Congratulations! You’ve gained a skill: [Arcane Sight]!
Arcane Sight It connects the user’s other {Skills} without requiring the Celestial Magnifying Glass. It enables the use of [Analysis], [Essence of Life], and [Perception] at a reduced power, even during combat. It grants the user enhanced perceptive abilities beyond natural limits. Users can view the status of living beings with an Indifference affinity or higher. All mental characteristics are boosted by 10% while active.
[Arcane Sight], huh? At first glance, this {Skill} might not seem particularly impressive. Yet it has its merits.
Being able to use my other {Skills} without summoning the magnifying glass could prove useful, and a 10% boost to mental attributes isn’t bad, though not remarkable. However, the ability to see others’ status is particularly valuable. It could help me deal with strangers and better understand the village situation.
Previously, Jonn could only view the status of those with a Worship affinity toward him, aside from the animal connected through his [Wildheart Talisman]. Until his Littlewood trip, he hadn’t realized how crucial it was to analyze other people. [Arcane Sight] seemed to address part of that limitation!
As long as the target doesn’t harbor a Hate affinity toward me, I should be able to see anyone’s status.
Curious, Jonn decided to test his new {Skill}. He first looked at Elia and Sarre, who were still eating beside him. He first tried [Analysis] to experience using a {Skill} without the magnifying glass.
Through this new ability, Jonn could discern basic information about the women’s attire, nutrition, and physical condition, even foreseeing potential outcomes of various physical activities in their weakened state.
Though he accessed barely 40% of the information his {Skills} typically revealed through the magnifying glass, Jonn smiled. Surprisingly, he appreciated this new capability despite its reduced efficiency.
This is different!
Although the {Skills’} effects in this mode were significantly weaker—comparable to his level 1 capabilities—their convenience proved invaluable. Neither Sarre nor Elia had detected his observations. This subtle approach would prove helpful when evaluating his fellow villagers!
One persistent challenge in analyzing his companions had been justifying the use of the magnifying glass. How could he explain his desire to examine them through its lens?
A direct request would raise unwanted suspicions!
After all, the villagers remained unaware of his true nature as a mage, akin to those power-obsessed warriors who had nearly obliterated Valorian.
He preferred to maintain the secrecy surrounding his magical abilities for as long as possible, making it impractical to explain the magnifying glass’s true capabilities.
While the villagers might overlook his scrutiny of animals and plants, analyzing people with the magnifying glass could raise unwelcome questions—a scenario Jonn preferred to avoid.
[Arcane Sight] resolved this dilemma! The {Skill} demonstrated immediate potential for discreet observation of his companions without arousing suspicion.
Seizing this opportunity, Jonn examined Sarre and Elia’s statuses for the first time.
Sarre
Level: 0
Health: 79/79
Mana: 0
Stamina: 72/72
Relationship: +1,000 (Respect)
Elia
Level: 0 (21%)
Health: 57/57
Mana: 21/21
Stamina: 53/53
Relationship: +1,000 (Respect)
Jonn’s eyes widened significantly at the sight of Elia’s [Mana]. Though he couldn’t access all the details of individuals who didn’t Worship him, he gleaned enough from Sarre’s and Elia’s statuses to recognize the path one of them was taking.
Elia is becoming a mage! he realized with a jolt.
Fortunately, both Elia and Sarre had their backs to Jonn at that moment. Otherwise, he would have had to explain the shocked expression that had overtaken his features.
That… Could it be due to the village’s food?
Without hesitation, Jonn activated [Arcane Sight] on the other villagers within his visual range, eager to confirm his suspicions.
Lance
Level: 0
Health: 60/60
Mana: 0
Stamina: 55/55
Relationship: +1,000 (Respect)
Wy
Level: 0
Health: 64/64
Mana: 0
Stamina: 59/59
Relationship: +1,000 (Respect)
Tim
Level: 0
Health: 61/61
Mana: 0
Stamina: 59/59
Relationship: +1,000 (Respect)
Jonn’s survey of the other villagers yielded no cases similar to Elia’s.
Apparently, it’s not solely related to the village’s food, he mused. If it were, others should display non-zero [Mana]. Perhaps it’s a combination of factors, including innate aptitude?
He knew that not every living being developed the ability to control mana, even with specialized awakening methods. Ancient mages had used such techniques to help young people swiftly discover their potential and embark on magical paths. However, these methods only bore fruit if one possessed the spark of talent—the minimum aptitude necessary for mana control, even at rudimentary levels.
What was behind the aptitude for magic? Jonn didn’t know. He lacked the books and knowledge, as well as the level and understanding of magic to estimate using his current {Skills}.
The fact was, as long as he nurtured Elia, she would become a mage!
This is good, Jonn thought. She likely hasn’t realized her nascent mana control yet, or she’d be beside herself. I’ll monitor her progress closely. Once I understand her growth rate and any unusual behaviors, I’ll approach her about it.
Elia’s mana remained quite low, indicating either a recent awakening or very gradual growth. Regardless, Jonn decided against immediate confrontation on the matter.
Upon finishing his porridge, Jonn handed his bowl to one of the children assisting with the village’s meal service. He then set off towards the animal enclosure, ready to begin his day’s work.
His agenda for the day was full: after tending to the animals, he’d head to the greenhouse, followed by a visit to Tim’s forge. Though his responsibilities had diminished with the influx of new villagers, he was still pretty busy. He still dedicated two days a week to weapon forging alongside Tim and the apprentices. Fortunately, Tim’s forging skills had markedly improved since acquiring the intermediate forging manual Jonn had provided earlier.
Beyond his commitments to the forge and Village Council meetings, Jonn expected continuing his exploration of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow. For months, his expeditions had been curtailed by the village’s labor shortage. Now, with some breathing room, he yearned to discover sites akin to Count Francus’ cave. Moreover, he was fixed to make headway on the [Exotic Animals] quest.
In fact, Jonn planned to take a significant step towards the [Exotic Animals] quest today!
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As he progressed through his daily tasks, he reserved the attribute points earned from elevating two more village animals to beast status. He intended to use these points in the evening, coinciding with his expected advancement to level 3!
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Jonn’s packed day flew by swiftly. Despite his eagerness to advance to the next level, he completed all his planned activities without fixating on the attribute points he’d accumulated. This exercise in mental discipline served him well as he tackled his still-substantial workload, striving to resolve as much as possible before embarking on his latest mission.
While the Triceratops sighting area was within daily commuting distance, Jonn foresaw that once he delved into the [Exotic Animals] quest, it would likely consume much of his time and attention, leaving less for village affairs.
He’d spent recent days catching up on tasks, preparing for his the quest. Hence, even with the village’s growing population, his days remained full from dawn to dusk.
As night fell, following a hearty dinner at Molle and Tim’s place after his forge duties, Jonn set out from the walled area. He went to Count Francus’ cave, the most mana-dense location he knew in the vicinity. Not only was the place rich in toxic mana but also in natural mana, and hardly anyone would come there to risk being affected by his advance.
Having navigated the cave’s defenses, Jonn settled onto the ground. He reviewed his status intently before preparing to allocate the two attribute points he’d earned that day.
Jonn Irondoom
Level 2 (99.9%) (Acolyte)
Health: 370/370
Mana: 1,059/999 (+60)
Stamina: 330/330
[Attributes]
Strength 31 Agility 31 Dexterity 31 (+3) (+10) Constitution 37 Endurance 33 Intelligence 99.9 (+6) Wisdom 87.9 (+6) Charisma 25 (+3) (+10) Luck 23 (+3)
He didn’t bother to do the math to see if it was more worthwhile to use one of the two attribute points in [Intelligence] or to advance through meditation. He split his two points between [Wisdom] and [Intelligence], fulfilling the [Mana] requirement to advance.
As his [Mana] surpassed 1,000 units, the system chimed.
Congratulations! You’ve attained the mana base required to advance to level 3!
Level advancement successfully initiated!
Jonn experienced a familiar sensation as the ambient mana converged around him, its concentration far exceeding that of ordinary locales.
A density of mana potent enough to intoxicate even mages began to permeate his essence. The transformation progressed rapidly, inducing a peculiar discomfort. Nausea welled up as pain coursed through his body, from the tips of his toes to the crown of his head.
He knew that as mages ascended in levels, advancements became increasingly challenging. However, their growing resilience and experience simultaneously made the process more manageable.
A kaleidoscope of sensations engulfed Jonn, making him feel as if he were simultaneously traversing dimensions, soaring through the air, plummeting, sitting still, and walking—all while his skeletal structure and mental framework underwent profound transformations. Though the experience felt surreal, almost dreamlike, he remained steadfast.
Time became an indecipherable concept, seeming to pass in the blink of an eye, yet stretching into eternity. Gradually, his body stabilized, settling into its new physical and mental state.
Over three hours had elapsed in what felt like mere minutes. As Jonn opened his eyes, he was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of sensory information flooding his perception.
His {Skills} seemed to activate in rapid succession, each vying for his attention. Quickly, he deactivated them one by one until only the system’s advancement notifications remained visible.
Congratulations on advancing to level 3!
Distributing promotion bonuses…
50% increase in all your attributes!
{Skill} boost by 100%!
Jonn Irondoom
Level 3 (30.26%) (Acolyte)
Health: 555/555
Mana: 1,573/1,513 (+60)
Stamina: 495/495
[Attributes]
Strength 46.5 Agility 46.5 Dexterity 46.5 (+3) (+10) Constitution 55.5 Endurance 49.5 Intelligence 151.3 (+6) Wisdom 133.3 (+6) Charisma 37.5 (+3) (+10) Luck 34.5 (+3)
I’m starting to look less human. Jonn mused, a wry smile playing on his lips as he examined his new status.
However, the daunting requirements for reaching level 4 swiftly humbled him, underscoring his position as a mere novice in the vast realm of magic.
Impressive… 5,000 [Mana] for level 4. Just how much mana does a level 10 Sage command? And what about those level 12 monsters that wrought such devastation in the last war?
His fists clenched involuntarily, anxiety gnawing at him as he contemplated the possibility of such formidable mages still existing in Valorian.
The line between legend and truth regarding the war’s battles remained blurry. Yet, rumors persisted that a single Sage engagement could obliterate entire states!
Amidst these sobering reflections, the system chimed with an encouraging update.
+1 progress point on the [Save the Eternal Village] quest!
[Quests] [Progress] [Save the Eternal Village] 9/20
Having fulfilled another requirement for the quest, Jonn allocated his nine attribute points among [Strength], [Agility], and [Endurance]. He reasoned that reinforcing his mental attributes would yield minimal benefits at this stage, whereas enhancing his physical capabilities could prove crucial against stealthy adversaries.
He considered investing in [Constitution] but ultimately decided against it, recognizing that the other three attributes had been more challenging to improve recently.
As he completed this allocation, Jonn’s expression lacked the jubilation he had anticipated following his breakthrough.
Maybe I should hurry my conversation with Elia. I’ve progressed swiftly on the [Save the Eternal Village]’s quest recently. But my level and the security of the village seem a long way from what is necessary to have 45% of the mission’s progress completed.
He left the cave, facing the starry sky of the region.
Gazing skyward, deliberately avoiding the encompassing darkness, he murmured softly to himself, “I have a bad feeling about the next few months. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m afraid something bad is going to happen soon!”