Michael’s face was calm. His arms were crossed as he nodded. He spoke to Tairy, who sat on the stone dais in front of him.
“As expected, the answer isn’t to Level up.”
The old dark elf nodded. He stood up from the dais, moving to its side, and spoke.
“Understanding one’s weapons is even more important than creating more.”
He knew his teacher was right. His gaze turned to the side. Tairy’s home and yard were the same as ever. The great tree with blue leaves filled with mana stood steadfast next to the small wooden house. The enchanted stone dais was unchanged.
“I know. I can use my Skills and spells much better already.”
They had been discussing the best way to make progress. Michael’s thoughts at first naturally turned to his Level and the Dungeons he could face to Level up, but then he recalled his experience in the Lizard Labyrinth. Possessing careful control over his Skill’s abilities was crucial. Tairy, as he expected, had stressed the importance of becoming more familiar with his Skills. This was without knowing the true number of Skills that Michael possessed. Michael turned his focus inwards.
At the very least, I haven’t been underutilizing my arsenal.
He wished for his Status Window to appear before him.
Status Window
Name: Michael Gray
Level: 39
Race: Young Draconic Human (E)
Class: Newborn Caster
Job: None.
Stats
Strength: 301
Dexterity: 290
Endurance: 294
Constitution: 496
Intelligence: 608
Wisdom: 627
Free points: 115
Skill Points: 28
Active Skills
Mana Sphere (F); Analyze (F); Mana Shield (F); Mana Wave (F); Mana Arrow (F); Whisper (F); Minor Heal (F); Twin Casting (E); Mana Blade (F); Fireball (E); Earth Spike (E); Shroud (F); Mana Field (E); Eagle Eye (F).
Passive Skills
Clarity (F), Alacrity (E), Mana Empowerment (E), Force (E), Agility (E).
Hybrid Skills
Newborn’s Dragonheart (D), Astral Meditation (D).
Heritage
Blessing of Light: Cleansing, Illumination, Lightspeed.
Titles
Dragon’s Descendant; Apprentice Mage; Draconic Blessing, Mushroom Hunter, Bluestone Village’s First Star, The Monster of Bluestone Village, Exterminator.
It had been a while since Michael had looked at his Status Window. However, that did not mean that he was unaware of his own strength. His desire to hunt down and kill Derek and Lohann had been great, but he had kept himself strictly aware of what he was capable of. Having familiarized himself with Earth Spike and Fireball, he had even managed to use the former in the battle against Lohann.
Michael looked at his overwhelming stats that had only grown since his Class Evolution and frowned.
They’ve increased by too much.
As if the System itself were hoping for him to reach his full potential as soon as possible, his Class and Race provided him with ample Stat points. Leveling up after the Class Evolution had been completely different from the Leveling that came before it. He was beginning to lose grasp on what exactly he could and couldn’t do, which was something that needed to be remedied. Knowing himself was half the battle.
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First things first. System, 15 points into Constitution.
As his Constitution went right over the threshold of 500 points, he felt something within him change. It was as if the air around him had gotten lighter. His Dragonheart no longer raced within his chest, calmly beating instead. It was as if his chest were on fire. With every heartbeat, the feeling spread to the corners of his body. Yet, unlike before, his body temperature didn’t surge. A smile danced on the corner of his lips.
Michael realized the change at once. From now on, his Dragonheart, at its current level, would remain active permanently. He mentally willed for the Skill to activate to prove his conclusions. His heartbeat sped up, but just like before, there were no other signs. Yet, he felt his body get stronger almost immediately.
So now I’m getting the full passive effect while also benefitting from the activation.
Simply put, a weaker version of his Dragonheart’s effects remained active at all times, while the effects he was already familiar with would come to life at will. It stayed true to its concept of a Hybrid Skill. Michael mentally nodded to himself. It was thanks to his Constitution and Dragonheart that he had avoided serious injuries against the Griffin and eagles, as well as when he withstood the Elder Lizardman Chief’s Mana Field.
Fifty points into Intelligence and fifty into Wisdom.
His mana level started rising again as the maximum capacity was expanded. Watching his stat values increase was almost intoxicating. It meant getting a step closer to his ideal of protecting his loved ones and achieving his goals. His overwhelming stats were the foundation of his power; so long as they continued to rise, he would only get stronger.
He dismissed his Status Window, turning to Tairy, who waited patiently.
“So? What do you think, after looking at your Status Window? Your Level has also increased since last time.”
Michael thought for a bit before replying.
“…As I said before, I believe I have grown proficient with Mana Sphere, Mana Shield, and Mana Wave. Only Mana Arrow and Mana Blade still need work.”
“Aren’t you close to acquiring Fireball and Earth Spike?”
“Yes, I believe I only need one last push.”
Michael felt a bit bad for lying to Tairy, but he had decided to hide his true power long ago. He was already too powerful for his Level. He had no explanation for his high stats, and certainly didn’t need more questions about his Skills instead. He had revealed a lot in the process of hunting down Lohann and Derek. Everything else should be kept to himself and perhaps his mother.
“Good. Then, we’ll train all the Skills you mentioned.”
Michael nodded. He understood the necessity of understanding even the most basic of his Skills.
As if to hammer the point home, the old man lifted his right hand. Chanting could be heard. Barely a heartbeat later, the Skill came into being. The final part of the chant left Tairy’s lips.
“Mana Wave.”
Michael’s eyes widened. He had recognized the chanting, but hadn’t cast anything to protect himself because he believed Tairy wouldn’t hurt him. This belief still remained. A half-moon made of mana was fired towards him. However, it froze in mid-air, as if time had stopped. Then, it moved. It contorted like a snake and joined both ends to make a mishappen circle. It spun in place, expanded, and shrunk almost instantly. Tairy spoke.
“There’s always a higher heaven. There’s no such thing as being too proficient to learn, even when it comes to basic Skills. Remember that, kid. You’re still a long way from being a great Mage.”
It was a lesson in humility. Michael knew that the dark elf was right. Compared to his monstrous stats, his ability to manipulate his own mana was relatively lacking. His understanding of his Skills needed to improve.
“Yes, I understand.”
With a satisfied face, Tairy nodded.
“We start immediately.”
“Hold on, there’s something I want to talk to you about first.”
Tairy signaled him to proceed. Michael continued.
“Lohann implied that there was someone or something behind his actions, or at least in agreement. Thinking about it, he wielded power that no ordinary person in the Tutorial should have. What’s going on?”
Tairy rubbed his chin with a pensive expression and replied.
“What exactly do you mean?”
“I found out that Lohann ‘branded’ hundreds of people and could affect their thoughts and their willingness to do things they wouldn’t normally do. It doesn’t make sense. He also did the same to an entire Dungeon’s worth of monsters, including the Boss.”
The dark elf nodded with a whistle.
“Damn, I see. So, it has already started to happen.”
“What has started?”
Tairy raised his index finger.
“You can think of them as Blessings from entities outside of the Tutorial. The earlier in the Tutorial, the more difficult it is for a creature outside of it to grant a Blessing to a contestant. It’s surprising that Lohann got one before you.”
As I thought.
It seemed that Michael’s theory about Lohann’s abilities was correct. The man had received something like his Blessing of Light.
“But, why?”
“Just like us ‘NPCs’ get something from participating in the Tutorial, so do those who grant Blessings. First and foremost, they hope to expand their forces with outstanding people from the Tutorial Zones, like you and Lohann.”
It was undeniable that Lohann was remarkable, even if crazy. Michael thought to himself a bit before nodding.
“I understand. I take it this will happen more frequently from now on?”
Tairy nodded. Michael took a deep breath and continued to speak.
“Let’s become stronger, then.”
The old dark elf grinned.
Michael felt as if the path ahead of him was slowly coming into being. For now, he would train. After that, came Leveling up and increasing his raw power, which would then be tempered with more training. He couldn’t stop working to improve himself. Henceforth, it would be a basic necessity. He would tackle Dungeons and the Consumed Territory once he was ready. How powerful would the Forgotten be? A small part of him eagerly awaited the answer.
His mind made up, Michael walked to the usual spot under Tairy’s watchful gaze. Chanting left his lips. A small Mana Sphere appeared above his open right hand. It shone brightly with a blue hue. It was condensed to the best of his ability.
Michael’s training had returned in earnest.