Chapter 125: Tasha’s Acid Arrow
「Arcana Resonance」 brings Anse an Evocation Spell at every level, but the Spell Level is related to the current Class, meaning before reaching Paladin level 5, he can only choose First Ring Spells.
After selecting for a moment, he chooses 「Tasha’s Acid Arrow」.
This spell surges a line of acid 30 feet （9 meters） long and 5 feet （1.5 meters） wide in one direction, dealing 2d4 （2-8） Acid damage every few seconds, with a base Duration of one minute.
After the acid surges out, it persists for a while, which is quite useful in some scenarios.
【Feat: Elemental Mastery, Fighting Style: Protection, Spell: Tasha’s Acid Arrow, confirm?】
“Confirm!”
The next moment, rich platinum Radiant light emanates from him, intermingling with the Soft Scales.
After a long time, Anse opens his eyes. Life remains unchanged, but he has mastered new abilities, enriching his means to solve problems.
The new spells 「Tasha’s Acid Arrow」 and 「Guiding Bolt」 are equivalent to Sorcerer spells, requiring no preparation and can be cast at any time.
In this way, he possesses two spell systems: one from Paladin, and one from Sorcerer.
Paladin spells require prior “preparation,” a process of using prayer or Meditation to focus one’s will and “attune” to the core tenets of the Oath, determining the magical effects of the Oath’s power.
Currently, all spells except Holy Slash require this process; a level 2 Paladin can prepare at most 3 spells.
The mainstream Casting Style for Paladins is Spell Slots, but it can also accommodate Mana-based Spellcasting, though Mana is limited.
Anse can feel a slight change in his own Mana, with the total amount increased.
He brings up the Character Card; total Mana reaches 59, an increase of 5 points, meaning a level 2 Paladin with peak Human Charisma has only 5 Mana.
The benefit is that the Paladin’s Mana fuses with his innate Mana; though the Spellcasting principles differ, the Mana can be shared.
Anse stores the two Dragon Gold Slash Swords into the Dragonhide Pouch, sits on the ground, and closes his eyes to Meditate.
Compared to prayer, he prefers Meditation.
In a haze, he reappears in the Elemental Plane, where the Oath of the Giant Noble is anchored.
He concentrates, resonating with the four-colored prismatic seal formed by the Oath. The vows he once made echo repeatedly in his heart, like a solemn self-reflection.
In the process, he uses the Oath to determine three divine Magical Effects: Ceremony, Detect Evil and Good, Shield of Faith.
「Ceremony」 is a First Ring Abjuration Spell that requires no Mana, but is a one-hour ritual that can perform various Religious Ceremonies.
The ritual has many effects, including 「Holy Water」, which consumes Silver Powder worth 25 Gold Coins to transform a bottle of water into Holy Water.
Holy Water has wide uses: it can serve as Materials for Spellcasting, enchant Weapons, or be splashed directly to attack evil Creatures, dealing 2d8 （2-16） Radiant Damage.
Drinking a small amount can also resist disease, dispel uncleanness, remove minor Curses or natural Poison.
Moreover, Holy Water does not expire or become ineffective, so it can be stored for sale or personal use.
「Shield of Faith」 is a Protection Spell that generates a faintly glowing energy field around the target, increasing its Armor Class by +2 for ten minutes, requiring Concentration.
Its casting speed is very fast, nearly Quick Cast. When necessary, it can be activated together with Shield, equivalent to wearing an additional studded Leather Armor, quite practical.
After finishing Meditation, Anse quickly goes downstairs to the busy Plaza, gazes at the Kobold Crowd, and concentrates to cast his first Paladin spell.
“Detect Evil and Good” （incantation）
「Metamagic: Extended Spell」 + 「Detect Evil and Good」!
A faint platinum Radiant light flashes in his eyes. Nothing around him changes, but he can sense all Creatures within a dozen meters, each bearing a faint layer of light and shadow.
He keeps walking, shuttling back and forth in the Plaza.
Treants bear gentle green light, while the light and shadow on Kobolds is almost invisible, mainly white light, with some red light and shadow.
He closes his eyes, and this Feeling and light and shadow do not disappear.
‘Like a silent radar.’
Contrary to many people’s perception, Detect Evil and Good is a Wisdom-based spell; the light and shadow is subjective sensory feedback that outsiders cannot see.
It primarily targets Creatures innately possessing Alignment energy, such as Aberrations, Celestials, Fiends, Undead, etc.
For mundane Creatures, Alignment is a behavioral tendency rather than an essential attribute, so it won’t be detected unless the evil is extreme.
After thirty minutes, the spell effect dissipates—Metamagic works!
Anse is in high spirits. Although the spell principles and preparation process differ significantly, there is almost no difference in use, so it won’t feel awkward or affect performance.
After all this fussing, dusk is falling.
He figures it’s nearly dark outside, so he quickly calls Nolnos and Teleports out together with man and horse.
The Alley is empty. He wants to put on the Hood but feels it lacks “elegance,” like hiding his head but showing his tail.
He decides not to wear it, mounts the horse directly, turns into the Street, and follows the Paradise Seal to find Brat and the others.
Today’s streets are much livelier than before, with Shops opening one after another, as if the shadows of the Dragon and war have dissipated.
But upon closer observation, one can see the sorrow and bewilderment in people’s eyes.
The rich and Adventurers can come and go as they please, but for locals, leaving their homeland is hard unless absolutely necessary.
Nolnos strolls along, and passersby make way wherever he goes, gazing at Anse with awe.
He clearly remembers it wasn’t like this before.
‘Looks like I’m famous again—this time it’s probably notoriety.’
After advancing a few hundred meters, the Stonemason Guild’s building, a mishmash of various styles, comes into view, crowded with people outside carrying large and small bundles, all very Quiet.
Before Anse approaches, the mustachioed Halfling in formal wear he met before squeezes out from the crowd, his short legs pumping fast, scurrying to the horse in a flash.
“Sir, you’ve finally arrived.”
“Hm?” Anse raises an eyebrow, looking at the crowd ahead. “These are all the people you recruited? Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow morning?”
“Today you… that… and then everyone knew, so many people suddenly came.” The Halfling chuckles awkwardly, speaking haltingly.
Anse instantly understands: after learning of the midday events, this Halfling feared failing the task and being held accountable, so he quietly leaked Anse’s identity.
“Hmph, how many did you recruit? Did you explain everything clearly?” He is somewhat displeased but knows the Halfling had no choice, after all, Hollewen is obscure.
Seeing he won’t pursue it, the Halfling’s suspended heart relaxes, his expression easing: “A hundred or two came. After screening per your requirements, over sixty remain, and I’ve said everything that needed saying…”
“Mm, I’ll go meet them.” Anse rides forward, slowly approaching the crowd.
The Halfling jogs ahead a few steps to the front of the crowd, points at Anse and shouts: “This is Your Excellency Hollewen. Speak up if you have any questions.”
Nolnos stops in front of the crowd. Anse quietly casts Detect Evil and Good, observing the crowd from above.
Mostly young and strong Humans, plus a few Half-Elves, no elderly, only three or four half-grown kids—The Old and Weak wouldn’t abandon their homes.
A middle-aged man looks at the others, takes a deep breath, and raises his arm: “Sir, where is Hollewen? Is it safe? How much land can we get?”
Anse sizes him up: an Common person, Tough build, dark skin, face full of wrinkles, right hand with six fingers—easy to miss if not looking closely.
“What’s your name?”
“Luding, sir. They call me Six-Finger Luding.” The middle-aged man lowers his head slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.
“Mm.” Anse confirms they are all Common people and relaxes. “Hollewen is far away, absolutely safe. You won’t need a long journey; I’ll Teleport you there with spells.
There’s plenty of land, thousands or tens of thousands of acres lying fallow, tax-free for the first two years. But you are my subjects, not servants—food and drink are your own responsibility.”
