"Who gets to decide that only the chat creater can let you leave? It's embarassing enough without an audience."

My grumbles went unnoticed in the brand new clearing. I had finally left the chat, but not before a blow by blow replay of my fumbles with the accompanying laugh track was recorded for 'a rainy day.' Apparently, dragons need to use both Flight and Mana Mastery in order to fly. By manipulating the mana around them, they can create a sort of cushion for them to glide on. The wings and tail were more like a ship's rudder and oars than a bird's wings.

I wanted to get as far away from the circle of trees, that reminder of my own foolishness, I tried to figure out how to manipulate the mana in my enviroment. Suddenly, it was as if a curtain had been torn from my vision. Nothing changed with the picture I was seeing, but rather I could sense everything around me. living objects all had mana flowing through them, and while there was much less mana in the air, there was still a notable amount. I then tried to manipulate it, and a dense cloud formed, responding to my every thought. It seemed that Mana Mastery was just as it said, I was able to bend mana with just a thought. However, when I tried to draw some mana out of a nearby bug, it seemed sluggish. my best guess would be that the mana inside was bound to the bug, unless it used a skill to release it.

Speaking of which, Tryst had dissappeared into my shadow a while ago, but I could still sense the mana within him. Let's let him out, I have some questions.

Has Master finally stopped acting the fool? I would hope you did not call me out for another comedy routine.

"Ouch.... How was I supposed to know how Flight worked? Anyways, let's talk on the fly."

With newfound confidence, I gathered a mana cushion under my feet and took to the skies. Since Tryst was connected to me, he was able to use me as an anchor to follow. Now, I've never flown in an airplane, but I believe this was far superior. The ability to change direction with just a thought, performing hairpin turns and complex stunts... anyways, after I enjoyed myself for a bit, I turned my attention to Tryst.

"Ok, a couple of questions. Number one: Why are skill costs so high?"

While your ability provides you strength, you are akin to an infant. Most humans will average about one level per year, while dragons go through sudden bursts of growth periodically. Even so, combat provides far greater growth than passive leveling, although it gets less effective later on.

"So, passive leveling would work on a percentage basis, while monsters provide exp."

Percisely. therefore, the skill costs are cheap compared to the level up gains. Your class also provides certain boost to stats, which makes it much easier to perform in your chosen class

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"Wait, really? Status."

Name: Gabriel Bloodbourne

Race: Human (Dragon)

Class: Necromancer LV1 (Bruiser LV1)

HP 12000

MP 2200

STR 1200

DEX 1200

INT 1200

WIS 2200

Racial skills

Ingenuity

Processing speed up

Class EXP up

Panic Breath

Mana Mastery

Flight

Class Skills

Summon: Skeleton

Sense Life

Battle Flow

Overhaul

"..."

What happened to my stats! I though 200 was a massive amount, but now I have some stats over 2000?

Why are you so surprised, master? Some of the most famous warriors in this world had stats in the billions.

Billions, huh?

"Well, I suppose being able to one-shot everything in the beginning was too much to ask. Still, a class boost to WIS of 2000? Actually, withought my skill it would only be 1000. That means I can control up to 2200 skeletons!"

Make that 4400, but skeletal infantry are known for being brittle and weak. Most people can take them out with two swings, and that's if the person is weak.

"So I'm still going to have to do most of the work myself. Turns out that even spending 5 mana to summon one could be a waste. Alright, question number two: why, when I recieved my races and you, did I not get more than one guide? Also, shouldn't I have recieved 4 races instead?"

You did not have to pay anything to recieve the races. When you chose your class, you had to spend one of the beginner's items. Since there was no downside to choosing the races, you only had double. As for me, I am not from a sentient race, but the system that created me gave me sentience to be better able to answer you. Your skill, however powerful it may be, was limited when interacting with other sentient beings. Even if you give someone, say, a skill card, they would not be able to learn 2 skills with it like you can.

I had been circling around the forest, listening to Tryst explain. when he mentioned skill cards, my expression lit up. Skills! Even more skills! Unfortunately, I could only pick from E rank skills, but having more skills would always help.

Scrolling through the menu once more, I could pick out several different skills that would be useful. I definitely needed Map, Return would take me to the last town I visited, Analyze seemed better than it was rated, and Danger Sense complemented many of my other skills.

This will take 2 Rank E skill cards. Confirm?

Of course!

The map popped up, and I could see several red dots heading for the clearing I made.

I guess my dragon form scared the people in Triton. Maybe I should head into town from a different gate.