Shadow Shield

Renato locked the door, drew the curtains, and immersed himself in the forbidden knowledge written on the Skin of the Nameless One.

The ten silver coins he had given Perly as her share of yesterday's job payment had eased the little mage's finances again. She had hurried out early that morning to learn new spells at the Grand Library.

Before leaving, she had also pulled two books from the pile of novels on the table, saying she would ask how much the general store would pay for them.

With nothing else to do, Renato finally gave in to temptation and opened the Human Skin Book.

His body's original owner had spent years scheming for this grimoire. Just what sort of power did it contain?

No strange phenomena appeared when he opened it. The contents were a jumble, without a table of contents or even paragraph breaks, and reading them made his scalp prickle.

The entire book was written in Deep Speech, and its author certainly hadn't been human. Even setting aside the ravings Renato couldn't understand, which seemed like words jumbled at random, the remaining sentences were filled with baffling analogies and metaphors.

Renato found a few pages he could more or less decipher. They seemed to explain a defensive spell.

"Just as that formless primordial substance endures the crushing weight of the deepest seas, its principle lies not in 'resistance,' but in 'integration.' The corporeal shell should be neither bone nor flesh..."

It looked more like philosophical speculation or bad poetry than magical theory. He knew the basics of spellcasting. How could anyone cast a spell without incantations or gestures?

Renato frowned and looked at the diagram below.

At first glance, it was a complex geometric figure, but closer inspection revealed that every angle was slightly skewed. What had initially been a unified geometric shape now fractured into contradictory patterns that defied description.

The prolonged reading made Renato's eyes sting. He blinked, trying to ease their dryness.

Like the formulas and models recorded in Perly's spellbook, this diagram might be a spell model-the core of the spell.

He tried to memorize it, but the diagram kept changing. How could a fixed memory keep pace with something constantly shifting?

He tried to copy it, but the diagram was warped and contradictory. How could a human draw a square circle?

The harder Renato tried to understand it, the more indistinct the diagram in his mind became. The futility left him increasingly irritated.

An inexplicable anger rose in his chest, making it hard to concentrate.

His thoughts grew more chaotic. Just as he was forced to give up, the symbols he had read began surfacing uncontrollably in his mind, and a powerful intuition struck him.

Perhaps not thinking, not understanding, was the right approach?

Just as insects couldn't understand human behavior, how could he, limited by the structure of his brain, learn the truths flowing through all things?

That's right. He didn't need to understand at all. Renato grasped it. He only needed to use it, directing that omnipresent, dormant energy just as a newborn baby "used" its limbs.

The distorted diagram instantly became clear, and the forbidden knowledge arranged and combined itself in his mind.

Renato willed it, without an incantation or a ritual.

In an instant, he felt the air around him thicken. Shadows gathered, forming a translucent membrane of darkness in a spherical outline around him.

A protective spell. He didn't know how it worked, but there was no doubt he had cast it.

Renato had succeeded. He had mastered a genuine spell. Supernatural power was his to command!

"Heh, I did it!" Renato clenched his fists, barely holding back his laughter. "Just as I thought. It's only learning a spell. For someone from the twenty-first century like me, this is child's play!"

With a thought, he dismissed the black magical shield. The [Adventurer's Guide] appeared, opening another new section.

[Spells]

Shadow Shield

1st level, abjuration

Casting time: reaction

Range: self

Components: none

Duration: concentration, up to 1 minute

An essential power originating from ancient, formless creations flows through your body, allowing you to direct shadow energy with your will. For the duration, you gain a +3 bonus to your armor class and all saving throws. Additionally, when you successfully save against an attack using this spell while the shield is active, you can use a reaction to redirect the shield's reflection, dealing 1d4 shadow corrosion damage within 3 feet around you.

After his first reading of the Skin of the Nameless One, Renato felt no abnormalities in his body, and his thoughts still flowed smoothly. To be safe, however, he decided to stop reading for a week and see whether the spell had any adverse effects on his body.

He put away the Human Skin Book and opened the curtains. The sun was already directly overhead.

It was noon already? To him, it felt as though less than half an hour had passed.

Renato and Perly sold off most of the useless odds and ends they had acquired yesterday at a general store in the Inner District.

They sold only a dozen or so novels, but they weren't in urgent need of money, so there was no reason to let them go cheaply.

With twenty more silver coins in his purse and his first spell since arriving in this world mastered that morning, Renato was in an excellent mood.

His wealth was back up to 150 silver coins. Renato decided to indulge himself and properly experience the joy of throwing money around.

Reliable Enchanting was a magic shop on the shopping street that was often packed with customers. Its sign was simple: a shield bearing an engraved sword and a glowing potion bottle.

He pushed open the door. The shop was spacious, with four tall shelving units dividing the floor. Several adventurers stood beside them, browsing the merchandise.

For some reason, the scene reminded Renato of a supermarket.

"Welcome to Reliable Enchanting! Have a look around. The prices are on the labels. Please don't touch anything unless you're buying!"

The attendant by the entrance was a human boy. Judging by his yawning face, Renato guessed he was no older than fifteen.

After looking around the room and finding no other staff, Renato turned back to ask:

"This is my first visit. Tell me what these shelves carry."

"The shelves on the far left hold potions, sorted and labeled by effect. We have Healing Potions, Potions of Health, Potions of Curing..."

They were all basic potions. Most were herbal decoctions with nothing magical about them.

"The middle two rows hold adventuring supplies, like compasses, ropes, sewing kits, repair tools..."

"The far-right shelves have weapons, like shields, javelins, and crossbow bolts. The manager says no trying them out. If something suits you, please pay first..."

The attendant took a closer look at Renato's clothing and hastily corrected himself.

"Ah, my apologies, sir. If you're looking for genuine magic items, please go upstairs. The stairs are on your right. The manager can explain everything in detail..."

Once upstairs, Renato saw the items glowing with magical auras inside the display cases and knew he had come to the right place.

"Welcome to Reliable Enchanting. What sort of magic items are you looking for?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man in a well-tailored, close-fitting shirt, his hair neatly combed and a smile on his face.

"I'm the manager here. You may call me Dodge." His gaze swept naturally over Renato from head to toe, and his smile grew a little warmer.

"Magic Trinkets, potions, scrolls... I'm interested in all of them, provided they suit me." Renato rubbed his fingers together. He intended to use the [Adventurer's Guide] to appraise them and see whether he could find a bargain.

"Bring them over. Let me have a look."

Dodge gestured Renato toward a corner furnished with a high-backed chair and a small display stand.

A row of colorful potions sat inside a glass display case. Dodge put on white gloves and carefully took out a bottle.

"A Barkskin Elixir. Drinking it is like having a druid cast Barkskin on you personally. Your skin will become as tough as an ancient tree. I know many warriors rely on their armor and skill, but sometimes even the strongest adventurer cannot avoid injury. This potion can stop an attack that would otherwise tear your flesh, without impairing your mobility..."

Renato picked up the slender bottle of greenish-yellow potion. The liquid occasionally solidified into patterns resembling bark, then liquefied again.

[Equipment]

Barkskin Elixir: this potion is sealed in a rustic wooden bottle shaped like a tree root. The liquid inside is a cloudy greenish yellow, with the consistency of sap from a young tree. It constantly, slowly solidifies and liquefies. Upon drinking it, a resilient natural energy flows through your entire body. For the next hour, your skin takes on the hard appearance of ancient bark. During this time, if your armor class is below 16, it becomes 16.

Requirements: Constitution 8

Rarity: uncommon

What was armor class? The [Adventurer's Guide] offered no explanation, but based on the shield spell he had just learned, Renato guessed it was a measure of defensive capability.

He didn't know whether his armor class exceeded 16, but with its skin-hardening effect lasting only an hour, Renato didn't think the potion was worth five gold coins.

"This is a Potion of Fire Breath. It allows you to breathe fire like a red dragon wyrmling. Imagine how terrifying it would be to suddenly unleash scorching dragon fire in front of your enemies. But when using it, remember never to cover your mouth..."

[Equipment]

Potion of Fire Breath: this potion is sealed in a thick glass vial, its walls hot to the touch from the heat within. The liquid inside is a bright orange-red and churns constantly, as though on the verge of boiling. Upon drinking it, a searing power gathers in your chest. For the next minute, you can use an action to exhale scorching breath in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 fire damage on a failure, or half as much on a success.

Requirements: Constitution 11

Rarity: uncommon

Although it provided the expendable offensive spell Renato needed, the potion lasted only a minute, making it impossible to drink before combat. Its five-meter range was also too short, leaving it of limited use.

Renato shook his head, set down the potion priced at ten gold coins, and continued:

"The range is too short, and there are too many restrictions. I don't need basic spell potions like this."

"You certainly know your stuff." Dodge's smile broadened as he took out another, azure-blue potion. "Rest assured, Reliable Enchanting is funded by mages of the School of Transmutation, experts in the production of magical potions..."

Renato emerged from Reliable Enchanting clutching a silvery-white potion, wincing a little at the expense.

[Equipment]

Mind Flayer Cerebrospinal Fluid: this potion is sealed in a curved glass tube. The liquid inside is a translucent pearly white, thicker than water, with countless fine silver threads resembling nerve fibers suspended within it. Upon drinking it, cold, alien memory fragments permanently merge with your mind. Psychic damage you take is permanently reduced by 1, and you have advantage on saving throws against charms and illusions.

Requirements: Wisdom 14, Intelligence 14

Rarity: rare

Magic shops in the Inner District really were expensive. Even this potion with its obvious side effects cost ten gold coins, yet he had bought it without hesitation.

Its effects were simply too important to Renato. He was reading the Human Skin Book to learn spells, not to worship some alien monster.

The illusions caused by an evil god were genuinely terrifying. Renato had experienced that horror firsthand. He hoped the potion's psychic resistance would help keep him from being frightened into madness.

He still remembered the look Dodge had given him when he bought it, as though he were an idiot. Dodge had repeatedly stressed that the potion came from a private magical group in the north, not from the Mage Association's approved products, and might cause unknown harm.

Only after repeatedly confirming that he wouldn't demand compensation from the shop had Renato been allowed to buy it.

Foolish. With the [Adventurer's Guide], how could a magical potion hurt me? If it really had negative effects, why wouldn't they be listed?

That was the conclusion Renato had reached after touching various magical and nonmagical potions in the shop and comparing their descriptions with Dodge's explanations.

That had been his reasoning when buying it, but when the time came to actually drink it, Renato still grew anxious.

Still, he had already bought it. After a moment's hesitation, he pulled out the stopper and swallowed the entire potion.

The liquid was tasteless, and a numb sensation spread across the back of his tongue.

Just as Renato tried to examine the sensation more closely, a violent headache struck, like countless icy needles piercing his skull at once.

Twisted phosphorescence burst across his vision. Countless tentacles writhed and shrieked in the darkness. Renato instinctively tried to struggle, only to find that he seemed to be part of them himself, without limbs or facial features...

As all the noise and visions faded, Renato immediately checked his body. His limbs were intact, his thoughts clear...

Everything was normal, so normal it was as though Renato had never drunk the potion. His heartbeat was steady, his emotions calm. He hadn't even broken a sweat...

Yet the strange feeling lingered. Watching the stream of people passing along the street, Renato gradually realized what had changed.

The expressions on pedestrians' faces, the voices of the vendors... the world seemed more orderly. It was as though he were viewing things from a different perspective.

Even when he recalled his near-death experience, the lingering fear and shudders had diminished considerably.

That slight sense of detachment made him realize that his emotional fluctuations had weakened. He had become calmer.

That was all right. Renato didn't know whether this counted as a side effect, but for now, he could accept it.

After confirming that there were no other mental abnormalities, Renato headed to a small garden in the Inner District.

In a secluded spot in the park, he sat on a stone bench and took out the Primordial Soup Extract and a Healing Potion.

The worst possible outcome was a slight mutation lasting an hour or 1d8 psychic damage, while there was a fifty-percent chance of increasing his hit points. Renato considered it worth the gamble.

He had scouted this spot several times. Few people passed through, making it ideal for concealing any mutations his body might develop.

There were still several hours before the little mage "finished school." That should be enough time for him to return to normal.

Having weighed it up, Renato unscrewed the bottle and drank the extract.

I used to hesitate for ages, but this time I acted so decisively... Perhaps that's another side effect of the cerebrospinal fluid.

A foul, fishy stench rushed into his nose. The black, gelatinous slime seemed alive, scraping his esophagus as he swallowed.

Something seemed to move beneath his skin, making it rise and fall unnaturally. Fat began dissolving, and his muscles spasmed. There was no pain; the nerves attached to them must have stopped functioning...

The mutation of his flesh lasted nearly five minutes. As the cracking of his bones finally ceased, Renato was immensely grateful he had chosen somewhere quiet.

His build hadn't changed. Renato immediately opened the [Adventurer's Guide].

[Character]

Renato de Fernando

Race: human

Class: Champion Warrior level 6 (500/5000), Chosen of Dakoul level 1 (30/?)

Hit Points: 78/78

Strength 15

Constitution 14

Dexterity 14

Wisdom 15

Intelligence 11 (+3)

Resolve 15

Feats: Heavy Armor Proficiency, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Swordsmanship Specialization, Darkvision, Mind Over Body

Skills: Religion Knowledge level 6, History Knowledge level 4, Linguistics level 4, Group Tactics level 3, Riding level 2

"My hit points increased by six. Looks like I got lucky."