Lvl 3: A Gaggle of Chaos

Terry entered the locker room and shook out of his daze from the win. He had not received an Attribute upgrade in the last level and he wondered if the repeatable levels did not offer as substantial of rewards as the combat focused levels did. The thought only highlighted how little he actually knew about completing these challenges and about this world in general. It all seemed to highlight how dumb it was for him to not just wait and face the levels after he knew more or had gotten more information or training in the first place.

Penni had told him that 3 Attribute upgrades was close to a record on the first day; he wondered how close 3 attributes and 2 spells was to that record. He then wondered if she was alright and if she had gotten done with her level, he wondered if her snake was alright.

He sorta wished for a shower or anyway to clean himself, aside from the one stall and sink to the side he had barely paid attention to before. Terry looked at the timer and saw he had about 10 min left before he had to leave so he decided to unwrap and find out about the prize he had received.

“So, what was with the colored boxes for the prizes?” Terry remarked while sitting on the bench and placing Rosa on his knee, so she'd be easy to talk to.

Rosa explained, “The colors are like rarity or enchantment level from a video game. Blue is uncommon, so it would probably have 1 or 2 enchantments. Orange is rare and will have more specific enchantments or themes. Green is legendary and extremely hard to find and very powerful with enchantments, themes, and often benefits for the wielder.”

After a moment Terry looked at the box for his bundle. He asked, “What about purple?”

“Well,” Rosa started, “Purple is unique. It is a color given to the first of a kind or one of a kind items or weapons. What you have there is something special either really powerful or just the only one someone made.”

“Someone makes these prizes? And I get to keep these right?” Terry was interested in the idea of a unique item. He just hoped it would be useful in the trials to come. He had enjoyed both levels, and he enjoyed gaining power and abilities, he wanted more.

Rosa went on, “You get to keep it. That is how players get money, you can sell items and weapons. You might want to keep these, purple items can be very useful and hard to sell because they are often specific.”

“Well, let's see what it is,” Terry began to open the purple box.

“Please be useful?” Rosa said quietly under her breath. Terry was very amazed at the growing personality of his pet turtle and once again felt thankful she was here with him.

As the box was opened, he was greeted with the sight of two very different looking knives. One in a simple and longer leather scabbard that could be attached to a belt or his thigh. It looked more utility and useful in design to the others. The smaller knife had a wider holster like sheath, Terry had only seen throwing knives in videos and movies, but it was plain that is what this was. He placed them on his lap and he could feel a tingling from the magic on the blades.

“How can I tell what they do?” Terry asked, sounding a bit in awe of the weapons he had won. Two definitely was better than one, he thought.

Rosa answered him, sounding a bit in awe herself, “There are a couple ways, the easiest is to focus and attune to them. It is like meditation, but you focus on the items for a short while and feel their essence and mana. You can also gain a spell or pay someone with the spell to identify them. I believe you can also get a HUD upgrade with the proper attributes.”

Terry nodded and he looked at the timer, he had about 7 minutes left in the locker room, “how long does attuning take?” he asked.

“About an hour or so, it can be different from item to item.” Rosa replied.

“Let's go outside and meditate then, I wanna see what I won.'' He got up, moving Rosa to his shoulder and left the locker room.

The day was close to ending, the suns moving down toward the horizon in a very different and extreme sunset. Tall vibrant grass and rolling hills added to the picturesque scene and Terry took a deep breath of fresh air. It felt clean and even though he had seen injury and violence in the first level, he was happier after the memories and his performance in the 2nd level. He almost looked forward to the quiet meditation.

He moved a little away from the gateways. He remembered what Morris and Rosa had mentioned, the gateways were safe areas due to the concentrated magic in the area. He wondered if that magic would help in his meditation. He had never been one for quiet contemplation, he enjoyed being alone, playing video games, and generally relaxing, but meditation seemed like a different state of being. He was almost happy to find that it was close to just that.

Rosa talked him through some basics to clear his mind and focus his feelings. He was amazed at the rushing torrents inside him and when he pointed out the feeling to Rosa she explained. “That is your mana. It is best to give it a representation. Like focusing on a scene such as a flowing river or biding flower so that you can represent the ideas with the power and how to use and control it”

Terry felt it was most like a river inside him, flowing and careening with white rapids of turmoil and power. He felt he needed to tend it and learn to settle that turbulence and direct that power. In the meditative state he began to feel how it was done and Rosa helpfully explained as well.

“Try to focus on the objects and feel their mana. It should feel close to your own, but it will have different forms or expressions. You should be able to focus and almost read these forms and expressions like a language…” She trailed off with more lessons in a soothing and calming tone directing him.

Terry’s focus shifted to the knives and he did feel and kinship in the magic, but it was more like an uncle then a direct family member. In fact it was much like meeting a forgotten or new family member. He felt a connection, not between him and the weapon, but between the weapon and someone else almost like the weapon was someone else. A distinct personality, mood, and even a sort of intoxication from the weapon.

After a long amount of time, Terry was not sure how long but it was probably close to a couple hours. He received a notification that provided a description, but before he could read it a feeling came over him and he was not aware of what happened over the next few minutes.

-

Selina Kane had had a very productive and great day up until this moment. She had returned home and even got to use her gift. She had arrived at the Iron Bay the same time as her friend Hurk. She had not seen him in years, but she was more concerned about the one he was carrying. Sid was a jerk to everyone, but being a healer meant helping the jerks sometimes. Selina had sung a healing song to him as they made their way to the infirmary. It had lines of sleep mana to put him down gently, but that should be a soothing sleep and the doctors had thanked her as she left to go to the Martin Academy to see her brother and the closest thing she had ever known to a parent.

Tid was in a little worse shape, but Mother Martin was a good decision. Her particular spells and ornaments were very good on burns, she was a rare type of healer and player back in her own day. Selina was excited to see her at work, she had not seen it in some years since leaving her home for school.

Morris was on the porch when she arrived and he was so excited she arrived home early. He was excited to tell her about his tutorial and his first level. Morris had apparently used his upgrade potion when she had arrived and was sitting on the porch as the effects wore off.

Selina was happy they could explore the levels together. Then Morris mentioned that he had gone through the level with an OOT and she explained she had not met him with Hurk back in town. “He might still be at the gateway.” Morris put in and asked her to go meet him and lead him back to Mother Martin's; he would be staying the night there, as he wanted to keep an eye on Tid’s condition. Mother Martin explained that the burns were not in an easily healed place and there might be some severe scarring. Selina was worried and interested in meeting the OOT, they were always such interesting characters.

Selina enjoyed stories from other worlds, she met several OOTs at her school and though they were usually shy and afraid. Selina’s bright smile and curiosity always helped them warm up and share. Though it was not only her personality that made others open up to her.

Selina was very pretty, in fact many considered her beautiful. Boys often stared at her long golden hair or her bright blue eyes, or her very appreciable figure. Girls often treated her cold at first, but once they looked past the beautiful form they found a caring and truly interested person. In short, she was beautiful both inside and out.

Selina wanted to see if Terry, the OOT Morris had told her about, would come to the academy on his own. When an hour or so passed she decided that having a walk at sunset sounded nice and set off.

As she got closer to the gateway, Selina saw someone sitting near the stone arches, he was sitting very still and Selina recognized it to be a meditation posture. She approached slowly so as to not break his concentration and meditation.

As she got nearer still, she saw he had a bundle of some sort in his lap, as well as a strange small four legged creature relaxing on his shoulder. He must have been focusing on the bundle trying to identify its properties. This stranger was going to be interesting, and he must have done another level to get a prize.

Once she was about 15 or so feet from the stranger his posture and many things changed. He slumped forward looking tired, then shakily rose to his feet. His movements were swaying yet sort of deliberate, grabbing the items in his lap he tripped while standing still and took several steps back trying to right himself, his arms wheeling and flailing at the sudden movement.

He was tumbling and struggling to stand, and he was falling back toward the center arch which lit up at his approach. Selina attempted to call out, but knew it was futile so instead ran forward to catch him. She just made it to the gateway when he started to fall in, disappearing behind the silver shimmer that filled the arch. The creature on his shoulder saw Selina and gave a frightened yelp and wide eyed panic look as she cursed and leapt to grab his falling outstretched hand still holding one of the items.

She grabbed it and was still in the air, clenching tightly but with nothing to brace against she joined the stranger falling into the level entrance landing on top of him in the locker room.

-

Terry came out of the sensation with an odd weight on his chest. He was dizzy and almost felt like he had awoken from a long night of drinking. Overly sensitive and a beating in his head had him feeling awful. All this was not helped as he realized the weight on his chest was a person, a beautiful woman.

She had vivid blue eyes like the tropical waters, and her hair was royal and golden like the sand on the same tropical beach. Her face was very pleasing to see, but the effect was ruined as she opened her mouth again to continue the diatribe of curses and insults towards his stupidity.

“You sparking idiot, do you even realize where we are, what we have to do now because you can’t even stand correctly!?” She stared at him befuddled as he started to recognize where he was again.

“How did we get in the locker room again? What level is this?” Terry asked, trying to wiggle out from under the pretty, yet obviously angry woman.

She smacked him with an open palm on the chest, “I just walked up and your dumb ass toppled over like a drunken idiot! And I think this is the Hoard level so thank you for that. You better be useful in a fight dumb ass!”

Terry stammered, still working to get out from under her, he was confused and disoriented, her loud voice and insults did not help. “I was just trying to identify these daggers, then I felt all woozy and I sorta blacked out. Next thing I know you're on top of me and I am in here again. I didn’t try to do this!”

“Well” she scrawled and pushed herself up and off of him, “we better get ready these levels are not easy, but the only reason we would be here together is if we are close to the same exp amount. You're Terry right? My name is Selina.”

“How do you know my name?” he said, getting up himself, his head and senses still swimming.

She rolled her eyes, she obviously didn’t care too much for him or the situation. “I’m Morris’ sister. He sent me to grab you and bring you back to Mother Martin’s Academy. He is staying there for the night and he wanted to make sure you were alright. You didn’t follow Hurk to town, so he figured you were still here. Why did you do another level?”

“I forgot Rosa in the locker room in all the confusion after the fight.” Terry explained looking to the floor to see Rosa crawling timidly toward the still fuming Selina. “I didn’t want to leave her alone after just getting here, I didn’t know what else to do. So I just did the random task.”

Her countenance softened as she looked at the pet crawling on the floor, “Well you might be an idiot, but at least you're not heartless.”

Terry was not sure what he could say to that, so he just nodded and stood fully. His headache was dissipating and the effects did not seem like a real full hangover now. He tried to remember the message he saw before he blacked out and helpfully the message appeared on his HUD.

Identify success. You have won a unique grade prize, Flicker and Spark. Flicker is a returning blade and is controlled by a mental command to return once thrown. Spark can add fire damage to a slash at a mental command and has a 15% to light the target on fire while this ability is active. Both weapons are soul bonded and are enhanced with the bond to their last wielder, The Drunken Master Koren Tidestamer. Advance your bond with the weapons to learn more of their abilities and gain insight to the techniques of the previous wielder.

That message answered what the knives were and Terry thought the enchantments were very nice. He shook himself a bit then attached the scabbard to his belt, he drew Spark first. This was a hunting knife for sure, serrated on one side with a sharp tapered edge to the other. He marveled how the handle fit so well into his hand. He practiced the mental command for the spell effect and marveled as the blade seemed to glow with heat. He could stop the effect at a thought too, he put it away and drew Flicker next. The shape and feel of this blade was very different from its brother, with a leaf like blade and smaller handle with a ring at the bottom for a quick grip change. Terry felt like the knife wanted to be thrown, but for safety he just dropped it to the floor. A moment later it was back in his hand at a mental command, this could be very handy.

He looked around to see Selina was finishing putting on her jumpsuit and then belting on a wand like Morris had used against the Death-Brain. Her movements were deliberate and practiced, not to mention she made that track suit look really good.

She broke Terry’s observations with a question, “So what do you have to get us through this fight? I am a healer and very support based, but I can use this in close quarters.” she motioned to the slender sword on her hip. It must have been provided by the locker, but the rapier looked finely made and almost dangerous at her side.

Terry explained the knives and some of his attributes he did not mention the soulbond feeling it was not relevant. She responded, “You can probably move pretty fast and I can hide so I will stay in one place and you can keep returning to get healing as needed. We will need to make this a hit and run style battle, are you familiar with that?” Terry marveled at her knowledge of tactics as he nodded. He had not ever been in a battle, but he had played video games and MMOs where similar plans were made and followed.

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He stepped up to his locker not wanting to change again, even though the track suit looked fresh and laundered once again, he pulled out another crossbow and noted that the bolts were randomized and filled once again. He had a lot on his belt already, so he slung the quiver over his arm. “Is this going to be another area style map, like the boss fight?” Terry asked, Selina seemed to have a good deal of knowledge on the levels.

Selina nodded, “It might be a bit more complex and much larger. The area sorta scales with the threat and number of enemies. I have done a Hoard before so this one might have an elite at the end.” Terry’s eyebrows raised in question, so Selina continued, “an Elite is a larger enemy like a boss, but instead of having a trick to beat them quickly they're just tougher. It really depends on what sort of enemy we face in there, if it is a hoard of wild animals it will just be an alpha and if it is goblins it will be a chief or hobgoblin.”

Terry suddenly thought of Hurk the goblin, he wondered what he would think fighting his own kind. Could Terry fight and kill another human? He tried to ask another question to get the thought out of his head. “Could there be human enemies? Are these enemies even real?”

Selina shrugged, “We could face any threat in a level, but the enemies are more like drones. Players have tried to interact with the enemies they are based on intelligent races, but they always just end up attacking.”

Terry's mind instantly went to bots or NPCs in video games and he nodded with understanding. He put Rosa in the locker again, promising he would not forget her this time. He took a deep breath and stepped to the door, Selina following him into the area. It was slightly larger than the one he had fought in that morning. He looked to Selina, who nodded ready to get this over with.

The same podium and randomizer began to spin up in the middle of the area, Terry held the crossbow ready. He took out a blue bolt and loaded it as the randomizer chose. 3 symbols appeared on the screen. The first was a tree, tall and imposing with other smaller bushes or smaller trees around it. The enemy symbol was a small humanoid shape with pointed ears and a stout build, Terry guessed it right away as goblins. The last was a number 12, he was shocked at the odds, 2 vs. 12, this seemed very stacked in their opponent's favor.

“Does that seem high to you?” He asked Selina as the world began to change around them.

Selina nodded and shrugged, “Goblins roam in packs. It will probably be scenario based though, we might get to storm a camp or something. Stick close to me and I can hide pretty well, and you’ll need to know where I am to get healing. You can always leave the bow with me, I can shoot it alright.”

Terry gave her the crossbow and quiver, he then pulled out Flicker in a reverse grip. The area had become a dense jungle complete with vines, shrubbery and even bird calls. They could hear hooting and howling like a crazy festival was happening deeper in the brush and they crept forward as quietly as they could. Terry stayed close to Selina, keeping his eyes peeled for danger. He felt like this area should be more shaded and harder to see in, but he could see very clearly in the low light.

After a short distance and the growing sounds of savage celebration, they came upon the scenario like Selina had mentioned. They were on a slight rise above a cleared out section of the jungle. Trees had been cut down and some turned into rough tents or stacked as firewood for a large bon fire that burned about 25 yards into the center of the clearing. Dancing around the fire were several small, stout and green humanoids, Terry recognized as the goblins. He counted 10 dancing and soon found the other two sitting off to the side watching the fire and celebration. One was a regular sized goblin, but wore a tall pointed hat and too big blue robes, he had a tall staff that looked like a gnarled branch in one hand. The last Goblin was not a goblin at all, this must have been the Hobgoblin that Selina had mentioned. He was taller than Terry, at least 7 feet, leaning against a massive single-headed ax. He had more hair on his body and wore no obvious armor, in fact he looked to be completely naked, seeming to rely on his hair to cover him up. It was not doing the best job though.

Selina motioned him over to a fallen log near the area they were watching from, she aimed the crossbow and they went over the plan one more time in hushed voices. “You're going to have to move fast, not a lot of areas down there to hide. I can try and shoot a few to start off, but they are harder to hit when they move. I am going to fire some of the Vine-Wrap Bolts at the Hobgoblin, he will probably rip free, but it should slow him a bit. Look out for the one with the hat it will probably throw some spells or something”

Terry nodded in recognition, “Right, after you fire you should try and get away from this spot, move to that area to the right and keep down, I will probably need healing sooner rather than later and you shouldn’t let them find you.”

“Good plan, I will try and keep to the fallen logs, I think they are supposed to be a low wall to their camp.” She agreed with him and that made Terry feel warm inside.

Terry let out a deep breath and began to move forward. He was making his way as close to the group as he could while staying out of the clearing. He did not need to be too quiet, the celebrations of the goblins hid the sounds of his movement. Selina did her first shot just as he reached an area level with the bonfire.

The bolt hit the leg of the hobgoblin and his legs were wrapped in a thick tangle of vines. He staggered and fell from the impact, but the dancing goblins did not seem to notice, only the Wizard Goblin did.

His sleeves were too big making him look like a small green child in his robes. Terry almost laughed, but then the spell happened, it was a ball of fire that grew then shot from his outstretched sleeve toward where Selina had fired from. Terry hoped she was no longer there as the fireball exploded on impact and lit the log they had been hiding behind ablaze.

The dancing goblins finally noticed the commotion and Terry took the opportunity. He sighted and threw Flicker, striking into the shoulder of a goblin who let out a whale and turned to where he was hiding behind the wall. With a command the knife appeared in his hand and he threw again, this time missing the goblin as several rushed to his spot.

The knife appeared in his hand again, but before he could throw it they were on him. Terry had never been in a knife fight before, but unbeknownst to him his Dark attribute gave him basic techniques in knife and short sword styles. He felt that knowledge, it seemed to take hold and guide his actions as he went on the offensive against the gaggle of goblins.

He could use Spark to deflect the blows from the club wielding goblins and drew Flicker to make quick cuts. He felt an immediate thrill in the hoard on one fight, a sort of intense rush of energy and precision with the new, but somehow familiar weapons. He took a few blows, but the deflections and dodging helped to avoid any direct hits. Regardless he did take hits and his health dropped. He monitored it on his HUD.

Health: 113/150 HP

HP was a number given to pain tolerance and the blunt weapons did big numbers to his health , but the attacks were sloppy, wild and easy to deflect and avoid.

The biggest detriment to a knife fight was the inability to use finishers and the lack of reach with the small weapons, this did not matter however in a fight like this one. There was no focus on one enemy like dueling in shows and movies. There were only furies of fast and precise cuts to areas Terry hoped were fatal. He tried to keep himself moving and never focused on singular enemies as Terry tried to seem like a dangerous enemy, and hopefully that would make him one. He moved quickly side to side, in and out of his enemies and it was almost fun. He deflected a club, but was startled when a voice rang out in his head.

“Ooh aye, you dodging good there lad, try attacking while you dodge though. That is where you really start winning!” The voice was musical and yet rough. The distraction caused Terry to take a club to the thigh and he called out dancing back to create some distance. He had actually taken down 3 of the 6 or so that were on him, but it had not been easy.

“Didn’t that pretty lass say something about hit and run? Why are you not moving more? They're going to find her eventually! Pay attention!” the voice said.

Health: 100/150 HP

Terry sorta just shrugged and accepted it, he might have questions, but now was not the time for questions. He rushed forward at the remaining goblins and made the conscious decision to go with the hit and run. He thrust Spark past the guard of a goblin, scoring a decent wound on the shoulder. It stepped back in pain pulling his knife free, he was already moving past the group toward the outer walls where some goblins had split and were heading to the burned remains of the log Selina had been shooting from. He threw Flicker while running, the action seeming natural even with no training. It stuck right in the back of one of the goblin’s necks, then reappeared in his hand.

He activated Spark and slashed another goblin while running by, the enemy burst into flames from the chance ability on the dagger.

“Aye, that was timely, good slicing boy! You might be a natural wit these ‘ere.” The voice sang praises in his head.

He rolled forward and threw Flicker again as another goblin turned. His aim was low and it stuck right in the goblin’s thigh before reappearing back in Terry’s hand. He turned on his heel and ran the other way. Right to where the hobgoblin had been before, the massive goblin was ripping coils of vines off his legs, trying to free them. Terry let Flicker fly again, but it did not hit the Hobgoblin. It hit the wizard, who had gone invisible and happened to be in a bad spot. Terry barely registered the surprise and plowed over the figure, tossing the small limp body to the side like he was an all-star linebacker.

He Brought the knife back to his hand and threw Flicker at the massive prone figure and scored a hit on the foot, the knife digging in deep into the sole. The Hobgoblin let out a frustrated wail and reached for the knife. Terry did not call it back right away, he leapt when he was closer to the enemy and brought Spark over his head in a two handed grip, ready for a powerful downward stab. It was a good plan, but he did not count on one thing… The hobgoblin was very hearty and the damage from the knife didn’t matter. One stab was never going to just end it.

Once he landed and brought the knife home in the beastly chest, he felt the hobgoblin grab his shirt and throw him. He flew through the air, flailing with a scream and harsh “Ooof” of pain as his back hit a tree and he fell limply to its base. His vision was swimming, but he knew he had to move as several blurry forms ran at him weapons raised.

Health: 50/150 HP

Terry rolled to the side and found his feet to take off running immediately, thankful of his days in track sprinting the practice 100 meter dash gave him an advantage. His lungs burned and his back ached from all the exertion, falling and fighting, he had no idea how many enemies were left.

The goblins chased him around the clearing while he got his baring's and tried to figure out how much of a fight he had left. He peered around the battlefield, there were 5 goblins chasing him they appeared to all be in various stages of hurt and fine. He turned his head to get a read on the hobgoblin and felt an impact as a rock sored and collided with his head. The chasing goblins seemed to have missiles and slings. Their aim was rather good as he just barely ducked another.

He turned quickly running backwards a few steps and threw Flicker. Running backward and throwing was not like doing it in the other direction, his projectile flew high, but far and he actually got a hit on the unlucky hobgoblin who had just gotten to his feet and was joining the chase. The enemy growled in rage as the knife planted in his chest and disappeared back to Terry’s hand. Terry turned and sprinted as hard as he could into the trees he had to break the sightlines and try to recreate some sort of advantage.

-

Terry was decent at fighting but he was more excellent at running, Selina was actually impressed. The speed and grace he showed even under the pressure of the chase had her so awestruck she forgot to keep shooting. She had moved to the area he indicated at the beginning after the fireball from the Goblin Wizard had destroyed her previous cover. She had not been seen, and had shot the Hobgoblin once more with tangling vines once she got to the new spot.

Selina noticed her hesitation, but there was not much she could do now that everyone was moving. She had not seen Terry’s full fight, but once she had settled in he had begun moving and it seemed like he never stopped.

Terry hopped the low wall into the trees on the opposite side of the clearing, the gaggle of goblins coming up short and not following him into the dense trees. As the group stopped she pulled a red felched bolt and took aim. She wanted to hit the group as they were clustered, so the explosion would get most of them, she fired and the explosion happened pretty close to the center of the mass. Goblins flew out in all directions and the Hobgoblin turned in her direction.

It started to move quickly toward her and Selina figured she had been found, then Terry’s throwing knife flew into the massive arm of the foe. It disappeared and the hobgoblin let out a cry, he was distracted so Selina did not hesitate and fired another vine bolt. It planted in a massive hairy midsection and erupted in tangling vines that held the arms in place. The cry it let out was much more pained than angry this time and Selina knew the hobgoblins' health had to be low.

Terry’s knife flew from the trees again then he was out of the trees, jumping and stabbing the hobgoblins shoulder With his other knife shortly after. She could smell the burning flesh from the knife's ability as he stubbornly held on to the beast’s back. She saw him raise his other hand and his other knife appeared stabbing into the other shoulder giving him handles as the Hobgoblin ran and jerked here and there trying to throw him off.

Selina was impressed once again by the tenacity of the fighter, and she shot one of the other goblin forms trying to stand after her explosive bolt. It laid on the ground unmoving and she scanned the other bodies to confirm they were not getting up.

The hobgoblin was really tiring now as she rose and came out of the brush. It fell to its knees with Terry still holding on for dear life and stabbing the shoulders again and again. Till it fell forward face planting and did not move.

-

They were walking back to the Academy after the excitement and collecting the upgrade bottles. Selina had told him not to drink it till they were at Mother Martin’s, so that the pain could pass in a more comfortable place. They did not talk a lot at first, Terry wondered if Selina was still upset with him and he was really just tired. It had been a lot that first day and he was ready for a meal and a bed.

Terry had heard a bit more from the voice, but it didn't say anything important outside the battle. He was going to ask Rosa about the voices in his head when there was not an impressionable and beautiful woman traveling with him.

“You actually held your own really well in there, even if that is not really a hit and run style you used.” Selina said to him, she didn’t look at him when she said it. It was like she was giving the compliment without actually acknowledging that it was to him.

Terry nodded knowing that she was still upset, then responded, “I have never really been in a fight like that before, not in real life. I didn’t like the idea of not fighting straight up, I was armed and the weapons felt more familiar than I thought they would.”

“You get a lot from the upgrades, not just physically but mentally as well. You said you got a Dark upgrade, well that can give you proficiency with small blades and short swords. Sometimes you’re born with that proficiency and sometimes you are not.” Selina spoke easily, but there was still a tension in her voice. “You really didn’t know any of this before going to a level?”

“I just sorta went with it. I heard what this world had and I said ‘yeah let’s go’ I didn’t mean to do that many levels that fast. I thought I would just do one, then one thing and another and I did them all.” Terry had barely time to think today about all the madness he had gotten into, so much had been going on. He did need to learn more about this world and he needed to know more before he jumped into anything else.

The chat was a lot more idle after that. A little about Terry’s world and he promised to answer more questions from Selina in the morning and from now on, ‘as payment’ she put it. Before long Terry saw the academy and understood how they could stay the night.

The homestead was expansive, sprawling out more like a manor and plantation. The large manor was surrounded by expansive fields and a wooden fence that seemed to stretch for miles in each direction. There was a large wooden arch and gate, it was closed, but Selina produced a key that let them in.

The house had at least 4 stores and looked to have wings like the southern plantations on earth. It was natural wood coloring, and Terry had never seen trees large enough to produce logs like these. The porch wrapped the entire length of the front and there were several soft and nice looking benches and couches situated along it. There were windows everywhere above that like each room would get a view of the rising or setting suns. Terry marveled and wanted to tour every room in the house to see the layouts and designs.

“This is Mother Martin’s Academy?” He asked in awe.

“Yep, she is one of the more successful players on this side of the Diamond lands. She is a darling and very strong with her magic. She actually raised Morris and I before I went to my school in the campus city. It is more healing and magic focused than here where she teaches general education and player training.” Selina smiled at Terry’s expression. Her anger at him had lessened as they talked. He was very naïve and she imagined she might do the same if she were an OOT in a new world.

They stepped up to the door and were met by Mother Martin’s assistant and Master Servant, Gile the Flathand, a diminutive gnome in a very dapper black butler suit. He was suspicious of the late time they arrived and Terry let Selina do the talking. She explained the accident and they were led up to Mother Martin’s room as she had apparently waited up for them.

The inside of the house was as magnificent as the outside. The foyer was a tall room with two grand stairs that lead all the way up to the 4th floor, with off shots to access each level of each story. There was art and culture up and down the stairs and the halls. Terry’s head and eyes could not stop moving, but he felt he could barely see it all.

Mother Martin’s room was large and must have been most of the east wing’s upper floors. It was not fully lit now, but the amount of windows and chandeliers Terry could see in the starlight told him it was only due to the night that it was not fully lit.

A large four post bed against the back wall was occupied by what must have been Mother Martin. Terry could see the years on the woman, but there was more of a timeless elder look to her then a grandmother. She seemed wise and all knowing, she was human, but there were differences that he had seen in the humans at the tavern that told him she was not from earth. Her hair was white and her eyes were brown, she looked to be very fit still and Terry marveled at just how well preserved she was sitting up in bed reading by candle light.

This world had electricity and modern conveniences, but Mother Martin seemed to just enjoy simple things. She greeted them warmly and the story of Selina and his meeting was told once again, but in greater detail. She smiled at the adventure and told them she was tired and would more formally meet Terry in the morning. Terry did not have a problem with the dismissal as Gaile showed him to a guest room, it was bigger than any room Terry had ever called his own and soon brought him a tray of bread, butter, cheese, fruit and tea.

He ate contentedly and before going to bed he took the upgrade, as Selina had suggested.

You have 1 new attributes:

Your Integrity attribute has been upgraded to Intuition

You gained this title thanks to your quick thinking and ability to act on instinct.

You have gained all 4 attributes and can now access a Character sheet.

You have been granted experience. You have 55 points of experience. You now have 70 points of experience. You have unlocked 2 utility skills.

You have gained an inventory that will grow and expand with you as you level.

You have gained a Hot Bar to access certain items quickly.

Terry read all this and as the pain wracked his body he fell into a deep slumber. He had not realized how sleepy he had been before taking the upgrade. Rosa much contentedly on some of the fruit and fell asleep on the table next to his bed. The day was finally over.

End Of Part 1.