I was sitting in the Adventurer guild and drinking ale. In front of me was Hugo's magic hat. Grimsburg celebrated the victory and now people were rebuilding the town. Reinforcements arrived five days later and now were assisting in rebuilding town's wall and patrolling the area. I asked Mesmer to keep my name out of the official records, but too many people saw me fighting Hugo, and I was invited to the ceremony, which was meant to reward people who distinguished them during the battle.
Among the invited was Luara who was leading scouts and adventurer reinforcements, Trevor, who conquered the dungeon, and mages who protected Grimsburg after earthquake damaged town's walls.
Apparently earthquake was declared to be caused by natural causes, instead of Hugo's spell. Town lord decide not to acknowledge the power of the goblin, no matter how powerful he was.
I did not want to go to celebration. Blue skinned figure sat down at my table and I looked at djinn.
- Tanot, did not expect to see you here.
- I came to thank you for the advice. You were right. Goblins managed to get through my illusion spells and raided my house. They left such a mess, - he sighed.
- At least you are alive.
- Yes. I heard that we lost almost half of the people who protected Grimsburg. Most of them on the north wall.
- At least we won.
- That is true. What have you here? - he looked at the hat.
- You tell me. I stole it from the goblin leader, after Mesmer banished him.
Tanot took the hat and looked at it for a while. Then he sighed impressed.
- What you have there is one of the most powerful artifacts. It is called Spellcaster hat. It grants the user ability to cast any elemental spell. Even level five spells. Artifacts like that are on the level of national treasures.
- Sweat, - I sighed.
- You do not look happy?
- I am supposed to go to ceremony, tomorrow.
- Most people would be happy.
- Dozen gold coins would make me happy. Not being paraded in front of the townspeople. All I will get is pat on the shoulder. Who needs that?
Tanot laughed: - You are a strange one. But in a way I do understand you. I prefer quiet and safe life myself. But you will get more than a dozen coins, once you sell that hat.
- You are right about that, - I sighed again.
- Good luck in the award ceremony, and feel free to visit me anytime. I still owe you for the warning.
- Can you tell me how to increase my levels? Or skills? Even after I killed more than a hundred goblins my level did not increase. That's such a pain.
- Cannot help you with that. But I will think about it. I will let you know if I found out anything.
- Thanks.
Tanot left and I continued drinking, thinking about the hat. Should I sell it, or leave it to myself?
- Miss Avone? - receptionist Leone interrupted my thoughts: - There are several people here to see you. It is about the reward that you promised for their assistance in conquering the dungeon.
- What?
- Please follow me, - she smiled, and I sighed again. What reward? Who?
I shoved the hat inside my magic bag and followed Leone. She took me to the back room. Inside it were Trevor, Luara and Nelly. They greeted me with smiles, and Leone closed the door behind me.
- We were hoping to meet you here, - cheerfully said Nelly.
Ou, yeh. They did refuse the money and said that they want different reward. Wonder what it is. Maybe I could offer them Spellcaster hat?
- So have you decided what you want from me?
- We want to join your adventurer party! - they said simultaneously.At first I did not understand what they want. To my defense, that was not my first cup of ale.
- What? Why?
- Did you forget what we wrote to you in the letter? - smiled Luara.
They did leave me some letters after our party disbanded. And I burned them without reading them. So I did not forget about that.
- My time of service to the king has come to an end. Now, I am free to leave the royal knights and become adventurer again.
- Now that Grimsburg dungeon is destroyed I have no more reason to stay here, - added Luara.
- Me too, - joined Nelly: - I wish to increase my levels and now that Grimsburg dungeon is gone, best way to do it is by becoming an adventurer.
Are they kidding? I had no party. Nor I needed one. But I did promise them reward. I sighed, geesh that got soou complicated.
- Can I answer you after the ceremony? - one bad thing at a time, I decided.
- Sure, - nodded Nelly: - But do not forget, you promised, - she shook her finger at me.
- I keep my promises, - I yawned: - But let us survive the ceremony first.
Trevor smiled: - They are not as bad as you fear. I attended several, and I am fine.
- You got lucky. Those ceremonies are the worse.
- They are not so bad, - shrugged Nelly.
- That is what you think, - I grimaced. Am I the only sane person here?
- By the way guild master Mesmer wanted to talk to you, - said Nelly: - He asked me to take you to him. I was looking for you, when I met Trevor and Luara.
- More work, - I yawned again: - Fine, let's go.
- See you after the ceremony, - smiled Trevor.
- Sure.
Nelly cheerfully was talking about the battle, but I mostly did not hear her. I was sleepy and probably a little drunk.
Mesmer was inside his usual room and, after seeing me, asked Nelly to bring some water and fruits.
I fell on the couch and looked at him unpleasantly.
- You wanted to see me.
- Yes. Thank you for coming. I wanted to ask you about Hugo's hat. Do you know what it is?
- Yes, - I yawned, already bored.
- I see. It disappeared after the battle, but it is a powerful artifact. Capable of causing a lot of harm in the wrong hands.
- Like Hugo's? - I grinned.
- Yes, - he nodded seriously: - May I assume that you have it?
- Maybe?
- Have you decided what are you going to do with it?
Nelly returned and brought water and vase filled with fruits. That gave me time to think about it. I still did not decide what to do with Spellcaster hat.
- If you decide to sell. Please consider selling it to me, - said Mesmer after Nelly left.
- What if I decide to keep it.
- That is your right, and I will not abject to that.
Spellcaster hat was a powerful artifact, but it was equivalent of Wisdom skill, which I already had. I could sell it, not like I needed it. At least not right now.
- What if I want something else, not money?
- What exactly is it?
- What if I ask you to buy a farm and keep it under your name.
- I can do that, but why?
- I got myself seeds, which I want to plant. But I have no intention to become a farmer. Instead I want you to take care of them. You can keep half of the harvest. Keep it to yourself, pay taxes or sell it, I don't care. But I want half of the harvest kept for me. And my name must not be associated with your farm.
- Are those seeds valuable?
- They do not grove in Ashgrin. They can be used to make a drink, that I enjoy. Since you will be only one who groves them, they will be as valuable as you make them. Or as valuable as you can sell them.
- I see. I can arrange that. If that is all what you want?
- Make sure that Grimsburg mage guild must honor this deal as long as I am alive.
- I see. Well I do not mind. I will prepare the contract. What is the name of those seeds?
- They are called coffee seeds, and tree is called cofea.
I ate some pears and oranges, while Mesmer prepared the contract. It stated that Mages guild takes on itself an obligation to grow cofea trees and keep half of the harvest for me. Mages guild was also responsible for all costs of the farm keeping and payment of taxes in case of profits that the farm will bring. Contract also stated that trees or their saplings or seeds that can be used to grow them, must not be sold or given to anyone else. We signed two contracts and each of us got one. I handed over Spellcaster hat, and Mesmer nodded in gratitude.
- Thank you. You have no idea how much it means for me.
- I will stay for a while in Grimsburg and help you to grow first harvest, and show you what to do with the seeds. Life magic spells are useful in growing trees and plants. Let me know when the farm is ready.
- I will contact you through Adventurer guild, - nodded Mesmer.
Well, I got my coffee plantation. I was considering buying farm and slaves to run it myself. But it sounded like a lot of work, which I did not want. My deal with immortal Mesmer solved at least one of my problems.
* * *
Next day I arrived at the church. The biggest one in town, where heroes of the war were supposed to receive their gratitude from the town of Grimsburg. Crowd of people gathered in front of it. Not all people could fit inside, and most places were reserved for the nobles.
I put my hood on and sneaked through the crowd. The only reason I was here, was because adventurer guild master insisted that my absence will be an insult to the town lord. I took of my hood, and guards let me inside.
People were still coming in, and part of the seats were empty. I approached the altar in front of which the ceremony was supposed to take place.
Trevor, Luara and Nelly were already there, talking among themselves. I approached them. Safety in numbers and all that. As soon as I reached them bright light blinded me and I appeared in familiar realm of the gods. But this time I was not alone. Trevor, Luara and Nelly were there too. They looked around surprised, when goddess Theia appeared before as. She was sitting on her throne, shining and being all goddess like.
- Greetings in my palace brave heroes, - she greeted us.
Everyone except me kneeled down before her. I awkwardly bowed. Was I supposed to kneel as well?
- I am Theia, goddess of the light. I wanted to thank you for stopping goblin warlord Hugo and his army. Sadly their leader was only defeated and imprisoned, but spell that imprisoned him will not last forever.
I already knew that. Mesmer used his Time stasis spell that imprisoned Hugo - somewhere. My whole strategy was oriented on that. Remove any resistance from magic and then, when he is vulnerable, imprison him using Time-stasis spell. But not even Mesmer knew how long will the spell last. My best bet was at least a century.
- Hugo will be freed in four years.
So, not a century then. Well not my problem. I was paid to stop him, and stopping him I did.
- Sadly, I must ask for your help in stopping this monster. Freed from the spell that imprisoned him, I am afraid, that he will continue his evil deeds. In order to stop him I will grant you powerful skills of your choosing. If your adventurer party agree to stop him?
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I wanted to object that we were not adventurer party. And if she wanted Hugo dead, then why not use Grimsburg army.
- We will do what we can, - bowed Trevor.
- Why not use Grimsburg army? - I gave voice to my inner thoughts.
- Sadly Hugo is close to his next evolution. If he manages to evolve, he will become even more powerful. Using soldiers to fight him could bring forth a disaster.
Well I did have one free skill slot free, and I could not fill it without some divine help. But fighting that monster goblin? He almost killed me last time. And four years was not that much time to get stronger. Not for me at least.
- I see your doubts adventurer, - looked at me Theia: - What if I tell you that few months later you will have an opportunity to grow stronger? If you follow my advice.
That sounded better.
- What do you think? - I looked at Nelly and Luara.
- I agree, - nodded Luara.
- Me too, - Nelly got up and stepped forward: - I will do what I can to stop that warlord.
- Thank you brave souls. Brave warrior I will grant you Light magic skill that will aid you in your battles to come.
Trevor bowed again. He was still on his knee.
- You panther-woman, I will grant Shapeshifting skill. I believe you know about it?
- Yes! Thank you goddess, - bowed Luara, who also was still kneeling.
- What about you archmage? What skill do you desire?
- I want a skill that will help me to see in the dungeon.
- Good. Then I will award you with All seeing eye skill.
At least it was not Night vision skill.
- Nelly's All seeing eye skill is additional skill right? - I asked, just in case.
- Yes, according to the classification that used sage Norris. And what about you elf? What skill do you desire?
So many choices. I was not prepared for it.
- How about Light magic skill? - I asked first thing that came to my mind. I had Demon style martial arts skill, and Light magic skill should balance my demonic skill nicely: - And could you give us enough life force to evolve one level?
- I can do that, - nodded goddess: - But just one level. And if you wish to get stronger further then go to Adventurer guild two month from now. Remember you all, you have exactly four years to prepare and return to Grimsburg if you leave.
Bright light again blinded me and we returned to the church. I swear, I will stop going to these places. Every god dammit time something unexpected happens in them.
No one around us noticed anything unusual, and ceremony continued without interference.
Town lord Frederick gave a speech, that contained our accomplishments and we all were awarded with a medal. Then we were forced to go outside, where Frederick repeated his speech for the rest of the people. Everyone cheered and clapped, welcoming the heroes, but all I wanted to do was to cover my face with my hood and get away. Finally the ceremony ended, and town lord announced the victory celebration. That included free food and wine that he prepared. I told my friends to meet me in Adventurer guild and used my Conceal spell to get away. All these ceremonies and goddesses were exhausting.
Next day we all met in Adventurer guild main room, and I asked Leone's permission to use leveling crystal. She was surprised, since most of us used it after the battle, but did not object. She opened for us the leveling room and we went inside.
- You should use the crystal, - I nodded at it: - If the goddess kept her word you will be able to increase your levels.
- I thought that it was a dream, - said Nelly, but approached the crystal. She put her hands on it, and familiar words and numbers appeared in the air:
Human, LV 29 - 30
Name - Nelly;
Job: Archmage;
Status:
Health: 35;
Mana: 580-620;
Strength: 17;
Defense: 14;
Spell power: 14 - 15;
Luck: 1;Speed: 7;
Morale: Neutral
Skills:
Earth magic (Advanced);
Water magic (Advanced);
Air magic (Advanced);
Fire magic (Advanced):
Wisdom (Advanced);
Mana rapid recovery (Advanced);
Increased maximum mana points (Advanced);
Intelligence (Advanced):
Lesser mana use (Basic);
All seeing eye (Novice)
Possible skill acquirement:
- All seeing eye (Basic);
- Lesser mana use (Advanced);
Please choose one skill!
Her skills and stats were impressive. As high as mine, and I was ten levels above her. And most of her skills were at advance level as well.
Nelly chose to increase her All seeing eye skill, and Luara took her place.
Panther girl, LV 9 - 10
Name - Luara;
Job: Scout;
Status:
Health: 23 - 24;
Mana: 180 - 190;
Strength: 3;
Defense: 3;
Spell power: 6;
Luck: 1;
Speed: 6;
Morale: Neutral
Skills:
Foresight (Basic);
Scouting (Basic);
Martial arts (Advanced);
Hunting (Advanced);
Tracking (Basic);
Butchery (Basic);
Trap detection (Basic);
Infantryman (Basic);
Night vision (Advanced);
Dual wielding (Novice)
Shapeshifting (Novice)
Possible skill acquirement:
- Dual wielding (Basic);
- Trap detection (Advanced);
Please choose one skill!
Luara's skills comparing to Nelly's were on the lower side, but her skills were perfect for a scout. She chose to increase her Dual wielding skill, that would have been my choice as well.
Next was Trevor. I was curious about his skills after his job change and his six years employment as a royal knight. He used the crystal. I looked at his numbers and decided that I did expected more from his stats.
Human, LV 18 - 19
Name - Trevor;
Job: Knight;
Status:
Health: 19 - 20;
Mana: 180 - 190;
Strength: 12 (+3=15);
Defense: 14 (+1=15);
Spell power: 5;
Luck: 1;
Speed: 5 (+1=6);
Morale: Neutral
Skills:
Lumberjack (Novice);
Herb gathering (Basic);
Increased strength (Advanced);
Swordsmanship (Advanced);
Weapons master (Novice);
Night vision (Advanced);
Magic resistance (Basic);
Knight (Basic);
Increased speed (Basic);
Armorer (Novice);
Light magic (Novice);
Possible skill acquirement:
- Weapons master (Basic);
- Magic resistance (Advanced);
Please choose one skill!
At least his Increased strength and Armorer increased his stats using percentage. So as higher his stats go as more his skills will help. But his level was only nineteen now. He missed his chance to jump the level cup, which was bad.
- You should choose Magic resistance, - I advised after seeing his hesitation. He nodded and chose the skill.
- Please wait me outside I asked.
They looked at me with surprise, but went outside. I used leveling crystal and looked at my stats:
High elf, LV 10 - LV 11
Name - Avone;
Job: Ranger;
Status:
Health: 130 - 131;
Mana: 390 - 400;
Strength: 9;
Defense: 5;
Spell power: 15;
Luck: 1;
Speed: 7 (+3=10);
Morale: Neutral
Skills:
Archery (Advanced);
Night vision (Advanced);
Mana rapid recovery (Novice);
Magic resistance (Advanced);
Wisdom (Basic);
Earth magic (Advanced);
Butchery (Advanced);
Water magic (Novice);
Air magic (Basic);
Intelligence (Advanced);
Fire magic (Novice);
Life magic (Basic);
Swordsmanship (Advanced);
Increased speed (Basic);
Throwing (Basic);
Hunting (Novice);
Weapons master (Basic);
Primordial magic (Basic);
Dual wielding (Novice);
Demon style martial arts (Novice);
Double skill slots;
Light magic (Novice)
Possible skill acquirement:
- Dual wielding (Basic);
- Demon style martial arts (Basic);
Please choose one skill!
My stats were better than Trevor's or Luara's, but Nelly will leave me behind. Good for her. I increased my Demon style martial arts skill and went outside.
- Can we use one of the rooms? - I asked Leone.
- Of course, - she nodded. She took us to the back room and told us to let her know, when we were finished.
- So are we the adventurer party now? - asked Nelly as soon as Leone left.
- Not yet, - I sighed: - If you want to join my unexisting party then there will be conditions, for all of you.
- What conditions? - asked surprised Nelly.
- For you? You must register as an adventurer and go to capitol. There you must go to Adventurer academy and learn a warrior skill.
- Warrior skill? But I am a mage. And I already have ten skills.
- The goddess granted you not tenth skill, but eleventh skill. You should have noticed that Trevor and Luara had eleven skills. That is called additional skill. It is so to say skill number eleven, that only gods can award you.
- Ou, I did no notice that they have eleven skills.
- We do, - nodded Luara.
- I see.
- And you need warrior skill to learn how to protect yourself in case if you're magic does not work. And you must also learn how to cast your skills while you are moving. Running away, for example. You will have six month for that. Understood?
- Yes, - she seriously nodded.
- Trevor, you will accompany Nelly and stay in the capitol with her. Your task is to learn Light magic spell.
- I will learn all of them, - he nodded.
- No. Not all of them. Choose two or three, but you must be able to use them while you are fighting. If you cannot do that, then Light magic skill will be useless to you. In time you will learn more spells, but for now you must prove that you will be able to use them in battle.
- I see. I never considered it.
- I have. And I learned how to do that even before I got my magic skills, so it is possible, as long as you train hard enough. Luara you will also accompany them. You must learn Dispel, Haste, Protection from fire and Magic arrow spells. They all are level one spells, but just like Trevor you must be able to use them during the battle. If you all can do that, only then I will accept you as my party members.
- What will you do, until then? - asked Luara.
- You heard the goddess. I will stay in Grimsburg. In order to get stronger I must stay here. I will wait for you eight month. Counting the time that you will need to reach the capitol, and for Nelly to attend the Adventurer guild. We will meet then here, or not, depending on your successes.
- Very well, - Trevor stud up: - We will not fail you.
Nelly and Luara got up as well.
- Very well party leader, - grinned Luara: - We accept your challenge.
- I will definitely improve my casting and get the best warrior skill.
- Good then. You all got a magic gem after our dungeon visit. So you should have enough money to last you eight month. Train hard if you wish to defeat Hugo. We left the room and I found Leone.
- Can I talk to you, about an artifact?
- Of course. Should I call guild master?
- Probably, - I scratched the back of my head.
- I will do that. Please wait me in the back room.
I nodded and went back. The real reason why I needed time and stayed in Grimsburg was my coffee plantation. But others did not need to know that.
I took out reaper scythe and put it on the table.
- How can I help our hero? - asked Fiord entering the room, but chocked on his words, after seeing the Scythe: - Is that?..
- Floor guardian' weapon. It belonged to reaper of souls. Can you sell it in the auction?
He exhaled and carefully took the weapon.
- I will need to confirm that it is genuine. But knowing you, I do not doubt that. It will earn you a lot of money.
- Good. Just do not forget to keep my name out of it.
- It will take some time to arrange auction for an artifact of this level.
- This time I am interested in earning money so take as much time as you need. I will stay in Grimsburg for a while, so I can wait.
- I will make sure you get as much as possible, - promised dwarf.
I liked the sound of that. After my business in Adventurer guild was over I went to my familiar weapon shop. Even after twelve years my memory did not fail me and I easily found Ashurga's shop.
Weaponsmith was sitting behind the counter, sharpening one of the blades.
- Gods and Holy maidens! - he screamed after noticing me: - The town hero herself blessed my shop, by coming here.
- Pipe down old geezer. Are you running a weapon shop or rumor mill?
He grinned and jumped down from the chair.
- Expected to see you sooner, after heard that you returned to town?
- Figured that you will be busy. With war and stuff.
- You're right about that. Getting old for all night work hours. Had to take a rest, after making weapons for townies.
- Are you free now?
- Depends. Do you have something interesting for me?
- Can you work with artifacts?
- Got myself Runesmith skill. So depends on the artifact?
I took out Armor slasher and showed it to dwarf. He looked at it from all sides, but shook his head.
- Can clean it for you, but no more than that. Such weapon is beyond my skills.
- Fine, make me also a sheath for it. Something that I could wear both on my belt and behind back.
- Can do that laddy.
- Also, I need you to take care of the rest of my weapons. Some of the adamantium plates inside my vest were damaged and my chainmail needs fixing too, - I took out my vest and placed my three daggers, sword and chainmail on the table.
- You took good care of them. Not much work will be needed, - said Ashurga after examining my weapons. Then he examined my vest. Years ago he turned it into kind of a brigandine, by placing adamantium plates under it and covering it with a second layer of leather on the inside. Adamantium was strongest known non enchanted metal, but to Ashurga's surprise some of the adamantium plates were damaged or dented.
- You took it through hell, - he sighed. Next was my chainmail. Most of the damage it received after my battle with Hugo. His sword almost cut through it and damaged several metal rings. My chainmail was made from orichalcum. It was not as durable as adamantium, but much better than steel.
- I will need adamantium or orichalcum to fix them, and also help from someone who can work with leather armor. But I do not have necessary metals for the job.
- That is not a problem, - I took out koshey's armor from my magic bag: - Use this. Also I want you to remove silver plating from my chainmail and use adamantium to cover the chainmail instead.
Surprised Ashurga examined the armor and looked at me:
- You sure you want me to melt it down? The armor is enchanted. Ones I melt it down, it will lose all magic properties?
- I am sure. I will also need one hundred and twenty adamantium arrows. That should be five quivers full of arrows. I will also need five quivers with steel arrows. From the rest make adamantium blocks that I can use as money. The same way you did last time. Keep some of the adamantium blocks, as payment. If that is fine with you?
- More than fine, - happily agreed Ashurga: - But it will take me at least a month and a half, maybe even two, to finish everything?
- How long to take care of my sword and daggers?
- Can clean and sharpen them by tomorrow. Three more days for your new sword and sheath for it.
- Then start with my weapons. I will pick them up tomorrow.
- As you wish.
- Good.I used up all my orichalcum and steel arrows during the siege, and needed replacements. Adamantium arrows were heavier, than orichalcum arrows, but I had no orichalcum anyway.
Ashurga looked at his shelves and sighed.
- And here I wanted to offer you some of my magic swords, but I should have known better.
I looked around. Some of the sword had runes on them. Probably they had some magic properties. But I did not need them.
- Maybe some other time.
- Other time it is, - agreed the dwarf.
