"System, can you narrow down the stat screen to only his name and energy?" Sam asked as he ran around his enemy. "Yes." [Name: Brute Warlock (?) Magic Energy: 4180/15500] As Sam continued to evade his opponent's relentless onslaught, he maintained his arcane skill with insignificant energy usage, allowing him to afford the sustained effort. Meanwhile, he realized a crucial reason why the brute warlock was rushing him non-stop. Through the lens of arcane insight, Sam observed the warlock's movements with heightened clarity. He noted the telltale signs of energy depletion as the demon within exerted its influence, causing the warlock's frenzied assault to become increasingly unsustainable. With each passing moment, Sam's confidence grew as he monitored his opponent's dwindling energy levels. [Name: Brute Warlock (?) Magic Energy: 2610/15500] It became evident that the possession was draining the warlock's energy rapidly, prompting him to hasten the end of the fight. Sam, however
"Get down! Get down!" she insisted as they approached Alefo city. "Why? We're already so close. It's faster this way," Sam reasoned. "We will attract too much attention!" Lyra protested. "Ah, right. I don't want that either. Last time I attracted attention, I was almost executed," Sam said, shooting Lyra a pointed glare. Sam landed about a hundred yards from Alefo, still within the cover of the forest. They proceeded to walk towards a road they spotted, eventually entering the city through its gate. Unlike the Rivenburgs, there were no strict checks; the guards merely gave them a glance and allowed them entry without delay. "Well, this city is certainly more welcoming than Rivenburgs," Sam commented, observing their easy passage. "You're trying to compare Alefo to Rivenburgs?" Lyra scoffed. "It's not even comparable. Rivenburgs is five times the size of Alefo. There's nothing of value here, and the city is small enough that it's easy to search if anything happens. The guards don'
Their bodies were inches apart, the tension between them palpable, like electricity in the air. Every movement seemed to bring them closer, their backs occasionally brushing against each other, sending a warm sensation down their spines and intensifying the sensual tension. Sam struggled to control his racing heartbeat. Lyra's intoxicating scent and the feel of her silky smooth skin under her nightdress against his own body only added to the challenge. He couldn't ignore the undeniable rise in his pants. He stole a quick glance at Lyra, who appeared equally tense in the situation. Realizing that their predicament would only prevent them from getting any rest, Sam made a swift decision. He got up and grabbed the blanket. "Hey!" lyra protested. "Shut up. At least I'm taking this," he asserted, finding a spot on the floor to settle down for the night. Lyra, caught off guard by his sudden action, remained silent, perhaps realizing the wisdom of Sam's solution. *** The next morning, Sam
The arcane insight skill then showed the stat of the flamboyant knight.[This is the stat of the subject in front of youName: Flamboyant Knight (?)Danger level: mediumSpeed: lowEndurance: lowMagic energy: 6300/6300 Equipment magic barrier: 10000/10000Magic affinity: windMagic weakness: fireKnown abilities: ????Stolen spell detected: 1 master level spell]As Sam delved into the stat revealed by his arcane insight, a sense of urgency washed over him. The flamboyant knight standing before him bore traits that hinted at a connection to the group that had stolen the old wizard's spell. Whether he was a member or merely in possession of one of their master-level spells remained unclear, shrouded in mystery that even the system couldn't unravel with arcane insight.With the knight's attributes laid bare before him, Sam weighed his options carefully. The knight's magic affinity and weakness played into his favor, yet the formidable equipment magic barrier posed a significant challeng
The weakness Sam found and also the big gap in this Aegis spell is that it was a directional spell. "System, does aegis only cover a certain direction?" Sam asked the system for confirmation.. "Indeed, unlike the magic barrier that cloaks the body with defensive magic, Aegis only cover a certain direction with limited scope." "Why didn't you tell me?" "I have told you that it was manifested as a shield. You don't know a shield? If it provided all-encompassing protection, I would say it was a sphere, just like the wind sphere skill," system said with a dry tone. System remark infuriated Sam. He was still trying to get used to it. " Alright then, our victory is certain. Rafael, circle him and attack from all directions." Rafael wasted no time in executing Sam's plan, circling the knight and launching attacks from every direction. With each strike, the knight struggled to defend himself, his Aegis spell proving ineffective against the onslaught from multiple angles. Despite his effor
As they walked amidst Thaumapolis' grandeur, the stark contrast between Sam's demeanor and Lyra's became glaringly apparent. Lyra, who had previously sulked during the horse ride, now appeared illuminated with eagerness, her eyes seemed to be fixated on a particular direction in the middle of this grand city. Yet, despite her newfound enthusiasm, she remained tethered to Sam's side for reasons unknown to him.Meanwhile, Sam, who had initially been eager to explore Thaumapolis, was now overwhelmed by the myriad traces of stolen spells he detected with his arcane insight. From the mundane items like tea kettles to the floating cases scholars used, even the golems patrolling the city bore the mark. It was maddening for Sam, like being trapped in a whirlwind of sensory overload.He couldn't help but wonder if this was akin to the experience of someone with ADHD, drowning in a deluge of stimuli. With a heavy heart, Sam deactivated his arcane insight, realizing its futility in the face of su
In the dimly lit inn room, the soft sound of Lyra's peaceful slumber filled the air. Sam lay on his bed, his mind buzzing with thoughts and plans. The revelation about the stolen spells embedded in the city's magical devices had ignited a determination within him. Just as Lyra had received the brooch from her brother, others must have acquired their magical artifacts from some source—a workshop, perhaps, or a clandestine dealer.With this in mind, Sam formulated a plan. He would venture out into the bustling streets of Thaumapolis and ask random people about the origins of these enchanted items, following any leads that emerged.Though it seemed like a crude and uncertain strategy, it was far better than sitting idle, lost in confusion. Sam understood that it might take quite some time to narrow it down, but he was driven by a relentless curiosity and a desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding the stolen spells.With a resolute determination, he resolved to take action and navigate
As Sam exited the shop, he found Lyra looking restless, searching for something. Their eyes met, and Lyra's expression was a mixture of concern and annoyance. "Where have you been? Why did you leave me without a word?" Lyra bombarded him with questions, her voice rising with each word. Sam scratched the back of his head sheepishly, trying to come up with a plausible excuse. "Ah, I, uh, just needed to run a quick errand," he stammered, hoping she wouldn't press further. Lyra folded her arms across her chest, her gaze piercing. "You could have at least told me. I woke up and you were gone. It's not safe for me to be wandering around alone in a city like this!" Sam winced at her reproach, realizing he had indeed been thoughtless in leaving without informing her. "I'm sorry, Lyra. I'll make sure to keep you informed next time," he promised, hoping to appease her. Lyra sighed, her frustration evident. "Just don't do it again, okay? Now, what did you buy from that shop?" Sam hesitated