Eternal_Winter
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Chapter 28
🕑 Added 2025-05-02 13:19:31 +0000 UTCIf heaven existed in the multiverse, Ethan certainly found it. As weird as he found those crocodile people he forgot everything the moment he tasted from their food and drinks. At first he was skeptical because, well, he thought they would just eat raw meat or something like that, but then they brought out something that looked like a chicken and something similar to a suckling pig. Multiple trays of steamed vegetables, potatoes prepared in different styles. The best was tankards filled to the top with mead, the moment he smelled it water was running down his chin.
It was something different to not need food and missing the taste of food. When he dug into the pork it melted in his mouth, the skin was crispy and perfectly seasoned, the juices that dripped from his mouth brought him to a new level of taste. He ate as much as he could and washed it down with the excellent mead.
While he was never a big eater in his old life he now tasted every single dish and he was glad that his robes had still room for more. Drinking with the crocodile people, the so-called Crocodiarii was fun. They joked around the whole day, organized wrestling matches to show their strength and they drank the whole time. Even Ethan finally found a moment to just relax and laugh to his heart's content. He was sure the next day would be the most unpleasant in the tutorial but who cares?
The next morning Ethan woke up, groaning and with a pounding headache. Nora was nowhere in sight, it seems she was dealing with her own hangover, he never saw a snake drink so much. Well, he never saw a snake drink. His eyes barely open as he feels around with hands, finding a bench and hoisting himself on it. “I will never drink again…I feel worse than after the fire giant fight.” he rested his head on the table and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
When he awoke the next time it was already evening again, the headache, while still there, was manageable. He pushed himself to his feet, his leg still weak from the night before. He also found Nora coiled up on the table, still sleeping. He decided to let her rest and he quietly left the building.
Outside he took a deep breath and cracked his neck. The small border crossing was rather basic, a gate, two barracks, an armory and a kitchen. He walked around the perimeter and talked with some of the guards on duty. Their responses felt artificial but gave him the information he needed.
What was happening was that the Crocodiarii fought a war against another race called the Brammgestir, basically a race of bull people. Their god, Brambor, had some fight with their Crocodiarii’s god and now the mortals needed to fight against each other. The problem was, the war was going on for so long nobody knows who started it and why they even fought. That was bullshit of course, the tutorial wasn’t even going on for a year but there was no point in arguing about lore.
What made the whole thing interesting was that a few days ago undead troops showed up, a mixed group of both races that formed a third group. Ethan first thought it was James but he killed the necromancer, still it sounded too convenient that this started only a day or two after he killed that boy.
With all the information received a new notification appeared in his vision.
Update The three-front war
After crossing the border you learned of the conflict that was going on between the two races, the Crocodiarii and the Brammgestir. While you offered your help to the Crocodiarii you learned of a third party that involved itself into the conflict, you now stand before a choice.
- Will you support the Crocodiarii and defeat the Brammgestir?
- Will you betray your hosts' trust and work for their enemy?
Or
- Will you try to defeat the mysterious third party and make peace between the other factions?
“I kind of wanna go back to murdering those mosquito fucks now…” he sighed and rubbed his eyes. This was a mess of fighting, political work and a lot of talking. He already hated it.
Well there was a lesson here about factions and stuff, otherwise why bother making it the pivotal point of the whole region. At least that was Ethan’s thought about this rock covered wasteland. He could hate it as much as he wanted but there was only one way forward and it started with something exciting, his new class.
Making his way back to the barracks he found Nora was still sleeping on the table, sitting down he nudged her with his finger and mind to wake her up. With time on his hands he played around with his magic, forming small objects, modeling Nora with his ice and improving his fine control. There were still so many things he didn’t understand about magic.
Being able to move a new type of energy around like it’s a toy while having the power to kill and destroy was exhilarating but also horrifying. Before he could sink deep into his thought Nora woke up and looked at him, how a snake could look annoyed he didn’t know but her judgmental gaze made him flinch.
"I wanted to ask for your help in picking my class. Mind listening while I read you the possible choices?" He said to her and she reluctantly agreed. He opened his notifications and shared his options with her.
Update Class choice available!
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Complete!
[Glacial Wizard]
Specialty: Single Target Damage
[The Glacial Wizard excels at freezing and obliterating single targets with concentrated frost spells. Their expertise lies in maximizing damage against individual foes with chilling efficiency.]
[Frostbinder Wizard]
Specialty: Crowd Control
[The Frostbinder Mage manipulates the battlefield through powerful crowd control spells. He excels at freezing and pinning large groups of enemies, creating opportunities for strategic large-scale attacks.]
[Blizzard Mage]
Specialty: Area of Effect Damage
[The Blizzard Mage commands the elements to unleash devastating frost storms over wide areas. Their magic can engulf groups of enemies in chilling blasts and frigid winds.]
[Frostbane Mage]
Specialty: Damage Over Time
[The Frostbane Mage specializes in afflicting enemies with potent frost magic that saps their strength over time. Their spells are designed to erode opponents' defenses gradually.]
[Crystal Mage-tech]
Specialty: Ice Golem Construction
[The Crystal Mage-tech wields the power of frost to construct magical ice golems that aid in combat. They are masters of summoning powerful frost beings that can absorb damage and attack foes.]
When Ethan finished he instantly thought through his options. There were interesting paths, all of them reminded him of past approaches he used, ice spikes to defeat one monster at a time, ice chains and freezing winds to lock enemies in place. Large scale attacks or rituals to cover a large area, sapping stamina and health from enemies with ice and plagues. The only thing totally new to him was the crystal mage-tech, it sounded weird like it wasn’t really a mage class anymore. Taking a totally different direction but it must have a reason for showing up. Still he was pretty sure he wouldn’t take it.He wanted to start talking with Nora about each option when one of the Crocodiarii sprinted through the door and locked eyes with Ethan.
“Oh great mage! We need your help! A horde of undead are approaching the gate! Lend us your strength!” Ethan wanted to groan, the way he spoke and what he said made him cringe instantly. Still he stood up and followed the guard towards the gate.
This better be a real horde and not a handful of zombies…
