Chapter 73: Druidic Magic (2)

[Arcane-Light Lance has reached level 10]

[Reached the maximum proficiency of a Tier 2 spell: Rewarding 2 skill points.]

[Arcane-Light Lance Armament has reached level 10]

[Reached the maximum proficiency of a Tier 2 spell: Rewarding 2 skill points.]

Waking up, Rainer now knew all he needed to do was have [Arcane-Spatial Manipulation] reach level 2, and [Voidwalker] would likely reach level 10, if not more.

Rainer saw Kara was still in meditation and, leaving Theodore and Elru to guard her room, decided to head out and explore. Both the undead and Fae quite happy with their stack of scrolls to read over.

Gunthar joined Rainer, who had Luna in his pocket, to take up Furtak’s offer for learning Druidic Magic. Though, only Rainer would be truly attempting to learn it.

Furtak waited right outside the scroll room.

“It is down this way.”

They followed Furtak’s lead as they headed deeper into the Mansion. Rainer manipulated the gravity around himself with [Arcane-Spatial Manipulation]. Other than the ease at which he could do it, as it was now affected by not only his large Arcane Bonus but also [Voidwalker]’s class bonus, he still didn’t understand what had changed.

Furtak noticed the magic Rainer used but didn’t feel the need to ask any questions. He just assumed it was some sort of defensive spell. True trust would take a far longer time to build, he thought.

They eventually reached a staircase leading downwards. Rainer soon realized they weren’t heading to a basement but another cave system. A single wolf waited at the bottom.

[Lupin, Male, Ice Wolf Alpha lvl 9]

“Druidic Magic at its base is communication with Nature. With plants like the [Auer’s Moss], with ordinary beasts, and with Monsters. With enough power, I can control certain monsters, but some are intelligent enough to where negotiation can be a better alternative. Otherwise controlling such a horde would not be possible.”

He wondered that different from Earth’s scientific view if beings like Goblins and Humans weren’t included in definition of Nature. Or, if then the Druidic language could provide a hint in how the Fae skill for translation worked.

“What were you trying to accomplish with those Yeti you sent out ahead of time?” Rainer asked. He hoped Furtak wouldn’t ask if he had anything to do with them. Even with his confidence in lying, he’d rather it be left unsaid.

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“A technique the Great Sage learned from a Demon-“

“Padding,” Rainer responded. Furtak was quite surprised by Rainer’s knowledge of the tactic.

“My second class, a [Druid], is at level 9. And of course, I always desire for my [Fire Sage] class to level. Though, with the Tier 6 [Inferno], eventually I will not have to worry about leveling my main class any longer.”

Rainer just recalled why Tier 4 spells were important. Their experience was key for crossing the gap from level 20 to 25 for the First Tier of a Mage Class. He had never personally experienced this gap or truly any such barriers due to the nature of how he leveled. But he imagined for most the severely increasing experience required would be a major issue.

“I thought perhaps I would never level [Fire Sage] again before my death. You gave me such a hope. “

A strange string of sounds and words came from Furtak’s mouth as he spoke with the Wolf in front of him.

Rainer used [Arcane Sight] to see the magic and carefully listened. His true goal was to try and recreate the language to listen to in [Sleep Learning]. And then use that to learn it.

“Our closeness to Monsters helps us learn the language. In truth, other than listening to it and then practicing by making the [Auer’s Moss] brighter or dimmer, I know not how to teach it. It is almost…instinctive. I shall ask this one to deliver a message to his Queen, about your Unicorn.”

Rainer watched and listened attentively to the flow of Mana in Furtak’s body and the strange magical sounds of the language.

As the Wolf ran off, deeper into the caverns, Rainer spoke, “Can he truly understand all that?” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“No. He can carry and relay the message, but among the Wolves, only their Queen truly has the intelligence to converse at our level. I asked her to come as well, thinking you’d be interested in meeting her. Perhaps she may offer some insight into Druid Magic.”

“She can?”

“Her mother taught the Great Sage before he spread it to us. We still have much to learn.”

“So, your cooperation with them is a willing one?”

“They do not wish to see humans go north, past the mountain range, any more than we do. We have only tolerated their border town as we do not yet see a reason to engage in open war.”

“Theodore, one of my companions, will be staying in the North as we travel. If the situation changes you can contact me, and we can deal with them ahead of time.”

“I do not mind letting the operations get started and ignore them for the time being as you’ve suggested. But there is a problem. If they do not understand how to properly gather Magicite.”

“What do you mean? And as far as I know the method is something the Arachne have kept secret from the Mage Guilds.”

Furtak sighed.

“We shall wait and see, but we might have to remove them sooner than you think. When Mana crystals grow in enough number, Magicite is formed in the center of such growth. It is a gas within some of the crystals. If they haphazardly mine the Mana Crystals….”

“They’ll waste it. But if you act too aggressively now they’ll gather the support of other Mage Guilds. I plan on heading south and getting the support of other Rogue Mages toward my goal as well as making myself stronger. Until then…”

They headed back up the stairs toward the mansion. It wasn’t that Furtak trusted Rainer’s support in the matter. He simply agreed, that if all the Mage Guilds became aware of the Mana Crystals and moved North, he wouldn’t have a chance at winning.

“Would you like to see the city? Word has already spread of a Mage my equal in strength visiting. You should be fine to walk and explore the city freely. I’ll send word for anyone to give you what you need, and I’ll cover the trade.”

“That would be pleasant.”

--

After seeing if Kara wished to join him, Rainer headed out on Furtak’s suggestion. Kara said she was close to leveling her skill and wished to remain in the room. So, with Gunthar and Luna using a Glamour to appear as a silver bird on his shoulder, Rainer went out of the Mansion.

Furtak stayed in the scroll room working with his apprentices to copy the tomes of magic. Waiting as well to greet the Wolf Queen if she came.

Rainer stepped out of the mansion and toward a new and strange city. For perhaps the first time, Rainer felt he was truly exploring a different world. Nalmar had been a ghost town, and Grimlar’s Pass didn’t feel too foreign.

But an underground city lit by glowing moss and inhabited by short green individuals was a different story.

He welcomed the short reprieve from his responsibilities.

“Where are we heading first?” Gunthar asked. He would be maintaining [Soul Detection] and [Magic Detection] the entire time. For an undead like him, it wasn’t a tiring thing. Theodore was doing the same near Kara and Elru.

Rainer was mostly sure of Furtak’s good intentions, but he wouldn’t drop his guard.

Will I ever again, be able to drop my guard?

He thought to himself. Any Armament spell wouldn’t be strong against any opponents he truly needed to be on guard against, at least at his current Mana capacity. He thought of [Arcane Awakening] and a possible way to keep it always active.

Right now, he kept it at its lowest, and while at such a price he could almost keep it indefinitely, it took a toll on his mind.

“Rainer?” Gunthar spoke again.

Leaving his thoughts, Rainer responded, “Furtak talked about a racing track. They race various monsters and place bets, seems interesting enough,” Even though Furtak already spread the word for any establishments to charge him in place of the visiting Human; he still received some currency.

Rainer was quite surprised that it was the same as in Grimlar’s pass. Copper and Silver coins with a small magical mark on them to note they were official. Furtak told Rainer this idea of trade, using a separate currency fascinated the Great Sage when he had visited other places. So, he implemented the idea for the tribes, creating their own, but still similar, type of mark.

The mark took just enough effort to make so that attempts at counterfeiting weren’t worth it.

“I had some other plans, though I hadn’t expected Kara to be so entranced in her practice. I’m surprised you were willing to come with me.”

“She was stuck on level 8 of [General Aura Meditation] for such a long time as she put it,” Gunthar grumbled.

“I’m guessing it was just long for her?”

“Yes, according to her it was the first time she met with any real obstacle. I would not take it personally.”

Rainer waved him off. He didn’t in the slightest. He was no different when it came to his interests.

“So, what about you?”

“There is time for such matters when you are asleep. The nights can get boring. I would not mind seeing this racing track for myself. What a novel concept…” Gunthar said.

Rainer agreed. Though, of course, such a concept wasn’t novel to his world in any case. He was a bit surprised too, Gunthar was willing to take time off from training. But, he understood that each group needed an undead guard, and his father was currently guarding Kara while going through the information on the Forbidden North.

He noted to make sure Gunthar enjoyed himself, at least a little.

As they walked through the city, many goblins looked and pointed with excitement. They lacked some of the reservation humans had when seeing Rainer as a Lord Magus. Several of the female Goblins that passed by Rainer would stare, jaws agape. Subconsciously they fixed their postures and stood in more alluring ways.

One had her slightly drooling mouth closed by a goblin who appeared to be her husband. However, looking at Rainer as well, he didn’t blame in her in slightest. Later that night, he would find himself questioning his path in life.

Rainer laughed at the sight. He imagined were it not for his power those stares would be joined with propositions. He was only above average coming to this world, if you ignored his physical fitness. The increases in Charisma were an interesting factor.

But, he had little interest in using it in such a manner, Goblin or otherwise. He already struggled in thinking over what to do when Luna reached a more human size, let alone having any thoughts of other women.

But how his Charisma would affect negotiations, and whether Furtak had been so amicable to Rainer’s ideas because of the attribute had him wondering.

Passing by the stone buildings the smell of food entered his nose. He saw the smoke that came from cooking it absorbed by the [Auer’s Moss]. He knew that at the very least he’d take some with him before he left here, even if he couldn’t learn the Druidic language to cultivate it properly.

He was surprised at how good it smelled and decided to buy some. While the larger places had received word that everything the visiting Human bought was to be put on Chief, a common stall wouldn’t. They only knew of rumors of the strange Human the Chief respected as an equal.

“Thanks,” Rainer said as he threw a copper coin over. Before the stall owner could tell him it was too much, Rainer already walked away.

“Luna, can you appraise this, just in case?” He asked the small silver bird on his shoulder.

“It’s safe.” Luna responded, “Make sure to feed Luna later too.”

“Of course,” He said. He then appraised it himself.

[Fried Pork]

Similar to the guitar he guessed that the pork was not a completely accurate assessment. Sighing, he figured Luna could heal him if any issues arose, along with his own [Arcane Revival].

Surprised at the taste, Rainer continued eating as they soon reached the track. It was dug deep into the ground with a stadium of seats surrounding it.

He headed downwards, unstopped by the two guards at the entrance of the stairwell. He wondered if [Appraisal] could give him an advantage. He wouldn’t have such entertainment.

“Honored Human, I shall lead you to a proper viewing place,” The guard suddenly spoke up. Rainer noted that apart from the slightly elongated and pointed ears and the green skin he was just like a small muscular human. If not, for the larger jaw and two small teeth poking upward from his mouth.

Rainer only nodded and followed him.

In a higher seat in the stadium, Rainer sat with a glass of wine. While he was relaxing, he also practiced and played around with [Arcane-Spatial Manipulation]. Moving his glass in reduced gravity he created around it. An action made far easier and cheaper with the addition of Arcane with space.

“Rainer, make Luna float too,” The little silver bird asked. Soon after, she performed flips in a small gravity reduced field.

“Gunthar should do flips too. And then he can breath-“

“Even as undead that does not look pleasant…” He remarked while seeing the spinning bird.

“Rainer…Luna doesn’t feel to g-good…”

Rainer grabbed the spinning bird whose Glamour nearly fell. He wrongly assumed as a race capable of flight, she’d be more apt to spinning, but after seeing how fast she was going, thought it was the likely result.

Gunthar’s laugh caused Luna to stick out her tongue at him, an action that didn’t translate to the bird Glamour covering her.

In the background, the races were beginning. Various monsters filled the narrow stalls, each with a [Shaman] riding them. A large black boar, like the one Rainer fought in the past. An ostrich-like creature that instead had bright red feathers and a tiny flame on its head. And a Wolf like the ones Rainer saw earlier.

He thought it a strange match up for a race, but it proved to be a close one. Rainer’s bet on the ostrich, despite its 5-level advantage, ended up incorrect.

“To think they’d be so closely matched. The boar’s charging speed was impressive, were it not for its poor turning abilities I imagine him the victor. But to see the Wolf outpace that strange Avian Monster, quite impressive.”

Rainer was surprised by Gunthar’s interest in monsters. But he thought back to both the father and son’s interest in the Wyvern and imagined it spread farther than just the winged mounts. He was glad Gunthar headed here for more than just needing to guard Rainer.

He suddenly got an idea. While not understanding enough about the Druidic language to even know if he could learn it, he hoped to teach it to Gunthar. And Theodore as well.

Rainer, looking at the wine in his hand, thought about his own Arcane-Water. Luna was unaffected by Wine, as of course was the undead Gunthar unable even to drink it.

He wondered what effect Arcane-Water would have.

Forming a small ball of the violet water above his hand, he laughed at the thought of Gunthar drunk, but would not test it so simply. Nor did he believe Arcane-Water would have such a strange effect.

Luna, however, did it for him.

Out of surprise, Rainer didn’t stop the Fairy who began drinking the floating water.

“Luna?!” He spoke in shock as he quickly cleared away the magic. Water made from magic was safe to drink, even if it wasn’t the same as normal water. He imagined it the same here, but he certainly wouldn’t test it so haphazardly.

However, Luna’s giddy laugh interrupted his worry.

“Luna likes this. What is it?” She asked. Her Glamour fell away completely, but in their private booth, it was fine. She swayed side to side, exaggerating her condition slightly.

“Arcane-Water,” He said. Feeling her condition through the Familiar bond, he knew she wasn’t in any danger.

Cautiously, Rainer took an empty cup and filled it with more Arcane-Water. Taking a small sip, he noted it only tasted like a better version of water. Just in case, he used [Arcane Revival], but the Arcane in the water only gradually dissipated.

He watched with [Arcane Sight] as he breathed it out.

Gunthar walked over, and Rainer handed him the glass. Now that Arcane had altered him, Rainer was sure that even if he tried attacking him like he did the [Arch-Lich]’s undead with Arcane-Death, it might only make him stronger.

He took off his glove and put his bony finger in. Jagged lines of Arcane and Death lit up on his hand and moved up his arm.

“Oh! Gunthar is glowey!” Luna exclaimed in amazement before reaching toward the Arcane-Water again.

“That’s enough for you, drunk little Fairy,” Rainer said moving her away.

“But Rrrainer gets to drink all he wants. Luna says it's not fair.”

“It seems I can recover my Aura from this. It is too minor to be of use, however. It’d likely to take longer draining it from the water than I would just use meditation.”

“It’s worth exploring.”

After tucking away the still excited Fairy back into his pocket, they got up to leave. Deciding the excitable Fairy wasn’t in a state to be in public.

Luna, however, poked her head out.

“Hehe, Rainer put Luna into his pocket. Luna is like a mighty sword in sheath! Rainer, take Luna out of pocket and charge!” She yelled, pointing forward.

Gunthar laughed as he watched Rainer quickly cover the Fairy. Her yelling had attracted the surrounding Goblins, who just chuckled at the strange Human, before a few became lost as they gazed at him.

“Luna can’t b-be contained,” She futilely struggled and spoke in a muffled voice.

They headed back soon after. Rainer went to Furtak to see how he used Druidic Magic on the Moss. But his messages led him to leave that for a later time. His [Archon] class had finally come through and assisted in leveling [Arcane-Spatial Manipulation].

[Arcane-Spatial Manipulation has reached level 2]

[Experience Gained: 21%, 512%]

[Voidwalker has leveled up to lvl 10/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed.1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

[Voidwalker has leveled up to lvl 11/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed.1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

[Voidwalker has leveled up to lvl 12/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed.1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

[Voidwalker has leveled up to lvl 13/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed.1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

[Having reached level 10 in your class related Skill Store and Hidden Attributes have been unlocked]

[Hidden Attribute Unlocked: Void Awareness: 40]

[Void Awareness: Increases one’s affinity toward and awareness of the Void. Reduces the cost of Void-related skills and spells.]

[Voidwalker Class Description Changed, Previous Hidden Attribute increase Revealed]

[Voidwalker: A being who crosses the omnipresent void, surpassing the restrictions of Space and Time. One who can reach out their senses and grasp at the elusive yet all-encompassing void. Few can block the path of one of the Void. 100% General Improvement to Space and Time Magic and Skills. 50% General Improvement to Space and Time Manipulation skills. 40% Less Cost for all Void-related Magic and Skills. +1 Intelligence, +2 Affinity, +2 Void Awareness per level past 1]

He opened his status screen before excitedly looking at his new skill store.

[Primary Classes: Archon(2nd) Lvl 14/25, Voidwalker lvl 13/25]

[Titles: Immortal Slayer, Arcane Scholar, Fae Contractor, Arcane Elementalist, Manipulator of the Elements, Basic Elementalist, Dungeon Pioneer, Philanderer, Trollsbane, Wielder of Space and Time, Master of Space and Time, Wielder of Fire and Brimstone, Wielder of Light, Wielder of the Arcane, Energy Drainer, Voidwalker, One who defies Divinity]

[Exp: 37%, 43%]

[Sub-classes: Chronomancer lvl 11/25]

[Race: Human]

[Skill Points: 21]

[Talents: Excellent Arcane Affinity, Human Growth, Gift of the Fae(Luna)]

[Stamina: 30/30]

[Stamina Regen: .1% per second]

[Mana: 102/151(231)]

[Mana Regen: .0190 per second]

[Arcane Power: 77/85(120)]

[Conversion Ratio: 1-12]

[Arcane Aura: 9/9(19)]

[Constitution: 27(+2)]

[Affinity: 231]

[Vitality: 26(+2)]

[Endurance: 28(+2)]

[Strength: 28]

[Dexterity: 28]

[Intelligence: 204(+2)]

[Willpower: 95]

[Arcane Attunement: 120]

[Arcane Alacrity: 16]

[Gravity Control: 16]

[Aura Control: 19]

[Aura Attunement:19]

[Void Awareness: 40]

[Attribute Points: 47]

[Voidwalker Class Skills Currently Available]

[Void Grasp: Cost 10 skill points. The Void is omnipresent in its existence, always available to a Voidwalker in their purpose. Keeping them steady amidst any situation]

The descriptions in the skill store are at a mixed level of usefulness as always…

Rainer’s guess as to why the skill store didn’t display the skill’s description was to prevent an easier time learning a more obscure skill.

[Void Call: Cost 10 skill points. The Void is omnipresent in its existence, always available to a Voidwalker in their purpose. Letting them reach out toward their desires.]

Let’s…stay away from that one for now.

[Void Seer: Cost 10 skill points. The Void is omnipresent in its existence, always available to a Voidwalker in their purpose. Allowing them to peer past any obstruction.]

Rainer immediately purchased [Void Grasp] and [Void Seer]. His last encounter with a Devil left him not too curious as to the nature of a skill named [Void Call].

Having bought the skills he could now look at their actual description, rather than the one given by the skill store.

[Void Grasp: Wield one’s power over the Void to resist Space and Time. Anchor oneself to the current reality by grasping the Void.]

[Void Seer: Peer through the Void at the intended destination. See as if you had truly traveled there by walking through the Void. ]

“Rainer, are you alright?” Gunthar asked. He saw Rainer suddenly pause in front of the stone mansion.

“I leveled the skill I had been playing with and reached level 13 in [Voidwalker].”

“Then let us hurry back, I know you likely cannot resist testing the skills you’ve purchased. At least have everyone there should you pull out another creature from your Void.”

“Completely agree,” Rainer responded as they headed inside.

“As always Sorcerer, a random outing turns into you gaining great strength,” Gunthar mumbled before laughing to himself as he followed Rainer.

They all entered Kara’s room as Rainer explained the experiment he was going to be doing. After he finished speaking Luna flew out of his coat and fluttered in front of Elru.

“Eluish, you should try some of Rainer’s liquid too,” Luna said before giggling and returning to Rainer’s coat to sleep.

Everyone gave him strange glances. Even Gunthar who had been there misunderstood the Lady of the Fae.

“I gave her some water mixed with my magic,” Rainer said producing the Arcane-Water with his Manipulation skill again. He didn’t specify with the magic, Arcane, but he was still curious as to Elru’s opinion on the matter.

“And this made her…more Luna than usual?” Elru asked.

“It should be safe, she did drink quite a bit for her size.”

Elru immediately drinking the floating Arcane-Water surprised him. Rainer only now fully realized the meaning of him prolonging Elru’s sister’s life by 200 years. Momentarily thinking of his own little sister, he couldn’t imagine how he could ever repay such a thing.

Not that he planned on taking advantage of Elru’s trust.

“Ah,” Elru said after a small hiccup, “This is fascinating. Might you make me some more into a cup?”

Rainer agreed he would do so later, as they then headed elsewhere to make sure they had room to fight whatever Rainer might bring through the Void.

As they left, Elru questioned Theodore as to why they needed to watch Rainer so carefully during teleportation. Her face slightly paled as Theodore mentioned what had happened.

[Voidwalker] was in truth far more dangerous and mysterious than any of her original thoughts of the unknown class had been.