Mageblood Page 5

  “Don’t ask the trainer, boy—ask that big rat behind you.” Sammy pointed, and I whirled in time to see a slightly larger rat with a white mark in the middle of his forehead resembling a crown. He was dark-colored like the others had been, but this one had foam coming from the corners of its mouth.

  Lvl 2 Rat King – Enraged

  “Oh, boy,” I said, then growled as I set my feet. “Well, then—come and avenge your people, Your Majesty.”

  The rat screeched at me, and a tremor of fear roiled through me.

  Fear spell resisted.

  Oh, that little—I grunted in my head, but it was too late to really finish the thought. It was on me and it was all I could do to hold it at bay with my shield. I brought my sword up and tried to slash at it, but the creature shoved against my shield and backed away.

  I had just enough time to glance at the front of the shield and saw deep scores in it from the Rat King’s clawed forepaws. I checked the timer—seven minutes left and ticking lower fast. Time to get risky.

  “Remember, boy—you have more weapons than a shield and sword!” Sammy shouted.

  I came forward, my movements methodical and measured from a little practice. Steady and controlled, my focus was completely on the Rat King. It paced a little to my left, away from the blade in my right hand.

  “Come on, then!” I shouted at it angrily.

  It squeaked at me deeply then trotted forward. I underestimated its speed because at the last second before I blocked it was gnawing on my leg.

  2 dmg taken.

  1 poison dmg taken, poison resisted.

  “Ahhhg!” I gritted my teeth and grabbed the back of its neck in my shield hand, and started trying to crush the rat’s skull with the pommel of the sword in my hand.

  1 dmg to Rat King.

  1 dmg to Rat King.

  1 dmg to Rat King.

  After three solid hits, it was able to squirm out of my grip but stumbled a little. I used its momentary weakness to smack it with my shield as hard as I could with the edge as if I were punching it. I misaimed and cracked it in the throat.

  CRITICAL STRIKE

  3 dmg to Rat King.

  Rat King suffers from Suffocating Debuff.

  The creature coughed and wheezed as it shook its head back and forth. I huffed after the exertion. But my advantage was now. I needed to kill this thing.

  I brought my sword into both hands and stood to the rear of the Rat King as it choked. I brought the sword down in a stabbing motion like I had seen some knights do in older movies. My foe lurched forward out of the way, and the blade stuck into the ground, then snapped in half as my balance shifted forward too quickly for me to recover.

  A new weight hit me, the rat trying to bring me down to get to my throat. I shoved it back with my shield as I fell and tried to roll on my shoulder, but tumbled to my knees instead. The Rat King took his own advantageous position as he climbed onto the shield protecting my chest, and I fell backward with his weight on me. We struggled for what felt like forever, my chest and throat safe, but the bottom of my stomach was exposed, and that’s what he went for with his back legs. Kicking and digging his claws into my abdomen while trying to bite my neck. He got my left shoulder, a pulse of nausea hit me, and I knew the next message was going to suck.

  2 dmg taken.

  1 poison dmg. You are poisoned.

  Damage per second halved.

  I roared and brought what little blade was left on the sword in my hand to bear on the side of the Rat King.

  1 dmg dealt.

  1 dmg taken.

  1 dmg dealt.

  1 dmg taken.

  1 poison dmg taken.

  My limbs grew numb. My grip on the shield already waned quickly, and the Rat King’s eyes sparkled as he stopped kicking and tried for my throat, even as he continued to wheeze and cough.

  In a last-ditch effort—I kicked my hips up into the air, tossing the Rat King from me. My feet touched the ground, and I mimicked the motion once more to roll my feet up over my head and then onto him tiredly as drool and spittle dripped from my lips. My vision blurred slightly, but that just sharpened the outrage I felt.

  I would not die twice in one night. Hell no. Not me. Not Mageblood. I had no magic. I had no weapons. I had no fighting abilities. I didn’t even have a level. But I would have this.

  “Raaaaaaaargh!” The hatred pumping through my heart fueled me just enough to stab down into the chest twice, then I grabbed what looked like an ear to stabilize myself. As the last of my strength drained from me, I used my body weight to drive the broken weapon up to the hilt into the beastie.

  Then darkness.

  Chapter Five

  “Right unfair, that was Sammy, and you know it.” I heard Miff’s voice as if through a dense helmet.

  I strobed my eyes a little bit, the light that filtered in bright and painful.

  “Rest yerself, lad—ye did it. Ye can check yer status an’ notifications in a bit. The poison is gone, but yer still recoverin’,” Felix’s voice drifted to me from my left.

  “Whatur they argu-ng ‘bout?” I mumbled. My speech was slurred, and suddenly the room spun as if I’d been drinking.

  “That’ll be the antidote I give’d ye.” Felix chuckled, and I could hear the pride in his voice. “Ol’ family recipe.”

  “It was spirits,” Sammy’s gruff voice rang out loudly near where Miff’s voice had been.

  “Like I said—ol’ family recipe.” Felix huffed.

  “Water.” I groaned. My hands groped at the air like a dying man in the desert would grope for a mirage.

  I felt a leather thing press into my hand, Miff’s younger voice was softer now, “It’s open already. I’ll help you sit up to drink it. But we go slow. Felix’s booze can be very powerful.”

  “Thank ye, lad.” Felix sounded proud once more.

  Sammy snorted, and two sets of large hands grabbed onto either side of my body. They helped me sit up, the room spun dangerously, but I just brought the leather container to my lips. The water spilled a little from the corners of my mouth, but the cool liquid went a long way toward helping me feel better.

  I stopped drinking and narrowed my eyes at the room around me. I could see Felix and the two guards.

  “Did I do it?” I asked groggily.

  “Aye, only one I seen do it like ye did, ta boot!” Felix chuckled.

  Miff grumbled, “And now I owe Sammy and his da another round.”

  I blinked at the young guard, vexed that my lack of dying seemed to be what the bet had been about.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t die so you could have a free drink, Miff.” I barked, harsher than I meant to.

  He waved it away. “Not my night is all—and Sammy cheated”—the younger looked at the elder accusingly—“by giving you blatant advice.”

  “Didn’t you do the same?”

  He shook his head. “I was makin’ observations that could just so happen to be overheard.”

  Felix was smiling at the young guard. “I’ll buy ye a drink lad, fret not.”

  I shook my head, then ran my left hand shakily through my hair. My hand slid over the semi-rough texture of my horns, and it brought me back to the present.

  I saw the notification from the finished quest.

  QUEST COMPLETED – You killed all the rats in the training grounds before the end of 20 minutes. Finished in 17:32. Reward: Double experience and one back up weapon from Master Filk.

  I checked, having killed nine rats and the rat king.

  Total experience earned: 230 (9 rats at 10 EXP, and rat king at 25 EXP x 2)

  Level Up!

  Congratulations wanderer! You have managed to acquire not only your first level, but the second as well. You are now ready to move on!

  Do you wish to move on? Yes? / No?

  I had the option to select an answer, but I held off.

  “Hey, Felix?” The dwarf turned toward me with a questioning look on his face. “How do I level up here? It doesn
’t seem to give me the option. Also, what happened to all the experience I earned in the fight? I should’ve earned enough to get most of the way to the next level.”

  “The EXP ye earned was held until you either finished or failed the quest, so what ye earned is that. Ye weren’t cheated. Open yer status screen, then select Stats. From there, ye have the option to apply yer new stat point to whatever ye wish.” He explained, slowly motioning into the air before him as if pressing screens. “Ye get ten points to apply at first level, and one per level after, so make ‘em count. At level three, ye unlock yer abilities table, and from there, that’s how ye grow yer magic.”

  “Thank you.” I nodded, and he thumped my arm.

  I did as he explained and looked at my stats.

  Kyvir Mageblood, Level 2, Race: Kin

  HP: 80

  Strength: 6

  Skill: 6

  Heart: 5

  Knowledge: 5

  Serenity: 5

  Presence: 5

  Unspent Stat Points: 11

  EXP to next Lvl: 230 / 300

  Felix and the others must have seen me hesitate because Sammy spoke up, “Tap the attribute you want to learn about or all of ‘em and you can learn what they do. If you have questions, let us know.”

  I smiled at them and tapped them all in succession from top to bottom.

  Strength – The amount of power you can exert upon the world with your physical body. Adds 5 HP and 5 pounds of weight that can be lifted and carried per point. This attribute can affect certain spells in different ways, as well as damage output with weapons, and what kinds of weapons and armor can be worn. (One point added as a racial bonus)

  Skill – Your ability to properly handle and manipulate objects and your body in a manner that will benefit you. This attribute is used to ensure that spells and certain weapons can be properly cast and handled. (One point added as a racial bonus)

  Heart – Who you are and how hearty you are. This attribute will affect your will and endurance, as well as your health and regeneration. Adds 10 HP per point in this stat. Without the right level in this attribute, some spells may affect you in different ways.

  Knowledge – The facts necessary to control and bend the aether to your will and put it to proper use. This attribute directly affects the amount of power behind certain kinds of spells, spell damage, and range.

  Serenity – The will to calm your mind and the universe around you, understanding deeper truths and how best to approach the world and its aether. This attribute affects your ability to recover your aether and how you can assist others.

  Presence – How the world perceives you, your aesthetic, and your actions can affect many things, some being your ability to move among people and creatures. Some spells and situations can be directly influenced by this attribute.

  Okay, so that was a huge start. But I didn’t have any spells. I was stuck with resistance. Unless…

  “And points don’t just disappear if you don’t use them after a while?”

  Miff looked to the other two before shaking his head. “No, but you’ll be severely limiting yourself in a fight if you aren’t decisive enough about it.”

  That was fair. “Thanks, you guys, and one more thing—gifts do grow, right? Or evolve and change? I know you said it once before, but I’m just confirming. Do you know anything else on the matter?”

  “Some of ‘em, aye.” Felix scratched the side of his head. “But if legend serves, ‘cause until recent that’s what the lot o’ ye were, there’s a tree o’ skills and spells that unlocks at level three. And the first true evolution of a skill or type o’ magic takes place at either fifth or tenth level. Can’t remember, though someone said somethin’ ‘bout this bein’ the basics and told me to piss off, so I haven’t really gone o’er it with anybody else.”

  So, there was a chance that I could acquire magic or spells soon. That would mean that if I spent the bare bones, and saved some points, I could use those extra points to my advantage. Cool. First order of business was to get my health up above one hundred because more health never hurt anyone.

  I sank two points into Heart, bumping it to seven. Then one apiece to Strength and Skill. Those would help me to defend myself until I could get to my friends at the very least.

  “Okay, I’ve spent what I’m going to.” I looked over to Felix as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I felt better. More robust, if not a little stronger as well. “Is it all right if we go see Master Filk for my quest reward?”

  Felix grinned and smacked Miff with the back of his hand. “Got respect, this one. Like ‘im, I do. Come on then, lad. Let’s go make our presence known!”

  With a mischievous glint in his eye, the dwarf waddled out of the room we were in and motioned that I follow.

  “See ya, fellas.” I waved to the two smiling guards as I walked outside. They waved back, and we were on our way.

  We were on the opposite side of the training ring from the armory now. There was no one about, but I did see the rat corpses still in the area. As I watched, they began to dissolve and slowly sink into the earth.

  “Felix? How long does it take something like a corpse to disappear?” I watched as two more did the same thing.

  “About half an hour.” He stopped and quirked his head to the side. “We, normal folk, don’t. So, remember that afore ye start ta murderin’ indiscriminate like.”

  I felt like that one was a joke, so I snapped my fingers and grumbled, “Aw, man.”

  The dwarf snorted, and chuckled and we walked once more toward the armory.

  Once we arrived at the door, Felix froze and stepped aside, motioning to the door. “Yer turn to do the honors, lad.”

  “You’re sure?” I raised an eyebrow. He nodded and pounded his chest and jerked a thumb toward the door.

  I took a deep breath and settled myself before I push-kicked the door open as hard as I could, landing just inside the well-lit room. I loosed a loud bellow, flecks of spittle flying from my mouth into the face of a burly dwarf that made me think of old action heroes. He was that jacked for one reason and one reason only—to kill.

  He blinked at me in surprise, then loosed a cry of his own as the other dwarves and humans inside took up the raucous call.

  Once the shouting died down, I saw several of those inside begin to laugh deeply.

  “Shouted righ’ in yer gob, Yildur!” One dwarf teased as he went over a belt with a cloth and some grease.

  Felix stepped in and bellowed one burst and all of us returned the call.

  “Ye taught him proper, I see Felix, laddie!” I heard Filk, barely. The older dwarf careened out from the back of the place with a smile tweaking the sides of his beard. “‘Twas a good shout, lad. Good indeed. Heard ye killed tha’ Rat King quick-like too! Good lad, good work.”

  “I broke the sword, though, Master Filk,” I corrected, slightly embarrassed.

  Filk rounded on his apprentices. “See that respect, ye sorry lot?” The older dwarf spat. “Not even mine an’ he calls me master! Manners!”

  The others just smiled at their master and shook their heads as he turned back to me. “Aye, an’ what a fine job ye did using it to the very end. Broken, snapped it was, an’ ye gored that beastie anyhow!”

  Filk’s strong hand whipped out and slapped me on the shoulder twice. “Feeling stronger there, lad! Come to choose yer weapon then, did ye?”

  “Yes, sir.” I nodded.

  The dwarf’s eyes widened, and he looked around him until he picked up a small wrench and threw it at the dwarf oiling the belt. The would-be victim deftly dodged the improvised projectile and merely looked up.

  “Go fetch the good weapons! Common only, lad—and bring ‘em here!” He touched my arm and hand once more. “Sword, spear, glaive, and axe—hand-axe not battle.”

  The dwarf set his work down and hustled into a room behind him.

  Now that I had a good look at the place, this seemed to be the fitting and maintenance portion of the armor
y. There were benches with tools and tapes for fittings, clothes for polishing and oiling, and barrels that likely held supplies for their craft. Small hammers and other tools lay on other surfaces while we waited.

  “How did ye like the sword and shield lad?” Filk asked brightly.

  I realized that I didn’t have either and my face flushed a bit. Felix produced the shield that had been given to me and handed it to Filk.

  “Used it well by the gashes here.” He held it up and looked it over with a discerning eye. “Used it to punch one o ‘em with then?”—I held up two fingers, and his eyes widened and he whistled appreciatively. —“Two? Aye? Clever, lad. And the sword?”

  “It was good, and if it would have been balanced properly, I’d have likely been better off,” I answered as honestly as I could. I wouldn’t gain anything if false pride stood in my way. “I have a lot to learn still, but I’m willing to put in the work with better materials.”

  Filk tittered with laughter. “Oh, he be a good one, Felix, he do.” The armorer tossed the shield to the burly dwarf, Yildur, and ordered, “Repair it.”

  The apprentice set to work without question with his tools and materials in easy reach.

  “Since I like ye so much, I’ll let ye keep the shield, get ye a new sword of similar quality, and then ye can have a common weapon.” Filk nodded. “How’s ‘at?”

  “It sounds very generous, thank you,” I opened my inventory, I had what looked like ten silver coins. “Are you sure I can’t pay you for some of it?”

  “That ye offer makes me want it all the more, lad.” A glint shone in his eyes. “Don’t insult me generous spirit with yer coin. Aye?”

  I nodded once and dismissed my inventory all together. The first dwarf appeared, his arms full of weapons of all sizes and shapes that he laid on the bench next to us. Different kinds of swords, spears, hand-axes, and glaives of various styles.

  “These be all common quality an’ therefore will have stats and the like.” Filk lifted each one up and offered it to me. I held the sword he gave me and looked it over, a little window popping up from it to show me the stats. It wasn’t a heavy weapon, but the difference in balance was noticeable immediately.