Blue led me to the edge of the forest we’d seen on the map. We didn’t come across much of anything on our way, even though it took twenty minutes to get there on foot. However, when we approached a sign that read, Gongon Forest, Monster Crossing, Enter at Own Risk, I noticed the back of a petite girl standing beside the entrance, a red glow hovering just above her head. Judging by her attire, if she wasn’t Level 1, she probably wasn’t much higher.
Though normally, I would go my own way and start grinding levels, but I wasn’t familiar with the battle system yet. If this forest really was riddled with monsters, there was a possibility that they could also attack all at once, and I’d need back-up for that, at least until Level 5. So, I approached her.
“Excuse me,” I said, reaching out to tap her on the shoulder. Or at least, that was my plan until she quickly whipped around in a startled fashion.
The girl was a few inches shorter than me and was clutching her hands to her chest as if she expected me to impale her in the heart the moment she let her guard down. Her tense, green eyes calmed when she saw I was just another Level 1 player, threat level: zero.
“W-What do you want?” she demanded. Though she was clearly trying to sound tough, her voice wavered.
“I...was just wondering if you were going to enter the forest,” I said slowly. “And...if you wanted to party up? I don’t know anything about this game, but it’d probably be difficult to get past solo as Level 1s.”
The girl’s eyes softened as she looked to the ground. “You’re right. Only Level 8s can get through this forest by themselves. I don’t know what awful luck we have spawning here when there are very few safe paths to take to nearby towns and there aren’t any level recommendations noted on the map...”
I blinked, surprised at how the girl knew so much.
As if reading my mind, the girl explained, “A lot of beta players streamed this game before it was open to everyone.”
“Oh.”
“U-Um, anyway,” the girl said. “I’m Melani, and this is Pyra.” She gestured towards the beautiful red fairy with a short bob next to her.
“Emilia. This little guy over here is Blue.”
“Blue?”
“Don’t ask.”
“Oookay then,” Melani said. “We should get going. It’ll get dark soon, and the forest will become even more dangerous.”
“But how do we fight?” I asked. “We don’t have any weapons. Not even starter weapons…”
“Didn’t your fairy tell you?”
I stared at Blue, who simply shrugged.
“You didn’t ask,” Blue said. “But if you wanna know, your weapons determine which class you are. Since you’re not a high enough level to pick your class, you have to fight with what you have now, which is your body, and me!” Blue twirled in mid-air, as if he were putting on a grand show.
“You can fight?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Yes, I can fight,” he said exasperatedly. “Every human has an affinity towards magic and can use magic. Even Knights and Berserkers can use magic, they choose to use less and depend on their physical body rather than mystical soul. At level 1, you can learn basic spells to attack and defend. However, it will take more soul power to cast spells because you do not currently have any items to amplify your power.”
“And what kind of spells can we use?”
“Technically, you should be able to cast any kind of elemental spell you learn from the four elements: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. However, any attempts at this would be weak at Level 1. Because I am your current companion, your affinity towards Earth-based spells is stronger, because you can utilize my power. You’re welcome,” he crossed his arms.
“I see,” I said, glancing at Malani’s fairy, Pyra, who was clearly of the Fire Element. “But I have no idea how to cast any spells. How do I learn them?”
“In some cases, you’ll have to do a lot of reading, or if you’re lucky, you’ll come across a skillful master who is willing to teach you. You just have to ask.”
He looked at me expectantly. I stared back.
“Ahem.”
“...Do you know any spells, Blue?”
“Yes, and I will teach you!” Blue said ecstatically. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that even though I’d asked for his assistance, I didn’t ask because I thought he was a “skillful master,” but because it was common game sense.
“I will teach you one spell,” Blue decided. “After all, a master can’t reveal all his secrets.”
Melani giggled at that, but Pyra looked rather bored by this display.
“Pay attention, now,” Blue said, landing on the ground in front of me and rolling up his nonexistent sleeves. “First, plant your feet firmly on the ground. Feel the energy of Mother Earth coursing through your veins.”
“Uh, okay.” I did as he said, though I couldn’t tell if the thing running through me was Mother Earth’s energy or anxiety.
“Now, position your hands before you in a way that will aid your concentration,” he said. Blue had his arms outstretched before him, the tips of his fingers and thumbs touching in a triangle. I couldn’t think of a position that helped me concentrate any more than usual, so I mimicked him.
“Now, since you are a beginner with no weapon to channel magic power through, you’ll have to put more effort into it,” Blue continued. “Most newbies shout and chant something, like the name of the spell, which, in this case, is ‘Earth Wall.’”
“E-Earth Wall,” I stuttered.
“With vigor!” Blue commanded.
“Earth Wall!” I raised my voice, and immediately, the ground in front of me began to rumble and a wall rose from the ground. Though, calling it a wall was pushing it, because it stopped moving just five inches from the ground.
I turned distinctly red as Melani choked back a laugh. Her fairy, on the other hand, had no problem tittering at me.
“You’re not even trying,” Blue whined.
“This is so ridiculous!” I cried.
“You’re so ridiculous!” Blue shot back. “Why are you so embarrassed? You’re in the company of friends!”
“We just met them,” I mumbled.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed,” Melani said encouragingly once she’d steadied her voice. “Besides, vocalizing it will not only make your spell stronger, it'll make you feel stronger!”
What kind of motivational bullshit is this? I thought bitterly, but the seriously determined expression on Melani’s face prompted me to plant my feet on the ground and try again.
“EARTH WALL, RISE!” I screamed, and in that moment, the ground before me erupted into the air, stopping just short of 8 feet.
“Ooooh,” my audience reacted. My chest swelled considerably at their amazement.
“I think your spell was more impressive, Melani,” Pyra decided.
“Of course fire would look more impressive!” Blue said, taking offense for me. “Fire is supposed to be flashy, but it’s actually the lesser element. Unlike earth, which can be used for both offense and defense, all you can do is attack.”
“Excuse me?” Pyra glared, zipping over to Blue, her wings humming wildly. “I’ll show you who has the lesser element! Melani! Fight this dirt girl!”
“Yeah, Emilia! Show this hothead who's boss!”
Melani and I looked at each other quizzically.
“Um…” Meland stalled.
“...Yeah, we’re only level 1 with one learned ability each so…” I clarified. “A fight between me and her would be kind of pathetic.”
Melani nodded. “But...I do want to battle someday. You know, when we’re stronger.”
I looked to her in surprise as she twiddled her thumbs.
“Wouldn't it be fun to compete with each other? See who's stronger after level 20 or so…” she continued hesitantly.
Melani didn't strike me as a PVP kind of girl. My mouth broke into a smile and I nodded once. “Yeah. Let's do it. Level 20.” I held out my hand and she shook it firmly.
“You’ll need 20,000 experience points to reach Level 20,” Blue said impatiently. “And you'll gain nothing just standing here chatting! Let's go already!”
“Okay, okay,” I said, glancing at Melani with a small smile. I really didn't know anything about Melani or what she was capable of, but I was looking forward to finding out.
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