Chương 41: Narcissistic Elementalist

Dimitri clapped his massive, iron-bound hands together, a sound that resembled two tectonic plates high-fiving. He looked between the two of us, his face radiating the kind of aggressive warmth that usually precedes a group hug you can't escape.

"My friends, the foundation of every great legend is built upon the stones of mutual understanding!" he rumbled, his thick Russian accent making the statement feel like it should be engraved on a mountain.

"To ensure our fellowship beats with a single, harmonious heart, why do we not partake in the sacred ritual of a proper introduction?" I figured he was right, even if his way of saying it made me feel like I was about to join a cult. I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the way my gunner trinkets rattled like a skeleton in a dryer. I took a half-step forward, doing my best to look like a guy who knew what he was doing and not like a guy who had recently been chased by a cow-crab.

"The name is Arthur," I said, offering a grin that I hoped looked more confident than I actually felt.

"I am a Gunner by trade, which basically means I point things at monsters and hope they go bang before I get eaten. I'm actually looking forward to seeing what we can get done out there without accidentally killing each other." For a heartbeat, the royal mask June was wearing didn't just slip; it completely shattered. She didn't look disgusted this time. Instead, she stared at me with an intensity that made me wonder if I had spinach in my teeth or if I owed her money in a previous life.

Her icy blue eyes searched my face, flickering with a strange, sudden spark of recognition, as if she were mentally flipping through a dusty scrapbook of people she had once deigned to notice. Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the look vanished. She smoothed out her expression, replacing the confusion with a satisfied, slightly terrifying smile that suggested she had just solved a very interesting puzzle. I was stumped.

If I had met someone who looked like a literal porcelain doll with a PhD in condescension, I'm pretty sure I would have remembered. You don't just forget a face like that, especially when it's currently looking at you from the top of a sticky bar counter.

"Arthur, is it?" she remarked, her posh British accent turning my name into something that sounded like it belonged on a very expensive piece of stationery. She gave a slow, regal nod, as if she were officially certifying my existence in her personal records.

"As I previously dictated, you are granted the immense privilege of addressing me as June. I am an Elementalist, a weaver of the very fabric of reality. I suggest you keep your distance when the sparks start to fly, Arthur; it would be such a pity to singe that rather... unique jacket of yours." The air shimmered next to June's head, and that familiar, monotone lady-bot voice started reading out the fine print of June's job description.

It was like a floating user manual for a very pretty, very expensive, and apparently very dangerous microwave. [The Elementalist Class is a specialized category of mage that focuses on exploiting the elemental vulnerabilities of adversaries. These practitioners possess the Class Unique Skill, True Affinity. Under standard conditions, a player deals double damage when striking a monster's elemental weakness and suffers a reduction to twenty-five percent damage when striking a resistant target.] I scanned the floating text, feeling a sudden, healthy dose of "don't-stand-near-her" anxiety. [Elementalists deal an additional two hundred percent damage when striking a target weak against their active element, effectively doubling the standard bonus. Furthermore, they deal fifty percent damage against resistant targets, significantly mitigating the usual penalty associated with elemental resistance.] So, basically, she was a walking cheat code for elemental math.

The system kept scrolling, revealing that her basic attacks weren't just for show. [They possess the ability to alter the elemental property of their Basic Attack at will, allowing them to maintain high damage output even when specific skills are on cooldown.] But, of course, there was a catch. There's always a catch in a place like this. [While they are recognized as one of the most potent damage-dealing classes in the realm, their magic is notoriously unstable. This instability carries a high risk of collateral damage to the user or their allies.] I leaned back, giving our new resident princess a slow, appreciative whistle. I wasn't sure if I was impressed or just terrified for my own safety.

"So, you're basically a walking natural disaster with a superiority complex to match," I remarked, shaking my head as I took in the sheer chaos of her stats.

"A total calamity in both personality and firepower. You really are one hell of a woman, June." She didn't even blink. Instead, she took a dainty sip of her drink and looked at me like I'd just stated the most obvious fact in the history of the universe.

"You may rest quite easy knowing that wherever I deign to travel, I shall most certainly bring a calamity along with me," she replied, her posh British accent making the threat of accidental incineration sound like an invitation to a garden party.

"It is simply what the world expects of someone of my stature." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Dimitri, of course, took this as a sign that we were all becoming best friends for life. He practically vibrated with joy, his iron-cuffed greaves rattling like a bag of hammers falling down a staircase.

"That is exactly the fire I was speaking of!" he boomed, his thick Russian accent turning the tavern air into a motivational seminar.

"Do you see, Arthur? Already her spirit is shining with the brilliance of a thousand suns! It is a glorious day for our fellowship!" Right on cue, a blue window flickered into existence before my eyes, accompanied by that same robotic, deadpan lady-voice. [Notification: The entity identified as June has been successfully integrated into your active fellowship. Party synchronization is now in effect.]"Great.

Now that we've officially recruited a human flamethrower who might accidentally blow us up, we should probably think about survival," I said, glancing at our health bars and then back at the giant man made of metal.

"Having an Elementalist to do the heavy hitting is amazing, but we're going to need someone to patch us up when things go south. Do you have a lead on a healer, Dimitri?" Dimitri tapped a massive, leather-wrapped finger against his chin, looking thoughtful, but then he turned his beaming gaze toward June.

"My heart knows of many who walk the path of mercy," he rumbled with a gentle smile.

"However, a true team is built upon the voices of all its members. It would be a wonderful sign of our growing bond to let our friend June offer her wisdom. I am certain she knows of a beautiful soul whose spirit would fit perfectly within our circle." I turned to June, raising an eyebrow at the girl currently treating a sticky bar counter like a throne.

"Alright, your highness, the floor is yours," I said, giving her a mock-bow.

"Do you actually know someone who can heal a wound, or do you only hang out with people who specialize in looking good while the world burns?" ••••• —[Author's Note] — For those who are curious, this is June's gear set. ••••• MAIN WEAPON: Name: Scuffed Juniper Branch Type: Scepter Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Splinter-Free – The user can grip the scepter tightly without the risk of getting a splinter.

It provides no magical boost or combat utility; it simply ensures the wood is smooth enough to hold comfortably. Description: A plain branch stripped of its bark and polished by hand. It lacks any carvings or gems, serving only as a basic wooden rod to help the user direct their focus during training.

••••• SECONDARY WEAPON: Name: Polished Pebble Type: Orb Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Soft Hum – The orb emits a very faint, soothing vibration that the user can feel when nearby. It has no effect on combat or mana, serving only as a minor sensory comfort to help the user stay calm. Description: A small, unremarkable stone lifted from a garden path.

It possesses just enough latent energy to hover lazily around the user, though it often wobbles or sags as if struggling to stay airborne. ••••• HEADGEAR: Name: Dull Brass Pin Type: Headgear Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Stay Put – The pin keeps the user's hair out of their eyes, even in a light breeze. It provides no defensive or magical benefits, simply ensuring the user's vision remains unobstructed by their own stray strands.

Description: A tiny, unadorned metal pin that barely catches the light. It is a humble accessory often used by students to keep their hair tidy while leaning over old, dusty elemental scrolls. ••••• ARMOR: Name: Faded Linen Tunic Type: Armor Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Quick Dry – The user's tunic dries slightly faster than normal fabric after being splashed by water or light rain.

It offers no protection against elemental attacks, simply keeping the user a bit more comfortable in damp conditions. Description: A thin, oversized shirt made of coarse, un-dyed fibers. It is lightweight and breathable, providing the barest layer of modesty for a novice Elementalist without offering any actual defense against physical or magical harm.

••••• LEGGINGS: Name: Frayed Canvas Skirt Type: Leggings Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Easy Stride – The user's movement feels slightly less restricted when walking through tall grass. It offers no bonus to speed or evasion in combat, merely providing a tiny bit of convenience while traveling. Description: A simple, knee-length wrap made from heavy-duty work cloth.

It is rugged enough to withstand a few scrapes from brambles, but it lacks any magical reinforcement or protective padding, serving as basic attire for a beginner. ••••• GLOVES: Name: Cotton Stitch Wraps Type: Gloves Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Better Grip – The user has a slightly firmer hold on their scepter or staff when their hands are sweaty. It doesn't increase accuracy or power, it just makes the weapon feel a bit more secure in their palm.

Description: Simple strips of thin, white cotton wrapped around the hands and wrists. They offer no protection from spells or blades, but they keep the user's fingers clean while handling messy elemental components or dusty old books. ••••• BOOTS: Name: Humble Reed Sandals Type: Boots Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Silent Step – The user's footsteps make slightly less noise when walking on smooth stone floors.

It provides no bonus to stealth or movement speed, simply making for a quieter walk down library or temple hallways. Description: A pair of simple, open-toed sandals made from woven river reeds and thin leather straps. While they offer no protection for the user's feet against the elements, they are lightweight and allow for plenty of airflow during long days of study.

••••• RING: Name: Bent Wire Ring Type: Ring Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Finger Snug – The ring automatically adjusts its shape slightly to fit the user's finger perfectly. It provides no magical power or protection, simply ensuring it never slips off or feels too tight. Description: A thin strand of copper wire twisted into a simple circle.

It is a common trinket given to students to get them used to the sensation of wearing enchanted jewelry, even though it carries no actual charge. ••••• NECKLACE: Name: Braided Hemp Cord Type: Necklace Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Tangle-Free – The cord is treated so it never gets knotted or tangled in the user's hair or clothing. It provides no combat advantage or magical resistance, simply saving the user from a minor daily annoyance.

Description: A simple length of rough hemp fiber braided into a loop. It lacks a pendant or gemstone, serving only as a basic placeholder for a novice to hang future charms or to simply practice the habit of wearing a focus around their neck. ••••• EARRING: Name: Pine Seed Studs Type: Earring Tier: 0 Level Requirement: 0 Stats: None Quality: Standard Special Effect: Faint Fragrance – The user occasionally smells a light, pleasant scent of pine while wearing the earrings.

It offers no tactical benefit or mana regeneration, serving only as a tiny sensory perk during long study sessions. Description: Two small, dried seeds from a common pine tree, carefully sanded down and attached to simple wooden backing. They are lightweight and unassuming, often used by apprentices to practice keeping their focus steady despite small weights on their ears. •••••