The Two Week Curse

by Michael Chatfield

  Erik moved to the Village Hall. He got comfortable and turned his vision inward. He focused in on his Mana system.

  His Mana circulated through his Mana channels, moving from his Mana gates. It was compressed and refined before reaching his dantian, where it was thickest. He looked at the two drops of Mana that rested there. They stood opposite each other, like bratty children in a fight. Erik could feel the power that was pooled within them. They looked like calm drops of pure blue water, but he knew that they could erupt with power.

  Erik’s mind moved through his Mana channels, checking on his Mana gates. One had turned into eight. It had been a fight to reach this point.

  Erik moved his hand. When he focused, he could feel the Mana in the air move slightly according to his movements, as if fish in water, interested by the strange movement.

  He felt a slight resonance with the air as he remembered Rugrat’s words when he opened his tenth Mana gate. “You think that you’re powerful now—just wait until you reach past the tenth Mana gate. It’s like you become a lord of Mana.” Erik remembered the shine in his eyes, the look of intoxication.

  Erik’s hand made a fist. He felt the Mana and the blood moving through his arm, the power that was hidden within.

  “Ten Mana gates, huh?” Erik got comfortable as the air around him shook slightly. If one was to strain their eyes, they’d see blue mist appeared around his open Mana gates: one at the back of his skull, one in each of his hands, his feet, his knees, and right elbow. The power seemed to resonate with his body, the two accepting each other.

  Erik’s control had reached new heights, and with Rugrat forging the path ahead, he had told Erik the secrets he had discovered.

  Erik’s Mana channels expanded as a deep rumbling like the gathering of a thunderstorm sounded from within his body.

  Erik didn’t create spears of Mana; he gathered it together, and spun it, creating a tornado of rampant Mana, a Mana drill.

  He knew that opening his ninth Mana gate would be no simple task. Moving neither fast nor slowly, the drill was refined, creating a system powered by the compressed Mana in his system. The drill focused it further, taking incredible control as Erik gritted his teeth.

  The Mana drill moved through his Mana channels. Rushing would make it lose power, so slowly it passed through, reaching the site of his ninth Mana gate. Erik focused on the Mana gate. It no longer looked like stone, like the others; it had a silver sheen to it, like polished steel hidden under debris.

  He drove forward. The Mana drill slammed into the Mana gate. There was a screeching noise as it gained purchase. The drill’s speed slowed and Erik’s veins popped out. He drew in more power, forcing the drill against the Mana gate.

  The Mana gate’s surface was cleaned off under the attack, revealing the spotted Mana gate underneath. It was an iron door, stopping one from advancing.

  The drill’s progress was slow but measurable.

  Erik sat there, his Mana channels sticking out. It seemed as though the world breathed with him, faint Mana mist trickling through his open Mana gates.

  It was monotonous and straining.

  If you think just because it’s boring and repetitive, I’ll stop, you’re mistaken. Erik stared at that Mana gate, his determination increasing the power of the drill.

  Pain tells me I’m alive! Erik yelled in his mind, sinking into the training that had taken him through war zones across Earth. His will would not be broken.

  Time slipped by as the Mana gate showed weaknesses. The drill made it farther as Erik altered it, increasing its strength.

  His body was under incredible stress, but Erik had learned to deal with pain and discomfort long ago. To him, they tempered his determination as he pressed forward for more, to show he wouldn’t be defeated, to show he was the best.

  The Mana gate made a shrieking noise, like metal being bent inward. The Mana gate gave way, its fight over.

  The rush of Mana ran rampant through Erik’s arm, aiming to rush out of his hand.

  Erik reversed the draw of the Mana. “I’m not done yet!” He opened his eyes. He used the rush of fresh Mana coming in through the newly opened gate and closed his hand; power threw the Mana drill back to where it had come from. Erik circulated it through his Mana, faster and faster as his eyes located his next target: his tenth Mana gate.

  “You are mine!” Erik yelled out. His Mana channels lit up with power as the Mana drill circulating his Mana channels shot up through his Mana channels like a bullet.

  The Mana drill connected with his tenth Mana gate.

  A resounding boom shook Erik and made the air around him shake.

  Chapter: Mana Lord

  Erik was covered in sweat. The air around him seemed to have become stagnant as spurts of Mana were drawn into his body.

  He had simply been straining his Mana systems for so long, he was on the verge of collapsing.

  That steel-like Mana gate stood there, its surface scarred and showing signs of strain. But it seemed resilient, standing tall despite all else.

  Erik needed more power. If he failed, then his tenth Mana gate would be sealed and it would be even harder for him to break through. He might have to dismiss breaking through it until he had three drops of Mana.

  Drops of Mana? What if I didn’t compress them but made them expand?

  A crazy idea filled Erik’s mind. Reaching the level of forming Mana drops was a massive undertaking; if he was to decompress them, he would be taking a step backward.

  Erik was determined and he had faith that he would be able to reform them.

  A crazy expression appeared on his face, his hair wild and his clothes stuck to him with sweat. “Form!” he yelled, slamming his hands together.

  He pressed the Mana gates in his hands together as he pressed his feet together, aligning his Mana system and closing off four gates to the outside world.

  Mana moved from his dantian through his left leg, up his right leg, through Mana channels to his left arm, and down through to his right hand. There it would go through his arm and reach the Mana gate where his spine and skull intersected.

  Erik formed Mana into shapes again, a shape he was only too familiar with. The Mana turned into bullets. They weren’t aimed at his tenth gate yet, just circulating his system—one at first, then two, and three, with more being created, adding to his Mana channels. Their speed increased with every circulation.

  He drained the ambient Mana from within his body. Just as his body felt as if it were about to burst, Erik laughed.

  “Fire!” With his command, he no longer circulated the Mana bullets but directed them toward the tenth Mana gate.

  The effect of the compressed Mana drop decompressing was like gunpowder going off in a round. The Mana drill and the Mana bullets shot forward. A rushing noise filled Erik’s body as his Mana system was being torn apart under the stress.

  The Mana bullets were like rounds from a machine gun hitting the exact same spot. The tenth Mana gate had no time to recover as tens of rounds slammed into it. Cracks formed as it put up a good fight.

  It wasn’t enough.

  The Mana bullets had done their damage as they broke through the tenth gate.

  Erik relaxed his control; the bullets’ control over his Mana system disappeared. Erik fell backward, fainting.

  His tenth Mana gate gave away fully. Erik’s entire body seemed to resonate on an entirely new level. The energy of the world resonated with him. A rush of invisible power shot out from Erik’s body as if messengers rushing to tell the world of the birth of a new lord.

  ***

  Meanwhile, in the smithy, Rugrat’s eyes cleared for a second as he looked toward the Village Hall. That invisible wave of power was visible to him, his Mana gates resonating with that power.

  He shook his head. “Looks like he broke through his tenth Mana gate.”

  A thought crossed his mind as he started to chuckle. It grew into a laugh as he twirled
his hammer and slammed it into the metal on the anvil. “Very well! You’re not the only one who wants to increase his power!” Rugrat’s voice was filled with power, resounding through the smithy, his hammer blows strong and fast, but precise. His competitive spirit was ignited. How was he going to let his friend beat him in strength?

  Rugrat bent down to his work with greater determination.

  No one else felt the disturbance.

  Erik remained on the ground. His Mana system was torn apart, but as he rested, the powerful recovery ability of his tempered blood worked to heal his body. His wounds were severe, but with a bit of healing magic and his body’s recovery ability Erik was starting to see the benefits of his body cultivation combined with healing magic.

  ***

  Storbon woke up, looking at the door as a guard walked in, an angry look on his face.

  Storbon reached for his hand. Finding his fingers there, he was comforted. Still, he looked around the barracks quickly. When he hadn’t had a hand, he was used to people looking at him with derision and spitting on him, thinking of him as a waste of resources in Alva Village. He didn’t feel that animosity anymore, but it was hard to forget.

  “What are you doing? Do you think this is a vacation! Get your asses up!” the guard yelled, kicking the nearest bunk.

  People were stunned awake, looking at the guard.

  “Get dressed and on the training grounds! Move it!”

  People started grabbing clothes and ambling about, drawing the ire of the guard.

  “Don’t you know how to get dressed? Too slow—out!”

  Storbon slept in his clothes and was rushing to the door.

  The guard went through, using his club to “motivate” people to hurry up.

  Storbon saw that the other three barracks were being drained of people as guards moved through the ranks.

  In the parade square, Rugrat stood with his hands behind his back, wearing armor. It was well worn, but it had been cared for meticulously. He looked at what was happening without feeling. His expression was unreadable as guards continued to usher people out.

  “Get in one of the squares!” another guard yelled.

  Storbon saw the squares that were carved into the dirt and quickly stepped into one. A few others were as fast as him. Anyone who seemed to be lagging was met by the guards’ clubs.

  It wasn’t long until people in different states of undress were lined up in the squares.

  Everyone looked at Rugrat, but he hadn’t moved once. A look of shame mixed with disgust appeared on Rugrat’s face.

  Storbon’s stomach dropped.

  “I’m supposed to train you to be heavy infantry. Do you know what I see?”

  No one said anything, the square eerily silent compared to the yelling and shrieks from before. The guards seemed to take the disappointment personally, their expressions darkening further as some people in the grid squares shook in fear.

  “I see a bunch of failures. I see a bunch of people who will break instead of hold the line!” Rugrat’s voice rose until it shook their already tense nerves.

  Storbon felt as if he were going to throw up. He wanted to be useful; he wanted to do Mister West proud. He was determined to prove Rugrat wrong; he wasn’t a failure!

  “When you’re ready to admit you’re a failure, ring that bell.” Rugrat pointed to a bell that stood off to the side. “I want everyone here, in this group and in the city, to know that you don’t have what it takes to be in the heavy infantry.”

  Rugrat let those words sink in as people’s eyes were drawn to the bell, each making their own decisions.

  Storbon gripped his fists tighter. His eyes moved from the bell to Rugrat. He didn’t need a bell.

  Rugrat’s hand dropped slowly. “Get them out of my sight. Next time I see them, they best at least look like they’re worth a damn.” Rugrat turned and left as the guards started yelling.

  “All right, you’re going to learn how to march! Then it’s off for a haircut and a shave and shower. You will be clean every morning before parade. You will not relieve yourself anywhere but the bathrooms. We don’t accept dirty street scum here. If you don’t know how to keep yourself clean, how will you look after a weapon or your armor?” Guard Niemm barked. “Watch closely! I will not repeat myself!”

  Niemm showed how to march. Storbon tried to follow and do the same. Still, the guards, seeing them all messed up, used their clubs to get them into proper form.

  Someone dropped to the ground, trying to protect themselves as they started crying.

  The clubs stopped as a guard moved to him. “What are you on the ground for? Do you think the Earth god is going to help you! Ring the bell! The bell is your only way to escape me, boy! Ring it! Make that bell your new god! Do it!” The man continued to cry on the ground as the guard yelled at him, not even hitting him. His words were more painful than any beating.

  “Get up!” The guard hauled the man to his feet. He was a level twelve while the recruit was a level seven; to the guard, it was like picking up a child. “Get into formation!” He pushed the man back into place.

  The man was still crying, the guards picking on him, but he continued on. Eventually the guards harassed others.

  The bell rang out. The first had already left.

  He was taken off to the side and to the guard captain’s quarters.

  Storbon wondered how many more would ring the bell that day.

  ***

  Erik awoke to the ringing of bells. He rose from the floor and let out a sharp breath. Pain flared up in his body. Erik used healing spells and he started to rebuild his body.

  It was still dark.

  “Whistles are meant for if there is a beast attack—the bell, spear training?” Erik muttered.

  He cleared up the confusion. Looking toward the barracks, he could hear the sounds of yelling. The heavy infantry unit had started training.

  Erik’s body was repairing, much faster than normal. The Mana in his body was purer, so his recovery higher. His every movement seemed to resonate with the Mana around with him; instead of creating a slight disturbance, he gained a much higher command over it.

  Erik opened his notifications.

  ==========

  You have opened another Mana gate!

  ==========

  2 to Mana Regeneration

  ==========

  ==========

  Quest Updated: Opening the Fourteen Gates

  ==========

  Congratulations! You have opened your tenth Mana gate.

  ==========

  Requirements: Clear all of your fourteen gates (10/14)

  ==========

  Rewards: +1 to Mana Regeneration base stat

  Undergo Mana Body Rebirth

  1,400,000 EXP

  ==========

  ==========

  You have successfully opened 9 Mana gates.

  2 to Mana Pool

  ==========

  ==========

  You have successfully opened 10 Mana gates.

  Hidden Reward: Gain Title: Mana Lord

  ==========

  ==========

  Title: Mana Lord

  ==========

  Your Mana control has increased greatly.

  ==========

  The strength of your spells has increased by 10%. Your Mana Regeneration increased by 10%

  ==========

  Erik’s eyes bulged as he quickly pulled up his character sheet.

  ==========

  Character Sheet

  ==========

  Name: Erik West

  ==========

  Level: 13

  ==========

  Race: Human

  ==========

  Titles: From the Grave

  Land Holder (Temporary)

  Mana Lord

  ==========

  Strength: (Base 7) +11

  ==========

 
; 180

  ==========

  Agility: (Base 6) +13

  ==========

  85

  ==========

  Stamina: (Base 12) +4

  ==========

  210

  ==========

  Mana: (Base 6) +11

  ==========

  170

  ==========

  Mana Regeneration (Base 10) +21

  10.05/s

  ==========

  Stamina Regeneration: (Base 7) +20

  6.15/s

  ==========

  “Hubba hubba.” Erik looked at it, feeling like an excited little kid getting a present. “This must be the hidden effect Rugrat was talking about,” Erik said. “While one can increase their overall Mana Regeneration with the attribute gain at every level, they don’t gain these hidden benefits. No wonder Rugrat feels different. The little bastard got a ten percent increase in his overall Mana Regeneration!”

  It was a much bigger change than just increasing one’s attributes. When Erik leveled up, then his increase would be even greater. For someone focusing on a Mana-based build, this was gold raining from the heavens.

  “No wonder Rugrat was so confident that I would make it through my tempering. The little bastard was holding this back.” Erik shook his head. He’d need to get Rugrat back in some way later on but for now he was too happy with his gains.

  It felt incredible, but his smile paused as he looked toward his dantian. There was only one drop there now. He had used the other to open his tenth Mana gate. Still, with enough time, he knew he’d be able to reform it.

  “With the later Mana gates, to open them, I might need to directly use the Mana drops to clash with them. I’ll have to ask Rugrat,” Erik said.

  He took another tour of his inner body, checking his body and Mana system. His Mana gates no longer looked like stone but instead had spots of silver.

  Erik stood. His bones seemed to crack, giving him a refreshing feeling. He felt revitalized. Then he took a deep breath in and nearly choked.