Chapter 62

New Class, Same Old Problems

Who has the best boss in the world? Obviously, me. I mean when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life and all that. In case you might have missed it, in fact, I know I have to keep telling myself, otherwise it might not be real, but for now and the immediate future, I am my own boss. Which means, while posing as the Crossroads’ Mage Guild master, I can assign random quests that will help me in the future. I have made it so I now get experience just for maintaining my mandated hours. Furthermore, I will now also get rewarded for housing garments of the Guild Master in my office area. So that is a minimum of 90 experience a day, not to mention being rewarded for reading books, something Zero is currently power leveling me through now by constantly pulling down and flipping through pages in the restricted section of the Mage’s Guild Library. I had always wanted to read, and now I have a clear power leveling reason to do so. Now in addition to the random skills I could unlock from reading different books, I also gain 10 experience points for doing so. With an estimated 100,000 books in the Mage’s Guild library, that is, wow, a million experience.

How do I know that there are 100,000 books? Well, that is a rough guess based on how many books shelves we have and how many books we have, close to 4,000 shelves, many of which are stacked on top of other shelves up to the ceiling. Then you take the average bookshelf which contains approximately 25 books per shelf, and you get 100,000 books. Or how I am now viewing these books as one million experience. Now I know something will happen to stop this, or at least something will attempt to stop this, that is way too good to be true. I mean one million experience just for reading, well it is dream I never knew I had, but now that it is right there, I can’t help but feel it is the perfect goal for me. One million experience, lets see, assuming I don’t get a second class and I spent all one million experience points on improving my one class, would put me at level 145, well only after we included the impressive 35,100 experience points I currently had that got me to level 27. Yep, just a small power jump.

Even with a secondary class, at one million experience points to split between the two, I would be looking at level 103 in my main class and a paltry level 100 in my secondary class.

Shiver.

Just thinking about that possibility sends a tingling sensation down my spine. The system seemed to get all bent out of shape when I was close to earning a quarter of a million experience points for coming in third in a gambling tournament. So, I can only imagine what it would do to try and combat my chance at a cool million experience. That is why I make sure that if I choose a second class, that it will be one that is not only useful for the moment, but also one that will be useful to me in the future. Why is this important? Well, I have just unlocked not one but three unique classes of mages that can all help define my future growth, not only as a mage, but as an individual trying to eek out an existence in this world.

First the quest I gave to myself, and one I easily defeated.

Hidden Quest Completed: Leveling for Classes and Power: You have been assigned a secret one time hidden quest to immediately level. Doing so will unlock the chance to unlock a special quest. Rewards: Increased Class capability dependent on how quickly you achieve your goal. You were given a maximum time of 30 minutes and completed the quest with 29 minutes and 7 seconds remaining. Bonus reward applied due to not being told to increase your level and for finding a hidden quest to complete this quest.

Rewards: New Unique Class Lines available.

New Class Available: Temporal Master: You have learned to unlock the power over time itself. By delving into this rare form of magic, you will be able to speed up your attacks, while slowing down your enemies. Or stopping the flow of time around you to complete studies. What better way to survive a major conflict, then to skip ahead until the aftermath and outcome of the battle has already been decided.

Beware: You will never be able to go back in time, nor will you be able to change periods of time that you are actively skipping ahead through.

New Class Available: Simulacrum Master: You have learned to unlock the mastery over yourself and now specialize in the Illusionary spells of self-duplication. You can create, maintain and operate multiple simulacrums that mirror you down to the smallest detail.

Beware: You can only create simulcrums of yourself. Damage taken by a simulacrum will cause damage to all other simulacrum and yourself.

New Class Available: Environmental Master: You have learned to unlock true mastery over maintaining perfect balance of life for any region. With this, you can create an oasis in a desert, a hot spring in a frozen wasteland. You are the master of any region that you claim as your own.

Beware: You can only claim one location to be yours at a time. Area stabilization will deteriorate at a time equal to twice as long as it took you to establish said area as your own.

So the last one, the Environmental Master, I am pretty sure that one directly related to the books that Zero was flipping through when I earned enough experience to unlock my new class. I wish I had known this would factor into my class options as I likely would have had zero been a bit more judicious with his book selections, as it was, I couldn’t really deny the power that each class offered. I could see the benefit for each class. Environmental Master would allow me to go to any location, and make it perfect for me, well Zero and me. Temporal Master seemed like it would be a way to get more experience, as it seemed that I could both speed myself and Zero up to read through as many books as possible before we were caught. But it was the other option that called to me.

Simulacrum Master, granted the class was extremely focused, as it seemed that I could only create simularums of myself, but was that so bad? I mean if I could create a simulacrum of myself as the Guild Master, then I could do a lot more actions and always have an alibi. Heck, even if I needed to create a simulacrum of myself, while I posing as someone else conducted a crime, it would be the perfect alibi. I mean how could I be in two places at once? There was just one problem with the simulacrum and that was on just how realistic the simulacrums were. If they were enough to fool most of the people, some of the time, then that wouldn’t be enough. I would need to have a perfect alibi. Though I felt that by focusing on those particular components while hitting the leveling milestones, I would be able to fix a few deficiencies I noticed along the way. Now I knew that this would likely be a tough class to master, especially at first, as I would have to split my attention multiple times, and I feel that I already have a short enough attention span as is. Though then again, this might be the perfect class for one such as myself, as it will all but force me to focus on my goals and plans. Also, what better way to grind out daily repeatable quests, than by having two of me work on accomplishing all of my daily goals. I might also be able to enhance and improve upon different skills simultaneously by reading them, then practicing them against myself.

Looking at it, and the fact that I all but forced this timing on me, I can’t help but feel a bit annoyed with myself. Here I am, with a chance at not one, but three unique classes, meaning I could design how they all improve. I mean, who is to say that in the future being able to stop time and deal with a problem wouldn’t be better than creating a simulacrum. That or creating my own little resort in the middle of a terrible location might also be a worthy investment. And what is worse, if I decide to wait, I know I will never be asked to choose these classes again. They might be offered to someone else in the future, but I will never be given the chance to accept these again. Also, I can’t help but feel a bit annoyed at myself for forcing me into this situation, I was so enamored with trying to figure out if I could do this sort of thing, assign myself a special life altering quest, that I never thought about if I should do something like this.

If only I had more time to choose, which of course made it so the idea of being a Temporal Master was the way to go. Then again, relaxing at my own personal hot springs did sound quite appealing, which of course would mean I would need to take on Environmental Master.

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But no, I had a hunch, and I figured at best it would work out almost exactly as I planned, while at worst, it would be a permanent 10% idiot tax to my experience gained. Yes, the maximum I could provide to my secondary class would be 50%, but the minimum I could provide to that same class was 10%.

Giving up on my idea of being a resort master, where I could offer up vacation rental properties in a perfect environment, I decided to focus on what was most important to me. That being able to have a perfect alibi at any time, regardless of what crimes I might or might not have been committing at the time. I mean, what better alibi is there, than to say I was healing people during the time of ‘X’ robbery, so I couldn’t possibly be the suspect.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to focus on what was effectively a gimmick class, something so narrowly focused that it would be a terrible first class, in fact most might find it a terrible third class, but for me, I could see the utility of where the class could grow. Focusing my will, I took in a breath, then let it out before forever altering my future by choosing the unique class Simulacrum Master.

Simulacrum Master: You are the premier expert on creating exact replicas of yourself that you can control, operate, and maintain. Attributes Per Level: +1 Personality, +1 Sociability, +1 Perception, +1 Willpower New Spell Learned: Custom Simulacrum (C): Create a near perfect replica of one target of your choosing. Amount of maximum mana required to maintain: variable (minimum of 1% for continual maintenance, maximum used based on needs of simulacrum).

Note: This spell has been modified, so that it can only copy you, and your simulacrum is for all intents and purposes an extension of yourself that has access to your same resource pools and abilities. (only spell available).

The attributes sort of made sense, while they were less than my previous other classes, they hit on the two main fields that a Simulacrum would need, namely being able to blend into a conversation, and the ability to perceived and force the changes needed. While the four attributes per level were a bit low, I also had to factor in the fact that my new racial bonuses would also be applied every level, which would also increase my Appearance, Intelligence, and Willpower. Again, I was going to be a Willpower powerhouse with my current build as every level up would increase my Willpower by two. Then after a moment, the system seemed to come to some sort of consensus when it spit out my class’s merits and flaws, well one merit and flaws.

Class Merit (Simulacrum Master): Exact Perfect Replica (7): You can create one exact perfect replica of yourself that shares your attributes, abilities, skills, and energy pools. This replica will be a perfect copy of your base form down to the most minor of details, and will be indistinguishable from yourself by most mundane methods of detection. This replica will be able to cast and use all spells and traits that you can, and any experience gained by the simulacrum will go to you, as if you earned it yourself. Class Flaw (Simulacrum Master): Personally Focused (4): Your selfish nature has led you to be limited in the scope of what you can and cannot replicate with your simulacrums. With this flaw you can only copy your base form to be your simulacrum. Class Flaw (Simulacrum Master): One Death for All (3): You are so intertwined with your simulacrum that should the simulacrum die, you yourself will die as well. While you can dismiss your simulacrum at any time, you can only do so when your simulacrum is at full health.

Wow, that was one heck of a set of flaws and merits. While I had hoped for something similar to the merit, I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Effectively I could earn double the experience by just being me. This meant I could have a perfect way to level two classes, namely by having two of me running around at the same time. This meant I could effectively search the rest of the tower, while also completing my commitments to the town of Crossroads. It also meant that I could effectively cover for myself, while the real me posed as the Guild Master, while the simulacrum me hid in plain sight as the ever diligent healer.

The flaws were a bit painful to read, but I guess they made sense. Reading them, I couldn’t help but agree with the assessment that I was selfish, though I would pose that I think everyone is to some extent. Also, with my simulacrum being able to be killed and therefore lead to my own personal death, I felt that was a harsh reality, and even more reason to want to stay have my simulacrum stay here in the town of Crossroads’ Mage Guild hall. Here my simulacrum would both be safe, and more importantly, it would earn me continual experience, and reputation.

Choose how to allocate future Experience earned towards your new class. Minimum 10%, Maximum 50%.

Seeing this option, I decided to go ahead and do the maximum split allowed at 50% experience shared between the two classes.

Then with that, I saw my first confirmation that this was accepted when Zero’s page flipping paid off almost immediately.

Daily Repeatable Quest Complete: Quest for Knowledge: You are rather young for your intended position and the recent prestige you have garnered for yourself. To help make up for your perceived shortcomings, you must read at least one book from the Mage’s Guild Library’s Restricted section each day. Rewards: Experience, Skills.

Experience Gained: 5/5.

Experience Gained: 5/5.

And just like that two more books were completed and I was now 10% of my way through level 1 and towards level two of my new class Simulacrum Master.

This reminded me that I should test out my new spell and test out exactly what my new simulacrum could truly do.

Focusing on the new spell that just sort of appeared in my mind, I focus on it and then a second later cast my new Custom Simulacrum spell. In my office I see the form of my own mana flowing out of me, and watch as it seems to slowly fill out a creature that for all intents and purposes looks exactly like a clear version of me that slowly fills in like I imagine a chocolate easter bunny would, you know how they start off with just a chocolate shell and are completely hollow in the center. Then once the outline is complete, you continue pouring in more and more mana until a life sized object of you, well you when you are not in the form of the Guild Master appears before you.

Then slowly over time you see the little gaps and fissures that were originally created begin to dissolve as the illusionary nature of your mana slowly disappears from your view, and you are left with only a perfect copy of yourself that is naked.

At that I try to share my spare clothes with her, well my simulacrum and am happy to see that my simulacrum can in fact share in my own soul bound items. In a way this kind of makes sense, as it is likely why killing my simulacrum will kill me, as we are the same soul. For all intents and purposes, I see this new class not so much as a specialty illusionist class, but as a specialty continuation of my current Void Healer class in that I can feel my spirit and understanding of spirit magic being stretched in different ways that I never thought to be possible.

I am of course completely drained after the creation of this new simulacrum, as I had to use my entire mana reserve and then some to create this entity. Even my auxiliary pools of energy related to my stamina, Telepathy, Teleportation, and Telekinesis have all also been halved.

But with the creation of the simulacrum, I feel oddly complete and separated at the same time. For some odd reason, my simulacrum can see.

Trembling.

I guess this is one way to show the simulacrum me from the real me, as my simulacrum cannot see the world in the same way I can, meaning that I don’t have two complete spheres of Angel’s Sight going that I can then see everything in existence. Instead, I see me, well me in the form of an old wizard still wearing a doctor’s onesie. Then with my mind I see a still naked version of myself. Realizing the situation, I quickly give myself my soul bound clothes that I keep on hand for myself and am happy to see that they are quickly put on.

Then with that same notion of impropriety I almost go about changing my own clothes, to look like the guild master, but then pause. This is extremely uncomfortable, as I pause, then drop off my Guild Master Clothes in the storage closet in the back. Then with a thought I Teleport back to my own room. Well the room of the Guild Master, the same person that I am now apparently going to mirror.

That was mildly concerning and dissociative. Could I get in trouble for having exposed myself to myself? Shudder.

I am slightly revolted at even having that thought. Still, now that I am in my new office, I decide to finally change out of my onesie and embrace my new semi-permanent role of being the Guild Master. While I also, take part in trying to act like my normal self, that can now miraculously see, while also using my true Angel’s Sight to watch Zero as he frantically flips through more books, thereby earning me more and more experience points.

This is completely odd, but something that I feel with time, I should get used to. At least I think I am going to be okay, until I get a sudden message that just seems to appear out of nowhere in the Guild Master’s office.

Warning Urgent Guild Master Quest: Surprise Audit: Your branch of the Mage’s Guild is being hit with a surprise audit inspection. Do not worry, you are not accused of any wrongdoing, yet. You are just being investigated due to a string of recent quest creation and completions. Reward: Experience, maintain control of your guild branch. Estimated time until arrival of audit team: 7 Hours: 29 Minutes…

And just like that, I realized my first test to keep my chance at a million experience points was being put to the test. The first thing was first though, I needed to see how much power leveling I could do, before the audit team arrived. Also, judging by the text of the quest, I felt like they were already assuming I was guilty, especially with the use of the phrase “you are not accused of any wrongdoing, yet.” Generally that type of phrasing is a dead giveaway that a certain outcome is expected to happen.

But rather than feeling flustered, I feel a slight joy rise up in my chest as I realize, this is my shot at redemption. Not only will my passing this help me more than make up my recent experience losses from having my position with the traveling tournament stolen out from under me, but this will help prove that my future plans will be just as successful, hopefully.

Now all I need to do is prepare and continue to have Zero power level me through the power of reading.