Forging Power: Blades and Sorcery [Part 3].
Astranor wasn't someone who liked giving direct answers or hints. He found more joy in watching others figure things out on their own.
"Uh, I guess I'd get fed up with the food at some point," Mammon replied after a pause.
"Exactly. Your body would grow resistant to the potions in the same way. Over time, their effectiveness would decrease."
Mammon frowned, scratching his head. "But if that's the case, wouldn't the same thing happen with A and B rank potions?"
"Ah, that's where they're different. A and B rank potions are crafted using the finest and purest ingredients, often by master alchemists. These ingredients bypass the body's natural resistance mechanisms."
Mammon raised an eyebrow. "So, no matter how often you use them, their potency stays the same?"
"Exactly," Astranor said, nodding. "Their formula defies the limitations of the body. You could take an A-rank potion a thousand times, and it would still deliver the same result."
Mammon sighed, processing the information. "I see. You also mentioned mana potions are only one way to get a temporary mana pool. What are the other ways?"
"That," Astranor said with a sly grin, "is a lesson for another day."
Hmph.
"That will be all for now," Astranor said, waving his hand dismissively.
Mammon turned to leave but stopped when Astranor called out to him.
"Hey, take this," the old man said, tossing a small glowing vial toward him.
Mammon caught it and inspected the item. His jaw dropped immediately
---
Name: Mana Potion.
Grade: Rank B
Mana Supplied: 20000 Mana Points.
---
"Thank you, Sir Astranor!"
Astranor smiled faintly, waving him off.
'Even without mana, he has the potential to become something extraordinary,' he thought as he resumed his meditation.
Mammon wandered through the village, debating his next move. The idea of leaving the village tugged at him. 'What lay beyond its borders?' After all, staying here wouldn't help him grow stronger. He stopped a nearby woman to ask for directions out of the village.
"Head south," she said, pointing. "You'll find the entrance there."
He thanked her as she went back to her things and followed the directions, soon arriving at a massive shimmering veil covering a hole in the village's perimeter. The magical barrier pulsed faintly, casting an eerie blue glow over the surrounding trees. As he approached, a system prompt appeared.
*Ding!*
*You are leaving a safe zone. From this point on, dangerous creatures may attack on sight, and death is a real possibility. Proceed with caution. Good luck, adventurer!*
Mammon swiped the notification away.
'There's no way a creature from this starting zone could kill me.'
He stepped through the veil, the sensation like walking through cool water. On the other side, the forest greeted him, a vast, sprawling maze of towering trees and dense undergrowth. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in fragmented beams, illuminating patches of moss-covered ground. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth.
He quickly opened his map and marked the village's location for reference.
'Better safe than sorry,' he thought.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, a cold breeze washed over him, its chilling touch oddly comforting. When he finally decided to turn back, distant thumping sounds caught his attention.
Mammon hesitated. He knew better than to wander toward unknown noises, but curiosity got the better of him. Keeping his steps light, he crept toward the source of the sound.
When he reached a clearing, the scene before him was grim. A massive white wolf stood panting, blood dripping from deep gashes along its side. A faint red mark glowed on its forehead. Opposite the white wolf was another wolf, its fur pitch black and its eyes glowing with malice and beside the black wolf, lay the corpses of three smaller wolves, their black fur matted with blood.
The white wolf turned its head toward him, and Mammon froze. Its piercing gaze locked onto his, and a calm, feminine voice echoed in his mind.
"Who are you, and what do you want here?"
"I... I mean no harm," Mammon stammered. "I'm just passing through."
The voice softened but held urgency. "Then help me."
"I'll try my best," Mammon said, though his heart raced.
He retrieved his mana potion, drank a small portion, and glanced at his stats. His mana pool now showed 1,000 points.
---
Status:
Name: Mammon
Race: Half-Elf
Class: ???
Stats:
HP: 2'300(Temporary)
MP: 1000(Temporary)
Stamina: 50
Strength: 1 Agility: 1 Constitution: 1 Dexterity: 1
Wisdom: 1 Intelligence: 1
Attack Power (Str): 5 Attack Power (Agi): 5 Magic Attack Power: 1
Luck: 0
Available stat point: 0
Available skill point: 0
Mental Condition: Normal
Physical Condition: Normal
---
He glanced at the female wolf's stat to deduce her strength.
*White Female Alpha Wolf*
Level: 37
Grade: Special
Type: Fenris wolf (Magical Beast)
Magical Element: Fire
Health: 3'570/46'250 (-5 per second)
Its health was plummeting, and Mammon clenched his fists. His gaze shifted to the black wolf.
*Black Female Wolf*
Level: 35
Grade: Special
Type: Fenris Wolf (Semi-Magical Beast)
Magical Element: Mist
Health: 21'910/43'000
"Stay out of this, puny human!" a deep, growling voice snarled in his mind.
Mammon gritted his teeth and looked back at the white wolf.
"What happened here?"
"I was fighting a semi-magical snake. I killed it but was poisoned by its fangs. That's when the black wolves attacked," she explained, her voice strained.
Mammon felt anger bubbling inside him. He offered the mana potion to the white wolf, who hesitated.
"It's a mana potion. It'll restore some of your energy and increase your magical output," he said.
The wolf chuckled weakly."We magical beast don't use mana. We channel something deeper, but I will call it pure magic."
Mammon paused but noticed her jaw opening slightly. He poured a small amount of the potion into her mouth.
"It's not much, but I appreciate it," she said, her voice softer now.
"What should I do?" he asked, gripping the bottle tightly.
-------------------------
A/N: I would greatly appreciate comments and suggestions about the story at any point. I would also appreciate your honest reviews.
If you like the story, then please consider adding it to collection and voting with power stones.
Thanks. Have a great day.