After the two finished their long embrace Victor asked. “Do you know what to do in order to make myself strong where I will be sent? I am guessing I am not headed back to Earth since I now have mana.”
“Correct! You will be sent from one of the lowest power worlds in existence, a Dead Magic World into the world with the highest magical power. The name of the world in your language is Verdan.” The book proclaimed.
“Wait that seems dangerous, why there?” Victor asked.
“While your luck is the reason you were given this gift the world is always predetermined. That world is at war constantly and as a result it often has huge swaths of the planet in need of saving.” The book answered.
“Yeah that definitely fits my luck.” He immediately drooped his eyes, groaned, and slumped his shoulders. “World War Magic yeah that fits.”
“It’s not all bad sir, you have me to help guide you.” The book answered.
“I feel better already.” Victor’s voice thick with sarcasm continued. “Am I going to be immediately drafted to fight in said war?”
“Would you like to be placed into a nation with a draft?” Swordie asked spinning open.
Would you like to be placed into a nation with a draft?
Yes No
“No!” Victor smashed ‘No’ as fast as possible. “If I have to be born into a war torn world I’d like the opportunity to at least improve so I don’t die again or become forced to work, regardless of if I am a slave, a soldier, or just too poor to feed myself if I take a day off work.” He paused. “Speaking of which am I going to return at my current age or will I be born to new parents?”
“Would you like parents?” The book popped up another prompt. “This will not take effect until you speak the words ‘I accept these conditions for my resurrection’ aloud.”
Would you like to be newborn to new parents?
Accept : You will be born with new parents as a new child. The items, effects, and levels received by Blessing of the Angel of Resurrection will be received at age 18.
Reject : You will be placed in the world at your current age. The Blessing of The Angel of Resurrection takes effect immediately.
Victor shook his head thinking about it. “Going through young childhood was the best time in my life but most of that was definitely the innocence. I didn’t know who people were, what was going on, or even that I had screwed up my life. I could do it all over again and have guidance but it would feel weird to be in diapers again.” He clicked Reject.
“What would you like?” Swordie inquired.
“I think honest guidance, and access to all the rules of the world I am going into.” Victor explained. “I don’t need anything more than honest answers to my questions and hopefully as you so… astutely pointed out friends.”
“I understand your parameters. What avenue for power would you like to investigate?” Swordie popped up another window.
Classes
Classes provide access stat bonuses, skills, spells, and specializations. Classes can be accessed at level one, Basic Specializations can be accessed at level 10.
Basic Classes
Mage - Grants access to basic mage skills.
Stats - +5 Prowess, +5 Mana, +5 Flow, additional stats per level.
Fighter - Grants access to basic fighter skills.
Stats - +10 Strength, +5 Stamina, additional stats per level.
Rogue - Grants access to basic rogue skills.
Stats - +10 Speed, +5 stamina, additional stats per level.
Cleric - Grants access to basic cleric skills
Stats - +5 Mana, +10 Flow, additional stats per level.
Victor put his hand on his chin simply asked. “Do I meet the requirements to be a mage or a Cleric?”
“Yes sir, I granted you a single point of willpower granting you a single mana.” Swordie answered.
Victor pulled up the stat page he had opened before by saying “Stats”. He started thinking to himself looking at the stats ‘Level might be all that matters to be strong you double your stats, or more every 10 levels. “What is this about Tier?”
“Tiers are separated and are considered significant jumps in strength. While skills have stat, class and other requirements the maximum rank for many skills is restricted by your tier.” Swordie replied.
“Wait, my skills are rank 2 and rank 3 right?” He pulled back up the sheet. He was right.
“Yes, those skills are skills which do not have a rank restriction. The vast majority of skills which have no rank restriction are non-combat oriented. Cooking for example is something which has no rank restriction and instead only progresses based on achievements.” Swordie added.
“What are achievements exactly?” Victor asked.
“Achievements exist to reward using your abilities in new and exciting ways. For example this achievement.”
Chef Rank 1
Requirements: Cook one meal someone else enjoys eating.
Benefits: Gain a basic understanding of one dish. Usually the dish used to satisfy the requirements. Gain 1 luck.
“It is extremely common to get this achievement but you have never prepared a meal for another person but you do not possess it because you are unfathomably lonely, not because you are an incapable cook.” Swordie added.
“Gee thanks.” He sighed. “Anyway on from my personal isolation, I am trying to figure out what class I should be.”
“I will begin a Class Assessment. Please answer honestly.” Swordie added.
Are you adventuring alone, with a party, or both?
Alone Party Both
Are you interested in ranged combat, melee combat, or magical combat? Multiple answers may be selected for this question.
Ranged Melee Magical
At what levels would you like to be strongest? Multiple answers may be selected for this question.
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5 Tier 6 Tier 7 Tier 8 Tier 9 Tier 10
What form of defensive abilities interest you? Multiple answers may be selected for this question.
Armor Evasion Magic
Which combat describes your ideal combat?
I instantly kill a target
I Buff my allies.
I defend my allies.
I whittle down a target outlasting them.
I fight for myself and act independently.
“Hm.” Victor mumbled to himself. “I think both.” He tapped both. “Ideally all three.” He selected all three combat styles. “I’d like an even level of strength in general through my time, I guess its alright if the start is a little harder though.” He selected all ten tiers except tier 1. “Armor just sounds really frustrating it would slow you down.” He added Evasion and magic. “Hm, the last one doesn’t say I can select multiple options like the others. I think that fighting independently most closely aligns with my desire to be able to fight on my own and with a group.” He pushed fight independently. The book made a quick sound ‘DING’ before displaying information on it once again.
Class Assessment Recommendations
Mage - Grants access to basic mage skills.
Stats - +5 Prowess, +5 Mana, +5 Flow, additional stats per level.
Basic Specialization
Mage Spellsword - Grants access to many skills not normally available to the mage class from both the Fighter and Rogue classes.
Advanced Specialization
Sustained Spellcaster – Grants access to many unique skills allowing the user to sustain significantly more spells at the same time reducing the cost and improving mana regeneration.
“Huh, that’s interesting can you explain this?” Victor asked.
“Of course, the mage class casts spells. The two specializations are taken at level 10 for a basic specialization, and 30 for the advanced specialization.” Swordie explained.
“Do you think this build is any good?” Victor asked.
“A build?” The book asked.
“This set of levels I mean.” Victor clarified.
“The classes do work well together, there are some using it but it isn’t usually the most popular of specializations of the three basic specializations for mage, Deep Mage, Contemplative Caster, and Mage Spellsword it is the least popular. It is however the only one of the three mage classes capable of fighting on its own thanks to some skills associated with the subclass. There is another ‘build’ which closely matches most of your requirements but unfortunately it is better in tier 1 than tier 10 and uses armor instead of evading strikes which involves a similar cleric build using the Holy Warrior basic specialization. The skills selected have an extremely large impact on a person ability to act in the world.” The book explained.
“Hm, can you explain sustained spells?” Victor went on.
“Naturally, sustained spells are a type of ongoing spell which consumes some amount of mana over a period of time. Most combat spells consume an amount of mana each second they are active and can be easily activated and deactivated once learned.” It explained.
“So buff spells would fit there?” Victor asked.
“Astute observation sir.” The book added.
“Could you show me a buff spell? How about a speed buff spell?” Victor tilted his head.
Speed Boost Rank 1
Requirements: Spend 3 stat points, Mage or Cleric Level 1.
Sustained Spell
Mana Cost: 1 Mana Per Second
Increases speed by 30.
“That’s a lot of speed early but as I level up it becomes worthless right? 30 speed when you get 5 stat points per level is a lot, when you have 20 points per level it is kind of nothing.” Victor frowned.
“Oh no sir, you’d merely need to rank up the skill.” The book changed its page and displayed it again.
Speed Boost Rank 10
Requirements: Spend 1,536 stat points, Mage or Cleric Level 91.
Sustained Spell
Mana Cost: 128 Mana Per Second
Increases speed by 15,360.
“As you can see the value of the Speed Boost skill increases dramatically over the course of it leveling up. Stats except for Flow have a boost skill associated to them similar to these skills. For what you requested the Speed Boost and Prowess Boost skills both seem to be good choices.” The book noted.
“Those skills increase a stat by an amount, are there any buffs that increase a stat or damage or something by a percentage?”
The book paused almost hesitating as it answered. “Those skills exist.”
“Uh, are you going to tell me more?” Victor pressed onward.
“No sir.” Swordie replied.
“Oh come on! All I wanted was to know about the world I am going to and the rules if I run into someone with those and I don’t have one I’ll be at a huge disadvantage, especially if it’s a big increase!” Victor protested.
“Sir these skills are cursed. I shouldn’t even show them to you.” Swordie added.
“Cursed? Does merely looking at them curse me?” Victor asked.
“No. Would you like to view the cursed skills which increase stats?” Swordie asked with some trepidation in his voice.
“Yes, I’d at least like to see the skills.” Victor insisted.
Delusion / Luzuzal’s Delusion Rank 1
Requirements: Spend 10 points and accept an increase to the curse effect, or worship Luzuzal
Cursed Passive Skill
Curse: Cannot be disabled, retrained, or lost after being gained. If purchased with skill points 20% of your skill points are lost every level. Luzuzal may be venerated and may return these lost points.
Part of your vision is lost to delusion. Able to be modified to suit your desires, in exchange the user receives greatly increased Flow. If worshiping Luzuzal this is a 50% increase to total Flow. If purchased the increase is halved. To increase this skill effect Luzuzal must be appeased. If actively going against Luzuzal he may take control of the delusion.
Anger / Gizixil’s Anger Rank 1
Requirements: Spend 10 points and accept an increase to the curse effect, or worship Gizixil
Cursed Passive Skill
Curse: Cannot be disabled, retrained, or lost after being gained. If purchased with skill points 20% of your skill points are lost every level. Gizixil may be venerated and may return these lost points.
Part of your mind is lost to anger. You are significantly more likely to act on your anger and begin fights or to harm others. If worshiping Gizixil this is a 50% increase to your total Strength. If purchased the increase is halved. To increase this skill effect Gizixil must be appeased. If actively going against Gizixil he may take control and force you into a blind rage.
Enslavement / Kokoxol’s Enslavement Rank 1
Requirements: Inscribe the slave symbol on another living creature enslaving it against its will, spend 10 points or worship Kokoxol.
Cursed Passive Skill
Curse: Cannot be disabled, retrained, or lost after being gained. If purchased with skill points 20% of your skill points are lost every level. Kokoxol may be venerated and may return these lost points.
You feel a great unease when you are not in command or control. You are significantly more likely to control others even if harm would come to them for your own benefit. If worshiping Kokoxol this is 50% increase to your total Prowess. If purchased the increase is halved. To increase this skill effect Kokoxol must be appeased. If actively going against Kokoxol he may enslave you.
Thirst / Azalagol’s Thirst
Requirements: Seek and fail to find fulfillment in the arms of another person for more than 1 year and spend 10 points, or worship Azalagol.
Cursed Passive Skill
Curse: Cannot be disabled, retrained, or lost after being gained. If purchased with skill points 20% of your skill points are lost every level. Azalagol may be venerated and may return these lost points.
You will never be full or fulfilled. You are significantly more likely to over eat and seek any physical sensation in the extreme. If worshiping Azalagol this is a 50% increase to your total Stamina. If purchased the increase is halved. To increase this skill effect Azalagol must be appeased. If actively going against Azalagol she may cause you to experience extreme sensations or lose all of them.
“Why are there two names for each skill?” Victor asked, confused as he quickly read through them.
“Each skill is cursed regardless of the origin, however they have two names because they are the same skill with different effectiveness ratings. The anger skill is acquired often but typically changes into Gizixil’s Anger as the user uses it more and more. These skills are associated with the four Void Lords.” Swordie explained.
“So what? Are they evil or something?” Victor asked.
“They have agendas that are often very far from what a mortal can grasp or would even tolerate. Calling them evil would be unreasonable as they don’t prescribe to traditional morality as mortals, devils, demons, or angels understand it. This typically translates to them being functionally evil in many cases. Anger is a fair emotion in some cases being predisposed to it however results in distancing yourself from others.” Swordie explained.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“I understand that but being 50% stronger is a hugely powerful skill.” Victor insisted.
“That is why so many fall to the worship of those four.” Swordie added.
“Of the four just from reading the skills Kokoxol seems the worst of the four Void Lords, Azalagol and Gizixil seem like they could be cruel, I don’t understand Luzuzal does he just trick you into doing things for him?” Victor asked.
“They all pressure you into fulfilling goals they have; goals beyond the understanding of mortals, and often beyond angels, demons, and devils.” Swordie explained.
“I wish I could speak with Luzuzal at least the other three wouldn’t even fit my build that much, well Kokoxol fits but I’d rather die than enslave someone. If I’m ending up on a war torn world which might kill me I might as well ask for whatever help I can get.” Victor shrugged.
The space around them tore apart. The endless stretch of white cracked open to the vastness of space with stars around them. Massive stars and planets blasted past the two of them. Victor felt himself floating and quickly grabbed Swordie. The warmth of a sun and the infinite stars before them slowly warped around to a form. His form black filled with stars dotting his body. On the empty face a bright sun shone through. A star shot across his body. “I heard the call of a potential supplicant, and I answered.”
Swordie transformed back into the regal sword and instantly unsheathed itself. “BEGONE DECIEVER!”
“I would not be here if there was not a reason Fragment of Resurrection. I was called and I answered the call. Unlike my brethren I answer the call of all of my followers.” The voice reverberated and shifted between a masculine and feminine voice as though it was searching for the ideal frequency to speak to Victor at.
Stunned by the sudden turn of events he paused to collect himself before taking a deep breath. “Hello Luzuzal, my friend here has something to say about your general actions. I was interested in the cursed skill you have but I don’t understand it well enough. Instead I’d like to understand you better. Tell me about yourself, what do you stand for?”
“I am deception made manifest. Lying to others, and to yourself is a critical part of reality. Happiness itself is a lie and I seek my follower’s happiness. To this end I allow my followers to change their views on reality through powerful, sometimes self inflicted illusions. The truth often results in great pain, I protect others from it.” Luzuzal explained.
“Yeah, I don’t want to delude myself away from reality, and it’s impossible to trust someone who introduces themselves as deception made manifest. Goodbye.” Victor turns to walk but gets nowhere.
“I’m so proud of you sir.” Swordie gets closer to him.
Luzuzal turned the universe around them so they faced him once more. “I think there is a miscommunication here. I do not decide what you value, you do. I do not decide what you see, you do. Deception, much like truth is a tool to achieve your desired reality.”
“Well I desire to live in actual reality, freedom, and equality. I’d say deluding myself into a false reality isn’t something I’d tolerate.” Victor shot back.
“You escaped into fantasy at every turn during your past life it seems.” Luzuzal replied.
“How do you know that?” Victor paused his voice drifting into confusion.
“I’ve been watching you for a long time. I know who my followers will be. I can see a faint blue aura about you. Today, a year from now, a decade it matters not eventually you will be one of my followers.” Luzuzal extended his hand. “Why not take my hand today and enjoy my blessings your entire life?”
“Don’t do it sir! Your destiny isn’t written by Luzuzal!” Swordie insisted.
“Is it true Swordie? Has Luzuzal been watching me? Is that why I was so unlucky?” Victor asked.
“No-” Swordie tried to explain.
Luzuzal cut off the sword. “I watched you because you were unlucky. I watch those who are farthest down on their luck intently. They are the most likely to become my supplicants. My supplicants rarely regret their choice. Willingly following me for the unfortunate is something they find quickly turns their lives around. Perhaps that angel of yours should show you the skill I grant to every follower of mine without exception. The ability to warp reality can be acquired by only the most devout but to all I grant a taste of what it feels like.”
Victor turned to the sword and once again took a deep breath. “So be it, show me.”
“Sir you can’t be considering this. He’s the most deceitful being in existence!” Swordie protested.
“You said if you could give me a single piece of advice it would be to take risks.” Victor cracked a stupid smirk. “Everything in my body is telling me to refuse, but not listening to the proposal just feels wrong. I feel like I’m lying to myself about the choice, for no reason other than to avoid making it. So tell me the truth.”
“Very well sir.” Swordie changed and displayed the skill.
Luzuzal’s Devout Rank 1
Requirements: Freely commit to following Luzuzal and no other deity.
Cursed Passive Skill
Curse: Cannot be disabled, retrained, or lost after being gained.
Luzuzal’s skills do not appear on your Status Sheet. Luzuzal allows you to reach your goals even when fortune does not favor you. Your luck score is always positive for the purposes of determine outcomes no matter the number. Does not alter your actual score. When some increases to your luck are applied they apply as decreases instead. If you displease Luzuzal by revealing truths others find harmful he may revoke this effect until he sees fit to restore it.
“That’s incredible!” Victor unintentionally shouted reading it. “With this I’d have maximum luck!”
“No you wouldn’t sir.” Swordie corrected Victor.
“You desire reality; I will interpret this as honesty for now. That Angel is correct. It does not increase your luck.” Luzuzal added. “My Devout tend toward negative luck. The ability keeps your luck very low. Daily rest and interactions with loved ones are unaffected, as well as some achievements.”
Victor paused and contemplated the consequences of this choice. It was more risky than anything he had ever done before. That unquestionably scared him beyond reason. “What do you want?”
“For my supplicants to be happy.” Luzuzal replied.
“No, I meant you. What do you want, not from your supplicants?” Victor insisted.
“I seek the destruction of the other Void Lords.” Luzuzal answered matter of fact as a star shot across his body.
“For power?” Victor asked.
“No, they simply clash with my views on what reality should be.” Luzuzal answered.
“Swordie do you think he is telling the truth?” Victor asked.
“No…” He paused. “Not entirely.”
“What do you mean?” Victor’s question caused a head tilt and absolute confusion.
“He is telling the truth but I can sense deceit. It’s complicated my zone of truth skill is being interfered with since the rarity reduction applied.” Swordie answered.
“What are your views on reality?” Victor continued.
“That everyone should be able to seek happiness. Disrupting that happiness should only occur if it is part of direct conflict, and ideally conflict should be prevented by deception or persuasion if possible.” Luzuzal nodded. “I also am willing to offer an additional one time offer to you if you accept me as your deity before reincarnating.” Luzuzal held out his hand and mid air a skill projected.
Luzuzal’s Promise Rank 6
Requirements: Accept Luzuzal’s limited time proposal.
Cursed Innate Skill
After reincarnating for a total of 7 days you will not encounter any challenges you are not equipped to face and defeat. Automatically actives on reincarnation for duration of 24 hours, remaining time may be activated in 24 hour increments at dawn only. If you would encounter an impossible challenge Luzuzal shall warp reality to have them avoid encountering you, fighting you, or becoming enemies. If you seek them out this skill attempts to make the fight winnable but cannot warp reality beyond plausible limits. Luzuzal may restore time to this skill if you greatly impress him.
Luzuzal added. “Consider it a toast to your new life. May it be better than your old one.”
Even Swordie looked at that and paused. “That’s insane.” They both sat there dumbfounded. “What I mean is why give him that?”
“I’d like to know that too. You’re willing to warp reality for me. Either the deal is terrible or you value me rather highly.” Victor added.
“I value you. On the world of Verdan there are only 193 creatures following me where as my brothers have thousands or in Kokoxol’s case literally millions. I’d like to see them extinguished, and in you I see someone who… well let us leave it at that.” A shooting star sent what could only briefly be seen as a smile across Luzuzal’s face. “Do you accept me as your guiding light?”
“I want to make things clear to you. If I take this I am not your slave, I can reject you at any time. I’m working with you and if the pay ends up not being good enough I’m out. You get me?” Victor added.
“I doubt you’d be able to follow through with such a boastful threat but I am willing to amend your version of the skills; however they will not be removed merely suspended. This applies to all of my boons.” Another shooting star flew toward the book and across it as the language was added to those skills.
“What do you think Swordie?” Victor looked down at the book.
“I cannot endorse this risk.” It replied.
“I thought you’d encourage me! You told me to take risks.” He insisted.
“I meant speak to girls and find friends! Possibly fight things you weren’t sure you could fight and learn to run away! I never meant to supplicate yourself to a Void Lord!” The book shook as it shouted at him.
“Well I screwed up my first life by doing nothing. Let’s screw up this one by doing something!” Victor outstretched his hand and grabbed Luzuzal’s “I will follow you as long as you abide my three desires Life, Liberty, and Equality.”
Worlds formed a mouth to smile a massive smile stretching across his face and into the space behind him. “Excellent!”
Skills Obtained: Luzuzal’s Promise Rank 6, Luzuzal’s Devout Rank 1, Luzuzal’s Delusion Rank 1 Configure Luzuzal’s Delusion Immediately Required
“What does that mean?” Victor asked. “Configuration required.”
“You must make at least one modification to your visual, auditory, or other sense. The more modifications you make the more pleased I will be.” Luzuzal answered.
“Oh well this is easy!” Victor pointed to the bottom center of his view and added a mana bar and a health bar. He then added a stamina bar. “Oh I’m sorry I have to make sure this is ok, can you tell me am I able to change the settings on your ability whenever I want?”
“Uh… Yes?” Luzuzal shrugged.
“Great!” He set to making himself an extremely clean heads up display with his stats. He added a small clock to the top right and a tiny dot in the center of his view for aiming. He then jumped and tried to set an illusion to where he would land. He tried it again and again before getting the arcing right.
“I don’t think any of my followers have used my illusions in this way.” Luzuzal stood dumbfounded as Victor constructed more effects.
“Well it makes sense I never got to play many games but the few I had watched online had all of these to track information about your current situation. I am guessing video games haven’t been developed on this world.” Victor seemed genuinely enthused.
Luzuzal chuckled. “Would you like any further assistance?”
“Yeah! As long as you and Swordie can get along.” Victor added.
“I will respect your terrible, terrible choice and remain neutral toward this absolute monstrosity.” Swordie answered.
“Great then yeah I could use some help. I’m guessing if you want me to do things for you at the very least it’s in your best interest for me to become stronger. Given your delusions upside I am guessing the path Swordie recommended to me isn’t too far off.” Victor looked up at the Void Lord clearly unable to accurately assess the creature standing before him instead treating him like a friend.
“Yes, while the Angel may have small and simple values he is highly intelligent, competent, and a fierce combatant even as fragment.” Luzuzal nodded. “My followers most often benefit from sustained spells and healing.”
“Oh will I be able to take healing magic?” Victor asked.
“Not unless you become a cleric instead of a mage.” Swordie interrupted. “You could become a holy warrior and specialize in heavy armor and reinforcement magic for more minor healing.”
Luzuzal spoke up to continue. “Healing is difficult magic. Clerics mostly take a long time to heal anything more than a small cut. Healing in combat is almost exclusively the domain of those born with the innate skill ‘Instant casting’ allowing someone to cast spells with a cast time in combat. I cannot grant you that skill. Many spells have no cast time but all healing spells are either slow over a significant duration or have a long cast time. I cannot recommend trying to be a healer or healing yourself in combat without potions. If you attempt to do so you’ll die.”
“So that means either healers suck at their job or they have a rare skill? Man that seems unfair.” Victor groaned.
The book protested. “Regeneration spells are effective! They are just slower and less mana efficient.”
“I feel like that was a personal attack on Swordie somehow.” Victor looked to the book.
“Angels don’t have any healing magic aside from the basic skill regeneration, only demons and devils do. Demons and devils also have significantly more effective healing magic than anyone else even those with some kind of curative magic or Instant Casting. Angels have an innate skill to their race that allows them to turn mana into raw skill improvement. It comes at the cost of prohibiting a huge number of spells from being learned. Elves have natural immortality living forever unless killed. Dwarves have a community based skill. Devils innate skill which they maintain if they devolve into a demon is to heal other beings with their blood.” Luzuzal chuckled at the book.
“The regeneration spell is useful! It keeps restoring health as long as you use mana to sustain it.” Swordie protested.
“There, there Swordie, I believe it’s useful. I just don’t think that fits with the vision of myself I have.” He gently patted Swordie.
“Are you concerned about defense? If so instead try these spells. They require significantly more skillful use in timing them but their instant nature and high budget for damage absorption makes them useful.” Luzuzal held his hand forward.
Barrier shield Rank 1
Requirements: Mage or Cleric Level 1, cost 1 stat point.
Instant Spell
Mana Cost: 2
A barrier appears in front of your hand absorbing damage based on your prowess and rank of this skill.
Barrier Wall Rank 1
Requirements: Mage or Cleric Level 1, cost 1 stat point.
Instant Spell
Mana Cost: 3
A barrier appears entirely around you, based on 3/4ths of your prowess and 3/4ths the rank of this skill.
Vitality Boost Rank 1
Requirements: Mage or Cleric Level 1, Spend 3 stat points
Sustained Spell
Mana Cost: 1 Mana Per Second
Increases vitality by 30.
“They are good defensive skills but he is only level 4 with a measly 15 stat points to allocate.” Swordie added. “He should increase his stats.”
“Perhaps.” Luzuzal added.
“What do people in this world normally do when they are young and learning?” Victor asked.
“Most buy a lot of skills some that they quickly forget and never use again. The stats never go away.” Swordie added.
“I think I am ready to define my skills and stats. Can you show me what I’d look like as a level 4 mage before my points have been allocated?” Victor looked to the book as he said “Status Sheet.”
Race Human: Victor Vance Vogal
Class : Mage
Level : 4
Base Health : 50
Stamina : 10
Mana : 9
Vitality : 5
Speed : 6
Strength : 5
Prowess : 8
Endurance : 5
Rigor : 2
Willpower : 9
Flow : 8
Luck : -100
Resistance : None
Skills: Speed Reading Rank 2, Academic Rank 2,
Hidden Skills: Memory Retention , Luzuzal’s Delusion Rank 1 , Luzuzal’s Devout Rank 1, Luzuzal’s Promise Rank 6
Spells: None
“I need one offensive spell, one defensive spell and one buff spell. I will put the rest into stats. Barrier shield Rank 1 definitely seems like a good defensive choice. Speed Boost Rank 1 is a good buff spell as I’m pretty sure being faster will always be useful. Is there a good offensive spell I could select to fill out my build?” Victor asked.
“There are many, however the element with fewest resistances and greatest weaknesses is likely the skill ‘Jolt’ a beginner lightning spell which shoots a short powerful bolt at a target doing additional damage to armored enemies.” Luzuzal answered. “I assure you for offensive magic that is going to be the most effective damage based spell for your level.”
“Agreed, most wizards prefer the more practical fire, ice, or earth offensive skills as lightning a camp fire, having ice to freeze water or create cold drinks, or having earth to lift up a mountain side slowly. Unfortunately doing so takes a long time as they spend all their mana and have to wait on their flow to restore it. Flow restores mana based on your maximum mana. You’ll need to improve both willpower and flow to have enough mana to do any of those things. ‘Jolt’ will just do the best damage while you are still desperately searching for.” Swordie explained bringing it up.
Jolt Rank 1
Requirements: Mage or Cleric Level 1, cost 1 stat point.
Instant Spell
Mana Cost: 1
Extend your hand, finger, or blade and lightning leaps from it a short distance. Damage is based on prowess and skill rank. If the Spellsword specialization is possessed cast from a blade the lightning does increased damage based on the strength of the weapon.
“That looks good to me if you two are sure lightning is the least resisted element. So that leaves me 10 points to distribute if I am reading this right. How about I even it out across the 3 stats it sounds like I am using the most, 3 in prowess, 3 willpower, and 4 in flow.” Victor nodded.
“Allocated. Please confirm your sheet.” Swordie brought up the sheet
Race Human: Victor Vance Vogal
Class : Mage
Level : 4
Base Health : 50
Stamina : 10
Mana : 12
Vitality : 5
Speed : 6
Strength : 5
Prowess : 11
Endurance : 5
Rigor : 2
Willpower : 12
Flow : 12 (+50%)
Luck : -100
Resistance : None
Skills: Speed Reading Rank 2, Academic Rank 2
Hidden Skills: Memory Retention , Luzuzal’s Delusion Rank 1 , Luzuzal’s Devout Rank 1, Luzuzal’s Promise Rank 6
Spells: Barrier shield Rank 1, Jolt Rank 1, Speed Boost Rank 1
Confirm Retraining
Yes No
“Once you click yes. I will begin the reincarnation process. We can then leave the unpleasant company of this abomination.” He paused. “Much offense intended.”
“Much offense taken Fragment.” Luzuzal responded.
“Thank you for your assistance. I am almost definitely making a big mistake trusting you but as long as you respect the rules I laid out we can remain friendly. You called me your supplicant though, that should stop.” Victor added.
“Very well Victor. I bid you farewell for now. Good luck.” Luzuzal waved.
“Are you ready Victor?” Swordie asked.
“No matter how long I prepare I’ll never be ready. Fuck it, let’s go.” With that Victor hit yes with all the force in his body. All of reality stretched far into the distance as he felt himself fall backward into the infinite white void before closing his eyes.