Level: 1 Experience: BLOCKED
Healing: 390/390 Stamina: 400/400 Mana: 230/230
Class: Tier 0, Child(Blue)
Effect: Increased Skill Acquisition(+10%), Increased Learning Speed(+10%), Increased Stat Gain(+10%), Increased Physical Gain(+10%), Increased Mental Gain(+10%)
Vitality: 39 (+4)
Endurance: 40 (+6)
Strength: 32 (+3)
Agility: 38 (+6)
Perception: 29 (+5)
Mind: 84 (+20)
Magic: 23 (+3)
Focus: 41 (+6)
Free Points: 0
Tier 1(21)(10+): Light Armor(100+50), Eldarin Etiquette(75+6), Shield Skills(75+26), Spear Skills(71+31), Drawing Skills(70+9), Bow Skills(52+17), Pugilist Skills(50+16), Combat Tactics(50+33), Cleaning Skills(50+29), Monster Processing Skills(46+15), Dancing Skills(38+2), Axe Skills(34+15), Dagger Skills(29+12), Stealth(25+17), Deflection(25+25), Throw(25+25), Cooking Skills(22+7), Wrestling Skills(21+9), Medium Armor(20+20), Speech(17), Sweet Tooth(4)
Tier 2(44)(2+): Mana Sense(100), Danger Sense(99+51), System Sense(65+45), Focused Breathing(60+40), Soul Sense(55+8), Algebra(40+17), Focused Toughness(40+40), Geometry(37+17), Trap Detection(37+27), Focused Sword Skills(37+37), Focused Meditation(36+36), Darkness Vision(30+15), Shadow Vision(29+16), Speed Reading(20
+7), Monster Analysis(20+9), Depth Sense(20+10), Focused Running(20+20), Focused Dodge(20+20), Critical Thinking(19+16), Focused Rage(12+8), Mana Vision(12+12), Eldarin Lore(8+8)Tier 3(51): Pain Resistance(99+31), Soul Resistance(80+34), Empowered Will(60+16), Fear Resistance(57+37), Eldarin Runes(40+12), Healing Resistance(40+20), Poison Resistance(20+5), Empowered Writing(20+7), Soul Strike(17+13), Fire Resistance(7+7), Mana Manipulation(5+5), Alchemy(5+5), Physical Resistance(3+3), Cold Resistance(3+3), Lightning Resistance(3+3), Social Resistance(3), Arcane Resistance(1+1)
Tier 6(-): Experience Siphon(C)
Equipment
Ring1: Ring of Concealment(T4) (Blocks T4 Skills And Below From Checking Status)
Ring2: Ring of Remote Viewing(T2) (Allows a person to observe and know location up to 3rd Layer)
Weapon1: Beginner’s Blade(T3) (Sharpness-T3, Durability-T4, Self-Repair-T2)
Equipment
Gloves: Gloves of Processing(T2) (Blocks Mana T2 and Below)
Boots: Armored Boots(T1) (Basic Equipment)
Head: Armored Helmet(T1) (Basic Equipment)
Body: Light Armor(T1) (Basic Equipment)
Ring1: Ring of Concealment(T3) (Hide Status T3 and Below)
Ring2: Ring of Remote Awareness(T3) (Allows for remote viewing from companion ring)
Amulet/Bracelet: Experience Blocker(T4) (Prevents all experience gain for primary level)
Weapon1: Beginner’s Blade(T2) (Sharpness-T2, Durability-T3, Self-Repair-T2)
Equipment1: Runic Writing Set(T3) (Write Runes T3 and Below)
My eyes went a bit wide at my progress. I hadn’t been allowed to check my status at all in the last year we were in the dungeon. “Disappointing,” my mother said.
“What?” I looked at her in shock after reading off all my current skills. It was nice that my status let me know how much they had leveled up so I didn’t have to remember.
“Only 492 skill levels on average every three months. When you were recovering from the Alchemical Toxicity, your level gain was higher than that,” she said. That was when I felt like my body would rip itself apart in pure rage.
“Have you ever had such high gains?” I asked angrily.
“No. But I was never given your advantages either,” she countered instantly. “Light Armor can be left as is for now. A shame that Pain Resistance didn’t max out, same with Soul Resistance.”
“I am back at the edge of Meldor’s Threshold, once again,” I replied.
“Hmm, a concern to be sure. But you have gotten the resistance skills I was hoping you would get. Arcane Resistance is especially tricky as a skill.” That was probably when you made me fight with my fists against those monster gorillas that used Mana on their punches.
“Even with the Mind Crystal, my Mind stat just can’t keep up with my skill gain. At least it maxed out bonuses that are possible from a blue class,” I replied.
“Or your skill gain is keeping up with your Mind stat. Your Soul Resistance has increased quite a bit. Leveling that skill is near impossible otherwise,” she replied.
“Without torture, you mean?” I asked.
“You can’t easily level resistance skills like that, at least not if you consent to the torture. Resistance skills are annoying to level,” my mother said while looking at me.
“Um, I consent?” I hesitantly said and she just smiled.
“I would never torture you, my son,” she replied. The last year was torture. I was almost surprised I didn’t have an emotional resistance skill. “You need to keep up the exercises I started you on with Mana Manipulation. It is a very important skill for spells.”
“What about Mana Sense?” I asked. While I might be very heavily annoyed with my mother, I wouldn’t ignore good advice.
“Work on Mana Vision and leave it alone. The same with the other sensory skills. It is better to merge them together in one large upgrade instead of doing them one at a time. Your acting guardian will be Healer Melon, while I am gone. He is to make sure you don’t get into any serious trouble. No running away from him,” she said. I held up the Ring of Remote Viewing.
“What about this?” I asked.
“If you want to wear it, wear it. If you don’t want to wear it, then don’t. Ultimately it is your choice. There are only so many equipment slots one can place enchanted items on their body, and it is ultimately your choice. I expect to see you at the College of Advancement in the Ice Capped Mountains in six months for your enrollment,” she said.
“I really am free until then?” I asked just to be sure.
“Enjoy your sweets and spa days my son. One more thing. Don’t worry about hiding your identity. Anyone who would come for you, won’t be slowed down by you hiding your name any longer,” she said.
“Do I need to be worried? What about the legend who cursed me?” I asked.
“Not since we have left Terander. You don’t need to shout it from the rooftops, but there is nothing to be overly concerned about with your skills from a casual attack. As for the legend who cursed you. They have vanished and there is no record or knowledge.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Then the cursed skill?” I asked hesitantly. Would I be unable to properly level for the rest of my life?
“It shames me to say that there is nothing I can do directly. Even after everything I have spent and the favors I have called in. However, I have prepared some things for you. The first is this book,” she pulled it out of her spatial storage and handed it to me. “A rare treasure of the Eldarin Empire. Only The Librarian had a full copy. Don’t let others know you have it lightly,” she said and handed it over. I took a look at the title.
The Deeper Mysteries of the Soul by The Eternal Emperor was the title on the first page. The cover was completely blank and plain grey, hiding what the book was about on the outside. I looked up in shock. “It was saved by The Librarian when the Eternal Empire collapsed. This isn’t the original, but the content was copied over exactly. Soul magic and related skills are strictly regulated,” my mother said.
“I need to remove the skill myself,” I said and she shook her head.
“When you gain experience, you should be able to sense the direction of the individual who placed the skill on you, regardless of their stealth skills. You will have to track them down and discover their identity one day. It is the most I can do,” she said.
“Would I be able to beat them?” I asked nervously.
“Hire some other legends to help you or a team of strong elites. Ambush and kill them if you aren’t strong enough for a frontal attack. Use the knowledge from this book to develop more powerful skills. I will only add that you should avoid learning anything from this book while you are at the College of Advancement,” she told me.
“Then why give it to me now?” I asked.
“So, you can read ahead and consider the information carefully. While I might seem reckless, soul skills are incredibly dangerous. They aren’t the kind of skills you should rush into since they carry a strong stigma about them as part of the dark legacy of the Eldarin Empire. There is a reason I am giving you this while Healer Melon isn’t around,” my mother explained and I nodded at this.
“As for my second gift, a spatial storage. Live your life and enjoy this gift. Try not to flaunt it around since you aren’t strong enough to protect it properly,” she said and put a hip pouch on the table between us.
“A spatial storage?” I asked in surprise, and she nodded.
“Your monster cores are in there. Along with all your study materials and equipment. I removed everything to my other spatial storage. Don’t trust it with anything you don’t want to lose,” she said.
“But your sword isn’t always with you,” I pointed out.
“Isn’t it? I never put it into spatial storage. You need to pay more attention, my son, if you missed even this. While the spatial storage is rated as a tier 4 piece of equipment, it can be stolen, damaged, and stolen from with high level thief skills. Also, you have a 100 gold in there.”
“How does it work?” I asked.
“You need to focus a bit of Mana onto your hand with Mana Manipulation when you reach inside, thinking about what you want and grab. Don’t put oversized things or objects that are too heavy in. The more stuff that is in there, the harder it is to let go and place an object inside. Don’t ignore this. If the spatial pouch is destroyed, everything inside is lost,” my mother explained while getting up. I looked and she didn’t have her sword on her waist.
“Where is your sword?” I asked.
“A mother has to have some secrets, my son,” she smiled at me. “Now enjoy your six months. Try not to be a complete disappointment.” With that she just left, and I put the book she had given me into my spatial storage.
Healer Melon entered the room and took a seat. I took a moment to process everything my mother had just told me. I looked over at Healer Melon who was sitting quietly off to one side.
“That’s it? She left?” I asked him and he nodded.
“Yes. It will take two weeks of travel to reached the Ice Capped Mountains far to the North where the College of Advancement is located. Up until that point, I am merely to keep you company as your guardian and chaperon. And through your time at school as well,” he replied.
“Really? For that long?” I asked.
“Yes. Making sure you don’t die from an accident or some nonsense. But otherwise, I am not to interfere unless it is to help you with training,” he replied casually. I looked at the ring on my hand.
“And report to my mother?” I asked.
“If that is what she asks. But she doesn’t need me for something like that. The Supreme Warlady…has immense power. It is not my place to question her,” he said. I let out a scoff. He was my mother’s person through and through and glorified babysitter. I was on par with a silver plate adventurer. But with my age of 11.5 I would have difficulties being by myself and traveling alone.
“This apartment suite is booked for another day, but if you want to extend it, you have to do it with the funds your mother left you.”
I began checking the spatial pouch. Everything of mine was stored inside as well as a pouch with 100 gold coins. An impressively large amount of money. Even with all the monster cores I had earned, I would only earn between 100 and 200 gold coins.
I looked at Healer Melon and his bald head. I should split the monster cores I had earned with him. It was the right thing to do, even if he was being paid by my mother. I depended on the man to keep me alive and boost my training. Best not to be rude.
“Tomorrow we will leave and cash in at the Adventurer’s Guild. Also, we will arrange transportation to the Dwarven City of Undercraft immediately,” I replied. It was the city next to the College of Advancement, or under it as it were.
“Wanting to get a head start on the travel?” Healer Melon asked, and I shook my head.
“I can rest during the travel. It will help avoid any delays that might happen. While I might talk back to my mother…I am not going to be late,” I said, and Healer Melon nodded quite a bit at this. “Also, the city has quite a lot of training schools and Tutors available for hire. It would also help me get a better understanding of the College of Advancement before attending.” My Tutor Damian had explained quite a bit about the place, but I wanted to get another opinion and learn for myself what I could.
“Smart,” he replied.
“Do you need me to store anything?” I asked.
“You already spotted the sealed sets of potions in the spatial storage your mother gave you. Do not take them or use them without my supervision unless you are literally about to die. Otherwise, no. I have my own pack to carry my personal items with me. I have learned to travel light as an adventurer,” he explained.
“Well it is still morning, let’s handle business first, cashing in the monster cores, and arranging transportation for tomorrow. Then we can relax,” I said. Healer Melon didn’t argue with me.
We went to the Adventurer’s Guild first thing. I had pulled out the monster cores ahead of time, so I wouldn’t be seen using a spatial storage. Using a spatial storage item with red monster cores was a bit ridiculous.
“The total is 184 gold, 80 silver, and 53 copper,” the attendant said after calculating it all out.
“Split in two please, the extra copper doesn’t matter,” I said. It only took a minute to get two pouches full of money and I handed one to Healer Melon.
“What? I have already been paid,” he said.
“You helped me out, you get paid. Also, you harvested more than half of the monster cores,” I said.
“Only because your mother wanted to keep moving,” he muttered as we left the Adventurer’s Guild, making our way to the inter-city transport hub, which wasn’t far away from the city center.
“It’s your money now. Do with it what you want. But consider it payment for any future headaches I put you through,” I said.
“In that case I will keep it,” he said. That was quick, but it was a decent amount of money, but not an obscene amount. “If I need potions I can buy them out of this money you gave me.”
“Your choice. Now let’s arrange some transportation for tomorrow.”
An express magical carriage to Undercraft City for two people cost 2 gold each, plus another 2 gold for boarder fees. Healer Melon insisted on paying his own share and I didn’t object.
With transportation arranged, my next stop was a sweet shop. I pulled out 5 gold coins. That was the limit I had set myself. “This much chocolate and other sweets. Nothing bitter or too sticky,” I said. The shopkeeper was delighted and carefully packed up a lot of chocolates and other assorted sweets to deliver them to our apartment suite.
“That much in chocolate, really?” Healer Melon asked me.
“I won’t let my mother guilt trip me. I plan to enjoy the finer things of civilization, and I set myself a budget from my earnings. It wasn’t 50 gold only 5,” I told him off.
“Ah, well, it is your choice,” he said.
“It is, so stop worrying. If my mother had a problem with my choices, she would yell at me some more,” I said. What I really meant was that she would have absolutely forbidden me from indulging. While she might make fun of me, as long as I didn’t go overboard, it was fine.
When we got back to the fancy inn, I booked the spa that afternoon for me and Healer Melon. He objected, but I treated him out of my share, 5 gold for each of us. That afternoon, I had gone to heaven from the hell of the dungeon and my mother. Not listening to her lecture me for the afternoon was the best respite I could have asked for.