Loading User Commands:
[X] Place his things into the sack and take it with him downstairs.
[X] Head to the dining room.

---

Grimnír gathers his things into the sack and takes it with him. He realizes that he is quite hungry - famished even. He heads straight to the dining room. Unfortunately, dinner isn't ready yet.

"Ah, I see you like the sack I picked out for you ~ze!"

He nods at the black and white magician with a smile.

"That one is made of tough material, great for travelling," Marisa says.

"Thanks," he replies. "It was tricky carrying everything without a bag."

Marisa nods at him as she rummages through her own sack. She seems to be looking for something. Grimnír takes a seat and puts his sack beside him. The sound of a familiar voice pipes in from the kitchen.

"Anyway, Marisa, I think that you were seriously doubting my abilities earlier. I could have healed his wounds even without your help," the voice says. A few dolls start setting the table and bringing in some freshly cooked dishes.

"Found it ~ze!" Marisa says. She holds up some strange looking cards. While they have a common, ornate design, the side that usually shows the suite and value is completely blank. They look similar to the card in his pocket. Her smile widens at Grimnír's puzzled look.

"These are blank spell cards," she says. "You can inscribe spells on them for later use."

"I see," he says. So these cards hold spells, as he suspected.

"Are you listening to me?" Alice says as she walks in from the kitchen. "Anyway, you should -"

Her sentence is cut short when she sees Grimnír. He gives her a little wave. She rushes over to him.

"A-are you feeling better? You shouldn't be walking around if you f-feel anything strange," she says quickly.

"He's fine ~ze," Marisa says. "Tougher than most, if I may say so myself."

Grimnír nods and waves his arms energetically. Alice sighs in relief.

"T-that's great," she says. "I-I was worried that you wouldn't recover."

She takes a seat as they start to eat.

...

"I see," he says. "So a spell or technique inscribed on a Spell Card will be more powerful and focused than casting it manually?"

Alice nods in agreement.

"For most youkai and humans, that is correct. Regular spells and techniques can be used any time, but they drain your magical and spiritual energies as the battle continues. Some are only effective under certain conditions, such as the magical energy in the area, the weather, or the mental focus of the user. Spell Cards, on the other hand, put the user into a special trance. During this period, the spell is cast in the most efficient and effective manner possible, regardless of environmental factors, fatigue, etc." she says.

"Essentially, they are specialized versions of your regular spells ~ze," Marisa says. "A Master Spark cast through a Spell Card is several times more powerful than one cast manually, for example. And I can use it even if I am exhausted ~ze."

"Even weaker, simple spells can have devastating effects under a Spell Card trance," Alice says. "For exceedingly powerful youkai, however, a Spell Card trance limits their power instead. The Spell Card limits the damage so that the surrounding area and the opponent isn't completely destroyed by spells and techniques. They are designed to give weaker youkai and humans a chance to win against powerful opponents."

"A Spell Card duel is a very mental contest ~ze," Marisa says. "You win by the most elegant method, not by raw power or brute force."

...

Grimnír yawns as he lies on his bed. He stares at the ceiling as he thinks.

Marisa gave him a few blank spell cards. Alice said that they will continue training tomorrow.

There are so many things to think about, but he is starting to feel sleepy.

[ ] Go to sleep.
[ ] Explore the house.
[ ] Custom