New Eden Live to Play, Play to Live

an item in your hand or nearby with strong wind controlled by mana. Base mana cost: 10 (Scales with the weight of the thrown object)

Astaroth noticed he was still missing a good chunk of his mana. He guessed that there was no mana regen in this game.

So he would need to find potions or consumables that filled it back up. He walked back to the old mage and see if he had any or if he knew where to get some.

As he got to the old mans abode, this time the door opened before he could knock. As he stood there unsure, from the back of the house, he heard the old raspy voice.

”Don just stand there gawking, young one. Come in. ”

And so he did. He again trod lightly through the maze of books to reach the back room.

”Hello again, Master. ” Astaroth politely said, doing a slight bow.

”Hah! ” The old man chuckled.

”Im no ones master, young man. You best remember that. I am but an old man who knows a few parlor tricks. ” He added dismissively.

”I heard from mister Stryph what happened in the forest. How very reckless of you to charge a beast you have no means of fighting. Death might have been a salutary lesson for you. ” The old man said, sternly.

”He also told me you wanted to learn the art of the blade. I will not tell you how to live your life but know this: a jack of all trades is a master of none. Best to pick a path and stick to it. ” He said, looking back down at his book.

”Now tell me, to what do I owe your visit? ” He said, not even looking up from his book any longer.

”I was hoping you could tell me how to regain my lost mana. Maybe a potion, or a pill of some sort? ” Astaroth asked.

The old man looked up from his book with a frown.

”Young man. If it were that simple in these parts, don you think there would be more mages? ” He asked Astaroth.

”Ahh… Is it not possible, then? ” Astaroth asked back.

”Sigh. Its not that its not possible. Just that we don have the resources to make such potions in this backwater village. You would need to make a trip to a city or large settlement for such goods. ” He finally added after a moment.

”Then could you point me toward a bigger settlement then? ” Astaroth asked, hoping.

”Do you think you could make it there on your own? ” The old man asked, his gaze sharpening.

”Would it be that difficult? ” Astaroth asked, scratching his head.

”Do you think the creature you fought earlier today is a rare occurrence in these parts, young man? ” The old man asked him.

”Is it not a rarer monster than normal? ” Astaroth asked, slightly going pale.

”Heh. If only it were. ” The old man sadly answered.

”I do not know why you landed here, kid, but the monsters in these parts are all of equal or greater strength than that bear you fought. There is no way out of this village than through that monster-infested forest. The barrier around our village is the only thing keeping this place from collapsing. ” The mage said, his face saddening.

Astaroth gulped. Was he going to be stuck here forever? Would he have to make a new account and restart the game with a different race?

He was now seeing what the elf in the character creation meant by Not worth his time. Sadly, the choice had been made. His head drooped a bit.

The old man, seeing the emotions flash on his face, sighed loudly.

”Come with me. ” He then said, getting up from his chair.

Astaroth watched get up, and followed behind, not expecting much anymore. He already thought he would have to restart.

The old man walked further to the back of the house, where he stopped in front of a library. Astaroth looked at him curiously.

Was he going to get a book or something? He watched the old man extend his hand to a book on the middle shelf and pull on it.

The book just tilted instead of coming out. Then the library sank into the wall to reveal a staircase going down.

The old man then started walking down the stairs. Astaroth just followed, now curious about what was down there.

Once they were down, Astaroth could feel the air getting heavier. Like something was pressing on him from all directions. The further they walked down the tunnel, the harder it was for him to breathe.

They walked for a few minutes before the tunnel transitioned into a wide cave. The cave was lit up by a brightly glowing blue orb in the center. Astaroth could feel a crushing weight on his body as he stepped closer to the orb.

”Careful not to touch it, young man. That orb is the only thing protecting our liveliness. ” The old man simply stated.

”This… This holds the shield up. ” Astaroth deduced.

”Correct. ” The only man nodded.

”But why did you bring me here, sir? ” Astaroth asked.

”To train you. ” He answered.

”Its been some time since weve had someone with magic potential in these parts. I will help you get stronger as best I can. And this is the best I can do. ” He added, waving to the surrounding cave.

”I know you asked mister Stryph to train you to the blade. So I won be teaching you much magic. You can learn that on your own. What I will teach you is simply mana sensing and manipulation. If used well, you can add it to your fighting style. He said, walking around the cave.

”Now sit down. ” He said.

”Yes, sir! ” Astaroth answered, regaining hope. He might still have a chance of getting out of here!