“The system offered me two classes when I woke up.” Alarion helpfully explained, though he was somewhat confused. “Is that bad? I thought multiple options was a requirement.”
“When you rank up yes.” Sierra clarified. “You need to qualify for at least three upgrades in order to rank up. But most people only get a single option when they first qualify. That Aptitude of yours is absurd.”
Alarion shrugged, somewhat sheepishly.
Sierra shook her head and pressed on. “Which classes did you qualify for?”
“The first one is…” Alarion trailed off while he quickly navigated his Status. “Novice Swordsman of Ambrosia.”
“Well that will make ZEKE happy.” She smiled. “Novice Swordsman is the exact class he has been training you toward. It is a Vitrian class specialized in the Imperial Greatsword. If your eventual magic wielding class is compatible you should be able to fuse them into something like Vitrian Guardsman which will provide an extremely solid foundation for growth. What is the other?”
Alarion didn’t have to move through his menu for this one, though he still failed to meet Sierra’s eyes as he spoke the name.
“I’m sorry?”
Alarion repeated himself. This time loud enough for Sierra to at least catch the word ‘Swordsman’.
“Alarion-”
“Stubborn Swordsman.” The young man repeated firmly, his eyes moving to hers. Burrowing into her. Daring her to laugh.
And so she did.
It was not a long affair, a few short giggles that gave way to a quick belly laugh before the young woman was able to control herself. His glare didn’t help and in the end she had to cover her face for several long seconds while she got her laughter under control.
“I assume that is a common class?” She asked once her laughter had finally subsided.
“Uncommon, actually.”
“Really?” Sierra crooked a brow in surprise. Then she snapped her fingers and said, “Kotone. Writing utensils, please.”
Pop
Before Alarion could truly become puzzled about what was happening, a small winged creature burst into the air just above Sierra’s right shoulder. It was perhaps a foot tall from tip to toe, with an enlarged head and features that were a mix of reptilian and insectile. It had no legs to speak of, its lower body tapering off to a point while its wings flapped with vibrating intensity to keep it stable as its stubby arms offered the paper and pen Sierra had requested.
“Thank you, dear. That will be all.” Sierra said, while Alarion stood slack jawed in confusion.
“Yes, miss! Yes, miss!” The creature replied happily in a buzzy voice, then vanished as quickly as it had arrived, accompanied by another soft pop, like a bubble bursting.
“What-”
“My familiar.” Sierra cut in before Alarion could drown her in inquiries. “My magical class is a summoner variant. She was my first, a mix of storage power, system guide and extremely minimal combat ability.”
“How is she able to come and go if we’re trapped here?”
“I-” Sierra began. Then she frowned. “Kotone. How is it that you are able to come and go inside a dimension lock.”
Pop
“Insufficient information.”
“Speculate,” Sierra suggested.
The creature hovered for a moment, gently bobbing side to side in place before it began to speak. “Your power may exceed that of the original caster. The lock may only restrict certain types of teleportation, or the connection between us may be considerably stronger due to the familiar bond. Among other possibilities.”
“Thank you, Kotone.”
“Yes miss! Yes miss!”
Pop
Alarion continued to stare at the empty space where the familiar had been. It wasn’t the strangest thing he’d seen since Elena had taken him as her ward, that honor went to the horror that was [Face Shaping] or perhaps the reality warping discomfort of [Void Arena], but it was a close third and it had thrown him for quite a loop.
“Alarion.” Sierra insisted, drawing his attention back to the moment as she shoved pencil and notepad into his hands. “Write down the details for me, please.”
Alarion dutifully complied.
--
> Novice Swordsman of Ambrosia [Common](Rank I)
>
> If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
>
> Description: Training in the Vitrian Rite of Ambrosia has prepared you for the role of a Novice Swordsman, capable of wielding the mighty Imperial Greatsword to modest effect. This class draws inspiration from the Rite of Ambrosia, focusing primarily on skills and attributes most useful to fighting with the Imperial Greatsword, as well as unarmed blows and thrown weapons.
>
> Requirements: Imperial Greatsword Mastery – Level 5. Training in the Rite of Ambrosia.
>
> Growths - STR – +4 – 70% | AGI – +4 – 40% | VIT - +4 - 60% | INT – +4 - 40% | WIL – +4 - 50% | PER – +4 = 40%
--
> Stubborn Swordsman [Uncommon](Rank I)
>
> Description: Though given ample formal training, you stubbornly refuse to adhere to the rules and norms of combat. You take what you can from what you are taught and make it your own in defiance of structured growth. This path is dangerous, however, as structures exist for a reason, and your intuition seldom trumps institutional knowledge. This class focuses primarily on skills and attributes related to swordsmanship, but may include unusual choices suited to your needs or desires.
>
> Requirements: Possess the flaw [Single-Minded]. Have at least one skill or class selected by the flaw [Single-Minded]. Swordsmanship training.
>
> Growths - STR – +5 – 70% | AGI – +5 – 60% | VIT - +5 - 60% | INT – +5 - 40% | WIL – +5 – 40% | PER – +5 = 30%
“Hmm.” Sierra said, musing over the two classes a few minutes later.
“That bad?”
“Your handwriting?” Sierra asked, a sly smile on her lips as Alarion’s frown deepened. “No, that is passable. This choice is quite the conundrum, however.”
Alarion seemed surprised, and he said as much. “I would have assumed I’d be told to take the first one.”
“If ZEKE were here, undoubtedly. Though much like how he told you to dual wield daggers, I am not sure how well that advice would have stuck.” Alarion declined to meet her gaze as she sent a pointed look his way before continuing. “But he is not here. I assume you have a preference?”
“Yes.” Alarion agreed, as though it even needed to be said. “I don’t like the name, but it feels more… me.”
“That is certainly a point in its favor,” Sierra said. “The system seems to reward strong convictions or emotions, though whether that is an actual function or just something that correlates because people who give a damn try harder, is difficult to tell.”
“And the points against it?” Alarion asked.
“Let me finish with the benefits first.” She scolded. “It is a higher rank, which means more attribute points and better skill selection. Skill rarity directly correlates with the class that provides them, meaning that all other things being equal a higher rarity is simply better. Even the growths are better suited since they are more physical focused.”
“But.” Alarion said pointedly.
“But… you need to be careful with it. Your single-mindedness is a flaw. Not just a personality quirk, but an imbalance substantial enough for the system to recognize it. This class is explicitly calling out that flaw as its baseline, which runs the serious risk of reinforcing the worst of your traits. In the worst case you could embrace your flaw so heavily that it escalates in severity.”
The young man tilted his head as he studied Sierra’s face. “But.”
Sierra gave a heavy sigh.
“But, classes like this can also be a way to temper a flaw. Best case scenario, in a rank up or two it might allow you to eliminate the flaw entirely. Or even better, shift your flaw into a virtue.” She saw the next question on his lips and cut him off before he could even speak. “They are like reverse flaws. They seldom appear naturally, and even minor ones can give substantial bonuses.”
“Will the Stubborn class be able to merge like the other one?” Alarion asked, studying his invisible status.
“Probably not. But stranger things have happened,” Sierra replied.
“So my choice is a safe, structured option. Or the dangerous high-reward gamble.”
She scowled. “Just pick the class, Alarion. All this hand wringing to get my permission is tiresome.”
Was that a hint of a smile on his lips?
Power surged through Alarion as he mentally selected [Stubborn Swordsman]. It felt good, not to the extent of his first experience when he had learned greatsword mastery, but enough to send a shiver down his spine while a trio of new notifications demanded his attention:
> Level Up! Congratulations, Your Stubborn Swordsman class has advanced to Level 1! STR +5. VIT +5. INT +5. PER +5.
> Alert! You qualify for one or more new skill selections. Please see your system menu for more information.
> [Quest Complete – Reaching New Heights]
> Would you like to claim your Rewards? Yes/No
Alarion mentally pressed accept and was rewarded with the sharp electric zip of a reward box being constructed by his skill. While it worked, he turned his attention to the additional notification.
> Alert! Your Class [Stubborn Swordsman] has increased in rarity due to the effect of [Self-Motivated].
>
> Attribute growths updated. STR+1. VIT +1. INT +1. PER +1.
>
> Skill selection offerings revised.
>
> [Stubborn Swordsman](Uncommon) has become [Stubborn Swordsman](Exceptional)
>
> Skill level increased. Self-Motivated is now Level 4. Luck +24.
Alarion quickly glanced back to his [Stubborn Swordsman] description, and found himself oddly disappointed that there were no noticeable changes.
That disappointment faded as the Exceptional Class Box completed and dropped into his eager hands.
Like his previous quest reward, the box was a rectangle of solid stone engraved with a gorgeous side view depiction of the climactic moment of Alarion’s battle against the brute. It captured him mid leap, sword upraised in desperation and defiance, and even included a small depiction of Sierra running toward the pit to save him.
“Wait.” Sierra said, peering over his shoulder at the lid of his reward. “You did not fight the fiend in the pit, did you?”
Alarion gave her a look, as if to remind her not to ask questions when she did not think she would like the truthful answer.
Sierra wisely chose to change the subject.
“You do know that ZEKE is going to kill you when he finds out about your class choice.”
“Only if he asks. You said getting two class options was uncommon.” Alarion retorted.
It wasn’t technically a lie, but Sierra’s eyes narrowed all the same. “I will be sure to show him your notes. Now open it.”
Alarion gave her a side eyed glare, but decided not to press the point and instead focused on the box.
> Exceptional Class Box
>
> Description: An Exceptional reward granted to Alarion, Ward of the House of Hunger for completing the quest [Reaching New Heights].
>
> Would you like to open this box? Yes/No
The answer was obvious and the lid slid away under only a gentle touch. As before, Alarion set the box carefully aside, though this time he handed the lid to Sierra. “Could you hold onto this? Or your…?”
“Kotone,” Sierra finished for him, though the words were as much summon as clarification. The small monster appeared at her side in a flash and took the lid without instruction before vanishing again.
“That is really useful.” Alarion remarked dryly as he began to remove items from the box.