I stand on the same sandy beach as last time, the only differences this time being the absence of an old black cat and the number of clam shells washed ashore. They appear in many colors and shapes, all of them representing their element and orientation. Some are bulky and gray, others sleek, thin and light green. I crouch and pick up the first one, bright red and slightly spiky.
A shimmering red shell. A small one with a rough surface.
[Barely Mageling - Fire]
Requirement: A curious mind looking for answers in mana, seeking to shape reality. Quick Witted lvl 5, 20 Mana, 20 Intelligence
The first step towards becoming a fully-fledged wielder of the power of mana. Your desire for destruction is only overshadowed by the ever-burning passion inside your heart for greatness. Release those flames and scorch your path forward, as it is your destiny.
[+1 Free Points, +2 Mana, +1 Willpower, +2 Intelligence, +2 Focus per level]
This description sounds almost as cool as it is ominous. Would this class make me into a mad pyromaniac? Even if it was broken as hell I wouldn’t take this. I like my freedom of mind more than power, thank you very much.
I step over to the next shell, this one blue-colored with a smooth, curvy surface.
[Barely Mageling - Water]
I read through it, and while the element and the description are different, the stat bonuses are the same. This one makes no mention of mental disorders, so I guess the previous one is also more rhetorical than actual mental influence. Next to the first two are their earth and air-type siblings, none of which incite any desire to choose them.
[Slowpoke Sprinter - Wind]
Requirement: A fervent runner, sprinting and dashing as much as their legs allow them to. Running lvl 5, Stamina lvl 3, 10 Speed
You run with all your might to feel the winds blast against your face. You are only truly free when you are in motion and the wind carries you throughout your path. Be faster than ever before, leave everyone else in the dust and race the winds of the worlds as no one else can contend with you.
[+1 Free Points, +3 Speed, +2 Endurance, +1 Dexterity, +1 Mana, +1 Willpower, per level]
This must be the one Nia chose. Well, it really is all about running, which I guess can appeal to her. I guess the only reason I must have received this one is mom’s training regimes.
And is it just me or does the System always show classes that seem like a distasteful joke?
I find a few more interesting ones like [Theory Crafter - Water] this one focuses on thinking more and thinking better. Honestly not a useless one, just very different from what I need. There's also [Can’t touch This - Wind], I don’t get the naming sense but the class focuses on dodging attacks with very little fighting involved. There’s also a basic [Novice Fighter - Earth] class, which should be the bare minimum fighter varant if I’m not wrong.
The second to last is an interesting one [Dark Crimson Squire - Void]
Requirement: be born under the Crimson Comet, don’t back down from a fight
You’re a child of the calamity of Aelion.
You are the embodiment of the chaotic fight that is birthed in its wake. Tear through everything in your path, and disintegrate those who oppose you. Take your first steps toward becoming a walking calamity, a name whispered in fear. Be unpredictable, be explosive, be… chaotic. Slaughter your way through any battlefield as carnage is the only state worth living in.
[+2 Free Points, +2 Might, +1 Speed, +2 Endurance, +1 Mana, +1 Willpower +1 Intelligence, +1 Focus per level]
If I previously thought that the Fire Mageling was ominous, then this one feels straight-up evil. Although it says nothing about me being influenced in any way to do anything, I hate the fact that it has something closer to do with the Crimson Comet than necessary. Like, my first class is fine, it's just because of the way I was born but this one means I chose slaughter. A big nope, even if the stats are great.
Then I arrive at the last shell, colorless and plain. [Inept Magus - Arcane] and a smile stretches across my face. Is it time for the coin flip?
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Luna and her husband are preparing lunch while their daughter, their biggest source of pride, is making great strides in life toward her bright future. They want to celebrate this occasion, to reward her for the persistent work she has put in the past few days.
“How fast did you manage to make your way through those levels?” Asks Lucious sitting at the kitchen table.
“Hmm, when I was her age I couldn't wait to leave the Tumarth Highlands, so I worked my ass off to reach a decent level as quickly as I could. Leaving the place to explore the land was a good motivation. If I remember correctly it took me maybe a day or two longer than Eli. I don’t know which skill she managed to exploit to progress this fast but she’s done well.” There's some smugness in Luna’s voice as her progress was also quite respectable.
“She might look every bit like me on the outside, however when it comes to personality and mentality there’s no denying she’s your blood. Like a little you,” He quietly adds.”the poor girl. She’ll never find herself a man.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing darling, I’m just contemplating how awesome both of you are. The level nine grind took me at least a week, and that was over fifty years ago.” The poor husband tries to divert the topic.
“Well of course, thankfully-” She never finishes the sentence.
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Knocking on their door interrupts the merry conversation and they look at each other in confusion.
”Did you expect someone today?” The man asks and Luna just gives a headshake.
They walk up to the entrance of their beloved home, curious to see who their visitor might be. Opening the door to an aged man waiting outside welcomes them. Despite a cloak covering his body, his strength is evident. Sharp gray eyes are framed with salt and pepper beard and mane-like hair.
A monster.
Lucious and Luna both step back and their bodies prepare for combat on instinct upon identifying the man.
[Warrior lvl ???]
A true menace on the battlefield, a war veteran. Meeting anyone of his strength would equal a death sentence out on the field, maybe even here in a city.
So what is he here for? Why them?
“A good reaction, decent level, natural fierceness. You pass.” The man assesses them like children with his deep and stern voice.
With that evaluation, he walks into their home and sits down at the dining table. The couple stays frozen in the doorway, their breath caught in their throat and mouth parched like the Sarahal Desert.
“Sit, please.” He invites them into their own home as if he were the one who lived there and not them. “We have something important to discuss." Seeing that this didn’t manage to shake them out of their stupor he adds. “It’s about your daughter.”
This comment doesn't just break the daze but shatters it, parental instincts pushing primal fear aside. They draw whatever weapons they can find at hand and aim it at the man.
The mysterious veteran just smiles, remaining relaxed. “I’ll be indulgent this once since I admire your dedication. However…” A dangerous atmosphere fills the room, oozing from the man like an odor of doom. “I advise you to put down the toys in your hands and open your ears if you know what's best for your child.” His tone isn’t really threatening, yet they can somehow feel it deep down that he won't take no for an answer.
Reluctantly Luna puts the kitchen knife back in its place and Lucious leans his sword to the wall, where it belongs. They stiffly walk over to the man and sit down in front of him.
“Now, I already know who you are but I might as well introduce myself. The name is Bennett and I’m here to take your daughter with me.”
The parents, hearing what they feared the most, pounce at the man right away; desperate to stop him at all cost. Bennett just sighs, moving almost too fast for them to track. He dashes towards Lucious and punches him in the gut, making the father collapse as all the air gets pushed out of his lungs and vomit spills out his mouth. Luna gets kicked in the side, sailing across the room and slamming into the nearby wall.
“That’s enough! I will take her one way or another.” Bennett declares with a frown and sits back down. “I’m not here to harm her so don’t force my hand to turn her into an orphan.” His voice leaves no room for opposition.
“Mom, dad it's okay. Let’s hear what the rude guest has to say.” To everyone's surprise, the girl in question comes to calm the situation.
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The first thing I see when I wake up and walk out of my room is this… mess. I'm shaking in anger when I see the mysterious and powerful man hit my parents. All my jolly and jumpy happiness slurped up by hot, ragging furry. How dare this damned bastard hit them if only I…
Calm down Eli, we don’t stand a chance. Calm.
The man looks at me with a scrutinizing gaze. “First class-up, decent progress. Now I’m even more certain she is who I’m here for. Sit girl!”
Our family sits right across from the man, my parents holding me close to themselves as if I would disappear at any moment.
“Let's begin with some explanation. I know she was born under the Crimson Comet and received a Blessing. This is not the first time this has happened, far from it, and many centuries ago the nations of Ebroden made a secret convention. Leave the blessed ones alone. Nobody is supposed to search for these children, and train them into mindless killing puppets or other tools for the privileged to use. Instead, they are to be allowed to live their own lives.” I feel relieved to hear that, I don't want to be brainwashed. “But the eldest imperial prince seems to have his own ideas,” I feel my stomach flip. Of course, there’s a but. The powers of the continent are to supervise one another, countries, groups like ours and powerful individuals… It has been too long. They grew complacent, oblivious to the danger such living weapons can pose.”
I don’t like how the stakes are getting bigger and bigger. First, the Blessing was just something unique mom warned me about and now I learn that it's a continent-wide concern…
Bennett sighs and continues his story. “He secretly abducts the ones favored by the Crimson, hiding his intentions and operations well. We found one of his goons in the middle of a kidnapping accidentally and decided to make our own move.” He leans forward, linking his fingers. “You might not trust me, or even despise me, nonetheless I believe our alternative is slightly more agreeable than turning into elite cannon fodder. ”
I subconsciously grab onto mom’s clothes, and even breathing becomes difficult. She places a hand on my back to calm me yet I only feel cold at her touch, hearing my heart thundering as the discussion continues.
Take away? Me? I don’t want to… Please?
“Who is this we?” Asks dad with barely held-back rage on his face.
The man doesn’t answer, he just puts a red and gray emblem on the table. It’s shaped in the form of a red shield with a gray rim, in the middle there’s a fist striking down on two crossed swords.
I have no idea what the insignia means, my parents on the other hand instantly turn pale and hold me even stronger.
“The Fist of Krieg.” Mom whispers in disbelief.
The man nods and puts his badge away. “That’s correct, well-traveled, huh? I’d say you have two options, but then again I’d be lying. There’s no way letting the prince’s shadows bag her up is a better outcome than us taking care of her. Well, as you might’ve guessed, I’m not taking no for an answer. It’d be a waste to let her die or allow them to make the girl into a puppet. My intention here might not seem all that different however that’s only on the surface. The girl will keep her free will, grow according to her own desires and be free when the time comes.”
My parents remain unresponsive, their bodies slowly getting colder as sweat runs down their skin. I look at them desperately, hoping they will tell me everything will be fine and that I can stay with them. I grab and shake, searching for that familiar warmth and reassurance…They just stare in front of themselves, probably processing the information and trying to find a way out.
After looking for reassurance almost in tears the only pair of eyes I find on me are of the cruel old man, so I speak instead. “What is The Fist of Krieg?” I ask as it seems to be something bad but I have no idea in what way.
“Mercenaries sweetie. Fighters, notorious ones. Their service can be purchased for the right price and they complete the jobs be it slaying whatever or whoever it is.” Dad explains with a shaking voice.
The man, Bennett nods lightly with a small smile, probably pleased with the description.
Mom grabs my arm, a bit too strong with hands shaking just as much as mine. “If our thought process isn’t flawed, he’ll take you from us, before somebody else can and raise you into one of theirs.” This earns another nod from Bennett. “But she’s way too young, she’s nowhere near strong enough to be anywhere near your operations.” Mom voices her concerns, and if his impressive level is anything to go by she’s spot on.
“Let that be our problem.”
[Inept Magus - Arcane]
Requirement: knowledge about the nature of mana, familiarity with the arcane, 20 Mana, 30 Willpower, 30 Focus
You've caught a glimpse into the inner workings of the forces of nature, the cogs spinning tirelessly to keep the world in motion. Knowledge is your master and mana is your guide, now use these two to shape the world around you. Let mana run through your being and help you on your path, may the Arcane unite all.
[+1 Free Points, +2 Mana, +3 Willpower, +2 Intelligence, +3 Focus per level]
[Your Class [Inept Magus] has reached lvl 10 ->11,+1 Free Points, +2 Mana, +3 Willpower, +2 Intelligence, +3 Focus.]