The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 11: Changes (Part 2)

I was basically forced into the nearby couch as Ratansi sat opposite me.

"Frei please, tea for our friend. Ha, see what I did there?" he spoke to the maid and joked before turning to me as she left. His disposition was a lot friendlier than I expected. "Now Mr Friend, may I call you Ardent? Or would you prefer Arvel?"

"Arvel?" I eyed him confused. "Ardent is fine but who's Arvel?"

"It's just a name I thought you'd like," he smiled and waved off the interaction. "Then please call me Tansi. Us elves usually use the back end of our name for nicknames if you're wondering where it comes from."

"I'm aware," I couldn't help recall Vanter. Still, it felt odd to refer to him by nickname considering all I knew of him.

"That does please me," Ratansi nodded. "Outside the Elven Magistrate our culture is a dying one and even the small bits that survive brings me joy. Pleasantries aside, please, tell me what bring you here."

I paused to try gage his expression but couldn't see more than his pleasant smiling face, "I am seeking tutelage."

"Tutelage?" Tansi leaned back into his seat. "I see, what tutelage are you asking for?"

"The technique to use both Aura and Mana at the same time," I answered honestly.

The old elf's smile turned sharp, "And what makes you believe I can teach you?"

"To start, rumours. The Guard Captain of the eastern gate was a previous student of yours as was the receptionist of the south district adventuring guild. I heard about how they could use techniques out of the ordinary. When I spoke to them, they eventually mentioned you."

"They spoke to you," he nodded. "You must have done quite a few favours for them."

"Plenty," it was basically all I did since I had arrived at Crysis. Fetch quests, deliveries and the like, all to build up a rapport with them. If I hadn't however, I would have never been able to get an introduction.

"I see," he nodded again, clearly joining the dots. "However what led you to them in the first place?"

"Like I said, rumours. Things that only Travellers could hear." I had to leave it vague. In reality I had jumped quite a few steps. The ability to use Aura and Mana at the same time wasn't a desired one, especially during this time of the game. It was much more efficient to focus on one. While there were people like me, they wouldn't find their abilities plateauing for a long while yet. The information that had led me to Ratansi was something only I knew, but he couldn't know that.

"Things only Travellers could hear," he repeated and laughed. "I see. I must ask then, are you dissatisfied with your current abilities? I do not believe my tutelage is needed yet."

"I'm not dissatisfied, if anything I want to see where this path leads me. Blint told me himself, I am dabbler, a master of none."

The words seemed to resonate within him as his smile grew deeper, "A dabbler. An astute way to put it. Someone who cannot be a star in either path and must result to a mixture of many." He stood up, "Well then Mr Ardent Friend, shall we dabble together?"

"You'll teach me?" I stood up as well, surprised he accepted so easily.

"I'll teach you," he took my hand again and tightly shook it. Ratansi Concurser. He was a legend like Zen was. Zen's practice became famous in the western world, Ratansi's practice spread throughout Asia. Although we called it dabbling, it was the unison of Mana and Aura that turned to be effective against the armour of a Rift Walker. It was what made me so effective despite my lack of output. I had studied Ratansi's teachings after the Fall but never had a good teacher. This was my chance.

"Hmmm," Ratansi however paused as if realising something. "There is a problem."

"A problem?" I asked as he still held my hand.

"I can only teach you so much. As a Traveller you haven't quite yet acclimatised to our world. Your body is not ready."

"Ah," I realised what he meant. The game hadn't updated enough. At current time combat was done mostly through the system and skills. As the game progressed everything became more realistic to the point you could cast magic from the simple feeling of mana the game generated. Those who leaned into the new method like I had, tended to be able to use the same skills easier after the Merge and more so after the Fall. The problem was currently, his teachings wouldn't give me the combat boost I needed.

"Do not distraught however," he continued to hold my hand, now by the fingers as is studying them. "We can still make a start. Oh and what a start it will be!"

The door opened as the maid, Frei, returned with a set of steaming tea.

"But first let us drink to our new companionship! To the future and the past!"

"T-to the future," I cheered alongside him as a cup was forced into my hands. "And the past?"

*

It was one day before the tournament and I was lying in the dirt, my virtual body covered in sweat. A pop up appeared. Skills unlocked. Ratansi Style Aura Control: Mana Craft. Proficiency 1. By expending Aura and Mana you can solidify sources of mana. Ratansi Style Aura Control: Aura and Mana Conversion. Proficiency 1. Aura can be used to recover mana. Mana can be used to recover Aura. Efficiency 30%. Four days and I had finally unlocked the basic skills.

"Congratulations my pupil," Ratansi looked down at me from his seat on top a low hanging branch. "You have passed the first stage. I must commend you, you stuck with it despite your body not being quite ready."

"I really did try," I huffed. The training was a lot more involved than I expected. Ratansi had done all he could to stimulate my body. Physical combat, ice cold showers, enduring extreme saunas, electric shocks, mana manipulation and more. I was trying to make a connection to something the game hadn't quite supported me for. The result seemed lacklustre, but it was after all, the beginning. What it could be however was a surprise, one that might just get me a clutch victory.

"Here you go," Ratansi dropped next to me and as he helped me stand, he handed my black card back. A third white stamp had been set into the horned side. "You've given me quite the experience."

"Likewise," I smiled.

"Now I believe you Travellers have some kind of tournament to attend. I'll be looking forward to the result," he clapped my back encouragingly. "You are weaker for now, but I feel your heart remains as strong as ever."

"Thank you. I'll finish my training with you one day."

"As I would expect so," Ratansi grinned. "When the time comes, return, but for now enjoy the world we have to offer."

"I will," we shook hands again and from there I left the mansion I had spent majority of the past few days. I smiled hoping to meet him in the real world one day. From what I heard after the Fall, Ratansi fell ill due to his older age and eventually made a last stand where his body was never found. He passed away not long after Zen.... It was a future I wanted to prevent and to do so, I needed to make my final preparations.