Training 1

"I want power and I'm going to get it!" Lovo said while slamming his hand on the wall behind Neasa. She was terrified of him at that moment. He stood nearly a foot over her looking down showing his fangs.

As he looked down at Neasa he could see he lost himself briefly. He collected himself and tugged at his torn jacket.

"I apologize Neasa. I didn't mean to scare you."

Neasa also had to collect herself.

"My apologies. Even after all you've done for everyone it's still strange to see a Vampire doing. Well good."

Lovo chuckled.

"I do agree it is quite weird, but that's how life is? The unexpected. Now what brings you up here? I was just about to head down to find Toma and see about hosting a feast in the dinning room."

She gathered her thoughts and summoned her courage.

"Make me your apprentice!"

Lovo's eyes almost popped out of his head.

"You want to be an apprentice to me?! A vampire? You do realize I'm a necromancer right. Not a green mage like yourself."

"Yes I know but I own you my life! You saved not only me but Gorgo and those adventurers. I want to get stronger as well to protect people!"

He couldn't resist her puppy dog eyes and her determination.

With a sigh he agreed to take her on as an apprentice. He knew she wouldn't be ready for battle any time soon so he thought of a plan.

He led her through the castle and down to the room he made home. He noticed she was slightly on edge entering the dungeon apologized about it. He told her wanted to get it changed into an actual room. He lead her to the secret chambers. She was amazed by the extensive library, but what caught her attention was what was at the other end of the room. The floating skull with gem's adorned it.

"What is that?" She whispered to Lovo.

"Heh. That is my master. Lord Karik. I won't get into the details, but this is the problem he is dealing with. He goes in and out of long rests. This is his library so we must ask his permission to read these books."

Neasa didn't say anything and just silently nodded.

The two walked over to the skull that Lord Karik inhabited.

"Lord Karik!"

The skull slowly moved and opened its jaw.

"Ahh. Lovo. Have you brought those three objects with you? And this human? Was she on the list?"

He chuckled.

"No lord Karik. She was not on the list. I've found whereabouts to the Shifter Bear, but I haven't went to slay it yet. This lady with me is named Neasa. She is a green mage and asked to be my apprentice. Since I would be out hunting for your list I would have her study books from your vast library. If you will permit it."

Lord Karik's skull just laughed hysterically.

"Ahahahahahaha! A human wanting to be an apprentice to a vampire?! A green mage and not even a necromancer! Fine fine. I will permit her and anyone you deem worthy to take on as an apprentice. To help the bookshelf on the left after entering this room as books filled with green magic and other books pertaining to mana. Knowledge is key."

"Thank you Lord Karik. I shall let you go back to your slumber. I will be back with your list."

"Ah. Good. Just hurry. We need you to be stronger for the next objective."

"Yes Lord Karik."

After he spoke the skills mouth closed again.

Lovo shrugged and turned to Neasa.

"I apologize for my master. He is…Erratic for your sure. You are more then welcome to come here and study."

"No thank you! This is more then I can ask. Although, what is this list he gave you? I know some stories about the Shifter Bear."

Lovo grinned.

"Oh? Do you? My master has tasked me with Hunting a Shifter Bear, a Grand Mimic and a Forest Spirit. Have any information on them."

"Those are odd creatures to hunt." Neasa spoke plainly.

"The Shifter Bear is more a guardian. They act as defenders of evil. More if evil is deep below a cave, the Shifter Bear will guard the entrance as not let anyone near the evil. A Grand Mimic is usually that evil. Hidden deep below they set traps with their off spring and then disguise themselves as treasure that is hidden in their lairs. Although I am confused why you would have to hunt a Forest Spirit. Normally they are just wooden creatures brought to life by natural magic."

"Do they not bleed or have any organs?"

Neasa paused for a moment to think.

"The only Forest Spirit that would 'bleed' are the infected ones. Forest Spirits that are brought to life by not only natural magic but ones near mass graves."

"Huh I have to keep that in mind. Now let's go through those books and see which one you want to read first."

_________

Outside Sheva and Kelagar were sitting around a small fire they were starting. They watched the Druids helped the Forest Goblins plant crops and the Ogre move some of the debris out the way.

Sheva used her foot to kick at Kelagar to get his attention.

"Hey. Do you trust these people?" she asked in a low voice.

"I have no idea. I've never seen anything like this. You?"

"Not sure. It's almost like I do want to trust that Lord Lovo, but he's a vampire. He hasn't done anything against us and even offered us food and shelter for the night. Guild Master would want to see this."

"Aye your right. Back in my Tiade I've fought goblins, orcs and even some undead. To see this. It's down right weird."

"I agree. Let's be nice for now, till he does something, and once we leave back for Oswik.

We'll talk to the Guild Master and let him decide what to do."

Kelagar just nodded in agreement.

_______

A huge bear like creature sat outside a cave entrance. The creature looked like a bear except for its black oily fur, thorns protruding out of its shoulders, elbows and knees and deep orange eyes. It was the Shifter Bear. It was guarding the entrance to a dungeon that held evil.

It's ears started to twitch as a ghostly wail echoed from deep within.

Following the sound in, it seemed like a normal cave till you reached the end. There stood a stone door with almost a man made wall. Behind that door was the dungeon; filled with traps and monsters that cannibalized each other to live. Bodies of dead adventures still somehow fresh tucked away from the world. Runes etched upon the walls that kept the monsters from braking out.

Still to this day no one knows who made these dungeons scattered around the world.

At the very end of the dungeon was a hidden treasure room. A top a mountain of gold was a large chest. Made from Dark Oak with gold trimmings and Ruby gems in a design of a face. This was the Grand Mimic. Even for being a creature of evil it still hid treasure inside it. Unfortunately what it hid was more terrifying then what it was, if the right person knew what it was.

_______

"These books are extremely rare! I've never heard of these before! 'The Inner teaching of Green Magic' by Kolo Derim and 'Wrath of Green' by Ashlyn Homoto are famous books! Only the Imperial city of Denivier has them!"

Neasa was shocked by the magical teaching books were in this library. She wasn't even looking through the entire bookshelf. These were in the middle of the shelf.

"Oh? How rare are they? I haven't read these books." Lovo said nonchalantly to her. He wasn't even sure if he could read, let alone read these books.

"Extremely rare! They are all hand written! Maybe only a couple dozen of these books were made. I would say less then forty books. Master Kilo's teachings changed the way how Green Mages studied mana and channeled it. This book is her original teachings! I've never heard it, but heard it very deep into the world."

"What about the other one?"

"That one too! Master Ashlyn also changed how Green Magic is viewed in combat. She was a powerful adventurer that studied through combat."

"Can you tell me more about the two?"