Town of Beginnings II

Dante examined his status, and his skills. He looked at his summoning skill and wondered, "Virgil." Dante watched as his mana ticked down by 5. Once more he felt something stir within him and then leave him. "At least now I know that's mana I feel."

With his newly acquired mana sense he could feel as his mana was shaped by the skill. A moment later the familiar golden figure of Virgil stood before him. "Hello Dante." Virgil said with a bright smile. Dante took a chance, "Hello friend." Virgil's expression dulled somewhat. Dante felt that perhaps he had overstepped, but that feeling was quickly alleviated when Virgil's smile returned brighter than previously.

"Friend, I like that. So few have called me such. I will gladly be your friend." Dante smiled, truly happy that he had not negatively impacted his relationship with Virgil. 'Back on task.' Dante thought, "Virgil, can you help me find some shoes and socks in the store and then explain some more of the system to me?"

"Certainly, a moment please." Virgil said before waving his fingers in the air for a moment. A dozen screens popped in and out of existence rapidly, until only one remained. Virgil grasped the screen and held it out for Dante, "Tell me what you think of these. I will think they will suit you very well." He said whilst holding his other hand behind his back.

Dante reached out grasping the blue box and then proceeded to examine the displayed item. The item displayed was a comically large set of ruby red clown shoes with rainbow striped socks. Dante looked down whilst restraining a small laugh. "I think the shoe's are a bit too big but i like the socks." Dante said before finally looking back up toward Virgil with a smile.

Virgil removed his other hand from behind his back revealing another blue box. Once more the smiling Virgil reached out, but this time he tapped the screen he held against the one held by Dante.

The clown shoe's flicked down and were replaced by a sturdy looking pair of brown work boots. Like something a person in the military might wear. "I recommend these. They are the most well suited to your current needs within your current price range." Dante nodded a small smile still lingering upon his face.

"Very well i would like to purchase these boots along with the socks." A smaller screen appeared before him stating the price of the selected items, 15 gold. The boots being 10 and the socks 5. "Why are the socks so expensive?" Dante asked, confused.

"They are woven from mana thread. This grants several small advantages, and one major that are conferred to the user, over the kind of socks you're used to. Would you like to hear a few?" Dante asked like a true showman displaying his wear. "Let's start with the major benefit."

"Of course. That being fall damage mitigation. Mana thread when it is flooded with mana acts as an excellent shock absorber to a certain extent. I would say with your current mana pool you could be unharmed from a fall of 20 to 25 feet. So long as you landed on your feet and spent sufficient mana." Virgil paused awaiting feedback.

"Nice, so no free jumping off buildings just yet, that's alright." Virgil's smile became somewhat strained, "I am aware that is a joke. However, i still would not recommend for you to attempt such actions." Virgil said in a worried tone. "Duly noted Virgil. Now the minor benefits?"

"Aw yes. The socks are very breathable and help to keep your feel cool or warm depending upon the situation. However there is a small downside here as it imposes a slight penalty to your mana regen for this effect." Virgil said with a smile, a small golden glow emanating from him. 'Trying really hard to sell the socks.'

Dante looked back over to his still open status. "How much is the penalty?" Dante asked, "Oh for someone of your size only 1.5 mana per minute." Said Virgil. 'That leaves me only 0.3 mana regen per minute.'

"I'm going to be able to improve my mana regen soon right?" Dante asked the deciding question. "Of course, i can show you that in a moment if you would like." Virgil said, his voice hopeful.

"I accept the purchase." A notice popped up stating his items had been delivered to his inventory. 'Inventory' Dante thought. The familiar blue box appeared. Dante positioned the screen between his legs towards the floor to make it easier to dawn his foot wear. He pulled on the socks one at a time feeling as they warmed his feet.

Dante turned to his status page and watched as his mana regen ticked downward, stopping at 0.3 mana per minute. He tested out the socks by placing his feet on the heated flooring again.

Dante smiled as Virgil continued, "Please note that these won't negate fall damage if you fall on something other than your feet. They also will allow you a small amount of propulsion per point of mana spent. Thus you can adjust your positioning even in mid air.

The socks went from warming his feet to keeping them cool against the warm flooring. Dante nodded in approval and dawned the army boots. "Now that we have that out of the way allow me to introduce you to another aspect of the system, Roads.

Virgil snapped his fingers, a new small blue box appeared before him as he closed his inventory.

Road of Beginnings

0/5

Road of the Wizard I

1/10

Road of the Downtrodden

0/10

Road of New Beginnings

0/20

"So that's what it meant by you have started down the road of the wizard." Dante said, "Yes, it takes some individuals quite some time to discover how to get points into their roads without spending any."

Dante filled this experience away for later. "So these roads reflect who I am?" Dante asked curious as to the answer. "Yes. Well in a manner of speaking at least. As you have a few points to spend i would suggest that you complete the Road of Beginnings."

Dante did not argue, he inputted the five points and got a few notices, and a new feeling.

The hardest step is often the first, +1 Strength...

The second step brings you farther from where you started, or is it closer?, +1 Dexterity...

The third step, you are halfway there. +1 Intellect...

The fourth step, you are almost there, you see the end of this road and the beginnings of many others. +1 Perception...

The fifth step. You have chosen to tread forth. Both for yourself and those you love. +1 Endurance...

Congratulations! You have completed the Road of Beginnings! +1 to all stats! +0.5 to all regens...

The first road of man has been completed. There shall always be a road for you and should one not be open you may tread forth into the unknown and carve out your own...

Dante felt his feet moving though he remained standing still. With each step, each point, he felt something the world stretch out before him. It was the feeling you got when you played a grand and expansive game. It reminded him of good times with his friends. "My friends..." Dante turned to Virgil only to see he had gone.

"Virgil!" He felt once more as mana flowed out of him and formed into Virgil. Before he could even ask his question, Virgil answered it. "Apologies the duration of the skill ran out for the mana expended."

Dante looked at his status again.

Strength 16

Constitution/Vitality 13

Endurance 25

Dexterity 18

Willpower 14

Intellect 20

Wisdom 14

Charisma 15

Luck 9

Perception 15

Spirit 7

Resources Total Regen:

Health 130 (1.8/min)

Mana 200 (2.3/min)

Stamina 250 (3/min)

Road Points 12

Stat Points 5

Dante looked at the five stat points and then placed 9 Rp into the Road of the Wizard I. Notices came for every second Rp in the Road.

Many seek out magic to gain power over others. You seek magic for it burns in your heart. +5 mana...

You tread this path in search of things known already to you. +2 Wisdom, +1 Intellect...

You feel yourself growing closer to a breakthrough. +3 Intellect...

The words are coming to you but there are still pieces missing. +2 Wisdom...

The words are on the tip of your tongue. You already know your first spell. Speak it...

Dante once more felt his feet walking. A longer Road stretching out before him. It wanted him to speak a spell? Dante looked at Virgil still smiling his warm smile. It felt good to have friends.He thought of his college friends and D&D.

Dante thought of his parents. Of the love they had for each other as well as him. He remembered all they had given him. He was grateful, and with those pleasant memories, and joy in his heart, he found he did know the spell.

"And on the first day, the lord saw fit to say, "Let there be LIGHT!"

As Dante spoke he reached down to touch his new socks. This spell gave him a different feeling that when he summoned Virgil. He knew why. Where summoning Virgil required his own mana, this was different. Light is a cantrip that requires no mana from the user. Instead it draws its mana from the environment.

Dante watched as his socks seemed to soak in the light emanating from his hands. The socks began to glow, but oddly each strip of color on the socks glowed emanating a light of its own color. "Very interesting."

Congratulations! You have completed the Road of the Wizard I!...

+2 Int, +1 Wis, +50 Mana

"Wow. 50 points into Mana that's 5 points in Intellect i don't have to spend. Thank you very much." Dante Checked his status and decided to invest some points into constitution and wisdom.

Strength 16

Constitution/Vitality 23

Endurance 25

Dexterity 18

Willpower 14

Intellect 26

Wisdom 24

Charisma 15

Luck 9

Perception 15

Spirit 7

Resources Total Regen:

Health 230 (3.8/min)

Mana 315 (12.3/min)

Stamina 250 (3/min)

Road Points 3

Stat Points 15

Happy with his choice he sensed the duration of his summoning skill approaching so he dumped 50 mana into it on his way out the door. Dante was still worried about his health but then again he did not intend on fighting today. 'I'll ask Virgil later.' Dante thought.