Magical boots, convenient, stylish and with an amount of class you couldn’t achieve with a little bit of enchantment. Well fuck them because nobody included a stupid manual how useful they really were, sometimes an item description isn’t enough to explain it properly. Because “you will always find solid ground” should have been expanded to: “Always find solid ground even without a stupid ground!”
While travelling through the snow covered desert Ethan wanted to walk for a bit, sitting in a boat sized saddle all day really hurt after you endured the up and down of a lizard moving carefully over the frozen ground. So he jumped from his behemoth lizard and chatted with some soldiers, while he still found their way to talk a bit weird. Sometimes he enjoyed it, maybe even he needed some social interaction after all. Then he noticed that everybody left footprints except him. It seems the boots thought walking in snow isn't solid enough so it hardened the snow and made his foot glued to the ground with each step, because always finding solid ground seemed to include not slipping.
Turns out after some experiments that applied to basically everything, a thin sheet of ice, a slippery pillar standing at an angle, sand, snow. You name it, well after some testing with his magic he was now standing on a small cloud made from snow and his feet just stayed on it like it was fucking concrete. While he landed on his ass and face a few times during testing, a number that would be very embarrassing to say out loud, he now managed to stay upright and even move with the cloud, albeit the speed was miserably slow.
Because there was simply nothing to do for him he decided to go scout, he was after all now a mobile weapons platform and with the army marching at a fast but not exhausting pace, he had a lot of time on his hands. Flying higher into the air he spotted the target of the snowstorm. The undead army looked like a black tumor on pale white skin, the mass moving like one creature through the blizzard. The smell of rotting corpses, their putrid stench invading the wind that blew in every direction due to the strong pull of the magical blizzard.
Ethan was impressed when he saw it at work, ripping undead apart with small ice crystals that flew like shrapnel into the rotting corpses, large ice chunks that formed when the shrapnel hit each other, like boulders those behemoths shattered and ripped through the undead with ease. The constant snowfall that transformed the desert into one large trap, the undead struggled to move while the cold invaded their bodies. The frost expanded the black sludge that streamed through their veins, their lifeless bodies not equipped with the heat to fight against such magic until it finally broke their brittle bones and destroyed their bodies.
With a simple thought he checked his notifications because it seems ritualism paid off quite well, especially for his subclass.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
*Update* Plague Mage reached Level 21! Stat points allocated!
Name: Ethan Delaney
Race: Winter Elf, Progenitor
Level: 25
Patron: Ouroboros, the Eternal Serpent
Class: Wizard of Glacial Chains
Subclass : Plague Mage - Level 21
Health Points (HP): 420/420
Mana Points (MP): 1300/1300
Stamina: 150/150
Stats
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 15
Vitality: 42
Wisdom: 162
Intelligence: 162
Perception: 18
Willpower: 60
Free points: 32
It was absurd how much experience he got but he needed to remind himself that first, the tutorial was fucking rigged and secondly this wasn’t his work but that of two dozen mages that poured all they had into the ritual. With a sigh he looked down to the undead and rubbed his chin. There were a lot of undead down there, a number he couldn’t even name because the heaving mass was just spread so far and the blizzard didn’t help him to count accurately. Focusing back on his stats, he thought about his next move.
Ethan had a lot of free points to use but for now he wanted to wait, his eyes glued to his race. Winter Elf, it sounded so weird, so mystical and also dangerous, for him especially. In earth's mythology he never heard of winter elves, maybe he just didn’t know but it was still odd to him. They were obviously connected to winter but were there summer elves, spring elves and autumn elves too? It sounded stupid or maybe there were other races connected to the seasons.
Shaking his head he tried to focus on the idea he had, something that was lacking and frankly, not a good match for his path up to this point. Because there was one thing he wanted before fighting this army of the undead. Level 25 for his plague mage class was so close, especially since he killed off more of the undead than he could count. It was his best chest for survival as he honestly paid not much attention to his subclass, there was some testing but it didn’t mix well with his main class. That had to chance so he wouldn’t cripple himself later on.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
The notifications just kept coming and he looked at Nora who had found a new spot to rest, using most of his staff now to wrap around, she was growing a lot recently and while she still fit on his shoulder it was taxing to carry her around, the staff he just push into the ground and it would stand there. He got side tracked again, shaking his head and he focused back on the important thing. What he wanted from his class. He knew the system would give him choices based on his actions but he was certain he could influence it even more with the right mindset, the system took into account everything, even personal wishes. While it couldn’t give him an overpowered class it could certainly introduce some of the aspects he deemed necessary.
What he wanted was quite easy, a class that relied on his ice element, that could damage his enemies, working over time but also in a large radius if necessary, with the main aspect of it all that he was in control of the situation to align closely with his main class.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
*Update* Plague Mage reached Level 22! Stat points allocated!
He should get away from the whole poison theme he had so far, it won’t work out in the long run. What he wanted were the benefits of plagues, high mortality, a contagious nature, a tremendous reach and for him the most important, the control to influence it. Weaken and strengthen it, even shut it down when necessary. Some other important aspect was he didn’t need a disease, those didn’t affect undead or elementals. He needed something that could damage almost everything. A form of corrupting frostbite would be good as it aligned closely with his class.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
With his thoughts now focused on the path he wanted Ethan started to say it out loud like some mantra. Again and again while weaving his magic. He talked about it with Nora, the pros and contras of his subclass and how he could overcome those weaknesses with a new and improved version. Away from the plagues and disease to something new and more in line with his element.
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While doing so magic formed in his hands, he couldn’t replicate his earlier achievement but Ethan didn’t need to do that anyway. He had the perfect breeding ground for his magic right in front of him. A black ball of plague infested mana, encased with ice and snow swirled between his hands. While holding it he carefully controlled the energies within. Gently raising it to his mouth as he let out an icy breath that froze the orb solid. With a smile he gave it a light push, a bit of snow carried it through the air until.
It stopped a few meters in front of him before it started to spin, at first around his own axis to slowly pick up speed before it circled also around Ethan. The orb picked up speed, not as impressive as the general with his sling back when he launched the plague orb into a horde of undead but overall it was effective enough for his purpose, because when it launched it landed right in the middle of the blizzard. Lighting striking the orb and breaking it apart, the magic of the blizzard stronger than the orb.
The white snow slowly turned black as it drifted to the ground and landed on the zombies. Ethan smiled, this was a lot more elegant than his first attempt. He watched as the flesh of the zombies became pale before freezing over, then it rotted under the ice, the flesh turning into black foul smelling liquid that was invaded by the ice, making the whole zombie heavier.
He was now actively replicating the attack he used on Brakan, something he used to survive before now even a valid strategy to defeat these undead. Rot and ice intertwined in an endless dance until one of them won the battle. It was gruesome but Ethan had to admit he didn’t feel as bad about it when he targeted zombies with such a spell. More zombies died and the notifications kept coming.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
*Update* Plague Mage reached Level 24! Stat points allocated!
He was moments away from leveling up, he could feel it under his skin, like an itch you couldn’t scratch. Then it happened. An explosion ripped the zombies apart, some kind of black vortex destroyed most of the army and while Ethan got his level he wasn’t so sure it was worth it anymore, because this wasn’t his spell at work. But something sinister and outright evil..
Like a black hole the bodies got sucked into a darkness so absolute it looked like a chunk of the world was just missing. Before he could be happy that the army destroyed itself he saw something coming out of the black hole, a spell that worked too quickly shouldn’t even be possible, right?
Where Crocodiarii and Brammgestir zombies walked before now more humanoid figures stepped in neat lines from the abyss. Their bodies clad in armor made from living shadows, the weapons dripping with black necrotic poison so vile the ground dissolved when it touched the ground. Their eyes burning with black flames and eldritch green fire covered their heads like hair.
A laugh could be heard all over the field, it sounded like bones rubbing and hitting against each other. A figure easily as big as Jarl Thoran, the massive Brammgestir, stepped in the middle of his new troops, Ethan was sure he wasn’t there before a figure like him you couldn’t overlook that easily. His eyeless skull looked straight at Ethan who was still floating in the air.
“YOU WILL DIE LITTLE WIZARD, THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN DEFEAT ME!”
He didn’t scream, his voice just had that much power and gravitas infused into it. His whole presence was one of terror and dominance. Ethan swallowed and tried stop his heart from beating so fast. He analyzed him out of reflex but that only made him fear this beast even more.
[Wight King - ???]
[???]
No level. No description. He fled as quickly as he could with his slow moving snow cloud, his confidence waning as he looked back to the growing army that now faced them instead of walking away. His blizzard still killed off soldiers but these things made from bone and shadow didn’t die as easily anymore with no flesh to invade and that shadow armor protecting them, the Wight King seemed to supply them with energy because black smoke drifted between the ranks of the skeleton soldiers.
Landing between his troops he sent soldiers out to bring every commander and his generals Kra’kulgar and Torin to his behemoth lizard. While he walked to his mount he discussed with Nora if he should pick his class now, while there were benefits to a new class like more skills learning those skills wouldn’t happen in a few minutes. Their thoughts exchanged at a rapid speed, no words were used as their feelings were enough to convey their intentions. In the end they both thought he should do it. He got Level 25 after all and like before he would choose right before the undead attacked. Sitting down on his saddle he looked at his options.
[Frostblight Plague Mage]
[The Frostblight Plague Mage is a formidable class that weaves together the chilling essence of frost with noxious, toxic vapors. Masters of both decay and despair, these mages control the battlefield by suffocating their foes with a frigid, poisonous mist that freezes lungs and accelerates the spread of diseases. The Frostblight Plague Mage uses their powers to create environments so hostile that enemies find it hard to breathe, let alone fight. +6 Vitality +6 Willpower +4 Perception +2 Free points]
[Frost Battlemaster]
[The Frost Battlemaster uses cold-infused mind control and manipulation techniques to dominate foes. They freeze the targets’ minds, delving into their thoughts while simultaneously infecting them with a parasitic magic that leads to gradual loss of autonomy. This class thrives on turning enemies against each other while enveloping the battlefield in a haunting chill. +8 Willpower +4 Intelligence +4 Wisdom + 2 Free points]
[Deformic Frostweaver]
[The Deformic Frostweaver channels frost magic to induce grotesque physical mutations in their enemies. They use their chilling powers to twist flesh and bones, creating warped abominations that serve their dark will. This class revels in creating monsters from once-proud warriors, turning them into shock-inducing blights upon the battlefield. + 8 Vitality +4 Intelligence +4 Wisdom +2 Free points]
[Frost Hemorrhager]
[The Frost Hemorrhager is a master of both blood magic and frost, utilizing a chilling touch to induce painful bleeding among their enemies. By infusing wounds with frost, this class causes their foes to bleed out even faster while feeling the cruel bite of cold. They can create chilling spells that not only damage but also weaken targets through excessive blood loss. +4 Vitality +4 Dexterity +4 Intelligence +4 Wisdom +2 Free points]
[Frostrot Revenant]
[The Frostrot Revenant is a master of rot, expertly combining the frigid essence of winter with the inevitable decay of life. This class wields the power of corruption, strong enough to diminish even the hardiest of foes while maintaining control over the effects of their magic. With abilities that can spread through the battlefield and influence not only living beings but also incorporeal beings to some degree. The Frostrot Revenant embodies a chilling harbinger of mortality that spreads dread among their enemies. +8 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +2 Free Points]
With anticipation he started to read them, but when he barely finished the last one he saw his commanders approach and the system window vanished into the background, for now he needed to focus. With the enemy army now force marching towards them there were orders that needed to be given and plans had to be discussed. When those tasks were completed he still had time to pick a class before the battle.
He took a deep breath and hoped he could win this fight, the biggest one since the start of the tutorial. A fight not only he was involved in this time.
Maybe he could give the Brammgestir and Crocodiarii a new chance in this awful desert.
But first, he actually needed to win.
