My eyes widened in shock. "Over level one hundred?!" I blurted out, unable to hide my surprise. "What level are you exactly... if you don't mind me asking?" I added quickly, realizing I might have crossed a line.
"Just know that I've reached [Adventurer]," he replied with an air of finality. "That's all I'll say on the matter for now. And no, I won't explain how this stage works either; not until you're closer. We'll discuss it further if we have the chance."
"I..." His expression made it clear that pushing the topic would be unwise. Reluctantly, I shifted gears. "So, um, what did you mean by... 'introduction phase'?"
"Ah, yes, yes. I assume you've noticed that the starting town has disappeared, along with most of the southern part of the map, which now looks like an undiscovered forest," he said, pausing as I nodded. "I’m not sure how you managed to reach level twenty-six so quickly, especially before finishing your introduction phase. Typically, you would’ve completed your quest line, met your profession trainer, and crafted your first item by now. That’s when the introduction phase ends, and the training wheels come off."
I hesitated before asking, "And what exactly are the 'training wheels' in this phase?"
He looked upward, as if recalling details. "Let's see... Monsters’ health increases from fifty percent to one hundred percent of their normal levels, as does their damage. Oh, and you're no longer hidden from other 'players' or the evil lady’s monster things."
I stared at him, horror creeping onto my face.
"What?" he asked, noticing my expression. "What did I say?"
Stuttering, I finally managed, "I... we... um..."
"Well, spit it out already. We don’t have all eternity," he snapped, a mix of curiosity and annoyance crossing his face.
With a sigh, I recounted the fight with the serpent in the woods. His expression shifted from curiosity to horror as I described the battle. But when I mentioned the ability, what it did, and that it was now gone, his face twisted first in confusion, then in sudden realization.
"Well, I’ll be..." he muttered, more to himself than to me.
"What?" I asked, anxious to understand.
"The ability was entirely too overpowered. It probably wasn't meant to be given to you in the first place," he said, still speaking more to himself than to me. "So, he removed it. But to do that, he gave you an item that granted power at a cost; hoping you'd make it through the trials to get rid of it."
"And you said this serpent was over level fifty?" he asked, finally focusing on me.
I nodded. "Yes, we got a notification, and that’s how we received the legendary boxes as rewards."
"I see, I see. The fact that one of her creatures was roaming down there is alarming, especially in the starting zone portion of the map at level fifty," he muttered, scratching his head. "I’ll have to send a letter to some friends and have them look into this." Then, locking eyes with me, he added, "I don’t think you getting that power was an accident. I believe Jaq’Kuah had to sacrifice a portion of his power to help you, knowing you’d encounter that... thing."
"Wait, he had to sacrifice... power?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, and it’s likely he won’t be able to help anyone again for quite some time. It may take another thousand years, if not more, before he can bring more people into this realm to fight in this war... I just hope that you and your friends are worth the sacrifice," he said, his tone sullen.
The weight of his words settled heavily on me, and for a moment, I hunched my shoulders, feeling the burden. But I refused to let it crush me. Straightening my back, I spoke with renewed determination. "We won’t let his sacrifice be in vain. I know my friends; they’ll fight to their last breath before they let that atrocity enter our realm."
He studied my resolve for a moment before nodding. "I can help you craft your first item. Until you get into the guild, though, there’s not much more I can do for you. For now, I’m here to show you the basics of your craft."
The crafting seemed very much like actual blacksmithing; I had to be near a forge and an anvil to craft anything. Pulling out the ore I found, along with some Theron had given me, I began the smelting process. The heat of the forge radiated against my skin, and the rhythmic clang of metal echoed in the workshop. Though the process was complex, it felt as if my hands knew what they were doing. I focused on the idea of the item I wanted to create, and with Theron’s instruction, it began to take shape. Feeling the weight of the hammer and the resistance of the metal, I let the rhythmic motions and sounds guide me, lulling me into an oddly relaxed state.
After working the metal for a couple of hours, my arms were tired, and I was seemingly covered in sweat and soot. I wiped my brow and held the item aloft, eager and excited to show my friends. But first, I wanted to show my mentor. Theron smiled but reminded me that my work was not yet done; I had already told him the items I came to create.
I was able to send for more ore, which took most of the gold I had left. Though I wasn't too concerned; I could make more in time. A few hours later, I had created the items I set out to craft. My blacksmithing skill leveled up, but I was still only a novice. I had a long way to go before I could reach the journeyman stages and work with rarer metals. But for now, this armor would be substantially better than the no armor I presently had on.
The armor I crafted was chainmail for both Mel and me. Using Mel's measurements, which Trish had provided, I carefully linked each ring to create a flexible yet sturdy mesh, ensuring it fit perfectly to her size as well as my own.
When I met up with Mel to show her the armor, her eyes lit up. "Now, that is awesome! Thanks, mate! I'll get to enchanting these…" Her excitement grew as she noticed the tower shield, I had in my other hand. "... and that, if you’d like?" she added with a grin.
"Oh yes, I would love that!" I replied, equally enthusiastic as I handed the shield over. Her eyes gleamed with big plans, and she rushed back into the enchanting building to get to work immediately.
Fully exhausted and sore, I made my way to a nearby bench to rest. But the moment was short-lived. "Tomorrow, you will need to work on strength training, or you won’t be able to wear that armor and carry that shield," Star remarked. "You should also see a trainer about wielding me properly. Swinging me around like you have may work for now, but your skill is appalling... and that's putting it lightly," Star added with a hint of gentleness, though the insult still stung.
"Was it necessary to bring that up right now? Just out of nowhere, like, 'Oh, he’s sore and tired, time to bring out the inner asshole,'" I muttered mockingly, slightly annoyed.
"I should have brought it up when you were swinging me at that Rageshard like a child playing with a paddle ball," Star retorted, his tone more biting.
"Hey, that Rageshard is dead, isn’t he?" I shot back.
Star’s tone grew sharper. "You got damned lucky. If not for your friends, you would be dead. How are you going to become this grand idea of a tank if you can’t even wield me properly? You’ve got power, I’ll give you that, but your skill is lacking… by a lot," he almost shouted in my head.
Sighing, I conceded out loud, "You’re right, I need to get better. I promise, first thing in the morning and every day after, I’ll start with training."
"Well, in that case, I’d love to train you," Theron said as he sat next to me, his sudden appearance startling me.
"I… I didn’t see you there, Theron," I stammered.
He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You seemed to be talking to yourself, a bit distracted."
"Oh, I was talking to Star," I responded, pointing to the handle attached at my waist.
Theron’s eyes widened in amazement. "How the hell did I not notice you had a soul-forged weapon?" he asked, astonished. "May… may I inspect it?" he added, his curiosity piqued.
Nodding I handed Star over to him and watched as he turned Star in his hands inspecting every inch of the haft. He tapped the ends curiously then when he seemed to give up, I said, “Are you wanting to see it in its full form I use?” he nodded, I could see him holding back his excitement.
Taking the haft back, I focused as Star’s handle began to glow and grow. The transformation never ceased to amaze me, and for a moment, it felt like I was seeing it for the first time again. The blue and golden light emanated from the flail, illuminating the area with a soft golden-blue hue.
The chain links were each two inches in length and one inch wide, with the metal thickness at about three-eighths of an inch. Spikes jutted out half an inch from the center of each link, giving the weapon a menacing edge. The chain itself extended about two and a half feet down to the spiked ball at the end. The four spikes on the ball were perfectly spaced, each protruding around three inches, adding to the deadly precision of the flail.
Despite its imposing appearance, the weapon weighed no more in this form than it did in its usual state. I marveled at the balance of power and elegance Star held, and I could see the same awe reflected in Theron’s eyes.
“This… this is incredible,” he muttered, almost reverently. “You have quite a weapon here. It’s no wonder you need to train. A flail like this deserves to be wielded with skill.”
“I can teach you the basics of wielding this weapon, for advanced techniques you will need to find someone with far more skill than I.” He said, “Meet me in the testing area before the sun peaks, we will begin training.”
He walked away and I felt excitement welling up within me, smiling I turned to walk towards the inn and a notification popped up.
Introduction complete, welcome traveler, to the realm of Aterios.
All enemy's health now increased from 50% to 100% of their values.
All enemies damage done now increased from 50% to 100% of their values.
All experience gained from killing enemies now reduced from 200% to 100% of their values.
Shroud removed, you are now visible to all players and enemies that are able to scry.
The training gloves have come off, good luck adventurer!
Well, he didn’t mention that the experience was enhanced as well. I thought to myself while tying Star back to my belt with the cloth I tore from my shirt long ago.
“I would venture that is because it is not normal to have the experienced increased.” Star pondered back to me. “I’d even guess that Jaq’Kuah will be out of the picture for far longer than Theron may have guessed.”
A new notification popped up after I walked silently down the weaving roads of the city.
NEW QUEST: Flail and prevail!
You have training tomorrow with a fellow player, gather as much information as you can from this teacher. Theron will guide you in the basics of using your flail and shield, no master is created or taught in a week. Though the road to mastery leads from training and dedication.
REWARD: 200xp
To get a quest for that was interesting, two hundred experience wasn’t a lot for the level I am at now though. I sat leaning against a wall just outside the inn and looked at my experience to see if I gained any from crafting.
Exp – 98,671 / 281,563
I noticed that it had gone up by a thousand and thirty-one from the crafting today also noticing that blacksmithing had something new next to it as well.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
PROFESSION – BLACKSMITHING, APPRENTICE 20 / 350
Gaining twenty points in blacksmithing already with how little I made was a huge success, or at least it felt like it was to me. Finally, ready to go in I pushed myself away from the wall and moseyed through the door, heading straight for my room, I was done and just wanted to sleep. Besides, I had a busy day planned for tomorrow.
Waking up before the sun even rose, excitement brimming, I hurriedly got dressed, grabbed my things, and kissed Trish on the forehead. Rushing quietly out of the room and down the stairs to the main area of the inn, I bolted straight through the door. The innkeeper shouted something at me, but I didn’t hear it, I just kept going, heading straight for the testing grounds.
The streets were mostly empty. An occasional passerby moved out of my path as I rushed past them. Arriving at my destination, I dropped my pack behind the blacksmith shop and reached in, to grab… Shit, Mel still has my shield and armor, I realized.
"Ah, a student who arrives early. There’s still an hour before the sun will grace us with its light, I like it," Theron said as he quietly emerged from his shop, startling me slightly.
"I… uh, I might have forgotten my armor and shield. Mel still had them last night," I admitted, embarrassed.
"No worries," he replied with a chuckle. "She stopped by here last night looking for you, and I told her she could leave them in the shop for you. I must say, the enchantments she put on those are impressive for a beginner. Nothing to gawk at, but still impressive nonetheless," he added with admiration.
Trying to hold my excitement in I stood still, “Awesome, may I…?”
“Yes, yes, go in and get them already. I can see you about to burst at the seams with excitement.” He responded rolling his eyes, but he didn’t fool me. I saw the smirk he was hiding behind his coffee mug.
I bolted past him into the shop and ran up to the counter where I could see the glimmer of candlelight shimmering off the shield and the clump of chainmail next to it. Typical Mel, never folds anything. I thought as I laughed internally. I quickly began to inspect the items.
The shield was even more impressive than when I had given it to Mel. It stood almost as tall as me, reaching up to my upper chest, and its width extended about four inches beyond each of my shoulders. The design was simple, a curved rectangle with rounded corners, with no intricate work or decoration. My skill wasn’t advanced enough for that yet. The material looked similar to the steel from back home, though the shield had a subtle luminescence. You really had to focus to notice it, a deep forest green hue that barely glowed. I concentrated, waiting for the stats to pop up before my eyes.
[Duriron Sentinel] – Crafted by James
BONUS STRENGTH – 3
BONUS DEXTERITY – 4
BONUS INTELLIGENCE – 2
BONUS ARMOR – 15
PHYSICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION FROM BLOCKING – 67%
MAGICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION FROM BLOCKING – 2%
ENCHANTMENT(Mel) – [RENEWAL]: Grants ability to heal self instantly in combat for 5% of health and 1% of health every 1 second for 10 seconds after. (Cooldown – 30 minutes)
My eyes almost jumped out of my head when I saw what that enchantment did. I grabbed the shield, and it was far heavier than I had initially realized or even remembered.
“I’m going to feel really sluggish with this damn thing,” I muttered to no one in particular.
“That’s why we’ll be training. You can gain strength and dexterity stats through training and practice. It gets significantly harder to earn those points as the stats get higher, but with how low your stats are, we can skyrocket those numbers. Eventually, you’ll be able to wield that shield properly with your weapon and wear heavier armor. I also suggest you focus on spending your leveling skill points on strength and dexterity from here on out, or you’ll end up being a tank that can take a hit but only dish out damage like a wet noodle,” Theron said.
I groaned inwardly, realizing he was right. I had greatly misunderstood how this class was going to work out. “Yeah, I guess I misunderstood this class when I first got it.”
“May I see what your class does? Will you share your class sheet with me?” Theron asked, then added, “I swear this will stay between us. I’ll even create an oath and send it to you before you share it. I just want to fully understand where you’re at so I can help you better.”
“I… uh, yeah. How do I even do that?” I asked.
“Just open your class menu and focus on sharing it with me specifically. If you just focus on sharing it, it will share with the world. Don’t do that!” He said urgently. “Also, let me create this oath before you do anything.”
A notification popped up in my view.
Oath sworn (Theron) – I swear to never divulge your stat or class information to anyone or anything. If I ever were to utter even a hint of this information to anyone or anything, I shall perish on the spot.
That seemed a bit extreme, but I appreciated it nonetheless, and it made me trust the man even more than I already did. I did what he asked and sent my class menu first, then my stat menu.
“Ah, yes, yes, this class is magnificent. Seeing this, I don’t think your stat choices are wrong necessarily. I think intellect should be primary, though strength and dexterity should be higher. Maybe don’t focus on wisdom so much since you have a dedicated healer in your group. Your off-heals will be helpful regardless of your wisdom level. I suggest you balance strength with intellect and keep dexterity close for mobility and reaction,” Theron muttered thoughtfully, nodding in affirmation at his own words.
That made me feel better about my choice. “At least it’s still early on, so I can fix this relatively quickly,” I stated, then added hesitantly, “Right?”
“Yes, especially because your strength and dexterity are about where I expected them to be. Now get that chainmail on, and let’s get to work. The sun is honoring us with its first light; it won’t be much longer before it peaks,” he responded.
Nodding, I inspected the chainmail before putting it on. It looked no different from any other chainmail I’d seen in pictures or on television. But then I noticed a gambeson underneath the chainmail, along with a fresh shirt and leather-padded pants, and a note pinned to them.
This is why you married me. That chainmail won’t do you any good without the proper padding underneath it. Love you, Sweetie. -Trish
I smirked. That woman always had my back, even when I didn’t see her there. Realizing I needed to hurry up, I focused on getting my armor on.
[Duriron Chainmail] – Crafted by James
BONUS ARMOR – 8
ENCHANTMENT(Mel) – [RETALIATION]: All physical attacks against wearer will be reflected back at 5% of the total damage dealt.
That enchantment was pretty cool, it would be especially helpful against fast hitters. The pants weren’t anything special, but they did add another point of armor, which was definitely useful. I noticed something interesting when I shared my stats with Theron, but I didn’t want to dig into it until I had all the armor on. Now was the time to take a closer look.
STATS
LEVEL – 26, TRAVELER
STRENGTH – 16
DEXTERITY – 19
INTELLECT – 59
WISDOM – 34
LUCK – 20
ARMOR – 24 (Physical damage reduction= 19%)
The armor stat was added after wielding the chainmail and my new shield, The damage reduction was a much welcome bonus. Especially with getting out of the introduction phase, knowing the damage beasts could do was significantly greater than anything we’ve faced so far.
“Alright, now that you are geared up. Let us go begin practicing,” Theron said, walking away towards the open testing area. I nodded and followed him; I was excited to learn how to properly fight with Star.
As we got to the open area, I noticed that some of the testing dummies were laid out in a pattern different from what they were the previous day. I raised a brow in question of what I was looking at.
Theron caught my puzzled expression and chuckled. "Ah, yes, yes, I see you're curious about the new layout," he said, gesturing to the dummies. "This setup is specifically designed for weapon and shield practice. The dummies closer together will force you to work on your quick, sweeping strikes. You’ll need to keep your shield up and ready to block while you’re attacking; flails are unpredictable, and so are close-quarter fights."
He walked over to a pair of dummies that were further apart. "These here will help you focus on your footwork and control. When you're dealing with multiple enemies, you'll need to strike with precision and move swiftly. It’s easy to lose balance with a flail if you’re not careful."
Theron then pointed to a few dummies with weighted arms attached. "These are for practicing your defense. Hit them, and they'll swing back at you. You'll need to time your blocks and counterattacks perfectly to avoid getting hit."
He stepped back and looked at me. "It’s a more advanced setup, but it's going to push you to improve your balance between offense and defense.” he paused for a moment as if in thought. “Before we get started with them though, let’s start with forms and stances.”
Theron began leading me into various basic stances, guiding me through the high and low guards, then into the side and basic guard stances. His instructions were clear and precise, ensuring I understood the importance of each position. After getting those stances down, he moved on to different forms for battle.
“I will teach you what I know,” Theron said, his voice steady with the weight of experience. “I myself am a defensive fighter. Though I wield a mace and shield, most of the forms should be the same for the basics. Let’s start with piercing and sweeping. After that, we will fall into counterstrikes and shield walling.”
He demonstrated the piercing form first, showing how to drive the weapon forward with force and precision, then transitioned into the sweeping form, emphasizing broad, controlled strikes. His movements were deliberate, and even with the differences between a flail and a mace, I could see how the fundamentals carried over.
Theron’s instruction was methodical, grounding me in the basics with the understanding that these forms were the foundation of effective combat, regardless of the weapon I wielded. As we progressed, I began to feel the rhythm of the movements, the balance between offense and defense that he spoke of.
Hours passed; the sun rose above the city. I could hear people maneuvering through the city streets, though I paid no more attention than that. Theron had us stop and eat some breakfast he had cooked up while I was moving through the forms.
As we sat down to eat, Theron handed me a plate with a grin. "You're doing well," he said, watching me carefully as I took a bite. "But remember, it's not just about mastering the forms. You need to feel the weight of the shield and the rhythm of the flail. They should become an extension of your body."
I nodded, swallowing a mouthful of food. "I can feel it, but it’s harder than I thought. The flail has a mind of its own."
“Hey I resent that!” Star said offhandedly. I just chuckled inwardly at him.
You know what I mean Star, I clarified still laughing at his reaction. Theron realized I must have been speaking with Star and moved the conversation along.
Theron chuckled, taking a bite of his own. "It does at first, but you'll get the hang of it. The key is to anticipate the momentum, guide it rather than fight it. And with the tower shield, you’ve got a wall of defense, use it to your advantage. But don't rely on it too much; your offense has to be just as sharp."
I listened intently, absorbing his advice as we ate in companionable silence. My muscles were aching, but I knew I couldn't stop. The thought of protecting my wife, my friends, and myself in battle kept me focused.
After we finished, Theron stood and stretched, motioning for me to get back to the forms. "Let's get back to it. You've still got more to learn, and we’ve only just begun."
I was sweaty and exhausted, but my determination kept me moving. The forms were starting to feel more natural, and with Theron’s guidance, I knew I was on the right path.
“Now that you have the forms down for the most part let’s begin practicing with the dummies,” Theron paused for a second before adding,” and do not worry about how hard you hit them. They are enchanted with a self-repair ability; they are basically unbreakable.”
I nodded and stepped to the dummies he indicated he wanted me to start at. There were a total of six that were fairly close to each other. The dummies he wanted me to begin with were on the outside of the staggered semi-circle, with two more on the opposite side and the two with weighted arms in the center. There was at least two to three feet between each of the dummies, just enough space to maneuver through with the forms I had practiced.
Theron’s voice cut through the morning air as I positioned myself. “Start with the sweeping form,” he instructed. “Focus on maintaining your balance as you move through the dummies. Use the momentum of the flail, letting it carry your strikes from one target to the next. Remember, your shield is your anchor, keep it steady as you sweep.”
I took a deep breath and launched into the sweeping form, feeling the familiar weight of the flail in my hand. The first few swings were cautious, but I quickly adjusted, using the space between the dummies to guide my movements. The flail’s arc carried me from one dummy to the next, and with each strike, I began to feel the rhythm that Theron had talked about.
Just as I was getting into the flow, I felt a sharp poke in my side. I spun to see Theron wielding a long stick, a mischievous grin on his face. “Mind your surroundings,” he said. “In a real battle, you won’t have the luxury of focusing on just one opponent. Stay alert.”
I nodded, now more aware of Theron’s presence as I continued with the form. Every so often, he would jab at me with the stick, aiming for my ribs, back, or even my head. Each poke was a reminder that I needed to be vigilant, keeping my shield up and my senses sharp.
“Good,” Theron called out after I blocked one of his jabs with the shield. “Now transition into the piercing form. These dummies are spaced close enough that you can work on delivering precise, powerful blows. Don’t rush, focus on accuracy.”
I shifted into the piercing form, thrusting the flail forward with controlled power. The dummies, enchanted to withstand even the hardest hits, absorbed the force of my strikes. Each thrust was met with resistance, but I pushed through, driving the weapon forward with the intent Theron had drilled into me. All the while, I kept an eye on Theron, anticipating his next "attack."
“Now, move to the center and engage the weighted arms,” Theron directed. “Use the counterstrike form to block and retaliate. This will test your timing, anticipate their movement and react swiftly.”
I stepped into the middle of the formation, bracing myself as the weighted arms swung toward me. With the tower shield held firmly in front, I deflected the first strike and immediately followed up with a counterstrike, the flail arcing toward its target with a satisfying thud. Theron’s stick came at me from the side, but this time I was ready, pivoting to block it before continuing with the form.
As I moved through the sequence of forms, I began to see how they all connected, how each stance and movement flowed into the next. Theron’s instruction had laid the groundwork, but it was here, in the midst of practice, that the true purpose of the training came to life. The dummies, unyielding and ever-present, became the perfect opponents, silent, sturdy, and relentless in their challenge. And with Theron constantly testing my awareness, I knew I was learning more than just the forms; I was learning to survive.
We practiced these forms until lunchtime, my arms growing weary, sweat pouring down my face, and my legs feeling like they were made of jelly from the constant maneuvering to block Theron or one of the attacking dummies. The rhythm of the training made it easier to ignore the muscle pain, but stopping only made it more noticeable. I would have preferred not to stop at all, just so I could continue to push through and ignore the aches.
“After we eat some lunch, we’ll move on to strength and dexterity training. You’ve likely gained some stats from what we’ve done so far, but we need to advance those numbers much faster if you’re going to survive. Your forms show true promise, but your speed and strength are, frankly, lacking. It’s making your reactions less than adequate…” Theron said.
I didn’t take offense to the words; what bothered me more was the thought of doing strength and dexterity training while I was already aching.
Theron caught the complaint in my eyes and laughed, saying, “The mornings are just a warm-up to get the blood flowing. Now, the real training begins!”
I couldn’t stop myself from groaning. “I thought we were becoming friends, Theron…” I said with a sarcastic tone.
“Well, James, I guess we’ll see if you still want to be my friend by the end of this week. We’re going to do the same thing every day until you head out on your protection detail quest,” Theron responded with a smile.