12 012 Fire Roasted Knowledge

The fire roared to life as I used my flame magic on the pile of dried sticks and grass we collected.

CRACKLE CRACK CRACKLE!

The flames snapped back and forth. It's tongues licking the air with a brilliant intensity.

As I sat nearby I just let the gentle heat envelop me. I could feel all of the stress of the past day start to sink deeply into my shoulders.

I was betrayed, went back in time, met up with a goddess. Afterwards came back as a brand new level one player. I befriended SB. We met Ven and fought a dragon and got our hands on some forbidden items.

Honestly it's been quite a day.

It was only the fumbling Ven was doing that dragged me out of my mind and into the realm of curiosity.

"What are you doing Ven?"

Without skipping a beat she responded.

"I was making dinner for us. I mean it's the least I can do after everything you've done so far."

It was not easy to see but in the light of the fire I could see her start to blush. Her consideration warmed my heart and I couldn't help but smile in gratitude.

As she continued with her fumbling Ven pulled out a familiar looking item. It was the "Adventurer's Survival Kit". From inside the medium sized leather bag Ven pulled out a set of plates, utensils, cups and, pitcher of never ending water. Other things were in there but only this much was needed at the moment.

Honestly it was quite the useful to have and it only reminded me that I have to stock up on personal supplies once we get into town tomorrow.

Finally, the last thing Ventus pulled from her inventory was several cuts of meat and vegetables. After skewering all of them she just let the fire do the rest of the work. We stared in silence and the majesty of the flames for several moments before Ventus finally broke the silence.

"Ummm, Silver. I have something I've been meaning to ask you."

I turned towards her.

"Sure go ahead."

Ven paused for a moment before continuing.

"Now that we are a party I can see your level. When we were fighting that dragon you were only level seven. How is it possible that my original comrades and I who cleared up to the 30th floor couldn't fight him off. I mean we had people who were level 130 and we still lost. Then you come out of no where and basically defeated him alone? I don't understand it at all. What is going on?"

Concern, worry, hesitation, all these emotions and so many more crossed Ventus' face. How do I explain it to her? Do I tell her everything? A part of it? I don't want to cause distrust between us and if she is really committed to following me wherever I go then I guess she should know right? It wouldn't be right to ask her to join me on my quest if I am not completely honest with her. I have a dark path that I must tread. If she chooses it...she needs to know.

After much thought and internal struggle I chose my words carefully and began my explanation.

"Listen closely Ven because I will only share this once. No one else is to know what I am about to tell you. Do you understand?"

She nodded, with a deep sigh I began my explanation. Over the course of several tens of minutes I explained everything to her. From how I was originally the strongest player back five years ago clearing floor after floor to free everyone, but before I could I had been betrayed.

Tears ran down her smooth cheeks as I shared. Streaks of moisture marred her flawless skin but I continued.

I spoke on how I turned back time just to come back and get revenge. She was genuinely shocked that anyone could succeed in doing that. I laughed and continued my story. Picking up with how I met with Autumn, the Guardian of Luna then being transported back to the plains. Finally, after slaughtering herds and herds of Afos I heard her scream for help and the rest is history.

Originally I didn't mean to tell her everything but it felt so good to talk. A dam had broken inside me and without realizing it, everything flowed out. It felt good to be able to share all this and Ven was such an amazing listener.

I concluded my story right on time as the food was finally ready. It's rich aroma had been wafting through the air for quite a while now. Technically I hadn't eaten anything in five years so I was starving. Before any food was dispersed however, Ven came up to me hugged me.

It came as a shock as I'm not one who is used to affection. Especially because the one time I was ever affectionate with someone, they went off to be with my former best friend.

As the shock dissipated I hugged her back as she spoke.

"Thank you for sharing everything with me Em. I made a promise to follow you anywhere and I intend to keep it. Thank you for trusting me enough to share."

We broke away smiling. I was happy that I had found a friend again.

After we divided the food, it was attacked without mercy. Having gone through such a stress filled day, it was nice to just sit back and just have a moment to be human again.

Once the meal was devoured Ventus cleaned up for the both of us. Putting everything back into her dimensional space she gave me a look before coming in my direction sitting down right next to me. Wondering what was going on she quickly filled me in.

"What's the plan moving forward? I know at the moment you are a long way from getting revenge so what are we going to do?"

"At daybreak we have to go to the town of Lilly here on the first floor. We have to supply ourselves well and once we are prepared the only thing left to do is the beat floor bosses. I need to climb this tower and climb it fast. We must progress and anyone who stands in my way...I'll have to take care of."

I had no intention for those words to come out so coldly but it didn't seem to bother Ven.

"What do you need to prepare Em?

"Well basic supplies. We will have to gather a good amount so that we can power through as many floors as possible. I need to visit a blacksmith for some more armor and a different sword. Finally, I need to acquire more basic magic."

She gave me a confused look.

"Wait, I understand the armor but why another sword? You use magic and the sword. That's two arms occupied. Em I don't exactly see a third arm attached to you for you to duel wield and cast magic. While I'm at it, why more basic magic? Wouldn't it be better to get higher level magic?"

I shook my head and began my explanation.

"I need a different sword because as we start to progress through the floors, people will take notice. The followers of the three kings will be on the look out if they aren't already. The sword I have is incredibly powerful but it's more of an ability than a physical weapon. To call it forth it's like I'm using a permanent skill. I want something else that's just as good and will also deceive them when the time comes."

"Ohhh I see. That makes sense. In that case are you trying to trick people by only using low level basic elemental magic as well?"

I smiled at her remark.

"I can follow that train of thought but no. Do you understand the principles and foundation of magic?"

"Sure, I mean you chant the invocation for the spell you want to use and you're able to use it. If you get proficient enough then a chant isn't needed. Basic spells don't require chants so they are easy to cast but don't really cause a lot of damage."

"Ventus, were you paying attention at all to my fight with Jupiter?"

"I was, you were using high level spells without incantations along with your swordsmanship."

I shook my head.

"That's where you're wrong. At the moment I only know the three basic elemental spells. That is all the magic I used against the dragon. While what you said in regards to magic is true, it is only a primitive understanding of its foundation."

Ventus seemed insulted at my comment but also curious as well.

"What do you mean? Is there really more to magic than just that?"

I nodded.

"I won't bore you with all the detailed explanation so here is a short one. The level of magic is inconsequential in the face of the one who understands mana. If you came at me with a high level spell that you learned yesterday while I faced you with my mana mastered basic spell, you would lose every time."

"How is that possible! My spell would be stronger so how would you beat me?!"

"Magic proficiency isn't about using the spell over and over until it becomes natural. To truly be skilled with the spell you have to feel the natural flow of mana within your body. Use it to form the spell and change it or charge it. In this manner not only are you using mana efficiently but you are maximizing spell damage while minimizing mana cost."

"I still don't understand, if the spell cost is 25 Mana then how would you minimize it simply by understanding mana efficiency?"

I was getting slightly frustrated as it wasn't too hard to explain. I let out another sigh and tried a better explanation.

"By understanding how to use mana efficiently I can actually choose to spend more or less mana to cast the same spell. What changes would be its potency. If I have a basic fire spell that costs two mana but instead I super charge it by compressing the mana and expending 50 mana instead of 2 what would happen? It's simple, the destructive power of it would rise astronomically. The opposite is true for high level spells. By controlling how much mana I disperse into the spell I can cast the same spell with less. The only difference is that it won't be as strong but, this technique has various uses in combat and other areas."

Ventus' eyes opened wide as clarity finally flowed within her.

"I think I finally get it, my question now would be why learn basic magic instead of high leveled spells?"

"Remember how I told you there were different ways to acquire magic?"

She nodded.

"One of those ways is to create it yourself. It is quite difficult but not impossible. By using this method one can create all levels of spells."

Ventus was giving me all her attention at this point not wanting to miss anything.

"The simplest way to understand spell craft is as such. Think of basic spells like colors. By mixing primary colors you get secondary colors and tertiary colors. Magic spells is the same way. By using a combination of Mana efficiency, basic magic, and the users will, one will be able to make any spell desired by using basic spells as its foundation. Of course extreme cataclysmic type of spells require more but that's the general explanation."

Ven's eyes filled with wonderment as the explanation was concluded. Her mind was visibly expanded and she was in deep thought processing all the information that was just given to her.

"Will you teach me?"

The question came out of the blue but to be honest it's almost expected. Ventus was a magician. To have gained this knowledge I'm sure she is eager to grow in power.

"Please Em, how can I call myself a magician if apparently I don't know the basics of magic at all. Teach me please!"

She had gotten on her knees looking up at me. I didn't want her to embarrass herself so I quickly pulled her up to her feet.

"Of course, but not tonight. It's far to late and we need some kind of rest. We can start tomorrow."

I gave her a reassuring look. She responded by nodding.

Moving away from each other we settled on either side of the fire and after moments of silence, we drifted off to sleep.