Mathew took a long drink from his water bottle. Sweat covered hair clung to his forehead, as he sat down and rested on the grass.
He just finished a training bout with Henderson. The past week had filled him with challenges to push him closer to ranking up. Yet, his biggest stopgap was his final Ability.
Nothing new has shown up for him, and it almost caused him worry. Bob was surprisingly helpful in easing his worries.
“System approved powers are not that common for normal people. For mages, they are the hardest to acquire, especially for non direct combatants. You earn things by doing, primarily related to their profession and class. You are fighting and leading a town. You are not fulfilling your chosen duties. Don’t worry, you will get something eventually. Just keep fighting, training, and cultivating and you will be fine.”
Bob the past few days has really opened up to his role of instructing Mathew. The lessons on how The System and the greater rest of the universe was fantastic. There was a lot he still didn’t know, but Bob said his knowledge was on par with a young child at this point.
Mathew would write down questions he had, just like now after fighting Henderson. He used his [Writing] skill without even thinking about it. “How does what you gain at the Novice levels affect your later levels?”
His mind went to the [Knives] skill he acquired way back then. His replacement skill was already Novice 8 after a week of training. He told Henderson about the change in skill, trusting her enough to help him out.
Once she realized it worked with any piercing weapon, she thrusted him into working with varying weapons. Nobody knew how to properly use a rapier or other similar thrusting weapons. So he primarily stuck with knives and smaller swords. Henderson tossed him her old saber from before The System showed up.
“The edge is dulled, and it’s for ceremonial uses. However, for training, it will work. Sabers are slashing and piercing weapons. Pierce through the armor joins, or cut across exposed flesh.” Today however, Mathew fought with two shortswords, courtesy of Di’s shop. His abilities with weapons had diminished after losing his previous skill. But he was slowly returning to his former capabilities.
Any time he tried to repeat an action from Numa’s style, his chances of success were not even worth tracking. The entire fighting style had escaped him. It caused him to gripe even more at the goddess on a daily basis.
Mathew watched Agnox put on his helmet and fly up to be eye level with Henderson. He was adamant about reaching Level 20 before the World Quest. Mathew had zero thoughts such a thing was possible. He was still a few levels off. Without constant combat, he wouldn’t gain much in levels.
Neither would Mathew in terms of gaining the last two things for ranking up. Ranking up his Wisps and Staves, then acquiring the final ability.
He chose these two for a simple reason. They were both the closest to ranking up, and the two he was closer related to.
“Are you sure you want to fight for real?” Henderson asked the imp. “I will just bat you out of the air like the annoying flea bag you are.”
“Sure, just no active powers. So no glowing sword lady!”
“Pft, fine, but no flaming sword for you, Pig.”
Agnox grinned and glanced over at Mathew. His summoner shrugged, but a playful energy was seen in his eyes. The two of them might have a plan to fuck with Henderson today.
Lately she has been pushing them hard. Her class and profession revolved around sword fighting and training people. Yet she treated the two of them like idiots. If not for the restrictions of abilities, Mathew would blast her with shere magical power or overwhelm her with numbers.
Mathew was constantly on the backfoot, barely leaving a mark on her during their bouts. He always left covered in bruises. Even his enhanced stats couldn’t prevent the aches in his body.
Agnox drew his sword, settling into his single handed style. Henderson gripped her blade with both hands and nodded, signaling the start.
Swinging wide, Henderson literally tried to bat Agnox out of the air with the flat of her blade. Agnox dropped to the ground under, and slashed forward near her shins. The blade dinged off her armor, and he followed through with a jump to the side.
Henderson stepped forward and slashed downward. Her bladework was fast, faster than either Agnox or Mathew could move their lighter blades. Mathew had called her out on that bullshit, claiming it was an ability or skill.
She doubled down and agreed to a simple contract to prove it wasn’t. She claimed “It’s called understanding how to fight.”
Mathew secretly believed it was an Axiom. Something to do with swords, or moving fast. “Was [Speed] an Axiom? Should I try to get it?”
The idea of faster attacks resonated with him ever so slightly. However, his train of thought about that previous conversation was startled as Agnox slashed at Henderson’s back.
Henderson’s blade might be fast, but Agnox was faster. His wings and small size gave him an almost unfair advantage. If Henderson had two smaller blades, Mathew knew she would dominate in a fight against his imp.
It was the sheer stat difference that truly separated them. They both had a skill related to melee combat, a passive benefit neither could turn off. Henerson’s supposed Axiom just leveled the biological difference.
In the end, Mathew knew Henderson would win. Unless of course, someone fully pushed the limits established before them.
Agnox went in for a killing blow, Henderson saw it well ahead of time, and swung her blade upwards, knocking Agnoxes blade out of his hand.
“Looks like I win again. Give up, or will I have to beat it out of you?”
With hands held up and a guilty expression, “Hey, I don’t want to get beaten up by you.” He flapped his wings, sending him past her. Henderon’s guard was down.
Agnox’s blade flashed back into his hand, as he swung it toward the back of her neck, stopping just an inch away from her skin. “However, it seems you are the one who should give up. Ha! I beat the bitch! Suck it!”
Mathew slapped his face, not realizing Agnox would gaod that much. Henderson twisted with shock on her face. “You cheated! I said no skills!”
“Ah ah ah” Mathew said with his finger wagging side to side. “He didn’t use any of his skills. He used mine.” A winning grin came across his face.
“That’s cheating. I said no powers.”
Mathew pulled out the small contract. “We agreed to not use our own powers. Nothing about using a friends. Enchantments are legal, since you still use your sword. Any using other powers or triggering effects still count, since you obviously are using something to enhance your speed. Thus, summoning a sword to one’s hand using such a triggering effect is perfectly legal.”
Henderson huffed, knowing it was pointless to argue. “Fine, but no more of that shit. Smart as hell. How did you do it?”
Agnox side eyed Mathew. Mathew shrugged. “Trade secret. However it’s limited. One time use type thing.” Not a true lie. He would need to reapply the ritual for Agnox to do it again.
“Can you do it for me?” Henderson asked curiously.
“Maybe. Why?”
Henderson grinned. “Life lesson for the guards. To expect the unexpected. A lesson I just learned myself. Good job Agnox.”
“Excuse you, it was my plan.” Mathew said with crossed arms.
“You are excused.” Henderson said as she started to walk off. “That’s enough today. I’ll see you two in a couple days for the next training bout.”
Mathew shook his head at her antics. He and Agnox went to clean up and change out of their combat gear. For Mathew, it was a simple push of mana to have his gear end up in his personal storage space.
After a quick shower, Mathew hopped into his new mode of transportation across base. The shop that Bob had apparently had an entire list of small vehicles for sale. Included in that was a trike that ran off mana for fuel.
It was faster than the golf cart and, surprisingly, after his first time using it, his [Channel Mana] ability ranked up. He planned on asking Bob about it today. That was where he was heading, off base to get another lesson, including a more hands on application.
Bob was still pushing for Mathew to get a necromancy themed class. Mathew still was skeptical if that was the true solution. He just needed another familiar like Agnox to fill in the holes. Why couldn’t he stay as a Summoner and get more summons?
Jeffery and his two wisps filled in holes, just not as perfectly. Who is to say a future summon won’t be able to help him? Hell, he even considered the reward from Gaia’s quest as a potential aid. If he could talk to the goddess again, maybe she could help him.
Yet his inpartu teacher was still adamant. His personal feelings about Gods clouded his true belief. Mathew didn’t care who helped him, so long as it helped him and the strings attached could be severed with enough effort.
Passing through the gate, Mathew drove to a clearing where Bob already waited for him. Standing next to Bob was a single, unmoving, human.
Mathew eyed the creature, “So, I take it you found some undead, or made this one?” Bob had returned from Watago city today. Mathew let him return to gather a few things he stashed away. Including the chance of any undead that were still under his control.
“A few were left. Less than twenty. They are all hidden away. I brought one here for proof, as you requested.”
“And the other item I wanted?”
Bob dug out a red stained piece of cloth. “So long as you don’t ask where I got it. Yes.”
Mathew eyed him. “I said no killing people.”
Bob smiled, “And I didn’t. Sorry if your orders were not up to snuff, but I want to see the Ritual as well. It’s the most interesting one other than the Blood Scent one.”
Mathew sighed and whisked the package away. “Fine. I have questions today, so I want to hold off on the previous topic.”
Bob gestured to the log across from him. “Sit, what do you want to know about?”
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“I told you about my list of powers. Last time there was a couple you were more interested in, but didn’t go into details about. One of them, [Channel Mana] was one you knew of. What can you tell me more about it? I ranked it up after using the trike over there.”
“Ahh, well it’s an ability most crafters have, or magical tool users. Using a triggering effect on a weapon typically requires the use of mana. That ability allows you to use it more effectively. For crafters, it just passively makes your creations stronger.” Bob shrugged. “I was just surprised you have it. You are not a crafter, and the only magical item you have is a spell focus with no innate ability.”
Mathew nodded. “I got it after trying to change how a spell worked.”
Bob snapped his fingers. “Ahh, that explains it. Spell weaving.”
Now, Mathew was more confused. “You know I don’t know any terms for certain people.”
“Spell weaving is a dedicated study path. People who are dedicated to learning more about The System and paths. They try to modify spells or other powers and create new ones or discover new ones. A dead end for cultivators, a get rich quick job for anyone else. Necromancers or anybody who messes with life energy get a similar ability called [Channel Essence].”
Mathew nodded, now understanding the ability better. “An ability you plan on teaching me I assume?”
Bob shook his head, “oh no. We are hard pressed for getting you a Necromancy ability. It’s more skill based in fact. Gaining the Necromancy class just requires you to have created an undead servant. I’m curious if your Ritual will suffice.”
“What makes you think it will count?”
“Uses a heart of a human.” Bob said flatly. “It’s description literally calls it a servant that carries out your will. I’m willing to bet it’s a spirit. Nothing compared to what I made. I doubt it will even have a consciousness. More automated, less free thinking.”
“How will you know if it counts?”
“You get a title, similar to your Lawyer one. There are a few easy ones you could get actually if you wanted. I found my list I…acquired before running to my Dungeon. Majority of them are purely Necromantic, or something you can’t get. There are two, other than the ‘False Life’ title that you can get. Very well known, so don’t expect any large benefits.”
Mathew raised his eyebrow, he was heavily interested in more titles. Di had zero lists on anything new, neither did the other two shops. It was as if a hard knowledge ban prevented them. A whisper of regret of not upgrading Di’s shop floated in Mathew’s mind.
“Slayer just requires you to kill 1,000 enemies. You get a 1% bonus to all stats that stay. So anytime you get a stat boost, that 1% is applied after. 1% is nothing except for people who wish to climb to Godhood where their stats are in the hundreds of thousands. Plus all the other percent bonus stats stack onto each other.”
“The other one is less interesting. You only need to reach 100 in each stat. It gives you +10 in all stats. Great for lower levels, worth less than the Slayer one for those on the path to reaching higher powers.”
Mathew made notes on these things. Two of which he could get easily. The last one was hard for now. He will need to rank up to reach such numbers. “Are there any titles for reaching a rank within a time frame, or any time limited titles?” His mind went to his Axiom title.
“Absolutely. If you are the first on a planet for most things, then you will get a title for it. Those are titles rumored that Kings have.”
Mathew paused his thoughts. “So they are wasted on those who were lucky at the start.”
Bob shook his head. “Titles like those are passed on once someone dies. It goes to the next person who did the same feat who is alive. So lets say those who are reaching Apprentice rank right now. Once everyone else dies, you will get that title for ‘first’.”
Mathew blinked at that piece of information. “What prevents me from just killing them, taking those titles?”
Bob grinned. “Now you are thinking as a Cultivator. Nothing but their ability to defend themselves obviously.”
Mathew took a deep breath, letting it all out. “That’s annoying. So people could try to kill me for my titles, plus a myriad of other reasons?”
“Yup. Most heads of families have only one or two children. Then, they either pamper them and help them enough to not be tempted for those limited titles, or they keep them weak enough that they chance of murder is non-existant.”
Mathew whistled. “That seems smart. Our world had nothing like that before all of this. It’s difficult to fully grasp how the universe has worked for essentially eons.”
“I understand. I don’t get it Mathew, but I understand. Necromancy was similar for me. An entire truth to the universe unlocked for me. It was like acquiring an Axiom, but broader.”
“You have one?” Mathew asked, never thinking of asking.
“Had. You can lose them. Necromancy is about sacrifice.”
“What was it?”
“[Decay]. I knew how the cycle of decomposing bodies worked very well. It was necessary. I could use the axiom to give my undead a less undead appearance. Knowing how something works helps you make it not work.”
“Was that before or after your class?”
“Oh, it was absolutely after. Just a few months before I ended up on this planet.” Bob said with a bit of pride.
“What would have happened if you had gotten it before your class? Do Axioms, or any skills, or powers, change your chances for classes and things?”
“Everything matters when it comes to classes.” Bob said sternly. “A single stat point, a single title, the difference between a Novice 9 and a Beginner 0 spell that just turns your hair orange matters. Nothing doesn’t matter when it comes to classes.”
Mathew nodded, thinking. “Do you think I can get a class that does both?”
“Necromancy and Summoning? Maybe. If you are sure that is the path you want to take.” Said almost jokingly.
“What do you mean by that? Your tone and words are not matching.”
“Summoner is what rarity? Rare? Very Rare?”
“Rare.” Mathew confirmed.
“Every Class, Profession, and Item have rarities. A few other things do as well. The difference between rarity and rank isn’t much. A Very Rare treasure that is Novice is typically worth more than a Common treasure at Beginner rank. Not often, but at least half the time. It’s a safe bet on where to put your money.”
“So what does that have to do with combining the two classes?”
Bob laid down on his log, rubbing at his eyes. “Ugh, okay. This is hard to explain without showing you physical examples. Think of it like this. The ranks go in this order: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare, Epic, and Awoken. You already know the ranking structure. There are seven rarities, but nine ranks. Ten if you count the god tiered ranks.”
“The important thing is that the higher the rarity, the more specific it is. A common class is something like ‘Warrior’. You can get that at every single rank. It’s a horrible choice. And I doubt any real warrior will ever make it into Student rank, but that’s a different discussion. We are just laying out how things work.”
Bob held his hands in front of him, drawing invisible lines. “Classes give you things. Abilities, Skills, Spells, they are the way to confirm your path. Classes are the combination on everything that makes who you are.”
“Your average person has an Uncommon rank at Beginner. To start off as a Common class means you are doing something generalized. Like being a guard for a kingdom, or a crafter, or a farmer, something menial. If you can skip that step right to an Uncommon class, that makes you worth something.”
Mathew was listening intently. Listening for a clue of how to continue his path of a Summoner. If that is even something he wants to keep doing.
“Rare is when truly unique people start to show up. I’ve never heard of anyone at Beginner rank getting anything over Very Rare. That was just a single story back in my old clan. The point of a class is to represent who you are. Professions play heavily into this early in life, as you get a Profession before a class.”
“Once you hit Level 25, that changes. You can change both at the same time. Most people keep the same profession, and upgrade their class if able.”
“Summoner can’t be upgraded.”
Bob nodded, “Exactly. That means you have to change classes, or your growth will stagnate eventually. You are perfectly fine as a normal person who is a summoner until around Student or Journeyman rank. Depends upon other factors. Right now, you have a problem with your soul. Last I checked, Summoners don’t get necromancy abilities.”
“So no Animancy either.” Mathew confirmed.
“Exactly.” Bob sat up with a grunt and clapped his hands. “Combining Summoner with Necromancy would be either an Epic or Awoken class. Something super niche and built for you.”
“The Gods have Awoken classes. Clan elders have Epic classes, or the occasional Awoken class. Picking an Awoken class is powerful. The largest stat spread, sculpted abilities, skills, and spells just for you. The System does most of the work, but it’s flawless for anyone.”
“Then why not pick one as soon as the option appears?” Mathew questioned.
“Because, if you have no groundwork to build upon, the magnificent skyscraper that is an Awoken class will crumble like wet paper. Never pick an Awoken class unless you are more than absolutely sure you will never change. A single change in anything will cause you to cripple your cultivation to the point you are worth less than a Level 1 child.”
“How do you know if any of that is true?”
“There are a few secrets the elites in the universe share. That is one of them. Nobody wants bad karma from lying about cultivation. The strong want the strong to grow stronger so they can use them to grow stronger as well. If everyone picks an Awoken class at low levels like ours, then nobody will be strong enough, and a power gap will appear.”
“Think on it Mathew. What you pick upon your rank up will be the concrete foundation for your future. Don’t fuck this up. My fate is tied to yours. If you die, I die. So please…” Bob looked into Mathew’s eyes intently. “Don’t make the wrong choice.”