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3rd Pov
The conditions for copying magic were easy. He needed to know the chant of magic and see it work in action just like Lefiya. However, he didn't have the racial limit like she had with her magic. Of course, more aspects like focusing on the magic were involved, somehow Ember got it in his first try as the chant of the magic was so easy.
The same thing Ember did when Ash, Aurielle and Jasmine were sent to dispatch a weak Level 1 monsters. As they were weakest in frontal combat, the priority of killing Level 1 monsters were given to them. Yes, they were not good in frontal combat, however Goddess Athena has personally taught them that a Magician that can't fight in close combat, isn't magician at all.
(A/N: A magician that can't fight in close combat, isn't magician at all- Athena 2025 )
Yes, it sounded weird, but they didn't doubt the wisdom of their Goddess. That's why even they practised frontal combat, albeit against opponents a level weaker. Jasmine didn't use magic but a short sword, while Ash used twin daggers and for Jasmine. She simply used her magic staff, smashing the hell of the goblins.
' It seems terrifying ', Ember thought as he watched Jasmine smash a Goblin's face into gore with a cute smile on her face. For some reason he was made to remember so called 'Yanderes' from his previous world. Thankfully due to this setup he easily copied, Ash's wind magic and Jasmine's Blizzard Magic. They were rather weak, however versatile.
Ash could use wind magic to envelop a body part of himself in magic, or apply it to his weapons or arrow, it improved his agility and defense. It seemed a cheap-rip off version of Ariel. As for Jasmine's Frost magic, it released a torrent of blizzard of white snow and small hails, quite effective against groups of weak opponents, but not so against stronger opponents.
' I feel guilty copying this magic, they included me in their party and here I am copying their magic, without their permission ', Ember couldn't help but feel guilty. He didn't justify his actions as right; however, he knew have a few extra whole cards can save his life in vital moments. He couldn't die a pathetic death, now that he had a lover, almost a wife- Aurora, there were also his family.
(A/N: See how Ember thought of Aurora first, Tsk, Tsk, people really get closer to people who were unknown to them a few years ago- and love them more than their family who loved them entire life- Truth of current world)
Thus, for his Aurora he will live, even if it makes him do slightly despicable things. Not to mention, as long as this party doesn't betray him, he planned to do his role of their team mate faithfully. So, when they arrived deeper in the forest, finally they encountered a strong foe. A group of Orcs. " Roar!", the pigs roared seeing them, seeing a dozen or so Orcs Lance grinned.
" Everyone get in the formation!", Lance commanded, and everyone got in their defined place. Jack moved forward and swung the great sword slicing through several orcs, like the pigs they were. Lance charged forward slaughtering two orcs with her spear with ease. Aurielle casted her fire magic, her chant being bigger than Lance's and Ember focusing on his role, couldn't copy her magic.
Instead, he stayed beside Jasmine and easily slaughtered an Orc approaching them, Ash used his magic alongside his bow and easily pierced through an Orc's head with an arrow. Soon all the Orcs were dead," They were fine appetizers! But we need something better! Let's see if we can encounter a Level 3!", Lance said in an energetic tone.
They walked for another few hundred meters when they heard screeches, " Wyverns! Wyverns are coming! Everyone get ready!", Lance shouted, and a horde of Wyverns flew above them. They screeched as they dived downwards towards them," Protect the magicians!", she commanded as Jack met a wyvern head on creating a strong gust of wind.
Lance started chanting her magic, and so did Ember as he protected Jasmine who too chanted her Ice Magic, Ash threw his bag away and started striking the wyverns through his arrows, enchanted by his wind magic, piercing through Wyvern's thick Hide, Aurielle too chanted her magic, Ember was the first one to finish his chant, and a torrent of blue flames were released by his short staff, all the Wyvern's in its path were burned to a crisp.
Lance's chant finished after him and her thunder struck several wyverns killing them, as they turned into black particles dissipating into nothingness. Finally came Aurielle's magic, a torrent of bright orange flames erupted from her staff, striking the wyverns obliterating them, leaving behind their magic stones, soon all the wyverns were finished off.
They returned on their track and continued walking, encountering a horde of Hellhounds, which again the party killed easily. Soon the sky turned orange as the sun was about to set, finding an open space, Ash and others started setting up the camp, while Ember, Lance and Jack remained on the guard.
Once the camps were set up, Lance said, " Start cooking the food, Jack you are on the guard", the weretiger nodded, as Ember and Lance sat near the campfire. They had caught two rabbits on their way, which were skinned by Jasmine. ' So, this is behind the scenes of an RPG adventure, healer skinning animals ', Ember thought as he looked at Jasmine who was smiling while butchering the rabbit.
" So how was the first day with our party? ", asked Lance as she drank some boiled water. Ember replied," It was good- All of you are skilled in your role and your coordination is also very good", she chuckled and gulped the rest of the water. She then said," Your coordination was quite good as well, have you worked with a big party as us before?"
He nodded, recalling his friends back at Argon friends, all of them were Level 2s now, so working with a Level 2 party didn't prove hard to him, however Thunder Lance party was a bit stronger. While Ash while prepared vegetable soup, Aurielle pitched the tents. As they were a stronger and bigger party, they could afford to be more relaxed.
" Tet, the colour of flames of your magic are quite unique, I have never seen a magic releasing blue flames. The fire magic mostly releases red to orange flames, with magic with orange flames being stronger than the red flames. So, your magic is quite unique", Aurielle said with interest in her eyes, undoubtedly, she was piqued by Ember's magic.
" Well, I am also intrigued by Miss Lance's magic, your magic is nothing to scoff, especially yours Miss Aurielle", he said politely, Lance patted her back while laughing and said," When it comes to raw power Aurielle's magic triumphs over mine, however when it comes to versatility my magic tops her."
" Captain I also have a medium-length chant magic", said Aurielle with twitching eyebrows," Bah! It is just a single target magic, while mine can be used both on single and multiple targets!", she boasted shamelessly. Aurielle sighed and so did Ember,' What about me? Who has all of you magics except Aurielle's? ', he thought slyly.
Since the party consisted entirely of Elves except Jack, pretty much everyone had a magic. An average Elf has one magic slot, some slightly talented Elves has two magic slots, and talented Elves have all three magic slots. There were plenty of talented Elves in Altena, so there was rarely an Elf who has not talent in magic, thus being an Elf adventurer is synonymous with being a magician.
(A/N: Meanwhile that Side Character Elf who was taken advantage by Dionysius crying in the corner)
Soon the food was ready, and Lance called Jack back, going on guard duty herself," You all eat, I will be on guard duty", she said grabbing her spear and walking away. Jasmine served the cooked rabbit and the vegetable soup. As they dig in, suddenly the bushes rustled. With a dash, Lance charged and slayed the goblin that intruded," Just some pesky Goblin, you all continue eating."
" You can't even eat at peace here", Aurielle said with a sigh," Hey! I am guarding so shut up and eat!", Lance retorted as she slaughtered another goblin. Others laughed while Ember remained quiet, reminiscing his time with his previous party members. As the time passed, and they finished with dinner, Lance returned and said," Tet, you are on guard duty", she took a bowl of soup and sipped it.
He nodded and walked away. He guarded for two hours and encountered no monsters. After that it was Jack's duty, and finally Ember got time to sleep. Next day, on dawn the party finally moved from their place and deeper into the forest. They encountered a group of Bugbears," Let's divide our attention Jack you will be on the front! I will be on your left, and Ember you will be on his right! Aurielle and Ash provide support from the back! Jasmine get ready to heal us!", she quickly assorted everyone their roles.
Ember quickly got on Jack's right and charged forward; with precision he sliced through a bugbear's neck killing it. Jack meanwhile clashed against a Bugbear and swung his great sword slashing through its body, meanwhile Lance released a torrent of stabs piercing through the Bugbear several times in a second. Ash released arrows that pierced accurately a Bugbear's eyes greatly restricting its movement.
Soon Aurielle released her magic obliterating two Bugbears, soon they were finished with Bugbears. " Not a bad haul, if we fight more of these guys, I know we will raise our parameters by a few points", Lance said and her words did held some truth. Bugbears had same strength and defense to that of Minotaurs however their agility surpassed them, making them formidable foes.
They continued with exploring the forest, often meeting with Level 1 monsters and defeating them, rarely encountering Level 2 monsters, their expedition lasted for another two days before coming to an end. Ember had also managed to successfully copy Aurielle's both magics. Ember had become the person to possess the greatest number of magics in the world. Even the elites of Athena family might have maximum of four to five magics, but he?
He possessed three fire magics, two healing magics, one wind magic, one thunder magic. A total of seven magics that already surpassed any other adventurer in world if not in Altena. They returned back to the Atlena, and once arriving at the guild they sold the magic stones and divided their spoils earning a total of 2.1 million valis.
" It will make 333,400 valis each and rest of the valis will belong to Lance", said Jasmine as she divided the valis amongst her team members. " This time we made 800,000 valis more than our last expedition! This is the third largest haul we had in any expedition!", said Aurielle. Normally they would make 1 million valis in each expedition, however with the addition of Ember, it allowed them to take more risks and earn more money.
" So, how about it Tet? Do you plan to continue adventuring with us?", asked Lance, looking at him for his answer. There wasn't much conflict in his face as he replied," I find Thunder Lance party to be quite capable so I will continue adventuring with your party, though I am also fond of going solo, so I might not be joining you often"
" You like going solo? You know that's quite dangerous right?", Lance asked with a frown on her face. Only people who had no other familia members would go solo. While in Orario going solo wasn't a big deal, ironically it was in outside world." I know, however I believe a solo experience is important for sharpening your abilities", Ember replied.
Her eyes sparkled," Indeed! It is the best way to hone your abilities... I think I will try solo runs often more", she said agreeing with him. Meanwhile her party members looked at her with a sigh, they gave a long face to Ember. Then they parted taking their money, and Ember left.
To be continued...
(A/N: Bruh, give me your powerstones we literally have fallen from top 40 to like 80's!)