"This is quite frustrating."
Treylit exhaled, 'You've progressed far beyond what I have seen a First Star do.'
"But it's not enough."
'Are you displeased with your current level?'
"It's not that I'm displeased, but rather that I don't have a choice. If I want to continue being of use and help my friends, I can't stay at this level."
'You seem to have the requirements, so why haven't you gone further?'
"I'm not sure what my path is."
'How interesting. Those who grow in strength usually do not lack a path. Why get stronger without a goal?'
"I can't answer that, all I know is that I must find my path."
'So why are you wasting your time with formations?'
"I. . ."
The formation Kan'na was creating shattered. Her eye twitched and she sighed angrily, "I'm fed up! I'm going to complete this!"
'I think you should take a break.'
"Not until I do this!"
'It's clearly not something you're capable of.'
"I'm doing it!"
'Please.'
"I'll do it in my own way!"
Magic circles began to form rapidly, Treylit watched as Kan'na began to fill the area with various magic circles.
The formation she was struggling on was written rapidly. Over and over again, as it shattered again and again. Soon Kan'na began to add lesser formations to support her.
With little to no progress she grit her teeth, "Although this hardly works-!"
Using the ambient mana she created a magic circle using the language from her past world. The language she created. Treylit's gaze sharpened upon seeing the unfamiliar language. Magic of all sorts supported Kan'na through various means. Her writing grew faster and faster. She would perfect this language, even if it's the last thing she does!
The formation shattered again and again. Her writing speed had become so fast a new formation was created the moment the previous one was destroyed.
Soon she implemented her War Sight into it, reinforcing her magic with Law. The formation continued to shatter, every failed attempt Kan'na changed how her magic worked slightly. The rapid adjustments and quick writing dumbfounded Treylit, for the snake had never seen such high intense magic before.
The sound of glass shattering was heard. Kan'na paused momentarily, staring at the formation that lay in front of her. Her vision was bombarded with system notifications. But she ignored them, fully focusing on the formation that did not shatter. She collapsed onto her knees, the magic that supported her slowly vanishing. Looking up she saw one of Treylit's eyes staring at her.
'Congratulations on becoming Second Star.'
Kan'na raised her arms, "I did it! Hahaha!"
'Are you aware of your path now?'
"Yeah, the language of magic. There's more than just this, I'm gonna study it until I've mastered them all."
'I have a feeling you will reach great heights. Now, shall we compete this object of yours?'
"After a small break please."
~ ~ ~
Tilia sat atop a mountain. She meditated in silence, surrounded only by wind.
Her path, what was it?
She had searched for an answer for quite some time. Now her need of finding that answer was higher than before.
Her job wasn't the best, being purely a shield meant to protect others. She couldn't fight as well as Akiol, Wrock, Kan'na, and sometimes even Jarvis. Her offensive power always lacked, and she could never really defend as well.
Even her War Sight, it was to do with defending. As if sealing her fate in stone. Was that really her only choice? No, she chose this path. To protect the very people who saved her. To repay that kindness no matter the cost. She swore she would face any attack head on, she would be their shield. Their unbreakable shield.
A faint laugh escaped her lips. That unbreakable shield that shattered underneath a greater strength. When people need that shield, it proves to be quite fragile. When an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object, what occurs?
The answer? While debated, the most obvious answer would be that the unmovable object breaks and the unstoppable force passes through. After all the object is unmovable, not invulnerable.
Tilia wanted to be both immovable and invulnerable. The invincible shield that never faltered!
To protect more than just her friends, but those who need to be protected as well! A shield that anyone in need can rest behind, and feel safe!
The sound of glass shattering filled Tilia's ears, startling her out of meditation.
Reading the notifications she smiled. Her goal was complete.
Now it was time to save a village.
~ ~ ~
"Bad news Mister, they got horses!"
Jarvis looked back, "Man, I thought these were just some random bandits. Loni, can you mess with their vision?"
"Only one!"
"A shame, seems like we got a chase on our hands. Yielya want to interfere?"
"I mean I could, if you want."
"It would be appreciated."
Tring~
One of the bandits was shocked to see that their horse was no longer underneath them. They then rapidly fell to the ground and tumbled.
Yielya held her forehead, "Ugh, actually that's a no go. I should've just swapped the rider with the rock instead of the horse."
"You good?"
"Migraine, can you handle them? If I use my War Sight anymore it'll just get worse."
"Alrighty."
Kiro laughed, "You seem quite calm Mister!"
"It's not my first rodeo."
"Well we're heading towards a dead end."
"Who creates a road towards a dead end?"
"Some accident happened, caused a collapse in the ground."
"You mean to tell me it's a drop?!"
"Which is why I thought I would warn you."
"How much longer?"
"Around fifteen seconds."
The road was surrounded by thick trees, given the size of Go, Jarvis knew that passing through them would be an incredibly poor choice.
"Guess we gotta fight then!"
Go drifted to a stop, dust rising into a cloud. Jarvis swiftly slid off and the Book of Life floated above his hand.
Yielya squinted as she too slowed to a stop, "A chase it isn't then?"
Jarvis shook his head, "Circumstances."
"Well I would bet."
An arrow whizzed past and scratched Jarvis' shoulder, interrupting his summon. The bandits slowed their horses and pointed bows, "Now now, look at this mess you got us in. Since you went and sabotaged one of our buddies, we're gonna change the rules. Hand over your valuables, and you may live."
Another arrow shot forward and hit Jarvis' arm. The bandit who shot it taunted, "And no more of that! Unless you want an arrow through your knee next, wouldn't want your adventuring being cut short."
Jarvis winced, "A city guard may still be an option."
Yielya raised her staff while holding her head. Suddenly three arrows shot forward, "You don't learn do you?!"
Tring~~~
The arrows disappeared and three rocks fell to the ground. Yielya suddenly collapsed onto her knees, mind throbbing in pain.
"Last warning! Hand over your valuables now!"
A bandit dismounted, "I always have do it myself."
Drawing their sword they approached, "Any funny business and it's your hand."
They walked up to Jarvis first, "Your bag, hand it over."
Jarvis frowned, "I mean."
The bandit swung and a gash formed across Jarvis' chest. The bandit spat, "Got a death wish?! Hand it over!"
Jarvis complied, the bandit quickly searched through it before throwing it, "There's only food! Where's your money?!"
Jarvis had left his gold at their house before he set sail. His bag was filled with purely food and delicacies. Raising his hands Jarvis shook his head, "I'm flat broke, why else would I travel via the roads?"
"Then the Priest! Hand over your stuff!"
One of the bandits on the horse yawned. Suddenly in the corner of their eye they saw Priest clothing. With a quick flashback to when his partner's horse got replaced with a rock, he turned and shot towards the Priest.
"Argh! What was that for?!"
"What? But- I swore you were-!"
Jarvis frowned at the sight, for one of the bandits just shot one of their friends!