The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

it was limited in the sense that close and intentional attacks

with a magical weapon will get through the dense magical field. The intention of the

attacker being the operative force which enables the magical weapon to break through.

Unintentional attacks, including area of effect spells, as long as it is not directed

towards him, will either be deflected or the damage reduced.

The second was the use of energy to force away an opponent or an object. Its strength

was also dependent on will. Yet the precision needed to force away small and individual

items without affecting its surroundings needed to be learned. It demanded clarity of focus and the exactitude of the will exercised. For now, it appeared that he can

manifest the ability but in a general way, affecting an area the boundaries of which he

can’t control with the finesse he desired.

The third could be used for defensive and offensive purposes. The ability to lift large

objects. Which again was dependent on the will manifested. Unfortunately, moving

smaller objects was also subject to the same limitations of the second spell. He had to

practice to determine the present limits of the ability.

The fourth ability involved light. He could now condense magical energy in any form -

an orb, a rectangular object, a triangle, and other simple designs. Then infuse it with

light also created from such energy. As with the others, its luminescence was

dependent on his will. More ornate forms would need focus and control which he still

didn’t have. But any created lamp would be just that. A lamp. To lift or levitate it

required the third spell provided he had the ability to manipulate such a small object

and let it hang in the air. To determine its limits as well as duration, practice was again needed.

The offensive spells were basic spells, according to the Elder archive in his mind. The

first was the ever so useful basic fireball, known to most, if not all, mages on Adar. All

he had to do was concentrate the energy around him as dense as he could will it in the

form of an orb. Other shapes would do but the orb provides the fastest materialization.

He could then throw it with help from his manipulative abilities, and when it reaches its

target, will it to explode in a fiery display. Or he could concentrate on such energy at a

distance, condense it to the proper form, and then ignite it. Again, will was instrumental

in the spell's strength and area of effect.

The second pure offensive spell was a doozy but unfortunately, at his level of

comprehension, could only be used as an area of effect ability. Condensing magical

energy in front of him in the form of many small dense and sharp forms, he could fling

them against opponents within an area. He noticed that he had to consider several

factors in using the ability. One would be the form and size of the blade used. He

thought that a small basic arrowhead form would be the best shape. As long as the

edges of the arrow, in the simplest practical dimensional form, are as sharp as he could

make it. Another would be the number of blades manifested. The more blades, the

more difficult it would be. The speed of the blades as they were flung was another

factor. The desired area of effect, the question if the blades are to be targeted

projectiles, and other matters all have to be taken into account.

As usual, this is going to be more difficult than I expected, thought Tyler. Then what is?

Almost everything on Adar had been more difficult than what he expected.

He did have to name the spells to make them easier to remember. The Elder names in his mind were quite long. In a way, they described the spells and their effects instead

of giving them simple names. More of a researcher's description instead of a magic

user's preference for quick access. For example, the Elder translation for the fireball

spell was "Creating a Fiery Effect on a Desired Area Subject to Given Parameters". No way he was going to use that description. He'd be dead by the time he recalled the

entire thing. He needed simple names. Easy to recall and easy to manifest.

In that sense, he thought his gaming experience. coupled with what he knew of

modern technology, will definitely be an edge. After practicing with these basic abilities, and mastering them to some degree, he could even begin experimenting with what he

could do to enhance, modify or even merge effects.

Explosive blasts, anyone? A napalm effect? Guided blades with fire, acid, explosive and

other properties? Earthquakes? Rain fire from the heavens? Bacteriological and

chemical warfare? Use of spatial dimensions? Science fiction elements? Genetic

manipulation?

He suddenly realized that eventually, his only limitation would be his imagination. And

the capacity of his mortal body. And ability to comprehend Elder knowledge. And his

moral scruples.

No wonder he was warned against the possibility of the pantheons all working against

him if ever they begin to suspect his ability to use Elder knowledge. If ever he mastered

the full range of his abilities, and that’s a whopping big IF, he will be the most

dangerous being on Adar. Again, IF he survives that long. On the flip side of the

worrying equation is the possibility of him starting another Divine War if ever he aligns

himself with any deity or pantheon. The mere possibility of him being able to access

and use Elder knowledge is bound to guarantee another divine brawl.

For some reason, he got suddenly got depressed and his initial excitement evaporated.

Tyler sat for a while. The dawning realization of the implications and consequences of

the path he had decided upon weighing heavily on his mind. It was now clear to him

that the Elder had some unfathomable plan of their own. They planned to set in motion

a means by which a mortal, of the First World at that, will be set loose on Adar with

Elder abilities. It was a disturbing thought. Something which he had to keep in mind.

On where they are now, even if Hal disclaimed any knowledge, it was obvious that

they’re not on Adar. Though they clearly have the ability to check on things if they