Battle OF Grammar: Word Fu!

Chapter 2 - The Mystic Arena

“Wow! That over there is so cool. And what is that floaty thing? Amazing!” Whilst following Papyrus, Dam Son’s Wisdom Stone was over enlightened by the array of new discoveries he came across in town. His Dark-Human Avatar was laden with excitement.

“Okay, cool it, newborn. You look like some genuine country bumpkin.” Papyrus had to slap Dam Son’s head with its folds to have him settle down his excitement. “We’re almost at the place. Let’s go over there.”

“Huh, isn’t that a transport terminal?” From the prior knowledge he downloaded from Papyrus’ database, Dam Son recognized the fancy transport terminal nearby. “Why are we going there?”

“To charter a taxi. The fees are cheap so don’t worry.” Papyrus led the way inside the transport terminal. A lot of basic scripts were floating around the interior. The vehicles which were neatly aligned by the stations were all variations of special books large enough to transport at least 4 persons. 

“We don’t need one with a lot of room since it is you alone. Go charter that one.” Papyrus highlighted a suitable Book Vehicle for Dam Son. “This will take us to our destination quicker.”

“And where exactly are we going?” Dam Son asked curiously.

“To the Mystic Arena.” The chartered Book Vehicle opened its folds to the centre where a Navigation Script was present. Papyrus set the destination by scanning itself against the Navigation Script window. Finished doing so, it told Dam Son to get on board.

As soon as Dam Son hopped onto the Book Vehicle, it closed with him inside then flew out of the terminal. Dam Son found himself standing in a digital space where he could see everything transitioning outside. “Wow, this view is so awesome. Who created this book? It feels like I’m in another dimension, yet I am not.”

“This is a work of art created by the most prominent of Wordsmiths.” Said Papyrus.

“What? You’re saying that this was built by a Wordsmith? I thought that they could only refine Mundane Letters into Word Mastery attributes.”

“Wordsmiths are so much more than what you think, newborn. The majority of Raixom’s constructions were brought into being by expert Wordsmiths. All this splendour that you are seeing around you are excellently crafted scripts. Among the Word Masters, Wordsmiths are considered to be the most sought after due to the advanced knowledge they possess in both refining Mundane Letters as well as Script Crafting.”

“I see.” Dam Son pondered for a bit. “So doesn’t that make them the most powerful among Word Masters?”

“Not necessarily.” Papyrus replied. “Though Wordsmiths are excellent crafters, many of them aren’t as versed in script utilization. For instance, I can be the crafter of a brilliant sword but not as skilful in wielding it as a proficient swordsman.”

“Oh, I understand better now. Anyway, about that Mystic Arena that you say we are going to, why there?”

“Well, it just so happens that an entry tournament is taking place today to offer free enrolment to qualified individuals into Raixom Academy. There is also a gift bundle for the winners. If you’re accepted then you will be able to study Word Mastery under the best of teachers and also gain Q-currency while you’re doing it. With this, you will be able to afford a stable supply of Letters Ink to upgrade my stamina and quality.”

“So I will have to fight against other people?” While asking this, Dam Son seemed worried.

“Well, of course, you will have to fight. How else will you gain entry to Raixom Academy? It’s not like you have an ample amount of Q-currency.”

“But I’ve never been in combat before. Won’t I get destroyed in the first round?”

“Probably, but don’t worry too much.” Papyrus manifested another sheet that it showed to Dam Son. “These are the attributes that have been transferred from my previous owner.”

ITEMS:

10-ML (Mundane Letters)

25-MAPL (Martial Arts Powered Letters)

1-MPL (Magic Powered Letters)

3-APL (Augmented Powered Letters)

20-SPL (Superpower Letters)

[Basic Word Fu Script: Smash] Activation Cost - 5(MAPL)

[Basic Word Fu Script: Copy] Activation Cost - 10(MAPL)

[Basic Word Augmented Script: Expand x2] Activation Cost - 30(APL)

[Basic Word Mage Script: Health Recovery] Activation Cost - 50(MPL)

“Due to your beginner's Vocabulary Pack, you’re not able to make use of the Mage and Augmented Scripts. They both have higher Activation Cost.”

“I see…” Dam Son analysed the pages of Papyrus. “Word Fu Script, ‘Copy’ what does it do?”

“This is a basic script for Word Fu Masters. It allows the user to mentally imitate whatever they see to some extent of course.”

“Oh, this could be useful to me. By the way, Papyrus, do you know of any sort of martial arts techniques? I want to be as prepared as I can before we arrive.”

“I only have a basic manual that my previous owner practised. Want to see?” Papyrus manifested several other pages that had images of striking fighting poses. “Are these useful?”

“I’ll study them for now. Can this Book Vehicle handle the pressure?”

“Well of course. This contraption possessed several advanced layers of Dimensional Graph Scripts that won’t combust under normal pressure. Start practising now for there isn’t much time left before we reach our destination.”

“Alright, I’ll dive straight into it.” While Dam Son was reading the first paragraph, 4 training dummies appeared around him.

Papyrus made sure to position the pages of the martial arts manual where Dam Son could better view them while he practised. The book was titled ‘Kick & Punch 4 Dummies.’

Sometime later…..

The Book Vehicle transporting Dam Son arrived at a huge structure in the sky. It was surrounded by gigantic floating scripts which kept the area hovering, moreover, prevented stray attacks from shooting out that could potentially damage others’ properties.

The Book Vehicle landed at the edge of the floating structure and gradually opened. Dam Son came out looking slightly tired. “Hm, so this is the Mystic Arena? Look at all those people.”

A huge excited crowd was present before Dam Son. Many of them were desperate applicants seeking enrolment at Raixom Academy. The others were spectators who came for entertainment. At the central region of the Mystic Arena located 6 separate battle stages, each hosting different battles simultaneously. This was done to speed up the process of the admission matches.

“Let’s get you signed up.” Papyrus brought Dam Son to a registration counter nearby where he was greeted by a nice looking humanoid lady.

“Good day, young man. Have you come to register for the admission matches?”

“Yes, please!” Dam Son answered excitedly, almost scaring the pretty receptionist.

“Wow, you’re so full of energy.” She passed over a document on the counter. “Here you go. Fill out this form first.”

“Huh?” Upon inspecting the form, Dam Son was at a loss as to what was written on it. “What are all these strange characters?”

“These are coded scripts that only a being such as myself can decrypt.” Papyrus answered boastfully. “That is why I told you that you would need me earlier. Most transactions in Vocabular are carried out by Word Masters’ Guides.” Finished speaking, Papyrus submerged itself into the document and filled out Dam Son’s personal information. “There, it is done.”

After looking over the document, the beautiful receptionist smiled at Dam Son while issuing a unique stamp to his Papyrus. “Applicant-620 you’ve been placed into the Demi-Human category at Block-C. Your name will be called when they are ready for you.”

“Oh, thank you.” Dam Son was turning to leave when the lady said to him,

“One more thing. You will only be deemed a victor if you win 4 matches without any losses, ok?”

“Yea I got it. Papyrus come on.”

“Hey, newborn! I’m the one leading the way here. You should follow me.” Stated Papyrus arrogantly.

“Oh, yea. Where is Block-C?”

“It’s over there.” Papyrus took the lead in steering Dam Son in the right direction.