- [4]- Preparation Part 2
Name: Alex Brown
Class: Wizard
Level: 1
Experience: 2/125
Potential Points: 2
Physique: 10
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Magic: 9
Focus: 4
[Spell(s)]
Magic Hand Lv 0
HP: 100
MP: 18
As the attendant disappeared into the back room to get him the catalog of items, Alex took the opportunity to pull up his attribute board. With a simple thought, a translucent screen materialized before his eyes.
Except for Magic and Focus, nothing changed at all. One expanded his total MP reserve, while the other sharpened his sensitivity to magical elements, heightening his awareness of every flicker in the surrounding energy.
The Wizard class was primarily Magic and Focus oriented. With each level up, these two attributes would increase by a combined total of three points, slowly amplifying the Wizard’s magical prowess and elemental attunement with every step forward.
Alex's gaze fixated on the Potential Points, ignoring everything else. A mere 18 points of MP and 4 points of Focus were far from impressive. Splash, the spell he had his eye on, consumed 6 MP per cast—meaning he could barely fire it off a few times before running dry. And then, he’d be stuck waiting for his MP to regenerate. With only 4 points of Focus, it would take at least 45 minutes to recover all the spent magic, leaving him vulnerable and frustrated in the meantime.
Potential Points, on the other hand, had a multitude of uses. They could be invested in any attribute, offering a direct boost to stats, or used to upgrade the level of spells, making them more powerful or efficient. With each level up granting only two points, their value was undeniable. Every point mattered, and Alex knew they were key to shaping his future growth and survival.
The book in the library repeatedly emphasized the importance of saving Potential Points. There was a reason for this caution—these points had an additional, more valuable use that set them apart.
“Sorry for the delay.” The attendant returned with a thick book with a hard cover and pages made from oiled papers. “Someone else was using the catalog, so I had to wait for my turn.”
"No worries," Alex said, his tone casual as he scrolled through the images and brief descriptions of their attributes written under them.
Pictures of necklaces and rings filled the oiled pages, their gleaming forms captured in intricate detail. Occasionally, bracelets or waist sashes appeared, each described with a short list of abilities or stat boosts. These items, categorized as "accessories," were exactly what Alex was after.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Iron Ring of Virtue
+40 HP
122 silver coins
Iron Necklace of Promise
+0.4 HP/min
278 silver coins
Iron Necklace of Star
+60 HP
199 silver coins
As Alex flipped through the pages, the prices steadily climbed. The early items were within reach, but with each turn, the cost rose. By the time he reached the last page, the prices had soared to a couple of gold coins per piece—far beyond what he had in his purse. His initial excitement dulled as he realized that the best items were priced well out of his range.
But he didn’t dwell on it for too long. He already knew he would not be able to afford the best. Alex had already chosen the ones he needed.
Iron Ring of Virtue: adds 40 points of HP and Iron Belt of Valor: adds 20 points of HP and regenerates 2 HP/min.
Plenty of items with better HP-related attributes were available in the shop, but Alex didn’t even bother glancing at them. Those bulky armors—imposing and durable—were useless to him. With a mere 10 points in Physique, he didn’t have the strength to wear them, let alone move effectively in such gear.
“Wrap up everything for me, please,” Alex said, pointing a finger at the note in the attendant’s hand.
“Certainly, sir.” The attendant smiled sunnily. “One auxiliary spell, Splash, 125 silvers, Iron Ring of Virtue, 122 silvers and Iron Belt of Valor, 240 silvers. A grand total of 487 silvers. Please pay at the counter and I’ll bring you your items, sir.”
“All right,” Alex said and joined the queue at the counter. The shop, sprawling and packed with eager veterans, had several counters to handle the steady flow of customers. The one Alex chose was mostly filled with new Blessed, like himself—fresh faces still figuring out the basics, their eyes filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety as they lined up for their first purchases.
When it was finally his turn, Alex pulled a shining gold coin from his pouch and handed it over. The receptionist, a sharply dressed woman in her early twenties, took the coin without even glancing at it. Her professionalism was evident in her swift, practiced movements as she recorded the purchase and accepted the payment. Moments later, she slid five silver-colored plates and thirteen silver coins back across the counter toward him.
“Your five hundred and thirteen silvers. Please count it. And this is your purchase bill.”
Her voice was barely audible over the cacophony of the bustling shop, but Alex caught the words. He pocketed the change and gave the handwritten bill a quick once-over, ensuring everything was in order. Satisfied, he turned back to the cashier and offered her a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
The attendant was already there, clutching onto a bag that contained his recent purchase. Alex showed him the bill and accepted his package.
“Thank you for your patronage, sir,” The attendant said while handing over the items.
“When will you restock the Thunder Palm?” Alex didn’t rush to leave after collecting his items; instead, he lingered to engage in small talk. He gave the well-dressed man—whose smile seemed permanently etched on his face—an expectant glance.
He originally should have bought two spells and two items. However, the store had run out of the thunder spell he wanted. Now, he could only wait for them to restock it.
“Usually, new stocks arrive on Sunday night and you’ll be seeing them on sale on Monday.”
“Monday? Today’s only Tuesday, though.” Alex groaned, but his mood brightened at the prospect of the future. It’s only a few days, he could afford to wait. He offered a hand to the attendant. “Well, thank you for your help today. I’m Alex.”
The man glanced at the extended hand briefly, before returning the shake. “I’m Luke. Thank you for your time today.”
-~X~-
Although Alex couldn’t buy the key spell central to his strategy, he didn’t feel discouraged. Nothing had changed—he was still on track, just delayed. However, the thought of confronting his parents about his Class weighed heavily on him.
He wondered what his dad would say when he learned of his Wizard class.
He’d probably tell me to join him in the fields.
Alex had no desire to follow the mediocre path his parents had tread. Their lives, though stable and comfortable, had always seemed stifling to him—marked by caution, small ambitions, and a resigned acceptance of their limits. He wanted something more, something bigger. The thought of settling for the same fate made his skin crawl.
That night, as expected, his father delivered a long string of lectures on life lessons, pacing the room with his usual solemnity. Alex had anticipated it—every word, every warning about responsibility and practicality. He nodded along, offering a dull "yes" at all the right moments, his mind drifting elsewhere. When his father finally paused, satisfied he’d done his duty, Alex excused himself and quietly retreated upstairs to his room.
Dad really is long-winded. Forget it, it’s time for the main event of the night.
Now that he was back in the safety of his home, it was time to experiment with the only spell he had learned— Magic Hand.