Master Of None

While the party traveled back toward the more populated area of the tunnels they finally managed to get Walker to spill the details of his new skill. It took a lot of apologizing and a significant offer of help in training. He had decided to take a more hands on approach in learning some defensive techniques, archery, and even was beginning to accept Remey's proposal to learn a punch or two. This was all to make it toward the combo skill. 

"If you use the calming touch on one of us before we went to train a new skill then we should have a faster and easier time of it?" Gil was clarifying this for the third time since he was having a hard time wrapping his head around something so great. 

"Yes, again, yes. It would calm your mana in your body so that you could more easily use skills. That alone is huge, but with the bonus of increasing your understanding of the skill you were learning you will be able to master it much faster." Walker only wished he could somehow use the skill on himself. But as he walked he had tried and found it was not successful. However, he did notice that Onyx and Midnight were quieter and slower than usual. 

"How do you two feel? I used the skill on both of you when I got it so you should have a calmer mana running through your bodies." Walker was worried that it might not have worked properly since he had just gained the skill. 

"Brother, Sister and I have been talking about the elemental mana we absorb from crystals. She says she can feel it merge with her body where I can feel it turn in to energy then merge with my body. We are wondering about why and how this works. We feel like we can understand our mana flow much better now and want to keep discussing it." 

The entire party was in awe of this. The two had been taking advantage of the situation to understand their very own mana flow within their bodies. Since they could not just stop and start training this was a great idea. If they understood the very flow of mana within their own bodies then they would be able to make improvements in everything they did. Not only would they improve in the skills they used but they would also improve in their actions. 

Walker coughed slightly, "Sorry for disturbing you two. I'm glad you are both getting a better understanding." He just watched as the two would make slight movements toward each other as they walked. Onyx was still sitting on Midnight's back but could easily be seen flexing certain parts of his body. Midnight, on the other hand, appeared to be flexing the muscles in her wings to try and gain an understanding of how mana flowed through them. 

"Well, now I feel like we are missing out." Remey was fairly jealous of them for being able to improve while they walked back. 

"We can not relax yet. If there are any monsters around these abandoned sections of the cave we will need to be fully focused." Su was the voice of reason but this didn't stop her glances at Midnight and Onyx. Her own jealousy was plain to see. 

"Anyway, If you want to try and learn another archery based skill I am fine with showing you. But I think you should try and learn snipe. It's one of the skills Wade has. He can shoot from long range and hit more accurately with the skill than I would be able to. I have been meaning to ask him how I can get it as well." 

Gil had already done his own longer ranged practice but not gained the snipe skill he knew that his system could award to him. Fo him this would mean he could deal with threats that Walker was using dangerous magic on. If he used the fire flower attack spell Gil needed to hunker down even at his farthest range. Yet, if he learned the snipe skill he would be able to remain ready and standing to attack without worry about being injured in the blast. 

Walker nodded along with this. It was a good idea to try and get Wade's help with these things. They would only be able to see him for another day or so before the king and others got to the elf city. Once that happened they would be in a flurry of debates, trade conversations, and rushing off to the dwarven kingdom.

"Leader, I would like you to learn the wide guard skill. If I am injured it is the best skill to protect everyone on the party. It is only a mid level skill but worth the time I put in to practice it." Su had been worried that one day she may not be able to hold both of her shields and would need assistance to guard the others. 

"I understand. I won't mind learning that skill. You said it only costs three mana too so it is extremely efficient. I can also wield your shields too so I can make sure that they remain our best defense." Walker saw that Su lost her poker face and smiled a little. She was very happy to be setting the party up for safety in the future. 

"Why are you looking at me? You already know that you should work on the combo skill. If you practice some punches like me then they are the easiest to use in succession. The combo skill will come naturally using them." Remey was just stating a common sense fact. If Walker took the time to learn a jab or the hammer punch Remey used he might learn the combo skill faster. The only problem was his aversion to learning close combat punches. He liked weapons and magic the best. It was a hard decision for him. 

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