CH.145 Mage Power and United we Stand
<span style="font-weight:400">“Is that an imp?” Jonathan asked, as he looked at the monster I summoned to be his opponent.
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yep. Something like that.” I responded, as I’m not actuallypletely sure that is the correct term for my monster. “It’s not that strong, but if you can take it down easily, I can summon something stronger.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, I guesspared to a goblin, this thing is a true monster. Perhaps I should have summoned Goblin Calligrapher instead.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh. Then I shall take this imp down quickly.” Jonathan said, before taking a stance in the middle of the training grounds.
<span style="font-weight:400">I ordered Winged Minion to stand about 10 meters away from him. I also added amand to not use any lethal techniques. If he does get hurt, I’ll summon Dancing Fairy to heal him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Madam Paulina. Are you sure this is fine?” Jonathan’s instructor asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It should be.” She said. “If even half of what I’ve heard about Brian is true, nothing bad will happen to Jonathan.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m more worried about Jonathan winning. I believe he might get egotistical if he wins.” The instructor said. “He has already been pushing us to take him outside to hunt some real monsters.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... wait what?” I caught onto what the instructor said. “Is this his first time fighting a monster?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes it is.” The instructor answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... okay. Wish I’d known that earlier. I would have summoned a goblin instead.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“How many different summons do you have?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... like 300 or something.” I said. I honestly have no idea, but I know it’s a lot. My collection, at the moment, has 894 unique entries.<sup ss="modern-footnotes-footnote " data-mfn="1"></sup><span ss="modern-footnotes-footnote__note" data-mfn="1">[Extra copies from the same set are not unique entries. 7 copies of ck Dragon’s Chick from SOD still just count as one.] Sure, some of them are the same monster from different sets, like my three different Blue-Eyes White Dragons, but still.<sup ss="modern-footnotes-footnote " data-mfn="2"></sup><span ss="modern-footnotes-footnote__note" data-mfn="2">[Whereas the same monster from different sets does get a unique entry.] And, of course, some of them are spell and trap cards.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Three hundred? That has to be a joke, right?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It probably isn’t.” Alice said. She has seen me open massive amounts of packs, so she might have an idea of just how many unique monsters I’ve pulled.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Begin.” The instructor said to start the, well I was going to say the practice match, but I said it would be fine if Jonathan killed Winged Minion. Not like I put a sleeve on it in the first ce, so I’ll lose the card either way.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a short chant, Jonathan yelled out: “Fire Arrow!” to shoot his first spell.
<span style="font-weight:400">Seeming the attacking, Winged Minion quickly jumped to the side, using the momentum from the jump with his wings to fly into the air. From there, he made a beeline for Jonathan.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fire, make a wall to protect me. Fire Wall.” Jonathan casted a spell that made a wall of fire between Winged Minion and him.
<span style="font-weight:400">My minion had topletely extend its wings out to stop in time so as to not crash into the wall. But Jonathan wasn’t waiting and instead was already chanting his next spell.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fire, Barrage of arrows, attack my enemy, Fire Arrow Barrage.” Jonathan chanted.
<span style="font-weight:400">A dozen fire arrows appeared around him, before piercing his own fire wall and attacking my monster behind it. While most of them missed, two of them still hit their mark on my monster.
<span style="font-weight:400">I looked at the card in my hand. I hadn’t used my duel disk, as I thought I wouldn’t need it. And I can transfer a card from my hand to my duel disk as well. The card had some burn damage, showing the damage my minion took from that attack. It’s the one advantage that cards without a sleeve or a toploader have, they show the damage the monster is taking.
<span style="font-weight:400">Still covered from Jonathan’s view by the fire wall, Winged Minion jumped off the ground soaring into the sky. Probably expecting to see the corpse of my monster, Jonathan let the fire wall die down.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... did I do it?” He asked, as he didn’t see the monster. I guess summoned monsters disappear after they take enough damage, so he might have assumed that happened with mine.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Above you!” Alice called out to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">I almost wish she didn’t, as that would be a good show of himcking experience. Jonathan saw that my minion has wings. He saw that it could fly. He should have realized that it might have flown into the air.
<span style="font-weight:400">Jonathan turned his gaze towards the sky, just to see Winged Minion charging right at him. My minion was on a suicide mission to get a hit in before the wounds from the fire arrows dealt him in.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fi- Fire arrow.” The surprised Jonathan managed to shoot off a spell before my minion crashed into him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The arrow might not have had the power of the first fire arrow he shot, but it hit my charging minion in the head and pierced into it. That caused my minion to start vanishing into specks of light, just like its card in my hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">Standing in the middle of the specks of light, Jonathan almost looked like an angel. Or perhaps Minecraft Steve after taking down the Ender Dragon. Yeah. Definitely that. The specks of light are the exp he just gained. I will not ept another exnation.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I … I won?” Jonathan seemed to ask.
<span style="font-weight:400">After he said that, I found myself joining the apuse that his teacher started.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, yes you did. Well done.” The teacher said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I DID IT!” Jonathan yelled out.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Want to try a stronger one?” I asked Jonathan.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... thank you, but no. I … I feel tired, so I would like to rest for the day.” He said back, sounding perhaps a bit scared. Well, just a few secondster with thatst fire arrow and he would have been on the receiving end of a suicide charge.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, if you feel like going again, just ask.” I told him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you. I will.” Jonathan said before leaving the training grounds with his teacher and the maid.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, the training ground is all ours now, so let’s get to work.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Does that mean you have an actual n?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, of course I do. You’ll be showing me as many of those cards as possible. And I’ll be sure to write down all of it. I’m sure you have something in there that can help me take on Mariina.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh. So that’s how it is. I’m just a means to an end for you. Not happening.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, no. Of course not. But I would still appreciate the help.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, I guess I could use a test subject.” I said back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I didn’t agree to that.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It should make you stronger.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then Yes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wow. That was easy. Let’s start then.” I said. “Alice, you first.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.” Alice responded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why does she get to go first?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because I promised her something so I already know what I’m going to do.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh. I see.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">I pulled Mage Power out of the collection.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you ready?” I asked Alice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. Please do it.” She responded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Install.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The card entered Alice’s body.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ahh.” Alice let out a small moan as the instation was going on. Is that even the right word in this situation?
<span style="font-weight:400">“Brian. What did you do?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I installed a card into her. Theoretically, it should grant her a new skill.” I answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then why is she moaning like that?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because the mana surge thates with it feels good. Like really good.” I answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm. I see.” Paulina said. “Can you do one for me?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll think about it.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">After the install waspleted, Alice took some deep breaths to calm down.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alice, how are you feeling?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. It felt really good.” She said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please check your status.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Status open.” Alice said.
<span style="font-weight:400">I actually meant for her to just check it herself, but she instead just opened it up.
<table style="border-copse:copse;width:50.2513%;height:240px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Name: Alice Watchman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Race: Human</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Level: 11</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">HP: 190</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Mana: 790</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Strength: 95</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Defense: 125</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Magic: 505</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Skills:</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Card Summoner LV.1 (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Magician’s Power LV.1 (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Dark Magic LV.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Mana Control LV.5 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Magic Boost LV.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Quick Cast LV.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Fast Mana Recovery LV.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-weight:400">She got an extra skill from that. And unlike my Health Conscious, that one has a level, so it can level up.
<span style="font-weight:400">(Laura, do you know what Magician’s Power does?) I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">(I have limited ess to information about extra skills. You should ask Miss Alice.) Laura said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... she has two extra skills?” Paulina looked at Alice’s status.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It would appear so.” I said. “Alice, do you know what Magician’s Power does?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wait a second.” Alice said. She then opened the information about the skill.
<table style="border-copse:copse;width:50.2513%;height:65px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Magician’s Power: Increases the power of spells used in session with either your own spells or the spells of other people close by, with no additional mana cost.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-weight:400">Okay. That seems super good. Power up to all spells with no additional mana cost. And all you have to do is spam out spells.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... did she just gain that skill?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. Thank you Brian.” Alice said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“DO ME NEXT!” Paulina turned to me and yelled.
<span style="font-weight:400">… out of context much.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry, but I can’t. I only had one Mage Power.” I said to Paulina.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then something else, please.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll look into what I have. But I have something for myself first.” I said.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Install.” I said as I held United We Stand to my chest.
<span style="font-weight:400">As soon as I did, the wave of pleasure rolled over me. God, I wish I could tone it down a bit. I bit my lip lightly, so I wouldn’t let out any unnecessary sounds.
<span style="font-weight:400">But again, it wasn’t as bad as it wasst time, so perhaps I’m getting used to it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Now, my status.
<table style="border-copse:copse;width:45.2261%;height:595px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Name: Brian Wood</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Race: Human !</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Level: 38</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">HP: 970</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Mana: 1110</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Strength: 295</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Defense: 515</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Magic: 355</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Skills:</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Pack Opener LV.4 (unique)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:24px">
<td style="width:100%;height:24px"><span style="font-weight:400">Telekinesis LV.1 (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Summoner’s Unity LV.2 (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Dungeon Founder (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Summon Water Spirit (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Health Conscious (extra)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Mana Control LV.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Shining Taunt LV.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Water Spirit’s Blessing (Greater)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Language Comprehension (humanoid)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-weight:400">… so Summoner’s Protection evolved into Summoner’s Unity? Let’s see what this new skill does.
<table style="border-copse:copse;width:50.2513%;height:41px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width:100%"><span style="font-weight:400">Summoner’s Unity: Boosts Strength, Defense and Magic
while you control a summoned monster.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-weight:400">Okay. So it’s just all stats up while I have a monster summoned. Nice.
<span style="font-weight:400">(It is considered to be thebined version of Summoner’s Power, Summoner’s Protection and Summoner’s Magic.) Laura said to me. (As a skill that is thebination of three extra skills, it is quite powerful.)
<span style="font-weight:400">(... I thought you didn’t have ess to the information about extra skills.)
<span style="font-weight:400">(I do, if Master has the skill.) Laura said.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Brian, did it seed?” Alice asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes it did. One of my skills evolved.” I answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Evolved? Which one? And what is it called now?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Summoner’s Protection evolved into Summoner’s Unity.” I answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Summoner’s Unity? The skill of the first summoner? Is that even possible?” Paulina wondered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, it happened so it is. But did the first summoner have it?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, ording to legends. But no other summoner has ever had it since.” Paulina said. “No one knows how you can even get it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, it seems to be abination of Summoner’s Power, Summoner’s Protection and Summoner’s Magic, so you probably have to have all three of them.” I theorized. Of course, I conveniently jumped over that problem.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... so you say it is abination of three extra skills? That only a summoner can have. I see…” Paulina said. “Perhaps if I report this, they will acknowledge me as a great witch.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... wouldn’t that be dishonest?” Alice asked. “I mean, you learned about it from Brian. You can’t just report it as if you had figured that out on your own.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well technically, I learned it from Laura.” I admitted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So it''s fine.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I didn’t say that.” I countered. “And honestly, are you really going to take the easy way out? Just because you are recognized as a great witch, that doesn’t mean you can beat your sister.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...” Paulina went quiet.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And even if you get recognized as a great witch, you’ll always know you did it with stolen information.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... but, what can I really do?” Paulina asked. “Mariina is said to be the greatest golemancer of our generation and there is a chance she will get recognized as a sage. If that happens, there is no way I can catch up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why?” I asked. “Just be a sage yourself.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... there is no way I can. That’s impossible.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why? What makes it so impossible?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...” She didn’t answer.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So you can’t think of a reason, huh. I see how it is.” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you mean?” Alice asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“She doesn’t actually want to beat her sister.” I said to Alice. “She just acts like she does.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, that’s not…” Paulina attempted to say.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then why are you trying to take the easy way? You know you can’t beat your sister if you do that, but you still think about doing it.” I told her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“But… I’ll never be able to … master everything. And learn telekinesis.” Paulina muttered.
<span style="font-weight:400">Telekinesis? Is that what this is about? I guess Lua did say it is a requirement to be recognized as a sage, but I’m not sure that is actually true.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If that is your problem, why not just ask for help from someone who has telekinesis?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I would, but the sages will only take a great witch or wizard as an apprentice.” Paulina said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And that is why you were thinking of a shortcut, huh. I see.” I said. “But you know, there are people who are not sages that know how to use telekinesis.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are there?” Paulina asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... did you not look at my status at all when I showed it to you?” I asked. “I can use telekinesis.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“But your mana control was level 1. There is no way, right? You just have the skill, but can’t actually use it, can you?” Paulina theorized.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Who decided that?” I asked. (Laura. We are showing her telekinesis. And we are lifting her off the ground.) I decided.
<span style="font-weight:400">I have never actually lifted a person before, but fuck it. If I say I can do it, then I can do it.
<span style="font-weight:400">(As you wish, Master.) Laura agreed.
<span style="font-weight:400">I focused all of my might into the two skills that are necessary for this, and lifted Paulina off the ground. Just a bit thought, in case I lose focus and drop her.
<span style="font-weight:400">After holding her in the air for a few seconds, I gently lowered her back to the ground. After I did, she fell to her hands and knees.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, who can’t actually use telekinesis?” I asked Paulina.
<span style="font-weight:400">“.... please… Please teach me.” Paulina said. Her voice was a bit weak and waivered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Much better. Now you are ready to learn. Let’s get started.” I said.