Anser’s draconic bloodline granted him two Draconic Spells: Dragon’s Breath and Alter Self.

Both were relatively powerful 2nd-level spells, each costing three mana to cast.

Dragon’s Breath was a spell that imitated a dragon’s breath weapon. After all, humans and dragons had completely different body structures.

It allowed the caster or an ally to exhale a fifteen-foot cone—at least 4.5 meters—of acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. Every creature in the area made a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage—three to eighteen points—on a failure or half as much on a success.

A Dexterity save could be understood as an enemy reacting quickly enough to avoid the center of the breath, thereby suffering less damage.

Alter Self changed the body’s form and had three primary options: Change Appearance, Aquatic Adaptation, and Natural Weapons.

Change Appearance meant exactly what it sounded like, though the body’s basic shape remained unchanged. The caster could not, for instance, become a quadruped or a Large creature.

Aquatic Adaptation grew gills and webbing, granting underwater breathing and the ability to swim.

Natural Weapons was more interesting. The caster could grow claws, fangs, horns, or hooves. Unarmed strikes or attacks with those organs dealt 1d6 damage—one to six points—and used the caster’s spellcasting ability rather than Strength.

In other words, Anser could grow claws and fight in melee, using his Charisma to overcome his utter incompetence at close combat.

‘Unless it’s absolutely necessary, fighting from a distance is still better.’ Anser curled his lip. He had very little confidence in his melee ability.

Choosing his new spell proved far more difficult.

There were many excellent 2nd-level spells, including Misty Step, Invisibility, Hold Person, Enlarge/Reduce, Scorching Ray, Earthbind, and See Invisibility...

Unfortunately, Sorcerers could learn only one spell per level—fewer than Wizards—so they were destined to specialize.

He possessed gold-dragon and silver-dragon bloodlines. Once he acquired Elemental Affinity at Level 6, he would gain affinities for fire and cold, becoming more proficient with such spells and dealing greater damage. Ideally, his spell choices should complement his bloodlines.

Defensive and control spells were equally important, however.

After agonizing over the choice, he gave up the Misty Step he had long desired and selected a powerful control spell: Hold Person!

His party could now cover him, making a short-range, single-target teleport less valuable.

Hold Person was a 2nd-level Enchantment spell with a base range of sixty feet—at least 18 meters. With the support of his attributes and feats, that range exceeded 48 meters. It worked on all humanoids.

It could inflict the Paralyzed condition on a target for one minute and required the caster to maintain Concentration. The target had to make repeated Wisdom saving throws and could escape the spell’s effect only by succeeding.

Concentration was a special casting state. Certain spells required continuous guidance and attention. The caster could use other spells that did not require Concentration during that time, but if Concentration was broken for any reason, the spell ended.

A Wisdom saving throw was easy to understand. Once controlled, the target continually attempted to reclaim control of its body. The stronger its Wisdom, the harder it was for the spell to hold it.

Had Anser known this spell earlier, he might have restrained the duergar for several seconds with Quickened Spell. That would also have been useful for saving his life.

The instant Anser confirmed his selection, a torrent of mana surged from deep within him. It churned and raced through every part of his body, at one moment like blazing magma and the next like freezing frost.

It was both vibrant and extraordinarily obedient.

Gold-and-silver light appeared across his skin as subtle changes spread throughout his body. Every time a Sorcerer developed their innate magic, their very form of life was elevated.

At last, the surging mana subsided, yet the powerful sense of fullness remained.

Anser silently absorbed his three newly acquired 2nd-level spells. The feeling was incredible.

During the years the original Anser had labored at the wizard tower, he had wondered more than once whether he was an idiot. Most people could never understand the torment of being unable to learn something no matter how hard they tried.

No—perhaps students from his previous life who had accidentally enrolled in mathematics could sympathize a little!

‘This is wonderful.’

He opened his character sheet to inspect his current status.

[Name: Anser Holrevin]

[Race: Human—Silverbrow (Medium)]

[Background: Noble]

[Class: Sorcerer (Draconic Sorcery)]

[Level: 3]

[Experience: 1117/2700]

[Hit Points: 28/28]

[Mana: 20/22]

[Sorcery Points: 1/3]

[Armor Class: 15 (14+1)]

[Alignment: Neutral]

[Faith: None]

—Core Attributes—

[Strength: 12]

[Dexterity: 12]

[Constitution: 12]

[Intelligence: 13]

[Wisdom: 13]

[Charisma: 17]

[Skills: Arcana +2, History +1, Acrobatics +1, Athletics +1, Medicine +1, Intimidation +1, Survival +1]

[Languages: Common, Draconic, Netherese, Illuskan]

[Feats: Skilled, Tough, Spell Sniper]

[Features: Spellcasting, Innate Sorcery, Draconic Resilience, Draconic Spells, Font of Magic, Metamagic]

[Metamagic: Twinned Spell, Quickened Spell]

[Equipment: Staff of Goodberries (Uncommon), Cloak of Protection (Uncommon), Ring of Spell Storing (Rare)]

—Spells—

[Cantrips: Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Sorcerous Burst, Mold Earth]

[1st-Level Spells: Disguise Self, Feather Fall, Jump, Shield, Chromatic Orb, Command, Magic Missile]

[2nd-Level Spells: Dragon’s Breath, Alter Self, Hold Person]

—Other—

[Adventure Traits: Mana Control, Extraordinary Talent]

‘Now that’s more like it.’ Anser was extremely satisfied.

Judging from his experience requirement, reaching Level 4 would be difficult. But leveling inevitably slowed at higher levels, and he had prepared himself for that.

At Level 4, he could select a new feat or increase his attributes. The prospect filled him with anticipation.

Anser opened his eyes and met Bratt’s astonished gaze.

“You... learned a new spell?” Bratt asked hesitantly.

“Mm.” Anser did not deny it.

Classed individuals did not know their numerical levels, but they could vaguely sense when their strength improved. It simply was not as dramatic as leveling through the system; they had to accumulate training and study over time.

“Where are we going now?” Since it involved a classed individual’s secrets, Bratt did not press him.

Anser looked at Finn. “What’s happening in the district?”

“Chaos!” Finn’s voice was dry. “Even the gray hawk can’t tell how many monsters there are. Hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand...”

The monsters were roaming everywhere, sometimes in groups of two or three, sometimes in dozens, creating enormous disorder.

Ordinary goblins and kuo-toa were not much stronger than ordinary humans, and humanity had many classed individuals on its side. Yet very few people truly dared risk their lives.

The Underdark’s harsh environment made its creatures far fiercer, crueler, and more bloodthirsty than humans!

The largest monster horde had been stopped at the breach in the northeastern corner. Most were kuo-toa, and the situation was far from promising.

“No wonder there are so many fish-men. The riverbank breach might not have been an accident!” Anser’s voice turned cold.

The underground creatures were clearly organized and acting according to a plan. This was a war between races—one side lived, the other died, with no mercy given.

“If they break through the defensive line, we... probably won’t be able to organize another effective counterattack.” Bratt understood adventurers and classed individuals all too well. Once they believed the situation hopeless, they would run faster than anyone.

Then the kuo-toa would invade in force. Crossing the river would become nearly impossible for the humans, even with boats. They might be trapped here and picked off one by one.

“Then we’ll slaughter them.” Anser smiled, revealing a row of cold white teeth.

He had not originally hated the underground creatures. They were different races, and all fought to survive. But when that ghostly-blue blade touched his neck, his outlook changed.

‘I am human too. I need no reason and no sympathy to kill them. Our civilizations are different. There is no shared empathy, no question of humanity, and no psychological burden.’

“Heh. Exactly what I wanted!” Bratt struck his sword against his shield, the anger in his heart still burning.

“Let’s go.” Finn shouldered his backpack, showing such eagerness for the first time.

The three returned to Middle Street and hurried north along the avenue.

Almost no living civilians remained on the road. Everyone capable of running had fled, while the monsters had followed the crowds deeper into the district.

As they approached the bridgehead, standing water covered everything, squelching beneath their feet. Corpses lay everywhere—humans and underground creatures alike.

Wyrm’s Rock Fortress still towered beneath the night sky like a silent giant seated upon a high platform, watching humanity’s catastrophe with indifference.

Chapter 26 contains the full character sheet twice in the main text. Hopefully that doesn’t count as padding.

Future complete character sheets will no longer appear in the main text. They will be placed in the author’s notes at the end of chapters, and the work-related section will also contain the latest class-panel data.

1st-level spells cost one mana. 2nd-level spells cost three mana.

(End of Chapter)