"Okay... so what do I do now?" He muttered. He scratched his head, unsure.
The silence is deafening. There's nobody gonna reply to him because he's truly alone right now, only accompanied by birds chirping. The only thing he can do is to walk to discover a new place, since standing in the same place won't help much. At first he is awkward walking in such giant stature, but overtime he is getting used to and seems more astute than before. He never thought it would be as easy as walking in his normal body, because from how he looks right now—with all those armor, surely it feels heavy—it turns out not at all.
Suddenly, amidst his steps, a floating tab appear in front of him. This one is the same as Windsong HUD interface, the difference is it has fewer options. Not even a setting. There's only statistics, ability, item and equipment. No chat, no map, just plain, decorated UI.
"Alright, let's see... statistics."
In fast response, meticulously presents his overall information.
---
Name: Magnar Elyxander
Race: Human [Final Evolution: Ascendari Prime].
Class: Warrior, Magus [Sorcery rank: Supreme Magus Ultima]
Job: Psychic
Hybrid class: Spellblade
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Reputation: 0
Health: B+
Psyche Core: S
Stamina: A
P. Attack: A
P. Defense: B+
M. Attack: S
M. Defense: A
Resistance: A
Agility: B+
Charisma: C
Luck: C
Willpower: SSS [Limit Break]
Dexterity: B+
---
"Woah, that's cool."
He blackened a bit when the UI was summoned. There he can see details about himself, but there's one thing that is lost. The level. It's gone as if it were all real. Still, no proper answer to solve this mystery. However, it's just the beginning, and the future is far to reach, and the world is vast to explore. He has plenty of time to adapt and eventually accept his condition. He moved his finger to ability. He tapped the HUD gently.
---
Magic proficiency:
Elementals, Chronomancy [Haste and Slow], Enhancement, Illusion, Psychokinesis, Abjuration.
Magic Mechanic: Psi-Magi [Psychic Magic, fast and precise magic casting style. Require proper willpower capability. Weak willpower causes backlash.]
Weapon proficiency:
One handed: Master
Two Handed: Master
Archer: Skilled
Gun: Skilled
Spear/Polearm: Master
Staff: Novice
Magic Device: Novice
Dual Wield: Master
Daggers: Novice
Blunt: Skilled
Thrown: Skilled
Perks:
Brain Fortress
Neuroburst
Will Incarnate [Willpower limit break exclusive]
Glass Cannon
Adamant Body
[???]
Ultimate Ability: [???]
Hidden Ability: [???]
The data sent a surge of information. Giving unique and various ability he holds, though he had played this game for a long time, he was somehow still surprised by how detailed this game mechanic was. Especially regarding to magical ability. In Windsong, there are five distinct magic mechanics or magic origin which tied to future job implementation when player selected magus class, Psi-Magi–Psychic, Arcane Magic–Wizard, Bloodline Magic–Sorcerer, Coven Magic–Witch, and Magitech–Technomancer. From all of these, they can choose to mix and match their gameplay. Not to mention, job is not tied to base classes unless someone picked magus, by choosing magus class player already determine their magic mechanic thus will lead future job implementation. The rest? It depends on their behavior and gameplay.
These are: Psychic/Psi-Magi, the Mentalist, powers drawn from the mind, they channel their mental strength to manipulate the world, their power is silent, focused, and terrifying--bending minds, creating illusions, or crushing foes with thought alone. Sorcerer, the Inner Flame, born with magic that flowing within them, their spells erupt from sheer will and instinct, stronger but hard to control. Technomancer, the Arcforge, a fusion between magic and technology, they craft devices, weapons and construct to cast spells, attacks, or shield allies, their casting depends on magical tools and gadgets. Wizard, the Scholar, they are relying on deep study, written knowledge, and years of training, they memorize spells, draw runed and use complex incantations to manipulate reality. and finally, Witch, the Hexbearer, witches use magic through nature, rituals, or spiritual bond, their power is mysterious, often tied to spirits or ancient forces.
These magic systems also use different gauges to perform. In this case, Magnar used something called Psyche Core--determines psychic casting capacity, mental clarity and endurance. Sorcerer using Mana Vein which is a representation of innate magical flow tied to heritage or mutation. Technomancer relies on different sources depending on the Magitech (magic devices) needs, it can be battery, or energy cell, either recharge or swap it. Wizard, using Mana Pool which an internal well of mana built through study and practice--not inherited. Witch, Coven Link, a witch doesn't just draw magic from within--they draw it from external pacts, spirits, nature, or supernatural forces. So, all players who wishes to play these types must remember, they having their own pros and cons, and must understand how they were used it in correct condition and situation.
Magic is not the question of how, but what medium you use to make it real. Fire still burns, lightning still strikes—it's only the cost that changes. Every acts and decision matter to decided their fate in this mystical path.
After satisfying his curiosity on this unique newfound, he desires to try to perform the magic ability.
"Alright, focus..."
He prepared his mind, sharpening it with deep focus. A second later, a whip of flame appears out of thin air, burning and lashes nearby soil that immediately engulf within flood of fire. Leaving a piece of land burnt to dead shifting from freshly green to bleak darkness.
"Woah! That's really awesome... and dangerous."
Magnar, although unsatisfied and still want to test his full capability extents, had to go and immediately look for anything that could help him to survive in this new world. So he start walking straight, following the one path dirt road where trees surrounded it.
"Hmm... why so sluggish... wait, I think I'll try something."
He enhance himself to be featherweight and faster. As a result, when he start running it feels like he's as the wind itself, passing through his body and occasionally leap in the air that long last for few seconds due to weigh buff. When in mid air he can see the view of this land. It turns out in the far north there are mountain trails.
"Hell yeah! This is fast!"
Eventually, he stumbled upon a small village near a river, just right from his position. Thanks to the magic that made his travel quick. Magnar immediately drops to the ground and walks normally. The settlement is indeed small, it was connected to the main dirt path he walked earlier, just a bit further on the right side. He sees twenty simple houses made out of wood scattered around the layout. There's one enormous building that assumes a village hall. in the middle of the population, a well stand, looks like for ages judging from mold that surrounded its stone. Common folks are just doing their own business, fishermen caught their fortunes within the river, children play and laugh with each other, local and travelling merchants selling goods, some women enjoy conversation while doing laundry near the river.
It's peaceful, but it's far from protected. There's no wall that encloses them, just pure wilds. What if there's beasts or monsters around? And Magnar clearly didn't see any people who were capable of self defense. So sad if something bad falls upon them.
"I think I'll pay a visit and ask a thing or two about this place."
Before his steps went further, from afar, Magnar heard a rumble of horse's shoes followed by people's bark and laughter.
"Hahaha! Prepare boys! We'll have a feast tonight!"
A maniac laughing from a brigand with sadistic grin. His scarred face only added how terrifying he is.
"I wanna hear their cry, their pain must be sweet as honey... but red..."
A word coming out of a psychopath brigand while licking his dagger that he had used to deliver torture and suffering on his countless victims.
"What... the hell is happening?" Magnar confused.
Unsure how to react, but he decided to observe it first. He doesn't wanna act rashly despite these bad people are about to commit atrocities. Still thinking that these are ultra realistic a.i.
When they arrived, chaos was everywhere, bloodshed was inevitable. The village was butchered like livestock. They cry, they plead mercy, they suffer, they die. The rest of them—youngsters and females were taken then thrown inside a cage just like an animal. What an inhuman sight, disgusting, those brigands are not even supposed to be called people anymore—the demon suits them well. Finished causing havoc, they fleed, their group chanting their dark glory. Couldn't care less the villagers wail.
Magnar step inside the village, once peaceful now turns into slaughter house. Left nothing but destruction. He thought it's just a script inside a game for triggering quest or advancing to the next story. Because if his assumption is true, these NPC should have alive by now. But, it's not, they just lies there, immobile. Magnar's confusion turns into unsettled feelings.
"Why are these npc don't alive? They should have been resurrected by now."
He waits little bit longer, and still no change. That time, his eyes widened. These are not npc, these are people. He gritted his teeth, frowned appeared on his stern face, his fingers buried in his crimson hair, gripping his scalp trembling with rage. What was he doing? Observing people being killed? If he had act, this tragedy won't happened. Guttural groan coming out of his mouth and turning into a hateful scream soaring into the sky—his magic loose from his control as it create blast of fire surrounded him. Engulf the destroyed village.
Without hesitation, he teleports himself exactly in front of the brigands group who's still not too far away. The group stopped, stunned, cannot believe what they just witness. A behemoth warlord figure clads in terrifying royalty halted them. His being surrounded by unnatural aura that clenched their breath. Their eyes meet his and feels as if he stares inside their very wicked soul, waiting for judgement. Their body crumble, had no more bravery to act, no energy to move even just a little. Their evil faces now show dread and whimpers, seeking for forgiveness. Before they could see Magnar a bit longer, they were already on the ground, paralyzed and dead because of brain haemorrhage, as blood poured from their noses and eyes. Unable to see his being properly.
Magnar, albeit fallen in fury, he's bewildered by what is happening. He pretty sure didn't even raise his finger a bit but these marauders just collapsed. Well, he doesn't give a damn care for these mongrels, but at least he draws a conclusion that normal people or lesser beings cannot see him without getting damaged. Maybe it's related to his statistics or equipment effects. So he decided to disguise as a man in a robe with a sword hanging on waist, his hair is not crimson but changed into short black and he also regained goatee beard with matching color.
He walked immediately to the back of carriages that was slide because of the horses who's carried it had ran away when their masters dead. Magnar pulled a huge cloth that covered the most of the cage and saw ten people inside. Six females, mostly young adults but one of them is elder and the rest are young males—bruised, indicating that they try to fight back. When the cage's door opened, they rushed to get outside, finally smelling fresh air again after uncomfortable heat as a pile of living meat inside the small prison.
They cry, rejoice, hugging each other. But the elder did not. She sees Magnar and immediately falls to the ground, showing gratitude for saving them.
"No, please... get up." Magnar said.
His hands gently lift the old woman who's eventually crying.
"I... thank you, good sir. Thank you for saving us and the village's future." She said. Sobbing.
"Don't worry, let's get out of here for now."
They nod in compliance, agreed to his idea and set their foot out of this scene. Long story short, they arrived at their village, the unpleasant scenery made some of them almost fainted. But, unexpected things happened as a few houses opened their doors and still contained several people alive and well. This discovery at least made populace relief, thinking their family was completely obliterated but they were here, hiding in a good spot. For others who have not survived? It's fate's cruel board game. Just let it go for it's no use sunken in grief.
The remaining survivors slowly start to rebuild their community. As Magnar still stood and thinking what to do next, an elder woman from earlier approached him.
"Greetings, savior, please rest yourself. You must be tired from the battle." She said.
Her sweet tone and glimmering eyes of hope. Caught his guard off.
"Uh... thank you, how about you?"
"I'm pretty much doing well. Sorry, sir, if I may know, what is your name?"
"Just call me Elysander. And what's your name?"
The lady nodded. "Please call me, Margarita."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Sir Elysander. Are you perchance, a knight? Or wandering sage?"
"Why do you think like that?"
"I can tell it from your look, you certainly look like one."
"You have met one of my kind before or something?"
"Yes, it's been a long time, this village sometimes held a guest from outside. Adventurers, knights, wanderers and many more."
"I see..."
Magnar still unmoved from his place, seeing those folks working hard. These people may weak, but they surely resilient, they just need to be polished appropriately and ready to face the harsh world. At that time, he walked to the villagers, mingling with others, then helping them with his power, slowly gaining himself a reputation. But, this act is more than just a show off, he had something greater in mind for future.
[Reputation: 150]
[Title acquired: Wandering Sage]