Intelligence, Strength, Dexterity and Vitality- these are the four cornerstone attributes that define an individual's general capabilities and direction in life. Each of these stats plays a crucial role in shaping the kind of individual one becomes.
Intelligence is the stat that primarily bolsters one’s magic prowess. It enhances magic damage and expands mana capacity, making it the go-to attribute for those who walk the path of the mage. The higher one's intelligence, the more potent and sustained their magical abilities become.
Strength, on the other hand, is the lifeblood of martial artists and those who rely primarily on physical prowess in battle. This attribute governs overall physical damage and enhances physical defense. It's what gives warriors their formidable power in hand-to-hand combat and enables them to withstand blows that would incapacitate others.
Dexterity is the attribute of agility and precision. It's vital for those who wield weapons - be it swordsmen, archers, or other weapon-based classes. An increase in dexterity translates to quicker movements, faster attacks, and enhanced proficiency with weapons. It's the art of swift, precise strikes and evasive maneuvers.
Then there's Vitality, often seen as the most underappreciated of the stats. Its primary function is to increase one's maximum health. While it may not seem as immediately influential or as glamorous as other attributes, it plays a crucial role, especially in critical situations. Often considered a last resort, Vitality is usually the attribute that many classes choose to develop only after prioritizing others.
In most cases, each class tends to focus on two main stats to achieve a balanced skill set. For instance, mages typically concentrate on Intelligence for their magical prowess, while also investing some points into Dexterity. This combination not only bolsters their spellcasting abilities but also grants them a certain level of speed, essential for evading dangerous situations, especially in close-quarters combat.
Similarly, martial artists usually focus on Strength and Dexterity. Strength naturally enhances their defense capabilities, making them formidable in physical confrontations. The addition of Dexterity not only improves their offensive maneuvers but also provides agility, allowing for more effective and agile combat strategies. While investing in Vitality could indeed be beneficial by increasing their health pool, many martial artists find that a balance of Strength and Dexterity offers a more comprehensive advantage, covering both defense and offense.
The most critical aspect of our training hinges on the first attribute among the four - Intelligence, Strength, Dexterity, and Vitality - to reach the threshold of 10 points. Achieving this milestone awards a respective passive skill, a significant and irreversible decision. This passive skill is a one-time acquisition, permanently shaping one’s abilities and future. Once chosen, there is no going back; the skill becomes a lifelong companion, for better or worse, and can even influence the effectiveness of one’s active skills. I know this all too well, having experienced it firsthand. Thankfully, in this second chance at life, I am free from the constraints of my previous choices.
Reaching 10 points in Intelligence first grants the Magic Amplification ability. This passive skill is incredibly potent, enhancing one's overall magical power. Its influence extends across all forms of magic – fire, water, wind, earth, holy, darkness and any other types – without exception. It's a universally powerful ability that can significantly amplify a mage’s prowess, even at higher levels. In my past life, this very ability had been both a blessing and a curse. Its immense power came with grave consequences, a lesson I learned the hard way.
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If one's training and focus lead to Strength being the first attribute to reach the 10-point threshold, the reward is the passive skill known as Warrior's Might. This formidable ability significantly bolsters the overall physical damage and defense capabilities of its wielder. In many ways, Warrior's Might is as beneficial as Magic Amplification, although it lacks the latter's versatility across various elemental types.
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Warrior's Might is particularly advantageous in situations that demand raw physical strength and resilience. For those who engage in close-quarters combat or rely heavily on physical prowess, this skill can be a game-changer.
However, its limitation lies in its focus on physical attributes alone. In a world where many adversaries possess immunities or resistances to physical damage, the ability to manipulate elements becomes crucial. This is why Warrior's Might, while exceptionally powerful, is often considered the second-best option after Magic Amplification, especially in a diverse combat environment. For classes other than mages, particularly those who don't rely on elemental magic, Warrior's Might is often the preferred choice.
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Reaching the 10-point threshold in Dexterity first unlocks a passive skill known as Agile Mastery. This ability is a boon for those who rely on speed, agility, and precision. Agile Mastery enhances the user’s agility and attack speed, making it an essential skill for classes that depend on quick movements and swift strikes.
With Agile Mastery, the user experiences a significant improvement in their reflexes and movement efficiency. It enables them to execute attacks with greater speed and dodge incoming attacks more effectively. This skill is particularly advantageous for classes like swordsmen, archers, and other weapon-based fighters, where the ability to strike quickly and evade swiftly can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
However, similar to Warrior's Might, Agile Mastery has its limitations. While it greatly improves physical agility and speed, it does not directly enhance physical strength or magical abilities. Hence, while it is a top choice for classes that prioritize speed and precision, it may not be as beneficial for those who require brute strength or magical prowess.
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Finally, there's Vitality, often considered the least appealing stat and passive acquisition. reaching the 10-point threshold in Vitality first unlocks a passive skill called Enduring Vitality. Enduring Vitality significantly enhances the user's life regeneration abilities. It allows for a faster recovery from injuries, enabling the individual to regain health at a rate much quicker than normal. In prolonged battles or situations where medical aid is not readily available, this passive skill can be the key to outlasting opponents.
Despite its advantages, Enduring Vitality is often deemed less glamorous compared to the immediate impact of the other passive skills. In a world where battles are often won by sheer strength, speed, or magical prowess, the subtle art of endurance is sometimes undervalued. However, for classes or individuals who find themselves in attrition battles or who serve as the steadfast anchor in a team like tankers, this skill can be invaluable.
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On my deathbed in my previous life, countless scenarios played through my mind, each a reflection of regret and what-ifs. I had pondered endlessly on how I could have prevented my tragic fate, and amidst the sea of possibilities, one solution stood out the most – I should not have focused so intently on increasing my Intelligence stat.
In that life, my Intelligence peaked at a point that significantly amplified the damage incurred from my active skill, an unforeseen consequence that ultimately led to my downfall. The more I had invested in Intelligence, the more destructive and uncontrollable my powers had become, turning what was meant to be a strength into a lethal flaw, including the additional effect of the passive ability that came with it.
I realized that the key lay in restraint, in maintaining my Intelligence at a modest level – keeping it at 5 points – enough as not to enhance the harmful effects of my active skill.
Instead, the stat that I should have focused on was the one most overlooked and undervalued – Vitality, and its corresponding passive skill, Enduring Vitality. In my final moments of reflection, I understood its true worth.
Enduring Vitality, with its enhanced life regeneration abilities, could have been my salvation. It would have allowed me to withstand more damage, recover faster from the self harm of the active skill, and endure the toll and the strain it inflicted on me. In focusing solely on increasing my magical prowess, I had neglected the fundamental need to survive and endure.
I chuckled softly to myself as I contemplated my unorthodox path. "Well, it looks like I'm about to do something no Arashi's has ever done before."
My inner voice responded with a wry tone, "Yeah, and I'm pretty sure it won't go over well with the family when they find out."
I paused, a steely determination in my eyes. "But survival comes before everything else this time. My decision is final, I will be increasing my Vitality instead of Intelligence during that year of training."