Upon clicking the Evolution Ready button next to his profession, he was greeted with a similar number of system prompts as his Class Evolution.
E-Grade Profession Evolution
You, a newly initiated human shaman, have shown a degree of talent in the field of spiritualism. You have demonstrated proficiency in the art of crafting effigies that provide self-enhancing effects rather than Debilitating ones and Hexes. As a result of all you have accomplished within F-Grade, you are presented with 5 Profession Evolutions.
“Nothing incorrect so far, I haven’t really used effigies of harm, nor have I used Hexes for anything other than combat.” Archie acknowledged, Wait…could I have learned how Hexes are made by analyzing them? Like how I learned how to make a Voodoo Doll.
Nevertheless, Archie looked at the first option that appeared in front of him.
Adept Shaman:
An Adept Shaman has taken their first steps into the path of spiritualism and seeks to immerse themselves into the realm of spiritualism. Grants the knowledge on how to make effigies, rituals, and totems. Abilities Granted: Totem-Carving (Initiate) & Ritual Crafting (Initiate). Stats per level: +5 Int, +5 Per, +3 Wis, +2 Agi, +2 Free Points.
The first option sounded like just a straight-up generic upgrade from his current Shaman profession, just like the Experienced Warrior class option he received. Nonetheless, it provides 17 stats per level, 11 more stats than what he currently receives.
I hope the other options are more interesting, Archie thought while pushing the option to the side and looking at the second option.
Upon reading it, Archie looked confused.
Novice Forgesmith:
As the one with the blessing of the Forgefather, you gain the ability to forge items producing various effects. Your crafts are then imbued with runes that grant various effects. Provides knowledge on Smithing and Rune Scribing. You are now able to create multiple shamanistic crafts simultaneously. Abilities Granted: Forgesmith’s Flame (Initiate), Smithing Mastery (Initiate) & Rune Scribing (Initiate). However, all skills pertaining to the Shaman profession will be lost. Stats per level: +5 Vit, +4 Str, +4 End, +2 Per, +4 Free Points.
“Wait, so I lose everything I gained from the Shaman profession, but in return gain a brand-new Profession?” Archie noted as he read the last part of the option.
By giving up his current profession, he would gain a brand new one completely unrelated to Shamanism. Albeit, it provided more stat points than the generic upgrade of the Shaman profession, 19 stats per level.
The memory of being in awe of Bralmir’s armory and seeing everything he crafted, as well as his desire to move on from crafting the same type of effigies, made him hesitant to disregard the option. He’d always loved creating new and cool things.
“Ah, Bralmir, what do you think about this?” Archie questioned while contemplating if the change would be worth it.
A familiar weight descended atop his shoulders, informing him that Bralmir heard him.
“Could you clarify what you are referring to?” Bralmir asked Archie in confusion.
“Can you not see my evolution options?” Archie asked confusedly
“No, the system does not allow such a thing, unless system-mandated contracts are involved,” Bralmir briefly explained. "Only then can another person other than yourself look at your system panel."
“Oh, okay. So, I was given a Profession change opportunity to become a Novice Forgesmith and I am hesitant about what to do. I like the idea of creating cool things, but I don’t wanna lose fifty levels worth of progress.” Archie informed him.
Humming in understanding, “As the one who paved the pathway to godhood with Forgesmithing, it is a robust and well-paved path to tread throughout your Journey. However, I do understand your hesitance to abandon your current profession, you would be essentially discarding everything you ever learned as an F-Grade.” Bralmir acknowledged
“However, if you chose to be a Novice Forgesmith, where would you forge? You have no forge or tools.” Bralmir informed. “Although if you wait until you reach the Group Tutorial, you will be able to work with a forge with the help of the Assistants there.”
“Assistants?” Archie questioned.
“Yes, in every Group Tutorial, there exists a small village inhabited by denizens of the multiverse who assist newly initiated sentient races. Typically, five main Assistants offer basic training and a variety of tips regarding starter classes. In addition to these primary Assistants, several others help newcomers acquire basic Professions such as Smithing, Tailoring, Leatherworking, and more. As well as providing them the tools necessary to start.” Bralmir informed Archie, causing him to look both surprised and annoyed.
“I’m regretting having chosen the Solo Tutorial.” Archie huffed, annoyed at the amount of time he wasted trying to learn how to fight by himself when he could have learned from a proper warrior.
Suddenly a thought popped into his mind, “Could I combine what I’ve learned about spiritualism with forging?” Archie asked.
A reply did not come right away, but after a few seconds of silence, Bralmir responded, “With what you know now? No. However, there are aspects of forging where you can imbue your crafts with spirits and provide various effects. But not like that of effigies, not until later down on your Journey, if you wish to become a Forgesmith.”
Archie looked downtrodden at what Bralmir informed him.
“Read your other options, before making a choice. Perhaps an option will appear that meshes best with you.” Bralmir advised, giving Archie a modicum of hope.
Nodding, Archie looked at the next evolution option.
Druidic Shaman:
The Druidic Shaman is a purely nature-focused practitioner of shamanism. You are now able to sense and manipulate nature-attuned spirits, allowing them to empower your magic and crafts even further when crafted with nature mana. As a Druidic Shaman, you are now able to access and harness the untamed forces of flora. Provides knowledge on crafting effigies, crafting totems, and flora manipulation. Abilities Granted: Totem-Carving (Initiate) & Flora Manipulation (Initiate). Stats per level: +5 Int, +5 Wis, +3 Will, +2 Vit, +3 Free Points.
Looking at the evolution option, Archie was reminded about Myrddin Oaken who wished to spread druidism across the multiverse. The profession provides 18 stats per level and grants him the ability to create totems as well as control plants. However, it did not provide ritualism, Archie noticed.
“Weird how rituals aren’t mentioned here? I thought druids performed rituals.” Archie wondered out loud.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Some do, some don’t; it’s a point of debate within the druidic communities,” Bralmir interjected.
“Ah, okay,” Archie said before moving to the next option.
Gifted Shaman of Nature:
A Gifted Shaman of Nature has mastered the very basics of Shamanism and seeks to delve deeper using their nature affinity in their craft and magic. You have used your nature-attuned mana into your crafts and abilities connecting to both spirits of nature and elemental. Grants the knowledge on how to make effigies, rituals, and totems. Abilities Granted: Totem-Carving (Initiate), Flora Manipulation (Initiate) & Ritual Crafting (Initiate). Stats per level: +5 Int, +4 Per, +3 Agi, +3 Wis, +5 Free Points.
“Oh! Here’s the ritual version of the previous one,” Archie noticed it gave 20 stats per level, two more than the previous evolution option.
Other than the addition of crafting rituals, and two more stats per level, nothing really differed between the two. Causing Archie to move on to the last option.
Shamanistic Craftsman:
The Shamanistic Craftsman specializes in the art of crafting effigies and totems. Their crafts involve creating effigies and totems that can provide a large variety of effects both enhancing and debilitating. Grants the knowledge on how to craft totems. Abilities Granted: Totem-Carving. However, some skills pertaining to the Shaman Profession might be lost. Stats per level: +4 Int, +4 Wis, +4 Per, +3 Agi, +2 Free Points.
This option was a more crafting-focused evolution, while also providing 17 stats per level. He did prefer to build things, his proof would be the ten giant boxes filled with foot-destroying plastic bricks within his new home in Illinois.
“Looking at this just makes me even more indecisive about what to choose.” Archie sighed clearly stressed about what to pick. He liked the idea of crafting things, especially new ones, but he did not want to just throw away almost a month’s worth of work as well as ignore his Nature Affinity.
“I genuinely don’t know what to pick, Bralmir,” Archie sighed. “I’ve always liked creating things, but I don’t want to just make effigies and totems, carving effigies has gotten stale over this past month. But I also don’t want to pick Forgesmithing and ignore the benefits I get from shamanism with my Nature Affinity.”
“Archie, let’s take a minute to think about this. As an E-Grade human, you can live up to 250 years, and every time you evolve your lifespan increases exponentially. A month’s worth of work going to waste is nothing much to be concerned about,” Bralmir calmly informed Archie, trying to ease his mind. "Besides, have you forgotten which faction we belong to? I also have a Nature Affinity which I incorporate into my craft, you just have to figure out how to utilize it. Don’t overthink things. Take it one step at a time. If you stumble back three steps, push yourself forward four."
“Thanks man…I guess you’re right, a month’s worth of work going to waste isn’t the end of the world. As you said, I can try to incorporate what I’ve learned while being a shaman into forging.” Archie replied softly.
Archie started to chuckle a bit before saying, “This whole thing reminds me of a meme, where a friend gives you the best flirting advice, however, when he does it himself, he fumbles everything. And in this scenario, I’m the friend.”
Bralmir chuckled a bit before saying, “Yes, I understand the analogy quite well. Such a thing transcends race, time as well as the system apparently.”
Now sensing Archie’s worries vanishing, Bralmir receded his presence atop Archie’s being and went back to observing Archie from within his domain.
*Your Race has reached Lv 51 – Points allocated, +3 Free Points*
Archie, now in a better mood, chose the second option given to him, Novice Forgesmith.
*Your Profession has Evolved Successfully*
New Profession: [Novice Forgesmith]:
As the one with the blessing of the Forgefather, you gain the ability to forge items producing various effects. Your crafts are then imbued with runes that grant various effects. Provides knowledge on Smithing and Rune Scribing. You are now able to create multiple shamanistic crafts simultaneously. Abilities Granted: Forgesmith’s Flame (Initiate), Smithing Mastery (Initiate) & Rune Scribing (Initiate). Stats per level: +5 Vit, +4 Str, +4 End, +2 Per, +4 Free Points.
*Your Profession has reached Lv 50– Points allocated, +4 Free Points*
Skill Lost: [Spirit Link (Epic)]
Skill Lost: [Effigy-Carving (Common)]
Skill Lost: [Hex of Enfeeblement (Common)]
Skill Lost: [Shatter Spirit (Common)]
Skill Lost: [Hum of the Wild (Common)]
Skill Gained: [Forgesmith’s Flame (Initiate)]
Forgesmith’s Flame (Initiate):
The flame of a Forgesmith is an essential skill throughout the forging process. This flame is the embodiment of your will made manifest, serving as a reflection of your spirit. Refining one's flame is a long and demanding journey. The Forgesmith can summon a flame, capable only of emitting heat, as it is not a tool for combat but a focused force for creation.
Skill Gained: [Basic Smithing Mastery (Initiate)]
Basic Smithing Mastery (Initiate):
Mastery over the forge begins with understanding the basics. This skill allows for the crafting of various Initiate-quality items through smithing. Proper materials and equipment are required to smith items successfully.
Skill Gained: [Basic Rune Scribing (Initiate)]
Basic Rune Scribing (Initiate):
The art of rune scribing opens the door to enchanting and imbuing objects with magical properties. An initiate rune scriber learns to etch basic symbols that can provide various benefits to the object. This skill allows for the creation of simple runes with various effects. Appropriate materials and tools are necessary for scribing runes.
Skill Evolution: [Material Insight (Common) → Material Insight (Common)]
Material Insight (Common):
The Forgesmith taps into their connection with nature to identify and locate materials for their crafts. When Identifying and analyzing materials, additional information is revealed.
Archie looked at the many system prompts that covered his vision, with a bittersweet smile. Even though he was sure of his choice, he couldn’t help but remember the joy he got whenever he successfully crafted new effigies.
But soon, Archie was jolted out of his melancholic mood by a sharp pain arcing across his brain.
Clenching his fists, scrunching his face, and gritting his teeth, he fought to suppress a shout. Knowledge of how to handle a forge and use basic smithing tools—such as hammers, chisels, and tongs— flooded his mind, accompanied by an array of basic runes and their properties.
After an unknown amount of time, Archie was able to gain his bearings and call upon his status page, observing the changes that it had undergone.
Archie Gracefield
Race: Human E-Grade Lv 51
Class: Nature-Attuned Pugilist Lv 50
Profession: Novice Forgesmith Lv 50
Health: 2331/2331
Mana: 820/820
Stamina: 1491/1491
Stats:
Vitality: 222(233)
Strength: 222(255)
Endurance: 142(149)
Agility: 187
Intelligence: 196
Wisdom: 82
Willpower: 82(90)
Perception: 179
Free Points: 42
General Skills: Identify (Initiate), Nature's Meditation (Epic)
Class Skills: Basic Martial Combat Mastery (Uncommon), Savage Charge (Uncommon), Adrenaline Rush (Rare), Pugilist’s Grit (Uncommon), Retaliation (Uncommon), Relentless Flurry (Uncommon), Taunt (Uncommon), Thorns (Common)
Profession Skills: Forgesmith’s Flame (Initiate), Smithing Mastery (Initiate), Rune Scribing (Initiate), Material Insight (Common)
Bloodline: Adrenaline Junkie (Unique) [+10% to Strength and +10% to Willpower]
Affinity: Greater Nature Affinity (Epic)
Blessing: Blessing of the Forgefather (Moderate) [+5% to Strength and +5% to Endurance]
Titles Collected: Bloodline Progenitor [+10 Vitality and +5% Vitality], Flawless E-Grade Evolution [+10 all Stats]
Tutorial Points: 10,684
Wistfully looking at his meager Profession skill list, Archie kissed his teeth. He needed to fill that out to at least make it look just as full as his Class skill list.
Looking at the moon raised high above him, he ventured into the forest, intent on killing the tortoise.
----------------------------------------
At the same time Archie steeled himself and ventured into the forest, Bralmir stopped observing Archie and entered his forge room.
The forge room was a chaotic mess. Glass bottles littered the floor—some half-full, others completely empty—and shards of broken glass crunched underfoot, glinting in the dim light. The walls and floor were lined with warped metal armor and shattered weapons, while deep, fist-shaped dents in the walls told stories of the rage that had once consumed the space. In the center, the forge remained defiantly untouched, a relic of its past glory. Its mouth, cold and empty, had not seen flame in ages, as if it had been waiting for the fires of creation to return.
Bralmir looked at the chaotic mess, his gazing lingering on the cold and empty forge in front of him. Steeling himself, he picked up an empty glass bottle and sent it to a spatial storage.
One step at a time, Bralmir reminded himself.