A New World, an immersive game experience

'Unlike normal materials, these were from a monster. And the higher its Tier in life, the greater its quality. There is even some equivalent of rank 2 materials here.' Eldrian smiled, it was these that he took.

Most of the parts used to belong to a Tier 6 and Tier 5 reaver and thanks to that they were almost comparable to weapons without being enhanced. While the material lost some value upon the reaver dying, it was certain to be far more useful than sticks and pebbles.

'Viggo must still feel bad about not being able to give me some sort of reward. The trade after all was mutually beneficial, so while I maneuvered my help to speed it up, Viggo must feel indebted.'

'They weren't ever in danger though.' Two noted.

'The city wasn't, that is true. However, they were losing some soldiers due to the reavers' bloodline ability. And it wasn't like the strongest fighters could rush in, there were a few strong reavers probably hidden in the cluster and that ability is tricky to deal with.'

Eldrian wasn't sure, but his help had certainly helped back then. Viggo actually arranging for Eldrian's kills to be brought to him was certainly a show of good faith. One which Eldrian greatly appreciated.

'I should remember to thank him when I see him again.' Eldrian thought as he stored the last item, the carapaces of a Tier 6 and 5 reaver. They should function extremely well as makeshift shields, though it would be sad if they were damaged. Eldrian had no idea how or if the material could be repaired.

'Whatever, it will be worth it if it saves us in a pinch. And if I never need it that would be just as great.'

If it was not damaged in the mission, Eldrian hoped to use the two carapaces to make himself some new armor or perhaps turn them into true shields. As they were now the Tier 6 had an armor rating of 40, the Tier 5 of 32. Magic armor rating was respectively 36 and 24.

'It's already equivalent to Tier 4 armor, if I can enhance it, it should be some good stuff.'

The fangs of the reavers were also impressive weapons, there was even a little venom still inside the groove that carries their venom. Eldrian doubted the venom would work against the ghoul, but against living enemies it might be quite useful.

The fangs weren't that large either, around the length of Eldrian's palm and as thick as a finger. It was about the ideal size for what he had planned. Large enough to do significant damage, but small enough to likely be overlooked.

The Tier 6 fangs had a damage value of 68, an incredibly high value for what was essentially just materials. Less than Crystoi for sure but it might actually end up really close if it was enhanced and turned into a true weapon.

'Not sure how the damage would work when I throw it around with Ether, but it should be capable of piercing most things without being damaged.'

Eldrian smiled, remembering to make a turn at his house to get these were certainly worth it. As he left, Eldrian's smile grew as he watched Brazan practice for a bit. The lizardkin already managing to gain some control over his fire spells.

Eldrian was now more curious about how he could control normal flames with low fire element quantities. He was curious if it was mana in a different form that he couldn't see even with mana sense, or if it was something completely different and unknown to him.

Before heading back to the village Eldrian made a detour to check out the memorial flower. He smiled watching the playing memories as person after person came to use the device. There was even a group taking the time to leave behind messages before they left on a mission.

'I hope it helps everyone.' Eldrian mumbled seeing this, he was glad that people seemed to be using it. He could only hope it would truly help them.

Turning around, he started his journey back to the mining village. He took his time returning. Practicing the mana control for the skill Fotias, Eldrian also spent some time getting a feel for controlling the monster parts.

The carapaces were not heavy, but controlling them correctly was difficult due to how they moved through the air as clunky shields. The fangs however flew through the air without any resistance.

'Definitely my new go-to. I just need to figure out the damage it will do. Since this is mana manipulation and not a spell I doubt I will gain an intellect multiplier, and similarly, I won't gain a strength multiplier.'

'Does the mana quantity and quality influence it? Or will it do 68 damage period?'

Eldrian knew that everything was designed to appear like a game but still functioned as reality. As such, the speed of the object must influence its damage. The momentum before impact must be important, and he could send these fangs flying at max speed.

'Will it be the force multiplied by damage value? I mean, that must be how strength and agility factor into melee weapons.' Eldrian pondered this as he arrived at the mining town nestled between two large mountains. The sun hanging low in the sky, just a few hours of daylight left.

He immediately turned his focus to Fotias, during the trip he had limited his testing to mana control and understanding the skill. Now he needed to work on the technique described and drawn on the skill page.

'Not so hard.' Eldrian mumbled, quickly covering Crystoi in flames. After all the ether manipulation practice, this was a breeze.

He simply needed to send his mana through the weapon in the required element, having it burst forth, and strike while envisioning the skill module. Or in Eldrian's case, while envisioning the end result of the flames leaping off like a viper.

Returning to his patch of dying grass, Eldrian took a few practice swings before attempting to use the skill. After six failures he paused, 'Harder than I thought it was going to be.'

'That's because you keep focusing on it like it is a spell.' Two grumbled.

'What do you mean?'

'Stop focusing so much on the mana. This is a skill, skills are all about technique. Focus on your spear!'

"Ah! That's it!" Eldrian's eyes lit up in understanding, taking his stance again. Crystoi became wreathed in fire, blazing without aim. No longer under his direct control.

'Don't focus on the mana. Focus on the spear. On the spear!' He told himself.

Eldrian found this to be truly hard, it was so against everything he knew. Against how he normally used magic. It took him three hours before he actually managed a semi-success, and that was only thanks to his inspiration from his talk with Brazan.

Without it, without having realized that he could give a spell a clear goal. That he need not manually control it all the time. It would have taken him so much longer to master how to leave the skill's mana alone and focus on his spear.

'I think I get it now.'

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support the story by simply reading on Web, voting for the story, or sharing comments. It is all greatly appreciated.