Ishai fruit
Consuming the Ishai fruit triggers a profound transformation within the eater, evolving them to the zenith of their species.
After consumption, the individual will experience vivid visions of the past and potential futures.
The eater gains the ability to speak Aetherian, the primordial tongue spoken by the gods.
???
Legends say that the Ishai fruit was created by the Elder god, a gift to the worthy. It is believed to grow only in the sacred Ether sources, hidden from the world and protected by ancient guardians.
Ethan's mouth dries up as he reads the description. 'I have a feeling the ancient guardian is the corpse I found,' he thinks. 'Why are there question marks? Is it because my Identification ability isn't high enough?'
Blood-vessel-like vines creep into the center of the trunk, joining where the fruit was to form a small black core. Ethan stores the Ishai fruit in his haversack.
A glint hurts Ethan's right eye, coming from his peripheral vision. A featureless human rises from the source of Ether, its body made of the same water as the lake. It stands emotionless, its head turned in Ethan's direction.
A wave of Ether emanates from it, passing through Ethan. "A tool. Not a man," the thing says in perfect English, its voice disturbingly androgyne. "An instrument molded in the flames of hatred, clinging to its vengeance."
"Rude," Ethan says, insulted by the entity's words. "If you speak my language, would you mind telling me the reason for your appearance?"
"The will of the world doubts you. And so I am," it answers. A guardless blade, resembling a ninjato, grows from the water alongside it. "I will test you; ensure you won't be a waste of his gift."
'His? If the fruit is a gift of the Elder god, why does it refer to it as a man?' Ethan ponders. He pulls out Skysong and hides Dark fate behind his left forearm. 'I can't use Strengthening or cast spells as long as I maintain the protection shielding me from the lake.'
It grabs the handle of the Ether sword in a fluid motion, taking a relaxed stance. Ethan looks around, weighing his options. "Fleeing is not an option," the creature says as Ethan thinks of it.
The creature moves with grace, its blade shimmering with the tree's light. Each step it takes ripples through the lake, sending waves of Ether through Ethan.
Ethan tightens his grip on Skysong, feeling the unfamiliar weight of the spear. "Insight," Ethan mutters, but nothing appears. His heart pounds in his chest as he's unable to gauge his opponent's strength. With a deep breath, he steps forward, his stance mirroring the calm determination of his adversary.
The creature strikes first, its blade cutting through the air with a speed that Ethan barely registers. He parries, the impact sending a shudder through his arm. The creature's blade eats away at Skysong's steel, leaving glowing scars on the spear.
He retaliates with a series of strikes, aiming for the creature's chest. The entity moves with precision, deflecting and dodging his attacks. Each time their weapons meet, the Ether sword damages Ethan's spear.
Ethan shifts his style to more unpredictable movements that avoid the creature's blade. Avoiding a blow, Ethan sees an opening for a kick and places it on the creature's stomach. The attack leaves a glowing tear on the creature's body, a feat far greater than what his spear achieves.
Ethan jumps back, stashing Skysong into his haversack. He spreads his threads of Ether along his right hand and forearm, forming a tight net.
They circle each other, closing the distance separating them as they look for an opening. Ethan loosens his body, melting away any tension as he prepares to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
The creature lunges again, its Ether sword slicing through the air. Ethan sidesteps, letting the creature overextend. Despite the non-existent distance, Ethan hurls his leg at the creature's head. It blocks with its free arm, only for it to shatter like broken glass.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Ethan continues his movement, twisting his hips to hit the creature's head and pushing it towards the ground. It yields under Ethan's strength, skidding on the lake's surface.
Ethan resumes his relaxed stance as the creature rises to its feet. Its arm regenerates, flowing back from its shoulder like crystallizing water. "Dangerous, fear, not yours," the creature says.
"I'm not scared; you must be talking about yourself," Ethan says. "You are right; this isn't my style. It belongs to the most dangerous man on Earth."
"One," the thing says. "No blade, no gun, only body made weapon."
"The kid truly has a gift for it," Ethan says, approaching the creature. It refrains from attacking, even as Ethan enters its reach, protecting its chest with its blade.
Ethan feints a punch with his left hand, then deflects the creature's counter with Dark Fate. He spins the dagger between his fingers, placing it on the back of his hand. Ethan ceases to draw Ether with his left arm, forming a net of Ether around his left hand. He grabs the creature's right forearm, relying only on the Ether he stores. He pulls it and punches through its chest, his right fist shattering the creature and its weapon.
"You leveled up," the voice announces, its tone weirdly warped and filled with static.
Ethan halts the protections he made around his hands and resumes absorbing Ether through them. "A moment later, and I would have consumed life force to maintain those shields. They cost so much Ether in comparison to my abilities," Ethan mutters.
Two of the creatures rise from the water, each in an opposite direction from Ethan. One holds a metallic card, while the other holds the Ishai fruit. Ethan's heart skips a beat; he checks his haversack, calling for the fruit, but nothing comes.
"Your friend will perish when he enters the Realm of Ascension, as did his father," the two say in unison. "This card will save him from this fate, though you could choose to use it for yourself," the one holding the card says.
"Let me guess," Ethan begins. "I can only choose one of those, forever losing the other."
"Choose," they say in unison.
'Is this a second test?' Ethan thinks. His stomach churns with acid as he weighs the options. 'Is it set in stone that Sylas will die when he enters the Realm of Ascension? Is there such a thing as fate? The fruit spoke of possible futures, or is it only because the insight it gives changes the outcome?'
"He means nothing to me," Ethan mutters, turning towards the Ishai fruit. 'Listen to me, lying to myself,' he thinks. 'His situation is my fault. If I hadn't been here, he would have retired just as he planned.'
He clenches his fists, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. 'Though I've only known him for a short time, he trusts me. He helped me, carrying me to the sanctuary that saved my soul.'
Ethan turns back, his eyes locking onto the creature holding the card. He takes a deep breath, his decision crystallizing in his mind. "I'd rather have no regrets the day I leave this world," he says, stepping towards the one holding the card. His voice trembles slightly, but his resolve is firm.
As he pries the card from the entity's hand, a sense of calm washes over him. The choice, though agonizing, feels right. "I'll find another way to become stronger, but not at the cost of an innocent life," he says.
The creatures vanish, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts and the card in his hand. He looks at it, the metallic surface glinting in the dim light. "Identification," he mutters.
Perfect class card
Injecting Ether into this card will grant you a new class. This class will be the one most adapted to your skills, abilities, characteristics, and character, disregarding any skill requirement.
You will not be given an opportunity to refuse it.
Ethan stores the card carefully in his coat, his heart still heavy. He glances one last time at the tree, turning on his phone to take a picture of it. He turns his back to it, walking towards the shore.
The way back feels shorter, as if the disparity in space had vanished. Sylas exhales a sigh of relief as he sees Ethan leave the mist, his example followed by Russ, who wags his tail.
Ethan steps on solid ground, dispelling his shields. He turns to Sylas, pulling the card out. "I got this for you," he begins. "Promise me you won't let it go to waste. That you will make the most of this second chance and grow strong enough to face the Realm of Ascension."
Sylas touches the card, and a window appears before him. His mouth opens slightly as he reads the description. "Are you sure about this?" Sylas asks, his voice tinged with disbelief and gratitude. "You could need it too."
Ethan nods, a faint smile on his lips. "I'm sure. But in exchange, you'll become my assigned blacksmith, crafting me the tools and armor I'll need. And I have no doubt I will need many."
Sylas takes a deep breath, then pries the card and channels his Ether into it. A bright light envelops the card, shedding to reveal an illustration, a silver edge, and a name: Arcane Smith. Another window appears before Sylas, detailing the class.
Arcane Smith
The Arcane Smith is a master craftsman whose expertise goes beyond the physical realm. With a profound understanding of Ether and magic, they forge weapons, tools, and armor imbued with powerful enchantments.
Every four levels in the Arcane Smith class will grant you a Strength point and a characteristic point. Starting at level two, every four levels in the Arcane Smith class will grant you an Intelligence point.
Lv.0: Enchanting, Magic resistance
Lv.5: Inventory
Lv.10: Ether infusion
Lv.15: Runic enchanting
Lv.20: Soul enchanting
'If ascended classes grant as many characteristic points as Harbinger, I truly must change soon. Unless it's because of the class's rarity,' Ethan thinks.
Sylas stares at the vanishing card, absorbing the details that appeared in front of it. "I don't know how to thank you," Sylas says, his voice thick with gratitude.
Ethan grabs the backpack filled with Wyrdium and walks towards the tunnel. "I told you how," he says. Exiting the narrow passage, Ethan senses an object in his hand. He looks down and sees himself holding the Ishai fruit. 'So, it was a test,' Ethan thinks before stashing the fruit, a faint smile on his face.