Liam walked out from the Crafters Association building and turned right down the road. He was thinking as he made his way through the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone.
“What are you planning on doing right now? – Eri.”
I need to get some supplies and ingredients to make some potions. I’m a bit low for the amount I want to make. Liam replied.
“Oh? How many do you plan on making? And which ones do you plan on making? – Eri.”
I plan on trying to get my Potion Making level to as close to level twenty as I can. While I’m at it I want to make some Mana Extracts. I figured if I can get as many of those ready as I can then I’ll be ready when I start making Chemicalized Creations. Liam replied as he looked at each building while walking.
“Sounds like a good plan. Do you not need any ores to make a showcase weapon or armor? – Eri.”
Liam shook his head. No. Fia gave me enough that I can make a few daggers through bone crafting. I want to eventually expand from that but I’ll need to practice with some of the beginner weapons the others gave me so I can get a good idea how they feel when crafting them.
“Alright. Do you have a good idea where you’re going to get the supplies you need? – Eri.”
Liam smiled as he searched his inventory for an item he had placed in it earlier that day. After he found it he pulled it out and looked at it. Yes. I’m going to go check out the Cat’s Paw-ldron.
“Ah the one that little Tabby Cat-folk girl invited you to check out? – Eri.”
Yeah. I figured since she stretched her hand out and advertised the store to me then I might as well check it out. Maybe they’ll have some Knowledge Theory books there I’ll need for the other sections. Liam replied. After that then I’ll go find a place to craft and...
Liam felt someone suddenly bump into him. He turned to apologize and see who he had ran into and saw the person who he had accidently bumped into was on their behind on the ground.
Liam got a better look at the person and noticed it was a young male with a backpack overflowing with objects strapped to his back. He looked to be in his mid to late teens and had golden brown skin with messy black hair. He wore a black tank top with black shorts and some weird looking shoes.
“Sorry about that,” Liam started as he reached a hand out to help them up. “I was lost in thought and didn’t see you there. Are you alright?”
The teenaged boy glared at Liam for a moment before seeing his hand reached out. That glare turned into a soft smile as he took the hand. As Liam helped him back up he stated, “It’s alright, I’m fine. My attention wasn’t on others around me as well since I’m in a hurry.”
“Ah I see,” Liam replied as his eyes turned to the backpack the boy was carrying. “That seems to be a lot you’re carrying. Why isn’t it in your inventory?”
“Ah that’s because I was requested not to put anything in my inventory,” The boy started. His eyes lit up with excitement as he continued, “I’m trying to join this famous party called The Hammer of Judgement. One of their members said he’d put in a good word for me if I run errands like gather supplies, get equipment repaired, get information on dungeons, and more. He told me I couldn’t put anything in my inventory so it would build trust with him and the other members of the group.”
Liam raised a brow as he listened to the boy. Honestly, it just sounded like they were using him as a gopher. However, he didn’t know the rules parties had for new members so he couldn’t judge on how they conducted things.
“Still, that backpack of yours looks heavy. Are you sure you’ll be able to carry it all without any issues?” Liam questioned.
The boy shrugged. “My strength is decent as well as my Stamina Endurance and Body Strength. I should be alright as long as I don’t bump into anyone else.”
“Hm…,” Liam muttered as he stared at the backpack.
The backpack looked heavy with all the items poking out from the top and he didn’t think it was fair he had to carry it all by himself. He felt bad and wondered what he could do to help him. As he was thinking he remembered one of his spells.
It was Feathery Upforce. In the single digit levels it only targeted weapons, but after getting it to level ten he could use it on items other than weapons. He wasn’t sure if it would work on the backpack, but he figured he’d give it a shot.
“I’m going to try something out. Will you allow me to test a spell?” Liam asked.
The boy gave him a suspicious look.
Before the boy could say anything Liam raised his hands up and explained, “I’m not trying to take anything. I just want to see if a spell of mine will help lighten your load for you.”
Still looking skeptical, the boy slowly nodded as he said, “Alright…but if you try anything funny I will make you pay.”
Liam let out a chuckle as he said, “Sounds fair.”
Liam started channeling some Gravity Mana. After he channeled the amount he felt was right, he chanted as he focused on the backpack, “Heaviness is the hindrance of progression, Lightness is the push needed to soar. Lighten the load of this object, allow it hinder the user no more. Feathery Upforce.”
Dark Purple outlined the backpack on the boy’s back as soon as the chant was finished. As soon as the spell wrapped around the object, the boy suddenly leaned forward and started to fall.
Liam caught him before he could fall face first and steadied his balance.
“Whoa there,” Liam said as he made sure the boy was able to rebalance himself. “All good?”
The boy’s eyes widened as he turned his head to look at the backpack. “Holy crap! It suddenly became light.” He turned his body left and right to test it out. “What did you do?”
“I used a gravity magic spell called Feathery Upforce. Normally it is used on weapons, but at level ten you can use it on other objects. However, since this isn’t a weapon you wont get any effects other than making it feel lighter. It’ll last for five minutes so I suggest…”
“What the hell is going on here?!” a voice suddenly shouted.
Liam and the boy turned to see a man making his way towards them.
The man had pointy ears sticking out his long golden hair. He also had forest green eyes, a slim physique, and sharp facial features. He had the physical traits Liam started to associate Elves with. He was taller than Liam by a few inches. He wore elegant clothing giving Liam the impression he was some noble or at least someone pretending to be since he didn’t know what nobility wore here.
“Ah Chad,” the boy started. “I was just on my way…”
“Quiet boy,” Chad started as he arrived to them. After he approached the two he glared down at the boy and stated, “Punctuality is a quality needed if you are wanting to join us. You were supposed to meet up with us ten minutes ago. I came to look for you and what do I find?”
Chad turned his gaze on Liam and added, “You talking to some poor looking rando. Seriously, what are you wearing? I almost mistaken you for someone who just gotten out from the Tutorial Area. You look so mismatched and those dagger earrings of yours is not helping what so every. Are you trying to make people pity you or something because it’s not working. Instead, it makes me want to puke.”
The young man suddenly looked at Liam’s earrings. He squinted his eyes to get a good look and after a second they widened in surprise.
Liam was taken aback by this man’s audacity. He didn’t know who he was, but he already didn’t like him. He took a quick look at the clothes he was wearing. He didn’t wear the armor he had, but rather the casual clothes he had bought back in the Tutorial Area. He didn’t think they looked so bad.
Liam looked back at the man and asked, “What’s your issue?”
“What’s my issue?" Chad asked. “My issue is this boy needed to be somewhere ten minutes ago and he didn’t get there. Then I go looking for him and what do I see? Him talking to you. For all I know he was trying to sell you equipment that doesn’t belong to him.”
“I wasn’t…,” the boy started to say.
“Hap, I don’t want to hear it,” Chad interrupted. He then glared at Liam and asked, “Tell me what business you have with my pac…I mean my fledgling party member.”
Liam’s eye twitched as he thought to himself, He was seriously going to say pack mule wasn’t he? Liam took a breath in and mentally chanted, Calm the Storm. He slowly let his irritation slip away as he answered, “I didn’t have any intentions with this young man. I accidentally bumped into him and I saw that he was carrying a heavy backpack so I decided to cast Feathery Upforce to help lighten his load.”
Chad scoffed. “You probably did that so you could swipe something from his backpack without him knowing. You look like the type who would do something like that.”
Liam’s irritation started to swell again.
“I am not the type to do so,” Liam started. He then added with some irritation slipping out, “If you’re so worried about someone stealing from the young man then why won’t you let him store the items within his inventory. It would help him get things done faster if he could.”
Chad gave Liam a look of distaste as he answered, “How we conduct our initiates is none of your concern. We’re on the cusp of being let into a really good guild so we have to assess our applicants in ways to see if they are trustworthy.”
“Oh? Does that include treating them like pack mules or servants?” Liam countered.
Chad raised a brow. He then rounded the question as he said, “I don’t think you understand how great parties work. Not like you’ll ever know with the way you dress. You look like you could be as useless as a Crafter.”
Anger swelled up within Liam with that last comment. He knew that the Crafter Class was something not everyone looked highly at thanks to Nalia’s actions and comments, but he has come to love the class, even its evolution brought about something amazing.
Before Liam could say anything someone called out, “Hey Chad! How’s it going?”
Liam turned to see a man walking up to them with a mug full of some kind of liquid. This newcomer was a lanky man who wore clothes that looked to be almost a similar fashion to Chad’s. He didn’t look like he was strong, but instead had a lot of wealth due to the clothes he was wearing.
So…this guy looks more favorable to those with money? Liam thought to himself as Chad started ranting to the man.
“I don’t like this guy. – Eri.”
Liam nodded as he replied, Neither do I. I want to teach him a lesson, but I don’t think I’d be able to get away with it.
“There’s a way you can, and I am all for you causing a bit of…discord right now. I think it will be fun. *Smiles devilishly* - Eri.”
Liam raised a brow. He wasn’t sure what she meant until he reread the last part of her sentence.
It dawned on him what she wanted him to use. It was a new spell he had gotten earlier today thanks to his Seed of Discord. Strife Inducement.
Liam pulled the spell back up to reread it to see how he would be able to use it.
“Strife Inducement – Ability to cause the target to feel confrontational. The level of Strife that is brought out within a person or creature is determined by the level of ability. Has a 5% chance of making the target turn on an ally. Ability Type – Chant. Target – Single. MP Cost – 50. Cooldown – N/A.”
Liam frowned as he noticed something on the description.
It’s a chant type ability. They would know I’m chanting just by hearing me say it. Liam commented.
“Then whisper the chant quiet enough for only you to hear it. – Eri.”
Liam blinked.
He didn’t think it was possible. He had always believed the volume had to be loud enough for others to hear when it came to chant type abilities. If that wasn’t the case then this spell will definitely be useful right now.
Alright. Let’s give this a go then. Liam replied back to Eri.
Liam readied himself as he targeted the man Chad was speaking to.
As quietly as he could he started chanting, “Conflict is the start, discord is the goal. Cloud the trust with doubt and bring forth the true feelings of bitterness masked away. Influence the quarrels you have with the person in sight. Strife Inducement.”
Both Chad and the man he was talking to were laughing as they turned to look at Liam. Liam had just finished chanting the spell right before they could see his lips stop moving.
“You see what I mean right? This man is a total…” Chad was starting to say until the man next to him suddenly tossed the contents of his drink right at Chad’s face.
Shocked, both the young man and Chad swiftly turned to look at the other man.
“Wha…what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chad questioned with a mixture of shock and anger.
“You think you’re so smug don’t ya,” the man said with a sneer. “Always looking down on others. Always making fun of them just because they don’t have a lot of money or status.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Chad asked as his face started turning red.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed you flirty with my girl the other day. You’d think you’d be happy with the gorgeous one you already have, but noooo. You want more,” the man added as he continued talking.
Chad’s eyes narrowed at the man’s words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never go after a flea-bitten mutt girl like yours. All that hair would be a pain to clean up. I don’t see how someone like you can stand it. Maybe you’re just some freak with some fetish or something.”
“Excuse you!?” the man suddenly shouted. “My gorgeous Matilda is not some flea-bitten mutt.” The man then suddenly pushed Chad with as much force as he had, causing the elf to fall down.
Before Chad could do or say anything the other man stepped over and grabbed him by the collar and threatened, “If I ever hear you say something like that again or come anywhere near her, I will have all the guards under my authority catch you and beat the ever loving piss out of ya. Do I make myself clear?”
Chad glared at the man. He didn’t say anything.
The man let out a scoff before shoving Chad back down. He then muttered as he walked away, “You’re not worth it right now.”
After the man disappeared into the onlooking crowd, Chad stood back up. He then glared at Liam before commanding with so much anger seething out, “Let’s go boy. We’re leaving.”
Confused by what had happened, the young man looked at Chad then back at Liam. He bowed to Liam and mouthed the words sorry and thank you before rushing to catch up to Chad.
Laim stood there wide eyed. He didn’t know what to expect when he chanted the spell, but he didn’t expect something like that.
Holy crap. That was awesome! Liam thought to Eri, letting some excitement leak towards her.
“*Smiles victoriously* I know right. I told you it would be fun. – Eri.”
Liam had to agree with her. It did feel a bit fun to watch. However, as he watched the conflict happen he had some questions about how the spell worked. Where did those thoughts come from? They seemed to real, to be planted. If that was the case then were they his real thoughts and feelings towards the man?
He figured he might as well ask the one person who would know, So, did I manipulate his thoughts into believing he had some conflict with that guy or were they his real thoughts? How does that spell work?
“Strife Inducement is not some mind altering spell that makes people believe something that never happened. In order for it to work there has to be some level of conflict hidden within them towards someone. In this case, the man had an issue with that elf flirting with his girlfriend. Since there was some issues he already had with the elf you basically helped him confront the elf about it. You could say you gave him a form of bravery to confront the man he had some issues with that he was holding back inside of him for some reason. – Eri.”
Liam’s brows scrunched as he thought about what Eri was saying. What would have happened if he didn’t have some issue with that Elf?
“Then nothing would have happened. The spell would have failed. – Eri.”
So, you’re saying it was a gamble? Liam asked.
“Yes. However, we live in a world where someone has some sort of issue with someone no matter where you are. What that issue is depends on the person and the level of conflict you bring out depends on your level. I must say for a level one spell that was more than what I thought would happen. – Eri.”
Liam thought about what she had said. He was happy he didn’t create some problem out of thin air. A problem created out of thin air was something that could lead innocent people to get hurt. However, if he was bringing out issues people had with others but didn’t have the courage to confront then he could see it helping others.
Maybe being your Champion will be a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Liam thought to himself. He then projected his thoughts as he said, Alright let’s get back to what we were going to do. I need to calm myself down with some crafting before I get too trigger happy with that spell.
“Say what you will, but I know you want to use it again sooner than you think. *Wink* - Eri.”
Liam shook his head as he started walking away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liam stood in front of a nice looking wooden building. It was a one story with a viewing window big enough for a few people to look inside at the wares the store had. A sign hung above the door with a picture of a cauldron. Smoke rose from the cauldron and formed the shape of a white cat’s paw. The words etched above the smoke read Cat’s and the words etched below the cauldron read Paw-ldron.
Liam gave a slight chuckle before making his way to the door. He then muttered to himself with a smile, “That is one adorable looking sign.”
A bell chimed as he opened the door. As Liam closed the door he looked around the room.
On the left side of the room along the wall were a few shelves that stood taller than Liam. A few of the shelves had random Alchemy supplies with cards standing in front of them with prices. The shelves next to them closer to the long counter that sat in front of the back wall held different colored books. A sign above the top of each shelf read, “For bulk supplies please see clerk.”
On the right side of the room were samples and pricing s of different Health, Stamina, and Mana Potions. Liam looked at some of the potions and noticed there were other types he had never seen before.
Fascinated by all this, Liam was unaware that someone had approached him with a wide spread grin.
He suddenly jumped as he heard an excited shout ring loudly in his ears, “You really came!”
Liam walked out from the Crafters Association building and turned right down the road. He was thinking as he made his way through the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone.
“What are you planning on doing right now? – Eri.”
I need to get some supplies and ingredients to make some potions. I’m a bit low for the amount I want to make. Liam replied.
“Oh? How many do you plan on making? And which ones do you plan on making? – Eri.”
I plan on trying to get my Potion Making level to as close to level twenty as I can. While I’m at it I want to make some Mana Extracts. I figured if I can get as many of those ready as I can then I’ll be ready when I start making Chemicalized Creations. Liam replied as he looked at each building while walking.
“Sounds like a good plan. Do you not need any ores to make a showcase weapon or armor? – Eri.”
Liam shook his head. No. Fia gave me enough that I can make a few daggers through bone crafting. I want to eventually expand from that but I’ll need to practice with some of the beginner weapons the others gave me so I can get a good idea how they feel when crafting them.
“Alright. Do you have a good idea where you’re going to get the supplies you need? – Eri.”
Liam smiled as he searched his inventory for an item he had placed in it earlier that day. After he found it he pulled it out and looked at it. Yes. I’m going to go check out the Cat’s Paw-ldron.
“Ah the one that little Tabby Cat-folk girl invited you to check out? – Eri.”
Yeah. I figured since she stretched her hand out and advertised the store to me then I might as well check it out. Maybe they’ll have some Knowledge Theory books there I’ll need for the other sections. Liam replied. After that then I’ll go find a place to craft and...
Liam felt someone suddenly bump into him. He turned to apologize and see who he had ran into and saw the person who he had accidently bumped into was on their behind on the ground.
Liam got a better look at the person and noticed it was a young male with a backpack overflowing with objects strapped to his back. He looked to be in his mid to late teens and had golden brown skin with messy black hair. He wore a black tank top with black shorts and some weird looking shoes.
“Sorry about that,” Liam started as he reached a hand out to help them up. “I was lost in thought and didn’t see you there. Are you alright?”
The teenaged boy glared at Liam for a moment before seeing his hand reached out. That glare turned into a soft smile as he took the hand. As Liam helped him back up he stated, “It’s alright, I’m fine. My attention wasn’t on others around me as well since I’m in a hurry.”
“Ah I see,” Liam replied as his eyes turned to the backpack the boy was carrying. “That seems to be a lot you’re carrying. Why isn’t it in your inventory?”
“Ah that’s because I was requested not to put anything in my inventory,” The boy started. His eyes lit up with excitement as he continued, “I’m trying to join this famous party called The Hammer of Judgement. One of their members said he’d put in a good word for me if I run errands like gather supplies, get equipment repaired, get information on dungeons, and more. He told me I couldn’t put anything in my inventory so it would build trust with him and the other members of the group.”
Liam raised a brow as he listened to the boy. Honestly, it just sounded like they were using him as a gopher. However, he didn’t know the rules parties had for new members so he couldn’t judge on how they conducted things.
“Still, that backpack of yours looks heavy. Are you sure you’ll be able to carry it all without any issues?” Liam questioned.
The boy shrugged. “My strength is decent as well as my Stamina Endurance and Body Strength. I should be alright as long as I don’t bump into anyone else.”
“Hm…,” Liam muttered as he stared at the backpack.
The backpack looked heavy with all the items poking out from the top and he didn’t think it was fair he had to carry it all by himself. He felt bad and wondered what he could do to help him. As he was thinking he remembered one of his spells.
It was Feathery Upforce. In the single digit levels it only targeted weapons, but after getting it to level ten he could use it on items other than weapons. He wasn’t sure if it would work on the backpack, but he figured he’d give it a shot.
“I’m going to try something out. Will you allow me to test a spell?” Liam asked.
The boy gave him a suspicious look.
Before the boy could say anything Liam raised his hands up and explained, “I’m not trying to take anything. I just want to see if a spell of mine will help lighten your load for you.”
Still looking skeptical, the boy slowly nodded as he said, “Alright…but if you try anything funny I will make you pay.”
Liam let out a chuckle as he said, “Sounds fair.”
Liam started channeling some Gravity Mana. After he channeled the amount he felt was right, he chanted as he focused on the backpack, “Heaviness is the hindrance of progression, Lightness is the push needed to soar. Lighten the load of this object, allow it hinder the user no more. Feathery Upforce.”
Dark Purple outlined the backpack on the boy’s back as soon as the chant was finished. As soon as the spell wrapped around the object, the boy suddenly leaned forward and started to fall.
Liam caught him before he could fall face first and steadied his balance.
“Whoa there,” Liam said as he made sure the boy was able to rebalance himself. “All good?”
The boy’s eyes widened as he turned his head to look at the backpack. “Holy crap! It suddenly became light.” He turned his body left and right to test it out. “What did you do?”
“I used a gravity magic spell called Feathery Upforce. Normally it is used on weapons, but at level ten you can use it on other objects. However, since this isn’t a weapon you wont get any effects other than making it feel lighter. It’ll last for five minutes so I suggest…”
“What the hell is going on here?!” a voice suddenly shouted.
Liam and the boy turned to see a man making his way towards them.
The man had pointy ears sticking out his long golden hair. He also had forest green eyes, a slim physique, and sharp facial features. He had the physical traits Liam started to associate Elves with. He was taller than Liam by a few inches. He wore elegant clothing giving Liam the impression he was some noble or at least someone pretending to be since he didn’t know what nobility wore here.
“Ah Chad,” the boy started. “I was just on my way…”
“Quiet boy,” Chad started as he arrived to them. After he approached the two he glared down at the boy and stated, “Punctuality is a quality needed if you are wanting to join us. You were supposed to meet up with us ten minutes ago. I came to look for you and what do I find?”
Chad turned his gaze on Liam and added, “You talking to some poor looking rando. Seriously, what are you wearing? I almost mistaken you for someone who just gotten out from the Tutorial Area. You look so mismatched and those dagger earrings of yours is not helping what so every. Are you trying to make people pity you or something because it’s not working. Instead, it makes me want to puke.”
The young man suddenly looked at Liam’s earrings. He squinted his eyes to get a good look and after a second they widened in surprise.
Liam was taken aback by this man’s audacity. He didn’t know who he was, but he already didn’t like him. He took a quick look at the clothes he was wearing. He didn’t wear the armor he had, but rather the casual clothes he had bought back in the Tutorial Area. He didn’t think they looked so bad.
Liam looked back at the man and asked, “What’s your issue?”
“What’s my issue?" Chad asked. “My issue is this boy needed to be somewhere ten minutes ago and he didn’t get there. Then I go looking for him and what do I see? Him talking to you. For all I know he was trying to sell you equipment that doesn’t belong to him.”
“I wasn’t…,” the boy started to say.
“Hap, I don’t want to hear it,” Chad interrupted. He then glared at Liam and asked, “Tell me what business you have with my pac…I mean my fledgling party member.”
Liam’s eye twitched as he thought to himself, He was seriously going to say pack mule wasn’t he? Liam took a breath in and mentally chanted, Calm the Storm. He slowly let his irritation slip away as he answered, “I didn’t have any intentions with this young man. I accidentally bumped into him and I saw that he was carrying a heavy backpack so I decided to cast Feathery Upforce to help lighten his load.”
Chad scoffed. “You probably did that so you could swipe something from his backpack without him knowing. You look like the type who would do something like that.”
Liam’s irritation started to swell again.
“I am not the type to do so,” Liam started. He then added with some irritation slipping out, “If you’re so worried about someone stealing from the young man then why won’t you let him store the items within his inventory. It would help him get things done faster if he could.”
Chad gave Liam a look of distaste as he answered, “How we conduct our initiates is none of your concern. We’re on the cusp of being let into a really good guild so we have to assess our applicants in ways to see if they are trustworthy.”
“Oh? Does that include treating them like pack mules or servants?” Liam countered.
Chad raised a brow. He then rounded the question as he said, “I don’t think you understand how great parties work. Not like you’ll ever know with the way you dress. You look like you could be as useless as a Crafter.”
Anger swelled up within Liam with that last comment. He knew that the Crafter Class was something not everyone looked highly at thanks to Nalia’s actions and comments, but he has come to love the class, even its evolution brought about something amazing.
Before Liam could say anything someone called out, “Hey Chad! How’s it going?”
Liam turned to see a man walking up to them with a mug full of some kind of liquid. This newcomer was a lanky man who wore clothes that looked to be almost a similar fashion to Chad’s. He didn’t look like he was strong, but instead had a lot of wealth due to the clothes he was wearing.
So…this guy looks more favorable to those with money? Liam thought to himself as Chad started ranting to the man.
“I don’t like this guy. – Eri.”
Liam nodded as he replied, Neither do I. I want to teach him a lesson, but I don’t think I’d be able to get away with it.
“There’s a way you can, and I am all for you causing a bit of…discord right now. I think it will be fun. *Smiles devilishly* - Eri.”
Liam raised a brow. He wasn’t sure what she meant until he reread the last part of her sentence.
It dawned on him what she wanted him to use. It was a new spell he had gotten earlier today thanks to his Seed of Discord. Strife Inducement.
Liam pulled the spell back up to reread it to see how he would be able to use it.
“Strife Inducement – Ability to cause the target to feel confrontational. The level of Strife that is brought out within a person or creature is determined by the level of ability. Has a 5% chance of making the target turn on an ally. Ability Type – Chant. Target – Single. MP Cost – 50. Cooldown – N/A.”
Liam frowned as he noticed something on the description.
It’s a chant type ability. They would know I’m chanting just by hearing me say it. Liam commented.
“Then whisper the chant quiet enough for only you to hear it. – Eri.”
Liam blinked.
He didn’t think it was possible. He had always believed the volume had to be loud enough for others to hear when it came to chant type abilities. If that wasn’t the case then this spell will definitely be useful right now.
Alright. Let’s give this a go then. Liam replied back to Eri.
Liam readied himself as he targeted the man Chad was speaking to.
As quietly as he could he started chanting, “Conflict is the start, discord is the goal. Cloud the trust with doubt and bring forth the true feelings of bitterness masked away. Influence the quarrels you have with the person in sight. Strife Inducement.”
Both Chad and the man he was talking to were laughing as they turned to look at Liam. Liam had just finished chanting the spell right before they could see his lips stop moving.
“You see what I mean right? This man is a total…” Chad was starting to say until the man next to him suddenly tossed the contents of his drink right at Chad’s face.
Shocked, both the young man and Chad swiftly turned to look at the other man.
“Wha…what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chad questioned with a mixture of shock and anger.
“You think you’re so smug don’t ya,” the man said with a sneer. “Always looking down on others. Always making fun of them just because they don’t have a lot of money or status.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Chad asked as his face started turning red.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed you flirty with my girl the other day. You’d think you’d be happy with the gorgeous one you already have, but noooo. You want more,” the man added as he continued talking.
Chad’s eyes narrowed at the man’s words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never go after a flea-bitten mutt girl like yours. All that hair would be a pain to clean up. I don’t see how someone like you can stand it. Maybe you’re just some freak with some fetish or something.”
“Excuse you!?” the man suddenly shouted. “My gorgeous Matilda is not some flea-bitten mutt.” The man then suddenly pushed Chad with as much force as he had, causing the elf to fall down.
Before Chad could do or say anything the other man stepped over and grabbed him by the collar and threatened, “If I ever hear you say something like that again or come anywhere near her, I will have all the guards under my authority catch you and beat the ever loving piss out of ya. Do I make myself clear?”
Chad glared at the man. He didn’t say anything.
The man let out a scoff before shoving Chad back down. He then muttered as he walked away, “You’re not worth it right now.”
After the man disappeared into the onlooking crowd, Chad stood back up. He then glared at Liam before commanding with so much anger seething out, “Let’s go boy. We’re leaving.”
Confused by what had happened, the young man looked at Chad then back at Liam. He bowed to Liam and mouthed the words sorry and thank you before rushing to catch up to Chad.
Laim stood there wide eyed. He didn’t know what to expect when he chanted the spell, but he didn’t expect something like that.
Holy crap. That was awesome! Liam thought to Eri, letting some excitement leak towards her.
“*Smiles victoriously* I know right. I told you it would be fun. – Eri.”
Liam had to agree with her. It did feel a bit fun to watch. However, as he watched the conflict happen he had some questions about how the spell worked. Where did those thoughts come from? They seemed to real, to be planted. If that was the case then were they his real thoughts and feelings towards the man?
He figured he might as well ask the one person who would know, So, did I manipulate his thoughts into believing he had some conflict with that guy or were they his real thoughts? How does that spell work?
“Strife Inducement is not some mind altering spell that makes people believe something that never happened. In order for it to work there has to be some level of conflict hidden within them towards someone. In this case, the man had an issue with that elf flirting with his girlfriend. Since there was some issues he already had with the elf you basically helped him confront the elf about it. You could say you gave him a form of bravery to confront the man he had some issues with that he was holding back inside of him for some reason. – Eri.”
Liam’s brows scrunched as he thought about what Eri was saying. What would have happened if he didn’t have some issue with that Elf?
“Then nothing would have happened. The spell would have failed. – Eri.”
So, you’re saying it was a gamble? Liam asked.
“Yes. However, we live in a world where someone has some sort of issue with someone no matter where you are. What that issue is depends on the person and the level of conflict you bring out depends on your level. I must say for a level one spell that was more than what I thought would happen. – Eri.”
Liam thought about what she had said. He was happy he didn’t create some problem out of thin air. A problem created out of thin air was something that could lead innocent people to get hurt. However, if he was bringing out issues people had with others but didn’t have the courage to confront then he could see it helping others.
Maybe being your Champion will be a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Liam thought to himself. He then projected his thoughts as he said, Alright let’s get back to what we were going to do. I need to calm myself down with some crafting before I get too trigger happy with that spell.
“Say what you will, but I know you want to use it again sooner than you think. *Wink* - Eri.”
Liam shook his head as he started walking away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liam stood in front of a nice looking wooden building. It was a one story with a viewing window big enough for a few people to look inside at the wares the store had. A sign hung above the door with a picture of a cauldron. Smoke rose from the cauldron and formed the shape of a white cat’s paw. The words etched above the smoke read Cat’s and the words etched below the cauldron read Paw-ldron.
Liam gave a slight chuckle before making his way to the door. He then muttered to himself with a smile, “That is one adorable looking sign.”
A bell chimed as he opened the door. As Liam closed the door he looked around the room.
On the left side of the room along the wall were a few shelves that stood taller than Liam. A few of the shelves had random Alchemy supplies with cards standing in front of them with prices. The shelves next to them closer to the long counter that sat in front of the back wall held different colored books. A sign above the top of each shelf read, “For bulk supplies please see clerk.”
On the right side of the room were samples and pricing s of different Health, Stamina, and Mana Potions. Liam looked at some of the potions and noticed there were other types he had never seen before.
Fascinated by all this, Liam was unaware that someone had approached him with a wide spread grin.
He suddenly jumped as he heard an excited shout ring loudly in his ears, “You really came!”
