someone willing to teach you. “ Iona sighed, “I would love to learn more spells, but I cannot afford them.”

So unlike Magic-Life, you couldn’t just walk up to a vendor and purchase one like you would a sword.

“Does the Adventurers Guild not provide a way for you to purchase new spells?”

Iona nodded, “Yes, but you have to submit a job request.”

Not too different from Magic-Life since buying new spells from a vendor could be rather expensive. Since the copy skill created a magical parchment from your grimoire, the preferred method was to either purchase or trade new spells from another player. We did that all the time, and I knew a couple of enterprising mages that made quite a bit of coin selling them.

“Argus, the mage in my sister’s group, did offer to teach me a spell once they returned.” Iona looked depressed for a moment then perked up again. “Oh, and Mistress Alidth said she would too once I become a D ranked adventurer.”

I sat still for a moment, thinking. Could I learn spells from this world, and could others learn mine?

I was trying not to act too surprised when I reached into my bag and withdrew three spell scrolls from my grimoire, “What do you make of these?”

Iona's eyes opened wide before gently setting them down. Gingerly opening the first one, she spent a few minutes looking it over before replying, “It's not one I have seen before. It’s an elemental fire spell. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Fire Dart and the other one.” I ignored the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach when I looked at the scroll. I had no problems understanding it, which by now I shouldn’t have been surprised.

Frowning, she began to read but took about three times as long, “I’m not sure, but is it some type of warning spell?”

“Excellent, yes, it’s an Alarm Ward, useful at a campsite, or on a door of a bedroom at an inn. So, how about the last one, what do you think?”

Biting her lip, Iona read the scroll, her eyes suddenly opened wide, “Oh, it's odd, but I think its water conjuration.”

“Very good, and it’s another spell which I use quite often,” Sitting back, I watched her read over the scrolls as I took a sip of wine.

Suddenly, her head snapped up. “Lady Eleanor, you’re a mage?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “So, tell me, Iona, how long would it take for you to learn those spells?”

The young mage's eyes opened wide in surprise, but her smile, though, lit up the room.

--O--

“Oh, Karin looks like we found a vagabond loitering around the docks should we call the town guard?” A voice called out from below.

Marcus grinned as his friend approached before the two embraced. “How are you doing, old man?”

“Our school is thriving, but this business with Myra has us terribly concerned,” Leo sighed before patting his friend on the shoulder.

Marcus turned to the second person standing there, looking amused at the two of them, “You’re beautiful as ever, Karin.”

“And you need to have your eyes checked,” She laughed before kissing him on the cheek. “How’ s Lillian?”

“She’s fine, hoping for a small visit if you have the time but understands if you cannot.”

Karin grimaced. “I would like to see her, but we still have too many things to do before tomorrow. We are still heading out in the morning?”

“Yes, and as I said, Lillian understands, maybe a celebration when you return with Myra,” He said hopefully.

“I would like that,” Karin smiled, but there wasn’t much hope behind it. “So, what trouble has my youngest niece gotten herself into?”

“Well, she thinks she might have found another adventurer to accompany you.” Laughing at the surprised look on his friend’s faces, Marcus motioned to them to continue walking.

“Does this person know we cannot offer much? We do have a few coins tucked away, but it’s not much.” Karin shrugged.

Marcus understood, his friends might be doing well, but being able to afford to pay for the services of a decent ranked adventuring band was another matter.

“Truthfully, we were almost at the point of selling our school for the money.” Leo and his wife shared a look.

Marcus realized that his old friend was serious.

“We could have sold my bow, love,” Karin grabbed her husband’s hand.

“You’re not selling your bow, Karin,” Leo said forcefully.

“I wouldn’t worry about that, you two. I don’t believe she’s looking for payment.”

Marcus couldn’t help but smile from what he learned yesterday, Lady Eleanor’s red dress for the cost to make it you could buy a large farm maybe two.

“That’s unusual,” Karin frowned, sounding a bit worried.

“Well, Lady Eleanor Reine of Avalon is a bit of an unusual person,” Marcus couldn’t help but chuckle.

“One of the High Born? How did Iona attract her attention?” Karin turned to look at her husband, almost in a panic.

Marcus sighed; he forgot Karin had been brought up in the Eagle Empire. Her view of nobility had always been a bit skewed, not that he blamed her.

Slipping his arm around his wife, Leo said, “I’m sure it's fine love. Marcus has met this noblewoman, right? So, where is this Avalon?”

The honored veteran scratched his scar, “Not sure, but we believe pretty far north. She has the same coloring as that warrior who joined the Stone Fists; remember him, fought with that huge ax.”

Karin looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded, “The one killed by a basilisk along with Ilya the Red?”

Leo frowned, “So maybe as far north as Karlspang.”

“Long way from home then,” His wife whispered before laying her head on his shoulder.

“So, tell me a little about this Lady Eleanor Reine of Avalon,” Leo asked as he rubbed his wife’s arm.

“Not much to tell Leo, she arrived a few days ago on horseback by way of the Forest Road,” Motioning the two, they started walking again towards the River Gate.

“So she traveled with another adventuring band?” Leo asked, wondering if there were a couple of others they could approach.

“No alone,” Nodding to the guards at the gate as they passed through, Marcus replied, “We were surprised too.”

“Do you know why?”

“Yes, but it’s her story to tell, Karin. Let’s see yesterday, she went to the market, and from the way she acted, I don’t believe she’s ever been to one or at least not in a long time.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Leo chuckled.

“Still, she had a nice word with almost every owner of a stall while passing out bits of fruit to children following her. “ Marcus smiled, “According to Lilian, she sat with Mother Yana and talked about herbs for most of the morning. The women in the village are quite enamored with her.”

“No, your right, not something one would be able to say about one of the High Born,” Karin laughed suddenly, seemingly relieved before dragging the two men towards the inn.

“Well, the few nobles I have met from the Adventurers Guild do tend to be more personable. Do you know her rank?”

Marcus shrugged, “She doesn’t have a card, Leo, which is to be expected from her story. However, what we do know is she defeated three forest skitters.”

Karin almost stopped, “At the same time?”

“Yes.”

“Impressive.” Leo murmured, squeezing his wife’s hand.

“By the nine gods, this is good, so, a B ranked?” Karin looked hopeful. Although more physically fit than most people half her age, neither she nor her husband had been on an adventure for a long time.

Leo laughed, feeling better than he had for a week. “Well, it’s not something I could have done on the best of days, so at least B ranked. So did she decide to join us yet?”

“No, not until she met the two of you,” Marcus replied before opening the door to the Wayfair Inn.

“I like her already,” Karin entered with a smile on her face.

--O--

Taking a sip of water that I conjured, I leaned over to point at the part of the scroll Iona was having trouble with.

“Now, take a closer look at this part of the spell formula, see the damage, it's variable. So, unlike the Mana Bolt, if you want to do less damage, you just use less mana.”

“So why don’t I use this spell all the time?” Iona tilted her head.

Good question really, “You will for a while, but later, you will find that other spells such as Cone of Fire will be better for damaging multiple targets. Until you can cast that or something similar, Fire Dart is your obvious choice.”

“So, what’s wrong with Mana Bolt?” Looking at the scroll, Iona frowned.

“Nothing at all, it’s an excellent spell if you’re facing one opponent,” Assuming it worked the same as my Arcane Bolt, “However, it has a large mana drain if you want to target multiple creatures. And a bit overkill if you’re facing smaller monsters.”

The young mage grimaced, “I noticed that when we were clearing out the giant rats.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Wondering what else was similar, I asked, “Do you know your elemental affinity?”

Iona shook her head, “No, I don’t think I have heard of it before, my lady. May I ask, what’s yours?”

“Fire, which explains why I was a bit of a pyromaniac as a child. “

Iona giggled, and then frowned, “Then how can you cast the Conjure Water spell?”

“Oh, it doesn't mean I can't use other elements, it's just that I usually end up using a little bit more mana to cast them. “

During character creation, I selected a fire affinity. Along with those spells costing less mana, later the choice allowed me to be able to cast some of the more advanced fire spells early.

“I see,” Iona frowned. I could see that she was still a little confused.

“Anyway, Conjure Water is not an elemental spell, unlike say, Water Bolt,” Reaching into my bag, I copied another one out of my grimoire, setting it down next to the Conjured Water scroll.

“Why don’t you compare the Arcane Bolt with the Conjured Water spell and then compare them both to the Fire Dart.”

Nodding, Iona started reading through the scrolls while Rosalyn began setting down some lunch.

With a smile, I copied another spell from my grimoire and set it on the table, “Alright, let's then take a look at Mana Shield.”

I helped her through lunch and most of the afternoon. Still, I would have thought her school at least taught her the basics. Not understanding that was a bit concerning. Perhaps that was not fair as all this information had been downloaded into my brain.

Iona pushed a strand of black hair behind her ear. “I sort of see it but, I will tell you Lady Eleanor that I understand the Fire Dart spell much more so than the others in my grimoire. I can see why mages who went through an apprenticeship know so much more than the rest of us.”

“So, you weren’t taught any of this in school?”

She gave a slight shake of the head. “Not really, Mistress Alidth didn’t go into this much detail. It's not just how but why it works that we were never taught. I’m not really sure she understood herself. The guild just wanted to make sure we knew how to defend ourselves.”

I wondered what she would say if I told her a week ago that I didn’t know either. In Magic-Life, you spent skill points to learn new skills or to improve an existing ability, but there was no knowledge behind it.

As it was now while I worked with Iona, I began to see ways of improving all of my spells.

--0--

Towards the late afternoon, Rosalyn entered the sitting room, followed by Marcus and two other people whom I could only assume to be Iona’s relatives.

Her aunt, a well-built woman with broad shoulders and arms, which told of long hours pulling a bow, wore light leather armor. Looking under her headscarf, I realized she was also the first redhead I have met since coming to this world.

Her uncle was a dark-haired, well-dressed man. I couldn’t help but admire his blue and bright yellow cioppa, much like my outer dress, but unlike mine was not lined with fir. He even had one of those chaperons, a rounded hat that appeared to be made of linen — not the outfit of an adventurer but more of a merchant or a university professor.

“Lady Eleanor, let me introduce you to Leo of Harmon and his wife, Karin,” Marcus announced, stepping aside to allow the two to enter further into the sitting room.

Both bowed in greeting but just grinned at my studious companion who sat with tongue half out while concentrating on a scroll in front of her.

“Iona, we have guests,” I commented before giving her a gentle nudge with my foot. “Iona, guests.”

“Lady Eleanor?” She then noticed her uncle and aunt before jumping off the chair, screaming, “Auntie!”

“Manners Iona. “ Karin admonished her niece with a smile as her husband laughed.

“Oh, sorry, Lady Eleanor,” Iona stammered while blushing a deep red.

“Why don’t you visit with your uncle and aunt while I see to dinner? I imagine the four of us will most likely be talking for some time.” Turning to the sixth person in the room, I asked, “Marcus, are you just an escort, or will you be sharing a meal with us.”

“No, my lady, I should be getting back to the wife.”

After Marcus took his leave, Rosalyn and I didn’t stay away long, only enough to check on my new gear and take a look at the large table in the meeting room. I hadn’t expected one, but with adventuring groups using the village as a base, it’s wasn’t too surprising.

Looking over the list once more, I started to sort through the supplies.

“Rope, good,” I actually had some spider-silk rope but knew extra wouldn’t hurt. “I’ll go through the rest later. Master Melaka confirmed that he would be able to assist us this evening as well?”

“Yes, Lady Eleanor,” Rosalyn replied while moving one of the lighter boxes out of the way.

Brushing myself off, I looked around. “This room is perfect, and please be sure to give Master Thomasyn my thanks.”

“I will, also, my lady, Mistress Matilda is ready to serve dinner at any time. Just let me know.”

“I will have to do something nice for her. She's been very accommodating, especially with her willingness to feed my numerous guests.”

Rosalyn laughed, “Well, you did compliment her on her cooking, Lady Eleanor.”

I had expected the food to be rather bland, but the inn’s cook had years of experience working in the kitchen on one of the main caravan routes. She’s so well known that several nobles have tried to lure her away to work in their households.

Returning to the sitting room, I found Iona happily explaining all that she had learned today. I motioned for them to remain seated as I took my seat across from the three.

“Lady Eleanor, my wife and I give our heartfelt thanks to you for taking time out of your busy day to teach Iona magecraft,” Leo said, but all three bowed their heads.

“It was my pleasure. I found her to be an excellent student. And if things go well tonight, I will be more than happy to instruct her further in the upcoming week.”

Iona beamed happily but looking at her aunt, she lowered her head back down, but the smile didn’t leave her face.

“I heard from Marcus and my niece that you did not expect to find yourself in Wyndemere much less the southern kingdoms.”

That was one way to put it, “Indeed last week my companions and I were wandering around the Cold Swamp searching for the lair of a rather large lizard, soon after I am standing in the center of a circle of stones that Iona tells me are called Godstone's.”

Karin seemed to have questions of her own but allowed her husband to continue, “Well, Lady Eleanor, although we haven’t been adventures for some time, we still have some influence in the guild. We would be happy to put in a good word for you as one of the kingdom's ranked A mages might be able to help you get home.”

“Thank you, I will take you up on your offer but first, let us talk about your other niece Myra. My situation is not so dire that I can simply ignore a lost adventuring party.”

And it wasn’t, as much as I wanted to get home, finding a missing group of adventures sounded a lot easier. Something told me it was not going to be as simple as paying someone a little gold for a portal home.

I could also see relief in their faces, including Iona, after that statement, “May I ask a few questions.”

“Of course, Lady Eleanor.”

“Mistress Karin, Iona tells me you’re good with a bow. May I ask if you have skills such as tracking and trap making, or are they all martial?”

“Please call me Karin, my lady, and yes, I do have the skills of a woodsman. Before I met my husband, I was a scout in Emperor Naxos' Sixth Legion’s auxiliaries. I also keep up my skills while working for a number of nobles, who hire me through the Adventurers Guild to work with their Foresters.

Emperor Naxos, I hadn’t heard that name before. I also wondered if I could get the three of them to just call me Eleanor, from the look of things probably not. I blame my cousin.

Karin’s husband started to laugh, “I see where you're going, Lady Eleanor. I might not be as fit as I was twenty years ago, but my wife keeps me from losing my martial skills. I am also responsible for making sure new students don’t stab themselves.”

“And heal them if they do,” Iona chimed in with a giggle.

“And the days he is not teaching, he spends most of his time in the Healer’s Hall,” Karin gave her husband a tight-lipped smile.

“Yes, well,” Leo managed to look away, a little embarrassed, Iona just sat in her chair and giggled some more.

“I also hear good things that you have been making sure new adventures have a better chance to become old ones.” Reaching into my inventory, I pulled the list of supplies before passing it to him. “A merchant named Master Melaka has offered to add to this list. I was not sure what you had managed to gather in way of supplies in your rush to make your way here.”

“This is a good list.” He shared it with his wife, who nodded. “As you said, we are short of supplies, so I am happy to see we will be able to pick them up before tomorrow.”

“Well, let us talk over dinner about what else we will need and discuss the roles each of us will have on our way to find your niece.”

“I will inform Mistress Matilda that you’re ready to have dinner served,” Rosalyn said as she headed out the door.

“Thank You, Rosalyn,” Rising from my seat, the others quickly followed. “Shall we, I have been impressed with this inn’s cooking all week and look forward to what they have in store for us tonight.”

--0--

Authors Note: Work is taking me out of town, so I won't be updating for a couple of weeks. I'll try to get another chapter in before I leave but no promises. Thanks for reading!

Glossary:

Aggro - As a verb, it refers to a hostile mob that has noticed a player and is actively trying to attack that player. As a noun, it refers to the amount of "hostility" the player has generated on the mob.

Alt - or alternate character is a character in addition to one's "primary" or "Main" player character. Also, one frequent use is to play characters of opposite gender or to see what new features have been added since they last were on a low-level character.

Bells: Most larger communities have some way to keep time, useful for travelers, and tradesmen heading off to work. Usually the either the Town’s Hall or Healer’s Hall will ring a large bell. It's Midsummer, so the times below will change depending on the time of year and location-

First 2:30 a.m.
Second 3:40 a.m.
Third 7:00 a.m.
Forth 12:20 p.m.
Fifth 3:00 p.m.
Sixth 7:00 p.m.
Seventh 8:20 p.m.
Eighth 9:30 p.m.

Escort Missions – a job where you have to safeguard an NPC, without getting them killed. Now, this wouldn't be so bad, except that the NPCs are universally stupid, running ahead and getting killed in the process. Many players despise these types of jobs.

Guilds - Semi-permanent player groups. In typical games, players must use a substantial amount of capital to start the guild.

MMORPG - Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

Mob - An AI-controlled monster.

Noob- Newbie, newb, noob, or n00b is a slang term for a novice or newcomer, or somebody inexperienced in a profession or activity. Variant forms of the noun include Newby and newbee, while the related term noob (often stylized as "n00b") is commonly used in online gaming.

Tank - A tank or also known as a meat shield, redirect enemy attacks or attention toward themselves to protect others. Typically the fighter tries to take as much aggro as possible away from weaker players such as healers and mages. Since they can often take a lot of damage, they are usually heavily armored and have lots of health.

Total party kill (TPK) “Rocks fall, everyone dies” or wipes - a situation in which every player character in a party dies. Factors include player inexperience, insufficient player characters, or encounters too difficult for the party's capabilities.