Magic Made Simple

Chapter 8: A Trial of Trials

After explaining pretty much everything I'd learned about evolution to Ben, he'd said that he'd pass the information along and made sure as many people knew about it as possible. I'd even shared everything about my new class and subclass, seeing absolutely no reason not to share it. The look of jealousy I'd gotten from him had been quite entertaining when I'd mentioned that I get 22 stats per level now as opposed to the eight he was still getting.

With that out of the way, I went to the staircase and teleported straight to floor three. I was glad for the fact that I could skip over the second floor now that I'd cleared it, because it sounded like a real hassle going out of my way to find another goblin city to clear. It would be completely pointless too, since only the goblin warrior would actually award any experience to me now.

Upon entering the third floor, I'm given a brief introduction, only to be thrown for a loop when I find out that this floor wouldn't work at all like the previous one had.

Welcome to floor 3: Trial by Trials!

Floor 3 is the first of several instanced floors within the tower of Nixtias. Instanced floors can only be attempted solo, and any individual that enters will be challenged in such a way that suits the path they walk. It is highly recommended to have reached level 5 before attempting this floor.

To progress to the next floor, complete the 10 trial gauntlet. The gauntlet will consist of various challenges that have been tailored to you specifically. You may leave the third floor at any point by simply willing it.

It was beginning to seem like floor two was not meant to be one taken on solo, as the system seemed to deem it very possible that anyone making it to this point hasn't reached level 5 yet. I was almost certainly over leveled for this floor, but that just meant it would probably be pretty easy. It would at least be interesting to see what challenges the system comes up with me. Would it take into account my higher level and adjust the difficulty?

Trial 1: Trial of Growth

Prove you are better than you were yesterday. Rematch the toughest monster you have taken on up to this point.

Well, that was one way to say no it was not. As the environment around me shifted to a forest nearly identical to the one on the second floor, I manifest a small dagger in my hand while I wait for my opponent to appear. Soon, a goblin warrior was standing in front of me, wielding two short swords and wearing leather armor. It also had the same metal helmet from when I'd last faced it.

The goblin rushes towards me, and in a quick motion swings its sword at me. I quickly parry the strike with my dagger, surprising myself with my reflexes. I guess that is the power of an evolution for you. The goblin had of course been evolved as well, but it was still just a goblin. Weak for its level, especially when it was alone.

I didn't even have to pull the same trick I did last time with sticking my wand in its helmet to land a lethal blow. I was able to kill it by sinking my dagger into its chest a few times and letting it bleed out.

As it died on the ground in front of me, I begun wondering how this type of trial would work for others. If they had fought this thing in a group, would they then have to fight it alone? Probably not. The system had mentioned each trial was tailored to the individual, so they'd probably get something they could manage.

Once the goblin had died, the environment shifts once more and I find myself standing outside of a large stone wall. I wasn't in a forest, but a large field. Taking a few steps back, I got a better view of the wall. It didn't appear to have anything within it, but it did have a single wooden door acting as an entrance.