Chapter 3: Capitulo 3 – Growth and Plans
Alvo asked the Gatekeeper for tips, trying to improve his survival if something wrong comes up
Alvo: "Heitor, what magics should I learn to defend against magical beasts or save lives in extreme danger?"
Heitor: "Ah, young master, facing beasts requires more than courage. You need precision and foresight. Here are a few spells you should master for survival."
[Fireballs]: "If cornered by a predator, nothing deters them quite like fire."
[Magical Shield Barriers]: "Beasts often rely on brute force. A sturdy barrier can mean the difference between life and death."
[Heightened Senses]: "Always be aware of your surroundings. This spell will keep you one step ahead of danger."
[Endurance Amplification]: "Battles against beasts are tests of stamina. This will ensure you don't falter."
[Water Purification]: "Many a hunter has fallen not to claws, but to thirst or tainted water. Always carry this safeguard."
[Accelerated Regeneration]: "For when injuries are inevitable. Better to recover quickly than succumb."
[Lightning Bolts]: "Some creatures fear fire; others fear lightning. Know when to use it."
Heitor: "Remember, Alvo, magic is a tool, not a crutch. Learn to think like the beasts you may face, and you'll always have the upper hand."
Alvo find a place to relax and do some work in panel.
Attack:
[Fireballs]: "A classic for a reason. Direct and devastating, but control is key." [Wind Blades]: "Sharp and swift, perfect for cutting through obstacles or incapacitating foes." [Ice Magic Projectiles]: "Versatile in both offense and defense; use them to immobilize or create barriers." [Lightning Bolts]: "Fast and precise, but be mindful of its unpredictability in wet environments." [Stone Shards]: "Effective for penetrating armor or rough hides. Reliable and straightforward."
Defense:
[Magical Shield Barriers]: "Your first line of defense. Make them strong, and never underestimate their value." [Protection Runes]: "Ideal for setting traps or securing an area. They work even when you're not present." [Elemental Armor Creation]: "Adapt your armor to the situation; fire for heat, ice for durability." [Energy Giant Squid]: "A unique summon to disorient and entangle large or multiple foes." [Reflective Dome]: "Returns weaker attacks to their origin. A great way to catch opponents off guard."
Body Enhancement:
[Increased Strength]: "Useful for carrying heavy loads or overpowering physical barriers." [Speed Boost]: "Essential for dodging or retreating; always keep this ready." [Endurance Amplification]: "A lifesaver during prolonged battles or treks. Don't overuse it." [Heightened Senses]: "Perfect for detecting ambushes or tracking elusive creatures." [Accelerated Regeneration]: "Crucial in emergencies but drains energy quickly. Use sparingly."
Support and Convenience:
[Magical Light]: "Simple but indispensable in dark environments." [Instant Heating]: "From keeping warm to melting ice, its utility cannot be overstated." [Water Purification]: "Never travel without this. It can turn any water source into safe hydration." [Creation of Small Objects]: "Be resourceful; this can replace lost tools or improvise solutions." [Item Transportation]: "A handy way to move essentials without burdening yourself."
In the midst of Alvo's intense training and growing curiosity about magical beasts, Adrian Dumbledore summoned the heads of the allied families for a private meeting. The topic at hand: the future of their children and the shared destiny of their alliance.
Adrian proposed a bold plan. "Our children have shown promise beyond their years. To strengthen the bonds between our families and prepare them for the challenges ahead, I suggest they live and train together under the guidance of our best tutors. This experience will teach them teamwork and resilience."
He continued, "Alvo, as you know, is already a Level 2 wizard. I propose a target for your children: to achieve Level 1 within the next five months. With the resources of our families, I am confident this goal is attainable."
The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement, and Jon Cruz, the head of the Cruz family, spoke up. "If this prepares them for the realities of planar invasions, it's a worthy endeavor. I trust your judgment, Adrian."
Adrian nodded. "It will. The Autarch of our family has called for an incursion into a resource-rich plane. The goblins that inhabit it wield unusual steam-powered devices and have a formidable Level 7 goblin mage leading their armies.
[...]
Celeste Fontaine spoke "Speed and precision will be key. My family's teleportation specialists can establish instantaneous gateways into strategic locations within their fortifications. We can also deploy illusionary constructs to mislead their forces, making them waste resources on decoys. In addition, our alchemists can prepare advanced potions to counteract the effects of any toxins or mechanical pollutants the goblins might unleash."
Gregory Blackthorn proposed "Our expertise in elemental mastery will be invaluable. We can summon earth and water elementals to dismantle their steam-powered infrastructure. These constructs are particularly vulnerable to rust and flooding. Additionally, we'll use our shadow-cloaking spells to enable stealth teams to infiltrate and sabotage their weapon caches before the main assault."
Sofia Leclerc proposed too "The goblins' reliance on steam-powered technology can be turned against them. Our family specializes in runic engineering. We can inscribe advanced energy-draining runes onto their machinery to cause catastrophic failures. Furthermore, we'll deploy a support team to maintain communication and coordination between all allied forces, ensuring seamless execution of our plans."
Adrian then fell silent, his gaze sweeping across his allies. He turned toward his long-time confidants, Jon Cruz, Jumbs Horstail, and Hyuti WidPeetdd, signaling for their input. These families, known for their unique and complementary magical expertise, were vital to the alliance's success. After the families just spoke are all vassals.
Adrian looked to Jon Cruz first, acknowledging the Cruz family's unparalleled mastery in healing and support magic. Jon stood and spoke with measured conviction. "Our family will take on the role of sustaining the forces during the invasion. We can deploy healing wards and regenerative auras to ensure the vitality of our troops. Additionally, our advanced purification spells will neutralize any biological or toxic threats the goblins might employ. If calamity strikes, we'll ensure recovery and resilience for everyone involved."
Next, Adrian turned to Jumbs Horstail, whose family excelled in botanical magic and the creation of magical constructs. Jumbs smiled confidently. "We'll deploy our finest botanical golems as both offense and defense. Their ability to blend with the environment will allow them to infiltrate enemy territories undetected. Furthermore, we can summon enchanted forests to restrict the goblins' steam-powered machinery. Our botanical expertise will provide food and medicinal resources for the forces, ensuring their endurance in prolonged engagements.
"Finally, Hyuti WidPeetdd, representing the family's groundbreaking work in biological and nanobiological magic, rose to address the council. "Our contributions will focus on countering the goblins' mechanical advancements. We'll deploy nanobiological spells capable of disabling steam-powered machinery from within. In addition, our bioengineers can craft magical serums that enhance the physical and mental capabilities of our forces. These innovations will give us an edge in any unforeseen scenarios and ensure our troops' safety."Although the children were not permitted to participate directly, Adrian ensured that they would not be left uninformed. "This is their future as much as it is ours. They will observe the invasion from the safety of our estates through live projection drones. This will teach them the stakes involved and inspire them to embrace their training fully."
The council ended with a renewed sense of purpose. As the leaders departed to prepare their forces and refine their strategies, the next chapter in their alliance's history began to unfold.
After the meeting, Adrian and the other family heads called their children into a separate room to discuss the rigorous training that lay ahead. The room was filled with an air of expectation as the children gathered, knowing that their lives were about to change.
Adrian stood at the front, his commanding presence filling the space. "Children, what you heard today was only the beginning. From this moment onward, your training will be intense. You will live and train together, pushing your limits and learning to work as one. The future of our alliance rests on your shoulders, and the next five months will be critical in shaping you into the wizards you are meant to become."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Our goal is for each of you to reach Level 1 within this time frame. With the combined resources of our families, this is an achievable target. But make no mistake: you will need to dedicate yourselves fully. Your strength, your resolve, and your ability to work as a team will determine your success."
The children exchanged nervous but determined glances. Adrian continued, "You will also be witnessing something far beyond your current training. Soon, we will be staging a planar invasion, and you will watch it unfold from the safety of our homes. Using live projection technology, you will observe every moment, learning the real consequences of battle and strategy. It is essential that you understand the stakes. This is your future as much as it is ours."
The air in the room was thick with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Adrian's words were clear—they were being given a glimpse into a larger world, and their training was now an urgent necessity.
Adrian turned to the group, now addressing them as individuals. "Now, I want each of you to reflect on your current abilities. What are your strengths, and where do you think you need to improve? You will need to know yourselves if you are to advance."
Alvo was the first to speak, standing tall but with a hint of uncertainty. "I believe my fire magic is my strongest skill. I can control it well, and it has served me well in both offense and defense. But... I need to work on my precision and my endurance. Fire can be powerful, but it takes a lot of energy, and I tend to burn out too quickly. I also need to improve my defense against non-magical threats."
Adrian nodded, acknowledging his thoughts. "Good self-assessment, Alvo. You must learn balance. Magic is not about brute force alone, but about control and efficiency. You will refine that."
Next, Sofía spoke up, her voice calm but determined. "I am strongest in elemental manipulation, especially water. I can create barriers and shields, and I've learned to purify water in the harshest conditions. But I struggle with offensive magic. I need to work on enhancing my attack spells and becoming more versatile in my use of magic."
Her parents exchanged a look, and Jon Cruz spoke up. "Elemental mastery is invaluable, Sofía. Focus on combining your water manipulation with other elements, like ice or lightning. This will give you more options in battle."
Jon's daughter, Celeste, was next. "I am skilled with telekinesis and illusionary magic, but my weakness is combat magic. I can control objects and create illusions, but when it comes to direct confrontation, I lack power."
Adrian's gaze was piercing. "That will change. Your illusions are an asset, but you must learn to blend them with physical combat, to mislead your enemies before they even know you're there."
The room continued with each child sharing their strengths and weaknesses, including their thoughts on where they wanted to improve. Some mentioned their lack of control over certain elemental magic, while others spoke of their need for better stamina and more diverse magical applications.
Amy WidPeetdd, Adrian's daughter and Alvo's close friend, stood up next. "I've focused mostly on biochemistry and magic for healing. My nanobiological magic is strong, and I can enhance the physical capabilities of others. But I feel my offensive capabilities are lacking. I'm not as adept at direct combat spells like some of the others. I need to strengthen that aspect of my magic."
Her father, Hyuti WidPeetdd, smiled reassuringly. "Your gifts are unique, Amy. You have an edge in understanding the human body and enhancing it, but you're right—balance is key. We will work on integrating your biotechnological expertise with offensive magic. Nanobiological spells, when mixed with elemental energy, can be just as lethal as any fireball."
Miranda Horstail, Alvo's friend and the daughter of Jumbs, spoke next. "I have a strong command over botanical magic and can summon golems, but they are slow. I can heal and create shields using plant-based magic, but I lack the raw offensive power others have. I need to improve my speed and ability to fight directly."
Jumbs looked at her with pride. "You have a great foundation, Miranda. Your connection with nature is a true strength. Now, we'll work on accelerating your constructs and enhancing their versatility. You can control the environment around you—use that to your advantage."
Finally, Henry Cruz, Jon's son and another of Alvo's closest friends, spoke up. "I'm good at healing magic, but like my father, I focus a lot on supportive spells. My magic isn't very useful in direct combat. I need to learn offensive magic and better how to protect myself in dangerous situations."
Jon Cruz's expression softened, but his tone was firm. "You've inherited one of our greatest strengths, Henry, but you need to know that being a healer doesn't mean you should avoid combat. Learn to defend yourself, and remember, healing is more than just mending wounds. You must be able to control the battlefield to ensure you can keep others alive."
After the children had spoken, their parents took a turn to correct and guide them, offering their expertise as seasoned wizards.
Jon Cruz turned to his daughter. "Celeste, your illusions are powerful, but you need to learn how to quickly adapt to changing situations. Don't rely too heavily on one method. Learn to combine your powers in unpredictable ways, and your opponents won't be able to anticipate your next move."
Gregory Blackthorn addressed Alvo. "Fire is a dangerous but volatile magic. You must learn to control it with precision, but also understand when to hold back. You cannot afford to drain yourself too early in battle. Train your stamina, and never underestimate the power of strategy over brute force."
Sofía's parents, the Leclercs, were next. "Your defensive abilities are impressive, Sofía, but they are only as strong as your will to protect. You need to learn to push yourself further when under pressure. A barrier can only hold so much; it is your resolve that will make it unbreakable."
Finally, Adrian himself turned to the group. "You are each talented, but talent alone is not enough. You must become disciplined, focused, and self-aware. The path you are on is long and demanding, but the rewards are great. I expect you to exceed even our expectations."
As the meeting concluded, the children were left to reflect on the gravity of their parents' words. They now knew what was expected of them, and they understood the weight of the path ahead. It was no longer just about learning magic—it was about survival, responsibility, and the strength to rise above the challenges that awaited them.
The journey had just begun, and the path to greatness would require all of them to grow, adapt, and overcome. They were no longer just children—they were future leaders, warriors, and wizards in the making.