Atlas came to a stop in front of a building that he couldn't help but marvel at its sheer grandeur.
The structure seemed alive, built from crimson-hued stone that shimmered faintly as if embers burned beneath its surface. Its spires reached skyward like tongues of flame frozen in time. The massive double doors, carved from dark obsidian and etched with intricate fiery runes, radiated an intense warmth, both welcoming and foreboding.
Above the entrance, an archway bore the emblem of a blazing phoenix, its wings outstretched, feathers ablaze with an otherworldly glow. The creature's fiery eyes seemed to follow Atlas, daring him to enter. The area around the library pulsed with an almost tangible energy, the faint crackle of invisible flames brushing against his skin.
Next to the entrance were statues of ancient fire elementalists, their hands raised as if conjuring eternal flames that flickered above their palms.
From within, a soft orange and gold light spilled out through tall, arched windows, casting shifting patterns of firelight onto the cobblestone path. Each window was framed by molten glass designed to resemble roaring flames. A faint hum emanated from the building, like the steady heartbeat of a sleeping volcano, carrying with it the promise of power and the weight of untold secrets.
Atlas hesitated for a moment, gazing at the library's majesty. This was not just a repository of fire spells—it was a temple to the flame itself, a place where the most brilliant and dangerous knowledge of the element had been gathered and safeguarded for generations. Every inch of the building whispered both potential and peril, waiting for the next soul brave enough to claim its fiery wisdom.
The interior consisted of three flights of stairs and in the middle of the building, on the first floor, was a large crystal ball the size of a large inflatable bubble levitating about three to four feet off the ground. Atlas would occasionally see some individuals in a line go up to the crystal ball, put their hands on it then head to an aisle that had miniature crystal balls the size of a baseball instead of scrolls or books.
The first floor consisted of individuals, mostly with green hair. Most of the people with hair color from the main family were on the second floor or higher.
Atlas sucked his teeth at the sight, 'no surprise there.'
He took a couple of steps towards the line in the center of the building, which led to the large levitating crystal ball, but he was blocked by someone.
He looked up to see a green-haired male with glasses wearing some run-down brown robes. On his chest was a fake name tag with the name 'Strain' written on it, pretending that he was an attendant at the library.
"Hello there, are you here to rent or purchase a technique?" The individual named Strain asked.
"Uhhh, depends. What is better?" Atlas responded just to entertain the imposter of a library attendant.
"Good question! Well, for renting… renting allows you to learn a technique for half the price within the library. This process is longer as you have to learn the technique on your own within a time limit. If you don't complete the learning within the time limit you will have to return it and come back another time.
This can become pricey if you're slower in learning a technique, especially for higher grades. While purchasing techniques allows you to learn the technique instantly. Hmm…not instantly, but it's more of the technique getting downloaded in your mind if that makes sense. You still have to do the work in learning it. Hmm…not learn per se maybe training might be the best term to use." Strain explained sliding his glasses up his nose with his middle finger.
"I see," Atlas replied, nodding his head. "So what is the process of purchasing a technique."
"Is this your first time purchasing one?" Strain asked
Atlas nodded his head and a smirk appeared on Strain's face. Atlas could've sworn he said 'jackpot' under his breath while his eyes seemed to catch a glow of turning into coins.
"Heh, well you're in luck. I can guide you through the process for 500 bronze coins." Strain said, holding 5 fingers up in front of Atlas. Once Atlas heard the price he walked off toward the line saying,
'And there it is,'
"No thanks, I think I got it from here."
"Oi, wait up." Strain said, catching up to Atlas, who stopped behind an individual in the line towards the crystal ball. "Hey, I'm just trying to help out."
"Uh-huh, sure, buddy," Atlas shook his head and crossed his arms.
"I can tell you're not from around here. Unless you're a native or an adventurer you won't be able to access the LITS Orb."
"LITS orb?" Atlas wondered what he meant and turned around slightly to look at him.
"The Library Instant Technique Searcher, that thing in the middle." Strain explained putting towards the floating ball in the center.
"Oh...and does not being from around here mean I don't fill one of those conditions?"
"If you do, then why are you on this floor? Are you looking for a wind element skill or a basic mundane skill?"
"No, a fire skill, why?" Atlas asked looking at Strain curiously.
"This floor is for the FireStride branch family so it's mostly wind element techniques or basic mundane techniques. If it's the fire element, then that's the next floor." Strain answered motioning up with his index finger.
"Is that so, I guess I'll take a look at the wind element and mundane skills first."
"Heh, you're a funny one. What's the point?"
"Just browsing a technique or two wouldn't hurt."
"Hmph! What would an outsider like you know?" A green haired girl in front of Atlas with green eyes that swirled around her pupil like a gentle breeze said. "Seeing how clueless you are, you probably haven't even purchased or rented a technique once in your life."
"So? What if I haven't?"
The girl sighed "It's not possible to browse another element if you don't have an affinity with it, idiot!"
"Didn't know that, but I still should be fine." Atlas shrugged. The girl shook her head and turned back around as it was her turn to use the LITS orb. As soon as she touched it she started touching random areas on the orb.
'Must be a screen only she could see,' Atlas thought to himself. 'That's convenient' He smirked.
Not long after, the girl finished searching for what she was looking for and started to follow a small floating light that guided her to the technique she looked up.
Finally, it was Atlas's turn. He placed his hand on the orb and it flashed red twice while a mechanical voice rang out inside Atlas's head.
{Mana signature not recognized! Please tap Adventurer's card on the orb to access Blazing Phoenix clan's library.}
The people behind Atlas started to snicker and chuckle when they saw the orb flash red but slowly receded when he took out his adventurer's card and tapped it on the orb.
{Welcome, Atlas Blaze! Please select from the below elements to choose a skill}
{Wind Element} {Fire Element} {Non-Elemental}
Even though 'fire element' was an element option it was grayed out since it wasn't on the right floor to access it, so the first choice Atlas went with was 'Wind Element'. That opened up 9 ranks or level categories grouped in two's for each skill difficulty.
{Beginner}
{Rank 1: Novice Skills} ➕
{Rank 2: Apprentice Skills} ➕
{Intermediate}
{Rank 3: Journeyman} ➕
{Rank 4: ???}
{proficient}
{Advanced}
Proficient and Advanced were grayed out for Atlas but he could access up to rank 3 for the techniques. He clicked on the plus signs to look at the skills. There were plenty in each rank but these were a couple of the ones that stuck out to him.
{Beginner}
{Rank 1: Novice Skills} ➖
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Breeze Touch ➕[1]
Whisper Wind ➕[2]
Calm Zephyr ➕[3]
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{Rank 2: Apprentice Skills} ➖
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Air Push ➕[4]
Feather Step ➕[5]
Spinning Current ➕[6]
Vacuum Pull ➕[7]
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{Intermediate}
{Rank 3: Journeyman} ➖
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Wind Bullet ➕[8]
Wind Edge ➕[9]
Aerial Dash ➕[10]
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After reviewing the skills, Atlas decided on these wind element skills: feather step, Wind Edge, Aerial Dash, and Air push. As he clicked on the purchase option, they were added to the right column of the menu, showing that his current selection added up to 1,500 bronze coins.
Atlas's chest hurt a bit at the price. He didn't forget that he had to look for fire element skills and see if some non-elemental skills interested him. He clicked on the non-elemental tab and viewed those skills without wasting time. These were what caught his eye:
Silent Step ➕[11]
'This would go perfectly with feather step.' Atlas smirked as he added it to the purchase column in the menu.
Vital Reserves ➕[12]
Atlas grabbed this skill so that he didn't commit the same mistake of not having enough stamina. Just in case, if he ever needed to outrun a beast, he couldn't fight. Last time, he got lucky with the Wildfire Boar since it was already weakened.
Minor Barrier ➕[13]
'This one might come in handy. I'll get this just in case.' Atlas thought as he added the final non-elemental skill to the purchases column. At the bottom of the column was the button 'Complete purchase.' Atlas clicked on the button, which caused a prompt to pop up on the screen.
{Would you like to complete purchases of:
Feather step
Wind Edge
Aerial Dash
Air Push
Silent Step
Vital Reserves
Minor Barrier
Total cost: 2 Silvers and 75 bronze coins}
{yes} {Continue Shopping} {Cancel Purchases}
Atlas clicked on 'yes' and watched as 4 green light orbs, along with 3 grey light orbs, emerged from the LITS orb and, one by one, entered his head between his eyebrows. A massive headache assaulted him, causing him to groan in pain and drop to one knee, holding his head. Information on how to use and train each skill flashed in his head.
When the knowledge was all assimilated, he got up from the floor and looked at his right hand. The wind techniques explained how to harness the energy of an element from within his body. However, since he hadn't awakened his wind element yet, he tested energy manipulation with his fire element. Focusing on his mana core, he imagined the fire element releasing from his mana core, going up his torso in his mana channels and to his right arm.
The energy stopped at his right palm with nothing happening. This was where the knowledge in his mind said to imagine that energy releasing from the palm. Atlas imagined a spark of flame appearing in his hand.
Bzzt...whoosh!
A spark sound was heard before a small white flame puffed out from his hand. Atlas smirked and closed his palm into a fist, extinguishing the flame, and walked off towards the second level.
'That wasn't too hard,' Atlas thought; however, when he heard Cel's voice in his head, he couldn't help but smirk.
[You have created the skill Spark!]
[1] Difficulty: Easy
Description: summons a gentle breeze that can cool the air or lightly move small objects
Utility:
* Cools down hot environments or provides comfort
* Move light objects like leaves or paper.
Price: 100 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 50 Bronze coins {rent}
[2] Difficulty: Easy
Description: Sends a faint, controlled breeze toward a specific direction, useful for carrying sounds over short distances.
Utility:
* useful for discreet communication in quiet environments.
* Can be used to distract guards by mimicking faint sounds
Price: 150 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 75 bronze coins {rent}
[3] Difficulty: Easy
Description: Summons a soothing wind that calms emotions and clears the mind of minor distractions.
Utility:
*Helps in meditation or focus during stressful situations.
*Can comfort allies and ease tension in group settings.
Price: 200 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 100 bronze coins {rent}
[4] Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Releases a small burst of wind that can knock back lightweight objects or slightly unbalance an opponent.
Utility:
* Can push doors open or knock over small items.
* Creates space between the user and a close-range enemy.
* Helps propel lightweight projectiles or tools
Price: 250 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 125 bronze coins {rent}
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[5] Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Temporarily lightens the user's body, allowing for quieter movement or short bursts of speed.
Utility:
* Aids in stealth missions by muffling footsteps.
* Helps evade attacks by enhancing agility
*can be used to cross unstable surfaces without triggering weight-sensitive mechanisms.
Price: 300 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 150 bronze coins {rent}
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[6] Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Creates a small whirlwind that spins around the caster, deflecting lightweight projectiles or clearing debris.
Utility:
*Protects the caster from thrown items like stones or arrows.
*Clears fog, smoke, or sand in the area.
*Sweeps debris away for easier travel or visibility.
Price: 350 bronze coins {purhcase}
Price: 175 bronze coins {rent}
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[7] Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Creates a small localized suction force to pull objects or enemies closer.
Utility:
*Retrieves lightweight objects from a short distance.
*Unbalances opponents by pulling them off-guard.
*Clears obstacles in confined spaces.
Price: 300 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 150 bronze coins {rent}
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[8] Difficulty: Challenging
Description: Launches a focused, narrow burst of wind at a target, capable of causing minor damage or staggering opponents.
Utility:
*Effective for ranged combat against weaker enemies.
*Pushes lightweight objects off ledges or shelves.
*Can extinguish small flames.
Price: 400 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 200 bronze coins {rent}
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[9] Difficulty: Challenging
Description: Forms a thin, sharp current of wind that can cut through soft materials like fabric, rope, or foliage.
Utility:
Cuts bindings, vines, or other soft obstructions.
Useful in crafting or gathering resources in the wild.
Enhances close-range combat with subtle wind-infused strikes.
Price: 500 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 250 bronze coins {rent}
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[10] Difficulty: Challenging
Description: Propels the caster forward with a controlled burst of wind, increasing speed momentarily.
Utility:
*Helps evade attacks or close the gap in combat.
*Useful for crossing small gaps or reaching ledges.
*Boosts mobility in time-sensitive situations.
Price: 450 bronze coins {Purchase}
Price: 225 bronze coins {Rent}
[11] Difficulty: Easy
Description: Temporarily muffles the user's footsteps, allowing for quiet movement over most surfaces.
Utility:
*Enhances stealth during infiltration or hunting.
*Avoids detection by enemies with sharp hearing.
*Great for escaping dangerous situations without drawing attention.
Price: 250 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 125 bronze coins {rent}
[12] Difficulty: Easy
Description: Enhances the user's stamina for a short period, reducing fatigue and allowing extended physical activity.
Utility:
*Great for prolonged battles or long-distance travel.
*Helps resist exhaustion when performing strenuous tasks.
*Effect lasts up to 10 minutes.
Price: 300 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 150 bronze coins {rent}
[13] Difficulty: Challenging
Description: Creates a small, translucent shield that absorbs one physical or magical attack before dissipating.
Utility:
*Provides brief protection during combat.
*Effective for blocking ranged projectiles or weak spells.
*Barrier lasts up to 10 seconds or until hit.
Price: 700 bronze coins {purchase}
Price: 350 bronze coins {rent}