Sworded Affair

Emma returned Sir Bearington to her blade, satisfied that she'd managed an acceptable solution that kept him with her in perpetuity. Now technically alone, she finally began her descent down the staircase, expecting to return to the first floor, given the presence of the same barrier that had kept her companion from entering before. Happily, Emma found herself proven right after just a couple minutes of walking. Far less happily, she was also treading water; staring at a flooded catacomb, interspersed with islands formed of books that had floated to the top to form makeshift islands. There were no clusters of flying tomes visible, no signs of any other enemies nor any dots on her mini-map; just a flooded tunnel leading who knew where, beckoning Emma to go take a swim.

"Why wasn't Sir Bearington allowed down here?" Emma complained. "The entire library is already ruined anyway!"

"I didn't make the rules governing Scholomance; it is not my place to question the will of the creator." The overseer replied in a flat, dead tone, one that left little doubt as to her own opinion on the matter.

[Overmind always did love her books more than her people. A shame, really, otherwise she might have defeated the founder when they first met. The problem with ruling solely by fear, is that you're likely to be abandoned the moment a viable alternative presents herself.]

Who's Overmind? Emma thought, deciding this was one conversation she didn't want to be overheard.

[The greatest living practitioner of the Western tradition; the Merlin of modern magical society in England and beyond. Paradox may be stronger and Anathema wiser, but they were both born into their magic; some don't even acknowledge them as practitioners despite their power, given there was no process of learning involved to be able to use it. Ahem. Moving on, this trinity of Paradox, Overmind and Anathema, and the struggles between them have shaped the course of magic here, since the days of William the Conqueror.]

Just the west? Emma couldn't help but wonder. What of the other continents then?

[Oh, those are quite different! In fact, the Western tradition is a bit of a misnomer really, given it only really dominates on the continents of Europe and Australia. It is the path of harnessing inner power through focus, willpower and copious academia; the aesthetic and focus of Scholomance is in many ways emblematic of this tradition. By contrast, North and South America traditionally followed the path of sacrifice; warlocks forming pacts with beings of power using offerings of blood and souls, either their own or those seized from their fallen foes. Africa is closer to the European tradition but with a far greater emphasis on ritual magic, and a singular focus on death and what comes after. You'd fit in well there, given your current form. Finally, Asia blends martial strength and magic most closely of them all; in the pursuit of immortality, their cultivators are willing to go to extremes matched only by the most dedicated and insane elsewhere. If you ask me about Antarctica, I will freeze you solid.]

Emma snorted, her intentions seen through and her question dying unasked.

[Keep in mind however, that what I've listed above are only the paths available to practitioners. That is to say, a body of lore, techniques and contacts that are theoretically available to anyone with a baseline level of magic and the capacity to learn. There are many more groups whose powers are inherited rather than learned; far too many to list here in full, but the one you'll need to concern yourself about in England are the magical girls.]

What, like in Sailor Moon? Emma responded, shivering as she thought back to the insane levels of power shown in the later series.

[Not that powerful, thankfully, at least not the ones you'll be meeting any time soon. They're not a single homogeneous group either; there are many female-exclusive organizations wielding inherited magic around the world, but following the rise and enduring popularity of magical girl media from Japan, the name stuck firm for the archetype as a whole. Typically, a magical girl is born with a single type of magic at the Magus or Master level, allowing them to wield extreme power even in their early preteens. Conversely, they find it much harder to learn other forms of magic, since their souls are so ingrained with their primary affinity; an experienced magus will always be more versatile than a magical girl, though whether that makes a difference or not depends on the people in question.

Getting back to the point; magical girls rule the Eternal Britannian Empire, and given your themed focus and unusual nature, many will think that you're one of them too, even if the definition is not quite right for you. Since you're coming into contact with magical society faster than anticipated, some further instruction will be required. I will make the arrangements after this Dungeon, if the overseer doesn't.]

Thanks, Emma replied gratefully, whilst also taking the hint to refocus on her trial.

Staring at the black and briny water, thick with ambient magic, Emma sighed once before diving right in.

—

Her prey squeaked as it groomed itself, oblivious as to its impending doom. Stalking through the night, her paws silent as the grave, the huntress began her final approach. This was a most fortuitous encounter; to find prey as succulent as it was foolish, confident in its newfound strength such that it was willing to indulge in self-care both in the open and above ground.

One step, two step, red step, dead step; as her paw caught the helpless mouse in the side, stunning it long enough for her fangs to sink in, Saint couldn't help but praise her Mistress once more. Clearly, her Mistress, in her divine foresight, had known that this was the perfect hunting ground for Saint to sharpen her claws; filled with ambient anima that suffused every being still alive. Not in sufficient quantity for the demons to be drawn back, but more than sufficient for her to feast and grow; and grow she did, gaining a full two inches in length and one in height as her prey's vitality became her own.

She could have taken me with her when she departed her father's home. But if that had happened, I would have lost so many opportunities for power! Truly, I must repay her generosity with a gift of my own; perhaps a rat for the road? Nice and plump and juicy…

Permitting herself to drool just a little, Saint returned to the hunt, following the path paved by her Mistress and eradicating all the vermin along the way.

[Saint - Level 2 Cat]

—

Emma Knight - Level 8 Revenant

Race: Undead {LOCKED}

Alignment: True Neutral

Anima: 450

EXP: 1520/2000

Abilities

Summon Unholy Sword {Epitaph} (Cost: 50% current Anima)

No Pal of Mine: Capture the soul of the slain, creating a simulacrum identical in strength and fully obedient. Maximum 1 active per 10 levels, rounding up.

The Leech King - Level 8

Sir Bearington - Level 4

Weeping Scar: Wounds inflict periodic poison damage until they are healed.

Oversoul: Become intangible and possess the body of a living target. Only works on those with a lower level than the user, with effectiveness varying based on willpower.

Traits

Arcanivore: Enemies restore Anima when wounded or slain.

Wolf, Ram and Heart: All attacks imbued with Death magic, significantly increasing damage dealt.

Circle of Life: Increased affinity with animals. Decreased affinity with humans.

One with Everything: Damage reducing Anima to 0 stops at 1 instead. This effect cannot activate more than once an hour.

Inventory

Tea Kit (4/5th Bundle of Holy Tea Leaves, Kettle, Teacups, Matches)

Add-Ons

Music Player: Most of YouTube's hits, all in your head.

Fast Travel

Academia Mortalis

Main Quests

404 - Answers Not Found

Objective: Discover the cause of the mana surge that brought about the Apocalypse

Reward: ???

Blood Borne

Objective: Find your Mother

Reward: ???

Cum Laude

Objective: Reach the 10th floor of Scholomance

Reward: ???, Save Point, Quest: Magna Cum Laude