As if for dramatic effect, the space once more fell to total darkness, the roots losing their light. I could hardly ponder it, my panic currently focused on the still quite visible square. Its localized glow provided a reassuring anchor in the oppressive blackness that enveloped me.
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Next up is the best part! It is time to choose your class.
You will find three choices listed below with a brief summary of each.
If none of these options appeal to you, you may exchange one of your obsolete spells for a randomized class of my choosing.
That sounds fun, right? No matter your choice, there will be no take-backs.
Your options are as follows:
Thief - A natural sneak, you have ways of getting what you need. Immerse yourself within the shadows and keep your blade at your side. Sticky fingers don't keep many friends. +1 rank in Physical.
Fire Mage - The very flames have come to serve you and you may wield their power freely. A powerful disposition and sure to rise, as long as you watch what you're burning. +1 rank in Mental.
Spellblade - An efficient combination of spellslinging and swordsmanship, thought by some to be the perfect combination. A little discipline will go a long way, though it won't be an easy path. +1 rank in your choice of Physical or Mental.
I was at a loss as I stared at the screen, rereading my options. "I… Have to pick one of these? Now? Can I delay it?" Speaking quickly, I realized just how important of a choice this was. The descriptions of each class were tantalizing and intimidating in their own ways, and I had to make a decision, even if it filled me with uncertainty.
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Most of the remaining process does require you to choose a class, however…
Would you like to go ahead and exchange your obsolete spells and talents into gold or EXP?
"Yes. How much can I get? In either gold or EXP." I nodded at the screen, leaning forward in sudden determination. Of course, the square just moved backwards to maintain the same distance.
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Calculating full value. Complete.
The system is generous. Your exchange would come out to either 120,500 gold or 580 EXP.
"Is that a lot? In gold or EXP?"
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The amount in gold would buy you ten medium quality Fatigue potions or one decent skill book.
I hope the EXP is self-explanatory.
I frowned, realizing I was going to have to figure this part out myself. It does seem like a lot, but it was the exchange of my life's effort, after all… The guide had said that it's important to have lots of gold, but it didn't seem too important at the moment. Ranks on the other hand... "I want to exchange 300 EXP worth for my Mental. Another 50 EXP for my Physical."
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Confirmed.
Congratulations, Mental has increased to Rank D-!
Congratulations, Physical has increased to Rank F!
I waited for something to happen following the announcements, but at most there was only a small tickle at the back of my skull. Did it actually work? Would the rank up in Mental help me choose a class?
"...Status?" The same status screen quickly reappeared with only minute changes.
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Name: Cytus
Age: 18
Species: Humanoid
Origin: D66001-97
Class: Unassigned
Condition: Intact
Fatigue: 0/25
Physical: Rank F [0/100 EXP]
Mental: Rank D- [0/500 EXP]
General Skills:
---
Active Skills:
---
Passive Skills:
---
Gold: 0
Along with the two ranks, my fatigue limit had increased. I caught myself grinning at the numbers for a good moment before reigning myself in and leaning back. It was only natural to feel good about it… "Ahem… Please show me the classes again."
Once the guide obliged and the previous screen returned to the forefront, I took in the information once more, wondering if I'd even notice the extra rank in Mental. The aforementioned bonuses were pretty vague…
"First is Thief. It doesn't sound great." I started, frowning. Sure, I have experience in the act… I'd gotten quite a few of my spells that way. I would have never been able to afford a proper scroll, otherwise– I'd have been stuck with all the baby stuff that everyone knew.
"The description also implies shadow-related stealth skills, but… What would I even be stealing? Who from? Monsters, maybe? I don't really want to go around making enemies of other… 'Selected,' as this thing puts it. A thief without thievery is just an assassin. No, let's skip that one." It was an easy conclusion, cemented by a nod of my head.
"Next is Fire Mage. It sounds impressive, sure, but… I don't know. All the fire specialists that I knew were also the biggest jerks. You have to be a hothead to get the most out of a class like that. Plus, what if all of the Labyrinth is as cramped as this? Playing around with fire would be an awful idea in a case like that." I sighed. It's actually helping a lot to talk about it out loud. At least there's no one else around to judge me.
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I am around and judging you.
"Okay, no, I'm going to ignore that. Smart-ass." I glared at the screen for a moment before it closed itself. "Next is Spellblade." I paused, my attention drawn by a streak of light returning to the various roots. It seemed there would be a recurring pattern in that. Patterns are always nice…
"Hm… Spellblade seems like an obvious choice compared to the others. There's no obvious restriction on spell type or morality that I can see. I've never used a sword before, but I might have to. Maybe I've got a hidden talent for it? The three class choices did seem tailored towards me after all." I hesitated to commit, still somehow unconvinced. It just didn't feel right.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
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Will you choose Spellblade?
"I… No. Just give me a minute." I shook my head again. "Tell me about the other option. Just how randomized is it if I let you choose something for me?"
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Quite random! It will be so fun! I am thirty percent sure you would not regret it!
I winced, my left eye twitching. "Those are awful odds. You realize that, right? I would have to be crazy to choose that."
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I did not say otherwise. Only that it will be fun. For me.
I groaned, bringing a hand to my face. For some reason, I just couldn't dismiss the idea. I'd never considered myself a gambling man, and yet… "Come on, you have such a clear choice with Spellblade… It sounds nice and powerful, right? Swing around a sharp stick and blow up some baddies… Oh man…" Both hands slid into my hair, clutching at ginger locks as I failed entirely in talking myself out of it.
"Okay. Use one of my obsolete spells and randomize it. I'm going to let you have fun, so please get me something nice. Please."
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Confirmed!
Your class has been selected! Please refer to your updated status.
Oh, no, that was way too quick. A feeling of unease seeping into the core of my very being, I tried to ignore it and used a mental command to open my status. My gaze fell to my new class and the unease that had originally reflected in the light gray hues immediately cycled to horror and then rage.
"You're shitting me! This isn't random at all, you lousy blue bastard, this is a direct offense! What is wrong with you– I even said please! Twice! I hope you cut yourself on your own four corners!"
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I am sensing hostilities. You are not pleased?
"You tell me! You tell me right now, what in the hell kind of class… Is Gambler?!"
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Of course! The requested information is as follows:
Gambler - You walk a fine line and you walk it well. Luck is at the core of your every action and you'd have it no other way. Some days you win and some days you lose… That's life as a gambling man. +1 rank in Mental.
I am quite proud of this one, but it is okay if you do not agree. After all, there are no take-backs! Now, you may have noticed your five brand-new skills. Allow me to go over the details for you!
You have obtained one General Skill!
Luck of The Draw - This can be used once every five hours. Spawns a random item. Could be a weapon, consumable, or survival gear. If not a consumable, the spawned item will disappear once the five hours are up.
You have obtained three Active Skills!
Flip a Coin - Fifty-fifty chance of either buffing or de-buffing the target. Target can be either self or others. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Aces - The next attack will inflict double damage. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Heads Up - Enemies will be forced to attack one at a time for the following five minutes. Consumes 5 fatigue.
You have obtained one Passive Skill!
Are You Feeling Lucky - Luck is 5% more likely to weigh in the owner's favor.
I was still fuming when I began reading, but I was gradually losing steam. It actually… Didn't sound that bad? The whole luck-centric thing is a bit iffy, but even just the General Skill sounded pretty good, though not entirely reliable… Well, I can't just admit it, now. "...I suppose I can forgive you for now. You just watch yourself going forward, got it?"
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Apology accepted. I am glad that you like your new class!
I only grumbled in response, crossing my arms over my chest. "Sure, sure, whatever. My spells were way better. Way cooler, too."
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Incorrect. Your spells were obsolete. Now, let us complete this process!
How would you like to convert your remaining spellwork?
You may obtain up to 41,400 gold or 200 EXP.
I rolled my eyes, not buying into the guide's bias for even a moment. My spells were awesome. That aside… It seemed each point of EXP was equal to about 207 gold? Around that. Well, that was something to know. "I'll… Go all in on gold." A smirk took over my expression as I spoke, as I was feeling rather proud of my own pun.
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Confirmed. You are still not very clever.
Your status setup is now complete!
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Name: Cytus
Age: 18
Species: Humanoid
Origin: D66001-97
Class: Gambler
Condition: Intact
Fatigue: 0/35
Physical: Rank F
[0/100 EXP]
Mental: Rank D
[0/1000 EXP]
General Skills:
Luck of The Draw - This can be used once every five hours. Spawns a random item. Could be a weapon, consumable, or survival gear. If not a consumable, the spawned item will disappear once the five hours are up.
Active Skills:
Flip a Coin - Fifty-fifty chance of either buffing or de-buffing the target. Target can be either self or others. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Aces - The next attack will inflict double damage. Consumes 3 fatigue.
Heads Up - Enemies will be forced to attack one at a time for the following five minutes. Consumes 5 fatigue.
Passive Skills:
Are You Feeling Lucky - Luck is 5% more likely to weigh in the owner's favor.
Gold: 41,400
"Okay… This doesn't seem too bad. What now..?" The loaded question of the day. Uncertainty was clear on my face as I hyper-focused on my status. This venture hadn't been too bad so far, but I had a feeling that there wasn't much fun left to be had.
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Now, I will explain some basic features of your System. I did mention personalization, yes?
Be happy to know that your interface, the 'plaque' you see in front of you, is entirely customizable!
Color, shape, size, font, opacity and more. Simply picture how you'd prefer your interface to appear and I will make it happen.
This feature will remain once this tutorial ends and I integrate into the System.
I pondered the new information, though unfamiliar with a few words the guide was using, such as 'font' and 'opacity'. I realized that despite having never seen such words before, I had a pretty good inkling of what they referred to. Perhaps this was the new Mental ranking coming into play?
I decided to try it out, closing my eyes and picturing the 'interface', mostly the same, only a bit more see-through and further from my face. By the time I opened my eyes, the screen had shifted to match exactly as I'd wanted. This bit of control was a small comfort in a world full of unknowns.
"That's… Useful. Why is this the last thing you're telling me about?" Huffing, I moved to stand for the first time since waking up. Looking up, there was about two feet of space above my head, confirming my estimate of the cube being about two and a half meters high and across. "Integrate, huh? Does that mean you'll finally shut up?"
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Yes. Well, not entirely. I will be the one to provide you with missions from time to time.
Maybe the occasional bit of information. You will never truly be free of me.
"Oh, well, that's foreboding. Then, what about my next steps? When will I be let out of this thing?"
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You may start your journey once I have integrated. Details will be provided in your first mission.
Please be patient while I begin my integration. Thank you.
I nodded at that, feeling a bit awkward. It suddenly seemed so melancholy, didn't it? Unsure what else to do, I stood with my arms crossed and waited as I was asked.
I'm not sure how much time passed from then. Enough for the root lights to cease and then return once more. I was startled as the prompt finally returned, as it was accompanied by sound. Something like a short trumpet fanfare.
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Cytus has completed the introduction to the System!
A starter mission is being generated.
Please choose a door to begin your travels.