Chương 47: Chapter 030 The Pocket Mage (Part 1)

Jack completed a [Chronos Sphere] spell scroll, then paused, remembering his archery exercise programme. He groaned as he forced himself through a few minutes of 'gruelling' planking exercises.

"Whoever invented planking is an evil, sick, sadistic monster." He collapsed onto his bed.

"There must be easier ways to exercise core muscles…" After a brief rest, he inscribed another [Chronos Sphere] scroll before heading downstairs to bother his mom for some food. Afterwards, he prepared to go to the Adventurers Guild for archery training. Jack was already dressed, dagger at his side, bow and quiver over his shoulders, pack in his left hand containing his cloak. As he went to exit the room, he paused. I don't have easy access to my spell scrolls.

The memory of Greaves pinning him to a wall and killing him flashed through his mind. Could spell scrolls have made a difference? He shuddered as his mind drifted to the fight with the swordsman, and of him fumbling through his pack at the back of Ron's Diner to retrieve a [Fireball] spell scroll.

"I need fast access." Jack dropped his pack onto the floor.

"Could I store a couple of scrolls up my sleeves?" He grabbed a blank scroll from his desk, rolled it tight, and stuffed it up his sleeve. S crolls don't have to be unfurled to activate. I can have a few up my sleeves and just… point and shoot. Jack pressed his index finger towards the rolled-up scroll. He winced at having to force his finger to touch his wrist, not even getting within an inch of the scroll.

"Well, that's not happening." He tugged the scroll back out.

"They'd get damp with sweat in no time anyway." He recalled one of his Secondary Novice Scribe skills [Ink Weatherproofing]. As the name suggests, the skill made ink weatherproof. Hmm… it wouldn't stop the scroll from getting wet, though. He snorted, imagining himself pointing both arms forward and shouting, '[Fireball], [Fireball], [Fireball]…' A stream of [Fireball] spells would blast from his palms like some badass Master Fire Mage.

"I wish." Jack scoffed at the idea.

"I might lose control of the direction, though." He was aware that scrolls didn't have to be held in the hand that cast the spell. Ideally, the caster would hold the scroll in their left hand, point their right palm at the target, and cast. The spell would fire from the palm, guided by intent. Intent was everything when activating spell scrolls. Saying the spell's name wasn't enough. This safety feature was encoded into the runes to prevent accidental activation.

One couldn't have a shopkeeper handle a scroll while chatting and unleash a blizzard or a firestorm by mistake. With practice, a skilled caster could touch a scroll with any body part and direct the spell to fire from a finger or an elbow. This was also true for experienced mages; rumour had it that Master Mages could even cast through their eyes. Jack wasn't ready to experiment with anything beyond his palms.

"If only I could devise a simple holder." He imagined thin leather wristbands with small tubes for scrolls, each spell ready to flick into his hand.

"I could carry three or four scrolls on each wrist." He scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm overthinking this." They didn't need to be on his wrist; he just needed fast, easy access for emergencies. Plus, if he did design a wrist holder, they'd get in the way of his arm guards. Jack's gaze fell on one of his small notebooks on the desk that would fit in his jacket's breast pocket. Grabbing a blank scroll, he folded it, slipping it into his breast pocket so a little peeked out like a handkerchief. Testing the reach, he touched the exposed edge with one hand.

"[Frost Breath]." He pointed his other palm at the wall clock. He'd decided to make [Frost Breath] his go-to scroll, hoping to minimise the risk of triggering more fire-related flashbacks. After a dozen tries, he was confident he could activate a scroll from his pocket using either hand.

"That should work." Jack smiled while folding his three [Frost Breath] scrolls and stacking them into his pocket. He felt a little safer knowing he had easy access to powerful mage spells with a simple movement. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Jack glanced at the two [Fireball] scrolls.

"Hmm… I should add the [Fireball] scrolls at the back." He thought about the flashback during the fight with the swordsman. I'll never use three [Frost Breath] scrolls at a time… I'll be fine. He shook his head at the complacent thought.

"No. Better to be overprepared and not use them than to die with regrets." He'd already made that mistake when attempting to assassinate Greaves. He'd assumed the drow blade and poison were all he needed. Moments later, he had two [Fireball] and three [Frost Breath] scrolls ready to activate in his pocket. He patted his breast pocket and grinned.

"Five combat spells, all within easy reach." The [Cleansing] spell scrolls were stored in his pack. Feeling a renewed sense of preparedness, Jack grabbed his pack, adjusted his bow and quiver, and headed out. He was ready to face another archery session at the Adventurers Guild. Jack walked through the cobbled streets of Lundun towards the Adventurers Guild with his hood raised. Wary of running into the four remaining adventurers, he approached every corner with caution.

Relying on [Shadow Veil], with his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger for comfort, he navigated the alleys of the city. Passing by the entrance to the alleyway where he'd had the fatal encounter with the large swordsman, he paused.

"I wonder what happened to the body?" Jack continued his journey, his eyes darting about like a rabbit expecting a pack of wolves to leap from the shadows. The closer he got to the Guild, the busier the streets became. A few dozen people were milling in and out of the building. The familiar hum of chatter and clanking armour filled the air. Fuck. This is stressful. He passed by a woman with short hair and a healer's satchel who looked a little like Linda.

Nothing happened, no recognition or confrontation, and [Assassin's Intuition] remained silent, yet his heart pounded like a war drum in his chest as the large red brick Guild building stood before him. Jack crossed the threshold of the Guild and exhaled, his shoulders sagging with relief. Though still at risk of being spotted, no one in their right mind would start a fight inside the Adventurers Guild. Doing so was considered an act of suicide.

It didn't matter who started an altercation; both parties would be cut down within seconds by the Guild's mechanical, automated enforcers. Moving to the side, he scanned the tables for any sign of the four adventurers. The Guild was busier than the previous day, full to bursting with boisterous adventurers. Most tables were crowded. The barrel-chested barman poured drinks for a huge, wide-shouldered warrior missing his right arm. The clockwork band in the corner was playing a jaunty but off-key tavern tune.

Occasional bursts of aether-sparks could be seen from the violin played by the tiny tailcoat-wearing automaton. He spotted the four adventurers he'd met on the way to the forest to train. They were sitting around a table drinking ale with a large warrior with a shield. Jack caught Mary's eye—their Novice Mage and leader—and raised a hand in greeting. She took a moment to recognise him, smiled and waved back before returning to her conversation.

Jack turned his attention to the nearest display board embedded in the wall. He placed his hand on the palm-shaped area; the runes glowed blue as he logged in. His balance was still at 1 silver and 50 coppers. He browsed the list of available training rooms. The brass-and-glass interface ticked and whirred, switching to reveal the training rooms' availability or lack of availability. He groaned in disappointment.

"Damn. All the archery rooms are in use." Flicking through the room bookings, he checked the estimated wait times.

"Three hours? Seriously?" One listing caught his eye. Training Room 13 had a special note: Level 9 Novice Archer looking to share room costs with five other low-level Novice Archers. Non-combat classes looking to practi s e their archery are also welcome. Plan to set the room environment at Novice Archer, level one. Beginner level one, unless the entire group agrees to other settings. Jack read the notice twice, then raised an eyebrow. Level 9 Novice Archer that'll probably make them only a little older than me.

Well, this me. An average archer could reach level 9 in a little over half a year. He tapped the screen for more info. Four people were already signed up, with two free spaces left. The cost breakdown showed it would be 7 coppers each if six people shared the session. 42 coppers in total. He looked at the Guild members' price list for the training room. One person, 24 coppers. Two people, 26 coppers: Per person, 13 coppers. Three people, 30 coppers: Per person, 10 coppers.

Four people, 36 coppers: Per person, 9 coppers. Five people, 40 coppers: Per person, 8 coppers. Six people, 42 coppers: Per person, 7 coppers. It would cost 1 copper more per person for non-members.

"I paid 24 coppers to use the room on my own yesterday," he muttered, scratching his neck in thought.

"7 coppers is a damn good deal. I could train an hour a day for less than 50 coppers a week." Whoever booked the room could leave the invitation open for others. They would then share the room costs between them. Overall, it would cost more than booking the room alone, with the additional costs to cover the Guild's additional aether expenditure. Two people training used more aether than one. Six people used more than five.

"Only a six-minute wait," he said.

"Might be fun… Should I?" He hesitated for a moment, remembering the two friendly men he'd chatted with outside the training room the previous day. He hovered his finger over the Buy emblem… then tapped it. Enjoy your time in Training Room 13. Please collect any valuables before leaving. The Adventurers Guild is NOT responsible for any injuries or lost property. Have a nice day.