Elrianthe had been sitting for a good ten minutes, unable to decide which skill to choose. Her main dilemma was choosing between < Team Manager > and < Hybridization >. After a long analysis of the pros and cons of both options, she finally decided on the first one.

She had at least two major reasons why this choice seemed more reasonable. First, her main strength was the people under her control. The stronger they were, the better group she could organize. She could find some promising candidates and turn them into real super-agents who would work for her.

The second reason was a logistical issue. If she wanted to create an army of hybrids, where would she hide them? How many times could she use them and in what situations? Her goal for the future was to blend into society and control it according to her needs. Betting on humans seemed a much better choice than playing at creating an army of monsters.

Having made her choice, Elrianthe immediately went to work. A new window appeared before her eyes, associated with a new skill.

[ Managing character development:

Select a character from the list:

- Taygeer Breezetail,

- Carl Rig,

- Jim Utter,

- Mitta Hermet,

- Matt Naln,

- Duncan Zienn,

- Raven from the Crow's Forest,

- Gaz Prum,

- Brown Bear,

- Brown Bear. ]

'Interesting. All my puppets showed up. Funny that Alison hasn't changed her attitude, even though she's no longer influenced by my skill. Okay, we'll start with him.'

[ Taygeer Breezetail:

Level: 8

Class: Warrior

Skills: None

Available development points: 4 ]

'Interesting. Others also get development points, but without a system, they can't use them right away. Let's check something.'

[ You can't perform actions without the character in question being present.]

''Dammit. Do I have to call him out to do anything? Alis-”

The door of her room opened immediately, and Alison stood on the doorstep.

“Did you call, miss?”

“Um, yes... You were standing there the whole time?” Elrianthe asked, surprised.

“No, I was just passing by.”

“O-okay. Call Taygeer to me.”

“Yes, miss.”

While she waited for the cat-man, she remembered that she still had a choice of expansion for a skill. Without thinking long, she opted for the expansion of the < Scholar > skill, which, thanks to the synergy with her new skill, converted the extra experience into free experience points.

The free experience points could be used in any way she wanted. She could use them to raise her own level, the level of any of her puppets, or even for skill progression. This way she didn't have to use the skills repeatedly - all she had to do was use the free points and transfer the appropriate amount.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Taygeer appeared after a few minutes, unsure of what awaited him. Elrianthe was not in the habit of calling anyone to her room.

“Sit down. I'll try to find some skills for you, but you have to be present, that's why I sent for you,” Elrianthe explained briefly.

“The boss used to be an oracle?” Taygeer asked.

“An oracle? Where did that question come from?”

“Oracles show the way to new heroes and reveal their hidden abilities. Since you can do that too, I thought you used to be someone like that for the elves.”

“No, I wasn't someone like that. By the way... Which heroes are you talking about now? Can you further elaborate?”

“I once heard that the Church of the Five Supreme appointed someone as the Chosen of the Gods when the oracle saw his potential. From an ordinary adventurer who was curious about his skills, he suddenly became the hero of an entire empire.”

“Interesting story. Do you happen to know his name?”

“Unfortunately, no. Perhaps Miss Alison will know.”

“I'll ask her later. Is there anyone else who can discover potential like these oracles?”

“I think the richest guilds have such people in their ranks, but they usually wouldn't offer their services to the public. Anyone who has the money to do so can go to an oracle.”

“Well, yes, and I do it for free...”

“I can pay my boss, just not now.”

“I'm kidding. You don't have to pay me anything. You do enough for me. At this point, I'm the one repaying you for it.”

“Thank you, boss. I never thought that in slavery I would meet such an outstanding person as you.”

“Come on. I'm just an ordinary woman who has learned a few tricks.”

'In our medieval times, I would have been burned at the stake for this... I wonder how they treat such people here.'

Elrianthe proceeded to exchange development points. Taygeer had as many as four of them. The choices she could make were not too different from her own.

[ Choose one of the available options. Available choices: 4 ]

[ +20 health points ]

[ +10 magic points ]

[ Random skill for the current class ]

[ Random effect from the available pool ]

'Since Taygeer doesn't have a skill, I'll choose one.'

[ Taygeer Breezetail received the skill < Acceleration > ]

< Acceleration > (Class B, Physical) - A skill that allows you to accelerate the movement of your own body to a level that would be impossible even with years of intense training. The range of acceleration reaches up to four times, regardless of the body's limitations. Passively improves reaction time and speed of thought processes.

'Cool skill. It should be a big asset for him. Now maybe I'll pick something random from the pool.'

[ Taygeer Breezetail received the skill < Goliath > ]

< Goliath > (Class A, Reinforcement) - A passive skill that increases strength by 1% for every 50 health points you have.

'It may be.'

“Boss, I feel strange,” Taygeer spoke up, grabbing his head.

“Strange?”

“Strangely... well. It's like I'm stronger and faster, but I'm a little dizzy.”

“This is normal when you get two new skills. Wait a while and you'll get used to it.”

“As many as two? Amazing! How is that possible?”

“A trick,” she replied, smiling. “One increases your speed, and the other increases your strength.”

Elrianthe had two more points to distribute. After a short thought, she decided to invest them in health points, increasing his pool by an additional 50 points.

“Good. We're done.”

“Thank you very much, boss. I'll try to make the best use of these skills,” Taygeer said, bowing.

[ Taygeer Breezetail control increased to 85% ]

“Now let's see what I can do for Alison.”

Alison was working on new concoctions when Elrianthe entered her room. Since she was not on the list, Elrianthe had to get her permission to do anything.

“Alison, do you mind if I take a peek at your skills?” She asked.

“No, you can do whatever you want with me,” replied Alison, correcting her hairstyle.

'Why am I a woman!?' Cried Elrianthe in her mind.

“Good. It makes me very happy. By the way, you're no longer under the influence of my magic, you know that?”

“I know, which doesn't change the fact that I still want to be your assistant,” said Alison.

“I'm just asking out of curiosity. I had to release a place, and unlike others, you're the one I can trust.”

“I will do everything in my power to never lose that trust.”

“Well, speaking of powers, I'd like to see if I can get you some more skills.”

“Let's get started then.”

Alison put everything away, walked over to Elrianthe, grabbed her hands, and waited.