Book1, Volume 5
Chapter 42
The sunlight shone through the window lighting up the bedroom, the brightness slipping past Michael's closed eyelids. “Ugh” Michael squeezed his shut eyelids tighter, wanting to keep the light out but it was too late, “M'kay... fine... time to get up.”
He tried to lift his hands to rub the sleep from his eyes but only his left arm was free to move. He felt a warm comfy weight lying across his chest, the right side of his body, and his legs as something soft was pressed up against that side of his body, pinning his arm to his side.
He opened his eyes, squinting as the light shone in, and blindly felt atop his chest with his left hand. He patted a soft slender arm that was draped across him, turning his head as his vision cleared and was welcomed by... cuteness; Laying next to him, using his shoulder and body like a pillow was the bunny girl with her bunny mask now shifted over to the side of her head allowing him to get a good look at her now maskless face.
Her face was that of a little girl covered in velvety spiln fur the color of a full blue moon. She had a little bunny-like nose, a smattering of silky whiskers, and her cute mouth was slightly opened as she gently breathed. Her breath smelled of sweet flowers and berries. Her soft hair was dark as night, styled like Edward Scissorhands with thin flexible silvery twigs blended in.
She was wearing a dark full-body nightgown. “Aw... so cute,” Michael said as he lightly lifted his upper body and head to look down at his body, seeing the little bunny girl's bent leg lying atop his own legs. “I hate to wake you but there's a lot to do in order to get ready for when trouble comes knocking so...”
Michael gently shook the bunny girl while calling out “Wake-y, wake-y...” The bunny girl's doe eyes slowly opened as she lifted her head off Michael's shoulder. Her vibrant rose pink eyes stared at him for a moment or two, then widened as she jumped off the bed.
Turning her back towards Michael she began to fumble with her bunny mask as her nightgown magically transformed into her usual dark full-body coat.
Bunny mask in place, she turned back towards Michael who smiled at her. “Good morning... hmm... well I don't quite know what to call you since I don't know your name... or even your language,” Michael said as he slid his legs over the edge of the bed, lifted his body into a sitting position, stretched, and then looked down at the hardwood floor below, spotting his shoes.
He fluffed his orange autumn-hued hair out making doubly sure to cover his ears. Satisfied, he hopped off the bed, slipped on his shoes, and grabbed his belly pouch off the bedside table. He turned to look at the bunny girl as he buckled his belly pouch. “Well... the color of your clothes, hair, and face reminds me of the night so how about I call you... Lun...ori? Yeah, Lunori... what do you think?” Michael asked with a smile. “Is it okay if I call you Lunori?”
The bunny girl clapped her small hands while nodding her head up and down as 'tootle-tu' sounds escaped her upturned lips. She quickly made her way around the bed and hugged Michael. Her bunny masked face came up to his nose, but her wooden ears and puffy hair reached over the top of his fluffy head.
He gently patted her silky hair, lightly bending a few of the thin soft silvery branches interwoven within. “Mmm... thank you Lunori,” Michael said as he stepped back after the hug. “Well, we have much to do and I'm not sure how much time we have to do it in so what do you say we get started?”
Lunori nodded with a 'toot-tootle-tu!' and they made their way out of the bedroom and into the bathroom. It was only at this time that Michal noticed that the faucet on the sink was a flower with a curved cyan hued stem and a crystal blue petaled tulip head. It had long leaf handles on either side, one side for cold water and the other side for hot, and was powered by oryn energy which, according to Michael's Oryn Spirin Eyes, flowed directly from the treehouse; The treehouse gathered energy from the ley lines in the ground and the atmospheric energy in the air outside.
These treehouses are amazing. Michael washed his face with cool water and then stepped aside. Lunori handed him a soft spiln towel and then proceeded to wash her face as Michael dried himself. By the time Michael had finished drying his face, Lunori had already finished washing and drying her own face.
She then pulled open the mirror, revealing a built-in wooden cabinet, and grabbed a bottle that seemed to be made of hardened sap and leaves. She removed the wooden cork as a scent of honey and mint lightly perfumed the air; She took a swig and passed the bottle to Michael as she swished the liquid about in her mouth for about 10 seconds before drinking it.
Well, when in Rome... Michael took a swig and found the taste quite to his liking as he handed the bottle back. Finished, they went into the kitchen where Michael sat on a flowery padded wooden stool at the kitchen island watching as Lunori cooked them a small fragrant breakfast of two slices of meaty mushrooms with a sunnyside up blue egg atop a stove that used Sunfire flowers as burners. Ah! Those flowery burners look a lot like the King Protea flowers I've seen online... if only these Sunfire flowers truly existed in our world. I bet the number of kitchen fires would go way down.
Lunori lifted the cooking pan and put the cooked food on two small flowery plates, pushing one of the plates in front of Michael along with a wooden thorn-tipped fork. She then opened the Earth Flora Fridge that was cooled on the inside with icy blue Wynbella flowers and took out two Kokinuts.
Michael's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the chocolatey drink headed his way. Well, I wasn't planning on eating since I don't really need to here but it would be rude of me to refuse... so... Michael wiped a small dribble of drool from the corner of his small upturned mouth with the back of his hand.
'Tootle-lee-lu,' Lunori whistled lifting her fork towards Michael and then started digging in. This looks and smells much too tasty to pass up. Michael took a bite of a slice of mushroom Mmm, tastes lightly of smoked ham... and so tender. Now to see what the blue egg tastes like... Michael broke open the light blue egg yolk, dipped a piece of mushroom into the creamy liquid making sure to get some egg onto the fork as well, and put it in his mouth. Oh wow... the egg tastes like sweet cream cheese... mmm... so good together...
Lunori was happy to see Michael's smiling face as he ate all the food on his plate and then drank his Kokinut.
“Thank you Lunori!” Michael said as he got up off the stool.
Lunori nodded with a 'Tootle-tu' and took the dishes to the deep sink, turned on the flowery faucet, and proceeded to wash the dishes while Michael made his way over to the living room. He stood before the bay window looking out into the village thinking about the task ahead.
“Anari, I have a question about getting stronger... well about training and its effects on stats.”
[ Yes, go ahead Wylla. ]
“Well, this world seems so... real. It has me wondering... in our world if we want to get stronger we'd work out at the gym or some other place and increase our strength... so I wanted to know if doing such training here would raise our stats?”
[ That would only work for those who haven't reached the max stats for their species/race. For example, the max strength, athletic, and constitution stats for elite human athletes in your world is 8 across the board. Once you have reached 8 stat points in each attribute you won't be able to increase it through training.
To break this limit, you would then need to Tier Up. You can also use magical items or eat certain foods or drink alchemic potions or cast support spells and such to raise stats; Most of these only increase your stats while wearing them while most foods, spells, potions, and such provide temporary buffs. Still, there are some rare foods or one-time use items and such that do provide permanent stat increases like those you received from the Oryn Tree. But good luck finding more of them. ]
“Hmm... if that's the case then what's the point of training?”
[ If one doesn't train then when a situation arises one won't be able to act. Think of it this way, what's your favorite sport? ]
“Martial Arts competitions.”
[ Okay. Say you have two martial artists in a bout. They are the same in every way physically but one trains every day and spars while the other lounges around and plays games. Who do you think will win the bout? ]
“I think I understand now... Thanks, Anari.”
[ You're welcome Wylla :) ]
Michael felt Lunori by his side as she took his hand looking at him. He smiled and nodded; “Okay, looks like it's time, can you lead the way Lunori?”
'Tootle-tu!' Smiling and with a spring in her step, Lunori led Michael to the main courtyard which was now clear of the bonfire and was buzzing with activity as over 4 dozen spriggankin awaited his arrival.
Lunori led Michael over to stand at the edge of the crowded courtyard in front of the shrine. From the crowd stepped forward two spriggankin, the cute little autumn-hued Ferrewl and the large shaggy Ogen whom Michael had rescued from the Witch's cage.
The big lumbering Ogen gently patted Michael on the head and then moved to stand behind him as the cute fluffy Ferrewl wrapped his waist in a hug while making soft rolling cooing sounds. Lunori raised her hand and 'Tootle-lu-lu' as all the spriggankin quieted down and shuffled about allowing the shorter spriggankin to stand in front with the tallest Ogens standing in the back.
Freed from the Ferrewl's hug Michael faced towards the fluffy assortment of spriggankins and spoke “Hmmm... I'm not sure if you'll understand me or not but my name is Mich... (No... if I use my real name my family and friends might watch this on the Livestream so...) ... err... Wylla. I was given a mission by,” Michael turned to the side, gesturing with his hand towards the beautiful statue in the shrine “the Goddess Sylvenori. She said a great danger will soon be coming and asked me to help you prepare for it. To train you so that you'll be able to protect yourselves and your loved ones.”
The crowd made a musical calliope of sounds and chirps as they nodded their heads towards one another and then back towards Michael. Well... it seems they understood what I said in one way or another so that's good. Smiling, Michael continued.
“Each morning and each afternoon I will place lessons here to learn within the spell flower taught to me by the Goddess. Please work together in small groups to learn the lessons contained within and be sure to give one another space to practice so that you don't accidentally hurt each other.
Since I'm not sure how much time we have before the danger arrives I've decided that the morning lessons will be focused on defense, the afternoon on offense, and then later we'll add sparing so... the first day's morning lesson will be stances and footwork. And the afternoon will be basic kicks, punches, eyes and throat strikes.”
Michael then closed his eyes as the energy within him flowed into his mind taking the shape of a Rosebud. He then recalled lessons from his sensei showing him stances and footwork; He pushed those memories into the Memory Rosebud Bulb but felt he was missing something... Ah, there's also magic here so maybe if I also share my Orchid Butterfly Steps memories they'll be able to learn it or use my memory to make their own type of steps spell? Well, couldn't hurt to try...
Nodding, he recalled the feel and movement of the energy within him when first cast the spell and transformed into his Butterfly form and pushed them into the bulging Rosebud bulb. Satisfied, the energy flowed from his mind through his body down his arms and out into the air through his cupped hands.
Michael's face was lit up from the crystal ball-sized Memory Rosebud Bulb that floated above his cupped hands as he looked over the crowd of eager faces. Hmm... there's so many of them... I think I have enough energy to make a couple more...
A few moments later, 3 ethereal spell flowers were floating 3 feet above the ground in front of the shrine. “Okay everyone, please line up in one of three lines and take turns touching the Rosebud Bulbs. Once you have learned the lessons contained within form groups and find a place where you can practice for a couple of hours. Then rest and return here refreshed this afternoon.”
Michael, now low on Oryn energy, stepped back to stand beside the shrine as the smiling and chatting spriggankin formed lines and proceeded to follow his directions.
Just as Michael was about to wander about to watch the various groups practicing, a very old looking spriggankin in dark feathery forest hued robes and a gnarled Nightwood Staff in hand approached him. Her black and gray spiln hair was long, flowing down her hunched back, and had little Starlyng flowers growing within. Her face was covered with a raven mask as she looked at Michael with her bright silver eyes.
She smiled and gestured for him to follow. Curious, Michael nodded and hurried to her side as she led him to the edge of the village where 3 young spriggankin were each standing before a tree of their own.
The old raven chirped and all 3 spriggankin turned their way and immediately bowed their heads in reverence. The old raven tapped the staff on the soft ground with a few thwumps and chirped some more words as all 3 spriggankin nodded their heads with smiles.
The thin dark Talric spriggankin then walked towards Michael, held out his clawed hand, and gave him a gentle nod. Well, I'm not sure what this is all about but only one way to find out. Michael then took the Talric's hand.
Thanks for the chapter!!! Honestly, I am curious what martial arts style Michael practices. I would normally guess that is a type of soft style martial arts based on the memory of his sensei.
However, I know for a fact that some instructors would teach students into restraining themselves under most circumstances. It is smart choice when considering how practitioners have already turned their fists into weapons. Heck, due to the conditioning training, a normal person hitting a black belt martial artist will simply end up hurting themselves due to the density and strength of martial artist's bones.
Either way, I can't wait to see when he reveals which martial arts style(s) he chose to practice. He will have to teach the core concepts of the style and will have to see how each individual expresses the style. In doing so, he can gradually gather better insights into how he should retrain his style so as to eventually incorporate the characteristics of his race and the counters for magic.
(Just to clarify, different people can use different tactics and emphasize different parts of as style based on their mindset, talents, and experience. One person can incorporate movements of a tiger and an agile penetrative palm strikes into Taekwondo, but another can choose to incorporate the acrobatic abilities and flowing grace of a dove into Taekwondo. Another could emphasize the immovability of a mountain by learning how to defend with strong points/bones against opponents' weak points and how to transfer power from the ground to the tip of an attack more efficiently.)
Soft and Hard Styles: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_and_soft_techniques
Internal Martial Arts: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neijia
External Martial Arts: Opposite to Internal styles, users will train more on the body rather than internal energy/force manipulation. It includes common styles like Karate, Judo, etc.
List of Martial Arts: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_martial_arts
......In fact, I can already imagine how he will one day learn how to infuse his Orchid Butterfly Steps into his physical movement techniques so that he can create as new technique combining the spell and warrior abilities. He might create Butterfly images beneath his feet as each step gracefully bungees him forward. It might even allow him to stick to objects maneuver midair at higher levels.......Ah, the grace and beauty that the future may behold........
........cough cough, sorry. I got lost in my imagination. Either way, good job. If you need martial arts knowledge, I can see some your way, so don't be afraid to ask.
For now, I'm just having Michael/Wylla teach them a few simple basics to get them ready for the Kavi and spidolls they are about to fight. I think at this point and time with all the spriggankin and their foes being so low leveled that the basics would be enough. To learn more they would need to see a real sensei.
As for Wylla/Michael, he really needs to focus on learning some potent range spells since his race is geared towards spellcasting. But I did take some things I learned from playing certain MMO's and twisted them to give Michael/Wylla some spells/abilities that will definitely fit well for when he does have to enter melee combat... you'll see what I'm referring to in a couple of more chapters in which his class is attained.
I will get more into his martial arts in Book 2 where his sensei will be introduced in the starter's city on the outskirts of the Magic Forest. As for martial arts what I know is just from watching some youtube videos on beginner guides for Judo, Muy Thai, Kick Boxing, Staff/Spear/Rod/Baton/Dagger/Swords. I also have a nephew that has been learning martial arts for over 8 years but with him just graduating college and getting a new job out in the city we haven't really discussed it much.
What I do know is that Michael/Wylla will definitely need to learn how to mix his magic in with his martial arts as you have also pointed out. I can easily imagine him/her hitting a foe in the chest with a palm strike while at the same time releasing a Seed Burst upon impact for double damage (palm strike + spell).
Thanks for the reference links... I'll give them a read this weekend. I hope to have the next chapter done by Sunday at the latest and then another on Wed... but I know it isn't going to be easy to do with the holidays on our doorstep and lots of stuff going on with family and friends.
@Storymask I just realized. Why does both Snapdragon Kick and Orchid Butterfly Steps appear as a skill in the beginning? If so, this means that Orchid Butterfly Steps is already a skill that combines magic and physical cultivation. It probably has a lot more effects specializing in movement ability, but he probably has to level it up more or modify the technique via enlightenment or a good teacher.
Regardless, I wonder whether Wylla will start creating spells similar to the 1st Hokage (from Naruto), General Froi Tiedoll (from D. Grayman), and Celtic Magic (from Rental Magica).
@Storymask now you got me interested what MMO it is . FFXIV and its blue mages? ESO and its warden(or how was called class they added in morrowind)?
Wonder if we will find out if the masks the spriggankin wear hold any particular meaning or significance?
Thank you for the chapter!
Mums on the masks other than I will say that they grow them...
And You're welcome for the chapter and thank you for reading and being here.
thanks for the chapter. so they understand Wylla but, Wllya doesn't understand them
Aye... she/he is not sure of the reason why they understand... whether it's a type of magic/skill or if it's a bit of telepathy in that they understand her intentions or if it's a gift from the Goddess Sylvenori that's given to the spriggankin... (I don't think it's because they're the greatest charade players...) but whatever the reason may be it sure is helpful.
Wish we had Memory Rosebud Bulb IRL. Quite convenient.
Definitely a spell/skill I would get a lot of use out of... too bad it only works in the starter area...
@Storymask Question is, can you make a ton in the starter area and then take them with you when you leave?
@DivineEternal1 Nope... in less than a half a night they'd return to being oryn energy and fade away...
Thanks for chappy!
You're Welcome... and thanks for being here!
I'm rereading for the 2nd time and as I was reading the comments I thought what if there was a wind spell using wyllas wings like a wind blade or storm that had butterfly scales with status effect
Yes... that spell would go good with her class. Also, upgrading it when she ranks up to add razor leaves and thorns... can even make them poisonous when she gets to the higher ranks...
She will be learning more spells as she ranks up; I just need to do my best to balance out the number of spells she learns per rank...
@Storymask
So she isn't gonna have 500 spells by the time this novel is over.....
if only these Sunfire flowers truly existed in our world.
probably will at some point