《Perchance》 Chapter 1: Merchant of the Ennelac 72 AGC ¡°Fenn, Ma¡¯am? It¡¯s the last glass for today..~¡± ¡°Oh thank you, you¡¯re a lifesaver my dear.¡± Replied the Madame, greedily snatching the crystal clear magenta liquid from the hand of the young peddler; gulping the whole drink in three big gulps
[]>>The Sigil of Ice and Winter<<[] HAD ANSWERED YOUR PLEAS ? Endure Element [heat] had been applied ? ¡°Chill¡± status now in effect ~Please refer to the clock of constantly ticking to stop the Grace~ Remember; Aria is the best, Arta for the worst, and Varetyr should never ever been touched! (unless you¡¯re super duper desperate¡­ seriously don¡¯t) Aria Remaining [4:21:59]
¡°Thank you my dear, I would be left drying in the corner if not for your kind assistance. Hah! Imagine, my poor, old me, lying helpless in this horrendous street!! It¡¯s not like I¡¯m have advantage of age like you my dear. Tis¡¯ the rule of this cruel world, that no *ehm* young gallant that in his own free will, would save a wizened damsel in distress like the dear old me¡­¡± ¡°He he, you¡¯re exaggerating Ma¡¯am!¡± ¡°Ho ho perhaps, dear, perhaps.¡± Said the Madame. ¡°And here for your kind assistance.¡± Smiling, the Madame put a yellowish tinted coin to the young peddler hand. ¡°1 Gold? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s.. too much Ma¡¯am, I don¡¯t have the change..¡± ¡°Keep it my dear, you earn it! From all the Fenn I ever had only three have four hour aria, the rest were two or three at most. Convey my earnest praise to your supplier for making such a wondrous Fenn.¡± ¡°Thank you Ma¡¯am!¡± *** Chiel sighed apprehensively, the town 12th bell of haven¡¯t rang yet. However her wares already sold out with appreciated profit. She could hear the meticulous merchant in her head nagging about wasting valuable scorching weather. Heat waves doesn¡¯t happen every day Chiel~~ Why were you only packed three hundred glasses of Fenn? You could sell a thousand! No perhaps two thousand! Chiel cringed at the potential profit loss. What a waste of day~ Alas, what is done, is done. ¡°Mobo.¡± Chiel uttered the keyword. A faint yellow light envelop her brown-plated booth; signamancy of the starter merchant. Meidere, Chiel hometown, and probably the rest of the continent were applying color-coded system to differentiate between different grades of profession. Starter were shown with earthen brown, Apprentice with ocean blue, Adept with forest green, Expert with vibrant red, and Exceptional with glittering silver. Grade determined by mysterious formula developed by the Scholastic Institute of Cataloguing which is rumoured affected by ability, experience, and other unknown factors. Chiel booth respond to the light. Faint humming; bass-like vibration could be felt around the currently transfiguring booth; changing from three craters size into a size of miniature doll house. The miniaturized booth floating lazily to Chiel¡¯s waist bag. And after a short paranoid glance Chiel decided that the booth had been stored safely. She weren¡¯t successful enough to afford the more versatile merchant¡¯s special backpack. But she knew that handysack were the worst storage a merchant could ever have. An apprentice thief could cut it from your waist within 10 seconds. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. After checking everything were in order. She running lightly to her current house. It quite close, only three road from eastern market. ¡°Mia?¡± called Chiel when she open the door. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Replied Mia. Mia Applechecker were Chiel roommate, or perhaps, house mate, if one need to be pedantic about it. She wore an ocean blue magician garb, with an ¨Calso blue¨C slightly tipped wizard hat. ¡°So?¡± asked Mia without looking to Chiel. She currently stirring a bubbling cauldron; and as every aspiring wizard should know, magic need utmost concentration. ¡°As usual.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve known, Mia. We did this for three months and it always sold out.¡± ¡°Hm-em.¡± ¡°We should make more! I could ¨CI mean¨C WE could get a lot more money if we could double¡­ no, triple the production~~!¡± ¡°Chiel¡­.¡± ¡°I know¡­ I know¡­¡± ¡°Hm-em.¡± ¡°As I have re-iterate for probably the hundredth times. Fenn were a special drinks.¡± ¡°Yea¡­ yea¡­ created by joint work of a dabbling alchemist and yet-to-be expert magician.¡± ¡°Ehm¡­ actually the magician part were not completely true.¡± ¡°What? You meant it is not you?¡± ¡°Hrmph. Of course it¡¯s me, well partially.¡± ¡°But relieving water were actually blessed water of Lady Myrsta. Ice major magician only act as a vessel of the blessing itself.¡± ¡°So? I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s correlate...¡± ¡°Since three month ago, our town were harbored by the ever increasing heat wave, I spoke to my friend at the study, all the ice magician whether major or minor were creating relieving water every day. I rather not overburdened Lady Myrsta with fickle thing like greed of more money.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± ¡°It just¡­. I want¡­. You know Mi¡­ I want to see the world, get out of this town..¡± ¡°Of course Chie, that¡¯s why we teamed up right?¡± ¡°But the gate were still closed until next week.¡± ¡°Right. Until the day of the rewinding..¡± Chapter 2: Acolyte of the Einthward The flame flickers. Evel could felt the piercing heat, seeping unforgivingly through his three layered albs. Silently, he uttered thanks to the Grace seeing Rem were still holding his genuflect. Rem were not the first choice of person Evel would pick in a resisting-heat involved mission. Although that point were considered a moot, especially if the heat in question were a gigantic fireball of death that could incinerate any living town with just tis¡¯ presence. However one could not afford to be picky. Not when the most important, a matter of survival, ritual in Meidere were announced to be prepared in such a horrendously short-notice. Sudden phase-shift in the second support that connected to Lonn constellation were causing progressive chain-reaction of death (for Evel and arguably, the rest of the town). Father Leon even turn a blind eye when Evel purchased a manner of freezing granite from his childhood friend Mia, freezing granite were an ennobled stone that favored by Lady Myrsta which the Ice major magician salvaged the power of the cold. A rough untempered freezing granite were able to emanate a chilling temperature of uncontrolled Arta, in liking to the tempered granite were able to be used to produce much controlled heat-relieving Aria in Fenn. Thanks to it Rem were able to resist the heat better. I was walking in the hall of the world For tis¡¯ night was dark and the fleeting light of burnt out candle were my only solace It begun. A resolved voice of Mother Nelliese echoed through the tower. Her hand were clenching the ever-swinging chaotic thurible, egregiously spreading the wisping white smoke throughout the whole hall. Thou come to us in all your glory; in a rich-brimming light, condemning our fear to the never be Five children were walking behind her. Streak of fear were apparent in their glistening eyes. Nonetheless, they kept a firm pace, surrendering to their fate to come. The passing epoch¡¯ were overflowing with joys; Sharing thy¡¯ abundance, thou asked us none in return To that bless and to thy grace we were filled with light But gratitude we seldom to utter In one harmonious click Mother Nelliese with the rest of the vicars and deacons were arriving in the top of tower; each with five children following them. Mother Nelliese brought her children to us in the second circle, forming a simple pentagram with their kneeling body placed in each cone of the star. Today rewinding were the 27th rewinding of second, fourth, seventh, and tenth support reparation. I, Evel Einthward were the senior acolyte for second support circle. ¡°To his almighty Grace, we confessed our sin¡± I extend my hand to Rem. ¡°Within Bless of Life in Manna, we conferred ¡° replied Rem, he were the apprentice arcanist for the second circle. ¡°Shall the bell of heaven ring in plea.¡± continued Delia, the second junior acolyte holding Rem hand. ¡°To relieve the selfish whim of the least fortunate.¡± said Theo the second apprentice arcanist accepting Delia hand. ¡°Grant the willing honored courage.¡± Join Angelica, our convent new abbess. ¡°To undone the worst. To postpone the inevitable. To allow the innocent who committed no wrong to live their life to the fullest. Let us, the one who have sinned, to burdened the suffering, and to be exempted from joy¡± ¡°in the name of the people, in the name of the living.¡± Said the whole circle in unison¡­. And the light were shining. Bright. *** Similar to every children in Meidere, I always thought that we were living a very special town. At least that what I had assume from reading the series of Travelling Fairy volume one through eleven. In every book I read (that I had generously shared the tales with my not-yet-capable to read play mates) every cities and every town (including village, principality, municipal and such) that the travelling fairy had visited (her name were Alexandra by the way, she was very not-ugly!) they only had one Sun! Well, we in Meidere have TWO suns. I know, I know it such a stupid notion to compare the goodness of the city in the term of amount of sun it had. But please! We¡¯re children, and sun were obvious (and shiny) ball of light that all of us could easily pinpoint! Alexandra were also mentioned night, which is a silly concept I thought. Alexandra said night were happening when the sun were sinking in the west mountain and come back the next day in the eastern sea. Alexandra said night were when people go to sleep and the whole town goes dark. Well in Meidere sun never sink in the west mountain! Well at least the big sun didn¡¯t (the little sun did, though). The big sun were a big shining rocky sun in the top of the Lumierre Castle of Mayor and Archbishop (the archbishop said it should be Lummiere Castle of Archbishop and Mayor and insist the latter were the correct naming to every person he met, I don¡¯t really care, though.) The big sun were encircled by some kind of weird circle with lots and lots of triangle, square, and big mouthy word around it. I don¡¯t really understand the word, if I¡¯m not wrong the word were Varetyr, Chronos, and so on. Mia said it¡¯s an important adult-word, and we should only care when it¡¯s time for growing up and if we want to be a successful adult (meh). It was not until when I¡¯m nine the truth were come to me and the rest of the children. That day were a sunny hot Saturday, when me and my parent (and the rest of my friend and friend parents) were called by archbishop to the castle hall. A sad look were apparent in mom face (She¡¯s crying! I hate it when mom cried). Dad tried to reassured mom with ¡¯everything going to be alright¡¯ kind of talk. But the looks and his face were betraying his word. He bitten his lower lips until it reds (and he also cried! Even though not boo-hoo kind of crying like mom, his tears were overflowing and his voice were choked). What kind of thing that could made my father cried? The heir of Einthward house should never lose it cool, he always said. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. In the rest of the journey I saw all of the other parent were crying too. I were so concerned and deep in thought, when suddenly the mayor clasping his hand with also similarly choked voice. Then, the archbishop were nodding gloomily and said the word of necessary sacrifice and such. A priest and a mage then picking twenty papers with a children name on it. Every time the priest and mage said the name of the child, a shrieking cried would pierce through the meeting. Every John and Alice that were called would be followed by a sobbing mother and heart-broken father. It so awful, I want to go. But father said we couldn''t go, because his grandfather¡¯s grandfather and the rest of the townsfolk were agreed, and their agreeing were binding to us, their children. I¡¯m not called. But Mia did. That year were 68 AGC, I were nine, and Mia were seven. She comeback thirteen. *** Mrs. Annabelle, our teacher, said today were the day of rewinding. She brought us out from the class when the eleventh bell rang (we usually go home at thirteenth bell). She said to us to take a bow to the Lummiere castle in respect. We were told to did that until the thirteenth bell rang, Gary complained why we should bowed so long. Then we saw the rest of the teachers, the principal, even Mr. Eddie, our gardener did the same without question. Mrs. Anabelle were crying. ¡°Delly, my little sweet delly.¡± she said over and over again. Delly were Mrs. Anabelle daughter. She was chosen. Gary were silent. *** Long ago, one year after great calamity, an very-very evil wizard were terrorizing town and cities. Some folk said the calamity were tainted him, turning his every bone to long for the blood of the living. The wizard had destroyed five cities so far and Meidere were his next stop. However Meidere were unlike another town, we had a great good magus residing in our town. Her name were Chancellor Velle, chancellor velle battled the evil wizard with all her might. She managed to counter every spell that the wizard had procured. As the battle continue, chancellor velle and the wizard going weary. And the wizard were desperate. Using the power of the calamity, and the phase-shifting of the third star in thirteenth constellation. He called the power of the above. Comet. By bending the fabric of space-time he managed to procured the comet as big as Meidere¡¯s hill without the atmospheric barrier of the land reducing the size of the comet to smithereens. However the toll of calling such power were too great for his body to handle. But he didn''t care, he insane anyway. He sacrificed his soul and died. Chancellor Valle won, but the comet still falling with indescribable speed. Twelves deacons of the Church of Light that observed the battle hurriedly chant the SLOW! spell. The rest of the chancellor apprentices (and chancellor herself) were trying to destroy the comet; they created an ice blizzard, trying to use wind to lift the comet, and so on. But it was fruitless. The insane evil wizard were using his corrupted soul to coat the comet. If the comet happened to land, not just Meidere that would be destroyed. But poison and the tainted toxin in the comet core would surely spread out through the land and killing many. The acolytes and parishioner were carting cart upon cart of mana potion to the twelves deacons. However it¡¯s sure they couldn''t endure much longer. Chancellor Velle approach her senior apprentice. She said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± And the choice were made. The twelves deacon nodded. The archbishop want to participate too, but the chancellor forbid him, for someone were needed to pass down the spell she about to performed. It was a space-time magic. A green thread formed around the comet like a net wrapping the fish. Then suddenly the comet were stopped. For the chancellor space were stopping the time of the comet within it¡¯s confined space. Then, the deacons and the chancellor body were shining in a brimming rainbow light. Connecting themselves with all but the tainted thirteenth constellation of the north star, they formed a support pillar, to hold the comet as long as their soul could held. Then, for every three year or so, as determined by the Blessed Stargazer from Occult Guild, the day of rewinding were performed. With a river cry from their parents, each young children were taken to sacrifice some of their years to put the comet seal hold. Sometimes the rewinding only required a month of age, sometimes, it seven or even ten years. That depends on the efficiency and the capability of the divine and the arcane caster performed the ritual. *** The mother of the children were thanking me and Rem over and over. Only sixth month of age were taken from each child within my circle compared to two or three years in another circle. The head arcanist and head of acolyte were the one who strained the most during the ritual and were the one who directed the structure reparation. I silently accepted their gratitude. I would never let another Mia to happened. Spoiler : Hello! It''s LikoPilio again, for my reader who had read my other fic "Questioning the Basic" I''m very sorry, cause I''d put that one on hold (I already have the concept, it just so hard to make it into proper story). Anyway I tried to start new fic, this one would be high-fantasy kind of fiction (which lots of deep emotion (that I working on >.<)). And I tried to avoid the cliche (but not the tropes!) as much as possible, if anyone had any suggestion please feel free to comment, I appreciate some constructive criticism. Remember rate and review were the only (non-donation) currency that made the writer felt to continue their story (not I''m coercing you or anything *ehm). Thanks anyway! Chapter 3: A Party of Four Leon swinging his sword with a great thrust. A peculiar fighting style that most ordinary folk thought to be more suitable for cavalry and their spear-holding progeny. Regardless, it''s worked, and that what''s counted. He could saw the bulging eyes of surprise from the rugged beast; shrieking it''s lung top. Quickly, he withdrew his sword, and the beast, well... the wolf. The what-used-to-be-wolf-kind-of-beast, fell to the ground. Whimpering. Slowly, a trickling black foul mist were raising from it''s seethed wound. Leon could felt the nausea start to gorge his vomit relentlessly as the poisonous mist merging it''s very essence with the open air. "EVEL!!" shout Leon impatiently; calling his newly-found team mate to hasten his obviously very very slow trot. Well, compared to him at least. "I''m coming... No need to shout~" spoke the called acolyte. Hurriedly, he knelt himself beside the dying beast. -Dear friend... -Hold your cry, I beg you to forgive us who have brought the ending to you "Ugh, I hate it when he babbled that first. Even I knew that is not a part of the spell" said Leon shaking his head. "Well, I think it''s polite. " replied Mia nonchalantly. Tinkering her-ever bubbling magic circle in her hand. Mia were an Ice major magician, with wind being her minor. Currently, she were maintaining "Stilled Air"; the most-prized spell wind-based adventurer magician should get their hand on to. Stopping the flow of the wind in a certain area were irreplaceable, since most beast and monstrosity were capable to smell even the utmost diluted scent of blood. "And proper. It''s not like it''s the wolf fault to be corrupted." chimed Chie, who currently picking the nearby wildlife with curiosity. Caring not one bit for her teammate predicament. "Whatever... just get it done..." replied Leon grumpily. As a self-proclaimed veteran swordman adventurer, Leon had his share of difficult teammate. This one just another of it''s kind. -Through the heart of his Grace, allow me to be legate of light, to shine as the beacon of salvation. -Thee of the pure heart who had fallen; In the name of his Grace, I Evel Einthward, in this service of mercy, pray to heaven above. -May the door were opened for thee. As it should and ever be. Evel flinched; a slight pain that came with the purifying ethereal light causing pricking sensation in his chest. Slowly the emanated light engulfed the oozing black mist into oblivion. Releasing the poor unfortunate wolf from it''s affliction. The wolf body start to crumble, leaving a heap of sand and an ascending soul that making his way to heaven. Or so, Evel hope. **** Great calamity were the darkest part of history that ever been experienced by the sapients. Evel order were the Church of Light of His Grace were one of the most prominent contributor in relieving catastrophe that Great Calamity had brought. The black miasma, or as the ordinary folk called it the blobbing curse were a side-effect of the Great Calamity which turn the infected insane and attack any moving creature on sight. Worse, when the afflicted creature defeated the black miasma would ooze out from it''s body and move toward another creature (mostly the one who killed the creature), leaving endless cycle of death. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Everything looked grim until Cardinal Josephine --within her acclaimed episode of stigmata-- announced to the whole church that the Grace had taught her the way to purify the miasma; exorcism. Cardinal Josephine said the Grace named it as the service of mercy. Since then, the service of mercy were carried by every clergy of the Order of Light. It was such a paramount importance that the every travelling clergy were bounded by oath to carry the burden of purification. However every town, and even the most little regency were bound to have five to ten resident acolyte to maintained the surrounding safety. **** Evel winced. The pain at his chest were still throbbing. He had not yet used with the task of purification. Evel could felt the heavy atmosphere from Father Matthew''s worn-out pectoral cross that given to him when he leaving Meidere. "It all''s in accordance within His plan." **** "So why are you guys visiting Arden?" asked Leon popping the obvious. Since they met at the adventurer guild yesterday they only had done the "business talk" like resupplying, party formation, and such. "Me? Umm....I want to see the world~ Adventure!! Doesn''t really matter where though~ Mia want to go there, so I agreed." replied Chiel "Oh and that''s because?" "I''m to pay visit to the Academy for... personal matter." said Mia succinctly. Stating that she wouldn''t reveal more than that. "Okay... and how about you Evel?" "This is my fourth year, and I choose to do the ordeal of pilgrimage." "Oh that church rank advancement kind of think huh?" "Yes." replied Evel smiling. "I always hope to meet new people, and perhaps lend a hand toward the weary traveler whom far away from their warmth of home." continued Evel, blushing. "Haha.. that''s so like you, Mr. Acolyte." "And how about YOU, Leon? Hmm? Why are you going to Arden?" asked Chie. "Well lots of thing, you know mercenary gig, kill x shadows and get x gold. Ah and I need to renew my citizenship." "Wow! You''re citizen of Arden-ia? "Yups." "No wonder you still alive with that reckless fighting style." sneer Mia. "Hey! I resent that!" "You''re very lucky Leon. Well all citizen of Ardenia are." continued Evel. "Yeah, hahaha." Spoiler : Hey guys! It seems low count chapter''s story get viewed less, Like SO MUCH Less. So, could you guys threw a comment or two? I felt I''m the only one reading my own story :( I know some people like to divide their chapter into two-three chapters so they got lots of chapter (and more view!) But I prefer to write longer chapter with a deep story rather than dividing it to a measly eight paragraph-five sentences chapter you know? So please rate and review, it''d get it me the needed moral boost to continue the story, or probably even releasing it even faster! Chapter 4: Pay Me Back! "DO SOMETHING YOU NITWIT!! YOU''RE A SWORDMAN FOR GOD SAKE!" shout Chiel to Leon who managed to sprint himself to the relative safety (of being not first smashed, grounded, and eaten) . "Look lady, THAT THING were A HUNDRED FEET TALL , my sword were definitely NOT BUILT to cut that THING! And if my memory served me right, it is YOU who said and I quote "What a weird looking rock, let''s poke it with stick!"" "Well it''s not my fault!! I don''t know that--" "Let''s the past regret of your lifetime reminded within my say! Shackled your feet with their depth-dragging heave! SLOW!!" Shout Evel frantically, it''s a miracle he managed to outrun the monstrosity, considering his very serious walking speed problem --and cast the SLOW when running, nonetheless-- all thanks to the prepared empowered haste he prepared beforehand. "UUURGH..." "IT''S WORKING!!" "AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHH!" "IT''S NOT WORKING!" "It''s too big, my spell couldn''t affect it!" "Water seeps yourself to the domain of the land; lavish the gritted earth with your calming wave; sluggish the path of the becoming; so my enemy may slow and I could running! QUAGMIRE!" "Urrghhhh...." "Great job Mia!!" shout Chiel happily. "Chiel! Do that!" "What? That? You meant that Big THAT? No Way!" "Look Chiel, Quagmire could only affect a little part of the land, the being would back to it''s original speed once it pass the quagmire. We had to cut it''s leg. So it couldn''t chase us anymore." "No!!" "Look, the monster were emerging from the swamp!" "We could still outrun it!! No!" "Chiel!" "NO!"
[Haste] spell had >>>ended<<<, your speed would returned to normal within 5 seconds ~Thank you for your patronage to the Zephyr! We hope to see you soon!!~ Zephyr and Haste were magical property of Great Lord Deovvan. All right reserved
"...." "IT''S OUT FROM THE SWAMP!" Shout Leon. "Staff hear your duty! Encore the last spell! QUAGMIRE!" Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. **** There were a saying that all aspiring merchant must knew by heart, when they applying for membership in the merchant guild. Some things were more important than money Corollary : Most thing were not more important than money That saying were the holy grail of most merchant in the world. Including Chiel, of course. However, currently, within her current situation of no magical speed booster. Facing a gigantic monstrosity that could kill her with one step of it''s foot. She facing herself with the most heartbreaking predicament; the first clause; some things were more important than money. Her (and to lesser extent.. her teammates) life. Afterall no money could be made if you were dead right? Right? .... There were a spell, a magic of certain kind, that a merchant should never used. Unless they''re desperate. Super desperate. Like Super absolutely desperate; the kind that you wouldn''t even able to self yourself (and your wares) even with a group of meat shield (read: mercenary) protecting you. "Silver..... Copper..... Go..ld. Heard my poor wrecked pouch; blast my enemy to dust with your might; with a sobbing tear of the lost wealth; for I valued my >>life<< and the money that would came with it than the greed of copper more!!" Tears could be seen in Chiel''s face. As half her gold coin, handful of her silver coin, and hundreds of her copper coin, floating and swirling crazily creating a fast rotating disk. Then suddenly a bright yellow bolt shot to the creature leg. CRAACK. THUD! The creature collapsed. "You guys..." said Chiel threateningly. "ARE SO PAYING ME BACK!!" Chapter 5: Arrival "Is that... Arden?" Chiel asked wide-eyed. The party had stopped their track in the nearby hill, a half-hour walk away from the glorious Arden, capital of Ardenia. The size itself were something to be marveled at, thousands square of farmland were stationed within one city itself. Even from this far, a hustle-bustle of the merchant''s trade could be heard as clear as the faint hummed of the chirping bird. "Hahaha, welcome to Arden, guys." said Leon stood proud. "Let''s go! Let''s go!! The last one arrived is a rotten egg!!!" shout Chiel, who began running excitedly. "Hey no fair!" shout Leon began to running also. "But it''s look like Ev and Mi are the rotten eggs, no?!" Shout Leon playfully. "Yups! Mia and Ev so sloow!"
[Slow] spell had been >>>afflicted <<<, your speed would decrease by 57% for 90 seconds ~Tip of the day: Irritating a fellow party member, especially a spellcaster should not be attempted if you want to go through your day peacefully ~ Slow were magical property of Hir Magnificent Peruvenn Usable under the Fair-Use of High Codex within the correspondence of 12th Council of Mortal. All right reserved
"Whaat?!" "Cheater!!" pout Leon and Chiel. "I''ll get you for this EVEEEL!" shout Leon, sluggishly trying to move his feet faster to no avail "See ya." said Evel running past them, obviously buffed with haste.
[Trudge] status had been >>>afflicted <<<, your speed would decrease by 61% as long as you stayed in the bog ~Tip of the day: Paying attention to your fellow party member competence in a free-for-all contest were paramount in preserving your currently diminishing dignity Quagmire were magical property of Her Lady Myrsta Usable under the Fair-Use of High Codex within the correspondence of 12th Council of Mortal. All right reserved
"See you at the gate~" said Mia, using wind step to hasten her footing. "Mia Cheater!!" "Shockwave!" If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
You''ve been stunned! Movement had been suspended for 15 seconds
"No way, Slow!" "Quagmire!" "Shockwave!" "BOOM!" **** "Haah, hahh.... I win..." "You''re hah... tota..lly.. not..hah. winning.. cheater.." "Let''s... neveer.... do.. haah.. this..again." "Agree.." "Ehm!" The party were startled, they could see a bemused city guard grinning ear to ear in from them. "Now, now, little lass and lad, it quite amusing what you did there, but do you want to enter the city or not?" "Ah! Of course, sir." answered Evel hastily. "Alright! State your identity and business." "Leon Nemm, Adept Warrior of Common Adventure Guild, I''m here to renew my citizenship." said Leon showing a stamped parchment to the guard. "Ah, an adventuring citizen, welcome back young lad, thank you for your hard work." said the guard. "Mia Applechecker, Apprentice Magician of 7th Branch Academy, I''m here accompanying my friend." "Academy Magician are always welcome, please make yourself feel at home." "Evel Einthward. Apprentice Acolyte of Ecclesial Order of His Grace, I''m also accompanying my friend. "Welcome young acolyte." "Chiel Ennelac, Starter Merchant of Central-Southwest Trade Association, I''m here to trade." "Ah, yes, merchant, okay. Alright all of you, welcome to Arden." **** Leon sighed, next week were the deadline of citizenship renewal in Arden. With so many immigrant influx, applying to be citizen, a late renewal means pay a heavy fine or be nullified from his citizenship. Dejectedly, he stood in the last of the line, looking at the seemingly never-ending queue before the municipality. Ardenia were special --a blessed kingdom, Leon thought. The exact of the history lost to him, but as far as he remember citizen of Ardenia were granted with a special blessing. The All-Encompassing Regeneration. It enable a instantaneous health regeneration, mind you it''s not like all powerful heal, but still a miraculous magic that could regenerate the sliced wound from sword under two minutes. The All-Encompassing Regeneration use all the inkling unspent mana of it''s citizen, for example a hunter with 0.25 mana/second regeneration could donate 0.1 mana/second regeneration to The All-Encompassing Regeneration, then when the hunter wounded, she would regenerate to her maximum health until her repository (-25% tax) were spent. The conversion about 1 mana for 9.3 health. Not much, but certainly help. Thus, becoming citizen of Ardenia were coveted, a sick person could held weeks until the healer arrived . Certainly, saving a many great deal of life. But perhaps the one who benefited most from becoming citizen of Ardenia were the Adventurer, with the regeneration overtime they could be less worried about death, it still possible to be killed with damaging the vital organ, mind you. But overall it were a great deal. However, sometimes the adventurer who "adventuring" too often, diminished their repository very fast, which became a lucrative niche market for certain merchants, who brokering the repository transfer between the "less dangerous" job to adventurer for quite sums of gold. The King not really mind the development, however the Council of Common were advocating 15% repository tax between transfer, so not to lost too much the healing energy within The All Encompassing Regeneration supposed there were need for emergency. The King were reluctant at first, but signed the law anyway. The Council judgment proven true when the calamity happened. The Royal Scholars and the High Anointed of the Grace were proposing to use The All Encompassing Regeneration prowess to invoke a purifying shield that shall kept the dark of calamity at bay. So when the world were drowned within the darkness, Ardenia becoming a safe haven of the remaining sentient, until with the interference of the Council of Concern, the chosen champions were given power to contain the calamity. Since then, Ardenia always hold a special place in the heart of sentient as the holy land. It is said the travelling acolyte and magician could still felt the remnant of the purifying shield around Arden, giving a calm, tranquil atmosphere that reminding them to the day when it had become the welcoming city of refuge. Chapter 6: First Stay "Well, dear sir, I believe you should see our little trade as a potential for you to gain 2 gold and 50 silver, instead those miserably, pessimistic, not to mention a tad bit rude perspective of yours that view the *ehm* generous me as a daylight robber." "Of course, little miss would be correct, if of course, somehow that flowery-sweet talking were worth half-price discount of my already generous service of comforting the down-trodden and weary traveler. I''m not meant to be rude, but the slander of half-price discount is simply insult to my craft and my family." *twitch* "Fine you Ox-faced brute! Here the deal, me and my party is the only customer that would come to your sorry excuse Inn for the rest of the day. This is a peasant district you oaf! 5 gold for a week is not what I call a reasonable price!" "Two can play that game, missy! Me inn is the only respectable inn ''ere, little missy should feel free to use other inn in this district, but don''t cry to those useless guard when little missy found you and your party belonging stolen under your nose! Fer measly 2 gold and 50 silvers, I can give you only 1 rooms!" "Fine! But I want free breakfasts and three additional bed for that room for the rest of two weeks!" "Two weeks? Bah! I can get you ten days at the most and breakfast will be stale bread, nothing more!" "But you will give me the larger room!" "Add 20 silvers to the table, lass!" "Done! However you, ''dear sir'', will give a decent breakfast!" "Barely-decent breakfast." "Deal!" "Deal!" *** "Wow... that''s... I don''t know..? Intense??" Said Evel still shocked after the what he could only call an epic battle? Well, more like an epic haggling, between Chiel and the innkeeper. Mia gave him a knowing wry smile, so it seems that her friend behavior were no news to her. "Good haggling lass, tho'' you still lack some refinement ''ere and there, nothin'' that experiences can''t fix." "Okay, please sign the haggling report, name here, initial here, signature here, what did I lack?" "Well for starter, you didn''t specify kind of bed that I would give to you, If I were no-good bastard, I could give you a child-sized bed, or worse bedbug-filled bed. Same with breakfast." "Aaargh!! The learning committee will slash my score! Goodbye blue band, *sniff*, I''d miss you." Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "Haha!! That''s experience lass! My mentor in tha'' guild call it experience is the best teacher ever existed! Tho'' it also the most expensive." Say the innkeeper chuckled. "Sigh, there''s no use to cry for spilt milk, thanks sir Al..fred Green?" "Call me Al." "Nice to meet you, I''m Chiel, this is Mia and Evel, my party-mate. There is one more, a swordman, Leon, he''ll come later." "Good to know you children, have a nice stay." *** "Okay, okay! What-just-happened?" Ask Evel glaring with curiosity at Chiel as three of them walking up the stairs. "Nothing much, we''re haggling." Said Chiel nonchalantly. "That''s not what I meant!" "What he meant is why you suddenly become friendly with the innkeeper that you called Ox-face, before, Chiel." Said Mia with a knowing smile. "Ah, I thought that were obvious?" "It''s NOT!" Harrumphed Evel. "Well, you know, hmm, how should I explain it.. Oh I know! Church have test for you to go up rank, right? Or adventurer must complete quest before promoted right?" "Yes, that is true.." "That''s what exactly what we have in merchant guild, but instead with a bloody battle like adventurer-type kind of quest or find your true self like church kind of quest, we have haggling, well more than haggling, we have how much profit that we generated compared to our capital, how fast we generate it, how good we assess a risk, how we react to opportunity and other kind merchant-related things. At the end of the year, all of our achievement were assessed by the learning committee before it''s decided whether we''ll go up a rank or not. That''s why all the merchant know that no one means what they say in haggling like that, because that we all do if we want to go up the rank." "I never knew that." "Well, it''s not really a secret, but no one spoke about that openly either." "Enough of that, Chiel, Evel. Now let us rest, we have a rough day ahead of us." Prologues and Notes Author Notes : I''m currently in progress revamping all the chapters because I realized all my characters were baad like totes bad (one dimensional, inconsistent, etc.). Well it''s not like there any reader though, ha ha. Anyway don''t expect a consistent update, I update when I feel like it :> This is a exercise writing for me, comment and critics are welcome :> *** His hazel eyes glancing the surrounding slowly whilst maintaining straight posture, no doubt a remnant of the training when he was still a lowly squire. A humbling tradition and honorable obligation that his exalted grandfather always love to regaled its importance with. His young self always thought it to be a nuisance that stood tall mocking, no... humiliate him for three whole summers. Before a three light sword taps upheld his position as Knight of the Realms and allow himself to took up his right. A tinge of metallic coldness brought him back. Out of habit, he spare himself a quick glance to the protruding diadem in his temple. Gleaming, with an everlasting shine that had stood through generations. Etched in its plate a sentence that begin to haunting him since the damned decision. "For the people" he shuddered. Perhaps by a stretch "for the greater good" justification and string of silver tongues fact-twisting of most notable courtier, could somehow justify. He closed his eyes and breath. He looked at the proud image of him; a combed straight hair, chiseled jaws, and a mean look for a face. Stood tall curtaining a disheveled boy with a contrite of hollow-looking eyes. The guilt has claim him, as promised by His Wizard. "You must continue." the boy sent his whisper, perhaps his last whisper, smiling. A smile that only could be given by a loving person in their deathbed; trying to easing the suffering of their loved one burden of letting them go, even though they themselves were assailed by the pain of intangible degree. The man gritted his teeth, and bit his tip of tongue ever so slightly, he had promised the boy he''d never cry for him. Even though he wished and always wished that he could share the pain of his other souls. His other self. But none of those thoughts matter now. Have it ever been? The day were moderately sunny with a thick humid iron vapor that always been left out in the site of battles. His army were wrecked. Half of his soldiers were crying. And two of his generals had recently tried to commit suicide. But he stood proud, never giving even the slightest to the promised grief nor guilt to creep up his face. Because that the way it ought to be. A smiling face greet him. Sitting on the countless dead. A young fellow in his twenty that shared his hazel eyes smiled to him. Beside him stood a man and a woman. Clad within a wizard robe she glared at him, if there is a hint of promised grief or guilt, that had all been wiped from her face since she saw him coming. Reaching at his sword, the man, or should he said, his teacher, the knight-commander of his squire days, showed him a pained look of understanding, he remembered the talk they had under the clear starry night, when the fifth constellation shining so brightly. He remembered how he tried to reason to his teacher and how his teacher tried to reason with him. But in the end his teacher duty and conscience prevailed, for the opposite reason that bear the same weight of his. "Your answer?" "To kill you." *** "This a story of a loving poet." I fallen in love with words; like so many foolish women and men before me Or it might that I fell for the freedom, that the word promised all its'' lover to be? Caged in mortal body I tried to spoke to the words to accept me But words never reply so I consoled the dream, the skies, the season, any that would give me answer; any. And of course, I consoled the more tangible thing like every fortune teller that had managed to passed my father contempt and scrutiny At one winter night, garbed in a rugged clothes; a whisper sent to me "Spare a dime, young sir..." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.Red in cheek, I threw a silver to him; grumbled for secretly hoping he was a mysterious man that sent the likes of me to a journey of destiny with a confusing wise word and weird-but-exciting reasons. The winter had been rough, and my trip had been a dread Suddenly a roar bellowed; and snow within snow race to me with a great trepidation In a glance I saw again his rugged clothes as the snow buried my people Does he have no fear of the promised guilt? In my what I assumed to be a dream two figures stood before me I recognized one in instant, for he had been portrayed in every town, city, and principality that had even one aspiring artist "His Wizard." [Your Sage, why have I been graced by your presence?] I brought myself ask [My spell is weakening, child.] He showed me his signature face; the gloom; the regret, and the similar trite of emotion that the people of the land said when he cast his last spell. When he cast the promised guilt. [Y-your Sage?] I found myself stammer at the horror beyond his word. I saw the gutted knife at my father stomach, the falling guillotine beheading my mother head, and the corpse -the flea ridden corpse!- of my sibling after they were died, left in gutter to rot and be ravished by the sewer rat, If His spell were ever fell. [The price for everlasting were to great] [Yet, it decided that someone must paid] [Would you shoulder the burden?] [And the consequences that befell after?] [Would you shoulder the burden?] [Knowing there would no one be loving you in the end?] [Would you shoulder the burden?] [For the littlest time, the slightest glance, the shortest meet with the one you love?] So here I am, in the death door, pierced by my own brother sword, laying on the heap of countless dead. I saw it. And I smiled. The ballad stopped. The room were silent. "S-so what happened?" A question could be heard. With a hoarse voice a gruff man managed to brave himself ask the question that everyone in the room had. All the eyes were falling into the smiling bard in the front. "The promised guilt held, as His Wizard promised." "That''s not all of it right? What happened to his highness? To His Wizard?" "I''m afraid that is the story for another time."