From Streamer to Sorcerer: Rise of the Twitch-Magus!

[IronLung]

Alec Mason turned off his stream and sat back in his gaming chair. He gave a satisfied sigh before reaching for a can of energy drink – His eighth today. They'd provided much needed spikes of endorphins for the duration of his twelve-hour subathon.

And what a subathon it had been! His view counts were up. His subs kept flowing, and even during his two-hour sleep portion he'd had donations swarming his screen, flying passed his dozing head. Friends of his channel had popped by to wish him luck and contribute their own brands of madness to his endeavor, and as he downed the dregs of his energy drink he couldn't help but feel a sense that he'd earned some time off.

That is, of course, until the sun broke over his apartment windows and reminded him that he'd have to do it all again next morning.

He groaned as the thought took hold of him. Tomorrow was – of all things – a League day. He barely had the time or energy to stand up and flop down on his bed, let alone conquer the rift.

Instead, he distractedly browsed Discord, seeing congratulatory messages pop up all over the place – some of them coming from folk he hadn't heard from in ages. He had to admit, there was a special kind of joy in creating something people loved. Even if his mother had never supported him when he'd flunked college to do this, he hadn't been deterred. He was used to people underestimating him throughout his life.

The screeds of messages scrolling through his own Discord server were a reminder of just how much was expected of him:

-League still happening tomorrow?

-GG dude. But League when?

-Who needs sleep, right?

-There's no WAY he's gonna be ready for tomorrow…

Alec smiled as he wiped his mouth and replied with a swift tapping of his keyboard:

-AlecMasa never misses a stream. Catch you all tomorrow. Peace.

It was short, sweet, and to the point. And it was enough. The flood of heart emojis he got in response told him that.

But as he sat back and gazed about his cramped apartment, watching the first rays of sunlight spear through his blinds, he began to reflect that maybe after all there was something missing. These thoughts were often manifestations of his parents – his mother particularly – who had just never seen his ambitions eye-to-eye.

"You're going nowhere fast, boy," she'd tell him on those long nights when he'd first started his channel. Even though he could prove to her that he was making money – plenty of money – through this gig, still she just wouldn't accept that he had not only a means of steady income, but that he was monetizing his own personality.

Alec smiled at that. He didn't begrudge her. He didn't begrudge anyone. There were just some people who would never understand that you didn't have to bow to all the shit the career's advisors and colleges said you had to. If he had one 'message' he wanted to get across to people as a streamer, it was that.

After he topped the leaderboards, of course. He was a gaming channel first and foremost – always would be. He wasn't a prophet. People definitely didn't need more of them…

At this moment, his second monitor began buzzing like an angry wasp. A stout kick brought the machine back in line.

He held up his energy drink like a medieval king holding a goblet, and decided to toast his first ever anti-fan.

"To you, mom," he said aloud. "I'll try and keep tomorrow's stream PG for ya."

Again, the sound of buzzing battered his ears. This time though, his monitor had started flickering, lines of static disappearing and reappearing on its surface.

"Damn…" he mumbled as he hit the thing again. "Thing only lasted two months. I even did an ad for the company!"

After another stout kick, the monitor decided to restore his Discord chat.

Only this time, his eyes were struck by the neon message that was plastered there:

ALEC. MASON. HELP.

He stared at the message, stroking his grizzled chin at the words. They seemed almost robotic. It was probably Mia playing a joke. Her whole Vtuber persona was a cyborg catgirl, after all.

ALEC. MASON. HUMAN. CLASSLESS. OCCUPATION: TWITCH STREAMER.

"Oh, here we go," Alec sighed, hurriedly typing out a quick response to what he assumed was Mia playing a dumb prank.

-Mia, I've told you: if you wanna really make it as a Vtuber, you gotta show a little more ski-

"ALEC MASON!"

He jumped back in his seat, curiosity turning to the grim thought that, yup, the subathon had indeed driven him insane.

Because that was a voice he'd heard coming from his computer. A faint voice, sure, but one that spoke with authority.

"Alec Mason," the same voice said, typing out every word of its speech like a sentient text-to-speech device. "I have little time. You must come with me. Now."

"Right," Alex said, edging forward so he was looking right into the Discord message box that had seemed to have suddenly attained self-awareness. "Let's say I buy that the AI revolution is happening right now. What do you need me for?"

"A…I..?" the faint voice repeated, and with every new syllable it seemed to be getting that little bit fainter. Like it was…dying.

"I – I can explain," it said. "I am a God from a world far removed from your own. Or…perhaps on another plane? It is unclear even to me – dimensional travel was never my area of expertise."

Alec held up his hand and rolled his eyes. "I got it," he said. "You're from another reality. Maybe a parallel earth or something. In any case, you're a God. Cool. Nice to meet you. That doesn't explain why you're here."

Alec got the sense that the typing of this 'God' was becoming increasingly erratic as it responded.

"You are…remarkably unphazed," the God of Discord told him. "But in any case, yes, I am in need of…what would you call it? An…avatar? No – a…a champion! Yes! That's right! A champion. A champion to whom I can entrust my powers before – well, we can get to that part lat-"

Alec's tut of disapproval silenced the speaker.

"Listen, 'God'," he said. "I'm tired. I haven't had a shower in twelve hours, and I've got a League stream tomorrow. If you've got any chance of me buying this story you're spinning, you better spill the beans – why does a God need a champion? Aren't you supposed to be all-powerful or some shit?"

Again, Alec could sense that the voice's strength was waning as they spoke.

"Because…because I – we – are dying! Those damned Elves, thrice curse their ambitious souls, have all but destroyed us! I need the help of an outsider to set things right. Someone who knows what true magic really is."

"And what is that?" Alec asked, leaning forward with increasing interest.

The voice responded without any hesitation: "A way for every man to have a voice. A way for every man to create a thing of beauty. Surely…my intuition told me you were a mortal who could understand just how important such a thing is!"

Alec rocked back in his chair, admittedly considering this statement. His eyes found his Silver Youtube plaque in the corner of his room. Beside it were pictures of him meeting his fans at Twitchcon.

"…yeah," he said. "Yeah, I can understand that."

"So will you help me?"

Alec considered it while the typing of the 'God' entity kept on offering him more and more rewards.

"I will house all my power in you – grant you access to all the spells you would ever want. I was, well, I am the God of magic, after all!"

"But someone's clearly trying to kill you," Alec replied. "How do I know that as soon as you whisk me off to this world of yours, I won't be assassinated on the spot?"

"I will hide you! You will assume the body of a young man close to your own age. No one will dare look for me if I have bound myself to you – a mere mortal child."

"Hey!" Alec protested. "I'm nineteen, mate. Plus, you're the one that's asking this 'child' to help you out here. Least you could do is offer me a little incentive. Let me know what I'm getting into. For all I know, you could be the weakest God of your pantheon."

"Ah," the God's voice replied tetchily. "You wish to see exactly what powers you will wield? Behold!"

And before Alec could say another word, a list of stats flashed before his face:

[Basic Information]

Name: Alec Mason
Species: Human
LVL: 1
Class: Magus

[Core Stats]

Vitality: 20

Mana: 50

Willpower: 25

Speed: 25

Strength: 30

Prestige: 10

EXP to next LVL: 0/100

[Known Skills]

Planar Pockets, Universal Language Comprehension, Arcane Lore

Alec examined the stats, considering them and nodding approvingly at the format – these were (mostly) the classic RPG stats he was accustomed to. But there was still a niggling doubt in his mind.

"Pretty mid to be honest…" he said. "Level one? With a God's power, surely we can do better than that…"

"Oh, I – well, there are some things that are hard-coded in this world. To increase your starting level substantially would deplete the tiny mana reserves I have left and –"

Alec's finger hovered over his monitor off-button.

"I'm not feeling very persuaded here."

"Fine! I – I can't grant you higher level stats. But I can make things…simpler for you…for both of us. There is, well, there is one skill I can grant. If you have the stomach for it."

"I'm listening."

Now another screen popped up before Alec's eyes – one that glistened and fizzled as its summoner approached their grave:

New skill identified: Mana Siphon

Details: Using this skill, you can absorb mana directly from the bodies of your slain enemies.

Any mana absorbed will be added directly to your mana pool.

Acquire skill [Mana Siphon]?

A smile broke out on Alec's face.

"Now we're talking," he said.

"S-so does that mean-?" his Godly visitor asked, his voice now all but a hushed whisper in Alec's ear.

Alec sat back again as he considered this whole little chat.

"Well, unless I'm 100% crazy, what you're asking me to do is this: go to a fantasy world where I'll become a God's champion with an OP skill that lets me level faster than anyone else, and where I'll help you fix the problem with Elves messing with magic that's led to you becoming as weak as you are. That about it?"

The dying God barely squeaked: "Yes!"

And Alec, with only a half-glance at his Twitch chat, replied,"Well…it is a League day tomorrow. I guess I'm due a little vacation."

Before he'd even finished the sentence, another screen buzzed into view:

New Skill [Mana Siphon] Acquired

[Matter Transportation Activated]

[Transportation will commence in 5….4…]

"Let me guess," Alec sighed as he waved his Discord server goodbye. "This is probably gonna hurt, right?"

When Alec then felt his whole body disintegrate and peel away from his apartment, from his town, from his earth, and from everything else, he decided some questions were just better left unanswered.

…

Alec opened his eyes and felt lush grass under his hands.

He sat up and looked around at the verdant forest surrounding him. Clean air wafted up his nostrils,birds chirruped contently in the boughs of the trees, and the sun was sparkling through their leaves. In the near distance, some albino deer were drinking from a clearing.

"Well," he said aloud. "I guess I'm finally touching grass…"

His eyes then flew to the strange new threads he was wearing – an embroidered crimson robe with a high hood slung over his now very full head of jet-black hair.

Looks like I've lucked out, he thought. His receding hairline had led to comments like 'AlecBaldsa' occupying more of his streams than he'd care to admit…

Beside him was an object that seemed to radiate warmth, and he looked to see that it was a basic wooden staff with a ruby inlaid at its end. He touched it, wondering if this was really what he thought it was, and a familiar screen popped up to tell him how right he was:

Lore Check [Arcane] passed!

Item identified: Birch staff of the Archmagus [Legendary]

Item Bound to Owner: Alec Mason

Effect: Access to all schools of Magic. +10 DMG to all combat spell effects.

Not bad for a newbie, he thought. Almost feels like one of my subs carrying me through Classic Wow. Because fuck playing that game all over again.

As he grabbed his staff, he became aware of just how right he was.

Alec Mason! A voice rang out. Welcome to Arcaea!

Alec suppressed a smile as he nodded down at the glowing ruby on the tip of his weapon. "Let me guess, I'm talking to my Godly friend now?"

You are perceptive for a human! The voice replied within his mind. Indeed. And now that my prior…predicament is solved, let us commence pleasantries: I am called Thariel, God-Magus of this World, patron to all those who would take up the title of wizard.

Alec scoffed at the God's appropriately lofty introduction. He didn't know why he'd expected anything less. "You talk a pretty big game for a stick, dude."

I am an Arcane Focus, my boy, Thariel corrected. I have assumed the form of an instrument more suited to our particular situation. We are now bonded, you and I.And now that you have graciously aided me in escaping my…unfortunate incarceration…perhaps we can –"

Just as Alec was about to jump down his throat with a question (the word 'incarceration' didn't exactly paint a pretty picture of this God's power) the bushes in front of the glade began to rustle with activity. Two low growls emanated from their depths.

*Look out, Sir Alec!*Thariel shouted. Danger is approaching!

"Yeah," Alec replied. "I don't need a God's eyes to tell me that."

Two long, lupine forms leaped from the bushes and stared at Alec with grim intent, their lycan eyes swelling with fire.

[Creatures Identified]

Morphology: Dire Wolves (LVL 2)

HP: 35/35

The staff in Alec's hand began to flail around in panic – clearly representing Thariel's performance anxiety as the wolves growled menacingly at them both.

But Alec felt nothing but adrenaline pumping through his veins. This was no game, this time. This was real, and it was the most excitement he'd had in ages.

"Ready, Thariel?" he asked as the first wolf leaped towards them. "Time to see what a God of magic can really do."

The wolves came on without another moment's hesitation, their fangs dripping with saliva that betrayed their voracious hunger.

Alec never took his eyes off them.

"Thariel?" he asked. "Let's see those 'limitless spells' you told me about."

His staff continued flailing. Um, well, that is-

"Clock's ticking, holy man," Alec said as the first wolf leaped through the crisp air towards him.

When no new screen resolved itself before his face, Alec was forced to roll to the side and only just narrowly avoid the gnashing fangs of the wolf that had bore down upon him.

He regained his footing as the other wolf charged.

"Whenever you're ready, God-man!"

*Well…*Thariel's voice muttered. I – I'm not entirely sure what spell you want? We have a few options. Offensive, defensive, summoning, necrotic arts (which I don't recommend – most distasteful to the uninitiated. Very misunderstood branch of magic you understa-

"FIRE!" Alec shouted as he beat at the snout of his Lycan attacker with the butt of his staff. "Give me something with fire!"

As the wolves both charged as one this time, Thariel finally obliged:

[Spell selection]

Fire-Dart (LVL 1, Pyromancy)

Type: Single Target DPS

Mana Cost: 20

Effect (LVL 1): 10 pts of {FIRE} DMG

"That'll do nicely!"

Alec felt the enchanted ruby on the tip of his staff glow and thrumb with power, an infernal heat radiating from its tip as a bolt of energized flame gathered just above its surface.

Without another word Alec sent it flying towards the wolves. Both their eyes went wide, seemingly filled with surprise at this new turn of events, and for the slower of the two wolves this surprise cost him his life: Alec's Fire Dart caught him right in his snout and sent him tumbling to the ground, his fur burning up to a crisp beneath him.

CRITICAL HIT! (Dire Wolf PYRO Weakness exploited)

DOUBLE DAMAGE!

DMG: 40

Enemy: Dire Wolf (LVL 2) Vanquished!

EXP: +50

Not too shabby, Alec thought as he looked on the charred remains of his first opponent in this new world. Now…

The other wolf roared as it saw its friend die, beginning to zig-zag around Alec as it moved with care, trying to exploit his inferior speed.

But when Alec leveled his next Fire-Dart at the beast, it found that its efforts were utterly in vain. Alec swung his staff with both hands and let loose another bolt that connected with the wolf almost instantly – trailing towards him with such precision that it caught him right between his amber eyes.

Enemy: Dire Wolf (LVL 2) Vanquished!

EXP: +50

Congratulations! You have achieved a Level Up!

Current LVL: 2

EXP: 100/250

Attribute points to distribute: 10

Alec stretched his limbs, feeling the power of the Archmagus staff in his hands glimmer in triumph.

*Not bad at all, Sir Alec!*Thariel told him. I must say, you have managed to get accustomed to this world's combat system in good time! This bodes well for what comes next.

"Which is what, exactly?" Alec asked as he took a look at his status screen, ready to familiarize himself with the intricacies of this new world's Level Up system.

Without being able to see him, Alec knew his Godly companion was smiling.

What do you think? He chuckled. We're going to make you the most powerful magus that's ever lived.

---Feedback is welcomed on this work, no matter how harsh---

 

[Apollo_Man]

How the fuck have I not come across this before? This is fucking amazing! Hey, author! If you're reading, please write another chapter for us, will you? Don't feel motivated by the lack of comments up until now! This shit's too good to be abandoned!!

 

[IronLung]

We're going to make you the most powerful magus that's ever lived.

Alec chuckled inwardly at this concept as he opened up his 'Status' menu with a blink and a thought. These stat screens were already becoming second-nature to him.

[Basic Information]

Name: Alec Mason
Species: Human
LVL: 2
Class: Magus

[Core Stats]

Vitality: 20

Mana: 10/50

Willpower: 25

Speed: 25

Strength: 30

EXP to next LVL: 100/250

[Known Skills]

Planar Pockets, Universal Language Comprehension, Arcane Lore

[Prestige]

LOCKED

[Core Stat] points to spend: 10

Vitality, mana, speed and strength – those are obvious stats, he thought. But Willpower's one of those RPG stats that can have multiple meanings depending on the game. Let's take a look:

[Core Stat: Willpower]

Willpower governs the user's mental aptitude as well as their % change to resist hostile magical effects. It is the key stat in determining the speed of one's mana regeneration.

Current Mana Regeneration: 1pt/20 secs

Sounds simple enough – and useful. Maxing it out would normally be a given. But with this Mana Siphon skill, I'll pretty much be able to drain mana entirely if Thariel's to be believed.

He slumped down by a rock, watching as the albino deer began to creep back to the glade, sniff at the carcasses of the fallen wolves, and then go right back to drinking from the forest pond.

Still, Alec thought. It's probably best to focus on it. If this is a real RPG-like fantasy realm, there'll be Boss battles. And if I'm in a Boss battle without any minions to draw power from, I'm probably gonnahave to get used to kiting the enemy while I wait for my mana to regen. That, or start bashing at them with my staff which, let's be honest, is the last port of call for any mage.

Vitality would also be a good choice!Thariel then shouted, the ruby on Alec's staff glowing as the God spoke to him directly. Survivability is always nice!

"For a min-maxer like me," Alec replied with a smile, "The glass cannon build always comes out on top. You must have healing spells, right?"

At Thariel's silence, Alec simply sighed again.

"Thariel, if you don't trust your champion enough to be honest with him…"

The staff wiggled nervously.

Healing magic is…well…not quite my domain. My Brother Malkavius, on the other hand, ha! You should have seen him in his prime, Sir Alec! Humans would make pilgrimage to his altars from as far as the Eastergal mountains to receive divine blessings! His is – was – an older kind of magic…

Thariel trailed off sullenly, and Alec couldn't help but sense that their conversation had strayed into uncomfortable territory for him.

He left it there, deciding to allocate 5 stat points to his Willpower and 5 to Vitality for the time being. Thariel had a point – if he couldn't rely on OP healing magic or priest-spell buffs, then he'd have to keep an eye on his HP.

[Core Skill increases]

Willpower: 30

Mana Regeneration: 2pts/20 secs.

Vitality: 25


"Alright," Alec said as he stood and weighed the birch staff in his hand. His eyes flew to his first downed opponents. "Time to see what this little skill of yours can do."

[Mana Siphon]

[Activate?]

Alec could sense something emanating from the fallen wolves – almost like a shimmering silhouette of energy that was rising in little whisps from their bodies.

And within him then came the desire – pure and primal – to consume.

I did warn you about this skill, Sir Alec, Thariel said. It is considered a Black Art – something seen by mortals as distasteful in the civilized world. Well, in what passes for the civilized world now, anyway.

Alec approached the beasts and breathed in deeply, coming forward and laying his gloved hand on the still hide of the first one he'd killed.

"Come on, Thariel," he said. "Didn't you say that all magic was worthy of study? That it could give every man the chance to create something beautiful?"

The stick-bound God seemed unconvinced. Some menare not destined for certain…types of beauty.

"Well then," Alec smiled. "Let's see what kind of 'beauty' I'm destined for."

[Mana Siphon: Activated]

In the next instant, Alec felt his lungs expand and his limbs contract as the ethereal outline of the wolf ran up his fingertips, down his hand, and snaked its way through his veins.

And as it then coiled around his arm and entered his heart, he felt a surge of energy flow through him.

Mana Absorption: Successful!

Mana Increased! (+5)
Mana: 20/55

When the status screen faded away, Alec wheezed a breath of relief.

Remarkable…Thariel murmured in his mind. You siphon the energy of the beast as though you were born to…

"Mom always did say I was a leech," Alec smirked, before he placed a firm hand on the next wolf and repeated the process.

Mana Increased! (+5)

Mana Increased: 25/60

"Just like the Dragonborn," Alec whispered as he felt the energy of the wolf fill him. "Guess this is better than letting these guys go to waste."

All creatures born with a soul have an innate magical essence or 'Kama' within them, Thariel explained. As God of Magic, I can detect and take such essence to rebuild my own. The ability is yours now, Sir Alec.

"And it looks like it works to replenish my current mana reserves andincrease my maximum mana pool, too. Not bad, Thariel. A skill worthy of a God's champion, alright."

The staff wiggled approvingly in his hand, and Alec, for the first time since he'd come to this new realm, managed a laugh.

"So where exactly are we?" he asked as he regarded the dense forest around him. "You said this world was called Arcaea, right?"

Correct, Sir Alec. You are currently in the Grembelm Forest, situated just off the east coast of the Isle of Valdia. This island was once my dominion, Sir Alec. Now, well, you have seen what has become of even the lowly wolves in this forest. They are merciless. And they desire nothing more than to kill.

Alec began walking over to where the albino deer were drinking, and spared a minute to look into the pond and inspect his strange new appearance. Sapphire eyes framed by a gaunt face stared back at him. His thin-lipped mouth wasn't distasteful – nothing about this appearance was – but something about seeing a new self with totally new eyes was so jarring that he felt compelled to stare in wonder for a moment.

There will be many questions you have for me, I'm sure, Thariel said. Take your time. I shall answer each one promptly, and will make sure-

"We can fight and talk," Alec told the God. "After all, I've got wolves to slay and Mana to gain."

Thariel seemed taken aback by Alec's boldness as he tore himself away from his reflection. The ruby seemed to glare back at him with a questioning glow.

"Something you'll learn about your new champion," Alec said. "I prefer to multitask. When I'm not working, I feel like I'm wasting time. And according to you, we've got a lot of business to take care of, right?"

As he stepped over some stray logs and followed the tracks left by the wolves, once again he felt Thariel smile.

Alec, he said. I knew I made the right decision in choosing you.

…

Congratulations! You have slain a [Dire Wolf (LVL 2)]

EXP: +25

[Mana Siphon: Activated]

Congratulations! You have slain a [Dire Wolf (LVL 2)]

EXP: +25

[Mana Siphon: Activated]

Congratulations! You have slain a [Dire Wolf (LVL 2)]

EXP: +13

[Mana Siphon: Activated]

As Alec explored the forest of Grembelm, a trail of fiery destruction traveled with him.

Diminishing returns, he thought as he cut an arc of flame through another rabid wolf's torso. I get less EXP from each subsequent kill.

Thariel was endeavoring to keep up with him as he went from glade to glade, taking down entire packs of wolves without a second thought.

Yes…well, you must understand that we Gods had to think of something to protect the local ecology. The creatures of each region are hunted for their meat, of course, but their breeding rate generally remains higher than the rate at which they can be slaughtered for consumption. Of course, we couldn't rule out the possibility that young adventurers might seek to eradicate the animal populations for easy sources of EXP, which is why my Sister, Ea, the Goddess of Living Matter decided to implement this diminishing effect.

Congratulations! You have slain a [Dire Wolf (LVL 2)]

EXP: +1

"I'm guessing it eventually gets to zero," Alec sighed, staring back at the trail of ashen corpses he left in his wake. "As will my mana absorption."

Alec didn't really need the God to answer his query. Looking down at his arm as it hovered over another dead wolf, he felt that the power he was siphoning barely amounted to a drop in his mana pool, now.

"Well, you can tell your sister not to worry," Alec said. "I'm not planning on taking on anymore wolves. I'd say my tutorials pretty much complete."

Alec smiled thinly as he brought up his status screen without hearing a single growl or roar from anywhere around him. The results of his constant battling spoke for themselves:

Congratulations! You have achieved enough EXP to Level Up!

[Basic Information]

Name: Alec Mason
Species: Human
LVL: 3
Class: Magus

[Core Stats]

Vitality: 15/25

Mana: 55/120

Willpower: 30

Speed: 25

Strength: 30

Recovery: 20

EXP to next LVL: 250/500

[Known Skills]

Planar Pockets, Universal Language Comprehension, Arcane Lore

[Prestige]

LOCKED

[Core Stat] points to spend: 10
"Hey," Alec said as he allocated all ten points into his Vitality, "Does your Diminished EXP trick really stop more…let's say 'trigger happy' adventurers?"

We…well, we get the odd sociopath every now and then, Thariel admitted. But such individuals often find that they lose steam after some time. Though this does not happen…as much as we would like…

Alec chuckled as he stopped by a particularly sturdy oak tree and took a moment of brief respite.

[Activate Rest mode?]

Alec cocked his eyes at the notification, specifically narrowing them at the word 'Rest'.

[Rest mode]

{Resting} provides the adventurer with a way to restore their hit points. While resting, the adventurer enters a state of meditation or sleep.

Vitality restoration rate is determined by the 'Recovery' [Core Skill]

Current Vitality Restoration Rate: +1/1 hr rest.

WARNING! While an adventurer is engaged in a {Rest}, they are vulnerable to surprise attacks from hostile forces. Certain skills may reduce the likelihood of surprise attacks.

Current probability of a {Surprise Attack} when resting in [Region: Forest OfGrenbelm]: 55%
"Ouch," Alec said as he slumped to the ground. "Looks like quite the tradeoff for such a low rate of restoration. Then again, I've seen this done worse before. Plenty of RPGs have a default rest rate that isn't affected by a Player's stats at all. This is a design of yours that I can appreciate, Thariel."

I cannot take all the credit! His Godly companion told him. After all, it is my Sister, Goddess Mystraven, who handles the domain of sleep and dreams. Or…that is…handled them.

Alec furrowed his brows as he listened to the God's words. All the guy had spoken about during the time he'd been rampaging through the forest had been the 'once glorious' nature of his world – how the Gods had brought peace to all mankind before the onset of the darkness that had now draped itself over the land.

But if Alec was being honest, a couple of grisly wolves didn't exactly suggest a corrupted world. Everything he'd seen so far was familiar. So familiar, in fact, that it felt uncannily similar to the RPGs he streamed when he wasn't doing a Variety hour. He could only thank Thariel and his other Gods for not modeling this world off of Stardew Valley…

"Tell me about this place, Thariel," Alec said as he felt himself begin to doze off and begin his first [Rest]. All he needed was five measly hours. Then, well, he'd just have to find himself a healer or die trying. Resting like this was never a reliable method of restoring HP long-term.

He felt Thariel sigh deeply in his mind at his question. The darkness of night began to wrap itself over the forest of Grenbelm.

It is…a long story, Sir Alec. Perhaps it would be best if I started at the beginning…

 

[Apollo_Man]

When will he invent the Testicular Torsion spell be?

 

[IronLung]

[Rest Mode: Activated]

The leaves of the oak tree above Alec rustled in the chill wind. Night had fallen on Grembelm forest, and it seemed like the perfect time for a God to spin a story.

There were once nine of us, Thariel said. Nine deities each governing a part of this realm. Since the beginning of life on Arcaea, we kept balance and peace throughout the world. For the two dominant species on this planet – the Humans and Elves – life was fair and just. No adventurer ever thought of turning against the Gods that governed the System of this world. Why would anyone choose war over peace?

There's always gonna be a reason, Alec replied quietly in his meditative trance. For people that just want to turn the world to shit, they'll always find a justification.

You are more right than you know, Sir Alec. Our tragedy came in the form of ambition. Ambition that had always plagued one specific species of this world whose arrogance knows no bounds.

The Elves, Alec finished.

The Elves, Thariel repeated, the gem on the Archmagus staff glowing with hellish red hate.They sought to usurp the heavens themselves. We Gods saw the signs – the rising political powers that were gaining a foothold in Arlandriel – their native homeland. But there were those of us who urged compassion. There were those of us who denied what they saw happening before our very eyes.

Alec nodded in his dream-state. And you were one of them, weren't you?

Thariel said nothing for a few moments, and only responded after he realized that Alec was not mocking him.

…yes, he replied. As God of Magic, I loved all my children who practiced the Art. I believed magic was a tool for creativity, vision, for building a better world…

And that's the problem with tools, Alec murmured. They can be used for good and bad…

And that is exactly what happened, Thariel continued, his faint voice flaring up again in anger. One day, they went too far. A group of them – the nine rulers of the Arlandriel – composed a spell I believed to be impossible: they summoned a portal to the heavens. They came to us with their armies. They found each one of us in our own pocket planes. And then they killed us, one by one.

Alec absorbed the information in silence, realizing that this is why Thariel had always referred to his Brother and Sister Gods in the past tense. They were gone. Murdered.

And you? Alec asked. How did you survive?

A God of Magic has his ways, Thariel replied grimly. As the Elven warlord rose to cast his final blow against me, I tore open a temporal rift and escaped with what little essence I had left in me. My form was destroyed, but my mind – and my Kana – held on just long enough to find you.

Me, Alec repeated. Out of everyone you could have chosen, you chose me.

I needed someone who understood what magic was – and what it could be, Thariel said. I strained my mind to find that person, using what last reserves of Mana I had to latch onto that individual.

And Discord let you in, Alec sniggered in his mind. There's something almost, I dunno, poetic about that.

[Rest time remaining: 2 hours]

Hey, Thariel? Alec asked. Why did those Elves want you guys dead? Power? Big egos? Something else?

Alec's staff twisted. Sir Alec, I do not know. None of us did. Your guesses are as good as mine.

Alec shrugged in his sleep-state. Looks like even Gods aren't perfect at reading mortal motivations.

Even with all the power in the world, there are some things one cannot see. You may realize that in time, Sir Alec.

No doubt, Alec replied. So, basically you want me to take these guys down? These nine Elven Warlords?

Exactly, Thariel confirmed. That, and re-connect this world with its Gods. The Nine have warped this place beyond recognition, Alec. They each rule a different region of Arcaea with a rod of steel, punishing dissent, turning neighbor against neighbor, and, worst of all, banning the practice of magic so that only they may reap the rewards of the Art.

Magic is banned? Alec queried. That's…huh. Yeah, that's gonna make things more difficult.

We must try to win the hearts of the people, Thariel said. Only then can we rebuild the reputation of magic in this broken realm. I have brought you here, Sir Alec, to rectify my shortsightedness. I have brought you here to become the new God of Magic, and convince the people to rise against the Elven Tyrants that rule them.

No pressure, then, Alec sighed inwardly. Luckily for you, you just happen to have picked a streamer who knows a little about grinding EXP and grinding subs at the same time.

Subs?Thariel asked.

A question for another time, Alec replied. Right now, I think we've got some more pressing issues.

He heard the rustling of the bushes nearby just in time to open his eyes and see the [REST INTERRUPTED. SURPRISE ATTACK!] notification blaze into life before his eyes.

In the next second, a bolt of fire streaked towards him from the bushes.

Sir Alec!Thariel shrieked. Look out!

The firebolt tore through the dark air and stopped a mere three inches before Alec's nose, fizzling out and turning to nothing but harmless embers.

"Thariel," Alec murmured as he twitched his nose and grabbed his staff. "You didn't think I'd take arest without setting up some precautions, did you?"

In the next instant, the shimmering sphere that had surrounded Alec's inert body dropped and faded away.

[Spell selection]

Counterspell Aura (LVL 1, Alteration)

Type: Single Target Self/Ally (Reactive)

Mana Cost: 40

Effect (LVL 1): Nullifies the effects of any Single Target LVL 1 spell

Alec was on his feet and scanning the bushes before his opponent even realized what their prey had just done.

"Thariel!" Alec barked. "We're gonna need some light here!"

C-coming up!

[Spell selection]

Lava Orb (LVL 1, Pyromancy)

Type: AOE

Mana Cost: 10

Effect (LVL 1): Illuminates a sphere of 20ft around a space designated by the Caster

Alec watched the ruby at the end of his staff flicker with restrained power, and in the next instant he launched a small burr of red towards the place the enemy Fire Dart had come from.

A collective shriek answered him, illuminating the gangly forms of three ugly little greenskinned creatures who were staring right at him with bug-like eyes.

[Enemies Identified]

[Goblin, LVL 1]

Vitality: 40/40

[Goblin, LVL 1]

Vitality: 40/40

[Goblin Shaman, LVL 2]

Vitality: 25/25

Shaman…Alec thought. Looks like we've got a rival mage on our hands.

The tallest of the Goblins leveled his dark staff at Alec, barking a guttural command to his allies beside him. They both brought up a bow and knocked an arrow at Alec's face.

"Guessing the Goblins in your world aren't exactly adept at conversation?" Alec asked Thariel.

Afraid not, Sir Alec. In this world, I am afraid there is only one language Goblinoids understand.

"Suits me," Alec smiled as he checked his Vitality (20/25). "They never are, no matter which world they belong to…"

Two arrows whizzed through the air toward Alec, who managed to roll out of their way and send a Fire-Dart trailing towards one of the bowmen in response.

He watched as the traveling flame hit the creature square in its bulbous nose, sending him flying back into the bushes and screaming as his body burned.

Congratulations! You have slain a [Goblin (LVL 1)]

EXP: +60

"Pretty decent EXP!" Alec shouted as the remaining Goblins looked on him with terror-filled eyes. "You sure you don't wanna run?"

The Goblin shaman swung his staff and slammed it into the earth in response, green energy crackling from its base and flying towards his companion.

Alec watched as the other Goblin archer grew to the size of a silverback gorilla before his eyes.

[Goblin: Enlarged (Concentration spell)]

Vitality: 60

Well…that's new, Alec thought.But concentration – now that's a spell type I recognize.

An Enlargement Spell! Thariel shouted. This Goblin has come prepared. Perhaps they have been tracking us for some time.

"A kill team, then?" Alec smiled as the Goblin-gorilla roared and charged at him. "Cool. It was about time I had a challenge."

The Goblin took a swipe at Alec that connected, sending him flying back into the oak tree where he'd started his rest. A quick glance down at his chest told him some damage had been done, and his Vitality dropped by a whole ten points to 15.

"Could really be using some healing magic," Alec told his Godly companion as the Goblin leaped towards him to finish him off. "But I'll take anything that could stop this thing!"

Thariel's response was stuttered. Is it really possible a God of Magic could be this hesitant to use his powers?

Um…I might have something. But it will take a little bit of luck to-

"Just let me see it!" Alec shouted as he barely avoided a killing swipe of the enlarged Goblin. He only just managed to activate a Counterspell Aura to break apart another Fire-Dart the shaman had sent flying towards him.

As the hulking Goblin threw spittle in his face, Alec saw exactly what he was looking for appear in another screen before him:

[Spell selection]

Gorgon's Tooth (LVL 1, Alteration)

Type: Single Target

Mana Cost: 30

Effect (LVL 1): Paralyzes an enemy with less than 30 Max Vitality for 10 seconds.

Alec smiled up at the great brute that was about to end his existence in this world before it began.

Sir Alec! Thariel shouted. His Maximum Vitality is too great! This will never work with the spell at this level!

"Lucky for me then," Alec replied. "Because its not him I'm aiming for."

Alec's staff shot out and propelled a globule of crackling black energy from between the Enlarged Goblin's legs, which hit the cackling Goblin Shaman behind him square in his chest, sending him falling prone like a crumbling statue.

Meanwhile, the great Goblin's hulking arm shrank back down with the rest of his form, and his tiny nails grazed Alec's shin harmlessly.

Both man and Goblin shared a look before Alec decimated the creature with another Fire-Dart that speared right through his chest.

Congratulations! You have slain a [Goblin (LVL 1)]

EXP: +60

You…you directed the attack at the Shaman, Thariel whispered. You knew it would serve the twin purposes of breaking his concentration and leaving him at your mercy.

Alec smiled as he heard Thariel's tone almost approach giddiness.

Ah! The God sighed. This reminds me of the old days of Magus duels. Sir Alec, there are such stories I could tell you about –

"Let's leave them for now," Alec replied as he walked over to the fallen shaman and nudged him with his foot, watching the Goblin's tiny eyes stare up at him in mute horror.

Best end him and be done with it, Sir Alec, Thariel said. Death would be a blessing for a failed Goblinoid hunter.

Alec bent down and leveled his staff at the paralyzed creature lying before him.

And as the thought of communicating with the beast entered his mind, his [Skill] screan flashed into life before him:

Known Skill: Universal Language Comprehension (Legendary)

Skill Type: Passive

Effect: This skill allows the User to understand and communicate with all species known to Arcaea.

"You don't wanna die, do you, little guy?" Alec then asked the terrified eyes of the helpless creature. "No one does. So, how about we make a little deal? Blink twice, and we'll talk."

The Goblin seemed at first shocked by Alec's understanding of his guttural tongue, but then he blinked twice in what seemed like a gargantuan effort.

Alec?Thariel asked. What do you hope to gain from this beast?

"Oh, just the answer to a question," Alec replied as he brought the burning ruby of his staff closer and closer to the Goblin's terrified face. "See, I have a hunch: if this guy and his hunters were tracking me, that means they must have a base somewhere nearby. And if RPGs have taught me anything, it's that early game Goblin camps are EXP havens. And that means more mana for both of us."

Alec couldn't quite place the sound that reverberated in his head after that. Only as the Goblin was starting to come out of his paralysis did he understand that it was Thariel's laughter echoing in his brain.

Sir Alec, the God said. You were born for this world.