"Well, come on then," the man impatiently intoned, "let's get this started

Irene left them at the doorway, disappearing into some far off corner of the house. Mary gently nudged Lucas forward, and he lead the way into the room. They took the larger seat opposite the Elder, and the man leaned forward to pour two more cups of tea. It was of a different kind than what they had earlier with breakfast, luckily. A soothing blend, if Lucas wasn't mistaken.

"Thank you for doing this," his mother spoke to the man.

"Oh, think nothing of it. It's my job, technically, and only a formality," Falon nodded respectfully. "I'm quite sure someone as studied as yourself could, and has told the boy plenty of the System's ins and outs."

"My son already knows quite a bit," she admitted. "But you don't get to our relative level without figuring a few things out for yourself. He would benefit from your teachings--I have no doubt."

Falon took a sip of his drink, then sighed. "I suppose that's fair."

The conversation lapsed as the man looked to be collecting his thoughts. For his part, Lucas reclined back into his seat and took another look around the room. This supposed study was exceedingly luxurious, almost to the point that it seemed out of place in the village. He really didn't know much about this man's family, so he couldn't say if the fine trappings that surrounded them right now were crafted by one of its members, but that was the simplest explanation that occurred to him.

It's nice. The man must spend a lot of time inside to necessitate this level of comfort, though.

"Hmm, alright. Best get comfortable now," the Elder advised redundantly, "'cause we will be here awhile. Tell me, how long till you unlock, young Lucas?"

After a moment to check, he said, "Two days, eleven hours, twenty minutes."

"Good," was his only response. "At that time, when more or less the full breadth of the System becomes available to you, all your experiences over the last ten years will be translated into a number of Skills. You may only accept ten of these in total to fill your General Skill slots, and you will have to choose carefully as whatever you decide will have an impact on the Classes you may take at level ten."

"Right, levels. All Skills and Classes have them. They mark incremental improvements in quality, power--you get the point. Level ups are achieved through use, understanding, or the performing of acts within the scope of whatever Class or Skill," Falon trailed off as he thought over his next words. "One thing that often gets left out whenever young children are given this talk is that the level of all your Skills is limited by your own. Once you have a selection in your general slots, the highest you will be able to raise them is level ten. If you end up advancing all the way to that level and find yourself able to start Class selection, I highly advised you wait till your Skills are comparable as that has effect on Class quality as well. If you're not quite there after you unlock, doing this will bring you up to that point."

He paused to wet his throat, and Lucas decided to try his own drink, at least so he wasn't considered rude. It wasn't bad, but it had a strange bitterness that he wasn't sure he liked.

"What is the highest level you know of?" Lucas interjected.

"Good question, child. First, I should say levels 10, 50, 100, 250 and 500 are points at which your Class evolves in some capacity, potentially completely changing. At any of these points, if you happen to lose your mind you may reset your class all the way back to level ten. Most people just choose an evolution that will see their level go up, not down. It is important to note that the Classes available to you at these points will not change with a reset. Only achievements and experiences made before each stage will affect the options, and all stats attained through the levels being reset will be lost as well."

Kind of sounds like he did a reset at some point, Lucas thought.

"At level 150, you will automatically be given a second starter Class like [Child of Ginam] or one of a random number of others like what you will have after your unlock. This Class will evolve at the same levels as the first. Though I have not reached the requisite level myself, I can personally confirm the unlock of a third at 500."

"You have known someone that leveled past 500, I take it." Lucas's mom stated without skepticism.

"Yes," the old man replied in wistful remembrance, "a long time ago." It seemed there was a story behind his words, and Lucas found himself quite curious. Elder Falon did not elaborate, however. Instead turning to his mom. "Usually, this story is met with doubt, not acceptance. Have you as well?"

"Yes." She didn't elaborate either.

Lucas wasn't taken with both adults 'mysterious allure', as the behavior was poetically referred to in stories. He would prefer they explain their words. Who was this triple Class-er that his mother knew before? It couldn't have been anyone in the village, so she must have known them before coming here--before he was born.

"Circling back to your question, child: I have no knowledge of the stages past level 500. The maximum level could be one thousand, a hundred thousand, or there could be no limit at all--all I can tell you is to one day reach level 500 and find out yourself."

Lucas nodded before deciding then and there to do just that. It made a good goal for himself, something that might motivate him during all the twists and turns of life. Maybe he could improve the furniture in his mom's house along the way as well. She looked quite comfortable in their shared seat.

"Now, before we continue, do you have any idea what sort of Class you will be going for?"

His mom looked at him expectantly, and he wondered if she wanted him to say healer. Lucas knew she was already aware of his thoughts though, and he answered the Elder truthfully. "Either a healer- or warrior-type Class. I had this idea for a warrior Class with a healing augmentation Skill," his face grew a little warm and he gave a slight grin.

"Well, my opinion shouldn't weigh much on this decision, but I think the world has plenty of fighters in it already," the Elder had an intense look on his face. "The village would do well with another healer of your mother's cut in it."

"You're completely right," Mary responded harshly, "in that this is not a decision you are meant to weigh in on."

The two adults stared at each other, the tension in the room almost palpable. Lucas, being a bit in shock from the abrupt turn in the atmosphere, almost missed it when Elder Falon dipped his head in surrender and the tension disappeared just as suddenly.

That was more than a little weird. Does she not want me to actually take a healing Class? Or was that just about his attempt to influence my choice?

He would need to have a conversation with his mother over this later--he had no idea why she felt so strongly about this issue, and it kind of worried him. That, and the talk about knowing a person over level 500. He get an opportunity to ask if she was ok in private later, in the clinic.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"You would know more than me when it comes to the starting Skills for a healer," the old man started back up, "but do you have anyone that could teach you the starting Skills for combat classes?"

"Yes, a guard has been showing me how to use a spear, and a few other things," Lucas informed him. "Could you maybe tell me what I would need to get for a mage Class to be given as an option at level ten?"

"Of course, of course. For that, you would only need the [Meditation] Skill--something that's useful for anyone that uses mana, or just needs help relaxing, I might add." The man brought his finger to the temple of his head and tapped it thoughtfully before adding, "Something to give you an affinity of some sort would help as well, but I can't exactly instruct you in that."

"Everyone has a few natural affinities anyway," his mother added. "It has always been a debate whether people should try to influence this or not. I know that quite a few attendees of Ginam's Academy try to, but their attempts usually end in injuries, or no change at all."

"Just so," Falon agreed with her. "You would just have to leave your affinity up to chance, and hope you find something you like. Now, [Meditation] isn't terribly difficult to get. All you really need to do is get into a restful position and divert your attention to your breathing. Make sure you take deep, slow breaths, following the cycle of air closely, and the Skill is yours!"

The man finished off his tea before asking Mary, "Can you think of anything I might be forgetting?"

She thought considered for a moment. "We haven't talked about what will happen when he selects a Class, yet."

"I kind of assumed the System would give me the options the same way it interacts with people every other time," Lucas voiced his confusion. "Is that not the case?"

"Hm, hm, hm. A reasonable assumption, but no."

"Class selection and evolution is quite a bit different," his mother shook her head.

"How is it different?"

"Well," Elder Falon began, "for the first part, you must make sure you are somewhere comfortable and safe. Starting the evolution will knock you completely unconscious and you will be sent to the world of your soul."

...and back to being mysterious.

"I can see you find that hard to believe, child." The man watched Lucas with some humor in his eyes. "Know that I'm not joking nor being poetic. You will be withdrawn into yourself, and your soul will manifest as a seemingly physical reality. Luckily, the part of you that is closest to the System will also manifest in the form of a guide. There will be no risk of getting lost or choosing an unintended Class."

"What does your soul-world look like, then?"

"Lucas." His mother pulled his attention. "That's not something that people just share with whoever asks."

Ah, yeah, I can see how that would be a bit too personal.

"Sorry, Elder Falon. I asked that without thinking."

"Do not worry about it, Lucas. I personally have no problem sharing what my soul appears as. Over the years it has changed a bit, and the last time I evolved a Class it took the form of a garden of sculptures that I had to pick from." He zoned out for a moment before returning to the conversation. "I'm afraid that is all the time I have for this conversation. Seeing as I'm cutting this meeting short, feel free to return later if you have any more questions. However, I feel we have gone over pretty much everything, and you will likely be able to answer whatever he comes up with, Healer Mary."

All three of them got up, and the old man walked them to the door.

"We'll keep your offer in mind," Mary let him know. "Thank you once again for making time."

"Of course, have a pleasant day."

They were left to exit the house on their own, a task that posed no actual difficulty but it was strange they weren't escorted the entire way. Walking down the hall, they could hear Irene's movements in an unknown part of the house, the clanging of pots and pans sounding a subdued racket through the halls.

"It was a good idea to come here," Lucas said upon their departure. "The Elder did have a few things to say that I did not already know."

Mary laughed lightly. "Come on, let's get back home."

It was well into the afternoon by the time they got back, but no one was there waiting for the clinic to open so all was well. Lucas took a quick trip to relieve himself, which turned into a thorough cleaning of his body. He hadn't had a chance to bathe since two days ago, and that was simply too long for him. When he returned to the front room, carrying a few strips of peppered jerky for two, his mom had the healing tome out and ready to resume his lessons.

They went about their comfortable evening routine with no interruptions from people seeking aid. Neither he nor his mother brought the subject of his unlock back up, an unspoken understanding having passed that more talk would be left for the following day when the event was a bit more imminent. Lucas had planned to ask his mom about her behavior in the meeting, but he chose to put that off as well so the day might pass leisurely.

Around the same time the day before, Eugene joined them for a dinner of stir-fried noodles and vegetables.

"You wouldn't believe what I saw last night," he spoke as all three sat around the table.

"What did you see?" Mary sincerely asked.

"It was a fae clearing," Eugene's eyes sparkled as he told them. "Just popped right up in the middle of our usual route where I know for a fact there is supposed to be a heavily wooded hill."

"How lucky," Mary smiled. "It's said that if you find a fae clearing, your luck is about to take a turn for the better."

"What sort of clearing is this?" Lucas asked.

"A fae clearing," his mom repeated. "A perfectly circular space in the forest, where no tree grows beyond its border, that can only be found in the spot once and disappears as soon as whoever discovers it leaves."

"It is said that the fae--otherworldy spirits of strange nature and magic--make these clearings to serve as refuge from the dangers of traveling this world," Eugene picked up where she left off. "Seeing one of their clearings can be taken as a blessing, sign of luck, or security."

"I'd think the fact no plant will grow there would mean it is a sign of bad luck," Lucas said.

Eugene shook his head. "I didn't say no plant grew there, I said no trees. They form an uninterrupted wall around the clearing, in fact. And there's still grass within."

"And you're sure you didn't just not recognize the place, with how dark it was?"

"Completely sure. Not even a bug could pass through that wall of trees, if it didn't go through the actual entrance. The patrol had to backtrack and as soon as we all passed over the border once more, the place was gone."

"Huh," Lucas sounded. "Cool."

"Definitely," Eugene agreed and looked at his mom. "The added luck is always welcome."

Lucas took another bite of his dish. It was a success, in his opinion. The noodles made from flour they got at the market and the fresh vegetables made all the difference. Wouldn't have tasted nearly as good if they used what was left in their pantry from the last trip.

"So," he looked between the two of them, "how did the meeting go today?"

"Well enough," Mary answered.

"Did the old defender make another comment about [Warriors] being the scum of the world?"

"He did, actually."

"Mom pretty much told him off," Lucas added.

"Oh, did she?" Eugene grinned.

Lucas nodded his confirmation, to Eugene's delight. Now that he thought of it, maybe that was why she seemed angry at the time. Perhaps the Elder meant his words as an insult toward people like Eugene, not as just a comment on the inherent violence of the world.

"What's with that, anyway?" Lucas asked. "Why does Elder Falon not like [Warriors]?"

His mom was the one that answered him. "It's something about an incident in the past involving the guard commander. They were friends, once. Whatever happened impacted him so much that he swore off combat, even going so far as to make his Classes purely defensive. From what I understand, the incident wasn't actually caused by the commander, but it split them apart just the same."

"Yeah," Eugene nodded along, "he and the commander don't get along to this day. Causes trouble in the village politics every now and then."

"Interesting."

The man seemed reasonable enough earlier to Lucas, but he supposed he didn't bear witness to the full scope of the man.

Dinner wrapped up not long after that, and Lucas went outside to get in a workout before bed. Eugene would not be joining him this night. He stayed in to continue talking to his mother.

Maybe they are making progress.

Those two floated around each other so much, and so obviously, that everyone that saw them together could tell. Sometimes, it was frustrating, but Lucas wouldn't try to help the situation along. He'd be just as likely to cause its collapse, and he had hope for them.

He finished his practice with the new move Eugene showed him the night before just as the man was leaving. They said their goodbyes, and the mother and son pair went to their beds. The next day would be extremely busy--the bulk of Lucas's plan would have to be enacted then or not at all. He still wasn't sure if he was ready, a little hesitant to do anything that might potentially have long-lasting consequences, but he firmed his resolve. It would turn out well, and he would be one step closer to his ideal Class.

[Time left till System unlock: 2:01:07:52]