It was time for Six to advance as much as he could before continuing.

His level brought six stat points. He placed two into strength, furthering his physical might. Two into constitution improved his health and regen. It also brought it to fifty and SIx braced for something special to happen, but nothing. One into luck because, well, he did find a master level inheritance… can’t hurt to encourage that a bit more. One into wisdom to increase his mana regen and mental resistance.

That took care of the stat portion, now that he could earn his class he was a little more interested in spending his skill points.

His polearms skill was at level fourteen while his heavy armor skill was at sixteen. He had eight skill points and needed to bring one of the two skills up to skill level twenty. Having one of those at apprentice rank could earn him a rarer class.

Evolving polearms would definitely increase his damage output which was important for the fundamental strategy of victory, killing your opponent. It could potentially bring a very cool class.

But he knew he was going to pick heavy armor.

Heavy armor, in Six’s opinion, was more generalized compared to polearms and thus Six thought it would generate and promote more class options. It also synced with his defensive hardcore run playstyle, heavy armor would help him survive oneshots. He spent the four points.

Skill increase: Heavy Armor - Apprentice - 20

Apprentice Skill Evolution triggered

Choose Skill Evolution? Yes/No?

He selected yes. No reason to continue forth underpowered.

Kinetic Fortitude: Grants the wearer's heavy armor exceptional resistance against kinetic attacks, reducing the internal forces the wearer receives by 0.8% per level.

Deft Maneuvering: Enhances the wearer's ability to move smoothly and gracefully in heavy armor, reducing the risk of tripping or stumbling and increasing movespeed by 0.1% per level.

Resilient Constitution: Enhances the wearer's physical resilience, reducing the impact of conditions and increasing all health regen effects by 0.2% per level.

Magical Conductivity: Increases the wearer's magical affinity while in heavy armor, enhancing the effectiveness of spells and enchantments they cast and reducing the chance of miscasts by 0.5% per level.

Iron Grip: Augments the wearer's grip strength, ensuring a secure hold on weapons and shields even under intense pressure. Each level provides a 10% increase to the grip of the wearer while holding items.

Deft Maneuvering and Iron Grip were rejected. He already felt manuverable enough, it's not like he had a hard time getting around and he outran those goblins so he cut it. Iron Grip felt way too specific to be useful beyond melee applications, or some weird max grip strength build, the fact that it didn’t work on creatures or people made it poo rank, also wasn’t even really armor related.

Instead it was a choice between Kinetic Fortitude, Resilient Constitution, and Magical Conductivity.

Kinetic Fortitude would make him even more durable and perhaps cut the damage from falls or collisions. Only against physical attacks though and he was pretty sure that didn’t include things like fire or lightning.

Resilient Constitution would stack with his already significant health regen and could make him extremely hard to deal with, especially once he leveled up and scaled the bonuses more. Especially if he managed to pick up a few more forms of health regen.

Magical Conductivity would synergize with his enchantment skill which basically made it a done deal. It also improved his spell effectiveness and combat effectiveness through a reduction in miscasts. This would let his defensive skill provide a diverse spread of offense, defense, and utility.

Still he agonized for a few minutes, this pick being far harder than his master enchantment pick. He was sure it would affect his class selection, pushing his choices in slight ways.

He cut Kinetic Fortitude, it would bring his class choices to something too physically focused. He needed more than just physical protection, the spectres were evidence of that.

Becoming an unstoppable sustain machine was something Six wanted but not at the expense of his class choices and he felt Resilient Constitution would push his class choices to be more sustain focused.

His highest skill was currently Enchantment and leveraging the utility and adaptability of that had always been his intent.

He picked Magical Conductivity and the knowledge entered his mind neatly.

Immediately he felt a slight change within himself, something he couldn’t articulate, beyond a ten percent increase to spell effectiveness and ten percent decrease to miscasts. He was doing something differently, what was it? He could tell the effect was internal, a piece of autonomic knowledge, he was subconsciously doing something with his mana and armor differently. Eh, whatever. He knew the what, but not the how and why. There was no time to find out, they were in the middle of an operation.

Evolution choice imprinted: Magical Conductivity

Maneuver choice awarded.

You gained 100(+25) experience points for reaching Apprentice status in Heavy Armor.

He earned a maneuver instead of a technique this time, he supposed that was due to the nature of the skill and how it was employed. Either way, something was better than nothing.

Might as well check that out.

For reaching Apprentice rank in Heavy Armor you have been awarded a maneuver selection:

Locked Stance

Heavy Spear

Deflect

Sundering Block

K, So… Spicy cheese…

These were far more easy to guess than the enchanting techniques.

Locked Stance probably made him hard to destabilize and move, giving him rigidity to his position.

Heavy Spear was most definitely not a spear technique. It was most likely a leaping tackle of some kind. Kinetic Fortitude might have synergized well with such a maneuver but hey, hindsight and all that.

Deflect was self explanatory along with Sundering Block.

He felt drawn to Heavy Spear for the perceived movement aspects but he was honestly having a hard time choosing. Six need to cut the options down.

Locked Stance was out, he wanted to stay mobile and it probably rewarded a more stationary style.

Heavy Spear was out, it was too unclear on its workings and sometimes a tackle left you on the ground. Six always wanted to be on his feet.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

It was a choice between Deflect and Sundering Block, he considered what their potential applications and intentions could be.

Deflect was primarily defensive while Sundering Block was a mixture of defensive and disabling.

Deflect countered attacks in general while Sundering Block most likely targeted the weapons of his enemy, it may not work against creatures that use claws or tail. In that sense Deflect was most likely more applicable in more situations. Its pure defensive aspect would also synergize with his hardcore build better.

He picked Deflect.

Maneuver: Deflect

Rank: Minor

Cooldown: 5 seconds

Range: Melee

Performance Time: Near Instant

Duration: Instant

Stamina Cost: 40

Effect: User utilizes armor to deflect an incoming physical attack, reducing it by a flat amount based on your armor or shield skill level, defensive rating, strength, and dexterity.

Current damage deflection: 212 Physical

Dope.

After taking care of those choices Six checked in with Charles and after receiving a ready confirmation they continued forth, Nibbler trundling behind.

The rest of the maintenance wing was relatively unremarkable, finding and dismantling two more servitors and a large reservoir of water near the back of the room.

He should really clear the water but… Fuck going into that. He hated unknown bodies of water, they gave him the heebie jeebies. A breeching fin of a giant fish showed him that he was right to be wary of the water. But hey, he did like eating fish, he might come back with a fishing rod.

They left the facility and came out into dusk, it had taken the entire day to clear but they had survived.

On the way back to his cave Six peppered Charles with questions about the class selection process, going over much of what he already knew. There was no danger or requirement to it, he felt confident in his choice and already knew his next move. He was most likely going for the Golemgineer class, he would be able to effectively leverage it immediately and progress with his creations from an early stage meaning they would be almost side by side rather than him being leagues beyond them.

They came down the incline and reached Six’s home. Seeing the garden beds and small stream coming from his cave Six felt an intense wave of satisfaction overcome him.

“Thanks for coming out Charles, I really think you made a difference back there. Preciate it.”

“Thank you for the offer. I grew far stronger today.”

“No problem. Say, you mind bringing some veggies back? Jebbedo was asking about squash and the garden is doing well.”

“Yes, I can do that.”

Six nodded his thanks.

As they drew close to his garden a small form moved from inside his cave and Six retrieved his glaive and loaded up to strike this goblin down.

But he lowered his weapon a moment later as the form resolved into a young human. Dirty boots, a worn dress and a heavy coat was what she wore and a determined look was plastered on her red tipped face.

“Charles,” she said. “Charles, you’ve been gone all day.”

Charles looked confused while he shuffled forward. “Ruth, what are you doing here?”

“Alison sent me to come get you! She said she shouldn’t have let you come out here. Amog is massing and she thinks they might be under attack soon. We gotta go back.”

“You came here to tell me that?”

She nodded.

“Ruth, you’re not even level one.”

She nodded with the tired face of continual stress. “But I made it.”

Charles rubbed his face and sighed before looking at Six. “I must leave immediately.”

Six looked at Charles with pity but smirked, he actually admired the kid for bearing so much responsibility with honor and sincerity. It was noble. “Take er easy, Charles.” He nodded a manly nod of respect at the kid and turned to enter his cave, it was time to pick a class.

“Six,” Charles called after him.

Six turned to look at the two youngsters before him, tattered and worn, their eyes glinting cold with the pain of understanding and acceptance.

“Six, come help us, please.”

Six could hear the timidity in Charles’ request, the shame. Something tugged deep within Six. A feeling of obligation, of responsibility. There was a level of trust and reciprocity between him and Charles that clearly affected his feelings on the matter. But in the end that’s all they were, feelings. While he couldn’t override what he felt, he could ignore those feelings on a cognitive level.

Skill Increase: Mindfulness - Initiate - 5

“No. I’m sorry.”

Charles pursed his lips and stared daggers for a moment before drawing the wand of mana spear and handing it to Six. “I need the bow more than I need the wand.”

“You can just have the bow dude.”

Charles scowled and shook his head, scoffing. He pushed the wand into Six’s grasp. The sarcasm of an angry youth touched his voice. “Thank you once again.” Then he left with the girl, going down the mountain at a near run.

Six sighed. He just wanted to blaze and be left alone. But now was not the time to relax. Amog wasn’t his problem.

He entered his home and sealed it up for the night, putting some food out for Nibbler and doffing his armor. He spent a bit looking at his woodbugs, and grinned when he saw the chewed remains of blood leaves, that was neat. He fluffed his bedroll as best he could before lying down to get comfortable.

He pulled up his character sheet and selected the now blinking Class section.

Enter class advancement? Yes/No.

With a level of excitement he selected yes and instantly the dimly lit ceiling of his cave was replaced with the endless black void of the soul purgatory he had found himself in after his first death. However this time there were figures with him.

Six’s vision was drawn to an array of bodies floated in the dark expanse. Lit perfectly they faced the center, and then Six found himself there, floating in the center of the highest band with the most bodies. He quickly reoriented his sense and looked at the person suspended before him.

It was himself. The body and face was his but what he wore was different. He wore deep blue robes and held the ashen wand of mana spear in his hand.

When Six considered this sculpture of himself he was presented with a blue screen and a description.

Mage:

The Mage class focuses on leveraging the power of mana and its effect on our world. Mages are talents of the arcane and are powerful but volatile, pushing the boundaries of magic forward as they advance. Mages might have power over an element, life or death, light or dark, they use that power in service of their mysterious motivations. - Mortal

“Hmm.” He checked the multitude of other classes in this ring quickly, finding things like the armored and weapon covered,

Warrior:

The Warrior class focuses on the martial prowess of the self. The Warrior is a force unto themselves and their physicality cannot be denied. Warriors are weapon focused fighters that push forward to achieve their ends. - Mortal

“Hmmmmmmmm.” He looked to the next one, it was him but in simple clothes and with a toolbelt filled with an endless assortment of gadgets.

Enchanter:

The Enchanter class focuses on the creation and imbuement of magical items and objects. Enchanters create wonders that last for generations and shift the course of history. Enchanters are a crafting based class that create their own destiny. - Mortal

This was what Six was originally aiming for, sounded alright.

There was the Builder class and more. These were fine and he was sure they were strong but the rank of mortal was unimpressive and there were deeper classes

He descended a level and observed a greatly reduced number of options. Still he examined them.

There he was again, his dark skin looking a little grey, he wore dark crimson robes and a self assured smile. Another prompt.

Bloodmage:

The Bloodmage is a practitioner of the primordial dualities, no mere regular mage. Bloodmages have dominion over realities' true basis, blood. The superiority of blood and its user is self evident once one grasps the power. - Immortal

That smile made him look like a dick. Next.

Super Heavy Infantry:

Super Heavy Infantry are the maul that splits through anything in their path. Armored and armed, their mastery of heavy armor and weapons allow them to be fortresses of death and destruction. Super Heavy Infantry focus on defense, martial ability, and athletic prowess. - Immortal

Much cooler.

He knew that he would choose these over the first ring and he wanted to just skip down to the fifth and final ring but he looked at the next ring down, finding even more specialized classes such as the-

Trapping Runesmith:

Using runes and enchantments the Trapping Runesmith can create powerful wards. Using logic to create smart magic that while not true intelligence can respond to a variety of predetermined states. Trapping Runesmith’s focus on preparation and prediction.- Ascendent

This was the batman class, which was cool but he was sure that the control rune could be shoehorned into this role.

Armored Note: The Armored Note dances in the song of battle. Their fluid and relentless dance plays a song of death from the tones that emanate from the clash of their weapons and armor. Armored Notes build and fight toward a crescendo. - Ascendent

That sounded more poetic than useful, he passed it over. He wanted something utilitarian rather than aesthetic. There were still more choices, he descended a level where the choices were but few.

Omnimage:

The Omnimage has access to innumerable different types of magic and thus has unparalleled utility and adaptability. The Omnimage is someone who has the potential to manipulate conceptual energies. The Omnimage is a nexus of talent and ability, someone who can progress to almost any magical solution. - Transcendent

Six appeared regal and sly, a cloak of shimmer pearlescent colours rippled upon his shoulders. His hands glittered with rings and a deep blue wizard’s hat adorned his head. He never looked good in hats.

Golemgineer: The Golemgineer is capable of crafting automations to fulfill their ambitions. Their creations are works of art, magic, and science. Golemgineers craft their way to prominence and power, standing behind the awesomeness of their works. - Transcendent

This was Kytaligan’s class. Six saw himself as a gadget bound scholar, compound spectacles and all. Similar to the base enchanter class but far more technically bound.

Battlefield Ritualist:

Capable of enchanting war itself, the Battlefield Ritualist casts rituals and paints great wards to alter the course of wars. They attend to battle, striding amongst their people with their weapon as their brush, their runic calligraphy rains down arcane might upon their enemies. Battlefield Ritualists live within war. - Transcendent

He wore his armor and held his arms crossed, but held his posture in zen-like ease. Upon his back was a black glaive that emanated an ink like smoke from the blade of the dark weapon. Leaving a barely perceptible line in this void environment. This was like a spellspear Six guessed.

These all sounded and looked amazing but he could see two more on the final ring. Only two. He descended and examined both.

The first Six was clad in heavy plate armor made of bloodwood, he held an implacable grimace and his eyes leaked dark blood that burned into nothingness. He took deep calming breaths but still shook with contemptuous anger. Red mists of crimson blood swirled about him and above his head floated a roiling halo of bubbling blood.

Blood Engine Juggernaut:

Their blood sings with the will to push forward. To be unstoppable. To fulfill their wants and desires and to be unrestrained. They are powered by the spilling and presence of blood and understand that the path to their apotheosis is true domination over all. Incredibly difficult to kill, a mixture of magic and physical brutality guides their path through life. The more they kill, the stronger they become. - Predominant

The last Six was also covered in plate, but this dark metal full plate was more than just armor. The masterwork that he wore sang and glowed with arcane power, each plate carefully inscribed with a complex matrix of runic circuitry. His face was mostly obscured under a full helm but his eyes shone from within with an arcane silver light and his fingers crackled with magic. There was a giant form looming behind this Six, a massive earth golem that emitted an oppressive presence.

Runeclad Golemchanter:

A bastion unto themselves. There is order and stability in the language of runes, this is expressed in the protection of armor and sentinel. Creation and destruction in the pursuit of safety, security, and prosperity, the Runeclad Golemchanter multiplies their impact untold folds by augmenting their armor and creating constructs to fulfill their designs. - Predominant

Six took a moment to appreciate and internalize this experience. It was so strange and unreal.

There was one choice really. As cool and overpowered as the Blood Engine Juggernaut could be, Six wasn’t willing to become a maniacal berserking blood tornado. He just wanted to make cool shit.

He chose Runeclad Golemchanter.