AJ POV:

See now, with a little bit of truth mixed into a whole lot of bullshit, anyone will believe you these days. That whole spiel about Skill Absorption being better was nothing better than hogwash, frankly I just wanted to engage in some promiscuous activities without killing anyone, but I guess it works.

Thomas went straight on to the legendary skills, and I sat there rubbing my hands, hoping there was some magical Skill to make liquor shoot from my fingertips.

[Legendary:

Space Magic

Time Magic

Mind Magic

All Seeing Eye

Divine Genius Warrior

Phoenix's Heart

Heavenly blacksmithing techniques

Necromancy

...

Select 3 skills]

The list was filled with at least 80 skills, but in no time we shortened it down to just 8. This time all the skills were pretty self explanatory, even I could comprehend such things as Phoenix's Heart. It obviously meant when burned to ash, a new heart will grow, but only when burnt. Right?

A few aroused my interest, particularly the mind magic one, who knew just how many people I could rob- uh stop from killing innocent civilians! Oho, it seems even little Felix likes it.

Thomas made another announcement of sorts telling us all to speak our preferences, he really is the best leader. I said Mind Magic as that was obviously the best. Everybody agreed it was a good idea, so, securing my victory, I promptly made my exit.

Back in the cell sitting atop a fluffy bed I demanded Thomas give me (for chronic back pain) I laughed manically, although not too loud for fear other's may hear me. Ah, I wish I had tasted a single drop of that alcohol.

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Thomas POV:

We had narrowed it down to 8 possible skills we could choose. All the others has either been too costly, not beneficial enough or simply not interesting. We had already chosen one out of the 8, Mind Magic.

AJ unsurprisingly wanted it desperately, do I asked if everyone wanted the skill after he gave me puppy dog eyes. Everyone said yes for different reasons. I couldn't see any real reason not to pick it, so we did.

After that I ordered AJ to go back to his cell, so now we were left with 2 available skills slots and 7 skills to pick from.

"I think time magic would be great if not for the huge cost. I don't think we have enough time to save years worth of energy all for a minute per year. Space magic is in a similar boat, the side effects are simply too taxing for the power we gain. What are everybody else's opinions?" Felix sat down, finishing his speech on the other magic's.

The reason we picked Mind Magic was because it said the side effect was it put strain on the mind. Veronica deduced since we are all a collective, the side effects would have little to no effect at all.

"Do we all agree space and time are off the table?" I asked. Heads all around me firmly nodded.

That leaves five left. Anthony picked the Divine Tempest Martial Arts and Veronica had wanted Phoenix's Heart. Felix desperately wanted All Seeing Eye and Necromancy, saying things like 'so OP' and the like. I don't really understand the lingo.

I picked the Heavenly Blacksmithing Techniques because back in my past life I really enjoyed metalwork. I watched all the videos on sword making and got so into it I bought my own forge. The personalities weren't too happy, they had wanted their own things at the time.

I surveyed the room, looking carefully at each and every one of them.

"Felix, we can't do Necromancy buddy, it lowers our health down by 50% permanently. So drop it dude." Felix morosely slumped into his chair, crossing his arms.

Anthony, who had been staring into space looked up.

"I think the best second skill has to be All Seeing Eye. Since we didn't pick Chaotic Aura, this will serve a similar function, letting us see everybody's stats as long as they are at most 5 levels above us. It's a safe bet." Anthony cracked his knuckles, the anticipation leaking out of him.

"Let's vote. All for All Seeing Eye?"

Everyone raised their hands.

There was only room for one more skill, and we had 3 left to choose from. I personally really wanted the blacksmithing skill so I could make a sick great sword! The others would probably think it's dumb though...

Felix stood looking at the screen, the silence enveloping us.

"I think we don't need another utility skill like blacksmithing, the question is do we go for a backup skill for if we die, or do we invest in our growth as a warrior. Phoenix's Heart allows us to live if we die fighting, but an obvious weakness is the heart itself. If that's destroyed, it's game over. So I say we have to go with the skill Divine Genius Warrior. Although we have to learn the fighting skills, it enables rapid growth at 50% faster speed."

I looked dumbfounded at Felix. When did this kid ever put so much thinking into one thing? He wasn't joking when he said this was his dream come true. The others around me had a similar expression on their face to me. Anthony woke from his Dazed expression.

"Astute observation Felix, I think it's decided then?"

We all looked at each other, resolute expressions all on our faces. They all turned to me and nodded. I nodded back and then blinked out of existence.