Heroes, Magic and Monsters

My reward for the quest was fifteen silver coins, or one and a half gold coins. Not that bad, but not worth the trouble for Evan's and Godrick's parties, who lost most of their members.

After visiting public bath, and washing myself properly, first time in a long while, I considered my options.

I could go to the church and find out if I can level up, but decided against it. During our travels I find out more information, how leveling worked. By collecting life force it was possible to increase once level. One level at a time or several levels at once. The difference was that adventurers acquired or improved their skills every time they used the leveling crystal. If they jumped several levels, their stats increased just as the levels, but every leveling no matter if adventurers gained only one level or several, offered them increase of a single skill. Increasing several levels at once would diminish chances of acquiring useless skills. Those who did not use leveling crystals would collect the life force and eventually evolve into stronger creatures. Like goblins evolved into hobgoblins or goblin mages, or liches who evolved into archlices. Humans, who could not evolve, instead had their job changed. Mage could become archmage and commoners could get a warrior profession or some non battle job, like a blacksmith. That was different from other creatures, who's job always stayed the same. Of course without leveling crystal it was impossible to improve their stats. Because of that creatures who used leveling crystal were much stronger after evolution, comparing to the same race creatures who evolved without using leveling crystal.

Also only the adventurer who finished the monster, acquired his life force. It wasn't shared among all party members, which was very disappointing. I was hoping that all that exp from troll and lich would be shared amongst as, but no such luck.

So I decided to visit a blacksmith quarter first. I bought myself replacement arrows and also sold the dagger, that I found in trolls cave. That earned me another five gold coins. I had more money than I counted on, and needed to decide on what to spend it.

A magic bag costed three gold coins. Or I could visit Mage Guild and learn some new spells. Or I could renew my equipment. So many choices, but only enough money for one thing.

I decided to visit Mage Guild and found out their prices, and my options regarding magic. Mage Guild was tall, conical - pyramidal shaped, five-story building, with small gold plated roof. It was one of the tallest buildings in town. Entrance door was ornamented with decorative magical runes. I knew that they were decorative, because real magic spells - magic circles, could only be written inside special spellbooks or parchments, which were made in the mage's guilds. Any ordinary parchment or even wood would immediately dry out and in time turn to ash. Stone tablets could contain magic circles, but no one would carry heavy stone tablets, if they had a choice. Mages needed grimoires because casting a spell required imagining a complex magic circle and then filling it with mana and directing the resulting power towards the target. Sometimes it also required chanting a spell. Mages could remember magic circle design, but the mage would need extraordinary memory to remember more than five or six spells. In order to refresh their memories and make sure that magic circles are remembered correctly, mages used grimoires to record the spells that they mastered. Genius magicians could create new spells, but according to Myne such magicians were born once in ten generations, and most of them could only create low level spells.

Also according to Myne grimoire had to be personalized. Drawing a spell in another mages grimoire would destroy it, the same way as ordinary book.

When I asked Myne what was she planning to do with liche's spellbook she told me that she was planning to sell it. It was dangerous to use another mages grimoire, especially grimoires of mages, who used black or chaos magic. Mages sometimes used traps in their spellbooks By slightly changing the magic circle, in a way that only they knew, it could change the effect of the spell. Cure spell could act as a curse, and shield spell could wound your party member. In worst cases, some spells could even kill a spellcaster.

Anyone could learn how to use elemental spells, but in order to use chaos spells, mages needed a blessing from evil gods or chaos magic skill. Mage without them could die using those enchantments. Just like liches would greatly suffer or even die, if they attempted to use light based spells. That's why Myne was planning to sell liche's grimoire to Mage Guild, who would study it for academic purposes. That's why I needed a personalized grimoire. And Mage Guild was the only place where I could buy one.

Mage Guild was opened for customers and I went right inside. Inside of Mage Guild was lighted with many magical lanterns. The large room was empty in the middle, but at the walls were many closets, filled with books. Floor was covered with soft carpets and I worried about my dirty boots. The air was pleasantly cool and smelled like flower meadow. Unlike adventurers guild, there was only one receptionist. A women dressed in white rob was reading a book. She was sitting behind reception desk, and put the book aside, when I entered.

- Welcome to the Mage Guild, - she smiled at me: - How my I help you?

For a moment I felt ashamed for my dirty close. This place was nothing like I imagined it.

- Sorry. I am an adventurer and wanted to learn some spells, that would be useful in my line of work.

- Very well. Do you already have a grimoire?

- No, not yet.

- The I suggest that you first buy one, - she pointed at the shelf behind her, filled with similar red books: - A grimoire will coast you five gold coins. If you wish to learn a single spell, you can also buy mages parchment, it will cost you one gold coin. But if you are planning to learn more than one spell, then grimoire will be a better choice. How many spells and what kind, do you wish to learn?

- Could you first tell me how much it costs to learn a spell?

- Certainly. As you probably know there are several types of magical schools. Among them spells are separated either from level one to level five. Or from level one to highest level four. First - magic of four elements:

- Learning level one spells will coast you one gold coin;

- Level two, will coast you three gold coins;

- Level three spells will coast you four gold coins;

- Level four spells will coast you seven gold coins;

- Level five spells will coast you twenty gold coins.

Then Mind magic, Spirit magic, Chaos magic and Light and Dark magic spells. They have only four level spells:

- Level one spells will coast you two gold coins;

- Level two spells will coast you four gold coins;

- Level three spells will coast you five gold coins;

- Level four spells will coast you twenty gold coins.

Finally primordial magic. It's very rear and you can only learn it if you have primordial magic skill. The only spells that we can teach you are novice and master level spells. Novice level spells will cost you thirty gold coins, and master level fifty gold coins. But only our guild master can teach you primordial spells, and he is very busy most of the time.

Talk about a professional, she recited her speech without pauses or hesitation. But primordial magic? I never even heard about it. Maybe it was addition to latest game releases?

- Is it possible also to learn magic based skills? - it would be interesting to learn this primordial magic, sometime in the future.

- No. If you want to learn skills, then you will need to attend magic academy. But even magic academy teaches you only element based magic skills. I should also warn you that anyone can use first level spells, but in order to master higher level spells, you will need a wisdom skill. At novice level with wisdom skill you the can learn second level spells, at basic level third level spells and so on.

Wisdom skill? Probably a skill that enhanced memory and helped mages to remember and imagine magic circles.

- Could you tell me more about cure or heal spell if it exists?

- Cure spell is level one, water based spell. Even without any magic related skills you should be able to master it. It can heal physical wounds, depending on the amount of your mana. If you have novice level water magic skill it will also remove all negative spell effects from you or your party member. At basic level it will also cure curses. At advanced level it will remove status ailments such as petrifaction or detoxify poisons, and at master level, as our records say, it will be possible to regenerate lost limbs or eyes. Currently there are no mages in our guild with master level magic skill, but I heard that most powerful mages, who can regenerate lost limbs, live in the capitol.

That sounded amazing and very useful, but I didn't have water magic skill. Still a healing potion costed one silver coin, more powerful potions costed between three silver coins or even several gold ones. In the long run my investment in Cure spell would be a wise choice. I hope.

- If I decide to learn a Cure spell, how fast can you find me a teacher, and how long it takes to learn a spell?

- We can provide a teacher for you right away. Ordinarily it takes one or two days to learn a spell. That depends on your skills and experience with magic. A teacher will be with you until sundown. If you can't master a spell in two days time, you will need to pay three more silver coins for every additional day. We do not give refunds if you can't master the spell, but such cases are very rear. One in a hundred, as I heard.

- What if I decide to learn a different spell. How fast can you find me a teacher? - I remembered Myne's Slow spell. Without it we all would already be dead, and I could imagine many more spells, that could be useful in most of adventures.

- With exception of primordial magic, we can find you a teacher almost immediately. You may need to wait if they are busy teaching someone else, of course.

- So fast?

- Yes. Almost all members of the guild are scholars. They live here and teaching the young is the way they pay for living apartments and other benefits. You need only tell me what spell you wish to learn, and I will summon an appropriate teacher.

Sounded like they were leaches, who were forced to work as payment for their comfortable life. I had two days before we were suppose to meet with my party. That was exactly the amount of time, that I needed to learn a single spell.

- In that case I would like to buy a grimoire and learn a Cure spell.

- Excellent. It will cost you six gold coins.

I handed over five gold coins and ten silver ones. Most of my money was already gone, and this was just the first day in the city.

She took one of the red book and put in on the table. Please mark the first page with your blood. I pricked my finger and let several blood drops fell on grimoire. It gloved for a moment and receptionist nodded in satisfaction.

- Now this grimoire is yours. You will be able to draw magic circles in it.

- Is it possible to have many grimoires.

- Of course, you can have as many grimoires as you need. Many adventurers by additional spellbook, when they run out of pages for their spells.

- I see.

- Now, please wait here, I will bring one of guild's masters.

Receptionist left me in the room and exited through the door, located on the left side of reception desk. While I waited, I took my time looking at the books. They all were for sale. Every book had a price tag, and was related to magic in one way or another. There were no books with magical circles, but many books described magic schools and history of magic, as well as different uses that magic had in common life.

One of the books attracted my attention. It was very large and heavy. Books name was - All spells and they uses. I opened it and looked inside. Book described magic spells of all magic schools and their uses. I wanted to have it. I looked at the price tag. Ten gold coins. Probably there will be a long time before I can afford it. I turned a few pages admiring the amount of magic spells that this world had. No wonder magicians needed several grimoires.

I was still studying the book, when receptionist returned. Behind her was a tall, old man, with a long white beard. He had long blue robe, decorated with silver stars. His hands were hidden in his sleeves, and he looked at me from above.

- I am master magician Luminos. I wield advance level water magic and also advanced level wisdom skill. You may address me as master Luminos. Sally informed me that you wish to learn the Cure spell?

- Yes master Luminos, - I bowed at him and mage nodded his head in approvement.

- Your willingness to learn magic is commendable. Many adventurers rely on potions instead of mastering magic. For that reason their death rate is so large. No potion can replace a spell, and no artifact is as powerful as level four or five spells. How many spells have you mastered already.

- This will be my first time learning magic.

- Well, everyone starts somewhere, - sighed magician: - But do not worry. You are not first rookie magician that I have trained. Have you any experience, in drawing magic circles?

- No master Luminos. I have not.

- In that case Sally, sell her few paper pages. That way you will have chance to practice, before drawing magic circle inside your grimoire. I have seen grimoire filled with failed magic circles. Your spellbook is a sacred artifact, not some book for dirty drawings. Remember that child and treat your grimoire with respect.

- It will cost you a copper coin. For five pages. If you are not shore in your drawing skills, I suggest, you buy at least twenty pages. If you won't need them I will return your money.

That was additional expense, but I decided not to argue and handed over four copper coins. After all I will get my money back, if I don't use them all.

Sally nodded and handed me twenty paper pages.

- That's a wise choice child. Sally, I will need a Cure spell parchment.

Sally handed him over the parchment, which she already held in her arms.

- Good, - nodded the mage: - Now follow me.

I obediently followed old magician. We passed several corridors and went up the stairs. Every room and corridor, in Mage Guild, had magic lantern and all floors were covered with soft carpets. On the walls, I saw several paintings, with faces of old magicians.

We went up, to the second floor, and went through one of the doors. There was a small room. It contained only small table and chair. On the table was a magical lantern, ink, several feathers and small bell.

- This will be your work place, - he opened the parchment and put it on table. Inside the parchment was drawing of a magical circle. To me it looked like a vial surrounded with several complex circles and some kind of rune.

- Now practice drawing this magic circle and memorize it. Every single detail. You will now that you draw it correctly, if the paper turns to dust. Once you are confident in your drawing skills, draw the magic circle inside your grimoire. Size doesn't matter. It could be small or as big as the page of your grimoire. The important part is details. It must be exact copy of a circle. Once you are finished, ring this bell.

- Yes master Luminos, - I took the feather and mage left the room. He closed the door behind him, and I was left alone.

I started drawing, and failed to make exact copy of a drawing. Drawing with a feather was much harder than using a pen or pencil, and the drawing itself was quite complicated. You needed to be an artist to copy it exactly. The only good part was the fact, that slowly I started remembering the magic circle, and every detail of it. Paper pages were big enough for me to draw two attempts, on every side. So I had four tries for a page. At this rate I will need more pages than that. No wonder adventures bought several grimoire, they probably run out of pages, drawing imperfect magic circles. It felt like I was drawing for several hours, when someone opened a door, and young girl appeared inside doorway.

- Hello, my name is Nelly, - she entered the room. Nelly was dressed in simple cotton dress, and had a happy smile on her face. Girl put a cup of water, on the table, and a plate with a piece of bread on it. The bread was freshly cooked and smelled really good. The smell made me realize how hungry I was.

- Sally told me about you. I am an apprentice mage here, and tend to our students, - girl stared at my ears: - Wow, your an elf. I've never seen an elf before.

- My name is Avone, - I smiled at the girl: - Thank you for the food.

- No need for that. That's part of our services, for students. If you need to use a bathroom then feel free to use the bell, it will let me now that you need something. Old guys always forget to inform people about simple things, no matter how many times Sally reminds them. Also, it will be sunset in an hour or so. You will need to leave the tower then. No strangers all allowed to stay for a night. But you can come back tomorrow and continue. I will come after you, when it's time to leave. You won't be able to open the door yourself.

Girl looked at my drawings and wrinkled her nose.

- You're not very good at drawing are you? But you're getting closer, - she studied my pages: - This one's wrong, and this one, and this one really wrong, - she commented going through my pages.

The girl was annoying, but it was hard to get mad at her. I smiled and let her look at my pages, while I eat the bread. Unlike the bread in the tavern, this one was soft inside with a hard crust. Just as I liked it.

- Do you live here?

- Yes. I study magic under the masters. I was born with archmage job, and they brought me here, when I was very small. "One day you will master ten thousand spells and become an S class mage", - Nelly changed her voice and imitated someone: - That's what they tell me.

I laughed and Nelly also smiled. But born with an archmage job? That must be one in a ten millions. Archmage job greatly enhanced magical abilities and during level up nine out of ten skills were magic based. The girl has the greatest potential for a mage. Especially if she manages to evolve her job to the next level. Of course the more powerful job someone had, the higher level they needed to change it. The same was with monsters. One of the reason why so many goblins evolved into hobgoblins, was that they were some of the weakest creatures, and needed to obtain less life force to evolve, comparing to other creatures.

- Have you mastered already this spell?

- Yes I can use all level one spells, of the four elements. I also memorized first level spells of other magic schools, but I am not allowed to use them. Not until I learn necessary skills for them. Soon I will be old enough to go to the dungeon and level up, so that I can obtain those skills. Then I will be able to use those spells as well, - Nelly proudly straightened her chest.

- Oh, I was also planning to go to the dungeon. Maybe one day, we will meet there.

- Do you want to obtain magic skills as well?

- Yes, that's the plan. Will your teachers plan to go with you?

- No, they barely ever leave the guild. I am not allowed to leave the guild too. Guild master told me that when I am old enough, he will hire adventurers, to accompany me. Are you an adventurer?

- Yes. Now, I am. But I am quite new at that.

- Really. I've never seen an elf-adventurer. Didn't know, that they existed. Why did you become an adventurer?

- I want to be the most powerful elven adventurer in the world, and also master magician, like you.

- Really? I haven't decided if I want to be a master magician or not. Guild master is nice, but the rest of them are really boring. Do you have any magic skills already?

- No, not yet. That's why I am studying magic.

- You would have learned faster if you had them. I have novice skills in all four elements. That's why I can learn first level spells really fast. I also have novice Wisdom skill. Guild master says that it helps too. He instructed me personally, so I could learn them.

All those skills at novice level, without leveling up? In a way that made sense. People could learn skills from a teacher, but only at novice level. Then, in order to increase them, they needed to level up. No amount of learning could increase skills above novice level.

- Well good luck with your drawing. I need to go now. Let me now if you need something, - Nelly collected dishes and waved her hand at me.

I concentrated on my drawings, but could not perfectly finish the magic circle, when Nelly came to escort me outside.

- Still not finished? Well most people can't finish it, without magic skills, during their first time. You can leave everything here and continue tomorrow.

I nodded and followed the girl. I wanted to talk to Nelly some more, but felt too exhausted. No wonder most adventurers didn't learn magic. It was boring and dull work, and also expensive. Probably, by the time adventurers could afford learn spells, they had filled their skill slots and felt no need to learn magic. It was more fun to learn battle related skills and improve their skills using weapons, than spend hours or days studying spell circles.

I spend the night in the Silver shield tavern and after breakfast returned to Mage Guild. Sally escorted me to the same room and I continued my work. After reaching eighteen page, I finally managed to draw a perfect magic circle. I proudly looked at my drawing, when it suddenly turned to ash, right in my hands. Well, at least I now that it was perfect. Just in case, I practiced on the rest of the pages. But two out of four drawings were a miss. I was glad that I continued my practice, since the drawing in my grimoire seem to be perfect.

I ringed the bell and waited for a while. Then the door opened and Nelly came inside.

- Do you need a bathroom break or something?

- No, I am finished, - I proudly showed girl my grimoire. Nelly expected it and nodded her head.

- Not the most beautiful magic circle, but it will do. It is almost middle of the day. You should take the bathroom break, and I will bring you some food, before the next lesson.

I agreed and Nelly brought me the bread and water. Bread was just as delicious as yesterday. That was the best food, that I tasted since my reincarnation. At this rate I will come back just so I can eat the bread again.

- Well, if you're ready, I will call master Luminos. Next lesson won't be so easy, but more fun, - she warned me.

Nelly returned with master Luminos, and he expected my grimoire.

- Not the most elegant magic circle, but it will do, - he repeated Nelly's comment, and I felt bad about my drawing. And not so long ago, I felt so proud about it.

- Have you ever channeled your mana?

- No, I haven't.

- I thought so. Since it is your first spell. Give me your hand.

I did as told, and he took my hand into both of his. Luminos closed his eyes and for a while nothing happened. I started to think that old geezer just wanted to hold my hand, when I sensed something worm, passing from mages hands to mine.

- Did you sensed that?

- Yes, - I nodded. The feeling was strange, but also pleasant.

- Remember this feeling, it is the flow of mana. All humans and creatures have mana, except animals. Before you can learn how to cast spells, you need to learn how to channel your magical power. Nelly bring me the crystal. You know which one.

Nelly nodded and run away. Soon she returned with small fist sized crystal, on a small pedestal.

Master Luminos nodded and placed the crystal on the table. Put your hand on this crystal and channel your mana inside it. Once you succeed it will shine. I can't help more than this, since for everyone channeling mana is different. Especially for creatures, from different races. Just remember the feeling from before and concentrate on it. Call for Nelly once you are finished.

Luminos left the room and Nelly closed the door behind him.

"That should be easy" I thought to myself and put my hand on the crystal. After an hour or so I still couldn't make the crystal glow. Several time I was close to throw the damn thing at the wall and brake it. No matter how much I concentrated nothing happened. My sense of time told me that already two hours passed.

Maybe the damn thing was broken or defective? I really wanted to break it. I took a deep breath and concentrating on my feelings from before, for a hundred time. I was trying to relax my body. I imagined water flowing through me when it finally happened. Something worm came down from my heart, threw my hand and into the crystal. It glowed and I set on a chair.

Yess! I did it.

I relaxed myself and practiced several more times. After few more successes and failures I got some confidence in my mana channeling ability. I rested a little bit and then called Nelly. Girl came in the room happily smiling.

- So, how did you do?

- I did it, - I proudly demonstrated her my mana channeling ability, and girl screamed in surprise.

- Wow, I don't think I have ever seen someone with such low mana pool!

Geez, that girl knew how to kill all my accomplishments.

- But you did succeeded. I will call master Luminos right away.

She run out of the room and then came back with my teacher.

- Good you finally managed to channel your mana. Now, that the easy part is over, we can finally learn how to cast the spell. Take your grimoire and follow me.

Easy part?! I hate to think what awaited me now!

I followed master Luminos, and we went downstairs, to the guild's basement.

Basement was a huge hall, with high ceiling. It was round, painted in light blue color. Master took me to the part of the hall with several wooden statues.

- These practice dummies are made from enchanted elven wood. We use them to practice spells. You need to imagine the spell circle and channel your mana inside it. Once you do it you will feel magical power. Send it towards the doll. It you are successful it will glow with light yellow color. How much mana do you have?

- Twenty mana points.

- Really? That's it. Barely the amount that children have. Well, at least you are adventurer, and if you survive, you will be able to increase your mana pool. Very well, begin.I thought that he will leave, and tell me about the bell again, but Luminos stayed with me.

- Remember it is important to imagine magic circle with every single detail. You can put your grimoire in front of you. Most of the newbie mages, usually hold grimoire in front of them. That helps them to imagine the proper magic circle.

I did as instructed and tried to imagine magic circle in my head.

- You can keep your eyes close, if that helps, or look at your drawing in grimoire. You can open your eyes, once you feel a magic power. In the beginning you will need to see your target to channel healing spell.

I tried to imagine the spell with closed eyes, and looking at my spellbook. It was easier to imagine it, with closed eyes. My biggest problem was my inability to imagine a complete magic circle. Similarly to drawing I imagined parts of it. Finally I managed to visualize the circle in front of me and channeled my mana, but doing that, I lost part of the circle in front of me. Spell broke, and I silently cursed. I continued again, but imagining the complete circle and channeling mana inside it, was very hard.

- What's holding you back?

- I can imagine magic circle in front of me, but as soon as I start channeling mana, I lose part of the image.

- That's a common problem for beginners. Practice, practice and practice is the only way.

I failed for the fourth time and then suddenly I fell on the ground. I had no strength left to stand. Did I made some kind of mistake?

- What's happening?

- You used up all of your mana. If something like that will happen during the battle, you will have to drink a mana restoration potion or rely on your comrades. Well, if you used up your mana it means that you are doing something right.

Luminos put his hand on my shoulder and I felt his mana flowing into my body.

- Now continue!

- What did you do? - I asked in surprise.

- I channeled some of my mana inside you. I have two thousand mana points. This way you can continue your practice. It will allow you to continue right away. Otherwise we would need to wait until your mana restores itself, and you would need weeks or even months to learn the spell.

I nodded and continued with my lesson. Four failures again, losing my strength, receiving mana and continue the practice. I lost count how many times I repeated this circle. To my surprise, master Luminos patiently stood by me, sharing his mana every time I exhausted mine. Few times the wooden doll started to glow, but only part of it - left side, and right arm mostly.

- That's, not good enough. If only part of the practice dummy glows, it means that your magic circle is imperfect. It could harm a person that you are trying to heal, instead of helping them. Continue.

Continue. Easy for him to say. Before the lesson I thought that I remembered the magic circle perfectly, but I needed to refresh my memory many times. My drawing of a circle in grimoire turned out to be a lifeline to my memory. I must have repeated my attempts hundreds of times. I lost count after Luminos shared his mana with me for a tenth times.

Why couldn't spell acquisition be more game like. You went to Mage Guild, paid money and spells appeared in the grimoire. But no. This turned out to be boring, hard work, that required all of mine concentration abilities.

I lost all sense of time, and started to think that I wasn't cut out to be a mage, when at last the cursed doll glowed. It was barely noticeable glow, but it covered the doll completely.

- Good, - nodded Luminos: - You finally casted your first spell. Congratulations young one, you made a first step to becoming a mage. But with your amount of mana you will only be able to barely stop a bleeding, from moderate injury.

- That will be enough in the beginning. Thank you master, - I gasped at breath. I should feel happy, but I was so exhausted, that I only wanted to sleep.

- Remember how you did it, and keep practicing, or you won't be able to cast a spell when it matters. But since you successfully casted the spell, your lessons with that are over.

I nodded and Luminos escorted me to the reception room. He left me with Sally and she smiled at me.

- Well, did you succeeded or will you need more time and more of the masters help?

- No, thank you. I was able to cast the spell.

- Congratulations. For a beginner, you did it in just two days. That is a good time.

I nodded and left the Mage Guild. Time was approaching sunset and all I wanted to do, was get some food and fall asleep. I barely was able to drag my legs to the tavern, and fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

* * *

Next day I visited Adventurers guild. I woke up later than I planned, and the rest of my party was waiting for me. I apologized, but Luara waved her hand.

- That's fine. It's not like we agreed on the time.

- So, have you already discussed some ideas about our next mission?

- We were discussing if we should take one at all, - Luara took the initiative: - I asked receptionist about party registration. According to her, if we register our party it will be an E rank one. That's the highest rank that our members have. Except Trevor, who still has rank F, the rest of us have E ranks. So at most we will be able to take D rank missions. They are not very attractive to a party. Pay is too small, if divided by four, and risk is high. E rank missions are mostly herb gathering, again, not too big profits. I think that we should increase our levels first. The best way to do that will be dungeon diving.

Monster hunting in the dungeon, ha. It was one of the first things that I wanted to do. Dungeon diving was one of the best ways to increase levels. The profit would be made by gathering magic stones and selling them. And if we get lucky we will be able to find a treasure - an artifact or actual treasure like precious stones.

- I like that idea.

- Master always told me that dungeons are dangerous, - objected Trevor: - And to be honest, I'm not so shore about my sword skills. Maybe we should hunt some weaker monsters, around the town?

- It could take days to find a monster around Grimsburg. And dungeons first floor isn't that dangerous. What do you think Myne? - Luara turned towards magician, who drunk her ale, while deep in thought.

- I've been in dungeon upper floors, with my previous party. They are dangerous, but I think that we could handle them.

- I also visited them, and totally agree.

- What kind of dungeons are here?

- There is only one. It is called Grimsburg dungeon. It's not very famous and not very liked, among the adventurers.

- That's because there are many monsters, comparing to other dungeons, - interjected Trevor, who clearly was hesitant about dungeon diving idea. If he still had an F rank, then he was still below level five. That could explain his hesitation. Well, I was level two, that could be the lowest level of our party.

- The amount of monsters is related to the low number of adventurers, who visit the dungeon. And it is not very popular, because the chances of finding artifact in there are quite low, comparing to other dungeons, - objected Luara.

- Guess its settled then, we go dungeon diving.

I looked at my party members and everyone seem to be in agreement.

- What about party registration? - asked Trevor.

- There is no need to do it now. Besides it coasts twelve silver, - answered Luara. Everyone averted their eyes, after hearing about the money. Guess, I wasn't the only one who was broke. Well my next adventure will be dungeon diving. Fun, fun, fun.