Fox Tale Of A Dungeon Boss

So I probably spent quite a few hours mining those crystals(hehe).

The area we entered was picked clean, and we had reached the end of the cavern, a stone door.

'Hey, we basically just stole all this Dungeon's batteries right? Why hasn't it defended itself?'

<Analyze suggests that the crabs are unable to enter after you broke the door, snapping the dimensional connection until the Dungeon repairs it, and this cavern has no guardians of its own.>

'Ah... that'd explain it.'

In the meantime, I actually used Freezing/Burning so much with that same tune that I got it to Level 5! Holy shit!

The description just changed to say "instantly cause extreme hot or cold", but to put it simply, I can now within about 1 second, freeze all the water inside a living thing, or cause all the water inside someone to boil and evaporate, basically making them explode as all that has to escape.

How do I know that? I asked Analyze to check the power of my spell and compare it against a normal organism.

Keep in mind that's a 'normal organism'. I got no patience for all these magic-monster-crap things I gotta fight.

So yeah, that's a thing. Also Analyze might max out at level 5 pretty soon too.

'Hmmmgh... let's try that.'

As we settled down by the door, Luna kept throwing looks at me.

Finally, "are we seriously sleeping here?"

"Yes, I can detect danger now and will know if we're being attacked. We had a long day and need some rest."

"We don't even have a light! Do we sleep by the door?"

I cast healing light, but just floated it as a light source in between us, and said "well we could only see thanks to the crystals, and now only 3 remain right here by the door. So yes, we are sleeping by the door."

She was obviously unsettled, so I added "I'll cycle my light-giving spells until I fall asleep to provide light so nothing sneaks up on us in the dark."

After awhile, we settled down, Luna putting her head on her arms and swiftly going to sleep.

'I guess as a slave she probably slept in worse places... at least it isn't cold in here.'

On a side note, my cycling spells was great for grinding Proficiency. Why wasn't I always doing this?! Note to self: grind spells and techniques whenever possible.

After awhile, I lay and I cast my spells. Finally I couldn't take it any longer, and sat up.

Fenrir c.o.c.ked his ear up, wondering what was wrong, but I waved my hand to signal that it was fine, shooting a glance at Luna asleep.

Her hair fell as a midnight curtain across her sharp, pale face. She was small, and angled, looking somewhat as what you'd expect a forest sprite or elf might, except her ears were round and had an additional pair on top of her head!

'She might be short and slight, but she's actually really pretty when she's clean and healthy...'

I shook my head, turning around, and using light magic to give myself light as I walked back down the cavern to a more secluded area.

Finally, I sat on an outcropping of rock, and sighed.

'I just wanted to sleep, but I can't. I'm being bugged by the way I've used this job class!'

My job class obviously wanted me to use music to control and manipulate others, while throwing spells and predicting patterns.

However, that hasn't exactly been working out right now. In a situation where I'm panicked, running, or fighting in close-combat, trying to sing is near-impossible, and playing an instrument will likely be even harder once I get one.

"What are my greatest strengths?" I asked myself, letting my voice fade into the dark.

'...creativity.'

I can improvise music to an extent, and am good at creating magic very quickly to suit my needs. I'm pretty creative with how I shape magic and music.

'...!'

"Dungeon!"

<...?>

"Are spells the only way to use elemental Magic's?"

<...no. Blood Aura can also gain a single element with enough practice, which you've nearly done a few times with mild fire energies along your weapons aura.>

"...oh... that's not exactly what I was hoping for."

<Can you explain?>

"Well... I guess I was hoping to use some form of free-flowing magic? Like using fire-bending instead of specific and therefore restrained Fire Spells."

"Basically, using magic to summon fire, and then being able to change the shape and structure of the spell in an instant however I like!"

<...such a thing is not impossible, but cannot be done by you yourself.>

"How the hell is that fair? And what must be done to accomplish that?"

<Tame a being of pure magic and soul, a Spirit, and you can change your magic-type to be bonded to the spirit, allowing you to use magic as you just described. Spirit Magic like this is sought out to allow a Mage to 'instantly' cast magic without spells, but you aren't the one actually casting magic.>

'...huh?'

<Spirits: A Soul with a body built of pure elemental energy and mana, with no true physical form. You can create a bond with one, and it will be fed by your mana and grow, and can use your mana to cast magic you want it to, Spirit Magic.>

"So I wouldn't even be controlling the spell?"

<As your souls are bonded, you are still able to directly cast the magic, using the Spirit as a medium, or allow it to fight on its own and let you act independently as well.>

"THAT SOUNDS FANTASTIC! I could get multiple spirits of different elements and change my magic-style completely!"

<Yes... you could... but...>

"Yeah? But what?"

<Why exactly would you want this sort of magic all of a sudden?>

"Ah... that..."

<Also, spell-magic and Spirit Magic are not the only ways to wield the force of Mana in the world. Many peoples and groups have found different ways to utilize magic. So why this type so specifically?>

I looked up at the cave ceiling, floating a Healing Star as a light source.

"I don't feel like spells fit with the battle style I've been trying to use. They're great, magic is absolutely the best, don't get me wrong."

<But...?>

"It's... sigh... too rigid. My magic isn't exactly flexible. To adapt to new situations like the crabs earlier today, I quickly created a new spell based on the physics of metal decay, which is thankfully still somewhat similar in this world, and creatively used Freezing, but I can't always do that."

"I have too many spells, and I can't raise all their proficiencies. Like seriously, WindBlade is practically forgotten! In other words, spells are good for specialized magic to great effect. And for mages who study certain types of magic or paths, like a specifically Fire-Mage, that's great."

"But I'm not a specified Mage. I'm a Demonic Tunist, and my magic abilities are born of the class Mage Musician currently. A musician can and will specialize in one instrument, one type of music..."

<...But as a Musician, you don't rigidly create certain set songs or music, but chaotically make something unique every time? It's all whatever you improvise or get creative with in the moment, right?>

"Exactly! That's what I mean! And if my magic IS my music, then shouldn't I try to follow a magic style that matches my music?"

<Very well... the path of the Demonic Tunist is YOUR path after all. The way you choose to walk it is the right way.>

<Ding~! Income Task: Path of Magic:Spirit Class!>

...huh?

***

Task: Find and Create a Bond with a Spirit, or find some other source of magic that will allow you to properly utilize your potential.

Info: you have found that your current magical capabilities won't be able to head down the path unique to you quite properly, and are seeking to adjust your abilities to create new heights!

Reward: 2 Spirits of an element you do not yet possess, or a different reward if you choose another way to progress your battle style.

***

So I guess this is important. Yeah... but at least I'll be able to rest now that I've sorted out the problem in my head and at least thought up a possible solution.

Tomorrow, escape the Dungeon, or best it(I wonder what defeating another Dungeondoes for me as a Dungeon Boss?). Then, continue down this damn-time-consuming path, and meet the freakin Fox God!

I nodded, satisfied with the restated goals I currently had, and went back over to the other two.

I lay down, wrapping my tail over my waist and towards my front, and was soon asleep.