Chapter 166 - Impossible task

Magic scrolls are powerful tools for any adventurer's growth because of the rare ability they give. Although you'll only know what it is once you use it though… what am I even thinking?! I can't use this, I'd never be able to afford it!!

"Where did you get this, Kana? I don't have the kinda cash for something this rare?"

Her eyes settled on the ground, she had a sombre aura around her as she smiled.

"I took out a loan and bought one"

"Y-you did what… why would you do that?!" I shouted back.

She looked at me with a firm expression, she had an overwhelming confidence in her words. The doubt in her eyes disappeared in an instant.

"Because you're my client. I'll do anything and everything I can to make sure you're ready and prepared."

Her eyes softened,

"If I'm being honest… you've been getting stronger so quickly that I could barely handle it. Every time I got you ready for your adventures, you'd exceed what I prepared for you. It was frustrating and I felt like I wouldn't be able to help you in any way."

"Kana…"

"So that's why I want to do this much, if it's this much you'll be okay. You won't turn your back on Alice or her people, so let this help you, Rei."

Did she go through all that trouble for me? I had been making her feel useless this entire time when I thought I was helping her. I was just being naive. So even someone like her can feel overwhelmed?

I accepted the scroll and held it firmly in my hand. I still wasn't entirely comfortable with it but I had no choice but to accept it. She was right after all, I wasn't strong enough. I needed everything I could get my hands on to save Alice, I needed the power beyond my capabilities.

"So how does it work?" I asked hesitantly.

Her brow rose, "I thought you would know how." 

"I've never used one before, they're rare even for gold ranks!"

I opened the scroll as far as it could go and read carefully over the words. No matter what angle I held it from, it still made no sense to me. Tower language was something not even the most advanced mages could easily read. It was a very rare and sought-after skill to be able to, but barely anyone in Istoria had such abilities.

Just as anxiety entered the mix of my emotions, an info screen popped up in front of me.

{Ability Scroll has been detected, will you use it?}

{Accept or Decline}

 So it gives me an option for it? If I do this, there's no turning back. 

I looked up from the scroll and Kana's eyes locked with mine. No words were exchanged but I heard her clearly, with every fibre of her being she was screaming at me to use it.

"Accept."

Kana, the street and everything else around me faded out of sight. All my senses were on the fritz too, I felt as though I was asleep but only my mind was conscious.

Nothing but the abyss of emptiness surrounded me, that and the single familiar voice that spoke out.

{You may choose your preferred route of growth}

"Wait, so it's not a set ability?"

{Option 1: Increased Physical abilities. Strength, Speed and Dexterity will increase exponentially}

{Option 2: Increased Durability. Vitality and Defense will increase exponentially}

{Option 3: Magic Growth. Mana stat will increase slightly, magic growth rate will rise with increased rates}

"So I do get to choose how I grow stronger. Option 1 is calling to me the most, to fight higher-ranked adventurers and monsters requires a high-strength stat. By that logic the second option would make drawn-out fights much easier too, it's a close second."

My attention drifted from the first two as a realisation hit me.

"This third option seems to be the only different one though… Unlike the first two, it's a growth type. From the wording it sounds like the first two options will grant me the increased stats in one turn, the third however is a gradual increase."

I rubbed my chin, my eyes were fixated on the third option. Moments ago I had my answer clearly planned out but suddenly I couldn't get the uneasy feeling off my chest that I had to choose differently.

"My skills all use mana, so increasing my skills would be a good option too. But I don't have the time to build it up, I need to use them now!" 

I wracked my brain deciding. No matter how much I tried to convince myself, I couldn't overlook the potential of the third option. 

My eyes widened,

"I won't be fighting until they reach the dragon's homelands, won't that be enough time?! If I gained enough distance in front of them, I could potentially use that time to grow the stats into what I need… it's risky though."

There was nothing else written beside it, from the little bit of information given, I was still unsure. I wish I had more time to think it over but my heart and head were both pointed at one option.

"Since my skills are my ace, I'll have to increase it the most I can. I'll take the third option."

{Option 3 has been selected}

{Increased abilities will now be added}

A chilling white air surrounded me in the abyss, every end of my body stiffened from the cold. It was a rejuvenating pressure that both surrounded and filled my body.

The pure white glow that encompassed me settled under my skin and I felt it flow through me entirely. My muscles which had been sore and fatigued were all healed, my head felt clearer and even simple things like my heartbeat improved.

{Magic attack has been increased slightly}

{Magic defence has been increased slightly}

{Skill casting time has been increased slightly}

{Magic casting time has been increased slightly}

{Magic perception has been increased slightly}

{Mana level has been increased slightly}

{Your magic abilities have increased, you will grow at double your rate}

"D–double??!"

…

In the blink of an eye it had all changed again, the dark abyss and system screens had all become a thing of the past. Kana's radiant eyes peered towards me with concern, I met them with a confused expression. 

"Rei, are you okay?"

"What… I'm back?"

I was still slightly dazed and only just got my senses back. My body felt good as new and my mind was rested but the sudden change in scenery threw me through a loop.

"Did something happen, you look a little uneasy. Did it not work?"

"No, it worked. It wasn't what I expected but thanks to you, we might just pull this off."