I held a breath as the embers slowly dulled, I held out a hand and began to gather some water mana before lowering the appendage with a sigh. The sparks crackled for a moment before returning to rest, and I let out a long sigh as I took a seat on the slightly warm couch.
Even if this place was trying to kill me, couldn't I at least get some kind of break?
"Is it alright if I take a moment to relax?" I wasn't exactly sure who I was asking, but the corruption I felt through Planetary Heartbeat didn't seem to even acknowledge my existence. I still needed to get through this place's different stages, and I could only wonder how dangerous it could be if the entire Library itself was trying to kill me.
I should probably get out of here as soon as I can, before this entire place decides I'm a problem. Moving off the seat with a gentle push, I got back to looking around the Library. There were so many books in this place, but I could only pick from two more.
I considered the thousands of books, being certain not to touch them as I walked by. I wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I did have a few ideas of where to start.
I wanted something I was compatible with, or more specifically that Gaia was compatible with. Look, I love having Null Mana, and being able to turn it into anything. It's great, seriously! But at the same time it's a lot harder to train with. I've only got so much of the stuff, meaning I can only practice a certain amount before I have to rest.
Gaia has no such weakness. It's the difference between a drop of oil, and a nuclear power plant. It's practically not even worth comparing the two. Gaia's mana can also be used a lot easier in combat, as I don't really have to worry about running the tank empty mid-fight.
With all of that in mind, what exactly am I looking for? And I don't mean mana wise, I mean what exactly does my current arsenal need? I've already got mobility covered, but my defense, and offense are a bit lacking.
That shadow magic book would be great for offense, but again, I could maybe kill a few people with that before running out of Null Mana. Whatever that book was doing, was really expensive in the magic department.
I guess being able to control the absence of light inside living creatures, and move through what I can only assume is some kind of shadow dimension is powerful enough to warrant that.
Speaking of my daily required near death experience, defense magic is looking really attractive right now. Not as attractive as Gaia of course- wait. She's not with me right now. It still holds true though!
Gaia truly is best girl. Nodding my head with a quick hum I decide that I should get a magic book involving her secondary namesake of Terra, and definitely give her a compliment when I get back. Earth magic is her bread and butter after all. Despite her surface being mostly water, the Earth is actually 98% or more of rock and other minerals. Sure, the water and air mana is always close by because of how I usually fight on the Earth's surface, but in total it's mostly Earth mana. Maybe if I level Planetary Heartbeat some more, I'll be able to pull on a lot more Earth mana?
Either way it wouldn't hurt to invest early in Rock Stocks. I came into here expecting to get some offensive magic, but almost getting exploded from the inside out made me realize how lackluster my defenses actually are.
Mana boost could only go so far, and my body could only handle so much. That does pose a critical question though. If Wizard were powerful and popular enough to have a library as big as this, how the hell did they survive getting one shot by anything even slightly powerful?
I really feel like there wouldn't be any powerful wizards if they all died to a light gust of wind. Here's hoping the people of this dimension aren't born with thirty constitution naturally and actually have a method of improving their physique.
Humming softly I continued my search, but honestly I was struggling to find a title that was exactly what I was looking for. How exactly was this place even organized? At this point I could tell books of similar elements tended to reside on the same shelf, but that didn't tell me nearly enough. Humming lightly I crouched down, staring at a few books nestled gently in the shelf. Only to pause in intrigue.
A few of these books had the word 'Introductory' in the title, and a few others in the bottom row beside it had words like 'Beginner' and 'Initial'. Turning my eyes up on the shelf of Water magic, I realized something quite embarrassing.
This entire time I've just been looking around my head height of books when these shelves are about eight feet tall. I prepared to cast Wind Walk, only to stop myself. It wouldn't hurt to just grab a stepstool or something. I didn't want to aggravate the books by accident with my magic.
Walking back into the main room with the paintings, I grabbed a lounge chair and started dragging it over to the Earth section, making the smart decision to leave the footrest behind so that I didn't have to deal with the access bulk. Luckily I did have some minor strength investment thanks to Villainy being random in its stat distribution, and my workout sessions. It was a solid thirteen, which wasn't amazing, but it wasn't anything to scoff at either.
Adjusting the chair into the proper position, I did something extremely NSFW.
I stood on the chair.
At least it wasn't one of those rolly chairs with the wheels. That would be a workplace accident waiting to happen. Scanning my eyes over the top two rows I instantly paused as the first book I saw. It was on the top shelf as that's where I started, and my jaw couldn't help drop slightly.
'Tectonic Infusion: Using the Weight of the World'
What the hell does that even mean? Is it trying to say you use the force of the planet's tectonic plates to make things heavier or something? That's insane. I don't know if I can fight a book that can potentially hit me with the force of an entire earthquake.
The top shelf was also a lot more barren than the rest, only having three books in total as I viewed it.
The next one I noticed was 'Stoneheart: Orichalcum Vessel', I paused as I read the title. Didn't I see one vaguely similar to that earlier? Kneeling on the chair I looked down to a similarly titled book a bit lower. 'Stoneheart: Cobalt Vessel', and even another one titled 'Stoneheart: Mithril Vessel'.
So is this supposed to be the better version of this? Hoping off the chair and moving down to the lowest shelf there were a bunch of different Stoneheart books, ranging from materials like Iron, Copper, and even odder ones like Zinc.
Fuck, on the second row there was even one for Adamantium!? Who the hell was making all of these Stoneheart books?
Dammit, why can't the author's name be on the books binder instead of the cover page! Well, I wasn't certain if they did that there would be enough room for the title . . . ugh. Alright. It's time to ask myself a very critical question.
This whole Stoneheart thing seems like it's most likely going to enhance my physique in some way. If it doesn't I'll be pissed. That however, asks a critical question. Which one do I go for? Orichalcum is at the top, so it's probably the best material, but Adamantium is right beneath it and most likely would be a lot easier to defeat than Orichalcum.
Whatever. Before I make a decision I'm going to check the last book on the top shelf.
'Warping the Clay: Golem Foundries'
Golems? That does align pretty strongly with the Earth element, right? As I stare at the two books I come to a realization that I probably should have come too a lot quicker, I was just so excited I hadn't even considered it a possibility.
What if I can't even comprehend what's inside these books? Walking With Birds is already pretty hard. What if I end up defeating one of these and obtaining a book, which isn't even guaranteed by the way, and then I can't even use what's within?
Massaging my temples, I could already feel the migraine coming on. I need to think, and I need to focus. I sucked in a breath, and took a seat on the chair I stood upon only moments prior. Activating Thought Castle I considered my many options.
I was at a crossroads in my magic journey. So many options presented themselves before me, and while I'd been able to narrow down what I was looking at, the overwhelming amount of choices I was presented felt like a weight I just couldn't shake.
I needed to make the right one, not just for myself, but for Gaia, and everyone she held up on her back. Alright, let's ask the critical question. What do I need? More specifically, what do I need now.
Omniman is a ticking timebomb that could explode at any moment, he's unpredictable, and I don't know how long Cecil can stall him. I need to deal with Omniman, so the question is, how the hell do I do that?
Alright, what do I know about him? Well, he's insanely fast and strong. He can fly, and he's practically invincible. Snorting lightly in my own mind at the errant thought that made itself apparent. I can't believe Mark called himself that.
Wait. Doesn't Mark know Omniman somehow Fuck, that's another thing I have to deal with. That's something I'll shelve for now, and return to later. It's important, but my priorities are higher right now.
Omniman is fast, strong, and supremely durable. Defeating him, or killing him, with a single strike isn't going to happen. I'm not delusional enough to believe that. Maybe if I could call down hellfire or something? The point is offense isn't going to help me here.
Neither is my mobility, as much I love being able to move in the air, Omniman has way more experience than me. He'll catch me out. What I need is a safety net.
A defense, or perhaps the ability to not have to face him head on at all?
Golem's could be extremely useful in that regard, but could the Golem's I create even slow him down? I have no way of knowing, I've never even studied Golem based magic, whatever its called.
Moving my brain back to the metals the Stoneheart books could provide, I had a sudden realization. Aren't certain metals in fantasy media dramatically resistant against non magical attacks?
Fuck, I hope Omniman isn't magic. If he somehow is, then I was probably either way. Exiting my thought castle and peeking down to the book on the second highest shelf, I come to my decision of what I'm going to pursue.
Orichalcum might be stronger, but I don't even know if I could claim that book with my current strength. Adamantium is my best bet right now, or at least it's better than Iron, and so I slowly reach out my hand in order to touch the book, a bead of sweat dripping down my face as I consider how I may be overestimating myself.
I don't have Gaia, I'm alone right now. This is a book from just below the top shelf, can I really do this? Pausing, I steel myself.
For Gaia. For Humanity.
Grabbing the book I instantly feel its mana ignite, its once leather bound book becoming a jet black luster as it flies forward past my hand as it moves to knock my teeth out. Flinging myself off the chair, I watch in horror as it crashes straight into the wall behind me and leaves a massive crater in its wake.
The book slowly turned around to face me, and I couldn't help but gulp slightly.
What the fuck? Is this thing a flying brick!? I guess this is training for Omniman then? My thoughts were silenced as it rocketed towards me again, and much to my horror crashed right through the bookshelves of the library leaving nothing but broken wood and slowly awakening books.
Fuck. FUCK. OH SHIT. I've heard about the magic of reading, and how sometimes a library can feel alive, but this is a whole different level. Taking a small step back I "carefully" considered my options while desperately trying to remain calm.
The flying brick had already turned towards me as I bumped into something hanging from the wall behind me. My eyes flicked towards it in a mix of relief and hope. I set my hand on the painting, and prayed to Gaia as I cast Dimension Break with most of my remaining Null Mana, leaving me nothing but drops left.
The canvas bent and screamed as I fell backwards inside of it, the flying brick just barely managing to not cave my skull in as it flew just past my head and into the painting of a gently flowing river and orange autumn trees.
Falling straight into the water, I quickly tried and failed to get my footing, only to remember I could fly. Blasting myself out of the water with Wind Walk, I quickly hid behind a tree with a heavy breath.
I couldn't even tell what was water and what was sweat.
I needed a plan to defeat this thing, and I needed it now.
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