A Cabin in the Forest – Year 1344, Month 1, Morning of the 10th. Spring
Olea Munroe
“Bonded companion?” That was new, I had not heard of bonded companions yet in this world. I mean, yeah, they were a thing in games and the like with rangers and magical heroes, but I did not think I had such a connection with anyone. I did not think Help-chan qualified, and the only other creature I could think of was crow-Kun. Was that it?
“Help-chan?”
‘You are correct, Olea. Surprising you took this long to ask about the bird and its connection with you.’
“I thought he just liked the free food and my impressive hair.” Honestly, who wouldn’t like the hair? It was also the same color as the midnight black raven, complete with the hints of purple and light brushed of indigo. I could be quite the goth model if I tried with these looks back on earth. Though I still do not approve of the mid-teen look that I apparently inherited from the elven race. The kind of youthful look that would doom me to being carded well into my thirties on Earth.
Back to the topic, “So, what is a bonded companion? Do I need to feed it something to make it stronger or start giving it a share of my experience? I hope it doesn’t require blood donations.”
‘… You continue to amaze me.’
“Thanks!” I said quickly. It felt good to be praised.
‘Right.’ I was unsure why I caught the whiff of sarcasm in that statement, but I wisely ignored it. ‘Your friend, the bird. He will not need any form of sacrifice or supplement. You are bonded, not indentured. It is my belief that the bird will advance in strength as you do, I would also like to inform you that you should be able to view more information on the creature in question when you have advanced further. How far I do not know as I have never had a bonded familiar myself. I also believe this ability will not be available until we have parted ways.’
“Good to know…” wait a minute. “What do you mean by parting ways? I thought you were my own little system notifications helpline?”
‘I am not, good for me even if bad for you. I am merely a consciousness that is being allowed to help guide you as you grow acquainted with the world of Kalydren. I already have a form in the world, one you may or may not ever get to see. Upon reaching a certain level you will have been deemed sufficiently armed to tackle the world’s challenge. It is at that time that I shall depart from your mind, though whether I may be able to communicate with you further in the future, I do not know.’
“So when will you be leaving?” I wish I had received a memo for this announcement some time ago, maybe I would have even picked a better name than Help-chan. Naah, I wouldn’t.
‘I cannot say as that could influence your growth. Afterall who would be able to bear the loss of my knowledge and presence?’
“Bah, I get it.” There is no way I would miss such an overly arrogant presence in this life, or the past one.
‘I do however feel the need to let you know that you have notifications awaiting from the system. I have held them back, as I have said before as a courtesy so that you may get your bearings.’
“Oh, shiny notifications? What do we have then, some fearsome title or newly acquired skill of awesomeness?” I will confess that I had not thought the fight would net me anything as I had been slightly concussed for most of it.
Your party has slain multiple enemies of a level greater than your own.
Your reward is greatly reduced as your party’s average level far exceeds your own.
You receive a bonus to experience earned for being a member of a party and for taking all damage received by your party while slaying creatures of a vastly higher rank and tier.
Information regarding these modifiers will be omitted in the future as you have now been made aware of them.
Your party has killed: Mana-Warped Cow 14[Level 43], 7[Level 47], 2[Level 52]
Total Experience Gained: 28,260.
You have advanced to level 4: Minor regeneration bonus applied, one free attribute point gained, three free skill points gained.
You have advanced to level 5: Minor regeneration bonus applied, one free attribute point gained, three free skill points gained.
You have advanced to level 6: Minor regeneration bonus applied, three free attribute points gained, six free skill points gained.
Experience Until Level Seven: 10,000.
Your soul has undergone a level of strengthening:
Removing Seals on Triumvirate Soul: Abilities Unlocked.
Forum and Shared Senses.
Advance further to empower yourself and unlock more abilities.
“Holy crackerjacks, batman!” That was a lot. I knew the cows were mean but to have been told that they were in the high forties and low fifties, just yikes. I assume Help-chan was not joking when he said my survival was a fluke during after I landed on against that tree. Level six now, which made me think a bit. Was I level six before or after I had read the notifications, did I just now advance from three to six or did I achieve level six as I passed out after the fight? Was the reason I passed out the strain of advancing so far while low on resources, or was the reason I did not pass out during the fight a result of growth attained as the fight unfolded and the experience was streaming in.
“Oh, Help-chan?”
Name: Olea Munroe
Level: 6
Archetype: Flighty Urchin of Healing
Age: 16 Winters
Health: 101/101
Mana: 112/112
Stamina: 113/113
Attributes:
* Strength: 10
* Dexterity: 13
* Constitution: 10
* Charisma: 16
* Intelligence: 13
* Wisdom: 10
You have Five Attribute Points Remaining
Experience Till Next Level: 10,000 remaining of 13,000.
Skills:
Fourteen skill points remaining.
Stealth - Rank 1
* Pierce - Rank 1
* Sneak - Rank 1
Piety - Rank 2
* Armor – Rank 1
* Cure Wounds - Rank 2
* Detect Magic – Rank 1
* Vigor – Rank 1
* Water Breath – Rank 1
* Water Walk – Rank 1
* Wind Walk – Rank 2
Triumvir Soul Skills
* Vessel of Souls
* Soul Link
* Dowsing
* Forum
* Shared Senses
.
Let’s check that status screen then. I mentally focused to bring up my information this time instead of relying on the temp to do the job, was I subconsciously performing this task every time I address Help-chan or were they doing the task for me? The effort before I saw the results seemed to be inconclusive as it felt slightly different but no more demanding than before.
Name: Olea Munroe
Level: 6
Archetype: Flighty Urchin of Healing
Age: 16 Winters
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Health: 101/101
Mana: 112/112
Stamina: 113/113
Attributes:
* Strength: 10
* Dexterity: 13
* Constitution: 10
* Charisma: 16
* Intelligence: 13
* Wisdom: 10
You have Five Attribute Points Remaining
Experience Till Next Level: 10,000 remaining of 13,000.
Skills:
Fourteen skill points remaining.
Stealth - Rank 1
* Pierce - Rank 1
* Sneak - Rank 1
Piety - Rank 2
* Armor – Rank 1
* Cure Wounds - Rank 2
* Detect Magic – Rank 1
* Vigor – Rank 1
* Water Breath – Rank 1
* Water Walk – Rank 1
* Wind Walk – Rank 2
Triumvir Soul Skills
* Vessel of Souls
* Soul Link
* Dowsing
* Forum
* Shared Senses
Five new attribute points and fourteen skill points… Wow. “Time to invest some points into power! Mwuahahaha…” My laughter slowly died down as I remembered John was probably within earshot, just a little.
Let’s start with a new rank in Wind Walk.
‘The spell cannot be improved without increasing it’s prerequisite skills and spells.’
“What do you mean?” I believe I may have forgotten something.
‘Remember that this spell needed you to learn other spells before you could learn it, of those spells Water Walk and Vigor are the immediate prerequisites. Those Spells will need to be taken to Rank 2 and as you will be reaching Rank 3 with this spell you will also need to reach that rank with its corresponding school. Piety will need to be advanced as well.’
“That seems cumbersome as well as crappy. Didn’t you tell me that the next rank in Piety would run me four points?” This was totally unfair.
‘That is correct, you will be using seven points to increase those spells and acquire the third rank of Wind Walk. Life is struggle, struggle is life.’
“Bah, fine.” I really did not like burning through all my skill points so quickly, but I could totally see how it would take most people an extraordinarily long time to master any specific school of spells. The costs for learning new things were a bit lopsided.
“Seven points down, seven to go.” Spell secured, I decided to look in on what else there was to learn in Piety.
You have seven skill points available.
You may learn the following:
Piety: Rank 4
* Armor: Rank 2
* Bless: Rank 1
* Command: Rank 1
* Create Food: Rank 1
* Create Water: Rank 1
* Cure Wounds: Rank 3
* Detect Aura: Rank 1
* Detect Magic: Rank 2
* Detect Poison: Rank 1
* Illuminate: Rank 1
* Protection from Evil: Rank 1
* Remove Curse: Rank 1
* Water Breath: Rank 2
“I’m assuming the third rank for Water Walk is missing as Water Breath and Armor need to be increased?” The spell list was interesting as I had forgotten about the magical ability to make food and drink, which could be useful for the street urchins back in South Jaga. I was also interested in advancing Detect Magic as its first rank version was rather formidable, I won’t like it also felt like I was wrapped in a super warm and magically tingly hug which was nice. Very nice.
‘Correct. Might I suggest that if you are going to wait before moving forward in advancing Wind Walk consider working on something offensive to protect yourself with?’
“I’m listening. Though I will still want to grab those creation spells.” Not having to spend money on food and such would be a nice boon. I think I still qualify as somewhat poor; I was at least homeless unless you counted the bed at the adventurer’s guild. I did not want to be that girl that just stayed over at any house that would have me. I think everyone has had that one friend that always seemed to be somewhere else with each passing night, though most of them eventually disappeared somewhere down the line.
‘You are in luck! I daresay that you will be able to acquire such a spell, and coincidentally Create Water is a prerequisite for the spell I had in mind. You would need Create Water, Protection from Evil, Command, Detect Aura, and Dispel Magic to be able to learn Conjure Elemental Spirit. This would even leave you one skill point to learn Create Food.’
“That does sound oddly coincidental. Have you been waiting for my eventual windfall to waylay me with this idea?” The whole thing seemed a bit too convenient, then again Help-chan does have vast knowledge of the system of skills and spell in place on this world. Being as old as literal dirt probably helps the cause a bit.
‘I am only working with what you have. You need a better offensive skill that making stabbing motions with your hand while holding a knife and hoping for the best.’
“I like my knife, but fine. Show me the spell.” Jibe aside, I was interested in new magic.
Create Water: This spell will create water! The amount of water created is based upon the casters Wisdom, Piety, and Level when cast. Can be channeled to continue creation. Water created in this way will evaporate more quickly as its elemental essence is reabsorbed by the environment.
Protection from Evil: This spell will protect the caster from sources that mean them harm by creating a field around the user to effectively prevent creatures of a lower level from attacking. The level of monster affected by this zone of protection is a varying level based upon level of caster and level of target. Level, Piety, and Wisdom determine duration and potency.
Command: By using this spell, the caster may compel the target or group of targets to perform a single command. Compulsions are limited to simple acts such as but not limited to Stop, Go, Kneel, and Flee. Effectiveness based upon Level, Piety, and Charisma of caster as well as varying factors such as Level, Charisma, and Intelligence of the target. Upon failing to compel the target, your target will be made aware of the suggestion as well as who cast the spell.
Detect Aura: This provides you with a spell which when used will allow the user to detect subtle hints in the aura of others, this information can allow you to detect a person’s general motivational leanings. Exploration and experimentation will expand your knowledge! Duration of spell is determined by your magical attributes. Devotion greatly expands this effect.
Dispel Magic: This spell Dispels Magic. The level of success is determined by the level of the caster as well as the level of the target magical effect. This spell is not selective in the magical effect it dispels, both good, bad, and neutral spell will be dispelled if able upon the target. Higher levels of magical understanding as well as greater levels of Wisdom and Intelligence will subtly impact the effectiveness of its uses.
Conjure Elemental Spirit: This spell must be cast upon a non-living object which possesses elemental essence. Duration, power, and success of the spell are limited by factors such as available essence, Wisdom, Piety, Level of Caster, as well as a little luck.
“Wow.” The information dump was impressive, and I could see how becoming a summoner would help me in a mad-dash fight. Having something to distract even murder those cows for me would have been swell. “You said I would be better off with some offensive spell, but is that the only defensive ability for people with Piety?”
‘It is not, other spells for people possessing Piety would be Holy Word, Dispel Evil, or even Blades. Though there are more, priests and the various clergy are far from defenseless.’
“Something to keep in mind, I suppose.” Those would leave me with one skill point to grab Create Food, but it might be a nice addition to my abilities. Just imagining an army of elemental warriors doling out fiery death and earthen mayhem brought a small smile to my face and a giggle from my chest.
“Let’s do that, then. I’d also like to learn Create Food.” Upon saying the words, I was met with nothing, no notifications that I had learned the spell or attained vast knowledge from the Cosmos. “What gives, Help-chan?”
‘You know how to learn the spells yourself, invoke the system on your own. It literally requires a thought with intent.’
“It was your idea for me to learn the spells in the first place…” having complained to my little helper I still acquiesced and did as I was told and soon the information flooded through my mind as vague sounds, colors, smells, and feelings flowed into my body. Was the magic changing my own body, I seem to recall something of the sort being mentioned. “Help-chan, do these spells change my body when I learn them or is it just waking up stuff that is already there? Like, is my body numb to magic and then suddenly keyed in as I progress?”
‘Your body is being subtly altered internally to allow for magic to flow more naturally. All spells and skills that you learn, advance, and use will alter your body in small ways to better allow for magic to be used. It brings you more in like with the powers of creation and the greater multiverse, though you are still you and still quite human.’
“Well, that’s a relief.” Thoughts for future Olea, for sure. I was fairly sure I had been ripped apart by time and space before I ever arrived in the world in the first place, what was one more scrap of my past flaking away compared to vast magical powers? I was still me, after all.
Instead of asking Help-chan this time, I decided to query the system myself and find the information for my other spell.
Create Food: This spell will assemble ambient magic into a solid form that can then be consumed by living creatures as a form of sustenance. Yes, it creates food. Food generated with this spell is generally influenced by the spellcaster and their environment. Food created can be altered and improved by the Level, Wisdom, Constitution, Knowledge, and even mood of the caster. Remember, sad cooks make sad food.
“I did it!” I not so silently cheered to myself. System stuff was easy. I quickly added the spell to my list effectively murdering my final skill point.
‘Congratulations on using the system as effectively as a child. Yay, you are special.’
“Mean.” I think my helper was just upset that I was learning so quickly, that must be it. “Let’s see what that does for my status sheet.”
Name: Olea Munroe
Level: 6
Archetype: Flighty Undine of Healing
Age: 16 Winters
Health: 101/101
Mana: 112/112
Stamina: 113/113
Attributes:
* Strength: 10
* Dexterity: 13
* Constitution: 10
* Charisma: 16
* Intelligence: 13
* Wisdom: 10
You have Five Attribute Points Remaining
Experience Till Next Level: 10,000 remaining of 13,000.
Skills: Zero skill points remaining.
Stealth - Rank 1
* Pierce - Rank 1
* Sneak - Rank 1
Piety - Rank 3
* Armor – Rank 1
* Cure Wounds – Rank 2
* Detect Magic – Rank 1
* Vigor – Rank 2
* Water Breath – Rank 1
* Water Walk – Rank 2
* Wind Walk – Rank 3
* Create Food – Rank 1
* Create Water – Rank 1
* Detect Aura – Rank 1
* Dispel Magic – Rank 1
* Command – Rank 1
* Conjure Elemental Spirit – Rank 1
* Protection from Evil – Rank 1
Triumvir Soul Skills
* Vessel of Souls
* Soul Link
* Dowsing
* Forum
* Shared Senses
“Fantastic. I am going to need to find out what those Soul Skills do some time soon though.” I was starting to find my list of skills and spell impressive, even if the total output of power I had was still somewhat small. I was looking forward to seeing how strong I could get.
‘About those Soul Skills…’