[ You have leveled up! ]
[ Ability ‘Adapative Physique’ earned! ]
I looked up towards Hera. “Adaptive Physique?”
“Well, basically it allows its user to rapidly learn, cast, and adapt various body-strengthening spells. This grants them exceptional physical prowess, including enhanced strength, speed, endurance, and resilience. Users can quickly choose and modify these spells to suit different combat situations, all while consuming minimal mana.”
“I see.. thank you for this ability, then.”
She tilted her head, as if not understanding what I said.
“I didn’t give you that. You earned it by being able to turn a hopeless situation into a triumph. It was quite impressive, really.”
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
[ You may invest one skill point in improving the following skills: ]
* Name: Musa Laurusa
* Job: Slave
* Title: None
* Talents: Speech: A+, Quick-thinking: S, Strategist: B+
* Abilities: ‘Quick Learn’, ‘Adaptive Physique’
* Body count: 3
Skills
Level
Description
Intelligence
46/50
General cognitive functions
Charisma
39/50
Ability to sway influence
Strength
19/50
Prowess
Magic
6/50
Control over magical energy
Influence (Ever changing)
1/50
Control over people
Agility
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35/50
Endurance and speed
Diplomacy
42/50
Way with the tongue
Wisdom (Ever changing)
23/50
The quality of experience and knowledge
Leveling up my strength will give me the Superhuman Surge ability, but do I really need it now that I have some control over the magic in my body?
My fingers instinctively grazed my chin as I thought it through.
I do have a small mana capacity, I can’t just rely on magic to do everything I need.
But then again, if I level my magic up, my mana capacity will probably level up with it as well.
“Hard choices...” I muttered to myself.
“Would you like a piece of my advice?” The woman before me asked.
I glanced at her, pondering the offer. She did seem to have a deep understanding of this world, so her advice might prove valuable.
“Go on,” I replied.
“Upgrade diplomacy instead.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious to hear what she had to say.
“Although you’re admittedly a massive guy, you simply lack the talent to defeat the big players in a battle. Being able to defuse situations and negotiate your way out of tough places will prove useful.”
I looked at her for a few moments, unable to contain a small smile that crept across my face.
“Yes yes, you’re welcome.” She said, her sass overwhelming the atmosphere.
"Diplomacy in this world is a farce," I retorted, my tone unyielding.
"It's a tool for the weak to beg for mercy, to kneel before those with power. In the end, human relations can be summarized as ‘Might makes right’, diplomacy is but a means towards this final end."
She raised an eyebrow, her voice steady. "Strength alone is a brutish path. It may win battles, but it won't secure allies or long-lasting peace. There's wisdom in choosing when to fight and when to negotiate."
“Although it’s true that you cannot stay on the top of the natural dominance hierarchy of humanity, it is foolish to believe that men can be held in line by words alone. Negotiation is only favorable when you have some kind of superiority over the other. That's where the art of persuasion came into play. I can sway minds, bend wills, and make even the most stubborn of foes reconsider their stance when I acquire the right cards.
Yet, that was a far cry from diplomacy, a dance of compromises and not upsetting the other party.”
Her gaze remained unwavering. "And what of the enemies you could turn into allies? Strength may conquer, but diplomacy unites. Your path, Musa, risks leaving you isolated and constantly at war."
I shook my head, dismissing her argument. "In a world like this, trust is a luxury we can't afford. Besides, allies are a temporary means of achieving a shared goal, where it breaks down the second after its purpose has been fulfilled. It often prolongs conflicts, allowing your enemies to grow stronger."
"You underestimate the power of alliances, of influencing others to fight by your side willingly. True strength lies not just in one's muscles but in their ability to lead."
I leaned back, my frustration mounting. "And what if they betray you? What if they're swayed by the next charismatic leader who comes along? Power, raw and undeniable, is the only certainty in this world."
She raised an eyebrow, her confident smile undiminished. "Very well, Musa. You sought counsel, and I offered it. But always remember, in the end, it's your choices that will carve your destiny."
“And I thank you for that. You’ve made me realize there is a third option in this.”
Skipping over Magic and Strength, I instead chose to level up Charisma.
The reason is simple: if I want to have any chance at escaping my current predicament, I’ll have to be seen as a natural leader to the masses.
In the game, Charisma was a skill that let you gain access to certain privileges in the game that depended on how well the characters liked or admired you.
Hiring any group of constructors or mercenaries became instantly cheaper as well.
If I can get the slaves to see me in high regard, then...
"Oh, I nearly forgot to mention," Hera's voice echoed in the room, her tone unsettlingly casual. "You've slipped into a three-day coma, a consequence of your mana levels plummeting to a critical point. Even your hair has been drained of its color."
Hera's words hit me like a cold shower. A three-day coma? My mana levels had dropped so dangerously low that it had pushed me into this state. I touched my hair, and it indeed felt different, as if some vital essence had been drained from it.
I can’t be this careless with my magic again...
Hera's presence, while sometimes infuriating, had proven to be a lifeline. Without her intervention, I might not have been alive to listen to her incorrect opinions.
I can admit that much.