William lay down on the ground within his mental realm, the image of Lae'zel momentarily passing through a mirror before fading away. In its place, his own familiar reflection once again appeared, staring back at him.
He remained lying there for quite some time, his exhaustion finally subsiding before he finally found the strength to stand up.
William stretched his slightly aching muscles, before a glint appeared in his eyes.
"This would be the perfect place to practice my magic, maybe even plant some alchemical herbs!" He spoke to himself before he took a wide stance to balance himself and, after a half second of concentration, twin fire bolts formed in the palms of his extended hands.
Whoosh!
William's eyes were fixed intently on the flames, his hands retreating slowly as he watched carefully.
The flames danced for a moment, their light momentarily illuminating the surrounding area, before snuffing out with two muffled popping sounds.
"This is proving to be a lot more challenging than it initially seemed," He muttered, running a hand over his hairless chin.
Once more, he concentrated on bringing the fire bolts into a stable form, this time his focus shifting to keeping the orbs in place while remaining at a distance from them.
In this specific instance, he drew inspiration from Dragon Ball Z.
He specifically referenced the fight Goku had with Frieza on Namek, during the part where Goku was maintaining the Kamehameha in an orb form underwater, all while Frieza was randomly firing lasers from his eyes into the depths of Namek's sea.
A thick bead of sweat trickled down his brow as he focused all the mental energy he could summon, his eyes fixed firmly on the fire bolts, trying with all his might to make them retreat from the grasp of his outstretched hands.
The bolts of flame, moving ever so slowly but with an undeniable sense of momentum, gradually drifted away from his hands and settled into a position directly in front of him.
With great effort that felt like he was lifting weights with his brain he managed to make the twin orbs of fire bolt to orbit one another before he lost control of his mental energy and the orbs collided as if pulled by gravity.
BOOM!
The collision resulted in a small, violent explosion that sent a wave of force and heat outwards, causing a noticeable scorched patch to appear in the surrounding otherwise green grass.
William's hair stood on end, and his face was covered in soot, the white of his eyes casting a distinct contrast as he blinked.
"Yeah this is much more difficult than I could have imagined, this may take awhile."
He persevered with this task, continuing for a considerable period of time until, finally, he managed to achieve a level of control over the fire bolts that prevented them from imploding, exploding, or colliding with each other.
The fire bolts seemed to float in front of him, and he began moving his hands in a pattern that the flames followed, causing them to dance in the air in perfect sync with the tone Williams was using his movements to convey.
The two flames, white-hot and seemingly glowing with an intense inner light, seemed to perform a captivating dance in the air around him, their fiery forms swirling and contorting. With a sudden, powerful movement, he pushed his hands forward, and the orbs of flame shot forth with great force, hurtling towards one of the distant trees in his line of sight.
Whoosh... BANG!
With frightening speed, the firebolts flew directly towards the tree trunk, exploding simultaneously against the rough bark.
The immediate impact sent the tree erupting into a blinding blaze, accompanied by a deafening roar that shook the ground. The tree essentially transformed itself into a mass of flaming splinters, instantly shooting out in all directions with explosive force.
With a flick of his hand, the scattered splinters of wood stopped dead in mid-air, suspended in that moment.
Then, he began pushing forwards, they started to move back to their original position, lining up precisely like the pieces of a puzzle, until finally, a complete, fully formed tree emerged once more in front of him.
William sighed feeling appreciative that any damage he dealt in this place could be repaired with a thought and turned to the mirror lazily floating in the distance and once more called out to it.
After bringing it directly in front of him he presses his hand against the silvery surface and his reflection went dark replaced by swirling shadows before lights appeared taking the form of words.
CHARACTER SHEET — WILLIAM
Race: Half-Drow (Half-Elf)
Class: Aberrant Mind Sorcerer 3 / Oath of Vengeance Paladin 1
Level: 4
Alignment: Neutral
Background: Sage
Origin:
A half-drow marked by alien whispers that coil through his thoughts like living scripture. His oath is not yet sworn aloud, but something older than law is already listening.
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute score modifier.
Strength
8
–1
Dexterity
16
+3
Constitution
14
+2
Intelligence
12
+1
Wisdom
10
+0
Charisma
16
+3
RACIAL & CORE TRAITS
Fey Ancestry
• Advantage on saving throws against being charmed
• Immune to magical sleep
Superior Darkvision
• 120 ft
Drow Heritage
• Cantrip: Fairy Fire
Telepathic Speech (Aberrant Mind)
• Communicate telepathically with one creature within 30 ft for several minutes
• No shared language required
PROFICIENCIES
Saving Throws
Constitution
Charisma
Skills
Arcana
History
Insight
Deception
Perception
Stealth
Armor proficiencies
Light Armor
Medium Armor
Shields
Weapon proficiencies
Simple Weapons
Martial Weapons
Rapier
Longsword
Shortsword
Whip
Light Crossbow
CLASS FEATURES
Paladin 1
Divine Sense (5 uses/day)
• Detect celestials, fiends, undead within 60 ft
Lay on Hands
• Healing pool: 5 HP/day
(Full Spellcasting and Oath features unlock at Paladin 2)
Sorcerer 3 — Aberrant Mind
Spellcasting Ability: Charisma
Spell Save DC: 13
Spell Attack Modifier: +5
Sorcery Points: 3
METAMAGIC
Quicken Spell
• Cast a spell as a Bonus Action (2 Sorcery Points)
Twinned Spell
• Duplicate a single-target spell onto a second target.
SPELL LIST
Cantrips (5)
Fairy Fire (racial)
Dancing Lights
Fire Bolt
Mage Hand
Minor Illusion
Prestidigitation
Mind Sliver
Level 1 Spells
Innate Aberrant Spells (Always Known, Don't Count Against Limit)
Arms of Hadar
Dissonant Whispers
Darkness.
Sorcerer Spells Known
Shield
Absorb Elements
Disguise Self
Level 2 Spells
Misty Step
Hold Person
Detect Thoughts
Blur
William nodded as he appraised the flowing list but before he could turn away he noticed a pulsing gold plus symbol practically reaching out for him.
He slowly presses his hand against it and suddenly the words on the mirrors dark surface faded and his reflection appeared in the still darkened mirror.
On the left side of his reflection the words Sorcerer (3) and on the right it said Paladin (1) with plus signs above both.
William wasted no time and pressed his hand against the plus sign above Sorcerer and the three shifted into a four.
The image faded and a list of feats appeared before him.
Ability Improvement
+2 to one ability or +1 to two abilities
Alert
+5 Initiative
Cannot be Surprised
Athlete
+1 STR or DEX
Standing from prone costs less movement
Jump distance increased
Charger
Dash → bonus attack or shove
Defensive Duelist
Reaction: add Proficiency Bonus to AC vs melee attack (finesse weapons)
Dual Wielder
+1 AC while dual-wielding
Can dual-wield non-light weapons
Durable
+1 CON
Better healing from Hit Dice
Elemental Adept
Choose element (Fire, Cold, Acid, Lightning, Thunder)
Ignore resistance
Treat 1s as 2s on damage dice
Great Weapon Master
Bonus attack on crit or kill
Toggle –5 attack / +10 damage
Heavily Armored
+1 STR
Gain Heavy Armor proficiency
Heavy Armor Master
+1 STR
–3 damage from non-magical weapon attacks
Lucky
Reroll attack rolls, ability checks, or saves (3 charges)
Mage Slayer
Reaction attack on nearby spellcasters
Disadvantage on Concentration saves
Magic Initiate
Learn 2 cantrips + 1 level 1 spell from another class
Martial Adept
2 Superiority Dice
2 Battle Master maneuvers
Mobile
+3m movement
No opportunity attacks after melee attack
Moderately Armored
+1 STR or DEX
Medium armor + shield proficiency
Polearm Master
Bonus action butt attack
Opportunity attacks on enemy approach
Resilient
+1 to chosen ability
Gain proficiency in its saving throws
Savage Attacker
Reroll weapon damage dice and use the highest number
Sentinel
Stop enemies on opportunity hits
Punish attacks against allies
Sharpshooter
–5 attack / +10 damage
Ignore high-ground penalties
Shield Master
Bonus shove with shield
Improved Dex saves vs effects
Skilled
Gain 3 skill proficiencies
Spell Sniper
Learn a cantrip
Increased crit range for spell attacks
Tavern Brawler
+1 STR or CON
Improved unarmed & thrown attacks
Tough
+2 HP per level
War Caster
Advantage on Concentration saves
Cast spells as opportunity attacks
Weapon Master
+1 STR or DEX
Gain 4 weapon proficiencies
William wasted no time and selected the first choice and a the list faded leaving only Ability Improvement and a list of stats.
How could he not use this opportunity to increase his spellcasting stat and with two swift presses of his finger he added both points to Charisma.
[Charisma 16 increased to 18]
ATTRIBUTES
Attribute score modifier.
Strength
8
–1
Dexterity
16
+3
Constitution
14
+2
Intelligence
12
+1
Wisdom
10
+0
Charisma
18
+4
William rolled his shoulders once, feeling the subtle shift in his presence as the Charisma increase settled into him like a new gravity well.
The mental realm responded in kind.
The air felt thicker, more attentive, as if reality itself had leaned closer to listen.
"Alright," he murmured, flexing his fingers.
"Let's see what you can really do now."
He lifted one hand and snapped his fingers.
A Mage Hand bloomed into existence, translucent and faintly violet, its edges shimmering with the same aberrant hue that threaded through his thoughts.
Unlike before, it felt… stronger.
More obedient.
He clenched his fist slightly and the spectral hand mirrored him perfectly, crushing an invisible object before dispersing into motes of psionic light.
William nodded. "Better responsiveness."
He turned his attention back to the treeline.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he unleashed Fire Bolt.
The spell screamed through the air, hotter and denser than before, and struck a distant tree dead center.
The impact punched a smoldering hole clean through the trunk, the surrounding bark glowing red before sloughing off in charred fragments.
He didn't stop.
A second Fire Bolt followed immediately, then a third, each launched faster than the last.
He adjusted his stance, breathing steadily, feeling the flow of magic through his core rather than forcing it outward.
The bolts began to curve slightly in midair as his control improved, arcing just enough to strike different points on different trees.
One spell per breath.
Inhale.
Release.
Exhale.
"Quicken Spell," he whispered.
The world seemed to skip.
A Fire Bolt launched almost simultaneously with another, his sorcery points burning like sparks along his spine.
The twin impacts detonated across the clearing in rapid succession, leaving two trees half-melted and sagging like wax figures left too close to a fire.
William exhaled slowly, eyes bright.
"Okay," he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "That's new."
He shifted tactics.
Raising both hands, he focused inward and released Minor Illusion, shaping sound and image together.
The space between the trees rippled, and suddenly a goblin silhouette darted into existence, snarling and brandishing a crude blade.
William reacted instantly, launching a Fire Bolt straight through its chest.
The illusion shattered.
He frowned. "Too obvious."
He tried again, this time creating multiple sounds.
Footsteps.
Breathing.
Rustling leaves.
No visual cue.
His eyes flicked back and forth as his instincts screamed at him to react.
Only after several seconds did he relax.
"Better," he muttered.
Next came Prestidigitation.
He used it not for flair, but precision, cleaning soot from the grass, chilling the air around his hands, igniting tiny controlled sparks that hovered mere inches from his skin without burning him.
It was tedious work, but necessary.
Control at the smallest level translated to dominance at the largest.
Eventually, he felt it.
That familiar pressure behind his eyes.
Psionics.
William turned toward the mirror, floating patiently nearby, and extended his mind outward instead of his hands.
Shadowheart.
The name wasn't spoken aloud.
It echoed.
The mental realm shuddered slightly as his Telepathic Speech latched onto something distant and familiar.
The air folded inward, shadows pooling like ink, and a figure stepped through as if emerging from deep water.
Shadowheart stood there, arms crossed, brow already furrowed.
"…I was praying," she said flatly. "This better be important."
William winced. "Sorry. Training. Thought a moving, complaining target would help."
She looked around, taking in the scorched trees, floating mirror, and faintly glowing grass.
"You dragged me into your mind palace to use me as a stress test."
"When you put it like that, it sounds worse."
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. What are we doing?"
William didn't answer verbally.
Instead, he cast Hold Person.
Invisible force slammed into Shadowheart, freezing her mid-motion.
Her eyes widened in shock as her body locked, muscles rigid and unresponsive.
William immediately released the spell.
She stumbled forward, fury blazing in her eyes. "You absolute—"
"I needed to see how fast it lands," he said quickly, holding his hand out to interrupt. "And whether the Charisma boost mattered."
Her glare could have stripped paint. "And?"
He nodded. "It did."
She stared at him for a long moment, then snorted despite herself. "Next time, warn me."
"No promises." He smirked.