So, Sanctuary can protect me before opponent even starts thinking about attacking me, by preventing them from doing so. However, having an aura that brainwashes everyone around me is... not my style. I prefer vanilla over mind break. The best part of Sanctuary is that I don't need to use it on reaction, I can just have it on passively. However, what if there would be a Spell that I could just passively have on... that also doesn't have the detriment of being a forced cult leader? Well, I have just the Spell like that!... I hope.
"Contingency!", I said.
Nothing happened. Of course. I need to put some Spell into it. Khm. Contingency is a beloved Spell that allows one to cast a different Spell once conditions are met. It is a level 6 Spell, but... at least it's not level 7. Moreover, it's the best thing I can think of. I already figured out how my abilities work, so, if I were to guess, my version of Contingency can store any Spell, regardless of level, and can have whatever abstract conditions I set. Now... how do I cast it? I focus my thoughts on "whenever someone steps on it" and say:
"Contingency: Entangle!"
Nothing again. Can I even cast this Spell? Without much hope, I say:
"Contingency: Entangle. Whenever someone walks over it."
A magical circle appears on the cobblestoned road, immediately in front of me, and then disappears just as quickly. Did it... work? Unsure what to expect, take a step forward and... ouch! Damn chains erupt from the ground and bind me, not letting me move. I whisper "Dispel Magic" and they disappear. Well, that works! I had to volunteer as a guinea pig again, but... it works! I take a step back and a step forward. No effect. I assume, either Dispel Magic cleansed the Contingency trap, or it is one-time-use and disappears after triggering. I assume the latter. Alright, now to try that...
"Contingency: Shield, when someone steps on it with right foot. Contingency: Cure Wounds, when someone steps on the trap with left foot."
2 magic circles appear in the same spot in front of me, as I point at the pavement with my hand. Great! I can stack multiple different Contingencies at 1 place! Now to test... I take a step forward with my right leg. Golden light engulfs me, conjuring transparent bubble shield. 1 step back, 1 step forward, this time with left leg. I feel rejuvenation as the green light envelops my body. I didn't have any wounds, but I can confirm it works, at least. Then, 1 step back, 1 step forward again, now with right leg. No effect. As I thought, the "trap" disappears once triggered. Finally, I can attempt to create my automatic defense system.
"Contingency: Shield, when I would get hit", I proclaim, as I point to my body.
Looking down, I see a magic circle appear on my clothes and then disappear. Now, how can I test it... hm... I pick up a large piece of rubble that still remained after Illusory Terrain reformed the landscape. "Well, even if it won't work, at least, I'll be able to heal up...", I think, as I throw it up and instinctively close my eyes, expecting the stone to hit my head. But it doesn't happen. Instead, when I open my eyes, I see the familiar shield, on which the stone landed and then fell down. Satisfied with the results, and not even wanting to try to enhance it, I whip open the notebook and write down:
-Contingency: Creates a magical circle on designated object (Can create it on living flesh? Test later), that casts a proclaimed Spell upon meeting proclaimed condition. The condition, seemingly, may be whatever, as long as it makes sense (needs further testing). After being triggered, the magical circle disappears. It seems like I can put any Spell into Contingency, and Contingency itself is safe to use. It is not known yet how long the magical circle lingers before disappearing, if it ever does. The best defense.
"Amazing!", I say out loud, looking upwards and smiling. "It opens so much possibilities!"
I spread my arms and laugh at the sky. Take that, Seraphine! Your Silence won't stop me now!
"Have you... finally lost it, or what?", I hear a familiar grumpy voice.
I look down to see Boldwyn standing near me. Like, a few meters away. He raises 1 brow, looking at me with a mix of pity and confusion.
"Uhm... how long have you been here?", I can't help but ask.
"A few minutes? I saw 2 weird guys with wings disappear, and then watched the rest."
"How did you even know where to find me?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I heard the faint sound of a huge piece of earth moving and came to see what happened?"
"Yeah, that... that makes sense", I say, laughing it off.
Baldie, however, doesn't seem like he's about to crack a joke.
"So, since when can a healer fix a giant hole? Or did you 'heal' the city's ground?"
I laugh nervously. I mean, there isn't anything for me to be afraid of, right? It's not like he didn't know my Spells are hilariously overpowered, compared to their original versions.
"There's a Spell called Illusory Terrain, that allows me to transform, well, a terrain... and it won't be an illusion."
"Hm. So, you went out to do some testing... and figured out you can just do that? On demand?"
"In a way, I guess. I need to concentrate to imagine the end result, and there are probably some range limitations."
"Probably?", he repeats.
"I didn't test the limits. I just assume there are some. At the very least, what I change needs to be in my line of view."
"Buddy, I-", he stutters before continuing. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Before I can even say something, he adds:
"You know what? After you implied you could just teleport us to the Demonlord, I shouldn't be surprised by anything you can do."
Fair point. But it's not like I'm not the one carrying this party anyway... except for that time when Seraphine almost killed me... oh well.
"So, what now? It's not like this knowledge is going to change anything. Alaric wants to continue the journey the normal way, besides, I am yet to figure out what I truly can do", I explain. "You see, I have access to stronger magic, but..."
I stumble. He probably doesn't need to know.
"...but it's too taxing on my body to use. So, I usually stick to weaker Spells."
He looks at the ground beneath our feet.
"Weaker, huh."
"Believe it or not."
"Whatever you say. You feel better now?", he smiled.
"In a way. I will, however, have to spend a considerable amount of time applying all the protections I plan onto myself. How are the others?"
"I dunno. Didn't check the inn. But I guess they're awake by biw. Ready to leave this town?"
"Yeah. I already helped that bastard way more than he deserves", I point at the ground. "Also, for someone who said we need to wake up at roughly 5 AM... you sure let these 2 take their sweet time waking up."
"You don't say! But, you know, you don't fight a god every day."
Yeah, as if I wasn't the one who did all the work...
We return to the inn as the townsfolk gather around where the crater was a few minutes ago. Despite the extensive casting, I don't feel any weakness, which confirms that I don't have any mana limites... though I don't know if this world's natives do. Whatever, it's not like I can use that knowledge, even if I did.
"Hi! Where have you been?", Elaina waves her hand as she sees us.
I can't believe they were waiting at the inn's entrance for gods knows how long... I guess they really know how to spend their time, huh? Boldwyn and I exchange glances.
"I was practicing", I answer.
"I see... although I have never seen you practicing magic before...", she says.
"Probably he was practicing... what did you call it? GEMA?", asked Alaric.
"HEMA. And no, I was, in fact, practicing magic. Don't sweat it, you'll see the fruit of my labor when the time comes. If it comes", I shrug. "So, where to now?"
"Barridge", answered Alaric, "however, I'm not sure we can make it there today. In fact, we most likely can't. So, unless we want to make another camp, we should probably stop in some village along the way."
Sigh... I guess it will take quite some time to leave this god-forsaken... or, rather, god-infested religious fanatic kingdom. But at least after it, I won't have to listen to prophecies from every single stranger... surely the Freeholds can't be worse. Surely?
"Well, let's move out, then", said Boldwyn.
We walk the streets of the once-again-busy town. However, now people don't run around with piles of documents, but rather with construction materials. It hasn't even been a day, and they are already working on repairs. I envy their dedication. I would procrastinate for at least a month. I whisper, "Contingency: Shield, when I would get hit"... which causes a bright magic circle to appear on my clothes, attracting everyone's attention.
"Uhhh, pay not mind. It will happen again. I'm just preparing for... everything."
After I say that, Alaric and Elaina shrug, and we continue walking while I cast multiple Contingencies on myself. By the time we reach the wide-open city gates, I have already finished my automatic defense system. "Automatic defense system"... sounds like some web novel name. Right now, I have – ahem – if I were to get hit, Shield activates. If any magic other than my own is cast on me, Dispel Magic activates. If I am wounded, Cure Wounds activates. If I suffer a mortal wound, Spare the Dying activates. If I suffer a condition that Restoration can cure, Greater Restoration activates. If I am cursed, Remove Curse activates. If I get food poisoning, Purify Food and Drink activates. If I get ill, Cure Disease activates. If I die, Revivify activates... actually, I'm not sure if that last one works, since it would require my magic to cast it after I'm dead. But then again, I don't know the first thing about this world's magic system, and I am not willing to spend time learning it. Finally, last but certainly not least, I have a Contingency that activates another Contingency on myself after one triggers, with the same Spell and conditions. Unless a Contingency can wear off with time, it's an impenetrable barrier!
The only weakness is that if Dispel Magic is applied to me, it purges all Contingencies. Moreover, if I fight someone with anti-magic abilities that aren't Silence... well, this all comes to nothing. I couldn't come up with a way to prevent Contingencies from being removed by anti-magic abilities that didn't involve me using Anti-Magic Field. And I don't want to use it because it is a level 8 Spell – way above level 7, which I already avoid using. Jeez, I wish using higher-level Spells didn't instantly result in some scary crap...
As I muse to myself, losing track of time, Alaric pulls me out of my thoughts.
"...ai! Kai! Can you stop daydreaming?!"
"What's that?"
I shook my head and looked around. I didn't even notice how we had reached a small village... wait, have we been walking for hours already?! I don't even feel tired! Alright, what do we have here?
An old man stands in front of us. I'd guess he is about 80 years old, maybe even 90... by Earth's standards, anyway. I don't know what's the lifespan of humans in this world.
"Revered Harmony Adept... may our humble settlement seek your blessing?", he says, his voice trembling.
Oh, gods, not again...
"Sure, let's just make it quick, okay?"
I will just cast Bless, whatever it does, and we'll be on our way.
"As you wish...", he takes a step back and extends a hand toward a large wheat field. "Please, bless our crops! We risk starving to death next month, oh revered Saint!"
"Sure, sure..."
I take a few steps towards the field. It doesn't actually seem that bad. I'm not a farmer, but... I assume big wheat equals good? So what's the problem? Whatever, not my problem.
"Bless."
A golden light covered the fields for a short time, before disappearing. The old man, as well as other the villagers, looks on with awe. I will get real, I'm not sure if it will help, but... I did what I could, alright?
"We're done here. Your fields have been blessed, it will be all good now... anything else?"
"N-no, of course not! How can we even ask anything more from you, oh Saint?!", says the old man, hitting his head against the ground.
"Hey, old geezer, stop! Th-that's an order! Stand up immediately and don't ever do that again, you hear me?!", I yell.
"So humble!", he exclaims.
He gets up and runs away in tears.
"Jeez, are all people of this country... actually, don't answer, I already know they are", I sigh.
"Yes, it does get... awkward", replied Alaric with a nod.
Suddenly, we heard screams – screams of panic, fear, and terror. God damn it, what now?! I turn towards the sound and see that villagers are running away from... what the hell is that?! On the wheat field that I have just blessed there now are huge – about 3 meters tall – yellow flowers that are attacking villagers with the vines! Ok, lesson learnt, never using Bless again!
"Fireball!", said Elaina, shooting a bolt of fire into one of the flowers.
It was super effective!... a bit too effective, honestly! After the initial explosion, the entire field caught on fire, destroying not only the monster flowers but the entire field of crops! But... at least we saved the farmers from the mons-
"No! What... what did you do?! Why?!", says the same old man who was kneeling before me a moment ago.
"We... killed the monsters?", said Elaina, smiling awkwardly.
I can't blame her, this situation is super awkward. I mean, we just destroyed their entire food supply, so...
"Please, forgive us! We only wanted to help!", said Alaric.
Boldwyn was just facepalming. I saw enough cases of poor wizard safety, so I wasn't as surprised as he was. But I will definitely teach Elaina on basic wizard safety later...
"Don't worry, I can fix that!", I said.
I actually wasn't sure if I could. But I can always try.
"Cure... Wounds?"
Nothing happened. Of course. They weren't wounds. Great, now I made the old man cry even harder. Amazing. Good job, Kyle. I mean, I could certainly just cast Sanctuary and run away as if nothing happened, but... would that be right?
"Heal?"
A wave of green energy flown over the field, and in an instant, all the damaged crops were restored!... unfortunately...
"W-what is that thing?!", said the perpetually unhappy old man, pointing at the flower monsters that had been healed alongside the wheat.
"Fire-"
Elaina had already started to cast, but both Boldwyn and I pressed our hands over her mouth, stopping her.
"Don't!", we yelled in unison.
"Uhh, Haste! Haste! Boldwyn, cut them down, now!", I said.
"Aye, aye, on it!"
As the dwarf rushed forward at incredible speed, Alaric was busy protecting me and Elaina from the vines. I was, once again, pleasantly surprised by his skill. No flourish, just simple cuts. That being said, Alaric was still Alaric, so he didn't notice a plant-like tentacle swinging toward his temple until it hit him, sending him flying into a tree. Ouch, that must've been hurt. I instinctively cast Cure Wounds on him, as he gets up.
Unfortunately, he wasn't even remotely fast enough when another vine, about 30 centimeters in diameter, came crushing down towards me and, by extension, Elaina, who was still standing close... just to be met by my automatically activated Shield. It works just as it should!... but I really wish I hadn't found it out under these circumstances!
"Hold Monster! Hold Creature! Hold Monster!"
I kept casting the Spell on every single flower monster in my sight while Boldwyn fenced with the plants. That... was effective. Who would've thought? Why do I even bother with anything that isn't Hold Monster?! As Boldwyn finished the job, I was kicking the ground in frustration.
"Hey, what's wrong, kiddo?", he said as he returns.
Boldwyn was covered in purple and green liquids, probably whatever passed for blood in these creatures. Even there, generic fantasy tropes.
"I just hate how stupidly broken Hold Monster is! It's so much better than any elaborate or interesting Spell I can use! What's the damn point?!"
Elaina, Boldwyn, and Alaric, who had now returned from his flight, looked at me in confusion.
"But... if it's simple and it works, isn't it a good thing?", asks Elaina.
"It is, and I hate that it's this good!"
Alaric ignores me and turns to the old man.
"Sorry for the initial trouble, but we fixed ev-"
"Get out, all of you! You are not welcome here anymore!", yells the angry geezer.
Jeez. And that after he was just kneeling in front of me.
"B-but we-", started Alaric, but I interrupted him.
"Let's get going. His anger issues are his problem."
Alaric lowered his head and started walking east. If I were to guess, he was brooding over failing as a hero again, or something like that. Let him process it naturally, I guess.
Followed by the villagers' judgemental glances, our procession of 4 walks out of this village. I didn't even learn its name. Well, good, I wouldn't like to think about it any more than necessary. At the very least, I know that my new defenses work flawlessly... surely this overconfidence won't backfire on me later!