“Once you have gained mastery of your body and awareness of your core at all times, you are prepared to unlock your mana.” Jack read aloud. “While maintaining awareness of your core, increase the beating of your heart. Once your heart can beat no faster, grasp all energy and emotion you have gathered and force it into your core. This shall tunnel through, driving a path into it.

That sounds kinda scary. Worried, Jack cautiously raised his heart rate to its maximum. Here goes nothing, he thought. He threw all of his pent up anxiety and fear at his core.

“AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” he screamed as pain filled his gut. Ignoring the intense pain, he curled into a ball. The pain fueled him, driving him further and further. This can’t be right! The pain from his core felt like it would tear him apart. Finally, the tension released and the world went dark.

Jack woke from a hand shaking his shoulder.

“You ok there buddy?” came a worried voice.

He quickly checked his core. To his relief, not only was there no pain, but it no longer felt hollow. It was as if he had a second heartbeat. Looking up, he recognized the innkeeper.

“Yeah, I’m ok,” he reassured him. “Sorry about that. I uh… stubbed my toe.” he added sheepishly.

“Well, you darn near woke everyone in Rivertown up with your carrying on. Keep the noise down, or I’m kicking you out.” said the innkeeper. “And no refunds!” he added as he slammed the door.

Alone again, he quickly checked his status.

Name: Jack Herring

Race: Human

Level: 14

Experience: 495,280/819,200

Health: 150/150

Mana: 120/120

Strength: 12 (+4)

Agility: 14 (+2)(-1)

Vitality: 15 (+5)

Intelligence: 12

Skills:

Inspect level 1

Haggle level 2

Fire Starting level 1

Butchering level 2

Cooking level 1

Woodworking level 1

Spears level 3

Axes level 1

Boons:

Polyglot

Contestant

Available Attribute Points: 9

“Yes!” Jack exclaimed, his voice echoing off the walls. Oops, he winced, looking toward the door.

He didn’t know how long it normally took to unlock mana, but he felt he had unlocked it fast. It’s not like I’m going to complain.

Now it's time to learn a spell. Jack opened the book to the pages in the back, which detailed spells. There, he saw spells like healing, invisibility, fireball, and more. It would be so cool to run around invisible all the time! No one can hit me if they can’t see me! He envisioned taking out the entire orc camp by himself with impunity.

Further reading dashed his hopes. Each spell required an extremely high level of mana, even at level 1. Thirty mana per second! Four seconds of invisibility is useless! Dispirited by the high cost, he continued reading.

Unfortunately, he found the cost to be high for all spells. Fireball for example, did 30 damage for 50 mana, and could only be cast every 10 seconds. Ten seconds is a lifetime, he thought. While most of his fights seemed to take hours, in reality, each had only been seconds. I could get one, maybe two fireballs off per fight.

I can do more damage than that with my spear, he snorted. What I need is a spell to make someone helpless. Invisibility sounds great, but four seconds isn’t nearly enough time. Jack continued reading, unsatisfied.

This looks good, he mused. For fifty mana per second, I can paralyze a creature, and it’ll be helpless. At higher levels, it’ll cost less mana, and I can paralyze multiple targets. I’ll start with this one.

According to The Way of the Shaman, he needed to visualize his intended effect. After this, he needed to pull energy from his core and feed it into his creation. I wonder if I can make my own spells by visualizing something else? He shook off the tangent and concentrated on the effects of paralyzation.

Let’s see... What happens to someone who’s paralyzed. They can’t move a single muscle, their body is frozen and they are helpless. Once the details filled his head, he realized he needed a target. I guess I get to be a guinea pig.

After a deep breath, he imagined himself paralyzed, and reached for the mana in his core. Ugh! It slipped through his reach. Ok, let’s try something else. Instead of trying to grab the mana, he imagined a conduit being formed between his mana core and the intended spell. Once this conduit was set in place, he pictured the mana being sucked out of his core and into the spell.

Suddenly, he couldn’t move. I can’t breathe! he panicked and lost the image. The spell broke. Even though he had only been frozen for a single second, it freaked him out.

Once recovered, he checked his status and saw that he now had 70/120 mana. I did it! He clenched his raised fist and grinned.

Checking again, he saw that he had already regenerated a point of mana. I need to know how fast I can get my mana back. Staring at his status, he waited until he reached 72 mana. Now. He started counting. One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, four one thousand, five. Just as he reached 5 seconds, his mana increased.

So, I get one mana every five seconds… Jack bit his tongue and looked skyward, deep in thought. Ten minutes! It would take Jack ten minutes to regenerate 120 mana. Twelve mana a minute, that’s nothing. I need more mana, he realized. After only a second’s pause, he opened his status and willed his nine available attribute points into intelligence. Jack immediately felt his core grow in size. That feels weird. Eager to see the changes, he re-checked his status.

Awesome! He now had 76 out of 210 available mana. But does it take twice as long to come back? He once again determined his mana regeneration. After taking entirely too long to do the math, he found his answer. Still takes ten minutes. He regenerated his mana faster, yet he now had more to regenerate. He now gained 21 mana every minute instead of 12.

Jack waited until his mana was full. Ok, release the spell after one second. And this time don’t panic! He pictured the desired outcome and connected the image with his core. Once again, his body locked up and he couldn’t breathe. Instead of panicking and losing the connection, he closed it willingly. Yes! With a grin on his face, he checked his notification window.

You have learned a new spell: Paralyze

Determined to level the spell as quickly as possible, he began casting paralyze on himself until he was out of mana, waiting for his mana to regenerate, and then casting again.

Now it's time to grind.

I don’t think it's working. Massaging his temples, he tried rubbing the frustration away. He had been casting all night, and he had yet to level the spell up. Maybe I need to be in combat? He didn’t know if that was true, and the book was no help.

Laughter downstairs interrupted his thoughts. It’s morning already? Standing to stretch, he realized that low blood sugar was contributing to his headache. I need breakfast.

After gathering his things, Jack headed downstairs, following the smell of eggs.

Sooooo goood! Jack licked his lips. The fried eggs and pork belly was the best meal he had eaten since arriving on Nessag. This reminds me of Saturday brunch at mom’s house, he remanessed. Food had been something he took for granted on Earth. Heavy nostalgia filled Jack, he remembered the meals he had with his family. I wonder if they eat Saturdays together without me?

Wiping tears from his eyes, he forced his mind away from home. Focus on your next step Jack. How do you level it up? His only theory was experience through combat, and he needed a place to test it. Somewhere with lots of monsters to kill. The dungeon in Stoldhold seems like the best place.

His optimism was renewed with this new direction. I’ll gather supplies for the trip, and say goodbye to Hem and Islar, he thought as he stuffed his mouth full of pork.

At the general store, he purchased dry rations and a sleeping roll. He did not relish sleeping in the forest overnight, yet without an escort he had no other options. Time to say goodbye to Hem.

Jack entered the pub, surprised to not see his friends. The bartender reminded Jack that today was their day to hunt and the group would be there that evening, as usual. I wish I could say goodbye. Jack didn’t have the time to wait for their return. It would take three days to reach Stonehold as it was. That’s with normal attributes though, I’m like superman now.

Heading down the street, he saw Islar selling her vegetables in the cool morning.

Jack waved, “Good morning Islar!”

“Why good morning to you Jack, yes it is.

Glancing around to ensure they were alone, he grinned and replied in a low voice. “I unlocked my magic!”

“Wonderful!” she clapped.

“I also learned a spell.” he added.

“What spell would that be?”

“I can paralyze someone for four seconds.” he boasted.

“That sounds mighty powerful, yes it does.”

“I hope it is, I need all the help I can get.”

“What are you doing today Jack?” she asked.

“Actually, I was coming by to see you before I left. I’m going to Stonehold to try out the dungeon you mentioned. I’m not sure if I’ll see you again any time soon, and I wanted to say goodbye, and thanks for helping me.”

Embracing him, she cooed, “Awww. You’re such a good boy Jack, yes you are.” Stepping back, Jack noticed tears in her eye. Before he could speak she shushed him with a motion. “Now, you think of an old woman and take care. And you come back, those orcs aren't gonna to kill themselves, no they won’t.”

After a second tearful hug, Jack turned. Inhaling deeply to regain his composure, Jack left at a run. He was determined to set a speed record to Stonehold.

The wind rushed by his face as he ran along the grassy riverbank. He loved the freedom of running. At least I do when I’m not running for my life, he mused.

Hours flew by.

Well crap, Jack thought as he slowed to a stop. Three wolves stood between him and his destination. Uhhh, I dunno if I can take them, they’re all level five.

Pulling his spear, he slowly backed away. Unfortunately this movement initiated their charge. Crap! He braced himself, spear set, ready to meet them.

The lead wolf moved up the center as the others flanked to take him from the sides. The lead wolf leaped for his neck, its mouth wide.

With his increased strength, Jack rammed the spear through its mouth and out the back of its head, killing it instantly.

Using all his might, he tore out the spear and twirled to face the second wolf. Paralyze it, quick! he thought, visualizing the spell.

AHHH! He cried as the third wolf took him from behind.

The spell fizzled as the pain dissolved his focus. Shaking his leg roughly did not dislodge the hungry wolf, in fact, it made him bare down harder against the leather trousers. The wolf returned the shake with one of his own, throwing Jack further off balance.

Exploiting the distraction, the second wolf completed its charge. This motion drew Jack’s attention. At the last moment, he raised his spear to block. The wolf bit down on the staff as Jack pushed it away. Caught between the two beasts, his foothold slipped although he managed to shove the creature down a small embankment.

Ignore the pain, ignore the pain. Dismissing the third wolf gnawing on his leg, he attempted the spell again. He pictured the second wolf frozen, unable to move.

Now! He powered the spell and the wolf collapsed.

Still held by the leg, he stabbed deep into the second wolf’s exposed neck. Extracting his spear, he pierced it again. He released the spell to conserve his mana, and the wolf still didn't move.

Thank God!

Returning to the third wolf, Jack jerked his leg and winced as the wolf did not relent. The kick drove the teeth through the leather. His trousers had been no match for the animal and he could feel fangs sinking deep into his thigh.

Unable to pull away, and too close for the spear, Jack steeled himself against the pain. Lets try magic. He focused through the agony and paralyzed the wolf. The wolf’s body froze stiff, along with his muzzle. Its snout was still firmly attached to his leg. Stupid Jack, stupid! By paralyzing the wolf, he ensured it could not let go.

Desperate from the pain, he fell, bringing the wolf with him. “AAAAHHHHH!” he screamed as their positions shifted. He felt teeth scrape bone as the spear slipped from his hands. The shift was enough. Pulling his knife, he pierced the wolf over and over. JUST DIE!

The world started to dim yet he continued his attack, the wolf still clamped to his thigh. A wave of dizziness overtook him. The knife slipped from his grasp. His head hit the ground.

So tired…

Blackness.