Chapter 5: Necromancer under Sorcerers


"Dialogue"

'Inner monologue'

[Yggdrasil Spells]

{Elden Ring Sorceries/Incantations}

{Message}


"There is one sorceress I have heard rumors about, Sellen. They tell she has been last seen here in Limgrave. Near the Waypoint Ruins." Melina claimed.

"If that is true, she could provide valuable information about sorceries and the like." Ainz stated. "Maybe their magic even allows for me to return to them…" Ainz whispered the last part, still clinging on to his last life.

The tomb, the NPC's, no, his guildmate's children probably awaited his return. If the tomb still existed.

But as he had his staff with him, he was sure it should still be there. With enough gold, he could probably revive all the NPCs once more. Still, he wasn't quite sure that the ones on the 8th Floor had been killed as well.

'Oh, well. I am sure they are still there if they haven't been defeated. I know for certain that there wasn't anybody powerful enough to kill them all together. If the players from Yggdrasil couldn't get past that floor, nobody will, not even Platinum Dragon Lord. That I even fell for his trap. He will pay for what he did.' Ainz thought as he clenched his fists, deep in thought, as Melina awaited him to return to his senses.

"Ainz?" She asked again, only now getting a reaction from the Overlord.

"Ah, yes. Forgive me. I simply remembered an old memory of mine." Ainz responded, piquing Melina's curiosity.

"Not a good one as it seems." Melina says, glancing at his clenched fists, hinting at the Overlord's tense body language. Ainz then quickly released the tension, deciding to sit on a nearby rock and let out a deep sigh.

"No, not in the slightest. It is the reason why I am stranded here, and it was not something of my choosing. Every day, I think of returning back, but it seems for the moment I will have to find my way in the Lands Between." He spoke like a man who had lost something important to him, as if something snatched away a part of his being.

Seeing this, Melina seated herself next to him, sitting there in silence until she decided to give some words that could perhaps mend what happened in the past.

"I am sure, once we finish our journey, you will have all the answers you seek." Melina said, the Overlord turning his gaze to her.

"Will I? Are you certain, or do you simply say that because you want to further your own agenda? How would you know what I seek is instantly given to the one named Elden Lord? You do not even know my past or where I come from!" The Overlord responded, his tone growing more harsh the more words left his mouth. Clearly, it was something the Overlord cared much about, and Melina might have said the wrong words to lighten his mood.

"You are right. I don't know." She said, lowering her head in shame. Ainz's words struck her somewhat deeply. She never considered asking about the Overlord's origins, only having one goal in mind. Restoring order and peace in the Lands Between.

She was so consumed by this goal that all other things seemed forgotten, simple talks irrelevant in her eyes. Since she was but a spirit wandering the Lands Between, she had sought a purpose ever since.

Then she found one. To return to the foot of the Erdtree. And there, she would see what her next goal would be. An eternity of seeking purpose, a purpose her mother gave her a long time ago.

"Forgive me. My words were to harsh. I know you mean no harm. The past simply irritated me a bit, it seems." Ainz said, offering a genuine apology to the girl.

"No harm has been done. Perhaps you would try to strengthen yourself with the help of runes? Through our travels we may have put this matter aside, but why not try it now that you gathered enough runes?" Melina suggested, at which the Overlord seemed to show interest.

"Ah, yes. I have wanted to try that out but I seem to have forgotten it. How exactly does it work?" Inquired Ainz, curious about the procedure.

"Simply hold my hand." Melina said, raising her hand toward the Overlord. First, he hesitated, deactivating his [Negative Touch]. As he touched her hand, he felt something that reminded him of Yggdrasil.

—-

Level: 0-1

Runes Held: 56730-56096
Runes Needed: 634

Attribute Points

—-

Vigor: 62-0

Mind: 99+(123.5)-0

Endurance: Unlimited(112)

Strength: 35-0

Dexterity: 96-0

Intelligence: 99+(185)-0

Faith: 0-0

Arcane: 99+(100)-0

—-

Base Stats:

HP: 1912+

FP: 691,6+

Stamina: Unlimited

Max Equip Load: Uncalculable

Poise: -

Discovery: Unknown

The menu in the Overlord's head appeared with numbers that Ainz quickly recognized. They were similar to Yggdrasil stats, yet were more straightforward. Thus, one stat probably accounted for multiple things, whereas in Yggdrasil, everything was sorted in its own category. You wanted to be strong. You could enhance your physical attack. But you also had to increase your physical defense to defend yourself properly. But with these runes, one stat seemed to cover for both.

'Without needing any classes, I could just scale my faith to cast divine magic. It should work with this world's magic, in theory. But I wonder about Yggdrasil magic. Nevertheless, I should enhance my vigor first. It should be obvious what that does. The next thing should be mind and then intelligence.' With that, the Overlord chose which stats to enhance, seeing the cost to level up increase with each level.

—-

Level: 0-28

Runes Held: 56730
Runes Needed: 54077

Attribute Points

—-

Vigor: 62-0-10

Mind: 99+(123.5)-0-10

Endurance: Unlimited(112)

Strength: 35-0

Dexterity: 96-0

Intelligence: 99+(185)-0-8

Faith: 0-0

Arcane: 99+(100)-0

—-

Base Stats:

HP: 2028+

FP: 721,6+

Stamina: Unlimited

Max Equip Load: Uncalculable

Poise: -

Discovery: Unknown

He accepted the price paid in runes, and he could feel himself change, level up, as one might say.

'So this is the feeling of leveling up. It feels weird. Before, I never felt the feeling of growing stronger. But now, it seems I can experience such a sensation.' Ainz thought as he felt his mana having increased. How exactly the mana from this world translated into his mana wasn't precisely clear. But Ainz had little time to research any detail, thinking of it as something he should accept and not ponder too much about.

"It proves useful. I seem to have to thank you, Melina. I was sure I had reached the limit of my strength. Yet I was proven wrong." Ainz stated.

"It is my purpose, after all, to gift you the strength of runes." She replied, cryptic as ever.

'Could I obtain this ability of hers by simply using [Dark Wisdom] on her corpse? I really shouldn't think such things. She has provided useful after all. Even if I managed to be successful, the chances that I may not know how this power works could still apply.' He let aside such thoughts and focused initially on what he wanted to do.

"Now then, let us visit this sorceress." Ainz said, disappearing from the face of the earth to appear right before the place Melina mentioned. "Waypoint Ruins, huh? At least it is true to its name." As he looked around, he saw nothing of interest. Only some plants that seemed to ignore him entirely. "I'll never find an entrance like this." He stated.

"[Maximise Magic: Shockwave]"

The spell was so strong that the old ruins crumbled from their power, now only the floor remaining without any walls that would hinder sight.

'There it is.' Beneath Ainz, there was an entrance, or rather a way deeper into the ruins. Deciding to descend and take the steps down to the cellar, he found himself before a peculiar sight.

A large room, and inside, a tall individual with a metallic pumpkin as a helmet, bearing little clothes and holding a sort of club.

'The guardian of this place? Fine then, if he must be in my way, I will deal with him quickly.' Ainz thought, seeing the pumpkin's head slowly get closer.

"[Death]"

Ainz spoke out, and the creature before him lost all motion, its lifeless body falling to the ground.

'That was that then.'

Ainz then noticed a metal door at the end of the room. 'That must be where Sellen should be then.'

"[Telekinesis]"

With a motion of his hand mimicking lifting something, he opened the door upward, revealing a room full of crystals and books. But in particular, a certain person he wanted to meet since he heard of her.

As he entered the room, he inspected the woman closer. She wore a blue academic robe, believing this to be the usual clothes for sorcerers of this world. Yet most peculiar was the mask she was wearing. It encompassed her head fully, portraying a face of stone, unmoving and with a small crown of crystals at the top.

"I have not expected any visitors this soon. But I welcome a new face this once. I am Sellen, a sorcerer, quite plainly. Why are you here?" She inquired, scrutinizing the Overlord up and down. If she didn't know any better, the person before her might have been a member of the Carian royal family, his robes as pristine or even more than the ones of Queen Rennala. Yet, the figure did not seem to have any connection with the sorcerers of these lands, so much Sellen could decipher.

"I am Ainz Ooal Gown, a pleasure to meet you, Sorceress Sellen. I have heard much about you." Ainz stated, at which the sorceress crossed her arms.

"And what would that be?" She said, taking a defensive stance. Was this individual here to end her completely? Was he sent by the Carian Royal Family or by a greater power itself? But why would he appear here then and not at her prison? Why couldn't she sense anything from the man before her? It was as if he was never here in the first place.

"You have searched for more knowledge and power, even when you failed. In that regard, we may be the same. I also search for it, and I believe we could benefit from each other." Ainz suggested, which surprised the witch slightly.

"Are you a sorcerer as well? How have I never heard of your name before? You seem not someone I would have forgotten in my time at the academy." Sellen asked, trying to remember the mask the man wore. It was not common for sorcerers to use colored masks like the ones Ainz used, yet in that regard, he seemed similar to the ones from Raya Lucaria.

"I don't believe you would have ever met me until now. It would seem illogical since I only arrived in these lands a couple of days ago. Unwillingly might I add. And I have noticed your magic being different from the ones I practice. It made me curious, which led me to you." Ainz explained. The witch, Sellen, listened to his words carefully.

A sorcerer coming from different lands, practicing different magic? That was all that she could hear.

Was it another school of sorcery like the ones she knew? Probably. Anything different she couldn't explain. This would make the conversation oh so interesting.

Still, she doubted his words slightly.

Having this in mind, she would not deny any new knowledge about another magic school. Even if she was mainly focused on Glintstone Sorceries, she was still hungry for any knowledge she could get her hands on if it could further her own goal.

"What school of sorcery is practiced in your lands then?" She questioned, yet the answer she would receive would come unexpected.

"Not schools, really. The magic I possess is a lot more open and not so restrictive as yours. Yes, you may be able to draw power from the stars, but my magic does not need the stars or any outdoor source. It is within me." Ainz claimed. To show that he was telling the truth, he let an orb of fire dance around his fingers, at the end expanding it to a big sphere inside his palm before closing his hand, the flame disappearing entirely.

Sellen, watching this, seemed amazed. It was a simple act, yet it defied everything she ever knew. What Ainz portrayed seemed to be more like an incantation of faith-based casters. Yet it was different.

"To cast magic without a wand. I never thought it was possible. One would always need a catalyst, something that connects one to the source of magic. Yet as you said yourself. If you are the source, then you won't need one…" Sellen said, her mind still catching up with the thought. Sources of power were typically gods like the celestial bodies of stars and moons. Maybe the entity before her was no mere sorcerer but something more.

"Yes, I seem not to be under this rule you possess. But enough of that. What I want from you is if you could teach me one of your sorceries, as you call them. In exchange, you may ask whatever you want, and I shall see if it is within my power." Ainz offered her a deal she would laugh at when any other person would have told her, yet the mysterious being before her showed no lies but dedication in his words.

And if his words were true, and he wasn't from these lands, then his thirst to study sorceries would be explained. But she knew of some lands beyond the Lands Between. She knew of people from the outside, yet they did not seem as perplexing as Ainz. But perhaps Ainz's words were not entirely true. Or simply a half-lie. The lands he told of may simply be a metaphor. But she did not know. So she let such thoughts aside.

"Certainly. We can come to an agreement." She said, contemplating what she would ask in return. What could the individual before her give her? Should she just ask something ridiculous, or maybe ask for help out of those chains? She would try.

"Good. Now, let's see the sorceries you have." Ainz inquired, at which Sellen presented some magic scrolls.

"These are {Crystal Barrage}, {Scholar's Armament} and {Scholar's Shield}. For now, I can only supply you with these since I would need other scrolls to teach you more sorceries." Sellen offered the three sorceries to Ainz, which disappeared once Ainz used them.

'{Crystal Barrage}' Ainz cast before him, pointing his hand to the side. And as the spell said, a barrage of magic crystals sprung from his hand to the ground.

"I see. It is an attack that provides multiple projectiles. Interesting." Ainz said casually. But to Sellen, what Ainz did had more meaning than the Overlord even knew.

"I knew you could cast without a wand, but the sorcery you just cast isn't glintstone at all." Sellen admitted.

"What do you mean?" Ainz questioned, curious about what the woman was talking about.

"Glintstone Sorceries come from the stars and their movement. These celestial bodies allow us to cast sorceries. But I can feel whatever you cast didn't come from the stars at all. It is exactly the same in appearance, but it seems to draw its power from something else. Or perhaps someone." Sellen theorized. With every move Ainz made, every ability he revealed, Sellen was surprised repeatedly. Slowly, her suspicions came true.

"You are correct. It seems that is the only difference. Everything else about the spell seems to work like intended." Ainz stated.

'She probably somehow saw the mana I used to power that spell. She also seems to have something similar to mana as well. Yet its not particularly the same.' Ainz theorized.

"Yes, so it seems." Sellen mused, her thoughts still lingering on the previous subject. This enigma that stood before her. She wanted to study every part of it. Yet at the moment she had other problems.

"A shame there is no more to learn. You, a prodigy sorceress of these lands, could prove valuable with knowledge. But I have one question. This, before me, is a mere illusion, a projection. Is there a reason for this?" Ainz asked. Of course, Ainz could see through illusions with his [Arcane Vision]. Yet Sellen did not know this.

"Yes, the reason for this is simple. I am in shackles, imprisoned under the Witchbane Ruins, where my body still resides to this day. I projected myself here, hoping to find someone who could aid me." Sellen explained.

"I see. Perhaps you wish for me to free you from these shackles? You fulfilled your side of the deal, and it would be right for me to do mine." Ainz offered. If not for the mask, Ainz would see a slight glitter in the witch's eyes.

To be true. Ainz did not do this out of the good of his heart. Simply, the sorceress before him interested him. The pursuit of knowledge drives her, and she would go to such an extent for the academy to banish her completely. Also, something about her reminded him of a specific individual from his old world.

"It will not be that easy. My body there is long beyond its limits. I would require a new one. And, well, I would never have wanted to say that name again, but the time requires it. Perceptor Seluvis, a sorcerer under Ranni the Witch. He makes puppets at the Three Sisters. One such body I would need for myself. You would need to transfer my very being from my true body into that puppet. I know I may ask much, but if you do this, I could give you access to the academy and guide you in finding the right secrets you seek. I am sure I could provide helpful." Sellen said more pleading than her honor would ever allow. Yet, this may prove an opportunity for her to continue her goal.

In silence, the Overlord looked at the witch for a few seconds without saying a word.

'How did this turn into some kind of fetch quest? I guess I could use her help to get into the academy. And who knows where to look in there? The academy is huge, so looking into the future, I should aid her. Yet it will not be that easy for her. She's dependent on me, I should use this.' Ainz contemplated.

"Fine. But I will want more than a simple guide. My help will be rewarded by you with absolute loyalty. The academy will be in your hands, but you will be in mine." Ainz said, his stature increasing before Sellen, a dark miasma slowly oozing around him. The intimidating sorcerer was not to be meddled with, and Sellen began to see that.

"O-Of course. Whatever you want." Sellen said.

She had hoped that a Tarnished without much knowledge of magic would have come to her. She could make him her apprentice, teach him spells, and ask him to free her if he proved trustworthy.

Yet instead of a hero, a devil arrived, giving her a chance the likes she would never receive again. A grinning visage which she has never seen before. When she would return to Raya Lucaria, she would study every book for any mention of the name Ainz Ooal Gown.

"Good. Then we'll meet again soon. Sorceress Sellen." Ainz said, disappearing before her eyes.

'Good, as expected, mages are easily intimidated, even in this world.' Ainz mused as he hovered above the Waypoint Ruins. 'I should take my time with helping her. If I would go there too soon, she might think I don't have anything to do.' Ainz thought, slowly hovering toward the ground.

"A servant born from her helplessness. Are you such a creature, Ainz, that you exploit others when in such dire states?" Melina questioned, appearing beside the Overlord.

"I said I would give her anything she wished for in return for helping me. To think she would ask me to aid her to such an extent was not something I had expected. And if you ask if I am greedy and selfish, then yes. I saw an opportunity and took it. She wanted me to help her and get almost nothing in return. Now she will forever know who helped her." Ainz explained. In his years in Yggdrasil and as the Sorcerer King, he learned to use every advantage to get the desired results.

"I see it now. Your intelligence truly is not to be underestimated, as not your shrewdness." Melina claimed, the Overlord dismissing her comment with a hand gesture.

"Sellen mentioned Ranni the Witch. You did as well. This Seluvis is a servant of Ranni's. Can you explain again who exactly she is?" Ainz asked, changing the subject.

"Ranni, once an Empyrean, defied the Golden Order by killing her body while her soul lived on. In return, Godwin the Golden's assassination resulted in his soul dying. All this not to be controlled by the Greater Will. She sought freedom, which she achieved by stealing the rune of death." Melina explained.

"I see. As you said before, the Golden Order does not take a liking to my race. Meaning, Ranni should be someone I should seek out." Ainz assured himself, staring into the night sky. There was more to this land than he thought. No simple schemes existed here but intricate plans that he would try to unravel. Perhaps he was now simply scratching at the surface.

"I cannot say if she will be of any help. You seek rather a suspicious goal. You want to leave the Lands Between, not conquer or destroy them. Know this, Ranni will be wary until she knows you say the truth." Melina warned.

"Going against a god, huh, she must not fear any consequences." Ainz commented. Not like in the New World, gods existed here. Something he should be aware of at all times.

"Yes. But you must go to her with purpose." Melina stated.

"Purpose it is then."