20 The Queen of Battle

The Alchemist had desired for Tao Lin to find a sage who would take him to a simulation training room.

The simulation training rooms were a different type of manual for learning moves. Rather than having to read about the moves, you'd sit down in a room with a virtual teacher. They'd hover right next to you and show you the moves repeatedly. However, it didn't come for free. You had to reach a certain level first and have a certain amount of accomplishments. Tao Lin, unfortunately, only had 217, and had no cosmo coins left. It seemed like he could only choose one of the beginner moves.

The Sage, right in front of him, was a small girl named Miley. She just woke up one day with that name as her two parents held her. Unlike a regular child that still needed years to grow up. Immediately, she already knew what she would be when she was older. She was going to be a sage, and it was one of the higher things an artificial could do. Unless something terrible happened, she'd probably soon have to go have a kid of her own. She held out three books in front of Tao.

The three books were, The Fire Tempest Arts, The Ruby Wind Saw Arts, and The Fire Defense Arts.

The Fire Tempest Arts seemed to make the most sense.

It would allow Tao Lin the speed needed to survive.

However, the ruby wind saw arts had the word ruby in it. As far as he could tell, it would be a move to enhance attacks. But a saw could mean so many things. Was it about way of piercing through enemies?

He flipped opened both books and read curiously.

As he expected, the wind saw arts were meant to imbue weapons. However, it also could be used on his armor, and had a second addition. It was a no brainer that this was the best book. He pointed towards it as Miley sighed.

She was really hoping he'd choose the fire tempest arts, so she could go out tonight. But, whatever, she looked down at the little creature in her palms and handed him over towards Tao Lin.

"Here, this little creature will be your guide in the simulation trainer."

Tao Lin scratched his head. "How is a little creature supposed to guide me?"

"You're new to games aren't you. You don't question the system Tao Lin. Now, trust me."

Tao Lin took the book and looked down at the creature.

It was so not pretty!

It had a body of a frog but the eyes of a bee. What the hell was it!

And even with all that he still looked proud. Like he knew he was beautiful!

What the hell! Regardless, he put the toad where she told him too.

"Your first training with the Prince of Wind is now about to start. Please listen to him closely."

It all suddenly made sense to Tao. A man in gorgeous armor and an elegant cape walked over smiling.

"Well boy. Give me a look of contempt again, and I'll cut you in three pieces. I expect you to do exactly as I do until you've reached beginner mastery of the Ruby Wind Saw arts. The sooner you get it the stronger your attacks will be. However, as one of the humans. It will also impact your very survival! Do you hear me Tao Lin!"

Tao Lin nodded, and pulled out his tiger crane spear. He realized he needed a new weapon immediately.

The Prince of Wind immediately laughed at the spear.

….

Natalia and her 'troops' arrived back in Beginner's wonderland.

The wind was howling as monsters were swarming around them.

The oracle, a lady they had ran into on the first day, told Natalia that something good would happen to her if she leveled up in this field. So, like a diligent player who had read the guide, she listened.

The oracles were kind of like the best friends to the system. They'd know before hand what the system was planning. In a way, if you found an oracle, you found a way to cheat. Natalia could tell by her son's energy that he was at least past the 5th stage. And it seemed like a good idea to follow an expert's advice.

The grass was still littered with the bones of the last enemies they fought, and five monsters were lining up on the far end of the field. There were blood red trees, and little blue men in front of them.

The little blue men moved nimbly forward.

Two teams faced each other.

Natalia waved her arms to the four behind her. They went into formation like five important points on a star.

The blue little men charged forward quickly. They were a simple flock of goblins and grinners. The grinners were orange and had bright smiles. In the middle of them was an ogre about the size of two trees. Natalia immediately decided he'd be hers.

"Charge!"

The goblins attacked first and ran at the five human players.

They weren't scared of them. Not even a little bit. Even though the ogre had warmed them many times to not look down on their enemies, they were unconcerned about dying! They would just respawn back in the monster's base. But if they killed a human, well they'd become a king! They'd get a pill to become an artificial. Their power would soar to the golden core stage.

That one pill was worth more than all the gear they would lose if they died. They charged at the humans with a bloodlust indescribable in human terms.

Natalia had her own desires. She still saw Tao Lin's shadow looming over her. It was up there right next to the purple son.

She knew her son was special, but as a mom she had to protect him. It was the same thing with the two kids on her side. She was no longer that meek waitress who smiled like a powerless pawn for a meager salary. Now, she could work hard and grow in strength.

All she desired, at this moment, was to become one with the battle. She drew her sword out and started glowing red.

"Natalia Lin has unlocked the temporary state of queen of battle. Huge boost of damage applied."

Her level two blade slashed into the goblin's and they immediately bloomed terrifying expressions. She caused over -800 Vim and made them disappear. Each time she swung a blade a goblin would die. Even the boss, the ogre was afraid.

The two identical girls followed up on her side and worked on their four-sword dance. They slashed like they were one person, and the grinners were torn up.

One of the grinners, flanking around the sides, pulled out his blade and swiped at one of the girls. He had found an opening. His one chance at becoming a permanent part of the system was here.

Arden bravely arrived behind her and screamed "Look out!"

He puffed out his chest as his blade and the grinner's blade clashed.

Rosie turned around and immediately realized what had happened, "Thank you so much Arden! We're so glad you were there!"

Arden just smiled and started working a little harder again. "Mom, you're not the only one who will be strong!"

Natalia didn't even give him a glance, nor had she heard a sound from his lips. All she was the ogre charging at her. She brandished her blade. As the queen of battle. All must fall to her sword!