Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Mana.
Chapter 4: Preparation
Duelle POV
Rachel raced up the stairs once she was home, her feet stomping the stairs with every step. The resultant loud bangs announced her inner fury to the world, but only her two closest friends were around to hear them, the way things always were.
Duelle stood in the open front doorway, Rachel not having cared whether or not the door had been left ajar as her bedroom door slammed shut. Teapo poked her head from out of the kitchen and they shared a concerned look before she ducked back in where she had just finished brewing up some of her special orange tea.
Duelle sighed. "Neither one of you will ever learn, will you." He muttered quietly to himself.
He had been friends with Rachel and her family for the past four years, around the same time that Mark had brought Teapo home from Geo to act as a maid around the house. Duelle himself had become acquainted with the family through his travel stories.
It had all started when Duelle had been asked to speak in front of a class in Domina, sharing information from his explorations of various locations. He spoke of the multitude of monsters that he had spotted, of the many locales and their customs, and of the numerous sights that the students, many of whom were naïve of life outside of Domina, could only dream of.
Rachel, having entered the stage that many knew as "teenage rebellion," had snuck into the back of class during the lecture, her parents merely thinking that she was out playing.
While the students were busy taking notes, some occasionally looking up to show they were paying attention, Rachel sat there with rapt attention, completely invested to where she didn't even register the scratching of pencils. Duelle's descriptions painted a vivid picture in her mind, a spark of wanderlust now gleaming in the young girl's eyes with a smile of excitement on her face.
This moment would serve to ignite in Rachel a desire to travel that wouldn't be extinguished and would only grow stronger under her father's suffocating love and her mother's increasing absence.
Duelle shook his head. "Time sure can fly."
He left his spear leaning against the wall and walked up the stairs, rapping his knuckles on the door just as he heard a muffled scream. "Hey, Rachel. Are you okay in there?" He asked loudly enough to be heard.
He then listened with his head against the door as the springs in Rachel's bed squeaked. Her footsteps followed soon after and became louder until she slowly opened the door. Two trails of tears traveled down each of her cheeks and she sniffled a little, evidently worn out by her father's eccentricities.
Rachel stepped back inside and sat on her bed once more, Duelle soon taking the spot next to her.
"I can't do this anymore," Rachel said, Duelle electing to stay silent as she got everything out. "I'm already 16-years-old and yet my dad still treats me like this." Rachel grabbed ahold of a pink pony plushie and threw it across the room where it landed on a pile of teddy bears and other dolls. "Does this look like the kind of room that a girl my age should be sleeping in?" She asked rhetorically.
Duelle, having had similar talks in the past, simply looked around the room that was more befitting of a 5-year-old. The walls were painted baby blue with smiling butterflies and faeries on them. Her bedspread was bubblegum pink and by the bed, a sign hung on the wall which read, "Daddy's little princess." A few vases filled with yellow, pink and orange flowers were spaced around her room and although they smelled lovely, they didn't do much to offset the room's cutesiness.
The only thing that really stood out was a green, egg-shaped stone resting on Rachel's makeup table underneath the seashell-shaped mirror.
"It looks pretty gaudy." Duelle replied, not having anything to say about the room that hadn't already been said.
"And then there's mother…" Rachel trailed off. She thought back to all the times that her mother had left her behind in their prison of a house while she shopped and stopped to chat with different people. Of how little time her mother had actually spent in the house and how her presence lessened more and more as the years passed on. Of all the cold looks that Jennifer had sent Mark, her father never once picking up on the strain in their marriage.
"Even when she's home, mother never wants to spend time with us," Rachel murmured sadly with a downcast expression. At the item shop, Mark and Jennifer would take turns running the place, with them alternating each day. Whenever the shop wasn't busy, Jennifer would simply preoccupy herself with doing inventory and following recent trends in fashion or practicing any one of her wide range of hobbies.
Duelle, having known the family for some time and seeing how distressed Rachel had become, decided to do something that he had been dwelling on for a long while. "How would you like to start your own adventure?"
Rachel wiped away the tears on her face. "What do you mean?"
"Rachel," Duelle addressed softly with a calm voice. "I know you've been using your job as a waitress to save up money to travel to Geo."
"Wha—But how?" Rachel looked surprised with her eyes slightly widened. "I was so sure no one would notice."
"After you got your job," Duelle began to explain. "I saw you start visiting the post office and I know that you don't handle the family business nor do you have anyone to mail anything to." Duelle readjusted himself and continued. "I've also seen the look of longing on your face like you just want to leave everything behind and see the world." Duelle gave her a knowing smile. "That's a look I've worn many times myself."
"I thought I was careful," Rachel replied, not really sure what to say.
"Your parents may not notice what you get up to, but I do." Duelle patted her arm comfortingly. "Teapo and I, we care about you."
Rachel, lost for words, simply let her body takeover and hugged the little onion.
The door slowly creaked open and Teapo hopped inside with a tray of three steaming hot cups of tea. Rachel let go of Duelle, but left her hand on his shoulder as Teapo put the tray down on her bedside table.
"You feelin' any better now, luv?" Teapo asked, handing her a fresh cup of orange blend.
Rachel took a deep sip of tea, the citrus flavor dancing on her tongue. She exhaled, the tea calming her down, and answered, "A bit," Rachel smiled from having such two good friends. "Thanks."
"It was no problem at all, dear." Teapo responded warmly.
Duelle reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a stamp for Geo along with a letter. Rachel accepted the two items and unrolled the paper, her heart beating in exhilaration at what it said.
Geo Academy of Magic
Principal: Mephianse
Dear Ms. Waltz,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Geo Academy of Magic. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on ****. We look forward to seeing you then.
Sincerely,
Nunuzac
Head Professor
Rachel, taking her eyes from the paper, shot forward and wrapped Duelle in another hug, trapping him in a vice-like grip. Teapo, not one to be left out, joined the hug herself. The warmth of Duelle's tiny frame and the cold of Teapo's body reminiscent of a tiled kitchen floor served as a sharp contrast, but brought Rachel comfort nonetheless.
"I don't know what I'd do without you two." Rachel said.
"Probably go insane," Duelle replied with a smirk, earning himself a soft punch to the shoulder.
"We've already purchased all of yer school supplies, luv," Teapo said, continuing the conversation. "So, you 'ave no need to fret about yer books and things."
"What about dad?" Rachel asked, lacking confidence. "With the town in a panic, he's been keeping a closer eye on me."
"In two days, it will be Mark's turn to run the shop again," Duelle started. "When it's time for your shift, I'll offer to walk you to the pub, but instead we'll go to the park where you'll place the stamp on yourself and Pelican will fly you to Geo." Duelle, despite knowing that Pelican had messed up deliveries in the past, wanted to believe that this plan would work.
"Are you sure this will work?"
"Of course, I'm sure!" Duelle announced. "After all, I'm an Onion Warrior!"
Teapo looked at Duelle questioningly. "Duelle, whatever is an onion warrior?"
Duelle shrugged, looking slightly annoyed. "How should I know?"
Rachel just laughed and enjoyed her tea, this being one of the last times that she would see her two beloved friends for quite a while.
Sean POV
Sometime earlier, Sean could be seen walking towards the very same house, Mark having offered the usage of his place to help plan out their next course of action. Inspector Boyd's face was contorted in anger, giving him the appearance of a bulldog rather than a mouse, all the while grumbling to himself about the Chobin Hoods attacking trade caravans and some Jewel Thief named Sandra.
Sean, meanwhile, spent this time in silence, going over a list of spells and skills in his head that could benefit his situation and prevent him from becoming an arrow-riddled corpse.
"I need something long-range," Sean thought desperately as he stared intently at his open right hand. "My fire spell can only travel about 12 feet before fizzling out."
"Something on your mind, my good man?" Mark asked, having noticed Sean's worried gaze.
Sean looked Mark in the eye and noticed not a single hint of worry in them. Whether that was because Mark was a powerful warrior or just unaware of what the Domino Effect was, Sean couldn't say for sure.
"Oh, you know, just trying to figure out how to keep myself from getting killed," Sean replied sarcastically. He looked at Mark like he was stupid. "No big deal, really." Sean turned to Inspector Boyd while Mark frowned, his honest smile returning within the next few moments. "Will any of your men be showing up to help?"
"From what's been gathered," Inspector Boyd began as the three of them entered Mark's house, warm air greeting them when they stepped inside. "The Chobin Hood tribe has been entering Domina every 2-3 days, allowing for the town to stock up on more goods for them to steal."
Sean flumped onto the nearby couch, small pillows bouncing up from the force of his drop, while Inspector Boyd sat down next to him and Mark took his place on a rocking chair. "At the same time, they've been attacking trade caravans at a lessened rate, presumably due to the increased risk that traveling warriors hired on by said caravans present."
"Duelle told me earlier that there weren't any fighters around to help right now," Sean said, not having seen any of the sort in town. "Now, I'm assuming that these people follow the transports straight into the town. That being said, couldn't someone have hired them to help protect this place?"
"Surely this idea had occurred to someone," Sean thought, glancing up at the ceiling due to a pulsing noise that he could hear since entering the house, something only Sean picked up on.
Mark sighed and shook his head sadly. "Many of them often leave with the same caravans after having dropped off their goods and gaining some from town to take elsewhere." Sean narrowed his eyes at the ceiling as the sound grew louder in frequency. Inspector Boyd scowled at the direction the discussion was headed, already knowing what Mark was about to say. "The rest simply laughed and turned us down. They said that we didn't have enough money for them to provide their services. One even said a town this small wasn't worth defending."
"Disgusting," Inspector Boyd spat. "Leaving people to suffer over money." He looked Mark in the eye with steel resolve. "My men will be here when the thieves next strike. You have my word as an officer of the law."
"All hail the almighty Lucre." Sean said, once more looking upwards with a vexed expression. "Okay, really, what is that?" The resonating pulse became stronger still until finally Sean received a new notification.
Due to your proximity to an artifact, you have received more information
Title: Artificer
This title allows the user to unleash the mana contained within various artifacts. When near an artifact, the user will hear a pulsing noise indicating that one is close by. The closer the user is, the louder the pulse will become. The user will either have to move far enough away from the artifact or obtain it for the sound to stop.
This title doesn't need to be equipped to take effect.
"No range, huh?" Sean winced, wishing the sound would stop. He was tempted to go find it, but with other people present, Sean figured it'd look pretty weird for a 21-year-old guy to just go barging into a 16-year-old girl's room.
Just then, a door creaked open at the top of the stairs and Teapo came jumping down, the stairs sturdy enough to handle her weight. "Oh!" She exclaimed upon seeing the three men in the living room. "I apologize, gentlemen. I didn't know you all 'ad gotten back 'ere already."
"Nothing to worry about, my dear Teapo," Mark replied, once more in a better mood. He was filled with warmth that there were good people out there who would lend a helping hand. "Why don't you bring out some of your wonderful tea to our guests."
"That sounds like a grand idea, guv," Teapo responded, reentering the kitchen and coming back with another tray of steaming hot tea.
Sean accepted a cup and inhaled, the blood orange scent combined with the couch's comfiness created a homely atmosphere that didn't do much to help with the noise. The pulse wasn't nauseating or disorienting, but rather something that would drive many people bonkers given enough time.
Sean took a deep gulp to calm his nerves, the heat burning his mouth a little and decided to observe the cup in his hand in an attempt to block out the sound.
Skill Level Up!
Observe Lvl 5 → Lvl 6
Lvl 1: The user can see the target's stats and a basic description.
Lvl 2: The user can see how much experience the target needs to reach the next level.
Lvl 5: The user can see the Synchro Effect of the target.
Lvl 6: The user can see how many stat points the target has.
[Drink] Blood Orange Tea
A special blend of tea made using Blood Orange tea leaves that will leave the drinker feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Effect: Restores 10% of HP, MP, and TP when consumed.
New Recipe Learned!
Blood Orange Tea
You've gained a new skill!
Drink Crafting (Active) Lvl 1 [0%]
This skill allows the user to create various kinds of drinks with a diverse range of ingredients. Depending on the ingredients and recipe used, the user can receive different effects from their concoctions. Recipes can be discovered through experimentation, by trying new drinks, or finding hidden notes scattered throughout Fa'Diel. This skill doesn't include potions.
Leveling this skill increases the chances of successful drink creation and permits the user to try making more difficult drinks.
"Sounds interesting," Sean thought, not having seen a drink making ability in many games. "But is it the same as the cooking skill?"
Food and Drink
The consumption of food and drinks is the fifth method of healing available to the user after items, spells, sleeping, and natural regeneration. Much like the Drink Crafting skill, there is a Cooking skill that exists which can be used to make meals and snacks with varying effects such as healing, boosting attack power, and granting more experience for a time.
"I'll have to try unlocking that skill once I have more money for food." Sean still had only 75 Lucre in his possession. "And I still need a long-range spell. Hmm." "Hey, Mark," Sean said, catching the man's attention. "You wouldn't happen to have any spell books lying around, would you?"
"He does," Duelle answered as he came down the stairs, grabbing his spear once he reached the bottom. "It's not like they're much use though. There's no one around here who can cast spells without the use of instruments and even then, none of the townspeople specialize in magic."
"It sure is a good thing I do then, huh." Sean grinned and held out his hand palm up, a ball of fire appearing above it. Inspector Boyd jumped away in surprise, resulting in some of his tea spilling onto the floor, while everyone else, sans Duelle, stared at the crackling flames with wide-eyed looks of pure astonishment.
Duelle looked intrigued and stepped forward, his hand outstretched to feel the blazing heat. "That's interesting," He said, moving away now that he knew the fire was real. "There aren't many people that I've seen in my travels that can do that. Most people actually can't cast magic this way at all, or humans at the very least. How did you learn to do this?"
"Honestly, I can't explain it." Sean replied with a shrug. "I'm just able to. Now, about those books."
"I'm not sure if I can part with any of them, good sir," Mark said cordially. "My wife was actually planning on sending them to Geo."
"But the town is in trouble," Sean responded with a raised eyebrow, keeping his temper in check despite the small hint of ire entering his tone. "Wouldn't it be better for everyone if I could use them to protect Domina?"
"Just let him take a look and pick some, Mark," Duelle interceded, having been to Geo before and knowing full well that the students there had plenty of books to keep themselves busy with.
"But my lovely orchid might get mad if I don't sell them." Mark looked uncertain. He understood where Sean was coming from, and Duelle was his friend, but he hated to upset his family, ironically.
"You guys won't make much money from them since they're pretty common," Duelle reasoned. "And isn't Rachel's well-being more important?" He asked rhetorically.
Mark shook his head with the knowledge that Duelle was right. "Very well," He said. "Follow me over into the shop."
"Yeah, that wasn't a complete waste of time," Sean thought, making sure to thank Duelle for his help as the two entered the item store behind Mark.
The shop was a cluttered mess, a wide assortment of items haphazardly scattered about the establishment. Amongst the selection, a grandfather clock stood against the left wall which was joined by its smaller brethren overhead. An array of weapons and armor were displayed on a bookshelf beside the clocks and across from this were cabinets filled with bottles of swirling red and blue liquids. Sean also saw several knick-knacks and toys, but what stood out to him was the strange, lifelike statue of one of the students from Geo.
'Observe'
?
"That's odd." Sean muttered, mildly surprised. This was the first time where he hadn't received any information from the Observe skill.
Quest Alert!
The Petrified Potioneer
In the "Knight of Jema" item shop in Domina, you stumbled across a lifelike statue sculpted in the likeness of one of the young mages from the Academy of Magic at Geo. Find more information on the statue and how it came to be in Mark and Jennifer's store. Then track down the one who "made" it.
Success: Potion Making Skill, 500 Exp, ?, ?, ?
Failure: None
Sean quickly accepted the quest and turned back to Mark who pulled out a chest from behind the front counter. Inside of it, there were 7 spell books covered in a light layer of dust. Sean picked up the first book and blew the dust off, causing him to sneeze into his sleeve a moment later.
Sean breathed deeply through his nose and exhaled in disappointment due to the first tome being for the Fire spell and the next two being the Cure and Repair spells, the three spells he already knew. The next three spell books brought a smile to his face, with the last adding a hint of confusion.
Aero (Active) Lvl 1 [0%] Cost: 10 MP
This is the most basic wind spell and deals a small amount of damage to enemies. There are two variations of this spell. The first is a strong blast of wind that can hurt and knockback enemies. The second is a gust of razor-sharp air that can cut and shred through foes. At higher levels, the spell will deal more damage. Mastery of this skill can increase wind affinity.
Deals wind damage according to this formula: Total = (SPI + Wind Affinity)
DMG = Total + (Total * 2%)
Current Level: Deals +2% Wind Damage
Protect (Active) Lvl 1 [0%] Cost: 20 MP
This skill creates an invisible shield around the user or party member that increases their physical defense for a certain amount of time depending on the skill's level. This spell can stack with other spells and effects.
Current Level: Increases Physical Defense by 2% for 30 seconds
Calm (Active) Lvl 1 [0%] Cost: 15 MP
This spell causes the target to essentially calm down as indicated by the spell's name. The target's free will remains unaffected by this spell. Can be used on ? to unlock ?.
Current Level: Has 1% Chance of Working
Effect: Can be used to cure the Berserk status effect
"I'd better be careful with that third one." Sean could already picture how pissed off people would be if they found out that he was messing with their emotions.
While he absorbed this new information, Mark and Duelle watched each of the three books vanish. Mark looked lost and couldn't make heads or tails of why the tomes were vanishing. Duelle, on the other hand, wanted to question Sean as he had never witnessed this type of thing before, but refrained.
The seventh and final tome was basically one big middle finger and Sean took it as such.
Would you like to learn this spell?
Y/N
When he pressed 'Y,' Sean received an error message.
The user cannot currently learn this spell due to not meeting the necessary conditions.
Requirements:
200 INT
200 WIS
200 SPI
"It would've been really fucking useful too." Sean shook his head, but kept the book with him after putting the other three back. After all, the final spell book was for the Teleport spell.
Sean turned to Mark and asked, "Where'd you get these books from, anyways?" He felt electrified at the chance of acquiring all of the abilities that popped into his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"There used to be a School of Magic here in Domina," Mark answered, a somber expression on his face in remembrance of why the institution had closed down. "But that was some time ago."
"What happened?" Sean inquired, not remembering this detail from the game.
"Two of the school's students died in an explosion," Duelle informed in an even tone, no uneasiness in his posture. "They were trying to create a new potion and mixed the wrong ingredients together. The guy teaching the school closed it down and left as a result."
"There weren't any other teachers?" Sean asked.
"It was a small school," Duelle responded. "It was more for students who couldn't excel elsewhere."
"Hein and his wife had two children too," Mark added, saddened at the memory of their demise and of how lost Rachel would be without him. "Last I heard, they were at the academy in Geo."
"Bud and Lisa?" Sean wondered.
"Well, that's unfortunate," He said, not actually having felt upset by their deaths because why should he. He didn't know them. "Hey, how much are your potions and armor?" Sean asked after a brief pause.
Paying 50 Lucre, Sean walked out of the item shop with Duelle, 2 Health Potions and 2 Ethers in a bag hanging from his hand and a Menos hauberk over his white, button-down shirt.
Items Obtained!
[Common] Menos Hauberk Durability: 100/100
A shirt of chain mail that is made of Menos Bronze. Can be worn together with plate armor for higher defense. There is a wide range of hauberk types, from highly-decorated ceremonial hauberk to hauberk that is too heavy for practical use.
Physical Defense: +10
[Item] Potion
A cherry red potion that restores 25% of the user's HP.
[Item] Ether
A berry blue potion that restores 25% of the user's MP.
"Thanks for getting me that discount," Sean said to Duelle as they walked towards the town's entrance. "This should make things a little easier."
"If it helps the town, I'm fine doing it," Duelle replied.
"You know," Sean started, ready to implement an idea he had earlier. "I'm really glad you feel that way because I'm gonna need a favor." Sean held out his hands to halt Duelle's response. "Look, I know you just helped me out a lot, but what I need your assistance with goes beyond just the safety of Domina."
Duelle tilted his head. "How big is this favor?"
"Before I tell you, I need to show you something." Sean put his potions into his inventory, yet another thing that Duelle wanted to ask about since they seemingly vanished into thin air. Checking the Help menu real quick, Sean created a Party and sent an invite to Duelle to join his.
Sean Rent has sent you a party invite.
Would you like to join "Worse Shit is Coming Down the Road?"
Confirm Y Refuse N
Duelle had initially jumped at the sudden appearance of the two blue boxes, but was swiftly overcome by curiosity and his adventurous spirit rising to the surface. He pressed the confirm button and the two boxes disappeared.
Above Sean's head, there was now a red HP bar, along with his name, title, and level that Duelle could see.
Party System
The Party System is a sub-ability of The Gamer that allows the user to invite other people to help them fight monsters, train, complete quests, etc. The party members gain a partial gamer ability from this system as long as they are still in the group. When the members of the party are within 10 levels of the user, they are able to see levels, titles, and an HP bar above their heads.
Duelle looked up and saw the same things hovering over his own head. "What is this?" He pointed at the HP bar with his spear.
"Something that'll be incredibly beneficial as time goes on," Sean responded, a brainstorm building up in his mind. "Now, I need you to follow me." He started leaving Domina and Duelle, who hesitated slightly due to how suspicious Sean was acting, walked after him.
Their surroundings soon began to blur and they both appeared on the World Map.
"Good. It worked." Sean grinned, thankful that he wouldn't have to wait for hours for a party member to arrive every time he went somewhere else.
Meanwhile, Duelle felt a flare of exhilaration that was strange to him. He had been short all of his life and it was something that he was long used to, but here, standing on the map, Duelle felt like a giant with how much smaller the locations were.
"As I'm sure you can probably tell, this is the world map," Sean said. "I have a unique ability known as The Gamer that allows me to do things like this and what you saw back in town."
"What else can it do?" Duelle asked.
"It allows me to treat life like a game," Sean explained. He didn't feel like he could've told anyone else in town about his powers. "I can take damage that would normally kill a person, sleeping in a bed completely heals me of any injuries, and I can grow stronger much faster than other people and learn spells and skills pretty much instantly."
"That sounds pretty broken," Duelle replied as he noticed how blank the map was.
"I know, but I'm not complaining," Sean responded.
"How come the map is so empty?" Duelle was bothered by how lifeless the map looked when he knew there were many more places to see from his travels.
"That's actually the favor I wanted to ask you about," Sean said as he began his explanation. "Aside from my ability, I'm also an Artificer. That means that I can take specific objects that are filled with Mana and place them on the map to gain access to new locations. One of them just so happens to be in the upstairs room at Mark's place and I need it."
"What's it look like?" Duelle asked.
"The artifact is a small green stone in the shape of an egg." Sean answered.
Duelle frowned. "I gave that to Rachel as a gift from Mekiv Caverns."
"Okay," Sean said as he didn't care what Rachel wanted. "I still need it though."
"Rachel's heading to Geo soon and I thought she could take it with her to remember Domina," Duelle said.
"It's not like you can't visit her," Sean argued, prepared to fight for the artifact if need be. "There will be dire consequences if I don't get that artifact. Like say, the deaths of countless people."
"Is it really that important?" Duelle couldn't mistake the seriousness in Sean's tone.
"Yes." Sean stared into Duelle's eyes with pure conviction. "It's so important that I'll go and steal it myself if I have to."
Duelle seriously contemplated Sean's words before nodding his head. "All right. Let's go get the egg."
The two of them entered Domina once more and Sean waited outside while Duelle went into Rachel's house and grabbed the artifact. Duelle returned shortly after and handed over the artifact before the two stepped onto the world map again.
Item Obtained!
[Legendary] Artifact: Jade Egg
By taking a stone formed through the ages inside the earth and shaping it into the source of all things, the earth's creative power was captured inside.
Allows the artificer entry into Mekiv Caverns.
On the World Map, Sean took the Jade Egg and placed it on the white space that was up one and two spots over to the right of Domina. The stone egg suddenly became translucent and sunk into the map, creating a water ripple effect as blue sparkles shot upwards. There was then a bright flash and the entrance to Mekiv Caverns appeared on the map.
Mekiv Caverns
This limestone cavern was created by underground currents. Over the centuries it was hollowed out, and pillars were created. The cavern is made up of many levels.
Duelle uncovered his eyes and looked on in wonderment before hearing a cough. He saw Sean just staring out into space with a trippy smile on his face.
"Man, what a rush," Sean said as he shook his head to rid himself of his high. "Now I see why so many people fought over Mana." "Though why didn't I feel it with Domina." Sean shrugged. "Might not be that important."
Due to a special action, you have gained a new skill!
Cartographic Ambition (Passive) Lvl 3 [0%]
A gift for trying to restore Mana back to its proper state in the world, this skill is unique to the artificer. Like a Cartographer making maps in the days of old, the user can only level this skill by further completing the World Map. This skill increases for every location to have ever appeared on the map.
Passively increases SPI by 15%
Passively increases WIS by 15%
Passively increases INT by 15%
"Are you okay?" Duelle asked sounding concerned.
"Never better," Sean replied as he felt more powerful than before. Sean exhaled. "Sorry about being a dick before," He apologized. "I'm just a bit stressed right now."
Duelle waved it off. "Eh, it happens."
"No, really, I am," Sean responded. "In fact, could you meet up with me tomorrow? There's another part of The Gamer that I need help with."
Duelle nodded. "Alright. I'll see you then."
Sean then disbanded the party after making sure that Duelle got back to Domina and made his way home. "Better to do it later so that no one notices anything too quickly."
For exercising caution, you have gained +1 INT and +1 WIS
Author's Note: Here's Chapter 4. I know that some of you wanted to see a fight scene this chapter, but there were some things I needed to set up for later that I had almost forgotten about. With Rachel and other characters, there will be side stories and changes of perspective where the readers get to see more than just what Sean's up to and to help world build.
In the game, you get the Jade Egg Artifact from Rachel just before you travel with Elazul to Mekiv Caverns to find Pearl in The Lost Princess quest. If Rachel went to Geo before Sean got the artifact, then he wouldn't be able to help save Pearl.
In Japan only, there was a Legend of Mana Ultimania book that gave additional information on the game such as character profiles and tips on how the game's different mechanics worked. There is also some concept art and other things, but there are details inside that you don't see in the game and the book is only in Japanese with no complete translation. The book is also a little over 600 pages long. I did find some information translated online that I'll put in this story.
Sean's spells will work similarly to those in RPGs such as the Final Fantasy series. He'll eventually be able to summon fire and other spells in the spot where a target is standing, but I kind of like the idea of him just aiming a spell directly from his hands better.
In game, the statue in the Domina item shop had something to do with a 2-player function I believe, but when I was a kid, I didn't have anyone around to play the game with so I never used the two player game mechanics.
The Calm spell that Sean just learned will never grant him the ability to brainwash people or take away their free will. It could calm down a target enough to where they might not want to attack him anymore, reputation pending, but that doesn't mean they'll suddenly like or love him. The Calm spell isn't a one-time permanent cast either and the effect can wear off.
Due to Gamer's Mind, Sean can never get drunk or high. He can become energized by Mana to the point where it may seem like it though.
In game, there are different map configurations that you can do with the artifacts for different effects. What I'm doing is a map called 'Round the Tree Again.' How this map works can be seen on the legendofmana dot info website.
There are also 6 moons in the world of Fa'Diel and I've been looking at the Legend of Mana LP by Mega64 on the Let's Play Archive website to help me write this story and to make sure I don't forget to include anything important.
Sorry about the long author's notes, but I just wanted to clarify a few things so that no one would get confused.
Thanks for the reviews, faves, and follows and I'm glad that people have been enjoying this story. There will be a fight scene next chapter and perhaps a look at how Sean trains his spells and skills. Duelle will also get an improvement. Please leave a review.