SANTELMO

Nid opened his eyes, sunlight's glare mildly stung him. Using his right hand to make a shade, he saw leaves swaying in the wind, and the sky was clear and purplish. He sat down, only to feel water trickling down his body, he looked down and noticed that he had not moved from where the ceremony was conducted. He was still at the pool at the top of Andrasyl's tree.

"Hey kid! You awake now?"

Nid heard a familiar voice, so turned his head and noticed the usual male suspect, Emerwyn. The wood elf, holding a towel, walked towards the wet dark elf, placed his hand on Nid's forehead to check on his temperature.

"You're alright now I guess, here! Use this to wipe yourself." Emerwyn said as he threw him a towel.

The towel landed in his head and slid down covering half of his face. Nid looked around he recognized everything yet nothing seems to register in his mind. Just then he heard another voice, "Young one, drink this, it will help you invigorate your mind."

A picture of familiar beauty entered the scene, she emerged from the stairs below, holding a tray containing three cups of what seemed to be tea. Andrasyl's smile shined in the cool sunlit morning. Nid hang the towel around his shoulders and without saying a word slowly reached for the tea and took a sip.

"My head and body is still throbbing. . . " He blurted.

"That's part of the process kid, I remember my advancement was so painful I was out for a whole week."

"Tis due to the abrupt increase in power, your mind and body are adjusting from the power you just gained."

Nid stepped out of the pool and started drying himself, he looked out into the forest and saw the beauty of his home. The place he would leave behind, along with the people that he calls family.

"I know I've said this before but . . I'm really gonna miss this place."

The figure of his brother figure emerged by his side. An arm wrapped around his shoulders which gave him a light squeeze.

"Come on. It's not like you won't be back. Haha."

The presence of his mother figure slid closer, with her never ending smile.

"He's right young one, this is your home. You can go back whenever you feel weary."

The simple bliss of having a home and family to go back to made Nid feel like he was on cloud nine. He, however, knew himself enough to know that if he dwells on this feeling any longer, he might lose his desire to go out and explore the world. He broke the monotony of the moment by changing the topic.

"By the way, Is it me or is the mana around here almost gone?" he observed.

"Tis the reason why such ceremonies are done in areas of high magic." Andrasyl answered.

"The magic is taken in by thy body, which then makes thee stronger. However, as you already know, the abrupt change can be taxing to thy body and mind. Tis the reason why the little one was out for days." she added.

"I see, I see, . . .I wish you would stop calling me a little one though. I'm not a baby anymore!" complained Nid. In the corner of his eye, he can see Emerwyn with puffed cheeks and red face. His hand in his mouth, ready to burst out of laughter. Nid slightly raised his arm and tried to deliver an elbow to Emerwyn discreetly but was blocked by the wood elf hand.

"Niadra Veste, no matter how old you get, you will still be a little one to me. As per your request, I will call you young one In lieu of little one." Andrasyl remarked. "This one almost forgot, I have something for you." Andrasyl extended her arm towards Nid and in her hand was a piece rolled paper.

"A scroll? What's inside it?" Nid asked his demeanor now a bit more serious.

"A gift from the mistress of the forest. T'was a gift given to me by Anitugo I saved in the past. From what this one remembers, the man was a fire mage and he made this scroll of learning."

Both Emerwyn and Nid jaws dropped, a magic scroll of learning was a rare magic item. It was rare enough that it was the first time for even Emerwyn to see one.

"Are you sure you want to give it to me? I mean that's really great, but really?" Nid asked.

"Tis fine, tis but an object which are meant to be used. There is also the fact that this scroll is not compatible to be wielded by me or Emerwyn. In exchange, do remember to visit us here in Gar'osi forest, if time permits."

Nid rushed to Andrasyl with arms wide open, then gave her a tight squeeze. He was not related by blood nor compelled to help him, yet she gave him all that he needed and more. She smiled, gave him a soft embrace.and caressed his hair.

"Besides, my mind will be more at ease if I give you another implement that can aid in thy survival." she added.

"Thank you so much!!"

"Take it young one."

"Okay" wiping some pent up tears in his eyes. "What do I do with this anyway?"

"If this one recounts the previous instruction, you only need to open the scroll. On the moment that you open and look at the scroll, the arcane etchings will embed itself in thy mind making thee learn the magic." Andrasyl recalled.

Upon hearing her instruction, Nid opened the scroll. Light emanated from the scroll's arcane writings. One by one each symbol faded, etching themselves to the memory of the user. Soon all that remained was the parchment.

"So?" Emerwyn asked, curious as to what had happened.

"It was a summoning magic, I think it's an elemental summoning magic. This scroll is pretty neat, it usually takes two half moon cycles even full moon cycles to master a magic spell." Nid answered. Moon cycles would be the closest interpretation of time of his previous world of months and years. Most of the time, there would only be one moon in the night sky denoting the passage of a day. When two full moons are present, which is called half moon cycle, because half of the moons are present in the sky. It tells the people of this world that roughly a month of time had passed. When around twelve or thirteen half moon cycles had passed, all three moons would show up in the night sky. Having all the moons present and visible to the naked eye, the people of Mahiterra would call it full moon cycle or in a sense a year.

"Well that's what makes them valuable, If I remember correctly they're not exactly easy to make."

"So young one, are you going to try using it?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna try it."

Nid cast the summoning magic, arcane symbols appeared on the floor. Nid chose to summon the element of fire, seeing as he lacks any spell in this affinity.

"Beings of flame, heed my call. I am Niadra Veste, dark elf of Gar'osi forest. I summon your presence."

The light emanating from the symbols intensified blinding them all. Black smoke emerged from the circle, then a pair of white menacing eyes appeared from the smokes core.

Then it spoke in a powerful voice "Who dares call upon this mighty being?"

"It's here!" Nid thought to himself. He learned all the ropes of using a summoning magic from the scroll that he consumed. "I guess the next step is to form a pact with this guy. . or gal." he added.

"I did great one, I am here to form a pact with you."

"A pact, what makes you think I will accept such an offer?"

"Well maybe a show of power can do the trick, as I have really nothing to offer as of now." he muttered in his mind.

"I will prove my power to you, if you deem me acceptable, will you form a pact with me?"

"Hmp. Fine, if survive my attacks then I may consider such an offer." the summon said with hints of disappointment. " Fail me however, and I will show you my wrath"

"Don't help me Andrasyl and Emerwyn, I need to do this alone for it to work."

"Yeah, yeah, I wasn't planning to help to begin with." Emerwyn said, while clutching the bow slung around him.

"As you wish young one." Andrasyl calmly stated.

"Here I go!" Nid declared.

[Earth Defense] [Dual Arrow Shot]

Nid activated his magic and skill simultaneously, encasing him with a layer of brownish light. He followed it by nocking two arrows in his bow swiftly, aiming it and then shot.

Steady and straight, arrows sliced through the air. Within a second it found its mark, lodging itself in the summons supposed face.

Sizzle! the arrows melted sounding like water was splashed in fire.

"Is that the best you got?" mocked the summon, still hidden in the thick black smoke.

Nid did not answer, he was already calculating his next move. "I guess that level of attack won't work. Huh? Well, alright, time to kick it up a notch. " he said to himself, as if he already foresaw it.

[Dual Arrow Shot] He nocked two arrows again.

"Oi. . Oi.. you're going to do the same thing when it did not even work?"

This time the arrow was enveloped in a brownish glow. "Let's see if coating it in aura works." he muttered to himself.

[Fire Cloak] the summon decided to activate some of his magic upon noticing the glow.

The light inside the smoke grew brighter, a brighter red tinge was now mixing with the dark smoke. Nid knew something was up, "Magic, maybe?" he mentally deduced. Without hesitation he fired the arrows, brownish light trailing behind.

"The light inside the smoke moved, it's wary of my attack, then there's no time to relent."

[Fireball] A ball of flame shot through, creating a hole in the smoke. Nid was caught off guard yet still evaded the shot, barely.

"It's attacking now huh?" he murmured under his breath. [Earth Bind] [Hyper Shot]

The floor grumbled, the debris on the floor jumped up and down. Nid as if waiting for this signal immediately nocked a single arrow, and with a deep breathe, pulled the string of his bow to its maximum. Light gathered at the tip of the projectile, gaining intensity - this was his skill Hyper shot.

The summon saw the light emanating from the arrow, his concentration focused on this threat. "Getting hit by that would be bad." [Fireb…] earth suddenly materialized underneath the summon, cutting his mental incantation. "I FORGOT ABOUT THE SPELL!" he shouted at himself, it was caught, trapped in a cage of earth.

Sensing his upcoming defeat, "I GIVE UP! I accept your pact." he declared.

Yet the light seemed to show no signs of stopping, in fact it grew stronger.

"Oi. . Oi. . Oi. . Oi. . Oi. . Oi. . I SAID I GIVE UP!!" the summon shouted in panic.

Nid on the other hand, was sweating buckets, cold sweat ran down his face. He was not in control of his skill anymore. His class advancement had powered him up and the skills he mastered have also gotten stronger.

"Crap! I might end up killing the summon!! How did I not see this?!" Nid nervously stated.

He narrowed his eyes, focused on keeping the skill in check. "I need to do something about this!"

"OKAY! I'LL SERVE YOU! SO STOP IT ALREADY!!!"

Nid who's every fibre was focused on keeping [Hyper Shot] in check, did not hear anything. His hand was slipping, His eyes blurring and just as he was about to give up, he caught a glimpse of Emerwyn smile and nod.

Nid released the skill, and before blacking out he shouted. "EMERWYN IT'S UP TO YOU!"

Emerwyn was already in position at this point in time. He was a vagabond after all, he had already seen events like this unfold. The moment Nid's skill left the bounds familiar to him, Emerwyn knew it was time for him to make a move.

It was as if a comet shot out of Nid's bow, the white blinding light rushed towards Emerwyn and the summon. It roared, threatening to annihilate anything in its path, and just as it was about to hit.

[Dimension Door] a black mirror-like structure appeared in front of the summon. It Absorbed all of Nid's attack, down to the last strip of aura and cast them into the void. Rendering the attack useless, as if nothing had happened. The only evidence of the attack were scratches on the wooden floor. You better honor your word, fuzzball." Emerwyn said to the summon behind him. To which the summon nodded.

Meanwhile Nid found himself in meditation mode yet again. Inside he found the points in a cross pattern with five points glowing. He was welcomed by a voice "Welcome back master."

"Congratulations on achieving a new milestone."

"Progress report:

Overall Status improved.

Job Class changed from Archer to Mystic Ranger.

Acquired Affinity in Fire.

New Magic-Skill for Mystic Ranger: Pelting Rain

New spell Acquired Summon Fire Elemental:

Summon Requires a name."

Everything in Nid's meditation mode was made using his ability 'Dream Weave'. As an otherworlder he subconsciously made his own concept to understand this new world.

"Magic-Skill? That's new, what is it?"

"Answer: Aura and Magic are combined to create Magic-Skill."

"Neat! What's Pelting Rain?"

"Your first unlocked Magic-Skill, it allows you to fire magic arrows infused with aura with scatter effect which affects the targeted area."

"Hmm. I guess it's better to use it and experience what it can do, to have a better grasp on it."

"But still Magic-Skill is a mouthful, Magiskill would be a better name for it."

"Affirmative.Changing Magic-Skill to Magiskill. Name Change complete."

"Nice!" he said approvingly, as if gesturing two thumbs up to the feminine voice.

"Name. . . Name huh? Wait? I made a pact?! What happened?" He asked, wide-eyed with mixed amazement and confusion in his expression.

"I better wake up, and take a look at my new elemental! I wonder what these elementals look like?" He exclaimed happily.

A gentle breeze blew in his face, a sweet fragrance filled his nose. He woke up to a familiar room, bed made of branches, vines and leaves yet comfortable. A window overlooking a pond, the forest and the path to Emerwyn's place. His furniture that's been used but barely kempt.

"I guess they put me in my room. I wonder what day it is?" Nid stated.

He walked outside his room, peeking at every room he comes by, looking for Emerwyn and Andrasyl. Small plants sprouted behind him, and soon enough a figure of a woman reached out for his shoulder and then spoke.

"I see young one is awake, come! A friend of thee awaits thy arrival." stated Andrasyl.

"WAAHH!!" screamed Nid, his blood turned cold at the surprise

"ANDRASYL!! You have to stop doing that! It's not funny! My heart nearly fell out!" Nid continued.

"Why has your heart almost fallen out? I mean. . . " she said, suddenly falling in deep thought. "Tis one of those expressions you told me about, right?" she asked, as the sudden realization hit her.

Nid had one hand on his face, his expression blank. "Sometimes. . ." He took a deep breath, "You know what nevermind." he said after regaining his composure.

"You said a friend was waiting for me? I can only think of one creature." he mused.

Andrasyl did not speak and only smiled as an answer. As the two approached the door leading outside, he caught sight of the weirdest thing. Emerwyn was standing in the meadow, in his hand a flickering lit torch in broad daylight.

"Hey! Old man! Is it me or is your eyesight going dark? Maybe you're really getting old? Hahaha. Oh? It's dark in broad daylight, let me use some torch to illuminate my way. Uhuhuhu" Nid teased.

"Ha-ha-ha. Very funny Nid, but this is for you . . . And your new pet, I guess?." Emerwyn answered pointing to the flame in the torch.

Squinting his eyes, he tried to make out what the wood elf was pointing at. It was flame, or rather a ball of flame, and it's not flickering, it's more of a wag. It had eyes wide and white, and a wide gap underneath which maybe its mouth.

"I am not a pet! He may become my master but I still have some dignity left to not be treated as a pet." the flame ball spoke.

"Well, if you're gonna serve the kid right there, he might treat you as a pet. Just saying." teased Emerwyn, his shoulders raised with arms open.

"This is the elemental I summoned? It looks like a fireball on the hand of those in my imagination." He said to himself.

Nid's outlook on how fire elementals were shattered. In his mind, they were this cool looking, sort of demon-like creatures. He imagined one with horns, well built body of fire, and full of authority.

"I. . I guess you were the one I summoned, a fire elemental. . . right?" Nid stammered, disappointment drawn on his face.

"This is what fire elementals look like? It was boasting so much when I summoned him. . . It looks so weak. . . " he thought to himself.

Not wanting to be rude, Nid awkwardly changed topic, "So . . .what's with the master talk?"

"Hai! Let me answer you master!" the summon said with fire flickering side to side. " In our previous encounter, you have bested me. When you were about to shoot your last attack, I pledged my allegiance to you."

"Psh. pledged? More like pleaded to survive." Emerwyn commented with a sarcastic smile.

The fireball turned to the wood elf, "I PLEDGED!" it snapped.

"Ha. .haha. I see. . . I don't really remember any of that, I was kinda busy." he said, scratching his head with an awkward smile.

"Even so, I have accepted you as my master, sealing our pact."

"I guess I don't have much choice anymore. . ." he sighed in his mind. "Well whatever. It's not like I have enough energy to go through another summoning anyway."

"Master? Is there something wrong?" asked the floating red orb.

"Huh? Ah. No. Nothing's wrong, I was just lost in thought." he explained, at this point Nid looked as if he struck with lightning, as he remembered his update during meditation mode. "I haven't given you a name! Oh, sorry, I mean what's your name?"

"Don't you know? weak beings don't have one, especially beings like elementals who are born from the mana of primordial elements." the flameball explained with one of his eyes slightly raised.

The elemental did not know that Nid was not originally from this world. Making his knowledge limited to what Andrasyl and Emerwyn taught him, evidently this one was missed. Also his knowledge from his previous world doesn't always translate to this new one, Mahiterra being a magical world. They explained everything to the summon, who in all those time had wide twinkling eyes.

"I see, so master is from another world." the elemental said to himself, nodding.

"Yeah, this is also why I wish to explore the whole world. I want to see everything Mahiterra has to offer." Nid told his summon.

"A grand quest master, a dangerous one too. Have no fear though for I will accompany you through it all." the summon said, holding his head or rather whole body high.

"Yeah! You may be small, weak, and far from what I imagined, but you're still my first successful summon." he teased.

The fire elemental was now slump over, his light burned dim. Distraught from what his master told him. The only sound that came from him was, "Kuh…."

"Hahaha. Just kidding! Alright, I've decided to name you." the elemental upon hearing what Nid said now burned bright with twinkling eyes of delight. "Hmm. You're a fireball, back in my world we had something that we call Saint Elmo's Fire. A floating ball of flame, some say they were spirits. Okay, I've decided to name you Santelmo!" Nid proclaimed.

"Santelmo! I shall treasure this name, and forever be loyal to you master." Santelmo said, who was now blissfully flying up and down, with bright flames flickering like a wagging tail.

"I'm counting on you Santelmo!" Nid said with a smile.

"We're counting on you too Santelmo, keep this young one safe out there." Andrasyl said, smiling as per usual, while patting the dark elf's head.

"Yosh! You can count on me!"

"Stay the night young ones, and prepare for tomorrow's journey."

"Okay, I'm still not in the best condition anyway."

"Yeah, we don't want to see you running back using that as an excuse. hahaha."

"Shut up old man, don't lump me with you. Hahaha."

The bright ambiance of their banter filled the meadow, as they went back to the Andrasyl's tree. Now a family of four, they strolled laughing and smiling all the way. Savoring the time that they still have left with each other, for when the sun rises tomorrow Nid's journey will begin.