Thief of Scrolls

Magnus was pretty happy that things counted in his favour when it came to the Trials. His efforts weren't put to waste as he continued hiding within crowds and buildings while scavenging what he could.

Having very little to eat every day was a haunting time. Without Klaris' experiences, he would've long starved to death as he lived by the day, not knowing if he would die in his sleep.

Such were the troubles of the homeless.

Any platform was a place to sleep, any kind of food was edible, and any place could be a toilet.

Magnus wallowed in this suffering; the consequences of saving someone's life.

It was a small price to pay.

But an unwelcome one nonetheless.

'This is why I wish for power,' Magnus thought to himself, 'Because the thrills of life are a convenience to normal people. It is a want, not a need.'

The only thrill he was experiencing now was whether or not his next meal would be in a few hours or not.

It was even harder to hide considering his Curse. He couldn't actually sleep just anywhere lest someone discovers him floating. He also couldn't sleep in the air.

Because damn.

It's cold.

Hypothermia would be his gravedigger if he even thought about doing that.

The dew of the mountain would soak his shirt and clothes every morning even when he was on the warmer streets of Quarteridge. What more if he was in the sky, where the cold winds of the night blew?

This was Magnus' life at the moment.

Even with his newfound powers, it still wasn't enough. Burning greed was starting to sprout within his heart.

A greed for power.

'I just have to bide my time and wait for my Spirit Energy to replenish,' Magnus thought to himself as he grit his teeth.

When he had enough Spirit Energy, he could have a taste of power once more. He was close to the amount he needed, in fact. Enough for combat at a moment's notice and an invocation of Mirror World Thief.

The deadline for his integration into society also drew nearer with each passing day. The month allotment was about to end.

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Standing near a familiar clearing was Klaris, whose wounds healed badly. In his hand was a Scroll he had stolen from the Mirror World.

[[ Pocket World Entrance Scroll ]]

It was a Scroll that would transport him into Tyrm.

Rrrrrip!

Klaris made quick work of the Scroll.

In the next moment, he appeared in the area he had been at once before. His senses sharpened as Magnus' memories of Spirit Manipulation flooded into his mind. He was primed for combat.

But thankfully, nothing happened.

'Switch with me.'

A command echoed in his mind and Klaris instantly obliged.

He invoked the Master of the Hivemind and Magnus appeared, floating in midair.

"I'm back, Tyrm!" Magnus grinned as he felt the massive amounts of Spirit Energy in the atmosphere.

He could feel his reserves instantly erupt with vitality. He swiftly summoned Restiel.

The angel's Stargazing Art allowed him to draw in Spirit Energy from the stars when on Thare. Even if the stars weren't visible during the day, they could still supply him with power.

On Tyrm, however, the Spirit Technique ends up drawing in the ambient energy as well. Due to the presence of Spirit Energy in the skies, what Restiel ends up drawing comes from there. His rate of regeneration drew close to Magnus' which was quite the feat.

Magnus then took to the skies with his two Hivemind members rapidly filling up the Spirit Energy tanks. He searched for fruit trees to steal from and other items of that nature.

The forest was still incredibly vast despite him moving up in altitude, so he didn't have to worry about the lack of fruits.

Behind him was the crater that had been Gatter. Over the weeks that he was away, way more time had passed in Tyrm, and it seemed like a few survivors had built a town nearby.

Magnus decided to visit that little place first. He needed new clothes and information.

Not bothering to hide, Magnus landed in the middle of the town alone. He decided that showing Restiel to such people would be a bad idea with his wings and whatnot. Instead, he sent him on an expedition for the fruits.

The people in the area were surprised by his arrival and began scrambling towards a certain part of the town.

There was a group of people who were eyeing him closely. A couple of brave ones decided to approach him themselves.

"Sir... what might your business in this area be?" A man spoke.

Despite the difference in language, Magnus understood the thoughts behind his words. He applied the Spirit Beast technique to his speech,

"I need to resupply." He answered simply.

At first, the man was stunned upon hearing Magnus speak in the same way beasts did, but he quickly shook his head.

"Would you require any help? We can purchase the items for you." He suggested.

"No need. I need clothes, after all." Magnus answered and floated towards a different part of the town.

It left the man gulping down his saliva upon seeing such a sight. He took Magnus not landing on the ground as some display of power. After all, no one could stay in flight forever—at least that was what the man believed.

Whoever the youth before him was, was a talent like no other.

.

.

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As Magnus moved through the town, the people there parted like a tide. He saw travellers and adventurers here and there. Monster hunters and Spirit Beast tamers had suddenly become a common sight as well.

'Is it because this town, New Gatter, is now above ground? It's easier to access or something?' Magnus theorized as he made his way into a clothing shop.

He glanced at the stunned tailor before looking around the shop.

"I need a set of clothes," Magnus tossed the lady a gold coin. The last gold coin in his pockets. All he had left were silvers and bronze coins from his past purchases.

"Bring me some that look like the clothes I am wearing now."

The tailor nodded silently in fear.

"Good..." Magnus felt increasingly awkward when everyone looked deathly afraid of him. He hadn't even gotten that much stronger. "I will return in a few days. You can take my clothes now so that you can get my measurements."

Magnus decided to buy a few of the local garments to look natural. He would let the tailor copy his clothes so that he could use them when he returns to Thare.

"Y-y-y-y-yes Sir. But a few days might not be enough for a g-g-g-gold coin..." The tailor wiped the sweat off her brow as she held the gold coin in her hands.

She wasn't afraid because of the price of the clothes, but because of the aura of nature's fundamental laws that exuded from Magnus.

'Right...' Magnus also realised that too, 'Activating my Blessing draws in a certain aura. Could this be why everyone is so deathly afraid of me?'

He thought, wryly, 'But I have no choice but to keep it passively active or I die... I guess I'll have to live with the status of a monster for now.'

"Then take as much time as you need. I will be staying in the town for a while." Magnus answered before turning away.

When he did though, he was met with the gaze of an imposing man. Bald head, a beard, scars, and a red mark that went down his cheek all the way to his chest. A battle-axe was slung on his back.

Magnus saw this and raised a brow.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Would you like to enjoy some tea with me, young man?" The man exuded an aura of earth and flames, rivalling that of Magnus' accidental aura of gravity.

Magnus smiled as he thought, 'Interesting,'

"A little tea sounds wonderful, Mister..?"

"Louviarch." The man answered.

"Then, Mister Louviarch. It is Magnus' pleasure to meet someone with status as high as yours."

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Magnus followed Louviarch towards the centre of the town where a mansion was built. They entered the medieval-looking mansion with its pointy roofs and tiny windows. Hardwood was the primary material used to construct this mansion, and stones only served as a lining of sorts and as foundations.

Louviarch caught Magnus looking around and chuckled.

"Like it?" He asked.

"Mm," Magnus nodded, "It's fresh. The last time I was in this area, Gatter still stood."

Louviarch's expression suddenly darkened upon hearing that.

"It has been six months since the tragedy," He sighed, "I lost my sister because of it."

"Sister?" Magnus asked.

"Yes. I left her to guard the city." Louviarch bit his lip.

"What... was her name?"

"Asphell."

Magnus almost choked.

"I see... I'm sorry."

Once again, Magnus' apology bore a double meaning. One was a standard way to console someone... and the other was because he was the cause.

"It's alright," Louviarch shook his head, "Nevermind that. New Gatter is my city, and I will do anything to protect it. This time, I won't be leaving anytime soon."

"A valiant effort," Magnus nodded as he 'sat' down on the couch upon Louviarch's gesture.

Louviarch then made a few more gestures and a servant brought in a tea set with freshly boiled leaf water.

It smelled sweet, and Magnus already knew it was going to be a refreshing drink.

Just the scent that now pervaded the air and calmed Magnus' nerves was enough of a tell. It smelled of cinnamon and honey. And it wasn't too strong that it irritated the nose.

"Please, have a cup," Louviarch pushed a teacup and saucer to Magnus and the latter took a sip.

Suddenly, a rejuvenating feeling coursed through him. There was a slight tingle to the flavour, like drinking soft drinks, but everything tasted like nature.

Spirit Energy burst out from the flavours and entered Magnus' system. He felt his physique get heightened.

Louviarch thus raised a brow upon noticing Magnus' instant increase in strength.

"Is this your first time tasting Glohu Tea?" He asked, curious.

"It indeed is." Magnus nodded, "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing much. I just find it admirable that you have such an aura despite not having tasted one of the most common strengthening leaves there is—at least for the rich."

"Ah, then thank you for your admiration." Magnus placed the teacup down.

He then enjoyed a friendly chat with the man before him. They reminisced about Gatter's many underground tunnels, talked about what life was like before they achieved the power they now wielded and discussed a few topics on Spirit Manipulation.

When it was all over, Magnus finally asked,

"Now, why did you call me for tea?"

Louviarch straightened up upon hearing this. His expression turned serious. He now looked the same as when he first appeared before Magnus.

"I would like to know what you are planning to do here." He said, locking eyes with Magnus.

"You don't have to worry about anything," Magnus intentionally gave a sly smile, "I'm simply here to resupply before..."

"Before what?" Louviarch found Magnus' smile slightly irksome.

"Before exploring the ruins of Gatter. I would like to find a few monsters to test my mettle."

Louviarch raised a brow, "Then, are you interested in cooperating? There is a certain monster in the depths of the underground that seems to be guarding a treasure."

"No," Magnus instantly answered.

"Why not?" Louviarch began tapping his fingers, "What use would normal monsters be for someone of your calibre? On the other hand, it would be suicide to fight the one I mentioned alone. We need at least a team of 6 Elementalists including you and myself."

"No is a no," Magnus was sure of his answers.

He had no interest in cooperating with strangers when his Curse would instantly begin acting up. Any weakness displayed and he might become prey to that monster they were speaking of.

He would become the weakest link of the group. A needless risk.

Magnus would rather work with Klaris and Restiel. With each of them sharing the same mind, they could definitely match the strength of a 6 man team of people at the level of Louviarch.

"I see," Louviarch sighed, "May I ask why?"

"The simple answer is, I am Cursed." Magnus answered truthfully, "The long answer is, I am not allowed to touch the ground or work with people, et cetera, et cetera."

"...Very well, then I believe we can end our talks here. Thank you for your time."

Louviarch acquiesced, although hesitantly. With lingering frustrations, he spoke,

"Tony will see you out. Please enjoy your time in the town of New Gatter."