Vaudevillain

Dylan logged back into World of Supers the next day. Jack hadn't been able to get back online, and Dylan didn't have anything planned, so he spent the rest of the night reading a few of the new comics he bought at his local store. For once, he decided to sleep without the VIS, letting his body rest from constant experience.

World of Supers looked as beautiful as always, Dylan taking in the sights as he logged into his character. He contacted Jack moments after arriving inside the game, meeting up at the PVP arena.

"Alright," Jack said. "Let's work out this magic power of yours."

"You sure I should go with magic?" Dylan asked. "I know it would shore up my weakness, but Dr. Zlo is still a gadgetry villain. Getting magic seems almost wrong."

"That's why we disguise it as weird science or something," Jack said. "Besides, you know as well as I do that most of those evil villains you base Dr. Zlo off of didn't have the strictest rules when it came to science. Most of what they did was almost magic anyways."

"Any sufficiently advanced technology can't be distinguished from magic," Dylan said.

"Yeah!" Jack exclaimed, giving Dylan a thumbs up.

"So it should be something that looks technological but isn't," Dylan stated.

"Or, something like a magical power source that powers technology," Jack said. "Though, the game already uses Phlebotinium…."

The two leaned against the wall of the PVP arena, thinking up options and brainstorming back and forth.

"Magitech?" Jack asked.

"Maybe," Dylan answered. "It would depend on how the power works. I'm thinking we brainstorm everything we can and see what they all do. Then pick between them."

Jack nodded in agreement, "I like that plan. Alright, we got magitech. What else?"

"Spell matrixes," Dylan answered, remembering the intricate designs of magic spells in comics.

"Nice," Jack said. "What about enchanting? Give your tech extra effects?"

"Maybe?" Dylan said. "I guess it depends on what I'm using the power for. Is it to shore up my weakness or give me more fighting power."

"You got more fighting power with your Mad Science upgrade," Jack pointed out. "I don't see why this can't be the power to shore up a weakness. Or heck, we could do both with it."

"Oh, right," Dylan said. The player opened up his menu, searching for the upgrade he and Jack talked about yesterday.

Sometimes a scientist has to make inventions on the fly, using the tools around them to make their ideas reality. When spit and elbow grease alone won't cut it, Inventory Assembly is here to help! This power shows a small list of craftable inventions made with the materials inside the player's inventory. Be sure to stock up on all the materials you might need!

"There, added," Dylan said. Instantly, the player saw a new window appear near his inventory, showing a list of different inventions craftable with the materials inside. None of it was as dangerous as his prepared weapons, but there were still a few that could pack a punch. The Ice Pack Grenade was particularly interesting.

"Good, good," Jack said. "What about something like spell programming?"

"How's that different from spell matrixes?" Dylan asked.

Jack smirked and shot a finger gun, "One's linear algebra and the other's in C++."

Dylan snorted, "Alright. What about alchemy? You mentioned that before, right?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah. But it's like mad science. Type in what you want and get a list of materials. The main difference is that alchemy uses a lot more organic and metallic material. Oh, how about biomagic?"

Dylan scrunched a lip, "Biomagic would be like controlling plants and making new monsters, right? That might get too close to minion production again."

"Hmm, I see what you mean," Jack answered. "Alright, biomagic is out. What about some kind of magic gun? Or some other piece of technology that does magical things."

"Like a magic cane," Dylan nodded. "I could see it. Dr. Zlo could replace his current cane with the power and still keep the same effects."

"Anything else?" Jack said after a moment of thinking.

"Nah, I can't think of anything else," Dylan answered. "We got a good spread, though."

"That we did," Jack answered. "Now, all you gotta do is pop 'em into the search bar and see which gives you the best options."

Dylan followed Jack's advice, opening up his inventory and grabbing another gram of Phlebotinium. Again a menu showed up, and this time Dylan excluded any upgrades from the search list. He searched for each power, selecting them to compare with the others as he went.

Magic and science have always been at a crossroads, the two ideologies almost incompatible. But not for you. No, you delved deep into the powers of magic and science, coming out with something new. No longer magic or science alone, your new understanding has shown you how to craft powerful technology through the use of magic. Use your spells to make all sorts of new and improved items for everyday use!

(Magitech uses both a player's mana bar as well as items in their inventory to create machines with powerful effects. However, these machines always use mana and must be charged before they work.)

Magic is at its essence unknowable and unquantifiable, but that doesn't stop you from trying. Through years of study, you have learned to unlock secrets of magic, secrets of uniformity. By crafting symbols and linking them together, you can form a spell matrix of immeasurable power. It will be up to you how you use this power. Will you be wise? Or a tyrant?

(Spell Matrixes are arcane symbols that can be woven together to form new patterns. A player can find new symbols and patterns scattered around World of Supers. It requires both the symbols and a player's mana to work.)

Some would consider enchantment a simpler form of magic. Place a few items of power together and grant an item some extra ability. However, most don't know that mastery of this art can give such powers as invulnerability, clairvoyance, and supersonic speeds. If only for a time. You are one of the few who chose to learn this power and shall therefore reap the benefits.

(Enchantment magic requires a list of materials and a player's mana to work. Starting enchantments are sharpen, harden, and a choice of elemental buff. More enchantments can be found throughout World of Supers.)

Magic is at its essence unknowable and unquantifiable, but that doesn't stop you from trying. Through years of study, you have learned to unlock the secrets of magic, secrets of connection. You have learned to link your language with that of magic, and as such, can command it to obey you. However, magic is a fickle thing and requires specific directions. Be warned, improper instructions will lead to mixed results.

(Spell Programming allows players to create different programs using the player's language and mana. Up to ten programs can be saved at any time, but a player can always write a new program, cast it, then discard it.)

Long have alchemists observed the natural magic in their world, learning an item's properties and traits. To what end, only the alchemist can say. Now, you can be one of them. Alchemists are adept at combining items together to form new materials. Yes, almost anything can be created through alchemy, as long as one has the materials.

(Alchemy requires a list of materials and a player's mana. Players research what they want and find the materials needed around World of Supers.)

Whether through some accident or by design, you have acquired a magical cane! This item can perform several fantastic deeds with a wave of the stick. Want to turn someone into a frog? Or maybe a bat? Just wave the Magic Cane in the right direction and watch as your designs come to life!

(The Magic Cane comes equipped with three spells chosen by the wielder. Spells can be changed at loci of power around World of Supers.)

Dylan read the different powers off to Jack.

"I think I'm going to drop Spell Matrix and Enchantment," Dylan said. "Both want me to travel around the world searching for powerups. That's not fun for me."

"Fair," Jack said. "I'm thinking you drop Alchemy too. It's definitely too close to your Mad Science power."

Dylan deleted the three entries from his list, "That leaves us with Magitech, Spell Programming, and Magic Cane."

"Have you ever done any programming?" Jack asked.

Dylan shook his head, "No."

"Then I'd drop Spell Programming too," Jack said. "I don't think you want to go through the pain of learning to program."

Dylan raised an eyebrow, "Have you?"

Jack nodded, "A passing craze with Ogel sets as a kid. My aunt got me this claw one years back, thinking it was a crane. She didn't realize it was one of those robotics kits the company makes."

"How is it there's always one relative who tries to get you something you like but messes it up?" Dylan said with a shake of his head.

"I'm guessing you have a similar story?" Jack teased.

Dylan nodded, "My grandma found out I liked superheroes and got me this series called Bibleguy. One of the weirdest superhero shows I ever saw. Of course, she was big into Christianity and wanted to make sure I was getting the education I needed to save my eternal soul."

"Okay, not gonna lie, Bibleguy sounds like an amazing superhero," Jack said.

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